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💬 — ENHYPEN BOYFRIEND TEXTS

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤenhypen masterlist | library

a/n: ermm... honestly i've never tried these before 😭😭 but i was really bored and decided to make them I HOPE THEYRE NOT SUPER TRASH IM SORRY IF THEYRE CRINGY

pairings: enha x fem!reader (y/n is referred to as girlfriend)

warnings: a lot of cursing, kys joke, riki calls reader lady, situationship with Jake, pet names like... in every one of them, awful attempt at humor, spelling errors and grammar mistakes! if you want me to add a warning please lmk! genre: fluff, crack, angst-ish if you squint.

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☆ — LEE HEESEUNG

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☆ — PARK JONGSEONG

(rest of the members under the cut!)

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☆ — SIM JAEYUN

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☆ — PARK SUNGHOON

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☆ — KIM SUNOO

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☆ — YANG JUNGWON

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☆ — NISHIMURA RIKI

©tyunni please don't copy, translate or repost any of my work!

taglist: @geombyu @junityy @uygmoeb @sunghun @krewified @eternallyhyucks @pshjae @marknaeroni @feyregels @yyx2 @koishua @kac-chowsballs @echo-of-a-writer @w3bqrl @liz-riz @duolingofanaccount @goldenhypen @sungniverse @enhasimpeu @sieuneo @acciomylove @soobin-chois @anik-4 @yjwfav @ja4hyvn @ddeonubaby @deafeningballoonnacho @squiishymeow @iyeonjuni @odxrilove @nyaforniki @pinkyyyujin @addictedtothesummernights @love-4-keum (bold means i can’t mention you, if you want to be a part of my taglist fill this out!!)

notoriously yours | jay park

✰ summary: jay park is a rich kid. it’s safe to say he has everything every broke college student on his campus could dream of and more. but the one thing he doesn’t have, which money definitely can’t buy, is a girlfriend. and his friends won’t see of it. literally.

so what happens when his friends bet him to date someone for more than three months? what happens when jay decides that fake-dating someone would be easier than actual dating (because god forbid Jay–the campus’ notoriously known fuckboy–decides to commit to something once in his life)?

and what happens when that someone is you, his childhood best friend he hasn’t spoken to in years..who has absolutely no interest in being in his life anymore?

✰ pairing: jay park x y/n [ft. members of enha]

✰ genre: fluff, comedy, angst | fakedating!au, college!au, childhoodbestfriends!au, (kinda) e2l!au

✰ warnings: cursing, nothing suggestive but jay's a fuckboy so slightly suggestive themes, mentions of parental neglect/leaving, it's hella long (and i thought my last fic was long)

✰ wc: 14.7k (how did i get it this long oh lord)

✰ author's note: picture creds go to original owners/editors! peep that edit of jay that lowkey inspired this entire fic 👀also this took me so, so long bc i lost motivation half way thru and bc college is a thing,,,so i honestly don't know how to feel abt it so pls bare with me :')))) ALSO the dividers are weird bc idk how to add more than 10 pics for the dividers so pls excuse those ٩(× ×)۶i hope u guys enjoy!! <333

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Jay Park is a rich kid.

Jay Park has enough to buy every textbook he needs for his courses without having to look up the free versions online. Jay Park has enough to bribe his professors to let him pass every class with a perfect 4.0 GPA (but because the boy has morals, he doesn't). Jay Park has enough to afford a car to drive to his furthest class from his dorm building instead of walk or bike like every other college student, meaning he also has enough to afford a parking spot on campus (those things aren't cheap!).

Jay Park walks around your school's campus like he owns the place (and considering the amount of money his family has donated to the school, he practically does), looking like he just walked out of your local coffee shop's newest fashion magazine. His blonde hair is never seen untouched, his attire usually consisting of an undoubtedly high-end all-black fit, accessorized with multiple earrings and rings that probably cost more than all the overpriced textbooks you had to rent out this semester. It's safe to say that everyone knows Jay Park.

Bottom line is, Jay Park has everything.

Well, his friends beg to differ.

In their eyes, Jay Park has everything but a simple factor in the equation of love (or whatever love is to the minds of a couple of 19 year olds): commitment.

So yes, it's safe to say that everyone knows Jay Park. Because everyone knows he's the campus' rich fuckboy. (What's a college fanfic campus without one anyways?)

Jay doesn't go unreminded of this by his friends, to the boy's annoyance.

Jay is aware of this on a Sunday afternoon, in his dorm building's first floor lounge, where he and his said friends are having a study session.

They're doing anything but studying.

In fact, no one has any books out or anything. Not a single laptop in site.

"You don't think it's the slightly bit concerning?" Jake's words are muffled as he continues munching on the fried chicken that he spent majority of this study session debating if he should have it delivered through UberEats or not.

"I really don't, no," Jay shrugs as he continues mindlessly scrolling through his Instagram feed. They're having the same argument conversation that they've revisited multiple times over the course of their friendship, one that Jay has been lectured on too many times for his own good. He thinks his friends could become his new parents if they really tried.

"Look at it this way, okay. You're about to graduate college in a couple of years, into the big world. Like the actual, adult world. And that means you'll have to settle down. Which you can't do when you. have. no. commitment!" Jake punctuates each word with a single clap of his hands, desperate to get his point across.

Jay simply rolls his eyes. He looks over to Sunghoon, who's minding his own business, not bothered by the same topic he's heard over and over again. His eyes tell Jay you're on your own, in response to his blonde-haired friend's look of despair.

Jay thinks that maybe he should get new friends. Yes, that's the only solution here.

"My love life," Jay reaches across the table for a drumstick from the greasy tub seated in Jake's lap until Jake swats his hand away, "is none of your business. Also, ouch."

"Uh, it kinda is. Because of you and your reputation around campus, it kinda affects us, your best friends. How do you think we look, hanging out with the guy who's known to ghost every girl in existence after one night with them? No offense to you," Jake deadpans to him. Jay mentally reconsiders the term best friends.

Tough love. Jay tells himself it's tough love.

"Yes, because every girl totally hates Jake Sim, the teacher assistant of a physics class who volunteers at the pet shelter every Sunday and brings their pet golden retriever to campus every two weeks," Jay rolls his eyes at his Australian friend.

Jake sighs. "Okay, then I'm coming from a place of worry for you."

Jay groans. "Again, none of your business!" This doesn't stop Jake. He comes from good intentions, really, but Jay wants nothing more than to stuff the kid's mouth with some of that chicken to shut him up.

"What are you gonna do if one day you meet someone you like, genuinely like, and you screw yourself over because you've never been in an actual relationship before? A real, committed one. Like one that lasts at least three months."

"You don't think I can last three months in a relationship?" Jay questions the boy currently taunting him.

"Honestly? No. What's the longest relationship you've been in?" Jake cocks an eyebrow at his friend across from him.

One month and two weeks. But Jay's smart enough to not say that out loud.

"I can so last over three months," Jay mutters more to himself than Jake.

Jake laughs at that, pausing to take another bite of the drumstick in his hand. "Jay, I am willing to actually bet you. Bet that you wouldn't be able to." He leans back on the couch, the ball now in Jay's court.

Jay freezes, looking up from his phone, narrowing his eyes at Jake.

"Forget it, Jake. He's not gonna agree even if you offered him money," Sunghoon finally perches from beside him. Well he's not wrong. It's not like Jay is exactly in need of more money, per say.

"What kind of bet are we talking here?"

Sunghoon's right. Jay doesn't need the money, but he does hate being wrong. Even if it's over something as stupid as this matter.

Caught off guard by the blonde's answer, Jake blinks blankly at him and takes a second to think.

"Hmm..what about...what about if you can date someone for at least three months, and I mean an actual, committed relationship, then I'll do all of your physics homework next semester."

Jay's eyes sparkle at that. If there's anything he despises more than commitment, it's physics.

"And if I win, you have to buy all of my textbooks," Jake sits back from the edge of his seat with a smirk lying on his face.

Jay pauses to think about it. I mean, what does he have to lose? A couple hundred dollars over college textbooks? No. Because he just simply won't lose.

And maybe he'll learn what it'll be like to actually be in a committed relationship for once. Maybe he'll finally learn what it's like to actually devote yourself to someone, open up to them. He shivers at the thought. Never mind. He'll warm up to it. Baby steps.

Nonetheless, what could go wrong? Even if he does lose, at least his money would be going somewhere productive––towards his friend's education. Jay was probably gonna use that money on something useless like a blanket that resembles a tortilla (a burrito blanket, he calls it)––something he doesn't necessarily need, but must have, he would argue.

"Fine. Whatever, okay. Deal," he grabs Jake's extended hand in front of him and shakes on it.

Jake's impressively smiling at the boy as Sunghoon lets out a sigh, in disbelief with the two guys he calls his best friends.

Jay concludes that this will be easier than his Introduction to Photography 101 course he took his freshman year. How hard is it to find someone to date the Jay Park? Surely, everyone will be lining up once Jay switches his FaceBook relationship status from "it's complicated" to "single".

Turns out, it's not as easy as his class where all Jay had to do was take pictures of a pretty sunset, slap a VSCO filter on, and call it a day.

He comes to this realization on a Wednesday evening, as he's seated at one of the many study tables lined in the middle of the campus' library, staring down at his phone's dry iMessage app, with his laptop and blank sheets of scratch paper scrambled across the entire table, as an attempt to look half as studious as the other students studying in the facility.

Turns out, being known as the campus' fuckboy who ghosts every girl on campus isn't a good thing when it comes to wanting to find a real relationship.

He comes to this realization after failing to receive a single text back to the many ones he sent out throughout the first half of his day. The ghoster gets ghosted. Oh how the turn tables.

Jay groans dramatically as he tosses his phone on the hard surface of the table, earning himself a harsh shush from the librarian filing books in the aisle beside him.

He sheepishly smiles back as an apology, directing his attention back to his open laptop screen, where his untouched calculus homework stares back at him––his mind preoccupied with the looming threat of Jake's bet. Not that it was threatening in any way, per say, but Jay just hates losing. And from the looks of things, it's safe to say that Jay won't be celebrating any victories anytime soon.

Jay thinks he should just change his identity and just transfer to some boarding school in Switzerland. Yes, that's a much better solution than admitting defeat to Jake.

Jay sighs as he lies his head on the table, figuring he might as well just write the check for Jake's textbooks now. He wonders how he got here in the first place. Not how he got into the bet, and definitely not how he's sitting in the middle of the library, having yet to start his calculus homework due at 11:59PM tonight (he should really start that).

But no, he wonders how he gained the reputation as the campus' playboy. To be fair, his friends (mainly Jake), are constantly reminding him of his notorious habits. But how did they come a habit in the first place?

The idea of being in a relationship is nice, sure, but the commitment that comes with it? The idea of being dependent on someone? It's scary, vulnerable, and one that Jay can't picture for himself.

Maybe some people just aren't meant to be paired. Maybe some people, like Jay, like being independent and are meant to stay that way.

But Jay also likes affection. He likes the fleeting, warm feeling he gets every time he finds himself under someone's sheets. He likes the short-lived comfort he receives from someone else's touch, even though he knows it's going to cease to exist the second he steps out of those bedroom's doors. He just likes affection, simple as that.

That and he's a 19 year old teenage boy with needs, what did you expect?

And so what if he likes the idea of affection minus commitment? Is that so bad? Apparently it is, to people like his friends and the entirety of his school's campus, at least.

At this rate, he might as well pay someone to date him.

Wait. Jay lifts his head off the table's surface in realization.

He might as well pay someone to date him.

There's no harm in that, is there?

He wouldn't have to endure through an endless amount of dates to find someone he clicks with, then continue going on dates with said clicked person, all while trying to develop an actual, serious relationship.

He'll win the bet, get his physics homework done for an entire semester, and some lucky girl out there will be making profit for the small price of hanging out with Jay Park for three months.

And lucky for him, Jay knows the perfect candidate for this scheme.

Simple as that.

Just as long as said perfect candidate says yes.

And as long as Jake and Sunghoon don't find out. Or else Jay might really have to move to Switzerland after all.

You love your friends, you do.

Hana and Heeseung have been there for you when others haven't––they were by your side when you knew no one entering high school, and they were still by your side when you were all graduating said high school. Needless to say, you're eternally grateful for friends like them.

But right now, in this moment––with you seated in the middle of the campus' library, trying to write your essay, as your two friends blabber on and on about the most recent gossip across from you––your two friends could be your villain origin story.

But again, you love your friends, you do. So you don't have the heart to tell them to leave. You've managed to naturally tune out most of the conversation, anyways, for this––your friends coming to hang out while you're trying to study––is no rare occurrence by any means.

"Oh yeah, Jay Park texted me last night."

You hate how your brain's filter suddenly turns off at Hana's words.

You hate how your ears catch the sudden mention of Jay Park's name.

You hate how the thought of Jay Park gets to even occupy a single brain cell of yours.

You hate how you even know who Jay Park is. Well, knew.

Past tense. Because up until eighth grade––when Jay decided to just suddenly pretend you didn't exist––he was attached to you like a koala to a eucalyptus tree.

And if you had asked past Y/N, ideally, Jay would've never left your side. Ideally, he would've never left you to fend for yourself when entering high school. Ideally, he would've stayed your best friend through out all four years of high school and ideally, you would've eventually told him how you really felt about him after growing up with him all your life. And maybe it would've lead to a completely different story. But for the sake of this fic, we don't live in an ideal world.

So yes, if it wasn't for his attendance at the very same university as you, you would've forgotten about the boy who brought you the painful memories of your childhood.

And since the universe clearly doesn't work in your favor, avoiding Jay Park's existence like he's the plague would have to suffice. And it works.

For the most part.

Until some people, bring him up uninvited into your conversation. Like now, for example.

"When was the last time you guys talked anyways?" Heeseung mindlessly asks as he reaches across the table to grab one of the many snacks you usually bring to your study sessions.

"Uh..like a few weeks ago. Give or take. Whenever you threw your house party. Can't say there was much talking involved however," she teasingly says with a giggle and wiggle of her brows.

Heeseung's rolling his eyes as you scoff and chuck a nearby crumpled piece of paper that was once one of your many essay drafts at her.

She bats it away right as it's about to hit her face as she laughs. "Doesn't matter anyways. He ghosted me the next morning, as he does with everyone else. Telling you this now," she extends a finger right at you, "stay away from Jay Park. That kid's just bad news."

You nod in response, mentally telling her she has nothing to worry about.

Been there, done that.

College. Ah yes, the very concept of spending four years of your life imprisoned on a campus where you'll be tearing your hair out from stress and spending all your life's savings just for a laminated sheet of paper with a golden stamp at the end of it all. We live in a society.

Because of said college, and all the weight that comes along with it, you had adapted a strict daily schedule in order to not completely lose your mind. It's a simple schedule really, one of a typical college student who's just trying to get by everyday with as little mental breakdowns as possible.

Wake up, get ready, go to class, go to the library to do your homework, walk all the way across campus to get back to your dorm, shower, then sleep. Oh and eat, of course. And maybe if time permits, be an actual social being and socialize.

It's gotten you this far into the college life without dropping out so, you conclude, you must be doing something right.

Sometimes, if you're feeling nice to yourself, you'll tweak the schedule a bit to fit in some exceptions. Maybe squeeze in a little trip to the bubble tea shop that's on the other side of campus, or maybe get dinner at that one dining hall that you don't usually go to because of the unncessarily long lines (but because they serve ice cream, you go anyways). It doesn't matter what the exception is, you still plan it out to fit into your schedule somehow. Everything is planned out.

Sometimes, however, the universe disagrees with your schedule, to your demise. Such as today, for example.

Because what you didn't expect for today was for a particular blonde-haired boy who you haven't spoken to in almost six years (but who's counting?) to approach your table in the library––a table you were sure no one could find you at, as it was quietly tucked away in the back corner, right next to the Astrophysics shelves. Because who browses the Astrophysics aisle for fun? Actually, maybe Jake Sim would. Anyways.

You definitely didn't anticipate a visit from the boy you've been actively avoiding, so you definitely didn't expect the first words coming out of his mouth when he sees you for the first time in six years to be:

"Fake date me."

You blink up at him.

Yeah, definitely not expected.

But you only let it phase you for a split second, until you feel a slight annoyance beginning to bubble up deep inside of you.

"Wow, hello to you too Jay! It's been what––half a decade? Yeah I've been pretty good, thanks for asking!" The sarcasm is practically dripping off your tongue.

You don't know what runs through Jay's mind, but apparently it isn't common sense––or the ability to read the room. Because next thing you know, he's sliding the chair across from you out from underneath the table and making himself at home.

And he's smiling right at you.

Curse him and his smile.

But no, you're not giving into it.

Not yet, at least.

"What do you want?" You deadpan at him when he makes no sign of making the next move.

"A girlfriend," he deadpans right back at you, as if he was casually telling you what he wanted for dinner. As if you two were close-knit friends that could approach one another without any proper greeting. As if you two had kept your friendship all these years. As if you two even had a role in each other's lives.

"Can't help you there," you scoff, deciding to not even question his lack of manners on top of his uninvited presence.

"Aren't you gonna ask me why?"

"Well gee, seeing that the first few words you decided to say to my face for the first time in forever were a demand, a demand to date you no less, then....no," your monotone voice says as you keep your eyes focused on your laptop screen, not daring to look at the boy across from you.

In the Introduction to Sociology course you took your freshmen year, you had learned of one important term: interactional vandalism. Textbook definition being: "ignoring signals of disinterest in a conversation, leading it to an offense."

Your definition being: "are you oblivious or just plan dumb, read the room!"

This was interactional vandalism, alright. Whether Jay's truly oblivious or just trying to annoy you until your head explodes (it's really the former, but you're convinced it's the latter), he takes your signals of disinterest and tosses it right out of his head to continue the conversation.

"I'm stuck in this stupid bet with Jake--do you remember him? He bet me that I couldn't date someone for more than three months and I figured having someone fake date me would be easier than actually dating someone, right? That's where you come into the equation," he proposes as he leans back in his chair, as if he had just finished a sales pitch to a prospective customer looking to buy a car.

You couldn't believe this. You're 98% sure this has got to be a prank. You're mentally preparing for a camera crew to jump out from in-between the library's aisles any moment now and scream into your ears that you've just been punk'd!

The remaining 2% of you, however, wouldn't put it past the two boys to get themselves in such a situation. The last memory you had of Jay and his friends were pretty much their childish selves back in middle school. And by looking at the current scene unfolding in front of you...it's needless to say they haven't changed much.

"Again, can't help you there. Ask one of the many girlfriends I thought you had." Ouch.

"But Y/N, you've known me all your life--"

"Up until you dropped me a few years ago but sure, let's call it that."

"--and convincing other people is gonna make me look--"

"--desperate? Yeah."

"C'mon, Y/N. What do you have to lose anyways?"

"Uh..my dignity? Pride? Self-respect? Sorry Jay, not happening," you turn your attention back to your unwritten essay in front of you, mentally checking out of this conversation. This would be a good time for that camera crew to jump out now.

"Look, no one else is gonna do it, Y/N." Jay has always been stubborn, you suppose. But so are you.

"Yeah, because you've managed to push every being of the opposite gender away from you. You gave yourself this reputation in the first place," you give it to him straight. It's not like you had a relationship with him to uphold anyways––Jay himself broke that friendship years ago.

Jay hates that you're right.

You're always right. He remembers how he used to always go to you for advice and clarity on the world's biggest problems. Granted, the world's biggest problems to him at the time equated to what he should dress up as for the fifth grade Halloween party, but still. A tough decision, for the mind of a ten-year-old.

You abruptly stop typing and begin putting your laptop and textbooks away as you huff in frustration. There's no point in trying to get your work done now. The longer you stay arguing with Jay, the bigger your headache gets. The longer he continues to occupy any part of your brain, the bigger your headache gets.

Getting up from your seat, packed and ready to slam your head into your pillow, you turn to the blonde one last time.

"Look Jay. We went on our separate ways years ago. If you weren't so notoriously known around campus and my friends would stop talking about you, I would've long forgotten you. I'm sorry you're in this situation, really. If I were you, I'd just tell Jake I can't do it. Or don't, I can't tell you what to do. Just don't get some innocent girl involved in whatever stunt of yours this is."

Jay stares at you, mouth agape, as you find your way out of the library and through the main doors. By the time he comes back to his senses, he realizes how he looks plain stupid––standing in the middle of the library, the look on his face screaming befuddlement, to say the least. Jay quickly makes his way out of the building, in hopes of convincing you one last time.

Jay catches sight of your figure already half-way down the walkway that connects the library to the main quad of your school's campus. Geez, you walk fast.

Not fast enough to outrun Jay's legs, however. If Jay running after you through the middle of campus in order to convince you to fake date him doesn't show how desperate he is to win this bet, I don't know what will.

"Wait, Y/N!"

You groan to yourself before turning to face the boy who can't seem to take a hint and leave you alone. You stare at his out-of-breath state as he heaves up and down from the slight jog he had to endure to get to where you are. If you're humored by him chasing after you, you do a good job of hiding it.

He meets your unimpressed state before stating his final proposition: "I'll pay you. Five hundred dollars."

You nearly stop breathing.

Now this catches your attention––after all, you're but a broke college student who's just trying to survive. And preferably not by feeding yourself instant ramen cups every night.

And so, naturally, you begin rethinking about the opportunity presented in front of you. You narrow your eyes at the boy as you weigh your options.

The first problem being, it's Jay Park––the bane of your very existence. You spent the last few years of your life pretending he didn't exist...for good reason. Not only did he do you dirty when you were merely a couple of 13-year-olds, but you just didn't want to be involved with someone like him. Someone known for his nature, someone who left your own current best friend ghosted. And not that Hana herself would care, for she has called herself the "female Jay Park", but you're sure this would be breaking some rule in the girl code handbook. Plus, if you agree to this, you'd be betraying 13-year-old Y/N, the one who decided to never speak to nor think of Jay Park again––which by now you've failed, but you get the gist.

Second problem being, three months is a long time. Three months is practically the rest of this semester, and did you really want to spend the rest of the semester tied down to the label of being Jay Park's girlfriend? There would have to be some negative connotations that came along with that title, right? No offense to Jay, but being his first girlfriend since, what, high school could make you come off as..naive, for lack of a better term. As if the only person you could settle for was Jay Park. As if you barely had any standards for yourself. Again, no offense to Jay.

Needless to say, if your school's debate club had to argue on why you shouldn't be doing this, you're sure the negating side could win with these two reasons alone.

But before you're rejecting the boy currently standing in front of you one last time, you find yourself mentally listing rebuttals.

First of all, you'd be getting paid. And again, you're merely but a college student living the stereotypical broke college student life––burdened by the costs of tuition, textbooks, and midnight McDonalds runs for when you're out of aforementioned instant ramen cups. Five hundred dollars could provide you with more than enough chicken McNuggets to last you the semester, and maybe some more to treat yourself to an online shopping spree.

Second of all, it's not like you were going to do anything better with your next three months anyways. It's safe to say you were too busy being a diligent student to actually look for anyone to date, per say. And if anything, having a fake boyfriend might actually be helpful in your case. Your mom would be off your ass about how you're still single, for one. And two, your friends (though it's really just Heeseung) would stop trying to hook you up on blind dates with guys that you would choose Jay Park over any day (and that really says something).

Third of all, it's Jay Park. As much as you despise the kid, you still know him. He's not a complete stranger to you, no matter how much you try to deny it. It could be worse, it could be a complete rando asking you to date him. At least you two have some sort of history, which would take care of the typical small talk and getting to know each other bit of this equation. And truth be told, you'd be lying to yourself if you said you weren't a tad bit satisfied by the fact that Jay chose you, of all people, to pull off this stunt with him. You don't know if it's the nostalgia of your childhood memories rushing back to you, but it reminds you of the endless schemes you two used to plan behind your parents' backs all the time. Granted, your childhood schemes––such as the both of you faking sickness so you could skip school together––don't even fall close to being in a fake relationship with one another, but still. It's the thought that counts.

All of those reasons plus, Jay isn't the worst to look at. He may have a spoiled reputation, but at least he has his looks going for him, you'll give him that (you're still secretly wondering when and how did he get his glow up, but don't tell him that).

And so by the guidelines of a college student's logic that states the pros outweigh the cons, you come to the overarching conclusion that maybe, this won't be so awful after all.

"Five hundred?" You ask, just for clarification. Jay's immediately nodding at your words. You continue to ponder on your thoughts as he stares at you hopefully.

The silent atmosphere of your campus heightens the tension so much, you swear you're in one of those overdramatic pausing scenes that occur too many times in k-dramas.

You sigh, then nod.

"Okay," you're internally praying that you won't regret this decision. "I'm in."

The next time you see Jay is at 12:17PM on a Friday afternoon, as you're exiting the doors of the lecture building that's home to your awfully long Capitalism in the Western World class.

You're going down the steps of the building, mentally deciding where and what you're going to treat yourself to for lunch––as the three hour lecture you had just attended drained all the life and energy out of you––when you hear the slight call of your name.

Turning to the source, you're met with a waving Jay, leaning against the passenger's side of his car, parked in front of the lecture hall building you were currently leaving.

Great.

You walk over to where he's casually waiting––he's unaware of all the stares he's attracted from fellow students leaving the same lecture as you. Can you blame them? It's not everyday you see a sleek, black BMW that probably cost more than your tuition pull up in front of your Friday afternoon lecture. It's not everyday you see Jay Park waiting for anyone outside of his said sleek, black BMW that probably cost more than your tuition.

"Hi," you simply let out as you plant yourself in front of him, not sure whether or not to question him why are you here? Surely, he wasn't waiting for you?

"Hi," he smiles down at you. There's a beat of silence. "I was waiting for you."

Bingo.

"Oh. What are you, my chauffeur?" You raise an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Maybe. I am your boyfriend, after all," he says into the air, loud and clear, as if he wanted people to hear. Well that is the point, you suppose.

But still, all you want to do is smack the smirk right off his face.

Before you have time to put your next question into words, he answers it for you.

"I'm taking you out for lunch," he declares as if you have nothing else planned for the day. Well, to be fair, you didn't have anything else planned for the day. Except for your usual library run. But you figure the library could wait.

"Oh, like on a date?" You raise your eyebrows teasingly at him as you get into the car, Jay holding the door wide open for you. "Is Jay Park treating me to lunch as a date?"

Jay fights the scowl (or is that a smile?) growing on his face as he bends down to meet your eye level from inside the car. "Don't flatter yourself, princess. We've got fake lives to live."

"Call me princess one more time and you won't have a real life to live," you flash him a sarcastic smile and slam the door in his face.

Jay meets his own shocked reflection on the passenger's side window.

Cute.

"When you said you were taking me out to lunch, I expected like...I don't know...the diner on campus. Not whatever this is," you mutter to Jay as the two of you are brought to your table by a waitress at an upscale sushi restaurant, one that is undoubtedly out of your usual budget, but for sure an upgrade from your dining hall's pizza you were planning to have. You should've figured as much, the drive here was a little more than out of the way from campus, and who are you kidding, it's Jay Park you're eating with.

You stare down at your current outfit, which consisted of a hoodie you've owned since your junior year of high school and leggings that you threw on without second thought this morning––because you didn't exactly wake up and decide I'm going to go to a fancy sushi bar for lunch today!

"Why are we here anyways?" You ask him when you're both settled in your seats and the waitress walks away after listing the chef's specials for the day.

"Oh, they have killer dragon rolls here, you have to try it," Jay tells you nonchalantly as his eyes rake the menu in front of him, blocking your view of him.

How dense can one be? Your hand snatches his menu as you stare into his unamused eyes.

"No, Jay. I mean, why are we here? It's not like anyone's around to see us put on a show anyways."

"Oh. I figured," Jay's quick to grab the menu back from out of your hands as he continues, "that we should sit down and establish how exactly we're going to deliver this performance. After all, you're stuck with me for the next three months."

Again, smacking the smirk currently resting on his face would satisfy you beyond relief. Just once.

"If I drop out halfway through, do I still get $250?" You tease, leaning back.

"Ha ha. Funny. No," he narrows his eyes at you from across the table. "It's all or nothing."

You dramatically huff to make a show just for his annoyance.

"Worth a try. But sure, let's solidify this. What's the game plan?" You sit up in your seat, leaning over the table as if the two of you were hosting a secret meeting.

"It's simple really," Jay mirrors your actions, face leaning in close to where yours is hovering over the table. "Just pretend to be deeply in love with me for three months, and try not to actually be charmed by my cunning looks."

If someone gave you five dollars for every time you've already rolled your eyes at him today, you wouldn't even need to be in this deal for the five hundred dollars.

"Wow, smooth. Can I just remind you you're the one paying a girl to be in a fake relationship with you because you're just not competent enough to find an actual girlfriend?" You lean back, arms crossing over your figure.

Jay, unfazed, laughs, tongue briefly hitting the inside of his cheek. "Touché."

Your eyes go back to the menu in front of you as a silence falls over the table. Because you're not a loaded trust fund baby who comes to fancy five-star sushi restaurants for lunch on a daily, you don't recognize half of the entree names on the menu. You spot the dragon roll Jay suggested, but seeing that a basic California roll is less expensive, your natural broke-college-student-instincts figure the California roll shall do.

"Okay, in all seriousness," Jay begins as he puts his menu down. "It's simple really. We'll just go on weekly dates and post cute pictures of each other once in a while and a little after three months, I'll just say it didn't work out. I'll give you the five hundo and boom, we move on with our lives."

It's clear Jay's put some thought into this. Safe to say he's put more effort planning this out than the amount of work he's been putting into his classes. Someone's got their priorities straight.

You're impressed to say the least––you figured Jay would just be the kind to go with the flow and wait for the situation to unfold on its own and maybe blow up into flames. But seeing as he was just as serious about winning this bet as you were with making five hundred dollars, your doubts about this entire situation were slowly withering away.

Don't get it wrong, though, you still despise him. To an extent, at least.

"And don't worry about the dates. I'll pay on your behalf, as the loving, doting boyfriend I am," Jay finishes with a wide, cheesy smile you can't help but return a growing smile back at.

"Well then, as the loving, doting girlfriend I am, I shall gift you coffee, breakfast, all that fun couple stuff, whenever you please. Or maybe unannounced, if I'm feeling nice," you figure you should pitch in as much if he's paying for all your dates. And deep down, you find the idea kinda cute. But don't tell anyone that.

"Wow, look at us. We should become Dispatch's couple of the year already!" Jay exclaims, earning himself a small giggle from you, which pleases him to say the least. He thinks that maybe when this is all over, he'll hopefully make a good friend (well, for the second time) out of it.

And you're thinking that maybe the next three months won't be as bad as you initially had thought.

As the two of you delve deep into a debate about who would be the better significant other to each other, the waitress comes over to take your orders.

And because you're laughing and Jay's brightly smiling at you from across the table, you order the dragon roll.

The second time Jay takes you out––this time he gives you a heads up to get ready––it's at a, once again, high-class steakhouse.

The third time, you insist on the on-campus diner that's popular amongst the student population. Partially because you feel bad for the amount of money he's spent on you (even though he couldn't care less), but mostly because if you have to put on another fancy dress to just eat an overpriced meal that doesn't even fully satisfy your hunger, you might lose your mind.

And by this third time, Jake is aware of this newly blossomed relationship.

"Three dates! I didn't know you had it in you, going on three dates with the same girl!" Jake excitedly exclaims as he jumps into the empty spot on Jay's dorm bed and shoves his phone's screen into Jay's face.

The smaller screen displays Jay's most recent Instagram post: an image of you sitting behind your too-small-to-be-this-expensive-steak and smiling right into Jay's camera––a memory that brings a smile to his face:

~ ~ ~

"C'mon! We said Instagram posts would be a part of the deal! How else can we convince people we're dating?" A pout rests on Jay's face as he stares at you from across the table in the middle of the extravagantly decorated restaurant he picked out for your second date. You remember your eyes bulging out of their own sockets when you saw the "$$$$$" rating Yelp gave the place when you searched it up earlier.

"Okay, okay! One picture," you give in, already slightly annoyed that you were here instead of the comfort of your own bed, where you could be rewatching your favorite Netflix show for the third time. But because you made a deal and because you're desperate for money, you had to follow through––so here you were.

You flash an unconvincing smile to Jay's camera, which doesn't satisfy him, to say the least. "At least pretend you're somewhat enjoying this date," he frowns at you.

You sigh, until a thought crosses your mind and a smile grows on your face. "Only if you get me boba afterwards."

He narrows his eyes at you, but then meets your smile. "Sure, whatever you want. But only because I've been craving some mango milk tea lately."

"You're a fruit milk tea kind of guy? Sorry, but I might have to fake break-up with you," you tease as you take a sip of your overpriced drink to go with your overpriced meal.

Jay scoffs, feigning hurt by placing his hand over his heart. "Ouch. But before you break up with me, let me get this Instagram post in."

"Wow. Your priorities are so straight," you roll your eyes at him, eliciting a cheeky smile from him as he watches you through his held up phone screen.

"3,2,1."

"Hey, I wasn't ready! That was like mid-laugh!" You reach over the table to grab the phone, but not quick enough for him to put his phone back into his pants' pocket.

"Nope, nuh uh," he laughs as you quickly sit back down into your seat, not wanting to cause a scene in an establishment as proper as this one.

"It's fine. It's a good picture, you look cute," he casually lets out, unaware of the blush rising to the surface of your cheeks, thanks to the fact that you were suddenly interested in playing with the left-over food on your plate.

"Jay! Delete it, I'll let you take another one," you whine from your seat, imagining just how bad a candid picture of you could be.

"Ugh, fine. Ever so picky." He playfully rolls his eyes at you as he takes his phone out and opens the camera app as you prepare yourself.

"Okay, how's this?" Jay turns the phone screen to you after he takes a few snaps on his phone.

"I approve," you grin at him as he goes through the pictures himself, unaware of the smile growing on his face.

"Okay now delete the first one," you point your finger at him, narrowing your eyes at him.

"Okay, okay! Bossy," he laughs as he raises in hands in surrender.

When Jay gets home that night, he recovers the image from his Recently Deleted folder, telling himself it's for the sake of the memory.

Obviously.

~ ~ ~

"It's not that big of a deal," Jay mutters from his spot as his eyes go from the Instagram post to his Exile and Belonging in Modern Literature reading that's due tomorrow, bright yellow highlighter in hand. Typically, you'd find the reading buried deep at the bottom of his school backpack. But because Jay ran into you this morning and because he complained to you about the amount of work he's fallen behind on and because you had threatened him to do his work or else you're not going on another date––a fake date that is––with him, he figured he should at least get one reading done and annotated, despite his strong dislike for highlighters (they hurt his eyes, okay?)

What he doesn't know, however, is how your threat was completely full of bluff––but don't tell him that.

"It is so a big deal, for you at least!" Jake hops off the bed and lands on the wooden floors of Jay's dorm room so hard, Jay winces and sends a mental apology to the poor person who lives below him.

Jake suddenly gasps. "I have to meet her, Jay! As your best friend, it's practically mandatory that I meet her."

Jay opens his mouth to protest, but not before Jake interrupts him once again. "Oh! We can bring Sunghoon too, it'll be so fun! The best friends meet the girlfriend."

Jay can't think of anything worst. Jay imagines that bringing you to meet his best friends would just intimidate you out of dating him––fake dating him, that is. Obviously.

He stares at his friend in agony then back at the reading in front of him––the one Jake said he'd come over to help annotate, but the intention completely left Jake's head the second he heard about Jay's recent dating life.

"You don't have to meet her," Jay says pointedly. "Plus, you already know her."

Jake frowns at his friend's excuse. "Yeah, but that was in middle school! This is different."

Jay's hands shuffle through the reading's pages in front of him as he realizes there's no way the two of them are going to finish the assignment at this point. He supposes he'll have to save death by blindness from highlighters for another day and hope you still agree to go out with him.

Jake suddenly gasps in realization.

"Oh my gosh! Childhood best friends turned college sweethearts," Jake says so dreamily, he might as well plaster heart eyes on. Hopeless romantic, this one.

Before Jay can argue, the piercing sound of three loud knocks echo through the small room, followed with a:

"Jay, are you in? It's me!"

Jay stills at the sound of your sweet voice. He whips his head to Jake, who is also frozen in place.

But the widened-eye boy is quick to come to his senses––unfortunately quicker than Jay himself––because the next thing Jay knows, Jake's eyes are lighting up and he's running to the door, ignoring Jay's screaming whispers through this seething teeth that were somewhere along the lines of Jake––stop, I swear to god if you open that door I'm gonna fucking--

"Y/N!" Jake swings the door wide open, revealing an overly excited him and a frozen Jay half-way to the door, as if he was about to grab the very boy welcoming you in. It's as if we're living in a Sims game and the player clicked pause on this very moment.

Jake's eyes are wildly going back and forth between you and your supposed boyfriend, as if he was waiting for Jay to run over and smother you in hugs and kisses...or something couple-y like that. Jay wouldn't know.

"Uh––hi," you're awkwardly standing inside the room now, a relatively large paper brown bag resting in your palms as you look around for a surface to place it on. Jay makes his way to you without a second thought, quickly taking the bag out of your hold.

"You seemed stressed out earlier, so I figured I could bring you some food as a little pick me up. I didn't know what you liked, so I kinda just got a little of everything from the dining hall. Nothing fancy," you're rambling, but smiling so excitedly at him, Jay doesn't know what to say.

Instead, his mouth slightly drops open as he stares at you in awe, mostly because he's not used to being on the receiving end of such spontaneously generous actions––all while Jake's still excitedly looking back and forth between the two of you, as if he was expecting a marriage proposal to come next.

"Oh wow. Thank you. Really," Jay, still touched by your simple act of kindness, softly says as he places the bag on the limited amount of empty space on his desk surface––the rest of it is covered with his untouched textbooks and unfinished assignments. He wonders if you did this out of playing your role or just because you wanted to. He internally hopes it's the latter. "Seriously, you didn't have to do."

"Nah, don't worry. I wanted to," you shrug with such a genuine smile that Jay realizes he actually missed your smile.

Despite having seen you during your brief run-in this morning when you were fetching your morning coffee, Jay realizes he missed you. The two of you haven't been seeing each other recently because of your busy schedule and if Jay didn't realize it before, he's now sure he missed your company and presence around.

Weird.

"Well, you two have fun! Sunghoon needs me for something," Jake suddenly chirps from his place near the front door, halfway through with putting his shoes on already, breaking the comforting silence that fell between the two of you.

Jay frowns. "But you said you were free all da––"

"SUNGHOON IS CALLING BYE!" And before Jay can even register what's happening, Jake's out the door without another word.

"Er..sorry about him, he's...weird," Jay scratches the back of his neck as he returns to his spot on his bed, mentally setting a reminder to yell at Jake later for leaving the two of you alone. Jay doesn't know exactly why, but he's nervous at the fact that you're here in his room. It's not like you two are complete strangers––or whatever you guys were before––anymore. "Good job on your part, though. How'd you know Jake was here?"

"Oh uh, I didn't"," you let out an awkward laugh. "I just felt like doing it."

Heat rushes to Jay's cheeks and he's not sure 1) what this newfound feeling is and 2) how to respond, yet again.

Having expecting you to leave after dropping the food off, Jay's taken by surprise when you take your shoes off and come over to his bed to look at the pile of work he's spread out.

"Is this everything you have to do?" You question the stressed-out boy as you flip through the various assignments, readings, and essays he put off in the past week.

"More or less," he groans. This is no rare occurrence by any means––Jay being behind in his work––but this time, Jay realizes he may actually be in deep shit, considering he has no idea where to begin.

Right as Jay's expecting a scolding from you, he looks up to meet a look of sympathy on your face. "Well, I mean, I'm pretty much done with my day. I can try to help, I recognize some of these readings from last semester."

Jay thinks to himself that the universe has sent him an angel through the form of you.

"Really? Wow, you were't kidding when you said you'd be a good girlfriend," he sends you a surprised look.

"I'm just being nice, Jay. A concept I'm sure you're not familiar with," you remark back at him, causing his forming smile to grow into a laugh.

"I can too be nice! Need I remind you of who's paying you $500, covering all of our dates AND giving you rides to class everyday?" He remarks pointedly at you, a teasing look resting in his eyes as you're reminded of the first of many times he's come to pick you up before class:

~ ~ ~

You're late.

This never happens.

But then again, your life's been a series of unexpected occurrences lately. Such as the fact that you're currently known as Jay Park's girlfriend, for one.

You're scrambling out of bed once you take one look at your phone and realize shit, you're already late for class. Throwing on whatever articles of clothing your eyes land on first, you're already mentally groaning at the fact that you'll have to skip breakfast and run across your campus to get to said class.

Curse your professor for hosting her lecture at the furthest possible building away from your dorm. Curse the architect who decided to make your campus so large.

You're running down the steps outside of your dorm building's doors when you're abruptly stopped by a familiar sounding cough. You look up from trying to gather all your belongings together at once to meet the gaze of the source of the sound––Jay.

"Wow, you're a mess," he smirks as he gets up from the spot on his car he was leaning against to make his way over to you.

"Gee, thanks! Good morning to you too," you flash him a sarcastic smile before your default frown quickly makes it way back onto your face.

"Aren't you gonna ask me why I'm here?" He grins as he grabs hold of your backpack to sling it across his own back as the two of you walk towards his car.

"Why are you here, Jay?" you sigh, your sarcastic tone hard to miss.

"To give you a ride to class, of course!" He's beaming at you, as if he's a pre-pubescent teen who just won their first girlfriend a prize from the arcade's claw machine.

Oh. That explains the car, you figure. Deep down inside, you're relieved that you'll no longer be bursting through the lecture hall's doors as a sweaty mess––a result of having to run across campus to get to class.

Determined to not let your satisfaction completely show, you resort with a little smile directed towards Jay as he opens the passenger door for you.

The second your enter Jay's car, the strong scent of coffee hits you, and your attention is targeted at the two small cups of coffee sitting in the cupholders of the car.

"Breakfast?" Jay asks as he enters through the driver's side and reaches into the backseat to whip out a small pastry bag. A small, deliciously smelling, pastry bag.

Okay, well. You suppose you could drop the annoyed act now.

Your eyes widen with joy as you grab the bag from him and open it to reveal your favorite breakfast sandwich. He's been taking notes, you'll give him that point.

"Okay, you win. Thank you," you grace him with a soft smile before taking a bite into the glorious gift in your hands.

"Of course, I was just feeling nice," he grins at you as he starts his car. "But don't get used to it." His tone is serious, but his smile directed towards you says differently.

And the fact that he still showed up to drive you to class the next morning.

And the next.

~ ~ ~

"And need I remind you who has to date your dumb ass for the $500 in question?" Your eyes narrow at the boy who can't seem to get that damn smile off his face.

Jay sticks his tongue out at you, ending the conversation. Really Jay? What are you, five? Well, mentally––probably.

You're looking around his minuscule dorm room for a place to sit down, and Jay can't help but feel embarrassed now that you're here, in his messy single studio room that pretty much reflects how Jay treats every other responsibility of his oh so hard life: neglected.

"Uh...here, you can sit on my bed," Jay immediately offers as he moves to the side to make room for your presence––and it isn't much, considering the university only provided him a twin XL bed which is definitely not built for two grown college-aged kids.

If you told yourself a few weeks ago that you'd be shoulder to shoulder on a bed belonging to the guy you cringed at the very thought of, you wouldn't have believed yourself. You wouldn't have believed yourself if you said you were actually glad Jay let you stay instead of kicking you out after delivering the food. Huh.

Weird.

"You know, this kinda reminds me of when we were kids. I always carried us through those horrible multiplication tests in the fifth grade," you wink at him as you settle in the spot next to him, hands grabbing hold of the papers in his lap.

Jay let out a laugh, nudging your shoulder with his. "Hey! The twelve times table is hard, okay?"

You roll your eyes at him––a habit of yours he's noticed whenever the two of you are together, but more recently, he thinks it's been more out of fun than annoyance.

He wonders why.

When Jay had first brought up the idea of bringing you as his date to his father's company dinner, you had expected a fairly fancy five-star restaurant with a formal dress code––for you've become accustomed to Jay's lifestyle. Turns out, your expectations can continue to be exceeded. Because what you had expected to be a simple dinner with a few other business men and women turned out to be an entire party, hosted in a hotel whose interior resembled something close to a castle (Or what you assume a castle looks like, as you've never personally been into a castle yourself, but this hotel is close enough).

Your eyes sparkle at the extravagant columns and diamond chandeliers hanging high above you, and Jay smiles at the expression on your face; like a little girl being brought to the amusement park for the first time ever.

"Wow, this is...wow," you mutter as you drink in the scene in front of you: people dressed in formal attire likewise to yours and Jay's, mingling and drinking what you imagine to be beverages that cost more than your entire life's worth.

Jay laughs from behind you, "Yeah the company goes a little...extra when it comes to these company dinners."

You scoff as you look up at him. "Oh really, you don't say?" You look around and you're suddenly aware of the many people surrounding the two of you and the attention you've acquired ever since entering the building.

"Jay, people are staring." You shuffle closer to him, your voice lowering down to a whisper.

"Well, it's not everyday the son of the company's CEO brings his girlfriend with him, so...looks like we'll be the talk of the party tonight. Smiles on," he winks at you, and you just know he's loving the attention the two of you are receiving right now.

"Jay Park? Is that you?" You hear a warm voice call out from behind the two of you.

The two of you turn around to meet the owner of the voice, a middle-aged woman dressed in an evening gown that matches the pattern of high-end brands you've been recognizing ever since arriving.

"Mrs. Lee! It's so nice seeing you again," Jay cheerily addresses the woman as the two of you bow in greeting.

You internally giggle at the thought of your Jay being so picture-perfect in the eyes of his father's co-workers.

"This is Y/N," he continues, his hand finding its way to your back, protectively resting it there as you go to introduce yourself. "My girlfriend."

You swear you feel goosebumps rise from where he's lightly touching you, and more so when he introduces you as his girlfriend.

You tell yourself it's just your nerves. Yes, that's it, you're just nervous. I mean, you're in a room filled with people who could easily pay off all your college loans with just a snap of their fingers, who wouldn't be nervous? Right? Right.

"Y/N! It's a pleasure to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you!" Mrs. Lee excitedly exclaims as you turn to Jay with a slightly confused look plastered on your face. He mirrors your expression as he shrugs, moving to stand behind you completely, bringing his hands to rest lowly at your hips.

His hands feel like feathers on the thin fabric of your evening gown, so light, so delicate, as if he's unsure if he's crossing a line. It leaves you wanting more, wanting to naturally lean against him and his warmth. You quick to shake the thought of your head as Mrs. Lee chirps up again.

"Jay's father is always talking about how you've been keeping Jay pleasantly busy nowadays! Good thing too, about time this poor boy settle down for someone as beautiful as you," the woman rambles on as you feel a blush creep up on your cheeks at the thought of Jay talking about you to his dad. If only they knew.

"We should probably go find our seats, I think the dinner is beginning soon," Jay says from behind you, saving the two of you from having to listen to Mrs. Lee's story of how she's known Jay ever since he was five years old and seeing him grow into this mature, loving, young man is so amazing. Oh look! I have baby pictures.

Yeah, he was more so saving himself from embarrassment.

The two of you bid your goodbyes before Jay gently uses the hand on your back to maneuver you through the crowd of socializing business moguls.

"She's not wrong, you know," you feel Jay dip his head so he's speaking near your ear, his warm breath tickling your earlobe, as the two of you make your way through the large foyer room.

"Hm?" You hum in question, turning your head up just enough to be able to make eye contact with him as he responds to your look of confusion.

"You look beautiful tonight," he says, eye contact not breaking once. You freeze in your steps.

You stare back at him in silence. Oh.

Your mind is panicking as it flips through your mental book of responses, unsure of what to say back. But because your mind is cloudy from staring at a put-together Jay in a dark navy suit to match your dress (mixed with the nervous butterflies in your stomach––have they always been there?), the only sound that's able to leave your lips is the small stutter of a:

"Huh?"

Wow Y/N, you had one job. A simple "thank you" could've sufficed! And you went with "Huh"?

You felt like a fifth grader who just learned from a friend of a friend of a friend that their crush likes them back.

"U-um. Mrs. Lee. What she said about you. You look good, really," somehow your nervousness made its way over to Jay now––his eyes flickering from yours to anywhere, anything, else in the room––the awkward tension growing tenfold each second.

Goddamnit Y/N, this is just Jay you're talking to, get a grip.

You're knocked back into reality when he slightly nudges your back to continue making your way to the main ball room, where the dinner is being held.

"Is that a compliment from the Jay Park?" Your smirk can't be seen by Jay, since he's still trailing behind you, but he can definitely hear it through your tone.

"Don't make me take it back," he chuckles, his words felt against your neck, leaving behind a tingly sensation you're not sure why you're feeling. You're glad he's behind you, so he isn't able to see the blush creeping onto your face for the second time tonight.

Jay gives a small nod to the people behind the check-in desk stationed at the entrance as the two of you waltz right into a large ball room lined with countless circular dining tables. So much for a small business dinner.

As the two of you approach one of the tables placed at the front of the room, you notice a familiar figure seated next to the seats reserved for you and Jay.

"Y/N!" Jake exclaims as he gets up from his seat to greet the both of you. "I'm so glad you made it, Jay was so excited to bring you tonight. Deadass would not stop talking about it."

Jay lets out a noise that falls somewhere between a cough and a goose being strangled, his widened eyes warning his talkative friend to just shut up. He's silently cursing the company for always seating his and Jake's family at the same table for these events.

"Aw, is that so? He's lucky he's cute or else I wouldn't have agreed," you grin, winking at your assumed boyfriend sitting next to you.

"Hey, YOU were the one excited to come! I recall a certain someone's face lighting up when I suggested we go shopping for tonight," Jay immediately retorts.

"Only because you were buying," you giggle, causing Jake to laugh as well.

"Damn, Jay. Tough," Jake jokingly adds as you laugh alongside him. The scowl sitting on Jay's face expresses the opposite of what he's feeling right now: warmth filling him up from the sound of your laughter and the image of you getting along so well with his best friend.

"I'm gonna get us some drinks, you two have fun making fun of me," Jay narrows his eyes at the two of you as he gets up from his seat. You bid him off with a smile before turning back to Jake.

"No but really though, this boy would not stop talking about you coming tonight. Then again, he doesn't really ever stop talking about you," Jake nonchalantly says, not knowing how much he was exposing his friend to you right now.

You raise an eyebrow up in response, "Oh really?"

"Seriously! I don't know what you did to him, Y/N, but this Jay I've been seeing recently is new. He complains a lot less about life nowadays, especially on the days he sees you," he leans back in his chair as his comment brings a smile to your face. Little does he know.

You stretch your neck up to find the boy in question and spot him right as he's returning to your shared table, two drinks in hand. You lock eyes with him from across the room and without a second thought, you're giving him a genuine smile that he's immediately returning.

Your heart beats faster at the view.

You wonder why.

It's 3:07AM when you hear the first ding.

You're not 100% sure as of why you're awake at this hour on a Tuesday night––perhaps a combination of your restless thoughts and feelings not letting you sleep plus the typical stress that comes hand-in-hand with the life of a college student.

It's 3:09AM when you hear the second ding, and you brush it off, assuming it was just Heeseung spamming you with memes again––something he does often when he also can't sleep (you found this out the hard way).

It's still 3:09AM when you hear the third ding, and at 3:10AM , you finally reach over and decide to acknowledge the being who's bothering you at this godforsaken hour.

Jay [3:07AM]: Y/N

Jay [3:09AM]: hi

Jay [3:09AM]: r u awake rn

Y/N [3:10AM]: unfortunately so

Y/N [3:11AM]: why are you up

Jay [3:11AM]: come outside

Y/N [3:13AM: jay it's 3am

Jay [3:13AM]: ye and? don't tell me ur a college student with a curfew

Jay [3:14AM]: plus im alrdy waiting for u outside so u have no choice

Jay [3:15AM]: :)

You groan at your bright phone screen currently illuminating your dark dorm room.

You ponder the consequences you may have to suffer tomorrow if you stay up any later than you already have. But considering the fact that you're probably just going to stay awake lying in bed for god knows how long anyways, why not?

(And you would like to point out that this decision has nothing to do with the fact that you haven't seen Jay in a few days and that maybe a tiny, tiny, tiny, part of you may have missed his presence. Nothing.)

And since that logic is obviously valid (you really gotta work on justifying your life choices), you're suddenly grabbing a hoodie from your closet and hoping it'll be enough to keep you, who's merely in an old band t-shirt from high-school and pajama shorts, warm.

The breeze hits your skin the second you open the doors to your dorm's building, and you're met with the view of Jay's sleek, black BMW that probably costs more than your tuition. He waves at you from the driver's seat, motioning for you to get in.

"To what do I owe you the pleasure at this hour," you deadpan at him with a stone-cold voice as you enter through the passenger's side door, hoping your tone was enough to hide the fact that you're giddy at the fact he invited you out at 3AM in the morning. Like a high-school girl sneaking out of her house to meet up with her bad-boy boyfriend that her parents dislike.

The second you enter his car, you're instantly comforted by the warm air blasting through his vents and his playlist softly playing in the background. Jay's pajama pants and messy hair give you more than enough information to know that he probably just rolled out of his own bed as well. You don't know why, but your view: Jay in his oversized hoodie with his unkept hair in front of your dorm building at 3AM on a Tuesday night, gives you comfort in weird ways you can't explain even if you tried.

But it's obviously just your cloudy, 3AM mind not thinking straight. Obviously.

"When I can't sleep, I go on drives around campus. It helps clear my mind," he says, looking over at you to give you a quick smile before starting his car. "Plus, SnapMap said you were still awake, so...figured you'd wanna join."

"Oh so what, you're my stalker now? You're not driving to the woods to kill me now, are you?" You tease, an eyebrow brought up. Jay lets out a laugh from beside you as he begins to drive further into your campus.

"Guess you'll just have to wait and see," he throws you a wink before reverting his gaze back to the road, mindlessly driving to wherever the road decides to take him.

A comfortable silence falls in between the two of you as Jay continues to drive endless routes around your campus. You look over to the boy driving next to you and take in his features––you don't know what changed, but you no longer feel the same anger or annoyance bubbling within you when you're around him. You're not sure when this changed, but you figure it's just the effect of desensitization. After all, you've been spending so much time with him, you're bound to get used to it. Right?

"Why were you up?" Jay finally asks after a few minutes of just the two of you silently basking in each other's presences.

"Ah, you know. The usual. Endless thoughts running through my mind, stress from school, nothing new," you sign, giving him a soft smile followed with a shrug.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

You answer him with silence as you search your head for the answer.

"I don't know. This is kinda weird, isn't it?" You don't know why you get a sudden surge of confidence, but before you can stop yourself, you find yourself rambling on. "If you had told me a month ago that I'd be here driving around with you when it's nearly 4AM, I would've laughed in your face."

Jay doesn't know whether to laugh or scoff. "Is the idea of hanging out with me that unappealing to you?"

You give him a serious look back. "I mean, up until a month ago when you needed me for whatever this game is, you literally pretended I didn't exist."

Oh. Awkward.

You freeze at your own words, mentally screaming at yourself for letting the words leave your mouth. Why, why, why.

"Y/N..." Jay says after clearing his throat after a few seconds of silence.

"No it's fine, it was a joke," you awkwardly cough and direct your attention to anything else around you right now. The view of your campus' buildings zooming by. The clicking of Jay's blinker when he switches lanes. The quiet roaring of his car's engine. The nervous tapping of his fingers against the steering wheel.

The rest of the ride is excruciatingly silent as he exits the main road and into an empty parking lot of some administration building made out of glass that has too many floors for you to count.

You don't know why you feel your heart beating in your throat as Jay puts the car into park––why you feel uneasy. You slightly turn towards him in your seat, hoping to pick up any sign of well...anything from him.

You don't know why you feel a twinge of guilt––it's not like what you said was necessarily wrong. If you were being honest, you were slightly bothered by how the two of you seemed to silently agree not to mention your past all this time. You were always one to seek answers, to seek closure. You couldn't help but bring it up––Jay was your best friend during those years. For him to just wake up one day and pretend you were nothing to him hurt you, and you couldn't help but still wonder what in the world you did to initiate his actions.

"I'm sor–" You're interrupted with his timid voice, as if he was almost afraid to speak.

"I'm not good with people." He's nibbling on his bottom lip, fingers nervously picking at a spot on the steering wheel.

You're opening and closing your mouth, unsure how to respond. You're 100% positive you look like a fish right now. Good for you.

"I don't know why. Jake calls it commitment issues but in order to have commitment, people have to stay in my life. And people just...don't. They're all bound to leave at some point. So what's the point of putting in effort into relationships if they're just going to leave you at the end?"

You're stunned by his sudden confession, not having been prepared for such a heavy topic to arise between the two of you. Up until tonight, your interactions had always been light-hearted and easy––you guys got along well. You didn't know this is how he felt all along.

But you knew where he was coming from.

You knew what Jay had gone through as a child––his mother having left him and his dad when he was young. You remember when your parents had told you the news at the young age of 13, and you remember the pain and sorrow you felt for your then friend. All you wanted to do was go to him and comfort him, but he had already cut you out from his life by then.

"Or maybe I'm the problem. My dad barely acknowledges my existence because he thinks giving me an allowance is all the parenting I need, my friends probably only stick around because they feel bad for me, you wouldn't even be here if it weren't for the bet, and, fuck, I'm literally known as the campus' fuckboy," Jay continues, falling deeper and deeper into the hole he dug himself.

He hates this, he hates opening up and feeling vulnerable, so he doesn't know why he's doing it now. He doesn't know why he feels comfortable voicing out his fears and worries when he's around you. But he does know it's a new feeling––one he doesn't know how to deal with.

"Jay," you lace your voice with as much comfort as you can provide. None of this is his fault, you want to tell him. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything," he says with a hint of bitterness and you can't tell if it's directed towards you or the topic at hand.

You're completely turned in your seat now to face him––despite the fact that he refuses to meet your gaze, afraid that looking at you is gonna bring out the most vulnerable in him. "You can talk to me. Talking about it makes it a lot easier. I'll always be here for you, as a friend."

Jay doesn't know what it is or why, but something in him snaps at the sound of a certain word falling out of your lips. Friend. Friend.

Friends don't make his heart beat nervously whenever he's around them. Friends don't keep him up at 3AM in the morning, pondering about his feelings for them. Friends don't provide him with this new, warm comfort he's become accustomed to whenever he's around you.

Deep down, Jay knows you didn't mean to add fuel to the fire. But because he's strong-headed, stubborn, and hates how vulnerable he feels next to you, he unleashes his emotions without thinking about the destruction coming along.

"It's none of your business, Y/N. Forget I said anything. You're just a toy for this stupid game and when it's all over we can go back to our own lives and forget this ever happened."

His sudden words cut deep, but they hurt him more than you. The second the words tumble out of his mouth, he's hit with the feeling of instant regret washing over him, and the lump forming in his throat restricts him from finding the right words to take them back.

The silence that falls between the two of you this time is different. It's a cold silence. A loud silence.

Jay feels his walls coming back up around him––the ones you managed to get through––and all he wants to do is apologize but he's terrified. Terrified of seeing your reaction, terrified of losing you again. For the second time.

You tell yourself he doesn't mean it. You tell yourself that he's just enduring more pain that one should ever receive.

But you also tell yourself that this wouldn't be the first time Jay leaves you in the dust.

You tell yourself that you're foolish for ever believing a friendship, or more, could come out of this act at the end. That you're so naive for feeling those stupid, stupid butterflies you've started to notice in your stomach whenever you see, or even think of, him.

"Okay," you begin with a firm tone. You're hurt, but you refuse to show it. You won't let him hurt you for a second time. Not again.

"Just...find me when you need me. As your fake girlfriend or just...me. I'm still here for you," is the last thing you say before un-clicking your seatbelt and leaving his car, beginning your walk back to your dorm hall.

Jay is unsure about many things in life. He's unsure about what he wants to do in the future, he's unsure of where he's going to settle in life, heck, he's unsure about what to have for lunch tomorrow. But he's sure about one thing.

That he's wearing his heart on his sleeve right now, and it's all because of you.

That you've become this new lifeline and he has to choose between holding onto you or drowning.

When Jay wakes up the next morning, his first gut instinct is to get ready to pick you up for class. But today's different. Jay doesn't know where the two of you stand now, especially after last night.

Jay doesn't know how to deal with this combination of unknown emotions he's been feeling lately. They didn't come out of no where, by any means, he realizes. They've been slowly growing over the past month of seeing you so often––like a plant he's been watering overtime, not expecting it to bloom into a flower so suddenly––but he figured it was nothing more than just enjoying the company of a friend.

Until he realizes that the term friend just doesn't suite you anymore––not to him, at least. And that scares him. It scares him that you've made him genuinely smile more in this past month than he ever has in his 19 years of living. It scares him that when he's around you he can't comprehend his own thoughts, his feelings. It scares him that you make him vulnerable, that you've changed him. That you've managed to make the walls that he's spent so long building and polishing to crumble with a simple tap of your finger.

In a perfect world, Jay would have already told you all this––he would be unafraid of how you would react, unafraid of your rejection, unafraid of losing this growing relationship with you. But alas, we don't live in a perfect world. And so when Jay drives to class that day, he drives right past your dorm building.

"Where's Y/N?" is the first thing Jake questions when he enters Jay's car that morning, confused by your absence, having been used to you being in the front seat every morning when Jay goes to give Jake rides to class as well.

"I don't know," Jay mutters, unemotional eyes focused on the road in front of him, not interested in continuing a conversation that involves thinking about you.

Jake hesitates as curiosity gets the best of him. "Did you guys get into a fight or something?"

Jay's hands tighten around the steering wheel of his car. "Or something. Let's just leave it at that."

There are a few beats of silence before Jake speaks up again.

"Well, I guess this works out because I wanted to talk to you about something."

Jay continues to stare straight ahead of him, focusing on just trying to get by without mentally beating himself up at the simple thought of you.

The simple thought of you and your smile. Your witty remarks. Your stupid eye rolls. Your laughter. Your kindness. So much for not thinking about you.

"I'm calling it off," Jake's words catch Jay off guard.

"Huh? Calling what off?"

"The bet. I'm calling it off. I don't care about the textbook fees I'll have to pay next semester. Look, fight or not, you and Y/N are good for each other, everyone can see it. And I really don't want this to end up being one of those messed up teen TV shows where the girlfriend finds out the entire relationship was based off of a stupid game and then they break up and the boyfriend falls into eternal sadness and regret. And I don't wanna see you sad, dude. So yeah! Congrats," although he's admitting defeat, Jake's beaming widely, just content with the fact that his best friend has finally found happiness through the form of you. "You win."

But Jay feels like the opposite of a winner. Because even though his only intention coming into this was simply winning the bet, his life isn't as simple as it was a month ago. Because he discovered something much more valuable than some stupid textbook fees or five hundred dollars or getting his physics homework done for an entire semester.

Something he's scared he's already lost.

You.

⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺

The next time you see Jay is at the same time and place as when he first ever appeared to pick you up––at 12:17PM on a Friday afternoon, as you're exiting the doors of the lecture building home to your awfully long Capitalism in World History class. This time, however it's different.

Because this time, it's one month later, and Jay Park is no longer a forgotten side character in the story of your life. This time, you're frustrated because it's been three days since you've last heard from Jay. And because it's been three days since you've last heard from him, you can't focus on anything else, and because you can't focus on anything else, you're falling behind on every other aspect in your life. Jay's somehow managed to become the center of your life without even having to be present.

Well, up until now. Up until you go down the steps of your lecture hall's entrance and look up to be met with a figure leaning on a car you're far too familiar with. You freeze in your steps as you make eye contact with the boy you've been thinking about non-stop for the past month three days.

Your mind tells you to walk away, to just follow your flight instinct instead of fight, to just go back to your normal life. But here's the thing. Ever since Jay's made his way back to your life, it's been far from normal.

And if you're being honest, you had no interest in going back to your normal life. Normal's overrated anyways. You find your legs bringing yourself over to him, your heart leading the way.

"Hi," you simply say, planting yourself right in front of him.

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?" You already know the answer, but you want to hear him say it.

"Waiting for you," Jay doesn't hesitate in answering you. This time will be different, he tells himself.

"I can walk myself home, thanks," you state, but your actions tell differently, as you make no sign of moving from your spot in front of him.

Jay's mind contemplates telling you everything. About how he regrets that friendship-breaking decision he made that one fateful day in the eighth grade, about his true feelings, about how he first suspected these feelings when he was 11 years old and saw you in your fancy get-up for the sixth grade dance but put it off as a little crush, and about how the same feelings grew into something so, so much more in the present. But seeing that putting all these thoughts into words would involve more than one functioning brain cell (which is all he's convinced he has in the moment, for the view of you staring up at him, looking like that, has his brain short-circuiting), he settles with:

"He called it off. It's over. The bet."

"Oh."

Silence.

Okay, Jay. This is your chance. Say it.

"Is that it?" You lift an eyebrow, awaiting for more explanation. When it doesn't come, you slightly nod and start backing away. "I'll see you around then."

Is that it? Do the two of you just go back to your respective lives now? How can Jay do that, when he doesn't even recall what his life was like before you entered it––and especially when he has absolutely no interest in going back to that life?

Fuck it.

"Y/N!" He stands up straight, a newfound confidence taking over. This time will be different, he tells himself. Because now, he knows what he wants. For sure.

You turn towards him, to see him already making his way towards you, stopping in his steps when he finds himself close enough to you that he can't concentrate anymore.

"I'm sorry for ditching you in the eighth grade. I'm sorry for ignoring you since then. I'm sorry for dragging you into this stupid mess and for pushing you away and I'm sorry for calling you a toy. Because it's far from truth. I like you. A lot. And––and I'm scared. I'm scared of what this means for us, because I just keep messing things up and all I know is that I don't wanna wake up tomorrow and realize you're not in my life anymore and––"

"Woah, woah, Jay. Slow down," you look up at him, the corners of your lips threatening to curve up into a smile. "You're an idiot, you know."

Jay's never really confessed his feelings to anyone before, per say, so he doesn't really know what to expect. But he's watched enough Netflix rom-coms in this lifetime (which is still not that many) to know that hearing the words "you're an idiot" isn't what you're supposed to hear after pouring your heart and soul out. Surely not, right?

"I––I'm not sure how to respond to that," he quietly says, searching your eyes for a sign, for anything. You giggle at his sudden shyness as you grab both his arms and look at him right in the eyes.

"It's okay. I get it, if anything, I'm also scared. But you somehow got me wrapped around your stupid finger, and I hate it," you smirk at him, your hands slowly making their way up his arms to circle around his neck.

Jay's hands naturally fall at your waist as he lets out a breathe he didn't even know he was holding as he returns your smirk. "Well, I could say the same about you. And I also hate it, for your information."

"Hmm, is that so? I guess it cancels out then, right?" You smile at him as he's pulling you in so close, your head turns cloudy.

Jay grins at you, his eyes holding so much joy and endearment as they quickly flicker down to your lips before returning to your own eyes. "I guess this only means one thing then."

"Mm, and what's that?"

And before Jay can answer––and because your life's been anything but normal lately––you make the first move this time, moving your head up to close the small gap between the two of you.

His arms instinctively tighten around you as you capture his lips with your very own, and Jay swears he's about to lift off into space right now. He's on cloud nine, and he makes no plans to touch the ground ever again.

The kiss quickly becomes fervent, all the pent-up tension that the two of you had for one another finally finding its way out, all the words that were previously left unsaid finally expressing themselves. You don't even care if you're being judged by the conservative faculty members of your school right now, or by the looks of fellow students walking past the two of you.

You try your best to keep yourself from smiling as he continues to press his lips against yours, his hand moving to hold your chin, guiding your mouth with his.

Before you find yourself getting carried away, you step back to take a breath, resting your forehead against his chest as his hands rest against your back. He smiles at the sound of you giggling against him.

Jay takes a step back to take one look at you and realizes, in this moment, that change can be good. And he's willing to undergo this change. As long as it's with you.

⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ ⸺

The next morning, you bounce down the steps of your dorm building's entrance to meet the wide, bright smile of your ex-childhood-bestfriend-turned-fake-boyfriend-turned-real-boyfriend waiting for you in front of his car, small pastry bag in hand. You smile back at him.

Jay drives you to class that day.

And everyday after that.

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

✰ let me know what you think! if u made it til the end, mwah :') <3

FORGIVE AND FORGET , ⋆｡°✩ 𓈒𓈒 silly arguments

𖥔 PRECIS. In which, they try to ignore you after a petty dispute. PAIRING. sulky bf!enha x sorry gf!reader GENRE. fluff WARNINGS. skinship, mild kissing, post argument, petnames

authors note ୨୧ they’re all whipped for (y/n) 🧸

─────────

HEESEUNG

The silence in the apartment was thick, almost suffocating. You had been tiptoeing around it for hours, trying to ignore the gnawing ache in your chest. But as time passed, the weight of Heeseung's absence, even though he was just a few rooms away, became unbearable.

Finally, you couldn't take it anymore. You took a deep breath and left your room, determined to make things right.

The soft glow of the gaming room greeted you as you stepped inside. Heeseung sat at his desk, headphones snug over his ears, fingers deftly moving across his controller. His eyes were glued to the screen, but you knew him well enough to see the tension in his posture—the slight furrow of his brows, the way his jaw was clenched just a little too tight.

You approached quietly, trying to gauge his mood as you stood behind him. The sounds of an in-game explosion filled the air, and you pretended to be interested, your gaze lingering on the screen. But it was no use—Heeseung didn't acknowledge you, his cold shoulder a sharp reminder of the earlier argument.

Enough was enough.

With a small sigh, you reached out and gently turned his chair toward you. His eyes flickered with surprise, but his expression remained stubbornly neutral, his gaze sliding away as if you weren't even there.

You didn't let it deter you. Leaning down, you pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, then another to the other side. When he continued to ignore you, you moved closer, placing tender kisses along his jawline, silently pleading for his attention. Heeseung turned his face away, his resistance wavering but still there.

A faint smirk played at the corners of your lips. You weren't giving up that easily.

You lowered your lips to his neck, brushing them against his skin, feeling the slight shiver that ran through him. He tensed, but you could sense the walls he'd built around himself starting to crumble. You pressed on, kissing the warm skin of his collarbone, peeking out from the edge of his hoodie.

Heeseung's breath hitched, and you felt his resolve begin to melt away, his shoulders relaxing as he subconsciously leaned into your touch. Still, he tried to hold onto his anger, his hands gripping the controller as if it were the last line of defense.

But you knew you'd won when his character faltered on the screen, losing the match in a flash of red. He let out a frustrated sigh, finally meeting your gaze. The anger in his eyes had softened, replaced by something warmer, something that spoke of surrender.

Without a word, Heeseung wrapped his arms around you, pulling you down onto his lap. The tension between you dissolved in an instant, replaced by a comforting sense of closeness.

"You’re impossible, you know that?" he murmured, his voice low and affectionate as he buried his face in the crook of your neck, inhaling your familiar scent.

You chuckled softly, your fingers threading through his hair as you settled into his embrace. "But you still love me."

Heeseung grip tightened around you, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I do."

JAY

Jay had been avoiding you all day. When you tried to cuddle him in bed that morning, he rolled right out, leaving you alone with the cold sheets. When you tried to sit and listen to him play his guitar, he sighed, put it away, and left the room without a word. Now, he was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, hair falling into his focused, hard eyes as he chopped vegetables for dinner.

You couldn’t stand the silence anymore. With a determined shuffle, you made your way into the kitchen, standing beside him. The rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the cutting board filled the room, but all you could focus on was the distance between you two. You watched the way his jaw tensed, the way his hands moved with precision, and it hurt more than you wanted to admit.

Finally, you groaned softly and latched onto him from behind, wrapping your arms around his waist.

"Jay," you whispered, but he didn’t respond. You squeezed tighter, hoping to break through the barrier he had put up.

"Jay…" you tried again, sliding your hands up under his shirt, resting them on his chest. You couldn’t see it, but his breath hitched, and a blush crept up his cheeks.

"I'm sorry…" you muttered, voice filled with genuine regret. The sound of chopping stopped, and the room fell silent. Slowly, Jay turned to face you, his expression softened, the hard edges of his irritation melting away.

“That’s all I wanted to hear, baby,” he murmured, pulling you into a warm embrace.

The tension dissolved as he held you close, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. The argument felt like a distant memory as you found comfort in each other's arms, the quiet kitchen now filled with the warmth of forgiveness.

JAKE

You knock gently on Jake's door, the sound echoing in the quiet apartment. No answer. A pang of guilt twists in your chest as you slowly turn the handle and peek inside. Jake is curled up on his bed, his back to the door, the soft glow of the setting sun casting a warm hue across the room.

Taking a deep breath, you slip inside and quietly close the door behind you. The bed dips slightly as you crawl in beside him, but he shifts away, his silent rejection a small but painful sting. You try to wrap your arm around his waist, hoping for just a little closeness, but he pushes it off with a huff, pulling the blanket tighter around himself.

You sigh softly, rolling over to face the opposite direction, feeling the heavy weight of the silence between you. The minutes tick by slowly, each one a reminder of the distance that shouldn’t be there.

Just when the silence starts to feel unbearable, you feel Jake’s arms snake around your waist, pulling you back toward him in a tight embrace.

His breath is warm against your neck as he whispers, voice tinged with frustration and affection, “I can’t! I can’t stay mad at you…”

A soft giggle escapes your lips, the tension in your chest easing as you lean back into him. “I’m sorry, Jake…”

He squeezes you a little tighter, his voice softening, “I know, love. I know.”

In that moment, wrapped in each other's arms, the petty argument fades into the background, leaving only the warmth of your connection, stronger than ever.

SUNGHOON

Sunghoon could outlast anyone in the silent treatment game, and right now, he was proving it. It was day three of his cold shoulder, and you were growing more frustrated by the hour. Unlike him, you couldn’t stand to let an argument linger for more than a few hours, but Sunghoon? He was the Ice Prince, and he wore that title with pride.

This morning, you decided to take matters into your own hands. If words wouldn’t thaw him out, maybe a more direct approach would. After he left for a bit, you took the time to get dolled up, wearing the dress you knew he adored, with your hair perfectly styled and a hint of his favorite perfume lingering in the air.

When Sunghoon returned, you greeted him with a soft smile, hoping to see some sign of forgiveness in his eyes and admiration for his pretty girlfriend. But instead of acknowledging you, he glanced your way, then walked straight past you and out to the balcony with a book in hand.

Your frustration peaked. You had tried everything—apologies, subtle hints, even this!—and yet he still acted like nothing had happened. As you watched him settle into a chair outside, calmly opening his book, you finally snapped.

You marched out onto the balcony, snatching the book from his hands with a huff.

For a moment, he just looked at you, his expression…expectant? Surprised. Then, to your utter confusion, he smirked and let out a quiet laugh.

“What’s so funny?” you demanded, feeling your anger and confusion mix.

He leaned back in his chair, a playful glint in his eyes. “I forgave you two days ago... I just wanted to see how long you could go like this. Impressive, love.”

Your mouth fell open in disbelief. “You mean—”

Sunghoon shrugged, his smirk widening. “I knew you wouldn’t last as long as me.”

You let out an exasperated sigh, but you couldn’t help the smile tugging at your lips. “Hoon… that’s so stupid.”

“Maybe,” he said, his tone softening as he reached for your hand. “But it’s kind of fun, isn’t it?”

Rolling your eyes, you sat down beside him. “Next time, just tell me you forgive me, okay?”

“Alright,” he chuckled, pulling you close.

You handed him his book back, and together, you settled into a comfortable silence. As you leaned against him, the tension finally faded away, replaced by the warmth of his presence. Reading together, the world around you seemed to melt away, leaving just the two of you on that peaceful balcony.

SUNOO

You hesitated outside the bathroom, listening to the faint sound of Sunoo humming softly as he went through his nightly skincare routine. You knew he was still upset, but you couldn’t help but smile at how cute he looked when he was focused, even if he was giving you the cold shoulder.

Gathering your courage, you pushed the door open and stepped inside, hoping to join him for the last part of his routine, a ritual you both cherished. However, the moment you entered, he pulled off his sheet mask with a swift motion.

“I’m finished,” he mumbled, his tone clipped, before he brushed past you, leaving the bathroom.

You sighed, feeling the weight of the silent treatment as you watched him walk away. Not willing to give up, you followed him into the living room where he was already curled up on the couch, surrounded by an array of snacks, ready to watch his favorite drama.

You crept closer, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, before softly asking, “Can I watch with you?”

Sunoo shrugged, rolling his eyes slightly, but you noticed how he scooted over to make room for you. It was a small gesture, but it gave you hope. You pouted softly as you settled beside him, the space between you feeling like a chasm.

The drama played on the screen, but the tension between you both was hard to ignore. The silence stretched on, making the atmosphere even more awkward.

Finally, Sunoo turned to you, his gaze serious and alittle sad. “I didn’t like what you did, baby… it wasn’t nice.”

His words were gentle, but you could hear the hurt behind them. You bit your lip, feeling a pang of guilt.

You leaned in, brushing your lips against his in a soft, apologetic kiss, “I know, Sun… I’m so sorry.”

He looked at you for a moment, searching your eyes, before finally softening. His arm slipped around you, pulling you closer as he let out a small sigh.

“Just don’t do that again, okay?“

You nodded, snuggling into his side, relief washing over you as he pressed play on the drama. The warmth of his embrace and the familiar sound of the TV made everything feel right again. The argument was forgotten as you both got lost in the show, the comfort of being together making the night feel perfect once more.

JUNGWON

Jungwon was upstairs in his bedroom, the soft sound of pencil on paper the only noise breaking the silence. He was hunched over his sketchbook, eyebrows furrowed as he worked on a drawing—something he often did when upset. And right now, you were the reason for his frustration.

You took a deep breath, hesitating outside his door before gently pushing it open. His gaze flicked toward you for the briefest moment before he returned to his sketch, pointedly ignoring your presence. The tension in the room was thick, making your heart ache with guilt.

Stepping fully inside, you spotted a stack of scrap paper on his desk. An idea sparked, and you grabbed a piece, quickly doodling a tiny strawberry with a smiley face and little arms, dancing cheerfully across the page. In a small speech bubble, you wrote, "Jungwon, I'm sorry, and I love you."

Gathering your courage, you crumpled the paper into a ball and, with a playful smirk, tossed it at his head. It bounced off lightly, causing him to pause. Jungwon glanced over at the crumpled paper before picking it up and smoothing it out. When he saw the doodle, the corners of his mouth twitched, fighting back a smile.

He scribbled something on the paper before tossing it back to you. Unfolding it, you found his response: a doodle of a sulking Jungwon with crossed arms and the words, "You better be."

You giggled, grabbing another piece of paper. This time, you drew a tiny version of yourself with big puppy dog eyes, holding a sign that read, "Forgive me?" You sent it flying toward him.

Jungwon caught it, his resolve cracking as a small laugh escaped him. He grabbed his pencil again, quickly sketching a doodle of the two of you, now with a heart between your cartoonish figures. He added a note: "Only because you’re cute."

You beamed, heart swelling with relief and affection. Without thinking, you rushed over to him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders from behind. “I really am sorry, Jungwon,” you whispered, resting your cheek against his.

He finally turned to look at you, his expression softening. “I know,” he said, his voice gentle as he pulled you into his lap. “But next time, don’t make me wait so long to forgive you.”

You nodded, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Of course not.”

He smiled, pulling you close as the two of you settled into a comfortable cuddle, the earlier tension melting away as you both laughed about your silly doodles. The argument was forgotten, replaced by the warmth of being wrapped up in each other’s arms.

NI-KI

Ni-ki’s usually playful and laid-back demeanor was nowhere to be found as he sulked in his room, still miffed from your earlier argument. But you had a plan—you knew just how to get him to forgive you. When you found him playing music on his speaker, you flopped beside him on the bed, flashing a smile.

“I like this song,” you chirped, hoping to break the ice.

Ni-ki didn’t say a word. Instead, he quirked a brow and hit the next button on his phone, the song switching immediately. You suppressed a grin at his pettiness but refused to give up. It was later in the day when he moved on to practicing dance moves in front of his mirror, you tried to join in, matching his rhythm with exaggerated precision.

He stopped mid-dance, a sigh escaping his lips as he grabbed his water bottle and headed out of the room, leaving you standing there with an amused expression.

The final act of your mission came when you found him sprawled on the couch with headphones on, eyes closed. Without hesitation, you gently flipped onto his chest, resting your head there and closing your eyes. You felt his body tense beneath you, but he didn’t push you away.

After a moment, he grunted, pulling his headphones down around his neck as he wrapped his arms around you, unable to resist any longer.

“You’re annoying as hell…” he muttered, voice laced with defeat.

“Mhm,” you hummed in agreement, snuggling closer, knowing you’d won him over.

Some of my favorite words and phrases to describe a character in pain

coiling (up in a ball, in on themselves, against something, etc)

panting (there’s a slew of adjectives you can put after this, my favorites are shakily, weakly, etc)

keeling over (synonyms are words like collapsing, which is equally as good but overused in media)

trembling/shivering (additional adjectives could be violently, uncontrollably, etc)

sobbing (weeping is a synonym but i’ve never liked that word. also love using sob by itself, as a noun, like “he let out a quiet sob”)

whimpering (love hitting the wips with this word when a character is weak, especially when the pain is subsiding. also love using it for nightmares/attacks and things like that)

clinging (to someone or something, maybe even to themselves or their own clothes)

writhing/thrashing (maybe someone’s holding them down, or maybe they’re in bed alone)

crying (not actual tears. cry as in a shrill, sudden shout)

dazed (usually after the pain has subsided, or when adrenaline is still flowing)

wincing (probably overused but i love this word. synonym could be grimacing)

doubling-over (kinda close to keeling over but they don’t actually hit the ground, just kinda fold in on themselves)

heaving (i like to use it for describing the way someone’s breathing, ex. “heaving breaths” but can also be used for the nasty stuff like dry heaving or vomiting)

gasping/sucking/drawing in a breath (or any other words and phrases that mean a sharp intake of breath, that shite is gold)

murmuring/muttering/whispering (or other quiet forms of speaking after enduring intense pain)

hiccuping/spluttering/sniffling (words that generally imply crying without saying crying. the word crying is used so much it kinda loses its appeal, that’s why i like to mix other words like these in)

stuttering (or other general terms that show an impaired ability to speak — when someone’s in intense pain, it gets hard to talk)

staggering/stumbling (there is a difference between pain that makes you not want to stand, and pain that makes it impossible to stand. explore that!)

recoiling/shrinking away (from either the threat or someone trying to help)

pleading/begging (again, to the threat, someone trying to help, or just begging the pain to stop)

Feel free to add your favorites or most used in the comments/reblogs!

Enhypen Hyung Line as Taylor Swift's Songs from the Midnights Album: Jay as Midnight Rain

⎡ Check out other members: Heeseung as Lavender Haze ||| Jake as Labyrinth ||| Sunghoon as Snow on the Beach ⎦

This guy, to me, is someone who takes dating and love very seriously: essentially someone who dates to marry. Pair that with his apparent proclivity to be selfless and his nature that tends towards being empathetic and nurturing, you get him as the other party in Midnight Rain, the one who got his heart broken, the one who wanted a bride.

"I broke his heart 'cus he was nice He was sunshine, I was midnight rain He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain He wanted a bride, I was chasing my own name Chasing that fame, He stayed the same All of me changed like midnight"

So so imagine you two have been best friends for so long and while deep down you two always felt that perhaps your feelings for one another exceeds that of friendship norms, you two always repress it.

While he was ready and eager to take it to a more serious level and settle down, he was far too considerate of your feelings. He knew you weren't ready for a relationship, not with anyone including him. More than fearing the possibility of being rejected however, what deterred him most was in not wanting to put you in such a difficult spot. He remembered how distraught you were whenever you received such confessions – how easily you paint yourself as the 'bad' person for having to reject them or ghost them. So he decided to repress them, satisfied enough with being able to be around you and spend an inordinate amount of time with you.

Jay was indeed correct. Dating has never between something of priority or interest to you. You didn't like being tied down and more importantly, you had great ambitions and were a workaholic essentially having no space nor time to spare. Not even for yourself, let alone for others.

That being said, feelings, no matter how repressed will usually seep through. For Jay in particular, whose language of love revolves around acts of service and gift giving, it was very evident as it was also amplified to great heights by his proclivity to be selfless.

Like he could be running on zero sleep, but he'd still be outside your door early in the morning with your coffee. He could have just arrived in Seoul after a long flight but he'd immediately shop for groceries and stop by your place to cook you a full-course meal as a surprise for when you come home. He could have been sick but would still run out of bed when you called him to go outside and play snowball fights with you. Heck, you could even tell him you crush on someone else and he'd still root for you all the way: helping you to win the guy over no matter how much it breaks him.

But the selflessness eventually grew too excessive for you.

Now, you had always told him off for being so selfless to a fault – that if he kept it up, he was bound to be taken advantage by others. Combined that with the fact that he's very softhearted – he is pretty much setting himself up for a heartbreak. But then you realised that his selflessness and affection towards you was treading that very dangerous waters.

He'd get food take-outs delivered to you since you hate going out during lunch; he'd bring you to dine at expensive restaurants but always beat you to the bill despite your insistence not to; he'd gift you branded items that costs an arm and a leg; when it's busy or stressful week for you he'd take you out to ease your mind but it's always to a resort, spa, etc – all the pricey destinations that somehow already get paid for. As if making your life as pain-free as possible was his life goal, he would strive hard towards it whether it is by spending more of his time or money.

You have consistently told him that you didn’t need any of it, that you cannot give him the same in return but each time, he would shrug it off, saying it was nothing, saying how he never wanted anything in return. This banter would often resurface, again and again, until you've had enough one day and decided to confront him about it. It turned into an argument to which you realised that as long as you're around him, he would willingly let himself razed to the ground for you.

"You deserve someone better," you finally said, "I don't think you'll even try to find one as long as I'm around." "You're my lifeline y/n," head buried on the crook of your neck, his arms tightened around you as he hugged you close, voice weak, "you don't have to love me the same way, you don't have to repay me in any kind, you don't have to do anything else – just be you and be in my life. That's all that matters for me." "I know you Jay, you won't change, ever," you sighed, letting yourself sink in his embrace possibly for the last time, "but I'm not selfish and I won't let you continue giving up what you deserve like this. Please, find someone else – you're meant for someone better."

Fast forward to 5 years later, all the grind pays off and you were more successful than you could ever imagine - reaching the pinnacle of your work.

One evening during a formal networking event, you found your eyes wandering around the bustling crowd, landing upon a familiar tall figure that. It was Jay, already staring back, gaze soft and lips curved into the sweet smile you've just only realised to greatly miss. Almost on auto-pilot, you smiled back, lost in the moment before suddenly getting wheeled back to reality by your director, who was eager to introduce you to yet another person of importance.

You soon discreetly slipped out to the balcony, overwhelmed by the amount of socializing you have done tonight – finding solace in the quiet and darkness of the night. You were soon interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. You put on your best customer-service smile as you spun around, ready to put on the extrovert facade and begrudgingly indulge in yet another tiresome round of small talk – only to see that it was Jay who looked amused at the way your smile drop.

"I don't know if I should be offended that you immediately dropped your customer service smile when you saw that it was me or be grateful and take it as a sign that I'm special enough that you're not putting the facade up for me too," he raised his brows before his expressions softened into that of resignation, "you haven't changed y/n. I mean, apart from looking more beautiful and getting more successful, that hermit is apparently still alive inside of you as evidenced by you escaping like this."

"Nor you. Apart from losing the baby fat and having a much sharper jawline, you still show up looking like old money," you quipped, shaking your head dismissively as you eyed him from top to bottom, “I bet what you're currently wearing have yet been released.”

"You know me well, it's for next season."

“Bet it costs a fortune too?”

“Well, without you – my voice of reason – I’m floundering my cash like a fool,” he shrugged, wiggling his brows.

“Oh wow, look at you. Gone for 5 years to the US and coming back as a full-fledged flirt huh?”

“Or maybe, turning more honest?" he smiled softly, taking a few steps closer towards you, "I've missed you."

You stared back at him in silence, revelling in those soft gazes, "I've missed you too."

"There is something else that is unchanged," he muttered softly and his gaze softened.

"Don't tell me you still buy those-"

"I still love you."

Suddenly, the whole world went quiet and you feel all choked up – remembering the self-sacrificing Jay that you hurt from years ago. Truth is, it was only after Jay left to the US years ago that you belatedly realise how your feelings for Jay all those while also went beyond friendship norms. It took you his absence to realise and confront but by then, it was far too late and you eventually accepted that letting him go was your biggest life regret.

But here he was, standing before you, professing how his feelings had never dimmed. How he still loved you. You knew the you from years ago would have immediately jumped into his arms, telling him how you were sorry for being so negligent and ignorant of his feelings and of depriving him of his too from your side. Unfortunately, as if the stars are never aligned for you both, it was too late this time too.

"There you are."

You two whipped your head towards the direction of the voice and you found your boyfriend, Sunghoon, standing by the door, "I was starting to get worried when I couldn't find you anywhere inside-" he muttered softly as he took his blazers off and wrapped it over your exposed shoulders, knowing how susceptible you are to the cold. He snaked his hand over your waist, pulling you close towards him possessively. You could see the surprise and confusion in Jay's eyes and it was starting to gnaw you from inside.

"Jay is it? I've heard a lot about you," Sunghoon smiled amicably as he turned his attention to Jay and offered his hand. Jay, always so amiable and diplomatic returned the gesture, smiling and shaking his hand firmly, "Yes. It's nice to meet you. I must have been gone for too long, I didn't know you two have become an item."

You swallowed thickly. To anyone, that voice and the gaze may have looked normal but as someone who knew him well, you could hear the sadness and dismay in his tone and gaze. "We've been together for two years now," Sunghoon gave you a slight squeeze, "actually, we should all go out together sometime. I am pretty sure there are a lot of things you could tell me about her since you two were best friends for a long time."

"yeah, we were indeed best friends for a long time," he beamed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he shot you his signature soft gaze, "I'm just happy that she is in good hands now."

Not long after, as Sunghoon ushered you back inside with him to catch the Executive Director's closing speech, you turned around briefly to bid Jay goodbye. He was still staring at you while leaning back against the bannister and as you met his eyes, his lips curved into the softest, most genuine smile though the glistening eyes told you otherwise. As if registering your guilt, he mouthed, "I'm happy for you," with a hand on his chest as if to emphasize it. 

That expression and gesture would forever haunt you – resurfacing during the midnights when you tossed and turned, serving like living reminder how you had hurt someone who has been nothing but kind, generous and loving to you, not once, but twice.

This is too cute 🥺

[ forever, nishimura riki. ] fluff, mild angst — 1419 words!

it wasn’t at all surprising, the fact that you missed niki, your dearest friend.

of course, you had gone a few weeks without seeing each other physically, which was okay, not too draining, but months? to say the least, simply just missing each other was an understatement at this point.

most of the time, you were able to visit niki’s dorm in korea once a month at the least, since traveling expenses from japan to korea were not cheap, but at least you guys still met up. it had nearly been half a year, five whole months, since you’d seen niki in person.

you’d missed every thing about him. to his endless teasing, to his random burst of freestyle dancing, to his unintentionally-cute demeanor, you longed with every fibre of your being to see him again.

and maybe, after you met, you be something a little more than just friends. that’s what you hoped, ever since you developed feelings for the boy. i mean, it was impossible to hang out with someone as endearing as niki with falling for him, he’s just so… so!

which is why you booked the next upcoming flight to manila, a city in the philippines, with the intent to surprise your bestfriend after going far too long without being face-to-face.

he didn’t know you were in manila, hence the word “surprise,” and you were nearly falling off your seat in anticipation, to see his reaction. showing up at his concert wasn’t going to be the only surprise you drop on him tonight, however.

you were going to confess, and tell him that you loved him.

it was about time, considering that it had been years since you’d fallen for the kid. you and niki went way back, all the way back to his time in okayama, and the two of you were inseparable from the moment you became friends. despite his dorky, and rather embarrassing, childhood self, you found yourself loving every part of it, every part of him. and maybe it was too early in your life to speak about love, but you had started liking him when you were thirteen, and the two of you were seventeen now. four years, and you didn’t love him any less. if that’s not love, then it simply doesn’t exist.

spending a time period as long as the one you’ve currently been spending without seeing niki helped you realize how much you needed him in your life, and how you wanted him to be known as something more than your friend, your boyfriend. and so, you were in a completely foreign country, on a mission to get the boy of your dreams.

you were nervous, as one would always be to confess, but you were already here, in manila, so there was no backing out now.

the concert was starting, and it really hit you that you were here. you were finally going to see your bestfriend, and you were going to give him a long-overdue whole-hearted confession.

you loved seeing niki perform, it was what motivated you to wait for him throughout his entire tour. from the way he danced effortlessly on stage, and his boxy smiles that shone all throughout the encore stages, anyone who wasn’t dumb could tell that he loved what he did.

thus, seeing him in person, doing what he’d always dreamed of, made you a bit emotional.

being someone who’d been there for him throughout his dance-filled childhood, you knew from the moment you saw him on his debut stage that he’d do great things in the future. bless your intuition, because you got that prediction of yours proven more right than you could’ve ever imagined.

your bestfriend was right where he wanted to be, on that stage, dancing for a large group of fans who supported him nearly as much as you did, and you couldn’t be happier for him.

it was almost like you felt prouder over niki’s achievements over your own, it was exactly like that, but you couldn’t help it with all the love you felt for him. your eyes never left him, not for a moment, the entire concert, until polaroid love, during which niki was busy walking around the arena, walking where you couldn’t spot him.

he was completing hearts with anyone who he made eye contact with , happy to be there with his fans, but there was something weighing him down a bit, weighing him down from being truly and fully satisfied with his last concert. but that feeling completely vanished when he saw you, waving your enhypen light stick around with a small smile on your lips.

his world stopped. the music blasting through the venue tuned out, and he only saw you. he’d missed you terribly, more than you did him, and to your luck, he was secretly harboring feelings of his own, and thankfully, they were just as intense as yours.

he felt as if he would burst out crying on the spot, tears managing to sting his eyes as he began running towards your section, not caring for the cameraman who was huffing as he tailed behind him.

at this point, he’d given up on trying to stop himself from crying, as tears had already began to make his way down from his eyes. the moment you saw him, running towards your section, your heart skipped one too many beats, it’s rate speeding to an abnormal level. your eyes, too, began tearing up, the entire crowd near you confused on why niki was running at you with tears in his eyes. and when he finally got to you, he wasted no time, not even a second, before tightly wrapping his arms around you, the section you were sat in erupting in aww’s all around.

he sobbed, mumbling a small “i missed you so much” into your shoulder, which quite literally made you want to combust. you hugged him back, smiling as you replied with a quiet “i missed you, too, riki.” and when he pulled away, with a mischievous smirk painting his lips, you knew that something was about to go south.

“uh oh.. riki!” you yelped when he suddenly grabbed your wrist as he ran out the arena, you following behind. “what about the show?!” you huffed in a sigh as he pulled you from behind.

“they’ll live without me right now. you, on the other hand, cannot, because i won’t let you.”

the boy had managed to pull you outside of the venue, the two of you now panting outside with heavy breaths. “when.. when did you..get here?” riki spoke in between sighs, the shock still lingering in his heart. “this morning, but i’ve been planning this for a while.” you smiled, before remembering that surprising him wasn’t the only thing you planned on doing that night.

“i also.. need to tell you something.” his face darkened a bit at the sight of you looking down, his head immediately going to the worst-case scenarios. although he had been nervous to hear her next words, he was also curious as to what she would say, and so he let her continue.

“what is it, (name)?” and you told him everything. from your long-lasting feelings to how badly you missed him, you rambled about every single thing that crossed your mind, not remembering to look up at niki, who was beginning to chuckle. he couldn’t believe it, you loved him, and he loved you, he just couldn’t say it yet, since you were still going on with your confession, which had slowly turned into you rejecting yourself for him.

“and it’s alright if you don’t feel the same, i just really needed to get this off my chest and—” you froze, dead in your words, when you felt a pair of lips meet yours for a moment. it was brief, and you missed it the second niki pulled back, cupping your cheek instead. “you’re seriously so funny sometimes, (name). you didn’t even let me respond,” he giggled again, with you rolling your eyes at the sight, although your cheeks were painted a dark red hue, and a smile fully displayed on your face.

“i love you too, name. a lot.” and then your lips met each other’s once again, and you knew it at the moment that today was the best day you’d ever live to experience, despite there being many more years ahead of you.

nothing was better than this, better than niki, and it would stay that way, forever.

a/n — i’ve been meaning to write something like this for a while, and i finally built up the motivation to do so. i hope you enjoyed reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it (:

❛ 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 ❜ — PJS

SUMMARY. It’s yours and Jay’s world — you just don’t know it.

pairing. park jeongseong x fem!reader

warnings. implied age gap ( younger reader, but not by much ), misunderstandings/miscommunication, jealousy, consumption of alcohol

disclaimer. i’m not an office worker so probably inaccurate depiction of that aspect 🤧

genre. angst with comfort, fluff, one shot, colleagues to lovers, she fell first but he fell harder

word count. ~7k

notes. inspired by this prompt here and off my face by justin bieber 🤓 don’t know how good it is tho lol 🫠

gif diver by cafekitsune

꙳ ๋ one touch and you got me stoned . . . ⭑ `◞

“YOU GOT THIS. DEEP BREATHS. COME ON.”

Amongst the crowd of black suits and white-collared shirts weaving through the buzzing streets like working ants in a farm, you — clad in the same worker uniform — fit in perfectly. You looked like everyone else: another person playing their role in society, another ambitious climber aiming to reach the top ladder, another hopeful soul wanting to achieve something in life… Just another face in the crowd.

That’s how you knew you were on the right track.

You let out a nervous breath as your new workplace came into sight, the building seeming a lot taller than it was when you were here for interviews two weeks ago. You smoothed your hands over your hair, ensuring not a single strand was out of place. And with one final nod, you stride towards the entrance.

… And right smack bang into someone else.

You gasped as you watched the cup in their hand fell to the floor in seemingly slow motion. You stood there, gaping like a fish out of water, as the brown coffee spilt across the pavement, creating a sad puddle around the now empty cup that lay there, rolling slightly without the weight of liquid to keep it down.

“Oh my god, I’m so—!”

Your eyes widened as you turned to face the poor victim of your clumsiness. And when you did, your words fell short.

You blinked, wondering if your eyes were fooling you. Because the man that stood before you could not have been real. Tall, dark and handsome, and personification of the night with all his mysterious allure, he seemed like he came straight from a dream.

“…sorry…”

The last words came out far weaker than you hoped, leaving you a blushing mess. You already embarrassed yourself enough by bumping into him? Now you couldn’t even speak properly. What if he thought you were an idiot?

Before you could even rush to your own defence, the stranger let out a chuckle (and, oh, what a sound it was) before smiling at you, the action making you weak in the knees.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”

He looked you up and down, causing you to tighten your hold on your bag, though the look on his eye was completely lacking of interest — more like… worry?

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

You shook your head, waving your hands in front of you in denial. “No, no! I’m okay.”

The stranger nodded before looking down at the coffee cup. You gasped and immediately crouched down to pick it up, lest you were held responsible for littering — when another one grasped yours before your fingers could even graze it.

“It’s okay,” the stranger said, “I got it.”

You look up to see that he crouched down across from you, his black hair falling over his forehead as he picked up the cup that you were reaching for. At this angle, you could see just how sharp his jawline was. You looked back down at his hand, before shyly withdrawing yours from his.

“Ah— sorry about that,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I didn’t want you to get your hands dirty.”

Your eyes widened. Just what kind of a human being was he that he was worried about you getting your hands dirty from picking up a cup? At this rate, he might as well be an angel of some sort because no man has ever done that for you: not your ex-lovers, and least of all a stranger who you’ve never met. 

You broke out of your thoughts as he slowly got up, the empty cup in hand. You mirrored his actions.

“Sorry again for that.” You nodded towards the cup in his hands, your own hidden behind your back as you clasped your bag handle. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

The stranger smiled again, the action making your cheeks grow warmer.

He really needed to stop doing that. It was way too unfair — and way too dangerous.

“I wasn’t either, so we’re both even.” He then cocked his head to the entrance of your new workplace. “Were you heading in as well?”

You nodded.

He hummed. “In that case, why don’t we go together?”

His name — you learned as the two of you made your way to the elevators — was Jay. And to your surprise, he was actually one of your seniors, an employee who had been working here for nearly two years now.

“Ah, so you’re new?”

You nodded, fidgeting slightly as he kept full eye contact with you. One of the things you noticed about him was that when he spoke to you, he gave you his full attention. Paired with his actions towards you outside, you wondered if it was really fair that someone like him existed. Not only was he good-looking, but he was respectful too. He really was a dream man.

You nodded to answer his question. “Today is my first day.”

“Oh, really?” Jay smirked slightly as he looked at you, a tint of mischief in his eyes. “Figures. If I ever see you around here before, I don’t think I would have forgotten.”

You gaped at him. Fireworks erupted in your stomach, each on sending a spark of giddiness through your veins.

Was he… flirting with you?

Jay smiled at your expression, but didn’t say a word to dissuade your assumption.

You didn’t know if he was joking or not the first time around. When you got off the lift, you coincidentally bumped into one of the people you recognised as the kind man who gave you directions when you were here. He was a middle-aged gentleman, but had a youthful personality, which you could tell when he told you a story of the origins of his nickname “Rain” as he walked you to where you needed to be. That day, you wished that if you could work under anyone, it would be a boss as cool as him.

And it seemed like your wish came true.

“Director Jung!” you greeted with a smile. You bowed, offering respect to him. “I’m back.”

Director Jung smiled, his eyes lighting up when he recognised you. “When I first saw your name on the list of new employees I was wondering if it was you… So you made it after all?”

You nodded, a bright look washing over your features. “Thanks to your help that day.”

“Haha, it was nothing. You did this by yourself. Good job,” he said with a nod, earning a humble thanks from you. He then turned his head to the male next to you, his face holding a fatherly glow as he pat him on the shoulder. “Looks like you’re the first one to greet our new teammate, huh?”

You blinked.

Wait a minute…

You turned to Jay, who was already looking at you with a mischievous smirk. He raise his eyebrows.

“Well, since you guys have already met…” Director Jung smiled at Jay. “Why don’t you take care of our new member here?”

Jay laughed, the sound sending warmth to your cheeks when his eyes fell on you.

“I’d be happy to.”

Well… at the very least, you were being supervised by someone nice?

“Did you get all that?” Jay asked as he turned to face you, leaning against the printer in front of you.

You didn’t know how it happened, but the moment you tried to scan the documents handed to you, there was a strange noise from inside and a beeping notification on the screen that told you it was jammed. With it being your first day, you feared that you did something wrong and broke it. Thankfully, Jay walked past at that moment and noticed your struggling, before quickly helping you fix the problem.

“It happens a lot so don’t feel bad, okay?” he said assuringly. “Just remember what I told you and you’ll do fine the next time it happens.”

You nodded, absorbing all his words like a sponge. “Understood.”

Jay smiled before rubbing his hands together, his rolled sleeves revealing his toned forearms. You blush as you quickly averted your eyes, instead looking up to meet his own — which happened to already be trained on you. You didn’t know why he always seemed to take you off guard. And the funnier thing was: you weren’t even sure if you wanted him to stop.

You opened your mouth to speak, only to find yourself closing it again.

You didn’t think you’d ever be this affected within such a short time of knowing someone. But you (foolishly, impulsively, naively…) wanted to see where it would go.

“Was that all?” Jay asked, a spark of warmth and kindness in his dark eyes. 

You bit your lip. “Actually… I was wondering…”

Jay nodded, urging you to continue. You smiled shyly as you fiddled with your fingers.

“Since I tipped your coffee this morning…”

You looked up at Jay through your eyelashes, your confidence rising when you saw a growing smile on his face. 

“Is it okay if I buy you one?”

Jay chuckled.

“I’ll do you one better— how about I buy you one instead?”

꙳ ๋ if you let me, i might say too much . . . ⭑ `◞

YOU WERE A ROMANTIC AT HEART. It was one of those things that people often teased you for – your ideals of romance so pure and pretty, pink like the lenses of rose-tinted glass… that sometimes it seemed as if you were living in some other world.

You had a heart that was both young and old; one that yearned for fantastical tales of meeting a prince charming of your own – not for the glamour of royal life, but for the feeling of “happily ever after”; of growing old with someone, of reaching the end of life and realising you spent it in the best way you could. By being in love.

It was one of those things you learned to keep to yourself, knowing that this world you lived in was not so genuine as you dreamed. It was wrapped in plastic, so many layers of artificiality piled on top of each other to the point where everything was warped: love was lust, happiness was money, and life felt lifeless. It was nothing like that fairytale kingdom you dreamt of.

But every now and then, you’d find something. Something so pure – so bright and clear – that you, for a moment, believed that maybe everything you dreamt of… could actually come true.

Jay was that something.

It all made sense why you had been drawn to him from the beginning; he was nothing like anything made in this world. And it only became obvious the longer you knew him.

From that fateful day you bumped into him, to now – a few weeks later, sitting side by side with him, elbows brushing as you two sat perched on stools at the counter of a sushi restaurant after he had asked to grab lunch together. 

“What’s your favourite move?”

The two of you, realising that you two had a less than conventional first meeting, started to ask all the basic questions you neglected when you first became acquainted.

“Ah, this is a bit embarrassing… but it has to be ‘Spirited Away’.”

Jay nodded as he chewed on a piece of salmon nigiri, humming in recognition. “The Studio Ghibli one, right? That’s a good movie,” he acknowledged, causing you to smile. He then swallowed before looking at you curiously. “But why would that be embarrassing?”

You laughed nervously, poking at your food, unable to meet his eyes. Your cheeks flushed. “Well, it’s not exactly the traditional type of movie that you expect an adult to like.” You laughed. “I’ve always liked things that people my age aren’t all that interested in.”

Jay tilted his head. “True. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing.” Jay took a sip of his water, before his eyes returned to you. “We like what we like, and that’s that. Whether it be children or adults, we all have things that make us happy.”

You blinked. You raised your head to look at Jay, your eyes meeting his. Jay chuckled at your expression.

“You look surprised.”

You nodded. “Well… I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me.”

Everytime you mentioned that you liked animated movies, or that you still slept with a plush on your bed, or that you still liked to make jewellery with beads, you were accustomed to the mocking laughs you’d received from your friends. ‘You’re so childish,’ they would say. Then there were the frowns you’d get from your parents, when they would worriedly tell you that, ‘Maybe it’s time you grew up, don’t you think?’

And somewhere along the way, you started to believe what they said. Somewhere along the way, the cute hairpins that you’d put in your hair were replaced by plain bobby pins. Somewhere along the way, the Sanrio stickers you’d place on every surface of your laptop and desk were peeled off and thrown away. Somewhere along the way your dreams of being an astronaut or a pilot were replaced with dreams of an office job, sitting behind a desk, wearing black heels, a black skirt and white top.

But here he was, telling you, that it didn’t matter one bit. His eyes so genuine.

What he said… You didn’t realise how much you were waiting to hear it.

“I like all Studio Ghibli movies,” you admitted.

Jay laughed. “I think everyone does, deep inside.” He took another sip of his drink. “Other than ‘Spirited Away’, which ones do you like the best?”

You hummed. “Well… I’d say ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’”

Jay smiled, nodding his head in recognition. “That’s one of my favourites, too.”

Your eyes widened in surprise. You looked over to him, blinking at the sudden confession. He chuckled.

“Really?”

“Like I said… Even if you like something that everyone else thinks is childish or immature, it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Jay continued. “I think, if anything…”

Jay turned to you, a smile on his face. It felt like seeing the first light of dawn, watching as the sun’s warm light broke through the darkness of the night sky.

“It makes you all the more special.”

The rest of the lunch flew by much too fast, feeling nothing at all like an hour. As the two of you arrived back at your workplace, ready to go back to the real world, he gave you one last gentle look, before raising his hand. You watched with wide eyes as he plucked a stray leaf from your hair, before smiling, a day of sunlight appearing behind him like a halo.

“Sorry,” he said. “I had to get it.”

Before you could even tell him not to worry, you felt his palm smooth down the top of your head, softly stroking the strands of hair that stubbornly clung to the leaf he removed. Feeling the warmth of his hand on you, you couldn’t help the way you lowered your head, unable to meet his soft gaze.

“Wha…?”

Your voice couldn’t even carry itself through a full sentence before it faltered.

“Sorry,” Jay whispered, the tone of his voice lighter than the touch of a feather.

Suddenly, you found yourself thinking of all the times he had helped you like this. All the times he did his best to look out for you, even when he himself was busy.

And that was when you knew…

This was what they felt in all those fairytales and romance novels, wasn’t it? That fluttering feeling in your heart, which felt it might fly away at any second now. The feeling of everything else around you drowned out like a black and white image, leaving only the man in front of you in colour.

Ah, you thought.

So this is love.

꙳ ๋ your touch blurred my vision . . . ⭑ `◞

YOU KNEW YOUR FRIENDS WOULD LAUGH AT YOU NOW. How fast you could fall in love, you didn’t know. But unlike before, you didn’t care. 

The next morning, you woke up revitalised – and much earlier than you anticipated. It was like you were possessed, seeing the way you ruffled through your closet to pull out, not a white blouse, but a light pink on instead. 

Today in particular seemed brighter than usual, the world just a little bit colourful than before — a kaleidoscope of sounds and sights that made your heart hum with pleasure: the song of birds, for once, drowning out the buzz of traffic; and the bright blue sky that stretched out above you making the tall hundred-floor buildings around you seem tiny in comparison.

It was a good omen, you thought. And you couldn’t have been more right when — before the day began — your boss, Director Jung, gathered everyone around for an announcement.

“I’m getting married!” You covered your mouth in shock as the employees around you cheered like wild, congratulating your boss as he smiled broadly, glowing with happiness. “Dinner’s on me!”

It was the highlight of the day for most of the people in your department. You already overheard some people mentioning that they would hold off on having too much lunch to save room for the department dinner that night, which was supposedly going to be at the best restaurants in the district. Seeing happiness spread through the office rather than yawns, you safely called today one of the best ones since starting.  

Or so you thought.

You were heading to the kitchens to fill your coffee mug when you saw it happen.

You saw Jay first, his side profile noticeable to you from a distance. As soon as you did you were ready to skip up to him and engage in as you usually did when you saw each other at work. However, to your disappointment, he wasn’t alone.

Another woman stood there, and you recognised her as the department beauty that turned heads wherever she went. Karina. You remembered her name because it was one you’d heard so often. You never expected to see her with Jay. Nor did you expect the two of them to be alone, laughing at something you couldn’t quite hear, before she gently pushed Jay’s shoulder.

That alone was enough to make a knot twist in your gut. But what happened next made it tighten, until it was almost unbearable, like a rope was constructing around your heart.

Jay gently reached out and plucked a piece of flint from the top of her head, before smiling.

Your heart dropped.

You instantly recalled the way he had done so with the leaf. How clearly you could feel his warmth at that proximity… and likely, so could Karina.

You lowered your beard, a stinging sensation assaulting your eyes. With your empty mug, you dragged your way back to your desk. As you stood there, eyes unfocused through all the tears. Things only got worse as you heard a pair of feminine voices pass you, unaware of your heartache.

“Ah, Jay is such a sweetheart,” one of the women said.

“Right?” the other asked. “He’s always so nice to everyone.”

That’s right, you thought.

That was who Jay was. Bright, pure, and kind — oh so, so kind… 

You almost forgot that you weren’t the only person in this world that he had treated with some sort of gentleness — that it was just in his nature to wrap someone in the comfort of his presence like a childhood blanket that made you feel safe. 

He had called you special. But the truth was, you weren’t. Because at the end of the day, you weren’t the only one he smiled at like that, not the only one he complimented, not the only one he helped through your times of need…

You were just there.

And it made you realise that perhaps your friends were right, after all.

True love was stupid.

Or rather…

You were stupid.

“Woah, there! Calm down!”

One of your colleagues tried to pry away the bottle of liquor in your hand, their voice laced in concern after they witnessed you down shot after shot without so much as a bite of food in between. You started off okay. You took a seat between two female colleagues, successfully avoiding Jay, and took hold of a bottle of alcohol before you even glanced at the meat being grilled on the barbecues, regardless of how much the scent made your mouth water.

On any other day, at any other department dinner, you wouldn’t have dared been so drunk as you were right now that you couldn’t even recognise who was sitting next to you and what was on the table in front of you…

But tonight — just for tonight — you wanted to be reckless.

You wanted to taste that burn that your friends did when they drank bottle after bottle; feel that same high did when they went to those night clubs, where the music was so loud you could feel every beat in your body. For once, you found yourself entertaining the idea of living in that world you once hated.

That plastic world so unlike the fairytale kingdom you dreamt of.

“Hey, you should at least eat something…”

At that moment, it didn’t occur to you that the voice was much different from the woman who you sat with when you first arrived at the venue. In fact, it was much too deep — too masculine — to belong to her. It was a completely different person.

But your state didn’t even allow you to process it.

You sighed and turned your head. “Why do you care so much?”

The person to your side made a noise of surprise.

You laughed, before clumsily leaning your chin against your palm on the table. “Do we even—“ (You hiccuped.) “—know each other? What does it matter to you if I—“ (Another hiccup.) “—if I’m drinking my head off?”

Your words were so slurred that you didn’t even understand anything you were saying. All you could understand was that feeling in your chest: that resentment at this person for not minding their own business. For being so concerned about you, so kind…

So much like him. 

“Why wouldn’t I care?” the person asked. “I care a lot… More than you know.”

You scoffed. “Yeah, right…” You hiccuped. “You probably say that to eeeeeveryyyy other woman.” You took another shot of your drink. “Just like that jerk!”

There was a silence, before the stranger spoke up.

“The ‘jerk’?” they asked curiously.

You huffed, as if offended the stranger didn’t know who you were talking about.

“You know… that jerk…” you pouted. “Jay Park… or whatever his name was?”

“You think I— that Jay Park is a jerk?” You nodded, sulking as you remembered the scene that you witnessed earlier. Somehow, even drunk, you could recall it so clearly.

“That jerk… he…” You bottom lip quivered, your eyes filled with that familiar stinging. “He—“

“Hey, hey… shhhh…”

You felt something warm caress your cheek, and your head turned to the stranger. Through your tears and your drunken daze, you couldn’t make out their face at all… and yet something about them felt so familiar. So… warm.

“What did that jerk do to you?” he asked gently. “What did he do to make you cry?”

You couldn’t help the sob that fell past your lips. At this rate you weren’t even trying to hold back your tears. You let them fall, freely, as the tender touch of the stranger unlocked your hidden feelings, like a key to your heart.

“He’s t-too niiiiiicee,” you babbled, sniffling.

“Too nice?”

You nodded.

“He always helps me… a-and he’s always so nice… but he’s nice to her too!” You felt like a toddler tattling to a teacher. But you didn’t care. You were too far gone to care. “I’m not special to him… because he’s like that to everyone…”

Your eyes lowered and your shoulders dropped. Even though your sobbing was calming down, you were starting to feel too quiet. Like the calm of a river that followed the drop of a waterfall, you found your mood flattening. A cruel realisation passed over you like grey clouds casting over the sky before the rain.

The room around you fell silent — or rather, you didn’t hear a thing. Once again, it was white noise. And when you looked up… there was nothing but black and white — emptiness where colour and warmth once was.

“I’m not special to him…”

The stranger was quiet as he wiped the tears from your face. Softly, he said:

“Yes, you are.”

꙳ ๋ even sober, i’m not thinking straight . . . ⭑ `◞

YOU WERE A GIFT WHO KEPT ON GIVING. No matter how much Jay thought you couldn’t possibly get any better, you proved him wrong. With your bright eyes and pure soul, you were like a spring in the middle of the desert — something so needed in the world, yet so rarely ever found.

The moment you two first met, he didn’t know what to think of you. He looked at you like a cute junior colleague to look after, too help out in times of need. But somewhere along that way… things changed. He didn’t know what it was, but something was different in the way you looked, the way your presence felt…

And yet, today, he noticed that you hadn’t been around as much. He had approached you at several times, only to get blown off coldly as you walked away. Jay didn’t even have the chance to compliment you on how nice you looked today, wearing that light pink top, or how much he was looking forward to eating lunch with you — a lunch that never came. He didn’t even know what he had done to make you upset at him.

That was why, at the department dinner, when the women next to you left to go home, he immediately took the chance to sit next to you. He didn’t know what to feel about you being so drunk you didn’t even know it was him, but he couldn’t complain if it meant that you tolerated his presence just a little bit more… seeing as you were so good at avoiding him today.

Hearing you call him a jerk was something he rather didn’t have to happen. But seeing your eyes water instantly softened his heart, and the only thing on his mind at that moment was to find out what was wrong.

Jay never expected you to confess that you were crying over him.

There was no denying that you had feelings for him.

The question was: what did he feel about you?

You cried because you weren’t special — but Jay knew you already were. So much more than he could even begin to explain. How? Well, he wasn’t exactly sure… But he wanted to find out. He wanted to know.

…Hopefully when you were sober.

“You’ve had too much to drink,” Jay said, wiping the last of your tears on your face. You still didn’t recognise him, and the thought made him want to smile on both exasperation and fondness. “I’ll take you home, okay? Just wait here while I grab my car.”

Jay didn’t even wait for you to respond — knowing fully well that you would protest — before he got up.

There was no question about it: he didn’t want you to call a cab, nor did he trust anyone but himself to take you home. It was a sudden rush of protectiveness that filled him — irrational, even…. But also somewhat natural.

He left as fast as he could, not wanting to leave you alone for too long. And as soon as he brought the car to a closer parking, ensuring you wouldn’t have to walk too far (though he was more than happy to carry you if needed) to get to it, he immediately rushed back inside.

Only to find you were gone.

Jay searched everywhere for you, even asking your colleagues if they’d seen you.

“I saw her head to the bar area,” Karina said, her boyfriend beside her nodding his head in agreement.

“Yeah I walked past her,” he said. “She was with some guy… I think he was the guitarist from that bad that was playing or something—“

Jay didn’t even wait to hear the rest of his words.

He headed straight for the bar, not caring how rude it seemed or what sort of stares he got along the way. His first priority was finding you.

And he did. 

Exactly where Karina’s boyfriend said you would be — with another man, sitting on stools at the counter of the bar.

Jay stopped in his tracks for a moment, letting the scene in front of him sink in. The man with you — the supposed guitarist — had a bottle of beer in his hand, his body fully tilted towards you to show his complete attention. Upon first glance, anyone would find him charming — handsome, even. He had a smirk on his face that made it seem like he knew exactly how attractive he was, and every little lip bite he performed while looking at you made Jay unconsciously clench his fist.

Jay watched as you struggled to open your own bottle, pouting when the kid wouldn’t budge. Seeing this, the guitarist chuckled and grabbed the bottle from you, his fingers brushing against your own.

“Here,” he said, his voice smooth and sultry. “Let me help you.”

You smiled at him — the same way you usually smiled at Jay. The guitarist successfully opened the bottle, winning as he held it out to you, causing you to shyly thank him as you took it back. 

Something about it didn’t sit right with Jay. Something about it made his insides churn, knowing that it was someone else making you flustered, that it was someone else making your cheeks grow warm.

And that’s when Jay finally realised it. Realised why he felt you were so special this whole time.

At that moment, the guitarist’s made a move that pushed Jay off the edge of his final stretch of patience. The guitarist reached out a slender finger, brushing a strand of hair away from your face. When you looked up at him in question, he simply chuckled and held up a piece of lint.

“Sorry,” he said. “I had to get it.”

Jay didn’t hesitate any longer before walking over to where the two of you sat.

“There you are,” he said. “I was looking for you everywhere.”

You blinked up at him, your eyes still somewhat cloudy. “…Jay?”

Apparently, you were sober enough to recognise him now?

Good.

“Come on,” he said gently, “You’re still too drunk. I’ll drive you home.”

You frowned, opening your mouth to speak. Jay hoped to sky above that you wouldn’t argue with him here, lest someone accuse him of taking you against your will — something which you did not want to have to do in front of the guitarist, who was still there. (And who he was determined to ignore the presence of.)

But to his surprise, it was the guitarist that got the hint first.

“Ah, my bad, sorry,” he said. “Didn’t realise she came with company.”

Jay furrowed his eyebrows. “Why does it matter if she did?”

The guitarist chuckled. Instead of answering Jay, he leant down to your eye level, a flirtatious smile on his face.

“If you ever feel like new company…” His eyes drifted to Jay, before snapping back to you. “You know where to find me.”

Jay ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek. 

“Thanks Jake,” you said, giving a little wave.

Jay would have found it adorable, if it weren’t aimed towards this Jake person. Something about this punk rubbed him the wrong way. And it only worsened when he winked at you, before smirking and raising his eyebrows at Jay, and sauntering off.

Jay huffed, rolling his sleeve up in annoyance. But before he could do anything, he realised that you were gone.

Instantly forgetting about Jake, Jay’s head darted around before they landed on your figure walking towards the exit. He burst off into a sprint. Slowing down as he got closer to you, he gently held your wrist before pulling you behind him, ensuring that you didn’t stray too far from his side.

When Jay reached his car, he opened the passenger door open first, holding it for you in invitation. But rather than accept the offer, you stood there with a pout, glaring weakly at him.

Jay sighed in defeat. “Can you please let me take you home?”

“Why me?” You asked. You turned your head haughtily. “Why don’t you go ask Karina instead?”

Jay laughed. “I doubt her boyfriend would like that.”

You blinked. “…Boyfriend?”

When you realised you had unknowingly turned to face Jay again, you averted your gaze once more. Huffing, you crossed your arms over your chest defiantly. Jay couldn’t help but find it adorable. Even if you were being slightly difficult… He supposed he could let it slide, if it was you.

He smiled softly, closing the passenger door again. He walked up to you, slowly, until he was right in front of you, his chest almost meeting his. You looked up at him wide-eyed, the look reminding Jay of a kitten and it’s round eyes, full of innocence.

“Please,” he whispered softly, bringing a hand up to your cheek. “Just let me drive you home, okay?”

Your eyes bore into his, defiant and fierce.

“But why?” you asked.

Jay sighed. Before you could even say another word, he cut you off by doing the most unexpected thing you could imagine.

The moment Jay’s lips met your cheek, soft and pliant under his gentle kiss, his heart and veins were set aflame like the sky on New Year’s Eve. Even such a simple act — nothing more than a peck — was enough to make him feel the explosion of colour and excitement in his body, each one more powerful than the last.

You let out a breathy gasp as Jay retreated, his eyes full of adoration as they gazed upon your flushed face.

“Because I don’t want anyone else to take you home,” he said.

“Why?” you whispered.”

“Because I want to be the one you’re rely on... and because I want to be there when you sober up, so I can kiss you properly.”

You hiccuped. Jay chuckled as you flushed even more, your fingers nervously fiddling with the sleeves of your top, they way they always did when he was around you. It filled him with pride, as he realised he was the only one who could make you feel that way.

Not that guitarist Jake (or whatever his name was), not anyone else. Just him.

“But w-why…?” you asked again, your voice airy with hidden anticipation.

Jay smiled, his thumb rubbing your cheek when his lips once were.

“Because you’re special to me.”

꙳ ๋ cause i’m off my face in love with you . . . ⭑ `◞

JAY OPENED THE DOOR TO HIS APARTMENT.

With you sound asleep on his back, and his hands gripping the back of your thighs to keep you there, he turned on the lights to the living room before walking in. 

After finally getting you to sit in his car, like he planned, he was supposed to drive you home after getting your address. Unfortunately for him, you felt asleep before he could even ask, and so his second best option was to bring you here.

Opening the door to his bedroom, he pulled the sheets from the bed enough so that he could lay you down on it. Leaving you on the couch was never an option; he knew from the second he decided to bring you to his place that he would rather sleep on the couch than make you. 

When you were on the bed, he began to pull the sheets over your body to tuck you in. But before he could, you groaned, your eyes slowly opening. You squinted up at him, your lips set in a pout.

“Jay…?”

From your town of voice, it seemed you were still somewhat out of it. Jay smiled, the back of his hand finding its way to your forehead.

“How are you feeling?” he asked softly, his hand moving down to check the temperature of your cheek. “Are you hurting anywhere?”

You blinked up at him, a warm blush settling over your cheeks.

“Stop being so nice to me,” you muttered, your eyes set in a weak glare. “I’m trying so hard…”

Jay raised his eyebrows. “So hard to what?”

You sighed. “To not like you.”

At the verbal confession of your feelings for him, Jay felt his heart tighten. And there was no other explanation for it, other than it being because you held it in the palms of your hand. Jay’s eyes softened as he sat down beside you, the bed dipping under his weight. He leant down, his breath barely brushing against your cheek as his eyes scanned your face.

“Then what about me?” he asked, barely above a whisper. “No matter what I do… I don’t think I can get over you.”

Jay remained silent as his words sunk in, watching as your expression shifted. Your cheeks flared up like a stop light, your eyes wide as saucers. You opened your mouth before closing it, and opening it up again.

“Y-You… you like me?”

Jay’s hand closed around your own, slowly bringing your hand to his lips.

“No,” he whispered, his lips brushing against your knuckles. “I love you.”

You suddenly sat up, swallowing nervously when your lips ended up being a hair’s width from Jay’s. Jay chuckled as he watched your eyes flicker from his lips back to his eyes. You looked at him with uncertain eyes, before frowning.

“Is this a dream?” you asked. “I don’t think this is real…”

Jay chuckled. “It’s real.” He then gently took your shoulders and lay you back down again. “When you wake up tomorrow, I’ll remind you again. Then you’ll know.”

“Promise?” you asked, holding a pinky out to him.

Jay chuckled before linking his with yours.

“Promise.” 

He smiled as he tucked the sheets up to your chin, tucking you in completely. 

“So sleep well, okay?”

You frowned. “But I’m not tired yet?”

Jay laughed. He should have expected that you wouldn’t be so easy to deal with, considering what you’ve been throwing at him the past day and night. He shook his head slightly as he racked his brain for something to keep you occupied.

That’s when he remembered it.

Jay smiled before getting up. “Hold on,” he said. 

You watched him curiously as he walked across the room, before grabbing the black case and opening it. You watched in awe as he pulled out a guitar, sleek and chic — just like its owner. A soft gasp fell from your lips as he walked over, pulling the chair out from his desk beside him.

“I’ll play you a lullaby,” he said. “So listen carefully, okay?”

You nodded in anticipation, eyes focused intently on the man at your bedside. Jay smiled as he plucked the strings in test, checking to see if they were in tune.

He wondered if you looked the same way at Jake when he was playing at the restaurant bar. At that moment, he decided that at the very least, if he wasn’t the first person who played the guitar for you tonight, he should at least make sure he was the last one you remembered.

You watched as his fingers plucked, glided and pressed on the guitar strings with expertise, but his eyes remaining solely on you. The beginning notes were soft and gentle, easily lulling you into a sense of comfort.

And then came his voice, mellower than any honey you ever tasted, full of adoration as she sang the words of an all-too familiar song.

“One touch and you got me stoned, higher than I’ve ever know… You call the shots and I follow.”

Jay wondered if you knew how brightly your eyes shone at that moment — like a constellation to guide him in the night, to steer him in any direction you wanted.

“Sunrise but the night’s still young. No words, but we speak in tongues. If you let me, I might say too much…”

You wondered if Jay knew how warm he looked in that moment — day and night, sun and moon… both personified in one person, who represented everything beautiful in the world.

“Your touch blurred my vision; it’s your world and I’m just in it. Even sober I’m not thinking straight…”

Neither of you knew — not yet, at least — just how much you affected each other. How much even the sight of one another made everything pale in comparison. Like a vignette photo, where only you two were in the focus of each other.

“‘Cause I’m off my face in love with you, I’m off my head so into you…”

You smiled at Jay. And at that moment you knew. You knew that true love — the fairytale you had been chasing, the dream that you were reaching for… it wasn’t so foolish after all.

Because it was sitting right in front of you.

“And I don’t know how you do it, but I’m forever ruined by you…”

Jay smiled at you. And at that moment he knew. He knew that the feeling he had been so confused about was clearer than ever — that feeling that no matter where he went from this day forth, whatever he witnessed… it would never compare to being with you. Love. That feeling was love. He knew that now.

Because it was lying right in front of him.

“Ooh, ooh-oooh….”

You felt your eyes close, a soft smile still on your face. The next morning, when you woke up to the feeling of someone’s arms around you, you shifted slightly — only to feel them tighten around you.

Jay sighed as he buried his nose in the top of your head.

“Don’t go,” he said. “Not yet.”

His lips grazed your forehead, sending a river of warmth through you.

“Stay with me.”

And you did.

You didn’t move. And neither did he. How could you?

You were off your face in love with each other.

© dreamenha

Please I love this so much. This almost made me cry 🥺✨.

unfair

(meeting your internet best friend)

contains: crush!Heeseung x gn!reader | genre: fluff, angst at the end with no comfort :) | tw! none (lmk if i missed anything) | wc: 1,3k

reblogs, likes and comments are highly appreciated!!!

You covered your whole body with soft bedsheets as you just finished your night skincare routine. Tomorrow is a really important day, you could even say the most important in your whole life. You were finally going to meet your best friend, Heeseung, whom you met thanks to similar hobbies. Unfortunately for both of you, the distance that split you up was much bigger to your dismay. His mornings were your late-night hours and your school hours were his bedtime. If it was somebody else than him this whole friendship wouldn’t last this long, yet it was almost one and a half a year since you met him.

For the first few months, you could only imagine how he looked but it didn’t interfere with you falling for him completely. Once you video-called for the first time you needed to hide your pink-tinted cheeks and uncontrollable smile of adoration. He turned out to be a perfect guy not only personality-wise but also by his gentle facial features.

Your phone suddenly buzzed a few times and you quickly picked it up to see texts from Heeseung.

You smiled at your phone for a few more minutes when he told you it was about time to check in his baggage and that he’ll text you once they take off, even though you’ll be deep in your sleep already.

But you stayed up, anticipating his message to help your racing heart calm down. Once the text notification dinged in your quiet bedroom you could finally rest thinking about all the things you were going to show him.

You woke up much earlier than you were supposed to. The first thing you did was check where he currently was. You had plenty of time but already started your morning routine and dressed comfortably. Walking back and forth you kept on checking where his flight was like a maniac. When it finally said he’ll land in an hour or so you took your car keys and made your way to the airport.

Since it was the beginning of summer vacation many people gathered to either pick up their kids from student exchange or to go on their getaways.

Heeseung’s plane already landed which meant he was about to come out with his luggage any moment. What seemed like the last moment to think about it, thoughts of what you should do flooded your mind. Should you hug him? Or just wave at him? Or maybe give him a high five?

Your train of thought stopped once you heard your name being called. You looked up and saw a silhouette of your best friend walking up to you with open arms. Without noticing it you realized you were in his arms, in his warm and comforting embrace you dreamt about. None of you knew for how long you stood there hugging but when you finally pulled out he spoke teasingly: “Hope you were daydreaming about me just a second ago.”

“You wish.”

The time you had spent together was filled with laughter and sharing interesting stories that definitely sounded better in person. There was no moment of silence, and even if there was one it was a comfortable type when you could gather your thoughts and start a conversation again. Everything seemed to be so easy around him, so comfortable, so perfect. You tried not to think about saying goodbye to him, you really didn’t want to let that thought in, but it was unavoidable. Whenever you were silent you fought the urge to cry, wanting to savor this moment for as long as you can at the same time.

Both of you sat in the cafe, thirsty for some caffeine. It was one of your favorites - you came here almost every day to study, read or just chill in the fuss and smell of coffee. Soon the barista called your names to collect your orders and he immediately stood up saying he’ll get them for you.

“Thank you,” you smiled as you thanked him, taking a cup from him.

In response he just smiled back at you, sending you an indefinite amount of butterflies. He sat next to you this time, not in front of you, on the other side of the table. He showed you some pictures of him and his friends, his hometown, his work, and his hobbies. You stayed silent, listening intently to him sometimes forgetting not to stare too much, but people around you already seemed to know how much you adored the boy.

Soon, comfortable silence embraced you and you just enjoyed each other’s presence in the slight chaos of a busy coffee shop. Suddenly, you felt his head softly lay on your shoulder, taking you off guard and making you flustered. Apart from that, the only time you touched was a hug at the airport and unintentional hand brushes while you wandered around the city.

Then, it hit you.

“Oh Hee, you must be tired. Do you want me to walk you home?” you asked looking at the top of his head.

He slowly looked up at you with a smile.

“Lovely, don’t be silly.”

You froze at the spot. Throughout your friendship, you realized how a flirty person he was, but he never called you those cute nicknames. Not knowing how to react you just remained silent and averted your gaze from him.

Heeseung could feel how his cheeks burned at the slipped nickname he only dreamed of calling you. He thanked the universe that you didn’t look at him, since all you would have seen would be his flustered and embarrassed face.

Two weeks passed quickly, way too quickly. You were currently in each other’s embrace savoring the last minutes you were about to spend together. None of you knew when will be the next time you will see each other. Will it be a month, half a year, or maybe whole 12 months? Both of you had your own lives, you were busy with college, and Heeseung was immersed in his work.

Both of your hearts were beating so fast as if they were racing with each other. People around you watched as you and he tried to contain tears, with success. Both of you very much aware how none of you wanted to part ways.

What you didn’t know was how big of a hesitation and battle Heeseung had in his mind. He wasn’t blind, nor was he stupid. He saw how you looked at him, how much adoration your eyes held whenever he caught you staring. As much as he wanted to shout out to the world how he adores and cherishes you, he couldn’t. The time he spent with you made him sure he loved you truly with his whole heart, but it also helped him realize how difficult it would be to not be around you while in a relationship. For the last time, he fought the urge to leave a sweet and chaste kiss on your forehead and pulled out, faking the brightest smile he could.

You wished to see that smile every day for the rest of your life. You were so sure of him that it hurt to the core of your heart. Why does he have to live so far away? Is this a test? Or were you just not made for each other?

“I guess I have to go,” Heeseung suddenly said.

You tried to smile but failed miserably. You didn’t want to smile, not when he was leaving you, after making your two weeks the best you’ve ever had.

“I already miss you.”

“I miss you too,” you whispered as he slowly wandered off still facing you. He gave you one last smile and wave, crushing both of your hearts into small pieces.

“It’s so unfair.”

thank you for reading!

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Wanted Criminal

Kazuha x Reader

Summary: Kazuha was a criminal until the vision hunt decree was abolished, he missed you some much and wished to see you. Seems like his wish came true, but something's off...

Word count: 1.3k words

tw: angst, sad ( maybe a happier pt.2 idk how well this one will do ), just two lovers who don't know what they are now, and shit's tense.

He was on the run,

From his own homeland,

And didn't have enough time to tell me…

When I was on a boat out to sea,

And that's when we met,

On the Crux.

After the vision hunt decree was lifted,

Inazuma felt free.

I wanted to go to Liyue,

And then study at Sumeru!

So many dreams.

But then,

I saw

Him

.

.

.

That motherfucker.

The second our eyes met, tense air surrounded us. I greeted him with no smile, he only eyed me and went to a secluded area. The entire Crux fleet noticed the shift in the air. During the day, I helped Beidou out with some work, then learned about the nautical charts from Huixing. We planned to search the night sky for stars, a memory.

Looking up at the sky, such beautiful weather. 

The gentle sea breeze with clouds scattered grouped tightly together. The sun peaking out here and there.

I climbed up to the crows nest, no surprise he was there. Just the two of us…and the clouds

Neither of us said a word to each other,  neither of us willing to speak, until he broke the silence.

"Look I- I know, it doesn't matter anymore Kazuha. We'll enjoy our lives, separately. His death affected me too, y'know? We both made up our minds."

 I Interrupted whatever he wanted to say. A look of sadness clouded his eyes. I felt guilty, but I saw myself in him.

When the news reached me after I helped out with abolishing the decree, that he was, indeed, a wanted criminal fleeing from our home. Me. I had that same look on my face, the only difference is that there's no tears visible.

Silence.

I admired the distant waves and fishes peeking through the transparent surface of the water. 

He admired his love. Such beauty, he's written tens-of-dozens-of poems, cried tens-, maybe, thousands of drunk tears. 

"The Sun's going down,

So do I drown,

In emotions of heartbreak,

Desperately trying not to break.

Why did you leave?

Why did I leave…"

Kazuha whispered to himself, watching from the crows nest, as I played with a white cat near the head of the ship.

"The Sun's down, it's as though the ship is surrounded by darkness. Such a familiar feeling." 

I laughed to myself, petting the white cat's head as it rests in my lap, the kitten purred and licked my hand. We sat at the head of the ship. This little kitten knows me.

Beidou tried lightning the mood with some drinks for everyone. Celebrating our the abolishment of the vision hunt decree.  

Beidou gave Kazuha the sake I brought as a thank you gift. The boy gladly got drunk that night, unaware of the fact that the sake was from me. 

While everyone else was drinking, me and the cat were enjoying our solitude together.

When Beidou called out to me.

"Hey! Come here!! Stop being a loner, sweetie!! If you don't want to drink we've got some water!"

Laughing to myself, I woke the cat up and we joined everyone else.

With the cat following me I felt someone's glare on my back. 

No need to turn behind to look, it's obvious who it is.

The cat went back to its second owner, sitting comfortably in his lap, while he held his little cup.

As the owner stared at the new passenger's back, glaring daggers and wanting to throw himself overboard, but, deep in his heart, he knew, he kept wishing everyday that things weren't so tense...until the very day he returned to the home he and his love once shared.

So happy, so comforted. 

He was home!

Until he opened the door, noticing that the home felt... cold.

"Where are you? Did you get hurt? Are you...no, it can't be.."

He kept convincing himself.

He went to Ayato  for answers.  Maybe, he knew. You two were close afterall, he would know of all people.

Who once aided his escape from his own homeland

"Do not fret, she's alive and well, just without you. She's adventuring Inazuma after helping us defeat countless battles against the shogunate. She is more than capable on her own. The day you two cross paths, please wish her well. 

Take care Kazuha."

And off he was with the Crux fleet, hoping the day comes..

All the guilt, the hurt of not being able to say goodbye for the first time.

He could only pray it wasn't the last.

Come the current day, waking up. Bright sun beaming through the small ship's resting quarters windows.

Head aching, like his heart.

"Was it a fever dream?

You were so real…It must've been…

If only I could see you again

If only I could say goodbye, properly.

I hope you'll forgive me, and leave me with that gentle,

happy smile of yours.

Then only I can console myself.

Please come back."

Tears started welling up in his maple eyes, rolling around on his bed.

Wrapping his head under his blanket,

Wishing he could see that comforting smile again,

Wishing he could wrap himself in his lover’s comforting scent.

An abrupt knock on the door.

" BREAKFASTS HERE! GET YOUR LAZY ASS UP DEAR CRUX FLEET MEMBER!!"

A loud voice echoed through Kazuha's room.

He recognized it. Of course, he did.

" Just put it down at the door, THANK YOU!"

He yelled back.

"OKAY!"

He hoped the crew member did as he requested. And the person put the tray down and left. Just like the time she took her belongings out of their shared home and left.

"So..? Did he wake up?" 

"BEIDOU! I thought I was delivering to Huixing!! NOT KAZUHA"

"Hey, calm down kid, I was just trying to help sort out whatever tension you two had going on. He always spoke so fondly of you when he’s sober and cried when he’s drunk, I almost couldn't believe my eyes when you requested to be taken to Liyue!"

"...he what now?"

Getting up, and opening his door, he saw a tray of food. Hot miso soup. And some cold water next to it.

The tofu is so soft, so mushy. The soup tasted nostalgic. It reminded him of fleeting happiness. It reminded him of home…

That was before the vision hunt decree was initiated by the shogun.

Was it a dream? Did he drink too much?

He took his glove protectors off at night, leaving his bandage to come loose. Very loose.

As he held the hot bowl of miso soup, as much as it hurt his right hand, he kept drinking from it.

His appearance is disheveled and his mind all foggy.

He just woke up in a hurry after all.

Running out of his room in a hurry, he felt dizzy.

He felt his hands burning from the heat of the hot soup in his hands, holding onto them tightly afraid to let go.

His head was spinning.

Maybe he shouldn't have drank so much last night.

He could feel his head get lighter, he was running without his shoes on in the hallway.

 He was about to make it to the door where it led to the deck.

Maybe he could see you, after so long. His heart ached and longed for you, after all.

The boat hit a gentle wave, but it was enough to rock it, gently. 

Kazuha didn't expect this.

He felt his vision blacking out on him.

He wasn't on his feet anymore.

There was a huge bang, his sleeves felt wet.

His throat hurt. It burned.

It spread till his face, his hair, covered in the same nostalgic soup he was enjoying moments ago.

His heart fluttered when he saw you running down the stairs, with Beidou behind you.

You were saying something, he couldn't hear. He could only get a glimpse of you, before his vision gave up.

Slay

Dear shitty roommate,

Scaramouche/Wanderer x Reader

Summary: Scara and you were both looking for an apartment to live in near campus, having a roommate will surely help with the payments, so you two agreed on the conditions you guys don't disturb each other. What kind of roommate is he when you two get close?

Word count: 0.9k

tw.: slight cursing ( its scara cmon) soft scara?

At first, he's a little shit but, he'll keep to himself and won't bother you too much

If you guys don't know each other, he'll be normal and respectful and keep his shit to himself, but if you two know each other ( or got to then) it's a wild ride.

Let's go with the latter.

Scara would be the type of roommate who'd be complaining about everything! But would do it himself a minute later.

Like, he's already started doing the dishes and complains why didn't you do the dishes.

If you try to help him, he'll decline and says go rest in his typical salty voice ( don't worry, his words don't bite)

He usually has extra curriculum activities, so he comes home a little late and tired.

Tries his best not to ruin your mood, and will try to be the most helpful he can be

if he doesn't have a pile of homework left to do last minute loo

When you're the super busy one, when he makes himself noodles, he'll make double the portion and give you some.

And when he's super busy, you check up on him once in a while

( when he's stuck on something/any equation and frustrated he's really loud, so you know when to step in give advice and shit)

When your both super busy, the least you two do is stay up late finishing the assignments tasks and studying, and just sit in the living room with each of you blankets, watching something on the TV.

Aannnd that slowly turns into a night-time therapy session for the both of you.

Ranting about everything and everyone. Both him and you.

I feel like he's a great listener when times call for it.

Afterwards, you two probably bother some other mutual friend ( maybe kazuha) at the ass crack of dawn.

Kazu is a light sleeper, so every time this happens, his sleep is ruined. To prevent this, he always has his phone on silence .

During these late TV stress relief nights, he never tells you how when you fall asleep first on the couch, he'll put your head on his shoulder or lap, and caress you hair, while his eyes are glued to the TV screen.

Similar to when you find him passed out at his desk, his midnight coffee half still there in the cup, sleeping on his books which are still open on the page he was studying, still lightly holding on to his pen.

When he woke up from that, he noticed how there was a blanket covering him, and his books ( still open on the same pages they were last night) were put aside, his head was resting on a pillow.

He woke up early that day. Maybe around 4-5 in the early morning, because of how uncomfortable his sleeping position was.

And he was shocked and concerned when he didn't see you in the house.

He was a little panicked, actually very panicked.

When you came back saying you went on a morning walk because you couldn't sleep.

He scolded you. Like a mom. Full on scolded, saying, " Why didn't you wake me up?" Or " you could've taken me with you!

Was actively pissed that morning but still helped you make breakfast for the two of you.

...

" Oi! Can you pass me the sugar! The recipe says it needs sugar! "

" What the hell are you even making? Just don't burn the kitchen down, thanks."

"Scara, Kuni, stupid roommate who sleeps on his desk, idk which nickname you prefer- neither they're all shi-but, give me the damn sugar or I'll cook your pancakes burnt."

"Fiiiineee~"

Scara got looking around the kitchen cabinets for the sugar, then gave it to me while I was adding other ingredients into the batter.

While I was doing that he was prepping the pan on low heat and putting plates on the table for the pancakes.

" It's way too early for you, and I doubt you got any rest last night. Go sit down. I'll do the rest."

He insisted and took the spatula away from my hand. Gently nudging me to go sit down.

"No, I'm fine. Besides! You're the one that slept in the most uncomfortable position I've ever seen! Is your back even fine?? Should I take you to the orthopaedic doctor's tomorrow for a scoliosis check-up?

He turned around and gave me a heart-stopping death glare. If it were anyone else, that person would've gotten thrown out of the house ass first.

I got some other yummy food, fruits and spreads to eat with the pancakes and put them on the table and sat down on my chair, which is opposite of his.

"Oi! Give me your plate."

"Why?"

" Do you want pancakes or not?"

He turned around giving you the look of a mother who's about to spank her child's with the spatula.

" Okay, sorry sorry sorry!! Here's the plate! Please let me live!"

" Tch, idiot. So~ dramatic. For what?"

"To make life more entertaining, and to bother you."

"Well, the bothering me part is a mission complete, and so is you not getting your fucking breakfast."

" Wait! I'll actually stop now!! "

" Hmph! Fine. Here, eat it, you silly idiot. You better not complain."

" I was gonna say it tastes amazing..."

"...oh"

Dis bitc-

"Shhh~ Quiet now~"

Bully!Scaramouche (Wanderer) x reader

Summary: This cute boy who sits behind you has been relentlessly bullying you for the fun of it. One day this idiot got feelings for you, bad move because you have already plotted his fate. ( Highschool au )

Word count: 0.7k

tw.: slightly suggestive at the end, ( enemies to lovers soooooo)

Bully!Scara who throws paperplanes at you with mean words written in them.

Bully!Scara frequently throws crumbled up paper balls, with drawing of you headless, at your head.

Bully!Scara who would "polietly"ask for the homework and then laugh saying you did them wrong. ( he's lying)

Bully!Scara who is a little shit in between classes.

Bully!Scara who'd find you alone at times and tell you all the things he could do because there are no witnesses around. (Empty threats)

Bully!Scara who'd speak shit about you to everyone and to your face.

Bully!Scara who'd beat those who bully you.

( he thinks he's the only one who can do that)

Bully!Scara who's one of the smartest people in class

( after you, bc you're smart asf)

Bully!Scara who'd be very sad and visibly depressed when you don't show up one day.

Bully!Scara who'd get teased by the others in class, especially by Kazuha.

Bully!Scara who's face would visibly light up with happiness when you walk in the classroom doors after being sick for days.

Bully!Scara who gets teased even more when Kazuha noticed this.

Bully!Scara who gets all blushy-wushy and bashful.

Bully!Scara who didn't notice you overhearing the convo and seeing his reaction.

Bully!Scara who is always near you.

Bully!Scara gets suspicious when you don't react negatively or at all! to his bullshit attempts at getting your attention.

Bully!Scara who gets a little shy when you flirt, because it catches him off guard, but will counterattack and make you all red-faced.

Bully!Scara gets skeptical when he sees a little paper slip in his locker asking him to go to the library after classes.

Bully!Scara who listened to the little piece of paper and went to the library after his last class.

Bully!Scara who didn't notice how you left the last class earliest.

Bully!Scara who went to the school's library very confused. "Who would do this?" "Why would someone ask me to go the library of all places??"

Bully!Scara who finds himself going to the farthest corner of said library only to be tackled to the floor exactly when the bell rang ( it is for those students who have even more classes) so they didn't hear him fall in the library.

Bully!Scara found himself having to confess while being pinned to the ground on his tummy.

Bully!Scara secretly loving the way you sat on his back and pinned his hand above his head so he won't get up.

Bully!Scara managing to lower your guard and sat up from his previous position while gripping your wrist so you don't run away.

Bully!Scara who manages to force you onto his lap, hugs you waist tightly towards himself, making his head comfortable on the nape of your neck.

Bully!Scara who successfully managed to turn the tables and have you be the one immobile in his lap as he gently kissed the back of your neck, muttering how much he loves you and how much he wants to make you pay for pinning him on the ground.

Bully!Scara gets really shy when you reciprocate his feelings, he hides his face in the crook of your neck.

Bully!Scara who plays around like a naughty kitty. He keeps teasing you, and when you try to fight back with words, he keeps reminding you that you're in a library.

( the library was basically empty btw)

Bully!Scara who sneaks his slender fingers into the back of your hair, lightly tugging at it bringing your head closer to him. He wrapped his arms around you tighter.

Bully!Scara who cheekily kisses the edge of your lips, his kisses trailing from the edges of your lips down to your jaw and then to your cheek. Leaving a trail of drool. If you make even the smallest sound he'll "politely remind you to be quiet".

yO

Wanted Criminal ( pt.2 )

Kazuha x Reader

Summary: Kazuha was a criminal until the vision hunt decree was abolished, he missed you some much and wished to see you. Seems like his wish came true, but something's off...

Word count: 1.9k

tw.: suggestive ( just a bit, ehe), romantic. ( A continuation of the previous one. ) angsty in the begging, but it gets a lot better from there.

" KAZUHA!...Beidou, I'll take him back to his room, could you please ask someone to help out with the cleaning?" Beidou obliged, and ordered some members to help out, while I got myself a bit wet picking Kazuha up in a bridal style and taking him back to his room

Getting there, I stood still in the middle of his room, gazing around. Holding Kazuha's Drenched body close to mine absentmindedly.

On his table, with his dark kimono, was a little white luff ball pompom. Something I made and gave him as a gift on his birthday.

He wore it everyday afterwards… A little groan came from Kazuha.

" Kazuha, it's me, don't worry, darling, does your head hurt from the fall? You're safe. I'll warm you a bath and get something to help with that headache of yours, now go change."

I gently laid him down on his bed, my arms hurt from carrying him, but at least Kazuha is safe now. I went to his bathroom to get him his bath running.

" Thank…you.."

A small feather light thank you came from his beautiful lips.

The two words were spoken so affectionately, with a hint of longing.

I walked back into his room, only to find him sitting on his bed, looking at him with a look I've never seen.

"Does your head hurt that ba- Come here, please."

Kazuha interrupted my concerns with his affectionate begging.

Walking over to him with a wet cloth in hand to help with the headache.

"What is it? And didn't I tell you to get in the bath?"

I scolded him. He looked down on his lap, the looked at me with a mix of longing and sorrow in his eyes.

Looking down at him, the hesitance was evident in his failed attempt at holding my hand.

He wants to so badly, but he knows he shouldn't.

He wants to hold you so badly, to hug you, to kiss you, to tell you everything he's been through.

He wants you.

"Kazuha~ when are going to let me go?"

"Never. I don't want to."

He absentmindedly replied without missing a heartbeat.

"I meant it. Don't.You.Dare. Misunderstand it. Even if you don't love me, I will forever be blessed with the curse of being in love with you.

Even if you can't look at me, I will always look at you fondly.

So, please. Please-"

His voice broke, he couldn't look you in the eyes.

His eyes started watering. Little tear drops descended onto his lap. His hand started trembling.

"Kazuha, look at me. Darling, don't cry. Look at me."

I replied, clutching his hands tighter, walking a bit closer to him standing in between his thighs.

His maple red teat filled eyes, glistening in the morning sunlight which seeps through the little window of his small room.

Cupping his left cheek, meeting his curious gaze. I want to apologize to him. Seeing him cry is something that pained me more than I expected.

" I won't leave you, I'm sorry. Please, don't-I should be the one apologizing. I left you without an explanation.- Baby, I understand. His death affected both of us, but you more. I understand. I don't blame you. I was just..dunno."

Slightly smiling a sad smile, I told him to change his clothes, so he can go take a bath. Looking away from him and walking out of his grasp towards the door.

“ Why don’t you help out?”

“EXCUSE ME-”

“When I fell I injured my arm so~ I need help!”

He wiped his tears and started giggling, a mischievous smile appeared on his handsome face.

His honeyed laughter filled the otherwise silent room. My shocked ( and red) face must’ve egged his ego because he started to tempt me more.

“ C’mon~ please~ Kazu baby needs your help~. Darling~”.

He got up and trapped me in a back hug, whispered into my ear.

“ Kazuha, I need to help Beidou clean the mess you caused in the hallway.”

Trying to get out of his grasp, praying the archons to give me enough strength to reject this cutie.

In the end we just stood in the doorway of his room, him hugging my back and I was fighting the urge to give in. Whispering sweet haikus and poems about love. Bitter sweet love.

“ Like a burning maple leaf astray from home,

I too, feel the longing of home.

Wandering these landscapes alone,

Feeling more sad and alone.

Like a criminal that was wanted by an entire nation,

How come I am no longer wanted by you?

My 運命の人 … why is that?”

( 運命の人 meaning - A person of destiny is a love partner who is connected by an invisible relationship. In romance novels and dramas, the phrase "the red thread of fate" is often used. In the spiritual world, a person of destiny tied by a red thread is called a twin ray, which is defined as "the only one of the special opposite sex in this world." There are various definitions of a person of destiny, some of whom are the most loved person of the opposite sex in life, while others are comrades in arms who overcome trials together. What is consistent is that they are "people who are happy when they are together, who support each other through their lives through both fun and hardship." )

Whispering the deeply rooted sorrow from his chest, executing those feelings with his flowery words. No one quite like Keadahara Kazuha.

You were left speechless, he still holds you in so much regard, after all that distance. All those tears, all those sad days. He still loves you the same way he used to.

" All this might've come as a sudden, so I'll give you time to process, just know, you'll forever be my first and last one I truly love. Please, just don't forget me."

Loosening his grip on me, he turned around to go change his clothes, but something stopped him in his tracks.

"Hm? What's wro-"

His face was a mix of joyus surprise, blood rushing to his face, his face felt warm. Everything felt warmer.

It's because he was embraced by you. It's the way you held him. So tightly, it's as if you were afraid of letting him go, again. Fear, worry, longing, sorrow. He felt it all. A wave of emotions through a steady hug.

Standing near the door of Kazuha's room, two lovers in their youth, still figuring out what love is.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I won't leave you. Don't leave me, I'm sorry."

You cried out, little teardrops dropping onto Kazuha's shoulder.

Almost choking him, the poor boy couldn't breathe from the overwhelming love and emotions coming from you, from your tight grasping at his poor tummy.

"Owh owh owh! Not there!"

" Huh!? I'M SORRY!"

Throwing your hands up into the air in an instant at the touch of his wet clothes and his owhing.

"KAZU GET IN THE SHOWER YOU SMELL LIKE MISO SOUP AND YOU ARE STILL SOAKED ON THIS SIDE!"

His honeyed laugh filled the room, again, but the atmosphere felt lighter, and another laugh accompanied his. Yours.

A beautiful harmony. Annnd he ran back into your arms, which you gladly accepted.

"MY SON, KAZUHA IS YOUR ASS OKAY?"

Mama Beidou rushed into the room. Walking in on you two hugging like there's no tomorrow.

" Ah, I'm going to assume your ass is okay, have fun you two! Also, Kazuha watch your head and don't walk around dizzy!"

"Alright, captain Beidou!"

He chuckled from embarrassment, and then promptly hid his face in the crook of my neck.

The laughter dived down, and Beidou had left to tend to her capable Crux captain duty.

"So, now then, will you remove my clothes now?"

"Please don't word it like that."

"C’mon~ please? You're supposed to help me!"

"Weren't you crying a minute ago?"

" You did too! Now, then ( he came closer, held your face and was a centimeter away from your lips, one hand snaked around your body, down your waist, the other was resting on your shoulder, extremely slowly making its way down) please, undress me? I'd like to take a bath. This has gone on for too long, even though approximately ten? No, eleven minutes have passed."

"How did y- undress me.- yes, Kazu."

"Call me anything, but Kazu, like master or-ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! You really want me to touch you, hmm?"

Bestie slay

Hi, I am an amature writer. I have lots of plans for many characters that have stolen my heart and head and probably yours too. #yeiwo7writes

I'm new on tumblr.

Shit I love: Jujutsu Kaisen, Bungo stray dogs, Vanitas no carte, many ghibli films, Moriarty the Patriot, Omniscent reader's veiwpoint, Your throne, Hand Jumper, Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail ( me plz), Kpop, Straykids very much, Ateez slay, Mamamoo♡, Jpop,

are u gay? jk r u alishba's sister?

Yes I am the one and only The Great Alishba's Older sister.