‘ KEEP YOU SATISFIED. ⊹ ࣪ ˖
ZHAO JAMES x FEM!READER ‘ genre — angst, small bits of fluff ⋆˚࿔ You were aware of James’s rising popularity in the music industry, with becoming a member of Cortis, you knew James couldn’t always give you his 100%. but what happens when he slowly grows more distant?
an: reader is lowkey needy but not really hm idk- also this fic is heavily inspired by the song keep you satisfied hence the name anyways enjoy this because I have been procrastinating writing it lol okie yes! 😭
MY LIFE, MY HOPES AND DREAMS.
You lean your head against the cool glass of the Uber window, your eyelids growing heavy as a yawn escapes you. Just as you’re about to drift off, your phone buzzes, quickly making you snap back into reality. it’s a text from James.
The text shows a photo of James next to the statue of liberty, arms stretching out to make it look like he’s holding the statue.
He paired the photo with a message saying, “it’s the statue of literby! 😳🔥”
His dumb joke somehow causing you to smile.
Awoken from the sleepy state you were once in, you messsge back, “that crazy moment when your bf is so strong he can hold the statue of liberty in his hands! 😱”
You let out a quiet sigh as you set your phone down. It was ridiculous to feel like this, yet you couldn’t quite name the emotion washing over you. It wasn’t as if you could blame James for being busy—he was an idol, after all. A rookie still finding his place in the spotlight. Why risk his career over a relationship scandal?
James lay back on his bed and reached for his phone on the nightstand. After a few scrolls through social media, he opened his messages and found your name. His thumbs hovered over the keyboard, hesitating as he tried to gather the right words for what he wanted to say.
“hey yn, my day’s been pretty good — busy, but good. hope yours was great too! I was gonna say goodnight, but you might already be asleep... so good morning?? lol time zones are crazy. anyway, I miss you so much and I love you!!”
I STOOD ALL THE JEALOUSY ‘ THE BITCHIN TOO
This was your first fight with James since he left to make his debut. The fact that it was all done via text made it even more frustrating to try to express your feelings.
James: I just don’t understand what you’re so mad about!?
yn: I didn’t say I was mad.
James: well clearly something is bugging you. why won’t you just tell me????
yn: I’m fine! I just wanted to ask you why you’ve stopped messaging me entirely?
James: What?? I know that. I explained that i’ve just been busy but it’s like you think i’m lying.
yn: I don’t think you’re lying. wtv idc. I gotta go.
You let out a weary sigh as you set your phone down beside you on the bed, burying your face in the pillow as tears began to spill.
HOW DID WE END UP LIKE THIS? OH BABY, LET ME REMINISCE.
It had not always been this way. It used to be different. You could still recall the state fair, one of your favorite memories with James.
The sweet, heavy scent of cotton candy, funnel cakes, and fried scents in the air, wrapping around you as you scanned the rows of food stalls, trying to decide what to eat first. You tugged on James’s hand and pointed toward a group of people munching on corn dogs.
He turned to you, a teasing smile tugging at his lips, and shook his head.
“It’d make more sense to go on the rides first—then eat,” he said with a smug look on his face as he turned his attention to the rides.
You frowned, crossing your arms. “Who said I was going on any rides?”
“I did,” James replied simply, grinning as he placed his hands on your shoulders and steered you toward one of the rides on the fair.
You couldn’t even remember what it was called—all you could recall was the sound of your own squeals as you clung to James for dear life, eyes squeezed shut. He didn’t seem to mind at all.
The night dragged on as you two found yourselves sitting on a bench eating churros.
“Good?” He asks, his gaze landing on you.
You nod. cheeks puffed up as you chew down on the churro.
James chuckled to himself.
“What?” You say, looking around for anything that could possibly be funny.
“You’re cute.” He says, smiling as he awaits your reaction.
You give him a deadpan look “Yeah yeah.” you say scoffing.
“You don’t think I mean it?” He says teasingly as he inches closer towards you.
“Stop!” you say giggling as you swat his face away.
He somehow managed to finesse his way out of your hands and land a kiss on your lips.
You immediately looked away to hide the blush that crept up on your face.
“Dont act like I haven’t kissed you before!” He says laughing, getting up from the bench.
“it’s different when it’s in public..” you mutter as you look up at him.
“Should we go?” he asks, tilting his head toward the way out.
“Yeah.” you smile as you get up from the bench and take his hand.
IT’S TOO LATE FOR YOU AND ME ‘ IT’S TOO LATE FOR YOU AND I.
It had been four months since you and James decided it was best to go your separate ways. Each day since, moving on had gotten just a little bit easier.
Your fingers flew across the keyboard, only to hesitate—and then delete everything you’d just written. Everyone always says cafés are the perfect place to get work done, but you’re pretty sure that’s just for the aesthetic. The place is far too noisy: loud chatter, and clinking dishes.
For such a small café, it’s unbelievably loud.
You sigh, lowering your head onto the table, deciding to take a break before the noises drives you insane. You’re entirely too overstimulated, making it impossible to focus on anything.
Your moment of rest is suddenly interrupted by the feeling of someone’s shadow falling over you. You glance up, hesitant—and freeze.
Your heart skips. What was he doing here?
“Hey…” he says softly, shoving his hands into his pockets.
That’s all you manage to say. You never thought things could get this awkward between the two of you — and yet, here you are. The silence between you somehow feels louder than the cafe itself.
“I hope you’re doing well,” he says after a moment. “I saw your post on Instagram. In one of the photos, it looked like this café, and I was like — no way, I go there too!” He laughs under his breath, tapping his fingers nervously against his jeans.
“You still look at my Instagram?” you ask, your posture straightening as genuine curiosity spreads across your face.
James smirks, rolling his eyes playfully. “You still look at mine.”
“Okay, well, you’re a celebrity,” you laugh. “kind of hard not to…”
Another silence falls between you—awkward and heavy. You draw a breath, about to speak, but James beats you to it.
He says it like he couldn’t stop himself if he tried. The words hang in the air, soft but sharp, and for a moment, you feel special. It’s comforting to know the feeling was mutual.
You nod slowly, unsure what to say.
“Do you miss me?” James asks, taking a seat across from you.
You shake your head quickly. “I should get going. You probably shouldn’t get too comfortable.”
“I asked if you missed me,” he repeats, his voice quieter now, but firmer.
“I…” You hesitate, searching for the right words. “I do. But… I don’t miss you enough to come back.”
The moment the words leave your mouth, you regret them. They sound colder than you intended. You watch as his expression changes—hope fading into something sadder.
He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t have to. The silence between you says enough. You both know it—he wants you back more than you want him.
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