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Love and religion fought. We lost.

PROMPT. “we tried we tried so much, but in the end we lost.”

PAIRING. Joshua x female reader

GENRE. angst

WARNINGS. Mention of blood, mcd, different religions, gun

WORD COUNT. 2.6K

AUTHOR’S NOTE. Finally I am here with this fic, I battled so much before posting, I don't want to offend any religion and I know it's a sensitive topic but I wanted to write it so bad. And since I decided to write angst for 13 members long ago, here's the first one. And angst being my favorite genre till now I tried doing justice to the fic, and since it's a bit of desi setting, it's a win for desi readers. Hope you like it. And I would be tagging people/readers who commented in that post earlier hehe ^^

Happy reading :)

TAG. @thepoopdokyeomtouched @aestheticfangirl @scarlet789 @nobraincellmode @woofie-nctzen-fanarts

Seventeen as angst trope

“You’re looking so pretty” I looked around, and saw my family members coming towards me and applying haldi on me, I looked at myself and saw myself wearing a yellow sharara, I saw my sister coming towards me and hugging me tight. “Hope you stay happy always like this, even after marriage” and somewhere my emotions were lost the moment someone told me this, I couldn't even recognize the voice at that point.

“Shua, I want to wear different outfits for all the ceremonies but too sad, you won’t be able to see me.” I smiled at him and he just laughed and pulled me closer in his embrace, “But you’re going to be my wife, so I would get a lifetime to watch you wear your favorite clothes” and he pinched my nose playfully. “I want to get married twice, one in all the traditions we follow and another one in your way. I don’t want to miss out on wearing a white gown and kissing you infront of everyone.”

“I’ll fulfill all your wishes, my love.”“I love you so much, Joshua”

“I love you too meri jaan” and he smiled at me once again, his smile was something that healed me every time.

“You look pretty Mishka, he is so lucky” and my mom kissed my forehead, I tried to look at her but somewhere I just couldn’t look at her at all, not after all this.

Everyone looked so happy and seemed like they were enjoying it every second, I tried to smile at them but I failed terribly. There was something wrong with me because I couldn’t express my emotions anymore. I failed to show them how I felt, as if my mind wanted to show them but my heart refused to do anything. It was the sign I lost, we lost.

“I would be the in-charge of the decorations, I want everything to be golden.”“You surely love the golden colour a lot Mishka” and he laughed and it was melody to my ears, “Yes I do and I love one more thing” he looked at me confused, “You” and I kissed him.

“You just know how to steal kisses.” And he pulled me closer by my neck and kissed me again. Every time I kissed him, I kissed him like it was my last kiss and I loved the feeling so much. I want to kiss him till the time I can’t kiss him anymore and I want to remember how he felt.

“Joshua”

“Yes, love”

“Do…you think…”“Think?” he was looking at me and I was feeling nervous, I wanted to say it loud, but he suddenly cupped my face. “What’s wrong?”

“I should tell them about us, it’s been eight years… already” “Mishka” he kissed me again and then looked at me, “if you want to tell your parents about us, you can. I’ll be there with you. We will go and talk to them, they will accept us.”

“Mishka, your mehendi looks so pretty” I turned to look at the person doing my mehendi, and here I wanted to put his initials. “And it’s done” The moment I looked at my hand, I saw the way my hand had someone else’s name’s initial, a stranger whom I don’t even know. I wanted to run away, but two things stopped me, Joshua’s thoughts and then my own family’s reputation. If I wanted, I could’ve taken a step and ran away already, but Joshua’s thoughts stopped me from doing anything.

It was raining and I ran outside, “Mishka, stop” I wanted to dance in the rain. “You’ll fall sick Mishka” For once I didn’t want to listen to his words, he always tells me I will fall sick but then he is the one who takes care of me so falling sick is worth it since he’s with me.

He suddenly came and picked me up, “Shua, oh god”

“I love you so much Mishka, I can’t explain. I want to marry you as soon as possible and want to make you mine officially.” I smiled at him, he had never confessed to me like this directly, and for marriage. He puts me down and looks at me, “Mishka, do you want to marry me?” I smiled at him, “And what makes you think that asking me like this would change my answer?” he looked nervous, “If I don’t marry you then I don’t know what will happen” “And I can never see you being someone else’s, so if you don’t marry me, I will die.”

“And I will never let that happen” and I kissed him. Losing him was never an option for me. He was my everything, he found me when I was left in the dark, and he was there for me when I was alone. And if I don’t get to be with the person I love the most, I have no idea what will I do ever in my life.

I parted and looked at him, “So will you marry me?” I nodded, “Yes, Joshua, I would be ruining my life if I said no to you” and he kissed me again under the rain.

I looked at myself, wearing the red lehenga, and I didn’t know how to respond to any of the fact, that I was getting married and my thoughts were interrupted, “Di, someone came to see you-”

“Mishi”

I turned to look at Joshua, Mishti was standing near the door and then there was Joshua beside her, “I would be leaving di, just know I am here for you.”

He walked towards me and hugged me tight, “Mishka, I can’t” I wanted to hug him tight, but my hands refused to move, no matter how much I wanted to hold him tight and cry in his embrace, he was home for me. He parted and cupped my face, “Mishka, let’s go. Let’s leave this place”

“Mishi, this is not what we want, it’s against our wish, let’s go. You’re not happy, I know it Mishka. I will take you somewhere you don’t have to suffer alone.”

“Joshua…”

“What happened Mishka? I am here for you, just for you. Let’s go, I know we can’t end like this.”

“Joshua, jo hona tha woh ho gaya, ab kuch nehi kar sakte hain, mere haatho me zanjeeren hai, koi reha nehi kar sakta aur.” (Joshua, we can’t do anything now, it’s all done, I am tied with shackles in my hand, and no one can free me anymore)

“Mishka, was it a lie?” and I had no answer, I couldn’t tell him directly, that, they told me they would kill him, if I went back to him.

“Maa, please listen to me once. Maa please” I was banging on the door but no one was listening to me, I wanted to run away. I want to run away from here and never come back. My tears were falling like no tomorrow.

“Mishka one more word and you know what can your dad do.”

“Maa, no. You won’t do anything. YOU CAN’T DO THIS!! Maa!!” I was banging on the door and then heard her unlock the door. The moment I saw her face, I started crying more, I wiped my tears and the moment I was about to say something hoping she would give me a chance to speak but she slapped me hard. She locked the door and dragged me towards my bed and pushed me there.

“One more word and Mishka-

Enough was enough, how could she do this to her own daughter?

“What was his fault? What was my fault? We just fell in love”

“Mishka you better- I wanted to scream, but the moment our eyes met, she shouted “Do you not know your dad? Do you not know what are the things that means a lot to your dad? And fault? We let you study outside and you do this to us?” “What did I do maa?” I walked towards her, my tears didn’t want to stop, they refused to listen to me for the first time. “If falling in love is a crime then yes, I did it. I DID IT” and another slap, “you are going nowhere and you are breaking up with him. You will leave him and get married to the guy we choose for you, who is right for you.” She was about to leave, but then turned back to look at me, “You don’t remember your limits? He’s a guy from a different religion and we are never saying yes to that. We can’t allow you, and remember society and reputation are everything for us.”

“Maa-” “Give up Mishka, I am against it. And don’t even think about running away, because I’m warning you again, your dad can go to any limits to separate you from him.” and that’s when I understood she wasn’t even joking, they can kill him, kill us anytime they want.

“We can’t Joshua” And I never told him the exact reason, because knowing him, he would not even regret telling me, he wanted to be together with me, didn’t matter if he stayed or died.

“We still have time, if you want we can run away right now and no one will get to know, we will go somewhere far” I took a deep breath and shook my head, clearly knowing what is going to be the consequence if I take this step, they will hunt me down and kill all of us.

“Joshua, we can’t”

“Joshua, we can’t be together, please move on from me.”

“Mishka-”

“Joshua.”

“Mis-”

“Joshua, we can’t, they will kill us. I CAN’T DO ANYTHING.” And that was the moment, I couldn’t hold back anything, if I knew I was going to be a coward for all my life then I wouldn’t have started any of this at all. I can’t even be happy with the person I love.

“And I had to choose, to see you getting killed or give up on us. And I choose you to be happy, happy without me.”

“Uss din se hamare saari bitaye lamhein, uss yaadon ke kamre me band ho gai” (that day all moments we spent together got locked in the room of our memories)

The moment he walked away from that room, I felt my heart shattering each second and into millions of pieces. I was the one who chose this for myself, letting go of the person whom I loved the most, even more than my own life. My choices in life were the ones which made me suffer the most but falling in love with him was never a choice, it was like fate and a string that was pulling me towards him and I went on with it.

I looked towards the door, from where he left, and saw Mishti coming inside, “Di, it’s time to go. Everyone’s waiting for you.” I took a deep breath and she hugged me tight, “Di, I hope he will understand” I hugged her tight, if only I could tell this to myself, but marriage? It’s the bond that holds two people together and there’s no turning back from the promises that would be made. “He can’t and so do I. I can’t make myself understand anything Mishti. I am hurting the person whom I love the most and it’s hurting me more.”

From there I don’t even remember how I walked down the aisle and I was already sitting beside the person with whom I was getting married, my face had no emotion. I couldn’t bring myself to look at anyone else. “Mishka, bring your hand forward” I was trying to focus on whatever was going on, but my body wasn’t responding to any of the words; I barely heard what maa said. I didn’t want to bring my hand forward, if I brought my hand and kept my hand on his, it would bind us forever in this sacred bond. “Mishka” Once more I hear her saying my name.

“Mishka” the moment I heard my name again but this was a different voice, I looked straight. I thought my eyes were deceiving me but I saw him walking towards me “You look so pretty Mishka, I always imagined you wearing this bridal lehenga, and look at you, you look so pretty but one thing I never imagined was, you wearing this and getting married to someone else.” and I couldn’t process anything, “you look so lovely Mishka, it feels like one of my dreams came true, partially I am so happy I got to see you in this.” I never interrupted him, but his voice was getting shaky, something which never happened to him, “Your parents came to visit me, they told me, they would never say yes and in the end, you chose them” “I am asking you for the one last time” and I could see the desperation on his face, “Take my hand and let’s runaway. I can’t see you getting married to someone else” he stopped, not very close to me and not very far from me.

There was silence, I almost couldn’t say anything, I wanted to say yes so badly but my whole family was holding me back, all the moments we spent together were flashing in front of me. I took a deep breath and was about to speak “Josh-”

“Looks like your silence and hesitation gave me the answer. Mishka, I love you so much that I can never explain in words, but one thing I can never do is, tumko kisi aur ka hote dekhna, I can never do that. I meant everything I told you that day.” He took out a gun and pointed at himself, and my reflexive action was to stand and run towards him, “Love and religion fought. We lost. We tried we tried so much, but in the end we lost. I will love you forever” And he shot himself, even before I could reach him, and his lifeless body was lying infront of me. I fell on my knees, I was holding his body, I tried shaking him, but there was no response, I wanted to hold his hand. The blood painted him and painted me red, I couldn’t see anything anymore. “Joshua, Joshua please wake up” I was shaking his body, I couldn’t do anything anymore, “Joshua, please wake up, let’s go”

I felt people coming towards me, all the emotions I was holding back, my tears came out and I was crying, I couldn’t stop.

“Mishka” and it was my mom, she was trying to pull me by my arm, but this time I pulled my arm back. I was holding Joshua’s hand and looked at her. “Dekh liya kya kar diya, khushi mil gai aap logo ko,” my mind wasn’t working anymore, “Losing yourself is better than losing the person you love and I saw the love of my life killing himself infront of me do you think I am in my right mind right now.” I grabbed the gun, “Mishka leave that”

“Mishka drop the gun”

“Mishka, don’t”

But all I could hear was his voice, his last words telling me he loved me. My ears were hearing his voice, my eyes never moved from his body. The fact, that the golden kurta he was wearing was now painted in red. I was going feral with each passing second, I was dying each second. I closed my eyes for a second and looked at my maa papa. I saw someone dragging Mishti away from me, I loved her but I loved him as well, he is alone, and he has no one here right now. I couldn’t leave him alone like this when he never left me.

“Ab iske baad jo bhi hoga uske jimmedaar baas aap dono honge, baas aap dono” (and whatever happens after this, two of you are going to be the reason, just you two) I was pointing the gun towards them and I could hear all the screaming and shouting but everything slowed down and in a fraction of a second I pointed the gun at myself and I pulled the trigger.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ (𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫)

🌼summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼pairing: wonwoo x reader

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

🌼est. feb 2024!

🌼character intros to be posted on sunday, 28 january 2024!

🌼 do note that while i am using some iconic parts of the drama, some details are changed to fit my storyline! there will be certain similarities but also slight changes, but the overarching idea is the same :>

"You're prickly and bad-tempered, and-"

"Don't finish that."

"Our encounter was never bad to me. I saw sadness behind your shell, and I wondered about it. My attention was always drawn to you, but I never thought I'd fall like this."

"I remembered you because I hated you at first. I admit that. But in the time I've gotten to know you, somehow, my every recollection of you is only filled with joy. You are the best part of this summer."

writer's note: I AM SO EXCITED YOU HAVE NO IDEA 😭 CHARACTER INTROS ARE OUT SOOOONNN!!!

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

🌼summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

🌼 status: ongoing!

teaser. character intros.

01. cash (lack thereof)

02. on a whim

03. broadcast?

04. 53,000 won

05. he made sense though

06. charming guy

07. producer park

08. rumour mill

09. push and pull

…more coming soon!

🌼 fic playlist suggestions:

sandeul - the image of you (remains in my memory)

car, the garden - romantic sunday

kassy - one sunny day

seungmin - here always

taylor swift - snow on the beach

taylor swift - daylight

cody simpson - la da dee

jack botts - home to you

jack botts - summer nights

sam fischer - this city

sabrina carpenter - espresso

taylor swift - august

wave to earth - bad

wave to earth - ocean

taylor swift ft. ed sheeran - run

taylor swift - betty

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

02. on a whim

🌼 warnings: squids, slight cursing, mentions of a horrible ex

🌼 word count: 2.1k

"Never should've come here," you mutter angrily to yourself as you stride back down the rocky path. "You have great luck, huh? No cash, and ran into a crazy woman and a crazy man together. Great."

You decide to go around and try finding an ATM. It can't be that hard, there must be a bank around here or something.

But after twenty minutes, your side of the small, idyllic town comes up empty.

Now you're panicking. You're virtually cut off from everything in the town. As backward as it is, you can't go about without money. And you really don't have the energy to go back and face Ms Hwang and Wonwoo.

Shit.

"Need a bit of help?"

You whirl around and there stands Wonwoo, who looks amused. He's holding your Marc Jacobs, which you grab from him in palpable relief.

You can see why he seems humoured by you. You probably do look insane, standing near the beach looking so frazzled, a stark opposite from every peaceful passersby. But you don't have the patience to talk to the man right about now.

"Look, if this is about the coffee-" He begins.

"It's not!"

"I've calmed Ms Hwang down. She knows you didn't mean it like that."

You roll your eyes and turn away. "Thanks," You say sarcastically.

"You didn't, right?" He adds, ignoring your jab.

"So what if I did?" You snipe back in annoyance.

"Then that would be a waste, offending someone who can help you."

You narrow your eyes at him suspiciously. "You?"

He shrugs (for maybe the third time since meeting you) nonchalantly. "Don't need it? Alright then."

"Wait-" You mentally kick yourself at how desperate you sound. "I'm not usually like this. I'm not a disorganised person."

"Uh-huh," he says. The word alone, and you know he doesn't believe you.

You groan in frustration, raking your hands through your hair. "What now? I can't find an ATM."

"Yeah, the town council just started setting it up, so even if you go to the bank now, you can't use it yet."

"Bank...? You know what, never mind. How do I get money?"

He smirks, and seemingly without a care in the world, replies, "You earn it and show her, I guess."

"No. Absolutely not."

"I couldn't get another job for you at short notice. Get in there."

"No!"

"Do you want to pay Ms Hwang back and settle the situation or not?"

"..."

You unwillingly take the bright yellow rubber gloves he has outstretched to you.

"What am I supposed to do?" You cringe as you pull the gloves on, trying to avoid the spray of seawater that comes soaring toward you as the first fish boat docks.

"Simple. You pull in the squid nets and help detangle them. And then you pour them into buckets and bring it over there." Wonwoo points, while shielding his eyes from the sun, to a group of chattering elderly women on the other side of the dock.

You visibly cringe again as you catch sight of flopping fish in the nets, and his eyes narrow at you. "Don't look like that. It's an honest job. How most of us earn a living around here."

"I-I've just never done this before -- oh that is disgusting!" You yelp and shrink back as a fisherman hauls a soaking net of fish, reeking of seaweed, over his shoulder, greeting Wonwoo cheerfully as he passes you. You wonder if Wonwoo really does know everyone in this town.

Wonwoo sighs and tiredly motions for you to get on the dock. "I'll get going after I settle you in. Don't make trouble for the fishermen."

Uncertainly, you climb into the wooden platform, and a fisherman offers you his hand. You take one look at his hand, rough with toil and wrinkled from the water, and decline. Wonwoo stares at you.

“How much am I earning?” You call out as you struggle to step away from the dirty fish nets.

“Minimum wage, of course,” Wonwoo calls back, arms folded as he scans your current position.

You stop in your tracks and look up. Your quick calculation shows that’s slightly less than ten minutes’ worth of fees for your consultation in the clinic. You open your mouth to argue about the proportion of your hard work to the meager results, but he hefts his bag and starts striding away.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“You want me to stay here and boss you around?”

Never mind. “Forget it. Leave me alone.”

He rolls his eyes. “I wasn’t planning to stay even if you wanted me to. I’ll come over later.”

The fisherman beckons you towards the docks, and with a shudder, you walk towards him.

Wonwoo can’t believe himself.

It’s been almost three hours after he left you at the docks, and he’s on his way, as promised, to give you your pay.

He’s half expecting you to be kicking up a fuss with the poor fishermen and the chatty grandmas who handle the squid, and making everyone’s life miserable, but to his surprise…you’re not.

Sure, the grandmas don’t seem to like you as much as they like him, but they seem to tolerate you enough to let you sit with them and learn how to remove the insides of a squid.

And you’re not shying away anymore. Not cringing and making stupid remarks about how gross it is. You’re sitting there, eyes trained in concentration as a grandma directs you.

Wonwoo smiles slightly before he knows it.

“Your pay,” the man himself gives you a small stack of cash.

You take it from him and sigh at how small it is. “Got it. I’m going back to the cafe.”

“Just give it to me. I’ll pass it to Ms Hwang for you, don’t think she wants to see you right now.”

You eye him suspiciously and his eyes widen comically.

“I’m not stealing your money!” He says exasperatedly.

You give in and hand him the stack. He counts out a few notes, presumably the cost of the coffee you didn't even get, and passes the rest back to you.

You shrug as you put the cash in your wallet. “Anything else?" Your voice isn't the most polite, but you're tired, so, so exhausted, and all you want to do is go home and crash.

“Going home already?”

“I’ve spent enough time here.”

He raises his eyebrows. “I see.”

He doesn’t say anything as he watches you leave.

“What?” You haven’t left the town. You’re standing next to your car, furiously talking into the phone.

“Right?! It’s insane! Of all the things in the world…” It’s your friend, Delia, a pediatric nurse, on the other end.

“You have to be kidding me. There is no way I can work on the same floor as him.”

‘Him’ being your ex. By far the ugliest breakup you had, in which the fights seemed never-ending, the slamming of doors a normal occurrence ever since his cheating. No more date nights, or any occasion that had you feeling breathless like when you met him. Stinging words had been exchanged, till the one that had gone too far: "You have a lot of gall saying all that when your parents are gone because of you."

And you had gotten out. No one should have used that against you.

Your professions had been a common denominator that drew you to each other, and it seemed that would be what reunited you.

"I'm not doing this," you snap into the phone. "I'm not starting a five-year contract with that man across the hall."

Your friend agrees before you end the call. You send a hurried email to the hospital, requesting extra discussion about your placement, before tugging at your hair in frustration. Tears burn in your eyes at the thought of your ex.

"Weren't you leaving?" You turn only to see Wonwoo standing there, hands in his pockets, his haversack slung over one shoulder in a casual, boyish fashion.

You hastily wipe your tears, as if he hadn't already seen them. His eyes change a fraction in concern.

"Yes. I was."

"What's wrong?"

"None of your business."

He shakes his head at you. "You really need to work on that sharp tongue of yours." Raising a hand in goodbye, he says, "Then I'll get going. A kid in the neighbourhood needs me."

"What for?" The words come out before you can stop them.

He looks back to you, bemused. "What?"

You swallow. "I'm a pediatrician. If a child is hurt or something, I can deal with it."

He tilts his head. "Well...yeah, the kid is running a high fever or something. Might be the flu, we get that a lot around here."

"Okay," you say, typing something in your phone. "Lead the way."

"You're serious?"

"Is there a hospital or clinic you can get them to?" You ask, eyes still on your phone as you note things down, as you do for occasional house calls.

"The nearest hospital is a 45-minute drive away since the only clinic here closed some time back. We usually just go to the town pharmacy when we need anything," Wonwoo prattles as if he's said it a thousand times.

You frown at him in disapproval. "Why wouldn't you have a clinic here? It's a whole town full of people."

"This isn't the city, miss," Wonwoo repeats. "You can't really expect everything you have in the city to be here too."

"Don't you think that's such a lame excuse? You can't even handle any health problems," you counter, and he goes quiet, raising his brows inquisitively. "And my name is Y/N. Don't waste my time. Let's go."

"38.7 degrees," you say out loud, sitting on the floor of the family's humble home with Wonwoo next to you. The young mother clutches her shivering son to her a little tighter, looking panicked. "Oh, what should I do? He couldn't eat anything and he got dizzy, and-"

You look up from the small pile of supplies you got from the small pharmacy, and reply, "Don't worry. It should just be a slightly more severe cold than usual. He's pushing a fever because his body is fighting an infection, and the body's response is why he can't eat anything right now. But I'll get him to swallow a bit of water with paracetamol, and sponge his forehead. It should break the fever. For the dizziness, it's because his immune system is affected by the cold. Let him sleep through it, and once the fever breaks, he'll be just fine."

The mother seems concerned still, and so you continue to placate her. "We're closer to the sea here, so colds like these are common because of the cooler weather. And he's still young. Kids tend to be more susceptible to sickness. This is still perfectly normal, so don't worry too much. I promise he'll be okay."

The mother seems less panicky and begins tending to her son after a brief thank-you. Wonwoo turns to look at you, your eyes still fixated on the duo. You just spoke so much, so gently, to a mother and child you didn't even know.

"So, you're a doctor, huh?" It's after everything has settled. You and Wonwoo are walking down the narrow path together.

"Pediatrician. I can do family medicine in general too, I just specialise in pediatrics."

"The town could do with a doctor like you," he muses. "Better than the villagers having to travel so far all the time."

"I was thinking about that."

"What?"

You shrug. "It's not right that there's no doctor here at all."

"Mhm. I've been nagging the town council for a small clinic at least, but they haven't been able to find a doctor who can stay long-term over here." Wonwoo kicks a small pebble with his well-worn boots, and it skittles off the path into the grass.

"I have a few months before I have to head back for my job."

"Uh-huh..."

You breathe deeply. The next sentence seems so daunting. "I can do a short attachment here. Clinic appointments or something."

He raises his eyebrows. "I thought you hated it here."

"I do." You reply with no hesitation. "I...I just don't like the idea of kids not having a doctor around. Especially with the dirt and sea air and germs around here and all that."

"Whatever you say, Miss Doctor." He's smiling slightly as you ramble.

"It's Y/N."

"Got it, Miss Doctor. And I'm Wonwoo. Jeon Wonwoo. People around here just call me Chief Jeon." He holds his hand out to shake yours.

"Okay, Chief Jeon." You turn to face him, ignoring his offered hand. He retracts it, looking even more amused. "I'll do this three-month arrangement. In return, I need a favour."

"Name it."

"Fix the card machines."

He lets out a chuckle at your firm order. "You drive a hard deal. Consider it done."

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.02: on a whim

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼taglist: @gaslysainz

writer's note: yayayay you're staying! thanks for reading ✌️

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

03. broadcast?

🌼 warnings: awkward situations!

🌼 word count: 2,297 words

"So you're moving in?" Wonwoo asks as you finish up your fifth phone call of the day.

"Guess so," you shrug as you tuck your phone back into your pocket. "I got a moving company to help me with my stuff. Not everything, since I'll be going back in a few months."

He nods thoughtfully. "And you'll need a place to stay, I'm guessing."

You look at him. "I'm not staying with you. Don't try that."

"Calm down, Miss Doctor. I'm not ever offering my place up. You'll need to pay rent for that anyway. I can arrange a meeting with a landlord for you if you need it."

"How do I know I can trust you?" You narrow your eyes.

"I know everyone in this town." Wonwoo replies without missing a beat, in the tone that grates on your nerves. "What's it going to be? I'm a busy man."

Miss Kim is nice. Probably the nicest person in the town ever.

She drafts up a contract swiftly right in the local bookshop after your discussion about your housing arrangement with the help of Wonwoo, who serves as your middleman. She also starts talking about a small clinic space for you.

"So just pay the stipulated monthly rent in the duration of the last week of every month and you're good." Miss Kim summarises after you've both signed the handwritten contract.

"Alright," you say.

Miss Kim smiles. "It's been a while since we've had any newcomers in the town. You're going to have a good time."

"I doubt that," you reply quietly, but Miss Kim waves you off.

"Wonwoo," she turns to the man sitting next to you. "I'll leave the renovating to you and the boys? Not sure about the plumbing situation, but-"

You raise your eyebrows in surprise.

"No worries," Wonwoo reassures the middle-aged woman, a warm smile on his face. "Shua and Kwan are pretty free around this time. We'll handle it. And it's for a clinic, that's important. We'll sort that out too."

"Oh, you angel," the woman sighs happily. "Well, that's one load off. Y/N, dear, I'll see you soon when you move in. No need to worry about anything. Wonwoo, Joshua, and Seungkwan will handle it for you. Goodness, I've never seen boys who work better with wrenches than they do!"

She gets to her feet, and by default both you and Wonwoo stand up too. "I have to head off," she adds ruefully. "My- Mr Woo, I mean, needs someone to collect the trash bags again."

You bow as she leaves, and spin towards Wonwoo. "You do renovation?"

"Reno, plumbing, painting, wallpaper installation, carpenting, whatever makes up a house." He smirks. "Do you need my services, Miss Doctor?"

"I'm not trusting you with my house."

He rolls his eyes and groans. "Not this again."

"It's serious!" You retort. "I want to stay in a nice place for the 3 months I'm here-"

The flap of a booklet cuts you off.

Wonwoo has opened a whole damn book of certifications. Encased in transparent pockets, they tumble down, showcasing their sheer number in all its glory. And they reflect exactly what he says, you note as you scan down the list. He has government-issued licenses for renovation, as an estate agent, plumbing, wallpaper, carpenting, and no way... he's a licensed barista? A certified mechanic??

"Not so anxious anymore?" Wonwoo chuckles as he looks at your dumbfounded expression. "You-"

"Come on," he says, slinging his backpack across his shoulder. "You should go home, it's getting late. Come back soon so you can take a look at the house and the clinic plot."

He fishes out his phone. "What's your number?" After you give it to him reluctantly, he lifts a hand in goodbye as he strides out of the shop, leaving you.

"You're moving?!"

"Why ae you so surprised?"

"You're a city girl through and through, YN LN," your friend announces. "You whine when you have to take the stairs instead of a lift in the mall. There is no way you're upping and leaving to a place where they don't even take cards."

"I asked this guy to get them fixed," you shrug. "And it's just for three months, I'm not staying forever."

"I know you just have to do something rash when you see kids in need, YN," your friend sighs. "The time when you decided to donate half your first paycheck to feed underprivileged kids? Or the time when you organised a sale in twelve hours during college to fund medicine supply for-"

"Okay, shut up!" You turn to your friend, flustered, who's laughing unabashedly now. "The kids in that town don't have a clinic. The adults and grandparents don't either. And t's a private establishment, so I'll earn a lot of money while I'm there. There's a Louis Vuitton bag I've been eyeing."

Your friend laughs again, eyes sparkling with mirth. "Sure. Whatever you say."

"Hi. I'm Joshua, everyone calls me Shua. And that's Seungkwan over there."

The two good natured men smile at you and you bow back stiffly. Beside them, Wonwoo is pacing the area that is soon to be your house, tape measure in hand.

"Hello."

"So, our newest addition!" Seungkwan smiles. "We're trying to plan your interior deco, what are you thinking of?"

"Fabric wallpaper," you reply immediately. "In taupe or grey. I'm thinking beige furniture, gives it a minimalist vibe?"

Seungkwan opens his mouth, presumably to suggest something else, but Joshua cuts in smoothly, smiling at you. "No problem. It's great that you know what you want."

At last, finally someone who gets you. "Thanks," you say stiffly, letting out a tight smile.

Wonwoo seems to be done with the measurements, as he keeps his tape measure. "Shua, Kwan, I'll take Miss Doctor to see the clinic plot. Be back soon."

"Okay!"

Wonwoo beckons to you. "Come on then."

A swift ten minutes later, you're standing in the middle of the clinic space.

"This could be the observation room," you mutter to yourself. "Or the office."

You deem the place good enough to move into. Plenty of natural light, a spacious front room, and a few more rooms at the back for observation rooms and your own office.

"Send me what you want for the wallpaper and all that," Wonwoo says, as you both leave the place and he gets ready to head back to your future house. "And it's minimum wage per hour for all three of us. We take bank transfers."

"What?"

Wonwoo smirks. "This isn't the city, but we don't work for free. I'll send you the details, you can just pay us when we're finished."

You gape at him. "I- of course I'm going to pay you! Who do you think I am, a leech?"

He shrugs. "Whatever you say. Anyway, I'll contact you when we're done, but the office might take a while more. Bye."

Dear Miss YN LN,

Thank you for your letter regarding your placement at the pediatrics unit here at Seoul University Hospital. Unfortunately, we cannot make the necessary re-arrangements as the other doctor mentioned has already started his five-year term with us. As we are in the process of preparing for the start of your contract, you were given the three months delay before you begin work.

Do advise us on what we can do to improve the situation as we hope to provide you with a positive working experience. We look forward to your reply.

Warmest Regards

Seoul University Hospital

Three Weeks Later

"Looks okay."

"Just 'okay'?" Wonwoo scoffs. "Shua spent all weekend putting up that fancy wallpaper you wanted."

"I thought you could deliver whatever your clients wanted," You hiss. Delia's eyes flick between both of you, seemingly in amusement.

"Thanks, Chief Jeon. YN's a little picky, but the place looks great!" She interrupts, and you shoot her a glare.

"No worries, Miss..?" Wonwoo smiles at her.

"Just call me Delia! YN, you stay here. I'm going to check the town out, yeah?" And before you can respond, she's out of the newly renovated house.

"She knows you," Wonwoo points out, reaching down to pick his haversack up. "You're prickly and bad-tempered, and-"

"Don't finish that."

He chuckles, fixing his belt. "Anyway, Seungkwan wanted me to pass you a message. The villagers heard we have a doctor staying here for a while, so they want to invite you to a village dinner tonight. Come if you're free, and take the chance to know them better, would you?"

"I'm not interested."

"Oh, come on! You can promote your clinic at the same time, no? Those things are usually pretty fun."

You perk up slightly and he notices. He lets out a laugh. "See you there. Bring your friend if you want to so you're not alone."

Unfortunately, Delia isn't free, what with her taking the night shift at her nursing job in a Seoul hospital. She leaves with the promise to call you when she's free to chat, and you head to the location on your own.

You bow stiffly to the three grandmas who taught you how to handle squid as they pass you, and they chuckle and pat your hand. Cringing at the feeling of old, wrinkled hands on you but saying nothing, you head towards a familiar face.

"Oh YN! Didn't think I'd see you here!" Joshua remarks cheerfully, holding tongs and standing over a portable grill sizzling with seafood. "Here, I'll grab you a plate. These prawns came in fresh, so you get first dibs off the grill!"

"YN! Over here!" Seungkwan's voice catches your attention, and you turn to see him waving you in the direction of his table. Next to him, playing with a young girl, is the chief you least want to see.

Joshua lets out a hearty laugh as he passes you a plate, laden with seafood and meat and rice. "Eat up. Stay with Seungkwan if you're a little awkward, he'll keep the conversation flowing."

You thank him a little quietly before making your way to the table. As you settle, a middle-aged man reaches to shake your hand.

"Mr Woo," He says, a little gruffly but still pleasantly. "I work in the village bank."

"Bank...?" You ask. "I didn't see one when I-" You stop yourself before the embarrassing story of you trying to retrieve your pride pours out.

"Oh! It's a small one, near the convenience store. It's quite secluded so you probably didn't catch it." Mr Woo doesn't seem fazed as he explains. Seungkwan throws his head back and laughs, "I had a hell of a time trying to find it when it was first built!"

The conversation starts and you try to listen, but it's just not the same. You're only used to chats about tough medical cases and patients, never about the day's currents, the catches from the sea, and the trash collection on Saturday mornings. You only pretend to be distracted when you see the chatterbox Miss Hwang arrive. You don't really want another debate with her.

Luckily, Delia's call when the clock approaches 9 gives you a mild reprieve. You excuse yourself and close the door to the small room at the back. It looks like the broadcast room, with a small mic there. You swipe accept on Delia's call.

"Hey, girl!" her voice rings across the line. "How's the dinner?"

"Awful," You sigh as you ean against the mic shelf. "I haven't mentioned my clinic once, and all they talk about is the day's fish!"

"Don't be such a grump," Delia teases. "That's a nice topic, you know. Life there seems so idyllic, I'd so take that over this any day."

"No you don't," You reply tiredly. "They're all so simple -- too simple it's aggravating. The chatterbox lady insisted on playing the strangest music earlier, and I wish I hadn't said I was staying here, now I have to put up and pretend I'm interested in their way of life!"

"You might like it there. The people seem pretty nice," Delia persists. Fortunately, her nagging is cut short by a call of her name, presumably from another nurse. "Shoot. I gotta go."

"Go on," you mutter. "I'll find an excuse to leave soon or something."

With a goodbye the call ends, and you mentally prep yourself to head out again.

But when you leave, you don't hear the excited hum of chatter among the villagers. Not the weird trot music Miss Hwang insisted on playing. Save for the sizzle of the grill, the whole space is silent. Every single villager's eyes follow you. Even Miss Hwang has fallen silent for once, pupils dilated in seemingly shock.

You swallow. "What?"

You turn in Seungkwan's direction. Joshua's. And Wonwoo's. The other two men aren't meeting your gaze at all, but Wonwoo is looking up and directly at you. His eyes don't have the same spark they did when you saw him earlier. They've hardened in anger and disappointment, and his jaw has tightened considerably. Joshua's deliberately looking everywhere else except for in your direction, and Mr Woo's pretending to pick at nonexistent fuzz on his clothes. Seungkwan can't even meet your eye.

You're stuck in momentary confusion until it hits you in a wave of shock and panic. The mic. The mic in the room must have been turned on the whole damn time. Your words had been broadcasted for everyone there to hear.

Your face and ears burn red, and you stride over to the table, as quickly as your shaky legs can handle, grab your bag and leave. No one follows you or tries to stop you to explain yourself.

You've stunned the whole town into silence.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼pairing: wonwoo x reader (written and smau), fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.03: broadcast?

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼 taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou

writer's note: oh noooooo

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

04. 53,000 won

🌼 warnings: mention of a funeral (but no one dies, it's just a description), awkward socialisation

🌼 word count: ~3k

"Ugh!!" Your head is in your hands, sitting in the middle of your newly-furnished apartment, mulling over the incident. A part of you feels bad for saying all that out, but how were you to know the mic was on?

A knock on your door breaks you out of your struggle. You sigh and pull yourself up. When you open the door, you're surprised to see Wonwoo outside. His mouth is set in a mocking smile, all the previous friendliness and teasing tone gone.

He cuts in before you can ask what he's doing here. "You really think you're better than everyone, don't you?"

"What?" You ask in shock.

"You must have had a smooth life, right? I told you before, Miss L/N. This isn't the city." He continues coldly, not a usual shred of humour in that sentence to be seen. "We live differently from you bigshots in the city, that's true. We make honest livings, and everyone has had their fair share of struggles. And what did you say -- 'too simple it's aggravating'? I'm not sure you know about anything any one of us has gone through. I humoured you at first because I thought you were just awkward with us, but I guess I shouldn't have." He gives a mirthless laugh.

You snap, "If this is about earlier, just stop. I don't need you to rub it in."

He raises his eyebrows. "You went around calling us all simpletons in essence, but you get upset the moment I call you out for it?" You shoot a glare at him, but he continues, unfazed.

"Listen here, Doctor. Life isn't so fair on everyone. You may have had it easy, but a lot of people spend their lives on unpaved roads, and some run at full speed only to reach the edge of a cliff. You have no right to undermine that, got it?"

He stalks off without looking back.

You slam the door shut and return to the middle of the room, fuming. Not even three minutes later your pity party is interrupted by yet another knock on the door.

Fed up, you storm to the door and pull it open, ready to vent on the man...

"Delia??" You ask, and she breaks into a smile. "Surprise!"

"What are you doing here?!" You burst into tears and crush her in a hug. Her expression turns into one of concern. "Wha- are you okay??"

"I messed up!" You sob into her shoulder as she hurriedly comforts you and pats you on the back. "When I was telling you about the town, I was in the broadcast room, and it played out for everyone to hear."

"Oh." Delia pauses the patting for a second before pulling away from the hug. "Yeah, you really did screw up."

"Delia!" You wail. "What now? I can't face them anymore. I'll have to move out, but I'll be unemployed. I-"

"Okay, calm down, shh, shh," Delia says, rubbing your back to soothe you. "It's okay. Just apologise -- sincerely -- and make sure you don't do it again." After a pause, she asks, "Is that why I saw Chief Jeon walking down the path earlier?"

"You saw him?" You ask, stricken. "Did he say anything?"

"No, he just smiled and said hello," Delia replies. "He didn't seem any different."

"Crap," You groan, leaning against the couch.

"Yup, crap indeed," Delia says bracingly. "Look, really, try to have fun here, okay? I know this wasn't your first choice, but a lot can happen in three months. I think you need to give them a chance before you say anything. I mean, if someone just assumed shit about you, you'd be mad too, right?"

You shrug. Delia rolls her eyes. "Go take a walk or something to clear your head. You might go do something rash if I keep on yapping, so go on."

You throw on a cardigan over yourself and make your way out the door with Delia's encouragement. You finally walk to the harbour, rather chilly at this time of night, and to your dismay, you spot Chief Jeon, sitting with Seungkwan and Joshua along the steep step at the top.

Oh. It was all three of them.

You brace yourself to walk right past them but sigh, Delia's words replaying over and over in your head. But they probably hated you now, you reasoned. So if you walked past them, they might not even bat an eyelash.

As you approach, Joshua looks up and raises his eyebrows. "Why're you here?"

"Walk," You reply hesitantly, trying to avoid eye contact. Seeing them again, in person, like this -- amplifies the embarrassment you feel. You can feel your ears turning red.

Chief Jeon huffs. "Sit down. You're not at a court sentencing or something."

Seungkwan finally looks up at you and motions with his head slightly, and that is your cue to sit, a small distance away from the three men.

"That," Chief Jeon says, pointing at the large, red lighthouse in the distance, glowing with bright lights against the night sky, "is the lighthouse. Fishermen use it lots when they can't get back before nightfall. It helps them navigate, and make sure they don't hit rocks and capsize."

You look at him curiously. "What?"

"Miss Hwang -- you've met her, the cafe owner-- can be a bit of a chatterbox, but she's really friendly. She's noisy, but she has a good heart, and she makes good company on lazy days." He continues, as if he hasn't heard you.

"Hey," Joshua nudges him, amusement on his face. "Tell her about Grandma Lee."

"Grandma Lee is everyone's family," Chief Jeon adds, a fond expression on his face as he looks out to sea. "She's lived here all her life, so she's watched practically everyone grow up, and she's seen lots of them come and go. She... she raised all three of us when we were kids, actually."

"She's the best person ever, and she's a good cook." Seungkwan tells you, the first sentence he's said to you since the fiasco.

Your confusion doesn't ebb. "What on earth are you three talking about?"

Chief Jeon rolls his eyes. But it's Joshua who speaks up first.

"We were getting to that," He says. "We're angry, yeah, that you jumped to the conclusions of us being simple that it was annoying. And Wonwoo was right that everyone's lives are different and you really shouldn't have said that." You're ready to retort, but Chief Jeon cuts in.

"You must be angry about what I said earlier."

"You know meddling can be dangerous, right?" You return. "You probably haven't caught up to the world yet."

"Probably," Chief Jeon shrugs. "But I'd appreciate it if you met them halfway."

You huff.

"I know this wasn't in your plans," Chief Jeon continues.

"...But?"

"This may sound old-fashioned, but this town hasn't had too many city people come in to stay," Seungkwan adds, tossing a pebble in the air and catching it. "So we're very tight-knit and our behaviour can be different from city people."

"Sounds exhausting," You mutter.

"Yet you chose to open a clinic here. Don't we all need some time to adjust?" Chief Jeon asks you. When you don't reply, he says, slightly sighing. "We were talking about it, and we figured all people make mistakes. Strictly speaking, it's not like you knew the mic in that room was on."

"We badmouth everyone at some point anyway, right? And everyone is probably talking shit about you right now," Seungkwan shrugs. "So you're all even. It's time for you to start over."

"And we want to tell you about life here," Joshua says, not unkindly. "So we can get to know each other a bit more, and we won't just be awkward up until you leave."

You stay silent, your irritation fading slightly. Perhaps these three weren't that bad.

Seungkwan launches into a quick briefing of the villagers. You find out that Mrs Woo, your landlord, has a seven-year-old son, who's top of his class and a quiet but obedient boy. That a young couple is running a small convenience store near the main path, and they're expecting a second baby soon. Wonwoo and Joshua stay silent, mostly, only chiming in very occasionally.

You don't say much, simply nodding at the right places, until Seungkwan snaps his fingers. "Ah, right! Reminds me, have you given out rice cakes?"

You stare at him in utter confusion, only for all three men to stare back at you, baffled. "You haven't? Seriously?" Wonwoo asks incredulously.

"No wonder," Joshua muses, before explaining. "You ever heard of the custom of handing out rice cakes when a business opens or when you move in?"

You nod slowly. "I thought that was a past tradition."

"Some of us see it as a form of courtesy," Joshua replies. "We'll help you make them, so pass them out. Maybe they'll take it as an olive branch."

You nod hesitantly. "Okay. I see."

Wonwoo shakes his head in mock amusement. "All those brains to be a doctor, and you really forgot rice cakes?"

You shoot him a wilting look, and he cracks a smile. "Don't start on your spiel about city life again."

"I wasn't going to," You say obstinately, but you know damn well you were on the verge of it.

To little surprise on your end, no one really changes their impression of you even after the rice cakes three days after you move in.

Some accept it with barely-there enthusiasm, while some don't even bother to spare you a second glance. It was expected, you muse, as you exit your twelfth household of the day.

"Miss Doctor!" A voice you know all too well calls out to you, and you look up wearily.

"What?"

"You handing out rice cakes?" He asks, outstretching his hands to take the few tins you have in your hands.

"Yeah. You guys said to."

He huffs. "Show some backbone about it, would you? You're promoting your clinic, not a funeral."

You cross your arms. "You try getting brushed off by so many people and see if you can still keep that grin on your face."

He rolls his eyes. "Don't be a baby. I bet you just went in, said "I hope you come to the clinic!" without apologising, and left."

You stay rooted to the ground. "So?"

He looks at you, shock on his face. "Did you really think that's enough? Of course no one would be convinced! An apology would be more than welcome."

You shrug, already worn out. "Whatever."

"Don't get grumpy on me," He says bracingly. "That's pathetic. Where's your friend, by the way?"

"Back in Seoul." You shrug.

He rolls his eyes. "Alright. Come with me this evening."

"What?"

"You're pretty stubborn. I said, meet me this evening. We're going somewhere."

"Wher-"

He stalks off, his hand stuck up in a wave.

"Idiot," You mutter.

You meet him at the junction near the small convenience store at the junction at six sharp.

"Oh, you're here early," He remarks as he approaches you. "Come on. We're going to the village meeting."

"What?" You recoil instantly, and he clicks his tongue. "Don't be a baby, honestly. Come on."

He leads you, with lots of complaining, back to the same place with the broadcast room. This time, you hear the buzz of people's voices, some laughter, lively conversation from inside.

Your hesitation is obvious as Wonwoo ushers you, and he sighs. "I'm giving you a chance to go in and try making things right. They need you as a doctor like you need them as companions, you know?"

You try to glare at him, but with your unwillingness and nerves combined, it's much milder than usual. He's clearly unbothered as he cocks his head towards the room. "I'll catch up with you. Go on."

"You're not coming?" The words shoot out, more alarmed than you intended.

"Time's a-ticking. I'm not the one who should apologise, Miss Doctor."

You huff, turn your back to him, and steel yourself. "Fine." Your heels crunch into the gravel as you walk towards the room.

He watches you as you march away.

You open the door warily, and all eyes turn to you. Disgruntled mutters break out as you step in awkwardly, but Seungkwan and Joshua, who are already sitting cross-legged near the back, smile slightly and wave you over to sit with them. Amongst the not-so-discreet chatter of the grandmothers who eye you disapprovingly, you make your way through and sit next to them in relief.

The conversation is muted until Ms Hwang asks (although it sounds more like a confrontation to you), "Why are you here, Doctor?"

"Um..."

Seungkwan clicks his tongue before he cuts in, clearly sensing your discomfort with all the villagers staring at you, not kindly in the slightest. "She's living here with us in the town now! Of course, she should be here."

Joshua murmurs assent, hand coming up to pat your shoulder in comfort. You try to smile awkwardly, and the villagers go back to mumbling under their breaths. That is until the door opens and Wonwoo comes in. He's carrying a box of fruits, you observe, and the villagers make way for him on autopilot. He sets the large box down, makes eye contact with you, and breaks out into a grin.

"Ah, Miss Doctor! I see why you needed my help carrying this in." He makes a show of stretching his back. "This is rather heavy, huh?"

"Wha-" You start to ask, but Seungkwan jabs you in the ribs. He's smiling when you look at him, and you finally figure out the act.

The murmurs continue, but more so in surprise, and as Wonwoo looks around in mock confusion, he deliberately chuckles out. "Ah, Miss Doctor heard about the village meeting today. She went to get fruits for everyone, but it was too heavy. She didn't even want my help until I insisted!"

The three grandmas turn to look at you, but the air of disapproval is replaced by something more questioning. The change is rather welcomed, though, the feeling of being scrutinised slowly fading. You manage to laugh out awkwardly.

The meeting goes without a hitch. The villagers help themselves to the peaches and apples Wonwoo — “you” brought— as your landlord addresses the issues of village cleaning and trash bags. Joshua even throws in a few deliberate praises on your choice of fruits. As the sky outside darkens, your landlord finally wraps up, and she adds, "Let's all thank Y/N for bringing fruits today, okay?"

A few mumbles of thanks are heard, but that alone sends endless relief through you.

Everyone files out after a while, goodnight's and see you's exchanged. You hang behind the rest, walking with Wonwoo. Seungkwan and Joshua go on ahead, saying they want to have an early night.

He stops you at the junction and holds out his palm.

"What?" You ask.

"53,000."

"Huh?"

"53,000 won."

"Wha-"

"For the fruits. I didn't want to say this to you earlier."

You huff and reach into your bag, but he stops you. "Bank transfers are fine. I'm not going on another wild goose chase with you for money."

"God, do you ever get tired?"

He chuckles at your annoyed tone before speaking again, slightly warmer and less sarcastic. "Good job today. I think the grandmas are warming up to you."

Before you can respond, he's striding back down the path, waving goodbye to you.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.04: 53,000 won

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼 taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou

writer's note: wonwoo is our saviour 😋

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

05. he made sense though

🌼 warnings: mentions of a creep, injuries

🌼 word count: ~2.7k

"Y/N!!"

"Delia?? What are you doing back here?"

She shrugs. "I quit."

"What?!" You exclaim.

She looks at you. "Some creep wouldn't stop bothering me," She says lightheartedly, but one look at her expression tells you she's not feeling too great at all. "The doctor wouldn't take action even when she saw it in the flesh. Said something about not ruining our reputation. So I left." She promptly bursts into tears, and you're quick to draw her into a tight hug.

"Oh, god." You murmur. "Okay. It's okay. You're safe now, Dee. Come on in first."

"I'm jobless!" She chokes out a laugh through her tears, as you settle her on your couch. "Amazing, huh?"

"No, don't think like that," You insist, before a bright idea pops into your head. "Work with me. Over here. You like the village, don't you?"

"What? I-I do, but-"

"I don't have a nurse right now," You explain, getting more excited. "I could use the help."

She looks up at you, hope creeping into her face. "Really?"

"Yeah. It would be amazing if you stayed with me," You breathe out.

She squeals and tackles you. Amid her excited ramble of thanks, you catch the hint of relieved laughter

Loud bangs on your door wake you and Delia up.

"What the..." Delia grits out, shoving a pillow over her face. "It's 8am!"

You pull yourself out from the warm covers, and very grumpily, open the door to see Wonwoo. "Come on out," He says. "We have weekly village cleaning on Saturdays."

"It's a weekend!" You exclaim. "Who in their right mind wakes up this early --"

"We do," Wonwoo smirks at your cranky state. "Ten minutes. See you out there."

"See you never," You mutter, and he turns back to you to warn, "You better go get ready. Don't go back to sleep."

"You can't make me."

"Don't make me pull out the megaphone."

You huff and close the door.

He pulls out the megaphone. Right. At. Your. Doorstep.

And so fifteen minutes later, you find yourself in the ugliest neon green vest ever, a broom in your hands, sweeping the streets with a grumpy and groggy Delia by your side. Joshua and Seungkwan come by to say hello to your best friend, and Delia brightens up considerably after Seungkwan compliments her hair.

"He's so charming!" She sighs after they walk away, as you half-heartedly sweep up some dead leaves.

"Mmhmm. Got it." You don't even process her words, only scowling at the annoyingly dapper town chief.

"Y/N! We have a patient!"

You leave your office and to the counter, where you find Wonwoo and one of the grandmas you handled squids with standing together. You bow, and take the grandma's chart for a look.

"Grandma Lee," You read off the paper. "Pain in the elbow, extending to the wrist..."

"She does heavy work by the docks sometimes. You handled squids with her," Wonwoo supplies.

"Okay, got it. Would you come with me? We'll take a look."

Ten minutes, later, after a series of questions and quick presses to the painful areas, you conclude.

"So, you'll probably need a form of therapy," You say. "A few weeks' worth of exercises and physio to relax the surrounding joints and let it heal. It might be because of the constant strain and pulling. I'll get some pain relief for you in the meantime, but don't rely only on it. Healing the injury is key."

Wonwoo nods, and checks to make sure Grandma Lee understands.

"Doctor?" Grandma Lee speaks up.

"Yes?' You turn to her. "Any questions about the treatment?"

"How much would it cost?"

"Ah, your insurance will cover most of it."

"How much would I need to pay?" Grandma Lee looks up at you from her chair.

"It really differs by the number of sessions." You ponder. "But as a ballpark..." You scribble down a rough estimation, and her eyes widen as she sees the figure.

"Oh, that's so expensive!" The lady exclaims. "I wouldn't spend so much money just on my arm. Forget it."

"Grandma-" Wonwoo tries to interrupt.

"There are home-based exercises that we can try out if the cost doesn't work out for you," You attempt to placate her. "However, doing them under guidance is much better so you don't risk getting injured and making it wor-"

"Oh, never mind that," She says impatiently. "I'll just have painkillers."

"Please don't worry. I know medical prices can be very burdensome. We can discuss this further only after you're properly healed," You console. "Right now, the payment isn't my concern. The pain seems to be quite serious in some places--"

Wonwoo takes her arm as she tries to get up. "Grandma, why don't we hear the doctor out and consider it first? She's a professio-"

"Nothing pain medicine can't fix," She complains as you address her.

"Ma'am," You explain. "Injuries aren't always something you can fix with painkillers. If we don't fix the root cause, the pain will persist and it might get worse-"

"Hey, you don't have to scare her-" Wonwoo seems alarmed.

"Do you happen to be... in need of financial aid?" You blurt out in a moment of weakness.

"Hey!" Wonwoo starts, eyes widening.

"What?" Grandma Lee asks, looking offended. "Who do you take me for- I'll have you know, the land I own here is bigger than others! My kid works at a high-end company in Seoul. Do you think, what, I can't afford it?"

"Okay, um..." You blow out a breath, and look back down at your clipboard, clicking your pen shut. "Then...why don't you discuss this with your son first? We can do another consultation and see what we can do once we're all on the same page."

"Fine!" Grandma Lee retorts angrily, before pushing herself up and hobbling out of the room. Wonwoo starts to call for her, but she's already gone. He whirls on you.

"Did you have to?" Wonwoo asks exasperatedly.

"What?" You ask, annoyed.

"Ask about financial aid and all of that shit -- is that really what a doctor should say?"

"I asked because she was being stubborn."

"Stubborn-- have you thought that she maybe doesn't want to bother her family with the fees?" Frustration is laced into Wonwoo's words, his voice slightly louder than before.

"No, I haven't thought about it." You answer angrily, without missing a beat. "And I don't really understand that. She would rather endure the pain than get it resolved, just for her son?"

"Why are you like this?" Wonwoo half-shouts, getting up. "Look...I don't have time for this. You-"

"Neither do I," You say, folding your arms. "And please don't overreact. You're not her legal guardian."

He shoots you a glare, full of hurt and disappointment, before he grits out, "People really don't change so easily, do they." He then turns on his heel and storms out of the room.

Sighing, you return to perusing her chart.

You're still pondering over it that evening, and Delia is about to lose her marbles over your brooding when you get a text from Wonwoo.

"Meet me at the harbour."

When you reach the same spot where you ran into Joshua and Seungkwan and Wonwoo, this time it's just the chief alone. You sit a small distance away from him. "What is it?"

"She called her son earlier," He begins with no preamble. "And he said he wanted to wait a while since he's paying off the kids' school fees and he hasn't gotten his promotion."

You stay quiet. You know about the financial issues patients sometimes face. You've already made your decision to cure her after a long think and consulting with Delia, but you decide to listen anyway.

"We've told you about Grandma Lee." He starts. "And you know how she is. She wouldn't spend money on her treatment because she doesn't want to tell her family and stress them out. Her son has a family to support."

You stay silent, but he says nothing about it. He turns to you fully. "What I'm saying is, I'll pay for her treatment. Just don't tell her it was me. Say... say you had some kind of free treatment or something."

"I can't," You say immediately. "I have to be responsible for anything I do as a doctor. If I'm trying to help her get better, it would be unethical if I didn't inform her of the whole process from treatment to payment, black-and-white."

"Fine," Chief Jeon nods in understanding. "Make up any excuse within your limits. Just don't say it was me."

"Why are you being stubborn on this, too?" You ask softly.

"Grandma Lee raised me," He insists. "We take care of the people we love. She never likes to trouble her son--"

"So she just bears with the pain?" You interrupt, then sigh slightly. "That's a little selfish."

"Selfish?" Wonwoo says exasperatedly. "She's the most selfless woman I know. How could you even say that?"

"Because it's frustrating to watch." You look down at your hands.

"Don't you know anything about sacrifice?" Wonwoo confronts you hotly. "She's sacrificed so many things her whole life--"

"Why are you getting upset?" You retort, becoming just as irate. "Do you know what it means to be a good parent?"

He goes quiet, and so you continue, eyes blazing. "It means taking care of themselves and staying healthy for a long time."

His eyes flick back to yours, anger immediately draining from them. You ignore it and keep going.

"They shouldn't be putting aside their well-being in the name of not burdening their family!" You exhale sharply. "They should care for their own health the most, for the good of themselves and their loved ones. She shouldn't be putting herself through so much pain and letting herself suffer. Don't you get it?"

And with the outburst, you get to your feet and storm off. Wonwoo watches you leave.

Once you get back through the door you pass Delia's closed door, go to your room, and sink into a chair. You hated it, disliked the feeling so much, but something about Grandma Lee just couldn’t tear you away from her case. You rub your eyes in exhaustion.

We take care of the people we love.

It looks like you had a grandma to visit.

"Is anyone home?" You mutter as you enter her front yard the next evening.

"Who's that?" You can hear her voice and her footsteps as she ambles slowly out of her house.

"Oh. It's you," She says as she catches sight of you. You wonder if it's too late to turn back and escape, but you make yourself stay put, and bow to her. "Grandma Lee."

She sighs. "Since you're already here, might as well eat. Have you had dinner?"

As your head shakes no awkwardly, she tuts something about not eating properly before she ushers you into her home, to a seat at her table. You try to refuse, but she waves you away and goes back to her kitchen, and before long you hear the clangs as she makes a tray and sets it before you.

"Go on, eat!" She says as she opens a steaming bowl of soup. "I made these fresh myself, using kimchi we made. Try it."

You murmur a soft thank-you to her before you cautiously take a bite.

It tastes...like what you would have at heaven's gates. Rich and flavourful, the kimchi adds just the right tang of sour and crunch. "It's... really good,” You mumble quietly.

"Oh, that's good. I was afraid it wasn't good, you know. Nowadays, I'm not as agile as before. Bending over and making kimchi gets harder as you age. I ache everywhere after I make it." She chuckles awkwardly, and you smile softly along with her.

"And your arm wouldn't make it easier since it's in pain, right?" You attempt probing a step further, and she sighs and shakes her head. "I guess not."

"Then how could you think just painkillers would solve the problem?" You admonish, no anger in your words, and she smiles sheepishly.

But just like that, the tension eases a little, and you're relieved when she reverts to her slightly chatty self, going on about how doctors should be eating more to keep themselves going.

It feels like your own grandma watching to make sure you ate well, and you're maybe, just probably, starting to understand why Wonwoo adores her so much. Her presence is comforting, like a confidant you could come home to.

After you eat she brings you outside to the yard with some chilled barley. You sit with her on the porch as she tells you childhood stories of Wonwoo and Joshua and Seungkwan, and how they were called The Little Daredevils, and she pauses when she gets to Wonwoo leaving the town for a good three years. You smile at the right places, and look at the way her greying hair (white in some places) blows in the breeze as the sun sets and night falls.

"Ah, that boy," She sighs as she massages her feet and you pour her a cup of barley. "I was worried when he left, you know. And he didn't call anyone back here. He was different when he came back. Not the energetic chief we see now."

You nod awkwardly, remembering your spat with him. "I see. I'm glad he got better, didn't he?"

"He even offered to pay for the treatment!" She says, before shaking her head in fond exasperation. "He's mischievous, but he's a good man."

"...He is," You affirm, rather reluctantly. You cast your eyes down and shake your head as you recall his prior attempts to explain Grandma's situation to you. God, how he would laugh when he found out about this!

"And my son said to hold off on the treatment, so..."

That helps you recall why you're here in the first place.

"Grandma Lee, I came to tell you... come back to the clinic." You mumble.

She looks up, startled at your direct words. "Hm?"

"I might not be able to give you a hundred percent discount," You tug at the hem of your dress nervously. "But... I thought about it, and Wonwoo spoke to me... I wanted to apologise. I should at least try to understand your hardships. So...I won't charge you full price. Maybe just for the consultation."

"Oh..."

"Don't tell anyone, though," You try for a smile. "It can be our secret."

"If it's bad for business, you don't need--" She begins, flustered, but you wave your hands in refusal, face flushing. "It's not that, really."

She waits for you to continue.

"I won't get to see my parents retire and move to a peaceful place," You say quietly. "I won't be able to see them get to your age, or see them make kimchi and cook delicious things. So... I just thought I should try my best to give you more chances to do what you like. You shouldn't be in pain if you want to do it all."

You avoid eye contact, fiddling with your fingers, staring at the glowing lamppost, the peeling green paint of her gate, and the worn-out slippers on her feet, everywhere but at her, as she surveys you for what feels like forever, a mix of curiousity and sympathy laced in her expression.

When she finally reaches out to take your hand and pat it silently and gently with hers, wrinkled and lined with the wisdom of her years, the way grandmas always do, you let her.

She sighs. "Wonwoo really is a nag, isn't he."

The sudden lament coaxes a huff of laughter out of you. "I have to admit he made sense though."

It felt beyond strange to concede to the village chief for once, but when Grandma smiles and continues patting your hand, you couldn't help but think you finally did something right.

Wonwoo leans back, hands behind his head as he lies down on the ground. The red lighthouse glows in the distance and the sound of the waves fill his ears. Your voice fills his head

"Do you know what it means to be a good parent?"

"It means taking care of themselves and staying healthy for a long time."

He blows out a breath. It looked like he had a doctor to visit, and not for medical purposes.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.05: he made sense though

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou

writer's note: soo... i hope she's trying to be better...? hahaha thank you for reading!!

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

06. charming guy

🌼 warnings: a car accident occurs in this chapter. it's not overly graphic, but there are mentions of open wounds. please do not read if you are uncomfortable!

🌼word count: ~2.2k

"I'll be right back! I just need to get the arm brace for Grandma Lee," You call to Delia as you grab the car keys. "She's making much more progress than expected at this stage, so I'll go get the brace early."

You had liaised with a clinic about thirty minutes away to get the arm brace Grandma Lee would need soon. She'd come into your clinic, two days after you visited her, put down her details into the registration form with no hesitation, and started her treatment. And now, three weeks later, she was doing better than ever.

Wonwoo hadn't really spoken to you since that day. You saw him at the village cleaning sessions, or out about town on his part-time jobs, but he was always either busy or just silent. You didn't feel any hostility from him, though, so you were mildly relieved.

And so with Delia's cheery goodbye, you drive out to the clinic, get the brace and prepare to return, only to find that whilst you were getting the brace, what you thought was a cloudy day had turned into a full downpour, with thunder and lightning to match.

Well. Your day was ruined, you sigh, as you open your umbrella and rush yourself to the car. Your new suitpant set would officially be a gone case.

As you drove along the winding road, you began to squint. The rain was so heavy you could barely see, and the curving road was definitely not helping. Still, you had to get back for your next appointment, and so pulling over wasn't on your mind as you pushed on.

It seemed fate had other plans for you, as the only thing you saw, approaching you swiftly from the corner of yet another curve, was a pair of large headlights, before a loud crash resounded in your ears, and the world spun and whirled before turning dark.

"Miss? Miss? Can you hear me?"

You stir awake. Ow. Everywhere hurt.

"Miss?" An unfamiliar male voice made you come to your senses. Where were you?

You look up to see a short, squat man, knocking on your window in panic. "Miss? Could you open the door? We're in a bit of a situation...I crashed..oh shit, you're injured!"

You barely take in his words as a ringing pain shoots through your head. You reach up to touch it, only to wince and pull it away, hands coming away red.

Oh.

In your haze of pain, you finally recall to unlock the door, and you slump against the man the moment it opens. Your seatbelt and his grip saves you, and after settling you back in your seat he immediately asks, "Okay... we're going to need help, miss. Can you tell me anyone I can call? I'll try calling the ambulance, but the nearest hospital is an hour away and service is a little shit here."

You manage to slur out Delia's number softly, and the stranger fumbles in his pocket for a phone to call her, your head still laid against his shoulder. You faintly hear Delia's loud screech of shock on the other end, before the man is rearranging you back in your seat, standing next to your car door again as he waits. You fade in and out of consciousness as time passes, as the stranger does try to curb your bleeding with his handkerchief.

The next time you come to, it's to a dripping man (that is definitely not the driver nor Delia) hovering over you, trying to maneuver you out of your seat. His glasses gleam with rainwater as he unclicks your seatbelt and slides his arms under your knees and over your shoulders, preparing to carry you out of your car.

"Hang in there," You hear him call to you over the rain as he lifts you in his arms, gathering you to him. "I'll get you to a hospital, okay? I'll stay with you. Sleep a while if you need to."

"Uh...Chief Jeon?"

The man pauses speaking for a moment, but keeps walking. "Yeah, it's me. Delia doesn't have a car so she called me for help. What were you thinking anyway, driving out when there's a storm?"

"Brace. For...Grandma..." You try to say, but it just doesn't come out right, and all you're feeling is pain in your head. Being jostled around as he walks isn't making it better.

"Don't talk yet if it hurts. I'll ask you later, so go to sleep. You'll be okay when you wake up," He says again, and as if on command, your eyes drift closed.

"Ugh.." Your head feels like it's pierced by a thousand knives. "Ow!"

The door --- right, you're in a hospital, you register -- opens and Wonwoo walks in, carrying a glass of water. You stare at him and he stares back at you. "What are you doing here?"

"Did you hit your head too hard?" He wonders, as he sits down and helps you hold the glass. "You don't remember me bringing you here?"

"It's all a blur, honestly," You mutter as you sip the water. After passing him back the glass, you try rubbing your temples gently to ease the ache.

"Wait, you're pressing too hard," He says suddenly. "Let me."

He leans forward, and you smell the faint scent of his cologne. Oh, he smells nice, you think, in your groggy haze.

"Thanks," He answers, still gently massaging the sides of your head, and you realise you said it out loud.

"I didn't say anything," You mutter, and he shakes his head in amusement. "I didn't hear anything then. I'll take it you're woozy from the medicine."

After he's done, he settles in the chair by your bed and pulls out his phone. "Shouldn't you go home? You already troubled yourself lots..." You ask, barely suppressing a yawn.

"I heard from the nurse. Delia's your only emergency contact, but she'll take a while to settle the clinic and come over, so I'm here till then," He replies, not looking up.

"I'm okay alone," You reply, but with your fatigue and mumble, it's not heated at all.

"Don't think too much," He answers nonchalantly. "I'm not staying here for you. It's just because Delia isn't here."

"Mhm... okay... could you pass me my phone?" You mumble, already half-asleep, hand loosely dangling over the bed. "I'll tell her not to come since I'm awake and fine, so you can go home and rest too. It's a long way."

He shakes her head. "Too late. Last I heard, she was getting a ride from Seungkwan."

"Ah, the charming guy, she says..." You muffle into your sheets, eyes shuttering.

You hear him huff a quiet laugh as you drift off, and then feel the warmth of a blanket being laid over you. "Yeah, the charming guy."

The next time you wake up, Delia is sitting next to you.

"Oh, shit, you're awake," She says as she springs up from her seat and holds your shoulders to help you up. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got run over," You try to crack a joke, but Delia's face dampens slightly. "I'm joking..."

"You scared the shit out of me," She mumbles, eyebrows furrowing. "Thankfully Wonwoo came to help you."

"Yeah, I know," You reply, your expression softening at the recall of Wonwoo carrying you in the rain to drive you to a hospital over forty-five minutes away from the town. "Where is he, anyway? And Seungkwan. You came with him, right?"

"They went to get food." Delia replies. "They'll be glad to know you woke up, Wonwoo was very worried."

"Hm?"

"Oh, yeah. He hung up on me the moment I said you were in an accident. Don't even know how he found you."

"Oh..."

Now you feel even more guilty. You vaguely remember the time when you got into an accident on the school bus and your dad drove all the way to the clinic to fetch you home.

"Man, you should've said something, I'd bring medicine for you..." You hear Seungkwan saying as the door slides open and Seungkwan and Wonwoo come in.

"Shut up," Wonwoo mumbles as he comes in. He sneezes once, and you look at him in concern. "Are you okay?"

"'M fine," You hear him reply, slightly muffled with a blocked nose.

"You caught a cold, didn't you?" You ask, slightly alarmed. "From being in the rain..."

"I have a bad immune system," He mumbles unhelpfully.

You sigh. "Don't go to any trouble next time, alright..."

He raises his eyebrows. "Is this the shock talking? This isn't the doctor we know." Seungkwan barely suppresses a laugh, snorting as Delia smacks his arm. You huff. "Should I go back to being bitchy?"

"Oh, no, thanks," He jests. "Here." He chucks a plastic bag onto your hospital table.

"What's this?"

"Gummy bears. Delia said you like to eat sweet stuff when you're in pain or something."

Delia shrugs when you look at her. "They were getting food. I thought you might want something when you got up."

You sigh, before picking out an orange one after he opens the bag for you. "Have you eaten medication?"

"No, not yet," He says, watching you munch on the bear. You frown sternly. "Make sure to take some after eating, once every four to six hours. Check the label if you need non-drowsy ones."

"I'm not the one in a hospital bed right now," He replies, just as sternly.

"Alright, lovebirds," Delia says, standing up and stretching. "I'm getting hungry. Is there a store nearby?"

"There's kimbap on the opposite side of the street." Seungkwan says, immediately getting up. "I'll go with you. There’s some shops you might wanna see.”

And before you and Wonwoo can say anything, they're out, chattering as they go.

You sit in silence with Wonwoo, who's twisting his fingers slightly now.

"Why are you anxious?"

"I'm not." He responds.

"You just tugged at your fingers, like, five thousand times."

"You're keeping count?"

"You're irritating, you know that?"

"I'm sorry."

"What is this?" You ask, taken aback. "Why're you apologising?"

"Not for the irritating part, for Grandma," He mutters. "She told me you went to her house and got her started on treatment. And Delia said you got into that accident because you were picking up her brace."

You're starting to get even more taken aback by the minute, but he keeps going. "And you were right about the parent thing. You know...the part about taking care of their health."

"Oh," you reply, nonplussed. "Well, you were right too. At some parts. Like trying to understand her and her situation. Sorry it... took me so long to get there."

He cracks a smile. "I think I like you much better in this state. Not so grouchy."

You scowl.

"Seriously, though," He straightens. "I'm sorry you got into this situation 'cause you were picking up her brace."

You furrow your eyebrows. "It was just shitty luck. Nothing to do with Grandma."

He smiles and then gestures towards your hospital table. “Do you want food? I can ask the nurse?”

“No, I’m good,” you mumble, embarrassed. “You should go get food, though. You had to wait around in here for a while.”

“Nah,” He says, leaning back in his chair and shutting his eyes. “I’m just lethargic. Don’t wanna move anywhere.”

You remain silent, fully intending to let him relax in silence, when you remember something.

"Thanks, by the way."

"What?"

"Thanks for helping me today." You say, cheeks flushing.

He shakes his head. “As long as you’re alright.”

When you finally smile and nod, he finally closes his eyes, drifting off while you lean back into your pillows.

It's always the same scene. It's almost laughable how the dream plays out, always the same as before, always the exact same things happening.

Of him stuck in a black, empty space, nothing to be seen for miles. He can't even see the floor he's standing on.

A tap on his shoulder makes him whirl around, and he's met with the same person that always appears in his dreams -- him.

Well, at least it looks like him.

This Wonwoo isn't the happy, outgoing one. He sports swollen, tired eyes, trembling hands, a pale, drawn face. This Wonwoo seems to find his lifeline in saying the same exact lines every single time, shaky hands coming up to grab his neck.

Do you think you can run, Jeon Wonwoo? To that perfect little village you call home? Do you think everything you've done won't catch up to you?

His eyes fly open, sitting up bolt upright in his chair, bathed in panic and his own sweat. The late afternoon sun slants in through the drawn windows. He turns his head, and when the bed comes into view, he exhales sharply.

Someone's here. Dead asleep, granted, but the presence of someone, at least, helps him breathe a little easier.

She turns in her sleep, and his breath catches in his throat. In a different way, funnily enough, not in repulsion of himself, not in fear.

He sinks back down into his chair and closes his eyes.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.06: charming guy

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼 taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou

writer's note: oop

𝐦é𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞 •°. *࿐

🎻 feat: violinist!jun x violinist!reader, victorian era, enemies to lovers (kind of)

🎻 warnings: mentions of physical abuse (not explicit), mentions of cheating (but no one cheated)!!! not the best e2l i'm very sorry

🎻word count: ~11k

🎻 summary: in an era of music and dance, of dukes and arranged marriages, there is only one man whom you fight tooth and nail to play at the same tempo as -- legendary violinist wen junhui. people fall over themselves to dance to a song he plays, and festivities from all over the land request the pleasure of his attendance.

portraits are painted, praises sung of him, but you've only ever known him as your stiffest competition, in a society where outstanding women are frowned upon, reduced to mere puppets in the shadow of men. yet, amid domineering voices and too-loud presences, you have no option but to understand that he was the melody that played his way into your heart.

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1870, November 11th

"Your Grace," You reach for the Duchess' outstretched hand as you exit the carriage, your other hand lifting your gown, the horses skittering as they reach a complete stop.

"My dear Y/N! It has been too long since you have graced our court," The Duchess seems pleased to meet you as she clutches your hand tightly, you squeezing it in return.

"It has been long," You agree. "It is an honour to play for the annual ball once more."

"Nonsense!" She trills a laugh, her hand coming up to cover herself. "Truly, it is our greatest blessing to be able to hear your music."

You smile in gratitude as she leads you towards the palace. "Thank you, Your Grace. I'm looking forward to performing for you as well."

"I'll have someone send up your bags to your rooms," She adds, continuing to walk you in. "The estate is busy today, what with the company we're having... and the two greatest violinists of our time!"

Your smile freezes on your face. It can't be, it's not possible--

"Of course, we're not expecting Sir Wen Junhui just yet, but I like the staff to be well-prepared-"

Wen Junhui. Of course, it had to be him.

"My dear? Are you alright?" The Duchess asks you, concern on her face. "I didn't have you just now."

"My apologies, Your Grace," You immediately say, a smile plastered on your face. "I...I must have been tired. Carriage journeys have never really been my preference."

"Of course, how could I forget!" The duchess sighs, before turning to the servants trailing behind. "Ensure Miss Y/N has everything she needs. She must be in tip-top condition for the ball." At the servants' bow, she turns back to you. "I must return to the preparations," she tells you. "Will you be alright heading to your rooms by yourself? The servants will lead you."

"Of course, Your Grace," You curtsy. "You really didn't have to lead me in, it was too much trouble. Please, I wish not to disturb you further."

Again, her tinkling laugh. "What words! You could never be a trouble to me, my dear friend."

You bid your farewell and as she leaves, the servants motioning to lead you to your chambers.

You shake your head lightly as you resume the walk. Wen Junhui, in the same place as you. What luck.

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"You two surely have met, given your professions," The Duke tells you as he beckons to a tall man you know all too well. "It is my understanding that you both played for His Majesty's coronation the previous year."

"Indeed we did," His velvet-like voice, thinly masking his hostility, returns. "It was charming to be in her company."

"As if." Your mutter, thankfully, goes unheard by the Duke. Junhui, however, picks up on it, what with those sensitive ears of his that supposedly make him an oh-so-amazing violinist, and raises his eyebrows at you.

The Duke excuses himself soon after to find his wife, which leaves you and Junhui standing alone. His waistcoat, laced with what you recognise to be one of the finest silks in the market, rustles with his movement as he turns and faces you properly.

He bows to you in mock politeness. "My pleasure to be in your delightful company once more, Miss L/N."

You roll your eyes. "Skip the formality, for our sakes."

Amusement laces his cat-like features. "If you say so, treasure." The term of endearment stirs more irritation in you.

The hostility between you two dated back to your teens. Fresh out in the world and eager for opportunity, you tried to become the court violinist in the royal orchestra, to prove yourself not just as a talent but as a woman, only to be turned away with the memo that a violinist had already been chosen, the only one the court was looking for, and it had been Junhui, all lanky limbs but with the fervour of a highly determined seventeen-year-old.

And at the birthday celebration of a royal you didn't remember, for which your family watched from the gates, you heard him play for the very first time. The symphony the orchestra had played, the seamless chords and semiquavers that had flowed from his relentless fingers on the strings, and the firm press of the glowing horsehair of his bow had impressed every person in the audience. Except for you.

No, you were bitter, so, so, bitter, that the one chance you had strived for your whole life had been taken from right through your fingers.

From then on, you had been known, amongst many in your small town, not very kindly, to be the "young lady who had dared to pit herself against Wen Junhui".

Your mother and father had taken the remarks in shame, beginning to discourage you from pursuing music. Yet, you had taken no heed, continuing to find all ways to continue what had become your lifeline.

And as he soared, both in skill and in fame, to become the most popular violinist of the age, you worked equally hard at your art, staining your fingers with cuts and your wrists with injury as you strived to reach his heights.

And you had run into luck, for an academy run by a sharp-tongued man scouted you at a performance at your local church. Before long, you were on the stage, flitting from event to celebration, just as you dreamed. You played concertos and partitas to your heart's content, did opening acts for renowned orchestras, and headlined the stage in the courts of various nations, eager to keep climbing the ladder towards the goal that was Junhui.

But no matter your greviances, you truly enjoyed the stage. It was everything you had. You took pride in your work, you blushed at compliments, and you appreciated every chance there was to step on the stage and perch the four-stringed instrument on your shoulder.

Then came the day when you met your competitor for the very first time, performing at a gala held for a local lord. He'd looked at you, no doubt recognising you based on the gossip circulating around, and raised an eyebrow in teasing recognition before shaking his head and simply turning away. No formalities were exchanged, even though you were fully intending to be civil.

From then on, you both maintained a stoic but unspoken rivalry, making sniping remarks when you had the misfortune of meeting. Yet, years after it all started, here he was, standing in front of you, on a stage you would soon share.

And as luck would have it, a courtier walked over. Park, you remembered his last name with some effort. He had been the first to object when the court invited you to play at this ball. The papers had published his account of why you shouldn't be involved (boringly long, you thought).

"My, my, if it isn't the two legends of our time," He drawled, in a voice that grated on your nerves. "I must say, having you both on the same stage is rather...shocking."

Junhui raises his brows. "And what prompted that belief?"

"Oh, but doesn't everyone know of your rivalry, sir! Years upon years of competition of talent."

You let out a light laugh, leaning forward to the smug courtier to jest. "And which of us would you prefer, sir?"

His smirk is nothing short of hateful, you decide, when he replies, "Captivating as your music is, my charming lady, I find Sir Wen Junhui's music simply...breathtaking. Perhaps a fine man, bestowing his heavenly talents upon us all, is much welcomed now."

Junhui's smirk is even more hateful, you determine when he walks past you, Courtier Park in tow, his hand raising to pat your shoulder, which you brush off roughly, saying under his breath, "Better luck next time. Looks like you won't be playing in his court any time soon."

"Rot in hell."

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"Oh, how wonderful that you both will be sharing the stage this time!" The Duchess claps her hand in appreciation after each of you plays excerpts of your performance pieces.

"It's an honour," Junhui replies, bowing low. You curtsey, noting the way the Duke nods at Courtier Park after.

"Refresh yourselves," The Duke instructs. "We will see you at the celebrations. We're looking forward to both of your performances."

You can't bring yourself to look interested when Junhui turns to you. "As am I." The smug, arrogant twinkle in his eyes does not go amiss.

You curtsey once more and at the couple's nods, stride out of the room, Junhui behind you.

"The Divertimento No.17 by Mozart," He muses. "A fitting choice. You always liked the cheer."

"And you could only dream of appreciating them."

"Snippy as ever, treasure," Junhui answers patronisingly, as easy as counting.

"Yes, well, you are no different from the last time we met," You reply coldly, turning a corner. "Stop following me."

"Our rooms are nearby, treasure," He drawls, leaning against the wall. "Remind me again why you're being so delightful?"

"Why, huh," You sneer back, turning to face him. "Where to start? Why are you even here?"

"Why am I here?" He echoes. "My dear, I was invited. As were you. Through our wonderful years of being around each other, you would know I dislike performing for the royals. I agreed because I owed His Grace a favour."

"Of course you did," You mutter. "Well, I'll get going. Go find your next person to terrorise, you take joy in that anyway."

His chuckles go on as you walk off, the skirts of your dress fanning out behind you.

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Notes, one after another, flow like water out of his bow, in rapid semiquavers and strong crotchets, chords easing through the strings as easy as the alphabet.

You can't deny Wen Junhui is a phenomenal performer.

It's two waltzes before your piece comes up, and the guests of the ball are mingling, filling in dance cards, getting to know one another. You see a few familiar faces, ladies of society whom you'd seen on other occasions. The Duke and the Duchess took the dance floor earlier, and are now nursing glasses of carefully brewed liquor, laughing and entertaining.

The head of the estate's entertainment announces your appearance, and you step up in front of the orchestra. At your cue, the piano launches into the familiar cheerful chord.

And off you go from there. You laser-focus yourself on every note, the vibrato you'd honed to perfection. And thankfully, all goes without a hitch, leading to resounding applause as people break away from their dance partners.

The Duchess bustles to you after you bow and get down. "My dear, that was magical."

"Oh," You smile at her gushing compliment. "Thank you. I enjoyed myself."

"And so you should," The Duke encourages, walking up next to his wife. "What a stunning job you've done."

The Duchess hums in agreement before exclaiming. "Right! I was coming to say, the governors want you and Sir Wen Junhui to dance together."

You stiffen. "I'm sorry?"

“As a sign of goodwill,” The Duke says. “Not very customary, given that you have no real ties to each other, but we think it would be nice. Not to mention, you both ought to loosen up and enjoy yourselves tonight. Do you not agree?”

You’re about to politely decline, but an arm slides around your arm and tugs you closer. Just a little. “Of course we do. Thank you for the offer, Your Grace.” Junhui nods at the beaming couple.

The Duchess smiles at you as her husband nods, satisfied and ready to help her to the dance floor again. “Enjoy yourselves.”

“I—”

“Hush,” Junhui croons as he sweeps you into his arms and across the floor in an elegant turn, the beginning notes of another popular waltz playing out. “We are meant to revel. Look at the atmosphere we’ve created. We ought to enjoy the fruition of our work, no?”

“Shut up.”

He smirks slightly at you. “As you please. You’re not a bad dancer, I see.”

You curse silently. In the distraction of the banter, your feet had automatically stepped alongside his, rhythmically and physically attuned as one — one body and one being.

Heavens, you hated it.

“Fall silent at praises?” He raises his brows.

You snort. “Why should I if it comes from you?”

He gasps in mock hurt. “You wound me, truly.”

“Oh, forgive me,” You simper, a sweet smile on your face. “Whatever should I do with that information?”

And back and forth it went again, till the last cadenza played. His confident and suave digs, your sarcastic and impatient snipes.

He lets go of you as the crowd starts mingling again, and smiles. “It was a pleasure. We’ll meet again.”

He presses a kiss to the back of your palm, winks and disappears into the throng, leaving you looking appalled at your hand.

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1871, January 17th

“You want me to what?”

“Keep your voice down,” Your father urges.

“Oh, forgive me for being surprised that you’re marrying me off.”

“Daughter,” He says sternly, putting down his paper. “It’s Merchant Park’s son. A finely educated, young man. You will not do any worse with him. At the very least, it would make you seem more like the desired lady you are.”

“And what of my music?” You demand. “I have to put a stop to my dreams? On your order?”

“Dear,” Your mother cautions, then addresses your father. “Husband, we should tell her the truth. The deal is signed, anyway.”

Deal. You’re being sent to some stranger over a deal.

“We are not doing well, you know this,” Your father explains.

“I have told you, the commissions I get from the Lords and the palace—”

Your father holds up his hand. “Let me finish.”

“We need help to keep our estate and our rights,” He continues. “Merchant Park has very kindly provided a deal for us: a monetary exchange in return for a bride. As Mr. Nathaniel Park has proved himself a true man, we saw no reason to turn down such a win-win offer: a groom for our daughter and enough to sustain us.”

You clench your fists. “And you didn’t think to ask my opinion on all this? When I am the one to marry?”

Your father eyes you. “Daughter, things in other households are far worse. Some do not even know until the night before the matrimony. You might consider yourself lucky.”

You look to your mother, but she trains her eyes on her tea and doesn’t reply.

A painful lump forms in your throat. “Is there no other way?”

Your father shakes his head. “Not one as beneficial as this.”

“And will it ensure prosperity and stability for the rest of your days?”

He nods. “We will do much better than before.”

You blow out a resigned breath. “When will it be?”

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1871, March 1st

Church bells ring, shouts are heard.

You marry Mr Nathaniel Park in the nearest church to his estate. It has been the talk of the town, and throngs have turned up to see a wealthy merchant's son marry a talent of the nation.

Everyone, except for your families, seem to be under the impression that you had been seeing each other in secret for years, and had finally emerged to take the next step.

It’s all nonsense, every last detail, but the very same nonsense made it to the papers by next morning.

You leave your family home that night to start your life with Nathaniel.

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1874, June 28th

You were bored out of your mind.

Your violin was locked up goodness knows where, and Nathaniel had explicitly said he had no intention of letting you return to the stage as a career.

It had killed you a little inside, but it was to little surprise. Men like Nathaniel and his equally unbearable father were common. And you had fully expected to be controlled and restricted in return for your family’s benefit.

Except you had severely underestimated how much time the violin occupied. With nothing to do and only so much overseeing of the estate you could do, you were about to go insane.

Worse, Nathaniel had been in a dark mood as people in the streets had started gossiping.

Because while Wen Junhui had continued to travel far and wide to showcase his talents, his rival (yes, you) had suddenly stopped doing the same — so suddenly that it was downright suspicious.

And your temporary reprieve came when an invite for a local lord’s ball came by the estate. In it, it urged for both your attendance and a a suggestion for you to perform. It seemed like a good chance for Nathaniel to turn the tide and assure society that you were still fulfilling your dream, and to quell any rumours.

Your fingers were rusty, so it was to your shock when Nathaniel allowed you to play and practice for a couple of hours.

“For the ball,” He warned. “Only for the ball. I cannot have people speculating why my wife has suddenly stopped performing publicly.”

It was better than nothing, you surmise.

And so it is to your greatest pride that you stand once again on the stage, performing a sonata you’d long since learnt by heart, the guests clapping and in awe.

And after you get off the stage, you use the start of yet another dance to allow yourself to be whisked away by your husband. But your impatience returns once you see who your dance partner is.

“I thought I’d come keep you company since it has been a while,” Wen Junhui smiles lazily at you as he captures your hand in his. “Congratulations are in order, I see.”

You shrug.

“Funny how the papers said you’d been seeing each other for a long while. A secret dalliance, did that paperboy say? Wonder where that came from.”

"Be quiet."

He does not, in fact, keep quiet.

“Dashing man,” He nods towards your husband, who is doing an awful job of hiding his scowl at you dancing with another. “Tell him to loosen up and smile a little. After all, his wife is the star of tonight.”

“Shut up.”

“Not proud of your matrimony?” He has a saccharine tone which you decide you really hate.

“You know nothing.”

“Huh.” His grin drops, no longer pleasant, as you take another turn around the floor, falling perfectly into place with other dancers. “Someone is snippy today.”

“Would you please stop?” You demand hotly. It’s not as if you would admit right this second that this marriage was what you want. “If you have nothing genuinely good to say, why don’t you—”

"Oh, so you want me to be quiet, huh?"

His eyes are now suddenly simmering with both mild anger and something else, perhaps impatience. With that same burning expression on his face, he grips your hand and hauls you toward him.

The abrupt and rough action makes you release a squeak of surprise, and his other hand catches your head in time to adjust it on his chest.

You struggle. "We are in public! Unhand me this instant!"

"I told you, be quiet."

"What?!"

"Be quiet and listen," He demands, pressing your head to his chest, using the throng of dancers and people to hide you from Nathaniel. "Listen and tell me what you hear."

You scowl up at him. "Is this a joke?"

"What do you hear?"

"Your heartbeat, like a normal living person?" You snarl. "What more is there?"

"Listen again."

After a brief pause, you ask him, "Why is it racing?"

He glares at you. "Exactly."

"What do you mean, exactly? That was not even my questi-"

"My God, use your brain for once," He sighs impatiently. "If I truly hated you, would I have picked you as my dance partner? Would I have offered you my company and my well-wishes? Would I, Y/N?"

"W-what do you mean?"

"Forget it," he snarls, biting his lip in impatience. "Go and be with your husband. Last I heard, he was looking for your whereabouts." He strides away, leaving you stunned.

And even as Nathaniel meets you and berates you for leaving his side, and as you get back into the homebound carriage with him, your mind stays only on Junhui.

If I truly hated you, would I have picked you as my duet partner?Would I have offered you my company and my well-wishes?

Would I, Y/N?

You lean your head on the back of the carriage, the lights of the city wide awake, even with the lateness of the hour, your mind whirling with thoughts you didn't know were true.

His racing heartbeat, your racing mind. He didn't hate you. The real question now was... did you hate him? Still?

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1874, September 4th

It's a rainy afternoon when everything falls apart. Nathaniel is in a horrible mood, and you're about to lose your mind.

No music, since he took it away from you once you got home. No money to seek any kind of entertainment, since he's in charge of the estate's finances. You can't even go out on a ride, since he's ordered the footmen to keep you within the property.

“What’s going on between you and Mr. Wen?” You look up at his seething question as he strides in and throws the morning paper down on the table in front of you. “It has been months and columns are still writing about you two!”

“What am I supposed to do, tell the writers to stop?” You ask drily, and a sudden strong fist grabs your arm and a blunt impact is unceremoniously struck to your face.

You freeze, blood running cold.

Nathaniel doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest that he just hit his wife.

He grunts in displeasure. “Heavens, I’ll have to explain these articles to our family again.” He makes a tutting sound at you and strides out of the room, massaging his hand and rotating his wrist.

Amidst everything, the painful swell of your cheek and arm, the humiliation you feel, and the anger that courses through you, you can only think of one thing.

One person.

And so Junhui has the shock of his life when you turn up, panting and soaked in the downpour, at the gates of his estate. Your fine gown is as good as ruined, your updo plastered over your face. Your makeup is running, and Junhui wastes no time pulling you indoors.

"I didn't know where else to go," You murmur, strength sapped, and he says nothing, only signals to his servants to get towels and new clothes.

As he surveys you, his eyes widen in disgust and shock, and he takes your shoulders in his warm and gentle grip. "Was this him? Sir Park's son?"

At your unsettling silence, he repeats his question, more firmly this time. "Did he do this to you?"

For the first time in maybe your life, you meet his eyes fully. There is anger in his eyes, so raw and so deep, that you feel your eyes start burning again.

As you bow your head to blink the tears away, he lifts your chin to meet his eyes once more. "You have never shied away from me. Of all times, my treasure, I would beg you not to hide now."

You stay silent, and he repeats his question, each word more strained than the last.

You nod imperceptibly, confirming his worst fears.

"God," He groans, leaning forward to hold your hands in his large ones. "If I were a swordsman and not a musician, he would be gutted like a fish."

You try to crack a smile, but it just doesn't come out right. "You're not funny."

"I wasn't trying to be," He returns. "But whilst we are on this subject, perhaps my bow could do the job. It's sharp enough."

That finally coaxes a small, broken smile out of you, and his shoulders release slightly at the sight.

His servants return with the requested items, and after pushing you into a room with an adjoining chamber to dry off and get changed, he sits you down as he tends to you. Still shaken, you just let him, and you watch silently as he presses a small makeshift ice pack to your face, made of soft towels and crushed ice meant for drinks.

Occasionally, he brushes a hand through your hair to detangle it and let it dry. It's so... domestic, painfully so, and you're fully aware of how hard your heart is pounding.

"I hate you," His voice suddenly comes through, and you look up as they register. "I hate you so much, you know that?"

Your voice is hoarse as you reply. "I know. I know it all."

"I hate that you're here, in my estate. I detest the sight of you. I hate that we're here, only being civil under circumstances like these, and I loathe beyond comprehension that he did this to you. I hate it so much, but I despise you the most for not coming to my door the second it happened."

Your eyes sting again with tears, and he reaches up to wipe at them, his eyes the most tender you've ever seen.

"Do not shed tears for a man so undeserving," He murmurs. "It is unbecoming, you know."

"I know," You choke. "I didn't want to."

"Forget about him." His voice resounds like thunder. "You should not remain with a monster like him for your family. You are your own person, and your fate is in your hands."

He turns his attention back to the bruise on your arm, tending to it with the same gentleness and precision a tinker had with music boxes.

He called for medicine, clothed and fed you, only to hear you confess three hours later. "I must return before dawn. He will be seeking me out, and I can't have him come to your estate and make trouble."

"No." His firm refusal shot a pang into your heart.

"Junhui. I must."

"You will not return to that hellhole. It's my order."

"I have to, my family-"

"Would want their daughter to be whole and hale." His voice is deep and fierce, so much angrier than you've ever heard.

"I would not see you ruin yourself for a godforsaken life with him. If he can hit you once, and to this extent," he motions to you, "He will do it again and again. Each time even harder than the last. You will die at his hands!"

"The deal-"

"The money is the last thing on my mind!" He exclaims, now agitated. "I do not care about the riches or the deal your family has made with anyone. I just want you to be safe. I want you to be happy. Are you happy, locked up in a great lonely house with him, giving up on the art you have honed all your life, becoming his puppet and a shell of what you once were, only to be hit as if you are worth nothing?"

You shake your head, as if trying to shake off his words. "I know, you're right, Junhui, god! You are right about it all. But my family... they are everything to me. I worked all this time just so I could go home to them someday and live our days out in comfort. I...I cannot forsake them now. Not when they will be thrown into the streets and shamed if they do not honour the contract."

"Then stay here with me," He pleads. "I will handle all of it. I'll make sure no one gets hurt. You can perform and do everything to your heart's desire and I will never hold you back. Please."

"I cannot burden you with my issues!" You shout, choking back a poorly concealed sob, hands reaching to your hair to tug on it in frustration. "Please, Junhui, please, just... let me be. Live your life and let me live mine."

"You chose to come here tonight. Yet now you ask me to stay out this. How can I, if you're making a choice that may very well get you killed?!"

"I will not. You know that. I'm strong enough to handle it."

"Do you even know what you are handling?" He demands hotly. "A violent barbarian who knows only use his fists against a blameless lady and her family -- do you have any idea how horrendous that sounds?!"

You take a deep breath. "I-"

"I will open my gates to you and your family. I will give you my home, my sanctuary and protection, anything you will ever need. But in return, all I ask is that you leave that place. Leave someone who will never care for you the way you should be cared for."

"I can't, I can't. The world is in my way, his family-- they would never view me or respect me the way I want. Not as a musician who worked her way to the top. They will see me as a mere town-girl who seduced him for money and ran off with it. Everything I've done to make sure people never see me that way-- I can't handle that."

"And so you pick them, their satisfaction and influence, over your own fate?" He asks incredulously. "That strong, stubborn, steadfast woman I know -- where is she?"

"I am not picking. It is my only option! You have seen how the governors and men of the court see me, even as a musician in comparison to you. I would suffer that tenfold, and worse, my family will go the same path. I would rather die than allow it to happen, even if I must suffer."

The whole room goes silent, save for your breathing and his ragged pants.

His nose flares and his eyes narrow. His voice turns colder than the cruel winters of the land. "Is that what you truly mean?"

"..Yes. Yes."

After what seems like an eternity, he nods, so slightly you almost don't catch it. His lips curl, whether in disgust or mock of your decision, you do not know. He looks the most disappointed you've ever seen him. "Fine. Then let him destroy you. Let the people who do not matter, do not care about you tear you to shreds. Perhaps you were right, and I was the one meddling too much. I apologise." He starts walking away.

"Junhui-" You begin as you clutch his arm, dread running down your spine, but he simply looks at your hands wrapped around his with the indifference you thought was all he had. He looks at your pleading eyes, your shaking posture. He wants nothing more than to tell you how he feels, the immense frustration that you just won't let him be there for you... but through his raging emotions, his mouth stays shut.

"You can leave as you want," He says, all the emotion from prior gone. He finally looks you in the eye, his own betraying only the smallest hint of anguish and something you can't quite place. "I will not hold you back if that's what you desire. I just hope you will be happy with your decision, Y/N."

And then he's gone, leaving you to sink down in the middle of the room and cry into your hands, the finery of the gown he clothed you in now a mess around you.

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1874, September 5th

"You have returned."

Not quite a question, but you nod to your husband, who is currently lounging on a newly embroidered couch, eyeing you up and down with something close to disdain in his eyes.

"Costume yourself. Conceal everything well. There is another ball tonight in honour of a newly debuted painter, and we must attend."

Fantastic. Yet another function where you would be on his arm, hang on to his every word, pretend to love him. "Must-"

Nathaniel raises his hand and you flinch. He lowers it, head tilting. "You heard me."

You head up to your chambers in silence.

Your tears flow as you dress yourself as instructed, every puff of makeup lowered to your face doing a terrible job of hiding the marks on your face, the exhausted swell of your eyes.

Fine. Then let him destroy you, Junhui had said bitterly.

He probably already had, you thought. In ways no one would ever see.

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"Sir Park!" Court ladies and gentlemen alike hailed your husband as he helped you out of the carriage, painting the picture of a perfect husband. You see your mother, dressed in finery, looking awkward and uncomfortable with the current company. You start excusing yourself to walk to her, but Nathaniel holds you to him, glaring down at you with a fake grin plastered on his face. "What are you doing?" He hisses furiously under his breath.

"I am going to see my mother," You hiss back through gritted teeth, venom in your voice, a sweet smile fixed on your face as if you were exchanging an intimate secret. "Or would you prefer I scream for help, darling?"

He releases you immediately. "Be back swiftly. People will wonder of your whereabouts."

Without responding, you make your way through the crowd, smiling and bowing slightly to the upperclassmen who greet you. When you reach your mother, she visibly relaxes, reaching out to clasp your hand.

"My dear girl," She says, trying to smile. "You seem to have lost weight. Are you well?"

"Very, Mother," You reply, through a fake smile.

Concern shines in her eyes, and she tries to continue. "Daughter. Don't make the same mistakes I did, trying to keep defying your father. There are times where we must step back, and you might find that... life gets easier. The frustration will ease."

Would the frustration and pain of your marriage really fade? Would you, like Junhui insisted, be reduced to a hollow shell, numbed to everything and allow yourself to be treated like an unloved rag doll? Would you, after everything you did to make a woman out of yourself... become a meek and obedient arm candy, the one thing you never wanted to be?

As you pull away from your mother with a quiet excuse, you hear pleasantries being called to a new guest, and you turn to find Junhui, who clearly just entered the ballroom, staring directly at you.

You're not sure if your eyes look imploring enough, but it doesn't seem to work. Junhui turns away, and for the rest of the evening, you do not catch his eye.

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

1874, September 21st

Days pass and you still play the perfect wife.

The order is exactly the same. You attend balls, play one or two customary pieces for Nathaniel to receive the oohs and ahhs of your talent, and at the end of the night, you return to your great, lonely house and sleep alone.

Soon after you got home from the ball, Nathaniel received an invitation to a business conference with the lords of Sicily. He had, after careful deliberation, decided to bring you.

Fine, you think. At least with the business, he might be too busy to keep you in line all day.

Nathaniel hasn't hit you since that night, but you're constantly on tenterhooks, on edge that his anger might blow once more. It's a ticking time bomb at home, and not much better outside. It isn't as if you have anyone to lament to about your marital troubles.

Your impatience is getting worse day by day. You already know the deal could easily be nullified, with the riches you know your family has received, but your parents still have no intention of setting you free. And so, on a warm Tuesday afternoon, three springtimes after it all started, you make your decision, rash and unchecked.

"I want to leave."

"What?"

"I cannot live like this. Not as your trophy wife. I wasn't born for this."

"And where will you go?" Nathaniel sneers. "Who will have you, a once-married woman?"

"It matters not where I go," You shoot, "You have no business knowing. As long as I am away from you, you asshole!"

"Oh, I would be very entertained," He replies coldly, a mocking smile set upon his hateful face. "I would like to know which man would take in the likes of you, even if you go to Sicily and start anew. Or maybe Sir Wen Junhui has already defiled-"

You slap him hard. He clutches his cheeks, turning red from the impact and from his rage. "You dirty little rat-"

"You are the vermin that thinks that way," You seethe. "You are the problem here. Not me, not Junhui, not my family. This isn't about the deal we made with your father anymore. It is purely because I am a woman that you are behaving this way. If anything is being defiled here, it is my dignity and your reputation."

He scoffs. "And you really believe some good Samaritan will voluntarily take you in and give you a bright future? Even if you believe so, you will end up the same way, in their kitchens, whether in Sicily or anywhere in the world. I am doing you a favour."

He steps closer. "But perhaps you already have someone in mind? ...Sir Wen Junhui, perhaps?"

You narrow your eyes at him. "What's this got to do with him?"

"Oh, you don't fool me," He laughs humourlessly. "You think I never see the way his eyes move to you when you're in the same room? You think I don't notice how you glance at him? And those few moments at the painter's ball last month. Care to explain that, my dear wife?"

"We are not on good terms." You hiss, stepping up to him. "Shame on you that you think otherwise, because there is nothing going on. I am no cheating liar."

"Perhaps not," He muses. "But I would pay good money to see what he thinks of you."

You stand your ground. "I want a divorce. That's all I want. I can return all the money you want to you in due course. Just set me free."

"Let's see what the courts think of that," He challenges, and you clench your teeth, anger overriding you like never before. "Your whole family will crash and burn with you. All because of your erroneous ways."

You stride away from him, out the estate doors, and his condescending, bitter voice resounds in your head, eyes wide in the face of your rebellion. "You don't know men the way you think you do, Y/N. Mark my words. Wen Junhui will not take you in no matter what he says. Women only have one fate, and you sealed it the moment we married."

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

Junhui opens the door and swears it's deja vu.

Mere weeks ago he did the same thing, only for you to break his heart in a span of a few hours. He surmises that it must be the same situation tonight.

Nevertheless, he opens the door to your panting figure wordlessly and lets you enter. You look sheepish as you adjust your gown, body heaving with the effort it took to run here, but he does nothing.

No, if he gave in and comforted you, he did not think he could risk another heartbreak.

You beat him to it. "I'm sorry I came," You start hesitantly. He stays silent, so you continue.

"Nathaniel, he-"

"Forgive me, but I do not wish to hear details of your marriage. You said it yourself, your life is not my concern." He knows he is being petty, but this was the only way he knew he would not overstep.

"It-"

"What more do you have to say to me?"

You open your mouth to reply, but the bell of his estate rings and you glance at him, petrified. You mouth the words as if the visitor would hear, Nathaniel? His jaw clenches instinctively.

He quickly ushers you into another room, a safe distance from the sitting room where they would still be in earshot. "Stay put," He warns.

He leaves for the main door, and you can hear him exchanging greetings with a man's voice, all too familiar.

It is Nathaniel. You expected it.

"Please, sit. Can I offer you a drink?"

"No need for formality. I am not here as Sir Park's son, but as Y/N's husband."

"...I see. Well, what can I do for you?"

"We are both gentlemen, Sir Wen," You hear your husband say. "Let us get right to the point. You harbour illicit feelings for my wife, do you not?"

"...I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." Junhui's voice has turned cold. Nathaniel should be afraid, but he looks Junhui squarely in the eye.

"I told her this and I'll tell you too, Sir Wen," Your husband's voice is careless, as if he doesn't care what he's saying. "She is mine. And I have rules about the women in my life. They will not look at other men. Their life will change to suit mine. And if anyone tries to defy that, defy me, I will tear them down. You, my dear musician, are no exception."

The room goes silent for a moment. "Well, I am glad we straightened this out." You can practically feel Nathaniel smiling, smug in his arrogance. "Y/N will be heading to Sicily soon, and I must ready our travel plans. Goodness, what a world we live in!"

His footsteps scuff the ground as he gets up, then stop. "This was a nice meeting, but the next time we chat about this, I will not be as friendly." You hear his chair creak. "Well, as you were. Good evening."

"You do not deserve any part of Y/N." Junhui mutters.

"...I'm sorry?"

"I said, you do not deserve her." Junhui repeats, each word firmer than the last. "If you knew her at all, those vile, vulgar words should never have left you. Had you not wed her just for her talent and face value, you would have seen her for who she is -- a strong, talented, and truly selfless woman. She gave up her music, her lifeline, to marry a man she barely knows just for her family's sake. If you ever bothered to observe her beyond your conceited and overbearing ego, you would have found bliss with her by your side."

"...I knew coming to an agreement so quickly was suspicious." YOur husband laughs, slightly cruelly. "And you would know all that of my wife, because?"

"I do not know her as well as I'd like, but I know better than to let go of such a precious being." Junhui's words do not cease, each one hitting home hard. "The innate truth is, neither you nor I deserve her. I will not lie that she showed up at my estate the night you laid your filthy hands on her, and nothing has ever made me angrier. So I swear, from now on, not a single hand will land upon her, or be damned this nation and its money, I will make it my life's duty to ensure you never again see the light of day."

Nathaniel chuckles, as if Junhui's words are but a gust of wind, as insignificant as one raindrop in a thunderstorm. You cannot stay and hear any more of this. So you creep towards the nearest window, ajar to let air in. As you crawl out, careful not to hook the hem of your gown on the hinges, and flee for the back gate, you hear your husband croon. "There must be more than meets the eye, Mr Wen. Although, I hope you know where you stand. Y/N will never belong to you."

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

1874, September 24th

"Thank you for coming, Mother," You try to smile at her, as she sits across you.

"You have never invited me over before," She says brightly. "What did you seek me out for?"

"I need to tell you something."

"Okay..." She comments, putting her teacup down. "Go on."

"I wish to leave Nathaniel."

"What?" Your mother is beyond alarmed, sitting forward and furrowing her brows. "Daughter, you know--"

"He hits me," You blurt out, and her eyes widen. Perhaps not the most graceful or discreet way to expose your suffering, but to you, there was no nice way to say it, no matter how much it hurt.

"He-- Y/N--"

"And someone else came and saved me. In so many ways, even the ways I did not know I could be saved.”

"Wh-" Your mother looks truly befuddled, and in any other situation, you might have laughed at the astounded look on her face.

"Wen Junhui." You continue blabbering. "He has seen me for who I am, at my best and at my worst, and he... he has healed me. He told me the truth that no one bothered to say, and he taught me that... that my fate is my own. Mother... I do not think I can live by the words of others. I think... I think that would make me miserable beyond belief."

Your mother is silent for what seems like an eternity, and you fiddle with your fingers nervously.

She finally opens her mouth to speak, and your breath catches.

“Of all people,” She murmurs, before giving you a soft smile. “I never would have thought that Mr. Wen would be the one to catch your eye.”

You shake your head in fond exasperation. “Life works in mysterious ways.”

“No.” She disagrees. “It has its own wiles and ways, but everything… everything happens for a reason. We were foolish to try forcing your happiness, weren’t we?”

You shake your head again. “I know you want the best for me.”

“I do, and I am glad you trust that, Daughter,” Your mother says softly, and you look at her, the gentleness of it all making your eyes glass over. “And if the best for you can be found in Mr. Wen…”

She dabs at her eyes carefully to prevent the kohl from running, and shoots a smile at you, genuine and loving. “Who are we to disagree?”

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

1874, September 27th

"You'll need more coats. Those dresses of yours are so overbearing." Nathaniel comments as your maids fold both of your clothes into trunks.

You grit your teeth but say nothing, as you pick out your jewellery.

"And this," He holds up another gown, one of your personal favourites, a sweet baby-blue confection with small gems sewed meticulously within. "Outrageous. Have it burned, my wife will not be seen in things as skimpy as th-"

"Shut up!" You can't recognise your shout. "Just keep your mouth shut for a moment, won't you?"

He advances upon your retort, eyes glittering. "What did you just say to me?"

"I will not go to Sicily with you." You say resolutely.

He starers at you for a moment, then bursts into laughter. "You? Turning Sicily down? How amusing."

"I'll never go anywhere with you." You snap, backing away. The maids hesitantly put down their work, then proceed to leave the room, leaving just the two of you.

"Don't be ridiculous, wife," Nathaniel says condescendingly. "Sicily would be good for us to start over. Too many nuisances here."

As he laughs and returns to selecting clothes, you scoff. "You're one to talk. You ruined my life, you took everything dear to me away."

He throws down the possessions, a loud shout bouncing off the walls. "Understand one thing. You are nothing, you understand? I could crush you and all that you have under my boot all in a day's work."

You push back, enraged. "Don't you project your emotions and problems on me. Junhui was right. You don't know any part of me. Not what I love, you're nothing that any sane person wants or needs. You're human vitriol."

"Junhui, Junhui, Junhui," Nathaniel sneers. "So you do know he's in love with you. Why else would you allow him to poison your mind? That pest--"

You punch him in the mouth.

You punch your husband, a rich and influential merchant's son, square in the mouth.

Now, you're not a strong woman, and in any fight, you'd be knocked out like a light. But given that Nathaniel did not expect any form of violence or pushback from you, when he was so close to taking you to Sicily permanently, he stumbles back in surprise and clutches his jaw.

Taking advantage of his confusion, you run.

You run and run and run, to the stables, upon a mare, and urge it out towards Junhui's estate.

So you do know he's in love with you.

This was the only time you wanted -- yearned -- to believe Nathaniel Park.

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

"You must think my home is a vacant shelter," Junhui comments as he lets you in.

He stiffens when you say nothing. "What is going-"

"Junhui." You lock eyes with him, firm and headstrong. "Are you in love with me?"

He stops moving entirely for five moments before chuckling. It sounds so artificial.

"No, that idea is repulsive."

"Junhui-"

"No."

"Junhui." You take his hands and plead. "Tell me the truth, and only the truth. Is it true, that you are in love with me?"

He tries swatting your hands away. "Please stop. Leave."

"I will the second you tell me that you are not in love with me. I will disappear from your sight for the rest of my life, I will leave for Sicily without looking back, and I will never return. Just answer me, just this once. Are you in love with me?"

His resistance snaps as he whirls to you.

"I've been crazy for you the moment I laid eyes on you!" He chokes out, eyes burning with emotion, hands flying to wipe furiously at them. "I couldn't fathom the thought that you hated me from the moment you saw me, goodness knows why, but I figured -- if that was the only way I'd see you for who you were, wild and free and beautiful, instead of the other ladies in court who put up facades to be around me -- I'd take it all. Whatever you gave me, I'd take and play along."

He swallows before he continues. "And yet it wasn't enough. Competing on and off the stage with you. I was in Rome when I received word of your union with that...that monster. I hated myself then. I regretted immensely that I had not asked for your hand before someone else did. I must have been complacent that you would always be around."

"Y-You...you never sought me out." You say softly, stunned at the revelation.

"It was a marriage between a renowned merchant's son and the world's best violinist, celebrated by all... I could not compare. Love would not cut it. Love would never cut it."

You could not help but cup his face, wiping the tears that leaked from his earnest eyes. "I truly believed you would find happiness with that man, treasure. I genuinely wished you well, even if it broke me." He whispers.

"And then you turned up at my gates, with bruises on you and a horrific story to tell," He continues, clenching your hands in his, "Yet I had to watch you, and let you return to that son of a bitch of your own will just so your family could live in peace!"

His body, now racked in sobs, crumples to the ground, bringing you with him as you cradle his head, tears of your own now dripping down your face. "Here you are now, one step away from moving to Sicily as you dreamed, asking me if I am in love with you? My beloved, is that really a question, or simply a confirmation?"

He looks up at you, eyes rimmed in red. "I cannot burden you with my emotions now. Not when you're achieving your dreams. Not when you and yours are suffering under the world's scrutiny. I love you so deeply that I know I cannot do that. If I cave into my emotions... you will be shackled to me, and I cannot have that on my account."

"No." You interrupt. His eyes raise to meet yours, as if in disbelief at what he was hearing.

"I plan to leave Nathaniel. All future plans are gone, and we will not be going to Sicily."

His eyes dilate in shock. The world goes silent, and it's just the two of you.

"I...I spoke to my mother. Way before today. About what you said. A lot of it was what you said." Your voice sounds foreign, so strange to your own ears. "I told her that I would settle the deal and anything we owe in any other way that would not require my happiness as a trade. I told her...I could not bear to let people who did not care if I lived or died dictate how I spend my days. I showed her the wounds he gave me. And I told her how you healed them."

He could not speak, could not move. The fact that you had decided to show your suffering to the one person you did it all for... he did not know whether to praise or cry at your bravery. That you, terrified yet adamant, had made a choice that would finally change the trajectory of your life.

You take a deep breath. Clasp his shaking hands in yours as you find your next sentence.

"You know this. The current divorce bill has always favoured men. In this age, no matter how big I am, no matter how much proof of how awful he is, society will only ever choose him over me. I have every intention to leave that monster, but it will be a tedious, arduous task, and I cannot promise anything out of it -- but what I can promise is that if you want me, you have me. Wholeheartedly, even if hell bestows its wrath upon us, my heart will always be yours. It..."

He waits with bated breath for your next words, his grip on your hand just as unwavering as your will.

"It must have been yours from the moment you pushed me to leave. You were the only one who saw me as anything more than a trophy wife, even with everything I threw your way. I only realised too late... that what I need isn't someone who would speak behind my back, or only support me from the sidelines."

His hands reached up to your face, trembling, cold, so full of emotion he felt like he would combust.

"I need someone like you to stand with me. I need you, Junhui."

It was all he ever wanted to hear. For the longest time, ever since he could remember. Just the thought that you might want him, competitor and all, shakes him to the core.

He grabs you and pulls you to him, hands gripping your waist. Tears form once more in his eyes as he shuts them and presses his mouth firmly to yours, and you can taste the salty tang of them on your tongue as you wrap your hands around his shoulders and tug him towards you. He smothers any remaining space between you -- not that there was much at all -- and wraps his arms wholly around you.

You both enjoy how you mold into each other so, so perfectly -- like a major scale, like a perfect chord, like the coda of your favourite orchestral symphony. One kiss against the next, the tune of your heart swelling into a brilliant crescendo.

You stay like that, lost in the throes of passion, heads tilting to accommodate each other, and when he finally pulls away, leaving you breathless as you meet his eyes, his expression changes into one of such deep love and joy, tears spring into your eyes again.

He draws you into a warm embrace, stroking the back of your head as you find solace in his arms. "Do not weep, treasure. I need you to stay with me, because after all these years of butting heads with each other, you are finally mine."

And as the darkness of the night descends upon the land, neither of you make any move to let go, because Junhui was right.

After all this time, of fighting and being at odds, you were where you really belonged.

With the man whose career you once swore to end, yet the only person who managed to play his way into your heartstrings.

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

"And you must still leave, because?" Junhui is frowning, evident even with his head down, playing with your fingers. You look at him longingly.

"To finish what I have started, Junhui," You murmur, looking at him. "There is to be a court hearing, and only then will I know if I can leave him."

He only frowns further. "And you will be going alone?"

"My mother will be coming with me. I would need support."

His expression does not relax as you hoped, as he continues, "I presume I cannot go?"

"The court would be even less in my favour if you were to show up. Imagine the scandal it would cause!" You reply, chuckling as you fiddle with the silk material on his waistcoat, soft and fluffy against your rough fingers. "Why? Can't get enough of me already?"

"Shut up," He replies instantly, voice bitter. "If you had just married me before and not bothered with him, you could've avoided all of this."

"It was arranged, you idiot! And I wonder, who was the one who didn't ask for my hand and pined about it on his own?"

"I did not pine!" He defends immediately. "I could have you thrown out for such slander, you know."

"You keep telling yourself that, Junhui," You reply, smiling slightly. "How was I to know you wanted to marry me from the start?"

"You had your head up in your ass, trying to win a competition that didn't exist," He responds without missing a beat, grinning devilishly, and now you were ready to release a string of curses that would make your poor mother weep.

"Listen here, you little-"

He takes your raised fist and holds it easily in his own.

You scowl deeply. "What do you want from me now?"

"I want you to decide for yourself. Go and do what you have to for your own happiness. If you decide you do not want me-"

A slap to his chest leaves him stunned.

"Are you actually lacking in intelligence somewhere up there?" You hum. "You're much more an idiot than I thought."

"What?"

"I spilled all I had in my mind to you, you nincompoop." You mutter. "I want you. I will only want you from here on out. Don't be stupid."

"Do you mean it?"

"That you're stupid? Without a doubt."

"You know what I mean." He holds your gaze. That in itself has you gaping in mock hurt.

"Do you not trust my words in the slightest?" You ask incredulously. "My, what do you think of me?"

He raises his eyebrows. "After the past ten years? You want me to be honest?"

You slap his chest again indignantly and he laughs.

"Junhui," You say, softer than ever before, and he looks back at you, eyes shining. "I mean it all. Down to the last word. Please... believe me."

He'd never heard so much as a request from you, never mind a 'please'.

"I do. Gods... I do. More than anything." He cups your face affectionately, and you melt at the touch. He seems as though he's gearing himself up to say something, and after a few moments, he finally loosens his tongue.

"From now to the end, I will wait. I'll be right here. No matter the number of waltzes and music I must grace this ridiculous society with, you must promise, promise, you will come back for me." He leans into your hold, and the intimacy, the gentleness Nathaniel never once provided, makes you blink back tears.

"I will." You say. No more word play or snarky responses. Your promise hangs between the two of you, strong as the red string of fate shining between your interlinked fingers, bright as the days ahead.

With Junhui by your side.

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

1875, April 2nd

Resounding applause booms through the concert hall. Junhui takes his final bow as the stage closes. Women were swooning, men applauding the prodigy violinist that finally graced the stage of Jahn's Hall. People waving could be seen wherever Junhui looked.

Show-off, you think to yourself. Yet, your legs betray you, standing up to carry you to the wings of the back-stage.

You handle your gown with ease, your feet carefully navigating through throngs of Junhui's well-wishers, the people manning the operations, all the way to the back where you saw clearly a large crowd forming.

Where the crowd was largest was where Junhui would be.

You pick at the bouquet in your hands in slight hesitation, until a man you recognise from many concert halls catches sight of you and promptly yells, "If it isn't Miss Y/N! Another wonderful musician in our midst! Freshly back from the courts eh?"

You shoot him a small smile and a nod, and he immediately starts elbowing people out of the way. "Out of the way, folks! She must be here for Mr Wen. The rumours are true, so move, fellas!"

Slowly, the crowd dissipates, fading to the sidelines, until Junhui notices the strange crowd movement. He looks up from his conversation with another man, and he freezes in his spot when he sees you.

Heart thumping so loud you can't hear anything else, you raise the bouquet (you searched for the perfect arrangement for almost a week, but you would carry that secret to the grave) and with a smirk on your face, you drawl, "Missed me?"

The crowd bursts into noise, full of clamouring and people shouting. Through it all, you pay them no attention, your focus only on the man in front of you, staring as though he's never seen you before.

Junhui stays stock-still for a few moments. You're starting to think he doesn't want you here.

"I know I did not write to tell you I was returning, but I can explai-"

The greatest violinist of the age strides over to you, captures your face in both his warm hands and kisses you.

You can feel him shaking as he presses himself tightly into your embrace, your foreheads almost touching.

"Seven months," He rasps out, pressing kisses on your mouth between each word. "Seven months and not a word from you. I imagined you'd run off with another man."

"Who else could have infiltrated my mind as you can?" You choke a laugh, reciprocating him with equal fervour. "Day and night, I ached to write to you, but I could not jeopardise my position in the court hearing."

"And what was the outcome?"

"Of what?"

"You know very well what!" He says, drawing away from you but keeping you locked still in his hug. "What of the case?"

You stay silent and his smile fades. "You are frightening me, treasure."

You laugh at that, unable to keep up the facade. "Ruled in my favour. We have signed the separation papers, and I am a free woman."

He shouts out something intelligible, and wraps you up in another bone-crushing hug which you happily return.

"I am glad I kept my promise," You murmur as he sways you around, lost in the joy of you back by his side. You hardly notice the hum of activity as someone ushers the crowd out of the room. "I hate to say this, but it may have been the best decision of my life."

"You say that now, treasure," He teases back before looking at you, puzzled. "What promise? As I recall, you did not write to me at all."

"That I would come back for you," You answer, without missing a beat. "That promise echoed in my head, every single day. When I stood my case, when I went to listen to an orchestra play the first day after learning I'd won. When I hastened my departure and my mother told me to be happy, all I thought of was coming home to you."

He pulls back and looks at you, eyes slightly glassier than they were before, and the brightness in his expression, the love in it, etches itself in your mind permanently.

"And you are home with me now."

"I am."

"You are not leaving me again, treasure. It is an order."

"You sound sappy. Stop that right this second."

"You started it first, darling. Your promise echoed in your head? Really?"

"You're insufferable. I hope you know that."

"Remind me when we marry. You love me anyway."

You sigh, half-helpless and half-fond, and reach up to rake your hands through his hair.

"I do. Gods... I do. More than anything."

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

1946, November 11th

"Hang that over there, please. Right at the centrepiece of the fireplace."

"Here, madam?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"Treasure, you look at this portrait too many times in a day."

"Be quiet. This was the only good decision you made in our lives."

"You say that now. What of marrying me? Was that not the best thing you did?"

"The worst decision of my life, I can assure you."

"You're a terrible liar."

"I hate you."

"Love you too, treasure."

"..."

"You're smiling."

"I am not!"

"The curve of your lips won't go down. You are not sneaky."

"Shut up. I told you we should go see the classical group before they leave tomorrow."

"Don't distract me. We can look at the picture a little longer. It isn't time to go yet."

"Ah...finally, something good coming out from your mouth."

"The same mouth that kisses y- ow! My face!"

"Not another word!"

"Fine! God, you horrible lady."

"Fine, you wretched man!"

Shaking his head and smiling, the man, much older now, but with the same charming smile and earnest eyes, reaches his arm out to wrap it around his wife, tongue still sharp from their youth, yet still the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. She lets him embrace her, even leaning back semi-reluctantly, to his great amusement.

"Look at that," The lady marvels. "Look how wonderful the artwork is, Junhui. Goodness, I still remember the whole day."

"The best day of my life, treasure," The man responds gently. "I'll never forget."

Snug in each other's arms, the couple looks on, at the memory of their younger selves. The time has come and gone, but the days ahead of them are still as bright, the memory of this portrait just as vivid as ever.

The portrait of a beautiful young woman and a tall, dashing young man, sitting together on their wedding day, arms interlinked and smiles forever etched on their faces. Two violins sit next to each of them, and a small plaque attached below the portrait reads:

"Commissioned: Wen Junhui and Y/N L/N, March 7th 1876."

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱

author's note:

SURPRISE FIC in the middle of “This Summer”!!

i play the violin, so i was veeerrry excited to write one about music!! especially a period romance?? yes pleaaaasee

thank you for reading! 🎻🤍 feedback is always welcome :”)

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

07. producer park

🌼 warnings: alcohol, a secret chat group

🌼 word count: ~2.3k

"Ah, I don't like staying in hospitals," You mumble as you get out of the car that Seungkwan drove over in. You reach in again and pull out the overnight bag that Delia brought after she came back.

"Nicer to be home, huh," Delia smirks as she gets out after you, before skipping on ahead, where Seungkwan's already stopped the engine and is waiting with Wonwoo, who's been unusually quiet on the journey back.

She's far gone before you process that she said 'home'. She already regarded this village as home. Huh. Perhaps it was time you asked yourself the same question.

As you walk on, you see a large group of people huddled near a stall at the edge of the town market. They're unfamiliar, and some of them are carrying large black tripods and rectangular bags on them.

As the four of you walk closer, Seungkwan and Wonwoo's eyebrows slightly furrowing in confusion at the large crowd, a head of dark brown hair, and long, lanky limbs catch your attention. He's bent over a rack of traditional dried squid snacks, animatedly chattering and gesturing about it to the rest of the group surrounding him.

"Chanyeol?" You say out loud as you get within hearing range of the man. Wonwoo, Delia and Seungkwan's heads whip over to you.

Alerted at the call of his name, the man raises his head, and his eyes finally land on you after looking around. "Oh my god, Y/N?!"

"It really is you!"

He excuses himself from his group and hurries over to you. Delia mouths an incredulous "That Chanyeol?!" to you, but quickly plasters a smile onto her face as he comes over to greet you.

"Long time no see, Y/N!" he says, loud and boisterous as he always is, and you can't help but break out in a smile as you respond. "It's so crazy meeting you here. How've you been?"

"I'm doing good! And you?" Chanyeol grins, his handsome features lighting up.

"I'm great! Here on a filming session?" You smile.

"What do you mean great, you just got out of a car accident--" Wonwoo mutters under his breath and Seungkwan elbows him in the ribs. "Ow!" He protests.

Delia grabs Seungkwans's arm, Seungkwan grabs Wonwoo's, and the three of them hightail it out of the way, Wonwoo protesting slightly before you can say anything.

"Funny story how I got here, actually," Chanyeol enthuses, as he waves his film crew on to explore the market on their own. "I was supposed to go to the neighbouring town -- amazing farm plots, I heard! But I took a wrong turn, and--"

"Typical," You groan. "You never did go the right directions back in school."

He bursts out laughing, throwing his head back in his joy. "Gosh, you still remember that?"

Of course you do.

"But yeah, we ended up here! But it's a gorgeous town. Freshly-caught seafood, community spirit, the old traditions all present -- I was thinking this might be a blessing in disguise, it would be a great location for our next show. So we took the wrong turn as a chance for a site recce."

"Wow," You smile. "But this place really is pretty. You should check out the harbour, the lighthouse, and the dock--" You stop yourself.

What are you doing?

Chanyeol doesn't seem to notice your sudden halt, instead opting to smile big and assure you that he'll check the whole town out.

"Right," He suddenly says. "I'm actually glad that you'll be hanging around here, 'cause I'd really like to stick with someone more familiar."

You laugh. "I'm hardly the best person for a guide. I just came a few weeks ago. Not that long ago, to be honest."

He brushes aside your concern. "At least I have a friend here. By the way, do you happen to know a town chief, or a council? We were thinking of discussing with them about filming here. We can get the permits and stuff, but we do need his permission..."

You perk up slightly. "Yeah, I know him. His name is Chief Jeon Wonwoo. I can let him know that you want to see him?"

Chanyeol brightens. "Oh, the guy that was with you earlier? Great! I'll go find him myself, he's right over there." He points, and to your surprise and slight mortification, Wonwoo, Delia, and Seungkwan really are still in the market, far enough to not raise suspicion, but still near enough to see roughly what's going on. The three of them immediately avert eye contact once they spot you both looking in their direction.

You sigh in fond exasperation as Seungkwan starts blabbering excitedly about the dried goods you know for sure he's seen his whole life.

"Yep, that's him, the taller one," You say. "Come on, let's get you introduced."

They hit it off.

Chanyeol's infectious enthusiasm seems to rub off on Wonwoo, and he begins brainstorming with the producer on the materials they'd need for the show. Seungkwan, Delia and you hang behind, making conversation on your own.

"Who's he?" Seungkwan asks curiously, after Chanyeol peels away from the group to get back to his film crew, promising to discuss further with Wonwoo once he'd settled everyone into accommodations for the next few days, and it's just you four again.

"A friend from university," You begin, but Delia snorts with laughter. "You had the biggest crush on him."

You smack her on the arm. "I did not!"

Wonwoo looks down at you, smirking. "Really? Miss Doctor has a crush?"

You flush. "...Used to."

"Oh my god, it was a whole melodrama!" Delia squeals. "Can I tell them? Can I?"

You sigh dramatically at her excitement, but smile and wave at her to go on. "Go ahead. It's all water under the bridge."

And so Delia regales her tale (largely exaggerated, mind you) about your first-ever boyfriend in university, who had later revealed himself to be a Class-A jerk, busying himself with different girls at parties while you studied away for your degree.

Chanyeol, despite being in the same group of friends, had never attended the parties, instead opting to spend his time assisting on film sets and production companies for experience. When he found out about his friend's tendencies, and that you broke up with him, he took it upon himself to become your friend, to make you a little happier.

And soon, that companionship throughout university had developed into a teeny-tiny crush. A really small one. Delia made you sound like some lovesick teenager.

Life had other plans, moving you to Seoul to your very first clinic. You both rarely kept in touch, but you saw him on variety shows, on the credit rolls of reality programmes, and in online articles. He'd grown to become a charismatic and popular TV producer.

You roll your eyes when Delia does a highly inaccurate imitation of your expression while talking with the producer. ("I didn't look like that!" "Did too!")

Seungkwan and Wonwoo seem highly invested, which was fair, you supposed, given that they knew close to nothing about you. Seungkwan gasped like he was watching the climax of a drama.

"And your unrequited love is back in town," He teases, and you barely launch a poorly aimed punch at his arm before he's ducking away, screeching with laughter.

Wonwoo, however, doesn't seem as amused. His face twists at some point in your story, whether out of confusion or irritation... you can't tell.

Wonwoo decides to discuss the possibility of the filming project with the villagers, citing that it would be good for business, and to make the place livelier. It comes as no surprise that it's a unanimous yes, given his position as an unofficial chief and all-around genius.

Giving Chanyeol the good news was worth it to see his reaction -- his huge smile, his excited demeanour as he tells his crew. They're all equally excited, huddling to plan out every detail of the show.

As thanks, Chanyeol decides to treat the crew to drinks and urges you and Wonwoo to come. "You guys made it happen, anyway," He reasons, and Wonwoo seems happy to go. It also happens that you can't resist the pull of alcohol.

Except you get drunk. Really, really, shitfaced, to the point that you know you'll black out once you try to stand.

"Easy there, tiger," Wonwoo groans as he pulls you out of your seat.

"Should I bring her home...?" You hear Chanyeol offer, but Wonwoo's already declining as he adjusts you.

"You literally told us just now that you're bad with directions," He huffs in exertion, as you try and fail to make your spaghetti limbs work. "If I let you bring her alone, she won't get home until tomorrow morning."

"Oh, I'm not that bad..." Chanyeol begins to protest, then sighs. "Yeah, I am that bad. Just let me know when she gets home. You have my number, right?"

And all you remember after that is a blur of him carrying you home, the sensation of a blanket being thrown over you, the dampness of a wet towel on your face, and then the world goes dark.

The next morning is so damn painful.

Your head is spinning and throbbing, and you just feel like jelly. When you stumble into the kitchen for water and painkillers, there's a note on the dining table.

Mrs Woo sells really good hangover soup. When you wake up, let me know so we can go eat.

-J.WW

And call him you do, because hot broth sounds really good right about now.

Twenty minutes later, you see him tapping his foot impatiently outside the restaurant.

"Oh, you take forever to get ready," He leans in and sniffs delicately, before nodding. "At least you don't stink."

"Stink?"

"Do you know how much you drank last night?" He asks incredulously. "You downed so much of the makgeolli, over two bottles of soju mixed with beer, and--"

"Okay, I get it. You're making my head hurt." You mutter, embarrassment creeping up your face. "Can we go eat now?"

He chuckles, and swings the door open. "After you, Miss Doctor."

The steam kisses your face. It's better than anything else in the world right now.

Wonwoo looks on in amusement as you scoop rice and broth and tuck in, sighing in enjoyment. "Good?"

"Yeah." You mumble, your mouth full. "People should come here every day."

"Mhm," He hums in agreement as he picks his spoon up. "Don't talk with your mouth full. Are you heading to the clinic after this?"

"Yeah," You reply after swallowing. "Grandma has her appointment, and I have a few new people coming in."

"You sure you don't wanna take the day off?" He questions. "No offense, but you look awful right now."

"Thanks," You roll your eyes. "Can't. Grandma has an appointment today for her brace, and I've got a few new patients."

"Right. Take it easy, then. Delia can help out, right?"

"Delia took the day off. Said Seungkwan was bringing her out or something."

Wonwoo chokes on his soup.

"Seungkwan found the guts to bring a woman out?" Wonwoo is still in disbelief.

You sigh. "Delia might have nagged him a little. She's firm with what she sets her eyes on."

"No wonder. Seungkwan would never have asked her out otherwise."

As you near the clinic, you see a crowd of villagers gathering near your entrance.

"Did someone make a mess or something?" You wonder as you speed up, Wonwoo matching your pace. Once one villager spots you, the rest start chattering at breakneck speed.

"Y/N! How are you doing?"

"Oh, we heard about the accident--"

"Horrible, the weather must have been--"

"You must've felt so terrible at the hospital, dear," Grandma Lee walks towards you and grips your hands. "Here, this is a traditional root herb supplement. It's bitter, but you must eat it all. Helps with energy and recovery."

You smile a little and accept the small paper bag. "Thanks, Grandma."

She turns to Wonwoo and proceeds to slap his arm. "Ow! Grandma, why--"

"I heard you brought her to the hospital. Why didn't you make her stay home and rest?"

You break out into embarrassed laughter. "I insisted, Grandma. Life has to go on. And... he caught a cold because of me, so..."

"Yeah, where's my supplement, Grandma?" Wonwoo asks with a pout, not unlike a child.

"I only have one, you brat," Grandma Lee hisses, swatting his hand. "You're a big boy. Don't tell me you can't handle a cold." You try and fail to hide your laugh and Wonwoo mock-scowls at you.

One by one, the villagers offer you what they can, from fruits to freshly-made green onion kimchi, telling you to take care and call upon them if anything happens. The grandmas thank you for getting Grandma Lee's brace, and you don't even have the chance to ask how they knew.

But for once, amongst the endless chatter and speculating about the weather during the accident, you finally understand the appeal of staying in a village, surrounded by people you know care for you.

"You didn't tell me Wonwoo brought you home after you got drunk!" Delia screeches once she comes into the house.

You look up from your rice. "What?"

"It's literally all over the-- oh, right."

"All over the what?" You get to your feet. Delia, who's in the middle of pulling something up on her phone, flushes and hides it, but you've already seen part of the screen.

"A chat group-- what is that?"

"I don't know! Swear, I just got added in this morning and Miss Hwang said Wonwoo carried you home and that it looked really cute-"

"What? Hey! Give me that!"

"No!"

Delia breaks into a rendition of the "Wonwoo and Y/N sitting in a tree" joke, and you're about to keel over in embarrassment.

And just then, your phone pings with a text from Wonwoo.

"Did you see the secret chat group?"

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.07: producer park

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou @mingycr

writer's note: a short update for noww~~

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

08. rumour mill

🌼warnings: wonwoo is sick, you almost burn down the house!

🌼 word count: ~2k

Wonwoo

The story has changed. Now it's a tale about how he's been in love with you for a while and that you got together after the car accident.

Miss Hwang and all the members of the chat group have spiraled the rumours out of control, and he feels... awkward, to say the least. The villagers don't whisper very conspicuously when you walk past, and sometimes when you see him going about town on his part-time jobs, fixing people's sinks and building them new shelves, you say hi and end it there to stop the rumour mill.

Wonwoo knows it too, because he's now decided to keep his chats slightly shorter before excusing himself. Which is why he's currently standing outside Grandma Lee's house quietly, watching as Park Chanyeol chats you up.

"This house is gorgeous," He hears Chanyeol enthuse. "The traditional feel, you know -- and with that yard! Nostalgic, and it would look insane on the show thumbnail--"

As Chanyeol yaps on about the 180-degree rule and the height of the boom mics he plans to use, Wonwoo stifles a yawn behind his palm. Not understanding any bit of film lingo is so boring, and he doesn't know how you haven't already dozed off. Well, perks of the very person being your longtime crush, he supposes.

Actually he's not sure why he thought of that.

Anyway, he skips over that part, he has work to do. He's promised to get a tarp for Chanyeol, set up accommodation, and ensure the film crew doesn't end up homeless for the next few weeks.

He walks off, but he glances back.

Park Chanyeol really is very noisy.

Wonwoo

Okay, this is getting a little ridiculous.

Delia hasn't seen much of you after work. Seungkwan and Joshua haven't seen you either, except at the weekend cleaning when you're on sweeping duty, and sometimes at village meetings when you ask them if the apples you bought are of good enough quality. He watches as Joshua explains how to tell the difference between good apples and mediocre ones.

He hasn't seen you much either. He hasn't seen you come into the coffee shop for your daily coffee run on the way to the clinic, or walking around with Delia near the lighthouse that he knows you sometimes do around 9pm.

If he wanted to guess (which he doesn't, honestly), you were probably at the team dinners which Chanyeol is apparently very generous with, or with the producer himself, hanging out at a streetside stall or something. Which is ridiculous, because with the amount you could drink, he knew you were probably not one to turn down a party when you weren't being stiff and awkward.

Which was also ridiculous in itself, because--

Wonwoo stops himself. Everything about you is ridiculous. Everything he's feeling and thinking is absolutely bat-shit crazy.

Wonwoo's never been a crazy person. He's always been perfectly rational and cheerful, a nothing-can-get-me-down kind of guy.

He is.

That night, he makes sure to completely fill up his days ahead. Back to back. And no going to the clinic.

You

"Ah, I forgot my umbrella is with Delia," You mutter as the first heavy drops of the storm start to pelt down. "I just ordered this top -- agh---"

You decide to just make a run for it when the redness of the night sky indicates that the rain won't stop anytime soon. At least, you aren't driving this time around.

"Wait! Y/N!"

"Chanyeol?"

"What're you doing out -- you hate the rain. Get under here."

"Uh... thanks! It's late, shouldn't you get ready for filming in a couple days?"

"Last-minute checks on Grandma's house to make sure all's good." He grins. "But it's good that the weather is cooling a bit. Easier for us to film."

He shelters you with the umbrella as he takes you to your door.

"Oh, you're back -- hey, Producer." Wonwoo's leaning against the wall near your door, with no umbrella, and water starting to drip off his backpack.

"Chief Jeon!" You call over the sound of the rain as you near him. "Get under here, you told me you're more prone to colds --"

"It's okay," Wonwoo refuses, his face changing a little bit as he looks at you two. "I just wanted to drop this off." He ducks his head under the umbrella and hands you a brown paper bag which you accept, absolutely bewildered.

"What's this?"

"Fruits!" He has to raise his voice to be heard over the rain now. "Grandma Lee said to pass you some clementines since she said you liked them during the village meeting."

"Oh!" You lean in to take a look, but look up to shoot him a stern gaze. "Why'd you stay in the rain? You'll fall sick."

He snickers. "It's just a little rain. I have to patrol the roads up ahead to make sure all's good anyway. The rain here gets bad, and we can't have any more accidents happening."

"Wait!" Chanyeol calls as Wonwoo makes to leave. "I can go with you, we can share the umbrella. Don't fall sick trying to work so hard, Chief. Y/N, can you go on in--"

"Yeah, of course, don't worry about me -- Wonwoo, go with him, you'll be sheltered at least--"

"Hey," Wonwoo interjects, a half-smile appearing on his face. "Thanks for asking. I'll be fine, really. Producer, get Miss Doctor safely in the house, okay?" He raises his hand in farewell and darts off before you can say anything else.

"Chief Jeon--"

You look up the way he's going, a frown on your face.

"Happy first day of filming," You smile slightly as Chanyeol startles and turns to face you, his signature grin on full display.

"Hey there, thanks!" He says happily. "You'll stick around for the day?"

"Can't," You grimace. "I have work. But let me know how it goes, yeah?"

"Sure!" he waves. "Have a good day. Right I was about to ask, do you, by chance, want to --"

A loud cough and a clear of the throat interrupts and you both turn. It's Wonwoo trudging in your direction. Well, if the man underneath a pale complexion and eye bags is Wonwoo, at least.

"Damn, Chief Jeon," Chanyeol gapes. "Are you...good?"

"Splendid. The weather's good," Wonwoo replies, trying to nod but slowing it down, no doubt because of his throbbing head.

You march to him and press your hand on his forehead. "Hey. You're burning up!"

"Shhh, softer." He mutters. "My head hurts."

"Hey, man, take a day off," Chanyeol says, clearly distressed that his newfound right-hand man is ill. "We can deal with stuff over here. Uh, I can't send you home, but--"

"I can." You sling his arm over your shoulder, clicking your tongue as Wonwoo grumbles no. "No complaints. House call. We'll get going, Chanyeol."

"Yeah-- yeah!" Chanyeol pats Wonwoo on the shoulder. "Rest. Get well soon, okay?"

Wonwoo mutters something intelligible in response as you try to heave him away as gently as possible. The villagers are already staring, but it's the last thing on your mind.

"Hey, Chief Jeon?" You ask cautiously as you move. "Can you tell me roughly how to get to your house?"

His voice is all droopy and quiet, but you make out a few vague directions of "You're insufferable... left, up...ahead, and to the right..."

After the trip to his house takes double the time it usually would, given that he's already shaky on his own two legs and you have to move slowly, you try your best to tuck him entirely onto his sofa and look around for a comforter.

As you take his temperature, you survey his house. It's the first time you've ever been in his home, and it's the stark opposite of yours: the books are neatly shelved, his belongings exactly where they should be. There's a cozy, worn feeling to it like it's been lived in for a long time. Photo frames decorate the shelves, with books and small decorations, seemingly made of wood, arranged neatly.

You hear a groan, and you turn to see Wonwoo wincing as he tries to sit up. You sigh. "Don't get up. You took meds or ate today?"

"No," He grumbles, clearly put out by his current situation.

"Right, okay," You reply. "Can Mrs Woo send porridge over, or should I go buy some from her?"

"No chance," He mumbles, still trying to detangle his feet from the comforter you threw over him. "Jiwoo has a school play, she shut up shop for the day to see it."

You pause for a moment. "Okay...you've got rice in here?"

"Yeah....why..?"

"I'll make you something to eat with your meds. Back to sleep. Give me a while."

He sighs. "Don't bother. It's fine. I'll eat later with my meds. Off you go, shoo."

"Doctor's orders," You retort, and he groans in frustration, which almost makes you chuckle. "Rice is in the second drawer. Please don't burn my house down."

You almost (?) don't make edible porridge.

In your defence, the pot was small and the fire on the stove wasn't supposed to be that big. You're not sure if rice can be burnt, and can only hope that the salt and sauces you put in there at least salvage it a little.

Wonwoo is completely knocked out when you reach the living room, and you decide not to wake him up since he clearly needs the rest. You tuck the comforter under his chin again and get a tray of porridge ready, along with the meds you find.

After you put it on the table, you scribble a note and stick it to the table, and then turn to look at him.

He looks....cute. His hair is ruffled, his face soft in slumber, and he looks peaceful and undisturbed.

You sigh. "So you are a little cute when you have to be, huh?"

You lean over and brush the hair out of his eyes, and he lets out a soft sound and leans into your touch, like a cat.

Quietly, you stroke his hair, and after a few moments, he seems satisfied and stills again, evidently falling back into deep sleep.

A small pang comes to your heart, because he seems so small, curled up on his couch and sleeping off his fever.

Before you know what you're doing, you lean over and kiss his forehead.

And you then proceed to grab your things and run out of the house, in utter shock.

Fuck.

You just kissed Jeon Wonwoo.

Wonwoo

When he stirs, the house is quiet.

Wonwoo gets out of his comforter, yawning and massaging his neck from the awkward position he just came out of.

He spots the tray on the table, and he chuckles before reaching for the bowl. "She really did make food."

He spoons some out and takes a bite. "Oh, wow."

Then swallows it and muses, "How do you mess porridge up so badly?"

He picks up the Post-it note. "Eat it and then have your meds. Get well soon and don't skip meals. Call if you need anything."

Despite his drowsiness and the horrendous porridge, he finds it in him to smile.

Well, he thinks later as he stands to bring his empty bowl to the kitchen, at least you washed the dishes.

BONUS

"The clementines are fresh today," Grandma Lee tells him. "You take some home, got it?"

"Ah, got it, Grandma," Wonwoo says, before grinning at her. "Save more for yourself. I can always get more later."

She smiles back at him. "Don't forget to get more, then. They go stale really quickly. Right. That reminds me, I should ask Y/N to get some. She liked them during the village meeting, right?"

Wonwoo feels a little more alert at the mention of you. "Hm? Did she?"

"Yeah," Grandma Lee says. "Hm, maybe I should bring a bag to her house? She's busy nowadays."

"Ah, I'll do it," Wonwoo says, helping to pick some out and pack them. "It's tiring to make the trip, I've got it covered."

Grandma Lee beams at him in thanks, and Wonwoo applauds himself for seeming normal enough.

It's not like he's there to do anything more than be a friend anyway. It's not like he's going to have a chat with you, make sure you're not too busy with that noisy producer.

Definitely not.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (written, fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.08: rumour mill

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼 taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou @mingycr

writer's note: ok so i was originally planning to make her mad about the rumours BUT 👆 i decided that it wouldn't fit in anymore since number one: she's getting along better with wonwoo and everyone else, and number two: it's high time she had a bit of character development cos there is a fine line between being snappish and being an ass! thank you for readinggg~

btw i love chanyeol and everything exo too and i just felt chanyeol was perfect for the golden retriever film producer role :"

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

09. push & pull

🌼warnings: pining, mentions of a bad past on Wonwoo's end

🌼 word count: ~1.6k

Wonwoo is apparently not as slick as he thinks, because Grandma Lee approaches him after a day spent fixing her door.

"You like the doctor, don't you?"

Wonwoo chokes on his pear-infused water. "Grandma, what are you talking about?"

Grandma fixes him with a stern look. "I'm old, squirt, not dead. You're not fooling anyone."

Wonwoo sighs. "We're friends, Grandma. Nothing more."

Grandma huffs. "You might be able to fool other people, but you can't fool me. I've watched you all your life. That car accident, I heard you brought her home after she got drunk. And the producer told me she brought you home when you were sick..."

"Friends do that for each other," Wonwoo insists.

Grandma shakes her head. "Most friends might have sent her to the hospital when she was hurt, yes, but no one would have run out of my house as quick as you did when Miss Delia called you. And you would have let Producer Park bring her home when he offered. And even though you two began on rocky terms, she's a lot better now, no?"

"It doesn't matter," Wonwoo mutters. "She likes the producer anyway."

Grandma Lee asks, "Really? Did she say so?"

"It's obvious!" Wonwoo responds. "She used to like him back in university, and he's paying lots of attention to her now, and..."

"He likes her, sure," Grandma Lee says, and Wonwoo looks on incredulously as she rolls her eyes. "But she might not like him now. People change and they grow up. Who knows, she might want and need someone different now."

Eventually, she says nothing and lays a hand on his shoulder. "Listen to me, Wonwoo."

Wonwoo pauses in his actions and looks at her.

"I'm old now. For me, living like this, with people I love around me -- when you get to my age, you'll know that's the biggest gift you could have."

Wonwoo swallows around the tightness in his throat. "I don't know about that."

Grandma Lee surveys him. "How so?"

Wonwoo shrugs. "I... I'm not at peace, Grandma. I'm not just worried that she'll pick the producer over me, I..."

She waits for him to collect his thoughts again.

"How can I... how can I love someone and be loved in return if I'm not settled in my own skin? You know about the nightmares, I..."

The old woman reaches for his hand. "Wonwoo."

He glances back up at her. "Everything was in the past. You have to understand that. You weren't to blame for everything turning out badly."

"But he was blameless, I can't stop thinking..." Wonwoo starts, but Grandma hushes him.

"Bad things happen to good people sometimes. And...sometimes that's not in your control. Because if you'd known, I trust you would have made sure it didn't happen."

Wonwoo sighs. "I can't afford to make mistakes when it comes to her, Grandma... I can't risk having her when I'm in this state... doesn't she...doesn't she deserve better than that? Than me?"

"That's not up to you to decide," She admonishes gently. "She can decide for herself what she wants and needs. Think about when you were sick. Did she take care of you well?"

Despite his slight agitation, he feels a small smile break onto his face. "She cooked me near-inedible porridge and made me sleep all awkward on my couch."

Grandma chuckles. "And if it were anyone else who did that?"

Wonwoo finally laughs at that, spirits lifting a little. "I'd have complained and torn them a new one."

"Did you know Chief Jeon was away from the town for a few years?" Delia asks you around a mouthful of rice.

"Mhmm," You ask, spooning some soup up. "I heard about that, but didn't ask the reason."

You're still slightly distracted remembering how you kissed him, trying not to flush every time you think about it. Luckily, Delia hasn't noticed, because you'd have a lot to explain if she did.

"He used to work in the city," Delia explains. "But then he came back a few years later, and he was so different! Seungkwan told me he wasn't doing great at all. Like, he'd avoid everyone and just work and go home."

That catches your attention. "Did they ever find out why?"

"Nope," Delia shrugs. "He only started opening up again after half a year, maybe, but he never told anyone what happened to make him so... downcast. Even Joshua and Seungkwan don't know."

"Huh." You mumble, now confused by the situation. With the personality he has, it's hard to imagine him otherwise.

Delia waves her spoon. "And they even--"

"Y/N! Delia!"

You twist in your seat to see Chanyeol, with his backpack slung over his shoulder, strolling into the restaurant with his signature easygoing grin.

"Hi, Chanyeol," Delia greets. "How's filming going?"

"Good, good," He enthuses. "Grandma's been a godsend, and this village must be magic because I've never seen my crew work this hard."

Delia chuckles. Her head turns a little as someone catches her attention, and her expression brightens as she waves and beckons the newcomer over. "Seungkwan, here!"

Seungkwan saunters over, carefully eyeing the proximity between Chanyeol and Delia as he takes a seat next to her, Wonwoo bringing up the rear.

"Hey guys," He says, taking hold of the menu and perusing it. "I'm starving."

"The dumplings are good," Delia says helpfully, pointing to the picture on the bottom. Seungkwan beams at her and nods. "I like them too. I'll get that. Wonwoo, what do you want?"

He shrugs, and you survey him a little. He looks... nervous, if that's a good way to put it. "I'm good with anything."

Seungkwan tuts. "I'll choose for him then. Umm..."

While Seungkwan ponders over Wonwoo's lunch, Chanyeol hums in approval at the dumplings. "Looks yummy."

"Yeah," You say over a mouthful. "Try one."

Before Chanyeol can get chopsticks and dig in, Wonwoo beats him to it. "Me first."

Chanyeol looks on incredulously, and you're just as nonplussed.

"That's it," Delia groans as you both slump on the couch after work. "My back is dying. It's dead. I can't do this anymore."

"Talk about it," You agree drowsily, trying to urge some life into your legs. "I need a holiday. Like, for the next three years."

Delia sits upright. "What about Seoul?"

"What about it?"

"We could take the weekend, go to Seoul, what do you think? Go to a spa, eat a buffet, have a mini vacation before next week starts?"

"I think..."

Her face falls.

"That's probably the best idea you've had all week."

She cheers. "Seoul it is!"

Friday comes slow, but it does nothing to dampen your mood. You pull out of the parking lot, Delia buckled in the passenger seat and already selecting a song from her phone.

"So I was thinking shopping and a spa session first, and then we can go get food and beer later on, and stay one night before we come back on Sunday," Delia enthuses, her babbling going a mile a minute.

"God, yes," You sigh. "I can't even count the knots in my back."

She grins. "That's my girl."

The lighthouse slowly disappears from view as the car rounds a corner.

Something isn't right.

Delia's in the fitting room, trying on a pretty summer dress she found in the department store. And you...

Well, you're looking at men's clothing. But it's not because you want to. Just...pure boredom. What would you do with men's shirts, anyway?

Yet, something stops you from not walking away from the suit section.

The swish of the curtain makes you startle.

What the hell am I doing?

You jerk your hand back from the navy blue button-up shirt and turn to face Delia, too busy spinning and oohing-aahing over the dress to notice your situation.

Oh, thank god.

"Ugh," Delia sighs over a forkful of lobster. "This is the life. You know, I thought I could never eat seafood again with the amount we've been eating back home."

You drink your wine. "The fish at home's so much better. Fresher."

Delia shrugs. "Either way, it's going into my stomach. My body can't tell the difference anyway."

You chuckle and take a bite of the cod on your plate.

"Isn't it nice to see the Han River again?" Delia adds, staring at the view outside the restaurant. "It's really been a while."

"Mmhmm," You mumble uncommittally. You're not even paying attention. As Delia gushes about the city lights and how nice it is to be on familiar ground again, you can't help but think about the fresh salty sea air, the lighthouse, and...Wonwoo....

Wonwoo sitting there, legs stretched out in that carefree way of his, arms behind his head. Laughing at something Joshua said, sighing in relief after his day of work, hair tousled by the night breeze.

"It's raining." Delia's voice interrupts the image. "Did you manage to park the car in the sheltered place?"

Rain. Wonwoo picked you up in the rain. When you were bleeding and needed help...he was there.

He was always there.

"I've gotta go."

"What?"

Oh fuck. Yeah, you need to go.

Wonwoo's not leaving your head. That damn town, everyone in it, most of all that brown-haired jack-of-all-trades, isn't leaving your head. Even something as simple as fish makes you remember him.

"Gotta go. I'll explain later."

"What--" Delia looks nonplussed for a second. Then her eyes widen. "Is this about--"

"Don't ask me now. Ask me later, but not if I'm crying my eyes out. See you later!"

"Oh, you little--" Delia breaks off and sighs. "Okay, but I'm asking you whether you're crying or not."

You smile at her, then grab your bag and hightail it out of the door.

Wonwoo. Wonwoo was all you needed right now.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (written, fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.09: push & pull

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼 taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou @mingycr

writer's note: thank you for reading, and i'm sorry this chapter took WEEEKKKSSS to upload... school has been kicking my ass :/ it'll be cute from here on out ~~

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

10. that makes two of us

🌼 warnings: tooth rotting couple things, wonwoo's bad past

🌼 word count: ~1k

Your heart is thundering in the cab as it speeds down the road.

What if he doesn't want to see you? What if he doesn't want...you?

You're honestly terrified. There's lots of things he could reject you for. You got off on the completely wrong foot, your personalities are complete opposites, and with your longtime crush back in town... he had every reason to bury his head in the sand and pretend your feelings didn't exist.

Which, obviously, you don't want. Anyway, as they say, opposites attract, and you'd like to think things have gotten better between you both as of late, although his behaviour has been off recently.

The taxi ride seems to take forever, although according to the navigation system, it's just been a little over forty-five minutes when the taxi drops you off at a parking lot near the coast.

You hurriedly pay and rush off to Wonwoo's house, only for it to be dark. Empty.

Oh, great. Of all times, he isn't home. Where is he?

You roam the streets for a few minutes, trying to look out for lights, the chatter of people, any sign that he might be in the midst of a village meet-up. But there's nothing save for the usual hum of activity by the coast, where some late boats are pulling up.

And then there it is. The man you've been looking for...not just today in Seoul, in the shopping centre, or in the restaurant. It feels like maybe you've been looking for him for a long time. And now that you see him... it feels like coming home.

Wonwoo's sitting on the opposite end, on the steps near the lighthouse.

"Wonwoo?"

The man startles and turns at your voice. "Y/N -- what -- aren't you and Delia supposed to be in Seoul for the weekend?"

"I came back," You say, panting. Rather pointless, since you're right here, but Wonwoo looks rather confused nonetheless.

"Uh... why?" He looks utterly perplexed. "Forgot something? You can't have needed that much clothes-- no, I take that back. With the amount of deliveries I send over daily, you do. What--"

"I came back for you," You mumble.

"Huh?"

"For you," You say, a little louder. "I know... I know you probably don't feel the same, that's fine, but..."

"Y/N--"

"Wait," You breathe out, and he pauses. "Allow me... and you can reject me right after. I promise I won't push it."

At his silent nod, you continue. "Sorry. I just... you know me. I speak my mind, and... well, I go on like a bullet train until I finish."

He suppresses a chuckle.

"We're total opposites. I'm picky about designer things, I'm hot-tempered--" He huffs another laugh at that. "--I'm messy, and I tend to have unreasonably high standards. I also say the wrong things a lot of the time."

He looks at you, a soft smile forming on his face. "I'm guessing there's a 'but' somewhere around here?"

"Kind of," You mumble. "We're like night and day, and I know I'm probably nowhere close to your type. But what I'm saying is..."

He visibly sucks in a breath.

"Screw all of it, because I think I'm in love with you."

"You think?"

"No, not think. I definitely am. I'm so ridiculously in love with you it's embarrassing. I just... I guess I just wanted to let you know that. "

There's silence for a while.

"You can just say no," You mumble, face flushing a little. "I won't bother you, honest. We don't even need to speak if we don't feel up to it."

There's still silence, and you're fearing the worst. "...Oh god, I'm so sorry for bursting back here and springing this on you--"

"Well, I guess that makes two of us."

"I'm sorry?"

"You heard me," He replies, but there's something in his eyes. Something a little...warmer. More tender than you've ever seen them.

"If we're going to put it the way you did..." He looks you in the eye. "I'm also ridiculously in love with you it's embarrassing."

Wonwoo walks towards you, and you hold your breath. Maybe he's going to politely reject you, in that charming, affable way of his. Maybe he's going to walk right past you as if he doesn't care. Maybe-

His hand on yours silences everything you're about to say. The warmth of his mouth on yours makes every thought vanish from your head. Jeon Wonwoo is kissing you.

Your choked sound of panic dies in your throat as he clasps your hand in his, intertwining your fingers and his other hand coming up to cup your face.

He pulls away. "Sorry...was that too much?"

You swallow, and his face pales slightly.

"One more time."

His eyes light up.

The next day, he walks you to work. He steals a glance at you. "You really don't want to tell anyone that we're together now?"

You shrug. "There was a whole chat group even when we weren't together. Imagine the privacy we wouldn't get if everyone knew."

He sighs. "You're so dramatic."

"You love me."

He chuckles and continues strolling. "Do you want to get dinner after work?"

You nod. "Sounds amazing. I can meet you wherever. I don't have that many patients today."

He hums. "Okay, there's a small restaurant by the harbour. I don't usually go because it's quite out of the way, but the food is good, I promise."

"My tastebuds have already adjusted over here," You sigh, as if in complaint, and his eyes glint with amusement. "Yes, what a tragedy. As if the town doesn't have the best seafood you'll ever have. See you then, Y/N-ie."

Wonwoo picks you up at six-thirty sharp, leaning against the wall outside the clinic right after he drops you a message. As you approach, he grins at you and straightens. "Ready to go?"

He walks down the pavement with you, being careful to make it seem friendly still. You follow him down the path to the restaurant, but when someone walks into your path, you both stop short.

You smile in greeting to the man, recognising him as Jay, Chanyeol's lighting assistant. "Hey there, filming done for the day?"

In response, Jay simply nods but doesn't say anything, his stare locked on Wonwoo's. You look at him, confused, since you're pretty sure he's seen Wonwoo before.

And that confused look soon turns to utter shock as Jay rears back and punches Wonwoo right in the face.

Wonwoo staggers back, eyes widened in horror and shock, hands already coming up to clutch his jaw, which already seems to be reddening.

"Jay, what the f--" You start, racing forward to hold Wonwoo's face and push him backwards. Jay breathes hard, trying to restrain himself.

"You knew him. You did.”

Wonwoo looks up, absolutely perplexed. “What?”

“My father!” Jay says loudly. “Park Shin. Ring a bell?”

Wonwoo’s face instantly turns white.

“Jay, what are you-” You say helplessly, but you take a look at Wonwoo. There’s something wrong, but you can’t put your finger on it.

Wonwoo starts to walk, away from you, away from Jay, and you scramble to follow him. “Wonwoo, you’re hurt!” You reach out to take his arm.

“Don’t follow me,” He turns and snaps at you. “Y/N, I just… I can’t be around you right now. Not… not like this. Fuck.”

You’re rooted to the spot. Never mind what he just said to you… there’s something very wrong. Park Shin. Jay. And Wonwoo.

Wonwoo turns away from you as your grip slackens, and he leaves, completely ignoring the bruising on his face.

Park Shin. Jay. Wonwoo. You need to find out what’s going on.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

🌼 summary: going back to the countryside where you grew up was at the bottom of your list. unexpectedly, your life changes course, and you eventually find your home in weekly village cleaning, the sound of the waves, and with the local jack-of-all-trades, jeon wonwoo.

🌼 pairing: wonwoo x reader fic (written, fluff, angst, hometown chachacha!inspired)

🌼 genre(s): fluff, mild angst, yn can be mean sometimes at the start (this is inspired by the kdrama hometown cha-cha-cha, so some parts of the plot and characters are similar), wonwoo is an overall sweetheart

ch.10: that makes two of us

prev. masterlist. next.

🌼 taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou @mingycr

writer's note: aaand we're back to the grind! not many chapters left now, thank you all for being here for the ride 😭💘

lucky cat | wen junhui

synopsis can be read here!

m.list | previous | next

pairing: junhui x f!reader,friends to lovers!,cat junhui hehe

A/N:hi everyone!! i hope you enjoy reading lucky cat :)

taglist: @yaebbinnie @lazykingcomputer unable to tag : @snoopywoo

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰*.:｡✧*.｡:｡*.｡✱ ───

“psst,psst [name],[name]!” junhui whispered.the pair was sitting next to each other in class at the moment.it was the last period before school ended for the day.[name] did not respond,choosing to push his cheek with her pointer finger to the direction of the book letting him know that they needed to focus in class. the boy pursed his lips and blew a raspberry at his best friend’s left cheek.

[name] wasn’t surprised that he had done that,after all he was always the kidult out of the pair. feeling fed up at her best friend’s actions,she decided to finally respond to his childish shenanigans.

“we should focus on class now” [name] squeaked out softly.they did not want to catch the teacher’s attention,especially when they needed to focus in this subject so that they didn’t flunk their exams. junhui merely huffed,decidinh to listen to them.

after what felt like an eternity for him,the bell finally rang signaling that it was the end of class.he instantly got up,hurriedly packing his stuff and pulling his friend’s arm eagerly so that they could get out of school. [name] had smiled and followed his lead.

“where are we off to today,mr wen?” she asked mischievously while catching up to him.the pair were currently walking out of the school compound,to who knows where.junhui giggled before taking her hand.he flashed an eye smile to her,he had mischief written all over his face.

“you’ll just have to find out!”

they were standing in front of a fortune telling shop [name] assumed..? she looked a little unimpressed yet,she wanted to go inside to see what was lurking there.she could have her palm read,she was curious to find out what the future held out for her.

jun on the other hand,looked ecstatic.his face held an expression of excitement,as if he was a kid going to a toy store.he found out about the place yesterday and thought that he immediately wanted to go there with [name].

“are we at a fortune telling shop?” she asked for confirmation.he had nodded his head before pushing the door of the store.she had just followed his lead once again.

the bell at the door ringed signifying the fortune teller that she had customers.it was a middle-aged lady,she had gentle eyes and had a lot of white hairs. she gave off an aura as if she was wise,at least that was what [name] thought.

she got up from her desk,walking up to the duo with slow steps.jun was looking at her and bowed politely, whereas [name] was looking around the store.it was decorated in a lot of charms,but looked creepy.she noticed the woman before lowering her head and wishing her a good evening.

“what would you like me to do for you today?” she aasked.she looked at jun and [name],and a sly smile started forming on her face.

“would you like a couple reading?”

[name] just stared at the lady as if she was crazy.jun on the other hand,seemed unbothered.”i don’t see a problem with it,shall we?” he began as he stared at [name]

she hesitated but thought,what’s the worst that could happen?.

the worst had possibly happened.

the results of the palm reading were ‘utter bull’ as jun thought.the fortune teller had said that their future would be full of conflict and that they would part ways in not so long.

[name] had just brushed it off saying that she was ‘just old and didn’t have the right intuition’ but jun was furious. he said that he would never ‘believe an old hag’s mind’ and said that she was “just too old to think straight.”

he had caused a rage in the store,saying that “nothing could separate them apart” it was unlike him to be like that,[name] thought.jun was ussually calm and collected,and very goofy at times.she had never expected him to be this angry at someone.

of course,she was feeling a bit disappointed because of how the lady said that they’d be apart and the road for them would not be that bright,but there was only a possibility for that to happen,right?

she’d love to stay with jun,he was her best friend! they’d been together ever since she could remember. she wouldn’t mind being lonely,as long as she was with him her heart would still feel content,and her heart would race every moment they had spent together, it’s not like she loved him,but they were just really close friends.

she decided to calm him down and bring him out of the store before apologising to the poor middle aged woman.the fortune teller had just scoffed and said that someone with jun’s attitude was gonna screw his future for sure.

oh boy was she right.

lucky cat | m.list

synopsis

part 1

part 2

part 3

part 4

part 5

you can lmk if you wanna be tagged !

la la lost u | h.js

summary: joshua left you behind for new york,to chase his dreams as a performer.he promised you that long distance would work,but both of you gradually lost yourselves in two different places.

genre: heart-wrenching angst,shua being an fboi,yn being kinda stupid

warnings:swearing,mentions of sexual innuendos,a lot of tears shed

A/N : I strongly suggest you listen to la la lost you by NIKI while reading this.It’s one of my favourite songs at the moment,and the song reminded me of cheol at first,but i decided that writing this about shua would make more sense

While I'm on Sunset, are you on the subway?

While I drive, are you gettin' on the L-train?

You’d always be wondering what would he be doing now.You stayed in Los Angeles,where you both grew up in.You’d experience beautiful sunsets while driving through the city,which you used to do with him.He on the other hand,moved to New York,to chase his dreams.

You were devastated at first,but you couldn’t stop him from leaving,you didn’t want to cut his wings,so you let him go.He dreamt of being a performer,making it big in the entertainment industry,but at what cost?

He’d lose a lot of things,the beautiful sunsets he watched with you,the lively atmosphere which would feel nostalgic to him,and now he’d be taking the L-Train in a busy,gloomy city.You hope he hates it there.

And fuckin' on Brooklyns in Brooklyn

Your Chelseas in Chelsea

Hope that eases the pain, so you remember to miss me

Joshua promised that everything would be fine,he promised that you’d both still be in the loving relationship you both were in.He made so much promises,yet he couldn’t even keep his word to one.

When he first left,everything went fine.There were messages every hour from the both of you,video calls every night filled with giggles and ‘i love yous’.You really thought it would be alright for him to be far away.

He managed to join a company and started to record songs.He’d tell you the progress of everything,when he would start to record the music video,the songs he wrote,and so much more.You enjoyed listening to him,knowing he was happy.

The hole in your heart that he mad when he left was starting to heal,until he tore it all down again.As months went on,the messages started to come mostly from you,and all you got were short replies.

You didn’t make anything of it at first,he was probably busy anwyays you thought.Video calls were only on weekends now,with his excuse that ‘he was getting busier recording songs’,what a liar.

If only you hd put the pieces together quicker,maybe you would have saved yourself from getting hurt.He’d been cheating on you for two months.

He cheated on you with this girl called Vanessa,who the hell even gets his pants tangled with a girl called Vanessa? She was pretty,you’ll admit,but she was such a bitch.Of course she was,she had sex with him!

You found out about them when you were calling with him,he had picked up.You were at home,lying on your bed after a day of attending exhausting classes in university.”Hey Vanessa sweetie” he cassually said.You were not surprised at first,Joshua had always called you sweetie throughout your relationship,but when you replayed what he said in your head again,you started getting suspicious.

“Who is Vanessa and why are you calling her sweetie?” you questioned.He didn’t say anything for a few seconds,he strangely just stayed silent.You were freaking out and thoughts began to race in your head.

Joshua cleared his throught before replying “Oh I just got her name mixed up with yours”.Feeling unsatisfied from his answer and starting to feel angry,you decided to speak again

“You didn’t answer my question,Shua.Who is she?” You pursed your lips and clenched your fists into tight balls.An ache started to form in your stomach as tears welled up in your eyes.

“She’s...she’s no one okay? Don’t worry about it.” Joshua said.He felt nervous,his palms were sweating and heart started racing.He didn’t mean to call you Vanessa,it just...slipped from his mouth.He had contemplated on telling you the truth,but he knew you would erupt if you found out.

“If she was no one,why would you call her sweetie?”

Shit,you put him in a tight spot now.He opened his mouth to say something in return but,his words had failed him.He knew he should have never slept with Vanessa from the start,his moral compass wouldn’t allow that.Joshua sighed,not knowing what to say. He’d just have to come clean.

“I’m sorry.I’m so sorry” he squeaked out.The atmosphere was hushed.He was petrified to know what your reply was.

Everything started to click.The reason he couldn’t text that much,the reason calls were only for weekend,and those short short replies.

He had been cheating on you,and you couldn’t put all the pieces together.Your jaw dropped and your eyebrows raised.The tears that were welled up started to fall freely now,you were crestfallen to see how unloyal he was.

“Sorry doesn’t fix everything you idiot.” you said before hanging up.You curled up into a ball and bawled your eyes out for..god who knows how long? The person you devoted your heart to,your other half, he was just another cassanova.

The worst part was that,he didn’t even try to call you back.

All my demons run wild

All my demons have your smile

In the city of angels, in the city of angels

It had been a month after you ended things with him. It was tough at first,you frequently saw him posting on his social media about how he was still living his normal life even after he tore your heart out.There were photos of Vanessa,which made you even more pissed.

You decided to delete everything that contained him in your phone,you blocked his number,even if your heart felt like it was so wrong to do so,but you couldn’t stay hung up over him forever.

You told your friends what happened between you and Joshua,all of them were super supportive on your side and said that he was stupid for playing with your feelings,but you still felt numb.

Deciding to move on and try to date other people even became a problem because of him.They all reminded you of him.Sometimes it was his hair,his eyes,his laughter,and his smile.

God,whenever you noticed that somebody had the same smile as him,your heart sank.He was so stupid to throw you away just like that,yet he’d still stay in your mind.

Hope New York holds you

Hope it holds you like I do

While my demons stay faithful

In the city of angels

As time passed on,you learned to let go.You started to be a normal person again,the person you were meant to be.You started talking to your friends more,going out more,you were getting back on track again.

While recovering,you managed to bring yourself closer to Wonwoo.He was one of your chilldhood friends who you grew up with,and had always stayed.

Wonwoo is one of the kindest people you know.He was the type of person you could tell anything to,and he would listen.In fact,he was one of the few people who you told first about the breakup.

He had just listened and comforted you with kind words when you broke down telling him what happened.He assured you that you were not the one at fault,and from then on you were always by his side.

You started getting closer to Wonwoo from that day,offering to go out to cafes and have lunch or dinner together whenever there was a little window of time in your schedule.Most of your time was gradually starting to go to Wonwoo..and then you started catching feelings.

Wonwoo had also confessed to you first,it was when you were having lunch together at a small cafe where you lived nearby.You were chewing your food when he suddenly blurted out “I’m in love with you.We should date”

You were surprised at first,but you accepted his offer and from then on,were one strong hell of a couple.

You didn’t expect to get into another relationship affter Joshua,but Wonwoo proved that it was okay to love again.He had got you to heal.Soon after,you fell head over heels for him,and Joshua slipped from your mind.

You unblocked Joshua after some time,you had made peace with what happened.He did follow you on social media again,he even saw your posts with Wonwoo,but he didn’t say anything though.It wasn’t like you were expecting him to.

You learned to close the chapter of Joshua in your life.The chapter had ended,and now there was a new one that began with Wonwoo.

Joshua would just stay as a memory,and you were gonna be fine with it.

around | j.ww

pairing: wonwoo x reader,mentions of joshua x reader

summary: sure,it was hard moving on from joshua,but hey! now you have wonwoo.

warnings:none!

genre:a little angst in the beginning but progressively fluffy

note: this is practically a part 2 to la la lost you,but you don’t need to read it to understand the story,enjoy reading!!

you love me with your bones

You hold me when I’m broke

You don’t ask for a thing

Oh, I hope it’s you they put me in the ground by

as far you’ve been in this relationship with wonwoo,you would say that he’s anything anyone could ask for.he’s one of the gentlest souls you know.he had accepted you for who you were,even if you were a mess.he never said anything in return.

when you had just called things off with joshua and were crying your eyes off? wonwoo had comforted you with kind words,he was there to wipe your tears.when you apologised for crying too much and promised to help him with anything in return,he had just brushed it off saying that it was no problem and his job as a decent person to be there for you.

wonwoo loved you for whoever you are,and whoever you wanted to be.in moments where you were happy, wonwoo would feel joyous too.he had always put you first throughout times,and you loved him for that.it felt..nice that you mattered to him.you hope that you would always be by his side.

Know where I’ve been, where I’m from

You know who took me to prom

You’ve watched as my legs and pride grew taller

Oh, I wanna be the one you call drunk

wonwoo and you go way back,like waaaaay back. in fact,you were childhood friends.you had befriended him since what..elementary school? you had watched each other grow taller,it was mostly him though because you stayed at the same height ever since you hit fourteen.

even throughout highschool,wonwoo was still there! there were so many memories with him,reading in the library novels you recommended to each other, copying each other’s homework,although it was mostly you,and prom.

you didn’t spend prom with wonwoo though,in fact in you went to prom with joshua.he knew you had the biggest crush on him since forever! he admitted that he was kinda bummed out you didn’t go to prom with him,but it didn’t matter now did it?

as time goes on,you find yourself to be even more attached to wonwoo than you are.he’s been someone you could tell anything to and someone you can rely on.you hope you can continue being the same type of person for him.

Oh, I know that we march to the beat of different drums

We’re still so damn young

In and out of believing in love

wonwoo and you are like two different people,you two were polar opposites.if wonwoo was described to be as cold as winter,you were warm like summer. he was as silent,you were loud.even though you two had drastic differences,your two personalities had complimented each other,making a perfect pair.

you would like to believe that love comes and goes. love had came to you in many forms,some of them hurting while the others made you feel all giddy,at one point you even stopped believing in love.now though,you think love came in the form of wonwoo.

as you two progressively continue aging into adulthood,you’ve discovered so many things with him.there was you two panicking over how to pay electricity bills when you first moved in with each other from living with your parents’ house,learning how to cook yet almost ending your lives because you started a fire,the point is that there were many things.

maybe people would write these off as little moments in your relationship,but to you it meant so much.in these moments you’ve spent with him just doing normal things anyone would do,it makes you fall in love with him even more.

Round and round we go

So much I don’t know

But even though this ain’t pretty and simple like a bed of roses

‘least I know my hope is

That you stick around ’til the end

'cause you’re my best friend

people knew how much you were whipped for wonwoo.they saw how you looked at each other with hearts shimmering in your eyes,the way he always watches over you when you were doing mundane things,as if he was a guardian angel,it was a heart fluttering level of sweetness to some,but to others it was as if they were watching a drama filled with cliches.

you honestly could care less about what they say,after all you were the one in the relationship,not them.it was a whole different relationship that you had with joshua.it felt so different compared to all of your previous relationships,it felt so loving.

even though you had been together for such a long time,there were still many things you were yet to do with wonwoo,and you’d be very excited to experience it with him.he’s your best friend and your lover after all,and you’d always treasure him.

cherry blossom | j.wonwoo

synopsis :where wonwoo and you travel back to changwon to experience the cherry blossom festival.

warnings : none

genre : fluff but a tiny little bit of angst

pairing: wonwoo x reader (gn),reader pining after wonwoo

“the weather seems to be lovely today don’t you think?” he asks.his voice held excitement,and his face held a smile when you turned to look at him.he was fastening his seatbelt,then trying to start the engine of the car.unbeknownst to him,even the most mundane things he did caused your poor stomach to erupt with swarms of butterflies and your heart to race for speeds that were unmatched.it was laughable to you.“yeah,i’m excited for the things we’re gonna do once we reach there,”you state.you leaned your head against the soft head rest while stifling a giggle.he turned his head to look and you and raised his brow confused.“well,we do the same things every year,i don’t know how you still have the excitement to do everything,” he sighs.he then lets out a soft laugh while beginning to drive the car.

“well,i’ve missed home a lot.and plus,we get to go the cherry blossom festival again”you excitedly exclaim.wonwoo shaked his head while continuing to laugh,you always were the positive one out of the pair,while wonwoo wasn’t necessarily pessimistic,but he was rather realistic.where were the two of you off to? to the airport about to take a flight to the place where the both of you grew up in,changwon.it was the holidays,so as usual your best friend and you decided to go home after being in seoul studying in university for the majority of the year.

every year changwon also held a cherry blossom festival.it was to celebrate the cherry blossom trees blooming,of course.wonwoo and you made it a tradition to visit the festival every year every since you were in little children.everyone hyped up the blush-coloured petals blooming and falling from those trees with their beliefs that it’ll create romantic or breathtaking scenarios in their life,and you didn’t lie if you wish that could happen to you with wonwoo but sadly your luck was never good.your relationship with wonwoo had always been a weird thing.growing up as best friends,you’ve never believed that you would see wonwoo as someone you’d catch feelings for.it wasn’t until sophomore year of highschool you realised your feelings for the boy,and now you were in your second year of university still lovesick with your bestfriend.

it didn’t help that wonwoo was also being so damn boyfriend material-ish.on days that you were feeling a little bummed,wonwoo would be there to make you a meal so he knew you ate and he’d be the absolute gentlest person while talking to you about your problems and damn,his hugs were heavenly.it was like taking crack but better,not that you have ever done crack though.it’s so annoying how the universe blessed you with practically everyone’s dream boy then you were just…you.deciding to push your thoughts away,you chose to enjoy the car ride.your eyes started to feel tired and flutter,maybe a little nap would help you push your thoughts aside.

wonwoo had been focusing on the road for some time but when he heard soft snoring from his side,he turned to look at you..the expression on your face was so serene, ‘you must’ve been enjoying your nap’ wonwoo thinks to himself.he smiled to himself,you always looked so adorable when you were fast asleep,not that he would ever have the guts tell you though.

the reving of an engine coming to a silence is what brought you to wake up from your nap.your eyes opened to see that you were in the familiar parking lot of the airport.you must’ve already arrived.you turned your view to wonwoo to see him staring back at you.he smiles out of relief and begins,“i was about to wake you up coincidentally,we should get out of the car now.” he said.you stretched your arms before unbuckling the seatbelt.you turned your head to see that wonwoo had already exited the car so you hurriedly followed along.

the car door was shut closed as you brought your feet to the car boot where wonwoo was lifting out your bags,you smiled to yourself and began to help him before he pulled the bags you were gripping out of your hands.wonwoo had simply tsked and said, “you should leave this all to me you know,” you sighed deciding to just follow by what he said, he could be really stubborn at times so it was better to not say anything.

you waited until wonwoo had finished lifting up the bags.once he was,you held a few of them in your hand so he didn’t have to worry about all of them. “you ready to go?” you asked.wonwoo hummed in return and started walking with you trailing behind. wonwoo then looked behind you to make sure that you were following him,he smiled when you looked at him and proceeded to continue walking into the doors of the airport.

“passport?”

“yep,im holding it right in my hand,woo.”

“identification card?”

“in my purse.”

“purse?”

“its right in front of your eyes in my hands jeon wonwoo,stop worrying about me okay?” you exasperated.the both of you were in the plane sitting right next to each other. wonwoo had decided to check if you had everything with you with the reasoning that ‘you were forgetful and tend to let things slip from your mind’.you found it a little endearing but wonwoo could sometimes be a worry wart.wonwoo sighed in return.“okay,i was just scared you’d forget okay?you’re kinda stupid sometimes” he said with a sly smile

“i don’t know if i should be offended when you forgot to bring your own wallet to a café that one time we went out for lunch” you said with a smirk while leaning your head on his shoulder.wonwoo just sighed while opening his mouth to retaliate but was interrupted by the pilot who started speaking over the intercom asking the passengers to prepare for the departure of the aeroplane.wonwoo had slinked his hand over your shoulder and patting it. “we’re gonna need all the rest we can get so we can adventure the city again and see the cherry blossom festival like we always do,get some rest okay?goodnight stupid”he whispered.that made your heart race at the speed of light and your cheeks heat up.you batted your eye at him to see his eyes flutter and his breathing had started to slow down,he was about to sleep.you thanked the world that he didnt get to see you like this.

for now,let’s just focus on enjoying the trip instead of your stupid feelings.

_ @SO0BERCORE ‘S FICS!

A/N:i mayhaps might do a part 2 to this fic,you can lmk if you wanna be tagged! also please let me know what you think of the fic,feedback is appreciated!!

[12.31 AM] someone was knocking at the door of the apartment at this odd hour,what the hell? you were trying to get a blink of sleep which wasn’t working,and now someone decides to show up,were you finally going insane? deciding to get up from your comfortable bed,you slowly approached the door suspicious of who was awaiting.you opened the door to see…vernon? he was dressed in a grey hoodie and shorts,his face looked a little tired but there was still a small smile that he had.vernon patted your head and began to talk.

“i know you said that you tend to have a hard time sleeping at night,so…what do you say we go for a late night run at mcdonalds?” you grinned in return and took his hand into yours.

“well lead the way then,vern.”

@SO0BERCORE’S MASTERLIST !!

keywords ; (f) - fluff,(a)-angst,(d)-drabble,(t)- timestamp

세븐틴 (SEVENTEEN):

scoups

nothing here yet !

jeonghan

nothing here yet !

joshua

la la lost you (d)(a)

jun

lucky cat (currently on hold)

hoshi

nothing here yet !

wonwoo

around (d)(f)

cherry blossom (f)

woozi

nothing here yet !

seokmin

nothing here yet !

minghao

nothing here yet !

mingyu

nothing here yet !

seungkwan

nothing here yet !

vernon

[12.31AM] (d)(f)

chan

nothing here yet !

엔시티 (NCT):

nct 127;

taeil

nothing here yet !

johnny

[9.15PM] (t)(a)

taeyong

[9.15PM] (t)(a)

yuta

nothing here yet !

doyoung

nothing here yet !

jaehyun

nothing here yet !

jungwoo

nothing here yet !

mark

[11.08PM] (t)(f)

haechan

[10.50PM](t)(f)

nct dream ;

renjun

爱 (f)

jeno

[10.35PM] (t)(f)

jaemin

nothing here yet !

chenle

jisung

nothing here yet !

wayv:

kun

nothing here yet !

ten

nothing here yet !

winwin

nothing here yet !

lucas

[10.10PM] (t)(f)

hendery

nothing here yet !

xiaojun

[11.21AM] (t)(f)

yangyang

nothing here yet !