At Your Service

At Your Service

Pairing: Jiu x Fem!Reader (& some Yoohyeon x Fem!Reader)

Warnings / Misc. – Fluff, Angst, Smut, Mentions of violence, etc.

Word Count: 33,401 (grab a snack)

Synopsis: Jiu – a married heiress and product of the centuries old, successful dynasty of Kims – finds herself in need of a new personal maid following the sudden departure of her previous one. When opportunity arises and brings Y/N L/N – a stubborn, working class citizen with a hatred for her less than ideal circumstances – to her doorstep, how will they deal with the fallout?

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hey everyone! Here’s my first Dreamcatcher fic. I hope you enjoy! :)

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

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Blood trickled down the side of your father’s hand, shining crimson in the subtle flicker of candlelight. A makeshift weapon – some mangled piece of metal, resembling a shiv – cut into his skin slightly, due to the force of his grip on it. 

His weight was shifted to one foot, keeping him prepared to strike if need be; with the front door of your home slightly ajar, he craned his neck enough to communicate with the guards on the other side. His thumb rubbed the handle of the blade in rhythmic strokes… one, two … keeping his breathing in check. Appearing suspicious was a death sentence, and he knew that; so, he patiently waited for the opportunity to make a move.

In an eerie flash of black suits and gloves, the men pushed their way inside.

They came to loom over your family members with piercing gazes, staring holes into them. Tension was thick in the room, nearly suffocating. Each second was an hour as the interrogation they started dragged on, only increasing the chance of impulsivity on both sides. Glancing eyes were a silent challenge, the twitch of a finger was a call to arms.

At the center of it all, surrounded in more ways than you even knew at the time, was you. Had you known then how drastically your life would change, maybe you’d have done things differently. 

Maybe you would have started running after that first knock.

Keep reading

Black Magic

Pairing: Witch!Yoohyeon x Fem!Witch!Reader

AU: Wizard / Magical

Warnings / Misc. -- Fluff, Mild Angst, Use of Potions, Smut

Word Count: ~ 9,921

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Happy October, everyone! I’m back again with another writing. I hope you enjoy it :) Take care of yourselves, you lovely people.

P.S. ~ It gets better as it goes on.

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

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The day was dreary. A melancholic sort of fog had come to settle over the academy’s grounds, tinting everything with a grey hue that inspired nothing but lethargy. Rain clouds loomed overhead, holding within their dark wisps the promise of a stormy evening.

Just the same as the students were miserable and affected by it all, so too were the faculty. That shared trait meant the day would be a lazy one, given that no one had it in themselves to offer much more than the bare minimum. Work would still be assigned, of course, and deadlines were still in place, but the insipidity of the outside world had already seeped in and begun to take over. 

With everyone at its mercy, they did their best to just push through it. 

And you, sipping on your third energy potion of the day and hiding away in the back of the library, were making some progress on that mission. 

A hefty textbook laid open beside your notebook on the table in front of you, full of sketches and drawings to accompany the paragraphs of mind-numbing information in between. It was for your anatomy class, and you were studying for the exam you had coming up next week. 

To the left of you, windows arched high into the air, soaring until they reached the roof. A mural sprawled its way across the ceiling, picking up where the windows left off and stretching to the other sides of the room. It depicted a beautiful night sky, full of lone stars, constellations, and other celestial bodies. Paired with the wooden interior of the room – a rich brown that exuded pristine excellence – it looked wonderful.  

Only once you came to that conclusion did you realize that your eyes had drifted away from your book again. 

You rubbed them, hoping to ease the ache they felt and gear yourself up for another hour or two of study. The words in front of you had begun to blur together, though, and you knew you needed to take a break if you hoped to actually retain any information at all. 

The chair beneath you made a hushed squeak as you stood up and pushed it in. You didn’t bother to pack your things up before leaving; you were coming back soon, after all, and it was incredibly unlikely that anyone would want to steal any of it. If the worn pages and poorly done annotations enticed them that much, then more power to them. 

Endless shelves stood tall as you wound your way around them on your journey to the hall outside. The sea of books that resided on all of them, meticulously organized and not a hair out of place, painted the air of the room with a richness unlike anything else. The ink, the aged pages – it all intermingled, blending their every story into an amalgamated masterpiece. It was comforting, in a lot of ways, but a little overwhelming, too. 

The sheer amount of history that these four walls held was enough to make your head spin if you thought about it long enough. 

The library's glass doors swung open easily as you pushed them, revealing an unusually calm main hall. Activity was sparse, with merely a handful of students walking to class or digging through their lockers. A few pockets of people glanced your way upon hearing the door, but they went back to minding their own business a few seconds later. 

Along the walls, mounted torches burned brightly. Just like in the library, multiple arching windows gave a wide view of the academy’s grounds. Together, the two sources offered plenty of light to the hall. It still attempted to brood, though, with its dark corners and shady sections that vied to be different. 

As you passed by a set of lockers, a new poster caught your eye.

Fall Formal served as its title, big and bold at the top of the page. Below it were the specifics, like where it was being held and how much tickets were. Ophelia Square and thirty dollars, respectively. 

You simply shook your head at it and continued on. Brighton Academy had never once in its many years of existence pulled off a dance worth going to – formal or otherwise. And it was a pity, too, because the aesthetic and facilities were all there at its disposal. 

Could you have put any faith in it, you might have even considered going. 

But you learned your lesson long ago, during your first year here. Now it was your third; you were practically a natural at seeing through the many façades that the school tried to put up. 

At Brighton, a healthy dose of reality never hurt, anyways. Being surrounded by magic and other unthinkable things on the daily could cause people to get a little… out of touch, after all.

Clearly you valued your wit and cynicism more than most. 

For the most part, though, it seemed rather harmless. Perhaps you were judging too hard. Maybe this would be the year that they finally turned things around. 

“Yubin, I can’t do that!”

Suddenly, a hushed voice grabbed your attention. 

You stopped and looked behind yourself, doing a little spin as you searched for its source. When you spotted an empty classroom with its door slightly ajar and soft lamplight peeking out into the hall, you knew you had found it. Curiously, you moved a little closer to investigate. 

A reply came, unintelligible and masked by the static of a phone. 

“That’s wrong on so many levels.” The first voice returned, pleading for the person on the other end to have some sense. It was feminine, and sounded incredibly familiar…

“Yah, pabo–”

Holy shit. It was Kim Yoohyeon. Resident keeper of your heart. 

You pressed yourself against the rough surface of the wall in hopes of remaining unseen. Movement came from inside; pacing, from what you could make of it. Her footsteps were light but full of restrained tension. 

She twirled her wand in her hand, turning it over and absentmindedly fidgeting with its textured surface as she listened to Yubin. When she crossed between two of the lab tables in the room, you noticed her adamantly shaking her head. 

“Of course I like her, but I can’t take advantage like that. Did Mrs. Perlow teach you nothing in potions?! That’s more than dangerous.”

Yubin continued with her point, knowing she was capable of selling it if Yoohyeon would give her the opportunity. She was merely trying to convince her to practice a spell of enchantment… which she could then use on the person she’d been admiring from afar since the start of the year. Yubin was tired of seeing her best friend so lovesick – especially when, technically, something could be done to remedy the situation. 

“Fine. I’ll practice it, but only because I want to make sure I remember the spell. I’m not going to use it on her.”

Yubin sighed victoriously in their shared dorm across campus, raising a triumphant fist into the air. 

They shared a word of goodbye before Yoohyeon hung up and made a noise of annoyance at her phone in retaliation. 

You couldn’t help but smile.

“I can’t believe I’m really going to do this,” she muttered to herself, turning around. 

You ducked further behind the wall at the last possible second before being spotted. That was close.

When she began to cast the spell, her voice was as soft and sweet as ever. Unlike some of the other students, she didn’t need to be loud for her spells to work; her power went deeper than that. Truly, she was one of the academy’s most talented witches. A twitch of her finger could conjure a flame larger than even some of your professors’. The stomp of her foot could disarm other wizards within a ten foot radius. One glance from her could send people to their knees. 

From the moment she had arrived on campus at the start of the year, so charming and bubbly, she'd had you enraptured.

She was a force to be reckoned with in every sense of the phrase, and you couldn’t deny your excitement at being so close to such a skilled woman. 

You held your breath when she circled her wand into the air, pointing it towards the ceiling and subtly twisting it about. Her movements were simple yet graceful, and full of a practiced ease that she’d spent years of her life perfecting. 

A red and purple stream of haze began to form around her wand, circling on its way upwards like billowing smoke. It shimmered in the light of the room, almost like glitter. It was one of the most beautiful things you’d ever seen.

It made sense to you then why she was so reluctant to practice the spell; in just a matter of seconds, you were already being lured in by the simple sight of it. 

That could only mean that it was incredibly potent.

She repeated the incantation like a mantra, invoking more and more power by the second. 

You blinked a few times and looked away, snapping yourself out of your daze. 

As you straightened your posture some and attempted to regain the rest of your senses, a loud shout echoed from somewhere further down the hallway. The noise grew louder as more voices joined in, creating a thundering murmur of excitement. Footsteps were added to the mix; it sounded like a stampede of people were coming your way. 

That, you quickly learned, was the understatement of the century.

As you peered down the hall, members of the academy’s rugby team rounded the corner with an entire crew of supporters in tow. They whooped and cheered for them, celebrating what you could only assume was a recent success. Their mussed uniforms and sweaty appearances supported that theory, too. 

One of them – a second year student that you’d recently tutored – raised his head and locked eyes with you. A smile grew on his lips, and he cupped his hands on either side of his mouth as he shouted your name. You panicked and shook your head at him, frantically waving your hands to get him to stop.

But he didn’t. His calling drew the attention of some of the other people around him, leaving you with only one chance of escape.

Before more of them could notice you, you quickly darted inside the classroom with Yoohyeon and shut the door behind yourself. Your back pressed against the surface of it, and you sent out a silent prayer for them to stay away. 

But your unexpected intrusion came with consequences that you never saw coming. 

Ever the scaredy cat that she is, Yoohyeon was caught off guard by the suddenness of it all. She spun around to face you with a poorly muffled scream of terror; in the process, her jarred movement inadvertently cast her spell.

Just like in the movies, time seemed to slow down.

It shot across the room in a flash of red and hit you in the center of your chest, stealing away every bit of breath you had left in your body. 

As you helplessly gasped for air and fell to your knees, her eyes went wide. Panic set in immediately as she pocketed her wand and ran to you, letting out a slew of apologies. 

She crouched down beside you and took your face in her hands, raising your head so that she could assess you. 

With a brush of her thumb across your lips, she cast a recovery spell that allowed you to finally inhale a deep breath.

Warmth spread throughout your entire body, radiating from where you were hit. 

"Y/N?!" 

The poor girl was terrified that she might’ve killed you. When she lost control of the spell, it was no longer a simple one of enchantment. It became unstable before it hit you, shifting into something else entirely. There was no telling how powerful it was at the time of impact, or even what exactly it was. 

You put a hand on her forearm and sat up, leaning your back against the wall as you recovered. 

She kept your face cradled as your breathing began to return to normal, and she moved to sit cross-legged in front of you.

"Are you okay?" 

A shiver ran through your body at the sound of her voice. When her sentence stopped, it subsided. 

What the hell?

"I… I'm not sure." 

She shook her head and dropped her hands, absentmindedly allowing them to fall to your thighs. 

"I'm so sorry," she uttered regretfully. "I never meant for this to happen." 

The hair on the back of your neck stood up, keenly aware of the softness and sincerity in her tone. Her hands on you, attempting to provide comfort, felt better than they should have. The only thing that stood between her fingertips and your overly-sensitive skin was the material of your pants.

"It's okay," you soothed, though you were trying to convince yourself just as much as you were her. "I know you didn't." 

When her eyes met yours for a fleeting second, your heart fluttered. 

As she attempted to gauge your status, she couldn't help but notice the flush of your cheeks and the way you squirmed under her touch. When her fingers edged up your thigh the slightest bit, she could feel your body trembling.

"I should take you to the infirmary." 

You blushed at the idea of people seeing you like this. 

"That's not necessary; I'm fine."

She quirked a brow and leaned in a little closer. Her floral perfume washed over you, overriding your senses. "Are you sure? You don't seem like it." 

You simply nodded, not trusting yourself to speak in that moment. Her proximity was making your head fuzzy.

"Y/N, don't lie to me…" she warned, voice stern and a little deeper than before. 

You swallowed nervously, feeling as though she could see right through you. Your heart was racing faster than before, and the room was about ten hundred degrees too hot for your liking. Surely you looked a mess. 

"I'm–"

"Look at me," she interrupted, hooking two fingers beneath your chin to lift your head up. 

Her touch was electric.

Something changed as she peered into your eyes. Her rampant concern shifted – slowly, at first – as realization began to dawn on her. Your behavior was beginning to make sense now. 

Though you tried your hardest, you couldn’t pry your gaze away from her lips. They shined in what measly amount of daylight the window permitted to enter, looking so kissable you almost couldn’t stand it. Your hands were at your sides, grasping the material of your pants in an attempt to stay busy. 

It took every ounce of self control you possessed to keep from pouncing on her. 

Some indescribable desire was overtaking you, leaving you bewitched in a miserable way. It coursed through your body like the very blood in your veins and clouded your mind. All you could think about was Yoohyeon.

Whatever you were fighting was carnal.

Tense silence befell the room – tangible, yet as fragile as glass – as she unconsciously glanced down at your mouth. Curiosity burned in her, too, unbeknownst to you. She shifted a little closer without even trying. 

Your impulsive mind was begging you to take that as a sign and give in, but you fought it. Surely you were just imagining things. 

“What does it feel like?” She asked softly, breaking the quiet. She was still studying you intently. 

“I can’t explain it with words.”

You noticed the subtle way she bit the inside of her cheek when her gaze dropped down again. It filled you with foolish hope. 

“Is there another way? I want to know how to fix this, Y/N.”

Why did she have to be so kind? It would have been better for her to just leave you and let the spell run its course. 

“There… might be,” you answered hesitantly, avoiding eye contact. Having her attention like this made you feel small.

“Show me. Please.” A slight undertone of desperation was present in her voice, but it was obvious that she was trying to hide it. 

You were taken aback by that fact, and it showed when you looked at her again.

You raised a hand to her cheek and cupped it, smiling a little despite yourself when she leaned into it. Your heart pounded like never before. You were beyond nervous in every way possible, but you knew you could only fight your desire for so long; it was taxing. 

Especially when she was looking at you like that.

“Don’t hate me,” you mumbled apologetically.

Before she could utter a response, you were leaning forward and capturing her lips in a kiss. 

For a brief second, she tensed up. Her breath caught in her throat, and she made a little noise of surprise. But once you pressed your body closer to hers and ran the pad of your thumb across her cheek, she relaxed into you. 

Her lips were soft against yours, and the gloss that adorned them transferred to your own with your shared movement. It was her signature; you’d seen it on her so many times, both in class and at events that the academy put on. Its color was so distinct – so… her – and you’d always wondered what it tasted like.

Tropical fruit, you quickly discovered, as its flavor made its way to your tongue. It was warm and smooth – addictive – and you could feel yourself slipping further under when she pulled you in closer with a hand on your shoulder.

Her gentle breaths fanned out across your cheeks as she deepened the kiss, taking you by surprise. 

She let out a poorly-muffled sound of pleasure when your hands grasped at her waist a little restlessly, and the noise spurred you on. It reignited something in you, flipping a risky switch. You were quickly getting overwhelmed by it all, and what little composure you had left was slipping away.

“Yoohyeon,” you said against her lips, half-whining and half-warning. 

Why hadn’t she pushed you away yet? 

“Shhh,” she pacified, her voice like velvet. “Let me help.”

Her hands fell to your thighs again as she replaced her lips on yours, effectively silencing you.

Thunder boomed outside, mirroring the intensity you felt inside. The grey sky swirled, too, refusing to be still – just the same as your untamed heart. The lamp in the corner flickered a little as the academy’s electricity surged, fighting hard to remain on. 

Heavy droplets of rain pattered against the window in droves – unruly sheets carried by the unpredictable winds. 

But Yoohyeon seemed oblivious to the chaos around her. Or, at least, she didn’t mind it. All she cared about was the soft way you sighed into her mouth, and how you held her so desperately. It was a bit possessive, and she couldn’t stop the blush from rising to her cheeks because of it.

Your wanting hands buried themselves in the material of her skirt, gripping her hips. 

That’s precisely when the ache between her legs refused to be suppressed any longer. 

She guided your hand beneath the material with one of her own and led it to her inner thigh. All she needed in that moment was more of your touch. Something – anything. She didn’t care. Just more of you, in any way you’d allow. 

When you began to massage her skin in slow, teasing strokes, a breathy whine slipped out of her mouth. 

“Y/N, please,” she nearly begged. Her forehead pressed to yours as she rocked her hips a little in search of some sort of relief. Your eyes briefly fell to her lap, and you watched as your hand disappeared further and further under her skirt. The way she trembled for you was intoxicating.

The collar of her uniform top dug into her throat, too tight for comfort as her ragged breathing only got worse by the second. 

You reached up with your free hand and undid the button of it, hoping to ease her strain. She tilted her head back and moaned when your fingers lazily rubbed the newly-exposed skin to soothe it. The muscles there were taut and enticing, begging to be admired.  

Her brows knitted together and her teeth sunk into her lip when you toyed with the waistband of her lace panties, debating on whether or not to take things further. Her head spun with the stimulation she was receiving simultaneously; she didn’t know what sensation to focus on more. Even the smallest of touches from you had her wanting more. 

“P-please, jagi.”

Unable to help herself, she grinded against your hand when you slid her panties to the side. Your lips kissed a path from her shoulder to her pulsepoint, leaving a few lovebites in their wake as she writhed pitifully in your arms. Your name fell from her lips like a mantra as she pulled you flush against herself.

“Y/N.”

“Y/N,” strangely, her voice began to fade away…

“Y/N! Please wake up!” 

Your eyes shot open and you sat up with a start, dazed and confused. The classroom around you was the same, and Yoohyeon was next to you. You looked around, attempting to piece together what the hell had happened.

Your head had been her lap, you discovered, as you brought a hand up to the back of it to awkwardly scratch it. You turned to face her, finding her phone in her hand with Yubin’s name and contact image displayed on the screen. She had dialed her up the second you fell unconscious.

The genuine look of concern on her face tugged at your heart strings.

“What happened?”

“You passed out when my spell hit you. I’ve been trying to wake you up ever since.”

You swallowed thickly and brought a hand up to your chest, rubbing the area of impact again. It was growing warm just like before, and the sound of her voice only made the ache you felt earlier return. 

Had that really all been a dream? It felt so real…

She reached a hand out to you and moved to come closer, but you evaded her touch and backed away. You closed your eyes tightly, refusing to look at her; whenever you did, flashbacks of the dream (or whatever it was) came back in a rush. 

You missed the way her face fell in response to your rejection. 

“I-I’m better now,” you stuttered out, fumbling a bit as you stood up. Your knees were weak, and a bitter part of you wanted to laugh at that. Your body was acting as though your fantasy had really happened.

“Y/N, wait,” she requested, standing as well.

But you were already twisting the doorknob and slipping out into the hall before she could get another word in. Your form disappeared in a flash of embarrassment, and you did your best to hide your face as you began your hurried retreat to your dorm.

“...did she leave?” Yubin’s curious voice asked, sounding a little staticky over the phone line. 

Yoohyeon sighed, shaking her head at your actions. All she wanted to do was help. 

“Yeah,” she answered. 

Yubin tutted before going quiet for a moment. Only the faint sounds of pages turning could be heard. Yoohyeon paced in the meantime.

Before too long, the slightly younger witch spoke again. “I think I have an idea of what went wrong,” she said, as her eyes zeroed in on a certain spell in her book. The symptoms that Yoohyeon had informed her of, paired with your immediate reaction, all lead her to believe that it was what you were struck by. 

“It’s a variant of Amore,” she continued, “...and it’s really potent. We’ll need to whip up an antidote to ease her symptoms.”

“What will she experience?”

“Hallucinations, fever, and lust like never before," she listed, upon reading from the page. "Since this strain is only produced by a corruption of the original spell of love, it’ll heighten her existing desires tenfold or more.”

Yoohyeon’s eyebrows furrowed. “Existing desires? For who?”

“Whoever cast the spell, of course,” she replied. “You.”

That didn’t make any sense. Yubin had to be mistaken; you obviously didn’t have any pre-established feelings for her. 

“There’s no way that’s right, Yubin.”

“Why do you say that?”

She thought back to the way you had avoided her like the plague once you woke up. 

“She wouldn’t even look at me when she came to. That doesn’t really add up with your prediction.”

Yubin studied the page a little more before replying. She was humble enough to admit that the chance of her being wrong existed, but she highly doubted that that was the case now. Everything just aligned too well for it. 

“Just come back to the dorm. We can sort it out together here.”

“Alright,” Yoohyeon agreed. “See you soon.”

She pocketed her phone with a tense sigh before running her hands over her face a few times. 

Put lightly, she felt uneasy about the entire situation. It all felt… wrong. She shouldered any and all responsibility when it came to your predicament, and because of that, she regretted not putting up more of a fight when you left. Guilt made its inevitable, insolent journey to her heart in the wake of her failure to act. 

It made the classroom feel even more vacant and cold, as she stood alone in the middle of it. 

Judging by the noises you had made when you were unconscious – helpless, distant mumbles and calls of her name – she knew you were battling something stronger than either one of you had ever been up against. 

And although it should have, her skill in the arts did next to nothing in easing her worries. 

She knew she was gifted, but her imposter syndrome invoked her deepest fears of inadequacy when faced with a serious matter like this.

And – as selfish as it sounded – she couldn’t help but think that she might not have been so ashamed if anyone else had been her victim. She knew that nearly killing you wasn’t likely to score her any points, nor was it particularly advantageous in helping her gain your favor in the long run. 

She lamented over all of her wasted efforts thus far, fully aware that that single strike from her wand had surely eradicated all of the fruits of her labor from your heart and mind. 

Every study session that the two of you had shared before. 

Every late night escape to the outskirts of the academy, where you and your shared group of friends rendezvoused with hers to sneak around and do things you probably shouldn't have.

Every clumsily flirtatious line that she ever tried on you, with the excuse of alcohol floating nearby as a scapegoat. 

If Yubin was correct, the spell's power would eclipse all of those genuine moments and twist any true feelings you might’ve potentially had for her into something unmanageable. At her hands, you would suffer; and she expected to lose you because of it.

Once the enchantment was lifted, you'd certainly be exhausted by the mere sight of her. So, then, how could she expect you to still find any fondness for her in your heart?

It was impossible at best, and it disheartened her to say the least. She doubted you'd even want to be in the same room as her after it was all said and done.

Alas, all she could do now was hope to find the correct solution to heal you. She could settle for your full recovery, if nothing else.

—---

Your Dorm

After arriving, you quickly sent a text to your roommate – who was hidden away in one of the private study rooms of the library – and asked her to retrieve your abandoned belongings. 

She answered almost immediately and sent you a picture, confirming that she had collected it all safe and sound. She told you she still needed to study, though, and that she wouldn’t be back for a little while. 

You assured her that that was fine before throwing your phone onto the bed haphazardly. 

More than fine, you thought to yourself, as less-than-innocent thoughts of Yoohyeon returned to haunt you. You were miserable, completely and utterly, so it was a welcome thing to have the room to yourself in the meantime. 

For a very real, very serious second, you contemplated smothering yourself with your pillow. 

You buried your face in the loose folds of its silky case as you collapsed onto the bed, and you did all you could to put your racing mind to rest. Your entire body felt like it was on fire and you had no idea of how to stop it. 

A thin sheen of sweat appeared on your forehead before long; this spell took being hot and bothered to a whole new level. 

You felt the back of your shirt being lifted, inch by inch, until soft lips left open mouth kisses up your spine. Manicured nails ghosted over your skin, creating goosebumps wherever they went. 

“So beautiful,” Yoohyeon’s alluring voice whispered, only to you. 

Her hand slid down the front of your body, heading for your center when you unconsciously lifted your hips for her. She admired your every curve and line along the way, promising to worship them properly if you were patient for her.

You groaned loudly and shook your head, willing the fantasy away.  

This had to be some sort of cosmic torture. Karma coming back to bite you for some unspeakable atrocity you committed in a past life. 

Even the paintings on your walls judged you. They were poised above your turmoil and boasted cheerful people with smiles that you couldn’t mirror even if you tried. 

The rest of the room was full of a certain tranquility, too, that brought out the deepest parts of your envy. From your roommate's perfectly made bed to the two desks that sat beneath your window, not a thing was out of place. 

And yet there you were. An epicenter of chaos. 

Fearing for your own sanity, you wracked your brain for a temporary fix for your problems.

Should you cast a sleeping spell on yourself? No, that wouldn’t do. It would allow your body to recuperate, sure, but you’d also be trapped in your deepest dreams of Yoohyeon with no way out. There was no way of telling how that would end. 

Your next idea was to prepare a potion to combat your symptoms, but deep down you knew that you were incapable of producing one strong enough to do the trick. The spell was simply too powerful, and given your state, you were just too weak. Thinking clearly and rationally had long ago gone out the window, after all, and the very lines between reality and fiction were blurred irreparably. 

So, back to the drawing board you went. You ruminated, searching each and every corner of your mind for an avenue of assistance. Thankfully, before long, the universe graced you with a glorious eureka moment.

A cold shower! You brightened as the solution crossed your mind. 

That would do the trick, you promised yourself, as you hastily entered the bathroom. You stripped and set the water just shy of hypothermia-inducing temperatures.

When you stepped in, your initial reaction was to evade the stream of frigid water that bore down unsympathetically. But as you eased yourself into it, you discovered how welcome the feeling was. The droplets combatted the pervasive heat, and you finally felt capable of taking in a breath. 

You cherished the sensation for a while by running your hands up and down your body and turning to face the shower head. When you were satisfied, you reached for your shampoo to begin your routine. 

Everything went smoothly until you began to wash your body. 

You had just applied a generous amount of soap onto your loofah and began to work it into the textured material when it slipped from your hands. 

“You have got to be kidding me,” you lamented. 

Soapy water cascaded down your body as you bent at the waist to retrieve it; once it grazed your fingertips, you were quick to grab it.

Before you could upright yourself again, a dominant hand pressed to your back, keeping you bent over. You reached out to steady yourself on the wall as a pair of bare hips brushed against your ass, rutting subtly. 

"Why do you keep fighting your feelings, Y/N? I can make you feel so good, if you'll just let me." 

Your eyes fluttered closed at the familiar voice. It dripped with a confidence strong enough to ruin you. 

The warmth that radiated from her stood in stark contrast with the chilly water beating down on you. It felt too good for words.

Yoohyeon’s hands tracked their way to your hips, paying no mind to how crazy they drove you. She eased you further back against herself as she teasingly rutted again. A smirk tugged at her lips when she felt how wet you already were. 

"Stop," you weakly said. 

But she didn't. 

Her right hand simply dropped lower, and her fingertips circled your clit in response. 

Obscenities fell from her lips as you shuddered beneath her. She was bringing your body to life in such a wonderfully cruel way. 

"Say it with a little more conviction if you really want me to," she instructed, as she raised you up into a standing position again. Her naked body was flush against yours in an instant, clouding your judgement. 

She kissed your neck gently, allowing the action to be a full 180 from everything else she was subjecting you to. It was her version of a peace offering, as her hand still worked between your aching thighs.

A little treat to soothe your insatiability. 

"Please,” you begged. Had you had the energy to care, you might’ve been embarrassed at how pitiful you sounded.

"Alright, my love." 

When you opened your eyes again, you were alone. Every trace of her had vanished, just the same as the water swirling down the drain. 

You used the wall to steady yourself again, feeling humiliated. Your legs were untrustworthy. 

– 

Yubin & Yoohyeon’s Dorm

The two skilled witches stood side by side, reading from the same page of Yubin’s spellbook. The latter pulled on the adjustable arm of her desk lamp, bringing it closer until it hovered over the words and showered the annotations and sketches in warm light. 

They had been going back and forth for the past few minutes on whether or not her initial prediction was correct. 

Yoohyeon’s arms were crossed at her chest, and the look on her face screamed skepticism. 

“Look,” Yubin pointed at one of the formulas. “It had to have been a cross between the Amore variant and a spell of temptation.” She reasoned. “You were thinking about her right before you cast it, right?” 

The younger girl already knew the answer, but she wanted to check all of the boxes.

Yoohyeon bit the inside of her cheek, becoming a little flustered. She felt called out. “Yes.” 

The look in Yubin’s eye softened. When Yoohyeon had first started catching feelings for you – those incessant, fluttering butterflies that were annoyingly endearing – Yubin was the first and only person she told. She’d watched her pine for months on end, and that’s precisely why she encouraged her to practice the spell in the first place. 

But had she known that this would happen, she never would’ve pushed her to.

“I figured.” She nodded lightly. “That’s why I’m so certain I’m right.”

Yoohyeon sighed, though she kept the noise to herself as best she could. She didn't want to believe it.

“There’s no reasonable explanation for why her reaction was so strong. Corrupted variant or not.”

Yubin pondered for a moment. Her pencil twirled in her hand, and she rhythmically tapped its eraser against the surface of her desk as her mind worked its magic.

“Are you sure she doesn’t like you back? Even budding feelings can heighten the effects of these spells under the right circumstances.”

Her gaze fell to the floor, and her head shook, just a little. “I don't know."

You'd always acted so different around her than everybody else. She could never properly read you.

A frown formed on Yubin’s lips, full of pity. She had to be mistaken; any sane person would be head over heels for her.

“Well, there’s still good news,” she mitigated, looking at the bright side of things. “The antidote for this won’t harm her even if the enchantment she’s under really is a different one. Either it stops her symptoms or it does nothing at all.”

“That’s comforting.”

Yubin nodded. She drew in a deep breath and raised her head towards the work station of their room. It was complete with a cauldron, beakers, tools, and every ingredient that they would need. Thankfully the antidote didn’t require any outlandish or rare components.  

“If we work together, we can have it done before the end of the night.”

Yoohyeon’s lips pursed briefly in thought as she set her jaw. Her determination was as strong as ever. 

“Then let’s get started.”

–

Your Dorm

At some point between your disastrous shower and less-than-dignified retreat to bed, the raging storms outside had ceased. The skies were clearer than before, although the velvet cover of night was ridding them of any and all remaining daylight. Stars were picking up their twinkling again, and the moon was poised high above everything else. 

A wet washcloth was folded across your eyes to ensure that your body temperature didn’t exceed an acceptable limit. It eased your headache some, too, although it wasn’t enough to put you out of your misery entirely. 

Every fiber of your being still hummed and your stomach was full of butterflies. Your chest tingled, taunting you. The constant, neverending urge to writhe and squirm was challenging to hold at bay. Your body begged for friction – for release – but no matter what, nothing was ever enough. 

The inseam of your shorts teased your sensitive bud with every hopeless sway of your hips. The material of your shirt ghosted across your skin, flitting over the peaks of your breasts that begged for attention. 

Every added sensation left you breathless, but it failed to push you over the edge. 

You whined and flattened the cloth out across your entire face, praying that the cold material would be enough to offer a short reprieve.

The scent of Yoohyeon’s perfume permeated the air, almost as if she was really there. You'd never experienced such a visceral sense of neediness before in your life. You'd wanted things, sure – lusted after them, even, and with conviction – but nothing compared to this. 

The version of her that resided in your mind commanded your psyche in a torturously beautiful way. It was exhausting, to say the least, and oh so humiliating. But something about being so wholly at her mercy did things to you. And for some twisted reason, your mind decided to use that against you, over and over. 

She returned in waves. 

Any hope of release was continuously pushed farther with every visit she paid; she dangled it proudly, like a prize, just out of reach. 

Like an unbeatable race, she extended the finish line mere seconds before you reached it. A never ending saga, trapping you between the Heaven and Hell that the spell crafted into existence. 

If you were the powder, she was the fuse. And oh, how brightly you burned.

—

Later, Across Campus

Yoohyeon did her best to tread lightly, but the faint clicking of her shoes still echoed out across the expansive corridors of the academy. They were void of activity, given the late hour, and she appreciated that. With no interruptions or distractions, she could make it to you faster. 

Her conscience had been twisting itself into knots relentlessly for the better part of the evening anytime she stopped to imagine what you must’ve been going through. Tall tales and readings were the only means by which she had attained any information on the side effects of such a spell, and none of them eased her mind in the slightest. She was worried sick, and the only thing capable of consoling her was seeing you alright again.

The crystal bottle of antidote was cradled in her hands, shimmering with a slight green hue. 

She passed by more arching windows, finding streaky stains marring their typically spotless surfaces. The rain may have stopped, but it left traces like that everywhere, ensuring it wasn’t forgotten. Puddles of stagnant water reflected moonbeams all across the yard, pooling in various sizes. 

She felt bad for the groundskeepers that would be tasked with prettying it up in the morning. 

The towering ceilings of the grand hall greeted her as she stealthily continued on her journey. They loomed high above, keeping watch.

She remained vigilant to avoid getting caught by any passing faculty or patrolling guards there. It was past curfew, which meant they’d be more apt to question her if she got caught without a valid excuse for being away from her dorm.

So she made a promise to do whatever it took to remain inconspicuous. If the need presented itself, she was prepared to cast a spell of invisibility; the simple words of the incantation remained on standby, resting on the tip of her tongue. 

For you, she was set on making things right, no matter what it took. 

—-

Your Dorm

A knocking resounded from the door, causing you to peek at the time on your phone. A couple of hours had passed since your conversation with your roommate, so you’d been expecting her to arrive any moment. You knew her arms would be full of both your and her own belongings, and so you dragged yourself out of bed to assist her. 

The steps you took were weary and a bit unstable, but you disregarded all of that. You swung the door open and leaned against it, grateful for its sturdiness. 

When you made eye contact with the bane of your existence instead of your roommate, your shoulders sank defeatedly. She had the nerve to smile at you, acting as though she hadn't been encouraging your demise all evening. 

You paused and drew in a deep breath, fed up. This was getting ridiculous.

What did you have to do to put an end to it all? Would giving into the fantasy stop it?

She looked you up and down, studying the state you were in. When she noticed how mussed your clothes were and how ruinous you looked – completely and utterly fucked out – an expression of pity naturally pulled at her features. 

You mistook it as teasing arrogance. 

“Fuck it,” you muttered. Your exasperated voice was harsh against the quiet that had fallen over the academy.

Yoohyeon’s eyes went wide as you put a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her in close, all in one swift movement. Before she could even get a sound out, your lips were on hers and kissing her like your life depended on it. 

A vibrant, crimson blush sprawled its way across her cheeks and neck, even reaching the top of her ears as you unabashedly gave into your desire. The hallway was empty, but even still… did you have no shame? No fear of being caught?

She found her answer when your hand trekked down to the hem of her shirt and lifted it, revealing her toned stomach. Instead of using your words to admire it, your fingertips took their place; they caressed the sculpted lines and curves there, offering their own kind of praise. 

Her back arched involuntarily, searching for more of your touch.

She pulled her lips away from yours and turned her head, shying away as she attempted to catch her breath. Your free arm came to encircle her waist, and your head ducked down to her neck to kiss there instead. 

She sighed softly and allowed you to have your way with her.

“Y-Y/N, what are you doing?” Her voice was airy, and she fought every urge imaginable to keep from moaning when your tongue swirled over her pulsepoint. 

“Don’t play dumb now,” you said. “I’m just finishing what you’ve started.”

Her fingers gripped the material of your shirt at your shoulders in an effort to ground herself. She trembled, unable to process everything she was feeling. 

She tried to remind herself that you were simply at the mercy of the spell – that you wouldn't be doing any of this without its compulsion.

But having you on her in such a way made it easy to forget that. 

Your teeth grazed her sensitive skin, pulling a pretty whimper from her. Her eyes nearly rolled back at the rush of warmth it sent to her core.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she struggled out. 

You halted your movements long enough to pull back slightly and look into her eyes. When you did, you were mortified. 

This Yoohyeon wasn’t the one from your fever dreams at all. 

No; this Yoohyeon – the real Yoohyeon – was peering back at you with a dazed look in her innocent eyes. Her pupils were blown wide, and her lips were kiss-bitten and red. Her chest rose and fell quicker than normal, and you could feel how rapid her heart rate was from how close you still stood. 

Perhaps you had gotten a little ahead of yourself…

You detached yourself and stumbled backwards at once, embarrassingly bumping your head into the door. You reached up to rub the pain away and avoided meeting her eye again, wishing the ground would swallow you up and save you from such a humiliating fate.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to–”

“It’s alright. I know what you’re dealing with,” she soothed, with labored breathing.

Your head raised at that. How could she possibly know?

“Yubin and I finished a potion for you,” she informed, ensuring that the coast was clear as her hands reached into her pocket to retrieve it. It shimmered in the light of the hall when she held it up for you to see. 

“It should get you back to normal in no time.”

“Thank you,” you said, beaming with gratitude. “...so much,” you added.

A deep look of contemplation showed on her face; she was clearly debating on something. What it was, you had no idea. But the only thing on your mind was getting a taste of that enchantment. 

Fate had other plans, it seemed. 

When you went to take it from her, she pulled it away. Your brows furrowed in an instant, riddled with confusion.

But her explanation didn’t come in words. Instead, she reached behind you and pushed the door open wide before shoving you inside. You almost tripped over your own feet; but she tugged you by the shirt and pressed you into the door, ensuring that it shut fully behind you. Her fingers locked it as she quickly kissed you again.

“Yooh, what–” you mumbled against her lips.

“Shhh,” she pacified. “Let me help.”

The parallel between your first fantasy and the current moment threw you for a loop. Those words – the exact ones you’d heard before – were a million times more effective now, as she kissed you. What felt real in that fantasy paled in comparison to having her like this now, molding herself to you and chasing her own pleasure alongside you. 

She really was a dream come true.

“Here,” she offered, as she pulled away just enough to pop the cork out of the potion’s bottle. The liquid made quiet glug glug sounds as she took it all into her mouth, completely upturning the glass. You watched in awe as it disappeared in shimmery ripples.

She beckoned you closer with a simple touch, and you understood then what she had planned. Carefully, you pressed your lips to hers and lowered yourself down, allowing the antidote to flow freely from her mouth to your own. You swallowed it eagerly, pulling her soft body flush against yours to ensure that you received every last drop. 

You used your tongue to greedily lap up what remained on her lips and in her mouth, and she moaned deeply at the sensation. Her blush had returned, too, and in full bloom – but that was the last thing on her mind. 

“Fuck, you taste so good,” you breathed. Your voice was huskier than usual, and full of awe.

Her thighs pressed together instinctually as she let out a broken whine. Your simple praise, so raw and undeniable, made her grow even hotter than she already was.

The magic in the antidote was quickly taking the edge off of the misery that you had been in and enabling your natural desire and passion to come through. Power was finally returning to you, placing your fate in your own hands once again.

Part of Yoohyeon was still holding out in the chance that you would come to your senses in a rush and push her away, rejecting her. 

But that never happened. If anything, the opposite did. And precisely because of that, every resulting movement of your body against hers – so wanton and needy – made her realize just how wrong she had been before. 

Even in the absence of the spell's compulsion, you yearned for her. She could feel it all; each impatient touch sold you out a little more.

Clearly the attraction was a mutual thing… So why had you hidden it away until now? Had you really doubted how much she longed for you, too? Your oblivion truly knew no bounds. 

But, in the end, it simply made her all the more determined to prove just how badly she needed you. Then and always.

“Don’t stop,” she pleaded, when your hands began to roam her body in time with your kisses. “I want this, Y/N,” she whimpered, feeling you hike her skirt up to her waist in one fluid motion. 

“Me, too, jagi.” You assured her, pulling her ruined panties to the side just as she slipped her tongue into your mouth again. Your fingers slid easily between her folds, discovering just how wet she was for you already. 

Her uneven breaths fanned out across your skin in response, warming every bit of it that they touched. This time, that heat was a welcome feeling.

“Take me to bed,” she mewled weakly. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, messy with want. 

She wrapped her legs around your waist when you obediently hoisted her up into your arms; you carried her over and laid her down, pressing her down into the soft comforter with your body. She tugged impatiently on the bottom of your shirt until you decided to appease her and take it off. 

With your upper half now clad only in your bra, she openly ogled you. Somehow, her shyness had disappeared along the way. 

“I want you to show me everything we did in those fantasies of yours, okay?”

You nodded dutifully, allowing her to soak in the sight of you a little longer. 

“We’re only stopping once we’ve done it all.”

A shiver ran up your spine at her assuredness. Could she get any more perfect? This side of her was sparking up your imagination equally as well as the spell had.

Perhaps she herself could count as an enchantment. Surely a drug, if nothing else. 

You hovered above her again the second she beckoned you closer, and ghosted your lips across her rosy ones. They chased after yours, falling for your tricks every time you pulled away at the last second. It was only fair to give her a taste of what you’d spent the day going through, after all. 

But she wasn’t in the mood for your games. She wasted no time in rolling over and pinning you to the bed instead, with her hands pressing yours into the mattress above your head. Your fingers intertwined when she reconnected your lips, picking right back up where you left off. 

Now that your shorts had ridden up and exposed more of your legs, she took advantage of the opportunity that presented itself. Her thighs came to straddle one of your own, and she eagerly lowered herself down to brush her bare pussy against it. Your brain short circuited initially, unaccustomed to such a feeling in the world of the conscious; but the sensual roll of her hips and the moans that slipped out of her grounded you. 

Her slick dripped down the sides of your thigh as she began to work herself up more and more, using your body like a plaything. You flexed your leg beneath her in time with her rutting, wanting to watch her come undone above you. 

Her appreciative whines resounded around your room, filling the space with their beautiful sounds. As her sensitivity became more apparent, the noises she made grew higher in pitch. They were precious displays intended solely for you to hear; each one a little breathier than the last as she chased her high more freely.

And, lacking any sense of hesitation anymore, you offered yourself readily. In any way she wanted you, you were hers. 

The corners of her lips tweaked up into a smirk when you fully submitted beneath her. The tension in your muscles dissipated, and your strain subsided. Your hands no longer squirmed underneath hers; they gave up their fruitless pursuit of freedom.

You surrendered yourself to her, prepared to lose control once and for all. Now, the elusive release that you’d been searching for was promised. No more tricks.

“Are you ready, jagi?” She asked, trailing her lips down your jawline. They lazily painted your skin with a few marks, taking their time. She reveled in the feel of your embrace and the reactions that you had such trouble containing.

Everything about her was full of restrained desire and tension as she waited on your answer. Controlling herself was always hard when it came to you. 

Then and always. 

“Yes.” You whispered, as the last remnants of her spell faded completely from your system.

Now, she had you entirely at her mercy. Un-bewitched, maybe, but more enamored than ever.

-- Bonus --

A Considerable Amount Of Time Later

The sound of Yoohyeon’s phone ringing disrupted the post-sex haze that you had found yourselves in, and she rushed out a slew of apologies as she begrudgingly untangled herself from you. She pressed a long kiss to your lips before getting out of bed, and her shaky legs nearly buckled completely when she first used them.

You fought hard to hold back your laughter as she searched through her discarded clothes on the floor for the phone, aided only by what bits of moonlight flitted in through the window.

She stumbled to the bathroom after finally locating it, as clumsy as ever. The darkness didn’t help anything either, but she eventually managed to make it there without breaking anything. 

“What, Yubin?” She whispered, a little harsher than intended, once the door was closed.

“Hello to you, too, sunshine,” Yubin mocked.

Deciding to check your phone as well, you blindly reached out towards the bedside table for it. Once its smooth, chilly screen made contact with your fingertips, you snatched it up. 

You kept an eye shut as you unlocked it to prevent yourself from going completely blind. An unread message pulsated, asking to be clicked on. 

-- Y/Roomie’s/N -- 

Cramming late tonight with my study group. I think I’ll just crash at their dorm. Lmk if you want me to run your things over!

Huh. Somewhere along the way, you had completely forgotten about your roommate. Oops…

But knowing that you had the night to yourself – that it was free to share with Yoohyeon – made you inexplicably giddy. You smiled and put your phone down again before returning to your initial position. A content sigh left you as you nuzzled further into your blanket.

Despite Yooh’s very obvious effort to keep her conversation inaudible, the opposite occurred. And although her voice was hushed, it wasn’t hard for you to make out everything she was saying.

“How did it go? Did you ask her to–” Yubin asked curiously, before being cut off.

“No, I haven’t asked her to Formal yet. We got a little… sidetracked.”

You smiled against your pillow at that. So she wanted to take you, huh? 

“I’ll ask her when I ask her,” she resolved, attempting to quiet her best friend’s nagging. All she wanted was to be back at your side. “And I’ll tell you about everything later.”

“I’m counting on that, Yooh. I want to know if my potion worked,” she pouted a little, despite the fact that Yoohyeon couldn’t see it. 

“Patience,” was all the older witch said before she abruptly hung the call up without another thought.  

Yubin muttered an annoyed “Aigoo” to herself, all tucked away in bed. She took a sip of her tea and picked her book back up, ready to wind down by reading until she fell asleep. 

Yoohyeon emerged from the bathroom to find you still on your side, just as she left you. The curve of your face looked so pretty that she took a second to simply admire you. You were more beautiful to her than words could ever describe. 

She climbed back in beside you and pulled the covers over herself before snuggling up. She cuddled close and leaned up enough to press a sweet kiss to your neck, right above one of the darker marks that she had left earlier.

“You’ll have to help me find something to wear for Formal,” you uttered, no longer feigning sleep. 

She jumped a little, not expecting your voice to suddenly break the quiet. When she recovered, she laughed lightly. Such a pleasant sound.

Her arm draped across your side when you shifted further back against her. It provided comfort and security in a beautiful way.

“You heard that?”

"Mhm," you lazily mumbled, covering her hand with your own. It came to rest against your stomach.

"I'm kind of glad you did." 

"Yeah?" 

"Yeah," she smiled against your back. You could feel it through your shirt. "I've been wanting to ask you for a few weeks now." 

"No way." 

"Yes way. You know, you've had me hooked since our first project in alchemy." 

Your brows furrowed briefly as you worked to recollect it. 

"When I singed half of my eyebrow off?" 

"Ding ding ding. How could I have resisted?" She teased, pretending to swoon. 

You clicked your tongue and moved to jokingly push her away, but she simply laughed and wrapped herself around you before you could.

Her giggles bubbled up within her chest, allowing you to feel just how happy she was as her body shook against yours. You knew you could never get tired of that sound – not in a million years. 

"Yah," you said fondly, no longer fighting the smile on your lips. "You're lucky you're cute." 

The hint of warning in your voice, paired with the compliment, only made her grin harder. 

"I know." 

Perhaps this year, for once, Brighton Academy found a way to turn things around after all. 

Yoohyeon – and a little bit of happenstance – were just what it needed.

Left Behind

Pairing: Jiu x Fem!Reader (and platonic relationships with the other members)

Warnings / Misc. -- Angst, Fluff

Word Count: ~ 7,890

Requested By: @3and30aresoultwins

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hey guys! This was a bit rushed and I’m not entirely in love with it, but I hope you enjoy it regardless. Feel free to leave DC requests in my inbox / messages! :)

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚

Life can change in the blink of an eye. Plans you make for the future that you envision can crumble with no warning, leaving you to pick up the pieces and find yourself all over again. 

Dreams can go down the drain just as easily as the blood, sweat, and tears it took to make them possible in the first place. Luck can run out. 

All of those things can happen, and you knew that. You just never expected them to happen to you.

–

It was a late November day in 2016 when the world as you knew it changed forever. 

Happyface Entertainment had requested that you come in separate from the other members to discuss an important matter. Vividly, you remember how vague they were over the phone; they refused to elaborate on what the meeting would be about. Their voices were soft, holding a carefulness in their tone that you didn’t fully understand until later. 

It was regret – because they knew what you didn’t. They knew that your impending removal from the group loomed overhead, waiting like a cobra to strike once you arrived. 

And strike, it did. Sitting in the meeting room – which was far too bright and far too suffocating – you grappled with the fate you’d just received. Your heart felt heavy, and your head hurt as it all sunk in.

MINX would be rebranding as ‘Dreamcatcher’ and adding two new members, but you wouldn’t be joining them. You hadn’t made the cut.

Just like that, it was over. Years of your life as a trainee, down the drain. So much pain and hard work, all for nothing. So many sacrifices. So many late nights. They hadn’t gone into detail about why you were turned down specifically, and that was probably a good thing, all things considered. It would’ve just been salt in the wound.

An offer was made for you to stay at the company and potentially continue as a soloist, but you declined it. It was a proposition made from pity at best, and you knew it. How could you have accepted? If they had such little faith in your abilities as a member of a group, you couldn’t imagine it would’ve been magically restored for your solo activities. You refused to become a half-hearted money grab that they could fall back on whenever they needed to; it wasn’t fair to you. With the rebranding set in motion, attention and focus would’ve been placed entirely on the girls; you’d have been made to wait in the meantime with no real end in sight, and it was unlikely you’d ever receive a similar level of support.

You’d have become the company’s has-been. Its resident outcast.

And the prospect of joining another company – if you were even lucky enough for that – was just as daunting. After training and growing up with the girls in such a way for so many years of your life, you couldn’t imagine going solo or joining another group. 

That wasn’t something you wanted. And, of course, given the blow that the company’s decision had dealt to your confidence, you felt incapable. You were too overwhelmed to be there any longer with all of their eyes on you, judging in one way or another. 

So while you still had enough composure over yourself, you bid farewell to them and left, leaving behind a part of yourself in the process. 

The real challenge came, though, when you had to say goodbye to the girls. They all handled the news differently, in their own ways, but it wasn’t something they could process easily at all.

Sua was prepared to leave the dorm and have an angry word with the higher ups, but you stopped her before she could. It wouldn’t have done any good; if anything, it could’ve put her in jeopardy, too, and that was the last thing you wanted. 

Siyeon went quiet as the idea of moving on without you sunk in. How could she part ways with someone she’d grown so close to? You were supposed to live out your dreams together. It wasn’t fair.

The normal spark in Yoohyeon’s eyes dimmed, and she retreated into herself. Her bubbliness dissipated in an instant, replaced by more sadness than she knew what to do with. She was the first to begin crying, and she sought the comfort of your arms when it became too much for her to handle alone. 

Dami, ever the reasonable one, was determined to phone the higher ups and talk some sense into them. She was convinced that if the other members all banded together and expressed their disapproval in a logical way, they would have no choice but to give you a chance, at the very least. But you stopped her for the same reason that you had stopped Sua. They had made themselves clear at the meeting, and you knew in your heart that their minds were made up.

You didn’t notice the tears in Dami’s eyes until you took her phone out of her hand and put it on the table beside her. When you brought her into your arms for a hug, they fell onto your shirt, warm and full of sadness. She hated feeling helpless more than anything else in the world, and knowing there was nothing left to do broke her heart.

Watching it all unfold was Jiu. She couldn’t wrap her mind around it; it felt like she was having a nightmare. How could they have turned you away like that? You were just as good at your job as any of them, and you were one of the most dedicated people she’d ever known. The fans loved you. Your talent showed without you even trying; it made no sense that they would let you go so easily. 

She tried to stop her tears from falling, but when you finally looked up at her, surrounded by the other members, she couldn’t hold back anymore. 

You had been her rock ever since she met you – her safe place. She could express her worries and concerns freely with you, despite her position as leader. Hell, you were just as much of a leader to the girls as she was. Your consistency and energy held everything together, and the members depended on you, always. She depended on you more than words could explain; you were the first and last thing on her mind most days. You kept her level headed when she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, and you never let her lose sight of her goals.

Losing the backbone of the group seemed unfathomable in every way. Never in a million years would she have expected it to happen. 

But beyond that, Jiu felt like she was losing two people. Y/N – the member of her group – and Y/N – the woman she had harbored secret feelings for for as long as she could remember. She had planned to confess soon, but the opportunity for that was stripped away from her by this news of your departure. Her heart broke as she realized that you wouldn’t be in the dorm anymore; all those early morning and late night conversations and hang outs wouldn’t happen anymore. She wouldn’t be able to just walk to your room when she missed you, or hit you up with spontaneous plans whenever she felt like it. You’d be miles away and busy building whatever life you chose in the wake of this.

And the new members? They could never replace you. Not in a million years.

But she made a vow to never take her resentment for the situation out on them, because at the end of the day they were just striving to achieve their dreams as well. And besides, she knew you wouldn't have wanted her to be angry at them. Though, even still, she knew she'd always think of you when seeing them. A disappointment – a longing – would always remain in her heart, lamenting over what could've been. 

Because, at the end of the day, things would never be the same again. No matter how much you tried to stay in contact, conflicting schedules and prior engagements would eventually get in the way. Frequent calls and check ins would fade, becoming few and far between. Communication would be more difficult, given the distance. Nothing would compare to having you by her side in all the ways she had for the past few years. 

It all hit her at once, like an icy slap to the face. She tried to stay strong for everyone, but it was one of the hardest pills that she’d ever had to swallow. 

When you called her over and wrapped your arms around her, it took every bit of courage she had to keep from breaking down. As you wiped her tears and held her close, she tried to commit the feeling of it all to memory. She wanted to store it somehow, so that her body could never forget it. Her nails dug into the material of your shirt with purpose, and you simply hugged her harder at the feeling. 

You had no idea that she was in love with you. You were oblivious to it in the most heartbreaking kind of way. But she knew it was too late to tell you now. Putting that on you in the midst of everything else didn’t feel right, no matter how much she wanted to shout it from the rooftops. She wanted to find a way to justify it, selfishly, so that she didn’t have to deal with the reality of it alone. She wondered if maybe, if things were different, you would’ve felt the same.

It killed her, knowing that she couldn’t have you. Knowing that you were slipping right through her fingers and she was powerless to stop it. She’d have to pretend to be unfazed from now on, but she knew anytime she’d enter the dorm or company building you’d be the first thing on her mind. 

Her eyes would automatically go to the spot you would’ve been in. Choreographies now arranged for seven would always feel a little foreign, in the back of her mind. All the little things were already piling up, and she didn’t think that time was capable of easing the strain they placed on her heart. When it came to someone like you, so interwoven into her daily life and routines, she couldn’t fathom even spending a full week apart.

But the kiss that you pressed to her cheek reminded her that you were still there for the moment. The brush of your soft skin against hers as she nuzzled her head into the crook of your neck brought her peace and calmed her down. 

For now, she could still reach out and touch you. She could call you whenever she wanted to. Whip up a snack for you and show her affection in all the many ways that she loved to. For now.

The company had informed you that they would only give you until the start of the next week to pack your things and find a new living situation before you were officially removed.

It was all so fast. Too fast, for any of them to properly handle. You all knew it would be one of those things that you never fully got over. Just one of life’s cruelties. 

But for the last few days that you had left together, the girls promised to remain at your side. Between packing and bouts of crying, you’d do your favorite activities together. Movies and ice cream would be used to cope, with your sobs excused by whatever sad displays were playing out on the TV. You could go out on the town, order in, sing karaoke in the early hours of the morning, relax quietly – anything. They were determined to make them some of the most special days that you’d ever known.

After all, you deserved nothing less. Their shining star: Y/N.

—------------

Time Jump

For a while, things were relatively fine in the aftermath. You settled into the routine of your new life, living on the outskirts of Seoul and working at a quaint coffee shop that had happened to be hiring. The owners graciously allowed you to live in the small apartment above the café, and they treated you well. 

The girls each found time to spend with you, whether it be to shop, relax somewhere together, or just catch a meal at one of your favorite restaurants. They called and texted often, always making sure that you were doing well and taking care of yourself. They never failed to mention how much they missed you and how boring things were without you. 

On exceptionally beautiful Spring and Summer days, Jiu would do her best to have a floral arrangement sent to you. Her favorite flowers were paired with the ones you loved most, and a big bow usually held them all together. Sometimes, a short handwritten note even accompanied them.

If you were craving a specific food and mentioned it online somewhere, every now and then someone (who you later found out was Sua) would have a fresh batch of it delivered to your doorstep. It didn’t happen very often, but when it did you felt so cared for. 

Siyeon made sure to include you in Dreamcatcher activities, whether it be by using your representative emoji / animal in posts or doing a certain hand sign that you had more or less claimed as your own during your time with them. It was subtle, but it meant the world to you.

Yoohyeon sent you letters and pictures from time to time. Following a short vacation to Jeju that the girls went on together, she sent you a handwritten letter and some polaroids that they took with you in mind. 

In a solo project that Dami did, she added some subtle call outs to your situation and how unfair it was. Clearly, she was still as upset about the situation as before, and she missed how things used to be.

They all even posted special messages on their Instagram accounts whenever your birthday rolled around, ensuring that you felt included. 

But, as all good things do, their efforts started to fade after a while. Their schedules picked up during comeback season; events were held that kept them tethered to either their practice rooms, beds, or the stage; and other avenues of life got in the way. 

They faced more backlash than before, too, on the rare occasions that they were seen out with you. Some fans were still supportive and glad to see you, but others expressed their wishes for you to get a life and accept that you weren’t a part of the group anymore. Their comments and heckling were hurtful, adding salt to your still-sensitive wound; but you knew it upset the girls on top of that, and arguably, that hurt you more than anything the haters could’ve ever said. 

By then, you’d grown used to the harsh comments about yourself. But the girls never did; anytime they read or heard them, their once-happy smiles would always fade, and the shine in their eyes would dim as they looked at you. So many emotions were present, yet they remained unspoken. A million things, all too big and complicated for words. 

You knew then that your time with them was dwindling. Every visit seemed to be a little shorter, or interruptions from the company would spring up. Juggling everything was weighing on them, and you could see it clear as day. 

So you decided then that you would distance yourself. For the sake of everyone, you let your connections slip away, just enough. You’d learned over the months that fading away gradually and quietly hurt the least and was the most effective, and so you chose that path. 

For the most part, it worked. Other than on major holidays or birthdays, they were too busy to stop you or change things. Their texts came in less frequently, and video calls were few and far between. 

Although it pained you, you learned to live without them. 

It was more difficult than you expected, especially in the beginning; you’d underestimated just how much they’d impacted even the smallest parts of your life. When good news came or you wanted to share something you’d learned, it was always your first instinct to pick up the phone and dial up their numbers. Sometimes you found yourself looking through old pictures and reminiscing on the memories that were tied to them.

But you had to let go of that. Those habits that you picked up after years of being around them didn’t serve you anymore, and you had to break them. 

When it rained, you no longer allowed yourself to remember the way that Yoohyeon would cling to you under your umbrella after realizing she had misplaced hers.

When the rich scents of the nearby forest flitted their way over towards the coffee shop, you didn’t let your mind wander onto what Siyeon was up to. 

The warmth of the Sun didn’t remind you of Jiu’s smile. 

Loud laughter from patrons didn’t conjure up an image of Sua anymore.

And quiet Fall afternoons passed by the turning pages of whatever book you were reading didn’t make you think of Dami’s quiet charm. 

You didn’t allow the little moments to take you back, because you knew you’d never want to leave that state of mind if they did. It was undoubtedly one of the hardest challenges you ever faced, but you did it nonetheless.

—------

Two Years Later

It all started in time with the changing of the seasons. You were certain of it.

As the anniversary of MINX’s disbandment neared, a heavy feeling came to visit you again, like an unwelcome guest. 

The warmth faded. What few leaves were left on the trees made their final leap to the solid ground below, joining the swaths of others there to wither away. The skies were cloudy a lot of the time, basking the new season in an eerie haze. It wasn’t satisfactory at all – nothing like what that time of year is usually like, and nothing like what people look forward to. The approaching holiday season was off to a lackluster start by all accounts. 

But you did your best to persevere. 

Your job kept you busy most of the time, and you were grateful for that. Had it not, you would’ve spent the hours stuck on the past and wondering what you would’ve been up to at a time like this. Fansigns? Behind the scenes for a new music video? Song writing?

Any lull in the flow of customers allowed you to think, and you didn’t want that. Having no thoughts seemed better than having too many, after all.

But on one fateful afternoon, something unexpected happened. Destiny intervened – interrupting the monotonous flow that your life had taken on – and enabled the universe to work its magic. 

In Your Apartment

You had just sat down to eat a nice late lunch that you had prepared. The café owners had left town to visit some relatives for the evening, and so they gave you the rest of the day off. 

The television in front of you came to life as you pressed the buttons of the remote, and a garbled stream of changing colors and graphics washed across the room as you flipped through the available channels in search of something worthwhile to watch. 

You eventually found something halfway decent and began eating. 

It was a simple sandwich that you had purchased from the store, paired with a salad. Nothing fancy, but it was still tasty. 

No more than five bites in, your phone began to ring on the coffee table in front of you. You sighed and reached out for it, ready to flip it over and see if it was someone you could ignore or not.

Once you saw who it was, though, you froze.

A smiling picture of Jiu lit up its screen, bright and achingly beautiful. It had been so long since she’d called that you almost forgot how to act.

Should you even answer?

“Hello?” You asked, attempting to hide the nervous lilt in your voice.

“Ah, Y/N,” she greeted, a smile evident in the words, “...hi.”

You sat your fork down, curious as to why she was calling you so out of the blue. 

“I was wondering if you’d like to hang out with the girls and I after our performance today. We’ve missed you a lot and we want to catch up,” she explained, as if she read your mind. She was straight to the point, and you both loved and hated that.

Part of you wanted her to trade the usual niceties that come when you haven’t talked to someone in a long time, but deep down you knew that reverting to small talk with her wouldn’t have felt quite right either. 

“I–”

“But it’s totally okay if you don’t want to!” She interrupted in a rush, pushing the words out like her life depended on it. 

Her panic was endearing; it almost sounded like a teenager asking out their crush, if you thought about it.

You chuckled lightly, oblivious to the way it made her heart speed up. “I was going to say that I’d love to, Jiu. What time?”

This could be a huge mistake, but she had a way of working past your defenses in an instant, even after all this time. 

Her sigh of relief was audible, though you were sure she didn’t intend for it to be. It just made you smile even more.

“We should be finished up here at Show Champion around seven, so how about eight? That’ll give us time to go to the dorm and freshen up first.”

Your smile faltered at her mention of the dorm. “Sounds good,” you agreed. “Where should I meet you?”

She pulled the phone away from her ear and called for the girls, quickly asking for suggestions. A bittersweet smile graced your lips at the image of them in your mind, all thinking hard and throwing out ideas while gathered around her. It brought back so many memories. 

Sua shouted her choice so loudly that even you heard it crystal clear. The rest of them took a few seconds to agree, and then Jiu put the phone back to her ear. 

“How about our favorite restaurant near the dorm? The one we would always go to at this time of year.”

“I’ll be there.” 

“I can’t wait. See you soon.”

-

You finished your meal and showered before spending nearly a lifetime picking out what you wanted to wear. You didn’t have many fancy clothes to choose from, especially on such short notice, but you managed to put together a nice outfit that was still casual enough for a night out. 

You wanted to do something special – to surprise the girls somehow – just as a way of thanking them for all they’d done. Seeing them would undoubtedly bring back a lot of feelings and memories, but you couldn’t say that you weren’t looking forward to it. You couldn’t remember the last time they’d been free enough to call you up and invite you out, or even when your own schedule had allowed you to be the one to initiate things. So, this once, you felt like indulging a little. Distancing could begin again later. 

Spending some time with them would surely do you some good in the meantime, anyway. At least that’s what you told yourself.

With a glance at the clock, you discovered that you still had plenty of time to throw together a quick little surprise for them. The plan came together in your mind on the fly, and everything seemed completely doable. 

You just crossed your fingers and hoped for the best as you left your apartment and locked the shop up. You really wanted this gesture to make them happy. 

—

The Four Leaf Clover

Your shoes made soft crunching noises as they treaded over the sidewalk, even and rhythmic with your stride. For once, you didn’t mind the chill that washed over your body when the wind blew; it was refreshing. Your mind was too busy wondering what the night would hold to feel upset about anything, really, and you cherished that. You couldn’t remember the last time that had happened. 

The familiar corner shop – your destination – came into view a couple of minutes later, comfortably lit and cozy looking. An old man – one of its owners – sat outside of it on a wooden chair, completing a puzzle. He greeted you with a warm smile and seated bow, and you reciprocated before heading inside.

A small bell above the door announced your entrance.

“Welcome,” a feminine voice chimed, slightly worn with age. 

“Hi, Mrs. Park,” you smiled, approaching the counter. 

“My, my. It’s been too long, Y/N. How have you been?”

You took a breath. 

“Fine; I can’t complain. And you?” 

“Still kicking, sweetie. That’s all I can ask for.” She chuckled to herself. 

You nodded, regarding her. She still looked the same as you remembered. The years hadn’t even given her another wrinkle yet.

“So,” she started, “What can I get for you?”

“I’d like a custom arrangement: just seven pretty flowers with a nice bow.”

She hummed at the simple request. “And what kind of flowers will you be needing?”

“Oh, I um…” Somehow you hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I’m not sure, actually.”

“Don’t worry,” she mitigated. “I can pick them out for you. Who are they for? And what’s the occasion?”

Your shoulders relaxed a little, put at ease. 

“For some friends,” you explained. “We haven’t seen each other in a while.”

As you pictured all seven of them, Jiu stood out in your mind, like usual. The owner eyed you, studying the unconscious smile on your lips. 

“Friends, huh?” She teased. 

You opened your mouth to respond, but she didn’t let you. 

“I’ll have it ready in a jiffy. Hang tight, sweetheart.” She turned and pushed her way past the swinging doors that led to the back, shuffling off to put together your arrangement. 

You took the next few minutes to leisurely stroll around the small shop and admire all the creations it had to offer. Handmade crafts, knick knacks, and fresh bouquets were displayed beautifully. Small hand written signs indicated their prices, hanging near them or leaning on their stands. The marker lines on them were a little shaky, showing that whoever wrote them had done so with a trembling hand. 

The little details like that, seemingly so insignificant, showcased just how much effort the two of them put into the store. 

They’d been running it ever since you could remember. Having grown up nearby and attended your training at the company, you were never very far from it. When you moved into the dorm with the girls, it only brought you closer. The place almost always stayed busy, being frequented by families and supporters alike at all times of the year. 

Specials were given during exam season, because the Parks were aware of the stress that families were already under. They still wanted the students’ efforts to be celebrated. 

Those in mourning were given discounts on funeral arrangements to lessen their burdens.

Holiday events were hosted towards the end of the year, giving people the chance to come in and learn to properly decorate their own arrangements. Refreshments were provided, and they never failed to bring out the festive joy that that time of year is known for. Classes were taught by Mrs. Park, with her husband handing out supplies and ensuring everyone was well taken care of. 

Even when one of them was ill, the store stayed open. They made a promise to each other to keep their doors open for as long as possible, and they stayed true to that. 

That kind of consistency is beyond rare. 

You can only imagine how many days they saved by simply being open. Birthdays, funerals, anniversaries, parties, house warmings… you name it, they’ve saved it. 

It made you smile to yourself in a grateful kind of way, as your fingertips traced along the side of an antique clock on the counter. This tiny store, so unassuming and quaint, housed so many memories for so many people. 

What a beautiful thing it was.

—

“Seven orange alstroemerias,” Mrs. Park called, signaling that she was finished. 

You padded your way back over to her and found her zhuzhing up a beautiful array of them. They were vibrant and open wide, flaunting their colors. 

“They symbolize devotion and friendship,” she informed. 

“They’re perfect. Thank you so much.” 

Your fingertips skated over the silky material of the bow she had wrapped around them. It was prettier than you ever could’ve imagined.

She smiled deeply. “No problem, sweetheart.”

“How much do I owe you?” You inquired, reaching into your pocket for your cash.

“Twelve dollars.”

When you handed her the total amount, she took it into her small hands and pressed some buttons on the register to enter it in.

You peered down into the bouquet as you slid it closer to yourself, and a flash of red amongst the sea of orange caught your eye, nestled a little further down than all the others. Its petals were far different, too.

“Oh, ma’am,” you said, catching her attention before she could hand your change back. “You put an extra flower in here. A rose.”

“Oh, did I?” She tutted, but her response gave you the feeling that it wasn’t such an accident after all. “Go ahead and keep it, then. Free of charge,” she waved her hand into the air. “I’m sure you can find someone to give it to.”

She absolutely did that on purpose. The tell-tale smile on her lips as she handed you your change sold her out on the spot.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome, honey. Have a good evening.”

You smiled just the same as her, finally on the same wavelength. “You, too.”

—-----

Show Champion 

The flowers rested in the crook of your elbow as you sent a quick text on your phone, letting your friend know that you were outside the building. The wind blew rather harshly as you waited for a reply; it rippled over your long overcoat and nipped at your cheeks, stinging your skin. 

Go-eun, the woman you were waiting on, had worked here ever since you were still a part of MINX. It was here that you first met her, all that time ago, and an easy-going friendship had blossomed almost immediately. Despite everything that had happened over the past few years, she had remained your friend and stayed in touch through it all. You were beyond glad to have her.

Before long, an outside door creaked open and her smiling face emerged. She had on a headset that connected her to the action that was happening inside. 

Her hand raised to it and she pressed a button as she motioned you inside. You stepped through the threshold and shook the cold off. 

“I owe you one.”

Her head swayed lightly and she waved a dismissing hand. “Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do.”

“Thank you, Go-eun. Really.”

Her smile simply deepened in response, and she sent you a thumbs up for encouragement. You had explained your plan over the phone on your way to the performance hall, and she herself was excited to see it unfold. 

“Go get ‘em.”

You parted ways and headed down the side hallway towards the waiting rooms for the artists. The layout was still somewhat familiar from your time as an idol, but they had clearly rearranged some things in your absence. Your hands gripped the flowers a little harder, ringing their stems unconsciously.

After some walking, you rounded one final corner and were greeted by a sight that made your breath hitch tightly in your throat. 

Jiu’s laughter filled the hall as she exited a room, leading all the other girls out. They were joking about something that Sua had said, and they lightly jostled each other around. Gahyeon and Handong, the two new members, looked radiant in the dark outfits that their stylists had prepared. They fit into the group seamlessly, filling your shoes in some ways that you never could’ve. 

From what you had seen of them during your occasional bouts of watching Dreamcatcher’s content, it was easy to see how much they shined. They deserved every good thing in the world; they worked hard to achieve their dreams, just the same as the rest of you. They were talented; you could see why they were chosen for a task as daunting as a rebranding. 

No hard feelings existed between you, but your heart undeniably ached at the sight of them all together. Yet again, you were stuck on the outside looking in. 

From idol to fan, just like that. The beheld to the admirer. It still got to you.

“Y/N?”

Yoohyeon was the first to notice you. Her voice was small and full of cautious hope. She didn’t want to blink and find out that she was imagining things.

“Hi, Yooh. Miss me?” You smiled sadly, tilting your head. 

Her lip quivered in response. She always was the most emotional out of all of them.

Despite the loudness of the stage further away in the building, the hallway had fallen almost completely silent. It rang in your ears. The drop of a pen could be heard. 

The rest of them turned in your direction at the sound of your voice. Jiu locked eyes with you; her brows knitted together pitifully, like she wanted to cry, too. 

“What’re you doing here?” Incredulity shimmered in her tone.

The others perked up behind her, regarding you in quiet astonishment. They never expected you to be here.

Down the hall, near where Go-eun was peeking out at the crowd through a curtain, a security officer pressed the button of his walkie-talkie and spoke an order into it. He was keeping watch, making sure things ran smoothly.

You smiled to yourself and reached into the bouquet to retrieve the rose. Once it was freed, you outstretched it to Jiu. Her fingertips brushed against its petals as she glanced at the others. She realized then that hers was the only rose.

You were able to watch that fact dawn on her, filling her with hope. 

Could this mean that you…

“I wanted to surprise you all and show my support,” you explained. “I hope you–”

It all happened in a flash.

“Stop right there!” A booming voice shouted suddenly. Quick-moving footsteps, heavy and dull as they resounded against the floor, accompanied it.

Just as Sua stepped forward to see what the commotion was, two men approached either side of you and roughly grabbed you by the arms. 

None of you had thought that their warning was aimed at you.

The flowers all fell to the ground, getting stomped on by their careless feet. 

“Hey!” Dami exclaimed in response. 

You struggled against them, tugging on your arms in an attempt to be freed. Despite the attempts you made to explain who you were, they didn’t listen.

“We’re sorry, ladies.” They addressed the girls, “She must’ve managed to sneak her way back here from the crowd.”

Your heart sank. They thought you were just another fan. 

Jiu stepped forward, extending a hand to you.

Siyeon spoke up, “But she’s–”

They smugly shook their heads, and one of them raised a hand to stop her. “Don’t worry, we’ll get her out of your hair.”

Sua looked at them like they were insane. As they turned on their heels and harshly pulled you along, she marched behind them and grabbed the sleeve of one of their uniforms. 

“Yah, saekki, she’s not just a fan!” She shouted. 

They turned around, looking embarrassed and caught off guard by her use of language. “What?”

“She’s our friend. Now let her go.”

If looks could kill, those two men would’ve dropped dead on the spot. They released you in an instant and apologized, quickly bowing multiple times to everyone to show their so-called respect. They rushed away, returning to their posts immediately after.

In their wake, the hallway returned to silence. Blaring, awful silence. 

Although the encounter was over fairly quickly and was now resolved, the damage had been done. 

Yoohyeon approached you and tried to fix your mussed clothes, but you caught her hands before she could. You held them in your own, looking past her at the mangled bouquet on the ground, completely ruined. Aside from being pissed off, the girls all looked distressed and sad. Gahyeon and Handong averted their gazes, feeling ashamed. Jiu was almost teary eyed; Sua was shaking her head in anger; Siyeon went quiet; and Dami had her jaw set with a look of contempt on her face. Staggered curses fell from their lips.

In a matter of just a couple minutes, their happiness had soured and turned into this. What could’ve been a wonderful moment was now marred by your presence and the chaos that you brought along. 

You never should have come here. 

“I-I’m sorry, everyone.”

You dropped Yoohyeon’s hands and turned around, briskly striding towards the side door that you had entered. Tears of embarrassment stung your eyes, and you quickly swiped them away.

Go-eun looked concerned as you approached, but you just shook your head at her and left with a promise of explaining later. The wind was somehow even colder than before as you rushed out the door, and once it mixed with your salty tears you finally let yourself go. 

Fresh ones fell freely, replacing the others that threatened to dry from the wind. You sat down outside of the building and pressed your back against the frigid surface of the wall. Your forehead came to rest on your knees as you cried, feeling stupid. 

Why had you ever expected that to work out? You were such an idiot. 

Gahyeon reached down and picked up the bouquet, frowning. Sua and Siyeon had left directly after you to reprimand the security officers, and Dami was comforting a teary Yoohyeon. Jiu still held her rose in her hands, turning it over and over. 

She glanced back at the girls and nodded before heading after you. In the small gap that existed between her belt and the outside of her pants, she slid the stem of her rose. With it secured in place, she quickly treaded down the hallway.

When she slipped out the side door and saw you curled up, her heart broke. You raised your head at the sound of the heavy metal latching back into place behind her, and inadvertently met her gaze.

You stood up and wiped the rest of your tears before walking in the opposite direction. You didn’t even give her a chance to speak.

Although she was taken aback, she didn’t stall in going after you. Not anymore.

“Go back inside, Jiu.”

“No.”

You walked further down the sidewalk, tucking your hands into your pockets. “If you stick around me, I’ll just end up causing more problems.”

“Don’t say that, Y/N!” She scolded, sounding even more upset than she was inside. She had no reason to be, since you were just removing yourself from the situation. She wouldn’t have to worry about you anymore this way.

“Why shouldn’t I? It’s true, and we both know it!” You returned, exasperated. “You don’t have to pretend otherwise for my sake.”

“I’m not pretending,” she pressed, following after you. Her outfit wasn’t suitable for the weather, but the emotions coursing through her numbed her to the chill. This exchange hurt her more than the wind ever could, anyway. Why did you insist so hard on leaving?

“Just stop,” you said over your shoulder, not bothering to turn around. “Maybe another day,” you said, in reference to your plans.

You were far too upset to enjoy the night after all that, and awkwardly pretending that it didn’t happen would be just as painful.

“No!” She erupted, grabbing your arm and spinning you around. Your jaw went a little slack at the suddenness of it; this was a totally new side of her. 

“I’m sick of waiting, Y/N. That’s all I’ve ever done when it comes to you, and I’m not doing it anymore.”

Your brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Her features were strikingly beautiful – so sharp. Their jaded edges displayed everything she was feeling, despite your inability to read them. You were still just as oblivious as ever.

She snuck a hurried glance around the both of you before pulling you over to the side of the building. She pushed you against it directly after, catching you off guard. Her arms wound around your middle as she moved to hold you close.

You had half the inclination to ask what she was doing, but the feeling of her mouth on yours interrupted those thoughts before they could even finish forming. 

Her lips kissed a reply against yours, saying all the words she never could before. 

I love you, they pressed, urgent and hard enough to bruise.

I always have, they whispered without words, soft in their reassurance. 

A million confessions flowed from them to yours, spreading like the strawberry gloss that painted them so beautifully. She couldn’t possibly have cared less about the messy state you were putting her in; she lived for the way you came alive in her arms, kissing her back with just as much passion as she felt herself. It was a confirmation that the feelings she had were mutual in the best type of way. 

A muffled sigh left you as you brought your arms up to wrap around her neck and draw her in closer. She pressed the length of her body against yours, molding to you like never before. Her hands gripped your hips possessively, begging you to stay for once in your life and see this through. She was afraid to let go again.

Her teeth captured your bottom lip as you tilted your head to the side, granting her more access. She took the opportunity to deepen the kiss without a second thought, releasing her inhibitions. She lost herself in your taste – in the feel of you. It was everything that she’d hoped for and more after spending so many years waiting. 

You were like Heaven to touch. 

The perfume on your neck drew her under as her lips trailed over your sensitive skin there, leaving a mark in their wake. 

She smiled when your hand fisted in her hair, returning the desperation that she felt. Her head was in the clouds. 

“Please don’t ever run away like that again,” she whispered against your jawline, allowing her lips to brush it in the process. “What happened wasn’t your fault.” She left small kisses behind as little reminders of her love for you. 

“Just because things went sideways in there doesn’t mean we don’t want you around. We’ve all missed you so much, Y/N/N… you have no idea.”

“I’m sorry.”

She pulled away enough to touch her nose to yours, moving it side to side. When you laughed at the feeling, she smiled. 

“The girls and I need you more than you know. They love you, and I…” she paused, swallowing nervously, “I love you. I have for a long time now.”

You stole another quick kiss from her lips, rewarding her for her confession. “Me too.”

Her thumbs rubbed comforting patterns against your hips. “Then will you stay? Please?”

You took a deep breath of the evening air to bring you back to your senses. You were still reeling, if you were honest, and thinking straight wasn’t something you felt very capable of with the woman of your dreams holding you in her arms like she was. Her kiss-swollen lips pouted, only further corrupting you. 

“I’ll stay,” you nodded. “And we can still go to the restaurant.”

She pulled away and did a little victory dance that had you smiling in an instant. Her face brightened, donning a beautiful smile as she cheered. She was such a dork that you almost couldn’t stand it. 

If any paparazzi were lurking nearby, her questionable choice of celebratory dance moves would’ve undoubtedly been a larger scandal then the kisses you shared. 

“Alright, alright,” you interrupted after a few seconds, stepping forward and grabbing her wrist to stop her. “We get the idea.”

“I’m just so happy,” she cooed, gazing into your eyes with so much love you nearly swooned at the mere sight of it. 

“So are we,” Sua said from nearby all of a sudden.

“AHHH!” Both you and Jiu let out a scream of terror at the same time.

“How long have you been standing there?!” Jiu barked, recovering with a hand over her heart.

Sua pursed her lips, thinking for a second. “Just long enough to see your dance.”

“Very interpretive,” Siyeon narrowed her eyes and nodded, giving a thumbs up. She slung her arm around Sua’s shoulder as she came to stand beside her.

Yoohyeon and Dami appeared behind them a few seconds later, attempting to suppress their laughter. “You guys didn’t hear the door latch? It’s like a hundred years old.” Yoohyeon giggled. 

You cleared your throat, blushing more than you would’ve liked to. “I guess we were a little preoccupied.”

“Yeah, about to fuc–” Gahyeon began.

“Language!” The unnies all shouted in unison, interrupting the youngest member. She rolled her eyes, but an amused smile rested on her lips regardless as she neared the group as well. It grew wider when she looked at you, causing her eyes to form into little crescents. 

Handong was the last to show herself, but it was for a good reason. 

The bouquet was cradled in her hands, still wrapped in the paper and bow that it came with. Tape was wound around every broken piece of the flowers’ stems, making them semi-straight again. All of the girls had done their best to repair the damage that the guards had done, and that simple gesture alone made you want to cry all over again. The sentiment was unexpected but beyond welcome. 

“We’re really excited to spend the evening with you, Y/N,” Handong spoke, soft and smooth. “The girls talk about you all the time.”

You glanced around at all of them, finally feeling content in a way you hadn’t since you left the dorm all that time ago. So much love and adoration shined in their eyes for you, clear as day. For you, they’d do just about anything.

And while things wouldn’t ever be quite the same as they were before, you knew then that the girls would forge a new future with you in it, however they needed to. They never wanted to lose you again, and something about this time felt different. Deep down in your heart, you knew it would last.

As their arms all wrapped around you in the group hug that Sua initiated, you let your eyes fall shut. 

“I’m excited, too,” you said, smiling to yourself. 

And for the first time in a long time, you really meant it. 

Jealousy, Jealousy

Pairing: Siyeon x Fem!Reader

AU: Non-Idol

Warnings / Misc. -- Smut, Jealous Siyeon ;)

Word Count: 3,348

Summary: With your three year anniversary imminent and the need for a get-away pressing, Siyeon organizes a romantic weekend trip for the two of you to enjoy together. Everything goes according to plan in the beginning, but when a night of clubbing breathes new life into her passion for you, things get a bit derailed.

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hello again, my lovely readers! Just stopping by to drop off this Singnie fic :) Jiu's story is next, so look forward to it! Hope you like this in the meantime 💖

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Moonlight Bar & Lounge, 11:42 PM

As the two of you peered up at the establishment’s buzzing, neon lights, Siyeon had to make a conscious effort to prevent her hand from dropping too low on your ass. 

She’d made a promise to you – back at the hotel and in her post-orgasm haze – that she would be on her best behavior while you were out celebrating as a way of repaying you. 

You, in return, vowed to let her do anything she wanted to you once you were back in private, so long as she kept things tame and didn’t go back on her word in the meantime. 

And, for what it was worth, she was really giving it her all.

But you looked absolutely divine in your formal outfit – radiant with a sultry undertone, capable of leaving her transfixed. It drove her crazy to know that hidden away beneath it, tucked out of view from prying eyes, your skin was painted with all of her marks. Splashes of color, hues of red and purple growing darker with time – her own personal claims on you. With how hard it had been for her to keep her mouth off of you earlier, she was surprised you had any skin left unmarked at all. 

“Two more hours, Singnie. Think you can handle it?” You asked, glancing at her as you both approached the door. 

She opened it, sending you a confident look all the while. “Of course I can.”

You hummed, unconvinced. “We’ll see about that.” 

When you passed her, a smirk pulled at the corner of your lips. Her gaze had fallen to your ass, again, watching its every move in silent admiration as she trailed behind you like a puppy. 

—

The reviews you’d read, though stellar, had failed to prepare you for just how nice the place was. Its intimate ambience beckoned you in at once, extending an easy-going hand, inviting you to look around and see for yourself everything that it had to offer. 

Things were darkened inside, creating an aura of sensuality and mystery despite the openness of the layout. Hues of black and blue accented the furniture and decorations, in line with the established theme of intrigue. Large skylights were centered in the ceiling, allowing plenty of moonlight in to do as it so pleased. 

A dance floor called from the far side of the room, comfortably crowded and taking up about half of the venue. Couches and chairs were situated around tables on the other side, strategically dotting the available area so as to award parties their privacy. 

The bar was large, stretching out far and wide as it stood ready to greet you upon your arrival. A busy bartender met Siyeon’s eye when he glanced up, vigorously shaking a drink. 

“Welcome, ladies!” He smiled warmly. “It’s great to have you tonight.”

You thanked him with a smile as well, and Siyeon extended the same courtesy. Her arm fell to your waist again mindlessly – completely out of habit as she turned to survey everything. 

“How about we get a table first?” She suggested, subtly motioning towards them with her head. “Then we can dance for a bit, if you’d like.”

“Sure, babe. That sounds perfect.”

-

One Hour Later

Put simply, Siyeon seemed to be out to get you. 

Though she was your girlfriend, the love of your life, your protector – something truly sadistic shined in her dark eyes as she peered at you from the other side of the table, smirking around the rim of her glass. 

She watched you squirm in your seat a little, feigning oblivion as her foot traveled up your calf, teasing. 

Somewhere between her first and second rounds of wine she had undone the top few buttons of her blouse, and the seductive way she pressed closer to the table, arms crossed just below her chest, put her cleavage on full display. The edge of her bra was visible, too, but that was a detail likely only perceptible to you, considering your proximity and inability to focus on anything else. 

Every bit of her prior innocence was gone without a trace, eclipsed by the desire she felt, which was becoming harder and harder to maintain a grip on. 

The alcohol in your system was weakening your inhibitions, too; coaxing them to vanish as her charm worked its magic, promising release for you the second you asked for it. It showed in her eyes – which shamelessly drank in the sight of you – and the subtle bite of her lip. She appeared collected, but you knew that in reality she was far from it.

You downed your last bit of wine in an effort to distract yourself. 

As you lowered your glass, the ring on your finger shimmered, catching the attention of one of the club’s cycling lights. Siyeon looked at it proudly; it was the promise ring that she had given you this morning.

Wordlessly she reached forward, palm upturned. 

The musing, pleased smile on her lips would be your demise. You were sure of it. 

But even still, you extended your hand and placed it in hers, following her unspoken request. She held it close, rubbing her thumb across the back of it in soothing, easy strokes. 

Nothing made her happier than knowing you were hers.

“Ready to dance?” She asked, trying not to sound too eager. The thought of having your body against hers was ruining her in all the best kinds of ways. 

She was fiending for it.

You took a deep breath, steadying yourself for what was to come. She knew that asking was unnecessary, but she took pleasure in seeing you squirm. 

“Sure.” You swallowed. 

Happily, she finished off her wine. 

Leaving behind your empty glasses and appetizer plates, she stood up and led you to the dance floor.  

-

30 Minutes Until Promise Is Completed

The DJ was a true professional at his craft, and you decided at once that he deserved the biggest raise imaginable.

…do DJs get raises?

Regardless, he was owed one. 

His choices of song, paired with the seamless transitions and mixes that he conducted, set the mood of the lounge and kept everyone's energy high. A strong bassline carried throughout the place, thrumming consistently and so powerfully you felt it in your very being. 

Like an undercurrent, it flowed around you. Pushing and pulling, leading you out just to lure you back in again.

Siyeon moved in time with you, hanging onto the rhythm as you let loose. She kissed you occasionally, swept up in the heat of the moment and unable to resist your beauty. Her hands wandered, impossible to control as they made it their mission to tempt you. 

The couples around you all shared that sentiment as well – turning the air thick with sexual tension. 

Some grinded. Others groped. It was a plethora of positions and strides, all writhing and searching for relief – a statement piece on the human condition, plucked straight from a movie scene. From your place within it, amongst the welcome chaos, you could only imagine what a sight it was to behold from an outside perspective. 

A sudden buzzing tethered you back down to Earth, garnering your attention. It came from Siyeon’s front pocket, which was conveniently nestled right between your thighs. 

The contact made you tense at first, not expecting it, but it felt good. More than good, even. And far better than you cared to admit, considering you wanted to hold onto some of your pride. 

She felt it, too, but she didn’t pull away at first. Enjoying the show, she pressed it against you a little harder, coaxing your hips to gyrate, both to the rhythm of the song and in search of the vibrations. 

But once the phone rang a fourth time, you pushed her away with a dismissing laugh, telling her to go answer it. 

Your cheeks were flushed, and your heart was racing wildly within your chest. You covered your forehead with your palm, taking a deep breath as the people around you filled in the open space that her exit provided. 

The loss of contact with her allowed you to sober up the tiniest bit and get your head on straight. She was just like a drug.

Get a grip, you scolded yourself, shaking your head. This was ridiculous. Was going more than a few hours without fucking her really this impossible? You wanted it more than anything, but you didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of calling off your deal. It was made to prove a point, and you intended to keep it instated for that very reason.

You stole a glance at your watch. 

Only fifteen minutes left. That was doable, no?

Siyeon rolled her eyes as she slid up on the green button at the bottom of her screen. She had to fight the urge to just let it go unanswered.

Had it been anyone other than her boss, she likely would’ve. 

“Hello?”

“Ah, Siyeon,” he greeted from the other end, a smile evident in his gravelly voice. “I’m glad I could reach you.”

She pressed her back to an open portion of the far wall, away from the more rowdy parts of the crowd. 

“Of course, sir,” she sighed, withholding the attitude that she wished to lace into it. 

She looked up at you, watching you sway gently in time with the music. The light of the room painted you beautifully – every shimmer and shadow fighting for its chance to cast across your skin. She couldn't help but admire you from afar.

"...yes, sir. I turned that report in to your assistant two days ago." She answered distantly, clearly not entirely focused on their conversation. 

He launched into a response, but Siyeon suddenly tensed and stood up straighter – intrigued for a completely different reason.

A woman was making her way over to you.

Like a shark circling its prey. 

The blonde danced along to the beat with a drink in her hand, sipping on it as she closed the remaining distance between you. Siyeon could only watch as she leaned down, smiling prettily as she introduced herself. 

You laughed at something she said and nodded lightheartedly, amused. 

“Siyeon? Are you there?”

Her lips pressed tightly into a line. “Yes, sir. Continue.”

He did, but again she couldn’t pay much attention. She was too focused on the two of you standing far too close for her liking, and the nonchalant way that the woman invited you to join her for a dance. 

To Siyeon’s annoyance, you agreed and stepped forward. 

She drew you in and briefly settled a hand on your hip as the two of you got accustomed to the new song that the DJ started playing. You followed her lead, allowing her to sway with you. 

She was attractive, and the sight of you together stoked the fire of jealousy within Siyeon.

For what it was worth, though, you didn’t attach any deeper meaning to the exchange. You were simply dancing, after all, and you'd made it a point to flash your ring a few times to avoid any misunderstandings.

But Siyeon was in a different state entirely. 

Her blood boiled, and her grip on her phone tightened audibly. The poor thing groaned and squeaked from the pressure, pleading for her to ease up.

The woman locked eyes with her over your shoulder, practically taunting her as she dipped you down. The angle provided Siyeon an achingly beautiful view of your body, tempting her to admire the lines and curves that you created; but she was sobered up by the fact that it wasn’t exclusive to her. 

In that moment, anyone – including that woman – could see you looking so gorgeously spread out. 

That was her final straw.

She abruptly excused herself from the call, assuring her boss that she’d dial him up again at the first chance she got, before hanging up without another thought.

Bitterness radiated from her with every step that she marched closer to you, practically fuming. She moved people aside along the way, providing an opening for herself to return to you. 

You were uprighted by the woman at once and subsequently seized by Siyeon, who loomed angrily behind you. You were oblivious to the situation until you felt her presence as she entered your personal space. 

She emitted tension, and the sensation made you tremble; the territorial look she gave deterred the blonde, who raised her hands in a show of innocence before smiling knowingly and ambling to another part of the dance floor. 

Hesitantly, you went to turn around and face Siyeon. But her sudden grip on your hips prevented that, keeping you as you were.

Something firm pressed against your ass as she pulled you in, rutting with a restrained sort of gentleness that seemed difficult to maintain. It caught you off guard at first, but the swell of it, straining against the fabric of her pants, was something you'd recognize anywhere. 

It was your favorite toy. She had secretly put it on before you left the hotel earlier. Cheeky. 

How had you not noticed it before?

She ground against you again, aiming to give you a better feel for it, but made sure to remain somewhat inconspicuous to the people around you. Her hands caressed your sides, tentatively working their way downwards as she attempted to gauge your reaction. 

Her lips brushed the shell of your flushed ear, upturning the slightest bit in triumph when she felt your breath hitch. Your head turned to the side and your chin tilted ever-so-slightly, granting her full access.

“Do you feel that?" She asked lowly, clenching her jaw. “What you do to me?”

She couldn’t have cared less about the promise in that moment even if she had wanted to. With you looking as good as you did and flaunting yourself like that… behaving really was no longer an option. 

You nodded fervently, lacking the gift of speech. 

“You’re going to take care of that for me. Right now,” she emphasized, taking a hold of your wrist. 

Chest heaving, you turned around to face her. She shoved your hand between her legs, making you cup the toy as she pressed a harsh kiss to your lips. You melted into it, weak within her strong embrace. Obediently, you groped her again, making the other side of it rub up against her clit. You swallowed up the encouraging moan that she let out at the action.

She begrudgingly pulled away after a moment, but only enough to take your hand again and impatiently drag you towards the front door. Her movements weren’t the most graceful – seeing as that she bumped the two of you into other guests and nearly fumbled over her own feet along the way – but they were endearing. She wanted you so badly that appearing composed no longer mattered to her. 

And that feeling was beyond mutual.

- The Parking Lot -

Although they gave it their all to be seen, the city’s bright lights were muted by the thick fog that covered the windows of Siyeon’s car; they were mere blurs in the distance, becoming increasingly dulled with time. 

The steam served as an immediate tell of what was happening inside, just in case any particularly dimwitted onlookers failed to put two and two together after observing the rocking of the car. 

Part of you was afraid the entire thing would fall apart at any moment, based on how roughly Siyeon was taking you. 

Her body clung desperately to yours, only parting long enough for her to draw the toy out of you and drill it back in as she took you from behind. Her skin met yours repeatedly, filling the cabin of the car with filthy noises that made you wetter than you thought possible. 

“Fuck, baby,” she cursed, pressing your head further down into the seat as the snap of her hips grew messier and more erratic. Her fingers tightened in your hair, making your eyes water the slightest bit.

You smiled triumphantly, feeling the cool leather soothe your heated cheek. 

The decorative beads hanging from the rear view mirror clacked together, consistently colliding with the back of it.

Rhythmically, the press of your hips fell in time with her thrusts; you met in the middle, getting the most out of each and every move. Your muscles ached something wild, but you were beyond caring at that point; all that mattered was Siyeon, and ensuring that she got what she wanted. 

“Does it feel good?” You panted.

“So good, jagi,” she groaned, voice raspy, as she lolled her head to the side. 

Her hazy eyes landed on the hickies that she had left at the small of your back earlier, which she brought her free hand up to caress. Beneath her fingertips, your muscles flexed from the impact that she inflicted; they strained with the desperate, searching rutt of your hips as well, never stopping for a second. 

You were such a whore for her; she loved it.

"I wish you could see yourself like this," she mused through heavy breaths, palming your skin. "Taking me so well. God, you're so perfect." 

Her harsh thrusts mellowed into long, sensual ones as she focused on grinding against you. The ridges of the toy slid across your velvety walls as she humped, stimulating you further. She watched the length of it disappear inside of you repeatedly, only to reappear glistening more and more each time. 

You reached a shaky hand out to brace yourself, aware that she was getting close by the tremble of her legs.

All of the friction her clit was receiving was pushing her closer and closer to the edge. The other end of the toy moved inside of her as well, heightening the effect of even your most subtle motions. 

When your head fell forward and came to rest against your extended arm, she leaned down, seizing the opportunity to kiss your exposed neck. The way her body aligned with yours, completely bare and heated, made you moan. 

She left new marks everywhere she liked, taking her time.

A soft, pleased grunt resounded in her throat when you lifted your hips and grinded back into her, languidly working yourself along the toy. She stilled her movements and let you continue for a bit, reveling in the intimate feeling. 

"Head up, angel." She instructed, grazing her teeth across your pulsepoint. 

You obeyed and raised it, fighting exhaustion. 

Her lips found yours, and you immediately surrendered control of the kiss over to her. Despite knowing you'd grant it without hesitation, she still asked for permission by licking your bottom lip. 

You opened up, sighing as her tongue met yours. 

Instinctively, your walls fluttered at the feeling; she deepened the kiss, doing as she wanted.  

She snaked a hand down your body and pressed her fingertips to your clit, toying with it. She spread your slick around, proud of the mess of it that coated your thighs and pussy. It dripped down your legs, only turning her on more. 

Needing air, you broke the kiss. She clearly felt like showing a little mercy, as she allowed you the chance to catch your breath and kissed your shoulder in the meantime. 

When the toy hit your g-spot again following a particularly sensual roll of her hips, you whined pathetically at the feeling.

“Who do you belong to?”

“You, Siyeon,” you exhaled shakily.

“And who's the only one that gets to fuck you like this?” She pressed, voice commanding. 

You moaned, forgoing pride. “You.”

“That’s right, Y/N/N,” she grinned evilly, pushing herself back up. Her hands went to the small of your back again, applying a tantalizing pressure as you obediently arched for her, already knowing what she wanted. 

She wasn’t even close to being done with you yet. 

“Now, start counting. If you make it to twenty, I might just let you cum.”

The sound of her hand slapping your ass filled the car at once, intoxicating you in an entirely new way. 

“...one.”

your latest jiu work is so good!?,#*@! omg it felt like a treat reading it esp for a jiu stan like me 30k words too you're fucking amazing😭😭😭 i hope u write more gosh !!! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Me opening my inbox and seeing all the love for that fic ^^^

Lmao thank you so much for reading through it all and enjoying it! I know it was lengthy, so hearing that you liked that about it is always a plus <3

You're making my day with these messages 💖 and anon, you're boosting my ego over here... 🤧

(Also, Jiu stans rise 🫡)

Fall Into You

Pairing: Jiu x GN!8thMember!Reader

Warnings / Misc. -- Injury, Little Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff

Word Count: ~ 6,087

Summary: When practicing for your upcoming unit stage with Jiu, things don't go entirely according to plan.

Requested By: @twicex0nce2001​

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hey everyone, I'm back again! Hope you enjoy this one :) Make sure to give it some love if you do <3

P.S. ~ Go check out my latest Yoohyeon work if you haven't yet!

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

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Sua's arms were lazily wrapped around your shoulders as you sat between her legs on the floor, watching intently as Jiu ran through her individual section of your upcoming unit stage. 

You leaned back against her, finding comfort in her soft embrace. For the time being, it distracted you from the worry you were feeling. 

The second oldest was privy to your nervousness, and that's precisely why she was there. She could've taken the day off, but she wanted to come and support you. 

"You're gonna do great," she assured, as the music began to wind down. 

Jiu was approaching her ending pose when an uneasy sigh slipped past your lips. 

"I hope so." 

As always, your girlfriend did incredible. From start to finish, she commanded the room with such graceful power that everyone found themselves enraptured. She only made a couple of small errors, and she immediately corrected them so as to avoid repeating them again in the future. How she made it all look so easy, you would never understand. 

“Thank you, everyone. Good work!” She said with a smile, once everyone began to clap for her. 

They all humbly bowed to one another before beginning to disperse for a short break. After grabbing a towel that one of the staff had set out for her, she turned around and made her way over to the two of you.

“You did good out there, sexy,” Sua playfully flirted, wiggling her eyebrows. 

Jiu grimaced and stuck her tongue out in response, though she couldn’t help but laugh, too. She lightly flicked her on the forehead before reaching her hands out to you. 

You took them, smiling at how soft they were in your own, and allowed her to pull you to your feet. She wasted no time in wrapping her arms around you, offering her warm and safe embrace to sink into.

“How are you feeling, jagi?”

Her voice was soft in your ear, and her hands rubbed comforting patterns on your back. Heat radiated from her skin, and you could feel her chest still rising a little faster than normal; her shirt clung to her curves in a beautiful way.

“I’m alright,” you fibbed, hoping that if you said it enough you’d start to believe it yourself. 

She could tell something was definitely off. You’d been in your head all day, and a bit more distant than normal. When the eight of you went out for breakfast earlier that morning you weren’t as lively as usual and you didn’t talk very much. 

And anytime you were worried about something, you chose to deal with it on your own and retreat into yourself in an attempt to find a solution that way. Reaching out for help wasn’t usually your first instinct, and she knew that. So, of course, seeing it happen again right before her eyes brought out her concern not only as your leader, but also your girlfriend. 

“Talk to me,” she requested, as she pulled away just far enough to look at you. 

Her eyes met yours, shining and full of sincerity. It made your heart ache. She wasn’t asking for much, and you genuinely hated to worry her like this. Opening up a bit was the least you could do. 

You took a deep breath and shifted in her arms a little, not really knowing where to start. 

With your performances coming up and so much to do to prepare, you’d been feeling overwhelmed. But things had reached a peak when your unit stage was announced and you were introduced to the challenging routine that it would feature. 

The company’s choreographers were some of the best in the industry, and their creativity and prowess never ceased to amaze you. But, on the flip side, that also meant that they were constantly trying to incorporate new and exciting moves. Every comeback, a slew of interesting tricks was introduced to gain the audience’s attention and stay relevant in their minds. It only made sense, of course, and you appreciated their dedication to the craft. But learning the actual choreo itself was a whole nother issue to tackle. 

Especially, in your present case. And that’s precisely why you were so upset.

The company was aware of the hold that you and Jiu had over the fanbase, given that so many of them loved to see you together and always showed a particularly intense enthusiasm when it came to your shared stages. So, in light of that, you were paired with her for the concert. 

You were two of the most capable members when it came to experimental choreographies, considering your ability to adapt and pick things up quickly. So when you were assigned an especially difficult move that was to be executed swiftly and at a crucial point in the dance, it didn’t surprise you. But it did worry you.

If you messed it up, it would be hard to recover; and aside from the aspect of embarrassment, it was genuinely a bit dangerous. Two backup dancers were tasked with lifting you into the air before tossing you onto the couch that would be in the center of the stage and holding everyone’s focus. If you didn’t land well, your mistake would be painfully obvious.

Truthfully, it was a lot to have weighing on you. The last thing you wanted to do was mess up and ruin the stage for Jiu as well. 

She tilted her head, waiting patiently for your response. It was almost like she could hear all of the negative thoughts racing around in your mind.

The pad of her thumb ran across your cheek, letting you know everything was okay. 

After taking another deep breath, you started to explain. 

“I don’t know. I just feel like–”

“Alright, everyone!” One of the lead choreographers said with an elevated voice, aiming to gain everyone’s attention once again. You turned to look at him immediately, and Jiu followed suit – but not without subtly sighing in annoyance at his timing.

“We’ll begin in a minute. Please take your places and be ready.” 

Your shoulders fell a little at that, and Jiu didn’t fail to notice it. Her hand on your cheek softly applied pressure as she redirected your attention back to her. 

“We can talk after,” you said as you faked a smile, intending to ease her worry. “I promise.”

Although she clearly wasn’t satisfied, she nodded anyway. There wasn’t anything she could do at the moment, and she trusted that you would stay true to your word. 

She tugged you forward enough to press her lips to your cheek in a sweet kiss. The simple gesture did more for you than she even realized; you briefly closed your eyes to soak in the feeling. 

“Go crush it, Y/N/N.” She whispered, only to you. 

Your moment with her kept you distracted from Sua, who was planning to slap your ass as a way of wishing you good luck. When she realized that her sitting position didn’t allow her to quite reach it, though, she settled for the back of your thigh instead. 

“Ow!” you yelped, jostling in Jiu’s embrace. Sua simply beamed up at you with a wide smirk, and you shook your head at her. 

“Pabo,” you mumbled, as Jiu’s arms released you. 

Sua puckered her lips and blew exaggerated kisses, making you smile despite yourself. You stuck a pinky out to her and she interlocked her own with it, tugging slightly. It was your special way of offering silent support to one another – no matter how much you may have teased each other. Her gaze softened as she glanced from your joined hands to your face. 

The choreographer called again for everyone to fall into their places after that, and so you begrudgingly went.

Both of the girls shouted for you and sent thumbs up from across the room once you were all set up to begin. The dancers welcomed you with smiles as well, and you felt a little more comfortable as a result. 

Once the staff in charge of audio gave everyone their signal, you pushed your remaining doubts away and transitioned into your stage persona. Like a flipped switch, your poker face hid your fear.

The music started softly, floating out of the speakers and creating a sensual vibe as it filled the room. Your moves reflected that, all full of practiced flirtation and physicality. 

Jiu’s eyes were glued to you, and Sua made fun of her for how obvious her ogling was. But she simply pushed her over and took a long sip from her water bottle, unfazed. She used the towel around her neck to dab at the sweat on her forehead.

Every motion and gesture you made was overflowing with confidence, and you carried yourself perfectly through the song. Honestly, it was probably one of the best runs you’d had yet. Your dedication was clear, and the longer the song played, the more relaxed you became. Your guard began to slip away, little by little, until you were free of the dread that had plagued you earlier. 

The continued shouts and claps that both Jiu and Sua let out spurred you on even more, and you found yourself smiling without even meaning to. You weren’t even fazed when the stunt kicked off. 

But all of that bliss came to an end when you were halfway through it. 

The two male backup dancers hoisted you onto their shoulders as intended, but one of them failed to secure his footing properly. He swayed before managing to plant his foot and restabilize, and you stumbled over some of your lyrics because of it. 

Jiu sat up a little straighter as her leader instincts kicked in. She set her jaw, and the grip she had on her towel tightened. Sua paid closer attention as well. 

You shook off the mistake and continued on, picking back up with your lyrics as you completed your hand tutting routine, still in the air. It ended well, and you mentally praised yourself for such a good recovery. 

But, again, the same backup dancer from before missed his next cue. His mind seemed to be somewhere else entirely – perhaps his first mistake had psyched him out – and his resulting movements demonstrated that. 

The music sped up, signaling for the change in position. 

Both of them lifted you off of their shoulders and prepared to toss you onto the couch, but his failed timing and stance clashed with the other dancer’s proper movements. The swift throw happened on the wrong beat, thus leaving you unprepared. 

It all happened in the blink of an eye. Truthfully, you weren’t even fully aware of what awaited you until it was too late. 

“Y/N!” A staff member shouted, just as the world around you went sideways. 

Another nearby dancer spotted your form beginning to fall in their peripheral, and they reached out to grab you before you could hit the ground; but it was too little too late. Their fingertips merely brushed against the fabric of your shirt as you slipped out of their hold and fell to the floor. 

Your hands managed to hit first, absorbing most of the impact; but the subsequent shoot of fiery pain up your left arm made you cry out. 

Jiu’s attention – which had momentarily shifted elsewhere – snapped directly to you at the sound. It made her stomach drop in a nauseating way, and it didn’t take her long to piece together what had happened.

“No!”

“Oh shit…”

“I’m so sorry–”

A slew of apologies resounded around the room, as well as noises of concern. The backup dancers instantly crowded around you, and some of the staff rushed out of the room to retrieve the company’s medical personnel that remained on standby for situations just like this.  

Jiu scrambled to you, and Sua wasn’t far behind. They pushed their way past the crowding dancers and staff to be by your side. 

The one responsible for the accident was crouched next to you and helping you sit up. He looked miserably distraught, but Jiu didn’t particularly care. Panic and anger were swirling inside of her. He should’ve been more careful. She glared at him, having the urge to reprimand him severely for getting you hurt.

But when you let out another soft whine of pain, all of that dissipated. Her only concern was you.

“What happened, jagi?” Her gaze and tone both softened as she addressed you. “What hurts?”

Your mind was too jumbled from the adrenaline coursing through your body to form a coherent explanation, so you simply glanced down at your wrist, cradling it. She nodded, understanding. 

Sua sent the dancer away, knowing it was best to keep everyone separated when tensions were high. She was just as worried about you as Jiu, and she honestly didn’t trust herself to refrain from yelling at him, either. Professionalism was certainly harder to maintain at times like this. 

She took his place at your other side, and the two of them remained with you while you waited on the medical staff to arrive. They fussed over you and did their best to make sure you were comfortable in the meantime, and you thanked them for keeping you distracted. 

Jiu was especially protective, with the way she guarded you from everyone else, just in case one of them managed to be clumsy and hurt you, too. She stayed vigilant the entire time.

Thundering footsteps soon echoed down the corridor outside of the practice room – evidence of your incoming saviors. 

Sua stood up and allowed them to take her spot, but Jiu didn’t budge. They accepted that and let her be, much to your relief. 

Two women greeted you; the first one, crouching closest to you, introduced herself with a pitying smile. Her colleague, holding a basket full of medical supplies and tools for assessment, did the same from behind her. 

They were both incredibly gentle and patient with you as they completed their evaluation; their calm demeanor put you at ease, thus making their job even easier. Jiu’s reassuring presence also aided in that, as well as the hand that she rested against the small of your back to support you. Sua peered down as they worked, fighting the urge to pace anytime you let out a noise of discomfort. Her arms were crossed at her chest.

Before long, the two of them had reached a diagnosis. 

The woman in charge pushed her glasses higher onto the bridge of her nose as she regarded you. “It appears to be a sprained wrist. The damage is moderate, from what I can tell, but its condition is very delicate. You’ll need to take things easy to avoid making it worse.”

Jiu’s eyes fell shut briefly, full of disappointment. She was hoping the injury would be less severe.

“We’ll wrap it to ensure that it remains stabilized, and you can use painkillers to treat the soreness.” She explained. “The RICE method is effective in injuries like this. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation.” 

You nodded, swallowing carefully. That definitely wasn’t the best news to be hearing so close to performance day. 

“Thank you,” you said to them, bowing your head in a show of gratitude. “I appreciate your help.”

“You’re more than welcome, Y/N.”

The two of them traded places, and the second woman dug into her box of supplies to find the wrap. She placed a flat tray beneath your forearm, settling it on your lap, before lightly directing your wrist onto the center of it. You hissed when she straightened it out, and Jiu tensed a little against you at the sound, out of instinct. 

“I’m alright,” you said over your shoulder, just to her. 

She settled down after that with a quiet sigh; but stress was present in the noise, and it only made you wonder what was going through her head. You hated that your accident may have put any extra pressure on her. 

The woman continued winding the wrap around your skin until it was fully set in place. She instructed you again to be extra careful, especially within the next few days, as they were some of the most crucial for healing. 

Jiu retained the information that they provided just as readily as you – maybe even a bit more so, given her nurturing nature – and made sure to commit it all to memory. She crafted a sort of mental to-do list on the spot, filling the page of it with every task she could think of that would help you get better faster. 

Once the women were finished and you shared a word of parting, Jiu wasted no time in pulling her cell phone out of her pocket. 

She dialed up a number and held it to her ear, and you turned around, eyeing her curiously. Sua shared an equally inquisitive look at the eldest member.

“Eomma!” Jiu declared happily, once her call was answered upon the third ring. “I have a favor to ask…”

—-----------

Jiu’s Family Home

*knock knock*

“Coming!” Mrs. Kim called, her distant voice and footfalls growing nearer by the second. 

You shook your head as the two of you waited on the porch, feeling embarrassed. This was ridiculous. 

Before long, the mahogany door swung open, revealing her smiling mother. “Jiu, Y/N! Welc–” 

Her greeting paused abruptly when she noticed that Jiu had you hoisted up into her arms, cradling you close. She had refused to let you walk anywhere, ever since you complained that your hips were sore from the fall, too. She had insisted on carrying you. 

“...welcome!” She picked back up. To her credit, she didn’t remain fazed for very long at all. 

Jiu stepped past her when she ushered you in, and she shut the door behind the two of you shortly thereafter. An apron was stretched across her waist, and a few smudges of ingredients were visible on its surface. Its strings were tied in the back in a pretty bow.

Jiu had informed her of your accident and asked to bring you over, considering it was a longer drive from the company building to the dorm than it was to their house, and she wanted you to have the chance to rest as soon as possible. She knew that although the girls always meant well, they could also be a little… much at times; so she figured that bringing you here was the perfect solution in the meantime.

“Your father and I have some food cooking. It should be ready in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, eomma.”

The older woman simply smiled at her daughter in response. The gesture held a million words, like usual; all unsaid yet all understood. 

She stepped forward and placed a gentle hand atop your wrist; you could feel the warmth and sincerity radiating from her palm even through the material of the wrap. 

“We hope you make a speedy recovery, Y/N/N,” she affirmed endearingly. 

Perhaps it was the pain still coursing through your body in tiny shockwaves, or maybe just the sweetness of the moment, but part of you felt the urge to tear up at her hospitality. Jiu’s family never failed to make you feel welcomed and valued; at every opportunity they received, they made sure to remind you of how much they cared. 

It was obvious where Jiu got it from.

“The speediest,” another voice called, gaining your attention. It was Mr. Kim, standing in the doorway of the kitchen with a dishrag slung across his shoulder. His genuine smile warmed your heart. 

“I don’t know how to thank you enough,” you lamented, looking between them. But Mrs. Kim waved her free hand into the air, dismissing the thought altogether. 

“Don’t worry about that, honey. We already know,” she chuckled lightly. 

“We’re still sorting through all of the presents you gave us for Christmas.”

Jiu giggled at the memory of that, too, as she replayed it in her mind. The two of you had quite literally geared up to go shopping, with both of you donning camo and dark under eye paint just for the hell of it. It earned you some weird stares, then, but neither of you minded; it took the edge off of the stress you felt from shopping in the holiday’s calamitous conditions, and that in itself was enough to justify it ten times over.

At least you were odd together. That’s all that mattered, anyway.

“Still,” you playfully rolled your eyes, grinning. “Thank you guys. So much.”

They both returned your smile and assured you that they would do it a million times again – though they were clear that that wasn’t an invitation for you to get hurt that often. 

Following another word or two of parting, they both headed back to the kitchen to continue cooking and turned the two of you loose. 

Jiu carried you to her room and laid you down in the center of her bed, easing you onto it like you were fragile porcelain. A bag of ice sat on the nightstand, recently put there by Mr. Kim. A sticky note was stuck to the top of it, showing a hand drawn smiley-face beside the words, “Hope this helps!” 

When Jiu noticed you smiling to yourself, she tracked your line of sight over to it. 

“I’m starting to think they like you more than me,” she played, affectionately watching over you. 

“Can you blame them?” 

You pretended to flip your hair over your shoulder, and her mouth fell open. 

She scowled, acting mad. “Yah–” 

“Kidding, jagi,” you soothed, bringing your uninjured hand up to hers. When you squeezed it three times as a silent way of saying I love you, she dropped the act. 

She leaned over the side of the bed to kiss your forehead, then the tip of your nose, and then your lips before pulling away from you completely. The sudden loss of contact made you frown for a moment, but it quickly became clear that she was on a mission. 

The next thing on her to-do list was of utmost importance, she declared, as she opened the closet that resided next to her bed. 

Pillows – endless, endless rows of pillows – sat inside of it, stacked upon one another. The way that her mischievous smile grew upon finding them there, just like they always used to be, made a grimace pull on your features as realization dawned on you. 

She wasted no time in filling her arms with them, and you knew then that there was only one possible outcome…

-

When she was finished with her mission, you were surrounded by so many pillows that you couldn't even move. Every available inch of you was bordered by them in some way; you doubted you were even visible anymore, with how deep you were buried. 

“Jiu,” you started, barely intelligible from the way your cheeks were squished together, “...I sprained my wrist. Not my whole body.”

She pouted, too cute for her own good. “But that was a bad fall. I want you to be as comfortable as possible.”

You merely blinked at her in response. 

“Just hold me. I’ll be better in no time.”

Her eyes narrowed as she pondered your suggestion. 

“Fine,” she sighed, pretending to be upset over her wasted effort, “...but you’re keeping at least one under your arm.”

You looked up at her and grinned dopily as she approached the bed. “Deal.”

She uncovered you, piece by piece, but she made sure to leave the line of pillows closest to you where they were; she knew that you would benefit from having at least a little extra cushioning around the places you’d hit the hardest, no matter what you said. 

She had assessed your body back at the company, finding bruises on your hips and arms, so she had plenty of insight into where you needed them most. 

Once you were readjusted and comfortable, she took the ice bag from the table and splayed it across your wrist. 

She settled down beside you in a pocket of free space and laid on her side, using her arm to prop her head up. She wanted to look at you, like always. 

Her free hand came to rest against your stomach, which she rubbed lovingly. Her fingers brushed slow patterns across the soft material of your shirt there, putting you at ease. So much thought and care was present in the simplest of her touches; and that fact was never lost on you. 

“Thank you, my love,” you said after a moment, as you peered down at her. She raised her head enough to lock eyes with you; hers were warm mocha, swirling with all the love she held for you. The sweet smile on her face kickstarted your healing process that much faster. 

“Sweetheart,” she sighed, amused, “You don’t have to thank me. There’s no one I’d rather do this for.”

“Yeah?” You teased.

“Yeah.” She affirmed. “I just wish you weren’t hurting.”

That gave you an idea. 

“How about you come kiss me better, then?”

You didn’t miss the subtle way her eyes raked across your body, completely out of instinct. Such a simple request from you could still make her mind run wild.

She didn’t waste time in answering with words. Instead, she scooted up a little further on the bed and planted both of her hands at your side, keeping herself propped up. She leaned in and hovered her lips over yours, wanting to play a little. You tilted your head to the side, tempting her with perfect access to that mouth of yours that she loved so much. 

When you innocently smiled at her, she was done for. 

She closed what little distance remained between you and pressed her lips to yours, all in one fluid motion. Your uninjured hand cupped her cheek, coaxing her to lean into your touch. You hummed appreciatively when you tasted the chapstick that she had on – it was the flavor that you had told her was your favorite some time ago.

Such a sucker for the little things.

While you kissed away her worries and stress, pressing reassurance after reassurance to her soft lips, she kissed away the pain you were feeling. 

Every little laugh that escaped her when she got a bit carried away with her touches.

Every added flood of blush to her checks when you pulled her in closer. 

Each gentle sigh you let out into her mouth when she held you just right. 

Altogether, they were the most precious things to her in the world. You were the most precious thing. 

Her everything and more.

But guilt began to rise in you again, inching into your mind little by little. You felt like you didn’t deserve all of her kindness and understanding.

“I’m sorry,” you mumbled against her lips, disappointed. 

“For what, baby?” 

She pulled away just enough to study you. 

“Being so distant lately, and now this,” you explained, glancing at your injury. “We’ll have to totally readjust our performance, and it’s all my fault."

Her head shook gently. “None of this is your fault. It’s not like you intended for it to happen.”

“Still,” you sighed, attempting to find a way to blame yourself like usual. “I’ve just been so in my head about the stage… maybe it finally caught up to me. I don't wanna let anyone down.”

“Is that what you were going to tell me at practice earlier?” Her gaze softened.

You nodded rather sheepishly. 

“I’ve been stressed for a while,” you admitted. “I’m just good at keeping it to myself.”

“Why didn’t you come to me sooner?” Her tone was tender, but firm enough to show the concern she felt. “It’s my job to take care of you.”

“You have plenty on your plate already. You shouldn’t have to coddle me on top of that.”

“Did you ever think that, I don’t know,” she shrugged, smiling the tiniest bit, “maybe I want to?” Her head tilted to the side, curious as to what your answer would be. 

“Why would you want that?”

“Because nothing makes me feel better than knowing you’re happy and cared for. When you shut everyone out and stress alone, it worries me. It worries all of us, really,” she admitted, recalling how the girls had all found the time to come to her and express their concern for you. 

You hadn’t really taken much time to consider that before.

“You’re mine to look after,” she continued, gently rubbing your hip with her thumb. The simple action brought you more comfort than she could ever know. “...so let me. Next time you’re feeling like this, I want you to tell me, okay?”

Between the quirk of her brow and the expectant expression that graced her features, you were left with no choice but to agree. 

“Okay.”

She wasn’t completely satisfied yet.

“Promise me,” she affirmed, looking into your eyes.

“I promise.” 

When she began to smile again – that dorky, ridiculously adorable smile of victory that she does so well – you found yourself doing the same. Her happiness was contagious. 

“Good. Now, if you go back on that, I’m legally allowed to send Sua after you.”

A feeling of dread washed over you at the mental image that conjured up. 

“Anything but that…”

Jiu was capable of being scary when she needed to be, but she had nothing on angry Sua. The two were simply incomparable.

“Maybe now you’ll stay in line,” she quipped, still smiling as if she hadn’t just threatened you with a potential WWIII scenario. 

Her hand repositioned against your side as she rubbed it again, taking her time and having no real pattern in mind. Your skin was warm beneath her fingertips, and just as soft as always. Simply being close to you like this was enough to ease her mind. 

You were her escape from the world.

When your previous look of horror subsided and you allowed her calming touch to work its magic, you smiled at her again. It was pure, and full of so much adoration that you most likely would’ve hurled, had you been the one to witness it. But Jiu had an easy way of melting all of that away. It only felt right to be so in love with her. So head over heels. Especially when, relentlessly and without fail, she went above and beyond to prove how much you meant to her. 

“What are you thinking?” She asked, noticing the way you went quiet. Your eyes were shining in the way she loved so much, too, and it didn’t go unnoticed. 

“About how much I love you.” You looked at her thoughtfully. “And how happy I am to call you mine.” The grin on your face made her heart skip a beat, just like always. “And how cute you are when you blush like that–”

She suddenly put a finger to your lips to prevent you from continuing. “Okay, I get it,” she dismissed, flustered.

“Oh, now you don’t want me to talk, huh?” You teased, leaning towards her a little as you pulled her hand away. “I see how it is. Looks like someone just can't take it.”

“Hush,” she warned. 

Your lips pursed mischievously. “Mmm, should I? I don’t know…” you shrugged, weighing your options, “...teasing you is pretty fun. Give me a good reason to stop.”

She took that and ran with it, in both the best and worst ways possible.

The best, because she shut you up with a kiss that sent you reeling.

And the worst, because you felt your blood pressure spike like some giddy teenager when she did. 

She always reduced you to a bumbling fool when she kissed you like that, with such love and power. It commanded you, stealing your breath away and leaving you with no proper sense of orientation when she pulled away.

Your head spun, but she merely smirked at you. Annoyingly, she was entirely aware of the effect she had on you and she never missed the opportunity to use it to her advantage. 

That had to violate some kind of morality law…

“Aww, look who’s quiet now.” 

Her tone made you shake your head. You were screwed.

Her free hand raised to your cheek as she readjusted your hair, giving herself a better view of you. “See? You can listen so well sometimes.”

“Jiu,” you huffed, “...this is rude. Don’t get me riled up when I’m injured and we’re at your parents’ house, for Christ’s sake!” You eyed the door a little hesitantly, worried that one of them might overhear your conversation.

“I have no idea what you’re implying, my love,” she teased again, playing dumb. “Am I really doing that to you?” She was so smug it hurt. 

“I mean it.” You answered flatly, attempting to keep your eyes off of her lips. 

But she played into the very obvious fact that that was a difficult task for you. She leaned in closer, just a breath away. “I do, too.”

You swallowed and leaned in too, unable to help yourself. She was like a magnet. And, for what it was worth, her heart was racing just as quickly as yours. The push and pull that you shared enticed her more than she ever cared to let on.

Just before her lips could brush against yours, though, Mrs. Kim’s distinctive knocks rapped against the bedroom door. 

Jiu shut her eyes in defeat and hung her head, chuckling lightly. Her mother truly had terrible timing.

The moment brought her back to all of the times she had invited you over before her parents knew you were together. 

How she would kiss you whenever they weren’t looking, or how she would always manage to find a reason that she needed you alone in her room. All of the simple touches you shared, and the glances that sent a million unspoken things between the two of you; it all went completely over their heads at the time.

Those memories were beyond precious to her. But she was glad that they were aware of your love for one another now, and that you didn’t have to hide away. You were in it for the long run. 

“Come in, mom,” she called, pulling away from you so she could face the door. 

“The food is done,” she informed, glancing between the two of you. The blush on your cheeks made her smile to herself. “Come grab a plate when you’re ready. We want to catch up over dinner, if you’re feeling up to it.”

You nodded adamantly. “Of course, Mrs. Kim. I’d love to.”

“Good,” she nodded singularly. “We’ll be waiting.”

You didn’t miss the look she sent to Jiu; it was affectionate, but full of a motherly warning all the same. She knew her daughter well; given the opportunity, she would have likely never drug herself out of the bed (especially when you were in it).

The door closed behind her, leaving the two of you alone once more. 

“We’d best get going, then.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, though she made no move to do so. 

You rolled your eyes and leaned it, pressing one last, quick kiss to her lips. When you pulled away, she was smiling and clearly satisfied. 

“Alright, come on.” 

She stood up and reached out for you, helping ease you up and onto your sore legs. She was tempted to carry you again, but you shot her a glare that made her rethink that before she could even try it. You’d be damned to let her carry you the ten steps that it took to reach the kitchen.

You bit the inside of your cheek when pain wracked through your body again, but it was bearable for the most part. She kept her hands hovering near you, waiting on standby in case you needed to use her to steady yourself. She was at your beck and call; exactly where she wanted to be. 

Once you had made it to the door, she retrieved a pillow for you to sit on at the table. It was her favorite, and she knew it was probably the comfiest one she owned. 

“Ready, jagi?” She asked, as she opened the door. You looked out across the house, and the sounds of her parents’ pleasant conversation carried over to you. 

“More than ready.” 

You turned and kissed her cheek before taking another step forward.