⤷ Sypnopsis :: When Nishimura Riki transfers to Havenmore High in the middle of the semester, no one suspects a thing. He's new, quiet, too good-looking to be entirely normal but at a high school, that's not enough to raise alarms.
Chihiro doesn't suspect anything either. Not at first. Then she starts noticing: the way he avoids the midday sun, how his eyes shift color under fluorescent light, that he never eats in the cafeteria. That he always seems to know where she is before she gets there.
Riki has spent years perfecting the art of passing as human. But Chihiro has the habit of looking too closely. And he has the habit of not being able to ignore her.
⤷ a/n :: chapters 01 - 08 already on Wattpad! @snowyvnotes. Inspired by TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyer
⤷ warnings :: vampire!au, fem!oc,
⤷ Wc :: +1.2k
CHAPTERS :: 01 02 …
The thing about Havenmore High is that nothing interesting ever happens there.
Chihiro had decided this somewhere around sophomore year, when she realized that the most exciting thing to occur in the school's recent history was the vending machine on the third floor dispensing two bags of chips for the price of one. People had talked about it for a week. An entire week.
So when the classroom door opened in the middle of first period on a grey Tuesday in October, and the new kid walked in, she noticed. Not because he was particularly dramatic about it, he wasn't. He handed Mr. Yoon his transfer slip without a word, stood at the front of the room with the specific stillness of someone who had done this before and found it deeply uninteresting, and waited.
The class did what classes always do. They stared.
Chihiro stared too, but she liked to think she did it more carefully than everyone else.
He was tall. Dark hair that fell slightly over his forehead like he hadn't bothered to fix it this morning, or possibly ever. A face that was almost unreasonably symmetrical, which Chihiro noted the way she noted anything factual, with detachment. He was wearing a school uniform that looked the same as everyone else's and somehow didn't look the same at all, the way certain people can make a blank wall look intentional just by standing in front of it.
Nishimura Riki, Mr. Yoon announced to the class, mangling the pronunciation just enough. Transfer from Osaka. Let's make him feel welcome.
Nobody clapped. A few people nodded. Someone in the back whispered something Chihiro didn't catch.
Riki's eyes moved across the room in one slow, even sweep, not nervous, not curious, just methodical, like he was cataloguing exits, and then stopped.
On her.
Chihiro didn't look away. She rarely did.
He did, after exactly one second, the same way you'd look away from a lamp or a window or something that had no particular relevance to you. Then he walked to the empty seat in the third row, sat down, and took out a notebook.
Wonbin leaned over from the desk beside her.
"He looked at you weird," he said.
"He looked at the whole class."
"Yeah, but then he looked at you weird."
Chihiro turned back to her own notebook. "You're projecting."
"I'm observing," Wonbin said. "There's a difference. I observe things too, you know."
"You observe things and then assign them emotional significance they don't have."
"That's just called being a person, Chihiro."
She didn't answer. She was already writing.
October 14. New transfer student: Nishimura Riki. Osaka. Looked at the room like he was counting doors.
She paused. Added:
Didn't smile when Yoon made the welcome-to-Havenmore speech. Everyone smiles at that, even if it's fake.
It was a small thing. Most people wouldn't have filed it away. Chihiro filed everything away, though, it was less a choice than a compulsion, the same way some people crack their knuckles or chew their pens. She collected details. She always had. Her mother called it a gift. Her last boyfriend had called it unsettling. Wonbin called it the reason she was terrible at parties.
The morning moved on. Mr. Yoon resumed talking about The Great Gatsby with the particular resignation of a man who had taught the same book for fifteen years and stopped believing in the green light somewhere around year four. Chihiro took notes. Wonbin drew something in the margins of his textbook that may have been a dragon.
From two rows away and slightly to the left, she was aware of Riki the way you're aware of a window in winter, not looking directly at it, but conscious of the cold.
Which was strange, actually. She wrote that down too.
The room feels colder on his side. Check if the heating vent is broken.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ ʚɞ ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆
She saw him again at lunch.
This was not unusual, the school had exactly one cafeteria, and unless you ate in the library (Chihiro had a long and storied relationship with that particular option), you ended up there. What was unusual was that Riki was sitting alone at the far end of the room with a lunch tray in front of him that he wasn't touching.
Not hadn't gotten to yet. Not was waiting for something. Just, wasn't touching. The food sat there and he sat there, and he was looking at his phone with the focused blankness of someone who was using it as a prop rather than actually looking at it.
"He's not eating," Chihiro said.
Wonbin didn't look up from his own food. "Some people aren't hungry."
"He hasn't moved in ten minutes."
"Some people eat slowly."
"He hasn't touched it, Wonbin. The fork is in exactly the same position it was when he sat down."
Now Wonbin looked up. He studied Riki for a moment with the expression he used when he was deciding whether or not something was worth engaging with.
"Maybe he's not into whatever they're serving," he said finally.
"It's rice."
"Maybe he's not into rice."
"Nobody's not into rice."
Wonbin pointed his own fork at her. "You're doing the thing."
"I'm not doing the thing."
"You're absolutely doing the thing. You've got the notebook face."
Chihiro did not have a notebook face. She had a normal face. "I'm just making an observation."
"You're collecting data on the new kid after half a day." He lowered his fork. "Chihiro. He's probably just nervous. It's his first day."
She looked at Riki across the cafeteria. He didn't look nervous. He looked like someone who had sat in a hundred cafeterias and found all of them equally unremarkable. He looked, she thought, like someone who was very good at waiting.
"Sure," she said, and ate her rice.
But she kept the note.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ ʚɞ ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆
The last time she saw him that day was at the end of sixth period, in the hallway outside the science labs.
She was going one way. He was going the other. The hallway was crowded and loud with the particular chaos of end-of-day, everyone moving fast, bags hitting shoulders, someone's earbuds trailing on the floor. Normal Tuesday afternoon noise.
They passed each other.
It lasted less than two seconds.
But she was close enough to notice, and she was always noticing, that he didn't smell like cologne or laundry detergent or sweat the way everyone else did at the end of a school day. He smelled like cold air. Like the moment before it rains. Like standing outside at night when the temperature has finally dropped and the world has gone quiet.
Chihiro stopped walking.
She turned around. He was already gone, absorbed into the crowd, just the dark of his jacket disappearing around the corner.
She stood there for a second. Around her, the hallway moved.
Then she took out her notebook.
He smells like outside. Like cold. Not cologne. Not anything manufactured. Just-
She stopped. Crossed out the last line. Started again.
The heating vent in Room 204 is fine. It's not the vent.
follow the enhypen members and their respective partners as they set out to see who can survive a simple, two week sex ban. some fail immediately, some barely survive. but who will last the longest? well, lets see. 😏
mdni. contains suggestive content/smut in some. kinda flufffffy too. could be read as a stand alone or in this particular order. 1.1k words.
heeseung → niki → jay → sunghoon version → jake → jungwon → sunoo
“don’t make me laugh. as if you can keep your hands off me,” the man scoffs, followed by his mocking laugh, “did you forget that i’m park sunghoon?”
“and did you forget who i am?” you were quick to spit back, “i’m the one you chased after for six months. so who do you think wants who more?”
what started out as a light hearted conversation over dinner about the recent sex ban bet amongst the other couples, turned into this. a useless, heated disagreement over nothing.
“fine. then lets see who’ll last longer.”
“you’re on park.”
if there’s one thing you and your boyfriend have in common, it’s stubbornness.
you love sunghoon, you really do and you know that he loves you so much too. but god are you both stubborn.
because you’re both at jake’s party two days later, standing on either sides of the house like total strangers. it had become rather awkward to say the least, with the two of you barely talking to each other ever since. at first it was more of a trying to prove my point kind of thing but when it got to the second day, you both realised it was rather stupid...
but of course none of you wanted to admit it before the other.
“how can someone this pretty be alone? there’s just no way.”
ew.
this was the second tipsy guy to approach you within the last hour, throwing the same cheesy pick up line in hopes of a quick hook up.
“i’m here with my boyfriend, he just went to the bathroom.”
“no need to lie to me babe,” he steps closer towards you, gradually cornering you into the wall, “you’ve been standing alone for the past hour. come on, lets head upstairs.”
and now you’re pissed off, annoyed by the audacity to blatantly suggest such a thing when you’ve just told him you had a boyfriend. you readied yourself to teach him a lesson of your own when someone suddenly steps in between, forcing the stranger to stagger backwards.
“why, what’s up stairs? wanna show me instead?” you could recognise that voice anywhere, that deep tone sunghoon only used whenever he was irritated. and judging by his face, you could tell that the man was definitely irritated.
it didn’t take long before the stranger was off on his way, finally leaving you alone with your unpleased boyfriend. he turns around to look at you then, one of his hands immediately wrapping around your waist to keep you safe in his hold.
“are you okay?” he mouths, his expression more worried than angry now.
“i'm fine hoon, just tired of these drunks.”
“i shouldn’t have left you alone,” he sighs, eyes racking over your short outfit, one he personally loved you in, “what do i even expect? just look at you.”
your lips immediately react to his cheesy words, curving into a toothy grin that has the man mirroring as well. it’s the first sweet moment you’ve shared in the past two days and to be honest... you wanted more than just a sweet moment.
especially when the man looked the way he did. a white top, some denims and that damn leather jacket that you loved on him so much. sunghoon is handsome, duh, but just something about tonight’s look just had you leaking through your clothes.
you could feel your body heating up from where he’s touching you through your thin shirt, where his fingers are already drawing small, soothing circles at. two days of not having these types of interactions with your boyfriend has felt like an eternity, so even these feather like touches were driving you insane.
“sunghoon...”
it’s as if he could read your mind from your tone alone, the man now pulling you even closer with his hand. he’s looking down at you with half lidded eyes, the very same ones he gives you when making love to you.
“i missed you hoon.”
“i missed you too baby, so much.”
if the room wasn’t currently filled with a hundred other people, you surely would’ve gotten on your knees for your man. so you move onto the next best option. jake sim’s bedroom upstairs.
one moment later and you’re both inside jake’s dimly lit bedroom, with you straddling over sunghoon’s lap while he sat on the edge of the massive bed. his hands are all over your body, the man wanting to feel more of you underneath your shirt. your lips are working against each other, moving in sync, desperately trying to taste every part of each other’s mouths.
“sunghoon...”
“how can i survive a sex ban when my baby looks like this,” his lips move down towards your jaw, marking up every part of your skin along the way, “i’ve missed you so bad.”
if there’s one other thing you and your boyfriend have in common besides being stubborn, is that you’re both crazy for each other.
since day one.
“forget the sex ban hoon. j- just fuck me-”
“seriously?! in my room?!” you both immediately turn to the sudden squeal, just to see the room’s owner standing at the door with his eyebrows drawn together and his mouth wide opened, “just lock the door and... please clean up before my missus has a heart attack.”
the room erupts into laughter as the door closes again, both of you more amused than embarrassed at being caught. you were beginning to feel bad though, knowing how excited jake’s girlfriend was for their new, pretty bedsheets aka the ones you and your boyfriend were mucking around on right now and about to do some damage to.
“baby,” sunghoon’s soft call has you immediately focused back on him, his tone noticeably lower than usual, “what’s that pretty head of yours thinking about?”
“you and everything you’re about to do to me.”
the goofy smile that instantly appears on your boyfriend’s face is one your poor heart can barely take, the view a reminder of why you fell for the man in the first place.
he leans right in without hesitation, smashing his lips onto yours as one of his hands grasps onto the back of your neck. his arm that is already around your waist pulls you in even closer, just enough so you’re now sitting atop his very obvious hard on.
“hoon...”
“i love you,” the man whispers against your lips, “and i’m going to show you just how much i do.”
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 When the moon darkens, secrets come to light: painful truths, bitter confessions, desire, and revenge. It’s always like that there, with them, shrouded in a web of secrets and unspoken passions.
In the secluded, shadowed town of Wolhyeon, what you see is only a fraction of the truth. As a wave of brutal murders unsettles its residents, you begin digging for answers—only to find yourself caught between two powerful presences, awakening in them an irresistible urge to protect you and irrevocable, fateful feelings with disastrous consequences. A detective who warns you to stop, and a mysterious, unreadable man who seems to linger wherever you go.
𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶ♱ ྀིྀ park sunghoon x fem!reader ✧ sim jaeyun x fem!reader 𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶ♱ ྀིྀ
CONTENT ࣪ ִֶָ𓉸. WARNINGS vampire au, supernatural elements (creatures, superpowers), slow burn, explicit sexual content (smut - mdni), angst, dark romance, love triangle, forbidden love, thriller, mystery, age gap, bdsm, violence (can be graphic), psychological themes (disorders), infidelity, dark themes (murders, serial killer), trauma, dead relatives, blood play, possessiveness, dubcon, kidnapping. features Heeseung, Jay, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Niki as characters (their ages and human/vampire vary for each member). vampire!sunghoon, detective!jake, reader’s 22-23. specific warnings will appear in each chapter.
STATUS on going
WORD COUNT —
MASTERLIST ۪࣪ ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾་༘࿐
𝕯ᥲrk 𝕸᥆᥆ᥒ ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
†༙ 00: PROLOGUE
†༙ CHAPTER I : GHOST TOWN
†༙ CHAPTER II : UNTOLD TRUTH
†༙ CHAPTER III : SAINT
†༙ CHAPTER IV : PLAYING WITH FIRE
†༙ CHAPTER V : WITNESS
†༙ more to come... †
🩸 taglist open: comment on this post, dm or inbox is fine (must have an age indicator on your blog pls !!).
DISCLAIMER 🦇༉‧₊˚. NOTES 🦇༉‧₊˚. AUTHOR’S NOTE
— characterization of enhypen members, this is purely fictional !! i am not trying to damage their image. sorry if the serial killer theme is not your thing. tags were there. but i’ll never romanticize murder or any kind of violence (and this fic won’t be the exception). it’s just for writing purposes.
— everything’s fictional. even the town, “located” in South Korea, so I can be geographically and historically wrong, but i’ll do my best.
— contains crime elements and i’ll do my best to put them out there!! haha i’m not a criminologist, a forensic scientist, or a police officer.
— not related to enhypen’s dark moon lore. i just loved the name :3
— inspired by enhypen’s songs and their vampire concept, ofc, as well as a lot of other vampire content/media: my chemical romance, twilight, the vampire diaries, interview with the vampire, Dracula, etc. inspo movies like The Silence of the Lambs, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Se7en, zodiac. (a/n: lot of references/inspo of twilight i love twilight haha).
— i’ll create a playlist later, be ready for all enha discography in it lol
wen’s note: first enha series kinda nervous!! tysm if u decide to give it a try♡
i had this idea since december of last year lol tysm for reading (㇏(•̀ᵥᵥ•́)ノ)
🗯️ 内容 explicit sexual content ♫ 18+ ⸝⸝ intended for mature audiences | minors do not interact ᯓ established relationship, possessiveness, jealousy, praise kink, cerebral kink, oral sex (m. receiving), unprotected p in v, edging, dirty talk, handjob, blowjob, deepthroating, power dynamics, riding, possessive language, dacryphilia undertones, creampie !
EL’S ✷ BUBBLE : double update ?! hope the freak-a-leeks absolutely devour this because this is genuinely just 6.5k words of filth, jealousy, and reader completely dominating over riki . . . probably the nastiest thing i’ve written yet (i swear on my life) ! NEED ME A SMART MAAAAN BADDDD 😍 requested — thank you so muchi! ＞︿＜ please enjoy while i reflect on all my decisions . . :-p
The front door had barely clicked shut, the sound still hanging in the quiet of the entryway like the period at the end of a long, tense sentence, before Riki's arms were around you from behind, wrapping tight and desperate, his hands splaying flat against your stomach as if he needed to feel you breathing under his palms.
His face buried itself in the curve of your neck, his nose pressed right into the hollow beneath your ear, his breath hot and uneven against your skin, each exhale a ragged little gust that made the fine hairs at your nape stand on end.
You could feel the frantic drumming of his heart through his chest where it was crushed against your back, could feel the way his fingers curled into the fabric of your shirt like he was afraid you might dissolve if he let go.
He'd been quiet all the way home from the party — that particular kind of quiet that wasn't peace but pressure, the silence of a pressure cooker before it blows. The kind of quiet that meant his brilliant mind was chewing on something sharp, turning it over and over behind those dark eyes until it drew blood, until the wound festered and throbbed and demanded attention.
He'd walked beside you on the sidewalk with his jaw set, his hand in yours but gripping too tight, his thumb rubbing anxious circles against your knuckles like he was trying to soothe himself more than you.
You'd let him have his silence. You'd let him stew.
You'd seen him at the party too.
You'd watched him over the rim of your glass, watched him standing by the drinks table with that frozen smile plastered across his handsome face, the one that didn't reach his eyes, the one that made him look like a beautiful mannequin of himself, while some guy from his department had leaned in close to you and laughed a little too hard at something you'd said, touched your shoulder a little too long, let his fingertips drag across the bare skin where your sleeve had slipped.
You'd watched Riki's knuckles go white around his drink, watched the muscle in his jaw tick once, twice, three times. Watched him set his glass down with a controlled, deliberate care that was somehow more dangerous than if he'd slammed it.
Riki, who had graduated top of his class — summa cum laude, his thesis on epistemological frameworks cited in two journals before he'd even received his diploma.
Riki, who had won national debate championships and math Olympiads, who could recite poetry in three languages and argue the finer points of Schopenhauer in two.
Riki, whose mind was a cathedral of thought, vaulted and soaring and meticulous in every arch.
Riki, who was currently pressed against your back like a drowning man clutching driftwood, his hands gripping your hips hard enough to bruise, his fingers digging into the soft flesh above the waistband of your dress like he needed to anchor himself to something real, something his, something that wouldn't float away.
"You're jealous," you said. It wasn't even a question. It was a statement of fact, the way you might observe that water is wet or that the sky is dark at night.
"I know." His voice was muffled against your neck, the words pressed hot and damp into your skin like a confession he couldn't bear to say to your face.
"I know it's stupid. I know I have no right to be. I know—god, I know how this makes me look. He just—" You felt his breath hitch, felt his fingers tighten on your hips. "He kept looking at you. The way your dress caught the light. The way you tucked your hair behind your ear. And you laughed at his joke, that laugh you do, the real and cute one, the one that crinkles your nose, and I—" He broke off, and you heard the click in his throat, the swallowed-back frustration. "I wanted to put my hand on your waist. Right there. In front of everyone. So he'd know. So they'd all know."
"Turn around."
He obeyed instantly, that brilliant body moving before his brain could catch up, before the part of him that calculated and reasoned and overthought could step in and apply the brakes.
You guided him backward, your hands flat on his chest, feeling the hard planes of his pectorals flex under your palms as he shuffled one step, then another, then another, until his knees hit the edge of the couch and he dropped onto it with a soft grunt, the cushions sighing under his weight.
He looked up at you with those dark eyes, the same eyes that had dissected Kant and solved impossible equations and reduced philosophy professors to stuttering silence in seminar rooms, now wide and wet and full of desperate want, pupils blown so wide that the dark iris had nearly swallowed the whole, his lips parted, his chest heaving with shallow, uneven breaths.
"Listen, Ki," you said, stepping between his spread legs, your thighs pressing against the inside of his knees. You looked down at him, and felt the power of it settle warm and heavy between your hips. "You're going to earn your way back into my good graces. I'm going to ask you questions. Simple ones. Things you should know if you really pay attention to me — if you really see me the way you say you do."
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, the Adam's apple shifting beneath the golden skin. His hands came to rest on your thighs, fingers curling lightly into the denim, not pulling, not pushing, just holding on.
"For every right answer, you get a reward." You reached down, tracing your fingernail along his jaw, the sharp angle of it, down the taut line of his throat, watching the skin pebble into goosebumps in the wake of your touch, watching him shiver like you'd run a current through him.
"For every wrong one..." You let your nail press just slightly harder, dragging a thin white line across the column of his throat before releasing. "I tease you until I decide you've suffered enough to try again. And I can be very, very patient."
"Yes." The word came out rough, wrecked, scraped raw from somewhere deep in his chest like it had been dragged over gravel. His fingers dug into your thighs. "Yes, please. Please—I want to earn it. I want to be good for you."
"First question." You tilted your head, studying him the way he studied texts, the way he parsed arguments — methodically, relentlessly. "What color were my eyes in the light at the party?"
He didn't hesitate. Not even a fraction of a second.
"Green," he said, and his voice was steady now, sure, the way it got when he knew something with absolute certainty.
"They looked green because you were standing under the stained glass lamp by the window, the one with the amber and emerald panels. But they're actually hazel, more brown than green, with gold flecks that show when the sun hits them just right. Especially in the morning. When you're lying in bed and the light comes through the curtains, they look almost amber. Like honey."
The precision of it, the obsessive, granular observation, sent a pulse of heat straight to your cunt, thick and immediate, your clit throbbing against the seam of your safety shorts.
"Correct," you breathed, and you watched something shift in his expression, relief and pride and raw hunger all tangled together.
You sank to your knees in front of him, the hardwood cool under your kneecaps, and the sound he made, a sharp, desperate inhale that stuttered in his chest like an engine trying to turn over, was the most satisfying thing you'd heard all night.
More satisfying than the guy at the party's laughter, more satisfying than the jealous tension that had coiled in Riki's jaw all evening.
Your fingers found the button of his jeans, popped it open with a practiced flick, dragged the zipper down tooth by tooth, slow enough that you could feel him trembling through the denim, feel the vibration of his body humming through the metal teeth as they parted.
"Lift up."
He lifted his hips off the couch, bracing his weight on his palms, and you pulled his jeans and boxers down together in one smooth motion, dragging them to mid-thigh. His cock sprang free, already hard, thick and heavy and flushed, the head a deep, angry red-dark against the flat plane of his stomach, a bead of precum already gathering at the slit and sliding in a slow, obscene trail down the crown.
You wrapped your hand around the base, feeling the heat of him, impossibly hot, like he was running a fever, the pulse thrumming through the sensitive shaft in quick, urgent beats that matched the hammering of his heart.
He was so hard for you that it looked almost painful, every vein visible along the length of him, straining.
"Such a smart boy," you murmured, leaning in close enough that he could feel the warmth of your breath ghosting over the slick head. "You deserve this. You've been so good, paying attention, remembering every little thing."
You took him into your mouth without warning, deep, all at once, your throat opening to accept him, your lips sealing tight around the root.
The groan he let out was punched from somewhere deep in his chest, guttural and broken, his hips jerking instinctively upward, his hand flying to your hair and gripping hard enough that you felt the pull at your scalp.
You held him there, letting your throat contract around the head, swallowing against him, your tongue working the underside in long, flat strokes, pressing into the thick ridge of flesh, tracing the vein that ran from root to tip.
Saliva pooled around him, warm and thick, spilling from the corners of your stretched lips, making everything slick and wet and obscene, the sounds impossibly loud in the quiet room, wet and gulping and pornographic.
You pulled back slowly, sucking hard, letting your lips drag along his length with a pressure that made his thighs tremble on either side of your head, until only the tip was in your mouth. You swirled your tongue around the head in a slow, deliberate circle, tasting the salt of his precum, tracing the sensitive ridge where the head met the shaft, then sank down again, taking him to the hilt, your hand joining your mouth, working the base in a tight, twisting rhythm while your throat took the rest, your nose buried in the coarse dark hair at his root, breathing him in, skin, salt, and the warm, musky scent of his arousal.
"Fuck—fuck, that's—" His voice broke into a moan, raw and fractured, and you felt his cock pulse against your tongue. "Your mouth—god, your fucking mouth—"
You pulled off with a wet pop, strings of saliva connecting your swollen bottom lip to the head of his cock, glistening and elastic in the low light. "I didn't say you could talk."
"Sorry." He was panting, his chest heaving, his fingers still tangled in your hair but loosened now, trembling. "I'm sorry, baby. I'll be quiet. I'll be good."
"That's better." You licked a long, slow stripe up the side of his shaft, from the root where your hand still gripped him to the tip where precum was welling up fresh, flattening your tongue against the underside and dragging upward with deliberate pressure, then took him deep again.
You set a rhythm, deep and slow, swallowing him until your eyes watered, then fast and shallow, your lips tight around the head, your hand working the slick shaft in counterpoint — then deep again, each time building him up, feeling his thighs tense and shake against your shoulders, hearing his breath quicken into short, sharp pants, feeling his cock throb and jump in your mouth.
When you pulled off again, his cock was glistening, slick with your spit from root to tip, and he was panting like he'd run a marathon, his chest heaving, his shirt rucked up to expose the hard ridges of his stomach, every muscle clenched tight, a sheen of sweat gathering at his hairline.
"Second question," you said, your hand still stroking him slowly, your thumb circling the head, spreading the precum that was leaking steadily now in a slick, slippery film. You squeezed gently and watched his abs contract. "What's my favorite book?"
"The Secret History," he said immediately, without pause, the answer tumbling out like he'd been waiting his whole life to give it.
"By Donna Tartt. You read it every autumn, you start it the first week the leaves turn, every single year without fail. You have three different copies — the paperback with the broken spine and the coffee stain on page 207, the hardcover your sister gave you for your birthday the year you turned twenty-two, and the e-book you keep on your phone for when you're waiting in line or sitting on the subway and you need something to anchor you." He swallowed, his voice dropping lower, rougher. "You always cry when Henry dies. Every damn time. Even though you know it's coming."
Your cunt clenched hard around nothing at how easily the answers came to him, how much he actually paid attention, not the broad strokes but the fine details, the small sacred things you thought no one noticed.
"Correct," you said, and your voice was hoarser than you intended.
You leaned in and took him in your mouth again, but this time you made it sloppy, abandoning any pretense of technique or restraint.
You let the drool run freely down your chin, let it drip onto his balls and pool at the base of his cock, let your nose press onto base and inhale the raw, animal scent of him, let your throat work him with wet, sucking sounds that filled the room, obscene, rhythmic, the kind of sounds that would make a saint blush.
Your hand cupped his balls, rolling them gently in your palm, feeling them heavy and tight, feeling them draw up closer to his body as you worked him closer and closer to the edge, your other hand braced against his trembling thigh, fingernails leaving little crescent moons in the skin.
"Please," he gasped, and his voice was barely a voice anymore — just breath and want and desperation given sound. "Please, I'm—I'm close—I can't—it's too much, baby—"
You pulled off immediately, leaving him swollen and desperate, your hand gone too, hovering just above his cock without touching, a thin string of saliva still connecting your wet, swollen lips to the head.
His cock jerked in the open air, flushed and angry and leaking, abandoned.
"I decide when you come," you said, and your hand wrapped around the base of his cock and squeezed hard with firm, deliberate pressure, cutting off the orgasm before it could crest, before it could spill over. "Not you. Do you understand?"
"Fuck—" His whole body seized, his hips bucking into nothing, his head thrown back against the couch, the tendons in his neck standing out in sharp relief. "Okay, okay—I understand—please —"
"You're doing so well, baby." You kissed the tip of his cock, soft and teasing, barely a brush of your lips against the slick head, the ghost of a touch, and watched his entire body shudder.
"Such a good boy for me. Let's try another question." You sat back on your heels, looking up at him through your lashes, your lips still glistening. "What's the first thing I do when I wake up?"
"Reach for me," he breathed, and his voice cracked on the second word, breaking right down the middle like thin ice. "You—you always reach your hand across the bed before you open your eyes. Before you're even awake. Your fingers go searching across the sheet until they find my arm or my chest or my hip. To check if I'm still there. Every morning. Even when I'm right beside you. Even when I haven't moved."
Something in your chest tightened, a fist around your heart, a constriction that had nothing to do with the game and everything to do with the aching, terrifying tenderness of being known like that — being known so completely, so carefully, that someone had memorized the unconscious language of your body.
"Correct," you whispered.
You rewarded him with your hand this time, a tight, twisting handjob, your palm slick with spit and precum, the wet sounds of it filling the space between you as you worked his cock from base to tip in long, dragging strokes, twisting your wrist on the upstroke, your thumb pressing hard against the frenulum on every pass.
He was so hard, so hot in your hand, burning and pulsing, and you watched his stomach muscles jump and twitch with every pass of your thumb over the sensitive head, watched his hands claw at the couch cushions, watched the sweat trail down his temples and into his hairline.
"You like that?" you asked, stroking him faster, tightening your grip until he gasped, your hand a slick, relentless piston. "You like being rewarded for being such a good, attentive boy? For knowing me better than anyone else in that room ever could?"
"Yes—god, yes—" The words were ragged, torn out of him between harsh breaths. "Your hand feels so fucking good—I've been thinking about this all night, about you—only you—"
"What do you like about it?" You slowed your hand just slightly, making him feel every inch of the stroke, and he whimpered — actually whimpered, a small, broken sound that made your cunt throb.
He struggled to form words, his hips twitching up into your grip, chasing the friction. "You—your hand—the way you look at me, like you're proud of me—like I'm—like I'm yours—like I belong to you, fuck—"
"I am yours, handsome," you said, and you squeezed him harder, watching his eyes roll back in his head, his mouth falling open, a strangled moan escaping from deep in his throat. "But more importantly—"
You leaned in close, your lips brushing the shell of his ear, your breath hot and deliberate. "You're mine. This cock is mine. These sounds you're making are mine. Every desperate, jealous, brilliant inch of you belongs to me. And I don't share."
His whole body arched off the couch, a sob caught between a moan and your name tearing from his throat, his cock jumping and pulsing in your grip, precum spilling over your knuckles in a hot, sticky flood. "Yours," he gasped. "I'm yours—only yours—please—"
You didn't let him breathe.
The moment your lips sealed around the head of his cock, you swallowed him whole — no hesitation, no teasing.
Your throat opened for him, a hot, slick channel that gripped his shaft as you forced him deeper.
The urge to gag was a distant reflex, one you crushed by sheer will, holding him there while your throat pulsed and clenched around the thick ridge of his cockhead. Saliva flooded your mouth, spilling out the corners where your lips strained to keep the seal tight.
Your hand worked the base, a relentless jacking motion that kept the rhythm brutal and unyielding. Palm slick with spit, fingers wrapped tight around the root, you stroked him in counterpoint to the bobbing of your head, up when you pulled off, down when you dove.
The obscene sound of your mouth working him filled the room, a chorus of choked breaths and thick, sucking noises that made your own pussy ache.
He was shaking. Not just his legs—his whole body, a tremor that started in his hips and rippled up through his stomach, his chest, his clenched jaw. You could feel it in the way his cock pulsed against your tongue, in the desperate hitch of his breathing.
Every time you took him deep, his hands fisted the sheets, knuckles white, a shudder running through him like he was trying to hold back a scream.
You pulled off with a wet pop, strings of spit connecting your lips to his glistening cockhead.
Your hand didn't stop — two hard, fast strokes that pumped him through the air, the slick sound of your palm against his shaft loud and filthy.
Precum leaked from his slit, glossy and salty, mixing with your saliva until his entire length was dripping. You watched the way his cock twitched, the vein on the underside bulging, the head dark and swollen. He was literally right there — on the edge, balanced on a razor of sensation.
You didn't let him fall. Not yet.
You leaned back in, mouth open wide, and took him deep again.
Throat swallowing him down, your tongue pressing flat against the underside, the taste of him and the faint bitterness of precum, flooding your senses. A low, guttural moan escaped you, vibrating around his shaft, and his whole body jerked.
Pull off. Stroke, stroke. Breathe.
His cock slapped against your chin, your fingers pumping him fast, the head slick and shining. He was whimpering now, tiny, broken sounds that were more air than voice. His hips twitched, trying to thrust, but you held him still with your hand, the other pressing flat against his stomach to feel the muscles jumping under your palm.
Deep again.
You took him to the root, your throat convulsing around him, the gag reflex sharp but overridden by pure need. Saliva spilled out, running down your chin, down your neck, pooling on his thighs. You could taste his desperation, the sharp, almost metallic edge of his restrained climax. His balls were tight, drawn up against his body, heavy and full.
Pull off. Stroke, stroke.
Precum beaded at his slit again, a pearly drop that you caught with your thumb, smearing it over the head. His cock jumped in your hand, a violent twitch that made him gasp. Tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, glistening, threatening to spill. You watched them, felt the tremor in his thighs, the way his breath hitched and stuttered.
Deep.
Your throat swallowed him, and you held him there, letting the tight ring of your lips press against his base. Your tongue moved, laving the underside, tracing the thick vein that pulsed with every beat of his heart. You could feel him straining — every muscle locked, every nerve firing, his body begging for release. A sob escaped him, raw and broken, and you knew he was close.
Pull off. Stroke. Wait.
His cock was slick with spit and precum, your hand working him slowly now, deliberately, just enough to keep him teetering. His knees buckled, and he sagged against the couch, eyes screwed shut, tears tracking down his flushed cheeks.
He was beyond words, beyond thought, he was just a trembling mess of need, held together by your will.
You leaned in again, tongue flattening, and dragged the flat of it from his balls to his tip, the long, wet stripe making him cry out. Then you took him deep, one last time, your throat working around him, the convulsions matching the rhythm of your hand on his base.
Saliva dripped, and you held him there, on the edge, perfect, trembling, totally yours.
"Fourth question," you said, and your voice was rough now, scraped raw from the abuse on your throat, from having him deep, thick, and relentless in your mouth, the sound of you hoarse and used and unmistakably filthy. "What's my favorite position?"
"Riding," he gasped, and the word came out like a prayer, like a confession, like something he'd been dying to say. "You like—being on top. Controlling the pace. Controlling me. Watching my face when you take what you want."
"Correct."
You stood up slowly, your knees aching pleasantly from the hardwood, and he watched you with desperate, hungry eyes, those brilliant dark eyes tracking every inch of movement like a man watching water in a desert.
You reached for the hem of your dress and pulled it over your head in one smooth motion, letting it fall to the floor in a crumpled heap.
Then your safety shorts, shimmying them down your thighs, kicking them aside.
Then your panties, you hooked your thumbs under the waistband and dragged them down slowly, letting him see the wet patch that had soaked through the cotton, the slick shine of arousal on your inner thighs.
You stepped out of them and stood before him completely naked, and he was still half-dressed, shirt rucked up, jeans bunched at mid-thigh, cock jutting obscenely from his lap, and the power imbalance made your skin flush with heat, made your cunt throb with the rightness of it, you bare, exposed, and in control while he sat there desperate, disheveled, and utterly at your mercy.
"Get these off," you said, gesturing to his shirt with a flick of your fingers.
He tore it off over his head so fast the fabric made a snapping sound, and you took a moment, you let yourself take it, to look at him.
The lean muscle of his chest, the defined ridges of his abdomen still trembling with restrained tension, the sharp cut of his collarbones that you'd bitten marks into before, the flush that spread from his cheekbones down his neck and across his chest like a wildfire, pink and blotchy and so pretty.
A thin sheen of sweat made his skin glow in the low light. He was beautiful, and he was yours, and he'd spent the whole night seething with jealousy over the mere idea of someone else having you, and now here he was, laid out, waiting, and so, so fucking hard.
"On the bed. Back against the headboard."
He scrambled off the couch with an eagerness that was almost clumsy, all that controlled brilliance reduced to fumbling urgency, and you watched the flex of his back muscles as he moved.
He walked ahead of you toward the bedroom, and you followed close behind, your hand pressed flat against the warm skin between his shoulder blades, feeling the knobs of his spine, the way his muscles shifted under your palm with every step.
When you reached the bedroom, he turned, meaning to climb onto the mattress, but you pressed a hand to his chest and stopped him.
"Let me," you said.
Before he could respond, before that quick mind of his could calculate what you were doing, you hopped up onto the bed yourself, settling back against the headboard with your legs slightly parted, letting him see the wet, glistening mess between your thighs.
You patted the space in front of you.
"Come here. Face me. Back against the headboard."
He moved like a man in a trance, climbing onto the bed and sliding back until his shoulders pressed against the headboard, positioning himself exactly as you'd asked, right beside you at first, but you reached over and grabbed his hip, tugging him in front of you, guiding him until he was settled against the wood with his legs stretched out and his cock standing hard and slick against his stomach, the head dark and swollen and leaking steadily, and he was looking at you like you were the answer to every question he'd ever been asked, every equation he'd ever solved, every argument he'd ever won.
You climbed onto his lap, straddling him, your knees sinking into the mattress on either side of his hips, but you didn't sit on him yet.
You held yourself there, hovering, the wet heat of your folds just inches from the tip of his cock, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating off you. Instead you reached down between your bodies, wrapping your hand around his cock, feeling him pulse in your grip, and positioned the head at your entrance.
You held there, and you watched him fight the urge to thrust up. His jaw was clenched so tight you could see the muscle jumping, his hands gripping the sheets on either side of his hips, tendons standing out in his forearms, every line of his body singing with the effort of holding still.
"Question," you said, your voice steady even as your cunt throbbed against the head of his cock, even as your own body screamed at you to sink down. "What's my safe word?"
"Red," he said, and his voice was strained, thin, barely holding together. "And—and if I say yellow, you slow down. You check in. You don't stop, but you give me a moment."
"Correct."
You lowered yourself onto him. Inch by devastating inch.The stretch made both of you moan, your voices tangling together in the quiet room, yours high and breathy and breaking, his low and guttural and wrecked.
He was thick, so fucking thick, impossibly thick, and you took him slowly, feeling every ridge and vein as your walls gripped him, pulled him deeper, your body opening for him like it had been made to.
You could hear it — the wet, obscene sound of your pussy taking him in, the soft squelch of arousal as he sank deeper, the slick friction of your bodies joining.
The sounds he made, made you even crazier.
A sharp hiss through clenched teeth as the head pushed past your entrance. A broken, stuttering groan as you sank lower, as your tight heat swallowed another inch.
A whimper when you clenched around him involuntarily, your walls fluttering and gripping. Then a full, deep moan from somewhere in his chest as you took him to the root, the sound vibrating through his body and into yours where you were pressed together.
You loved those sounds. You wanted to live inside them. You wanted to pull them out of him one by one and keep them in your mouth like hard candy.
When you were fully seated, his hips flush against yours, his cock buried so deep inside you that you could feel him in your stomach, you paused, letting yourself adjust to the fullness of him, letting your walls stretch and soften around his girth.
You could feel him twitching inside you, feel every pulse and throb of his cock against your sensitive walls, and you could feel your own arousal dripping down his shaft, pooling at the base where your bodies joined.
"Look at that," you breathed, grinding your hips in slow circles, feeling him shift inside you, feeling the head drag against that spot that made your vision blur. "Feel that, baby? Feel how tight I am for you? How my pussy is just—gripping you? Squeezing you?"
"Yes—fuck, you feel—you're so tight—you're so fucking tight and wet and—"
"So tight. So wet." You reached down, pressing your fingers against where your bodies joined, against the stretched, slick skin where his cock disappeared inside you, and you felt your own wetness coating your fingertips, felt the heat of it.
You brought your fingers up and showed him, glistening and dripping, then pressed them back down, smearing your arousal over your swollen clit. "You feel how wet you make me? This is all for you. This pussy—" you clenched around him hard, making him choke on a moan, "—all yours. No one else's. Only yours."
He made a sound that was almost a sob, his head falling back against the headboard, his eyes squeezed shut, his throat exposed and vulnerable. "I love you—I love you so much—I'm so fucking in love with you—"
"I know you do." You started to move, slow at first, rolling your hips in lazy circles that made his cock drag against every sensitive spot inside you, grinding down onto him with a deliberate, unhurried rhythm that let you feel every inch.
The sounds he was making were making you insane, making your cunt drip around him, making you want to tear him apart and put him back together.
"But I need you to show me. Can you do that? Can you show me how much you love me? With your hands—your mouth—every part of you?"
"Yes—yes, anything—anything you want—"
You reached up, cupping your own breasts, squeezing them together, rolling your nipples between your fingers, pulling and twisting until they were tight, peaked points, until the sharp little sparks of sensation traveled straight down to where his cock was buried inside you.
The sight of you touching yourself while riding him made his eyes go dark, his pupils swallowing everything, and his hands flew to your hips like they were pulled by a magnet, gripping hard.
"Touch me," you commanded, and your voice was breathless and authoritative all at once. "Touch my tits. Show me how much you want me. Show me what you wanted to do to me all night while that asshole was putting his hands on me."
His hands moved immediately, replacing yours, cupping your breasts, his palms warm and slightly rough against the soft skin, his thumbs finding your nipples and rolling them, circling them, pinching them with just enough pressure to make you gasp and your walls clench around his cock.
He was touching you like you were sacred and profane all at once, worshipful, desperate, reverent and hungry in equal measure, like he couldn't believe he was allowed to have you, like at any moment someone might rip you away.
His fingers squeezed and pulled and teased, and every touch sent a jolt of electricity straight to your cunt, made you grind down harder onto him, made the wet sounds between your legs louder, filthier.
"That's it," you moaned, your head falling back, starting to ride him in earnest now, picking up the pace. "That's my good boy. My perfect, jealous, brilliant boy."
You found a rhythm, your hips slamming down onto his, your thighs burning with the effort, the muscles in your legs screaming and you didn't care, you didn't care about anything except the drag of his cock inside you and the obscene symphony of sounds filling the room: skin slapping against skin, sharp and rhythmic, the wet squelch of your arousal every time you sank down onto him, the creak of the headboard against the wall.
"Who does this cock belong to?" you asked, your voice low and filthy, ragged with exertion and want.
"Yours," he said immediately, no hesitation, the word ripped from him like it was the only truth he'd ever known. "It's yours. Always yours. Only ever been yours."
"And this pussy?" You clenched around him as you asked, making him jerk underneath you.
"Mine," he groaned, and the word was guttural, possessive, desperate. "Please—please, it's mine—say it's mine—I need to hear it—"
"Correct."
You leaned forward, bracing your hands on his shoulders, and rode him harder, faster, using the new angle to drive him deeper, the head of his dick slamming against your cervix with every thrust, a bright sharp pulse of pleasure-pain that made you cry out.
Your clit was aching, swollen, desperate for attention, and you reached down, pressing two fingers against it, circling in tight, fast movements while you fucked yourself on his cock, the combined sensation making your thighs shake, making your vision go white at the edges.
"Look at me," you commanded, and your voice was barely a voice anymore, just heat and want.
He did.
Those dark, brilliant eyes locked onto yours, and the vulnerability in them, the raw, open need, the surrender, the way he was giving you every last piece of himself without reservation, made your pussy clench around him hard, made your fingers falter on your clit, made something crack open in your chest.
"You're so big," you moaned, your voice breaking, fracturing into something high and desperate and completely undignified, and you didn't care, you didn't care about anything except how he felt inside you. "So fucking hard—so deep—all for me? This perfect cock, all for me? No one else gets this—no one else ever, shit—"
"All for you—all of it—every inch—everything I am—everything I have—it's all yours—it's always been yours—"
"Then take it," you said, and you pressed your mouth to his ear, your breath hot and damp against the shell of it. "Take what's yours. Grab my hips and fuck up into me. Show me who I belong to."
His hands clamped onto your hips so hard you knew there would be bruises tomorrow, ten points of pressure digging into your flesh, and he started thrusting up into you, hard, deep, relentless strokes that punched sounds out of you that you didn't even know you could make, that made you glad the neighbors were far away.
The sound of his hips slapping against your ass, he was groaning on every thrust, groaning and cursing and saying your name like it was the only word left in his vocabulary.
You felt the orgasm building — that hot, coiling tension deep in your stomach, the way your walls started to flutter and clamp around him in irregular pulses, the way your thighs started to tremble uncontrollably.
You slowed down, grinding in slow circles, squeezing him tight inside you, watching him fight and lose the urge to thrust up into you, his hips jerking in short, aborted little movements that made the most delicious broken sounds spill from his throat.
"Question," you said, your voice breathless, barely more than a whisper. "What's my biggest insecurity?"
He didn't hesitate.
"That people only want you for what you can give them, not for who you are," he said, and his voice was rough and raw and so fucking earnest it hurt. "That if you stopped being useful—if you stopped giving, stopped performing, stopped being what they needed—they'd leave. That you're only as valuable as what you can do for people. That no one would stay for just—just you."
Your heart stuttered in your chest. The answer was so precise, so perfect, so devastatingly complete that it stole your breath, made your eyes sting, made your walls squeeze around him involuntarily not from pleasure but from the aching, terrifying fullness of being seen like that.
"Correct," you whispered, and your voice cracked on the word.
You rewarded him by speeding up again, slamming down onto him with everything you had, your fingers working your clit in frantic circles, your palm slapping wetly against your slick skin with every movement.
You were close, you could feel him getting there too, his cock pulsing and twitching inside you, his thrusts getting sloppier, more desperate, his rhythm falling apart, and those deep, guttural moans that cracked into whimpers on the upstroke, these broken, bitten-off groans every time you clenched around him, these shaky exhales that sounded like they were being dragged out of him against his will.
"Can you come inside me?" you asked, the words tumbling out before you could stop them, before you could think, before you could be anything other than a desperate, trembling thing riding his cock. "Can you—come with me? Inside me? I want to feel it—I want to feel you filling me up—"
"Yes—yes, please—I want to—I want to fill you up—want it so bad—want you to feel me dripping out of you for hours—"
"Then wait for me," you commanded, and you grabbed his face with your free hand, your thumb pressing into his cheek, forcing him to look at you. "You don't come until I tell you to. Hold it. Be good."
His hand flew to your clit, replacing your fingers, and he rubbed in tight, firm circles — not too soft, not too hard, just right, just the way you liked it, because of course he knew, of course he'd memorized this too.
His other hand gripped your hip hard enough to bruise, guiding your movements, pulling you down onto him with every thrust.
His touch was perfect, devastatingly perfect, and you let yourself fall into the sensation, let the pleasure build and build and build, a wave swelling higher and higher, your walls clenching and releasing around him in a rhythm you couldn't control anymore.
"Is this what you wanted?" you asked, your voice ragged, shredded. "Is this what you were thinking about all night while you were being jealous? While you were watching him touch me? Were you thinking about bending me over and reminding me whose I am?"
"Yes—fuck, yes—I just wanted you—only you—I wanted to drag you out of that party and take you home and—and show you—"
"You have me." You pressed your forehead against his, your breath mingling with his, your noses brushing, so close you could see the wetness in his eyes, the way his pupils had swallowed everything dark and desperate. "You've always had me. You've always been the only one. Now come for me. Fill me up. Show me I'm yours."
The orgasm hit you like a wave, crashing through you with a force that made your vision go white, made your back arch so hard your spine cracked.
Riki followed with a broken cry, your name and a sob and a moan all tangled together into a sound you'd never heard him make before, something raw and utterly undone.
His hips bucking up into you, grinding deep, spilling hot and thick and deep inside you, pulse after pulse after pulse, his cock jerking inside you with every wave, filling you until you could feel it, feel the heat of him flooding your walls, feel it dripping down his shaft and out around the seal of your bodies.
You rode him through it, through every twitch and shudder and aftershock, your hips moving in slow, lazy circles, your walls still fluttering around him, milking every last drop, until you were both trembling and spent, his cock softening inside you, your thighs shaking and weak, your bodies slick with sweat and slick with each other.
You collapsed against his chest, your forehead pressed into the curve of his neck, tasting salt on his skin, his arms coming around you immediately, his cock still buried inside you, soft and warm, neither of you moved.
"Was that a good enough apology?" he whispered, and his voice was hoarse, wrecked, barely a sound at all.
You laughed, soft and breathless, the vibration of it traveling through your body and into his, and you felt him twitch inside you. "It was a start."
He kissed the top of your head, long and lingering, his lips pressed into your hair, his arms tightening around you. "When can I start earning more?"
You pulled back just enough to look at him — at the flush still burning on his cheekbones, at the sweat drying at his temples, at the fire still burning low and hungry in those dark, brilliant eyes, not sated at all, just banked, waiting. "How about right now?"
You felt him harden inside you again, felt the stretch and the pulse of it, his cock swelling against your walls, filling you back up, and you smiled, slow and wicked.
"Question number five," you said, and you started to move again, a slow, deliberate roll of your hips that made him hiss through his teeth. "What's my favorite sound?"
"You moaning my name," he said, without hesitation, without a fraction of a second's pause, and his voice was low and rough and certain.
"Correct."
You lowered yourself onto him again, taking him to the hilt, and his groan, deep and broken and reverberating through both your bodies, was the most beautiful thing you'd ever heard.
⭐️ ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
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💿 ࿐ . . glory box by portishead
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( 니시무라 리키 & 박성훈 ) In which - (Part 4) You manage to avoid Riki and Sunghoon for exactly two weeks… until you can’t anymore. One party changes everything, and before you know it, you’re standing in a room with both of them, realizing you were never really in control.
~2.9K
Warnings / Tags: smut, mature content, dirty talk, jealousy, heavy sexual tension, brother’s best Friends, sneaking around, 3somme, Eiffel tower, fingering, oral sex (M&F rec), multiple orgasms, rough sex, risk of getting caught
Two weeks. Fourteen days. Three hundred and thirty-six hours.
That’s how long I’d managed to avoid both of them.
Both Nishimura Riki and Park Sunghoon
It started the morning after Sunghoon’s confession in the kitchen. I woke up with his words burned into my brain like a brand.
“Next time you want to get railed in my car, it will be by me.”
The memory of Riki’s hands on me, his cock buried inside me in the backseat of that same car, was still fresh and raw. And now Sunghoon knew. He heard every moan, every gasp, every filthy word that spilled from our lips.
I couldn’t face either of them.
So I didn’t.
I stopped answering Jake’s group chats. I told my brother I was swamped with exams and projects; which wasn’t entirely a lie. I deleted Sunghoon’s number before I could do something stupid like text him back.
But ignoring someone doesn’t mean you stop thinking about them.
Every night, lying alone in my bed, I replayed the car scene in my head. Riki’s breath hot against my neck, his fingers digging into my hips, the way he’d groaned my name like a prayer and a curse at the same time. And then Sunghoon’s voice, low and threatening, his eyes dark with hunger as he cornered me in the kitchen.
Two of them. Both dangerous. Both definitely off-limits for Jake’s little sister, aka ME!
The thought made my thighs clench under the covers. I hated how much it turned me on.
By the end of the first week, Jake started noticing. “You okay?” he asked over dinner one night. “You’ve been weird. Riki asked about you.”
My fork froze halfway to my mouth. “What?!”
“Yeah, at the gym. He was like, ‘Haven’t seen your sister around lately.’ I told him you’re busy with school.” Jake shrugged, oblivious. “You know, you could come to Sunghoon’s party this weekend. He’s been planning something big. Might be fun.”
I almost choked on my rice. “Sunghoon’s party?”
“Yeah. His parents are out of town again. Classic.” Jake grinned. “You should come. Loosen up.”
I mumbled something noncommittal and excused myself to my room.
The party. Sunghoon’s house, his parents away, everyone drinking and hooking up. The perfect trap. And I was the mouse. But ignoring them had worked for two weeks. I could survive one more.
Except I couldn’t.
By Friday night, the restlessness had become unbearable. I’d masturbated four times in the last two days, and still the ache wouldn’t go away. I needed something. Someone.
My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number; except I recognized the digits immediately.
Sunghoon:
You can’t hide forever, Ariana. I’m patient. But Riki’s not.
Then another message, this one from Riki’s number. I’d never deleted it, just ignored it.
Riki:
Where the fuck are you? Come over tonight. We need to talk.
I stared at the screen, heart pounding.
The choice wasn’t really a choice at all.
Saturday night I walked into Sunghoon’s house at 11 PM, dressed in a fitted black two piece that ended midthigh, paired with heeled boots that made my legs look endless. My hair falling in loose waves over my shoulders.
The place was packed! Students from campus, friends of friends, the usual crowd. Music thumped through the speakers, and the air smelled like alcohol, cologne, and sweat. I spotted Jake near the kitchen, already tipsy and laughing with some guys from his soccer team. Good. He’d be occupied.
And then I saw them.
Riki was leaning against the wall near the back door, a bottle of soju in his hand, his jaw tight. Even from across the room, I could feel the tension radiating off him. His eyes found mine the second I walked in, and they didn’t let go.
Sunghoon was behind the makeshift bar in the living room, pouring drinks. He looked up as I passed, and a slow, predatory smile spread across his lips. He raised his glass in a silent toast.
I ignored both of them and headed straight for a drinks.
The next hour was a careful dance. I stayed close to groups of people, laughing and chatting, pretending I didn’t feel their gazes burning into my back. A few guys tried to hit on me, but I brushed them off with polite smiles. I wasn’t here for them.
By midnight, I’d had three shots of tequila and was feeling warm and reckless. I was standing near the stairs when a hand closed around my wrist.
“We need to talk.” riki said
Riki’s voice was low and rough, his grip firm. He pulled me away from the crowd, through the hallway, and into a spare bedroom upstairs. The door clicked shut behind us, and the music became a dull throb through the walls.
I turned to face him, crossing my arms. “What do you want, Riki?”
“What do I want?” He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You’ve been ignoring me for two weeks. Two fucking weeks. You don’t answer my texts, you don’t look at me, you act like I don’t exist. And then you show up here dressed like that.” His eyes swept over my body, dark and hungry. “What the hell is your problem?!”
“My problem?!” I stepped closer, my voice dropping. “My problem is that you told me it was a mistake. You told me we needed to forget it. And then you fucked me in Sunghoon’s car like you couldn’t get enough. And now he knows, and he’s been watching me like I’m prey.”
“Sunghoon?!” Riki’s jaw clenched. “What did he say to you?”
“He said next time I want to get railed in his car, it’ll be by him.”
“No.” I shook my head slowly. “He offered.” The silence stretched. I could see the conflict in Riki’s eyes, the possessive fury warring with something else. Desire. Need.
“And what did you say?” His voice was barely a whisper.
I didn’t answer. Instead, I reached up and traced my fingers along his jaw, feeling the slight stubble, the tension in his muscles. “I told him I’d think about it.” Riki’s breath hitched. His hand came up to cover mine, pressing my palm harder against his cheek. “You’re playing with fire, Sim.”
“I know.” I leaned in, my lips brushing his ear. “But I’m done hiding. I’m done pretending I don’t want this. I want both of you.”
He pulled back, staring at me like I’d grown a second head. “Both of us?!”
“You heard me.”
His nostrils flared. “You’re out of your mind.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, letting my hand drop. “But I know you can pictured it.”
Riki’s breathing had gone ragged. I could see the bulge straining against his jeans, and I felt a thrill of power.
“I won’t share you.” he said, but his voice wavered.
“You don’t have to share, you don’t even really have a chosen.” I stepped back, reaching for the door handle. “But if you can’t handle the idea, then I’ll find out if Sunghoon’s offer still stands.”
I opened the door, ready to leave the room, but before I could even step out, the door suddenly swung open.
Sunghoon stormed in.
Riki and I both froze.
“What are you doing here?” Riki asked sharply, straightening up.
Sunghoon glanced between us, completely unfazed. “I saw you two walk in here together, and you were taking a while—”
I cut him off immediately. “What if we were fucking, Sunghoon?! You can’t just storm in like that.”
For a second, silence filled the room. Then Sunghoon smirked and his eyes darkend.
“Then I would’ve liked to be there.”
Both Riki and I stared at him, completely caught off guard.
Riki let out a dry laugh of disbelief. “You’re insane.”
Sunghoon only shrugged, stepping farther into the room. “Am I wrong?!”
The tension in the room thickened instantly.
I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the heat rushing to my face. “You seriously have no boundaries.”
“And you seriously didn’t answer my question,” Sunghoon replied smoothly, his eyes flicking between me and Riki. “What exactly was going on in here?”
Riki’s jaw tightened while I looked away, suddenly very aware of how close the three of us were standing, running a hand through his hair. “Did you literally offer to take her in your car?”
Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. And?”
“That’s insane.” Riki said, his jaw tightening.
“Well It was my car,” Sunghoon shot back casually. “I can offer whoever I want a ride.”
Riki stepped closer. “You were flirting with her.”
“And you hated that, didn’t you?” Sunghoon’s grin widened. “You seriously don’t know when to stop.” Riki said getting more in Sunghoon face. “And you seriously act like you own her. ”Sunghoon said, now also taking a step forward.
The tension between them snapped tight so fast it made my stomach twist.
“Stop,” I said sharply, stepping between them before this turned into an actual fight. “Both of you.”
Neither moved.
Their eyes stayed locked on each other like neither wanted to back down first.
Then Riki laughed bitterly. “You know what? Fine.”
Sunghoon tilted his head. “Fine what?”
“There’s only one way to figure this out.”
A chill ran down my spine at the look on Riki’s face.
His gaze shifted to me.
“Aria has to decide who’s better.”
The room went completely silent.
Sunghoon’s smirk slowly returned, darker this time. “And what if she can’t choose?”
Riki’s jaw tightened. “She will.”
I swallowed hard as both of their attention landed fully on me now, the air suddenly feeling way too hot.
“W-What do you mean?!”
“He means were both going to fuck you prinsess” Sunghoon said looking me deep in the eyes.
“O-okay,” now that it was really happening, I got nervous.
Riki stepped forward. “You sure about this, Ari? Once we start, there’s no going back.”
“I know.” I met his eyes, then Sunghoon’s.
Riki’s jaw tightened, and nodded. “Come here.”
I walked toward them, my heels clicking on the hardwood floor. When I reached the bed, Sunghoon took my hand and guided me to sit on the edge. Riki knelt in front of me, his hands sliding up my thighs, pushing the hem of my skirt higher.
“You’ve been driving me crazy for two weeks,” Riki growled, his fingers hooking into the waistband of my panties. “Ignoring me. Making me ache for you.”
“Good,” I breathed. “You deserved it.”
He pulled my panties down slowly, deliberately, his knuckles brushing against my sensitive skin. I lifted my hips to help him, and soon the fabric was pooled around my ankles. Sunghoon’s hands came to my shoulders, unzipping my top. It fell away, leaving me naked except for my boots.
“Fuck-” Sunghoon murmured, his eyes raking over my body. “Look at you.”
“She’s perfect,” Riki agreed, his voice thick.
Riki didn’t waste time, he spread my legs. His mouth descended on my core, his tongue sliding through my folds, finding my clit with practiced ease.
I gasped, my back arching. “Oh, god...”
“Don’t move,” Sunghoon said from behind me. His hands came to my breasts, cupping them, thumbs circling my nipples. “Just feel.”
I was caught between them, Riki’s mouth working me into a frenzy while Sunghoon’s fingers teased my nipples to hard peaks. I could feel the wetness pooling between my thighs, could hear the obscene sounds of Riki lapping at me.
“You taste so good,” Riki mumbled against my skin. “I’ve been dreaming about this pussy for weeks.”
He slid two fingers inside me, curling them, hitting that spot that made stars burst behind my eyes. I cried out, my hips bucking against his face.
“That’s it,” Sunghoon whispered, his lips brushing my ear. “Let him make you feel good.”
Riki’s tongue circled my clit as he pumped his fingers in and out, faster and faster. The pressure built, coiling tight in my belly, until I shattered with a scream, my orgasm ripping through me. Riki didn’t stop, licking me through it, prolonging the pleasure until I was trembling and oversensitive.
“Good girl,” he said, pulling back, his chin glistening with my juices.
Sunghoon turned me around, positioning me on my hands and knees on the bed. I could feel both of them behind me, their heat radiating against my skin.
“Now it’s my turn,” Sunghoon said.
He knelt behind me, his hands gripping my hips. I felt the head of his cock pressing against my entrance, and I moaned in anticipation. He entered me in one smooth thrust, filling me completely. I gasped, my fingers digging into the sheets.
“Fuck- you’re tight,” he groaned. “And so fucking wet.”
He began to move, slow and deep at first, then faster, harder. The sound of his hips slapping against my ass filled the room. Riki moved in front of me, his cock hard and ready. I didn’t hesitate. I took him in my mouth, my lips sliding down his shaft, tasting the salt of his skin.
“Yeah, just like that,” Riki breathed, his hand tangling in my hair. “Take it all.”
We found a rhythm; Sunghoon pounding into me from behind while I sucked Riki’s cock. It was overwhelming, filthy, perfect. I could feel another orgasm building, my body trembling with the force of the pleasure.
“I’m gonna come,” I whimpered around Riki’s length.
“Not yet,” Sunghoon said, pulling out abruptly. I cried out at the loss. “We’re not done with you.”
Sunghoon flipped me onto my back, his cock still slick with my juices, rubbing against my thigh.
"Your brother's probably downstairs right now," Sunghoon said, his voice low as he positioned himself between my legs. "Pouring himself another drink, laughing with his friends, having the time of his life. Got no fucking idea his sister's getting absolutely destroyed by us."
Riki's fingers found my mouth, pushing past my lips. I sucked them clean, tasting myself on his skin. "Yeah, what would Jake say if he saw you now?" Riki asked, his eyes dark with amusement. "His precious little sister, taking both our cocks so good, like our girl."
Sunghoon thrust into me without warning, burying himself to the hilt. I cried out around Riki's fingers, my back arching off the bed. "And we've got all night," Sunghoon continued, his pace relentless, punishing. "Party's gonna last for hours. Plenty of time to use every single hole you've got. By the time he comes looking for you, you're gonna be so full of our cum it'll be dripping down your thighs for days."
"Think he'll notice?" Riki asked, moving behind Sunghoon, his hand stroking his own cock while he watched his friend fuck me. "Think he'll smell us on you? See the mark I'm gonna leave on your neck?"
Sunghoon leaned down, his teeth grazing my throat before he sank them in, sucking hard. "Let him find out," he growled against my skin. "Let him know exactly who's been ruining his sister tonight."
Then came the Eiffel tower position.
Sunghoon guided Riki to stand in front of me, then positioned me between them, facing Riki. Sunghoon stood behind me, his cock pressing against my ass, while Riki’s was at my mouth.
“This is what you wanted, right?” Sunghoon whispered, his hand sliding down to my clit. “Two cocks. All yours.”
I nodded desperately, my lips parting to take Riki in. Sunghoon pushed into my ass, slowly, carefully, letting me adjust. The fullness was incredible, the stretch almost too much, but I craved it. I pushed back against him, taking him deeper.
“Fuck, she’s tight,” Sunghoon hissed.
Riki’s eyes were dark, his breathing ragged. “She’s taking both of us. Our perfect girl.”
They began to move in unison, a rhythm that drove me wild. Riki’s cock slid in and out of my mouth while Sunghoon fucked me, his fingers still working my clit. The triple stimulation was too much. I came with a muffled scream, my body convulsing, my vision white.
They followed soon after. Riki spilled his cum down my throat, groaning my name. Sunghoon buried himself deep in me, his hot release flooding me, his fingers digging into my hips.
We collapsed onto the bed, a tangle of sweaty limbs and trembling bodies.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Riki was the first to move. He pulled out gently, then grabbed a towel from the bathroom. He cleaned me with careful, tender strokes, his touch soft despite the roughness of before. Sunghoon brought a glass of water from the nightstand, helping me sit up to drink.
“You okay?” Riki asked, his voice rough with concern.
I nodded, still catching my breath. “More than okay.”
Sunghoon kissed my forehead, then my lips, a soft, lingering kiss. “You were amazing.”
They flanked me on either side, pulling the covers over us. Riki wrapped an arm around my waist, his hand resting on my stomach. Sunghoon stroked my hair, his fingers gentle in my tangled locks.
黑穗病 ─── "You're too fucking pretty, baby. makes me wanna do bad things to you." Ni-ki always pretends to be a good boy in front of your parents, especially on your first family trip together, but despite the situation, he can't help wanting to fuck you every second.
ⳇ 𝓟 airing ╸ dom!bf!ni-ki x fem!reader
ⳇ w/c: 9.4k part I part III
㰙꯭ؚۣۙۗ㰛꯭ؚؔ 𝓦arnings: MDNI, PORN WITH PLOT, smut, unprotected sex (don't!), spanking, fingerfucking, oral sex (m!), semi-public sex, rough sex, light degradation/praise, profanity, clit play, boob/nipple play, teasing, cum eating, thigh fucking, pet names (dwarf, baby, love, slut, good girl, etc..), finger sucking, risky sex (um your family is literally a room away), panty fucking, silencing behavior, mentions of jealousy, wall sex, edging, overstimulation, making out, consensual bratting, heavy petting, lmk if moree
𝓡ina's note: the truth is i overthought the details a lot,i changed several things like 30 times and thats it... i hope u like it and thank u for the 247 followers already, i appreciate it so much (reblog or like if u liked it<3)
总清单之家 check my ::⠀ ⠀، ⠀ ── 𝓜asterlist 𝓗ome
"…I hate your family's timing" he muttered, kissing the top of your head. "next time i'm locking the door and pretending we're dead."
You lightly smacked his stomach.
He just laughed quietly and pulled you closer, both of you still buzzing with unreleased tension.
After your mom left the room, the tension in the air was still thick, but exhaustion was hitting you hard. you stayed curled up against Riki's chest for a few minutes before sighing.
"Baby… i'm really tired" you whispered, voice soft. "today was long. can we just sleep tonight? i don't think i can do the quiet sex thing right now."
You really did want to, but the shame on your face prevented you from even wanting to look Riki directly in the eyes, knowing he would say something about it...
Riki was quiet for a second, clearly disappointed, but he nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah, of course" he said gently, kissing the top of your head. "no pressure, dwarf. get some rest."
You both got up
Changed into pajamas — you in a loose tank top and soft shorts, Riki in black pijama pants and no shirt.
You talked quietly for a few more minutes about the water park tomorrow and how Seonghyun was already obsessed with Mina. eventually, Riki pulled you into his arms, spooning you from behind, and you both drifted off.
At 5:07 AM, the room was still dark, only the faint sound of waves outside.
You stirred awake as you felt Riki's hips slowly rolling against your ass.
He was rock hard, grinding his morning wood against you through his sweatpants while his lips pressed open-mouthed kisses and soft bites along your bare shoulder.
"Riki…" you whispered sleepily.
He let out a shaky breath against your neck, voice low and needy.
"Baby… it hurts" he murmured, grinding a little harder. "my morning wood is fucking killing me. i can't sleep like this. i need to cum so bad… please."
You let out a quiet, teasing laugh even though you were still half-asleep.
"You're so needy… even at five in the morning" you whispered, sounding bratty. "can't even control yourself for one night?"
Riki didn't answer with words. instead, he bit your shoulder a little harder and kept rolling his hips, pressing his thick erection firmly between your ass cheeks.
You bit your lip, feeling heat pool between your legs. you pushed your ass back against him on purpose, grinding slowly.
"…Fine" you whispered. "but we have to be really quiet. everyone's still sleeping."
Riki didn't waste a second.
He quickly pushed his sweatpants and boxers down just enough to free his hard cock. you felt the hot, heavy length slap against your ass before he hooked his fingers into your shorts and panties, pulling them to the side.
He pressed the head of his cock against your entrance and pushed in slowly, stretching you open with a quiet groan right next to your ear.
"Fuck… so warm" he breathed, burying himself deep in one smooth thrust.
You gasped softly, gripping the pillow.
He started fucking you in spooning position —slow, deep rolls of his hips that made almost no sound. every thrust was controlled, but the angle made him hit so deep it was hard to stay quiet.
The new angle made him hit so deep it was hard to stay quiet.
Every slow, deliberate thrust pushed the head of his cock right against that sensitive spot inside you, making your toes curl and your breath hitch.
Riki kept one arm wrapped tightly around your waist, holding you flush against his chest while his other hand explored your body lazily.
"Fuck, baby…" he whispered hotly against the back of your neck, voice hoarse with restraint. "you're squeezing me so tight. feel that?"
You nodded frantically, biting your lip hard. "mhm… you're so deep like this" you breathed, barely audible. "Riki… slower, they're going to hear…"
He chuckled quietly, the sound vibrating against your skin, and slowed his hips even more, dragging his cock almost all the way out before sliding back in deep and grinding.
His hand slid up under your tank top, cupping one of your breasts and squeezing it firmly, rolling your nipple between his fingers.
"You like it when i fuck you slow like this?" he murmured, lips brushing your ear. "all quiet and deep… while your parents are sleeping just one room away?"
"Yes…" you whimpered softly, pushing your ass back against him. "feels so good… but i'm trying so hard not to moan…"
Riki smiled against your shoulder and pinched your nipple, making you gasp.
His other hand traveled lower, slipping under the waistband of your shorts. his fingers found your clit and started rubbing slow, tight circles.
"That's it… stay quiet for me, love" he cooed, voice low and teasing. "such a good girl taking my cock so nicely. you're dripping down my dick, baby. so fucking wet."
You turned your head slightly, trying to look at him. "you're so needy in the morning… couldn't even wait a few hours…"
"Whose fault is that?" he whispered, thrusting a little harder while still keeping the movements controlled. "you spent all day teasing me. now you're gonna take care of me."
Deep, lazy thrusts combined with his fingers playing with your clit and his other hand massaging your breasts. the room was filled with nothing but the sound of your heavy breathing, occasional soft whimpers you couldn't hold back, and the faint wet sound of him moving inside you.
After several minutes, Riki pressed a kiss to your neck and whispered, "i want you on top. turn around."
He pulled out slowly, making you whine at the emptiness. you turned around and straddled him backwards, facing away from him.
Riki helped guide you as you sank back down onto his cock, taking every inch until your ass was flush against his pelvis.
"Fuck— yes" he groaned quietly, hands gripping your hips. "ride me just like this, baby. nice and slow."
You started moving, rolling your hips in deep, sensual circles instead of bouncing. the position let him hit even deeper, and you had to cover your own mouth with one hand to stay quiet.
Riki sat up slightly behind you, wrapping one arm around your waist while his other hand returned to your clit, rubbing it steadily.
"God, you look so good riding me like this" he whispered, kissing your back. "ass bouncing on my cock while you try so hard to be quiet… my perfect little brat."
You leaned back against his chest, head falling onto his shoulder as you kept grinding on him.
"Riki…" you moaned softly "you're so hard… i can feel you throbbing inside me."
"Yeah?" he thrust up gently to meet your movements. "that's what you do to me. all day long, walking around in that tiny bikini, teasing me under the table… now you're gonna make me cum like this."
His fingers moved faster on your clit while you continued riding him in slow, deep motions.
The pleasure built gradually, thick and heavy in the quiet morning air. Riki's breathing grew more ragged against your neck as he fought to stay silent.
"Baby… i'm getting close" he warned, voice strained. "you feel too good."
You turned your head and whispered against his jaw, "then cum inside me… i want it."
Riki groaned softly, burying his face in your neck as his hips started moving a little faster, chasing his release while still trying to keep the bed from creaking too much.
You kept rolling your hips in deep, sensual circles, grinding down onto his cock while facing away from him.
The position made everything feel thicker, fuller. every time you sank down, he stretched you perfectly, pressing against that spot that made your thighs tremble.
Riki's hands were all over you. one stayed on your clit, rubbing slow, slick circles, while the other slid back under your tank top to grope your breasts, squeezing and tugging at your nipples.
"Fuck, babe…" he whispered breathlessly against your back, voice strained with the effort of staying quiet. "you're riding me so well. such a good little slut for me this early in the morning."
You bit your lip hard, trying to suppress a moan as you ground down harder.
"Shut up… you're the one who woke me up because you're so fucking needy" you whispered back, voice shaky.
Riki let out a quiet, breathy laugh and pinched your clit lightly, making your hips jerk.
"Yeah? And yet here you are… creaming all over my cock like you've been waiting for this too." He thrust up gently to meet your movements, burying himself deeper.
You leaned back against his chest, head resting on his shoulder as you continued rolling your hips.
"Riki…" you whimpered softly, "… i feel so full."
He groaned quietly into your neck and bit down gently, sucking on the skin as he started rubbing your clit faster.
"that's right, baby. take every inch. this pussy is mine" he murmured, voice husky. "even when you act like a brat all day… this tight little cunt still gets so wet for me."
You reached back with one hand, gripping his thigh for leverage as you started moving faster, still careful not to make the bed creak too loudly.
Riki's breathing grew heavier. his fingers on your clit never stopped, driving you closer and closer to the edge.
"I'm close…" you whispered desperately. "Riki, i'm gonna cum—"
"Me too" he groaned softly, thrusting up to meet you. "cum on my cock, baby. let me feel you."
His fingers moved faster on your clit while his other hand squeezed your breast hard. the combination finally pushed you over.
You came with a broken, muffled whimper, burying the back of your head into his neck as your walls clenched tightly around him. your whole body trembled in his lap as the orgasm washed over you.
Riki followed right after, burying himself deep and holding you down on his cock as he came. he let out a low, shaky groan against your shoulder, pulsing inside you as he filled you up with hot spurts of cum.
For a few long seconds, neither of you moved — just heavy breathing and the sound of waves outside the window.
Riki kissed your neck softly, still buried inside you. "good girl… you did so well staying quiet" he praised, voice hoarse.
You stayed like that for a little longer, enjoying the warmth and closeness, until he finally lifted you gently and pulled out. a trickle of his cum leaked down your thigh.
He quickly grabbed some tissues from the nightstand and cleaned you up carefully, then pulled your shorts and panties back into place. after fixing himself, he pulled you back into his arms, spooning you again.
"You okay?" he whispered, kissing the back of your head.
"Mhm…" you mumbled, already half-asleep again, feeling satisfied and exhausted. "but if my parents wake up early because of us, i'm blaming you."
Riki chuckled softly and wrapped his arm tighter around your waist.
"Worth it" he murmured.
Within minutes, both of you drifted back to sleep, bodies tangled together as the sky slowly began to lighten outside.
At 7:47 AM, the soft morning light filtered through the curtains of the cabin. you were still half-asleep when you heard your mom's voice gently calling from the hallway.
"Seonghyun, honey, time to wake up. we're going to the water park today!"
A few minutes later, her footsteps approached your door. she knocked twice before slowly opening it.
"Riki… sweetheart, it's time to wake up" she said softly. then her eyes landed on you. "and you too, sleepy girl. we need to leave around nine."
You murmured a tired "okay, Mom…" and tried to sit up.
But Riki had other plans.
His long arm was wrapped tightly around your waist, pulling your back flush against his bare chest. his face was buried in the crook of your neck, messy black hair tickling your skin, and his warm breath fanned steadily against your shoulder.
He didn't move even an inch.
Your mom smiled softly at the sight, a fond look in her eyes.
"Look at him… he really doesn't want to let you go" she whispered with a quiet laugh. "i'll leave you two for a bit. breakfast will be ready soon — i'm making pancakes."
She closed the door gently, leaving the room in soft morning silence again.
You let out a small sigh and tried to wiggle free, but Riki only tightened his hold, pulling you even closer with a sleepy grunt.
"Riki…" you whispered, reaching back to poke his arm. "wake up. we have to get ready."
He didn't respond at first. Instead, he nuzzled his nose deeper into your neck, pressing a lazy kiss there before mumbling in his raspy morning voice:
"...Don't wanna."
You couldn't help but smile. even half-asleep, he was clingy. you turned slightly in his arms so you could see his face.
His eyes were still closed, lips in a slight pout, hair completely messy from sleep. he looked unfairly cute like this.
"We have to go to the water park, remember? Mom's already making breakfast. if we're late she'll drag us out herself.",
Riki let out a long, dramatic sigh, his arm still locked around your waist like he was afraid you’d disappear.
"Five more minutes…" he mumbled, voice deep and hoarse. "just… stay here. you're warm."
You ran your fingers through his messy hair, trying to wake him gently. "you were the one who wanted to go to the water park since years... now you're acting like this?"
He finally cracked one eye open, looking at you with a tired but playful expression.
"Maybe i changed my mind" he said, voice still sleepy. "we could stay in bed all day instead… i'll behave. mostly."
You raised an eyebrow. "mostly?"
Riki's lips curved into a small smirk. he leaned in and pressed a slow kiss to your collarbone.
"Mostly." he repeated, teasing. "unless you want me to keep moving against you like that. then i might need to tire you out again."
You smacked his chest lightly. "stop it. my mom is literally making pancakes right now."
He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against your skin, but finally loosened his grip.
He rolled onto his back with another groan, stretching his long arms above his head. the blanket slipped down, revealing his toned torso and tattoos.
"Fine… i'm getting up" he said, though he made no actual effort to move. he reached out and grabbed your wrist, pulling you back down onto his chest. "one kiss first. then i'll behave... dwarf."
You rolled your eyes but leaned down and gave him a soft morning kiss. Riki hummed happily against your lips, one hand coming up to cradle the back of your head.
When you pulled away, he finally sat up, rubbing his face with both hands.
"Water park at 9… your mom is scary when she's on schedule" he muttered, standing up and stretching. His sweatpants hung low on his hips as he walked over to start packing a small backpack.
You both moved around the room quietly, gathering towels, sunscreen, extra clothes, and snacks. a few minutes later, your mom opened the door again.
She paused when she saw Riki still shirtless in his pajama pants and you in your tiny sleep shorts and tank top. her eyebrows rose slightly in suspicion, but she kept her tone light.
"…Breakfast is almost ready. pancakes with chocolate chips. you two should get dressed soon."
Before she could leave, Seonghyun came barreling into the room and dramatically collapsed onto your bed.
"I don't want to go…" he whined, face buried in the pillow. "even Dad is still sleeping. Mom had to yell at him three times already."
From the kitchen, your mom’s voice rang out:
"If your father doesn't get up in the next two minutes, i'm eating all the pancakes myself!"
Seonghyun's head shot up instantly. "did i just hear... pancakes? with chocolate chips?"
The second your mom confirmed from the kitchen, he jumped off the bed like someone had lit a fire under him.
"I'm packing right now!" he yelled, sprinting out of the room and slamming his own door behind him.
The bedroom fell quiet again.
You were still standing near the bed folding a towel when Riki quietly walked up behind you.
Without saying a word, he wrapped his long arms around your waist from behind, pulling your back flush against his bare chest. he rested his chin on your shoulder, his messy hair tickling your cheek.
You smiled softly, leaning back into him.
"You're still tired?" you asked quietly.
"Mhm" he hummed, voice low and raspy.
His arms tightened around you as he pressed a slow kiss to the side of your neck. "but mostly i just like holding you like this."
He swayed both of you gently from side to side, still half-asleep. one of his hands slipped under the hem of your tank top, tracing lazy circles on your stomach with his fingers.
"You smell like me" he murmured against your skin, sounding pleased. "i like that. makes me want to keep you in this room all day."
You let out a soft laugh. "we can't. my mom will actually kill us if we're late."
Riki sighed dramatically but didn't let go. instead, he hugged you tighter, nuzzling into your neck.
"You're so warm… and soft" he whispered, voice drowsy and affectionate. "i like waking up next to you. even if you hit me and call me needy."
You turned your head slightly to look at him. "you are needy."
"Yeah" he admitted with a small smirk, kissing your jaw. "only for you though."
From the kitchen, your mom's voice rang out again, loud and playful:
"Love! if you don't get up right now i'm giving all your pancakes to Seonghyun!"
Riki chuckled quietly against your shoulder, clearly amused by the chaos of your family.
"Your dad is fighting for his life out there" he said, still refusing to release you. "should we help him?"
You shook your head, staying comfortably in his arms. "he dug his own grave. let him suffer."
Riki hummed in agreement and pressed another slow kiss to your neck, then your shoulder.
"I'm really glad i came on this trip" he whispered, more seriously this time. "even with all the sneaking around… being with you and your family feels nice. normal."
You placed your hands over his arms, gently squeezing. "you fit in really well. scarily well, actually."
He smiled against your skin. "good. Because i'm not planning on going anywhere."
Just then, your mom's voice got louder again as she continued scolding your dad from the kitchen. Riki finally loosened his hold, but not before stealing one last kiss on your cheek.
"Alright… let's get ready before your mom comes back and sees me hugging you like this" he said with a lazy grin. "she already looked suspicious earlier."
You both continued preparing the small backpack for the water park, stealing small touches and glances the entire time.
The morning light was getting brighter, and the smell of pancakes was starting to fill the entire cabin.
By 8:17 AM, the entire family was finally awake, dressed, and had their backpacks ready by the door.
The smell of breakfast filled every corner of the cabin. your mom had truly outdone herself — a huge stack of fluffy pancakes sat in the center of the table, surrounded by bowls of sliced strawberries, bananas, chocolate chips, maple syrup, honey, and whipped cream.
Everyone sat down. Riki was right next to you, still looking a little sleepy but trying his best to appear awake.
"Ms. Mom, these pancakes look incredible" Riki said, though his voice was quieter and less energetic than usual. "you really woke up early just to make all this… thank you."
Your mom smiled brightly. "eat as much as you want, Riki."
For the first few minutes, breakfast was peaceful.
The sound of forks and quiet conversation filled the air. that is, until your mom suddenly spoke while pouring more syrup on her pancakes.
"By the way…" she started casually, "when i walked into your room earlier, Riki was shirtless and you were in those tiny shorts. you two weren't… doing anything, right?"
The entire table went dead silent.
You froze mid-bite. Riki's eyes widened slightly. even Seonghyun looked up from his phone for a second.
"Mom!" you quickly said, face burning. "Seonghyun is literally sitting right here. can we not?"
Your dad slowly turned his head to look at Riki with a raised eyebrow. the pressure was immediate.
Riki, who had been caught off guard, sat up straighter and cleared his throat, panic flashing across his face for a split second before he put on his perfect-boyfriend mask.
"Sir, Ms. Mom..." he started, voice respectful and slightly dramatic.
"i have a lot of respect for your daughter and for this family. i would never do anything inappropriate, especially not under your roof or while we're all here together. i really care about her, and i respect you both too much to ever cross that line in a situation like this."
Your dad stared at him for a long second… then simply nodded, reached over, and took your mom’s hand.
"Alright, that's enough of that topic" your dad said calmly, changing the subject. "let's just enjoy breakfast."
Your mom sighed softly, looking a little guilty. "i'm sorry, Riki. i didn't mean to put you on the spot. i just… you two are still very young. i want you both to be careful and responsible. that's all."
You shot Riki a sharp side-eye that very clearly said i told you so.
Riki gave you a tiny, defeated smile and went back to eating his pancakes in silence.
Seonghyun, completely unbothered by the whole conversation, kept playing Battlegrounds on his phone while stuffing his face with chocolate chip pancakes. "these are so good…" he mumbled with his mouth full.
Once breakfast was over, your mom switched back into full boss mode.
"Alright everyone, let's move! put the backpacks in the car. check that you have everything. we're already running late!"
It was 8:34 AM.
Riki helped carry the big cooler filled with ice, drinks, and the ice creams you two had bought yesterday. your mom was already stressing in the driveway.
"We should've left ten minutes ago! why is everything always last minute in this family?"
Your dad walked beside her, rubbing her shoulder. "relax, honey. we're on vacation. the water park isn't going anywhere."
Seonghyun, already in the car, stuck his head out the window and pointed at you. "she's the last-minute one! she was still packing stuff while we were eating!"
Riki, who had just closed the trunk after putting the cooler inside, turned to you with that signature teasing smirk.
"See? you suck at packing, dwarf" he said quietly, just loud enough for you to hear.
You elbowed him in the ribs.
"Shut up. you're supposed to be on my side."
Riki laughed under his breath, rubbing the spot you hit. "never said i was on your side. i'm on the side of truth."
Your mom clapped her hands. "everyone in the car! Now!"
Riki opened the door for you like the perfect gentleman
The car engine started, and your mom kept muttering about being late as your dad backed out of the driveway.
The water park day had officially begun.
The car rolled into the huge parking lot of the water park at 9:14 AM. The sun was already intense, reflecting off the asphalt and making the air feel thick with heat.
The moment the engine stopped, your mom let out a long sigh.
"9:14, honey. nine fourteen" she said, turning to your dad with clear frustration. "i told you we should've left earlier. now we're late."
Your dad, ever the calm one, simply nodded and turned off the car. "you're right, love. i should've driven faster."
Seonghyun was the first one out, practically launching himself from the backseat. he ran to the trunk and started pulling out his backpack and two deflated floaties, his excitement impossible to contain.
Riki got out right after, rolling his shoulders before immediately helping with the heavy stuff.
He lifted the big cooler full of drinks and ice with ease, then grabbed two more heavy bags, muscles flexing under his black tank top.
You stepped out more gracefully, sliding your sleek black sunglasses onto your face.
A fitted black sleeveless top that hugged your body perfectly, a thin black open vest over it, and a white skirt that showed off your legs. your hair was straightened and glossy, falling beautifully over your shoulders.
Riki's eyes found you instantly. he paused for a second, openly staring as you adjusted your skirt, the one that has been a distraction for him throughout the trip.
"Shit…" he muttered under his breath, eyes trailing down your figure.
You walked over to him confidently and took one of the lighter bags from his hand, smirking.
"Stop staring and help, Riki."
He leaned slightly closer while your parents weren't looking. "how am i supposed to not stare when you look like that? you're actually insane."
You gave him a small, satisfied smile and headed toward your mom, who was now lightly tugging on your dad's ear while scolding him.
"Mom" you said, interrupting her lecture. "do you mind if we go ahead? we can find the table and wait for you guys there."
Your mom nodded, pulling out her phone and opening the QR tickets. "Yes, go ahead. here, take this. scan it at the entrance. we'll catch up soon. don't wander off too far."
You took the phone and nodded.
The three of you started walking toward the entrance. Seonghyun was practically skipping between you and Riki, full of energy.
"Hyung" he whispered excitedly, looking up at Riki. "when we see Mina… what should i do? should i act cool? or should i make jokes?"
Riki adjusted the heavy cooler on his shoulder and gave serious advice like a true older brother.
"Be yourself, but confident. make her laugh, but also tease her a little. girls like when you're playful. don't try too hard though, or it looks fake."
You were walking a bit ahead, chin slightly raised, fully aware of the looks you were getting from other people. you were in full baddie mode.
Riki noticed immediately and chuckled.
"Look at her, Seonghyun" he said loud enough for you to hear. "she's out here farming aura like her life depends on it."
You turned your head with a proud little smile. "i do look good today, don't i?"
Riki’s eyes scanned you again, slower this time. "you look fucking beautiful. that skirt is actually... insane."
Seonghyun made a disgusted face. "you two are so gross."
Thankfully, the line at the entrance wasn't too long. while waiting, Seonghyun's eyes widened as he took in the massive slides towering in the distance and the endless pools.
"Hyung, look at that one!" he pointed excitedly. "it's so tall! and there's a wave pool over there! this is going to be the best day ever!"
You fanned yourself with your hand, already feeling the heat. "it's so hot already… and it's not even 10 AM yet."
Riki stepped closer to you, his arm brushing against yours. "as soon as we put the stuff down, we're jumping in the water. you'll cool off fast.”
You turned to him with a teasing smirk. "are you a kid? so excited to get in the water this early in the morning?"
Riki raised an eyebrow, smirking back. "says the girl who was complaining about the heat two seconds ago. at least i'm honest about wanting to have fun."
Seonghyun laughed. "she just wants to keep walking around looking pretty instead of getting wet."
You smacked Riki's arm again. "both of you are annoying."
A few minutes later, your parents finally caught up, slightly out of breath.
"Found you!" your mom said. "let's go find our table. it should be in the shaded area."
The five of you walked together through the park. Seonghyun kept pointing at different attractions while Riki carried most of the heavy bags without complaining.
Every now and then, Riki would bump his shoulder against yours playfully.
You smiled, glancing at him.
Seonghyun turned around again. "are you two being gross again?"
Riki laughed. "relax, shortie. i'm just annoying my girlfriend."
You eventually reached your assigned table under a large shaded canopy with five comfortable lounge chairs and a small fan. it had a perfect view of the wave pool and several big slides.
Your mom clapped her hands happily. "this is perfect! rveryone put your stuff down and let's have fun!"
Riki set the heavy cooler down with a relieved sigh and looked at you with a small, secret smirk — the kind that told you this water park day was going to be full of teasing, stolen touches, and probably a lot of trouble.
It didn't take long for Seonghyun to start his mission.
"Riki-hyung! Please, let's go to the wave pool! i saw they're starting the big waves soon!" he begged, shaking Riki's arm like a little kid.
Riki, who was sitting under the shaded table, looked at you first before answering. "alright, i'm down bro… but only if we convince your sister to come with us.”
Seonghyun's eyes lit up as he turned to you with full determination.
You were sitting comfortably with your feet resting on Riki's lap, sipping a cold bottle of water while scrolling through your phone. the sun was getting stronger by the minute, but under the umbrella it was still bearable.
Riki's hand gently rested on your ankle, thumb slowly stroking your skin.
"Babe" he started sweetly, "it's already hot. we should go enjoy the water for a bit. the wave pool looks fun."
You didn't even look up from your phone. "i'm good right here."
Riki didn't give up. he started massaging your feet with both hands, pressing his thumbs into the soles with just the right pressure.
"C'mon, dwarf… please" he said softly, using that low, persuasive tone he knew usually worked on you. "just for a little while. we can float around, cool down…"
You hummed, still focused on your phone. "not in the mood."
From a few meters away, Seonghyun put on his best puppy eyes, clasping his hands together dramatically.
"Please, noona…? i'll share my floaties with you!"
You sighed, finally lowering your phone. "fine. but if i hear even one single teasing comment from either of you, i'm coming straight back here."
Riki smiled victoriously. "deal."
You stood up and looked around. "Riki, come with me to the bathroom. i need to change."
Riki got up immediately. "of course, baby."
He picked up your bag like a perfect gentleman and walked beside you toward the changing rooms. you walked with confidence, hips swaying slightly in your outfit.
When you reached the entrance of the women's bathroom, you turned to take your bag from him.
Riki quickly glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then gave you a firm, playful spank on your ass.
You gasped and turned to him with wide eyes. "Riki!"
He smirked, completely shameless. "what? you look too good in that skirt. couldn't help it."
"You're actually annoying" you muttered, but there was no real anger in your voice. you took the bag and disappeared into a cubicle.
A few minutes later, you came out wearing a new bikini — this one was a soft pink, same revealing than the black one from yesterday. the top was tiny, and the bottoms sat high on your hips with thin strings.
Riki's eyes darkened the moment he saw you. he let out a low whistle, biting his lip and moving his tongue to his cheek inside his mouth.
"Fuck… you're serving today, huh?" he said, voice quieter. "that pink looks perfect on you"
You posed for a second, feeling confident with him watching. "you like it?"
"I love it" he replied, eyes scanning you up and down. "but i'm gonna have to fight every guy here who looks at you. you're too pretty."
You smiled and walked closer, lightly hitting his chest. "then you better stay close and protect me."
Riki grinned and took your hand as you both walked back.
When you returned to the table, Seonghyun was already waiting impatiently.
"Finally!" Seonghyun cheered.
Your mom immediately started giving instructions. "put on sunscreen before you go in the water. and take care of Seonghyun, okay? you two are in charge. stay safe and don't do anything crazy."
Riki nodded seriously, slipping perfectly into his responsible boyfriend role. "don't worry, Ms. mom, i'll watch them both."
Your mom smiled, satisfied.
The three of you headed toward the wave pool, the sun was already blazing. luckily for Seonghyun, a group of kids he had met at the beach yesterday were there. they waved at him excitedly.
"Can i go play with them?" Seonghyun asked, bouncing on his feet.
You nodded. "yes, but put on sunscreen first. if you don't, i'll rub it on you like a baby."
Seonghyun quickly applied some and ran off to join his friends in the wave pool.
You and Riki stayed near the edge.
You were already putting sunscreen on your face, arms, and so on. you handed him the sunscreen bottle and turned around, pulling your hair over one shoulder.
"I can't reach my back" you said.
Riki took the bottle with way too much enthusiasm. "i got you, babe"
He squeezed a generous amount onto his hands and started applying it to your shoulders, then slowly down your back.
His hands were warm and thorough, massaging the lotion into your skin. when he reached your lower back, he glanced around to make sure Seonghyun wasn't watching…
Then he gave your ass a firm, playful spank, the sound slightly muffled by the loud park noise.
"Riki!"you hissed, turning your head.
He just smirked, continuing to rub the sunscreen like nothing happened. "sorry. couldn't resist. this bikini is too good."
You narrowed your eyes at him. "you're really asking for it today."
Riki leaned closer, whispering in your ear while his hands kept working on your lower back.
"Maybe i am" he said, voice low and teasing. "you look way too hot. if you want, we can hide and...—"
You turned around and snatched the bottle from his hands, smirking.
"Stop it, now... just... turn around." and of course, he obeyed.
You squeezed a generous amount of sunscreen onto your hands and began spreading it across his skin.
Your fingers moved slowly, almost reverently. You couldn’t help but admire him — the way his muscles shifted under your touch, the smooth expanse of his back, the few moles scattered like stars, the sharp line of his shoulders tapering down to his narrow waist.
Even though he could be ridiculously childish sometimes, your heart swelled with quiet affection.
You cleared your throat softly, trying to sound normal.
"Ready." you murmured, your voice suddenly gentle.
Riki turned around immediately and pulled you into a tight hug, pressing a sweet kiss to your cheek, then another softer one on your temple.
"Thank you, baby" he whispered against your skin.
You stayed in his arms for a moment before pulling back slightly.
"Actually… i don't really feel like going to the wave pool" you admitted. "it's too loud and crowded now. i want to go to a normal pool… a calmer one. just with you."
Riki glanced around quickly. right in front of the wave pool was a large, standard pool with crystal-clear water and far fewer people.
"Perfect" he said. he turned toward Seonghyun, who was already splashing with his friends, and shouted, "Seonghyun! we're going to the pool right in front! don't do anything stupid and don't leave without telling us, okay?"
Seonghyun gave him a thumbs up.
Riki took your hand, intertwining your fingers as you both walked toward the calmer pool.
You stepped in first, sighing in relief as the cool water touched your skin.
"Hurry up" you called to him, already waist-deep.
Riki smirked.
Without warning, he took a running start and did a dramatic flip, tucking into a clean somersault before crashing into the water right next to you.
A huge splash hit you directly in the face.
You stood there, mouth open in shock, water dripping from your hair and lashes. a few people nearby laughed at the scene.
"God, Riki" you said sarcastically, wiping your face. "so mature."
Riki resurfaced laughing, shaking his wet hair like a dog. "don't be a party pooper. you know that was cool."
He swam closer and wrapped his arms around your waist underwater, pulling you against him.
Before you could protest, he leaned in and kissed your neck playfully, a little too passionately for a public pool.
"Riki—" you whispered, pushing him back gently. "people are watching…"
He grinned, clearly unbothered. "let them watch."
You two stayed like that for a while — floating, talking quietly, his arms around you as the water gently moved around your bodies. it felt peaceful.
Eventually Riki pulled away.
"Wait here. i'm gonna do another flip."
He swam to the edge and climbed out. just as he was about to run and jump in, a girl around your age approached him.
"Excuse me… sorry to bother you" she said, fidgeting. "my friend over there thinks you're really cute. could she maybe have your insta?"
Riki's expression turned cold and uninterested in less than a second.
"I have a girlfriend" he replied flatly. "No thanks."
The girl smiled awkwardly and walked back to her friend, who was staring from a distance.
You had already spotted her — she was pretty, but definitely not Riki's type.
You found it completely ridiculous that even after spending all this time in Riki's arms, some girls still tried as if you didn't exist.
Riki didn't even glance at her again. He took his running start and did another acrobatic flip into the water, landing with another big splash.
When he swam back to you, he immediately cornered you against the edge of the pool, arms on either side of your body.
"Did you see that flip?" he asked proudly, smiling.
You looked him up and down slowly, then answered with a clearly fake tone.
"Yeah… i saw it."
Riki noticed immediately. he tilted his head, that knowing smirk appearing.
"You're jealous."
"I'm not" you denied quickly, turning your face away.
He laughed softly, leaning in closer until his forehead almost touched yours.
"You are. i can tell. your voice gets all weird when you lie."
You stayed quiet, refusing to admit it.
Riki's expression softened. he cupped your cheek with one wet hand.
"Hey" he said gently. “You know i only want you, right? no one else even comes close."
He kissed the corner of your mouth sweetly, then whispered against your lips:
"My bratty, jealous little dwarf."
You tried to push him away, but you were smiling.
"Shut up."
Riki just laughed and pulled you closer again, the water rippling around you both as the sun continued to shine brightly above.
The hours passed in a blur of laughter, slides, and bright sunlight.
From 10:30 until almost 1 PM, the three of you went from one attraction to another — massive slides, the lazy river, the wave pool again, and even a few adrenaline-pumping drops. Seonghyun was in heaven, dragging Riki everywhere while you tried to keep up.
But something kept bothering you.
Everywhere you went, girls stared at Riki.
Openly.
Some whispered to their friends, others smiled at him, a few even tried to get closer when you weren't right beside him. you knew Riki was handsome. you knew he turned heads. but today it felt constant, and it slowly chipped away at your mood.
By the time you returned to the table, your parents had already set out containers of food — kimbap, fried chicken, fruit, and cold drinks.
Seonghyun threw himself into a chair dramatically.
"Mom, Dad, we went on the tallest slide like five times! and the wave pool was crazy! i'm so hungry"
Your mom smiled. "eat a lot then."
You forced a small smile. "i'm going to the bathroom first. i need to fix my hair"
Riki noticed immediately. the way you said it, the slight tension in your shoulders — he knew you too well. he stood up right after you.
"I'll go with her" he said casually.
You didn't argue.
The two of you walked in silence toward the bathrooms. This area of the park was quieter, and the family bathroom/shower area was almost empty.
Once you reached the entrance, you tried to walk in alone, but Riki gently grabbed your wrist.
"Wait" he said, voice low.
You stopped but didn't turn around immediately.
The noise of the water park felt distant now, muffled by the walls. the area was surprisingly empty— most people were out enjoying the slides and pools.
Riki stepped closer, still holding your wrist. "talk to me. what's going on with you?"
You pulled your hand away and finally faced him. your chest felt tight, a mix of irritation and something heavier sitting right behind your ribs.
"Nothing" you replied, a little too quickly. "i just need to fix my hair. it's all messed up from the water."
Riki studied your face for a second, eyebrows slightly furrowed. He wasn't buying it.
"You've been weird since we left the wave pool" he said, leaning against the wall. his tone wasn't angry, but there was a hint of frustration in it.
"You barely talked on the way back. did i do something?"
You let out a short, bitter laugh and crossed your arms.
"You really don't get it, do you?"
Riki raised an eyebrow. "get what? i've been with you the whole time. i didn't talk to any girl, didn't smile at anyone, didn't do shit. so what exactly is the problem?"
You felt the words bubbling up before you could stop them.
"The problem is that everywhere we go, they look at you like you're a fucking meal" you said, voice lower but sharp. "and they don't care that i'm right there. like i'm invisible. like it doesn't matter that you have a girlfriend standing next to you."
Riki exhaled through his nose, looking away for a second before turning back to you.
"So… you're mad at me because other people look at me?"
His tone was calm, but there was a clear edge of disbelief. "i can't control what other people do, you know that, right?"
"It's not just that they look" you snapped, voice cracking a little. "it's the way they look. like they're hoping i disappear. lile they think they have a chance. and you just… walk around like it's nothing."
Riki ran a hand through his damp hair, clearly trying to stay patient but failing a bit.
"Because it is nothing" he replied.
"I don't care about any of them. i'm here with you. i chose you. i'm holding your hand the whole damn day. what more do you want me to do? wear a sign that says 'taken'?"
His words stung more than you expected.
"You don't get it" you muttered, looking down. "it makes me feel… small. like I have to compete just to stand next to you."
Riki was quiet for a moment. then he stepped forward, gently but firmly taking your hand again.
"Come here."
You resisted at first, but he gave a small tug and pulled you toward one of the larger shower stalls at the end of the row.
He slid the curtain closed behind you both with a sharp snap.
The space was small, the air still slightly humid.
Riki gently backed you up against the tiled wall, not rough, but not giving you much room to escape either. his hands rested on the wall on either side of your head, caging you in.
His eyes searched yours.
"I'm not trying to be an asshole" he said, voice lower now. "but you can't keep doing this every time, i haven't given you any reason to doubt me. not once."
You looked up at him, throat tight.
"I know you haven't" you admitted, voice quieter. "but it still bothers me. it makes me feel like… like i'm not enough to make them stop looking."
Riki's jaw clenched. He let out a slow breath, clearly trying to choose his words carefully.
"You are enough" he said. "more than enough. but i can't stop other people from existing."
The silence that followed was heavy. you could hear your own heartbeat in your ears. part of you knew he was right. another part still felt hurt.
"I hate feeling like this" you whispered, eyes stinging. "i hate that it affects me so much."
Riki's expression softened just a little. he brought one hand down to cup your cheek, thumb brushing your skin.
"I know" he murmured. "but shutting down and pulling away from me isn't going to fix it. talk to me next time. don't make me chase you into the bathroom like i did something wrong."
You nodded slowly, but the knot in your chest didn't fully disappear.
The tension between you two was thick — not angry, but emotionally charged.
Riki was close, very close, his body heat mixing with the leftover humidity in the stall.
He leaned his forehead against yours for a moment, breathing steadily.
The silence stretched between you, heavy and warm. Riki's breath fanned across your lips, slow and deliberate.
You could feel the tension radiating from his body — not just from the argument, but something deeper, something hotter.
He let out a long, frustrated sigh that brushed right against your mouth.
"…you're such a fucking brat, you know that?" he murmured, voice low and rough.
Before you could answer, he closed the small distance and kissed you.
It wasn't gentle.
The kiss was slow, wet, and deliberately filthy.
His lips moved against yours with purpose, tilting his head to deepen it almost immediately. his tongue slipped into your mouth without hesitation, sliding hot and heavy against yours in long, sensual strokes.
You could taste the faint salt of the pool water on him, mixed with the sweetness of the drink he'd had earlier.
The kiss was messy — wet sounds filling the small space as your tongues moved together, slow and indulgent, like he was savoring every second.
A soft, involuntary sound escaped your throat.
Riki's hands weren't shy.
One stayed cupping your jaw, thumb stroking your cheek almost tenderly, while the other slid down your body without hesitation.
His fingers dipped beneath the waistband of your pink bikini bottoms, palm flattening against your lower stomach before moving lower.
He cupped you possessively, two fingers pressing between your folds, feeling how wet you already were.
You gasped into his mouth.
"Riki…" you breathed against his lips, voice shaky. "we're in public… someone could walk in."
He didn't pull his hand away. instead, he rubbed slow, deliberate circles against your clit, kissing you even deeper, tongue stroking yours in time with his fingers.
"Just a little bit" he whispered hotly against your mouth, the words barely audible. "i just need to touch you for a second."
You tried to protest again, but it came out as a quiet whimper when his middle finger teased your entrance, not pushing in, just circling, spreading your wetness.
Your hand stayed in his hair, fingers tightening slightly as you kissed him back, still affected by your earlier jealousy but unable to resist the pull between you.
Riki groaned softly into the kiss, the sound deep and frustrated.
"You drive me mad" he muttered, lips brushing yours with every word. "one second i'm trying to talk to you, the next i just want to bend you over"
His fingers kept moving — slow, teasing strokes that made your hips twitch against his hand.
He kissed you again, slower this time, sucking on your bottom lip before sliding his tongue back into your mouth, wet and sensual. the kiss was so deep it felt almost obscene, saliva mixing as he explored your mouth like he had all the time in the world.
You pulled back just enough to breathe, foreheads still touching.
"I hate how much i want you even when i'm annoyed at you" you whispered, voice unsteady.
Riki let out a low, breathy chuckle, almost dark.
"Yeah?" His fingers pressed a little firmer against your clit, rubbing in tight circles. "that makes two of us. you're standing here jealous as hell… and i'm still so fucking hard for you it hurts."
He kissed you again, hungrier this time, tongue licking into your mouth as his hand worked between your legs with practiced ease.
Your breathing was getting heavier, small whimpers slipping out between kisses despite how hard you tried to stay quiet.
Riki's free hand moved up to cradle the back of your neck, keeping you close as he kissed you slow and deep, almost lazily, like he wanted to drown in you.
The contrast between his filthy touch below and the almost romantic way he was kissing you made your head spin.
You moaned softly into his mouth, your fingers tightening in his hair as his hand continued its slow, torturous movements between your thighs.
The tension in the small shower stall was thick enough to cut with a knife — a messy mix of lingering hurt, frustration, desire, and love.
Riki kissed you like he was trying to erase every doubt in your mind, while his hand reminded your body exactly who it belonged to.
He groaned quietly into your mouth as two of those long fingers glided between your folds, coating themselves in your wetness before slowly pushing inside you.
You gasped against his lips, your body tensing for a second before melting into the sensation.
Riki's fingers were thick and skilled, curling perfectly as he pumped them slowly, deliberately, stroking that sensitive spot inside you with every movement.
"Always so wet for me…" he whispered against your mouth, voice deep and intimate. "even when you're mad at me."
You moaned softly, trying to stay quiet as his fingers worked you open.
The wet, slick sound of his fingers moving in and out of you was unmistakable in the small stall.
Riki kissed you again, slower this time, tongue licking into your mouth while his fingers continued their steady rhythm — not too fast, but deep enough to make your knees weak.
Your hand stayed in his hair, fingers gently tugging at the damp strands as your other hand pressed against his chest, feeling his heartbeat.
Your eyes eventually drifted down between your bodies. his cock was straining hard against his swim trunks, the outline obvious and almost painful-looking. guilt twisted in your stomach.
You reached down and gently stopped his wrist.
"Riki… wait" you whispered, breathing heavily.
He paused, fingers still buried inside you, and looked at you with dark, questioning eyes.
You didn't say anything else.
Instead, you leaned in and started kissing his neck — slow, open-mouthed kisses along his sharp jawline and down the column of his throat.
Your hands slid down his toned torso, tracing every ridge of muscle, every faint scar, every mole. when you reached the waistband of his trunks, you dropped to your knees in front of him.
You pressed soft kisses to the small kiss-shaped tattoo right above his inguinal line, then licked it slowly, savoring the taste of his skin mixed with chlorine.
Riki let out a shaky breath, one hand gently resting on top of your head.
You looked up at him with those big, beautiful eyes — a silent question.
Riki swallowed hard, jaw clenched. his voice came out low and real, a little hoarse:
"…You don't have to."
But you wanted to.
You hooked your fingers into his waistband and slowly pulled his trunks down just enough to free his cock. it sprang out, heavy and flushed, the tip already glistening.
Riki exhaled sharply through his nose, his abs tensing visibly.
"Shit…" he breathed, looking down at you. "you look so pretty on your knees like that.”
You leaned in and kissed the base of his cock, then slowly dragged your tongue up the underside, savoring every vein. Riki's hand tightened gently in your hair, not pushing, just holding.
"Fuck, baby… you're really gonna do this right here?" he whispered, voice thick with both disbelief and want. "after arguing with me and everything?"
You nodded, eyes locked on his as you took him into your mouth.
Riki groaned deeply, head falling back for a second before he looked down again, watching you with hooded eyes.
"That's it… just like that" he murmured, voice rough but tender.
You worked him slowly at first, starting to take him deeper little by little, your hand stroking what you couldn't fit.
The wet sounds were lewd, but the shower noise from earlier still helped cover them slightly.
Riki's breathing grew heavier, his fingers flexing in your hair as he fought the urge to thrust into your mouth.
You hummed around him, the vibration making his thighs tense. he let out a low, shaky groan and gently caressed your cheek with his thumb.
"Look at me" he whispered.
When your eyes met his, the intensity in his gaze made your stomach flip.
"Yeah… just like that" he breathed. "my pretty girl."
“Fuck…” he muttered, voice thick.
You wrapped your lips around the head and sucked gently, swirling your tongue around the sensitive tip.
You sank down until he hit the back of your throat. you relaxed your jaw and swallowed around him, earning a deep, guttural groan from Riki.
His hand came to rest on the back of your head, not pushing, just holding you there as you began to bob slowly.
The wet, obscene sounds of your mouth working his cock filled the small shower stall — soft, slick gluck noises every time you took him deep.
You looked up at him through your lashes as you sucked him harder, hollowing your cheeks. your hand stroked the base of his cock in perfect rhythm with your mouth, twisting slightly on every upward stroke.
Saliva dripped down your chin, making a mess, but you didn't care. you wanted him to feel everything.
Riki's breathing grew heavier.
His hips twitched forward slightly, but he held back, letting you control the pace. you pulled off for a second, gasping for air, strings of spit connecting your swollen lips to his glistening cock.
You stroked him fast with your hand while licking and sucking on the underside, paying special attention to the sensitive spot just below the head.
"Goddamn…" Riki groaned, his voice rough and low.
You hummed around him in response and took him deep again, relaxing your throat until your nose brushed against his pelvis.
You held yourself there for a few seconds, eyes watering, before pulling back and gasping.
Riki's hand tightened gently in your hair.
"So fucking pretty with my cock in your mouth" he said, almost reverently. "keep going, baby. just like that."
You did.
You sucked him with renewed enthusiasm — faster, sloppier, wetter.
Your hand pumped the part you couldn't fit while your tongue worked the head every time you pulled back.
Drool ran down your chin and dripped onto your chest. the sounds were filthy, loud in the small space, but you couldn't bring yourself to care.
Riki's thighs started to tremble. his breathing was ragged now, low groans escaping him with every deep suck.
"Fuck— i'm getting close" he warned, voice strained. "you want it in your mouth?"
You pulled off just enough to answer, lips shiny and swollen.
"On my face" you whispered, looking up at him with hazy eyes.
Riki cursed under his breath.
He pulled his cock out of your mouth with a wet pop and started stroking himself fast, the head aimed directly at your face. you kept your mouth open, tongue out, eyes locked on his as he pumped his fist.
"Shit… look at you" he groaned, voice breaking. "so eager for my cum."
His strokes grew faster, more desperate. his abs tensed, veins in his forearm popping as he jerked himself off right in front of your face. you stayed perfectly still, tongue out, waiting.
With a deep, broken groan, Riki came.
The first thick rope of cum landed across your tongue and upper lip.
The second hit your cheek. more followed, painting your face in warm, sticky streaks — your nose, your chin, even a little on your eyelashes.
He kept stroking himself through it, milking every drop onto your waiting face while letting out low, shaky groans.
When he finally finished, he tapped the sensitive head of his cock against your tongue a few times, smearing the last remnants across your lips.
"… you look so good covered in my cum" he whispered, breathing hard.
His thumb gently wiped some from your cheek and pushed it between your lips so you could suck it clean.
You did, looking up at him the entire time.
Riki stared down at you for a long moment, chest heaving, before he helped you stand up.
He pulled you into his arms, kissing your forehead despite the mess on your face.
Riki stayed still for a few seconds, breathing hard, his cock still twitching against your lips. he gently wiped some of his cum from your cheek with his thumb, then suddenly froze.
He turned his head, listening carefully. he peeked through a small gap in the curtain, scanning the bathroom area.
Empty. no footsteps, no voices. just the distant noise of the water park.
He let the curtain fall back into place and looked down at you.
"Come here, baby" he murmured, voice low and rough.
Slowly he turned you around, pressing your front against the wet tiled wall. your palms flattened against the cool surface as he stepped right behind you, chest to your back.
His hard cock, still slick from your mouth, slid between your ass cheeks. he groaned deeply, the sound vibrating against your shoulder as he rolled his hips, rubbing his length up and down your slit teasingly.
"Fuck… feel that?" he breathed against your ear. "so hard because of you."
You whimpered, pushing back against him instinctively.
Riki brought his hand up — the same fingers that had been inside you moments ago — and pressed them against your lips.
"Open" he ordered softly.
You obeyed, taking two of his long fingers into your mouth, sucking them obediently while he continued grinding his cock between your cheeks. the taste of yourself mixed with his skin made you moan around his fingers.
"Good girl" he whispered, voice thick. he pumped his fingers slowly in and out of your mouth, matching the rhythm of his hips. "suck them just like you sucked my cock."
You did, swirling your tongue around his fingers as he rubbed the head of his cock against your entrance, teasing you mercilessly.
After a few moments, he pulled his fingers from your mouth with a wet pop and gripped your hip with that same hand.
"Stay still for me" he murmured.
With his free hand he moved your bikini aside.
He lined himself up and slowly pushed inside you, stretching you open inch by inch.
You let out a long, shaky moan, forehead pressed against the tiles as he filled you completely. Riki groaned deeply, burying his face in the crook of your neck.
"Mh… so tight" he rasped, staying still for a second to let you adjust. "you always take me so well."
He started moving — slow, deep thrusts that made your body rock against the wall with every roll of his hips.
One arm wrapped around your waist, pulling your back flush against his chest, while his other hand braced on the wall beside your head.
The position was incredibly intimate, his body completely covering yours, skin sliding against skin.
Your moans were soft but constant, each thrust drawing a new sound from your throat.
"Riki…" you gasped, pushing back to meet him. "you're so... huge— mh"
He groaned in response, the sound low and guttural, lips pressed against your shoulder.
His hand on your waist slid down to your hip, gripping you tighter as he fucked you harder.
The wet sound of his cock sliding in and out of you mixed with the shower and your shared heavy breathing. every time he bottomed out, a soft slap echoed in the stall.
"You feel so fucking good" he whispered against your neck, voice hoarse. "so warm… so wet for me."
You reached back with one hand, threading your fingers through his damp hair again, tugging gently as he thrust into you. your other hand stayed pressed against the wall for balance.
"Harder" you breathed, voice trembling. "please…"
Riki didn't need to be told twice.
He adjusted his stance and started fucking you with more force, hips snapping against your ass while keeping your bodies pressed together.
The new intensity made your moans louder, more desperate. you tried to muffle them against your arm, but it was getting harder.
"Quiet, baby" he groaned near your ear, though his own sounds were getting rougher. "don't want anyone hearing how well i'm fucking you."
He changed the angle slightly, hitting that perfect spot inside you with every thrust.
Your legs started shaking. Riki noticed and wrapped his arm tighter around your waist, holding you up as he railed you against the wall.
"You're squeezing me so tight" he panted, voice breaking with pleasure. "gonna make me cum again if you keep doing that."
You moaned his name, fingers tightening in his hair as the pleasure built rapidly.
"Don't stop… Riki, please don't stop—"
He groaned deeply, the sound vibrating through his chest. his hand left the wall and slid between your legs, fingers finding your clit and rubbing tight circles as he continued pounding into you.
The combination was overwhelming. your moans turned into high-pitched whimpers, your body trembling in his arms as he fucked you harder, deeper, chasing both of your releases.
"I'm close" you gasped, voice breaking. "i'm so close—"
"Me too" he groaned, burying his face in your neck. "cum with me, baby. let me feel you."
But Riki didn't let you finish like that.
With a low, frustrated sound in his throat, he suddenly pulled out of you.
You whimpered at the emptiness, legs trembling, but before you could protest he turned you around to face him. his hands were firm on your hips as he lifted your left leg again, hooking it high around his waist.
The new position pressed your back against the wet tiles, your chests flush together, hearts pounding against each other.
He looked straight into your eyes as he pushed back inside you in one slow, deep thrust.
A broken moan left your lips.
The eye contact made everything more intense — there was no hiding, no escaping the raw connection between you. Riki groaned deeply, the sound vibrating through his chest as he bottomed out, hips flush against yours.
"Fuck… look at me" he whispered, voice hoarse and thick with need.
He started moving again — deep, rolling thrusts that made your body jolt against the wall with every stroke. Riki's hand slid between your bodies, his thumb finding your swollen clit and rubbing slow, firm circles exactly how you liked it.
Your mouth fell open in a silent cry of pleasure. you reached up, threading your fingers through his wet hair again, tugging gently as he fucked you against the wall.
Riki leaned in and kissed you.
The kiss was slow, wet, and incredibly intimate.
His tongue moved against yours in deep, sensual strokes, tasting you like he couldn't get enough.
Every thrust was matched with a slow lick of his tongue, every roll of his hips met with a soft suck on your bottom lip. the sounds were filthy but beautiful — the wet slide of his cock moving inside you, the slick sounds of your tongues tangling, your soft whimpers and his low, throaty groans.
Your leg tightened around his waist as he drove deeper. Riki's thumb never stopped its steady rhythm on your clit, pushing you closer and closer to the edge while he kissed you like he was trying to memorize the taste of your moans.
"You feel so good" he breathed against your lips, voice rough but full of emotion. "i love being inside you like this."
You moaned into his mouth, fingers tightening in his hair as another deep thrust made your eyes roll back for a second. your free hand traced down his chest, feeling every muscle, every ridge, every mole under your fingertips.
"Riki…" you whimpered between kisses, voice shaky. "you're so deep… i can feel you everywhere."
He groaned deeply, the sound vibrating against your tongue as he kissed you harder.
His hips snapped forward with more force, but he kept the movements controlled, grinding against you.
The thumb on your clit sped up slightly, drawing tight, slick circles that made your thighs shake.
You were getting dangerously close.
Your moans were growing louder, harder to control. Riki seemed to notice and kissed you even deeper, swallowing every sound you made as he fucked you against the wall with slow, powerful strokes.
Just as the pleasure started to crest, just as your walls began to flutter around him —
Footsteps.
Clear footsteps entered the bathroom area.
Riki froze instantly, buried deep inside you.
His hand flew up to cover your mouth, eyes wide with alarm. your heart hammered against your ribs as you both went completely still, his cock throbbing inside you, your walls clenching around him from the sudden stop.
From outside the curtain, Seonghyun's voice called out innocently.
"Noona? Are you in here? Mom wants a family photo!"
Riki's eyes met yours. His hand stayed firmly over your mouth, his body pressed against yours, cock still buried to the hilt inside you. a bead of sweat mixed with water ran down his temple.
He leaned in close, lips brushing your ear as he whispered, barely audible:
"…Fuck."
His voice was full of pure frustration — deep, low, and genuinely annoyed.
He was still rock hard inside you, your combined arousal dripping down your thighs, and your face still had streaks of his cum on your cheek and chin from earlier. the situation was beyond risky.
Riki closed his eyes for a second, breathing heavily through his nose, clearly fighting every instinct to keep moving.
Seonghyun's voice came again, a little closer.
"Noona? Hyung?"
Riki looked at you, eyes dark with unresolved lust and irritation.
He pressed his forehead against yours, hand still covering your mouth as he whispered so quietly you could barely hear it:
"We're so fucked…"
标签列表 — 𝓣ag list: @rafestar @vmpiricou @heartheejake @nyfwyeonjun @jungmoholic @6nadia9 @suvakrpa @slfshwltz @rosieeeecherry @jungkookl0verrr @vk1alberich @luvrikiiiii @hrtswon @maki45sblog @05nikimura @sunnycombshome @mymy2424 @gojopolo @nena1009 @beenactingtoorude @udunnno @idkhahaha1234 @moonlight4riki @yenienha @chaexxe here if u want to be added<3 PARTTT 3
synopsis: kyla's at riki's crib for her usual reup, running her mouth about her lame ex for the hundredth time and riki is tired of hearing it, so he decides to show her exactly how a real man fucks. They're both high, watch things get rough and intense ;)
pairings: plug!riki x oc!reader
warnings: weed use, rough sex, brat taming, nipple play, fingering, oral (both receiving), creampie, overstimulation, praise, pet names (baby, pretty), dom riki, sub kyla. lmk if i missed smth lol
word count: 1.1k
a/n: you can check my OCs list if confused :)!
Kyla was already yapping before Riki even fully opened the door.
"—and then he had the audacity to say I was 'too much' like bro? you couldn't even make me finish. Ever. Be so fr rn"
Riki leaned against the doorframe, grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, phone in one hand, blunt behind his ear "Damn, He still livin rent-free or what?"
She pushed past him into his apartment like she owned the place. "Whatever, you got the runtz?"
"Obviously" He locked the door, watched her drop onto his couch like she belonged there "You good? you seem extra... bratty tonight"
"Im not bratty Im honest, there's a difference"
Riki snorted, grabbing the scale and the bag from his stash "Mhm"
She kept going while he weighed it out. Something about her ex posting thirst traps two weeks after the breakup, something about him owing her forty dollars, something about how he never went down on her but expected head on command.
Riki set the bag on the coffee table, rolled the blunt. Lit it and took a long pull then passed it to her.
"You done?" he asked.
"No" She hit the blunt, held it, let the smoke curl out slow "He's literally the lamest person I've ever dated, mind you I dated a guy who cried at a chipotle commercial"
Riki tilted his head and watched her. The way her thighs pressed together, the way her eyes got heavy off one pull.
"Can I say somethin tho?" he asked.
"You're gonna anyway"
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees "Quit fuckin with them lames fr"
Kyla blinked "What?"
"You heard me" His voice dropped "You come over here every other night talkin bout how nobody treats you right, how nobody fucks you right, how you always gotta beg for bare minimum"
He took the blunt from her fingers, stubbed it out.
"Im tired of hearin' it" he said "Cause I could put you on some real game, and you know it"
The room got smaller.
Kyla's mouth opened, Closed "You think you r so slick-"
"I think you been comin over here at midnight smellin like vanilla and attitude hopin I'd notice" He reached out, hooked a finger under her chin "I noticed, pretty. I just wanted you to say it first"
"Say what?"
"That you want me to fuck you like your ex never could"
She should've laughed, should've rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag and left.
but instead she answered "...Maybe"
Riki grinned, slow and dangerous "There she is"
He kissed her like he was proving a point, one hand in her hair, the other gripping her waist pulling her across the couch until she was straddling him. She gasped into his mouth amd he swallowed it.
"Already wet?" He pressed his palm between her legs, over her sweats "Damn, baby. And you was just talkin shit"
"Shut up—"
He squeezed, she moaned in response.
"You shut up" he said "Take these off"
He stripped her out of her hoodie, her bra, her sweats, until she was just in lacy underwear that made him exhale slow "Fuck. You been hiding this under baggy clothes?"
He flipped them and pressed her into the cushions, kissed down her neck, her collarbone, until his mouth found her nipple, sucking hard.
"Riki—"
"You wanted rough, yeah?" He bit down gently, then soothed it with his tongue "Thats what brats get"
He worked her other nipple with his fingers, twisting, pulling, watching her arch into him. Her hands fisted the couch n her hips bucked up.
"Please—"
"Please what?"
"Touch me, riki"
He hooked his fingers in her underwear and pulled them off, spreading her thighs "Look at that. So fuckin pretty" He dragged a finger through her wetness, slow "This all for me?"
"Yes—fuck, yes—"
"Good answer"
He pushed two fingers inside her without warning, she cried out as he curled them immediately, found the spot and pressed deep.
"Oh my god—"
"Yeah? Thats not even my dick yet, pretty" He pumped his fingers faster, rougher, until she was shaking "You gonna cum on my fingers like a good girl?"
"I— I—"
"Thats not a yes. Words, pretty"
"Yes! Yes, fuck, please—"
He pressed his thumb to her clit and she shattered, whole body seizing, mouth open, nothing but breathy sounds falling out, he worked her through it, slow and dirty until she was twitching.
"One" he said.
"W-what?"
"You gon cum at least three times tonight, baby. Thats the game Im puttin you on"
He pulled his fingers out, sucked them clean while she watched, dazed.
"Your turn" she whispered.
"Yeah?" He raised an eyebrow "You wanna show me what that mouth do?"
She nodded. Bratty gone, just needy now.
He stood up, pulled his sweatpants down just enough. Thick. Veiny. Curved, kyla's mouth watered.
"Open" he said softly.
She did, and he fed her his length slow, let her adjust, then gripped her hair and held her there "Tap my thigh if its too much. Otherwise, take it"
She took it, deep, messy, spit dripping down her chin. He groaned above her, head tilted back, hand tightening in her hair.
"Just like that, shit— look at you, so fuckin pretty with my dick in your mouth"
He let her set the rhythm for a minute, then he took over, thrusting shallow, then deep, watching her gag but not tap out.
"Knew you was a freak" he muttered "Fuckin knew it"
He pulled out before he got too close, laid her on her back and kissed down her stomach, her hips, then settled between her thighs. Licked a stripe up her center.
"Riki—" She gasped.
"You already came once, you can take another, pretty"
He ate her like he was starving. Flat tongue, sloppy, focused on her clit while two fingers pushed back inside, she grabbed his hair pulling while moaning his name like a prayer.
"Cum on my face, baby. I wanna feel it"
She did. Hard. Back arched off the couch, thighs closing around his head, a broken string of "fuck fuck fuck" falling out.
"Two" he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand "One more"
"Cant—"
"Yes you can, kyla"
He lined himself up, pushed in slow as her eyes rolled back.
"Oh my god—" she screamed.
He bottomed out, let her feel every inch "Feel how a real man fucks, baby?"
"Yes— yes—"
He moved, deep n rough, snapping his hips into hers, pinning her wrists above her head. She was babbling something about more, harder, please don't stop.
"You want me to fill you up, baby?" He leaned down, lips against her ear.
"Yes— fuck yes—"
"Then take it, take all of it."
He fucked her through the edge, through her third orgasm. Through his own. Came deep, groaning her name n forehead pressed to hers.
They stayed like that. Breathing. Sweaty. High.
Riki pulled back just enough to look at her "Still think about your ex?"
Kyla laughed, breathless "My who?"
He grinned and kissed her forehead "Thats what I thought"
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 When the moon darkens, secrets come to light: painful truths, bitter confessions, desire, and revenge. It’s always like that there, with them, shrouded in a web of secrets and unspoken passions.
In the secluded, shadowed town of Wolhyeon, what you see is only a fraction of the truth. As a wave of brutal murders unsettles its residents, you begin digging for answers—only to find yourself caught between two powerful presences, awakening in them an irresistible urge to protect you and irrevocable, fateful feelings with disastrous consequences. A detective who warns you to stop, and a mysterious, unreadable man who seems to linger wherever you go.
𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶ♱ ྀིྀ park sunghoon x fem!reader ✧ sim jaeyun x fem!reader 𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶ♱ ྀིྀ
CONTENT ࣪ ִֶָ𓉸. WARNINGS vampire au, supernatural elements (creatures, superpowers), slow burn, explicit sexual content (smut - mdni), angst, dark romance, love triangle, forbidden love, thriller, mystery, age gap, bdsm, violence (can be graphic), psychological themes (disorders), infidelity, dark themes (murders, serial killer), trauma, dead relatives, blood play, possessiveness, dubcon, kidnapping. features Heeseung, Jay, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Niki as characters (their ages and human/vampire vary for each member). vampire!sunghoon, detective!jake, reader’s 22-23. specific warnings will appear in each chapter.
STATUS on going
WORD COUNT —
MASTERLIST ۪࣪ ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾་༘࿐
𝕯ᥲrk 𝕸᥆᥆ᥒ ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
†༙ 00: PROLOGUE
†༙ CHAPTER I : GHOST TOWN
†༙ CHAPTER II : UNTOLD TRUTH
†༙ CHAPTER III : SAINT
†༙ CHAPTER IV : PLAYING WITH FIRE
†༙ CHAPTER V : WITNESS
†༙ more to come... †
🩸 taglist open: comment on this post, dm or inbox is fine (must have an age indicator on your blog pls !!).
DISCLAIMER 🦇༉‧₊˚. NOTES 🦇༉‧₊˚. AUTHOR’S NOTE
— characterization of enhypen members, this is purely fictional !! i am not trying to damage their image. sorry if the serial killer theme is not your thing. tags were there. but i’ll never romanticize murder or any kind of violence (and this fic won’t be the exception). it’s just for writing purposes.
— everything’s fictional. even the town, “located” in South Korea, so I can be geographically and historically wrong, but i’ll do my best.
— contains crime elements and i’ll do my best to put them out there!! haha i’m not a criminologist, a forensic scientist, or a police officer.
— not related to enhypen’s dark moon lore. i just loved the name :3
— inspired by enhypen’s songs and their vampire concept, ofc, as well as a lot of other vampire content/media: my chemical romance, twilight, the vampire diaries, interview with the vampire, Dracula, etc. inspo movies like The Silence of the Lambs, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Se7en, zodiac. (a/n: lot of references/inspo of twilight i love twilight haha).
— i’ll create a playlist later, be ready for all enha discography in it lol
wen’s note: first enha series kinda nervous!! tysm if u decide to give it a try♡
i had this idea since december of last year lol tysm for reading (㇏(•̀ᵥᵥ•́)ノ)
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 When the moon darkens, secrets come to light: painful truths, bitter confessions, desire, and revenge. It’s always like that there, with them—shrouded in a web of secrets and unspoken passions.
In the secluded, shadowed town of Wolhyeon, what you see is only a fraction of the truth. As a wave of brutal murders unsettles its residents, you begin digging for answers—only to find yourself caught between two powerful presences, awakening in them an irresistible urge to protect you and irrevocable, fateful feelings with disastrous consequences. A detective who warns you to stop, and a mysterious, unreadable man who seems to linger wherever you go.
𝑆𝐸𝑅𝛪𝐸𝑆 𝛭𝛢𝑆𝛵𝐸𝑅𝐿𝛪𝑆𝛵 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶ♱ ྀིྀ park sunghoon x fem!reader ✧ sim jaeyun x fem!reader 𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶ♱ ྀིྀ
CONTENT ࣪ ִֶָ𓉸. WARNINGS vampire au, supernatural elements (creatures, superpowers), explicit sexual content (smut - mdni), angst, dark romance, love triangle, forbidden love, thriller, mystery, age gap, bdsm, violence (can be graphic), psychological themes (disorders), infidelity, dark themes (murders, serial killer), trauma, dead relatives, blood play, possessiveness, dubcon, kidnapping. features Heeseung, Jay, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Niki as characters (their ages and human/vampire vary for each member). vampire!sunghoon, detective!jake, reader’s 22-23. specific warnings will appear in each chapter.
❦ PROLOGUE
DARK MOON : 𝛲𝑅𝛰𝐿𝛰𝐺𝑈𝐸 ╋━ (words: 1249)
Fear and rumors spread easily, but no argument held water. The case was confusing. Absolutely everything was—ever since the first murder, everything had begun to blur.
Fright, uncertainty, and mistrust filled every person living in the town. They no longer greeted one another. They grew colder. They would only meet you with a stern look and a glint of suspicion in their eyes, their expressions tense and judgmental... That was how all of this affected each and every person Sunghoon had so desperately wanted to protect.
But he flatly and wholeheartedly refused to accept it. To simply resign himself to the fact that this was just the way things had to be. There was someone out there, of course there was, someone truly evil... but how hard could it really be to catch a murderer in a town with fewer than ten thousand people?
It seemed increasingly impossible, and slowly, he was losing hope. The thought alone sickened him to his core. The killer was taunting them right to their faces, sending cryptic clues and toying with everyone who dared stick their neck out in an attempt to catch him.
The case had become a splinter lodged beneath his skin. It genuinely frustrated every fiber of Sunghoon’s being. He hadn’t stopped mulling it over since the moment this whole nightmare began. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t think… Who? Why? Not a day goes by that he doesn’t think of all the ways he could stop him. Make everything go back to normal.
Normality. What a cold, bland word, he thought... but he missed every part of it—or almost every part, since, in a way, returning to normality meant erasing you from his life.
Life back to normal in Wolhyeon. Peace. Cool, cloudy days with no sun. College students on the streets, tourists impressed by the town’s layout, design, and architecture. Days without you.
Everything was fine. Sunghoon had maintained order ever since the day he built this place with his own hands, through tears, sweat, and blood. Still, the thought of admitting otherwise intimidated him. To acknowledge just how quickly the situation was spiraling out of control, much like the disastrous incident that had occurred twenty years ago.
The fatal and disastrous murder at the hands of his own protégés. The tragedy and betrayal still haunt him. And, since then, he has not trusted anyone with such devotion.
And something in his gut told him that, for some reason, that incident might be connected to the current murders... but never before in his life had he been so confused or unsure of himself, since it was practically impossible. The killers 20 years ago were vampires, and this... this lunatic who unsettled Sunghoon in every way... couldn’t be a vampire. There was no way.
But amid all the tension, the one thing he longed for was nothing more than simple normality, simplicity. All Sunghoon had wanted since he met you was to be... more than just a mere mortal, to you, to the world—to be able to suffer like everyone else, with a heart that beats and lives.
The photos were there. Cold, harsh, almost unscrupulous, scattered across his desk and glistening beneath the dim light cast over them. The photographs—if anyone else were to see them now—would provoke chills, remorse, a disturbing sense of unease, even a twist in the stomach. But for someone like Park Sunghoon, there was nothing left to do except spread them out before him and analyze them over and over again, just as he had since that first terrible day.
He loosened his tie in desperation, rubbed the side of his index finger against his upper lip, then rested his hands on his hips as he looked down once more at the grotesque photographs. He thought, analyzed, searched for something—yet remained lost and frustrated. The images depicted each atrocious, violent murder in brutal detail. The post-mortem shots revealed lifeless, dull bodies, their expressions frozen in suffering and terror, their skin drenched in blood.
What kind of monster would do something like that? More of a monster than he could ever be.
But he was sure of one thing. Sunghoon knew that sooner or later, the next victim would appear. And he had to act quickly.
He looked up. Jay was standing there, wearing his usual worried, tense expression—that look that had never left his face, even after more than 100 years. Sunghoon sighed, and just as he was about to speak—to blurt out a genuinely unhelpful comment—his phone began to vibrate on his desk, taking him completely by surprise.
It wasn’t who he was expecting, and in fact, he wasn’t expecting anyone in particular. It was past midnight, and that person wouldn’t have any reason to call unless it was important. The contact on his phone labeled Detective Jake Sim glowed faintly in the dimly lit room.
Sunghoon picked up his phone and, with a hint of discouragement, answered.
“Sim.”
He looked around, pressed his lips together, curious about what Jake might say, assuming it must be something important.
But Sunghoon had no idea.
Jake answered quickly, agitated; Sunghoon could sense his agitation even through the phone line.
“Sunghoon... is Y/n with you by any chance?”
The whole world seemed to stop for a second after hearing that... his worst nightmare. A flood of thoughts and scenarios rushed through his mind, and none of them were pleasant, not in the midst of a situation as bleak as the one the entire town was going through.
Of course, he thought, why else would Jake Sim contact him? If the only thing they had in common was a mutual interest in solving the case, and... you... they shared the strange devotion and closeness toward you... Otherwise, Jake would never have any reason to turn to Park Sunghoon.
“What? No. What do you mean? She’s not here right now.”
The dazed voices and breathing of both men were palpable.
Jake’s heart was pounding so hard that Sunghoon could hear it, sensing that something serious was wrong. Of course, the night itself was scary.
And, for a moment, the silence punished the poor, old nocturnal creature that was Sunghoon.
Jake sighed. He was pale, unwilling to say it out loud for fear it might somehow feel genuine. And admitting it made him tremble, a rejection of calm. It threw everything about him into disarray.
“She’s not in her apartment either. I always check to make sure she’s home… tonight I got to the building late and… she’s not here. She’s not answering her phone, and the last person who saw her was Riki Nishimura, her other neighbor, around 6 p.m.”
And there it was, his worst nightmare come true. You couldn’t just disappear like that… No, no, and no.
“Are you at her place? I’ll be right there.”
Sunghoon hung up immediately, leaving Jake shaken and confused, since he himself was already grappling with your mysterious absence.
And, for his part, Jay immediately noticed Sunghoon’s nervous and unusual change of behavior. He hadn’t seen him this terrified in quite a few years—maybe decades. It was serious.
“What’s going on?” he asked, breathless, dismayed.
Sunghoon hurried to the door, thinking of nothing but the brief conversation he’d had with Jake.
“Y/n disappeared.”
And both Jake and Sunghoon flatly refused to believe that your disappearance was natural. You weren’t going to be just another victim. Victim number five for the sick and twisted pleasure of a monster.
You barely had time to catch your breath after slipping through the back entrance before he was dragging you down the familiar hallway, his large hand warm and tight around yours. The entire company building was dark and silent, only the faint hum of the air conditioning and the echo of your hurried footsteps breaking the quiet. Your heart raced the whole way, half from adrenaline, half from the way Niki kept glancing back at you with that wicked little smirk.
He’d texted you at 2:30 AM with nothing but his location pin and “come wear something easy to move in.” You knew exactly what that meant.
As soon as the heavy door to the main practice room clicked shut behind you, Niki let out a low, satisfied hum. He locked it with a deliberate twist, then dimmed the lights until only a soft, moody glow remained. The massive wall of mirrors reflected the two of you like a private show already in progress — his tall frame behind yours, damp hair falling into his eyes, black practice hoodie half-zipped to show the sharp collarbones and smooth chest underneath.
“Finally,” he murmured, voice rough from hours of dancing. He spun you around and pressed you back against the cool mirrored wall, one hand braced beside your head. “Been dying to get you here all night.”
His free hand slid down your side, fingers playing with the hem of the loose hoodie you’d thrown on over tiny sleep shorts. He leaned in close, lips brushing the shell of your ear as the first heavy bass notes of the track started pulsing through the speakers.
“You’re really risking sneaking into the company building at 3AM just because I said so?” He chuckled darkly, the sound vibrating against your skin. “Such a good girl for me… or maybe just a greedy little slut who couldn’t wait to get fucked in my practice room.”
Niki pulled back just enough to look at you, dark eyes gleaming with mischief and hunger. He reached over and turned the music up a little more — loud enough to cover any sounds you might make, but not so loud that security would come investigating.
He licked his lips slowly, gaze dragging down your body.
“Alright, baby. Warm-up starts now.”
He stepped back and tugged you toward the center of the room, positioning you right in front of the mirror wall so you could see everything.
“Lesson one,” he said, voice dropping lower as he stood behind you, hands settling possessively on your hips. “Hips. Follow my lead.”
Niki’s hands stayed firm on your hips, his tall body pressed flush against your back as the heavy bass vibrated through the practice room floor. Both of you faced the mirror, the reflection showing exactly how small you looked wrapped in his frame.
“Official choreography first,” he said, voice low and teasing. “Then I’ll show you the better version.”
He started the count. You tried to focus as he guided you through the familiar body rolls, but it was impossible. Every time your hips moved backward, his hardening cock ground deliberately against your ass through his thin sweatpants. On the third roll, he pushed forward harder, letting you feel the full length of him.
“Deeper,” he murmured against your ear, breath hot. “Roll them like you’re trying to fuck me in front of the mirror. Yeah… just like that.”
His fingers slipped under the hem of your hoodie, palms sliding up your bare stomach. He corrected your posture with a firm grip, then suddenly delivered a sharp smack to your ass when your movement faltered.
“Focus, baby.”
Next came the hip isolations. Niki made you circle your hips in slow, filthy figure-eights while he mirrored the motion perfectly behind you. His thigh slid between your legs from behind, pressing up against your clothed pussy. Every rotation rubbed your clit against the hard muscle of his thigh, and the thin fabric of your sleep shorts did nothing to hide how wet you were getting.
“Look at yourself,” he ordered, voice husky. One hand came up to grip your jaw, forcing your gaze to stay on the mirror. “Look how desperate you already are just from dancing with me.”
You let out a shaky whimper. Niki smirked and turned the music slightly louder.
“Now the floor section.” He spun you around to face him, then guided you down until you were on your knees in front of him. The mirror behind you gave him the perfect view of your ass as you looked up. He stepped closer, his bulge right in front of your face.
“Hands on my thighs. Now grind.”
You obeyed, sliding your hands up his long legs while he taught you a new move — slow, sensual grinds rising from your knees back to standing, dragging your body against his the entire way. When you reached full height, he hooked one of your legs around his hip, pressing you close.
“Partner lift,” he whispered, voice dripping with lust. He hoisted you effortlessly, your legs wrapping around his waist as he held you up. Your back met the cool mirror wall while he rocked his hips forward, rubbing his clothed cock right against your soaked core.
“Fuck, you’re dripping through your shorts already,” he groaned. One hand slipped between you, pushing your shorts and panties aside. Two long fingers teased your entrance before sinking inside you without warning.
Niki kept you suspended like that, fucking you slowly with his fingers to the beat while making you watch in the mirror.
“New choreography, baby. Every time the bass drops, you’re gonna take my cock. But not yet…” He curled his fingers perfectly against that spot inside you, thumb circling your swollen clit. “First you have to earn it. Ride my thigh like a good little dancer.”
He lowered you until your pussy was pressed firmly against his muscular thigh. The grip on your hips was bruising as he guided you, forcing you to grind and roll against him in time with the music.
“That’s it… faster. Make a mess on me.”
Your moans started to echo louder than the music. Niki’s eyes were dark, locked on your reflection as you fell apart — sweat already glistening on your skin, shorts ruined, legs trembling.
He leaned in, biting your bottom lip before growling:
“Such a filthy fucking dancer for me… I think it’s time for the real choreography now.”
The words had barely left Niki’s mouth before the teasing choreography completely shattered.
In one swift motion, he spun you around and slammed your front against the cold mirror wall. Your cheek pressed to the glass as his tall body pinned you from behind, hips grinding hard against your ass. The bass was still thumping, but all you could hear was the sound of your own ragged breathing and Niki’s low, hungry growl in your ear.
“Fuck the lesson,” he rasped, yanking your sleep shorts and panties down in one rough tug until they pooled around your ankles. “I need to be inside you. Now.”
His lips crashed against yours when you turned your head, the kiss messy and desperate — all tongue and teeth. One of his large hands wrapped around your throat from behind, not squeezing too hard but firm enough to make your pulse race under his fingers. The other hand shoved between your legs, two fingers immediately plunging into your soaked pussy while his palm rubbed roughly against your clit.
“Look,” he demanded, forcing your gaze back to the mirror. “Look at how fucking slutty you look right now.”
The reflection was obscene. Your hoodie was pushed up to your chest, tits bouncing every time his fingers thrust into you. Your face was flushed, lips swollen, eyes glassy with lust. Niki’s dark eyes were locked on yours through the mirror, sweat dripping down his sharp jaw as he finger-fucked you harder, curling relentlessly against that spot that made your knees buckle.
“Such a good little dancer… getting this wet just from grinding on my thigh,” he groaned, adding a third finger and stretching you open. “My greedy slut. You’ve been thinking about my cock all night, haven’t you?”
You moaned loudly, the sound echoing through the empty practice room. Niki chuckled darkly and pressed his hard cock against your ass, still trapped in his sweatpants.
“Answer me.”
“Y-yes— fuck, Niki—”
He pulled his fingers out suddenly, making you whine at the loss. You heard the rustle of fabric as he shoved his sweatpants and boxers down just enough to free his throbbing cock. Without another word, he lined up and slammed into you in one deep, brutal thrust.
A broken cry tore from your throat.
“Fuck— so tight,” he hissed, forehead dropping to your shoulder for a second before he started moving. Hard. Deep. Punishing strokes that slammed you against the mirror with every thrust. The glass fogged up from your hot breath as he railed you, one hand still around your throat while the other gripped your hip hard enough to leave marks.
“Eyes on the mirror, baby,” he growled, biting down on your neck. “Watch how pretty you look getting fucked like this.”
You couldn’t look away even if you wanted to. The sight of Niki behind you — tall, sweaty, muscles flexing with every powerful snap of his hips — was hypnotic. His cock disappeared inside you over and over, wet sounds filling the room between the heavy beats of the music.
He reached around to slap your clit lightly, then rubbed fast circles over it while his thrusts grew even rougher.
“That’s my good girl… taking every inch like you were made for me.”
His pace turned feral, hips snapping relentlessly as he fucked you against the mirror like he was trying to break it. Every thrust pushed you closer to the edge, your legs shaking violently.
Niki’s voice dropped to a filthy whisper right against your ear:
“Gonna fill this pretty pussy up… right here where anyone could walk in and see what a cock-drunk little slut you are for me.”
Niki didn’t give you a chance to recover.
He pulled out abruptly, making you whimper at the sudden emptiness. Before your legs could give out, he spun you around and dropped to the floor with you, laying you down on the cool practice room floor. The mirrored ceiling above reflected everything — your flushed, fucked-out expression and Niki’s tall, sweaty body hovering over you like a predator.
“On your back first, baby,” he ordered, voice rough with lust. He shoved your hoodie all the way up and yanked your shorts and panties completely off, tossing them aside. “I wanna see your face when you fall apart.”
He sat back against the mirror and pulled you on top of him, positioning you so your dripping pussy rested directly on his thick thigh. Both of his hands gripped your hips hard.
“Ride it. Just like we practiced.”
The music was still playing, bass heavy and filthy. You started grinding on his thigh, sliding your soaked folds along the hard muscle. Niki’s eyes were glued to the sight — your slick coating his skin with every desperate roll of your hips.
“Faster,” he growled, slapping your ass sharply. “Make a mess like the slut I know you are.”
You moaned loudly, bracing your hands on his shoulders as you rode his thigh frantically. The friction on your swollen clit was overwhelming after the rough fucking against the mirror. Niki leaned forward, sucking one of your nipples into his hot mouth while his other hand reached down to rub tight, fast circles on your clit.
“That’s it… fuck, look at you. Soaking my thigh like a desperate little whore.”
Your thighs started trembling violently. The pressure built impossibly fast until it snapped — you came hard with a broken cry, squirting all over his thigh and the floor beneath you. Niki groaned in satisfaction, eyes dark as he watched you shake and gush.
“Good fucking girl.”
He didn’t let you stop. He flipped you onto your back on the cool floor and climbed between your legs, slamming back inside your pulsing heat in one brutal thrust. The new angle made you scream, oversensitive walls clenching around his thick cock.
“Niki— fuck— too much—” you gasped, nails digging into his back.
“Too much?” He smirked, pounding into you even harder, hips snapping relentlessly. Sweat dripped from his hair onto your chest. “You can take it. You’re gonna take everything I give you.”
He hooked one of your legs over his shoulder, folding you in half as he drove deeper. The wet, filthy sound of skin slapping skin filled the room. He reached down and rubbed your clit again, forcing another orgasm out of you while you thrashed beneath him.
“Again. Cum on my cock like a good little dancer.”
You came a second time, walls fluttering wildly around him. Niki cursed, burying himself to the hilt as he filled you with the first thick load of cum, groaning your name against your neck.
But he wasn’t done.
He pulled out, flipped you onto your stomach, and yanked your hips up. Prone bone — his favorite. He mounted you, chest pressed to your back, and fucked you even deeper, pushing his cum back inside with every thrust.
“Push it out for me, baby,” he whispered filthily in your ear.
You obeyed, clenching around him until his cum started leaking out around his cock. Niki pulled out just enough to scoop some up with his fingers and brought them to your mouth.
“Suck.”
You moaned around his fingers, tasting both of you as he slid back inside and kept fucking you through the overstimulation. Your legs were shaking uncontrollably, tears of pleasure slipping down your cheeks, but Niki just kissed your shoulder and kept going.
“One more, doll. Give me one more and I’ll fill you up again.”
You came again and so did he. Niki collapsed on top of you, both of you slick with sweat and breathing like you’d just finished the most intense dance practice of your lives. His cock was still buried deep inside you, twitching with the last weak spurts of his second creampie as your walls fluttered around him.
“Fuck… baby,” he panted against your neck, voice hoarse and raspy. He pressed soft, open-mouthed kisses along your shoulder and up your jaw, his usual cocky energy melting into something warmer.
He stayed there for a moment, just breathing with you, before slowly pulling out. A thick trail of his cum leaked from your abused pussy onto the practice room floor. Niki let out a low, satisfied groan at the sight.
“Look at that pretty mess,” he murmured, almost proudly. He scooped some of it up with two fingers and brought them to your lips. You obediently sucked them clean, tired eyes locked on his. He watched with dark, affectionate eyes.
“Good girl… always so perfect for me.”
Niki finally rolled off you and pulled you into his arms, cradling your exhausted body against his chest. The cool floor felt nice against your overheated skin. He reached for his discarded hoodie and gently wiped between your legs, cleaning you up as best as he could with the soft fabric.
“You okay?” he asked quietly, brushing damp strands of hair away from your face. His tone had completely softened now — the same gentle Niki that only you ever got to see. He kissed your forehead, then your swollen lips, slow and sweet.
“Mhm…” you hummed, voice wrecked. Your legs were still trembling slightly as you curled into him.
He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. “I think we ruined the floor. And probably my thigh. And the mirror…” He glanced up at the foggy, hand-printed mirror wall with a smug little smirk. “Worth it though.”
You smacked his chest weakly, and he laughed — that bright, boyish laugh that always made your heart flip.
Niki pulled you even closer, wrapping his long limbs around you like a blanket. His fingers traced lazy patterns on your back under the hoodie he’d draped over you.
“You know you’re never gonna be able to watch our official choreography the same way again, right?” he teased, lips brushing your ear. “Every time I do that body roll on stage… you’re gonna remember how I fucked you to the exact same beat.”
“Shut up,” you mumbled, embarrassed, hiding your face in his neck.
He grinned and kissed the top of your head. “Never. I’m already planning the next 3AM lesson.”
The music had finally stopped, leaving only the sound of your slowing breaths and the distant hum of the building. Niki held you tighter, pressing one last soft kiss to your temple.
“Stay with me a little longer before we sneak out,” he whispered. “I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
You smiled against his skin, completely spent, thoroughly fucked, and undeniably loved.
黑穗病 ─── "You're too fucking pretty, baby. makes me wanna do bad things to you." Ni-ki always pretends to be a good boy in front of your parents, especially on your first family trip together, but despite the situation, he can't help wanting to fuck you every second.
ⳇ 𝓟 airing ╸ dom!bf!ni-ki x fem!reader
ⳇ w/c: 9.1k part I part II
㰙꯭ؚۣۙۗ㰛꯭ؚؔ 𝓦arnings: MDNI, PORN WITH PLOT, smut, unprotected sex (don't!), spanking, fingerfucking, oral sex (m!), semi-public sex, rough sex, light degradation/praise, profanity, clit play, boob/nipple play, teasing, cum eating, thigh fucking, pet names (dwarf, baby, love, slut, good girl, etc..), finger sucking, risky sex (um your family is literally a room away), panty fucking, silencing behavior, mentions of jealousy, wall sex, edging, overstimulation, making out, consensual bratting, heavy petting, lmk if moree
𝓡ina's note: have no idea how blank my mind was while writing this, i reread it 500 times and now im so frustrated... like idk, i just hope u like it and dont see it the same way that i do rn lmao<3 (ty for the 567 followers alr, im so happyy)
总清单之家 check my ::⠀ ⠀، ⠀ ── 𝓜asterlist 𝓗ome
Riki stayed buried deep inside you for one final, lingering second, his forehead pressed against yours as both of you tried to catch your breath under the quiet tension of the stall.
His chest rose and fell heavily against yours, heart hammering in sync with your own.
Then, with a low, reluctant groan, he slowly pulled out of you.
You whimpered softly at the sudden emptiness, a thick trail of his cum already beginning to leak down your inner thigh.
Riki's hands moved quickly but carefully. he reached down and gently pulled your bikini bottoms back into place, adjusting the fabric so it sat correctly on your hips.
Then he tugged his own shorts up, tucking his still-hard cock away with a slight wince.
You were both "presentable" in the most technical sense of the word.
But your face still had streaks of his cum drying on your cheek and chin.
Riki glanced at the curtain, listening for a moment, then raised his voice just enough to carry.
"Seonghyun? we're in here, bro!"
Without hesitation, he reached over and turned the shower on full blast.
The cold water hit you directly from above, making you gasp and squeeze your eyes shut. Riki stepped closer, using the stream to help wash your face while whispering urgently against your ear.
"Clean it up, babe. quick."
You barely had time to process before Seonghyun's small feet appeared under the curtain.
He stopped right outside and peeked through a small gap, tilting his head curiously.
"Noona? are you okay? Mom wants a family photo right now…"
Riki answered with perfect naturalness, his voice calm and collected like the responsible boyfriend he pretended to be.
"Yeah, she is. she wanted to rinse the chlorine off real quick after all the slides. i'm just helping her."
Seonghyun lingered, trying to peek further. "it's taking forever…"
Riki kept the shower running strong, angling the stream directly at your face to wash away the evidence.
His hand moved subtly, helping wipe the last traces of cum from your cheek and chin without Seonghyun noticing. the water was cold, and you were starting to shiver.
You smacked his ribs with the back of your hand.
"You're literally drowning me!" you hissed under your breath.
Riki smirked, not even trying to hide his amusement as he continued rinsing your face.
Seonghyun laughed from outside. "hurry up! i want to do a competition on the big pools with Mom and Dad after the photo!"
Riki finally turned the shower off, water still dripping from both of you. he ran a hand through his wet hair, looking every bit the chill, good older brother.
"Sounds good, shortie. we'll be right there."
Seonghyun waited a second longer, then shrugged and stepped back.
You wiped water from your face, still slightly flushed. "i'm not ready for a family photo right now."
Both Riki and Seonghyun turned to look at you at the same time, wearing almost identical expressions of confusion.
"Why?" they asked in unison.
Riki scanned you up and down, nonchalant as ever. "you look fine. actually, you look perfect. the wet hair works on you."
Seonghyun rolled his eyes dramatically. "don't be so dramatic, noona. you look completely normal. stop acting like you're dying and let's go. Mom's gonna get mad if we take too long."
You wiped more water from your face and gave Seonghyun a sarcastic look.
"Normal? sure. i look totally normal" you muttered under your breath, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Riki bit back a laugh, the corner of his mouth twitching.
He placed his hand on your lower back, guiding you forward as the three of you started walking back toward the table.
Seonghyun skipped ahead, already talking a mile a minute about the slide race he wanted to do with your parents.
"Mom said the winner gets extra ice cream! i'm definitely winning. Riki-hyung, you're on my team, right?"
Riki chuckled, his usual cool, sarcastic tone slipping back in now that the immediate danger had passed.
"Yeah, i got you, shortie. we'll destroy them."
You walked beside Riki, still feeling the remnants of what you'd done in the shower — the slight ache between your legs, the warmth of his cum that had been inside you minutes ago.
Your cheeks were still warm, and every time you remembered how close Seonghyun had been to seeing everything, your stomach flipped.
Riki noticed your silence. he leaned down slightly, voice low enough for only you to hear, that signature teasing edge back in full force.
"You good, dwarf? are you still thinking about how i had you pressed against the wall five minutes ago?"
You elbowed him in the ribs again, harder this time.
"Shut up. my brother is right there."
Riki grinned, completely unbothered. "he's like ten meters ahead. relax. you're acting all shy now, but you were the one on your knees sucking me off like you were starving."
Your face burned. you glared at him.
"You're actually the worst."
"And yet you love me" he replied casually, that bad boy smirk firmly in place. "crazy how that works."
Seonghyun turned around, walking backwards. "what are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing" Riki answered smoothly, the perfect gentleman again. "just telling your sister she looks pretty even when she's being dramatic."
Seonghyun made a gagging sound. "gross. can you guys not flirt for like five minutes?"
Riki laughed under his breath, sliding his hand from your lower back to gently squeeze your waist.
The three of you continued walking through the park, the sun beating down on your still-damp skin.
Your heart was still racing from the shower incident, your body still sensitive, and Riki walking beside you like nothing had happened — cool, nonchalant, sarcastic, and completely in control.
But every now and then, his fingers would brush against your hip in a way that felt anything but innocent.
And you had a feeling Riki wasn't done teasing you yet.
The walk back to the table felt heavier than it should have.
Every step made you acutely aware of the warmth still lingering between your legs, the slight ache, and the sticky reminder of what you and Riki had done just minutes ago.
Your hair was damp, your cheeks still carried a faint flush, and your mind refused to quiet down.
Riki walked beside you like the picture of calm. One hand occasionally brushed against your lower back in that casual, possessive way only you noticed.
When you finally reached the shaded canopy where your parents were waiting, the scene was exactly what you expected.
Your mom was standing with her hands on her hips, watching your dad struggle with the small tripod for the phone.
"Honey, seriously? how long does it take to put three legs on the ground?" she complained, voice rising in that familiar dramatic tone.
"We finally have everyone looking decent and presentable, and you're taking forever. i wanted the photo while the light is still nice!"
Your dad, kneeling on the grass, didn't argue. he simply looked up at her with that infinite patience he'd perfected over the years of marriage.
"Sorry, love. i'm almost done. just making sure it's stable so it doesn't fall again" he said calmly, adjusting one of the legs with careful fingers.
Your mom huffed but didn't push further. that was their dynamic — she could be loud and dramatic, and he would absorb it all with quiet understanding.
Riki, ever the expert at reading the room, raised his voice politely as you both approached the table.
"Ms. Mom, is it okay if we start serving ourselves? everything looks really good."
Your mom's entire expression changed in an instant. the frustration melted away, replaced by a bright, almost motherly smile.
"Of course, Riki! help yourself, sweetheart. take as much as you want. I made extra chicken and kimbap just because i know you eat a lot."
Riki gave her that charming, respectful smile he reserved only for your parents. "thank you. it smells amazing. you really outdid yourself again."
He didn't waste time.
He immediately started preparing plates. he piled his own plate high with grilled chicken, kimbap rolls, pasta salad, and fresh fruit.
Then, without asking, he began making a plate for you — adding extra pieces of chicken, some fruit, and a generous portion of kimbap, exactly how you liked it.
Seonghyun was already sprawled in his chair, phone in hand.
"I already ate" he said between the sounds of his phone. "like half the chicken while you guys were gone. you took forever."
Riki chuckled as he sat down next to you. "sorry, shortie. you know your sister takes long showers."
You gave him a sharp side-eye. he just smirked, completely unbothered, and placed the full plate in front of you.
The table settled into a comfortable rhythm.
Your dad finally got the tripod working and took a few test shots. your mom was happily chatting about which slides she wanted to try after lunch.
Seonghyun was half-focused on his phone, half-bragging about his adventures with his new friends.
But you stayed quiet.
You picked at your food, pushing a piece of chicken around the plate. your body still remembered everything — the way Riki had pressed you against the wall, the way he'd filled you, the way you'd knelt for him just ten minutes ago.
The slight soreness between your legs made it impossible to act completely normal.
Riki noticed your silence almost immediately.
He leaned toward you slightly while still pretending to focus on his plate, voice low enough that only you could hear.
"You good?" he asked, casual but attentive. "cat got your tongue, dwarf?"
You gave him a dry side-eye and took a small bite of fruit, not answering.
Riki watched you for a few seconds, then served you more fruit without being asked. he leaned in again, closer this time.
"You've been weirdly quiet since the bathroom" he murmured.
Your cheeks burned. you kicked his ankle under the table.
"Shut up" you whispered.
He grinned, that signature sarcastic smirk appearing for half a second before he hid it when your mom glanced over.
Seonghyun suddenly looked up from his phone. "hyung, are you coming with me to the big slide race again after you eat? i need someone tall on my team."
Riki nodded easily. "of course, shortie"
You stayed quiet, eating slowly. Riki kept glancing at you between bites, his usual nonchalant expression hiding the fact that he was reading every small shift in your mood.
After a few minutes, he leaned in once more, this time close enough that his breath brushed your ear.
"You still feel me?" he asked, voice low and filthy.
"You clenching around nothing right now?"
Your breath hitched. you turned your head slightly and whispered back, close to his ear:
"Yeah… i'm still full of you. happy?"
Riki let out a quiet, amused breath through his nose.
He turned his head and pressed a short, casual kiss to your cheek, right in front of your family like it was the most innocent thing in the world.
"Eat, baby" he said softly, voice sweet but with that sarcastic edge only you could catch. "you're gonna need the energy."
Your mom looked over at the small display of affection and smiled warmly.
"You two are so cute together" she said. "Riki, you're such a gentleman with her."
Riki gave her his best polite smile. "she makes it easy, Ms. Mom."
Seonghyun made a disgusted noise. "gross. can we talk about something else? i'm trying to play here."
The conversation continued flowing around you, but your mind was still stuck in that shower stall.
Every time you shifted in your seat, you felt the faint ache and the warmth of what Riki had left inside you.
Riki, meanwhile, played his role perfectly — polite with your parents, teasing with Seonghyun, and quietly attentive with you.
But under the table, his knee kept brushing against yours — a silent, constant reminder.
The family lunch continued under the shaded canopy, laughter mixing with the distant screams from the water slides. yet between you and Riki, the tension was far from gone.
The day had passed in that strange way vacations sometimes do — fast and slow at the same time.
After the intense morning at the water park, the afternoon had turned golden and lazy.
Riki and Seonghyun had dominated most of the competitions, though Riki had very obviously let your parents win one round against him and Seonghyun.
He later admitted in a whisper that he didn't want to risk upsetting his "future mother-in-law" especially since she had the same temper as you, only amplified by twenty years of experience.
But when it was your team (you and Dad) vs Riki and Seonghyun, he showed no mercy.
He helped Seonghyun with all his strength, and they absolutely destroyed you. you had ended the day sulky, arms crossed, refusing to talk to Riki for almost thirty minutes until he bribed you with ice cream and kisses behind a towel rack.
Now it was the next morning — 10:54 AM.
You were sprawled on the living room sofa, legs tucked under you, scrolling through the photos your mom had sent to the family group chat the night before.
The sunlight streamed softly through the windows, casting a warm glow over everything. the sound of waves crashing in the distance mixed with the low murmur of your parents talking in the kitchen.
Riki, being the absolute menace he was, had zero respect for personal space.
He was half-lying on the sofa with you, head resting on your thigh, lazily looking at your phone from below like he owned the entire couch. he kept shifting every few seconds, clearly bored.
You glanced down at him.
"My mom sent the photos to both of us, you know" you said, voice still a little raspy from sleep.
Riki didn't even look up from your screen. "yeah, i know. but they look better on your phone. the colors are nicer."
You rolled your eyes so hard it almost hurt. "you're such a liar."
He finally tilted his head to look at you, that signature lazy smirk tugging at his lips.
"What? it's true. your phone has better saturation or whatever. mine makes everything look washed out."
Seonghyun was already gone — he had woken up early and run off to the beach with Mina and his new group of friends, probably causing chaos near the water. in the kitchen, your mom was dramatically complaining while your dad tried to fix something.
Riki suddenly sighed, dramatic as ever.
"Man… i'm actually starving. this is some bad luck. the stove decides to die the one day i wake up actually wanting to eat."
You let out a short laugh and nudged his head with your knee.
"You're the one who eats the most in this house. of course you're hungry."
Riki gasped, pretending to be deeply offended.
He sat up suddenly and reached over, messing up your perfectly straightened hair with both hands, ruffling it wildly.
"Take that back. i eat like a normal person."
You squealed and immediately fought back, grabbing a fistful of his hair and pulling.
"I'm going to kill you! i spent thirty minutes straightening my hair this morning!"
Riki yelped, but it was clearly fake. he didn't even flinch from the pain because, as always, your strength was closer to a six-year-old's than a grown woman's.
"Ow— ow— mercy! forgive me, my queen!" he cried dramatically, laughing the whole time. "i repent! i'm a changed man!"
From the kitchen, your mom's voice suddenly cut through the chaos like a whip.
"Riki! honey! stop annoying your girlfriend and come eat something before we go out!"
Riki instantly straightened up, dropping the playful act and switching to perfect-son-in-law mode in less than a second.
"Yes, Ms. Mom, coming!"
You glared at him as he stood up. "fake ass."
He winked at you before heading toward the kitchen.
You stayed on the sofa for a moment longer, trying to fix your now-messy hair.
Riki returned a minute later with a plate of leftover fruit and a piece of toast, setting it on the coffee table in front of you.
"Eat" he said, flopping back down and immediately putting his head on your lap again. "you get grumpy when you're hungry."
You sighed but took a piece of strawberry anyway.
A few minutes later, your mom walked into the living room, wiping her hands on a towel.
"The stove is acting up again. the gas isn't flowing properly through the hose. your dad says it's clogged."
Your dad appeared behind her, looking tired but amused. "we'll have to go out for lunch. there's a nice seafood restaurant nearby."
Riki sighed dramatically getting up from your lap. "i'd rather stay in bed all day and eat live crabs at this point."
Your mom laughed. "don't be dramatic, Riki. we'll have a nice meal out."
You hit his chest. "you eat like a vacuum cleaner and you're complaining?"
Riki grabbed both of your wrists playfully and pulled you down onto him, making you fall halfway across his chest. before you could react, he kissed you — short, sweet, and right there in the open.
You pulled back immediately, face burning.
"Riki! my parents are literally right there!"
He grinned, completely shameless. "what? i love you. can't a guy show affection to his girlfriend?"
You pushed his face away, embarrassed. "you're an idiot."
Riki laughed softly, eyes sparkling with that mix of bad-boy mischief and genuine affection only you got to see.
"And yet you still love me" he whispered, voice low enough for only you to hear. "crazy how that works, huh?"
Your mom clapped her hands. "alright, everyone get ready! we're leaving in twenty minutes. Seonghyun is already up at the beach with his friends, so we'll pick him up on the way.”
The morning continued with the usual family chaos — your dad trying to fix the stove one last time, your mom rushing everyone, and Riki being his usual sarcastic yet charming self.
The front door clicked shut behind your mom as she headed down the wooden steps toward the beach to collect Seonghyun.
Your dad followed shortly after, keys jingling in his hand, muttering something about checking the tire pressure and making sure the AC was working properly before the drive.
For the first time that morning, the cabin fell into a comfortable silence.
Just the distant sound of waves, the faint creak of the old wooden floor, and the two of you left alone on the sofa.
Riki was sprawled lazily beside you, one arm stretched along the back of the couch, his body turned toward yours.
He looked completely at ease, damp hair still messy from the shower he took earlier, wearing a simple black tank top and shorts. but the second the door closed, that familiar mischievous glint returned to his eyes.
He tilted his head, smirking.
"So..." he started, voice low and casual, like he was talking about the weather, "for pulling my hair this morning… you're paying the fine tonight. full throat. i want you gagging on me until you can't speak tomorrow."
You almost choked on your own breath.
Your head snapped toward him, eyes wide. "Riki, what the actual fuck?"
He didn't even flinch. just raised an eyebrow, that signature nonchalant, bad-boy expression firmly in place.
"What? too early for real talk?" he shrugged, completely unbothered. "you started it when you yanked my hair like a little gremlin. actions have consequences, dwarf."
You stared at him, mouth slightly open, heat rushing to your face. "how can you say that so casually? my parents are literally outside. what if they hear you?"
Riki let out a soft, sarcastic chuckle. he leaned in a little closer, elbow resting on the back of the couch, looking far too relaxed for the words coming out of his mouth.
"Because i know, i'm sooo sure no one's listening" he said, voice dropping into that lazy tone drawl he only used with you. "your mom's already halfway to the beach yelling at Seonghyun, and your dad is probably kicking the tires like it's 2005. i'm not stupid."
He paused, eyes scanning your face with a knowing smirk.
"Plus… you love when i talk to you like this. don't even try to lie. every time i tell you what i'm gonna do to you, you get all quiet and wet. i can tell."
You let out a long, disbelieving sigh and covered your face with both hands for a second.
"You're actually shameless" you mumbled through your fingers. "completely shameless. i don't know how you say shit like that with a straight face."
Riki laughed quietly, the sound low and genuine.
He reached over and gently pulled your hands away from your face, then suddenly leaned down and rubbed his cheek against your stomach like a big, spoiled cat.
His face pressed into the soft white fabric of your summer dress, nuzzling slowly, almost affectionately.
"Mmh… you look so domestic today" he murmured against your belly, voice slightly muffled. "in this little princess dress… all soft and cute. makes me wanna keep you here and do nothing but annoy you all day."
You immediately bristled.
"It's not a princess dress" you corrected, poking the top of his head. "it's a summer dress. there's a difference, idiot."
Riki didn't move.
if anything, he pressed his face harder against your stomach, rubbing his nose and cheek against the fabric like he was trying to scent mark you.
"Same difference" he said lazily. "you still look like a spoiled little princess. my spoiled little princess."
You tried to push his head away, but there wasn't much force behind it.
Riki took full advantage, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you closer so he could keep nuzzling into you like an overgrown animal.
His breath was warm through the thin material, and you could feel him smiling against your stomach.
"Riki, my parents could come back any second" you warned, though your voice had already lost most of its conviction.
He hummed happily, completely ignoring the warning. "they won't. your dad takes twenty minutes minimum to check a car, and your mom is probably still lecturing Seonghyun about sand in his hair. we've got time."
You sighed, half-annoyed, half-amused, and eventually gave up, letting your fingers thread through his messy hair instead.
The cabin felt strangely peaceful around you — sunlight streaming through the windows, the distant sound of waves, and Riki being his usual chaotic, affectionate self.
He tilted his head up slightly, he looked at you with that sharp, teasing gaze.
"Still mad at me for messing up your hair?" he asked, voice dripping with fake innocence.
You tugged his hair lightly in response. "yes."
"Liar" he grinned. "you're not mad. you're just pretending because you know i'm having my way."
Before you could argue, the front door creaked open.
Your dad stepped inside, wiping his hands on his shorts.
"Alright, the car's ready" he announced. "your mom's already coming back with Seonghyun. let's get going before she starts stressing again."
Riki sat up instantly, switching back to perfect-boyfriend mode in less than a second. "we're ready, sir. i'll help carry the rest of the bags."
Your dad nodded gratefully. "thanks, Riki."
As your dad headed toward the kitchen to grab something, Riki turned to you with a small, private smirk, whispering just loud enough for you to hear:
"Saved by dad. but that fine still stands."
You smacked his arm.
He just laughed quietly and stood up, offering you his hand like the perfect gentleman he pretended to be.
The morning continued with the usual family chaos, but the tension between you and Riki lingered like a promise — warm, dangerous, and far from over.
The front door had barely clicked shut behind your dad when Riki stretched his long arms above his head with a dramatic groan.
He turned to you on the sofa, that familiar mischievous glint returning to his eyes.
You stood up at the same time, and the two of you playfully bumped shoulders as you headed toward the door.
"Move, dwarf. you're in my way" Riki teased, nudging you again with his shoulder, harder this time.
You bumped him back, finally letting a small, genuine smile break through. "you're the one taking up the entire hallway with your long legs."
He grinned, clearly pleased that you were no longer sulking.
The two of you continued pushing each other lightly all the way to the car, like overgrown children, until your mom's voice called out from down the path.
"I'm already with Seonghyun! everyone get in!"
Seonghyun came running up the wooden steps, surprisingly clean for someone who had been at the beach.
Almost no sand on him — he must have spent most of the time playing in the dry sand with Mina and his friends instead of going into the water.
He was also wearing a fresh t-shirt and shorts, clearly chosen to impress the girl he'd been talking about nonstop.
You climbed into the middle seat of the back row, as always. Seonghyun sat behind your mom, and Riki slid in behind your dad, his long legs barely fitting comfortably.
The moment the doors closed, you pulled out your phone to check the map.
"Forty minutes to the city" you groaned, already dreading it. "then another twenty looking for parking and a place to eat, and five more to actually sit down. this is going to take forever."
Your mom turned in her seat, eyebrows raised. "don't start complaining already. you sound like a brat."
You frowned, crossing your arms. "i'm not complaining, i'm just saying—"
"If you don't want to go, you can stay here and eat seaweed from the beach" your mom cut in, half-joking but with that signature sharp edge.
You sank deeper into your seat, eyebrows furrowed. the car fell quiet for a moment.
From beside you, you heard the faintest snort of laughter. you whipped your head toward Riki and smacked his thigh.
"What are you laughing at, idiot?"
Riki turned to you with an innocent expression, but his eyes were sparkling with amusement.
He leaned in close, voice barely above a whisper so only you could hear.
"Just thinking how funny it is that you're getting scolded by someone with the exact same temper as you. now you know how i feel every day."
You narrowed your eyes at him. "i am not temperamental with you."
Riki raised an eyebrow, clearly fighting back a smile. "sure, dwarf. keep telling yourself that."
You opened your mouth to argue, but your dad had already started driving, pulling away from the beach cabin.
The conversation in the car slowly shifted as the scenery changed from sandy roads to paved streets.
Seonghyun suddenly piped up from behind your mom. "i'm thirsty…"
Without missing a beat, Riki reached into his backpack and pulled out a cold bottle of water he had packed earlier.
"Here, shortie" he said, handing it back. "i put it in there not long ago. should still be cold."
Seonghyun's face lit up. "thanks, hyung! you're the best."
You turned slightly. "drink carefully, Seonghyun. every time you drink in the car you end up spilling and staining the seats."
Seonghyun rolled his eyes but took smaller sips.
The next forty minutes passed surprisingly fast.
Riki and you fell into easy conversation in the back seat — talking about his upcoming dance evaluations, the pressure of university entrance exams you were both preparing for, funny stories from practice, and even arguing lightly about which restaurant might be better. Riki was sarcastic and teasing with you, but polite whenever your parents asked him something.
By the time your dad pulled into the parking lot near the restaurant area, it was almost 11:42 AM.
The moment the car stopped, your mom took charge again.
"Seonghyun, come here. you need more sunscreen. you're going to burn like toast."
Seonghyun groaned but obeyed, standing still while your mom practically slathered him in sunscreen like he was a toddler.
You and Riki were spared this time — you had both applied it thoroughly earlier.
Your dad stepped out first, walking around the car slowly, checking the parking job with meticulous care, as always.
Your mom, still in full boss mode, started walking ahead. "when i was younger, your father and i used to come here. there was this amazing seafood restaurant just a few blocks away. i hope it's still there."
You couldn't help the sarcastic comment. "great. twenty minutes saved."
Your mom turned and lightly smacked your arm. "don't be so sarcastic, i really wonder where you got all that attitude from."
"i'm not being sarcastic!" you defended, rubbing your arm. "i'm being realistic."
Your dad quickly intervened, sensing the rising tension. he took your mom's hand gently and started walking with her and Seonghyun, forming a little chain of three in front.
Riki, of course, immediately took your hand, lacing your fingers together as you walked a few steps behind them.
The group moved through the pleasant streets near the beach town.
The air smelled of salt and grilled food. Riki swung your joined hands lightly as you walked, his thumb brushing over your knuckles in that absentminded way he did when he was relaxed.
"You're still sulking a little" he said quietly, glancing at you with a small smirk. "cute."
"I'm not sulking" you muttered.
"Sure" he replied, clearly not believing you. "just remember — you started the hair pulling. i'm innocent."
You squeezed his hand warningly. "keep talking and i'll pull it again."
Riki laughed under his breath, the sound warm and low.
He brought your joined hands up and pressed a quick kiss to the back of yours before letting them drop again, all while keeping that perfect, respectful distance in front of your parents.
The restaurant your mom remembered was only a ten-minute walk from the parking lot.
It looked charming — outdoor seating with colorful umbrellas, fairy lights strung up even though it was daytime, and the smell of fresh seafood wafting through the air.
Your mom's face lit up. "it's still here! perfect."
As the group approached the entrance, Riki leaned down slightly, whispering in your ear one last time before you joined the others:
"Try not to think about me too much during lunch, dwarf. wouldn't want you getting distracted."
You stepped on his foot.
He just smiled innocently, the perfect boyfriend once again, as you all walked into the restaurant together.
He just smiled innocently, the perfect boyfriend once again, as you all walked into the restaurant together.
The moment the glass door swung shut behind your family, the warm, lively atmosphere of the place enveloped you like a comforting hug.
The air was thick with the rich, mouth-watering scent of grilled seafood — garlic shrimp sizzling on hot pans, fresh lemon zest, herbs, and the unmistakable salty-sweet aroma of paella cooking slowly over open flames.
The sound of people talking and laughing filled the space, mixed with the constant clink of plates and cutlery, the low hum of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter from a large table near the back.
Sunlight poured through the big windows, catching on the wooden tables and making the whole restaurant feel bright and alive.
Your mom, with the sharp, determined eyes of someone who had been here before, scanned the room like a hawk searching for prey.
"There" she declared, pointing to a rectangular wooden table near the window with a perfect view of the street outside. "that one has enough space for all of us and it's in the shade. perfect."
Without waiting for anyone to respond, she marched forward confidently.
Your dad followed right behind her, carrying one of the smaller bags with a small, patient smile on his face.
Seonghyun trailed after them, half-distracted by his phone.
You and Riki brought up the rear, his hand resting lightly on your lower back in that casual but possessive way he did when he wanted to stay close without drawing attention.
The five of you settled in quickly. your mom and dad took the long side of the table together, sitting side by side like they always did.
You slid into the seat in front of your mom, and Riki naturally took the chair right beside you, his knee brushing against yours under the table as he got comfortable.
Seonghyun claimed the short end of the rectangular table, legs swinging under his chair as he finally put his phone down for a moment.
A young waiter appeared almost immediately, smiling politely as he handed out menus with a small bow.
"Welcome to the tide. take your time looking at the menu. i'll be back shortly for your orders" he said before disappearing again with another respectful nod.
Riki didn't even bother opening his own menu.
Instead, he leaned sideways into your personal space without hesitation, resting his chin near your shoulder as he looked down at the menu you were holding in your hands.
You sighed, long and suffering, but didn't push him away. "you have your own menu right there, you know."
"Yeah, but yours has better lighting" he replied without missing a beat, voice low and teasing, his breath warm against your ear.
His arm brushed against yours as he pointed at something on the page. "what are you thinking of getting? the paella looks good."
You let him stay there, reading together in a strangely comfortable silence for a few minutes.
His shoulder pressed against yours, his knee occasionally bumping yours under the table, and every now and then he would murmur a quiet comment only you could hear.
Eventually, everyone made their choices.
Seonghyun, with his extremely picky three-year-old palate, pointed straight at the kids' section. "i want the hamburger with fries and a coke."
Your mom sighed but didn't argue. Riki, being the enabler he was, nodded in solidarity. "same for me. hamburger, fries, and a cold drink."
You raised an eyebrow at both of them, unable to hold back. "you two have the palate of a newborn baby. we're literally in a seafood restaurant by the beach and you're ordering burgers?"
Riki turned to you with mock offense, placing a hand dramatically over his chest. then, without missing a beat, he looked across the table at your mom with perfect innocent eyes.
"Ms. Mom, are we not here to share and enjoy as a family? or is your daughter just trying to order the most ocean-heavy thing possible to prove some kind of point?"
Your mom gave you a light scolding look, though there was amusement in her eyes. "he has a point, honey. don't be difficult. we can share dishes. it's not a competition."
You frowned, feeling unfairly targeted. under the table, you stepped firmly on Riki's foot.
He didn't even flinch.
Instead, he leaned toward your ear while pretending to reach for his glass of water, whispering so quietly only you could hear:
"Brat."
You huffed, crossing your arms.
The waiter returned shortly after to take the full order.
Your dad chose a grilled fish dish with herbs, your mom went for shrimp in garlic sauce, and you picked a seafood paella even though you weren't the biggest fan — mostly out of spite at this point.
Riki and Seonghyun stuck with their safe burgers and fries.
While waiting for the food, the conversation flowed easily around the table. your mom talked about old memories of the town, your dad listened attentively and added small details, and Seonghyun showed Riki something funny on his phone.
Riki kept one arm casually draped over the back of your chair, fingers occasionally brushing your shoulder in that absentminded way he did when he was relaxed.
Every now and then he would lean in and murmur something only you could hear — small, teasing comments that made your cheeks warm despite your best efforts.
When the food finally arrived, the table filled with delicious smells.
Platters of grilled fish, garlic shrimp, and a big shared paella were placed in the center. Riki cut a piece of his burger and offered it to you on his fork without asking.
"Try it. better than your sad little paella."
You took the bite, then immediately gave him a look. "it's fine. but my paella is better."
"Sure, dwarf. keep telling yourself that."
Seonghyun was already halfway through his fries, ketchup all over his fingers.
Your mom scolded him gently about manners while your dad smiled quietly, enjoying the chaos of the family meal.
Riki watched you for a moment, noticing you were still a little quiet. He bumped your knee under the table.
"You still sulking?" he asked softly, only for you.
You shook your head. "no. just thinking."
He studied your face, then gave you a small, genuine smile. "we're on vacation. stop overthinking. eat your sad seafood and enjoy the day with me."
You bumped his shoulder back, finally letting yourself smile a little.
The rest of lunch passed in a warm, comfortable blur of food, conversation, and the occasional teasing remark from Riki.
Despite the earlier tension and the risky morning, sitting there with your family — Riki's hand occasionally finding yours under the table — felt surprisingly right.
The waiter approached your table with a polite smile, ready to clear away the empty plates. you were still picking at the last few grains of rice on your plate when you looked up — and your face instantly lit up with recognition.
"Jungwon?" you said, surprise and genuine happiness coloring your voice.
The waiter stopped mid-motion, plates balanced skillfully in his hands. his eyes widened, then broke into a bright, ear-to-ear smile. it was Jungwon — your former classmate, the one who sat two rows behind you in literature class, always quiet but incredibly kind.
He was wearing the restaurant's neat uniform: white button-up with sleeves rolled to his elbows, black apron, and black pants. his hair was styled neatly, and he looked fresh despite the busy shift.
"Yo!" he exclaimed, quickly setting the plates down on a tray. "i mean — hey! what are you doing here?"
You stood up immediately, a big smile spreading across your face.
Without thinking, you stepped forward and gave him a tight, warm hug.
Jungwon hugged you back just as enthusiastically, his hands resting on your shoulders for a moment longer than a casual greeting would require.
"Oh my god, it's so good to see you!" you said quickly, not wanting to hold up his work. "i thought you were going straight to university after graduation. how have you been? are you working here full time now?"
Jungwon laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck, cheeks slightly pink. "yeah, plans changed a little. i'm taking a gap semester to help my aunt during the tourist season. it's actually pretty fun. you look amazing, by the way. vacation suits you."
From the table, Riki sat completely still.
His burger hovered halfway to his mouth.
His jaw tightened, and his tongue pushed against the inside of his cheek — that telltale sign he was annoyed.
He didn't touch his food anymore. his dark eyes stayed fixed on the interaction, expression unreadable.
Seonghyun, who had been half-focused on his phone, looked up and noticed the shift.
He leaned toward Riki and whispered loudly enough for you to hear, "Hyung… that waiter is definitely trying to impress noona. look at how he's smiling at her."
Riki didn't even glance at Seonghyun. his voice came out low and dry. "that dummy in his little waiter suit isn't impressing anyone."
Jungwon finally stepped back, still smiling warmly at you. we should catch up properly sometime. it was really good seeing you. don't be a stranger, okay?"
He gave you one last hug — his hands lingering again on your shoulders, squeezing gently as if reluctant to let go.
You smiled and nodded before sitting back down.
As Jungwon walked away to continue clearing other tables, your mom leaned forward with a curious, delighted smile.
"Who was that nice young man? he seemed very friendly."
Your face was still glowing. "that was Jungwon! he was in our class before we graduated. super smart, really kind… one of the nicest guys i knew back then."
You turned to look at Riki, expecting him to at least nod or say something polite.
But Riki just continued eating, stabbing the french fries with more force than necessary. his usual charming, perfect-boyfriend mask had completely slipped. he didn't even look up.
"Despite being so smart, he ended up as a waiter in a tourist trap" Riki said flatly, voice cold and nonchalant.
The table went quiet for a second.
You frowned. "Riki, don't be rude. he's working hard. there's nothing wrong with that."
Your dad quickly tried to diffuse the tension by turning to Seonghyun. "hey, buddy, eat properly. you've got sauce all over your tray."
Your mom nodded, sensing the shift, and focused on helping Seonghyun clean up.
You reached under the table to smack Riki's leg, but he caught your wrist mid-air with a firm grip. his eyes finally met yours — serious, no trace of his usual teasing.
"Stop." he said quietly, voice lower and more serious than usual. "not here."
You stared at him, surprised by the sudden change in tone. you leaned in closer, whispering, "what's your problem?"
Riki let out a short, frustrated breath through his nose. he leaned in so only you could hear.
"This is ridiculous" he muttered. "we'll talk about it later."
And just like that, the usual energetic, sarcastic, playful Riki disappeared.
He went back to eating in silence, jaw tight, no longer trying to be the charming boyfriend. the light in his eyes had dimmed, replaced by something colder and more guarded.
The rest of the meal continued with awkward small talk.
Your mom tried to steer the conversation back to light topics, your dad helped keep Seonghyun distracted, but the tension between you and Riki sat heavy in the air like a storm cloud that refused to break.
Riki didn't look at you again for the rest of lunch.
When everyone finally finished eating, the table was a mess of empty plates, crumpled napkins, and half-drunk glasses.
Seonghyun was the first to speak up, bouncing in his seat with leftover energy from the morning.
"Can we go to the trampoline park we saw on the way here? please? it looked so fun!"
Your mom smiled at you, her eyes softening. "that's actually a good idea. we can all go together after we pay."
Seonghyun immediately turned to Riki, his favorite partner in crime. "Hyung, are you ready to compete in jumping? i bet i can jump higher than you!"
Riki gave the younger boy a small smile and reached over to ruffle his hair affectionately. "it would be very fun"
You watched Riki carefully.
He was smiling at Seonghyun, playing the perfect older brother role, but there was a wall there — invisible, cold, and firmly placed between the two of you.
He hadn't looked at you properly since Jungwon picked up the empty plates. his usual teasing spark was gone, replaced by something distant and guarded.
Riki turned his head slightly toward your mom. "actually… my head hurts too much right now. if i go jumping, my brain might actually escape. i think it's better if i head back to the cabin."
Your mom's expression shifted to concern. "oh no, really? if you're not feeling well, you should rest. we don't want you getting worse."
You stayed silent, staring at Riki. he nodded calmly. "yeah, it's better. i'll just take it easy."
Seonghyun's shoulders dropped, visibly disappointed. "but… we were going to compete…"
Your dad quickly stepped in, placing a hand on Seonghyun's shoulder. "don't worry, buddy. i'm an expert at trampolines. i'll compete with you"
Your mom reached into her bag and pulled out some cash, handing it to Riki. "here, take this for the bus back to the cabin. we'll meet you there later.”
You nodded, taking the money. "i'll go with him."
Your mom gave you a knowing look — she understood the silent request in your eyes — and didn't argue. "okay. be safe then. text me when you arrive."
When you all left the restaurant, your mom immediately started scolding Seonghyun. "why didn't you bring a jacket? it gets cold later in the afternoon, you know this!"
Your dad walked beside you and Riki for a moment, giving you both a warm smile. "take care. rest well, Riki. we'll see you back at the cabin."
As your family split off toward the trampoline area, the street suddenly felt quieter despite the crowds.
Riki stayed silent. even with so many people around, he still reached for your hand, lacing your fingers together to keep you close and not lose you in the flow of tourists.
His grip was firm, but there was no playful squeeze, no teasing brush of his thumb — just duty.
You both boarded one of the buses heading back to the beach cabins. you took the window seat, and Riki sat on the outside, acting like a human shield between you and the rest of the world.
The bus was half-full, the hum of the engine and quiet conversations filling the space.
For the first few minutes, neither of you spoke. the sky outside was starting to cloud over, gray patches slowly covering the earlier blue.
You finally reached over and gently caressed his knee.
"Why are you so angry?" you asked softly.
Riki didn't look at you at first.
He stared straight ahead for a few seconds before answering, voice low and controlled.
"It's ironic, isn't it?" he said, tone flat but sharp. "you get mad when random girls look at me. but then you go hug a guy you actually know — someone you had something with back in school — right in front of me. and you expect me to just smile and play nice?"
You swallowed hard. "i couldn't be rude to Jungwon. we were classmates for years. ignoring him would've been worse."
Riki let out a short, bitter breath. "if you're going to defend him, then just stop talking. my head already hurts enough."
You fell silent.
The words stung more than you expected. Riki had never spoken to you like that — cold, dismissive, done. you stared out the window, watching the scenery blur by as the sky continued to darken with clouds.
The next thirty minutes on the bus passed in heavy silence.
Riki didn't move his hand away from yours, but he didn't squeeze it either. he just held on, like it was automatic. you could feel the wall he had put up — thick, cold, and exhausting.
When the bus finally stopped near your cabin, the sky was fully overcast.
The air felt heavier. Riki stood up first, still holding your hand as he guided you off the bus and toward the path leading to the cabin.
The walk was quiet. the usual teasing energy between you was gone, replaced by this thick, uncomfortable tension. Riki's jaw was tight, his shoulders slightly tense.
You wanted to say something, anything, but every time you opened your mouth, the words felt wrong.
When you finally reached the cabin, Riki unlocked the door and held it open for you. you stepped inside, the familiar smell of the wooden interior greeting you. the place felt emptier without your family there.
Riki closed the door behind you and stood there for a moment, hands in his pockets, staring at the floor.
You turned to face him. "Riki… can we talk?"
He looked up at you, eyes guarded. "what's there to talk about? you hugged him. he touched you. you smiled at him like he hung the moon. and i'm supposed to just sit there and be okay with it?"
His voice wasn't loud, but the hurt and frustration were clear.
You took a small step closer. "it wasn't like that. he's just an old friend. i didn't think—"
"That's the problem" Riki cut in, voice quieter but sharper. "you didn't think. you never think about how it looks from my side."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Riki sighed, running a hand through his hair. "i'm going to lie down. my head actually hurts now."
He walked toward your shared bedroom without another word, leaving you standing alone in the living room, the weight of the day pressing down on you.
The rain outside grew heavier, matching the storm brewing between you two.
A little while later, the cabin felt quieter than it should have.
The distant sound of waves was the only thing breaking the silence as you walked down the short hallway carrying a glass of cold water and two painkillers in your palm.
Your heart was still heavy from the tension at lunch, and the memory of Riki's cold silence kept replaying in your head.
You pushed the bedroom door open slowly.
Riki was lying on the bed, face completely covered by a pillow, one arm draped over his stomach.
He wasn't moving. you knew he wasn't actually asleep — his breathing wasn't deep enough, and his body was too tense.
You sat on the edge of the bed carefully.
"Riki" you said softly.
He didn't respond at first. you reached out and gently moved the pillow away from his face.
His eyes were open, staring at the ceiling with that same guarded expression he'd had since the restaurant. the cloudy sky outside cast a gray, melancholic light through the window, making the room feel heavier, sadder.
You held out the glass and the pills.
"Here" you said quietly. "take these. it'll help with your head."
Riki stared at the pills for a second, then slowly sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed so he was sitting beside you.
He took the pills from your hand and swallowed them dry, without even touching the water. you offered the glass again, but he shook his head once.
You swallowed hard, the guilt sitting like a stone in your chest.
"I'm sorry" you whispered. "maybe i went too far with Jungwon. we… we tried things when we were younger, back in school. it wasn't serious, but i know how it must have looked. i shouldn't have hugged him like that."
Riki raised his eyebrows slowly, the movement almost sarcastic. he didn't say anything, just looked at you with that cold, tired stare that made your stomach twist.
You felt your eyes sting. your voice cracked as you continued, louder now, a mix of anger and desperation.
"I don't want us to be like this" you said, the words tumbling out. "i hate when we fight. when we go back home, i swear i won't even admit Jungwon exists anymore, i'll ignore him if i see him — whatever you want. just… don't shut me out like this."
Riki stayed silent for a few seconds, jaw tight.
The gray light from the window made his sharp features look even sharper, almost distant. you couldn't stand the space between you anymore.
You moved closer and rested your chin on his shoulder, your body leaning into his side, seeking closeness even if he was still angry.
Riki let out a slow breath.
His hand came up to your waist, but it wasn't gentle. he gripped you firmly and moved you slightly, then lowered his head and bit down on your shoulder — hard, crude, possessive. there was no sweetness in it, no affection. just raw claim.
You gasped sharply, a small sound of pain escaping your lips.
"Riki— what are you doing?" you complained, trying to pull away, but his grip on your waist kept you in place.
He didn't let go immediately. his teeth pressed into your skin, right where Jungwon's hand had lingered earlier.
When he finally released you, a clear, angry bite mark stood out on your shoulder — red and already starting to bruise.
You touched the spot, wincing. "that hurts…"
Riki looked at the mark with dark satisfaction, then met your eyes.
"That's because his hand touched what doesn't belong to him" he said, voice low and rough. "and this morning you pulled my hair like a little gremlin. now, because of that hug… you owe me more than just a deep throat."
You stared at him for a second, then let out a sarcastic, disbelieving laugh.
"Wow" you said, shaking your head. "do your anger disappears the second sex is on the table? really mature, Riki."
He didn't smile. he just looked at you, eyes still guarded, but something in them flickered — a mix of frustration, hurt, and that undeniable pull that always existed between you two.
The room felt smaller.
The cloudy sky outside made everything feel muted and heavy. his hand still on your waist.
The tension was thick, emotional, and raw. neither of you spoke for a long moment.
Riki finally broke the silence, voice quieter.
"I'm not just angry because of Jungwon" he said. "i'm angry because you let him touch you like that. you smiled at him like he was someone special. and i was sitting right there."
You swallowed, throat tight. "he's just an old friend. i didn't mean anything by it.”
"But it meant something to me" Riki replied, honest and blunt. "you're my girlfriend. and watching someone else put their hands on you… it fucking sucked."
The words hung in the air.
You felt tears prick at your eyes, not from sadness exactly, but from the weight of it all — the love, the jealousy, the fear of hurting him.
"I'm sorry" you whispered again, leaning your forehead against his shoulder. "i really am."
Riki didn't push you away. His hand on your waist tightened slightly, then relaxed. he let out a long breath, like he was trying to let go of some of the anger.
"I know" he said eventually. "but it still hurts."
The silence that followed wasn't as heavy as before.
It was still tense, still emotional, but there was a crack in the wall he had built. you stayed like that for a while — his hand on your waist, the gray light of the cloudy day painting the room in soft, melancholic tones.
Riki eventually turned his head and pressed a slow kiss to your temple. it wasn't passionate or teasing. it was quiet. real.
"We'll figure it out" he murmured against your skin. "just… don't do that again."
You nodded, closing your eyes. "i won't."
The two of you stayed there on the edge of the bed, the argument not fully resolved, but the worst of the storm had passed.
Outside, the clouds continued to gather, but inside the room, the air felt a little lighter.
For now, that was enough.
You two stayed there for a moment longer, your chin again resting on his shoulder, the weight of everything unsaid still hanging between you.
Slowly, you lifted your head and looked at him. his eyes were guarded, but beneath that frustration was the same heat that always pulled you back in.
Without thinking, you leaned in and kissed him.
Riki reacted instantly.
His hand came up to the back of your neck, gripping gently as he kissed you back with raw intensity.
The kiss wasn't gentle — it was hungry, almost punishing, his tongue sliding against yours with urgent need.
A surprised sound escaped your throat as he moved you with ease, pulling you onto his lap so your knees straddled his hips, your bodies pressed close.
You let out a small, broken whimper against his mouth.
Riki bit your bottom lip, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make your breath hitch.
His hands moved down to your ass, gripping tightly as he pulled you closer, grinding you against the hardness already straining in his shorts.
He broke the kiss only to trail his mouth down your neck, sucking and biting along your collarbone.
His hands yanked the straps of your summer dress down your arms with impatient tugs. the fabric pooled around your waist as he exposed your bra. he didn't bother being gentle — he reached behind you, unclasped it, and tossed it aside.
"Riki…" you breathed, a small complaint in your voice as he latched onto your breast, sucking hard before biting down on the soft flesh.
He left marks — deliberate, possessive ones — on your chest, your shoulders, your arms. places you could hide.
You whimpered, tugging his hair. "that hurts…"
"Good" he muttered against your skin, voice dark. "maybe next time you'll remember who is the one who fucks you good before you let some old classmate put his hands all over you."
He moved lower, biting the side of your breast, then sucking hard enough to leave a dark hickey.
His hands were everywhere — gripping your waist, sliding down to squeeze your ass, pulling you down again against the growing hardness in his shorts.
You moaned softly, grinding against him without thinking.
Riki groaned, the sound low and rough in his throat. he pushed the rest of your dress down your hips, and you lifted yourself slightly so he could tug it off completely, leaving you in just your panties.
Riki looked at you for a second, eyes dark, breathing heavy.
Then he reached down and shoved his shorts and boxers down just enough to free his cock, already hard and leaking. he didn't even take them off all the way — just enough.
He gripped your hips and pulled you forward, rubbing the head of his cock against your soaked panties.
"Feel that?" he said, voice low and rough. "that's what you do to me. even when i'm pissed off at you."
You whimpered, rolling your hips against him. "Riki… please…"
He caressed the already damp fabric of your panties with his fingers, pushing your panties to the side and aligning himself.
He thrust up into you in one smooth motion, burying himself deep.
You moaned loudly, head falling forward onto his shoulder as he filled you completely.
Riki groaned deeply, arms wrapping around your back to hold you close as he started moving — slow, deep thrusts while you sat in his lap, your chests pressed together.
Your bodies were locked together, his arms around you, his mouth on your neck and shoulder, leaving more marks as he fucked you with steady, powerful strokes. every thrust made your breasts press against his chest, your hips rolling to meet him.
"Fuck…" he breathed against your neck, voice hoarse. "you're so tight like this. so fucking warm."
You moaned, your fingers tightening in his hair as you moved with him.
The angle let him hit deep with every roll of his hips, the pleasure building slowly but intensely. your soft whimpers mixed with his low, throaty groans, the wet sound of your bodies meeting filling the room.
Riki's hands roamed your back, one sliding up to cradle the back of your neck while the other gripped your ass, guiding you down onto him harder.
He kissed you again, deep and messy, tongues sliding together as he continued thrusting up into you.
You pulled back just enough to breathe, forehead pressed to his. "…i feel you everywhere—"
He groaned, the sound vibrating through his chest.
His hand on your ass squeezed harder as he thrust up with more force, the new intensity making you cry out softly. he kept that rhythm — deep, possessive strokes that made your legs shake around him.
After several long minutes, Riki suddenly gripped your hips and flipped you onto your back on the bed without pulling out.
He settled between your spread legs, one hand bracing beside your head as he started fucking you harder, deeper, the new position letting him drive into you with more power.
You moaned louder, nails digging into his back as he pounded into you.
The wet slap of skin on skin grew louder, more obscene. Riki's groans were low and constant, his breath hot against your neck as he fucked you with rough, claiming thrusts.
"Mhn... like that..." he growled against your ear, voice rough. "take every fucking inch."
You whimpered, legs wrapping around his waist as he drove deeper.
The pleasure was overwhelming, building higher with every thrust. Riki'shand slid between your bodies, thumb finding your clit and rubbing firm circles as he continued fucking you hard.
You were getting dangerously close, your moans turning into desperate, broken sounds. Riki could feel it — the way you clenched around him, the way your body trembled beneath him.
But he didn’t let you finish.
He suddenly pulled out, making you whine at the loss.
Before you could protest, he flipped you onto your stomach, yanking your hips up so you were on your knees, ass raised. he pushed back inside you in one hard thrust, burying himself to the hilt.
You cried out, gripping the sheets as he started fucking you from behind with rough, unrestrained strokes.
This time there was no holding back — no need to be quiet, no fear of interruption. he fucked you hard and deep, hips snapping against your ass with loud, wet sounds.
"Fuck… yes" he groaned, voice thick. his hands gripped your hips tightly, pulling you back onto his cock with every thrust.
"This is what i wanted to do to you all this days. no interruptions. just you taking my cock like you're supposed to."
You moaned into the pillow, pushing back against him as he railed you. the angle was brutal, hitting deep with every snap of his hips.
Riki's hand came down on your ass in a sharp spank, then another, the sting blooming hot across your skin.
You cried out, the mix of pain and pleasure making your head spin.
Riki leaned over your back, one hand sliding up to wrap around your throat lightly, not squeezing, just holding you in place as he fucked you harder.
"You feel that?" he panted against your ear. "no one else gets to touch you like this. no one else gets to make you moan like this."
You whimpered, nodding desperately, your body trembling under his rough thrusts. Riki kept going, hips snapping relentlessly, the sound of skin slapping skin loud and filthy in the room.
His groans were deep and constant, mixing with your high, desperate moans.
He fucked you like he had been holding back for days — hard, deep, and completely unrestrained.
Every thrust pushed you forward on the bed, your fingers gripping the sheets tightly as pleasure built higher and higher.
Riki's hand reaching down to rub your clit again as he continued pounding into you.
"You're so close, aren't you?" he growled, voice rough. "i can feel you squeezing me. but you're not cumming yet. not until i say so."
You moaned helplessly, pushing back against him, completely lost in the feeling of him taking you so roughly, so freely, after being interrupted so many times before.
Riki leaned down, biting your shoulder again as he fucked you harder, the wet sounds of your bodies meeting echoing through the room.
The tension between you, the frustration, the jealousy — it all poured out in every deep, claiming thrust.
He wasn't done with you yet.
Riki's grip on your hips was firm, almost bruising, as he kept you in position on your knees, ass raised high for him.
He stayed buried deep inside you, not moving for a few seconds, just letting you feel every inch of him stretching you open.
Then, slowly, he leaned forward, his chest pressing against your back as he kissed the nape of your neck — soft at first, almost tender, before his teeth grazed the same spot and bit down possessively.
You whimpered, fingers curling tighter into the sheets.
He started moving again, pulling out almost completely before sliding back in with a deep, rolling thrust that made your whole body jolt forward.
The wet, filthy sound of his cock sliding into your soaked pussy filled the room, mixing with your shaky moans and his low, rough groans.
"Fuck… you feel so good like this" he murmured against your shoulder, voice thick and hoarse.
His hands slid up your sides in a slow caress, palms warm and gentle for a moment, tracing the curve of your waist before he gripped your hips again and snapped forward harder.
You moaned louder, pushing back against him instinctively. Riki rewarded you with another deep thrust, but before he continued, he leaned down and pressed a slow, open-mouthed kiss to the center of your back, right between your shoulder blades.
The contrast — the softness of his lips followed by the sharp snap of his hips — made your head spin.
"Riki…" you gasped, voice trembling as he fucked you deeper, the angle letting him hit that perfect spot with every thrust.
He groaned deeply, the sound vibrating against your skin.
One of his hands left your hip and slid up your back in a slow, soothing stroke, fingers tracing your spine before he brought it down again in a firm spank on your ass.
The sting bloomed hot across your skin, making you cry out, but he immediately rubbed the spot gently with his palm, almost apologetically, before spanking you again.
"You like that?" he breathed against your ear, voice low and filthy. "my hand on your ass while i fuck you like this?"
You nodded frantically, moaning into the sheets. "yes… fuck, yes…"
Riki kissed your shoulder again, almost sweetly, before biting down on the same spot, sucking hard enough to leave another dark mark.
His hips never stopped their relentless rhythm — deep, powerful thrusts that made the bed creak beneath you.
Every time he bottomed out, a wet slap echoed through the room, your arousal coating his cock and dripping down your thighs.
He reached around and found your clit again, rubbing slow, firm circles with his fingers while he continued pounding into you. His other hand stayed on your hip, holding you in place as he fucked you harder, the roughness mixing with those small moments of tenderness that made everything feel even more intense.
"You're so fucking wet" he groaned, voice rough but laced with something softer.
You moaned helplessly, pushing back against him every time, chasing every thrust.
Riki leaned over you again, chest pressed to your back, and kissed the side of your neck before biting down, sucking another mark into your skin.
His hand on your clit sped up slightly, drawing tight circles that made your legs shake.
"Riki… please…" you whimpered, voice breaking. "feels so good…"
He groaned deeply, the sound raw in his throat as he thrust deeper, the wet sounds of your bodies meeting growing louder.
His hand left your clit for a moment to caress your ass again, squeezing the soft flesh before delivering another sharp spank.
The sting made you cry out, but he immediately soothed it with gentle strokes, almost reverent.
"I love the way you take me" he panted against your neck, kissing the fresh bite mark. "so fucking perfect."
He kept fucking you like that for a long time — rough, deep thrusts mixed with soft kisses and gentle caresses.
His hands roamed your body constantly: squeezing your breasts, pinching your nipples, sliding down to rub your clit, then gripping your hips again to pull you back onto his cock.
Every spank was followed by a soothing rub. Every bite was preceded by a slow, open-mouthed kiss.
You were a mess beneath him — moaning, whimpering, pushing back to meet every thrust, completely lost in the feeling of him.
Riki's groans were low and constant, his breathing ragged as he fucked you, the bed creaking loudly under the force.
He suddenly pulled out, making you whine at the loss, but before you could protest he flipped you onto your back again.
He hooked your legs over his shoulders, folding you in half as he thrust back inside you in one smooth motion.
You cried out, the new angle letting him hit even deeper on your overstimulated pussy.
Riki groaned loudly, burying his face in your neck as he started fucking you with long, powerful strokes.
His hands held your thighs, keeping you open for him as he drove into you, the wet slap of skin on skin loud and obscene.
"Fuck, baby…" he panted, voice breaking. "you're squeezing me so tight. so good."
You moaned his name, nails digging into his back again as he fucked you harder, deeper, the pleasure building higher and higher.
Riki kissed you again, deep and messy, tongues sliding together as he continued pounding into you, the bed shaking beneath you both.
He pulled back just enough to look at you, eyes dark and intense.
"You're mine" he growled, thrusting hard. "say it."
"I'm yours" you gasped, voice trembling. "only yours, Riki…"
He groaned deeply, hips snapping faster as he chased the pleasure, his hands gripping your thighs tightly.
The room was filled with the sounds of your bodies meeting, your desperate moans, and his low, rough groans.
Riki kept you folded beneath him, your legs hooked over his broad shoulders, your body completely open and vulnerable to every deep thrust.
He didn't rush. he started fucking you with slow, deliberate rolls of his hips, burying himself to the hilt each time before dragging back out, letting you feel every inch of his thick cock stretching your soaked walls.
The wet, obscene sound of him sliding in and out of you filled the quiet cabin, mixing with your shaky breaths and his low, guttural groans.
"Look at you" he murmured, voice thick and rough, that signature low purr rumbling in his chest.
His dark eyes were locked on your face, watching every flicker of pleasure that crossed your expression. "all flushed and pretty for me. you look so good like this."
Your cheeks were burning red, heat spreading across your face and down your neck. you couldn't hide it — the way your lips were parted, the way your eyes fluttered every time he bottomed out, the way your body trembled under his weight.
Riki drank it all in, his hips rolling deeper, grinding against you in a way that made your toes curl.
You moaned softly, fingers digging into his back as he hit that perfect spot again and again. "Riki… ah— p..please... so deep—"
He groaned, the sound low and heavy, almost animalistic. he leaned down, pressing his forehead against yours, his breath hot against your lips. "yeah? you feel me all the way up here?" he thrust harder, deliberately, making sure you felt every inch.
Your head fell back against the mattress, a high, desperate moan escaping your throat. Riki's hand slid up your thigh, gripping it firmly to keep your leg in place as he fucked you.
He suddenly slowed down, almost torturously, grinding deep inside you instead of pulling out.
His hips moved in slow circles, pressing against your clit with every roll. you whimpered, trying to move your hips to get more friction, but he held you still, completely in control.
You were a mess beneath him — face flushed bright red, lips swollen from earlier kisses, eyes glassy with pleasure.
Riki stared at you like you were the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, his own cheeks slightly pink, hair falling messily over his forehead.
He finally leaned down and kissed you.
The kiss was deep, slow, and consuming. his tongue slid against yours in long, sensual strokes, tasting you like he couldn't get enough.
You moaned into his mouth, your hands sliding up to cup his face, thumbs brushing his sharp jawline. Riki groaned against your lips, the sound vibrating through the kiss as he started fucking you again, hips snapping forward with more urgency while his tongue continued its slow exploration of your mouth.
You were completely lost in him. your legs shook around his shoulders as he drove into you, the wet sounds of your bodies meeting growing louder.
Every thrust made your breasts bounce between you, and Riki couldn't resist breaking the kiss to lean down and suck one of your nipples into his mouth, tongue swirling before he bit down gently.
"Riki— ah!" you cried out, back arching.
He groaned around your breast, the vibration sending sparks through your body.
He switched to the other one, sucking and biting, leaving more marks across your chest. his hips never stopped moving, fucking you with deep, steady thrusts that made your head spin.
"you're so fucking pretty when you're like this" he panted, voice rough. "all red and moaning my name. makes me want to keep you here all day."
You whimpered, fingers threading through his hair and tugging. "please… don't stop…"
Riki groaned deeply, the sound almost a purr as he fucked you harder again, the bed creaking louder beneath you.
He kissed you again — messy, desperate, tongues sliding together as his hips snapped forward. your moans were muffled against his mouth, your body trembling as the pleasure built higher and higher.
He pulled back just enough to look at you, eyes dark and intense. "you gonna cum for me, baby? i can feel you squeezing me so tight."
You nodded frantically, tears of overwhelming pleasure pricking at the corners of your eyes. "yes— Riki, i'm so close…"
He groaned, thrusting harder, deeper, his thumb finding your clit again and rubbing fast, tight circles.
Your moans turned into high-pitched whimpers, your body tensing beneath him as the orgasm finally crashed over you.
You came hard, walls clenching rhythmically around his cock, a broken cry of his name spilling from your lips.
Your entire body shook, legs trembling over his shoulders as waves of pleasure ripped through you.
Riki groaned loudly, the sound deep and raw as he felt you cum around him. he kept fucking you through it, hips snapping faster, chasing his own release.
His breathing was ragged, groans turning into low, desperate sounds as he buried his face in your neck.
"Fuck— i'm gonna cum" he panted against your skin. "gonna fill you up, baby. you want that?"
You nodded weakly, still trembling from your orgasm. "yes… please…"
With a deep, broken groan, Riki thrust deep one last time and came hard. thick, hot streams of cum spilled inside you, pulse after pulse as he emptied himself deep in your pussy.
He kept moving slowly, grinding through his orgasm, making sure every drop stayed inside you.
But he wasn't done.
He pulled out suddenly, making you whimper at the loss.
He stroked his still-hard cock fast, aiming at your body. the first thick rope landed across your abdomen, the second on your pussy, painting your folds with his cum.
He kept stroking, milking himself until the last drops fell onto your skin.
You lay there, breathing hard, body marked and covered in him, face still flushed red.
Riki looked down at you, chest heaving, eyes dark with satisfaction and something softer underneath. he leaned down and kissed your forehead, then your lips, slow and gentle this time.
The room was quiet again, only the sound of your heavy breathing and the distant waves outside.
Riki buried deep inside you again for a long, quiet moment, his forehead pressed against yours as both of you caught your breath.
His cock twitched inside you, still pulsing with the last aftershocks of his orgasm. he didn't pull out right away.
Instead, he rolled his hips slowly, pushing his cum deeper into you with lazy, deliberate thrusts, making sure you felt every drop.
You whimpered softly, oversensitive and full, your walls fluttering around him. Riki let out a low, satisfied hum, kissing the corner of your mouth gently.
"Gotta keep it in" he murmured, voice hoarse but teasing. "don't want any of it wasting, do we?"
He finally pulled out slowly, watching with dark eyes as a thick trail of his cum leaked from your pussy.
Before it could drip too far, he used two fingers to push it back inside you, stuffing you gently but possessively. you gasped at the sensation, legs still trembling.
"Riki…" you breathed, half-complaint, half-plea.
He smirked, wiping his fingers on your inner thigh before finally pulling his shorts and boxers back up, tucking himself away like nothing had happened.
He was still fully dressed otherwise — tank top slightly damp with sweat, shorts hanging low on his hips. meanwhile, you were a complete mess: legs spread, pussy creamy and leaking his cum, body covered in bites, hickeys, and red fingerprints.
Riki stood there for a second, admiring the sight with a lazy, satisfied grin.
"Look at you" he said, voice low and mocking in that lazy way. "all fucked out and stuffed full of me. you're literally dripping, dwarf. such a pretty little disaster."
You groaned, covering your face with your arm, still breathing hard.
Your legs stayed open, too tired to close them yet. Riki chuckled softly and reached for your phone on the nightstand.
"By the way… did you text your mom that we got back safe?" he asked, already unlocking your phone with the password he knew by heart.
You shook your head, still trying to catch your breath. "no… not yet."
Riki hummed, typing quickly. "figures. i'll do it. can't have her worrying and coming back early."
He sent the message, then tossed the phone aside.
He moved back to the bed, placing his hands on your knees and gently spreading your legs a little wider, eyes dropping to your creamy, used pussy with obvious pride.
"Damn… you look so good like this" he murmured, voice softer now, almost reverent. "all marked up, full of my cum, legs shaking. my perfect girl."
You let out a tired, embarrassed laugh. "you're so annoying."
He grinned, but there was real affection in his eyes. "yeah, but you love it."
You tried to sit up, but your legs felt like jelly. "help me to the bathroom… i can't walk like this."
Riki's expression softened further. without a word, he slid his arms under you — one behind your back, the other under your knees — and lifted you effortlessly, cradling you against his chest.
You wrapped your arms around his neck, hiding your face in his shoulder as he carried you to the bathroom.
He kicked the door shut behind you both and set you down gently on the edge of the sink counter.
The bathroom light was soft, and the mirror showed exactly how wrecked you looked: hair messy, lips swollen, shoulders and chest covered in marks, thighs shiny with his cum.
Riki turned on the warm water in the sink and grabbed a clean washcloth.
He wet it and started cleaning you carefully, wiping your face first, then your neck and chest. his touch was surprisingly gentle now, the roughness from earlier replaced with quiet care.
"You're really red everywhere" he said, voice low as he cleaned between your legs with soft strokes. "does it hurt?"
"A little" you admitted, wincing when he touched a particularly sensitive bite mark on your breast. "you went kinda hard."
Riki hummed, pressing a soft kiss to the mark. "sorry. couldn't help it. you make me lose control when you look at me like that."
You stayed quiet as he continued cleaning you, his hands moving with surprising patience.
He wiped your thighs, your pussy, even carefully pushing some of the leaking cum back inside you with his fingers, making you shiver.
"Riki…" you whispered, half-protest.
"Shh. Just keeping it where it belongs" he murmured, a small smirk on his lips. but his eyes were soft.
He finished cleaning you, then helped you stand on shaky legs, holding you steady against his chest.
"You okay?" he asked again, voice quieter this time, more serious. "not just physically. i was… kinda rough earlier. with the biting and everything.”
You nodded, leaning into him. "i'm okay. it was a lot, but… i wanted it too."
Riki wrapped his arms around you, holding you close for a long moment.
The bathroom was warm and quiet, the only sound the distant waves outside and your breathing.
"I hate fighting with you" he said against your hair. "even when i'm mad, i still just wanna be close to you like this."
You hugged him tighter. "me too."
He pulled back slightly and kissed your forehead, then your nose, then your lips — slow and sweet this time. when he pulled away, he rested his forehead against yours.
"Let's get you cleaned up properly" he whispered. "then we can nap until your family gets back. sound good?"
You nodded, feeling safe and warm in his arms despite everything that had happened.
Riki turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature before helping you step in.
He stayed with you the whole time, washing your hair gently, running soapy hands over your marked body with careful touches, kissing every bruise and bite mark like an apology and a claim at the same time.
♡ nishimura riki is an emotionally immature menace with a devastatingly obvious crush. unfortunately for everyone, he’s completely obsessed with you.
☆ genres: best friends to lovers | bratty male lead | possessive but immature | clingy riki | teasing | emotional constipation | campus romance | hidden softness | jealous riki | “stop talking to him” | physical affection as communication | accidental intimacy | unserious arguments | pouting | touch-starved | protective instincts disguised as annoyance | chaotic yearning
☆ warnings: explicit nsfw (18+ / MDNI), detailed smut scenes, brat taming, switching dynamics (riki both dom & sub), oral (f & m receiving), fingering, teasing/edging, marking/hickeys, light choking, praise + degradation mix, possessive talk, semi-public risk, multiple orgasms, cum play, emotional sex, angry sex, aftercare
☆ playlist: 10 months - enhypen | youth - lee know | tamed-dashed - enhypen | overdrive - tws | if i say i love you - boynextdoor | lo$er=lo♡er - txt | one and only - boynextdoor |
The library on the third floor was supposed to be your safe haven.
Quiet. Peaceful. Full of serious students who respected the sacred rule of silence.
Unfortunately, Nishimura Riki existed.
You were deep in your notes, highlighter between your teeth, earphones in, when the chair across from you was violently pulled out. A tall figure dropped into it with zero grace, long legs stretching under the table until his shoe lightly kicked yours.
You didn’t even need to look up.
Only one person in the entire university had the audacity to disturb your peace like this.
Riki leaned forward, chin resting on his arms, dark eyes sparkling with mischief as he stared at you like you were the most entertaining thing in his day.
“You’ve been ignoring me all week,” he accused dramatically, voice low but still loud enough to earn a few annoyed glances from nearby tables.
You slowly pulled one earphone out.
“I texted you three hours ago,” you replied flatly, not even looking up from your notebook.
“Exactly,” he said, reaching across the table to steal your highlighter. “That’s ancient history. I’ve been suffering.”
You watched him spin your highlighter between his long fingers like it was his new favorite toy. He was wearing all black again — hoodie, cargos, headphones around his neck — looking annoyingly cool while acting like the world’s biggest baby.
You leaned back in your chair, crossing your arms with a bright, energetic smile.
“Riki, you’re literally twenty years old. Act your age.”
He gasped, placing a hand over his chest like you’d stabbed him.
“Wow. Attacking me when I’m vulnerable? Cold.”
You laughed despite yourself. That was the problem with Riki — no matter how annoying he was, he always managed to make you laugh.
Before you could respond, another student approached your table, smiling politely.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
You opened your mouth to answer.
Riki beat you to it.
“No,” he said immediately, not even looking at the guy. “She’s studying with me.”
The student blinked. “Oh… sorry.”
He walked away awkwardly.
You stared at Riki.
“We are literally not studying together,” you said, voice full of amusement. “You’ve been stealing my pens for ten minutes.”
Riki shrugged, completely unbothered, spinning your pen between his fingers again.
“They don’t know that.”
You narrowed your eyes, leaning forward with your brightest, most shameless grin.
“Are you jealous, Nishimura Riki?”
He froze for half a second — just long enough for you to notice.
Then he scoffed, leaning back in his chair with that signature cocky smirk.
“Jealous? Of what? Some random guy who can’t even tell you’re busy?” He kicked your shoe lightly under the table again. “Please. I’m just being a good friend.”
You raised an eyebrow. “By lying and scaring people off?”
“By protecting your study time,” he corrected smoothly, but his ears were turning slightly pink. “You’re welcome.”
You laughed loudly, the sound bright and energetic enough to make a few people turn and smile. Everyone on campus knew you as a friendly girl — always smiling, always friendly — but you weren't super popular.
But Riki?
Riki was really popular, seen as super cool and nonchalant, but you couldn't disagree more. He was quite literally the walking definition of a manchild, at least that's how he was around you.
You reached across the table and snatched your pen back from his fingers.
“Next time someone asks, I’m telling them the seat is free,” you said sweetly.
Riki’s eyes narrowed.
“No you’re not.”
“Watch me.”
He leaned forward suddenly, close enough that you could smell his cologne, voice dropping into that low, playful tone he only used with you.
“Try it,” he challenged, smirking. “See what happens.”
Your heart did a little flip.
Because underneath all the bratty behavior, the stolen pens, the dramatic complaints, and the constant invading of your personal space…
Nishimura Riki was hopelessly, obviously, embarrassingly obsessed with you.
And the worst part?
He thought he was being subtle.
-----
Riki has been a permanent fixture in your life for almost two years now — like a very tall, very annoying shadow that refused to leave you alone.
He showed up everywhere.
In the mornings, he waited outside your first lecture hall, leaning against the wall with his headphones on, looking effortlessly cool until he saw you. Then, the cool act vanished.
“You’re late,” he complained the second you appeared, falling into step beside you like it was his rightful place. “I’ve been standing here for ten whole minutes.”
“You have mobile games, don’t you?” you teased, bumping his shoulder with yours. “ Play them and wait.”
He dramatically clutched his chest. “Wow. Attacking me before I’ve even had breakfast? Heartless.”
You laughed brightly, the sound carrying down the hallway and making a few passing students smile.
During lunch, he stole half your fries without asking, then complained when you stole them back.
“These are mine now,” he declared, holding them above your head like a brat.
“You literally have your own tray,” you said, jumping to reach them.
“Yeah, but yours taste better,” he replied with a smirk, popping another fry into his mouth.
You ended up wrestling him for them in the middle of the cafeteria, both of you laughing. His friends, Sunghoon and Jake, watched from a nearby table with pained expressions.
“He’s so obvious,” Jake muttered, shaking his head.
Sunghoon just sighed. “I can’t watch this anymore.”
Riki, of course, pretended he didn’t hear them.
In the afternoons, he showed up at the library uninvited, dropping into the seat across from you and immediately kicking your foot under the table to get attention.
“Pay attention to me,” he whined when you kept typing.
“I’m studying.”
“Studying is boring. I’m more interesting.”
You looked up with a bright, shameless grin. “You’re literally the reason I have to study harder. Because I spend half my time dealing with you.”
He gasped, dramatically offended. “Rude. I’m a delight.”
“You’re a menace.”
“Same thing.”
He then proceeded to lay his head on your notebook, effectively ending your study session. When you tried to push him off, he just wrapped his arms around your waist and refused to move, mumbling something about how your hoodie smelled nice.
You let him stay there.
Because despite how annoying he was, you secretly liked having him around.
Even his friends couldn’t ignore it anymore.
One evening, the whole group was hanging out in the common area near the dorms. You were sitting on the couch scrolling through your phone when Riki suddenly flopped down, resting his head in your lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Hi,” he said casually, looking up at you with those sharp, mischievous eyes.
You raised an eyebrow but didn’t push him away. Instead, you absently played with his hair. “Comfortable?”
“Very,” he hummed, closing his eyes like a contented cat.
Jake choked on his drink. “Bro. You’re not even subtle anymore.”
Riki cracked one eye open. “What are you talking about?”
Sunghoon, who was usually the quiet one, actually spoke up. “You act like a neglected puppy around her. It’s embarrassing.”
Riki sat up immediately, cheeks slightly pink. “I do not.”
“You literally just laid in her lap like it’s your personal pillow,” Jake pointed out.
“That’s… normal best friend behavior,” Riki insisted, crossing his arms.
You grinned at him, bright and teasing. “Is it? Because last week you stole my hoodie and refused to give it back because it ‘smelled like me.’”
Riki’s ears turned red.
“...That was for scientific purposes,” he muttered.
Everyone burst out laughing.
He sulked for the rest of the night, but still ended up walking you back to your dorm, hands in his pockets, complaining the entire way about how his friends were “mean” and “didn’t understand him.”
At your door, he lingered.
“Don’t ignore me tomorrow,” he said, suddenly serious in that awkward, emotionally constipated way of his.
You smiled softly. “I never ignore you, Riki.”
He looked at you for a long moment, something vulnerable flickering in his eyes before he covered it with his usual smirk.
“Good,” he said. “Because I’d have to annoy you even more if you did.”
Then he ruffled your hair roughly and walked away before you could respond.
You watched him go, shaking your head with a fond smile.
You were best friends.
At least, that’s what you called it.
To everyone else, it looked like a chaotic, codependent friendship where one half (you) was relatively normal and the other half (Riki) was a walking disaster who couldn’t go more than three hours without bothering you.
To you, it was just… Riki.
Your annoying, clingy, emotionally stunted best friend who somehow made every day louder and more ridiculous.
But lately, something had been shifting.
He was getting worse.
Not in the obvious way. He still stole your food, kicked your chair, and dramatically complained when you didn’t reply to his texts within ten minutes. But there was a new edge to it — a territorial sharpness that appeared whenever someone else got too close.
The first real spark happened on a Thursday afternoon.
You were sitting in the campus café with Minjun, a friendly classmate from your film studies elective. He was showing you some footage on his laptop for a group project, leaning in a little too close as he pointed at the screen.
“That angle is perfect,” Minjun said, smiling. “You always have such a good eye for this stuff.”
You laughed lightly. “Thanks. I just like capturing real moments.”
Riki appeared out of nowhere.
One second the table was peaceful. The next, a tall figure dropped into the seat right beside you, arm draping casually but possessively over the back of your chair.
“Missed you,” Riki said, voice low and casual, like he hadn’t just materialized like a jealous shadow.
You turned to him, eyebrows raised. “You saw me two hours ago.”
“Exactly. Ancient history,” he replied, already reaching over to steal a sip of your iced latte. His eyes flicked to Minjun — sharp, unimpressed — before returning to you with that signature bratty smirk. “You’re busy again?”
Minjun cleared his throat awkwardly. “We were just working on the project—”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Riki cut in, tone deceptively light. His arm behind your chair shifted, fingers brushing your shoulder in a way that felt far too intentional. “But she’s got plans with me after this.”
You blinked. “I do?”
“You do now,” he said, flashing you a quick, mischievous grin that didn’t reach his eyes.
Minjun got the message. He packed up his laptop with a polite but strained smile. “I’ll just text you later then.”
As soon as Minjun walked away, you turned to Riki with an amused but exasperated look.
“What was that?”
Riki leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, trying (and failing) to look innocent. “What was what?”
“You just scared him off.”
“I didn’t scare him. I simply… reminded him you’re busy.” He kicked your foot lightly under the table. “You’re always busy with random people lately. It’s annoying.”
You raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with that friendly, direct energy of yours. “Riki. Are you jealous?”
He scoffed immediately, ears turning slightly pink. “Jealous? Of Minjun? Please. He’s boring.”
“You’re being weirdly possessive for someone who claims we’re just best friends.”
Riki’s jaw tightened. For a second, the bratty mask slipped, revealing something raw and frustrated underneath.
“Maybe I don’t like sharing,” he muttered, voice lower than usual.
The air between you suddenly felt thicker.
You stared at him.
He stared back, eyes dark and intense in a way that made your stomach flip.
Then, without another word, he stood up, grabbed your wrist, and pulled you out of the café.
He didn’t take you far.
Just around the corner to the empty stairwell behind the arts building — a quiet, dimly lit spot no one really used.
The second the door closed, Riki pushed you against the wall.
The kiss was sudden. Hungry. Frustrated.
His hands gripped your waist as his mouth moved against yours, deep and demanding, like he’d been holding this back for far too long. You kissed him back just as fiercely, fingers threading through his hair, tugging lightly.
Riki made a low, desperate sound against your lips, pressing his body closer, one thigh sliding between yours. His hand slipped under the hem of your shirt, palm hot against your skin as he kissed you harder, tongue teasing yours.
For a moment, it felt like it would escalate — his hips pressing against you, breath ragged, hands wandering lower.
Then he suddenly pulled back, breathing hard, forehead pressed against yours.
“Fuck,” he whispered, voice rough. “We shouldn’t—”
“Yeah,” you agreed, equally breathless, hands still fisted in his hoodie.
Neither of you moved away.
Riki’s eyes were dark, conflicted, like he was fighting every instinct he had. His thumb brushed your bottom lip once, almost reverently, before he forced himself to step back.
He ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated with himself.
“…Don’t talk to Minjun anymore,” he muttered, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
You let out a shaky laugh. “You’re such a brat.”
He didn’t deny it.
He just looked at you for a long moment, something vulnerable flickering in his eyes before he covered it with his usual smirk.
“Come on,” he said, grabbing your hand. “Let’s go somewhere else before I do something stupid.”
You let him pull you along, heart still racing.
Because that kiss hadn’t felt like a joke.
And Riki’s hand holding yours felt dangerously real.
-----
After that stairwell incident, Riki didn’t suddenly become romantic or mature.
He became worse.
His clinginess upgraded from annoying to practically symbiotic.
He was in your life constantly now, like a very tall, very dramatic shadow that demanded attention at all hours.
Late-night gaming sessions became routine. You’d be trying to finish an assignment at 11pm when your phone would buzz.
riki 🦆
open your door
i’m outside with snacks
don’t ignore me i can hear you typing
You’d open the door to find him standing there in an oversized hoodie, holding two bags of your favorite chips and looking ridiculously pleased with himself.
“You’re supposed to be asleep,” you’d say, trying to sound stern.
“You’re supposed to miss me,” he’d reply, pushing past you and immediately flopping onto your bed like he owned it.
He’d pull you down with him, wrapping his long arms around your waist and burying his face in your shoulder while the game loaded. Half the time he’d fall asleep like that — warm, heavy, and surprisingly quiet once he stopped pretending to be annoying.
You never kicked him out.
One Friday night, you made the mistake of telling him you were going to a small group hangout with some classmates (including Minjun).
Riki showed up at your door thirty minutes before you were supposed to leave, wearing all black and looking dramatically betrayed.
“You’re abandoning me,” he accused, leaning against your doorframe with crossed arms.
“I’m going out for two hours,” you said, laughing as you fixed your hair in the mirror. “You’ll survive.”
He followed you inside, flopping onto your bed face-first.
“I won’t. I’ll wither away. They’ll find my dried-up corpse and it’ll be your fault.”
You rolled your eyes, but there was a fond smile on your face. “You’re so dramatic.”
He turned his head to look at you, cheek squished against your pillow.
“Don’t go,” he mumbled. “Stay here and watch movies with me instead.”
The way he said it — soft, almost vulnerable under all the whining — made your chest feel strange.
But you had already promised your group.
When you left anyway, Riki sulked the entire way to the elevator, dragging his feet like a punished child.
Later that night, while you were out, your phone kept buzzing.
riki 🦆
this movie sucks without you
the main character is annoying
he reminds me of minjun
come home now pls
You sent back a selfie of you smiling with your group.
His reply was immediate.
riki 🦆
disgusting. everyone there is ugly compared to me. come back.
You laughed so hard your friends asked what was funny.
The next morning, Riki was waiting outside your dorm with two coffees and a pout.
“You had fun without me,” he accused, handing you your usual order.
“It was a group project meeting,” you said, bumping his shoulder playfully. “Not a date.”
He walked beside you, shoulders slightly hunched. “Still. You laughed in the selfie. I saw it.”
You stopped walking and turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “Riki. Are you actually jealous right now?”
He looked away immediately, ears turning pink.
“No.”
“You are.”
“Am not.”
You grinned, stepping closer until you were almost toe-to-toe. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
His eyes snapped back to yours, wide and slightly panicked.
“I’m not cute,” he protested, voice cracking. “I’m cool. And intimidating.”
“You’re a six-foot-tall baby who sulks when I hang out with other people.”
He groaned, covering his face with both hands.
“Stop. You’re embarrassing me.”
You laughed brightly and pulled his hands down, forcing him to look at you.
“I like hanging out with you more anyway,” you said honestly. “Even when you’re being a dramatic menace.”
Riki stared at you for a long moment, something soft and unguarded flickering in his eyes before he quickly covered it with his usual smirk.
“Yeah, obviously,” he said, ruffling your hair roughly. “I’m the best. Everyone else is boring.”
But his hand lingered in your hair a second longer than necessary.
And when you started walking again, he stayed closer than usual, shoulders brushing yours with every step.
That night, during another uninvited visit to your room, Riki was quieter than normal.
He was lying across your bed, head in your lap as you scrolled through your phone. His fingers played absently with the hem of your shirt, occasionally brushing against your skin.
After a long silence, he spoke.
“…Do you ever get tired of me?” he asked, voice unusually small.
You paused, looking down at him.
He wasn’t looking at you. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling, but his jaw was tight.
“Sometimes,” you admitted honestly. Then you smiled and added, “But mostly I like having you around. Even when you’re annoying.”
He turned his head to look up at you, searching your face like he was scared you were lying.
“Really?”
“Really.”
He didn’t say anything after that.
But he wrapped his arms around your waist and held you a little tighter, face hidden against your stomach like he was trying to disappear into you.
And for once, he didn’t make a single joke.
-----
The jealousy didn’t stay hidden for long.
It started small, but it grew fast — like a spark that refused to die.
Seojun had always been around the edges of your group. He was confident, charismatic, and had that effortless charm that made people gravitate toward him. He was also Minjun’s best friend, which meant he started appearing more often whenever your film studies group met up.
At first, it was harmless.
Seojun would smile at you during study sessions, offer to carry your bag when you left the library, and tease you lightly about your “cute focus face” when you were editing photos.
You laughed it off. You were friendly by nature — energetic, direct, and easy to talk to. It didn’t mean anything.
But Riki noticed.
Of course he did.
One afternoon in the campus courtyard, you were sitting on a bench with Seojun and a couple of others, reviewing footage on your laptop. Seojun leaned in close, pointing at the screen.
“This shot is really good,” he said, his shoulder brushing yours. “You have a great eye. We should work together more often.”
You smiled brightly. “Thanks! I’d love that.”
Before you could say anything else, Riki appeared like a storm cloud in human form.
He dropped down on the bench right beside you, arm immediately draping possessively over the back of the seat behind your shoulders. His long legs stretched out, effectively boxing you in.
“Hey,” he said, voice casual but tight. “What are we watching?”
Seojun blinked, surprised by the sudden interruption. “Oh, just some project stuff. You’re Riki, right?”
“Yeah,” Riki replied, not even looking at him. His fingers brushed the back of your neck — subtle, but deliberate. A light, possessive touch that made your skin tingle. “She’s busy.”
You turned to stare at him. “Riki.”
“What?” he said innocently, but his jaw was clenched. “You have that essay due tomorrow. Remember?”
Seojun chuckled awkwardly. “I can text you the notes later if you want.”
Riki’s arm tightened slightly behind you. “She’ll be fine.”
The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Seojun eventually excused himself, giving you a polite wave as he left.
The second he was gone, you turned on Riki.
“What the hell was that?”
Riki leaned back, trying to look cool. “What? I was just helping.”
“You were marking your territory like a jealous dog.”
His ears turned pink. He looked away, muttering, “I wasn’t jealous.”
“You literally interrupted him mid-sentence and put your arm around me.”
“That’s normal best friend behavior.”
You raised an eyebrow. “Since when?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he reached over and tugged the collar of your hoodie down slightly, leaning in to press a quick, subtle kiss to the side of your neck — just hard enough to leave the faintest mark.
“Riki!” you hissed, pulling back with wide eyes.
He smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Now he’ll know.”
You stared at him, half-amused, half-exasperated. “You’re impossible.”
He shrugged, but his hand stayed on your knee, thumb rubbing small circles like he needed the contact to stay calm.
It kept happening.
Whenever Seojun was around, Riki’s possessiveness intensified in small, chaotic ways.
During a group study session in the library, Seojun offered to share his notes with you. Riki immediately slid his chair closer until his thigh pressed against yours under the table.
“Use mine instead,” he said, pushing his notebook toward you. “Mine are better.”
Seojun raised an eyebrow. “You don’t even take this class.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Riki replied coolly. “I’m better at explaining.”
You kicked him under the table.
He kicked you back.
Later, when Seojun offered to walk you to your next class, Riki appeared out of nowhere, slinging an arm around your shoulders.
“She’s going with me,” he said, voice flat. “We have plans.”
You didn’t have plans.
But you let him pull you away anyway, because watching him fail at being subtle was becoming your new favorite entertainment.
The next day , you were at a small campus café with Seojun, finishing up some project details. He laughed at something you said and casually brushed a strand of hair behind your ear.
Riki, who had been “just passing by,” stopped dead in his tracks a few tables away.
His expression didn’t change much on the surface.
But you saw the way his hands clenched at his sides.
He walked over, grabbed your wrist gently but firmly, and pulled you up from your seat.
“We’re leaving,” he said.
Seojun blinked. “Wait, we’re not done—”
“She’s done,” Riki cut in, voice cold. “Find someone else.”
The entire café went quiet.
You let him pull you outside, heart racing.
The second you were alone in the empty walkway, you yanked your wrist free.
“Riki, what the hell? That was too far.”
He turned to face you, breathing hard, eyes dark with frustration.
“I don’t like it,” he said, voice low and strained. “I don’t like him touching you. I don’t like him making you laugh like that. I don’t like any of it.”
You stared at him.
He ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated with himself.
“I know I’m acting like a fucking child,” he muttered. “But I can’t stop. Every time someone else gets close to you, I feel like I’m going to lose you. And I don’t know how to deal with that.”
The raw honesty hit you hard.
You stepped closer, voice softening. “Riki…”
He looked at you, eyes vulnerable for once.
“I’m scared,” he admitted quietly. “That one day you’ll realize you can have someone better. Someone who doesn’t act like this.”
You reached up and gently cupped his face.
“You’re an idiot,” you said fondly. “But you’re my idiot.”
He let out a shaky breath and pulled you into a tight hug, burying his face in your hair like he was afraid to let go.
For the first time, the bratty mask cracked completely.
But it didn't last long, as the argument exploded two days later.
It happened in the middle of the campus quad after Riki had once again inserted himself into your study session with Seojun. This time, he didn’t even try to be subtle.
Seojun had been explaining a concept, leaning in to show you something on his tablet, when Riki appeared like a storm. He dropped into the seat beside you, immediately pulling your chair closer with a loud scrape and draping his arm heavily around your shoulders.
“She’s busy,” Riki said flatly, not even looking at Seojun. His fingers dug possessively into your shoulder. “We have plans.”
Seojun raised an eyebrow, clearly fed up. “Dude, we’re literally in the middle of—”
“I don’t care,” Riki cut in, voice cold. “Find someone else to bother.”
The words were too sharp. Too aggressive. Several people nearby turned to stare.
Seojun stood up, jaw tight. “Whatever. Text me when you’re actually free,” he said to you before walking away.
The silence that followed was deafening.
You turned to Riki slowly, anger boiling under your skin.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” you hissed, shoving his arm off your shoulders. “That was completely uncalled for. You’re acting like a jealous child.”
Riki’s eyes flashed with defensiveness. “I’m not—”
“You are!” You stood up, heart pounding. “You keep scaring people off like I’m some kind of property. I’m allowed to talk to other people, Riki. I’m allowed to have friends who aren’t you.”
He stood too, towering over you, but for once he didn’t look cocky. He looked cornered.
“So what?” he snapped, voice rising. “You want me to just sit there and watch while Seojun flirts with you? While he touches your hair and makes you laugh like I don’t even exist?”
“That’s not what this is about and you know it!” You stepped closer, voice shaking with frustration. “You’re not my boyfriend, Riki. You’re my best friend who’s been acting like a possessive asshole for weeks. Grow up!”
The words hit harder than you intended.
Riki flinched visibly. For a second, the bratty mask completely shattered. His shoulders slumped, and something raw and painful crossed his face.
“You think I don’t know that?” he said, voice cracking. “You think I don’t know I’m acting like a fucking idiot?”
He laughed bitterly, running a hand through his hair.
“I know I’m being childish. I know I’m embarrassing myself. But I can’t stop.” His voice dropped, raw and honest in a way you’d rarely heard from him. “Every time I see someone else getting close to you, I panic. Because what if they’re better? What if they’re more fun to be around? What if one day you realize you don’t need my annoying ass anymore and you choose them instead?”
He looked at you, eyes glassy with frustration and fear.
“I’ve always been the loud one. The annoying one. The one who steals your stuff and bugs you constantly because if I stop… if I give you space… you might forget about me. You might realize you can have someone who doesn’t act like a stupid, jealous kid all the time.”
His voice broke on the last words.
“I’m scared, okay?” he admitted, barely above a whisper. “I’m scared that if I’m not loud and annoying and always in your face, you’ll stop choosing me. That one day you’ll wake up and decide I’m not worth it anymore. That I’m too much work. That someone like Seojun is easier to love.”
The confession hung heavy between you.
Riki looked away, jaw clenched, like admitting it out loud had cost him everything.
“I know I’m acting like a child,” he muttered. “But I don’t know how to stop being terrified of losing you.”
Silence stretched between you, thick with years of unspoken feelings.
You stepped forward and gently took his hand. His fingers immediately laced tightly with yours, like he was afraid you’d pull away.
“You’re not going to lose me, you idiot,” you said softly. “But you can’t keep doing this. Scaring people off. Acting like I’m yours when you won’t even admit how you feel.”
Riki’s breath hitched. He looked at you, eyes wide and vulnerable.
“…And how do I feel?” he whispered, voice trembling.
You squeezed his hand.
“Like you’re in love with me,” you said quietly. “And too scared to say it.”
He stared at you for a long moment, chest rising and falling rapidly.
Then he laughed — a shaky, broken sound — and pulled you into his arms, burying his face in your hair.
“Yeah,” he whispered, voice cracking. “I am. I’m so fucking in love with you it hurts.”
The confession hung in the air like a live wire.
Riki’s eyes widened the second the words left his mouth, as if he’d shocked himself. He pulled back slightly, still holding your hand, panic flashing across his face.
“I— fuck, I didn’t mean to say that out loud,” he stammered, ears burning red. “I mean— shit, forget I said anything. I was just emotional and being dramatic and—”
“Riki.”
He froze at the sound of his name, breathing hard, looking like he wanted to bolt.
You stepped closer, cupping his face with both hands so he couldn’t look away. His eyes were wide, vulnerable, terrified.
“I heard you,” you said softly. “And I’m not letting you take it back.”
Riki’s breath hitched. For a second, the cocky, bratty boy completely disappeared. All that remained was a scared twenty-year-old who had spent years hiding how much he needed you.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice cracking. “I know I’m a mess. I know I’ve been acting like a jealous asshole and I don’t deserve—”
You cut him off by kissing him.
It wasn’t soft. It was messy, desperate, and full of everything you’d both been holding back for months. Riki made a broken sound against your mouth and kissed you back like he was drowning, hands gripping your waist hard enough to bruise as he pulled you flush against him.
When you finally broke apart, both of you breathing heavily, Riki rested his forehead against yours, eyes squeezed shut.
“I love you,” he whispered again, like he couldn’t stop now that the words had escaped. “I’ve been in love with you for so fucking long. I just… didn’t know how to say it without ruining everything.”
You kissed him again, slower this time. “You didn’t ruin anything.”
He let out a shaky laugh that sounded suspiciously close to a sob. “I’m still a brat, though.”
“Yeah,” you smiled against his lips. “But you’re my brat.”
You barely made it back to your dorm.
The second the door closed, Riki was on you again — kissing you like he’d been starving for months. His hands roamed desperately, sliding under your shirt, gripping your hips, pulling you closer as if he still couldn’t believe this was real.
He walked you backward toward the bed, never breaking the kiss. When the back of your knees hit the mattress, he pulled away just enough to look at you, chest heaving.
His eyes were dark, glassy, and so full of emotion it made your heart ache.
“Can I… please?” he whispered, voice hoarse and trembling. “I need you. I need to feel you right now.”
The vulnerability in his voice nearly undid you.
“Yes,” you breathed.
Clothes came off in a frantic but careful blur. Riki’s hands shook as he undressed you, kissing every inch of skin he revealed like he was worshiping. When you were both bare, he laid you down gently and settled between your thighs.
But this time, he didn’t rush.
He kissed you deeply as he pushed inside you, slow and careful, forehead pressed to yours. Both of you moaned at the feeling. Riki’s hips rolled in deep, sensual thrusts, eyes locked on yours the entire time.
“I love you,” he gasped against your mouth, voice breaking. “I love you so much— fuck—”
Tears slipped down his cheeks as he moved inside you. Not from sadness — from overwhelming relief. From finally letting himself have this.
You switched positions halfway through. You pushed him onto his back and sank down onto him, taking control. Riki’s head fell back with a broken moan, hands gripping your hips tightly as you rode him.
“Look at me,” you whispered.
He did. Eyes wet, lips parted, completely undone beneath you.
“I love you too,” you told him, grinding down slowly. “All of you. The bratty parts. The scared parts. Everything.”
That broke him.
Riki sat up suddenly, wrapping his arms around you tightly as he thrust up into you, burying his face in your neck. The new angle made you both moan loudly. He fucked you like that — desperate, emotional, clinging to you like you were his lifeline.
You came first, clenching around him with a cry of his name. Riki followed right after, burying himself deep and spilling inside you with a choked sob, holding you so tightly it almost hurt.
Afterward, he didn’t pull out.
He stayed buried inside you, arms wrapped around your body, face pressed into your neck as quiet tears continued to slip down his cheeks. You stroked his hair, his back, whispering soft reassurances while he trembled against you.
“I’ve got you,” you murmured. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He let out a wet, relieved sound and held you tighter.
You cleaned each other up gently afterward. Riki was unusually quiet and soft, letting you take care of him without a single complaint. He curled into your chest the moment you got back under the blankets, legs tangled with yours, arms wrapped around your waist like he never wanted to let go.
“I meant it,” he whispered into the dark, voice small but certain. “I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time.”
You kissed the top of his head. “I love you too, you big menace.”
He let out a soft, tired laugh and nuzzled closer.
For the first time in a long time, Nishimura Riki fell asleep feeling completely safe.
The morning after that, everything felt different — but still perfectly, chaotically you and Riki.
You woke up tangled in his long limbs, his face buried in your neck, one leg thrown over yours like he was afraid you’d disappear in the night. When you stirred, Riki made a sleepy, disgruntled sound and tightened his hold.
“Five more minutes,” he mumbled against your skin.
You laughed softly, running your fingers through his messy hair. “We have class in an hour.”
“Don’t care. You’re warm.”
He finally lifted his head, eyes still heavy with sleep but shining with something new — open, unguarded affection. He leaned in and kissed you, slow and deep, like he was savoring the fact that he finally could.
When he pulled back, his cheeks were slightly pink.
You smiled, brushing your thumb across his cheek. “Yeah, Riki. We’re doing this.”
His grin broke out — wide, bright, and so genuinely happy it made your heart flutter.
“Good,” he said, then immediately ruined the moment by adding, “Because I’m not letting you go back to being ‘just friends.’ Too late. You’re stuck with me now.”
The official announcement happened the same day, in true Riki fashion.
He walked into the cafeteria holding your hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. His friends were already at your usual table. The second they saw your intertwined fingers, Jake choked on his drink.
“No way,” Sunghoon muttered.
Riki puffed out his chest, looking ridiculously proud as he pulled you closer.
“Yeah, way,” he announced loudly, voice full of smug satisfaction. “She’s mine now. Officially. So all of you can stop looking at her like that.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide your smile. “You’re such a menace.”
“Your menace,” he corrected, leaning down to press a quick kiss to your temple right there in front of everyone.
His friends groaned dramatically.
“I knew it,” Jake said, shaking his head. “The pining was painful to watch.”
Riki just grinned and pulled you down to sit on his lap instead of the chair beside him, wrapping his arms around your waist possessively.
“Deal with it,” he said cheerfully.
Dating Riki was chaotic, loud, and ridiculously sweet.
He dragged you to the campus garden on a sunny Saturday with a blanket, snacks he’d “definitely not stolen from the convenience store,” and his camera. He spent half the time taking photos of you — candid ones while you were laughing, ones where he made you pose with flowers in your hair.
“Stop moving,” he complained, but he was smiling. “You’re too cute. It’s distracting.”
When you tried to take a photo of him, he pouted dramatically until you kissed the pout away. Then he tackled you gently onto the blanket, kissing you properly until both of you were breathless and laughing.
The following Friday, Riki insisted on teaching you how to skateboard. He stood behind you, hands on your waist, guiding your balance while you wobbled.
“You’re doing great, baby,” he said, then immediately contradicted himself by yelling, “Wait— no— not that way—!”
You both ended up on the ground in a heap, laughing so hard your stomach hurt. He kissed the scrape on your knee and carried you piggyback the rest of the way home, complaining the entire time about how you were “terrible at listening” but refusing to let you walk.
Every week, the mall photo booth became your new favorite tradition. Riki insisted on making every strip ridiculous — peace signs, silly faces, him kissing your cheek, you kissing his. In the last frame, he turned serious, cupping your face and kissing you deeply while the camera flashed.
He kept every single strip in his wallet.
The possessiveness didn’t disappear. It just became prouder.
He held your hand in public constantly. Kissed you in hallways. Pulled you onto his lap during group hangouts. When someone even looked at you too long, he’d tug you closer and mutter, “Mine,” against your hair like it was a fact of the universe.
But underneath the bratty behavior, he was softer now.
He still stole your food, but he also brought you snacks when you were stressed. He still pouted when you studied too long, but he’d sit quietly beside you, playing with your hair until you took a break. The sex changed too — still passionate and teasing, but laced with more vulnerability.
One night after a long day, the smut showed just how much he’d grown.
You were on top, riding him slow and deep in your dorm bed. Riki’s hands gripped your hips, but his eyes were soft, locked on yours.
“Can I…?” he whispered, voice hoarse. Even now, he asked.
You nodded.
He flipped you gently, settling between your thighs and pushing back inside with a reverent moan. This time, there was no rush. Just deep, emotional thrusts, his forehead pressed to yours, eyes never leaving your face.
“I love you,” he gasped, voice breaking. “I love you so much. Thank you for choosing me.”
You came together, clinging to each other, tears mixing with sweat. Afterward, he cleaned you up carefully, then pulled you into his chest, wrapping himself around you like a koala.
“I’m still going to be annoying,” he murmured sleepily against your hair.
You smiled, kissing his collarbone. “I know.”
“Good. Because I’m never letting you go.”
Months later, you were sitting on the same library table where everything started. Riki had his head in your lap again, long legs dangling off the edge, playing with your fingers while you tried to study.
“Baby,” he whined, poking your side. “Pay attention to me.”
You laughed brightly, setting your pen down to run your fingers through his hair.
“You’re still such a menace, Nishimura Riki.”
He grinned up at you, eyes sparkling with that familiar mischief — but now filled with open love.
“Yeah,” he said, reaching up to pull you down for a kiss. “But I’m your menace now.”
And as he kissed you in the middle of the library — completely unbothered by the annoyed glances around you — you couldn’t help but smile.
Because no matter how chaotic, how bratty, how emotionally constipated he still was…
𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 : fluff, slight angst, smut (MDNI)
𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 : swearing, mention of depression, mention of violence, blood, mention of drugs, unprotected sex, p in v, oral sex (m, f receiving), fingering, creampie, kissing, jealousy, ni-ki is clingy
𝐰𝐜 : 23.2k
𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓─── (lyrics are all related to the story)
♪ Best Mistake - Ariana Grande ft. Big Sean
♪ better off - Ariana Grande
♪ Break From Toronto - PARTYNEXTDOOR
♪ everytime - Ariana Grande
♪ GREENGREENGREEN - Chase Atlantic
♪ Is There Someone Else? - The Weeknd
♪ Tidal Wave - Chase Atlantic
♪ Agora Hills - Doja Cat
♪ Hold Me Tight - BTS
♪ Focus - H.E.R
♪ Deep - Summer Walker
♪ PERSIAN RUGS - PARTYNEXTDOOR
‼ 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖 : Best Mistake - Ariana Grande ft. Big Sean
2 years, 4 months and 11 days.
That's how long it's been since the news report. Since the photo of his face flashed across the screen and the words ‘body not recovered’ carved themselves into your brain like a tattoo. The case went cold after six months. ‘Settled on hold’ they called it. It was just an excuse to cover the fact that no one knows anything and no one is looking anymore. You stopped checking the news after the first year, you stopped hoping after the 18th month. Somewhere around the 20th month, you finally admitted it to yourself in the dark of your bedroom, staring at the ceiling : he's not coming back. He's dead. The depression came in waves when it started. After weeks, it became the tide, always there, pulling at your ankles even on the good days. You went to class, you graduated, you found a job you don't hate. Nevertheless, you never went on a single date and never let anyone touch you.
Jess tried in the beginning. She'd send you dating app profiles, drag you to parties or set you up with "nice guys" who had steady jobs and good personalities. You'd go through motions, but your heart was a locked door and you'd lost the key somewhere in the back of that black Camaro. She stopped trying about a year ago because she realized you needed something different.
──────
The airport is crowded. You're standing near the arrivals gate, holding a sign you made as a joke, "WELCOME BACK, LOSER", because Jess texted you that she missed your stupid face and you figured you'd match the vibe. Her flight from London landed 20 minutes ago. You watch the glass doors slide open and shut at least 2 times, each time releasing a new wave of tired travelers dragging suitcases.
You finally spot her. Jess's hair is shorter. She's wearing a leather jacket you've never seen before. She looks older in a way that suits her, making her look more mature than she was before. When she spots you, her face breaks into a grin you'd know anywhere and she drops her carry-on right there in the middle of the terminal to run at you. You barely catch her.
"Oh my God," she says into your shoulder, squeezing tightly. "You're real. You're actually here."
"Where else would I be?"
"I don't know. I've been gone for a year. I thought you might have turned into a ghost."
"Only on the inside."
She pulls back and stares at your face. Her eyes search yours, and you know she's cataloging the changes, your dark circles that never went away, the weight you lost and never gained back, and most importantly, how you don’t smile like before.
"You look good," she says softly.
"You almost look the same." You smile weakly.
She grabs her bags and you walk out into the cold air. Her car is in short-term parking, she left it at your place before she flew out, and you've been driving it once a week to keep the battery alive.
"I missed this," she says, settling into the passenger seat. "I missed you…and the shitty weather."
"You've been in London. The weather there isn't exactly better than here."
"Yeah, but still, it's different when it's yours."
You pull out of the parking garage and head toward her apartment. The city hasn't changed much in a year. Jess fills the silence with stories ; her flatmates, her job, a guy she dated for two months who turned out to have a girlfriend in Manchester. You listen and nod. She doesn't ask about you yet. She's waiting for the right moment, and you appreciate that more than she'll ever know.
──────
Her apartment is exactly how she left it, with plants dead on the windowsill, mail stacked on the kitchen counter, a blanket still draped over the couch from the night before she flew out. You help her drag her suitcase inside and she immediately goes for the bottle of wine she left in the fridge.
"Emergency stash," she says, twisting off the cap. "I knew I'd need it."
You take a glass and she takes the whole bottle. She kicks off her shoes and collapses onto the couch, patting the spot next to her. You sit. The wine tastes cheap but it’s warm enough to make you feel something.
"Okay," she says, not looking at you. "I have news."
"Good news or bad news?"
"Hmmm, it depends on how you feel about change."
You wait. She takes a long sip from the bottle.
"I'm getting married."
The words hang in the air. You blink at her.
"What?"
"In two weeks. Alex proposed to me. I picked out the ring and organized everything. I'm freaking out."
Alex. You've met him twice. He's fine. Tall, quiet, works in finance. He makes Jess laugh, which is really the only standard that matters.
"You're getting married, like, at 23?" you say slowly.
"Yeah? Why not? I mean, I feel like there’s no proper age to do that." She sets the bottle down and turns to face you, pulling her knees up. "And I need you, emotionally. For support. Because this is huge and I'm terrified. I can't do it without my best friend."
Your throat tightens. "Jess."
"I know you've been through hell. I know you're not okay and I'm not asking you to pretend to be okay for me." Her voice cracks. "I'm just asking you to be there. That's all."
You reach over and take her hand. Her fingers are cold from the wine bottle.
"I'll be there," you say. "Obviously I'll be there."
She exhales like she's been holding that breath for a year. "Thank you."
The wine loosens things after a while. She tells you about the after-wedding plan, a hike at sunset, a picnic, etc. You tell her about your job, about the cat you adopted six months ago, his name is Miso, about the therapy you started and stopped and started again.
She doesn't bring up Ni-ki and you don't either. The ghost quietly sits between you anyway.
"So," she says, refilling your glass even though it's still half full. "We need to talk about the honeymoon."
"You're planning the honeymoon before the wedding?"
"Alex’s family is really intense. I need something to look forward to." She pulls out her phone, scrolling through a notes app. "We're thinking maybe Europe. Or East Asia. He really wants to try Japan."
"Japan?"
"Yeah. Tokyo, Kyoto, everything. He's obsessed with the food." She shrugs. "I'm not opposed. It's supposed to be beautiful."
You nod, staring at your wine. "It is. I've heard."
"And here's the thing." She puts her phone down and looks at you. "I want everyone there. The whole group : Jay, Jake, Jungwon, all of them. I want them to be groomsmen. And I want you to be my maid of honor, obviously."
Your heart aches.
"And," she continues, "I want to take them on the honeymoon. Alex's bringing his friends too. We're thinking maybe a big trip for, I don’t know, 10 days. Everyone together."
You stare at her. "You want to bring your friends on your honeymoon ?"
"It's not a honeymoon ‘honeymoon’. It's a post-wedding celebration trip. We'll call it something else." She grins. "Come on, it’ll be fun. You, me and the guys. In Japan."
Jake, Jay and Jungwon. All the names you've been avoiding for two years because they remind you of him. Jess sees something shift in your face. Her smile fades.
"You don't have to decide now," she says quietly. "Just think about it."
You pick up your wine and take a long drink. The apartment is quiet now.
"Okay," you say finally. "I'll think about it."
Jess leans her head on your shoulder. The weight of her is familiar and warm. "Hey," she says. "We're gonna be okay. You and me."
As hours passed, the wine bottle is empty. The second one is halfway there. You're both on Jess's living room floor now, surrounded by takeout containers and the crumpled bags from the face masks she insisted on. The sound of the TV playing in the background.
Jess is on her stomach, chin propped on her hands, feet kicked up behind her. You're leaning against the couch, legs stretched out.
"I have an idea," Jess says. The wine has made her voice loose and excited.
"Oh please—"
"Hear me out." She sits up cross-legged, her hair falling out on her face. "My wedding dress came in last week. It's in my closet, in the garment bag."
You blink at her. "You want me to look at it?"
"I want you to try it on."
"Jess. That's your wedding dress."
"Yeah, and you're my maid of honor. I want to see what it looks like on someone who isn't me." She's already scrambling to her feet, grabbing your hand. "Come on, it's not weird. People do this."
"Do they?"
"They do in movies."
You let her pull you up, arguing with Jess when she's like this is like arguing with a wall. She drags you to her bedroom, flips on the light and dramatically unzips the closet. The garment bag is white, obviously. It hangs in the center like it's the star of a one person show. Jess unzips it slowly and steps back. The dress is simple. You expected lace and layers, but it's clean, made of satin, off-the-shoulder, with a silhouette that hugs and then flows. It's elegant, it’s very Jess.
"I'm going to cry," you say.
"Not yet you idiot. Try it on first, then you can cry." She pulls the dress off the hanger and holds it out to you. You hesitate for only a second before taking it.
"You need help with the zipper?"
"Yeah I think."
You strip down to your underwear in front of her closet mirror, the way you've done a hundred times in dorm rooms and shared apartments. The dress slides over your head, cold and heavy, and settles against your body. It's a little loose in the chest, a little long, but it fits better than it has any right to. Jess steps behind you and pulls the zipper up. Her fingers are warm against your spine.
"Okay," she says. "Look."
You turn to face the mirror. The woman staring back at you doesn't look like yourself. She looks like someone who could get married, who could stand at an altar and make promises and whose heart isn't buried in a cold case file somewhere.
"You look beautiful," Jess says quietly.
You don't answer as you can feel your throat tightening. She wraps her arms around you from behind, resting her chin on your shoulder, and the two of you stand there in the silence of her bedroom, staring at your reflection in her wedding dress.
"He would have wanted you to be happy," Jess whispers. You close your eyes. You don't know what Ni-ki would have wanted. You never got to ask. All you have left are the things he didn't say and all the times he pushed you away.
"Maybe," you say. "I don't know."
Jess squeezes you tighter. "Well, I want you to be happy, and I'm not dead. So listen to me."
A laugh cracks out of you. You lean back into her.
"Okay," you say.
She lets go and spins you around by the shoulders. "Now help me take this off before I cry and ruin the satin." She unzips you. You step out of the dress and hangs it back in the closet, zipping the garment bag like you’re putting a secret away. She grabs your hand and pulls you back to the living room where the wine is waiting.
You just drink the rest of the bottle and fall asleep on her floor, tangled in blankets, holding onto each other like you're the only two people left in the world who understand what it means to lose something and keep going anyway.
──────
‼ 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖 : better off - Ariana Grande
It’s the morning of the wedding. You're standing in the corner of the bridal suite, holding a glass of champagne you haven't touched, watching six women in matching silk robes run around like the building is on fire. Jess is in the center of it all, calm as a lake, while her mother fusses with her veil and her sister chases down a missing earring. You should be helping because you're the maid of honor. Your job is to fix things and fetch things and tell Jess she looks beautiful every three minutes. However you can't stop staring at her. She's radiant. Seeing her genuinely happy wants to make you cry so much.
"Y/N." Jess catches your eye in the mirror. "You're going to make me cry if you keep looking at me like that."
"Sorry." You blink and take a sip of your drink. "You just look—"
"Don't say beautiful, everyone's said beautiful."
"Like you're exactly where you're supposed to be."
Her face softens. She reaches out and grabs your hand, squeezing once. You two don’t even have to communicate to understand each other.
The ceremony is outside, under a wooden arch wrapped in white flowers. The sky is bright blue, it nearly makes you believe in good omens. You walk down the aisle first, alone, because Jess wanted it simple. The groomsmen are already up front ; Jay, Jungwon, Alex's two brothers, and Jake. He smiles when he sees you. His suit is navy and his tie slightly crooked. You fix it when you reach your spot, because someone has to, and he mutters ‘thanks’ under his breath. Afterward the music changes so everyone stands. Jess appears at the end of the aisle, her father's arm linked through hers and the whole world goes quiet. You don't cry during the vows, you had to hold it together, but when Jess looks at Alex and says "I knew it was you from the beginning," something cracks behind your ribs and it’s not for her.
──────
Finally, the reception. It’s in a simple but well-decorated barn. The tables are decorated with wildflowers and tea candles. The DJ is playing something slow while people finish their dinner. You're seated between Jungwon and a cousin of Alex's whose name you've already forgotten. You push food around your plate and drink two glasses of wine, not more, and you try to force a laugh at every joke you didn’t quite understand.
Jake is across the room, at the groomsmen's table, talking to Jay with his hands. He catches you looking and raises his glass and you raise yours back.
It's past ten and the dance floor turns into a mess. Someone started a conga line, Jess is barefoot, her dress hiked up as she’s laughing so hard she's crying. Alex is trying to keep up but he's stepped on three people's feet.
You slip outside. The air is cool enough to make you relax for a bit. You find a bench near the fence line, away from the lights and the noise, and you sit. The moon is half-full, crickets are doing their thing. You just feel the bench shift when he sits down.
"Hey," Jake says.
"Hi."
He's loosened his tie. His sleeves are rolled up. His forehead is glistening with sweat.
"You okay?" he asks.
"Fine. I just needed air."
He nods, staying quiet. That's what you've always liked about him. He knows when to speak or not. For a while, you just sit there, the music from the inside is muffled, you’re just hearing bass notes and occasional cheers.
"I miss him too, you know ?" Jake says quietly. You can’t look at him.
"I know, I think everyone does."
"Like, not the way you do, obviously." He runs a hand through his hair. "But I think about him. I mean—Random stuff. And that stupid exhale thing he did when he laughed."
You smile despite yourself. "The nose thing."
"Yeah, the nose thing." Silence stretches between you. "I ran into someone last month," Jake says. "At a bar. It was a guy who knew some guys who knew some guys. And…he said he heard that Ni-ki might still be alive."
Your heart stops.
"Jake."
"I know, I know. It's probably nothing and people like to talk." He turns to look at you, and his eyes are sad, you’ve never seen him like this before. "But I thought you should know. Even if it's just a rumor and even if it's bullshit." You stare at the barn, at all those people dancing without knowing what happened 2 years ago.
"Why are you telling me this?" Your voice sounds far away.
"Because you've been waiting." He says it simply like it's obvious. "For two years, you've been waiting. I don't know if you're waiting for closure or for him to come back and give you a permission to stop. But I figured...maybe if you knew there's a chance, even a small one, you could decide what you actually want."
You turn to face him. His jaw is set, his hands are clasped between his knees.
"Thank you," you say.
"Don't thank me. I'm not trying to give you false hope. I just—" He stops and starts again. "You're my friend. I hate watching you live half a life."
Something hot pricks behind your eyes but you blink it away.
"I don't know how to live a whole one," you admit.
Jake reaches over and takes your hand. His palm is warm.
"Maybe start small," he says. "Like dancing with me at this wedding. Before Jess kills us for hiding outside during her first dance."
A laugh escapes you. "She did say she wanted photos."
"She's going to be insufferable about it." He stands and pulls you up. His hand stays in yours. "Come on." You walk back toward the barn together, the music getting louder with each step. The door is propped open with a potted plant. Inside, everyone is spinning, laughing, and alive. Jess spots you immediately. She's back in her heels, dancing with Alex’s youngest brother, she yells something unintelligible that's probably a threat. Jake leads you onto the floor. The song is fast now, something with a beat you can feel in your teeth. He lets go of your hand and starts moving so weirdly that you can't help but laugh.
"Don't film this," he warns.
"I'm absolutely going to film this."
You almost forget about his ghost and the two years of waiting. You just dance with your friends at your best friend's wedding. And it's not happiness, not really, yet it feels like crack of light through a door you thought you'd locked. It’s still something. When the song ends, Jake pulls you into a hug. His chin rests on the top of your head.
"Whatever happens," he says into your hair, "you're not alone. Okay?"
You nod against his chest.
"Thank you," you whisper.
The DJ starts playing something slow. Couples pair off. Jake steps back and looks at you, questioning. You shake your head. He nods, understanding and walks toward the bar.
You find Jess instead. She's fanning herself with her hand, flushed and glowing.
"Having fun?" she asks.
"Yeah," you say, almost feeling it.
──────
Back at Jess’s apartment, it still smells like the arrangement of flowers from her wedding bouquet. She's got the leftover centerpieces scattered around like she's trying to squeeze the last bit of joy out of them. You're on the couch, legs tucked under you, watching her spread maps across the coffee table. Jake is in the armchair, feet up on the ottoman and phone in hand. Jay is on the floor, back against the couch, eating grapes from a bowl in his lap. Jungwon is late, as usual.
"Okay guys," Jess says, clapping her hands. "Japan. We need to figure out actual plans. We can’t play the ‘we’ll figure it out there’ because Alex’s friends will literally wander into traffic without a schedule." Jay pops a grape in his mouth. "How many of his friends are coming?"
"Four. Plus Alex, plus us, so…nine in total." She starts pulling sticky notes out of nowhere. "I already found a house in Kyoto. It has a garden and a weird amount of cat statues." Jake looks up from his phone. "Cat statues?"
"The reviews said they're spiritually significant. I'm not going to ask questions."
You lean forward, looking at the printouts. There's one of a bamboo forest, one of a temple at sunset, one of some street food. It makes your stomach growl despite the grapes you’ve already eaten. "When are we supposed to do this?" you ask. "With work and everything."
Jess waves a hand. "October. Everyone's taking time off. Alex already cleared it with his boss. Jay's job is flexible and Jake can quit."
Jake snorts. "I'm not quitting my job for a trip."
"You could get another job."
"I could not. The market's shit."
Jay reaches for more grapes. "What about you, Y/N? Can you get time off?"
You nod slowly. "Yeah. I have days saved up. I haven't used them in...a while." No one comments on why. The silence is brief but noticeable. Jungwon finally shows up, out of breath and apologizing for his bus being late. He squeezes onto the couch next to you, close but not uncomfortably so. "What'd I miss?"
"Cat statues." Jake says.
"That’s fucking cool. I'm in."
Jess continues. "So the house has 6 bedrooms. We'll have to double up. Couples get their own rooms obviously and the rest of us are splitting."
Jay raises a hand. "I'm not sharing with Jake. He snores."
"I do not snore."
"You snore so loud I heard you through the wall last week." Jay and Jake live in the same apartment complex since college.
"That was the neighbor's dog."
"We don't have a neighbor with a dog." The argument devolves into the two of them arguing about decibel levels and who kept who awake during a camping trip three years ago. Jess ignores them and turns to you. "You okay sharing with someone? Or do you want your own room?"
You pause to think about it. Sleeping alone in a foreign country, in a house full of people, with nothing but your thoughts ? Or sharing a room with someone who might ask questions you don't want to answer ?
"I can share," you say. "Whoever."
Jess nods, making a note. "Jungwon, you're with Jay. Jake, you're with—"
"If I have to hear one more thing about Jake's sleep apnea—" Jay starts.
"I don't have sleep apnea, you motherfu—"
"You stop breathing in your sleep. That's literally the definition."
"It's a deep breath. It's relaxing."
Jungwon is watching them like a tennis match. He leans toward you. "They do this every time."
"I've noticed."
Jess slams a sticky note onto the table. "Enough. Jay, you're with Jungwon. Jake, you're with Y/N. Problem solved."
Jay looks offended. "Why do I get demoted to Jungwon?"
"Because Jungwon doesn't snore."
"I don't snore, for fuck’s sake !” Jake throw back his head on the couch in frustration.
"Just admit it, it’s not gonna kill you." The conversation spirals again about diverse subjects. You listen, half-participating. At some point, Jake catches your eye from across the room. He tilts his head slightly, checking in.
You give him a small nod. I'm fine. He nods back. Okay.
Jess is now explaining the itinerary she's already half-planned, 3 days in Tokyo, a day in Kyoto, a day trip to Nara to see the deer. She's vibrating with excitement, pen behind her ear and hair falling in her face.
"We should also do karaoke," Jay says. "I mean, we have to."
"Obviously."
"And we need to try that crazy vending machine stuff."
"And hot springs," Jungwon adds. "The ones outside, with the monkeys."
Jess points the pen at him. "Monkey hot springs are already on the list."
You lean back into the couch cushions. The conversation washes over you, it’s loud, messy, and full of interruptions.
Jess looks at you. "You're being quiet. What’s up?"
"I’m just thinking."
"About what ?"
You shrug. "Monkey hot springs."
She laughs. "That's the spirit."
Jake throws a pillow at you from across the room. You catch it and throw it back. He misses and it hits Jay in the face.
"Who threw that?"
"Jake."
"Jake, I swear to God—" The argument starts again. Jungwon steals the last grape. Jess adds "buy more grapes" to her sticky note. You sit there, in the middle of it all, feeling something you haven't felt in a long time. Something close to happiness, an ordinary chaos that reminds you you're still alive.
──────
At the airport, people are everywhere. Luggage carts weaving through crowds and children screaming. You're standing there, clutching your passport while Jess argues with a check-in agent about baggage weight. "It's not my fault the souvenirs from the duty free will add three kilos," she's saying. "That's future me's problem." Alex puts a hand on her shoulder. "Babe. Let it go."
"I will never let it go."
Jake is sprawled across three seats near the window, his phone in hand and earbuds in. He looks up when you pass and pulls one earbud out. "Nervous?"
"No," you say. "Maybe."
"First time on a plane?"
"First time out of the country." He whistles low. "Damn. And you're starting with Japan. That’s crazy."
"Yeah, I guess."
Jay and Jungwon come back from the coffee shop, each holding a drink. Jay hands you one without asking. You don't remember telling him to bring you one but apparently you did at some point. "Flight's on time," Jungwon says, checking the board. "Boarding in 40 minutes." Everyone settles into a cluster of seats. The conversation begins with work, rent and memories from college. Jay is on his phone, scrolling, the way he's been doing for the past 10 minutes. His thumb stops. "Huh," he says. No one pays attention. "I said huh." Louder this time.
Jake looks over. "What ?"
He holds up his phone. " A news article. About Tokyo." He reads aloud. "'Local authorities report a sharp increase in criminal activity over the past six months, with drug trafficking and money laundering operations expanding into residential areas. Police have made several arrests but warn tourists to remain vigilant.'"
Your stomach drops. Jess frowns. "That's where we're going?"
"Apparently." Jay keeps scrolling. "It says here they've been trying to crack down on a network connected to...wait." He pauses, squinting at the screen.
"What ?" Jake asks.
"It mentions something about a cold case from a couple years ago. Some rich kid who got caught up in it. Shot, body never found." Jay looks up. "That sounds a bit too familiar." The silence that follows is heavy enough to crush something. You feel everyone's eyes flick to you. Jungwon clears his throat. "It’s probably not related."
"I guess so," Jay agrees, but he's still staring at his phone. Jake stands up. "I'm gonna grab another coffee. Anyone want anything?" A chorus of no's. He walks off, not looking back.
Jess reaches over and puts her hand on your knee. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Your voice sounds like it belongs to someone else. "Fine."
"You don't have to be fine, you know ?"
"I know."
She leaves her hand there. The airport buzzes around you with announcements and footsteps. Jay locks his phone and shoves it in his pocket. "Sorry. I shouldn't have read that out loud."
"It's okay," you say again. The news exists whether you hear it or not. The world keeps spinning, crime increases, cases go cold and people disappear. You’re getting on a plane to a country where the same shit that took him away is still happening.
Jake comes back with his coffee. He stands near your seat, close enough that his leg is almost touching yours.
"Y/N," he says quietly. "We don't have to go. We can change plans and go somewhere else."
You look up at him. His face is serious and he rarely is.
"No," you say. "Jess wants this. I'm not ruining her trip because of...because of something that happened two years ago."
"That's not ruining anything. That's called taking care of yourself."
You shake your head. "I'm tired of running away from things. If there's crime in Tokyo, fine. We'll be careful, we’ll stay in safe areas and won't do anything stupid." You pause. "I'm not letting him take this from me too."
Jake holds your gaze for a long moment before he nods.
"Okay," he says. "But if you need to tap out at any point, you tell me. Not Jess, because she'll make it a whole thing. Just tell me."
"I will."
He squeezes your shoulder once and goes back to his seat. Jess is looking at you with a mixed expression. She doesn't say anything.
The boarding announcement crackles over the speakers. Group 1 and then group 2. You pick up your carry-on and stand in line with everyone else, your passport in one hand, your boarding pass in the other. The anxiety is real once you get to the jet bridge. You walk toward the plane. Ahead, you hear a flight attendant smiles and says "Welcome aboard." You find your seat at the window. You press your forehead against the cold glass and watch the ground crew load the last of the bags.
Jess sits next to you and she takes your hand and holds it until the plane takes off.
──────
The house sits at the end of a narrow street in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, a traditional machiya with wooden lattices and a sliding door that sticks halfway through. You drag your suitcase across the threshold and stop.
The place is gorgeous, with polished concrete floors in the entryway give way to tatami mats in the main room. A low wooden table sits in the center with a tea set already arranged. The garden out back is small but immaculate, a single maple tree dropping leaves into a stone basin.
"Holy shit," Jay says behind you, pushing past with his duffel. "Jess, how did you find this ?"
"TikTok and prayers."
Jake is already wandering toward the back hallway, running his fingers over the wood frames. "There are six bedrooms. I'm calling dibs on the one with the private bath."
"You don't even know which one has the private bath," Jungwon points out.
"I'll find it."
You grab your bag and head down the hallway, glancing into rooms as you pass. Futons on the floor and paper lanterns hanging from hooks. The last room at the end has two futons already laid out and a window facing the garden.
Jake appears behind you. "This one's ours."
Ours. Right. The room assignment Jess had finalized weeks ago. You'd forgotten until now. You set your bag down and unzip it, pulling out your toiletries and a change of clothes. Jake does the same on the other side of the room, humming a melody. The space is small enough that when you both turn around at the same time, you almost bump into each other.
"Sorry," you say.
"Don't apologize. It's a small room." He grins. "Guess we'll have to get used to it."
You roll your eyes and shove his shoulder. He stumbles back onto his futon, laughing, and you can't help but smile. It feels foreign and welcoming at the same time.
An hour later, everyone is showered, changed and hungry enough to eat a horse. Jess has a list of restaurants saved on her phone. TikTok recommendations again.
"This one has good reviews for ramen," she says, holding up her screen. "And it's a 10 minutes walk."
"I could eat ramen every day for the rest of my life," Jay announces.
"You'd get stomach aches."
"Worth it."
The streets of Kyoto are narrower than you expected, lined with small shops and vending machines that glow in the afternoon light. You walk in a loose group, Jess and Alex holding hands up front, Jay and Jungwon arguing about something behind them and Jake beside you with his hands in his pockets.
The ramen shop is tiny, fitting maybe ten seats at a wooden counter, steam fogging up the windows and an old man behind the stove who nods at you when you enter. You squeeze in, elbows touching, and order without really understanding the menu. The broth arrives dark and rich, pork slices floating on top and green onions scattered like confetti.
You eat until your stomach hurts.
After eating ramen, Jess insists on hitting a dessert place she found online ; some spot that does mochi stuffed with sweet red bean paste. It's down a side alley and behind a curtain that looks like someone's front door, but inside it's warm and smells like rice flour. The old woman serving doesn't speak English yet she smiles at you like a grandmother would and you point at things until you end up with a plate of green mochi, matcha flavored.
Jungwon checks his phone. "There's a place nearby that does yakitori. Like, grilled skewers. There’s chicken, beef, vegetables. That actually sounds fucking good."
"That's the most real food I've ever heard."
You end up at a yakitori spot that's essentially a guy with a grill on the sidewalk and a few plastic stools. The smoke curls up into the evening air and the chicken is charred perfectly, salty and sweet. You eat standing up, sauce dripping down your fingers and no one cares because everyone else is doing the same thing.
The bar is a recommendation from the guy running the yakitori grill. He wrote the name on a napkin in kanji , which you couldn't read, and pointed down the street, saying something about whiskey and good music.
It's a basement place, stairs leading down into darkness with a red curtain at the bottom. Inside, the lighting is low, jazz playing from speakers, bottles lined up behind a bartender. You find a booth in the corner, leather seats worn smooth and slide in.
Jess orders champagne for the table because it's her engagement celebration and she can do what she wants. The bottle arrives in an ice bucket and she pours everyone a glass with shaking hands.
"Toast," she says, holding hers up. "To Japan and to this trip. To Alex for putting up with me."
"To Jess for planning everything so I didn't have to," Alex counters.
"To Y/N for finally leaving the country," Jake adds and everyone laughs.
You raise your glass and take a drink. The champagne is dry and cold, it bubbles up your nose. Two bottles later, the conversation has scattered to a dozen different places. Alex and Jess are tucked into their own world at the end of the booth, foreheads touching, whispering things that make her giggle. You're sitting next to Jake, your shoulder pressed against his while watching the bartender polish a glass with a rag.
"I'm glad you decided to come," Jake says, not looking at you.
"Me too."
"It’s good to see you lighter and…happier, than usual."
He's not wrong. The weight in your chest hasn't disappeared but it's shifted somehow, it became something you can carry without hunching your shoulders. Or maybe it's the champagne, or it's the city as it’s full of things you've never seen, surrounded by people who refuse to let you disappear into yourself.
"Maybe I'm getting better," you say.
Jake turns his head to look at you. His face is open in a way it rarely is, no jokes hiding behind his eyes.
"You are," he says.
Jess stands up suddenly, nearly knocking over the ice bucket. "I have to pee," she announces. "After that we're doing shots."
"We're doing shots ?" Alex asks, alarmed.
"We're celebrating. Shots are made for it."
No one argues. The bartender lines up glasses and pours vodka in tiny glasses. Jay downs his in one go and coughs so hard Jungwon has to slap his back. Jess does a little dance after hers. Jake holds his up to you before drinking, a silent cheers, and you clink your glass against his.
You're not sure you believe in happiness anymore. However all of this ; the noise, the warmth, how your face hurts from smiling — this is something. It’s making you feel better, making you feel like you’re alive.
──────
The walk back to the house is quiet, only the distant sound of a train carries with your footsteps on the concrete. You're tired but it feels good, like you've earned it. Jake keeps bumping into your shoulder accidentally on purpose. Jess is leaning on Alex so heavily he's practically carrying her.
The house greets you with its wooden warmth and the faint smell of the tatami. Shoes come off in a pile by the door. You brush your teeth in a shared bathroom, elbows knocking against Jay's, spitting into the same sink because there are too many people and not enough space. It should be gross but it’s just familiar.
Back in the room, Jake is already on his futon, phone face-down on his chest and his eyes closed. You crawl onto yours and pull the blanket up to your chin. The garden window is dark now, it’s just a square of deeper black.
"Goodnight," you whisper.
"Mmph," he responds.
Sleep comes faster than it has in years.
──────
Morning light filters through the shoji screens, soft and warm, turning the whole room alive. You wake up on your stomach, cheek pressed into the pillow, and for a disorienting second you don't know where you are. You hear Jake snoring lightly on the other side of the room and everything clicks back into place. He's still asleep, mouth slightly open, one arm flung over his head. You just notice before you look away.
The kitchen is already active as you wander out in your sweats. Jess is making coffee with a setup she found in the cupboard. Alex is reading something on his phone and Jay is slumped at the low table, head resting on his arms, clearly not recovered from yesterday’s flight.
"There's a bakery two streets over," Jess says without looking up. "They have pastries like croissants and stuff. Jungwon found it on Google."
"I'm going," you say.
"Take Jay and Jungwon with you. I need to talk to Alex about something." Jay groans but stands up. Jungwon emerges from the bathroom, hair still wet and looking disgustingly awake.
You enter a tiny bakery, where everything is made in the back and displayed in a glass case. The woman behind the counter has flour on her apron and kind eyes. You point at things : a custard-filled bun, a flaky pastrywith red bean, a sesame pastry that looks delicious and she boxes them up with careful hands.
Outside, the three of you find a low stone wall to sit on, the morning sun warm on your shoulders and you tear into the pastries like animals.
"I heard that," Jungwon says between bites, "the hot spring baths in Kyoto are different from Tokyo, right? They’re more traditional?"
Jay nods, his mouth full. "Yeah. The ones here are like—outdoor, natural, they’re mixed sometimes. Tokyo is more like—Commercial and super modern."
"I want to do the outdoor one with the monkeys."
"You and everyone else." Jay brushes crumbs off his lap. "But when we get to Tokyo, there's this sento near the place we're staying. It’s kind of old school."
"Sounds authentic."
"Original, I would say."
You're quiet, listening, the pastry warm in your hands. The street is waking up.
"Is it weird?" you ask. "The whole...I mean—being naked with strangers ?"
Jungwon shrugs. "I don’t know about you, but for me, I get over it after five minutes. Everyone's too busy relaxing to care."
Jay points a sesame crust at you. "First time, you'll be nervous. Second time, you'll be planning your next visit. It's so relaxing that it’s almost addictive."
You take a bite of the custard bun. It’s sweet and soft, the filling warm against your tongue.
"Maybe I'll try it," you say. "The one here, not the monkey one. Just a regular one."
Jungwon smiles. "I'll go with you. If you want."
"Yeah, let’s do it one day."
You’re having dinner at night. Twelve courses at a kaiseki place where each dish looked like a painting and tasted like nothing you'd ever had before. You ate fermented soybeans that made Jay gag, a new kind of jelly, and a piece of fish so fresh you could still taste the ocean. By the time you rolled back to the house, everyone was too full to speak.
Sleep came heavy and dreamless.
──────
Morning arrives with suitcases zipped and the house returned to its original state. Jess does a final sweep of the rooms while Alex hauls bags to the curb. The taxi to the station is cramped, knees knocking, someone's elbow in your ribs but you don't mind. The shinkansen slides into Kyoto Station like a silver bullet, it’s quiet and terrifyingly fast. You find your seats and settle in for the 2 hours ride. Jake falls asleep within five minutes, his mouth open, head lolling toward the window. You watch the countryside blur past, mountains, small towns with train crossings and vending machines. Very different from home.
As you arrive in Tokyo, it’s totally different. Crowds push from every direction, buildings stacked on top of buildings and noise from a thousand sources. The hotel is in Shibuya, a slim tower with a lobby. The check-in is smooth.
"We've got four rooms," Jess announces, handing out key cards. "Couples get their own. The rest of you, pair up however."
Jungwon catches your eye. "Roommates ?"
"Yeah sure."
He hands you a key card which says Room 129.
The room seems small at first but efficient. Two twin beds separated by a nightstand. A window overlooking an alley, a bathroom so compact you can sit on the toilet and wash your hands at the same time. You toss your bag on the bed by the window and Jungwon takes the one near the door. You unpack in comfortable silence. He's easy to be around. He hums while he folds his shirts. You hang your dress in the tiny closet.
After a few minutes, he sits on the edge of his bed and looks at you.
"Y/N," he says. "Can I ask you something?"
"You just did."
He smiles, his teeth slightly showing. "That article at the airport. The one Jay read about the crime in Tokyo."
Your hands pause on your suitcase.
"I've been thinking about it," he continues. "About how you reacted. You went really quiet. I know you've been doing better on this trip. I’ve seen that you've been smiling more, laughing too. It's good to see." He pauses. "But…I don't want to pretend like that article didn't happen and like…we didn't all read it and think of him."
You sit on your bed facing him.
"You want to talk about it ?" you ask.
"I don't know. Do you?"
That past is the past after all. Yet you could feel the ache from holding back everything you’ve been wanting to say since then.
"I need to get over it already," you say. "That's the truth. I've been stuck on something that happened two years ago, it’s something I can't change. And mostly someone who's not coming back." You pick at a thread on the duvet. "Everyone else has moved on. Why can't I?"
He doesn't jump in with reassurance as he lets the question hang.
"I don’t know…maybe because moving on isn't a straight line," he says finally. "You may not be as stuck as you think. You're here, in Tokyo, eating new things and sharing new memories with us. That's not nothing."
You look at him. His face is calm and patient.
"I just don't want to be the person who's still crying over a ghost 2 years from now," you say.
"You don't have to be." He says it simply, "But don't beat yourself up for taking the time you need either. You're not on anyone else's schedule."
You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding.
"Thanks," you say.
"For what ?"
"For not telling me to just get over it."
He shrugs. "That would be stupid advice."
You let out a small laugh, barely audible.
Jungwon stands up and stretches. "Come on. Jess said she wants to do some department store food hall thing for lunch. She wanted to try sushi, I think."
"Okay, let’s go."
You grab your jacket and follow him out. The elevator doors close behind you, and you don't look back.
──────
The hotel room is dark, you could only see the red little light coming from the air conditioner. Jungwon's breathing has been even for hours, a tiredness coming from too much walking and too much visiting. You've been staring at the ceiling for what feels like forever, your phone on the nightstand reading 2:47 AM.
Your legs feel restless and your brain won't shut off.
You decide to slip out of bed without making the floor squeak, pull on a hoodie and grab your room key. The hallway is empty and the elevator silent. The lobby has one person at the front desk, a young man scrolling through his phone, who nods at you without interest as you walk past.
The night air hits you immediately as you step out of the lobby. Tokyo in spring is cooler than you expected, it’s damp, and the streets shining from a rain you didn't even hear fall. The convenience store is two blocks down, its bright lights spilling onto the sidewalk, a little place for insomniac and broken people. You've been that person before, you're still that person now.
The store is warmer than the outside when you make your way inside. You grab a basket and wander the aisles without purpose. You take ramen in a black cup, chips and a little salmon onigiri wrapped in plastic. You also take on the way a can of soda. The cashier is a girl with tired eyes, she seems like she doesn’t sleep either, not like she had the choice. She scans your items without speaking. You eat outside, sitting on the low concrete wall that separates the parking lot from the street. The ramen is too salty and the chips aren’t making it better but you eat them anyway.
The street is quiet at this hour. You're thinking about nothing, really, perhaps the texture of the noodles, when you hear it.
A thud and then another. It’s wet and heavy. So you look up.
Across the street, in the gap between two buildings where the streetlight doesn't reach, two shapes are moving. One is on the ground, the other is standing over him, arm pulling back and his fist connecting with something soft.
Your body moves despite your fear.
"Hey !" The word comes out loud and sharp. "Stop it !"
The figure on the ground scrambles backward, he gets to his feet and runs. His shoes slap against the pavement, echoing down the street until they fade. He doesn't look back and you can’t even blame him.
The other man doesn't run, he stays still. He stands there, breathing hard, his head down. A hoodie obscures his face. His hands are hanging at his sides, one of them bloody, the knuckles split open in the dark.
You cross the street without thinking. The pavement is wet, making your sneakers squeak.
"What the fuck is your problem ?" you say.
He doesn't respond. His chest is heaving.
"I said—"
He looks up.
The hood falls back slightly, just enough for the streetlight to catch his face. His jaw is sharper than you remember. The scar near his eyebrow. His eyes are the same, dark, and so tired. You can feel it, your stomach dropping under you.
Ni-ki.
You stop breathing. He looks at you like he's seen a ghost, like you're the one who shouldn't be here.
"Y/N ?" he says.
His voice is rougher than before. It’s sounds older. You can’t believe it’s him. Your hands are shaking. Your whole body is entirely shaking.
"You're dead," you whisper. "You're supposed to be dead."
He doesn't say anything, standing there, bleeding, breathing, and real.
You slap him.
Your palm connects with his cheek and the sound cracks through the quiet street as sharp as a gunshot. His head turns with the impact, hood slipping further back, and when he looks at you again there's a red mark blooming across his skin.
"You asshole," you say. Your voice breaks. "You absolute fucking asshole."
You hit him again and again. Your fists are clumsy, landing on his shoulders, his chest, and anywhere you can reach. He doesn't block you nor move, he takes it like he deserves it, because he does, he let you think he was dead for two years while you drowned in your own grief. The tears come, streaking down your face, choking your throat. You can't see him anymore.
"Y/N." His voice is quiet. His hands close around your wrists, gentle but firm, stopping your fists mid-swing. "Y/N, stop."
"Don't touch me."
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"You already did." You're sobbing now, you haven't done it since the first month after he disappeared. "You already did and you don't even know."
He holds your wrists and doesn't let go. His thumbs press against your pulse points, feeling your heart race.
"You're right," he says. "I don't know. But I want to. So let me explain."
A black car appears from nowhere or maybe it was parked nearby the whole time. You let him open the passenger door and you climb inside because your legs won't hold you anymore. The leather seats are warm and the engine is already running.
He gets in on the driver's side and pulls away from the curb without checking his mirrors.
For a block, both of you stay completely silent. Your breathing is still uneven, tears still wet on your cheeks and your hands shaking in your lap.
"How the fuck are you alive ?" The words come out strangled. "They said you were shot. Your body wasn't found but everyone assumed—"
"I was shot." His voice is flat. "I am alive. Both things are true." You turn to look at him. His profile is illuminated by the passing streetlights, the scar near his eyebrow catching the glow.
"Where have you been then? Two years, Ni-ki. Two fucking years. I went to your house, I watched the news every night like a crazy person hoping for—" You stop to swallow. "Jess had to drag me out of my apartment because I stopped leaving, eating. I stopped everything."
His jaw tightens. His hands grip the steering wheel.
"I know," he says.
"How could you know? You weren't there."
"I had someone watching. Not—not in a creepy way. I was just checking, and making sure you were okay."
You stare at him. "You had someone watching me while you were playing dead. Are you out of your mind ?"
"It wasn't playing dead, I was trying to stay alive."
The car stops at a red light. The city is quiet around you. "Show me," you say.
He looks at you. "What ?"
"The shot. Show me."
He hesitates before he pulls up the hem of his hoodie and the shirt beneath, just enough to expose his torso. In the hazy light from the dashboard, you see it ; a scar just below his ribs, round and puckered, the edges jagged like the bullet tore through him instead of cutting clean. It's healed.
You reach out, your fingers hover over the scar without touching it, you could feel the heat radiating from his skin.
"Does it hurt ?" you whisper.
"Not anymore."
The light turns green. He pulls his shirt down and drives.
"Why were you beating that man ?"
He doesn't answer right away, letting the question hanging. The car winds through streets you don't know, away from the bright lights of Shibuya, into a neighborhood that's quieter and darker.
"He owed me money," he says finally.
"So you beat him up ? In the middle of the street?"
"He wasn't going to pay otherwise."
You shake your head. "Why are you even doing this? In a whole different country?You're supposed to be—" You stop. "What are you, Ni-ki?"
He's quiet for a long moment. The car turns into a gated driveway, the gates swinging open automatically and you catch a glimpse of the house before he pulls into the garage.
"It's complicated," he says, cutting the engine. "Long story short, the people who shot me are still out there. I couldn't go back and call. I couldn't risk anyone knowing I was alive because if they found out, they'd come after me again, and they'd come after anyone connected to me."
Your heart pounds. "Connected to me ?"
"Yes."
"So you just...disappeared and let everyone think you were dead."
"It was the only way to keep all of you safe."
The garage is dark. His face is half in shadow.
"Am I supposed to thank you?" Your voice is bitter. "Is that what you want? A thank you for breaking my heart?"
"No." He reaches over and takes your hand. His palm is rough, the knuckles still bloody. "I want you to be angry. You should be angry and I'm angry too. Every single day, at myself, and at the people who did this, at the whole fucking situation." He squeezes your fingers. "But I'm not sorry I did it. Because now you're alive."
His house is huge. Not the same as the one back home, it’s smaller, maybe, yet still too big for one person. It’s modern, all glass and concrete with warm light spilling from windows that face a garden you can't see in the dark. The entranceway has a high ceiling and a wooden bench where you sit to take off your shoes.
He leads you through a living room with a low sofa and art on the walls, then to a kitchen that looks like someone actually uses it. A kettle on the stove and dishes in the rack.
"You live here?" you ask.
"Mostly."
"It doesn't seem like you're living off debts."
He fills the kettle and puts it on the stove. "I'm not. The money situation got...resolved. After the shooting."
"Resolved how?"
He doesn't answer as he pulls two mugs from the cupboard and sets them on the counter. You lean against the kitchen island, watching him. He moves differently than before, more cautious and less careless. The nonchalance is gone. He still has the same face, the same hands, the same way of not quite meeting your eyes, however he's different. The two years changed him the way they changed you.
"Who shot you?" you ask.
He turns to face you, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.
"The people I was involved with. The drugs, the money, all of it. I thought I could walk away but…they didn't agree." He pauses. "The night my dad called me to his estate, I told him everything. He was fucking furious but he helped and got me out of the country, he set me up here and made sure the right people knew I was dead."
"Your dad helped you fake your death?"
"He helped me survive, if we can say it like that."
The kettle whistles. He pours the water into the mugs, steam rising between you.
"Why now?" you ask.
He slides a mug toward you. His fingers brush yours. "I didn't come back for you," he says. "I didn't even know you were in Japan. I was handling business and you just...appeared, like you always did." A ghost of a smile crosses his face. "You never could mind your own business."
You wrap your hands around the mug. The warmth seeps into your palms. "I thought you were dead," you say again. "For two years, I thought you were dead. And now you're standing in front of me like nothing happened."
"Something happened." His voice drops. "Something happened every single day. I just couldn't tell you."
The man you loved and lost, the one you mourned day and night, is standing three feet away, alive and real, covered in someone else's blood.
"What happens now?" you ask.
Ni-ki looks at you. His eyes are the same and different, depth where there used to be walls.
"I don't know," he admits. " You're here and I'm here."
You drink your tea while he drinks his.
The night stretches on, long and strange. You don’t know which questions you should ask or not.
He takes your empty mug and sets it in the sink, then nods toward the hallway. "Come on. I'll show you around."
You follow, your legs are still unsteady, your mind still stuck on the image of him looking up from that bloody fist, the hood falling back. The house is bigger than it looked from outside. He leads you through a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows like the one you used to come over, a study with books, you're not sure he's read, a guest bedroom that looks untouched, and a master suite at the end of the hall.
"Bathroom's there," he says. "If you need it."
You’d rather need answers.
"You still haven't explained," you say, stopping in the middle of the hallway. "The money, your house, your car. The way you're living. You said the situation got resolved but that doesn't just happen. Like, someone doesn't just give you all of this because you got shot."
Ni-ki turns to face you. His expression unreadable.
"I had help," he says.
"From who ?"
"My father and some people he knows. It's not—" He pauses, running a hand through his hair. "It's not clean, Y/N. I'm not going to pretend it is, but I'm not doing anything I wasn't already doing before. I just got better at it."
You stare at him. "What in the hell—"
"Forget it."
Your chest tightens. "You're into something, that might be dangerous. Ni-ki, it’s something that got you shot and you're still doing it, here in Japan. Do you realize how twisted that it ?"
He doesn't deny it. You know you’re right.
"Ni-ki." Your voice is quieter now. "You have to admit it. You're running something. Drugs or money or both. That's why you have all of this, that’s why you can't go home."
His jaw tightens. Before he could argue back, his phone rings. He pulls it from his pocket, glances at the screen, and steps away from you. "I have to take this."
You watch him walk to the end of the hallway, phone pressed to his ear. You catch fragments of the conversation ; "the shipment," "tell them tomorrow," "I don't care about the cost." He's speaking in a practiced and controlled tone. This is not his first time having this conversation.
You lean against the wall and wait. Your phone rings in your hoodie pocket. Jess.
"Hey," you answer, trying to keep your voice steady.
"Where are you ?" She sounds groggy, like she just woke up. "I knocked on your door and Jungwon said you weren't there. It's like four in the morning."
"I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk."
"A walk in Tokyo. At four in the morning." She pauses to let out a yawn. "Are you okay?"
You glance at Ni-ki. He's still on the phone, back turned but he glances over his shoulder at you. His eyes meet yours as he stays silent. He just mouths four words.
Keep your mouth shut.
Your stomach turns. "Yeah," you say into the phone. "I'm fine. I just needed some air. Don’t worry, I'll be back soon."
Jess hesitates. You can hear her breathing and the soft rustle of sheets. "Okay," she says finally. "But text me when you're back. I'm not going back to sleep until I know you're in your room."
"I will." You hang up. The phone feels heavy in your hand. Ni-ki finishes his call and walks back toward you. He shoves the phone in his pocket and looks at you with a slight guilty expression.
"Jess?" he asks.
"Yeah."
"You didn't tell her. Right ?"
"No." Your voice is flat. "I didn't."
He nods like that was the right answer of a test he made you pass. You push off the wall. "Take me back to the hotel."
"Y/N—"
"Now." Your voice cracks. "I can't do this tonight. I can't look at you and lie to my best friend and pretend I understand any of what's happening. So take me back." He doesn't argue. He grabs his keys from the counter and heads toward the garage. You follow, your feet heavy but your chest heavier. You don’t talk to each other during the drive to the hotel. The streets are still dark, the city is still asleep. When he pulls up to the curb, you don't wait for him to put the car in park, you just open the door and step out.
"Y/N."
You stop but don’t turn around.
"I'm sorry," he says. You don't answer. You walk into the hotel lobby, past the front desk and get into the elevator. The doors close and you lean against the wall, staring at the numbers as they climb.
Room 129. Jungwon is still asleep when you slip inside and still breathing evenly, still dreaming whatever he's dreaming. You crawl into your bed and pull the blanket over your head.
Your phone buzzes. A text from an unknown number.
Unknown number [04:38 AM]
Same place tomorrow. 2 PM.
Please.
You hold the phone to your chest and stare at the dark ceiling until the sun comes up.
──────
The sun is out but the wind has teeth, cutting through the observation deck of Tokyo Tower. You're leaning against the railing, phone in hand, pretending to take photos of the city sprawled below. In reality you've been staring at the same cluster of buildings for five minutes.
Jake appears next to you, elbows on the railing, not looking at you.
"You've been really quiet since yesterday," he says.
"I'm always quiet. What do you mean ?"
"I don’t know." He turns his head slightly. "I just have a weird feeling."
The wind whips your hair across your face and you tuck it behind your ear. Jess wanders over, phone out. "Let's get a group photo. Everyone squeeze in."
People shuffle and rearrange. Jay makes a face. Jungwon adjusts his stance. You move to the edge of the frame, half-smiling. Almost a fake smile. Jess notices. The photo happens. There’s someone's thumb is in the corner so Jay wants a retake. You drift back to the railing.
An hour later, you're in the base of the tower, standing in front of a vending machine that sells everything from hot coffee to canned corn soup. Your phone buzzes and it’s a text from the unknown number.
Unknown number [2:11 PM]
You coming?
You type back.
You [2:12 PM]
Soon.
Jess appears at your shoulder, a bottle of green tea in her hand. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. I’m a bit tired though."
"You've been tired since we got here. More than usual."
You shrug. "Maybe the time difference is hitting me late."
She doesn't look convinced. "Y/N. We've known each other for years. You don't have to lie to me. But…you also don't have to tell me anything if you're not ready." A pause. "Promise me that you will not disappear on me, okay? Not here."
Your throat tightens. "I'm not going to disappear, I promise."
"I love you so much." She bumps your shoulder with hers. "Anyway, I have a whole list of shitty souvenirs I need help carrying."
You laugh as you follow her.
A bit later. "I forgot my charger at the hotel," you announce when the group is debating lunch options. "I should go back and get it before we eat."
Jake frowns. "You can use mine. I have a portable one."
"No, it's fine. I need to grab something else anyway." You're already backing away. "I'll meet you at the restaurant. Text me the address."
"You want company?" Jungwon asks.
"No, no. I'll be quick."
You're gone before anyone can argue.
The taxi’s driving you to the address Ni-ki gave you. You spend the drive staring out the window, watching the city change from tourist crowds to quiet residential streets, you notice the gated entrance you remember from last night. The gate swings open automatically when the driver pulls up to the intercom.
The house looks different in daylight. It’s less intimidating and more like somewhere someone actually lives. The garden is visible now ; a small pond with koi fish and little stones scattered everywhere. You ring the bell and the door opens before you finish knocking.
Ni-ki is wearing a black t-shirt and gray sweatpants. His hair is wet, like he just showered. The cut on his knuckle is already scabbing over.
"Damn, you actually came." he says.
"Don't sound so surprised."
He steps aside and you walk in. The living room is flooded with natural light, white sofas and a glass coffee table. You sit on the couch, tucking your legs under you. He sits on the other end, facing you with one arm draped across the back.
Silence settles between you. It’s somewhere between uncomfortable and soothing.
"Hum," he says, looking at the orchid pot instead of you. "Two years is a long time."
"It is."
"Have you been with anyone? Since...then?"
‘Why would he even ask that, right now?’ You ask yourself.
"No."
"No one?"
"No." You pick at a loose thread on your jeans. "I wasn't exactly in a dating mindset."
He nods slowly. His jaw works like he's chewing on something.
"What about you?" you ask. "Any girlfriends? Or just...business partners?"
The corner of his mouth twitches. "Just business."
"I shouldn’t have asked you—"
"I’m joking."
You lean back into the couch. The cushions are soft and expensive, they could swallow you whole. "You haven't changed."
"I've changed." His voice drops. "Not in the ways you can see."
The room is quiet. A bird sings somewhere in the garden, filling the silence of the room.
"Why did you ask?" you say.
"Asking if you had a boyfriend?"
"Yeah."
He looks at you then. His eyes are the same dark brown you remember, you’ve looked into them too many times to forget.
"Because I needed to know if you'd moved on," he says. "If you'd found someone who wasn't...this." He gestures at himself. "Someone who could make you feel good things."
You swallow. "What if I had?"
He holds your gaze. "Then I would have let you go."
The words hang in the air between you for a fragile instant.
"Hopefully you didn't," he says. "So now I have to figure out what to do with that."
You don't have an answer as you don't think he expects one. You sit there. The silence stretches long enough that you start counting the ripples in the koi pond through the window. One, two, three. The orchid on the coffee table looks fragile yet beautiful. You focus on that instead of the weight of his gaze.
When he finally speaks, his voice is lower than before.
"What kind of love did you have for me?"
The question catches you off guard. "What?"
"Like, romantically? Or just...I don't know. You couldn’t let go because you were used to the pain?" He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not good at this, with words and all. But I need to know what I'm working with."
You open your mouth to close it right after. Your chest feels like someone cracked it open with a crowbar.
"I don't know," you admit. "I spent two years thinking you were dead. I didn't have the luxury of categorizing my feelings. I could only miss you everyday, and…that made everything else feel bad."
He nods slowly. "That's fair," he says. He shifts on the couch, turning his body toward yours, one knee pulled up on the cushion.
"I have a request," he says. "And you can say no. Like, genuinely no. I'm not gonna be a dick about it."
You wait.
"Can you stay? For a bit. I mean, not forever, I'm not asking you to move in or some crazy shit." He exhales. "But stay so I can apologize, properly. Not with words, obviously, because words are cheap and I've never been good at them anyway. I want to show you I changed, or at least that I'm trying to." His fingers tap against his thigh, nervous. "I want to do it right this time. I can’t keep pushing you away because I'm scared. I want to try to be someone worth coming back to."
Your throat feels tight.
"You don't owe me that," you say.
"I’m aware of that." He holds your gaze. "That's why I'm asking."
You pause for an exhale.
"Okay," you say.
His eyebrows lift. "Okay? That easy?"
"Don't make me say it twice."
His face loosens, a tension unknotting itself. "Thank you," he says.
You stay on the couch, and he stays on the couch, the afternoon light shifts across the floor, bringing a soft atmosphere.
That's a start.
Suddenly your phone buzzes. Jess's name lights up the screen, and you know she's not going to stop until you answer. She's been patient all day, but patience has its limits and you've been pushing them since the convenience store situation.
"Sorry," you mutter to Ni-ki, holding up the phone. "I have to take this. She'll send a search party." He nods, leaning back into the couch cushions. "Take it."
You swipe answer. "What’s up?"
"Where the hell are you?" Jess's voice is sharp with concern. "You said you were going to the hotel for a charger. That was two hours ago. I called the hotel front desk and they said you never came back."
Your stomach drops. Oh she checked up on you.
"I'm fine," you say. "I just—I ran into someone."
"Ran into someone? Here? Who do you even know in Tokyo?"
You glance at Ni-ki. He's watching you, head tilted slightly, reading your face. His expression shifts when he hears the panic in your voice.
"Jess," you say carefully, "I can't explain right now. But I'm safe, I promise."
There's a long pause on her end. You can hear her breathing, the muffled sound of Jay asking something in the background.
"Y/N." Her voice drops, quieter now. "You're scaring me."
You look at Ni-ki. He holds your gaze for a second before he gives a small nod. Permission.
"It's him," you say. "Ni-ki. He's alive."
The silence on the other end is deafening.
"That's not funny," Jess whispers.
"It's not a joke."
"He's dead. We watched the news. His face was on the screen."
"I know, I know. He's not dead. He's here in Tokyo. I'm at his house right now."
Jess doesn't respond. You hear her hand over the microphone, muffled words you can't make out. She comes back, her voice shaky.
"I'm coming to get you."
"No please, Jess. I need to figure out what's happening first. But I needed you to know, because you're my best friend and I can't lie to you."
A long exhale. "You're really okay?"
"I'm really okay."
"Text me the address."
"Jess—"
"Text me the address, Y/N. I'm not fucking kidding." Her voice hardens. "I don't care if he's alive or a ghost or whatever. I'm not letting you disappear into some rich asshole's house in a foreign country without knowing where you are."
You look at Ni-ki. He shrugs. "She's not wrong."
You text Jess the address. She says she'll be outside in 30 minutes and hangs up. The phone feels hot in your hand.
"She's coming," you say.
"Yeah, I figured."
"She's going to lose her mind when she sees you."
"She's going to punch me," Ni-ki says flatly. "I'd bet money on it."
You couldn’t agree more.
──────
The doorbell aggressively rings. Ni-ki stands up, smooths his shirt, and walks toward the entrance. You hear the door open, unknown voices, and the shuffle of shoes on the entryway floor. You stay on the couch because you don't know if you're supposed to be seen.
He comes back with two men behind him.
They're both in dark jackets, they look expensive. One is older, maybe in his forties, with a shaved head. The younger one has a tablet in his hand and looks like he hasn't slept in days.
"The numbers from last quarter are finalized," the younger one says without looking up from his screen. "The Osaka route cleared customs this morning without a single issue."
The older one nods toward you. "Boss, we didn't know you had company."
Boss. Oh Ni-ki you’re fucked.
Ni-ki's jaw tightens. "It's fine. She's with me."
The two men exchange a glance. The older one's eyes linger on you for a little too long, assessing and cataloging. He finally looks back at Ni-ki.
"We can come back," he says.
"No. Give me the report now." Ni-ki walks toward the kitchen and the two men follow. Their voices drop to murmurs, words you can't catch, but you catch the tone, it’s business and it’s serious.
You sit frozen on the couch, replaying the word in your head.
Boss. He’s not just some guy who got mixed up in bad things or a random survivor. He might be the person in charge.
When Ni-ki comes back alone a few minutes later, the men gone, you're still staring at the spot where they stood.
"They called you boss," you say.
He doesn't deny it.
"Ni-ki. What the fuck ?"
He sits down across from you, elbows on his knees and his hands clasped.
"It's not what you think," he says.
"Explain it to me. Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're running the exact same shit that got you shot."
"I'm not running anything," he says finally. "I own it."
Your blood runs cold.
"Same thing," you whisper.
"No." His voice is sharp. "It's not. Running means doing the dirty work. Owning means other people do the dirty work and I make sure no one dies." He pauses. "No one else dies."
You want to scream at him, leave and never look back again but your legs just won't move.
"Jess is going to be here any minute," you say. "What am I supposed to tell her?"
Ni-ki looks at you. His face is tired, it looks older than 23, weighed down by something heavy.
"Tell her the truth," he says. "Just not all of it. You can’t yet."
"That's not fair to her."
"I know." He rubs his eyes with the heel of his palm. "None of this is fair but I'm not asking you to lie. I'm asking you to be careful. That’s all."
Outside, headlights flash through the window. A car pulls up to the gate. Jess is here. You stand up, heart pounding. Ni-ki stands too, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You ready?" he asks.
"No."
"Good, neither am I."
He walks with you to the front door, and you step out into the evening air, toward your best friend and whatever comes next.
Jess's rented car idles at the gate for a full minute before Ni-ki pulls out his phone and taps the screen. The gates swing open. She drives in slow, like she's expecting an ambush, and parks behind the black car you arrived in last night.
She gets out and just stands there for a second, taking in the house, the garden and the whole absurdity of the situation. Next, she sees him. Ni-ki is standing in the doorway, hands in his pockets, his expression totally blank. She walks toward him like she's approaching a wild animal.
You step out from behind him and she stops. "You're not joking," she says.
"No."
She looks at Ni-ki, slightly squinting her eyes.
"Two years," she says. "Two fucking years."
"Jess—" he says.
"You let her think you were dead. You let all of us think you were dead. I watched her fall apart and held her while she cried. I picked her up off the floor more times than I can count." Her voice cracks yet she doesn't cry. Jess is tougher than that. "And now you're just...here."
"I'm sorry," he says. "I know that doesn't fix anything. But I am really sorry."
Jess stares at him for a long moment. After ward, she walks past him into the house without waiting for an invitation. You follow as Ni-ki closes the door.
Jess sits on the edge of the couch like she's afraid of getting it dirty. You sit next to her. Ni-ki stays standing, leaning against the wall near the window.
"Explain," Jess says. "From the beginning, don't you dare leave anything out."
He does. He tells her about the shooting, the hospital stay he wasn't supposed to survive, his father's connections, the people who wanted him dead, the fake death, the move to Japan. His voice stays flat through most of it, it looks like he's reciting a report, as he gets to the part about leaving you behind, his mask subtly cracks.
"I couldn't reach out," he says. "If anyone knew I was alive, they would have come after me again. And they would have used anyone I cared about to get to me." He looks at you. "That meant staying away from her, even though I hated every second of it."
Jess absorbs this. Her fingers twist in her lap.
"So what now?" she asks.
Ni-ki pushes off the wall and sits on the coffee table across from you both.
"Now I'm trying to figure out how to do this without getting anyone killed," he says. "Which is not a great answer, but it's the truth."
Jess turns to you. "And you? What do you want?"
You look at your hands, not wanting to meet her eyes.
"I want to stay," you say. "For a little while. I need to know if there's anything left of what we had or if I've been mourning a ghost for two years for nothing."
Jess is quiet for a long time. "Okay," she says finally.
You blink. "Wait what?"
"Okay." She stands up, pulls out her phone, and starts typing. "I'll tell the others you met an old friend from college who lives here. Someone you haven't seen in years. You're going to crash at their place for a few days to catch up. It's not even a lie, technically."
"Jess."
She looks up. Her eyes are red, she's holding it together.
"I don't like this," she says. "I don't like him. I don't like that he's involved in whatever the hell this is." She looks around, at everything. "Y/N, I trust you. If you need to do this, I'm not going to stand in your way. Just..." Her voice wavers. "Please don’t disappear like I said. Text me every day. Let me know you're alive."
"I will."
She pulls you into a hug, tight and fierce, that’s her way to say that she loves you and she’s scared, don't make her regret this all at once. After that, she pulls back, wipes her eyes, and looks at Ni-ki.
"If you hurt her again," she says, "I don't care how many bodyguards you have. I will find you and I will make your life hell."
Ni-ki nods. "Noted."
Jess walks to the door and pauses. She looks back at you.
"Call me tomorrow. I love you."
"I love you too."
She leaves. The door closes. You hear the sound of the engine starting and fade. Now it's just you and Ni-ki, in his huge mansion, once again. He standing right in front of you, waiting to give you space to change your mind.
You don't change your mind.
"What now?" You ask.
He exhales, long and slow. "Now I make you dinner and you can ask me all the questions you didn't ask last night. I’ll just try really hard not to fuck it up."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah."
──────
The blue light from the massive TV screen is illuminating the living room, casting long shadows across the marble floors. It’s quiet as you’re sitting on the edge of the sectional, still nursing that low level sound of anxiety that comes with being around someone who went missing for two years.
Ni-ki is slumped at the other end, looking entirely too comfortable for a man who basically rose from the dead. He’s staring at the screen, one hand mindlessly messing with the remote, until he suddenly winces, making a sharp and hissed sound.
"You good?" you ask, shifting toward him.
He presses a finger to his jaw, his expression flat but pained. "Bit my cheek. The inside."
You reach for the glass of water on the coffee table and hand it over. He takes it, the condensation cold against his skin, and takes a slow sip. He doesn't say thank, the two of you have always had a rhythm that skipped the formalities.
"Better?" you ask.
He swallows, setting the glass down. He looks at you then, his dark eyes fixed on yours. "Not really. My mom used to say a kiss on the cheek makes things heal faster."
He says it with such a straight face, his voice devoid of any typical ‘flirting’ inflection, that it catches you off guard. It’s a ridiculous, childish line coming from a man who spent the last two years in the underworld, yet he’s just sitting there and waiting.
"You’re serious ?" You feel the heat creep up your neck. "That’s...that's not how it works, Ni-ki."
"At least I tried," he mutters, turning back to the TV like he didn't just ask for something that made your heart do a nervous stutter.
You look away, staring at the screen without seeing it. "I’m tired. Where’s the guest room ? I’ll just head up."
"Follow me."
He stands up in one fluid motion, not waiting to see if you’re coming. You follow him up the glass staircase and down a wide hallway. He stops at a tall oak door, pushes it open and walks inside. You stand in the doorway, looking at the cal king-sized bed, the discarded watch on the nightstand, and the faint scent of his cologne. "This is your room."
"Yeah, and ?" He’s already pulling his shirt over his head, tossing it onto a chair.
"I asked for the guest room, Ni-ki." Your voice is a mix of frustration and that recurring shyness you can't seem to shake.
"Sheets aren't changed in the other rooms. The dust's bad," he says, his back to you. He turns around, his expression nonchalant as he gestures to the vast expanse of the bed. "It’s a big bed. Just stay here. I’m not going to do anything."
"That’s not the point. It’s weird."
"It was only weird two years ago because we made it ‘weird’," he says, voice dropping lower. He doesn't move toward you, staying rooted where he is. "I’m tired, you’re tired. Let’s just sleep."
You bite your lip, the silence stretching between you. Eventually, the exhaustion wins. You move to the far side of the bed, staying as close to the edge as humanly possible while he clicks off the lights.
The darkness is heavy. You lie there, staring at the wall, listening to the sound of his breathing. You expect to stay awake all night but the silence of the mansion eventually pulls you under.
A few hours later, the shift happens. It’s gradual ; a weight dipping the mattress, a sudden warmth pressing against your back. In his sleep, Ni-ki doesn't have his guard up. He moves by instinct, his arm sliding over your waist, pulling you back until there’s no space left between you.
His forehead rests against the nape of your neck, his breathing deep and steady. It’s the most clingy he’s been since he resurfaced, a silent and unconscious admission that he’s glad you’re actually there. You stay frozen for a second, heart racing, before your own muscles finally relax into the familiar heat of him.
The next day, the room feels more like a gallery than a bedroom as the light shines through the curtains. You wake up tangled in a silk duvet, the space beside you is empty. The only proof he was even there is a slight indent in the pillow and the faint, lingering scent of his cologne, something crisp and expensive, a far cry from the scent of coffee he used to carry.
You reach for your phone. A single notification sits on the screen.
Ni-ki [9:34 AM]
Had to head in.
I’m coming back a bit late tonight.
Eat whatever you want, the fridge is stocked.
It’s typical and short. He doesn’t apologize for leaving you alone in a house that feels like a maze, he assumed you’ll manage.
The silence of the house is heavy. After a few hours of wandering through the high-tech kitchen and staring at the sprawling view of the estate, curiosity finally wins. You find yourself back in his room, hovering by the bedside table. Back in college, Ni-ki always smelled faintly of smoke, either the sharp scent of cigarettes during finals week or the hazy, sweet smell of weed when things got stressful. It was a constant.
You open the top drawer of his nightstand. There’s nothing but a high-end watch box and a stack of documents in Japanese. You check the bathroom, no lighters hidden behind the mirror, no stray rolling papers in the cabinets. You even check the pockets of a discarded jacket hanging in the closet. There’s absolutely nothing.
The air in the room is perfectly filtered, devoid of any grit. It’s unsettling. It’s like he’s scrubbed away every habit that made him human, replaced by this clinical, almost polished version of a man who runs empires.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the mansion transitions from modern to eerie. You’re sitting on the massive sectional in the living room, the TV on mute just to have some flickering light. By 9:00 PM, the isolation starts to grate on your nerves.
You pull out your phone and hit his contact. It rings three times before he picks up.
"Yeah ?" His voice is filtered through some background noise, the muffled sound of doors closing and distant voices. He sounds tired, but his tone is level and sounds almost detached.
"Hey," you say, your voice sounding small in the giant room. "I was just making sure if you were close."
"I’m still busy," he says. There’s a brief pause, the sound of him exhaling. "Give me a bit. I’m wrapping things up now and I'll be back soon."
Right before he hangs up, his voice softens just a fraction, losing that sharp edge. "Don't lock the main door. I have my key."
The line goes dead. You set the phone down on the velvet cushion, the silence of the house settling back in, but feeling slightly less hollow now that you know he's on his way.
‼ 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖 : Focus - H.E.R
The click of the heavy front door echoes through the foyer, breaking the silence you’ve been sitting in for hours. You stand up as Ni-ki walks into the light of the living room. He looks exhausted, his shoulders slumped like he never allows when he’s putting on his ‘professional’ and cold side, however it’s his left hand that makes your breath stop.
The knuckles are split, and a dark, drying smear of red covers his palm and fingers, staining the cuff of his expensive shirt.
"Ni-ki," you whisper, moving toward him, your hands reaching out instinctively. "What happened? Are you hurt? Is it yours?"
He doesn't bother to look at his hand. He stops in front of you, his eyes searching your face with a weary intensity. Before you can grab a towel or start a frantic interrogation, he exhales a shaky breath.
"Just...give me a second," he mutters. He reaches out with his clean hand, hooking it around your waist and pulling you flush against him. "Hug me. Please."
You hesitate for a fraction of a second, worried about the blood, but you wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him in. He sinks into you, his head dropping onto your shoulder, his weight heavy and direct. You can feel the pounding beat of his heart slowing down against your chest. The smell of the cold night air and a metallic tang clings to him, and beneath that, he still smells like himself.
"Don't do this again," you say into his shoulder, your voice thick with a mix of anger and fear. "Don’t disappear and hurt yourself...I can't look at you like this and pretend it’s okay."
He stays quiet for a long time, his grip on your waist tightening. "I'll try," he says, the words muffled against your skin.
He pulls back just enough to look at you, his thumb brushing your cheek. "You showered already?"
You nod slowly.
"Go to the bedroom," he says, his voice low but steady. "Wait for me there. I just need to get clean."
The sound of the shower runs for a long time. You sit on the edge of the bed, the vastness of the room feeling smaller now that he’s home. When the water finally stops, the door opens, and Ni-ki emerges in nothing but loose grey sweats, his hair damp and messy. The lethal, untouchable version of him from the foyer is gone, replaced by the boy you used to know, the one who was just a little too tired for his age.
He doesn't say a word as he climbs onto the mattress. He doesn't go to his side, he moves toward you, lying down and shifting until his head is resting firmly on your stomach.
"Cuddle me," he murmurs, his eyes already drifting shut. "I don't want to talk. I just want this."
You lie back against the pillows, adjusting so he’s comfortable. Your hand finds its way to his hair, your fingers weaving through the damp strands, massaging his scalp in slow, rhythmic circles. He lets out a long, shuddering sigh of relief, his body finally losing its tension.
In the quiet of the room, the outside world and the two years of silence feel like a fever dream. Here, with his weight grounding you and your fingers carding through his hair, it’s just the two of you. He turns his face slightly, pressing his forehead into the soft fabric of your shirt, breathing you in like you’re the only thing keeping him tethered to the ground. You don't dare to ask him any more questions, you’d rather hold him, your thumb tracing the line of his ear, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest until the shadows of the room feel a little less cold.
He suddenly shifts, his arms tightening around your waist, almost in a possessive way. He’s usually so composed, so untouchable, yet right now he’s acting like he’ll disappear if he lets go for even a second. He nuzzles closer, his voice muffled by your shirt.
"You’re too soft," he mutters. "I forgot how calm you are. Everything else is loud, but you’re just being quiet."
You stop your hand in his hair for a moment, surprised by the sudden honesty. "Is that your version of a compliment?"
"Take it or leave it," he says, though he doesn't move an inch. He lets out a small, contented hum, his breath warm against your skin. "You smell so good too."
He stays like that for a few minutes, being uncharacteristically clingy, refusing to give you any personal space. Just as the atmosphere starts to feel deeply, almost with romance, you feel him shift again. The weary tension in his shoulders seems to evaporate, replaced by a sudden, mischievous energy you haven't seen since college.
He lifts his head just enough to find a spot on your midriff, and before you can ask what he’s doing, he leans in and blows a sharp, loud raspberry against your skin.
The vibration and the sudden rush of air make you jump, a startled laugh bubbling out of you. "Ni-ki ! Stop !"
He does it again, higher up this time, his eyes crinkling at the corners as you squirm beneath him, trying to push his head away.
"Stop, it tickles !" you gasp, breathless from laughing.
"You were getting too serious," he says, a rare, genuine smirk tugging at his lips as he looks up at you. He settles back down, resting his cheek on your stomach again and looking up at you with a look that’s far too fond for someone who claims to be nonchalant. "Stay like this. Don't move."
The laughter from the tickling session fades as the room settles back into its quiet intimacy. Ni-ki doesn't move his head from your stomach, he shifts slightly, tucking his arm more firmly around your waist as if ensuring you can't go anywhere.
You resume the slow, rhythmic motion of your fingers through his hair. The strands are drying now, they’re soft and cool. "I was looking around earlier," you say quietly, your voice vibrating slightly against his ear. "You don't smoke anymore? Not even when things get…hard?"
Ni-ki is quiet for a beat, his eyes fixed on the far wall of the dark room. He exhales a long breath.
"Nah," he mutters, his voice low and raspy. "I stopped about a year ago."
"Just like that?"
He nudges his face deeper into the fabric of your shirt, his nose brushing against your skin. "I just wanted to change things. Everything felt messy, and that was one thing I could actually control. Plus," he adds, his tone shifting back to that effortless laziness, "I know it’s not good for me. It’s hard to stay fast if your lungs are trashed."
You smile a little, the honesty of the answer surprising you. "Look at you, being responsible."
"Don't make it a thing," he grumbles, though he sounds more relaxed than he has all day. He turns his head, looking up at you from his position on your lap. His eyes are soft, devoid of the coldness they held when he first walked through the door. "I just—I didn't want to be that version of myself anymore."
He reaches up, his hand tangling with yours to pull it down from his hair so he can press a lingering, lazy kiss to your palm. He doesn't let go afterward, instead interlacing his fingers with yours and resting both your hands over his heart.
"You're staying," he says, a quiet demand. He closes his eyes again, his breathing hitching once before evening out into a deep, steady rhythm. He’s starting to be clingy, his heavy weight a constant reminder that for all his money and power, just lying here with you is the only place he actually wants to be.
When you wake up, the room isn't empty and Ni-ki is still there, lying on his side and watching you with a heavy-lidded, sleepy stare. He doesn't look like a man who was covered in blood twelve hours ago ; he looks like he’s still 21 and back in college.
"Stop staring at me," you murmur, your voice thick with sleep.
"It’s my bed. I can look where I want," he says, his voice a low, morning rasp. He doesn't move to get up. He just reaches out, his fingers tracing the line of your wrist where it peeks out from the duvet. "I’m not going in today. I told them I’m busy."
"Busy doing what?"
"Nothing," he says simply. "With you."
The day unfolds. He doesn't call for a chef or take you to some expensive brunch spot where you have to dress up because you personally asked him to do that. He leads you down to the kitchen in his sweatpants, standing barefoot on the cold marble as he fumbles with an espresso machine.
"Don't laugh," he says, narrowing his eyes at the blinking lights on the display. "It’s complicated."
"You can run a business in Tokyo but you can't make a latte?"
"I have people for the coffee," he mutters, though there’s no heat in it. He eventually hands you a cup that’s surprisingly decent.
You spend the afternoon in a room you hadn't seen yet, it’s a massive home theater that feels more like a lounge, filled with deep velvet couches and stacks of vinyl records. For a few hours, the cold version of Ni-ki vanishes completely. He sits on the floor with his back against the sofa, showing you music he found while he was away, passing you one of the headphones so you can listen together.
At one point, you find an old gaming console tucked away in a cabinet. When you challenge him, he directly dives in. He’s competitive—viciously so, leaning forward with his jaw set as he tries to beat your score, his shoulder bumping into yours every time you get ahead.
"You’re cheating," he accuses, his eyes fixed on the screen.
"I’m better than you anyway."
He scoffs, a second later, he’s leaning his weight into you, trying to distract you by nudging his head against your shoulder. It’s a cheap move and it works. When you lose the round, he lets out a short triumphant breath, looking at you with a look of pure, smug satisfaction.
"Really mature of you, Ni-ki."
"A win’s a win," he says then his expression softens. He reaches over, tugging at the hem of your sleeve until you shift closer to him on the floor. He rests his chin on your shoulder, watching the menu screen loop. The mansion is still huge and a little cold, and the shadows in the corners still remind you of the world he belongs to now. Yet for this afternoon, it feels like the 2 years gap never happened. He’s just a boy who’s a little too clingy, a little too competitive, and very clearly trying to make sure you don't feel like a guest anymore.
By late afternoon, the quiet of the mansion starts to feel a bit too heavy, so Ni-ki pulls on a black trench coat and leads you out to the garage. He drives a car that’s far too fast for city streets, his hand resting loosely on the gear shift, looking like he’s in his natural element behind the wheel.
He pulls up to a chic pastry shop tucked away in a quiet district. The interior is all white marble and gold accents, the scent of sweets hits you instantly. You stand in front of the glass display case, staring at the rows of perfect and colorful macarons. They look like jewelry.
"See anything ?" Ni-ki asks, standing just behind you, his presence a warm weight at your back.
"They all look so good," you murmur, leaning closer to the glass. You look at the employee behind the counter, who’s waiting with professional patience. "Could I get five, please ? The pistachio, the earl grey and…the—"
"Just give us all of them," Ni-ki interrupts. He’s not even looking at the display. He’s looking at his phone, his tone so flat and casual he might as well have been ordering other pastries.
The employee blinks, her eyebrows shooting up. "All of them, sir? We have 24 different flavors today."
"Yeah. All of them. Double up on the ones she just mentioned," he adds, finally pocketing his phone and looking at the girl behind the counter with a ‘did I stutter ?’ look.
"Ni-ki, wait," you whisper, your face heating up as the employee starts pulling out a massive, ornate gift box. You can feel the eyes of the other two customers in the shop on you. "I don't need 24 macarons. I can’t even eat that many."
"You can eat them tomorrow," he says, leaning his elbow on the marble counter. He looks at you, a ghost of a shrug in his shoulders. "I’m not going to watch you stand here for 10 minutes trying to decide which ones are better. It’s easier this way."
"It’s embarrassing," you hiss, shifting on your feet. "It looks like we’re showing off."
"I'm not showing off. It's called being practical," he counters though there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He taps his black credit card on the reader without even looking at the total. When the girl hands over the heavy, ribbon-tied box, Ni-ki takes it with one hand and uses the other to guide you toward the door. Once you’re back in the car, he places the box into your lap.
"There," he says, starting the engine. "Now you don't have to wonder what the other 19 flavors taste like."
You look down at the box before raising your gaze at him. He’s already looking back at the road, his expression back to that neutral state, but the way he lingers for a second before pulling out of the parking spot just to make sure you’ve buckled your seatbelt, gives him away. He isn't trying to be the "big spender", he just genuinely doesn't see the point in you having to choose when he can just give you everything.
The sugar from the macarons is still a lingering sweetness on your tongue as Ni-ki steers the car away from the busy district. He’s driving with one hand, the other resting on the center console, fingers drumming a light, rhythmic beat against the leather.
"Where are we going now ?" you ask, glancing at him. "I thought we were heading back."
"You ask too many questions," he says, the corner of his mouth twitches. "You’ll see. It’s on the way."
He pulls up to a quiet side street where the buildings look ancient but impeccably maintained. There’s a storefront with tinted glass and a heavy steel door with no sign, no logo and no window displays. It looks more like a private bank than a shop.
When you walk in, the air is cool and smells expensive. A man in a perfectly tailored suit looks up from the counter. The moment his eyes land on Ni-ki, his posture shifts in practiced respect.
"Mr. Nishimura," the man says, bowing slightly. "You’re early."
"I was in the area," Ni-ki replies, his voice dropping into that tone he uses with everyone but you. "Is it ready?"
"Of course. It arrived from the workshop this morning."
The man disappears into a back room for a moment and returns with a small, heavy box wrapped in textured black paper. No money changes hands and no receipts are signed. Ni-ki only takes the box with a short nod and gestures for you to follow him back out. Once the doors of the car are shut, sealing the two of you back into your own private world, the silence feels heavy somehow. He doesn’t start the engine yet, he shifts in his seat to face you, holding out the small black box.
"Here," he says. His voice is back to its usual tone, he’s watching your hands as you take it.
"What is this ?"
"Open it."
You carefully undo the wrapping. Inside is a sleek black velvet case. When you flick it open, the interior light of the car catches the glint of polished metal. Resting on the cushion is a solid silver cross necklace, the pendant is hanging from a delicate but sturdy chain.
Your breath hitches. You look at the necklace then up at Ni-ki. Your eyes instinctively go to his neck, where the identical silver cross ; the one he’s worn since college hangs against his skin.
"It’s the same as yours," you whisper, your fingers trembling slightly as you touch the cool metal.
"I had them make a second one," he says, leaning back against his seat and looking out the windshield, though his focus is clearly still on you. "The one I have doesn't tarnish. I wanted you to have something that lasts."
"Ni-ki, this is too much. First the macarons, now this ?" You feel that familiar wave of shyness, mixed with a strange tightening ache in your chest.
He finally looks at you, his expression softening just enough to let you in. He reaches out, his thumb grazing the back of your hand.
"It’s not 'too much.' It’s just so people know."
"Know what ?" you ask softly.
"I don’t know. That you're with me," he says simply.
He takes the box from your lap, lifts the necklace out, and moves closer. His scent, that expensive cologne, wraps around you. You lift your hair, feeling the cold slide of the silver against your skin as he clips the clasp at the nape of your neck.
His fingers linger there for a second, a gentle and protective pressure before he pulls back.
"It looks better on you anyway," he mutters, finally turning the key in the ignition.
You arrive at his mansion. The moment the heavy front door clicks shut, Ni-ki’s bored composure starts to dissolve. He doesn't even bother taking off his trench coat before he’s behind you, his arms wrapping around your waist and his chin dropping onto your shoulder.
"Couch," he mutters, his voice vibrating against your collarbone. "Please."
"You’re barely inside the house, Ni-ki," you say, though you’re already letting him lead you toward the living room.
"It was a long drive," he counters, which is a blatant lie considering he drives like a F1 racer.
He practically pulls you down onto the oversized leather sectional, not bothering with personal space. He sprawls out, pulling you into the crook of his arm so your head is resting on his chest. His hand, now clean and bandaged from the night before, finds yours, his fingers tracing the new silver chain around your neck.
He’s being uncannily needy, his other hand tangling in your hair to keep you close. He leans in slightly to pull you into a slow kiss.
"You're being incredibly clingy these days," you whisper against his lips, pulling back just enough to look at him. "And you’re spoiling me too much. The all-flavors box ? This necklace ? It’s a lot."
He looks at you with a flat, unimpressed stare, yet his grip on your waist doesn't loosen. "I have the money. Why wouldn't I spend it on you ? Besides," he adds, his voice dropping to a low mumble, "you look like you belong here now. It was a calculated investment."
"An investment ?" You huff a laugh, poking him in the chest. "That’s fucking ridiculous."
"Whatever," he mutters, pulling you back down to hide his face in the crook of your neck. "Just stay still."
The peace lasts for exactly an hour before his phone starts vibrating violently on the marble coffee table. He ignores the first three times but on the fourth, he lets out a sharp frustrated hiss.
He reaches for it, eyes scanning the screen. His entire posture shifts instantly, the softness vanishes and it’s replaced by that cold, sharp focus you saw when he first returned home.
"I have to go," he says, sitting up and running a hand through his messy hair. "There’s an emergency at the docks. One of the shipments got flagged."
He’s already on his feet, reaching for his keys. He looks professional again, like the man who disappeared for two years. But as he reaches the door, he pauses, looking back at you sitting alone on the giant couch, surrounded by his expensive things and a half-eaten box of pastries.
A smirk ; sharp, dry, tugs at the corner of his mouth.
"Try not to cry while I'm gone," he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I know it’ll be devastating for you to spend three hours without me. I'll miss you so much."
He gives you a mock, lazy salute before disappearing out the door, the roar of his car engine signaling that the rest day is officially over.
The clock on the wall clicks over to 2:00 AM. You’ve sent three texts. None of them have been read. You’re pacing the length of the marble floor, the silver cross he gave you feeling heavy and cold against your skin.
When the front door finally groans open, the sound is hefty, lacking the usual sharp energy that Ni-ki carries. He steps into the foyer, his coat hanging loosely off one shoulder, his face pale under the yellow hallway lights.
"Y/N" he says, his voice little more than a ghost of a sound. He leans against the doorframe. "Come here. Just give me a hug."
You move toward him, your heart hammering against your ribs, relief already starting to wash over you. But as you get close enough to reach out, the light catches his face. A jagged cut sits right along his hairline, the blood starting to dry in a dark smear down his temple.
You stop dead, your hands hovering in mid-air. "Ni-ki, what is that?"
He shifts his gaze, looking at the floor. "Nothing. It was just a misunderstanding at the site."
"A misunderstanding ?" Your voice rises slightly, the fear you've been sitting with for hours finally curdling into sharp, hot frustration. "People don't get gashed across the head during a 'misunderstanding’. What happened?"
"It doesn't matter," he mutters, closing his eyes like the sound of your voice is physically taxing. "I'm home, and tired. Just drop it."
"I won't drop it." You’re trembling now, the silver necklace catching the light as you gesture wildly. "This is dangerous. You’re coming home covered in blood every night, acting like it’s just another day at the office. You have to stop this. You have to stop beating people and putting yourself in these situations."
Ni-ki stands there, his expression flat and weary, watching you with eyes that look older than they should. "You don't understand how this works," he says quietly. "It’s not as simple as just stopping."
"It is. It’s a choice." you snap, the worry in your chest making it hard to breathe. "I can’t sit here and wait for the night you don’t walk through that door because a 'misunderstanding' went too far. I can't do it again."
"I'm not going anywhere," he says, his voice devoid of emotion which only makes you angrier.
"You can’t predict things, Ni-ki." You turn away from him, your eyes stinging. You aren't angry at him, you’re terrified for him, and the fact that he’s staying so calm, so careless about his own safety, feels like a slap in the face.
"I'm sleeping in the guest room," you say, your voice tight.
Ni-ki finally moves, reaching out to catch your wrist. "Don't do that. Please Y/N—"
"No." You pull your arm back, the movement sharp and final. "If you’re going to act like your life doesn't matter then I don't want to be the one watching you throw it away."
You turn and walk down the long hallway. You find the first guest room you can, throw yourself inside, and turn the heavy iron lock. The click of the bolt feels deafening in the silence. You lean your back against the door, sliding down until you’re sitting on the floor, listening for his footsteps.
On the other side of the door, there’s a long silence. You expect him to knock but you just hear the soft, receding sound of his footsteps walking away, leaving you alone in the dark.
You wake up and the guest room feels cold cold, a stark contrast to the heavy warmth of the night before. You wake up with your head throbbing, it’s already 11:00 PM. For a moment, the silence of the mansion feels oppressive, reminding you of the lock you clicked into place and the heavy footsteps you heard walking away.
You head straight for his master suite, your heart doing a nervous gallop, but the bed is perfectly made, it’s too perfect. No indent in the pillow, no discarded shirt on the chair. He’s gone.
As you step out of the bedroom and head toward the main living area, the air changes. The sterile scent of the mansion has been completely overwritten by a thick fragrance.
The living room is entirely transformed. It’s a sea of color, there’s bouquets of deep red roses, pale lilies, and white hydrangeas are overflowing from every available surface. Vases are lined up on the marble coffee table, the sideboards, and even the floor near the windows. It looks less like a home and more like a garden.
Your breath catches as you walk toward the kitchen, finding even more arrangements crowding the breakfast bar. Resting right in the center, propped against a crystal vase, is a small card.
You pick it up, your fingers tracing the expensive cardstock. The handwriting is unmistakably Ni-ki’s, it’s sharp and slanted.
I’m not good at the talking part, especially when I’m tired. You were right to be angry. I don’t want you waking up in a guest room ever again. I’m sorry for the scare.
Get ready. There’s a dress in the bag near the bed. A car will be at the front at 7:00 PM. I will wait for you.
Ni-ki.
You look around the living area being filled with flowers, the anger from last night softening into a knot of affection and lingering worry. He didn't promise to quit, he’s too honest for a lie that big but this was his version of a white flag.
You spend the rest of the afternoon in a daze, the scent of the lilies following you through the house. At the foot of the bed in his room, you find the black shopping bag he mentioned. Inside is a dress that feels like liquid silk, chosen with the same silent and focused precision he uses for everything else.
By 6:55 PM, you’re standing in the foyer, the silver cross necklace resting against your collarbone. At exactly 7:00 PM, the low rumble of a car pulls up to the front gates. You take a deep breath, smoothing down the silk of your dress, and step out into the evening air, wondering exactly what kind of "apology" Ni-ki has planned for the rest of the night.
The driver doesn't speak, and you spend the trip staring at your reflection in the window, your fingers habitually reaching up to touch the silver cross at your neck.
When the car pulls up to a discreet, ivy-covered building in an unknown area, the valet opens the door. You’re led to a private elevator that opens directly onto a rooftop. The wind is cool up here.
Ni-ki is leaning against the railing near the entrance, looking detached as he watches the skyline. He’s changed into a dark suit with no tie and the top buttons undone, the cut on his forehead is hidden beneath his hair. When he sees you, his posture straightens, his eyes dragging slowly from your heels to your face. He gives a short, approving nod and holds out his hand.
"You look really pretty," he says, his voice low.
He leads you to a table set at the very edge of the roof, giving you a panoramic view of the glowing city. The dinner is effortless. For the first two hours, the tension of the previous night is buried under "everything and nothing." You talk about the music he’s been listening to, the strange people he’s met in Japan, and how he still can't stand the taste of certain vegetables. He listens more than he speaks, his chin resting in his palm, watching you with intensity, making the bustling restaurant feel miles away.
He’s back to his usual self, cracking dry jokes and making fun of the way you hold your wine glass, but there’s a softness in his gaze that wasn't there two years ago.
As the dessert plates are cleared and the city lights seem to burn a little brighter, a lull falls over the table. You watch him trace the rim of his glass, his expression unreadable. The weight of the flowers, the necklace, and the empty guest room from last night all sit heavy in your mind.
"Ni-ki?" you ask softly.
"Mmh?" He doesn't look up, his thumb still circling the glass.
"Can I ask you something? And don't give me a sarcastic answer."
He finally looks at you, his dark eyes steady. "Depends on the question."
"The flowers, the dress, the necklace...and the fact that you stayed calm even when I was yelling at you last night." You lean forward slightly, your voice calm but searching. "Do you actually feel something serious for me ? Or am I just the only person from your past that you felt like keeping around?"
It’s just an honest question from someone trying to find their footing in a life that feels like shifting sand.
Ni-ki sets his glass down, the ring of the crystal the only sound between you. He leans back, exhaling a slow breath. He looks away for a second, out toward the horizon, before turning his gaze back to you.
"I don't 'keep people around' out of habit," he says, his voice devoid of its usual playful mockery. "If I didn't want you in that house, you wouldn't be there. If I didn't want you wearing that necklace, I wouldn't have spent the last 2 days for the right jeweler."
He pauses, his fingers drumming once against the tablecloth. "Two years is a long time to be looking over your shoulder. The only thing that didn't feel like a weight was the idea of coming back and finding you exactly where I left you."
He reaches across the table to rest his fingertips near yours, settling a quiet, grounded connection.
"I'm not good at talking, you already know that, and I'm definitely not good at being a normal guy," he admits, a small, self-deprecating smirk touching his lips. "But I think the fact that I’m sitting here trying to explain myself to you, instead of just walking away like I do with everyone else, should tell you the answer."
He looks at you, his mask finally cracking just enough to show the raw and quiet affection underneath. "It’s serious. It’s been serious since college. I just had to survive long enough to tell you."
You both get home after dinner. The heavy front door of the mansion clicks shut, locking out the cool night air and the rest of the world. The foyer still smells faintly of the lilies and roses Ni-ki filled the house with earlier. You’ve barely stepped onto the marble floor, your hand still on the strap of your dress, when your phone starts vibrating violently in your palm.
Jess.
You slide the answer button, pressing the phone to your ear. "Hey, Jess—"
"Oh my god, finally," Jess’s voice bursts through the speaker, loud enough that you have to pull the phone a few inches away. "You haven’t texted me back in hours. Are you okay? Is everything fine? Did he actually take you somewhere nice or am I going to have to fly out there and rescue you?"
You catch Ni-ki’s eye. He’s already tossed his suit jacket onto the bench by the door, unbuttoning his cuffs with slow movements. When he hears Jess's voice echoing faintly from the speaker, his eyebrows twitch in slight irritation. He doesn't like sharing your attention, especially not tonight.
"Yeah, everything is totally fine," you say, a soft smile tugging at your lips as you watch him walk toward you. "We just got back from dinner. It was—"
Before you can finish the sentence, Ni-ki steps right into your space. He slides his hands around your waist from behind, pulling your back flush against his chest.
"Wait, what was that?" Jess asks on the other end. "Are you guys home?"
"Yeah, we just...walked in," you stammer.
Ni-ki leans down, his hair brushing against your cheek as his lips find the sensitive skin right beneath your ear. He presses a slow, warm kiss there, his breath hot against your neck. You freeze, a sharp breath catching in your throat.
"I'm fine !" you say, a little too quickly. You try to elbow Ni-ki gently in the ribs, but he just tightens his grip on your waist, anchoring you to him. He moves his lips down your neck, tracing the line of your collarbone, right next to the silver cross necklace he gave you. He’s doing it on purpose, a lazy, teasing smirk evident as his lips curve against your skin.
"Seriously, Jess, I'll call you tomorrow," you squeak out, your shoulder bunching up as you try to escape the ticklish, intoxicating sensation of his mouth on your skin. You grab his wrist, trying to pull his hand away, but he doesn't budge. He nuzzles deeper into your pulse point, making your heart race.
"Alright, alright, you sound busy. Call me in the morning with details !"
"Will do. Bye !" You practically slam your thumb onto the red button to end the call, tossing the phone onto the nearest console table. You turn around quickly in his arms, your face burning with a mix of shyness and frustration. You look up at him, putting on your best exasperated expression.
"Are you serious?" you huff, poking him sharply in the chest. "That was Jess. She already thinks you're dangerous, and you’re out here trying to tease me while I’m actively talking to her."
Ni-ki doesn't look even remotely guilty. His hands resting loosely on your hips, watching your flushed face with total satisfaction.
"She talks too much," he says, his tone perfectly careless, though his eyes are dark and focused entirely on your lips. "And I waited 2 hours at that restaurant while you talked to the waiter and looked at the sky. My patience expired when we hit the driveway."
"You're spoiled," you mutter, though you can't stop the smile from breaking through. "And clingy."
"Shut up," he murmurs softly.
He reaches up, his thumb catching your chin to tilt your face up. The teasing vanishes in an instant, replaced by that heavy, genuine warmth from the rooftop. He leans down and kisses you for real ; there’s no more playing around, no more distractions. It’s deep, slow, and entirely possessive, effectively wiping any lingering thought of the phone call completely from your mind.
The grand foyer of Ni-ki's mansion fades into the background as his lips claim yours with urgent need. The marble columns and crystal chandelier become irrelevant as his hands grip your waist, pulling you flush against his body. You can feel the hard planes of his chest through your dress, his heartbeat thudding against yours.
"God, I've been wanting to do this all night," he murmurs against your lips before deepening the kiss. His tongue traces the seam of your lips, demanding entrance. You part them willingly, and the kiss becomes hungry, desperate. One of his hands slides up your back, tangling in your hair while the other presses against the small of your back, arching you into him. Your own hands explore his shoulders, the muscles tensing beneath your touch.
Without breaking the kiss, Ni-ki lifts you effortlessly. Your legs wrap around his waist instinctively as he carries you through the sprawling mansion. Each step sends a jolt of anticipation through your body. The journey to his bedroom feels both endless and too short.
He kicks open the door to his bedroom and gently lays you on the cal king-sized bed. The room is dimly lit with soft moonlight filtering through the large windows. Ni-ki hovers over you, his hair falling into his eyes as he leans down to capture your lips again. This time his hands explore more boldly. He traces the curve of your hip, slides up your ribcage, and cups your breast through the fabric of your dress. You arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping your lips. His thumb circles your nipple, causing it to harden instantly beneath the fabric.
"Take this off," he whispers, tugging at your strap.
You raise your arms obediently as he pulls the dress over your head, tossing it aside. His eyes darken with desire as he takes in the sight of you. He lowers his head, taking one nipple into his mouth while his hand continues to play with the other. The wet warmth of his tongue against your sensitive skin sends shivers down your spine.
Your hands find the hem of his shirt, and you unbutton it, revealing the toned muscles of his chest and abdomen. Your fingers trace the lines of his abs, feeling the muscles contract beneath your touch. Ni-ki moves lower, pressing kisses down your stomach. His hands work at the button of your panties, sliding them down your legs. You're completely exposed now, vulnerable beneath his gaze.
"You're so fucking beautiful," he murmurs, his eyes dark with hunger.
He positions himself between your legs, lowering his head. The first touch of his tongue against your folds makes you gasp. He's careful and thorough, exploring every part of you with his mouth. His fingers join in, one then two sliding inside you as his tongue works your clit.
The pleasure builds rapidly, coiling in your stomach. Your hips move instinctively, grinding against his face. His fingers curl inside you, finding that spot. The combination of his tongue and fingers is overwhelming, pushing you closer and closer to the edge.
"Ni-ki," you gasp, your hands tangling in his hair. "I'm—"
He doesn't let you finish, doubling his efforts. The orgasm crashes over you, wave after wave of pleasure. Your back arches off the bed as you cry out his name. He continues his ministrations, drawing out your pleasure until you're trembling and spent.
He moves up your body, capturing your lips in a deep kiss. You can taste yourself on his tongue, which only adds to the intimacy of the moment.
"Your turn," you whisper, pushing him onto his back.
You position yourself between his legs, your hands working at the button of his pants. He lifts his hips to help you slide them down, along with his boxers. His erection springs free, hard and ready.
You wrap your hand around his length, feeling the weight and heat of him. Ni-ki watches you, his eyes half-lidded with desire. You lower your head, taking him into your mouth. He groans, his hands tangling in your hair as you begin to move.
"Fuck, yes," he breathes. "Just like that. Take it deeper."
You follow his guidance, adjusting your pace and pressure based on his reactions. His hips begin to move, thrusting gently into your mouth. You can feel him getting closer, his breathing becoming more ragged.
"Look at me while you do that," he commands. "God, your lips look so good wrapped around my cock."
You meet his gaze, maintaining eye contact as you continue to pleasure him. His eyes are dark with lust, his pupils blown wide.
"Play with my balls," he directs. "Gently."
You comply, cupping them with your free hand as you continue to work his length with your mouth. His response is immediate ; a deep groan and a slight thrust of his hips.
"Shit, I'm close," he warns. "Stop. I want to be inside you."
You move up his body, straddling his hips. He positions himself at your entrance, but hesitates.
"Are you on birth control ?" he asks, his voice tight with concern.
You shake your head. "No."
Ni-ki's expression clouds with worry. "Maybe we should—"
"It's okay," you interrupt, placing a hand on his cheek. "I want this. I want you."
He searches your eyes, then nods slowly. "If you're sure."
You lower yourself onto him, taking him inch by inch. The stretch is slight but pleasant, a feeling of fullness that's both intense and comforting. Once he's fully inside you, you pause, adjusting to his size.
"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice gentle.
You nod, leaning down to kiss him. "Perfect."
You begin to move, slowly at first, finding a rhythm that works for both of you. Ni-ki's hands rest on your hips, guiding your movements. The pace gradually increases, the pleasure building with each thrust.
"I've missed you so much," he says, his voice strained with emotion.
You lean down, capturing his lips in a deep kiss. The intimacy of the moment is overwhelming, a perfect blend of passion and affection. His hands roam your body, memorizing every curve and dip.
The position changes, with Ni-ki now on top. He supports his weight on his arms, thrusting into you with a steady rhythm. His eyes are locked on yours, the connection between you palpable.
"You feel so good," he murmurs, his voice low and husky. "So perfect."
The pleasure builds, coiling in your stomach. You can feel another orgasm approaching, this one deeper and more intense than the last. Ni-ki must sense it too, because he increases his pace, hitting that spot inside you with each thrust.
"Come for me," he whispers, his voice strained. "Let me feel you."
That's all it takes. The orgasm crashes over you, more intense than before. Your body convulses around him, waves of pleasure coursing through you. Ni-ki follows soon after, his body tensing as he finds his own release.
He collapses beside you, pulling you into his arms. You're both breathless, bodies slick with sweat. The room is quiet except for your ragged breathing.
Ni-ki brushes a strand of hair from your face, his touch gentle. "I love you," he says softly.
You turn to face him, your heart swelling with emotion. "I love you too."
He kisses you, a soft, tender kiss that speaks volumes. The night is far from over, and for now, you're content to lie in his arms, basking in the afterglow of your lovemaking. The mansion around you feels less like a grand structure and more like a home, filled with the warmth of your shared intimacy.
The tangles of the duvet are warm around your legs when awareness returns, slow and heavy. For the first time since arriving here, there’s no sudden jolt of panic upon waking. Ni-ki is already awake, propped up on one elbow, his thumb tracing the small depression of your collarbone just below the silver cross. In the diffused morning light, the sharp angles of his jaw look softer, shadowed by a faint trace of sleep.
He shifts his weight, leaning down to press his forehead against yours, letting his eyes close again. It’s a quiet gesture that feels entirely separate from the massive estate surrounding you.
"Your skin is cold," he murmurs, his voice a low in a gravelly vibration. He pulls the blanket higher, tucking it securely around your shoulders before sliding his arm beneath your neck to draw you flush against him. You rest your palm over his chest, listening to the steady, unhurried thud of his heart.
An hour later, you both decide to get up and eat breakfast. You’re sitting on the high stool at the marble island, watching him navigate the space quietly. The peace fractures when your phone rings against the countertop, sliding slightly with the vibration.
The screen reads Jake.
You pick it up, sliding the bar to answer. "Hi."
"Hey. God , I finally caught you," Jake’s voice comes through, underscored by the faint background noise of a television. "Look, I’m just calling to make sure you’re actually functioning. Jess told us you skipped out on the rest of the trip because of some sudden errand, but she was being weirdly evasive about it. You’re good, right ?"
"Yeah, completely fine," you say, shifting your gaze to Ni-ki, who has stopped mid-motion, a plate held loosely in his hand. "I just had some things to sort out here."
"Alright. Just checking. It’s boring without you here anyway," Jake sighs, a brief rustle of paper audible on his end. "We’re wrapping things up and heading back home in three days. I just wanted to see if you were going to join us at the station or if we should just see you back at the hotel."
"Three days," you repeat, the timeline suddenly tasting heavy. "Yeah. I’ll—I’ll figure out let you know."
"Cool. Don't do anything stupid. See you." As the line goes dead, you set the device back down. Ni-ki places the plate of food in front of you with a bit more force than necessary. The ceramic clinks sharply against the stone. He sits on the stool beside you, picking up his coffee mug and staring into the dark liquid, his jaw visibly set.
"Who's that?" he asks. His tone is intentionally light, an obvious attempt to sound detached, but the tight grip of his fingers around the handle gives him away. "Jake," you reply softly, watching his profile. "Remember ?"
"I remember," he mutters, taking a slow sip. He keeps his eyes fixed ahead, his shoulder shifting away from you by a fraction of an inch. "It sounds like he’s keeping close tabs on your calendar."
"He's just a friend, Ni-ki. We’re supposed to be all on a trip right now." He lets out a short, humorless breath through his nose, setting the mug down. "Whatever. Eat your food before it gets cold." You watch him pick at his own breakfast, his movements rigid. "Ni-ki," you start, setting your fork down. "I have to leave in three days. I have to go back home with them."
The announcement causes him to freeze entirely. He doesn't look up, but his shoulders drop slightly. He pushes his plate away, leaning his elbows on the counter and burying his face in his hands.
"Three days is nothing," his voice comes out muffled, thick with a stubborn, brooding reluctance. "Just don't go. Tell them you're staying here. What's the difference?"
"The difference is that I vanished into thin air, Ni-ki," you explain, your voice laced with gentle frustration. "What am I supposed to tell them? 'Guys, remember our friend who we thought died two years ago ? He’s actually living in a fortress, and I’ve been staying with him instead of being on a trip with y’all.' They’d think I’ve lost my mind."
He drops his hands, turning his head to look at you. His eyes are slightly narrowed, a sulky, dark look clouding his features. "Let them think whatever they want. Why do you care so much about what they think?"
"Because they're my friends. They were your friends, too."
That hits a nerve. The silence that follows is prolonged, punctuated only by the distant sound of the clock. Ni-ki looks away, his fingers tracing a small pattern on the marble island. The brooding irritation slowly drains from his face, replaced by a weary expression.
He stands up, walking over to the window that faces the expansive grounds. He stays there for several minutes, his back to you, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his sweatpants.
"Fine," he says suddenly, turning around. His voice has regained that flat, decisive edge. "I’ll go with you."
You blink, caught entirely off guard. "What?"
"I’ll come with you in three days," he repeats, walking back toward the island. He stops right in front of you, looking down with a steady, unblinking focus. "I’m tired of hiding behind a dead name anyway. Jay, Jungwon, Jake... they deserve to know I'm not in a ditch somewhere. And I'm not letting you walk out that door alone."
──────
The platform at the regional train station is crowded, filled with the echo of announcements and the rush of commuters. You’re standing near the exit gates, the weight of the silver cross cold against your collarbone under your jacket.
Beside you, Ni-ki stands perfectly still. He’s pulled a black baseball cap low over his eyes, a high-collared coat shielding most of his face, but his presence is still massive, drawing occasional glances from passersby. His hand is tucked into yours inside his coat pocket, his grip almost uncomfortably tight.
"They're coming," you whisper, catching sight of three familiar figures navigating through the crowd near the baggage car.
Jay is leading the way, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, talking animatedly to Jungwon, who is looking down at his phone. Jake follows just behind, laughing at something Jay said. They look exactly as they always did ; untouched by the dark reality that has consumed Ni-ki’s life for the past two years.
As they approach the gate, Jake’s eyes scan the crowd and lock onto you. "Hey ! Over here!" he calls out, raising a hand.
Jay and Jungwon look up, their faces instantly brightening with familiar smiles. They cut through the remaining commuters, stopping a few feet away from you.
"You actually made it," Jay says, setting his bag down with a heavy thud. "Jess was acting so weird, we thought you’d—"
He cuts himself off. His eyes slide past your shoulder, landing on the tall figure standing directly beside you.
Ni-ki reaches up, his movements deliberate and unhurried. He takes off his cap, letting his hair fall over his forehead, and raises his chin to look them in the face.
The silence that hits the group is instantaneous and total. It’s as if the sound of the entire station has been sucked out of the air.
Jake’s hand, which was about to reach for his phone, freezes mid-air. His jaw slackens, his eyes widening to a degree that looks almost painful. Jungwon takes a involuntary step backward, his breath catching sharply in his throat, his gaze darting from Ni-ki’s face to yours, searching for some sign that this is a hallucination.
Jay is the only one who moves forward, though his boots heavy against the tile. His expression hardens, a mixture of profound shock and a sudden rising anger twisting his features. He stops barely two feet from Ni-ki, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
"What is this ?" Jay’s voice is a low rasp, completely devoid of its earlier warmth, a glimpse of tears in his eyes. "Is this some kind of joke ?"
Ni-ki doesn't flinch. He stands his ground, his face pale but completely steady, his hand still holding yours tightly inside his pocket. "It’s not a joke," Ni-ki says quietly, his voice cutting through the tension with a chilling familiarity. "I'm back."
✰ welcome to my personal studio lot—where every show i love gets rewritten, remixed, and reborn as its own little story. this series is a love letter to the comfort shows and films that raised me, the ones that stuck with me, and the characters i always wished i could write into a scene.
✰ each fic in this collection lives inside the world of a medium, but never as a copy-paste. all inspired by the original, but told completely my way.
✰ you don’t need to have watched a single show/film here to follow along, but if you have—it’s like watching the director’s cut.
roll out the red carpet. grab your popcorn. wander the lot.
the episodes start whenever you hit play.
✰ now streaming: the circle — nishimura riki
featured work: on my block (2018–2021)
✰ synopsis: four childhood best friends thought distance wouldn’t change them. but when you come back home to freeridge after your first year of college, a buried secret and gang politics collide—testing loyalty, love, and the block that raised them.
✰ mpaa rating: TV-MA — fictional universe (on my block / freeridge, california.), coming of age kinda, found family, morally grey characters, swearing, “secret relationship”, implied sexual content, angst, fluff, banter, drug use and mention, underage drinking, distorted self-image, jealousy, situationship to lovers, arguments, gun violence and gang shit, crying, socioeconomic commentary, crude humor (some boundary pushing, but what is art without such), breaking the 4th wall + more to add upon release
soundtrack to enhance reading experience: spotify | apple
start the show and hit play—
✰ pilot - fuck 12
✰ episode 2 - tba
✰ episode 3 - tba
✰ episode 4 - tba
burn out loser (pt2): ❛you're paired with riki nishimura as your lab partner. otherwise known as the stoner freak that everyone knew to avoid. you only have one focus, well two. get an a in the class then get as far from him as possible. but now that he's met you, riki wants nothing else but you. and riki always gets what he wants. ❜ pt1
۶ৎpairing: stoner(artist)!riki x meangirl!reader
۶ৎgenre: smut. college au
۶ৎtw: smut (mdni!) hentai (description of nude drawings), slow burn, obsession, sexual tension, "will they won't they", riki is a yearnerrrr, mild marijuana use, suggestive themes, very slight emotional manipulation, explicit language, jealous riki nishimura.
۶ৎwc: 18.5k
an: i started writing what's now the third part before this and desperately wanted to show the progression of their relationship & the moments where their feelings start to grow for each other!! the scenes take place over 2-3 wks, which is why this is sooo long (omg) this was very very very fun to write & i hope u like it, please let me know what you think i love delving into the minds of the characters and the storyline! part three is in the works xo
the first few times you ask, riki ignores you completely without thinking twice about it. a blank stare set on his features as you spoke only to turn his attention back to his notes when you finished. not sparing a single word, just deciding that what you were asking him didn't deserve an answer. you can glare at him with that entitled little scowl all you wanted. he had grown accustomed to ignoring that too.
his eyes gravitate toward you before you've even fully entered the room wednesday afternoon. you're cooing obnoxiously with one of your friends, blowing kisses and promising to meet up for lunch; acting as if you were going off to war or something. he watches as you smile, fingers twirling the loose curl that rests against your cheek as you make your way to your shared desk. he's sure to keep his sketchbook tucked beneath his forearm as you inch closer, anticipating what you're planning on saying to him.
he's got his hood pulled over his sandy blonde hair, an earbud tucked neatly in his left ear. you're plopping down in the seat on his right, eyes drifting to the dramatic way he covered up his work – as if you gave a damn what he was doodling. you don't bother to mask your scoff, eyes rolling at how extra he was being over his stupid sketchbook. like you were planning on snatching it from him at any moment, so he had to guard it with his life. news flash, no one, especially not you, cared.
riki doesn't look up as you settle beside him, he's too focused on whatever he's drawing. long fingers moving lazily across the page, pencil scratching in quick, confident strokes that he never lets anyone see. and each brush of the pencil has your eyes flickering over, despite the fact you've decided you didn't care. and every time your eyes lift, riki is tilting his sketch book away. every single time.
your patience is snapping the fourth time he does it, an annoyed huff leaving your lips. “are you secretly bad at drawing or something?” you're hissing out in a whisper, eyes narrowed in his direction with your chin propped on the palm of your head.
he feels the way his mouth twitches involuntarily, amusement flashing across his features. the expression is quickly masked by his normal 'too bored' one, shoulders lifting in a shrug. “maybe,” anyone else would take that as a sign to stop pushing, but you weren't just anyone. your body turns in your chair, long legs folded at the knee as you stare him down.
“then why are you always drawing?” there's bite in your tone, the same way that there always is. because even though you were gearing up to ask him for something – you still had to keep up with that attitude of yours. riki doesn't even bother to look up at you before he's answering. “why are you always talking?” he says, voice even, bored. but you don't miss the smirk that lifts the corners of his lips.
you're rolling your eyes so hard he can hear it and that only has his grin growing wider, eyes staying fixed on his page. despite how rude he's being, you press on, because you were curious now, especially with how secretive he always was with that stupid book. and him telling you no so easily triggered your obsession with always getting your way, there was no way you'd let up now. you found it hard to believe that no one has ever seen one of his drawings so you didn't understand why you couldn't too.
riki was constantly drawing. during lectures, through lunch, in the halls when he should be in study hall. so many times you've seen him with his back pressed against a wall, his legs pulled toward to his chest, sketchbook resting in his lap and a blunt tucked behind his ear. and you also noticed that the book was hardly ever the same, that meant pages of pages of his drawings existed and he refused to show you a single one. it didn't seem the least bit fair to you.
you've caught glimpses before. dark shading, eyes, hands, strange twisting lines... but it's never enough to make out a full picture. and that drives you insane. especially because you could tell that his drawings were actually good. it was obvious from the little bits that you've seen and how confidently his hands moved across the page. there was no way he wasn't a good artist, so why was he gatekeeping it!?
“you're such an idiot,” the insult doesn't phase him in the slightest, after the weeks spent together – he's grown used to the way you were constantly slighting him. silence falls over the two of you just as the professor is stepping into the room and you move as if you've given up. flipping your laptop open and scrolling through your word doc until you find your last page of notes, straightening in your chair and turning your attention to the front of the room.
riki doesn't move. just keeps on drawing as if class wasn't about to start, as if he didn't need this information in order to pass, let alone be useful for your assignments. nine full minutes pass of rhythmic typing and the unmistakable drag of riki's pencil against his page, each swipe carrying an irritating amount of skill and you can't help but stare. eyes locked on the movement of his fingers. they were long, ridiculously long. silver rings wrapped around his index and middle. you were shocked to see how clean his nails were, neatly trimmed with a light shine like he actually went and got them done. intriguing.
long veins twist from his bony knuckles up the length of his arm and your eyes follow them until your gaze is dragging up to his face, shocked to see he was already staring at you. “one of us needs to be paying attention,” he says, eyes shifting to the front of the room where the professor drones on about molecular bonds or whatever. you ignore his words, had already learned that he didn't need to pay attention to know what was being taught. he'd repeated entire lectures on days you were sure he was fully dissociated. he didn't even need to take notes, that annoyed you too.
you're letting out another dramatic huff, shifting in your seat so you're facing him again. “okay, i don't care if you want to be all weird and mysterious.” you lie, arms crossed over your chest and subconsciously you angle your head just enough to peek over his arms in hopes of catching a glimpse of what he's working on. he has his book flipped over like he knew you'd never stop trying.
“you sound like you care,” his words come out through a laugh. he doesn't even bother hiding how funny he thinks all of this is, the fact that you're practically throwing a fit because he told you no. arms crossed and glossed lips stuck in a cute little pout, he's committing the expression to memory – the dozens of scenarios he could draw up flooding his thoughts.
his mind drifts, picturing how you'd look with that same pout except knelt down in front of him, cum smeared on your cheeks as you silently begged for more. he's making a mental note to start working on that as soon as he got home. “can you at least draw me something i can see?” it takes a second for riki to register what you're asking, his mind reeling with images of you. and when he does fully hear you, he doesn't answer right away, tossing the idea around in his head.
draw you something you could see. there would be no harm in that, right? it's not like riki wasn't capable of creating something neutral, as a matter of fact, the drawing he was hiding from you was the least bit sexual. it was a box of cigarettes, a girl hidden within the pack, smoking one. so he could draw you something tame, something that you could see just so you'd stop asking.
the only problem was riki considered each and every one of his drawings personal. they were sacred. showing you one would be the same as taking a magnify glass into the inner, darkest corners of his mind. but, looking at you now, riki was clearly seeing the reason why you always got your way. why everyone found it so hard to say no to you, because not only were you annoyingly persistent... you were also cute as hell.
his eyes bore into yours as the classroom hums quietly around you. keyboards clicking, chairs squeaking as the minutes tick by, soft chatter fills the room as the class is instructed to discuss today's notes with their partners, something you and riki never took part in. entirely his fault. somebody laughs too loud near the windows but neither of you look their way, riki is too busy sizing you up and you're daring him to say no again. your eyes never leave his for a second and staring at him so long, you can't help but notice the details that make him up.
long lashes guard his pretty dark eyes, the sharp line of his jaw that disappears beneath the collar of his faded gray hoodie. thick pink lips that you're only now realizing never appear chapped. beauty marks scattered all over his otherwise flawless skin. he looks calm, seemingly unaffected by the expectant look on your face. like he couldn't care less if rejecting your offer would disappoint you and that annoyed you, mainly because the expression looked so pretty on him.
his shoulder lifts after what feels like hours, that same smirk resting on his lips. “maybe,” you don't even give his words room to breathe before you're responding. “that's not an answer,” you scoff under your breath, kicking at his shoe lightly under the desk. he doesn't even flinch, shoulders lifting in another shrug as his lips purse to the side. “well, it's the one you got,” he says, watching the way you huff and roll your eyes before turning your attention back to your laptop.
riki doesn't miss the way you're pulling your lips back into that pout, long manicured fingers toying with the tiny heart charm hanging from your necklace. your lashes flutter while you read through the notes from the last few lectures on your computer, lips moving as your eyes scan over the words. your soft curls are pulled back in a complicated looking bun today instead of framing your face the way it usually does. you're not looking at him but he can still see the exact moment your face is relaxing, pretty features no longer scrunched up. and that has him rolling his eyes, flipping to a clean page of his sketchbook before reaching for his pencil.
he had fully intended to ignore your request. that was usually the best option when it came to you. if he ignored you long enough, you'd eventually start entertaining yourself and he could go back to doing whatever he was before you came up with your demands. the second the tip of his pencil is hitting the page though, his thoughts are proven wrong. his pencil slides easily across the paper, the familiar heat raising up the back of his neck.
the professor says something at the front of the room, calling attention back to him, but riki doesn't hear a single word. he's too focused on the version of you he was creating against this paper. his hands move faster than his thoughts, he's drawn and redrawn the lines of your face so much that he basically has them memorized. he's careful with drawing the curve of your jaw, the gentle slope of your nose and the permanent annoyed pout of your lips.
you're chewing absentmindedly at the edge of your thumb, brows pinched while you tried to keep up with the experiment that was being demonstrated in front of you. riki shades carefully beneath your lashes, jaw tightening slightly when you're laughing at something that's being said before your gaze drops to your laptop again, quickly typing a few sentences with your lower lip tucked between your teeth. you don't release it even when you're looking back up.
riki tries not too look too hard at you. he doesn't even need to. he's sure to keep his expression neutral as to not give anything away, but no matter how calm he looked – he was spiraling internally. because mapping out the details of your face forced honestly out of him. and riki hated the obvious truth that stared back at him. the things that he wasn't entirely ready to admit. like the fact he found your side profile especially beautiful, how he knew exactly the lines and dimples that appeared when you were scowling at him.
he especially hates how he's memorized your face enough to recreate it without effort.
the end of class rolls around before either of you know it and you had forgotten all about your denied request. mostly because riki had gone silent after rejecting you, scribbling in that stupid sketchbook and not sparing you a second's glance. not that he's ever had much to say before, but you can't help but notice that he was being quieter than usual. there was no teasing when you were raising your hand to answer every question, no sarcastic remark when you're reminding him of the reading required to finish the lab. not even a smirk when you're handed back last week's individual assignments and he received a perfect score.
he just draws. consistently.
it's the type of focus you're sure he saved only for his drawings, because you've never seen him this concentrated before. it's a world different from the lazy expression he normally wore as he pretended to study or sped through assignments. it was unsettling to witness. especially for an hour straight without any breaks.
the professor dismisses the class and you're pushing your laptop closed, easily shoving it into your purse as you stand. students flood noisily to the door and your eyes flicker to riki who has barely moved in the last hour. “did you even take notes?” his eyes lift to find yours after a second, hand gliding over the paper, adding his signature you're assuming, his eyes stayed on you.
“no,” he says simply, lifting his bag onto his shoulder as he stands from his chair. you're letting out another scoff. it's honestly becoming the only sound you're capable of making around him. “you're going to fail. and the last thing i need is for your lazy ass to drag me down with you,” you warn, shocked by the loud laugh that leaves his lips. “i'm smarter than you, princess. did you forget?” there's an unmistakable teasing to his tone that has you snorting softly, eyes rolling as he lifts his sketchbook from the table.
without a word he's ripping out the page he had been working on so secretly all class, extending his arm to hold it out to you. you're reaching for it wearily, surprised that he didn't snatch it back at the last second. your eyes are focusing on the image and you have to blink a few times in order to take in what you're looking at. even though it was embarrassingly clear what he had drawn. it's you. and it wasn't vague either. it was you. your exact side profile staring back at you on this sheet of paper that the boy you referred to as a brain dead loser handed to you.
“riki, this is...” you start, but the second your eyes are lifting you're being met with the slam of the door. “wait!” you call after him, despite the fact he can no longer hear you. you're scrambling to snatch up all your belongings, careful not to bend the drawing as you follow behind him, catching his tall frame turning the corner just as you're prying the door open. “are you serious...” you grumble, legs moving before you can think to chase after him, but you don't get very far before you're knocking right into someone.
soft hands keep you from hitting the floor, but your purse and all it's contents spill onto the tiles along with riki's picture. “whoa! slow down,” your best friend, isis is saying through a laugh, eyes scanning over the flustered expression on your face. “no need to rush, i'm right here.” she grins, ready to joke before her eyes are taking in your scattered belongings on the floor, gaze landing on the very obvious self portrait that lays among the mess.
“what's this?” she's bending down before you have the chance to react, plucking the picture up between her fingers and inspecting it like there was some secret code hidden within the lines. “it's nothing, i-” you start but she's shooting you a wide eyed expression that has your words catching. “is this you!?” she eyes the drawing carefully before doing the same to you, even going as far as to reach out to turn your head to the side, comparing the side profile of the photo with yours.
“oh my god. this is you. did riki draw this?” it's easy to guess, mainly because you spent so much time complaining about how his grades never suffered yet he spent all of his free time scribbling in his sketchbook. they all thought it was funny, how worked up you'd get when realizing he got a higher score than you without needing to put in any effort. but this photo was no joke, there was seriousness within each pencil stroke that just couldn't be ignored. “hello? riki gave this to you?” isis repeats when too long has passed of you not saying anything.
your shoulders are lifting in a shrug, reaching for the picture but she's just barely holding it out of your reach. you're huffing, bending down to pick up the rest of your stuff off of the floor. “yes, he did.” you say finally with a roll of your eyes, “now give it back before you-” she's cutting you off with a gasp, eyes wide and glued to the drawing. “the other girls need to see this,” she's saying, darting off before you can fully register what's going on. once you do, you're rushing behind her. “isis! oh my god, no.” your bodies weave through the students, turning quick corners and barely avoiding colliding with anyone.
isis is fast, you don't catch up with her until she's already outside rushing toward the table your friends always occupied at this time of day. and just your luck, they were all out there. clover sat with an expression entirely too focused for what she was doing, gluing press-on nails to the tips of her fingers. viki was typing away at her computer, eyes flashing between the screen and her written notes beside her working on the essay that was due at the end of the month. and like always, emmy was in her own little world – cuddling close to her boyfriend, jay, his arm set on her shoulders as he pressed kisses against her skin. loving every last giggle he's able to pull from her.
their eyes all slowly snap up when isis is reaching the table, slapping the drawing down in the center. for a second, no one says anything. isis is pointing dramatically across the table with one arm while holding you back with the other. “viki, you owe me fifty bucks. i was right!” brows raise at her words, everyone leaning forward to take a look at the piece of paper on the table.
viki is letting out a gasp, large eyes lifting up to look between you two. “oh my god. riki drew this?” isis is nodding, a proud smile on her face as if she were the one that drew it. “mhm!” she's extending her arm out toward viki, as you give up fighting against her, arms crossed over your chest. “pay up.” your eyes narrow, their words fully processing now.
“wait.” you're pointing between the two of them. “you bet that he'd draw me?” isis snorts, plopping down into the empty bench space, scooting over to make room for you to sit beside her. “no, of course not.” viki says as she reaches into her purse, to grab her wallet – counting out fifty dollars before sliding the cash across the table. her eyes flicker back over to you once isis takes it. “we bet that he's in love with you,”
your jaw drops, eyes blinking as snickers erupt around the table. “what?” you say, though you heard them loud and clear. “riki isn't in love with me,” your head shakes violently, hands waving in front of you like you're physically trying to reject their words. “he so is,” viki says with a laugh, gesturing toward the image that still rests on the table. “look at all the detailing, oh my god.”
emmy reaches for the drawing carefully, she lifts it by the edges oohing and ahhing like she's handling museum grade artwork instead of a normal sketch from some random college boy. “oh, he's head over heels in love.” she says with a gasp, which has jay leaning over to peek at the drawing himself. his brow raises slightly a soft scoff falling from his lips. “ehh, i could do that.” he says with a shrug.
clover is rolling her eyes at his words, “you couldn't, shut up.” she waves him off, extending her hand toward emmy. “let me see.” the drawing is handed across the table and clover holds it the same delicate way emmy had been, viki is leaning over too to get a better look at it. “wait! he even added that heart gem you sometimes put on your cheek.” her eyes snap up to inspect your features. “you're not even wearing one today,” she points out with a grin. “that means he's always paying attention to you. he's so in love, fuck.”
the drawing gets passed from clover to viki, back to emmy over to isis and that's when you're able to grab it, quickly tucking it between the pages of your textbook. “okay, that's enough.” you grumble, paying too much attention to carefully putting the photo away – sure not to bend any edges. it's tucked away safely, your book is closed over it and the conversation had moved on from you.
yet you could still see the drawing each time you blinked, how focused he looked while he was making it and the unmistakable redness at the tip of his ears when he was handing it to you. and the way your friends sounded so sure just by seeing the way he drew you, it didn't make sense. they were being ridiculous, obviously they were. completely and uttering ridiculous.
riki wasn't in love with you. he couldn't be. he was annoying, arrogant, lazy, impossible to work with. why would he be in love with you? the same boy that spent entire lectures spaced out in his sketchbook, showed up to study sessions high and never paid attention when he needed to. and you were the complete opposite of that, there was absolutely no reason for him to be in love with you.
the rest of the week rolls by like it normally would, long lectures, classes with your friends, arguing with riki over assignments, extra credit work. everything was seemingly normal, yet you felt different each time you were flipping open your notebook – being met with the drawing given to you mere days ago. it shouldn't effect you as much as it does. and for this long either, it had been days since riki had torn a page from his sketchbook, holding it out and walking away without any explanation. and he hadn't mentioned it since then, so why were you still replaying the moment like it was some type of profound development in your relationship?
nothing had changed, he was still annoying. still lazy. still attached to your chemistry grade in the most frustrating way. there was no reason why he was flooding your thoughts every few hours like he was anything more than a nuisance. you realize sometime saturday morning that the real problem wasn't the portrait, or the gross attention to detail, it was your friends. they had gotten in your head with that whole 'he's in love with you', nonsense and now you couldn't shake the possibility of that actually being true.
and how it could effect your grade in the future. no matter how many times you explained that riki was an artist and artists noticed things, they never let up. viki had even started referring to him as your 'future husband' each time you brought him up to complain. emmy and isis had somehow constructed an entire relationship timeline based solely on delusion. no wonder you couldn't get him out of your head, your friends made sure it was impossible.
the weekend passes in a blur, more studying, cramming. avoiding pointless hangouts with an excuse of needing to get your work done. in reality, you just needed to spend some time alone – get your feelings in order before you had to start up the school week again. and by monday morning you're more confused than you had been on wednesday when all of this started. you had texted riki twice this weekend, nothing major, everything to do with being lab partners, but you found yourself reading into his responses more than you normally would.
there was your first message friday night, it had taken him four hours to respond and you couldn't help but wonder what he was doing in the time that he wasn't answering you. more curious than anything, because you could only assume that he was focused on drawing – like he always was. and you couldn't help but wonder what he could possibly be drawing and if it had anything to do with you. even thinking that felt delusional. it was one portrait that you basically begged for, why would you spend hours drawing you after that?
anyway, the exchange went like this:
yn. (lab freak) | 21:36
did you take notes this morning?
i feel like im missing smth.
riki nishimura | 01:17
no.
and that was it. no follow up, no question on what you could possibly be missing. just two letters. two letters that took him four hours to type out by the way. you didn't see the message until the next day and it had you in a sour mood all morning, hence your sudden saturday realization of why you were feeling like this over a loser you really couldn't care less about. your damn friends and their teasing, to reiterate.
the next message was midday on sunday. he answered much faster this time, but still with the same level of dryness that you hadn't realized until now was in most of his messages.
yn. (lab freak) | 15:22
we need to be in class early tmrw.
idk what im missing
riki nishimura | 15:24
got u
again, that was it. and you spend much longer than you're willing to admit staring at your message log. eyes rolling with a scoff after a few minutes of staring had passed. yeah right, he was in love with you. he couldn't even hold a proper conversation with you, your friends were just chatting shit like they always did. you were repeating that thought all throughout your classes on monday, reminding yourself each time you caught a glimpse of him in the halls and it was working.
by the afternoon, the possibility was so far from your head it's almost laughable that you had even been considering it in the first place. it's six minutes before you should be meeting riki to go over the notes that you didn't have. you had every intention to be there on time, early even. but the vending machine in the left corner of the dining hall clearly had other plans for you.
“are you kidding me!?” you're grumbling, fingers punching against the numbers aggressively.
riki spots you the moment he's rounding the corner, hands shoved deep in his pockets as he takes lazy steps toward the chemistry lab. his head tilts as he watches you, taking in the annoyed expression on your features and the way you push the buttons of the vending machine repeatedly. you look hot, like you always do and he's not ashamed of the way his eyes travel over your body.
your shirt is simple. just a plain white short sleeved top, nothing flashy about it. but the way the fabric stretched tight over your frame, fitted enough to look intentional without making it seem like you tried too hard has him staring harder than he should be. the shirt stops several inches above your waist, highlighting the dip that he's imagined tracing with his hands more times than he can count. gold chains drape across your hips and stomach, glinting whenever you move.
the skirt you wear is even worse. its tiny, faded denim that looked a bit worn. and it rides up slightly higher on one thigh as you shift your weight, growing impatient with the machine you're fighting. it's becoming annoying how badly he wants to just bend you over and the fact that he can't, can only sketch the moment but he'd never know exactly how you felt beneath him.
honestly, everything about you had been annoying him lately. the way you glared at him, the pretty smiles you saved only for your friends, how close you sat without even realizing it, the sweet smell of your perfume. how you'd always appear in every face he drew – no matter how many times he swore he was done drawing you. yet he couldn't stop his brain from cataloging every last detail about you, storing them away for later. he's already mentally saving the annoyed expression you're wearing right now to use tonight.
“ugh seriously,” you groan, bending down to push the flap of the vending machine back, checking if any of your food had dropped out without you noticing. it hadn't. riki can't help the chuckle that falls from his lips, head shaking from side to side as he makes his way toward you.
you feel his warmth before you fully realize that it's him. one second you're fighting with a vending machine that clearly has some type of vendetta against you, and the next a hand is appearing beside your shoulder. long fingers bracing against glass and effectively enveloping you in his bubble. riki's hip bumps yours lightly, just enough to push you out of the way and you're suddenly aware of how close he is to you. his chest pressed to your shoulder, you can feel the rumble of his voice as he speaks.
“this machine eats bills. you have to use your card,” he's learned that one the hard way, hundreds of dollars wasted before he was putting two and two together. his words barely reach you at first, lips parting slightly as your head tilts up to look at him. and unfortunately seeing him this close undoes all of the mental preparation you've done all morning. because he looks good, effortlessly. and it was ridiculously annoying.
his red racing jacket hangs off his frame in way that should swallow him whole, but instead it does the opposite. the bright red of the fabric brings out the tan undertones of his skin – the pinkness of his lips. his sleeves are too long, bunched up at the elbow so you're able to see the silver jewelry that adorn his wrists and knuckles. you hate that you've started noticing his hands.
especially now because they seem to be everywhere lately. handing you erasers in the middle of lectures, turning pages in text books during study sessions, dragging through his messy sandy blond hair. resting against your waist in daydreams you refuse to examine too closely.
his baseball cap sits low over his eyes, shadowing the upper half of his face, leaving only the sharp line of his nose and mouth visible as he glances down at the payment screen. he's digging through his pocket with his free hand, pulling his wallet out wordlessly. tapping his heavy black card against the screen without even looking, fingers flying as he presses the same buttons you had been before. only this time the machine actually starts rumbling.
the sandwich falls first, chicken salad. and then your sparkling water. he presses a few more buttons, getting himself a protein bar and that shoots out immediately too. you watch as he crouches down, pushing the flap of the machine back to retrieve your items. he hands both of your things up with this annoying cocky smile, eyes glinting as you take it. “bon appetit,” he grins and you're rolling your eyes out of habit.
“thanks,” you mutter, the world coming out reluctantly. as if you're being physically forced to say it. and it's not like you don't appreciate his help, you would've been here all day if it wasn't for him. it's how annoyingly attractive he looked while helping and the fact that you weren't able to ignore it as easily anymore. “do you want me to pay you back?” the question barely leaves your mouth before he's letting out a short scoff through his nose.
“it was six bucks,” he says like you've suggested something genuinely ridiculous. you had. who would charge six dollars for anything? especially when he had voluntarily helped you. he could've kept walking, kept his six dollars to himself. of course you didn't need to pay him back. and he found it funny that you would even think that you needed to.
did your friends suck or something? he's tearing into his protein bar, taking a large bite before his head tilts toward the direction of the science hall. “come on,” he's already starting to walk ahead, back turning toward you like he was sure that you'd follow. “we need to study and we're already late,” he mocks the tone that you frequently use on him, walking forward and you stand there staring at the back of his head for a second. the thoughts that you had shooed away rushing back.
guys didn't just do favors for random girls out of nowhere, right? maybe your friends weren't so far off, because six dollars wasn't a lot, right – but he could've just kept walking. he saw you fumbling and struggling and decided to stop and help you. that had to mean something in guy world, right?
you've decided to use the time you spent with riki as an opportunity to gather evidence of whether or not your friends' hypothesis of him being in love with you were in fact correct. it started with his rescue at the vending machine, creating a possible yes. he helped you figure out your notes, being way more attentive than you've ever seen him before. another yes. but then he ignored you for the rest of the day, even when you waved at him across the hall. back to no.
tuesday morning you texted him to meet in the quad, you needed his half of the packet in order to perfect yours. he didn't text back, so no. but then he was there waiting before you even got to school, so back to yes. he texted you tuesday night, a funny video that related to a comment you made days ago. big yes. but then he left you on read right after that, so back to no.
and we could never forget each time he rejected your requests to see his sketchbook, those were the biggest no's if you've ever seen them before. so by the time wednesday was rolling around, you were more confused than ever. and it wasn't even like you had feelings for riki, he was still everything that you decided he was when you were first meeting him. you just hated the ambiguity of it all. because why would he draw you with so much detail, but then ignore you immediately after?
it didn't make sense. he didn't make sense.
the two of you occupy your usual table near the back of the room. professor alexander has a video playing at the front of the room about reaction rates, but everyone is mainly doing their own thing. except you, you're taking notes. raising your hand and requesting bits to be replayed as you typed rhythmically. riki is drawing beside you, head bowed and arm guarding his book like it always does.
the fact that he somehow maintains his academic rank despite spending every lecture doodling remains one of the greatest injustices you've ever witnessed and you'd never stop mentioning it for as long as you were forced to know him. still, you take your notes peacefully. gliding the cursor over important sentences to highlight them, adding comments in the margins. these were good notes. maybe some of the best notes you've ever taken, so your annoyance when someone is calling your name is justified.
you're glancing up with furrowed brows riki's head lifting along with yours. jungwon stands at the edge of your desk. you recognize him from your physics class. he was smart, funny, and almost as high strung as you. his dimples pop as he smiles at you, hair swishing to the side as he tilts his head. “a couple of us are going to trivia night friday,” he says it like you're meant to do something with the information, you're nodding slightly.
“okay.”
for a second, his eyes drift to riki and you're following his gaze, missing the way he had been frowning because he's quickly dropping his attention back to his sketchbook. “you should come,” he offers and you already feel the pull to say no, but you're stuck with the disappointment that you know will come with it. it's not like you didn't want to, just that you saved friday's to go to the gym, catch up on homework... and the fact that you hated trivia. but then again, jungwon was kind enough to invite you. and there had to be a reason why he was thinking of you of all people to join his group.
what could be the harm? you haven't gone out in a while. “sure,”
jungwon's smile brightens, “seriously?” you can't help but laugh at his excitement, head bobbing in a nod. “yeah, it could be fun.” he's nodding along with you in agreement, finger typing away at his phone before he's extending it out to you – the screen prompting you to put your number in. “it will be, i'll text you about it.” a few more words are exchanged between the two of you before he's turning to head back toward his seat.
the moment he's out of earshot, riki is letting out a scoff. you turned to find him sitting there with his nose scrunched as if he just smelled something unpleasant. your brow lifts as you stare at him, “what's your problem?” his shoulders lift in a shrug, head dropping back down to shade the edges of his drawing. “thought you didn't like trivia,” he mumbles and you don't miss the pout that forms on his lips. you ignore how cute the expression is, focusing on how he could possibly know you didn't like trivia.
“what are you talking about?”
his eyes lift with a huff, wrist quickly flipping his sketchbook closed so he can lean back in his chair. “you don't like trivia.” the statement falls from his lips with complete certainty. like he's simply informing you of a fact. one plus one is two. the sky is blue. the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. and you did not like trivia. still, you feel the need to defend yourself. “yes, i do.”
riki's eyes roll immediately. “no you don't,” he counters and his confidence annoys you. “since when do you know that i like?” you challenge. the expression on his face suggest you're the one being unreasonable. questioning something that the both of you knew to be true. “you literally told me.” he recalls the conversation perfectly, it hadn't been entirely deep or anything of the sort. but it was a fact. and maybe it was a terrible habit of his, but he could never seem to ignore the facts.
you're blinking up at him. “when did i tell you that?”
that has him letting out an annoyed huff. if you wanted to lie in order to go on a stupid date with jungwon, that was one thing. but acting like he didn't know what was true was a different type of annoying. “our second week as partners. like four months ago. one of the options for the lab of that week was to create a trivia game and you said you hated trivia because it was a lame way for dumb people to feel smart. and then you went on an entire rant about how real knowledge was in essays and research,” the conversation slowly comes back to you as he recounts it.
but he's not done. “and then, you went on about how escape rooms were a scam, that rant lasted for thirteen minutes before we were bringing it back to the assignment. i asked you how many escape rooms you had to fail, before you were deciding they were all scams and you yelled at me for going off topic. you. don't. like. trivia.” he slows down his last sentence, figuring you needed to hear it slowly for it to register in your brain. the silence stretches between the two of you as you stare at him with your mouth agape.
every single one of those things sounds exactly like something you would absolutely say. and the issue wasn't even that he proved you wrong, it was the fact that he had remembered something random you had said to him four months ago. you had forgotten literally five minutes after the words left your mouth, but he held onto them for a four full months. and somehow that was turning all your big no's regarding the hypothesis of your friends into absolute yeses.
you decide to keep your findings to yourself until you have real concrete evidence. right now you were working on hypotheticals, that wasn't enough to determine someone's feelings. especially someone as unreliable as riki nishimura. you're calling him that same night without even thinking twice about it, the chemistry assignment that had been given at the end of class was due in a few hours and you needed to make sure he had done his part. that was your excuse. a perfectly reasonable excuse.
the phone rings twice before his face appears on the screen. and immediately something inside of you feels off. because while you've seen riki every single day for the past four months, seeing him through your phone felt different. he was sitting on the floor beside his bed, one knee drawn up toward his chest while the phone was propped awkwardly against something out of frame. the lighting of his room dim and warm, creating pretty shadows along his jaw and cheekbones. his hair is messier than usual, his white tank top hanging loose around his shoulders.
he's staring back at you, glossy eyes scanning over your features and one thing becomes obvious as you watch him. he's smiling, like actually smiling, nothing like the annoying smirk he always seemed to wear. your eyes are narrowing at the sight of it. “what's wrong with you?” riki blinks, a soft chuckle falling from his lips as his eyes scan your features. “what do you mean?”
you're in your room from what he can tell, laying flat on your stomach with the phone angled just slightly above your head. you look pretty, hair cascading down your shoulders and an accusatory expression directed at him. lips perfectly glossed like they always are and he doesn't try to hide the way his eyes drift down to them. “why are you smiling like that?” your lip curls up and nose scrunches like you're disgusted by the idea of him experiencing any type of happiness.
he's laughing. it's such a pretty rare sound and hearing it reminds you instantly how stingy he was with his laughter. there was no way he'd just be giving laughs away right now, especially when there was absolutely nothing funny. realization dawns on you a minute too late. “oh my god,” you're leaning forward, glaring at him through the screen.
riki is leaning back as if you're able to jump through. “are you high?” the smile on his face widens as he nods his head up and down, but his words betray his movements. “maybe,” you're groaning, positive now that he hadn't even looked at the assignment let alone started it. he was too busy getting doped out on god knows what and you had like three hours before your work was due.
“you're unbelievable, riki.” he's blowing an obnoxious kiss in your direction before another string of laughter is leaving his lips. “thank you,” he doesn't even flinch at the scowl you send his way, proving just how far gone he was. “no. dude we have work due. did you even start it? what is wrong with you?” he's barely listening as you slip into one of your many lectures. “like it's one thing if you want to throw your life away, but don't drag me along with you, riki. why can't you just do you work when it's due? why do i always have to remind you, like-”
he's interrupting you before you can finish your next set of insults. “are we partners or are you the boss of me?” his head tilts to the side like he was genuinely curious about the answer to his question and that confuses you. “...what?” he repeats the words harmlessly, like the issue was you just didn't hear him correctly. you're blinking, brows furrowing slightly. “what are you talking about? we're partners...”
“okay then,” he says with a nod, “then relax. if you did your part, assume i did mine. you're not in charge, yn.” he reaches for something off screen, the neckline of his tank top drooping as he leans forward and you're catching a glimpse of the muscles stretched beneath his tanned skin hidden by the fabric of his shirt. your eyes are snapping back up to his face when he's shifting back into frame. “plus aren't you going on a fuck ass trivia date?” his lips wrap around his straw, cheeks hallowing as he sucks back big gulps from his milk tea.
“that's not until friday. and it's not a date,” he's setting his drink down, leaning against the edge of his bed. “well, don't take that out on me,” he says with a laugh, tongue running over his lower lip as his eyes trace over you. “i don't know what you're talking about. did you do the assignment or not?” you're ignoring the way his eyes on you makes your head spin, the question coming out sharper than you initially intended.
the smile never leaves his face. his head tilted back, toying with something between his fingers as you stare at him, waiting. it takes a few seconds for you to realize that he has no intention of answering you. “riki.” he hums vaguely, barely focused on the issue at hand. he's just staring at you like a weirdo. you're rolling your eyes, head shaking. “oh my god.” you huff. “it's due in three hours, three.” you hold your fingers up for emphasis and riki's head bobs in a nod.
his gaze shifts lower for a second, lingering below your nose and you watch the way his lashes flutter, teeth tugging at his lower lip as his gaze drags back up to your eyes. you don't dare to delve into what he could be thinking. you stay focused to what's safe. “and did you hear that professor will be taking points off if our formatting is wrong? make sure to double check yours. it needs to be done tonight, you're not going to have time if you're focused on cosplaying as a stoner loser,”
riki's shoulders shake with laughter, “how much time do you think you spend worrying about me?” he asks with a grin, eyes traveling down the length of your neck noticing the way your tits press against the fabric of your shirt and you're shifting before he can decipher whether or not you're wearing a bra. “i'm not worried about you, riki. you can flunk out of life for all i care, my grade is attached to yours, that's the issue.” he likes the way your head tilts when you feel like you're telling him off.
“should i kick it into gear then? if i start trying as hard as you do, there's no way you'd be able to keep up.” you know he's talking about grades, but the way his eyes linger on your mouth has you thinking there's something else hidden in his words. you're ignoring that too. “if you just tell me whether or not you're done or almost done, i'll leave you alone,” his lips push out in a pout, heading leaning to the side slightly as he feigns disappointment.
“aw, but you're not killing my high at all,” he fake coos, pout shifting into a grin when he watches the way your face twists. he knew exactly how to push your buttons, he loved how easily he was able to rile you up. it's like everything he did got under your skin in the best way. “ugh, do you see how insufferable you are!?” your reaching up to tug your hair back and his eyes are shooting down quickly, peeking at your chest before rushing back up to your face. no bra, hm. he's saving that away for later.
you're taking his silence as your cue to hurl more insults his way, you're three sentences in when you realize that he's definitely not listening to you. just staring absently at your mouth as you speak. that has your words slowing, confusion making it's way into your tone. “okay. what are you looking at?” you snap, earning a line of snickers from him.
“your lips,” he says it like its the most obvious thing in the world, gesturing vaguely at the screen. “they're nice.” he decides to keep it tame, because what was actually at the tip of his tongue would've earned him a swift end to the call and a restraining order the next day, he was sure of it. “that's such a weird thing to say,” you're scoffing but he doesn't miss the soft pink that lifts on your cheeks.
he's nodding easily, “i'm aware.”
“then why would you even say that?” his gaze hasn't lifted from your lips once actually, it seemed like he was looking at them more intently since he had admitted that he was. “because i was thinking it,” he shrugs, tongue tracing over his own lips as he stares at yours. and you feel the heat of his stare even through the screen, it's enough to have you shifting on your bed, trying to soothe some of the tension rising in your stomach.
“you're high,” you point out, more so for yourself than to him. he's laughing, nodding quickly. “you're so smart,” he smiles and you're continuing on without missing a bit. “a normal person would've just kept that thought to themselves,” dark eyes roll down at you, his shoulders lifting in a shrug and plump lips puckering out, “oops.” despite yourself, you're letting out a laugh. it's how cute he looks with that expression on his face, like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
and his laughter follows yours, warm and clearly amused. undeniably pleased with himself because for the first time in how ever long he's known you, this was the first time that you looked relax talking to him. although, it only lasted a few seconds – he'd take it. your eyes lift to find his after the laughter had died down and he doesn't look the least bit embarrassed.
he just settles deeper against the side of his bed, a satisfied smirk on his lips as he watches you. “your turn, compliment me.” he says after a minute. the words catch you off guard, forcing your brows to shoot up. he sounds so casual as he speaks too, as if he was asking you something simple like 'pass the salt'. like he hadn't just spent the last ten minutes openly checking you out and now was asking you to do the same.
but no matter how cute he looked in that one moment, you weren't one to fall for his gimmicks. there was a reason why you were suffering through this phone call in the first place. “did you finish the assignment or not?” his smile doesn't falter, not for a second. one shoulder lifts, then drops. “maybe, maybe not.” you're letting out a huff, that he quickly joins already predicting the sounds you make when you're annoyed with him. “riki.” you warn.
“i'll tell you once i get my compliment,” on screen, he's reaching forward again, leaning over lifting slightly to reach the top of the desk beside him. you watch as he gathers supplies slowly, tucking each item in his palm before searching through loose sheets of paper for the next. rolling paper. grinder. lighter. lastly he's grabbing a tray littered with clumps of weed.
riki plops back down onto his butt, being met with your glare. “do you really think you should be getting more high right now?” there's obvious judgment in your tone that he chooses to ignore. his gaze flicks upward, long fingers plucking up a few pieces of flower before dropping them into the grinder. “i'll definitely take your opinion into consideration,” he grins, twisting his wrists to work the metal between his hands.
you're groaning, flopping backward against the pillow. “we're so going to fail,” you sigh, hands reaching up to swipe across your face. on the screen, riki looks entirely too comfortable with your distress. you hadn't missed the way his tank top stretches across his chest, his collarbones on full display covered by the silver chains he never seemed to take off. the worst part is how focused he looks rolling another blunt for himself.
you've seen the same look of concentration on his face countless times before, usually saved for when he was drawing. hands steady as always, moving with the same confidence that they always do. his tongue briefly presses against the inside of his cheek as he works and you hate the way your eyes follow the movement of it, watching closely as the tip of his tongue traces his lips.
“come on,” he says, voice forcing your attention upward. “one compliment,” he's not looking at you, one hundred percent focused on sprinkling the freshly ground weed onto the rolling paper. “am i so bad that you can't even think of one?” your lips twist to the side as you look him over, it wasn't like you couldn't come up with a compliment for him. you weren't blind, everyone on campus knew how attractive riki was. it was his attitude that kept all the girls away, not his face, he was hot. objectively of course. but you'd never say that out loud.
instead, you watch him carefully. the paper rests against his knee while his hands move with practiced ease. his fingers work automatically, rolling and adjusting without needing to look down for more than a second at a time. you find yourself watching him longer than necessary, then for a few more seconds after that just in case. his rings catch the warm glow of his lamp off in the distance each time his wrist twists. his thumb smoothing across the paper before he's bringing it toward his lips.
the tip of his tongue brushes across the edge of the paper and you don't miss the way his eyes flicker up to you as it does, forcing a gasp from your lips. his brow furrows, fake confusion riddling his features as he watches you act like you hadn't been staring. “you really have nothing for me? don't you want to know if we're going to pass or fail?” he doesn't even care that it feels like he's begging for a compliment, because he was curious. you were so loose with the insults you had for him, but he knew there had to be something else to go along with all of that.
“you're literally holding my chemistry grade hostage,” you point out and he nods happily, thumb flicking against his lighter before running the fire across the body of his blunt. he's lighting the end without wasting another second, bringing one end to his lips as he does. “so what's it going to be, princess? are we releasing the hostages or is this a suicide mission?” his brow lifts, inhaling deeply with his blunt pressed to his lips.
you're rolling your eyes. “you're so lame,” you say through an amused sigh. you sit there for a short while, watching him inhale and exhale, his lips puckering as he blows smoke from them. he reaches off screen to shake the ash off every few puffs before sinking back against his bed. riki doesn't take his eyes off of you the entire time, watching you through his long lashes patiently. “ugh, fine.” you're finally saying, earning a satisfied grin from him.
“remember last year? when your hair was black, that looked good,” he can't help the laugh that escape his lips, leave it to you to insult and compliment him all at the same time. “that's not a compliment.” he points out, because you know it's not. but because you're so stubbornly you, you're standing ten toes behind your lame attempt to get your way. “it is,” your arms cross over your chest, jaw set like you were begging for him to challenge you.
and he was never one to back down from a challenge. “no. that's you complimenting a version of me that literally doesn't exist anymore,” your shoulders lift in a quick shrug. “still counts.” he's snorting, deciding that he was finished with his blunt, he presses the end into the tray by his thigh. “you're basically saying i looked better a year ago... and why do you even know what i looked like a year ago? we just met,” it's not like it was impossible for you to have seen him before, but you didn't strike him as the type to notice anyone who didn't fall in your immediate circle.
so spotting him, seeing his hair, deciding you liked it and committing to memory seemed very out of character for you. your mouth opens to defend yourself, but you're quickly realizing that you had nothing to say to justify how or why you'd remember what he looked like last year. nothing that wouldn't give away the fact that you thought he was cute the first time you saw him, developed a tiny crush that was quickly snuffed out when you found out how much of a slacker he was.
“should i pretend this doesn't mean you've been keeping tabs on me?” he teases after you've been quiet for too long and you're groaning, eyes rolling as you pull the phone away from your face. you can hear his laughter through the speaker, body feeling warm enough that he's hunching over to the side as his laughs shake his body. you find him laying on his side when you lift the phone back up, a silly smile on his lips. he's instantly spotting the embarrassed flush of your cheeks.
“relax, princess. i spotted you the first day of freshmen year,” he confesses, but doesn't give you a moment to react before he's changing the subject. “and i finished my part like an hour after it was assigned. i'll email you,” he's deciding that's the end of the conversation, finger pressing against the red button on the screen before you're able to get a goodbye in.
thursday afternoon you're finding riki sat with his friends in the center of the quad. it's loud enough to make concentrating impossible, chatter from the groups scattered around the building creating a unbalanced hum, someone plays music from a speaker, a group of freshmen argue over a card game by the window. the smell of coffee and french fries sits permanently in the air.
riki leans back comfortably in his chair, scrolling aimlessly through his phone while jake and sunghoon bicker about something or another. the thick review packet you had handed him this morning sits untouched in front of him and it was most likely going to stay that way until he decided that he was running out of time to finish it. jake spots you first, charging into the building with an all too serious expression on your face. his conversation with sunghoon dies as his eyes widen, “oh no.” sunghoon is following his gaze, a grin pulling across his lips. “oh here comes your wife,” he says, jutting his chin out to point in your direction.
it takes a moment before riki is realizing that they're talking to him, he's glancing over his shoulder quickly his eyes instantly finding you. purpose behind each kick of your long legs, your ponytail swings behind you with each step. your eyes are already zeroed on him as you walk, the pleats of your skirt shift around your thighs as you squeeze through tables making a beeline in his direction. a binder tucked beneath one arm, iced coffee gripped in your hand. he doesn't even need to guess why you're heading over to him and he's already bored.
“hi, yn.” he groans as you're setting the binder onto the table, pulling out the empty chair beside him and lowering yourself into it. you ignore his greeting, immediately pointing at the untouched review packet. “we need to study. i don't care if you think you can wing it,” jake averts his gaze as soon as he hears the sternness in your voice and sunghoon is deciding that his drink is the most fascinating thing in the world. riki stares blankly at you before his eyes are drifting to his friends for some sort of backup, only to realize they're both cowards.
“you guys are pathetic,” he grumbles. “we haven't even said anything!” jake defends and riki is scoffing, “that's the point.” they've heard riki complain about you enough to know to stay out of it. he described you as his personal academic probation officer and the fact that you were a certified ten did very little to take away from how annoying you got when it came to school work. it was funny enough when riki was just complaining about you, but actually witnessing it in person was far more entertaining. they were just smart enough not to get in the way of your line of fire.
you ignore them entirely. “when were you planning on studying?” he shrugs. “tomorrow,” he says it like it was a suggestion, because in all reality he hadn't put much thought into it. he figured he'd flip through the text book a few minutes before the test started and call it a day. that's what he did most of the time, but the fact that this test was a joint one – you weren't going to let his lazy efforts slide.
“the test is tomorrow, riki.” you point out and he nods, lips lifting to show off that stupid grin. “exactly.” he smiles and you're shaking your head, reaching over him to flip open the packet that you had given him. you could tell that he hadn't even bothered to open it since this morning. “this is a big test, riki. we need to get a good score,” that's what you always said, everything was a big deal. and that just didn't make sense, because if everything was a big deal – then nothing was.
his eyes drift over your features slowly, sliding down the length of your neck to dance over the lace collar of your shirt. a tiny cute bow rests between your breasts against the fabric and he imagines for a second his teeth tugging at it. “have you eaten anything yet?” his hand expertly shoves the packet aside as he turns fully in his chair to look down at you. your brows raise, “what are you talking about?”
“it's lunch time.” his eyes flicker toward your untouched coffee, then back up to your face. “did you eat?” for a moment you're genuinely confused, his sudden concern for whether or not you've eaten seemed unrelated to the very important matter at hand. “we need to study. i have no idea where you're at with any of this stuff. i'll worry about my stomach later,” across the table, sunghoon slowly lowers his drink. jake's face is scrunching up in pure confusion, because this interaction looks insane.
riki is pushing the packet away fully now, the thick pages knocking against sunghoon's fist. he quickly gets the hint, pulling the stack of papers from the table and setting it in his lap. riki catches the movement from the corner of his eye, a smirk spreading across his lips. “let's go eat,” you can’t focus on the way they’re so obviously hiding the packet from you, not when riki is standing from his seat, holding a large hand down to you.
“you want to get lunch?” he's nodding quickly, wiggling his fingers out to you. and you're reluctantly taking his hand, allowing him to pull you up from the seat. he ushers you in front of him, review packet completely forgotten as he leads you down the hall. “we're studying after,” you warn, a finger pointed in his direction. riki nods simply, hand ghosting over the small of your back as the two of you walk toward the dining hall.
emmy notices you first. one second she's following the others through the dining hall, her plate balanced on one hand while she texts expertly with the other, half listening to clover as she complains about her professor who she was positive was racist and sexist and that's why her grade was suffering. the next, her attention is catching on a familiar ponytail swishing through the crowd.
she almost lifts a hand to wave you over, before she's noticing who's trailing closely behind you. riki. of course. viki is egging clover on while isis and jay look for a good spot to sit, none of them paying attention to the breaking news that just entered the dining hall. “guys,” emmy calls, the hurried tone of her voice making them stop in their tracks. she's gesturing widely over at you, you're mid rant it seems and riki half listens with his hand on your waist – guiding you toward the array of food.
he nods along to what you're saying as if he's actually listening and that's shocking enough for your friends. most people gave up trying to follow your stream of consciousness after about thirty seconds, riki has apparently survived the entire walk across the union and from the looks of it, you weren't even close to wearing him down. they watch as he walks you to the serving line, reaching for the stack of empty plates to hand one over to you. and before you can finish whatever point you're making, riki is picking one of the better looking sandwiches from the selection, setting it down on your plate.
the gesture has your friends gaping. “is he serving her?” viki asks, head tilting to the side as he scoops some salad onto your plate. across the room, you hold your plate out for him, words still flowing from your lips without missing a beat and riki is positive you no longer care if he's listening, you enjoy the sound of your own voice way too much to notice either way.
the two of you are making your way to one of the empty tables hidden in the corner of the room without a second thought, you don't even realize your friends are also in the room as you settle onto the bench. the moment you're settling, you're rummaging through your bag to pull out your notes – spreading them over the table. isis is letting out an amused snort. “of course she would,” she comments, pushing a few fries past her lips.
you flip through highlighted pages, immediately launching into what can only be described as an impromptu study session. you didn't miss the way riki ditched his review packet back with his friends, but that wasn't going to stop you from reviewing. how foolish of him to think you wouldn't have copies of everything you needed to know for the test tomorrow. riki squirts a healthy amount of ketchup on his plate, mindlessly twirling a chicken strip in it before he's tearing a bite off.
he's barely listening as you drone on, his fingers lifting your wrapped straw from the table. riki's carefully tearing the plastic off before dropping it into your lemonade, gently pushing the glass toward you. and your friends eat up the silent gesture, nearly losing their minds when you're reaching for the cup almost immediately, taking a sip out of it like it's the most natural thing in the world. you're right back to reading before you've even set the glass back down and riki is shaking his head.
he says something to you that forces you to glare over at him and his shoulders are lifting in a careless shrug, eyes dropping to his plate as he shoves more food into his mouth. you try to continue reading but he shakes his head, body turning from you with each sentence you try to read. eventually, you're giving up, reaching down to unwrap your sandwich before taking a bite out of it. that has a smile spreading across his features, but he's frowning again when you're turning back to your notes.
the two of you continue like that through the entire hour. riki urging you to eat and ditch the notes while you tried to sneak little facts into your conversation. entirely in your own little bubble, you had no idea how domestic the two of you looked to any outsiders. your friends sat confused at the other side of the room, mini debates erupting on whether or not the two of you were together for real now, because from where they were sitting, you looked exactly like a couple that had no idea they were acting like one yet.
the sky opened up thirty minutes before the start of your first class. the insistent patter of rain hitting against the windows, roaring through every classroom on campus. the weather had apparently changed it's mind since you had checked the app this morning, it wasn't supposed to rain until after six. which is exactly why you dressed the way you had this morning. one of your favorite mini skirts and a leather tube top, you couldn't be more poorly dressed for the weather.
by the time you're stepping out of the library, the sky has turned an ugly gray. water slams against the pavement hard enough to blur the opposite side of campus. even still, you can make out the way students dart between buildings, backpacks lifted over their heads while they sprint through the puddles. you’re stuck in the doorway, staring into the storm knowing at some point you were going to have to suck it up. your class was on the other side of the campus, fifteen minutes away.
the wind blows wet droplets in your directions and you flinch as the cold water hits your skin. yeah, there was no way you'd be able to do this. “run. you can do it,” you hear from behind you, sarcastically encouraging and you're recognizing the voice before you're even turning around. riki. of course it was. this man was literally everywhere and you genuinely couldn't understand why.
he's stepping to stand beside you, eyes shamelessly dragging over your body. your tiny skirt hung low on your hips, revealing the chains and beads around your waist that he was quickly realizing were permanent. a strapless top that left your shoulders bare and he found it interesting how you were able to make shoulders distracting. gold jewelry hanging from your neck, wrists, fingers and even a cuff around your thigh. you definitely didn't bother to check the weather before leaving your room.
“maybe you can't do it,” he's taking back his statement, eyes drifting to how hard the rain was falling and how little clothes you were wearing. his doubt had a competitive fire lighting in your chest. “i can make it,” he's laughing at the obnoxiously determined look painting your features. “you'd make it about ten feet before eating shit,” he predicts, eyes dropping down to the heels that you're wearing. the sound of rain pounding harder against the pavement proves his point.
you stand there eyeing the storm while riki stands there watching you. students continue to rush past, grumbling about you both being in the way, but neither of you bother to move. it's like you're stuck in place, because the image of you attempting to run across campus ends one of three ways. a twisted ankle, a destroyed outfit or and this one came with either option – public humiliation. no thank you.
riki is letting out a sigh like he's accepted some terrible burden, he shifts and for a second you assume he's finally leaving you to figure this out without his scrutinizing stare. but he doesn't go far, just close enough to the building to toss his backpack inside, hands reaching up to tug at the zipper of his hoodie. you watch as he shrugs the garment off, revealing a black tank top that hangs loosely from his shoulders. the muscles of his arms flex as he balls up the sweater in his hands, dropping it onto your head.
“ow.” the fabric muffles your voice and riki is rolling his eyes. “it's cotton,” you reach up to yank it off of your head, “yeah, but it still hit me.” you're ready to shoot a glare up at him but he's already started walking away. stepping into the rain without a glance backward. and you have to blink a few times to ensure you were seeing him correctly. within seconds his dark shirt clings to his back, heavy droplets weighing down his once styled hair. he's soaked before he's even a foot away, but he doesn't react. his hands are shoved deep in his pockets as each step grows the distance between you.
oh this was definitely, without a doubt a yes. your eyes drop to the black hoodie in your hands, the entire exchange had to have lasted less than three seconds. he saw that you were in need of something and without asking he was providing it to you. despite the fact that it was a huge disadvantage to him. your friends weren't crazy, you were. and riki too. he better not get sick over this.
by the time you pull the sweater onto your body, he's halfway across the quad. sunghoon is catching up to him with an umbrella and you feel less bad about the warmth of his hoodie. the sleeves extend beyond your fingertips and you have to push them out of the way in order to tug the zipper up. the hem swallows your skirt entirely. you're flipping the hood up before taking a careful step forward, completely enveloped in the scent of him.
it's a mixture of his expensive smelling cologne, laundry detergent and weed. you've spent enough afternoons sat beside him to recognize he always smelled good. but being wrapped in it was entirely different. it was almost intoxicating and you can't help the way your eyes flutter as his scent brings along images of him standing this close, surrounding you instead of his hoodie.
later that day, riki spots you quicker than he's willing to admit. the halls are crowded between classes, students weaving in every direction, headphones covering their ears and coffee cups clutched in their hands. you're across the way, but it's like riki can hear your voice perfectly in his ear the second his eyes are finding you. his hoodie still swallows your frame, you've even rolled up the sleeves to make it more comfortable, as if you planned on keeping it on permanently. it falls almost to the middle of your thighs, turning what should be an over sized sweater to something that looks more like a dress. and he can't get over how good his hoodie looked on your body.
the fact that you could've taken it off hours ago lingers in his mind. the rain had stopped just before noon, the sun was out and you hadn't been outside since this morning. even still, you're walking the halls in something that smells like him. and the realization makes his stomach tighten unexpectedly. riki doesn't realize how hard he's staring until jake's words are coming to a halt, his eyes following his gaze.
a grin slowly spreading across his features. “oh,” riki already knows that tone and he's rolling his eyes before anything else could be said. his eyes drift over to jake who's staring at him with a knowing smirk on his lips, dramatically squinting toward the opposite side of the hall where you and clover are disappearing from view, still deep in conversation.
“isn't that your hoodie?” sunghoon finally looks up from his phone, catching a glimpse of you just before you're disappearing. he recognizes the sweater immediately, he's asked to borrow it about a million times and was met with the same answer every single time. his eyes narrow almost immediately, gaze shifting back to riki. “what the hell?” he doesn't even bother to hide how offended he is. “why is yn wearing your three-thousand-dollar hoodie?” it's the exact wording riki's used each and every time he's told sunghoon he couldn't borrow it.
“three thousand two hundred,” the correction leaves his mouth automatically and jake is closing his eyes, hand reaching up to pinch at the bridge of his nose as he shakes his head. “we have to eat the rich,” he says it like there's no other choice and riki is snorting beside him. “you say that every other day,” his hand reaches up to push at his hair, it had dried since this morning laying a little too messily at the top of his head so he couldn't stop messing with it.
“because every other day you say something insane,” jake is glancing back in the direction that you had just disappeared in and sunghoon is quick to bring them back on track. “anyway. why?” he says with his arms crossed over his chest.
riki is letting out a soft laugh, shoving his hands into his pockets as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “it was raining. and she was wearing the tiniest skirt... so i let her borrow it,” it made sense at the time and honestly, it still made sense now. you made it to class without having to run and although he did get soaked, he had dried off by now.
no harm, no foul.
the explanation isn't enough to satisfy either of his friends, though. “borrow until when?” sunghoon presses, ready to claim his spot in line after you, if hoodies were just being handed out willy nilly. riki's answer should be immediate, a time frame of when he was going to get his clothes back, but in reality he hadn't given you one and he didn't really care to.
he's shrugging slightly, “i don't know.” the image flashes through his head again before he can manage to stop it. the too long sleeves rolled over your wrists, soft hem brushing your thighs and the way you were laughing with clover seeming undeniably comfortable in what you were wearing. and he beamed at the fact that it belonged to him. and he just loved knowing you were breathing him in each time you took a breath. the thought has a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “yeah, i don't know... she looks good in it,”
that has sunghoon erupting, his arms thrown up as he lets out a frustrated groan. “you have got to be kidding me,” he's quickly diving into a rant about fairness and friendship and how sharing was caring, arms flying around as he dated their entire friendship and all of the sacrifices he's made in the past and how this moment was actively shaping their future. riki is only half listening, he's too busy imagining what you'd look like wrapped in his hoodie but on top of him. how easy it would be to push it up to fuck into you. he could picture the way he'd go crazy nuzzling his face in your neck and smelling himself against your skin.
jake can tell how far gone his friend is just by looking, eyes barely focused as sunghoon rants and he knows that he’s somewhere else. it's concerning because in the years he's known riki, he's never seen him this interested in a girl. it's been months of this silent pining after you when the riki he knew would've gotten it done in a day or two. and the slow burn of it all had jake believing that there was something entirely else there.
“i need to smoke,” jake's interrupting act two of sunghoon's speech, reaching behind his ear to pull a pre-roll free. that catches both boys attention better than he had expected. “let's go out to my car, i have like three i haven't finished.” riki says and the three of them make their way toward the double doors. the sidewalks still glisten beneath the sun, water dripping from the tree branches overhead. jake holds his blunt between his lips, lighting it carefully before inhaling sharply. he lets the smoke hit his lungs, circulating before he's exhaling through his nose. he repeats the action two more times before he's holding his hand out to riki.
who takes it without hesitation and as he's bringing the unlit end to his lips, jake is asking the question they've all been too afraid to say out loud. “do you have feelings for yn?” the words hit riki deep in his chest, but he doesn't let himself think too deeply on it. instead, he's letting a laugh fall from his lips. a real genuine laugh that only dies when he's fitting the blunt between his lips again, taking a long drag from it. jake and sunghoon exchange a look across him, neither of them cracking the slightest of smiles. because that was answer enough and his silence after just solidified it.
riki doesn't say anything else the entire walk to his car, handing the blunt over to sunghoon and tucking his hand deep into his pocket, jake's words still linger in his mind and the fact that he truly had no other answer besides the one that he gave. and he's not even sure what's funny anymore.
riki has made a skill out of drawing you from memory. his pencil moves the moment he's sat in his room, comfortably slumped at his desk. the familiar lines of your face appearing before he even had the chance to do anything about it. every time he closed his eyes, he can still see exactly how you looked this afternoon, his hoodie covering your body. and he can't keep himself from detailing the exact image, the way the over sized shoulders hung lower than they should've, the sleeves that you had to keep rolling up. how he was fully imagining that you had nothing else underneath and all he had to do was tug a zipper to reveal your body to his greedy eyes.
you're laying back on his bed in the drawing, lip tucked between your teeth, brows knitted as obvious focus takes over your features. your hair is down in the drawing, tangled and messy in a way that it never is but he craved to see. legs spread as you lean back, the tips of your fingers peeking from the too long sleeves to reach between them. his breath hitches as his pencil moves lower, one of your hands holding the hoodie out of the way so he can watch your fingers move between your legs.
he feels the way his jeans tighten as his pencil creates the lines of your pussy, cute and dripping as always. you're making a mess on the sheets below you, arousal dripping from the tip of your fingers and he wanted so desperately to be able to suck it off. his hand reaches below his desk as his phone buzzes, the vibration rattling across the wood. his eyes shift toward it, widening when he sees your name flash on his screen.
yn. (lab freak) | 00:42
ill bring ur hoodie back tmrw
a smile immediately tugs at the corner of his lips. of course you'd be up worrying about returning his things when you should definitely be asleep. he could guess that you just finished studying too. he's typing the next two words before he can talk himself out of it, eyes flickering up to the half finished drawing of you on his desk.
riki nishimura | 00:44
keep it.
yn. (lab freak) | 00:44
are you insane?
this is a three thousand dollar hoodie.
riki laughs quietly to himself. he found it funny how the first thing you'd think of is looking up how much it cost and needing to return it back as quickly as possible now that you knew. he can practically picture you sitting there with your brows pulled together, offended on principle by the existence of a three-thousand-dollar hoodie even existing. he's nudging his drawing to the side slightly, lifting his phone with both hands before leaning back against his chair.
he can hear the way you roll your eyes through the screen and that has him grinning, pleased that he's able to annoy you even through text. he's setting his phone down, deciding that was the end of the conversation as he lifts his pencil from his desk. he's back to outlining the folds of your pussy, the way your fingers hold your lips out of his way. shading carefully to make it obvious how soft he knew you'd be. his phone is buzzing again before he can move onto your thighs.
yn. (lab freak) | 00:59
ill wash it then bring it to u
should i have it dry cleaned?
riki stares at the message for a second before laughing. you really do take everything so seriously. the hoodie had been hanging in his closet next to several others almost exactly like it three days ago. he had dropped it on your head without even thinking twice about it and if you had dropped it in a puddle he probably wouldn't have noticed until next week.
meanwhile here you were researching the specific care instructions for the garment.
riki nishimura | 01:02
why would u dry clean it
yn. (lab freak) | 01:02
bc its THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS!?
riki nishimura | 01:05
relax
i got it so long ago
its prob not even worth that much anymore
yn. (lab freak) | 01:06
easy for u to say
not all of us can spend rent money on sweaters
like its nothing
riki nishimura | 01:07
its a nice sweater???
yn. (lab freak) | 01:08
i genuinely hate talking to u
the grin stays on his face as his eyes drift toward his drawing of you staring back at him on his table. he's not sure when it happened, but conversations with you somehow have become more entertaining than drawing. which is saying something.
riki nishimura | 01:10
just keep it
yn. (lab freak) | 01:11
no
i can't.
riki nishimura | 01:11
yes u can
yn. (lab freak) | 01:13
why?
his mind drifts briefly to the memory that had him sat at his drawing desk in the first place. the reason why he wanted you to keep a hoodie that he wouldn't even let his friends breathe too hard near. it's the image of you walking the hallway, sleeves rolled up and the over sized fit. completely unaware how you looked to him, how it felt to have some sort of claim over you when all he could manage were these midnight drawings.
he liked seeing you wrapped up in something of his. it made the hundreds of drawings of you feel less pathetic, because at least when you were wearing his hoodie it was something real. tangible. there was no denying who it belonged to and he could easily convince himself that you liked the feeling of being wrapped up in him just as much as he liked seeing it. his thumbs hover over the keyboard, teeth tugging over his lower lip as he carefully types out each letter. he's locking his phone as soon as he's pressed send, walking away from it as if it'd detonate at any given moment.
the text comes through your phone immediately and you can't help the tug you feel in your chest. your eyes drift to the mirror perched at the side of the room, taking in the way his hoodie looks on your body, trying to see what you looked like in it to him. what could possibly be making him this persistent and the longer you looked, the scent of him tickling your nose with each turn of your head – his reasoning became extremely apparent. and it was much deeper than the words on your screen.
riki nishimura | 01:15
it looks good on u
the next few days felt different between the two of you. nothing had inherently changed, though. you still sat beside each other in class, still argued about assignments. still exchanged the same sarcastic remarks that had become second nature after months of being lab partners. if anything, the dynamic looked exactly the same from the outside. the problem was you and the fact that you couldn't stop noticing things now. rating everything on a yes/no scale, reading too deep into every one of your interactions, every text, every glance. it was slowly driving you insane.
because whatever research you had been doing on your relationship had shifted from just that, to you just watching him. noticing him. you first realize the shift during one of your study sessions in the library. you're halfway through reviewing practice questions, reading the questions out loud and assuming that the boy beside you was following along. when your gaze shifts to where he sits, you find riki with his sketchbook open over his textbook, pencil moving lazily across the page while he absentmindedly nodded his head to your words.
he looked like he was paying attention, taking notes even, but from a closer view you could see that was so far from the case. he was drawing, of course, and you don't miss the fact he always seemed so calm whenever he drew. you're able to peek over just enough before he's instinctively cupping his right arm around his book – the left not missing a beat. what you did see was pretty, a hand almost identical to his own holding up a shard of glass looking at the reflection. he was actively shading the eye in, but you could tell that it was meant to be him.
you spend longer than you're willing to admit watching his hands, the ease of every stroke, his confidence in every line making each one feel intentional. he switched his rings today, still silver but bulkier. a large cross rests on his middle finger, another one that looks like teeth on his thumb. there's simple bands stacked randomly on either hand and they glint with each twist of his wrists. it takes a moment for you to snap out of it, to realize that there was work that needed to be done and he was neglecting it right now.
“riki. are you even paying attention?” he nods without even looking at you, assuming that you're deep into the reading like you had been just a moment ago. he looks up when you're not saying anything else, brow raising at the annoyed expression on your features. he hadn't even truly done anything this time, but still his face is shifting into a pretty grin. “what chapter are we on?” he's asking with a tilt of his head, letting a soft laugh fall from his lips.
“you're such an idiot,” his laugh echos through the library and you hate how the sound effects you, ever since the facetime call where he was high, he's been laughing more freely around you. so much that you're able to decipher his different types of laughs and whether or not they were genuine.
the library sessions only became worse after that. most days studying no longer feeling as productive as it should. you spent more time rereading the same sentences or trying not to look at him than you did actually absorbing the information. even still, you met up. notes still spread across the tables, creating review packets only to half do them. you still met up consistently, still convinced yourself that the purpose of it was entirely academic. yet every other meeting seemed to end with less and less space between the two of you than when it first started.
there was one afternoon in particular that stuck in your mind for longer than you had intended. you had been reading through the review packet, testing him while he only half listened, his attention deep in his phone but he insisted that he was paying attention. one moment you were deep into your work and before you knew it your bare thigh rested lightly against his beneath the table. which shouldn't be that big of a deal, the two of you sat close together before – but this closeness had your heart hammering.
and every time he lifted his arm, his knuckles brushed your skin. every time he shifted closer to look at something on your screen, you felt his breath brushing against your shoulder and it made you painfully aware of how little distance separated you. and how being this close to him felt so natural that whenever he was deciding to give you some space, you were quick to close the gap once again.
riki never seemed to stop looking at you, either. his eyes shifting to your lips whenever you spoke to him and you don't miss the way they would linger. which wasn't out of the ordinary, but he was done pretending that he wasn't staring. tongue tracing his lower lip as he watches the way yours move. his fingers always seemed to ghost over your skin, whether it was your thighs, your shoulders, or your waist – it was like he was constantly fighting the urge to touch you.
he was testing your boundaries, seeing how much he could push before you were scoffing and pushing him off. but much to his surprise, you hardly ever were. no matter how much space he closed between you two, how close his fingers got to your skin, you were never backing down. in fact, it seemed like you were waiting expectantly for him to do something.
like actually. but the issue was he wasn't sure, so much of your relationship existed inside of his head he couldn't trust the way you sat too close or the subtle tone hidden within your words. he needed concrete proof before he was crossing any lines and he felt his chances were extremely low.
by the end of the week, even ordinary conversations felt different. one morning you spotted him across campus while you were walking toward the dining hall with jungwon. the two of you had been hanging out a lot more since you dominated trivia night, he was actually a lot of fun to be around. the both of you saw life the same and it was nice to talk to someone that you knew was on the same wave length as you. your books are tucked against jungwon's chest, his bag hanging off of his shoulder as you babble on about the physics lecture you just left. and then, without thinking you're lifting your hand to wave riki over.
he had been walking the other way, a hand shoved in his pocket while the other scrolled through the phone. but when his eyes are landing on you, he's changing direction instantly. he falls into step with you naturally as if he'd always been part of the conversation, hip bumping against yours at the three of you walk and you fill him in easily. at first it all seemed so normal and regular, until jungwon started explaining the upcoming project, soft launching his want to work together.
jungwon is in the middle of explaining his idea for it but you're only able to listen with half of your attention, way more focused on the way riki interjects, mostly to correct the older boy an arrogant smirk on his lips. it was like the poor guy couldn't get a sentence out without riki feeling the sudden urge to prove him wrong. to prove that he was the smartest one between you three. eventually jungwon is letting out a laugh, “dude what is your problem?” you notice the frown that immediately takes over riki's features.
“i don't have a problem,” he says but it's so obvious that he does.
jungwon isn't afraid to point it out either, “you've been arguing with everything i've said for the past ten minutes,” the accusation seemed to catch riki genuinely off guard, so annoyed by the idea of you pairing up with someone else he hadn't even realize that he was actually reacting to it. and for the first time since he walked up to you, he's falling silent with a lame shrug of his shoulders.
a few minutes later jungwon is handing you your books and waving goodbye, spotting some friends once you reach the dining hall and wanting to meet up with them instead. you wave reluctantly, watching as he turns to walk away and almost instantly riki is relaxing beside you. the tension vanished from his shoulders, his mood lifting and he was sparking conversation up with you as if he wasn't just being a dick.
at the time you didn't think too much of it. summed up his behavior with his ridiculous need to feel like he was smarter than everyone without having to try. but later that night when your mind was replaying the memory again and again, details stood out to you that hadn't before. the glare he'd send jungwon's way as he spoke, but the way his gaze would soften when he looked at you. how he seemed almost annoyed at the idea of you working together with someone that wasn't him and he looked almost ready to reject the offer before jungwon even had the chance to extend it.
he was acting extremely out of character for someone who claimed not to care about anything. even though you had waved him over, invited him into the conversation – riki still seemed strangely invested in who you spent your mornings talking to and about what. and sadly that wasn't the sort of observation you could easily forget.
unpopular opinion, you hated the weekend. they dragged for you, not really interested in partying or forced socialization. if you were doing anything it was most likely a sleepover at one of the girls' dorms where you'd binge episodes of vampire diaries. if not, you'd be holed up in your room, perfecting your essays and notes and waiting for monday to roll around again.
this weekend was different, though. clover was dragging you out of your room with the notion that you needed to photosynthesize. leaving your room had been a last minute decision, so you hadn't put much thought into what you were wearing. a short white skirt that stopped a few inches below you behind, a white tube top and riki's over sized hoodie.
choosing it had nothing to do with the fact that it still smelt like him or that it felt close enough to actually having his arms around you. those weren't deciding factors at all, it simply was the first one you could grab when you were rushing out. clover raises her brows when she sees you but doesn't say anything, it had already taken enough effort to get you outside on the weekend – she wasn't going to push her luck. the two of you make your way toward the quad for frozen yogurt, chatting happily as you bounce down the walkway arms linked together.
you're spotting him before he notices you. riki is sitting beneath a tree near the center of the courtyard, one knee drawn toward his chest, laptop resting against his lap as he types quickly – not sparing a second to look down as his fingers fly across the keyboard. students drift around him in scattered groups, but he's entirely unaware of anybody else's existence, completely locked in on whatever assignment he was trying to finish before the due date.
you break away from clover before you can even register why your body is moving, the sleeves of his hoodie falling over your hands as you cross the grass toward him. you had intended on just going over to say hi, see what he's working on before turning around to rejoin your friend. but his sketchbook catches your attention, immediately changing your plans. specifically, the fact that it's sitting unattended by his knee while he's distracted by homework.
terrible idea on his part actually. you don't even hesitate, stride picking up as you rush toward him and by the time he looks up, you've already snatched the book from the ground. wide eyes snap up at you, his laptop being ditched somewhere in the grass as he moves to stand, “yn.” he says carefully, holding his hand out like he's trying to tame you.
a sly grin spreads across your features before you're turning and running from him. the sound that leaves his lips is somewhere between a groan and a laugh. “are you fucking...” he's quick to begin chasing behind you and you're shocked to see how fast he is when you're glancing over your shoulder. “catch me!” you call, urging yourself to run faster ahead of him.
your mistake becomes apparent almost immediately. because riki was incredibly fast. much faster than you'd assume a person that couldn't give two shits about his lungs would be. you barely make it halfway across the courtyard before you hear footsteps thundering behind you. students turn their heads as you weave through them, careful not to ram into anyone. jake laughs from somewhere in the distance. you nearly knock over a freshman and just as you're turning into the garden, a hand catches your wrist.
his movements are swift, tugging your body toward him before easily backing you against the nearest tree. for a second neither of you moves, your hand clutched beneath his big palm and pinned above your head. the sketchbook is trapped awkwardly between your chest and his and you feel the way his hips shift to trap you in place. his eyes are narrowed, a mean expression on his face as he fights to catch his breath.
you can only imagine how you look to him, flushed cheeks and messy hair caught all in your lip gloss. your breath hitches as he shifts closer to you, half-hard cock grazing your thighs and your eyes go wide. riki's movements are slow, keeping a firm grip above your head as his free hand moves to cup the side of your face. he's gentle despite how irritated he looks, thumb reaching up to swipe the hair from your lips. “you done?” he asks, brows knitted in completely concentration as he watches the way your mouth moves under his thumb. unfortunately, irritation looked very good on him.
like embarrassingly good.
his thumb stays on your lip despite the fact he's already pushed all of your hair back in place, threatening to dip into your mouth. it's only then that you realize he had asked you a question. your eyes lift to look up at him, peeking at him through your lashes as your head bobs in a nod. “fine, you caught me.” your words come out muffled against his finger and his lips are stretching into the prettiest of smiles.
riki is taking another step forward, eliminating any remaining space between your bodies and pressing you firmly against the tree. you feel the rumble of his voice in your core as he speaks, “no shit,” he's saying with a laugh, grip loosening around your wrist to let your arm lamely fall at your side. he's holding his hand out in between you, brow raised and thumb still pressed to your lips.
“here,” you sigh, wiggling the book from between your bodies to hand it out to him. he takes the sketchbook immediately, tucking it beneath one arm quickly. but he doesn't move, his body remains pressed against yours, dark eyes dropping down the length of your body and for the first time he's taking in the fact that you're wearing his hoodie. his fingers glide down the length of your neck, catching the fabric of the hood before reaching lower to trace the design at the collarbones and you literally see the way his mind wanders.
his mind drifts to his countless drawings of you in this very sketchbook, his hoodie swallowing your frame while your hand reveals parts of your body to his greedy eyes. and the fact that you're standing in front of him now, wearing it has a violent heat pulsing through his veins. his jaw tightens and you watch the movement closely, the purse of his lips intriguing you. he looks especially handsome today, standing this close to him makes it very hard to ignore.
he's still breathing heavily, chest rising and falling beneath the thin black shirt and you make note to tease him about his failing lungs later. the shirt cuts off at his shoulders, arms on full display and you don't miss the way the muscles flex and jump with each movement of his hands; which are covered in his same silver rings, bracelets stacked on his wrists. a few strands of his sandy blond hair has fallen into his eyes, sticking up in every direction from having to chase after you.
you hate how standing this close forces you to notice things that you never have before, the tiny mole on his lash line, how obnoxiously high his cheekbones were, there's a pretty glow to his skin that gives away to the existence of his skincare routine, interrupted only by the light flush on his cheeks, the tip his ears an unmistakable red. you almost sum it up to the chase, until you're feeling his cock jump against your thigh.
your eyes snap up to his face, “riki...” you start but he doesn't hear you, he's too busy curling his fingers around the large zipper resting against your chest. his lip is caught between his teeth and his eyes are glued to his fingers as they slowly drag the zipper of his hoodie down. you're afraid he'd feel the pounding in your chest as his knuckles drag over it, just slightly brushing against the fabric of your shirt – right between your breasts. you're letting out a breathless sound that you don't really understand, but it has a smirk lifting the corners of his lips the dimple on his right cheek making an appearance.
“you're such a brat,” he's mumbling and you're only just now realizing how deep his voice truly is. it leaves you speechless, like literally you feel like your brain is fried. your lips part to speak but no words come out, all you can do is stare at him. and try desperately to ignore the heat that rises in your chest, the familiar throb between your legs as his hand reaches back up toward the collar of the hoodie. he's easily knocking it off of your shoulders before reaching over to do the same on the other side. the fabric pools at your elbows and he's easily sliding it off of you, tucking the garment beneath his arm with his sketchbook. “brats don't deserve expensive gifts,”
he's stepping back fully after that and despite the sun beating down on your bodies, you feel freezing. your arms fold over your chest immediately, a pout forming on your lips. “riki, i'll be cold.” he's letting out a short laugh, shoulders lifting in a lazy shrug, already taking steps backward to return to his spot under the tree before you had decided to bother him. “that's your punishment,” he says through a grin, amusement lacing his tone.
you're not sure how long you stand there watching his back after he turned to walk away, you just know it takes that long for you to regain your composure. your heart can't seem to stop pounding, blush flushing your cheeks and the back of your neck and an uncomfortable wetness between your legs. what the hell was that? when you had stolen his book, which you had no intention to go through really, you had assumed that he'd ignore you or get annoyed, demand for you to give it back.
not trap you against a tree where everyone could see and undress you. yes, he was just taking his hoodie back, but he still undressed you! “oh my god,” your hands lift to cover your cheeks, head shaking from side to side. after all the evaluating and analyzing, over analyzing. you couldn't believe you missed one possible factor. whether or not riki was in love with you aside, you forgot to account for the other potential aspect. the messier side of the hypothesis that required much more digging.
your feelings for riki.
[ i'm obsessed with these two lwk, what did you think? + if u asked to be tagged & aren't turn my notifs on! tumblr didn't let me tag a lot of u :/ ]
in which you and riki have nothing to do with each other, until you suddenly do— better yet, you always have.
pairing nishimura riki x female reader wc 2.3k genre crack, angst, hurt-comfort, fluff (sorta) warnings emotional breakdown, profanity, mentions of bullying note i have been OBSESSED with the off campus series, and allie & dean’s dynamic is everything to me, so i had to write about it (in my own non-smutty way 🙂↕️🙂↕️)!! all similarities in concept are credited to off campus <3
it started at your place.
at the beginning of your freshman year of college, instead of moving into a dorm, you settled for an apartment you’d been saving up money for. of course, being only eighteen, you didn’t have the money to pay full price, so you moved in with jungwon, a sophomore at your university who was also, like you, extremely broke.
jungwon had his fair share of friends, but it was clear to you who his closest friends were, since they’d always show up at his apartment to hang out. unfortunately for you, being jungwon’s roommate meant you had to deal with the noise and natural racket that came with a bunch of guys.
at the beginning of the school year, he brought jay over. then, it was jay and sunoo. then, finally, around spring time, he brought over riki, completing the friend group that constantly spent time at your place.
you were polar opposites, you and jungwon. it was even worse with his friends. they were all outgoing and active, sociable to a degree you couldn’t even begin to imagine for yourself.
you were a homebody, never going out unless truly forced to, and only really had jungwon as a friend. you were more intrigued by the academic aspect of university, paying no mind to what happened socially.
you were fine with the life you led, content with the incredibly small circle you kept. but it didn’t stay like that forever.
you came home after classes with a digital project assignment due in a week’s time. your charger had broken a few months prior when you slipped an open cup of water on it, so you’ve been borrowing jungwon’s from time to time.
sunoo and jay were with jungwon on the couch, riki nowhere to be seen in the apartment. you gave them a small nod greeting before walking over to jungwon.
“mind if i grab your charger for a project?”
“yeah, no problem! it’s in my room.” you made a line to jungwon’s bedroom door, opening it without hesitation—
“jesus!” you whispered harshly, startled by the shirtless man standing in front of you, “i-i’m so sorry—”
“hey, it’s alright,” riki let out a chuckle at your flustered expression, obviously unaware that he was in the room before you went in. “i was borrowing a hoodie from jungwon,” he pointed at the black hoodie lying on the bed, “it’s cold as shit in this apartment.”
you had your back turned from him, stiffly shuffling around the room trying to find jungwon’s charger. “you can blame the cold on jungwon, he’s got an… intense sweat problem.”
“tell me about it, i work out with the guy.” at this point, riki had noticed how deliberately positioned you were, shielding your eyes from his bare chest. he’d already put on the hoodie, but didn’t feel like telling you. “jungwon seriously sweats so much,” he continued.
“gives dams a run for their money, yeah?” he can hear the slight smirk in your voice, and his interest in you piques. he’d always known you from what jungwon has said about you, that you’re a bit of a workaholic when it comes to school, but talking to you like this made him wonder what you were like outside of studying.
“where is the damn charger?” you whisper to yourself, opening jungwon’s desk drawers frantically. his charger was always in a different place whenever you’d go to borrow it, so the search for it was always a test of patience.
you felt a tap on your shoulder, turning around to find a fully-clothed riki, standing behind you with the charger dangling in his hands, “looking for this?”
you sigh in relief, going to grab it when he holds it up, higher than you could reach with nothing but socks on. “seriously, dude?”
“tell me, [name],” he smirks, “why is it that we haven’t spoken until now?” he tilts his head to the side, holding the charger up higher whenever you try reaching for it. “i’m not a big friend person— would you give me the charger?” you reach for it again to no avail, for your height is no match for riki’s. “i want to be friends with you, truth is.” he spoke again. “you seem cool to hang with.”
“i have nothing to offer you in the friendship department,” you deadpan, completely resigned from the conversation, “i don’t do friends.”
“make an exception for me then.”
“no?”
“oh come on,” his voice feigned disappointment as he playfully pouted, “don’t you want your charger?” he dangled the charger in the air once more.
you crossed your arms, “there’s no correlation there at all.”
he shook his head, “oh, yes there is,” his smirk returned again, mischief written all over his face, “if you want your charger, you’re gonna have to give me your number.” you gasp softly, before you roll your eyes at him as you take your phone out of your pocket, handing it to him. “seriously, i’m tired of you.”
he giggled as he punched in his digits, “you’ll love me soon enough.” he looked down at you with a soft smile, and you met his gaze with a scowl.
“i wouldn’t—”
“what’s taking so long?” jungwon walked into the room and paused, puzzled at the scene in front of him.
“i was helping her with the charger,” riki explains quickly, frozen in place as if he got caught committing a crime.
“oh, alright,” jungwon shrugged his shoulders. “well, hurry up, then. the game’s about to start.” riki slid past you, heading for the door, “coming.”
jungwon left the room, but as riki made his way to the living room, he turned around, winking smugly at you before shutting the bedroom door behind him.
that was how it was for a while-- winks and stolen glances that nobody would see, or a secret bump of the hip whenever riki passed you in the kitchen. the two of you were friends, and though you hated to admit it, you really enjoyed riki's company.
the two of you would often hang out in secret, after riki caught you studying in the library one day and decided that he'd accompany you as much as he could. you two would leave the library together, hanging out around the area until he walked you to your apartment, waiting a few minutes after you went in to go in himself.
you could've told jungwon that you and riki were friends-- there was no reason not to, after all. but friendship was fun when you were sneaking around, and dating was even more of a thrill.
it had been two years since then, and you were currently in your junior year of college. you and riki started dating about a year after becoming friends, and were nearing your one year anniversary in a week. the two of you had already planned out what you were doing for your anniversary, and you personally set out on your own to buy your boyfriend a gift before the day came.
you stopped at a shoe store, hoping to pick up a pair of shoes that you knew riki had been wanting for months. as you were walking up to the cash register, you are stopped by a group of some five girls, girls you knew very well.
"holy shit, [name], is that really you?" you froze, stopped dead in the tracks by a voice that sent chills down your spine. all of the memories began flooding back, the high school memories that you'd long since hid away in your head. "we missed you at home, you know?" the girl in the middle spoke with a fake pout, putting a hand on your shoulder.
"it's not the same anymore without our best friend." you had remembered it all now. the deceit, the bullying, the rumors, all the reasons why you refuse to trust, the reasons why you refuse to let anyone in, they were all standing right in front of you.
"you look so good now! finally got rid of those glasses, yeah?" one girl said, giggling as she said it.
"oh my gosh, and your curls, they look so much better now! better than that burnt mess from high school, right?"
you tried to speak up, to fight back the way you should have all those years ago. “i-i-”
“are you saying something, [name]? got something to say?” they all laughed in your face, high-pitched cackles ringing through your ears.
you felt yourself coming undone, tears stinging your eyes. you turned on your heel, speeding out of the store and into your car before they could see you break down.
“i’m not going to cry,” you repeated to yourself as you drove home, trying to keep in the tears that threatened to spill. “i won’t cry,” you told yourself as you reached the entrance of your apartment. your mantras weren’t doing much for the overwhelming lump in your throat, and you would’ve broken down right then and there if not for the men staring at you from the couch.
“[name], you good there?” jungwon didn’t know much about you, but he could tell when your gloomy attitude wasn’t your usual gloomy attitude. still, you put a smile on your face, nodding quickly as you muttered a soft “i’m okay.”
you made eye contact with riki, and you could practically hear the gears turning in his head. you knew he didn’t believe you—he knew you better than anyone— but there was nothing he could do since everyone was watching, since everyone was unaware of your secret.
you went straight to your room, and you couldn’t keep it in anymore. tears began spilling from your eyes, soft sobs leaving your lips as you curled up onto your bed.
you told yourself that they didn’t affect you anymore, you swore down that you had grown past high school, but perhaps some things would never change.
you weren’t much of a crier, but tonight your tears lasted lengths you had never gone to before. you stopped for nothing, even when jungwon came knocking at your door.
“hey, [name], we ordered pizza—” he stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed your bloodshot eyes, the way you sniffled as you looked up at him. “woah, are you okay?” he immediately walked up to you, putting a hand on your shoulder. “do you need anything?” jungwon was obviously not experienced in comforting women, but you were thankful for his attempt.
you were starting to calm down, but jungwon coming in forced you to revisit everything that stirred you in the first place. you burst out into another wave of tears, covering your face as jungwon backed up, startled.
riki would know what to do right now— he’d be able to comfort you the way you needed him to. he’d tell you that everything would be okay and hug you until you fell asleep. you appreciated jungwon’s company, but he’s not what you want, what you need right now.
“j-jungwon… i need you to call r-riki.” you uselessly wiped tears from your eyes. jungwon paused.
“riki? like nishimura? nishimura riki?”
“yes, jungwon.”
“like— like my riki? the riki outside right now?”
“jungwon, please,” you let out another sob, and jungwon got flustered again, awkwardly opening the door to grab riki.
it took no time before riki walked in, immediately making his way to you. “baby, hey, talk to me.” he took your face in his hands, wiping your tears with his thumb. “jungwon, give us a second, okay?”
“i don’t even— alright.” he puts his hands up in resignation, leaving and closing the door behind him.
when it was just you two alone, you completely let yourself go. you told riki everything; how a group of girls befriended you in high school, how they betrayed you, bullied you, spread baseless rumors about you, and made your life a living hell until graduation. the whole time, he kept you close to him, arms tightly wrapped around your waist as he ran his hands along the small of your back.
“it’s okay, i’ve got you,” he’d say whenever you started to tear up again, his patience being something you were extremely thankful for. even after you calmed down, he stayed with you. he didn’t let you go, not even when you fell asleep.
he spent the night there, right by your side.
the sun’s early morning rays shone through your window, illuminating your room with the warmth it offered. you stirred, slowly blinking your eyes open and taking control of your surroundings.
riki groans from beside you, eyes squeezed shut in attempt to shield them from the sun. you turn to look at him, “riki?” you call out.
“hi,” he slowly opens his eyes, rubbing them to get a better look at you. “you’re awake.”
“did you stay the night?”
“i wouldn’t be here if i didn’t.” he cupped your face in his hands. “how do you feel?” he asked.
you remembered last night, how terrible you felt, and then you remembered riki’s comfort, and you didn’t feel so bad anymore. “i feel a lot better now.” you smiled and riki mirrored you, grinning just as wide.
“i’m glad—”
“okay!” jungwon burst through the door, catching you and riki by surprise. “fucking hell, jungwon!” riki cursed.
“nope, you don’t get to have emotions right now,” jungwon waved an accusatory finger at the two of you, “i want an explanation! for this! and i want to know how long, and how, and everything!”
you and riki snickered at jungwon’s performance, but he did have a point. an explanation was way overdue, and you two definitely had a lot to tell him.
it’s about time you let him in on your secret, anyway.
Pairings: Idol!Jake x Jay x Ni-ki x Heeseung x fem!reader [Jake is endgame!] - ft. Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Jungwon
Summary: No one had told you how hard moving across the world was, to Korea, no less, a country you'd never been to. But you weren't going to become a doctor by just sitting on your couch. What you expected was the debilitating workload of a pre-med student; what you didn't expect was Jake: his infectious laugh and his warm smile that made your knees weak. But soon you found yourself pulled into the lives of six other boys, and quickly discovered that it wasn't only Jake who sent your heart racing.
WC: 12.6k
Content/Warnings: MDNI, Fluff, LOTS of flirting, (Sorta) Slow-Burn, Hints of Angst, Jealousy, Competition, Possession, Indecision, Smut- Kissing, Marking, Teasing/Edging, Spanking, Oral Sex (receiving)
A/N: Longest part woo, get ready to be flirted with the entire time ;)
Series Masterlist | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue
You woke up the next morning with a text from Jake.
Good morning :) do you wanna get coffee or something later? There’s something I need to tell you.
Your heart skipped a beat at the last line. What could he need to tell you? You got up and started to get ready for the day. Was this a confession? Or… maybe a rejection? Were idols even allowed to hang out with regular people? Should you be watching your back for hordes of angry fans? You messaged back to meet at the coffee shop across from the market after you studied.
When noon rolled around, you stepped into the coffee shop, looking around anxiously. You spotted Jake at one of the back tables, nursing a steaming mug in his hands. You took a deep breath. His being an idol changed nothing, right? He was still the same Jake who took you out to dinner and fell asleep in your lap. You took another breath and headed to the table, sitting quietly in the chair across from him.
His eyes shot up, his face relaxing when he saw it was you. “Hey.”
“Hey,” you glanced around to see if anyone was staring at you guys, but no one was.
“You ok?” He asked, a hint of concern in his eyes.
You smiled at him reassuringly. “Yes, I’m ok,” you paused, “so what was it you wanted to talk about?”
You saw his body visibly tense, and he set down his cup softly. “Listen, I had a lot of fun last night, and the rest of the guys did too.” He fiddled with the drawstring of his hoodie. “But before any of this goes any further…”
You raised your eyebrows at “This.”
He noticed. “Like talking, getting to know each other.”
You nodded slowly.
“You should know that we, me and the others, we’re…” He stopped, biting his lip slightly. “Do you know much about Kpop?”
You relaxed, because now you saw where this was going. You leaned forward slightly and lowered your voice. “Jake, I know that you guys are idols.”
His eyes widened. “Really? For how long?”
“Cara told me last night.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “And you’re ok with it?”
You smiled. “I’m still processing it all, but yeah, I am.”
His face broke into a relieved smile. “That’s good, I was so worried it’d scare you off.”
“It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I really like you…” You stuttered as you realized what you were about to say, “…all of you! It was really fun getting to know everyone last night.”
“I think the others would be happy to hear that. And me,” Jake said, a playful glint in his eye.
You fell into easy conversation as you finished your drinks. You weren’t planning on getting one, but Jake insisted on buying you something. You noticed one of the baristas eyeing him, and when he went to take your drink from her, she whispered something. Jake smiled, laughing softly before walking back over to you. He placed the cup carefully in front of you. “Ignore the back, she thought the drink was for me.”
You turned it and saw a phone number written in neat handwriting with a winky face drawn next to it. You shoved down the jealousy threatening to show on your face, and looked at Jake quizzically. “Well, do you want it?”
Something flickered in his eyes, and he shook his head. “No, just toss it when you’re done.”
You bit back a smile as you sipped the drink.
“So the guys and I were going to do karaoke tonight if you wanted to join,” Jake asked.
You laughed. “Karaoke? With seven singers? That sounds terrible for me.”
“You don’t have to sing if you don’t want to, although the others will probably force you,” Jake added.
You pretended to think deeply. “Hm, alright fine, only because I get to hear you sing again.”
He smiled shyly. “I’m not even the best singer out of us.”
You shrugged. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
That night, you stood outside your dorm building, waiting for the black car to pull up. You stared at your phone with a smile on your face as Cara bombarded you with text messages asking for pictures, details, and everything in between. You messaged back that you’d try but couldn’t make any promises, which she accepted begrudgingly.
Finally, the black car pulled up, but the man who stepped out wasn’t Jake.
Ni-ki’s tall frame exited the car, his face lighting up when he saw you. He looked up at the building behind you. “So this is where you live? It looks fancy.”
You chuckled. “I can assure you that it’s not nearly as nice as your place.”
He just shrugged and opened the car door for you before heading around to the other side. After you had both settled in the backseat and the car was in motion, he turned to you. “Sorry if you’re disappointed I’m not Jake; he was supposed to be on dishes duty last night but skipped for reasons you probably remember…” He nudged your shoe slightly with his.
You nudged him playfully back, avoiding his eyes.
“So his punishment was cleaning instead of picking you up.”
“Well, I’m not disappointed you’re here, but I do feel kind of bad for sentencing Jake to dish duty.”
“Don’t be, he had to do it anyway.” He smirked. “But I’m glad to hear you’re not disappointed. Jake’s not the only charming one.”
You snorted. “Oh, are you charming?”
He looked out the window. “I’ve been told I am.”
“By all your fans who are already in love with you?”
His smirk widened, and he turned toward you, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Do you disagree?”
You could feel your face heating up as you met his gaze. “I never said that.”
“So you do think I’m charming?”
You couldn’t tear your eyes away from his, and it started to feel like you were short-circuiting. “I- um-”
He turned away, smiling slightly. “I’m just messing with you.”
It felt like he had broken a spell over you as his eyes left yours. You stared at your hands in your lap, trying to stop your heart from beating out of your chest.
The rest of the ride was quiet, and as the car pulled up in front of the dorm, you were again filled with excitement for the night’s events.
Ni-ki guided you to the door, hands in his pockets. “You ready to sing tonight?”
You groaned. “Please don’t make me, I’ll sound like a dying sheep compared to you guys.”
Ni-ki opened the door to the dorm. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“y/n!”
Hands immediately wrapped around your arm, dragging you into the living room.
“You know I do have the ability to walk myself, Sunoo,” a smile on your lips as the boy dragged you to the main room, where Heeseung and Sunghoon were playing a competitive game of Mario Kart.
“They keep winning and teasing me for it, so you need to play on my behalf,” Sunoo said, stuffing a controller in your hands.
“Ahh,” Sunghoon cried out as his character fell off the map.
“Well, I may be able to beat Sunghoon,” you said, sitting on the couch next to Heeseung.
“Hey y/n,” Heeseung said, his eyes briefly glancing at you before focusing back on the game.
You looked at the screen, seeing with no surprise that Heeseung was in first place. “I wouldn’t put too much faith in me, Sunoo.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “It’s ok, beating Sunghoon is enough.”
Sunghoon shot him a glare, drawing laughter from you and Sunoo.
Footsteps sounded behind you, and suddenly, a body careened into your side, grabbing your controller before you could react.
“My turn!” Jake laughed, his body pressed against yours.
“Jake,” you giggled, “I thought you were on dish duty.”
He looked at you like a happy puppy. “Jay said I could take a quick break to say hi and play a round.” He looked at you, and you suddenly realized how close you were, his face inches from yours. His eyes flicked to your lips. “Hi.”
You were speechless for a second. “...Hi.”
“Jake, break time’s over!” Jay called from the kitchen.
Jake groaned and tore his eyes away. “But I haven’t played a round yet,” he called back.
“Hurry up then!”
Heeseung finally won the race and started a new one.
“y/n was supposed to play for me, Jake,” Sunoo pouted.
“Oh, sorry, I’ll just do one, I’ll make it fast, I promise.”
Heeseung held out his controller. “Here, you can use mine.”
“Are you sure?” You asked. “Want to end your winning streak so soon?”
Heeseung smirked. “Winning gets a little tiring sometimes.”
“Oh, someone’s confident.”
He laughed. “Once you see them play, you’ll be too.”
“I heard that,” Sunghoon said from the other couch.
During the race countdown, Jake leaned over, placing his mouth next to your ear. “Don’t make me look too bad, will you?”
You didn’t trust yourself to look at him without melting on the spot, so you nudged his shoulder with your own. “No promises.”
Jay decided to be nice and let Jake play a few rounds. You won two and Sunghoon won one, making Jake the ultimate loser.
“I knew you’d be good at this, y/n,” Sunoo said.
“I helped,” Heeseung said.
Heeseung had been giving you tips the entire time, telling you when to drift and when to use items. You high-fived him. “Good work, team.”
Jake groaned, leaning his head onto your shoulder in defeat.
You chuckled, ruffling his hair. “Do you want to be on my team next time?”
He nodded against your shoulder.
“Although I probably won’t be as good without Heeseung coaching me.”
Heeseung smiled sheepishly. “Now you can pass my knowledge on to Jake.”
Jake laughed, the movement sending shivers down your back.
Jay walked into the room with his usual bored expression. His eyes flicked to you and then to Jake huddled against you. “Dishes, come on.”
Jake pulled away reluctantly, brushing his hand against your leg as he stood up and trudged to the kitchen.
Jay took his place. “Who won?”
“y/n, of course,” Sunoo said.
“And me,” Sunghoon added.
Ni-ki walked in, a chicken wing in his hand. “Can I play?”
“Wait, is the food here?” Heeseung asked.
“Yeah, it just got here,” Ni-ki said, mouth half full.
“Why didn’t you say so?” Jay immediately stood up again and headed to the kitchen.
Ni-ki just shrugged. The others all got up to go to the kitchen, and you followed awkwardly behind. The boys started bringing out boxes of food, and soon the table was covered.
Jay walked up beside you. “We got some extra for you, so eat a lot.” He didn’t meet your eyes and began to walk away. Your thoughts drifted back to last night, when his mood had seemed to change after he got you a drink.
“Jay.”
He stopped, finally meeting your eyes.
“Thank you.”
Emotion churned in his eyes as he stared at you. After a second, he nodded, giving you a small smile before taking a seat at the table.
Satisfied, you took the seat beside him, taking in all the food options as everyone settled in. Ni-ki slipped into the seat beside you. You looked around and found Jake staring at Ni-ki with a frown on his face. He noticed you watching and it quickly disappeared, instead, forming a close-lipped smile as he took the seat across from you.
You all ate eagerly, enjoying an array of chicken, ramen, shrimp, and tteokbokki. Tonight, the table was relatively quiet. Everyone focused on their food, and the only sounds in the room were chewing and chopsticks tapping against dishes.
You felt a leg brush against yours under the table. You looked around, but everyone’s faces were neutral. You nudged back, and when you glanced to your right, you saw Ni-ki trying to hold back a smile. You thought back to your conversation in the car and felt your stomach flutter. Was this his attempt at being charming?
As if sensing your thoughts, he started placing some food on your plate. “Here, try this.”
You let out a small laugh but went along with it, eating what he gave you. “Mmm,” you nodded, giving a thumbs-up.
You both laughed, earning looks from everyone else. You noticed Jake gripping his chopsticks tighter, and Jay shifting slightly beside you. You met Heeseung’s gaze for a second before turning back to your food.
When everyone finished eating, you all helped bring dishes to the kitchen, except Jungwon, who set up the karaoke machine. Jay shooed you out of the kitchen, not letting you help box leftovers, so you joined Jungwon in the living room.
“Have you done karaoke before?” he asked.
“Yes, but never with Kpop idols.”
He smiled. “Don’t worry, you’ll fit right in.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Just sing with your heart. You can’t sound bad if you do that,” Jungwon said.
You leaned back. “I’ll just sit here and enjoy my free concert.”
“Nice try, but price of admission is at least one song,” Heeseung said, taking the seat next to you.
You groaned.
Heeseung shrugged. “I don’t make the rules.”
“Who does then?”
He smiled. “Okay, just kidding—I do make them.”
“Heeseung,” you whined, “please, it’ll be so embarrassing.”
“Oh, you definitely have to sing,” Jay said, taking the seat on your other side. “That’s the first rule of karaoke.”
Jake finally walked in with Sunghoon at his heels.
“Jake, they’re making me sing,” you pouted.
He smiled at your expression. “I told you they would.”
“Sunghoon, back me up here,” you said.
He waved a hand dismissively. “You’ll survive.”
Jake was about to sit at your feet again when Ni-ki walked in. “Hey, I want to be on the floor tonight.”
Jake looked at you like a lost puppy. “But—”
Ni-ki sat down in front of you. “You had your turn.”
Jake looked crestfallen. He glanced at you, and you gave him an apologetic smile. He slowly went to sit next to Sunghoon, who gave him a friendly pat on the back.
Ni-ki was eating chips and held up the bag to offer you some. You were sitting cross-legged, so his arm brushed against your knee as he did so.
“Are you not full?”
He shook his head, his mouth too full to answer.
You took one, and he lowered his arm. He scooted so his back pressed into the couch, and his longish hair tickled the skin on your ankles. You glanced at Jake, whose gaze was locked onto Ni-ki.
As Jungwon started scrolling through songs, you pulled out your phone and clicked on Jake’s name.
You: Remember our deal?
Jake’s phone vibrated, and he pulled it out. You watched as the corner of his lip rose slightly.
Jake: Remind me.
You: You show me your room, I show you mine.
Jake: Oh yeah. Are you asking for an invite?
You: Maybe…
You saw him smile from the other couch.
Jake: Only if you sing a song.
You looked up at him with a glare. He caught your eye, laughing softly.
You: Fine.
You put your phone down and crossed your arms, dreading the inevitable.
As they all took turns singing, you were continually blown away by their voices. After finding out who they were the other day, you had listened to some songs, but nothing beat hearing them live.
Heeseung and Jay were especially good, their voices containing a power that tickled an itch in your brain you didn’t know you had. Ni-ki also surprised you. His deep voice rumbled in your chest as he sang. It was oddly relaxing, and you found yourself sinking into the couch a little deeper as he played a song. When Ni-ki finished, he must have noticed the dreamy look on your face, because as he went to sit back down at your feet, he flashed you a wink.
You quickly sat back up, taming the heat in your cheeks as you kept your eyes trained on your hands in your lap. When Ni-ki sat down, he leaned his head so it rested on top of your hands, a smirk on his face.
Before you could react, Jake suddenly stood up. “My turn.” He had a focused look on his face as he scrolled through the songs, his brows furrowed. He finally settled on “Daisies” by Justin Bieber, one you hadn’t heard before.
He sang softly and slowly, his eyes fluttering closed as he cradled the mic between his hands. Memories from that first night came rushing back: the laughter, the subtle glances, and his voice behind it all. You stared at him with the same awe you had felt before, his voice like gentle water lapping at your feet. He opened his eyes slightly, and when he saw your expression, a soft smile ghosted his lips.
When he finished the song, all the members were staring at him. Jake scratched his neck nervously. “What?”
Heeseung glanced at you, and then at Jake. “That was really beautiful, Jake. The song really suits you.”
Sunghoon shoved Jake playfully, also looking between the two of you with a knowing smirk on his lips.
You smiled softly. “Your voice is amazing, Jake.”
His eyes lit up at the compliment, and he ducked his head, trying to hide the massive smile on his face.
Ni-ki nudged you with his head. “That means it’s y/n’s turn.”
Your smile dropped, replaced with a frown. “Whatever, just pass me the mic.”
Jake handed it to you, and Jay grabbed the remote to start flipping through songs.
“Okay, y/n, what do you like?” Jay asked.
“I don’t know, something easy, and obviously in English,” you said.
Jay clicked his tongue as he eyed the screen. “How do you feel about Taylor Swift?”
You chuckled. “You know what, that’s perfect. Let’s do it.”
Jay handed you the remote so you could choose which song. You smiled as your eyes landed on one of your favorite Taylor Swift songs, clicking it before standing and moving to the center of the room. If you were going to embarrass yourself, you might as well make it a show.
You swayed your hips as the music started to play, earning some “oohs” from the boys. You pointed at Jay.
“You’re on the phone with your girlfriend, she’s upset, she’s going off about something that you said. She doesn’t get your humor like I do.”
Jay’s eyes widened slightly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locked onto yours as you danced.
You continued the song, feeling more confident by the second as Sunoo and Jungwon cheered you on.
“...If you can see that I’m the one who understands you, been here all along so why can’t you see…”
You locked eyes with Ni-ki who stared at you intently,
“...you belong with me, you belong with me.”
Sunghoon cheered you on from the side and you gave him a quick smile before launching into the next verse.
You looked at Jake who was watching you with his mouth open.
“Walk in the streets with you and your worn-out jeans. I can’t help thinking this is how it ought to be. Laughing on the park bench thinking to myself, hey isn’t this easy?”
He smiled, resting his chin in his hand as he leaned forward. You pointed straight at him,
“And you’ve got a smile that can light up this whole town, I haven’t seen it in a while since she brought you down…”
Sunghoon whispered something in Jake’s ear, making him bury his face in his hands, his face red.
You continued singing, this time turning to Heeseung,
“...Dreaming ‘bout the day when you wake up and find, that what you’re looking for, has been here the whole time.”
Heeseung bit his lip to hide the smile on his face, leaning back into the couch, his eyes glued to you as you danced through the next section.
“Oh, I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night, I’m the one who makes you laugh when you know you’re ‘bout to cry. I know your favorite songs, and you tell me ‘bout your dreams, think I know where you belong, think I know it’s with me.”
The room fell silent as the song paused. You closed your eyes, preparing for the final verse. Jay stared at you with a dark glint in his eye, while Heeseung looked at you thoughtfully, like he was solving a difficult math problem. Ni-ki had a dazed look on his face. And Jake… he looked at you as if you were a fallen star, full of wonder and adoration.
“Have you ever thought just maybe, you belong with me, you belong with me.”
You lowered the mic as you finished the song, opening your eyes nervously. For a second, the room was silent as they all stared at you in shock.
And then, applause.
Ni-ki got up excitedly, wrapping his arms around your waist and twirling you around. You yelped in surprise and he set you down. “You’re a natural, y/n. I can’t believe you thought you’d embarrass yourself.”
His hands were still on your waist, sending your brain into a flustered spiral. “Come on, my voice is average at best…”
Jake stood up, taking a step toward you. “Performing is about more than your voice,” his eyes glanced over your figure, “you have a good…presence.”
Your heart beat out of your chest as his gaze seemed to bore into your skin. Ni-ki’s hands tightened slightly, and you thought he was about to say something when Sunghoon spoke up. “I want to go again,” he said, raising his hand from the couch.
Ni-ki stepped back, his hands falling from your waist slowly, as if it took effort to remove them. Jake eyed him closely before taking his old seat.
You stayed still, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by all the attention. Your body felt hot, and you could feel a headache starting to set in. “Could I use your guys’ bathroom?”
Heeseung shot up. “You can use mine. I’ll show you where it is.”
You shuffled after the pink-haired boy, craving a moment of quiet away from watchful eyes.
He led you into a bedroom that was simplistic but comfortable, the main pieces of furniture being a bed and a desk with a PC setup. Several mechanical keyboards were stacked on the desk, all different colors and styles.
“Someone likes keyboards,” you chuckled.
Heeseung’s eyes glanced over his desk. “I like collecting them.” He opened a door at the side of the room, revealing a bathroom behind it. “Here it is.”
You nodded at him gratefully, and he turned to leave. But before you could shut the door, his words stopped you.
“You do have a nice voice, y/n.”
You stopped and met his eyes, which were soft and warm. He stared at you for a second, as if in a trance, before shaking his head slightly and shifting his gaze. “If you need anything, just let me know.” He turned and closed the door behind him.
You stared at yourself in the bathroom mirror, trying to steady your breathing. Maybe you couldn’t handle this like you thought. Maybe you should have listened to Cara. You thought you liked Jake, you thought you only liked Jake, but now… you weren’t so sure. You thought back to Ni-ki’s hands on your waist, Jay’s breath on your neck, Heeseung’s soft stare…
You groaned and splashed some water on your face. You were starting to understand how all their fans felt. After you had a few minutes to cool off, you opened the bathroom door and walked back into Heeseung’s room. You looked at the bed and the desk, imagining him going about his day.
As you admired one of his keyboards, a knock sounded at the door.
“Yes?” you said.
“Hey, can I come in?” It was Jake’s voice.
You smiled at the nervousness in his tone. “Yeah.”
He slowly opened the door and stepped inside. “Are you feeling okay?”
You nodded. “I just needed a minute. I feel better now.”
He smiled. “Great. Do you… want to see my room now?”
Your stomach flipped. “Sure.”
You followed him into the hall, and he led you a few doors down. He placed his hand on the handle. “It’s a little messy. I didn’t have time to clean today.”
You shrugged. “I don’t mind. My room won’t be much better.”
He opened the door and let you step inside first. Jake’s room was messier than Heeseung’s but more decorated, making it feel more lived in. Marvel Lego figures were scattered around the room, with a stack of shoes in one corner and a soccer ball in another. You heard Jake step in behind you, closing the door.
You could feel your heart racing, and your mind flicked back to what he had said in the restaurant—”friends.” But he had turned down that girl’s number…
“What do you think?” he asked.
“I—I like it,” you said, glancing around as he sat on the bed. “I didn’t think it would be so simple though. Are you not allowed to have posters or something?”
He looked at his bare walls. “We are, it’s just annoying to hang things up. Plus, we don’t spend a lot of time here anyway.”
You sat next to him. “Is it hard? Moving around so much?”
He fidgeted with his hands. “Sometimes, yeah. But I also love meeting ENGENE, so I guess it evens out.”
“How does it feel? Being loved by so many people?”
Jake looked up at the ceiling. “Usually it’s amazing. I’m supported by people all over the world, and it’s what keeps me going.” He looked at you. “I really love what I do. I love performing, I love making music, I love meeting people…” He trailed off, fiddling with the comforter. “But sometimes it’s hard to feel things without being judged. Everything we do is so public. It’s hard to just feel normal a lot of the time.”
Your expression softened. “I can see that. I’m the first one in my family to go to grad school. My entire family is cheering me on, confident that I’ll never fail, and sometimes when I get a bad grade or skip a class, I feel like I’m letting them all down.” You ducked your head, feeling your eyes welling up.
Jake’s hand found yours, squeezing slightly. You looked up, meeting his light brown eyes. “It’s okay not to be perfect all the time. I learned that from the other members, actually,” he said softly. “We’re all a bunch of perfectionists, Ni-ki especially, and we’ve learned from each other and our fans that it’s normal to be tired sometimes.” He took your other hand too. “It’s okay to show your feelings, be honest, make mistakes… because there will always be someone there for you who will love you anyway.”
You thought about your family and friends back in America. “And what if you don’t have anyone like that?” Your voice broke.
Jake gripped your hands tighter. “Hey, I’m here.” He wiped a tear from your cheek. “I don’t think you’re going to fail. But even if you do… even if the worst happens, you can always talk to me.”
You pulled your hands away to cover your face, overwhelmed. He placed a hand on your back, rubbing soothing circles. After a few minutes, your breathing steadied. You kept your head down, embarrassed.
“Do you want some water?” he asked.
You nodded. He quickly brought you a cup from the bathroom sink. You drank it and slowly lowered your hands. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to dump all that on you.”
Jake smiled, his hand still on your back. “You can cry on me anytime.”
You laughed softly, finally meeting his eyes. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Jake looked at you, something shifting in his expression. “y/n, I—”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Jake, y/n, we’re having ice cream. Do you want any?” Sunoo’s voice called.
You cleared your throat. “Thanks, Sunoo, we’ll be right out.” You looked back at Jake. “You were saying something?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s nothing. Let’s get you some ice cream.”
You smiled and took his hand, pulling him out of the room.
The boys were gathered in the kitchen around several pints of ice cream. Jay was the first to notice you.
“y/n, pick your poison,” he said.
“What are my options?”
“Mint chip, vanilla, and chocolate,” Jungwon said.
“But mint chip is obviously the best,” Sunoo added.
“Sorry, Sunoo, not really my thing. Could I get vanilla and chocolate?”
“I think that can be arranged,” Jay said, scooping your bowl.
“Jake?” you asked.
“Jake doesn’t eat sweets,” Ni-ki said.
“Usually I don’t, but I’m kind of feeling it today,” Jake said, stepping beside you.
Jungwon raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly before looking away.
“What?” you asked.
“He only eats sweets when he’s in a really good mood,” Jungwon said.
Jake laughed. “So what if I’m in a good mood?”
Jungwon just looked between you two before leaving.
Jay handed you your bowl, which brimmed with ice cream.
“This is intense.”
“Is it too much?” he asked.
“It’s okay, thanks Jay.” You smiled, and his ears tinted slightly red.
When you walked into the living room, Sunghoon and Ni-ki were already playing another round of Mario Kart.
“Come on, Sunghoon, catch up,” you said.
“Thanks, y/n, super helpful,” Sunghoon replied dryly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help.” You stuck a finger into your ice cream, containing your grin before placing it on Ni-ki’s cheek.
Ni-ki jumped, shoving your hand off as he looked at you in surprise.
You doubled-over laughing, jumping back as he swiped for the ice cream bowl. “Oh you’re going to pay for that.”
“Go Sunghoon, win!” You sat down your ice cream bowl on the table and tried to get away, but Ni-ki was much taller with way longer strides. He grabbed you from behind, locking your arms in place as you squirmed to get out. He placed his mouth next to your ear. “You asked for this.” He started to tickle you, drawing a screech from your mouth as you went limp in his arms with laughter.
Jake and Jay both entered the room at the commotion, stopping when they saw the source.
“Ni-ki! Please!” Are the only words you could get out before you started laughing again.
He leaned down to your ear again, “I’ll stop if you let me put ice cream on you.”
“Ok ok, stop!”
He let you go, stepping away with a smirk on his face. He stuck his finger in his own ice cream bowl and walked back over. He studied your face carefully.
“Come on Ni-ki, give her a break.” Jay said, a strained look on his face.
“No, she started this, I’m just finishing it.” Ni-ki said, not taking his eyes off of you.
Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Jake sitting on the couch with his ice cream. His face was neutral but his body told another story. He flexed the hand not holding the spoon, and his leg shook steadily.
Ni-ki finally made a decision, and placed his finger right under the top of your jawline. He traced it slowly, so by the end, his finger rested under your chin with your head tilted up.
You stared at him with your mouth slightly open, your heart beating hard against your chest. He pulled his hand away with a smirk, his eyes flicking to your lips before heading back to his place on the couch. Your legs felt like jelly, and before you could move, Jay was in front of you with a wet paper towel. “Here, I’ve got you.” He held your face in his hand, tilting your chin to the side so he could wipe the ice cream off your skin. He peered his head down to make sure he got it all, his breath fanning against the nape of your neck as he did. A shiver ran down your back, causing your head to twitch slightly in his hand. He leaned back, his eyes flicking to yours before pulling away. “You’re clean.”
You cleared your throat, nodding thanks before taking your place on the couch between Ni-ki and Jake. You could feel Jake’s eyes on you but you couldn’t bring yourself to meet them, instead taking a bite of ice cream.
The night continued with games and laughter, but your focus kept slipping. Ni-ki made your stomach flutter. Jay made you smile too easily. Heeseung’s kindness felt warm. Jake… made your heart feel too full.
Eventually, you curled up under a blanket, watching them play.
You pulled out your phone.
You: Cara, this is bad. I think I have a crush on more than Jake.
Cara: Girl are you in a love triangle??
You: I think I like four of them…
Cara: y/n…
You: I can’t help it. Have you seen them??
Cara: Honestly? I can’t be mad.
You: What do I do?
Cara: Keep getting to know them. Your heart will figure it out.
You woke up to a quiet room, the only noise coming from the TV as you squinted against the bright screen. You looked around in the dim light and found a figure lazily draped over the other couch, his eyes focused on the screen.
“Heeseung…?”
His gaze immediately turned to you as he sat up slightly. “Hey, you fell asleep.”
“Where is everyone?”
He smiled softly. “They all went to bed. It’s 1 a.m.”
“What?” You pulled out your phone quickly, finding concerned messages from Cara. You texted her the situation. You tried to sit up groggily. “I’m sorry, you should have woken me up.”
Heeseung’s eyes followed you closely. “We wanted to let you sleep. You looked so comfortable.”
For the first time, you noticed the pillow they had tucked under your head and the full-sized blanket draped over you. No wonder you had slept so long.
“You can stay the night, you know. It’s not a problem.”
“Oh, I don’t know…”
“Really, it’s totally fine.”
You were about to decline, but something in Heeseung’s eyes made you pause. Maybe it was the low light, but the emotion there… looked like longing.
You settled back into the couch. “Alright, but you don’t have to stay up with me.”
He smiled. “I’m a night owl, remember? This is normal for me.”
“Oh yeah. I guess I’m awake now. What are you playing?”
He frowned. “The Super Smash Bros. story mode, but I don’t like it nearly as much as playing against other people.”
You sat up slightly. “Play me then.” You gestured for him to hand you a controller.
He smirked and handed you one. “Your funeral.”
You smiled. “Just wait till you see my Kirby—you won’t know what hit you.”
The two of you played for what felt like hours. Heeseung usually won, but you managed to pick up a few wins here and there. Laughter filled the room, making you briefly feel guilty for being up so late.
Heeseung waved it off. “Don’t worry, they can sleep through anything.”
“You included?”
“Especially me,” he replied.
“Is sleep hard to come by for you guys?”
Heeseung frowned slightly. “I wouldn’t say that. We just tend to push ourselves pretty hard.”
“I can imagine. Are you one of those people who likes being busy all the time?”
He looked up at the ceiling. “Usually, yeah. But I also like a day on the couch like anyone else.”
You smiled. “I think we’re pretty similar, you and I.”
He met your eyes, his gaze flickering briefly to your lips before returning to the screen. “Yeah… we make a good pair.”
Around 3 a.m., Heeseung turned off the TV. “I think it’s our bedtime.”
You were already curled into the pillow, eyes fighting to stay open. “Mm-hm.”
He stood and walked over, adjusting the blanket so it fully covered you. “Do you need anything before I go?”
You shook your head against the pillow.
A hand reached out and gently pushed a strand of hair from your face, tucking it behind your ear. Heeseung lingered, his fingers brushing your neck before he pulled away. “Goodnight,” he murmured, then headed to his room.
The next morning, you woke up to the sound of quiet humming.
You opened your eyes slowly, confused at first where you were, but when you saw the TV and the Nintendo controllers on the coffee table, it all came rushing back. You craned your head to find the source of the humming, and found Jay sitting on the other couch, his earbuds in as he folded clothes.
He glanced up and flashed you his characteristic side smile when he saw your eyes open. He took an earbud out, “Good morning.”
“Hi,” you said groggily, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes.
“Were you comfortable enough? I gave you one of my own pillows last night siance I’m the only one that seems to care about sleep quality here.”
You smiled, looking at the pillow under your head. It was quite comfortable. “Thanks Jay, what would I do without you?”
He shrugged, and you could tell he was biting back a smile.
“What time is it?” You asked, stretching as you sat up.
“It’s 9, the others are all still asleep.”
“Really? When do they usually wake up?”
“Usually between 9 and 10, but Heeseung will probably be out till noon.”
You laughed, remembering your conversation from the night before, “He did tell me he slept late.”
Jay glanced at you, “Were you both up last night?”
You nodded, “Yeah, we played a game for a while, it was nice.”
Jay focused on the clothes in his hand, not looking at you as he responded, “Cool.”
There it was again, one second Jay was playful and sweet, and the next, dismissive and cold. You couldn’t figure out if you were doing something to make him upset or if he was just like that.
“Well I should probably head out, I have a lot of studying to do today.” You got up and started folding the blankets they’d given you. You could feel Jay’s eyes on your back.
“What subject?” He asked.
“Biochemistry, the bane of my existence, I have my first midterm for it this week and I am not prepared.” You said with a huff.
Jay was silent for a moment, “You know, people have told me that I’m a great study partner.”
You stopped and turned to him, “Oh?”
He smirked, “I can be very…motivating when I want to be.”
You could feel your heart beat a little faster in your chest, “What are you offering?”
Jay shrugged, “Just some encouragement, and a…” he winked, “pretty face to look at while studying.”
You could feel your face heating up, and you laughed nervously, “How could I refuse?”
He looked up surprised, “Really?”
You scratched your neck, “Yeah, why not, my roommate is too busy studying for her own midterms so a study buddy would be nice.”
“You wouldn’t prefer Jake or someone else help you?” He asked, eyes focused on the laundry.
You laughed, “I don’t think Jake would be very helpful, he gets distracted too easily.” You placed your finger on your lip, “I honestly do think you’d be the best at drilling me, since you’re good at keeping the others in check.”
He smiled, “I try.”
“Well I don’t have my books with me, I’ll have to get them from my dorm.”
He shrugged, “We can study there.”
You froze at his words, Jay coming over? You promised Jake he’d get to see your room as part of your deal, if you had Jay over first would he be mad?
Jay sensed your hesitation, “We don’t have to if you’re not comfortable, it can be anywhere, I’m not picky.”
“No it’s ok,” Your mouth moved before your brain could process what you were saying, “That’ll make it easier anyway.”
Jay smiled at you, an image that was growing on you more and more by the second. It was just to study, you told yourself, that was it.
“Morning.”
A voice from behind made you jump slightly, and you turned to find Sunoo walking into the living room. He smiled when he saw you, “Hi sleepyhead, was the couch ok?”
You smiled back, “It was really nice actually, I slept like a baby.”
Sunoo grinned, “Oh good! Did you want some pancakes? I was going to make some for breakfast.”
You glanced at Jay who nodded, “Go ahead, we can leave whenever you’re ready.”
Sunoo looked between the two of you with a mischievous look on his face before dragging you into the kitchen. He started to pull out the pancake ingredients, and wasted no time in talking, “So, you and Jay are going somewhere?”
You played with a piece of your hair, “He’s just helping me study for my midterm this week.”
Sunoo nodded knowingly, “Mhm, studying.”
Your eyes narrowed, “Is there something you’re not saying Sunoo?”
He shrugged, “Well that depends, did you ask him or did he ask you?”
“He asked me.”
Sunoo smiled but said nothing.
“What?” You laughed.
Sunoo stopped what he was doing and stared at you, “Listen y/n, Jay seems to really like you.” You’re about to interrupt but Sunoo stops you, “And I know there’s something going on with Jake too,” he paused, “And maybe Ni-ki and Heeseung, but just know that you're becoming a bit of a hot commodity in this house,” he smirked suggestively.
You could feel your heart beating out of your chest at his comment, “So I’m not imagining it…”
“What are you not imagining?” Jungwon walked into the kitchen, looking at the two of you curiously.
You ducked your head, but Sunoo wasn’t phased, “Just how she’s stealing everyone’s hearts.”
A big smile broke out on Jungwons face, “I thought I was the only one who noticed, it’s been a while since I’ve seen them like this, especially Jay, did you hear him humming this morning? He never hums.”
You buried your head in your hands, your skin feeling as hot as lava as the two younger members gossipped around you.
“And Ni-ki, you should have seen him last night, he was as giddy as he was on I-land when he went to bed.” Sunoo added.
Jungwon chuckled at your huddled form. He placed a hand on your shoulder, “It’s ok, it’s sweet that they’re like this, it just means they care.”
“But how do I choose one?” You grumbled.
He frowned, “I can’t help you there, there must be one you’re leaning towards.”
“I thought it was Jake but now I’m not so sure.”
“All you can do is talk to them more, and eventually it’ll clear up.” Jungwon said, “It’s kind of romantic isn’t it? All of them fighting over you?”
You glared at him, “I see now why you like flirting with all your fans.”
He shrugged, a playful smile on his face. “I just give the people what they want.”
The three of you continued talking, Sunoo making enough pancakes for everyone as the rest of the boys started filing in. You ate your breakfast quietly, thinking over what Sunoo and Jungwon said. You really liked Jake, but you couldn’t deny your growing feelings for the other members. You knew you’d have to choose at some point, but for now you decided to take Cara and Jungwon’s advice: give them each a chance, and see what your heart decides.
You were scrolling on your phone when a voice whispered in your ear, “Watcha doin?”
You jumped, twisting your head back to find Jake’s mischievous smile.
“Jake!” You shoved him back, “You scared me.”
He laughed, moving close so his mouth was only a couple inches away from your ear. He braced his hands on the table on either side of you so you were trapped against his chest.
“Was the couch ok? I wasn’t sure if I should wake you or not, but the others insisted you’d be fine here.”
You kept your eyes on your phone so he wouldn’t see the panic in your face at his closeness. “It was good, thanks for letting me stay.”
You could feel him smile, “Anytime.” He pulled back, leaving the space behind you feeling empty. You watched Jake as he cooked eggs and sausage with Sunghoon, their laughter infectious as it echoed throughout the kitchen.
Ni-ki interrupted your thoughts when he pulled up a chair next to you. He looked at your plate, “Are there any pancakes left?”
Sunoo shook his head from his spot at the table. Ni-ki pouted and eyed your plate with one pancake left. You raised your eyebrows, “Do you need something?”
He leaned forward, “Please?” He stared at you with very convincing puppy dog eyes.
You shrugged, biting back your smile, “What’s in it for me?”
“Hmm, a new purse? A hoodie? A pair of earrings?”
“You think you can just buy me off?”
He smirked, “Lunch?”
You smiled, “Now we’re talking, I’ve been craving sushi, you?”
“Tomorrow at 1:00?”
You laughed, “Deal.”
Ni-ki moved your pancake to his own plate, a smug look on his face.
Sunoo gave you a knowing smile, which you pretended to ignore.
A moment later, Jay walked into the kitchen, “You wanna leave soon y/n?”
At the stove, you saw Jake go quiet and look between the two of you confused, “You guys are going somewhere?”
You tried not to let the hurt on his face get to you, “Jay’s going to help me study, I have a big test this week and he offered to help.”
“Oh, why don’t you just do it here?” He asked.
“All of my books are in my dorm so we need to go there first to grab them.” You avoided his eyes, instead watching Jay who had a self-satisfied expression on his face.
“Ah, makes sense.” You could hear the hurt in Jake’s voice as he turned back to the stove, and it took all your willpower not to go and comfort him on the spot.
“I’m ready Jay, I’ll just get my shoes.”
You said your goodbyes to the others and thanked them again for the nice weekend, asking them to tell Heeseung the same when he woke up. Ni-ki got your phone number before you went, telling you he’d figure out the lunch plans for tomorrow. Sunoo gave you a quick hug, asking you to come back soon.
Jake sat at the table quietly, flashing you a strained smile when you met his eyes.
“I’ll text you.” You said.
He nodded, his smile not reaching his eyes.
You glanced at Sunghoon who was leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hands, his lips pursed as he watched the interaction between you and his friend. You offered him a small wave, which he returned with a tight smile.
You turned and headed out the door, following Jay as he led you to the black car.
As you and Jay settled in, Jake’s pained expression was still fresh in your mind. You were about to pull out your phone to text him when Jay spoke up.
“So, does your roommate know I’m coming?”
Your eyes widened, “Shit.” You immediately sent Cara a text that Jay was coming over and to make the room presentable.
Cara: Jay? Not Jake? Did something happen last night y/n?
You: He’s just helping me study, I know with Jake I’d never get any work done.
Cara: Fair enough, I’ll make the room fit for an idol don’t even worry.
You looked at Jay, “Now she knows.”
He smiled, “Glad I asked.”
“Cara can be… a bit much, so be ready for that.”
Jay smirked, “I talk to a lot of people y/n, I think I can handle it.”
You laughed, “Right, I forgot, you’ve seen much worse.”
“You could say that.” He said.
You arrived at your dorm quicker than usual, and you internally prayed that Cara was ready. You led Jay up the stairs, fumbling with your keys as you got to your door. “Sorry, I’m usually a bit more organized.”
He smiled softly, “It’s ok, no rush.”
Finally, you found the key and slowly opened the door. You stepped in first, Jay followed after. Cara sat up on her bed, breaking out in a smile when she saw Jay. “Hi, I’m Cara, nice to meet you.”
Jay smiled back, “Hey, I’m Jay.”
“I know,” Cara said, her eyes widening slightly, “Not in a creepy way, just cause y/n told me your name, and I know you're famous and…” She stopped when she saw your amused expression. “You know what, I’m actually going to go do some of my own studying and get out of your way.” She threw some things into her backpack and headed to the door, “So nice to meet you Jay, have fun!” The door shut behind her.
Silence settled over the room as the two of you stared at each other.
“So…here it is,” you said, gesturing to the room.
Jay looked around, “It’s nice,” his eyes landed on something in the corner of the room, “Is that a ukelele?”
You followed his gaze to the wooden instrument leaning against your dresser. “Yeah, It’s a hobby I’m not very good at keeping up with.”
He walked over and picked it up, strumming a few chords. Suddenly, you remembered something Jake told you. “You play guitar, right?”
He smiled, totally focused on the ukulele, “Yup, I try to play every day, it helps me relax.”
“That’s cool, I always wanted to learn but wanted to start with something a bit easier, hence the ukulele."
“I could teach you,” Jay said, looking up.
You smiled, “That’d be nice.”
He played a few chords, humming as he did. Your mind went back to Jungwon’s words that morning, “He never hums.”
You started getting out your study materials as he played, sneaking glances at his focused expression. His shoulders were relaxed, his face intense but content. You found yourself easily able to picture him on stage, shredding the guitar like a rockstar.
You sat cross-legged on your bed. “Ready?”
Jay looked up, gently putting the ukulele down. He stared at you on the bed, “Can I…?”
“Oh, yeah,” you gestured for him to sit at the other end, your textbook and flashcards between you.
He climbed on and grabbed the textbook, holding it in his lap, “Alright, what’s a molecule?”
You laughed, “We’re a little farther along than that, here I made flashcards.”
You handed him a stack of index cards which he eyed warily. “There’s like 100 cards in here, you have to know all of this?”
“If I want to become a doctor, yes.”
Jay squared his shoulders, staring at the cards intently, “Ok what is a polymer?”
“A large molecule made of repeating subunits.” You answered.
“Called?” Jay asked.
“Mmm, monomers?”
Jay nodded, immediately switching to the next card, “Substrate.”
“The substance that an enzyme acts on.”
He nodded again, going to the next one.
You go on like this for a while, Jay being as focused as you expected he’d be. He sorted every card into a ‘confident’ and ‘not-confident’ pile as he went, never judging if you didn’t know the answer.
When you went through every card, he leaned back on his hands, “Wooh this is hard, my brain hurts.”
You laughed, “How do you think I feel?”
Jay smiled, “Smarter than me, that’s for sure.”
“We all have our strengths.”
He chuckled, “I’ll stick to music.”
“I’m sure you could do a lot of things if you put your mind to it.” You said
“I don’t know, I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Jay said, “I always feel most at home on stage.”
“Like you were born to be there?”
Jay smiled softly, a distant look in his eyes, “Yeah, exactly.”
“I’m glad, most people spend their whole lives chasing that feeling,” you said, “A lot of people would probably call it the meaning of life.”
Jay leaned forward, a thoughtful expression on his face, “I feel grateful for it every day, but there’s always a part of me terrified of what comes next.”
You nodded, bobbing your head as he went on.
“I mean I can’t be on that stage forever,” he laughed, “my knees can only take so much.”
You chuckled, “Ok old man.”
He shot you a glare, “You try dancing for hours on end every day.”
You put your hands up in surrender, “Sorry, sorry, I’ll leave that to you.”
Silence fell between the two of you.
“...So what is next?” You ask, tilting your head slightly.
Jay leaned his head against the wall, staring at the ceiling, “Doing what our songs talk about I guess.”
“And what’s that?”
He met your eyes, “Falling in love.”
You bit your lip to stop from smiling, “I’m honestly surprised you all aren’t taken already.”
Jay shrugged, “We’re busy people, traveling constantly, working constantly, we hardly have time for it.” He glanced at you, “But if the right person were to come around, I’m sure it could work.”
You leaned back into your pillows, a playful smirk on your face, “So, who is Jay Park’s ideal girl?”
He smiled bashfully, avoiding your eyes, “I don’t know, someone caring, funny, smart…”
“Well you just described a good portion of the population.”
He laughed, “I don’t know! Someone who can keep up with me. Someone who is passionate, has goals and stands by their values.”
“That’s better.” You said.
“What else am I supposed to say?”
“You must have a type, who’s your favorite actress?”
He groaned, “Ok fine, a girl who…studies hard,” he fiddled with one of your flashcards, “a girl who’s a better singer than she thinks…” you felt your cheeks heating up, “...and maybe a girl who plays the ukulele."
You kicked him in the leg, hoping he didn’t hear your heart beating out of your chest.
“What?” Jay laughed, “Do you know anyone like that?”
You put your finger on your chin, “Hm I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it.”
He shrugged, a humorous glint in his eye, “Ok well if you think of someone, tell her I really want to meet her.” You watched his eyes glance over you.
You stared at him for a second as you tried to think of a coherent sentence, “I-I’ll let her know.”
Jay smiled, “Good.” He shifted his body back in front of the flashcards, the tension in the room falling away. “Ready to go again?”
You sat up too, taking a breath as you tried to shake the image of his lingering eyes, “Yeah let’s do it.”
About an hour later, you stood awkwardly in your room as you watched Jay put his shoes on to leave. You had made it through several rounds of flashcards, leaving you feeling surprisingly confident about your test. Although you wanted him to stay longer, Jay told you about a photoshoot planned that day, and how he would never hear the end of it if he bailed.
“Well this was fun.” He stood up, nodding at you with a small smile.
You smiled back, “It was, thanks for the help.”
“Don’t mention it,” he winked.
You blushed, shoving him, “Alright get outta here, go be pretty.”
He frowned, “Are you saying I’m not always pretty?”
You rolled your eyes, “You know what I mean.”
He laughed, rubbing his neck, “So… will I see you soon?”
“If you want, you know where to find me.”
He smirked, “I’ll see you soon then.”
You leaned against your doorway as you watched him walk down the hall, feeling a whirlwind of emotions course through you.
Just then, your phone vibrated, and you pulled it out to find a text from Cara.
Cara: Is he gone?
You: Yeah, he just left.
Cara: Ok I’m coming back.
A few minutes later the door opened, and Cara marched in. She set her bag down and laid on the bed with a dramatic sigh. “Ok how are you even functioning around them? Jay looked at me once and I became a blubbering mess.”
You laughed, “Honestly, it’s getting harder by the day.”
“I’ve never felt so flustered before, like what?” Cara buried her head in her pillow, “I take it all back, I’m not cut out to date any of them.”
“Oh come on, they’re just people, I’m sure you’d be perfectly capable.”
Cara shook her head, “Nope, you can have em y/n, good luck.”
You laughed, putting up your studying materials, “I still don’t feel any less confused about it all. That honestly made it worse.”
“Maybe you just need some space, give your brain time to process.”
“Well I would…” You run a hand through your hair.
Cara raised her eyebrows, “y/n?”
“...But I’m getting lunch with one of them tomorrow.”
“What!?” Cara threw a pillow at you. “Who?”
“Ni-ki.”
Cara snorted, “Is it a date?”
“Uh he didn’t say it was.”
“But he asked you?”
“Yes?”
“It totally is.”
You groaned and flopped onto your bed. “I don’t even know anymore.”
“Just go with it, they’re the ones trying to win you over, let them take the lead.” Cara said. “You’re basically their vampire princess.”
“Huh?”
“They’re vampires, that’s like their theme.”
“That checks out actually. But it’s not that easy, I don’t want to hurt them.”
Cara shrugged, “There’s not really a way around it, besides, it’s better to be sure now so you don’t choose one and then change your mind later.”
“I guess.”
You lay there for a while, trying to sort through your jumbled emotions. You knew you had to make a choice but how could you even begin? Each boy had his own unique charm, pulling you in for completely different reasons. Were they even comparable? You pulled out your phone and opened your messages to Jake’s contact. His hurt expression had been running through your mind all day, and you’d been debating what to say. You stared at the screen for a few minutes before starting to type.
You: Hey, I hope the shoot is going well. I wanted to thank you for the talk last night, it was nice to have someone there.
You stared at your phone anxiously, reminding yourself that it could be hours before he responded. You tried to distract yourself with a book but your mind kept drifting
Your phone buzzed.
You instantly picked it up, your eyes narrowing slightly when an unknown number appeared on the screen. You opened the message.
Sushi or Korean Barbecue?
You smiled slightly, and quickly texted back.
I told you I was craving sushi.
He thumbed up the message.
Just wanted to make sure. Pick you up at 1 tomorrow.
Oh, this is Ni-ki btw.
You laughed softly.
I figured, see you soon.
Just then, another message popped up.
It was from Jake
Your heart sped up as you clicked the message.
Jake: I’m always here if you need me.
You let out a sigh of relief, maybe he wasn’t mad after all.
You: Wanna help me study next time?
Jake: How could I say no? :)
The next day you were standing on the curb, waiting for Ni-ki. You’d been able to get most of your studying done that morning, so you didn’t feel too bad about skipping a class. Besides, Cara would have given you hell for turning him down.
A few minutes after 1, the black car pulled up. Ni-ki opened the door from inside and gestured for you to come in.
You climbed in, “I’m excited to see if my pancake trade was worth it.”
Ni-ki smiled, “It will be, I promise. This place has the freshest fish.”
“But is it better than Sunoo’s pancakes?”
He laughed, “Maybe not, you’ll have to tell me.”
The ride was smooth and comfortable as the two of you joked around. His jokes were flirty but sweet, clearly enjoying it most when you were flustered and laughing. You caught him sneaking glances at you in the reflection of your window, and you had to cover your mouth to hide your smile. He nudged your foot every so often, schooling his face into a neutral expression every time you turned your head.
“You’re annoying.”
He smirked, “You love it.”
You didn’t know how to respond to that so you shoved him back, laughing as you avoided his eyes that continually left you breathless.
Eventually, the car pulled up in front of an outdoor shopping complex and the two of you got out.
“I thought we could eat and then shop a bit.” Ni-ki said.
You smiled, “Sounds good, maybe you can give me some fashion advice, since you’re the expert.”
He ran a hand through his hair, “I’ll think about it.”
Ni-ki led you to one of the restaurants, opening the door for you. Inside it’s busy, the air filled with sounds of clacking dishes and the voices of the workers. A sweet smell wafted through the room, making your mouth water. It was completely different from the place Jake took you to, which felt high-end and intimate.
The two of you sat at a table off to the side where you could get a view of the entire restaurant. Ni-ki pulled on a beanie, adjusting it so it covered his platinum blond hair.
“Do you get recognized a lot?”
He shrugged, “Not a crazy amount, but I’d rather not be swarmed right now.”
A waiter came over, and after checking with you, Ni-ki ordered for you both. You liked the idea of trying Ni-ki’s favorite foods like you tried Jakes. You figured there was no better way to get to know the city.
“How was studying with Jay?” Ni-ki asked suddenly.
“Oh, it was good, he helped me a lot actually.”
Ni-ki smirked, “He seemed pretty happy when he got back yesterday,”
You smiled slightly, your thoughts drifting back to Jay’s humming. You wondered if he had talked about you when he got back or if he had kept it to himself, wanting to treasure the moments just between the two of you. You smirked at Ni-ki, “I just have that effect on people.”
He laughed softly, “You’re not wrong. You’re singing made me really happy.”
Your stomach flipped, “Are you sure you’re not messing with me? I was sure I embarrassed myself.”
“No, really.” He leaned forward slightly, “I watch idols perform so much that I forget how funny it is when normal people do it.”
You gasped, “So you are making fun of me!”
He laughed, leaning onto the table.
“You’re so mean, I poured my heart out to you guys.” You tried to say it seriously, but a smile tugged at the corner of your lips.
“So you meant it? You belong with me,” he says in a sing-song voice.
You realized the hole you dug yourself into. You laughed nervously, “I don’t know about that.”
Ni-ki placed his chin on top of his closed fists and pouted his lips, “You don’t like us?”
“I didn’t say that, I like you guys a lot.”
“But me the best right?”
You rolled your eyes, “Don’t push your luck mister.”
He smiled, shifting in his seat, “Who else buys you sushi?”
“My affections aren’t solely based on food.”
One of your hands rested on the table, and you saw Ni-ki eyeing it before he slowly placed his hand beside it, your fingers brushing. “What else are they based on?”
Your face was on fire as you struggled to meet his eyes. You glanced at his hand, debating whether to pull away or not. Ni-ki watched you carefully, his dark eyes boring into yours as he studied your face. He smirked slightly, and placed his hand on top of yours.
A short laugh escaped your lips, “Lots of things.” You finally met his eyes, which stared back unwavering.
Before you could say anything else, the waiter came back, carrying a large tray of sushi. You quickly pulled your hand away as she started placing plates on the table, looking everywhere but at Ni-ki.
When she left you heard him chuckle softly, and you looked up to see him struggling to contain his laughter.
“What?” You said.
“Nothing.” He said.
You narrowed your eyes.
He sighed, “You’re just so cute when you’re flustered.”
You kicked him under the table, earning a shocked gasp as you started to shovel sushi on your plate. The second you put a roll in your mouth, everything was forgotten, the flavors melding over your tongue in a perfect blend. “Oh my god,” you mumbled.
“I told you it was good.” Ni-ki said.
You nodded enthusiastically before digging in, your hunger taking over. The two of you sat in comfortable silence as you ate, just enjoying each other's presence. It was a nice change from the bustling of the school food courts and even the energy in the boys apartment. Just a peaceful meal with a boy who made your stomach flutter.
After you both finished your food, Ni-ki paid and led you out, walking through the outdoor mall until you found the area full of clothing stores.
“Where to?” He asked.
You looked around at all of the options, taking a moment to think before pointing to a store advertising street clothes in the window.
Ni-ki smiled, “Are you trying to impress me or something?”
You laughed, “No, no, I genuinely like your style, I wouldn’t mind getting some inspiration.” You nudged his arm, “Besides, I want to see you in your element.”
He stared at you for a second, his face unreadable.
“What..?” You said.
He shook his head slightly, “Nothing, let’s go.”
The two of you walked into the store, and you were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer amount of clothes. The walls were lined from floor to ceiling with racks of assorted pants, sweatshirts, and jackets, making the store feel cave-like.
“Where do we even start?” You said.
You turned around to see Ni-ki already sifting through a pants rack, an expression of childlike joy on his face. Your heart melted instantly, and not wanting to interrupt, decided to explore on your own. You wandered around, occasionally stopping to sift through a rack. Eventually, you found the shoe section, knowing that if you were spending money on anything, this was it. You spotted a pair of Jordans with your two favorite colors and checked the label. They were your exact size.
“Those are nice.”
You turned to find Ni-ki walking towards you, a pile of clothes in his arms.
“Looks like you had better finds than me.” You said, looking pointedly at his pile.
“Hm? Most of these are for you.” He said.
Your eyes widened.
“You wanted my help didn’t you? I think these all would look good on you.” He started to hold them up one by one to show you.You found yourself liking most of his choices, making you wonder how he knew your fashion preferences so well. At one point he pulled out a very low cut top. You couldn’t stop the surprised look on your face which Ni-ki noticed.
“What?” He asked.
“That’s just very…revealing.”
He smirked, “But you’d look good in it.”
You could feel heat climbing up your neck, “Maybe…”
“Come on, try it on.” He said with a pleading lilt in his voice.
You sighed, “Fine.” You took the shirt as well as a few others you especially liked and headed to the changing room. Ni-ki took a seat in the hall, smiling to himself as you closed the door.
You tried on the first few items- a couple pairs of pants and a t-shirt. Ni-ki liked all of them, but you only decided to get one of the pants, insisting that he spent enough on you for the day. You saved the shirt for last, putting it on slowly. It hugged your curves in a way none of your other clothes did, which felt weird, but…you had to admit it looked good. You took a deep breath before opening the door to the hallway, stepping out shyly.
When Ni-ki saw you, his mouth opened slightly, his eyes instantly roaming down your figure. You saw his eyes lingering on your chest. You cleared your throat which snapped him out of it.
“You look…incredible.” He said, a hint of color on his cheeks.
You laughed, “It’s definitely something.”
“So, are you gonna get it?” He rubbed the back of his neck, and you could tell he was trying hard to keep his eyes on your face.
“Do you want me to?”
He licked his lip slightly, “Only if you’re comfortable, I mean if you want.” He paused. “If it’s a price thing, I’ll get it.”
You laughed, enjoying making him flustered for once. “I’ll get it, your reaction is worth the price of wearing it again.”
Ni-ki smiled sheepishly, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, ok.”
The two of you stopped in a few more stores, but didn't buy much. You spent most of your time people-watching and teasing each other, constantly getting looks with your loud and constant laughter. At one point the two of you were trying on funny hats and glasses, trying to make the craziest faces. You were in the middle of trying one on when Ni-ki slipped out his phone and took a picture of you.
You immediately took the glasses off, “You did not.”
Ni-ki laughed as he looked at the picture.
“Show me right now.”
He was laughing too hard to show you so he just held out the phone. The picture was horrible, showing you mid-blink with the stupid glasses perched on your nose. “Oh my god, delete it now,” You said, laughing a bit yourself.
“What? No, I’m sending this to the guys.” Ni-ki took the phone back, starting to type.
“No you are not!” You snatched the phone out of his hand, navigating to his gallery. He tried to grab it back but you spun around to keep it out of his reach. You laughed and walked away quickly, putting some distance between the two of you. Ni-ki didn’t hesitate, immediately jogging after you.
You squealed and ran off, gripping his phone tightly as you ducked between clothing racks. “You’re making a big mistake y/n!” Ni-ki called out in a sing-song voice, and you knew it was only a matter of time before he caught you.
You ducked behind a shelf, quickly navigating to the photo and clicking delete. Before you could even look up, strong arms wrapped around you from behind, snatching the phone back. He turned you by the waist so you were facing him, your back pressed against the shelf. His face was close to yours as he whispered, “I told you I’d catch you.”
You felt a shiver race down your back at his hot breath on your cheek. “No, you said I was making a big mistake.”
He smirked, “I guess you’re right.” His eyes flicked to your lips, and back to your eyes. “I can’t remember what it was though.”
He was so close you could see spots of deep brown in his eye, and all you could think was how beautiful Ni-ki was.
He stared at you too, his eyes drinking you in like a man dying of thirst. His hand on your waist tightened slightly, and you thought you made a sound, but you didn’t have time to think what it was, because it was all it took to snap Ni-ki out of his trance. His other hand tangled in your hair as he pushed you into the shelf, crashing his lips onto yours.
For a second, you were too shocked to respond, but after a moment, your body reacted, your hand resting on his chest as you melted into the contact. The kiss was eager but gentle, as if he was scared to hurt you. His hand cupped your jaw as he slowly pulled away, searching your face.
You looked at him with wide eyes, your face flushed, trying to form a coherent sentence. He looked down, letting his hand slip from your face. “Sorry, I got…carried away.”
You shook your head, “No, Ni-ki, it’s ok, I’m just processing.”
His hand was still on your waist, looking at you hopefully.
You couldn’t help but smile at the expression, your head reeling with a mixture of emotions. You took a deep breath.“Ni-ki listen…I like you.”
He nodded, waiting for you to continue.
“I can have fun with you, and you’re very sweet, it’s just…”
His eyes narrowed at your hesitance, his hand on your waist tightening.
“...You’re not the only one I like.” You stopped there and looked up at him, hoping he wouldn’t turn on you, but also not blaming him if he did. You knew you had to be honest at this point, otherwise there would just be more pain later on.
Ni-ki looked down, pursing his lips. After a moment he met your eyes, his face firm with determination. “I know. I’ve seen the way you look at some of the others, I’m not blind, I just thought-” He stopped, biting his lip slightly, “I thought maybe I could win you over.”
You smiled, relieved that he didn’t seem too upset. “It’s not like it isn’t working, you’re driving me crazy just like the rest of them.” You said softly, “I’m just not ready to make a decision now, not yet.” You took his free hand in your own, interlocking your fingers. “But if it makes you feel better, that was a really nice kiss.”
He smirked, leaning towards you. “Want another one?”
Your breath caught in your throat, your eyes darting back to his lips. “Yes,” you said slowly, “But we should probably go, it’s getting late.”
You moved to pull away but Ni-ki’s hands tightened, holding you in place against the shelf. “Just one, please.”
You smiled, enjoying the way his eyes traced your face eagerly. “Fine.”
He immediately connected your lips, tilting your chin up to deepen the kiss. He slipped his tongue past your teeth, drawing a surprised sound from your throat. He smiled against your lips, his hand on your waist drifting down-
You pushed him away, panting, “Ni-ki.”
He whined, his hand still on your jaw, “What?”
“I think you’re forgetting we’re in public.” You looked around, luckily not seeing anyone.
He sighed, “Fine.” He pulled back, leaving the space in front of you empty. You found yourself already missing his warmth.
The walk to the car was quiet. At some point, Ni-ki laced his fingers with yours, walking beside you happily, his body language relaxed and open.
“So…you’re ok not being the only one?”
He smirked, squeezing your hand, “I’m fine, I like a challenge.”
You raised your eyebrows, “Really?”
He shrugged, “I know my strengths, and you better get ready, because I’m really competitive.”
