I write with wine, it gives that extra boost. Usual post dates: N/A because adulting sucks. But weekends are most likely. I'm a 1 person writer so writing is very likely delayed a lot
Tropes: social media au, strangers to lover, college students, podcast hosts, some parts may be written
Pairing: afab;reader x seungcheol x wonwoo
summary: You’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Warnings: some parts may be cringe (sickly cute kind of cringe), later parts triggering, mentions gaslighting, depression, will add more as it progress
Chapter links under the cut :]
{ goodnight moon + company }
{ logic night + company }
{ podcast socials }
Chapter 1 intro to you
Chapter 2 interesting
Chapter 3 it was a meet-cute?
Chapter 4 the misadventures of p.i picheolin
Chapter 5 boba eyes
Chapter 6 men are scary
Chapter 7 he's got the grooves
Chapter 8 thinking about you
Chapter 9 evilly cute
Chapter 10 making friends in an unconventional way
arn (author's ridiculous note); guess who likes to give themselves a bunch of tasks and think they can handle it all? definitely not me. my brain is like whirring so much and spews so much hazardous sparks (don't let that happen in real life that's bad) also i always wanted to try a social media au fanfic, it looks intriguing and honestly now that i'm invested it's fracking hard work but also at the same entertaining and keeps you engaged. anyways now i gotta finish 2 and i will, i'm just painstakingly slow. sorry. run to you, i'm still writing it, definitely but I'm gonna put a pause on it for a teeny bit (because I'm sort of stuck in a way but I am going to finish it because I still love it)
My schedule isn't as hectic anymore, however, [big fat sigh]. You know the phrase "What goes up, comes down". Or what The8 said about how Seungkwan's life is a variety. I feel like my life is a variety. After getting used to my new laptop, my phone stopped working on me. Found out it was a screen issue from 2 service shops. Recommended me to take it to the actual brand store to fix it. Found out the brand service repair had all bad reviews so I opted out of fixing it with them and didn't want to risk my phone getting even more damaged because my phone is a BTS Galaxy edition. My dumb self also didn't properly back up my files (I learned a little too late that I could transfer my things from the old phone to the new phone but before figuring out my phone was just a screen issue, I thought it was something else and factory reset it by accident because I'm a little short tempered). When I got my new phone everything is now back to square 1. Thankfully though I did save a few of the processes for the next chapters onto my Google Drive but I still have to find all the pictures I used and re-download the apps. That is taking things longer. For what I can't find, I'm going to have to replace them and that probably means I might have to fix the already up chapters just a tiny bit [disgruntle grunt].
That is all. That is why the next chapter is taking way longer than usual. I haven't stopped the series. Just rocky bumps have hindered my work.
The day has finally come around, the day that you can make something and display them in the display case to be sold at the cafe. Technically, for tomorrow, while you’re standing in the kitchen with a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse apron on. The kitchen counters are cluttered with sheet pans, flour, and berries, as well as some on your face, but only partially.
“Yn?” Seungkwan walks around from the counter, eyes gazing around the kitchen, “Have you been making fruit tarts this entire time?”
“Oh, yeah, I have. My crust needs improvements. Fruit tart crusts are delicate. They have to be perfect. Crunchy, when you bite but not too crunchy that it falls apart and not too soft either. It has to be the perfect ratio of golden. There’s the glaze for it too. The fruits as well, the right fruit pairing has to be perfect,” You let out a long breath. Seungkwan blinks after hearing the long airy sentence from you, and the way your hands were so animated and flailing in the air.
“Maybe you should calm down for a second? Or like take a break?” Seungkwan questions, slightly stepping back just in case you stepped forward to derail that question of his. Softly breathing in and out, you stared at the pans in the kitchen sink and the other pan on the kitchen counter, plus the cooled-down crusts set on the cooling rack.
“You are right. I need a break. I made these before. I don’t know why I’m so freaked out” You sighed sitting on the bar chair with your hands splayed on top of the cool counter.
“Fruit tarts are your favorites. Maybe you’re just stressed because you’re making them for the cafe? You shouldn’t stress about that. People are going to love them. I’m already going to stop by and buy at least 2. Two is considerate. Chan said he was going to buy all of them.” Seungkwan chuckled, sitting in the next chair.
You laughed softly at his statement. “Seungcheol said that too. That he would buy all of it.”
“Hey, you said that you and Seungcheol are going to his gym trainer’s wedding later in July? Are you okay going alone with him?” The question coming from Seungkwan didn’t stop you too much until you actually thought about it. Driving for hours, perhaps even driving a day ahead, being alone with Seungcheol in a hotel. Alone. In a hotel. Your eyes widened at the thought of being alone with him. What if the hotel room really does only have one bed? And the possibility of seeing him naked when he goes to the bathroom for a shower and when he comes out. What if he sleeps in the nude?
“Yn!” Seungkwan’s voice brought you back from whatever intrusive thoughts brewing in your mind. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing. Besides, it’s just like traveling with you guys. Minus the squabble. Or maybe there will be a squabble? It’s fine, it’s going to be fine and then we can have all the fun at the camping site. And speaking of going camping, what else do we need? We have that one tent in the garage and the memory foam bed we don’t use is still in its box.”
Seungkwan had a look on his face, despite what he felt on the inside he just assumed you had things figured out. For now, that is.
On the day of the display, you were rolling out the dough for the crust, flour smeared all over your work apron, and specks of remnants over your face. Countdown begins and all eyes will be on the display case. You have practiced and practiced it for weeks, and tested them on the besties to which they grew tired and slightly angry that fruit tarts were served from morning to night. Peeking from behind the kitchen door, you peer onto the cafe lobby, watching customers order their pastries and drinks. Softly biting onto your bottom lip when you notice your group of friends, happily chatting with one another at a table and the butterflies or maybe something else stirring in your stomach.
The mantra of taking deep breaths while counting down from ten, as you wipe your non-sweating hands but definitely, flour-smeared on the apron. You took a tentative step out the kitchen door, carefully trying to not expose yourself too much and stepping behind Chan because that boy would never figure things out instantly. (Not the case for today)
“Yn!” Seokmin’s cheery and booming voice drew you out from your hiding spot behind Chan. “We just ordered the special pastry for today. They look so cute and delectable in the display case.” Seokmin’s widened smile (his lips and eyes) didn’t fade. If there was one person in your friend group who always makes your stress level disappear, that would be Seokmin.
“Thank you so much, Seok. Even though I'm still fully anxious about it all.” You tried to mask a happy grin. Hands rubbing softly at the sides of your apron, while your eyes scan the cafe. Your eyes landed on Wonwoo at the far corner table, he was sitting with a group of people (most likely his friends). Unknowingly tilting onto your toes as you peer forward, hands flying on top of Chan's shoulders as he squeaks an "auf" sound from the impact.
“Geez, Yn, apply all your weight on me,” Chan complains, his shoulders moving from how pressed your hands are on them. “Hmm” was the only sound that came out of you, completely unfocused on what Chan was saying. As the thing in front of you was more interesting. Wonwoo with a group of people and if the cafe was a little less crowded you could see more of the group's faces. Slightly adjusting yourself as you peer further, with your chin settled on Chan's head and hands pushing his shoulders more. A light gasp comes out of your mouth at the sight. Seungcheol? Among the group with Wonwoo. "Are they friends?" to "Do they know each other?" floated around in your mind.
“Yn!” Chan's voice echoes loudly to get your hands off of his shoulders and step back. "What are you even looking at being so occupied like that?"
"I, uhm," you stammer, eyes lightly looking over at Wonwoo and his group. Flustered when you noticed his gaze staring back in your direction. "Overthinking about the fruit tarts." You lied.
"Your fruit tarts are delicious." Seungkwan chimed in.
"I regret complaining about them when you made so much at home," Soonyoung mumbled with a mouth full of fruit tarts.
"What are you looking at?" Minghao asks. His head turned slightly towards the direction you were gazing at. His eyes find exactly the person you're glancing at as he turns back to you. "Is that Wonwoo?" He asks blatantly. Grabbing attention from the rest.
"What?" Chan's mouth falls open and a small piece of the crust falls onto the plate. Turning his head in all directions and finding Wonwoo, which he found along with Hansol and the rest of the group.
"That's Jeonghan. And Seungcheol?" Joshua looks at their group and back, flabbergasted about how large Jeonghan's group of friends is.
"I rest my case about befriending friends in the weirdest situation." Seungkwan nods his head, finishing off the fruit tart in front of him.
“Let’s go and say hello.” Soonyoung stands up from his chair, taking the remaining of his fruit tart in his hand as he strolls over to the table.
“Soonyoung, wait,” your voice comes out a whisper, softly exhaling when Seokmin walks over to your side and takes your hand in his. Glancing at his hand and then up at his face, seeing the soft nod and grin on him. “I didn’t know if you were wondering.”
“It’s fine. None of us knew. As Seungkwan said, we befriend friends in the weirdest circumstances. We didn’t know. I don’t even think they know but you’re close to them both, right? Might as well.” He shrugged his shoulders, squeezing your hand softly against his. “Besides, it’s like you didn’t develop feelings for them so it is fine.”
Your eyes shift away, glancing at the cafe decor, the plants, and the sleepy kitties settled in their usual spots. A faint chuckle from your lips “Yeah. That’s right. No such thing. I don’t need a man in my life. I mean, you guys are men but like not that kind of man. A man in a relationship, bleh, stressful.” You squeeze Seokmin’s hand tightly as you reached their table, Wonwoo’s eyes finding you first and then Seungcheol and that flutter in your stomach from earlier about the fruit tarts intensive. Catching feelings is hard, especially catching feelings for two guys who just happened to be close friends.
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Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
before this chapter starts, the title may seem confusing. But it isn't the end yet :]
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Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
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arn: HELLO! Sorry for the capitalized scream. I did not expect to get busy, but I did and I get tired out quickly. Also, I got a new laptop, still figuring things out with it but it's definitely faster than my old one. Posting coming soon again
You were nervous, you didn’t expect Seungcheol to answer you at all after, somewhat ghosting him because of your troubled past. Laying on top of your bed when you heard a faint car engine approaching the house. Obviously Seungcheol isn’t one to be messed with and when he’s told something, he will do it. Quickly getting up from the bed as you look out the window, not really surprised, you see Seungcheol’s car in the driveway. Since it’s past 10 and not wanting the others to question why a car is in front of the house, you grab a hoodie from your closet and slip into a pair of slippers. Yeah, house slippers, it was night time and you didn’t feel the need to wear shoes.
Seungcheol drove not that far, he just drove to the nearby park and parked in the empty parking lot as the both of you sat in his car.
“So, I’m sorry for what I said,” Seungcheol spoke first, his hands squeezing the steering wheel. “I was insensitive and I should have properly thought to myself before sending that.”
Your heart sank at what he said, he sounded so defeated and it made your insides flip and twist around. “Cheol, you don’t have to apologize. I told you that it’s my past and I didn’t tell you about it, so it isn’t your fault. Please don’t feel bad about yourself.” Turning slightly in your seat, you faced him as you reached a hand out to touch his’. “After the other night, I came to a realization that I shouldn’t be holding onto this person and by holding onto the memories, I could always easily access it and end up hurting myself.”
“Whoever this jerk is for making you hurt yourself, never deserved you in the first place. I really hate them and it makes me angry. It makes me just, urgh.” Seungcheol clenched his hands tight in a fist, his brow furrowed angrily and despite being in the dark you could see it, and seeing him feel this way, made your heart soft, he was so caring and he didn't even know what happened. And leaving him on read made you feel more responsible for the way he is acting.
“Don't. That person isn't worth the fight. And I don't want you to get hurt.” You sighed softly, hand still on top of his’ as his own loosened up, taking your hand into his’ and gently squeezing them. “When you first told me that you worked as a teaching assistant, that alone, triggered a memory. My ex was a teaching assistant and that was also how we met. I met him after one of my classes, it was Professor Thomas’ philosophy class and he was his teaching assistant at the time. The most uncanny thing, I had volunteered to further my study in that class and I even talked with Professor Thomas about it after class hours, to which he appointed my ex to guide me. The rest is, I was blinded by the notion of him being caring and sweet. When we were together, he would always bring me snacks, he let me lay my head on him for a quick rest, and when we started dating he was still all that but as our relationship progressed, I thought I was overthinking about his intentions but he always said I was overthinking everything and I was just trying to find his flaws and blame him and that led me to really overthink all of my thoughts. By ourselves, with his friends, with my friends, and in my class, if I ever question something, he turns it into me blaming him and I get guilty for it. It got worse when I went over to his place and he was with a girl, “studying” was what he said. I believed it. I waited until she left but she didn’t so I went to the bathroom and when I came back out, I overheard them both talking about me. She said that she couldn’t believe people would choose to be around me with my plain exterior and questioned why my ex started dating me, which I learned that day, he was using me to get an internship. I don't know why I stayed in that relationship but I continued to date him for another 3 months trying to see if all of that was true or not. I have never felt more stupid or naive in my life.” You took a deep breath, hands lightly quivering from re-telling your past as you felt a soft squeeze from Seungcheol’s hand. Gazing up to meet his own eyes, how soft they looked right now in the dim light of his car.
“You didn’t deserve any of that. I know what I said was insensitive and I should have rephrased it better. However, the point I wanted to get across from that was that I would never take you for granted. I like being around you. I like what we started." Seungcheol squeezed your hand a little tighter before he let it go entirely, retrieving his hand back onto the steering wheel. “I know it's late but this place I know of is open for 24 hours. You want to go?”
You stared at him skeptically, as he stared at you with his wide sparkly eyes and a wide grin. If the thoughts of him confused you before then it definitely is confusing you even more now. “May I know where this 24-hour place is and if it's a safe place?”
Seungcheol chuckled heartily, the corner of his lips widening and it made your heart do a little flip you didn't know it could do. “It's safe. You should know by now I never take you anywhere dangerous. So do you want cronuts and hot chocolate or not?” Your eyes widened like saucers, and your mouth agape from the mentions of cronuts. Though it was dim in the car, Seungcheol could make out your delighted expression. That's probably his favorite thing about you. After every study session and boxing session he takes you out for dinner, and the look on your face after the first two bites is pure bliss. From the way your brows furrowed, nose scrunching together, lips in a pout, shoulders lifted, and the soft moans— he found it all pleasing. Everything about you made his heart flutter.
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Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
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arn: I was going to fix some time-stamps but I got lazy after posting it. so ignore it. Also, if you're feeling conflicted about who reader is going to choose...I already have it thought out ;3
semi-written. warning!: self-suicidal thought ahead. proceed with caution for this chapter please. if you ever have thoughts of suicide reach out to loved ones; friends, families, professionals don't let your mind take hold of yourself alone.
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Gazing deeply at the message on your phone as your eyes begin to moist. It wasn't that Seungcheol's message was mean or anything, the complete opposite of that. Being used. Your mind stopped at reading that. Taking you back to the past, the memories that you have buried are now resurfacing. Many of the memories with Justin, you never even told to your friends and Seungcheol’s message reminding you of that day that made you become hollow of romantic feelings.
Already finished with the assignments as you sent it to your professors via email, you were feeling extra chippy, deciding on baking something for Justin to surprise him at his place and maybe stay a little longer at his place.
The pink cinnamon rolls with strawberry icing you made, were sitting on the counter cooling itself as you head to your room for a change into something cute and appropriate. A cute pleated skirt with a button-down blouse and a loose cardigan should be fine.
By the time you arrived at Justin's place, standing outside of his apartment door as you wrapped a knuckle onto the door. Waiting, in the cutest outfit in your closet carrying a container of pink cinnamon rolls. Smiling widely at the door opening and anticipating Justin to take you in his arms.
"You are not Joann. Who are you?" she asks, staring dumbfounded at you. She was pretty and taller than you, she could've been a model. All the thoughts surrounded your head. Was Justin cheating on you? Girls do fawn toward him a lot and you did question him about that to which he responded every time, "they're just students in my class."
The girl continues to stare at you, now with her arms crossed over her chest. "Who are you?"
"I, I'm Yn. Justin's girlfriend, who are you?" you say, trying not to sound like you're on the verge of tears. She let you aside, but you could've sworn you saw her roll her eyes. Stepping inside of the apartment, you step into his line and sight, and from his eyes alone, you could tell Justin was panicking on the inside.
"Yn? What are you doing here?" Justin stands from the couch as he walks over to you. His arms envelop you in a hug.
"I finished my assignments and I wanted to visit you. I also made pink cinnamon rolls. What's going on? A study group?" If you had known in the past you wouldn't have asked that last question but you did.
"Yeah. It's for one of my psychology classes. We have an exam coming up next week." Justin gingerly pecks the top of your head. "You didn't have to come over babe, I was going to visit you afterward." Letting you go as he proceeds back over to where he was, his gaze leaving you and going back to that girl that had opened the door for you. “We’re almost done anyways, if you want to wait, just sit tight.”
Of course you obliged to his demand, you were in love with him. Sitting patiently on the couch as you watch Justin and this girl study, it did look plainly like studying to which it took on longer than a few minutes. A little bored and unsure on what to do, you eyed the clock on the wall, eyes fixated on the second hand spinning past the numbers. Eyes strained from watching the clock, you sat and informed Justin that you’re heading to the bathroom to freshen up.
You stayed in the bathroom just a little longer, despite being in a relationship with Justin for 8 months, you still felt inevitably uncomfortable and out of place around his friends and his friends’ friends. Taking a deep breath and staring in the mirror, you nodded your head with an affirmation. “We’ve been dating for 8 months now, his friends have to know me by now and I shouldn’t be nervous around them. Okay. I can do it.” Taking a tentative step out the bathroom door, you froze in place upon hearing a soft cackle. A cackle, like a witch’s cackle and not the hilarious kind of cackle. Your heart began beating at that sudden cackling, hands balled into a fist as you moved your back onto the wall. Inching closely to the living room and making sure that Justin and the girl don't see you.
“I cannot believe you’re still dating her. What does she have that the rest of us don’t? She’s pathetic and frankly she isn’t even that pretty. I think I saw her walking around campus one time and oh my gawd she has so many guy friends. Like they are all super handsome and yet she’s so plain. You’re handsome too. How could handsome people end up with someone like her?”
“Yn isn’t all that bad. She’s naive, yes, but she’s a good person. Plus, I need her. Professor Thomas is thinking about giving away one of his prestigious internships and by helping Yn, by lettting her be one of my protege the possibility of me going into that internship is a high chance.” Justin turned slightly towards the girl, his hand ghosting over her upper thigh and his lips near her ear.
You continued to listen to their conversations, the bottom of your lip trembling and eyes getting mistier as you covered your mouth with your hands, stifling any sounds that may come out of you. Bringing you back to when you first met Justin, you were leaving, exactly like what he said, you were leaving Professor Thomas’ class and you bumped into him. He apologizes for not seeing you and then treating you to dinner, and then for 3 weeks he continues to meet you in front of that class, taking you to lunch and helping you. The way he made you feel among his friends comparing to yours were different, the way he belittled you around your friends and tried to make it look like it wasn’t his fault because he doesn’t know them as much as you to his friends, getting all touchy with you and then ignoring you the next. Was everything a set-up from the beginning? Later that night, after returning from Justin’s place, you brought back the pink cinnamon rolls, standing in the kitchen, as you stare at the intricate beautiful cinnamon rolls you made for your boyfriend, a tear stream down on top of it unknowingly because you weren’t thinking at that moment. What that girl in his apartment said and what Justin said, coming back into your mind as your hand clasped tightly around the butter knife, somewhat wishing that the butter knife could sharply cut, maybe if you held it even tighter it would. It didn’t cut as sharp, it did leave a dented scratch but no blood.
“Yn!” Seungkwan exclaimed. Having come down from his room to get a bottle of water because he got thirsty. Seeing your hand tightly around the butter knife and your sullen facial expression, he didn’t need to do anything because he knew from the action alone. “What are you doing?! What the fuck, Yn?” He stepped over to you and held your balled up fist with the butter knife inside. “Please. I don’t know what happened but Yn, if you’re thinking about hurting yourself, please, I love you, Seokmin loves you, Soonyoung loves you, we all love you, talk to us.”
You dropped the butter knife and looked at Seungkwan, unable to tell him what you heard and saw today and afraid of what might come in the future. But perhaps telling a little bit will relieve some parts of you.
The memories flood your mind as your eyes mist all over again, gazing with no thought whatsoever when Seungkwan and Seokmin open the door and their eyes landing on your form on the bed.
“Yn?” Seokmin softly announces. He carefully steps closer to you and his lips pouting at seeing a tear staining your cheek. “Baby Yn!” He shouts with a cry. Arms widening out as he embraces you in a tight hug before you could register back to reality. “You’re crying! No. Please don’t cry. I’m going to let Soonyoung find Justin and beat the crap out of him.” Seokmin sniffles, his huge arms still wrapped tight around your body.
“You’re going to let Soonyoung find him?” Seungkwan asks, stepping over to the side as he settles next to you. “You won’t find him yourself but you’re going to make Soonyoung do it?”
“Yeah duh, I’m not going to risk my life for that piece of shit, Soonyoung already is risking his life so he might as well.” Seokmin loosens his arms around you, quickly ruffling the top of your head with his hand as he gives it a quick peck.
“Oh, well, you're weak. Anyways, Yn, how are you feeling? Did Seungcheol say anything bad or anything? Actually what did he say to you?” Seungkwan scooted himself onto your bed, resting his back on the wall as he nestled a pillow on top of his lap to cuddle.
“Seungcheol didn’t say anything wrong. At least it didn’t seem like it. I think I'm just over-thinking these things because of Justin. I, just, I,” you paused trying to calm down when a stream of tears fell down your eyes and all you could see of Seungkwan and Seokmin was a blur of water.
Seokmin grabs the tissue box from the night stand and hands them to you, softly patting the top of your head. “Calm down first and then talk. We have all night and we are not leaving you tonight.”
You nodded your head, taking a few, a lot tissues and blowing your nose and wiping the tears from your eyes.
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[Seungcheol's pov] ↓
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Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
synopsis: you’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
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arn: Right now my story-line with the synopsis is not correlating properly. BUT, the definition of frequency still has to do with the story. Pretty much it came down to their wave length of love (Cheol & Wonwoo) trying to match with YN(reader)'s wave length over a period of time.
Another week, another investigation. Sure, Chan feels bad for spying on Yn but it's from a good heart and good intentions. He's protecting you and he doesn't want the same thing to happen like in the past. Chan can still remember it, the first time you brought your used-to-be boyfriend over for a game night. Currently ex-boyfriend.
He was tall, with broad shoulders but a slim body, and greeted everyone warmly. Chan could remember how happy you looked, giddy and enthusiastic. Until halfway through the game and ex-boyfriend Justin's real personality showed itself. Chan was close to winning, having owned all the utility cards and railway cards plus two properties in the green. It was your turn plus Justin, since the both of you were sharing a piece. Chan noticed how focused and attentive you were with the current setup, like you were thoroughly thinking on what to do, with the dice landing on a 4 and a 5, you moved your pieces up nine paces, landing on Kentucky avenue. Thank god though that you and Justin owned two or the three properties of the reds.
“Hey, Shua, want to trade? Illinois Avenue for Park place?” You waved the blue card in your hand with a sly grin and a tiny bat of your eyelashes.
Joshua hummed softly, looking at his deck of cards, one Illinois avenue, States avenue, St. Charles avenue, and the oddest one, he has Broadwalk since he landed on it during the 2nd turn of going pass go.
“What else do I get if I trade my Illinois avenue?” Joshua asks, seriously looking at his cards and what is at stake as he also looks over the other’s cards. Noticing Chan’s row of hotels on the greens, Seungkwan with two of the light blue properties and one Virginia avenue, Seokmin with both Mediterranean avenue and Baltic avenue despite not having hotels, Soonyoung with one of each property; New York avenue, Ventnor avenue, and Connecticut avenue and Minghao with Marvin Garden and Ventnor avenue. While you and Justin owned the rest of the reds and Tennessee avenue and St. James place.
“Obviously, you could build hotels. Look at Chan’s, all those rows of hotels, plus with a roll of six or higher he, Seokmin, and Soonyoung would definitely land on your place. And you know who’s turn it is after me.” You bat your eyelashes again, trying to get Joshua to take your offer.
“You are making a very tempting offer.”
“Yn.” Justin grabs onto your forearm, pulling closer to his side. “What are you doing offering away Park place? It would be better to keep Park place and negotiate for Broadwalk. With those two we get hotels and we’ll get more money.” Listening to Justin, you look back at the board, shaking your head at what he said.
“Yes. Broadwalk plus Park place are good choices and it costs a lot but by giving away the rest of our reds to Joshua wouldn’t make sense or make any profit. I was going to negotiate with Soonyoung for New York avenue. By combining our orange properties and red properties, it will be more profitable than Boardwalk and Park place alone.”
“No.” Justin shook his head, his eyes squinting and his hand squeezing your forearm tight. “If you really want to do that, wait until the next turn. There will be more to offer by then.”
“But by next turn, we might lose the offer. Chan already has hotels on his properties and Seokmin could end up putting hotels on his’. If you want to win–” His hissing interrupts your sentence, lowering your shoulders slightly as you stare at your boyfriend. “Justin,” your voice coming out in a soft hush tone. His eyes rolling slightly back, letting go of your arm as he stood up from the coffee table, walking away as you set the cards down to go after him.
The rest of the guys stare at you and him from afar, they didn’t see anything wrong with what you said, what you said made a lot of sense. Chan noticed that Seokmin would turn his head back every few seconds, like he was watching to make sure nothing serious was going on, he also noticed Seungkwan fidgeting with his set piece in the palm of his hand and Minghao glimpsing over to the side.
You walked back to the living room with a soft grin on your face, eyes peering afar at where your boyfriend was still hanging back from.
“Are you okay Yn?” Seokmin asks, watching you closely with a saddened expression. "Is everything fine between you guys?"
"Yeah, we're fine. Justin is, he's passionate about winning and he doesn't like being told if he's going to be wrong." You shrug your shoulders, glancing at the dice on the board. Seokmin's gaze meets Seungkwan's and for a silent minute, they glanced at the others and then back at you.
Chan shook his head at the remembrance of that night. Remembering again when you left for a second time to check on Justin and heard the faint shouts from him from the other room. How could a person look harmless but completely different on the inside? He would never understand why you were so patient and caring toward Justin when all he ever did was question your self-morality and integrity.
"He really was a jerk," Chan mumbled to himself. His hands are now in a tight fist on his lap. Starting ahead in a blank faze, a movement in front of him moves, catching his attention. "Oh my gosh. Handsome spectacle guy is here again. Guess he really likes this cafe. " Chan watches from afar, noticing that the handsome spectacle guy wasn't alone and he was with another person wearing a dark gray hoodie and headphones over his ears. Luckily he picked a good day, aka a day that you were working. Getting up from his chair, Chan leisurely strolls over to the front counter, in an attempt to get a closer look at the spectacle guy and perhaps order something to make him look busy. Of course, to Chan’s dismay, he was found out sooner or later, which happened to be the first.
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synopsis: you’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
Seungcheol's message was still confusing you in more ways than it should. For sure, you enjoyed going to the gym with him every weekend after work, getting the stress of the week out of your system as well as good exercise. However today, you weren't working and just lazily lounging on your bed. Having finished your assignment two days ago you were a free bird for just today. A free bird physically but mentally you were stressing about the message from Seungcheol and perhaps the message from Wonwoo as well about him reading facial and vocal expressions.
Sitting upright on the bed as you grab your phone on the nightstand. Glancing out the window for a weather update. Someone who is mindful and could keep a secret for a while. Seokmin would be a good choice, except he may accidentally spill the secret sooner or later. Seungkwan is also a good candidate, but the advice he gives usually drags on and on and sometimes gets lost in translation. There is Minghao, his advice doesn't usually drag on like Seungkwan’s and when given him something to keep a secret from the group he doesn’t unintentionally spill it. Quickly scrolling through your contact as you type up a message to hang out, a little nature walk to clear your head. The nature walks in the past that you have done with Minghao has always been helpful, especially when the weather is on a good day and today’s weather just happens to be great, sunny with partial clouds and very soft wind breeze.
Hours of walking in the flower arboretum, and halfway through the walking paths, you settled yourself down on a nearby wooden bench gazing at the water fountain in the area, meanwhile Minghao is a few feet behind admiring the weeping higan cherry trees. The statues on the water fountain, strangely, change shapes into Seungcheol and Wonwoo. The illusions get to you as the statues wave in your direction. “I’m going crazy,” mumbling to yourself as you shut your eyes tightly and re-opening to make sure everything is back in place. To which it was. The statues on the water fountain are lifeless and the shape of two disfigured persons. “That was weird and strangely frightening.” Clutching your heart with your hands as you take in deep breaths from the shock of the illusion.
“What was weird and frightening?” Minghao asks, walking up to the wooden bench and settling himself next to you.
Not looking at him and still gazing at the water fountain and statues upon it, you cross your foot over another, swinging them softly back and forth. “Nothing. Well, there is something. But I don’t know. It’s confusing me. Which is most likely the reason why I messaged you for a nature walk today.”
“I sort of knew you were in a mind fog when you mentioned nature walk.” Minghao chuckled lightly. His gaze also looked at the water fountain. “May I ask? Is this about Seungcheol?” Nodding your head lightly at Minghao’s question. “First, what is he to you that has gotten your mind in a fog?”
Mind scrambling at the thoughts of what and who Seungcheol is to you, a tiny grin forming on your lips at the thought and slight image of him. “I really didn’t think I would befriend him after colliding into him but after meeting him in class and our study sessions together. Seungcheol is very sweet, he’s also caring, very protective, charming, and funny. Going to the gym with him, now that I'm telling someone about it. Going to the gym was mainly what I said and Seungcheol just went with it. I’m realizing a lot of the things I say ends up becoming real because they always go along with it, even if the things I say are completely wrong, they still want to go for it.”
Minghao stared in confusion at how you switched up your perspective, from Seungcheol alone to suddenly using “they” as if there were two people instead of one.
“They?” Minghao asks, getting a reaction from you as you softly clear your throat.
“Oh, they? I meant Seungcheol, he, him…” flustered at his sudden question, as you try to cover it up. The gaze from Minghao didn’t help the cover up, and this whole walking thing was your idea to get some clarity of things. “Okay. They. Seungcheol and Wonwoo, who will at this point, you guys only know as macaron guy.”
“The macaron guy? When did you meet him?”
“At work. Sometimes after work, we hang out a little and it resulted in me baking a lot to give it to him to critique, which has all been good and he gives the little details of them. Wonwoo is nice, he’s also very smart, perceptive, charming, analytical, and quiet. There were a couple of times we had those “awkward silence” moments but it always ends up with him making me laugh.”
Minghao didn’t know what to think or react to all of this. He and the rest of the group were sure you weren’t ready to open up to a new relationship yet, but from the way you started chatting up a storm about Seungcheol and Wonwoo it seems like you were, in a way, ready for a new start. Sort of. He could tell you were hesitant and scared of something brewing up between them, the last relationship you had was horrible and it damaged your mind internally and it just been a year since then, so he could tell you were hesitant.
“But, Hao, could you not tell the others about Seungcheol and Wonwoo just yet. I will eventually tell the group about them, when my feelings are in full clarity and I know exactly what I want. Also, I don’t even know if they like me like that. Right now, being friends with them is fine. And even if nothing happens, I am happy with these friendships.”
After the some-what peaceful nature walk with Minghao, as well as telling him what's been dwelling inside of you for a few weeks now.
Later
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synopsis: you’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
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arn: sorry for the delay. the scheduled queued post caught up in real time. That's pretty much the only reason why you guys haven't seen any new posts lately.
Credit for the Tablespoondotcom for the petit four picture. Literally the only credit I will remember :]
A loud clanging noise comes from downstairs as you set down your phone, hearing a continuous ding on your phone as you knew Seungcheol was sending a message. However the clanging noise downstairs was more important. Not a burglar you hope. It’s past 10 at night and the guys are home so obviously not a burglar. Maybe Seokmin or Seungkwan were sleepwalking and they ran into a wall or fell down the stairs. The thought of one of them sleepwalking and falling down the stairs is a definite hazard.
Once down the flight of stairs, your head tilted to the side at the confusion before you. Seungkwan holding onto Joshua, who was leaning himself on the couch and who also is looking fairly intoxicated and Seokmin with his head leaning on the wall and his eyes fairly closed. Both seem to have gone out to drink.
“Oh, that is what the clanging noise was.” You muttered with a sigh. Softly shaking your head as you step over to the two gentlemen. “What happened? And why are they so drunk? And how did they even get back home in this state?”
“I don’t know.” Seungkwan shrugged his shoulders. Adjusting Joshua on the couch as he just let the taller man slide over onto the cushions. “One of them was banging on the door and then I came down and opened it and they both hugged me. Seokmin fell over there by the wall and Shua fell into my arms and here we are.”
“You take Seokmin up to his room and I will take care of Joshua.” Seungkwan’s eyes avert towards a soft head banging Seokmin and Joshua who is half dozing off on the couch. He turned back to meet you in the gaze with a soft sigh and a pout of his lips. “What?”
“I kind of wanted to take Joshua. He seems less of a handful and all I gotta do is get an extra pillow.” Seungkwan nodded his head, his hands clasped together in a pleading motion.
“Fine. I will take Seokmin up to his room. Use the soft throw blanket for Joshua, it’s not that chilly tonight.”
Stepping away from the couch as you walk over towards the entrance where Seokmin still has his head leaning against the wall and his eyes softly shut. Lightly touching his upper arm as you lean in to see if he really is asleep, from the angle it looked like it. “Come on Seok, let’s get to bed.” Grabbing his huge arms in your tiny hands as you guide him, the best way possible, because his weight is at most two times more than yours. “It’s funny that I was drunk a few days ago and now it’s you who is drunk. Who’s the weakingly now? Probably still me though.” Chuckling softly with a grunt as you hold onto Seokmin tighter and trying hard not to let him slip off of your hands because with a weight like his and being intoxicated, all that weight leans into you rather than him. “I hate these stairs. I hate these stairs,” mumbling to yourself as you huff a breath of air and balancing most of Seokmin’s weight onto one side of you.
After a while and a loud huff of air, plopping Seokmin’s body directly on top of his bed as you stretch out your tired and aching arms. “Where did you and Joshua go drinking?” Mumbling to yourself as you pull the duvet over his body, lightly tucking it into him.
Seokmin mumbles, turning his head to the side as you lean closer, trying to hear what he might say while intoxicated. Softly leaning closer and holding your breath so he doesn’t wake.
“Who are you guys? Don’t hurt Yn.”
Your heart breaks at hearing Seokmin’s mumbled words. Perhaps it is a good idea to tell someone about Seungcheol, and perhaps maybe Wonwoo too. Though the thought of it all, makes it more confusing. Seokmin pleading for them, even though he doesn’t know them well enough not to hurt you. The idea of Seungcheol or Wonwoo hurting you is unimaginable, having met them and hanging out with them has been exciting and fun. As well as them being able to get your walls down a smidge and letting them inside but it is still a long way to go to know them better and for them to know you as well. Questioning your new friendship with Seungcheol and the times you hung out together, most of the time studying and having dinner, and going to the gym. He doesn’t seem like he’s making a move, everything he has done is friendly and what the group usually does around you. The same would go for Wonwoo, the times you met Wonwoo at the cafe and baked for him and recently that dinner he took you to, it all seems friendly and he also doesn’t seem to be making a flirtatious move on you.
“It’s nothing, right?” Questioning yourself and the thoughts inside your mind, trying not to overthink. “I’m sure it is nothing. They are nice guys. Gentlemanly and charming. I am sure it is nothing.” Nodding and then shaking your head at the back and forth statements brewing inside of your mind.
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The next night
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synopsis: you’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
synopsis: you’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
synopsis: you’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
semi-written. also, this part is mostly Chan's perspective
*this one also got major work done too
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Disbelief isn't the word he would use, it would have been at first, but now that he is deep in this investigation, he is very much attentive and simply just wanting the truth. For sure, he can't use the acronym hmbg anymore. Knowing who that person actually is. Taking notes from what Seokmin had told him about wary gazes from students, Chan chose not to wear his old man disguise and prompt for a “student” type look. That would make him more visible and noticeable in case Yn does see him. “It’s fine, I can just hide behind something.” Chan swept the front of his hair into a comma shape with the comb. “Oh, binoculars. If I’m going to hide, I better need binoculars so I can see them better and Yn can’t see me.” Setting down the comb on his night stand, as he opens the drawer to get his binoculars out from its confines. With light bounces in his steps, he heads out of the house in determination to find out more about Seungcheol and possibly the identity of the new man; macaron guy.
Chan wanders around campus, with his binoculars hanging around his neck, only using it when he spots Yn and Seungcheol. Knowing that Seungcheol has the same major as her, he strides with a pep in his steps. Hiding behind columns, statues, and bushes when he sees Yn. Peeking his head to the side with his binoculars in his hands. “Aha, it’s Seungcheol. Man, that man, he is sexy and big. When does he have the time to go to the gym? Those are some big guns.” Chan’s binoculars shifted from looking at Yn to looking at Seungcheol. Mesmerized by the muscles of his arms and his wide chest and shoulders, his mouth hung open slightly. Coming back to his senses when Seungcheol took Yn’s laptop carrier into his hand. Watching them walk away, and noticing how close their hips were next to one another. Chan shifted his binoculars back onto Yn, noticing the wide grin on her face and the way she tucked her hair behind her ear. “Is she being flirty? Or, wait, I can’t really tell.” Chan moves his head side to side, keeping the binoculars close to his eyes as he walks forward, trying to keep the vision aligned. That, until he tripped into an unsuspecting bush in front of him. “Ah, fhoo,” he shouted. Getting tangled inside of the bush as he tries to get himself up.
Throughout the rest of the hours, after he had untangled himself from the bushes. Chan left university campus feeling somewhat with viable evidence on who the mystery persons are. Well, 2 out of 3. He was certain that the hmbg guy was certainly Seungcheol. Now all he needs to know is who the macaron guy is, and while spending his days watching you and Seungcheol fool around and enjoy each other's company, he realized how giddy and smiley you have been with him. He liked it that you were comfortable and enjoying yourself with Seungcheol, but a part of him worries a teeny bit because of what happened in the past. Chan walked down the streets, finding himself close to the cafe that you work at. You weren’t working today but he was near and he wanted some coffee plus pastries from investigating for almost half of the day. He walked in, went straight to the counter and ordered himself a brown sugar iced coffee and a chocolate croissant. Chan took his wait number and went to find a vacant table while waiting for his order to be called up. As he waits, he gazes around the cafe, the little kittens wandering around and the adult kittens lounging around in their spot. His gaze stops at a table, staring with focus at the person sitting three tables away. “Damn, he is handsome. And the spectacles he’s wearing makes him ten times more handsome. He might be more handsome than Seungcheol? Nah, Seungcheol is pretty hot. About equal. They’re both equally handsome and hot.” Chan mumbled to himself, lost in a trance at staring at the handsome fellow a few tables away from him as his wait number buzzed on the table top signaling that his order was ready. Chan went up to get his order, walking back to his table as he settled back in his table, taking a sip of his iced coffee. His ears picked up at the entrance door jingle, slightly glimpsing over as he sees you walking in. Seungcheol wasn’t with you, meaning he went home and you came to the cafe for some coffee just like him. He watched you walk up to the counter and ordered whatever coffee you had picked out. Taking a bite of his chocolate croissant, he waited to see if you would notice him at the table, however you didn’t, for one, his table was at the side wall. Chan watched you walk straight past him, heading towards the direction of the strange handsome man he was ogling at moments ago. “Wait,” Chan whispered. “Who?” His eyes popped wide at a thought in his mind. “Macaron guy? No. No f-ing way? Could it?” Chan continued to watch as he sipped more of his iced coffee and took more bites of his chocolate croissant. The eye smile on your face gave you away that handsome man at the cafe is most likely the macaron guy. Chan felt very good about his investigation and a part of him wants to tell the group about his discovery, however, he obliged on that part and decides to not say anything as of now until further notice.
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synopsis: you’re a podcast host that tells stories about your ordinary/ extraordinary week with sprinkles of whimsy and positive notes for listeners that you don’t even know, listen to and love. Never revealing your name on the podcast, your little podcasts skyrockets thanks to another podcast known for their logic and theories. Soon becoming entangled with their podcast and a couple of their hosts.
Frequency (noun): 1.) the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
