school picked up way way way too much so i havent been writing AT ALL
but a lot of my posts have hit over 100 notes and i am so thankful for everyone!!! im trying to get back into writing so if anyone has requests pls send them thru
in which you and wriothesley find an unlikely spark.
CHAPTER TWO: ARRANGED
prince!wrio x fem!noble!reader, invented country au
✧ genre: fluff, angst...? maybe...? if you squint...?, arranged marriage trope
✧ tw: usage of damn, if you see anything else lmk <3
✧ word count: 456 words (i'm SO SORRY EWOIHSFOSDL)
✧ playlist: spark - taeyeon, radio - lana del rey, deja vu - txt, darl+ing - seventeen, invu - taeyeon, agora hills - doja cat, killin' me good - jihyo, i like you (a happier song) - doja cat & post malone, fever - enhypen, eleven - ive, hype boy - newjeans, hard to love - rose, sour grapes - le sserafim, oh my god - adele, my head & my heart - ava max, nonsense - sabrina carpenter, the feels - twice, might as well - wayv
✧ pre-reading note: yo uh there might be inconsistencies between this chapter and the last one, the idea for some of this came AFTER the publishing of the prev chapter so uh yeah!
He strides in, holding a pot of tea on an ornate silver tray that gleams in the warm light.
'Oh, no!' the queen chuckles. 'He's our teaboy. He quite likes to dress up, my ladies in waiting tell me he's quite the charmer.' You let out a shaky breath. You like the queen, she's sweet and seems to have an excellent relationship with her people. The king, too, is nothing but jovial. If you're to marry Wriothesley, at least his family is nice, and the rumours say he is too.
'No, that's Wriothesley.'
He's more ethereal than you ever could have thought. Ebony hair streaked through with silver and wearing a grey suit accented with a crimson tie, he was the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen. His smile, radiant enough to light up the whole kingdom, and his sweet dimples that just made him seem all the more handsome. Black studs glinted in both of his ears, giving off the impression of someone tough, but with that grin you couldn't see him as anything other than the sweetheart everyone said he was. And he's walking over to you. Uh-oh.
He takes a seat next to you on the couch, chuckling softly and aplogising for being late. He looks even more ravishing from here, and as he turns to you, you quickly turn around, suddenly very interested in your tea.
'Hello darling. Thought I was going to have to remind you to close your mouth.'
The side eye you give him was devastating. He snickers quietly at your switch up, then speaks in a rich, deep tone.
'Mother, Father, Queen Eliana, King Richard. May I take me bride-to-be on a little walk?'
Your mother giggles daintily, and your father nods his approval. As quickly as he sat down, Wriothesley stands back up and offers you a gloved hand. You take it, and your mother shoots you a glance that's both a warning and a knowing smirk at the same time.
The garden is absolutely dreary. Winter has hit Emeia hard, and the leaves have abandoned the fingers of the trees which arch longingly for summer. Icy white roses still bloom in early winter, and you admire their sweet aroma as you stroll around the path with Wriothesley. He's surprisingly easy to talk to, and you find yourself laughing a lot more than you thought you would, ladylike manners and covering your mouth be damned. It starts getting dark and the cold caress of the breeze makes you shiver. Wriothesley, being the gentleman he is, notices, and offers you his coat.
'No, I'm okay thanks. I think we should head inside then. And... thanks for tonight, Wrio.'
a/n: i am so so sorry that this is insanely short but i'm running low on motivation :/
i promise i'll get more out soon even if there's a bunch of short parts pls don't hate me :P
please like and reblog my work! tumblr relies on reblogs to function, so help my work be seen by more people <3 my spark taglist and overall is now open, drop an ask if you want to be added! just specify which one.
engage in self indulgence and write ‘i like you a latte’ part 2??? maybe????? maybe i’ll do a kaveh x reader spinoff in the same universe??? who knows!!!! lowk if i do do this i could expand the universe omg and like make little coffee shop aus for wrio and venti and xiao and alhaitham and omg im so excited now. spark update soon trust
omg my dream is to wake up to a notif of me being tagged in a post and i’m on somebody’s fic recs. i think one of the highest levels of appreciation for a fic writer omg
albedo, bennett, venti and kaeya x gn!reader sorry no diluc bc i literally cannot write for him LOLOL
genre: fluff
tw: nothing really just a use of nicknames, reader has a little sister in albedo’s and a dog in bennett’s, mention of alcohol
a/n: updating twice in the same week? unheard of. enjoy these lovely headcanons that have been sitting in my drafts for 582994 years <3
———————————————————————
albedo:
- shy
- nervous
- fake confidence
- but u can see right through him of COURSE
- ‘darling they’re going to LOVE you, what are you worried about?’
- has a pretty bouquet for ur mother and like a book or something for your father
- is very quiet and reserved at first but starts opening up
- your little sister LOVES him and especially playing with his hair like how cute is it
- puts it in little pigtails
- aww
- overall he starts feeling a little less nervous and ends up loving your family
- he fits in perfectly like a puzzle piece
- him and your dad talk about random stuff and your mother really likes how smart he is
- and ofc ur little sister likes him
- afterwards you ask ‘that wasn’t so bad, was it?’
- and he replies ‘i could get used to this’
- family forever <3
bennett:
- ‘you KNOW i have bad luck i’m GOING to mess this up-‘
- ‘bennett, love. no. you’re going to do amazing, they’re going to love you!!’
- you and benny met when u were a nurse and he was your most regular visitor
- always showing up with scratches and bruises
- and you always treated him with such care and took time out of your day to talk to him
- your guys’ banter was so witty and perfect
- so obv you fell in love aww <33
- and now it’s meet the parents day!!
- so here you are at dinner and he’s so nervous
- but then he sees your dog!! and he bursts into a huge smile!!
- and he goes to pet it and the dog is so happy but then it accidentally scratches him :(
- so u patch him up and kiss it to make it better!!
- u and ur fam have a nice laugh and suddenly he’s laughing too
- dinner is a great conversation and everyone really likes him
- esp the dog!!
- ‘i can’t wait until we’re like this.’
venti:
- ‘meeting your family? lead the way!!’
- HE’S the one who keeps asking when he can meet them
- not at all nervous
- perfectly curated alcohol for your parents based on the dinner menu or something idk
- entire evening spent chatting up your parents, sharing embarrassing stories about you and impressing your family in general
- heck, YOU’RE impressed
- and happy that your family loves him!
- overall a very successful night <3
- y’all already have the next dinner planned
- ‘next tuesday? of course mom!’
kaeya:
- he has that cool cocky demeanour so like ‘sure. lead the way.’
- but he’s secretly quaking in his boots
- he really wants to impress the people important to you
- so he gets all dressed up and buys your mom flowers and a bottle of wine for your father
- he’s a little flushed as he stands in front of the door but he pretends he’s fine
- when you’re sitting down for dinner he’s got an iron grip on your hand (not in like a bruising way ykwim)
- but through the night as he relaxes he lets go of it and gets more comfortable in conversation
- another embarrassing story sharer
- it annoys u sm
- but it’s the people you love so what can you do
- at the end of the night kaeya has them so charmed that they’re asking you when you’re getting married 😭
- ‘when’s the wedding?’
- ‘goodnight mom!’
———————————————————————
please like and reblog my work! tumblr relies on reblogs to function, so help my work be seen by more people <3 my taglist is now open, drop an ask if you want to be added!
inspired by the very cold weather we're having here and my desire to curl up in an armchair with a good book and a hot chocolate.
barista!gaming x fem!reader, university au
✧ genre: it's supposed to be fluff. is it? let's see!!
✧ word count: 2.5k+ lol haha!!
✧ triggers: uh i say hell once (twice now), drinking mentioned once
✧ songs: espresso - sabrina carpenter, forever only - jaehyun
a/n: ok i know everyone's waiting for a spark update but LIKE COME ON IT'S WINTER i have to write this and how PERFECT is gaming for this like !!!
also i made gaming taller than he is lol like 5'3?? no dude i need reader to be shorter than gaming
a/n after i've finished writing: did i say drabble? i lied.
You slump into your chair, a half-sigh, half-scream escaping from you and earning you more than a few confused looks from the people sitting in the library with you. The librarian sends you her fifth glare of the hour, and strides over, her heels clacking angrily on the tiled floor.
'You two. OUT!'
You look at your best friend, Kaveh, and you both stifle your laughs as you shove your stuff haphazardly into your backpacks and book it, chuckles slipping through as you step into the cold winter morning.
'How is it this cold?' Kaveh groans, frantically rubbing his arms trying to warm up. 'Come on Teyvat Uni, take it easy on us! We're literally feeding you money!'
You give him a deadpan gaze before snatching his phone out of his hand where it dangles precariously and jogging past him towards one of the buildings.
'This ought to warm you up!' you yell as you run down the steps into the campus quadrangle. The quadrangle is your favourite place in the entirety of TNU, not exactly a quadrangle but lined on three sides with on-campus cafes and stores and opened up on the fourth side to a rolling green lawn known affectionately as 'the lawn.' You know where you're going, but so does Kaveh, and he's faster than you, so you wind up at the door to your favourite cafe a few seconds behind your best friend, panting, as he plucks the phone from your hands with a grin. You roll your eyes, and step inside, groaning out a half coherent 'I need coffee,' before smiling at the barista at the counter.
'Alhaitham! Hey!'
The melodious tinkling of the door chimes has died down by now, and as you breathe in, you can't help but sigh contentedly at the delicious scent of coffee and chocolate, laced with cinnamon, that wafts into your nose.
'You'll take your usual I presume?' Alhaitham asks, wiping his hands on a checkered towel.
'Nope. The exam special please.' You answer as you slump into one of the bar stools sitting in front of the polished wooden counter. You've always liked how pretty the cafe is. Aptly named Oasis, the cafe oozes cozy from every corner. Its walls are toasty oak, hanging with art bought from vintage stores and donated by grateful students. Plants overflow from each corner, a bright splash of green, and warm lights hang from the ceiling above tables and the counter. They're on even during the day, the sunlight spilling from the windows dull and murky. As Alhaitham, the owner of the cafe, turns away to make the highly caffeinated drink, your eyes fall on an unfamiliar face wiping down a table near you. A brown-mahogany head, bopping along and humming softly to Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso that was playing through the speakers. As he straightened up, you could see his red shirt and grey pants hidden by a white apron with Oasis stitched into the corner in pretty green thread. His face is youthful, glowing with happiness even when there is only the hint of a smile on his face. There's something about him, his aura, that draws you in like a moth to a flame.
'Must be new,' you whisper to Kaveh, who nods, setting up with his notes and graphics calculator, eyes already glazed by calculus.
Alhaitham returns with your two exam specials, and you nudge Kaveh, who looks up and takes his drink.
'Cheers!'
'You know it's coffee, right? Why-'
'Just do it.'
Kaveh sighs before clinking his cup with your own and taking a sip before immediately hashashahshafaing and fanning his mouth because it was too hot.
'Al! Why did you make it so hot? You never make it this hot!'
You and Alhaitham are snickering at your friend's misfortune, and Alhaitham says, still laughing, 'It's freezing outside. It makes sense to make it this hot.'
Kaveh rolls his eyes, before leaning back over the counter with sparkling eyes and a knowing look in your direction. Throughout your chat, you'd been sneaking glances at the handsome barista. You'd thought Kaveh was too caught up in his work to pay attention, but apparently he's had his eyes on you the whole time.
'Who's that? Kaveh asks, gesturing towards the boy.
'Oh that? That's Gaming, my new hire.'
'WHAT? And you rejected my application?'
'Kaveh, we all know you'd set the kitchen on fire if you tried to cook,' you butt in.
'Exactly. And when a culinary major comes knocking, you don't turn them down, especially when you run a cafe!'
'A culinary major? Oh this is great! You've always wanted a guy who can cook!' Kaveh says a little too enthusiastically. Gaming, ears perking at the sound of his major, looks up from where he's fixing up some cushions and catches your eye. You wave, a little awkwardly, and he grins and waves back, his warm brown eyes friendly.
'Hi Gaming! Can I get your number?' Kaveh calls over your shoulder.
The coffee must be kicking in, you think, rolling your eyes inwardly.
'Ignore Kaveh, you don't have to'
'Oh no, it's alright, I'd love to! I'm always looking for new friends if that's okay with you?'
'Y-yeah. Give me your number?'
'HeY-' Alhaitham's hand shoots out to cover Kaveh's mouth, smiling pleasantly. 'Continue.'
You exchange numbers, and Gaming holds out his hand for you to shake.
You jolt out of your stupor to a message on your phone. You're studying for your visual effects final (yes, you're surprised it has an exam too!) and you've been staring at the problem set for at least five minutes now, too tired to go on. Your room is a mess, bedsheets rumpled, clothes hanging off your chair and slippers cast over the floor without a second thought. In the background, you hear the faint hum of Kaveh singing 'Forever Only' by Jaehyun, and you then hear the much louder ding of your phone going off with another message.
gaming: hey, u free?
you: no unfortunately
you: buried in mountains of exam revision
gaming: oh dude same! i was just gonna head to the library for a change of scenery
gaming: come with?
You think about it for a second.
you: yeah sure
you: not like i'm getting anything done here anyways
gaming: you live with kaveh, right? i'll come pick you up!
you: ...how do yk where i live...
you: this some stalker biz right here
gaming: NO omg i've been talking to kaveh too he told 😭
you: LOL okay
gaming: see you in 10?
you: see you in 10!
You stare at your problem set some more, before realising you should probably get ready to go to the library. You unceremoniously dump your things into a tote (it's your favourite bag; it has cute woodland animals eating dessert on it and you fell in love with it the first time you saw it hanging in the store) before changing out of your hoodie and trackpants into... a hoodie and jeans.
It's only a day at the library, you think, as you slip on your sneakers and check the time. 9:10AM it reads. Gaming should be here soon. Right on cue, your phone dings with a message from Gaming.
gaming: i'm here!
You hurry down the stairs, exit your apartment building to see a sleek black car with a familiar boy leaning against it. He has on a black hoodie and some grey cargos, this time with red and gold detailing down the side.
'Hey!' Gaming calls, waving excitedly.
'Hey!' you reply, hurrying over.
Gaming is surprised. He'd found you pretty at the cafe, in your pleated skirt and white top. But he finds you even prettier now, your hair escaping your ponytail and your hoodie sliding a little too far to the left.
'Gaming?' You wave your hand in front of his face, snapping him from his trance. He opens the passenger side door for you, exaggerating his movements as he bows you in, then jogs to the other side to get into his own.
Cute, you think, then scrunch up your face in confusion.
'You good there? VFX work getting to you again?'
You look at him again.
'How-'
'Kaveh.'
'Oh.'
You spend the drive to the library in comfortable silence, enjoying the music playing on the radio, and when you pull up to the building, you sigh reluctantly, having to get out of the toasty warmth of the car. As soon as you step outside, you shiver, and notice Gaming shivering alongside you.
'Oh god let's get into the library.'
Finally inside the library, you and Gaming grab a table as quickly as possible and pull out your laptops. You bring out your mouse to get some work done on your problem sets and Gaming brings out his pencil, scribbling away busily at something. You're glad that he doesn't try to converse with you. Not because you don't want to talk to him, but because you really need to do your work. A couple hours later, you speak.
'When's your first final?'
Gaming looks up, and answers you quietly.
'Next Wednesday, it's my practical.'
'Cooking, huh.'
'Yeah. You?'
'TOMORROW,' you groan. 'I really really need to get these done. But I'm so TIRED!'
Gaming looks thoughtful for a second, before springing up from his chair.
'Be back in a few okay? Stay here.'
You watch his quickly retreating figure, confused, but shrug it off to continue work.
Gaming comes back in, holding two coffee cups. You've finished your problem set, and you're now stretching before starting on the worksheets for Calculus which you begrudgingly agreed to take with Kaveh. He sets one of the cups down in front of you, the amazing smell of coffee emanating from them.
'Caramel exam special!'
'What? How'd you know I like caramel?'
'Lucky guess.'
No it wasn't. He'd asked Alhaitham for your orders that weren't exam specials. He watched you take a sip, your face taken over by delight.
'This is so good. What the hell?'
Gaming lets out a sigh of relief, glad you liked it. You sipped it, then sipped it again, then kept drinking until it was gone.
'Ohhhh my god. I need like a million of these every day.'
'Here, have this one! You look like you need it more than I do.'
'Gee thanks,' you scoff playfully, taking the drink. 'You sure?'
'Yeah, go ahead!'
He needs the coffee too, but he'd gladly give it to you if that's what you wanted.
You and Gaming study together for another hour, and by 1PM, you're hungry and done with your VFX and calculus.
'Gaming, wanna grab lunch?'
'Yeah let's go, I'm feeling burgers.'
You grin. 'Hey, you read my mind!'
You get up, quickly sliding your laptop and worksheets into your tote and pushing your chair in, under the table. Gaming smiles, and you stop breathing for a moment. Eyes disappearing into crescents, his whole face aglow with happiness. His teeth peek out from beneath his lips and you feel a sudden, unexplainable urge to hold his hand. You shake it off when you notice him looking at you strangely, and pull out your phone.
Gaming's gone now, and it's about 8PM. The time flew by so fast, you both spending all day laughing and eating and... actually getting work done. You hadn't talked to Kaveh all day, and he slouches into your room, a pout on his face.
'Heeeeeeeeeey! How could you ignore me for Gaming all day? I'm your best friend!'
'Well, Gaming actually helped me study.'
He helped you a little too well, actually. So well it was distracting. You still remember his warm hand brushing yours, his breath on your neck as he leaned over you and helped with some problem you had. This is crazy, you think. I met him two days ago. Two! I can't do this!
But somehow, you already are. You're developing quite the crush.
You and Gaming have been friends for a year now. Best friends, actually, but nobody can really replace Kaveh. Gaming's grown to be more than a friend to you, and you've spent many a night giggling with Kaveh after you've had a little too much to drink. Kaveh is all for it, of course, and much to your dislike, keeps sending you very obvious winks and knowing glances. But anyways, you're meeting Gaming again, and you're dressed up very nicely in a white skirt and pink top, matching the cherry blossoms that are blooming down your street and throughout all of TNU.
'I'll see you in a bit Kaveh!'
You step out of your apartment building only to see Gaming waiting for you. He's fiddling with his fingers and he looks... quite nervous.
'Hey Gaming. You okay?'
You took his breath away. This year he's spent with you has been one of the best of his life, and every day he sees you, he falls deeper and deeper in love. So he's decided to take the chance, and let you know. He's always told himself to be honest, and he's not going to hide something from someone he cares about so much.
'Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go?'
You smile at him.
'Yeah.'
You get in his car, and drive down the lane lined with beautiful sakura. You're so busy looking at the flowers, but Gaming's looking at you. And the road. But also you. So when you stop at a beautiful park, pretty pink blooms mixed with pure white ones, it's safe to say you're enthralled. And Gaming's enthralled by you. He takes your hand, albeit nervously, and your cheeks flush as you softly intertwine your hands with his. His hands are warm, and yours slots into his so perfectly that you can't help but wonder if this is how it should be.
You're sitting under a gazebo, bright white with gold details climbing up the sides and quaint wooden benches for people to sit on. This is where you and Gaming are sitting, laughing your heads off at one of Gaming's kitchen stories. He's brought lunch, sandwiches that are delicious and dessert that's heavenly. Being friends with a culinary major certainly has its perks.
Friends. The word sits heavy in your heart.
Gaming breathes deeply. He's going to tell you. He's going to tell you. But first, the lake.
It's amazing, the lake. Smooth as a mirror, rippled only by ducks and their sweet little ducklings happily bobbing their way across the water.
'Wow...' you let out softly. The trees are framing the lake in shades of blush and pearl, and you think it might be the most beautiful thing you've seen in your life. Gaming thinks it's nice, sure, but in his eyes, you're the only thing he sees. And he has to tell you.
'Hey...'
'Hmm?'
'I like you.'
You blink. And then blink again.
'Come again?'
Gaming almost chickens out, but steels himself and says it again.
'I like you.'
You smile and then grin from ear to ear.
'What? Really?'
'Yeah.'
Gaming doesn't know what to make of your reaction... but from the way you're smiling, it seems... good?
please like and reblog my work! tumblr relies on reblogs to function, so help my work be seen by more people <3 my taglist is now open, drop an ask if you want to be added!
inspired by the very cold weather we're having here and my desire to curl up in an armchair with a good book and a hot chocolate.
barista!gaming x fem!reader, university au
✧ genre: it's supposed to be fluff. is it? let's see!!
✧ word count: 2.5k+ lol haha!!
✧ triggers: uh i say hell once (twice now), drinking mentioned once
✧ songs: espresso - sabrina carpenter, forever only - jaehyun
a/n: ok i know everyone's waiting for a spark update but LIKE COME ON IT'S WINTER i have to write this and how PERFECT is gaming for this like !!!
also i made gaming taller than he is lol like 5'3?? no dude i need reader to be shorter than gaming
a/n after i've finished writing: did i say drabble? i lied.
You slump into your chair, a half-sigh, half-scream escaping from you and earning you more than a few confused looks from the people sitting in the library with you. The librarian sends you her fifth glare of the hour, and strides over, her heels clacking angrily on the tiled floor.
'You two. OUT!'
You look at your best friend, Kaveh, and you both stifle your laughs as you shove your stuff haphazardly into your backpacks and book it, chuckles slipping through as you step into the cold winter morning.
'How is it this cold?' Kaveh groans, frantically rubbing his arms trying to warm up. 'Come on Teyvat Uni, take it easy on us! We're literally feeding you money!'
You give him a deadpan gaze before snatching his phone out of his hand where it dangles precariously and jogging past him towards one of the buildings.
'This ought to warm you up!' you yell as you run down the steps into the campus quadrangle. The quadrangle is your favourite place in the entirety of TNU, not exactly a quadrangle but lined on three sides with on-campus cafes and stores and opened up on the fourth side to a rolling green lawn known affectionately as 'the lawn.' You know where you're going, but so does Kaveh, and he's faster than you, so you wind up at the door to your favourite cafe a few seconds behind your best friend, panting, as he plucks the phone from your hands with a grin. You roll your eyes, and step inside, groaning out a half coherent 'I need coffee,' before smiling at the barista at the counter.
'Alhaitham! Hey!'
The melodious tinkling of the door chimes has died down by now, and as you breathe in, you can't help but sigh contentedly at the delicious scent of coffee and chocolate, laced with cinnamon, that wafts into your nose.
'You'll take your usual I presume?' Alhaitham asks, wiping his hands on a checkered towel.
'Nope. The exam special please.' You answer as you slump into one of the bar stools sitting in front of the polished wooden counter. You've always liked how pretty the cafe is. Aptly named Oasis, the cafe oozes cozy from every corner. Its walls are toasty oak, hanging with art bought from vintage stores and donated by grateful students. Plants overflow from each corner, a bright splash of green, and warm lights hang from the ceiling above tables and the counter. They're on even during the day, the sunlight spilling from the windows dull and murky. As Alhaitham, the owner of the cafe, turns away to make the highly caffeinated drink, your eyes fall on an unfamiliar face wiping down a table near you. A brown-mahogany head, bopping along and humming softly to Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso that was playing through the speakers. As he straightened up, you could see his red shirt and grey pants hidden by a white apron with Oasis stitched into the corner in pretty green thread. His face is youthful, glowing with happiness even when there is only the hint of a smile on his face. There's something about him, his aura, that draws you in like a moth to a flame.
'Must be new,' you whisper to Kaveh, who nods, setting up with his notes and graphics calculator, eyes already glazed by calculus.
Alhaitham returns with your two exam specials, and you nudge Kaveh, who looks up and takes his drink.
'Cheers!'
'You know it's coffee, right? Why-'
'Just do it.'
Kaveh sighs before clinking his cup with your own and taking a sip before immediately hashashahshafaing and fanning his mouth because it was too hot.
'Al! Why did you make it so hot? You never make it this hot!'
You and Alhaitham are snickering at your friend's misfortune, and Alhaitham says, still laughing, 'It's freezing outside. It makes sense to make it this hot.'
Kaveh rolls his eyes, before leaning back over the counter with sparkling eyes and a knowing look in your direction. Throughout your chat, you'd been sneaking glances at the handsome barista. You'd thought Kaveh was too caught up in his work to pay attention, but apparently he's had his eyes on you the whole time.
'Who's that? Kaveh asks, gesturing towards the boy.
'Oh that? That's Gaming, my new hire.'
'WHAT? And you rejected my application?'
'Kaveh, we all know you'd set the kitchen on fire if you tried to cook,' you butt in.
'Exactly. And when a culinary major comes knocking, you don't turn them down, especially when you run a cafe!'
'A culinary major? Oh this is great! You've always wanted a guy who can cook!' Kaveh says a little too enthusiastically. Gaming, ears perking at the sound of his major, looks up from where he's fixing up some cushions and catches your eye. You wave, a little awkwardly, and he grins and waves back, his warm brown eyes friendly.
'Hi Gaming! Can I get your number?' Kaveh calls over your shoulder.
The coffee must be kicking in, you think, rolling your eyes inwardly.
'Ignore Kaveh, you don't have to'
'Oh no, it's alright, I'd love to! I'm always looking for new friends if that's okay with you?'
'Y-yeah. Give me your number?'
'HeY-' Alhaitham's hand shoots out to cover Kaveh's mouth, smiling pleasantly. 'Continue.'
You exchange numbers, and Gaming holds out his hand for you to shake.
You jolt out of your stupor to a message on your phone. You're studying for your visual effects final (yes, you're surprised it has an exam too!) and you've been staring at the problem set for at least five minutes now, too tired to go on. Your room is a mess, bedsheets rumpled, clothes hanging off your chair and slippers cast over the floor without a second thought. In the background, you hear the faint hum of Kaveh singing 'Forever Only' by Jaehyun, and you then hear the much louder ding of your phone going off with another message.
gaming: hey, u free?
you: no unfortunately
you: buried in mountains of exam revision
gaming: oh dude same! i was just gonna head to the library for a change of scenery
gaming: come with?
You think about it for a second.
you: yeah sure
you: not like i'm getting anything done here anyways
gaming: you live with kaveh, right? i'll come pick you up!
you: ...how do yk where i live...
you: this some stalker biz right here
gaming: NO omg i've been talking to kaveh too he told 😭
you: LOL okay
gaming: see you in 10?
you: see you in 10!
You stare at your problem set some more, before realising you should probably get ready to go to the library. You unceremoniously dump your things into a tote (it's your favourite bag; it has cute woodland animals eating dessert on it and you fell in love with it the first time you saw it hanging in the store) before changing out of your hoodie and trackpants into... a hoodie and jeans.
It's only a day at the library, you think, as you slip on your sneakers and check the time. 9:10AM it reads. Gaming should be here soon. Right on cue, your phone dings with a message from Gaming.
gaming: i'm here!
You hurry down the stairs, exit your apartment building to see a sleek black car with a familiar boy leaning against it. He has on a black hoodie and some grey cargos, this time with red and gold detailing down the side.
'Hey!' Gaming calls, waving excitedly.
'Hey!' you reply, hurrying over.
Gaming is surprised. He'd found you pretty at the cafe, in your pleated skirt and white top. But he finds you even prettier now, your hair escaping your ponytail and your hoodie sliding a little too far to the left.
'Gaming?' You wave your hand in front of his face, snapping him from his trance. He opens the passenger side door for you, exaggerating his movements as he bows you in, then jogs to the other side to get into his own.
Cute, you think, then scrunch up your face in confusion.
'You good there? VFX work getting to you again?'
You look at him again.
'How-'
'Kaveh.'
'Oh.'
You spend the drive to the library in comfortable silence, enjoying the music playing on the radio, and when you pull up to the building, you sigh reluctantly, having to get out of the toasty warmth of the car. As soon as you step outside, you shiver, and notice Gaming shivering alongside you.
'Oh god let's get into the library.'
Finally inside the library, you and Gaming grab a table as quickly as possible and pull out your laptops. You bring out your mouse to get some work done on your problem sets and Gaming brings out his pencil, scribbling away busily at something. You're glad that he doesn't try to converse with you. Not because you don't want to talk to him, but because you really need to do your work. A couple hours later, you speak.
'When's your first final?'
Gaming looks up, and answers you quietly.
'Next Wednesday, it's my practical.'
'Cooking, huh.'
'Yeah. You?'
'TOMORROW,' you groan. 'I really really need to get these done. But I'm so TIRED!'
Gaming looks thoughtful for a second, before springing up from his chair.
'Be back in a few okay? Stay here.'
You watch his quickly retreating figure, confused, but shrug it off to continue work.
Gaming comes back in, holding two coffee cups. You've finished your problem set, and you're now stretching before starting on the worksheets for Calculus which you begrudgingly agreed to take with Kaveh. He sets one of the cups down in front of you, the amazing smell of coffee emanating from them.
'Caramel exam special!'
'What? How'd you know I like caramel?'
'Lucky guess.'
No it wasn't. He'd asked Alhaitham for your orders that weren't exam specials. He watched you take a sip, your face taken over by delight.
'This is so good. What the hell?'
Gaming lets out a sigh of relief, glad you liked it. You sipped it, then sipped it again, then kept drinking until it was gone.
'Ohhhh my god. I need like a million of these every day.'
'Here, have this one! You look like you need it more than I do.'
'Gee thanks,' you scoff playfully, taking the drink. 'You sure?'
'Yeah, go ahead!'
He needs the coffee too, but he'd gladly give it to you if that's what you wanted.
You and Gaming study together for another hour, and by 1PM, you're hungry and done with your VFX and calculus.
'Gaming, wanna grab lunch?'
'Yeah let's go, I'm feeling burgers.'
You grin. 'Hey, you read my mind!'
You get up, quickly sliding your laptop and worksheets into your tote and pushing your chair in, under the table. Gaming smiles, and you stop breathing for a moment. Eyes disappearing into crescents, his whole face aglow with happiness. His teeth peek out from beneath his lips and you feel a sudden, unexplainable urge to hold his hand. You shake it off when you notice him looking at you strangely, and pull out your phone.
Gaming's gone now, and it's about 8PM. The time flew by so fast, you both spending all day laughing and eating and... actually getting work done. You hadn't talked to Kaveh all day, and he slouches into your room, a pout on his face.
'Heeeeeeeeeey! How could you ignore me for Gaming all day? I'm your best friend!'
'Well, Gaming actually helped me study.'
He helped you a little too well, actually. So well it was distracting. You still remember his warm hand brushing yours, his breath on your neck as he leaned over you and helped with some problem you had. This is crazy, you think. I met him two days ago. Two! I can't do this!
But somehow, you already are. You're developing quite the crush.
You and Gaming have been friends for a year now. Best friends, actually, but nobody can really replace Kaveh. Gaming's grown to be more than a friend to you, and you've spent many a night giggling with Kaveh after you've had a little too much to drink. Kaveh is all for it, of course, and much to your dislike, keeps sending you very obvious winks and knowing glances. But anyways, you're meeting Gaming again, and you're dressed up very nicely in a white skirt and pink top, matching the cherry blossoms that are blooming down your street and throughout all of TNU.
'I'll see you in a bit Kaveh!'
You step out of your apartment building only to see Gaming waiting for you. He's fiddling with his fingers and he looks... quite nervous.
'Hey Gaming. You okay?'
You took his breath away. This year he's spent with you has been one of the best of his life, and every day he sees you, he falls deeper and deeper in love. So he's decided to take the chance, and let you know. He's always told himself to be honest, and he's not going to hide something from someone he cares about so much.
'Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go?'
You smile at him.
'Yeah.'
You get in his car, and drive down the lane lined with beautiful sakura. You're so busy looking at the flowers, but Gaming's looking at you. And the road. But also you. So when you stop at a beautiful park, pretty pink blooms mixed with pure white ones, it's safe to say you're enthralled. And Gaming's enthralled by you. He takes your hand, albeit nervously, and your cheeks flush as you softly intertwine your hands with his. His hands are warm, and yours slots into his so perfectly that you can't help but wonder if this is how it should be.
You're sitting under a gazebo, bright white with gold details climbing up the sides and quaint wooden benches for people to sit on. This is where you and Gaming are sitting, laughing your heads off at one of Gaming's kitchen stories. He's brought lunch, sandwiches that are delicious and dessert that's heavenly. Being friends with a culinary major certainly has its perks.
Friends. The word sits heavy in your heart.
Gaming breathes deeply. He's going to tell you. He's going to tell you. But first, the lake.
It's amazing, the lake. Smooth as a mirror, rippled only by ducks and their sweet little ducklings happily bobbing their way across the water.
'Wow...' you let out softly. The trees are framing the lake in shades of blush and pearl, and you think it might be the most beautiful thing you've seen in your life. Gaming thinks it's nice, sure, but in his eyes, you're the only thing he sees. And he has to tell you.
'Hey...'
'Hmm?'
'I like you.'
You blink. And then blink again.
'Come again?'
Gaming almost chickens out, but steels himself and says it again.
'I like you.'
You smile and then grin from ear to ear.
'What? Really?'
'Yeah.'
Gaming doesn't know what to make of your reaction... but from the way you're smiling, it seems... good?
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I don’t know if this post has been made yet but I just want to warn everybody that if someone stops you in a parking lot and asks you if you’re interested in some perfume and hands you a paper to smell, PLEASE DON’T SMELL IT.
i repeat, DON’T SMELL IT.
Apparently the sample papers are being laced with a drug to knock you out. Please signal boost this. It can save someone’s life!
