Clingy!Kenma who lets you give straight teeth under the table while he's streaming
Clingy!Kenma who spoils you rotten. He already makes a ton of money off sponsorships, collabs, streams etc.--why not waste it on something ACTUALLY worth his time?
Clingy!Kenma who loves when you come into his stream. dropping off meals/snacks with a kiss, playing games or even just waving at chat hello. To him, it's his special way of showing you off . . and most of his viewers know so.
Clingy!Kenma who texts you ALL the time. Asking you what you want to do that night, dinner plans, and more. Anything to keep talking to you.
Clingy!Kenma who loves small, intimate moments. outer thigh against outer thigh, eye contact lasting too long to be accidental, anything that would send sparks right through him.
Clingy!Kenma who loves aftercare. He loves treating you like you're made of glass, makes him feel more masculine.
Clingy!Kenma who always, always has a hand on you. Whether it's holding your thigh in the car, holding your sleeve while standing next to you. He adores having his hands on you, even if its just for a second.
Clingy!Kenma who LOVES seeing you on top. Seeing your face scrunch up once you cum, your legs jerking ever so slightly when the aftershock hits you. It makes his ego fly through the roof knowing he made you cum without moving a finger.
roald dahl was antisemitic. george orwell was openly homophobic. edgar allan poe married his 13 year old cousin. dr seuss cheated on his wife. hp lovecraft was racist as fuck.
anyways theyâre fucking dead itâs not like youâre enabling their behaviors in the afterlife or something. then again I think orwellâs homophobia bleeds into one of his books so uh keep an eye out for that
the difference between these old white guys and jk rowling is that the former group is all dead. jk rowling is alive and using your money to oppress trans people
roald dahl was also racist. seuss was ALSO also racist. and these people are dead and we arenât supporting them by consuming their work but their CHILDRENS BOOKS reflect this. so consume consciously and donât give racist books to kids and not read it critically with them (and if you donât it better be bc you know theyâll be able to do it on their own)
The cops very clearly planted evidence on him because they had to make an arrest because all eyes were on them and whoever actually did the deed was making them look stupid.
Why would the real killer hero have kept the weapon on his person and traveled two states over while carrying it and a manifesto in his bag, conveniently turning the crime into a federal matter? The same guy whose bag they found in a park, filled with monopoly money? Why did the police turn off their bodycams, take Luigi's stuff, drive a block away, turn their bodycams back on, go back into the restaurant, and then arrest him?
From the moment of his arrest, even left-of-center media has been presuming his guilt without examining anything (e.g. calling him "the killer" instead of "alleged" or "accused") and then when I say he didn't do it, the nearest person chimes in with some quip that tells me they think he did do it but should go free anyway. Don't get me wrong, I would have the same attitude if he had done it. But he didn't. It makes me feel like the only sane person in the world, even among my staunchly leftist friends.
* New student, very small. Grace said it was pebble. Pebble is small Earth rock. Pebble likes name.
* He found out Eridians have no gender rules.
* Students brought him mineral sample. After he stopped crying he said he loves show-and-tell game. Human naming conventions oddly literal.
* I told him Earthsun grew bright.
* I took him up atop atmosphere bypass elevator to look at stars.
* He woke up from nap and found me still with him. I did not wait on his chest; he says I am heavy like âelephantâ and he âcouldnât breathe.â I laid my arm over him instead, kept him close, feeling safe. He said âcuddleâ was warm.
* Before class he heard younglings singing.
* He has plants in house from sprouts on ship. Plant grew âbud.â
* Engineers got seawater temperature right. He took off shoes and stood in water, sighing. He didnât care about pants getting damp. Cried until shirt was also damp. Humans very endlessly wet.
* He missed âDoritos.â
* Adrian helped food scientists make taumoeba dried paste. Made it crunchy after heating. We fused it into triangle form. Told him it was Tauritos. That made him laugh-cry. Laugh-cry is rare and precious.
* He remembered Eridians have no gender rules.
* We made him celebration outfit. Used metals he calls pretty. He can see frequencies named âcolorfulâ and âshiny.â These make humans happiest.
* I gave him hug when he wasnât expecting it. Easier to hug close now with exosuit. Hug when Grace sitting down so he does not fall over.
* Told him to think long time, stay with me as long as he can.
Despite the way he obviously cares for his wife & doesnât want to do wrong by her even though he clearly has a hard time showing it, does husband knight perhaps have some wrong ideas or notions about what marriage âshouldâ be like (or the kind of life a wife is subject to) from what heâs heard his second say of his wife & their marriage?
His things were packed into a small sack, not to take with him, but to be kept out of the way. The ration of rice his mother had been saving for a special occasion had been ladled on to a plate for him, topped with nuts and fruit she had been gifted by her customers for the day. This would be the last meal she would ever cook for him.
"If you ever find love, you must treat her like a princess." His mother's dress was thin and ripped at the shoulder, falling down her arm. Her ribs were visible above her breasts and it made his stomach twist in worry. She looked like the stray dogs that wander the city's port, sniffing for bits of chum left by the fishermen. "Worship her. Anoint her with oil. Kiss her feet."
"Her feet?" He sneered. She shot him a wide eyed, furious look and he ducks back down to his food, shoveling a mouthful in with his fingers. The woman working in the next room cried or moaned. Those two sounds blend together too easily in his mind.
"You will never raise a hand to her. You will never hurt her or any other woman. You will never be like any of the men that enter this brothel-- you will never enter a brothel, do you understand?"
His mother was not always a whore. She would tell him stories of how she used to be a dancer in her home country, before civil unrest drove her across the sea.
"Do you understand? You will never force yourself on any woman. You will never make someone suffer the way I have." Her mother tongue still rolled freely off of her tongue. Bruises men left behind on her skin never seemed to heal and the swelling of her jaw made common tongue sound slurred. "The only blood you will ever have on your hands will be another man's."
"If you marry, you will treat the poor lamb better than any woman has ever been treated. You will never stray. You will give her gifts and love and anything you can offer." She ran her hand over his freshly shaved scalp, tears heavy in her eyes. The knights demanded his head shaved and he knew it pained her to see his curls gone. "Do you understand?"
"I understand, mama."
"Your mother loves you more than the sun loves the moon. Do you understand?"
"Yes, mama."
This was their last night together. In the morning, the knight would come to collect him. None of his things or clothing would come with. Once the sun rose, he would no longer be a whore's bastard, but property of the king, a soldier to be trained to die.
"Your life will be better. They will keep your belly full of meat and your shoes mended. You will grow strong," she had explained when they first demanded him. "You are a big boy. A smart boy. They need boys like you to hold swords and fight their wars."
When she pressed a kiss against his head, her tears were warm.
im still turning over the idea but I dont think you have a very romantic first time with your knight husband. he's home for a fortnight and you gather the courage to do to his quarters one night. he's half dressed, body darkened from the sun and heavily scarred, muscles soft from good meals-
"We should consummate the marriage."
He turns away.
"That isn't necessary."
"It is."
The two of you watch each other for a long while, stuck there, in uncertainty. He always watches you with wide eyes and you nearly laugh when you realize he reminds you of a deer in the tree-line, debating whether the hide or flee.
"I have never done any of this," you admit. "I will not be as impressive as others you may have-"
"That is the second time you have implied I have other lovers." Your husband cuts in. "I have devoted myself to you. I will not stray."
Month seven and your husband arrives without warning. His letters had ceased for a short while and the loneliness of it all almost made you miss them. His writing had improved greatly in the short time, but his spelling is still shamefully horrendous. Or, as he wrote once, whoreandous. You do not appreciate that he knows how to spell whore and not his own name.
Men. All the same.
You meet him at the door, house cloak pulled over your shoulders. The best part of his absence is how you get to relax. Your gown is baggy and wrinkled, your hair is undone: you have no one to impress.
Until, of course, your husband and another man arrive.
"I was not aware of your return," you explain, nearly panicked as you wrap your cloak tighter. Your husband does not acknowledge your shame.
"This is my second," he says curtly. The man beside him is obviously highborn, handsome in the ways girls often whisper about. He bends at the waist in the proper manner, holding a palm out in your direction.
"My lady."
You grant him your hand and the second presses his lips to your knuckles.
"You flatter me," you say. "I am simply a merchant's daughter."
"Modesty. Your family name is well known in The Golden City and the Black Coast. The tales of your beauty were not exaggerated."
Your husband frowns, but that doesnt ruin your joy.
"Are you both staying the evening?"
"A fortnight, if the lady permits," the second says. Your husband looks at him, brow knitted with confusion, but he repeats.
"If you permit."
"I will have them prepare a hearty dinner," you say. "I apologize for my appearance. Allow me to get dressed."
"Are you not already dressed?"
The second laughs too hardily at your husband's question.
By the time the food is prepared, you have dressed yourself in your finest. Jewelry and gems, rich purple cloth your father had saved especially for you, hair twisted into a beautiful updo-
"What happened?" Your husband rises from his seat the moment you enter the hall, nearly knocking over his chair. Both he and his compatriot are freshly bathed, clothing clean and nicely pressed. You take a step back, unsure whether to brace yourself against the hulking form or not, but he does not reach to strike. Instead, your husband's hands find the space above your hips. "Have they not been feeding you? Has the crown not been sending gold?"
"My lord, I don't know what you mean." This is the first time he's ever touched you. His hands are calloused and catch the fibers on your gown. "If anything I have been fed too well, I'm afraid."
"Your waist!" He squeezes his hands towards each other as if to prove a point. "It's half the size!"
Both times he has come home have been by surprise; you hadn't been in a real gown for either.
"I-" you shift uncomfortably. "Forgive me, I... The maid helped properly..."
His second has a fox-like smile as he downs his ale.
"Have you been refusing to eat?"
"No, it's the fashion..."
"The fashion is to waste?"
"Have you never seen a lady undressed?" you ask, suddenly furious.
Your husband goes red.
Not out of anger, but out of a painful embarrassment. His back goes straight and his eyes go wide.
"I--" he stammers.
Luckily, his second puts him out of his misery. "Friend, she has a corset on. Have you never noticed how all highborn ladies are shaped so erotically?"
Your husband's head snaps towards him.
"Clearly you need to spend more time undressing your wife and less time--"
"You will not say such things in front of my poor lamb."
love arranged marriage unfortunately. the idea of being married to a knight who's not even in the city, but away on the front lines. it's a benefit for your family, so they dont even question sending you to his home to await his return...
you meet him three months into the arrangement. He arrives after the sun has already set, his features set strong in the candlelight. His body is heavy with exhaustion and tension, his eyes dull and tired.
you've grown to hate this place, this castle gifted to him for war victories. The halls are barren, the garden yet to bloom. The maids are pleasant, but they keep their distance, as if you'll strike. Maybe your husband is the kind to hit. You wouldn't know.
When he looks at you, it's only in short bursts, his eyes suddenly low. There's a long stretch of silence between you and you consider introducing yourself, but decide against it. He knows who you are.
"The maid is drawing me a bath," he says suddenly and a sick feeling pours over you. This day was always coming, but you aren't sure you're ready to lay under a stranger.
"Am I expected to join?" you ask and his nose crinkles.
"No." He steps back and away. His departure is brisk and driven. You retire for the night by yourself and awake alone. Your husband is set to leave again in a few hours; a few soldiers have already gathered in the front garden.
"Don't you wish to give your new wife a goodbye?" one asks, unaware of your open window. "One night and you've already had your fill? Or has she been filled too much?"
"I refuse to believe she is real!" says another. "What kind of woman has worn down our brute and turned him into a family man? Should we expect a gaggle of children in the upcoming year?"
Your husband growls. "You will leave the poor lamb alone. She suffers enough."
That softens you. Just a bit. You rise from you bed and go to the window, leaning out enough to catch the men's attention.
"Until next time."
He watches you, expression caught between more emotions that you can count, then turns his gaze back to his mount. The two men share a look, wide, wide grins on their faces.
In his absence, he sends gifts. They are tiny things, sweets and oiled combs and scented oils and a porcelain figure of a cat, aimless in their direction towards you. Just simple niceties he could give to any woman in the world. You imagine he sends one to the lovers he has in every city as well.
(he must have lovers, you imagine. He hasn't touched you; he must be getting his fill with women in other cities, maybe women he actually loves. these are trinkets to keep his wife amused while she wastes away.)
none of the gifts come with a note.
one day a bolt of fabric arrives, yellow and ornate. It's only a small amount, not enough to make a dress, but enough for you to unravel and admire. It's beautiful and clearly expensive, golden threads woven into flowers and vines. Your father was a silk merchant; while you never wore the silks, you can recognize their quality.
the following week, the delicious man rides up on his steeds and presents a letter. The handwriting is rough. Knights that come from the lower class do not have the schooling of highborns; as fair as you know, your husband was born a street rat and worked his way theough the ranks to glory.
-I have been told by my secund that I did not send you enuf fabric for a gown. I do not no these things.
The spelling mistakes screw a smile out of you.
"Wait a moment." You stop the boy before he can leave. "I wish to send something back."
You take your time and use your finest calligraphy, tucking your note in with a handkerchief you had spent the week on. It's fine work-- one that would please even the hardest of hearts.
-Dearest husband,
Please take this handkerchief as a sign of my thoughts.
Your patient and thoughtful wife
A second letter arrives within the week.
-are you cros with me? A scrap of fabric for a scrap of fabric?
The response is what makes you cross. The poor messenger boy has to stay the night while you percolate over a response.
-Dearest, sweetest husband,
A handkerchief is a traditional gesture of affection. I have embroidered the edges by hand, with your last name and your roses, and it smells of my perfume. It is a piece of me for you to carry. If you do not appreciate my kindness or if you think it will turn away your lovers, you may return it. I do not wish it wasted on you.
Your less than patient and less than adoring wife
The poor boy scatters off in the morning and returns a few days later.
tortured wife,
I wil cherish it. I am sory, pour lam. I wil do better.
pairing: Bang Chan x f!reader
wc: 22 ss
tags/warnings: soulmate!au, friends to lovers, roommates to lovers, angst/fluff, mutual pining, poor communication, cursing
part one // part two // part three
masterlist
Summary: Everyone has their soulmate's first words to them tattooed on their skin, which might be helpful if yours didn't just say a generic "Hi." Your best friend Chan has the same oneâwell, that's what he told you.
a/n: The last part of my 1k follower event! Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls and read and left comments. I hope you enjoy the ending!
The End
a/n: Thanks for reading!! Sorry for all the emotional whiplash lol
perm. taglist: @virgopotterhead @sue-reads @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx @1giss4swft3 @emmalabo @snoop136 @diekleinesuesse @ArielWhite1221 @velvetmoonlght @ch3rry15pin @danielle143 @thisisnotjacinta @geni-627 @barbie-girl84 @clairementsolo @stvr-l0stt @bangchansbig-nose @chandlxa @flippedccc @astrayapple @ylstacy @cchapssaltteok @NiKu_0704 @writtenbypeachy @emeraldgem22 @bahngarang @cb9711 @parkairis18 @persassyismysecrettwin @hey-i-really-miss-you @mikachux3 @haunted1nk @sugarcoathan @udontknowmeppl @estella-novella @angrygardendeer @candyquokka @darbyjaneeee @lyuuu88 @iheartkentonanami @mintchip17 @valpalmaka @missvanjii @iownachihuahua @crashmunson @wolfhallows4 @dustyinkypages @artemiss-moonchild @elliesim19997 @kibs-and-bits @awkwardlyshawna @bunbunbl0gs @ebnabi @wendigo-the-deer @pinkyrec (if your username is in red I can't tag you for some reason; to join the permanent taglist fill out this form)
pairing: Bang Chan x f!reader
wc: 23 ss
tags/warnings: soulmate!au, friends to lovers, roommates to lovers, some angst, mutual pining, poor communication, cursing
part one // part two // part three
masterlist
Summary: Everyone has their soulmate's first words to them tattooed on their skin, which might be helpful if yours didn't just say a generic "Hi." Your best friend Chan has the same oneâwell, that's what he told you.
a/n: Part 1 of my 1K follower event! This one was built from polls that I ran a little bit ago. Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls to shape this series. Hope you enjoy!
part two
perm. taglist: @virgopotterhead @sue-reads @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx @1giss4swft3 @emmalabo @snoop136 @diekleinesuesse @ArielWhite1221 @velvetmoonlght @ch3rry15pin @danielle143 @thisisnotjacinta @geni-627 @barbie-girl84 @clairementsolo @stvr-l0stt @bangchansbig-nose @chandlxa @flippedccc @astrayapple @ylstacy @cchapssaltteok @NiKu_0704 @writtenbypeachy @emeraldgem22 @bahngarang @cb9711 @parkairis18 @persassyismysecrettwin @hey-i-really-miss-you @mikachux3 @haunted1nk @sugarcoathan @udontknowmeppl @estella-novella @angrygardendeer @candyquokka @darbyjaneeee @lyuuu88 @iheartkentonanami @mintchip17 @valpalmaka @missvanjii @iownachihuahua @crashmunson @wolfhallows4 @dustyinkypages @artemiss-moonchild @elliesim19997 @kibs-and-bits @awkwardlyshawna @my-neurodivergent-world @girlblogger-04 @book-mark @mladyluna (if your username is in red I can't tag you for some reason; to join the permanent taglist fill out this form; to join the series taglist let me know in a comment)
summary: four ex-couples are brought together to test whether love can end, restart or transform. youâre not sure which path is yours yet - closure, a new beginning or the courage to try again
< part 7 | part 9 >
you donât remember exactly what time you fell asleep. you just remember getting to the house, changing into your pyjamas and then just lying in your bed, staring at the ceiling with the sound of the waves faint in the distance as your mind refused to quiet down. every time you closed your eyes, you saw seungmin again, standing in front of you, saying those words again and again.
âiâm gonna fight for youâ
that sentence kept repeating in your head, mixing with everything else that was already there - the dates, the texts, chan, the past, the present.Â
at some point, exhaustion must have won because the next thing you see is the morning light slipping through the windows of your room, soft and warm, almost too peaceful for the storm still sitting inside your chest.
you sit up slowly on your bed, your hair a little messy, your thoughts still heavy and clouded, like they never really left during the night. the sound of the bathroom door opening pulls you out of it. lily walks out, already dressed, drying her hair lightly with a towel as she looks at you.
âoh, youâre awakeâ, she says, a smile forming on her lips.Â
you hum softly, stretching your arms a little, âmm, barelyâ
she laughs, walking further into the room before stopping near her bed, âhow did you sleep?â
you let out a breath, leaning back on your hands, ânot greatâ
she raises a brow, âlet me guess⊠thinking too much?â
you give her a look and she grins.
âyeah, i thought soâ
you laugh softly, shaking your head, then you look at her again, curiosity slipping in.
âlily, your video yesterdayâŠâ, you say, âwere you nervous?â
she lets out a short laugh, dropping her towel onto the bed.
âof course i was nervous, especially because i had no idea they would just reveal everything like thatâ, she says, âbut honestly? ours wasnât that badâ
you smile a little, âyeah. you and han looked like you were having funâ
she nods, âwe were. it was like two idiots talking about their pastâ
you laugh softly at that before she continues.
âand you?â, she asks you, her tone becoming a bit more quiet and serious.
you hesitate before you answer.
âit wasâŠâ, you start, searching for the right word, âcomplicatedâ
she watches you closely, then her expression slowly turns into something more playful.
âyeah, wellâ, she says, âi knew that one was comingâ
you blink, âwhat?â
she crosses her arms, tilting her head, âyou and seungminâ
âwhat do you mean you knew?â
she gives you a look like itâs the most obvious thing in the world.
âoh my god, y/n, the way he looks at you?â, she says, âpleaseâ
you frown faintly, âwhat way?â
she laughs again, shaking her head, âyouâre kidding meâ
âiâm notâ, you insist.
lily steps closer, lowering her voice, âhe looks at your like he forgets anyone else is in the room, especially when he thinks no oneâs watchingâ
your breath catches before you can stop it.
âthatâs not-â, you start, but the words donât come out fully.
she just raises a brow, âit isâ
you look away for a second, your fingers fidgeting with the edge of the sheets.
âi didnât noticeâ, you mumble.
âwell, thatâs because youâre youâ, she teases you.
you roll your eyes but thereâs no real annoyance in it. before you can say anything else, thereâs a knock on the door and both of you look up.
âcome inâ, lily says.
the door opens without hesitation and han steps in, already dressed and his hair slightly messy like he didnât bother too much with it.
âgood morningâ, he says, walking in and dropping himself onto lilyâs bed.
âmorningâ, you reply, smiling.
âwhatâs going on in here?â, he asks, looking between you both suspiciously.
lily doesnât miss a beat, âwe were just talking about the videosâ
hanâs eyes light up instantly, âoh?â
you already know where this is going.
ânoâ, you say quickly, sitting up straighter, âweâre not doing thisâ
âoh, we are doing thisâ, lily counters, grinning and sitting down next to han.
âof course we areâ, han starts then turns fully towards her, âand what are we doing exactly?â
she gestures towards you like youâre the main topic of discussion.
ây/n and seungminâ, she says.
han lets out a small gasp, like everything suddenly makes sense.
âohâ, he nods, looking at you with way too much amusement, âyeah, thatâs right, you two!â
you groan, covering your face for a second, âcan you both not-â
âhe literally couldnât stop looking at you yesterdayâ, han cuts in, completely ignoring you.
you drop your hands, staring at him, ânot you too, pleaseâ
âi have eyesâ, he shrugs as he leans back on his hands, still watching you, âso, now that everything is out in the open, how does it feel?â
you hesitate for a second, the answer not as simple as it should be.
âi donât know, itâs⊠itâs complicatedâ, you say again.
âyeahâ, han says after a moment, âi can imagineâ
before any of you speak again, another knock echoes through the room and all three of you turn towards the door.
âcome inâ, you say.
the door opens and you see seungmin standing there by the door, one hand still on the handle and the other holding a small paper bag. his eyes flicker around the room before landing on you and something burns in your chest.
âhi seungmin!, come inâ, lily says, breaking the silence with a knowing smile.
âyeah, donât just stand thereâ, han says, sitting up a little straighter on lilyâs bed.
seungmin nods once, stepping inside and closing the door. he walks in slowly, like heâs not entirely sure where to go for a second, but then he moves towards you and sits on the edge of your bed, leaving just enough space between you to keep things safe. or maybe just enough space to make you notice it.
âi, uhâŠâ, he starts, lifting the bag slightly, âi brought breakfastâ
han leans forward, âfor two?â
seungmin glares at him, âfor everyone. itâs downstairsâ
lily smiles, clearly enjoying the situation, âwow. how thoughtfulâ
âvery thoughtfulâ, han says, dragging the words just enough to make it obvious heâs about to start teasing him.
seungmin lets out a small, shy laugh, scratching the back of his neck.
âitâs nothingâ, he says.
ânothing? are you sure?â, lily asks, raising a brow.
âand did you buy breakfast for the people in your lodge? or is it only for this one because thereâs a special someone here?â, han continues, raising a brow too.
you look at seungmin for a second, a small smile forming despite yourself when you see him looking away from everyone. he shrugs like itâs really not a big deal, but thereâs a faint pink tint creeping up his neck.
âokayâ, lily says, standing up, âwe should go downstairs before everything gets coldâ
han stands up too, stretching his arms over his head before looking at you with a playful grin.
âyeah, weâll leave you two to⊠talkâ, he says, dragging the last word.
you narrow your eyes, âhan-â
but heâs already walking towards the door.
âoh, and y/nâ, he adds casually as he opens it, looking back at you, âiâm ready whenever you want to leave for our date just so you know, since someoneâ, he gestures vaguely towards seungmin, "decided to take time out of my precious date with yuna just so i could have another date with youâ
you turn and look at seungmin as he lets out a soft, embarrassed laugh, his gaze dropping for a second.
âiâm sorryâ, he says quickly.
hanâs expression shifts a little at that, the teasing disappearing completely.
âheyâ, he says, ânone neededâ
seungmin looks up.
âi wouldâve done the sameâ, han adds.
thereâs a quiet understanding in that sentence and then, just as quickly, han turns to lily, âalright, letâs go before minho eats everythingâ
âhey!â, you hear minho saying from downstairs.
lily laughs, following han out, âoh, you definitely would, minho!â
the door closes behind them, leaving the room suddenly quieter, with just you and seungmin. neither of you mentions last night, neither of you needs to.Â
you look at the bag in his hands, âso⊠breakfast?â
he nods, like heâs grateful for the normalcy of it, and opens the bag, âi got your usualâ, he says pulling out a cup and handing it to you.
âthank youâ, you say.
âandâŠâ, he continues, reaching back into the bag, âi also got you thisâ
he places a small wrapped pastry in your hand and you look at it for a second, then back at him.
âno wayâ, you say softly.
a small smile appears on his face as he looks at you, âyeahâ
âyou found these here?â, you ask him, already unwrapping it.
âthey make them here tooâ, he says, âi saw them and thought of youâÂ
your chest tightens at his words, âi thought they only made them in seoulâ
âapparently notâ, he says, âi remember how much you like themâ
you look at him for a second longer than necessary before taking a bite, and it tastes exactly the same.
you close your eyes for a brief moment, a hum leaving your mouth as you smile, âokay⊠this is actually really goodâ
he looks at you, his expression so soft and warm it almost breaks you, âiâm glad you like itâ
you take another bite, leaning back a bit, the coffee warm between your fingers.
âdid you eat one?â, you ask him.
he shakes his head, ânoâ
you pause then hold the pastry out towards him, âtry itâ
he hesitates and then leans in, taking a bite from the piece youâre holding, then pulls back, chewing thoughtfully.Â
âokayâ, he nods, âyouâre right. itâs goodâ
you smile, âiâm always rightâ, you say, teasing him.
he throws his head back, laughing, âyeah, okayâ
you continue eating as seungmin leans back, looking around the room before he looks at you again.Â
you laugh, shaking your head, âyou mean the one you made us walk thirty minutes for because you had to try their coffee?â
âthe coffee was really goodâ, he says, sitting up a bit.
âmeh, it was averageâ, you say immediately, a teasing look on your face.
he narrows his eyes, âokay, no, thatâs just not trueâ
âit isâ, you say, âyou just donât want to admit we walked all that way for nothingâ
he laughs again, dropping his gaze for a second, âwe didnât walk for nothingâ
you tilt your head, âoh?â
he shrugs lightly, a softer tone slipping into his voice, âthe view was niceâ
you watch him for a moment, âyeahâŠâ, you say, quieter now, âit wasâ
a small silence settles then before seungmin looks at you and speaks again.
âand you got mad at meâ
you gasp, âi did notâ
âyes you didâ, he says, amusement clear in his voice, âbecause i wouldnât let you leave without trying the carrot cakeâ
your lips part slightly before you let out a small laugh, âoh my godâ
âyou remember now?â, he says, clearly pleased.
âi remember you forcing me to sit back downâ, you correct him, âi was ready to goâ
âand then?â, he asks.
you roll your eyes but thereâs a smile tugging at your lips.
âand then it was actually goodâ, you admit.
âexactlyâ, he says, pointing at you, âso i was rightâ
âyou got luckyâ, you mumble, taking another bite of your pastry.
âyeah, i was very luckyâ, he says, looking at you.
you look at him too and smile softly, âand then we stayed there for like⊠two more hoursâ
he nods his head, âyeahâ
âdoing nothingâ
âtalkingâ, he says,
you look at him, âtalking, yeahâ
thereâs a brief pause as the memory settles between you. it feels close, too close maybe, but neither of you pulls away from it, you donât want to. you take a small sip of your coffee, then look at him again.
your heart skips a bit and even though you donât answer right away, the smile on your lips says enough.
for a moment, it feels like nothing ever changed, and time passes without either of you really noticing, until he looks at the time on his phone.
âi should⊠go and get readyâ, he says, though he doesnât move right away.
you nod your head slowly, âyeah⊠me tooâ
but neither of you stands up and both of you sit there, like you are waiting for something, an excuse maybe, to stay there a little longer.
âiâll see you tonightâ, he says, his voice softer now.
âyeahâ, you say, âtonightâ
he nods once, finally standing up, though thereâs a slight hesitation in his movement. he picks up the empty bag, looks at you one last time and then walks towards the door, leaving you in your room alone with your thoughts and your beating heart.
âhan, what is that?â
âexcuse me?â, he looks up from his wheel, offended, his hands covered in clay, âthis is artâ
you stare at the⊠thing in front of him, trying to figure out if itâs supposed to be a bowl, a vase or something that simply should not exist.
âseriously, what is that?â, you say, biting back a laugh.
âyou donât get it, y/n. itâs-â, he squints at it, trying to fix it with his fingers, which only makes it worse, âitâs abstractâ
you lose it. a full laugh escapes you, loud and uncontrollable, your shoulders shaking as you try to keep your own piece from falling apart.Â
âhey! stop laughing!â, he says, though heâs laughing too.
âi canâtâ, you say, crying from how much youâre laughing, âyou just keep making it worseâ
âwhat?â, he says, leaving a small streak of clay on his cheek without realising, âhave you seen yours?â
you look at yours and-
yeah, itâs not much better.
âokay, mine is struggling a bitâ, you say, trying to reshape it carefully, âbut at least it still resembles a cupâ
âyeah, well, if you say soâŠâ, he mutters.
you gasp, ârudeâ
he grins and you shake your head, trying to focus again, pressing your fingers gently against the spinning clay.
âi think itâs getting betterâ, you say, more to yourself than to him.
âdonât jinx itâ, he says.
you roll your eyes, âyouâre the last person who should be giving advice right nowâ
he laughs and then you both go quiet, focusing again, the laughter fading into small smiles as you try to finish without completely ruining whatâs left. after a few more careful movements, you finally pull your hands away.
âokayâ, you say, studying it, âi think iâm doneâ
han looks at his, sighs, then shrugs, âmine is⊠done tooâ
âdone or dead?â, you tease him.
âbothâ, he says, making you laugh again.
both of you stand up and carefully bring your pieces to the instructor and he takes them with a polite smile, clearly used to this kind of result.
âweâll finish them and send them to the address you gave us beforeâ, he tells you, âit will take a couple of daysâ
you look at your cup one more time before letting it go, âi hope it survivesâ
âyours willâ, han says. nudging your shoulder lightly, âmine⊠probably notâ
you laugh softly as you thank the instructor and step outside together and start walking to the restaurant you chose.
âokayâ, han says as he stretches his arms, âthat was funâ
âyeah, it really wasâ, you say.
he nods his head, still smiling as you continue walking down the street.
âi still canât believe you called that thing artâ, you say, laughing louder.
âit was artâ, he insists, âyou just didnât get itâ
âno one would get itâ
âwowâ, he places a hand over his chest, âyouâre really hurting my feelingsâ
you laugh, shaking your head.
âcome onâ, he says, pointing ahead, âthe restaurant's just thereâ
you follow his gaze and nod, continue walking side by side towards the restaurant. you walk in and then settle into your seats, still laughing from the pottery disaster. han pulls the menu closer, looking at it briefly before looking up at you.
âokay, serious questionâ, he says, resting his elbows on the table, âdo you trust me to order for both of us?â
you narrow your eyes slightly, âshould i?â
he grins, ânoâ
you laugh, shaking your head, âthen iâm definitely ordering for myselfâ
âwowâ, he says, pretending to be offended, âno faith at allâ
ânoneâ, you reply, smiling as you reach for the menu.
you both order soon after and when the waiter leaves, han leans back in his chair, watching you for a second.
âwhat?â, you ask him.
he shrugs, ânothing, i was just⊠thinkingâ
âthatâs dangerous, you know?â
he laughs but it fades quicker than usual and then-
âcan i ask you something?â, he asks you.
you pause for a second, sensing the change in his tone.
âyeah, of courseâ
he nods slowly, like heâs choosing his words carefully, âitâs about you⊠and seungminâ
your fingers still slightly against the edge of the table, âokayâ, you say quietly.
âand chanâ, he adds.
that makes you chest tighten a little but han just watches you, waiting, not pushing you to speak if you donât feel comfortable.
âi justâŠâ, he exhales softly, running a hand through his hair, âiâve been thinking about it andâŠâ
he pauses and then continues.
âi think seungmin and you are not over each other. and i donât mean that in a bad way, please donât take me wrongâ, he continues quickly, leaning forward a bit, his tone gentle, âi just⊠itâs obvious. the way you look at each other or the way you talkâ
you look down at the table, at your fingers tracing nothing.
âand chanâŠâ, he adds after a second, his voice softer now, âi think heâs starting to fall for youâ
that one hits differently and you look up at him this time, but he doesnât look judgmental, not even a little. he looks honest.
âand i thinkâŠâ, he continues, âthe show is⊠messing with everythingâ
you let out a small breath.
âthatâs one way to put itâ, you murmur.
he smiles faintly.
âi mean itâ, he says, âyouâre put in a house with your ex, with new people who also dated each other, with emotions already there⊠and then youâre expected to just⊠figure everything out like itâs nothingâ
you nod slowly.
âand maybeâ, he adds, tilting his head a bit, âyou felt something for chan tooâ
your eyes flicker for a second.
âmaybeâ, he shrugs gently, âbecause he was there and took care of you. he made things easier when everything was complicated, because the person that had always been there for you had to act like you werenât there at allâ
your chest tightens again.
âbut itâs not the sameâ, he says, looking at you carefully, ânot even closeâ
you donât answer because you know what he means.
âand that doesnât make you a bad personâ, he adds quickly, softer now, almost like heâs worried you might think that, âit doesnât make you a horrible person, it just means youâre humanâ
your eyes sting a little but you keep them steady, not wanting to cry there.
âit means youâre dealing with something that never really ended and left a space and someone walked into it before you had the chance to understand it was still thereâ, he says.
your lips press together for a second.
âi just donât want you to feel guiltyâ, he says gently, âbecause you shouldnâtâ
thereâs a long pause after that. you take a breath, then another one, just processing what han had said. feeling, thinking, too much maybe. then you look at him and despite everything, you smile. a small smile at first, then a bit wider, your eyes filled with tears youâre trying not to let them fall.Â
âyou knowâŠâ, you say, your voice trembling a bit, âthis is a little too deep for you. who are you and what have you done with han?â
he laughs and leans back in his chair, âwow. i pour my heart out, give you life changing advice and this is what i get?â
you laugh softly, some of your tears falling.
âi just⊠i didnât know you had all of this in youâ
âiâm full of surprisesâ, he says.
âclearlyâ
he laughs and then points at you, âyouâre welcome, by the wayâ
you smile again, softer now, âi didnât say thank youâ
âbut i know you want toâ, he says, smiling too.
you step out of the restaurant together, the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses and dishes fading behind you as the door closes.
âokayâ, han says, rolling his shoulders, âthat was good. i needed thatâ
you look at him, a small smile on your lips, âyeah⊠me tooâ
âdo you want me to walk you to the park? youâre meeting changbin there, right?â
âitâs okayâ, you say, pointing down the street, âitâs really close. iâll just walkâ
he hesitates for a second, like he might insist, but then he just nods, âokay, have funâ
you smile, warmer this time, âthank youâ
you watch him walk away for a second before turning in the opposite direction and then, youâre alone, so you start walking slowly with your hands tucked into your pockets, your steps automatic.
but your mind isnât, it keeps going back to hanâs words.
âyou and seungmin are not over each otherâ
âchan is starting to fall for youâ
you shake your head slightly, like you can physically push the thoughts away, but they donât leave, they stay, lingering and confusing everything, and when you reach the park, they are still loud, still tangled.you barely notice the entrance at first, the trees opening up around you, the sound of leaves moving with the wind reaching you.
âhey!â
you blink, pulled back, and see changbin standing a few steps away, one of his hands raised, a small smile on his face.
âoh- heyâ, you say quickly, walking over to him.
âyou made itâ, he says.
âyeahâ, you nod your head, âit wasnât farâ
âi was actually thinkingâŠâ, he says, gesturing to the side, âice cream?â
you follow his gaze and spot a small stand just a few steps away then smile.
âyeah, that sounds goodâ
you walk there together, order one ice cream for each and then start walking through the park, no rush in your steps.
âso, changbinâ, you say, looking at him, âhow did you and yuna meet?â
he smiles instantly, like the memory comes easily.
âshe was modelling for one of my campaignsâ, he says, âfor my eyewear brand, you knowâ
you raise your eyebrows slightly, âoh, thatâs actually really coolâ
he shrugs, a bit shy despite the confidence in his voice, âyeah⊠i mean, she came in for the shoot and⊠i donât know, we just clickedâ
âjust like that?â
âpretty muchâ, he laughs, âwe started talking in between takes, then after the shoot and⊠yeahâ
you nod and then he asks you.
âand seungmin and you?â
your steps slow a bit but you keep your gaze forward.
âwe met through friendsâ, you say, âit was⊠very normalâ
he hums softly, âsometimes normal is goodâ
you donât answer that and instead, you take another bite of your ice cream, letting the silence sit for a moment as changbin keeps walking beside you.
âsoâ, he tries again after a bit, his tone lighter now, âwhat do you usually like to do? when youâre not⊠doing all of this?â
you smile faintly.
âiâm a writer, so i like readingâ, you say, laughing, âand, well, writing, when iâm not stuckâ
âwriterâs block?â
âyeahâ, you nod your head, âitâs been bad latelyâ
âi get thatâ, he says, ânot the writing part, but like⊠being stuck in your own headâ
he then asks about your hobbies, your favourite places, your favourite books, and just questions in general but part of you isnât there. itâs still at the restaurant, in a conversation that wonât leave your mind, no matter what you do, no matter what changbin says.
he notices after a while, when you go quiet a bit too long after he asks you something as your gaze drifts somewhere far away.
âyou okay?â, he asks you gently.
you blink, coming back, âyeah, sorry. just⊠thinkingâ
he nods, not offended or pushing you, âit mustâve been a deep conversation before this dateâ
you laugh softly, âyeah, something like thatâ
he looks at you again then smiles, âiâll try to be entertaining enough to compete with your thoughtsâ
that makes you laugh, âi donât think thatâs possible right nowâ
âwowâ, he says, laughing, âyou really wound me, y/nâ
you shake your head, smiling, âsorry, changbinâ
you keep walking, the path slowly looping back around the park, the sun much lower now as time passes without you fully noticing. eventually, changbin, looks at his phone, then back at you.
âitâs almost dinner timeâ, he says, âwe said weâd meet at my lodge, right?â
you nod your head, âyeahâ
he gestures slightly towards the exit, âshould we head back?â
you hesitate for just a second, your mind still somewhere else, then nod.
âyeah, letâs goâ
you walk out of the park together - just you, changbin and your thoughts still tangled, still intertwined.
at the same time, on the other side of the island, far from the quiet park paths, seungmin steps out of the car and looks around, taking everything in - wide skies, endless blue stretching into the horizon, the waves crashing somewhere below like a constant rhythm, the air against his skin.
the academy sits on slightly higher ground, surrounded by greenery and wooden paths that lead towards a large open platform that overlooks the sea. hae steps out beside him, already smiling and looking at the view.
âisnât it pretty?â, she says, turning in a small circle like sheâs trying to take it all in at once.
âit isâ, seungmin replies, nodding his head.
he means it, the place is beautiful and peaceful, but something about it doesnât quite reach him. hae turns to him, her eyes bright.
âokay, so⊠donât laugh, butâŠâ, she says, already half-laughing herself, âweâre doing a couples yoga classâ
seungmin blinks, âa⊠what?â
âcouples yogaâ, she repeats, âitâll be funâ
he lets out a small breath, looking past her towards the open space again.
ârightâ, he says slowly, âfunâ
hae nudges his arm, âcome on, donât make that face. youâll like itâ
he gives her a small, polite smile.
âyeah.. iâm sure i willâ
they head inside to change, switching into more comfortable clothes. the space is quiet and calm, with soft music playing somewhere in the background. when they step back out, the instructor is already there - a woman with a gentle presence, her voice soft but clear as she greets them.
âwelcomeâ, she says with a warm smile, âweâre gonna work outside todayâ
hae nods eagerly, already moving towards the platform and seungmin just follows her, walking slower. the open space is even more striking up close with wooden flooring under their feet and nothing but sea stretching out in front of them. the wind brushes lightly against their clothes, the sun warm but not overwhelming.
âokayâ, the instructor says, âweâll start with some individual stretches firstâ
that part is easy, just some simple poses, breathing, stretching. seungmin follows along without trouble, his movements completely controlled. hae on the other hand is fully into it, every movement precise, like sheâs been waiting for this.
âokay, goodâ, the instructor says, ânow weâll move into partner posesâ
seungminâs eyes shift slightly at that and hae turns to him with a bright smile on her face.
âready?â
he hesitates just a second before he nods his head, ây-yeahâ
the first pose is simple enough - standing back to back, arms lifting in sync, breathing together. hae matches him easily, her movements confident and her energy light. seungmin follows, but thereâs a stiffness to him now, a small distance.
then the poses change, more contact, more coordination, hands holding and balancing against each other.
âtrust your partnerâ, the instructor says calmly, âlet your weight rest with themâ
hae leans into it without hesitation and seungmin catches her instinctively, but thereâs a flicker in his expression, something tight and uncomfortable. he does what heâs supposed to do, but it doesnât come naturally.
another pose, facing each other this time, with their hands linked as they lean back slowly. hae laughs softly when she wobbles for a second, gripping his hands tighter.
âdonât let me fallâ, she says playfully.
âi wonâtâ, he says.
and he doesnât, but his voice is quieter now and his eyes keep moving away from her. the instructor guides them through more positions, each one requiring more closeness, more awareness of each otherâs bodies, their balance, their breathing.
hae thrives in it, completely engaged, enjoying every second of it.
but seungmin⊠doesnât. heâs careful, respectful, but heâs distant. his mind drifts a bit, just enough for him to feel out of place in something thatâs meant to feel connected, to bring people closer.
at one point, the instructor demonstrates a pose where one partner supports the other fully, lifting slightly, holding them steady.
âletâs try itâ, hae says excited, already moving into position.
seungmin follows, positioning his hands where instructed.
âready?â, she asks him.
he nods and then they try, the position working for a bit, until it doesnât. she laughs again when she loses balance, grabbing onto him, pulling him closer more than necessary.
âokay, okay, maybe not that oneâ, she says, still smiling.
he lets out a small breath, stepping back, âyeah⊠maybe notâ
the session continues, but for seungmin, times moves slower - each pose a bit more awkward than the last, each moment a reminder that heâs not fully there.
when the instructor finally brings them back to neutral positions, guiding them to sit and breathe, the tension in his shoulders eases a bit.
âand relaxâ, she says softly, âgood work todayâ
hae claps her hands together, turning to seungmin.
âthat was funâ, she says, her cheeks flushed but her smile still bright.
âyeahâ, seungmin says, nodding his head.
but it doesnât quite reach his eyes, because while the place was beautiful and the moment was meant to feel connected to the other person, he couldnât shake the feeling that he didnât belong in it, not like this.
they change into their clothes again, and walk towards the car to leave and go to their lodge, but before they can enter, hae glances at the sky, then at her phone.
âitâs way too early to go backâ
seungmin exhales quietly, already sensing where this is going.
âwe could just head back and rest before we have dinnerâ, he suggests, casual and almost hopeful.
hae looks at him like thatâs the most boring idea sheâs ever heard.
âorâ, she says, stepping closer, âwe could go somewhere else and actually enjoy jejuâ
he opens his mouth to reply, but sheâs already reaching for his hand.
âcome onâ, she insists, her fingers wrapping around his without hesitation, âi saw a place on the way here and it looked really niceâ
âhae-â, he starts, but sheâs already pulling him along.
âjust one drinkâ, she says over her shoulder, smiling, âyouâll surviveâ
he lets out a small breath but doesnât pull his hand away. when they get to the place, itâs full of warm lights and soft music, really cozy and relaxing, with open windows letting the breeze in. they sit down across from each other as hae leans back studying him after they order.
âyou knowâ, she starts, âi think i needed those days awayâ
seungmin looks up at her, âyeah?â
she nods her head, âyeah. i didnât realise how much everything was getting to me until i stepped out of it, even though i had an ideaâ
he listens as she continues talking.
âbeing that house, seeing chan every day and all the memories and everything that came with itâŠâ, she exhales, shaking her head, âit was too much for meâ
seungmin nods slowly, âi get thatâ
âbut leavingâ, she continues, âputting some distance between me and all of that⊠it really helped meâ
she looks at him again, tilting her head slightly.
âi feel much lighterâ
thereâs a small pause, then he says, âyou do seem different since you came backâ
haeâs lip curl into a smile.
âgood different or bad different?â, she asks him, her tone light but thereâs something else underneath it now.
seungmin hesitates for a second.
âi donât knowâ, he admits honestly, âjust⊠differentâ
she hums, leaning forward, resting her chin on her hand.
âiâll take that as goodâ
he doesnât argue.
their drinks arrive, and she takes a sip before speaking again, her gaze never really leaving seungmin,
âi think⊠i needed to move onâ, she says.
seungminâs fingers tighten slightly around his glass.
âfrom chanâ, she adds, more clearly now, âfrom everythingâ
he nods once, âthat makes senseâ
âit doesâ, she agrees, a small smile playing on her lips, âand it feels⊠rightâ
she pauses for a moment, then she leans in just a little more.
âi want something newâ
his eyes lift to meet hers.
âsomeone newâ, she continues, her voice lower now, âsomeone that isnât tied to the pastâ
the way she says it⊠itâs not just a general thought anymore, itâs directed, focused, aimed at something, or rather, aimed at someone.
âand you?â, she asks him.
seungmin doesnât answer right away.
âi think itâs good for youâ, he says instead, being careful, âif thatâs what you wantâ
hae watches him closely.
âthatâs not what i asked you, seungminâ
he exhales softly and looks away.
âi donât know if thatâs for meâ
she tilts her head, a small frown forming.
âwhy not?â
he looks down at the table for a second before answering.
âbecause thatâs not what i came here forâ
she doesnât let that sit.
âso you came here just for your ex?â, she asks, a hint of challenge in her tone now.
he looks back at her.
âi came here because there are things we have to figure outâ
âand you think you will figure them out while she has my ex going after her?â, she counters quickly, âyouâre stuck, seungminâ
he blinks at that.
âiâm not stuckâ
hae lets out a soft laugh, but thereâs an edge to it now.
âyou are, thoughâ
he doesnât respond immediately and hae takes the opportunity to speak again.
âyouâre holding onto something thatâs already over, seungminâ, she continues, her voice softer again, but more pointed, âand youâre closing yourself off to everything elseâ
âthatâs not-â, he starts.
âit isâ, she cuts in gently, but firmly, âyouâre not even giving yourself the chance to feel something newâ
seungminâs jaw tightens at her words.
âi donât want to force something that isnât thereâ
âand how would you know if itâs thereâ, she leans forward again, her voice dropping, âif you donât even try?â
 the tension shifts, grows.
âyou couldâ, she adds, quieter now, almost teasing but not quite, âjust let go a littleâ
his gaze stays on hers.
âyou might be surprised, you knowâ
her fingers tap against the table, slow and deliberate.
âorâŠâ, she tilts her head again, her tone softening, but thereâs something undeniably flirtatious in the way she looks at him now, âmaybe youâre just scaredâ
that makes something flicker in his expression.
âiâm not scaredâ, he says.
âthen prove itâ, she says, almost immediately.
silence falls between them as she watches him closely, waiting for him to say something, to do anything.
âis there any chanceâ, she asks after a moment, her voice quieter now but still as steady as before, âthat you might change your mind? that you might consider letting y/n go?â
the question lingers in the air, the words heavy between them.Â
seungmin doesnât look away this time, his gaze stays locked with hers as his fingers loosen slightly around his glass, and then-
âyesâ
a/n: okay so... things are getting MESSY omg i need to calm down
the library
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summary: four ex-couples are brought together to test whether love can end, restart or transform. youâre not sure which path is yours yet - closure, a new beginning or the courage to try again
< part 7 | part 9 >
you donât remember exactly what time you fell asleep. you just remember getting to the house, changing into your pyjamas and then just lying in your bed, staring at the ceiling with the sound of the waves faint in the distance as your mind refused to quiet down. every time you closed your eyes, you saw seungmin again, standing in front of you, saying those words again and again.
âiâm gonna fight for youâ
that sentence kept repeating in your head, mixing with everything else that was already there - the dates, the texts, chan, the past, the present.Â
at some point, exhaustion must have won because the next thing you see is the morning light slipping through the windows of your room, soft and warm, almost too peaceful for the storm still sitting inside your chest.
you sit up slowly on your bed, your hair a little messy, your thoughts still heavy and clouded, like they never really left during the night. the sound of the bathroom door opening pulls you out of it. lily walks out, already dressed, drying her hair lightly with a towel as she looks at you.
âoh, youâre awakeâ, she says, a smile forming on her lips.Â
you hum softly, stretching your arms a little, âmm, barelyâ
she laughs, walking further into the room before stopping near her bed, âhow did you sleep?â
you let out a breath, leaning back on your hands, ânot greatâ
she raises a brow, âlet me guess⊠thinking too much?â
you give her a look and she grins.
âyeah, i thought soâ
you laugh softly, shaking your head, then you look at her again, curiosity slipping in.
âlily, your video yesterdayâŠâ, you say, âwere you nervous?â
she lets out a short laugh, dropping her towel onto the bed.
âof course i was nervous, especially because i had no idea they would just reveal everything like thatâ, she says, âbut honestly? ours wasnât that badâ
you smile a little, âyeah. you and han looked like you were having funâ
she nods, âwe were. it was like two idiots talking about their pastâ
you laugh softly at that before she continues.
âand you?â, she asks you, her tone becoming a bit more quiet and serious.
you hesitate before you answer.
âit wasâŠâ, you start, searching for the right word, âcomplicatedâ
she watches you closely, then her expression slowly turns into something more playful.
âyeah, wellâ, she says, âi knew that one was comingâ
you blink, âwhat?â
she crosses her arms, tilting her head, âyou and seungminâ
âwhat do you mean you knew?â
she gives you a look like itâs the most obvious thing in the world.
âoh my god, y/n, the way he looks at you?â, she says, âpleaseâ
you frown faintly, âwhat way?â
she laughs again, shaking her head, âyouâre kidding meâ
âiâm notâ, you insist.
lily steps closer, lowering her voice, âhe looks at your like he forgets anyone else is in the room, especially when he thinks no oneâs watchingâ
your breath catches before you can stop it.
âthatâs not-â, you start, but the words donât come out fully.
she just raises a brow, âit isâ
you look away for a second, your fingers fidgeting with the edge of the sheets.
âi didnât noticeâ, you mumble.
âwell, thatâs because youâre youâ, she teases you.
you roll your eyes but thereâs no real annoyance in it. before you can say anything else, thereâs a knock on the door and both of you look up.
âcome inâ, lily says.
the door opens without hesitation and han steps in, already dressed and his hair slightly messy like he didnât bother too much with it.
âgood morningâ, he says, walking in and dropping himself onto lilyâs bed.
âmorningâ, you reply, smiling.
âwhatâs going on in here?â, he asks, looking between you both suspiciously.
lily doesnât miss a beat, âwe were just talking about the videosâ
hanâs eyes light up instantly, âoh?â
you already know where this is going.
ânoâ, you say quickly, sitting up straighter, âweâre not doing thisâ
âoh, we are doing thisâ, lily counters, grinning and sitting down next to han.
âof course we areâ, han starts then turns fully towards her, âand what are we doing exactly?â
she gestures towards you like youâre the main topic of discussion.
ây/n and seungminâ, she says.
han lets out a small gasp, like everything suddenly makes sense.
âohâ, he nods, looking at you with way too much amusement, âyeah, thatâs right, you two!â
you groan, covering your face for a second, âcan you both not-â
âhe literally couldnât stop looking at you yesterdayâ, han cuts in, completely ignoring you.
you drop your hands, staring at him, ânot you too, pleaseâ
âi have eyesâ, he shrugs as he leans back on his hands, still watching you, âso, now that everything is out in the open, how does it feel?â
you hesitate for a second, the answer not as simple as it should be.
âi donât know, itâs⊠itâs complicatedâ, you say again.
âyeahâ, han says after a moment, âi can imagineâ
before any of you speak again, another knock echoes through the room and all three of you turn towards the door.
âcome inâ, you say.
the door opens and you see seungmin standing there by the door, one hand still on the handle and the other holding a small paper bag. his eyes flicker around the room before landing on you and something burns in your chest.
âhi seungmin!, come inâ, lily says, breaking the silence with a knowing smile.
âyeah, donât just stand thereâ, han says, sitting up a little straighter on lilyâs bed.
seungmin nods once, stepping inside and closing the door. he walks in slowly, like heâs not entirely sure where to go for a second, but then he moves towards you and sits on the edge of your bed, leaving just enough space between you to keep things safe. or maybe just enough space to make you notice it.
âi, uhâŠâ, he starts, lifting the bag slightly, âi brought breakfastâ
han leans forward, âfor two?â
seungmin glares at him, âfor everyone. itâs downstairsâ
lily smiles, clearly enjoying the situation, âwow. how thoughtfulâ
âvery thoughtfulâ, han says, dragging the words just enough to make it obvious heâs about to start teasing him.
seungmin lets out a small, shy laugh, scratching the back of his neck.
âitâs nothingâ, he says.
ânothing? are you sure?â, lily asks, raising a brow.
âand did you buy breakfast for the people in your lodge? or is it only for this one because thereâs a special someone here?â, han continues, raising a brow too.
you look at seungmin for a second, a small smile forming despite yourself when you see him looking away from everyone. he shrugs like itâs really not a big deal, but thereâs a faint pink tint creeping up his neck.
âokayâ, lily says, standing up, âwe should go downstairs before everything gets coldâ
han stands up too, stretching his arms over his head before looking at you with a playful grin.
âyeah, weâll leave you two to⊠talkâ, he says, dragging the last word.
you narrow your eyes, âhan-â
but heâs already walking towards the door.
âoh, and y/nâ, he adds casually as he opens it, looking back at you, âiâm ready whenever you want to leave for our date just so you know, since someoneâ, he gestures vaguely towards seungmin, "decided to take time out of my precious date with yuna just so i could have another date with youâ
you turn and look at seungmin as he lets out a soft, embarrassed laugh, his gaze dropping for a second.
âiâm sorryâ, he says quickly.
hanâs expression shifts a little at that, the teasing disappearing completely.
âheyâ, he says, ânone neededâ
seungmin looks up.
âi wouldâve done the sameâ, han adds.
thereâs a quiet understanding in that sentence and then, just as quickly, han turns to lily, âalright, letâs go before minho eats everythingâ
âhey!â, you hear minho saying from downstairs.
lily laughs, following han out, âoh, you definitely would, minho!â
the door closes behind them, leaving the room suddenly quieter, with just you and seungmin. neither of you mentions last night, neither of you needs to.Â
you look at the bag in his hands, âso⊠breakfast?â
he nods, like heâs grateful for the normalcy of it, and opens the bag, âi got your usualâ, he says pulling out a cup and handing it to you.
âthank youâ, you say.
âandâŠâ, he continues, reaching back into the bag, âi also got you thisâ
he places a small wrapped pastry in your hand and you look at it for a second, then back at him.
âno wayâ, you say softly.
a small smile appears on his face as he looks at you, âyeahâ
âyou found these here?â, you ask him, already unwrapping it.
âthey make them here tooâ, he says, âi saw them and thought of youâÂ
your chest tightens at his words, âi thought they only made them in seoulâ
âapparently notâ, he says, âi remember how much you like themâ
you look at him for a second longer than necessary before taking a bite, and it tastes exactly the same.
you close your eyes for a brief moment, a hum leaving your mouth as you smile, âokay⊠this is actually really goodâ
he looks at you, his expression so soft and warm it almost breaks you, âiâm glad you like itâ
you take another bite, leaning back a bit, the coffee warm between your fingers.
âdid you eat one?â, you ask him.
he shakes his head, ânoâ
you pause then hold the pastry out towards him, âtry itâ
he hesitates and then leans in, taking a bite from the piece youâre holding, then pulls back, chewing thoughtfully.Â
âokayâ, he nods, âyouâre right. itâs goodâ
you smile, âiâm always rightâ, you say, teasing him.
he throws his head back, laughing, âyeah, okayâ
you continue eating as seungmin leans back, looking around the room before he looks at you again.Â
you laugh, shaking your head, âyou mean the one you made us walk thirty minutes for because you had to try their coffee?â
âthe coffee was really goodâ, he says, sitting up a bit.
âmeh, it was averageâ, you say immediately, a teasing look on your face.
he narrows his eyes, âokay, no, thatâs just not trueâ
âit isâ, you say, âyou just donât want to admit we walked all that way for nothingâ
he laughs again, dropping his gaze for a second, âwe didnât walk for nothingâ
you tilt your head, âoh?â
he shrugs lightly, a softer tone slipping into his voice, âthe view was niceâ
you watch him for a moment, âyeahâŠâ, you say, quieter now, âit wasâ
a small silence settles then before seungmin looks at you and speaks again.
âand you got mad at meâ
you gasp, âi did notâ
âyes you didâ, he says, amusement clear in his voice, âbecause i wouldnât let you leave without trying the carrot cakeâ
your lips part slightly before you let out a small laugh, âoh my godâ
âyou remember now?â, he says, clearly pleased.
âi remember you forcing me to sit back downâ, you correct him, âi was ready to goâ
âand then?â, he asks.
you roll your eyes but thereâs a smile tugging at your lips.
âand then it was actually goodâ, you admit.
âexactlyâ, he says, pointing at you, âso i was rightâ
âyou got luckyâ, you mumble, taking another bite of your pastry.
âyeah, i was very luckyâ, he says, looking at you.
you look at him too and smile softly, âand then we stayed there for like⊠two more hoursâ
he nods his head, âyeahâ
âdoing nothingâ
âtalkingâ, he says,
you look at him, âtalking, yeahâ
thereâs a brief pause as the memory settles between you. it feels close, too close maybe, but neither of you pulls away from it, you donât want to. you take a small sip of your coffee, then look at him again.
your heart skips a bit and even though you donât answer right away, the smile on your lips says enough.
for a moment, it feels like nothing ever changed, and time passes without either of you really noticing, until he looks at the time on his phone.
âi should⊠go and get readyâ, he says, though he doesnât move right away.
you nod your head slowly, âyeah⊠me tooâ
but neither of you stands up and both of you sit there, like you are waiting for something, an excuse maybe, to stay there a little longer.
âiâll see you tonightâ, he says, his voice softer now.
âyeahâ, you say, âtonightâ
he nods once, finally standing up, though thereâs a slight hesitation in his movement. he picks up the empty bag, looks at you one last time and then walks towards the door, leaving you in your room alone with your thoughts and your beating heart.
âhan, what is that?â
âexcuse me?â, he looks up from his wheel, offended, his hands covered in clay, âthis is artâ
you stare at the⊠thing in front of him, trying to figure out if itâs supposed to be a bowl, a vase or something that simply should not exist.
âseriously, what is that?â, you say, biting back a laugh.
âyou donât get it, y/n. itâs-â, he squints at it, trying to fix it with his fingers, which only makes it worse, âitâs abstractâ
you lose it. a full laugh escapes you, loud and uncontrollable, your shoulders shaking as you try to keep your own piece from falling apart.Â
âhey! stop laughing!â, he says, though heâs laughing too.
âi canâtâ, you say, crying from how much youâre laughing, âyou just keep making it worseâ
âwhat?â, he says, leaving a small streak of clay on his cheek without realising, âhave you seen yours?â
you look at yours and-
yeah, itâs not much better.
âokay, mine is struggling a bitâ, you say, trying to reshape it carefully, âbut at least it still resembles a cupâ
âyeah, well, if you say soâŠâ, he mutters.
you gasp, ârudeâ
he grins and you shake your head, trying to focus again, pressing your fingers gently against the spinning clay.
âi think itâs getting betterâ, you say, more to yourself than to him.
âdonât jinx itâ, he says.
you roll your eyes, âyouâre the last person who should be giving advice right nowâ
he laughs and then you both go quiet, focusing again, the laughter fading into small smiles as you try to finish without completely ruining whatâs left. after a few more careful movements, you finally pull your hands away.
âokayâ, you say, studying it, âi think iâm doneâ
han looks at his, sighs, then shrugs, âmine is⊠done tooâ
âdone or dead?â, you tease him.
âbothâ, he says, making you laugh again.
both of you stand up and carefully bring your pieces to the instructor and he takes them with a polite smile, clearly used to this kind of result.
âweâll finish them and send them to the address you gave us beforeâ, he tells you, âit will take a couple of daysâ
you look at your cup one more time before letting it go, âi hope it survivesâ
âyours willâ, han says. nudging your shoulder lightly, âmine⊠probably notâ
you laugh softly as you thank the instructor and step outside together and start walking to the restaurant you chose.
âokayâ, han says as he stretches his arms, âthat was funâ
âyeah, it really wasâ, you say.
he nods his head, still smiling as you continue walking down the street.
âi still canât believe you called that thing artâ, you say, laughing louder.
âit was artâ, he insists, âyou just didnât get itâ
âno one would get itâ
âwowâ, he places a hand over his chest, âyouâre really hurting my feelingsâ
you laugh, shaking your head.
âcome onâ, he says, pointing ahead, âthe restaurant's just thereâ
you follow his gaze and nod, continue walking side by side towards the restaurant. you walk in and then settle into your seats, still laughing from the pottery disaster. han pulls the menu closer, looking at it briefly before looking up at you.
âokay, serious questionâ, he says, resting his elbows on the table, âdo you trust me to order for both of us?â
you narrow your eyes slightly, âshould i?â
he grins, ânoâ
you laugh, shaking your head, âthen iâm definitely ordering for myselfâ
âwowâ, he says, pretending to be offended, âno faith at allâ
ânoneâ, you reply, smiling as you reach for the menu.
you both order soon after and when the waiter leaves, han leans back in his chair, watching you for a second.
âwhat?â, you ask him.
he shrugs, ânothing, i was just⊠thinkingâ
âthatâs dangerous, you know?â
he laughs but it fades quicker than usual and then-
âcan i ask you something?â, he asks you.
you pause for a second, sensing the change in his tone.
âyeah, of courseâ
he nods slowly, like heâs choosing his words carefully, âitâs about you⊠and seungminâ
your fingers still slightly against the edge of the table, âokayâ, you say quietly.
âand chanâ, he adds.
that makes you chest tighten a little but han just watches you, waiting, not pushing you to speak if you donât feel comfortable.
âi justâŠâ, he exhales softly, running a hand through his hair, âiâve been thinking about it andâŠâ
he pauses and then continues.
âi think seungmin and you are not over each other. and i donât mean that in a bad way, please donât take me wrongâ, he continues quickly, leaning forward a bit, his tone gentle, âi just⊠itâs obvious. the way you look at each other or the way you talkâ
you look down at the table, at your fingers tracing nothing.
âand chanâŠâ, he adds after a second, his voice softer now, âi think heâs starting to fall for youâ
that one hits differently and you look up at him this time, but he doesnât look judgmental, not even a little. he looks honest.
âand i thinkâŠâ, he continues, âthe show is⊠messing with everythingâ
you let out a small breath.
âthatâs one way to put itâ, you murmur.
he smiles faintly.
âi mean itâ, he says, âyouâre put in a house with your ex, with new people who also dated each other, with emotions already there⊠and then youâre expected to just⊠figure everything out like itâs nothingâ
you nod slowly.
âand maybeâ, he adds, tilting his head a bit, âyou felt something for chan tooâ
your eyes flicker for a second.
âmaybeâ, he shrugs gently, âbecause he was there and took care of you. he made things easier when everything was complicated, because the person that had always been there for you had to act like you werenât there at allâ
your chest tightens again.
âbut itâs not the sameâ, he says, looking at you carefully, ânot even closeâ
you donât answer because you know what he means.
âand that doesnât make you a bad personâ, he adds quickly, softer now, almost like heâs worried you might think that, âit doesnât make you a horrible person, it just means youâre humanâ
your eyes sting a little but you keep them steady, not wanting to cry there.
âit means youâre dealing with something that never really ended and left a space and someone walked into it before you had the chance to understand it was still thereâ, he says.
your lips press together for a second.
âi just donât want you to feel guiltyâ, he says gently, âbecause you shouldnâtâ
thereâs a long pause after that. you take a breath, then another one, just processing what han had said. feeling, thinking, too much maybe. then you look at him and despite everything, you smile. a small smile at first, then a bit wider, your eyes filled with tears youâre trying not to let them fall.Â
âyou knowâŠâ, you say, your voice trembling a bit, âthis is a little too deep for you. who are you and what have you done with han?â
he laughs and leans back in his chair, âwow. i pour my heart out, give you life changing advice and this is what i get?â
you laugh softly, some of your tears falling.
âi just⊠i didnât know you had all of this in youâ
âiâm full of surprisesâ, he says.
âclearlyâ
he laughs and then points at you, âyouâre welcome, by the wayâ
you smile again, softer now, âi didnât say thank youâ
âbut i know you want toâ, he says, smiling too.
you step out of the restaurant together, the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses and dishes fading behind you as the door closes.
âokayâ, han says, rolling his shoulders, âthat was good. i needed thatâ
you look at him, a small smile on your lips, âyeah⊠me tooâ
âdo you want me to walk you to the park? youâre meeting changbin there, right?â
âitâs okayâ, you say, pointing down the street, âitâs really close. iâll just walkâ
he hesitates for a second, like he might insist, but then he just nods, âokay, have funâ
you smile, warmer this time, âthank youâ
you watch him walk away for a second before turning in the opposite direction and then, youâre alone, so you start walking slowly with your hands tucked into your pockets, your steps automatic.
but your mind isnât, it keeps going back to hanâs words.
âyou and seungmin are not over each otherâ
âchan is starting to fall for youâ
you shake your head slightly, like you can physically push the thoughts away, but they donât leave, they stay, lingering and confusing everything, and when you reach the park, they are still loud, still tangled.you barely notice the entrance at first, the trees opening up around you, the sound of leaves moving with the wind reaching you.
âhey!â
you blink, pulled back, and see changbin standing a few steps away, one of his hands raised, a small smile on his face.
âoh- heyâ, you say quickly, walking over to him.
âyou made itâ, he says.
âyeahâ, you nod your head, âit wasnât farâ
âi was actually thinkingâŠâ, he says, gesturing to the side, âice cream?â
you follow his gaze and spot a small stand just a few steps away then smile.
âyeah, that sounds goodâ
you walk there together, order one ice cream for each and then start walking through the park, no rush in your steps.
âso, changbinâ, you say, looking at him, âhow did you and yuna meet?â
he smiles instantly, like the memory comes easily.
âshe was modelling for one of my campaignsâ, he says, âfor my eyewear brand, you knowâ
you raise your eyebrows slightly, âoh, thatâs actually really coolâ
he shrugs, a bit shy despite the confidence in his voice, âyeah⊠i mean, she came in for the shoot and⊠i donât know, we just clickedâ
âjust like that?â
âpretty muchâ, he laughs, âwe started talking in between takes, then after the shoot and⊠yeahâ
you nod and then he asks you.
âand seungmin and you?â
your steps slow a bit but you keep your gaze forward.
âwe met through friendsâ, you say, âit was⊠very normalâ
he hums softly, âsometimes normal is goodâ
you donât answer that and instead, you take another bite of your ice cream, letting the silence sit for a moment as changbin keeps walking beside you.
âsoâ, he tries again after a bit, his tone lighter now, âwhat do you usually like to do? when youâre not⊠doing all of this?â
you smile faintly.
âiâm a writer, so i like readingâ, you say, laughing, âand, well, writing, when iâm not stuckâ
âwriterâs block?â
âyeahâ, you nod your head, âitâs been bad latelyâ
âi get thatâ, he says, ânot the writing part, but like⊠being stuck in your own headâ
he then asks about your hobbies, your favourite places, your favourite books, and just questions in general but part of you isnât there. itâs still at the restaurant, in a conversation that wonât leave your mind, no matter what you do, no matter what changbin says.
he notices after a while, when you go quiet a bit too long after he asks you something as your gaze drifts somewhere far away.
âyou okay?â, he asks you gently.
you blink, coming back, âyeah, sorry. just⊠thinkingâ
he nods, not offended or pushing you, âit mustâve been a deep conversation before this dateâ
you laugh softly, âyeah, something like thatâ
he looks at you again then smiles, âiâll try to be entertaining enough to compete with your thoughtsâ
that makes you laugh, âi donât think thatâs possible right nowâ
âwowâ, he says, laughing, âyou really wound me, y/nâ
you shake your head, smiling, âsorry, changbinâ
you keep walking, the path slowly looping back around the park, the sun much lower now as time passes without you fully noticing. eventually, changbin, looks at his phone, then back at you.
âitâs almost dinner timeâ, he says, âwe said weâd meet at my lodge, right?â
you nod your head, âyeahâ
he gestures slightly towards the exit, âshould we head back?â
you hesitate for just a second, your mind still somewhere else, then nod.
âyeah, letâs goâ
you walk out of the park together - just you, changbin and your thoughts still tangled, still intertwined.
at the same time, on the other side of the island, far from the quiet park paths, seungmin steps out of the car and looks around, taking everything in - wide skies, endless blue stretching into the horizon, the waves crashing somewhere below like a constant rhythm, the air against his skin.
the academy sits on slightly higher ground, surrounded by greenery and wooden paths that lead towards a large open platform that overlooks the sea. hae steps out beside him, already smiling and looking at the view.
âisnât it pretty?â, she says, turning in a small circle like sheâs trying to take it all in at once.
âit isâ, seungmin replies, nodding his head.
he means it, the place is beautiful and peaceful, but something about it doesnât quite reach him. hae turns to him, her eyes bright.
âokay, so⊠donât laugh, butâŠâ, she says, already half-laughing herself, âweâre doing a couples yoga classâ
seungmin blinks, âa⊠what?â
âcouples yogaâ, she repeats, âitâll be funâ
he lets out a small breath, looking past her towards the open space again.
ârightâ, he says slowly, âfunâ
hae nudges his arm, âcome on, donât make that face. youâll like itâ
he gives her a small, polite smile.
âyeah.. iâm sure i willâ
they head inside to change, switching into more comfortable clothes. the space is quiet and calm, with soft music playing somewhere in the background. when they step back out, the instructor is already there - a woman with a gentle presence, her voice soft but clear as she greets them.
âwelcomeâ, she says with a warm smile, âweâre gonna work outside todayâ
hae nods eagerly, already moving towards the platform and seungmin just follows her, walking slower. the open space is even more striking up close with wooden flooring under their feet and nothing but sea stretching out in front of them. the wind brushes lightly against their clothes, the sun warm but not overwhelming.
âokayâ, the instructor says, âweâll start with some individual stretches firstâ
that part is easy, just some simple poses, breathing, stretching. seungmin follows along without trouble, his movements completely controlled. hae on the other hand is fully into it, every movement precise, like sheâs been waiting for this.
âokay, goodâ, the instructor says, ânow weâll move into partner posesâ
seungminâs eyes shift slightly at that and hae turns to him with a bright smile on her face.
âready?â
he hesitates just a second before he nods his head, ây-yeahâ
the first pose is simple enough - standing back to back, arms lifting in sync, breathing together. hae matches him easily, her movements confident and her energy light. seungmin follows, but thereâs a stiffness to him now, a small distance.
then the poses change, more contact, more coordination, hands holding and balancing against each other.
âtrust your partnerâ, the instructor says calmly, âlet your weight rest with themâ
hae leans into it without hesitation and seungmin catches her instinctively, but thereâs a flicker in his expression, something tight and uncomfortable. he does what heâs supposed to do, but it doesnât come naturally.
another pose, facing each other this time, with their hands linked as they lean back slowly. hae laughs softly when she wobbles for a second, gripping his hands tighter.
âdonât let me fallâ, she says playfully.
âi wonâtâ, he says.
and he doesnât, but his voice is quieter now and his eyes keep moving away from her. the instructor guides them through more positions, each one requiring more closeness, more awareness of each otherâs bodies, their balance, their breathing.
hae thrives in it, completely engaged, enjoying every second of it.
but seungmin⊠doesnât. heâs careful, respectful, but heâs distant. his mind drifts a bit, just enough for him to feel out of place in something thatâs meant to feel connected, to bring people closer.
at one point, the instructor demonstrates a pose where one partner supports the other fully, lifting slightly, holding them steady.
âletâs try itâ, hae says excited, already moving into position.
seungmin follows, positioning his hands where instructed.
âready?â, she asks him.
he nods and then they try, the position working for a bit, until it doesnât. she laughs again when she loses balance, grabbing onto him, pulling him closer more than necessary.
âokay, okay, maybe not that oneâ, she says, still smiling.
he lets out a small breath, stepping back, âyeah⊠maybe notâ
the session continues, but for seungmin, times moves slower - each pose a bit more awkward than the last, each moment a reminder that heâs not fully there.
when the instructor finally brings them back to neutral positions, guiding them to sit and breathe, the tension in his shoulders eases a bit.
âand relaxâ, she says softly, âgood work todayâ
hae claps her hands together, turning to seungmin.
âthat was funâ, she says, her cheeks flushed but her smile still bright.
âyeahâ, seungmin says, nodding his head.
but it doesnât quite reach his eyes, because while the place was beautiful and the moment was meant to feel connected to the other person, he couldnât shake the feeling that he didnât belong in it, not like this.
they change into their clothes again, and walk towards the car to leave and go to their lodge, but before they can enter, hae glances at the sky, then at her phone.
âitâs way too early to go backâ
seungmin exhales quietly, already sensing where this is going.
âwe could just head back and rest before we have dinnerâ, he suggests, casual and almost hopeful.
hae looks at him like thatâs the most boring idea sheâs ever heard.
âorâ, she says, stepping closer, âwe could go somewhere else and actually enjoy jejuâ
he opens his mouth to reply, but sheâs already reaching for his hand.
âcome onâ, she insists, her fingers wrapping around his without hesitation, âi saw a place on the way here and it looked really niceâ
âhae-â, he starts, but sheâs already pulling him along.
âjust one drinkâ, she says over her shoulder, smiling, âyouâll surviveâ
he lets out a small breath but doesnât pull his hand away. when they get to the place, itâs full of warm lights and soft music, really cozy and relaxing, with open windows letting the breeze in. they sit down across from each other as hae leans back studying him after they order.
âyou knowâ, she starts, âi think i needed those days awayâ
seungmin looks up at her, âyeah?â
she nods her head, âyeah. i didnât realise how much everything was getting to me until i stepped out of it, even though i had an ideaâ
he listens as she continues talking.
âbeing that house, seeing chan every day and all the memories and everything that came with itâŠâ, she exhales, shaking her head, âit was too much for meâ
seungmin nods slowly, âi get thatâ
âbut leavingâ, she continues, âputting some distance between me and all of that⊠it really helped meâ
she looks at him again, tilting her head slightly.
âi feel much lighterâ
thereâs a small pause, then he says, âyou do seem different since you came backâ
haeâs lip curl into a smile.
âgood different or bad different?â, she asks him, her tone light but thereâs something else underneath it now.
seungmin hesitates for a second.
âi donât knowâ, he admits honestly, âjust⊠differentâ
she hums, leaning forward, resting her chin on her hand.
âiâll take that as goodâ
he doesnât argue.
their drinks arrive, and she takes a sip before speaking again, her gaze never really leaving seungmin,
âi think⊠i needed to move onâ, she says.
seungminâs fingers tighten slightly around his glass.
âfrom chanâ, she adds, more clearly now, âfrom everythingâ
he nods once, âthat makes senseâ
âit doesâ, she agrees, a small smile playing on her lips, âand it feels⊠rightâ
she pauses for a moment, then she leans in just a little more.
âi want something newâ
his eyes lift to meet hers.
âsomeone newâ, she continues, her voice lower now, âsomeone that isnât tied to the pastâ
the way she says it⊠itâs not just a general thought anymore, itâs directed, focused, aimed at something, or rather, aimed at someone.
âand you?â, she asks him.
seungmin doesnât answer right away.
âi think itâs good for youâ, he says instead, being careful, âif thatâs what you wantâ
hae watches him closely.
âthatâs not what i asked you, seungminâ
he exhales softly and looks away.
âi donât know if thatâs for meâ
she tilts her head, a small frown forming.
âwhy not?â
he looks down at the table for a second before answering.
âbecause thatâs not what i came here forâ
she doesnât let that sit.
âso you came here just for your ex?â, she asks, a hint of challenge in her tone now.
he looks back at her.
âi came here because there are things we have to figure outâ
âand you think you will figure them out while she has my ex going after her?â, she counters quickly, âyouâre stuck, seungminâ
he blinks at that.
âiâm not stuckâ
hae lets out a soft laugh, but thereâs an edge to it now.
âyou are, thoughâ
he doesnât respond immediately and hae takes the opportunity to speak again.
âyouâre holding onto something thatâs already over, seungminâ, she continues, her voice softer again, but more pointed, âand youâre closing yourself off to everything elseâ
âthatâs not-â, he starts.
âit isâ, she cuts in gently, but firmly, âyouâre not even giving yourself the chance to feel something newâ
seungminâs jaw tightens at her words.
âi donât want to force something that isnât thereâ
âand how would you know if itâs thereâ, she leans forward again, her voice dropping, âif you donât even try?â
 the tension shifts, grows.
âyou couldâ, she adds, quieter now, almost teasing but not quite, âjust let go a littleâ
his gaze stays on hers.
âyou might be surprised, you knowâ
her fingers tap against the table, slow and deliberate.
âorâŠâ, she tilts her head again, her tone softening, but thereâs something undeniably flirtatious in the way she looks at him now, âmaybe youâre just scaredâ
that makes something flicker in his expression.
âiâm not scaredâ, he says.
âthen prove itâ, she says, almost immediately.
silence falls between them as she watches him closely, waiting for him to say something, to do anything.
âis there any chanceâ, she asks after a moment, her voice quieter now but still as steady as before, âthat you might change your mind? that you might consider letting y/n go?â
the question lingers in the air, the words heavy between them.Â
seungmin doesnât look away this time, his gaze stays locked with hers as his fingers loosen slightly around his glass, and then-
âyesâ
a/n: okay so... things are getting MESSY omg i need to calm down
the library
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