synopsis . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. when you go on a solo vacation to taiwan and unexpectedly meet nicholas.. but— there's something he's not telling you.
pairing idol!nicholas x non-idol!female!reader - content fluff // one shot // rom com - wc 2.2k
⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 not proof read!!!!
the vibe of taipei, taiwan was very beautiful and scenic. on the first day of your solo trip in taiwan, you stopped by to explore the zhongshan district.
the area consisted of local shops, cafes, thrift stores, and restaurants— the perfect getaway place for you especially. you headed into a thrift shop, your head practically in the racks of clothes. as soon as you were done, you walked out of the store with one full bag.
it was awfully hot— so you decided to keep walking along the sidewalk to see if there were any pleasing cafes.
one had caught your eye, the greenery inside and the slight popularity from inside made you curious.
you stepped inside, taking in the atmosphere of the place as you walked towards the counter. a few people sat inside at the tables, some stood around, while you were the only one really in line ordering something.
not being from taiwan, you barely knew any mandarin. thankfully, the menu was written in some english as well. you pointed at the picture on the menu. “hi. can i get this one?”
the girl behind the counter smiled. “yes. which.. size?”
the girl blinked. you pursed your lips, anxiety already building inside of you.
“the.. middle one?” you held your hands apart as if you were physically attempting to show the concept of a medium size.
“ah. medium.” the girl nodded, then glanced toward the cups behind her. “do you want.. big?”
“no— not big.” you shook her head quickly. “medium.. like—”
you held up three fingers.
“small, medium, large..?”
the barista stared at your fingers.
you winced, taking damage from your horrible communication.
neither of them seemed to be getting anywhere in the conversation.
you were about to open your mouth to attempt again at the request.
from somewhere behind you came a quiet laugh.
a guy was standing a few feet away from you in line, one hand around his phone, the other tucked casually into the pocket of his jeans. he looked like he had been trying very hard not to listen.
“sorry,” he said. “do you want the medium?”
he glanced at the menu. the next thing you knew, he walked up right next to you in front of the counter. he was unexpectedly close. the guy suddenly spoke in mandarin, talking to the barista. you assumed he was telling her you wanted the medium.
you smiled at the girl, which she smiled back. “it’ll be.. 7 dollars and 12 cents.” you took out your wallet— but before you could, the guy handed the barista his card.
he spoke in mandarin again and the girl took the card to pay for the order.
you looked up, confused mostly.
“you didn’t have to— i can pay for your drink.”
“no need to. i added my drink to your order.”
you let out a small chuckle, putting your wallet away while looking at him. “thanks. that was sweet.”
“anytime.” he flashed a smile, which it almost blinded you. he was really.. really attractive. he stood in a confident but relaxed posture, plus— his style was really neat. the way his hair frayed in his face also looked effortlessly good.
you two shifted towards the side of the counter, ultimately waiting for your drinks.. but the conversation continued between you two.
“you demonstrated medium with three fingers.”
“you not from here?” he looked down at you, letting a small smirk slip.
“what kind of question is that?” you let a little laugh. “no. if you couldn’t tell.”
“how long are you here for?”
you then stopped yourself from continuing, remembering you are alone— on a solo trip.
he took a glance at your body language, immediately reading the room. “sorry— i hope you don’t think i’m a creep, i’m completely normal by the way.”
you raised an eyebrow, “can you prove that?”
“well, my name is nicholas and i was born here.” he folded his arms. “i moved to korea for a bit, but now i live in japan. i also sing and dance. i have one older sister and 8 close friends.”
“you must trust a lot of strangers.”
you nodded and side eyed him. “you use that one a lot, huh?”
he chuckled. “not really. i haven’t made a move on someone in a while.”
“i’d say so, especially if this is happening in the middle of a cafe.”
his charm and the way the conversation flowed made it a little easier to give in. “i’m y/n.”
he pulled his hand out. you put yours in his and shook it softly. “nice to meet you, y/n. pretty name too.”
you tried to shake off the jittery feeling, but it failed miserably. “thanks, nicholas.”
the barista called out the order of yours and his drink, making you collect it. you picked up the drink, about to make your way out.
“wait—“ he spoke. your turned your head. “hm?”
“can i get your number by chance?”
you hesitated for a moment, lips pressed together.
“sure.” you smiled softly.
back at your hotel, you where putting your newly bought clothes away in your luggage— when suddenly your phone chimed.
he actually texted you back to your surprise. you thought back at the cafe he was just saying stuff to talk to you in the moment. maybe he meant all of it for real?
nicholas: hey, it’s nicholas 🙂
nicholas: ouch 🤕 thought we got to know each other a bit at the cafe
nicholas: fairs fairs, tbh i was going to take u out after the cafe but i had a dinner with my family
yn: yeah sureee u thought that during our interaction
nicholas: what???? i’m serious😔 u have no faith in me huh
nicholas: how abt we go out tmr? if ur not busy
nicholas: does that prove anything to u?
nicholas: good 👍 i’ll keep working harder
you felt yourself smiling while texting him. maybe your solo trip to taiwan wouldn’t be so bad after all.
the next day, you met up with nicholas in front of the same cafe in zhongshan district.
he suggested a good hidden gem of a resturant that was his favorite. as you two walked there, he rambled on about how good the resturant was— explaining when he was younger he’d always go there with his friends and parents. you listened to him silently, taking in his bubbly self that slowly revealed minute by minute.
nicholas noticed himself rambling, soon stopping. “sorry, i got carried away.” he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
you shook your head. “i don’t mind.”
he smiled. “enough about me.. what’s your reason for being here?”
he widened his eyes slightly, “hope im not ruining plans you had. i’m dragging you everywhere.”
you giggled, “no, not at all. i actually enjoy.. your company. i was a little nervous about being here alone, really.”
“hm, why’d you go by yourself then?”
“i wanted to be a bit more independent, also visit, of course. taiwan’s a beautiful place.”
he smiled at you. “it is.”
you flashed a smile, lightly tapping his arm. “why’re you here?.. you know, since you live in japan.”
nicholas grinned, “i got a full week off of work— which is pretty nice since i'm always working.” his phone pinged as he checked it— but he still spoke to you. “wanted to spend some time in my home country.” he looked somewhat busy on the phone.
“am i ruining your vacation?”
he put his phone away in his back pocket swiftly, returning his full attention to you now.
“nope. i actually think it’s better like this as well.”
you couldn’t help but smile, letting the blush spread across your cheeks. “i’m glad we feel the same.”
as soon as you know it, you both arrived at the restaurant. it was warm and cozy inside, wooden textures and very homey. you and nicholas were sat near the back corner of the restaurant to his request.
the owners came out and greeted both of you guys, but especially shook nicholas’ hand a bit longer. they both talked in their native languages, smiling and laughing. you smiled watching the interaction.
you both then received your food and ate.
the first bite of food was delicious.
“wow..” your eyes widened.
he let out a small laugh. “.. i know, right?”
as the two of you continued to eat and converse, you let your intrusive thought slip out at one point.
“i wasn’t really thinking of it like that.”
your eyes lit up slightly.
after the food, you both walked it off by exploring more of the area, nicholas showing you his favorite thrift shops along the strips.
while walking along the streets, you noticed a billboard advertisement stand. to your surprise, it wasn’t just any person on the board.
“you model?” you said aloud.
he put a finger over his lips, smiling at you still though.
“why didn’t you tell me?” you lightly nudged him teasingly.
“i thought it wasn’t important.”
all he did was laugh again, still walking with his hands in his pockets. “surprise.”
the next few days.. you hung out during specific times while he wasn’t available some days because he was busy with his family.. it didn’t bother you though because you knew it was his vacation technically as well. throughout the week, you continued to see more signs and advertisements of nicholas across the streets— was he more popular than he ought himself to be? was he just being humble? whatever it was— you tried to not let it get to you because you did just meet him this week. he was just a stranger.. kind of.
coincidentally, you two had to leave taiwan on the same day. on the last day while you two were walking the streets on taipei city, he let out a small sigh.
“can i tell you something?”
“.. yeah, of course you can.”
he gritted his teeth, “i really am interested in you, y/n. a lot. and i know if i wanna continue this— i have to be honest about another thing.”
oh gosh, what was he going to say? that he has a wife and kids?
“my job.. i actually— i’m an idol.”
you raised your brows. “an idol?”
“yeah.. like.. remember how i told you i sing and dance? that’s kinda the reason..”
you didn’t say anything. you were still trying to process the words that came out his mouth.
“i’m sorry i didn’t tell you any sooner. i know i should have— i hope this doesn’t change anything.”
you shook your head quickly, “n-no. of course not. it doesn’t change anything, nicholas.” you smiled, letting out a nervous giggle. “i’m just a little surprised.”
he let out a relieved sigh. “okay.. good.” he smiled. “i can’t lie, i was a little scared how you would see me after.”
“why would you be scared..?”
nicholas shrugged, looking down at the sidewalk as the two of you continued walking.
“because usually when people find out, everything changes.” he laughed quietly. “they start acting different around me. sometimes they don’t even talk to me like i’m a normal person anymore.”
you stared at him for a second.
“you’re still the guy who couldn't help but laugh at me ordering..”
his mouth fell open. a little chuckle left him.
“you were making fun of me.” you grinned teasingly.
you laughed, shaking your head. “see? nothing changed.”
a smile slowly formed on his face. “so you’re not gonna ask me for a picture?”
nicholas immediately laughed, his shoulders shaking as he looked away. “i knew it.”
“what? i’m still a fan of free things.”
he smiled. “you’re unbelievable.”
he looked back at you, his smile softening.
“yeah.” there was a small pause. “i do.”
your cheeks warmed, suddenly finding the floor much more interesting than his face. “good.. i guess i have a reason to visit japan..”
nicholas smiled to himself before nudging your shoulder lightly with his. “you mean a reason to visit me?”
and somehow, out of all the things you expected to happen on your solo trip to taiwan— accidentally falling for an idol you didn't even know existed was definitely not on the itinerary.
you came to taiwan alone, but you wouldn't be leaving quite as alone as you came.
