#svt wonwoo filo fic

[ontowanderlust]

Of Part time Jobs and Hidden Feelings

SYPNOSIS. You'd think that with all those part time jobs, she'd be used to making her feelings be part time too. Alternatively, she who jumps from one part time job onto another, she should include hiding her feelings into that roster as well.

PROMPT. Can feelings be part time too?

TROPES. S2F2L. “She fell first, he fell harder”

WC. 1.9k words. (Super haba kasi if isahang post so hehe)

WARNINGS. Use of profanities. Lots of them. Sorry guys. Masyado pong pasmado ang bibig ko kaya nadala sa fanfics.

TAGS. Part-timers; Alternating point of views;

NOTES. I’ve always always wanted to write this prompt kasi matagal na siyang stuck sa utak ko. Like siguro months din ang duration ng stay nito sa utak ko omg. This was supposed to be a spin off story from my commissioned piece kaya lang I thought na it’s best to leave it be and just branch this out as something else. Hence, being a svt fanfic.

MORE NOTES. This is a mixture of smau and written fic pero mas prominent yung written. And since this is a mix of different perspectives, point oh's are Jeon's point of view. And originally, I planned on posting this as one shot kaya lang super haba na niya and I fear that sa sobrang haba, pati kayo mawalan ng gana in the middle of it so chop natin into parts. Wag na rin kayong umasa na tapos na siya kasi to be honest, ang tagal na nito sa drafts ko and ngayon ko lang naisipang i-drop dito. Don't worry naman, tinutuloy ko siya... kapag may time and energy ako. Kaya lang super tagal na kahit ako, di alam kung kailan ko matatapos. lmao.

🏷️: @moonwonuu

One point Oh.

The sound of Lee Seokmin's voice had Wonwoo pausing from reaching the doorknob as he blinked while his eyebrows scrunched for a moment.

Did he hear it right? Lee Seokmin, at a convenience store at- he looked back at the wall clock behind him- two in the morning?

He knew he shouldn't judge. For all he knew, the boy could be pulling an all nighter for an exam the next day, or perhaps playing video games as a way of destressing... or whatever it is people do in the middle of the night.

After all, there isn't really a rule that says this boy can't come to a convenience store at this hour, right? Not when those who come in here had either: gotten their hearts broken, needed some sobering up before they go home, perhaps needing a solace for their raging minds, perhaps just needed to eat- or in his case, working.

And for what he knew about Lee Seokmin was: one, he's the type to wing examinations and hope for the best (he was really amazed at this boy's confidence at that one class they shared), and two, he sucked at video games (he vowed that he will never team up with him again).

So. What's his reason why he visited this convenience store of all places?

At the sound of a female voice, he had found his answer. Heaving out a sigh, he then walked out of the break room only to be greeted by the sight of his co-worker conversing with Lee Seokmin at the counter, her eyes straying to meet his before he averted and went straight towards the furthest aisle from the counter.

So he had been right, it was Lee Seokmin but... how did his co-worker knew him again?

Right. 'They belong in the same circle of friends,' he recalled, hearing the teasing tone Seokmin was using. Trying hard not to listen in as he began listing the inventory for tonight, he found that with this boy, it's quite impossible to do so. “Alam ba nito ang meaning ng indoor voice?” he muttered underneath his breath. And yet, despite the annoyance, he could feel himself smiling as he heard the duo in the front bantering with the familiarity of close friends.

‘Cute,’ he mused as he overheard her threatening her friend as silence engulfed the entire store. ‘Gaano ba 'to katapang at napapasunod niya si Seokmin sa kanya?’ Furrowing his eyebrows, he shook his head in disbelief. It's not his place to know, right? 

He is, after all, just a co-worker to her, and she to him. Aside from this graveyard shift, wala naman talaga silang connection sa isa’t isa and while she seems interesting to befriend, he’d rather not. 

Girls like her are nothing but trouble, and if what Seokmin said is true-bakit nga ba magtatrabaho ang isang tulad niya? Di ba well off ang mga Yoons? Well, di niya naman talaga kilala sila pero he heard from his roommates that they were well off… somehow.

Sighing, he found himself shaking his head before retrieving the cloth to remove dust from the items, a smile unconsciously flashing across his lips when he heard the boy bid his adieu to his friend. 

Despite her tough exterior, he could tell she’s not that bad- not when Lee Seokmin treats her fondly that is. And yet, there’s just something that had him hesitating to approach her, perhaps because she seemed intimidating? What was it that Mingyu had told him again? The Yoons may look like they can destroy you with their stare but they’re really one of the kindest people out there. 

Pero kahit na. Di naman niya kilala sila personally, di ba? You can never really tell with people nowadays na rin naman. ‘Yan dapat ang mentality,’ he nodded once he’s satisfied with his task, moving on towards the next one— stocking. ‘It’s better to have few people in your life, the ones you truly trust rather than let them in only to be disappointed in the end.’

Kaya ayan, rather than getting to know each other, both of them found themselves working in complete silence, one genuinely basking in it while the other simmered in anxiousness.

Looking at her reflection, he couldn’t help but reach out. ‘Mukhang bored na nga siya,’ he couldn’t help but notice. ‘Wala naman mawawala right?’ Before his subconscious could even internalize his musings, his mouth opened, testing the waters.

“Gusto mo ba ako naman dyan sa cashier?”

He could tell she was startled. For someone who looked intimidating, her emotions are easily readable from her face that he couldn’t help but think— is she the type to wear her heart out on her sleeve? If so, then how come she doesn’t have friends outside of her circle? 

“Kung gusto mo lang naman,” he backtracked as he watched her expressions change. “Cause kanina ka pa dyan nakatayo.”

Chuckling at her answer, he couldn’t help but tease her as she struggled to form the correct response, face flushed as she tried to compose herself. ‘Cute,’ he shook his head as they changed stations- him, manning the counter while she made her way towards the beverage section, his eyes following her every move. 

From the way she moved, he could easily tell she’s not the type to work in jobs like these. She’s clumsy and lacking. Yet, she still persisted and worked hard. And while he hates the extra work he had to do, still he appreciated her efforts when it comes to her work. 

Thus, cute.

Should he make an effort, then? Have a conversation with her at least? Should he reach out to-

The sound of running cut his train of thoughts, turning towards the door only to see masked men making their way to the convenience store.

Ha.

Mechanically, he found himself raising his arms just as the men entered the store with declaration of robbery. 

‘Gusto ko lang naman ng mapayapang buhay,’ he groaned internally, regretting his decision to come in for his shift instead of staying in and calling in sick. ‘Gusto ko lang din naman ng mapayapang shift, bakit parang ang hirap naman i-achieve?’

Heart thumping wildly in his chest, he was about to reach for the cash drawer when he saw something flew from his companion’s direction. 

Eyes widening, he turned towards her in astonishment as he saw the initial shock on her face vanish as she continued throwing beverages at the men. ‘Anak ng tipaklong naman, Rianne, wag kang padalos-’ 

Just before he could even move a muscle, he watched her hurling herself at one of the guys, hitting him with a soda. ‘Oh my god.’ “Yoon Rianne-” he found himself calling out, earning her glare, sending shivers down his spine.  

“Get help!” She shouted, making him jump as he reached for his phone. Sino naman tatawagan nya? Pulis, right? 

Scrolling down, he could see his hands trembling as he struggled to find the right contact. ‘Ah to hell with this, kahit sino na nga lang. Right now, this crazy girl needs me.’ he thought as he took one glance at the scene before him. He dialed the first person he saw as he fidgeted, sighing in relief once he heard the other side picked up. 

Not wasting a single minute, he relayed what happened, going as fast as he can (baka in another life, isa siyang magaling na rapper), not caring if the person on the other side can understand him coherently. 

He made sure to emphasize on the convenience store’s name and the current situation before hanging up, attempting to join the madness so as to help her only to slip on the spilled soda on the floor. ‘Aba'y putangina nga naman, Jeon.’

Everything happened so fast that the next thing he knew, there’s a stinging pain on the bridge of his nose, a ringing in his ears aggravated by the familiar shriek of their boss, and a stray yogurt rolling towards just above his eyes. 

Ah. What the fuck indeed.

He couldn’t decide which is worse: the fact that they all ended up in the ER at this hour, the fact that he might lose his job, or the blossoming black blue bruise on his co-worker’s face. 

He knew he should pay attention to their manager who’s now spouting about damages and whatnot but he couldn’t help but feel guilty as he stared ahead, hands fidgeting with the same yogurt that had rolled next to his face. 

‘Kung di lang ako nagfreeze, eh di sana di siya yung nakipagaway? Kung di ako nadulas eh di sana wala siya nyan no?’ Was there something about this time of the night (morning) that made all inner demons to come out and play? 

Usually, he can keep these thoughts at bay naman. Kaya lang, looking at her right now made him wish he could’ve done something useful. Was it his pride talking? He doubts it. Was it pity? He’s not really the type to feel that. 

So why? 

Steeling himself back to the conversation, he could tell she felt guilty for making him lose his job but with what she had done? ‘Parang di rin naman makatarungan that I get to keep my job when I did nothing,’ he bitterly thought as he spoke up, cutting his companion off in the middle of her sentence. 

He knew they were surprised. Sino ba namang hindi when they all knew the manager had checked the CCTV footage before he went to check up on them. He knew that technically, he’s not part of the ones who caused damages pero it really didn’t sit well with him to keep the job while she lost hers, di ba?

He could tell these two have so many questions dancing on the tip of their tongues. He knew there are so many thoughts they wanted to voice out loud and he knew that any minute now, may hindi makakatiis at magtatanong pa rin sila. And so he did what he always do whenever he doesn't want anyone prying into his business: putting up his best poker face.

True enough, his manager simply shrugged it off while his companion simply looked at him with interest behind her eyes. Knowing her, she'd still ask after their manager leave them be. ‘Mukhang hindi siya natatakot sakin ah. That's a first.’ he noticed as their manager explained the compensation for his store and the repercussions for their actions to which he simply sighed at. May magagawa pa ba siya eh tapos na?

Looking at his companion and the bruise decorating her eyes, he still couldn't shake off the guilty feeling lingering. Siguro kasi babae siya at grabe na lang ang guilt na nararamdaman niya? Kasi hindi man lang niya napagtanggol siya when he had the means to?

And siguro kaya na rin siya napabitaw ng ganoong promise kasi despite not being close with each other, there's just this feeling of protectiveness towards her. Na para bang kailangan siyang alagaan at dapat di siya nasasaktan? Pero bakit nga ba, Jeon Wonwoo? His subconscious wanted to pry. Ah basta, he shook his head as he watched her fought the smile on her lips.

As he heard her friends' voice from afar, he knew his time with her had come to an end. Is it weird for him to feel something akin to disappointment when he heard Lee Seokmin's voice again? Well.

Standing up, he paused for a moment as he decided to take a leap of courage as he placed the yogurt on her hands, bidding her goodbye.

And as he walked away from her comes with a silent vow to himself.

He'll do better. Just for her.

[anonwriterxx]

┍————————————- /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\ ————————————┑

| short filo fic wherein Wonwoo leaves his glasses at home so

his boyfriend will give more attention to him during their date |

┕——————— —————(..)(..) ∫∫—————————— —-┙

[junmoonhui]

SVT Masterlist

Choi Seungcheol

Do Re Mi (platonic!seungcheol ft. romantic!dino [hehe pi cheolin])

Yoon Jeonghan

Hong Jisoo (Joshua)

Wen Junhui (Moon Junhui)

Kwon Soonyoung (Hoshi)

Jeon Wonwoo

Lee Jihoon (Woozi)

Lee Seokmin (Dokyeom/DK)

Kim Mingyu

Xu Minghao (Seo Myungho/The8)

Boo Seungkwan

Choi Hansol (Vernon)

Lee Chan (Dino)

filo smau

National Museum of Fine Arts

boo ponkwan 🍊

english fics and smau

Soulmates Redefined

Do Re Mi (ft. platonic!seungcheol)

[SMAU] your love is like (chat ver.) (tweet ver.)

because i'm your home, home, home, home

[SMAU] worlds collide (series masterlist)

[ontowanderlust]

Of Part time Jobs and Hidden Feelings

SYPNOSIS. You'd think that with all those part time jobs, she'd be used to making her feelings be part time too. Alternatively, she who jumps from one part time job onto another, she should include hiding her feelings into that roster as well.

PROMPT. Can feelings be part time too?

TROPES. S2F2L. “She fell first, he fell harder”

WC. 3k words. (Super haba kasi if isahang post so hehe)

WARNINGS. Use of profanities. Lots of them. Sorry guys. Masyado pong pasmado ang bibig ko kaya nadala sa fanfics.

TAGS. Part-timers; Alternating point of views;

NOTES. I’ve always always wanted to write this prompt kasi matagal na siyang stuck sa utak ko. Like siguro months din ang duration ng stay nito sa utak ko omg. This was supposed to be a spin off story from my commissioned piece kaya lang I thought na it’s best to leave it be and just branch this out as something else. Hence, being a svt fanfic.

MORE NOTES. This is a mixture of smau and written fic pero mas prominent yung written. And since this is a mix of different perspectives, point oh's are Jeon's point of view. And originally, I planned on posting this as one shot kaya lang super haba na niya and I fear that sa sobrang haba, pati kayo mawalan ng gana in the middle of it so chop natin into parts. Wag na rin kayong umasa na tapos na siya kasi to be honest, ang tagal na nito sa drafts ko and ngayon ko lang naisipang i-drop dito. Don't worry naman, tinutuloy ko siya... kapag may time and energy ako. Kaya lang super tagal na kahit ako, di alam kung kailan ko matatapos. lmao.

🏷️: @moonwonuu

One.

“Talagang ginawa mo, oh my god,” she could hear the awe behind Seokmin’s voice as he stared at her as if she’s some sort of mirage, absentmindedly placing the cups of ramyeon on top of the counter to which she began to scan through the machine.

“You know very well that I don’t say things without the intent of pushing through, Min-ah,” she grunted, giving him a pointed look as he continued to stare at her before snapping out of his trance as he took out his phone- no doubt to tell everyone in their group about his latest discovery, earning an eye roll from her.

True to her guess, her phone pinged with notifications followed by another consecutive pings- much to her exasperation. Di ba uso ang tulog sa tropa niya? (Spoiler alert: hindi.)

“Onga,” Seokmin agreed, nodding his head as he locked his phone, flashing her a sheepish smile. “Pero kasi naman, Riri, why would you apply for a job when you have no need for it?” He asked just as her co-worker made his way out of the break room, pausing in his tracks when he saw her with a customer. She watched him made eye contact with her before making his way towards the furthest aisle from where she were. Wow.

“Okay, I’ll ask this with much love and sincerity- nabubuang ka na ba?” Seokmin’s voice brought her attention back to him. “Maiintindihan ko pa kung gipit tayo sa cash at mahigit ang pangangailangan natin sa buhay kasi kailangan mong bumuhay ng tatlong anak pero di ba ikaw yung palamunin nina kuya Cheol?”

‘We don’t hit customers,’ she chanted in her head as she flashed him her award wining customer service smile, ignoring the small cough that came from the aisle where her co-worker had disappeared to. Ah, really. Of all times her friend managed to discover where she worked, it was the time where her co-worker had just clocked in. ‘We don’t hit customers no matter how hittable their faces are.’

“Kuya ko ba yun?” she deadpanned, crossing her arms as he shrugged, leaning against the counter.

“Hindi,” his cheshire grin makes her want to really deck him this time. “Kaso di ba palamunin na nun si kuya Han? So like, by extension, it applies na rin sayo? So ano to, nagbabagong buhay ka na ba at gusto mo nang bayaran si kuya sa lahat ng ginastos nya sainyong magkapatid?”

“Gusto mo pa bang makalabas dito nang buhay, Lee Seokmin?” She asked, hoping for her smile to be as menacing as her brother’s, feeling a small satisfaction when her friend let out a squeak before nodding his head furiously, fingers miming a zipper motion on his mouth. “Si kuya Han lang yung palamunin nun, huy. Tsaka didn't we talk about this? Learning experience ‘to for me para ma-hone pa yung mga skills ko.”

He raised an eyebrow, looking at her suspiciously. “What skills?”

“Social skills, what else?” She shrugged as she watched Seokmin gave her an incredulous look before turning around to peek at the aisle where her co-worker had disappeared to before turning back to her.

‘You call that socializing?’ the disbelief in his face looked palpable and if she didn't know any better, he would've scoffed out loud if it weren't for her looming threat. Takot lang ni Seokmin sa kanya, eh.

Pushing the plastic bag filled with his items, she nodded sagely, flashing him her best customer smile before jerking her head to signal that she's forcing him to leave. ‘Yes. Now get lost, dummy.’

Her friend's eyes narrowed at her while she glared back, daring him to continue. A minute passed before her friend backed down, shaking his head, reaching down to pay for his items.

Once he had collected his change, he raised the hand holding the plastic bag as he turned to leave the premises. “Eto na, sabi ko nga aalis na po ako, mahal na reyna,” he bid her as she scrunched her nose at how loud his voice being at what, two in the morning? “Matulog ka after ng shift mo, ah?”

When she’s sure he had left, she took out her phone, curiously checking for what he had sent in their group chat. Shaking her head, she narrowed her eyes as she typed in her reply, wondering how on earth did Seokmin took the picture without her knowing.

Fighting the urge to huff, she pocketed her phone as her face began to scrunch. Really, what’s so surprising in her taking up a part time job anyway?

Marami namang students ang gumagawa nito so bakit siya hindi pwede, di ba? And hindi naman siya ganun ka-entitled, right? Or siguro kasi not many would get a job just because they have trouble sleeping during the night? Or siguro… not many would get a part time job on a whim.

Ah well. Not many would want the graveyard shift anyway. In fact, when she had applied for this job, the manager looked like he would fall over in relief when she said she’s okay with taking the graveyard shift.

And so, for the first few days of working, she found herself finally enjoying the solitude of the night as she’s being productive instead of wallowing in her own thoughts.

That is, until her manager introduced her new co-worker, Jeon Wonwoo.

Subconsciously, her eyes wandered towards the aisle where he had hid himself only for her eyes to dart back to the monitor screen she was staring earlier when she saw him finally emerge from the said aisle before going towards the next aisle which happened to be where the beverages are.

‘Ang awkward,’ fighting the urge to groan out loud, her fingers kept on tapping on the counter as her eyes kept on darting from the monitor screen to her co-worker’s back who had busied himself by restocking the same items she had “stocked” hours prior. ‘Luh, gaya gaya?’ She bit the urge to voice out.

While she was grateful for the company he provided, (he doesn’t really have a choice in that matter anyway) it felt as if the guy didn’t like her- not even for a tiny bit. (Why else would he ignore and avoid her?) She watched him as he moved from the beverages towards the canned goods aisle with curiosity lingering in her eyes.

It’s not like her to take offense- hell, she doesn’t really care if people liked her or not. But for someone who doesn’t know her, it made her curious as to what she did for him to immediately dislike her upon first meeting especially since she had always been enamored of him the first time she saw him and that was what? Freshman week?

Bitterly smiling to herself, she shook her head as she threw him one last glance, tilting her head when she saw him turn his head slightly. The action had been minuscule but when your older brother goes by the name Yoon Jeonghan, one couldn’t help but become vigilant especially with subtle gestures.

Deciding it was nothing, she turned her attention back to the counter to see if it needed cleaning- for the nth time that night- early morning? ‘Lord, baka naman.’ She let out a small sigh. ‘Wala bang pa-divine intervention diyan? Mukhang mapu-pudpod na rin yung kamay niya kakapunas nung de-lata oh.’

“Uhm,” her reverie broke when she heard someone clearing their throat followed by a smooth baritone voice. If she didn’t have any self control, she would’ve shivered right there and then. “Gusto mo ba ako naman dyan sa cashier?”

Turning to look at him, she could feel her eyebrows furrowing. Has there been an instance where he was the first to approach her? “Kung gusto mo lang naman,” he was quick to add, no doubt noticing the look on her face. “Cause kanina ka pa rin naman nakatayo diyan.”

“Yeah, no, sure,” she blurted out, shaking her head as her eyes widened- was that a flash of amusement in his eyes? And was that an upturn of his mouth? The change in him was quick before she could even dwell on it. It’s as if… it never happened at all.

“Was that a yes or a no?”

‘Uhm, Lord? Ito na ba ang divine intervention mo?’ Wordlessly, she stepped out of the counter to make way for him, silently berating herself as she made her way towards the beverage area yet again, not noticing the way his gaze followed her for a moment before settling behind the counter.

Should she say something to keep the conversation going? But the time for her to reply had passed so should she create another opening for him to talk? Staring at the grapefruit flavored yogurt in front of her, she had came into conclusion, ‘Mukhang nabubuang na nga ako,’

Right? Who in their right mind would overthink as simple as starting the conversation? One with their co-worker as well? It’s like a simple decision, you want to talk or you don’t. There’s no in between- and oh god, is she channeling her inner Woozi?

Just before her thoughts could even spiral further, her train of thoughts- for the nth time that night- had been broken by the sounds of desperate running, making her and her companion turn their heads towards the door only to see masked men making their way into their convenience store.

‘Lord, alam ko humihingi ako ng divine intervention pero mukhang napasobra naman po ata?’ She could feel a headache incoming as she turned to look at her companion who had already had his arms raised. ‘Hala siya. Pinalaki ka bang duwag ng mga magulang mo, Jeon?’

Before she could even comprehend it, she could feel her hand reaching behind her as she grasped on what felt like a cup of yogurt- perhaps the same one she had been glaring at earlier, throwing it as hard as she can towards one of the robbers, hitting him squarely on the head, much to Jeon- and the two masked men's shock.

Did she just-

Earning their attention, she didn’t think twice before throwing whatever she could reach behind her as the robbers advanced towards her, making her spring into action- throwing herself at one of the men, hitting him with the can of soda her hand last took from the fridge.

“Yoon Rianne-”

“Get help!” She gave her a pointed look as she tightened her hold on the masked man while she swung her can over the other man. “Tawagan mo pulis or kung sino man, I don't care just- get. fucking. help!” she grunted as she threw all her weight, shaking the can on her hand as she quickly opened it, spraying liquid onto the other man she had been fending off her.

From her periphery, she could see the hesitation running behind his eyes before reaching for his phone while she gave her all to distract the two guys. She could almost feel the gears on his head turning as he watched her worriedly, already knowing what goes on with his mind- number one being, what the actual fuck?

Honestly? Di rin niya alam bakit niya yun ginawa. Was it because of reflexes? Years of being the subject of her kuya’s pranks when they were kids? A product of her hyperfixation of learning eskrima? Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. And since nangyari naman na, might as well go hard right? After all, di siya pinalaking duwag ng kuya niya.

She didn’t know how long she had been holding on to the guy but when she felt the weight from the other man becoming lighter, she sharply turned her head only to see Jeon beginning to follow her actions but before he could even do something, she watched in horror as he slipped on the liquid that had spilled from the soda she had been brandishing earlier.

Lurching forward, she reached for his outstretched hand, trying to catch him. She would’ve successfully saved him from falling if it weren’t for the fact that she was still on the masked man’s back as she attempted to help her co-worker and in doing so, her balance shifted that the sudden force had brought the man down with her, crashing into a pile of entangled limbs- her face jerking backwards as one fist came contact with her eye while she might have kicked someone- judging from the pained groan- to somewhere the sun doesn’t shine.

She would’ve done more- if it weren’t for the sound of keys dropping on the floor followed by a shriek from none other than their store manager. “What the fuck?”

Swallowing a groan as she threw her head back in exasperation, she couldn’t help but bitterly think, ‘Jeon, ang sabi ko tawagan yung pulis. Hindi yung manager.’

“You do realize that I’m letting you both off easily right?” Their manager looked at them with a mixture of pity, annoyance, and amusement as she looked up from her phone, struggling to lock it with one hand as the other was busy with placing an ice pack over her now bruised eye. “What, with the damage done to my store rather than yung perang dapat nanakawin sana ng mga yun?”

She blinked, looking at their manager blankly for a bit before turning to her co-worker who’s now rocking that yellow pikachu band aid on the bridge of his nose then staring back at their manager, wincing when she removed the ice pack from her eye. “Ah but Jeon didn’t really-”

“-realize na yung drinks na tinapon namin were expensive,” he spoke up making her turn to him, raising an eyebrow while he ignored her stare and simply looked back at their manager who looked just as surprised as her.

Huh.

She knew for a fact that the manager had reviewed the CCTV footage of the encounter earlier and while Jeon had been hurt during the fight where he was just pulling the other man off of her, he had not taken part of the said fight. So why on earth was he being let off?

And more importantly, why is he not saying anything about it?

The manager's exasperated sigh had her attention being brought back to the situation.

Seeing the manager shake his head, her heart dropped. "As compensation for protecting my store, l'll give you guys a severance pay and sasagutin ko na rin yung gastos niyo dito," he told them, sympathy evident behind his eyes. "However, since may damage yung store, I'm afraid your severance pay will have to cover the dues."

Letting out a small resigned sigh, they both nodded as their faces fell, the manager giving them gentle pats on their shoulder before leaving them as silence befell them.

Hyperaware of the coldness of the ice pack, she placed it on her lap as she closed and opened her fist to shake off the cold sensation before reaching for her phone.

“You shouldn’t stop applying cold pack on your bruise,” her companion cleared his throat giving her the excuse to study him intently the first time that night. “It will get worse and painful if you stopped.” He explained as she mutely nodded, placing the ice pack back on her eyes, jumping slightly at the combined cold and painful sensation.

Silence engulfed them once more, making her fidget on her seat. “Sorry I got you fired,” she mumbled, closely monitoring his reaction, tilting her head as she heard him hum in acknowledgment. “I don’t know why you did that but I could still run after him-”

“Sorry I couldn’t help you earlier,” he cut her off, offering his own apology, hands fidgeting on a small object she couldn't recognize. “It’s not an excuse but when I saw those men, I just…froze.”

“Understandable,” she shrugged, silently accepting his apology. “Mabilis lang reaction time ko kasi si kuya.” She didn’t know why she’s explaining but she felt like she had to or else she might be known in Jeon Wonwoo’s memory as that crazy beverage throwing girl from the convenience store.

Blinking, she may had forgotten that this was the first time they had interacted so she didn't know if he knew who her brother was. Back pedaling, she cleared her throat. “Uh I mean si kuya Jeonghan yung-”

“I know,” the small reassuring smile on him had her pausing for a moment before snapping herself out of her stupor. “Next time I’ll do better. I won't let you handle them alone.”

“Ah. So gusto mo uli manakawan?” she raised an eyebrow at him, wincing when she realized that she moved her bruised eye, earning a look of concern from him to which she waved dismissably at.

“No,” he shook his head when he's sure that she's alright. “I mean I’ll train my reaction time. Next time mas mabilis na ako magreact kesa sayo. Para di na ikaw yung manunugod bigla bigla.”

Trying to fight the smile threatening to come out. Is he really this… endearing? “Geh, sabi mo eh.”

It looked like he wanted to say more if it weren’t for the familiar sound of Seokmin’s voice from a distance. Inwardly cringing, she couldn't help but think if it's really a good idea to ask for her friends to pick her up rather than her brother.

“Ay talaga naman, Seokmin,” she wanted to facepalm earning a fond shake of Jeon’s head.

Deciding that was his cue, he stood up, pausing for a moment as if he was contemplating on something before nodding his head as he took her hand, placing the object he was playing with earlier on top of her phone.

“Wag ka muna manunugod ah? Get well soon,” he mumbled her name as he walked off while she was left to stare at his retreating back.

Looking down, she let out a small fond scoff as she inspected the grapefruit flavored yogurt cup. Did he really think…? Cute.

Despite her hesitation, she removed the lid and scooped a mouthful before grimacing- a sight that greeted her friends as they came to collect her.

She doesn't like grapefruits and yet, this yogurt may be her favorite out of all.

[anonwriterxx]

A short fic wherein Seungkwan sends a Christmas greeting to his crush not noticing the auto-correction and gets a reply from Wonwoo.

[anonwriterxx]

“Kung gusto mo ng kiss, chat mo ‘ko... hindi yung maabutan pa kitang naglalaro ng y8 sa apartment mo...” ༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

WonBoo short fic prompt wherein Haru (sk) caught his boyfriend, Terry (ww), playing games instead of replying to his msgs.

Terry didn’t notice that his boyfriend had arrived. He was wearing noise-canceling headphones while playing that kiddy game. Haru slowly tiptoed in approaching the latter. He stood behind him and swiveled the chair to tickle his not-so-busy boyfriend.

“Kaya pala di ka nagrereply sakin ha kasi naglalaro ka...”

“Tapos kiss-kiss pa talaga nilalaro mo ha…” Terry tried to break free, yet he could only do was scream his lungs out.

“Hahaha- babe.... stop na pls… hahahaha” Haru stopped gradually. Meanwhile, Terry was gasping for air.  He slowly leaned in for a stolen kiss.

“Kung gusto mo ng kiss, chat mo ‘ko... hindi yung maabutan pa kitang naglalaro ng y8 sa apartment mo...” Haru pinched the latter’s cheeks.

[anonwriterxx]

B-I-M (wonboo short fic)

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧

Won mistakenly called Kwan as "Bim" for several times during their date. It made Kwan upset without hearing the reason.

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧

As they exit the restaurant, “So Bim…. Sorry… San mo gusto pumunta next? Hmm?” Won tried to hold Kwan’s hand but the latter walked faster leaving him behind.

Won was able to catch up. “Saan ka pupunta?” He asked.

“Uuwi na ako.” Kwan answered.

“Ha? Pero… Paano ang date natin?”

“Magdate kayo ng bim mo!”

Won can’t help himself but grin to Kwan’s remark.

“Akala ko ba uuwi ka na?” Won teased him as they were walking the opposite direction of Kwan’s home.

“Paki mo?!” Kwan went inside the 7/11 and grab some ice cream. When it was the latter’s turn to pay, Won suddenly gave his bill to the cashier.

“Ako na magbabayad..” The cashier gladly accepted the money. Kwan just sighed in defeat since he doesn’t want to cause a scene in the store.  As they keep on walking, Kwan found an empty bench at the park and took a sit.

“Galit ka pa rin ba? Sorry.” Won scooted over.

Kwan sighed, “Kausapin mo yung BIM mo…”

Won chuckled, “Oh? Ba’t tawang tawa ka diyan?”

“Eto nga.. kinakausap ko nga... pero galit naman sakin...”

“HA?” Kwan glanced at him with brows furrowed.

“Ikaw kasi si Bim...” Won locked eyes with the latter.

“HA?! Anong ako?! Seungkwan ang pangalan ko, hello?” Kwan averted his gaze.

“Corny man pakinggan pero bim stands for boo is mine…” Won stand up as he tried to hide his shyness.

Kwan felt thankful as Won wouldn’t see his silent battle of suppressing his laughter.  “E-Edi dapat kanina mo pa s-sinabi! Tsaka ba’t mo binabawi bigla kapag nag b-bim ka sakin?” He stood up and faced him.

“Kasi, I have no rights to call you bim.. ‘di mo pa ‘ko sinasagot. Naexcite lang talaga ako siguro sa date nato…” Won sighed.

Kwan intertwined his hand with the latter and said, “Saan ba tayo pupunta next, hmm?”

They looked at each other, eyes twinkling with delight..

[anonwriterxx]

Tender Juicy (wonboo filo au)

◈𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 𝅓 𝅒 ◈

“Okay, you may sit down.”  As Jeon Wonwoo seated, Seungkwan eyed his friends with protruding lips like a boyfriend trophy as his crush was able to answer the oral recit. Seokmin and Jeonghan just rolled their eyes in annoyance.

Professor Choi walked around the classroom while shuffling the index card.

“Wonwoo Jeon, give me a number…”

“Eight, sir.” Prof. Choi shuffled the cards eight time as what Wonwoo said.

“Seokmin Lee…” Seokmin slowly stood up.

“Yes sir…” He softly replied.

“How many hours should an employee work in a day?”

“8 hours, sir.” He sighed exasperatedly, thanking the heavens for having the easiest question. He was about to be seated when Prof. Choi added further questions.

“What would happen if the employee has to work beyond the given 8 hours?”

“The employee is entitled for additional compensation equivalent to his regular wage plus at least 25% sir.”

“Alright, and that is article?”

“87, sir.” Prof Choi nodded as a signal for him to be seated. Seokmin sighed in relief.

“Now pertaining to wages, may an employer pay his employee with gift check in the same equivalent of his regular wage? Or if not gift check, let’s say an item. If he’s working with PureFoods company, tapos ang binigay na sweldo ay hotdogs from the company. Pwede ba?” Students whose names weren't called were averting Prof. Choi's gaze, which caught his attention.

“Seungkwan Boo?”

“S-sir..” Choi tilted his head, waiting for his answer.

He stood up and answered, “Ahm.. No po.”

“And why is that?” Seungkwan eyes were pleading for help from his friends but they were avoiding it. However, his crush, Jeon Wonwoo, was already looking at him, fixated. His anxiety doubled in intensity. Fear of being unable to provide an answer.

“Although the hotdogs were tender juicy sir, they are not legal tender po.” Seungkwan felt that the oxygen underwent scarcity as he was experiencing heavy breathing.

All except Seungkwan and Prof Choi were holding their laughter. Seungkwan couldn’t help but side-eyed his crush who’s seating at the front row. Wonwoo bit his lips.

May mali talaga sa answer ko huhu. Anxious thoughts.

“Article 102, no employer shall pay the wages of an employee by means of promissory notes, vouchers, or any object other than legal tender. Kahit pa na tender juicy ang hotdog. Am I right, Seungkwan?” Seungkwan felt the heat from Prof Choi’s stare as his classmates couldn’t help but chuckled.

“Y-yes po…” He answered shyly.

[ontowanderlust]

What kind of future?

SYPNOSIS. When you can see everyone’s future but your own, do you dare wonder if you had one to begin with? And while the heavens offered no answer, will you still ask which future is the right one when the person you love had someone waiting for him?

PROMPT. Fortuneteller!AU where you can see everyone’s future but your own.

TROPES. idiots in love; F2L, I swear; the art of waiting can sometimes be painful.

WC. 9k words.

WARNINGS/TAGS. Svt filo fanfic; slight angst (sobrang super slight parang kagat ng maliit na dinosaur. Rawr.); Some grammatical errors na I swear I’ll edit when I get to it; Unsolicited filo jokes (mentions of maintenance as in drugs but like in a light hearted way); food mentions;

NOTES. So. This is actually a product of a random conversation. I didn’t exactly think it would bear a fanfic out of it pero welp, here we are. Been tapping into writing in taglish again but who knows, maybe I’ll try to translate it into cohesive english din? Anyway, this is for you @moonwonuu Also, the title came from the song, What kind of future by Woozi. Kaya kung masakit man tong fanfic na to, kasalanan talaga ni Woozi yan tas damay niyo na rin si Cel kasi siya nag reco sakin nyan.

MORE NOTES. Happy birthday, Jeonghan. (I know wala kang masyadong role dito sa fic pero since birthday mo ngayon, shoutout ko na lang ikaw dito.)

You were descended in a clan of fortune tellers.

Syempre, hindi yung typical na naiimagine ng mga tao when they hear the word fortune tellers, ah? Katulad siguro ni Madam Auring (Not to be that person pero, buhay pa ba yun?) or si Master Hanz (Jusko naman yung tagline nun na "Hanz-on sa future mo" or something will remain living rent free sa utak mo every time napapadaan ka sa edsa) or that old lady sa isang morning talk show (Kabisado na nga ng pinsan mo yung spiel niya) or heaven forbid, yung mga manghuhula sa Quiapo. (Di ba gayuma yung specialization nila?)

Point is, other fortune tellers use divination as means of seeing ahead. They have techniques (tricks daw sabi ni Chan) like Astronomy, Tarot Card readings, reading tea leaves, or even looking through a crystal ball pero kayo ng family mo? You could say your family's way of foreseeing is different from the norm.

All it takes is a glance, after all.

One glance, and you'd know the person's future. Ang kaso lang, meron siyang pa-catch- terms and conditions ba, ganun.

First, you have to look into the eyes of the person. As in: mata sa mata. Would you need the other person to look at you? Hindi naman. Basta ang importante nakikita mo yung mismong mata ng other person. Although, isang malaking perk kung magkatitigan kayo. Mas clear yung vision mo.

Second, you could only take a look for certain amount of time otherwise, magkakaroon ka ng information overload and it will leave your head hurting for days. Basically, the amount of time you can garner sa pagtingin sa future ng ibang tao can only last from three seconds to three minutes. Why three? Wala lang. Gusto mo lang. You're not really the type of person to look someone in the eyes for quite too long. (Actually, trial and error din talaga ang timing ng pag tingin into the future sa family mo. There was once a rumor, according sa cousins mo na may someone na nakatagal daw ng twenty minutes. Shocking. Who even in their right mind would look someone in the eye for that long? "Did they even blink?" you had asked that one time, only for your cousin to shrug at you. "Di ba pag nagblink, you'd lose train of sight? I don't think they did." "Wow." "Di ba? Amazing.")

Third, the future you could see doesn't have a fixed timeline. Just because you've been staring at a person for three minutes straight, doesn’t mean you’ll see what will happen in the next three years or so. Minsan, your vision would take you to three minutes in the future, minsan naman it might take you three years, minsan thirty years. Point is, you could only see what will happen pero as to when it will happen? Nako. Wag mo nang isipin. Migraine lang abot niyan sayo.

Fourth, just because you saw doesn't mean it's established. Humans are fickle beings, after all. Di sila madidiktahan kung anong gusto nilang gawin sa buhay. At the end of the day, humans faced choices and it will be up to them as to what kind of choice they will make in order for the vision you saw come to fruition.

Fifth, the more attached you are to the person, the harder it is to see their future. Some elders in your family said na maybe it's because the universe still wants to find balance in everything- and by balance, they meant para daw di makapagcheat in life and abusuhin ng family mo yung ability bestowed upon you. Which is kinda bullshit kasi by bestowing this ability is already giving your family a way to cheat the system. So bale, the closer your relationship is with that person, the harder it is to foresee. It doesn't mean you won't totally see the future but more like, makikita mo nga pero it's kinda blurry and di as clear as strangers'.

And lastly- and this one sucks for you because apparently, you could see people's futures. Other people- people na wala talagang kinalaman sayo. At all. You can see anyone's future... except your own.

Di ba ang saklap? Kasi ibang tao ang nakikinabang ng ability mo. Well, depende rin siguro kung good thing ba yun or bad thing. Because on one hand, at least you're free to do your own thing. Walang looming pressure for you to take certain kinds of decisions to end up where you should be. Pero at the same time, parang di ba pwedeng kahit may onting assurance lang naman kahit papaano na may mararating ka rin in life? Na despite the struggles and challenges, may kahihinatnan naman ang buhay mo?

"And where exactly is this coming from again?" Seungkwan asked as he brandished the popsicle he was eating as he stared at the bustling quadrangle whilst the rest of his companions shared the same knowing look. "I mean- di naman sa pagaano ah? But like, you've been reciting your family's manifesto for like what, twenty times?-" he looked at their friends for back up to which they all nodded at. "- in the years of our friendship. And we're what, twelve years nang magkakaibigan?"

"Try fifteen," Soonyoung corrected to which they all simultaneously nodded again, settling in a more comfortable position.

"See?” Your lavender haired friend acknowledged. “So, really, what’s new? Kahit pa yata pagbali-baliktarin mo buong universe, yang terms and conditions niyo hindi na magbabago. Which boils down to one thing-" he stared you down with those same judgmental glare every time he felt suspicious of you. "What's got you like this?"

“Means ano daw nakita mong future bakit bigla kang nagspiral ng ganyan.” Chan pointed out, earning him a pointed look from you.

Of course, you understood what Seungkwan meant. Your friends knew you all too well, after all. You wouldn't be reciting all those shitty terms and conditions if there's nothing wrong- if you didn't see a future worth your attention.

But you did. And it's eating you deep down. Which scared you. Kasi normally di mo naman pinapansin lahat ng mga visions mo- not even when this one random dude got rejected during his public proposal. But this particular vision had your thoughts spiraling, stomach churning just by thinking about it.

"Wonwoo's gonna meet his lover soon.”

“Whoop and there it is.”

You loved Soonyoung. You really do. But sometimes this dude can really run his mouth before his brain can even catch up with it.

Turning your head, you watched as his eyes widen just as your words had sunk in his brain. "Wait, ha?" you would've found his reaction funny and you can't really blame him that his brain had short-circuited for a minute there- not when all your friends were also looking at you as if you had spoken the unspeakable.

"Wait lang," Vernon decided to finally join the conversation he had been contently listening to, raising his hand as if he's physically trying to slow down everything. "Repeat that, pero slowly."

“Exactly what I said. Wonwoo’s gonna meet his beloved soon.”

“‘The future you could see doesn’t have a fixed timeline.’ Di ba yan yung sabi mo?” He quoted after few minutes of silence as if he's arguing on your behalf. “‘You could only see what will happen, not when.’”

“Article four of your terms and conditions, just because you saw doesn’t mean established na yun.” Soonyoung proudly added. “You know, for someone who memorized the terms and conditions, bakit parang nakakalimutan mo yun? And here I thought, nasa’yo ang group brain cells for the week.” He teased, earning a smack on his arm to which he cradled in pain.

“Tsaka di ba the more attached you are, the harder it is to see?” Seungkwan added, his hands gesturing as if he was presenting a lecture. “So bakit parang certain ka na he’s gonna find someone soon?”

"Kasi." you breathed out as if you're gathering all your courage. "Paulit ulit ko na siyang nakikita.” You shrank to your seat, leaning towards Vernon who simply placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. “Aside from that, every time our eyes meet, yung scene na yun ang bumubungad sakin. And I really don’t want to keep replaying the scene over and over.”

“Kaya pala di ka na makatingin sa kanya!” Soonyoung exclaimed as if it all made sense, making the rest of them frown at him, Chan going as far as to reaching over to smack him at the back of his head lightly.

“Yeah,” you said, voice flat as if you’re trying to hide the misery behind your voice. “It’s a good thing we don’t have that much classes in common. Mahahalata niya agad eh.”

“Uh, no offense pero if Hoshi noticed it, what are the odds na di niya mapapansin?” Chan asked, sympathy etched upon his face, knowing the answer to his question.

“None. Zero. Mas observant kaya yun kesa kay Kwannie kapag naghahanap ng mach-chika.” Vernon answered as he tapped your shoulder in silent apology. “And- I know this doesn’t help at all pero when it comes to you, all his senses seemed to heighten.” He added much to your distress.

“Hmm, di kaya ikaw yun?” Seungkwan asked after few minutes of silence, which isn’t like him at all. “Yung nasa vision mo, I mean. Baka lang naman kasi kung paulit ulit ba naman-”

“She can see anyone’s future except her own,” they all chorused as you groaned, sinking further into your seat.

“I’ve never seen my future before, Kwannie. Why start now?”

“You tell me. You haven’t seen Jeon’s future sa years of your friendship din naman. And how long have you been friends? Fifteen years?”

“Eighteen,” you mumbled.

“Oh. Eighteen na pala. That's longer than the rest of us pa. So you mean to say all those years, wala ni isang vision ka nakita? So bakit ngayon lang?” Seungkwan challenged.

“Just because hindi ko makita ang future niya doesn’t mean wala na siya nun. Maybe ngayon lang nagmanifest or something di ba? Humans are fickle beings. Di mo sila madidiktahan. Same goes to visions like this. Just because I've known him most of my life, doesn't mean I have access to his future.”

“Di kaya dahil you like Wonwoo?” Soonyoung offered, pointing his popsicle stick at you. “Or baka nga kasi borderline mahal mo siya? I don't know, ano ba status ng feelings mo sa kanya?”

Soonyoung means well. They all mean well. You know that, they know that. Kaya lang, the thing about emotions, you tend to shy away sa topic na yun especially when you’re in the center of it. Okay lang siguro kung katuwaan, kung light hearted emotions ang pinaguusapan. Pero this kind of emotion? Parang you’d rather choke na lang than to unearth these feelings that had been buried deep down.

“May kinalaman ba ang feelings sa pagdetermine ng future ng isang tao?” Chan wondered as you sighed in relief, knowing he’s trying to at least lighten the burden from you. “Nai-influence ba ng feelings mo yung future?”

This, you can answer.

You shook your head. “I don’t think so. Kasi if that were the case then sana matagal nang na-disintegrate yung future nung kaaway ni kuya Hannie.” you mused, Soonyoung looking aghast as he looked at you (It’s no secret he’s afraid of your elder cousin). “But from what I’ve heard mukhang wala pa naman nakakagawa nun. Again, we’re just seers. Di naman namin kayang maginfluence ng future ng iba.”

“So if that were the case, anong gagawin mo?” Vernon asked, softly and quiet as if he was threading lightly. “When Wonwoo found that someone?”

“Be happy for him I guess,” you shrugged to which earned you a flick on your forehead by Seungkwan making you cry out in protest as you glared at him. “What the hell, Seungkwan?”

“Ano ka, martyr?” He scoffed, glaring at you in return. “Di ka namin pinalaking duwag, __. You either step up your game, or confess. Hindi yung magmumukmok ka sa gilid just because of a future that may or may not happen.”

“Pero what if this person will be the one to give him his happiness?” You couldn’t help but wonder. “What if siya pala makakapagbigay ng unyielding love and support kay Woo? What if this person’s the one he truly needed?”

“Bakit, di mo ba kayang gawin yun? You, who knew him for so long? Di mo din ba kayang magbigay ng happiness?” The thing about Seungkwan, once you challenged him into a battle of wits, he’s the type to never back down from it. Especially if it’s to defend his friends even from themselves. “Hindi mo pa ba ginagawa yun? In those eighteen years of your lives, where were you? What are you to him?”

“His freak of a best friend.” You answered, slumping down in defeat as he sneered not because of you, but rather of your answer.

Shaking his head, his eyes softened as he reached over to pat your head, you couldn’t help but feel as if he’s knocking instead. “No, that’s not the question you’re supposed to answer.”

The thing about those terms and conditions your family had, not only they served as guide but throughout the years, they also served as a grounding point for you.

Ang weird man pakinggan but the reason why you were able to memorize the absurdity of it all was because you kept mumbling them whenever you needed a clearer mind. Pero syempre, you do it in a subtle way otherwise napagkamalan ka nang member ng cult sa mga pinagsasabi mo.

So. What was the first one again?

First, you have to look into the eyes of the person. As in: mata sa mata.

“I thought,” Wonwoo spoke up, breaking you out of your reverie and back into the café where you both decided to eat out. “We established na kahit anong titig ang gawin mo, you won’t be able to find anything?” He asked, the interest in his voice didn’t go unnoticed. “Or have you just realized na you can’t seem to get enough of my eyes?”

Despite the rapid thumping of your heart, you couldn’t help the giggle coming out of your mouth as you shook your head at the absurdity of his statement. “At saan mo naman napulot yan, Jeon Wonwoo? Masyado yatang nasosobrahan na ang pagdikit mo kay Soonyoung ah?”

“And there you are,” he chose to ignore your statement, resting his arms on the table as he tilted his head at you, faint traces of smile can be seen upon his lips. “You know, kala mo di ko napapansin pero these days you seem so down. Is there anything I can help with, my beloved bestie?”

Ah, really. Whatever will you do with him? Paanong hindi ka magkakaroon ng feelings when he’s like this? When he makes you feel like you’re important and that whatever it is that you think matters to him?

How can you stop these feelings that had taken place inside you and made a home out of it? How can you ignore the growing excitement when he does this- when he gave you all his attention? His worries and care for you?

Just as you were about to open your mouth, another scene is bleeding through your sight, overlapping the warmth in his eyes- a scene of him flashing the same warmth, maybe even warmer than what you’re used to, the faint smile on his lips growing every second until it erupted into deep, hearty laugh.

Everything seemed to be hazy but you could never miss the look in his eyes as he stared onto the person who was supposed to be right in front of him.

Could you see it? The person he was supposed to be like this? The person he can be carefree with?

Blinking, you shook your head, willing a small smile to creep across your mouth so as he won’t notice the shift in you. “Pagod lang, Wons.” You settled instead, swallowing the words that threatened to escape your lips. “I think nagcatch up lahat ng sleepless nights ko. Heh.”

Eyebrows furrowing, his eyes ran through your features, studying your expression intently as if he was trying to figure the lie in your statement. Deep down, you knew he knew you’re being dishonest but you knew he would never pry- not when you’re closing yourself from him.

Truthfully, you knew it hurt him. Kasi si Wonwoo yan eh. Even if he looked aloof and distant, he is easily the kindest person you’ve ever known in your life.

“Say, Wons,” you try to backpedal, earning his attention. “What will you do when you find the person na destined for you?”

Squinting his eyes, he looked at you as if you sprouted another head. “Ang random ah?” He remarked as you gestured for him to roll with it. “Is that what’s bothering you? Akala ko ba your family specializes on fortune telling at hindi matchmaking? Nag change career na ba kayo?”

Contorting your facial expression into one of a disgust, he couldn’t help but smile at you. “Okay first of all, yuck. Bakit ako magch-change career into that? Meron pa bang matchmaker sa panahon ngayon? Parang nag regress buong diwa ko dun, Jeon Wonwoo, ah?” You protested much to his amusement, letting out a full-blown laughter that caught attention from the patrons of the coffee shop as you kept going on and on about your disdain with matchmakers.

Leaning over the table, he placed both of his hands over your cheeks, gently shaking your face, effectively catching your attention. “Oo na, ayaw mong tawagin kang matchmaker-”

“Kasi di naman yun yung purpose ko!” Your words came out slurring due to his hands pressed on your cheeks but did you mind? No, not at all. “Isang malaking insultong tawagin akong matchmaker, Jeon Wonwoo. Tandaan mo yan.”

“Yes po, kamahalan. Masusunod po.” He grinned, poking your cheeks one more time before he released you. “And to answer your question, I think… I’ll give that person my all. My unconditional love.” His voice turned wistful, a secretive smile forming on his lips as he averted his gaze towards the cooling beverage he had ordered earlier before snapping out of it as he turned back to you. “Pero parang wala pa naman siya sa point na…” he trailed off, shrugging as he effectively ended the discussion right there.

Something about your exchange had your stomach turning. What was that all about?

“Normal bang nangyayari yung matagal mo nang kilala yung tao tas wala kang makitang future niya ni minsan tas out of nowhere bigla ka na lang nagkaroon ng vision?” You asked, watching your cousins bicker over the last dumpling, your question making them cease their movements as they looked at you.

Seems these days people who are close to you kept on watching you as you voice out your thoughts. Was it really that unusual? Do you always keep these things close to you while you figure out what to do?

“Is this about your best friend dilemma?” Jeonghan asked as he wrestled Joshua out of his arm, sneakily taking the last dumpling before popping it into his mouth much to the latter’s exasperation.

“You know about it?”

“No offense, pero ang daldal ng mga kaibigan mo, __.” Seungcheol shrugged, answering for him instead as he offered you his drink to which you graciously accepted. “They had actually beaten you with that question a week ago pa.” He said, making you slightly frown at his statement.

Hay. Minsan di mo rin talaga alam kung matutuwa ka at meron kang concerned na kaibigan or maiinis kasi masyado silang nosy. Pero either way, you couldn’t help but feel grateful at their concern for you- no matter how excessive it would seem.

“Di rin naman namin masagot yung tanong, just so you know. Wala rin naman kaming nasagap na rumors about this happening in the past before. Di katulad nung sa twenty minutes rumor.” Joshua offered much to your dismay. “Kaya I don’t think you need to-” just before he could even finish his sentence, he was elbowed by Jeonghan, whose eyes narrowed as they both shared glares.

Just as you were about to ask what was that all about, you felt a presence at your side, standing behind the empty chair beside you.

Blinking, you turned your head only for your eyes to widen in surprise. Namamalikmata ka ba? Because there, beside you was none other than the person you had been talking about to your cousins earlier.

“Hi,” Wonwoo had the audacity to grin at you as if he wasn’t crashing your cousins’ lunch out before turning to your surprised cousins. “Hi kuyas. Pwede makitable?”

“Hi Jeon,” Seungcheol, the ever quick thinker was the first to recover, gesturing for him to take a seat to which your friend had graciously accepted. “Napadaan ka?”

“Ah, yayayain ko sana si __, kain kami ng lunch kaso sabi ni Nonie kasama niyo daw.” He recounted, trying to catch your gaze as he talked. Even as his attention was directed to your cousins, he was still trying to include you. “Tas sakto nakita ko kayo from the outside so it must be luck to run into you, di ba?”

Jeonghan studied him for a moment before flitting his eyes towards you. “Luck or fate?” He asked, earning a groan from you and a small laugh from your friend. “I don’t think swerte din Jeon. In case di mo nakikita, tapos na kaming kumain.”

“Di pa daw tapos si __,” Joshua was quick to interject before Wonwoo’s expression take a dip. He then turned to you as if to reiterate his statement. “Tsaka di ba sabi mo gutom ka pa?”

“Di ba sabi mo gusto mo pang umorder nung dessert nila?”

“Sige wait, order na ako para sainyong dalawa ni Jeon,” Seungcheol’s tone wasn’t taking no for answer so instead of arguing, who are you to refuse free meal? “Anyway, okay lang ba iwan na namin kayo?” He asked after talking to the waiter, making you turn your head sharply towards him. “I still have class after this while Han and Shua naman-”

“-thesis,” your cousins who were sitting across you chorused while you gave them pointed look. You know for sure these three were lying. If it weren’t for your friend’s unexpected appearance, they would’ve pushed through their plans of ordering the aforementioned dessert.

Di naman sila halata masyado no? Kung pwede lang silang bigwasan right here, right now, you would’ve done it already.

Kaya lang since they are going as far as to treat you another helping of food and paying for your best friend’s lunch even if they didn’t have to just so you could spend more time with your friend, you decided to lay them off.

“Eat well kayo guys,” Shua was the first out of his seat followed by Jeonghan who simply offered a salute to the both of you but not before throwing a wink towards your direction and a look that says he wanted to know what happened once you get home.

Seungcheol was the last to leave, placing a kiss on the crown of your head. Unknown to you, he had also been staring down at your best friend with a silent threat should there anything befall unto you in his absence.

“Pakabusog kayo,” he said with a close lipped smile. Beside you, you could feel your friend stiffening as he reached over to pat him on the back. “See you at home, insan.” He bid you as he went on his way.

Once he was out of your sight, Wonwoo took the opportunity to occupy the seat Jeonghan was previously sitting on, tapping at your shoulder to catch your attention. "Be honest, busog ka na ba? Kasi if yes, I don't mind eating all of these pero you have to accompany me nga lang." you would've swoon over his concern if it weren't for the mischievous glint in his eyes as if he was challenging you to agree with him.

"Hah," you let out a small scoff, picking up the dessert spoon, much to his amusement. "Minsan na nga lang manlibre si kuya Cheol tas ikaw lang makikinabang? Swerte mo naman, Jeon Wonwoo." you muttered, earning a chuckle from him, watching you eat your heart out.

"Oo, swerte talaga ako- wag mo sabihin kay kuya Han pero he was wrong. Isipin mo, akala ko di kita mahahanap pero guess what? Nakita agad kita tas nakalibre pa ako ng lunch from kuya Cheol- out of all people? Must be my luckiest day." he placed a hand on his heart as he bowed down at the food before him.

Chuckling, you were reminded of the question that was hanging on the tip of your tongue earlier. "Bakit mo pala ako hinahanap?" you asked absentmindedly, making him turn to you as you held his gaze. "Wala naman tayong scheduled lunch ah?

Second, you could only take a look for certain amount of time otherwise, your head will perceive it as information overload and it will leave your head hurting for days.

"Wala, gusto lang kita makasama." he said, oh so casually as if the answer was as simple as that, the rush of feelings inside you making you falter in your movements as the colors bled in your line of vision, the familiar sensation of pushing you into the future overpowering your senses. “Tsaka we haven’t had our-”

You couldn’t hear him as his voice blended into the background of voices filling your ears, muffled voices overlapping each conversation that even if you strained your ears to focus onto anything, you couldn't make sense of what was being spoken as the rush of air passing you by so quickly that you couldn't even sense if you're staying still or not.

And as for your sight? Everything seemed so blurry that you couldn't see anything at all.

The only thing that made sense was the cool sensation brushing upon your arms every once in a while, trailing down until you could feel it settle onto your hands, giving you that sense of relief. And if you concentrated hard enough, it almost felt like it was grounding you back, anchoring you once more into reality.

Remember when you had to set a limit kung hanggang kailan ka lang tititig sa isang tao? This, is exactly why- to be able to protect you from the onslaught of sensations. Pero minsan kasi may pagkamatigas din ang ulo mo no?

Cold hands engulfed your hands making you jump in surprise, breaking you out of the barrier that separated reality from the future. And despite being cold, you couldn’t help but feel the warmth behind the gesture, his thumb rubbing against the back of your hands, patiently waiting for you.

Blinking rapidly, your gaze found Wonwoo’s concerned look wash over your features, sighing in relief once he knew you were back.

“You okay in there?” his tone had became quieter and lowered than usual, his eyes searching for any hint of discomfort in yours. “I lost you there for a moment.” He may be joking but the tremble of his hands upon yours said otherwise. “What goes on that pretty head of yours at di mo pinapansin yung pagr-rant ko sayo? Minsan na nga lang ako magrant, di mo pa ako papansinin.”

Squeezing his hands, you let out a small laugh before sweeping your gaze from his eyes towards the bridge of his nose- your safety net whenever you’ve had your fill of staring into people’s eyes but still not wanting to be rude. Oh, to hell with it. Si Wonwoo lang naman ‘to, di ba? Eyes darting from his nose to his cheeks- and maybe even his lips- before you settled your gaze on his forehead, you raised your free hand, pausing on mid-air.

Sensing your hesitation, he bent down once he realized your intent, silently prodding you to continue as your hands seemed to have a mind of its own, running through his hair, wordlessly responding to the meaning behind his words.

Thank you for your concern, I’m here now. I’m okay.

“…just some boring stuff, Wons.” Still, you answered, offering him a bite of the dessert you were enjoying earlier. “Ano nga uli yung sinasabi mo?”

Third, the future you could see doesn't have a fixed timeline. Just because you've been staring at a person for three minutes straight, doesn’t mean you’ll see what will happen in the next three years or so.

“Okay so meron lang akong di ma-gets sa family manifesto niyo,” Seungkwan suddenly announced as he made a beeline towards the seat next to yours, ignoring the glares thrown his way from being too loud in the private room of the library.

Plopping into the seat next to you, his eyes bore into yours for a moment making you reel back from his sudden actions. “What?”

“Paano mo nalalaman na hindi instant yung future na nakita niyo? Like, how certain are you na mangyayari talaga sya? May pa-feedback ba kayo sa mga customers niyo?”

Furrowing your eyebrows, you turned to Vernon, sharing the same confused look before the latter decided he’d rather not get involved, shrugging at you before going back to his notes, leaving you to deal with this Seungkwan.

Gee, what a great friend you are, Chwe.

Flicking his forehead slightly, feeling small satisfaction from his small cry of protest, you push him gently, deciding to indulge him for a bit.

“One, wala kaming customers, uy. Bakit namin to pagkakakitaan in the first place? Eh sakit nga ng ulo yung inaabot namin dito plus- ang hassle kaya?” You mused, tapping on the table rhythmically. “Also, sa tagal nating magkaibigan- hell, sa tagal ko ba namang pag rant ng family manifesto namin, ngayon mo lang yan na-realize?” You pointed out, his mouth curling into a sheepish grin while you rolled your eyes at him. “Nakikinig ka ba talaga o sadyang tumatango ka lang para matapos na ako?”

He brightened, “Kasi ba naman bhie, kahit naman tumango tango kami hanggang sa maputol ulo namin di ka pa rin umaawat,” he rolled his eyes. At your periphery, you could see Vernon nodding along at him, silently agreeing. “So saan kami lulugar di ba?”

“Tama,” Vernon muttered, making you throw a crumpled piece of paper towards his direction to which he had dodged easily, sticking his tongue out at you. Really, Vernon. Isa kang tunay na kaibigan.

“Eh di sige, fault ko talaga to guys. Ako lang naman ang nagpupumilit na magrant sa inyo. Sorry di ako nagpaalam sa inyo bago ako mag rant. Sino ba naman kasi ako sa buhay niyo no?” You harrumphed, making Vernon snicker at your dramatics while Seungkwan looked at you fondly, shaking his head. “Sana di niyo na lang tiniis no? Ako lang naman ang nasaktan dito, opo.”

“Gagi,” Vernon guffawed, looking up at you as he earned annoyed groans from the background. “Ang drama mo today, ah? Di ka nakainom ng maintenance?”

Rolling your eyes, you stuck your tongue out at him to which he responded by giving you a finger heart.

“So paano nga?” Your lavender haired friend insisted, drawing you both back to the topic at hand. “Eto na lang, was there an instance ba in your life na na-delay yung predictions mo?”

“Ano to, job interview, Kwannie? Ano ina-apply-an ko at magkano ang sweldo dito?”

“Uhm,” Vernon raised his hand. “Di ba perfect example yung kay kuya Wons?” He asked, making you falter momentarily before schooling your features back to neutral as you snap your fingers and point at him to reiterate, ignoring the way your stomach dropped.

So eto na naman tayo, no? Bakit ba pag yun ang na-topic nagiging ganto ka? Bakit ba ang lakas ng effect sa’yo at bakit ka masyadong affected every time nab-bring up yan? Ano ka ba? Ano ka nga ba?

Di ba sabi mo best friend ka lang?

Right. Apparently, Seungkwan felt the same way, raising his eyebrows at your reaction. Before he could even open his mouth- probably to call you out, a deep voice had beaten him to it.

“Ano sakin?”

“Ay kabayong palaka,” he jumped at his seat, diffusing the tension momentarily as you watched Wonwoo take the vacant seat next to Vernon- just across from you, smiling at you in greeting before nodding to your companions, blinking at an affronted Seungkwan who was clutching his chest. “Kuya pwede ba magpasintabi ka naman bago ka magsalita? Para ka kasing ninja.”

Seriously. Some people should be fined at how good they look even when they're not doing anything. Bakit ba mas lalong nakakagwapo mga ngiti mo, uy?

"Kuya Wons, wag mo kong daan daanin sa mga ngiti mong ganyan, di na yan nagw-work sakin. Hindi por que gwapo ka may karapatan ka nang manggulat. Mag sorry ka sakin, dali."

Bless you Seungkwan, for calling him out. Hindi katulad ng isa dyan, ikaw talaga ang tunay na kaibigan.

Letting out a sheepish smile, Wonwoo bowed his head solemnly towards the boy beside you. "Sorry na, bebe Seungkwan, di ko po sinasadya. Next time dala na lang ako warning bell para alam mo andito ako."

"Wag mo rin akong daanin sa bebe, baka sa kanya nagw-work yan pero sakin hindi. I need suhol." Seungkwan scoffed light-heartedly as he pointed at you, making Vernon snicker at his boldness.

Before you could even stop yourself, you felt your hands clutching Seungkwan's arm in a- what you hope- death grip as you stared at your notes. Never mind. Isa kang alagad ni Satanas, Boo Seungkwan. Tandaan mo tong araw na ito. The boy in question jerked on his seat, leaning towards you as he buried his face on your neck to prevent himself from crying out in the library and risk being thrown out.

"Shuta ka, bhie," he rasped out underneath his breath, making you curl your lip in a satisfied smirk.

"Sige may utang ako sa'yo Kwannie pero first, pwede palit tayo seats?" your best friend's deep voice broke you both out of your bubble as you both looked up only to be met with an unreadable expression on Wonwoo's face.

Huh?

"Ha?" Seungkwan was the first to recover, eyebrows furrowing at the sudden request, his eyebrows furrowing as you can feel his body faltering in his seat.

"Nagf-flare up kasi yung notes ko underneath the lighting so di ko rin mabasa plus masakit din kasi sa ulo." Wonwoo coolly explained before rounding towards the space between you and Seungkwan, pushing the boy upright before taking his seat. If you didn't know any better you'd say that it looked as if Wonwoo had exerted more force than necessary when he pushed the boy out of his seat.

You then turned to Vernon, who was simply looking on at the exchange with the same interest in his eyes. Did the two of you just witnessed that?

Looking up, he then smiled gratefully to your lavender haired friend as if he hadn't rudely took his seat. "Sorry sa abala and thank you Kwannie, libre kita milktea mamaya."

And just like that, it seemed all protests dancing on the tip of his tongue had vanished from the mention of free drink. Well.

"So ano yung sakin?" Wonwoo asked again, turning to you as Seungkwan took the seat he was previously sitting on. "Been talking about me behind my back?"

Your two companions shared a look before looking at you, who simply turned to meet Wonwoo's gaze- the familiar sense of haze occupying your periphery before looking at the bridge of his nose.

“You’ll meet your lover soon, Jeon Wonwoo.” you blurted out, better ripping out the bandaid, right? Your statement earned a squeak of surprise from Vernon while Seungkwan's eyes widened at the sudden burst of courage from you. "Kita ko sa mata mo." you added, searching for any reaction coming from your best friend.

"Shuta ka bhie." you heard Seungkwan mutter underneath his breath as he watched the exchange intently while all of your attention simply focused on the boy beside you.

What are you looking for anyway? Elatedness? Pure joy? Relief? Bakit parang gustong gusto mo talagang sinasaktan sarili mo?

“I see,” your friend solemnly nodded as he looked at his notes before yours. "Have you finished your essay last night? Nag all-nighter ka na naman ba? Di ba sabi ko sa'yo tumawag ka sakin para ma-proofread ko?"

What.

Out of all reactions-

“Wait wait." Apparently, Seungkwan felt the same because he was reaching over the table, waving in front of Wonwoo's face- does this boy even know the meaning of personal space? "Wait lang talaga kuya. Di mo ba siya narinig? Sabi niya you’re gonna meet yung uhm how to say this without sounding too cheesy?” he asked, turning to Vernon helplessly.

“In short magkakajowa ka na kuya,” he spoke up, hands pausing at his notes, coaxing a reaction from your best friend.

He looked at you, tilting his head as if he's studying you. What exactly is he looking for? “Okay,” he said, slowly as if he's trying to appease the two before he shook his head, tapping onto their notes, silently telling them to go back to reviewing, much to their dismay- Seungkwan going as far as rolling his eyes before pouting in his seat, leaving you dumbfounded.

How should you take this kind of reaction from him?

Fidgeting in his seat, for a moment there he looked as if he's wistful over something- as if he was contemplating on something. Shaking his head, it looked as if he had decided because then added, "Mukhang matagal tagal pa bago mangyari yan."

“Kuya, may instance ba na you wished you never had this ability in the first place?” You wondered, kicking your feet high in the air as you watched Joshua’s hands fly over the canvas, stroke after stroke with such interest, despite hanging yourself upside down on his loveseat. “Yung ano, makita yung future ng iba every time na magkakatitigan kayo ng ibang tao, ganun?”

Your cousin let out a small hum as he turned to look at you, acknowledging your words, "Meron pa ba tayong ibang ability aside from knowing the future?" he asked, mirth dancing in his eyes before turning back to his project. "Why'd you ask ba?" he asked over his shoulder as you basked in the lull washing over.

It was one of those days where you just want to hide away from the world and whenever you felt like escaping, you knew you'd find solace in your cousin and in his humble private studio located outside of your university, away from prying eyes and meddling people.

It was always like that with your cousins, you mused. Even when they always band together to annoy you sometimes, they would still drop everything in an instant whenever you needed help. And that goes also with whenever you needed a reprieve. Their personal safe haven is always open to you.

It’s funny how fitting their personal spaces to their personalities.

Often times, when you feel like you needed to scream out to the void and let your emotions out no matter how raging it is, Seungcheol’s doors are wide open for you.

Whenever you needed to stare out into the open without the need to interact with any individuals, you always find yourself running into Jeonghan’s side.

And when you don’t want to be alone in unraveling all these tangled thoughts and emotions, Joshua would be there, patiently waiting as you wade out in too deep waters, helping you up should you reach for his hand.

“Have you,” you ignored his question, averting your gaze when you saw him pause in his movements, knowing definitely something was up with you. “Ever wished that you could be selfish just for once that you'd want to see what your future holds instead?”

You were never one to express your emotions really well, preferring to bottle everything up and locking it in before anyone could even see through you. That’s why your cousins had to familiarize themselves with your tells.

And so for you to ask directly had truly surprised your cousin.

You know very well he's studying you, trying to get past the defenses you had unknowingly put up the moment you asked the question, the both of you knowing very well the reason why.

“You know, in the years you’ve complained about our family’s... curse, this is the first time I’m hearing you asking to be selfish,” he commented, placing his brush gingerly back into the cup, palette joining thereafter as he rubbed his hands on a washcloth before nudging you as he joined you on his loveseat. “What goes?” His voice gently prodding you to open your heart just like how it’s always been whenever it’s just the two of you.

“Wala naman,” your voice shuddering, hands trembling as he placed his hands over them in small offer of assurance. “Dapat wala naman kasi. Kaso I can’t help but feel like this is not fair. I didn't ask for much- hell, I didn't ask to be like this, and I didn't ask for something more than what was given but why does it feel like the moment I wished- asked for something-- someone, why does it feel like the entire universe is against it?”

“I told Nonie na magiging masaya ako for Wons the moment he found his someone,” you continued, squeezing his hands as your lips curled into a bittersweet smile. “And wala naman problema, actually. Kasi I really would be happy if I know na yung someone na yun makakapagpasaya sa kanya kaso these days, it seemed as if all these pent up emotions are threatening to burst out. It’s as if parang gusto kong maranasan kung paano ibigay ‘tong pagmamahal kong ‘to sa kanya, you know?”

“And as I continue to wonder and dwell with all of these, I can’t help but ask- meron din ba akong future?” you paused as you looked your cousin in the eyes, his warm brown eyes greeting you with the same comfort his presence brought. “Meron din ba akong space sa future niya?”

Heaving out a deep breath, he pulled you back into upright position, before shifting your weight making you lean towards him, his arm automatically finding its way around your shoulder as you tilted your head onto the junction of his neck.

“Fourth,” he breathed out, reciting the same words you’ve memorized all these years. “Just because you saw doesn't mean it's established.” His voice quiet and somber, slowly rolling the words out as if he’s asking you to remember why the rules were there in the first place.

“Humans are fickle beings especially when it comes to emotions. Just because you tried to close yours doesn’t mean immune ka na dun. You love him for quite some time now and maybe it’s your inner self’s way of saying na it’s time to give these emotions to the person cause you’ve endured it for quite too long na.”

“I find it hard to believe that after all these years between you two, Jeon would just carelessly cast you aside because he found his someone.” He mused, his hand hovering over your head, gently patting. “So to answer your question, yes. May space ka sa future niya. I don’t need my own fancy ability para i-confirm yan. And while I never had the need to know my own future, minsan nakakatakot yung hindi mo alam kung meron ka ngang patutunguhan sa life.”

“So what you do,” he pulled away for a moment, poking your forehead then your cheeks before bopping your nose, reflexively scrunching at his touch. “Is to forge your own.”

Silence engulfed you both with him studying your features. Once he was satisfied with your expression, he reached over the loveseat for the box that you hadn’t paid attention to when you crossed his studio that was resting on the table. “If it helps- and I think it really will, someone left this for you,” Joshua announced as he placed the box of pastries on your lap. “It doesn’t really take a genius to know who this came from.”

Your eyes widened as you saw the post it note on top of the box bearing that familiar handwriting as you open to see your favorites greeting your sight.

‘A little pick me up for a gloomy day. Don’t finish these all in one sitting para di rin sumabay yung tiyan mo sa pagiging upset natin today.’

His handwriting is atrocious. Kulang ng dalawang pastries yung nasa box. But it still elicited a small smile from you- the sweetest after weeks of keeping up pretenses. It really did help, you mused.

“Ay,” Joshua called over, catching your attention once more as if he had just remembered something. “Kung kulang yan, singilin mo si Han.”

“Hinay hinay baka mabilaukan ka dyan, Jeon Wonwoo,” you watched him fondly as his cheeks puff out from stuffing his mouth with the food you two had ordered.

“Ah, nga pala.” he said slowly as he swallowed the last bit of his food, while you automatically reached over to wipe his mouth before he turned towards you, catching your hand with his while his eyes displayed nothing but seriousness. “Why do you call me like that?”

Is it because your emotions are going haywire these days? Or is it because of the looming pressure of what you’re about to do had you thinking that something in the air had possibly shifted.

What it was, you don’t know. But you just knew from the way Wonwoo imposed his question, something inevitable will happen.

Is this perhaps the end of the ticking bomb that had started the moment you saw Wonwoo’s future? Or is this perhaps the rush of the falling sand of a half empty hourglass?

Should you acknowledge it? The change that had happened without him knowing anything?

“Call you like what, Jeon Wonwoo?” You feigned innocence, tugging your hand free only for him to slightly tighten his grip, catching your attention.

“Exactly like that,” his voice drowning from the bustling sound from your background, the warm sunny disposition of the school quadrangle in contrast of the air shifting between you two. “Jeon Wonwoo,” he repeated, face contorting into repulsion as if he had tasted the most bitter food he had ever eaten.

“Grabe naman, bakit ganyan hitsura mo?” You laughed, trying to change the course of your conversation as he threw you a pointed look. Why do you keep running away from him? You both knew that's what's going on with his mind right now. So decide. Do you continue to run or do you stop and face it?

“Di mo ba gusto pangalan mo? Gwapo kaya pakinggan, tsaka what else will I call you but your name?”

“Sa tagal nating magkaibigan,” he started as he leaned back on the trunk of the tree. “The only times you called me by my full name was when you needed to point out something, when we're arguing, and when you've had enough. Tell me, have you reached your limit now? Have you gotten tired already?”

“Never,”

“Then why does it feel like you're putting too much of a distance between us? Why does it feel like you're trying to put me in such a pedestal that you couldn't reach?”

Minsan, it still surprise you how well Wonwoo knew you. From your thoughts to your emotions, he could easily tell the difference. Sometimes, it makes you wonder if he knew just how deep your affection for him ran- if he even knew of the existence of it in the first place or baka kasi sadyang ito lang ang kaya mong itago sa kanya sa takot na mawala siya from you.

“Because I want to protect myself,” you found your voice trembling as his breathing hitched, not really expecting you to finally stop running. “Kasi hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko once that vision of you comes true.”

Eyebrows furrowing, his eyes looked pensive as he patiently waited for you to finish. “Didn't I tell you? You're gonna meet that someone who will make you truly happy. In the words of Nonie, magkakajowa ka na and I know matagal mo siyang hinintay kaya imagine the elation you must've felt nung nakilala mo na siya in my vision. And I'm happy- truly, kasi it means that you're happy. Kaya lang din ako naging distant these days was because I had to deal with my own emotions. These same emotions that I have harbored for a long time for you.”

“Kumbaga, I just had to come in terms of the fact na I can't be the one to give you that amount of happiness,” you whispered, swallowing the sob that was threatening to come out. Your heart beating erratically against your chest and in the silence that crept between you two, you're almost too sure that he can hear it too.

Up until now, your cousin's advise is still hanging above you, making you wonder if it's alright to take his word for it and take the leap. But as you look at Wonwoo's dumbfounded expression, you finally had the answer you were looking for.

“Nevertheless, I'm still going to try.” with this small burst of courage, you dare continue. “I love you, Jeon Wonwoo. Always have been ever since you had approached me first in that small playground. And even if it won't be me who will be there by your side, can I still love you?”

And as your words left your lips, so had the courage that had possessed you momentarily in the heat of the moment. Eyes widening, you blinked as you scrambled to your feet, your picnic laid forgotten as you try and put distance between you and him.

But with the sound of pitter patter of his feet, you knew very well that it would only be a matter of time before he caught up to you. Kung hindi lang seryoso yung situation niyo, malamang napagtawanan mo na siya kung paano na naman siya tumakbo. However, with him catching up to you easily, holding your hand as he turned you towards him, teasing him was the last thing in your mind.

“Look at me,” Wonwoo's voice had dipped lower than his normal baritone, chest heaving from small exertion. “Did you mean what you had just said?”

“You know very well I don't say things that I don't mean,” you mumbled instead, head bowing low. Sorry, Woo pero expired na yung tapang ko kanina, you wanted to say but chose not to as you tried to wiggle yourself out of his grasp much to no avail.

“Look at me,” you could hear the desperation, the pleading that you couldn't help but raise your head as your eyes flitted immediately towards the bridge of his nose. Your safety net, as always. “Come on, look at me. What do you see?”

Fifth, the more attached you are to the person, the harder it is to see their future.

“Wonwoo,” you warned, shaking your head as he let out a small sigh as he pushed his forehead towards you, nudging you gently.

“No?” his voice close to crying- wait, what? “Dali na, please? Look at me and tell me, what do you see?”

Gathering the last of your strength, you gently moved your head, not wanting to pull away from his hold as you stared into his eyes, the familiar warm sensation lulling you into gentle assurance just as it always had been.

“What do you see?”

“Wait lang, ang foggy pa ka-”

“Way past that, love.” his voice firm and impatient. You didn't know what shocked you more- the fact that he's being impatient or the fact that- did he just called you..? “I know you can ignore the fog- dali na, what do you see?”

And just as what he had said, you ignored the fog that was creeping through your sight as you concentrated on what he had wanted to show you.

“...me.”

Letting out a small laugh of relief, his hands made its way towards your cheeks, finally allowing himself to caress you, shaking your head gently before tilting your face to capture your lips with his own.

And just like that, you could feel the cool sensation wrapping you once more- the same sensation that had anchored you before, the rush of air passing by you as the sight of series of his future flashed behind your closed eyes.

His laughter, and his frustrations, the longing, and the dejection, all of it comes down to one reason- you.

As the need for air arise, both of you reluctantly pulled back but not him going for another peck on your lips and on your forehead.

“Just like it's always been, my love.” Wonwoo whispered against your forehead. “Ikaw lang ang nakikita ko sa tabi ko for the rest of my life and I don't need to have your ability to confirm that. It's you and will always be you.”

Ignoring the rush of emotions blooming against your chest, you wrapped your arms around him. “Sorry it took me this long,”

You can imagine him smiling as he placed his head over your own. “Doesn't matter. You're here now, right?”

At loss for words, you simply nodded, letting yourself snuggle against his chest, not caring kahit magmukha pa kayong tanga sa gitna ng quad.

“I love you too,” he mumbled, catching your attention once more. “Please keep staying by my side, okay?”

“Okay,” you answered just as you felt his cool hands tightened around your waist, pulling you closer to him.

You may not know what lies in your future but somehow you had inkling that it would all turn out well.

You forge your own future, after all.