Enhypen Maknae Line - Tumblr Posts - Page 2

𝔖𝔞𝔠𝔯𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔡 | 𝔗𝔥𝔯𝔢𝔢

A/N: Tada ✨ Chapter three is done! Coincidentally the longest chapter written in the shortest time. I really like this one, and I hope you guys will too <3

Shoutout to Rose for all her help and feedback, and for encouraging me when I'm stuck. Love you bae x

Synopsis: After another failed escape attempt, it seems like you're not going anywhere any time soon. You're still not willing to give up, but at the same time... something is changing...

Warnings: swearing, mild violence, angst (mentions of death), smut (implied noncon [in a dream], virgin!reader,loss of virginity, unprotected sex [my bad guys, don't do it], cumming inside)

Part one / Part two / Part three

The last bit of sealant falls away from the window and you don’t even have time to celebrate. You drop the mirror shard, gripping the top of the window and pushing it up. The sound of it opening and the waft of fresh air that follows makes you want to cry with relief. You swing one leg over the sill.

Then you hear the door lock click and that relief comes crashing down in a wave of oh shit.

You hesitate– eyes flickering to the door, then back to the window. You duck your head and manoeuvre yourself through. The door opens and someone steps into the room just as you fall out onto the balcony. You scramble to your feet and run for the railing, looking over the side.

“Y/N!” an angry male voice calls after you.

A thirteen foot drop, maybe? It can’t do too much damage…

With no time to consider anything else, you scramble over the railing and let yourself drop to the ground.

“Y/N– Fuck!”

For a split second, you feel weightless– but also like your stomach is going to come flying up your throat.

You land on the grass with a thud, and pain shoots up your ankle. You let out a hiss. You hear rustling, and the clanging of metal against metal, and you know he’s coming after you.

You get to your feet and the pain flares. You grit your teeth and ignore it, stumbling forward. You try to run, but as soon as you put your injured foot forward, you crumble, falling back down.

You hear him land just behind you and you start to panic. You begin crawling forward, determined to get away no matter what it takes.

You feel fingers wrap around your ankle before you’re dragged backward. You scream, thrashing and attempting to escape his hold but he pulls you back, forcing you onto your back and crouching down to look at you.

“Where do you think you’re going, angel?”

You kick out at him and try to wriggle backwards. He kneels and draws you closer, wrapping your legs around his waist and keeping them there with an iron grip. You yell again, tears streaming down your cheeks.

“You never listen, do you?” The man leans closer, hovering over you. “What did Heeseung say, hm? If you tried to run away again, you’d face the consequences.”

Like that was going to stop me, you think venomously. But you can’t get the words out, your chest is too tight.

The man cocks his head. “Look at you falling apart… and we haven’t even done anything yet,” he muses, mostly to himself. He goes quiet for a moment, looking at you as you glare up at him, chest heaving. “I guess telling you wasn’t enough, huh, angel? Alright… Let me show you then.”

 He releases his bruising grip on your legs and hauls you up by your arms. You keep tugging against him, but he doesn’t let go. He gives your arm a tight squeeze.

“Stop making this harder than it needs to be, Y/N.”

“And who the fuck are you?” you spit. Not that you care.

He looks down at you, black bangs falling into his dark brown eyes. You see a small mole on the side of his nose, a slight imperfection that somehow makes him look more perfect. “I’ll tell you who the fuck I am, angel,” he says calmly.  “I’m the man who will have you begging and crying underneath me while I take what’s mine... But by all means, call me Sunghoon.” He stares down at you, watching as his words sink in.

You stare up at him, eyes wide, any protests dying on your tongue.

“That’s what I thought. Now come on.”

Sunghoon leads you back into the house via the back door. ­­­Through the kitchen, through the living room. There’s no-one else around and it’s strangely quiet. Then again, you guess it’s not that strange. This house is always still, and when you’re not face to face with one of the men, it feels like you’re the only living thing in this place.

You go up the stairs. But instead of taking you back to your room, Sunghoon stops outside a room two doors down.

“Let’s see if this changes your mind,” he says. He opens the door and it swings open slowly. It’s dark inside, and you can’t see much besides the silhouettes of some furniture. Sunghoon lets go of your arm and gestures inside. “Go on.”

You look up at him, then into the room. You hesitate, feeling nervous all of a sudden.

“Come on, angel. Don’t be scared now,” he presses with a smirk.

You grit your teeth. He’s got a point. Fear hasn’t stopped you before, why start now?

You step through the doorway and take a few tentative steps into the room. You feel a buzz under your skin, barely noticeable, but there. You swallow, fingers curling and uncurling by your sides, feeling restless.

Now that you’re inside, things become a little clearer. Everything in the room is either dark or silver. You make out a king four-poster bed made of black metal, with black bedding and a sheer black canopy over top to match. There’s a solid timber dresser with a lamp on top. Burned down candles are arranged meticulously around the room. Then, as your eyes adjust, they pick out the concerning details. Like the handcuffs attached to the bed. The bar bolted to the wall. The sofa, the weird-shaped… chair?

Oh god. This is how they punish the girls?

You stumble backwards, in a hurry to get out of the room. Sunghoon laughs from behind you, where he’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

“What’s wrong, angel? You don’t like it?”

“What kind of sick shit is this?” you say, eyes wide with horror.

“Sick?” He cocks a sculpted brow. “And here we always thought it was fun.” His lips twist into an amused smile.

You slowly put one foot behind the other, backing away. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

“No can do.” He gets off the wall and strides toward you, fingers clasping around your arm before you have time to dodge him. “You tried to escape again,” he says as he hauls you back down the hall, down the stairs. “I have a feeling you’ll be in that room again very soon, angel. I can only hope it’s me that ends up in there with you.” He looks at you with a predatory gleam in his eye. “I’ve got a lot of things I plan on doing to you, I may as well teach you a lesson while I’m at it.”

Fuck that.

Your body reacts to your fear, and without you even realising what you’re doing, your fist comes up, aiming for Sunghoon’s face. You catch sight of his shocked expression a split second before the impact. You hear the thwack, followed by a dangerous silence. Pain spreads across your knuckles as you stare at his side profile, equally surprised. His jaw clenches, the vein in his neck popping. His body is tense, and you wait for him to strike you back.

But he doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t do anything except continue leading you down the stairs.

When you reach the living room, it’s no longer empty. All of the others are lounging on the sofas and armchairs, watching as the two of you enter. Heeseung’s eyes bore into yours as you come to a stop in front of the coffee table.

“Let her go, Hoon,” Heeseung says, sitting directly across from you. His eyes are still locked on yours. “I doubt she’ll run and hide. Will you, love?”

You shake your head.

Sunghoon lets go of you and goes to sit beside one of the men who you haven’t met yet. You feel antsy, but you maintain your composure as you hold Heeseung’s gaze.

“You caused quite a commotion,” he says simply.

You open your mouth, sarcastic response ready and waiting on the tip of your tongue. But he holds up a hand.

“I don’t want a response from you. I want you to listen to me. Really listen because everyone here knows you haven’t been good at that lately.” His tone morphs from calm to irritated. “I warned you what would happen if you were stubborn enough to escape again. And what did you do? Cut the seal with a bit of broken glass and climbed through the window. I know Riki here warned you about us. You didn’t listen to him either, and he was trying to be helpful. And now you’ve punched Sunghoon in the face? Has it not occurred to you that maybe fighting us isn’t the answer and you’re better off cooperating?”

“You think I want to die?” you interject, voice loud. “Has it occurred to you that I’m doing this to protect myself, not just to make things difficult for you, you selfish prick?”

“Who said anything about death?” Heeseung says coldly.

It had only been a thought until now. A possibility lingering in the back of your mind. But now that you’ve said it aloud, your heart hammers. “That’s what you do, isn’t it? Bleed girls dry until there’s nothing left, then ditch them somewhere and wait for the next Offering?”

You’re met with the weight of seven stares.

“We let the girls go,” Heeseung tells you. “What happens to them afterwards has nothing to do with us.”

“Except it does. How much blood do you take beforehand? How weak do you make them? Do you just let them walk out the front door and wander through the woods alone, trying to find a way out, knowing damn well they won’t?”

Silence. You know you’ve caught them out, that you’re right.

“You’re killers,” you continue, voice shaky. “You’re responsible for the deaths of so many young women, and you think you can sit there and tell me otherwise? I won’t let myself–”

“If you know what’s good for you,” Heeseung interrupts in a low, icy voice. “You’ll stop talking and listen to what I say next very carefully.”

You close your mouth, glaring into his eyes.

“I’m done dealing with your crap, Y/N. I’m not letting you get away with this bullshit anymore. You step out of line like that again, and I’ll let you know how dangerous I can be. You shouldn’t be worried about dying. You should be worried about what will happen if we catch you trying to run from us again. Do you understand me?”

Everything from his body language, to his tone, to the energy in the room tells you this time it’s serious. You have no doubt that if you ignore this warning, you’re screwed. There’s no winning this time around.

“Fine.”

“I said do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand,” you reply through gritted teeth.

You turn to leave and Heeseung clucks his tongue at you.

“Don’t think you’re getting away with this that easily. I told you next time you tried to escape, there’d be consequences.”

You freeze.

“And I think it’s only fair Sunghoon takes care of it, seeing as you attacked him.”

You spin back around to see Heeseung smirking at you, and Sunghoon grinning in a way that has the hair prickling along the back of your neck. The others exchange nervous glances.

“Are you crazy?” you demand. “He’ll attack me if you leave me alone with him! Please–”

“Hold on.” One of the men stands up. He’s tall too. Short dark hair, with a few strands falling over his forehead, and strong features. “How about we just… take it easy? Just this once?”

“We have been taking it easy. You think she’s going to stop if we keep letting her get away with everything?” Heeseung says.

The man speaks calmly. “Just let me talk to her. I think it’ll help more than punishing her.”

Your eyes dart between the two men, and you pray Heeseung agrees. You don’t know the other man’s intentions, but you’re sure they’re better than whatever Sunghoon is thinking.

Heeseung looks at you, then back at the man. “Fine. But if this doesn’t work, Sunghoon gets her next time.”

Your heart thuds against your ribs as you take a breath.

The man nods, then makes his way over to you. He offers you a reassuring smile and you notice a vague dimple. “Hi, beautiful,” he whispers. “My name’s Jay. You wanna get out of here?”

You nod. You even let him hold your hand as he leads you down the hallway off the living room, grateful that he stepped in.

He stops in front of the third door on the left and opens it, stepping aside to let you in first. You pause for a moment before walking inside.

The bedroom is homely. It feels personal, lived in. Mostly thanks to the clutter on the desk, and the wrinkled sheets on the bed, and the small pile of clothes on the floor.

You make your way to the desk and sit down in the office chair. Jay perches on the edge of his bed, facing you. You wait for Jay to say something. You figure that’s the reason you’re here.

Eventually, he breaks the silence. “You know, we’ve never encountered a girl like you before. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had our fair share of fighters. But never anyone as determined as you.” He looks at you with something like admiration. “I’ve never known someone to have your kind of strength unless they’ve had to deal with something that required them to be strong. What happened to you, Y/N?”

 You avoid his soft gaze, crossing your arms. “That’s none of your business.”

“You’re not the only one with a past.”

At that, you look up.

Jay’s lips curl up slightly. “What, you thought we just spawned out of nowhere?”

“I… I guess I never thought about it,” you admit.

“Most people don’t. But everyone here had a life before this.” He looks out the window. “I was a guitar teacher. I used to teach elementary school kids.” A reminiscent smile spreads across his face. “They loved it. I always felt like a proud big brother whenever they finally got a part in a song right, or when they played really well.” He pauses. “One morning, I woke up feeling really unwell. My head was killing me, I could barely get out of bed. I probably should’ve gone to the doctor or something. But I figured it was just the flu, so I just stayed home. And then, just as I was feeling better, it got worse. Everything around me started feeling… weird. Like I was dreaming. But it was all the time. I was confused, I didn’t know what was going on with me. And I didn’t want to leave the house feeling like that, even if it was to get help. It passed eventually, but…”

 He sighs, taking a moment before continuing. “When I went back to work, I got the news that one of my students had passed away. She’d gotten sick a couple of days before me, and her parents said she went downhill from there. They took her to the hospital, and the doctors said she had something called HVD. I didn’t know what it was, I’d never heard of it. But when I saw Heeseung’s ad on the internet, and I found myself here, he said it stood for Human Vampire Disease. Most people who caught it didn’t make it. But the survivors ended up like us. ‘Vampires’.”

You sit in the quiet, trying to digest it all. You try to feel indifferent, but you can’t. You don’t know what to say, but there’s a lot going through your mind.

Jay watches your reaction and you see him frowning. “I’m sorry to dump all of this on you–”

You shake your head. “No, don’t be sorry.” You look down at your lap, taking a deep breath. “I lost my sister. Emily. She was nineteen. It was my thirteenth birthday, and she went into woods to get some things to make me a gift. Leaves, twigs, stuff like that. We told her not to go in too far–” Your voice breaks and you sniffle, taking a second to compose yourself. “She disappeared. They looked for her for over a week straight. They told us she’d probably gotten lost, or fallen in the river. The worst part wasn’t that she was gone. It was not knowing whether she was dead, or wandering the woods cold and scared. I dreamt about it every night that week. And I still dream about it sometimes.”

 Your fingers play with the hem of your shirt and you stare at them, not wanting to look up and see the pity in Jay’s expression. You’ve seen it enough from everyone else back in the village. “It hit my parents pretty hard. They didn’t know what to do, how to cope. So they decided to blame me. They couldn’t blame the woods, they couldn’t blame anyone else, so they blamed it on me. Because it was my birthday, and she was out there to make my present.”

 The tears start to build, spilling over your waterline and creating wet paths down your cheeks. Your voice is strained as you try to speak through the lump in your throat. Your tone is tainted bitter and the hurt you felt back then bubbles under the surface. “I was their daughter too. We should have made it through together. But then they left. They said they couldn’t take it anymore, and they moved away. I don’t even know where they went. That’s when I went to live with my Nanna. I was happy there. We were always close. She helped me a lot. And then on the night of the Offering, two of the villagers broke in and the last time I saw her she was unconscious on the floor.”

You choke out the last sentence, eyes blurring with tears and body shaking with restrained sobs. “And I just want to get back home and see her and make sure she’s okay.” Your nails dig into your thighs as you try to keep it together.

You hear Jay moving off the bed and over to you. He kneels in front of you, one hand on your arm and the other brushing back your hair, wiping tears away. “Hey. Hey, it’s alright,” he whispers. “Just take a breath for me, gorgeous.” He hands you a tissue and you wipe your nose while he dabs up your tears. “There we go. It’s okay.”

You take a shuddery breath and look into his eyes, nothing but care and warmth in his gaze. His touch is gentle as he rubs comforting circles on your arm with his thumb.

“Sorry,” you whisper, embarrassed.

Jay smiles at you and that slight dimple appears again. “Don’t be ashamed. It’s good to cry sometimes, it helps us feel better.”

You sigh, feeling the sadness melt away and leave your body. “You’re being so kind to me.”

“Of course. How many times do we have to tell you that, contrary to popular belief, we’re not all monsters?” He grins playfully.

You chuckle.

He chucks the tissues in the bin next to the desk, then looks back at you. “Thank you for telling me. I know it’s hard opening up to strangers. But your story’s safe with me. I won’t tell the others.”

“Thank you.”

You still can’t get used to how considerate Jay is. From Riki’s bluntness to Sunghoon’s intensity, you weren’t expecting to come across someone like him in this house. But you’re glad you did.

Jay takes your hand and helps you stand up. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up, clear your mind, yeah?”

You nod absent-mindedly.

“The bathroom is the first door on the right. There are clean clothes in the dresser and closet in your room.”

You look at him cautiously. “Where did you get the clothes from?”

“They haven’t come from anyone else, if that’s what you’re thinking. They were bought from a store.”

It sounds almost weird to you. You never really thought about the entire world outside of Riverfield and these woods. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s there. It makes you wonder if you’ll ever get the chance to see it.

“Oh. Okay. Thanks again.”

He lets go of your hand with a small smile. “See you later, beautiful.”

You leave, heading back upstairs. You notice on your way that everyone has disappeared again. It’s almost like they’re ghosts, or figments of your imagination. There one moment, gone the next. You still don’t know whether you like it that way or not.

***

You hadn’t realised how much of a mess you were until you went to shower.

You stared into the mirror– at the knots in your hair, the dirt on your clothes and body. You examined the splinters still wedged underneath the skin of your wrists, the cut on your foot, and wondered how the hell you hadn’t noticed all of it before. You guessed you had been preoccupied rebelling and zoning out and all. How the boys could find you remotely attractive in this state also went over your head, but it didn’t matter.

You were surprised to see the bathroom had been renovated, and was actually quite nice. It was also stocked with all the essentials, from painkillers to toothbrushes.

It was finally sinking in just how human the vampires were. And that just raised more questions for you. But you figured you had plenty of time to ask them, seeing as you weren’t planning on another escape attempt any time soon.

Once you finish cleaning up (which takes a while), you decide to head for the kitchen. You’re starving.

You jog down the stairs, stroll through the living room– it’s a familiar route by now. You hear voices and you slow a little, your steps a bit more measured.

You round the corner to see the serving window is open and so is the kitchen door. One of the men sits at the breakfast bar under the window, and you recognise him as the blond who stopped you from escaping the second time around. He looks a lot less intimidating now, with a smile lighting up his face and crinkling the corners of his fox-like eyes. Another man stands in the kitchen, leaning on the counter to talk to him. He has longish black hair. Apart from that, you can’t tell much about him from here.

They see you approaching and look over. The dark-haired one grins.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he greets you brightly and you pick up on an accent. “You’re looking a lot better.”

You smirk. “I would hope so.”

You make your way into the kitchen and open the fridge, assessing the contents inside. Your eyes land on some leftover fried chicken and you grab it, taking off the cling wrap and digging in. Your eyes almost roll at the crunchy batter and tender meat. “Mm,” you hum with satisfaction.

You stand at the counter beside the man and he turns to face you.

“I’m Jake. Nice to finally meet you, sweetheart.” He holds out a hand.

You dutifully ignore the veins running up his hand and forearm, and shake his hand. “Nice to meet you too.”

Jake studies you. “You seem different. What did Jay say to you?”

“Does it matter?”

You realise he’s right, though. You feel like you’re finally able to relax a little. It’s… really good actually. It’s a relief, like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You don’t know exactly what’s changed, but… maybe it’s for the better. 

The blond looks at you, tilting his head and resting his chin in his hand. “Well, it’s good to see you, princess.” You look at him and he smiles. “I’m Sunoo.”

You give him a small smile in return. “Hi.”

You take another bite of chicken, chewing contently.

Once you finish your food, you put the plate in the sink and then jump up, sitting on the counter. “So what do you guys do for fun around here? I’ve been holed up in my room for a week, I could use something to keep me distracted.”

“Normally we each do our own thing– watching movies, gaming, etcetera,” Sunoo says. “It can get a little repetitive to be honest.” He gives you a sly smile. “But at least now we have you to play with.”

“Cut it out, Sunoo,” Jake scolds him. He looks at you curiously. “Do you have any hobbies, sweetheart?”

“I love painting, and reading. I used to like cooking with my Nanna, too. Other than that, I liked listening to music on the radio… Taking a walk, especially on warmer days… I like watching movies, but we didn’t watch them that often because Nanna had this old analogue television that barely worked.” You smile at the memory.

Jake grins. “We can work with that. You know, I think there might be some old paint supplies in one of the spare rooms. I don’t know if you’d be able to use it, it was here when Heeseung bought the house. But I can try find it for you, if you want.”

Your heart warms a little at his thoughtfulness. “That would be great. Thank you.”

“No worries. If you want something to do while you wait, there’s tons of books out in the lounge. Or you can watch a movie, there’s plenty to choose from.”

“Alright.” You hop down from the counter and walk out into the living room. Jake follows you out.

“I’ll be back,” he tells you. Then he heads down the hallway and into one of the rooms.

You stand in the middle of the living room, looking around and trying to decide what to do. You see one of the few modern things in the room– the large flat-screen tv mounted on the wall. It’s foreign to you. Back in Riverfield, there wasn’t anything fancy. It was fairly old-fashioned. A result of being small and isolated, you guess. You want to watch a movie, but you don’t even know how to turn this thing on, which is kind of embarrassing.

Sunoo sees your confused expression and chuckles, making his way over. “Need some help, princess?”

“Uh, yeah.”

He strolls over to the coffee table and picks up a remote. He stands beside you so you can see the buttons. “Okay, to turn it on, you press this red button here. This little plus sign turns the volume up, the minus turns it down. This one shows you all the channels. These are the different streaming services, where you can watch movies and tv shows. Use these buttons to scroll. Got it?”

Your eyes narrow as you try to remember everything. You nod. “I think so.”

“I’ll be working out here anyway if you need help.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

He disappears down the hall.

You sit down on one of the sofas and turn the tv on.

Two people appear on screen, a man and woman, holding hands as they walk into a house. A couple, you’re guessing. The romance genre was never really your thing, but you can give this one a try.

You settle back into the cushions, getting comfortable. The actors are standing in the kitchen now, talking about some guy who had been bothering the female lead.

“You think I’d just let him harass you?” The man moves closer, trapping the woman against the counter.

“I don’t need you to be my knight in shining armour.” The woman tries to sound defiant, but her body language says otherwise.

“Knight in shining armour? I never claimed to be that heroic.” He leans down, his lips ghosting over hers. “I’m just keeping my girl safe. Screw everyone else.” He kisses her and though she tries to pull away at first, she eventually gives in.

You sigh under your breath. You wait for them to pull apart, but they don’t. You shift when the man lays the woman on the countertop, his tongue still somewhere in her mouth. You look out the window, ignoring the film until this part is over.

But then a cry comes through the speakers and you look at the screen to see the woman half-naked, the man between her legs with his hips moving at a rough pace. Your mouth falls open as you realise what’s happening. Moans and sounds of skin on skin play mortifyingly loud through the speakers as you dive for the remote.

“Shit. Where is it? Oh my god.” You cringe as you hear a whiny, “Harder.”

You finally find the remote and hurriedly turn the tv off. You release a breath, slumping back against the sofa.

“Interesting movie choice, princess. I never would have thought you were into porn.”

You flinch, turning around to see Sunoo standing behind you, a laptop under his arm and an amused grin on his face.

“It wasn’t porn!” you exclaim, feeling your cheeks grow hot. “I just turned the tv on and it was normal until they started– I don’t– No!”

He sits down on the other end of the sofa. “No need to be embarrassed. It’s a normal thing to do. Just maybe not in the living room where anyone could walk in.”

“Shut up! I don’t watch porn. I’ve never watched it and I don’t want to watch it!”

“Okay, okay. I believe you, calm down.” He grabs the remote from you. “Let’s just pick something else.”

He turns the tv back on and you’re horrified to see the actors are still going at it.

“Oh,” Sunoo says as the actress kneels on the kitchen floor and licks what looks like whipped cream off the man’s penis. “You know, I never got the whole whipped cream thing. It just seems so messy and sticky. Like sex doesn’t have enough of that already,” he comments casually.

“Turn it off!” you shout, covering your face and wanting to curl into a ball.

“Alright, alright.” The living room goes quiet and you look at the screen. He’s changed it over to Netflix. He hands the remote back. “Here.”

You mumble a thank you and start scrolling through. You put on a random movie, taking note of the rating to make sure it’s safe before putting the remote down and settling in again. Sunoo opens his laptop and starts typing away.

You look over. “You said before that you’re working? What do you do?”

“All of us work for this big entertainment company. I’m a talent scout. I keep an eye out on social media and that for potential trainees.”

You tilt your head, intrigued. “An entertainment company? That’s… unexpected.”

“It was Heeseung’s father’s company. He left it to him, so now he just oversees it from afar, with employees to attend meetings and everything for him. He saw it as the easiest way to earn money.”

“That makes sense. But why not get jobs of your own? I mean, what if you don’t want to do this kind of work?”

Sunoo looks up at you. “It’s not that simple, princess. We can go to the ‘outside world’, obviously. And we do, sometimes. But working out there and being out there all the time just wouldn’t work. It would be like putting an alcoholic in a beer, wine and spirits store. It’s easier to resist temptation when there’s just one person versus when there’s thousands.”

You nod, seeing his point.

“Y/N.”

You turn around to see Jake standing at the mouth of the hallway, a bright smile plastered on his face. “Yeah?”

“I found some of that paint supplies if you want to have a look.”

Your face lights up. “Oh, really? I’d love to.”

You hop up off the sofa and follow him down the hall to the last door on the left.

Inside, it’s feminine, with floral wallpaper and a sewing table set up in the corner. There are cabinets and shelves and tubs all filled with craft supplies. It’s dusty, and you can tell no-one’s been in here for a long time. But it’s still nice. It makes you think of a woman just enjoying her spare time from homely duties and being creative. You like it.

Jake picks up a carboard box and brings it over. “There are paints and brushes and stuff in here.” He gestures to one of the cabinets. “And canvases and easels in there. Feel free to set up wherever you want.”

You peer inside the box and smile, taking it from him. “This is great, thank you so much.”

“Any time, sweetheart. It gives you something to do. And if you enjoy doing it, then even better.”

 “I do. Is it alright if I test the paint?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

You get out a palette and squeeze some paint onto it. It’s runny with clumps in it. Your lips turn down. “It’s separated. I can’t use it.”

“Oh. Okay. Well, I’ll buy you some next time I’m out.”

You look up. “What? No, you don’t have to do that.”

He smiles. “Don’t worry about it, it’s the least I can do.” He picks the box up again. “You go and get back to your movie. I’ll take this up to your room for you.”

Your eyes soften. “Thanks again, Jake.”

He nods and walks past you, out of the room. You stand there, looking around for a minute longer before leaving too, closing the door behind you.

***

You don’t know how long it takes for you to fall asleep, just that it takes a while. There had been a lot on your mind. A lot that had happened in one day. And you hadn’t really had a chance to digest it all until you were lying in bed and staring absent-mindedly at the light fixture.

Once you finally do cross the threshold into unconsciousness, all those thoughts bleed through and plague your dreams, creating one big movie.

You’re laughing with Riki. The two of you are sitting on the balcony outside your bedroom, admiring the view. Or at least you were until he cracked a joke and now the two of you are wheezing, bent over with mirth. It’s dusk, and the moon has just appeared in the steely blue sky. There’s a nice breeze drifting through the canopy and ruffling your hair.

You catch your breath and look up, meeting Riki’s eyes. He gives you that cheeky smile.

“You look like a tomato.”

“And you look like a weed.” You smile and playfully bump his shoulder.

You guys lean on the railing, letting silence fill the space around you. You can hear crickets and cicadas, and the rustling of the leaves. You take a deep breath in, then slowly let it out. You feel light. The stress and fear is gone and you feel happy. At home even. You’re no longer wound up with anxiety and paranoia and what ifs? You’ve accepted what fate has in store for you, and you’re going along with it. And it’s so freeing.

There’s a knock on the window behind you and you see Jay standing there. You open it.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I have something I need to talk to you about,” he says.

You nod and climb back inside. “What’s up?”

He grabs your hand and leads you away from the window, voice low like he’s about to reveal a secret. “They’re looking for you.”

You frown, not liking his ominous undertone. “Who is?”

“Heeseung and Sunghoon. You need to hide.”

“What? Why? Jay what’s going–”

He guides you toward the door. “Just go!” he whispers, opening it.

You stumble through and look up and down the hallway. It’s dark and you can hardly see anything. You put one hand on the wall, using it to guide you as you jog blindly down the hall.

Suddenly, a door opens part way and soft yellow light spills out through the gaps. You head towards it.

You step inside and the door slams shut behind you. You jump, whirling around to see Heeseung standing there, one hand on the door as he looms over you.

“You’re not getting away this time, love.”

You back away from him. You hear footsteps and look over your shoulder to see Sunghoon approaching from the other side of the room.

Your heartbeat quickens and you know they have you cornered. Your back presses against the wall and the light– coming from the candles burning around the room– goes out.

An arm wraps around your waist and you’re picked up and slung over someone’s shoulder.

He drops you down on the bed and you feel his weight pin you down as he straddles your legs. You struggle, trying to wriggle out from underneath him and push him off.

“There’s no use fighting, angel,” Sunghoon’s voice says from somewhere to your left. You feel the mattress dip as he gets on the bed.

“Don’t worry, love. I’m sure you’re tough enough to take both of us, right?” Heeseung purrs above you.

You scream in protest as he gets off of you and you’re manoeuvred onto your stomach.

“Me first,” Sunghoon says. You feel his movements on the bed as he gets behind you. He leans down, his chest brushing against your back, and he wraps your hair around his fist, pulling your head back. You wince at the stinging in your scalp. “You should have listened, angel,” he whispers in your ear.

He buries your face in the pillow, holding your head in place, and your shouts become muffled.

Your surroundings become distant, in a way. Your senses are off. But you do register the cool air hitting your now bare core, panic rising alongside the goosebumps on your skin.

“No!” you try to scream, but you can’t hear your own voice. You feel the tears soaking your face and the pillow, though.

Something prods your entrance and you desperately try and crawl away, but you can’t move. Your voice breaks as you scream as loud as you can.

Your eyes fly open and you gasp. You scramble to sit up, your heart pounding in your chest. You look around. You’re in your own room, in your own bed. You’re alone.

“Fuck,” you whisper, running your hands over your face.

You sit there for a few minutes, but you just can’t calm down. Restless, you throw back the covers and get up. You take a few steps toward the door, but then you pause. Where are you even going? Are you really going to wander around the house this late, after that dream?

You sigh. You don’t want to stay in here. You’ll just start thinking and overthinking and it will drive you crazy. You need a distraction.

You open the door and stop in your tracks when you see the door across from yours open too.

Jake appears, wearing a t-shirt and boxers, his hair messy. He looks up and freezes. “Y/N? What are you doing up?” he asks quietly, his voice rough.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I was going to get a glass of water. Is everything okay?”

You chew your lip. “Actually… um, do you think I could… come in? I could kind of use someone to talk to.”

He blinks. “Oh. Of course, come on in.” He steps aside and you cross the hallway into his room.

The lamp on the bedside table casts a warm light over the space, making it feel cosy.

You sit on the bed and look at a framed picture on the dresser that catches your eye. Jake is crouching down, his arms around a beautiful border collie. An older woman and a guy around his age are on either side of him.

Jake shuts the door and sits on the bed beside you. You notice as he runs his fingers through his hair, trying to smooth it down. “What did you want to talk about?”

You glance at him. “I’m not sure. But I thought talking to you might help distract me from the nightmare I had.”

“Oh, a nightmare, huh?”

You nod. “Yep.”

“Well I’d be more than happy to distract you.” He falls backwards, lying down. “May as well get comfortable, sweetheart.” He grins.

You chuckle. You look at him, and after a moment you lie down next to him, leaving a few inches between you. You sigh softly, looking up at the ceiling. “So where are you from originally? I picked up on your accent earlier.”

“Well I was born in Korea. But I moved to Australia with my mum and brother when I was nine.”

“Is that them?” You point to the photo frame.

He follows your gaze. “Yeah.”

“You guys make a beautiful family.”

He smiles. “Thank you.”

“What’s your dog’s name?”

 “Layla.” He looks at the photo, smiling fondly.

“She’s adorable.”

“She is... I miss her.” He turns his head to look at you. “Have you got any pets?”

You shake your head. “No. I never have.”

Jake’s eyebrows rise. “Seriously?”

“Mhm. I always wanted a cat or a dog, but…” You shrug. “We never got one.”

“Maybe we should get a pet. It would liven the house up a bit.”

“I think I’ve been doing enough of that lately.”

He laughs. “Yeah, you certainly have.” He yawns and stretches, then flips onto his side, facing you.

You smirk, turning your head to look at him. “Am I keeping you up?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m wide awake.”

You sigh. “So am I, after that dream.”

“It shook you up that bad?”

“Well, yeah. It was fine at the beginning, but then something… I don’t know– bad? traumatising? happened. Something that could– and I’m scared will– happen in real life.”

Jake frowns, concern in his eyes. “What was it?”

You chew your lip, teeth tugging at it until a small flake of skin comes off and the vague taste of blood hits your tongue. You twist the ring on your right hand– take it most of the way off, then put it back on before repeating the movement. You don’t meet Jake’s gaze, opting to stare at the ceiling instead. “Heeseung and Sunghoon. They lured me into that room, the one with all the dark furniture and candles, and they pinned me down and I couldn’t get away and Sunghoon…” You trail off, not sure how to say it or particularly wanting to say it at all.

“Wait. Someone showed you the cell?”

You frown, looking over. “Yes…? Sunghoon showed me right after he caught me trying to get away for the third time. Hold on, you call it the cell?”

“A few of the guys started it. It’s a scare tactic for when the girls act up. We’ve never actually taken anyone in there, let alone used it.”

“Oh.”

He hesitates. “But, if I’m being honest, if any girl was going to end up in that room, it would be you.”

An ounce of the resurfaced nerves and fear shows in your eyes as you meet his gaze. “Why?”

He bites his lip. “I don’t know. There’s just… something about you, I guess. As cliché as that sounds.”

You shake your head. “I don’t want to go in there again.”

“You might not. But even if you did, I’m sure they wouldn’t hurt you.”

“I don’t want it to happen at all. I’m not going to have my fir-” You stop yourself, realising your slip up. You look away.

“Wait. Your first time?”

You clench your jaw, which is all the answer he needs.

“Is that one of the reasons you’re so scared?”

“I don’t want to have sex with any of you anyway,” you say and it comes out colder than you mean it to.

There’s a beat of silence.

Jake shifts, inching closer. “Are you sure?” he asks in a low voice.

You turn your head to look at him. “What the fuck do you mean, am I sure? Yes. I am.”

“How could you know without giving it a try?”

Your heart beats a little bit faster as he gets close, his body brushing against yours as he looks into your eyes. You want to retort, but you don’t know what to say. You feel this slight buzz of anticipation.

“Maybe you’re lying to yourself, sweetheart. Or maybe you’re in denial.” His eyes flicker to your lips. “Should we test it out?”

You could push him away. Just say no. But there’s a part of you that’s curious what it would be like. And that part takes over as you nod timidly.

Jake smiles. His hand comes up to cup your face gently as he leans in. His lips press against yours and you feel a warmth spread throughout your body. It’s like a switch flips in your brain and you don’t register anything except him. His lips, his warmth, the lingering smell of his cologne. Without thinking, you tentatively kiss him back. One hand slides up his chest and the other goes to his hair, your fingers threading through the soft strands.

His free hand moves under your shirt and rests on your bare hip. It sends a small shiver up your spine.

The kiss grows more heated, Jake dragging your bottom lip gently between his teeth. You part your lips and he slips his tongue into your mouth.

Eventually, you pull away for air. Your chest rises and falls, and your heart pounds. Your cheeks feel warm.

Jake’s thumb swipes under your lip, tugging it gently. “You know, if you’re scared, I can help. I’ll be your first time.”

You look up at him, eyes tinted with lust. “How would that help me?”

“I’ll show you what it’s like, help prepare you. There’s nothing to be scared of, sweetheart.” His voice drops to a more seductive tone. “I can make you feel so good, if you let me.”

Heat starts to pool between your legs at the thought of it. On the few occasions you’ve found yourself with your fingers tracing your clit and dipping into your clenching core, you’ve wondered what it would feel like to have someone else touch you. To have someone inside you. The older you got, the more you wanted it. And now it’s being offered to you on a silver platter. You just have to say yes.

But he’s one of your captors. He’s a vampire. You can’t let–

You don’t care. You want him.

“Do it,” you say quietly, but surely.

Jake leans in and kisses you again. He grabs your hips and manoeuvres you so you’re straddling him. His fingers grasp the hem of your shirt and slowly lift it up, brushing against your skin. You pull away long enough for him to lift it over your head and drop it on the floor.

You feel a little self-conscious as he admires your breasts, but then he places a kiss to your neck and the thought escapes your mind. He peppers kisses from your jaw, down your neck, across your chest. His hand trails up your stomach and his finger hooks the cup of your bra, pulling it down. Your breast spills out and he kisses just above your nipple before taking it into his mouth. You moan softly and your head tilts back. He does the same to the other before sliding your bra straps down your shoulders, one hand then moving up your back and undoing the clasp. Your bra falls between your bodies and he chucks it aside. His lips return to yours and you gladly kiss him back once more.

You pull away, tugging on his t-shirt. “I think this can come off, don’t you?”

Jake smiles and obeys, pulling the shirt over his head and discarding it. Your eyes are drawn to his abs and your fingers reach out to touch them, ghosting over the lines.

“So pretty,” you murmur.

His fingers wrap around yours and bring your hand up to his lips. He presses a kiss to the back of your hand. “You’re prettier, baby.”

You feel a flutter in your stomach at the name.

You can feel your slick steadily dripping into your panties and you start getting impatient. You shift forward on Jake’s lap and you feel how hard he is beneath the thin material of his boxers. A quiet whine escapes your lips as you grind on his bulge. He inhales sharply, grabbing onto your hips. He looks at you and you meet his gaze. His eyes are darkened with desire, and you’re sure yours are too.

“You want to take it further?” he asks.

You nod, and he guides you off his lap. He grabs the waistband of his boxers and slides them off, letting his cock spring free. You almost moan at the sight of it, squeezing your thighs together. You have nothing to compare it to, but it looks long and thick enough to hit all the spots your fingers never reached. So pretty, too, just like the rest of him.

He doesn’t even have to ask before you shimmy out of your shorts and panties, casting them aside.

Jake looks up at you and bites down on his lip. “Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he says under his breath.

You smile shyly, crawling over and straddling him again. Your pussy clenches around nothing, knowing his cock is so close yet so far.

Jake takes your hands and places them on his shoulders before resting his hands on your waist. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” you say quietly.

“I’ll help you through it, don’t worry.”

You nod. You lift yourself up a little more and move forward, so your pussy is hovering over his cock.

“That’s it.” He wraps his hand around the base, holding it steady for you. “Now lower yourself down. Take your time.”

You do as he says. You feel his tip pressing at your entrance and you take a second. This is it. You take a breath and sink down further, whimpering at the stretch that brings a bit of pain and a bit of pleasure. You close your eyes, trying to relax your body as you attempt to take him. He bottoms out and you exhale softly.

Jake massages the skin of your hips, giving you a small smile. “Good girl. You’re doing well, baby.” He places a short kiss on your lips. “Move when you’re ready, you’re in control here.”

You slowly lift yourself back up, moaning as his cock drags against your walls. Then you sink back down. It takes you a couple of tries before you find the perfect angle, the head of his cock brushing that spot inside of you that has you craving more. The sounds filling the room are downright dirty, but neither of you care. Jake’s head is tilted back, eyes closed and lips parted as he holds on to your hips. His moans sound so sweet, making you want to draw more out of him.

Your thighs start to burn, but you keep going, too lost in the pleasure to stop. The band in your stomach is tightening, getting closer to snapping.

Jake sees you starting to struggle and grips your hips tighter, helping lift you up and down, thrusting up into you each time. You cry out, grabbing onto his shoulders so you don’t fall.

“Fuck,” he groans, biting down on his lip. The sound of his voice has you clenching around him.

He pulls out of you and you whimper at the loss. He flips you onto your back, barely giving you a second to catch your breath before swiftly entering you again. He leans down and captures your lips in a hungry kiss, his thrusts beginning to speed up. He’s growing more desperate, and honestly, so are you.

You wrap your legs around his waist and the new angle allows him to go deeper. It quickly brings you to the edge, only needing a small push to send you over. “I’m close,” you say in a small voice.

“I got you, sweetheart.” He places a gentle kiss to your neck, his hand reaching between the two of you. His thumb finds your clit, rubbing slow circles.

You start to squirm, grinding your hips into his touch. The pleasure builds until it’s nearly unbearable, and then it releases, hitting you like a tidal wave. Your eyes roll to the back of your head, your back arching. You feel like your nerves are alight, your senses being consumed.

Your orgasm triggers Jake’s own, his hips stilling before he empties himself inside of you. You whimper slightly at the feeling, still recovering from your high.

Jake pulls out and lies down beside you. He turns his head to look at you. “You feeling okay?”

You nod, turning onto your side. “I’m good,” you say with a smile.

He raises a brow, clearly a little surprised. “Really?”

“Really.” You’re telling the truth. You don’t feel bad at all. If anything, you feel better now.

He must see in your face that you’re being honest. He grins. “That’s good, sweetheart. I’m glad.” He kisses you, softly this time. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Jake goes and gets a wet towel, then comes back and gently wipes away the mess between your thighs. He picks up your clothes from the floor and helps you put them back on, getting dressed himself before climbing back into bed.

“You can stay here if you want,” he offers.

You settle under the covers, getting comfortable. “I think I will.”

He chuckles to himself, getting comfortable as well. “Goodnight, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.”

“Goodnight. Sweet dreams to you too.” You close your eyes.

Jake turns out the light and the room goes dark.

As you lay there, waiting for sleep to take over, you can’t help but think how right this feels. It makes you happy, having someone lie beside you. You can’t help but feel like this is a turning point. Not just because you lost your virginity. But like maybe you can finally start putting a bit of trust in the men you’ve found yourself stuck with.

To be continued...

Taglist: @un06 @naviiy @lilyuwon @kangseulgithegreat @seungielvr @saturdayssvillain @wonenonly @msauthor @nshmrarki @sakanelli-afc @b3tt7boop @yunjinswifee @lucycarlisleswife @lol6sposts @fandommaniac07 @strxwbloody @iritas @toodeloosoo @jungwonmeover @sol3chu @skzenhalove @chaoticotaku @moonpri @donttaketome @slvtella @d-dilemma @heeshlove @qrazyquokka @yangjungwonnie @ro-diaries

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Dividers by @dollywons

The dance is killing me, I’M IN LOVE 😭😭

His collarbones??? His shoulders????

[JUNGWON] 🐻

NI-KI WITH AN EYEBROW PIERCING

I REPEAT, NI-KI WITH AN EYEBROW PIERCING!

Loving this mini series with the maknae line!

charms and chasers. | miniseries

PAIRING ▸ enhypen maknae line x reader

GENRE ▸ hogwarts! au, halloween special, romance, fluff, angst, humor

SUMMARY ▸ another year at hogwarts, another year of chaos. that also means another chance at love for the three boys. will they be able to share their hearts or will they end up spending the end-of-year feast alone?

AKA another (not so) typical enhypen hogwarts themed au…

NOTES ▸ oh wow what a surprise i have another miniseries 😭this is a thanks for 400 followers 🥳🥳but unfortunately i only had time to write for enhypen’s maknae line so that’s why this is a halloween special miniseries!!

status ▸ completed (31.10.22)

misfit.

PAIRING ▸ hufflepuff! sunoo x slytherin! reader

GENRE ▸ hogwarts! au, s2ls, romance, angst, fluff, humor

SUMMARY ▸ you swear your new seatmate in potions gets on your last nerve. everything about him just irks you. you swear kim sunoo will be the death of you, whether you like it or not (and maybe you do). 

AKA all’s fair in love and war. 

confundo.

closer.

PAIRING ▸ ravenclaw! jungwon x ravenclaw! reader

GENRE ▸ hogwarts! au, fake dating! au, f2ls, romance, angst, fluff, humor

SUMMARY ▸ your house’s prefect, yang jungwon, is the textbook definition of a ravenclaw. as a fellow housemate and friend, you’re certainly willing to help him out when he needs it. but when jungwon asks you to be his date for the yule ball, you don’t expect the trouble that follows.

AKA you and jungwon are the definition of dumb and dumber. 

alohomora.

hype boy.

PAIRING ▸ slytherin! niki x gryffindor! reader

GENRE ▸ hogwarts! au, rivalry! au, e2ls, romance, angst, fluff, humor

SUMMARY ▸ you and niki supposedly hate each other’s guts, everyone knows. slytherin vs. gryffindor, green vs. red, no one can break you two apart- except when a night on the quidditch field may prove otherwise.

AKA (un)fortunately for you, niki is indeed your hype boy. 

legilimens.

MAIN TAGLIST ▸ @precioussoulofmine @lov3niki @heesterical @coffeewon @rerequire @nvertheless @duolingofanaccount

send an ask/dm to be added to the main/series taglist!

♫︎ YOUR EYES ONLY | P.SH

╰ sugar talking, your eyes only, yeah

YOUR EYES ONLY: sunghoon has a secret, something he has only kept to himself. he has a ability, something which shows him what someone is thinking or what is gonna happen to them in future but all of it stops upon you, why? . GENRE: fluff. . WARNINGS: use of cuss words, kisses, alcohol, not proofread. . WORD COUNT: 10.1k

adele’s note : : I would just like to thank all those who read my previous fics, it really made my day. about this fic, i’m not really sure. this didn't match my expectations and turned out idk so predictable and boring but I hope it doesn't seem as bad as I think it turned out to be.

THE sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the school courtyard where you stood with clenched fists, staring at Sunghoon in utter disbelief. He had his usual smug expression plastered on his face, the one that made your blood boil every time he was near. The soft breeze played with the stray strands of your hair, and you could hear the distant chatter of students leaving for the day, completely unaware of the scene unfolding between the two of you.

You had spent the entire afternoon in the quiet corner of the library, pouring your heart out into a love letter meant for someone else. The carefully chosen words and delicate decorations were a manifestation of your shy, bottled-up feelings, all neatly folded into that precious piece of paper. But now, Sunghoon stood there, casually leaning against the wall with one foot propped up, his arms crossed over his chest as if he owned the entire universe. In his hand was your letter, now crumpled into an unrecognizable ball.

“What the heck are you doing?” you snapped, your voice laced with anger and hurt as you glared at him. Your hands were balled into fists at your sides, nails digging into your palms, trying to keep your composure as your eyes darted from his face to the crumpled paper.

Sunghoon’s expression remained cold and unbothered, his dark eyes scanning you with an unreadable glint. He stood there with a lazy confidence, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other still clutching the crushed letter. He didn’t even bother to look at the ruined letter as he spoke, his tone dripping with a casual indifference that only fueled your frustration.

“Helping you out,” he muttered nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. His voice was calm, almost bored, and the way he spoke made you feel like you were the one being unreasonable.

You narrowed your eyes, stepping closer to him, the distance between you shrinking but the tension growing thick like the humid air before a storm. “Helping me out?” you echoed, your voice rising in pitch as your eyes bore into his, searching for any hint of sincerity or remorse. “How does destroying my letter count as helping?”

Sunghoon shrugged, the movement so casual it made your skin prickle with irritation. His eyes flickered away from yours, scanning the emptying courtyard as if there were something far more interesting to watch than your anger. “He was gonna reject you anyways,” he said simply, his voice flat and detached, as though he were stating a fact rather than delivering a painful blow to your hopes.

Your mouth fell open slightly, caught between shock and the stinging bite of his words. Sunghoon’s casual cruelty never ceased to amaze you, but this time it felt personal. You took another step forward, your posture rigid with indignation, while he stayed annoyingly relaxed, his stance never faltering.

“Don’t you think you’re being too rude?” you muttered through clenched teeth, your voice tinged with the hurt you tried so hard to mask with anger. His indifference was like salt on a fresh wound, and you hated how he always seemed to know exactly how to get under your skin. You glanced down at the crumpled letter in his hand, feeling the sting of tears welling up despite your best efforts to keep them at bay.

Sunghoon met your gaze with an unflinching stare, one that held no apology, only a cold certainty that made your stomach churn. He turned his head slightly, tossing the letter into the nearby trash can with a careless flick of his wrist, as if discarding your feelings was no more difficult than throwing away a piece of litter.

“It took me hours to write and decorate it,” you added, your voice cracking slightly as the reality of what he had done sank in. You watched the letter fall into the trash, a mix of frustration and sadness clawing at your chest. Sunghoon didn’t even glance back at it, his focus entirely on you, as if waiting to see how you would react, feeding off the turmoil he caused.

Sunghoon simply scoffed, the sound low and dismissive, his lips curling into a faint smirk that only deepened your dislike for him. “Time better spent,” he said cryptically, pushing off the wall with a smooth, effortless motion. He straightened his posture, towering over you slightly, the space between you charged with unspoken words and simmering resentment.

You watched him turn away, his back straight and strides confident, as though he hadn’t just shattered a piece of your heart. His hands were tucked into his pockets now, a picture of casual arrogance, and for a moment you wondered what made him so cold, so utterly unfazed by the pain he caused.

As he walked away, each step slow and deliberate, you couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of hatred and curiosity. There was something about Sunghoon—something hidden beneath his icy demeanor that you couldn’t quite understand, and that unknown only made your resentment burn hotter.

You watched until he disappeared around the corner, leaving you alone in the dimming light of the courtyard, staring at the trash can where your crumpled love letter lay discarded. You hated him so damn much, yet couldn’t deny the unsettling pull of wanting to know why.

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the bustling school grounds as students shuffled in, their chatter blending into a low hum of excitement for the day ahead. You walked along the familiar path to your high school, the slight chill of the morning breeze ruffling your hair. As you approached the entrance, your eyes landed on him—Shen Ricky, the boy who made your heart race and your thoughts scatter like confetti every time he was near.

There he stood, leaning against the school gate, looking effortlessly cool in his school uniform. His blonde hair, though clearly dyed, shone under the sunlight, catching every glint and shimmer, as if it were spun from gold. The sight of him made your breath hitch and your heart thud in your chest like a drumbeat, drowning out every rational thought.

His easy-going posture and the casual way he chatted with a friend only added to his allure, leaving you utterly starstruck. You swallowed nervously, your palms suddenly clammy against the rose you clutched tightly in your hand—a single bloom you had picked up on your way, unable to afford a proper bouquet but too determined to let that stop you.

“Ricky!” you called out, your voice breaking slightly as you tried to sound more confident than you felt. The moment his name left your lips, his head turned in your direction, his expression brightening with a smile that seemed to light up the whole schoolyard. His smile—oh, that smile—made your knees feel weak, your resolve both strengthened and faltered in the same breath.

Ricky’s smile grew as he walked over to you, each step so smooth, so natural, that it felt like time slowed down just for this moment. The gentle way he moved, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, and the slight tilt of his head as he approached—all of it made your heart flutter uncontrollably.

“What’s up?” he asked, his voice a perfect mix of casual friendliness and that sweet, effortless charm that always had you reeling. He stood in front of you now, close enough that you could catch a faint whiff of his cologne—a crisp, clean scent that somehow made him even more captivating. You were friends, just casual friends, but every small kindness, every word he spoke to you felt like a treasure, something to be cherished and tucked away in the corners of your heart.

You blinked, trying to steady yourself as the reality of what you were about to do hit you full force. This was it. The moment you had been waiting for, rehearsing in your mind over and over, picturing how you would finally confess the feelings that had been bubbling inside you for so long. Your grip tightened on the rose, its delicate petals trembling in your hands just as much as you were.

“I…” You began, your voice catching slightly as nerves threatened to take over. But this was your chance, and you didn’t want to let it slip away. With a shaky breath, you summoned every ounce of courage you had, lifting the rose between you, its soft pink petals a stark contrast against the crisp white of your school uniform. “Ricky, I really like y—”

But before you could finish, something—or rather, someone—interrupted you. A hand clamped over your mouth, the suddenness of it making you gasp in surprise, your words dying on your lips. The rose wobbled in your grip, your eyes widening as you tried to process what just happened. The familiar scent of leather and the cool touch of rings on your skin gave away the identity of your uninvited interrupter. You turned your head, your eyes narrowing in disbelief as they met the icy, indifferent gaze of Sunghoon.

Sunghoon stood behind you, his expression as unreadable as ever, his hand still firmly pressed over your mouth as if you were a doll whose speech could be silenced at will. His grip was firm yet gentle, not enough to hurt but enough to stop you in your tracks. You could feel his presence towering over you, the heat radiating from his body as he leaned in slightly, his face dangerously close to yours.

“She likes your shirt, it’s good,” Sunghoon finished for you, his voice cold and clipped, delivering the words with an air of nonchalance that made your stomach twist in frustration. He released his hand from your mouth slowly, as if savoring the control he wielded over the situation. Your heart pounded in your chest, a mix of anger, embarrassment, and something else you couldn’t quite name surging through you as you watched Ricky’s confused expression.

Ricky blinked, clearly thrown off by the abrupt shift in the conversation, but being the polite person he was, he simply nodded, a small, puzzled smile tugging at his lips. “Uh, thanks?” he replied, his tone uncertain as he glanced between you and Sunghoon. The awkwardness lingered in the air, and you felt the heat rise to your cheeks, mortification flooding you as Ricky gave a quick wave and turned to walk away, leaving you standing there, holding the rose and your thwarted confession.

You turned to Sunghoon, your eyes blazing with a mixture of fury and humiliation. He had stepped back now, his posture still relaxed, hands once again tucked into his pockets, as if he hadn’t just derailed one of the most important moments of your life. His expression remained impassive, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he watched Ricky’s retreating figure.

“Why the hell did you do that?” you snapped, your voice rising as you tried to contain the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside you. Sunghoon met your glare with his usual calm, unfazed demeanor, his eyes flicking to the rose still clutched in your hand, the petals now slightly crushed from your tight grip.

He shrugged, the motion slow and deliberate, his eyes never leaving yours. “Trust me, I did you a favor,” he said simply, his tone flat and unbothered, as though his actions were somehow justified in his twisted logic. He turned on his heel, leaving you standing there, heart still racing and cheeks still burning from the humiliating encounter.

You watched him walk away, your mind a tangled mess of frustration and confusion. Sunghoon was like a puzzle you couldn’t solve, and you hated how he always seemed to have the upper hand. As you stood there, clutching the now-meaningless rose, you couldn’t help but wonder why Sunghoon always found a way to insert himself into your life, and why, despite the anger simmering inside you, you couldn’t entirely shake the curiosity that kept drawing you back to him.

The final bell rang, and the corridors filled with the chaotic buzz of students eager to head home. You spotted Sunghoon near the lockers, his usual smug expression on display as he chatted casually with his friends. Your anger, simmering since that morning's ordeal, boiled over. Determined, you marched up to him, grabbing him by the shoulders with a force that made him stumble slightly, caught off guard.

"Do you hate me so much that you want to mess up my love life?" you demanded, your voice laced with frustration. Sunghoon’s eyebrows arched, his signature eye roll coming into play as he glanced over at his friends, who were now paying keen attention to the unfolding drama.

"Why would you think that?" he asked, his tone dripping with a mix of sarcasm and disinterest. He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against the locker with an infuriatingly calm demeanor. His friends stood nearby, whispering among themselves but clearly entertained by the spectacle.

"Because I didn’t know you before," you continued, your voice rising slightly, fueled by the pent-up rage that had been festering since the first time Sunghoon interfered. "We never talked! And then you just… approached me, acted like we were casual friends, and now this? I don’t understand, Sunghoon!" Your words spilled out in a heated rant, each syllable tinged with the raw hurt that Sunghoon’s actions had caused.

He tilted his head, unfazed by your outburst. "You hate being friends with me, is that what you’re saying?" he shot back, his tone challenging, eyes fixed on you with an intensity that made your pulse quicken. He wasn’t backing down; if anything, he was leaning into the confrontation, relishing in it.

"That's… not what I said," you stuttered, momentarily thrown off balance by his sharp retort. But the image of Ricky's confused face earlier that morning flashed in your mind, reigniting the fire in your chest. You took a step closer, your grip on Sunghoon's shoulders tightening as you tried to make sense of his motives.

"I mean, I like Ricky. You know that. And yet, you tore up my love letter to him—crumpled it up like it was nothing. Even today, you pulled that stunt! Why, Sunghoon? What’s your problem?" Your voice cracked slightly, the raw vulnerability in your words surprising even yourself. The hurt in your gaze was unmistakable, and for a brief moment, Sunghoon’s smug expression faltered, replaced by something unreadable.

"Why?" you pressed, your voice softer now but still laden with confusion. Sunghoon opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, a gentle hand rested on your shoulder, drawing your attention away. You turned, your heart skipping a beat as Ricky stood beside you, his warm smile instantly melting away the tension that had been suffocating you.

"Are you free?" Ricky asked, his voice soft but filled with a casual confidence that made your cheeks flush. You blinked, momentarily forgetting the heated argument with Sunghoon as Ricky’s presence enveloped you in a wave of comforting familiarity.

"No, she's not," Sunghoon interjected sharply, his grip tightening on your other shoulder. His voice was laced with irritation, and his eyes flicked between you and Ricky with a mix of defiance and something that almost looked like jealousy. The tension between the two boys crackled in the air, palpable and intense.

"Is that so?" Ricky responded coolly, not backing down in the slightest. His gaze shifted to Sunghoon, a challenge silently exchanged between them. You hesitated, feeling the weight of both their expectations pressing down on you, but the softness in Ricky’s eyes was too hard to resist.

You brushed off Sunghoon’s hand, stepping closer to Ricky. A shy smile tugged at your lips as you nodded. "I’m free," you said softly, your voice wavering slightly under the weight of the moment. Ricky’s face lit up with that heart-melting smile of his, and he draped an arm around your shoulder, steering you away from the lockers and the lingering tension.

As you walked with Ricky, the two of you fell into easy conversation. His warmth and kindness were a stark contrast to Sunghoon’s icy demeanor, and being around him made you feel light and free. You laughed at something Ricky said, the sound soft and genuine, and you couldn’t help but steal glances at him, your admiration only growing. There was something so sweet about him, so earnest, that made you fall for him all over again.

Behind you, Sunghoon watched the two of you walk away, his expression darkening with every step you took. He scoffed under his breath, a bitter edge creeping into his features as he turned back to his friends, who were now nudging him playfully, trying to gauge his reaction. Sunghoon shrugged them off, shoving his hands into his pockets as he started walking, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn’t quite untangle. He watched you from a distance, his chest tightening with an unspoken frustration, and for the first time, the cracks in his cold façade began to show.

The air between you and Ricky was thick with anticipation as you pressed closer to him, your breaths mingling in the small space that separated you. "Mm... say you like me... please..." you whispered urgently against his lips, your voice trembling with need. You searched his eyes, hoping for the words you so desperately needed to hear, but Ricky simply hummed in response, his lips crashing onto yours with a fervor that sent shivers down your spine. His kiss was intense, his tongue slipping into your mouth, making your heart race wildly in your chest.

Your thoughts spun in a chaotic whirlwind. Was this just a fleeting moment for him, a game to be played and then discarded? Or did this mean as much to him as it did to you? The questions swirled in your mind, each one more agonizing than the last as his hands roamed your body. You needed assurance, something to anchor you in the reality of this moment, but his actions left you teetering on the edge of uncertainty.

Ricky's hand reached for the zipper of your dress, fingers deftly tracing the fabric as he pulled it down with a practiced ease. "Ricky..." you breathed, your voice barely a whisper, but laced with a desperation that cut through the heated silence.

There was an emptiness in his gaze, a distance that made you feel as though you were miles apart despite the closeness of your bodies. His touches were skilled, but they lacked the warmth you craved, the reassurance that he felt the same depth of emotions as you did. It was as if he were with you in body but not in spirit, and that realization stung more than you cared to admit.

You couldn’t shake the feeling that his interest in you only extended as far as the physical. The connection you hoped to find in his touch was conspicuously absent, replaced by a cold detachment that left you feeling hollow. Your hands clutched at him, trying to pull him closer, to close the distance that his indifferent touch had created, but the truth lingered in the back of your mind, insistent and undeniable. He didn’t love you, not the way you wanted him to. And maybe, just maybe, he never would.

Sunghoon jolted awake, gasping as his eyes flew open, the vision dissipating like smoke around him. His heart pounded wildly, the remnants of the dream clinging to him like a stubborn fog. He sat up in bed, his breath ragged as he tried to shake off the lingering images. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing back the strands that had fallen over his forehead.

What the hell was that? He rubbed his eyes, trying to ground himself in the reality of his room. Sunghoon had always had visions, flashes of people and places that he couldn’t quite place, but they had never felt this personal, this invasive. It was always random strangers before, glimpses of lives that had no connection to his own. But now, it was you.

And it wasn’t just once. It was always you, over and over, caught in moments that Sunghoon felt he had no right to see. His frustration bubbled up, a mixture of confusion and irritation. Why was this happening? What was it about you that had somehow become tangled in his strange, unexplainable gift? Sunghoon clenched his fists, staring blankly at the wall as he tried to piece together the answer, but the more he thought about it, the further it seemed to slip away.

Why you? Why now? And why, for the first time, did it feel like more than just a vision?

And so, the next week was nothing short of a whirlwind, chaotic and unpredictable, but somehow, here Sunghoon was, supporting your drunken self as you stumbled along the sidewalk, your mumbled words barely coherent. The night air was cool, a gentle breeze ruffling your hair as you leaned heavily against him, your steps unsteady. Sunghoon tightened his grip, wrapping an arm securely around your shoulders to keep you upright.

“Why the hell would you drink if you can’t handle it?” he muttered under his breath, a mix of annoyance and concern lacing his voice. He glanced at you, your face flushed and eyes glazed, the aftermath of too many drinks taking its toll.

"Ricky..." you whimpered, your voice cracking as fresh tears spilled over. “He was with a girl.” Your words were slurred, the betrayal evident in your tone as you clung to Sunghoon, seeking solace in the warmth of his presence.

Sunghoon sighed, his expression tightening with a hint of frustration. "I told you, he doesn’t like you,” he said, his voice low but firm. “You should’ve listened to me.” There was no malice in his words, only the blunt truth that he knew you needed to hear, even if it stung.

“But... I thought...” you trailed off, your mind muddled and heart aching. “Am I ugly? Why doesn’t he like me?” The self-doubt poured out in a soft, drunken lament, your thoughts spiraling as you tried to make sense of Ricky’s indifference. Suddenly, a giggle bubbled up from your throat, unexpected and slightly delirious, as you caught sight of a couple kissing passionately in the shadows of the dimly lit street.

“He was kissing her just like that,” you muttered, your giggle turning bitter, the sound tinged with heartbreak as you pointed at the couple. They broke apart, startled by your slurred commentary, their expressions quickly morphing into awkward discomfort as they glanced your way.

Sunghoon, ever the quick thinker, shot them an apologetic smile, raising a hand in a gesture of reassurance. “She’s just drunk,” he explained, his voice calm and composed, though the situation was anything but. He quickly steered you away, guiding you through the bustling streets with a practiced ease, his arm still draped protectively over your shoulder.

As you continued to lean into him, your steps uneven and your words a jumble of sadness and inebriation, Sunghoon couldn’t help but feel a mix of exasperation and something softer, a quiet resolve to see you safely home. The city lights flickered around you, casting long shadows on the pavement as he navigated the familiar route.

Sunghoon practically dragged you to your dorm room, your steps uncoordinated and wobbly, your weight slumping heavily against him. Once outside your door, he pressed you against it, using his body to keep you upright, his chest firm against your back as he supported you. Your giggles bubbled up, light and drunken, and Sunghoon gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the way your breath tickled his neck.

"What are you doing?" you slurred with a drunken giggle, feeling his hands patting down your sides and front as he searched your pockets. The heat of his body against yours was oddly comforting, a stark contrast to the cool surface of the door.

"Checking for your keys," he muttered tersely, trying to keep his focus as he fumbled through your belongings. His fingers brushed against your hip, then your thigh, his movements efficient and hurried, but still the closeness registered. Sunghoon’s breath hitched slightly, the sudden awareness of how intimately close he was hitting him just as a sharp voice broke the silence.

"What the hell do you think you two are doing?" A volunteer from the hostel had appeared at the end of the hall, her eyes wide with suspicion as she took in the sight of the two of you pressed tightly together. Sunghoon’s face flushed instantly, and he jerked away from you, his sudden movement leaving you swaying precariously.

"She's sick!" Sunghoon stammered, grabbing you just in time before you collapsed onto the floor. He caught you awkwardly, his grip tightening around your waist as he tried to keep you steady. You blinked up at him, disoriented, your gaze glassy and unfocused.

"Doesn’t look like it," the volunteer said, her expression stern and her eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. She crossed her arms, taking a step closer as she eyed Sunghoon warily. "If I see or hear anything weird, I’ll have to kick you out."

"Yes, ma’am," Sunghoon nodded quickly, his tone placating as he offered her a stiff, nervous smile. He barely managed to get the door open with one hand while keeping you upright with the other, and he guided you into your room, carefully closing the door behind him.

You stumbled inside, your vision swimming as you tried to make sense of the blurry figure in front of you. In your drunken haze, Sunghoon’s dark hair and sharp eyes morphed into someone else entirely. “Ricky...” you mumbled dreamily, your voice soft as if you were speaking to a lover in the night. Sunghoon rolled his eyes, his patience fraying as he steered you toward the couch, helping you down gently.

“God, why’d you drink?” he groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The soft lighting of your dorm room cast shadows across his face, highlighting the tension in his jaw as he looked down at you, sprawled out on the couch, your cheeks flushed and your eyes half-lidded.

"I..." you started, your voice trailing off as you stared at him. Your gaze was unfocused, the alcohol blurring the lines of reality, and all you could see was Ricky’s face staring back at you.

Sunghoon bent down to adjust the pillow behind your head, and in that moment, you leaned forward, your movements clumsy but earnest, capturing his lips in a kiss. Your lips brushed his, soft and eager, tasting faintly of the alcohol you’d consumed. Your eyes fluttered closed, lost in the moment as you tried to pour every unspoken feeling into that kiss.

Sunghoon froze, his entire body tensing at the unexpected contact. For a brief, fleeting second, he didn’t move, stunned by the softness of your lips against his. But then reality snapped back, harsh and unyielding, and he pulled away, his expression hardening as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice sharp, tinged with disbelief and something else he couldn’t quite identify. Anger? Frustration? A strange ache in his chest that he didn’t want to acknowledge.

"I love you..." you murmured, your words slurred and heartfelt, but Sunghoon’s heart sank as you continued, "...Ricky."

Sunghoon sighed deeply, his gaze narrowing as he studied your face, now relaxed and peaceful as you slumped back onto the couch, slipping into unconsciousness. Of course, it wasn’t him you were seeing. It was never him. He clenched his fists, the sting of your misplaced affection settling heavily in his chest.

"I'm not Ricky," Sunghoon said quietly, more to himself than to you. He had always known, hadn’t he? The visions that plagued him, the dreams that showed glimpses of your thoughts and desires—none of them ever pointed to him. But knowing didn’t make it hurt any less.

You muttered something incoherent, reaching out blindly as if searching for the comfort of Ricky’s embrace. Sunghoon watched, the weight of your unrequited feelings pressing down on him as he stepped back, distancing himself from the bittersweet moment. He turned away, heading toward the door and pausing only to ensure it was securely closed behind him.

"Stupid girl," he whispered under his breath, a mix of exasperation and an unspoken sadness clouding his expression. "She thinks about Ricky even after seeing him kiss another girl."

He shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets as he made his way down the empty corridor. The taste of your kiss lingered, bittersweet and haunting, as he wondered—not for the first time—why he kept finding himself drawn to you despite knowing the truth.

Weeks had passed since that night, and you made it your mission to avoid Ricky, burying your feelings deep within. Whether it was genuine attraction or just infatuation, you couldn’t quite decide. Your heart, once easily swayed by his charm, now felt quieter, less desperate. But there was something—someone else, maybe—that kept you in an odd state of confusion.

Sunghoon had been by your side through it all, his sharp gaze always lingering a little too long, his words biting and unforgiving. He wasn’t exactly gentle, but he was there, hovering in the background like a silent guardian.

You let out a soft yawn, stretching your arms lazily above your head as you sat across from Sunghoon in the campus café. The warm afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow over the bustling scene. Sunghoon’s eyes never left you, his expression somewhere between exasperation and amusement as he leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest.

“You’re not going to dwell on Ricky ever again, are you?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and something else—a flicker of concern that he tried hard to mask.

You shot him an annoyed look, your lips pressing into a thin line. “Of course not,” you replied, trying to sound convincing, but the tightness in your chest betrayed you. Sunghoon’s eyes narrowed, reading the uncertainty that you tried to hide behind your casual demeanor.

Sunghoon arched an eyebrow, his gaze piercing as if he could see right through your feeble attempt at indifference. “Sure,” he scoffed, his tone dripping with disbelief. “You’ve moved on, just like that?”

But your resolve was tested when, not even five minutes later, Ricky walked in. His tall figure commanded attention, and that effortless charm—the kind that made everyone turn their heads—was on full display. You caught a glimpse of his smile, that boyish, confident grin that had once set your heart on fire. Your stomach did a familiar flip, and despite your best efforts, your pulse quickened.

You tried to keep your expression neutral, but Sunghoon’s eyes were fixed on you, scrutinizing every micro-expression, every twitch of your lips. He saw the way your breath hitched, the subtle flush that crept up your neck, and he didn’t miss the way your fingers fidgeted nervously with the hem of your sweater.

Ricky’s smile flashed in your direction, a casual acknowledgment that felt like a jolt of electricity straight to your heart. You swallowed hard, keeping your gaze steady, but inside, your thoughts were a mess.

“Oh god, he's so hot. I wish he’d just—” Sunghoon couldn't help but mimic in your voice, about everything he's hearing from your mind about Ricky.

Sunghoon’s sudden movement caught you off guard as he leaned closer, his voice low and taunting. “Seriously? Already back at it?” he murmured, his breath warm against your ear.

You whipped around, your eyes wide as you clamped a hand over his mouth. The touch was sudden, your palm pressing firmly against his lips to silence him. Sunghoon’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with a playful glint as he peeled your hand away.

“Shut the hell up,” you hissed, cheeks burning with embarrassment. You could feel the heat of his skin under your touch, and the sudden proximity made your heart race for reasons you didn’t want to examine too closely.

Sunghoon licked his lips, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “How did you even know what I was thinking?” you demanded, your voice a mix of frustration and disbelief. You still weren’t used to how unnervingly perceptive he was, how he always seemed to know exactly what was on your mind.

Sunghoon leaned back, crossing his arms with a smug expression. “So you admit you were thinking about him?” he shot back, his tone teasing but laced with an underlying challenge.

“Nope,” you denied quickly, your voice higher than you intended. “Not at all.”

“Oh, I totally believe you,” Sunghoon replied, sarcasm dripping from his words. He watched you with that all-too-knowing gaze, the one that made you feel exposed and defensive. His eyes lingered on your flushed cheeks, the way you tried to look anywhere but at Ricky, and the slight tremble in your hands as you pulled your coffee cup closer.

Sunghoon’s expression softened just a fraction, his eyes flicking over your face as if searching for something—some truth you weren’t ready to admit. He sighed, leaning in closer again, his elbows resting on the table as he propped his chin in his hand. The movement brought him closer to you, his knee brushing against yours under the table, a touch so subtle yet electrifying.

“Look,” he said, his voice gentler now, almost a whisper. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I get it, okay? I see you.”

His words hung between you, heavy with unspoken meaning, and for a moment, the café seemed to fade into the background. It was just the two of you, the space between narrowing with every heartbeat. Sunghoon’s gaze held yours, and for a fleeting second, it felt like you were both on the edge of something—something new, something uncharted.

You swallowed hard, your resolve wavering under the intensity of his stare. The romantic tension was palpable, lingering in the air like a charged current. Sunghoon’s lips parted, as if he was about to say something more, but instead, he just shook his head, a small, rueful smile tugging at his lips.

“Just... don’t get hurt, okay?” he finally said, his voice tinged with a sincerity that made your chest tighten. His eyes lingered on yours for a moment longer before he leaned back, the moment slipping away like sand through your fingers. You nodded slowly, your heart still caught in the strange, conflicting emotions that Sunghoon always seemed to stir in you.

As Ricky passed by again, his presence barely registered this time. Instead, your thoughts were tangled up with Sunghoon—the way he always seemed to know exactly what you were thinking, and the way his words had a way of cutting through your defenses, leaving you feeling raw and exposed. For the first time, you wondered if maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t Ricky you were trying to move on from after all.

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual lunchtime chaos: the clatter of trays, the hum of conversations, and the occasional loud laughter echoing off the walls. You were standing at the soup station, eyes set on a bowl of steaming broth that promised comfort in the middle of a hectic day. Just as you reached for the ladle, a strong hand suddenly gripped your arm, pulling you backward with unexpected force.

You stumbled into Sunghoon’s chest, your back pressing against his solid frame as he held you close. The world seemed to tilt for a moment, your breath catching in your throat at the sudden proximity. Sunghoon’s arms were firm around you, his face just inches from yours as he steadied you, his expression unusually tense.

“Hey! What—” you began, but the words died on your lips as a loud crash reverberated through the cafeteria. A guy had slipped on a stray piece of food on the floor, his tray flying from his hands as he fell forward. Hot soup splattered everywhere, the steaming liquid spilling across the floor exactly where you had been standing a second ago. You blinked, realization sinking in. If Sunghoon hadn’t pulled you away, that scalding soup would have drenched you.

For a moment, you just stood there, heart racing, Sunghoon’s arms still wrapped around you protectively. His grip was firm yet gentle, like he was holding onto something fragile. The warmth of his body against yours was distracting, his breath brushing the top of your head as he slowly let go, his hands lingering for just a second too long before he stepped back, eyes scanning the room.

“What just happened?” you asked, bewildered, your gaze darting between the mess on the floor and Sunghoon, who was already guiding you away from the chaos. His hand found the small of your back, steering you toward a table as cafeteria staff rushed to help the fallen guy. The tension in the air seemed to hum with every step, your mind racing to catch up with what had just transpired.

Sunghoon pulled out a chair for you, his movements smooth and calm, like this was all perfectly normal. He watched you sit down, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, you just stared at him, trying to make sense of it all.

“How did you know he was gonna fall?” you asked, your voice edged with suspicion. You couldn’t shake the feeling that Sunghoon’s actions were too precise, too timed. It was like he’d seen it happen before it even occurred.

He shrugged, looking almost bored as he sat across from you. “I just watched,” he said nonchalantly, picking up his sandwich like it was just another ordinary day.

You narrowed your eyes at him, leaning forward as you pressed, “Liar. That guy fell literally the second after you pulled me close. There’s no way you just ‘watched.’”

Sunghoon sighed, running a hand through his hair in a gesture of mild frustration. He glanced around, making sure no one was listening before he spoke, his voice low and reluctant. “I can, um… kind of see the future,” he admitted, his eyes flicking up to meet yours. “And sometimes, I can read people’s thoughts.”

For a moment, you just stared at him, waiting for the punchline of what you assumed was a poorly timed joke. But Sunghoon’s expression was deadly serious, his gaze unwavering. He wasn’t laughing, wasn’t smirking; he was just looking at you with a sort of resigned honesty that made your stomach twist.

“And you expect me to believe that?” you asked, your voice incredulous. “Come on, Sunghoon, this isn’t some sci-fi movie.”

“I’m not joking,” he insisted, his tone firm but not pleading. He held your gaze, his eyes steady and sincere, like he was silently begging you to understand. But the more he spoke, the more absurd it sounded. You couldn’t wrap your head around the idea that this was real, that Sunghoon of all people could have some supernatural ability.

“Of course you’re not,” you muttered, shaking your head as you stirred your soup absentmindedly, your skepticism clear in every line of your posture. “Right, because you can totally see the future and read minds. Next you’ll tell me you can fly.”

Sunghoon rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost weary. “It doesn’t work that way,” he said, sounding almost defensive now. “I can’t just—”

“Oh, I get it,” you cut him off, leaning closer with a smirk. “So you can only do it when it’s convenient, huh? Then tell me, what am I thinking right now?”

Sunghoon’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident as he glanced away. “It doesn’t work that way,” he repeated, his tone clipped. “It’s not like a switch I can flip.”

You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest as you sat back, your annoyance bubbling up. “See? You’re lying,” you said, the challenge clear in your voice. “If you can read minds, then do it. Prove it.”

Sunghoon’s eyes flashed, a mix of irritation and something else—something deeper, like he was grappling with the weight of this secret. He looked at you, really looked at you, his gaze intense and searching. For a moment, you felt like he was stripping away all your defenses, peering straight into the depths of your thoughts. The tension between you crackled, the air thick with unspoken words and emotions.

“I’m not lying,” he said quietly, almost defeatedly. “I can see things—small glimpses, thoughts, sometimes even future events. It’s… it’s complicated.”

You wanted to argue, to tell him how ridiculous it sounded, but the earnestness in his voice made you pause. Sunghoon was many things—sarcastic, infuriating, always too sure of himself—but he wasn’t a liar. And the way he looked at you now, so open and vulnerable, made you question everything you thought you knew.

“Okay,” you said slowly, your voice softening as you leaned closer, your gaze fixed on his. “Then tell me this—why did you pull me back?”

Sunghoon’s expression shifted, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his features. He looked down at the table, tracing the grain of the wood with his fingers as if gathering his thoughts. “Because I saw it,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I saw you getting hurt. And… I couldn’t let that happen.”

Your heart skipped a beat at his words, a strange warmth spreading through your chest. Sunghoon had always been an enigma—hard to pin down, harder to understand. But in this moment, with the truth laid bare between you, it was like seeing him for the first time. The boy who could see the future, who could read your thoughts, and who, despite it all, was just trying to protect you.

The weight of his confession hung in the air, leaving you both in a delicate, fragile silence. For once, you didn’t have a quick retort or a snarky comeback. Instead, you just nodded, accepting his words, even if you didn’t fully understand them.

As the days slipped by, Sunghoon’s uncanny foresight continued to prove itself true in small, unexpected ways. You didn’t want to believe it at first, chalking it up to coincidence, but his predictions were too precise to ignore.

Like the time he yanked you back from Ricky’s bike just as you were about to hop on, warning you that the ride wouldn’t end well. You had rolled your eyes, teasing him for his overprotectiveness, but not even an hour later, Ricky had crashed his bike, thankfully unhurt but shaken. You couldn’t help but notice Sunghoon’s complete lack of concern for Ricky’s fate, though; his focus was solely on you, a fact that was both confusing and oddly amusing.

Then there was the time during exams when, fed up with your lack of preparation, you’d jokingly asked Sunghoon if he could help you cheat. You didn’t expect him to agree, but with a mischievous grin, he’d managed to pick up on the answers from the thoughts of the class topper, feeding you the correct MCQ options for those elusive five marks. The sheer absurdity of it left you both stifling laughter throughout the test, but you couldn’t deny the rush of thrill, the shared secret cementing a bond between you that was growing stronger by the day.

Now, you found yourself by the seaside, the late afternoon sun casting golden hues across the gentle waves. You sat next to Sunghoon on a weathered wooden bench, shoulders brushing, as you both shared a pair of ear pods. Your favorite playlist softly filled the space between you, the music a quiet backdrop to the scene unfolding.

You leaned your head against Sunghoon’s shoulder, a move so casual and familiar it barely registered as unusual anymore. Sunghoon’s gaze was fixed on the horizon, his expression calm and thoughtful, his fingers drumming absentmindedly on his knee in time with the music. You let your eyes close for a moment, savoring the closeness, the easy silence between you. It was a quiet kind of bliss that you never realized you needed.

“Sunghoon,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, laced with a playful edge. His only response was a soft hum, the vibration of it resonating through your cheek pressed against his shoulder. You smiled at his nonchalance, feeling the urge to break the serenity with a question that had been nagging at the back of your mind.

“Why did you approach me?” you asked, turning your head slightly to catch a glimpse of his profile. His face was partially in shadow, but you could see the slight raise of his eyebrow as he glanced down at you, curiosity piqued.

“What do you mean?” Sunghoon replied, his tone as relaxed as the waves rolling in. He didn’t move away, just kept his eyes trained on the distant horizon, his expression unreadable yet serene.

“I mean… I didn’t really know who you were before all of this,” you said, gesturing vaguely as if to encompass the entire bizarre journey of your growing friendship and whatever this was turning into. “You just showed up, out of nowhere.”

Sunghoon’s lips quirked up in a faint smile, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as he looked down at you, something soft and almost nostalgic in his gaze. “I just dreamt about you,” he said simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Saw a glimpse of your room, your face… and I knew I had to save you.”

You blinked, processing his words, feeling a strange mix of flattery and confusion. “Save me?” you echoed, a small laugh bubbling up. “From what?”

Sunghoon shrugged, his shoulder lightly nudging your cheek. “From falling for the wrong person,” he said, his tone light but the undercurrent of sincerity clear. His gaze flickered with a hint of something deeper, something unspoken that lingered in the space between his words.

You huffed a small, incredulous laugh, pulling back slightly to look at him, your eyes narrowing playfully. “What, like you’re my guardian angel or something? I mean, at least if I fell for the wrong guy, I’d have a boyfriend, right?”

Sunghoon rolled his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching as he suppressed a smile. “Are you that desperate?” he teased, his voice laced with mock seriousness.

You smacked his arm lightly, the action making him laugh, a sound that warmed your chest like a sunbeam. “I was just kidding. Jeez, no need to be a jerk about it,” you muttered, though you couldn’t keep the grin off your face. There was a beat of silence, comfortable and charged all at once, the sound of the sea filling in the gaps.

Sunghoon glanced at you, his smile softening, his eyes holding yours for a beat longer than necessary. “Good,” he said quietly, his voice dropping to a near whisper that sent a shiver down your spine. “Because I wouldn’t want you to settle for less than what you deserve.”

Your heart skipped a beat at the earnestness in his words, and for a moment, all you could do was stare at him, the sunlight casting a warm glow over his features, highlighting the sincerity in his gaze. The playful banter had shifted into something more, something unspoken but undeniably there, hanging between you like a fragile thread waiting to be acknowledged.

You smiled, leaning back into the warmth of his shoulder, your hand brushing his in a small, tentative gesture. Sunghoon didn’t pull away; instead, his fingers curled around yours, his touch gentle and reassuring. The moment felt suspended in time, the world around you fading into the background as you sat there, side by side, tethered by something far stronger than words.

It was almost comical how little Ricky crossed your mind these days. His name barely registered, the image of his face growing more distant by the day. Sunghoon, with his easy smiles and quiet confidence, had somehow consumed your thoughts, his presence so magnetic that it was like Ricky had never even existed. Sunghoon had a way of drawing you in without even trying, his every move effortlessly capturing your attention.

You found yourself sitting on the edge of a dock, your legs dangling over the side, the water gently lapping against the wood beneath you. Sunghoon sat beside you, close enough that your shoulders brushed, the faintest touch sending tiny electric pulses through your skin. The sun was dipping low in the sky, casting a soft, golden light over everything, and you could feel the heat from his body, even through the cool breeze that danced off the lake’s surface.

Sunghoon was watching the sunset, his expression thoughtful, but you could see the hints of a smile tugging at his lips. His presence felt like a gravitational pull, and you couldn't resist leaning a little closer, feeling the warmth of his body seeping into yours. Your eyes drifted to his profile, tracing the line of his jaw, the curve of his lips, and without really thinking, you asked, “What do you think I’m thinking about, right now?”

Your voice was light, teasing, but there was a flicker of something deeper in your eyes, a challenge hidden beneath the playful tone. Sunghoon turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting yours with a knowing look that made your heart stutter. He didn’t answer right away, and you knew he was remembering too—the drunken kiss from weeks ago, the way your lips had found his in a haze of laughter and bravado, as if testing the waters of whatever lay between you.

His smile grew, slow and deliberate, and he leaned in closer, his eyes darkening with mischief. “Why don’t I just show you?” he murmured, his voice low and edged with a heat that made your pulse quicken. His gaze dropped to your lips, and before you could say another word, he closed the space between you, capturing your mouth with his.

The kiss was fervent, igniting something hot and urgent within you. It was as if he’d been holding back, and now all that restraint had snapped, leaving nothing but a raw, unfiltered desire that seared through you. His lips were soft yet insistent, moving against yours with a hunger that left you breathless. You responded in kind, your hands finding the fabric of his shirt, fingers curling into it as if anchoring yourself.

You pulled him closer, the kiss deepening, your senses overwhelmed by the taste of him, the faint scent of cologne mingling with the fresh scent of the lake. Sunghoon’s hands found your waist, gripping you as though afraid you might slip away, and for a moment, the world felt perfectly aligned, like everything had led up to this exact moment.

But then, in your fervor, you shifted your weight a little too much, and suddenly, the balance was gone. Your foot slipped on the slick, moss-covered wood, and with a startled gasp, you felt yourself tipping forward, pulling Sunghoon with you. The next thing you knew, you were both plunging into the lake, the cold water enveloping you in an instant, shocking the breath from your lungs.

You resurfaced, sputtering and gasping, your laughter bubbling up uncontrollably as you wiped the water from your eyes. Sunghoon came up beside you, shaking his hair out of his eyes, droplets flying in every direction. You couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of him, his usually composed appearance now completely drenched, his shirt clinging to his body, his hair plastered messily to his forehead.

“You okay?” Sunghoon asked, his voice tinged with amusement as he glanced at you, his eyes crinkling at the corners. There was no annoyance, no frustration—just the same easy smile that always seemed to be there, like he found the entire situation more entertaining than inconvenient.

You nodded, trying to suppress your giggles as you waded toward the shore, your clothes heavy with water. Sunghoon followed, his hand finding yours under the surface, squeezing gently as if to steady you. You climbed onto the dock, dripping wet and shivering slightly, but you couldn’t stop grinning as you sat down, the absurdity of the moment settling in.

“Did you see this in your future vision?” you asked, the words tinged with a playful skepticism as you gave him a sidelong glance. The sun was nearly set now, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink, and the golden light made the droplets on Sunghoon’s skin shimmer like tiny jewels.

He chuckled, raking a hand through his wet hair as he plopped down beside you. “Don’t you think I would’ve rather helped you out if I’d seen this coming?” he replied, his tone wry but warm. He nudged you lightly with his shoulder, the touch sending a warm ripple through you despite the chill of your damp clothes.

You rolled your eyes, but your smile didn’t fade. “God knows,” you muttered, your gaze shifting to the horizon. There was a comfortable silence, the two of you catching your breath, soaking in the last rays of the sun. You shivered slightly, and Sunghoon’s arm came around your shoulders, pulling you into his side.

For a moment, you just let yourself be held, his warmth seeping into you as you both watched the sun dip below the waterline. It felt easy, natural, like you were exactly where you were supposed to be. You glanced up at Sunghoon, his face softened in the fading light, and you couldn’t help but lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

Sunghoon turned his head, his eyes meeting yours with a spark that sent a familiar flutter through your chest. “You know,” he said, his voice low, almost contemplative, “I don’t need to see the future to know that I’m right where I want to be.”

The next day, the classroom buzzed with the usual chaos that followed the release of exam results—students huddling around the posted rankings, laughter mixed with groans, some celebrating, others cursing under their breath. You stood at the back, your eyes scanning the list with a growing sense of dread. Your gaze landed on your name, and the number next to it hit you like a punch to the gut. Thirty-fifth out of fifty. You felt a sinking feeling in your stomach, the disappointment washing over you in waves. You had expected better, especially with Sunghoon’s so-called "help."

You sighed heavily, frustration bubbling up inside you as Sunghoon appeared beside you, casually leaning against the wall with an air of nonchalance. His name was easy to spot, sitting comfortably at twelfth place. You could feel your temper flare, the unfairness of it all making your blood boil. You shot him an incredulous look, a mix of disbelief and betrayal painted across your features.

“What the hell, Sunghoon?” you muttered, your voice laced with irritation as you turned to face him fully. Your arms were crossed, and you could feel the tension in your shoulders, every nerve in your body on edge. “We copied the exact same answers with your fancy future vision, and yet I’m almost at the bottom? How does that make any sense?”

Sunghoon just chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that annoyingly charming way of his. He didn’t seem the least bit bothered by your rank, or your frustration, for that matter. Instead, he reached out, his hand finding your shoulder in a comforting gesture, his thumb brushing lightly against your skin. The touch was gentle, but it did little to soothe the anger bubbling up inside you.

“I mean, I got twelfth,” he said with a shrug, his tone nonchalant as if that explained everything. Before you could fire back, he leaned in, pressing a quick, teasing kiss to your lips. The contact was brief but electric, a jolt of warmth spreading through you. You stiffened, your eyes darting around the classroom, aware of the curious gazes of your classmates.

“Shh,” Sunghoon whispered against your lips, pulling back just enough to meet your eyes. His smirk was infuriatingly smug, and the mischief dancing in his gaze made your cheeks burn with embarrassment.

“Sunghoon, we’re at school, you idiot!” you hissed, your voice low but urgent as you shoved him away lightly. The flush in your cheeks deepened, not just from the kiss, but from the sheer audacity of it all. Your heart was racing, and you struggled to maintain your composure, aware of the amused glances thrown your way. You were still getting used to this, to the way Sunghoon seemed to have no filter when it came to showing affection, no matter where you were.

“And? I’m not allowed to kiss my girlfriend?” he countered, raising a brow, his smirk only growing wider. His words were casual, but there was a gleam of defiance in his eyes, like he was daring anyone to say otherwise. It was infuriating and yet, somehow, that confidence was what drew you to him in the first place.

You rolled your eyes, trying to push past the embarrassment, but the warmth of his touch still lingered on your skin, sending your thoughts into a chaotic whirl. “Don’t change the topic,” you grumbled, your annoyance not quite masking the flutter in your chest. “How did you end up so high when I’m down here at thirty-fifth?”

Sunghoon’s expression softened, and he let out a small sigh, his hand slipping back into his pocket. He glanced away, as if gathering his thoughts before finally meeting your gaze again. “Alright, alright,” he relented, his voice taking on a slightly sheepish tone. “I might have... tweaked things a bit.”

You frowned, confusion knitting your brows. “Tweaked how?”

“Well,” he began, scratching the back of his neck, a rare flicker of guilt crossing his features. “I told you I’d read the answers off the topper, but… he finished his paper early, so there wasn’t much to read by the time I got around to it. So, I had to settle for the guy in eleventh place, but he was still filling in the last section when time ran out. I, uh, didn’t get all the answers.”

You stared at him, your frustration renewed. “So, you gave me half the answers from some random guy in eleventh?”

He winced slightly, offering a small, apologetic smile. “Pretty much, yeah.”

You let out an exasperated groan, your head falling into your hands. “Sunghoon, you should’ve told me!” you exclaimed, your voice muffled by your palms. “You let me think we were golden, and now I’m stuck down here at thirty-fifth! You’re such a—”

But before you could finish, Sunghoon stepped forward, his hands gently cupping your face and tilting your head up to meet his gaze. His eyes were soft, but there was a teasing glint that made your breath hitch. He leaned in, capturing your lips once more, this time slower, more deliberate. The kiss was tender, disarming you instantly, the anger dissipating like smoke in the wind.

His lips moved against yours with a gentle insistence, coaxing your tension away, and before you realized it, you were melting into him, your hands gripping the front of his shirt to steady yourself. The kiss deepened, each press of his lips more intoxicating than the last, and it was all too easy to forget where you were, who might be watching.

When he finally pulled away, you were breathless, your mind a pleasant blur. Sunghoon’s forehead rested against yours, his breath mingling with yours as he offered a lopsided grin. “I’d rather kiss you than argue,” he murmured, his voice soft but edged with that same playful arrogance that both infuriated and endeared him to you.

You blinked up at him, your heart pounding in your chest, your mind struggling to refocus. “You—you can’t just kiss me every time you mess up,” you managed to stammer, though the words lacked the bite you intended. It was hard to stay angry when he was looking at you like that, his gaze warm and unwavering.

“Who says?” he replied, his thumb brushing against your cheek in a soothing motion. He leaned in closer, his lips ghosting over your ear. “Besides,” he whispered, his voice dropping to a playful, conspiratorial tone, “I can always read your thoughts and know just when you’re about to explode. Consider it... preemptive damage control.”

You couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up, your annoyance fading into a mix of exasperation and fondness. “You’re impossible,” you sighed, shaking your head, but your smile gave you away.

Sunghoon’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he pulled back slightly, his grin infectious. “But you love it,” he teased, pressing one last, fleeting kiss to the corner of your mouth before finally stepping back, his hand still lingering at your waist.

You rolled your eyes, but your heart was lighter, the weight of the ranking fiasco feeling far less significant with Sunghoon by your side. “Yeah, yeah,” you muttered, unable to keep the smile from your face as you laced your fingers with his. “Just promise you’ll do better next time, okay?”

“Cross my heart,” he said, his expression sincere, but the playful glimmer never left his eyes. As you walked down the hallway together, hand in hand, you couldn’t help but feel that, rankings aside, you’d still come out on top.

THANK YOU FOR READING !

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