↳ important note .ᐟ .ᐟ ── this 'sequel series' consists of short drabbles all taken place after the events of 'no doubt' ! it helps if you've read no doubt already, but they can all be read as stand alone one-shots if you want! you can read no doubt here!
↳ summary ── a series of drabbles that look into jake & y/n's relationship after she decides to give him a second chance...aka jake being an absolute total whipped simp for her but in the most endearing way possible <3 (also taking requests for them!)
↳ genre ── a mix of so so so much fluff, crack, smidges of angst, slices of life, but mostly endearing loser in love!jake :')
↳ pairing ── no doubt!jake x no doubt f!reader
↳ ✎ᝰ. ~ 500 to 1k each
↳ ✉ .ᐟ ── hai everyoneeee yall asked for it..so here it is! a lot of you guys said you'd want to see how jake earns y/n's trust back after the events of no doubt and i thought it'd be really cute to release a little timeline of drabbles that not only showed that, but also the general progression & growth of their relationship throughout that first year i never showed before the epilogue. i'm sososo excited abt this because i truly cherish nodoubt!jake & y/n's relationship so much and i LOVED writing it and never wanted to stop so im so glad i can revisit it again hehehe,,,and of course thank YOU all for all the immense love no doubt got & is still getting <333 ─ i hope you guys are as excited for this as much as i am lolz. anyways i alrdy have SO many ideas for them because i really just want to give their relationship the justice it deserves :')
parts included under the cut!
official parts of the series!
↳ recommend reading these parts in order!
↳ completed!
↳ yours
↳ first kisses, second chances
↳ and yet...
↳ stay the night...please?
↳ tell me what you want
↳ only you
↳ you're here, that's enough
↳ i’ve always known
↳ jake's thing
↳ even when it's hard...
↳ just let me love you, okay?
↳ say it again
↳ the easiest thing
↳ pretty privilege
↳ please, please, please
↳ you used to love me
↳ one year.
requested drabbles, headcanons, etc. .ᐟ
↳ random canon scenarios of jake & yn!
↳ these don't need to be read in any specific order :3
↳ ongoing // taking requests!
↳ would you still love me if i was a worm?
↳ happier with you
↳ not that big
↳ when he knows he's gonna marry you
↳ yn's reaction to desire : unleashed concept photos
↳ jake doing your grwm voice over
↳ drunk & clingy!jake
↳ jake & yn x wall-e & eve
↳ growing up with childhoodbff!jungwon
↳ how jake would propose
↳ jake & yn babysitting
↳ jakeyn v. canker sore
↳ when you feel insecure
↳ when the ex comes back
↳ jake leaving for tour
↳ you airplane feeding jake
↳ angst #1
↳ current boyfriend prank on jake
↳ jake talking about you on weverse live
↳ when another guy approaches you
↳ jake meeting your parents
↳ when you forget your lunch
↳ angst #2
↳ jakeyn & the tortilla challenge
↳ jake versus your sleeping positions
↳ when you lose the ring
↳ making out with jake (hc!)
↳ jakeyn v. the spiderman kiss
↳ jake when you're sick
↳ mornings with jake
↳ clingy!yn
↳ when you don't answer his texts
↳ watching love island w/jake
↳ jake's reaction to you catching the bouquet
↳ texts with nodoubt!jake (smau!) pt. ii
↳ bare minimum vs. princess treatment challenge
↳ when you surprise him on en o'clock
↳ jake v. ragebaiting my bf questions
↳ christmas time with jake
↳ when jake senses something is wrong
↳ valentine's day with jakeyn <3
↳ nodoubt!jakeyn as parents
more jakeyn content here! (faq, casual talk, etc etc..)
please let me know here or comment on this post if you'd like to be tagged in the updates!
I am an Engene and honestly this fandom has been so divided and honestly just tiring to the point where I’m debating getting rid of all my Enhypen stuff. You could say I’m a newer Engene but I don’t consider myself one after going through 2 Korean comebacks and one Japanese comeback. When Heeseung left I was sad and I mourned because I didn’t know what this meant for Enhypen or my future with them, after I had found out I couldn’t listen to their music for two months.
I say all of this to express just how much I hate how the fandom is acting towards each other, the members, and Heeseung. Listen I don’t give a fuck if you’re ot7 or ot6 but I do start to fucking care when you are disrespecting others, the members, and Heeseung. Whether Heeseung left in his own or was forced out he deserves respect like a human being, the members didn’t have any say so fucking respect them, and most of all just because people have a different opinion than you doesn’t mean you harass, dox, bully, or disrespect them.
I hate what this fandom has become and I’m tired of people dissecting every single fucking thing the members say or do for some sign that they support the boycott and fighting for Heeseung to come back. Jay said during his birthday day live to stop with the nonsense number game because instead of celebrating him because it’s his birthday everyone was too self absorbed and decided they wanted to be fucking Sherlock Holmes. Now Jungwon is saying to stop with the fanchants that are ot7 and everyone is just brushing it off, that it’s the company forcing him to say it. To that all I can say is that this is infantilization and parasocialism at its finest. You are projecting what you feel and want them to feel in every single thing they say and do, then you think that these GROWN men can’t speak for themselves or fight for themselves so you have to do it for them. No and no, they are grown men that have shown and spoken about how they feel YOU are the only one that can’t see it. I understand that they are kpop idols and with that there is some red tape but at the end of the day they are grown adults and if something was truly wrong they have the money and tools to stand up for themselves.
This is not my usual or what I do period but I just really had to say that because of the situation and my personal feelings have come to arise in a way that I could finally put into tangible sentences. I personally stand by Enhypen as an ot6 group and Evan as a soloist.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THE HYBRID SERIES IS CURRENTLY ON HIATUS. THIS GOES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS!
welcome to the HYBRID UNIVERSE. in here, we have editions of each boys as HYBRIDS. join me in experiencing how each HYBRID grows!
this is a hybrid!enhypen with a human!reader
SCHEDULE: I’ll try to write whenever I can probably when i’m feeling stressed with school🥲
warnings: mostly fluff, little angst. really light hearted so it’s safe for reading. I will add warnings to each chapter if there are any. overall, enjoy reading :D
want to be added into the taglist? just send an ask or go here!
you’ve adopted a new friend!
meet lee heeseung, a boy with adorable fluffy ears. be careful not to scare him though :( he gets startled easily.
would you like to meet him?
one
two
more to come…
oh? you’ve just stumbled upon a stray black cat
meet park jongseong also known as jay. he had been abandoned as a kitten and was now fending for himself. poor jay :(
would you like to befriend him?
one
two
more to come…
there were warnings but you didn’t listen to them. why should you? when you’ve grown up with an adorable puppy-like werewolf?
many were terrified of jake. simply because he was a werewolf. werewolf hybrids tend to be known as threatening and high maintenance but not jake though. your parents have been caring for him since he was a pup.
do you wish to love him forever and treat him well?
one
two
more to come…
whoops! you bumped into a toy poodle
his name is park sunghoon! he is usually really quiet but really playful once you get to know him! it’s weird because he likes the cold air of the skating rink. normally toy poodles don’t like the cold air.
would you like to train with him?
one
two
more to come…
oh? a small fox whimpering on a cold night? you had to save the poor thing.
meet kim sunoo, the desert fox you saved. he was thankful you had saved him and now he repays by helping you out at home! problem is…he was really hyper and active and you just did not have energy to keep up with him.
would you like to stay up with him?
one
two
more to come…
your parents have just adopted you a new white cat!
his name is yang jungwon. he loves lazing around under the sun in his cat form and he also loves you.
would you like to continue to care for him?
one
two
more to come…
a growl was what you heard from the cage. he was wary of you but you could tell…in his eyes, he is terrified. a black panther in a hybrid pound
his name is nishimura riki. he unfortunately has been abandoned as a cub and has lived in the hybrid pound since then…living conditions were harsh and you felt bad. he deserved the best after all.
in which you accidentally let jungwon know he's been cheated on, and instead of killing the messenger he... falls in love with you?
pairing senior center director!jungwon x preschool teacher!fem reader
genre crack, raunchy, neighbors au, angst, fluff
warnings profanity, crude humor, i’m shipmaxxing this entire chapter please, mentions of violence, drug mentions, this is lowkey a filler chap.
note this is 20 screenshots of pure bullshit. this is what i get for making this while delirious… also. the taglist is CLOSED!!! i appreciate the love, but taglist is already so long, and it’s a bit hard for me to keep adding ☹️
in which you accidentally let jungwon know he's been cheated on, and instead of killing the messenger he... falls in love with you?
pairing senior center director!jungwon x preschool teacher!fem reader genre crack, raunchy, neighbors au, angst, fluff warnings profanity, crude humor note the taglist took so long oh my god. Yeah ok.
@wonsade ur probably sick of the amount times I’ve reposted or your gonna be but this is too scrumptious to nawt so insane appreciation🥹 this series has gen made my week
in which you accidentally let jungwon know he's been cheated on, and instead of killing the messenger he... falls in love with you?
pairing senior center director!jungwon x preschool teacher!fem reader genre crack, raunchy, neighbors au, angst, fluff warnings profanity, crude humor note the taglist took so long oh my god. Yeah ok.
in which you accidentally let jungwon know he's been cheated on, and instead of killing the messenger, he... falls in love with you?
pairing senior center director!jungwon x preschool teacher!fem reader genre crack, raunchy, neighbors au, angst, fluff warnings profanity, crude humor -- note this is me projecting. keep crying men We love to see it.
JUNGWON WAS STRESSING. It's not often that emergencies pull him out of Friday night bingo, but it’s also not very often that he has his neighbors tell him he’s being cheated on. His apartment was only five minutes away from the senior center, but the drive felt like it took centuries. His brain is filled with worries of what if they’re gone when I get there? or what if you never loved me? It terrified him to even consider the possibility of his entire relationship being built on lies. He wanted to convince himself it wasn’t true, but you’d already slipped up, and the truth had been revealed.
He stormed down the hallway, footsteps heavy as he fumbled with his keys. He jammed them into the door, then froze.
There, in all her cheating glory, lay Gia, Jungwon's girlfriend of four years, and Park Sunghoon, Jungwon's arch nemesis from high school, tangled up together on his couch completely naked. He felt his heart stop for a minute, going tense as he stared down his girlfriend.
She shrieked when she saw him, popping up from her position on Sunghoon’s chest to cover herself with one of the throw blankets. “Fuck, Jungwon, it’s not what it looks like!” Sunghoon was only stunned for a mere moment, before yawning like situations like these were normal to him. He was smug, always had been, and it had driven Jungwon insane all his childhood. When he found out that Sunghoon was moving overseas for college he felt as if he’d won the damn world cup, but he never stopped to think about what he’d do if he saw him again.
Tears immediately stung Jungwon's eyes, vision growing blurry as he scoffed. “You… cheated?” Gia spluttered, trying to find a way to explain why she was in bed—or couch— with another man without sounding like a villain. “Jungwon, we— it was just a one-time thing!”
“No it wasn’t! Don't lie to me!” He shot an arm to the right, where your apartment stood. “The neighbor said this happens all the time! That you cheat on me all the time!”
Gia scoffed, “What does the fucking neighbor know, Jungwon!” She seemed to avoid the true question of the night, throwing the fire onto you instead, but Jungwon knew what she was playing at. “Jesus, Gia, I’ve never seen the neighbor leave her apartment to do anything but throw out her damn trash!” He laughed bitterly, “Are you seriously not going to own up to cheating on me? Are you that scared?”
“Alright, you wanna know? Fine! I cheated on you! It’s not my fault you’re always ignoring me!”
His heart dropped. It hurt more to hear it come out of her mouth than his own. “I… ignored you?” It took everything in him not to break down, his voice coming out soft. Gia sighed, picking up her clothes to put back on. “Jungwon, you’re always too tired from work to do anything with me, and you only ever talk about the senior center.” Jungwon spluttered, but she cut him off. “I just wanted to be heard too, and then Sunghoon came home from overseas, and I couldn’t help myself.” Her voice had lowered, quiet and raspy as she looked down. “I’m sorry.”
For a moment there was silence. And then–
“I need you to leave my house.” Jungwon’s voice had lost all its edge, a reflection of acceptance and defeat. Gia’s brows furrowed. “Wait, babe–”
“Please. Get out of my house.” He couldn’t even look at her, his eyes to the floor as he stood there, waiting as Sunghoon and Gia got their things. They left together, Sunghoon’s hand in Gia’s, and closed the door behind them.
Next door, Y/N had been listening to the whole thing play out, your sleep now made impossible with the sounds of arguing.
A knock came from the door, and Y/N froze. you knew it was Jungwon, but her mind traveled to two different places as you walked up to the door. One, is he going to blow up at me for ruining his relationship? Or two, is he going to suggest some kind of revenge plot to get back at me? Y/N’s imagination ran wild, but your mind came to a sharp halt when you opened the door to a disheveled Jungwon.
“Oh dear.” The words came out before you could stop them, immediately throwing a hand over your mouth, surprised at yourself. You stammered, “Holy shit, I’m so–” “It’s alright,” He laughed at your terrified expression, though there wasn’t much happiness on his face. “I look rough, don’t I?”
“Okay, listen–”
“I just wanted to say thank you,” he paused, his lips quivering for a moment. “Thank you for telling me about Gia, even if you didn’t mean to.” He had a hand on his hip, fumbling with the belt loops of his jeans as he figured out what to say next. “I know it must’ve been a surprise, the whole…thing.” You didn’t want to point it out, but you could see him unraveling in front of you– his eyes glossy with tears, blinking rapidly as he covered sniffles with coughs. You ignored it to the best of your abilities anyways.
“It’s…I just hope that you’re doing okay.” You heard how stupid it sounded directly after you said it, facepalming yourself with a sigh. You didn’t realize that Jungwon was crying until a choked sob filled the silence of the empty hallway. Your head shot up, only to find him a complete mess, his hand swiping across his nose as he let himself go. On instinct you pulled him inside, wrapping your arms around his waist as you closed the door behind him.
Jungwon broke down, making no effort to hide his sobs as he leaned into your touch, his head dug into your neck as he cried. “It– it hurt so much…” He whispered into your collar as you patted his back, rubbing gentle circles against it as you guided him to the couch.
He didn’t stop crying, not for a while, but you stuck with him throughout all of it, though you couldn’t stop the feeling that had been blooming in your chest.
You really tried to ignore it, the way you tensed up at the sound of his cries, the way he whimpered against your neck, the way his bloodshot eyes looked up at you.
Jesus Christ, this was not happening right now.
You froze, eyes squeezed shut as you gasped. Were you seriously attracted to Jungwon right now? You nearly laughed before you remembered the situation, but guilt filled your body immediately. You looked away from Jungwon as you mouthed to yourself, “I’m going to hell.”
ANOTHER S(CREAM) OF JOY! This gen made me laugh so hard I started wheezing 🥹 I love this and ngl I can’t blame y/n bc there is a special place in my heart for vulnerable crying and whimpering men
in which you accidentally let jungwon know he’s been cheated on, and instead of killing the messenger, he…falls in love with you?
pairing senior center director!jungwon x preschool teacher!fem reader genre crack, raunchy, neighbors au, angst(ish?), fluff warnings profanity, crude humor — note SSC is short for sunshine senior center, though i’ll probably mention that later 🙂↕️🙂↕️ anw first chapter hey!! and THANKS FOR 300 FOLLOWERS 😭😭💖💖💖
Genuinely I’m so glad I trusted my gut and clicked bc omg why is it so good??? I literally got to the end and cheered when I saw the next button y’all have no idea! I love this and obvi it was only right to follow the author!
I am three apples tall, I weigh 5 apples tho and I don’t wanna anymore so like what are some ways to lose weight in a HEALTHY way and workout/ get motivation?
fake texts | poly!ot8 x noona!reader | 12ss | MDNI
read part 1 first
this was supposed to be just two parts but it's turned into three, oops. I once again apologise for the formatting, iFake and I aren't getting along well these days.
been wanting to say this but the double standards i keep seeing towards evan and enhypen are so disgusting. literally just saw an “engene” said that the sin:bliss is gonna flop but praised ride or die and hyped his solo debut. said they were boycotting enha but proudly streamed his songs.
i’m not going to lie but this kind of behaviour makes me more protective of enhypen and i’m glad that most malaysian engenes i know are on the same page as me. i’m happy for heeseung and glad to see his solo debut going well for him, but i also cannot take any kind of disrespect towards the six members who chose to stay and chose this path for their careers. it’s literally not their fault at all that things turned out this way.
synopsis : living next door to lee heeseung has always been a nightmare loud, cocky, and impossible to ignore until one reckless night at a party leaves you waking up in his bed and running before it can mean anything you try to forget it ever happened, until two lines change everything, and suddenly the one person you can’t stand is the one you can’t escape.
pairing : basketball captain heeseung x neighbourf!reader
trope : accidental pregnancy + forced proximity
word count : 30.3k
warnings : blowjob semi public ?? , fingering, breast play, sex during pregnancy missionary, cowgirl, against the wall, abortion / termination discussions, anxiety, panic attacks, crying, self-doubt, identity crisis, fear of the future, toxic family dynamics, threats, pregnancy symptoms mentioned nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, mood swings, heightened libido/sexual needs, and body changes
🗯️ JO's NOTES < 🐻❄️ 3 ! : and here it is the long awaited part two, have fun reading >.< also listen to the playlist while reading
“and you didn’t bother telling me?”You looked up at him through tear filled eyes, still crying softly.“I I thought it was better this way,” you whispered, voice breaking. “You don’t have to be involved. I didn’t want to ruin your life or your future with the team or anything. I was going to handle it alone.”
Heeseung ran a hand through his hair, exhaling shakily. The congee he had cooked for you was still sitting forgotten on the kitchen counter, its smell now making you look even sicker. He set the pregnancy test down on the sink counter carefully, as if it might break.He didn’t know what to feel.
Part of him was angry that you had planned to go through this without saying a single word to him. Another part understood your fear he knew how much you hated him, how hard you had tried to pretend that night never happened. But the hurt lingered.
The realization that you were carrying his child and had already decided to end it without giving him any say it stung more than he expected.He crouched down slowly so he was closer to your eye level, though he kept some distance.“You were just going to do it and never tell me?” he asked, voice quieter now, but still carrying that edge of pain. “That’s my kid too, you know.”You didn’t answer. You just cried harder, curling in on yourself.
Heeseung stayed there on the bathroom floor with you, the weight of the situation pressing down on both of you. The silence between you was heavy, filled with everything neither of you had said since that night.For the first time since he found the test, he didn’t know what to do next.
Heeseung remained crouched on the cold bathroom floor, the pregnancy test long forgotten somewhere . The two red lines seemed to burn into his vision no matter how many times he blinked. The weight of what they meant pressed down on him heavily, making it hard to breathe normally.
You were sitting right in front of him, knees drawn up to your chest, face buried in your arms as quiet sobs continued to shake your shoulders. Your breathing was ragged, broken by hiccups, and your entire body looked small and fragile under the harsh bathroom light.Heeseung swallowed the lump in his throat. He set the test gently on the edge of the sink, then slowly shifted closer until he was sitting cross legged on the floor beside you.His voice came out quieter than he had ever spoken to you before.
“I support your decision,” he said carefully, choosing every word with caution. “If you really want to end this, then I support it. I won’t fight you on it. But I want you to think again, okay? Don’t make the choice right now while you’re scared and exhausted. Just give yourself a little time to be sure.”You lifted your head slowly. Your eyes were red and swollen, tears still streaming freely down your cheeks. Your voice cracked when you finally spoke.
“I don’t know if I can take the responsibility of a child,” you whispered, the words trembling. “I’m still in school my capstone project is due soon, I have exhibitions I want to curate one day I can’t do this. I’m not ready for any of it. I never asked for this. I never wanted this to happen.”
The raw fear and despair in your voice hit Heeseung harder than he expected. He watched as another wave of tears spilled over, and something inside his chest twisted painfully.Without thinking, he opened his arms.“Come here,” he murmured. You hesitated for only a second before you leaned forward and collapsed against him. The moment his arms wrapped around you, you broke completely. Heavy, gut wrenching sobs tore out of your throat as you buried your face in the crook of his neck, hands clutching desperately at the front of his hoodie.
Heeseung held you tightly, one hand cradling the back of your head while the other rubbed slow, soothing circles along your spine. He could feel every shudder that ran through your body, every shaky inhale against his shoulder. Your tears soaked through the fabric of his hoodie, warm and wet, but he didn’t pull away even for a second.
This wasn’t the Heeseung who loved teasing you in the hallway.Right now, he was just a boy holding a girl who was falling apart in his arms the same girl who had spent months hating him, and the same girl who was now carrying his child.
“I’ll book the appointment,” he whispered against your hair, his voice low and steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. “I’ll find a good clinic and take you there myself, okay? I’ll be right there with you the entire time in the waiting room, during the consultation, whatever you need. You aren’t alone in this. I promise you that.”
You cried even harder at his words, your fingers tightening in his hoodie as if he was the only thing keeping you grounded. Your sobs echoed softly in the small bathroom, raw and heartbreaking.Heeseung continued holding you, rocking you ever so slightly as he rubbed your back. He pressed his cheek gently against the top of your head, breathing in the faint scent of your shampoo mixed with the salt of your tears.
“I know you’re scared,” he murmured. “I’m scared too. But we’ll figure this out whatever you decide you don’t have to carry it by yourself anymore.”You stayed like that for a long time curled against his chest on the bathroom floor, his arms wrapped securely around you. Your crying gradually slowed into quiet, exhausted sniffles, but you didn’t pull away. For the first time since that reckless night, the wall between the two of you didn’t feel like a barrier anymore.It felt like something you could both lean on.
Heeseung didn’t rush you. He simply held you, letting you cry until your body grew heavy with exhaustion against him. His hand never stopped its gentle motion on your back, offering the only comfort he knew how to give right now.In that quiet, heavy moment, Heeseung wasn’t the campus king or the arrogant basketball captain. He was just Heeseung and for the first time, you allowed yourself to lean on him completely.
The next few days passed in a strange, heavy blur. After that night on your bathroom floor, something between you and Heeseung had quietly shifted. You had cried yourself exhausted in his arms, and he had stayed holding you without any cocky remarks or teasing. When your sobs finally slowed, he helped you back to bed, made sure you drank some water, and only left after you fell asleep.The following morning, he texted you.
Heeseung : Appointment booked. 7th September, 4:00 PM at the women’s health clinic downtown. I’ll drive you there
You stared at the message for a long time, fingers hovering over the keyboard. You wanted to tell him not to bother. That you could handle it alone. But you were too drained, too scared, and too nauseous to argue. So you simply replied
You : okay
The week leading up to the appointment was one of the hardest you had ever experienced.Your symptoms got significantly worse.The nausea was almost constant now. You threw up multiple times a day sometimes so violently that your throat burned afterward. Smells were unbearable even walking past the campus bakery made you gag. The fatigue was bone deep. You fell asleep in lectures twice, and once you had to excuse yourself from a group meeting because the dizziness became too strong.
Your breasts were painfully tender, and you felt emotionally fragile crying over small things like a sad song or a missed bus.Yunjin and Soobin were growing more suspicious.“Babe, you’ve lost weight,” Yunjin said one afternoon, frowning as she looked at you. “And you look exhausted. This isn’t just capstone stress. Tell us what’s really going on.”
Soobin nodded, his usual soft eyes filled with worry. “If you’re sick, we can help. You don’t have to keep saying you’re ‘fine’ when you clearly aren’t.”You forced a tired smile and gave them the same answer you’d been repeating all week.“I’m alright really just a lot on my plate right now. I’ll feel better soon.”They didn’t fully believe you, but they stopped pushing after a while. Still, you could feel their concerned glances every time you excused yourself to the bathroom or declined food.Through all of it, Heeseung showed a side of himself you had never seen before.He texted you every day.
Heeseung : Did you eat anything today?
Heeseung : How are you feeling this morning?
Heeseung : I’m heading to practice. Text me if the nausea gets bad
You had told him multiple times not to worry.
You : You don’t have to do this im fine
You : Please stop checking on me
But Heeseung ignored your protests completely. Every morning, he waited outside your door to walk with you to the university. When you told him it wasn’t necessary, he simply replied, “I’m going the same way anyway,” and continued doing it. In the evenings, he offered to pick you up from the library if you stayed late. You refused most of the time, but on two occasions when the dizziness was especially bad, you quietly accepted.
He also started cooking for you.He would knock on your door in the evenings with containers of simple, gentle food plain rice porridge with ginger, mild chicken soup, steamed vegetables, and light broths that didn’t trigger your nausea. At first, you felt awkward accepting them, but the meals were the only things you could keep down without throwing up immediately afterward.One night, after he brought over a bowl of warm congee, you finally muttered a quiet “Thank you” while sitting at your desk.Heeseung just shrugged, leaning against your doorway.
“You don’t have to thank me,” he said softly. “Just eat.”You watched him leave and felt a confusing swirl of emotions gratitude, guilt, anxiety, and something warmer you didn’t want to name. This was not the loud, cocky Heeseung you had spent months hating. This version was quiet, patient, and surprisingly caring. It made everything feel even more complicated.As the 7th of September drew closer, your anxiety skyrocketed.You kept having second thoughts.
What if I’m making a mistake?
What if I regret this later?
What if I can’t go through with it?
You would lie awake at night, hand resting on your still flat stomach, tears silently sliding down your cheeks. The fear and confusion were overwhelming. On the night before the appointment, Heeseung sent you one last text
Heeseung : I’ll pick you up at 3:30 tomorrow. Try to get some rest. I’m here if you need anything
You stared at the message for a long time, heart heavy with emotions you couldn’t even begin to untangle.You were terrified.You were grateful.And you had no idea what you were going to do.
The 7th of September arrived faster than you wanted.
You had decided to skip all your classes that day. The thought of sitting through lectures while pretending everything was normal felt impossible. Instead, you stayed in your apartment, wrapped in a blanket on the couch, heart racing every time you checked the clock. Anxiety sat heavy in your chest like a stone. Your hands wouldn’t stop trembling, and the nausea was especially bad today though you couldn’t tell if it was from pregnancy symptoms or pure terror.
You barely ate. You barely moved. You just sat there, staring into space, wondering if you were really about to go through with this.At exactly 3:30 PM, a soft knock sounded on your door.You jumped slightly, even though you’d been expecting it. Taking a deep breath, you walked over and opened the door.
Heeseung stood there, dressed in a simple black hoodie and grey sweatpants. His hair was still slightly damp, like he’d showered after practice — or maybe he hadn’t gone at all. His expression was calm, but his eyes held a quiet seriousness.“I skipped practice today,” he said simply, as if it was no big deal. “Ready to go?”
You nodded wordlessly, grabbing your bag and stepping out. The walk to his car was silent. The ride to the clinic was even quieter.You sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window, but your hands betrayed your nerves. You kept fidgeting twisting your fingers, picking at your nails, clenching and unclenching your fists in your lap. The anxiety was eating you alive.
Heeseung noticed after a few minutes.Without saying anything, he reached into the glove compartment, pulled out a small star shaped squishy toy, and held it out to you.“Here,” he said gently. “Squeeze this instead of hurting your hands.”You looked at the soft, pastel yellow star for a second before slowly taking it from him. It was surprisingly soft and satisfying to press. You mumbled a quiet, “Thank you,” barely audible, then started squeezing it rhythmically in your lap.
The small gesture made your throat feel tight.
For a while, the car was silent again, only the low hum of the engine filling the space. Then Heeseung spoke, keeping his voice soft and casual, clearly trying to distract you.“How are you feeling today?” he asked.
You shrugged. “Nauseous tired scared.”He nodded, eyes fixed on the road. “That’s understandable. You don’t have to be strong right now, you know. It’s okay to be scared.”
You squeezed the star toy harder. After a moment, you asked quietly, “Did you really skip practice for this?”“Yeah,” he answered without hesitation. “Coach wasn’t happy, but I told him it was important. He’ll get over it.”
You didn’t know what to say to that. So you stayed quiet. Heeseung didn’t push. Instead, he continued with light, careful small talk asking about your capstone project, telling you a harmless story about Beomgyu messing up a drill during practice yesterday, even mentioning how the weather was supposed to cool down next week. His voice stayed steady and low, never teasing, never cocky just there.
Before you knew it, the car slowed down.
You blinked and looked up. The clinic building stood in front of you modern, discreet, with a small sign that made your stomach drop. You hadn’t even realized how fast the drive had gone.Heeseung parked the car smoothly and turned off the engine. For a moment, neither of you moved. The silence returned, heavier this time.You kept squeezing the star toy, knuckles turning white.
Heeseung turned to look at you, his expression gentle but serious.“We’re here,” he said softly. “Whenever you’re ready I’ll go in with you. Or I can wait in the car. Whatever you want.”Your heart was pounding so hard you could hear it in your ears. The reality of why you were here hit you all over again. Tears pricked at your eyes, but you forced them back.You whispered, almost to yourself “I don’t know if I can do this”
Heeseung didn’t reply right away. He simply reached over and gently placed his hand on top of yours, the one still squeezing the star toy grounding you for a moment.“You don’t have to decide everything right now,” he said. “Let’s just go inside first. One step at a time.”You nodded shakily, still clutching the squishy star like a lifeline.The appointment was finally here.
And you had no idea what you were going to do.You and Heeseung walked into the clinic together.
The moment the automatic doors slid open, a wave of cool, sterile air hit you. Your heart was hammering so hard you felt dizzy. Heeseung stayed close beside you, not touching you, but near enough that you could feel his presence like a quiet anchor.The waiting room was brighter and softer than you expected. Soft beige walls, comfortable chairs, and gentle lighting. But what really hit you were the other women.
Several pregnant women were sitting around the room. One was gently rubbing her rounded belly while smiling down at her phone. Another was showing ultrasound pictures to the woman beside her, both of them laughing softly with pure joy on their faces. A third woman, quite far along, was resting her hands protectively over her bump, looking peaceful and content.You froze for a second, taking it all in.
These women looked happy excited ready.
You, on the other hand, felt like you were walking toward something terrifying. Your hand tightened around the star-shaped squishy toy Heeseung had given you in the car, squeezing it hard.Heeseung glanced at you but said nothing. He simply stayed by your side as you both approached the reception desk.
You cleared your throat, voice barely above a whisper.
“Hi… I have an appointment at 4:00. My name is [Your Name].”The receptionist smiled kindly and checked her computer. “Yes, I see you here. Please fill out this short form and have a seat. The doctor will call you shortly.”You quickly filled out the paperwork with shaky hands while Heeseung waited beside you. Once you handed it back, the receptionist nodded politely.“You can wait over there. It won’t be long.”
You both moved to two empty seats in the corner. The moment you sat down, your leg started bouncing anxiously. You kept squeezing the star squishy toy over and over, the soft pressure somehow helping you stay grounded. Heeseung sat quietly next to you, elbows resting on his knees, saying nothing but staying close.The silence between you two was heavy but not uncomfortable.
Every few seconds, your eyes would drift back to the pregnant women around the room. One of them laughed softly as she showed her partner an ultrasound photo. Another woman caressed her belly lovingly while reading a pregnancy magazine.
You felt a sharp pang in your chest.They look so sure so happy.You, on the other hand, felt nothing but fear and confusion.
Your hands were trembling again. You squeezed the star toy even harder.Heeseung noticed. He leaned slightly closer, voice low so only you could hear.
“You’re doing okay,” he murmured. “Just breathe.”
You didn’t reply. You just kept squeezing the toy.
A few minutes later, a door opened and a nurse stepped out.“[Your Full Name]?”You stood up on unsteady legs. Heeseung rose with you.
“Do you want me to come in with you?” he asked quietly.You hesitated for a second, then gave a small nod. You didn’t think you could do this completely alone.The nurse led both of you down a short hallway and into a clean, warmly lit consultation room. A woman in her mid-forties with kind eyes and a gentle smile stood up from behind the desk as you entered.
“Hello,” she said warmly, extending her hand. “I’m Dr. Kim. It’s nice to meet you.”You shook her hand weakly. “Hi I’m [Your Name].”
Dr. Kim’s gaze shifted to Heeseung with the same kind expression. “And you are…?”“Heeseung,” he answered. “I’m here with her.”The doctor nodded understandingly, not pressing for more details. She gestured for both of you to sit down on the chairs in front of her desk.
Once you were seated, Dr. Kim folded her hands on the desk and looked at you with gentle patience.
“So, tell me what brings you here today,” she said softly. “Take your time. There’s no rush.”You clutched the star squishy toy tightly in your lap, staring down at it. Your throat felt tight, and your eyes were already burning with unshed tears.You opened your mouth, but it took a few seconds before any words came out.
“I… I took a pregnancy test last week,” you whispered. “It was positive. I’m… I think I want to terminate it.”
Dr. Kim nodded calmly, her expression full of understanding and zero judgment.“I see,” she said gently. “Thank you for trusting me with that. We can talk about all your options today. First, let me ask how have you been feeling physically? Any symptoms?”
You took a shaky breath and started listing them the constant nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, tender breasts. Dr. Kim listened carefully, occasionally nodding and writing notes.
Heeseung sat silently beside you the entire time, a quiet but steady presence.Dr. Kim’s voice was calm and professional, yet warm in a way that felt intentionally soothing. She leaned forward slightly on her desk, folding her hands as she looked at you with gentle eyes.
“Since you mentioned your symptoms and the positive test, I’d like to perform a quick ultrasound today. This is just to confirm the pregnancy, see how far along you are, and check for a heartbeat. It’s completely external no discomfort. We’ll use this wand on your lower abdomen. Would that be alright with you?”
You nodded slowly, your throat too tight to speak properly. Heeseung stayed quiet beside you, but you felt him shift slightly closer in his chair.
Dr. Kim led you behind a pale blue privacy curtain to the exam bed. The paper sheet crinkled loudly under you as you lay down. She asked you to lift your shirt just below your ribs. The gel she squeezed onto your skin was shockingly cold, making you flinch.“Sorry about that,” she said with a small smile. “It’ll warm up soon.”
She placed the ultrasound wand on your lower belly and began moving it slowly, pressing gently. The screen beside the bed flickered to life with gray, blurry images. Dr. Kim adjusted the angle a few times, her eyes focused.You stared at the monitor, barely breathing.After a few moments of silence, Dr. Kim’s expression softened.“Here we are,” she said gently. “This is the gestational sac and right in the center do you see that little flicker?”
She pointed to a tiny, rhythmic pulsing on the screen.
“That’s the baby’s heartbeat.”The moment you saw it that small, steady flicker of life something inside your chest cracked wide open. Your vision blurred instantly as hot tears flooded your eyes. A choked sob escaped your throat before you could stop it. The tears spilled over, running down the sides of your face and into your hair.
“I can’t do this” you whispered, voice trembling. Then louder, more broken, “I can’t do this I can’t”
Dr. Kim immediately lifted the wand and set it aside. The screen went dark.Heeseung was already moving. He stood up so quickly his chair scraped against the floor. In one smooth motion, he was at your side, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you up into a tight embrace. You buried your face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably as your hands clutched the front of his hoodie.
“Hey shh, it’s okay,” he murmured against your hair, his voice thick. One of his hands rubbed slow, steady circles on your back while the other cradled the back of your head. “Breathe. Just breathe. I’ve got you.”
You shook your head against him, crying harder.
“I want the baby ” you sobbed, the words spilling out between shaky breaths. “I thought I could do it but I can’t… I can’t get rid of it. That’s my baby. I can’t do this to my baby”
Heeseung held you even tighter. You felt his body tremble slightly, and when you pulled back just enough to look at him, you saw tears streaming silently down his own cheeks. His eyes were red, his jaw tight, but he didn’t try to hide it.“You don’t have to force yourself to do this,” he whispered, voice cracking. He gently wiped some of your tears away with his thumb. “Not to yourself and not to the baby. I’m here. I’m right here, okay? You’re not doing this alone.”
Fresh sobs wracked your body. Heeseung rested his forehead against yours, his own tears falling onto your shirt as he continued speaking, soft and raw.
“We will have this baby,” he said, the words heavy with emotion. “I will do everything and anything for you and the baby. I promise. Whatever you need I’ll be there. Every appointment, every late night, every single thing. You’re not alone anymore. I’ve got you both of you.”
You cried into his shoulder, overwhelmed by fear, guilt, relief, and a thousand other emotions you couldn’t name. Heeseung held you through all of it, rocking you gently, his arms strong and steady around you even as his own tears continued to fall.Dr. Kim stayed respectfully quiet for a long moment, giving you both space. When your crying finally quieted into soft sniffles, she spoke gently.
“There’s no rush to decide anything today. If you’d like to continue with the pregnancy, we can start discussing prenatal care, vitamins, and scheduling your next scans. You can take all the time you need.”
You stayed pressed against Heeseung’s chest, exhausted but no longer feeling completely alone.
For the first time since you saw those two pink lines, the future felt a little less terrifying.Dr. Kim gave you both a moment to collect yourselves after your breakdown. She handed you a tissue box and waited patiently until your sobs quieted into soft sniffles. Heeseung never let go of you again one arm stayed wrapped around your shoulders, his thumb gently brushing your arm in soothing strokes. When you finally calmed down enough to sit up properly, Dr. Kim spoke in a gentle, professional tone. “Since you’ve decided to continue with the pregnancy, let me walk you through what comes next.”
She turned the monitor slightly so both of you could see it better and pointed at the image again.“You’re approximately six weeks along. Everything looks good so far the heartbeat is strong. We’ll schedule a more detailed scan around 8 to 10 weeks to check development. For now, I’m going to prescribe prenatal vitamins. You need to start taking them daily they’re very important for the baby’s neural development.”
She slid a prescription paper across the desk.
“Folic acid is especially crucial in the first trimester. I’ll also recommend a gentle prenatal multivitamin. Try to eat small, frequent meals if the nausea is bad. Ginger tea, crackers, and hydration will help. Avoid raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, and limit caffeine.”Dr. Kim looked at both of you warmly.“I know this is a big adjustment. If you experience severe vomiting, dizziness, or bleeding, come back immediately or go to the ER. I’d like to see you again in two weeks for a follow up. Do you have any questions?”
You shook your head, still overwhelmed. Heeseung, however, spoke up for the first time since your emotional outburst.“What should she avoid? Like food, activities, anything?” His voice was steady but serious.Dr. Kim answered patiently, explaining everything in detail while Heeseung listened carefully, nodding and even pulling out his phone to take notes. You watched him quietly, still surprised by how seriously he was taking all of this.
Before you left, Dr. Kim printed out a small ultrasound picture and handed it to you with a kind smile.
“Here’s your baby’s first picture. Congratulations.”
You took the small black and white image with trembling fingers. The tiny bean shaped spot with that flickering heartbeat was now printed in your hand. You stared at it, throat tight with emotion.
Heeseung helped you stand up. His hand stayed gently on your lower back as you both thanked Dr. Kim and left the room.
The car ride home was quiet. You clutched the ultrasound picture tightly in your lap, staring down at it the entire time. Heeseung drove carefully, one hand on the wheel, the other occasionally flexing like he wanted to reach for you but wasn’t sure if he should.
The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy. Now that you had decided to keep the baby, the reality of the situation began sinking in for both of you.
Heeseung was going to be a permanent part of your life forever. No more avoiding him in the hallway. No more pretending that night never happened. This baby would tie the two of you together whether you liked it or not. You glanced at him from the corner of your eye. His jaw was tense, eyes focused on the road, but there was something softer in his expression something you had never seen before.
What you didn’t know was how deeply this was already affecting him.Heeseung’s heart felt like it was going to burst. From the moment he saw that tiny heartbeat on the screen, something inside him had shifted irreversibly. This baby was his baby it already meant more to him than he could put into words. Despite all the pressure from his father, despite his complicated life and uncertain future in basketball, the thought of this child filled him with a fierce, protective kind of love he had never experienced before.
He already loved this baby.More than he imagined was possible.The car finally pulled into the apartment building parking lot. Heeseung turned off the engine but didn’t move to get out. The silence stretched for a few more seconds.Then he spoke, voice low and serious.“We need to sit down and talk when we get back.”You looked at him, still clutching the ultrasound picture. Your voice came out small.“…Okay.”
Heeseung nodded once, then got out of the car and walked around to open your door. He stayed close as you both walked up to your floor, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between you.For the first time, the two of you were about to have a real conversation.And the beginning of whatever this new future was going to look like.“Let’s talk at your place,” he said softly. “If that’s okay with you.”
You nodded. Your legs felt heavy as you both walked up to your apartment. The ultrasound picture was still clutched tightly in your hand. Once inside, you kicked off your shoes and sat down on the couch, exhausted. Heeseung closed the door gently behind him and sat on the armchair directly across from you, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.For a few seconds, the silence was thick.
Then, without any warning or buildup, Heeseung looked you straight in the eyes and said “Marry me.”
You stared at him, completely frozen. The words didn’t register at first. When they finally did, a shocked, disbelieving laugh escaped your lips.
“…What?” You let out another nervous laugh, shaking your head. “Heeseung, are you serious right now?”He didn’t smile. His expression remained dead serious, almost solemn. “I’m serious,” he repeated. “Marry me.”
You blinked rapidly, still trying to process what he had just said. Your heart was racing, confusion and shock swirling inside your chest. “Why would you want to marry me?” you asked, voice rising with disbelief. “Heeseung we don’t even like each other. We’ve spent the last few months hating each other. You used to call me Miss Morals and enjoy annoying the hell out of me. Why are you saying this?”
Heeseung didn’t look away. His gaze stayed steady on yours.“Because you’re carrying my child,” he answered plainly. “This baby is mine too. I don’t want to be a part time dad. I want to be there every single day. So marry me.”You let out a shaky breath and shook your head, tears already pricking at your eyes again.
“That isn’t how it works, Heeseung,” you said, voice cracking. “Marriage isn’t something you do just because there’s a baby. It requires trust and love and actually knowing the other person. We don’t have any of that. We don’t even know each other. Not really. All we’ve ever done is argue and avoid one another.”
Something painful flashed across Heeseung’s face a deep, raw hurt that made his eyes darken and his jaw tighten. He looked away for a second, swallowing hard, before forcing himself to meet your eyes again.
“We can make it work if we try,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. “People build marriages on less. We can learn to get along. For the baby’s sake.”You felt your chest tighten. The tears you’d been holding back finally spilled over.“What if I haven’t met my person yet?” you whispered, voice trembling. “What if I meet the person I’m actually meant to be with while we’re married? What if you do? I don’t want to be bound to you, Heeseung. Not like this. Not when we started all of this hating each other.”
The moment the words left your mouth, you saw it again that same flash of hurt, deeper this time. Heeseung’s shoulders dropped slightly. He looked genuinely wounded, like your rejection had cut him far more than you expected.He stayed silent for a long moment, staring at the floor. Then he let out a slow, tired breath.“Okay,” he said quietly, his voice rough. “I understand.”
You frowned, confused by the clear pain on his face. You didn’t understand why he looked so hurt. You two had spent months being enemies. He used to thrive on annoying you. So why did your refusal to marry him seem to affect him this badly?Heeseung stood up slowly, running a hand through his hair.“I should go,” he muttered. “You need rest.”He paused at the door for a second, back facing you.
“I’m still going to be here,” he added without turning around. “For the baby. Whether we get married or not I’m not going anywhere.”Then he left, closing the door softly behind him.You stayed seated on the couch, ultrasound picture still in your lap, feeling more lost and confused than ever before.The silence after Heeseung left the room didn’t last long. Barely ten minutes later, there was a soft knock on your door again. When you opened it, he was standing there, looking exhausted but determined.
“Can I come back in?” he asked quietly.You nodded and stepped aside.Heeseung walked in and sat on the same armchair as before. You returned to the couch, pulling your knees up to your chest. The ultrasound picture was still lying on the coffee table between you two.Heeseung rubbed his face with both hands before speaking.“Look even if we’re not getting married right now,” he said slowly, “we need to at least pretend to date, right? For the baby. So people don’t ask too many questions. So it doesn’t look like some random hookup.”
You thought about it for a moment, then gave a small, tired nod.“Yeah that makes sense.”Heeseung looked relieved. “Okay good.”He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. “And about money I’m going to take care of all the expenses. Doctor visits, vitamins, food, whatever you need yours too you don’t have to worry about that.”You immediately frowned and sat up straighter.“I can take care of myself, Heeseung. I’ve been doing it this whole time.”
“I know you can,” he said gently but firmly. “But you’re carrying my child. Let me do this please I want to.”
You opened your mouth to argue again, but the exhaustion in your body and the look in his eyes made you close it. You eventually gave a small, reluctant nod.“…Fine.”Heeseung looked a little more relaxed after that. Then you asked the question that had been weighing on you.
“Are we going to tell everyone that I’m pregnant?”
Heeseung shook his head slowly.“It’s totally up to you,” he said. “You decide who you want to tell and when. I won’t say anything to anyone unless you’re okay with it.”You thought about it for a while, fingers tracing the edge of the ultrasound picture.“Soobin and Yunjin,” you said quietly. “I want to tell them. They’ve been really worried about me. And you can tell your close friends. Beomgyu, Jake, Jay and your coach, I suppose. They’ll probably notice eventually anyway.”
Heeseung nodded. “That sounds fair.”You hesitated, then continued.“What about our parents? We should let them know, right?”Heeseung’s expression changed slightly. He looked more tense.“Are your parents going to be okay with this?” he asked carefully.You gave a small, tired smile.“Yeah I think so. My mom and dad have always supported me no matter what. They might be shocked at first, but once they hear they’re getting a grandbaby they’ll probably be over the moon. They’ve always wanted grandchildren.”
Heeseung smiled faintly at that, but it didn’t reach his eyes. When you looked at him expectantly, he let out a long breath and leaned back in the chair.
“I don’t know how mine will react,” he admitted, voice quieter. “My dad he’s complicated. If he finds out I got someone pregnant while I’m still trying to make it to the NBA” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.”
You watched him carefully. For the first time, you saw the weight he was carrying the pressure, the expectations, the fear of disappointing his family.
The conversation settled into a heavy but honest silence. So many things were still uncertain. Your future, your relationship (or lack of one), how you were going to navigate this together.But at least now, you were talking. After the heavy conversation, Heeseung stood up slowly, running a hand through his hair. The air in your apartment felt thick with everything that had just been said and everything that still remained unsaid.
He looked at you for a long moment, eyes soft but tired.“I should go,” he said quietly. “You need to rest. It’s been a really long day.”You nodded, too drained to argue. Heeseung walked toward the door, then paused with his hand on the handle. “Take care of yourself, okay?” he said, glancing back at you. His voice was gentle, almost hesitant. “Eat something light if you can drink water text me if the nausea gets bad or if you need anything. I’m right next door.”
You gave him a small, tired nod. “Yeah I will.”He lingered for another second, like he wanted to say more, but eventually just offered a faint smile and left, closing the door softly behind him.The moment the lock clicked, the silence in your apartment felt suffocating.You were alone.You curled up on the couch, pulling your knees to your chest and hugging them tightly. The ultrasound picture was still on the coffee table, staring back at you. You reached out and picked it up, tracing the tiny bean-shaped spot with your fingertip.
Tears blurred your vision again.Now came the hardest part figuring out how to tell the people you loved.
Your mind immediately went to your parents. Strangely, that felt almost easy.Your mom and dad had always been incredibly supportive. They had raised you to be independent, but they’d also made it clear that no matter what happened in life mistakes, heartbreaks, unexpected turns they would stand by you. You could already imagine your mom’s initial shock turning into tears of joy once she processed that she was going to be a grandmother.
Your dad would probably go quiet at first, then start asking a million practical questions while secretly being over the moon.Telling them felt scary, but safe. You knew they would love this baby. They would support you no matter what path you chose.But Yunjin and Soobin?That felt terrifying.They were your best friends. They had watched you complain about Heeseung for months. They knew how much you couldn’t stand him. They had seen you avoid him like the plague. How were you supposed to tell them that you had gotten drunk at a party, slept with the neighbor you hated, and were now keeping his baby?
Yunjin would probably scream then cry then demand to know every single detail while spiraling with worry. Soobin he would be quiet at first, shocked, but then his concern would kick in. He would worry about your health, your future, your capstone, your dreams. You hated the idea of disappointing them or making them feel like they had failed to notice how much you were struggling.You buried your face in your knees, letting out a shaky breath.
How do you even start that conversation?Hey guys, remember how I disappeared at Sunghoon’s party? Yeah I slept with Heeseung. And now I’m pregnant.
The thought alone made you want to crawl under the blankets and never come out.You placed a protective hand over your stomach, still flat but no longer feeling empty.
This baby was real now. You had chosen to keep it. And that choice was going to change everything your friendship with Yunjin and Soobin, your relationship (or lack of one) with Heeseung, your entire future.
You stayed curled up on the couch for a long time, ultrasound picture still in your other hand, heart heavy with fear and quiet determination.
Telling your parents felt like something you could survive.Telling your best friends felt like walking into an emotional battlefield.But you knew you couldn’t keep this secret forever. Not from the people who loved you most.
The next morning, you woke up to soft, hesitant knocks on your door.Your eyes fluttered open, still heavy from crying and restless sleep. The ultrasound picture was lying on your pillow beside you you must have fallen asleep clutching it. Your body felt sore, your eyes puffy, and your hair was a complete mess. The nausea was already simmering in your stomach, a cruel reminder that nothing about this was a dream.
The knocking came again gentle, almost careful.You dragged yourself out of bed, wrapped a loose cardigan over your oversized sleep shirt, and padded to the door. When you opened it, Heeseung was standing there.
He looked freshly showered, wearing a simple black hoodie and sweatpants, hair still slightly damp. In his hands was a paper bag and two cups of what smelled like warm tea.The moment he saw you messy hair, swollen eyes, tired face you suddenly became painfully self conscious. You crossed your arms over your chest and tried to smooth your hair with one hand, cheeks heating up.Heeseung’s expression softened.
“I got you breakfast,” he said quietly, lifting the bag a little. “Something light. Ginger tea and plain rice porridge with a bit of egg. Thought it might help with the nausea.” He paused, looking almost nervous. “Can I come in and eat with you?”You hesitated for a second, then nodded.“Yeah okay. Just give me a minute to freshen up.”
Heeseung gave you a small nod and stepped inside as you retreated to the bathroom. You quickly brushed your teeth, splashed cold water on your face, tied your hair into a messy bun, and changed into a loose sweater and comfortable pants. When you came back out, Heeseung had already set everything up on your small dining table.Two bowls of warm porridge, the ginger tea, and even a small side of fresh fruit he must have brought along. He was waiting for you, standing awkwardly by the table.
You sat down across from him. The silence was soft, not uncomfortable.You both started eating slowly. The porridge was gentle on your stomach warm, lightly seasoned, and easy to keep down. For the first time in days, you actually managed a few proper spoonfuls without feeling like you’d throw up immediately.
After a few minutes of quiet eating, Heeseung spoke.
“I can drop you at university every morning,” he said, eyes on his bowl. “I’ll adjust my practice schedule if I need to. But I can’t always promise I’ll be able to pick you up in the evenings because of team practice and meetings. Still I want to take you in the mornings at least.”You looked up at him, spoon paused halfway to your mouth.“You really don’t have to do that, Heeseung. It’s not necessary.”He shook his head gently but firmly.
“It is necessary,” he replied. “You’re carrying my child. Taking care of you and the life growing inside you that’s my responsibility now. Whether we’re together or not.”His words hung in the air between you. There was no cockiness in his tone, no arrogance, just quiet determination. You stared at him for a long moment, a strange mix of emotions swirling in your chest, gratitude, confusion and fear.And something warmer you weren’t ready to name yet.You looked back down at your bowl, stirring the porridge slowly.
“…Thank you,” you whispered.Heeseung gave you a small, almost shy smile the softest you had ever seen from him.“You don’t have to thank me,” he said. “Just let me help. Okay?”You nodded, too tired and overwhelmed to argue.For the rest of breakfast, you both ate in relatively comfortable silence. Every now and then Heeseung would glance at you, making sure you were actually eating the quiet felt new different not quite friendly yet.But no longer hostile.
You both finished breakfast in a surprisingly comfortable silence. The porridge had settled well in your stomach, and for the first time in days, you didn’t feel like you needed to run to the bathroom immediately after eating. Heeseung cleared the bowls and cleaned up without being asked, moving around your small kitchen like he was trying not to overstep.
When he was done, he turned to you.“I’ll wait for you downstairs in my car,” he said gently. “Take your time getting ready. No rush.”
You nodded, still a little dazed from everything that had happened in the last 24 hours. Heeseung gave you one last look soft, almost careful before heading out and closing the door quietly behind him. As soon as he left, you hurried to get dressed. You chose something comfortable: an oversized hoodie, loose jeans, and sneakers. You brushed your hair into a simple ponytail and splashed some water on your face, trying to look at least a little presentable. Your hands were still shaking slightly as you grabbed your bag and the ultrasound picture (which you tucked safely into your notebook).
When you stepped outside, Heeseung’s car was waiting right in front of the building. You slid into the passenger seat, and he gave you a small smile before pulling out of the parking lot.The drive to university started off quiet, but Heeseung eventually broke the silence.“So…” he started, glancing at you. “I realized I don’t actually know much about you. Other than the fact that you hate loud music and call me an entitled asshole.”
You let out a soft, surprised laugh despite yourself.
Heeseung’s lips curved into a gentle smirk. “What do you like? Favorite food? Favorite artist? Anything.”
You thought for a moment, squeezing the star shaped squishy toy he had given you yesterday, which was still in your hoodie pocket.
“I like quiet places,” you said. “Museums, art galleries, bookstores with big windows. I love matcha, but lately it makes me nauseous so maybe not right now. I like soft music acoustic stuff and I really love curating imagining how paintings and sculptures would look together in a room. It’s calming.”Heeseung listened attentively, nodding.“What about you?” you asked, surprising yourself by actually being curious. “What do you like when you’re not being loud and annoying?”
He chuckled lightly. “Basketball, obviously. But I also like late night drives. And ramyun the kind that makes your nose run. I’m terrible at drawing, but I like watching you sketch when you’re focused. You get this little crease between your eyebrows.”You glanced at him, cheeks warming. The conversation flowed easier than expected. He asked about your favorite movies, what kind of exhibitions you dreamed of curating one day, and what you hated most about university (early morning lectures and group projects with lazy people).
You teased him lightly about his loud parties, and he admitted that he sometimes turned the music up just to see if you’d come banging on his door.By the time he pulled into the university parking lot, you were both surprised at how easily the conversation had come.But the moment you stepped out of his car, reality hit you like a truck.Everyone was staring.
Students walking by slowed down. A group of girls near the entrance openly gawked. Whispers started almost immediately. You were very aware of how it looked you, leaving Heeseung’s car early in the morning, him leaning over to say something to you before you closed the door.
Your face burned with embarrassment. This was a bad idea a very bad idea.You didn’t even thank him. You just lowered your head, pulled your hood up, and walked away quickly, shoulders hunched, eyes fixed on the ground. You could feel hundreds of eyes on your back as you hurried toward the main building.
Heeseung watched you go, his expression unreadable. He stayed parked for a few extra seconds before driving off to find a spot.
You kept your head down the entire way to your first class, heart racing, already regretting how public this was becoming.The secret was no longer just yours and his.And campus was about to get very interested in the sudden shift between the girl who hated Lee Heeseung and the basketball captain who was now driving her to university.
Your heart was still pounding wildly as you hurried across campus toward the Art History lecture hall. Every few steps, you felt like someone was staring at you. Whispers seemed to follow you like shadows “Was that Heeseung’s car?”, “Did you see them together?”, “I thought she hated him?” making your skin crawl with embarrassment and anxiety.You kept your head down, hood pulled low over your face, walking as fast as your tired legs would allow without breaking into a run.
The ultrasound picture hidden safely inside your notebook felt like it weighed a ton in your bag. By the time you pushed open the door to the lecture hall, your breathing was slightly ragged and a fresh wave of nausea was threatening to rise.Yunjin and Soobin were already in your usual seats middle row, near the window. The moment they saw you approaching, their expressions shifted.Yunjin’s eyes widened dramatically. “Oh my god, what happened to you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Or ten ghosts.”
Soobin turned in his seat, his gentle face immediately filling with concern. “Are you okay? You’re really pale.”
You forced a weak, tired smile as you dropped into the empty seat between them, trying your best to look normal even though your hands were still trembling slightly.“I’m fine,” you said, voice quieter than usual. “I was just running late this morning. Rushed here from the other side of campus.”Soobin glanced at his watch, then back at you with a small frown. “We still have like fifteen minutes before class starts though.”
You froze for a split second, heart skipping. Your mind scrambled for an excuse.
“Yeah I know,” you mumbled, quickly pulling out your notebook and flipping through the pages as if you were looking for something important. “I thought I was way later than I actually was. My brain’s been all over the place lately with the capstone deadline.”
Yunjin wasn’t convinced. She leaned closer, studying your face like a detective. “Are you sure that’s it? You’ve been acting weird for weeks now. Disappearing, not replying to texts, looking exhausted every time we see you”
You swallowed hard and kept your eyes fixed on your notes, refusing to meet their worried gazes.“I’m alright, really,” you insisted, forcing another small smile. “Just been super busy and stressed. You know how it is with this project.”Before Yunjin could push further, Soobin spoke up again, his tone soft but clearly concerned.“You didn’t reply to any of our messages yesterday evening or night,” he said. “We were both really worried. Yunjin was about to go knock on your door at midnight.”
Your chest tightened. You had seen the string of worried texts from both of them asking if you were okay, if you needed anything, if something was wrong. You had read them all but couldn’t bring yourself to answer.“I was just really busy,” you repeated, the lie tasting bitter on your tongue. “Got caught up with work and forgot to check my phone. Sorry for making you guys worry.”
Yunjin opened her mouth again, clearly ready to interrogate you more, but right at that moment, the professor walked into the lecture hall carrying his usual stack of papers and laptop. The room gradually quieted down as he set up at the front.“Alright, everyone. Let’s dive straight into today’s topic the evolution of museum curation practices in the late 19th century…”You let out a silent breath of relief as the lecture began. You kept your head down, pretending to take diligent notes while your mind continued to spiral.
The ultrasound picture hidden in your bag felt like it was burning a hole through your notebook. Heeseung’s words from last night and this morning kept replaying in your head. The weight of your new reality pressed down on you harder with every passing minute.Yunjin kept throwing concerned glances your way throughout the class. Soobin, ever observant, stayed quiet but you could feel his worried eyes on you from time to time.
You knew you couldn’t keep dodging them forever.
But for now, as the professor’s voice filled the room, you clung to this temporary escape, squeezing the star shaped squishy toy hidden in your hoodie pocket for comfort. The lecture hall felt unusually stuffy today. You tried your best to focus on the professor’s voice as he discussed 19th century museum practices, but your mind kept drifting. Your phone vibrated quietly in your lap for the third time. You discreetly glanced down, hiding the screen from Yunjin and Soobin.
Heeseung : Hey, just checking in. How are you feeling right now? Nausea any better?
You stared at the message for a few seconds, then typed back with slightly shaky fingers.
You : I’m okay still a bit nauseous but it’s manageable
Not even a minute later, another message popped up.
Heeseung : Good. What do you feel like eating for dinner tonight? I’ll make something light that won’t upset your stomach. Maybe porridge again? Or soup?
You bit your lip, thinking. The idea of him cooking for you again felt strangely comforting, even if it also made everything feel more complicated.
You : I’m not sure. Anything is fine, really I don’t have much appetite these days
His reply came quickly, as if he had been waiting.
Heeseung : Alright. I’ll go with mild chicken porridge with ginger and some steamed vegetables on the side. Easy to digest. Let me know if you crave anything specific, okay?
You read the message twice. A small, unconscious smile crept onto your lips without you realizing it. The simple thoughtfulness behind his texts remembering what your body could handle right now felt unexpectedly warm. Your thumb hovered over the screen as you considered how to reply.Yunjin, who had been side eyeing you the entire time, suddenly leaned over and whispered loudly enough for Soobin to hear, “Why are you smiling at your phone like that? You look suspiciously happy for someone who’s been acting like a zombie for weeks.”
You startled and quickly locked your screen, shoving the phone into your bag.“It’s nothing,” you muttered, avoiding both of their curious gazes. “Just a funny meme I saw.”Yunjin raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “A meme? Since when do memes make you smile like you just won the lottery?”Soobin chuckled softly beside you but didn’t push. Still, you could feel both of them watching you more closely for the rest of the lecture.
When the final class of the day finally ended, you packed your things slowly, hoping the crowd in the hallway would thin out. But the moment the three of you stepped out of the lecture hall into the bustling corridor, you knew something was wrong.
Eyes were everywhere.Students who usually walked past without a second glance were now openly staring. A group of girls near the notice board pulled out their phones as you passed. Whispers rippled through the hallway like a wave. Someone even pointed discreetly in your direction.
Yunjin noticed immediately and linked her arm with yours. “Okay, what the hell is going on? Did we suddenly become celebrities overnight?”Soobin moved to your other side, creating a small protective barrier. “It does feel like we’re in one of those high school drama scenes where everyone turns to look at the main characters,” he joked lightly, though his voice held clear concern. “Did you do something scandalous without telling us?”
You kept your head down, cheeks burning with embarrassment. You knew exactly why they were staring. The news of you getting out of Heeseung’s car this morning had clearly spread like wildfire across campus.You didn’t respond to their teasing. You just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible.
Just as you turned the corner toward the main exit, Soobin’s phone buzzed loudly. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his expression changed instantly from amused to shocked.
“Uh… guys?” His voice was unusually serious. “You really need to see this.”He turned the phone toward you and Yunjin.It was a notification from Decelis Confessions the infamous anonymous campus Twitter account that loved stirring drama.The post had already exploded with likes, retweets, and comments in a very short time.
Decelis Confessions : “Plot twist of the semester 😳
Spotted this morning basketball captain Lee Heeseung personally dropping off the girl who has publicly hated him for months. They looked pretty cozy getting out of his car together. What happened to ‘I can’t stand him’? 👀
Picture attached.”
Below the caption was a clear, well timed photo of you stepping out of Heeseung’s car this morning. Your face was visible enough for people to recognize you, even with your hood partially up. The comments were already spiraling out of control
• “Wait… wasn’t she the one who always complained about his parties???”
• “Enemies to lovers speedrun 💀”
• “Heeseung finally got the girl who hated him the most”
• “This is the most interesting thing that’s happened all semester”
Yunjin’s eyes widened dramatically as she read it. “What the actual fuck is this?!”Soobin looked at you with deep concern, his usual calm expression cracking. “Is this real? You came to school with Heeseung today?”You felt your stomach drop violently. The nausea you had managed to keep under control all day came rushing back with full force. Your hands started trembling as you stared at the post, frozen in the middle of the busy hallway while more students walked past, whispering and checking their phones.
The secret was no longer contained itwas public.
And it was spreading faster than you could ever hope to control.The three of you stood frozen in the middle of the busy hallway, Soobin’s phone still held out between you. The Decelis Confessions post glowed brightly on the screen, the photo of you stepping out of Heeseung’s car crystal clear for everyone to see. The comments were flooding in so fast the numbers were climbing by the second.Yunjin’s mouth fell open. “This is you this is literally you this morning.” Soobin looked at you with wide, concerned eyes. “You came with Heeseung today?”
You felt your face burn with embarrassment. The nausea that had been simmering all day surged violently, and you had to swallow hard to keep it down. Your hands were trembling as you clutched the strap of your bag.You forced yourself to speak, voice shaky but trying to sound casual.“He just dropped me because I was running late this morning,” you said quickly, repeating the excuse you had given them earlier. “That’s all. I told you guys I was in a rush.”
Yunjin wasn’t convinced. She crossed her arms, staring at you intensely. “Running late? Since when does Lee Heeseung play taxi for someone he supposedly hates?”
You shifted uncomfortably on your feet, avoiding their gazes. The whispers around you were getting louder. More people were stopping to look.“I… I have something to tell you guys,” you admitted quietly, your voice barely audible over the hallway noise. “But not right now. I’ll tell you when the time is right. I promise.”Yunjin’s eyes narrowed. She stepped closer, refusing to let you dodge this.“No way you can’t drop a bomb like that and then say ‘later.’ What is going on? First you disappear at the party, then you look like death for two weeks, now you’re getting out of Heeseung’s car like it’s normal? Spill it.”
Soobin placed a gentle hand on Yunjin’s arm, trying to calm her down.“Yunjin,” he said softly but firmly, “she said she’ll tell us when she’s ready. We should respect that. She’s clearly going through something.”
Yunjin huffed, clearly frustrated, but she backed off a little. Still, she couldn’t resist one last sarcastic jab.
“Fine,” she said, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Don’t tell me you’re secretly dating Heeseung now and you’re pregnant with his child or something.”She laughed at her own ridiculous joke.You, however, froze.
The words hit way too close to home. Your stomach twisted violently. For a split second, you felt like the entire hallway was spinning. You let out an awkward, strained laugh too loud, too forced trying desperately to play it off.“Haha… yeah, right,” you managed, the sound hollow even to your own ears. “As if.”Yunjin raised an eyebrow at your weird reaction but eventually shrugged it off, linking her arm with yours again as the three of you continued walking.
“Whatever but seriously, you better tell us soon. We’re worried about you.”Soobin gave you a small, reassuring smile, though the concern in his eyes didn’t fade. “Whenever you’re ready. No pressure.”You nodded weakly, forcing another smile as you walked with them toward the exit. Inside, your heart was pounding so hard you thought it might burst. The ultrasound picture hidden in your bag suddenly felt ten times heavier.
Yunjin’s sarcastic joke had been way too accurate.
And you had no idea how much longer you could keep pretending everything was fine.The rest of your classes dragged on painfully.You kept your hood pulled up the entire day, even indoors, trying to hide your face as much as possible. It didn’t help. Everywhere you went walking through the corridors, sitting in the library during break, or moving between lecture halls people stared some whispered some openly pointed a few girls even took subtle photos as you passed by.You felt incredibly small.
Like you had shrunk to the size of an ant under a microscope. Every glance made your shoulders curl inward. Every whisper made your stomach twist with nausea and anxiety. You kept your head down, eyes fixed on the floor or your notebook, clutching the star-shaped squishy toy Heeseung had given you like a lifeline. You barely spoke in group discussions. You barely ate during lunch, pushing the food around your plate while Yunjin and Soobin exchanged worried glances.Soobin noticed everything.He stayed close to you the whole day, walking on the side where more people could see him, subtly shielding you from the worst of the stares. During breaks, he tried his best to lighten the mood with his usual gentle humor.
At one point, while you were sitting on a bench between classes, he nudged your shoulder lightly.
“You know,” he said softly, “if everyone’s going to stare anyway, we should give them something worth staring at. Maybe start doing dramatic poses every time someone looks?”You let out a small, tired laugh despite yourself. Soobin smiled, pleased that he managed to get even that out of you.He kept it up throughout the day sharing funny memes, telling light stories about his roommate’s failed cooking attempts, and reminding you of that time the three of you got lost during a group project trip last semester.
His quiet, steady presence helped more than he probably realized.When the final class ended, Soobin didn’t even ask he simply fell into step beside you.
“I’ll drop you back to your apartment,” he said gently. “No arguments.”You were too drained to protest. The walk to your building was quiet, but Soobin made sure to fill the silence with easy conversation, never pushing you to talk about what was really going on.
When you finally reached your door, you turned to him with a small, grateful smile.“Thank you, Soobin. For today and for walking me back.”
He gave you that soft, warm smile of his. “Anytime. You know that, right? If you need to talk I’m here.”
You nodded, swallowing the lump in your throat. “I know. Thank you.”Soobin waited until you were safely inside before waving goodbye and heading off.The moment the door closed behind you, you leaned against it, letting out a long, exhausted breath. Your phone buzzed in your pocket.
Heeseung : Did you reach home safely?
You replied quickly.
You : Yes Soobin dropped me back
There was a slightly longer pause than usual before his next message came in.
Heeseung : Oh good that he was there. I’ll bring dinner over later if you want
You stared at the message. It was polite. Normal, even. But something about the “Oh.” and the brief delay felt off. Like a tiny flicker of something unspoken.You didn’t reply right away. You just slid down to the floor, still wearing your hoodie with the hood up, feeling the weight of the day crash over you.
The stares the whispers the rumors spreading like wildfire.Everything was changing so fast.You pulled out the ultrasound picture again and stared at the tiny flicker of a heartbeat, hand resting gently on your stomach.This little life inside you was already turning your world upside down.And now, even Heeseung’s messages carried a quiet weight you couldn’t quite name.
That evening, Heeseung showed up at your door right on time with dinner.He carried a paper bag filled with carefully prepared containers mild chicken porridge with ginger, steamed vegetables, and some fresh fruit slices. Nothing strong smelling. Nothing that would trigger your nausea. He handed it over with a quiet “Eat slowly,” waited until you took a few spoonfuls in front of him, and then left without lingering too long.
From that point on, the next month slowly settled into a new, surprisingly comfortable rhythm between the two of you.
Heeseung became a constant, quiet presence in your life. He was nothing like the loud, arrogant neighbor you had spent months disliking. He was attentive in ways that quietly surprised you. Some mornings, he would knock softly on your door with breakfast already packed simple things like rice porridge or toast with a little honey that your stomach could handle. Other times, he would show up in the afternoon with electrolyte drinks and medicine when he noticed you hadn’t left your apartment all day. On particularly bad nausea days, he would bring over warm ginger tea without you even asking.
He started staying over more often too. Sometimes he would sleep on your couch after bringing dinner, especially on nights when your anxiety kept you awake or the nausea was relentless. You would wake up to find him already making plain toast in your kitchen or folding the blanket he had used. His loud parties had almost completely disappeared. The music was rare now, and when it did play, it was kept low and ended early.
He was there for the small things too. When your favorite hoodie got a tear, a new one in the exact same oversized style appeared at your door the next day. When you mentioned in passing that the smell of your old shampoo made you sick, he came back with a new, scent free one. On days when the fatigue was overwhelming, he would quietly sit with you on the couch, not pushing you to talk, just keeping you company while you rested. You were now two months pregnant.
Your bump was still small enough to hide under loose hoodies and oversized sweaters, but your body was changing in ways that were impossible to ignore. The nausea came in unpredictable waves. The exhaustion made even simple tasks feel heavy. Your emotions swung wildly one moment you felt determined, the next you were crying over nothing. And yet, you still hadn’t told Yunjin, Soobin, or your parents.
Every time you tried to find the right moment, it never felt perfect. The fear of their reactions, their questions, and the overwhelming reality of it all kept stopping you.
This evening, Yunjin was coming over for a group study session. You had already texted Heeseung earlier in the day
You : Yunjin is coming over tonight for study. Can’t do dinner together sorry
His reply had been simple and understanding
Heeseung : No worries lmk if you need anything
At 6:45 PM, there was a knock on your door. You opened it expecting Yunjin.Instead, Heeseung stood there holding a small bag.“I know you said no dinner,” he said softly, “but I brought some light snacks in case you get hungry later. Ginger cookies and cut fruit. Just keep them in the fridge.”You took the bag, feeling that familiar warmth spread through your chest again. “Thank you,” you whispered.Heeseung gave you a small, gentle smile. His eyes lingered on you for a second longer than usual, like he wanted to say more, but he simply nodded.
“I’ll be next door if you need me.”He turned to leave just as Yunjin appeared at the end of the hallway, carrying her bag and laptop. The moment she saw Heeseung leaving your apartment, her eyebrows shot up.She waited until he disappeared into his own door before stepping inside yours and closing the door with a dramatic click.“Okay,” she said immediately, crossing her arms. “What the hell was that?”You froze for a split second at Yunjin’s question, then forced a casual shrug, trying to sound as normal as possible.
“He just had some extra fruits and snacks,” you said, avoiding her sharp gaze. “He was being a good neighbor, that’s all. No big deal.”Yunjin stared at you like you had grown a second head. She let out a loud, disbelieving scoff and crossed her arms tighter. “A good neighbor?” she repeated, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Heeseung? The same guy who used to blast music until 3 a.m. just to piss you off? The one you called an entitled asshole for months? Since when does he randomly bring you snacks like some thoughtful boyfriend? Come on. He’s never been good to you. He’s an asshole, and we both know it.”
Her words hit harder than you expected. You felt a pang of defensiveness rise in your chest, even though part of you knew she was right or at least, she used to be.You rubbed your temple, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Yunjin, can you please calm down? It’s really not that deep. Let’s just get our books out and start studying, okay? I’ll go get the snacks and cut fruits he brought.”You didn’t wait for her reply. You quickly moved toward the kitchen area, grateful for the excuse to escape her intense stare.
Your hands were slightly shaky as you took out the containers Heeseung had brought the ginger cookies, fresh fruit slices, and some light crackers. You arranged them neatly on a plate, trying to buy yourself a few extra seconds to collect your thoughts.
Yunjin muttered something under her breath behind you, but you ignored it and focused on the task.
Two minutes later, you returned to the living room with the plate of snacks, forcing a small smile.“Here, I brought—”Your words died in your throat.
Yunjin was no longer sitting on the couch.She was sitting on the edge of your bed, holding the ultrasound picture in her hands. The same one you had left on your nightstand earlier, half hidden under a notebook. Her eyes were wide, completely fixed on the small black and white image. The room felt like all the air had been sucked out of it. You froze on the spot, the plate trembling slightly in your hands. Your heart slammed against your ribcage so hard you thought it might break.
Yunjin slowly looked up at you, her expression a mixture of shock, confusion, and dawning realization.
“…What the hell is this?” she whispered, voice barely audible.The snacks suddenly felt too heavy. The plate nearly slipped from your fingers as the weight of the moment crashed down on you. You had imagined telling her a thousand times, but never like this. Never with her accidentally finding the proof before you were ready.Your mouth opened, but no words came out. You just stood there, frozen in the middle of your apartment, staring at your best friend holding the ultrasound picture of the baby you were still too scared to fully talk about.
Yunjin’s eyes flicked back down to the image, then back up to your face. Her voice cracked slightly when she spoke again.“Is this… yours?”You stood frozen in the middle of your room, the plate of snacks still trembling in your hands. Yunjin’s eyes were wide, locked onto the ultrasound picture she was holding. The silence stretched for what felt like forever. Finally, you gave a small, shaky nod.Yunjin’s reaction was immediate.
“Oh my god—” She dropped the picture onto the bed and rushed toward you, nearly knocking the plate out of your hands. She wrapped her arms around you tightly, pulling you into a fierce hug. “Oh my god, congratulations!!”You were completely taken back. Your body stiffened at first, but the warmth of her hug and the genuine joy mixed with shock in her voice broke something inside you. Tears welled up in your eyes instantly. You hugged her back, burying your face in her shoulder as both of you started crying.
Yunjin was sobbing softly, rocking you gently. “I can’t believe this You’re pregnant? You’re actually pregnant? Oh my god, I’m so happy for you but I’m also so mad you didn’t tell me sooner!” You cried harder into her shoulder, the relief of finally being seen of not carrying this secret completely alone anymore washing over you in waves. The two of you stood there in the middle of your apartment, hugging and crying for a long minute, the plate of snacks long forgotten on the table.
Eventually, you both pulled back, wiping your tears. Yunjin’s mascara was slightly smudged, and she let out a watery laugh as she cupped your face with both hands.“Tell me everything,” she whispered, still emotional. “When did this happen? How far along are you? Are you okay?” You sat down on the edge of the bed together. You took a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady yourself. “We we’re dating,” you said first, the lie slipping out carefully. “Me and Heeseung. It started after Sunghoon’s party.”
Yunjin’s eyes widened, but before she could react fully, you continued, dropping the bigger truth.“And he’s the father.”The words hung in the air.Yunjin froze completely. Her mouth fell open in pure shock. For a few long seconds, she just stared at you, processing.
Then she let out a breathless, disbelieving laugh.
“I I suspected something was going on between you two,” she admitted, still looking stunned. “The way you’ve been acting lately, disappearing, looking exhausted, and then suddenly getting out of his car this morning I thought maybe you were secretly seeing each other. But him being the father? Holy shit.”
She grabbed your hands, squeezing them tightly, her expression shifting rapidly between shock, worry, and tentative happiness.“Are you okay? Like, actually okay? This is a lot. And with Heeseung of all people” She trailed off, searching your face. “Do you want this baby? Are you keeping it?”You nodded slowly, fresh tears slipping down your cheeks.“I’m keeping it,” you whispered. “I saw the heartbeat and I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t get rid of it.”Yunjin pulled you into another tight hug, rubbing your back.
“Oh babe I’m here whatever you need. We’ll figure this out together, okay? You’re not alone in this.”
You clung to her, crying quietly into her shoulder again. The relief of finally telling someone, especially your best friend, was overwhelming. But the fear was still there.Because now that Yunjin knew telling Soobin, your parents, and the rest of the world was going to be the next terrifying step.
Yunjin pulled back from the hug but kept her hands on your shoulders, staring at you with wide, teary eyes. She looked like her brain was still trying to catch up with everything you had just told her.“Okay okay, wait,” she said, wiping her own tears. “Let me process this. You’re pregnant. With Heeseung’s baby. And you’re keeping it.”You nodded, sniffling.Yunjin took a deep breath, then launched into full best friend interrogation mode. “Is he taking care of you? Like, actually taking care of you? Or is he being his usual asshole self and making this all about him?” You shook your head slowly.
“He’s been really good, actually,” you said quietly. “He’s been showing up without me asking. He brings me food that doesn’t make me throw up ginger tea, plain porridge, light stuff like that. He checks on me every day. He even skipped basketball practice to take me to the clinic. And when I was crying in the doctor’s room he held me and he cried too.”Yunjin stared at you, completely stunned. Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again.
“…Heeseung? Lee Heeseung? The loud party guy who used to piss you off on purpose?” She looked genuinely shocked. “You’re telling me he’s been nice? Supportive?”You nodded again, a small, tired smile tugging at your lips. “He wanted to keep the baby,” you added softly. “When I told him I was thinking about terminating, he said he supported whatever I decided. But he also said he would be there for me and the baby no matter what.”Yunjin leaned back against the headboard, looking completely floored.
“I… I don’t even know what to say. That’s not the Heeseung I know. I thought he was going to be a total dick about this.”
You let out a watery laugh. “Me too but he’s been really different.” Yunjin was quiet for a moment, processing everything. Then, suddenly, her entire expression shifted. The shock melted away into pure excitement. Her eyes lit up as she grabbed your hands again. “Oh my god,” she squealed, voice rising. “We need to come up with a nickname for your baby! Right now!” You blinked, caught off guard by the sudden mood shift, but her energy was contagious. A small, genuine laugh escaped you.
“Already?” you asked, wiping your tears. “Yes! We have to!” Yunjin grinned, scooting closer. “Okay, okay what about ummm Bean? Because they’re bean sized right now!”You wrinkled your nose. “Too basic.”
“Peanut?”
“Even more basic.”
Yunjin tapped her chin dramatically. “Hmm what about Sprout? Little Sprout!”You giggled. “That’s kind of cute.” “Or or Bubbles!” You both laughed, the tension in the room slowly easing as you brainstormed together.Then Yunjin gasped. “Wait what about Bambi?”You paused. “Bambi?” you repeated, testing the name. A soft smile spread across your face. “Like the deer?” “Yes! Because they’re tiny and cute and probably really gentle and soft Bambi.” Yunjin bounced a little on the bed. “Eeek, I love it!” You looked down at your stomach, gently placing a hand over it.
“Bambi…” you whispered. The name felt warm. gentle and right.You looked back at Yunjin, tears still in your eyes but now mixed with a small, hopeful smile.
“I think I really like Bambi.”Yunjin squealed again and pulled you into another tight hug.“Bambi it is! Our little Bambi.”For the first time in weeks, you felt something other than fear and anxiety.You felt a spark of hope. And even though everything was still terrifying and complicated at least now you had Yunjin by your side and a little nickname for the tiny life growing inside you.
After the initial shock and tears settled, you and Yunjin barely touched your books.The notebooks and highlighters lay forgotten on the table while Yunjin sat cross legged on your bed, eyes sparkling with excitement. She was fully in planning mode, talking a mile a minute as she gestured wildly with her hands.
“Okay, first things first I’m calling dibs on being the godmother,” she declared dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. “I’m going to spoil this baby so much. They’re going to love me more than you.” You let out a soft laugh, wiping the last of your tears. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m serious!” she grinned. “And I’m team girl all the way. It’s definitely a girl. I can feel it. She’s going to be so cute, with your eyes and maybe Heeseung’s stupidly good hair. We’re going to dress her in tiny dresses and put little bows in her hair—” You shook your head, a small smile playing on your lips. “I don’t know I feel in my gut that it’s a boy.” Yunjin gasped, looking personally offended. “A boy?! No way this baby is a girl. I refuse to accept anything else.” You both laughed, but it quickly turned into a tiny, playful argument.
“You’re just saying that because you want to buy cute dresses,” you teased. “And you’re saying boy because you want a mini Heeseung running around,” she shot back, poking your arm. The lighthearted bickering felt normal, even. For a few minutes, the heavy weight of your secret lifted, replaced by giggles and Yunjin’s dramatic declarations. Eventually, she leaned back against the headboard, looking thoughtful. “I’m going to be in charge of the baby shower,” she announced. “And the gender reveal. And the nursery theme. All of it. You don’t even have to lift a finger.”
You smiled softly, but then your expression turned serious. “Yunjin nobody can know yet,” you said quietly. “Not Soobin, not my parents, not anyone. Not about the pregnancy and not about me and Heeseung att least not right now.” Yunjin nodded, understanding immediately. “Of course. I won’t say a word.” You continued, “Maybe in a month or two, we’ll start publicly ‘flaunting’ the relationship to make it look real but right now we need to keep things quiet.” “Got it,” she said, squeezing your hand. “We’ll take it slow. One step at a time.”
The conversation flowed easily after that. Yunjin stayed the night, just like old times. You both changed into pajamas, turned on a comfort movie in the background, and talked for hours about baby names, nursery ideas, how you were feeling, and how Heeseung had been acting. She listened without judgment, only offering support and the occasional teasing remark. Later that night, while Yunjin was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, you picked up your phone and sent Heeseung a message.
You : Yunjin found out about the pregnancy tonight. She kind of discovered the ultrasound picture on her own. She’s staying over right now. We also came up with a nickname for the baby Bambi >.<
You stared at the message for a moment before sending it. A few minutes later, Heeseung replied.
Heeseung : Bambi? I like it
Heeseung : How did she take it? Are you okay?
You smiled faintly at his concern.
You : She took it surprisingly well she’s excited cried a lot. Declared herself godmother already and yes I’m okay just tired
Heeseung : Good tell her I said hi and get some rest. I’ll bring breakfast tomorrow morning
You put your phone down and looked over at Yunjin, who was now sprawled on the other side of your bed, already half asleep. For the first time in weeks, you didn’t feel completely alone in this. You still had a long way to go telling Soobin, telling your parents, figuring out how to navigate this fake relationship with Heeseung, and actually becoming a mother.
But tonight, with your best friend beside you and a tiny nickname for your baby, things felt just a little bit lighter.
The next morning, you and Yunjin were still half asleep when there was a soft knock on your door.
Yunjin groaned dramatically from her side of the bed, burying her face deeper into the pillow. “If that’s Heeseung, tell him I’m interrogating him before I let him leave.” You smiled tiredly and dragged yourself out of bed, still in your oversized sleep shirt. When you opened the door, Heeseung was standing there holding two large paper bags and a tray with drinks.
“Morning,” he said softly, his voice gentle. “I brought breakfast for both of you. Figured Yunjin might be hungry too.”
He stepped inside after you let him in. The smell of warm food, mild porridge, fresh fruit, and ginger tea filled the apartment without being overwhelming. Yunjin sat up in bed, hair messy, eyes narrowing the second she saw him. “Oh, perfect timing,” she said, suddenly wide awake. She crossed her arms like a judge about to deliver a verdict. “Sit down, Lee Heeseung. I have questions.” Heeseung didn’t even look surprised. He set the bags on the small table and pulled up a chair, calm and composed. “Ask away,” he said simply. Yunjin didn’t waste a second.
“Are you actually taking care of her or are you just playing nice because she’s pregnant?” “I’m taking care of her,” he answered steadily. “Every day. I bring food she can keep down, I check on her nausea, I make sure she’s resting. I was with her at the clinic yesterday.”
Yunjin narrowed her eyes. “And you’re not being an asshole to her behind closed doors?” Heeseung shook his head. “No I'm not. I know how I used to act but things are different now.” She fired off more questions, one after another.
He answered every single one patiently about how he was adjusting his practice schedule, how he was handling the pregnancy emotionally, whether he was pressuring you about anything. He never got defensive. He just answered honestly and quietly.
After nearly ten minutes of intense questioning, Yunjin finally leaned back, looking slightly impressed.
“…Okay. You’re not as much of an asshole as I thought,” she muttered. Heeseung gave a small, tired smile. “High praise.”
Before he left, he turned to you. His expression softened as he stepped closer. He gently cupped the side of your face and leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to your forehead. “I’ll be telling my coach and close friends about us and Bambi today,” he murmured against your skin. “Just so you know.”
Your heart melted into a puddle at the gentle gesture. The warmth of his lips on your forehead sent a flutter through your chest. This wasn’t the first time he had done this.
You remembered the night a week ago when the anxiety had hit you particularly hard. You had been crying uncontrollably, overwhelmed by fear and hormones. Heeseung had shown up without being asked, held you close on the couch, rubbed your back, and kissed your forehead repeatedly while whispering that everything would be okay until you finally fell asleep in his arms. The memory made your cheeks warm. Heeseung pulled back, gave you one last soft look, and quietly left the apartment.
The second the door closed, Yunjin let out a high pitched squeal and flopped back onto your bed.
“OH MY GODDDD!” she screamed into a pillow. “That was so sweet! The forehead kiss?! The ‘Bambi’?! I’m actually going to throw up from how cute that was. Heeseung?? Doing all of this?? I’m in shock.” You sat down on the edge of the bed, still feeling the ghost of his kiss on your forehead. Your heart was doing strange, fluttery things you weren’t ready to examine too closely.
Yunjin sat up again, grinning widely. “Okay, I take back half the things I said about him. He might actually be good for you and for Bambi.” You didn’t reply. You just smiled softly, fingers brushing over the spot he had kissed. For the first time, the future didn’t feel quite as terrifying. Even if everything was still complicated, Heeseung was proving, day by day, that he wasn’t going to run away from this and neither were you.
ꪆ୧ heeseung’s pov ─── ドラマ.
The day you decided to keep the baby, Heeseung felt something he had never experienced before.
It wasn’t just happiness. It was bigger than that overwhelming, almost frightening in its intensity. When you broke down in the doctor’s room and sobbed that you couldn’t go through with the termination, that you wanted to keep the baby, something inside him cracked open and flooded with warmth. He was over the moon. That same evening, after you had both returned to your apartment and the dust had settled a little, the words had slipped out of him before he could stop them.
“Marry me.”He had meant it. In that moment, with the image of that tiny heartbeat still fresh in his mind, he wanted nothing more than to do this properly to stand by you, to give the baby a real family, to prove he could be more than the guy you used to hate.
But you had laughed at first, then looked at him with wide, shocked eyes. You told him marriage wasn’t something you did just because of a baby. You said it needed trust, love, and knowing each other things you didn’t have.The rejection stung more than he wanted to admit. It hurt.
Not because he was arrogant enough to think you’d say yes immediately, but because for a brief moment, he had let himself imagine a future where you chose him too. Where this wasn’t just about responsibility, but something real.Still, he respected your decision. He couldn’t force you to love him. He couldn’t force you to marry him. He wouldn’t do that to you, and he refused to do that to himself either. That night, after he left your apartment, Heeseung couldn’t sleep. He sat on his couch in the dark for hours, staring at the wall that separated his place from yours. Then he opened his laptop and started researching.
He read everything. Early pregnancy symptoms morning sickness management prenatal vitamins. What foods to avoid. How the baby developed week by week emotional changes postpartum care. He spent hours going down rabbit holes articles, medical websites, forums where parents shared their experiences. When the sun started to rise, he moved on to parenting books. He ordered nearly twenty of them in one go everything from What to Expect When You’re Expecting to guides on co parenting, single parenting, and building healthy relationships after unexpected pregnancies. He even bought books on newborn care, baby sleep schedules, and how to support a partner through pregnancy.
By the time he finally closed his laptop, the sky was bright. He leaned back on the couch, rubbing his tired eyes. His mind was racing with information, but beneath all the facts and statistics was one clear, undeniable feeling he already loved this baby. More than he thought was possible in such a short time.
Even if you never loved him back, even if you never wanted to marry him, even if this ended up being the most complicated co-parenting situation in the world he was going to be there.
He was going to be a good father.
He refused to be anything less.
Heeseung glanced at the wall again, wondering if you were awake yet. He thought about texting you, but decided against it. You needed rest. Instead, he whispered to the empty room, voice rough from lack of sleep “I’ve got you both.” And for the first time in a long time, despite the pressure from his father, despite the uncertainty of his basketball career, despite the complicated feelings he had for you, Heeseung felt a quiet sense of purpose settle over him. This baby was going to change everything and he was ready.
Ever since the day you decided to keep the baby, Heeseung had been living in a state of quiet, overwhelming happiness. It wasn’t the loud, flashy kind of joy he was used to winning games, hearing the crowd cheer his name, or the temporary high from parties. This was deeper steadier. It settled in his chest like a warm light that never quite dimmed, even on his hardest days. He had no idea where he was finding the time, but somehow he was doing everything.
He woke up earlier than usual now, going for runs before practice, then pushing himself twice as hard during training sessions. His shots were cleaner, his focus sharper, his stamina noticeably better. Coach had even pulled him aside last week and said, “Whatever fire you’ve got under you lately keep it going.” Heeseung just smiled and kept working.
In the evenings, after practice, he studied harder than he ever had. He reviewed game footage, worked on assignments, and still found time to cook for you.
Simple, gentle meals that wouldn’t upset your stomach ginger porridge, steamed fish with mild seasoning, fresh fruit, warm soups. He enjoyed it. The rhythm of chopping vegetables, stirring pots, plating everything carefully it grounded him. But what made him happiest wasn’t just the baby it was you. You were slowly opening up to him.
What used to be nothing but sharp arguments and cold avoidance had turned into real conversations. Some nights he would cook in your kitchen while you sat on the counter or at the small table, watching him. You’d talk about your capstone project, about the art exhibitions you dreamed of curating one day.
Sometimes you’d ask him about basketball, about his dreams of going pro. He would catch himself smiling for no reason while stirring the pot, just because you were there, talking to him like he wasn’t the guy you used to hate. He often found himself thinking about you even when he wasn’t trying to.Did she eat today?
Is the nausea better this morning?Did she remember to take her vitamins?What is she doing right now?
These thoughts would sneak up on him during practice, during lectures, even late at night.
And instead of feeling annoyed by how much space you took up in his mind, he felt warm and content.
His friends and coach had started noticing the change too. During one practice, Jake had jogged up to him during a water break, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“Dude, you’ve been weirdly chill lately,” Jake said, grinning. “No more wild parties. You barely hang out with us after practice anymore. What’s going on? You got a secret girlfriend or something?” Heeseung just shrugged with a small smile. “Just focused.”
Beomgyu raised an eyebrow. “Focused? You look like you’re glowing, man. It’s creepy.” Even Coach had commented once, “Lee, you’ve been showing up with better energy lately. Whatever you’re doing outside of here keep doing it.” Heeseung didn’t tell them the truth yet. Not fully. He had quietly told his closest friends and coach that he was seeing someone seriously and that things were complicated, but good. He left out the pregnancy part for now. That was something you both needed to navigate together first.
His partying had almost completely stopped. The loud nights, the random girls, the chaos it all felt pointless now. He preferred quiet evenings cooking for you, or sitting on your couch while you rested your head on his shoulder, too tired to talk but not wanting to be alone. He was happier than he had ever been.
Even on days when the pressure from his father weighed on him, even when he worried about the future and how he was going to balance basketball, fatherhood, and whatever this was with you he was still happy.
Because for the first time in his life, Heeseung felt like he had something that truly mattered. Something worth working hard for. Something worth becoming better for.And that something was you and the tiny life growing inside you. Heeseung had no real reason to be near the Arts Building that afternoon. Practice had ended early, and he told himself he was just going for a walk to clear his head. When Sunghoon asked where he was headed, Heeseung casually mentioned something about needing to ask Sunghoon about a shared assignment. It was a weak excuse, but Sunghoon didn’t question it.
Deep down, Heeseung knew the truth. He wanted to see you. He didn’t fully understand why. Maybe it was the way you had started smiling at him more often when he brought you dinner. Maybe it was the quiet nights where you let him stay over on your couch. Or maybe it was the tiny life growing inside you that made him feel inexplicably drawn to you. Whatever it was, he found himself walking toward the Arts Building, hands in his pockets, pretending it was completely normal.
They were halfway there when he spotted you. You were walking out of the main entrance with Yunjin and Soobin, laughing at something Yunjin was saying. The late afternoon sunlight caught your face perfectly your warm brown eyes sparkling with amusement, the natural soft pink flush on your cheeks, the way your hair moved as you tilted your head back in laughter. Heeseung stopped in his tracks. God… were you always this pretty? He couldn’t look away. The carefree smile on your face, the lightness in your step, the way you looked so alive and bright despite everything you were going throughit hit him square in the chest.
For a moment, the entire campus faded into background noise. It was just you. Sunghoon walked a few steps ahead before realizing Heeseung had stopped. He turned around, eyebrows raised. “Yo, what are you—” Sunghoon followed Heeseung’s gaze and smirked. “Oh? Staring at someone?” Heeseung blinked, snapping out of it. “What? No.” Sunghoon’s smirk widened. “Sure you were practically frozen. Who is she?” Heeseung quickly looked away and grabbed Sunghoon’s arm, dragging him in the opposite direction. “No one let’s go. I don’t even know why I came this way.”
Sunghoon laughed, letting himself be pulled along but still glancing back curiously. “Alright, whatever you say. But you were definitely staring.” Heeseung didn’t reply. He just kept walking, ears slightly warm.
His heart was still beating faster than usual.
He had no idea when you had gone from being the annoying neighbor he loved to tease to someone whose laugh made him stop dead in his tracks like an idiot. But one thing was becoming clearer every single day he was falling for you and he had no idea what to do with that.
Heeseung had always been honest with himself about one thing girls had never meant much to him beyond a night of fun. It was never emotional, never deep. To him, it was all about sex, release, and moving on the next day. No strings, no feelings, no complications. That was how he liked it, simple and easy. But you you were different. From the very beginning, even when you were banging on his door calling him an asshole, something about you had gotten under his skin in a way no one else ever had. And now, after the pregnancy, after seeing that tiny heartbeat, after holding you while you cried he realized it wasn’t just about the baby.
It was about you. He cared about you. Not because you were carrying his child, but because it was you. The girl who didn’t care about his status, who called him out without hesitation, who had dreams bigger than campus popularity. He loved how different you were from the other girls how real, how stubborn, how unapologetically yourself. It might have sounded cliché as hell, but it was the truth. He was falling for you hard.
That evening, when you texted him that Yunjin had found out about the pregnancy and that the two of you had come up with a nickname for the baby, Heeseung had been in the middle of cooking.
You : Yunjin found out. We came up with a nickname for the baby Bambi
He had stared at the message for a long time, heart suddenly pounding Bambi.The word hit him like fireworks exploding in his chest. He whispered it under his breath, a soft smile spreading across his face. “Bambi”He loved it. He loved it so much it almost scared him. The image of a tiny, gentle little life, his child being called something so soft and precious made something warm and protective bloom inside him. He was starting to fall not just for the idea of being a father, but for the reality of building something with you.
The next morning, when he had dropped off breakfast and kissed your forehead in front of Yunjin, he had felt his cheeks flush with warmth. The way you had looked at him surprised, soft, a little flustered had done something dangerous to his heart. He had to practically run out of your apartment to hide the stupid smile threatening to break across his face.
He loved kissing your forehead. He loved the quiet nights when he held you close until you fell asleep. He loved pulling you into his arms when you cried because of hormones or fear or exhaustion. He loved being the person you leaned on now.
And the scariest part?He was starting to realize he didn’t just want to be there for the baby.He wanted to be there for you.Even if you didn’t feel the same way yet.Even if you had rejected his impulsive marriage proposal.Even if this whole thing was messy and complicated and terrifying.Heeseung leaned back on his couch that night, staring at the ceiling with a small, private smile Bambi.He whispered the name again, letting it settle in his heart like a promise.He was falling in love with you.And for the first time in his life, he wasn’t running away from it.
That same day, Heeseung made up his mind.
He was going to tell them.Not everything, not the messy parts, not the fact that you two weren’t actually dating yet but the important truths. That he was seeing you. That you were pregnant. That this baby was his.He arrived at practice with a strange mix of nerves and resolve settled in his chest. For once, his mind wasn’t entirely on basketball. Every drill, every sprint, every shot he took felt secondary to the conversation he knew was coming afterward.
Practice went surprisingly well. His focus was sharp, his movements clean. He pushed himself harder than usual, and it showed. Coach noticed, giving him an approving nod at the end but saying nothing more.
When practice finally ended and most of the team started heading toward the lockers, Heeseung raised his voice.
“Coach guys can you stay back for a minute? I need to talk to you.”The group Coach, Jake, Jay, Beomgyu, and a couple of other close teammates exchanged curious glances but stayed. They gathered near the benches, wiping sweat from their faces, water bottles in hand.
Heeseung stood in front of them, heart pounding harder than it had during any game. He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly unsure how to start.
“I… uh, I’ve been seeing someone,” he began. His voice was steady, but his hands were clenched at his sides. “It’s serious. And she’s pregnant.”The silence that followed was deafening.Jake’s water bottle froze halfway to his mouth. Jay’s eyebrows shot up. Beomgyu’s mouth fell open.Coach was the first to speak, voice low and serious. “Pregnant?”Heeseung nodded. “Yeah two months along. It wasn’t planned but we’re keeping the baby.”Beomgyu let out a stunned laugh. “Holy shit, Heeseung. You’re going to be a dad?”
Jake stepped forward, eyes wide. “Wait who is she? Do we know her?”Heeseung hesitated for half a second, then said it.“It’s the girl next door. The one who used to hate me. We had a thing after Sunghoon’s party. And now she’s pregnant with my child.”The reaction was immediate.Jay looked like he was buffering. “You’re telling me you got the one girl who couldn’t stand you pregnant?” Beomgyu grinned, still in disbelief. “This is insane. The girl who used to bang on your door? That girl?”
Heeseung let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck again. “Yeah that one.”Coach crossed his arms, studying him carefully. “And you’re sure about this? Keeping the baby?”“I’m sure,” Heeseung said without hesitation. His voice softened. “I saw the heartbeat. It’s real I want this. I’m going to take care of both of them.”The group was quiet for a moment, processing.Then Jake broke into a wide grin and pulled Heeseung into a rough hug. “Damn, man, congratulations. This is wild, butI’m happy for you.”
One by one, the others followed clapping him on the back, offering stunned but genuine congratulations. Even the coach gave him a firm nod and a pat on the shoulder.
“This is going to change things for you, Lee,” Coach said seriously. “But if you’re committed, we’ll work around it. Your priorities are shifting. That’s part of growing up.”Heeseung nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief now that the truth was out with the people who mattered most on the team.As they finally headed toward the lockers, Beomgyu slung an arm around his shoulders.“So does this mean no more parties?” he teased.Heeseung smiled, small but real.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “No more parties.”Because right now, the only thing that mattered was you and Bambi.And for the first time in his life, Heeseung was completely okay with that.
ꪆ୧ ─── ドラマ.
Things were starting to get rough.The pregnancy hormones had fully kicked in, and they were merciless.At two months, your body no longer felt like your own. The nausea had eased slightly, but it was replaced by something far more overwhelming an intense, almost constant wave of desire that left you restless and frustrated.
Your emotions swung wildly from one extreme to another. One moment you were crying over a soft song, the next you were irritable for no reason. But the worst part was the arousal.It was relentless.You’d wake up in the middle of the night flushed and aching, thighs pressed together, body throbbing with a need you couldn’t ignore.
During the day, innocent things would set you off the low timbre of Heeseung’s voice when he brought you breakfast, the way his shirt stretched across his shoulders when he cooked, even the faint scent of his cologne drifting through the wall between your apartments. Your breasts were tender and hypersensitive, brushing against fabric made you bite your lip to hold back a whimper.
You tried to take care of it yourself.Late at night, when Yunjin wasn’t staying over and the apartment was quiet, you’d slip your hand between your legs, desperate for relief. But no matter how much you touched yourself, slow circles, faster strokes, even bringing out the small vibrator you rarely used wasn't enough. The orgasms felt shallow, unsatisfying, leaving you even more wound up than before. Your body craved something deeper, something fuller.
Something only another person could give.And the worst part? That person was right next door.
Heeseung. The same Heeseung who had been nothing but gentle and attentive these past weeks. The one who kissed your forehead, held you when you cried, cooked meals that didn’t make you sick. The one whose quiet care was slowly chipping away at the walls you’d built around yourself.You hated how much you wanted him.
You’d lie in bed at night, hand between your thighs, imagining his hands instead his long fingers, his mouth, the way he had touched you that one reckless night. The memory of him inside you, deep and thick, made you moan softly into your pillow as you tried (and failed) to find release.It was getting harder to hide.Your cheeks would flush randomly during conversations with Yunjin. You’d press your thighs together during lectures when a sudden wave of heat hit you.
You found yourself staring at Heeseung’s hands when he brought you food, wondering how they would feel on your skin again. You felt embarrassed, guilty and horny beyond reason.And you had no idea how much longer you could keep pretending everything was fine.
A month had passed since you told your parents.
They had flown in to visit you after you finally gathered the courage to break the news over a video call. The moment you told them you were pregnant and that you were dating Heeseung the reaction was everything you had hoped for but still left you emotional.
Your mom had gasped, then immediately started crying happy tears. Your dad he had gone completely silent for almost ten seconds before his eyes welled up. He shed so many tears that day, pulling you into the tightest hug when they arrived, whispering how proud he was of you and how excited he was to become a grandfather. They both adored Heeseung from the first meeting your dad even clapped him on the back and said, “Take care of my daughter and my grandbaby, son.” The support from them had been overwhelming in the best way.
Now, today was the day. Heeseung’s basketball match is your first public appearance as his (fake) girlfriend in front of everyone.You were three months along. Your belly had started to show a soft, consistent bloat that made your clothes fit differently. You couldn’t hide it completely anymore, but it still looked like normal bloating to most people. Only you, Heeseung, Yunjin, Soobin, and your parents knew the truth.
Heeseung had left early in the morning. As captain, he needed to be with the team for warm ups and strategy meetings. Before he left, he had gently placed his spare jersey in your hands, the one with “LEE 7” printed on the back. “Wear this,” he had said softly, kissing your forehead. “You don’t have to worry about anything today. Just enjoy the game. I’ve got you.” You were nervous as hell. You stood in front of your mirror, adjusting the oversized jersey. It was big on you, falling mid-thigh, but it felt comforting.
You paired it with leggings and a light jacket to hide the slight curve of your belly. Yunjin and Soobin were already waiting for you downstairs.When you finally met them outside, Yunjin squealed at the sight of you in Heeseung’s jersey.“Oh my god, look at you! His girlfriend era is so real,” she teased, linking her arm with yours. Soobin smiled warmly, though his eyes still held that protective worry he’d had ever since you told him the truth two weeks ago. “You look good,” Soobin said gently. “Ready?”You nodded, even though your stomach was doing flips.
The arena was packed when you arrived. The energy was electric cheers, music, the sound of basketballs bouncing during warm ups. The moment you walked in with Yunjin and Soobin, a few heads turned. People whispered. Someone pointed. You kept your head slightly down, heart racing, but Yunjin squeezed your arm reassuringly.
The three of you found seats close to the court, right behind the home team’s bench. As soon as you sat down, the players started coming out for the national anthem. Your eyes immediately found Heeseung.
He looked focused, tall and confident in his uniform. But the second his gaze landed on you wearing his jersey, his expression softened. A small, private smile tugged at his lips. He gave you a subtle nod before turning back to his team.
The game started, and the crowd went wild.
You tried to focus on the match, but your nerves were through the roof. Every time Heeseung made a play, your heart jumped. Every time the crowd cheered his name, you felt a strange mix of pride and anxiety. Yunjin was screaming her lungs out, Soobin was calmly explaining plays to you, but your mind kept drifting.This was real now.You were here as Heeseung’s girlfriend at least in everyone’s eyes.
And you were carrying his baby.During a timeout, Heeseung jogged over to the sidelines.
He looked up at you again, his eyes warm even from a distance. He mouthed “You okay?” and you gave him a small nod and a thumbs up. He smiled that soft, real smile he only seemed to give you these days before jogging back to his team. Yunjin nudged you with her elbow, grinning. “He’s whipped,” she whispered. “Look at him checking on you during the game.”
You didn’t reply. You just squeezed the star shaped squishy toy in your pocket and tried to calm your racing heart.
The game continued, loud and fast paced, but your mind was somewhere else entirely on the tiny life growing inside you, on the boy on the court who was trying so hard to be there for you, and on how complicated and scary and strangely hopeful everything felt right now. The final buzzer sounded, and the entire arena erupted.
Your university team had won by a solid 12 points. The crowd was on their feet, cheering wildly as the players celebrated on the court. Heeseung was right in the middle of it all, smiling wide, laughing with his teammates, hair sweaty and sticking to his forehead. He looked so happy. So alive. So incredibly cool as he high-fived his teammates and lifted the game ball in victory. You couldn’t stop staring.
Even from the stands, you could see the pure joy on his face. For a moment, all the complications between you two faded, and you just felt proud. Proud of him.
After the celebrations on the court died down a little, Heeseung jogged over to the sidelines where you, Yunjin, and Soobin were waiting. Without hesitation, he pulled you into a warm, sweaty hug right there in front of everyone.
His arms wrapped around you tightly, one hand gently pressing against your lower back. The crowd around you cheered louder at the sight. Cameras flashed. Whispers turned into audible gasps.
Heeseung pulled back just enough to look at you, then leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering peck on your cheek.“You did great,” you whispered, still a little dazed by the public affection. He smiled, that soft, private smile he only seemed to give you these days.
“I’ll be back with the team in a bit we have to do the post game stuff,” he said, voice low so only you could hear. “Go home with Soobin and Yunjin, okay? I’ll text you when I’m heading back.”
You nodded, cheeks burning. “Okay.” He gave your hand one last gentle squeeze before jogging back toward his teammates. You stood there, heart racing, as Yunjin squealed beside you and Soobin gave you a knowing look. The walk back to the apartment with your friends felt surreal. People were still staring, whispering, taking photos. But your mind wasn’t on them.It was on him. Why are you blushing? you thought, pressing your cool hands to your warm cheeks as you walked. It was just a hug. Just a peck on the cheek. It’s all fake anyway.
But your body didn’t seem to care that it was fake.
A familiar heat had pooled low in your belly. Your pussy clenched involuntarily at the memory of his arms around you, his breath against your cheek, the way his jersey had clung to his broad shoulders and back while he played. The pregnancy hormones were ruthless these days. They turned every innocent touch, every look, every small act of care into something filthy in your mind. You pressed your thighs together as you walked, trying to ignore the growing ache between your legs.
Why did everything Heeseung did suddenly feel so hot? The way he had looked at you after the win, the way he had hugged you so publicly, the way he had kissed your cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world you were horny.Embarrassingly, desperately horny.And it was getting harder and harder to pretend you weren’t affected by him.
When you finally got back to your apartment, you thanked Soobin and Yunjin for coming with you. Yunjin hugged you tightly before leaving, whispering, “Text me if you need anything, baby mama,” with a wink.
Soobin gave you a gentle, concerned smile and reminded you to rest.The moment the door closed, you leaned against it and let out a shaky breath.
Your hand drifted down to rest on your slightly bloated belly three months. You were three months pregnant with Heeseung’s baby and your body was betraying you in the most inconvenient ways possible.
You closed your eyes, remembering the way Heeseung had looked at you after the game, happy, proud, and focused only on you in a crowded arena.
Your pussy clenched again.
“Fuck,” you whispered to the empty apartment, cheeks burning.This was getting dangerous.You couldn’t fight it anymore. The moment you stepped inside your apartment and locked the door, the ache between your legs became unbearable. Pregnancy hormones had turned your body into something foreign hypersensitive, needy, and constantly throbbing. Your breasts felt heavy and swollen, your nipples tight against the fabric of your bra. Your pussy was slick and aching, clenching around nothing.
You didn’t even make it to the bed properly.
You kicked off your shoes, yanked your pants and panties down in one desperate motion, and fell back onto the mattress. Your shirt was pushed up hastily over your breasts. The cool air hit your heated skin as you cupped your swollen tits, squeezing them roughly. A broken moan slipped from your lips when your fingers brushed your sensitive nipples.
“Fuck…” you whispered, eyes fluttering shut.
One hand stayed on your breast, pinching and rolling your nipple, while the other slid down your stomach and between your thighs.
You were soaked. Your fingers glided easily over your swollen clit, rubbing tight, frantic circles. The relief was immediate but not enough. You pushed two fingers inside yourself, pumping desperately, imagining thicker, longer fingers his fingers.
Your hips bucked against your hand. Soft, needy whimpers filled the room as you fucked yourself faster, thighs trembling. The pressure built quickly, but every time you got close, it slipped away. You needed more. You needed him. You were so lost in it eyes closed, lips parted, fingers thrusting wetly inside your dripping pussy that you didn’t hear the front door open
Heeseung stepped inside quietly, holding the spare key you had given him weeks ago. He had come to check on you after the game, worried you might be tired or nauseous.The sight that greeted him made him freeze in the doorway. You were sprawled on the bed, shirt rucked up, pants around one ankle, legs spread. Your fingers were buried deep inside your glistening pussy, pumping frantically while your other hand squeezed your swollen breast. Your face was flushed with pleasure, lips parted in soft, desperate moans.
Heeseung’s breath caught. His cock hardened instantly in his sweatpants. For a second, it was painfully awkward. He should have left. He should have announced himself.But then your eyes fluttered open and locked onto him.You didn’t stop.Instead, your voice came out hoarse and pleading.“Heeseung… please.” He stepped closer, eyes dark with lust but still careful. “Are you sure?” he asked, voice rough. “You don’t have to—” “Please,” you whimpered, fingers still moving slowly inside yourself. “I can’t I need you. Please help me.” That was all it took.
Heeseung climbed onto the bed, settling between your spread thighs. He gently pulled your hand away, replacing it with his own. Two thick fingers slid into your soaked heat easily, curling perfectly against that spot that made you cry out. “Fuck, you’re so wet,” he groaned, pumping his fingers steadily. His thumb found your swollen clit and rubbed tight circles. “Been thinking about me, baby?” You moaned loudly, hips bucking against his hand. He leaned down, sucking one of your sensitive nipples into his mouth while his fingers fucked you deeper, faster. The wet, obscene sounds of his fingers thrusting into your dripping pussy filled the room.
Heeseung added a third finger, stretching you open, curling them just right. His mouth moved between your breasts, sucking and licking your swollen nipples until you were shaking.“I’m close—” you gasped, fingers threading through his hair. “Come for me,” he murmured against your skin, thumb pressing harder on your clit. Your orgasm crashed over you hard. You cried out, back arching, walls clenching tightly around his fingers as pleasure tore through you. Heeseung kept pumping his fingers through it, drawing out every wave until you were trembling and oversensitive.
But you still weren’t satisfied. You tugged at his shirt desperately. “More please, Heeseung. I need you inside me.” He didn’t hesitate. He pulled his fingers out, quickly stripping off his clothes. His cock sprang free thick, hard, and leaking at the tip. He positioned himself between your thighs, rubbing the head of his cock along your slick folds before slowly pushing in.
You both moaned as he sank deep inside you. He was gentle but firm, filling you completely in one smooth thrust. Heeseung groaned at how tight and wet you were, forehead dropping to yours.
“Fuck you feel so good,” he breathed, starting to move. He fucked you with deep, steady strokes, hips rolling against yours. One hand cradled your slightly bloated belly protectively while the other gripped your thigh, holding you open for him. The wet slap of skin and your mingled moans filled the room.
Heeseung kissed you deeply, tongue sliding against yours as he thrust harder, hitting that perfect spot inside you with every stroke. Your hands roamed his back, nails digging into his skin as another orgasm built fast. “Come again for me,” he whispered against your lips. “Let me feel you.”
You shattered around him with a cry, pussy clenching tightly around his cock. Heeseung groaned, thrusting a few more times before burying himself deep and coming hard inside you, hips jerking as he filled you with hot spurts of cum. He stayed inside you for a long moment, both of you breathing heavily. Then he gently pulled out and collapsed beside you, immediately pulling you into his arms. He kissed your forehead, then your temple, holding you close as you came down from the high.
You lay there afterward, breathing hard, body limp and glowing with the aftershocks of pleasure. Heeseung stayed buried inside you for a long moment, forehead pressed against yours, both of you catching your breath. His hand gently stroked your side, thumb brushing over the slight swell of your belly in a protective, almost reverent way.
Eventually, he pulled out slowly, a soft groan leaving his lips as he did. You winced at the sudden emptiness, but Heeseung was already moving, pulling you into his arms and tucking you against his chest.
He kissed your forehead, then your temple, holding you close as your breathing slowly evened out.
Neither of you spoke for a while. The only sounds in the room were your mingled breathing and the faint hum of the air conditioner. Heeseung’s fingers traced lazy patterns on your back. His voice, when he finally spoke, was low and rough. “…You should’ve told me it was getting this bad,” he murmured. “I would’ve helped sooner.” You buried your face in his neck, cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and lingering arousal. “I didn’t know how to say it. It’s humiliating. I feel like my body isn’t mine anymore.”
Heeseung tightened his arms around you. “It’s not humiliating. You’re pregnant. Your body is changing because of our baby. If you need me for anything just tell me. I’m right here.” You stayed silent, letting his warmth seep into you. The hormones were still humming under your skin, but the sharp edge of desperation had dulled into a comfortable, sated haze. After a few minutes, Heeseung gently pulled back so he could look at you. “You okay?” he asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from your face. You nodded. “Yeah, thank you.”
He smiled that small, genuine smile that made your chest feel strangely tight and kissed your forehead again. “Stay here. I’ll clean you up.” He got up, completely naked and unashamed, and returned moments later with a warm, damp cloth. He wiped you down gently between your legs, then cleaned himself before crawling back into bed and pulling you against his chest once more. You let yourself relax into him, one hand resting on your slightly rounded belly.
For the first time in weeks, the constant ache of need was quiet. But as you lay there in Heeseung’s arms, listening to his steady heartbeat, a new kind of nervousness settled in.
Because the line between “fake” and “real” was starting to blur dangerously fast. He held you close against his chest, one hand stroking soothing circles on your back while the other rested protectively over the small, soft swell of your belly. The room was quiet except for your slowing breaths and the faint hum of the city outside the window. You stayed like that for a while, skin warm and slightly damp, hearts still beating fast. Neither of you felt the need to speak right away. It felt strangely peaceful.
Eventually, Heeseung broke the silence, his voice low and soft against your hair. “I’ve been reading parenting books,” he murmured, fingers tracing lazy, comforting patterns along your spine. “A lot of them. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, guides on newborn care, nutrition during pregnancy everything I could find. I wanted to be prepared. For you and the baby.” You tilted your head up to look at him, genuinely surprised. “Really? You’ve been doing that?”
Heeseung nodded, a small, almost shy smile touching his lips. “Yeah. I’ve been learning about the second trimester, what symptoms might get worse or better, how to support you when the nausea is bad, safe exercises, all of it. I don’t want to be clueless. I want to do this right.”
You felt a warm flutter in your chest. You hadn’t expected him to take it this seriously. Before you could respond, he continued gently, "And if you ever have any needs physical, emotional, anything at all I’ll always be there for you. Whether it’s holding you when you’re anxious, helping with the nausea, or anything else. Just tell me. Only if it’s okay with you, of course.” You hesitated for a second, then whispered, “Will that be okay with you? Because we aren’t really a couple.” Heeseung was quiet for a moment, then pressed a soft kiss to your forehead.
“It’s okay with me,” he said simply. “I know we’re not traditional. But I care about you. And I care about our baby. So whatever you need, I’m here with no pressure , no expectations. Just me, showing up for both of you.” The sincerity in his voice made your eyes sting with tears. You buried your face in his neck, nodding against his skin. The conversation flowed easily after that quiet, honest, and surprisingly comfortable. You told him about your fears of balancing university with pregnancy, how scared you were about telling more people, and how overwhelmed you sometimes felt by the changes in your body.
Heeseung listened without interrupting, rubbing your back the whole time. He shared his own worries too the pressure from his father, his fears about balancing basketball and fatherhood, and how he sometimes felt unprepared but determined to try his best.
Eventually, the talking slowed. Heeseung shifted lower on the bed, resting his cheek gently against your bare belly. He looked up at you with soft, questioning eyes. “Can I talk to the baby?” he asked quietly. “If that’s okay with you.” Your throat tightened with emotion. You nodded.
Heeseung smiled faintly and pressed a soft kiss to the small swell of your stomach. Then, in a low, gentle voice, he spoke “Hey, Bambi it’s me your dad. I know things are a little complicated right now, but I want you to know I’m really happy you’re here. I’m going to take care of you and your mom, okay? We’ve got you. Both of us.” You felt tears slip down your cheeks as you watched him. Heeseung stayed there for a while, murmuring soft promises and little stories to your belly, his hand resting protectively over it.
When he finally crawled back up, he pulled you into his arms again, skin to skin, warm and safe. You tucked your face against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. You both fell asleep like that completely naked, wrapped around each other, his hand resting protectively over your stomach where Bambi was growing. For the first time in a long while, the future didn’t feel quite so terrifying.
The next morning, you woke up slowly, blinking against the soft sunlight filtering through your curtains. Your body felt heavy in that familiar, exhausted way the pregnancy making even sleep feel like it wasn’t quite enough. You reached out instinctively to the other side of the bed, expecting warmth, expecting Heeseung’s arm around you like it had been when you fell asleep. But the bed was empty. The sheets where he had lain were cool. He must have left a while ago.
You sat up slowly, rubbing your eyes, and noticed a small yellow post it note stuck to the lamp on your nightstand. You reached for it, heart giving a little flutter as you read his neat handwriting
“Made breakfast for you. It’s in the fridge mild porridge with ginger and some fruit. Please eat it before you go to classes. Had some early work with the team, had to leave. Text me when you wake up. Take care of yourself and Bambi today. - Heeseung”
You stared at the note for a long moment, thumb brushing over his name. A strange mix of emotions washed over you warmth, gratitude, and that familiar flutter of confusion in your chest. He had cooked for you again, even though he had practice. Even though he left early. Even though he didn’t have to. You placed the post-it carefully on the nightstand and got out of bed. Your hand instinctively moved to rest on your slightly bloated belly as you walked to the kitchen. True to his word, there was a container in the fridge with perfectly portioned porridge and fresh-cut fruit on the side. A small bottle of ginger tea sat beside it.
You heated the porridge and sat at your small table, eating slowly. The food was gentle on your stomach, exactly what you needed. As you ate, your mind replayed the events of last night the way Heeseung had held you, the way he had talked to your belly, the quiet honesty between you two.It was getting harder to remember that this was all supposed to be fake.
Your phone buzzed on the table. A message from Heeseung.
Heeseung : Did you wake up? Did you eat?
You smiled faintly and replied.
You : Just woke up eating breakfast now thank you
Heeseung : Good let me know how you’re feeling today. I’ll try to finish early so I can bring dinner
You put your phone down and continued eating, one hand still resting on your belly. The reality of your situation felt heavier every day. You were three months pregnant. You were pretending to date the guy you used to hate. You were slowly letting him into your life in ways you never expected. And yet it didn’t feel as terrifying as it once did. After finishing breakfast, you got ready for classes, loose clothes to hide the small curve of your belly, comfortable shoes, and your usual hoodie. Before leaving, you glanced at the post-it note again, then carefully folded it and tucked it into your bag.
As you locked your apartment door, you couldn’t help but think about how much had changed in such a short time. Heeseung was becoming someone you relied on. And you weren’t sure how you felt about that yet.
Heeseung woke up slowly, warmth surrounding him. You were still asleep in his arms, face tucked against his chest, one hand resting lightly on his stomach. Your breathing was soft and even, your body relaxed against his in a way that made his heart feel too big for his chest. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over your face. He smiled a small, private, uncontrollably happy smile.
He was so happy.
Waking up like this, with you curled into him, knowing there was a tiny life growing between you it felt like something he didn’t deserve but would fight to keep. For the first time in a long time, the future didn’t feel like pressure. It felt like hope. His phone vibrated on the nightstand. Heeseung’s smile faded slightly when he saw the caller ID Dad.
He carefully slipped his arm from under you, moving slowly so he wouldn’t wake you. You stirred a little but settled back into the pillow with a soft sigh. Heeseung watched you for a second longer, heart clenching with affection, before he grabbed his phone and quietly left the room, closing the bedroom door behind him.He answered the call in the living room, voice low.“Hey, Dad.” Instead of a greeting, his father’s sharp voice cut through immediately.
“So it’s true? You have a girlfriend now? And you’re wasting your time on her instead of focusing on the league?” Heeseung’s jaw tightened. He leaned against the kitchen counter, running a hand through his messy hair. “I’m serious about her, Dad,” he said, voice steady but firm. “I want to marry her.” A harsh scoff came through the line. “Marry her? You don’t think about getting into the league, about your future, about everything I’ve sacrificed for you but you think about marriage? With some girl who’s probably just using you for your name?”
Heeseung stayed silent for a moment, letting the familiar sting of his father’s words wash over him. He didn’t argue. He knew it was pointless. His dad continued, tone cold and commanding. “I want to meet her and bring her for Thanksgiving. We’ll see what kind of girl managed to distract you this badly.”
Heeseung exhaled slowly. “Sure. I’ll bring her.” The line went dead without another word.
Heeseung lowered the phone, staring at the black screen for a long moment. The happiness he had felt waking up with you in his arms was still there, but now it was shadowed by the familiar weight of his father’s expectations. He walked back to the bedroom quietly and stood in the doorway for a while, watching you sleep. Your hand had moved to rest on your belly in your sleep a small, protective gesture that made his chest ache with tenderness. Heeseung smiled softly despite everything. Thanksgiving was going to be complicated. But for you and Bambi he would face it he always would.
A few days had passed since that emotional night.
Your life had slowly started to find a strange new rhythm. Mornings often began with Heeseung’s quiet knocks or a text asking how you slept. He still brought you breakfast on most days, always something gentle on your stomach. The nausea was still present but no longer as violent. Your belly had grown just a little more noticeable, a soft curve that you hid under oversized hoodies and loose sweaters.
Today was your checkup. You stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the oversized sweater over your belly.
Three months and a few days. The doctor had said everything looked good at the last visit, but you were still nervous every time. You gently placed a hand over your stomach, feeling the slight firmness there.
Bambi. The nickname made you smile despite the nerves. Your phone buzzed on the counter.
Heeseung : I’m outside ready when you are no rush
You took a deep breath, grabbed your bag, and headed downstairs. Heeseung was waiting by his car, leaning against the door in a casual black hoodie and jeans. The moment he saw you, his expression softened into that small, genuine smile he seemed to reserve only for you lately. “Hey,” he said, opening the passenger door for you. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better than yesterday,” you replied, sliding in. “Still a little nauseous in the mornings, but not as bad.”
Heeseung nodded, closing the door gently before getting into the driver’s seat. The drive to the clinic was quiet but comfortable. He asked about your classes, about whether the fatigue had eased, and told you a light story about Beomgyu messing up a drill during practice. You found yourself smiling more than you expected.
A few days later, you had your regular checkup.
Dr. Kim was as kind and patient as always. She did a quick scan, confirmed that everything was progressing normally, and then smiled warmly at both of you. “Everything looks great. The baby is growing well. At your next appointment, around the four month mark, we should be able to determine the gender if you’d like to know. Would you be interested in finding out?” You glanced at Heeseung. He looked at you with soft eyes, waiting for your decision.
You nodded slowly. “Yes I think I’d like to know.”
Heeseung’s hand gently squeezed yours. Dr. Kim smiled and scheduled the next appointment before sending you off with more prenatal vitamins and advice on managing fatigue. After leaving the clinic, Heeseung turned to you in the car. “There’s a movie showing that looked pretty light, not too intense want to go? Just the two of us.” You agreed. The theatre was dimly lit and not very crowded. You chose seats near the back, a little more private. Heeseung bought snacks you could handle plain popcorn and ginger ale and settled in beside you.
The movie started, but your mind was elsewhere.
The pregnancy hormones had been relentless lately. Your body felt hypersensitive. Every brush of his arm against yours, every time his thigh pressed against yours in the seat, sent heat pooling low in your belly. You tried to focus on the screen, but your eyes kept drifting to him the sharp line of his jaw, the way his hand rested on his thigh, the subtle scent of his cologne. You couldn’t fight it. Halfway through the movie, when the theatre was dark and quiet, you leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“Heeseung…” He turned his head slightly. “Yeah?”
Instead of answering with words, you reached over and slowly slid your hand onto his thigh. He tensed, but didn’t stop you. Your fingers moved higher, palming him through his jeans. He was already half hard. His breath hitched. “Baby what are you doing?”
You didn’t answer. You quietly unzipped his jeans, reached inside, and pulled his cock out. He was thick and warm in your hand. You stroked him slowly at first, feeling him harden fully under your touch.
Heeseung’s hand gripped the armrest. “Fuck are you sure?”
You nodded, already sliding down in your seat. You leaned over, taking him into your mouth. Heeseung sucked in a sharp breath, his hand gently threading through your hair. You took him deeper, tongue swirling around the head before sliding down his length. He was big you had to go slow, relaxing your throat to take more of him. The salty taste of his precum coated your tongue as you bobbed your head, sucking him with wet, quiet sounds.
Heeseung’s breathing grew heavier. He tried to stay quiet, biting his lip, but soft, low groans escaped him whenever you sucked harder or swirled your tongue just right. His fingers tightened in your hair, not pushing, just holding on. “You’re gonna kill me,” he whispered, voice strained. “So fucking good”
You took him as deep as you could, hollowing your cheeks, one hand stroking what you couldn’t fit in your mouth. His hips twitched slightly, fighting the urge to thrust. You could feel him throbbing against your tongue, getting closer.
When he finally came, it was with a quiet, choked groan. Hot spurts filled your mouth as you swallowed around him, milking him through it. Heeseung’s hand trembled in your hair, breathing ragged. You pulled off slowly, licking your lips as you sat back up. Heeseung looked at you with dark, stunned eyes, chest rising and falling quickly. He quickly tucked himself back into his jeans, then pulled you close, kissing your temple. “Fuck… that was…” He couldn’t even finish the sentence.
You smiled shyly, cheeks warm, heart still racing.
The rest of the movie passed in a haze. Heeseung kept his arm around you, thumb gently stroking your shoulder, occasionally pressing soft kisses to your hair. When the credits rolled, he leaned in and whispered, “Let’s get you home.”
The car ride back to the apartment was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Heeseung’s hand occasionally brushed against yours on the center console, a small, reassuring touch that made your chest feel strangely warm. You were still replaying the movie in your head or at least pretending to while your body hummed with the memory of what you had done in the theatre. When you reached your building, Heeseung parked and walked you up to your door like he always did now. But instead of saying goodnight, he lingered in the hallway.
“Can I come in?” he asked softly. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” You nodded, unlocking the door and letting him inside. The apartment was dimly lit, the only light coming from the small lamp on the side table. You both took off your shoes and sat down on the couch. Heeseung turned to face you, looking a little tense. He took a slow breath before speaking.
“My family wants to meet you,” he said. “During Thanksgiving. My dad specifically asked me to bring you.” You blinked, processing the words. Thanksgiving was only a few weeks away. “Oh,” you said quietly. “Are we going to reveal the pregnancy then?”
Heeseung nodded, eyes steady on yours. “Yeah I think it’s time. They deserve to know.” You sat there for a moment, letting the idea settle. A small, nervous smile crossed your face. “I know they’ll be happy,” you said, trying to sound optimistic. “My parents were over the moon when I told them. Yours will probably be excited too, right? A grandbaby and everything”
Heeseung didn’t reply right away. He looked down at his hands, jaw tightening just slightly. You didn’t notice the way his shoulders tensed or the brief flash of worry in his eyes.
“Yeah,” he said eventually, voice quiet. “They’ll be happy.”But inside, Heeseung knew the truth.His father wouldn’t be happy. Not even close. The man who had spent years pressuring him to be better than his older brother, who had made it clear that basketball and the NBA were the only priorities that man was going to see this as a distraction. A mistake. A threat to everything he had planned for Heeseung’s future.
Heeseung could already imagine the cold disappointment in his father’s voice, the sharp questions, the comparisons to his perfect older brother who had never “messed up” like this.But he didn’t say any of that to you. Instead, he reached over and gently took your hand, squeezing it. “We’ll face it together,” he said softly. “Okay?” You nodded, leaning into his side a little. You still believed his family would be supportive like yours had been. You had no idea about the tension that existed between Heeseung and his father.
Heeseung wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer. He pressed a kiss to the top of your head, holding you there for a long moment.For now, he would let you believe everything would be fine.He would carry the worry alone. Because no matter how his parents reacted, one thing was certain he was going to protect you and Bambi no matter what.
The weeks that followed settled into a rhythm you never expected and one you were desperately trying not to get used to. Heeseung was always there. Quietly, steadily, without making a big deal out of it. He’d show up in the mornings with breakfast he’d prepared before practice, simple things like warm ginger porridge or toast with honey that your stomach could actually handle. Some days he’d stay longer than usual, sitting on the edge of your bed while you ate, watching you with that soft look in his eyes that made your chest feel tight. You told yourself it was just the pregnancy making you emotional.
One morning, after a particularly rough night of nausea, you woke up feeling miserable. Heeseung had let himself in with the spare key. Without saying much, he pulled you into the shower with him, washing your hair with gentle fingers while the warm water ran over both of you. The closeness, the steam, the way his body felt against yours , it ignited something fierce. You ended up pressed against the tiled wall, legs wrapped around his waist as he fucked you slow and deep, water cascading over your joined bodies. He whispered against your neck how beautiful you looked like this, carrying his baby, and you came so hard you saw stars.
Afterward, he dried you off, carried you back to bed, and held you until you fell asleep again. You told yourself it was just hormones. Just physical need nothing more. Another afternoon, you came home from classes exhausted and emotionally drained. Heeseung was already waiting inside, having cooked a light dinner. You barely ate two bites before the tears started. He didn’t ask questions. He just pulled you onto his lap on the couch, kissing you softly at first, then deeper, hungrier. You ended up riding him right there, slow and desperate, his hands cradling your slightly rounded belly the entire time.
He looked up at you like you were the only thing in his world, groaning your name when he came inside you. You hid your face in his shoulder afterward, heart racing for reasons you refused to name. There were quieter moments too. One night, when the anxiety hit you hard, you texted him at 2 a.m. He showed up minutes later, crawling into bed with you fully clothed. He held you close, rubbing your back, kissing your forehead repeatedly until you calmed down.
That night turned heated too you ended up on top of him again, moving slowly in the dark, his hands gentle on your hips as he whispered how strong you were. You came with his name on your lips and tried to convince yourself it didn’t mean anything. Heeseung started leaving little notes everywhere. “Drink water for Bambi.” “You’re doing amazing today.” “Text me when you’re home.” He’d read parenting books late at night and tell you random facts over dinner what week the baby could hear your voice, how to tell if the nausea was improving, safe positions for intimacy during pregnancy.
You’d watch him cook in your kitchen, sleeves rolled up, humming softly under his breath, and feel something dangerously warm bloom in your chest. You told yourself it was just the hormones making you soft. But it was getting harder to lie to yourself. One lazy Sunday afternoon, you were both on the couch watching a movie. Heeseung’s hand rested on your belly, thumb stroking absentmindedly. The simple touch turned into slow kisses, then heated touches.
You ended up straddling him, riding him deep and slow while the movie played in the background. He kept one hand on your belly the whole time, eyes locked on yours, whispering how much he loved seeing you like this. When you came, trembling in his arms, you had to bite your lip to stop yourself from saying something you couldn’t take back. You were trying so hard not to admit it.Every forehead kiss made your stomach flutter. Every time he cooked for you or held you through a crying spell, your heart felt too full.
Every night he stayed over, wrapped around you naked and warm, you had to remind yourself this is just for the baby. This isn’t real. I don’t like him like that.But deep down, you knew the truth was slipping away from you. You were starting to like Lee Heeseung the real him. The one who showed up without being asked. The one who read parenting books at 3 a.m. The one who looked at you like you were carrying something precious. And you had no idea what to do with that.
The day of Heeseung’s game arrived faster than you expected. It was the last match before the team’s short break for Thanksgiving, and you had agreed to go with Yunjin and Soobin. You were three months along now, your belly softly rounded under an oversized hoodie with Heeseung’s jersey number hidden beneath. The nausea had eased a bit, but the hormones still made everything feel more intense emotions, touches, even the cheers from the crowd.
You sat in the stands between your friends, heart fluttering with a mix of nervousness and something warmer you refused to name. Yunjin was practically bouncing in her seat, waving a small handmade sign that said “GO HEESUNG!” while Soobin sat calmly beside you, occasionally glancing at you with quiet concern. The game started strong, but it quickly became clear that today wasn’t their day.
Heeseung played hard you could see the determination on his face every time he drove to the basket or called out plays. But the opposing team was on fire, and your university’s defense kept slipping. By halftime, they were down by 8 points. The crowd grew restless. You found yourself gripping the star shaped squishy toy he had given you, squeezing it tightly every time Heeseung missed a shot or got blocked.
In the second half, things got worse. Heeseung fought until the final buzzer, but the team lost by 14 points.
The arena was quiet as the final score flashed on the screen. You felt a pang in your chest watching Heeseung stand on the court, shoulders slightly slumped, sweat dripping from his hair. He looked disappointed but not broken, still the captain, still trying to rally his teammates with claps on the back and quiet words.
After the teams shook hands and the crowd started to disperse, you told Yunjin and Soobin you’d meet them later. You made your way down toward the court area, heart beating faster as you waited near the tunnel.
Heeseung emerged a few minutes later, freshly showered, hair still damp. The moment his eyes found you, his expression softened. He walked straight to you, ignoring the few lingering people around.
Without a word, he pulled you into his arms, burying his face in your neck. You hugged him back tightly, one hand rubbing his back, the other resting on the back of his head.
“You played really well,” you whispered. “I’m proud of you.”He let out a heavy breath against your skin. “We fucked up today. I fucked up.” “You didn’t,” you said gently, pulling back just enough to look at him. “You fought until the end. That’s what captains do. One bad game doesn’t change how good you are.”
Heeseung searched your eyes for a moment, then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, lingering there. His arms stayed wrapped around your waist, careful not to press too hard on your belly.
“Thank you for coming,” he murmured. “Means a lot.”
You stayed like that for a while, letting him hold you in the quiet hallway outside the locker room. A few of his teammates walked past, but no one said anything. The public affection felt natural now part of the “fake” image you were both maintaining. But the way he held you felt anything but fake.When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours. “We leave for my parents’ place in two days,” he said quietly. “You still okay with going?”
You nodded, even though nerves twisted in your stomach. “Yeah. We’ll face it together.”Heeseung smiled faintly and kissed your forehead one more time before letting you go.“I’ll see you later. Get some rest, okay? For you and Bambi.”You watched him walk back toward the locker room, heart doing that annoying flutter again.You told yourself it was just the pregnancy.Just hormones. But as you walked back to meet Yunjin and Soobin, you couldn’t ignore how safe you felt in his arms or how much you were starting to crave that feeling.
The arena slowly emptied as you, Soobin, and Yunjin made your way out into the cool night air. The loss still lingered in the atmosphere, but the walk back felt lighter thanks to your friends’ company. Yunjin was practically glowing Sunghoon had offered to drop her home after the game, and she couldn’t stop smiling about it. “I’ll see you guys later!” she called out, waving excitedly as Sunghoon’s car pulled up. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Soobin chuckled softly beside you as you both continued walking toward your apartment building.
The streets were quieter now, the distant cheers from the arena fading behind you. Soobin walked at your pace, hands in his pockets, glancing at you every few steps.After a comfortable silence, he spoke gently. “So you and Heeseung, huh?” You kept your eyes on the sidewalk, fingers fiddling with the hem of your oversized hoodie. “Yeah I guess so.” Soobin nodded slowly. “He seems different with you. Nicer I’ve seen how he looks at you during games. How he checks on you. It’s not what I expected.”
You smiled faintly, thinking about the way Heeseung had hugged you after the match, the soft kiss on your forehead, the way he always made sure you ate something gentle on your stomach. “He’s been really good to me,” you admitted quietly. “He brings me food that doesn’t make me sick. He checks on me every day. He even reads parenting books e’s trying a lot.”
Soobin was quiet for a moment, processing. Then he asked the question you’d been dreading. “Do you actually love him?” You hesitated.
The words got stuck in your throat. Your heart raced as memories flashed through your mind Heeseung holding you while you cried, cooking for you at 2 a.m., kissing your belly and whispering to Bambi, the way he looked at you like you mattered.You forced a small laugh, trying to sound casual. “Obviously duh.” Soobin stopped walking. He turned to face you fully under a streetlight, his expression soft but serious.
“It just feels really sudden,” he said gently. “One minute you hated him. You used to complain about him every single day. And now you’re dating him and pregnant with his child. It’s a lot to take in. Are you sure you’re okay?” You looked down at your shoes, fingers tightening around the strap of your bag. The truth sat heavy in your chest you weren’t sure if you loved him. You were still trying so hard not to admit how much he was starting to mean to you. The hormones made everything confusing. The pregnancy made everything terrifying. And Heeseung himself made everything feel safe.
“I’m figuring it out,” you said quietly. “It’s complicated. But he’s been there for me for us.” Soobin nodded, not pushing any further. He simply walked beside you the rest of the way, offering his quiet, steady presence like he always did. When you reached your apartment building, he gave you a gentle hug. “I’m happy for you if you’re happy,” he said softly. “But if you ever need to talk I’m here. No judgment.” You hugged him back tightly, grateful beyond words. “Thank you, Soobin.”
As you walked up to your door alone, you leaned against it for a moment, hand resting on your belly.
You were still trying so hard not to admit it.
But every day, it was getting harder to lie to yourself.
You finally reached your apartment after the long walk back with Soobin and Yunjin. The moment the door closed behind you, the exhaustion of the day the game, the stares, the emotions settled heavily on your shoulders. You kicked off your shoes, changed into an oversized t-shirt, and crawled into bed. Before turning off the lights, you picked up your phone and texted Heeseung.
You : Reached home going to sleep now goodnight
You set the phone on the nightstand and turned off the lamp, pulling the blanket up to your chin. But sleep didn’t come. Thirty minutes passed. Then forty. You tossed and turned, mind racing with thoughts of the game, the whispers you’d heard, the weight of the secret you were still carrying, and the tiny life growing inside you. The pregnancy hormones made everything feel louder your emotions, your body, your worries. You heard the soft click of the front door opening. Heeseung must have used the spare key you’d given him.
A few seconds later, he appeared in the doorway of your bedroom, silhouetted by the faint hallway light. He looked tired from the game but his expression softened the moment he saw you.“You’re still awake?” he asked gently.You sat up slowly, hugging your knees to your chest. Your voice came out small and tired.“I can’t sleep…”
Heeseung didn’t hesitate. He walked over, kicked off his shoes, and climbed onto the bed beside you. Without a word, you raised your arms toward him. “Cuddles please?” Heeseung’s face softened even more. He pulled you into his arms immediately, wrapping you up against his chest.
One of his hands rested protectively over your small belly while the other stroked your back in slow, soothing circles. “Anything for my baby,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of your head.
The word “baby” made your heart skip. You knew this was all supposed to be fake the relationship, the affection, everything. He shouldn’t be calling you that. But you didn’t correct him. You just burrowed deeper into his chest, letting his warmth and steady heartbeat calm the storm inside you. Heeseung held you tighter, chin resting on top of your head. “Rough day?” he asked softly.
You nodded against him. “The game the stares everything feels too much sometimes.” “I know,” he murmured. “But you did good today. You were there for me. That means a lot.” You stayed silent, just letting him hold you. His hand continued its gentle strokes on your back, occasionally drifting to rub small circles over your belly. The simple touch made something warm bloom in your chest, something you quickly pushed down. It’s just hormones, you reminded yourself. This isn’t real. But it felt real.
Heeseung shifted slightly, pulling the blanket higher over both of you.
“Sleep now,” he whispered. “I’ve got you. Both of you.” You closed your eyes, safe in his arms, and finally drifted off. Heeseung stayed awake a little longer, holding you close, his hand never leaving your belly. He pressed one last soft kiss to your forehead before letting sleep take him too. In the quiet darkness of your apartment, wrapped in each other, the line between fake and real blurred a little more.
Heeseung lay awake in the dark, long after you had fallen asleep in his arms. Your head rested on his chest, breath warm and steady against his skin. One of your hands had unconsciously curled into his shirt, holding on even in sleep. His own hand stayed protectively over the small, soft swell of your belly where Bambi was growing. He could feel the faint warmth of your body, the subtle rise and fall of your breathing, and it made something deep and fierce bloom in his chest. He was so fucking happy.
It was terrifying how happy he was.This wasn’t the kind of happiness he was used to the rush of winning a game, the high of a party, the fleeting satisfaction of a random hookup. This was quieter and deeper. It settled in his bones and refused to leave. He had never imagined himself here lying in bed with the girl who used to hate him, holding her while she carried his child. But now that he was, he couldn’t picture anything else.
His thumb traced slow, gentle circles over your belly Bambi. The nickname still made him smile every time he thought about it. He remembered the first time he felt the baby move just a tiny flutter that you had grabbed his hand for. That moment had wrecked him in the best way. He had stayed up half the night after that, reading every article he could find about fetal movement, what it meant, how to support you through the coming months. He was falling in love with the baby. But he was also falling in love with you and that part scared him more.
He had always been honest with himself about girls before they were fun, temporary, never serious. But you were different. You had always been different. Even when you were yelling at him through the wall, even when you called him entitled and cocky, you looked at him like he was just a person. Not the basketball captain. Not the guy with the rich dad. Just… him and now? Now you let him hold you. You let him cook for you. You let him talk to your belly and kiss your forehead and stay the night when you were anxious. You were slowly opening up to him in ways he never thought you would.
Heeseung pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head, breathing you in. He remembered the night he asked you to marry him. The way you had laughed at first, then looked at him with wide, shocked eyes. The rejection had hurt more than he let on. Not because his ego was bruised, but because for one brief, stupid moment, he had let himself imagine a future where you chose him too.
But he respected your decision. He wouldn’t force you to love him. He wouldn’t trap you in something you didn’t want. If all you could give him right now was this, these quiet nights, these shared moments, this careful co-parenting he would take it. He would take anything you were willing to give. Still he couldn’t stop the quiet hope that bloomed in his chest every time you smiled at him. Every time you leaned into his touch. Every time you fell asleep in his arms like you belonged there.
Heeseung closed his eyes, holding you a little tighter.
He didn’t know what the future held, especially with his father waiting at Thanksgiving, ready to judge and criticize. But for the first time in his life, he felt like he had something worth fighting for you and Bambi.
This strange, messy, beautiful thing growing between you. He was going to protect it. Even if you never loved him back the same way. Even if this was all still “fake” to you. Heeseung whispered against your hair, so quietly he barely heard it himself “I’ve got you both.” And in the dark, with you safe in his arms, he let himself believe it was enough for now.
ꪆ୧ ─── ドラマ.
The drive to Heeseung’s parents’ house felt longer than it should have. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and the highway stretched out in front of you, lined with trees that were slowly turning bare for winter. You sat in the passenger seat of Heeseung’s car, hands resting on your lap, occasionally drifting to the small, rounded curve of your belly under your oversized sweater. Three months and two weeks. The bump was undeniable now if you weren’t careful, but you still hid it as best as you could.
Heeseung drove with one hand on the wheel, the other occasionally brushing against yours on the center console. The radio played softly in the background some acoustic playlist he had put on because he knew loud music sometimes made your nausea worse these days. The silence between you wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy. You could feel the weight of what was coming. Meeting his parents. Revealing the pregnancy. Pretending to be in a real relationship when everything still felt so fragile and confusing.
You glanced at him. He looked calm on the surface focused on the road, jaw relaxed but you noticed the way his fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel. He was nervous too. “Are you okay?” you asked quietly. Heeseung gave you a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah just thinking about how this is going to go.” He paused, then added, “My dad can be intense. He has high expectations. But my mom will probably be happy to see you. She’s been asking about you since I told them I was bringing someone.”
You nodded, looking out the window again. Your hand unconsciously rubbed small circles over your belly.
“I’m nervous,” you admitted after a while. “What if they don’t like me? What if they think I’m just some girl who trapped you?” Heeseung reached over and gently took your hand, squeezing it once before returning his to the wheel. “They’re not going to think that,” he said, voice steady. “And even if they do it doesn’t matter. This is about us and Bambi not them.”
You stayed quiet, but his words settled something warm in your chest. You tried to ignore it. It’s just hormones, you told yourself again. Don’t get attached.
The car ride continued with small talk to fill the silence. Heeseung asked about your capstone project, about whether the nausea had gotten any better, about what you wanted to eat when you got there. You asked him about his basketball schedule after the break, about whether he was excited to see his mom. The conversation was easy, almost domestic, and that scared you more than the upcoming meeting. At one point, Heeseung reached over and rested his hand on your thigh not sexual, just comforting. You let it stay there.
Halfway through the drive, he spoke again, voice softer. “Thank you for doing this with me,” he said. “I know it’s a lot. Meeting my family pretending all of it. But I’m glad it’s you.” Your heart did that annoying little flip again. You looked down at your lap, cheeks warming. “Yeah me too,” you whispered. The rest of the drive passed in comfortable quiet. Heeseung kept the music low, occasionally humming along. Every now and then his hand would find yours again, giving it a gentle squeeze.
When the familiar gates of his parents’ large, modern house came into view, your stomach twisted with nerves. Heeseung parked the car and turned to you, his expression serious but kind.“You ready?” he asked.
You took a deep breath and nodded.“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Heeseung leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead the same gentle gesture he had been giving you more and more lately. “We’ve got this,” he murmured against your skin. “Together.”
You stepped out of the car with him, heart pounding, hand instinctively resting on your belly as you walked toward the front door of his family home. Thanksgiving had officially begun. The walk from the car to the front door felt longer than it should have. Your hand instinctively rested on your belly under the oversized sweater, a small, protective gesture you’d developed over the past few weeks. The house was beautiful, modern, large, with clean lines and big windows that glowed warmly from the inside. It looked expensive. Intimidating.
Heeseung walked beside you, his hand lightly brushing against yours before he gently took it. His grip was warm and steady.“You okay?” he asked quietly. You nodded, even though your stomach was twisting with nerves. “Just a little scared.”
He squeezed your hand. “I’ve got you. We’ll do this together.”Before you could respond, the front door opened. A woman in her late 40s stepped out, elegant and poised, with sharp features softened by a warm smile. She had Heeseung’s dark eyes. This had to be his mom.
“Heeseung!” she called out happily, walking down the steps to meet you both. She pulled her son into a tight hug first. “My baby. You look tired. Have you been eating properly?” Heeseung hugged her back. “I’m fine, Mom.”Then she turned to you, her expression softening even more. “You must be the girl my son has been talking about,” she said warmly, stepping forward to pull you into a gentle hug. She smelled like expensive perfume and fresh flowers. “I’m Heeseung’s mom. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
You hugged her back, surprised by how kind her embrace felt. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Lee.”
She pulled back but kept her hands on your shoulders, studying your face with genuine curiosity and warmth.“Please, call me Eunae,” she said. “Come inside, both of you. It’s cold out here.” She ushered you both into the house. The interior was even more impressive high ceilings, modern furniture, and a large living room that opened into a beautiful kitchen. The smell of something delicious cooking drifted from the kitchen. Eunae led you to the living room and gestured for you to sit on the large, comfortable sofa.
“Heeseung told us you’d be coming,” she said, sitting across from you with a soft smile. “I’ve been looking forward to this. He doesn’t bring girls home often, you know.” You felt your cheeks warm. Heeseung sat beside you, close enough that his thigh pressed against yours. Eunae asked gentle questions about your studies, your dreams of becoming an art curator, how you and Heeseung had started dating. You answered carefully, sticking to the story you two had rehearsed. She listened with genuine interest, occasionally glancing at Heeseung with a proud but slightly worried look.
Dinner was almost ready, she said. As she stood up to check on the food, she smiled at both of you.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” she said quietly. “Both of you. This house has been too quiet lately.”You smiled back, feeling a little less nervous. But the tension in the air was still there the knowledge that Heeseung’s dad was somewhere in the house, and that the real test was yet to come.Heeseung squeezed your hand again, as if sensing your thoughts. “We’ve got this,” he whispered when his mom left the room. You nodded, leaning into his side just a little.For now, you were safe.
Later at dinner the dining table was beautifully set. Heeseung’s mom had prepared a generous spread grilled meat, fresh vegetables, rice, and several side dishes. His dad sat at the head of the table, a tall, imposing man with sharp eyes and a serious expression. He had greeted you politely but coolly when you first arrived. The conversation started light. Eunae asked more about your studies. His dad asked about basketball. Heeseung answered calmly, his hand occasionally brushing yours under the table for reassurance.
Then, halfway through the meal, Heeseung cleared his throat. “Mom. Dad,” he said, voice steady but serious. “There’s something we need to tell you.”
Both parents looked at him. Eunae’s expression was curious. His dad’s was already guarded.Heeseung reached over and took your hand openly on the table.
“She’s pregnant,” he said. “Three months along. The baby is mine.” The silence that followed was heavy.
Eunae’s eyes widened, then filled with tears. She brought a hand to her mouth. “Oh a grandbaby?”
The dining room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence after Heeseung’s announcement. Eunae’s eyes were wide with surprise, then quickly filled with happy tears. She brought a hand to her mouth, whispering, “A grandbaby oh, Heeseung” But his father’s reaction was ice cold.Mr. Lee set his chopsticks down with a sharp clack. His eyes narrowed on Heeseung, then flicked to you with clear disapproval. “Pregnant,” he repeated, voice low and cutting. “You got this girl pregnant while you’re supposed to be focusing on your future in the league? Are you serious right now?”
Heeseung’s jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. “Yes. We’re keeping the baby.” Mr. Lee let out a harsh, disbelieving scoff. He leaned back in his chair, looking at his son like he was a disappointment he could barely stand. “Of course you are. Because that’s what you do, isn’t it? Make reckless decisions and expect everyone else to clean up after you.” His voice grew sharper, colder. “Your brother Heedo never did anything like this. He stayed focused. He trained hard. He made it pro without distractions. And you? You’re out here throwing away your career for some girl you barely know and a baby you’re not ready for.”
The words landed like punches.You felt Heeseung tense beside you, his hand gripping yours under the table. His shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t speak.
Mr. Lee wasn’t done. “You think you can handle this? You can’t even handle the pressure of being captain properly. Always distracted, always partying, always doing the bare minimum. Heedo was never like this. He was disciplined. He was excellent. And you you’re just average. Now you’ve gone and ruined your future before it even started.” The silence that followed was brutal.Eunae looked uncomfortable, glancing between her husband and son. Heeseung’s face was carefully blank
The silence that followed Mr. Lee’s words was brutal.
Eunae looked uncomfortable, her eyes darting between her husband and son. Heeseung’s face remained carefully blank, but you could feel the tension radiating from him the way his jaw clenched, the way his hand tightened around yours under the table. Mr. Lee leaned forward, voice dripping with disappointment. “You think you can handle a child? You can’t even handle yourself. Always chasing girls, throwing parties, wasting time instead of training like your brother did.
Heedo never let anything distract him. He made it pro because he was focused, disciplined, excellent and you? You’re average at best. Now you’ve gone and ruined your future before it even started all because you couldn’t keep it in your pants.” The words cut deep. You felt Heeseung flinch beside you, though he tried to hide it. Something inside you snapped.
You stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. Your heart was pounding, but your voice came out steady and sharp. “Enough.” Everyone at the table turned to look at you. Mr. Lee’s eyes narrowed.
“You don’t get to talk to him like that,” you said, voice trembling with anger but clear. “Heeseung has been working incredibly hard. He’s been there for me every single day since we found out about the baby. He’s reading parenting books, adjusting his schedule, taking care of me when I’m sick all while still being the captain of his team. He’s trying his best, and that’s more than enough.” You looked at Heeseung, who was staring at you with wide, surprised eyes. “We’re leaving,” you said firmly, taking his hand. “We don’t have to sit here and listen to this.”
Heeseung stood up beside you without hesitation. Eunae looked torn, but she didn’t stop you. Mr. Lee’s face was red with anger, but you didn’t give him a chance to speak. “Thank you for dinner,” you said politely but coldly to Eunae. “But we’re done here.”
You pulled Heeseung toward the door. He followed without a word, his hand warm and tight around yours. The moment you stepped outside, the cool night air hit your face. You didn’t stop walking until you reached his car. Only then did you turn to him.
Heeseung looked stunned. His eyes were glassy, and for the first time, you saw raw vulnerability on his face.
“You stood up for me,” he whispered. You squeezed his hand. “Of course I did. He had no right to talk to you like that.” Heeseung pulled you into his arms right there in the driveway, hugging you tightly. You felt him exhale shakily against your hair. “Thank you,” he murmured. “I I don’t know what to say.” You hugged him back just as tightly, your hand resting on his back.
As you both drove away from his parents’ house, the silence in the car was heavy but not cold. Heeseung reached over and took your hand again, holding it the entire drive back. For the first time, you didn’t pull away. And for the first time, you didn’t tell yourself it was just hormones.
The drive back to the apartment complex was quiet.
Heeseung kept one hand on the wheel, the other occasionally brushing against yours on the center console. Neither of you said much. The weight of his father’s cruel words still hung heavy in the car, and you could feel the exhaustion radiating from him. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight, and every now and then he let out a slow, controlled breath like he was trying to push the night’s events away.
When he finally parked in front of the building, it was already well past midnight. The hallway lights were dim, casting long shadows across the floor as you both walked up to your doors in silence. The air felt cooler now, the kind of late-night chill that made you pull your jacket a little tighter around yourself.
Heeseung stopped in front of his own apartment, keys in hand. He looked tired drained in a way that went beyond the long day and the difficult dinner. His eyes were distant, like he was still replaying his father’s voice in his head.
“I think… I want to be alone tonight,” he said quietly, not quite meeting your eyes. “Just need some time to think.” You nodded, understanding. The night had been draining for both of you. You didn’t want to push him when he clearly needed space. “Okay,” you whispered. “Take care of yourself.” Before he could turn away, you stepped forward and wrapped your arms around him in a tight hug. Heeseung stiffened for a second, surprised, then melted into it. His arms came around you, strong and warm, pulling you close.
You felt his face press into your hair, his breath shaky against your neck. For a long moment, you just held each other in the quiet hallway, the only sound being the faint hum of the building’s ventilation system.
When you finally pulled back, you rose onto your tiptoes and pressed a soft, lingering peck to his cheek. Your lips lingered there for a second longer than necessary, feeling the warmth of his skin.
Heeseung froze. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at you, surprised and something else, something softer, almost vulnerable. Why did you do that? you thought, heart racing. This is all supposed to be fake right? But you couldn’t deny it anymore.
You were in love with him. The realization hit you like a wave as you stood there in the dim hallway.
You loved Lee Heeseung not just because of the baby, not just because of the way he took care of you, but because of him. The man who showed up without being asked. The man who read parenting books at 3 a.m. The man who held you when you cried, kissed your forehead like it was the most natural thing in the world, and made you feel safe in a way no one else ever had. You wanted to build a family with him. You wanted the quiet nights, the shared meals, the gentle way he spoke to your belly. You wanted him.
The thought terrified you and warmed you at the same time. Heeseung lingered for a second longer, eyes searching yours, before he gave you a small, tired smile. “Goodnight,” he whispered. “Goodnight,” you replied softly. He disappeared into his apartment, the door clicking shut behind him. You stood there alone for a moment, heart still racing, before walking into your own place. You locked the door, leaned against it, and let out a long, shaky breath.
You’re in love with him, you admitted to yourself, pressing a hand to your chest. You want this. You want him. You want a family with him. The realization felt both freeing and terrifying. But before you could sit with it any longer, your phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. You walked over and picked it up. The screen showed a message from an unknown number.
Unknown : Stay away from Heeseung or else your career and his especially are doomed. I will make sure of it
*synopsis: Montana is the state where the most beautiful summer camps of all are held, every year hundreds of children couldn't wait to spend three months away from their families to stay at a summer camp cooking marshmallows, hiking the various nature trails, and swimming in the campus's natural pools. You too had been through all these experiences from your 10s until you were 15 and now that you were of age you would have become an entertainer but you hadn't counted on something that would be on summer campus too Niki, Niki was the classic “bad boy” of the town with all the girls at his feet and with petty crimes caused as a ‘joke’. But what if Niki had to be sent to work as an entertainer on summer campus for “punishment” and you, the classic good girl with zero experience in boys, had to share a room with him? A disaster from day one you can't get along with him but between bonfires with marshmallows, dives in ice water and confessions under the stars maybe the idea of spending 3 months on summer campus with Niki wasn't so bad
*word count: 34k
*tags: At first Y/n and Niki can't stand each other, they love teasing each other, first kiss (many kisses) fluffy, Niki may seem a little bit of an asshole but then becomes obsessed but in a good way with Y/n, masturbation, discovery of spicy books, loss of virginity (protected sex) there will be misunderstandings, jealousy, +18, tattoo kisses, love statement, pet names (good girl, wren)
The sky above Camp Montana was a blue so deep it almost looked unreal, the mountains in the distance veiled by a soft haze. The chirping of birds lulled you into relaxation, while the gentle lapping of waves against the shore in front of the common room’s porch gave the place an air of tranquility, though in just a few hours, it would transform into a bustling summer camp, teeming with kids eager to find their cabins and meet the friends who would share the secrets of a summer unlike any other.
Camp Montana was one of the most famous summer camps in the stat and beyond with hundreds of kids signing up months in advance for an unforgettable experience. As a child, you were one of them: not just another little girl with dirt-streaked braids and scraped knees, but now, an animator. You wore the iconic red Camp Montana hoodie, the eagle emblem emblazoned on the chest, your name stitched beside it. Your jeans bore the camp’s logo, and you carried all the gear and perks that came with the role, everything you’d dreamed of as a kid.
Back then, this place was pure magic. You’d spend nights by the campfire under a sky full of stars, sticky fingers wrapped around half-burnt marshmallows. You’d race through the woods with your friends, laughter echoing across the lake as you leaped from inflatables into the water. It was the place where you dreamed of growing up, of wearing that hoodie, of being loved by the kids just like your favorite animators—women you still remembered fondly.
But now? Now, Camp Montana was different. Now, there were responsibilities of every kind: comforting homesick children, reassuring worried parents over the phone, pulling night shifts to make sure no one snuck out of the cabins. There were judgmental glances from the other animators, whispers, and gossip slithering between the bungalows. You’d expected a peaceful summer, but life had other plans. Maybe fate was playing a cruel trick on you—or perhaps, the most beautiful one of your life.
The common room at Camp Montana was a massive wooden space, its walls covered in faded photos of summers past, some of them featuring you, with your childhood braids and braces. Colorful flags hung from the ceiling, each one signed with the names of past animators. The air was thick with the scent of coffee, freshly baked butter cookies, and burning wood. On one side, there were industrial kitchens and long tables where chaotic, noisy meals were served every day. On the other hand, a small loft where the camp president a man in his sixties with a stern, gray-bearded face was outlining the rules on a flip chart, rules that would govern the next three months, especially the ones animators were forbidden to break.
Lia, one of your closest friends: someone you’d spent countless summers with at camp, sat beside you, legs crossed, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she read aloud the "Forbidden Things for Camp Animators" written in bold red on the board:
FORBIDDEN THINGS FOR CAMP ANIMATORS:
Swimming in the lake after 10:00 PM (seriously dangerous without a lifeguard on duty).
Alcohol or drugs (zero tolerance anyone caught using drugs will be expelled immediately).
Outside guests (no bringing in boyfriends/girlfriends).
Smoking in common areas (there are two designated smoking zones—check the camp maps).
Public arguments (keep your drama private, not in front of the kids).
Abandoning your shift (if you’re on duty, you stay on duty until your shift ends).
Bringing weapons (this is a summer camp—parents expect their kids to be safe).
Damaging nature (we’re here to teach kids to respect the environment—no cutting trees, littering, etc.).
You studied the rules carefully. Most of them were reasonable, but Lia didn’t seem to agree.
"Listen to this, Y/n," she whispered, pointing at the first rule. "‘No swimming in the lake after 10:00 PM.’ Pfft! We all did it! Remember when we used to sneak out at night and dive in, then run back screaming like maniacs?" She giggled, and you bit your lip to keep from laughing. Yes, even though you’d always been seen as the "good girl," the studious one, you’d had your share of rebellious moments at 16 or 17—moments you now carried in your heart.
"Yeah, but we’re animators now, Lia," you reminded her, nudging her gently. "We’re here to work, have fun, and most importantly set a good example for the kids."
Lia rolled her eyes. "Oh, please! Give it a week, and 99% of us will have broken every single rule. Look around, half these people are just here to escape their parents, hook up in the bungalows, and have a summer they’ll tell their future kids about in a few years."
Before you could respond, the door to the common room swung open. It couldn’t be the kids, they weren’t arriving yet. Instead, what you saw—what everyone saw—was a head of bleached-blond hair with dark roots, broad shoulders, and a towering height of at least 1.95 meters. His expressive eyes and lips were the kind every girl in the room would dream of kissing. Niki because that’s who it was ducked slightly to fit through the doorway, as if even the entrance had to adjust for him. He walked toward the group of animators with an arrogant confidence that sent shivers down spines, and every girl in the room gasped:
"Oh my God..."
"Is that....?"
"It can’t be him."
You turned away sharply, trying not to look, but Lia’s eyes widened, and she elbowed you. "What the hell is Niki doing here?!" she hissed, her voice a mix of shock and excitement. "Wasn’t he supposed to be doing community service for that mess with the stolen cars? Everyone knows he organized those illegal races during the Cowboy Festival!"
You shrugged, feigning indifference, even though your heart was pounding. Unfortunately, you knew Niki. You’d grown up in the same small town, gone to the same university, you studied child psychology while he leaned into the arts, photography, and drawing.
I have no idea," you muttered, biting your nail. "But one thing’s for sure: that guy is a walking disaster. He can’t be an animator here with all these kid —he’s a ticking time bomb."
Niki sat down two rows ahead of you, crossing his long legs with effortless nonchalance. You clenched your fists as he tilted his head slightly, his signature cowboy hat—now in a "baggy style"—shadowing his face. The president glared at him with open disdain, clearly afraid Niki would bring trouble to this little slice of paradise.
The president clapped his hands loudly and cleared his throat into the microphone. "Alright, now that all our camp animators have graced us with their presence, we can begin!" His voice was sharp, dripping with sarcasm. "As you know, every year, we pair you up for teams and bungalows. Each bungalow has two single beds, a small reading area, a mini kitchen, a bathroom, and a porch with a hammock. Some overlook the lake, others the mountains, and some are near the kids’ cabins. The pairs are mixed—it’s been a tradition for years, and we’ve never had issues with boys and girls sharing. You’re all adults and responsible, so I trust you’ll have a great time with your new roommate. Now, let’s announce the pairs!"
You glanced at Lia, who rested her head on your shoulder and smirked. "I’d bet anything we’re rooming together, but we both know that’s not happening." You nodded, already resigned. A murmur spread through the room.
"I’d pay gold to be paired with Niki!" a red-haired girl shrieked. "I want Keeho!" another yelled, eyeing the guy sitting next to Niki. "Joshua’s mine!" another chimed in, her English flawless.
You took a deep breath, bracing yourself for whatever chaos was about to unfold.
The camp president scrolled through countless slides on the interactive whiteboard, and with each new slide, your stomach twisted tighter. For what felt like an eternity, your name and photo refused to appear. As anxiety clawed at you—like it always did—you started gnawing at the nail of your index finger, eyes locked on the screen. It was as if the blank slide delighted in torturing you, flashing one animator pairing after another, but never yours.
Then, your name blared through the speakers, just a little too loud.
"Y/n will be paired with Niki for the next three months in Bungalow 20," the president announced, his gaze almost pitying as it landed on you.
You couldn’t believe what you were seeing. There, on the screen, was your photo—smiling, the picture of the "girl next door"—paired with Niki’s. If you’d had a permanent marker, you would’ve drawn giant horns on his head and a ridiculous mustache over that smirking mouth of his. It was a low blow, no, a cruel joke from fate. The president must’ve had a twisted sense of humor, or maybe he was just a sadist, delighted at the thought of turning your summer into the worst one of your life.
Lia, your so-called best friend 'the traitor' started patting your head sympathetically, but it didn’t take long for her to dissolve into giggles.
"Well, look on the bright side," she whispered, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. "If you survive three months living with him, your psychology thesis will write itself. Either that, or you’ll end up in the news as an accomplice in some illegal drift racing scandal. Either way, Y/n, you’ll be legendary."
You shot her a glare and buried your face in your hands, feeling your ears burn. "I hate you," you mumbled. "This is a nightmare. He’s literally the one person in all of Montana I wouldn’t even want to share an elevator with, let alone a bungalow for three months."
With that, you bolted up, grabbed your things, and stormed out, avoiding everyone’s eyes—especially his. You could feelNiki two rows ahead, smirking, that infuriating grin plastered on his face. You lugged your bags with a strength you didn’t know you had, marching toward the upper part of the camp until you reached Bungalow 19… and then, Bungalow 20.
And Bungalow 20 was objectively perfect.
If it weren’t for your soon-to-be roommate, you might’ve cried with joy. The bungalow sat on a small hill, its wooden porch complete with a hammock big enough for more than two people. The view of the lake was straight out of a National Geographic postcard, and the mountain ridges stretched across the horizon. You pouted at how beautiful Montana could be, then dragged your suitcase—heavy as if you’d packed a corpse inside up the steps and threw open the door to your new home.
The interior was cozy, with a scent of vanilla. On the table, two shiny new badges gleamed in the afternoon light, beside a basket of warm butter-vanilla cookies a welcome gift from the camp kitchen. Next to it, a letter with the camp’s official stamp and the president’s signature. You skimmed it:
The animator pairs hadn’t been chosen at random. No, the president had studied each of you carefully, spending days crafting the "perfect" pairings. You were cautious, level-headed, someone who hated lying and taking risks. Niki, on the other hand, was cunning, self-serving, and always looking for a challenge. "You’re the sun, and he’s the storm," the letter read. "You’ll balance each other out."
You couldn’t believe what you’d just read. You wanted to crumple the paper into a ball and hurl it into the lake, but you knew Niki would have to read it too. So, like the good girl you were, you slapped it back onto the table and shoved a cookie into your mouth, chewing angrily as you stormed into the bedroom.
The beds were too close: both queen-sized, separated only by a flimsy nightstand. You claimed the one by the window, thinking that if either of you stretched out an arm in the night, you’d probably touch. You shook your head, muttering to yourself as you unzipped your suitcase and started unpacking. For twenty minutes, the world almost felt normal. You could hear the distant sounds of other animators unpacking, laughter echoing from nearby bungalows, the gentle lapping of waves against the lake’s rocky shore, and the chirping of birds. Normally, these sounds would’ve soothed you.
But peace wasn’t going to last.
The bungalow door creaked open, and the thud of Niki’s leather duffel bag hitting the floor told you one thing: your peace was officially over. The longest three months of your life were about to begin.
He strode toward Bungalow 20, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, his cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes in that defiant, street-meets-prairie style of his. He still couldn’t wrap his head around how his life had turned into some cheesy teen movie. He and his friends had planned to leave Montana for a couple of months a road trip through California, Oregon, all the way up to Canada. But then, surprise, he’d been caught behind the wheel of a stolen, tricked-out car, drifting like an idiot after watching one of his best friends win the world rodeo championship. It had been a stupid move, and his parents had bailed him out—literally—paying his bond for the joyride with stolen cars. He’d expected to end up picking up trash on the side of the road or serving meals at a soup kitchen. Instead, fate had other plans.
And now here he was, strolling through a summer camp, sentenced to three months of untouched nature, suffocating rules, and an endless horde of screaming kids as a counselor. When the town—and his parents—had first suggested it, he’d laughed in their faces. Him, babysitting a bunch of rule-breaking brats (just like he’d been)? No thanks. But here he was, and the cherry on top of this absurd sundae? You.
You were the classic good girl of the town: mayor’s daughter, straight-A student, the kind of girl every mom dreamed of for their wayward sons. The thought of spending three goddamn months with you made him want to punch something. But at the same time, it intrigued him. Because even good girls had secrets, and he was dying to uncover yours.
When he pushed open the bungalow door, the contrast hit him like a slap. The air smelled of vanilla, butter, and cherry—sickeningly sweet, almost too clean, the exact opposite of his own scent of mint and spice, the kind that lingered even from a mile away. He dropped his duffel with a heavy thud onto the wooden floor. His eyes landed on the vanilla-butter cookies left by the kitchen staff, the note reading, "Made with all the love for our favorite new counselors." He rolled his eyes, then spotted the president’s letter. As he read it aloud, his expression shifted from shock to amusement. The letter praised you like some saint, while it described him as if he were a seven-headed monster. He shook his head, laughing at how surreal this whole situation was.
With half a cookie still in his mouth, he walked into the bedroom. You were bent over, meticulously arranging your tank tops with a precision that both irritated and fascinated him. He watched your wispy braids sway with every movement, and admitting it only to himself your body wasn’t half bad for someone who spent their life buried in books. The way your jeans hugged your hips, the way your tank top accentuated your chest—damn. He cleared his throat, unable to resist.
"Well, well, well," he drawled, his smirk promising nothing but trouble. "If it isn’t Miss Braids herself...my roommate for the next three months."
You whipped around, glaring at him with a look that could’ve incinerated anyone else on the spot.
"Oh, joy," you snapped, your voice sharp as a blade. "I’m thrilled to share a room with a two-bit delinquent."
Niki chuckled, reaching out to brush his fingers over the cover of one of your classic novels Wuthering Heights, some psychological thriller he’d never even heard of. "Looks like even the library mouse knows all about my life."
You crossed your arms, lifting your chin in defiance. "I couldn’t care less about your life. In fact, the less I hear about it, the better. But we do live in a small town where gossip spreads, and unfortunately, my dad’s the mayor, so I’ve had to listen to more about your stupid antics than I’d like."
You took him in, your lips curling into a slight pout. Niki had an undeniable aura intimidating, yet magnetic. He was the kind of guy you didn’t forget easily, and that annoyed you even more.
Niki sighed, ignoring your jab, and flopped onto his bed. The wooden frame groaned under his weight—all 6’5” of muscle and arrogance seemed almost too much for the half-queen mattress. He stretched lazily, the movement hitching his oversized hoodie up just enough to reveal a sliver of golden skin and the waistband of his Playboy boxers peeking out from his low-slung jeans. You knew Niki had his own style, and you couldn’t deny even to yourself—that it wasn’t entirely unappealing. Your eyes flickered there for just a millisecond, and he caught it. A victorious smirk spread across his lips.
"Your parents are gonna lose it when they find out their sweet little angel has to share a room with a ‘criminal’ for three months," he mused, touching his lips thoughtfully, shattering the brief peace.
You rolled your eyes, trying to ignore the way your heart raced. "They trust me and I won’t do anything reckless...or wrong in your presence."
You crossed your arms tighter beneath your chest, a defensive gesture that only drew Niki’s attention. In two quick strides, he closed the distance between you, towering over you with his imposing frame. The scent of spiced mint filled the air, thick and intoxicating.
"Mmm, we’ll see," he murmured, lowering his head near your ear. "If I were a parent, I wouldn’t be too comfortable knowing my daughter had to spend countless nights in my company, wren."
Your face flushed with anger and something else, something forbidden. You slapped his arm, feeling the solid muscle beneath the fabric. "You’re just a lost cause, Niki and stop calling me wren!"
He let out a low, rough laugh as he headed toward the bathroom to unpack. "Never. We both know you’ll never outgrow me."
And there you stood, frozen in the middle of the room as the bathroom door clicked shut, your heart pounding, anger battling with an annoying, unwelcome rush of adrenaline.
A week had passed since the summer camp started, and if there were an award for patience, they should name a town square after you or better yet, erect an entire statue in your honor right in front of your hometown’s city hall. Sharing Bungalow 20 with Niki wasn’t just a challenge, it was a refined form of psychological torture. And for someone as naturally calm and patient as you, he made every day harder than the last.
Problem number one? Sleep. You loved slipping between the sheets at a decent hour—okay, maybe you were a little too fond of going to bed early. By 9 PM, you could already be drifting off to sleep, lulled by the sound of the stream outside. But Niki had other plans. Let’s just say he forgot to mention one tiny detail: he suffered from insomnia. Watching you fall asleep in five minutes flat had thrown him off because he was a night owl. He’d stay awake until 2 AM, whistling, spinning his phone between his fingers, or sketching with the music blasting. You’d politely suggested he could stay outside there were comfy puff chairs or even a hammock but he’d just smirked and said, "No thanks, I’d rather not get eaten by a bear."
And then there was the issue of tidiness. The word "order" didn’t exist in Niki’s vocabulary or maybe it did, but he took great pleasure in driving you insane. You weren’t a neat freak, but you at least tried not to turn the room into a refugee camp. The bungalow wasn’t huge just a wooden entrance table, a cushioned bench with big windows overlooking the clearing, a tiny sitting area, and an open space with your two beds and a bathroom (which, admittedly, was bigger than necessary, and you weren’t complaining about that).
Niki, on the other hand, scattered his oversized hoodies everywhere like he was marking his territory. And don’t even get started on his razors left on the sink. "For the two stray hairs on your face, you could at least put them away!" you’d yelled one morning, but he’d just flashed that infuriating smirk while shaving his cheek.
But the final straw was the ID card prank. Every counselor had to carry theirs to access camp areas, and one morning, yours had vanished—poof, like magic. You were in full-blown panic, tearing the place apart: under the bed, between books, in the bathroom, under the bench. Then Niki leaned against the doorframe, watching you huff and mutter, that annoying smile playing on his lips.
"Looking for this, Princess?" he asked, dangling the ID card from his index finger.
You lunged to grab it, but he lifted his arm, using all of his 195 centimeters to keep it out of reach. You glared as you hopped uselessly, trying to snatch it.
"You know," he murmured, letting you nearly collide with his chest as you jumped, "you should keep it somewhere safer… maybe pinned right here…" He tapped the neckline of your tank top with the edge of the card, watching your cheeks flush pink. He’d discovered he loved seeing your round cheeks turn every shade of red, and without another word, he draped it around your neck, letting it fall against your chest. Then he winked and disappeared into the kitchen.
But the incident that truly made you snap happened one late afternoon. You’d just returned to the bungalow after an exhausting day of supervising dozens of kids screaming on the lake’s inflatables, your hair a disaster and your legs shaking with fatigue. Without a care in the world, you flung the door open, only to freeze.
Sitting on Niki’s bed was a girl, one of the sports group counselors, laughing hysterically at something he’d said. She was practically straddling him. You rolled your eyes so hard they nearly popped out, your face turning as red as a bell pepper—not from embarrassment, but from pure, unadulterated rage. You shot the girl a look that could’ve killed a grizzly bear.
When Niki gestured for her to leave like she’d never been there, you pointed a finger at him and snapped:
"It’s incredibly disrespectful to bring random people into our bungalow, especially at this hour when you know I come back exhausted! I’m seriously tired, I just want to shower and sleep, and instead, I walk in to find you doing… who knows what with that girl!" You crossed your arms, glaring, and Niki pressed his lips together to keep from laughing at how furious you were. He sat up, running a hand through his blond hair, and looked at you with an amused grin.
"What’s wrong, Shorty? You’re not… jealous, are you? I didn’t know the mayor’s daughter cared so much about my free time."
You shot him your worst glare. "Jealous? Of you?!" you scoffed, pointing at him. "Right now, I’m furious, not jealous! If you’re going to bring girls in here whenever you feel like it, then starting tomorrow, I’ll bring a guy in too, no, I’ll bring a different one every night!" You gestured to the bungalow, and Niki stiffened instantly. His jaw clenched so hard you could see the muscles in his neck tighten, and his gaze darkened, almost dangerous but only for a second. The next moment, he burst into laughter, flopping backward onto the bed.
"Why the hell are you laughing?!" you demanded, even angrier, but he just stretched out, taking up the entire bed with his endless legs, and looked at you with tears in his eyes from laughing so hard.
"Oh, this is rich! The girl with the braids—who I’m pretty sure has never been kissed in her life—wants to bring some random guy into our room! Go ahead, Y/n, you wouldn’t even know where to start."
Your cheeks burned a shade of red you’d never experienced before. Jabbing a finger at him, you hissed, "You don’t know the first thing about me, Niki!" Your voice trembled with indignation. You grabbed your robe and toiletries and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door so hard the wooden walls of the bungalow shook.
Under the shower’s spray, you cursed him in every language you knew. But deep in your chest, your heart refused to calm down and you weren’t sure if it was from the insult or the way he’d looked at you when you’d mentioned bringing another guy in.
That morning, the soft Montana dawn light filtered through the curtains, bringing with it the usual chorus of birds and the steady murmur of the stream just a few meters from your bungalow. You would have given half your counselor’s salary to stay under the blankets for another ten minutes or maybe the whole morning because as a kid, you never truly realized how much work animators had behind the scenes. But duty called, and that week, you’d been assigned to fabric painting at 9:15 AM. So, with a lazy groan, you sat up, and just like every single morning since this nightmare began the first thing your eyes focused on was the occupant of the bed beside you.
Your gaze landed on Niki, a tangle of icy blond hair and heavy sighs. You noticed how his hair was slowly growing out, the dark roots of his natural color peeking through. His lips were slightly pouty in sleep, and he clutched the pillow beneath him like he was afraid someone might steal it. His thick eyebrows, usually furrowed in annoyance, were finally relaxed, making him look almost… innocent. Just a boy too big for a bed too small.
You knew he also had fishing duty at 9:15 AM, but after a week of stolen ID cards and jokes about how you embodied the "good girl" ideal, you decided your "act of kindness" would be letting him sleep. A wicked little smirk tugged at your lips as you thought, I could let him sleep… so he doesn’t wake up in time for the start of activities. You reached out to shake his shoulder but then stopped yourself. With a quiet chuckle, you muttered under your breath as you closed yourself in the bathroom, "Let him be late."
And so, you began your skincare ritual: slathering on pounds of sunscreen (because your skin had to stay flawless, even if you were going to sweat or get thrown into the water), adding a touch of self-tanner (since you still hadn’t achieved the exact shade of tan you wanted), and then pulling on your swimsuit, a T-shirt, athletic shorts, and braiding your hair as you finished, you noticed a stack of Post-its leaning against the mirror. You grabbed the pad and started decorating the bathroom mirror like it was a Christmas tree of warnings.
Green Post-it: I DON’T KNOW WHAT WORLD YOU LIVE IN, NIKI, BUT THERE’S SOMETHING CALLED A CLOSET FOR A REASON -> PUT YOUR HOODES IN THERE (Otherwise, the one on my chair is about to become a mop for the floor, and I don’t think you’d like that—especially since I know some of your hoodies cost as much as two months of our salary).
Blue Post-it: STOP PLAYING THOSE WAR GAMES AT 2 AM. Some people need to dream about things other than explosions and actually sleep peacefully. Try unplugging from those electronic gadgets and falling asleep to the sound of the stream and night crickets.
Yellow Post-it: TRY NOT TO USE MY SAKURA BODY WASH! I don’t think the scent of cherry blossoms helps your bad-boy reputation. What will the other girls think when they smell you reeking of girliness? They’ll just get even more jealous of me…
Orange Post-it: RAZORS HAVE A HOME. IT’S CALLED A ‘PERSONAL CABINET,’ NOT A ‘BATHROOM SINK DECORATION. Also, you’ve got, like, two stray hairs max, stop acting like you’re grooming a lion’s mane."
Pink Post-it: If you feel like breaking the next girl’s heart, don’t bring her into our room. I’d rather not see another girl leaving in tears because of you!
You checked the time: 8:15 AM. Niki hadn’t moved a millimeter, lost in a deep sleep that made him look almost… innocent. Almost, obviously. You grabbed the last Post-it before heading to breakfast and stuck it on the exit door. In your neat but determined handwriting, you wrote:
Oops, looks like your human alarm clock had a technical malfunction this morning or maybe just ‘forgot’ to share her air with you. Hope those five hours of sleep (well, six now) were enough, since you spend your nights doing everything but sleeping. I let you sleep, obviously, because I care’ and not at all because I wanted you to be late… (nope, not at all). Consider this my ‘welcome gift’… or maybe just proof that I can play dirty too, Niki. See you at the lake—if you can keep your eyes open and make it to roll call on time:)
Your favorite roommate:)
Niki was about to explode. He’d grown up with two other girls his age, and sure, there had been disagreements and fights, but you? You outdid them both. When his eyes finally opened and focused on the clock, his first thought wasn’t panic over being late it was a name spat like a curse between his teeth: "Y/n."
When he turned to see if you were still there, he found your bed perfectly made and rolled his eyes. He dragged himself out of bed, cursing you in every language he knew, because you two had an agreement or rather, you had established the rules, and he had grunted in assent, that you’d wake each other up but no, today you’d had the brilliant idea of leaving without calling him. And now, with twenty minutes until activities started, he was still in his boxers, his hair a wild mess.
He stumbled into the bathroom, tripping over one of his own hoodies left on the floor, only to find himself facing an explosion of colorful Post-its on the mirror. He grumbled under his breath as he splashed water on his face.
"She seriously took the time to write out all these stupid rules instead of waking me up?" he muttered through a mouthful of toothpaste foam, glaring at the green Post-it.
"Put away your hoodies… use my body wash… but look at this one..." he said, mimicking your voice and grabbing a cookie from the table while frantically searching for his ID card. The taste of chocolate clashed violently with the minty toothpaste, creating a disgusting mix, and he wondered how Sunoo, one of his best friends could stand that contrast.
Just as he was about to leave, he spotted the last Post-it on the door and read it twice, the cookie still between his teeth: "Because I ‘care’ and not at all because I wanted you to be late… (nope, not at all)."
Niki blinked, then let out a strangled noise, somewhere between a growl and an incredulous laugh.
"‘I care,’ huh?" he muttered to himself, glaring at the yellow paper. "You’re such a little liar, Shorty. You left me to rot in bed so that you could enjoy the show of me running around like an idiot."
He grabbed his ID card, adjusting his cowboy hat with a sharp motion, but his movements were less furious than before. There was a strange electricity humming under his skin. Obviously, that Post-it was a provocation of course it was but it was also glaring proof that the mayor’s daughter, the so-called "untouchable" girl, wasn’t just putting up with his presence. She was studying him. She knew how many hours he slept, that he played video games until 2 AM, and even that he used your body wash. She was paying way too much attention to him.
With a small smirk lighting up his gaze, he tucked the Post-it behind his phone case. He wasn’t entirely sure why he was doing it, but the idea of carrying a little piece of your neat handwriting with him appealed to him more than he wanted to admit.
And with that, he rushed off to the little ones’ fishing activity, fully intending to drive you just as crazy that day.
The weekend had finally arrived, and the atmosphere at Camp Montana had shifted. While most of the counselors were loading up their cars to escape to the nearest town, searching for parties, cocktails, or luxury hotel retreats to unwind, you had very different plans. The wildlife trail started just a 10-minute walk from the camp’s parking lot, and you were looking forward to two hours of hiking, surrounded by the scent of hay, sun-warmed trees, and the sun beating down on your skin. But what you were really looking forward to was a hearty plate of melted cheese with sausage and mushrooms, topped off with a wild berry panna cotta the meal you’d been dreaming about for days.
That night, you’d gone to bed more excited than usual, simply because you couldn’t wait to spend a day completely free of Niki. When you woke at dawn, the sky was still painted in soft violet hues, and the first birds were beginning to chirp. You stretched, instinctively turning toward Niki’s bed, expecting to see the usual tangle of blond hair and blankets strewn in every direction. But to your surprise, the bed was empty. Your heart gave a little leap, it was the first time you didn’t have to deal with his impossible schedule. That is, until you heard the water running.
You made a slightly confused face and thought to yourself, It’s seven in the morning, and he’s already up? Where is that guy even going? I hope he’s not up to something stupid.
With those questions swirling in your mind, you headed to the kitchen to make coffee, watching as the first rays of sunlight set the mountain peaks ablaze. A few moments later, Niki emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp and tousled. He was wearing a faded ‘80s band T-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, baggy jeans, and sturdy hiking boots. He pulled his New Yorker cap on backward, and you had to admit, reluctantly that his style was growing on you. Maybe even a little too much. You quickly looked away.
"Where are you going?" you asked, clutching your coffee mug like a shield. Niki reached out, snatching a cookie from the table, and took a bite with casual indifference.
"Hiking with you and your little friends," he said, his voice still rough with sleep. You closed your eyes, certain he was joking. When you opened them again, you nearly spilled your coffee into the sink, coughing in surprise.
"Wait, what? You...you’re coming with us? Into the woods? For hours?" You tried to talk him out of it. "I don’t think that’s your ideal habitat."
Niki shrugged, shooting you an amused glance from under the brim of his cap. "What? Surprised? I can walk like a normal person, Shorty. And I can adapt to any natural habitat..especially when you’re there." He winked at you, and you opened your mouth to retort, but no words came out.
"So… you’re telling me you’re coming with us? You’re actually waiting for me?"
He nodded, picking up the mug you’d only taken a sip from and downing the rest of your coffee. "Yeah, just don’t take an hour to get ready." He stepped outside onto the porch, and the word "ready" made your cheeks burn. You didn’t need to be told twice. You rushed to the bathroom, washing your face at lightning speed and braiding your hair into your usual neat plaits. You threw on a ribbed tank top with faded rainbow stripes that gave you a fresh, lively look, a pair of comfortable jeans that ended just above your knees, your hiking boots, and your New Yorker cap. When you stepped outside, grab your backpack and camera, you found Niki lounging on the porch hammock. The moment you appeared, he lifted his gaze and looked you up and down. For a second, his usual smirk faded, replaced by an unreadable expression. Without meaning to, he inhaled, catching the faint scent of your sakura-scented body wash, your signature fragrance in the bungalow and, apparently, his favorite in just a few weeks. With a fluid motion, he hopped off the hammock, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and gestured toward the trail.
You walked in silence to the meeting point, but it was a different kind of silence. Neither of you teased or provoked the other. For once, there was no war between you...
When Lia saw you both approaching, her eyes widened. Okay, sure, you’d told the whole camp that anyone who wanted to join the hike was welcome, but she hadn’t expected to see you arrive with Niki. She rushed over, linking her arm through yours and pulling you a step forward to whisper in your ear:
"And what is he doing here? He’s complained every day about not being able to sleep, and now that he has two whole days to catch up, he’s coming on a hike?"
"He decided to come hiking with us," you replied with a shrug, trying to sound indifferent while feeling Niki’s gaze burning into the back of your neck.
Lia turned to study him properly. Niki was leaning against a tree with effortless ease, observing the forest as if he’d known it his whole life. She was skeptical, she knew a guy like him wouldn’t choose a flat trail and a refuge lunch unless there was a more... personal reason. She looked at you, then at him, and a small, knowing smile spread across her face. Deep down, she already understood what was brewing between you, though she decided not to say anything, she didn’t want to make your cheeks burn any brighter. She couldn’t wait to see how your days together would unfold.
The crisp Montana air was like a jolt of pure energy, invigorating you with every breath. You took long, deep inhales, savoring the sweet sensation of fresh, clean air filling your lungs. You loved walking along the flat trail, surrounded by greenery, the sound of babbling brooks, and the occasional sight of cows grazing in the distance. Every few minutes, people would wave and wish you a good day, making you feel right at home, because deep down, you’d always loved spending time outdoors, and your years at summer camp had only deepened that love for nature.
You and Lia led the group with confidence, knowing every rock and turn of the path by heart after years of hiking it together. Each time, you’d discover something new, something you’d missed the year before. But every time you raised your camera to capture a snow-capped peak, a wildflower, or one of Lia’s funny faces, the lens somehow ended up framing Niki instead. He walked with an effortless swagger, earbuds in, his gaze shifting between the mountain peaks and your figure just a few meters ahead.
It was odd to wear earbuds when you could hear the birds, the cows, the rushing water but by now, you’d grown used to Niki’s quirks. If it made him comfortable, you weren’t about to say anything.
Niki took in the landscape, and it wasn’t half bad—though he’d never admit it out loud. He was a Chicago guy, used to 2 a.m. outings because he couldn’t sleep, extreme sports, and pure adrenaline. The quiet of nature usually bored him to death, but the thought of staying in the empty bungalow without your indignant glares and quick comebacks had convinced him that maybe a hike wasn’t so terrible. He liked watching you—how you were kind to everyone, sunny, the way people gravitated toward you because you gave off the vibe of someone everyone wanted to be around. But with him, you were the exact opposite, fiery, ready to snap the second he opened his mouth to tease you. That contrast was getting under his skin, and it annoyed him more than he cared to admit. It hadn’t even been a month since you’d started sharing your lives, and yet his eyes sought you out everywhere. He hated the effect you had on him.
At one point, the group stopped because a small stream had flooded the trail, creating a muddy, slippery passage. The guys in the group started playing the chivalrous heroes, helping the others cross. Niki quickened his pace until he was right behind you, his warm breath brushing against your earlobe, carrying the scent of mint and something spicy.
"Wren, let me go first," he murmured in that rough voice that sent a shiver down your spine. "Halfway through, I’ll grab your hand and pull you across." He smirked, and when he saw you startle at his sudden closeness, he chuckled. You whipped around, and your faces were inches apart, your cheeks flaming at the unexpected proximity.
"Thanks, but I can manage on my own," you said, proud. "Do you know how many times I’ve hiked this trail? A little water isn’t going to stop me."
He stepped aside with a dramatic flourish, gesturing for you to go ahead. You tried to proceed with dignity, and for a while, it went fine—until you reached a slippery, unstable rock. Panic set in. You hadn’t brought extra clothes or spare shoes, and the thought of ending up soaked in front of everyone—especially him—was a humiliation you couldn’t afford. You heard the others urging you to hurry, a small crowd forming behind you. You closed your eyes, swallowed your pride, and said:
"Niki… could you come to the middle and then go ahead? That way, you can grab my hand and pull me across?"
His smirk widened, lighting up his blond features—he had bet on you needing his help eventually. "Oh, so now you really get that you need me, wren?"
"Please, spare me the Montana hero speech and move that giant body of yours before I throw a rock at your head!" you snapped, trying to hide your embarrassment. You were stuck in the middle of the stream, and everyone was watching but you only cared about the gaze of one person in particular. He didn’t need to be told twice. With an effortless leap, he landed on the stable rock beside you, gesturing for you to hand over your backpack. Then, with infuriating ease, he launched himself toward the grassy bank, landing perfectly dry.
A moment later, he turned and reached his arm out to you. It was long, solid, veins standing out on the back of his hand, adorned with small silver rings. You wobbled slightly toward the water, and he stepped forward to catch you.
"Jump, Y/N. I’ve got you, you won’t fall," he said, rising onto his toes to get closer. You took a deep breath and leaped without thinking. His large, warm hands instantly closed around your waist, lifting you as if you weighed nothing. For an endless moment, you were pressed against his chest, feeling the heat of his body against yours. His minty, musky scent overwhelmed your senses, making you forget where you were. Without meaning to, you nestled closer to him. After a moment, you looked up and found his face just centimeters from yours, that victorious smirk still playing on his lips as he enjoyed the fact that everyone was staring.
"Thanks," you whispered, your cheeks burning as he set you down with maddening slowness. You tucked some loose strands of hair behind your ears, and Niki saw how utterly flustered you were. He found it ridiculously cute but didn’t say a word. Instead, he watched as you grabbed your backpack and hurried to catch up with Lia, who was barely containing a sarcastic comment about what had just happened. You shot her such a fierce look that she immediately raised her hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay, I’ll keep my mouth shut!" she said, laughing.
The trail leading to the refuge was a relentless uphill climb that seemed to never end, but the view waiting at the top made every drop of sweat worth it. Every time you hiked that path and reached the summit, the scenery was breathtaking. When you finally caught sight of the wooden cabin with its umbrellas and lounge chairs neatly lined up along the meadow, a chorus of relieved sighs rose from the group everyone was utterly exhausted.
You and Lia, without needing to say a word, quickened your pace—though maybe that wasn’t the best idea, since it left the others behind and your legs started aching but the moment you stepped inside the refuge, the smell of freshly cooked food wrapped around you, and your stomachs growled in response.
In front of the entrance, a menu written on a chalkboard made your mouths water: melted cheese with sausage and mushrooms, beef stew with potatoes, hot sausage sandwiches with various sides but it was the dessert list that made you both grin: panna cotta with berries, Sacher cake, strudel. You and Lia exchanged a look of pure complicity—you couldn’t wait to dig into those homemade sweets.
"Oh my God, I’m about to die from happiness," you said at the sight of so many treats, and Lia sighed at the sight of a waitress carrying a perfect slice of Sacher cake, already imagining the first bite of that heavenly dessert.
You dropped your backpacks onto a long wooden table, and while the others settled in, you couldn’t resist unbuttoning the first two buttons of your blouse, you wanted to soak up as much sun as possible and relax. You put on your sunglasses and stretched out on a lounge chair like a cat basking in the sun. Lia did the same, but unlike you, Lia was a first-class chatterbox and didn’t stop talking for a second:
"Damn, Y/n, look at Niki," she said, nodding toward the shade of the refuge. "He seriously hates the sun. How can he just sit there in the shade, sulking with that little notebook of his, drawing or writing who knows what, when he could be out here soaking up some sun and relaxing by the stream like normal people?"
You turned slightly and, sure enough, saw Niki leaning against the refuge wall, legs crossed, notebook on his knees, and a scowl that, for some reason, made a stupid little smile tug at your lips. You quickly shook your head.
Since when did you find him cute? you thought. He was everything you shouldn’t want in your life....especially that annoying pout of his, the way he ignored the world around him.
"Good thing he’s over there by himself instead of coming to ruin my free day too," you replied, trying to sound indifferent. Lia chuckled, noticing how you’d glanced at him.
"You know, it’s weird that, purely by coincidence, he ended up coming on this hike with us too. I think he came because…"
You pushed your sunglasses up and shot her a glare. She immediately clamped her mouth shut and raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, we won’t talk about you and him...well, we won’t talk about him at all, Y/n. Just today. I’ll put my headphones in and listen to a podcast or some music for an hour while we enjoy the fresh air and sunshine."
You nodded, but before sliding your sunglasses back down, you couldn’t resist sneaking another look at Niki. He was completely absorbed in sketching, his pencil moving swiftly across the page, his brow slightly furrowed. As if sensing the weight of your gaze, he looked up, and your eyes met. You immediately lowered your sunglasses and pretended to look around before lying back down on the lounge chair, but you could feel your cheeks burning.
Damn it… He always caught you looking at him. Every single time.
On the other side, Niki lowered his gaze back to his notebook, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at his lips. For the first time in a long while, there was a real person in his sketches, he’d been drawing the mountains, quick strokes and shading, but there was also the profile of a girl with braids taking photos by a stream and he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
Lunch at the refuge had been devoured in the blink of an eye—everyone had grabbed food and shared it among laughter and old mountain stories meant to scare the group. But the peace lasted only until dessert arrived. When the waitress placed that slice of warm strudel in front of you, crispy pastry, vanilla ice cream already melting into a delicious cream, you thought you’d died and gone to heaven. You’d been dreaming of that slice for ages, but you hadn’t accounted for Niki’s presence. Without a word, he stretched his fork toward your dessert and, with zero hesitation, broke off half your slice.
"Hey! That’s my cake!" you exclaimed, eyes wide, as Niki didn’t even bother looking at you. With a little smirk, he broke off another piece, and you, furious, jammed your fork between the tines of his to block him. He finally lifted his gaze, those expressive eyes locking onto yours.
"This is my cake, Niki. You have your yogurt, which is probably just as sour as you are," you hissed, aware that half the table was snickering at your little scene.
"Everyone said we should share," he countered, "and I’ll share mine with your dessert." He gestured to your strudel, and you snapped:
"Well, I’d never trade my cake for yogurt I could get in the camp cafeteria!"
Before you could finish, he swooped in with lightning speed, bringing a piece of strudel to his mouth. You opened your lips to protest, but the sound died in your throat as Niki closed his eyes and let out a low, guttural moan, almost like a purr of satisfaction, that made your stomach flutter. He brought a finger to his lips to wipe away a trail of vanilla ice cream, and in that moment, you felt your ears burning.
"Mmm… I get why you don’t want to share," he said, his gaze lingering on your lips a second too long. "It’s delicious. I’ll have another bite." He leaned even closer to your plate, and you snapped:
"Forget it!" You clutched the plate to your chest like it was your most precious treasure, and he kept talking:
"Come on, Y/n, share a little. Don’t be a baby," he teased, and Lia, beside you, burst out laughing.
"You two are like an old married couple fighting over the remote. Y/N, just give him a piece—you know he’ll win anyway."
You shot her a glare. "You’re supposed to be on my side, Lia!" you grumbled, finishing your slice in quick bites while glaring daggers at Niki, who returned to his "boring" yogurt with berries. Halfway through, he held out the spoon with some fruit, but you shook your head proudly. Niki thought you were seriously acting like a child—a little pouty, a little stubborn—but that angry pout of yours made him feel things he shouldn’t, and he noticed how your eyes never left him, even if your glare was murderous.
After eating, the group split up, some hiked higher, while Niki, against all expectations, flopped onto a lounge chair in the sun. By 5 PM, when the air started cooling, Lia and the others approached you.
"We’re heading back, Y/n. Coming?" she asked.
You glanced at Niki, fast asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily. It was strange: back at the bungalow, he fought insomnia until 2 AM, but here, on an uncomfortable wooden lounge chair, he looked like an angel (maybe a fallen one), wrestling with his demons. Without realizing it, you said:
"I’ll stay another half hour. We share the bungalow—I’ll make this sacrifice and head down with him."
Lia looked slightly surprised and glanced at the dark clouds gathering over the peaks. "Okay, but don’t take too long, the weather here changes in a heartbeat. Text me when you get back to camp."
You nodded and sat beside him, trying to focus on The Mistake by Elle Kennedy, but the words danced on the page. You’d been stuck on the same page for 10 minutes. When only a few people remained, you stood up and poked his back with a finger.
"Niki, stop sleeping. We need to go down," you said, but there was no response, you realized he had headphones in. You yanked them out with a sharp motion, cutting off the music.
"Niki Nishimura! We have to go back! You can sleep at the bungalow!"
He opened his eyes slowly and saw your braids swaying inches from his face. He let out a lazy, warm chuckle, and you huffed.
"What’s so funny? It’s past five, and it’s about to rain!"
Instead of answering, Niki reached out and tugged lightly on one of your braids, twirling it around his fingers with a familiarity that stole your breath...only your family ever played with your hair like that. You slapped his hand away.
"Are you crazy? Don’t touch my hair again, and let’s go—look what’s coming over the mountains!" You pointed to the dark clouds forming, and he sighed, stretching like a cat. In the movement, his ’80s band T-shirt rode up, and your eyes widened, right there, on his V-line, was a tattoo… red lips? They looked perfect, inked in such a scandalous spot that it made your head spin. Whose lips were those?
You shook your head, heat flooding your face. Grabbing your backpack, you spun around and jabbed a finger at him. "I’m not waiting for you anymore! Everyone else left an hour ago, and if you want to stay here and get struck by lightning, be my guest—because I’ve already been too nice waiting for you, and I don’t even know why!"
You stormed off, heart pounding at the memory of that tattooed skin shaped like lips, but after a few minutes, a familiar shadow fell over you. You turned and saw Niki, less than two steps behind, hair tousled, backpack slung over his shoulder, and that usual scowl etched on his face. You rolled your eyes, but deep down, the fact that he hadn’t left you alone sent a strange, annoying twist in your stomach. You nearly stopped in your tracks, and he said:
"Walk, wren," he murmured, brushing past you, leaving the scent of mint in the air. "Or I’ll have to fish you out of the mud when it starts raining!"
You hated Niki Nishimura with every fiber of your being, or at least, that’s what you kept telling yourself as the rain poured down, turning the Montana trail into a slippery, muddy mess. And for once, Niki had been right. Just minutes earlier, he’d said, "I’ll have to fish you out of the mud,"—and now, his words had become reality. You wanted to scream and kill him at the same time. The storm had only been raging for five minutes, but the water was already cascading down in sheets, and you clutched your backpack over your head in a desperate, useless attempt to stay dry. Meanwhile, you were seething—at yourself for not leaving with the others, at Niki for walking with an infuriating calm, as if he actually enjoyed this situation.
You shot him glowering looks until a deafening crack split the sky, thunder roaring through the mountains. You froze, paralyzed by the ominous sound. Everyone—your father, every camp instructor—had always drilled into you: "Never stay near trees during a mountain storm." And here you were, smack in the middle of a giant forest, your heart pounding with fear—for yourself, for Niki, for the fact that something terrible could happen to either of you.
Niki, realizing you’d stopped, whirled around. His usual bored expression vanished in an instant when he saw you—motionless, eyes squeezed shut, shoulders trembling. In three long strides, he was at your side.
"Why did you stop? We need to move!" he shouted over the rain, but you just stared at him, wide-eyed, hair plastered to your face.
"We’re going to get struck by lightning, Niki! It’s your fault! We’re still over an hour from camp, and we’re in the middle of nowhere!" you panicked. Another thunderclap, even closer, made the ground tremble. Before you could say another word, you felt Niki’s large, warm hand grab yours, and there was no time to protest—he started running, dragging you along in a frantic sprint through the downpour. You had to match his pace, even though you weren’t used to it.
"Do you even know where the hell you’re going?!" you yelled, but Niki didn’t answer. At the fork that led back to the summer camp, you watched in horror as he suddenly veered left.
"Are you SERIOUSLY going left?! The camp is to the RIGHT! Niki, I swear if I die because of you, my ghost will haunt you for the rest of your EXISTENCE—no, for ETERNITY!" you screamed. But instead of panicking, Niki burst out laughing a liberating, wild laugh, the kind of someone who hadn’t felt this alive and free in years, far from Chicago’s underground races and his parents’ problems. When he finally spotted an old abandoned barn between the trees, he pointed at it with a sharp gesture. As you stumbled inside, you were furious and immediately yanked your hand away as if it burned.
"I can’t believe this… How unlucky can I be? Why didn’t I just go down with Lia and the others? Why did I have the brilliant idea of waiting for you?!" you ranted, shivering from the cold. Niki shook the water from his hair like a wet dog and looked down at you—you seemed even smaller and more vulnerable, soaked and trembling.
"You should be thanking me, actually," he said with a vague gesture. "We’re safe, under a roof that’s protecting us from killer lightning and the storm."
You raised an eyebrow. "Thank you? For what, exactly?"
He huffed, stepping dangerously close to you. "Because you didn’t even know this shack existed. If it weren’t for me, you’d still be out there, frozen like a statue in the dark, drenched, and panicking in the storm. But hey, no problem, Y/n." He smirked, and you opened your mouth to retort but another flash of lightning lit up the sky outside, followed by thunder that seemed to shake the barn’s foundations. You shuddered violently, and before you even realized it, you stepped closer to him, seeking protection—though you were still seething.
"It’s all my fault…" you murmured, voice trembling. "I should’ve gone down with the others and left you there sleeping on the lounge chair. Now we’re stuck here all night? No, I’m NOT spending the night in here! What if a wolf comes in? Or a bear and eats us both? Or the roof collapses...."
But before you could finish, your words were cut off by Niki’s lips crashing against yours. You froze, stunned by the unexpected softness of his mouth. Your thoughts spiraled:
What is he doing? Is he actually kissing me? Should I pull away? Will it be awkward? Will he realize it’s my first kiss?
But every doubt vanished when you felt his lips part slightly, inviting you to respond. This kiss was nothing like you’d imagined—not the rough, aggressive kind you’d expect from a guy like him, always surrounded by girls. Instead, there was an unexpected sweetness that stole your breath as his lips gently coaxed yours open. Your hands acted on their own—one fisted his soaked T-shirt, feeling the heat of his chest, while the other rested on his solid shoulder. You parted your lips further, letting him deepen the kiss, and you sighed into it, tasting the lingering vanilla ice cream mixed with the mint of his breath. Niki let out a low, satisfied hum against your mouth, his lips lightly sucking your lower lip, a barely-there smirk forming between you—as if he knew he’d finally shut you up.
But then reality hit like a slap. You jerked back, pressing a trembling hand to your mouth, your heart pounding in your throat.
Niki had just stolen your first kiss...your very first kiss.
He stood still, towering over you with wet hair falling onto his forehead, watching you with a small smirk—finally, he’d managed to shut you up.
"You…" you whispered, pointing at him with a trembling finger. "Why did you kiss me?" you shrieked, shocked. Niki just shrugged with an infuriating nonchalance.
"I wanted to shut you up somehow, and I figured kissing you was the quickest way. That’s all… You were rambling too much, Y/n, and I hate people who talk too much."
Your cheeks burned, and you didn’t know whether to slap him or kiss him again. You opened your mouth to unleash a string of insults, to tell him how arrogant and presumptuous he was, but the words died in your throat. With a smooth, unembarrassed motion, Niki pulled off his soaked shirt, leaving you frozen, your eyes glued to his body—sculpted like marble, dark lines of tattoos snaking across his skin in designs you couldn’t quite decipher. But your gaze inevitably dropped lower, to that defined V-line disappearing into his wet jeans, to that lip-shaped tattoo that seemed both scandalous and sexy. Your cheeks flared with heat, and you snapped your eyes downward, pretending sudden interest in the muddy tips of your shoes.
Meanwhile, Niki pulled out a gray long-sleeved shirt from his backpack too thin for the dropping temperature—then a thick, carefully folded gray hoodie. You assumed it was for him, but instead, he stepped closer. Seeing you speechless for once, he teased with a chuckle:
"Damn, if kissing you or showing off my tattoos is what it takes to shut you up, I should’ve done it ages ago back at the bungalow. You never stop talking from morning to night!" he said with an annoying smirk.
"You’re an idiot!" you snapped, giving him a little shove, but he didn’t budge an inch. Instead, he draped his hoodie over your shoulders.
"Take off that blouse and put this on," he ordered, his gaze suddenly serious as he watched you shiver. "At least you’ll stay warm and won’t freeze to death before we get back to camp, otherwise, you’ll have a fever of 40 tomorrow."His eyes lingered on you, and you wanted to strangle him, but your chattering teeth wouldn’t let you play tough. The hoodie was soft, plush inside, and you nodded, but first, you muttered:
"Turn around. I need to change."
Niki shot you a challenging look that lasted a couple of seconds, then sighed and turned his back.
"Don’t you dare turn around, Niki, seriously, or..."
He burst out laughing, a low chuckle echoing against the wooden walls. "Or what, wren? You’ll kiss me this time?"
You wanted to scream, but while he kept teasing you, you moved fast as lightning, peeling off your soaked blouse that clung to your skin like ice. You slipped into his hoodie....massive, the sleeves swallowing your hands completely, the hem falling to mid-thigh but the worst… or best part? The smell. It was intensely him: peppermint and something spicy, and without thinking, you buried your face in the high collar, inhaling his scent.
Niki turned slowly, expecting you to be done but when he saw you drowned in his clothes, your nose pressed into the fabric as you sought his scent, he froze. His mind raced: You looked so small in his hoodie, like it was made for you. And he hated how good you looked in his clothes, it drove him crazy. You were the classic "good girl" who should’ve stayed far away from someone like him… and yet, at the same time, he wanted to break you, make you his, just to prove to the world that even good girls needed a guy like him.
You realized he was staring at you longer than usual, and you whispered, "Thanks."
Niki raised an eyebrow, surprised by your response. "Whoa, I should mark this day on the calendar! The Princess actually said thank you without a judge forcing her!" he teased, chuckling. You rolled your eyes, trying to reclaim some dignity.
"You should thank me," you said, puffing up slightly as you clutched the long sleeves against your chest. He crossed his arms, amused by your answer.
"Oh? And what exactly should I thank you for?"
"For waiting for you!" you replied proudly. "Otherwise, you’d still be here asleep on that lounge chair in the middle of the storm." You shot him a glare, and Niki smirked, running a hand through his damp, icy-blond hair. He didn’t thank you with words, but his gaze softened for a moment before he turned toward a wooden ladder leading to the upper level of the barn, where dry hay awaited.
You walked to the heavy door, slamming it shut to block out the howling wind. Meanwhile, Niki tested the sturdiness of the ladder rungs with a sharp tug. The old wood groaned slightly, but he figured it could hold your combined weight. He climbed first, and when he reached the top, he found a small loft filled with the sweet scent of freshly gathered hay—soft enough to lie down on. There were even old burlap sacks stuffed with raw wool serving as makeshift pillows. It wasn’t luxury, but compared to the mud and rain outside, it felt like paradise.
"Wren, we can stretch out up here until the storm passes," he called, leaning over the edge as he watched you climb. Niki unconsciously bit his lower lip, his hoodie nearly swallowed you whole, your usually neat braids half-undone and messy, your lips still slightly swollen and trembling from the earlier kiss. For a microsecond, he thought you looked cute before shaking his head to banish the dangerous thought.
The space up there was cramped, so you kicked off your shoes, mimicking his movement, and knelt on the hay, trying to ignore how your legs brushed against his. You looked around, careful not to let your eyes linger too often on his face or his body.
"They’re definitely looking for us," you murmured, trying to reassure yourself as the wind howled through the cracks in the roof. "The camp director and all the counselors must have already sent out search parties. They’ll find us soon." You watched the sky grow darker, lit only by the flashes of thunder that made the entire structure tremble. Without thinking, you scooted closer to Niki, who was already half-reclined, a strand of hay caught between his lips, lazily shifting it with his tongue.
"I bet they’re worried about you, wren, not me," he said with a hint of cynicism, his intense gaze fixed on you. "You’re everyone’s favorite at camp—the perfect girl who never breaks the rules and I’m just… me." His eyes drifted to a fixed point in the barn.
"That’s not true," you countered, pulling your legs against your chest and burying your chin in the collar of his hoodie. "I bet all the girls who flock around you, the ones who sigh when you walk by and gossip about you—they’re all worried about you!"
Niki propped himself up on an elbow, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he detected the sarcastic edge—and maybe a hint of irritation—in your voice.
"Mmm, someone’s jealous, or maybe..."
You didn’t let him finish, swatting his arm playfully. "Stop it!" you snapped, glaring at him. He chuckled at your flushed cheeks, and another thunderclap tore through the sky, so loud it felt like it exploded right above you. You visibly shuddered, inching even closer to him.
"Are you scared of thunder, or are you just cold, Shorty?" he asked, looking at you almost protectively. You sighed, feeling a little pressured by his gaze.
"Don’t make fun of me, but… both. I was stupid not to bring a change of clothes like you did, and thank God you gave me your hoodie even if I know you’re cold too right now."
Niki murmured that you were perceptive, and you closed your eyes, feeling exhaustion and the chill in your bones as you tried to relax a little.
"Look, I know you don’t like physical contact, and you can’t stand me and trust me, the feeling is mutual but we’re human, right? Maybe we could… I don’t know, keep each other warm." You blurted out what you were thinking, though you might have phrased it poorly, because Niki’s eyes shot open, almost shocked. He nearly choked on his own saliva at what you’d just said.
"You know what you just said sounds really bad, right, Y/n? When a girl asks a guy to ‘keep her warm’… we tend to think of things that are a little more intimate than just sharing a blanket." He laughed, teasing you, and you immediately covered your face with your hands, feeling your cheeks burn.
"Oh my God, no! That’s not what I meant! This is so embarrassing! I gave my first kiss to a guy I can’t stand, I’m trapped in a falling-apart barn, I’m freezing to death, and..."
Before you could finish, Niki’s strong arms wrapped around you with a determination that brooked no argument, pulling you against his chest. Without meaning to, you nestled against him, hiding your face in the crook of his neck, your hands instinctively resting over his heart. For a moment, you froze, feeling it beating fast—too fast for someone who pretended to be so calm.
Niki stayed still for a few seconds, his breath catching in his throat. He was the guy everyone had warned you to stay away from—the one who had been the first to brush against those lips that tasted of vanilla and far too much innocence. He could imagine it, really, how it had been your first kiss, from the way you’d hesitated, from the sweet, uncertain tension in your movements. But hearing you say it out loud while trembling in his arms made him feel something he’d never experienced before. He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of your head against his chest, and for the first time, his usual arrogance gave way to a strange, unfamiliar curiosity.
"Wren… I never would’ve guessed I’d be your first kiss," he said quietly. "Between summer camp and university, half the guys are crazy about you. I just assumed at least one of them would’ve had the guts to kiss you by now."
You stiffened instantly, burying your face deeper into his hoodie. "Let’s not get into that chapter of my life. It’s embarrassing…" you mumbled, trying to turn away to hide the blush now creeping down your neck. But Niki didn’t let you. He held you close, forcing you to stay put until you both settled more comfortably in the hay. He stretched out fully while you propped yourself up on one elbow, trapped between his body and the slow, lazy circles his finger began tracing through the damp ends of your hair.
"Undo your braids, Y/N, or tomorrow you’ll have impossible knots, and it’ll all be my fault for dragging you through the storm," he teased, trying to lighten the tension between you. He twirled a strand around his finger, watching the way the dim lightning reflected in your hair. You pouted.
"You undo them, since you like playing with my hair so much!”
Niki didn’t need to be told twice. He looked at you intently, his fingers deftly unraveling the braids. When your hair tumbled loose over your shoulders and into his hand, he ran his fingers through it, almost enchanted by its softness. The scent of cherry filled the air, overwhelming the usual mint and rain, and for a moment, he thought he’d want to bury his face in your hair every damn morning, not just when you invaded the bungalow bathroom with that fragrance. But he quickly pushed the thought away when he saw you nervously tucking the strands behind your ears.
"I’m sorry I stole your first kiss," he started, but he didn’t look at you. "I bet you wanted to give it to some perfect, upper-class guy—you know, the kind with a perfectly ironed shirt and his whole future already mapped out."
You rolled your eyes and sighed deeply at the sudden chill in his tone. "Well, I can’t go back now, and my dream of giving my first kiss to someone I actually like—someone who actually likes me—is officially gone."
Niki was staring at you too intensely, his face too close, and said:
"Well, since we’re stuck here… why don’t you kiss me this time? You know, just for practice… Think of it as training for your future ‘perfect guy.’ At least you’ll know what to do when you meet him."
Your eyes widened, your cheeks burning. "What? No! Are you crazy?" you stammered, trying not to look at him, but he kept teasing you.
"Don’t tell me you’re scared to kiss me," he smirked, closing the distance between you by another centimeter. "Because if you’re scared, it means you’re scared to admit you actually like me." He was showing off, and you seriously wanted to slap him.
"I don’t like you, Niki, and I never will. Get that through your head," you shot back with all the confidence you could muster, even though your heart was pounding wildly against your ribs. You refused to meet his gaze, but he just grinned.
"Good. Then kiss me, Shorty. If you don’t like me, there’s no risk, right? You can just use me as your guinea pig for practice," he continued, amused by your flustered state. He leaned in even closer, his mouth a breath away from yours.
"Unless… you’re not doing it because you think that if you kiss me again, you won’t be able to stop."
But you didn’t let him finish. Just like he had done to you earlier, you slammed your lips against his to shut him up once and for all.
Niki smiled immediately against your mouth, his hands sliding up your back, pulling you hard against him.
Your lips were still uncertain, guided by a shyness that Niki seemed eager to devour with every touch but he also found it sweet. When you felt his tongue brush against your lower lip, he began to suck on those lips no one had ever dared kiss before, and a stifled moan escaped your throat. Niki thought he might just be the luckiest guy in the world, finding himself in this barn with you nearly in his arms, kissing like this.
The hand that had been resting over his heart slid lower, tracing the taut planes of his stomach, while Niki buried his fingers in your loose hair, pressing his palm against the back of your neck to keep you from pulling away—to pull you even closer, because he didn’t want this moment to end. He wanted you to feel just how much you were driving him crazy, and you sighed against his mouth, dazed by the sensations he was giving you with just kisses.
Then, driven by an instinct you didn’t even know you had, you leaned forward and imitated his gesture, timidly sucking on his lower lip. Niki let out a low growl, shifting slightly beneath you as he felt how you were trying—so shyly, so clumsily to drive him wild. But you’d been driving him wild since the first time he’d seen you in the bungalow. He craved more friction, more contact, as if even the smallest space between your bodies was still too much—though there was none at all. Without warning, he pushed his tongue past your lips, and when your tongues met for the first time, you both moaned.
Niki lowered you completely onto the hay, his weight hovering over you not crushing you, but making you feel protected by his warmth, by him. His arm tightened around your waist, pulling you so close you could feel every muscle in his body pressed against yours. You kissed for minutes that felt like hours, not just fleeting kisses, but a mix of shy discovery, playful dominance, and restraint, your lips wandering to his jaw, the corner of his mouth. Both of you were drowning in a whirlwind of sensations and emotions you’d never felt before, and neither wanted to stop.
You pulled away just long enough to catch your breath, your chest rising and falling rapidly. You felt his fingers trace the skin at your side, slipping beneath the hem of the hoodie as he held you possessively against him.
"Niki…" you breathed, but he didn’t stop looking at you. Instead, he pressed a finger to your swollen, glossy lips and whispered:
"Don’t think, Wren. Just kiss me."
You didn’t need to be told twice. Wrapping your arms around his neck, you pulled him back to you with a force that surprised him, playing with the icy-blond strands at his nape, tugging lightly. Niki groaned against your lips, sending a shiver through you, and you continued to alternate between deep kisses and playful nips, exploring each other in that makeshift refuge while the Montana cold stayed locked outside those walls. For the first time, you felt truly warm but also protected by someone everyone had warned you to stay away from.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed one of you first, and soon, the only sounds in the barn were the drizzling rain and your steady breaths as you fell asleep, entangled in each other’s arms.
After that weekend trapped in the barn, reality hit hard again, because even though you’d kissed and fallen asleep together, you’d hoped those kisses might have changed something in Niki, made him softer or more "human." But you’d made the biggest mistake of your life thinking that, because Niki had gone back to being his usual self or maybe even worse.
His cynicism had doubled, his taunts had become more relentless, driving you crazy and making you curse him 24h-24h. He teased you endlessly but at the same time made it clear that nothing had happened between you, that those kisses had meant nothing. It was frustrating because you had to see him all the time, and you would’ve changed bungalows every day if you could. But when you finally decided you’d had enough, you found yourself walking near the rec area to make sure the kids didn’t wander off and then you saw something surreal, yet sweet enough to warm your heart.
Niki was sitting on the grass with his legs crossed, his back against an oak tree. In front of him was Nina, one of the liveliest little girls in the group, who never left him alone. As usual, Nina was chattering away, telling him how much she adored you and how badly she wanted braids just like yours because her little hands couldn’t manage to gather all her hair. You hid behind a tree, your heart beating strangely.
You saw that Niki wasn’t ignoring her like he usually did. Instead, he ran a hand through Nina’s hair to smooth it, then began braiding it with millimeter precision, his tongue slightly peeking out between his lips in pure concentration a gesture you knew well, one he always made when he was deeply focused on something. As he braided, Nina started talking again:
"I didn’t think someone like you would know how to braid!" Nina exclaimed with the blunt honesty of a child who wanted all his attention. "I bet you only know how because you can’t stop watching Y/N do hers in front of the mirror or when it’s too hot." She giggled, and you saw Niki freeze for a split second before chuckling and shaking his head.
"Oops, you caught me, Nina," he said, and you felt your cheeks warm slightly because you’d never noticed him watching you braid your hair.
"I bet you and Y/n will end up together someday, and you’ll invite me to your wedding in a few years!" Nina said, tilting her head. "Even though I’m just a little kid, I can see how you look at each other, and you should be nicer to her, like you are to me right now." You nodded in agreement and wanted to rush over to high-five Nina and hug her, but you saw Niki give her hair a playful tug when those words left her mouth.
"Ahia!" she protested, swatting his arm, and Niki’s expression suddenly turned melancholic. He grew serious, and you heard him say:
"Y/n deserves a prince charming like in the fairy tales you read, Nina. She doesn’t deserve someone like me… I’m not what she deserves, and I never will be." He tied off the braids, and those words hit you hard because everyone had warned you to stay away from him, and now even he was saying he wasn’t the guy you deserved. You stood frozen as Nina hugged him, barely reaching his waist, and told him to stop being "the bad guy" just because he had tattoos and a scowl. Niki hugged her back tightly, then took out his phone to show her the braids in the camera.
"They’re beautiful, Niki! Thank you! When I see Y/n, I’ll tell her you did them!" Nina said, giggling as she ran off to find you. Niki shot her a look, calling after her:
"Nina! Don’t you dare tell her I did them!" he yelled as she scampered away laughing, and an involuntary smile tugged at your lips. But that sweet moment was wiped away just hours later.
You were near the showers by the lake when you heard a group of counselors giggling. At the center was Chloe, a head counselor like you, but oozing confidence from every pore. She was touching her lips with a dreamy, almost theatrical air as she told her friends what had happened between her and Niki the night before.
"Girls, I swear, Niki is… unreal," Chloe said, adjusting her low-cut tank top with a practiced gesture to draw the attention of the guys fixing the boats. "Last night, behind the tool shed… we kissed for who knows how long, and girls, I’ve never had a kiss like that. Niki’s rough, and let’s be honest, he always wants to be in control, but he knows exactly what he’s doing with those lips of his, they were practically on my..." She giggled. "I’ve never felt so… dominated before, and you all know I’m usually the one calling the shots with guys!"
You rolled your eyes, trying to push back the sudden sting in your eyelids at the thought of Niki kissing someone else as you walked back to the bungalow, you wondered:
Why do my eyes feel like this?
You were furious with yourself because you knew who Niki was a heartbreaker, a guy who lived for moments, not promises. You didn’t want to fall for him like everyone else… but maybe you already had. And you still had another month and a half of sharing a bungalow with him before returning to Chicago.
A month and a half had passed since the start of summer camp, and some of the kids, along with a few counselors had already headed back to Chicago. Thankfully, Lia had stayed with you for the entire summer. You’d said goodbye to all the kids and some of the counselors, and that very evening, fifteen new kids and four new counselors two guys and two girls had arrived.
Two weeks had passed since John’s arrival, and for Niki, every single second he saw or heard him was a struggle not to roll his eyes. John was the exact type of guy Niki despised: a campus swimmer with a blinding smile straight out of a YouTube ad preview, the kind that made you want to skip the video in the first five seconds. He studied English literature and flaunted quotes from authors who had been dead and buried for centuries. It was infuriating.
As you leaned over to tighten the kids’ life jackets, John hovered around you like always—ever since he’d arrived at camp, he’d had the brilliant idea of positioning himself as the prince charming you supposedly needed.
"Be careful, Y/n, don’t strain your back too much. Let me pull these canoe ropes—I wouldn’t want you to overdo it," John said, resting his hand on your shoulder for a second too long for Niki’s liking. Niki watched with a groan of despair as John flirted like an idiot something he’d been witnessing for days now: John sitting next to you at meals, John constantly finding excuses to touch you (though you were reluctant to his advances). One morning, Niki had even found him standing outside your bungalow at 7:30 AM, flashing that smug smile of his. Niki had wanted to make him disappear in zero seconds.
Let’s just say Niki didn’t like John, and the feeling was mutual. So when John found out you were one of the few girls sharing a room with a guy, he’d insisted on asking for explanations. But you’d told him there was nothing to be done, the pairs were set for the summer, and deep down, you didn’t mind staying with Niki. John, however, wasn’t thrilled with your arrangement, especially since everyone could see—and hear that there was still something unresolved between you two.
On the dock, while Niki waited his turn to get into the canoe with Nina, Lia approached him, thoroughly enjoying the show of his irritation toward you and John, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Mmm, someone here doesn’t seem to tolerate another alpha male in his territory," Lia murmured, crossing her arms as Niki snapped his head toward her, eyes narrowed.
"Mind your own business, Lia. That guy’s just… a loser."
Lia chuckled, watching as Niki couldn’t stop glancing at you for even a second.
"A loser, huh? Well, that ‘loser’ is getting all the attention you used to have just a few weeks ago! When are you going to stop acting like a jerk and show her who you really are? She won’t wait forever, Niki. It’s obvious from a mile away that you feel something for Y/n and it’s definitely not hate… Let’s just say ever since you kissed in that barn, the tension between you two could power the entire camp."
Niki froze for a second at Lia’s words, his expression confused. "How do you know that..." He cut himself off, realizing of course you and Lia were best friends and best friends told each other everything. Niki closed his eyes for a moment, and against his will, his mind played tricks on him, memories flooded back: the feel of your fingers in his hair, the way you’d responded to his kiss with that shy hesitation that had made his heart race, the way you’d clung to himl ike you were afraid he’d disappear from that barn.
When he opened his eyes again and saw how you smiled at that guy, he thought: John doesn’t know and never will what it’s like to feel you tremble when someone kisses you, how good it feels to be touched by you, how beautiful you look beneath him with swollen lips, neither of you able to stop kissing…
"I don’t feel anything for her, Lia. She could start dating that John kid tomorrow, and I wouldn’t care," Niki said, looking down for the first time in minutes and deep down, he didn’t even believe himself. Lia shook her head, looking at him with a pity that made him furious.
"You know, you’re not very good at lying, Niki. I thought you were smarter than this, but you’re just like every other guy in the world: the second you realize you feel something, you refuse to face the consequences. What’s the matter? Afraid that admitting even a scrap of emotion will make your ‘bad boy from Chicago’ aura vanish into thin air?" she taunted.
"You don’t know shit about me, Lia, and it’s better if your best friend stays as far away from me as possible… I’m not the happy-ending type, and she doesn’t need someone like me ruining her life," Niki hissed. Lia started walking toward her canoe but paused to land one last jab.
"Cut the tough-guy act, Niki, because if you keep this up, you’ll end up alone forever and trust me, a life with no one brave enough to love you, and no one you’re brave enough to love, isn’t much of a life. I’ll say it one more time: she won’t wait for you forever, Niki. So make a move, because honestly? I don’t like John either." She gave him a little smirk before walking off, leaving Niki standing there, motionless, as you climbed into the canoe with John’s help—and Niki watched as John’s hand brushed your waist to steady you.
In that moment, Niki didn’t just feel jealousy. He felt something else maybe the realization that he could lose you soon. And Niki wasn’t the type to lose something he wanted.
That evening, Niki was sprawled on his bed which was slightly too small for his height, relaxing and playing on his Nintendo Switch. He tried to focus on the game, but it was getting harder and harder not to steal glances at the creaky bathroom door you both shared. From the other side, your slightly off-key voice drifted out as you sang Legendary Lovers by Katy Perry, laughing between verses. You’d been in there way too long, usually, it took you ten minutes to throw on one of your matching, childish pajama sets after slathering on some weird aloe vera mask from too much sun. But when the door finally swung open, Niki expected to see you in your usual sleepwear.
Instead, you stood there in a short, black, slightly glittery top and a denim skirt that left your tanned legs bare. Your hair wasn’t in its usual braids—it was loose and wild, a mess of curls and waves tumbling over your shoulders. The scent of sakura hit him immediately, now so familiar it felt like home. Without realizing it, he let his Switch slide onto the comforter and propped himself up on his elbows, his gaze locking onto you as you adjusted yourself in front of the mirror.
"Where are you going, Y/n?" Niki asked, already dreading your answer. "As far as I know, there’s no bonfire tonight, and we’ve got to be up at seven tomorrow. Every human on this planet needs at least seven or eight hours of sleep." He mentally cursed himself, him, the guy who spent nights staring at the ceiling because of insomnia, was lecturing you about sleep.
"I’m going out," you said, checking your reflection in the mirror. Niki huffed, sitting up sharply. "I see your observational skills are still top-notch, Shorty. Obviously, you’re going out but where and with who? Not that it takes a genius to figure it out."
You didn’t answer. You were too focused on applying a bit of lip gloss that made your lips look even more tempting than they had that night in the barn. The memory alone made Niki’s fists clench.
"I bet you’re going out with John, huh?" he asked, almost laughing. "What’s the plan tonight? Is he gonna gift you a fairy-tale book or recite some famous 19th-century author to flirt with you?"
You whipped around. "Yes, I’m going out with him, and stop making fun of him. At least he’s kind a concept you struggle to understand, especially when it comes to me." You jabbed a finger at him, and right then, your phone buzzed on the table. A message from John: "I’m here."
When you looked up, Niki’s eyes were still locked on you and you on him. The tension in the room was electric, thick enough to cut with a knife. Neither of you wanted to make the first move. You were both too stubborn, too proud, neither breaking eye contact for even a second until Niki finally spoke:
"Go on, Y/n. Wouldn’t want to keep your dear John waiting. Just remember...midnight curfew, or this bungalow might turn into a pumpkin… and I might turn into something dark." He smirked, and you looked at him with a small smile before heading for the door.
"Don’t worry, Niki. I’ll be back by midnight. And don’t stay up waiting for me."
The door clicked shut behind you, and Niki stayed frozen, listening to the sound of your voice greeting John outside. He dragged a hand down his face, groaning as he flopped back onto the bed, running his fingers through his hair.
Like hell I’m not staying up waiting for you, Wren.
Your date with John was going perfectly...too perfectly, perhaps and that was the main problem. John seemed like the prince charming every mother would dream of for her daughter.
You were sitting on the dock, wrapped in a blanket he had spread out with maniacal precision, surrounded by snacks and drinks arranged like a scene from a 2000s romantic movie. Everything was perfect: fireflies dancing over the water, stars twinkling in the sky, the moon casting a silver glow on the lake, creating an almost fairy-tale atmosphere. John was attentive, kind, funny, and you laughed a lot, he was the kind of guy who could put anyone at ease. For any other girl, this would have been the perfect date. But there was one problem for you: you felt nothing.
There was no tension, no attraction, no shiver running down your spine when someone looked at you in a certain way. John was perfect, yes but too perfect, like a character straight out of a book, one of those flawless ones, without the fire that made you feel alive. You couldn’t stand those kinds of characters because everyone had their demons, and it was beautiful to see people’s vulnerabilities and flaws. But John seemed to have none or he was just really good at hiding them.
"When we get back to Chicago, I’d love for you to come see me compete in the regional swimming championships. And who knows, if I win, I might even get you to wear a hoodie with my name on it," he said, smiling at you. You nodded, smiling back.
"It would be nice to come watch you. I’ve never been to a swimming meet only football or basketball games," you replied, looking around. He nodded.
"Then it’ll be an honor to be the first swimmer you come see at the campus," he said, preening slightly. A moment later, a light breeze picked up, tousling your hair. A few strands fell against your lips, still glossy, and you laughed but at the same time, you looked up, annoyed, because you hated when your hair stuck to your lips. You tried to brush it away, but John was faster. Gently, he leaned in and tucked the strands behind your ear.
"There you go, Y/n," he said, his hands lingering near your face for a second too long. Your eyes met, and in that moment, you thought only one thing:
Don’t kiss me. Don’t kiss me. Don’t kiss me.
But John couldn’t hear your thoughts. For him, this was the climactic moment, like in a romance novel or movie where the two protagonists finally kiss and confess their feelings. He saw you there, cheeks flushed from the wind, hair tousled, illuminated by the moon’s silver reflection on the water and he thought there was no better moment to lean in and kiss you. Without thinking, he slowly leaned toward you, closing his eyes and tilting his face, ready to claim what he thought was a silent invitation but deep down, it wasn’t. You immediately caught the scent of his expensive, good cologne, so different from Niki’s that sharp, spicy peppermint that only he could pull off.
Before John’s lips could brush yours, your body reacted on its own a survival reflex. You jerked upright, the wooden planks creaking under your shoes. When John opened his eyes, he found himself staring at the empty space where your face had been a second before. You stood a step back from him, arms crossed over your chest as if protecting yourself from a closeness you didn’t want. He remained half-reclined on the blanket, wearing the most humiliated, confused expression you’d ever seen on a guy.
"I… I’m sorry, John," you whispered, feeling just as embarrassed. You seriously wished you could vanish right then. "I can’t… I can’t return the kiss or anything else." You took another step back.
"Y/n, wait...did I do something wrong?" he asked, trying to get up, but his voice was thick with the awkwardness of someone who’d just been brutally friend-zoned.
"No, you were perfect," you answered sincerely and it was true. John had been sweet to you from the start, and for any other girl, this date would have been perfect. "I’m the problem, not you. This whole date you planned was magical… but not for that’s the point. I’m sorry, again."
And without giving him a chance to respond, you turned and walked quickly toward the bungalows, not stopping even when you heard your name called faintly in the distance. You kept your head down, your cheeks burning with embarrassment, your heart pounding almost relieved that you hadn’t kissed John back and you realized it was pounding because you didn’t want a perfect prince, you wanted a guy with a thousand flaws, a thousand fears of admitting what he truly felt for you.
You tiptoed in, your heart still pounding from your hasty escape from the dock, hoping against hope that Niki had somehow fallen into one of his rare deep sleeps, though you knew there was a 99% chance he was awake (that guy barely slept at all). Your hope died the moment your eyes landed on the fully lit room and his hulking figure.
Niki wasn’t asleep. He was lying on his side, his feet hanging off the edge of the mattress, one hand propping up his blond head, and the other clutching your copy of The Mistake by Elle Kennedy, the cover already creased. Your eyes widened in horror at the sight.
"What the hell are you doing, Niki? Put that book down right now!" you shrieked, your voice shattering the silence as your cheeks burned.
He jolted at the sound of your voice clearly not expecting you back so soon but recovered his usual arrogance in a heartbeat. As you lunged for the book, Niki sat up and lifted his arm toward the ceiling. At over 185 cm tall, reaching it was like trying to scale a skyscraper.
"Damn, it’s not even 11:30, and you’re already back? That date must’ve been a disaster, Shorty!" he chuckled, flashing that infuriating smirk. You wanted to slap him.
"My date is none of your business! Give me back my book, now!" you huffed, rising onto your toes and uselessly trying to climb his solid chest to reclaim your precious paperback—especially since you hoped he hadn’t gotten far enough to read the slightly "spicy" scenes in the early chapters.
"Who would’ve guessed?" he continued, ignoring your desperate attempts. "Y/n, the girl with the perfect braids and the 'good girl' soul that everyone adores, reads what’s basically porn disguised as literature! Does John know? Or does he still think you’re completely innocent?"
You froze, hands pressed to your face to hide your mortification, not just because Niki had discovered your romance novels, but because they weren’t normal romances. No, these had full-on steamy chapters. You were too tired, too confused, too embarrassed by everything that had happened that night, so you snapped:
"Keep the damn book, Niki. Do whatever you want with it. I’m going to change." You threw your hands up in defeat, and Niki’s eyes widened, his eyebrows shooting up in shock.
Is she seriously letting me win? Just like that?
But he didn’t let you be. As you stepped into the bathroom to remove your makeup, you heard his footsteps follow you. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his muscular arms over his chest, watching you through the mirror as you nervously wiped away your mascara.
"It must’ve gone really badly if you don’t even have the energy to fight with me, Y/N. Come on, Shorty, tell me. What did that loser do?"
You stayed silent, but he kept teasing you, stepping closer and lowering his head to enter your line of sight. "Come on, Y/N, what did he do to make you come back so early? It hasn’t even been two hours since you left… Honestly, if I had a date with a girl I liked, I’d stay with her all night." He watched you, and you sighed, exhausted by his questions and the whole situation.
"He tried to kiss me, Niki!" you blurted out, spinning around so fast you nearly threw the cotton pad in your hand at him.
For the first time in a long while, the room fell into a deafening silence. Niki’s jaw clenched so hard you saw the muscles in his neck tighten like ropes. His mocking gaze darkened, and he lowered his face slightly, avoiding your eyes for a moment.
"Did you… I mean… did you kiss him back?" he asked quietly. You stayed silent for a few seconds, watching him, and saw a shadow of sadness, something you’d never seen on his face before—cross his features. Niki took your silence as confirmation.
"No, Niki. I didn’t kiss him. In fact, one of the most embarrassing things of my life happened. While he leaned in, thinking he had me, I moved away, and he just sat there with his mouth open like a goldfish, staring at space for what felt like forever until he realized I wasn’t there anymore." You said it all in one breath, and for a full minute, neither of you spoke. Niki brought a hand to his lips, trying to stifle a sound that was half sigh of relief, half hysterical laugh, and tried to speak—but you shot him a glare.
"Now get out of here because I need to change, and I just want to go to sleep. Please don’t ask any more questions, Niki." You pushed him out with all your strength, slamming the door shut and leaning against it.
"Y/n?" he called softly, his tone suddenly serious.
"Go to bed, Niki. Please."
For the first time in weeks, Niki listened. He got into bed and waited for you. When the bathroom door finally reopened, he watched you walk slowly and turn off the small light, letting only the moonlight filtering through the curtains illuminate the room. You slipped under the covers and, for the first time in hours, felt safe maybe even at peace with yourself because Niki was just a few feet away.
"Sweet dreams, Wren," he murmured into the darkness, his voice completely sincere for once.
"Goodnight, Niki," you replied, your mind already sinking into the pillow. Niki waited until he heard your breathing slow and steady, and only then did he close his eyes. And for the first time since he’d arrived in Montana, he fell asleep too maybe because, deep down, he knew you hadn’t kissed that guy back because there was someone else in your heart, and that someone was him.
The wind howled outside the window, and the rain pounded relentlessly against the bungalow’s glass, the distant rumble of thunder stirring a mix of anxiety and drowsy comfort in you. You burrowed deeper under the covers, savoring that moment of peace before reality hit but it didn’t last long—the walkie-talkie every counselor kept on their nightstand screeched to life, and you groaned, stretching out a sleep-heavy arm to grab it, still half-asleep.
As you blinked your eyes open to keep from dropping the device, you saw that Niki was still fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the apocalyptic weather outside. One arm dangled off the bed, and his face was twisted into an adorably childish pout—nothing like the arrogant, athletic guy he pretended to be during activities. The camp director’s voice came through clear and lively, snapping you back to reality, and you tore your gaze away from the guy snoring softly with his mouth open.
"Good morning, everyone," the director’s voice boomed from the walkie-talkie, followed by a chorus of groggy "good mornings" from the other counselors. You mumbled yours, too.
"I think you’ve all heard and seen what’s happening outside your cabins, trees down, the path to the main lodge is completely flooded. Strong wind gusts are expected today and tomorrow, rain for the next three days straight, and a violent thunderstorm with lightning is forecast for late afternoon." As the director spoke, you heard Niki let out a sleepy groan as he began stretching like a cat, his too-long, too-bulky body barely fitting on his bed.
"The kids are safe in the main building with us," the director continued. "Those of you in the bungalows will have to stay inside for at least two days. You’ve all got kitchens and enough food to survive. Stay safe, and please… don’tkill each other if you don’t get along. I know some pairs have… history, but behave, you’re not kids anymore! The radios stay on for emergencies. Have a good day."
Niki opened one eye, then the other, and looked at you, his voice still thick with sleep. "What’d he say?" he mumbled, sinking back into his pillow.
"He said we’re officially prisoners," you replied, staring at the low, gray clouds beyond the window. "Every time it rains, you and I end up stuck sharing the same space. It’s a curse." You pouted slightly, and Niki chuckled, watching you.
"Come on, wren, don’t tell me you’re complaining. Think about it—you could’ve been stuck with John. Having him around 24/7, knowing you’d friend-zone him after two..."
Before he could finish, you grabbed your pillow and hurled it at his face with all your strength. He burst into loud laughter, effortlessly catching it with his annoyingly quick reflexes, the pillow never even grazing his face.
"Please, Niki! Let’s not talk about John or yesterday’s disaster date," you groaned, sinking back into bed and pulling the covers up to your nose. You just wanted to disappear and forget the embarrassment of last night.
Niki stayed quiet for a moment, watching you hiding under the covers, and something in him swelled at how cute you looked. Without thinking, he said:
"What do you say we watch a movie or a show these next few days? We can push the beds together to make one big bed and watch it side by side?" He watched you, clutching the blankets tightly, waiting for an answer.
Your eyes widened from under the covers, a ping of anxiety shooting through you.
What did he mean by this? Did he want to be close to me? Did he want to sleep with me? Or was this just another way to tease me like usual? You wondered, pushing the warm blankets off your body. You saw him watching you and nodded.
"No problem for me. Let’s move them...at least your giant body that’s more like a pole will be more comfortable, and you’ll stop kicking at nothing."
He rolled his eyes at your joke but couldn’t hide a small smile. He got up while you were still sitting on your bed, and with ease, he started shifting the nightstand between you. In just a few minutes, his bed was aligned perfectly with yours, the two now connected with a mountain of shared blankets in the middle.
"First, though, I need to eat," you said, your stomach growling. "Otherwise, the next thunder you hear might be my stomach." You patted your belly, and Niki laughed, taking in the sight of you—hair tousled, way too cute for his own good.
The kitchen was tiny, and every time one of you moved, you bumped elbows or backs into the other. It looked like one of those cute couples from ads, feeding each other—except you two weren’t a couple.
Niki handled the moka pot, while you started slicing strawberries and bananas with surgical precision. He popped bread into the toaster until it was perfectly crisp, then began spreading on a generous layer of Nutella, so much that the edges were already oozing over as you watched him get his fingers messy, you laughed.
"That’s bread with Nutella, Niki, not Nutella with a little bread," you teased, sitting on the counter and swinging your legs.
"Life’s too short to skimp on chocolate, wren!" he shot back, stepping closer to add your strawberries on top of the dark spread.
You and Niki continued eating in an unusual silence for the two of you, broken only by the rumble of thunder and the sound of rain pounding on the tent. Every now and then, your eyes met, only to quickly slide away toward the window, where the clouds were so low it felt like you were in a place that wasn’t quite real a world where it was just the two of you.
As you took the last bite of your second slice of bread and Nutella, you felt his eyes on you. It wasn’t the look of someone who wanted to argue or tease you—there was something almost thoughtful in the way he watched you.
"Wait, you’re messy. Again," he said, his tone a mix of amusement and provocation, pointing to his own lip as a reference for where you should clean. "You really don’t know how to eat like a normal person, do you, Shorty?"
You rolled your eyes, trying to wipe your mouth. "If I’m messy, it means I enjoyed it. Or maybe someone here went way overboard with the Nutella, and that’s why I’m covered in it!" you shot back, trying to clean your lips with your index finger, but all you managed to do was smear the sticky mess even more. Niki let out a sound that was half sigh, half laugh. Without a word, he took two steps forward, then leaned in between your legs, forcing you to tilt your chin up to maintain eye contact. His hair was still a little tousled from the pillow, falling over his forehead in a soft fringe that gave him an almost "good boy" vibe.
Your heart pounded against your chest at his closeness. Niki hadn’t been this close to you since… well, that kiss in the barn.
He raised his hand slowly, as if giving you time to pull away but you stayed still, and you felt the pad of his thumb press against the corner of your mouth. A violent shiver ran down your spine as he traced the entire outline of your lower lip with maddening slowness. Your cheeks burned, but you couldn’t look away. A moment later, he pressed his thumb gently against the Nutella smear on your lip, collecting the last trace of chocolate.
"There. All clean, Shorty," he murmured in a husky voice. Then, with a boldness only Niki could pull off, he brought his chocolate-stained finger to his lips and slowly licked it, never breaking eye contact. The intimacy of the gesture so forbidden, so raw—left you stunned, your lips parting slightly in shock.
You and Niki were centimeters apart, and if he had leaned in even a millimeter, your lips would have met again. You swallowed hard, and for a second… you wanted it. You wanted him to do it again but then, like a sudden flash, you remembered all the campus rumors—all the girls he’d looked at with those same eyes, all the girls he’d kissed so you took control of the situation.
"Well… thanks for cleaning me up," you said, your voice trembling slightly. You placed your hands on his chest and gently pushed him away, sliding off the counter in one swift motion.
"I… I’m going to the bathroom for a second, and then yes, we can watch a show. You can even pick it. Happy?" you said, rushing toward the bathroom and shutting the door behind you, pressing your back against it.
Montana had decided to play cruel tricks or maybe it was just trying to force you and Niki together as much as possible. What was supposed to be a brief storm had turned into an endless weather alert: the two days of forced isolation had stretched into four, turning your bungalow into a temporary refuge where you had to coexist with Niki for four straight days without stepping outside.
Incredibly, for forty-eight hours straight, you hadn’t killed each other. In fact, you’d even established a routine, though, of course, the jabs and teasing never stopped. They were what kept the electricity in the bungalow alive. Niki had teased you all through the first night after you, terrified by the thunder and jump scares from the horror movie he had insisted on watching (you cursed yourself for letting him pick), had spent the night wide-eyed until 3 AM until Niki, in the dark, had reached out and let you grip his strong fingers until you finally fell asleep. The next morning, his hand was still entwined with yours, and both of you had shifted closer in the bed.
You, of course, hadn’t let up on how useless he was in the kitchen, the man would’ve survived on instant ramen for all four days if you hadn’t been there. He had the uncanny ability to make even the water in the kettle disappear if you weren’t careful. But thanks to you, you ate normally. By the third day, you were exhausted from being so close to him, so you decided to hide in the bathroom for a regenerating shower, and honestly, you got lost in your thoughts, taking advantage of a lull in the lightning to truly relax—maybe even staying under the water a little too long.
When you finally stepped out, wrapped in steam, your eyes widened in horror when you saw that where you swore you’dleft your change of clothes for the night, there were only your panties. No shirt, no pants...nothing.
You swallowed hard, realizing you had to get out somehow, and you definitely weren’t calling Niki, he’d never let you live it down. So, carefully, you opened the door to Niki’s closet, which was right there within reach. It was filled with his "organized chaos" a system only he understood. Without overthinking it, you grabbed a deep burgundy T-shirt of his that smelled like him and tried on his pants but they were comically huge. The shirt, however, reached mid-thigh, and you thought:
Whatever. It’s only five steps to my closet. He won’t even notice I’m wearing his shirt.
You dried your hair, applied your sakura-scented cream, smelling of spring and cherry blossoms and opened the door. A wave of that fragrance immediately filled the bungalow, but your heart stopped when you saw Niki. He wasn’t at his PC, wasn’t playing his Switch, he was lying on the bed, his back against the wall, and in his hands was your Elle Kennedy book… that book… the one with the colorful Post-its marking the spiciest scenes.
"Niki, put that book down!" you squealed, your voice cracking with embarrassment. He burst out laughingm but when he looked up, his eyes weren’t on the pages anymore. They were locked on you on his burgundy shirt clinging to your body, on your bare legs, still warm from the shower, radiating heat and scent. You tried to lunge for the book, but with his lightning reflexes, he lifted his arms above his head. So you stood on your toes, pressing your body against his in an attempt to reach it but you heard Niki swallow loudly. You were so close you could feel the heat radiating off him, and you realized the shirt was riding up dangerously as you stretched.
"Niki, stop reading that thing! Give it back!"
"And why should I? It’s a good book," he said, his voice rough. "Every time I read further, I find scenes that are… decidedly spicy… scenes that you, the good girl you pretend to be, act like you don’t understand, right, Wren?"
You kept struggling until, with a sharp motion, he tossed the book onto the floor. You glared at him with pure hatred.
"Oh my God, I can’t stand you, Niki! You always have to snoop, you always have to touch my things! I don’t touch yours! I never touch the stupid drawings that you guard like a relic! And I don’t know how we’ve gone two days without fighting, you’re insufferable!" you shouted, turning your back on him to rush and pick up the book from the floor. But he moved faster, blocking you before you could bend down and this time, he wasn’t laughing.
"You’re insufferable too, Y/N!" he shouted back. "I can’t stand the way you look at me. I can’t stand when you pretend not to realize how damn hard it is for me to be locked in here with you 24/h, I can’t stand my own head, always bringing me back to you, making me imagine what you’d be like if you were really mine and I can’t stand that you play innocent and then read these stories where the characters do everything because it’s driving me crazy!"
He took a step forward, looming over you, and you stayed frozen, staring at him.
"I can’t stand seeing you in my clothes because I want to see you in them all the time, to mark you as mine but at the same time, I want to rip them off you and I hate....I hate with every part of me seeing you with other guys, especially that loser John. I can’t stand you because from the first moment I saw you in this damn summer camp, the only thing I wanted was for you to be mine and the worst punishment they could’ve given me was making me live with you, Y/n."
He said it all in one breath, and the silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of the rain. Niki shot you one last burning glance, then turned toward the kitchen, heading straight for the exit door. He wanted to leave, to run out into the storm rather than face what he’d just confessed and you hated his completely bipolar personality.
But you couldn’t let him go, not after that. You were tired of this situation, and before his hand could grab the doorknob, you reached him and grabbed his wrist tightly.
"Don’t you dare walk away from me, Niki," you whispered, your voice low. "Don’t you dare leave me here after saying all that."
Without hesitation, you rose onto your toes, your fingers gripping the fabric of his burgundy shirt at his chest, and timidly pulled him toward you, pressing your lips against his. For a moment, Niki stayed frozen, surprised by your boldness so far outside your comfort zone but then, as if an electric shock had jolted him awake, he took control, not wasting a second to claim what he’d wanted for so long.
His hand slid possessively over your side, his long, warm fingers pressing into your skin through the thin fabric, pulling you closer until your bodies were flush against each other. With his other hand, he cupped your cheek, his thumb gently tracing your soft skin in a way that stole your breath. The kiss shifted instantly, no longer the awkward, hesitant one from the barn. Now, it was passionate, desperate, as if both of you had been craving this for far too long. You wrapped your arms around his neck, your fingers burying into his still-damp hair, while he leaned down slightly, erasing every last centimeter of distance between you.
His tongue insistently traced the outline of your lips, teasing, asking for access and you granted it with a deep sigh that sent shivers through Niki. When his tongue finally slid against yours, the kiss deepened, and the only sounds in the bungalow were the patter of rain, the howl of the wind, and your ragged breaths.
Niki let out a low, rough chuckle against your lips at the sound of your sigh, and he couldn’t wait to hear you moan in pleasure, to see you vulnerable and responsive under his touch.
"God, you drive me crazy, wren…" he murmured between kisses, before playfully nipping at your lower lip.
"Niki…" you moaned softly, almost worried someone might hear. His name slipped from your lips in a way that was so sweet, yet so sexy, it made him shiver for a moment. Usually, when you said his name, it was to tease or scold him, but now… now, you were saying it because yes, he was teasing you but in a way he wanted to do every day, to kiss you, to drive you wild with his touch.
Niki pulled back slightly, your faces just centimeters apart, and sighed near your lips:
"Tell me it’s the same for you, Y/n. Tell me," he demanded, slowly pushing you backward toward the sleeping area. A few moments later, your knees hit the edge of the "super-bed", and you tumbled onto the mattress, pulling him down with you. Niki positioned himself above you, supporting himself on his forearms so as not to crush you, while you kept your arms locked around his neck.
You tried to kiss him again, but he pulled back with a challenging smirk.
"No, no. I’ve laid my cards on the table, wren… now it’s your turn. Otherwise, we’ll stay like this all night… or all day tomorrow until you talk." He grinned, and the silence grew heavy again until Niki decided to torture you further, lowering himself slowly and pressing his lips against the warm, sensitive skin of your neck.
"N-Niki… please…" You whispered, tilting your head to give him more space.
"You speak just fine when you want to, Y/n, too well, in fact," he murmured against your skin, alternating wet kisses with playful nips of his teeth. "So tell me what’s going on in that head of yours, or we’re not going anywhere."
You clung to his biceps, feeling the strength of his muscles under your fingers, and tugged lightly at his hair to get his attention.
"Fine! Fine, you win!" you blurted out in one breath. "I can’t stand you either, Niki. Everyone, every single person told me to stay away from you, that you were trouble, and maybe you still are. But fate decided to be ironic and stuck us in this bungalow for the whole summer… At first, I really couldn’t stand you: you were grumpy, arrogant, you teased me every second, and you were way too bipolar for my taste!" You said it all in one rush, and he chuckled against your skin, his lips placing light kisses as they traveled up toward your jaw while his hand slid under the hem of your shirt, stopping at the bare curve of your waist. You bit your lip to hide how much you liked his touch—too much for your own good.
"Keep going, Y/n. Don’t stop now," he murmured against your ear, and you lifted your eyes, feeling vulnerable but determined to say what you felt.
"You win, Niki. Ever since you kissed me in that barn, everything changed… My feelings went out of control for you. And just like you hate John… I… I hated hearing the other counselors talk about you, hated hearing how good you were at kissing, or how they wanted to get your attention or end up in your bed. And yes, I’ll admit it, it drove me crazy with jealousy. So yes… what do you feel? That’s exactly what I feel."
You lowered your gaze, unable to hold his, afraid for a second that he might laugh at you or go back to being his usual cynical self. But instead, you felt his fingers gently lift your chin, and when you met his eyes again, you saw something different in his gaze. He leaned toward you, stopping a breath away from your lips.
"We’ve been two stubborn fools for not realizing this sooner, Y/n," he murmured, his breath mingling with yours. "And I don’t intend to waste any more time. We’ve figured out we like each other, and that’s all that matters in this damn bungalow but don’t think I’ll stop giving you a hard time," he added, pinching your side lightly to make you flinch. "We’ll never stop cursing each other out, right?"
You laughed and pulled him closer, nodding fiercely. "Never, Niki. I’ll never stop teasing you or busting your balls."You caressed his cheek, and he smiled against your lips a real, bright smile you’d never seen on him before and kissed you again, but this time more gently, as if he wanted to seal every word you’d just said into his memory.
That evening, you were tangled in the blankets of your "super-bed," kissing until your lips were tender, alternating between kisses and long moments of silent gazes while a K-drama played on the screen. Niki, who had initially pretended to watch it just to humor you, ended up being the most invested in the plot, commenting on every twist and teasing how obvious it was which of the two protagonists would fall in love first. He mocked how cliché and over-the-top it all was just to make any girl dream but even he couldn’t hide his interest.
But after a couple of episodes, you yawned for the tenth time in half an hour, rubbing your eyes with the back of your hand.
"What a lightweight you are, Wren," Niki muttered, rolling his eyes with an amused smirk. "It’s barely 10 PM, and you’re already crashing. Are you really just a little girl who needs her beauty sleep, or do you turn into a grump without it?" He watched as you snuggled deeper into the warm blankets and muggled into them.
"A lightweight? Please. It’s a talent not everyone has, to fall asleep in a minute and sleep more than eight hours,"you replied, your voice already thick with sleep as you settled more comfortably against the pillow. "I love sleeping, and I love going to bed early. It’s a natural gift." You closed your eyes slightly but could still feel his gaze on you, almost like a physical sensation.
"Stop staring at me, Niki," you mumbled, keeping your eyes shut.
"And how do you know I’m staring at you if your eyes are closed? Do you have psychic powers, Wren?" he shot back, amused.
At that, you suddenly opened your eyes wide and caught him red-handed. Niki, with his lightning reflexes, quickly shifted his gaze to the wooden wall as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world, but a guilty little smirk gave him away.
"Busted!" you exclaimed in a whisper, stretching a hand under the blankets. Your fingers searched for his, and almost playfully, you brushed the back of his hand. He stayed still for a second, didn’t fully intertwine his fingers with yours, but he didn’t pull away either. You felt his warmth blend with yours, and then he squeezed your hand.
"Mmm… I was thinking about that night you held my hand because you 'knew I was scared of horror movies'…"you started, teasing him with a sly expression. "Admit it, it was just a pathetic excuse to get a little physical contact with me. The camp’s bad boy needed to hold my hand?" You laughed, feeling his grip tighten slightly. He huffed, trying to pull away, but you were faster. You grabbed his hand firmly and pressed it against your chest, holding it tight over your irregularly beating heart.
"Shut that mouth of yours, wren, and go to sleep, or I’ll throw you out of bed," he grumbled, but he made no move to take his hand back. Instead, you felt his thumb gently trace the warm skin of the back of your hand, and you chuckled softly, savoring that moment of pure sweetness.
"Goodnight, Ki," you said but before drifting off completely, you did something you would’ve never dared just a few days ago—maybe it was the coziness of the bungalow that gave you courage. With a quick movement, you propped yourself up slightly on your elbows and, in a move that would’ve shocked your past self, you leaned toward him and planted a quick kiss just under his chin, right where a new mole was. Then, as if nothing had happened, you burrowed back under the covers, pulling them up over your nose to hide the triumphant smile lighting up your face.
From your privileged position, you caught a glimpse of his face through a gap in the blankets. Niki was literally stunned, his usually teasing eyes wide as they stared at you, his jaw slightly slack, and a faint, almost invisible blush tinting his cheekbones. You heard him sigh as he, too, closed his eyes, continuing to gently stroke the palm of your hand until you both sank into a deep sleep almost completely tangled together, hands still intertwined.
The fourth day of isolation began with the same terrible weather as the day before, and Montana showed no signs of letting up. The sky was still heavy with rain, and every so often, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed through the windows.
After a lazy breakfast filled with whispered laughter and lingering glances, you finished the TV series marathon you’d both enjoyed. Niki, using the excuse that he hadn’t slept well all summer, finally gave in to exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep that afternoon.
He’d dozed off with one arm possessively wrapped around your waist, pulling you close, and you’d never have guessed, seeing him up close like this how much he looked like a puppy while he slept. At the same time, you couldn’t help but notice how much he needed to touch you. You’d already realized back in the barn that Niki loved physical contact with you, but after yesterday, he hadn’t stopped resting a hand on your waist while you cooked, playing with your loose hair, tracing circles on your palm, or kissing you casually. And deep down, you loved this side of him that he only showed to you.
You stayed awake, your heart still beating a little faster from his closeness, and finally picked up The Mistake by Elle Kennedy again. For over an hour, the only sounds in the bungalow were the rustle of pages and Niki’s steady breathing against your shoulder as he napped. You were completely absorbed in Logan and Grace’s story, chuckling to yourself at Logan’s ridiculous lines and underlining the most iconic scenes the book was now covered in colorful Post-its peeking out from the edges.
"I’m going back to sleep for a bit, and of course, you’ve used that as an excuse to get further into this porn disguised as romance!"
Niki’s sleep-thickened voice made you jump, and you instinctively pressed the book to your face to hide your guilty expression. He unwound his arm from around you, stretching lazily, his hair falling over his forehead. When his eyes landed on the book, a crooked smirk tugged at his lips as he took in the avalanche of new Post-its you’d added since the last time he’d seen it.
"Come on, Wren, don’t play innocent," he said, rolling onto his side to get a better look at you. "Admit you like it and admit you don’t just like it because it’s a 'romance,' but because of those spicy scenes you’d love to try for the first time in your life." He chuckled, and you let the book slide just enough for him to see your eyes a mix of embarrassment and something else.
Your cheeks were a soft pink, a stark contrast to the burgundy of his shirt, which you were still wearing. Niki thought you looked beautiful, but most of all, he thought your little pout was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
"Niki, spicy scenes are in every book these days," you shot back, trying to sound confident. "You shouldn’t be surprised. I’m not as innocent as you think. Okay, fine, I haven’t had… direct experience… but I know what happens between a man and a woman when they like each other. So…"
Before you could finish, Niki lunged at you with feline speed, closing the distance between you. His face was a breath away from yours, but instead of kissing your lips, he diverted to your earlobe, brushing it lightly with his lips.
"And what do you know, Wren?" he whispered. "Come on, tell me what you’d want the guy you like… who happens to be me… to do." He added that last part with the arrogance that usually made you furious but now, it just made you shiver.
You rolled your eyes, muttering that he was getting too full of himself, but your knuckles were white from how tightly you were gripping the book’s cover.
"Come on, Y/n," he insisted, his voice rough. "Tell me what those two protagonists do… what you’d want you and me to… replicate?"
You swallowed hard, feeling how much Niki was teasing you, pushing you. "I… I’d like to be kissed in other places… not just on the mouth," you confessed, closing your eyes.
Niki smiled against your skin, and you felt the warm, wet pressure of his lips just below your jaw, a slow kiss that traveled up toward your ear. "Keep going," he urged, still teasing.
"I’d like… yes, for your hands to touch me in places no one ever has… and at the same time…" You paused, feeling your cheeks burn. "I’d like to kiss you in a very specific spot."
Niki froze for a second at your words, his mind racing through all the possible scenarios of where you might want to kiss him. You heard him swallow hard, one eyebrow arching in an expression somewhere between disbelief and ecstasy.
"And where would you like to kiss me?"
You lifted a trembling finger and pressed it just below his waist, on the left side right where the lip-shaped tattoo marked his skin, just above the waistband of his pants. "Here."
Niki stared at you in silence for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. You looked at him with a slightly offended pout, but he never took his eyes off you. Still watching you, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and, in one fluid motion, pulled it off, tossing it somewhere onto the bed. You were left breathless at the sight of his defined biceps, sculpted chest dusted with ink, and that perfectly chiseled V-line that looked like it had been drawn by an artist obsessed with his muse and then there was the lip tattoo, now fully exposed in front of you. Niki sat properly in front of you, legs spread apart, hands resting on his thighs as he tapped his fingers lightly, fixing you with a small smirk.
"Come here, wren," he murmured.
You shifted cautiously, feeling a mix of vulnerability and nervousness, but deep down, you trusted Niki. You positioned yourself straddling him, and the physical contact was immediate, your bare thighs against the fabric of his pants, his large hands gripping your hips to pull you even closer between you.
Niki tilted his head back, watching you, and found you adorable in your hesitation, unable to meet his gaze.
"Come on, Wren… don’t be afraid. Show me what you want to do," he murmured, his voice rough. You wrapped your arms around his neck, burying your fingers in his messy hair, and leaned down slowly. You caught the scent of your sakura-scented body wash on his skin and chuckled before beginning to place small, chaste kisses, almost shyly, starting from the base of his jaw and working your way down to his prominent collarbone. But when you felt Niki’s hands tighten on your hips, almost begging for more pressure, your courage grew. Driven by newfound confidence, you began to suck lightly on his fair skin, alternating kisses with playful nips. Niki let out a stifled moan as his head fell back further against the headboard, his skin already flushing redder than usual. You smirked to yourself, thinking that maybe tomorrow, the other girls would notice that this guy was secretly yours.
"Fuck, Wren…" he breathed, his voice ragged. You found a sensitive spot just below his earlobe, and when you nipped at it, you felt him shiver beneath you. You smiled against his skin because you’d discovered his secret, you’d found a spot where he was weak, and you couldn’t wait to uncover what other places would make him beg and lose control.
You leaned down further, exploring his sculpted, ink-stained chest. The yellow light in the room made every muscle, every defined line from his summer of hard work stand out, and when your kisses reached his nipples, your curiosity took over. You licked one with the tip of your tongue, and Niki jolted because damn, he hadn’t expected that from you… No one had, honestly, given how "pure" you seemed in everyone’s eyes. He gently grabbed your hair, pulling just enough to force you to lift your gaze and meet his desire-clouded eyes.
"Don’t stop… please, keep going," he begged, and that plea in his usually gruff voice made you feel incredibly powerful. So you continued to tease him, alternating your tongue with deep kisses, until your hands slid down his tight abs, feeling how hard they were, like marble, under your fingertips. You paused for a moment, biting your lower lip as you admired the masterpiece of a body that looked like it had been drawn by an obsessed artist.
"You’re really beautiful, Niki," you whispered, slightly embarrassed but also aware of what you were saying to the guy in front of you. Niki’s breath caught in his throat because he was used to the easy compliments from campus girls, the empty words whispered in hallways. But hearing it from you—while you looked at him like he was the most beautiful thing in the world—had a devastating effect on him. For the first time, he felt something unravel inside him, and he didn’t know if it was desire, love, or what he felt for you in that moment. But he didn’t mock you. Instead, he gently caressed your cheek with his thumb, looking at you softly and it was a new feeling for both of you.
"Y-You… you shouldn’t say things like that to me, Wren," he said, playing with your hair.
"Could you… lie down a little, Ki?" you asked, using the nickname that made him smile. He slid down the bed, propping himself up on his elbows to stay partially raised, desperate not to miss a single moment of what you were about to do because he was genuinely curious to see what you’d come up with. You tucked your hair behind your ears, and such a simple gesture made him swallow hard. With slightly trembling fingers, you hooked the waistband of his sweatpants and pulled them down a few centimeters, revealing the elastic waistband of his boxers—and right next to it, the red lip tattoo that had haunted your forbidden dreams for weeks. Niki let out a low whistle, trying to regain his usual cockiness.
"Well, well… the good girl’s aiming straight for the forbidden zone. Are you sure you can handle what you’ll find down there, Wren?"
You shot him one last challenging look before pressing your lips right over that tattoo, and the contact of your mouth with the warm skin of his lower abdomen silenced him instantly.
Niki clenched his jaw, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the sheets, overwhelmed by the sight of you curled between his legs, kissing that intimate mark with devotion. Small shivers ran through his entire body.
You began to trace its outline with the tip of your tongue, lingering on the warm skin that pulsed with every touch, and Niki let out a beautiful moan as his back arched slightly off the mattress. You smiled against his skin because the camp’s "bad boy" was melting under your simple touch.
You moved lower, placing small, wet kisses just below his navel, brushing against the gray cotton edge of his boxers. Every movement you made, innocent on the surface but designed to drive him wild—and every time your body pressed against his thighs as you straddled him, you felt his erection grow harder, more insistent, pulsing against you.
"Fuck, Wren… you’re killing me," he cursed, his voice rough. Every time you placed small kisses right below the edge of his boxers, he couldn’t stay still because your lips always sought out his most sensitive spots, and he was reaching his limit.
"I don’t think you’re ready for a blowjob, Y/n… and if you keep this up, I’ll lose control. How about you stop teasing me and let… let me take charge? You’ve provoked me enough, little one. Earlier, you said you wanted to be kissed elsewhere… where?" he almost stammered, his voice shaking from how close he was to coming like a teenager if you kept teasing him with your movements and kisses. His hands slid down your thighs, squeezing them lightly in a possessive gesture that stole your breath.
"Look how you’re trembling… does it turn you on to know I’m the one affecting you like this? The guy you’re supposed to hate, the one you’re supposed to stay away from?"
You nodded as you sucked on the fair skin of his lower abdomen, instinctively tightening your thighs around his hips. Niki cursed again, his hand sliding up your thigh and squeezing the flesh with just enough pressure.
He gently rolled you onto your back, stretching you out on the "super-bed," and took a second to adjust his boxers before positioning himself above you, looming over you with his muscular frame. But he kept himself propped up on his forearms, careful not to crush you, and traced the edge of your lips with his thumb, his expression suddenly serious and protective.
"First of all… are you sure you want this? Sure you want me to touch you?"
"Yes," you answered, and he smiled—but it was a different kind of smile. There was no trace of teasing, no hint of the guy who loved to rile you up. Just a softness you’d never have associated with the Niki everyone described.
"I know no one’s ever touched you before, Wren. And I don’t want to scare you. I don’t want you to feel like you have to do anything. We’ll use three colors, okay? Like a traffic light. Green if you’re good, yellow if you’re embarrassed or want to slow down, and red if you want me to stop immediately. No pressure, got it?" He caressed your cheek as he spoke, and you were struck by how this rebel without rules was now the guy trying to make you feel safe and comfortable.
"It’s perfect," you whispered. Niki leaned down and stole a soft, chaste kiss before his hands slid under the burgundy shirt you were wearing. You felt his large, rough hands against your smooth, warm skin, and it was as if they were made to fit perfectly around your hips. He began lifting the fabric centimeter by centimeter, revealing your sun-kissed stomach, and murmured:
"You’re so soft…" He leaned down to kiss your skin, alternating gentle kisses with light sucks that made you gasp, and used the tip of his tongue to tease your ribs, making you let out small, muffled moans—part pleasure, part tickle.
"Color, Y/N?" he asked against your skin.
"Green…" you stammered, burying your fingers in his blond hair and pulling him closer.
"Can I play with your breasts?" he asked hopefully, his hand already toying with the hem of your shirt. The embarrassment was off the charts, but the way he looked at you, as if you were the most precious, desirable thing in the world gave you the courage to nod.
"Green," you answered, and he chuckled. "That’s my good girl."
You pushed the shirt up over your collarbones, letting the fabric bunch under your chin. When your breasts were finally free, the dim light accentuated every curve of your beautiful body. Niki’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of the contrast between your Montana-tanned skin and the pale, almost crescent-moon shape where your bikini had protected you all summer.
Niki had always thought you had a gorgeous body, but he hadn’t realized how much and he ran a hand through his hair.
"Fuck, Wren…" he cursed under his breath, his eyes devouring every inch of you. "You’re… you’re stunning."
He didn’t waste time. Like a man devoted to you, he cupped your breasts with his large hands. The contrast between the softness of your skin and the roughness of his calloused palms marked from summer work and weights made you let out a deep sigh. With one hand, he began torturing your right breast, using his thumb to press and roll your hardened nipple, while his mouth descended on the left one. The heat of his tongue enveloping the sensitive tip made you arch your back, and Niki sucked hard, sending electric shocks straight to your core for the first time. Without meaning to, you pushed your hips upward, unconsciously seeking contact with his hard, pulsing length pressing against his boxers, right against your thin lace panties.
"Ah… Niki…" you panted, digging your fingers into his blond hair and pulling him closer. He responded with a moan, loving how close you were.
"Christ, how the hell did I go all summer without putting my hands on you?" he muttered as his left hand squeezed your breast a little too eagerly, his possessive grip making you gasp.
"K-Keep going… but gentler on the left, Ki… I’m really sensitive there… my period’s coming soon." You stammered, and Niki lifted his gaze, his lips glistening, as he continued teasing your clit through your panties and squeezing your breast. A playful grin spread across his face.
"Fuck, that’s why they’re so full and hard…" he murmured, then began tracing slow circles with his tongue around your areola, blowing on it between kisses, savoring your endless shivers. After what felt like forever, he moved lower, licking the underside of your breast with long, deliberate strokes of his tongue, then climbing back up to nip at the pink bud with extreme care.
While his mouth made you feel so good, his hand slid down your smooth thigh. You felt his fingers creep up centimeter by centimeter, tickling the inside of your thigh and making your legs tremble, almost closing on instinct because no one had ever touched you there before.
"Color, Wren?" he whispered against your skin.
"Green…" you managed to gasp as he chuckled softly, his fingers not stopping, they slid under the elastic edge of your panties, finding you already wet and warm. Niki let out a sound of pure approval at how excited you already were, knowing it was all because of him, and that no one else would ever have this privilege in his life.
"Fuck, Shorty… you’re already ready for me," he murmured as his middle finger began rubbing your clit through your damp panties.
Your body arched with a jolt, overwhelmed by a pleasure so intense it was almost too much to handle. To increase the pressure, Niki pushed his hips forward, grinding his hard length against your still-covered core, and you let out a loud moan that filled the room. Embarrassed, you immediately clapped your hands over your mouth to stifle the sound, but Niki stopped, grabbing your wrists and pulling them away from your face, fixing you with an almost fierce intensity.
"No, no, little one… be a good girl and let me hear everything," he said, his voice rough. "I want to hear you moan, I want to hear you scream if that’s what you need. No one can hear us, remember? There’s only the storm outside… it’s just you and me here. So please, don’t feel embarrassed if you want to moan my name...it’s beautiful."
He returned his focus to your breasts, alternating hungry licks with gentle sucks on the lower curve. When he pulled away for a second, he noticed a small purple mark beginning to form on your fair skin. He thought about how he’d love to cover you in these marks, but he knew that soon you’d be back in your swimsuit or canoeing, so he’d save that for later.
His hands slid back to your hips, gripping them tightly, while his fingers inside your panties increased their rhythm.
"Green or yellow, Wren?" he asked.
"Green… please, green," you whispered, feeling him tease the edge of your panties. Niki pulled the thin lace asidewith a slowness that drove you wild, letting the cool air of the bungalow brush against your exposed, aroused skin. When his thumb made direct contact with your clit, the world around you seemed to dissolve—you’d never felt anything like this before, and it was so good.
"Tongue or fingers, Wren?" he whispered, and your eyes widened in surprise at his bluntness.
"I… I trust you. You choose," you said, embarrassed by his question. Niki lifted himself slightly on his arms, studying your expression as he saw how you couldn’t bring yourself to look at him at first.
"Green or yellow, Y/N?" he asked, stroking your cheek. You bit your lower lip, feeling the heat spread all the way to your ears from embarrassment.
"Green… it’s just that I’ve never done anything like this before."
He nodded, and with a gentle motion, he leaned down to place a chaste, reassuring kiss on your forehead, and that touch made you melt.
"Relax. I’ll make you feel good, Wren. Whatever you say, I’ll stop instantly, okay?"
With a fluid motion, he pulled your panties off completely, tossing them somewhere unknown. When his eyes fell on your swollen, glistening intimacy, he let out a deep breath and leaned down, blowing lightly on your clit, making you jolt from the contrast. Then, he gently spread your legs, draping them over his shoulders. For the first time in your life, you were completely exposed, vulnerable under his gaze. Without another word, his warm tongue dove into your clit, and you moaned instantly—it was a strange, wet, completely new sensation, and you finally understood why all the girls said they loved foreplay with guys.
"Fuck, you taste so good…" he cursed against your skin, continuing to tease you with small, circular licks in figure-eights, alternating pressure until you arched your back against the mattress. Feeling you were ready, Niki slid a finger between your folds, and you tensed instinctively, clenching your muscles. He stopped immediately, feeling his finger fully inside you.
"Relax, little one. It’ll be okay. Let me take care of you," he murmured.
You nodded, trying to regulate your breathing, and when his finger slowly slid in centimeter by centimeter, a sense of fullness you’d never felt before flooded you.
"Fuck, you’re so tight… you’re swallowing my finger, Wren," he said as he began to move it in a rhythm that made you tremble, sliding in and out with a patience that was driving you mad—because you wanted more, but you were too shy to ask for it. But Niki understood instantly.
"Can I slide another one in?" he asked, his eyes fixed on yours as they rolled back. You nodded frenetically, unable to speak.
"Good girl… I knew deep down you were this good, that you’d like these slightly dirty things," he teased, and when his middle finger, marked by small calluses from summer work, slid in beside the other, you screamed his name.
"Niki!" Your hands flew to his hair, pulling at it for support as he began to pump with more vigor.
"Damn, Y/n… you’re taking me so well…" he cursed, savoring the sound of your moans, which grew sharper and sharper. He began to coordinate his movements: while his fingers worked inside you with decisive thrusts, his mouth returned to your clit, sucking and licking in sync with his fingers to give you even more pleasure. That double stimulation made you lose all contact with reality, and you screamed even louder, your legs trembling on his shoulders
Niki manipulated you, both mentally and physically with expert precision, slowing down just as you were about to shatter, only to watch you beg for him. His fingers pumped deeper inside you, his thumb circling your clit with maddening precision, and his voice was a dark, velvety whisper against your skin.
"Look at you, Shorty. Look how well you take me… were you born to be like this under me, huh?"
Shivers raced up your spine, and an unbearable heat spread through your body. You gasped, tears pricking at your eyes from the frustration of pleasure as he continued to tease you, his fingers pumping harder inside you while his teeth grazed your clit just enough to drive you wild.
"Ki… please… I… I need to come!" you cried, your voice breaking.
But instead of giving you what you craved, he smirked that infuriating, arrogant smirk—the one you usually hated but now loved—and rather than letting you climax, he used his teeth to tease your clit while his fingers pumped even deeper, searching for that most sensitive spot inside you.
"You want to come, little one? Then take it."
He thrust his fingers harder, now that your body had adjusted to their size, with a frenetic rhythm that gave you no escape. And then—you came, screaming his name, your body shuddering as waves of pleasure crashed over you. Niki loved how his name sounded on your lips, how one hand was fisted in his hair while the other clawed at the sheets, nearly tearing them. Your body convulsed in endless spasms, your arousal dripping down his fingers and thighs but he didn’t stop.
While you were still riding the high of your orgasm, he leaned down and licked away every trace of your pleasure, the intensity making you whimper.
"It’s too much… Niki, stop, it’s too much!" you sobbed, but he lifted his head just enough to lick you again, murmuring:
"It’s never too much for you, Wren. Look how you’re trembling… you’re pathetic and beautiful at the same time."His hand gripped you possessively, pulling you flush against him. "Do you really think I’d let you rest now, after showing you how good your body can feel?"
And that night, with only the storm’s roar breaking the silence, Niki kept his promise: he gave you no mercy, pushing you to the edge two more times until you were nothing but a trembling, whimpering mess, obsessed with his touch, your body singing his name like a prayer.
When everyone woke up at dawn on the fifth day, the Montana sky was finally a brilliant, cloudless blue, streaked only by the chirping of birds. As the bungalow doors swung open, everyone breathed in that crisp air and the scent of wet pine and fresh grass the kind everyone loved.
The general gathering in the sports pavilion was a chaos of voices and laughter from the kids, who had been cooped up in the dorms with emergency activities. They were all excited to run and bicker with each other again. You smiled as Nina came sprinting toward you and Niki, hugging you both and complaining about how boring it had been to be stuck inside 24/7 with the other kids.
Thankfully, the damage had been minimal: a few broken branches had fallen, there were piles of pine needles and dead leaves forming slippery carpets, and a couple of clotheslines had blown away.
But the real surprise, the one everyone was whispering about and that had shocked even the counselors and camp directors was Niki. He was no longer the sullen guy who ignored everyone, shooting hateful glares at anyone who dared breathe in his direction. He was… softer? He’d always been good with the kids, but now, with the other counselors, you noticed he talked, helped, even smiled without grumbling. Sure, he wasn’t suddenly a ray of sunshine, but most of all, he seemed to have a magnet pulling him constantly into your orbit.
He teased you endlessly: if you were carrying a bucket, he’d tap the back of your knee to throw you off balance, and the kids would giggle every time they saw you two bickering from morning to night. If you were talking to another counselor, he’d insert himself into the conversation even if it had nothing to do with him. Sometimes, you’d even steal the sticks he’d just picked up, only to drop them again while he gathered more from another spot. When he’d look up, you’d just shrug, but every time your eyes met, there was a secret in his gaze—the memory of those nights in the bungalow, getting to know each other, teasing, touching.
In the afternoon, while you were setting up for the bonfire you’d all agreed to have that evening—a way to finally reunite everyone—you were arranging chairs in a circle. The heat was starting to build, so you stepped behind the tool shed to find some shade and water. But before you could take three steps, a strong hand grabbed your arm, pulling you behind the shed, into the shadows of the wood and foliage. Niki leaned over you, his hands settling on your hips.
"Hey, wren," he murmured with a smug grin. You looked around in terror, afraid a kid or worse, the camp director might appear around the corner.
"Niki! What are you doing? If someone sees us...."
"I’ve been trying to get you alone all day. I’m tired of pretending I don’t want this," he said, reaching out to gently tug one of your braids, watching as your face flushed a deep pink but suddenly, you felt bold. You rolled your eyes, placing your hands on his bare chest under his open shirt.
"Mmm, so the big bad boy of summer camp misses his… girlfriend?" you teased, and the words "his girlfriend"hung between you, heavy and new. Niki flinched, he’d never thought you’d actually become his girl, and he your boy. He didn’t answer right away, but his eyes lit up with a new light, and with a fluid, decisive motion, he pushed you back against the rough wooden planks of the shed, pinning you with his body.
"Shut up, Wren," he murmured, his lips a millimeter from yours.
"Who would’ve thought," you chuckled, rising onto your toes to bury your fingers in his wind-tousled blond hair. "The guy who loved keeping to himself, who was grumpy all the time… needs attention?" You teased him, and before you could finish, he leaned in and kissed you possessively.
Your arms wrapped around his neck as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And Niki wasn’t shy: as his tongue slid between your lips, claiming you, his right hand slid down, slipping into the back pocket of your jeans with a possessive grip, squeezing your flesh and lifting you slightly against him so you could feel just how reactive he was to your touch. His other hand pressed into your side.
"Fuck, I’ve missed you… you have no idea," he growled against your mouth. You smiled against his lips, nipping lightly at his lower lip, enjoying the small shudder it pulled from him. But just as the atmosphere was about to get too heated, the sharp sound of breaking branches and the laughter of approaching kids reached you from just a few meters away. With a jolt of panic, you pushed him away, trying to compose yourself as your heart pounded too hard. Niki took a step back, chuckling as he watched you reclaim your "good girl" aura.
"We… we should go help the others," you murmured, trying to regain a professional tone. "Otherwise, they’ll get suspicious… The director already has her eye on you for how much you’ve changed these past few days."
He nodded but didn’t take his eyes off you until you glanced back at him one last time before disappearing around the corner. Niki ran a hand through his messy blond hair, making it even wilder, and stayed there for a second in the shed’s shadow.
"Fuck…" he muttered to himself, shaking his head with an incredulous smile on his face. "That girl’s gonna kill me before the end of summer."
The atmosphere at camp had become electric a mix of childlike excitement and the bittersweet melancholy of feeling autumn knocking at the door. The end-of-summer dance wasn’t just an event; it was the culmination of all those months spent under the sun—laughing, joking, playing cards, but also fighting, teasing, discovering crushes, and forging friendships under Montana’s scorching heat.
While the kitchen crew churned out endless trays of snacks and finger sandwiches, the outdoor activities team had set up chairs, tables, and colored lights woven through the willow branches by the lake, turning the gazebo into a kind of crystal chandelier with golden threads. The kids couldn’t wait to see all those lights lit up.
The weeks spent in the decoupage group had been exhilarating, you’d watched piles of card stock transform into messages of love or simple friendship, meant for their dance partners. Your heart tightened every time a child asked for your help to glue something, to draw, or to write the name of the person they liked.
That afternoon, you were leaning against the metal slide, watching the scene unfold a few meters away: Nina had asked you to go with her to Thomas, and with her perfect braids bouncing on her shoulders, she was facing her biggest challenge yet, Thomas, a perpetually grumpy-looking kid with his arms almost always crossed and his gaze usually directed elsewhere, as if a thousand thoughts were swirling in his head. For some strange reason, he reminded you terribly of Niki at the start of the summer.
You watched as Nina handed him the invitation—the one she’d worked on for hours, drawing a Formula 1 single-seaterwith the numbers of Thomas’s favorite drivers on the side. And when Thomas lowered his guard, you saw the tiniest lift at the corner of his mouth. It was a silent victory for both you and Nina. You heard Thomas ask, "Why me?"
Nina was quiet for a moment, then said, "Well, you’re the only one who doesn’t talk much but says everything with his eyes or his face… And it was nice when I scraped my knee and you took me to the infirmary, and how every day, without anyone seeing, you changed my bandages especially the pink ones with princesses. So that’s why I want you to come find me at the dance for a little while."
Nina didn’t wait for an answer. She planted a small kiss on his cheek and ran toward you, her big eyes shining.
"He’ll definitely come find me," she declared, tucking a braid behind her ear. "Wow, Nina, you really have a lot of self-confidence. Never let anyone take that away from you when you grow up, okay? Promise?" you said, squeezing her small hand in yours.
But as you started walking toward the lake, the conversation took a turn you never expected.
"Who are you going to the dance with? I hope Niki asked you to go with him," she whispered, as if revealing a state secret, skipping along beside you. Your heart pounded at her words.
"Why… why would Niki ask me to the dance, Nina?" you asked, trying to sound indifferent, but the little girl just smiled knowingly.
"Well, because he likes you, Y/n. He’s been talking about you to me all summer. And I’ll tell you a secret...these braids?" She giggled, covering her mouth as if she’d just shared something she wasn’t supposed to. "He does them for me every morning because he learned how by watching you do yours in the mirror."
You were stunned by the image of Niki: his big, calloused hands, his famous rings carefully braiding a little girl’s hair, trying to mimic your movements. Your eyes almost welled up as you thought back to all those mornings in the bungalow, when you’d felt his burning gaze on the back of your neck through the mirror as you separated the strands. You’d thought… well, you’d thought he was judging you or just waiting his turn for the bathroom. But instead, he’d been memorizing every movement so he could replicate it on Nina’s hair.
"Nina, I… I and Niki, we’re just… I mean, he always teases me, it’s not possible that...."
But Nina wasn’t done demolishing your defenses. She added, with a touch of cheeky confidence:
"And besides, he should ask you because a couple of weeks ago, I saw you kissing near the tool shed. You’re not very discreet, you know? We kids saw you holding hands, or Niki pulling you away out of nowhere… or him coming to get you every time survival class in the woods ended. Those are things boys in love do… like my dad with my mom."
Your world tilted. The phrase "We kids saw you" echoed in your head like a gong. If seven- or eight-year-olds had figured it all out if they’d seen you pressed against that shed with Niki’s lips on yours then the entire camp knew. The other counselors, the director, maybe even the kitchen staff.
You brought a hand to your face and laughed nervously as Nina pulled you along, but before you went in, she said:
"I’m glad you’re Niki’s princess and not me… I’m too little for him but if I were his age, he’d already be mine!" She burst out laughing and ran off, leaving you alone on the path, your mind spinning.
The day of the dance had finally arrived, Niki had been asking you for days now and yet, you almost wished it never would. It was the last evening you’d spend together. Tomorrow, everyone would return to Chicago, and life would go back to normal, as if nothing had changed. Sure, you and Niki both attended the same university, but what would really change between you? You shook your head. Those questions would have answers in the coming days, not tonight. Tonight was meant to be perfect.
You gave yourself one last look in the mirror: the white and red top stood out against your sun-kissed, golden skin, the result of months under the open sky. The jeans with red stars hugged your curves as if they’d been tailored for you, and the soft, deliberately messy French braid gave you a playful yet polished look. When the sakura-scented perfumefilled the air, you felt ready.
As you stepped outside, you saw Niki leaning against the table, wearing his gray and red hoodie—the one he’d given you that night—unzipped, revealing his bare chest. When his eyes landed on you, you watched him swallow hard, and you smiled at the effect you had on him.
"Fuck, Wren… you look stunning," he murmured, his voice rough, and pulled you close, burying his nose in the crook of your neck as if he wanted to memorize your scent for the months to come.
"You don’t look so bad yourself, Niki," you replied with a sly smile, playing with the strings of his hoodie. "Though a shirt would...."
"Dream on, Wren. I’ll wear a shirt only at my graduation, my wedding, or a job interview not for a dance where there’ll be more brats stuffing their faces with snacks than people actually dancing to TikTok songs." He chuckled, pulling you even closer, and you played with his hair.
"You’ll have to cut this hair when we get back to Chicago," you said.
He rolled his eyes. "Mmm, why? I like it this length. Otherwise, when your hands go through it, you won’t be able to play with it or pull it." He grinned, and your cheeks flushed red. You gave him a light swat on the chest and muttered, "Pervert." His hand tried to slip into your back pocket, but you shook your head.
"Come on, Niki, we’re already late." He sighed, but when he placed his cowboy hat on your head, his expression changed.
It wasn’t just an accessory, it was a camp tradition, a cowboy ritual. He didn’t consider himself a cowboy by any means, but seeing you in his hat, the brim casting a slight shadow over your eyes, triggered a sense of possessivenesshe’d never felt with anyone before. In that moment, Niki realized you weren’t just his date for the night—you were his girl, symbolically claimed in front of everyone. The thought that in a few hours you’d both be on the train back to the city made him want to claim every second of the evening, as if to tell the whole world that you’d still be his in Chicago, too.
"Let me see…" he murmured, adjusting the brim with his fingers, which brushed your forehead. "Now no one will have any doubts about who your 'escort' is tonight." He smirked, and you dragged him in front of the bungalow’s mirror to capture the moment.
Niki huffed, pretending to be annoyed by your need for photos, but as soon as you positioned yourself, he stepped behind you. You felt his heat at your back, and with one hand, he gently lifted your chin, forcing you to look up, while with the other, he tilted the hat to create a small, private shadow between you, partially obscuring the phone’s frame. Then, just as the flash went off, he kissed your cheek and he knew one of those photos would end up as his phone’s wallpaper.
The warm lights danced on the dark surface of the lake, creating a magical atmosphere, and the air was thick with the familiar scent of campfires burnt wood, caramel popcorn, and cotton candy sticking to the kids’ fingers as they ran around, laughing and playing.
You and Lia had taken dozens of photos that looked like they’d come straight from a 2016 Tumblr feed: posing on a hay bale, holding a slice of pizza so big it covered half your torso, laughing with your teeth clamped around the rim of a red plastic cup, always looking back at the camera with flushed cheeks. At one point, you’d even herded a group of kids into the photo booth, helping them put on giant star-shaped glasses or fake mustaches until the line was empty and just as you stepped out of the booth, still giggling from your last "diva pose" with Lia, you saw Niki’s massive figure standing in front of you, arms crossed, that crooked half-smile that annoyed you but also sent a thrill through you.
"Have you two finished monopolizing the photo booth? There are other people who’d like to take some memories home, you know," he said, looking between you and Lia. Lia, never one to back down, pulled you closer.
"Oh yeah, Niki? And who exactly would you want to take pictures with? It’s not like you’ve become best friends with anyone here in the last three months!" she teased. He rolled his eyes, but his gaze never left your flushed face.
"Lia, there’s only one person in this entire camp I’d want a photo with, and that’s your best friend. So scram, please."
Lia grinned knowingly when she heard that, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. "Damn, this guy finally marked his territory. Thank God for that storm… you two were exhausting to watch—24/7 of teasing with zero payoff! Even the best K-dramas don’t have that much slow burn!" But before she disappeared into the crowd, she winked at you and mimed a "go for it" gesture with her fingers, reminding you of the pact you’d made: no thoughts for tomorrow just live in the present.
Niki took your hand, his warm fingers intertwining perfectly with yours, and nodded toward the photo booth entrance. The tiny plastic cubicle was clearly designed for kids, not a guy who was nearly six-foot-three. Niki went in first, muttering under his breath as his head nearly hit the ceiling. He sat on the swivel stool, leaving barely any room for you. As you hesitantly tried to perch on the edge of the seat, he grabbed your hips and pulled you onto his lap.
"Sit here," he ordered, patting his thighs. You hesitated, and he huffed against your skin.
"Come on, Shorty, stop pretending to be some innocent girl. You’ve sat on these legs in way less chaste ways than this, and we both know it." He chuckled, and your cheeks burned as he settled you sideways on his knees. One hand slid up your bare leg, squeezing lightly, while the other rested on your exposed side, his thumb tracing hypnotic circleson your skin.
"Pick the filter, Shorty, but do it for two strips
one’s mine, and the other’s yours," he said. You nodded, not realizing that even choosing a filter would turn into a playful fight.
"Let’s do the one with the little stars! It’s cute!" you suggested, pressing the option.
"Stars? Wren, I have a reputation to uphold. We’re not middle schoolers—go with the black minimalist one," he argued, trying to nudge your finger away from the screen.
"Your reputation died the day you learned how to braid Nina’s hair. Deal with it!" you teased, and after two minutes of bickering and playful shoves, you settled on the most basic option: a vertical filmstrip border with four shots, ten seconds apart.
First photo: The countdown started, and you exchanged an amused glance, bursting into spontaneous, slightly shy laughter as you looked at each other, Niki holding you tight, you trying not to fall off the stool.
Second photo:
You turned and kissed his cheek, and Niki rolled his eyes with a fake indifferent expression as if your kiss on his face(not even his lips!) didn’t affect him. But the way his hand tightened on your side told a different story.
Third photo:
The mood had shifted. Niki gently moved your French braid aside, exposing your neck, and you locked eyes intensely. There was nothing shy about your faces now—close, hungry, his gaze full of possession, as if he wanted to make it clear that he was all you’d ever need.
Fourth photo:
Just as the flash went off for the last time, Niki closed the distance, capturing your lips in a real, deep, possessive kiss just like him. He loved making it clear to everyone that you were his, and the photo captured it perfectly: you with your eyes closed, his hands pulling you even closer, his cowboy hat tilted slightly backward.
Your arms wrapped around his neck, now knowing he was your safe harbor, your fingers sinking into his messy blond hair at the nape of his neck. The photo booth felt even smaller with how close you were, and Niki didn’t waste a second. His hands settled firmly on your hips, his thumbs tracing small designs on the bare skin exposed by the cut of your top.
When your lips parted in a soft moan, he took it as an invitation, and his tongue slid into your mouth, claiming you. You let out a vibrant sound, and if anyone had been outside, they would’ve heard it but honestly, you didn’t care anymore. In that moment, there was only you two, lost in a mix of submission and longing that made Niki’s muscles tense as he felt you so close. You tried to shift, seeking even more intimate contact between your bodies, but he held you firmly in place, his grip on your hips pinning you to his lap, as if to say he was the one setting the pace—even in there.
When the photo strip finally slid out, the mechanical sound of the machine seemed to bring you back to reality. Niki snatched it quickly, almost fearful that someone else might see it. You both fell silent, staring at that last shot, the kiss captured by the flash was real, unfiltered. It looked so authentic that maybe, in that moment, Niki realized he’d found his person and he’d never expected it to be you.
"Fuck," he whispered against your lips, and you caressed the slightly rough skin of his jaw, where the stubble was just starting to grow. You bit your lip, still tasting him, and felt a flicker of anxiety creeping in because in a few hours, everything might change.
"Do… do you want to stay at the party, or go back to the bungalow?" you murmured, lowering your gaze and starting to nervously twist the end of your braid between your fingers. Niki watched you in silence. He knew, he could read every tic, every hesitation in you. He knew you were feeling uncertain, and he lifted your chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing you to look into his eyes darker than ever under the neon lights of the booth.
"Why do you want to go back to the bungalow? Aren’t you having fun out here, wren? You’ve been excited about this party for weeks, and now you want to leave already?"
"Everything’s perfect out here," you started, trying to find the right words, not wanting to seem embarrassed by what you were about to say. "But I… I’d like to spend the last night alone. I mean… completely alone. In our bungalow and we could… I don’t know…" You gestured between the two of you, and Niki lifted your chin with his finger, forcing you to meet his gaze, a small smirk playing on his lips. He silenced you, pressing a finger to your lips.
"You’re overthinking, Wren. Tell me what you really want… no beating around the bush." He watched you with eyes that were almost glossy with a new determination, mixed with shyness? But Niki wanted to hear you say it.
"I want you to be mine tonight… and me to be yours," you said, starting to nervously fidget with one of the silver rings on his finger. After dropping that bomb, you couldn’t bring yourself to look at him, afraid he might push you awayor mock you but Niki visibly swallowed, not expecting such a blunt answer from you, it wasn’t like you at all. For a moment, the Niki from the start of summer disappeared, replaced by a guy who looked almost dazed by the luck of having met you.
"Are… are you sure, Y/n?" he asked, his voice almost timid, which made you slightly doubt the guy in front of you. "You know that if we cross that threshold tonight… there’s no going back."
You nodded firmly, intertwining your hand with his, taking the initiative to stand up. Niki sighed deeply, running his other hand through his hair in a gesture of pure agitation because in that moment, he didn’t know if he should feel like the luckiest guy on the planet or the most terrified at the idea of not being worthy of your first time, of not being gentle enough or unforgettable enough for you. He was afraid of ruining everything you’d built over those summer months.
"Are you 100% sure, Wren?" His voice was rough as he hovered over you, his forearm muscles tense from the effort of not pressing too hard against your body.
You rolled your eyes with fake exasperation at his question. "Green, lime green, eater green…" you listed, naming every shade you could think of, and Niki shook his head with a crooked smile.
"You’re such a little brat, you know that?" he murmured, pulling you in for a quick kiss before his hands slid decisively toward your hips. When the button of your jeans popped open and the zipper slid down, the atmosphere in the room shifted drastically.
Niki pulled off your jeans, never taking his eyes off you. And when his gaze fell on the red lace of your semi-thong, his breath caught in his throat. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out, he was completely thrown off by your lingerie. He ran a hand through his blond hair, messing it up even more, thinking about how innocent you must’ve seemed to everyone at camp… but not to him. Not after discovering what you read, what you wore to drive him wild. When he heard your voice, he snapped back to reality.
"Do you like it?" you whispered, enjoying his shock with a fake innocent look. Niki let out a sound that was half groan, half choked laugh.
"I didn’t think the 'good girl' of summer camp was hiding these kinds of secrets under her clothes. I knew about all those romance books you try to hide from me… but this, Y/N!"
His hand slid down your inner thigh, and the cold silver of his ring against your burning skin made you jolt violently. You wanted to tease him, drive him crazy.
"There’s a lot you still don’t know about me, Niki…" you stammered, trying to keep a shred of composure. He closed his eyes for a second he’d figured out the game you were playing.
"And what would those be?" he challenged.
"Let’s find out together, shall we?" you replied.
Niki shifted, kneeling between your legs with a slowness that was pure torture. He grabbed your ankle and brought it almost to his face, then began kissing your skin, starting from your ankle, moving up your calf to the curve of your knee. Every kiss was almost torture for you because he was doing it on purpose, going so slow. Each touch was like a brand, alternating kisses with light sucks, and when he reached your thigh, his kisses became deeper, more insistent, leaving a tingling sensation that spread through your entire body.
When he buried his face in the inside of your thigh, the heat of his hot breath made you arch your back.
"Niki… stop teasing me," you pleaded.
But he didn’t listen. His kisses alternated with playful nips on the tenderest part of your thigh, followed by slow licksthat made you lose all sense of direction.
"Higher…" you whispered without thinking, and Niki froze, lifting his gaze to you with a serious look.
"Since when do you get to give me orders, Wren?" he asked, kissing you just one centimeter higher, driving you mad because that was his intent. From the first moment he’d seen you, he’d wanted to get inside your head, and he was succeeding.
"Please… Niki, don’t make me wait like this, you’re driving me crazy…" you stammered, your hands clawing at the sheets to keep from grabbing him directly. He chuckled, satisfied with his effect on you, and lifted your leg even higher. Then, without warning, he leaned in and kissed your clit hard through the thin veil of black lace, laughing softly.
"Damn it…" you cursed through your teeth, arching your back and digging your fingers into his hair, not knowing if you wanted to pull him deeper or push him away because you didn’t even know yourself. It was definitely calculated torture, what he was doing to you, and you responded by squirming beneath him.
"You’re a bastard, take this off and touch me for real!"
But Niki didn’t care about your urgency. He wanted to hear you beg, wanted to see how far your resistance would go before he made you completely his. So he let go of your leg but didn’t return to loom over you with his full weight. Instead, he crawled up your body with the same slowness as a predator, leaving a trail of fire with his kisses. He started at the elastic edge of your lace, then your navel, moving up your stomach where your muscles twitched involuntarily at every touch of his tongue. When he reached your breasts, he paused to admire them in the dim light, as if he hadn’t already memorized every inch of you, while your uneven, pleading breaths lift
He leaned down with surgical precision, capturing your hardened nipple between his lips. The contrast was delicious and intoxicating you’d never felt anything like it before. The wet heat of his mouth against your skin, and his cold, silver-ringed hand sliding up to squeeze and tease your other breast, made you even more pliable under his touch. You moaned his name a sound Niki loved hearing from your lips as your fingers tightened in his blond hair, pulling him deeper.
He sensed your impatience and chuckled right against your sensitive skin, making your chest vibrate. Then he dragged his teeth over the tip of your nipple before blowing a cool breath over it, making you jolt violently. But you had no intention of just lying there. You wanted him to feel the same burning need you were feeling. So you hooked your legs around his hips, pulling him into your personal space, and began moving your hips instinctively, grinding your lace-covered intimacy against the hard, unmistakable bulge of his jeans.
Niki froze for a second, caught off guard. But when he realized your movements weren’t accidental, that you were deliberately seeking friction against his length, trying to drive him wild, he stiffened.
"Fuck, Wren… stop moving like that if you don’t want me to lose control before I even take my clothes off," he growled, his voice low. But you didn’t stop. If anything, you pushed harder, chasing that heat that seemed like the only thing capable of extinguishing the fire inside you. And when he finally matched your rhythm, pushing back against you in a synchronized motion, a simultaneous moan escaped both your lips.
"Please…" you whispered, almost without realizing it. Niki lifted himself a few centimeters, surprised to hear you begging him for something.
"What are you begging for, Wren? A month ago, you couldn’t even stand to breathe the same air as me in this room. And now? What are you begging for?" he asked, challenging you with his gaze. But you looked back at him, unafraid to show just how much you wanted him.
"You couldn’t stand me as a roommate either, and yet here you are, worshipping my body like it’s your only religion. So stop talking, Niki, because we’ve teased each other all summer, and I think it’s time to let all this electricity explode—the kind everyone saw except us."
After your answer, Niki didn’t waste another second. With a fluid motion, he grabbed the edges of your thong, his patience was completely gone. He pulled your panties off in one sharp motion, letting them slide down your legs and leaving you completely bare beneath him. When his gaze fell on your glistening, swollen intimacy, a victorious grinspread across his face. He felt like a king—the first to see you like this, the first to possess your vulnerability. And he knew the mark he’d leave on you tonight would be indelible, because only he would have you like this.
"Where’s the girl who was talking too much a minute ago?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched you look away in embarrassment.
"She’s still here, Niki… don’t count your chickens just yet," you shot back, trying to reclaim a shred of dignity as you spread your legs for him. That gesture drove him wild with desire. He grabbed your thighs and hoisted them onto his shoulders, leaving you completely exposed and at his mercy. Then he leaned in, and his hot tongue flicked against your clit in one swift motion. You moaned at the sensation of his tongue against your core.
"God, Wren… are you still this sensitive?" he chuckled against your skin, feeling how you trembled. "It’s not the first time tonight—you should be used to my mouth by now."
"Just… just shut up!" you cursed, but his only response was to intertwine his hand with yours, pressing it firmly against the mattress. That gesture...so intimate and protective in the middle of all this lust made your heart beat harder than anything else, because Niki could act like a jerk, but when it came to you, he became almost someone else.
His other hand held your hip in place while his tongue began to work in perfect figure-eights, pressing insistently on the tip of your clit.
"I need to prepare you, Wren," he murmured between kisses against your folds. "If you want me to slide my cock inside you without hurting you, you need to be ready to take me."
You nodded frantically, unable to form coherent sentences. And when you felt his index finger tease your entrance, coating itself in your arousal before pushing in slowly, you felt so good, yet so protected by him because in that moment, you were trusting each other completely.
"Look how well you take this… and it’s just one finger. Yet here you are, already begging for more with those moans of yours, huh? You’re just a spoiled little girl who’s discovered how good it feels to be ruined by me." He smirked, and you moaned loudly as he began pumping his finger inside you, filling you in a way that made you feel complete yet starving for more and when he decided you could handle it, he slid his middle finger in as well.
The impact was shocking, you felt the cold edge of his silver ring against the hot, sensitive flesh of your lips, and you screamed, arching your back and clenching your legs around his face, swallowing his fingers up to the knuckle. The contrast between the icy metal and the fire inside you made you lose your mind.
"Niki… oh God, the ring… it’s… it’s too much," you stammered but Niki looked up at you from below, his lips glistening with your arousal, and pushed harder, coordinating the movement of his fingers with his tongue, which continued to torment your clit. When you started to cry from the intensity of pleasure, he froze for a second, doubting if he’d hurt you but then he heard your words.
"I’m… I’m about to come… Niki, please, don’t stop!"
He relaxed, and a predatory smile lit up his face. "Fuck, it’s so hot watching you cry while you beg me to make you come." He curved his fingers inside you, and you, overwhelmed by the double stimulation, pulled his hair with desperate force, clawing at the sheets with your other hand as the climax swept over you. The final contrast, his tongue, his fingers, and that cold metal made you explode against his mouth in a violent orgasm that left you trembling and spent, coming against both his mouth and his fingers.
"Fuck… that’s my good girl," Niki murmured.
When Niki pulled away from you, you swallowed hard. He leaned in again to give you a soft, lingering kiss, charged with the weight of what you were about to do, and asked:
"Are you 100% sure about this?" His voice was low, his fingers stroking your hair. You stayed silent for a moment, and those few seconds of hesitation felt like an eternity to Niki. But then you found the words, and he relaxed.
"Right now, there are no red lights, Niki. No orange warnings either," you whispered, echoing what he had taught you the first time he’d seen you naked and touched you.
"For me, everything is completely green right now… I… I want… I want to be yours." Your voice trembled, tears pricking at your eyes. Niki reached out, caressing your cheek with his thumb. His eyes were glistening too, and a crooked, moved smile lit up his face.
"I want to be yours too, Wren. Today, tomorrow, for the weeks to come, for the next months… and who knows how much longer."
With fingers still slightly trembling, you brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. "Niki… are you, by any chance, declaring yourself?"
He huffed with a half-embarrassed smile that tinted his cheeks a soft pink. "Fuck, you… you’ve made me soft too many times these past weeks, especially right now," he admitted, shaking his head, almost incredulous at the power you had over him.
"So… is it green for you too?" you asked, watching him closely. Niki’s eyes widened, he hadn’t expected you to ask for his confirmation too, but it was a mutual respect you’d found in each other. Then he smiled softly.
"Lime green, Tiffany green… I don’t even remember how many other kinds of green there are… but yes, it’s super green right now."
Your hands slid downward, meeting the buckle of his belt. With a determined but clumsy motion, you unclasped it, letting it fall somewhere on the floor. Niki didn’t waste time, he shimmied out of his jeans in quick movements, tossing them aside. When he leaned over you again, the contact between his erection, still covered by the thin fabric of his boxers, and your already sensitive, pulsing intimacy wrung a muffled moan from both of you.
"Take them off yourself, Y/N," he murmured. With fingers that refused to stay still, you played with the waistband of his boxers, sliding your hands up his hips before pulling them down. And when your eyes finally met his full nudity, his rosy, tense shaft already glistening with pre-cum, your pupils dilated with a mix of shock and desire at how big and thick he was. Niki closed his eyes, groaning.
"This… well, this is what you do to me, Y/N."
"Is that… a good thing?" you asked in a whisper, almost seeking confirmation of the power you felt over him. He buried his face in the crook of your neck, chuckling softly.
"Yeah, it’s a great thing, Wren. Except when we’re in public and I can’t do anything about it."
Without asking for permission, you reached out and touched him, wrapping your hand around his hot, taut skin. You felt his breath catch instantly.
"I… there’ll be other opportunities where you can tease me like this… or where you can be on top of me," he stammered, trying to keep control as his muscles tensed under your touch. "But fuck, Y/N, if I’m not inside you in the next few minutes, I’m gonna come like some inexperienced kid. And I want your first time to be perfect." He almost laughed, and you nodded.
You watched as he reached toward the nightstand and grabbed a silver square a condom. "Don’t think the worst, it’s not mine," he said immediately, as if he needed to justify himself to avoid seeming presumptuous. "I asked someone I trust for it earlier and don’t think I planned this, or that I took you for granted...."
But you gently placed a hand over his lips, silencing him. You wanted him to know that his thoughtfulness meant more than he realized.
"Shut up, Niki. You’ve never pressured me into anything. In fact, I appreciate that you thought about protection. I’m not on the pill, and I want to do this safely."
He nodded, visibly relieved, and with expert but quick fingers, he tore open the condom. You, driven by curiosity, tried to help, but he gently shook his head, stopping your hands.
"Next time, I’ll teach you how, I promise… but we only have one, and I need to feel you as mine so badly that I can’t risk messing this up." His voice was urgent as he positioned himself above you.
Niki positioned himself with painstaking slowness between your legs, lifting your hips slightly with a pillow to ease the union. His eyes never left yours, searching for that final silent "yes." When you nodded, he leaned down to capture your lips in a deep kiss as his hips pushed gently against your entrance.
Feeling the tip of his cock tease your sensitivity wrung a moan of pure desire from you.
"I’ll stop immediately if it hurts, Y/N. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to tell me, okay?" he whispered, his concern melting your heart, you’d never have imagined the guy you met over three months ago could be this tender with you.
"Please… I want to be yours," you breathed, your voice ragged. Niki didn’t need to be told twice. With a slow, controlled thrust, he slid inside you, and you both moaned in unison him from the heat enveloping him, you from the unfamiliar fullness you’d never felt before.
"Fuck… you’re so tight, it’s driving me crazy," he groaned through clenched teeth, feeling how snugly you clenched around him.
"It’s… it’s so big, Niki," you whispered, eyes wide. He looked at you with a mix of pride and worry, kissing the tip of your nose.
"I’m sorry, baby… I’ll try to be gentle. I don’t want to hurt you, but you’re gripping me so tight it’s hard to stay still."
He paused for a few moments inside you, letting your body adjust to his size. You could feel every millimeter of him, and soon, driven by an irresistible instinct, you wrapped your legs around his hips, pulling him even closer. Niki cursed again:
"God, Y/N… you’re making it impossible to keep any self-control." He tried not to hurt you, but you begged:
"You can move… please, move."
Niki pulled back slightly, then, without warning, pushed in almost fully, and you clung to his shoulder as you felt the walls of your vagina stretch to accommodate him completely. It burned—it was an intense stretch but the sensation of finally being "filled" by him overpowered any pain your body had ever felt.
When he felt you slowly relax, he began to move, first with caution, then with growing fervor. His shaft slid perfectly inside you, lubricated by your own desire, and with every deep thrust, the sound of your bodies colliding and your moans filled the room.
Your hands sought his hair, pulling him closer as your nails left red marks on his bare back every time he took you harder. Niki nipped at your neck a possessive gesture that made you lose your mind.
"Please, Niki! Don’t… don’t stop," you pleaded, now lost in pleasure, feeling how warmly you welcomed him, how your legs clenched around him. Niki decided to change the angle and shifted slightly on the bed, rolling you onto your side.
"Niki, where are you going? What are you doing?" you stammered, eyes glazed, your breath ragged with a mix of lust and panic.
"Trust me, Wren… I’ll make you feel good," he replied with a knowing smile. Niki slid one arm under your back, pulling you even closer, while his other hand grabbed your thigh, lifting it decisively over his hip. In that position, the angle changed drastically, his cock slid even deeper, reaching spots you didn’t even know were so sensitive. You felt his shaft press with surgical precision against your G-spot, and the pleasure was so sharp that you buried your face against his neck, biting his hot skin to keep from screaming too loudly—afraid someone might hear.
"More, Niki… more, please!" you begged between moans, your nails digging into his shoulders. He didn’t need to be asked twice. Feeling how completely at his mercy you were, he intensified his thrusts: he began alternating short strokes, making you feel only the tip entering and exiting, tormenting your pussy, before plunging deep and powerful, stealing your breath. He felt like he was in heaven as your vagina clenched around him divinely, as if it had been made just for him. But it wasn’t enough, while he continued to claim you, he slid his free hand between your bodies and began stimulating your clit with his thumb.
"Niki… fuck, it’s too much! I’m gonna come, I’m gonna come!" you cried, arching your back as the pleasure became almost unbearable from how divinely his cock slid inside you. He began whispering dirty, sweet words to make you lose all control.
"It’s not too much, Wren. It’s exactly what you deserve. Look at me while you come for me… look how beautiful you are while I take you like this." He lifted your chin, and you wrapped your other leg around his hip, erasing every millimeter of space between you.
"You’re so good, my little Wren… look how well you take all of me, look how you tremble for me."
You nodded, completely overwhelmed, until a second violent orgasm swept over you for the second time that night. The muscles of your vagina contracted rhythmically around him, milking him, and Niki groaned loudly, thrusting even deeper.
"That’s my good girl," he whispered, kissing you fiercely. You thought he was done, that your climax marked the end, but Niki hadn’t released his tension yet. With renewed fervor, he began fucking you again in that position, and the sound of his cock slamming into your pussy was the only thing filling the room, along with your breaths and moans. Then, suddenly, Niki’s muscles tensed he was coming too.
"Fuck, Y/N… I’m about to… I’m coming too," he stammered, eyes wide. You burst into tears at how stimulating it was to see him come, and as you felt Niki unload all his cum in hot spurts inside the condom, he stayed inside you for minutes, still, his chest rising and falling frantically. It was beautiful to still feel him inside, to feel his heat slowly calming, and he began stroking your entire body with infinite tenderness as you snuggled against his chest as if it were your only refuge.
"It was… it was beautiful," you whispered softly. Niki lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on your sweat-dampened forehead. "Was it too much? Did I hurt you?" he asked, a hint of concern in his eyes. But you shook your head.
"It was unreal," you replied, making him smile in relief.
"I’m glad your first time was with me, Wren. And that you trusted me… even though I know I don’t exactly have a spotless reputation," he admitted, with a touch of melancholy that vanished as soon as you pulled him into a tighter embrace. With extreme slowness, he pulled out of you with a sigh, and you watched as he got up gracefully, removing the condom and tossing it in the trash before lying back down beside you, pulling you back into his arms.
The only sounds in the room were the rhythm of your breaths slowly returning to normal and, in the background, the muffled beat of the music still playing outside the summer camp. Niki lay beside you, his arm pressed against yours, and you could feel the cold metal of his rings absentmindedly playing with your fingers a nervous gesture that betrayed how shaken he still was.
When you lifted your gaze, you realized he hadn’t stopped staring at you, his expression unreadable. Curious as you were, you wanted to know what was going through his mind.
"Do… do I have something on my face?" you asked softly, suddenly feeling naked under his intense gaze. Niki shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving yours.
"What’s on your mind?" you asked, stroking his cheek with your thumb. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the touch he loved so much, and said:
"I have so many things running through my head right now that I don’t even know how to act with you in this moment… I feel… strange, but in a good way."
You nodded and whispered, trying to reassure him: "You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to, Niki."
"What we just did was beautiful… I hope you know how much I trust you… and I hope that, despite my lack of experience, it was special for you too." You said it, fearing for a second that you might have been "not enough" for him because you knew he’d had more experience. At those words, Niki seemed to snap out of it and turned fully toward you, hovering over your body without crushing you, and wrapped you in a protective embrace, burying his face against your neck as if afraid of being discovered or maybe just afraid of the new reality you both found yourselves in for the first time.
"Don’t joke around, fuck… it was amazing from start to finish. I’d do it with you forever… don’t think or compare yourself to anyone else," he murmured, and you felt the heat of his breath on your skin.
"Wren, I can’t keep pretending to be detached anymore… I… I… I like you so damn much." He said it against your neck, but he was seriously afraid of sounding like a fool in that moment. You chuckled softly, stroking his sweaty hair.
"I like you too, Niki. I think even the walls of this bungalow have figured it out by now." You said, and he lifted himself onto his arms, looking at you with almost frustration.
"No, fuck, that’s not what I wanted to say! It’s not just 'I like you.' It’s just that I… I…"
Seeing his struggle, you gently placed a hand over his lips, stopping the internal conflict you could read on his face, and said naturally: "I love you, Niki."
Niki’s eyes widened, and he froze, as if you’d just thrown down a challenge with those words. The silence lasted a second too long, and you seriously feared he wouldn’t say it back or would pull away from you. But then he scoffed loudly, letting his head fall back.
"Damn it! I was supposed to say it first, Y/N! You beat me to it!" he exclaimed, visibly annoyed with himself. You shrugged with a sly little smile.
"Well, you could’ve been faster." You teased, laughing, and he replied:
"I love you too, Wren. In case it wasn’t obvious from the way I look at you or from how I’m currently trying not to look like an idiot." He said it as he couldn’t stop touching you, a new light shining in his eyes. You pulled him back to you, enjoying the warmth of his chest against yours.
"I’m happy to hear you say it. It was a little embarrassing watching you suffer so much trying to spit out those two words!"
He rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t stop smiling. "Oh yeah, very funny. I’ll get my revenge, just you wait."
And he started kissing you everywhere—your chin, your cheeks, the tip of your nose—whispering "I love you" every time his lips touched your skin, as if it were now easier to say it spontaneously.
"I’m really glad they put us in the same room together," he finally said, tangling his fingers in your hair and pulling you in for a serious kiss. "It was the best thing that could’ve happened to us."
"Definitely," you replied, laughing in his arms, finally feeling completely at home.
synopsis: When your scholarship at Decelis Academy was at risk, your already slipping grade only made things worse. Desperate to hold onto everything you've worked hard for, you're assigned to a tutor—Sim Jaeyun. However, in exchange for saving your scholarship, you have to be his fake girlfriend, to please his parents. You agreed and the longer you pretend, the harder it becomes to ignore what is real and what is fake.
series masterlist | part one
pairing: sim jaeyun x fem! reader.
content: classmates to lovers, fake dating, rich kids academy au, family issues, angst with comfort, explicit mature content, unprotected sex, mild breeding kink, cunninglingus, misconceptions, financial differences, rich people problems, happy ending. lmk if i miss anything
word count: 10.4k.
mini playlist: unravel me - sabrina claudio, snap out of it - arctic monkeys, pretty boy - the neighbourhood, fuck it i love you - lana da rey.
from author: first jake fic, kinda nervous... somehow, i actually enjoyed writing this fic (shocking, i know) and hopefully this is up to your expectations <3. stupid tumblr word limitations and i have to post this in 2 parts bruh.
The very next day, Jake was outside your dorm building at eleven sharp. He took your singular suitcase and placed it in the boot of his car. Even with the sunglasses on, you could feel him scanning your figure from head to toe. It's clear you weren't dressed like your usual—wearing something simple and short, short enough to reveal way more skin to your liking.
You worn a simple, white and loose crop top that reveals a silver of your waist if you moved your hands about, along with a pair of shorts that covers just enough, showing off the rest of your legs.
Jake, on the other hand, went for the casual boyfriend fit—a oversized, plain black shirt and a three-quarters jorts, showing off his oh so muscular thighs that definitely isn't drool-worthy.
The journey was smooth-sailing, with him making a few pitstops to refill his gas, giving you chances for a quick toilet break and buy some light snacks. Eventually, you arrived at your destination.
The neighborhood was nothing like the one Jake came from. Instead of towering gates and endless private roads, your home sat in a quiet and cozy neighborhood lined with small houses, potted plants and warm porch lights glowing softly against the evening sky. There were some kids riding bicycles on the streets along with some families gathering by the front yard, having a barbecue party.
He parked his car along the curb when you directed him to your home, the sleek black Mercedes standing out almost comically among the modest family vehicles situated nearby.
Unlike Jake—whose house or estate, is on a private property, yours was simply a homey-looking two-floored building. There's a balcony located on the second floor as well.
You unbuckled your seatbelt, stepping out to retrieve your luggage from behind. Jake followed after, effortlessly grabbing the heavier suitcase before you could protest.
"I can carry that myself," you said.
"I know, but I want to," he replied simply, even placing the luggage on the curb so you didn't have to lift it up.
Your heart did the thing again, much to your dismay. The porch light flickered softly above the front door, like it's both announcing your return and welcoming you back as you climbed up the small steps, adjusting your grip on your bag before knocking, with Jake standing beside you.
Knock knock.
A few seconds later, the door swung opened from the inside and your mother's face lit up instantly at the sight of you—her precious daughter.
"There you are! You should've told me you were arriving earlier—" She exclaimed, already pulling you into a hug before you could articulate a word, only for her to pause when her eyes landed on the boy standing behind you.
"Oh," she blinked before smiling politely, "and you must be Jake. My daughter's boyfriend, right?"
He nodded and respectfully bowed his head. "Yes, it's nice to meet you, Ma'am."
The woman immediately ushered the both of you inside while she fussed over everything and anything—the shoes, luggage and the long drive. But beneath the seemingly concerned warmth in her voice, you were able to detect something else. Something you've been used to for a long, long time.
"You've gotten thinner. Are you eating properly at school?" Your mother commented, eyes looking over you briefly.
"I'm fine, Mom."
"You always say that."
"And yet you still ask the same question."
It was quiet for a few seconds before she smiled, like nothing happened and turned to Jake instead. "Thank you for driving all the way here. She didn't give you any trouble, did she?"
He glanced at you but you didn't look at him before answering. "No, not at all. Your daughter's really helpful."
She skeptically raised an eyebrow, sending you a brief fleeting glance before back to Jake. "Is that so? Well, I'm glad to hear that. I'll let you two settle down while I make dinner. It's almost ready. (Name), could you show him to our guest room?"
"Sure, Mom."
The woman nodded before returning to the kitchen, leaving you alone with Jake. You sighed, gestured for him to follow you and he obliged, lifting the luggages up with ease as he climbed up the flight of stairs.
You brought him to the only door located on your left, opening it to reveal a simple bedroom—a bed with new sheets, a cupboard situated in the right corner, a small round table and a chair placed near the window and a vanity table.
"I know it doesn't compare to what you're used to, sorry if it's not up to your standards," you spoke up, watching from the doorway as Jake entered the room, doing a slow scan of the room.
"It's fine, I'm good as long as it serves its purpose. I'm not picky," he replied, placing his luggage against the wall.
You nodded, pushing yourself off the doorway you were leaning against. "Great. I'll be in my room which is opposite of yours, so let me know if you need anything. I'll let you unpack."
Jake hummed in acknowledgment and you turned, closing the door behind you. With your own luggage being dragged with you, you pushed the your room's door opened, lingering by the doorway, like you're hesitant on entering. But then again, the last time you were here was two years ago and even though two years have passed, your room was still the same.
Nothing have changed.
Soft cream-colored walls, shelves lined with old books and tiny trinkets you used to collect, fairy lights still pinned along the headboard of your bed even though half of them no longer worked. Your desk remained tucked beside the window with stacks of notebooks left untouched, while framed photos from your high school and younger years were still displayed on the shelves.
It felt like time hasn't passed, like you were still in the past—the day before you received the letter from Decelis Academy, offering you a scholarship.
After setting your luggage down and opening it, you quickly buised yourself in unpacking to avoid overthinking. Clothes were folded into drawers, skincare messily arranged on the vanity table and you spent a solid ten minutes struggling to untangle your chargers with growing frustration.
Knock knock.
"(Name)? Mind if I come in?" Jake asked.
You looked up. "Sure, door's unlocked."
The door opened on the other end, revealing Jake, leaning against the doorway with one hand tucked into his pocket. But the second his eyes does a sweep across your room, a grin slowly stretched across his face.
"Oh my god, behind those nasty scowls and bratty attitude of yours, I never expect your room to be this cute," he commented, clearly entertained with this newfound discovery.
Your eyes widened in horror and heat crept up the back of your neck. "Every other girls' rooms is like this too."
He ignored your weak protest, venturing further into your room and his gaze landed on the faded stuffed animal sitting near the foot of your bed. "Right. And what about the teddy bear?"
"It was a gift."
"Fairy lights?"
"…For decorative purposes."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I bet it doesn't even work anymore."
You didn't answer him as he's right and he laughed, the sound warm enough to make your stomach and heart flip. "Aigo, you're so cute," he teased.
You glared at him—a huge contrast to how your heart fluttered at the sound of his laugh. "I'm glad someone's having fun," you retorted.
Jake hummed, eyes aimlessly drifting around your room as he takes in everything until they landed on a certain picture placed on your desk. He walked towards it and picked it up. With his back facing you, you couldn't see his expression. A few seconds later, he turned and showed the framed picture to you with a soft smile on his face.
"You looked really happy here," he pointed out.
It was an old picture of you from years ago, back when you were still a young girl. A young girl who hasn't encountered the harsh, ruthless reality of the world. The younger you was grinning from ear to ear at the camera, with you holding your favorite soft toy—the very same soft toy that's currently sitting on the edge of your bed. Compared to the current you, there was no eyebags residing under your eyes and zero signs of exhaustion on your face.
You weren't sure what it was. Maybe it's the softness in his voice. Maybe it's the way he looked at you, all soft and gooey. Maybe it's the air in the atmosphere that shifted slightly. What you do know however, was how it's giving you a sense of deja vu as it's reminding you of the close to kissing little moment you experienced back in his car.
Somehow, he had shifted closer—the exact same move he pulled before. He's close enough for your shoulders to touch, close enough for you to smell the faint scent of his cologne that wasted no time in engulfing you and close enough for your heart to start racing like a cheetah.
Your first mistake was moving backward and Jake took it upon himself to follow you. He copied every step you took but in the opposite direction. You moved away and he moved closer. This impulsive game of push-and-pull went on until your back gently collided with a smooth, cool surface behind you. Your second mistake was glancing behind you. The short window gave him the chance to make his move.
Jake wasted no time in holding—pinning you there, one hand braced against the right side of your head while he placed the framed picture he was still holding down on the desk beside you, without breaking eye contact. You swallowed, suppressing the wince threatening to leave your lips at how dry your throat was.
None of you said anything, like both of you knew fully well that whatever this is, something big will happen. You noticed how his eyes weren't on yours anymore.
But rather, they were trailing down your face—visually tracing every features. Your eyes, eyelashes, cheekbones and nose. Your heart nearly leaped out of your throat when you saw his eyes lingering longer than usual on your lips.
To test something and definitely not to push him to his limits, you slowly and teasingly licked your lips with your tongue, wetting it until it's glowing under the lights.
You nearly smirked at how his breath audibly stuttered and how his eyes darkened a shade, clouded with nothing but desire. You didn't know who moved first. It could be you, him or it was the both of you, heads getting closer like there's an invisible string pulling you together.
You were so close for your noses to graze against one another—
"(Name)? Jake? Dinner's ready!" Your mom shouted.
Both of you violently jerked away, like you were struck by a bolt of lightning. Something akin to frustration glimmered in his eyes, annoyed at the interruption but he quickly masked it up. He ran a hand through his hair and stepped back, finally giving you room to breathe without feeling suffocated. You pointedly ignored how a part of you yearned for him to come back, to feel his body pressed against yours and to feel his warmth.
"We should go or she'll get suspicious. I won't wanna get kick out two hours in," he remarked, sending you a cheeky grin that made your heart somersaulted like a professional acrobat.
He ended up stepping out of your room, leaving you still standing in the very same spot you were in, now leaning against the wall to support yourself with your legs shaking and heat pooling in your stomach. You didn't have to look in the mirror to know your face was as red as a tomato along with the all too-familiar feeling of pent-up arousal.
Your mother went all out with dinner—something she rarely does, even when your relatives or her friends came over. You didn't say anything, not that words were needed in the first place.
Words was replaced with thoughts and you filed that aside, keeping your guard up. If there's one thing about your mother, it's that everything she does has a reason behind it.
Both you and Jake sat together while your mother sat opposite of you. He take in the wide display of food spread out on the table before him, making an impressed sound and turned to the older woman.
"Wow Ma'am, all of these look really good," he complimented her.
She chuckled. "Oh please, you're too kind. Go on and eat, I'm sure the long drive must've tired the both of you out."
At her words, the three of you started eating in silence. The only brief sounds was the occasional clink and clank from your utensils knocking or scraping against your respective plates.
And alas, the silence doesn't last long, not when your mother started interrogating him. It's nothing at first, just a simple questioning process that any regular family will do when they find out their child is in a relationship.
But you knew better than that.
"So Jake, how did the two of you met?" She started.
You shifted but didn't look up from your plate.
"At Decelis Academy. We share a few classes together," he replied politely.
"Ah, Decelis," your mother nodded slowly, seemingly proud of the name alone, "that school is unbelievable competitive. I still remember how shocked I was when she showed me the offer letter."
You stilled, hand frozen in mid-air of bringing your fork to your mouth. Jake caught it, noting the slight shift in your expression and how your eyes hardened. Your mother, on the other hand, continued casually. Every word she spoke felt like you were being stabbed with a sharp knife, one after another.
"She was on cloud nine and barely slept during the entrance examination period. I honestly thought she'd fail," she laughed lightly, the sound sharp, brittle and all the more condescending.
"She worked hard for it," Jake replied calmly.
Your mother hummed, not really hearing him out. "She had to. Unlike some students, she's never been good with her studies."
The words were delivered so casually that they almost sounded harmless. You pointedly kept your eyes lowered, no longer having the appetite to eat as you placed your fork down, pretending the tightness in your chest and throat doesn't exist.
"She always need to put in twice the effort compared to everyone else. Even as a child too. If she scored second place instead of first, her cousins will never stop making fun of her," she continued while sipping her drink.
You didn't say a word with your lips sealed shut. After all, you've been through this before—the typical, humiliating routine of your mother embarrassing you in front of your relatives. How no one bothered standing up for you. How no one appreciated the hard work you put in. To them, it doesn't matter if you're a student of Decelis Academy.
To them, your entire life doesn't matter. You're simply just a laughing stock and a punching bag of the family. Nothing more and nothing less.
Jake stayed silent, watching and observing everything with an unreadable look now settling on his face. Your mother smiled again—either oblivious or uncaring about the growing and thickening tension around the table.
"She has a short-temper too. Even now, I still worry she might do reckless things if she doesn't control herself," she sighed.
You swallowed the bile rising in your throat, rapidly blinking back tears brimming in your eyes as it blurred your vision. The last thing you wanted was to shed tears in front of someone like her—someone who doesn't give a damn of your feelings.
Your mother paused, like she remembered something and what she said next made your heart dropped.
"Oh, did you know that she's on a scholarship offered from Decelis? I was recently informed that the board will be removing the scholarship program and students who are taking it too?" She asked, dropping the bombshell and the secret you've been harboring for a long time.
Jake blinked, eyes darting to you before back to your mother as he straightened himself. "What do you mean?"
Your mother paused, like she realized something—how you didn't tell him and something dark and twisted glimmered in her eyes. Her lips curled upward in a smug, knowing smirk. The sight of it sent shivers down your spine in a chilling, unsettling way.
"Oh dear, did she not tell you?" She asked and when Jake shook his head in his signature puppy-like manner, she clicked her tongue and paid you no mind, springing into action the moment she's given a chance to talk about it.
"According to what I was told, if students who are under the scholarship program don't pay the full fees by the end of this semester, they won't be able to continue their studies in Decelis," she explained.
Jake's eyes widened in horror and disbelief. "Wait, then that means—"
Your mother nodded solemnly, having the audacity to act like she's deeply saddened when you know deep well, she's probably having the time of her life laughing at you.
"Yes, it means (Name) won't be able to finish her studies in Decelis and she will be kicked out."
You couldn't take it anymore, shooting up from your chair with the legs loudly scratching against the wooden floor. Your sudden move gathered their attention but you didn't look at them, not having the courage to do so.
"Oh no, is everything alright?" Your mother asked in a faux sweet tone. Hearing it was enough to make you sick to the core.
"I'm going back to my room. I'm not hungry anymore," you murmured under your breath, stomping up the stairs.
If you spent the rest of the night hiding under your blankets while letting out muffled sobbing sounds into your pillow, soaking it with your tears, then that was no one's business but yours.
◟‿୨୧‿◞
The very next day, you woke up to hearing many muffled voices from downstairs. You slowly pushed yourself up, groaning at how dry and no doubt puffy your eyes was after your private crying session from last night.
You shifted towards the window located near your bed, pulling the curtains back slightly to look out of it and to your dismay and horror, your front yard was occupied with people.
People who you recognized too well—your relatives.
Knock knock.
"(Name)? Are you up yet? Your mom wants me to let you know your relatives are here," Jake said.
You closed your eyes, sending thoughts and prayers to the heavens and to whoever is watching you from above before getting out of bed. You didn't think twice, opening the door without hesitation, startling Jake, who got startled.
You didn't see the way his eyes flicked down to your appearance—how you're wearing nothing but an oversized shirt with a pair of shorts that's barely visible or covering anything. You didn't see how he nervously swallowed, moving to fiddle with the rings on his fingers—trying to keep his hands busy.
"Thanks, I already know when I heard their voices," you deadpanned.
Jake nodded, unfazed with your crude response. "Alright, I'll leave you to get ready then. Come down whenever you're done so we can have breakfast together."
You hummed and he took that as his sign to leave, letting you do your morning routine. You didn't bother dressing up, since you're at home. You threw on whatever was available and comfortable—a faded graphics shirt that's haphazardly tucked into a pair of shorts with decent length.
Once you were done, you headed downstairs, already feeling overstimulated with the sheer amount of people in your living room.
To say it's chaos is an understatement.
Voices overlapped one another from every direction—loud laughter, children running across the floor. aunties shamelessly gossiping from the couches while uncles argued over something sports-related near the television. The scent of food drifted heavily through the air from the kitchen where several relatives had apparently decided your house was now a communal cooking station.
Your entire living room had practically disappeared beneath the sheer amount of people occupying it. Extra chairs was dragged out from storage, bags and shoes cluttering the entrance and someone's toddler was wailing near the staircase while another child sprinted past everyone, holding a slice of half-eaten bread in their hands.
You looked around and immediately spotted Jake. He's standing near the kitchen entrance, engaged in a conversation with two of your older cousins. Even in the middle of what seemed to be an impulsive and chaotic family gathering, he still managed to pull off a neat look—simple black shirt, gray sweatpants with slightly messy hair.
One of your older cousins noticed you standing by the staircase. "Hey! Get your ass here and stop gawking around!"
Your eye twitched at how several heads turned toward you immediately. You forced a smile onto your face as you made your way toward Jake, carefully stepping around children and random bags scattered across the floor. The second you reached him, he glanced at your outfit and shifted closer to you.
"You look cute and you're driving me crazy here," he murmured in a low voice that only you could hear.
Your face heated up immediately and you glared at him but he merely grinned in response. Your cousins, who were watching the brief conversation shared a look among themselves.
"Look at them, already sticking close and whispering to each other."
"Ah, young love," one of the aunts nearby let out a dramatic gasp.
Out of instinct, you lightly grabbed onto his right arm with your hand while pressing yourself against him, feeling him stiffened at the feeling of your chest against his arm.
"If you could excuse us for a second, I need to talk to him," you said sweetly, proceeding to drag him away without waiting for anyone's response. You pointedly ignored the loud cheering and whistling sounds from your relatives.
You brought him up to your room—which was the only few places left that's not swarmed with humans. You closed the door, running a hand through your hair as you leaned against it, letting out a frustrated exhale.
"I should've known she'll pull something like this," you muttered under your breath.
"What do you mean? Has she done this before?" He asked.
You started pacing back and forth. "Oh, believe me, she always does this. Every single time relatives come over, she suddenly acts like we're one big happy family. She invites people over without telling me, constantly compare me to my cousins, making comments disguised as jokes and then acts surprised when I get upset about it."
Jake stayed quiet, listening and giving you his fullest attention.
"She'll smile while saying the most unprovoked things one can imagine. And then it's my fault for reacting negatively," you continued in a bitter tone with you still pacing back and forth.
You choked out a watery, humorless laugh. "It's exhausting. I was foolish for thinking she has changed and guess what? Nothing changed. I came home after two years and she's still the same as ever. It's always about appearances with her. What other people think. About my grades. About my personality. About my life—"
"Hey—"
"And the worst fucking part is that she genuinely thinks she's helping me. Like sure Mom, constantly criticizing your own daughter is supposed to magically make me into someone better—"
"(Name)—"
"Honestly, sometimes I wonder if she even likes me as a person or if she just likes the version of me that makes her look like a successful mother because—"
"(Name)."
You made a frustrated noise at his constant interruption, spinning around on the spot. "What is—!?"
Your voice died in your throat when Jake stepped closer, close enough for him to hook his fingers through the belt loop of your shorts and tugged you towards him. The execution itself was smooth and fluid. It happened too fast for your mind to catch up. Heck, you could feel your brain malfunctioning with the bold move he just pulled.
Amusement twinkled in his eyes. "What's wrong, pretty? I believe you were saying something, weren't you?"
Your cheeks turned into a shade of reddish-pink. "Jake, you… You're so…"
"So what? Go on," he coaxed you and gods, the utter gentleness is what truly undone you.
You said nothing, letting your eyes do the talking as it unconsciously drifted down to his lips. Lips that you've been thinking about ever since the day in the car. Lips you've been wondering how it'll feel pressed against yours. Jake saw everything, how you're fighting a battle in your mind and how you're gradually losing, in a conflict with yourself.
Which was why he made the decision for you.
His free hand cupped the back of your neck to support your head while his other hand—the very same hand with his fingers still hooking onto the belt loop, pulled you towards him until you're pressed chest-to-chest without any space left in between. Your mouths meet in the middle, heads tilted on opposite sides to avoid knocking your foreheads together.
His lips was soft and warm, enough for your mind to blank out. You made a small, muffled sound at the back of your throat and Jake groaned, the sound low and deep. You could practically feel the vibrations traveling down your body. His mouth moved and you're hit with the realization that he's fucking kissing you, in your bedroom.
His grip on your neck tightened slightly, the cold surfaces of his rings digging into your warm skin drew a surprised gasp from you at the temperature difference. A gasp that he swallowed without hesitation. He shifted, further pinning you against the door until there's no room for you to escape.
Not that the thought has crossed your mind in the first place.
"God, you've been driving me crazy since meeting my parents," he murmured against your lips, like he couldn't bear the thought of separating from you.
"Jake—"
"Shhh, don't talk. Just let me kiss you, baby."
True to his words, Jake kissed you again. Again and again. Each kiss grew more desperate and heated than the previous kiss, as both of you let out your pent-up feelings that had been building deep in your chests, the storm of emotions both of you had been harboring and hiding from one another.
This time, you parted your lips, granting him entrance and your legs buckled, nearly giving way as he ran his tongue along the seam of your bottom lip.
Sure, you've kissed a few people before—a mixture of stupid, childish dares and drunken mistakes but this?
This is different, in a good way.
You let out a whimper, one hand fisting the front of his shirt while the other surged up to grab a fistful of his hair blindly, threading your fingers through the smooth, silky pitch-black strands.
You lightly tugged on it, your action drawing a moan from him. Hearing it and the thought of you being the reason why he moaned made your stomach flipped. The slow slide of his tongue against yours drew another sound from you. A sound you never thought you were capable of making—a small, muffled and needy mmpfh that Jake swallowed, like he doesn't want anyone else to hear it, even though it's only the two of you in the room.
Your legs ended up giving way, body slumping forward slightly but Jake was faster. He caught you, both hands now on your waist as he held you up against the door effortlessly, like you weighed nothing. The thought of him manhandling you made you keened, all high-pitched and whiny.
Jake chuckled. "What's in that pretty mind of yours, hm?"
You nipped at his lip, purposely sinking your teeth into the soft flesh. "Less talking. More kissing."
"You're awfully bossy for someone who yapped non-stop but as you wished."
Both of you couldn't keep your hands stuck in one place, greedily touching and tracing every inch of one another's bodies without hesitation. You sighed into his mouth when he bypassed your shirt, calloused and rough fingers splayed across your stomach.
You shivered in his arms when he moved back to trace the outline of your spine, wordlessly commanding you to arch your back as he leave goosebumps and heat behind in his wake.
"Jake—"
"Yes, princess? Need something?"
You whined against his mouth, angling your hips to a certain angle to rock against his, savoring the way his body stilled at the mere contact of your clothed cores.
"Please. Please, just.. do something, anything. Touch me, please."
You felt it even with your eyes closed, how his lips curled up in a smug smirk. "Yeah? Want me to touch you? Where? Use your words and tell me."
God, you wished you can kill him right there and then.
Knock knock knock.
Both of you stopped, hearts dropping in unison at the sound of someone banging on the door impatiently. You didn't dare to move, straining your ears to try to hear as much as possible.
"(Name)? Are you there? Your mother wants you to come down and join us at the front yard," one of your cousin called out.
You groaned under your breath at the sudden interruption. "I'll be down in a minute."
Your cousin made a noise of acknowledgement. You waited until his footsteps was completely gone before turning back to Jake, startled when he's still looking at you the entire time, even when your cousin interrupted you.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" You whispered, voice soft and hushed.
"You're really pretty," he confessed, the utmost sincerity in his voice made your heart fluttered.
"Oh, so now you've become a sap," you deadpanned, earning a chuckle from him.
"As much as I wanna keep kissing you, we should probably head down before they come up again," he pointed out, making you huffed in disappointment. Jake cooed, reaching out to pinch your cheeks, eliciting a pained yelp from you.
"Not to ruin the mood too, but we need to have a serious talk about what your mom said too," he continued, stepping back and ran a hand through his messed up hair.
You stilled but tried to act dumb. "What did she say?"
He shot you a pointed look. "About the scholarship. Don't try to push this away, (Name). I'm not letting you play the avoidant route."
You sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat. "Ugh, fine. We can talk about it later."
"Good girl."
"Do not."
◟‿୨୧‿◞
Time slipped past your fingers with you spending the remaining six days of your one-week trip slacking at home. There were times when you brought Jake out of your house, showing him around your neighborhood, acting as his personal tour guide.
Ever since he kissed you, both of you didn't talk about it but deep down, you knew you've come to the same conclusion—that this is no longer a fake relationship and that your feelings are mutual to both parties.
Dating him isn't any different from what you've experienced so far. He's still the same charming, slightly awkward, funny and teasing boy from before. He's still respectful to your mother but you were able to detect him being protective of you whenever he hears her making certain remarks about you, which was something you're grateful for.
However, there is a certain change that was more obvious than anything else. It's the need to be near you, at all times. And it's not only that. It's the fact he's touchy too, like he couldn't hold himself back from not touching you.
Not to mention, Jake's severely addicted to coaxing those sweet, sinful but angelic sounds from you. It doesn't matter where he is but the moment he's alone with you, he'll pounce on you.
"W-Wait-hngh," you tried to stop him but your effort was futile.
Your breath was punched out of your lungs when he—your official boyfriend, quickly dropped to his knees, creating a muffled 'thud' sound at how it roughly knocked against the floor. You gripped onto the kitchen counter behind you with both hands, watching while biting your lips as Jake moved his hands up and down along your legs, leaving goosebumps behind.
You let him pulled your shorts down, leaving it pooling around your ankles without taking it off. He groaned at the visible wet patch on your underwear, reaching out to press down on your cunt through the soaked fabric, watching as you instinctively jerked your hips forward.
"You say wait but your body's more honest than you, baby," he remarked, glancing up at you before diving in, not giving you time to react.
You barely managed to slap a hand over your mouth in the nick of time, muffling the moan you let out as he licked a long, wide stripe up your cunt, tracing it with his tongue. Jake wasn't patient enough, hooking two fingers into your underwear, tugging it aside before practically burying his face between your legs.
If there's one thing about him, it's the fact you've learned he's a incredibly good pussy eater.
He eats you out like a man on a mission, like you're running short of time—which couldn't be far from the truth, considering how your mom will be home any minute from doing grocery shopping. He ran his tongue along your puffy, dripping folds, making a pleased sound at the sweet, intoxicating taste staining his tongue.
You whimpered, squeezing your eyes shut—mostly because you couldn't find it in yourself to continue watching the lewd, pornographic sight of him kneeling between your legs as his tongue circled your clit in a slow, teasing clockwise motion. Jake didn't warn you, pushing two fingers into your entrance, easily locating that one spongy spot hidden between your walls.
"Oh god—d-don't stop—" You moaned, dropping your hand to grip onto the counter again, gripping onto it so hard that your knuckles were turning white.
Spurred by your words, he wrapped his lips around your clit, sucking on it like a newborn baby sucking from their bottle of lukewarm milk. You cried out at the harsh simulation, throwing your head back with your legs trembling like fallen leaves.
Seeing this, Jake threw your right leg over his shoulder, helping you to steady yourself. You simply tightened your right leg around his head, sloppily rutting into his skillful mouth.
"Jake," you let out a shaky, broken gasp, "J-Jake— c-close, please—"
"Yeah? Cum for me, baby. Wanna taste you," he murmured, voice muffled and every word he spoke sent vibrations down your spine.
All it took was him curling his fingers expertly before you cum while chanting his name like a sacred prayer. Your pussy violently convulsed around his tongue and Jake? Jake was on cloud nine, tongue-fucking you through your orgasm as he slurped everything up, not wanting to waste a single drop.
When you came back to reality, your legs buckled and he caught you in his arms. The bottom half of his face was covered in your slick, glistening under the kitchen lights with his pupils completely blown. He's about to say something when you registered the sounds of keys rattling.
It's enough for the both of you to scramble into action—you pulling your shorts back on and Jake quickly grabbing some pieces of tissue papers to wipe the evidence away.
You made your escape, leaving the kitchen to help your mother bring in bags of groceries, half-listening to her complaining about how an old lady cut her queue when she was in the supermarket. When your mother wasn't watching, Jake made eye contact with you and he sent you a teasing, flirty wink.
Your cheeks flushed when you remembered where his mouth was a few minutes ago, leaving you feeling hopelessly empty and craving for more.
Eventually, the day of your one-week trip came to an end. It's close to ten in the morning and you had finished packing your luggage. You took one last look around your room, drinking all of it in before closing the door behind you and headed down the stairs without looking back.
You stopped at the foot of the staircase when you realized Jake was talking to your mother and whatever they were talking about, it seemed serious, judging from the grim expression on her face.
"Hey, I'm done packing and ready to go," you announced your entrance, releasing your grip on your luggage, automatically moving to Jake to kiss him on his cheek as a form of greeting.
He smiled, taking it from you without hesitation and you let him. "Great, I think your mother has something to say to you, so I'll leave you two to it. Take your time and come out whenever you're done."
You frowned. "What? Jake, wait—"
He didn't listen, already leaving your house with the door closing—an unspoken sign that he was being serious. You sighed, turning to face your mom with your arms crossed, fingers drumming against your bare skin.
"Well, what is it?" You asked impatiently.
She didn't say anything at first, fiddling with her fingers with her eyes averted to the side. She inhaled slowly and then exhaled. When she finally spoke, her voice came out smaller than you'd ever heard in your life.
"I owe you an apology."
You blinked, surprised. Out of everything you expected, this wasn't what you thought it will be.
"…What?"
She lowered her gaze, still refusing to look at you. "I should've said this a long time ago. But I didn't know how to."
You stared at her, confusion gradually melting into impatience. Since young, your mother was never good with emotional conversations. As far as you remembered, she showed her affection through small, considerate acts—sliced fruits left in the fridge, reminders to bring an umbrella and extra money quietly transferred into your account during exam seasons.
But verbally?
You couldn't remember the last time she had these kind of conversations with you.
"I know I've said lots of hurtful things to you over the years. About your grades, your personality and… basically everything about you."
You nearly let out a bitter laugh but kept your lips firmly sealed shut. You didn't want to show any form of emotions toward her—to the woman who thought constantly belittling you will bring you some good. Your mother noticed the change in your expression and somehow, that seemed to pain her even more.
"When you were younger, I thought if I pushed you harder, you'd become stronger. I thought criticizing and comparing you to your cousins will motivate you to keep improving," she murmured.
You looked away, nails digging into your skin, hard enough to leave marks behind. Because you knew that already. You spent years convincing yourself that was simply her way of caring. That she's not used to saying it oud loud.
"But I didn't realize that I was slowly teaching you love only comes when you perform well enough to deserve it," she whispered, her voice cracking halfway through with her eyes turning glossy.
You stilled completely, not expecting those kind of words to leave her mouth. Silence stretched between both of you and then, she mentioned him.
"That night at dinner, when you arrived. Jake talked to me after you walked away," she started quietly.
Your breath caught in your throat at the mention of him.
"At first, I thought he was about to apologize for your behavior. But imagine how surprised I was when he confronted me," your mother recalled with a weak laugh, "he was respectful. Very respectful, actually but he was furious."
Heck, you couldn't even imagine Jake seething with rage.
"He asked me if I realized how often I belittled my own daughter in front of other people. I told him I was only joking and he told me, 'Jokes are supposed to make people laugh. Your daughter looked like she was trying not to cry and making herself small.'"
Your vision blurred slightly as you bit down on your bottom lip, stiffing the sobs threatening to leave your tongue. Your mother looked down briefly, clearly struggling to continue telling you the past event.
"He told me you work harder than anyone he knows. That during your tutoring sessions, you kept putting in effort, asking him questions and actually paid attention to what he taught you. That you're doing well in your classes as well."
You stared at her wordlessly, your chest and throat burning painfully now.
"He said even with your temper, he finds you cute and lovable and how he'll stick by your side, no matter what. He even asked me why it was so easy for me to praise strangers but difficult to say something kind to my own daughter," she continued, her voice softening further.
Your feet was rooted to the ground, unable to move an inch. You knew Jake is an attentive person but for him to notice this much, it rendered you speechless. Your mother quickly wiped away the tears that were already falling before she continued.
"I need you to know this, I've always been proud of you," she said in a firm tone despite her trembling voice.
You felt your breath hitched and how tears were trickling down your cheeks. "When you got accepted into Decelis, I bragged about it to everyone for months. When your professors mentioned your name in articles, I printed them out and kept them in my drawer. Even your high school teachers still asked about you whenever I see them," she let out a watery laugh.
Your eyes widened and your lips parted slightly in shock.
"I was proud. So proud that I forgot children need to hear those things out loud too," she finished and that sentence destroyed you completely.
You sniffled, practically threw yourself at her and tightly wrapped your arms around her. For a brief moment, she froze in surprise, her mind lagging behind. And then, she returned the embrace, hugging you back just as tightly. The moment you felt her arms around you—exactly how it was back when you were a child, tears couldn't stopped rolling down your face.
All those years of pent-up exhaustion, resentment, longing and hurt came crashing down on you at once, like a tidal wave crashing into you without warning. Your mother gently stroked your hair—the exact same way she used to do when you were little, when you tripped over a rock at a playground in a park, only for you to start wailing at the top of your lungs—
You finally let yourself cry in her arms without feeling ashamed of it. And this time, when she held you, it finally felt like you were being loved instead of evaluated.
When you calmed down, stepping back from your mother with puffy eyes, she cupped your face and ran her thumbs along your cheekbones. You leaned into her touch like a touch-starved cat and sighed softly. Your mother's features softened.
"You're really lucky to find someone like Jake. Make sure he treats you well or I'll have a serious talk with him," she said, kissing your forehead once you decided to not keep him waiting any longer.
You smiled, her words making you feel all warm and giddy. "Yeah, I really am."
Your mother walked you out of your house and Jake, who had been scrolling through his phone the entire time, raised his head at your approaching footsteps. He got out at the sight of you, eyes darting between you and your mother's faces and that was enough to tell him.
He didn't say anything, merely nodding towards the older woman while opening the passenger door for you, closing it once you got in.
"Thank you for hosting us, Ma'am," he thanked her with a respectful bow, ready to walk away when she called out to him.
"Jake, wait."
He turned to her. "Yes?"
Your mother smiled—all warm, loving and mother-like. Seeing her smiled like that shook your heart. "Feel free to come over anytime you want and bring my daughter along too."
He paused, letting her words sink in and when the underlying meaning hits him, his eyes widened slightly in realization.
"Oh," he said dazedly and your mother huffed in amusement.
"You're welcome in my house, Jake. I hope you treat her well. Go along now, you have a long drive ahead of you," she waved him off.
He bowed once more, bidding her farewell before sliding into driver's seat. You looked out of the window, waving goodbye to her as he drove off. You watched via the mirror as her figure and your house gradually get smaller and smaller until they were out of your sight. You sighed, leaning into your seat with a forlorn look on your face.
Jake glanced at you as he drove. "What's wrong? Did the talk not go well?"
You shook your head. "Nah, it was fine. I didn't expect her to apologize. Like after this long?" You turned to him, watching his side profile, "She told me you talked to her on the first night. Right after I walked away from the table. Why? You didn't have to do that. We were faking it back then."
"I did it because I was in your shoes and I know perfectly well how it feels," he calmly answered, steering to the right to make an exit and the road stretched wider until you're now on the highway, allowing him to increase the speed, "And besides, whether it's fake or real, I couldn't just sit there and watch your mother tear you down, piece by piece."
His sincere words and tone made your heart flipped. "Jake… what are we?"
"What do you want us to be? As far as everyone's concerned, they believed we're already dating," he answered without hesitation, readjusting his position with one hand on top of the steering wheel.
You chewed on your bottom lip as you turned to face the front. "Then, in that case, let's date. For real."
He snorted. "That's probably the most unromantic way I've heard to make a relationship official."
You chuckled but it died when something hits you—
"Wait, you've dated other people?"
"Oh my god. Women and their tendency to misunderstand things."
"Hey!"
◟‿୨୧‿◞
Things were going fine and dandy—with you and Jake doing regular couple activities and whatnot. Until one day, Jake sat you down on the couch in the living room. He had a rare, solemn and grim expression on his face—the sight was enough for you to nervously fiddle with your fingers.
"We need to talk about your scholarship," he started.
You stiffened. "…I was going to handle it," you murmured almost to yourself.
Jake stared at you with an eyebrow raised. "And how are you planning on doing that? Unless you're loaded with money, then that's fine."
You curled your fingers as you placed them on your lap, refusing to meet his gaze. "They said if I can't make the full payment before the next semester ends, I'll be expelled."
Even though Ningning knew about this and how you've talked to her about to it, saying those words out loud sounded even more horrifying than anything you've faced before. Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"This is really stupid of them. I cannot believed the board dares to pull a shitty stunt like this. Why didn't you tell me back then? I could've paid for it," he muttered.
You stubbornly shook your head. "No, you don't have to."
Jake went silent before shifting closer until his knees touched yours. He reached out to one hand above yours while the other slid under your chin. He tilted your head up, forcing you to look at him and his features softened when he locked eyes with you.
"I know what you're thinking, baby. You don't have to pay me back or anything," he started but those words of him only set off invisible alarm bells in your mind.
You jerked your head away from his grasp, the overwhelming feelings of both frustration and embarrassment came crashing down on you.
"No, Jake. You can't do this! That's your family's money. And I'm not… some fucking charity case you can just throw money at just because you feel bad for me."
Jake didn't raise his voice at you, still speaking in that infuriatingly calm, patient voice. "I don't feel bad for you."
"Then why?" You asked, voice cracking at the end.
"Because you deserve to stay."
The conviction in his voice and the lack of hesitation silenced you instantly. When you didn't say a word, he took that as his sign to scoot closer, now intertwining your fingers together. Your eyes flicked down before back at him.
"I told your mother this before but I'll say it again. You're the most hardworking person I've known. You belong here, in Decelis, with me and your friends," he started, reaching out to tuck a few stray strands of hair behind your ear, his fingers brushing against your cheekbone.
"But still…" You protested but it's weak.
Jake silenced you by pulling you into his arms. The hug was warm and safe, with one hand on the back of your head while the other was securely wrapped around your waist. He held you close to him as he pulled you onto his lap, like he's shielding you from the rest of the world.
"No buts. No nothings. I want you to take it, finish your studies and graduate with me," he murmured, resting his chin on top of your head.
You nodded, burying your face in his chest with your fingers gripping onto the front of his shirt for dear life. "..Alright, I'll make you proud."
What you didn't see is the smile on his face when he heard your words. "Oh baby, you already make me so fucking proud."
◟‿୨୧‿◞
Needless to say, Ningning and Jake's small friend group were informed about your official relationship. You proposed to announce it to them, using the chance to introduce your friend to his at the same time. Two birds with one stone. When you walked into a cafe everyone agreed on, hand-in-hand, the four of them went silent, eyes locking in on your intertwined hands.
"I knew this will happen," Heeseung declared, acting all smug and arrogant like he had foreseen this a long time ago.
Jay elbowed him from his side. "No, you didn't. Stop trying to act smart. It's not a good look on you."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
Ignoring his two friends who started arguing like an old married couple, Sunghoon turned to you and gave you a warm, friendly smile. "Congrats, the two of you."
Jake owlishly blinked as you and him sat down. "Why do you make it sound like we're getting married?"
"It doesn't hurt to prepare for the future."
You choked on your drink and Ningning made a strangled noise on your left. She turned to Jake and narrowed her eyes at him, watching with a sick fascination at how he nervously gulped at the glimmer in her eyes.
"If you value your life and dick, you better treat (Name) like the princess she is," she warned him.
"Ningning!"
"Yes, Ma'am."
You groaned, rubbing the space between your eyes. "God, maybe this was a bad idea."
In conclusion, the reveal of your official relationship went well. To the public, nothing changed. It's still a common sight to see you and Jake walking together on campus. Except now you and Ningning were accepted by your boyfriend's friend group too. As the saying goes, the more the merrier.
Right now, you were in the your room, trying to look through your notes with Jake doing anything but helping. Ningning was away for the day, stating she will be heading out but you suspect she's simply giving you some couple time, whatever that means. You were seated by your desk, frowning at your diligently taken notes while Jake sighed for the unknown time.
Your left eyebrow twitched, placing your pen down and spin around in your chair. "What's wrong with you? You've been moping around for the past thirty minutes."
He didn't answer you, laying with his arms and legs spread out on your bed as he stared at the ceiling. "I'm bored. Why are you even studying in the first place? We're on a break! A break means no studying!" He whined and sulked like a child.
You rolled your eyes. "I just want to have my memory refreshed before class resume."
He groaned, rolling onto his side to bury his face in your pillow, shamelessly inhaling the lingering scent of your hair shampoo. "Ugh, you're so smarty pants that it's kinda hot."
"…Don't tell me you're hard," you deadpanned, already knowing where this was going, especially with his prolonged silence and how he sheepishly smiled.
"Jake!"
He threw his hands up. "I can't help it! It's not my fault that you're all smart and diligent!"
You ran a hand through your hair, glancing back at your notes. "…I guess I can afford to take a break but—"
You didn't get the chance to finish your sentence, letting out a startled yelp when you were abruptly tugged out of your chair. You let out an "oof" when your back landed on the soft, wrinkled sheets of your bed. The last thing you saw was Jake hovering over you before he crashed his lips against yours. The kiss was sloppy, wet and loud. You could barely breathed, feeling like you were being devoured from inside and outside.
Spit trailed down your chin and Jake ducked his head, licking it up, leaving an uncomfortable stickiness behind. You arched your back, pressing your chest against his and he took that as his permission to remove the shirt you're wearing. Only for him to curse at the sight before him.
"Fuck, no bra? Dirty girl, you've been waiting for this, haven't you?" He murmured, appreciation glazing over his eyes at your bare breasts.
"Jake, you—oh!"
You gasped out his name, only to cry out when he lowered his head to wrap his lips around your right hardened nipple. Your hands shot out—one tangling your fingers into his hair while the other clutched and twisted the sheets in your palm.
A series of moans and mewls endlessly spilled from your lips as he used his thumb to move your other nipple in an anti-clockwise motion while alternating between licking, nipping and sucking on it, giving equal attention to your chest.
You lifted your hips off the bed, rutting yourself against the outline of his cock that's straining against his sweatpants.
"O-Off, hurry," you whined.
"My girl's so needy," he cooed, detaching his lips from your nipple, leaving it covered in a layer of his saliva, "gotta give her what she wants, right?"
The needy sound you made was enough to serve as an answer. Jake made quick work of his clothes, tossing them onto the floor while aiding you in removing yours too, letting them join the same fate—carelessly discarded without a care in the world. He placed a pillow under your hips for better support and he shifted down until his elbows, wanting to put his mouth on you but you stopped him.
"Just.. fuck me already. I've already.. prepped myself in the shower," you croaked out, ears flushed red as you're embarrassed with how desperate you are.
Jake sworn under his breath, shifting himself onto his knees and aligned himself against your entrance. He glanced at you, only pushing in when you gave him the green light. You dug your hands into the sheets, frowning while forcing yourself to relax as you felt yourself being stretched as wide as possible to fit the width and grith of his cock.
He eventually bottomed out after what felt like centuries, both of you moaning in unison at the feeling of being connected at a deeper level. Jake ducked his head, running his nose along your cheekbone and you gave him what he wanted, letting him kissed you.
You wrapped your arms around his neck, feeling him pulling out until his mushroomy tip was still nestled inside you and sheathed himself back in again.
He repeated this, starting off with a reasonable pace. The bedroom was filled with the loud, lewd sound of skin slapping against skin along with your pleasured moans smoothly blending into it. You could feel his heavy balls slapping against your inner thighs at every thrust.
"M-More—fuck," you moaned and who was Jake to say no to his pretty girlfriend?
Gritting his teeth, he increased the pace until he's practically ramming into you with enough force to jostle you up and down on the bed. Your mouth dropped open, forming a silent "O" shape with your eyes rolling to the back of your head.
"Shit, feel so good for me, baby. So fuckin' tight," he groaned, resting his forehead against yours with you sharing the same air space, "gonna let me breed this pussy, won't you? Gonna let me fuck you until your insides are shaped to take my cock."
You tightened around him at his words and he noticed. Of course he did. He smirked, capturing your lips in a kiss, if it could be considered one, with how you're moaning his name against his lips. Jake snaked one hand down to rub your clit with furious circles, timing it with every snap of his hips. You felt the familiar tightening sensation in your stomach, how your breathing was growing heavier and unsteady.
"Jake—close—gonna cum, please."
"Cum for me, princess."
At his words, he plunged and buried himself deep in your walls, which was what tipped you over the edge. You cum, your gummy walls violently convulsing around his cock as your thighs trembled from the sheer intensity of your climax. Jake was quick to follow suit, spilling inside you as he painted your walls in the shade of his cum.
You went boneless, body covered in a thin layer of sweat as you stared at the ceiling, trying to catch your breath. However, Jake wasn't done with you yet. The only form of warning you got was him flipping you over, forcing you to be on your hands and knees.
"Jake, wha—!?"
He draped himself over you and you whimpered at how he's still inside you, able to feel his cock hardening. He rested his chin on your left shoulder, lips brushing against the shell of your ear.
"Don't think I'm done with you just yet, baby. Gonna make good use of the time we have."
Well, it looks like you're in for a long, long night.
◟‿୨୧‿◞
Graduation day arrived far quicker than you expected.
The campus of Decelis Academy was once filled with groups of students heading to their respective destinations, only for it now to be overflowing with the very same batch of students now dressed in formal uniforms and graduation robes. Families were seen crowding the pathways with bouquets of flowers and many cameras flashing endlessly beneath the warm, blinding afternoon sun.
It felt surreal, for you to be able to graduate, considering how you were on the verge of expulsion.
You adjusted the sleeve of your robe while standing near the edge of the crowd, scanning the sea of faces for a certain person. Your mother, who stood beside you, let out a knowing giggle and you turned to her, ready to tell her off but she beat you to it.
"Go on, sweetheart. Go and find your boyfriend before he gets snatched away. I'll be here," she assured you.
"Thanks, mom," you gave her a quick hug before diving into the crowd. It didn't take you long to find him.
He stood near the front, under one of the large trees that lined the academy courtyard. Just like the boys in the academy, he's dressed in a black suit with his graduation sash loosely hanging around his shoulders. Even when you're surrounded by many people, your eyes found his effortlessly and to no one's surprise, he was already looking at you.
Ningning appeared out of nowhere before you could reached him. You yelped when she aggressively shoved a bouquet of flowers into your arms as she threw a hand around your shoulders, causing you to stagger backwards at the sudden and additional weight.
"You better thank me later. I stopped three aunties from trying to set their nieces up with your boyfriend," she whispered and you snorted at her words, managing to shoo her away as she went to regroup with Jake's friends.
You finally reached him and for a few seconds, none of you spoke a word. Jake simply looked at you, eyes scanning you from head to toe—taking in your graduation robe, the medal resting around your neck as it glowed when it caught the light and how you're poorly hiding the smile that managed to stretch across your face.
"See? I told you you did it," he started.
You scoffed and rolled your eyes. "Alright, Smarty Pants. Thank you for believing in me. Whatever shall I do without you?"
He chuckled, the sound soft but it's audible enough for your ears to pick up. He reached out to fix your crooked graduation cap gently, letting his hand hover in the air before returning to his side.
"So, got anything to say to your boyfriend slash tutor?" He asked with an expectant look on his face.
"Yeah. I love you."
He stilled, clearly not expecting you to say the three magic words in a public place. On your graduation day and in a place where everyone can hear you. But no one was paying you any mind. Everyone was busy taking pictures, talking and boasting about their certificates they received from the principal.
Jake grinned from ear to ear, his eyes warm with unmistakable affection. He stepped closer, casually slipping an arm around your waist. You met him in the middle, kissing him right there and then—under the big tree and bright summer sky of Decelis Academy.
"For what it's worth, I love you too," he murmured when you broke apart.
You laughed, the sound genuine and warm as you nuzzled your nose against his. "Good, or else I'm telling the entire academy that you snore and drool in your sleep."
SYNOPSIS! okay, so picture this: you're lying on your couch, scrolling through twitter, casually, BUT THEN you see a post. NOT JUST ANY POST because you're staring at your screen, eyes wide, jaw dropped because what you're looking at is QUITE LITERALLY THE FINEST MAN YOU'VE EVER SEEN IN. YOUR. LIFE.
so what do you do? OBVIOUSLY you ask around! except, it's a little more than that. read to find out!
OR an smau in which:
y/n finds a really cute guy on the internet, goes on and on about how cute he is, only to realise he was that one seatmate she had for most of middle school. the one who rarely came to school, never gave back the book she let him borrow AND for some reason still follows her socials?
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
PAIRING! idol!ni-ki x fem!reader
GENRE! childhood friends to lovers (kinda), strangers to lovers (again, kinda), fluff
