Hey guys, I'm Sam! 23. Interested in games, music and all that general stuff. Feel free to ask me anything. I'm ok with all pronouns but female/gender neutral pronouns are preferred. And that's it. Ok have a nice day!
summary: rooming with kim chaewon was a terribly bad (good) decision.
pairing: roommate!chaewon x roommate!reader
themes: enemies (?) to lovers, college au, fluff, very minor angst, chaewon is a micromanager!, implied sexual content, yunjin!
wc: 3.0k
even though its below freezing outside, with a red nose along with frozen ears, you refuse to enter your apartment. fearing the demon that you live with, her legal name being kim chaewon.
a major pain in your ass is how you would describe living with her. you would rather step on legos than to live with her, but with limited on-campus housing you have to deal the cards that you've been dealt.
so you pace outside, on the welcome mat, biting your nails. just getting the courage to walk back into your apartment. one that turns into a war zone whenever chaewon's being a stickler for rules and regulations (ones that she's made for the apartment). you finally stop pacing when you feel the confidence back in your body.
"i'm not letting her dictate what i can and cant do." you say to yourself quietly, this was ridiculous. not being able to enter a space that you pay for just because chaewon was a micromanager pissed you off more than you would like to admit.
as soon as you enter the apartment, you're immediately hit with the silence of the apartment. it's odd, and you can feel a pair of eyes staring at your back. you pay it no mind as you slip off your shoes. you turn to the sight of chaewon with her arms crossed, standing in that familiar stance of authority. letting out a heavy breath, you know, watch her folded arms, tense jaw, and the most telling sign: her foot tapping rhythmically. so you walk towards her, like a child ready for scolding.
"what's it going to be tonight, chaewon? cleanliness, manners, etiquette, or are you going to comment about my clothes?" you explain, frustrated. It seems you can never get things right around miss perfect.
"cleanliness!" she exclaims, pointing at the many dishes piling up in the sink. you grimace at the sight, just remembering it was your turn to do the dishes. "look at our chore list! it's your week!" she continues point at the very detailed chore poster, your name in big bold red letters.
you groan and grab some gloves, preparing for the long lecture about cleanliness and maintaining a proper space. while you are busy washing all the bowls in the sink and placing them on a drying rack, chaewon begins listing off reasons to always maintain a clean apartment—a lecture you have heard far too often.
"enough, chaewon! i am not five, and i don't need to be lectured on why I need to wash the dishes for the 50th time!" you shout at her, cutting her off from her outburst. she stops, and you can see her lips waver, and her hands are balled into fists.
"then stop acting like a five-year-old!" she shouts back at you, stomping to her room and slamming the door. you wince at the sound, feeling a little guilty for yelling at her, she just really set you off tonight.
so you stand in the kitchen all alone with the sound of running water comforting you. feeling the weight of your words, you feel bad that she has to reprimand you for things you should figure out on your own. with a final dish on the rack, you sulk back into your room, thinking of ways to apologize to your roommate.
--
"chaewon?" you wake up early, feeling guilty that you yelled at her. even though you were tired of the lectures, you knew it was wrong to yell at the girl. you tried making a breakfast that she would like. so with a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of her favorite green tea, you carry the tray towards her room and knock on her door.
"what." her voice is flat and monotone. you shrink into yourself before speaking again.
"i made you breakfast...listen i'm sorry about yelling at you. i shouldn't have and i let my emotions get the best of me. could you open the door?" you explain, feeling awful just remembering her face when you yelled at her.
the door opens slowly and behind the door is an upset chaewon with puffy eyes and a bunch of tissues in hand. you slowly walk in and place the tray on her desk. she's busy with her schoolwork it seems, but it also looks like she's been busy crying with the pile of tissues in her waste basket.
it's weird being in her room ever since you found out how high-strung she was. so you have always steered clear of her room, this is the first time you've been inside. noticing how decorated the room is, it's cute, oddly. it's what you expect of chaewon's room, clean and proper. with a splash of green everywhere, that must be her favorite color.
she stares at the bowl of oatmeal you made her, eyeing it wearily. you groan at her.
"i didn't poison it, if that's what you're thinking." you comment quietly. she nods and sits down in her chair to eat it. you wait patiently, not really sure what to do. maybe waiting for feedback at this point. she just nods and you finally feel your shoulders release tension.
"phew." you say out loud.
"thank you for breakfast, i'll stop lecturing you so much." she says quietly. you nod, a little shocked at how dismissive she is. walking out of her room, you still feel a bit awful, maybe you should invite her out somewhere.
before you can begin to ask her, chaewon is already closing her door behind her. you're just grateful she accepted the peace offering.
--
she doesn't comment on your poor behavior in the next couple of weeks, you just feel inclined to do the chores that have been laid out. you don't hear from her for a while, feeling her absence in the apartment.
some days, when you're past boredom, eyes glued to the ceiling, and daydreaming of becoming rich. you think about chaewon and why she's so persistent about cleanliness. you always thought it was a bit extreme, but you never came back to a messy apartment. so you could appreciate that, you just hope she goes back to her own noisy self.
it's become strangely quiet in the apartment without chaewon's constant annoyance towards you. whenever you step outside in the living room in hopes of seeing chaewon, she's never there. your mood is considerably worse without a person to argue with.
you purposely leave out clothes on the floor for her to scold you, but she never comments on it. just stares at it and walks into her room. so with a dejected face, you pick up your own clothes. you hate to admit that you missing your nagging roommate.
--
"is that chaewon?" your friend shouts into your ear. saturday night out, and instead of staying inside with the awkward tension with chaewon, you're out here to party your anxiety away.
the thing that irks you tonight is that this house party is definitely a fire hazard—way exceeding the maximum number of occupants. you remember chaewon telling you to never stay in a place that breaks the maximum occupants.
you turn your head up at the question, looking around and you finally spot your roommate across the room. all you can conclude is chaewon is stupid drunk—dancing like her life depended on it. people all around her are egging her on, and chaewon breaks out the robot, making you laugh.
then some guy starts getting near her to dance with her, you frown at the sight. setting down your cup as you make your way to the other side of the room.
"woah buddy, back up." you put a hand between the dude and chaewon, he flips you off before walking away. you are about to chase after him to give him a piece of your mind, but then you remember chaewon in front of you. blearly eyes chaewon, with her stumbling and drunk laughter filling your senses. she refocuses her eyes, and they land on you, eyeing your outfit.
"what are you doing here?" she asks in a slurred tone, her finger wagging in your face.
"i could ask you the same thing." you raise your eyebrows, confused by the sight of miss perfect student chaewon partying on a sunday night. she scoffs at you.
"don't tell me what to do." she crosses her arms as best as she can, definitely feeling the drunkness.
"don't tell me what to do." you mock her tone, laughing at her when she gets mad at you. she starts to walk away, but you grab her arm. "hey, let's go home. it's late."
"no! let me go." she stomps her foot like a child.
"alright, let's do this the hard way." you say and and hoist her up, carrying her out the stuffed house.
"let me down! i'm not done partying." she shouts. you pay her no mind as she tries pushing you away. you laugh because she really isn't trying that hard.
so you take her back home, walking down frat row until you reach your apartments. by then she's fallen asleep, arms wrapped around your neck and snoring lightly. it's cute seeing chaewon so relaxed, you're glad you found her, it's been weird being at home without her. you hope whatever is happening between you two just returns back to normal.
you fumble around with the key to your apartment, and with a final push you walk into her room. unwrapping her arms from your neck, as you set her down in her bed. you admire the way chaewon looks in makeup, gorgeous and very serene.
but you also know that chaewon hates going to sleep with her makeup on, so you rummage through her makeup drawer, finding makeup wipes for her. you take the time to gently wipe all the makeup off, finding it peaceful and fulfilling to do so.
she fusses a bit when you wipe too hard. you pull back and let her calm down, before wiping the rest of it off. throwing the used wipes in her waste basket. when you turn around, you see her knocked out cold, laying like a starfish on her green comforter.
you smile at the sight and then roll her under her comforter, tucking her in. with light footsteps, you close her door, and return back to your own room. the smile never leaves your face.
--
it's been about a week since the party, chaewon was embarrassed that you had brought her home. so she bought you coffee and a muffin nearly every morning.
she lets you explain that night from your point of view, her face goes red at the embarrassing parts. you purposely leave out the part where that guy was trying to dance with her. for some reason, you feel upset when you talk about it, maybe he just looked too creepy.
she dissapears into her room soon after, something along the lines of, "i need to process all this."
later that night, you're writing on your laptop when you hear chaewon's door open. the sight of her in a nice form fitting dress and her hair done up, your jaw drops and you jump to your feet.
"where are you going?" you ask. she's checking her purse for something. she looks up at you confused.
"a party?" she states like it's so obvious. your body is jittery at the idea. you think quickly, she's not going out by herself. what if she gets kidnapped?
"wait, let me go with you." you say as you rush into your room to get ready, no way you're letting her go to that party alone. you need to fend off the creepy men for her.
"why are you going?" she asks from outside the doorway. a little confused at the sight of you throwing clothes everywhere. she even steps inside to pick up the clothes now littered all over the floor.
"just cause." you say and grab your outfit. rushing into your bathroom to change. within a few minutes you walk out ready to accompany chaewon.
she's on her phone waiting for you, and you examine her outfit. you rummage through the closet, looking for a nice warm jacket. slipping it over her shoulders as you both set out for the night. you miss how chaewon's cheeks warm at the gesture.
--
it has started becoming a regular habit: if you can't attend the party with chaewon, no matter how late or wasted she is, you always pick her up from the party. if she was too tired or drunk, you would help tuck her into bed.
oftentimes, you even had to help her puke her guts out from drinking too much. but that was never a pretty sight, so you try and get her to puke her guts out before she enters the apartment.
one night, she ends up just crawling into your bed. when you fall asleep, you feel her body warmth against your body. she makes herself comfortable under the blanket. wrapping her arms around your torso as she lays against your pillow.
you move yourself further off the edge of the bed as she scoots closer. she mumbles something about how warm her bed is, and honestly, even with her taking up your personal space, you don't mind.
it has somehow blended into a habit to sleep together every night when she came in the next night, and without a word, slipped under the comforter again. you let her, too scared of saying anything in case it scared her away. it's become a nightly thing to just sleep in the same bed together...even when she's not drunk.
--
"you two do what?" yunjin is staring at you with her food half chewed.
"dont talk with food in your mouth, you're going to catch flies." you comment.
"oh great, now you sound like chaewon too." yunjin bites her food. you decided to contact yunjin in hopes of figuring out what to do with this new "development" with chaewon. the habit of her sleeping in your bed with you. sometimes you wake up and catch chaewon staring at you.
"so you two sleep together in the same bed, brush your teeth together, go about your morning and nightly routine together, and even cuddle...platonically." yunjin questions you, but the sarcasm is dripping as she says it.
"yes." you answer.
yunjin takes a deep breath before starting up again, she didn't think you were so dense. "dude, chaewon is into you."
"no she's not, just two months ago we were at each other throats. don't you remember?" you ask.
"of course i remember, oh my GOD, is this my real life enemies to lovers slow burn 10k words fic in real life?" yunjin says to herself towards the end.
"you seriously have got to get off the internet." you cross your arms staring at the girl. "you aren't helping, by the way."
"help with what?" she asks, a little confused.
"what do i do?" you ask her. ever since the new habit of chaewon and yours, you've been going through your days all confused, always thinking about chaewon.
"you either grow a pair and confess you want to be more than 'sleep buddies' or you wuss out and just let her continue doing this." she says plainly.
you disregard her comment, "forget what i said." you say. yunjin just shrugs and continues eating her meal, letting you sit with your own thoughts.
--
so you do wuss out like an absolute coward. just letting the unspoken words take over you and chaewon's sleeping arrangements. you let her continue to invade your space, moving her stuff into your room. her decorations, her clothes in your drawers, and just recently she moved her desk into your room, placing it just next to your desk.
you were shocked at the arrangement but couldn't find the confidence to comment on it. it's weird; now you two practically exist in each other's space all the time; just two months ago, you were cursing the world for giving you chaewon as a roommate. now you can't imagine going to sleep without seeing her and her hair roller every night.
sleeping together turns into unspoken dates: going to the movies together, going bowling, getting groceries together, and even going to high-end restaurants together.
it's like you're dating unofficially. those were the exact words your friend told you when he came over to visit. when you let him into your room to show off your movie posters, he immediately thought you had a girlfriend, you had to explain to him how it was just chaewon.
he looked at you like you grew a third eye, confused at how chaewon went from most annoying person in the world, to someone who sleeps in your bed every night. you try not to let those words mean so much, but secretly you're hoping you can officially date her.
--
one night, you go out clubbing with chaewon; she looks gorgeous in her tight dress and her hair laid out, showing off her dancing to you. you recently found out thar chaewon was part of the dance team, often visiting her showcases. now you enjoy just watching her let loose, like a free soul, not bounded by her own rules. its beautiful to see.
by the third song of you two circling each other on the dance floor, you kiss her. pulling her into your embrace, hands reaching her back and pushing her closer to you. she welcomes the kiss and lets you pull her closer. hands running up your hair, tugging lightly.
you make out with her against the club wall, and drag each other home with urgency. laughing loudly in the streets like teenagers in love.
"be mine." she breathes into your ears that night.
"only if you're mine too." you kiss her shoulder, and she nods.
--
yunjin visits you two the next day, screaming at the sight of you two in your bed and covering her eyes immediately. you wake up horrified with chaewon clinging onto you as yunjin screams for the whole apartment complex to hear. she slams the door closed and runs out of the apartment. you and chaewon both look at each other before laughing loudly.
even though yunjin avoids both you and chaewon for the next two weeks, you don't feel an ounce of regret. you can honestly say that rooming with chaewon was the best decision of your life.
--
a/n: i feel like chaewon fits enemies to lovers really well but maybe that's just me. didn't really proofread this one but anyways. posting this piece first because it was decided by the people! i hope it was worth the wait! stay safe and stay healthy everyone!
a/n: this has been in my drafts for too long, it’s not good but I’m publishing anyway
It had been happening for five months now—coming home late, early morning coffee runs, mentions of dance recitals she went to. Sophia was hoarding a secret she didn’t want her members to find out just yet.
Unfortunately, her girls are naturally curious people with a knack for being nosy, especially when it came to Sophia, a person who was huge on privacy.
Yoonchae noticed first, having shared a dorm with the girl. She woke up one night to use the bathroom—it was midnight, too late to be awake filled with energy.
On our way out the bathroom to return back to bed, she spotted Sophia in the living room. She had headphones on, back pressed against the arm of the couch, her phone was turned sideways, watching a video that Yoonchae couldn’t see.
Sophia was smiling hard.
So naturally, the Korean girl confided in Megan who experienced it first hand, the sight of Sophia twirling her hair between her fingers while staring at a picture on her home screen. She couldn’t depict who it was, but for sure, it wasn’t just a friendly behavior.
So Megan and Yoonchae decided to tell the rest of the girls who took note of the little things as well.
Sophia started wearing rings on her fingers. It was a rare sight to see, but when one appeared, another was added and then another and then another. Her “coffee runs” were turned into hour long sessions where she came back with no answer for what coffee shop she went to when interrogated.
The final straw when the girls all had meetings of their own. Sophia finished first and knew the others would be home for a couple hours so she called you over.
You arrived at her door, knocking softly with your hair in a neat, slick back ponytail. You wore skintight leggings, a crop top that said “I ❤️ NY” and a pink duffel bag slung over your shoulder.
“I just got back from practice. Sorry, baby.” You said out of breath, still smiling as you kissed her cheek.
“No worries.” Sophia shrugged and took your bag for you, setting it down. Her fingers intertwined with yours, dragging you away and upstairs to her room.
When the girls arrived, earlier than Sophia’s expectations, they froze when they heard giggling. With slow steps, they sneaked their way upstairs undetected and found Yoonchae and Sophia’s door cracked open.
They were like little detectives out of a cartoon when they poked their head through the crack to see what was happening.
You were straddling Sophia, now wearing her favorite hoodie ever and attempting to do her makeup.
“Stop moving!” You giggled, pinning her chest down while applying plush your other hand.
Sophia chuckled breathlessly. “I never let people do my makeup, babe. I’m not gonna just sit still.”
“Then this’ll be a first for you because it’s me and you’ll do anything for me.” You smiled cheekily.
Sophia rolled her eyes from beneath you. “Yeah, yeah.” But there was no heat to her voice and the blush in her cheeks deepened.
The girls quickly scattered away.
Daniela was the first to speak when they settled quietly in the living room. “I’m not gonna lie—Sophia and a girl, kind of a surprising.”
“Good surprising.” Megan grinned, the bisexual in her arising. “That girl looked hot.”
Lara hit her arm with a chuckle. “Should we hide until she leaves?”
“I guess so.” Manon nodded and they decided on huddling in the dark of the kitchen together. Your footsteps echoed from upstairs, mingling with Sophia’s. She walked you down and to the front door.
Opening it, Sophia leaned against the doorframe, holding your hand with a yearning look on her face. “Want your hoodie back?” You asked, ready to take it off.
“Mm-mm. Keep it, baby. It’ll smell like you when you give it back.” The girl grinned. “Plus, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
You giggled. “Yes, you will, Miss Laforteza. Don’t be late or I’ll steal all your hoodies.”
“It’s not a threat if you look so cute in them.” Sophia charmed, then leaned forward to kiss your lips softly. “Get home safe, mkay?”
“Always. Love you.” You grinned and cupped her face.
“Love you more.”
You were out of the door frame, walking down to your car. Sophia shut it closed, leaning her forehead against the cold, wooden door. A lovesick chuckle escaped her lips, following with that content sigh. Her heart filled with warmth.
The kitchen light flickered on, revealing the girls standing there. Sophia turned around and yelped, “Hello?!”
“So-“ Daniela started, arms crossed. “Who’s the girl?”
Sophia’s eyes widened. “No one.”
“You don’t say ‘love you’ to just anyone.” Yoonchae teased.
“It doesn’t matter then.” The leader sighed.
“You questioned me about Orlando, let me ask you about her.” Lara reasoned, tilting her head.
Sophia paused. “Because your man is… weird. And I don’t have to tell you everything.”
Midway up the steps, Megan called out, “Please, Soph? We don’t mean to meddle. It’s just- we’ve never seen you so happy before.”
That made Sophia stop her movements and turn around. She sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose with her eyes close, avoiding the pleading gazes of her girls.
“Fine. I have a girlfriend. Happy?”
“For now.” Manon grinned widely. “What’s her name? What’s she do for a living?”
“Does she play video games?” Megan asked.
Yoonchae butted in. “Can she make ramen?”
Sophia looked between them with complexity, yet amusement still swirled in her eyes as she chuckled softly. A rosy red color dusted her cheeks. “Uhm, I can call her and see if she wants to come over tomorrow. So you can meet her.”
“YES!”
“We want that!”
“You better do it.” Daniela threatens, getting close and Sophia gently pushes her away.
“Just promise me you won’t swarm her.”
That promise made totally back fired the moment you walked through the threshold. You were danced ready for your recital you had later that night, and the girls swarmed you like bees to flowers.
Sophia grabbed your wrist, gently pulling you from the five girls asking you a million questions. “Guys! Oh my god.” She chuckled nervously. “Just give her a breather.”
Silence followed after a moment. You glanced between them all before intertwining your fingers with Sophia’s. Her shoulders drop immediately.
“Hi, I’m Y/N. It’s nice to meet you all, finally. Sophia talks nonstop about you all.” Your smile was warm and soft, friendly to the girls whose hearts were bursting from how much you tooo care of her.
“Sadly, we’ve heard nothing about you.” Lara teased.
“But it’s so nice to finally put a face to the smile that Sophia has all day, every day.” Daniela pulls you in for a hug.
You chuckle at the embrace, patting her back softly as you pull away. “Well, she’s the best.”
Sophia’s cheeks heat with a red blush dusting her face. “That’s all you, baby.”
“Don’t be so modest.” You snickered, hand against her chest as you rest your head against her shoulder.
“Let’s make ramen!” Yoonchae cheered, pulling only you to the kitchen. The rest of the girls follow with a series of claps filling the room, chatter exceeding off the kitchen walls.
Sophia sighed under her breath, but the smile on her face expressed all she could’ve wanted, just how much she appreciated the way you fit in.
synopsis: sophia laforteza can’t stop giving you heart eyes, and this weverse live is all the proof anyone needs.
genre: fluff, crack, kinda smauuu
warnings: idrk, gay panics, they’re so gay ur honour; probably my bad writing; sophia wants the cookie sb; reader is masc ig🥀i’m traumatised after writing gore, so here y’all go
a/n: yes i was crashing out to michael buble songs while shitting, then i got ts fic idea. i lpve his songs sm
you didn’t exactly wake up today planning to end up in front of a camera.
it was supposed to be a chill, no-schedules, no-pressure kind of day — the girls were all tucked away in their rooms with their roommates, doing their own thing. you and daniela had gone out earlier, grabbing a small mountain of snacks for everyone.
and, on a whim, you also grabbed a carton of fresh strawberries.
yesterday, the leader had been talking — more like whining — about craving strawberries, so naturally, you figured you’d drop some off for her. you told yourself it was just a nice gesture. nothing complicated.
turns out, maybe that idea wasn’t such a good one.
…or maybe it was the best idea you’d had all week.
you padded down the hallway to her and yoonchae’s room, balancing the small tupperware in one hand. yoonchae, from what you’d seen earlier, was in the living room with megan and manon, deeply invested in some variety show rerun.
you knocked lightly. “hey, it’s me, yn.”
there was a muffled sound, then her voice — slightly louder, like she’d moved closer to the door — “ohh— yn is here… come in! the door’s unlocked!”
you hesitated for a second before twisting the knob. when you pushed the door open, you instantly spotted her.
sophia was sitting cross-legged on her bed, back propped against the wall, phone perched on a tiny tripod angled toward her. the glow from her phone screen lit up her face — and sure enough, the second she looked up and saw you, her whole expression shifted into something bright and warm.
you froze mid-step. “…o-oh. are you on live?”
“mhm,” the leader hummed, already leaning a little toward you. “come here, join me.”
you blinked. “…should i?”
you were tired, sure, but you also knew yourself — talking to eyekons usually boosted your mood. and saying no to sophia when she was looking at you like that? yeah, not happening.
“oh god,” you muttered under your breath, stepping inside anyway. you closed the door with a quiet click before crossing the room and sitting beside her, tupperware still in hand.
without missing a beat, sophia shifted her phone slightly, making sure you were perfectly in frame.
[weverse live screen — 15:42 elapsed]
comments flooding in:
user27383: yn?? IS THAT YN??
gayyyyn: OMGGG MY SOPHYN HEART
sybaupmo69: YN MARRY ME
sophiaswife: wait is she wearing sophia’s hoodie 😭😭😭
megansprite09: god im gonna third wheel again
lararajsdikhrider: yall see how happy sophia got when yn walked in
sophia, smiling at you instead of the camera: “heyy.”
you returned the smile, glancing at the screen. “hi, eyekons!”
“wow,” she pouted dramatically, pointing to herself, “no hi for me?”
you tilted your head with a small laugh. “i brought you strawberries. that’s more than a hi.”
her pout softened into a big grin. “everyone, y/n brought me strawberries.”
you shrugged, lips quirking. “yeah, before you dragged me into… whatever this is. at least i get to talk with eyekons.”
comments:
manononechance: “whatever this is” YN PLS
honeybuns: they’re so married coded i fear
sophiaswife: SOPHIA’S SMILE STOP
you set the strawberries down on the bed. sophia absentmindedly scratched at her hair before looking right back at you.
“sit closer,” she murmured, already tugging lightly at the sleeve of the hoodie you were wearing.
“i’m literally in frame already,” you deadpanned.
“closer,” she insisted.
rolling your eyes, you shuffled nearer until your knees bumped. “enough for you?”
she gave a tiny nod, then glanced at the comments. “is yn wearing my hoodie? yes. she stole it.”
you gasped lightly, pulling the hood up in mock offense. “okay, calling me a criminal for ‘stealing’ your hoodie is defamation. this is not theft — it’s… permanent borrowing. and, for the record, you left it in my room.”
comments:
mochibun_69: permanent borrowing aka theft 💀
dikhsaurawr: GIRL WE KNOW U SLEEP IN IT
iheartyoonchae: sophia’s hoodie is now yn’s hoodie, sorry soph
sophia giggled, shaking her head. “guys, actually me and yn share clothes a lot.”
you nodded, “true.”
“what’s mine is hers, and what’s hers is mine,” she added without missing a beat.
you reached over without thinking, plucking one of the strawberries from the container. “so…” you glanced at sophia, popping it into your mouth, “what’s going on here?”
she tried to play it casual — leaning back a little, tone airy — but her eyes trailed after you like a cat watching a laser pointer. “just talking to them… we were talking about marz’s lolla performance earlier.”
you snorted softly, instantly remembering the chaos of that day. “oh, the history-breaking moment? yeah… that was something.”
“help?” she muttered with a quick, almost guilty smile.
before you could tease her, she clapped her hands together, a little too fast. “anyway— enough about that!”
the two of you locked eyes for a beat, and then it was over — both of you breaking into quiet giggles.
“we love lara and manon for that,” you said once you caught your breath.
comments:
lararajsdikhrider: BYEE YN PROLLY THINKING ABT MARZ’S M.I.A ENDING
lararajsdikhrider: look she literally smirking ouuu
rainynn: THE WAY SOPHIA IS LOOKING AT HER THO
sophiaswife: why is she staring at yn like that 😭
jjkgirl: yall she’s GONE
you bit into another strawberry, savoring the sweetness — only to notice sophia’s hand subtly tilting the container toward herself, like she was silently claiming dibs.
“so sweet,” she murmured, plucking one out for herself.
you raised an eyebrow at her. “you’re talking about the strawberry, right?”
she laughed, that soft, quiet kind that only came out when she was genuinely caught off guard.
the way her eyes curved when she smiled made it hard to take her seriously.
you shook your head, pretending to focus on the strawberries again — though really, you could still feel her gaze on you
sophia’s eyes scanned the chat, and she tilted her head slightly with a little hum.
“oh, they’re asking if we’ve been… doing anything lately.”
you turned your head toward her, brows quirking in mock curiosity.
“define ‘anything.’”
her lips curled into a knowing smile. “like… hobbies.”
you hummed in thought, tapping your fingers against your knee before finally answering.
“uh… i’ve been hitting the gym a lot lately.”
sophia’s gaze flicked to your arms for a moment, her eyes softening into something almost admiring.
“yeah,” she said, leaning forward just enough to grab a strawberry. “she’s been looking so buff lately.” she bit into it mid-sentence.
your eyes wandered to the stream comments, and one immediately caught your attention.
“y/n, flex for us,” you read out loud, chuckling. “oh, alright.”
you made a show of tugging your hoodie sleeves up, revealing your forearms and trying to get a good angle to flex.
“hey, hey, hey—helloooo,” sophia drawled, the tease dripping in her tone as she lightly tapped your bicep before pulling her hand away.
comments:
therealgayboy: YN FLEXING WTF YN’S ARM WHAT THE HELL
sybaupmo69: SOPHIA LOOKING AT HER LIKE SHE’S ABOUT TO
hoforyn: crash me with those idc idc
“okay, speaking of this,” sophia started, pointing at your arm as if it was Exhibit A, “y/n’s been carrying me around a lot lately.”
you gave an exaggerated nod. “yess.”
“i have pics.” she smirked, already clearly enjoying herself. “lara took ’em.”
[weverse live — 32:45 elapsed]
sophia squinted at the scrolling chat before suddenly lighting up.
“teach y/n tagalog!” she read aloud, her voice pitching slightly higher in excitement.
you looked up from absentmindedly picking at the strawberry stems. “oh no…” you muttered with a small grin.
sophia grinned right back at you. “well, guys… i have been teaching her lately.” she leaned closer, the corners of her eyes crinkling.
you nodded, pointing a finger at her. “by force.”
“hey—!” she nudged your arm. “let’s see how well you’ve learned, then.”
you sat up a little straighter, feeling the mock pressure of an exam.
“she just knows the basics,” sophia told the camera. “like… magandang umaga, magandang hapon, magandang gabi, kumusta ka, salamat, you know—day-to-day things.”
you raised a brow, smiling. “and i also learned some on my own, thank you very much.”
“oh, really?” she turned fully toward you, clearly intrigued. “magaling.”
you laughed softly. “tagalog sounds so cute and cool. wait—what did you just say?”
“magaling.” she repeated, slower this time, tilting her head as if to guide you.
you mimicked her carefully, your accent still clumsy. “maga… ling…?”
she lit up. “yes! it means ‘excellent.’ ang galing mo.”
you beamed, clearly proud of yourself. “aww—salamat po.”
the way you said po—a little too soft, a little unsure—made sophia clasp her hands dramatically.
“oh my god, i love the way you say po.” she turned back to the chat. “isn’t our y/n so cute, guys?”
you groaned, already tugging your hood further over your head. “stop…”
but she was already scooting closer, energized. “okay, let’s teach you some more phrases.” she straightened up. “say, mahal kita.”
without missing a beat, you replied, “mahal din kita.”
her eyes went wide. “oh???”
you frowned slightly. “what? you’ve said it before.” you tilted your head, eyes narrowing a bit as if you’d caught her bluff.
comments:
heartyn : WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT
eyekonsunite : SHE SAID MAHAL DIN KITA??? HELLO???
ynshrimp : nahhh they’re so not subtle anymore
teamlarasignmeup : that’s it i’m convinced
for a split second, the air in the room went quiet—both of you realizing what had just happened.
sophia coughed into her hand, pretending to scroll. “okay, uh… let’s teach you something else. say, maganda ka.”
you tilted your head, already smiling slyly. “you’re pretty too.”
her jaw dropped. “no—wait—you were supposed to—”
“you literally just said ‘you’re pretty.’ i’m returning the compliment,” you shrugged.
[weverse live — 44:10 elapsed]
sophia’s eyes scanned the chat, a smirk tugging at her lips as she read aloud, “y/n, what’s your favorite tagalog word?”
you blinked at the camera, face completely neutral, before saying in the most casual tone possible:
“putangina.”
sophia’s head whipped toward you so fast you swore you heard her neck crack.
“girl—WHAT??? who taught you that?!”
you leaned back in your chair, unfazed. “i’ve heard you say it before… whenever you get frustrated with practice or, like, anything.” your voice carried that mischievous lilt, making her throw her hands over her face.
“you are NOT making me look like a bad influence on live,” sophia groaned, dragging her palms down her cheeks dramatically.
you grinned. “you are a bad influence. but honestly—” you toyed lazily with the drawstring of your hoodie— “i learned some on my own too. i always pick up curse words first when i’m learning a new language. it’s, you know… the essentials. love to curse people out with it.”
“you better not actually say them,” she scolded lightly, narrowing her eyes at you but still smiling.
you gasped theatrically. “oh, my deepest apologies for bad-mouthing my leader. this won’t happen again.” you mimed zipping your lips shut.
her expression softened instantly. “you are so lucky you’re cute.”
comments:
softyn : shet, sinabi niya putangina😭😭😭😭😭😭
user27374: y/n the way you said it so calmly
sophiaslenses : SOPHIA’S FACE IM CRYING
therealgayboy : the way theyre flirting after a curse word??
[weverse live — 45:02 elapsed]
sophia cleared her throat, cheeks still warm from the chaos a minute ago. she scolded herself internally—stop giving her heart eyes, soph, you’re being so obvious.
“okay,” she said quickly, “let’s do some q&a instead.”
you leaned closer to her laptop screen, scanning the questions until you frowned. “five-year-old y/n or fifteen-year-old y/n? what kind of…? guys, give us something interesting.”
sophia giggled, shoulders bouncing. “for the record, i’d choose five-year-old y/n. you were sooo cute back then. i would’ve loved to be friends with her.”
your jaw dropped. “so you’re saying i’m not cute anymore??”
“oh my god—no! you’re still cute now!” she quickly waved her hands.
“wait.” you leaned closer, eyes wide in fake horror. “so you’re saying when i turn 50, i won’t be cute?”
“guys—guys, hear what she’s twisting my words into?” sophia appealed to the chat.
you pointed dramatically at her. “sophia hates me.”
“noooo—sophia loves you,” she matched your tone, placing a hand over her heart. “eyekons know how much i love you. i could never hate you. but…” she paused, smirking, “i’m still choosing five-year-old y/n.”
you gasped. “she CLEARLY hates me.”
comments:
gayforlararaj : they’re literally bickering like an old married couple
sophyn4ever : i can’t tell if they’re fighting or flirting
ilykatseye: get a room dwag
[weverse live — 55:12 elapsed]
“‘get a room dwag,’” sophia read out loud from the comments, her eyebrow quirking.
you glanced up from absentmindedly scrolling through the chat. “huh?”
she shrugged, pretending to look all serious. “sorry to break it to you, but… we are currently in my room right now.”
then she leaned closer to the screen, “where else are we supposed to go… when we’re in my rooooom?”
you just stared at her. “what the helly.” you shook your head, deciding to move on. “anyway—oo, that’s an interesting question— ‘what’s something only the two of you know about each other?’”
both of you went quiet for a second, exchanging that suspicious glance like you were silently debating what you should actually answer.
finally, you spoke. “she knows how many plushies i own right now. and… i have a lot. like—more than a reasonable amount for one person.”
sophia lit up like you’d just announced her as a game show winner. “yes, and i know all their names.” she nodded proudly.
you pointed at her. “don’t tell anyone.”
her mouth twisted into a pout. “why? ashamed that you named one of them after me? and we’re literally the parents of that plushie, by the way.”
“okay, i think i should leave.”
“nooo, let’s name them!” she perked up, fingers starting to count, “there’s sophia jr, sof, so-so—”
you reached over and gently covered her mouth with your hand. “stooooop.”
she laughed under your palm, voice muffled. “o—okayausjdj.”
[weverse live — 56:09 elapsed]
you glanced at the time and sighed. “i gotta go now,” you said, swinging your legs off the bed. “i have some stuff to do.”
sophia looked up at you instantly, her expression dropping a little. “oh? that fast?”
“yes,” you answered simply, already walking toward the door. you waved at the camera, “byeee, eyekons!” then you added with a grin, “bai bai, mahal ko~”
behind you, sophia froze mid-wave. “wait—wait—was that for me??”
you were already halfway out the door, tossing back, “you wish!”
the door shut, and sophia turned right back to the camera, pointing at herself like she’d just won a gold medal. “that was definitely for me.”
a/n: 3 am rn... i need to sleep i didnt sleep yesterday byee
˚⟡˖ ࣪౨ৎ summary: girlfriend material sophia strikes again, and this time round, she has no intention of keeping how much she cares about you a secret. best be known you don't mess with sophia laforteza when it came to you... she'll be breaking a lot more than hearts thats for sure
prev, next (so many of yall are threatening to kill my family if i don’t do more sophia content so here she is 🫶)
Y/N AND SOPHIA PROVING L/NFIZ DEFINITELY DOES (NOT) EXIST PART. 2
17.2k likes | 330k views | 18th Dec, 24
*Loud technical difficulty transition* [ WEVERSE LIVE ] join a y/nfiz hangout <3 You and Sophia started a live while waiting for the girls to come home from a schedule
You sat beside the Filipina leader, your collared shirt unbuttoned and creased, your hair a slight mess and your day-old make up still on your face. The fans loved the domestic look you always seemed to serve when you were at home, and it was safe to say they noticed Sophia was too.
Whilst she ranted on about some silly story you had already heard her tell a million times, you checked yourself out in the camera, the crease in your white shirt collar gave you an itch you desperately needed scratched.
Your hands came up to pop open the collar to your shirt more, revealing your bare chest down the low V cut of the button-up. The fans had begun tuning Sophia’s story out too, because gradually, the chat flooded with comments on your peculiar choice in styling, which caught the attention of the rambling woman. She glanced between you and the comments on the screen, her hand instinctively shooting up to grab your shirt.
user01 raw. next question.
user02 Omg she’s actually tryna kill us w the fit
user03 don’t be shy pop it open a little more ^^
user04 y/n baby save it for the bedroom
“Yo, watch it,” Sophia warned, adjusting your collar so you would be covered up to the base of your neck.
Your hands grab hers gently as you chuckled at the tense expression on her face. “Fia, calm down, I’m like twenty-one, I can wear an open-collared shirt if I want to.” You nodded towards the thirsty comments, smirking. “Besides, it sounds more like the fans want me to.”
Sophia grimaced, her face twisting into something negative before adjusting her sitting position so she was in front of you. She was in an oversized hoodie, so it shielded your body from the camera perfectly.
“Absolutely not if I have something to say about it,” she shook her head, moving her body so she would be shielding you away from the camera. “What’re you all looking at, hm?”
user05 dang baby ain’t nobody tryna snatch her😭
user06 It’s okay cuz if y/n was mine I would gatekeep too
user07 ntm on my girl sophia yall know damn well you’d do the same thing if y/n was your girlfriend
user08 SOPHIA SHARING IS CARING
You sighed, lips quirked at the older woman’s antics. “Can I talk to my people, Laforteza? Or are you gonna hold my shirt like this for the rest of the live?”
“Are you gonna button this all the way up?”
Your eyes widened, “All the way up? What am I, somebody’s Christian mom? Absolutely not!”
“Then yes, the rest of the live.”
user09 sophia confirmed brat tamer
user10 This is too much for my brain man
user11 Idk what’s crazier y/n’s fit or Sophia going all overprotective girlfriend
Eventually, Sophia would shed the hoodie she was wearing and drape it over you, despite your apparent protesting. The friends made note of the way she still seemed adamant on keeping you in the background as your hands peeked through the long sleeves of her oversized sweatshirt.
[ are they looking for a third to their marriage? ]
*Loud technical difficulty transition* KATSEYE MANA Dance Practice; Sophia’s behind the scenes interview
All the members were asked to send you a message. You were out sick and couldn’t make it the day they filmed the dance practice (you did eat so hard at MAMA don’t worry), and as the girls were asked about their feelings, their experiences working towards an award show like MAMA and what they took from this opportunity. Sophia, as the leader, her interview was put last, and she got asked the most hard-hitting questions.
She knew you were getting some backlash from being sick that PR day, it made things much more exaggerated, as if you weren’t present for a lot of things.
[ y/n defender till i die. if i see one comment calling her lazy or untalented, i WILL be reporting you ]
The question: “How have you managed to keep yourself motivated and help support the girls through this journey towards achieving such a milestone?” Immediately, Sophia being Sophia begun ranting on about how every member did their jobs amazingly, how she could not be prouder, how she could not imagine herself fulfilling her dream with such a beautiful group of passionate artists. She then spun her rant away from Manon being a pillar behind the scenes to you, whom your manager had asked her to give a message to.
“It’s actually been really disheartening,” she sighed, her wide smile faltering just the slightest. It was obvious, the way you could see genuine emotion seep through the cracks of her pr training. “y/n’s been sick for about a week, she can barely get out of bed and she just—She’s been working especially hard for this, because this has always been a dream of hers. Most days, we have one of our phones on facetime with her at home. You can actually see her following along next to her bed, and she gets teased so hard for it.”
[ my poor baby, i’m glad she put health first ]
Sophia chuckled softly, “That girl—that girl is so stubborn. I’ve told her so many times to just stay in bed and get better soon so she can actually practice with us here, but I never win that argument.” The camera angle switches to a closer look at Sophia’s expression. Her eyes pan from her hands back up to main camera off screen, glossy and brushed with a tinge of melancholy. “It breaks my heart to see her cry. She loves doing what we do, and not being able to do it makes her feel like she’s disappointing everybody. And the girls do a really good job of making sure those thoughts eventually leave, but she’s just so hard on herself. That is… definitely part of what makes her such an amazing performer, but it’s also what we, as a group, as a family—as Katseye, stand for.”
She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath. The words, “The members messages to their missing friend:” appear.
“y/n, if you’re watching at home, I love you. The dance room’s not the same without you here, we all miss you, and we really cannot hope any harder for you to feel better soon.” She blew the camera a kiss, “I’ll see you at home. Love you.”
[ she said i love you twice… SHE SAID IT TWICE ]
*Loud technical difficulty transition* Katseye Christmas Video; a segment of the video had the members paired off and decorating their ugly sweaters, naturally, to atone to popular demand, you and Sophia were coupled up
“Yours is not looking good right now,” you teased, snorting at the third glop of hot glue yanking the little fibres off the sweater. You, yourself, didn’t have the most impressive artistic ability, but you enjoyed watching the older pout and grow fussy whenever you would make a comment about her struggling to bring her vision to life. “What is that supposed to be, Rudolph’s distant cousin Rude elf?”
Sophia rolled her eyes, letting out a whiney grumble. “It’s not even that bad, it has a good personality. Stop judging it!”
[ y/nfiz fans getting fed everyone say THANK YOU HYBE ]
You rummaged through the box of decorations you were provided, feeling your attention momentarily divert from the heat exhuming from the show lights. You pulled out a couple streamers, Christmas balls before you found a particular piece of decor that caught your eye.
Apart from the sweaters, you had to make a hat, and you knew everybody was in competition for the most ridiculous design. Inspiration struck, and you had the best idea.
When the sweaters were done, you slipped it on. Yours was a pastel shade of red, with the words “Wish list: Eyekons” spelt out with stickers. You looped the streams along the sleeves, taking the balls all over the sweater. As you stood in front of the slow-mo camera for your glam shot, you could see Sophia smiling at you in your peripheral. You smiled into the camera, blowing them a kiss with a cheeky wink.
[ she’s so fine i need her i need her i need- *gunshots* ]
Back at your table, you added the last touch of glitter before fully giving the camera another close look at your creation. You turned to the Filipina, who adjusted her on.
“Wait, Fia, you gotta look at this.”
She glanced at the camera, a nervous grimace sprawled across her face as you bent behind the table to pick up your hat. “You and creative genius do not mix, like I have a seriously bad feeling about this—!”
You set the hat on your head, a fedora you wrapped in Justin Bieber Christmas wrapping paper. Around the base tied a long rope of frills, strung at the very front a tiny, dangling piece of mistletoe flailing just inches away from your eyes. You beamed, proud of the hat. You eyed the cameras, before puckering your lips in an exaggerated manner. Your hands clasped together, eyes closed. “I’m waiting.”
[ #thisisthemostiveeverrelatedtoanidol ]
Sophia slapped a hand over her forehead, scoffing. “You’ve got to be kidding me, there’s no way you did that.”
“You gotta respect the tradition, Laforteza, come on!” you ushered, leaning in closer as you pouted. “I want my kiss.”
[ sophia’s stronger than me i would’ve folded right there ]
Sophia eyed something off camera, getting a sleek look of approval from your manager.
“Fine, come here.” She sighed, an amused smile on her lips. She cradled your face carefully, tilting her own head before pressing a gentle kiss onto your cheek. When she pulled back, the camera zoomed in on the lipstick stain nearly touching the corner of your mouth. “Merry Christmas, l/n.”
You shot the camera the widest smile, “I must’ve been a good girl this year, cuz my Christmas wish just came true.”
[ no cuz the editors knew what they were doing keeping this bit in for the starving y/nfiz truthers ]
*Loud technical difficulty transition* [ KATSEYE VLOG ] Here are four separate occasions from the same video where Sophia just can’t keep her hands off you
Clip one: You stood up from your seat, second from the left and right in between Sophia and Daniela. You threw pumpkin guts at Lara, who wouldn’t stop making fun of the way you couldn’t balance on your heels earlier when you were filming winx club tiktok’s. Sophia’s hand cupped the back of your skirt, her own pumpkin long forgotten. She pressed the piece of clothing against your thighs, making sure you wouldn’t flash the entire world as you focused on dousing the Indian singer in your pumpkin’s insides.
Clip two: As the six of you waited for Megan to finish up in hair and makeup, Sophia’s arm wrapped around your neck. You, Yoonchae and Manon were deep in conversation about the last time the group was altogether for a schedule, with Sophia mindlessly watching you talk. Fans pointed out her apparent gaze switching back and forth from your eyes to your lips, a small smile perched on her own lips as she watched you joke around with your bandmates.
Clip three: The two of you were pulled aside, tasked to organize the girls into groups to set up a quick little jumpscare for Megan as a surprise to celebrate her official return to Katseye activities since her back injury. Though the video showed a wide are of the studio where you two stood, Sophia seemed adamant on staying just inches away from you, her attention solely fixed on the way your eyebrows furrowed at the ipad they had handed you. Fans noted this as one of the more subtle but iconic l/nfiz moments.
Clip four: As Daniela thanked the fans for tuning in to watch the special Halloween edition of Katseye vlogs, Sophia could be seen grabbing at your hip. Given, her other arm was around Yoonchae, but her hand merely dangled off her shoulder, unlike the sure grip you could see she had on your waist.
[ let’s play fanservice or just gay for the 193837th time ]
*Loud technical difficulty transiition* [ WEVERSE LIVE ] Manon and Daniela being big mouths ;)
“I’m pregnant with talent… I’m pregnant with star quality,” Manon announced confidently, earning a judgemental look from her roommate beside her.
“That’s one way to put it, that’s for sure.” Daniela mocked.
“Where are the others—Okay, hold up, I got this. Let me cook!” Manon set her brush down, raising a finger, the other hand pointing at that finger. “Lara’s out with her sister, Yoonchae’s sleeping next door right now, and… Megan’s still at home seeing her family.” Daniela hummed, “Yeah, her flight’s tomorrow.” Manon nodded, “Yeah, so Megan’s not back yet. And Laffy and n/n are out on their little date right now.”
Daniela squealed, slapped her in the arm, “Stop! People are gonna take that outta context!”
Manon faked a scared gasp, going back to fixing her hair. “Hybe, if you’re watching, I didn’t say that.”
user01 l/nfiz on a date… i can die happy now
user02 MANZ JUST CONFIRMED L/NFIZ LESGO
user03 never EVER pr train this woman
“Yeah, wait, I think Sophia posted it.” Daniela pulled up a Weverse post Sophia had put up not long ago of her in a movie theatre in front of a movie poster. “y/n’s been meaning to watch the movie for her favourite actress and Sophia, of course, agreed to go with her. They’re getting us dinner on the way home, so I’m praying y/n does the shopping. Sophia always tries to trick us into eating healthy.”
“Yeah, she thinks she’s slick too,” Manon snorted, “Let’s be so for real though, y/n opens her mouth and I ain’t ever heard Sophia respond with ‘no’, that’s all I’m saying.”
user04 Manon is so messy I love her
user05 so she’s a down bad girlfriend huh…
user06 manon is a mindset i want to embody
“Yeah, y/n just exists and Sophia’s smitten. Bro, last time they went out for a ‘quick grocery run’, they came back with bags on bags of shopping. I know this little gold digger did not pay with her own money,” Daniela chirped, “I was in the living room when Sophia’s dad called to ask why her card was maxed out.”
Manon sighed, “Chat, let me tell you, Sophia spoils y/n rotten. And I mean, rotten. This woman don’t need no sugar daddy, she done made a sugar momma outta Laffy.”
“Sophia plays favourites. I don’t appreciate it.” Daniela joked.
[ so basically sophia’s THAT type gf, ok, ok… taking notes for science rn ]
♱ 𝒚𝒕 𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒐; everyone’s obsessed with how girlfriend material sophia is, but only for a certain member of katseye. for scientific research, eyekons have made a video of moments sophia naturally acts like the gentlewoman she is
SOPHIA BEING THAT KINDA GIRLFRIEND FOR Y/N (FT. MEGAN ALWAYS CAUGHT AT THE SCENE)
17.2k likes | 330k views | 18th Dec, 24
*Loud technical difficulty transition* [ KATSEYE VLOG ] Day in the Life of KATSEYE | KATSEYE
Sophia was sporting a cool, black Drew jersey. The one you got her for her birthday after weeks of wanting it. Throughout the day, you’ve been growing tired of having the camera follow you around. Awoken by Megan and Sophia turning all the lights on in you, Daniela and Manon’s room, the blankets were yanked off your body and a kneeling Sophia tried nudging you awake.
Though Sophia’s soft voice motivated you to drag yourself out of bed, you already knew it was going to be a long day. Thank God for the breakfast the leader had made, or else you would never have been able to keep up with your PR training.
When dance rehearsal was over, your manager softly reminded all of you it was time to film tiktok’s for the Katseye instagram to promote the release of “Pop Star Academy: Katseye” on Netflix. Megan and Lara actually had a couple ideas to pitch this time around, but ultimately, the trend all seven of you seemed satisfied with was the water dumping on. Though you were staying on the more silent end of the discussion—your social battery draining rapidly with each moment your actions are streamed on video—you seemed to be voluntold.
[ Poor Y/N, she looks so tired… let my baby sleep please ]
“I think Y/N should do this one ‘cuz I’ve always wanted to dump water on her for fun,” Megan squealed, “Like I’ll do it to, but I definitely think Y/N should go first.”
You raised an eyebrow at the statement, your lips curving into a questioning smile. “Yeah, I mean… I don’t really mind it, but I wanted to do the ‘texting my sister’ one.”
The members began bickering which person should do which tiktok, and Sophia noticed you weren’t really engaged in the conversation. As the group discussed the pros and cons of hopping on certain tiktok trends, you remained silent, staring at the phone screens being shoved into the middle of the group. You nodded along with your lips pursed, uninterested in the brewing debate that was taking too long.
Eventually, Lara turned toward Y/N. "What do you think, Y/N? You’ve barely said anything. Would you be up for it?"
You hesitated, your head tilting in thought. "Um... I don’t know. I’m not really comfortable with getting soaked."
Manon frowned, raising an eyebrow. "Babe, you can do crazy ass splits and flips on a stage in front of hundreds and thousands of people, but you can’t get water chucked at you for a tiktok? What’s the difference?"
You opened your mouth to reply, but with the way your fingers had begun fidgeting with the hem of your tank, it was obvious to Sophia you were beginning to feel put on the spot. Before you could respond, Sophia interjected, her tone sharper than usual. "The difference is that it’s not the same. Y/N doesn’t owe anyone a tiktok performance, we can do another one."
Daniela being a mediator, stepped in to stop any conflict before people could take the situation out of context to fit certain narratives set during dream academy. "We’re just brainstorming, Sophia. No one’s forcing anyone."
"Good," Sophia shot back, her gaze unwavering. "Y/N can do one of the silly ones, no need to push."
[ She’s so protective of her gf it’s so AHHHHHHHHH ]
The room fell quiet for a moment, tension thick in the air. Y/N looked up at Sophia, her lips parting slightly in surprise.
"It’s fine," Y/N murmured softly. "I don’t mind doing it.”
[ She’s so cute protect her at all costs please ]
Sophia shook her head. "No, N/N, you don’t have to do it just ‘cuz eyekons want you to, okay? There’s tons of other ones we need to do, definitely no pressure."
Throughout the rest of the vlog, it was obvious Sophia had made it her mission to keep the others’—who had a significant amount more energy than you did—from walking all over you. They might not do it consciously, but the diverse personalities in this group can sometimes make things very chaotic and complicated. Sometime during the video’s dinner portion, the clip of Sophia’s hand resting on your thigh, holding you closer to her on the couch was cut into this video. The leader didn’t seem to notice, clearly actively involved in the conversations.
Megan, sitting beside you on the other side kept side-eyeing the hand on your thigh, shooting the camera a knowing look before trying to play it off like she hadn’t noticed.
[ Poor meiyok always caught third wheeling :// ]
*Loud technical difficulty transition* iheartradio Youtube video of KATSEYE’s podcast episode, where the Katz all sat around a table with the host at the head. Sat in order from eldest to youngest, you were sat between Sophia and Dani
“—That’s a very nice way to think about it, Y/N.” The host chuckled, earning a ring of soft laughter from the girls as well. Your cheeks were a little warm from the attention being pinned onto you, as the last couple questions seemed to be more directed towards you—one of the better singers who were also passionate about the songwriting.
“Yeah, it helps to stay positive, especially when we’re working late and health and morale can get really low.” you mumbled into the microphone, “But I love these girls, I try and make sure everybody’s doing okay as often as I can.”
The girls cooed, Daniela reaching over to rub the older’s shoulder with a dimpled smile. The cameras were separated into four angels, one on every two member and one on the host. The one focused on Y/N and Sophia filled the screen, Daniela’s hand peeking from the right side as the older sent her a smile. Sophia just stared, her eyes soft and her smile relaxed. Not the picture-perfect one she always sported for the cameras, and the subtle way her smile grew just a little bigger when Y/N looked down in fluster didn’t escape eyekons’ eyes.
[ THE WAY SOPHIA LOOKS AT HER OMG???? ]
“That’s amazing, the girls are lucky to have you.” The man said, “So here’s one more question, since ‘My Way’ has absolutely blown up recently, You were one of the writers credited for the song, and have gained multiple critic praises for the unique touch it added to your debut album. Can you tell us what inspired you to write the song?”
You nodded along with the question, and just as you were about to answer, soft fingertips came in contact with your temple, brushing your hair out of your face and behind your ear. There was a brief moment of silence for a second, before the girls began giggling at the abrupt pause.
“Y/N… you okay there?” Lara asked between chuckles.
“Yeah, babe, you’re looking a little red.” Daniela teased.
You caressed the strand of hair Sophia tucked back, your tongue darting across your lip as you tried steadying out your nervous breath. As the others laughed and joked about your reaction to the older woman’s habitual affection, you hid your face behind your hands. You could tell by the way heat flushed to your cheeks you were getting pink. Manon playfully shoved Sophia in the shoulder.
“Sorry, I wanted to fix Y/N’s hair.”
“Oh my God, Sophia, you broke Y/N,” the Ghanaian woman snorted, “Really did that your way, huh?”
“Mhm, stream ‘My Way’ on Soft is Strong, guys, so Sophia can keep doing things her way.” Megan added, the members humming and nodding in response to the not so subtle segway into promoting their album.
You were thankful the attention seemed to pull away from you. Running a hand through your hair and recollecting yourself.
[ THEY’RE SO CUTE IM FOAMING AT THE MOUTH ]
“Anyway, Y/N, you good to answer the question—?”
*Loud technical difficulty transition* Daniela and Manon’s Weverse live started off in their own hotel room, but after some freakouts and close-faced segments to hide their rooms from the camera, they somehow found their way to you and Sophia’s, where the other girls were hanging about
“No, wait, please! There’s no wifi!” Daniela screamed, the phone filming from under her face as she ran across the halls to another room. She pounded her fist against the door, impatiently humming before she knocked harshly again. “Guys, open up, there’s no wifi out here!”
The door clicked open to reveal a very confused Lara, who glanced between Daniela and the phone. “Wha—?”
Daniela pushes past Lara to enter the room, and as she sets it down on the TV cabinet, Megan could be seen playing roblox with Yoonchae on one bed, the two of them focused on their own phones as they bickered about the game. You and Sophia were snuggled up on the other bed, her hand over the pillow behind your head with her hood up. You laid under her arm, your phone in your hands. You were wearing some really high shorts, a lacey top and some socks, so your instinctive reaction was immediately to adjust the way you were sitting before you accidentally flashed everybody.
Sophia eyed the Latina bursting into the room, immediately catching the familiar Weverse live setup on her phone screen. The first thing she did was set her phone down, moving the blanket from under the both of you to cover your legs up. Her expression was hard, focused on protecting your body first.
The clip was edited to zoom in on the two of you in the background the split moment you were seen before Daniela moved to cover the both of you up after catching the look Lara was shooting her to the side (not that y’all could see). Sophia’s face looked murderous though.
“Daniela, you’re gonna get us doxxed.” Sophia barked from behind, still shielded away from the cameras, “Did you just run down the hall with the camera on?”
The blonde shook her head, “No, no, I had the camera up close to my face like this.” She grabbed the phone, pulling it close to her nose before setting it back down. “Manon had an emergency call, so I had to leave the room, but I made sure they couldn’t see anything other than me.”
[ Dani definitely got yelled at by Sophia after this… ]
user01 am i crazy or was laforl/n cuddling in the back jn
user02 WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABT LAFORL/N
user03 The way they immediately moved apart like they were caught red handed
user04 dani just saw her life flash before her eyes
Eventually, everybody seemed to join in on the live. And even though Sophia was reserved at first, still sporting her grey hoodie and some basketball shorts, she came to sit behind Daniela and Megan who were on the floor. After changing into some sweats, you took a seat behind Megan, wrapping your arms around the girl as you rested your cheek atop her head.
Sophia’s hand instinctively found the small of your back, running up and down your spine as she argued with Lara about which Mik Mik about was better. You joined the conversation, telling Yoonchae and Megan the milk one was better than the chocolate before you and Megan began playfully fighting.
“Whatever, I don’t like you or your taste in Mik Mik.” Megan huffed, holding a hand up to your face.
“Is this because you think I’m ugly?” you bit back, pouting.
Sophia’s head immediately snapped towards you, her hand ceasing its comforting pattern along your back.
“Who said you were ugly?” Her head turning to the girls, narrowing her eyes. “Who made her say that about herself?”
Megan’s hands flew up in defence, but the immediate reaction gave Sophia the answer she needed before she hooked an arm around the younger’s neck, leaning down so her lips were just beside Megan’s ear to whisper, “Do you think she’s ugly, Skiendiel?”
The Indian woman shook her head, “No, ma’am.”
Sophia nodded, humming. Her arm noosed around Megan’s neck tighter. “So what do you have to say to Y/N, hm?”
user05 GYATT DAMN OKAY DADDY SOPHIA
user06 Y/N pop them legs open-
user07 WHAT THE FUCK SHES SO BF???
Megan grabbed your hands, looking deep into the older member’s eyes. “Y/N, baby, you are the most beautiful and precious being I have ever laid my eyes on and I’m sorry if, even for one second, made you think anything less, that is a hundred percent my fault and I am so deeply sorry.”
With a kiss to your forehead, Megan looks back at Sophia, who nodded with a satisfied hum. Her eyebrows furrowed and her jaw clenched. She slung her arm over your shoulder.
“That’s much better.” Sophia said, leaning to whisper in your ear, “Never ever, ever call yourself ugly, you understand?”
[ Love that she’s whispering like it’s just them ]
You nod, a hand over her shorts on her thigh. Her breath tickled the curve of your ear, the two of you sitting close and personal the whole live, which the eyekons ate up.
user08 nobody talk to me please
user09 sophia for being the responsible one you’re forgetting your pr training really hard rn
user10 Get me a woman who’d choke someone out if they called me ugly
user11 THEYRE SO GLARINGLY OBVIOUS WTF
*Loud technical difficulty transition* [ WEVERSE LIVE ] Sophia’s sitting on the floor of her room and asking eyekons how she should place stickers on her laptop
“I feel like the anchor should go next to the hibiscus (your charm) like this, y’know?” Sophia propped her laptop up, holding the stickers in place with her fingers before placing it down. Her face scrunched in thought, “I don’t know though, what do you guys think?”
[ She even wants their charms together hold my tea- ]
user01 yes laforty/n should be together in every universe
user02 Put the Katseye logo in the middle!!
user03 Doesn’t Y/N have your charm in her phone case
A knock sounded through the room before Sophia could answer any of the fans’ comments. Her head snapped towards the noise, seeing a translucent figure through the door. “Yeah? Who is it?”
“It’s me. Sophia, sweetie, I have a question.”
user04 SWEETIE IS CRAZY WORK
user05 the way i could recognize y/n’s voice is criminal
user06 Their PR team sweatin rn
Sophia got up to unlock her door quickly, sitting back down with her head turned towards Y/N. You were slightly onscreen, but not fully in view for everybody. You had on one of Lara’s tops, a pair of flare y2k jeans and a bandana wrapped around your hair. Even in the side, eyekons could see you twirling and spinning in place as Sophia’s eyes raked over your figure.
“Does this outfit look stupid? Megan said I should lose the bandana and wear sunnies, but I think this gives more of my vibe, y’know?” You said, smoothing out your shirt.
Sophia’s lips slowly curled into a smile, her eyes still darting up and down to take in your whole outfit. She especially liked the hoops you were wearing, the ones you and Daniela bought to match. God, she absolutely loved being your fashion critic. “I think you look hot,” she smirked, “Why don’t you ask eyekons.”
It was only then did you catch the phone sitting before her, the hearts and likes on live spiked immediately at your arrival.
“Sophia, I look so bad right now, you could’ve given me a warning!” You yelped, jumping out of frame in surprise. Sophia chuckled, looking back at her phone before turning back to you. She scootched closer, holding an arm out. “You never look bad, bebe. Don’t be shy, come say ‘hi’ to everybody.”
user07 I HEARD TAGALOG
user08 my filipino dad just asked if someone called me baby
user09 THE FILIPINA PET NAME IM CRYING
You walked into her open arm, letting her hand rest on the other side of your hip. You waved at the camera, smiling. “Sorry to interrupt, guys, I didn’t know Sophia was on live.”
“No, no, you didn’t interrupt,” Sophia immediately interrupted, “If anything, the eyekons were probably getting bored of me.” She pointed at the view count, as it rose from 13k to now a hefty 21k, everybody’s tuning in just ‘cuz you walked in.”
user10 quick to comfort her girlfriend i see
user11 Uhm nobody talking abt how fine y/n looks rn??
user12 i want laforty/n crumbs or i’ll starve
“Sounds like everybody likes the outfit,” Sophia snorted, instinctively fixing your jeans up higher so you wouldn’t flash anything you wouldn’t want to. “I’d say trust the eyekons’s sense of fashion more than Megan’s, ‘cuz between us, the girl gets mistaken for Adam Sandler way too often.”
You nodded, adjusting the bandana on your head.
“Completely agree. You guys are always glammed up and ready for a runway whenever we see you in person. There’s so many pretty eyekons out there, I can fill a book with the amount of compliments I don’t get to say at shows.” You scanned the comments, keeping a poker face as you glanced over the amount of Laforty/n comments. “Anyways, I should go. Manon and I are getting ready to leave.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow, silently asking you where the two of you were heading. You took a step offscreen to tell her you were going to pick up some booze for the girls. She nodded.
[ Sophia’s hand placement hello? ]
You waved to the camera, blowing the live a kiss before you got up to leave. “I’ll see you soon, eyekons. I love you!”
“I’ll miss you, bebe.” Sophia called after your disappearing figure, watching you close the door off camera. “Come back home on time for dinner, Yoonchae and I are making jjigae.”
Daniela and Manon were quickly put in charge of decorations for the party they were throwing for Yoonchae’s high school graduation. While Megan was out distracting their maknae, the rest of Katseye buzzed on with their respective roles for the party. Lara was asked to help set up some partitions and strings for Manon and Daniela to hang things on. Leaving you and Sophia in charge of food.
“Y/N, can you hand me the chocolate chips?” the Filipina asked, focused on mixing up the dough in her bowl. She stuck a finger in, tasting some off the tip of her pinkie. “Hm, I think Yoonchae will want these a little sweeter, can you help me grab more sugar too, bebe?”
[ I looked it up guys ‘bebe’ literally means baby—SOPHIA LAFORTEZA CALLS Y/N L/N BABY IN TAGALOG ]
You hummed, moving around the kitchen to grab whatever the leader asked for. The editors of the video added some really cute lofi music to the two of you working cohesively, adding some adorable effects and cute captions here and there.
“Is it tasting okay?” you asked, your chin on her shoulder. She was taller so you peeked over her down at the bowl.
Sophia didn’t reply, instead, she grabbed the spoon to the side, taking a big scoop of cookie dough onto the spoon nicely. She didn’t move her body, finding comfort in the warmth of you against her. Her head turned, her hand raising to carefully stick the spoon into your mouth, her other hand held under your lips to catch whatever dough didn’t make it to your lips.
You moan softly at the sweet taste, eyes fluttering shut.
“Good then?” Sophia chuckled at the way you melted into her, “You’re eating more than you’re making.” She teased softly, glancing at you with a small smile.
You shrugged, “Quality control. You want some kimbap?”
She hummed in response. You returned to your kimbap, rolling the seaweed tightly and slicing it into neat rounds. A moment later, your concentration is cut and you held up one.
“Open up,” you said, fingers coming in contact with her lips gently as you set the food into her mouth.
She nodded, a hand up to her mouth to hide her chewing from the cameras. The editors added a sparkle effect to her eyes, as she eyed your growing smile. “It’s perfect,” she complimented, the tangy and salty taste lingering in her mouth.
“Does that mean I get more cookie dough?” you asked, feeling a bit bolder. You pouted, looking at her with hopeful eyes.
Her tilted her head. “We can’t eat all the food, it’s supposed to be for Yoonchae…” It took one look at your expression for her to immediately change her mind. “I’ll give you one more bite and that’s it until these are done, okay?”
You smiled, “Yes, ma’am.”
Once you had your second spoonful of dough, Manon and Daniela came in to check on the two of you. Upon spotting the bowl of dough Sophia was setting into small scoops on a tray, she gasped, immediately jogging over to hover over the leader.
“Sophia, can I have a bite, please? Pretty please!” she begged, bouncing on her feet, “That looks so good, oh my God.”
Sophia wagged a finger, focused on setting the dough down on the tray. “No, Dani, last time you wanted a bite you finished half the bowl. Nobody touches these until they’re done.”
The blonde whined, “Come on, just one… please?”
“You’ll get one when they’re done, Daniela Avanzini.”
You eyed the camera with a guilty smile, knowing you were the only one Sophia had trouble saying ‘no’ to.
omg i read your newest tzuyu x idol!r fic and fell in love with your writing. I was wondering if you could write a fluff idol!mina × fem idol!r fic where theyre dating, omg something fun like the fans who start shipping you two as a joke when they notice you guys are wearing a lot of the same clothing or like matching rings, but theyre lowkey just like its a coincidence right, they've rarely ever interacted. Until the fans of both groups are lowkey coming together and actually start speculating lol. I dont know if you know this ship but something like winyeon lol (winter from aespa and nayeon). anyway I hope you can just have fun with it and i hope you're having a good day 💓
|| i'll let you fill up the space all around me
idol!myoui mina x idolfem!reader ; fluff
—
synopsis: both of your fandoms start working together when they keep seeing the same clothing and accessories being worn by you and mina...and that only means one thing in south korea.
tw: none!
a/n: this prompt was so much fun to write, esp when i had some winyeon posts pulled up to get inspo (and to my surprise, they have a LOT of matching things... 👀),, thank you for such a fun prompt anon and happy reading!! first mina fic w/o proofreading, and will not be the last
wc: 2.0k
being in a different group than your girlfriend is already hard; trying to find time for each other was even harder.
between comeback preparations, overseas schedules, music show recordings, variety appearances, brand shoots, dance practices that stretch long past midnight, studio recordings, and the exhaustion that settles into your bones, there are weeks when it feels as though the two of you exist in entirely separate worlds despite living in the same city.
your schedules are most likely always conflicting with each other, both of you are either too busy or tired on some days to even text or call.
days when your phone is full of unread messages because you've spent hours of your day filming, when she falls asleep halfway through a call because she was still jetlagged, or when neither of you have the energy to do anything more than send a single heart emoji before passing out.
but you do find ways around it, because when you love someone dearly, you’ll do all it takes to show it.
and that's how you find yourself with most of mina's clothes and things at your place (because she prefers your cozy apartment and that "everything smells like you.")
her clothes have made their home in your closet: shirts, sweaters, hoodies, jeans, sweatpants, to name a few.
even her switch gets left behind sometimes, with her bringing it on some nights where she knows you'll be home late and would pass time on her cute games.
you don't question on why you've been starting to lose some of your favorite oversized hoodies or sweatshirts, because you definitely know where they've been going.
—
the funny thing is that neither of you has done anything that should have started a dating rumor in the first place.
there has been no suspicious interactions caught by dispatch cameras (you both have been very cautious, though it's hard sometimes when mina would subtly tease you in front of your door before you hastily pull her in by the front of your her shirt).
there have been no lingering touches or stares during award shows or crowded stages that fans could possibly slow down in fancams and replay a hundred times over, searching for anything.
or rather, there is supposed to be no shipping between you both, because you've never interacted besides a few dance challenges together. it's impossible and just mere coincidences.
which is exactly why the first few fan posts have been so amusing. none of them related to direct contacts: hidden glances and secretive smiles, long interactions, or solid evidence with grainy photos and ground-breaking headlines.
they are all related to non-direct contacts instead: matching clothes, matching accessories, matching bags, matching nail styles—just matching, matching, matching that neither you or mina picked up on it.
one fan at a fansign had noticed that your nail style matched that of mina from twice, even pulling out his phone to show the exact picture of your girlfriend's bubble update, with the same nail design just in a different color (it's been her recent hobby lately, and you couldn't say no when she whined and pouted for her to do yours, too).
it isn't until you stumble upon a post with a caption that says: [two beloved members from different groups have a lot of matching things...that can only mean one thing in korea! post any pictures or incidents of them matching in the reply!]
the comments are quite skeptical at first, finding the whole ordeal to be a bit too far-fetched, until numerous fans from both fandoms start to reply with their fair share of pictures.
a picture of you wearing brown sambas at the airport, the exact pair that mina had worn a few weeks back at a fansign.
a picture of mina wearing a university hoodie in her instagram live, the exact one fans saw you wearing in one of your group's traveling vlog months ago.
a long thread of an OP saying how she saw the same necklaces worn by both of you when she went to misamo's fan club event and to your post-brand filming, where you signed her album after walking out of the building.
and suddenly, what starts as a harmless joke between two fandoms quickly evolves into an increasingly elaborate speculation and theory that seems to gain a new piece of 'evidence' every day.
the thread of the post becomes longer, adorned with side-by-side pictures of you both, with circles and arrows revealing similar items.
—
the first time mina shows you one of the edits—which was yesterday— the two of you are curled together on the couch of your apartment watching tv, a throw blanket with mini dachshund prints on them (mina's) covering her.
it's one of the rare days where you can have a free night with your girlfriend snuggled up on you—her body sprawls across the length of the couch with her head resting comfortably in your lap, a hand of yours combing through her hair, stopping right at her nape to lightly scratch the area that makes her purr in contentment.
mina checks the notifications on her phone when an ad pops up in the middle of an episiode of a kdrama she's been dying to watch with you, her hand reaching up for yours to bring down to her lips, giving it a kiss.
she snuggles into it as she absentmindedly scrolls, letting out a laugh that you know is gummy and all.
"what got you laughing when the only source that should be making you laugh is right behind you?"
she whines as you pinch her cheek, letting out a huff as she turns on her back to show you her phone screen.
and you laugh, too, because what she shows you is genuinely hilarious.
it was a recent reply under the matching post (mina has gotten in bookmarked and saved for easy access just because she wants to see how far fans could go, but you think she only saved it so she can see you wearing her things).
the caption reads: [they definitely have something going on...because what do you mean you guys have matching bracelets for ldr couples?!] with a picture attached of said items on each of your wrists.
(it was mina's idea, really, to get matching bracelets that would light up and vibrate against your wrist whenever she taps her own, vice versa. and you both don't really wear it often, only for far distances or months of touring do you have it on). it’s truly endearing because your bracelet would always vibrate when you’re miles away from your girlfriend).
you stare at her screen before looking down at her, then back at the post, then at mina again, and suddenly the two of you dissolve into helpless giggles and laughter.
the sound fills the apartment, warm and unrestrained, echoing off the walls as she buries her face against your stomach.
"they're getting warmer, alright. they're technically not wrong..." you snicker in your hand, cheeks starting to hurt from how much you've been laughing.
"they're so funny. if only they could see how my head is in your lap right now. how i’m about to get up and straddle you, instead."
and before you could let her words sink in, she got up from her lying position to throw a leg over your hips, blankets following not too far behind to be around her shoulders, slightly slipping down one side as she leans closer.
"mina, baby, the show—"
"kiss me."
and suddenly you don't remember what you were talking about prior.
—
the ship remains trapped in a strange limbo where people continue to create threads and theories, even catching the attention of popular fan sites from other groups.
you are laying under your covers when mina video calls you. shuffling your fingers out from the warmth, you click on the 'accept' button, screen then showing mina in an oversized sweater that you've been trying to find to pack for your overseas schedule, applying on a face mask.
"hey cute girl with my sweater and a mask on, i've been waiting for your call, your highness."
mina smiles as much as her face mask allows her, growing shy at your words, "you’re so sappy…and your sweater is comfortable…and i miss you…”
“you’re so cute, mitang. i miss you even more! want to kiss you,” you pout into your duvet, eyes becoming crescent moons when mina blows you a kiss.
“actually, i have a very important favor to ask you..." her voice is gentle as she trails off, pouting into the screen (one that she knows you can't say no to, whatever the favor is).
"i'm at your service!"
"i left my switch at your place the other day...could you possibly bring it with you on your trip? i need you to log in to animal crossing and do my daily tasks and gift my villagers."
and you couldn't help but burst out laughing—cackling even, because out of all the favors, you did not expect that one.
because when she's looking at you with that sheepish smile, the mask taken off, revealing her beautiful moles scattered across her angelic face, you couldn't possibly say no to your adorable girlfriend who really cares for her equally adorable villagers.
-
by the time you arrive at the airport, you clutch the pouch with mina's device inside against your side with care.
cameras flash just as you get out of the car, walking towards the entrance with practiced ease—nodding, smiling, waving, listening, chatting.
your hand is still wrapped around mina's crocheted switch bag, even in the airport lounge, to when you're boarding and comfortable in your seat.
when the plane finally takes off, you're blissfully unaware of what's happening on the internet, especially under the maching post of you and mina.
fans are going crazy online, with airport pictures of you holding the bag spreading all over social media.
[isn't that twice's mina crocheted bag for her switch?!]
[this can't be a coincidence anymore!!!!]
[did mina make her one??? or is it the same one???]
reply -> [i mean if mina did make her one, then they're matching...and if it's the same one...then they've been sharing the switch...meaning they've been interacting this whole. damn. time!!!]
[wait i know we've joked about this ship, but i think it's real y'all...]
[guys remember how mina said in her vlog that she never lends her gaming devices to anyone...? tell me i'm not crazy]
another picture was posted, where the pouch had slightly shifted in your hand, just enough for a sticker on the corner of the device to become visible.
[this is it, it's 100% mina's switch]
-
by the time you land at your destination, you take your phone out right away, wanting to notify your girlfriend that you arrived safe and sound.
she replies immediately with a "miss you," along with a link to the saved post, "i think our fans nailed it."
and as you open the link, your eyes widen, seeing the hundreds of comments and pictures of your recent appearance at the airport.
whoopsies.
—
"what if i seal the deal and kiss you on instagram live?" you murmur in mina's hair, cuddling closer to her on the bed than you already are, peering down at her afterwards.
after coming back after your long travel, with a promise of a good home-cooked meal by mina, you went straight to her apartment after the airport.
and now, with your stomach filled with delicious food made by your girlfriend, and said girlfriend in your arms, there is nothing else you could wish for after a tiring oversea schedule.
she's quiet for a moment, her mind actually pondering about your question until she grows shy and hides her face in the crook of your neck. a string of incoherent words is mumbled, with you catching bits and pieces of "small peck," "no make outs," "reciprocate."
"hm? what did you say, mitang? i can't hear you when your face is in my boobs like that—" you teasingly start before she shuts you off with a small bite on your exposed collarbone, making you groan.
"i said small pecks only...and i'd reciprocate..." she looks away again bashfully, lips jutting out as she gets more flustered.
"oh—so you've thought about it, huh, baby?" you smirk at her reaction until you let out a yelp when she slips a cold hand under her your shirt to pinch your side, "ow! okay, okay, okay, no more teasing, promise!"
you squirm as her hand glides to your stomach, newly self-manicured nail tips grazing your skin before they tease at her your shorts' elastic band.
⮩ syp. touch-shy reader is gently taught how to accept and return affection by lara.
⮩ cw. hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, mutual pining, happy ending
⮩ wc. ~5.9k
Ever since joining KATSEYE, Y/N had always been somewhat closed off. It wasn’t that she was distant or unloving, but rather that physical affection just wasn't her default setting. The rest of the girls, however—especially Lara—practically spoke physical touch as a love language.
The first time Lara really registered the gap was during moments that should have been purely celebratory, where Y/N would visibly freeze up during group hugs or casual embraces.
"I'm so proud of us, guys! The Grammys!" Sophia shouted over the venue's noise, throwing her arms wide to invite the group in. Lara was the first to step into the circle, followed closely by Yoonchae, who was playfully dragged in by Megan, with Manon quickly anchoring the huddle. When they noticed Y/N standing just a step outside their orbit, the entire group shifted together without breaking their hold, gently folding her into the embrace.
Lara caught the subtle shift. Truthfully, she caught everything Y/N did.
Later, after their performance, they were finally seated to watch the remainder of the show. Lara was on Y/N’s right side. Feeling entirely spent from the adrenaline crash, Lara decided to try a small experiment: she slowly, deliberately leaned her head down to rest against Y/N’s shoulder, testing to see if she would pull away. Y/N didn't move away, but she immediately went rigid, leaving Lara’s temple resting against a tense, uncomfortable shoulder.
Another instance happened when they were hanging out at Lara's place. Y/N genuinely loved bonding with the girls, even on their rare days off, so when Lara texted her to come over for a movie night, Y/N had agreed immediately.
She might not have been one for physical affection, but she absolutely cherished quality time with her members. Whether it was losing track of time playing from indie to roblox games with Megan, doing the most chaotic, random things with Sophia, or just tagging along to keep Dani company during mundane errands, Y/N was always there.
So naturally, when Lara asked her to hang out, Y/N didn't hesitate for a second.
I'm here, Y/N texted as she stepped up to the porch.
Before the message could even mark itself as read, the door swung wide open. Y/N could have sworn Lara had just been hovering by the entryway, counting down the minutes until her arrival. Shaking the silly thought from her head, she smiled as Lara greeted her with an bright beam. "Y/N! You're here! I'm so glad you said yes," she said, stepping aside to wave her into the house.
Lara tried to lead Y/N straight back to her bedroom, but navigating the hallway required making a dozen different stops. First, Lara's dad spotted them, his face lighting up with pleasant surprise. "Y/N, you're here?" he asked, delighted by her presence but momentarily confused about what they were up to.
Y/N giggled, offering a warm smile. "Papa Raj! Yes, I'm here. Lara invited me over to hang out."
Before her dad could even open his mouth to reply, Lara’s mom practically materialized from thin air, immediately pulling Y/N into a tight, maternal hug. "Y/N! Have you eaten yet? Are you hungry? I can cook right now if you haven't!" she asked, flooding her with a barrage of questions.
"Mama Raj, yes, I’ve already eaten, but thank you so much! You're too kind," Y/N replied, smiling through the affectionate ambush.
Seeing her friend get overwhelmed, Lara tried to come to the rescue, gently tugging Y/N's arm toward the hallway. But Y/N, ever polite, kept lingering to finish her conversation with the parents. Lara gave her hand another firm, playful tug—a silent signal that it was time to move. Quickly waving a warm goodbye to the couple, Y/N finally let herself be pulled away toward Lara's room.
Just as they were about to finally slip into Lara's room, the door across the hall swung open. Rhea stepped out, clearly drawn by the lively chatter from the living room.
"Y/N," Rhea trailed off, a knowing smirk playing on her lips as her eyes flicked pointedly between Y/N and Lara.
Suddenly, Y/N felt an overwhelming wave of nostalgia, like she was back in high school trying to sneak off to a bedroom with her "best friend." For a fleeting second, she wondered if that was exactly what this looked like, but she quickly dismissed the thought and focused on Rhea.
"Rhea, hi! It's nice to see you," Y/N said, trying to sound as casual as possible. "We were just heading in to hang out."
"Oh, I'm sure you were," Rhea replied, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.
Rhea shot one last, highly suspicious look at Lara before finally retreating back into her own room.
Confused by the heavy implication, Y/N waited until they had safely closed the door to Lara's bedroom before asking, "What was that about?"
"What was what?" Lara replied a little too quickly, her voice turning hurried as she immediately tried to look busy.
"That... never mind," Y/N said, choosing to let it drop. It was obvious Lara didn't want to explain her sister's teasing, and Y/N didn't want to make things awkward before the movie had even started.
Desperate for a distraction, Lara immediately patted the empty spot on her mattress right next to her. "Come sit! I grabbed the extra soft blankets just for today," she urged, already shifting over to make room. Y/N hesitated for a fraction of a second, scanning the relatively small space on the bed and mentally preparing herself for the inevitable proximity, before finally climbing in.
Fast forward an hour into the movie, and the initial barrier of space had completely dissolved.
Lara, entirely true to her nature, had gradually migrated closer until she was basically cuddling Y/N. Her arms were loosely wrapped around Y/N's side, and her chin was nestled comfortably near Y/N's shoulder, half-buried in the plush duvet. To anyone else, it would have been the peak of cozy relaxation.
But Y/N was still as stiff as a board. She was staring straight ahead at the screen, her posture completely rigid, barely even letting herself breathe deeply out of fear of shifting the weight against her.
Lara felt the profound tension in the frame next to her. She didn't want to ruin the peaceful, quiet atmosphere they had built, but the stark contrast between her own need for closeness and Y/N’s hyper-awareness was impossible to ignore anymore.
Slowly, without pulling away or loosening her hold, Lara tilted her head slightly. "Hey," she whispered softly, her voice barely carrying over the dialogue of the movie. "Can I ask you something? Why do you get so uncomfortable whenever someone touches you?"
The question hung quietly in the space between them, competing only with the soft hum of the laptop speaker. For a long moment, Y/N didn’t say anything. She didn’t pull away, but the tight knot in her shoulders didn’t loosen either.
"It's not..." Y/N started, her voice a quiet, hesitant murmur. She stared fixedly at the screen, though she wasn't actually processing the movie anymore. "It's not that I'm uncomfortable with you guys touching me."
Lara shifted slightly, just enough to look up at Y/N's profile, waiting patiently.
Y/N swallowed hard, finally letting out a breath she felt like she’d been holding since the Grammys. "It's just... I never know if it’s okay for me to touch back. You guys are all so naturally affectionate, and it comes so easy to you. I’m always terrified that if I try to reciprocate, or if I’m the one to initiate it, I’ll cross a line or make one of you uncomfortable. So I just... freeze."
A soft, understanding sigh escaped Lara’s lips, the tension leaving her own body as the pieces finally clicked into place. She loosened her grip just enough to shift, propping her chin on Y/N’s shoulder so she could look at her directly.
"Oh, Y/N... you idiot," Lara whispered, her voice incredibly tender despite the teasing words. "It's completely okay… " She pauses, and looks at y/n with genuine eyes.
"More than okay," Her voice barely above a whisper
She reached down, gently finding Y/N’s hand under the heavy duvet and squeezing it. "We touch you because we're comfortable with you. We love you, and this is just how we show it. You could never cross a line by hugging us back, or initiating it, or just leaning into it. We've just been waiting for you to feel safe enough to do it."
Lara gave her hand another reassuring squeeze, her eyes warm and completely sincere. "So you don't have to freeze anymore. If you want to hold onto me, just hold onto me. I promise you, I'm not going anywhere."
After a long, quiet moment of just letting the relief sink in, the heavy weight in Y/N's shoulders finally began to dissolve. For the first time all evening, she didn't feel like a statue—she actually leaned back into Lara's side, a small, genuine smile tugging at her lips.
Sensing the shift, Lara beamed, thrilled that her reassurance had actually worked. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration hit her. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, looking up at Y/N with wide, excited eyes.
"Hey, we should go live for a bit," Lara suggested, turning the screen toward her. "Ever since the Grammys, we've basically been completely off the face of the earth. The EYEKONs are probably losing their minds wondering where we went. Let's give them a quick update!"
Y/N blinked, caught slightly off guard by the sudden transition from their deep conversation to idol mode, but looking at Lara's bright, hopeful expression, she couldn't bring herself to say no. "Right now? Like this?" she asked, gesturing to their messy hair and oversized hoodies.
"Especially like this," Lara giggled, already unlocking her phone and opening the app. "They love us just like this. Come here, get close."
They opened Weverse and hit the button to go live. Within a matter of seconds, the screen was flooded with a dizzying string of notifications as EYEKONs began jumping into the stream, their comments exploding with pure delight and surprise at the sudden broadcast.
While they waited a couple of minutes for the viewer count to stabilize, Lara casually adjusted her phone, propping it up against a pile of pillows at the foot of the bed so they were both clearly in frame. Feeling the familiar post-adrenaline exhaustion creeping back in, Lara instinctively started to lean back toward Y/N’s side—but she caught herself for a fraction of a second, remembering their conversation and trying to give her space.
But this time, Y/N didn't freeze.
With their recent talk still fresh in her mind, Y/N took a quiet breath, lifted her arm, and smoothly draped it over Lara’s shoulders, inviting her closer. Lara’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before a massive, triumphant grin broke across her face. She happily melted right into the embrace, tucking herself securely against Y/N’s side as they both looked at the camera.
As she rested her head down against Y/N's shoulder—this time finding it soft, relaxed, and welcoming—Lara couldn't help but think to herself, Oh, this is nice.
On screen, however, the atmosphere was anything but quiet. The comment section instantly went into an absolute state of panic and chaos.
The scroll, which had already been moving at lightning speed, completely lost its mind. It became a frantic blur of capital letters, emojis, and keyboard smashes as EYEKONs reacted in real-time to the unprecedented sight of Y/N initiating affection.
Ynarz11
WAIT DID Y/N JUST INITIATE A HUG???
Lara. J
GUYS ARE YOU SEEING THIS Y/N IS SMILING SO HARD OMFG
The fans were just as shocked as Lara had been. For as long as KATSEYE had been in the public eye, Y/N had always been known as the least touchy member of the group, standing right alongside Yoonchae in her aversion to casual physical contact. It was a well-known quirk among the fandom. There were countless fan edits on TikTok joking about her rigid posture during group photos or her panicked eyes during sudden hugs.
But right now, on this most random Weverse live, there was none of that.
For the very first time, millions of fans were seeing Y/N completely relaxed. Her arm was securely wrapped around Lara, and a soft, radiant smile lit up her face. She wasn’t pulling away, she wasn’t holding her breath, and she wasn't frozen. She was just entirely, beautifully comfortable.
As she held Lara close, Y/N thought to herself, This is nice. Why haven't I been doing this before?
Then, the memory of her old fears flashed through her mind—the anxiety of crossing a line or making the girls uncomfortable. But looking at Lara's bright, content face, those fears felt incredibly silly now. A quiet resolve settled in her chest: she should definitely do this more from then on.
The live stream with Lara was just the catalyst. Once the dam broke, Y/N’s hesitation completely vanished, triggering a cascade of affectionate moments that EYEKONs quickly compiled into countless edits across social media, titled things like “Y/N finally learning her members' love language.”
Since then, Y/N became entirely at ease with her members.
During a chaotic behind-the-scenes vlog at a music show, Yoonchae was hyperactively bouncing around the dressing room, clearly riding a massive sugar rush. Usually, Y/N would just watch her with an amused, distant smile. But this time, when Yoonchae ran over and dramatically threw herself into Y/N’s lap, Y/N didn't stiffen. Instead, she laughed out loud, catching the youngest member securely and wrapping both arms around her waist, pulling her into a tight bear hug that left Yoonchae beaming.
A few weeks later, sitting on the floor of the dance studio after a grueling four-hour rehearsal run, Megan slouched backward, completely spent. Out of pure exhaustion, she mindlessly rested her head on Y/N’s thigh. In the past, Y/N would have sat perfectly still to avoid disturbing her. Instead, Y/N naturally reached down, her fingers gently threading through Megan’s hair, massaging her scalp to help her relax.
Megan let out a soft sigh, melting completely into the touch. In a quiet whisper meant only for Y/N's ears, Megan murmured, "This is ..."
Then there was the airport terminal. While waiting in a crowded terminal, Manon was standing close to Y/N to avoid the suffocating sea of flashing cameras. Spotting the sheer exhaustion in Manon’s eyes, Y/N didn't wait for her to lean in. She reached out, looping her arm through Manon’s and pulling their sides together, resting her own chin lightly against Manon's shoulder.
Shocked by the sudden warmth, Manon froze for a second, looking down to see who had caught her. When she realized it was Y/N, her eyes softened. Meeting Y/N's smile, Manon immediately leaned comfortably into her arms, squeezing Y/N’s arm back.
"Why haven't you been doing this before?" Manon teased softly. "You're so comfortable."
At their next major awards show interview, as the leader was passionately speaking to the press, Sophia naturally reached back blindly, searching for a hand to hold out of habit. Before Sophia’s hand could drop, Y/N caught it. She slid her fingers between Sophia's, locking their hands together and giving a supportive squeeze. Sophia subtly glanced back, her eyes widening in pure delight before she kept speaking with renewed confidence.
And of course, the fan compilations always ended exactly where it all started. A clip from a recent fansign showed Lara leaning over to whisper something in Y/N’s ear. Instead of just listening, Y/N turned her head, initiating a gentle nudge of her temple against Lara's head—reciprocating the exact gesture Lara had tried back at the Grammys, but this time, with absolutely no space between them.
While Y/N was now affectionate with all of them, there was no denying that one specific person received her touch the most.
In their own little atmosphere during rehearsals, Lara and Y/N were practically joined at the hip, sharing constant, subtle touches and hushed, private whispers. The rest of the members noticed the shifting dynamic, but they happily decided not to intervene, content to let the two girls enjoy their newfound closeness.
Not until a rumor broke out.
Suddenly, headlines and social media posts were everywhere: Lara had been spotted out with a guy. And, as far as internet rumors go, everyone immediately assumed she was dating him.
And apparently, Y/N believed the rumors too, because ever since the news broke, she had grown completely distant. But only with Lara.
Lara, of course, noticed the shift immediately. It was impossible not to. What made it sting the most was that Y/N hadn't stopped being affectionate altogether; she still freely reciprocated hugs with Sophia, let Yoonchae lounge on her lap, and played with Megan’s hair. But the moment Lara tried to step into her space, the wall came crashing right back down.
Suddenly, whenever Lara walked into a room, Y/N always had something urgent to do. If Lara tried to sit next to her during rehearsals, Y/N’s phone would conveniently ring, or she would suddenly claim someone was calling for her from the hallway.
Lara wasn't stupid. She knew they were just excuses—poorly constructed exits designed to keep a safe, painful distance between them. It felt like a massive step backward, and the cozy, warm atmosphere they had spent weeks building was entirely gone, replaced by a cold, confusing silence.
When the other members noticed the sudden cold front, they decided that this was finally the time to interfere.
To the rest of KATSEYE, it had been blindingly obvious since day one that the two liked each other. Lara wasn’t subtle in the slightest. The girls had spent months watching the way she looked at Y/N when Y/N wasn't looking, or the flash of pure, unadulterated jealousy that took over Lara's face whenever some random celebrity or singer tried to slide into Y/N's DMs or approach her at awards shows.
But Y/N was no better. In fact, she might have been even worse than Lara. Her yearning eyes, the longing looks, and the lingering stares were practically a running joke among the members.
The girls were completely done. They had been patiently waiting for the two of them to stop beating around the bush and just admit their feelings, but these dating rumors had only made everything a thousand times worse. Seeing the progress they had made completely vanish was the final straw. The members had officially had enough.
Sophia gathered the troops—aka Manon, Dani, Yoonchae, and Megan—into a tight huddle.
"Okay team, welcome to Mission Get-Y/N-And-Lara-Together. Note that the mission title is considered one word, so if it were written down, it would be heavily hyphenated," Sophia announced, tracing a straight line through the air with her finger on the word hyphenated.
"Sophia, I don't even know why you're explaining that to us right now. We're not going to write it down," Megan muttered, voicing exactly what the rest of them were thinking. The others nodded in immediate agreement.
Sophia shot Megan a look, then glanced at the other nodding heads before deciding it was best to just move on. "Anyways!" She clapped her hands together sharply to regain control of the room.
"So, Y/N is jealous, sad, and convinced that Lara is in a relationship—which she is absolutely not," Sophia explained, stretching her left hand outward to represent Y/N’s side of things. "Meanwhile, Lara..." She stretched her right hand out. "...Lara has no idea why Y/N is acting like this, but she is acutely aware that she’s being ignored, rendering her equally sad. So, what do we do?"
It was entirely a rhetorical question, but Yoonchae enthusiastically raised her hand anyway.
Before the youngest could speak, Sophia pointed at her. "That's right! We force them to be within each other's vicinity. How, you may ask?"
The members just stared at her, silently listening to the lecture.
"Dani," Sophia commanded, turning to her. "Since Y/N is so incredibly fond of you, you're going to ask her to accompany you on an errand to the practice room tomorrow at 9:00 AM. I’ve checked the master schedule, and we are all completely free tomorrow morning."
Dani nodded, locking in.
"Megan and Yoonchae," Sophia continued, shifting her gaze. "You two are going to ask Lara to hang out tomorrow at 9:00 AM as well, bringing her to the exact same practice room. Once we’ve got them both in the same place at the same time, they won't be able to ignore each other anymore."
"And if they try to bolt?" Manon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If all else fails and they decide to run for it, the rest of us will be stationed outside to block the exits and force them into talking. Any questions?"
Megan raised her hand.
"Yes, Megan?" Sophia allowed.
"Where exactly are you in this plan?"
Sophia puffed out her chest. "I am the mastermind."
The girls all opened their mouths to complain, but Sophia quickly raised her hands to cut them off. "I'm just kidding! I’m going to handle the administrative stuff—covering our tracks, informing the manager, things like that," she explained, waving her hands around lazily. "Okay, any actual questions?"
The girls muttered and glanced at each other, but no one spoke up.
Taking their silence as compliance, Sophia smirked. "Excellent. Let the plan commence."
The next morning, the operation moved like clockwork.
At exactly 8:45 AM, Dani successfully deployed her part of the mission. She gave Y/N a flawless, wide-eyed look of exhaustion and asked if she could please help her carry some heavy wardrobe pieces up to the practice room. Because Y/N could never say no to Dani, she had immediately agreed, completely oblivious to the trap.
Meanwhile, Megan and Yoonchae had practically dragged a groggy, unsuspecting Lara out of bed under the guise of an early morning iced-coffee run, leading her straight up the company elevator.
At 8:59 AM, Sophia, Manon, and Megan were pressed tightly against the wall just outside the main practice room door, peering through the small glass window.
Inside, Dani was casually scrolling on her phone, while Y/N sat on the floor, leaning against the mirrors with a quiet, heavy sigh.
"Target B is approaching," Megan whispered frantically, spying Lara, Yoonchae, and Dani's silhouette coming down the hallway.
"Positions, positions!" Sophia hissed.
The plan executed flawlessly. Yoonchae pushed Lara through the practice room door first, and the exact second Lara stepped inside, Dani shot up from the floor with lightning speed. She bolted out into the hallway, and Megan slammed the heavy door shut right behind her.
Click.
Inside the room, the sudden sound of the door locking echoed like a gunshot.
Y/N snapped her head up, her eyes widening as she looked from the locked door to the girl now standing just a few feet away from her.
Lara stood frozen, her eyes wide, holding a half-empty iced matcha latte. She looked completely bewildered, turning back to pull on the door handle. It didn't budge. Through the glass window, Sophia gave them a cheerful, two-fingered salute, while Manon held up a hand-written sign that read: TALK IT OUT OR YOU LIVE HERE NOW.
Silence fell over the massive, mirrored room.
Y/N instantly looked down at her lap, her posture immediately going rigid—the exact same defensive, stiff posture she used to have before their breakthrough. The sudden distance cut Lara straight to the heart. The confusion she had been carrying all week finally transformed into hot, frustrated exhaustion.
"Are you seriously going to look at the floor instead of me?" Lara asked, her voice quiet but sharp in the empty room.
Y/N swallowed hard, her fingers gripping the edge of her oversized hoodie. "Lara, please. I just... I have a lot of things I need to process. You should be with your boyfriend anyway."
Lara blinked, utterly derailed by the sentence. "My what?"
"Your boyfriend," Y/N muttered, finally looking up, her eyes swimming with a mixture of raw hurt and jealousy she couldn't hide anymore. "The guy from the articles. The internet says you're dating. You don't need to be stuck in a room wasting your time on me."
For a second, Lara just stared at her. Then, a sharp, disbelieving laugh escaped her lips.
"Y/N, that's my cousin!" Lara practically shouted, throwing her hands up in the air. "He was visiting from out of town! I took him out for lunch, and some delusional paparazzi took a photo from a weird angle!"
Y/N froze, her mind entirely blanking out. "Your... cousin?"
"Yes! My cousin!" Lara took three long steps forward, completely ignoring the invisible boundary Y/N had set all week. She dropped to her knees right in front of Y/N, forcing her to look her in the eyes. "Is that seriously why you've been treating me like a ghost all week? Because of a stupid Twitter rumor?"
Y/N’s throat went dry. The overwhelming wave of relief that hit her was instantly followed by a crushing wave of absolute embarrassment. "I... I thought..."
"You thought I was dating someone else?" Lara's voice softened, the anger draining out of her, leaving only a deep, aching vulnerability. She reached out, her hands hesitating for a fraction of a second before she firmly placed them on Y/N's tensed shoulders. "Y/N, look at me."
Y/N looked up, her gaze locking onto Lara’s.
"I don't want a boyfriend," Lara whispered, her eyes completely sincere as she squeezed Y/N's shoulders, intentionally grounding her. "I have spent months trying to show you, trying to touch you, trying to get you to see that the only person I'm completely wrapped around is you. I don't care about anyone else."
The final wall Y/N had built completely shattered. Hearing the words out loud, paired with the warm, reassuring weight of Lara’s hands, made everything else melt away.
"I'm sorry," Y/N choked out, her voice cracking. "I got so scared. I thought I lost the only person who made me feel safe enough to... to finally lean in."
Lara’s face softened into that familiar, brilliant smile. "like i said, yn, you could never lose me, idiot."
This time, Y/N didn't hesitate.
She didn't hold her breath. She didn't freeze.
The moment Lara stepped close, Y/N closed the distance between them, cupping Lara's face before crashing their lips together in a kiss that was equal parts relief, longing, and certainty.
Lara let out the softest sound of surprise against her lips, but it lasted only a heartbeat before she kissed her back just as eagerly. One hand found Y/N's waist while the other slid gently into her hair, holding her as if she'd been waiting for this moment all along.
When they finally pulled apart, neither of them could stop smiling.
Y/N laughed breathlessly before wrapping her arms around Lara's neck, pulling her into a tight embrace. She buried her face in the crook of Lara's neck, breathing in the familiar scent of her perfume as every ounce of tension melted from her body.
Lara smiled into her hair and hugged her just as tightly, gently rubbing circles against her back.
Outside in the hallway, three foreheads were practically glued to the glass window.
"Oh, look," Yoonchae whispered, a massive grin spreading across her face. "They're kissing."
Sophia crossed her arms with a smug smile. "Mission Get-Y/N-and-Lara-Together..." She paused dramatically before pumping a fist in the air. "...complete."
warnings: tooth rotting fluff please book a dentist appointment
sophia feels empowered to show you she's exactly your type on international women's day. maybe this time you'll finally choose her over him.
a/n: PLEASE listen to guy.exe while reading this i promise it'll make sense & perhaps this is compensation for whatever is happening in the smau rn..
As soon as the clock hits 8:00pm, there’s someone at the door. Your eyebrows scrunch, head tilting towards the door. You weren’t expecting anyone, the plan was to rot in your pajamas, watch another cheesy movie, something like ‘to all the boys I’ve loved before.’ Your head is thrown back, the lights blinding as you push yourself off the couch. You put on a hoodie, fixing your shots to look presentable.
I swear if it’s an amazon deliv— “Oh, hi.” Sophia can see the confusion written all over your face as she stands in front of you, lilies in hand. “Who are those for? What on eart- You know what? Just come in.” You stand aside, letting her come in before shutting the door. “What are you doing here?” Your hand rests on your hip, an unimpressed expression on your face as you see your best friend’s eyes roaming over you.
“For you, by the way.” She tilts the flowers towards you, but your mouth only parts, words dying down. She settles the flowers down on your table before you start giving her a two hour lecture on how she needs to save money. She’s a popstar for god’s sake. “I still don’t understand who you’re so dolled up for. Do you have a date? And if you do, why are you at my house…”
“It’s eight at night.” She starts, pointing to the clock on your wall, and you look at her, still just as confused. You draw out an ‘okay,’ waiting for her to continue. Sophia points towards her heels, flexing her bicep right after, rolling her eyes as you giggle at her. “Six feet.” She continues to hint at you. “You are not six feet in those heels, maybe 5’9 at max.” Sophia gasps, mimicking a knife stabbing her chest.
Before you can react, her hands are around you, picking you up bridal style as she carries you to the couch. “Super strong.” She mumbles but it still doesn’t click to you. “Is this like a girlfriend resumé that you’re trying to fill out?” Sophia only sighs, flopping on top of you. Her lips land on your cheek, she sees the way you blush, her smile widens.
“Go, get ready. We’re going out.” She smacks your shoulder, getting off you. You’re still just as confused. “Chop chop, we’re getting late!” You giggle, slowly rolling out of the couch. “I’m going, dude.” Sophia scoffs. “Are you calling me dude? Wow. This is what six years of friendship gets me.” You flip her off, heading upstairs to dress up.
Sophia’s heels clack against the floor as she paces around your living room. Her nails dig into her palm as she waits for you. She’s scared this will all be a fucking disaster, especially with the way you reacted to her showing up to your doorstep. You were so okay with her going on a date with someone else, ugh, how was she going to tell you?
“Out!” You exclaim, lifting your dress up as you come down the stairs, and Sophia freezes for a moment, her eyes roaming up your body, mouth parted in a mesmerized expression. This isn’t the first time she’s seen you so dressed up but it just feels so much better knowing it’s to go out with her. She bites her lips, licking the small amount of blood gushing out with her tongue, before fully taking you in. “Damn, girl you look hungry as hell. Do we have dinner reservations or–”
“Yes.” That’s all that Sophia says before grabbing your hand and dragging you to her car. “Nice car, Sofi, did you buy a new one?” You look impressed. Point for Sophia! She nods, opening the door for you, earning herself an eye roll. “What’s got you so cheesy today?” You giggle as she slides into the driver’s seat. Sophia only shrugs. “Saw a really pretty girl today.” You have to bite down on your cheek to stop the big smile that was about to form on your face. You would be lying if you said you didn’t like when Sophia flirted with you. Little did you know, the girl next to you had noticed, already adding another point to her list.
“I really want a cheesecake. Can we switch and just go to the cheesecake factory?” You randomly blurt out, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “Do you really think I’m gonna take you to the cheesecake factory dressed like this?” You give her a big thumbs down, and she rolls her eyes at you, grabbing your hand, intertwining your fingers.
“You’ll live, we’re here.” Sophia lets go of your hand, getting out of her seat, rushing over to your side, opening the car door. But you sit there with a humungous pout on your face, arms crossed looking like an adorable chipmunk. “You let go of my hand, you hate me and want me to die,” You make a face at her looking away. Sophia snickers, kneeling with one knee touching the floor, her hand resting on the other. “My bad, m’ lady, would you please grace me with your presence on this divine international women's day?”
You bite your lip to stop the giggle, a little surprised by how well she takes your attitude sometimes. “Fine,” You grab her hand, pulling her up with you. You both freeze for a moment as Sophia’s lips brush against your knuckles. Normally you would’ve called her cheesy, laughed it off after, but this time it felt real. Like she meant for it to happen. Sophia doesn’t say anything, only pulls you upstairs to your table.
“Really fancy, Laforteza.” You kiss her cheek, resting an arm around her neck as hers snake around your waist. “Only the best for you,” She shrugs like she didn’t just turn you into a flustered tomato. “Same side?” She turns her face towards you, eyes staring into yours, looking at you so widely you’d think there were no thoughts in her head. “Always.” It was hard to say no to her bug eyes.
Sophia’s hands don’t leave your waist for the rest of the night, giggling into your shoulders as you slip in another really stupid dad joke. Her eyes feel hypnotized, refusing to leave your figure as she eats. Her finger traces circles on the back of your hand, breathing in your perfume, she’s almost sleepy. It’s been so long since you’ve both been close like this.
Sophia shakes herself out of the daze, slowly untangling herself from you. She notices the way your smiles dips a little, looking at her in confusion. She excuses herself, promising she’ll be back in two seconds as she heads towards the washroom. The cold water feels comforting, washing away the sweat from her hands as she tries to steady her racing heart. It was finally happening. She reaches into her pocket, taking the velvet box out, taking deep breaths.
She was going to do it. She was going to say everything that’s been on her mind the past six months. She’s not going to let anyone stop her tonight. You’re doing great Sophia, you—
And then she sees him, leaning over the table she booked. That infuriating smirk on his face as he tries to fucking flirt with you again. Your ex, Ethan. Of course he has to come into the picture and ruin her day, he does this every time she tries to make a move. Sophia hates how you fall for him every time. He’s such a bitch, and she hates him and he should go fuck himself and—
Fuck this. Sophia slips the box inside her pocket again, heading downstairs to wait for you, or maybe not. Maybe he’ll just charm you again, and she’ll have to listen to you complain about him. She’ll just have to sit there and watch as you tell her your type. Kind. Not afraid to cry. Treats their mother right. Six feet tall, (optional, she hopes?). Super strong. Picks me up at eight, and not a minute late. Her head spins. She does everything right, she meets every standard except actually confessing.
She hates it, hates how she’ll never have the guts for it. Tears pool up in her eyes as she leans against the car. Sophia, you failed again. Forget about her. She really tries not to break down, not when she knows you’re about to come down any second, but then there’s a hand on her shoulder, one that’s spinning her around to face you. There’s warm fingers wiping her tears away, cupping her face, the gentle voice she’s learned to adore.
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” Sophia’s voice only cracks more as she hears the tone you use, one so patient and ready to listen. Her forehead leans against yours. “Nothing.” Sophia shakes her head, trying to pull away but you keep her in place. “So, you’re crying over nothing.” You give her a look, and Sophia crumbles into your arms, hugging you close as she sobs into your shoulders. “I-it doesn’t matter,” She hiccups.
“It matters to me.” You whisper into her ear. “You always say that.” Sophia sighs, trying to calm herself down. “Because I mean it.” Sophia pulls herself away from the embrace, reaching into her pocket. She pulls the box out, handing it to you. Your eyebrows scrunch, gently opening it. A gold necklace, a pendant on the side. A beautiful peacock feather, your favourite. Oh, my god. You told her that ages ago. “You remembered.”
“I always do.” Sophia gulps, heart racing in her chest, so fast she was worried it might come right out of her mouth and into her hands. “Are you sure you don’t have something to say to me, Sofi?” Your fingers run across her lips. You see the hesitation in her lips, and you sigh. Get it together, Sophia! “I lik—” You cut her off, lips already pressed against hers. You’re an impatient woman.
Sophia gasps, steadying herself, hands cupping the back of your neck as she presses your mouth harder against hers. The air is knocked right out of her lungs as she pulls your body into hers so desperately, she really needs this. Butterflies pool up in her stomach, lips moving against yours gently, scared she’ll lose you if she pushes too hard. You pull away first, lips swollen but so delicious as you pant, trying to catch your breath. “Well, I like you too, Laforteza, took you too long.” You giggle, pulling her right back in before she can respond.
Sophia smiles into the kiss, slowly turning you over and pinning you to the car. Her lips trail down from your lips, nipping on your jawline, moving to your neck, leaving deep wet kisses, covering you in her lipstick as you whine about how it tickles. “I’ve wanted this for so long, you have no idea.” Sophia sighs, biting down on your bottom lip, tugging at it till you moan, only ticking Sophia on further.
“Oh, trust me, I had all the ideas.” You snicker, giving her one last peck before you both hear a man wailing as he comes out of the restaurant. Sophia looks back, alerted. But it’s… Ethan.
“Oh, my god. Did you… did you kick him in the nuts?”
Summary: After being stood up on a first date, heartbreak hits hard—but Sophia shows up, apologetic and honest about her feelings. Surrounded by your girls, cake, and coffee, she takes your phone and says everything you might’ve wanted to say, proving sometimes the right person knows exactly how to protect your heart.
Pairings: Sophia Laforteza x reader
Warning(s): mild heartbreak / emotional distress / jealous Sophia / mild swearing / angst / fluff / date is personified as 'them' / Y/D/N = your dates name
A/N: much potential to make this a little series :D
No music blasting. No chaotic dance battles in the hallway. Just late evening quiet — soft lamp light, the hum of the dishwasher, Yoonchae curled up on the floor with her sketchbook, Megan half-asleep across the couch with her hood up, Manon and Lara arguing gently about something on Lara’s phone.
Sophia is at the dining table with her laptop open, headphones around her neck but not on, pretending to work on something.
You’ve been pacing for five minutes.
Daniela notices first.
'You’re circling,' she says mildly from the armchair, not even looking up from her phone. 'Like a shark.'
You stop. 'I am not.'
'You are,' Manon says, glancing over. 'It’s stressing me out.'
Lara squints at you dramatically. 'Either you broke something or you’re about to announce something.'
You hesitate. Then spill, 'Okay. Everyone sit properly. I have news.'
That gets their attention.
Megan immediately sits up. 'Why does that sound ominous?'
Yoonchae closes her sketchbook carefully. Daniela sets her book down. Even Sophia pauses her typing, though she doesn’t turn around yet.
You sit on the edge of the coffee table facing them. 'I… have a date.'
The reaction is instant.
Lara gasps like you just said you’re engaged.
Manon bolts upright. 'With who?'
Megan’s eyes widen. 'Since when??'
Yoonchae looks delighted. 'Wait, what? Tell us everything.'
Daniela smiles slowly, folding her hands in her lap. 'Ah. That explains the pacing.'
Sophia’s shoulders go rigid for half a second. Only half a second. Then she leans back in her chair casually.
'Oh,' she says. Neutral. Controlled. 'That’s cool.'
You glance at her instinctively, then back at the others.
'I met them through my friend,' you explain, feeling warmth creep up your neck. 'They thought we’d get along. We have the same interests — music, films, they like art exhibits, all that.'
Daniela grins. 'So intellectual vibes.'
'Potentially.' You laugh.
'Name?' Lara demands.
You tell them.
'Occupation?' Megan asks, already suspicious.
You roll your eyes. 'They work in marketing.'
'Red flag.' Daniela mutters immediately.
Manon gives her a look. 'We do not judge based on job titles.'
'Yet.' Lara adds.
They all start firing questions at once.
'Where are you going?'
'When is it?'
'What are you wearing?'
'Are they tall?'
'Do they seem funny?'
You laugh, overwhelmed but happy.
'It’s tomorrow night. That little Italian place downtown. And I don’t know what I’m wearing yet.'
You look at her properly now. She’s turned slightly in her chair, one elbow resting on the back, fingers pressed lightly against her mouth like she’s thinking. Her expression is carefully blank.
Too carefully blank.
'You good?' You ask lightly.
Her eyes flick to yours. 'Yeah,' she says instantly. 'Why wouldn’t I be?'
It’s not sharp. But it’s quick.
You hesitate. 'You’re quiet.'
She shrugs one shoulder. 'Just listening.'
Megan squints at her for a second, but Lara interrupts.
'Okay but this is HUGE,' Lara insists, turning back to you. 'This is your first actual date in forever.'
You nod. 'I know. It’s just… nice, I guess. To be asked.'
The words land heavier than you intended.
Manon notices. She always does. 'You deserve to be asked.' She says simply.
Sophia’s jaw tightens. It’s subtle. So subtle no one else clocks it.
But you do.
You’ve known her long enough to recognise the micro-expressions — the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her thumb starts rubbing against her palm when she’s trying to regulate something.
Jealousy doesn’t immediately occur to you. But something is off.
Daniela leans forward, elbows on her knees. 'Do you like them?'
You consider that.
'I don’t know yet,' you admit. 'But I’m curious. And they seem… intentional.'
Sophia looks down at the table.
Intentional.
The word echoes unpleasantly in her head. Because she’s been careful for months not to be too intentional with you. Not too obvious. Not too lingering.
'Have you been texting a lot?' Yoonchae asks.
'Here and there,' you say. 'They ask good questions. Remembers details.'
Sophia exhales quietly through her nose. Of course they do. They're trying.
Megan stretches her arms above her head. 'Okay but if they're weird we’re staging a fake emergency.'
'You are not.' Manon says calmly.
'Oh we absolutely are.' Lara counters.
The room fills with teasing again. Energy light. Warm. Protective.
You smile, soaking it in.
Across the room, Sophia forces herself to smile too.
She even adds, 'Yeah, text us their location. Just in case.'
Supportive. Normal. But her chest feels tight. Because she knew this was coming someday.
You’re charming. You’re warm. You’re easy to fall for. She just thought maybe she’d have more time. More time to figure out if she was brave enough to say something.
Instead, she’s sitting here listening to you describe someone who shares your interests and makes you feel seen.
And she can’t exactly say, I’ve been seeing you this whole time.
You stand up suddenly. 'Okay. That’s all. I just wanted to tell you guys.'
Manon gives you that knowing, steady look — like she senses more under the surface.
Sophia pushes her chair back. 'I’m gonna go shower.' She says casually.
Too casually.
You watch her walk down the hallway. Something tugs at you. Not enough to name it. Just enough to notice.
---
The next afternoon, your bedroom is a disaster zone.
Clothes everywhere. Shoes kicked into corners. Hangers abandoned on the floor like casualties of war.
Lara and Daniela have fully invaded your closet.'
'I’m telling you,' Daniela says, tossing a blouse onto your bed, 'structured neckline. It makes her shoulders look insane.'
Lara scoffs. 'This is a DATE, not a board meeting.'
Yoonchae sits cross-legged on your bed like a tiny fashion consultant, hands folded politely but eyes critical.
Megan is leaning against your dresser, phone in hand, offering commentary nobody asked for.
Manon is perched on your desk chair, calm, observing like she’s overseeing a runway show.
Sophia is sitting at the edge of your bed. Too still.
You’re currently in jeans and a fitted cream top, looking at yourself in the mirror with mild skepticism.
'I don’t know,' you murmur. 'Is this too safe?'
'Safe is boring,' Lara declares from inside your closet. 'Next!'
Daniela emerges holding something black. 'Oh.'
Lara turns.
'Oh.'
They both look at you in unison.
'No,' you say immediately. 'Absolutely not.'
Daniela steps forward and holds it up against you.
It’s a black mini dress. Soft fabric. Fitted through the waist. Slight dip at the neckline. Simple but devastating.
The room goes quiet. Even Megan straightens.
Yoonchae’s eyes widen. 'Oh…'
Manon’s lips curve slowly. 'Looks like that’s the one.”
Sophia looks up. And her stomach drops. Because it fits you perfectly when you slip it on.
The dress hugs your waist just enough, shows your legs, your collarbones, the soft slope of your shoulders. It’s not vulgar. It’s not loud.
It’s confident.
The girls react immediately.
'Yes.'
'Absolutely.'
'They're done for.'
'Black is your colour.'
You turn in the mirror, frowning slightly. 'Isn’t it too much for a first date?'
Lara spins you gently toward the mirror again. 'It’s not too much,' she says. 'It’s just enough.'
Daniela nods. 'It looks amazing on you. Not try-hard. Just… powerful.'
You chew your lip. 'I don’t want them to think I’m trying too hard.'
Sophia speaks for the first time in a while. 'If they think that, that’s their problem.'
The tone isn’t soft. It’s clipped.
You glance at her. Her expression is neutral, but her arms are folded tight across her chest.
Megan notices. Her eyes flick between the two of you.
You shrug it off. 'I just don’t want it to be weird.'
Lara walks over and fixes the strap on your shoulder gently. 'You look stunning. If they're worth anything, they’ll just feel lucky.'
You smile slightly at that.
Sophia stands abruptly. 'Or they’ll stare all night and not actually listen to you.' She mutters.
The room pauses.
Daniela looks up. 'What?'
Sophia shrugs. 'People like that don’t usually care about ‘shared interests.’ They care about visuals.'
The words hang awkwardly.
You blink. 'They're not like that.'
Sophia meets your eyes. 'You don’t know that yet.'
It’s not loud. It’s not aggressive. But it’s sharp.
Manon shifts slightly in her chair. 'Soph.'
'I’m just saying,' Sophia says quickly. 'Maybe tone it down a little if you’re worried.'
There it is. That edge. Not concern. Possessiveness disguised as practicality.
You feel it. It stings in a way you don’t fully understand.
'I like it,' you say quietly. 'The dress.'
Sophia’s jaw tightens. 'Then wear it.' She replies as she stands up. 'I have stuff to do.'
And just like that, she leaves your room. The door closes a little firmer than necessary.
The energy shifts.
Lara exhales slowly. 'Okay.'
Daniela mutters, 'What was that?'
You stare at the door. 'She’s just… stressed, maybe?'
Manon doesn’t say anything. But she’s thinking.
Before you can protest, Megan gently presses her hands to your shoulders and guides you into the chair.
'Sit,' she says softly. 'Let us cook.'
You laugh nervously. 'You’re all acting like this is prom.'
'It kind of is.' Lara calls from your closet.
Your phone buzzes in your hand. You glance down. It’s them.
Y/D/N: Still on for tonight? 7pm?
You smile without meaning to.
You: Yes :) looking forward to it.
You don’t see the way Megan clocks that smile.
Daniela steps behind you with makeup brushes. Yoonchae is already holding lip options like a display tray.
Manon leans against the wall near the door, watching fondly.
Megan stands behind you, hands resting lightly on the back of your chair.
You can’t help glancing toward the hallway. Sophia doesn’t come back. And you tell yourself it doesn’t bother you.
But it does. Just a little.
Because she’s usually the one teasing you the loudest. The one stealing mascara and pretending she’s better at eyeliner.
Now she’s gone. And the room feels like it’s missing something.
Down the hall, Sophia is standing in the bathroom. Staring at herself in the mirror. She grips the edge of the sink and exhales.
That dress. The way everyone looked at you.
It twists something ugly and vulnerable inside her chest. She doesn’t like the version of herself that just snapped in your room. She doesn’t like that she wanted you to choose something less flattering.
Less noticeable. Less irresistible.
But she also doesn’t know how to sit in that room and pretend she’s okay watching you get ready for someone else.
So she stays in the bathroom longer than necessary. Listening to the faint sounds of laughter drifting down the hall. Trying to swallow something that refuses to go down.
Back in your room, lip gloss is applied, hair is softly styled, your dress is settled perfectly. You stand up. The girls collectively sigh in approval.
'You look hot.' Daniela says.
'Respectfully.' Lara adds.
You smile, but your eyes drift toward the doorway again.
And for a moment, you wish Sophia had stayed.
---
Your room smells faintly like vanilla and something floral by the time they’re done with you.
'Okay, final touches.' Lara announces, holding up your perfume like it’s ceremonial.
You lift your chin dramatically. 'Do not overdo it.'
Lara ignores you and does a light spritz into the air, waving you through it like you’re walking onto a stage. 'Subtle but memorable.'
Yoonchae is crouched in front of you, carefully fastening a delicate ring onto your finger. 'This one,' she says softly. 'It catches the light.'
Megan hands you your flats. 'Comfort queen.'
'I’m not wearing heels unless someone’s paying me.' You declare, slipping them on.
'Valid,' Manon says calmly from behind you, checking the strap of your bag. 'Phone? Lip gloss? Keys?'
You nod, doing a quick check inside your purse. Lip gloss. Card holder. Portable charger. Everything in place.
For a second, it feels almost silly how much effort went into this. But it also feels… nice. To be fussed over. To be cared for.
You glance down the hallway once more. Sophia’s door is closed.
Your chest tightens slightly.
'She’s probably just busy.' Megan says quietly, noticing the look.
'Yeah.' You murmur.
Lara claps her hands. 'Okay! Go! Before we start overthinking!'
They crowd the door with you, hyping you up like you’re about to walk onto a red carpet.
'Text us when you get there.'
'Share your location.'
'If they're weird, you call us!'
'Have fun.'
You laugh, heart fluttering. Then you step out into the evening air.
The restaurant glows warm and golden from the outside.
Soft lighting. Low music drifting out when the door opens. The kind of place that feels intimate without being intimidating.
You smooth down your dress before stepping inside.
The hostess smiles politely. 'Table for two?'
'Yes, please.' You say as you give his name.
She nods and leads you to a small table by the window.
Your phone says 6:58 p.m.
You’re early. That’s fine.
The waitress comes by within a minute. 'Can I get you started with something to drink?'
'Pepsi Max, please.'
She nods and disappears.
You glance around the room casually.
Couples talking. A group of friends laughing in the corner. Someone celebrating a birthday.
Your drink arrives quickly. Cold glass. Ice clinking softly.
You thank her and take a small sip. It tastes sharp and sweet.
You check your phone. 7:03. Still fine.
You open the menu, scanning options. Pasta. Seafood. Risotto. You try to imagine what you’d order if they were sitting across from you. Something easy to eat. Not messy. Not too heavy.
You glance at the door when it opens. Not them.
You scroll your messages. No new notifications.
7:10. Okay. Maybe there's traffic.
You take another sip.
7:12. You send a light text.
You: Hey! I’m here :)
You stare at the screen for a moment before locking it.
You don’t want to look eager. You rest your chin in your hand, pretending to study the wine list.
7:18.
No response. You check their profile. Active 2 minutes ago.
Your stomach dips. Maybe they're on the way. Maybe they just haven’t seen it yet. You take a slow breath.
7:23.
Still nothing.
You send another message, more casual.
You: Are you close?
You don’t add an emoji this time.
The waitress approaches gently. 'Ready to order?'
'Oh, uhm, could you wait just a little longer please?' You say with a polite smile.
'Of course.'
She gives you that look. Soft. Sympathetic. Like she’s seen this before.
You swallow.
7:31.
Delivered. No reply. You stare at the door every time it opens now. Each time it’s someone else.
A laugh bursts from another table and it feels too loud.
Your Pepsi is nearly gone.
7:40.
You send one more text.
You: Just checking I’m at the right place?
Your thumb hovers for a second before hitting send.
Nothing.
7:52.
The restaurant feels smaller. Hotter. Your face burns.
You open the chat again. Still active earlier. Still nothing.
The realisation doesn’t hit all at once. It creeps in. Slow and heavy. They're not coming.
Your throat tightens. You sit there another five minutes anyway. Just in case.
Just so you can tell yourself you gave it a fair shot.
At just after 8:00 p.m., the waitress approaches again, hesitant. 'Are you ready to order?'
Her tone is gentle. Apologetic. She knows.
You force a small smile. 'Actually… can I just get the bill for the drink please?'
She nods, not making it awkward. 'I’m sorry.' She says quietly.
You shake your head. 'It’s okay.'
But it’s not. Not really.
The bill comes quickly. You pay. Leave a tip anyway. Because you’re not mad at her.
You stand, smoothing down your dress again. It suddenly feels stupid. Too much. Like you dressed up for an audience of one.
The cool air outside hits your skin sharply. You start walking. The walk back feels longer than usual.
The city is alive around you. People laughing. Cars passing. Music spilling out of bars.
You keep your eyes down. You replay the evening in your head. The texts. The active status. The silence.
It’s not even about them. Not really.
It’s about sitting there alone while everyone else looked at you with quiet understanding.
About feeling chosen for a moment… and then not.
Your phone buzzes once. Your heart leaps. You stop walking.
It’s a group chat notification.
Lara: HOW IS IT GOING?!?!?!
You stare at it. You don’t reply. You start walking again.
Your reflection in a dark shop window catches your eye. You still look good. That almost makes it worse.
By the time you reach the dorm building, the adrenaline has worn off.
What’s left is just a dull ache. Embarrassment. Disappointment.
A quiet question in the back of your mind, Was I that easy to ignore?
You climb the stairs slowly. Adjust your bag on your shoulder. Wipe under your eyes just in case.
And reach for the door. Inside, you can already hear voices. Waiting. Excited.
You take a breath. And turn the handle.
---
The second you open the dorm door, the noise hits you.
They’re all in the living room. All of them.
Lara is sitting cross-legged on the floor. Daniela is sprawled across the rug. Yoonchae is tucked into the corner of the couch. Megan and Manon are sharing the other side.
And Sophia is there too. On the armchair. Arms folded loosely. Expression carefully neutral.
The door clicks shut behind you. Every head turns.
Lara is on her feet instantly. 'OH MY GOD.'
Daniela follows. 'Okay. Details.'
Yoonchae practically bounces. 'How was it?'
Megan stands up slower, eyes scanning your face.
Manon watches quietly.
Sophia doesn’t move.
You force a smile. 'It was…' Your voice catches slightly. You clear your throat. 'Short.'
Lara freezes mid-step. 'Short?'
Daniela frowns. 'What do you mean short?'
Megan glances at the clock on the wall. Her brow furrows. 'You’ve only been out for like… an hour.'
The room stills.
You set your bag down carefully on the table. You don’t look at anyone. 'They didn’t come.'
Silence. It lands heavy.
Lara blinks. 'What?'
'They stood me up.' You say again, softer.
Daniela’s face hardens immediately. 'You’re joking.'
You shake your head.
Megan steps closer. 'Wait. Didn’t they text earlier?'
You nod once. 'They asked if it was still on. I said yes.' You let out a small, humourless laugh. 'So I know they didn’t forget.'
That part hurts the most. The deliberate choice.
Yoonchae’s hand flies to her mouth. 'That’s so mean.'
Lara swears loudly. Daniela mutters something under her breath that definitely isn’t kind.
Manon is already standing in front of you. 'You waited?' She asks gently.
'For an hour,' you admit. 'I kept thinking maybe traffic was bad or something.' Your voice wobbles at the end despite your effort to keep it steady.
Megan closes the gap completely and pulls you into her arms.
You didn’t realise how tightly you were holding yourself together until that moment. Your body just folds.
'They were active,' you mumble into her shoulder. 'I checked.'
Daniela scoffs in disbelief. 'That’s actually disgusting.'
Lara paces like she’s about to commit a crime. 'I will find them.' She says darkly.
'You will not.' Manon says calmly, but there’s steel in her tone.
Yoonchae wraps her arms around your waist from the side. It becomes a cluster of warmth and outrage around you.
All except one.
Sophia is still in the armchair. She hasn’t moved. She’s watching you. Watching the way your fingers clutch Megan’s hoodie. Watching the way your shoulders shake just slightly.
And something ugly twists in her chest.
Because she hates that you’re hurting. But a tiny, selfish part of her also hates that someone else had the chance to hurt you in the first place.
You pull back slightly, wiping under your eyes quickly. 'It’s fine,' you insist. 'It’s just embarrassing.'
'It’s not embarrassing.' Megan says immediately.
'It kind of is,' you whisper. 'The waitress knew.'
Manon steps closer and cups your elbow gently. 'You did nothing wrong.'
Daniela nods firmly. 'They're the one who should be embarrassed.'
Lara stands dramatically in front of you. 'You looked beautiful. If anything, they saved you from wasting a good outfit on them.'
That makes a weak smile tug at your lips. But your chest still feels hollow.
Sophia finally stands.
The room shifts slightly. She steps forward slowly. Her voice is controlled. 'I’m sorry.' She says.
It’s simple.
But there’s something tight underneath it.
You nod faintly. 'Thanks.'
She looks like she wants to say more. But she doesn’t.
Megan rubs your back gently. 'Do you want some tea?'
You shake your head. 'I think I just… want a shower.'
Manon nods. 'Good idea.'
Yoonchae squeezes you once more before stepping back.
As you pick up your bag, Lara calls out, 'We’re ordering dessert later. Revenge sugar.'
Daniela agrees immediately. 'Yes. Mandatory.'
You manage a small laugh. 'Okay.'
You walk down the hallway. You can feel Sophia’s eyes on you the entire way.
Your bedroom door closes softly behind you. The quiet feels heavier than the restaurant did.
You stand in front of your mirror for a moment.
The makeup is still perfect. Eyeliner sharp with your gloss intact. Hair still carefully styled. You look like someone who had a good night.
You swallow hard. Then you head to the bathroom. The shower water starts warm. You step under it slowly.
The mascara doesn’t run because you haven’t cried properly yet.
But the foundation washes away. The gloss fades. The effort dissolves.
You lean your forehead against the cool tile. And finally let yourself feel it. Not dramatic sobbing. Just that quiet, sinking ache of being unwanted.
Of trying. Of sitting alone under warm lighting while everyone else had someone across the table.
Steam fills the room. The water runs longer than it needs to.
Back in the living room, the girls are quiet now. Lara is still fuming softly. Daniela is on her phone, probably stalking them. Megan looks guilty somehow, like she should’ve prevented it. Manon is calm but watchful.
And Sophia?
Sophia is staring down the hallway toward the sound of the shower running.
Her jaw clenched. Because she knows something now.
Watching you walk in hurt like that, It hurts worse than the jealousy ever did. And she doesn’t know how much longer she can stay quiet about why.
---
The shower turns off.
Sophia hears it from the living room. Her whole body goes still. She doesn’t look up immediately — she just listens.
Pipes creaking. The faint click of the bathroom door. The soft sound of your bedroom door opening and closing.
She waits.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Fifteen.
Lara starts talking about ordering the cake. Daniela is still muttering threats under her breath. Megan is quieter than usual. Manon watches Sophia without making it obvious.
Sophia stands. 'I’m going to check on her.' She says, trying to keep it casual.
No one stops her.
She walks down the hallway slowly, heart thudding in her ears.
Your bedroom light is on under the door.
She raises her hand. Hesitates, then knocks softly.
There’s a small pause. '…Yeah?'
Your voice sounds tired.
She swallows. 'Can I come in?'
Another beat.
Then, 'Yeah. Sure.'
She opens the door gently.
You’re sitting on your bed in an oversized hoodie and sleep shorts, hair damp from the shower. Your makeup is gone. Your face is bare and softer, eyes slightly puffy but not red.
You look smaller like this. More real.
She closes the door behind her. For a moment, neither of you speak.
'I didn’t know if you’d want to talk.' She starts carefully.
You give a small shrug. 'It’s okay.'
She steps further into the room but doesn’t sit yet. 'I owe you an apology.'
You tilt your head slightly. 'For?'
'For the way I’ve been acting. Yesterday. Today. When you were getting ready.'
You blink slowly. 'I thought you were just stressed.'
Sophia lets out a quiet, shaky breath. 'I wish that was it.'
She runs a hand through her hair — a nervous habit. 'I’ve been… weird. And kind of cold. And you didn’t deserve that.'
You watch her carefully now.
'It wasn’t about the dress,' she continues. 'Or your date, really. It was about me.'
Your chest tightens slightly.
She finally sits on the edge of your desk chair, facing you. 'I’ve liked you for a while.' She says.
There it is.
No joking tone. No teasing. Just honesty.
Your breath catches.
'I didn’t plan on telling you like this,' she admits. 'And I definitely didn’t plan on being petty about it. But watching everyone help you get ready for them… hearing you talk about them…'
She swallows. 'It made me jealous.'
The word hangs heavy. You stare at her. 'Jealous?' You echo softly.
She nods once. 'I didn’t want them to see you like that. I didn’t want them sitting across from you. I didn’t want them getting the version of you that we get.'
Her voice isn’t bitter. It’s vulnerable.
'I handled it badly,' she says. 'Instead of just being honest, I got sharp. And I’m sorry.'
You sit very still. Your heart is doing something complicated. 'You’ve… liked me?' You ask quietly.
She gives a small, almost embarrassed smile. 'Yeah.'
'How long?'
She exhales lightly. 'Long enough that it stopped being a crush and started being inconvenient.'
That almost makes you laugh. Almost.
Silence settles between you. Not awkward. Just full.
You look down at your hands. 'I don’t know what to say.' You admit.
'That’s okay,' she says quickly. 'You don’t have to say anything back. I just— after tonight, I couldn’t keep pretending.'
Your throat tightens. 'They stood me up.' You say quietly, like you’re reminding yourself.
'I know.'
'I spent weeks thinking about whether I even wanted to go on that date. And then they just…' You shake your head. 'Didn’t.'
Sophia’s jaw tightens again, but this time it’s protective, not jealous. 'You didn’t deserve that.'
You nod faintly. 'I think what hurts isn’t even them,' you continue. 'It’s the idea. Of finally letting myself try, and then feeling stupid for it.'
She listens. Really listens.
'I don’t want to jump into something right now,' you say honestly. 'I don’t want to make decisions because I’m hurt. Or because I feel rejected.'
Sophia nods immediately. 'Yeah. That makes sense.'
'I care about you,' you add softly. 'And I don’t want this to be a rebound. Or a reaction.'
Her eyes soften at that. 'I’m not asking for that,' she says. 'I just didn’t want to hide anymore.'
You look at her. Really look at her. She looks nervous. Open.
Terrified, maybe — but steady.
'I appreciate you telling me,' you say. 'I really do.'
She lets out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding.
'And…' you hesitate, then continue. 'I don’t hate the idea.'
Her eyes flick up to yours quickly. 'You don’t?'
You shake your head slightly. 'I think I just need a little time. To not feel like I’m chasing someone who doesn’t show up.'
Her expression softens into something warm and relieved. 'I can wait.' She says immediately.
'You don’t even know how long.'
She shrugs gently. 'Doesn’t matter.'
A small, fragile smile tugs at your mouth. 'I’d like to try,' you say carefully. 'With you. Just… slowly.'
That’s when something in her posture finally relaxes.
Not triumph. Not excitement. Relief.
'That’s more than enough.' She says quietly.
The room feels lighter somehow. You shift slightly on the bed.
'Friends?' You offer gently. 'While I… recalibrate?'
She smiles properly now. 'Friends.'
She stands, hesitates, then asks softly, 'Can I hug you?'
You nod.
She crosses the small distance between you and wraps her arms around you carefully — not tight, not possessive. Just warm.
You melt into it more than you expected to.
She smells faintly like laundry detergent and the living room candle.
Safe.
When she pulls back, her eyes are brighter. 'I’m glad they didn’t show.' She admits quietly.
You snort softly. 'Terrible timing.'
'Maybe,' she says. 'But I’m still glad.'
You shake your head, but you’re smiling now.
And for the first time since sitting alone at that restaurant— You don’t feel unwanted.
You feel chosen. Gently. Patiently. And maybe at the right time.
---
When you and Sophia step back into the living room, the energy shifts instantly.
Lara looks up first. Her eyes dart between the two of you.
Then she smirks. 'Why do you both look emotionally processed?'
'Don’t.' You warn, but you’re smiling.
Manon clocks it immediately — the softened air between you. Megan raises a brow but doesn’t comment. Daniela narrows her eyes suspiciously in a playful way.
Yoonchae beams at you. 'Are you okay?' She asks gently.
'Yeah,' you say honestly. 'Better.'
Sophia sits down — not far from you this time. Not across the room. Not isolated. Just… near.
Not touching. But close.
Lara claps her hands loudly. 'GOOD. Because cake is on the way.'
You smile. 'Thanks, Lara.'
'And coffee.' She adds proudly.
'Coffee? At this time of night?' You ask.
She shrugs. 'Heartbreak calories don’t follow time zones.'
Daniela nods solemnly. 'It’s science.'
Megan laughs softly.
Manon just shakes her head in fond disbelief.
Twenty minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. Lara practically sprints to get it. She returns triumphantly holding a cake box and a drink tray.
'Revenge cake.' She announces dramatically.
You laugh despite yourself. 'Okay, okay.'
Lara drags you up from the couch. 'You’re cutting it.'
'I didn’t get dumped.' You protest.
'You were stood up. It's the same category.'
Daniela is already grabbing plates.
You follow them into the kitchen, which is really just an extension of the living space. Close enough that you can still see the couch area.
Sophia stays seated in the living room with Megan, Manon, and Yoonchae.
You open the cake box. Chocolate. Of course.
'Okay, that actually looks so good.' You admit.
Lara hands you the knife ceremoniously. 'First slice is yours.'
You’re halfway through cutting when your phone starts ringing on the coffee table.
Everyone freezes. You look up to see who it is.
Your stomach drops. It’s them.
Their name lights up your screen. The audacity.
You hesitate.
Before you can decide what to do—Sophia stands.
She picks up your phone. And answers it. The room goes dead silent.
'Soph—' You start, but it’s too late.
She presses it to her ear. 'Hello.'
Her voice is calm. Too calm.
You and Lara slowly step toward the doorway, cake knife still in your hand. Daniela follows.
From the kitchen entrance, you can see Sophia standing in the centre of the living room, your phone at her ear, posture straight.
You can faintly hear a voice talking rapidly through the speaker.
You can’t make out every word, but you catch pieces.
'—lost track of time—'
'—phone died—'
'—still want to reschedule—'
Sophia’s expression doesn’t change. She listens. Lets them finish.
The girls on the couch look stunned. Even Manon’s brows have lifted slightly.
When they stop talking, Sophia finally speaks.
Her tone is steady. Measured. 'You left her sitting alone for almost an hour.'
Silence from the other end.
'She texted you three times.'
Pause.
'And you were active. You were online!'
You swallow.
Sophia’s jaw tightens slightly. 'No,' she continues, voice still controlled. 'You don’t get to ‘feel bad.’ You made a choice.'
There’s a faint defensive reply through the phone.
Sophia lets out a short, humourless laugh. 'She looked incredible tonight. She showed up on time. She was excited. And you couldn’t even send a message.'
Your heart pounds.
You didn’t realise how much you wanted someone to say that.
From the kitchen doorway, Lara grips your arm. Daniela’s eyes are wide.
Sophia continues. 'You don’t get another chance. You don’t get to ‘make it up.’ She deserves someone who shows up the first time.'
There’s a longer pause. You can tell they're trying to explain themself.
Sophia doesn’t budge. 'No,' she says firmly. 'You lost that opportunity.'
Her voice shifts slightly then — not angry, but resolute. 'And just so we’re clear? She’s out of your league. Massively.'
Daniela lets out a silent, approving nod. You feel heat flood your cheeks.
Sophia finishes simply. 'Don’t call again.' And hangs up.
The room stays quiet for a second. Then she looks down at the phone and blocks the number without hesitation.
She walks into the kitchen. Takes the cake knife gently from your hand, cuts herself a slice and plates it.
Like nothing monumental just happened.
The rest of the girls erupt.
'HELL yeah.' Daniela screeches.
'That was insane.' Megan's jaw hasn't left the floor.
'Iconic.' Lara breathes.
Yoonchae is smiling shyly but proudly.
Manon just watches Sophia with quiet approval.
You’re still staring at her. She hands you back the knife. 'Sorry,' she says softly. 'I probably should’ve asked.'
You blink. 'No,' you breathe. 'No. I’m glad you answered.'
She studies your face, searching for any sign of discomfort. You shake your head slightly. 'That was… everything I wanted to say. Just… not tonight.'
Your voice is small but honest.
Something flickers in her eyes. Not smugness. Relief.
She leans casually against the counter and takes a bite of cake. 'Good.' She says simply.
You find yourself smiling at her. Not just because she defended you. But because she did it without yelling. Without losing control.
Summary: Sophia has always been there, quietly waiting, quietly protecting—but when you finally notice her, the feelings you’ve ignored can’t be held back any longer.
Pairings: Sophia Laforteza x reader
Warning(s): mild sexual content / fluff / angst / romance / sexual tension
The dorm feels different the next morning. Not louder, not quieter, just slower. Like everything is moving through water.
You notice it the second you open your eyes.
There’s no clear reason for it. No obvious change. The same faint hum of appliances, the same muffled sounds from down the hall. Someone laughing softly—Lara, probably. A cupboard door closing.
But something sits heavier in your chest.
You stare at the ceiling for a moment, blinking slowly, trying to gather your thoughts. They don’t gather. They scatter in fragments.
The restaurant. The empty chair. Your phone lighting up with nothing. Sophia’s voice—'I’ve liked you for a while.' The way she said 'I can wait' like it didn’t cost her anything.
Your brain doesn’t know where to land, so it just keeps moving.
You push yourself up eventually, dragging a hand down your face. Your room still smells faintly like your shampoo from last night, something soft and clean.
Your eyes flick to the plant on your windowsill. You haven’t watered it in… a while.
You get up, almost on autopilot, grabbing a water bottle from your nightstand. You pour a little too much at first, then pause, adjusting, watching the soil darken slowly.
It feels like something you can control. Something small, manageable.
You set the bottle down carefully as your reflection in the window catches your eye. Bare face. Slightly tired. A little softer than usual.
You stare at yourself for a second longer than necessary. Then you leave the room.
The kitchen is already occupied. Of course it is. Lara and Daniela are mid-argument, voices overlapping in that familiar, chaotic rhythm.
'You cannot just eat dry cereal out of the box like that—'
'I absolutely can and I am—'
'It’s unhinged behaviour!'
Yoonchae is half-asleep at the table, cheek pressed to her arm, hair slightly messy, blinking slowly like she hasn’t fully loaded into the day yet. Megan is leaning against the counter, scrolling on her phone, occasionally glancing up like she’s keeping track of everything at once.
Manon is by the sink, pouring herself a glass of water, calm as ever. Observing. Always observing.
And Sophia is at the stove.
Your steps slow slightly.
She’s already cooking. Not just standing there. Not just making something quick for herself. Actually cooking.
There’s a pan on the stove. You hear it before you fully register it—the soft sizzle of something frying. The faint smell of bacon hits you a second later, warm and salty, curling through the air.
You hover near the counter, not fully stepping in yet. Your brain is still doing that thing—jumping. From the plant. To the date. To Sophia in your room last night. To the way your chest felt when she hugged you.
You reach for a mug without really thinking. The same one from last night, apparently, because it’s already half-filled with coffee. Its cold, but you bring it to your lips anyway and take a small sip. It’s not good.
You don’t react. You just… hold it.
Manon glances at you as she passes. 'You’re thinking too loudly.' She says casually.
You blink. 'I just woke up.'
She hums. 'Exactly.'
You huff softly, but you don’t argue. Because she’s not wrong.
You finally step fully into the kitchen. 'Morning.' You mumble, voice still a little rough.
You manage a small smile. Your eyes flick—without permission—toward Sophia.
She hasn’t turned around yet. But you can tell she knows you’re there. There’s a slight shift in her posture. Subtle. Almost nothing.
But you notice. Because now you’re noticing everything.
You lean against the counter, mug still in your hands, letting the warmth that isn’t there pretend to be something.
'I’m not hungry.' You say absently, mostly to no one in particular.
It just comes out. Because you’re not. Or at least, you don’t think you are. Your stomach feels weird. Not empty. Just… unsettled.
Behind you, Lara gasps. 'Blasphemy.'
'It’s 10 a.m.,' Daniela adds. 'That’s prime eating time.'
You shrug slightly. 'I’ll muster something up later.'
'Mhm.' Sophia’s voice.
You go still. It’s quiet, noncommittal. But it lands. She still hasn’t turned around.
You stare down at your coffee instead. A minute passes. Maybe two.
Your brain drifts again. Back to the restaurant. The way the chair across from you stayed empty. The way you kept checking your phone like something might magically change. Then—uninvited— Sophia’s voice again. 'I’ve liked you for a while.'
Your grip on the mug tightens slightly. You take another sip of the cold coffee just to do something. It’s worse now. You don’t even react.
'Give me that.'
You blink as the mug is gently taken from your hands before you can process what’s happening.
You look up at Sophia. She’s right in front of you now, closer than you expected.
Your brain stalls for half a second. 'It’s fine—' You start automatically.
'It’s not.' She says simply.
Not sharp, not annoyed, just factual. She turns away before you can respond, already moving toward the microwave.
You watch her.
The way she moves is efficient. Quietly purposeful. Like she’s done this a hundred times, even if she hasn’t.
She opens the microwave, places your mug inside, sets the time without hesitation.
You frown slightly. 'You don’t have to—'
'I know.'
She doesn’t look at you when she says it. That does something to your chest. You don’t push it.
The microwave hums softly as Sophia turns back to the stove, flipping something in the pan. You finally look properly. Eggs and bacon, plated already for the most part.
The microwave beeps. She pulls your mug out, tests the side of it with her fingers briefly, then walks back over.
She sets it in front of you again. This time, it’s warm. Actually warm. You stare at it for a second. 'Thanks.' You say quietly.
She nods once. 'Drink it before it goes cold again.'
There’s the smallest hint of something in her tone. Not quite teasing. Something softer. Familiar.
You wrap your hands around the mug again. This time, the warmth settles into your palms properly.
You’re still not paying attention when she sets the plate down. It happens without announcement. Without asking. Its just there, in front of you.
You blink, looking down. Eggs. Bacon. Toast. Perfectly done.
You look up at her, confused. 'I said I wasn’t hungry.'
'I know.' She says.
You wait for more. It doesn’t come.
'Then why—'
'Because you didn’t eat last night.' She replies.
It's simple and direct. Your mouth opens slightly, then closes again.
You didn’t realise she noticed that. You barely noticed it yourself. But of course she did. You look back down at the plate. Then at your hands. Then at her again.
'You didn’t have to do all that.' You say softly.
She shrugs, leaning back against the counter now. 'It’s just eggs.'
It’s not just eggs. You both know that.
The room continues around you. Lara is still talking. Daniela is still arguing. Yoonchae has shifted positions but is still half-asleep. Megan is watching something on her phone. Manon is quietly sipping her drink.
But it all feels… distant. Muted. Because your focus keeps drifting back. To her. To the plate in front of you. To the way she didn’t make a big deal out of it.
Didn’t ask if you wanted it. Didn’t push. She just did it. Because she knew.
You pick up your fork slowly and take a small bite. You are hungry. You just didn’t realise it. The food is warm and comforting, exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
Your shoulders drop slightly. Just a little.
Across from you, Sophia watches. Not obviously. Not in a way anyone else would notice. But she does. She watches the way you actually start eating, the way your grip on the mug relaxes, the way your breathing evens out just slightly.
Relief flickers through her chest. Quiet. Contained.
Your mind drifts again. But this time, it’s different. It’s not just the restaurant or the empty chair or the unanswered texts.
It’s this.
The plant in your room that got watered. The coffee in your hands that got reheated. The plate in front of you that was made without asking. And suddenly—a thought slips in. Uninvited but soft.
She’s always been like this. Not loud about it and never obvious. But steady, consistent and always there.
You swallow and take another bite. Your chest feels full in a way that has nothing to do with the food. You glance up to see she’s already looking at you. Not intensely. Not searching. Just present.
You hold her gaze for a second longer than usual. 'It’s good.' You say quietly.
Her lips press together slightly. Not quite a smile. But close.
'Good.' She replies.
And then she looks away first. Giving you space again. Like she promised. Like she meant it.
You sit there for a while just eating slowly and drinking your coffee before it goes cold again. Your thoughts are still messy, still scattered. But they're softer now. Less sharp. Less heavy.
Because even if nothing is figured out yet, even if everything is still complicated, there’s one thing your brain keeps circling back to, over and over. Steady and certain.
She showed up. She’s still showing up. And you’re starting to realise that maybe she always has.
---
The dorm is quieter than usual when you start getting ready. It's not empty—but calmer.
A few doors are closed. Music is faint somewhere down the hall. The kind of afternoon where everyone’s either out, busy, or halfway between plans.
You tug on your hoodie, adjusting the sleeves absently as you check your phone. Wallet. Keys. Headphones.
You hesitate by the door for a second. 'Hey,' you call out, raising your voice just slightly. 'I’m going out. Does anyone need anything?'
There’s a beat as a door creaks open. Lara pokes her head out first. 'Where are you going?'
'Grocery store,' you reply. 'Just grabbing a few things.'
'Ooooh.' She considers it. 'Snacks?'
'You already have snacks.'
'Those are emergency snacks.'
You snort softly. 'So… no?'
She sighs dramatically. 'No.'
Another door opens—Daniela this time, phone in hand. 'If you see those chocolate things—'
'That narrows it down so much.' You deadpan.
She grins. 'You know the ones.'
You don’t.
'Text me a picture.' You say.
'Okay... actually I won’t need them that badly.' She decides immediately, disappearing back into her room.
Yoonchae appears next, quieter, leaning against the doorframe. 'Maybe tea?' She offers.
'We have tea.'
She nods thoughtfully. 'Then no.'
Megan’s voice drifts from the living room. 'Get yourself something nice.'
You glance over, smiling faintly. 'I will.'
Manon appears last, arms folded loosely. 'Don’t carry too much.'
You huff a small laugh. 'I never do.'
She raises a brow.
You ignore that. Your eyes flick, almost automatically, down the hallway. Sophia’s door is closed.
You hesitate for half a second. Then shake it off. 'Okay. I’ll be back.' You say, slipping your shoes on.
'Don’t get kidnapped.' Lara calls.
'Noted.'
And then you’re out. The air outside is cool and fresh. It helps a little.
You walk without rushing, hands tucked into your sleeves, headphones in but not playing anything. Just there. A buffer.
Your thoughts drift. Not in sharp spirals like before. More like… slow currents. You pass familiar streets, familiar shops. People moving around you in their own little worlds.
It’s grounding.
By the time you reach the store, your head feels a little quieter. You keep it simple. Milk, bread, a few vegetables, something easy for later.
You try to keep it minimal. You fail slightly. You always do. By the time you’re at the checkout, the basket is heavier than intended.
You don’t question it.
On the way back, you take a slightly different route. No real reason other than just fancying a stroll. And that’s when you see it. A small setup outside a gallery space. Subtle signage, clean windows a few people lingering.
Someone is standing near the entrance, handing out flyers. You wouldn’t normally stop. But something catches your eye, so you slow.
They offer one out to you with a polite smile. 'Local exhibit. Opens this week.'
You hesitate for half a second, then take it. 'Thanks.' You murmur.
'No problem.'
You glance down to read it as you walk again. Minimalist design. Clean layout. A few images printed along the side.
Your steps slow slightly. You don’t stop walking. But your attention lingers. You fold it carefully and tuck it into your bag. You’ll look at it properly later.
By the time you reach the dorm, your fingers are starting to ache again. Too many bags. Too many 'just a few things.'
You shift the weight, adjusting your grip as you reach the door. But before you can even get your keys out—It opens.
You blink in fright.
Sophia.
She’s standing there, like she was just about to leave. Her eyes drop immediately to your hands. Of course they do.
Her expression shifts. 'Why didn’t you ask for help?'
You huff softly. 'Hi to you too.'
'Hi.' She says automatically—then reaches forward and takes two of the heavier bags from you without waiting.
The relief is immediate. Your fingers sting slightly as the pressure disappears. You flex them absentmindedly. 'I didn’t think anyone would be home.'
'Mhm.' She hums, stepping back to let you in, unconvinced.
You walk past her, the warmth of the dorm hitting you again. 'It wasn’t that much.' You add, weaker this time.
She glances at you. 'You say that every time.'
'Because it’s true.'
'You bought six cartons of juice last week.'
'They were on offer.'
She exhales a quiet laugh. It’s soft. Easy. You feel it settle somewhere in your chest.
You both move into the kitchen. She sets the bags down and immediately starts unpacking like it’s second nature.
No asking. No hesitation. Just helping.
You hover for a second, then join her. 'You didn’t have to—'
'I know.' She says, pulling out the milk and placing it in the fridge.
You pause, because there it is again. That 'I know.' Not dismissive. Just certain.
You don’t argue.
The door opens not a moment later. Noise floods in.
Yoonchae trails in behind them, slipping her shoes off neatly. Manon brings up the rear, calm as ever.
They all clock the scene instantly. You, Sophia, groceries halfway unpacked.
Lara grins. 'Domestic.'
'Shut up.' You mutter.
Daniela leans against the counter. 'Did you get snacks?'
'No.'
'Unbelievable.'
Megan eyes the bags. 'That does not look like a few things.'
You point at Sophia. 'She helped.'
Sophia doesn’t react, just keeps unpacking.
Manon hums quietly. 'Of course she did.'
You miss the look she gives Sophia. Sophia doesn’t.
Once everything is put away, the kitchen settles again. The others drift—living room, bedrooms, somewhere between.
You stay. Kettle in hand. You fill it without thinking, setting it on the base with a soft click as it hums to life.
You lean back against the counter, reaching into your bag for the flyer. You pull it out, unfolding it carefully. Your eyes scan over it properly this time.
Your lips press together slightly. You’re already picturing it. The space, the lighting, the quiet.
'Looks pretentious.' Lara says, appearing out of nowhere and peering over your shoulder.
You snort. 'You just don’t get it.'
'I don’t want to get it.'
Daniela leans in from the other side. 'Is it one of those places where there’s like... a chair in the middle of a room and it’s called existence?'
'Maybe.' You say, smiling faintly.
'Yeah, no,' she decides. 'Hard pass.'
Yoonchae steps closer, more curious. 'It looks pretty.' She says softly.
You nod. 'It does.'
Megan glances over from the living room. 'You thinking of going?'
You shrug slightly. 'Maybe. I just... haven’t had time.'
The kettle clicks louder as it heats.
You don’t notice Sophia stepping into the doorway. But she’s there, watching.
You flip the page. Pause on one of the images. Your expression softens slightly. Thoughtful. Interested. You hum under your breath.
Sophia notices everything. The way you linger. The way your fingers trace the edge of the paper absentmindedly. The way your whole energy shifts when it’s something you care about.
She doesn’t interrupt, doesn’t comment.
The kettle clicks off. You don’t move immediately. Still reading. Still somewhere else in your head.
'Your water.' Sophia says gently.
You blink, looking up. 'Oh—thanks.'
You turn back to the counter, grabbing your mug. As you pour, you feel it again. That awareness.
You glance over. She’s still watching you. Not intensely. Not in a way that makes you uncomfortable. Just present.
You look back down at the flyer as she suddenly says, 'We could go.'
You freeze slightly and turn. 'What?'
Sophia shifts her weight, like she’s choosing her words carefully. 'The exhibit.'
You stare at her. Not because of the suggestion. But because it’s her.
'You hate things like this.' You say before you can stop yourself.
'I don’t hate them,' she replies. 'I just don’t get them.'
You huff a small laugh. 'Exactly.'
She holds your gaze. 'Then you can explain it to me.'
Your chest tightens. The room feels quieter. Even with the others still around.
'You’d actually want to go?' You ask softly.
She shrugs—but there’s no hesitation. 'Yeah... with you.’
Something in your chest shifts again. Deeper this time. You glance down at the flyer. Then back at her.
A small smile tugs at your lips before you can stop it. 'Okay.' You say.
Simple. But it lands.
Behind you, Lara gasps dramatically. 'Wait—are we being excluded?'
'Yes,' Daniela says immediately. 'We’re not art people.'
'I could be an art person.' Lara argues.
'No you couldn’t.'
Yoonchae smiles softly. 'You should go.'
Megan watches you both, something knowing in her expression. Manon just leans against the wall, arms crossed, quietly observing. Taking it all in.
Sophia doesn’t look away from you right away. And this time, you don’t look away first either.
The kettle has long since stopped. Your tea is steeping. The flyer is still in your hand. And somewhere between groceries, warm kitchens, and quiet offers, something is shifting.
Slowly, carefully but its undeniable.
---
You don’t go to the exhibit right away. You plan it carefully and casually. Like it’s not a big deal. Like it doesn’t sit somewhere in the back of your mind all week.
It happens two nights later. Schedules open up—just slightly. A rare gap between your work lives.
You’re both in the kitchen again when it comes up. You’re leaning against the counter, scrolling through your calendar, frowning slightly.
'You’re free Thursday?' Sophia asks.
You glance up. 'Yeah… I think so.'
She nods once, like she’s already checked hers. 'Me too.'
A long moment passes. 'We could go then.'
Your chest does that thing again. It's small, sharp, but noticeable.
You try to play it off. 'Yeah. That works.'
'Cool.' She says.
Cool.
That’s it. Conversation moves on. But something settles. A plan. A thing that belongs to just the two of you.
And then comes the days in between.
It’s late one night. The living room is dim, just the lamp on in the corner casting that soft golden light across everything.
You’re curled up on the couch, legs tucked under you, blanket half slipping off.
You don’t notice the cold at first. You’re too focused on your phone scrolling. Not really reading anything. Just existing.
Until you shiver. Its barely anything. But from across the room, Sophia looks up. Of course she does. She doesn’t say anything. Just stands, walks over and drapes her hoodie over your shoulders.
You blink, startled. 'Soph—'
'You’re cold.' She says simply.
It’s the same tone as before. Like it’s obvious. Like of course she would do that.
You pull it around yourself slightly. It smells like her again. Faint. Familiar. Comforting in a way you don’t question.
'What about you?' You ask.
'I’m fine.'
You look at her for a second longer than necessary. Then nod. 'Thanks.'
She gives a small nod back. And this time, she sits down next to you. Not across the room. Not at a distance. Right next to you.
Your shoulders brush slightly when you shift. Neither of you move away.
Another night you're trying to make matcha.
'It never tastes right when I make it.' You mutter, staring into the cup like it personally offended you.
Megan laughs from behind you. 'Skill issue.'
You roll your eyes. 'Helpful.'
You’re about to give up on it entirely when— 'Move.'
You blink. 'What?'
Sophia’s already stepping into your space, reaching for the kettle.
'Move.' She repeats, softer this time.
You step aside, confused. She doesn’t explain. Just starts measuring, whisking and heating.
You watch her like you’ve never seen this before. 'Since when do you make matcha?' You ask.
'I don’t.' She says.
'Then why—'
She hands you the cup. 'Try it.'
You hesitate. Take a sip and pause. '…Okay.'
Megan leans in immediately. 'Is it good?'
You nod slowly. 'It’s really good.'
Sophia exhales quietly in relief. It's tiny, but there.
You look at her. 'You learned how to make this?'
She shrugs. 'You said you liked it.'
That’s it. That’s all she gives you. And it lands harder than it should.
The next day, you try to be smarter. You really do. Smaller list, less stuff. But your arms still end up full.
The door opens before you can unlock it. Again.
Sophia.
Her eyes drop to your hands. Again.
'You did it again.' She says.
You sigh. 'It’s not that bad—'
She takes the bags anyway. 'You always say that.'
You watch her this time. Really watch her. The ease of it. The way she doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t make you feel incapable. She just helps. Like it’s natural, like it’s normal to take some of the weight from you.
Your chest tightens slightly. You don’t look away.
Another time, you’re both sitting on the floor of the studio, backs against the mirrored wall.
Everyone else is scattered—stretching, talking, checking phones. You’re quieter. Tired. You don’t even realise you’ve leaned slightly sideways until something solid meets your shoulder.
Sophia.
She's not moving away. She's just letting you rest there. Like it’s nothing. Like it doesn’t mean anything.
Your breath catches slightly. You don’t move either.
'You okay?' She asks quietly.
You nod. 'Just tired.'
She hums. 'You’ve been pushing yourself a lot.'
You glance at her. 'You have too.'
She shrugs. 'I’m fine.'
You know that tone now. You don’t push. But you don’t move away either.
It creeps up on you. Not all at once. But piece by piece.
The way she always walks on the outside of the pavement, the way she hands you things first without thinking, the way she remembers everything you say, even when you don’t, the way she doesn’t interrupt you—just listens.
And the way she looks at you when you’re not looking.
Except now, you are looking.
You’re both in the kitchen again, its late, everyone else has gone to bed. It’s quiet.
You’re standing side by side, waiting for the kettle. Not talking. Just existing.
Your hands brush when you both reach for the same mug. You both pause. For a second it feels like something might happen.
Not big, not dramatic. But she pulls back first. Not abruptly, just enough ti give you space. Just like she's always giving you space.
Your chest aches a little at that. In a way you don’t fully understand yet.
You’re in your room sitting on your bed not doing anything in particular. Just pondering.
Your eyes drift to the plant on your windowsill. Still alive. Still watered. You didn’t forget this time. But you almost did.
And then a thought slips in. Soft and unavoidable.
She would’ve reminded me.
You stare at the leaves for a second. Then lean back slightly. Your heart is doing something strange. Not overwhelming. Not loud. Just persistent.
Because it’s not just one thing. It’s all of it. The coffee, the hoodie, the matcha, the groceries. The way she waits, the way she doesn’t push, the way she shows up over and over and over again.
Your fingers curl slightly into your sleeve. And for the first time, you don’t think of her confession as something sudden or surprising. It feels obvious. Like it’s been there, like she’s been there.
And you’re only just now really seeing her.
The night before you both go to the exhibition, you pass each other in the hallway. Both half-tired. Both heading to your rooms.
You pause, 'Tomorrow.' You say.
She nods, 'Tomorrow.'
A small smile, shared, quiet, but yours.
And when you go to sleep that night—It’s not the restaurant you think about. Its not the empty chair, not the unanswered texts.
It’s her. Standing in the kitchen, reheating your coffee like it mattered. Like you mattered.
---
The gallery is quieter than you expected. Not silent—but hushed in that intentional way. Soft footsteps, low voices with the faint echo of movement against polished floors.
The lighting is warm but focused—each piece given its own space to breathe.
You pause just inside the entrance. Sophia stands beside you, hands tucked loosely into the pockets of her jacket, eyes scanning the room.
'So,' she says lightly. 'This is your thing.'
You huff a small laugh. 'One of them.'
She nods once, like she’s taking that seriously.
You glance at her. 'You don’t have to pretend to like it, you know.'
'I’m not pretending.' She says.
You raise a brow. 'You literally said you don’t get it.'
'I don’t,' she agrees. 'But that doesn’t mean I won’t try.'
Your chest does that thing again. You look away first this time. 'Okay,' you murmur. 'Come on.'
You start slow as that's what feels right. Not rushing through, not trying to see everything at once.
You stop in front of the first piece—a large canvas, mostly monochrome. Harsh lines. Sharp contrast. Something fragmented about it.
Sophia stands beside you, looking at it for a long moment. 'It looks like someone got angry at a printer.'
You snort. It echoes a little louder than you expect in the quiet space. You quickly cover your mouth, glancing around. 'Oh my god—'
She’s already smiling, a little sheepish. 'What? That’s what it looks like.'
You shake your head, still smiling. 'Okay. No. That’s—no.'
'Am I wrong?'
'You’re not wrong,' you admit. 'You’re just… missing the point a little.'
She turns her head toward you. 'Then explain it.'
There’s no challenge in it, just curiosity. Real curiosity. You glance back at the piece.
'It’s about fragmentation,' you say, softer now. 'Like... identity. Or perception. The way things don’t always come together cleanly.'
She looks at the painting again. Actually looks. 'So it’s meant to feel messy?'
'Yeah,' you nod. 'Unsettled. Like something’s off but you can’t fully place why.'
She hums.
You watch her take that in. The way her brow furrows slightly. The way her gaze lingers longer than before.
She’s trying. Really trying. And it does something to you.
You move through the space slowly. Stopping at different pieces. Talking more.
There’s a photography series next. Black and white portraits. Intimate. Close-up. Each one slightly different but connected somehow.
You step closer to one of them. 'This one’s my favourite.' You say quietly.
Sophia shifts beside you. 'Why?'
You tilt your head slightly, studying the image. 'It’s honest,' you say. 'There’s no... performance to it. No trying to look like something. It just is.'
You don’t realise how soft your voice has gone. Or how much of yourself is in what you’re saying.
Sophia does. She’s not looking at the photo anymore. She’s looking at you. At the way your expression changes when you talk about something you care about.
The way your eyes focus. The way your voice settles. There’s something… grounding about it.
She forgets, for a second, where she is. The gallery fades. The noise fades. It’s just you talking, existing and being you. Her chest tightens. In a way that’s not uncomfortable. Just full.
You turn slightly and catch her staring.
You pause. 'What?' You ask, a little self-conscious now.
She blinks like she’s just been pulled back into the room. 'Nothing.' She says quickly. Too quickly.
You narrow your eyes slightly. 'You weren’t even looking at the photo.'
'I was.' She lies.
You glance at the piece, then back at her. 'You were looking at me.'
She hesitates. Then just slightly— 'Maybe.'
Your breath catches. That wasn’t denial. You don’t know what to do with that. So you look away and back at the photo.
But your focus is gone now. Because your heart is beating just a little faster than it should be.
You move on. Neither of you mentions it. But something has shifted again.
The next piece is strange. A sculpture this time. It's abstract, twisted metal with suspended elements that look like they shouldn’t stay in place—but do.
You both stand in front of it. There's a longer silence this time.
You glance at her. 'Okay. Your turn.'
She looks at you. 'My turn for what?'
'Interpretation.'
She immediately shakes her head. 'Absolutely not.'
You grin slightly. 'Come on. You said you’d try.'
'I didn’t say I’d be good at it.'
'You don’t have to be good. Just say what you think.'
She looks back at the sculpture and squints slightly. then tilts her head. You watch her. There’s something endearing about it. About the way she’s actually considering it. Taking it seriously—even if she doesn’t fully understand it.
'Okay.' She says slowly.
You perk up slightly. 'Okay.'
She gestures vaguely toward the piece. 'It’s… anxiety.'
You blink. 'Go on.'
'Like—' she searches for the words. 'Everything’s kind of... hanging. Not falling. But not stable either.'
You nod slowly.
'And it looks like it could collapse at any second,' she adds. 'But it doesn’t. It just stays like that.'
You stare at her. 'That’s... really good.' You say, a little surprised.
She looks at you, suspicious. 'Are you being serious?'
'Yeah,' you nod. 'That’s basically it.'
She huffs out a small laugh. 'I just made that up.'
'That’s the point,' you say. 'There’s no one right answer.'
She glances back at the sculpture. Then at you. 'Okay,' she says. 'I kind of get it now.'
Your chest warms. 'Yeah?'
'Yeah.'
And the way she says it—like she’s not just talking about the art—does not go unnoticed.
Later, you find yourself standing beside her again. But this time— you’re not looking at the art. You’re looking at her, at the way she tilts her head slightly when she’s focusing.
The way her hands stay tucked into her sleeves when she’s thinking. The way her expression softens when she starts to understand something.
You don’t realise how long you’ve been staring. Not until she turns and catches you.
'What?' She asks, a small smile tugging at her mouth.
You freeze. Your brain blanks for a second. 'Nothing.' You say quickly. Too quickly.
Her brow lifts. 'You were staring.'
You huff softly. 'You were staring earlier.'
'At you.' She corrects.
Oh.
Your heart stutters as you look away. 'That doesn’t help your case.' You mutter.
She laughs quietly. It’s soft and warm as it settles somewhere deep in your chest.
You move through the rest of the exhibit like that. Not rushed. Not distant. Just close in a way that feels new, but also familiar.
And somewhere between explaining meaning and watching each other when you think the other isn’t looking, a quiet, undeniable truth starts to settle in your chest.
This feeling isn't confusion anymore. It’s not just comfort. It’s not just familiarity. It’s something deeper. Its something growing day by day, moment by moment.
And the more you see her—really see her—the harder it becomes to pretend you don’t feel it too.
---
The gallery feels warmer when you leave. Or maybe it’s just you. You push the door open, stepping back out into the evening air. It’s cooler now, the sky dimming into that soft blue-grey that sits between day and night.
For a second, neither of you speak. You just walk side by side, closer than before.
'That was good.' Sophia says after a minute.
You glance at her. 'Yeah?'
She nods. 'Yeah. I get it now.'
You smile slightly. 'You do?'
'A little,' she admits. 'Enough.'
You huff a quiet laugh. There’s a comfortable pause. But charged in a way it wasn’t before.
Your arms brush, once, then twice. Neither of you pulls away. It happens again. And this time, neither of you pretends it didn’t.
Your fingers twitch slightly at your side. You feel it, that pull, that urge. It’s been building all day, all week.
Every small moment stacking on top of the last. The hoodie, the coffee, the way she listened, the way she looked at you.
Your hand brushes hers again. And this time— you don’t stop it. You turn your hand slightly and let your fingers catch hers. Just for a second, testing.
She stills. Barely. Then her fingers shift too to meet yours halfway. Not pulling away, not hesitating.
Your breath catches as you lace your fingers with hers. Fully this time. It feels warm and it feels right. Like its something you didn’t realise you’d been reaching for.
You don’t look at her immediately. You’re too aware of it. Of everything. But when you finally do, she’s already looking at you.
There’s something soft in her expression, something steady. She doesn’t say anything and neither do you. You just keep walking hand in hand.
It doesn’t last long before everything shifts.
You see them first. It makes your steps falter. Just slightly, but enough.
Sophia notices instantly. Of course she does. 'What's wrong?' She asks quietly.
You don’t answer right away. Your grip on her hand tightens without meaning to.
They’re standing a little ahead. Not alone. There’s a girl with them standing close. Too close.
Your stomach drops. Something cold slides down your spine as you stop walking.
Sophia follows your gaze. Then looks back at you.
Your face gives it away before you even say it. 'That’s them.' You murmur. Your voice feels distant. Like it’s coming from somewhere else.
Her expression changes immediately. Sharpens as she looks back at them. Then at you.
'Do you want to leave?' She asks.
You nod quickly. 'Yeah, please. Let’s just go.'
You start to turn, tugging her gently in the opposite direction. But it’s too late.
'Hey—'
You freeze.
God.
You close your eyes for half a second. Then turn back. They look… surprised. Caught.
Their eyes flick between you and—your hands. Still intertwined with Sophia’s. Something like panic flashes across their face.
Good.
You don’t feel good. You feel exposed.
'Hi.' They say, awkwardly.
'Hi.' You reply, flat.
You don’t let go of Sophia’s hand. If anything, you hold on tighter.
Their gaze shifts again. To her. 'Oh,' they say. 'You’re—uh…'
You don’t give them the chance to finish. 'We were just leaving.' You say quickly.
You try to move again. Try to pull away from this, from them. From the girl standing beside them who hasn’t said a word but is definitely listening.
But they speak again. Of course they do. 'Wait—'
You stop again. Your patience is thinner this time. 'What?' You ask.
They hesitate. 'I was gonna text you.' They say.
You stare at them. You actually laugh in disbelief. 'But you didn’t.'
'I know, I just—things got—'
'Busy?' You cut in.
Your voice is sharper now.
They wince slightly. 'Yeah, kind of—'
You gesture lightly toward the girl beside them. 'Yeah you seem really busy.'
Silence. That lands.
You feel Sophia beside you. Still, solid but present. Her thumb brushes lightly against yours.
'It wasn’t like that.' They say quickly.
You don’t even respond to that. You’re already stepping back. 'We’re leaving.' You say again, firmer this time.
You turn, ready to walk. Ready to be done with this. And then they say it. Carelessly and offhandedly.
'You look different, by the way. Better than your profile picture.'
You freeze again.
There’s a beat where your brain doesn’t fully process it. And then it lands. Crooked and so very wrong.
Sophia lets go of your hand and steps forward. 'What did you just say?'
Her voice is calm. Too calm.
You feel it immediately. That shift. That edge. 'Soph—' You start quietly.
But she doesn’t look at you. Her focus is locked.
They falter. 'I just meant—'
'No,' she cuts in. 'Say it again.'
They hesitate. But decide to keep their mouth shut. Because they know.
Sophia takes another step forward. Not aggressive, not loud but unmovable.
'You left her sitting alone for an hour.' She says.
Each word is measured and controlled.
'You ignored her messages.... and now you think you can stand here and make comments about how she looks?'
Silence.
You can feel your pulse in your throat.
'It wasn’t intentional—' They try.
Sophia lets out a short, humourless breath. 'That makes it worse.'
Her voice doesn’t rise. But it cuts deeper.
'Because it means you didn’t even care enough to think about it.'
You swallow hard.
The girl beside them shifts uncomfortably.
You barely notice. You’re too focused on Sophia. On the way she’s standing, on the way she’s speaking, on the way she’s defending you without hesitation. Without a doubt.
'She showed up,' Sophia continues. 'On time. Excited. Ready to give you a chance.'
Your chest tightens.
'And you couldn’t even send a message.'
They don’t respond. Because they can’t.
Sophia tilts her head slightly. 'And now you’re here with someone else?'
Her tone is quieter now. More cutting.
'That’s… interesting timing.'
Heat floods your chest. Your stomach twists. Not from embarrassment. From something else, something warm, something overwhelming, something that makes your thoughts blur for a second.
'Sophia—' You say, reaching for her arm.
She doesn’t move. She's still locked in, still not done.
'You don’t get to come back and act like this is casual,' she says. 'Like it didn’t matter... Because it did.'
Her voice softens slightly. But only for a second.
That’s when you step in properly. Your hand comes up as you gently but firmly grab her face—turning it toward you.
'Soph.' You say, softer now.
She stills immediately. Her eyes snap to yours. The tension is still there, sharp and alive. But she listens, she always listens.
'It’s not worth it.' You murmur.
Your thumb brushes lightly along her cheek without thinking. 'Let’s go.'
Her jaw tightens. You can see she’s not fully done, not fully calm. But she nods, once, for you.
You don’t look back at them. Not once. You take Sophia’s hand again. And this time, you don’t hesitate. You pull her away with you as you walk faster than before. Adrenaline still buzzing under your skin, your heart is racing, your thoughts a mess.
Because that—that just happened. And she did that for you. Again.
But this time it wasn’t just protective. It was something else, something deeper.
You don’t stop until you’re a good distance away. Until the street is quieter again, until it’s just you two.
Only then do you slow, still holding her hand and still not letting go.
She exhales sharply. Runs a hand through her hair with her free hand, 'Sorry,' she mutters. 'I shouldn’t have—'
'No.' You cut in immediately.
She looks at you. You shake your head slightly. 'Don’t apologise.'
Your voice is softer now. But firm. 'They deserved that.'
A small pause.
'And…' you hesitate slightly. 'Thank you.'
Something in her expression shifts. You’re still holding her hand. You both realise it at the same time. But neither of you lets go.
And as you start walking again—slower, closer now. That feeling in your chest— It’s not confusing anymore, its not subtle, its there and its growing. It's steady and impossible to ignore.
---
You don’t make it far. You try, you really do.
You walk—fast at first, then slower, then fast again—like your body doesn’t know what to do with the adrenaline still rushing through you.
Sophia keeps pace beside you. She doesn’t ask where you’re going, she just stays like she always does.
Your hand is still wrapped around hers. Tighter than before, like if you let go, something might unravel.
Your thoughts are loud. Too loud. Everything is overlapping— The exhibit, her watching you, the hand holding, the way she spoke to them. The way she said 'because it did.'
Your chest feels like it’s going to burst.
You stop suddenly. Sophia nearly bumps into you. 'Hey—' She starts.
You don’t let her finish. You turn too quickly as she freezes slightly at the shift.
Your breathing is uneven. Yours and hers. Both.
'What?' She asks, softer now. Concerned as she searches your face. Always searching.
You don’t answer because you don’t know how to say it. You don’t know how to explain that something has tipped, that something has changed, that you can’t go back to before this.
So instead you reach for her. Your hand slides from hers to her wrist. Not rough. Just urgent.
You take a step back, pulling her with you, off the main path and into the narrow space between buildings. Into an empty alley. Quiet and hidden.
'Wait—' she says, slightly breathless now. 'What are you—'
You stop, turn, and then you kiss her.
It’s not careful, its not tentative, its everything you didn’t say, everything you didn’t understand until now, everything that built up slowly and then all at once.
For half a second she doesn’t respond, caught off guard. Her hands hovering, unsure where to go. Then she pulls back, just slightly, not far, but enough.
Her breath is uneven as her eyes search yours. 'Are you sure?' She asks quietly.
Not rejecting, not pushing you away, just making sure.
Your chest rises and falls quickly. You don’t hesitate. 'Yeah,' you breathe. 'I’m sure.'
Your voice is soft but certain. More certain than you’ve been about anything in days.
And that’s all it takes. She kisses you back.
This time its different. Its still intense. But its grounded, more intentional.
Her hand comes up to your jaw, steadying you. Like she’s anchoring you there with her. And you completely melt into it.
Your hands find her—her jacket, the fabric bunching slightly under your fingers as you pull her closer. Like you need to feel that she’s real, that this is real.
The kiss deepens. Its not rushed, but full. Heavy with everything you’ve both been holding back. You can feel it in the way she responds. In the way she matches you, not overpowering, not overwhelming.
Just there with you, exactly where you are.
Your heart is racing. But it doesn’t feel chaotic anymore. It feels right.
When you finally pull back, its not far. Your foreheads rest together. Breathing shared in close proximity.
Neither of you speaks at first. You don’t need to. Not yet. Her thumb brushes lightly along your cheek. The same way yours did earlier. Gentler now. Softer.
'Okay.' She murmurs. It’s barely above a whisper, but it carries everything.
You let out a shaky breath. A small laugh slipping out without meaning to.
'Okay.' You echo.
She smiles, soft and relieved, like something she’s been holding onto has finally settled. And you realise that this wasn’t just impulse. It wasn’t just adrenaline. It wasn’t just the moment. It was building.
All of it. Every small thing, every quiet act, every look, every choice she made to show up for you.
And now, you chose her back.
Your fingers are still curled into her jacket. Her hand is still resting at your jaw. Neither of you moves away. Not yet.
Because for the first time, you’re not wondering what this is. You’re not second-guessing it. You’re not holding yourself back.
You’re just here, with her, exactly where you’re meant to be.
Summary: After finally confessing, you and Sophia fall into an easy, all-consuming love—realising the one you needed was beside you all along.
Pairings: Sophia Laforteza x reader
Warning(s): tooth rotting fluff
A/N: Part 3! final part to this little mini series. enjoy :)
i recommend reading the first 2 parts if you havent already just so this one kinda makes sense... i wont hold it against you if you dont... maybe
Sophia wakes up slowly. Not all at once. Just that gentle drift back into consciousness—warmth, quiet, the faint light pressing through closed eyelids.
It hits her before she even opens her eyes. The weight of you beside her, the warmth, the steady rhythm of your breathing.
For a second, she doesn’t move, she doesn’t open her eyes. Because she’s scared that if she does, it might not be real.
But then you shift slightly in your sleep. A soft exhale leaving your lips and Sophia’s eyes open instantly. You’re there, right there next to her. Close enough that she can see the faint crease in your brow, the way your hair falls slightly over your face, the soft rise and fall of your chest.
Her heart actually stutters. She doesn’t speak, she doesn’t dare to. She just watches you. Like if she looks away, even for a second, something might change.
You kissed her.
The thought comes quietly. Still a little unbelievable, still something she hasn’t fully caught up to.
Her gaze softens as her chest tightens in that overwhelming, aching way that’s almost too much to handle.
Because she remembers the alley, the way you pulled her, the way you said 'I’m sure.'
A small, disbelieving smile tugs at her lips.
'How did I manage that…' She whispers under her breath.
Not loud enough to wake you but just enough to let it out.
Carefully and ever so slowly, she shifts closer. It’s instinct, like her body just knows where it wants to be now.
She slides an arm around you, tentative at first like she’s still checking if she’s allowed, if this is okay. You don’t wake, you don’t pull away. If anything, you lean into it in your sleep.
That’s it, that’s all it takes for something in her to completely melt. Her hold tightens just a little. She presses her face into the side of your head for a second, breathing you in. Breathing in the warmth, the comfort, her home.
Her heart feels too full. Like it doesn’t quite fit in her chest anymore.
She pulls back slightly, just enough to look at you again. And then without overthinking it, she leans in and places a soft kiss to your temple.
Then another on your cheek this time, lingering just a second longer. And then another closer to your jaw.
She pauses, watching for any sign you might wake.
You don’t. Still soft, still peaceful, still hers—no, not hers. But… here. With her.
Her lips brush yours next. Its featherlight, its testing.
You shift slightly. A quiet hum leaving you. But you don’t wake.
Sophia freezes for a second. Then exhales slowly. A tiny smile pulling at her mouth. 'Okay,' she whispers to herself. 'Still fully asleep.'
There’s something so fond in her voice it almost hurts.
Her hand comes up gently, brushing a piece of hair away from your face. Her fingers linger, tracing softly along your cheek. Like she’s memorising it.
'I waited so long for you.' She murmurs quietly.
The words slip out before she can stop them. Soft, honest, bare.
She presses her forehead lightly against yours. Eyes closing for just a second. 'And you… kissed me. Just like that.'
She lets out a quiet, breathy laugh in disbelief. Her arms tighten around you slightly, pulling you closer into her chest. Not possessive, just needy.
'You have no idea what you do to me.' She whispers.
And that’s when you stir. It’s small at first, a slight shift, a long breath. Your hand moving slightly against her.
Sophia stills instantly, eyes snapping open.
You blink slowly. Confused and still half-asleep. And the first thing you see is her, close, eyes wide like she’s been caught doing something.
You blink again, processing.
Your voice comes out rough. Heavy with sleep. '…Hi.'
Sophia freezes for half a second. Then her entire face warms.
'Hi.' She says back, softer than she intended.
There’s a pause as neither of you moves away. You’re still tucked into her arms, her hand still resting against your face.
You glance at her, then down, then back up again. A slow smile spreading across your lips. 'Were you… kissing me?' You mumble.
Sophia’s brain short-circuits. 'No—' She blurts out way too fast, way too defensive.
You raise a brow slightly, sleepy and amused, 'You were.'
She huffs quietly, looking away for a second, flustered. 'You were asleep.' She mutters like that explains everything.
You smile softer this time, warmer, 'Do it again.' You whisper.
She looks back at you, eyes flicking between yours searching.
'You’re awake now.' She says, voice quieter and more careful.
You nod slightly whilst not breaking eye contact. 'Yeah... I still want you to.'
That does it. Any hesitation she had is gone in an instant. Her hand cups your cheek properly this time, more certain, more grounded. And she leans in.
The kiss is soft. Slower than last night but somehow its more intimate. You melt into it instantly, like you were waiting for it.
Your hand comes up to her wrist, holding her there. She deepens it slightly, carefully. Still checking, still making sure.
But when you respond, when you lean into her fully, she relaxes into it completely. Her other arm wraps around you again, pulling you flush against her. Like she doesn’t want even a sliver of space between you.
And this time, neither of you is rushing. It’s not desperate, not overwhelming. It's warm, soft, lingering. The kind of kiss that says everything you haven’t said yet.
When you finally pull back, its slow and reluctant as your foreheads rest together, breathing shared.
Sophia lets out a quiet breath, almost shaky, 'I can’t believe this is real.' She admits softly.
You smile against her, eyes still half-lidded. 'It is.' You murmur. 'You’ve got me now.'
Her heart stutters again, harder this time as her arms tighten around you instinctively. Pulling you closer like she needs to feel that sentence physically.
'Good.' She whispers.
And then because she can, because you’re here, because you let her, she kisses you again. Just because she wants to.
And you kiss her back without hesitation because it’s already become second nature.
---
By the time you both make it to the kitchen, the dorm is already alive. Not loud, just awake.
The low hum of the kettle, the faint clink of mugs, someone scrolling on TikTok.
Lara is perched on the counter, sipping coffee like she owns the place.
Manon is at the table, calm as ever, reading something on her phone.
Yoonchae is tucked into a chair with a blanket draped over her shoulders, still waking up.
Daniela is leaning against the counter, aggressively stirring her coffee like it personally offended her. Megan is… somewhere. Probably still half-asleep somewhere.
No one notices you at first. Which is good. Because you’re trying to act normal. You move around the kitchen like you always do. Grab a pan, turn on the stove, open the fridge.
It's routine. It's safe. It's normal.
Sophia lingers a step behind you, just watching. She hasn’t touched you yet, not since you left the room and it’s taking everything in her not to.
You’re reaching into the fridge, pulling out the bacon, when Lara finally glances over.
She squints. '…Why do you both look like that?'
You pause as you glance over. 'Like what?'
She gestures vaguely between you and Sophia. 'Like you just… had a life-altering experience.'
You shrug, closing the fridge. 'We just woke up.'
'Mhm.' Lara says, unconvinced.
You start laying the bacon into the pan. It sizzles immediately. The sound fills the space. It grounds you, so you focus on that. On the heat, the timing, the smell.
Which is why you don’t notice Sophia moving until her arms wrap around your waist.
You freeze slightly as she presses in behind you, chest warm against your back, her chin hovering near your shoulder. Careful and testing once again.
The entire kitchen goes silent.
Your brain takes a second to catch up, to process. And then you fully relax into it.
Your hand comes up, absentmindedly resting over hers where they’re clasped around your waist. A soft, unconscious gesture. Like you don’t even think about letting go.
Behind you, Sophia exhales quietly, relieved. Like she wasn’t entirely sure you’d be okay with it.
'Morning.' She murmurs softly, close to your ear.
You tilt your head slightly toward her. A small smile pulling at your lips. 'Morning.'
Lara chokes on her coffee. 'Oh my—' she coughs, pointing at you both. 'No. No. What is that?!'
Daniela turns, sees the position you're both in and freezes. '…Are you serious right now?' She says flatly.
You glance over your shoulder slightly. 'What?'
Sophia doesn’t move, doesn’t even attempt to let go. If anything, her hold tightens just a little.
'You’re cooking,' Daniela says slowly. 'Why is she… attached to you?'
You shrug lightly, flipping the bacon with one hand. 'She’s comfortable.'
Sophia hides a smile against your shoulder.
Yoonchae is staring. Eyes wide and soft. 'That’s… really cute.' She says quietly.
'It’s too damn early for this.' Daniela mutters.
Megan peeks her head up from the top of the couch, see's the situation and blanks.
'Oh.' She says.
Then, after a second, 'Oh.'
Manon doesn’t even look surprised. She just hums softly, like she expected this outcome.
You plate the bacon calmly. Sophia does not let go, not even a little. You shift slightly to grab a plate. She moves with you, still attached.
You don’t even question it, you just keep going. Moving onto the eggs. Crack, whisk, pour. All while she’s still wrapped around you like she belongs there.
At some point, your hand drifts back again, brushing along her arm, squeezing lightly. A quiet reassurance, a silent stay.
She fully melts.
'You’re both disgusting.' Daniela says.
'You’re just jealous.' Lara shoots back immediately.
'Of what? Being immobilised while cooking?'
You smile faintly to yourself as they continue to go back and forth.
Once everything’s plated, you turn off the stove and carefully shift.
Sophia finally loosens her grip just enough for you to move. You step toward the fridge to open it. And before you can even reach for the juice, she’s back.
Arms around you again like a magnet. Like she physically can’t not.
This time, you laugh softly. 'You’re not even trying to be subtle.' You murmur.
'Don’t want to be.' She replies, voice quiet but certain.
Your heart does something dangerous at that.
You grab the juice, close the fridge door and turn slightly in her hold. Instead of pulling away, you lean into her, properly this time. Your arms come up around her shoulders all while still holding the juice.
She physically tries to pull you apart by grabbing your arm. 'Separate. Immediately.'
You resist instantly, instinctively as your grip tightens around Sophia. You lean into her. 'No.' You say simply.
Daniela pauses and looks at you, really looks at you. And that’s when she sees it. The pout. Its small, subtle, but very real.
Your brows are drawn just slightly, your lips turned down, clinging just a bit tighter like you’ve been wronged.
Her face drops. 'Oh, come on.' She groans.
You don’t move, you don’t let go. Sophia doesn’t either. She’s gone completely still beside you, like she’s trying not to laugh.
Daniela looks between you both, then throws her hands up. 'You know what? Fine. Be like that.'
She grabs her coffee aggressively. 'Some of us are single,' she mutters on the way out. 'And don’t need to see this at 9 a.m.'
Her door slams lightly down the hall.
There’s a beat of silence.
'Did her boyfriend break up with her?' You ask, turning your head slightly, still tucked into Sophia.
'She's being dramatic, she misses her boyfriend.' Megan says, very seriously.
Lara nods. 'Deeply.'
You hum softly in understanding. Sophia presses a quiet kiss to your shoulder like she’s very content with the outcome of all of this.
Yoonchae giggles softly into her mug. Manon finally looks up fully, eyes flicking between you and Sophia.
'You two are going to be insufferable.' She says calmly.
You smile, still wrapped up together. 'Probably.' You admit.
Sophia presses her face lightly into your shoulder again, completely content.
And for once, you don’t feel embarrassed. You don’t pull away, you just stay with her, exactly like this.
---
Breakfast does not stay peaceful. Not even close. It starts normal enough though. Plates are passed around, chairs scrape, coffee gets refilled.
You and Sophia sit next to each other at the table—not touching for exactly thirty seconds. Then your knee bumps hers, then her hand finds yours under the table.
By the time Lara looks up again, you’re both quietly sharing a piece of toast like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
She slams her mug down. 'Nope.'
Everyone looks at her.
'No. We’re not doing this,' she says, pointing between the two of you. 'You don’t get to just sit there all soft and domestic without explaining anything.'
Daniela, who's come back after realising she didn't eat anything, leans forward immediately. 'Exactly. I want a full breakdown. Timeline, event, emotional arcs.'
'Emotional arcs?' Megan repeats, amused.
'Yes,' Daniela says. 'I need context.'
You glance at Sophia. She glances back. Neither of you lets go of the other’s hand.
'It’s not that deep.' You say casually.
'It is absolutely that deep.' Lara snaps.
Manon sets her fork down calmly. 'We will be getting answers.'
Yoonchae nods softly. 'Please.'
Sophia exhales quietly beside you, thumb brushing over your knuckles. You squeeze her hand once.
'Okay,' you say. 'Relax.'
'No,' Daniela says immediately. 'We won’t.'
And then Lara stands up abruptly. 'Separate them.'
'What?' You laugh.
'Separate. Now.' She repeats, already moving. Daniela immediately joins her.
'No—hey—' You start, but it’s too late.
They physically try to pull you apart. You instinctively tighten your grip on Sophia’s hand as she does the same.
'Absolutely not.' You say, leaning back slightly.
'You’re making it worse.' Daniela says, tugging your arm.
'No, you are making it worse.' You shoot back.
Sophia is trying not to laugh next to you.
'This is ridiculous.' Manon says, though she’s clearly entertained.
Eventually, after way too much effort, they give up on separating you physically.
'Fine,' Lara huffs. 'Couch. Both of you. Now.'
You and Sophia exchange a look then stand, still holding hands.
'Unbelievable.' Daniela mutters.
A few minutes later, you’re both seated on the couch. Side by side, close. Your hands still laced together between you.
The others form a semi-circle like it’s an intervention.
Megan leans forward. 'Start from when she went to check on you.'
You inhale softly as your thumb brushes against Sophia’s again.
'Okay.' You say quietly.
And then you tell them. About the date, the waiting, the texts, the silence, the way your voice dips slightly when you talk about sitting there alone. About how the waitress looked at you, how you stayed longer than you should have.
The room goes quieter. Yoonchae frowns softly, Megan’s expression tightens. Even Daniela looks less aggressive now.
'That’s still so messed up.' She mutters.
You shrug lightly. 'It was just… embarrassing,' you admit. 'More than anything.'
Sophia’s grip on your hand tightens just a little. You feel it.
And then you keep going.
'But then I came home,' you say. 'And she—' you glance at Sophia briefly '—she was just… there.'
Sophia looks down flustered.
'She stayed.' You add softly.
Manon watches that moment carefully. 'She always does.' She says quietly.
Sophia doesn’t respond. But her ears turn red.
You smile faintly then continue. 'And then there was that phone call.' You say.
Daniela perks up immediately. 'Yes. That was an iconic moment.'
You laugh softly.
'She didn’t even hesitate,' you say. 'Just answered it. And the way she spoke to them—'
You shake your head slightly. 'It did something to me.'
Lara raises a brow. 'It did something?'
You nod slowly. 'My heart was going insane,' you admit. 'Like—proper skipping. I couldn’t even think straight.'
Sophia freezes slightly beside you. You glance at her then back at the girls.
'And I know this sounds ridiculous,' you add, a little more sheepish now, 'but it was really hot.'
Silence.
Megan blinks, Yoonchae’s eyes widen and Daniela leans back like she’s just been hit.
'You’re joking.' She says.
'No.' You say honestly.
Sophia’s face is burning now. She tries to hide it, but she’s failing miserably.
'It was the way she said it,' you continue, now fully in it. 'Like—calm, but firm? And she wasn’t even looking at me, but I knew it was for me?'
'Okay—' Lara starts.
'And when she said I was out of their league—' You add.
'Okay—!' Megan says louder.
'And the way she just—blocked them without even asking—'
'We get it!' Daniela cuts in quickly.
'No, but—' you continue, a little too honest now, 'it made me realise I’ve been looking in the wrong direction this whole time. Because she’s been right there. The whole time. And I just—'
You pause, then let out a small breath, like you’ve fully given up on filtering yourself.
'And then the gallery.' You add.
That gets their attention again. Lara lowers herself slightly, suspicious. 'What gallery?'
You glance at Sophia, a soft smile tugging at your lips.
'She took me out. To that exhibition I was talking about. The one with the installations and the photography pieces—'
Yoonchae perks up immediately. 'Wait, you went?'
You nod. 'Yeah. She remembered I wanted to go.'
Sophia looks away instantly, cheeks heating.
'It’s not even really her thing,' you continue, voice gentler now. 'But she still came. And she listened to me talk about everything—like, properly listened.'
Manon’s gaze softens slightly. Megan leans forward a bit. Daniela crosses her arms, but she’s listening.
'And then—' you exhale quietly, 'as we were leaving, we ran into them... the one who stood me up.'
The room stills.
'You’re joking.' Daniela says.
You shake your head. 'They were there. With someone else.'
A flicker of something uncomfortable passes through the room as Sophia’s hand tightens around yours.
You notice. Your thumb brushes over her knuckles in response.
'And I didn’t even want to talk to them,' you admit. 'I was ready to just walk past, leave and pretend I didn’t see them.'
You pause then glance at Sophia again.
'But they said something.' You say.
Sophia exhales sharply through her nose.
'Something stupid,' you add. 'And before I could even react—' You let out a small, disbelieving laugh. 'She just… went off.'
Daniela’s eyes widen. 'Again?'
You nod, smiling now. 'Calm and controlled. But—' you shake your head slightly '—sharp. Like she knew exactly what to say and exactly how to say it.'
Sophia groans quietly, covering part of her face. 'You don’t have to—'
'No, I do.' You cut in gently.
You turn slightly toward her. Just a little.
'Because it mattered.' You say.
She stills as you look back at the others.
'It did the same thing,' you admit, a little quieter now. 'That same stupid thing to my heart.'
Megan presses her lips together, trying not to smile. Yoonchae looks like she might actually melt and Manon just watches, understanding settling in her expression.
Daniela points between you both. 'You’re both ridiculous.'
You shrug lightly. 'Maybe,' you say. 'But I think that’s when it really clicked for me.'
Your voice softens again. 'That I didn’t want to keep looking for something… when it was already right in front of me.'
There’s a beat. A soft, heavy one.
'Alright,' Lara says, standing up abruptly. 'That’s enough.'
'Yeah,' Daniela agrees, also standing. 'We didn't need that level of detail.'
Yoonchae hides her face in her hands, flustered but smiling.
Megan is laughing softly. 'You’re both gone.'
Manon stands last, shaking her head slightly. 'Completely gone.'
'We’re leaving,' Lara announces. 'Before this gets worse.'
'It will.' Daniela confirms.
One by one, they disperse. Muttering, laughing, shaking their heads. And just like that—It’s quiet.
You blink. '…Did I say too much?' You ask.
Sophia turns to you slowly. Her expression is something else entirely. Soft, warm and a little stunned.
'No.' She says quietly.
And then before you can react, she moves. One second she’s beside you, the next she’s in your lap.
You inhale sharply. 'Soph—' You start.
Her hands come up to your face. Gentle, but certain.
'I’ve been waiting to hear that.' She murmurs.
And then she kisses you. It’s immediate, warm and intentional. Not hesitant like before, not unsure. Certain.
Your hands come up to her waist instinctively, holding her there. She leans into you fully, one hand sliding into your hair, the other resting against your jaw.
The kiss deepens. Slow at first, then more insistent.
You respond without thinking and pull her closer, tilting your head just enough to meet her properly. A soft sound escapes her—half sigh, half laugh—and it sends a rush straight through you.
Your fingers tighten slightly at her waist.
She shifts in your lap, settling more comfortably, like she plans on staying there. Like she belongs there.
When she pulls back, it’s only barely. Forehead resting against yours. Breath mingling.
'You have no idea what you do to me.' She whispers.
You smile softly, still a little breathless. 'I think I’m starting to.' You murmur.
She huffs a quiet laugh then kisses you again. And this time you don’t hold back at all.
Somewhere down the hall a door shuts.
'I CALLED IT.' Lara’s voice echoes faintly.
Neither of you pulls away, neither of you cares. Because right now, its just you and her, and everything you’re finally letting yourselves feel.
---
It doesn’t happen all at once. There’s no big moment where everything suddenly shifts and you know.
It’s quieter than that, softer. It’s in the days that follow. In the days where you stop doing things alone. Not because you can’t. But because you don’t want to anymore.
Grocery runs turn into 'I’ll come with you.' Quick errands become 'Wait, I’ll grab my shoes.' Even the smallest things—walking to the corner shop, taking the bins out, grabbing coffee— Sophia is there.
Always there.
At first, you notice it in passing. The way she hovers near the door when you grab your jacket.
The way she asks, casual but hopeful, 'Do you want company?' And every time you say yes. Because why wouldn’t you?
Because it feels right. And then it becomes normal.
Your hand finding hers without thinking, her fingers brushing against yours as you walk, her stepping slightly closer when someone passes too near.
Little things. But they stack, they build, they settle into your chest like something steady. Something real.
A few days later, you’re walking together again. It’s late afternoon. The sky is soft, fading into that golden-blue that only lasts for a little while.
There’s a light breeze, just enough to make you tug your sleeves down slightly. Sophia notices immediately.
She doesn’t say anything. Just reaches over and tugs her hoodie off.
You blink. 'Soph—'
She’s already draping it over your shoulders. 'You’re cold.' She says simply.
'I’m fine—'
'You’re not.' She replies, softer this time.
You huff a quiet laugh. But you don’t take it off because it’s warm, because it smells like her, because she’s looking at you like she wants you to keep it.
'Thank you.' You murmur.
She shrugs lightly. But her ears go a little pink.
You end up stopping at a small street vendor. Nothing fancy. Just one of those tucked-away places that always smells better than anywhere else.
You stand side by side while ordering. Close enough that your shoulders brush.
Sophia glances at you. 'You picking?'
You tilt your head. 'You trust me?'
She smiles. 'Always.'
Your heart does that thing again. That soft, sinking feeling.
You order for both of you. Something simple, something warm.
You take the food and step aside, finding a small ledge to lean against.
For a while you just eat. Quiet and comfortable as the city moves around you. People passing, cars in the distance, someone laughing somewhere nearby.
But it feels separate. Like it’s not touching you, like you’re in your own little space.
Sophia nudges your shoulder lightly. 'You’re smiling.'
You blink. 'Am I?'
She nods, watching you carefully. 'What’s going on in that head of yours?' She asks.
You hesitate. Not because you don’t want to tell her. But because you don’t know how to say it without it sounding like a lot.
But then again, with her, it never feels like too much. You look down at your food for a second. Then back at her.
'Just… thinking.' You say quietly.
She tilts her head slightly, waiting. Not pushing.
'About how things are different now.' You continue.
She stills just a little. 'Good different?' She asks softly.
You smile. 'Yeah,' you say. 'Really good.'
There’s a pause, the kind that isn’t awkward, just full.
You shift slightly, turning more toward her. 'You’ve kind of… ruined doing things alone for me.' You admit.
She blinks. 'Ruined?'
You nod. A small, almost shy smile pulling at your lips. 'Yeah. Because now when you’re not there, it feels… off.'
Her breath catches just slightly.
You shrug, like you’re trying to play it down.
'Like grocery shopping isn’t as fun. Or walking somewhere isn’t as nice. Or—' you huff a small laugh '—I don’t know. Everything just feels better when you’re there.'
Sophia is staring at you now. Really staring. Her food is completely forgotten in her hand.
'You mean that?' She asks quietly.
You meet her eyes, no hesitation this time. 'Of course I do.'
That does something to her. You see it in the way her shoulders drop slightly, in the way her expression softens. Like she’s been holding something in.
And it just… loosened.
'I was worried.' She admits.
You frown slightly. 'About what?'
She looks down for a second then back at you.
'That I was… a bit too much,' she says. 'Always asking to come with you. Always wanting to be around you.'
Your heart twists.
'Soph.' You say softly.
She shakes her head a little. 'I didn’t want to overwhelm you.'
You step closer without thinking. Your hand finds hers.
'You don’t.' You say gently.
She looks up at you again.
'If anything,' you continue, 'I think I’d be a little upset if you stopped.'
Her lips part slightly. 'Really?'
You nod. 'Really.'
There’s a few moments of silence before you both laugh a little. Soft, nervous, but warm.
'We’re kind of pathetic.' She murmurs.
You grin. 'A little bit.'
She shakes her head, smiling.
Then it quiets again. But this time it feels different. It feels heavier, like something is sitting just beneath the surface. Waiting.
You feel it. She feels it. And neither of you looks away.
'I think…' You start. Then stop.
She watches you patiently.
'No, it’s stupid.' You say quickly.
'Hey.' She says gently.
Your eyes flick back to hers.
'Nothing you say is stupid.' She adds.
And that’s it, that’s the push.
You inhale softly. 'Okay.' You say.
Your fingers tighten slightly around hers.
'This might be fast.' You admit.
Her heart visibly stutters. You can see it in the way she stills. But she doesn’t pull away.
'But I don’t think I care.' You continue.
Her voice is barely there. 'Okay…'
You swallow. 'Because I’ve been thinking about it,' you say. 'A lot. Probably too much.'
A small, nervous laugh.
'And I keep coming back to the same thing.'
She’s not breathing properly now. 'Which is…'
You hesitate for just a second. Then blurt out, 'I think I’m in love with you.'
Silence.
Not awkward, not heavy. Just complete stillness.
Sophia blinks. Once and then twice, like she needs to process it properly.
'You think?' She echoes faintly.
You huff a small laugh.
'Okay, no,' you correct yourself softly. 'I know I am.'
That’s when it hits her fully. Her eyes soften instantly. Something warm and overwhelmed and so real flooding her expression.
'You are?' She whispers.
You nod. 'Yeah.'
Your voice is quieter now, more vulnerable. 'You make everything feel easier. And calmer. And better. And I don’t want to do anything without you anymore.'
Her eyes shine slightly.
'I didn’t even realise when it happened,' you admit. 'it just—did.'
There’s a pause before she laughs. Soft and breathless. Not because it’s funny. But because she doesn’t know what else to do with all of it.
'I’ve been in love with you for months.' She says.
Your breath catches. 'Months?' You repeat.
She nods a little embarrassed, but also a little proud.
'Yeah,' she murmurs. 'I just didn’t think I’d ever get to say it like this.'
Your chest feels too full.
'You idiot.' You whisper, smiling.
She grins back. 'I know.'
And then you step closer, close enough that there’s no space left between you. Your hand slides up to her face as her hands find your waist.
'Say it again.' You murmur.
She doesn’t hesitate. 'I love you.' She says.
Soft and certain. Your heart soars.
'I love you too.' You reply.
And then you kiss her. Right there on a random street with people passing by, with food half-forgotten in your hands.
Because you can’t not. Because it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
And when she kisses you back, its not hesitant, not unsure. It’s everything. And for the first time, it doesn’t feel like something that might happen.
It feels like something that’s already yours.
---
By the time you get back to the dorm, it’s darker. The sky has shifted fully into evening, streetlights flickering on, the air a little cooler than before.
Your hands are still intertwined. Neither of you has let go since… well. Since everything.
You reach the door first and pause for half a second to glance at her.
Sophia smiles. Soft. Knowing.
'Ready?' She asks quietly.
You huff a small laugh. 'Not even slightly.'
But you open the door anyway. The noise hits instantly.
'They’re back!' Lara’s voice rings out from the living room.
'Finally.' Daniela adds.
You step inside together. Shoes barely off before all eyes are on you.
Megan is leaning forward on the couch. Yoonchae is curled up beside her. Manon is in her usual spot, calm but observant. Lara is already halfway standing. Daniela has her arms crossed, suspicious as ever.
They all clock it immediately. The hands still linked.
'Oh, this is much more worse than I thought.' Daniela mutters.
'Where have you been?' Lara demands.
You glance at Sophia briefly. Then back at them.
You shrug casually. 'Out.' You say.
'Out where?' Daniela presses.
'Walking.' You answer honestly.
Manon raises a brow slightly. 'For… how long?'
You think about it and lose track halfway through.
'A while.' You admit.
'Doing what?' Megan asks, already smiling like she knows.
You hesitate for half a second. Then you don’t. Because why would you?
'Talking.' You say simply.
Sophia’s thumb brushes over your hand.
'And?' Lara pushes.
You glance at Sophia again. This time, you don’t look away as quickly. Something soft passes between you. Then you look back at the girls.
'I told her I love her.' You say.
The silence is immediate.
Yoonchae gasps softly, Megan’s mouth drops open, Daniela blinks like she misheard, Lara freezes mid-step and Manon just nods once. Like, of course you did.
'You what?' Daniela finally says.
'I told her I love her.' You repeat.
'And?' Lara asks, like she physically needs confirmation.
Sophia speaks this time. Quiet but steady. 'I said it back.'
That does it. The room erupts.
'OH MY GOD—'
'NO WAY—'
'ARE YOU SERIOUS—'
Daniela is pointing at both of you like she doesn’t know whether to yell or applaud. 'This... this is insane.' She says.
'This is fast.' Lara adds.
'This is very fast.' Megan agrees.
Manon finally speaks. 'This was inevitable. We're happy for you.'
You laugh softly before quietly thanking her.
Sophia squeezes your hand once. You squeeze back.
'We’re going to our room.' You say, already stepping back slightly.
'Yeah.' Sophia adds, a little quieter.
Lara points at you both. 'We’re not done with this conversation.'
'We are for tonight.' You reply.
Daniela narrows her eyes. 'We will revisit this.'
'Sure.' You say easily.
And then you pull Sophia gently with you down the hallway away from the noise, into something quieter.
Your room feels different now. Not new, not unfamiliar. Just softer.
You close the door behind you and the noise from the living room dulls instantly. There’s a pause as you both just stand there for a second. Still holding hands, still processing.
But then you let out a small breath. 'That was a lot.' You murmur.
Sophia huffs a quiet laugh. 'They’re going to be unbearable.'
'They already are.' You say.
She smiles. And then without really thinking about it, you both move at the same time towards the bed.
You sit first, Sophia in tow. And then somehow you end up lying down. Her back against the pillows, you tucked into her side. Like it’s something you’ve done a hundred times before.
Her arms wrap around you immediately. Secure and warm as your head rests against her chest.
You can hear her heartbeat. It’s steady, but a little faster than usual. Your hand settles against her waist, fingers curling lightly into her shirt.
Neither of you speaks for a moment. You just stay. Her hand starts moving slowly along your arm. Gentle, absentminded. The kind of touch that doesn’t ask for anything. It just gives.
You completely melt into it.
'Hi.' You mumble softly against her.
She lets out a quiet laugh. 'Hi.' She echoes.
You tilt your head slightly, looking up at her. She’s already looking at you. There’s something so soft in her expression it almost makes your chest ache.
'We said it.' You whisper.
She nods. 'We did.'
A small smile tugs at her lips. 'You said it first.' She adds.
You huff lightly. 'You’ve been waiting months, apparently.'
She groans quietly. 'Don’t remind me.'
You grin then lean up just slightly and kiss her. She smiles into it.
When you settle back against her, her arm tightens just a little. Like she doesn’t want you going anywhere. Not now, not ever.
'You’re staying, right?' You murmur, half teasing.
She doesn’t even hesitate. 'Always.' She says.
Your chest tightens in the best way. You press another kiss to her collarbone this time. Slow and lingering.
Her breath catches softly. Her hand pauses for just a second, then resumes its gentle path along your arm.
'You’re clingy.' She murmurs.
'You started it.' You mumble back.
She laughs quietly. Then tilts her head slightly and presses a kiss to your hair. And then another, then another. Soft, mindless and affectionate.
You close your eyes, completely at ease. Your fingers trace slow, lazy patterns against her side. Her heartbeat steadies under your ear.
Time slips, minutes pass. Maybe more but neither of you cares. Because there’s nowhere else you’d rather be, no one else you’d rather be with.
And for the first time in a long time, everything feels settled. Not rushed, not uncertain. Everything feels just right.
Sophia’s voice breaks the quiet, barely above a whisper. 'I love you.'
You smile against her, eyes still closed. 'I love you too.'
Her arms tighten around you just a little more. And you let yourself sink into it, into her, into this.
Summary: Where Sophia tried to show through actions that she was in love with you, but you were too slow to notice, and eventually Sophia ends up "giving up" on trying — and that's when the girls start to take action.
Note: English is not my first language.
Warning: Mention of ADHD (Sophia and Reader), Fem4Fem (Both Female), Somewhat slow Reader, Sophia in Love, Angst, Jealousy, and Lots of Comfort!
Katseye Masterlist
The house was in controlled chaos that Friday morning. The sound of group notifications exploded on everyone's phones at the same time, and Missy's message was crystal clear: "Start getting ready, Weverse live as soon as I arrive. And please, be presentable."
"Presentable" was relative, considering Megan and Lara were already screaming in the hallway of the room they shared over an oversized plaid shirt that technically belonged to Daniela, though neither of them remembered that.
"I grabbed it first!"
"You don't even wear plaid, Megan!"
"And you match with lies, Lara!"
Manon walked past both of them with the patience of a saint, dragging Daniela by the hand toward the bathroom before the shirt war reached nuclear proportions. Both of their curls were at the perfect point, and Manon wasn't going to let other people's chaos ruin an hour's worth of work with the diffuser.
In the room you shared with Manon and Daniela, the scene was much more peaceful, at least for you. Yoonchae, who had invaded the room since eight, was already ready, lying on your bed with Megan's Nintendo Switch in her hands, her little eyes focused on the screen while her fingers moved quickly. You were beside her, your head resting on the youngest's shoulder, watching the gameplay with the intermittent interest of someone who was clearly falling asleep every ten minutes.
"You should dodge to the left." You murmured, your voice drowsy.
"I already dodged."
"Ah. Good."
Your eyes closed for a few more minutes.
Yoonchae laughed softly, shaking her shoulder lightly to wake you up.
"Unnie, are you going to sleep during the live too?"
"I make no promises."
On the other side of the hallway, in the room she shared with Yoonchae, Sophia was in front of the mirror finishing applying her gloss for the third time. Not because she needed to — the shine was already perfect on the first application — but because it was easier to focus on something mechanical while her mind raced in ten different directions.
Live. Tour. Script. Setlist. Rehearsals. New song.
The mental list formed and dissolved, words jumping from one thought to another like popcorn. ADHD did this to her, turned simple tasks into a chaotic dance of priorities crashing into each other. She picked up the gloss again, realized she had already applied it, put it back in her makeup bag with a sigh.
Focus, Sophia. One thing at a time.
She had repeated this to herself since trainee days, when choreographers needed to explain the steps three times before her brain decided to cooperate. She had improved a lot since then, developed strategies, organization apps, phone reminders that beeped all day. But some things still required extra effort.
Like ignoring how much her heart raced every time you were around.
There was no app for that.
Around nine, the seven of you went down the stairs in a disorderly procession. The media team was already in position in the living room, adjusting the cameras, testing the microphones, arranging the lighting that made everyone's skin glow. The setting was familiar — the big sofa, the strategically positioned cushions, the Beautiful Chaos Tour banner in the background — but there was always that little flutter in the stomach. It was the last live before the new song's release, and the Eyekons were counting the days.
While the others started settling onto the sofa, distributing blankets and looking for the most photogenic positions, you did your usual ritual: went to the kitchen to grab your water bottle from the freezer. It wasn't being picky, you genuinely felt an absurd thirst during lives, your mouth dry from talking so much, and cold water helped keep your throat working.
When you returned to the living room, the problem presented itself immediately.
There was no space.
I mean, there was, there always was, but the girls were already all spread out on the sofa, and the current configuration didn't leave any free space on the ends. The solution, as always, was someone's lap.
Your eyes swept the room. Megan and Lara were glued to each other, finally at peace after the shirt war. Manon and Daniela occupied the right corner, their curls mixing together. Yoonchae was in the middle, eating a snack she had gotten from who knows where.
And Sophia.
Sophia was on the left end, her tablet in hand, her brown eyes fixed on the screen while she reviewed something, probably the live script, which she insisted on memorizing even when Missy said she didn't need to. Concentration slightly furrowed the Filipina's forehead, and you almost felt bad for interrupting.
Almost.
You stopped in front of her, waiting. Nothing. Sophia continued reading, completely absorbed.
You poked her shoulder.
The brown eyes blinked, coming out of the trance, and found yours. There was a second of confusion before Sophia's face softened into that small smile she reserved just for you.
"Can I sit on your lap?"
You asked with the Bambi eyes that you knew worked on practically everyone, but especially on Sophia. It was your secret superpower, a specific look that made the Filipina melt like butter.
It worked again.
Sophia placed the tablet on the arm of the sofa and gave two little pats on her own leg, the silent invitation you already knew well. You settled onto her lap, your body leaning against the Filipina's chest, feeling her arms intertwine around your waist in a firm embrace. Sophia's head found your shoulder, her chin fitting into the curve of your neck.
"Comfortable, Mahal?" The whisper came warm against your skin, quiet enough that only you could hear.
"Hmrm." You answered, already half melted, your eyes heavy.
Mahal. Sophia had called you that for months. You knew it meant something like "love" or "dear" in Tagalog, but you had never thought much about it. Sophia called everyone affectionate nicknames, it was part of her affectionate personality.
…Right?
The live started with the usual chaotic energy. Missy, already positioned behind the camera, did the countdown with her fingers, and the seven of you exploded into animated greetings as soon as the broadcast began. The comments rolled so fast it was impossible to read anything, but the media team had selected some questions in advance.
"Okay, first question!" Lara announced, leaning over to read the tablet the staff member was holding. "What was the funniest moment during the tour preparations?"
"Ah, that's easy." Megan was already laughing. "Daniela tripping over the sound cable during Wednesday's rehearsal."
"The cable came to me!" Daniela protested, her curls bouncing with indignation. "I was standing still!"
"The cable came to you?" Manon arched an eyebrow. "The cable has legs now?"
"It does, and it came to attack me."
You laughed, feeling Sophia's body tremble with laughter behind you. Her arms squeezed your waist a little more, and you allowed yourself to sink into the embrace.
A few more questions came. Yoonchae answered about her favorite Korean food to cure homesickness. Lara did a dramatic aegyo demonstration that almost made Megan fall off the sofa. Manon talked about the composition process, and Daniela let slip a spoiler about the new choreography that made Missy sigh behind the camera.
Then a question appeared on the screen that made the chat explode at maximum speed.
"Is it true that Y/N is dating a blonde girl? You two were seen together last week!"
It took you a second to process. Dating? Blonde girl? Last week…
And then it clicked.
"Oh my God." You laughed, your head falling back against Sophia's shoulder. "They're talking about Yunjin!"
The name provoked varied reactions. Lara and Megan exchanged meaningful looks. Manon bit her lip. Daniela met Yoonchae's eyes and the two made an almost imperceptible grimace.
"Guys, Yunjin is my best friend since trainee days, before Dream Academy." You explained, still laughing. "She's like… an annoying older sister. You know when someone texts you at three in the morning asking if a tomato is a fruit? That's the level of our friendship."
"Technically, a tomato is a fruit." Megan commented.
"Don't start."
You continued laughing, finding the fans' confusion genuinely funny. Yunjin was important to you, of course, but the idea of dating her was ridiculous. It was like dating a natural disaster — fun to watch, terrible for the heart.
But then you felt it.
Sophia's arms around your waist had stiffened. The body behind you, previously relaxed, now felt like a board. The chin on your shoulder had pressed a little more, as if her jaw was tense.
You turned your head slightly, just enough to see Sophia's face in profile.
Her expression was… different. Closed off. The brown eyes had lost the animated sparkle from minutes ago, replaced by something harder, more restrained. Her lips were slightly pressed together, and there was an almost imperceptible crease between her eyebrows.
Jealousy.
It was jealousy, and you recognized it because you had felt something similar before — that irrational sting in your chest, that tightness in your throat. But why would Sophia feel jealous of Yunjin? They were close friends too, Sophia adored Yunjin, they had even gone out together several times…
Your brain, too slow for these things, filed the question away to process later.
Instead of questioning, you acted on instinct. Your hand rose slowly, your fingers finding Sophia's forearm. You started caressing it, lazy circular movements, your fingertips sliding over the tan skin with a softness that bordered on distraction.
It worked.
Almost immediately, you felt the tension begin to dissolve. The muscles under your fingers relaxed. Sophia's jaw unclenched. The body behind you became the warm shelter it was before, and the Filipina's breathing, which you hadn't even noticed was held, came out in a slow sigh against your neck.
The arms around your waist squeezed again, but this time it was different — it was an embrace, not a lock.
"Are you okay?" You whispered, quietly, so the cameras wouldn't catch it.
"Yeah." The answer came short, but Sophia's voice was normal again. "Everything's fine."
You accepted the answer without questioning.
Because you were slow like that.
The live continued. Megan told a story about a rehearsal gone wrong that ended with everyone laughing on the floor. Lara and Daniela did an improvised demonstration of a section of the new choreography, almost knocking over a lamp in the process. Yoonchae answered questions about school, and Manon talked about the songs she liked to sing most in the shower.
You answered a few more questions too — what your pre-show ritual was, which tour song you were most excited to perform, if you had any new hobbies. The answers came out easily, automatically, while part of your mind was still busy trying to decipher the strange moment from minutes ago.
When the live finally ended, with the animated goodbyes and the finger hearts for the camera, exhaustion hit like a train.
You barely managed to say goodbye properly to the girls before going up the stairs, your feet dragging, your eyes already half closed. The water bottle was left behind, forgotten in some corner of the living room. Your body begged for bed, and you didn't have the strength to argue.
The room you shared with Manon and Daniela was blessedly silent when you entered. The curtains filtered the morning light, leaving everything in a cozy half-light. Your bed looked like paradise calling your name.
You threw yourself onto it without ceremony, wrapping yourself in the sheets like a burrito, your eyes closing before your head even touched the pillow.
Consciousness fading. Muscles relaxing. Sleep coming like a warm wave…
Downstairs, Sophia was in collapse on the sofa.
I mean, not a literal collapse — she was sitting, technically — but her head had disappeared between the cushions, her legs curled against her chest, and the sounds she was making were a mix of frustration and despair that didn't match at all with the composed leader the fans knew.
"She doesn't notice." The voice came out muffled by the cushions. "I literally apply gloss three times thinking about her, and she doesn't notice."
Manon and Daniela were standing in front of the sofa, exchanging looks that communicated "here we go again."
"Sophia." Manon began, massaging her own temple like someone who had had this conversation too many times. "You know she's not going to guess, right?"
A muffled groan answered.
"Y/N is slower than a turtle when it comes to romance." Manon continued, her voice patient but firm. "Like, really slow. The turtle has already crossed the finish line, already gone home, already had dinner, and she's still there in the middle of the path looking at a flower. You need to be direct."
"I am direct!" Sophia's head emerged from the cushions, her hair messy, her eyes wide. "I call her Mahal! In Tagalog! It means love!"
"She thinks you call everyone that," Daniela pointed out, practical.
"I don't!"
"We know, but she doesn't."
Sophia let her head fall back into the cushions with a sound of defeat.
Daniela approached, sitting on the arm of the sofa. Her tone softened, losing the previous practicality and gaining a gentleness of someone who understood exactly what her friend was feeling.
"Phia." She called, waiting for the Filipina to emerge from the cushions again. "That girl literally looks at you with heart eyes since Dream Academy. She just hasn't realized it's mutual. She thinks you're like this with everyone, but we see it. We've always seen it."
"Exactly." Manon reinforced, crossing her arms. "Y/N melts every time you get close. She looks for you in every room. She sits on your lap like it's the most natural place in the world. She just… hasn't connected the dots yet."
"Because she's slow." Daniela completed, without malice.
"Really slow." Manon agreed.
"The turtle has already gone to sleep."
"The turtle has already gone on vacation."
Sophia let out a weak laugh, but she was still sunk in the cushions, her body tense. The minutes passed, and the silence that settled grew heavier. It wasn't the silence of someone processing — it was the silence of someone giving up.
Manon was the first to notice.
"Sophia?" She called, her voice more serious now. "What is it?"
The Filipina took a while to answer. When she spoke, her voice was small.
"I'm tired."
Daniela and Manon exchanged a worried look.
"Tired of trying." Sophia continued, finally emerging from the cushions. Her eyes were glistening, but she blinked quickly, swallowing the tears. "I do everything. I call her love in my language. I let her sit on my lap. I hold her when she's sleepy. I… I apply gloss three times, guys. Three times! And she doesn't notice. She's never going to notice."
"Sophia…"
"No, Manon. I give up."
The word hung in the air like a sentence.
"I give up trying to show." Sophia repeated, her voice firmer now, but her eyes shining. "If she hasn't noticed by now, it's because she doesn't feel the same. And that's okay. I'll… I'll get over it. Eventually."
She got up from the sofa, smoothing her clothes in an automatic gesture. Daniela opened her mouth to argue, but Manon held her by the arm, shaking her head. The two watched Sophia go up the stairs toward the room she shared with Yoonchae, her shoulders slumped, her steps heavy.
The silence in the living room lasted exactly three seconds.
"Okay, that's it." Daniela declared, her eyes sparking. "I'm not going to keep watching this tragic soap opera. Get Lara and Megan."
"Already on it." Manon already had her phone in hand. "Yoonchae too. We need an intervention."
"An intervention or an evil plan?"
"Both."
Thirty minutes later, the five of them were gathered in Megan and Lara's room, the door locked, their voices in conspiratorial whispers. Lara was sitting on the bed, her legs crossed, a notepad on her lap. Megan was pacing back and forth, her fingers drumming on her chin. Yoonchae was on the floor, eating another snack, her eyes attentive. Manon was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, and Daniela occupied the desk chair, spinning slowly.
"Okay, situation." Lara began, her pen hovering over the paper. "Sophia has been in love with Y/N since Dream Academy. Y/N has been in love with Sophia since Dream Academy. Neither of them knows the other likes them. Sophia thinks Y/N hasn't noticed because she doesn't feel the same. Y/N hasn't noticed because… well…"
"Because she's Y/N." They all said in unison.
"Exactly." Lara noted. "Cause of the problem: chronic romantic ineptitude. Solution: make Y/N notice."
"And how do we do that?" Yoonchae asked, her mouth full. "She's like… immune to signals."
"Nothing is immune to jealousy." Megan stopped pacing, her eyes shining with an idea. "Y/N may not notice when someone likes her, but she notices perfectly well when someone might like Sophia."
There was a moment of silence as everyone processed.
"Megan." Manon spoke slowly, a smile beginning to form on her lips. "You're an evil genius."
"I know."
"But how do we provoke jealousy in Y/N without hurting Sophia?" Daniela questioned, stopping her spinning on the chair. "Because if Sophia thinks we're hitting on her, she'll freak out."
"We don't need to hit on Sophia." Lara explained, already scribbling furiously. "We just need to make Y/N think someone is hitting on Sophia. A line here, a comment there…"
"Plant the seed of doubt." Megan completed.
"Exactly!"
Yoonchae raised her hand as if she were in school.
"Isn't this a little… mean?"
The other four looked at each other.
"It's a necessary evil." Manon decreed. "For the good of our group. For the good of our sanity. For the good of not having to watch Sophia apply gloss three times every single day."
"And also." Lara added, her voice softer now. "Y/N deserves to know. She genuinely likes Sophia. We see it. She just needs a little push."
"A little push or an earthquake?" Yoonchae murmured, but she was smiling.
"Both." Daniela answered. "Always both."
The plan was mapped out in minute detail. Lara scribbled on the notepad, Megan suggested lines, Manon adjusted the strategies, Daniela timed the ideal moments, and Yoonchae was designated as "distraction agent" in case something went wrong. It was a simple plan, but effective — casual comments about how pretty Sophia looked lately, innocent questions about whether she was seeing someone, subtle mentions of fans who had a crush on her.
All calculated to plant a single idea in your head:
What if someone takes Sophia away from you?
Sophia went up the stairs with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
The room she shared with Yoonchae was silent when she entered, the youngest's bed empty — she was probably still with the other girls. Better that way. Sophia didn't want to have to explain why her eyes were red, why her voice was stuck in her throat, why her chest hurt as if someone had squeezed it hard.
She threw herself onto the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her mind spinning.
She had said she was giving up. Had said it out loud, to Manon and Daniela, as if verbalizing it made it real. But giving up on you was like giving up on breathing — impossible, painful, wrong on every level.
But she couldn't take it anymore.
She couldn't take hugging you and feeling her heart race while you yawned peacefully. She couldn't take calling you Mahal and watching you smile without understanding the weight of the word. She couldn't take being so obvious and yet still invisible.
Sophia closed her eyes, a tear escaping from the corner.
She doesn't feel the same. If she did, she would have noticed by now.
That was the conclusion hammering in her head. Because you were slow, yes, but no one was so slow as to not notice something that was right in front of them. If you didn't see it, it was because you didn't want to see it. If you didn't want to see it, it was because you didn't feel it.
Simple.
Painful, but simple.
—
Sophia took a deep breath, the air trembling in her lungs. She was going to get over it. She was going to bury these feelings somewhere deep, she was going to learn to be just your friend, she was going to stop applying gloss thinking about you.
She was going to try, at least.
But first, she needed to get this off her chest. She needed to tell you, even if just to hear the "no" and move on. She needed closure, a period at the end of this story she had been writing alone for months.
But when she got up, determined, and left the room, her feet automatically led her to your room. And when she opened the door slowly, she found you wrapped in the sheets, your eyes closed, your breathing slow.
Sleeping.
Sophia almost left. Almost closed the door and left it for another day. Almost gave up for good.
But then you opened your eyes.
"Phia?" Your voice was groggy, your eyes blinking slowly. "Did something happen?"
And Sophia couldn't leave.
She entered the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click. Her bare feet made almost no sound on the floor as she approached your bed. You shifted, instinctively making space, and Sophia sat on the edge of the mattress, her hands trembling slightly on her own lap.
"Can we talk?" She asked, her voice lower than usual.
You blinked, sleep receding in the face of the seriousness in her tone. Your heart, which had been calm seconds ago, began to beat faster.
"Of course." You sat up, rubbing your eyes, the covers falling onto your lap. "Is everything okay?"
"No." Sophia admitted, and the honesty made your chest tighten. "I mean… yes, but no. I need to tell you something."
You stayed silent, waiting. Your brain, still slow from sleep, tried to process what was happening. Sophia was on your bed. Sophia was nervous. Sophia needed to tell you something.
Sophia took a deep breath, her brown eyes finding yours. There were so many things in that gaze — fear, hope, exhaustion, affection. A whirlwind of emotions you couldn't completely decipher, but that made your stomach twist.
"I like you." Sophia said, the words coming out all at once, as if she was afraid of losing them along the way. "It's not friendship. It's not group affection. It's… it's a crush. It's wanting to hug you all the time. It's feeling jealous of Yunjin even knowing she's just your friend. It's calling you Mahal because it's the most beautiful word I know and you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen."
Your heart stopped.
Literally stopped for a second, and then restarted with a force that made your chest ache.
"I tried to show it." Sophia continued, the words now coming out in a flow she couldn't control. "I tried everything. I hugged you, I called you love, I let you sleep on my lap, I… I applied gloss three times today thinking about you, Y/N. Three times! I don't apply gloss three times even for award shows!"
You opened your mouth, but no sound came out. Your brain, too slow, was racing to process everything.
Mahal. Love. She had been calling you love. This whole time.
Jealousy of Yunjin. The tension during the live. The caress on her arm that made her relax.
Gloss three times. Because of you.
"And I know you don't feel the same." Sophia said, and her voice cracked at the end, her eyes growing teary. "It's okay. I just… I needed to get this off my chest. I couldn't take pretending it was just friendship anymore when every time you smile at me my world stops. I couldn't take…"
She didn't finish.
Because you kissed her.
It was an impulsive movement, clumsy, your hands finding Sophia's face and pulling her close before your brain could scream "wait, what are you doing?!". Your lips found hers in a kiss that was more urgency than technique, more feeling than thought.
Sophia froze for a whole second — enough time for you to panic and almost pull away — but then she responded. Her hands found your waist, her lips moved against yours, and the kiss went from urgent to sweet in a matter of seconds.
When you separated, breathless, Sophia was almost falling off the bed. Literally. She had leaned so much that half her body was off the mattress, and you had to hold her by the arm so she wouldn't tumble to the floor.
"Careful!" You laughed, the sound coming out shaky and happy.
"You kissed me." Sophia said, her eyes wide, her voice incredulous. "You… you kissed me."
"I did." You confirmed, your face hot, your heart racing. "Because I like you too, you dummy."
"But… but you didn't notice anything! I did everything!"
"I'm slow!" You protested, still laughing. "Manon always says it! I'm a romantic turtle, okay? I take my time, but I get there!"
Sophia looked at you for a long moment, her eyes still glistening, but now shining in a completely different way. Her lower lip trembled, and then she laughed — a wet laugh, half-sobbed, the most beautiful thing you had ever heard.
"You're ridiculous." She declared.
"I know."
"I spent months suffering."
"I know. Sorry. I'm slow."
"You made me apply gloss three times."
"I can apply gloss on you now, if you want. To make up for it."
Sophia laughed again, and then pulled you into another kiss, and this time there was no hurry. This time it was slow, exploratory, her hands on the back of your neck and yours on her shoulders, your hearts beating in sync. This time, when you separated, Sophia wasn't falling off the bed — she was exactly where she should be, her forehead resting against yours, her breathing mixed with yours.
"Mahal." She whispered.
"Love." You answered, because now you knew. "Teach me more words in Tagalog?"
"All of them." Sophia promised, her eyes shining. "I'll teach you all of them."
Outside the room, five shadows silently moved away from the door, exchanging smiles and elbow nudges.
"Mission accomplished." Megan whispered, raising her hand for a high-five.
"We didn't even have to do anything." Lara grumbled, but she was smiling.
"Sophia did it all by herself." Yoonchae commented, proud.
"Finally." Manon sighed, the relief evident in her voice. "Now I can sleep in peace without having to hear about gloss."
Daniela laughed, wrapping her arm around Manon's shoulders as the five of them returned to their respective rooms.
"A turtle and an incurable romantic." She murmured. "Perfect combination."
"Chaotic combination." Lara corrected.
"Same thing."
And in the room you shared with Manon and Daniela, Sophia lay down beside you, her arms around your waist, her face hidden in the curve of your neck. You ran your fingers through her hair, feeling the Filipina's body relax completely for the first time in months.
"Phia?"
"Hm?"
"Next time you like someone, tell me directly. No metaphors. No gloss. Words."
Sophia laughed against your skin.
"There won't be a next time. It's you. Only you."
And you smiled, your eyes closing, your heart finally, finally, understanding what had always been right in front of you.
"Mahal." You whispered, testing the word.
Sophia's arms squeezed you tighter.
"That. Exactly that."
And for the first time on that chaotic Friday morning, everything made sense.
Summary: Where at least twice a week, Daniela would receive anonymous letters from a secret admirer, and other times she'd get huge bouquets of flowers and chocolates. Daniela had absolutely no idea who was behind it all, but she seemed determined to find out.
Note: English is not my first language.
Warning: Mention of Hierarchical Difference (Popular x Nerd), Daniela is a bit spoiled, Reader is described as Tall and Muscular, Clumsy Reader, Secret Crush, Some Angst and Comfort!
Katseye Masterlist
Saint Claire Academy was a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that seemed to have been ripped straight out of some ancient European city and planted in the middle of the bustling metropolis. Polished marble hallways reflected the light streaming through arched windows, painting geometric patterns on the floor. On the ceiling, frescoes told stories of saints and sages, as if every step taken there were a sacred act of learning.
But any student who had spent more than a week at that institution knew that Saint Claire's true belief system wasn't in the frescoes.
It was in the invisible, yet fierce, hierarchy that governed every interaction, every laugh, every glance.
And at the top of that social pyramid, breathing the rarefied air of the gods, was Daniela Avanzini.
It wasn't just her beauty, though that alone was enough to stop traffic. Her blonde hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders, as if even gravity refused to disrespect her. Her honey-brown eyes held a lively, intelligent sparkle that seemed to say, "I know exactly what you're thinking," and usually, she did. Her smile was an event, something that made the people around her hold their breath, waiting for a glimpse of divine approval.
Daniela Avanzini wasn't popular.
Daniela Avanzini was popularity.
She walked through the hallways as if she owned the place, and in a way, she did. Students stepped aside to let her pass, not out of fear, but out of a kind of reverential respect. Girls wanted to be her. Boys wanted to be with her. And Daniela, generous in her benevolent royalty, occasionally granted crumbs of attention to her subjects.
You, on the other hand…
Well, you existed in a completely different universe.
Your world didn't have polished marble or ceiling frescoes.
Your world had the smell of aged paper, printer ink, and the comforting silence of the third-floor library. There, books didn't judge. There, equations had no hierarchies. A Pythagorean theorem was immune to your social standing.
That was where you felt at home.
You were tall. Not in that elegant, model-like way, like the girls in Daniela's group. You were tall in a gangly way, with broad shoulders you didn't quite know what to do with, long arms that seemed to have a life of their own, especially when you got nervous, which was whenever Daniela Avanzini was within a ten-meter radius.
Hours at the gym had sculpted your body in a way that other people might find intimidating. Defined muscles under pale skin, large hands that could lift impressive weights but trembled like green twigs when you tried to, I don't know, grab a glass of water in front of Daniela.
A paradoxical combination: the muscular nerd.
And clumsy. Very clumsy.
Once, you were leaving the chemistry room with your books when Daniela passed you in the hallway. Her perfume, something citrusy and floral, you spent weeks trying to identify the brand, you later found out it was a French import, invaded your senses. Your brain short-circuited. You tripped over your own feet, dropped a stack of notebooks, and nearly took a decorative plant pot with you.
Daniela didn't even notice.
She walked past you as if you were part of the furniture.
And, in a way, you were.
To Daniela Avanzini, you were just another piece of the scenery. The tall, clumsy girl who carried books that were too heavy and avoided eye contact. Invisible. Harmless. Irrelevant.
And that was fine.
Really.
You repeated that to yourself every night, before going to sleep, as you replayed every tiny detail of those seconds of indirect interaction. It's fine. I don't need her to notice me. I don't need her to see me. I can admire from afar. Like a work of art. Like something beautiful and unattainable.
But Daniela's honey-brown eyes, when they occasionally swept the room and ignored you, left an emptiness.
An emptiness that began to grow.
An emptiness that began to hurt.
Until, one day, the emptiness became unbearable.
It was on a rainy Tuesday. You were sitting in your usual spot in the library, the table in the corner, near the window, where the light was good and no one bothered you. Your calculus notebook was open to page twenty-three, but your mind was elsewhere.
On Daniela.
She was wearing a beige sweater that day, you remembered. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun that, on anyone else, would be sloppiness; on her, it was style. She was laughing at something Sophia had said, and that sound, a laugh that sounded like musical notes, had followed you through every class, chased you to the library, haunted you in the silence.
And then, without thinking much, maybe that was the problem, you never thought when it involved Daniela, you grabbed a pen and started to write.
"For you," the letter began, the handwriting hesitant, trembling. "For the girl who makes the sun look dull. For the girl whose laugh I would hear in the middle of a noisy crowd. For the girl who doesn't know my name, but who makes me want to shout it from the rooftops."
You wrote about the way the light hit her hair during sunrise, creating a false halo of a saint. You wrote about the way she bit the tip of her pen when she was focused on reading, the little furrow of her brow, the slight biting of her lips. You wrote about how beautiful she was and how distant she was and how it broke your heart in a way you didn't even know was possible.
When you finished, you read it all over again, felt your face burn, and thought about tearing it up.
But you didn't.
Instead, you folded the paper into three parts, found a purple envelope in your backpack, when did you buy purple envelopes? and, the next day, before the first bell, you left the letter in her locker.
Your heart hammered so hard you were sure someone would hear. Your hands trembled. You nearly dropped the envelope three times before managing to slide it through the slit of the locker.
You ran to the classroom as if the devil were chasing you.
And spent the rest of the day with your stomach in knots.
The reaction was… bigger than you imagined.
The next day, during break, you were sitting in the courtyard eating a cheese sandwich when Daniela appeared. Not near you, of course. Daniela appeared in the epicenter of the courtyard, surrounded by her usual entourage: Manon, with her watchful eyes and calculating smile; Sophia, the sweetest of the group, with her easy laugh; and other faces you only knew by sight.
Daniela was holding the letter.
Your letter.
"Guys, look what I found!" She exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Someone left it in my locker!"
Manon took the letter first, reading quickly, a smile appearing on her lips.
"'For the girl whose laugh I would hear in the middle of a noisy crowd.'" She read aloud, and you felt your stomach twist. "Wow, Dani. Someone's in love."
"It's so cute!" Sophia practically jumped, trying to read over Manon's shoulder. "Who do you think wrote it?"
Daniela took the letter back, a smug smile curving her lips. She examined the handwriting, turned the paper over, smelled it, she smelled the paper, and you nearly died right there.
"No perfume." She observed, with a small furrow of her brow. "Guys usually put perfume on letters, don't they?"
"Or more clueless." Manon added, but there was a playful tone in her voice.
Daniela tucked the letter into her bag carefully, as if it were a treasure. Her honey-colored eyes swept across the courtyard, examining every face, every possible suspect.
"I'm going to find out who it is." She declared, and there was determination in her voice. "I always find out."
You sank a little lower in your seat, praying for the ground to open up and swallow you.
—
Twice a week. Religiously. Like a sacred ritual.
Monday and Thursday.
Those were the days for the letters.
You developed an elaborate system. You watched Daniela, but not in an obvious way, at least, you hoped it wasn't obvious. You took note of small details: the book she mentioned reading in literature class (Pride and Prejudice, she said she adored Darcy), the flower she pointed out on the way to the parking lot (pink gerberas), the chocolate she always ordered at the school cafeteria (salted caramel, Belgian, from a specific brand).
Every piece of information was cataloged in your brain, archived, transformed into material for the next letter, the next gift.
The letters evolved quickly.
A week after the first, you left a bouquet of pink gerberas in her locker. The bouquet was enormous, almost ridiculous, with thirty-six carefully arranged stems. You saved up for weeks to pay for it.
When Daniela opened her locker and saw the flowers, the scream she let out echoed through the entire hallway.
"GERBERAS!" She held the bouquet as if it were a trophy, spinning around to show everyone. "How does he know? How does he know they're my favorites?"
Manon raised an eyebrow.
"He? Or she?"
Daniela blinked.
"What?"
"Sophia mentioned it the other day." Manon continued, with a mysterious smile. "That maybe your secret admirer wasn't so… masculine after all."
Daniela frowned, confused. Her honey-brown eyes scanned the hallway, sweeping over the curious faces watching the scene.
"No." She said, finally. "Is the handwriting feminine? I don't know. Maybe it's a sensitive guy. There are sensitive guys, Manon."
"There are." Manon agreed, but there was a glint in her eyes that suggested she still had her doubts.
You were just five meters away, leaning against the water fountain, holding a water bottle tightly enough to crumple the plastic. A part of you wanted to run. Another part wanted to confess everything right there, shout "IT WAS ME!", see the surprise in her eyes, the recognition.
But you did none of that.
You just watched, invisible, as Daniela smiled at the bouquet of gerberas with a happiness that wasn't for you.
—
It was inevitable.
Daniela wasn't the type to leave mysteries unsolved. She was determined, stubborn, and loved a challenge. And the secret admirer, that anonymous being who knew her tastes, her preferences, who made her feel special in a way no boy at school had ever managed, was the perfect challenge.
She started interrogating people.
Not aggressively, but with the disarming charm that only Daniela Avanzini possessed. She would approach someone during break, tilt her head, smile that smile that made knees go weak, and ask in a casual tone:
"You wouldn't happen to have any idea who's been sending me flowers, would you?"
Most people stuttered, blushed, denied vehemently. Some even confessed false affections, hoping it would bring them closer to her.
Daniela laughed, thanked them, and crossed names off an imaginary list.
You watched everything from afar, feeling your heart in your throat every time she approached your danger zone.
And then, the day came.
You were in the cafeteria, sitting at a corner table with your calculus companions, Yoonchae, who was quiet and brilliant, and Lara, who was loud and also brilliant, and Megan, who was both. You were distractedly biting into an apple when you felt the shadow.
A shadow of French perfume and overwhelming presence.
"Hey."
You looked up.
Daniela Avanzini was standing right in front of you, arms crossed, head slightly tilted. Her honey-colored eyes examined you with an intensity that made your brain melt into a useless puddle inside your skull.
"H-h-hey." You managed to articulate, after an awkward pause.
"You're the big girl who's always in the library, right?"
Big girl.
The word hit you like a punch. But you swallowed hard and nodded.
"Y/n," you managed to say your own name, which was already a miracle. "My name is Y/n."
"Y/n." Daniela repeated, as if tasting the word. Her smile widened slightly. "Right, Y/n. Tell me something."
She leaned forward a little, reducing the distance between you. You could see the tiny golden reflections in her eyes, could smell her perfume, could count the seconds your heart stopped beating.
"You wouldn't happen to have any idea who's been sending me flowers, would you?"
The words got lost somewhere between your brain and your mouth. You opened and closed your lips like a fish out of water. Your ears started to burn, oh, no, you knew what was coming next. First the ears, then the cheeks, then the neck. You were going to turn into a tomato right in front of her.
"F-flowers?" The word came out strangled. "I'm… allergic."
The lie was so absurd, so senseless, you almost laughed at yourself.
Beside you, Lara and Megan exchanged glances. Yoonchae hid her face behind her book.
Daniela watched you for a long moment. Her eyes traveled over your red face, your broad shoulders, your trembling hands.
"Of course not." She murmured, more to herself than to you. Her voice had a tone of disappointment. "Too clumsy to be that romantic."
She turned and walked away.
Manon and Sophia, who had been watching from afar, followed her.
You stood still, the apple forgotten on the table, the words echoing inside you like a painful mantra.
Too clumsy to be that romantic.
Too clumsy.
Clumsy.
That night, you didn't sleep.
Not because of the embarrassment, although that certainly contributed. But because something inside you had broken. Not the admiration. Not the affection. But the illusion that, maybe, one day, Daniela might see you as something more than a clumsy big girl.
Maybe she was right. Maybe you were incapable of a caring gesture. Maybe everything you felt was just… inadequate.
But the next night, you wrote another letter.
—
Weeks turned into months.
Daniela Avanzini's secret admirer became a legend at Saint Claire. People speculated in the hallways, bet money during breaks, kept suspect lists that were updated weekly.
No one, absolutely no one, put Y/n's name on that list.
Because how could it be? The tall, clumsy girl who could barely form a full sentence near Daniela? The nerd who spent breaks in the library while normal people socialized? It was ridiculous.
It was perfect.
You took advantage of this invisibility masterfully.
The gifts became more elaborate. Not just letters and flowers, but small gestures that demonstrated an intimacy that bordered on obsessive. One day, Daniela casually mentioned she had lost her favorite bookmark. The next day, a new bookmark, identical to the old one, appeared inside her literature book, with a note: "So you can pick up where you left off. Literally."
Daniela took the bookmark home and slept with it under her pillow. Manon found out later and didn't stop laughing for a week.
Another time, Daniela commented about a thermal mug that had broken. A week later, a new mug, exactly the same model, appeared on her desk in the classroom. The note said: "Hot coffee is a necessity, not a luxury."
"This is creepy." Sophia admitted, watching Daniela hug the mug like it was a puppy. "Whoever it is is watching you. For real."
"It's romantic." Daniela countered, but there was a slight tremor in her voice. "It's… attention. No one's ever given me this much attention."
Manon raised an eyebrow.
"Dani, everyone gives you attention."
"Not like this." Daniela said, and her honey-colored eyes drifted away, lost in thought. "Not in the way that… that seems like they really see me."
You heard this conversation from behind a pillar, where you were hiding, not intentionally, you were just trying to get to the chemistry room and the path passed near them. Your hands sweated. Your heart raced.
She was starting to understand.
Or maybe not.
Because the next day, Daniela was back to her usual interrogation, approaching a boy from the soccer team with a charming smile.
"You wouldn't happen to have any idea who's been sending me flowers, would you?"
The boy, a tall blond named Mateus, blushed intensely.
"I… I mean… maybe…"
Daniela's eyes widened.
"It was you?"
"No! No, I mean… no, but I wish it had been." He stammered, and Daniela sighed, frustrated.
Another name crossed off the list.
You sighed in relief, hidden behind a column, the bouquet of lilies you planned to deliver later still hidden in your backpack.
—
Autumn arrived at Saint Claire with its palette of warm colors and the smell of dry leaves. The marble hallways grew colder, and students started wearing heavier coats, which, you discovered, was a tactical advantage. The larger pockets made transporting notes easier.
On that specific afternoon, Daniela was sitting in the café inside the school. Not the main one, but the cozy one on the second floor, with velvet armchairs and dark wood tables. Manon and Sophia were with her, chattering about some gossip you couldn't quite hear, even if you leaned dangerously out of your hiding spot behind a bookshelf.
Daniela wasn't paying attention.
You saw it. You always saw it.
Her honey-brown eyes were fixed on a vague point on the floor, her mind clearly elsewhere. She was spinning a pen between her fingers, a nervous habit you had noticed weeks ago, when she was particularly anxious about a math test.
"Dani? Dani!" Manon poked her arm. "Are you listening?"
"What? Yes, of course." Daniela blinked, coming back to reality. "Sophia's going to order the turkey sandwich, and you want the smoked salmon."
"That was five minutes ago." Manon said, with narrowed eyes. "Where is your head?"
Daniela sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"I was thinking about the last note."
"Ah." Sophia and Manon said in unison.
"He mentioned the pink tulips." Daniela continued, almost speaking to herself. "How did he know I talked to you about pink tulips, Manon? It was on Monday, in the hallway, for a few seconds. No one was around."
Manon frowned.
"Maybe someone was and you didn't notice."
"I always notice." Daniela said, but her voice didn't have its usual conviction. She seemed… disturbed. "It's like he's always there. Watching me. Knowing me. And I don't even know who it is."
Sophia touched her shoulder affectionately.
"Does that bother you?"
"No." Daniela answered too quickly. Then, more slowly: "I don't know. Maybe. It's strange to think that someone sees me in a way I don't see myself."
You held your breath behind the bookshelf.
She doesn't know, you thought. She has no idea.
And then Daniela sighed, stretched her arms over the table, and murmured:
"What a boring day. I'd trade everything right now for a hot chocolate and a chocolate chip cookie."
You froze.
A hot chocolate and a chocolate chip cookie.
The information burned itself into your brain like fire. You left the café before they could see you, ran up the stairs, crossed the courtyard in long strides, and arrived at the main canteen breathless.
"One hot chocolate." You ordered, throwing money on the counter. "And three, no, five chocolate chip cookies. And… put whipped cream on the chocolate. Lots of whipped cream."
The employee raised an eyebrow, but prepared the order.
Five minutes later, you were back at the café, hidden behind the same bookshelf, watching.
"Miss Avanzini?" The waitress who worked at the café approached the table, carrying a tray.
Daniela looked up, surprised.
"Yes?"
"Someone sent this hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies for you."
The silence at the table was absolute.
Daniela looked at the tray, at the waitress, at the tray again. Her mouth opened slightly.
"Who?" She asked, and her voice came out higher pitched than normal.
"The person asked not to be revealed, miss." The waitress replied, with a small smile. She placed the tray on the table and withdrew.
Daniela stood staring at the steaming hot chocolate, the whipped cream slowly melting, the five cookies perfectly arranged on a small porcelain plate.
"This is…" Sophia started.
"Creepy." Manon finished. "I was going to say creepy."
"Romantic." Daniela whispered, but her voice trembled slightly. "It's… it's romantic. But it's also…"
"Insane." Manon said.
"Very attentive." Sophia corrected.
Daniela picked up the hot chocolate with both hands, as if she needed something to warm herself. Her honey-colored eyes were shining in a different way, not the smug sparkle of someone receiving a compliment, but something deeper. More vulnerable.
"How does he know?" She asked in a low voice, almost to herself. "How does he know everything about me?"
Manon and Sophia exchanged glances.
"Maybe it's someone who's been watching you for a long time." Sophia suggested softly.
"Maybe it's someone who's closer than you think." Manon added.
Daniela bit into the cookie, and her eyes widened.
"It's my favorite." She murmured. "It's exactly my favorite."
On the other side of the café, you were sitting at the corner table with Megan, Yoonchae, and Lara. You tried to look casual, stirring your own hot chocolate, which you had bought as a cover, but your hands were shaking so much the liquid threatened to spill.
"Why are you so nervous?" Megan asked, with narrowed eyes. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Cold." You lied. "It's cold."
Lara laughed.
"It's twenty-three degrees."
Yoonchae lifted her eyes from her book for a moment, observed you, and then returned to her reading with a small smile on her lips.
She knows, you thought, feeling the panic rise. Yoonchae always knows everything.
But none of them said anything.
They just drank their coffee, ate their cakes, and pretended not to notice when you spent five minutes staring at Daniela's table as if she were the center of the universe.
Because, to you, she was.
—
The weeks continued. The gifts continued. The notes continued.
But something had changed.
Daniela was no longer just enchanted. She was… obsessed.
Not with the gifts themselves, although they continued to be luxurious and perfectly thought out. But with the mystery. With the person behind them.
She started observing people in a different way. Her honey-colored eyes no longer just cataloged; they investigated. She paid attention to who looked at her for too long, who blushed when she passed by, who hid behind books when she approached.
And you noticed.
You noticed that her eyes were starting to land on you more frequently. Not with interest, not yet. But with a hint of… curiosity.
"Did you notice Y/n today?" Daniela asked Manon on a Thursday, while they were drinking juice in the courtyard. "She was looking at me in history class."
"Everyone looks at you in history class." Manon answered, without looking up from her phone.
"No. It was different. She was… studying. But she was also looking at me."
Manon raised an eyebrow.
"You're getting paranoid, Dani."
"Maybe." Daniela admitted. "But… don't you think it's weird? She's tall, has an athlete's build, but she's completely clumsy around me. The other day she tripped over her own backpack when I walked into the library."
"Maybe she's just clumsy." Manon suggested.
"Or maybe she's nervous."
Silence stretched between them.
"Dani." Manon said, finally, with a warning tone. "Y/n is a weird nerd who spends her time in the library. It's not her."
"I know." Daniela sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. It's ridiculous. But… she's always around, don't you think? Not in an obvious way. But when I look at the corners, at the quietest places… she's there."
Manon didn't answer.
But her gaze followed Daniela's, landing on the corner table, where you were completely absorbed in a calculus book, or pretending to be.
You felt their eyes on you like a physical weight.
Your heart raced. Your hands sweated. You turned a page you had already read three times.
She's watching me, you thought, panic and hope mixing in a nauseating combination. She's starting to see.
—
February fourteenth arrived.
All of Saint Claire was decorated with paper hearts, red balloons, and roses being sold at exorbitant prices in the main lobby. Couples kissed in the hallways, defying all rules against displays of affection, and the singles walked around crestfallen, carrying the weight of loneliness on a day that celebrated love.
For Daniela Avanzini, however, Valentine's Day wasn't about loneliness.
It was about expectation.
Since six in the morning, gifts had started arriving. Red roses from an admirer who signed only "A Senior Boy." A box of generic chocolates from another who, by the trembling handwriting, was clearly nervous. A silver bracelet, pretty but impersonal.
Daniela thanked them, smiled, stored everything in a bag that Manon carried.
But her eyes remained expectant.
"It hasn't arrived yet." Sophia observed, as they climbed the stairs to the second floor.
"He'll send something." Daniela said, with a confidence that didn't seem entirely genuine. "He always sends."
And then, when they opened her locker after third period…
Daniela stopped.
Her entire body froze.
Inside the locker, occupying all the space, was the most beautiful bouquet she had ever seen. Lilies as white as snow, twenty-four of them, tied with a lavender-colored satin ribbon. Beside it, a box of Swiss chocolates, not just any chocolate, but those from a specific brand that was only sold at a confectionery downtown, two hours away.
And, on top of the chocolates, an envelope.
Daniela picked up the envelope with trembling hands. The handwriting was familiar, the same as the letters, the notes, the small gestures that had marked the last few months.
She opened it.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Daniela.
I know you're confused. I know you want to know who I am. And I wish I could tell you, out loud, looking into your eyes. But fear is greater than courage. The fear that, when you find out, everything will change. The fear that you'll look at me and see only what you've always seen: a shadow. Someone invisible.
But today, on the day of love, I want you to know one thing.
I see you. Not the way others do. Not the popular girl, the queen of Saint Claire, the prettiest girl in the room. I see Daniela. The girl who laughs with her eyes. The girl who bites her lips when she's nervous. The girl who keeps the notes she receives in a box under her bed, yes, I know about that.
I see you. And I love you. Silently. Secretly. Possibly forever.
If you want to know who I am… meet me in the isolated room on the top floor. After the last class. I'll wait.
— Your Silent Admirer"
—
Daniela spent the entire day in a state of nervousness that bordered on a nervous breakdown. She could barely concentrate in class, barely eat, barely breathe. The note was folded in her pocket, the paper already crumpled from how many times she had reread it.
Manon and Sophia tried to go with her, but Daniela refused.
"I need to do this alone." She said, and there was a fierce determination in her eyes.
The stairs to the top floor were narrow and dusty. No one frequented that part of the school since they had deactivated the art rooms the previous year. The light came in weakly through dirty windows, creating elongated shadows on the creaking wooden floor.
Daniela walked down the empty hallway, her footsteps echoing in the stillness.
The isolated room was at the end, on the left. The door was ajar.
She took a deep breath. Once. Twice.
She pushed the door open.
And froze.
You were there.
Sitting at an old desk, in the corner of the room, your hands resting on your knees and your head bowed. The light from the dirty window fell on your broad shoulders, on the gray sweater you were wearing, on your large hands that trembled slightly.
Daniela stood in the doorway for a long moment, processing.
"You." She finally said, and her voice came out strange, not surprise, not anger, not… anything she expected to feel.
You lifted your eyes.
Your face was red, not just your cheeks, but your neck, your ears, even the top of your forehead. Your eyes were glistening, as if you had been crying, or were about to.
"Daniela." You said, and her name came out of your mouth like a prayer. "I… I can explain."
"It's you?" Daniela took a step forward, her honey-colored eyes wide, incredulous. "The clumsy nerd who can't form a sentence around me? The girl who said she was allergic to flowers? It's you who's been sending me letters for months? Who gives me pink gerberas and Belgian chocolates and bookmarks?"
You swallowed hard.
"Yes."
"And you know what kind of cookie I like?" Daniela's voice was getting louder, higher pitched. "And what brand of Swiss chocolates I prefer? And that I keep the notes under my bed? How do you know that, Y/n?"
You stood up from the chair, your fight or flight instincts screaming to run, but your legs refused to obey.
"Because I watch you." You said, and your voice came out firmer than you expected. "Because I've been watching you for two years, Daniela. Since the first day you walked into that history room with a blue sweater and a smile that… that made me forget how to breathe."
Daniela opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
"I know it sounds creepy." You continued, the words pouring out like a waterfall now, impossible to contain. "I know it sounds obsessive. And maybe it is. But it's not… it's not the way you think. I don't want to scare you. I don't want to hurt you. I just… I just wanted you to know that someone sees you. Someone really sees you. Someone cares about the little details, about the way you furrow your brow when you're confused, about the way you hold your pen when you're nervous, about the fact that you hate it when people interrupt you mid-sentence."
Daniela took another step forward. Then another. Now she was just a meter away.
"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Her voice was strangely… fragile. A fragility you had never heard before. "Why stay in the shadows?"
"Because I was scared." You admitted, and a tear escaped, sliding down your hot face. "You're Daniela Avanzini. You're the sun. And I'm… I'm just someone who lives in the dimness, admiring from afar. I thought if you knew, you'd laugh. Or worse, you'd feel pity. 'The clumsy big girl who can't even talk to me properly.' That's what you said. 'Too clumsy to be romantic.'"
Daniela's face changed. Surprise gave way to something you couldn't identify, guilt? Regret?
"Y/n, I…" She started.
"You don't have to apologize." You cut in, wiping the tears with the back of your hand. "You were right. I am clumsy. I am weird. I spend breaks in the library while you're out there, living. But when I write those letters… when I choose those flowers… I don't feel clumsy. I feel… enough. I feel like, for a few minutes, I can be the person who makes you smile. And that…"
Your voice broke.
Daniela took the last step. Now she was right in front of you, so close you could feel the heat of her body, could see the tiny particles of gold in her honey-brown eyes.
"And that what?" She asked softly.
"That's all I ever wanted." You whispered. "Not to be loved back. Not to be corresponded. Just… to know that I can make you happy. Even if you never know my name."
The room fell silent.
The wind blew outside, making the dirty windows tremble. A dry leaf danced across the floor.
And then, before you could say anything else…
Daniela leaned in and kissed you.
It wasn't a soft kiss, nor hesitant. It was a determined kiss, as if she was trying to prove something to you, or to herself. Her lips met yours with an intensity that made you take a step back, your back hitting the dusty wall.
Daniela followed the movement, her hands coming up to grab your sweater, pulling you closer.
You stood paralyzed for a second, two, three, your brain overloaded, unable to process what was happening.
Then, something inside you broke loose.
Your hands, those large, trembling, clumsy hands, rose and found Daniela's waist. You pulled her against you, harder than you intended, and Daniela let out a small sound of surprise against your lips.
The kiss deepened.
There was no technique there, just two years of frustration, two years of silent desire, two years of "too clumsy" being dismantled in a single gesture.
When Daniela finally pulled back, her lips were red and swollen, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Never again." She said, her voice hoarse. "Never call yourself clumsy again. Do you hear me?"
You nodded, unable to form words.
"And never again." She continued, her fingers caressing your face, wiping away the traces of your tears. "Never think you're not enough. You gave me gerberas and chocolates and notes that made me feel… made me feel like someone saw me. Really saw me. No one's ever done that before."
"Daniela…" You started, but she cut you off with another kiss, quicker, lighter, almost a seal.
"You're an idiot." She murmured against your lips. "A romantic, creepy, and… and amazing idiot. How did you manage to hide this for so long?"
"Fear." You repeated, your forehead resting against hers. "A lot of fear."
"Of me?"
"Of losing you. Even though I never had you to begin with."
Daniela laughed, that laugh you had spent two years hearing from afar, which was now so close you could feel the vibration against your chest.
"You're ridiculous." She said.
"I know."
"And clumsy."
"I also know."
"And mine."
You blinked.
"What?"
Daniela pulled back enough to look into your eyes. Her smile was different now, not the smug smile of the queen of Saint Claire, but something more genuine. More vulnerable.
"Mine." She repeated. "You're mine. From now on. Because if you thought you were going to write all those letters, give me all those gifts, know all my secrets, and then just… disappear again… you're very wrong, Y/n."
You laughed, a silly, incredulous laugh, that echoed through the empty room.
"I'm not going anywhere." You promised.
"Good." Daniela said, and her arms wrapped around your neck, pulling you into a hug. "Because I have a huge list of questions. How did you find out about my favorite bookmark? How did you know about the Swiss chocolate? And how the hell did you manage to get into my classroom to put the new mug there without anyone seeing?"
"Professional secrets." You joked, and Daniela laughed against your shoulder.
Outside the room, hidden behind the door, Manon, Sophia, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae exchanged glances of pure triumph.
"I knew it." Megan whispered, with a huge smile.
"You bet against it." Lara reminded her.
"Details."
Yoonchae just smiled, turning another page of her book, as if nothing had happened.
As if she already knew the ending of this story from the beginning.
—
The next day, Daniela Avanzini showed up at the library.
Not to look for a book, not to interrogate anyone, but to sit at your table. Right in front of you.
"I'm bored." She announced, as if that explained everything. "And you have the most interesting face in the library."
You blushed, you would always blush around her, apparently, but you smiled.
"You hate the library."
"I do." Daniela agreed. "But you're here."
And she pulled up a chair, sat down next to you, and spent the whole afternoon watching you solve calculus equations while eating the chocolates you had brought, "just in case," you said.
Daniela laughed.
And the sun, for the first time, decided that the shadow also deserved a little light.
in which fans find the secret, pre-debut fan page yoonchae had for you, her le sserafim bias, causing you to realise that maybe the girl you've had a crush on for years might actually like you back
content: fem!reader, idol!reader, reader is a member of le sserafim, yoonchae's cringey fanpage is a warning in itself, forgive me for that part 🙏, megara and purinz mentioned, all of this takes place in like a day 😭 ss count: 25 note: i'm back!!
The restaurant is loud in the way only small local places can be.
Music hums from overhead speakers, plates clatter somewhere behind the counter, and conversations blend together into a constant buzz. It’s nothing fancy—just somewhere close to the practice studio where all seven of you can finally sit down and eat after a long day.
You barely make it through the door before everyone starts claiming seats.
“Booth!” Lara announces dramatically, already heading toward the biggest one she can find.
The rest of the girls follow behind her, laughing.
You slide into one side of the booth, grateful to finally be off your feet.
Before you can even settle properly, Daniela drops into the seat beside you.
Naturally.
Like there’s nowhere else she would’ve sat.
You smile to yourself as she immediately leans into your side.
“Move,” she says.
You blink.
“What?”
“You’re taking up my space.”
You stare at her.
“Your space?”
Daniela nods seriously.
“Yeah.”
Then she proceeds to rest half her weight against you.
Across the table, Megan snorts into her drink.
“You literally sat next to her.”
“And?” Daniela asks.
“And now you’re acting like she’s invading your personal bubble.”
Daniela shrugs.
“She is.”
Sophia shakes her head.
Lara groans.
“Please. I just sat down.”
The table erupts into laughter.
You can feel Daniela smiling against your shoulder.
It’s comfortable.
Easy.
The kind of thing that stopped feeling new a long time ago.
Menus are passed around. Drinks are ordered.
Everyone talks over one another, bouncing between stories from practice and random topics that make absolutely no sense outside your group.
At some point, your food arrives.
At some point, Daniela decides your fries look better than hers.
You catch her hand reaching across your plate.
“Daniela.”
“No.”
“You haven’t even taken one yet.”
“No.”
You try to pull the basket away.
She steals two anyway.
“Thief.”
“Sharing is caring.”
“That’s not sharing.”
“It is when I do it.”
Megan nearly chokes laughing.
Even Yoonchae is smiling.
Nobody comments on it.
Nobody teases.
Because this is normal.
Daniela stealing your food.
Your knee pressed against hers beneath the table.
The absent-minded way she reaches for your hand while listening to Sophia talk.
It’s all become so routine that nobody pays attention anymore.
You don’t either.
You just sit there, surrounded by your members, listening to the chaos around the table while Daniela leans against your side like she belongs there.
Like she always has.
Like she always will.
The conversation flows easily around the table.
Lara is in the middle of telling some ridiculous story from practice, complete with dramatic hand gestures and exaggerated impressions. Manon keeps interrupting to correct details, which only makes everyone laugh harder.
You barely get a word in.
Not that you mind.
Watching the chaos is entertaining enough.
The waiter returns a few minutes later to check on the table.
He’s around your age, maybe a little older.
Friendly.
Easygoing.
The kind of person who talks to customers like he’s known them for years.
“Everything good?” he asks.
A chorus of nods answers him.
“Perfect.”
He starts collecting empty baskets and used napkins from the edge of the table.
Then he glances toward Daniela.
For a second, you think he’s about to ask if she needs a refill.
Instead, he smiles.
“So, random question.”
The table quiets slightly.
Daniela looks up.
“Hm?”
The waiter scratches the back of his neck.
“You single?”
Silence.
Not actual silence.
Nobody stops breathing.
Nobody drops a fork.
But suddenly every member at the table is paying attention.
You see Lara’s eyes widen.
Megan immediately looks away, trying—and failing—to hide her grin.
Sophia presses her lips together.
Manon nearly chokes on her drink.
The collective reaction is practically written across their faces.
Bro.
Seriously?
At work?
Right in front of everybody?
Daniela lets out a surprised laugh.
Clearly caught off guard.
“What?”
“You know,” the waiter says, smiling sheepishly. “Just thought I’d ask.”
The girls are trying so hard not to react.
Trying.
And failing.
You have to bite back a laugh yourself.
Then Daniela pauses.
Just for a second.
A tiny one.
Barely noticeable.
But you notice it.
Because it’s Daniela.
Because you know her.
Because you know the difference between when she’s thinking and when she’s not.
Her eyes flicker.
Just briefly.
Like her brain is sorting through something.
One second.
Maybe less.
Then she laughs again.
“No.”
The answer comes easily enough.
“Definitely not.”
The waiter immediately raises his hands.
“Okay, okay. Had to shoot my shot.”
The entire table bursts into laughter.
“Oh my God,” Lara groans.
Manon drops her head onto the table.
Sophia is openly smiling now.
Even Daniela is laughing.
The waiter shakes his head dramatically before walking away.
“Enjoy your food.”
The moment passes almost instantly.
Conversation picks right back up.
Lara starts talking again.
Megan makes another joke.
Daniela reaches over and steals another fry from your basket.
Normal.
Everything is normal.
Nobody makes a big deal out of it.
Nobody even mentions it.
But as the conversation continues around you, your attention drifts.
Back to that moment.
Back to that tiny pause.
That brief hesitation before her answer.
You stare down at your drink.
No.
The answer itself had been easy.
Immediate, even.
So why does that split second keep replaying in your head?
Why does it feel louder every time you remember it?
You glance over at Daniela.
She’s smiling at something Sophia is saying, completely relaxed.
Completely unaware.
And you force yourself to smile too.
Because it was probably nothing.
Right?
Just a second.
A meaningless little pause.
Nothing worth thinking about.
Nothing worth remembering.
Yet somehow, you can’t stop remembering it anyway.
You tell yourself it’s fine.
Because objectively, it is.
Daniela said no.
Daniela literally said she wasn’t single.
End of story.
So why are you still thinking about it?
The conversation around the table continues like nothing happened.
Because nothing did happen.
Manon is talking about an upcoming schedule.
Lara is arguing with Megan over something completely ridiculous.
Yoonchae is quietly eating while occasionally laughing at everyone else.
Everything is normal.
Daniela is normal.
She reaches for your hand beneath the table without even looking.
Her fingers find yours automatically.
Like muscle memory.
Like breathing.
You squeeze her hand back.
She squeezes yours once before returning her attention to the conversation.
Normal.
A few minutes later, she steals another fry.
You glare.
She grins.
Normal.
When she laughs too hard at something Megan says, she ends up leaning against your shoulder.
Normal.
Everything is normal.
So why can’t you stop thinking about it?
The pause.
Just one second.
Maybe less.
A tiny hesitation that nobody else seemed to care about.
You glance over at Daniela.
She’s smiling.
Relaxed.
Completely unaware of the argument currently happening inside your head.
Your stomach twists.
If the answer was easy, why did she hesitate?
The thought appears before you can stop it.
You immediately try to push it away.
Because that’s ridiculous.
Because you know Daniela.
Because she literally said no.
But the question comes back anyway.
Why did she need to think about it?
Maybe she was surprised.
Maybe she was caught off guard.
Your thoughts derail.
Was she deciding whether to tell him?
The idea makes your chest tighten.
No.
That wasn’t fair.
You know it wasn’t.
Still, your brain keeps going.
Was she deciding if I counted?
You stare down at the table.
The noise around you suddenly feels farther away.
Was she embarrassed?
The thought hurts more than you’d like to admit.
Not because Daniela had done anything wrong.
Not because she had actually said anything hurtful.
But because now that the possibility exists, you can’t stop imagining it.
You remember the way her eyes flickered.
The way she paused.
The way her expression shifted for that brief second before answering.
The memory replays.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Each time your brain fills in a different explanation.
None of them good.
You hate that you’re doing this.
Hate that you’re dissecting a moment that lasted less than a second.
Hate that you’re letting it get to you.
Especially because Daniela is still sitting right beside you.
Still holding your hand.
Still stealing food from your plate.
Still looking at you the same way she always does.
Nothing has changed.
Except now every time you look at her, that pause echoes in the back of your mind.
Small.
Insignificant.
And somehow impossible to ignore.
You laugh at one of Lara’s jokes a second too late.
Daniela glances over.
“You okay?”
The question is casual.
Simple.
You force a smile.
“Yeah.”
And maybe that’s the worst part.
Because for a moment, you almost believe yourself.
—
By the time the seven of you get back to the dorm, you’ve almost convinced yourself you’re over it.
Almost.
The ride home had been normal.
Practice footage.
Random TikToks.
Daniela’s hand finding yours whenever she could.
Normal.
Everything had been normal.
So normal, in fact, that you start wondering if maybe you’re being ridiculous.
Maybe you imagined the whole thing.
Maybe you’re making a problem out of absolutely nothing.
That thought follows you through dinner, through showers, through the rest of the evening.
Until eventually everyone begins retreating to their rooms.
The dorm settles into a quieter rhythm.
Doors closing.
Showers running.
The occasional laugh echoing down the hallway.
You and Daniela end up in her room.
Or your room.
Honestly, at this point neither of you know anymore.
You technically have separate beds.
Separate rooms.
But somewhere along the way that stopped mattering.
Most nights ended the same.
Together.
Tonight should’ve been no different.
Daniela is sitting against the headboard scrolling through her phone when you climb into bed beside her.
Usually you’d immediately steal half the blanket.
Usually you’d complain that she’s taking up too much space.
Usually she’d complain right back.
Instead, you settle down quietly.
A little farther away than normal.
Not much.
Just enough.
Daniela doesn’t notice at first.
She’s too focused on whatever video Sophia sent the group chat.
But after a few minutes—she does.
You feel it before you see it.
The way her attention shifts.
The way her eyes linger.
You keep staring at your phone.
Pretending not to notice.
A minute passes.
Then another.
Then Daniela scoots closer.
Instinctively.
Like she always does.
Usually you’d meet her halfway.
Tonight you don’t.
The silence stretches.
You can practically hear the gears turning in her head.
Then:
“Okay.”
Uh oh.
You already know that tone.
You lower your phone slightly.
Daniela is staring at you now.
Completely unconvinced.
“What?”
“What’s wrong?”
You answer immediately.
Too immediately.
“Nothing.”
Daniela snorts.
Actually snorts.
Then she tosses her phone onto the nightstand.
“Liar.”
You roll your eyes.
“I’m serious.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Daniela—”
“You’ve been weird for hours.”
You look away.
Immediately confirming her point.
“See?”
You groan.
“That proves nothing.”
“It proves everything.”
She shifts closer again until your knees are touching beneath the blanket.
Normally the contact would make you smile.
Tonight it just makes your stomach twist.
Daniela notices that too.
And suddenly she isn’t teasing anymore.
The amusement fades from her face.
Replaced by concern.
Real concern.
Her voice softens.
“Baby.”
You hate when she uses that voice.
Because it always makes it harder to dodge the question.
Daniela reaches for your hand.
When you let her take it, her thumb brushes across your knuckles.
Gentle.
Patient.
Waiting.
“What happened?”
You stare at your intertwined fingers.
Part of you wants to tell her.
The other part thinks you’re being ridiculous.
Because how do you explain that one tiny pause has been haunting you all day?
How do you admit you’ve spent hours overthinking something she probably forgot five minutes later?
The silence grows.
And Daniela’s expression slowly changes.
The concern remains.
But now there’s something else there too.
Recognition.
Like she’s running through the day in her head.
Trying to find the moment everything shifted.
Trying to figure out what she missed.
And judging by the way her eyes narrow slightly—she’s getting closer.
The room feels smaller than it did five minutes ago.
Maybe it’s because Daniela is looking at you like that.
You keep your eyes fixed on your hands.
Anywhere but her.
Because now that you’re here, now that she’s asking, suddenly it sounds ridiculous.
It’s been bothering you for hours.
Hours.
And for what?
A pause.
One second.
Maybe less.
The longer you stay quiet, the more Daniela studies your face.
Then something clicks.
You see it happen.
The moment her expression changes.
Subtle.
But there.
And somehow that makes your stomach drop.
Because she knows.
Before you even say it.
Daniela already knows.
“Baby?”
Her voice is softer now.
Careful.
You swallow.
“The waiter.”
The words come out quieter than you intended.
For a second, neither of you move.
Then Daniela freezes.
Completely.
And somehow that feels worse than if she’d looked confused.
Because she recognized it instantly.
No questions.
No hesitation.
No which waiter?
She knows exactly what you’re talking about.
Which means she noticed it too.
Your chest tightens.
Daniela closes her eyes briefly.
Almost like she’s already figured out where this is going.
“Oh.”
Just one word.
But it tells you everything.
The room falls silent.
You hate this.
You hate how embarrassed you feel.
You hate how childish it sounds now that it’s actually leaving your mouth.
You’ve spent the entire day arguing with yourself.
Telling yourself to get over it.
Telling yourself it wasn’t a big deal.
And yet here you are.
Still thinking about it.
Still hurt.
Still wondering.
Daniela waits.
Giving you room to say what you need to say.
Even if it’s uncomfortable.
Even if it’s messy.
Finally, you force yourself to look at her.
“You hesitated.”
The words barely rise above a whisper.
Silence.
Daniela’s face falls.
Not dramatically.
Not guiltily.
Just…sad.
Like she’s finally seeing the picture you’ve been staring at all day.
And she doesn’t like it.
Your gaze drops again.
Immediately.
Because now that you’ve said it out loud, it sounds even worse.
You laugh softly.
A humorless little thing.
“I know it’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid.”
“It kind of is.”
“Y/N.”
You shake your head.
“No, seriously.”
Your voice cracks slightly.
Not enough to cry.
Just enough to annoy you.
“It was just one second.”
Daniela stays quiet.
Listening.
Which somehow makes it easier to keep talking.
And harder at the same time.
“It shouldn’t even matter.”
You stare down at the blanket gathered in your lap.
“But I keep thinking about it.”
The confession hangs between you.
Heavy.
Honest.
You hadn’t planned on saying this much.
But now that you’ve started, you can’t stop.
“If the answer was easy…” You swallow. “Why did you have to think about it?”
Daniela’s eyes immediately soften.
Which somehow hurts more.
Because now she knows.
Now she knows exactly where your brain went.
You laugh again.
Bitter this time.
“See? It sounds dumb.”
“It doesn’t.”
“It does.”
Your throat feels tight.
“I know you said no.”
You glance at her.
“I know that.”
Daniela nods immediately.
“I know.”
“I know you did.”
The room is so quiet you can hear the air conditioner humming somewhere in the background.
You look away again.
Because the next part is the part you’re most embarrassed to admit.
The part you’ve been avoiding all day.
The part that’s been replaying in your head over and over.
“At first I thought maybe you were surprised.”
Daniela doesn’t interrupt.
“Then I thought maybe you were trying to decide if you wanted to tell him.”
The words leave your mouth before you can stop them.
You hate them immediately.
Daniela’s expression crumples.
Not hurt.
Heartbroken.
Like she wishes she could reach back in time and stop this before it ever happened.
“And then—”
You stop.
Because saying it out loud makes it real.
Daniela’s hand tightens around yours.
Not enough to stop you.
Just enough to remind you she’s there.
Waiting.
When you finally speak again, your voice is barely audible.
“I started wondering if you were deciding whether I counted.”
The words sit in the room between you.
Raw.
Ugly.
Vulnerable.
You immediately wish you could take them back.
Daniela’s face falls completely.
And in that moment, you realize she finally understands.
Not just what happened at the restaurant.
Not just why you’ve been quiet all night.
She understands what you’ve spent the last several hours convincing yourself of.
What you’ve been carrying around since lunch.
The fear underneath all of it.
The fear that for one second—one tiny, awful second—she had to think about choosing you.
And judging by the look on Daniela’s face, that’s the last thing she ever wanted you to believe.
For a moment, neither of you speak.
The words linger in the air.
I started wondering if you were deciding whether I counted.
The second the sentence leaves your mouth, you want to take it back.
Not because it isn’t true.
But because hearing it out loud makes it sound so much worse than it did inside your head.
Daniela stares at you.
Completely still.
Then her expression softens.
Not with frustration.
Not with annoyance.
Just sadness.
“Baby.”
Her voice is quiet.
Gentle.
You can’t bring yourself to look at her.
“That’s not why I paused.”
You stare down at your lap.
The blanket twists between your fingers.
“Then why?”
The question comes out smaller than you intended.
Not accusatory.
Just tired.
Daniela shifts closer.
Close enough that your shoulders brush.
Close enough that you can feel her presence beside you.
She doesn’t rush to answer.
Doesn’t try to brush it off.
Doesn’t tell you you’re overthinking.
And honestly, that alone makes something in your chest loosen.
Because she’s taking it seriously.
Taking you seriously.
Even if the whole thing started with a one-second pause.
“I was caught off guard.”
You nod slightly.
That makes sense.
But not enough.
Daniela must see it on your face because she continues.
“I wasn’t thinking about whether I was single.”
You finally glance up.
Her eyes meet yours immediately.
Steady.
Certain.
“I wasn’t thinking about you.”
The second she says it, her eyes widen.
“Wait, that came out wrong.”
Despite everything, you almost laugh.
Daniela groans.
“You know what I mean.”
A tiny smile threatens to appear.
Only for a second.
Daniela notices.
Good.
Maybe that’s why her shoulders relax a little.
She takes your hand again.
Holding it carefully between both of hers.
“When he asked, my first thought wasn’t about my relationship status.”
She pauses.
Choosing her words carefully.
“Honestly?”
You wait.
Daniela sighs.
“I was trying to decide how much of my business a complete stranger gets to know.”
She continues before you can respond.
“Because if I say I have a girlfriend, that’s different.”
Your eyebrows pull together.
Daniela shrugs slightly.
“You know how people are.”
Unfortunately, you do.
You know exactly what she means.
The headlines.
The speculation.
The clips.
The comments.
The way one casual sentence can somehow become everyone’s discussion topic for the next week.
Daniela leans back against the headboard.
Still holding your hand.
“I was wondering if I wanted to deal with that.”
Her voice remains calm.
Matter-of-fact.
Not angry.
Just honest.
“I was wondering if I wanted to answer at all.”
You think back to lunch.
To the way she’d looked surprised.
To that tiny flicker in her eyes.
“I wasn’t sitting there deciding if I wanted you.”
The statement is immediate.
Firm.
Like she needs you to hear it.
Really hear it.
Your gaze drops.
Daniela squeezes your hand.
“Baby, look at me.”
Slowly, you do.
Her expression softens again the second your eyes meet.
“The answer wasn’t what I was thinking about.”
Daniela’s thumb brushes across your knuckles.
“The answer was easy.”
Something in your chest cracks.
Not painfully.
Like tension finally giving way.
Like a knot that’s been pulled tight all day finally starting to unravel.
Daniela shakes her head slightly.
“If he’d asked me what I wanted to order, I probably would’ve paused longer.”
A reluctant laugh escapes you.
Daniela immediately points.
“There she is.”
You roll your eyes.
But this time there’s no real weight behind it.
No ache.
No twisting uncertainty.
Just the lingering embarrassment of having spent an entire day torturing yourself over something that suddenly feels so much smaller.
Daniela notices the shift immediately.
The way your shoulders aren’t quite as tense.
The way you’re finally looking at her again.
And she smiles.
Like she’s just happy you’re letting her explain.
Happy that you’re letting her in.
Because if there’s one thing Daniela has made clear tonight, it’s that she never wants you sitting alone with those fears when she’d much rather be there to answer them herself.
For a second, neither of you say anything.
Then you laugh.
A real laugh this time.
Not because any of this is particularly funny.
Mostly because you’ve spent the last several hours making yourself miserable over something that now feels embarrassingly small.
Daniela squints at you.
“What?”
You shake your head, still laughing.
“Nothing.”
“Y/N.”
You hide your face in your hands.
Immediately, Daniela knows.
“Oh my God.”
“No.”
“Oh my God.”
“Don’t.”
“You really thought I was sitting there debating whether I wanted you?”
You groan.
“Can we not do this?”
Daniela stares.
Actually stares.
Then points at you.
“You did.”
You bury your face in a pillow.
“For like six hours.”
The room goes silent.
Then
“Six HOURS?”
You laugh again.
Daniela falls back against the headboard dramatically.
“That’s a full work shift.”
“It’s not my fault.”
“It is entirely your fault.”
You throw a pillow at her.
She catches it.
Unfortunately.
Somewhere down the hall, a voice yells:
“ARE THEY DONE BEING SAD?”
Megan.
Definitely Megan.
You immediately close your eyes.
“No.”
Daniela laughs.
Another voice follows.
This time Lara.
“Tell them I was right.”
“You weren’t right about anything!” you yell back.
A muffled “I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH” echoes through the hallway.
The two of you dissolve into laughter.
Just like that, the last bit of tension disappears.
Daniela nudges your shoulder with hers.
“You know you could’ve just told me earlier.”
You groan.
“I know.”
“Could’ve saved yourself six hours.”
“I know.”
“Could’ve saved me from finding out my girlfriend thinks I secretly hate her.”
“That is not what I said.”
“It kind of was.”
“It was not.”
Daniela gives you a look.
You immediately look away.
“Okay, maybe a little.”
“A little?”
“Be quiet.”
Daniela grins.
The kind of grin that tells you she’s going to bring this up again later.
Probably multiple times.
For weeks.
Maybe months.
You already regret telling her.
Eventually, you shift closer on your own.
No hesitation this time.
No weird distance.
Just settling into the familiar space beside her.
Daniela’s arm slips around your shoulders automatically.
Neither of you mention it.
You don’t have to.
A comfortable silence settles over the room.
Then:
“Next time somebody asks if I’m single, I’m just pointing at you.”
You immediately groan.
“Please don’t.”
“I’m doing it.”
“Daniela.”
“I’m serious.”
“That’s so embarrassing.”
“Seems pretty efficient to me.”
You pull the blanket over your face.
Daniela laughs.
And for the first time since lunch, the memory of that stupid pause doesn’t replay in your head.
Instead, all you can think about is how annoying she is.
⤷ [ lara x f!reader ] every time tiktok's proven that there's something going on between you and lara that's more than "just friends"
・・・cw: 7th member au, language, suggestive content, lap dance, ~3.5k wc, an: just trying out smth new
⋮⋮⋮ ONE
katseyeworld 2d ago following
drop to your knees and... #KATSEYE #Katseye_Y/n #Katseye_Lara
♫ original sound - Kayla Castillo
♡ 1.1M 💬 8.4k ⚐ 163.9k
it's post practice and you all just wrapped up a complete gabriela dance rehearsal, still in full glam and fitted up.
dani's taking a selfie or two in the corner before you guys change and get back home and manon's hitting you with the, "c'mon babe, it'd be a waste not to do anything when you look so mmm," she says, growling the last part.
which is why you're both filming thirst traps that'll probably rot in your drafts forever, megan joining the two of you after she's done with her stretches.
"wait, you know what i saw the other day," she starts, going to her saved collection, "you know that sound that's like 'you better drop to your knees and bark like you want it'?"
of course you do. sir mix a lot's been on your for you page more times than you can count, through that and the fine, 5'9, and i'm jockin' dance trend, which dani's been trying to get all of you to hop on for ages.
"yeah, you wanna do it?" you ask, to which megan furiously shakes her head no.
"you and lara should do it," she corrects with a grin as you laugh out a, "should i?"
manon's looking at megan like she's the next albert einstein who just came up with the greatest idea of all time. "oh my god, pleaseee, i wanna see what she does."
you turn around, scanning the the studio for her and she's sitting over by the mirrors, wrestling off the ridiculously tall heels you'd all been suffering through for the last hour.
"lara, can you c'mere for a sec?" you call out, motioning her over.
she whips her head up the moment you say her name, walking over to the three of you with a smile on her face. "am i in trouble?"
out of the corner of your eye you can see manon and megan already exchanging looks. oh m&m, what a duo. they'll literally act like those middle schoolers who sing the "sittin' in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g" song if you so much as interact, teasing until you fall for the ragebait.
"no, i just need you for a tiktok real quick," you say, pulling up the sound and front camera, placing your fingers on her waist to guide her closer with a grin. "stand right here, okay?"
"okay, and that's all i gotta do?" lara asks, running her hands through her hair and adjusting her necklace for the video.
"for now," you say and with megan and manon who look like they're obviously plotting something, she's starting to look at the three of you suspiciously.
"what--"
too late. you click the recording button with a grin, the volume at max as the sound plays, "and just when i thought i could palm it..."
lara catches on instantly--she's so chronically online you know she's definitely seen the trend before--and she only smiles even harder.
you look up into the camera, lip syncing the, "you better drop to your knees and bark like you want it," before turning the phone towards her.
she bites her bottom lip, locking her eyes into yours as she sinks down straight to her knees. and sink would be an understatement. lara drops down so fast and hard, you're worried her kneecaps are going to shatter.
and the way she's looking up at you is insane. the eye contact is so intense that you're the one who breaks first, cheeks flushed and laughing as you fumble to stop the recording.
"hey, you forgot to bark," megan adds in a second later with a smirk.
"bark, bitch," you joke and lara genuinely is about to start barking until you clamp your hand over her mouth in shock. "no, i was joking, i was joking," you laugh, pulling her up to her feet.
"you know i deadass would," she says and she's so proud about it, it's making your cheeks flush even more.
user1┆had to turn off my phone and go touch grass
user2┆oh no what’s happening to me 🚶♀️🧎♀️🐕
user3┆ON THE MAIN ACC IS CRAZY
user4┆the eye contact???
user5┆#n/narz supremacy
user6┆i know they're dating i just can't prove it
user7┆they're just friends
user8┆now who tf looks at their friend like that
user9┆why is this 10 hours long
user10┆idk if i wanna be lara or y/n more
⋮⋮⋮ TWO
katz_xeye 3d ago follow
for all my n/narz lovers out there that missed the live #n/narz #y/n #lara #katseye #fyp
♫ original sound - katy
♡ 166.4k 💬 489 ⚐ 24.9k
the tiktok starts off with a clip of you, lara, and megan's live from last week--the one the entire internet is still in uproar about--with the words 'mein/narz core' on the screen.
the text fades into you staring at the phone in your pajamas, trying to read the chat, before you get whacked straight in the face with a pillow, a bang sound effect playing.
lara's laughing from the side, pillow in hand as she winds up for another hit. "laraaa," you whine, dodging back onto the bed and covering your head.
megan joins in, blocking lara's hand just before she hits you, turning to face the screen. "you ladies alright?" she smiles, holding the pillow out in the same position as the viral ref guy.
lara drops her mouth in mock offense, "aren't we supposed to be on the same team? roommates versus y/n, c'mon."
megan thinks for a second, before tossing the pillow back to lara and grabbing her own. "yeah, you're right," she grins, throwing one at you.
"oh wow," you laugh out in disbelief, "you're just gonna gang up on me now?"
all you're met with is another pillow straight to the side of your face and there's no time for you to grab your own.
"hey!" you laugh, yelling as you curl up into the fetal position on the bed, grateful that at least they're not hitting you hard.
every time you get smacked by the pillow, the tiktok user adds a boom effect so it's starting to sound like mini explosions. and of course lara's going exclusively for your ass now.
mid outburst, the door creaks open and you all freeze, three heads turning around to see sophia walk in. "how'd you--" megan starts, dropping her pillow by her side.
"you forgot to lock it," she sighs, coming over to see what you're all up to. "are you live right now?"
you all nod as she jumps on the bed, saying hi to the eyekons and reading the chat. "pillow fight? that's what you guys were doing?" she laughs, reading message after message. "no wonder you guys were so loud, keep it down okay?"
"yes ma'am," megan salutes as lara points at you with a smirk, "hear that y/n? no more screaming."
just as you're starting to open your mouth in defence, lara presses a finger over her lips, hitting you with a loud, "SHHH!"
you mouth a fuck you and flip her off as sophia starts walking out, pausing for a moment to look back at you three. "oh, and lara?" she starts with a grin, "you know there's other ways to hit on a girl instead of actually hitting her, right?"
and this is why sophia's your goat.
"i-i-" lara stutters, completely flustered.
you and megan both interrupt with a mock, "i-i-i," in perfect sync, copying the way she sounded before you both turn to each other, bursting out into laughter.
lara groans, launching the pillow at megan as she shakes her head, muttering something to herself off screen that sounds a lot like, "i hate you guys."
user1┆ i'm starting a rumor
user2┆it's not a rumour atp
user3┆guys act shocked when they announce it
user4 ┆"there are other ways to hit on a girl instead of actually hitting her"💀
user5 ┆lara looking at sophia after she said that
user6 ┆NOOO I MISSED THE LIVE
user7 ┆poor megan 😭😭
user8 ┆lara stuttering is frying me
user9 ┆never seen her this nervous before
user10 ┆godly trio
⋮⋮⋮ THREE
katseyeworld 1d ago following
allll nightttt #KATSEYE #Katseye_Lara #Katseye_Y/n #Katseye_Megan #Katseye_Yoonchae
♫ All Night - Beyoncé
♡ 996.3k 💬 8159 ⚐ 77.3k
the video's filmed in slow mo and megan's got you, lara, and yoonchae to hop on the all night tiktok trend.
you're laughing, head thrown back as lara sweeps you off your feet with one hand, megan doing the same to yoonchae just off to your side as beyoncé blasts from the phone.
lara's cradling you in her arms, one under your knees, the other behind your back as you have both hands wrapped around her neck.
which is the complete opposite to what megan's doing--she's fake dropping yoonchae who screams in korean and kicks her feet, the whole thing looking like a wwe match at this point.
but lara's just looking down at you, and you're looking up at her, and she's so beautiful it's making your stomach flip.
for a moment, everything is perfect--the way her hair falls around her face and the way she smiles. it's almost like a scene from a movie where they'd play a happy flashback memory of the main character's wife before she dies or something.
then, not even a second later, the chaos returns. megan, who's spinning yoonchae in circles, steps backwards straight into lara.
the fifteen second timer and tiktok ends just as all four of you stumble into a heap of limbs and laughs off camera. you land on the tiled practice room floor, lara half on top of you, her arm instinctively shooting out to cushion your head as the air is knocked out of your lungs.
but that's not the reason why you can't breathe.
lara's face is inches away, her body just on top of yours, and you can see the way her pupils are blown wide along with every beautiful detail in her eyes.
for a single cliche second, the whole world pauses and the laughter dies in your throat. her soft smile is gone, gaze flicking down to your lips. it would be so easy to just...
"OH MY GOD, ARE YOU GUYS OKAY?" megan's voice cuts through the silence, followed by her and yoonchae's giggles from where they'd fallen right next to you.
you blink and the moment's over. lara pushes herself up on her elbows, a familiar smile spreading across her face. "damn we should've practiced that part," she jokes.
"yeah, you think?" you choke out, looking over to yoonchae who's pushing at megan.
lara rolls off you and stands to her feet, offering a hand. "c'mon, clumsy."
"clumsy?" you start in fake offence, taking her hand as she hauls you up, "you dropped me."
she doesn't let go immediately, thumb brushing over your knuckles as her eyes scan over you. "did you hit your head?" she checks, in full seriousness before she grins, "not that there's much in there anyways."
"oh fuck you," you laugh, flipping her off.
lara knocks your hand back down, joining in on the laughter. "for real though, you okay?"
"m'good," you say, brushing your pants, trying to hide the blush you can feel burning in your cheeks. "took most of the damage from your fatass."
"you think my ass is fat?"
from the floor, megan's making eyes at you two now, yoonchae catching on as well, her mouth curving into a smirk. "oooh," they tease, building off of each other as yoonchae adds in a, "y/n, your face is so red."
"yoonchae jeong..." you start through gritted teeth.
"yes?" she asks, as innocent as she can.
"i'm gonna break your nose," you joke, referencing her iconic gabriela line as she laughs even more.
user1┆ they really out here doing couple trends
user2┆hard launch
user3 ┆meichae n/narz and sodanon agenda confirmed
user4 ┆
user5┆friendly reminder that lara and megan did this ONE HANDED
user6┆when is it my turn 💔
user7┆sacrificing tour for ts shi
user8┆lmao
user9┆my dreams right before the alarm goes off
user10 ┆lara really falling for y/n
⋮⋮⋮ FOUR
eyekonic.aep 9-20 follow
oh they're sick for this @ y/n @ LARA RAJ #fyp #n/narz #katseye #eyekon #weverse
♫ original sound - eye KON
♡ 75.3k 💬 312 ⚐ 9017
the tiktok starts off with a screenshot of dani's weverse dms--which is insanely rare considering she forgets her password literally every other week. her text reads 'we got chris brown at home,' followed by a video attachment.
not even a second later, there's a gunshot sound effect as the giant, pulsing 😳 emoji appears on the screen when the video plays.
it's slightly blurry, the quality watered down from whichever eyekon screen recorded dani's clip. the bass of take you down by chris brown fills the rehearsal room as she holds the camera shakily, giggling in the background and telling you to go.
the lens focuses on you, and you're doing an exaggerated strut, catwalking towards an absolutely bewildered lara.
"am i supposed to be doing something?" she asks, looking back and forth between you and dani.
"just sit there and look pretty," you grin with a wink.
oh she has no idea what's coming.
right as you sing the first iconic lyrics, "here we are, all alone in this room," with chris brown's voice coming from the speakers, you can see the recognition flash through her eyes as her mouth parts in shock.
"wait--" she whips her head around to dani, who's full on laughing now.
you step in front of lara and she's about to open her mouth--probably ready to say what the fuck?--but before she can get the words out, you press your finger over her lips, dragging it down seductively as you continue singing.
her pupils dilate, either because she's just that shocked or turned on, or a mixture of both, and it takes everything in you to hold back a laugh and stay professional.
when you get to the pre chorus, you circle around behind her, singing as you run your fingers across her neck. "so get ready babe, i got plans for me and you..."
you place your mic down, hitting the drop and grind on the ground. lara watches you for a moment, before turning away to look at the camera with a comical grin in hopes she doesn't get clipped staring at your ass.
she doesn't see the next part coming though. you stand up, adjusting the jeans that you're low riding and your backwards cap for this performance, walking slowly towards her.
she still has a fat smile on her face as you throw one leg over her thigh, bringing your other over to the opposite side, settling down into her lap as dani hollers.
the music blasts and you sink down fully, grabbing her chin as you grind your hips once, twice, and a third time to the rhythm, copying the classic choreo to the song.
lara's brain only catches up after a brief moment and her cheeks fade to a light pink as she mouths a subtle "oh my god y/n."
in a quick flash of panic, she leans back way too far, too fast, and the chair legs screech, tipping backwards.
you can hear dani's "oh shit!" as she rushes over and you have to grab the backrest with spiderman like reflexes just to save her from toppling to the floor.
you still continue, voice shaking as you try to keep a straight face. but the moment you start laughing and your microphone picks it up extra loud, you can't stop, falling to the ground in a fit of giggles as the music still blasts in the background.
lara's laughing now too, with her hands out, palms facing up like she's saying the hell? and dani's officially lost her ability to hold the phone up steady, stopping the video with a loud cheer.
user1┆ dani remembered her password for THIS im crying
user2┆futchy/n save me
user3┆this is what i mean when i say i want magic mike
user4┆never beating the dating allegations
user5 ┆bro fell off her chair 😭😭
user6 ┆Y/N?!?!?
user7 ┆where is this from?
user8 ┆daniela's weverse messages
user9 ┆i can smell the edits
user10┆just kiss already 😊
⋮⋮⋮ FIVE
katseyeworld 2d ago following
i can't read you, but if you want the pleasure's all mine... @ clairo new interview out on YouTube! @ billboard #KATSEYE
♫ original sound - KATSEYE
♡ 2.1M 💬 8.5k ⚐ 163.9k
the tiktok's like a trailer to your newest interview with billboard, where they got you all to play guess and finish the song.
you're arranged on two oversized couches, one side with you, dani, manon, and megan and the other with lara, yoonchae, and sophia and you're all competing on who can get each one the fastest, pressing the buzzer and singing the right lyrics.
"guys, huddle, huddle," sophia says, pulling lara and yoonchae closer as they turn away, plotting their strategy in whispers.
"don't worry!" manon leans back, giving her own kind of pep talk, "we got this in the bag."
"you sure manon?" lara grins from the other couch.
your team is in uproar, talking over each other, letting out woah woah woahs and objections, megan saying, "wait, who's always on aux again?" and you know you guys have her beat.
BZZZ.
the clip cuts to the words 'first round' on the screen. before the host can even finish announcing "song one" after it plays, dani's hand is already on the buzzer.
you process the song a second later and it's magnolia by playboi carti--of course she'd know it.
the camera swings to you as you all yell out "magnolia!" and "carti!" before they tell you to sing the next lyrics. you know they've only picked out the chorus because the rest of the words are definitely not something you'd ever say, let alone on live camera.
dani starts off with the, "in new york i milly rock--" as you and manon add in the what? and uh, uh adlibs, megan doing the beat.
"correct!" the host announces and your team erupts in cheers, manon hyping everybody up as you hit the yvl handsign, dani chipping in a "vamp for life."
BZZZ.
the video cuts to the other team's first snippet. instead of rap, it's a softer guitar and drums, a familiar voice filling the room. "every second counts, i don't wanna talk to you anymore..."
lara smacks the button before clairo can even finish singing the first word. "BAGS!" she yells as sophia adds in a, "by clairo!" right after, forming her heart with her hands and mouthing a "we love you claire."
"oh-i know this song," yoonchae says a second later, "lara listens to this all the time."
lara turns her head slowly around to look at yoonchae, like she just outed her biggest secret of all time, and manon starts the type of laugh she laughs when she can't stop for the next hour.
"and the lyrics?" the host prompts, setting them back on track.
"wait, three, two, one," sophia leads, starting her team off as all three--even yoonchae to your surprise--harmonize the lyrics.
"can you see me, i'm waiting for the right time, i can't read you but if you want, the pleasures all mine. can you see me using everything to hold back?"
your team's joining in with cheers and psyching them up as lara finishes with the, "i guess this could be worse, walkin' out the door with your bags."
then, megan leans forward with a smirk. "wow lara," she starts, voice dripping with fake innocence, "i wonder how you know that one so well."
everyone in the room turns their head straight to you, even yoonchae, who's smart enough to see the link between clairo's song about being scared to make a move on your best friend and whatever's going on between you and lara.
speaking of--she's currently throwing her hand up in the air, looking right into the camera. "damn, is today gang up on lara day or what," she laughs, "god forbid a girl has good music taste."
"right, right," manon adds in, side eyeing megan with a grin.
BZZZ.
the tiktok finishes with billboard's logo and a watch now! on the screen.
clairo┆ ❤️❤️
user1┆CLAIRO x KATSEYE COLLAB WHEN
user2┆homegirls 🤝 bags
user3 ┆we all know who that was about
user4 ┆lara fs has a whole playlist for y/n
user5 ┆y/n sitting in the corner acting like she doesn't know
user6┆@ LARA RAJ
user7 ┆performative female type shi
user8 ┆their raw vocals are insane hello
user9 ┆megan on DA BEAT
user10┆this whole interview was y/n and lara flirting btw
﹒ ˚ syn.
sophia being possessive over y/n for 10 minutes straight
﹒ . tags + warnings ! ◞౿
sophia laforteza x 7th member!reader, possesive!sophia, jealousy, use of y/n, swearing, slighty suggestive, angst if you squint
You were stretched out on your bed in the, in Manon's words, small dorm room you shared with her, one arm tucked next to your head, under the pillow, and the other lazily draped over your phone.
You were still wearing Sophia’s hoodie—the one you had “borrowed” weeks ago and never made it back to her. It still smelled faintly like her perfume. In your defence, when you did try to give it back, she refused to take it, so it wasn’t exactly your fault.
Mindlessly scrolling through Twitter, your thumb slowed when your and another familiar name popped up in your feed.
Someone had tweeted about a new video that had been posted and was already going viral.
You tapped the link without much thought, curious what the fuss was all about.
The page loaded, and the title immediately caught your attention.
“SOPHIA BEING POSSESSIVE OVER Y/N FOR 10 MINUTES STRAIGHT.”
You let out a small laugh, biting your lip as you pressed play, thinking this was surely just another exaggerated compilation.
You promised to watch the first few seconds before clicking off.
The screen faded to black, then lit up with oversized letters in a bold red colour.
‘Sophia being in love, cough, possessive over y/n for ten minutes’.
The quick ‘AS SHE SHOULD BE’ flashing before the clips started to play.
First clip loaded, it was from a live stream filmed months back. The quality was average at best. Grain and pixels coating the screen.
Onscreen were Megan and Manon. They were sitting on the bed, talking about nonsense. Megan with her knees to her chest while Manon was cross-legged.
Manon leaned forward, squinting at the screen as the chat continued to fly by at an impossible speed. She read one comment aloud,
“Manon, top 3 artists of all time.”
The girl immediately groaned, bringing her hands to her face with Megan smirking next to her. Turning her body towards her.
“Yeah, Manon. What are your three top artists.” Teasing the curly haired girl, shifting closer to her.
Manon shot her a look and opened her mouth to respond with something witty or sarcastic, raising an eyebrow at Megan.
“Well–“
The door swung open.
Manon’s words dying in her mouth, she noticed Sophia entering their room.
Manon’s brows furrowed in confusion, instinctively reaching toward the phone. Without looking, she tapped what she thought was the mute button.
“Sophia?” Manon asked, glancing back up. “What’s up?”
Both Megan and her locking eyes for a quick moment, confused as ever.
“Do you know where y/n is? She turned her location off.” Sophia answered, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
They shook their heads, Megan letting out a soft “nope”. Sophia narrowed her eyes at them, trying to see if they’re lying. She nodded, turning around and leaving a room. A faint “where the fuck is she?” being heard from her last.
Megan gulped nervously, looking in Manon’s eyes. “Maybe we should’ve told her she just went out for a run…?”
“Nah,” she replied casually. “Sophia is funny when she’s all jealous and shit.”
They turned back toward the phone. Manon reached forward again, this time intending to unmute the stream.
Her finger hovered over the screen.
Then she noticed the comments.
They were exploding.
“OH MY GOD????”
“SOPHY/N/N IS REAL????”
“TAKE THE ANGER OUT ON ME SOPHIA”
“THIS WARMS MY SOPHY/N/N HEART”
Manon froze.
Her breath caught as her eyes flicked back to the mute button. The microphone still being on.
She hadn’t muted it.
Slowly, she looked up at Megan, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Megan…”
Megan frowned, immediately sensing something was wrong. “Yeah?”
“The stream,” Manon said, swallowing.
“It was never muted.”
Megan’s face drained of color. Her eyes widened, her jaw going slack.
Like a deer caught in headlights.
The chat continued to yell about sophy/n/n.
“We’re going to get fired.”
Next clip loaded. This one was pulled from the day you and the group filmed the “Would You Rather” YouTube video for LADbible Entertainment.
From behind the camera, a woman’s voice rang out clearly as she read from the cue card.
“Would you rather only be able to talk like you’re in a rap battle, or—”
You tilted your head toward her voice, breaking eye contact with the camera lens in front of you.
“—only be able to talk like a Shakespearean character.”
The girls insantly took their spots on the rap battle side, laughing as they try to cluster up together on that side.
Within seconds leaving only you and sophia on the shakespear side.
As Sophia walked over to stand beside you, she shrugged lightly, already justifying her choice.
“I feel like this would make me unique,” she said, lips curling into a small smile.
The woman who was behind the camera looked at you, waiting for your input as to why this was your decision.
You scratched the back of your neck. “Well, some might argue that I already speak like that.”
Lara’s laughter rang out first, interrupting the end of your sentance.
“Oh, God. Yes!” she exclaimed between laughs.
She wiped at her eyes dramatically, still grinning.
“Y/n is obsessed with putting on the worst British accent whenever she wants something.”
Daniela turned toward Lara, nodding as if her words unlocked something.
“Yeah, I remember that,” she added. “She once came into my room to borrow a shirt. She said something like—”
Daniela paused, squinting in thought before looking back at you. “Y/n, what was it exactly?”
You chuckled, shaking your head as all eyes turned to you. Clearing your throat theatrically, you slipped effortlessly into that horrid accent of yours, clasping your hands together.
“Prithee,” you began solemnly, “lend me thy shirt, for I am sorely in need.”
Giggles erupted across the room.
Even someone in the crew behind the cameras couldn’t fully contain it.
Everyone laughed.
Everyone—except Sophia.
She smiled, but it was tight, looked fake.
Her eyes lingered on the girls gathered across the room a little longer than necessary. She let out a soft, almost forced chuckle before speaking up.
“Has she done this to all of you?” she asked, her tone as light as she could musster.
Several of the girls nodded. A few chimed in with amused “yes”es.
Lara began talking again, launching into another story, and Sophia turned away from her mid-sentence.
Her attention shifted back to you. As it always did.
You, meanwhile, were still facing the other side of the room, smiling—completely unaware of the way Sophia was watching you now.
The editor of the compilation caught it.
The clip zoomed in on Sophia’s face: her tongue pressing lightly against the inside of her cheek, her jaw tight, her gaze fixed squarely on you.
Text appeared beneath the frame.
'Looks like someone is jealous.'
Another clip loaded, this time it was a live stream of just you and Sophia. You were sitting impossibly close to her.
Close enough that, to the eyekons watching, it looked like you were practically perched on her lap.
What the stream couldn’t see, however, was the way her arm was wrapped securely around your waist, her hand resting possessively on your hip.
You were talking about some reddit story you read yesterday, hands moving as you spoke.
“Okay, and then it turns out,” you said, eyes wide for emphasis, “that he slept with her parents. Both of them. Can you imagine?”
You laughed at your own disbelief, continuing to ramble as the chat flew by at the bottom of the screen.
Sophia didn’t interrupt you. She wasn’t looking at the comments at all.
She was looking at you.
Her gaze was soft, almost blurry, like she was watching something precious. And in her mind, she absolutly was. There was nothing in the workd more beautiful as you.
Eventually, you glanced down at the comments and read one aloud without thinking.
“Y/n was that your boyfriend you were out with yesterday?”
You felt Sophia’s arm tighten around you, her other hand clenched hard. Leaving nail marks in her palm.
Noticing the change of her demenour, you quickly dismissed the comment.
“Oh gosh, no. That was an old school friend, we went to high school together and just ran into each other randomly.”
Chuckling nervously, “I don’t know how you guys know that because the interaction was like 2 minutes long at most.”
You explained quickly, hoping to settle the rumours you did not want to spread.
Looking at the comments again, you noticed people already backing you up. And the comments changing the topic.
But Sophia’s grip didn’t loosen.
If anything, she held you closer, thumb pressing subtly into your side.
The clip cut to a freeze-frame of you in the back of a Daniela and Manon live. You were walking past them, laughing about something off-camera, wearing a simple tank top.
Dark hickeys scattered all over your chest.
The editor of the video writing a comment once again.
‘Dang, Sophia. No one is gonna take her away from you’
Another weverse clip loaded, Lara was scrolling on her phone while Manon and Daniela were fussing over a shared shirt.
Lara suddenly lifted her gaze from her phone, eyes scanning the screen as she read aloud.
“Can y’all get mommy y/n on? Haven’t seen her in a while.”
Manon paused mid-tug on the shirt.
Daniela raised an eyebrow, clearly confused—until she realized Lara was reading comments.
Daniela let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Sorry, guys. Y/n is sick,” she explained.
“Sophia put her on bed rest, and if we even try to go disturb her, we will get beat.”
Lara laughed along, nodding emphatically as if to emphasize the seriousness of the threat.
“For real,” she added, still smiling—before abruptly dropping the expression entirely. Her face went deadpan. Only faked fear in her eyes.
“Like… she would absolutely beat us.”
Manon snorted, chiming in as she finally let go of the shirt. “Also, I don’t think anyone wants to see y/n right now,” she said casually.
“She looks like she crawled out of a cave every time she’s sick. Y/n gets it rough.”
Lara shook her head, chuckling as she went back to scrolling on her phone.
A few seconds passed in comfortable silence until Lara suddenly stopped scrolling.
“Oh,” she said, eyes widening slightly. “Wait.”
She turned her phone toward the camera, holding it up for the live to see.
“Someone made fanart,” she said, genuinely impressed. “You guys are so talented. This is crazy beautiful—”
Her phone vibrated, freezing before turning her phone around as quick as possible.
She laughed it off, the laugh coming out short.
“Anyway—yeah. That’s really cool,” she finished, lowering her hand.
After the live ended, eyekons had freeze-framed the moment the notification popped up. The image was blurry, but they decoded it anyway.
It was a text message from Sophia.
'Keep her name out of your mouth, Raj and Bannerman.'
You let out a soft giggle as the video finally came to an end, the screen fading back to YouTube’s suggested clips.
So you did the best thing that came to mind. Copying the link and opening your text messages.
Sophia’s name sat at the top of your inbox. Opening the thread with sophia your eyes ran over the last thing in your text messages.
It being a gym picture of the picture of her and Lara at the gym.
You pasted the link of the video, sending it to her. Writing a message underneath.
