(251002) soobin ig update: My October
He doesn’t know the affect he has on usssssss
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(251002) soobin ig update: My October
He doesn’t know the affect he has on usssssss
😫
"Fuck you professor!"
CHAPTER 5: I love you
Pairing I prof!taehyun x student!reader
Idols featured | Kang Taehyun, Shin Ryujin, Choi Beomgyu, Jang
Wonyoung, Yang Jungwon
WC | 9k
Genre | Angst, fluff, suggestive, crack, enemies to lover, professor x student, university au
Warnings | obscene language, lots of curses, reader curses at Taehyun a lot, little bit suggestive towards the end
Type I series
Status | COMPLETED
Synopsis | You hated him first. The sharp-tongued professor who made your life a living hell, all spreadsheets and sarcasm. He hated you second-loud, chaotic, late to every class, yet impossible to ignore. But when fate moves him next door, lines blur, tempers spark, and late-night arguments start feeling like something else entirely. Between rivalry and chemistry, someone's about to fall-and neither plans to lose.
A/N | It's my first fic so pls be positive. I did not proofread because I didn't have much time, however if you find errors, pls ignore them. English is not my first language. Feel free to reblog or comment!! Lots of love!!
MASTERLIST
—
The revelation of his impending marriage to Jang Wonyoung had settled over you like a toxic, suffocating fog. It was worse than the two-ton stacks of calculus worksheets; it was a punishment designed not for your academic standing, but for your soul. You spent the next few days in a state of suspended animation, fueled by stale coffee and the sickening irony of your situation: you were heartbroken over a man you actively despised, a man whose primary goal in life seemed to be the public dismantling of your self-esteem.
You tried, truly, to hate him. You tried to focus on the cold clinical jerk who had called you "academically ill-prepared." You tried to remember the smug professor who had silently drunk the salted water with only a terrifying glare. But every attempt to conjure pure loathing was undermined by the memory of his tired eyes, the accidental intimacy of his hand on your wrist, and the heavy sigh he’d let out when he admitted he was "too tired for the formalities."
He was getting married. And you, the girl who owned three hoodies and used sarcasm as a defense mechanism, were definitely not the bride.
The tears came, hot and messy, one evening while you were trying to pretend that the derivative of an exponential function was more interesting than the picture of Wonyoung. You weren't a dramatic crier; you were a silent, ugly crier. You curled up on your floor, knees tucked to your chest, letting the raw grief wash over you. It felt unfair, illogical, and utterly devastating. You hadn’t even realized you were falling until you hit the ground.
The next morning, you looked exactly how you felt. Your eyes were puffy, red-rimmed, and felt gritty, like they were packed with sand. Your lips were chapped and swollen from biting them all night. You pulled on the first clothes you saw, deciding that your attendance was mandatory, but your dignity was optional.
You walked into class seven minutes late. You didn't even try the Silent Slide; you just pushed the back door open and shuffled in, daring him to say something.
He was already at the front, pen in hand. The moment you appeared, you felt his attention snap to you, even though he didn't move. You sank into your seat, avoiding Ryujin’s pitying glance, and fixed your gaze on him.
You stared. A deliberate, hostile, heartbroken stare. Your eyes were burning, red flags waving on the field of your face, a clear message: You did this to me.
Taehyun must have felt it, because his posture stiffened slightly. He paused mid-sentence, his hand hovering over his laptop screen. He slowly turned his head, his dark eyes meeting your bloodshot, furious gaze.
The silence was a tangible weight. You didn't break the stare. You let him see the consequence of his "personal matters." You wanted him to acknowledge the pain he'd caused, the chaos he’d wrought just by being quietly, suddenly unavailable.
He held your gaze for a beat too long—a beat where the professional barrier seemed to crack, revealing a flicker of guilt, or perhaps just simple recognition. But then, with a sharp intake of breath, the wall slammed back up. He turned back to the board without a word, continued his equation, and his voice resumed its measured, professional drone.
He ignored you. Completely. You were a piece of furniture, a disruptive noise that his advanced brain had decided to filter out. He taught the entire class, answered questions, but never once looked back at your corner of the room. He didn't use the name "Y/N." He didn't use "Miss Hwang." You ceased to exist.
The ignoring hurt worse than the scolding. It was confirmation that your feelings, your pain, and your existence were simply irrelevant to his grand, perfect, pre-planned life.
You hate him. You truly, genuinely hate him so much.
That afternoon, you found yourself weeping again in the common area of the library. Ryujin found you behind a stack of reference books, clutching a handful of used tissues.
She didn't try to stop you, or scold you, or tell you to be strong. She just sat down on the floor next to you and handed you a large, unused pack of tissues and a lukewarm can of soda.
"Talk," she instructed quietly, rubbing your back in slow, steady circles.
You sniffled, trying to get the words out. "He... he completely blanked me. My eyes were red, Ryu. They were so obviously red and swollen, and he just... looked right past me. Like I was wallpaper."
"That's his defense mechanism, Y/N," Ryujin said, her voice heavy with the wisdom of someone who’d watched you crash and burn before. "He knows what he's doing. He knows how you react. By ignoring you, he prevents the fight, and he avoids dealing with the consequences of his own choices. He doesn't want you to see that he's hurting, too."
"He's not hurting," you spat out, the anger momentarily overcoming the sadness. "He's marrying Jang Wonyoung! Look at the picture! He's winning! I'm the one who's hurting."
"You're hurting, yes. But if he was happy, he wouldn't be tired, Y/N," Ryujin countered softly. "He'd be glowing. He's doing this fast, quiet wedding for a reason that has nothing to do with love and everything to do with obligation. He's shutting down the only spontaneous, messy thing in his life—which, let's be honest, is you—to go back to his perfect, predictable path."
You buried your face into her shoulder. "I... I think I love him, Ryu. I hate it, but I think I love him."
Ryujin just hugged you tighter. "I know, kid. I saw it coming the moment you started bragging about how much you hated him. That’s always how it starts for you. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be furious. But you have to remember who you are. You’re Y/N. You are chaos and light. She is elegance and quiet grace. You two don't fit in the same story, and it's not a flaw in you."
She pulled back, holding your face in her hands. "Cry it out now. You have two days. Because you’re going to that wedding cruise, and you are going to be so dazzling, so entirely you, that he regrets every single perfectly planned step he takes toward that altar."
"I have to go," you reminded her, your voice still thick. "My parents are leaving for their conference, and Mrs. Kang practically adopted me for the weekend. I can't escape."
"Exactly," Ryujin confirmed, a fierce look in her eyes. "So you go. You get closure. And you find someone else to annoy. Preferably someone who isn't your professor."
The following Friday morning felt like the prelude to a terrible, glorious funeral. Your parents had kissed you goodbye, leaving for a week-long conference, completely oblivious to the emotional warfare you were about to undertake on the high seas.
Mrs. Kang picked you up, bustling and cheerful. "It's so lovely to have you, dear! I know Taehyun told you it was a simple, quiet affair, but we thought, why not turn it into a family trip? A five-day cruise to the islands! Just a small thing."
You stared out the window, picturing the "small thing." A nice ferry, maybe a small rental boat.
Then you saw it.
At the port, dominating the horizon, was the Odyssey of the Seas —a colossal, blindingly white cruise ship that looked less like a vessel and more like a floating, luxury city. It was the physical embodiment of the sheer, terrifying scale of Taehyun’s "simple" life.
"Wow," you managed, your voice barely a whisper. "That's... quite small."
Mrs. Kang laughed, oblivious. "Oh, yes! We chartered the whole top deck for the immediate family and close friends. It's much less stressful than a ballroom, don't you think?"
You didn't think. You thought you were going to vomit. You were about to spend five days trapped on a metal island, sailing toward Taehyun's permanent, exquisite commitment to the most beautiful woman on earth.
You managed to check in, clutching your small backpack containing mostly anxiety and one dress Ryujin had forced you to buy. You walked onto the gangway, the polished deck gleaming under the morning sun, feeling like a stowaway dressed in borrowed confidence.
You decided to find a quiet corner near the railing to collect yourself before the social nightmare began. You leaned against the polished white metal, staring up at the vertigo-inducing upper decks. You closed your eyes, sucking in the cool, salty air. You tried to focus on the swaying rhythm, the distant sound of gulls. You were trying to look incredibly emo, embodying the tragedy of unrequited love for the man who was currently probably adjusting his tuxedo in a suite overlooking the ocean.
You reached into your jacket pocket and pulled out the one thing you knew was guaranteed to annoy Taehyun, even from a distance: a packet of cheap convenience store cigarettes. You didn't even smoke regularly; it was purely a prop for theatrical angst. You tapped one out, brought it to your lips, and fumbled with the cheap plastic lighter.
Before you could flick the flame, someone slammed into you. Hard.
“Oh! God, I am so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going, I’m running late—it’s chaos up here! Are you okay?"
You stumbled, turning to face your accidental attacker. You looked up into a pair of wide, warm eyes framed by dark, slightly messy hair. He was almost of your height, just a few inches taller, but handsome, with a smile that was immediately, intrinsically friendly. His features were delicate, a mix of sharp angles and soft curves that made him instantly adorable. He looked exactly like a person your age should look: slightly rumpled, effortlessly cute, and visibly flustered.
"I'm fine," you said, immediately managing a real, unforced smile for the first time in days. His energy was light, a welcome contrast to the heavy atmosphere Taehyun created. "It's okay. I was just in the way."
He ran a hand through his hair, still slightly breathless. "Seriously, I apologize. This whole thing is insane. They said 'intimate family celebration'—this is a corporate retreat."
You chuckled. "Tell me about it. I thought I was coming to a small backyard barbeque."
"Right? Who gets married on a five-day luxury cruise? It’s exhausting just looking at it. I'm Jungwon, by the way." He extended a hand, and you shook it—his grip was warm and firm.
"Y/N," you replied. "And you must be... incredibly close family, based on the size of this boat."
He grinned, a shy, charming blush dusting his cheeks. "Define 'close.' I'm Taehyun hyung's cousin. The youngest. Mandatory attendance, unfortunately." He made a face that was conspiratorial and charming. "I'm the designated entertainment for the boring people."
You stared. Cousin. Taehyun's cousin. Someone who was exactly your age, effortlessly cute, and understood the absurdity of the situation. This was the first good thing that had happened to you all week.
"Oh, thank god," you sighed dramatically. "You're my rescue ship. I'm Y/N, and I'm... Taehyun's student." You forced the last part out, the shame still stinging.
Jungwon's smile softened with immediate understanding. "Ah, a fellow sufferer. Well, Y/N the Student, you look like you need a guide who knows where the good snacks are and how to avoid the obligatory family photo ops. Stick with me."
"Deal," you agreed, feeling a genuine lightness. Jungwon was a breath of fresh, non-calculus-related air.
The Snatching and the Scolding
Jungwon had to run off to deal with a crisis involving his mother's luggage, promising to meet you for the evening reception. You wandered off again, finding a secluded section of the port-side railing. The ship was finally pulling away from the dock, the massive horn emitting a deep, mournful sound that perfectly matched your internal state.
The brief lightness from the encounter with Jungwon had evaporated, replaced by the crushing reality of the situation. You were here. You were trapped. Taehyun was on this ship, and soon, he would be married.
You needed the prop. The theatrics of the cigarette felt essential to your current brand of melodramatic anguish. You pulled out the crumpled packet, tapped out the same cigarette, and placed it between your lips. This time, you flicked the lighter, and a tiny, satisfying flame appeared.
Just as you inhaled, enjoying the bitter, acrid taste of the cheap tobacco, a hand shot out from behind you.
It was fast, precise, and utterly without hesitation. The hand, strong and familiar, plucked the cigarette directly from your lips.
You whipped around, fury replacing angst in a blinding rush.
“What the hell?!” you yelled, instantly recognizing the dark, intense eyes and the severe set of the jaw.
Taehyun stood there, the smoke from the stolen cigarette curling briefly from his fingers before he crushed it beneath the immaculate leather of his dress shoe. He was already in his suit for the evening—a dark, perfectly tailored masterpiece that made him look less like a professor and more like a CEO about to close a multi-billion dollar deal.
His expression was thunderous. No hint of the tired resignation now; this was the full force of Professor Kang, the controller, the moralizer.
“What the hell is that?” he countered, his voice low and dangerous, drawing the attention of a nearby steward. “You’re on a five-day celebration cruise with my family. You think standing on a railing looking like a delinquent about to set off a smoke alarm is appropriate behavior?”
“Who do you think you are?” you demanded, jabbing a furious finger toward his perfectly starched shirtfront. You didn't care about the onlookers. The pent-up frustration of the past week—the crying, the humiliation, the sheer injustice of falling for him—exploded out of you.
“You’ve spent an entire week ignoring me, treating me like I’m irrelevant wallpaper in your classroom, watching me walk in late with bloodshot eyes and not saying a single, solitary word! And now, now you suddenly have the audacity to act like my guardian, my professor, or even my friend, just because I have a cigarette?! Where was this concern when you were busy signing your life away to Wonyoung?!”
Your voice cracked on her name, and you instantly regretted the raw, exposed emotion.
His expression wavered. The anger in his eyes softened, replaced by that familiar, frustrating weariness, but it was coupled now with a harsh, defensive guilt. He looked caught, exposed. He took a small step back, clearly unnerved by the intensity of your distress.
“Y/N,” he started, his voice barely a rough whisper. “This isn’t the place for this. You need to calm down.”
“No, I don’t need to calm down! I need to know why you act like I don’t exist until I do something you personally disapprove of!” you insisted, tears stinging your eyes again. “You called me 'academically ill-prepared' but you clearly think I'm too immature to even handle my own vices! Why do you care? You’re getting married! Stop trying to manage my life!”
He opened his mouth, his jaw tense, clearly about to deliver a painful, truthful retort—a defense of his actions, an explanation of his sudden detachment, or perhaps a final dismissal that would truly set you free.
But he didn't get the chance.
A new voice, sweet, light, and utterly perfect, interrupted the charged silence.
“Taehyun, darling! There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
You watched, frozen, as the legendary Jang Wonyoung glided up to the railing. She was a vision. . She wore an effortlessly chic, flowing dress in a soft coral color, her makeup was immaculate, and she carried herself with a poise that made you feel like a crumpled piece of paper tossed onto the perfect deck. She was utterly, heartbreakingly ethereal.
She slipped her hand under Taehyun’s arm, linking their elbows with a proprietary closeness that felt like a physical blow to your chest. Taehyun stiffened—a subtle, barely perceptible movement, but you caught it. He didn't relax into her touch; he held himself rigid, a sliver of tension passing through his shoulders.
Wonyoung turned her luminous gaze to you, her perfect brows arching slightly. Her smile was polite, flawlessly executed, and utterly curious.
“Hello! I’m Wonyoung. I don’t think we’ve met. You must be one of the... university friends?” she asked, her voice melodic and gentle.
Taehyun’s body remained tense, his gaze still fixed on your face, the raw accusation of your earlier words hanging in the air between you.
He swallowed hard, pulling his arm slightly out of her gentle grasp to regain his composure. He looked from Wonyoung’s perfect face to your tear-streaked, angry one, and the final word he chose was the most clinical, painful dismissal he could have offered.
“Wonyoung,” he said, his voice flat, emotionless. “This is Y/N. She’s my student.”
She’s my student.
It was a wall. A definitive, concrete, professional barrier erected between you. Not a friend, not a neighbor, not an antagonist, not even a troublesome acquaintance—just a student. A subordinate. Someone defined only by her relationship to his academic authority.
The realization hit you with the force of a physical impact. You weren't a challenge; you were a footnote. You weren't a love interest; you were a nuisance. You weren't a threat to his fiancée; you were just a kid he was trying to stop from smoking on the family cruise.
A defeated, painful laugh escaped you. You looked from his cold, closed-off face to Wonyoung’s dazzling, unblemished one.
I can never be her.
You couldn't be the poise, the elegance, the quiet grace. You couldn't be the one he chose for stability, for family legacy, for a perfect life. You were the chaos, the late mistake, the smudge on the perfect blueprint.
You dropped your gaze, the fight entirely leaving your body. "My mistake, Professor," you muttered, the formality of the title now tasting like ash. "I was just heading back to my cabin. Enjoy your engagement."
You turned and walked away, not running, not storming, but just walking, slow and defeated, until you were safely out of sight.
You didn't go back to your cabin. You couldn't bear the thought of being alone with the crushing weight of your feelings. You desperately needed a distraction—a reality check that existed outside the orbit of Kang Taehyun’s perfectly miserable life.
You found Jungwon exactly where he said he would be: lounging on a plush deck chair near the pool, scrolling through his phone, looking relaxed and completely out of place in the high-stakes, formal atmosphere.
He saw your face instantly—the residue of tears, the faint trembling of your hands. He set his phone down and sat up, concern clouding his expressive eyes.
"Y/N? Hey, what happened? You look like you just saw a ghost," he asked, his voice genuinely gentle.
You collapsed onto the chair next to him, burying your face in your hands. "I saw the groom, Jungwon. And the bride. And I got very, very publicly dismissed."
"The old hyung-and-Wonyoung special, huh?" he sighed, rubbing your back cautiously, already exhibiting the comforting wisdom of the younger cousin who had witnessed this dynamic for years. "Did he do the 'she’s my student' thing? That’s his go-to when he's stressed and trying to distance himself."
You lifted your head, surprised. "He did! How did you know?"
"Because Taehyun hyung is very predictable when he's under pressure," Jungwon explained, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He builds walls. He uses the most impersonal titles. He retreats into 'Professor Kang' when the world, or Wonyoung, or his parents, expects too much from 'Taehyun.' You must have really cornered him."
"I was trying to smoke a cheap cigarette," you admitted, slightly shamefaced.
Jungwon let out a genuine, surprised laugh. "Seriously? A cigarette? That's amazing. I didn't think you had it in you, Y/N the Student."
"I was going for 'tragic figure of unrequited love,' but I think I landed on 'public health menace,'" you muttered, managing a faint, weak smile.
"Nah," Jungwon reassured you, leaning back and tilting his head to look at you properly. "You landed on 'the most interesting person on this boat.' Seriously, this whole cruise is going to be so boring—all polite smiles and expensive champagne toasts. You're the chaos this family desperately needs."
The compliment, delivered with such sincerity, actually made you feel a little better. "You're too kind, Jungwon. You're probably the only genuine thing I've found so far."
"Good. Hold onto that thought," he said, his tone shifting slightly, becoming lighter, sparkier, and distinctly flirtatious. He had beautiful, deep dimples when he smiled like that. "So, Y/N, now that the formalities are out of the way, and you've had your public breakdown..."
"Yes?"
"I think you owe me a dance at the reception later," he proposed, his eyes twinkling. "And maybe a detailed, highly biased account of why my cousin is such a menace to humanity."
You felt a little jolt of adrenaline, a completely different, cleaner energy than the one Taehyun usually sparked. Jungwon was easy. He was fun. He was available. And he clearly found you interesting.
"A dance, and the full, uncensored history of The Academic Tyrant? Deal," you said, your smile finally reaching your eyes. "But I warn you, I'm a terrible dancer. And my dress is slightly wrinkled."
"I'm a terrible dancer, too. We can both be bad together," Jungwon said smoothly, holding your gaze. The way he was looking at you—openly, admiringly, without the hidden complexity that always veiled Taehyun's glances—made your cheeks warm.
"You're cute when you blush, Y/N," he commented, his own face suddenly flushing a delightful shade of pink beneath the compliment, a sign that his smooth flirting was just an act of nervous charm.
"And you're cute when you realize you just flirted and then immediately blush," you countered, feeling a sudden surge of strength and mischievousness.
He laughed, covering his face briefly. "Okay, point taken. See? Much better than cigarettes. You should stick with flirting with the cute cousin instead of fighting with the grumpy groom. It's much better for your complexion."
You both laughed then, a genuine, necessary sound that washed some of the salt and anguish out of the air. The vast, cold ocean suddenly didn't feel quite so isolating.
The decision was made: Tonight, you wouldn't be 'Y/N the Student,' nor 'Y/N the Academic Menace,' and certainly not 'Y/N the Heartbroken Moper.' Tonight, you were going to be Y/N the Regret.
Ryujin's words echoed in your mind: He builds walls. He doesn't want you to see he's hurting, too. You didn't care about his pain; you cared about your own. And the only cure for a broken heart on a luxury cruise was a devastating public display of thriving, unavailable hotness.
You meticulously prepared in your cabin, ignoring the dizzying sway of the ocean. You slipped into the dress Ryujin had insisted upon—a red satin champagne number that clung to every curve and featured a daring, cowl-neck drape. The color was deliberate: a bright, bold declaration of your presence, designed to slice through the beige politeness of the Kang family affair. You did your makeup carefully, applying a smoky shadow and a sharp, crimson lip. When you looked in the mirror, the raw sadness was masked by pure, defiant heat. I know I'm hot, you thought, flexing your jaw. And tonight, he's going to regret calling me 'just a student.'
Jungwon arrived precisely on time, knocking lightly on your door. When he saw you, his eyes widened, and he let out a low, appreciative whistle.
"Wow, Y/N," he breathed, straightening his own sharp, navy suit. "The chaos just got upgraded to a Category Five hurricane. You're... absolutely devastating."
"Devastating is the goal," you confirmed, linking your arm through his. The warmth of his touch was comforting, grounding. Jungwon was more than just a distraction; he was your savior, your perfectly timed lifeboat in the sea of your unmanageable emotions. He made you feel light, attractive, and temporarily sane.
Together, you made your entrance into the main ballroom, which had been transformed for the engagement party. Chandeliers dripped with crystal, flowers bloomed in elaborate arrangements, and the air was thick with the scent of money and expensive perfume.
Your eyes immediately scanned the room, locating the center of the universe.
There they were. Taehyun and Wonyoung, standing on a slightly elevated, flower-adorned stage, surrounded by photographers and well-wishers. They were clicking staged, beautiful, utterly perfect photos. This wasn't just a party; it was a public declaration, a piece of rich-people propaganda meant to publicize their union to the world. Rich assholes, you muttered internally.
Taehyun looked immaculate in a black tuxedo, his hair styled back, emphasizing the severe elegance of his features. Wonyoung was breathtaking—a vision in white lace, looking every bit the princess she was.
You and Jungwon moved through the crowd, deliberately taking a path that led toward the periphery of the stage. You maintained eye contact with Jungwon, laughing loudly at one of his low-stakes jokes, your body language overtly intimate. You clung to his arm, the red satin brushing against his sleeve, making sure the visual was clear: You're not the only one with options, Professor.
Just as you reached a pillar near the stage, Taehyun turned his head, clearly bored by the endless flash photography. His eyes swept over the crowd—and then they landed on you.
The immediate effect was electric. His gaze froze, taking in the red dress, the defiant smile, and the closeness of your arm linked with his cousin's. His controlled facade slipped for a fraction of a second. He blinked, a quick, sharp movement that betrayed a sudden, intense focus.
And then, it happened. He was in the middle of posing for a photo, his hand resting on Wonyoung's back. As his attention snapped to you, that controlling hand seemed to lose its grip for a split second. Wonyoung stumbled, just a tiny, graceful hitch, and had to briefly brace herself on the stage railing. Taehyun quickly recovered, his hand tightening around her waist, but the moment was clear.
He almost dropped Wonyoung because he was staring at me.
A slow, vicious smirk spread across your face. Gotcha.
The formal part of the evening progressed. A hush fell as the couple stood center-stage for the symbolic exchange of the rings. Even though they were already technically engaged, this was the public sealing of the deal. Wonyoung’s delicate hand was placed in Taehyun’s larger, more severe one. The diamond flashed blindingly under the ballroom lights.
You watched, your breath catching in your throat. The sight of his fingers closing around hers, the casual, absolute certainty of their future together, was a physical shock. The defiant heat drained from your body, leaving behind a terrible, cold ache. The red dress suddenly felt heavy and suffocating.
You couldn't take it. The staged perfection, the polite smiles, the finality of that shining diamond—it was too much.
You squeezed Jungwon's hand. "I need air," you whispered, the word sounding rough. "I'm going to the balcony."
"Hey, Y/N, wait," Jungwon started, concern etched on his face.
"Don't. Just... I need five minutes." You pulled away and quickly slipped out through a set of French doors leading onto the main upper deck.
The cool, salty night air hit your face, a welcome shock. You rushed to the railing, leaning heavily against the brass, staring out at the inky, black water churning beneath the massive hull of the cruise ship. You inhaled deeply, trying to stave off the wave of rising panic. You closed your eyes, pressing the heels of your hands against your eyelids, fighting the fresh sting of tears.
"Y/N."
The voice was low, instantly recognizable, and entirely unwanted. You knew that tone—it was the quiet authority he reserved for private confrontations.
You straightened up, turning to face him. Taehyun stood a few feet away, the light from the ballroom framing him in a golden glow, making the severe lines of his tuxedo and his expression even sharper. Why? Just why, God?
"The fiancée needs her photo partner," you said coolly, injecting your voice with all the forced disdain you could muster. "You shouldn't be out here."
"Why did you leave?" he asked, ignoring your jab. His voice was low, without the public frostiness, but still guarded. He stared at your red dress, at the careful, sharp angles of your makeup.
"Why do you care?"
"Stop being difficult," he said, taking a step closer. "You looked distressed. You bolted out of the room."
"I was feeling sick," you lied instantly.
He crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the wall, mirroring the defensive posture from his office. "You were fine five minutes ago when you were hanging off my cousin's arm like he was a life raft."
You laughed, a short, bitter sound. "Maybe he is. He's certainly less of an asshole than some people I know."
"Y/N," he warned, his voice hardening slightly. "Don't."
You had reached your limit. The tears you had fought off all day finally betrayed you, spilling onto the dramatic crimson of your cheeks. You didn't bother to wipe them. You were too exhausted to maintain the facade.
"I can't stay in there, Taehyun," you confessed, the words torn straight from your gut. "I can't watch it. I can't watch you marry her. Because—" you choked on the next phrase, forcing it out, letting the raw, devastating truth hang in the salty air. "Because I love you."
You didn't look away. You let him see the messy, illogical, overwhelming truth. "I love you. I hate that I love you. I love the way you push me, the way you hate my chaos, the way you make me feel like I have to try just to prove you wrong. I love the person you hide under the Professor Kang facade. And watching you make this calculated, miserable choice with her—it's killing me."
You told him everything. The jealousy, the confusion, the realization that the fight was just a mask for the feeling, the devastation of the 'she's my student' dismissal. You laid it all out, a trembling, ridiculous sacrifice on the altar of his engagement party.
He just stared. His eyes were wide, black pools in the dim light. His expression was utterly, terrifyingly blank. No anger. No smugness. No weariness. Just a terrifying, zero-emotion stare.
He held the silence for what felt like an eternity, the only sound the rhythmic churning of the ocean beneath you.
And then, without a single word, without a change in expression, he turned and walked away.
He didn't look back. He simply stepped through the French doors and disappeared back into the glittering warmth of his engagement party, leaving you alone on the cold, dark deck with the bitter taste of your confession in your mouth.
You scoffed, a raw, furious sound. "Asshole. Jerk. Fucker," you spat into the wind, gripping the railing until your knuckles turned white. He had confirmed it. You were utterly, completely irrelevant.
You stayed out there, leaning against the cold brass, sipping the discarded champagne from a flute left on a nearby table, trying to reconstruct your dignity. The bubbles felt like sandpaper against your throat, doing little to numb the pain.
Then, you heard it—a sudden, sharp rise in noise from inside the ballroom. The polite murmur of the party had fragmented into confused, urgent chatter.
Curiosity, that ever-present trait, nudged you forward. You wiped your eyes quickly, took a deep breath, and walked back inside.
The scene that met you was pure, unfiltered chaos.
The engagement stage was no longer a place of joy. The opulent crowd was clustered, perplexed. Wonyoung was standing near the microphone stand, her elegant shoulders shaking, bright, messy tears ruining her perfect makeup.
And Taehyun was standing center stage, facing his stunned parents and Wonyoung's parents, his hands clenched at his sides.
You watched, stunned. You heard his voice, loud and clear over the shocked silence that had suddenly descended upon the room.
"I can't do this. I can't marry her."
Okay, what the actual fuck.
The room erupted—a furious, overlapping chorus of confusion, rage, and scandalized whispers. Wonyoung let out a heartbroken sob.
Taehyun, ignoring the furious tirade from his father, turned and scanned the room. His eyes found yours immediately, and he started walking, cutting a sharp path through the startled guests.
Wonyoung, catching up to him, grabbed his arm. Her voice was high, raw with betrayal. "Taehyun! Look at me! Tell me why! Why can't you marry me, Taehyun?!"
He stopped, standing just a few feet away from you. He looked down at Wonyoung, then slowly, deliberately, he raised his gaze to meet yours—your tear-stained face, your furious red dress, your jaw currently slack with shock.
His voice was steady, resonant, and utterly sincere as he spoke the words, not to Wonyoung, but to you, locking your eyes with his.
"I can't marry you, Wonyoung," he said, the words echoing slightly in the stunned silence. "Because I love her."
Your world tilted. Your jaw dropped so hard you thought it might hit the floor. What the actual fuck?
Before you could process the shock, Mr. Kang, Taehyun’s father, reached him. The sound was sharp and deafening in the sudden stillness: a harsh, open-handed slap across Taehyun's face.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Mr. Kang roared, his face white with fury. "This is insane! You are throwing away your life for a childish fling!"
Wonyoung's parents stormed forward, incandescent with rage, pulling their daughter away. Wonyoung only stared at Taehyun, her stunning face dissolving in shattered disbelief, before her mother hauled her away, sobbing uncontrollably.
Taehyun didn't flinch from the slap. He didn't look at his furious father. He simply watched Wonyoung leave, then turned his full attention to you.
He stepped closer, reaching out. His fingers were slightly cold as they brushed your burning cheek.
"Y/N," he said, his voice husky, low, and filled with a desperate apology. "I am so sorry. For the quiet, for the ignoring, for the cruelty. I was building the wall to stop this from happening. I love you. I've loved your chaos since the first day you slammed my door. And I realized tonight, when I watched you walk away with Jungwon, when I saw the red dress, and when you confessed—I realized I would rather face my father's rage than watch you walk through life with anyone else."
He pulled your trembling hand into his. His thumb caressed your palm, the warmth finally returning.
"The marriage was an obligation. It was a choice based on logic and family legacy. You are a choice based on everything illogical, messy, and real. I can't do the calculated life anymore."
He held your gaze, his eyes shining with a raw, terrifying sincerity. The Professor Kang facade was completely shattered.
"I know this is insane. I know this is a mess. But I'm choosing the mess. Be my girlfriend, Y/N."
Your mind was blank. Love? Marriage? Slap? Girlfriend? It was a cyclone of unbelievable events. But when you looked at his face—at the raw conviction in his eyes, at the fresh red mark on his cheek where his father had struck him—you knew he was telling the truth. He had thrown away his entire, perfect life for you.
You took a ragged breath, squeezing his hand fiercely.
"Yes," you whispered, the word shaky but firm. "Yes, Taehyun. You asshole."
You woke up slowly, the scent of the sea replaced by the familiar, intimate musk of your shared apartment. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming the space. You were naked under the sheets, the remnants of a feverish, satisfying night clinging to your skin.
A familiar weight settled gently against your chest. Taehyun.
He was propped up on one elbow, his eyes heavy-lidded and soft as he watched you. His fingers, those precise, controlling fingers that usually held a chalk or a pen, were idly stroking the side of your neck, occasionally threading through your messy hair.
You chuckled, leaning into his touch. "If I had known breaking up a staged engagement party was the key to this kind of reward, I'd have worn the red dress sooner."
He smiled, a deep, genuine smile that still occasionally took your breath away. It was a smile completely free of the stiffness and guardedness of his "Professor Kang" days.
"If I had known confessing my love in front of a thousand shocked socialites was the only way to get you to call me 'asshole' with affection, I would have skipped the whole Master's degree," he countered, leaning down to press a soft kiss to your forehead.
"You really think you can skip the Master's degree now?" you teased, shifting against the sheets, enjoying the feel of his skin against yours.
"I might," he mused, his hand trailing down your arm. "It's distracting, knowing my fiancé is currently one month away from graduating."
You nudged him playfully with your foot. "We're not engaged, Taehyun. And I'm graduating from your class. I barely passed."
He raised an eyebrow, the old, familiar Professor look briefly returning. "You got a B+, Y/N. That is the mathematical equivalent of an A+++ for your academic starting point. You're brilliant when you apply yourself."
"Only when I'm motivated by a crush on my professor," you admitted, nuzzling your face into his shoulder.
He pulled you close, burying his face in your hair. "I love you. And yes, darling, we are absolutely engaged. My mother is already planning the flower arrangements. You just haven't said 'yes' to the actual proposal yet because I keep distracting you."
You laughed, winding your arms around his neck. "Maybe I enjoy the distraction. Besides, you owe me a proper, non-scandalous proposal."
"Oh, you'll get one," he promised, his voice dropping to a low, seductive whisper. "But first, one more month. One month until you graduate, and then we're getting married. I've waited long enough for the mess. And I plan on making you late to the wedding, just to keep the tradition alive."
"You wouldn't dare."
"I would absolutely dare," he whispered against your lips, right before kissing you with the glorious, messy, perfect conviction of a man who had finally chosen reality over logic. "Now, show me how motivated you are this morning, Y/N. We still have a few hours before you have to start studying for your final exam."
—
Prev | Next
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
part one
Synopsis | you swore off love to protect your career after a painful past. When a high-profile collaboration forces you to partner with the industry’s charming "IT Boy," your intense chemistry leads to a simple, no-strings-attached proposal. As the professional lines blur during late-night studio sessions, your staunch resolve against falling dangerously begins to waver.
Warnings | MDNI; NSFW content ahead, dom!yeonjun x sub!reader, unprotected sex, grinding, groping, pet names used, semi public sex
Pairing | idol!yeonjun x idol!reader
Type | oneshot (but with two parts)
Genre | idol au, friends with Benefits, smut, angst
Wc | 36.4k (total)
Tag-list | @soobvns
A/N | I was supposed to release it like a oneshot but idk why but tumblr has been fucking me, so I decided to release it in two parts. it’s my first time writing something so long especially smth including smut! I’m sooooo excited to share this with you guys, ackkk. Hope y’all like it. Happy reading! <333
Main Masterlist
Part one | part two
The sound of your alarm wakes you up from your deep sleep. You glance at the clock and squint your eyes to make out the blurry lines which read "6:32am."
"Great" you mumble as you sit up to stretch your arms and swing your legs over the side of the bed. This was the third day in a row of only getting 3 hours of sleep, but you supposed that this was the life you chose when you auditioned to become an idol.
As you stare at your reflection in the bathroom mirror, you start to reminisce about how you got to where you are now. Your days as a trainee at YG Entertainment seemed so far from now, as your group had since become a huge success with you as their leader. The days spent practicing until the early morning, attending vocal lessons, and saving up to enjoy meals were now replaced by jammed packed schedules, performances, and traveling overseas. You can't help but miss some of those old days. It was tough work, and your future was uncertain, but times were less complicated back then and you could enjoy simple things like being in public without getting swarmed by fans or going on dates.
Going on dates.
You can't remember the last time your heart fluttered or someone swept you off your feet. But it was for the best that your focus was solely on your career. After all, that's what got you where you are now—on your way to a recording session for a collaboration track at SM Entertainment. You hadn't had time to find out who it was you were collaborating with, being more focused on learning the song and preparing for the session. But you trusted that your partner would be equally prepared, and that the recording would proceed smoothly.
You were not prepared however, to be standing inches away from Jaehyun as you swung open the door to the studio.
"Oh, hi there, I was just about to take a quick trip to the bathroom. Sorry I didn't see you there." He shyly stated as he awkwardly massaged the back of his neck while avoiding your eyes.
You couldn't help but notice how effortlessly handsome he looked in a simple white T-shirt draped over some black joggers. His grey hoodie was unzipped and fell off his left shoulder, revealing just an inch of skin. His hair looked freshly washed and perfectly messy—was that a hint of vanilla you smelled? You almost got lost in a trance when he finally spoke up again.
"I'm Jaehyun by the way, nice to meet you."
You stumbled backwards a little bit, caught off-guard by the sudden close proximity between the two of you. He gently reached out his hand, and you snapped out of your daze to return his handshake.
"I'm Y/N, glad to be working with you!" You cheerfully replied, slowly starting to regret lazily rolling out of bed this morning without putting much thought into your appearance.
"I'll be right back; you can go ahead and start recording your parts."
Jaehyun lightly gripped your shoulder as he slid past you in the doorway. Electricity sparked from his touch, and it took you a few moments to calm your racing pulse before entering the studio.
Always making a point to be incredibly professional and give your best effort in your projects, you quickly shook off your nerves and refocused your attention to recording the song. You steadily started to feel more comfortable and began to put all of your emotions into your singing. After finishing your verses, you felt proud of your work, turning your attention to the producer to see if you got his approval. Instead however, your gaze met Jaehyun, who evidently was back from the bathroom and now stared at you with an unreadable expression. His momentary smirk turned into a sweet smile as he gave you a thumbs up from the other side of the window.
“Hey, you did amazing in there!” Jaehyun reached out his hand to give you a hi-five.
"Thank you! I'm sure you'll do great as well." You clash your palm in his.
You notice how small your hand looks against his, how warm his touch feels, and how long and slender his fingers were. For a moment, his eyes dart towards your lips then back to your hands, which had still been connected a bit toon long for a friendly hi-five. He chuckled as he brushed past you once again, this time gripping your waist as he slipped by.
After stepping out of the recording room, you patiently waited on the couch while Jaehyun finished up his parts. You couldn't help but admire his angelic vocals that tugged on your heartstrings every time he sang.
After he finished, it was time to record the chorus that both of you shared. Being squeezed in a tiny room with a ridiculously attractive man certainly wasn't the worst way to spend your morning, but singing together into one microphone proved to be a challenge.
Jaehyun was almost a foot taller than you, which made it tricky to find a good height to position the mic. Not wanting to burden him with having to sing while squatting to your level, you insisted that you could just stand on your tippy toes. He must have seen you struggling to balance, because in the middle of your harmonies, you felt a gentle hand land on your lower back, giving you some support. You subtly glance over at him, and he returns your gaze with a slight grin. You feel your cheeks heat up but do your best to finish the session without getting distracted.
"We fit pretty well together," Jaehyun smiles as he nudges you while you listen to the recording. "our voices, I mean."
You agreed with him, the song was definitely going to top the charts, and you couldn't help but pick up on his subtle flirting and suggestive comment. Feeling uncharacteristically brave, you reply "I think we could fit well together in other ways too."
This comment catches him by surprise, but gives Jaehyun the green light to act on his desires. "How about you show me how well we can fit together?" He says with one eyebrow raised, as if he was challenging you to live up to your words.
"If you want to come back to my place, I can definitely do that." And without missing a beat, he grabs your hand to lead you out of the studio.
Sure enough, you and Jaehyun proved that you fit well together. Really well. Right after returning home from the recording session, he wasted no time pinning you against the door and attacking your lips that he had been longing for all morning.
After the first passionate kiss that left your lips bruised and you gasping for air, he slowed his pace. His lips lightly brushed over yours, giving you a few short pecks before slightly parting his mouth to slip in his tongue and deepen the kiss.
You melted at the feeling of his mouth on yours, kissing you so softly while his hands gripped onto your waist like his life depended on it. You slipped your arms around his neck and felt his leg slide between yours as he moved from your lips to pepper kisses down your neck. He slowly began to rock your hips against his leg and you moaned at the friction he applied between your thighs.
"Jaehyun" you whined when he suddenly let go of you. At this point, you looked like a hot mess with your face blushing red from the intense make out session and your thighs clenched together from neediness.
"Don't worry baby, I just wanna take my time with you. I'll make you feel real good, I promise." He whispered as he admired your disheveled state.
"Well hurry up then." you pouted, beginning to feel shy from the attention he was giving you.
"What the princess wants, she gets." He abruptly lifts you off the ground and carries you to your bedroom.
Maybe it was the fact that you hadn't felt a man's embrace in so long, but you truly believed this man would be the death of you. He knew exactly how to make you feel good and he looked unbelievably hot doing it.
What started as an impulsive decision to act upon your undeniable chemistry during the recording session turned into multiple nights sneaking over to his dorm to fulfill each others' sexual needs. Neither of you ever addressed your relationship, but you were perfectly content with the unspoken agreement you shared. He called you when he needed you, and you did the same. You were happy with this arrangement as it allowed you to experience some romance without the pressure of commitment. You were friends with benefits.
You weren't tied to each other and as long as you both still benefitted from your meetings, then there were no problems.
Until there was a problem. You started catching feelings. But how could you not when he looks at you so dreamily as he wakes up in the morning? When he holds you tighter if you try to leave the bed? When he whispers to you how you are the most beautiful girl he's ever laid eyes on?
You were only human, and he is too, after all. Maybe he feels the same way. He must feel the same way or else he wouldn't do all those things, right? You start going crazy over this dilemma and decide to confront him about it. It's always best to come clean and be transparent. You convince yourself that the worst that could happen is he doesn't feel the same, and you would just move on and forget these feelings. You had been avoiding these emotions for years now anyway, how hard could it be?
You were determined to have this conversation with him the next time you two met. As you approached his dorm, you took a deep breath. "Come on, Y/N, let's just get this over with." You say to yourself. You raise your fist to knock on the door when suddenly, it swings open. Just like the day you met, you are not prepared for what you saw.
"Oh! Sorry, excuse me." She quickly mumbled as she rushed out the door.
Karina was Jaehyun's label mate. You knew they were close but you didn't expect her to be visiting his dorm on a late night like this. Unsure of what the two of them could be up to at this hour, you slowly step into the room.
"Hey, I wasn't expecting you." Jaehyun casually remarked as he grabbed his shirt from the floor and slipped it back over his head. He was in nothing but boxers and you instantly regretted your decision to come tonight.
Your stomach turned and you felt sick at the realisation that he was having sex with other girls. Of course, you two never set boundaries for that so you couldn't really be upset at him. You were more upset with yourself for believing that he might have feelings for you too.
"Sorry, I...didn't know you were busy." was all you could muster before you turned and left as fast as you could. You felt like an idiot and needed to leave that place as soon as possible, angrily blinking back your tears. How could you be so stupid? Of course he didn't have feelings for you.
It was another lesson learned. From now on, you really were going to prioritise your career over everything else. You were going to work hard and focus on yourself. No more time or energy would be spent on fantasising over relationships, not when they always end up hurting you anyway.
For the next few weeks you spent every waking hour preparing for your group's comeback. It was a great distraction from the emotional turmoil you just endured, and you were genuinely excited to be onstage again.
As part of your promotions, your manager secured you a spot as the new MC for Music Core. You had never been an MC before, and were a little nervous to take the position.
"Don't worry sweetie, you're naturally charismatic and the fans will eat up anything you do." She reassured you. "Just rehearse your lines, pay attention to your cues, and build chemistry with your partner. That's all you need to do!"
"Wait, partner?"
"Y/N, I know it's been a while since your last comeback, but don't tell me you forgot that MCs always have partners."
You guessed she was right, all of the popular music programs had multiple MCs that would bounce off each other as they hosted. You suddenly grew even more anxious thinking about having to develop on-screen chemistry with a stranger while nailing your lines.
Your manager sensed your nervousness and rubbed your shoulders to sooth you. "Stop stressing about it Y/N, your partner is experienced and actually very sweet from what I've heard. You two will have a meeting before filming to get to know each other so don't worry about having to do this with an absolute stranger."
You sigh but trust her words. It's not like you are shy of the camera after all, this will just be a new skill to add to your resume.
"So who is my partner?" You hesitantly ask.
"It's none other than 4th generation's 'It Boy'—Yeonjun from TXT!"
"Y/N, wake up! Wake up alreadyyy." You open your eyes to see your group mate Mia sitting at the edge of your bed, shaking your legs to wake you up.
"Ughh what do you want?" You whine as you lightly kick her bum off the bed and pull the sheets back over your head. "It better be important if you're interrupting my beauty sleep." You mumble under the covers.
"Well do you consider your scheduled meeting with the Music Core MC important?" Mia huffed as she pulled down the sheets to expose your face.
Oh god. You had totally forgotten about that.
"Shit, what time is it?" You bolt up and check the clock.
"7:28am dumbass." Mia sneered as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at you. The two of you always bickered non-stop, but that was only because you cared for each other so much. Mia was the only person who truly understood you and you felt comfortable enough to argue with her without any hard feelings.
"Fuck, I'm going to be late! I'll just throw something on real quick, could you hand me my hoodie?" You scramble around the room trying to brush your teeth, change your clothes, and do your makeup all at once.
"Look who's wide awake now!" Mia snickered as she handed your hoodie over. "Skip the makeup babe, it's not a formal event or anything, there won't be any cameras."
"Right, right," you agree with her until you look over at your reflection in the mirror to see a literal zombie staring back at you. "Oh my god I look like death." You wail in desperation. These long nights of recording and practicing had left you sleep deprived for days.
"You'll be fine, it's not like there's anyone to impress." She pauses before mischievously appearing in the mirror behind you. "Unless, you're trying to impress Yeonjun?" She smirks while tapping her fingers on your shoulders.
"Girl, you know how I feel about boys right now." You glare at her in the reflection with an unamused expression. You had confessed to her all your sorrows from your situation with Jaehyun and how you wanted nothing to do with men from here on out.
Mia giggles as she turns you towards her. With a makeup brush she starts applying concealer under your eyes. "I'll take care of your eye bags, just finish brushing your teeth so you don't smell like death too."
After getting ready in a record time of 14 minutes, you give Mia a quick hug, thanking her for helping you this morning and then dart out the door. Luckily your meeting was just down the street at your company building, and you could get there on time. You didn’t though.
The clock on your phone is a glaring indictment: 4:17 PM. Seventeen minutes. For an idol like you, being seventeen minutes late to a professional meet-and-greet-even a casual one meant to "get to know each other"—is practically a scandal.
Your lungs burn as you skid to a halt outside the designated studio room. You quickly pat down your wrinkled practice shirt, smooth the kinks out of your hair, and suck in a deep, shaky breath. Professional. Composed. You're Y/N.
You don't bother with a polite knock. You throw the door open and immediately drop into a
90-degree bow, your neck stiff with panic.
"I am so incredibly sorry, Yeonjun-sunbaenim!" you blurt out, the honorific sounding desperate and loud.
"There was an unexpected issue with traffic flow near the gate, and I should have been more prepared. Please, accept my deepest apologies for my tardiness."
Your head remains bowed, your face hot with embarrassment. You've already made a terrible first impression on a respected senior artist, and you haven't even discussed the song yet.
A low, gentle chuckle breaks the silence, warm and surprisingly close.
"Sunbaenim? It's just Yeonjun, please," the voice says, entirely devoid of annoyance. "And you can relax. I just got here myself."
You slowly straighten up, lifting your gaze to meet his. Yeonjun is leaning casually against the edge of a sleek, black meeting table, putting his phone away. He's dressed comfortably in simple jeans and a soft hoodie, looking relaxed and approachable. You know the "I just got here" is a generous lie, but the kindness immediately dissolves the tight ball of nerves in your chest.
He pushes off the table and walks toward the chair opposite him, giving you a dazzling, easy smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes.
"Seriously, no worries at all," he repeats, pulling the chair out for you. "Sit down. It actually gave me a few extra minutes to listen to your last solo track again. I was trying to figure out how I'm going to match your energy on this collab."
He gestures for you to take the seat, then slides into his own, resting his chin on his hand as he looks directly at you. His gaze is steady, focused, and feels intensely personal.
"So," he continues, a slight, knowing smirk appearing on his lips. "Since we're collaborating, and we're going to be spending a lot of late nights in the studio together, what do you like to drink? Coffee? Tea? I'm buying the first round."
“It’s fine actually, I bought mine on the way.”
Your profound embarrassment suddenly washes away, replaced by a swift, confusing warmth. He wasn't just being polite; the way he leaned slightly forward, the casual mention of "late nights together," the persistent warmth in his eyes.
Is he actually flirting with you? It's a completely ridiculous thought-you're colleagues meeting for work-but as you look at Yeonjun, the distance between "senior idol" and
"potential love interest" feels impossibly small.
"So, since we'll be working together soon, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself? Aside from being an amazing performer."
He chuckles at your words and looks up at you with a grin. Your feel your heart skip a beat when you lock eyes with him. He was so charming and bright and you were in awe of how beautiful he was.
"Hmm, when I'm not dancing, I love to swim, skate, or visit a new cafe." He swivels his chair back and forth as he lists out his interests, and you find it so damn adorable.
"You've got good taste by the way, ice americanos are my go-to as well." He lifts his cup and places it beside yours.
You smile at him, "I guess we have something in common then."
"That, and having great style."
You scoff, "Are you trying to be shady, because I know I look like a bum right now."
He raises his eyebrows in surprise, "What do you mean? I like your hoodie, it's really cute."
You glance over and see Yeonjun sincerely confused with his eyebrows furrowed and his lips pouting. For the second time, you lock eyes and your heart beats out of your chest. Why is this stranger's words having such an effect on you? You're probably just starstruck by how good-looking he is. Surely this feeling of infatuation will die down as you work with him more over time.
Suddenly feeling shy, you look down and start fiddling with the drawstrings hanging from your hood. Why are you acting so awkward? He called your hoodie cute, not you.
"So what about you? What do you like to do in your free time?" He asks.
"I hardly get free time to be honest." You chuckle as Yeonjun knowingly nods in agreement. "But when I do, I love being outdoors. It really helps me destress and clear my mind."
"That's how I feel about painting! What kind of outdoor activities do you like?"
"It could be anything really, I've always wanted to bike along the Han river."
He laughs in response and you worry that he thinks your confession was silly.
"I know, I know. Biking is totally a lame way to spend free time."
Yeonjun looks up at you with concern. "Oh no, I didn't laugh because I thought it was lame, I laughed because I was surprised a top idol like you would be interested in such simple things. I actually think that it's really admirable."
You smile while nodding your head. Not knowing how to respond, you reach over to your cup and take a long sip of coffee from the straw. After setting the cup down and finally lifting your eyes back to Yeonjun, you notice that he is staring at your lips.
His eyes travel over to the cup you placed on the table, and you realise that it was his cup you had just taken a sip out of. You felt your whole body freeze in embarrassment, and self-consciously cover your mouth.
"I am so sorry, I didn't realise I grabbed yours. I can buy you a new one!" You profusely apologise for your mistake, hoping you hadn't made him uncomfortable.
"Don't worry about it, really, it's no big deal." He reassures you.
"Please let me get another cup for you, I'm really sorry! I'll head downstairs now and be right back."
You stood up and head for the door. Just as you pass Yeonjun’s chair, he lightly tugs on your sleeve, causing you to pause and turn your head back towards him.
"Y/N, it doesn't bother me, I mean it." He tries to convince you. "Here, see? I don't need a new drink." He says before grabbing his cup and taking a sip from it.
Your eyes immediately widen in shock as you watch his lips touch the same straw yours had been on just moments ago. Yeonjun’s lips on the straw. Your saliva on the straw. Yeonjun’s lips on your saliva on the straw. You didn't know if you should feel more embarrassed about the fact that you just had an indirect kiss with Yeonjun, or about being so affected by the fact that you just had an indirect kiss with Yeonjun.
You quietly return to your chair and mentally curse yourself for reacting like a teenager. Indirect kisses are no big deal. You've kissed dozens of boys in the past and not felt nearly as flustered as you do right now. Keep it together and be professional. This was a meeting for work after all!
Before you can interpret any hidden messages he was trying to relay with his actions, Yeonjun checks his watch.
"Sorry, it looks like I have to leave for my next schedule now. It was really nice meeting you today Y/N. I look forward to being your partner." Putting his cap back on and grabbing his coffee, he rises from his chair.
You stand up as well and give him a friendly bow. "It was great meeting you as well. I can't wait to host with you!"
With a soft smile and wave, Yeonjun exits the room.
You plop back down on your chair and continue drinking the rest of your coffee while resuming your observation of the city streets below you. You felt a smile creep on your lips as you recount your meeting with Yeonjun. Not only was he beautiful on the outside, but he seemed to be a beautiful person on the inside as well. You felt as ease knowing that you could get along with him as future MC partners, and were now excited to start hosting your first show!
As you took your last sip of coffee, you headed out the door. Before tossing your drink in the trash, you notice the logo on the cup was not that of the YG building cafe. Realising you once again accidentally drank Yeonjun’s coffee, you chuckle to yourself and make your way back home.
..
Under the bright lights that surrounded the vanity, you observe your own reflection. The makeup artist had just added the finishing touches to complete your look, and you were minutes from hitting the stage. You admire the sharp winged liner and bright glitter that enhanced the inner corner of your eyes, making your gaze pop with intensity.
You turn to your group mates, all dressed up in cohesive satin outfits. Over your shorts, you wore a white satin blouse with flowing ruched sleeves that hung off your shoulders and a laced corset secured under your chest. Each member paired their outfits with black combat boots and tons of silver chains and jewelry. You felt exhilarated awaiting your turn to take the stage.
It was your first comeback performance and your first day as the new Music Core MC. After the release of your group's music video last night, your promotions began at full speed. You were lounging in the waiting room, sitting on the couch and enjoying some snacks when a staff member entered the room holding a tray of coffees.
"This is a delivery for Y/N." He stated as he placed the tray on the table and promptly exited.
Curious to see who had ordered the coffee, you looked up at your group mates with an eyebrow raised, but they all shook their heads.
You spot a post-it note attached to one of the cups, and reach for it, reading the message that the sender left.
"This is to make up for stealing your coffee last time. Congratulations on your comeback and good luck today!
~ yj”
You can't help but grin at the sweet gesture before folding the note and placing it in your back pocket.
"Looks like someone has a secret admirer!" Mia teases as she grabs a cup for herself. "At least he knows to treat the rest of us too."
"Y/N unnie has a secret admirer?" The youngest of your group, Somi, cutely cuddles up to you on the couch and pries for more information. "Who's the brave guy that's trying to pursue the ice queen?" She blinks up at you.
"No one is pursuing me." You roll your eyes. "It's just a friendly gesture."
"Mhmmm." No one in the room is convinced, but they decide it's best not to question you any further.
You sip your ice americano with content, the cold drink somehow warming your heart. It felt nice to have such a friendly MC partner. You were excited to see him after you finished your stage today.
"You guys are up!" Your manager announces that it was time to head out.
As you approached the stage holding your members' hands, you did a quick cheer to get everyone hyped for the performance. Your heart was racing and a confident smile stretched across your face. It was showtime.
—
After finishing the performance, you exited the stage and were greeted by staff members holding fans and handing out cold water bottles. While the members monitored the performance recording, you quickly made your way back to the dressing room to change and prep for your MC role.
Yeonjun was already standing on stage in a white shirt and jean jacket, ready to present the next group. You scrambled to change into a pleated denim skirt and white sweater vest outfit to match his, then rushed to join him on stage.
"Hey! Sorry for the wait, I'm here!" You gasped trying to catch your breath from running.
"No worries, good to see you again! Your performance was amazing by the way. You looked incredible."
You smile brightly at him before turning your attention to your cue cards. This was your first shot at hosting so you didn't want to mess it up.
"I think you forgot to take this off." Yeonjun pointed towards the sliver chain necklace from your performance outfit that still hung around your neck.
“Ah I must have forgotten to remove it while I was changing." You explain to him, struggling to unhook the chain from the back.
"Here, let me help." Yeonjun turns to face you, brushing your hair off your shoulders. His fingers gently graze your neck as he fiddles with the necklace clasp. Your face is inches away from his and you slightly turn your head to avoid eye contact, but you can feel his warm breath on your cheek.
You start feeling lightheaded from the close proximity between the two of you when he finally unhooks your necklace.
"Ta-da! I got it." He places the necklace in your palm.
"Thank you." You blush.
"You're welcome." He smiles, returning to his spot next to you.
"Oh, and thank you for the coffee too! My group mates really enjoyed it."
"My pleasure, I owed you one anyway."
"It was me who stole your coffee first! So really, I'm the one who owes you."
"I'll take you up on that offer then, you can treat me out next time." He grins, glancing at you from his cue cards.
"Rolling in 5, 4, 3..." the director signaled that the show would soon start. You straightened your posture and smiled sweetly to the camera. Yeonjun gave you an encouraging nod and the show began.
—
In between performances, you and Yeonjun waited from below the stage.
"You're doing great!" He whispered, giving you a reassuring grin.
"Thanks, I'm pretty sure I skipped half my lines and mispronounced the last group's name though." You sighed in defeat. Hosting a show was unlike any job you've ever done.
"Hey don't worry about it, I didn't even notice that you made a mistake."
Thankful that Yeonjun was there to support you through this, you nodded and returned to rehearsing your next lines, determined to deliver them perfectly this time.
As you reviewed the script for the next group, you froze when realized who you were introducing.
NCT127, Jaehyun's group. You tried to avoid him ever since you awkwardly walked in on his hookup that night. You had blocked his number, cut contact with any of his group mates, and deleted him from your social media accounts. As much as you wanted to never see him again, having the same career meant that you would inevitably see him at various events and schedules.
Taking a deep breath and relaxing your shoulders, you told yourself that you needed to be professional about this. Do your job as an MC and pretend like it doesn't hurt to see the man that broke your heart so close to you on stage again.
Sensing your tension, Yeonjun wraps his arm around your shoulder. Gently rubbing circles on your skin with his thumb, he looks at you with a worried pout.
"I promise you that you're doing great Y/N, don't be so hard on yourself, ok?"
Instantly melting at his touch, you look up at him.
"Thank you Jun, I'm just too inside my head right now." You admitted. "Did I just call you Jun? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be informal." You quickly apologize.
He laughs at your frantic apology and takes your hands in his.
"Stop saying sorry so much. I'm not offended, ok?"
"Ok, sorr—oops, I mean, yeah."
You feel much calmer after your short exchange with Yeonjun. The director calls for you both to return to the stage and you confidently take your position.
As NCT127 enters the room, you politely greet them, assured that you could work alongside Jaehyun without any problems. But as he walked past you, you locked eyes with Jaehyun and weren't expecting his expression to look so..sorry? Or maybe it was a look of regret. You knew he had wanted to talk to you after the night you left, but you didn't know if he had suffered as much as you did from the break up.
Suddenly, all of your emotions came rushing back. You quickly averted your gaze and spent the rest of the interview avoiding looking in his general direction. Meanwhile, Jaehyun's eyes stayed glued to you the entire time.
Yeonjun noticed this, and wondered if there was something going on between you two. Maybe he was just imagining it. He did feel like his attention had been stolen by you this whole day. But that's only because he was being a good partner and wanted to make sure he was there if you needed any help. It was his job to look after you, right?
After the interview was completed, you both exited the stage. Following closely behind you, Yeonjun can't help but ask you if everything was okay.
"Yep, I'm totally fine. Why do you ask?"
"Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought I saw Jaehyun staring at you the whole time."
Your eyes momentarily widen in shock, but you quickly conceal your expression and clear your throat.
"I don't know what you're talking about. He probably was looking for the camera."
"Y/N, cameras are not hard to find. They're literally lined up in front of us." Yeonjun stops in his tracks.
You turn around so see him nervously glance at you then back to the ground.
"Are you sure..nothings going on between you and Jaehyun?"
Feeling like your whole act was exposed, you reluctantly sigh and decide to come clean.
"A while ago, we used to..see each other. But nothing came of it and we aren't involved anymore." You quickly confess.
Yeonjun's head rose up again. "So you're..not in a relationship with him?"
You chuckle and shake your head. "Not with him, not with anyone."
"Good. Good...I just thought he might have done something to hurt you. I was ready to protect you, you know?"
You smile at his concern. "You'd do that for me?"
"Of course! We're partners now."
"You're sweet, Yeonjun." You blush as you call him by his nickname for the first time. Grabbing a water bottle, you take a sip.
"I can be more than sweet." Yeonjun slowly approaches, your head tilting up as he stands chest to chest with you. You are frozen in place as he lightly holds your chin, thumb brushing against your lower lip. Not knowing what his intentions were, you feel as if your heart was going to explode out of your chest as he gazed lustfully at your slightly parted mouth and then into your eyes.
"You had a drop of water on your lip." He curtly stated, suddenly releasing his grasp. He brought his thumb to his mouth and softly sucked on it. "There, I wiped it off for you."
With a smirk, he proceeded to his dressing room, leaving you breathless and flustered in the middle of the hallway. You hadn't full processed what just happened, the only thought coming to mind was that this was going to be an interesting partnership.
—
Now that your group's comeback promotions were in full swing, you hardly had a minute to rest. From performances to variety show appearances to industry events, your daily schedule was packed.
Today, your first schedule was a dance practice for your duet performance with Yeonjun as the new Music Core MCs. You were confident in your dance skills, having started dancing when you were in grade school and improving your abilities since debuting as an idol. You knew Yeonjun is well known for his dancing too, and were curious to see how the both of you would perform together.
As your driver pulls up to the HYBE building, you exit the car and make your way to the practice room. Being that it was your first time in the building, you found yourself getting a bit lost before you ran into a familiar face.
"Y/N, is that you?"
You turn in your tracks to meet eyes with the person who just called your name.
"Yunjin! I'm so glad to run into you here!" Running up to her, you pull her in to a tight hug.
Yunjin had trained with you for a few months at YG before she made the move to HYBE. Once both of your groups made their debuts, you were overjoyed that you and your old friend had both achieved your dreams, regardless if you were together or not. Now, you cherish any time you cross paths.
"What are you doing here girl?" She asks as you release your embrace.
"I'm trying to find the practice room, but I got a little lost. Do you think you could help me?"
"Yeah of course, just take a right turn at the end of this hallway and it'll be the first room on the left. Why are you practicing here though?"
"I have a duet performance with Yeonjun for Music Core."
"Oh that's awesome! He's great, you guys will have such an amazing stage!"
You rub your shoulders and shyly smile. "I hope so, we worked pretty well together as MCs, but I'm kind of getting some weird vibes from him."
"A good weird or a bad weird?" Yunjin says with a concerned expression.
"A good weird I think? I feel like he's flirting with me sometimes, but you know I was never good at picking up those signals."
"Well I don't blame him if he is, you're hot babe." She winks at you as you roll your eyes. "But do you think he's someone you'd be interested in?"
"I dunno, I'm not really looking for anything right now.."
"Then just have fun with it! Whatever happens, happens, right?"
You nod in agreement. You always admired Yunjin’s carefreeness and optimistic attitude. She exudes confidence and you fed off of her aura, feeling more self-assured when you were around her.
As you bid farewell and head towards the practice room, Yunjin yells over to you once again. "By the way, Lesserafim is having a listening party for our upcoming album! You have to be there! I'll text you the details later, kay?"
You smile and give a thumbs up to her while walking backwards. Suddenly your back hits something behind you and you nearly stumble before two strong hands steady your shoulders.
You glance up, coming face to face with none other than Yeonjun. Realizing that he was the one who caught you from falling and that you were still laying against his chest, your whole face turns red in embarrassment as you quickly straighten yourself out.
You hear Yunjin giggling in the distance and shoot her an embarrassed look before turning back to Yeonjun and apologizing for bumping into him.
"No worries, Y/N." He grins. "Besides, we're gonna do a lot more than bumping into each other during practice."
He was right. You had watched a preview video of the choreography for your performance and knew that there was gonna be a lot of touching and holding during the dance. You didn't know how you were going to get through it without becoming a complete flustered mess, but you were determined to do your best.
As you entered the room, you were greeted by the choreographer. After some warm up stretching, you and Yeonjun began learning the steps together. You notice how focused he is, staring at the mirror while rehearsing the moves until they were perfect. Seeing how serious Yeonjun was being, you wanted to give it your all as well.
After an hour of learning all the steps, the choreographer left the room to let you practice them some more. Tired from the dancing, you both took a short water break. Yeonjun plops down on the floor, resting his back against the wall as he gulps down his water. His T-shirt sleeves are rolled up, exposing his shoulders and giving you a great view of his toned arms. Sweat drips down his neck as he ties half his hair up in a ponytail.
9
"You think you're ready for a run through?" He pants as he gets back on his feet.
"Yeah, I think I've got the moves down now. Let's give it a go." You adjust your crop top and tie your shoes before joining Yeonjun in the middle of the dance floor.
The music starts, and you both perform the first set of moves in perfect synchronization. You catch yourself smiling in the mirror, thoroughly enjoying dancing with Yeonjun , and you see a grin creep up his face as well. Your bodies flowed to the rhythm so effortlessly, matching each others movements at every beat.
When the chorus hit, you execute a move where Yeonjun places his hand on your waist as you roll your hips against his. His fingers graze the bare skin on your midriff momentarily, before landing on the cloth at the waistline of your leggings. Though you were appreciative of his consideration for not wanting to touch you inappropriately, you secretly yearned for his hands on your skin.
As the two of you neared the end of the song, you strike your ending pose, spinning into Yeonjun 's arms and landing with your hand on his chest and his hand around your waist once again. With the speed of your turn, Yeonjun’s hands are not as steady this time, landing right on you bare midriff as you freeze in your positions.
You both breathed hard with your bodies fully pressed against each other. Yeonjun stares into your eyes as your skin burns from where his hand is touching you, but you couldn't tear yourself away. You're unsure how many seconds pass before Yeonjun finally releases his grip on you and awkwardly stumbles back.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to touch you there."
"No, don't be sorry, it's part of the choreography!" You wave away his apology. "And I honestly don't mind, so don't worry about it!"
He looks up at you with a curious expression. "You don't mind?"
Your heart beats out of your chest by the way Yeonjun is looking at you. His question seemed innocent but his expression told a different story. He looked at you with uncertainty but longing as well. As if he was waiting for you to give him permission. Permission to do what he wanted with you.
You bite your lip in hesitation. "I don't mind..."
With a steady pace, Yeonjun starts making his way towards you, maintaining eye contact the whole time. He pauses once he's standing a foot away from you, trying to read your reaction to his presence.
"Do you mind if I..touch you like this?" Yeonjun grabs your hand, pulling you into his chest. His hands rest on your waist as you stare up at him with your heart racing.
"I don't mind." You whisper, snaking your arms around his neck.
Yeonjun lowers his head, resting his forehead against yours. Every part of your body is pressed against his besides your lips, and you so desperately wanted them to be connected as well.
After what felt like a century, Yeonjun speaks up again. With a faint whisper, he asks "Do you mind if I kiss you?"
The question was so simple and the way he said it sounded so innocent, it almost melted your heart. His body language on the other hand, was anything but innocent, as his hands were harshly gripping your waist and you could feel his bulge growing against your stomach.
Before you could even open your mouth to answer him, his lips crashed onto yours. Your legs go numb at the feeling of complete bliss from kissing Yeonjun . He wraps his arms around you even tighter, pulling you up as your body falls into his.
Once you regain your balance, he starts exploring your body with his hands, rubbing them all over your back and up to your neck, cradling your head before traveling down to grab your ass.
You lightly gasp as he massages your butt. He chuckles at your reaction and takes this opportunity to stick his tongue through your parted lips. You let out a soft moan as he deepens the kiss, reckoning a moan from him as well.
Yeonjun slips his hand under the material of your shirt, rubbing against the area of skin right underneath your chest. Your hand moves to the waistline of his pants and you begin fiddling with the button before you hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
Instantly you both pull away, eyes darting to the door before glancing back at each other. Yeonjun looked like a hot mess, hair tousled like he just woke up and lips bright and bruised. You swear you've never seen anything more beautiful.
Unfortunately you didn't have time to marvel at his figure any longer because you had about 5 seconds before your choreographer returned to the room.
You quickly straighten out your top while Yeonjun combs through his hair. Both of you are still breathing hard, but you figured you could just pass it off as exhaustion from dancing.
Miraculously, the choreographer didn't suspect anything, and the practice continued as planned. You were able to dance with even more passion from the pent up tension between you and Yeonjun , and Yeonjun was no longer being shy about touching you.
By the end of practice, the choreographer was well pleased with the both of you and excused you for the day.
As you packed up your things to leave, Yeonjun said goodbye on the way out the door.
"Good practice today, see you at Music Core!" He casually remarked as he approached you.
You turned to wave at him. "See you later!"
Smiling as he passed you, he gives you a wink before gently tapping your ass.
You can't help but chuckle at the cheeky gesture, returning a wink to him as well.
As you exited the building, you felt great. Under normal circumstances, you probably would have had a mental breakdown after getting hot and heavy with another guy. But after reframing your mindset and adopting Yunjin’s motto of "whatever happens, happens," you feel much more optimistic about the future.
Maybe this would be a one time thing, or maybe you would make out with Yeonjun again sometime. Either way, you were okay with it because you were just having fun. The pressure of feelings was not present, just the exhilaration of attraction and lust. This marked the beginning of a new and improved Y/N, a boss bitch who does what she wants when she wants to, and doesn't get heartbroken by stupid fuckboys. After months of moping around, you finally felt confident in yourself and were excited to see where this adventure would take you.
—
"We're rolling in 3, 2, 1..."
The lights and cameras were all on you and Yeonjunas you began your duet performance. After perfecting the dance during practice, it was time to showcase your chemistry and skills to the public, introducing yourselves as the new Music Core MCs in style.
You rehearsed the dance so many times that you could do it in your sleep. Now that it was time to perform, you easily flowed through the movements without much thought, leaving space for your mind to wander as you danced.
Yeonjunlooked stunning in his simple white tank top tucked into a pair of baggy cargo pants, with his hair half tied in a ponytail and secured with a bandana. As you snuck glances at him during your stage, you wonder what was going through his mind.
The two of you haven't addressed your kiss from the other day. It almost led to more than a kiss before the choreographer interrupted, and you wonder what would have happened if he hadn't. You were definitely attracted to Yeonjun, and he was obviously attracted to you too. But was it just a spur of the moment thing? Did it mean anything? Could this lead to something more?
You shake these questions out of your head and remind yourself that you are in a new stage of your life. The fun and careless stage. It was no use trying to the find answers to these questions because it wouldn't matter anyway. Overthinking things would only lead you down a spiraling path that inevitably ends in heartbreak. You've learned your lesson the hard way.
You finish the performance and hold your ending pose until the director yells "cut." With your hand resting on Yeonjun's chest, you can feel his heartbeat and the warmth of his body against yours. When you hear your cue to stop, you immediately release yourself from Yeonjun's embrace and cooly exit the stage.
Yeonjunwatches as you leave, still standing in his position on stage. You didn't even look at him before you left, and he wonders why you were in such a hurry. After the kiss at the dance studio, he couldn't stop thinking about you. Maybe it was just physical attraction, maybe it was pure lust, but something about you intrigued him more than other girls he's worked with.
You had a bright, cheerful side to you, always diligently working hard and trying your best at anything you do, which Yeonjunadmired. He also found your clumsiness adorable and loved seeing you blush or get flustered, especially if he was the cause. Yeonjunjust liked being around you, and all he knew was that he wanted to get to know you more, which is why he was quick to follow you off stage.
As you entered your shared dressing room and packed your things to leave, Yeonjunapproached you from the door.
"Leaving so soon?" He asked as he leaned a shoulder against the wall next to you.
"We finished our performance, so there's no reason to stay." You nonchalantly point out.
"About the performance, are you tired? You left the stage pretty fast after we finished."
"I'm not tired. I just figured we were done, so I left."
Yeonjunpauses for a moment, a slight frown on his face, before moving to the other side of the room to pack his things as well. Why was he annoyed that you left him on stage? You have a reasonable answer as to why you left, but for some reason, he wasn't happy about it. Maybe he wanted you to stay in his arms for a few moments longer. Maybe he wanted to pick up from where you left off at dance practice, and he was upset that you weren't as eager about being around him as he was around you.
Regardless, he had no right to be upset with you. You were his co-worker at the end of the day, and you had been nothing but professional throughout the performance.
But he didn't want to be professional with you. He wanted to do very unprofessional things with you. Things that he shouldn't keep fantasizing about, but he can't help it. After coming so close to having you just as he wanted, you had been interrupted, leaving Yeonjundesperately thirsting for a taste of your lips ever since.
Even now as he glanced back at your figure, bent over your bag on the table, innocently packing your things away, he can't help but visualize himself positioned right behind you, hands on your waist as he fucked you from the back. Thrusting into you so hard that you scream his name.
"Yeonjun. Yeonjun!"
He snaps out of his daydream. Did you just call his name for real or was that in his head? He was so immersed in his fantasies that he can't tell the difference.
"Yeonjun, I'm leaving now. Just wanted to say bye." You slip your bag over your shoulder and head towards the door.
Shit. It wasn't a dream. Yeonjuncan't believe that he spaced out while you were talking to him. Panicked at the thought of you leaving so soon, he impulsively replies.
"Where are you headed?" He nervously asks.
"Back to my dorm, this was my last schedule for the day." You turn to face him.
Yeonjunhesitates for a moment, but decides to follow his gut—or maybe his dick, before asking, "If you're free, would you maybe be interested in coming back to mine? I could order some chicken and soju and we could..celebrate our successful performance!"
He quickly averts his gaze, staring at the floor because he is too scared to hear your answer. Celebrate your performance? Really? It was the best excuse he could think of on the spot, and he was starting to regret even trying to ask you to stay. He's about to retract his offer, worried that he may have made you uncomfortable, when you finally answer.
"That sounds good, actually. Let me take a quick shower at home and I'll meet you there. Text me the address?"
Yeonjunis in utter shock that his plan worked out. After texting you his address, you notify him that you'll be over in 20 minutes, giving him time to clean up his place and calm himself down from a mental breakdown.
Sure, Yeonjun's had girls over before, but they were far and few and only really happened when he was fucked up drunk. He was way too sober to keep his cool with you right now, especially since he's never spent this much time alone with you before. Maybe he should take a shot before you come to calm his nerves.
Just as he's downed his glass, one of his dorm mates enters the kitchen.
"Drinking alone now, are we hyung?” Soobin questioned the nervous boy.
"Not for long, I have some company coming soon, if that's alright."
"Company? Fine by me, I was just leaving anyway. Who's the company though?"
"It's Y/N." Yeonjuncautiously reveals.
Soobin pauses before playfully smirking at Yeonjun. "Have fun! Not on the couch or in the kitchen though please, other people use those."
"Oh, please. We're just friends." Yeonjunrolls his eyes, though his cheeks were tinted red.
"Yeah, yeah, just be safe and don't forget to use protection!" Soobin chuckles as he exits the dorm while Yeonjunrolls his eyes.
A little part of him did hope that things will lead to you staying the night. Okay, a large part of him hoped that. But he really couldn't be confident after how coldly you had treated him this morning. Maybe he was being over dramatic. You did agree to come over for dinner, which was a good sign.
He didn't have any more time to contemplate your feelings, because just then, he got a text that you were outside. He brushed his fingers through his hair one last time before opening the door to let you in. There you stood in an oversized tee that covered your spandex shorts, hair pulled up in a high ponytail. Yeonjunthought his heart would burst at how cute you looked, freshly showered and in your comfy attire. He wishes it was his shirt you were wearing.
He welcomes you in and leads you to the living room, where he had the chicken and soju set on a low coffee table in front of the couch. You take a seat on the floor, back against the couch, and he does the same right next to you. He feels a little awkward having you in his personal living space for the first time, and decides to pour some shots to lighten the mood.
You are grateful that Yeonjunsuggested drinking first. Though you hadn't had anything to eat yet, you needed to drink so that you could get more comfortable. What had possessed you to agree to come over in the first place? Oh yeah, the new adventurous attitude you had adopted. Apparently, Y/N 2.0 casually drinks with handsome men in their homes and doesn't shy away from it. You try to convince yourself that this was no big deal, but seeing Yeonjunwith his hair still wet from the shower, wearing only a thin t-shirt and gray sweatpants had your heart palpitations moving at an unnatural speed.
"Cheers!" Yeonjunlifts his glass to meet yours.
You both down your shots and instantly feel a bit more relaxed.
The two of you continue eating and drinking, gradually getting more comfortable chatting about the various paintings you point out, listening to each others' stories of how you became idols, and discussing random topics from daily life. You're about 4 bottles in when you start getting more adventurous with your questions.
"If you had to pick only one for the rest of your life, which would it be: a successful career, a loving marriage, or great sex?" You ask with a mischievous smile.
Yeonjunseriously ponders this question for a minute with a hand on his chin, before reaching his decision.
"I'd have to pick a loving marriage."
"Aw, is our Yeonjun a romantic?" You tease him, ruffling his hair a bit, drawing some giggles from him.
"I've been called that before." He says, straightening out his hair. "I'd definitely choose love over my career, but honestly I feel like love and good sex go hand in hand."
You scoff at his statement. "Not in my experience. I've had sex with guys who couldn't give two shits about me."
"That's why I said good sex. Sure, you can sleep with anyone who's willing, but it's not gonna be good unless there's some love there."
"I have to disagree with you on that. Actually, I prefer to have sex without all the emotions. Makes things less complicated and more fun."
"You sound like a bitter old lady. Did someone break your heart and turn you into a pessimist?" Yeonjunchuckles.
You sigh at how easily he saw through you. "Maybe, but that's just how I see it now."
"Maybe you need someone to show you what good sex really feels like." Yeonjunsmirks.
You're too tipsy to even feel embarassed about the conversation you were currently having with Yeonjun. "Do you know anyone who could help me with that? I'd be happy to humor them."
He inches closer to you, arm resting on the couch behind you. His shirt slightly rides up where he is leaning into you, exposing his v-line that ends at his low-rise sweatpants.
Yeonjunplayfully whispers in your ear, "I could help you."
You slowly turn your head to face him. He's hovering over you, breath hot against your cheek and he studies your face. His lips are so goddamn plump and kissable you can't stop staring at them, gradually shifting closer and closer as if your lips and his were magnets, drawing towards each other until they can finally connect.
You can't hold yourself back any longer. Every cell in your body is telling you that you need to be kissing Yeonjunright now. You shift forward to close the distance between you two, but he is even faster, moving his hand to cradle your face. His movements were a bit too rushed and sloppy though, accidentally knocking a glass onto the floor, splashing your shirt with a bit of soju in the process.
You both pull back in surprise and attempt to clean up the mess.
"Sorry, I got you a bit wet."
Yeonjunclasps a hand to his mouth in embarrassment of how suggestive his wording sounds. You let out a laugh, genuinely finding the whole situation funny, and Yeonjunrelaxes.
The liquid courage was really doing its job right now, because you feel brave enough to comment further. "This wouldn't be the first time you got me wet."
Yeonjun's expression suddenly changes. He's looking at you with hunger in his eyes, eating up your figure with his stare.
"I made you wet before? At the dance studio?" He leans back into
"Yeah" was all you could manage as his body towered over yours, making it hard to breathe.
Yeonjunmoves his hand to hold your waist, his other arm draped over the couch behind your shoulders. You stare up at him, biting your lip in anticipation.
"Did you like it? What I did at the studio?" He asks in a raspy voice.
"I liked it. Loved it." You respond.
"What if we hadn't gotten interrupted? What would you have done?" Yeonjunholds your chin, thumb grazing across your bottom lip.
"I-I would've..wanted to touch you." You gulped.
"Yeah? You'd like that? Touching me?"
You nod.
"Would you want me to touch you too?" Yeonjunlowers his hand to you hips, gripping them hard and pulling them towards his. You follow his movements and land on his lap, straddling him.
You let out a sigh when you feel his boner against your butt. His hand travel underneath your shirt, holding your back, and his fingers feel so good against your skin.
"Answer me baby, how do you want me to touch you?" He breathes into your neck, lips fluttering over the sensitive skin.
"Please Yeonjun, touch me here." You guide his hands over your breasts. He gently massages his thumbs over your nipples, making you sigh in bliss.
You begin to roll your hips against his bulge, causing Yeonjunto moan. He leaves your neck to find your lips, planting rough kisses on your mouth before gently biting your bottom lip. Yeonjunis in complete ecstasy, getting to hold you in his lap like this, he feels like he could come just from you dry humping him. But he wants you even closer to him, he wants to experience you in every way possible.
He pulls away from your kiss and you wonder if something was wrong. Yeonjunstares back at you, breathing hard.
"Do you wanna take this to my room?"
You nod and get up from his lap. He leads you to his room, locking the door behind you before pushing you against it, hurriedly crashing his lips and body against yours.
His fingers tug on the waistline of you shorts, and you assist him by removing them altogether. He hooks his fingers around your panties to push them to the side, then starts rubbing circles around your clit.
"Fuck you're so fucking wet." He whispers as he slips in a finger.
You whine as he curls his finger inside you at a torturously slow pace. "Please Yeonjun, go faster."
He chuckles as he slips in a second finger. "Sorry princess, but I'm gonna take my time with you tonight. I promise I'll make it well worth it though."
Yeonjunstarts sucking on your neck as he leisurely pumps his fingers in and out of your core. You think you'll go insane if he doesn't start moving faster, so you take matters into your own hands. Sliding a hand through the front of his sweats, you find his rock hard dick and start stroking it. You feel it twitch, precum dripping from the tip, and Yeonjun’s whole body tenses up.
Happy with the effect you had on him, you start to move faster, sliding your hand up and down his length. Yeonjunstops moving altogether, one hand pressed against the door next to your head, the other clenched around your wrist, bringing your movements to a stop.
"I don't want to come yet..I still need to feel you." He pants as he pulls you towards the bed.
Landing on the soft sheets, you watch as he reaches into his drawer for a condom. Rolling the rubber over his erect cock, he positions himself at the foot of the bed, between your legs.
"Can I fuck you baby?" He asks in a low whisper.
"Fuck yes Yeonjun, hurry please." You whine, legs spread wide for him.
He brushes the tip of his dick against your entrance, drawing moans of anticipation from you, before hovering his body over yours. His face is inches above you, staring at you with a sinful expression, both his palms are flat against the bed on either side of your face, holding his body up.
"Beg for this dick princess." He demands. "Tell me how much you want it."
"Yeonjun," you plead, "I want you to fuck me. I need to feel your dick in my pussy, please."
A switch turns in his head, and Yeonjun finally enters you. He gives a few slow thrusts, adjusting to your size, before quickly accelerating his pace. Sweat drips from his body as he rapidly pounds into you, tears forming at your eyes at the feeling of complete euphoria.
The knot in your stomach is growing and you feel you high approaching soon. You feel Yeonjun’s thrusts becoming rushed and sloppy, as he's about to come undone as well.
"Princess, are you close?" He asks, forehead pressed to yours.
"Y-yes, keep going, I'm gonna come." You mumble through the pleasure.
Yeonjunspeeds up his pace, thrusting even deeper into you. "Look at me when you come."
Just as you turn you head to meet his gaze, your whole body is enveloped in bliss. You see stars as he fucks you through your orgasm, your body jerking in response to his movements.
His orgasm comes not long after, his eyelids fluttering as he incoherently mutters a slew of curse words before collapsing next to you.
You both lay in silence for a few minutes, chests rising steadily in synchronization. Yeonjun leaves to get a towel for you, returning to clean you up. You thank him as he mumbles a "you're welcome" before drifting to sleep with you in his arms. You giggle at how adorable he looks, face snuggled against your neck as he slept. You glance at the clock on the wall and see that it quite late already, and that you should probably head home.
You attempt to slide your body out of his grasp, but your faintest movement causes Yeonjun to tighten his grip around you.
The room is completely silent. You're not sure if you imagined it or not, but as you tried to leave, you think you hear Yeonjun whisper’s a faint "stay."
In this moment, you wanted nothing more than to melt into his embrace and and wake up to him next to you. But you knew yourself better than that. You knew what kinds of actions would cause you to catch feelings, and you needed to avoid them at all costs. So instead, you pull away from his hold and make your way to the door.
Before you exit, you turn to sneak one last look at Yeonjun, sleeping peacefully on his bed. His hair is messy, and his cheeks are blush red. Even in this disheveled state, he looked like a dream to you. You wished you could have him, to fall in love and be happy together. But wishing only leads to disappointment, and to save your own heart, he could never be yours.
—
The early morning sun casts a beam of light through the window, landing on Yeonjun’s sleeping figure and waking him up. He groggily opens his eyes but quickly shuts them due to the brightness. With a groan he rolls over, only to find an empty bed.
That's right, you had left him last night. After your drunken conversations, passionate sex, and him asking you to stay..you still left. Yeonjun is disappointed to say the least. He had genuinely enjoyed having dinner with you, sex or not. It was so easy to talk about anything and everything with you, and for some reason, you made him feel comfortable to share his honest thoughts and feelings. You even showed sincere interest in his art, while most usually get bored.
He knows that you're just friends, but He cares about you too. He's concerned when you show up to practices looking drained and sleepy. He wishes he could comfort you when he sees your eyebrows furrow in worry as you struggle to memorize your lines. After you admitted that you've gotten your heart broken before, he curses the guy who hurt you and wants protect you from ever getting hurt again. All he wants is to hold you in his arms and whisper sweet nothings in your ear.
But you didn't want to stay. In fact, you pushed him away when he tried to hold your tighter. Maybe you didn't hear him ask you to stay, but it hurts him regardless.
Soobin has warned Yeonjun time and time again about falling too quickly. He knows that Yeonjun is the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, and his romanticism of love could easily end up hurting him if he fell for the wrong person. He knows this too, but he just can't help it. Yes, you very well could be using him for his body, but then why did you talk with him for hours before things even got sexual? Surely you weren't faking your enthusiasm in your conversations just to get in his pants.
His thoughts were spiralling out of control, so he walks over to the bathroom to splash some water on his face and snap himself out of it. He stares at himself in the mirror, noticing his tangled hair from where your hands grabbed it, and bruised lips from your shared kisses last night. His stomach flips thinking about it.
Yeonjun knows his flaws when it comes to love. But this time, he's determined to keep his cool, be patient, and just have fun. As long as he can keep himself from falling too quickly, it'll all work out.
—
You wake up to a mass of text notifications blowing up your phone. You're annoyed at the relentless dinging sounds that interrupted your sleep, but you're even more bitter that you woke up alone in your own bed instead of Yeonjun’s this morning. Of course, this was your decision, and though it would've been heavenly to spend the night in his arms, you're glad that you stuck to your guns and cut off any unnecessary affection with him.
Lazily, you unlock your phone and read your messages.
Yunjin: Good morning sunshine!!!! Hope I didn't interrupt your beauty sleep 😘
You sigh, she did interrupt your beauty sleep.
Yunjin: I just got the details to our listening party and had to send it over to you right away!!
Yunjin: The party is this Saturday night at 10pm in the hotel right next to the HYBE building
Yunjin: You HAVE to come okay?? Promise meee, I really want you there!!
Yunjin: Oh and wear something sexy, your boy will be there too 😉😉
You can almost hear how loud Yunjin’s voice is through your phone, but you chuckle at how energetic she is so early in the morning. You replied to her messages, promising that you'll be there. It's been a while since you dressed up to go to a party, and you're excited to celebrate with your friends. A small part of you is also excited to see Yeonjun there as well. Would he wear a suit? He would look great in a suit. He looks great in anything, though. You'd have to make sure you look great as well. Giddy from your excitement over the party, you can't wait for the week to end.
As you rolled up to the party, you recognize familiar faces of other artists you've met in the industry. Everyone was dressed to the tens in lavish designer suits and gowns, enjoying tall glasses of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Sparkling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the dark room with a soft, warm light. Many people lounged on the velvet couches, chatting with their friends, while others stood by the bar. After exchanging a few polite, "hello's" and "how have you been's" you make your way to the center of the venue, finding Yunjin enthusiastically greeting all of the guests.
"Y/N, you made it!" She pulls you into a big hug.
"Of course I did! I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Congratulations on your new album!"
"Thank you so much!" Yunjin smiles at you. "Please, grab some food and drinks. Enjoy yourself!" She grabs your hand, guiding you to one of the couches.
You grab a glass of champagne and chug it. After setting the glass down, you lift your head to see yeonjun standing a mere 5 feet away. You smile and wave at him to get his attention, but notice that he is preoccupied, chatting with a petite blonde girl stood right in front of him. Your gaze drops and you see his arm around her waist, hands clutching the material of her dress. She was laughing excessively at something he said, and you couldn't help but scoff at how obviously she wanted him.
Yeonjun knew you were staring. That's why he proceeded to bend down and whisper into the girl's ear. After he saw you, he just couldn't control his actions. He wanted to know if it bothered you. Yeonjun knows it's wrong to flirt with another girl just to make you jealous, but you started it. How dare you come dressed like pure sex in such a revealing gown and not come talk to him first. He should be the only one to get to touch you.
When he glanced over to your direction to check if you were still watching him, he realized you were gone. Panicked, he starts scanning the crowd for you, and his gaze stops at the bar. You were leaning against a high table, one arm resting on the surface and the other reaching out in front of you. What were you reaching for? An arm, a man's arm. You squeezed the arm of a man standing with you at the bar. A smile on your face as you looked up at him, your hand traveling up to rest on his chest. His hand went to the small of your back, fingers grazing your bare skin.
Yeonjun couldn't take it anymore. He left the blonde girl without a word and made his way over to you. You were giggling at something the man had said and yeonjun couldn't hide his look of disgust. As he approached you, he wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you towards him, effectively cutting off your contact with the man in front of you, forcing him to let go of his hand on your back.
"Hey," Yeonjun said with a smile. His body was pressed perpendicular to yours, facing only you and completely ignoring the man standing on the side. "I've been wanting to talk to you all night. You look stunning." You could smell Yeonjun’s cologne from how close he was holding you, butterflies erupting in your stomach from having his attention fully on you.
The man you were talking to slowly backed away looking scared, and you feel bad for how Yeonjun rudely dismissed him.
"Yeonjun, you're being rude. I was talking to someone." You turn to face him, your back resting against the bar.
Yeonjun let's go of you and puts his hands in his pockets, looking at the ground. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to talk to you all night but you were always busy with someone else." He mumbled.
You want to scream at how adorable he looks, pouting as he apologises to you. But you were still annoyed that he cockblocked you while he was flirting with other girls just a few minutes ago.
"You looked busy just a few minutes ago. Didn't even notice me with your hands full of that blonde chick." You tried not to sound annoyed.
Yeonjun steps back, arms crossed. "Well I wouldn't have been busy with her if you would've taken a minute to say hi to me instead of cuddling with that guy all night."
Yeonjun frowns. He knows he shouldn't be angry at you. But You were wrapped up in another man's arms. You even let him touch your skin, your bare skin. Yeonjun couldn't stand the thought of another man touching you so intimately.
"I wasn't cuddling with him, we were just...talking." You had your arms crossed now too.
"Do you just let anyone touch you like that?" He couldn't control the words falling out of his mouth.
"Excuse me, but I think I'm old enough to make that decision for myself. If I want to let someone touch me, then I will." You huff.
Yeonjun was being a complete hypocrite right now. Who was he to lecture you about other men? It's not like you guys were together.
"Were you gonna sleep with him or something?" He looks at you with a glare.
Why did you feel like you did something wrong? He was obviously upset at you, but you can't understand why.
"No...I don't know. Maybe. It doesn't matter now anyways since you scared him away." You glare back at him. "Why do you even care? Weren't you planning to take that blonde girl home?"
Yeonjun sighs, "We were just talking. I didn't come here looking to hook up with girls anyway."
"Well you're not gonna get to bring any girls home if you're talking with me all night." You roll your eyes at him.
Yeonjun looks up at you, placing a hand on the table you're leaning against, pressing his body closer to yours. He pauses to gauge your reaction before asking, "What if you're the girl I want to take home?"
Your face blushes red at his question. He wants you out of everybody here? "You want to take me home?" You bite your lip, gazing up at him with expectant eyes.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you all night, not after I saw you walk in looking like this." He breathes against your cheek.
"D-do you like it? My dress?" You feel his eyes gawking at your figure.
"I love it. You, your dress, everything." He places a hand on your waist, and you can feel the warmth of his touch through the thin material of your gown. "But I'd love to see what's underneath." He whispers in a low growl. "So can I take you home baby?"
You shouldn't go home with him. Sleeping with him should've been a one time thing. You both were already being petty tonight, trying to make each other jealous. Things could get messy if you continue to see him like this, but you don't care. Not when he's looking at you with dark eyes glowing with desire, studying your figure, watching your chest rise and fall in anticipation of your answer.
The air feels thick with yeonjun standing this close to you. You feel drunk off his presence and can't control your actions around him. Against your better judgement, you snake your arms around his neck and pull him close, whispering in his ear, "let's go."
-
The early morning sun casts a beam of light through the window, landing on Yeonjun’s sleeping figure and waking him up. He groggily opens his eyes but quickly shuts them due to the brightness. With a groan he rolls over, only to find an empty bed.
That's right, you had left him last night. After your drunken conversations, passionate sex, and him asking you to stay..you still left. Yeonjun is disappointed to say the least. He had genuinely enjoyed having dinner with you, sex or not. It was so easy to talk about anything and everything with you, and for some reason, you made him feel comfortable to share his honest thoughts and feelings. You even showed sincere interest in his art, while most usually get bored.
He knows that you're just friends, but He cares about you too. He's concerned when you show up to practices looking drained and sleepy. He wishes he could comfort you when he sees your eyebrows furrow in worry as you struggle to memorise your lines. After you admitted that you've gotten your heart broken before, he curses the guy who hurt you and wants protect you from ever getting hurt again. All he wants is to hold you in his arms and whisper sweet nothings in your ear.
But you didn't want to stay. In fact, you pushed him away when he tried to hold your tighter. Maybe you didn't hear him ask you to stay, but it hurts him regardless.
Soobin has warned Yeonjun time and time again about falling too quickly. He knows that Yeonjun is the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, and his romanticism of love could easily end up hurting him if he fell for the wrong person. He knows this too, but he just can't help it. Yes, you very well could be using him for his body, but then why did you talk with him for hours before things even got sexual? Surely you weren't faking your enthusiasm in your conversations just to get in his pants.
Yeonjun’s thoughts are spiraling out of control, so he walks over to the bathroom to splash some water on his face and snap himself out of it. He stares at himself in the mirror, noticing his tangled hair from where your hands grabbed it, and bruised lips from your shared kisses last night. His stomach flips thinking about it.
Yeonjun knows his flaws when it comes to love. But this time, he's determined to keep his cool, be patient, and just have fun. As long as he can keep himself from falling too quickly, it'll all work out.
—
You wake up to a mass of text notifications blowing up your phone. You're annoyed at the relentless dinging sounds that interrupted your sleep, but you're even more bitter that you woke up alone in your own bed instead of Yeonjun’s this morning. Of course, this was your decision, and though it would've been heavenly to spend the night in his arms, you're glad that you stuck to your guns and cut off any unnecessary affection with him.
Lazily, you unlock your phone and read your messages.
Yunjin: Good morning sunshine!!!! Hope I didn't interrupt your beauty sleep 😘
You sigh, she did interrupt your beauty sleep.
Yunjin: I just got the details to our listening party and had to send it over to you right away!!
Yunjin: The party is this Saturday night at 10pm in the hotel right next to the HYBE building
Yunjin: You HAVE to come okay?? Promise meee, I really want you there!!
Yunjin: Oh and wear something sexy, your boy will be there too 😉😉
You can almost hear how loud Yunjin’s voice is through your phone, but you chuckle at how energetic she is so early in the morning. You replied to her messages, promising that you'll be there. It's been a while since you dressed up to go to a party, and you're excited to celebrate with your friends. A small part of you is also excited to see Yeonjun there as well. Would he wear a suit? He would look great in a suit. He looks great in anything, though. You'd have to make sure you look great as well. Giddy from your excitement over the party, you can't wait for the week to end.
As you rolled up to the party, you recognize familiar faces of other artists you've met in the industry. Everyone was dressed to the tens in lavish designer suits and gowns, enjoying tall glasses of champagne and hors d'oeurves. Sparkling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the dark room with a soft, warm light. Many people lounged on the velvet couches, chatting with their friends, while others stood by the bar. After exchanging a few polite, "hello's" and "how have you been's" you make your way to the center of the venue, finding Yunjin enthusiastically greeting all of the guests.
"Y/N, you made it!" She pulls you into a big hug.
"Of course I did! I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Congratulations on your new album!"
"Thank you so much!" Yunjin smiles at you. "Please, grab some food and drinks. Enjoy yourself!" She grabs your hand, guiding you to one of the couches.
You grab a glass of champagne and chug it. After setting the glass down, you lift your head to see yeonjun standing a mere 5 feet away. You smile and wave at him to get his attention, but notice that he is preoccupied, chatting with a petite blonde girl stood right in front of him. Your gaze drops and you see his arm around her waist, hands clutching the material of her dress. She was laughing excessively at something he said, and you couldn't help but scoff at how obviously she wanted him.
Yeonjun knew you were staring. That's why he proceeded to bend down and whisper into the girl's ear. After he saw you, he just couldn't control his actions. He wanted to know if it bothered you. Yeonjun knows it's wrong to flirt with another girl just to make you jealous, but you started it. How dare you come dressed like pure sex in such a revealing gown and not come talk to him first. He should be the only one to get to touch you.
When he glanced over to your direction to check if you were still watching him, he realized you were gone. Panicked, he starts scanning the crowd for you, and his gaze stops at the bar. You were leaning against a high table, one arm resting on the surface and the other reaching out in front of you. What were you reaching for? An arm, a man's arm. You squeezed the arm of a man standing with you at the bar. A smile on your face as you looked up at him, your hand traveling up to rest on his chest. His hand went to the small of your back, fingers grazing your bare skin.
Yeonjun couldn't take it anymore. He left the blonde girl without a word and made his way over to you. You were giggling at something the man had said and yeonjun couldn't hide his look of disgust. As he approached you, he wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you towards him, effectively cutting off your contact with the man in front of you, forcing him to let go of his hand on your back.
"Hey," Yeonjun said with a smile. His body was pressed perpendicular to yours, facing only you and completely ignoring the man standing on the side. "I've been wanting to talk to you all night. You look stunning." You could smell Yeonjun’s cologne from how close he was holding you, butterflies erupting in your stomach from having his attention fully on you.
The man you were talking to slowly backed away looking scared, and you feel bad for how Yeonjun rudely dismissed him.
"Yeonjun, you're being rude. I was talking to someone." You turn to face him, your back resting against the bar.
Yeonjun let's go of you and puts his hands in his pockets, looking at the ground. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to talk to you all night but you were always busy with someone else." He mumbled.
You want to scream at how adorable he looks, pouting as he apologizes to you. But you were still annoyed that he cockblocked you while he was flirting with other girls just a few minutes ago.
"You looked busy just a few minutes ago. Didn't even notice me with your hands full of that blonde chick." You tried not to sound annoyed.
Yeonjun steps back, arms crossed. "Well I wouldn't have been busy with her if you would've taken a minute to say hi to me instead of cuddling with that guy all night."
Yeonjun frowns. He knows he shouldn't be angry at you. But You were wrapped up in another man's arms. You even let him touch your skin, your bare skin. Yeonjun couldn't stand the thought of another man touching you so intimately.
"I wasn't cuddling with him, we were just...talking." You had your arms crossed now too.
"Do you just let anyone touch you like that?" He couldn't control the words falling out of his mouth.
"Excuse me, but I think I'm old enough to make that decision for myself. If I want to let someone touch me, then I will." You huff.
Yeonjun was being a complete hypocrite right now. Who was he to lecture you about other men? It's not like you guys were together.
"Were you gonna sleep with him or something?" He looks at you with a glare.
Why did you feel like you did something wrong? He was obviously upset at you, but you can't understand why.
"No...I don't know. Maybe. It doesn't matter now anyways since you scared him away." You glare back at him. "Why do you even care? Weren't you planning to take that blonde girl home?"
Yeonjun sighs, "We were just talking. I didn't come here looking to hook up with girls anyway."
"Well you're not gonna get to bring any girls home if you're talking with me all night." You roll your eyes at him.
Yeonjun looks up at you, placing a hand on the table you're leaning against, pressing his body closer to yours. He pauses to gauge your reaction before asking, "What if you're the girl I want to take home?"
Your face blushes red at his question. He wants you out of everybody here? "You want to take me home?" You bite your lip, gazing up at him with expectant eyes.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you all night, not after I saw you walk in looking like this." He breathes against your cheek.
"D-do you like it? My dress?" You feel his eyes gawking at your figure.
"I love it. You, your dress, everything." He places a hand on your waist, and you can feel the warmth of his touch through the thin material of your gown. "But I'd love to see what's underneath." He whispers in a low growl. "So can I take you home baby?"
You shouldn't go home with him. Sleeping with him should've been a one time thing. You both were already being petty tonight, trying to make each other jealous. Things could get messy if you continue to see him like this, but you don't care. Not when he's looking at you with dark eyes glowing with desire, studying your figure, watching your chest rise and fall in anticipation of your answer.
The air feels thick with yeonjun standing this close to you. You feel drunk off his presence and can't control your actions around him. Against your better judgement, you snake your arms around his neck and pull him close, whispering in his ear, "let's go."
Ever since that conversation, you and Yeonjun started spending time together regularly. Whenever either one of you were bored, you'd plan a movie night. Whenever you needed a buddy to go grocery shopping, he'd tag along. If he needed to decide which paint to use for his artwork, you'd come over to help him pick.
Usually these hangouts would start as booty calls, one of you shooting the other a text if you were feeling horny. Then you'd stick around and maybe do an activity together if you were still free. Recently though, you found yourself hitting him up just because you felt like seeing him. Sometimes you'd spend the whole day together without having sex at all. Whenever that happened, you couldn't help but wonder if Yeonjun was disappointed, but he never voiced any complaints. You'd always sneak a glance over to him while you lounged around his dorm watching and movie or painting or cooking together. He always looked content, sometimes catching your eyes and shooting you a smile, so you decide not to worry about it.
"Off to see Yeonjun again?" Mia asked with a knowing look on her face. You almost didn't notice her laying on the couch as you made your way to the door to leave.
"Um, yeah." You hesitantly answer. For some reason, you felt like she had caught you sneaking out, even though you are free to go and hang out with whoever you wanted.
"Isn't this like, the third time this week?" She shifted in her seat so that she was now sitting upright and facing you.
"Maybe, I dunno. Why does it matter?" Her questioning started to make you feel defensive.
"Damn, are you sexually frustrated or something? You guys are really going at it a lot lately." Mia smirks.
"Shut up, we don't always have sex." You roll your eyes.
"Oh? What else are you doing over there then?"
"Watch movies, or skate together...whatever we feel like doing." You cross your arms.
"And you feel like having quality time with Yeonjun this often?"
"Yes. I do."
"And you guys are friends with benefits still?"
"Yep."
"No commitment, no strings attached."
"None."
"No romantic feelings whatsoever?"
You let out a sigh. Honestly, why is she grilling you so hard about him? You don't really owe her any explanations. "Why does this matter to you?"
"It matters because I know you, Y/N. You don't do 'no strings attached.' This whole 'fuck buddy' situation is not you. I'm worried it's going to end up hurting you again. Don't you remember how devastated you were after Jaehy-"
"Don't." You cut her off before she goes any further. "Don't bring that up again. It's in the past and I've changed now. I know I used to catch feelings for any guy who gave me the least bit of affection, but I've learned my lesson I promise."
You approach the couch and take a seat next to Mia. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but I'm not the foolish girl I was before. Me and Yeonjun are just friends. We made that very clear."
Mia still looks concerned, obviously not convinced by your rebuttal. "I just feel like the nature of your friendship isn't...typical."
"What do you mean?"
"Friends don't have sex with each other, Y/N."
"That's why we're friends with benefits."
"But friends with benefits don't spend quality time together like you guys do either. They just fuck and leave."
What's wrong with hanging out with Yeonjun? I still like him as a person, he's not just an object to me."
"I'm not saying you have to treat him like an object, I'm just saying that you guys kind of act like...I don't know, a couple?"
You pause for a moment, taken aback by her accusation. Why was it so difficult for her to grasp that you and yeonjun are genuine friends who just happen to satisfy each others' sexual needs once in a while? Just because you are sleeping with him doesn't mean you can't also enjoy his company. And just because you like spending time together, it doesn't make you a couple. You're tired of people pitying you and looking at you like a fragile girl who can't protect her own feelings.
"We aren't a couple. Yeonjun and I are both single. We aren't tied down to each other like that. He can fuck whoever he wants and so can I." You firmly state.
Mia is visibly surprised by your firmness, and reluctantly backs down. "You know I just don't want to see you hurt, Y/N. But if you are confident in what you're doing, then I trust you."
You breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry I accused you of having feelings for him, I didn't know you were comfortable with him seeing other people."
You give her a tight-lipped smile. Truthfully, you hadn't thought about if Yeonjun was seeing other people, and you didn't want to start now. You were together so often that you don't think he would have time to date anyone else, but who knows what he's up to on his days off? There's no point in you pondering this subject anyways because it's really none of your business. Yet, the feeling of not knowing did put you slightly on edge. You quickly brush off this feeling and get up from the couch, continuing on your way out the door.
Your confrontation with Mia had left you feeling uneasy, despite her relenting to you in the end. You know you shouldn't read too deeply into what others think, but sometimes you can't help yourself. Do you and yeonjun really act like a couple? Is it not normal to want to be around him this much? Is he seeing other girls? Trying to shake these thoughts out of your head, you finally make it to his dorm. After receiving your text to let him know you're here, Yeonjun opens the door for you.
You immediately wrap your arms around his waist, burying your face in his chest and taking in a deep breath, his familiar scent instantly calming you. Yeonjun is startled by your sudden show of affection, worried that something had happened to you.
"Is everything okay?" He gently whispers as he places a hand on your head, softly patting your hair.
"I'm okay, I just need...to clear my mind." You mumble into his chest.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
You finally look up to him. His eyebrows are furrowed in worry and his lips in a slight frown. You're appreciative that he cares enough to be concerned about you, but you don't want to burden him with your emotions.
"Not really." You respond. "I think I just need some fresh air."
"Then let's go." Yeonjun pulls your arms out from around him and interlocks his fingers in yours, leading you out the door.
"Where are we going?" You follow behind him in the darkness. It's past midnight and most restaurants and shops are closed by now.
"We're getting you some fresh air." Yeonjun looks back at you with a grin.
Soon enough, you arrive at the edge of a river. There's a dirt path circling the body of water with an occasional streetlight illuminating the trail. You can see the city lights in the distance, reflecting off the tiny waves in the water. No else is here but you two, and he leads you to a wooden bench on the side of the road before parting from you.
"Hey, where are you going?" You question him as he leaves.
"Don't worry, I'll be right back. Just stay here!" He jogs away, leaving you waiting on the bench. After a few minutes, he returns with two bicycles, guiding one in each hand.
"Where did you get these?" You ask as he hands one over to you.
"I rented them from the stop over there. We just have to return them once we're done!" He smiles brightly. "You said you always wanted to go biking along the Han River, right? What better way to get some fresh air than a midnight bike ride?"
"You remember?"
"Of course I remember."
You beam in excitement, mounting your bike as he climbs onto his. This was the perfect way to clear your mind, riding your bike in bliss as Yeonjun followed behind. The crisp air filled your lungs as you rode, cool wind brushing against your face. It wasn't so often that you had an opportunity to forget all your worries and just live in the moment, away from all the lights and cameras, living freely and being yourself. Yeonjun was able to do that for you and you are eternally grateful.
When your legs started growing tired from pedaling, you stopped at a hill and parked your bikes. Yeonjun plopped down on the soft grass, hands beneath his head. You joined him, giggling as you lay spread out next to him. For a few minutes you both lay in silence, clouds of steam forming from your warm breaths against the cold night air, the sound of flowing water surrounding you.
"Do you feel better?" Yeonjun tilts his face towards you.
You stare up at the stars. "Yeah, I feel...peaceful. Thank you for doing this."
"I'm glad I could help. You looked really stressed back there and I wanted to cheer you up." He smiles.
You smile back at him. "You really did. I've always wanted to do this and I finally did. It was so fun!"
"Good. I always want to see you happy."
"Me too. I always want to see you happy too."
"I'm always happy when I'm with you."
Yeonjun’s eyes meets yours. He looks at you with a soft and sincere expression, like he's trying to convey his thoughts through his gaze, but he can't find the words. Instead, you both just enjoy each others' presence, not needing to speak.
Finally, you decide to open up to him. Yeonjun went out of his way to comfort you, so he deserved to know a little bit of what you'd been feeling.
"So, the reason I was stressed earlier was because I kind of got into an argument with Mia." You explain.
Yeonjun turns his body towards you, propping his head up with his arm to give you his full attention.
"She thinks I'm some delicate little girl, like I'm not strong enough to handle my own emotions."
"Why does she think that?"
"It's because of stuff that happened in the past. I was stupid back then and always fell too hard for guys who didn't feel the same about me. I ended up getting my heart broken a lot and she would always help pick up the pieces."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that." He said in a soft tone.
"It's okay. Honestly I'm glad it happened. I get why she's concerned for me, but I've grown and changed now. I'm not going to open my heart up to someone so easily anymore."
He studies your face with a curious look. "It sucks that you've gotten your heart broken before, but I hope you haven't given up on love."
"I don't think I'll ever give up on love. I just have a hard time choosing the right guys." You chuckle.
Yeonjun laughs and rolls onto his back, looking up at the sky. "It might be easier than you think."
Again you both fall silent, admiring the view of the night sky. You think about Yeonjun’s words, indeed you wish falling in love would be easy. Maybe you've just been unlucky. Maybe you should let down some of your walls. Yeonjun makes it so easy for you to open up, everything is easy with him. You wish it was him that you could fall in love with.
But you can't. Every time you come close to feeling love, your brain shuts down, your mind rejects it. The easier things feel, the more scared you get. Scared that the moment you make yourself vulnerable to him is the moment you give him the power to hurt you. You can't let that happen again, you just can't.
As you tumble into a a disarray of thoughts, Yeonjun reaches over and places a soft kiss on your lips. Suddenly, your clouded head is cleared, your worries leave your mind and your body relaxes at his touch.
"It's getting late, are you ready to go?" Yeonjun caresses your cheek as you look up at him.
"I don't want to go." You mumble.
"But it's too cold to stay longer, we need to get home."
"Can I stay with you?"
"Of course baby."
You always blush when he calls you that. No matter how much of a barrier you try to build between him and you, he always knocks it down with the simplest of words. Yeonjun takes your hand and pulls you to your feet. As you walk back to his dorm, he holds your hand in the warmth of his pocket.
"Are you sleepy?" Yeonjun crawls into bed with you. After arriving at his dorm, you both washed up and he gave you a comfy T-shirt to wear to sleep.
"I don't want to sleep yet." You whine.
"Do you want to watch a movie then?"
"No..."
"Then what do you want to do?"
"You." You bit your lip and looked at him through your eyelashes.
This whole night has got you feeling dazed and confused being around yeonjun. You couldn't understand the conflicted feelings you were experiencing, and you thought maybe you could take your mind off things by doing what you knew best and were comfortable with—having sex with yeonjun.
You cradle his face in your hands and pull him in for a kiss. Your lips move slowly together, tongue roaming leisurely in his mouth, brushing against his. His hands drop to you waist, pulling you into his embrace, and soon enough you feel him getting hard.
Grinning at the feeling of his arousal, you attempt to get on top of him, ready to ride him hard until you both finish, like you always do. But just as you shift your body, he places a firm hand on yours, pinning you on the bed below him. He laces his fingers with yours, his body hovering over you as he gazed at you with hooded eyes.
"Let's take it slow baby, no need to rush." He places two fingers in his mouth, tongue swirling around them before lowering them to your core. After sliding your panties off, he rubs his wet digits against your clit in a circling motion as you squirm under him.
"C'mon Yeonjun, let me ride you." You whine.
Yeonjun chuckles at your neediness. "Let me take care of you tonight, princess."
He takes off his boxers to reveal his bulging erection, positioning himself at your entrance and rubbing his tip against your folds before finally slipping in. You both moan at the feeling of him pushing inside of you, and he starts moving at a steady pace while you swing your arms around his neck.
Unlike before, Yeonjun is so gentle as he slides in and out of you. You're used to him choking you, thrusting vigorously into you, overstimulating you until you can't take it anymore. But tonight, his hands stay intertwined in yours. He handles you with such tenderness, as if you'll break with one false move. The fiery hunger that's usually in his eyes is now replaced with an adoring gaze. Everything around you is glowing, and your vision turns fuzzy as you approach your high. Time is moving in slow motion as you reach your orgasm, and you savor every second in his embrace.
As you finish, Yeonjun picks up the pace and cums soon after. He drops to your side, cradling you in his arms. Lifting your chin, he kisses you once again, slowly and softly for what felt like hours. You felt absolute bliss, warmth enveloping your whole body as he kissed you. When you released your lips, your eyes stayed fixed on his, and you continued gazing at each other in silence. Finally you both drift to sleep, not needing to say another word.
As always, you were the first one awake. You had a schedule to attend early that morning, so you went ahead and got up as quietly as you could, not wanting to wake Yeonjun up. As you got dressed and ready to leave, you sit by the edge of the bed, watching him as he slept. You always admired how adorable he was while he was sleeping, how gentle and innocent he looked. He was just as gentle inside as he appeared outside as well, you knew this, especially after how sweetly he treated you last night.
You like him, you liked everything about him, and you trusted him too. He's always made you feel safe, he always knows how to comfort you, and you can't help but think that maybe...maybe falling for him wouldn't be so bad. Of course, you'd need to know if he feels the same about you. Maybe you will ask him one day.
Your stomach bubbled with elation at prospect of being with Yeonjun. You try to hush the excitement in your heart, telling yourself not to fantasize too much. You place a soft kiss on his forehead before heading out, feeling lighter after your night together.
As you happily stroll to your company building, you open your phone to check your notifications. There were a few messages from your manager reminding you what time to get to dance rehearsal, some from Mia checking on you after your conversation last night, and a trending news article that just popped up.
Curious to see what this breaking news was, you open the article and are met with a bold headline that made you freeze in your tracks.
"[BREAKING] TXT’s Yeonjun rumoured to be dating Aespa's Karina"
And just like that, the walls you thought were breaking down around you came right back up.
Frozen in the middle of the sidewalk, you re-read the headline pasted across your screen.
"[BREAKING] TXT’s Yeonjun rumored to be dating Aespa's Karina"
Your mind goes blank as you stare at the words, taking several moments for you to fully process what they meant. When it finally hits you, your whole body feels...numb. You're surprised how little you feel. Maybe all your mental barriers worked, and faking it until you make it actually paid off. You did it, you successfully prevented yourself from falling for Yeonjun—but why did your victory feel so empty?
Everything played out they way you wanted it to, but achieving your goal was somehow anticlimactic. You thought you'd be more proud of yourself, happy that you mastered your control over your emotions. What you didn't expect though, was for 'mastering' your emotions to feel like not having any emotions at all. You're somewhat disappointed with this realization, unsatisfied with the outcome. Still, it was better than feeling like a fool and getting your heart broken again.
You continue towards your company building, entering the dance studio for your rehearsal. As you walked into the room, you notice your group mates hesitantly greet you with concerned faces, clearly they had heard the news and didn't know what to expect from your reaction today. You shrug off the awkward tension and proceed to run through rehearsals like normal, your members gradually shedding their tentative behavior after seeing you in good spirits. After your rehearsal finished, Mia asked if you wanted to grab lunch with her, to which you agreed.
"So how are you? I didn't hear from you last night." She asked as you both sat at the restaurant table awaiting your food.
"Sorry, I fell asleep before checking my phone. I'm good though, don't worry about it."
"Did you see the article about Yeonjun?" Mia was never one to shy around any topic.
You straighten up in your chair. "Yeah, I did actually. What about it?"
She looks at you with one eyebrow arched. "Damn, you weren't kidding when you said you didn't care if he was seeing other girls."
"Yup, it doesn't bother me." You start to fidget in your seat.
"Even if the girl is Karina?"
Your stomach slightly turns at the mention of her name.
"The same girl who you caught with Jaehyun?"
"I know who Karina is." You snap. At this point, you feel your blood start to boil. You've had enough of this conversation. You get it, Yeonjun is dating another girl. Another girl who happens to be the same girl who was sleeping with the guy you fell for in the past. God, why did it have to be her of all people? I mean, she is talented, kind, and not to mention, drop dead gorgeous. Maybe that's why all the guys go for her, because she's the ideal girl. She has everything you lack, she is the type of girl that guys want to date, make their girlfriend, fall in love with—something you'll never be.
Mia opens her mouth to reply, but stops halfway and just sighs instead. "Right, I know you know who she is. I'm just, surprised you're handling this so well." She cracks a smile at you. "I'm proud of you! You've always been so strong, leading our team since we were trainees and dealing with your personal issues at the same time. I've always looked up to you for that.”
As you process her words, the air starts to leave your lungs. Your chest feels tight and you have an uncomfortable pit in your stomach. Mia was giving you kind words but you hated it. Every compliment she voiced was like a punch in the gut. Your body was physically rejecting her words because they weren't true.
It was a lie. You weren't handling this well at all. Just because you hadn't expressed your emotions didn't mean they weren't there. They were there, you just tricked yourself into thinking that they weren't. You bottled them so deeply inside you that you fooled yourself into believing that they didn't exist. Some say that ignorance is bliss, and unfortunately for you, you couldn't feign ignorance any longer. Mia was saying were lies. You aren't strong. You're weak. So weak that you couldn't even confront your true feelings. So weak that you once again fell for a man who didn't want you. So weak that you are crumbling at the thought of him with another woman.
Tears start welling up in your eyes as you come to this realization. Mia was startled by your sudden teariness and gently takes your hands. You're trembling as she holds them between her own.
"Hey, what's going on? Did I say something wrong?"
"Yeah, everything. Everything you said about me is wrong. I'm fucking pathetic." You sigh.
"Shut up, you're not pathetic. You're amazing Y/N. If my leader is pathetic then what does that make me?"
"But I'm not strong, Mia. Just look at me, crying over a boy again." You wipe your tears in frustration.
"Crying doesn't make you weak. Acting like you don't care when you actually do makes you weak. You are strong, Y/N. You're strong for loving hard, and you're strong for always standing back up after getting knocked down."
You flash her a feeble smile. Mia always knew how to cheer you up, that's why you trusted her so much. "How many times is it gonna take for me to learn not to fall for the wrong guys?" You groan.
"It does matter how many, because you will pick yourself up and get over them every time. Starting now, with Yeonjun." Mia huffed.
"But he was like, the perfect guy. How am I supposed go get over him?" You pout.
"By moving on to the next perfect guy! C'mon, you said the same thing after Jaehyun broke your heart. I feel like I'm having deja vu." Mia rolled her eyes. "The reason you think these guys are so perfect is because you haven't experimented enough with other guys. You don't even know what else is out there!"
She did have a point. Up until now, you've only been with a handful of guys, and never dated more than one guy at a time.
"Why don't you hit up someone you know? It doesn't even have to be romantic. Just hang out with your guy friends more so you don't get all googly-eyed at every dude who gives you some attention." Mia smirks.
You cross your arms and frown. "I do not get googly-eyed...but I guess that's not a bad idea. It could at least take my mind off Yeonjun if I hang out with some other friends."
"Exactly! I'm a genius. You're welcome for the expert advice." She gives you a triumphant smile.
"Yeah, yeah, thanks I guess." You mumble.
Once you both made your way back to your dorm, you plop down in bed, scrolling through your list of contacts. Who should you hit up to take your mind of off Yeonjun? You start regretting spending all your time with him instead of putting effort into your other friendships.
When you come across the name of an old friend you haven't seen in a while, your fingers hover over the message button. Mark Lee. He actually used to be your closest guy friend back in the day. You'd see him from time to time whenever you came over to Jaehyun's place, and needless to say, you both got along like two peas in a pod. Mark was like the brother you never had, outgoing and silly but also caring. The both of you shared countless inside jokes and he never failed to make you laugh. You loved him in a platonic sense, but unfortunately had cut him out of your life when you cut ties with Jaehyun.
You feel sorry for ending your friendship with Mark so abruptly, especially since he wasn't the one at fault. You truly did miss him, so you decide to send him a message in an attempt to rekindle your friendship.
Me: hey Mork, how have ya been? 😊
You used your old nickname for him, beaming at the fond memories. To your relief, he responds equally as affectionately soon after.
Mark: hey crybaby, long time no see!
How ironic for that to be your nickname.
Me: it really has been a while, I was wondering if you were down to hang out and catch up sometime 👉👈
Mark: I thought you'd never ask, I'm free tonight if you are! We can meet at our usual spot.
You reminisce about all your fun times with Mark at the local 7/11. The two of you would visit there on late nights to stock up on snacks whenever you got cravings. His favorite was the instant curry udon, while you always went for classic spicy ramen. You'd dispense hot water into your bowls and eat them at a small table on the side of the building, cracking jokes the whole time and just enjoying life.
Me: see you at 10 🫡 be there or be square...
Mark: no one wants to be a square 🫡
With that, you put down your phone and head to the bathroom to freshen up. Already, your mood was lifted after your short conversation with Mark, and you couldn't wait to see him in person again. You hope things will be the same as before and that you could win your friend back, but a part of you is scared that he resents you for ghosting him for so long. You want to apologize and explain everything to him.
After slipping on a warm hoodie and slipping out the door, you start walking towards the nostalgic convenience store. It wasn't too far of a walk and you had the route memorized, so you pull out your phone to scroll through your notifications. As you read up on emails, the screen turns gray and a name appears across the top. "Yeonjunnie" was calling you. Not sure what he wanted to talk to you about, you timidly answer his call.
"Hello?"
"Y/N, hi. Are you busy right now?"
"I'm about to meet someone but I still have a few minutes left, what's up?"
"I just wanted to see you...we need to talk."
Yeonjun sounded so nervous, his voice wavering. Perhaps he felt bad that he had led you on, now that it was revealed that he was seeing someone else. You want to assure him that all is well, he hadn't done anything wrong. It was you who had made it clear multiple times that you were just friends, so he had nothing to worry about. Clearly, he has other things to focus on and you will continue focusing on yourself as well, starting with renewing your friendships.
"Talk about what? If you need to say something you can tell me now, over the phone." You question him.
"But I kind of wanted to talk to you in person..."
What could be so critical that it needed to be discussed face to face? You're confused as to why he keeps insisting on seeing you when you are nothing more than a casual fuck for him, especially when he has other options out there if he needed it.
"If it's so important, can't you talk about it with someone else?" You start to feel annoyed.
"Because it's important, I want to talk to you. Please? You're the only person I want to see right now."
Now you're getting pissed. How could he continue saying things to make you feel like you're special to him? Does he think he can sweet talk you into sticking around and being his side chick? You may be a bit naive when it comes to love, but you're not that dumb.
"Sorry, I can't right now." Approaching the 7/11 shop, you see Mark waiting by the glass doors. He spots you and gives you an enthusiastic wave. You smile and wave back as you walk towards him. "Why don't you hit up your girlfriend instead?"
Yeonjun pauses before asking. "Girlfriend? Are you talking about Karina?"
He finally said it. Was he actually going to admit it now? You're tired of beating around the bush with him. He doesn't need to hide this from you, he doesn't owe you an explanation, but you wish he would just be honest.
"Yes, Karina." You say with your jaw clenched.
"Y/N, it's not like that. I—"
"Y/N, hey! Come here!" Mark pulled you in for a bear hug, finally seeing you after so long. "How have you been girl?"
You giggle in his tight embrace that caught you by surprise. "I've been good, glad to see you again!"
"Who was that?" You hear Yeonjun’s muffled voice coming out of your phone still in your hand.
You quickly try to end the conversation now that you had reached your destination. "Sorry yeonjun, I have to go now."
"Was that a guy's voice?" He immediately questioned.
Why does he care? You think to yourself. Just like he doesn't owe you any explanations, you don't owe him any either.
"Yeonjun, I'll talk to you later. Good luck with whatever issue you're dealing with, I hope you figure it out." And you hang up the call.
Slipping your phone into your pocket, you move your attention to your friend who was already headed to the instant noodle aisle, picking out your favorites. Once you both prepped your bowls, you sit down at a lone table under a street light, warming your hands around the steam that came from the boiling water.
"So what's been going on in your life, crybaby? Still sobbing every time someone is mean to you?" Mark playfully punches your shoulder.
You roll your eyes and ruffle his hair. "You act like you don't cry every time we watch a ghibli movie."
"Hey, you'd cry too if your parents got turned into pigs." He splits his chopsticks and started digging in.
"Anyways, I wanted to apologize for ignoring you after the whole Jaehyun situation. I was a bad friend and you didn't deserve that." You shyly meet his eyes.
Mark smiles wide. "Aw, you don't have to apologize, I'm just happy I have my friend back! I missed you, ugly."
"I missed you too, dummy. I was just running away from my problems instead of confronting them like a woman." You huff.
"I don't blame you. Jaehyun was a mess for weeks after you left. I mean, it was his fault for fucking up, so I guess he broke his own heart."
"Wait, he was?" This was your first time hearing about how Jaehyun reacted to you ending things.
"Yeah, he kept trying to reach you but you had him blocked on everything. He even tried using my accounts but you blocked me too."
You scratch your head in embarrassment. "Oh yeah, sorry about that."
"It's all good. I know you were just trying to move on. But next time don't forget to bring your pals with you okay?"
"I won't, I promise this time!" You held out your pinky and Mark hooked his around it.
"Jaehyun was stupid for taking you for granted. He really liked you, you know?"
"Really?" Your curiosity was piqued.
"Yeah, I don't think he's ever felt that way about a girl before, so I guess he just didn't know how to act."
"I mean, not sleeping with Karina would've been a good start." You mutter.
Mark chuckles. "You're right, that was dumb of him. He wasn't even that into her, and isn't she dating that guy from TXT now?"
Your noodles slip from your chopsticks and splash into your bowl. Noticing your sudden tenseness, Mark curiously watches you.
"Funny thing about that actually..." You begin revealing all the drama that had occurred between you and Yeonjun in these past months. Mark listens intently to your story, nodding his head and letting you pour out all your frustrations to him. "...and now he wants to talk to me in person." You finish.
Mark appears deep in thought. He holds his chin in his hand, resting his elbow on the table. "Have you ever considered that maybe he feels the same way about you?"
"Dude, you're supposed to me my friend here, not set me up for heartbreak again." You complain.
"No, no, but listen. You had no idea Jaehyun had feelings for you back then, right?"
"Right..."
"And the both of you being oblivious to your mutual feelings led to mistakes and misunderstandings." Mark explains. "Everything you're telling me about Yeonjun makes it seem like he's hesitant to confess to you because of the same reasons you're hesitant to confess to him. You're both too scared of losing each other by taking a leap, but the more you guys try to avoid the topic, the more it's going to drive you apart."
"Mark, you're missing the point. Yeonjun doesn't feel that way about me and he's seeing other girls. It's in the news!"
"Oh yeah, and the news is always true isn't it?" Mark crossed his arms. "How many times have there been false rumors circulating about you? You can't trust shit that comes from media outlets."
You're annoyed that Mark isn't taking your side, but he did have a point.
"Why don't you just hear him out? If it turns out that he was playing you all along, and that painting with you, watching movies and all the quality time you spent together was just some sick ploy to get into your head, then I will personally beat the shit out of this guy."
You laugh at Mark's brazen statement. "Don't act tough, you couldn't even hurt a fly."
"Seriously though! I think you should give him a chance. From how you describe him, he seems like a sincere guy. And give yourself some more credit too, who wouldn't fall for your awesome personality? You're a great catch, Y/N."
You meekly grin at his words. It felt great to have such supportive friends. "Alright, maybe I'll take your advice. But if it backfires in my face, you owe me 100 shin ramen bowls."
"Deal, you got this! I bet that dude is so in love with you, he's probably dying to have you call him back already."
You both stand up and dispose of your trash before heading home. Mark gives you one last bear hug before you part ways. Thinking about your conversation, you decide to be brave and hear what Yeonjun had to say, even if it might break your heart. You unlock your phone and dial his number. The phone rings only once before he picks up.
"Y/N?"
"Hey uhm Yeonjun, I'm sorry for hanging up on you earlier. Do you still need to talk?"
"Y-yeah. Yes, I'd like to talk if you're free now. Are you sure I'm not...interrupting anything?"
"No, I finished my meeting already."
"Okay then, can I come over? Please?"
"Actually, I'm still outside. I'll come to you instead."
"Okay, yeah. I'll be here. See you soon."
"See you soon."
You had agreed to meet him and hear what he has to say. This very well could be the last time you ever see him again, depending on how the conversation goes. As you approach Yeonjun’s dorm, a familiar knot grows in your stomach. You remember the time you journeyed to Jaehyun's dorm, ready to confess your feelings and unveil your heart, only to have it shattered before you. Will this time be any different, or are you stuck in an endless loop of disappointment and heart break? Oh god, what if Karina is there again? What if this was a meeting for Yeonjun to end things with you and prove to his girlfriend that you mean nothing to him? Was this a setup?
You almost turn in your tracks and head home but remind yourself that you don't want to be a coward any more. Inhaling deeply, you firmly knock on the door three times, holding your breath as you wait for it to open. To your relief, he greets you, and a quick scan of his apartment confirms that he is alone. As you carefully enter, he tries to kiss you but you automatically turn your head, his lips landing on your cheek instead. You didn't mean to, but you were reflexively avoiding him.
This reaction made him grimace, a twinge of pain hit his chest. He cautiously motioned you to his room, where you could have a private conversation. He takes a seat on his bed, leaving space for you next to him, but instead you sit down on a chair by his desk across from him. You both sat with your backs arched, each nervously monitoring the others' expressions. There were a few moments of tense stillness, before he finally spoke up.
"Thank you for coming to see me." He spoke with a gentle wariness.
"Of course, it seemed like you really needed to talk."
"I do. I have so much I need to tell you. You don't know how relived I am to see you now." He carefully looks up at you with doe eyes.
You return his gaze, giving him your full attention. "So, what do you need to say?"
"That article that came out today, it's not true. I've been spending all day handling the rumors with my manager. I don't know how it even happened because I've never spoken to Karina before. I'm going to release an official statement soon, but I just wanted to let you know first." He bites his lip as he awaits your response.
Hearing those words come out of his mouth undid the knot in your stomach. The tension leaves your body and you finally relax your shoulders. Everything you were worried about was false and the cycle was broken. He hadn't let you down like so many others did in the past. You're convinced that he never could, that he's just that perfect.
"Thank you for telling me this, you didn't have to." You shyly smile to yourself.
"I had to though, I couldn't let you think that there's any other girl in my life. Because there isn't, it's only you. It’s onto you who makes me feel..things.”
You blush at his admission. You didn't know where this was coming from but this conversation was a complete 180 from what you were anticipating it to be. The anxiety you felt was slowly being replaced with butterflies.
“What do I make you feel?" You whisper.
Yeonjun closes his eyes, leaning forward until his forehead touched yours. With a shallow breath, he replies. "Love."
You're frozen in place. Unable to move nor speak. You try to fathom what was happening but before you could fully understand, he speaks up again.
Lifting his head, he moves his hands to cradle your face, tilting it up so that your eyes are locked on his.
"I'm in love with you."
As soon as the words left his lips, you felt like your soul left your body. Your head was spinning at the realization of his confession, unable to process what it meant. Yeonjun loves you? This isn't something you thought could happen in a million years. You weren't prepared to react. He loves you, but do you love him? Certainly, you knew you were falling for him, and falling fast. You spent days dreaming about being with him, being his girlfriend and his only lover. He was the focal point of your fantasies, no matter how hard you tried not to picture him in that light. He was everything you were looking for, he was perfect.
He was too perfect. This was too perfect.
As always, whenever you come close to living out your desires, you mind sneakily sabotages the moment. This was too good to be true, it can't be true. Everything about this scenario was perfect...except for you. You don't fit into this scene. All this time, Yeonjun had cared for you, he showed you his affection through his actions and now through his words. He wasn't afraid to love you.
But you on the other hand, were ready to run away at the first hint of trouble. You were ready to abandon your relationship altogether once you caught ear of his potential scandal. You didn't even think to give him a chance to explain himself. You were too afraid. You were too afraid of getting hurt. You were too afraid to love him.
Still staring up at Yeonjun, your eyes start to sting. "I can't—we can't..." is all you could muster.
He looks at you worriedly, his grip on your cheeks tightening slightly. "Why can't we?"
Tears start rolling down your face. "I'm not ready jun. I'm not enough for you."
"Why would you say that? You're more than enough for me, Y/N." he frowns.
"I'm too insecure, Yeonjun. I almost ghosted you over rumors that weren't even true, and we aren't even together. How's it going to be once we really are? I'm just not ready for a relationship." You sniffle.
Yeonjun’s eyes start watering. "It's okay, Y/N. We'll work through it together. I'll do whatever it takes for you to trust me. I just can't pretend that I don't have feelings for you any longer, because I do. I care about you so fucking much."
"Please stop. I can't do this jun." Every word he said was making it harder for you to accept the fact that you couldn't be what he needed. You attempt to pull his hands away from you, but he wasn't budging. Instead, he brings his face closer to yours.
"Forget what I said. Let's just go back to normal, like we were before."
"How can we? You just said you—"
Yeonjun attacks your lips with a kiss. It was desperate, rushed, and laced with your tears. It was his plea for you to stay, his last attempt to convince you that everything was going to be alright. Or maybe he was trying to convince himself.
You pull away, staring back at him with tears in your eyes. His heart cracks, the fissure growing until he feels it completely shatter. He fucked up. He ruined everything. He shouldn't have confessed to you. His worst nightmare was coming true, he scared you away and now he's losing you. He feels like he's losing a part of him. The part that is comfortable enough to share his passions, the part that is filled with warmth and tenderness, the part that feels like home. If you leave, you would take this part of him with you, and he could never feel whole. "Please don't go." His voice quivers.
"I'm sorry jun." You slowly back away. It takes everything in you not to run back into his arms, to the place you know would wash away all the pain you felt right now. You couldn't do that though, it'd be like putting a bandaid over a bullet hole, pretending that it fixes everything when it doesn't. Doing so would be selfish, because you know you're still broken inside, and you couldn't bear to see him break himself just to pick up your pieces. "You deserve better, someone who isn't afraid to love you."
He just stares at you, speechless. His mouth is agape, his eyes begging you to stay. He's crumbling before you and you can't stand the sight.
As you gather yourself to leave, you look back at him one last time. "I'm sorry it's not me."
—
Part two will be posted soon <33 comment to get tagged in order to get notified when the next part drops!
okay...
WHY TF IS HE FLASHING US SO MUCH THIS COMEBACK!!
Aidhfuenissifhjsndjehsimaksjeudbdnj
mmm~ thinking of next door neighbor!taehyun mixed with single dad!taehyun… he’s so shy and nervous when he sees you whenever he goes downstairs to pick up his mail… his son running and bumping into you and falling on his knees and oh no he scraped himself :(( taehyun apologized profusely about it but you told him it was okay and helped his son up; you sing his son a song to cheer him up and brush his little locks back to sooth him >< taehyun just looses it in his little mind~
you both got a little closer after that and he and his son started to come over to your place, you all would cook dinner together and eat together~ he’s just knows he’ll be the happiest man ever once he gets the courage to ask you to date him >~<
@hiddenhornsclub thought of u sweetheart
Omg!! This is exactly what I was thinking when I saw this!!! T_T <33333
Tears run down my thighs
THEY FREAKING DO!!
T_T
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
part one
Synopsis | you swore off love to protect your career after a painful past. When a high-profile collaboration forces you to partner with the industry’s charming "IT Boy," your intense chemistry leads to a simple, no-strings-attached proposal. As the professional lines blur during late-night studio sessions, your staunch resolve against falling dangerously begins to waver.
Warnings | MDNI; NSFW content ahead, dom!yeonjun x sub!reader, unprotected sex, grinding, groping, pet names used, semi public sex
Pairing | idol!yeonjun x idol!reader
Type | oneshot (but with two parts)
Genre | idol au, friends with Benefits, smut, angst
Wc | 36.4k (total)
Tag-list | @soobvns
A/N | I was supposed to release it like a oneshot but idk why but tumblr has been fucking me, so I decided to release it in two parts. it’s my first time writing something so long especially smth including smut! I’m sooooo excited to share this with you guys, ackkk. Hope y’all like it. Happy reading! <333
Main Masterlist
Part one | part two
The sound of your alarm wakes you up from your deep sleep. You glance at the clock and squint your eyes to make out the blurry lines which read "6:32am."
"Great" you mumble as you sit up to stretch your arms and swing your legs over the side of the bed. This was the third day in a row of only getting 3 hours of sleep, but you supposed that this was the life you chose when you auditioned to become an idol.
As you stare at your reflection in the bathroom mirror, you start to reminisce about how you got to where you are now. Your days as a trainee at YG Entertainment seemed so far from now, as your group had since become a huge success with you as their leader. The days spent practicing until the early morning, attending vocal lessons, and saving up to enjoy meals were now replaced by jammed packed schedules, performances, and traveling overseas. You can't help but miss some of those old days. It was tough work, and your future was uncertain, but times were less complicated back then and you could enjoy simple things like being in public without getting swarmed by fans or going on dates.
Going on dates.
You can't remember the last time your heart fluttered or someone swept you off your feet. But it was for the best that your focus was solely on your career. After all, that's what got you where you are now—on your way to a recording session for a collaboration track at SM Entertainment. You hadn't had time to find out who it was you were collaborating with, being more focused on learning the song and preparing for the session. But you trusted that your partner would be equally prepared, and that the recording would proceed smoothly.
You were not prepared however, to be standing inches away from Jaehyun as you swung open the door to the studio.
"Oh, hi there, I was just about to take a quick trip to the bathroom. Sorry I didn't see you there." He shyly stated as he awkwardly massaged the back of his neck while avoiding your eyes.
You couldn't help but notice how effortlessly handsome he looked in a simple white T-shirt draped over some black joggers. His grey hoodie was unzipped and fell off his left shoulder, revealing just an inch of skin. His hair looked freshly washed and perfectly messy—was that a hint of vanilla you smelled? You almost got lost in a trance when he finally spoke up again.
"I'm Jaehyun by the way, nice to meet you."
You stumbled backwards a little bit, caught off-guard by the sudden close proximity between the two of you. He gently reached out his hand, and you snapped out of your daze to return his handshake.
"I'm Y/N, glad to be working with you!" You cheerfully replied, slowly starting to regret lazily rolling out of bed this morning without putting much thought into your appearance.
"I'll be right back; you can go ahead and start recording your parts."
Jaehyun lightly gripped your shoulder as he slid past you in the doorway. Electricity sparked from his touch, and it took you a few moments to calm your racing pulse before entering the studio.
Always making a point to be incredibly professional and give your best effort in your projects, you quickly shook off your nerves and refocused your attention to recording the song. You steadily started to feel more comfortable and began to put all of your emotions into your singing. After finishing your verses, you felt proud of your work, turning your attention to the producer to see if you got his approval. Instead however, your gaze met Jaehyun, who evidently was back from the bathroom and now stared at you with an unreadable expression. His momentary smirk turned into a sweet smile as he gave you a thumbs up from the other side of the window.
“Hey, you did amazing in there!” Jaehyun reached out his hand to give you a hi-five.
"Thank you! I'm sure you'll do great as well." You clash your palm in his.
You notice how small your hand looks against his, how warm his touch feels, and how long and slender his fingers were. For a moment, his eyes dart towards your lips then back to your hands, which had still been connected a bit toon long for a friendly hi-five. He chuckled as he brushed past you once again, this time gripping your waist as he slipped by.
After stepping out of the recording room, you patiently waited on the couch while Jaehyun finished up his parts. You couldn't help but admire his angelic vocals that tugged on your heartstrings every time he sang.
After he finished, it was time to record the chorus that both of you shared. Being squeezed in a tiny room with a ridiculously attractive man certainly wasn't the worst way to spend your morning, but singing together into one microphone proved to be a challenge.
Jaehyun was almost a foot taller than you, which made it tricky to find a good height to position the mic. Not wanting to burden him with having to sing while squatting to your level, you insisted that you could just stand on your tippy toes. He must have seen you struggling to balance, because in the middle of your harmonies, you felt a gentle hand land on your lower back, giving you some support. You subtly glance over at him, and he returns your gaze with a slight grin. You feel your cheeks heat up but do your best to finish the session without getting distracted.
"We fit pretty well together," Jaehyun smiles as he nudges you while you listen to the recording. "our voices, I mean."
You agreed with him, the song was definitely going to top the charts, and you couldn't help but pick up on his subtle flirting and suggestive comment. Feeling uncharacteristically brave, you reply "I think we could fit well together in other ways too."
This comment catches him by surprise, but gives Jaehyun the green light to act on his desires. "How about you show me how well we can fit together?" He says with one eyebrow raised, as if he was challenging you to live up to your words.
"If you want to come back to my place, I can definitely do that." And without missing a beat, he grabs your hand to lead you out of the studio.
Sure enough, you and Jaehyun proved that you fit well together. Really well. Right after returning home from the recording session, he wasted no time pinning you against the door and attacking your lips that he had been longing for all morning.
After the first passionate kiss that left your lips bruised and you gasping for air, he slowed his pace. His lips lightly brushed over yours, giving you a few short pecks before slightly parting his mouth to slip in his tongue and deepen the kiss.
You melted at the feeling of his mouth on yours, kissing you so softly while his hands gripped onto your waist like his life depended on it. You slipped your arms around his neck and felt his leg slide between yours as he moved from your lips to pepper kisses down your neck. He slowly began to rock your hips against his leg and you moaned at the friction he applied between your thighs.
"Jaehyun" you whined when he suddenly let go of you. At this point, you looked like a hot mess with your face blushing red from the intense make out session and your thighs clenched together from neediness.
"Don't worry baby, I just wanna take my time with you. I'll make you feel real good, I promise." He whispered as he admired your disheveled state.
"Well hurry up then." you pouted, beginning to feel shy from the attention he was giving you.
"What the princess wants, she gets." He abruptly lifts you off the ground and carries you to your bedroom.
Maybe it was the fact that you hadn't felt a man's embrace in so long, but you truly believed this man would be the death of you. He knew exactly how to make you feel good and he looked unbelievably hot doing it.
What started as an impulsive decision to act upon your undeniable chemistry during the recording session turned into multiple nights sneaking over to his dorm to fulfill each others' sexual needs. Neither of you ever addressed your relationship, but you were perfectly content with the unspoken agreement you shared. He called you when he needed you, and you did the same. You were happy with this arrangement as it allowed you to experience some romance without the pressure of commitment. You were friends with benefits.
You weren't tied to each other and as long as you both still benefitted from your meetings, then there were no problems.
Until there was a problem. You started catching feelings. But how could you not when he looks at you so dreamily as he wakes up in the morning? When he holds you tighter if you try to leave the bed? When he whispers to you how you are the most beautiful girl he's ever laid eyes on?
You were only human, and he is too, after all. Maybe he feels the same way. He must feel the same way or else he wouldn't do all those things, right? You start going crazy over this dilemma and decide to confront him about it. It's always best to come clean and be transparent. You convince yourself that the worst that could happen is he doesn't feel the same, and you would just move on and forget these feelings. You had been avoiding these emotions for years now anyway, how hard could it be?
You were determined to have this conversation with him the next time you two met. As you approached his dorm, you took a deep breath. "Come on, Y/N, let's just get this over with." You say to yourself. You raise your fist to knock on the door when suddenly, it swings open. Just like the day you met, you are not prepared for what you saw.
"Oh! Sorry, excuse me." She quickly mumbled as she rushed out the door.
Karina was Jaehyun's label mate. You knew they were close but you didn't expect her to be visiting his dorm on a late night like this. Unsure of what the two of them could be up to at this hour, you slowly step into the room.
"Hey, I wasn't expecting you." Jaehyun casually remarked as he grabbed his shirt from the floor and slipped it back over his head. He was in nothing but boxers and you instantly regretted your decision to come tonight.
Your stomach turned and you felt sick at the realisation that he was having sex with other girls. Of course, you two never set boundaries for that so you couldn't really be upset at him. You were more upset with yourself for believing that he might have feelings for you too.
"Sorry, I...didn't know you were busy." was all you could muster before you turned and left as fast as you could. You felt like an idiot and needed to leave that place as soon as possible, angrily blinking back your tears. How could you be so stupid? Of course he didn't have feelings for you.
It was another lesson learned. From now on, you really were going to prioritise your career over everything else. You were going to work hard and focus on yourself. No more time or energy would be spent on fantasising over relationships, not when they always end up hurting you anyway.
For the next few weeks you spent every waking hour preparing for your group's comeback. It was a great distraction from the emotional turmoil you just endured, and you were genuinely excited to be onstage again.
As part of your promotions, your manager secured you a spot as the new MC for Music Core. You had never been an MC before, and were a little nervous to take the position.
"Don't worry sweetie, you're naturally charismatic and the fans will eat up anything you do." She reassured you. "Just rehearse your lines, pay attention to your cues, and build chemistry with your partner. That's all you need to do!"
"Wait, partner?"
"Y/N, I know it's been a while since your last comeback, but don't tell me you forgot that MCs always have partners."
You guessed she was right, all of the popular music programs had multiple MCs that would bounce off each other as they hosted. You suddenly grew even more anxious thinking about having to develop on-screen chemistry with a stranger while nailing your lines.
Your manager sensed your nervousness and rubbed your shoulders to sooth you. "Stop stressing about it Y/N, your partner is experienced and actually very sweet from what I've heard. You two will have a meeting before filming to get to know each other so don't worry about having to do this with an absolute stranger."
You sigh but trust her words. It's not like you are shy of the camera after all, this will just be a new skill to add to your resume.
"So who is my partner?" You hesitantly ask.
"It's none other than 4th generation's 'It Boy'—Yeonjun from TXT!"
"Y/N, wake up! Wake up alreadyyy." You open your eyes to see your group mate Mia sitting at the edge of your bed, shaking your legs to wake you up.
"Ughh what do you want?" You whine as you lightly kick her bum off the bed and pull the sheets back over your head. "It better be important if you're interrupting my beauty sleep." You mumble under the covers.
"Well do you consider your scheduled meeting with the Music Core MC important?" Mia huffed as she pulled down the sheets to expose your face.
Oh god. You had totally forgotten about that.
"Shit, what time is it?" You bolt up and check the clock.
"7:28am dumbass." Mia sneered as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at you. The two of you always bickered non-stop, but that was only because you cared for each other so much. Mia was the only person who truly understood you and you felt comfortable enough to argue with her without any hard feelings.
"Fuck, I'm going to be late! I'll just throw something on real quick, could you hand me my hoodie?" You scramble around the room trying to brush your teeth, change your clothes, and do your makeup all at once.
"Look who's wide awake now!" Mia snickered as she handed your hoodie over. "Skip the makeup babe, it's not a formal event or anything, there won't be any cameras."
"Right, right," you agree with her until you look over at your reflection in the mirror to see a literal zombie staring back at you. "Oh my god I look like death." You wail in desperation. These long nights of recording and practicing had left you sleep deprived for days.
"You'll be fine, it's not like there's anyone to impress." She pauses before mischievously appearing in the mirror behind you. "Unless, you're trying to impress Yeonjun?" She smirks while tapping her fingers on your shoulders.
"Girl, you know how I feel about boys right now." You glare at her in the reflection with an unamused expression. You had confessed to her all your sorrows from your situation with Jaehyun and how you wanted nothing to do with men from here on out.
Mia giggles as she turns you towards her. With a makeup brush she starts applying concealer under your eyes. "I'll take care of your eye bags, just finish brushing your teeth so you don't smell like death too."
After getting ready in a record time of 14 minutes, you give Mia a quick hug, thanking her for helping you this morning and then dart out the door. Luckily your meeting was just down the street at your company building, and you could get there on time. You didn’t though.
The clock on your phone is a glaring indictment: 4:17 PM. Seventeen minutes. For an idol like you, being seventeen minutes late to a professional meet-and-greet-even a casual one meant to "get to know each other"—is practically a scandal.
Your lungs burn as you skid to a halt outside the designated studio room. You quickly pat down your wrinkled practice shirt, smooth the kinks out of your hair, and suck in a deep, shaky breath. Professional. Composed. You're Y/N.
You don't bother with a polite knock. You throw the door open and immediately drop into a
90-degree bow, your neck stiff with panic.
"I am so incredibly sorry, Yeonjun-sunbaenim!" you blurt out, the honorific sounding desperate and loud.
"There was an unexpected issue with traffic flow near the gate, and I should have been more prepared. Please, accept my deepest apologies for my tardiness."
Your head remains bowed, your face hot with embarrassment. You've already made a terrible first impression on a respected senior artist, and you haven't even discussed the song yet.
A low, gentle chuckle breaks the silence, warm and surprisingly close.
"Sunbaenim? It's just Yeonjun, please," the voice says, entirely devoid of annoyance. "And you can relax. I just got here myself."
You slowly straighten up, lifting your gaze to meet his. Yeonjun is leaning casually against the edge of a sleek, black meeting table, putting his phone away. He's dressed comfortably in simple jeans and a soft hoodie, looking relaxed and approachable. You know the "I just got here" is a generous lie, but the kindness immediately dissolves the tight ball of nerves in your chest.
He pushes off the table and walks toward the chair opposite him, giving you a dazzling, easy smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes.
"Seriously, no worries at all," he repeats, pulling the chair out for you. "Sit down. It actually gave me a few extra minutes to listen to your last solo track again. I was trying to figure out how I'm going to match your energy on this collab."
He gestures for you to take the seat, then slides into his own, resting his chin on his hand as he looks directly at you. His gaze is steady, focused, and feels intensely personal.
"So," he continues, a slight, knowing smirk appearing on his lips. "Since we're collaborating, and we're going to be spending a lot of late nights in the studio together, what do you like to drink? Coffee? Tea? I'm buying the first round."
“It’s fine actually, I bought mine on the way.”
Your profound embarrassment suddenly washes away, replaced by a swift, confusing warmth. He wasn't just being polite; the way he leaned slightly forward, the casual mention of "late nights together," the persistent warmth in his eyes.
Is he actually flirting with you? It's a completely ridiculous thought-you're colleagues meeting for work-but as you look at Yeonjun, the distance between "senior idol" and
"potential love interest" feels impossibly small.
"So, since we'll be working together soon, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself? Aside from being an amazing performer."
He chuckles at your words and looks up at you with a grin. Your feel your heart skip a beat when you lock eyes with him. He was so charming and bright and you were in awe of how beautiful he was.
"Hmm, when I'm not dancing, I love to swim, skate, or visit a new cafe." He swivels his chair back and forth as he lists out his interests, and you find it so damn adorable.
"You've got good taste by the way, ice americanos are my go-to as well." He lifts his cup and places it beside yours.
You smile at him, "I guess we have something in common then."
"That, and having great style."
You scoff, "Are you trying to be shady, because I know I look like a bum right now."
He raises his eyebrows in surprise, "What do you mean? I like your hoodie, it's really cute."
You glance over and see Yeonjun sincerely confused with his eyebrows furrowed and his lips pouting. For the second time, you lock eyes and your heart beats out of your chest. Why is this stranger's words having such an effect on you? You're probably just starstruck by how good-looking he is. Surely this feeling of infatuation will die down as you work with him more over time.
Suddenly feeling shy, you look down and start fiddling with the drawstrings hanging from your hood. Why are you acting so awkward? He called your hoodie cute, not you.
"So what about you? What do you like to do in your free time?" He asks.
"I hardly get free time to be honest." You chuckle as Yeonjun knowingly nods in agreement. "But when I do, I love being outdoors. It really helps me destress and clear my mind."
"That's how I feel about painting! What kind of outdoor activities do you like?"
"It could be anything really, I've always wanted to bike along the Han river."
He laughs in response and you worry that he thinks your confession was silly.
"I know, I know. Biking is totally a lame way to spend free time."
Yeonjun looks up at you with concern. "Oh no, I didn't laugh because I thought it was lame, I laughed because I was surprised a top idol like you would be interested in such simple things. I actually think that it's really admirable."
You smile while nodding your head. Not knowing how to respond, you reach over to your cup and take a long sip of coffee from the straw. After setting the cup down and finally lifting your eyes back to Yeonjun, you notice that he is staring at your lips.
His eyes travel over to the cup you placed on the table, and you realise that it was his cup you had just taken a sip out of. You felt your whole body freeze in embarrassment, and self-consciously cover your mouth.
"I am so sorry, I didn't realise I grabbed yours. I can buy you a new one!" You profusely apologise for your mistake, hoping you hadn't made him uncomfortable.
"Don't worry about it, really, it's no big deal." He reassures you.
"Please let me get another cup for you, I'm really sorry! I'll head downstairs now and be right back."
You stood up and head for the door. Just as you pass Yeonjun’s chair, he lightly tugs on your sleeve, causing you to pause and turn your head back towards him.
"Y/N, it doesn't bother me, I mean it." He tries to convince you. "Here, see? I don't need a new drink." He says before grabbing his cup and taking a sip from it.
Your eyes immediately widen in shock as you watch his lips touch the same straw yours had been on just moments ago. Yeonjun’s lips on the straw. Your saliva on the straw. Yeonjun’s lips on your saliva on the straw. You didn't know if you should feel more embarrassed about the fact that you just had an indirect kiss with Yeonjun, or about being so affected by the fact that you just had an indirect kiss with Yeonjun.
You quietly return to your chair and mentally curse yourself for reacting like a teenager. Indirect kisses are no big deal. You've kissed dozens of boys in the past and not felt nearly as flustered as you do right now. Keep it together and be professional. This was a meeting for work after all!
Before you can interpret any hidden messages he was trying to relay with his actions, Yeonjun checks his watch.
"Sorry, it looks like I have to leave for my next schedule now. It was really nice meeting you today Y/N. I look forward to being your partner." Putting his cap back on and grabbing his coffee, he rises from his chair.
You stand up as well and give him a friendly bow. "It was great meeting you as well. I can't wait to host with you!"
With a soft smile and wave, Yeonjun exits the room.
You plop back down on your chair and continue drinking the rest of your coffee while resuming your observation of the city streets below you. You felt a smile creep on your lips as you recount your meeting with Yeonjun. Not only was he beautiful on the outside, but he seemed to be a beautiful person on the inside as well. You felt as ease knowing that you could get along with him as future MC partners, and were now excited to start hosting your first show!
As you took your last sip of coffee, you headed out the door. Before tossing your drink in the trash, you notice the logo on the cup was not that of the YG building cafe. Realising you once again accidentally drank Yeonjun’s coffee, you chuckle to yourself and make your way back home.
..
Under the bright lights that surrounded the vanity, you observe your own reflection. The makeup artist had just added the finishing touches to complete your look, and you were minutes from hitting the stage. You admire the sharp winged liner and bright glitter that enhanced the inner corner of your eyes, making your gaze pop with intensity.
You turn to your group mates, all dressed up in cohesive satin outfits. Over your shorts, you wore a white satin blouse with flowing ruched sleeves that hung off your shoulders and a laced corset secured under your chest. Each member paired their outfits with black combat boots and tons of silver chains and jewelry. You felt exhilarated awaiting your turn to take the stage.
It was your first comeback performance and your first day as the new Music Core MC. After the release of your group's music video last night, your promotions began at full speed. You were lounging in the waiting room, sitting on the couch and enjoying some snacks when a staff member entered the room holding a tray of coffees.
"This is a delivery for Y/N." He stated as he placed the tray on the table and promptly exited.
Curious to see who had ordered the coffee, you looked up at your group mates with an eyebrow raised, but they all shook their heads.
You spot a post-it note attached to one of the cups, and reach for it, reading the message that the sender left.
"This is to make up for stealing your coffee last time. Congratulations on your comeback and good luck today!
~ yj”
You can't help but grin at the sweet gesture before folding the note and placing it in your back pocket.
"Looks like someone has a secret admirer!" Mia teases as she grabs a cup for herself. "At least he knows to treat the rest of us too."
"Y/N unnie has a secret admirer?" The youngest of your group, Somi, cutely cuddles up to you on the couch and pries for more information. "Who's the brave guy that's trying to pursue the ice queen?" She blinks up at you.
"No one is pursuing me." You roll your eyes. "It's just a friendly gesture."
"Mhmmm." No one in the room is convinced, but they decide it's best not to question you any further.
You sip your ice americano with content, the cold drink somehow warming your heart. It felt nice to have such a friendly MC partner. You were excited to see him after you finished your stage today.
"You guys are up!" Your manager announces that it was time to head out.
As you approached the stage holding your members' hands, you did a quick cheer to get everyone hyped for the performance. Your heart was racing and a confident smile stretched across your face. It was showtime.
—
After finishing the performance, you exited the stage and were greeted by staff members holding fans and handing out cold water bottles. While the members monitored the performance recording, you quickly made your way back to the dressing room to change and prep for your MC role.
Yeonjun was already standing on stage in a white shirt and jean jacket, ready to present the next group. You scrambled to change into a pleated denim skirt and white sweater vest outfit to match his, then rushed to join him on stage.
"Hey! Sorry for the wait, I'm here!" You gasped trying to catch your breath from running.
"No worries, good to see you again! Your performance was amazing by the way. You looked incredible."
You smile brightly at him before turning your attention to your cue cards. This was your first shot at hosting so you didn't want to mess it up.
"I think you forgot to take this off." Yeonjun pointed towards the sliver chain necklace from your performance outfit that still hung around your neck.
“Ah I must have forgotten to remove it while I was changing." You explain to him, struggling to unhook the chain from the back.
"Here, let me help." Yeonjun turns to face you, brushing your hair off your shoulders. His fingers gently graze your neck as he fiddles with the necklace clasp. Your face is inches away from his and you slightly turn your head to avoid eye contact, but you can feel his warm breath on your cheek.
You start feeling lightheaded from the close proximity between the two of you when he finally unhooks your necklace.
"Ta-da! I got it." He places the necklace in your palm.
"Thank you." You blush.
"You're welcome." He smiles, returning to his spot next to you.
"Oh, and thank you for the coffee too! My group mates really enjoyed it."
"My pleasure, I owed you one anyway."
"It was me who stole your coffee first! So really, I'm the one who owes you."
"I'll take you up on that offer then, you can treat me out next time." He grins, glancing at you from his cue cards.
"Rolling in 5, 4, 3..." the director signaled that the show would soon start. You straightened your posture and smiled sweetly to the camera. Yeonjun gave you an encouraging nod and the show began.
—
In between performances, you and Yeonjun waited from below the stage.
"You're doing great!" He whispered, giving you a reassuring grin.
"Thanks, I'm pretty sure I skipped half my lines and mispronounced the last group's name though." You sighed in defeat. Hosting a show was unlike any job you've ever done.
"Hey don't worry about it, I didn't even notice that you made a mistake."
Thankful that Yeonjun was there to support you through this, you nodded and returned to rehearsing your next lines, determined to deliver them perfectly this time.
As you reviewed the script for the next group, you froze when realized who you were introducing.
NCT127, Jaehyun's group. You tried to avoid him ever since you awkwardly walked in on his hookup that night. You had blocked his number, cut contact with any of his group mates, and deleted him from your social media accounts. As much as you wanted to never see him again, having the same career meant that you would inevitably see him at various events and schedules.
Taking a deep breath and relaxing your shoulders, you told yourself that you needed to be professional about this. Do your job as an MC and pretend like it doesn't hurt to see the man that broke your heart so close to you on stage again.
Sensing your tension, Yeonjun wraps his arm around your shoulder. Gently rubbing circles on your skin with his thumb, he looks at you with a worried pout.
"I promise you that you're doing great Y/N, don't be so hard on yourself, ok?"
Instantly melting at his touch, you look up at him.
"Thank you Jun, I'm just too inside my head right now." You admitted. "Did I just call you Jun? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be informal." You quickly apologize.
He laughs at your frantic apology and takes your hands in his.
"Stop saying sorry so much. I'm not offended, ok?"
"Ok, sorr—oops, I mean, yeah."
You feel much calmer after your short exchange with Yeonjun. The director calls for you both to return to the stage and you confidently take your position.
As NCT127 enters the room, you politely greet them, assured that you could work alongside Jaehyun without any problems. But as he walked past you, you locked eyes with Jaehyun and weren't expecting his expression to look so..sorry? Or maybe it was a look of regret. You knew he had wanted to talk to you after the night you left, but you didn't know if he had suffered as much as you did from the break up.
Suddenly, all of your emotions came rushing back. You quickly averted your gaze and spent the rest of the interview avoiding looking in his general direction. Meanwhile, Jaehyun's eyes stayed glued to you the entire time.
Yeonjun noticed this, and wondered if there was something going on between you two. Maybe he was just imagining it. He did feel like his attention had been stolen by you this whole day. But that's only because he was being a good partner and wanted to make sure he was there if you needed any help. It was his job to look after you, right?
After the interview was completed, you both exited the stage. Following closely behind you, Yeonjun can't help but ask you if everything was okay.
"Yep, I'm totally fine. Why do you ask?"
"Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought I saw Jaehyun staring at you the whole time."
Your eyes momentarily widen in shock, but you quickly conceal your expression and clear your throat.
"I don't know what you're talking about. He probably was looking for the camera."
"Y/N, cameras are not hard to find. They're literally lined up in front of us." Yeonjun stops in his tracks.
You turn around so see him nervously glance at you then back to the ground.
"Are you sure..nothings going on between you and Jaehyun?"
Feeling like your whole act was exposed, you reluctantly sigh and decide to come clean.
"A while ago, we used to..see each other. But nothing came of it and we aren't involved anymore." You quickly confess.
Yeonjun's head rose up again. "So you're..not in a relationship with him?"
You chuckle and shake your head. "Not with him, not with anyone."
"Good. Good...I just thought he might have done something to hurt you. I was ready to protect you, you know?"
You smile at his concern. "You'd do that for me?"
"Of course! We're partners now."
"You're sweet, Yeonjun." You blush as you call him by his nickname for the first time. Grabbing a water bottle, you take a sip.
"I can be more than sweet." Yeonjun slowly approaches, your head tilting up as he stands chest to chest with you. You are frozen in place as he lightly holds your chin, thumb brushing against your lower lip. Not knowing what his intentions were, you feel as if your heart was going to explode out of your chest as he gazed lustfully at your slightly parted mouth and then into your eyes.
"You had a drop of water on your lip." He curtly stated, suddenly releasing his grasp. He brought his thumb to his mouth and softly sucked on it. "There, I wiped it off for you."
With a smirk, he proceeded to his dressing room, leaving you breathless and flustered in the middle of the hallway. You hadn't full processed what just happened, the only thought coming to mind was that this was going to be an interesting partnership.
—
Now that your group's comeback promotions were in full swing, you hardly had a minute to rest. From performances to variety show appearances to industry events, your daily schedule was packed.
Today, your first schedule was a dance practice for your duet performance with Yeonjun as the new Music Core MCs. You were confident in your dance skills, having started dancing when you were in grade school and improving your abilities since debuting as an idol. You knew Yeonjun is well known for his dancing too, and were curious to see how the both of you would perform together.
As your driver pulls up to the HYBE building, you exit the car and make your way to the practice room. Being that it was your first time in the building, you found yourself getting a bit lost before you ran into a familiar face.
"Y/N, is that you?"
You turn in your tracks to meet eyes with the person who just called your name.
"Yunjin! I'm so glad to run into you here!" Running up to her, you pull her in to a tight hug.
Yunjin had trained with you for a few months at YG before she made the move to HYBE. Once both of your groups made their debuts, you were overjoyed that you and your old friend had both achieved your dreams, regardless if you were together or not. Now, you cherish any time you cross paths.
"What are you doing here girl?" She asks as you release your embrace.
"I'm trying to find the practice room, but I got a little lost. Do you think you could help me?"
"Yeah of course, just take a right turn at the end of this hallway and it'll be the first room on the left. Why are you practicing here though?"
"I have a duet performance with Yeonjun for Music Core."
"Oh that's awesome! He's great, you guys will have such an amazing stage!"
You rub your shoulders and shyly smile. "I hope so, we worked pretty well together as MCs, but I'm kind of getting some weird vibes from him."
"A good weird or a bad weird?" Yunjin says with a concerned expression.
"A good weird I think? I feel like he's flirting with me sometimes, but you know I was never good at picking up those signals."
"Well I don't blame him if he is, you're hot babe." She winks at you as you roll your eyes. "But do you think he's someone you'd be interested in?"
"I dunno, I'm not really looking for anything right now.."
"Then just have fun with it! Whatever happens, happens, right?"
You nod in agreement. You always admired Yunjin’s carefreeness and optimistic attitude. She exudes confidence and you fed off of her aura, feeling more self-assured when you were around her.
As you bid farewell and head towards the practice room, Yunjin yells over to you once again. "By the way, Lesserafim is having a listening party for our upcoming album! You have to be there! I'll text you the details later, kay?"
You smile and give a thumbs up to her while walking backwards. Suddenly your back hits something behind you and you nearly stumble before two strong hands steady your shoulders.
You glance up, coming face to face with none other than Yeonjun. Realizing that he was the one who caught you from falling and that you were still laying against his chest, your whole face turns red in embarrassment as you quickly straighten yourself out.
You hear Yunjin giggling in the distance and shoot her an embarrassed look before turning back to Yeonjun and apologizing for bumping into him.
"No worries, Y/N." He grins. "Besides, we're gonna do a lot more than bumping into each other during practice."
He was right. You had watched a preview video of the choreography for your performance and knew that there was gonna be a lot of touching and holding during the dance. You didn't know how you were going to get through it without becoming a complete flustered mess, but you were determined to do your best.
As you entered the room, you were greeted by the choreographer. After some warm up stretching, you and Yeonjun began learning the steps together. You notice how focused he is, staring at the mirror while rehearsing the moves until they were perfect. Seeing how serious Yeonjun was being, you wanted to give it your all as well.
After an hour of learning all the steps, the choreographer left the room to let you practice them some more. Tired from the dancing, you both took a short water break. Yeonjun plops down on the floor, resting his back against the wall as he gulps down his water. His T-shirt sleeves are rolled up, exposing his shoulders and giving you a great view of his toned arms. Sweat drips down his neck as he ties half his hair up in a ponytail.
9
"You think you're ready for a run through?" He pants as he gets back on his feet.
"Yeah, I think I've got the moves down now. Let's give it a go." You adjust your crop top and tie your shoes before joining Yeonjun in the middle of the dance floor.
The music starts, and you both perform the first set of moves in perfect synchronization. You catch yourself smiling in the mirror, thoroughly enjoying dancing with Yeonjun , and you see a grin creep up his face as well. Your bodies flowed to the rhythm so effortlessly, matching each others movements at every beat.
When the chorus hit, you execute a move where Yeonjun places his hand on your waist as you roll your hips against his. His fingers graze the bare skin on your midriff momentarily, before landing on the cloth at the waistline of your leggings. Though you were appreciative of his consideration for not wanting to touch you inappropriately, you secretly yearned for his hands on your skin.
As the two of you neared the end of the song, you strike your ending pose, spinning into Yeonjun 's arms and landing with your hand on his chest and his hand around your waist once again. With the speed of your turn, Yeonjun’s hands are not as steady this time, landing right on you bare midriff as you freeze in your positions.
You both breathed hard with your bodies fully pressed against each other. Yeonjun stares into your eyes as your skin burns from where his hand is touching you, but you couldn't tear yourself away. You're unsure how many seconds pass before Yeonjun finally releases his grip on you and awkwardly stumbles back.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to touch you there."
"No, don't be sorry, it's part of the choreography!" You wave away his apology. "And I honestly don't mind, so don't worry about it!"
He looks up at you with a curious expression. "You don't mind?"
Your heart beats out of your chest by the way Yeonjun is looking at you. His question seemed innocent but his expression told a different story. He looked at you with uncertainty but longing as well. As if he was waiting for you to give him permission. Permission to do what he wanted with you.
You bite your lip in hesitation. "I don't mind..."
With a steady pace, Yeonjun starts making his way towards you, maintaining eye contact the whole time. He pauses once he's standing a foot away from you, trying to read your reaction to his presence.
"Do you mind if I..touch you like this?" Yeonjun grabs your hand, pulling you into his chest. His hands rest on your waist as you stare up at him with your heart racing.
"I don't mind." You whisper, snaking your arms around his neck.
Yeonjun lowers his head, resting his forehead against yours. Every part of your body is pressed against his besides your lips, and you so desperately wanted them to be connected as well.
After what felt like a century, Yeonjun speaks up again. With a faint whisper, he asks "Do you mind if I kiss you?"
The question was so simple and the way he said it sounded so innocent, it almost melted your heart. His body language on the other hand, was anything but innocent, as his hands were harshly gripping your waist and you could feel his bulge growing against your stomach.
Before you could even open your mouth to answer him, his lips crashed onto yours. Your legs go numb at the feeling of complete bliss from kissing Yeonjun . He wraps his arms around you even tighter, pulling you up as your body falls into his.
Once you regain your balance, he starts exploring your body with his hands, rubbing them all over your back and up to your neck, cradling your head before traveling down to grab your ass.
You lightly gasp as he massages your butt. He chuckles at your reaction and takes this opportunity to stick his tongue through your parted lips. You let out a soft moan as he deepens the kiss, reckoning a moan from him as well.
Yeonjun slips his hand under the material of your shirt, rubbing against the area of skin right underneath your chest. Your hand moves to the waistline of his pants and you begin fiddling with the button before you hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
Instantly you both pull away, eyes darting to the door before glancing back at each other. Yeonjun looked like a hot mess, hair tousled like he just woke up and lips bright and bruised. You swear you've never seen anything more beautiful.
Unfortunately you didn't have time to marvel at his figure any longer because you had about 5 seconds before your choreographer returned to the room.
You quickly straighten out your top while Yeonjun combs through his hair. Both of you are still breathing hard, but you figured you could just pass it off as exhaustion from dancing.
Miraculously, the choreographer didn't suspect anything, and the practice continued as planned. You were able to dance with even more passion from the pent up tension between you and Yeonjun , and Yeonjun was no longer being shy about touching you.
By the end of practice, the choreographer was well pleased with the both of you and excused you for the day.
As you packed up your things to leave, Yeonjun said goodbye on the way out the door.
"Good practice today, see you at Music Core!" He casually remarked as he approached you.
You turned to wave at him. "See you later!"
Smiling as he passed you, he gives you a wink before gently tapping your ass.
You can't help but chuckle at the cheeky gesture, returning a wink to him as well.
As you exited the building, you felt great. Under normal circumstances, you probably would have had a mental breakdown after getting hot and heavy with another guy. But after reframing your mindset and adopting Yunjin’s motto of "whatever happens, happens," you feel much more optimistic about the future.
Maybe this would be a one time thing, or maybe you would make out with Yeonjun again sometime. Either way, you were okay with it because you were just having fun. The pressure of feelings was not present, just the exhilaration of attraction and lust. This marked the beginning of a new and improved Y/N, a boss bitch who does what she wants when she wants to, and doesn't get heartbroken by stupid fuckboys. After months of moping around, you finally felt confident in yourself and were excited to see where this adventure would take you.
—
"We're rolling in 3, 2, 1..."
The lights and cameras were all on you and Yeonjunas you began your duet performance. After perfecting the dance during practice, it was time to showcase your chemistry and skills to the public, introducing yourselves as the new Music Core MCs in style.
You rehearsed the dance so many times that you could do it in your sleep. Now that it was time to perform, you easily flowed through the movements without much thought, leaving space for your mind to wander as you danced.
Yeonjunlooked stunning in his simple white tank top tucked into a pair of baggy cargo pants, with his hair half tied in a ponytail and secured with a bandana. As you snuck glances at him during your stage, you wonder what was going through his mind.
The two of you haven't addressed your kiss from the other day. It almost led to more than a kiss before the choreographer interrupted, and you wonder what would have happened if he hadn't. You were definitely attracted to Yeonjun, and he was obviously attracted to you too. But was it just a spur of the moment thing? Did it mean anything? Could this lead to something more?
You shake these questions out of your head and remind yourself that you are in a new stage of your life. The fun and careless stage. It was no use trying to the find answers to these questions because it wouldn't matter anyway. Overthinking things would only lead you down a spiraling path that inevitably ends in heartbreak. You've learned your lesson the hard way.
You finish the performance and hold your ending pose until the director yells "cut." With your hand resting on Yeonjun's chest, you can feel his heartbeat and the warmth of his body against yours. When you hear your cue to stop, you immediately release yourself from Yeonjun's embrace and cooly exit the stage.
Yeonjunwatches as you leave, still standing in his position on stage. You didn't even look at him before you left, and he wonders why you were in such a hurry. After the kiss at the dance studio, he couldn't stop thinking about you. Maybe it was just physical attraction, maybe it was pure lust, but something about you intrigued him more than other girls he's worked with.
You had a bright, cheerful side to you, always diligently working hard and trying your best at anything you do, which Yeonjunadmired. He also found your clumsiness adorable and loved seeing you blush or get flustered, especially if he was the cause. Yeonjunjust liked being around you, and all he knew was that he wanted to get to know you more, which is why he was quick to follow you off stage.
As you entered your shared dressing room and packed your things to leave, Yeonjunapproached you from the door.
"Leaving so soon?" He asked as he leaned a shoulder against the wall next to you.
"We finished our performance, so there's no reason to stay." You nonchalantly point out.
"About the performance, are you tired? You left the stage pretty fast after we finished."
"I'm not tired. I just figured we were done, so I left."
Yeonjunpauses for a moment, a slight frown on his face, before moving to the other side of the room to pack his things as well. Why was he annoyed that you left him on stage? You have a reasonable answer as to why you left, but for some reason, he wasn't happy about it. Maybe he wanted you to stay in his arms for a few moments longer. Maybe he wanted to pick up from where you left off at dance practice, and he was upset that you weren't as eager about being around him as he was around you.
Regardless, he had no right to be upset with you. You were his co-worker at the end of the day, and you had been nothing but professional throughout the performance.
But he didn't want to be professional with you. He wanted to do very unprofessional things with you. Things that he shouldn't keep fantasizing about, but he can't help it. After coming so close to having you just as he wanted, you had been interrupted, leaving Yeonjundesperately thirsting for a taste of your lips ever since.
Even now as he glanced back at your figure, bent over your bag on the table, innocently packing your things away, he can't help but visualize himself positioned right behind you, hands on your waist as he fucked you from the back. Thrusting into you so hard that you scream his name.
"Yeonjun. Yeonjun!"
He snaps out of his daydream. Did you just call his name for real or was that in his head? He was so immersed in his fantasies that he can't tell the difference.
"Yeonjun, I'm leaving now. Just wanted to say bye." You slip your bag over your shoulder and head towards the door.
Shit. It wasn't a dream. Yeonjuncan't believe that he spaced out while you were talking to him. Panicked at the thought of you leaving so soon, he impulsively replies.
"Where are you headed?" He nervously asks.
"Back to my dorm, this was my last schedule for the day." You turn to face him.
Yeonjunhesitates for a moment, but decides to follow his gut—or maybe his dick, before asking, "If you're free, would you maybe be interested in coming back to mine? I could order some chicken and soju and we could..celebrate our successful performance!"
He quickly averts his gaze, staring at the floor because he is too scared to hear your answer. Celebrate your performance? Really? It was the best excuse he could think of on the spot, and he was starting to regret even trying to ask you to stay. He's about to retract his offer, worried that he may have made you uncomfortable, when you finally answer.
"That sounds good, actually. Let me take a quick shower at home and I'll meet you there. Text me the address?"
Yeonjunis in utter shock that his plan worked out. After texting you his address, you notify him that you'll be over in 20 minutes, giving him time to clean up his place and calm himself down from a mental breakdown.
Sure, Yeonjun's had girls over before, but they were far and few and only really happened when he was fucked up drunk. He was way too sober to keep his cool with you right now, especially since he's never spent this much time alone with you before. Maybe he should take a shot before you come to calm his nerves.
Just as he's downed his glass, one of his dorm mates enters the kitchen.
"Drinking alone now, are we hyung?” Soobin questioned the nervous boy.
"Not for long, I have some company coming soon, if that's alright."
"Company? Fine by me, I was just leaving anyway. Who's the company though?"
"It's Y/N." Yeonjuncautiously reveals.
Soobin pauses before playfully smirking at Yeonjun. "Have fun! Not on the couch or in the kitchen though please, other people use those."
"Oh, please. We're just friends." Yeonjunrolls his eyes, though his cheeks were tinted red.
"Yeah, yeah, just be safe and don't forget to use protection!" Soobin chuckles as he exits the dorm while Yeonjunrolls his eyes.
A little part of him did hope that things will lead to you staying the night. Okay, a large part of him hoped that. But he really couldn't be confident after how coldly you had treated him this morning. Maybe he was being over dramatic. You did agree to come over for dinner, which was a good sign.
He didn't have any more time to contemplate your feelings, because just then, he got a text that you were outside. He brushed his fingers through his hair one last time before opening the door to let you in. There you stood in an oversized tee that covered your spandex shorts, hair pulled up in a high ponytail. Yeonjunthought his heart would burst at how cute you looked, freshly showered and in your comfy attire. He wishes it was his shirt you were wearing.
He welcomes you in and leads you to the living room, where he had the chicken and soju set on a low coffee table in front of the couch. You take a seat on the floor, back against the couch, and he does the same right next to you. He feels a little awkward having you in his personal living space for the first time, and decides to pour some shots to lighten the mood.
You are grateful that Yeonjunsuggested drinking first. Though you hadn't had anything to eat yet, you needed to drink so that you could get more comfortable. What had possessed you to agree to come over in the first place? Oh yeah, the new adventurous attitude you had adopted. Apparently, Y/N 2.0 casually drinks with handsome men in their homes and doesn't shy away from it. You try to convince yourself that this was no big deal, but seeing Yeonjunwith his hair still wet from the shower, wearing only a thin t-shirt and gray sweatpants had your heart palpitations moving at an unnatural speed.
"Cheers!" Yeonjunlifts his glass to meet yours.
You both down your shots and instantly feel a bit more relaxed.
The two of you continue eating and drinking, gradually getting more comfortable chatting about the various paintings you point out, listening to each others' stories of how you became idols, and discussing random topics from daily life. You're about 4 bottles in when you start getting more adventurous with your questions.
"If you had to pick only one for the rest of your life, which would it be: a successful career, a loving marriage, or great sex?" You ask with a mischievous smile.
Yeonjunseriously ponders this question for a minute with a hand on his chin, before reaching his decision.
"I'd have to pick a loving marriage."
"Aw, is our Yeonjun a romantic?" You tease him, ruffling his hair a bit, drawing some giggles from him.
"I've been called that before." He says, straightening out his hair. "I'd definitely choose love over my career, but honestly I feel like love and good sex go hand in hand."
You scoff at his statement. "Not in my experience. I've had sex with guys who couldn't give two shits about me."
"That's why I said good sex. Sure, you can sleep with anyone who's willing, but it's not gonna be good unless there's some love there."
"I have to disagree with you on that. Actually, I prefer to have sex without all the emotions. Makes things less complicated and more fun."
"You sound like a bitter old lady. Did someone break your heart and turn you into a pessimist?" Yeonjunchuckles.
You sigh at how easily he saw through you. "Maybe, but that's just how I see it now."
"Maybe you need someone to show you what good sex really feels like." Yeonjunsmirks.
You're too tipsy to even feel embarassed about the conversation you were currently having with Yeonjun. "Do you know anyone who could help me with that? I'd be happy to humor them."
He inches closer to you, arm resting on the couch behind you. His shirt slightly rides up where he is leaning into you, exposing his v-line that ends at his low-rise sweatpants.
Yeonjunplayfully whispers in your ear, "I could help you."
You slowly turn your head to face him. He's hovering over you, breath hot against your cheek and he studies your face. His lips are so goddamn plump and kissable you can't stop staring at them, gradually shifting closer and closer as if your lips and his were magnets, drawing towards each other until they can finally connect.
You can't hold yourself back any longer. Every cell in your body is telling you that you need to be kissing Yeonjunright now. You shift forward to close the distance between you two, but he is even faster, moving his hand to cradle your face. His movements were a bit too rushed and sloppy though, accidentally knocking a glass onto the floor, splashing your shirt with a bit of soju in the process.
You both pull back in surprise and attempt to clean up the mess.
"Sorry, I got you a bit wet."
Yeonjunclasps a hand to his mouth in embarrassment of how suggestive his wording sounds. You let out a laugh, genuinely finding the whole situation funny, and Yeonjunrelaxes.
The liquid courage was really doing its job right now, because you feel brave enough to comment further. "This wouldn't be the first time you got me wet."
Yeonjun's expression suddenly changes. He's looking at you with hunger in his eyes, eating up your figure with his stare.
"I made you wet before? At the dance studio?" He leans back into
"Yeah" was all you could manage as his body towered over yours, making it hard to breathe.
Yeonjunmoves his hand to hold your waist, his other arm draped over the couch behind your shoulders. You stare up at him, biting your lip in anticipation.
"Did you like it? What I did at the studio?" He asks in a raspy voice.
"I liked it. Loved it." You respond.
"What if we hadn't gotten interrupted? What would you have done?" Yeonjunholds your chin, thumb grazing across your bottom lip.
"I-I would've..wanted to touch you." You gulped.
"Yeah? You'd like that? Touching me?"
You nod.
"Would you want me to touch you too?" Yeonjunlowers his hand to you hips, gripping them hard and pulling them towards his. You follow his movements and land on his lap, straddling him.
You let out a sigh when you feel his boner against your butt. His hand travel underneath your shirt, holding your back, and his fingers feel so good against your skin.
"Answer me baby, how do you want me to touch you?" He breathes into your neck, lips fluttering over the sensitive skin.
"Please Yeonjun, touch me here." You guide his hands over your breasts. He gently massages his thumbs over your nipples, making you sigh in bliss.
You begin to roll your hips against his bulge, causing Yeonjunto moan. He leaves your neck to find your lips, planting rough kisses on your mouth before gently biting your bottom lip. Yeonjunis in complete ecstasy, getting to hold you in his lap like this, he feels like he could come just from you dry humping him. But he wants you even closer to him, he wants to experience you in every way possible.
He pulls away from your kiss and you wonder if something was wrong. Yeonjunstares back at you, breathing hard.
"Do you wanna take this to my room?"
You nod and get up from his lap. He leads you to his room, locking the door behind you before pushing you against it, hurriedly crashing his lips and body against yours.
His fingers tug on the waistline of you shorts, and you assist him by removing them altogether. He hooks his fingers around your panties to push them to the side, then starts rubbing circles around your clit.
"Fuck you're so fucking wet." He whispers as he slips in a finger.
You whine as he curls his finger inside you at a torturously slow pace. "Please Yeonjun, go faster."
He chuckles as he slips in a second finger. "Sorry princess, but I'm gonna take my time with you tonight. I promise I'll make it well worth it though."
Yeonjunstarts sucking on your neck as he leisurely pumps his fingers in and out of your core. You think you'll go insane if he doesn't start moving faster, so you take matters into your own hands. Sliding a hand through the front of his sweats, you find his rock hard dick and start stroking it. You feel it twitch, precum dripping from the tip, and Yeonjun’s whole body tenses up.
Happy with the effect you had on him, you start to move faster, sliding your hand up and down his length. Yeonjunstops moving altogether, one hand pressed against the door next to your head, the other clenched around your wrist, bringing your movements to a stop.
"I don't want to come yet..I still need to feel you." He pants as he pulls you towards the bed.
Landing on the soft sheets, you watch as he reaches into his drawer for a condom. Rolling the rubber over his erect cock, he positions himself at the foot of the bed, between your legs.
"Can I fuck you baby?" He asks in a low whisper.
"Fuck yes Yeonjun, hurry please." You whine, legs spread wide for him.
He brushes the tip of his dick against your entrance, drawing moans of anticipation from you, before hovering his body over yours. His face is inches above you, staring at you with a sinful expression, both his palms are flat against the bed on either side of your face, holding his body up.
"Beg for this dick princess." He demands. "Tell me how much you want it."
"Yeonjun," you plead, "I want you to fuck me. I need to feel your dick in my pussy, please."
A switch turns in his head, and Yeonjun finally enters you. He gives a few slow thrusts, adjusting to your size, before quickly accelerating his pace. Sweat drips from his body as he rapidly pounds into you, tears forming at your eyes at the feeling of complete euphoria.
The knot in your stomach is growing and you feel you high approaching soon. You feel Yeonjun’s thrusts becoming rushed and sloppy, as he's about to come undone as well.
"Princess, are you close?" He asks, forehead pressed to yours.
"Y-yes, keep going, I'm gonna come." You mumble through the pleasure.
Yeonjunspeeds up his pace, thrusting even deeper into you. "Look at me when you come."
Just as you turn you head to meet his gaze, your whole body is enveloped in bliss. You see stars as he fucks you through your orgasm, your body jerking in response to his movements.
His orgasm comes not long after, his eyelids fluttering as he incoherently mutters a slew of curse words before collapsing next to you.
You both lay in silence for a few minutes, chests rising steadily in synchronization. Yeonjun leaves to get a towel for you, returning to clean you up. You thank him as he mumbles a "you're welcome" before drifting to sleep with you in his arms. You giggle at how adorable he looks, face snuggled against your neck as he slept. You glance at the clock on the wall and see that it quite late already, and that you should probably head home.
You attempt to slide your body out of his grasp, but your faintest movement causes Yeonjun to tighten his grip around you.
The room is completely silent. You're not sure if you imagined it or not, but as you tried to leave, you think you hear Yeonjun whisper’s a faint "stay."
In this moment, you wanted nothing more than to melt into his embrace and and wake up to him next to you. But you knew yourself better than that. You knew what kinds of actions would cause you to catch feelings, and you needed to avoid them at all costs. So instead, you pull away from his hold and make your way to the door.
Before you exit, you turn to sneak one last look at Yeonjun, sleeping peacefully on his bed. His hair is messy, and his cheeks are blush red. Even in this disheveled state, he looked like a dream to you. You wished you could have him, to fall in love and be happy together. But wishing only leads to disappointment, and to save your own heart, he could never be yours.
—
The early morning sun casts a beam of light through the window, landing on Yeonjun’s sleeping figure and waking him up. He groggily opens his eyes but quickly shuts them due to the brightness. With a groan he rolls over, only to find an empty bed.
That's right, you had left him last night. After your drunken conversations, passionate sex, and him asking you to stay..you still left. Yeonjun is disappointed to say the least. He had genuinely enjoyed having dinner with you, sex or not. It was so easy to talk about anything and everything with you, and for some reason, you made him feel comfortable to share his honest thoughts and feelings. You even showed sincere interest in his art, while most usually get bored.
He knows that you're just friends, but He cares about you too. He's concerned when you show up to practices looking drained and sleepy. He wishes he could comfort you when he sees your eyebrows furrow in worry as you struggle to memorize your lines. After you admitted that you've gotten your heart broken before, he curses the guy who hurt you and wants protect you from ever getting hurt again. All he wants is to hold you in his arms and whisper sweet nothings in your ear.
But you didn't want to stay. In fact, you pushed him away when he tried to hold your tighter. Maybe you didn't hear him ask you to stay, but it hurts him regardless.
Soobin has warned Yeonjun time and time again about falling too quickly. He knows that Yeonjun is the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, and his romanticism of love could easily end up hurting him if he fell for the wrong person. He knows this too, but he just can't help it. Yes, you very well could be using him for his body, but then why did you talk with him for hours before things even got sexual? Surely you weren't faking your enthusiasm in your conversations just to get in his pants.
His thoughts were spiralling out of control, so he walks over to the bathroom to splash some water on his face and snap himself out of it. He stares at himself in the mirror, noticing his tangled hair from where your hands grabbed it, and bruised lips from your shared kisses last night. His stomach flips thinking about it.
Yeonjun knows his flaws when it comes to love. But this time, he's determined to keep his cool, be patient, and just have fun. As long as he can keep himself from falling too quickly, it'll all work out.
—
You wake up to a mass of text notifications blowing up your phone. You're annoyed at the relentless dinging sounds that interrupted your sleep, but you're even more bitter that you woke up alone in your own bed instead of Yeonjun’s this morning. Of course, this was your decision, and though it would've been heavenly to spend the night in his arms, you're glad that you stuck to your guns and cut off any unnecessary affection with him.
Lazily, you unlock your phone and read your messages.
Yunjin: Good morning sunshine!!!! Hope I didn't interrupt your beauty sleep 😘
You sigh, she did interrupt your beauty sleep.
Yunjin: I just got the details to our listening party and had to send it over to you right away!!
Yunjin: The party is this Saturday night at 10pm in the hotel right next to the HYBE building
Yunjin: You HAVE to come okay?? Promise meee, I really want you there!!
Yunjin: Oh and wear something sexy, your boy will be there too 😉😉
You can almost hear how loud Yunjin’s voice is through your phone, but you chuckle at how energetic she is so early in the morning. You replied to her messages, promising that you'll be there. It's been a while since you dressed up to go to a party, and you're excited to celebrate with your friends. A small part of you is also excited to see Yeonjun there as well. Would he wear a suit? He would look great in a suit. He looks great in anything, though. You'd have to make sure you look great as well. Giddy from your excitement over the party, you can't wait for the week to end.
As you rolled up to the party, you recognize familiar faces of other artists you've met in the industry. Everyone was dressed to the tens in lavish designer suits and gowns, enjoying tall glasses of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Sparkling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the dark room with a soft, warm light. Many people lounged on the velvet couches, chatting with their friends, while others stood by the bar. After exchanging a few polite, "hello's" and "how have you been's" you make your way to the center of the venue, finding Yunjin enthusiastically greeting all of the guests.
"Y/N, you made it!" She pulls you into a big hug.
"Of course I did! I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Congratulations on your new album!"
"Thank you so much!" Yunjin smiles at you. "Please, grab some food and drinks. Enjoy yourself!" She grabs your hand, guiding you to one of the couches.
You grab a glass of champagne and chug it. After setting the glass down, you lift your head to see yeonjun standing a mere 5 feet away. You smile and wave at him to get his attention, but notice that he is preoccupied, chatting with a petite blonde girl stood right in front of him. Your gaze drops and you see his arm around her waist, hands clutching the material of her dress. She was laughing excessively at something he said, and you couldn't help but scoff at how obviously she wanted him.
Yeonjun knew you were staring. That's why he proceeded to bend down and whisper into the girl's ear. After he saw you, he just couldn't control his actions. He wanted to know if it bothered you. Yeonjun knows it's wrong to flirt with another girl just to make you jealous, but you started it. How dare you come dressed like pure sex in such a revealing gown and not come talk to him first. He should be the only one to get to touch you.
When he glanced over to your direction to check if you were still watching him, he realized you were gone. Panicked, he starts scanning the crowd for you, and his gaze stops at the bar. You were leaning against a high table, one arm resting on the surface and the other reaching out in front of you. What were you reaching for? An arm, a man's arm. You squeezed the arm of a man standing with you at the bar. A smile on your face as you looked up at him, your hand traveling up to rest on his chest. His hand went to the small of your back, fingers grazing your bare skin.
Yeonjun couldn't take it anymore. He left the blonde girl without a word and made his way over to you. You were giggling at something the man had said and yeonjun couldn't hide his look of disgust. As he approached you, he wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you towards him, effectively cutting off your contact with the man in front of you, forcing him to let go of his hand on your back.
"Hey," Yeonjun said with a smile. His body was pressed perpendicular to yours, facing only you and completely ignoring the man standing on the side. "I've been wanting to talk to you all night. You look stunning." You could smell Yeonjun’s cologne from how close he was holding you, butterflies erupting in your stomach from having his attention fully on you.
The man you were talking to slowly backed away looking scared, and you feel bad for how Yeonjun rudely dismissed him.
"Yeonjun, you're being rude. I was talking to someone." You turn to face him, your back resting against the bar.
Yeonjun let's go of you and puts his hands in his pockets, looking at the ground. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to talk to you all night but you were always busy with someone else." He mumbled.
You want to scream at how adorable he looks, pouting as he apologises to you. But you were still annoyed that he cockblocked you while he was flirting with other girls just a few minutes ago.
"You looked busy just a few minutes ago. Didn't even notice me with your hands full of that blonde chick." You tried not to sound annoyed.
Yeonjun steps back, arms crossed. "Well I wouldn't have been busy with her if you would've taken a minute to say hi to me instead of cuddling with that guy all night."
Yeonjun frowns. He knows he shouldn't be angry at you. But You were wrapped up in another man's arms. You even let him touch your skin, your bare skin. Yeonjun couldn't stand the thought of another man touching you so intimately.
"I wasn't cuddling with him, we were just...talking." You had your arms crossed now too.
"Do you just let anyone touch you like that?" He couldn't control the words falling out of his mouth.
"Excuse me, but I think I'm old enough to make that decision for myself. If I want to let someone touch me, then I will." You huff.
Yeonjun was being a complete hypocrite right now. Who was he to lecture you about other men? It's not like you guys were together.
"Were you gonna sleep with him or something?" He looks at you with a glare.
Why did you feel like you did something wrong? He was obviously upset at you, but you can't understand why.
"No...I don't know. Maybe. It doesn't matter now anyways since you scared him away." You glare back at him. "Why do you even care? Weren't you planning to take that blonde girl home?"
Yeonjun sighs, "We were just talking. I didn't come here looking to hook up with girls anyway."
"Well you're not gonna get to bring any girls home if you're talking with me all night." You roll your eyes at him.
Yeonjun looks up at you, placing a hand on the table you're leaning against, pressing his body closer to yours. He pauses to gauge your reaction before asking, "What if you're the girl I want to take home?"
Your face blushes red at his question. He wants you out of everybody here? "You want to take me home?" You bite your lip, gazing up at him with expectant eyes.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you all night, not after I saw you walk in looking like this." He breathes against your cheek.
"D-do you like it? My dress?" You feel his eyes gawking at your figure.
"I love it. You, your dress, everything." He places a hand on your waist, and you can feel the warmth of his touch through the thin material of your gown. "But I'd love to see what's underneath." He whispers in a low growl. "So can I take you home baby?"
You shouldn't go home with him. Sleeping with him should've been a one time thing. You both were already being petty tonight, trying to make each other jealous. Things could get messy if you continue to see him like this, but you don't care. Not when he's looking at you with dark eyes glowing with desire, studying your figure, watching your chest rise and fall in anticipation of your answer.
The air feels thick with yeonjun standing this close to you. You feel drunk off his presence and can't control your actions around him. Against your better judgement, you snake your arms around his neck and pull him close, whispering in his ear, "let's go."
-
The early morning sun casts a beam of light through the window, landing on Yeonjun’s sleeping figure and waking him up. He groggily opens his eyes but quickly shuts them due to the brightness. With a groan he rolls over, only to find an empty bed.
That's right, you had left him last night. After your drunken conversations, passionate sex, and him asking you to stay..you still left. Yeonjun is disappointed to say the least. He had genuinely enjoyed having dinner with you, sex or not. It was so easy to talk about anything and everything with you, and for some reason, you made him feel comfortable to share his honest thoughts and feelings. You even showed sincere interest in his art, while most usually get bored.
He knows that you're just friends, but He cares about you too. He's concerned when you show up to practices looking drained and sleepy. He wishes he could comfort you when he sees your eyebrows furrow in worry as you struggle to memorise your lines. After you admitted that you've gotten your heart broken before, he curses the guy who hurt you and wants protect you from ever getting hurt again. All he wants is to hold you in his arms and whisper sweet nothings in your ear.
But you didn't want to stay. In fact, you pushed him away when he tried to hold your tighter. Maybe you didn't hear him ask you to stay, but it hurts him regardless.
Soobin has warned Yeonjun time and time again about falling too quickly. He knows that Yeonjun is the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, and his romanticism of love could easily end up hurting him if he fell for the wrong person. He knows this too, but he just can't help it. Yes, you very well could be using him for his body, but then why did you talk with him for hours before things even got sexual? Surely you weren't faking your enthusiasm in your conversations just to get in his pants.
Yeonjun’s thoughts are spiraling out of control, so he walks over to the bathroom to splash some water on his face and snap himself out of it. He stares at himself in the mirror, noticing his tangled hair from where your hands grabbed it, and bruised lips from your shared kisses last night. His stomach flips thinking about it.
Yeonjun knows his flaws when it comes to love. But this time, he's determined to keep his cool, be patient, and just have fun. As long as he can keep himself from falling too quickly, it'll all work out.
—
You wake up to a mass of text notifications blowing up your phone. You're annoyed at the relentless dinging sounds that interrupted your sleep, but you're even more bitter that you woke up alone in your own bed instead of Yeonjun’s this morning. Of course, this was your decision, and though it would've been heavenly to spend the night in his arms, you're glad that you stuck to your guns and cut off any unnecessary affection with him.
Lazily, you unlock your phone and read your messages.
Yunjin: Good morning sunshine!!!! Hope I didn't interrupt your beauty sleep 😘
You sigh, she did interrupt your beauty sleep.
Yunjin: I just got the details to our listening party and had to send it over to you right away!!
Yunjin: The party is this Saturday night at 10pm in the hotel right next to the HYBE building
Yunjin: You HAVE to come okay?? Promise meee, I really want you there!!
Yunjin: Oh and wear something sexy, your boy will be there too 😉😉
You can almost hear how loud Yunjin’s voice is through your phone, but you chuckle at how energetic she is so early in the morning. You replied to her messages, promising that you'll be there. It's been a while since you dressed up to go to a party, and you're excited to celebrate with your friends. A small part of you is also excited to see Yeonjun there as well. Would he wear a suit? He would look great in a suit. He looks great in anything, though. You'd have to make sure you look great as well. Giddy from your excitement over the party, you can't wait for the week to end.
As you rolled up to the party, you recognize familiar faces of other artists you've met in the industry. Everyone was dressed to the tens in lavish designer suits and gowns, enjoying tall glasses of champagne and hors d'oeurves. Sparkling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the dark room with a soft, warm light. Many people lounged on the velvet couches, chatting with their friends, while others stood by the bar. After exchanging a few polite, "hello's" and "how have you been's" you make your way to the center of the venue, finding Yunjin enthusiastically greeting all of the guests.
"Y/N, you made it!" She pulls you into a big hug.
"Of course I did! I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Congratulations on your new album!"
"Thank you so much!" Yunjin smiles at you. "Please, grab some food and drinks. Enjoy yourself!" She grabs your hand, guiding you to one of the couches.
You grab a glass of champagne and chug it. After setting the glass down, you lift your head to see yeonjun standing a mere 5 feet away. You smile and wave at him to get his attention, but notice that he is preoccupied, chatting with a petite blonde girl stood right in front of him. Your gaze drops and you see his arm around her waist, hands clutching the material of her dress. She was laughing excessively at something he said, and you couldn't help but scoff at how obviously she wanted him.
Yeonjun knew you were staring. That's why he proceeded to bend down and whisper into the girl's ear. After he saw you, he just couldn't control his actions. He wanted to know if it bothered you. Yeonjun knows it's wrong to flirt with another girl just to make you jealous, but you started it. How dare you come dressed like pure sex in such a revealing gown and not come talk to him first. He should be the only one to get to touch you.
When he glanced over to your direction to check if you were still watching him, he realized you were gone. Panicked, he starts scanning the crowd for you, and his gaze stops at the bar. You were leaning against a high table, one arm resting on the surface and the other reaching out in front of you. What were you reaching for? An arm, a man's arm. You squeezed the arm of a man standing with you at the bar. A smile on your face as you looked up at him, your hand traveling up to rest on his chest. His hand went to the small of your back, fingers grazing your bare skin.
Yeonjun couldn't take it anymore. He left the blonde girl without a word and made his way over to you. You were giggling at something the man had said and yeonjun couldn't hide his look of disgust. As he approached you, he wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you towards him, effectively cutting off your contact with the man in front of you, forcing him to let go of his hand on your back.
"Hey," Yeonjun said with a smile. His body was pressed perpendicular to yours, facing only you and completely ignoring the man standing on the side. "I've been wanting to talk to you all night. You look stunning." You could smell Yeonjun’s cologne from how close he was holding you, butterflies erupting in your stomach from having his attention fully on you.
The man you were talking to slowly backed away looking scared, and you feel bad for how Yeonjun rudely dismissed him.
"Yeonjun, you're being rude. I was talking to someone." You turn to face him, your back resting against the bar.
Yeonjun let's go of you and puts his hands in his pockets, looking at the ground. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to talk to you all night but you were always busy with someone else." He mumbled.
You want to scream at how adorable he looks, pouting as he apologizes to you. But you were still annoyed that he cockblocked you while he was flirting with other girls just a few minutes ago.
"You looked busy just a few minutes ago. Didn't even notice me with your hands full of that blonde chick." You tried not to sound annoyed.
Yeonjun steps back, arms crossed. "Well I wouldn't have been busy with her if you would've taken a minute to say hi to me instead of cuddling with that guy all night."
Yeonjun frowns. He knows he shouldn't be angry at you. But You were wrapped up in another man's arms. You even let him touch your skin, your bare skin. Yeonjun couldn't stand the thought of another man touching you so intimately.
"I wasn't cuddling with him, we were just...talking." You had your arms crossed now too.
"Do you just let anyone touch you like that?" He couldn't control the words falling out of his mouth.
"Excuse me, but I think I'm old enough to make that decision for myself. If I want to let someone touch me, then I will." You huff.
Yeonjun was being a complete hypocrite right now. Who was he to lecture you about other men? It's not like you guys were together.
"Were you gonna sleep with him or something?" He looks at you with a glare.
Why did you feel like you did something wrong? He was obviously upset at you, but you can't understand why.
"No...I don't know. Maybe. It doesn't matter now anyways since you scared him away." You glare back at him. "Why do you even care? Weren't you planning to take that blonde girl home?"
Yeonjun sighs, "We were just talking. I didn't come here looking to hook up with girls anyway."
"Well you're not gonna get to bring any girls home if you're talking with me all night." You roll your eyes at him.
Yeonjun looks up at you, placing a hand on the table you're leaning against, pressing his body closer to yours. He pauses to gauge your reaction before asking, "What if you're the girl I want to take home?"
Your face blushes red at his question. He wants you out of everybody here? "You want to take me home?" You bite your lip, gazing up at him with expectant eyes.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you all night, not after I saw you walk in looking like this." He breathes against your cheek.
"D-do you like it? My dress?" You feel his eyes gawking at your figure.
"I love it. You, your dress, everything." He places a hand on your waist, and you can feel the warmth of his touch through the thin material of your gown. "But I'd love to see what's underneath." He whispers in a low growl. "So can I take you home baby?"
You shouldn't go home with him. Sleeping with him should've been a one time thing. You both were already being petty tonight, trying to make each other jealous. Things could get messy if you continue to see him like this, but you don't care. Not when he's looking at you with dark eyes glowing with desire, studying your figure, watching your chest rise and fall in anticipation of your answer.
The air feels thick with yeonjun standing this close to you. You feel drunk off his presence and can't control your actions around him. Against your better judgement, you snake your arms around his neck and pull him close, whispering in his ear, "let's go."
Ever since that conversation, you and Yeonjun started spending time together regularly. Whenever either one of you were bored, you'd plan a movie night. Whenever you needed a buddy to go grocery shopping, he'd tag along. If he needed to decide which paint to use for his artwork, you'd come over to help him pick.
Usually these hangouts would start as booty calls, one of you shooting the other a text if you were feeling horny. Then you'd stick around and maybe do an activity together if you were still free. Recently though, you found yourself hitting him up just because you felt like seeing him. Sometimes you'd spend the whole day together without having sex at all. Whenever that happened, you couldn't help but wonder if Yeonjun was disappointed, but he never voiced any complaints. You'd always sneak a glance over to him while you lounged around his dorm watching and movie or painting or cooking together. He always looked content, sometimes catching your eyes and shooting you a smile, so you decide not to worry about it.
"Off to see Yeonjun again?" Mia asked with a knowing look on her face. You almost didn't notice her laying on the couch as you made your way to the door to leave.
"Um, yeah." You hesitantly answer. For some reason, you felt like she had caught you sneaking out, even though you are free to go and hang out with whoever you wanted.
"Isn't this like, the third time this week?" She shifted in her seat so that she was now sitting upright and facing you.
"Maybe, I dunno. Why does it matter?" Her questioning started to make you feel defensive.
"Damn, are you sexually frustrated or something? You guys are really going at it a lot lately." Mia smirks.
"Shut up, we don't always have sex." You roll your eyes.
"Oh? What else are you doing over there then?"
"Watch movies, or skate together...whatever we feel like doing." You cross your arms.
"And you feel like having quality time with Yeonjun this often?"
"Yes. I do."
"And you guys are friends with benefits still?"
"Yep."
"No commitment, no strings attached."
"None."
"No romantic feelings whatsoever?"
You let out a sigh. Honestly, why is she grilling you so hard about him? You don't really owe her any explanations. "Why does this matter to you?"
"It matters because I know you, Y/N. You don't do 'no strings attached.' This whole 'fuck buddy' situation is not you. I'm worried it's going to end up hurting you again. Don't you remember how devastated you were after Jaehy-"
"Don't." You cut her off before she goes any further. "Don't bring that up again. It's in the past and I've changed now. I know I used to catch feelings for any guy who gave me the least bit of affection, but I've learned my lesson I promise."
You approach the couch and take a seat next to Mia. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but I'm not the foolish girl I was before. Me and Yeonjun are just friends. We made that very clear."
Mia still looks concerned, obviously not convinced by your rebuttal. "I just feel like the nature of your friendship isn't...typical."
"What do you mean?"
"Friends don't have sex with each other, Y/N."
"That's why we're friends with benefits."
"But friends with benefits don't spend quality time together like you guys do either. They just fuck and leave."
What's wrong with hanging out with Yeonjun? I still like him as a person, he's not just an object to me."
"I'm not saying you have to treat him like an object, I'm just saying that you guys kind of act like...I don't know, a couple?"
You pause for a moment, taken aback by her accusation. Why was it so difficult for her to grasp that you and yeonjun are genuine friends who just happen to satisfy each others' sexual needs once in a while? Just because you are sleeping with him doesn't mean you can't also enjoy his company. And just because you like spending time together, it doesn't make you a couple. You're tired of people pitying you and looking at you like a fragile girl who can't protect her own feelings.
"We aren't a couple. Yeonjun and I are both single. We aren't tied down to each other like that. He can fuck whoever he wants and so can I." You firmly state.
Mia is visibly surprised by your firmness, and reluctantly backs down. "You know I just don't want to see you hurt, Y/N. But if you are confident in what you're doing, then I trust you."
You breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry I accused you of having feelings for him, I didn't know you were comfortable with him seeing other people."
You give her a tight-lipped smile. Truthfully, you hadn't thought about if Yeonjun was seeing other people, and you didn't want to start now. You were together so often that you don't think he would have time to date anyone else, but who knows what he's up to on his days off? There's no point in you pondering this subject anyways because it's really none of your business. Yet, the feeling of not knowing did put you slightly on edge. You quickly brush off this feeling and get up from the couch, continuing on your way out the door.
Your confrontation with Mia had left you feeling uneasy, despite her relenting to you in the end. You know you shouldn't read too deeply into what others think, but sometimes you can't help yourself. Do you and yeonjun really act like a couple? Is it not normal to want to be around him this much? Is he seeing other girls? Trying to shake these thoughts out of your head, you finally make it to his dorm. After receiving your text to let him know you're here, Yeonjun opens the door for you.
You immediately wrap your arms around his waist, burying your face in his chest and taking in a deep breath, his familiar scent instantly calming you. Yeonjun is startled by your sudden show of affection, worried that something had happened to you.
"Is everything okay?" He gently whispers as he places a hand on your head, softly patting your hair.
"I'm okay, I just need...to clear my mind." You mumble into his chest.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
You finally look up to him. His eyebrows are furrowed in worry and his lips in a slight frown. You're appreciative that he cares enough to be concerned about you, but you don't want to burden him with your emotions.
"Not really." You respond. "I think I just need some fresh air."
"Then let's go." Yeonjun pulls your arms out from around him and interlocks his fingers in yours, leading you out the door.
"Where are we going?" You follow behind him in the darkness. It's past midnight and most restaurants and shops are closed by now.
"We're getting you some fresh air." Yeonjun looks back at you with a grin.
Soon enough, you arrive at the edge of a river. There's a dirt path circling the body of water with an occasional streetlight illuminating the trail. You can see the city lights in the distance, reflecting off the tiny waves in the water. No else is here but you two, and he leads you to a wooden bench on the side of the road before parting from you.
"Hey, where are you going?" You question him as he leaves.
"Don't worry, I'll be right back. Just stay here!" He jogs away, leaving you waiting on the bench. After a few minutes, he returns with two bicycles, guiding one in each hand.
"Where did you get these?" You ask as he hands one over to you.
"I rented them from the stop over there. We just have to return them once we're done!" He smiles brightly. "You said you always wanted to go biking along the Han River, right? What better way to get some fresh air than a midnight bike ride?"
"You remember?"
"Of course I remember."
You beam in excitement, mounting your bike as he climbs onto his. This was the perfect way to clear your mind, riding your bike in bliss as Yeonjun followed behind. The crisp air filled your lungs as you rode, cool wind brushing against your face. It wasn't so often that you had an opportunity to forget all your worries and just live in the moment, away from all the lights and cameras, living freely and being yourself. Yeonjun was able to do that for you and you are eternally grateful.
When your legs started growing tired from pedaling, you stopped at a hill and parked your bikes. Yeonjun plopped down on the soft grass, hands beneath his head. You joined him, giggling as you lay spread out next to him. For a few minutes you both lay in silence, clouds of steam forming from your warm breaths against the cold night air, the sound of flowing water surrounding you.
"Do you feel better?" Yeonjun tilts his face towards you.
You stare up at the stars. "Yeah, I feel...peaceful. Thank you for doing this."
"I'm glad I could help. You looked really stressed back there and I wanted to cheer you up." He smiles.
You smile back at him. "You really did. I've always wanted to do this and I finally did. It was so fun!"
"Good. I always want to see you happy."
"Me too. I always want to see you happy too."
"I'm always happy when I'm with you."
Yeonjun’s eyes meets yours. He looks at you with a soft and sincere expression, like he's trying to convey his thoughts through his gaze, but he can't find the words. Instead, you both just enjoy each others' presence, not needing to speak.
Finally, you decide to open up to him. Yeonjun went out of his way to comfort you, so he deserved to know a little bit of what you'd been feeling.
"So, the reason I was stressed earlier was because I kind of got into an argument with Mia." You explain.
Yeonjun turns his body towards you, propping his head up with his arm to give you his full attention.
"She thinks I'm some delicate little girl, like I'm not strong enough to handle my own emotions."
"Why does she think that?"
"It's because of stuff that happened in the past. I was stupid back then and always fell too hard for guys who didn't feel the same about me. I ended up getting my heart broken a lot and she would always help pick up the pieces."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that." He said in a soft tone.
"It's okay. Honestly I'm glad it happened. I get why she's concerned for me, but I've grown and changed now. I'm not going to open my heart up to someone so easily anymore."
He studies your face with a curious look. "It sucks that you've gotten your heart broken before, but I hope you haven't given up on love."
"I don't think I'll ever give up on love. I just have a hard time choosing the right guys." You chuckle.
Yeonjun laughs and rolls onto his back, looking up at the sky. "It might be easier than you think."
Again you both fall silent, admiring the view of the night sky. You think about Yeonjun’s words, indeed you wish falling in love would be easy. Maybe you've just been unlucky. Maybe you should let down some of your walls. Yeonjun makes it so easy for you to open up, everything is easy with him. You wish it was him that you could fall in love with.
But you can't. Every time you come close to feeling love, your brain shuts down, your mind rejects it. The easier things feel, the more scared you get. Scared that the moment you make yourself vulnerable to him is the moment you give him the power to hurt you. You can't let that happen again, you just can't.
As you tumble into a a disarray of thoughts, Yeonjun reaches over and places a soft kiss on your lips. Suddenly, your clouded head is cleared, your worries leave your mind and your body relaxes at his touch.
"It's getting late, are you ready to go?" Yeonjun caresses your cheek as you look up at him.
"I don't want to go." You mumble.
"But it's too cold to stay longer, we need to get home."
"Can I stay with you?"
"Of course baby."
You always blush when he calls you that. No matter how much of a barrier you try to build between him and you, he always knocks it down with the simplest of words. Yeonjun takes your hand and pulls you to your feet. As you walk back to his dorm, he holds your hand in the warmth of his pocket.
"Are you sleepy?" Yeonjun crawls into bed with you. After arriving at his dorm, you both washed up and he gave you a comfy T-shirt to wear to sleep.
"I don't want to sleep yet." You whine.
"Do you want to watch a movie then?"
"No..."
"Then what do you want to do?"
"You." You bit your lip and looked at him through your eyelashes.
This whole night has got you feeling dazed and confused being around yeonjun. You couldn't understand the conflicted feelings you were experiencing, and you thought maybe you could take your mind off things by doing what you knew best and were comfortable with—having sex with yeonjun.
You cradle his face in your hands and pull him in for a kiss. Your lips move slowly together, tongue roaming leisurely in his mouth, brushing against his. His hands drop to you waist, pulling you into his embrace, and soon enough you feel him getting hard.
Grinning at the feeling of his arousal, you attempt to get on top of him, ready to ride him hard until you both finish, like you always do. But just as you shift your body, he places a firm hand on yours, pinning you on the bed below him. He laces his fingers with yours, his body hovering over you as he gazed at you with hooded eyes.
"Let's take it slow baby, no need to rush." He places two fingers in his mouth, tongue swirling around them before lowering them to your core. After sliding your panties off, he rubs his wet digits against your clit in a circling motion as you squirm under him.
"C'mon Yeonjun, let me ride you." You whine.
Yeonjun chuckles at your neediness. "Let me take care of you tonight, princess."
He takes off his boxers to reveal his bulging erection, positioning himself at your entrance and rubbing his tip against your folds before finally slipping in. You both moan at the feeling of him pushing inside of you, and he starts moving at a steady pace while you swing your arms around his neck.
Unlike before, Yeonjun is so gentle as he slides in and out of you. You're used to him choking you, thrusting vigorously into you, overstimulating you until you can't take it anymore. But tonight, his hands stay intertwined in yours. He handles you with such tenderness, as if you'll break with one false move. The fiery hunger that's usually in his eyes is now replaced with an adoring gaze. Everything around you is glowing, and your vision turns fuzzy as you approach your high. Time is moving in slow motion as you reach your orgasm, and you savor every second in his embrace.
As you finish, Yeonjun picks up the pace and cums soon after. He drops to your side, cradling you in his arms. Lifting your chin, he kisses you once again, slowly and softly for what felt like hours. You felt absolute bliss, warmth enveloping your whole body as he kissed you. When you released your lips, your eyes stayed fixed on his, and you continued gazing at each other in silence. Finally you both drift to sleep, not needing to say another word.
As always, you were the first one awake. You had a schedule to attend early that morning, so you went ahead and got up as quietly as you could, not wanting to wake Yeonjun up. As you got dressed and ready to leave, you sit by the edge of the bed, watching him as he slept. You always admired how adorable he was while he was sleeping, how gentle and innocent he looked. He was just as gentle inside as he appeared outside as well, you knew this, especially after how sweetly he treated you last night.
You like him, you liked everything about him, and you trusted him too. He's always made you feel safe, he always knows how to comfort you, and you can't help but think that maybe...maybe falling for him wouldn't be so bad. Of course, you'd need to know if he feels the same about you. Maybe you will ask him one day.
Your stomach bubbled with elation at prospect of being with Yeonjun. You try to hush the excitement in your heart, telling yourself not to fantasize too much. You place a soft kiss on his forehead before heading out, feeling lighter after your night together.
As you happily stroll to your company building, you open your phone to check your notifications. There were a few messages from your manager reminding you what time to get to dance rehearsal, some from Mia checking on you after your conversation last night, and a trending news article that just popped up.
Curious to see what this breaking news was, you open the article and are met with a bold headline that made you freeze in your tracks.
"[BREAKING] TXT’s Yeonjun rumoured to be dating Aespa's Karina"
And just like that, the walls you thought were breaking down around you came right back up.
Frozen in the middle of the sidewalk, you re-read the headline pasted across your screen.
"[BREAKING] TXT’s Yeonjun rumored to be dating Aespa's Karina"
Your mind goes blank as you stare at the words, taking several moments for you to fully process what they meant. When it finally hits you, your whole body feels...numb. You're surprised how little you feel. Maybe all your mental barriers worked, and faking it until you make it actually paid off. You did it, you successfully prevented yourself from falling for Yeonjun—but why did your victory feel so empty?
Everything played out they way you wanted it to, but achieving your goal was somehow anticlimactic. You thought you'd be more proud of yourself, happy that you mastered your control over your emotions. What you didn't expect though, was for 'mastering' your emotions to feel like not having any emotions at all. You're somewhat disappointed with this realization, unsatisfied with the outcome. Still, it was better than feeling like a fool and getting your heart broken again.
You continue towards your company building, entering the dance studio for your rehearsal. As you walked into the room, you notice your group mates hesitantly greet you with concerned faces, clearly they had heard the news and didn't know what to expect from your reaction today. You shrug off the awkward tension and proceed to run through rehearsals like normal, your members gradually shedding their tentative behavior after seeing you in good spirits. After your rehearsal finished, Mia asked if you wanted to grab lunch with her, to which you agreed.
"So how are you? I didn't hear from you last night." She asked as you both sat at the restaurant table awaiting your food.
"Sorry, I fell asleep before checking my phone. I'm good though, don't worry about it."
"Did you see the article about Yeonjun?" Mia was never one to shy around any topic.
You straighten up in your chair. "Yeah, I did actually. What about it?"
She looks at you with one eyebrow arched. "Damn, you weren't kidding when you said you didn't care if he was seeing other girls."
"Yup, it doesn't bother me." You start to fidget in your seat.
"Even if the girl is Karina?"
Your stomach slightly turns at the mention of her name.
"The same girl who you caught with Jaehyun?"
"I know who Karina is." You snap. At this point, you feel your blood start to boil. You've had enough of this conversation. You get it, Yeonjun is dating another girl. Another girl who happens to be the same girl who was sleeping with the guy you fell for in the past. God, why did it have to be her of all people? I mean, she is talented, kind, and not to mention, drop dead gorgeous. Maybe that's why all the guys go for her, because she's the ideal girl. She has everything you lack, she is the type of girl that guys want to date, make their girlfriend, fall in love with—something you'll never be.
Mia opens her mouth to reply, but stops halfway and just sighs instead. "Right, I know you know who she is. I'm just, surprised you're handling this so well." She cracks a smile at you. "I'm proud of you! You've always been so strong, leading our team since we were trainees and dealing with your personal issues at the same time. I've always looked up to you for that.”
As you process her words, the air starts to leave your lungs. Your chest feels tight and you have an uncomfortable pit in your stomach. Mia was giving you kind words but you hated it. Every compliment she voiced was like a punch in the gut. Your body was physically rejecting her words because they weren't true.
It was a lie. You weren't handling this well at all. Just because you hadn't expressed your emotions didn't mean they weren't there. They were there, you just tricked yourself into thinking that they weren't. You bottled them so deeply inside you that you fooled yourself into believing that they didn't exist. Some say that ignorance is bliss, and unfortunately for you, you couldn't feign ignorance any longer. Mia was saying were lies. You aren't strong. You're weak. So weak that you couldn't even confront your true feelings. So weak that you once again fell for a man who didn't want you. So weak that you are crumbling at the thought of him with another woman.
Tears start welling up in your eyes as you come to this realization. Mia was startled by your sudden teariness and gently takes your hands. You're trembling as she holds them between her own.
"Hey, what's going on? Did I say something wrong?"
"Yeah, everything. Everything you said about me is wrong. I'm fucking pathetic." You sigh.
"Shut up, you're not pathetic. You're amazing Y/N. If my leader is pathetic then what does that make me?"
"But I'm not strong, Mia. Just look at me, crying over a boy again." You wipe your tears in frustration.
"Crying doesn't make you weak. Acting like you don't care when you actually do makes you weak. You are strong, Y/N. You're strong for loving hard, and you're strong for always standing back up after getting knocked down."
You flash her a feeble smile. Mia always knew how to cheer you up, that's why you trusted her so much. "How many times is it gonna take for me to learn not to fall for the wrong guys?" You groan.
"It does matter how many, because you will pick yourself up and get over them every time. Starting now, with Yeonjun." Mia huffed.
"But he was like, the perfect guy. How am I supposed go get over him?" You pout.
"By moving on to the next perfect guy! C'mon, you said the same thing after Jaehyun broke your heart. I feel like I'm having deja vu." Mia rolled her eyes. "The reason you think these guys are so perfect is because you haven't experimented enough with other guys. You don't even know what else is out there!"
She did have a point. Up until now, you've only been with a handful of guys, and never dated more than one guy at a time.
"Why don't you hit up someone you know? It doesn't even have to be romantic. Just hang out with your guy friends more so you don't get all googly-eyed at every dude who gives you some attention." Mia smirks.
You cross your arms and frown. "I do not get googly-eyed...but I guess that's not a bad idea. It could at least take my mind off Yeonjun if I hang out with some other friends."
"Exactly! I'm a genius. You're welcome for the expert advice." She gives you a triumphant smile.
"Yeah, yeah, thanks I guess." You mumble.
Once you both made your way back to your dorm, you plop down in bed, scrolling through your list of contacts. Who should you hit up to take your mind of off Yeonjun? You start regretting spending all your time with him instead of putting effort into your other friendships.
When you come across the name of an old friend you haven't seen in a while, your fingers hover over the message button. Mark Lee. He actually used to be your closest guy friend back in the day. You'd see him from time to time whenever you came over to Jaehyun's place, and needless to say, you both got along like two peas in a pod. Mark was like the brother you never had, outgoing and silly but also caring. The both of you shared countless inside jokes and he never failed to make you laugh. You loved him in a platonic sense, but unfortunately had cut him out of your life when you cut ties with Jaehyun.
You feel sorry for ending your friendship with Mark so abruptly, especially since he wasn't the one at fault. You truly did miss him, so you decide to send him a message in an attempt to rekindle your friendship.
Me: hey Mork, how have ya been? 😊
You used your old nickname for him, beaming at the fond memories. To your relief, he responds equally as affectionately soon after.
Mark: hey crybaby, long time no see!
How ironic for that to be your nickname.
Me: it really has been a while, I was wondering if you were down to hang out and catch up sometime 👉👈
Mark: I thought you'd never ask, I'm free tonight if you are! We can meet at our usual spot.
You reminisce about all your fun times with Mark at the local 7/11. The two of you would visit there on late nights to stock up on snacks whenever you got cravings. His favorite was the instant curry udon, while you always went for classic spicy ramen. You'd dispense hot water into your bowls and eat them at a small table on the side of the building, cracking jokes the whole time and just enjoying life.
Me: see you at 10 🫡 be there or be square...
Mark: no one wants to be a square 🫡
With that, you put down your phone and head to the bathroom to freshen up. Already, your mood was lifted after your short conversation with Mark, and you couldn't wait to see him in person again. You hope things will be the same as before and that you could win your friend back, but a part of you is scared that he resents you for ghosting him for so long. You want to apologize and explain everything to him.
After slipping on a warm hoodie and slipping out the door, you start walking towards the nostalgic convenience store. It wasn't too far of a walk and you had the route memorized, so you pull out your phone to scroll through your notifications. As you read up on emails, the screen turns gray and a name appears across the top. "Yeonjunnie" was calling you. Not sure what he wanted to talk to you about, you timidly answer his call.
"Hello?"
"Y/N, hi. Are you busy right now?"
"I'm about to meet someone but I still have a few minutes left, what's up?"
"I just wanted to see you...we need to talk."
Yeonjun sounded so nervous, his voice wavering. Perhaps he felt bad that he had led you on, now that it was revealed that he was seeing someone else. You want to assure him that all is well, he hadn't done anything wrong. It was you who had made it clear multiple times that you were just friends, so he had nothing to worry about. Clearly, he has other things to focus on and you will continue focusing on yourself as well, starting with renewing your friendships.
"Talk about what? If you need to say something you can tell me now, over the phone." You question him.
"But I kind of wanted to talk to you in person..."
What could be so critical that it needed to be discussed face to face? You're confused as to why he keeps insisting on seeing you when you are nothing more than a casual fuck for him, especially when he has other options out there if he needed it.
"If it's so important, can't you talk about it with someone else?" You start to feel annoyed.
"Because it's important, I want to talk to you. Please? You're the only person I want to see right now."
Now you're getting pissed. How could he continue saying things to make you feel like you're special to him? Does he think he can sweet talk you into sticking around and being his side chick? You may be a bit naive when it comes to love, but you're not that dumb.
"Sorry, I can't right now." Approaching the 7/11 shop, you see Mark waiting by the glass doors. He spots you and gives you an enthusiastic wave. You smile and wave back as you walk towards him. "Why don't you hit up your girlfriend instead?"
Yeonjun pauses before asking. "Girlfriend? Are you talking about Karina?"
He finally said it. Was he actually going to admit it now? You're tired of beating around the bush with him. He doesn't need to hide this from you, he doesn't owe you an explanation, but you wish he would just be honest.
"Yes, Karina." You say with your jaw clenched.
"Y/N, it's not like that. I—"
"Y/N, hey! Come here!" Mark pulled you in for a bear hug, finally seeing you after so long. "How have you been girl?"
You giggle in his tight embrace that caught you by surprise. "I've been good, glad to see you again!"
"Who was that?" You hear Yeonjun’s muffled voice coming out of your phone still in your hand.
You quickly try to end the conversation now that you had reached your destination. "Sorry yeonjun, I have to go now."
"Was that a guy's voice?" He immediately questioned.
Why does he care? You think to yourself. Just like he doesn't owe you any explanations, you don't owe him any either.
"Yeonjun, I'll talk to you later. Good luck with whatever issue you're dealing with, I hope you figure it out." And you hang up the call.
Slipping your phone into your pocket, you move your attention to your friend who was already headed to the instant noodle aisle, picking out your favorites. Once you both prepped your bowls, you sit down at a lone table under a street light, warming your hands around the steam that came from the boiling water.
"So what's been going on in your life, crybaby? Still sobbing every time someone is mean to you?" Mark playfully punches your shoulder.
You roll your eyes and ruffle his hair. "You act like you don't cry every time we watch a ghibli movie."
"Hey, you'd cry too if your parents got turned into pigs." He splits his chopsticks and started digging in.
"Anyways, I wanted to apologize for ignoring you after the whole Jaehyun situation. I was a bad friend and you didn't deserve that." You shyly meet his eyes.
Mark smiles wide. "Aw, you don't have to apologize, I'm just happy I have my friend back! I missed you, ugly."
"I missed you too, dummy. I was just running away from my problems instead of confronting them like a woman." You huff.
"I don't blame you. Jaehyun was a mess for weeks after you left. I mean, it was his fault for fucking up, so I guess he broke his own heart."
"Wait, he was?" This was your first time hearing about how Jaehyun reacted to you ending things.
"Yeah, he kept trying to reach you but you had him blocked on everything. He even tried using my accounts but you blocked me too."
You scratch your head in embarrassment. "Oh yeah, sorry about that."
"It's all good. I know you were just trying to move on. But next time don't forget to bring your pals with you okay?"
"I won't, I promise this time!" You held out your pinky and Mark hooked his around it.
"Jaehyun was stupid for taking you for granted. He really liked you, you know?"
"Really?" Your curiosity was piqued.
"Yeah, I don't think he's ever felt that way about a girl before, so I guess he just didn't know how to act."
"I mean, not sleeping with Karina would've been a good start." You mutter.
Mark chuckles. "You're right, that was dumb of him. He wasn't even that into her, and isn't she dating that guy from TXT now?"
Your noodles slip from your chopsticks and splash into your bowl. Noticing your sudden tenseness, Mark curiously watches you.
"Funny thing about that actually..." You begin revealing all the drama that had occurred between you and Yeonjun in these past months. Mark listens intently to your story, nodding his head and letting you pour out all your frustrations to him. "...and now he wants to talk to me in person." You finish.
Mark appears deep in thought. He holds his chin in his hand, resting his elbow on the table. "Have you ever considered that maybe he feels the same way about you?"
"Dude, you're supposed to me my friend here, not set me up for heartbreak again." You complain.
"No, no, but listen. You had no idea Jaehyun had feelings for you back then, right?"
"Right..."
"And the both of you being oblivious to your mutual feelings led to mistakes and misunderstandings." Mark explains. "Everything you're telling me about Yeonjun makes it seem like he's hesitant to confess to you because of the same reasons you're hesitant to confess to him. You're both too scared of losing each other by taking a leap, but the more you guys try to avoid the topic, the more it's going to drive you apart."
"Mark, you're missing the point. Yeonjun doesn't feel that way about me and he's seeing other girls. It's in the news!"
"Oh yeah, and the news is always true isn't it?" Mark crossed his arms. "How many times have there been false rumors circulating about you? You can't trust shit that comes from media outlets."
You're annoyed that Mark isn't taking your side, but he did have a point.
"Why don't you just hear him out? If it turns out that he was playing you all along, and that painting with you, watching movies and all the quality time you spent together was just some sick ploy to get into your head, then I will personally beat the shit out of this guy."
You laugh at Mark's brazen statement. "Don't act tough, you couldn't even hurt a fly."
"Seriously though! I think you should give him a chance. From how you describe him, he seems like a sincere guy. And give yourself some more credit too, who wouldn't fall for your awesome personality? You're a great catch, Y/N."
You meekly grin at his words. It felt great to have such supportive friends. "Alright, maybe I'll take your advice. But if it backfires in my face, you owe me 100 shin ramen bowls."
"Deal, you got this! I bet that dude is so in love with you, he's probably dying to have you call him back already."
You both stand up and dispose of your trash before heading home. Mark gives you one last bear hug before you part ways. Thinking about your conversation, you decide to be brave and hear what Yeonjun had to say, even if it might break your heart. You unlock your phone and dial his number. The phone rings only once before he picks up.
"Y/N?"
"Hey uhm Yeonjun, I'm sorry for hanging up on you earlier. Do you still need to talk?"
"Y-yeah. Yes, I'd like to talk if you're free now. Are you sure I'm not...interrupting anything?"
"No, I finished my meeting already."
"Okay then, can I come over? Please?"
"Actually, I'm still outside. I'll come to you instead."
"Okay, yeah. I'll be here. See you soon."
"See you soon."
You had agreed to meet him and hear what he has to say. This very well could be the last time you ever see him again, depending on how the conversation goes. As you approach Yeonjun’s dorm, a familiar knot grows in your stomach. You remember the time you journeyed to Jaehyun's dorm, ready to confess your feelings and unveil your heart, only to have it shattered before you. Will this time be any different, or are you stuck in an endless loop of disappointment and heart break? Oh god, what if Karina is there again? What if this was a meeting for Yeonjun to end things with you and prove to his girlfriend that you mean nothing to him? Was this a setup?
You almost turn in your tracks and head home but remind yourself that you don't want to be a coward any more. Inhaling deeply, you firmly knock on the door three times, holding your breath as you wait for it to open. To your relief, he greets you, and a quick scan of his apartment confirms that he is alone. As you carefully enter, he tries to kiss you but you automatically turn your head, his lips landing on your cheek instead. You didn't mean to, but you were reflexively avoiding him.
This reaction made him grimace, a twinge of pain hit his chest. He cautiously motioned you to his room, where you could have a private conversation. He takes a seat on his bed, leaving space for you next to him, but instead you sit down on a chair by his desk across from him. You both sat with your backs arched, each nervously monitoring the others' expressions. There were a few moments of tense stillness, before he finally spoke up.
"Thank you for coming to see me." He spoke with a gentle wariness.
"Of course, it seemed like you really needed to talk."
"I do. I have so much I need to tell you. You don't know how relived I am to see you now." He carefully looks up at you with doe eyes.
You return his gaze, giving him your full attention. "So, what do you need to say?"
"That article that came out today, it's not true. I've been spending all day handling the rumors with my manager. I don't know how it even happened because I've never spoken to Karina before. I'm going to release an official statement soon, but I just wanted to let you know first." He bites his lip as he awaits your response.
Hearing those words come out of his mouth undid the knot in your stomach. The tension leaves your body and you finally relax your shoulders. Everything you were worried about was false and the cycle was broken. He hadn't let you down like so many others did in the past. You're convinced that he never could, that he's just that perfect.
"Thank you for telling me this, you didn't have to." You shyly smile to yourself.
"I had to though, I couldn't let you think that there's any other girl in my life. Because there isn't, it's only you. It’s onto you who makes me feel..things.”
You blush at his admission. You didn't know where this was coming from but this conversation was a complete 180 from what you were anticipating it to be. The anxiety you felt was slowly being replaced with butterflies.
“What do I make you feel?" You whisper.
Yeonjun closes his eyes, leaning forward until his forehead touched yours. With a shallow breath, he replies. "Love."
You're frozen in place. Unable to move nor speak. You try to fathom what was happening but before you could fully understand, he speaks up again.
Lifting his head, he moves his hands to cradle your face, tilting it up so that your eyes are locked on his.
"I'm in love with you."
As soon as the words left his lips, you felt like your soul left your body. Your head was spinning at the realization of his confession, unable to process what it meant. Yeonjun loves you? This isn't something you thought could happen in a million years. You weren't prepared to react. He loves you, but do you love him? Certainly, you knew you were falling for him, and falling fast. You spent days dreaming about being with him, being his girlfriend and his only lover. He was the focal point of your fantasies, no matter how hard you tried not to picture him in that light. He was everything you were looking for, he was perfect.
He was too perfect. This was too perfect.
As always, whenever you come close to living out your desires, you mind sneakily sabotages the moment. This was too good to be true, it can't be true. Everything about this scenario was perfect...except for you. You don't fit into this scene. All this time, Yeonjun had cared for you, he showed you his affection through his actions and now through his words. He wasn't afraid to love you.
But you on the other hand, were ready to run away at the first hint of trouble. You were ready to abandon your relationship altogether once you caught ear of his potential scandal. You didn't even think to give him a chance to explain himself. You were too afraid. You were too afraid of getting hurt. You were too afraid to love him.
Still staring up at Yeonjun, your eyes start to sting. "I can't—we can't..." is all you could muster.
He looks at you worriedly, his grip on your cheeks tightening slightly. "Why can't we?"
Tears start rolling down your face. "I'm not ready jun. I'm not enough for you."
"Why would you say that? You're more than enough for me, Y/N." he frowns.
"I'm too insecure, Yeonjun. I almost ghosted you over rumors that weren't even true, and we aren't even together. How's it going to be once we really are? I'm just not ready for a relationship." You sniffle.
Yeonjun’s eyes start watering. "It's okay, Y/N. We'll work through it together. I'll do whatever it takes for you to trust me. I just can't pretend that I don't have feelings for you any longer, because I do. I care about you so fucking much."
"Please stop. I can't do this jun." Every word he said was making it harder for you to accept the fact that you couldn't be what he needed. You attempt to pull his hands away from you, but he wasn't budging. Instead, he brings his face closer to yours.
"Forget what I said. Let's just go back to normal, like we were before."
"How can we? You just said you—"
Yeonjun attacks your lips with a kiss. It was desperate, rushed, and laced with your tears. It was his plea for you to stay, his last attempt to convince you that everything was going to be alright. Or maybe he was trying to convince himself.
You pull away, staring back at him with tears in your eyes. His heart cracks, the fissure growing until he feels it completely shatter. He fucked up. He ruined everything. He shouldn't have confessed to you. His worst nightmare was coming true, he scared you away and now he's losing you. He feels like he's losing a part of him. The part that is comfortable enough to share his passions, the part that is filled with warmth and tenderness, the part that feels like home. If you leave, you would take this part of him with you, and he could never feel whole. "Please don't go." His voice quivers.
"I'm sorry jun." You slowly back away. It takes everything in you not to run back into his arms, to the place you know would wash away all the pain you felt right now. You couldn't do that though, it'd be like putting a bandaid over a bullet hole, pretending that it fixes everything when it doesn't. Doing so would be selfish, because you know you're still broken inside, and you couldn't bear to see him break himself just to pick up your pieces. "You deserve better, someone who isn't afraid to love you."
He just stares at you, speechless. His mouth is agape, his eyes begging you to stay. He's crumbling before you and you can't stand the sight.
As you gather yourself to leave, you look back at him one last time. "I'm sorry it's not me."
—
Part two will be posted soon <33 comment to get tagged in order to get notified when the next part drops!
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
Teaser
Pairing | idol!yeonjun x idol!reader
Genre | Angst, fluff, smut, strangers to lovers, friends with benefits
Warnings | smut, curses
Type | Oneshot (but with two parts cuz tumblr is having a glitch)
Synopsis | you swore off love to protect your career after a painful past. When a high-profile collaboration forces you to partner with the industry’s charming "IT Boy," your intense chemistry leads to a simple, no-strings-attached proposal. As the professional lines blur during late-night studio sessions, your staunch resolve against falling dangerously begins to waver.
—
The clock on your phone is a glaring indictment: 4:17 PM. Seventeen minutes. For an idol like you, being seventeen minutes late to a professional meet-and-greet—even a casual one meant to "get to know each other"—is practically a scandal.
Your lungs burn as you skid to a halt outside the designated studio room. You quickly pat down your wrinkled practice shirt, smooth the kinks out of your hair, and suck in a deep, shaky breath. Professional. Composed. You're Y/N.
You don't bother with a polite knock. You throw the door open and immediately drop into a 90-degree bow, your neck stiff with panic.
"I am so incredibly sorry, Yeonjun-sunbaenim!" you blurt out, the honorific sounding desperate and loud. "There was an unexpected issue with traffic flow near the gate, and I should have been more prepared. Please, accept my deepest apologies for my tardiness."
Your head remains bowed, your face hot with embarrassment. You’ve already made a terrible first impression on a respected senior artist, and you haven’t even discussed the song yet.
A low, gentle chuckle breaks the silence, warm and surprisingly close.
"Sunbaenim? It's just Yeonjun, please," the voice says, entirely devoid of annoyance. "And you can relax. I just got here myself."
You slowly straighten up, lifting your gaze to meet his. Yeonjun is leaning casually against the edge of a sleek, black meeting table, putting his phone away. He's dressed comfortably in simple jeans and a soft hoodie, looking relaxed and approachable. You know the "I just got here" is a generous lie, but the kindness immediately dissolves the tight ball of nerves in your chest.
He pushes off the table and walks toward the chair opposite him, giving you a dazzling, easy smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes.
"Seriously, no worries at all," he repeats, pulling the chair out for you. "Sit down. It actually gave me a few extra minutes to listen to your last solo track again. I was trying to figure out how I'm going to match your energy on this collab."
He gestures for you to take the seat, then slides into his own, resting his chin on his hand as he looks directly at you. His gaze is steady, focused, and feels intensely personal.
"So," he continues, a slight, knowing smirk appearing on his lips. "Since we’re collaborating, and we’re going to be spending a lot of late nights in the studio together, what do you like to drink? Coffee? Tea? I’m buying the first round.”
Your profound embarrassment suddenly washes away, replaced by a swift, confusing warmth. He wasn't just being polite; the way he leaned slightly forward, the casual mention of "late nights together," the persistent warmth in his eyes...
Is he actually flirting with you? It's a completely ridiculous thought—you're colleagues meeting for work—but as you look at Yeonjun, the distance between "senior idol" and "potential love interest" feels impossibly small.
—
Note: the fic has been released pls check it out! <33
Part one
"Fuck you professor!"
CHAPTER 5: I love you
Pairing I prof!taehyun x student!reader
Idols featured | Kang Taehyun, Shin Ryujin, Choi Beomgyu, Jang
Wonyoung, Yang Jungwon
WC | 9k
Genre | Angst, fluff, suggestive, crack, enemies to lover, professor x student, university au
Warnings | obscene language, lots of curses, reader curses at Taehyun a lot, little bit suggestive towards the end
Type I series
Status | COMPLETED
Synopsis | You hated him first. The sharp-tongued professor who made your life a living hell, all spreadsheets and sarcasm. He hated you second-loud, chaotic, late to every class, yet impossible to ignore. But when fate moves him next door, lines blur, tempers spark, and late-night arguments start feeling like something else entirely. Between rivalry and chemistry, someone's about to fall-and neither plans to lose.
A/N | It's my first fic so pls be positive. I did not proofread because I didn't have much time, however if you find errors, pls ignore them. English is not my first language. Feel free to reblog or comment!! Lots of love!!
MASTERLIST
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The revelation of his impending marriage to Jang Wonyoung had settled over you like a toxic, suffocating fog. It was worse than the two-ton stacks of calculus worksheets; it was a punishment designed not for your academic standing, but for your soul. You spent the next few days in a state of suspended animation, fueled by stale coffee and the sickening irony of your situation: you were heartbroken over a man you actively despised, a man whose primary goal in life seemed to be the public dismantling of your self-esteem.
You tried, truly, to hate him. You tried to focus on the cold clinical jerk who had called you "academically ill-prepared." You tried to remember the smug professor who had silently drunk the salted water with only a terrifying glare. But every attempt to conjure pure loathing was undermined by the memory of his tired eyes, the accidental intimacy of his hand on your wrist, and the heavy sigh he’d let out when he admitted he was "too tired for the formalities."
He was getting married. And you, the girl who owned three hoodies and used sarcasm as a defense mechanism, were definitely not the bride.
The tears came, hot and messy, one evening while you were trying to pretend that the derivative of an exponential function was more interesting than the picture of Wonyoung. You weren't a dramatic crier; you were a silent, ugly crier. You curled up on your floor, knees tucked to your chest, letting the raw grief wash over you. It felt unfair, illogical, and utterly devastating. You hadn’t even realized you were falling until you hit the ground.
The next morning, you looked exactly how you felt. Your eyes were puffy, red-rimmed, and felt gritty, like they were packed with sand. Your lips were chapped and swollen from biting them all night. You pulled on the first clothes you saw, deciding that your attendance was mandatory, but your dignity was optional.
You walked into class seven minutes late. You didn't even try the Silent Slide; you just pushed the back door open and shuffled in, daring him to say something.
He was already at the front, pen in hand. The moment you appeared, you felt his attention snap to you, even though he didn't move. You sank into your seat, avoiding Ryujin’s pitying glance, and fixed your gaze on him.
You stared. A deliberate, hostile, heartbroken stare. Your eyes were burning, red flags waving on the field of your face, a clear message: You did this to me.
Taehyun must have felt it, because his posture stiffened slightly. He paused mid-sentence, his hand hovering over his laptop screen. He slowly turned his head, his dark eyes meeting your bloodshot, furious gaze.
The silence was a tangible weight. You didn't break the stare. You let him see the consequence of his "personal matters." You wanted him to acknowledge the pain he'd caused, the chaos he’d wrought just by being quietly, suddenly unavailable.
He held your gaze for a beat too long—a beat where the professional barrier seemed to crack, revealing a flicker of guilt, or perhaps just simple recognition. But then, with a sharp intake of breath, the wall slammed back up. He turned back to the board without a word, continued his equation, and his voice resumed its measured, professional drone.
He ignored you. Completely. You were a piece of furniture, a disruptive noise that his advanced brain had decided to filter out. He taught the entire class, answered questions, but never once looked back at your corner of the room. He didn't use the name "Y/N." He didn't use "Miss Hwang." You ceased to exist.
The ignoring hurt worse than the scolding. It was confirmation that your feelings, your pain, and your existence were simply irrelevant to his grand, perfect, pre-planned life.
You hate him. You truly, genuinely hate him so much.
That afternoon, you found yourself weeping again in the common area of the library. Ryujin found you behind a stack of reference books, clutching a handful of used tissues.
She didn't try to stop you, or scold you, or tell you to be strong. She just sat down on the floor next to you and handed you a large, unused pack of tissues and a lukewarm can of soda.
"Talk," she instructed quietly, rubbing your back in slow, steady circles.
You sniffled, trying to get the words out. "He... he completely blanked me. My eyes were red, Ryu. They were so obviously red and swollen, and he just... looked right past me. Like I was wallpaper."
"That's his defense mechanism, Y/N," Ryujin said, her voice heavy with the wisdom of someone who’d watched you crash and burn before. "He knows what he's doing. He knows how you react. By ignoring you, he prevents the fight, and he avoids dealing with the consequences of his own choices. He doesn't want you to see that he's hurting, too."
"He's not hurting," you spat out, the anger momentarily overcoming the sadness. "He's marrying Jang Wonyoung! Look at the picture! He's winning! I'm the one who's hurting."
"You're hurting, yes. But if he was happy, he wouldn't be tired, Y/N," Ryujin countered softly. "He'd be glowing. He's doing this fast, quiet wedding for a reason that has nothing to do with love and everything to do with obligation. He's shutting down the only spontaneous, messy thing in his life—which, let's be honest, is you—to go back to his perfect, predictable path."
You buried your face into her shoulder. "I... I think I love him, Ryu. I hate it, but I think I love him."
Ryujin just hugged you tighter. "I know, kid. I saw it coming the moment you started bragging about how much you hated him. That’s always how it starts for you. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be furious. But you have to remember who you are. You’re Y/N. You are chaos and light. She is elegance and quiet grace. You two don't fit in the same story, and it's not a flaw in you."
She pulled back, holding your face in her hands. "Cry it out now. You have two days. Because you’re going to that wedding cruise, and you are going to be so dazzling, so entirely you, that he regrets every single perfectly planned step he takes toward that altar."
"I have to go," you reminded her, your voice still thick. "My parents are leaving for their conference, and Mrs. Kang practically adopted me for the weekend. I can't escape."
"Exactly," Ryujin confirmed, a fierce look in her eyes. "So you go. You get closure. And you find someone else to annoy. Preferably someone who isn't your professor."
The following Friday morning felt like the prelude to a terrible, glorious funeral. Your parents had kissed you goodbye, leaving for a week-long conference, completely oblivious to the emotional warfare you were about to undertake on the high seas.
Mrs. Kang picked you up, bustling and cheerful. "It's so lovely to have you, dear! I know Taehyun told you it was a simple, quiet affair, but we thought, why not turn it into a family trip? A five-day cruise to the islands! Just a small thing."
You stared out the window, picturing the "small thing." A nice ferry, maybe a small rental boat.
Then you saw it.
At the port, dominating the horizon, was the Odyssey of the Seas —a colossal, blindingly white cruise ship that looked less like a vessel and more like a floating, luxury city. It was the physical embodiment of the sheer, terrifying scale of Taehyun’s "simple" life.
"Wow," you managed, your voice barely a whisper. "That's... quite small."
Mrs. Kang laughed, oblivious. "Oh, yes! We chartered the whole top deck for the immediate family and close friends. It's much less stressful than a ballroom, don't you think?"
You didn't think. You thought you were going to vomit. You were about to spend five days trapped on a metal island, sailing toward Taehyun's permanent, exquisite commitment to the most beautiful woman on earth.
You managed to check in, clutching your small backpack containing mostly anxiety and one dress Ryujin had forced you to buy. You walked onto the gangway, the polished deck gleaming under the morning sun, feeling like a stowaway dressed in borrowed confidence.
You decided to find a quiet corner near the railing to collect yourself before the social nightmare began. You leaned against the polished white metal, staring up at the vertigo-inducing upper decks. You closed your eyes, sucking in the cool, salty air. You tried to focus on the swaying rhythm, the distant sound of gulls. You were trying to look incredibly emo, embodying the tragedy of unrequited love for the man who was currently probably adjusting his tuxedo in a suite overlooking the ocean.
You reached into your jacket pocket and pulled out the one thing you knew was guaranteed to annoy Taehyun, even from a distance: a packet of cheap convenience store cigarettes. You didn't even smoke regularly; it was purely a prop for theatrical angst. You tapped one out, brought it to your lips, and fumbled with the cheap plastic lighter.
Before you could flick the flame, someone slammed into you. Hard.
“Oh! God, I am so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going, I’m running late—it’s chaos up here! Are you okay?"
You stumbled, turning to face your accidental attacker. You looked up into a pair of wide, warm eyes framed by dark, slightly messy hair. He was almost of your height, just a few inches taller, but handsome, with a smile that was immediately, intrinsically friendly. His features were delicate, a mix of sharp angles and soft curves that made him instantly adorable. He looked exactly like a person your age should look: slightly rumpled, effortlessly cute, and visibly flustered.
"I'm fine," you said, immediately managing a real, unforced smile for the first time in days. His energy was light, a welcome contrast to the heavy atmosphere Taehyun created. "It's okay. I was just in the way."
He ran a hand through his hair, still slightly breathless. "Seriously, I apologize. This whole thing is insane. They said 'intimate family celebration'—this is a corporate retreat."
You chuckled. "Tell me about it. I thought I was coming to a small backyard barbeque."
"Right? Who gets married on a five-day luxury cruise? It’s exhausting just looking at it. I'm Jungwon, by the way." He extended a hand, and you shook it—his grip was warm and firm.
"Y/N," you replied. "And you must be... incredibly close family, based on the size of this boat."
He grinned, a shy, charming blush dusting his cheeks. "Define 'close.' I'm Taehyun hyung's cousin. The youngest. Mandatory attendance, unfortunately." He made a face that was conspiratorial and charming. "I'm the designated entertainment for the boring people."
You stared. Cousin. Taehyun's cousin. Someone who was exactly your age, effortlessly cute, and understood the absurdity of the situation. This was the first good thing that had happened to you all week.
"Oh, thank god," you sighed dramatically. "You're my rescue ship. I'm Y/N, and I'm... Taehyun's student." You forced the last part out, the shame still stinging.
Jungwon's smile softened with immediate understanding. "Ah, a fellow sufferer. Well, Y/N the Student, you look like you need a guide who knows where the good snacks are and how to avoid the obligatory family photo ops. Stick with me."
"Deal," you agreed, feeling a genuine lightness. Jungwon was a breath of fresh, non-calculus-related air.
The Snatching and the Scolding
Jungwon had to run off to deal with a crisis involving his mother's luggage, promising to meet you for the evening reception. You wandered off again, finding a secluded section of the port-side railing. The ship was finally pulling away from the dock, the massive horn emitting a deep, mournful sound that perfectly matched your internal state.
The brief lightness from the encounter with Jungwon had evaporated, replaced by the crushing reality of the situation. You were here. You were trapped. Taehyun was on this ship, and soon, he would be married.
You needed the prop. The theatrics of the cigarette felt essential to your current brand of melodramatic anguish. You pulled out the crumpled packet, tapped out the same cigarette, and placed it between your lips. This time, you flicked the lighter, and a tiny, satisfying flame appeared.
Just as you inhaled, enjoying the bitter, acrid taste of the cheap tobacco, a hand shot out from behind you.
It was fast, precise, and utterly without hesitation. The hand, strong and familiar, plucked the cigarette directly from your lips.
You whipped around, fury replacing angst in a blinding rush.
“What the hell?!” you yelled, instantly recognizing the dark, intense eyes and the severe set of the jaw.
Taehyun stood there, the smoke from the stolen cigarette curling briefly from his fingers before he crushed it beneath the immaculate leather of his dress shoe. He was already in his suit for the evening—a dark, perfectly tailored masterpiece that made him look less like a professor and more like a CEO about to close a multi-billion dollar deal.
His expression was thunderous. No hint of the tired resignation now; this was the full force of Professor Kang, the controller, the moralizer.
“What the hell is that?” he countered, his voice low and dangerous, drawing the attention of a nearby steward. “You’re on a five-day celebration cruise with my family. You think standing on a railing looking like a delinquent about to set off a smoke alarm is appropriate behavior?”
“Who do you think you are?” you demanded, jabbing a furious finger toward his perfectly starched shirtfront. You didn't care about the onlookers. The pent-up frustration of the past week—the crying, the humiliation, the sheer injustice of falling for him—exploded out of you.
“You’ve spent an entire week ignoring me, treating me like I’m irrelevant wallpaper in your classroom, watching me walk in late with bloodshot eyes and not saying a single, solitary word! And now, now you suddenly have the audacity to act like my guardian, my professor, or even my friend, just because I have a cigarette?! Where was this concern when you were busy signing your life away to Wonyoung?!”
Your voice cracked on her name, and you instantly regretted the raw, exposed emotion.
His expression wavered. The anger in his eyes softened, replaced by that familiar, frustrating weariness, but it was coupled now with a harsh, defensive guilt. He looked caught, exposed. He took a small step back, clearly unnerved by the intensity of your distress.
“Y/N,” he started, his voice barely a rough whisper. “This isn’t the place for this. You need to calm down.”
“No, I don’t need to calm down! I need to know why you act like I don’t exist until I do something you personally disapprove of!” you insisted, tears stinging your eyes again. “You called me 'academically ill-prepared' but you clearly think I'm too immature to even handle my own vices! Why do you care? You’re getting married! Stop trying to manage my life!”
He opened his mouth, his jaw tense, clearly about to deliver a painful, truthful retort—a defense of his actions, an explanation of his sudden detachment, or perhaps a final dismissal that would truly set you free.
But he didn't get the chance.
A new voice, sweet, light, and utterly perfect, interrupted the charged silence.
“Taehyun, darling! There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
You watched, frozen, as the legendary Jang Wonyoung glided up to the railing. She was a vision. . She wore an effortlessly chic, flowing dress in a soft coral color, her makeup was immaculate, and she carried herself with a poise that made you feel like a crumpled piece of paper tossed onto the perfect deck. She was utterly, heartbreakingly ethereal.
She slipped her hand under Taehyun’s arm, linking their elbows with a proprietary closeness that felt like a physical blow to your chest. Taehyun stiffened—a subtle, barely perceptible movement, but you caught it. He didn't relax into her touch; he held himself rigid, a sliver of tension passing through his shoulders.
Wonyoung turned her luminous gaze to you, her perfect brows arching slightly. Her smile was polite, flawlessly executed, and utterly curious.
“Hello! I’m Wonyoung. I don’t think we’ve met. You must be one of the... university friends?” she asked, her voice melodic and gentle.
Taehyun’s body remained tense, his gaze still fixed on your face, the raw accusation of your earlier words hanging in the air between you.
He swallowed hard, pulling his arm slightly out of her gentle grasp to regain his composure. He looked from Wonyoung’s perfect face to your tear-streaked, angry one, and the final word he chose was the most clinical, painful dismissal he could have offered.
“Wonyoung,” he said, his voice flat, emotionless. “This is Y/N. She’s my student.”
She’s my student.
It was a wall. A definitive, concrete, professional barrier erected between you. Not a friend, not a neighbor, not an antagonist, not even a troublesome acquaintance—just a student. A subordinate. Someone defined only by her relationship to his academic authority.
The realization hit you with the force of a physical impact. You weren't a challenge; you were a footnote. You weren't a love interest; you were a nuisance. You weren't a threat to his fiancée; you were just a kid he was trying to stop from smoking on the family cruise.
A defeated, painful laugh escaped you. You looked from his cold, closed-off face to Wonyoung’s dazzling, unblemished one.
I can never be her.
You couldn't be the poise, the elegance, the quiet grace. You couldn't be the one he chose for stability, for family legacy, for a perfect life. You were the chaos, the late mistake, the smudge on the perfect blueprint.
You dropped your gaze, the fight entirely leaving your body. "My mistake, Professor," you muttered, the formality of the title now tasting like ash. "I was just heading back to my cabin. Enjoy your engagement."
You turned and walked away, not running, not storming, but just walking, slow and defeated, until you were safely out of sight.
You didn't go back to your cabin. You couldn't bear the thought of being alone with the crushing weight of your feelings. You desperately needed a distraction—a reality check that existed outside the orbit of Kang Taehyun’s perfectly miserable life.
You found Jungwon exactly where he said he would be: lounging on a plush deck chair near the pool, scrolling through his phone, looking relaxed and completely out of place in the high-stakes, formal atmosphere.
He saw your face instantly—the residue of tears, the faint trembling of your hands. He set his phone down and sat up, concern clouding his expressive eyes.
"Y/N? Hey, what happened? You look like you just saw a ghost," he asked, his voice genuinely gentle.
You collapsed onto the chair next to him, burying your face in your hands. "I saw the groom, Jungwon. And the bride. And I got very, very publicly dismissed."
"The old hyung-and-Wonyoung special, huh?" he sighed, rubbing your back cautiously, already exhibiting the comforting wisdom of the younger cousin who had witnessed this dynamic for years. "Did he do the 'she’s my student' thing? That’s his go-to when he's stressed and trying to distance himself."
You lifted your head, surprised. "He did! How did you know?"
"Because Taehyun hyung is very predictable when he's under pressure," Jungwon explained, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He builds walls. He uses the most impersonal titles. He retreats into 'Professor Kang' when the world, or Wonyoung, or his parents, expects too much from 'Taehyun.' You must have really cornered him."
"I was trying to smoke a cheap cigarette," you admitted, slightly shamefaced.
Jungwon let out a genuine, surprised laugh. "Seriously? A cigarette? That's amazing. I didn't think you had it in you, Y/N the Student."
"I was going for 'tragic figure of unrequited love,' but I think I landed on 'public health menace,'" you muttered, managing a faint, weak smile.
"Nah," Jungwon reassured you, leaning back and tilting his head to look at you properly. "You landed on 'the most interesting person on this boat.' Seriously, this whole cruise is going to be so boring—all polite smiles and expensive champagne toasts. You're the chaos this family desperately needs."
The compliment, delivered with such sincerity, actually made you feel a little better. "You're too kind, Jungwon. You're probably the only genuine thing I've found so far."
"Good. Hold onto that thought," he said, his tone shifting slightly, becoming lighter, sparkier, and distinctly flirtatious. He had beautiful, deep dimples when he smiled like that. "So, Y/N, now that the formalities are out of the way, and you've had your public breakdown..."
"Yes?"
"I think you owe me a dance at the reception later," he proposed, his eyes twinkling. "And maybe a detailed, highly biased account of why my cousin is such a menace to humanity."
You felt a little jolt of adrenaline, a completely different, cleaner energy than the one Taehyun usually sparked. Jungwon was easy. He was fun. He was available. And he clearly found you interesting.
"A dance, and the full, uncensored history of The Academic Tyrant? Deal," you said, your smile finally reaching your eyes. "But I warn you, I'm a terrible dancer. And my dress is slightly wrinkled."
"I'm a terrible dancer, too. We can both be bad together," Jungwon said smoothly, holding your gaze. The way he was looking at you—openly, admiringly, without the hidden complexity that always veiled Taehyun's glances—made your cheeks warm.
"You're cute when you blush, Y/N," he commented, his own face suddenly flushing a delightful shade of pink beneath the compliment, a sign that his smooth flirting was just an act of nervous charm.
"And you're cute when you realize you just flirted and then immediately blush," you countered, feeling a sudden surge of strength and mischievousness.
He laughed, covering his face briefly. "Okay, point taken. See? Much better than cigarettes. You should stick with flirting with the cute cousin instead of fighting with the grumpy groom. It's much better for your complexion."
You both laughed then, a genuine, necessary sound that washed some of the salt and anguish out of the air. The vast, cold ocean suddenly didn't feel quite so isolating.
The decision was made: Tonight, you wouldn't be 'Y/N the Student,' nor 'Y/N the Academic Menace,' and certainly not 'Y/N the Heartbroken Moper.' Tonight, you were going to be Y/N the Regret.
Ryujin's words echoed in your mind: He builds walls. He doesn't want you to see he's hurting, too. You didn't care about his pain; you cared about your own. And the only cure for a broken heart on a luxury cruise was a devastating public display of thriving, unavailable hotness.
You meticulously prepared in your cabin, ignoring the dizzying sway of the ocean. You slipped into the dress Ryujin had insisted upon—a red satin champagne number that clung to every curve and featured a daring, cowl-neck drape. The color was deliberate: a bright, bold declaration of your presence, designed to slice through the beige politeness of the Kang family affair. You did your makeup carefully, applying a smoky shadow and a sharp, crimson lip. When you looked in the mirror, the raw sadness was masked by pure, defiant heat. I know I'm hot, you thought, flexing your jaw. And tonight, he's going to regret calling me 'just a student.'
Jungwon arrived precisely on time, knocking lightly on your door. When he saw you, his eyes widened, and he let out a low, appreciative whistle.
"Wow, Y/N," he breathed, straightening his own sharp, navy suit. "The chaos just got upgraded to a Category Five hurricane. You're... absolutely devastating."
"Devastating is the goal," you confirmed, linking your arm through his. The warmth of his touch was comforting, grounding. Jungwon was more than just a distraction; he was your savior, your perfectly timed lifeboat in the sea of your unmanageable emotions. He made you feel light, attractive, and temporarily sane.
Together, you made your entrance into the main ballroom, which had been transformed for the engagement party. Chandeliers dripped with crystal, flowers bloomed in elaborate arrangements, and the air was thick with the scent of money and expensive perfume.
Your eyes immediately scanned the room, locating the center of the universe.
There they were. Taehyun and Wonyoung, standing on a slightly elevated, flower-adorned stage, surrounded by photographers and well-wishers. They were clicking staged, beautiful, utterly perfect photos. This wasn't just a party; it was a public declaration, a piece of rich-people propaganda meant to publicize their union to the world. Rich assholes, you muttered internally.
Taehyun looked immaculate in a black tuxedo, his hair styled back, emphasizing the severe elegance of his features. Wonyoung was breathtaking—a vision in white lace, looking every bit the princess she was.
You and Jungwon moved through the crowd, deliberately taking a path that led toward the periphery of the stage. You maintained eye contact with Jungwon, laughing loudly at one of his low-stakes jokes, your body language overtly intimate. You clung to his arm, the red satin brushing against his sleeve, making sure the visual was clear: You're not the only one with options, Professor.
Just as you reached a pillar near the stage, Taehyun turned his head, clearly bored by the endless flash photography. His eyes swept over the crowd—and then they landed on you.
The immediate effect was electric. His gaze froze, taking in the red dress, the defiant smile, and the closeness of your arm linked with his cousin's. His controlled facade slipped for a fraction of a second. He blinked, a quick, sharp movement that betrayed a sudden, intense focus.
And then, it happened. He was in the middle of posing for a photo, his hand resting on Wonyoung's back. As his attention snapped to you, that controlling hand seemed to lose its grip for a split second. Wonyoung stumbled, just a tiny, graceful hitch, and had to briefly brace herself on the stage railing. Taehyun quickly recovered, his hand tightening around her waist, but the moment was clear.
He almost dropped Wonyoung because he was staring at me.
A slow, vicious smirk spread across your face. Gotcha.
The formal part of the evening progressed. A hush fell as the couple stood center-stage for the symbolic exchange of the rings. Even though they were already technically engaged, this was the public sealing of the deal. Wonyoung’s delicate hand was placed in Taehyun’s larger, more severe one. The diamond flashed blindingly under the ballroom lights.
You watched, your breath catching in your throat. The sight of his fingers closing around hers, the casual, absolute certainty of their future together, was a physical shock. The defiant heat drained from your body, leaving behind a terrible, cold ache. The red dress suddenly felt heavy and suffocating.
You couldn't take it. The staged perfection, the polite smiles, the finality of that shining diamond—it was too much.
You squeezed Jungwon's hand. "I need air," you whispered, the word sounding rough. "I'm going to the balcony."
"Hey, Y/N, wait," Jungwon started, concern etched on his face.
"Don't. Just... I need five minutes." You pulled away and quickly slipped out through a set of French doors leading onto the main upper deck.
The cool, salty night air hit your face, a welcome shock. You rushed to the railing, leaning heavily against the brass, staring out at the inky, black water churning beneath the massive hull of the cruise ship. You inhaled deeply, trying to stave off the wave of rising panic. You closed your eyes, pressing the heels of your hands against your eyelids, fighting the fresh sting of tears.
"Y/N."
The voice was low, instantly recognizable, and entirely unwanted. You knew that tone—it was the quiet authority he reserved for private confrontations.
You straightened up, turning to face him. Taehyun stood a few feet away, the light from the ballroom framing him in a golden glow, making the severe lines of his tuxedo and his expression even sharper. Why? Just why, God?
"The fiancée needs her photo partner," you said coolly, injecting your voice with all the forced disdain you could muster. "You shouldn't be out here."
"Why did you leave?" he asked, ignoring your jab. His voice was low, without the public frostiness, but still guarded. He stared at your red dress, at the careful, sharp angles of your makeup.
"Why do you care?"
"Stop being difficult," he said, taking a step closer. "You looked distressed. You bolted out of the room."
"I was feeling sick," you lied instantly.
He crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the wall, mirroring the defensive posture from his office. "You were fine five minutes ago when you were hanging off my cousin's arm like he was a life raft."
You laughed, a short, bitter sound. "Maybe he is. He's certainly less of an asshole than some people I know."
"Y/N," he warned, his voice hardening slightly. "Don't."
You had reached your limit. The tears you had fought off all day finally betrayed you, spilling onto the dramatic crimson of your cheeks. You didn't bother to wipe them. You were too exhausted to maintain the facade.
"I can't stay in there, Taehyun," you confessed, the words torn straight from your gut. "I can't watch it. I can't watch you marry her. Because—" you choked on the next phrase, forcing it out, letting the raw, devastating truth hang in the salty air. "Because I love you."
You didn't look away. You let him see the messy, illogical, overwhelming truth. "I love you. I hate that I love you. I love the way you push me, the way you hate my chaos, the way you make me feel like I have to try just to prove you wrong. I love the person you hide under the Professor Kang facade. And watching you make this calculated, miserable choice with her—it's killing me."
You told him everything. The jealousy, the confusion, the realization that the fight was just a mask for the feeling, the devastation of the 'she's my student' dismissal. You laid it all out, a trembling, ridiculous sacrifice on the altar of his engagement party.
He just stared. His eyes were wide, black pools in the dim light. His expression was utterly, terrifyingly blank. No anger. No smugness. No weariness. Just a terrifying, zero-emotion stare.
He held the silence for what felt like an eternity, the only sound the rhythmic churning of the ocean beneath you.
And then, without a single word, without a change in expression, he turned and walked away.
He didn't look back. He simply stepped through the French doors and disappeared back into the glittering warmth of his engagement party, leaving you alone on the cold, dark deck with the bitter taste of your confession in your mouth.
You scoffed, a raw, furious sound. "Asshole. Jerk. Fucker," you spat into the wind, gripping the railing until your knuckles turned white. He had confirmed it. You were utterly, completely irrelevant.
You stayed out there, leaning against the cold brass, sipping the discarded champagne from a flute left on a nearby table, trying to reconstruct your dignity. The bubbles felt like sandpaper against your throat, doing little to numb the pain.
Then, you heard it—a sudden, sharp rise in noise from inside the ballroom. The polite murmur of the party had fragmented into confused, urgent chatter.
Curiosity, that ever-present trait, nudged you forward. You wiped your eyes quickly, took a deep breath, and walked back inside.
The scene that met you was pure, unfiltered chaos.
The engagement stage was no longer a place of joy. The opulent crowd was clustered, perplexed. Wonyoung was standing near the microphone stand, her elegant shoulders shaking, bright, messy tears ruining her perfect makeup.
And Taehyun was standing center stage, facing his stunned parents and Wonyoung's parents, his hands clenched at his sides.
You watched, stunned. You heard his voice, loud and clear over the shocked silence that had suddenly descended upon the room.
"I can't do this. I can't marry her."
Okay, what the actual fuck.
The room erupted—a furious, overlapping chorus of confusion, rage, and scandalized whispers. Wonyoung let out a heartbroken sob.
Taehyun, ignoring the furious tirade from his father, turned and scanned the room. His eyes found yours immediately, and he started walking, cutting a sharp path through the startled guests.
Wonyoung, catching up to him, grabbed his arm. Her voice was high, raw with betrayal. "Taehyun! Look at me! Tell me why! Why can't you marry me, Taehyun?!"
He stopped, standing just a few feet away from you. He looked down at Wonyoung, then slowly, deliberately, he raised his gaze to meet yours—your tear-stained face, your furious red dress, your jaw currently slack with shock.
His voice was steady, resonant, and utterly sincere as he spoke the words, not to Wonyoung, but to you, locking your eyes with his.
"I can't marry you, Wonyoung," he said, the words echoing slightly in the stunned silence. "Because I love her."
Your world tilted. Your jaw dropped so hard you thought it might hit the floor. What the actual fuck?
Before you could process the shock, Mr. Kang, Taehyun’s father, reached him. The sound was sharp and deafening in the sudden stillness: a harsh, open-handed slap across Taehyun's face.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Mr. Kang roared, his face white with fury. "This is insane! You are throwing away your life for a childish fling!"
Wonyoung's parents stormed forward, incandescent with rage, pulling their daughter away. Wonyoung only stared at Taehyun, her stunning face dissolving in shattered disbelief, before her mother hauled her away, sobbing uncontrollably.
Taehyun didn't flinch from the slap. He didn't look at his furious father. He simply watched Wonyoung leave, then turned his full attention to you.
He stepped closer, reaching out. His fingers were slightly cold as they brushed your burning cheek.
"Y/N," he said, his voice husky, low, and filled with a desperate apology. "I am so sorry. For the quiet, for the ignoring, for the cruelty. I was building the wall to stop this from happening. I love you. I've loved your chaos since the first day you slammed my door. And I realized tonight, when I watched you walk away with Jungwon, when I saw the red dress, and when you confessed—I realized I would rather face my father's rage than watch you walk through life with anyone else."
He pulled your trembling hand into his. His thumb caressed your palm, the warmth finally returning.
"The marriage was an obligation. It was a choice based on logic and family legacy. You are a choice based on everything illogical, messy, and real. I can't do the calculated life anymore."
He held your gaze, his eyes shining with a raw, terrifying sincerity. The Professor Kang facade was completely shattered.
"I know this is insane. I know this is a mess. But I'm choosing the mess. Be my girlfriend, Y/N."
Your mind was blank. Love? Marriage? Slap? Girlfriend? It was a cyclone of unbelievable events. But when you looked at his face—at the raw conviction in his eyes, at the fresh red mark on his cheek where his father had struck him—you knew he was telling the truth. He had thrown away his entire, perfect life for you.
You took a ragged breath, squeezing his hand fiercely.
"Yes," you whispered, the word shaky but firm. "Yes, Taehyun. You asshole."
You woke up slowly, the scent of the sea replaced by the familiar, intimate musk of your shared apartment. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming the space. You were naked under the sheets, the remnants of a feverish, satisfying night clinging to your skin.
A familiar weight settled gently against your chest. Taehyun.
He was propped up on one elbow, his eyes heavy-lidded and soft as he watched you. His fingers, those precise, controlling fingers that usually held a chalk or a pen, were idly stroking the side of your neck, occasionally threading through your messy hair.
You chuckled, leaning into his touch. "If I had known breaking up a staged engagement party was the key to this kind of reward, I'd have worn the red dress sooner."
He smiled, a deep, genuine smile that still occasionally took your breath away. It was a smile completely free of the stiffness and guardedness of his "Professor Kang" days.
"If I had known confessing my love in front of a thousand shocked socialites was the only way to get you to call me 'asshole' with affection, I would have skipped the whole Master's degree," he countered, leaning down to press a soft kiss to your forehead.
"You really think you can skip the Master's degree now?" you teased, shifting against the sheets, enjoying the feel of his skin against yours.
"I might," he mused, his hand trailing down your arm. "It's distracting, knowing my fiancé is currently one month away from graduating."
You nudged him playfully with your foot. "We're not engaged, Taehyun. And I'm graduating from your class. I barely passed."
He raised an eyebrow, the old, familiar Professor look briefly returning. "You got a B+, Y/N. That is the mathematical equivalent of an A+++ for your academic starting point. You're brilliant when you apply yourself."
"Only when I'm motivated by a crush on my professor," you admitted, nuzzling your face into his shoulder.
He pulled you close, burying his face in your hair. "I love you. And yes, darling, we are absolutely engaged. My mother is already planning the flower arrangements. You just haven't said 'yes' to the actual proposal yet because I keep distracting you."
You laughed, winding your arms around his neck. "Maybe I enjoy the distraction. Besides, you owe me a proper, non-scandalous proposal."
"Oh, you'll get one," he promised, his voice dropping to a low, seductive whisper. "But first, one more month. One month until you graduate, and then we're getting married. I've waited long enough for the mess. And I plan on making you late to the wedding, just to keep the tradition alive."
"You wouldn't dare."
"I would absolutely dare," he whispered against your lips, right before kissing you with the glorious, messy, perfect conviction of a man who had finally chosen reality over logic. "Now, show me how motivated you are this morning, Y/N. We still have a few hours before you have to start studying for your final exam."
—
Prev | Next
voyeur!soobin who sits down almost every night on the old wooden chair placed in front of his window. dimmed lights, curtains opened, he fists his fat cock over and over again, cum spilling all over his hands and thighs while watching you bounce on your toy, seeing you tremble. he bites his bottom lip at the sight of your pleasured face and shaky body. he can't help but let out a few moans, wishing he could hear you, touch you, feel you. your lack of thoughts makes you unaware of his perverted eyes watching you from his house, pleasure clouding your mind from your surroundings, even when your bedroom window is facing his.
THE WAY I CAN PICTURE HIM DOING THIS AAAHAHHHH
Wanna kiss him so bad rn 😭
"Fuck you professor!"
CHAPTER 5: I love you
Pairing I prof!taehyun x student!reader
Idols featured | Kang Taehyun, Shin Ryujin, Choi Beomgyu, Jang
Wonyoung, Yang Jungwon
WC | 9k
Genre | Angst, fluff, suggestive, crack, enemies to lover, professor x student, university au
Warnings | obscene language, lots of curses, reader curses at Taehyun a lot, little bit suggestive towards the end
Type I series
Status | COMPLETED
Synopsis | You hated him first. The sharp-tongued professor who made your life a living hell, all spreadsheets and sarcasm. He hated you second-loud, chaotic, late to every class, yet impossible to ignore. But when fate moves him next door, lines blur, tempers spark, and late-night arguments start feeling like something else entirely. Between rivalry and chemistry, someone's about to fall-and neither plans to lose.
A/N | It's my first fic so pls be positive. I did not proofread because I didn't have much time, however if you find errors, pls ignore them. English is not my first language. Feel free to reblog or comment!! Lots of love!!
MASTERLIST
—
The revelation of his impending marriage to Jang Wonyoung had settled over you like a toxic, suffocating fog. It was worse than the two-ton stacks of calculus worksheets; it was a punishment designed not for your academic standing, but for your soul. You spent the next few days in a state of suspended animation, fueled by stale coffee and the sickening irony of your situation: you were heartbroken over a man you actively despised, a man whose primary goal in life seemed to be the public dismantling of your self-esteem.
You tried, truly, to hate him. You tried to focus on the cold clinical jerk who had called you "academically ill-prepared." You tried to remember the smug professor who had silently drunk the salted water with only a terrifying glare. But every attempt to conjure pure loathing was undermined by the memory of his tired eyes, the accidental intimacy of his hand on your wrist, and the heavy sigh he’d let out when he admitted he was "too tired for the formalities."
He was getting married. And you, the girl who owned three hoodies and used sarcasm as a defense mechanism, were definitely not the bride.
The tears came, hot and messy, one evening while you were trying to pretend that the derivative of an exponential function was more interesting than the picture of Wonyoung. You weren't a dramatic crier; you were a silent, ugly crier. You curled up on your floor, knees tucked to your chest, letting the raw grief wash over you. It felt unfair, illogical, and utterly devastating. You hadn’t even realized you were falling until you hit the ground.
The next morning, you looked exactly how you felt. Your eyes were puffy, red-rimmed, and felt gritty, like they were packed with sand. Your lips were chapped and swollen from biting them all night. You pulled on the first clothes you saw, deciding that your attendance was mandatory, but your dignity was optional.
You walked into class seven minutes late. You didn't even try the Silent Slide; you just pushed the back door open and shuffled in, daring him to say something.
He was already at the front, pen in hand. The moment you appeared, you felt his attention snap to you, even though he didn't move. You sank into your seat, avoiding Ryujin’s pitying glance, and fixed your gaze on him.
You stared. A deliberate, hostile, heartbroken stare. Your eyes were burning, red flags waving on the field of your face, a clear message: You did this to me.
Taehyun must have felt it, because his posture stiffened slightly. He paused mid-sentence, his hand hovering over his laptop screen. He slowly turned his head, his dark eyes meeting your bloodshot, furious gaze.
The silence was a tangible weight. You didn't break the stare. You let him see the consequence of his "personal matters." You wanted him to acknowledge the pain he'd caused, the chaos he’d wrought just by being quietly, suddenly unavailable.
He held your gaze for a beat too long—a beat where the professional barrier seemed to crack, revealing a flicker of guilt, or perhaps just simple recognition. But then, with a sharp intake of breath, the wall slammed back up. He turned back to the board without a word, continued his equation, and his voice resumed its measured, professional drone.
He ignored you. Completely. You were a piece of furniture, a disruptive noise that his advanced brain had decided to filter out. He taught the entire class, answered questions, but never once looked back at your corner of the room. He didn't use the name "Y/N." He didn't use "Miss Hwang." You ceased to exist.
The ignoring hurt worse than the scolding. It was confirmation that your feelings, your pain, and your existence were simply irrelevant to his grand, perfect, pre-planned life.
You hate him. You truly, genuinely hate him so much.
That afternoon, you found yourself weeping again in the common area of the library. Ryujin found you behind a stack of reference books, clutching a handful of used tissues.
She didn't try to stop you, or scold you, or tell you to be strong. She just sat down on the floor next to you and handed you a large, unused pack of tissues and a lukewarm can of soda.
"Talk," she instructed quietly, rubbing your back in slow, steady circles.
You sniffled, trying to get the words out. "He... he completely blanked me. My eyes were red, Ryu. They were so obviously red and swollen, and he just... looked right past me. Like I was wallpaper."
"That's his defense mechanism, Y/N," Ryujin said, her voice heavy with the wisdom of someone who’d watched you crash and burn before. "He knows what he's doing. He knows how you react. By ignoring you, he prevents the fight, and he avoids dealing with the consequences of his own choices. He doesn't want you to see that he's hurting, too."
"He's not hurting," you spat out, the anger momentarily overcoming the sadness. "He's marrying Jang Wonyoung! Look at the picture! He's winning! I'm the one who's hurting."
"You're hurting, yes. But if he was happy, he wouldn't be tired, Y/N," Ryujin countered softly. "He'd be glowing. He's doing this fast, quiet wedding for a reason that has nothing to do with love and everything to do with obligation. He's shutting down the only spontaneous, messy thing in his life—which, let's be honest, is you—to go back to his perfect, predictable path."
You buried your face into her shoulder. "I... I think I love him, Ryu. I hate it, but I think I love him."
Ryujin just hugged you tighter. "I know, kid. I saw it coming the moment you started bragging about how much you hated him. That’s always how it starts for you. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be furious. But you have to remember who you are. You’re Y/N. You are chaos and light. She is elegance and quiet grace. You two don't fit in the same story, and it's not a flaw in you."
She pulled back, holding your face in her hands. "Cry it out now. You have two days. Because you’re going to that wedding cruise, and you are going to be so dazzling, so entirely you, that he regrets every single perfectly planned step he takes toward that altar."
"I have to go," you reminded her, your voice still thick. "My parents are leaving for their conference, and Mrs. Kang practically adopted me for the weekend. I can't escape."
"Exactly," Ryujin confirmed, a fierce look in her eyes. "So you go. You get closure. And you find someone else to annoy. Preferably someone who isn't your professor."
The following Friday morning felt like the prelude to a terrible, glorious funeral. Your parents had kissed you goodbye, leaving for a week-long conference, completely oblivious to the emotional warfare you were about to undertake on the high seas.
Mrs. Kang picked you up, bustling and cheerful. "It's so lovely to have you, dear! I know Taehyun told you it was a simple, quiet affair, but we thought, why not turn it into a family trip? A five-day cruise to the islands! Just a small thing."
You stared out the window, picturing the "small thing." A nice ferry, maybe a small rental boat.
Then you saw it.
At the port, dominating the horizon, was the Odyssey of the Seas —a colossal, blindingly white cruise ship that looked less like a vessel and more like a floating, luxury city. It was the physical embodiment of the sheer, terrifying scale of Taehyun’s "simple" life.
"Wow," you managed, your voice barely a whisper. "That's... quite small."
Mrs. Kang laughed, oblivious. "Oh, yes! We chartered the whole top deck for the immediate family and close friends. It's much less stressful than a ballroom, don't you think?"
You didn't think. You thought you were going to vomit. You were about to spend five days trapped on a metal island, sailing toward Taehyun's permanent, exquisite commitment to the most beautiful woman on earth.
You managed to check in, clutching your small backpack containing mostly anxiety and one dress Ryujin had forced you to buy. You walked onto the gangway, the polished deck gleaming under the morning sun, feeling like a stowaway dressed in borrowed confidence.
You decided to find a quiet corner near the railing to collect yourself before the social nightmare began. You leaned against the polished white metal, staring up at the vertigo-inducing upper decks. You closed your eyes, sucking in the cool, salty air. You tried to focus on the swaying rhythm, the distant sound of gulls. You were trying to look incredibly emo, embodying the tragedy of unrequited love for the man who was currently probably adjusting his tuxedo in a suite overlooking the ocean.
You reached into your jacket pocket and pulled out the one thing you knew was guaranteed to annoy Taehyun, even from a distance: a packet of cheap convenience store cigarettes. You didn't even smoke regularly; it was purely a prop for theatrical angst. You tapped one out, brought it to your lips, and fumbled with the cheap plastic lighter.
Before you could flick the flame, someone slammed into you. Hard.
“Oh! God, I am so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going, I’m running late—it’s chaos up here! Are you okay?"
You stumbled, turning to face your accidental attacker. You looked up into a pair of wide, warm eyes framed by dark, slightly messy hair. He was almost of your height, just a few inches taller, but handsome, with a smile that was immediately, intrinsically friendly. His features were delicate, a mix of sharp angles and soft curves that made him instantly adorable. He looked exactly like a person your age should look: slightly rumpled, effortlessly cute, and visibly flustered.
"I'm fine," you said, immediately managing a real, unforced smile for the first time in days. His energy was light, a welcome contrast to the heavy atmosphere Taehyun created. "It's okay. I was just in the way."
He ran a hand through his hair, still slightly breathless. "Seriously, I apologize. This whole thing is insane. They said 'intimate family celebration'—this is a corporate retreat."
You chuckled. "Tell me about it. I thought I was coming to a small backyard barbeque."
"Right? Who gets married on a five-day luxury cruise? It’s exhausting just looking at it. I'm Jungwon, by the way." He extended a hand, and you shook it—his grip was warm and firm.
"Y/N," you replied. "And you must be... incredibly close family, based on the size of this boat."
He grinned, a shy, charming blush dusting his cheeks. "Define 'close.' I'm Taehyun hyung's cousin. The youngest. Mandatory attendance, unfortunately." He made a face that was conspiratorial and charming. "I'm the designated entertainment for the boring people."
You stared. Cousin. Taehyun's cousin. Someone who was exactly your age, effortlessly cute, and understood the absurdity of the situation. This was the first good thing that had happened to you all week.
"Oh, thank god," you sighed dramatically. "You're my rescue ship. I'm Y/N, and I'm... Taehyun's student." You forced the last part out, the shame still stinging.
Jungwon's smile softened with immediate understanding. "Ah, a fellow sufferer. Well, Y/N the Student, you look like you need a guide who knows where the good snacks are and how to avoid the obligatory family photo ops. Stick with me."
"Deal," you agreed, feeling a genuine lightness. Jungwon was a breath of fresh, non-calculus-related air.
The Snatching and the Scolding
Jungwon had to run off to deal with a crisis involving his mother's luggage, promising to meet you for the evening reception. You wandered off again, finding a secluded section of the port-side railing. The ship was finally pulling away from the dock, the massive horn emitting a deep, mournful sound that perfectly matched your internal state.
The brief lightness from the encounter with Jungwon had evaporated, replaced by the crushing reality of the situation. You were here. You were trapped. Taehyun was on this ship, and soon, he would be married.
You needed the prop. The theatrics of the cigarette felt essential to your current brand of melodramatic anguish. You pulled out the crumpled packet, tapped out the same cigarette, and placed it between your lips. This time, you flicked the lighter, and a tiny, satisfying flame appeared.
Just as you inhaled, enjoying the bitter, acrid taste of the cheap tobacco, a hand shot out from behind you.
It was fast, precise, and utterly without hesitation. The hand, strong and familiar, plucked the cigarette directly from your lips.
You whipped around, fury replacing angst in a blinding rush.
“What the hell?!” you yelled, instantly recognizing the dark, intense eyes and the severe set of the jaw.
Taehyun stood there, the smoke from the stolen cigarette curling briefly from his fingers before he crushed it beneath the immaculate leather of his dress shoe. He was already in his suit for the evening—a dark, perfectly tailored masterpiece that made him look less like a professor and more like a CEO about to close a multi-billion dollar deal.
His expression was thunderous. No hint of the tired resignation now; this was the full force of Professor Kang, the controller, the moralizer.
“What the hell is that?” he countered, his voice low and dangerous, drawing the attention of a nearby steward. “You’re on a five-day celebration cruise with my family. You think standing on a railing looking like a delinquent about to set off a smoke alarm is appropriate behavior?”
“Who do you think you are?” you demanded, jabbing a furious finger toward his perfectly starched shirtfront. You didn't care about the onlookers. The pent-up frustration of the past week—the crying, the humiliation, the sheer injustice of falling for him—exploded out of you.
“You’ve spent an entire week ignoring me, treating me like I’m irrelevant wallpaper in your classroom, watching me walk in late with bloodshot eyes and not saying a single, solitary word! And now, now you suddenly have the audacity to act like my guardian, my professor, or even my friend, just because I have a cigarette?! Where was this concern when you were busy signing your life away to Wonyoung?!”
Your voice cracked on her name, and you instantly regretted the raw, exposed emotion.
His expression wavered. The anger in his eyes softened, replaced by that familiar, frustrating weariness, but it was coupled now with a harsh, defensive guilt. He looked caught, exposed. He took a small step back, clearly unnerved by the intensity of your distress.
“Y/N,” he started, his voice barely a rough whisper. “This isn’t the place for this. You need to calm down.”
“No, I don’t need to calm down! I need to know why you act like I don’t exist until I do something you personally disapprove of!” you insisted, tears stinging your eyes again. “You called me 'academically ill-prepared' but you clearly think I'm too immature to even handle my own vices! Why do you care? You’re getting married! Stop trying to manage my life!”
He opened his mouth, his jaw tense, clearly about to deliver a painful, truthful retort—a defense of his actions, an explanation of his sudden detachment, or perhaps a final dismissal that would truly set you free.
But he didn't get the chance.
A new voice, sweet, light, and utterly perfect, interrupted the charged silence.
“Taehyun, darling! There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
You watched, frozen, as the legendary Jang Wonyoung glided up to the railing. She was a vision. . She wore an effortlessly chic, flowing dress in a soft coral color, her makeup was immaculate, and she carried herself with a poise that made you feel like a crumpled piece of paper tossed onto the perfect deck. She was utterly, heartbreakingly ethereal.
She slipped her hand under Taehyun’s arm, linking their elbows with a proprietary closeness that felt like a physical blow to your chest. Taehyun stiffened—a subtle, barely perceptible movement, but you caught it. He didn't relax into her touch; he held himself rigid, a sliver of tension passing through his shoulders.
Wonyoung turned her luminous gaze to you, her perfect brows arching slightly. Her smile was polite, flawlessly executed, and utterly curious.
“Hello! I’m Wonyoung. I don’t think we’ve met. You must be one of the... university friends?” she asked, her voice melodic and gentle.
Taehyun’s body remained tense, his gaze still fixed on your face, the raw accusation of your earlier words hanging in the air between you.
He swallowed hard, pulling his arm slightly out of her gentle grasp to regain his composure. He looked from Wonyoung’s perfect face to your tear-streaked, angry one, and the final word he chose was the most clinical, painful dismissal he could have offered.
“Wonyoung,” he said, his voice flat, emotionless. “This is Y/N. She’s my student.”
She’s my student.
It was a wall. A definitive, concrete, professional barrier erected between you. Not a friend, not a neighbor, not an antagonist, not even a troublesome acquaintance—just a student. A subordinate. Someone defined only by her relationship to his academic authority.
The realization hit you with the force of a physical impact. You weren't a challenge; you were a footnote. You weren't a love interest; you were a nuisance. You weren't a threat to his fiancée; you were just a kid he was trying to stop from smoking on the family cruise.
A defeated, painful laugh escaped you. You looked from his cold, closed-off face to Wonyoung’s dazzling, unblemished one.
I can never be her.
You couldn't be the poise, the elegance, the quiet grace. You couldn't be the one he chose for stability, for family legacy, for a perfect life. You were the chaos, the late mistake, the smudge on the perfect blueprint.
You dropped your gaze, the fight entirely leaving your body. "My mistake, Professor," you muttered, the formality of the title now tasting like ash. "I was just heading back to my cabin. Enjoy your engagement."
You turned and walked away, not running, not storming, but just walking, slow and defeated, until you were safely out of sight.
You didn't go back to your cabin. You couldn't bear the thought of being alone with the crushing weight of your feelings. You desperately needed a distraction—a reality check that existed outside the orbit of Kang Taehyun’s perfectly miserable life.
You found Jungwon exactly where he said he would be: lounging on a plush deck chair near the pool, scrolling through his phone, looking relaxed and completely out of place in the high-stakes, formal atmosphere.
He saw your face instantly—the residue of tears, the faint trembling of your hands. He set his phone down and sat up, concern clouding his expressive eyes.
"Y/N? Hey, what happened? You look like you just saw a ghost," he asked, his voice genuinely gentle.
You collapsed onto the chair next to him, burying your face in your hands. "I saw the groom, Jungwon. And the bride. And I got very, very publicly dismissed."
"The old hyung-and-Wonyoung special, huh?" he sighed, rubbing your back cautiously, already exhibiting the comforting wisdom of the younger cousin who had witnessed this dynamic for years. "Did he do the 'she’s my student' thing? That’s his go-to when he's stressed and trying to distance himself."
You lifted your head, surprised. "He did! How did you know?"
"Because Taehyun hyung is very predictable when he's under pressure," Jungwon explained, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He builds walls. He uses the most impersonal titles. He retreats into 'Professor Kang' when the world, or Wonyoung, or his parents, expects too much from 'Taehyun.' You must have really cornered him."
"I was trying to smoke a cheap cigarette," you admitted, slightly shamefaced.
Jungwon let out a genuine, surprised laugh. "Seriously? A cigarette? That's amazing. I didn't think you had it in you, Y/N the Student."
"I was going for 'tragic figure of unrequited love,' but I think I landed on 'public health menace,'" you muttered, managing a faint, weak smile.
"Nah," Jungwon reassured you, leaning back and tilting his head to look at you properly. "You landed on 'the most interesting person on this boat.' Seriously, this whole cruise is going to be so boring—all polite smiles and expensive champagne toasts. You're the chaos this family desperately needs."
The compliment, delivered with such sincerity, actually made you feel a little better. "You're too kind, Jungwon. You're probably the only genuine thing I've found so far."
"Good. Hold onto that thought," he said, his tone shifting slightly, becoming lighter, sparkier, and distinctly flirtatious. He had beautiful, deep dimples when he smiled like that. "So, Y/N, now that the formalities are out of the way, and you've had your public breakdown..."
"Yes?"
"I think you owe me a dance at the reception later," he proposed, his eyes twinkling. "And maybe a detailed, highly biased account of why my cousin is such a menace to humanity."
You felt a little jolt of adrenaline, a completely different, cleaner energy than the one Taehyun usually sparked. Jungwon was easy. He was fun. He was available. And he clearly found you interesting.
"A dance, and the full, uncensored history of The Academic Tyrant? Deal," you said, your smile finally reaching your eyes. "But I warn you, I'm a terrible dancer. And my dress is slightly wrinkled."
"I'm a terrible dancer, too. We can both be bad together," Jungwon said smoothly, holding your gaze. The way he was looking at you—openly, admiringly, without the hidden complexity that always veiled Taehyun's glances—made your cheeks warm.
"You're cute when you blush, Y/N," he commented, his own face suddenly flushing a delightful shade of pink beneath the compliment, a sign that his smooth flirting was just an act of nervous charm.
"And you're cute when you realize you just flirted and then immediately blush," you countered, feeling a sudden surge of strength and mischievousness.
He laughed, covering his face briefly. "Okay, point taken. See? Much better than cigarettes. You should stick with flirting with the cute cousin instead of fighting with the grumpy groom. It's much better for your complexion."
You both laughed then, a genuine, necessary sound that washed some of the salt and anguish out of the air. The vast, cold ocean suddenly didn't feel quite so isolating.
The decision was made: Tonight, you wouldn't be 'Y/N the Student,' nor 'Y/N the Academic Menace,' and certainly not 'Y/N the Heartbroken Moper.' Tonight, you were going to be Y/N the Regret.
Ryujin's words echoed in your mind: He builds walls. He doesn't want you to see he's hurting, too. You didn't care about his pain; you cared about your own. And the only cure for a broken heart on a luxury cruise was a devastating public display of thriving, unavailable hotness.
You meticulously prepared in your cabin, ignoring the dizzying sway of the ocean. You slipped into the dress Ryujin had insisted upon—a red satin champagne number that clung to every curve and featured a daring, cowl-neck drape. The color was deliberate: a bright, bold declaration of your presence, designed to slice through the beige politeness of the Kang family affair. You did your makeup carefully, applying a smoky shadow and a sharp, crimson lip. When you looked in the mirror, the raw sadness was masked by pure, defiant heat. I know I'm hot, you thought, flexing your jaw. And tonight, he's going to regret calling me 'just a student.'
Jungwon arrived precisely on time, knocking lightly on your door. When he saw you, his eyes widened, and he let out a low, appreciative whistle.
"Wow, Y/N," he breathed, straightening his own sharp, navy suit. "The chaos just got upgraded to a Category Five hurricane. You're... absolutely devastating."
"Devastating is the goal," you confirmed, linking your arm through his. The warmth of his touch was comforting, grounding. Jungwon was more than just a distraction; he was your savior, your perfectly timed lifeboat in the sea of your unmanageable emotions. He made you feel light, attractive, and temporarily sane.
Together, you made your entrance into the main ballroom, which had been transformed for the engagement party. Chandeliers dripped with crystal, flowers bloomed in elaborate arrangements, and the air was thick with the scent of money and expensive perfume.
Your eyes immediately scanned the room, locating the center of the universe.
There they were. Taehyun and Wonyoung, standing on a slightly elevated, flower-adorned stage, surrounded by photographers and well-wishers. They were clicking staged, beautiful, utterly perfect photos. This wasn't just a party; it was a public declaration, a piece of rich-people propaganda meant to publicize their union to the world. Rich assholes, you muttered internally.
Taehyun looked immaculate in a black tuxedo, his hair styled back, emphasizing the severe elegance of his features. Wonyoung was breathtaking—a vision in white lace, looking every bit the princess she was.
You and Jungwon moved through the crowd, deliberately taking a path that led toward the periphery of the stage. You maintained eye contact with Jungwon, laughing loudly at one of his low-stakes jokes, your body language overtly intimate. You clung to his arm, the red satin brushing against his sleeve, making sure the visual was clear: You're not the only one with options, Professor.
Just as you reached a pillar near the stage, Taehyun turned his head, clearly bored by the endless flash photography. His eyes swept over the crowd—and then they landed on you.
The immediate effect was electric. His gaze froze, taking in the red dress, the defiant smile, and the closeness of your arm linked with his cousin's. His controlled facade slipped for a fraction of a second. He blinked, a quick, sharp movement that betrayed a sudden, intense focus.
And then, it happened. He was in the middle of posing for a photo, his hand resting on Wonyoung's back. As his attention snapped to you, that controlling hand seemed to lose its grip for a split second. Wonyoung stumbled, just a tiny, graceful hitch, and had to briefly brace herself on the stage railing. Taehyun quickly recovered, his hand tightening around her waist, but the moment was clear.
He almost dropped Wonyoung because he was staring at me.
A slow, vicious smirk spread across your face. Gotcha.
The formal part of the evening progressed. A hush fell as the couple stood center-stage for the symbolic exchange of the rings. Even though they were already technically engaged, this was the public sealing of the deal. Wonyoung’s delicate hand was placed in Taehyun’s larger, more severe one. The diamond flashed blindingly under the ballroom lights.
You watched, your breath catching in your throat. The sight of his fingers closing around hers, the casual, absolute certainty of their future together, was a physical shock. The defiant heat drained from your body, leaving behind a terrible, cold ache. The red dress suddenly felt heavy and suffocating.
You couldn't take it. The staged perfection, the polite smiles, the finality of that shining diamond—it was too much.
You squeezed Jungwon's hand. "I need air," you whispered, the word sounding rough. "I'm going to the balcony."
"Hey, Y/N, wait," Jungwon started, concern etched on his face.
"Don't. Just... I need five minutes." You pulled away and quickly slipped out through a set of French doors leading onto the main upper deck.
The cool, salty night air hit your face, a welcome shock. You rushed to the railing, leaning heavily against the brass, staring out at the inky, black water churning beneath the massive hull of the cruise ship. You inhaled deeply, trying to stave off the wave of rising panic. You closed your eyes, pressing the heels of your hands against your eyelids, fighting the fresh sting of tears.
"Y/N."
The voice was low, instantly recognizable, and entirely unwanted. You knew that tone—it was the quiet authority he reserved for private confrontations.
You straightened up, turning to face him. Taehyun stood a few feet away, the light from the ballroom framing him in a golden glow, making the severe lines of his tuxedo and his expression even sharper. Why? Just why, God?
"The fiancée needs her photo partner," you said coolly, injecting your voice with all the forced disdain you could muster. "You shouldn't be out here."
"Why did you leave?" he asked, ignoring your jab. His voice was low, without the public frostiness, but still guarded. He stared at your red dress, at the careful, sharp angles of your makeup.
"Why do you care?"
"Stop being difficult," he said, taking a step closer. "You looked distressed. You bolted out of the room."
"I was feeling sick," you lied instantly.
He crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the wall, mirroring the defensive posture from his office. "You were fine five minutes ago when you were hanging off my cousin's arm like he was a life raft."
You laughed, a short, bitter sound. "Maybe he is. He's certainly less of an asshole than some people I know."
"Y/N," he warned, his voice hardening slightly. "Don't."
You had reached your limit. The tears you had fought off all day finally betrayed you, spilling onto the dramatic crimson of your cheeks. You didn't bother to wipe them. You were too exhausted to maintain the facade.
"I can't stay in there, Taehyun," you confessed, the words torn straight from your gut. "I can't watch it. I can't watch you marry her. Because—" you choked on the next phrase, forcing it out, letting the raw, devastating truth hang in the salty air. "Because I love you."
You didn't look away. You let him see the messy, illogical, overwhelming truth. "I love you. I hate that I love you. I love the way you push me, the way you hate my chaos, the way you make me feel like I have to try just to prove you wrong. I love the person you hide under the Professor Kang facade. And watching you make this calculated, miserable choice with her—it's killing me."
You told him everything. The jealousy, the confusion, the realization that the fight was just a mask for the feeling, the devastation of the 'she's my student' dismissal. You laid it all out, a trembling, ridiculous sacrifice on the altar of his engagement party.
He just stared. His eyes were wide, black pools in the dim light. His expression was utterly, terrifyingly blank. No anger. No smugness. No weariness. Just a terrifying, zero-emotion stare.
He held the silence for what felt like an eternity, the only sound the rhythmic churning of the ocean beneath you.
And then, without a single word, without a change in expression, he turned and walked away.
He didn't look back. He simply stepped through the French doors and disappeared back into the glittering warmth of his engagement party, leaving you alone on the cold, dark deck with the bitter taste of your confession in your mouth.
You scoffed, a raw, furious sound. "Asshole. Jerk. Fucker," you spat into the wind, gripping the railing until your knuckles turned white. He had confirmed it. You were utterly, completely irrelevant.
You stayed out there, leaning against the cold brass, sipping the discarded champagne from a flute left on a nearby table, trying to reconstruct your dignity. The bubbles felt like sandpaper against your throat, doing little to numb the pain.
Then, you heard it—a sudden, sharp rise in noise from inside the ballroom. The polite murmur of the party had fragmented into confused, urgent chatter.
Curiosity, that ever-present trait, nudged you forward. You wiped your eyes quickly, took a deep breath, and walked back inside.
The scene that met you was pure, unfiltered chaos.
The engagement stage was no longer a place of joy. The opulent crowd was clustered, perplexed. Wonyoung was standing near the microphone stand, her elegant shoulders shaking, bright, messy tears ruining her perfect makeup.
And Taehyun was standing center stage, facing his stunned parents and Wonyoung's parents, his hands clenched at his sides.
You watched, stunned. You heard his voice, loud and clear over the shocked silence that had suddenly descended upon the room.
"I can't do this. I can't marry her."
Okay, what the actual fuck.
The room erupted—a furious, overlapping chorus of confusion, rage, and scandalized whispers. Wonyoung let out a heartbroken sob.
Taehyun, ignoring the furious tirade from his father, turned and scanned the room. His eyes found yours immediately, and he started walking, cutting a sharp path through the startled guests.
Wonyoung, catching up to him, grabbed his arm. Her voice was high, raw with betrayal. "Taehyun! Look at me! Tell me why! Why can't you marry me, Taehyun?!"
He stopped, standing just a few feet away from you. He looked down at Wonyoung, then slowly, deliberately, he raised his gaze to meet yours—your tear-stained face, your furious red dress, your jaw currently slack with shock.
His voice was steady, resonant, and utterly sincere as he spoke the words, not to Wonyoung, but to you, locking your eyes with his.
"I can't marry you, Wonyoung," he said, the words echoing slightly in the stunned silence. "Because I love her."
Your world tilted. Your jaw dropped so hard you thought it might hit the floor. What the actual fuck?
Before you could process the shock, Mr. Kang, Taehyun’s father, reached him. The sound was sharp and deafening in the sudden stillness: a harsh, open-handed slap across Taehyun's face.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Mr. Kang roared, his face white with fury. "This is insane! You are throwing away your life for a childish fling!"
Wonyoung's parents stormed forward, incandescent with rage, pulling their daughter away. Wonyoung only stared at Taehyun, her stunning face dissolving in shattered disbelief, before her mother hauled her away, sobbing uncontrollably.
Taehyun didn't flinch from the slap. He didn't look at his furious father. He simply watched Wonyoung leave, then turned his full attention to you.
He stepped closer, reaching out. His fingers were slightly cold as they brushed your burning cheek.
"Y/N," he said, his voice husky, low, and filled with a desperate apology. "I am so sorry. For the quiet, for the ignoring, for the cruelty. I was building the wall to stop this from happening. I love you. I've loved your chaos since the first day you slammed my door. And I realized tonight, when I watched you walk away with Jungwon, when I saw the red dress, and when you confessed—I realized I would rather face my father's rage than watch you walk through life with anyone else."
He pulled your trembling hand into his. His thumb caressed your palm, the warmth finally returning.
"The marriage was an obligation. It was a choice based on logic and family legacy. You are a choice based on everything illogical, messy, and real. I can't do the calculated life anymore."
He held your gaze, his eyes shining with a raw, terrifying sincerity. The Professor Kang facade was completely shattered.
"I know this is insane. I know this is a mess. But I'm choosing the mess. Be my girlfriend, Y/N."
Your mind was blank. Love? Marriage? Slap? Girlfriend? It was a cyclone of unbelievable events. But when you looked at his face—at the raw conviction in his eyes, at the fresh red mark on his cheek where his father had struck him—you knew he was telling the truth. He had thrown away his entire, perfect life for you.
You took a ragged breath, squeezing his hand fiercely.
"Yes," you whispered, the word shaky but firm. "Yes, Taehyun. You asshole."
You woke up slowly, the scent of the sea replaced by the familiar, intimate musk of your shared apartment. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming the space. You were naked under the sheets, the remnants of a feverish, satisfying night clinging to your skin.
A familiar weight settled gently against your chest. Taehyun.
He was propped up on one elbow, his eyes heavy-lidded and soft as he watched you. His fingers, those precise, controlling fingers that usually held a chalk or a pen, were idly stroking the side of your neck, occasionally threading through your messy hair.
You chuckled, leaning into his touch. "If I had known breaking up a staged engagement party was the key to this kind of reward, I'd have worn the red dress sooner."
He smiled, a deep, genuine smile that still occasionally took your breath away. It was a smile completely free of the stiffness and guardedness of his "Professor Kang" days.
"If I had known confessing my love in front of a thousand shocked socialites was the only way to get you to call me 'asshole' with affection, I would have skipped the whole Master's degree," he countered, leaning down to press a soft kiss to your forehead.
"You really think you can skip the Master's degree now?" you teased, shifting against the sheets, enjoying the feel of his skin against yours.
"I might," he mused, his hand trailing down your arm. "It's distracting, knowing my fiancé is currently one month away from graduating."
You nudged him playfully with your foot. "We're not engaged, Taehyun. And I'm graduating from your class. I barely passed."
He raised an eyebrow, the old, familiar Professor look briefly returning. "You got a B+, Y/N. That is the mathematical equivalent of an A+++ for your academic starting point. You're brilliant when you apply yourself."
"Only when I'm motivated by a crush on my professor," you admitted, nuzzling your face into his shoulder.
He pulled you close, burying his face in your hair. "I love you. And yes, darling, we are absolutely engaged. My mother is already planning the flower arrangements. You just haven't said 'yes' to the actual proposal yet because I keep distracting you."
You laughed, winding your arms around his neck. "Maybe I enjoy the distraction. Besides, you owe me a proper, non-scandalous proposal."
"Oh, you'll get one," he promised, his voice dropping to a low, seductive whisper. "But first, one more month. One month until you graduate, and then we're getting married. I've waited long enough for the mess. And I plan on making you late to the wedding, just to keep the tradition alive."
"You wouldn't dare."
"I would absolutely dare," he whispered against your lips, right before kissing you with the glorious, messy, perfect conviction of a man who had finally chosen reality over logic. "Now, show me how motivated you are this morning, Y/N. We still have a few hours before you have to start studying for your final exam."
—
Prev | Next
"Fuck you professor!"
CHAPTER 4: The unsettling silence
Pairing I prof!taehyun x student!reader
Idols featured | Kang Taehyun, Shin Ryujin, Choi Beomgyu, Jang
Wonyoung
WC | 5k approx
Genre | Angst if you squint, fluff, suggestive, crack, enemies to lover, professor x student, university au
Warnings | obscene language, lots of curses, reader curses at Taehyun a lot
Type I series
Status | COMPLETED
Synopsis | You hated him first. The sharp-tongued professor who made your life a living hell, all spreadsheets and sarcasm. He hated you second-loud, chaotic, late to every class, yet impossible to ignore. But when fate moves him next door, lines blur, tempers spark, and late-night arguments start feeling like something else entirely. Between rivalry and chemistry, someone's about to fall-and neither plans to lose.
A/N | It's my first fic so pls be positive. I did not proofread because I didn't have much time, however if you find errors, pls ignore them. English is not my first language. Feel free to reblog or comment!! Lots of love!!
MASTERLIST
—
The immediate aftermath of the Salt Incident and the Flat Tire Vandalism was, ironically, the most unsettling peace you had experienced since Professor Kang Taehyun had entered your orbit.
For three days—three long, agonizing, painfully ordinary days—he did not bother you.
It was an unbearable, thick silence that settled over the Advanced Calculus lecture hall. The first day, you arrived exactly four minutes and thirty seconds late, a deliberate test. You expected the instant, cutting, two-syllable declaration: “Out.” You expected the eye-roll, the pointed reference to your lack of academic discipline, and the accompanying threat of a new, triple-sized stack of worksheets.
Instead, when you slipped through the back door, you found him facing the board, explaining the subtle complexities of differential equations. He didn't pause. He didn't flinch. His voice, measured and low, continued its smooth, authoritative cadence, entirely focused on the material. He didn't even grant you a glance over his shoulder. You slid into your seat next to Ryujin, your bag thudding softly, and braced yourself for the inevitable pivot—the moment he would turn, pen in hand, and annihilate you with a look.
It never came.
He spoke about the material. He fielded questions from the diligent students in the front row. He even paused once, looking directly at the back of the room, and for one terrifying, electric second, you thought he would call you out. But he looked straight past you, over your shoulder, checking the time on the wall clock.
The second day, the same chilling, professional neutrality prevailed. You were late again, five minutes and twelve seconds this time, pushing the limit. You stood by the door, half-hoping he would enforce the rules, because the active battle had, bizarrely, become comfortable. The conflict was a known quantity; it was a reliable source of adrenaline and material for your evening rants to Beomgyu.
But again, nothing.
He taught. He moved from the whiteboard to the projector, his movements economical, clean, and entirely devoid of the mocking energy he usually reserved for you. The temperature in the room, for you, felt sub-zero. It was the silence of a well-oiled machine that had simply decided you were no longer worth the maintenance.
You started watching him obsessively. Before, your focus had been on how to irritate him. Now, your focus was on trying to decipher his strategy. Was this a mind game? Was he building a file so solid that expulsion was the only logical next step? Was the silence a prelude to the most devastating academic bomb in history?
You tracked his posture: ramrod straight, sleeves rolled precisely to the mid-forearm, the dark hair neat against his forehead. You noted the precise click of his pen against the desk when he emphasized a point. You watched how he interacted with the other students—patient, informative, occasionally offering a subtle, genuine smile to a student who grasped a difficult concept.
When he looked at you now, it was simply to address the entire class. His gaze would brush over you, impartial and fleeting, as if you were merely another component in the crowded lecture hall, not the designated source of chaos and late arrivals. You were used to being the center of his attention, the target of his scorn, and this sudden, complete erasure felt less like a victory and more like an existential threat.
You hated it. You truly, deeply disliked the peace.
It forced you to confront a truly uncomfortable truth: your entire routine—your focus, your energy, your social life—had begun to revolve around the ritual of sparring with Kang Taehyun. Without the antagonism, you felt strangely adrift, purposeless. The adrenaline crash was brutal. You spent the lectures tense, waiting for a hook that never came, feeling a restless, gnawing anxiety where a simple, satisfying rage used to be.
On the third day of this unbearable quiet, you couldn't take it anymore. You arrived late, again—but only by a minute, sliding into your seat with a frustrated sigh. You saw Ryujin frown slightly, noticing the shift in your energy. You were agitated, not defiant.
As soon as the class ended, you ignored the polite stream of students heading for the door. You grabbed your bag and marched straight toward the front desk. Your heart was pounding, not from fear, but from the raw need to break the silence.
Taehyun was gathering his papers, his movements crisp and neat.
"Professor Kang," you said, your voice sharper than you intended.
He paused, stacking his notes. He didn't look up immediately. "Yes, Miss Hwang?"
"What is wrong?"
He finally lifted his head, his dark eyes meeting yours. They were tired, you realized, shaded with a faint, almost imperceptible weariness that had nothing to do with differential equations.
"I assure you, Miss Hwang," he said, setting the stack down. "Nothing is wrong with the integrity of the second-year calculus program."
You took a step closer, leaning slightly on the desk, mimicking the confrontational posture he usually employed against you. "That's not what I asked. I asked what is wrong with you."
The air in the front of the room felt thick. The last few students cleared out, leaving you entirely alone with him.
"You haven't bothered me for three days," you pressed. "You didn't acknowledge my late arrival yesterday or today. You haven't assigned me triple the amount of work. I punctured your expensive tire, I salted your mother's drinking water in your dining room, and you reacted with... silence." You shook your head, genuinely baffled. "That is not your personality. You're a control freak. So, what changed?"
He stared at you for a long, uncomfortable moment. His expression shifted, softening barely perceptibly around the edges. It was a look you hadn't seen before—a look of distant, complicated sadness, quickly masked by his habitual reserve.
He sighed, running a hand briefly through his hair. "Sometimes," he said, his voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur that unnerved you completely, "some battles just aren't worth the energy, Miss Hwang."
"That's a lie," you countered immediately, knowing his pride wouldn't allow him to surrender a battle this easily. "You live for these battles. What is it?"
He closed his laptop with a quiet click. He looked down at his desk, then back up at you. And then he did something that completely rearranged the landscape of your tension.
"Look, I've had a lot on my mind this week," he admitted, his posture relaxing a fraction, losing the academic rigidity. He leaned back against the desk. "It's… personal. It has nothing to do with your incredibly persistent tardiness or your aptitude for petty crime."
He paused, and the unreadable expression returned to his eyes. He inhaled slowly.
"Just... stop calling me Professor Kang when we're alone," he said, the request sudden and strangely vulnerable. "It's Taehyun. And I'll call you Y/N."
The simple shift in address felt monumental. It cracked the careful, antagonist structure you both had built. "T-Taehyun?" you repeated, the name feeling foreign and heavy on your tongue.
"Yes. Taehyun," he confirmed, a faint, almost painful smile touching his lips. "It's simpler. I'm too tired for the formalities this week."
You nodded slowly, processing the change. The fight went out of you, replaced by an unsettling curiosity. "Okay. Taehyun. But you're still hiding something."
He didn't deny it. He just looked at you, a depth of emotion in his eyes that you couldn't categorize—was it weariness? Resignation? Grief? It was there, visible only for a moment, an open wound that he quickly covered with his usual academic coolness.
"I think you need to focus on actually attending your classes, Y/N," he deflected, his tone regaining some of its familiar sharpness. "The work on your desk is a sufficient challenge for you right now."
It wasn't a punishment. It was a dismissal. But the new name, the quiet admission of his personal struggle, the strange, fleeting weariness—it stuck with you. You left his office that day feeling less angry and more utterly confused. The defined boundaries of your relationship had just dissolved, leaving you standing in a messy, ambiguous territory.
The next few days were defined by this new, quiet tension. You started calling him Taehyun (mostly to yourself, but sometimes, dangerously, in a lower whisper when addressing him in the office). He stuck to calling you Y/N—a name that, stripped of the scornful 'Miss Hwang,' sounded unexpectedly soft, sometimes even intimate.
You were still late, of course. Habit was a powerful mistress. But when you opened the door, instead of the immediate 'Out,' he would just pause, let his eyes land on you for a moment, and then continue teaching. It was less humiliating, but somehow more frustrating. He had removed the conflict, but he hadn't removed the connection.
Then, the bomb dropped.
You walked into your kitchen after a long day of pretending to pay attention in class, your mind still replaying Taehyun's tired eyes and that strange, veiled sorrow. The atmosphere was immediately unsettlingly cheerful.
Your mother and Mrs. Kang were sitting at the kitchen table, cups of tea steaming between them. Mrs. Kang, a woman whose warmth matched your mother's, was laughing, a sound that filled the room with genuine joy.
"Oh, Y/N! Perfect timing!" your mother chirped, pulling out a chair for you. "Mrs. Kang was just telling me the most wonderful news about Taehyun!"
You froze, suddenly acutely aware of your damp hair and sweatpants. You forced a smile. "Oh? What about Taehyun...?" You tried to keep the question casual, but a nervous flutter erupted in your chest. Was he promoted? Was he getting a prestigious research grant? Something that would explain his quiet distraction.
Mrs. Kang's face was radiating pride. She reached across the table and patted your hand warmly. "Well, my dear, he's finally settling down! He's getting married!"
The sentence landed in the center of the kitchen like a physical object. A detonation. The sound of the kettle heating up suddenly became deafening. The smell of jasmine tea was suffocating.
Married.
You blinked, trying to reassemble the words into a coherent thought. "M-married? Taehyun?"
Your mother jumped in, her voice buzzing with excitement. "Yes! Isn't that wonderful? Mrs. Kang was just showing me pictures of the fiancée. She's absolutely stunning, Y/N. An absolute vision."
You felt a heavy, cold sickness immediately settle in your gut. It was a shocking, visceral reaction that you couldn't rationalize or control. It was the feeling of falling off a cliff after you thought you had finally found solid ground. The thought of Taehyun—your rival, your antagonist, the man whose every movement you had obsessively tracked for weeks—belonging entirely to someone else, was a sharp, physical pain.
"She is a darling girl," Mrs. Kang continued, pulling out her phone from the pocket of her elegant cardigan. "An absolute angel. Her name is Jang Wonyoung."
She scrolled for a moment and then, with another delighted sound, turned the screen towards you.
You stared at the photograph.
Jang Wonyoung was, as your mother promised, ethereal. She wasn't just pretty; she was sculpted. She was the kind of person who looked like they were lit by a permanent soft-focus filter. Long, impossibly sleek dark hair, large, clear eyes, a delicate jawline. She was standing next to Taehyun in the picture. He had an arm looped loosely around her waist, and he was smiling. Not the smug smirk he reserved for challenging you, or the tired, reserved expression from his office—but a genuine, soft, happy smile.
Wonyoung was wearing a cream-colored, perfectly draped dress, and her accessories were subtle, expensive, and impeccable. She looked like a princess who had accidentally wandered into real life.
She was everything you weren't. You were chaotic, loud, late, and prone to vandalism. She was grace, timing, perfection, and, undoubtedly, academically prepared. She was a woman who would never, ever, salt her future husband's tea.
You felt a wave of crushing inadequacy wash over you. The sickness in your stomach intensified.
"Wow," was all you managed to say, your voice sounding strangely hollow. "She's... beautiful."
"Isn't she?" Mrs. Kang agreed, pulling the phone back. "The wedding is a small, quiet affair next month. It was all planned very quickly, which is why Taehyun has been so stressed and quiet lately. He's been trying to juggle the course load and the final preparations."
Stress. Quiet. Personal matters. The puzzle pieces clicked into place, but the image they formed was devastating. His silence, his fatigue, the admission of a struggle—it wasn't some complex academic trap for you. It was just life getting in the way. Life that included a stunning fiancée and an upcoming wedding.
You stood up abruptly, knocking your chair slightly. "I... I'm so happy for him. I need to go study." You fled the room, ignoring your mother's confused protest.
You stumbled into your bedroom, your head spinning. You didn't even bother calling Ryujin. You needed to confirm it, to break the silence and force him to look at you, one last time, without the veil of academic antagonism.
You found Taehyun in his office the next day, long after the last class had ended. The hall was empty, and the only light came from the cool glow of his monitor. You knocked once, quickly, and pushed the door open.
He looked up, and his expression was still that new, tired, and reserved one. "Y/N? Is something wrong? You look upset."
You walked straight up to his desk, your hands trembling slightly. "Jang Wonyoung," you stated, the name feeling like grit in your mouth. "Your mother was just at my house. She showed me a picture. She told me you're getting married next month."
He froze, his expression hardening immediately. The strange vulnerability vanished, replaced by a defensive wall.
"Yes," he confirmed, his voice flat. "I am. It was meant to be kept quiet until the formal announcement."
"Why?" you demanded, the word a raw, desperate challenge. "Why are you getting married?"
He blinked, confusion replacing the reserve. "Why? That's… that's an unusual question, Y/N."
"No, it's not!" you insisted, leaning over the desk. "You're twenty-six! You're an academic prodigy! You spend all your time obsessed with precision and control and your career, and now you're rushing into a marriage with an ethereal beauty who looks like she's never had a stressful moment in her life. Why the rush? Why her?"
He leaned back, his arms crossing over his chest, but the defensive posture was different this time—it lacked the easy arrogance of his previous attacks. It felt genuine. "It's none of your business, Y/N."
"It is my business when you suddenly act like a ghost for three days because you're too busy planning a wedding instead of fighting with me!" The words spilled out, clumsy and entirely lacking the biting wit you usually possessed. "You suddenly switch to calling me 'Y/N' and drop the rivalry because you have more important things to worry about! It’s insulting!"
He stared at you, his gaze intense. "It's not insulting. It's called maturity, which you clearly lack."
"No, it's called running away!" you accused.
He sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We've known each other since we were kids, Y/N. Our families are friends. This is... necessary. It's complicated. Just leave it alone."
You watched him, studying the subtle shifts in his eyes. He was telling you to back off, but there was something beneath the surface—a flicker of pain, a shadow of genuine reluctance, or maybe even fear, that you couldn't quite place. It wasn't the smugness of a victor; it was the quiet desperation of someone trapped.
"It doesn't look like you want to," you whispered, pushing the boundary one last time.
His eyes snapped back to yours, sharp and angry, but the anger felt directed inward, not at you. "That's enough," he said, finality lacing his voice. "Go home."
You turned, defeated, and walked out without a word.
The confrontation changed nothing and everything.
He never mentioned Wonyoung again. He never returned to the full-blown, antagonistic 'Miss Hwang' persona. He remained polite, distant, and professional, and he continued to call you Y/N.
And the most telling, devastating change: you started showing up late, every single day, now with a new sense of despair rather than defiance. Sometimes five minutes late, sometimes ten. You would slip through the door, ready for the punishment, ready for the sharp order.
It never came.
He would just pause, his eyes finding yours across the room for that single, charged moment, and then he would continue teaching. He had stopped kicking you out. He had effectively removed the last, satisfying remnants of the rivalry that had sustained you. The peace was complete.
That evening, you finally called Ryujin and dragged her to your favorite cheap ramen place. You didn't bother with the worksheets; they were now just sad monuments to a war that had ended without fanfare.
"He's getting married," you blurted out, stirring your ramen with frantic, unnecessary energy.
Ryujin didn't even drop her chopsticks. She just looked at you, her face entirely serious. "I know. My mom ran into his mom at the market and the entire neighborhood knows. Wonyoung is gorgeous, and apparently, they’ve been vaguely betrothed since kindergarten. It's a miracle it hasn't happened sooner. Why do you look like someone ran over your pet?"
You put your chopsticks down, your appetite suddenly gone. You recounted the entire, confusing saga: the silence, the name change, the tired eyes, the faint desperation you thought you saw, and the fact that he stopped kicking you out.
Ryujin listened patiently, chewing slowly. When you finished, she looked at you with a heavy, insightful sigh.
"Okay," she said, leaning back. "Let me tell you what's actually happening here. He's stressed because he's entering a marriage he clearly isn't thrilled about, and he's retreating into himself, dropping all unnecessary conflict."
She paused, then delivered the final, crushing diagnosis.
"And you," she continued, pointing her chopsticks at your face, "you are acting like a heartbroken idiot because you've lost the one person you were entirely focused on. You were obsessed with fighting him, but when he gave up the fight, you realized you missed him. You've been feeding off his attention for weeks."
She leaned in, her voice softening slightly. "Y/N, you haven't been fighting him because he's a jerk. You've been fighting him because you've caught feelings."
The phrase hung in the air, sickeningly accurate, utterly undeniable. You thought of his tired eyes, the way he said your name, the vulnerability you glimpsed, the devastating picture of Jang Wonyoung, and the cold, awful feeling in your gut.
You pressed your face into your hands, the truth a sharp, agonizing stab of clarity.
Fuck.
Ryujin was right. You were in love with your ridiculously handsome, cold, genius math professor who was marrying a perfect angel next month. And the fight, the glorious, chaotic war, had just been a distraction from the terrifying, messy truth.
—
Prev | Next
LOVED YOUR VIRGIN FORMULA!!
Aghuzjzfbvhbsdfgbjhkserbgkusyebrg.
Coming back, can you please write a fic related to love triangle or something? Featuring both yeonjun and Soobin. Like both love the same girl however ones toxic and idk. BUT YOU GET IT RIGHT?!
Waiting 🥰
OMGG thank you so much for reading sweetest !!!! I’m so glad you loved the virgin formula !! <333
and in terms of a love triangle fic for soobin and yeonjun that’s actually something i’ve had as a fic base in my notes for a while now !! But my current wiplist needs to get cracking first before i can start any new fics so please bare with me, might be a wait !! 🫂💗
No probs sweetie!! It’ll be worth the wait anyway! 🫶🏻✨
"Fuck you professor!"
CHAPTER 3: The hot professor next door
Pairing I prof!taehyun x student!reader
Idols featured | Kang Taehyun, Shin Ryujin, Choi Beomgyu, Jang Wonyoung
WC I 3k
Genre | Angst if you squint, fluff, suggestive, crack, enemies to lover, professor x student, university au
Warnings | obscene language, lots of curses, reader curses at Taehyun a lot
Type | series
Status | COMPLETED
Synopsis | You hated him first. The sharp-tongued professor who made your life a living hell, all spreadsheets and sarcasm. He hated you second-loud, chaotic, late to every class, yet impossible to ignore. But when fate moves him next door, lines blur, tempers spark, and late-night arguments start feeling like something else entirely. Between rivalry and chemistry, someone's about to fall-and neither plans to lose.
A/N| It's my first fic so pls be positive. I did not proofread because I didn't have much time, however if you find errors, pls ignore them. English is not my first language. Feel free to reblog or comment!! Lots of love!!
MASTERLIST
—
You’d done it. For the first time since the tyrannical reign of Kang Taehyun began, you were early. Not just on time, but a full sixty seconds early—a feat that felt comparable to summiting Everest. You slid into your seat beside Ryujin, trying to maintain an air of casual, effortless brilliance.
Ryujin, who had been highlighting a theorem with laser-like focus, looked up and gave you a slow, approving smile. “Look at you,” she whispered, leaning slightly closer. “Historic. Should I call the student paper? They’d run a piece on the Punctuality Miracle of Y/N.”
“Shh,” you hissed, shoving her shoulder lightly. “Don’t jinx it. I’m hoping to bask in my punctual glory today. Maybe even earn a compliment from him.”
Ryujin just snorted and shook her head, already turning back to her notes. “Brilliance is subjective when it comes to you, and I doubt he knows the meaning of the word 'compliment.'”
You ignored her, letting a small, triumphant smirk settle on your face. For once, you had played his game and won. You were early. You were prepared. You could face the day.
Speak of the devil.
The classroom door opened with that faint, almost imperceptible creak that now had the power to make your stomach drop. Kang Taehyun stepped in. He moved like he owned the space, the institution, and possibly the time-space continuum. Today, he was wearing a black shirt tucked neatly into charcoal trousers, the sleeves rolled up just enough to showcase those toned forearms. Every step was measured, every movement controlled. And yes, infuriatingly, still handsome as sin.
His eyes swept across the room with a practiced ease, a silent, casual grading of the student body. They paused, momentarily, when they reached you.
“Miss Hwang,” he said, his voice calm, clipped, and utterly devoid of warmth.
You sat a little taller. “Yes, Professor Kang?”
“Early,” he stated flatly, not even a flicker of acknowledgment in his expression. “It appears miracles do happen after all.”
You grinned, allowing yourself a moment of triumph. “I try my best.”
He moved to the whiteboard, picking up the marker. “Try harder,” he added, a deadpan remark thrown over his shoulder, and your brief pulse of victory immediately deflated.
The lecture proceeded with a tense rhythm, a feeling of being constantly monitored. His questions, inevitably, found their way to you, like a predator picking out the weakest link.
“Miss Hwang, solve question three. State the steps clearly.”
You blinked at the complex equation, feeling the pressure mount. You'd been up until 2 a.m. but had only reviewed the substitution method. “Uhm… it involves dividing by… B?”
“This is an Advanced Calculus class, Miss Hwang. It is not multiple choice,” he said, his tone perfectly even, perfectly merciless.
From the back of the room, you distinctly heard Beomgyu mutter-shout, “She’s cooked, y’all! She’s absolutely cooked.” You clenched your jaw, trying desperately to tune out your chaotic friend.
By the end of the class, Taehyun's eyes found yours again. “Since you’ve demonstrated such admirable enthusiasm for the material today, Miss Hwang, meet me in my office after your next class.”
You groaned dramatically, loud enough to prompt a few sympathetic looks. “Again? What did I even do this time?!”
He didn't answer. He just smirked faintly, a tiny, self-satisfied curl of the lip. “You’ll find out.”
An hour and a half later, you were back in Room 402. Again. Your stomach twisted into a painful knot when your eyes landed on the desk. There, waiting for you, was a new stack of worksheets. It was easily twice the size of yesterday’s punishment stack.
Your mouth fell open. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I don’t kid,” he said, tapping his pen against the desk. He leaned back. “You punctured my car tire.”
“You have absolutely no proof,” you insisted, heat rushing to your face despite knowing your crime had been perfectly executed.
“CCTV footage says otherwise,” he countered, his eyes calm, his lips curled in that faintly smug, infuriating way. “You’re lucky I found it mildly funny.”
“Funny?!”
“Yes. You, who can barely solve basic calculus, attempting a theatrical act of vandalism. Hilarious. You are a terrible villain, Miss Hwang.”
You grabbed the new mountain of worksheets, your vision momentarily blurring with rage. “You’re such a jerk! You know that? A certified, clinical jerk!”
“Language, Miss Hwang,” he said again, his voice flat and monotonous. “And you’re running out of ways to insult me.”
“I’ll find new ones, don't worry,” you muttered, turning to leave. Before you could stop yourself, you hissed, “I hope you choke on your organic salad, Professor.”
He didn’t flinch. Just gave you that deadpan look. “I prefer grilled salmon, Miss Hwang. It’s slightly harder to choke on. And you’re still wasting time. Good day.”
You stormed out, slamming the door so hard this time you genuinely worried you’d cracked the drywall.
You trudged home that evening, exhausted from the day’s mental and emotional gymnastics. Your plan was simple: call Beomgyu, scream about your academic persecution, and then beg Ryujin to help you actually solve the new, impossible stack of work.
But your mother intercepted you the moment you kicked off your shoes.
“Y/N! You’re home! We have guests tonight! I told you, our new neighbors, they’re coming over to officially meet us.”
You froze mid-step. “Guests?”
“Yes! The Kangs! Such a nice family—the professor and his parents! His mother is lovely, so polite, and the father is charming. Come, dear, let’s greet them nicely.”
Your blood ran cold. The Kangs. The professor. Kang Taehyun.
Wait. Kangs?
“Yes, the professor and his parents!” Your mom chirped, blissfully unaware that she had just invited the physical manifestation of your worst academic nightmares into your living room.
Time slowed down. You could practically hear the calm, lethal, you again? voice in your head.
When they arrived, the reality was worse than any nightmare you could have conjured. His mother immediately embraced your mom like they were long-lost childhood friends. His father smiled warmly. And then... Taehyun. The tyrant in a perfectly tailored casual jacket.
He sat at your dining table with maddeningly perfect posture, his arms resting lightly on the chair. He gave you a single, cool glance.
“Miss Hwang,” he said, the greeting utterly polite, utterly lethal.
“Professor Kang,” you muttered back, your voice tight with disbelief.
Your mom looked between the two of you, beaming. “Oh, how wonderful! You two already know each other!”
You have no idea, Mom. Zero idea.
Dinner started peacefully, a polite exchange of neighborhood pleasantries. Until Taehyun coughed subtly, reaching for his water glass. Your eyes lit up with a flash of truly wicked mischief. You grabbed a glass and poured water. Carefully. Innocently. And then you dropped in five generous spoons of table salt from the shaker.
His lips met the glass. He drank. And then he froze. His dark eyes found yours, the glare sharp, cold, and absolutely terrifying.
“Better?” you asked, with the most angelic, butter-wouldn’t-melt smile you could possibly manage.
He set the glass down. He drank the rest of it. Slowly. Without a single word, his eyes fixed on you the entire time.
Your mom happily hummed. “How thoughtful of you, Y/N, dear.”
“Always,” you replied sweetly, but inside, your heart was doing a frantic, desperate drum solo. He knows. He knows and he’s not saying anything.
Later, he excused himself to use the washroom. “Y/N, be a dear and show him,” your mom instructed cheerfully. You had no choice.
You led him down the hall, glaring over your shoulder. “You could’ve asked literally anyone else.”
“I could have,” he said softly, his voice calm and dangerously close, “but this is far more fun.”
You rolled your eyes and pointed. “There. The wash—”
Suddenly, your foot caught on the loose edge of the hallway rug. You lost balance and, instinctively, frantically, you grabbed his hand for purchase. One second later, you both went down.
Air whooshed out of your lungs. You ended up beneath him, pressed close against the hardwood floor, your heart hammering a frantic rhythm. He froze immediately, suspended inches above you. His face was impossibly close, his dark eyes unreadable, his expression deadly calm.
Neither of you moved. The silence in the hallway was deafening.
He finally pushed himself up, his movements controlled, and offered you a hand. You took it, your cheeks burning a furious, mortified red.
“S-sorry,” you stammered, pulling your hand away immediately.
“You should be more careful,” he said, brushing off his sleeve, his voice low and devoid of emotion.
“I said sorry,” you muttered, trying to retreat towards the living room.
But he caught your wrist. His grip was firm, a subtle but definite warning.
“About the salt,” he said quietly, holding your gaze.
“What about it?” you retorted, trying to keep your voice steady.
He stepped closer. You instinctively stepped back, bumping into the wall.
He let out a short, soft huff, a sound of mild exasperation. His dark eyes flicked down to your flushed face. “And you’re very red.”
You opened your mouth to deliver a scathing, witty comeback, but he simply dropped your wrist, stepped past you, and disappeared into the washroom. You stood against the wall, frozen, heart racing, glancing back toward the brightly lit living room.
Gosh, what the absolute hell were you doing?
—
Prev | Next
"Fuck you professor!"
CHAPTER 2: “You’re such an ass!”
Pairing I prof!taehyun x student!reader
Idols featured | Kang Taehyun, Shin Ryujin, Choi Beomgyu, Jang
Wonyoung
WC I 2k approx
Genre | Angst if you squint, fluff, suggestive, crack, enemies to lover, professor x student, university au
Warnings | obscene language, lots of curses, reader curses at Taehyun a lot
Type | series
Status | COMPLETED
Synopsis | You hated him first. The sharp-tongued professor who made your life a living hell, all spreadsheets and sarcasm. He hated you second-loud, chaotic, late to every class, yet impossible to ignore. But when fate moves him next door, lines blur, tempers spark, and late-night arguments start feeling like something else entirely. Between rivalry and chemistry, someone's about to fall-and neither plans to lose.
A/N| It's my first fic so pls be positive. I did not proofread because I didn't have much time, however if you find errors, pls ignore them. English is not my first language. Feel free to reblog or comment!! Lots of love!!
MASTERLIST
—
Shin Ryujin was, quite simply, the only reason you hadn't spontaneously combusted that night.
She was your academic guardian angel, a saint wrapped in a distressed denim jacket. She stayed up with you for hours, both of you cross-legged on your floor, surrounded by a depressing topography of empty chip bags, lukewarm coffee, and the terrifying mountain of Professor Kang’s worksheets.
“Ryujin baby,” you groaned, pressing your forehead dramatically against the cool, laminated surface of your desk, “Why are we doing this again? I could just fail the subject. It’s an option.”
Ryujin, focused and utterly unmoved by your theatrics, didn't even look up from the equation she was solving. “Because you decided to pick a public, drawn-out fight with a hot academic tyrant instead of just being a normal human being and showing up on time once.”
“He started it!” you protested, grabbing a handful of pretzels.
She finally glanced up, a dry, unimpressed look in her eyes. “Sure. That’s what every protagonist says before they fail second-year midterms and have to move back home. Now, this integral requires substitution. Stop whining.”
You threw a crumpled piece of paper at her head, but you couldn't help the small smile that broke through your frustration. She was relentless, pragmatic, and entirely your ride-or-die. By the time the early morning light filtered through your window, your brain felt like a fried sponge, but the stack of paper was, miraculously, finished.
The next morning, you repeated your routine: toast in mouth, chaotic energy high. And, despite having finished the punishment work, you were still late. Habit, apparently, was stronger than the fear of God—or Kang Taehyun.
You cracked open the back door, hoping the Silent Slide would work now that you were armed with completed work. But before your foot even crossed the threshold—
“Out.”
His voice cut through the lecture, colder and sharper than before. He didn't even look at you; he was writing on the board, sleeves rolled up, looking infuriatingly good while ruining your life.
“Out.”
“Sir, please, I have the work, I just need to—”
“Out.”
Just one word. Sharp. Final. You clenched your jaw, suppressing the urge to scream. The whole class snickered—you heard Choi Beomgyu’s distinct, booming laugh from somewhere near the back—as you snatched your bag and stomped out, muttering a string of imaginative curses.
After lunch, you were back in the same damn office. Predictable.
He was waiting, laptop open, expression unreadable.
“You are remarkably consistent, Miss Hwang,” he said, not bothering to look up.
You crossed your arms. “And you are remarkably impossible, Professor Kang.”
He finally raised his gaze, the stupidly attractive smirk playing on his lips. “Flattery won’t change the outcome.”
“I wasn’t flattering you.”
“Good,” he replied smoothly. “Because I’m immune.”
You let out an exasperated, theatrical sigh. “Just tell me what fresh hell awaits me now.”
He opened his desk drawer and—to your absolute, rising horror—pulled out another stack of papers. It was easily twice as thick as yesterday’s.
You blinked. “No.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I don’t joke,” he said, placing the papers on his desk with an almost surgical precision.
Your mouth fell open. “What the hell is your problem?! I did the work! I was only two minutes late!”
He met your glare with pure, unadulterated indifference. “You were late. Actions have consequences. This is for today. And this,” he said, picking up a smaller file, “is for yesterday.”
That was the breaking point. You felt the irrational, blazing heat of pure fury.
“You’re such an ass!” you snapped.
“Language,” he said flatly, as if ordering a coffee.
“Oh, shut up!” You snatched the new, enormous stack, turned to leave, and spat the first petty thought that entered your brain. “I hope your car explodes.”
He didn’t flinch. Just gave you that deadpan, unbothered look. “I drive an electric vehicle, Miss Hwang. They tend not to explode. Try harder.”
You stormed out, slamming the door hard enough this time that the glass rattled in the frame.
That evening, you were standing in the university parking lot. You had no intention of actually committing a felony, but you needed a symbolic victory. Something small. Something humiliating.
You found his sleek, black sedan. Grabbing the hairpin you typically used to secure your messy bun, you approached the front driver's side tire. With the focused intensity of a world-class vandal, you jabbed the hairpin lightly into the valve stem cap. Not enough to ruin the tire instantly, but enough to ensure it would be painfully, slowly flat by the morning.
“That’s for the ‘academically ill-prepared’ comment, Professor,” you muttered, feeling a smug sense of accomplishment.
On your walk home, you ranted to Choi Beomgyu over the phone, your voice hoarse with manufactured trauma.
“He’s a sociopath, Beomgyu. Actually insane! Who gives double the worksheets as revenge for two minutes late?!”
Beomgyu, who was usually loudly playing video games, actually sounded thoughtful for a change. “Uh, maybe someone who’s actually good at his job and noticed you’re about to fail out? Dude, you sound kind of obsessed with him.”
“I am traumatized!” you yelled, nearly tripping over a curb. “You haven’t seen his stupid smug face. He thinks he’s a god or something!”
By the time you reached your house, your rage had finally exhausted itself.
Your mother greeted you at the door, beaming. “Y/N, you’re home! We have new neighbors moving in next door! Such a lovely family, they just moved from Seoul.”
You sighed, collapsing onto the couch. “Great. As long as he’s not a math professor, I genuinely don’t care.”
But the universe, you quickly realized, was already plotting your demise.
—
Prev | Next
“Fuck you professor!”
CHAPTER 1: The Audacity Of Professor Kang
Pairing | prof!taehyun x student!reader
Idols featured | Kang Taehyun, Shin Ryujin, Choi Beomgyu, Jang Wonyoung
WC | 3k approx
Genre | Angst if you squint, fluff, suggestive, crack, enemies to lover, professor x student, university au
Warnings | obscene language, lots of curses, reader curses at Taehyun a lot
Type | series
Status | COMPLETED
Synopsis | You hated him first. The sharp-tongued professor who made your life a living hell, all spreadsheets and sarcasm. He hated you second-loud, chaotic, late to every class, yet impossible to ignore. But when fate moves him next door, lines blur, tempers spark, and late-night arguments start feeling like something else entirely. Between rivalry and chemistry, someone's about to fall-and neither plans to lose.
A/N | It’s my first fic so pls be positive. I did not proofread because I didn’t have much time, however if you find errors, pls ignore them. English is not my first language. Feel free to reblog or comment!! Lots of love!!
MASTERLIST
—
Toast clamped firmly between your teeth, you adjusted the strap of your messenger bag, already mentally calculating the time lost. Mondays were always a frantic disaster, beginning with the specific dread of Advanced Calculus. You were five minutes late—a habitual offense inherited from your complete lack of morning motivation.
There was a time when your tardiness was irrelevant; your old professor, Dr. Choi, had a generous disregard for the concept of promptness. Today, however, felt different.
You pulled out your phone and speed-dialed Ryujin’s number. It went straight to voicemail. She was already in the lecture hall, probably settled with her notebook open and two highlighters at the ready. Shin Ryujin—your best friend, your meticulously organized counterpart, and the only person who treated punctuality like a sacred, unbreakable oath. You rolled your eyes affectionately, jogging down the street. The university building was barely a five-minute walk, but those five minutes, you mused, were where the battle between sleep and academic responsibility was always lost.
As you rounded the corner, a notification popped up. A text from Ryujin.
> Ryupie: I’m in class!! Don't try the back door today. Btw there’s a new professor and he’s hottttttt! Like, seriously hot. Like a visual god.
You snorted, a laugh bubbling up around the mouthful of toast. Ryujin’s enthusiasm was endearing, but her assessment of attractive men was… generous. She had a weakness for anyone with a well-defined jawline and a passable sense of style. "Visual god," you muttered, picturing some overly confident graduate student in a tweed jacket.
Reaching the lecture hall, you paused at the back entrance. Despite Ryujin’s warning, you decided to attempt the Silent Slide, a maneuver you'd perfected over three semesters. You quietly nudged the door open and slipped inside, keeping low. The room was dark, the focus entirely on the illuminated projection screen. The new guy was facing the board, busy writing out an equation. You made a mental note of his physique: tall, broad-shouldered, and yes, surprisingly young for a professor. You quickly slid into the empty seat beside Ryujin, nudging her discreetly.
“See? Told you. I never get in trou—”
A loud, deep voice, sharp enough to slice glass, cut your words short.
“Get up.”
You froze, the smugness instantly dissolving. You hadn't even seen his face yet, but the authority in that voice was immediate and absolute. He turned.
His dark eyes, which were somehow both intense and entirely unreadable, found yours across the distance of the lecture hall. For a brief, dizzying moment, you forgot about the calculus and the lateness. Damn. Ryujin hadn't exaggerated; he was undeniably handsome. Too handsome, in a severe, intimidating way that screamed, I graduated top of my class and I know it.
You blinked, attempting to look innocent, like a confused passerby.
He set his pen down on the desk—a deliberate, quiet sound—and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, you. The one who believes the back door is a personal revolving entrance.”
Your cheeks instantly burned. Embarrassment warred with your innate defiance. You tilted your chin up. “Since when do professors care about who comes late to a Monday morning lecture?”
He raised one eyebrow—a smooth, elegant movement that conveyed utter contempt. “Since now. Get out.”
Your jaw dropped slightly. The utter audacity. “What the hell?!” you whispered-snapped, loud enough for the first few rows to hear.
He ignored your outburst, picking up his pen and turning back to the monitor. “You heard me, Miss. Out. And meet me in my office, room 402, before lunch.”
You mumbled a fierce, complicated curse under your breath, grabbed your bag with unnecessary force, and stomped out of the lecture hall, the sound of the door closing a muted explosion behind you.
You paced outside his office, a bundle of impatient frustration. You checked your phone for the time, then checked it again. Kang Taehyun. You’d used the time between your storm-out and this inevitable confrontation to conduct an aggressive social media and professional profile deep-dive. Twenty-six years old, a genius-level graduate from a prestigious university, and now, your math professor. He was some kind of academic wunderkind who made everyone else in the department look like they were teaching medieval basket weaving.
Great. Your new enemy was an intellectual Goliath.
“Come in,” his voice finally called, calm and low, pulling you out of your furious pacing.
You straightened your shirt, took a deep breath, and walked in, plastering on your most non-threatening, semi-apologetic face.
He was focused on his laptop, typing. The monitor’s cool glow illuminated the sharp lines of his face—that infamous jawline, the sleeves rolled up just so, revealing forearms that were, annoyingly, incredibly distracting. When he finally looked up, his eyes felt less like a greeting and more like a scanner running an immediate assessment of your entire academic history.
“Miss Hwang, right?” he asked, leaning back in his chair with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
You crossed your arms over your chest, refusing to sit even when he gestured towards the chair opposite him.
He tilted his head slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Any particular reason for preferring to stand?”
“Maybe I don’t want to be comfortable,” you shot back.
A soft, controlled chuckle escaped him. It wasn't a warm sound; it was the sound of someone finding you highly predictable. You instantly hated it.
“All right. Let’s address the problem. Any mitigating circumstances for your late arrival this morning?” he asked, his tone still perfectly even.
You rolled your eyes, a habit you knew drove responsible people mad. “It’s a Monday.”
He simply raised an eyebrow. “And?”
“And I’m human. You shouldn’t have kicked me out and humiliated me in front of the entire class,” you snapped.
He scoffed softly, turning back to his laptop to tap something quickly. “Let’s review the file, shall we? Hwang Y/N. Age twenty-two. Second year. Recorded failure in both midterms last year, documented instance of suspension for arguing with a previous professor, and—” He looked up again, his expression now holding a smug little smirk. “Would you like me to continue listing the highlights of your academic profile?”
Your face felt hot with shame and fury. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
He leaned forward, lacing his fingers together on the desk. His voice dropped slightly, losing the mocking edge and becoming calmly, coldly clinical. “I’m saying that you demonstrate a pattern of disregard for procedure, Miss Hwang. You are not punctual, and judging by the state of your previous grades in this subject, you are, for all intents and purposes, academically ill-prepared. I would appreciate it if you were on time, at least for my class.”
You gaped at him. “Excuse me? Did you just call me academically ill-prepared?”
“I did,” he confirmed without hesitation, his expression perfectly neutral. “But respectfully, of course.”
You glared, your mind racing for a retaliatory strike. “What if I show up late next time? What’s the worst you’re going to do? Call my mother?”
That earned you a slow, deliberate smile—the kind that felt genuinely dangerous.
“I don’t have to involve your family,” he said, standing and walking to a cabinet drawer. “You’ll simply fail anyway.”
“You’re—you’re genuinely evil,” you gasped.
“Not evil,” he replied, pulling out a frighteningly thick, intimidating stack of printed papers. He dropped them on the desk with a heavy thud. “Just effective.”
You stared at the mountain of math worksheets, your jaw tightening. “What the hell is that?”
“Practice work,” he stated simply. “Solve every single page of these. Submit them to me by the end of the day.”
“By today?! Are you out of your mind?!”
He leaned back against the desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “No. Just excellent at my job.”
You threw your hands up in exasperation. “This is blatant punishment!”
“No,” he corrected, looking entirely too serene for someone enacting such cruelty. “This is an opportunity for you to catch up and avoid failing my subject. Consider it my contribution to your academic welfare.”
You snatched the stack, narrowing your eyes. “You are seriously the most unbelievable human being I’ve ever met.”
He offered you one last, cool look, his voice dripping with mock sweetness. “And you are seriously running late for your next commitment, Miss Hwang. Do close the door quietly on your way out.”
You shot him a glare that felt like pure combustion, cursed loudly enough for him to definitely hear, and stormed out of the office, the door rattling aggressively behind you.
Taehyun sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose the moment the door slammed. “She’s not going to make this easy,” he muttered, picking up his pen. He knew this semester was going to be a long, exhausting negotiation.
—
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