This Summer - Tumblr Posts

Hey y’all, I know it’s only been maybe 2 weeks since I really posted something? I think…I dunno, I lose track of it sometimes, but I wanted to say I’m still here, but just taking a small break. I feel like when I don’t post it seems like I’m drifting away lol, but I’m not. I’m just a bit fried at the moment. I’ve been busy with family events all summer, SO many birthday parties…having a big family is both a blessing and a curse.

But after being able to write consistently for about 7-8 months, where I could open up a doc and literally write a thousand words, I was finally starting to feel writers block again. I just kind of woke up like maybe a little less than a month ago and could not write at all, besides doing a little editing on already existing chapters of the stories I am working on. So I decided to clear my head by taking a tiny break and stepping back and looking at my stories to see where they are headed.

I am currently editing a Buckley siblings fic that will be chapters long, although not yet posted, and I suddenly got another idea for Madney, a Vegas AU which has sparked my creativity back a bit, but for now I’m focusing on those two and maybe another story because that is what is calling to me right now. But I’ll get working on my other stories soon, when I find the time and I’m not so drained. It’s been hard also finding time to write, mainly because I’m now taking care of my cousin full time while my aunt and uncle work, and on top of that I start dance soon which tires me out as well.

Okay I should cut it here now lol, but I just wanted to let people who may follow my 9-1-1 stories know what’s been happening in case anyone is waiting for an update. ❤️

HEYYY now that all’s fair in love and law is complete (😭), i’ll be taking a short break to work on my school assignments before i continue work on the wonwoo x reader fic!!

the posting date is unconfirmed, but i’m planning to post when i have some of the chapters done and proofread! will update again xx <33 meanwhile, reqs are open!! see you all soonn

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!!!

the taglist for 'this summer' is open!! let me know if you want to be added :>

working on a chapter of "this summer" and i'm so ready to rewatch the drama ksjsjs

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

01. cash (lack thereof)

🌼 warnings: none

🌼word count: ~1.9k

The words in the letter surprise you. In some ways, it gives you mixed feelings.

Happy, of course, that you’d gotten the job, signed the contract and you could move on from the clinic you’d dedicated over six years to after getting your degree to a larger hospital. It meant a change of pace, change in the people around you, and a step upward in your career.

Sad, that you couldn’t start immediately.

The letter announced the start of your contract to be in three months. But you were already packed up from your previous clinic and ready to move out.

Sitting back on your couch, you scan the letter again. “Commencement of the job will be three months from the date on the letter. Please contact us in the case of any confusion.” You sigh and toss the letter aside, leaning your head back.

Three months. Three months to do anything you wanted. Go on a long-needed vacation, binge-watch all the seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, buy a whole supermarket’s worth of ice cream.. the possibilities were endless.

As you were in your reverie of much-anticipated relaxation, your phone rings.

You pick up, and your uncle’s voice rings out in a cheerful baritone, loud and joyful.

“Y/N!”

“Hi, Uncle.”

“Oh, I haven’t heard from you in a while, dear. How’s everything?”

“Good,” you say, a little awkwardly. “I got a new job.”

“Goodness! How wonderful.” Your uncle seems positively delighted. You clear your throat, and ask quietly, “Why'd you call? Is everything okay?”

“Definitely! We were just calling to ask if you were going back to the countryside this year.” Your uncle says. You freeze slightly. “I know it’s hard with how busy you are. But it’s good to have a break before you continue running off everywhere, you know?”

“But you aren’t living in the countryside anymore, Uncle,” you remind him. “I don’t have anyone to visit.”

“I know,” your uncle says, sighing. “Part of me wishes we stayed, but… oh well. That’s life. You have to move on from something.”

You stay quiet.

“But enough about us! Maybe try to go back at least once.” Your uncle says again. “Eat well, have a good rest… some sea air would be great for you. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will, Uncle. You too. Send my love to Aunt.”

With a cheery farewell, the call ends. You take a deep breath and try to recall the last time you went home to the countryside for a short visit three years ago.

Your aunt’s fragrant chicken soup. Your uncle’s over-interest in your knowledge about a shoe brand he liked. Your cousin’s feeble attempts to get freebies from when you did a checkup on the child of the owner of a popular makeup brand. Laughter, togetherness, the feeling of finally having someone to come home to.

But there would be no internet, no socialising. No fine dining, no external staff for the cleaning and dirty work you didn’t like. No polished floors, air conditioning wherever you went.

It was a win-lose.

Yet the feeling of not going back irked you, an emotion you couldn't place.

Five minutes. Ten minutes as you considered your situation.

Three months to do whatever you liked.

After a power struggle with your mind, you sat up, inhaling deeply and then letting it go. A day trip. You could spare a day trip visiting your old home, before you came back to reality, where you should be, instead of reminiscing on memories long past.

You were going home, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine would have to wait.

You hate it here.

Your heels dig into the rough gravel as you step out of your car. A bad choice to wear Louboutins, you surmise, as you reach into the backseat for your bag.

You had decided to go to the beach, before maybe grabbing a bite at a cafe, taking some pictures in a weak attempt to relive your childhood memories, before the one-hour-fifteen-minute drive home. It wasn't as if you were here to visit anyone, you reasoned to yourself as you picked your way through the old country road you remembered all too well -- there was absolutely no need to stay any longer than you had to.

Besides, after the abrupt death of your parents in a car accident midway through your diploma, you had sworn to leave the moment you could, the memories of two people who would never return sitting heavily on you.

And that was what you had done, a mere two months after receiving a full university scholarship. You had left and never looked back since.

Nostalgia rushes through you as you find a less sandy and hot spot and sit down, careful not to get any sand into your precious heels. The beach is mostly empty, save for a few people swimming, surfing, or having a family day out. Your gaze goes out to sea, hugging your legs to yourself.

You silently hype yourself up. No more sad memories. You didn't have time for that. You would take this chance to wallow for a bit, and then you would look forward. Better things were coming for you.

A full thirty minutes pass before you feel yourself about to combust. You get up, wincing at the roughness of the sand on your hands. As a kid, you loved the beach. But it was different now. You were a grown-up, and grown-ups don't soak in self-pity. Or sand.

You struggle back on to solid land, deciding to get a quick coffee at a small cafe before leaving. As you approach a store with the large sign reading 'Hwang's Coffee Corner', you reach for the aged, wooden door and pull it open.

The cafe smells not of coffee, but of a soft, vanilla-like aroma from a scented candle nearby. A middle-aged woman sitting at the counter humming to trot music looks up. Your instincts, long honed by long rides on lifts and shopping trips, force an up-down look at her as she stands to welcome you. Thick, curly, and unstyled hair held back with a purple headband, too-pink lipstick, an old blue dress, worn-out sandals.

You force yourself to ignore the judgmental comment at the tip of your tongue and grit out a barely-there hello. The woman smiles, big and unrestricted, introduces herself as Ms Hwang, the owner, and asks for your order.

"Just a latte, please."

"Got that!" Ms Hwang chirps, and you cringe at how loud her voice is, ringing in the silence of the cafe.

You fish in your bag for your wallet, deciding to just get a takeaway cup instead, and you pull out your credit card.

Ms Hwang shakes her head, "We only take cash."

Your face burns as you look back up at the woman. "Um..sorry. I don't have cash on me."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "What?"

"I only have credit cards."

"Oh. Well, it won't be of much use. The card machine hasn't been working for a while anyway, we only take cash." Ms Hwang's tone is slightly dismissive, as she taps away on the cashier screen.

Your face drops. What place doesn't take credit cards now?

Turns out the question was said out loud and not in your head. Ms Hwang looks up, eyes slightly wide at the intrusive question.

"What are you trying to say?" Her voice isn't that of the friendly lady-next-door anymore and has a sharpness to it. You sigh in mild irritation and reply. "Forget it. I'll try to get cash first."

"No, you won't! Explain what you meant. Are you trying to say this store is outdated?" The woman seems to be getting agitated, and you really don't want to have a conflict in the middle of this god-forsaken town right now.

"No, I-"

"Oh, Wonwoo!" The angry owner suddenly exclaims to someone who just entered the cafe, the bell above the door announcing their arrival. "Help me over here! This lady thinks the cafe is outdated just because she doesn't have cash and can't pay!"

You roll your eyes and turn around, ready to defend your case to the next person who is clearly going to take her side after her accusation.

Everything you were going to say flies right out of the window when you see him.

Clean-cut, damp, dark brown hair, strong and defined eyebrows that are currently raised at the unfolding situation, and deep-set eyes. Dressed in a simple flannel outerwear with a T-shirt and jeans, glasses perched on his sharp nose bridge, he looks every bit like a local heartthrob. You subconsciously recall your outfit.

But this heartthrob is currently striding in behind the counter, next to Ms Hwang, and raising his eyebrows at you in mild disapproval.

"You really shouldn't have said that." His voice is deep and rich. You snap yourself back to the present moment, and begin to protest hotly. "I said nothing of the sort! I only hold cards in my wallet, and she said that cards wouldn't work since the machine was broken. And that's strange, isn't it? Every place takes cards now-"

"Strange?" The man- Wonwoo, you remember, interrupts, head tilting in curiousity as he surveys you. "Strange how?"

You huff impatiently. Seriously, does no one here know the wonders of credit card transactions?

"Go to any shop in the city. I'll bet you anything they take cards-"

"This isn't the city, miss," he shrugs. "Most stores here usually take cash. And you should probably be carrying cash around with you anyway."

You sigh, massaging your temples. "Look, this is getting more complicated than it has to be, alright? I'll get some cash first, and-"

"How do I know you're not a swindler?" Ms Hwang cuts in, narrowing her eyebrows.

You sigh. She's not easy, that much you've figured out. You didn't even get the coffee, and she's already making a big fuss.

"I can leave my bag with you while I'm at it." You shrug the handbag off your shoulder, wincing internally when your beloved Marc Jacobs lands on the aged wooden counter. Ms Hwang immediately descends upon it, glaring at you.

"All this for a coffee?" Wonwoo asks, bemused, as he runs his hands through his hair.

"I'm proving that I'm not a con job, mister." You glare at him. "I don't even need the coffee, forget it!"

He shrugs, half-amused by your outburst. "Okay then, Miss Not-Con-Job. Hope you get the cash."

The waves are large today, Wonwoo muses as he hoists his surfing board out to the water and mounts it, careful to tuck his glasses away. Before long, he's soaring and cruising, sea air hitting his face in a cooling spray.

Humming to himself, he gets to his feet easily on the board, and sways with the water's direction.

This is life, he sighs out in relief. As his gaze crosses the beach he loves so dearly, of the laughing children and fond parents, he catches sight of a woman. Sitting all alone, hugging her legs to herself as she gazes out at the very sea he's cruising through.

No one should look sad in a place as beautiful as this, he thinks. And while his view keeps on wandering across the villagers' familiar faces, across the infinite span of the sea, he finds that his eyes, too, keep going back to her.

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.01: cash (lack thereof)

masterlist. next.

writer's note: ookayy... i'm nervous 😭 it's my first written series sooo any feedback is welcomed!! thank you for reading 😙

second part is out 😘😘 having so much fun w this series already fr

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

02. on a whim

🌼 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.

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

🌼 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."

───✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧.｡✰──────✱.｡:｡✱.:｡✧*.｡✰ ───

yayayay you're staying!

🌼taglist: @gaslysainz

prev. masterlist. next.

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

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🌼 taglist: @gaslysainz @lev1hei1chou

writer's note: wonwoo is our saviour 😋