summary: a blind date arranged by friends unexpectedly brings will and yn together, leading to a secret romance built on late-night texts, cosy dates, and plenty of laughter.
requested: yes / no
face claim: pics found on pinterest
will had been ignoring the messages for three days.
his group chat had long since given up discussing football or youtube videos and instead dedicated itself entirely to making fun of his dating life— or lack of.
stephen: its actuallly getting concerning now
harry: mate, you've been single single for so long your ideal date is a tesco meal deal
will: cheers lads. really appreciate the support.
the teasing only got worse from there.
every suggestion of downloading a dating app had been met with immediate refusal. every attempt at setting him up with someone ended with will making an excuse at the last minute. it wasn't that he hated dating, he just hated everything that came before it. the awkward small talk, the pressure, the expectation that he had to impress someone he'd only just met.
so when stephen casually mentioned he knew someone who had a friend "perfect" for him, will laughed it off.
"no chance."
"you haven't even heard anything about her" stephen argued.
"i don't need to."
"she's funny."
"so are loads of people."
"she's an influencer."
will groaned dramatically "that somehow makes me less interested."
harry rolled his eyes from the other side of the room "you're impossible."
"i'm realistic."
stephen folded his arms "one date."
"No."
"one dinner."
"no."
"you don't even have to pay if it goes badly."
"...tempting."
harry smirked "see? he's cracking."
will sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before pointing at stephen "if she's weird, I'm blaming you."
"i promise" stephen grinned "you'll like her."
—
across the city, the conservation wasn't all that different.
"i've already said no."
"you've said no to the last four people."
"exactly."
her best friend sighed dramatically, dropping onto the sofa beside her "you can't spend every friday night editing videos."
"i don't"
"you edit videos... and watch reality tv."
"that's called balance."
"it isn't"
she laughed, throwing a cushion at her friend.
dating wasn't exactly high on her priority list. between brand deals, filming, editing and trying to maintain some sort of social life, she'd convinced herself she was too busy. besides, the lastt relationship she'd had ended badly enough that she'd stopped looking altogether.
which was exactly why her best friend refused to let the subject drop.
"just one date."
"you sound desperate."
"i am. for you."
she rolled her eyes.
"i don't even know who he is."
"good."
"what does that mean?"
"it means you're not allowed to google him."
her eyebrows lifted.
"so I do know him?"
"no comment."
"is he an influencer?"
"...maybe."
she laughed.
"you've definitely made this sound suspicious."
"it's not suspicious!" her friend protested. "he's genuinely lovely."
"if he's lovely, why's he single?"
her friend hesitated for just a second too long.
"...because he's an idiot."
that earned another laugh.
she looked down at her phone before letting out a quiet sigh.
"fine."
her friend blinked.
"fine?"
"one date."
the scream that followed was loud enough to make her regret agreeing almost immediately.
"oh my god!"
"please stop shouting."
"i'm booking the restaurant before you change your mind."
she shook her head, unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
"one date" she reminded her.
"if it's awful, i never have to do it again."
her friend grinned.
"if it's awful... i'll personally buy you dessert."
neither of them had the slightest idea that, for once, the blind date was going to go far better than either of them expected.
—
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yourusername: stop shouting.
yourfriendsusername: if he fumbles i'm fighting him
—
the restaurant wasn't particularly fancy.
it was warm, softly lit, tucked away on a quiet street where conversations blended into the gentle hum of music playing overhead. exactly the sort of place chosen because it wasn't intimidating—just somewhere two strangers could have dinner without feeling like they were being interviewed.
will arrived first.
he adjusted the sleeves of his shirt, checked the time on his phone for what felt like the tenth time, then immediately regretted looking at it. He wasn't nervous, he told himself. he just... didn't know what to expect.
stephen's only instructions had been to look for the table under the window.
"she'll be there in a minute."
helpful.
a waiter led him over and will thanked him before sitting down, tapping his fingers against the edge of the menu.
a few minutes later, the restaurant door opened.
she stepped inside, quickly scanning the room before her eyes landed on the table by the window, then on him and her pace slowed.
"...will?"
he looked up.
for a second, they simply stared at one another.
"...oh."
she laughed first, the surprised sound filling the brief silence between them.
"oh, thank God" she said, letting out a relieved breath "you looked just as confused as i felt."
will stood, laughing as well "i wasn't expecting... you."
"neither was I."
she smiled, gesturing towards the empty chair "can I?"
"yeah, of course."
as soon as she sat down, the awkwardness they'd both been expecting somehow disappeared.
"i've got to ask" she said, setting her bag beside her chair "did you know it was me?"
"no."
"you swear?"
"i swear."
she narrowed her eyes playfully.
"i only knew i was meeting 'someone funny'" will admitted "that was literally all stephen gave me."
she groaned "my friend told me not to google you."
he laughed "probably for the best."
"so this really was blind."
"genuinely."
the waiter arrived to take their drinks order, giving them a moment to settle before disappearing again.
"so..." will leaned back slightly "were you forced into this too?"
she smiled into her menu.
"absolutely."
"i knew it."
"my friend has been trying to get me back into dating for months."
"the lads have been calling me chronically single."
she laughed.
"i think they actually used those exact words."
"they did."
by the time their drinks arrived, conversation had already begun flowing effortlessly.
They spoke about everything, content creation, embarrassing filming moments, travelling for work, the strange things people asked in Q&As and horror stories about awkward brand emails.
at one point will nearly snorted his drink because she perfectly imitated an influencer apology video "you've definitely practised that" he laughed.
"i absolutely have."
"i'm slightly concerned."
"you should be."
dinner arrived, but neither of them noticed how quickly the time passed, the plates gradually emptied while the conversation only grew easier.
there were no awkward silences, no moments spent desperately searching for another question and every topic somehow led naturally into the next.
"so..." she smiled "be honest."
"oh, dangerous."
"were you expecting this to be awful?"
will considered it for a moment.
"...yeah."
she laughed.
"i appreciate the honesty."
"i just hate first dates."
"so do I."
"but this doesn't really feel like one."
she tilted her head.
"no..."
"it kind of just feels like i've bumped into someone i already know."
she couldn't stop smiling "i was literally thinking the same thing."
—
when they eventually looked around the restaurant, they realised there were only a handful of tables still occupied. a waiter walked over apologetically "i'm so sorry we'll be closing in about ten minutes."
will glanced at his watch "...we've been here four hours?"
she blinked "you're joking."
apparently not.
outside, the evening air was cool enough to make her instinctively pull her jacket closer "i don't really want to go home yet" she admitted.
will looked down the quiet street "fancy a walk?"
she smiled "i'd like that."
the city felt completely different at night, streetlights reflected across the pavement from the rain earlier that day and neither of them seemed in any rush to reach a destination. instead, they wandered talking about childhood stories, family, career goals, music, films they'd watched far too many times.
at one point they passed a tiny independent bookshop that had already closed. she stopped to admire the display in the window. will noticed she was pointing out books she'd read while he found himself paying more attention to the way her face lit up than anything she was actually saying.
"so" she asked eventually "how's the blind date ranking now?"
He smiled "it might be the best decision Stephen's ever made."
"that's a bold statement."
"i'll never tell him that."
"good."
she nudged his shoulder lightly "don't let it go to his head."
eventually, her phone buzzed "my uber's two minutes away."
neither of them moved straight away. instead, they stood outside the pick-up point, both suddenly aware that the evening was ending.
"i've genuinely had a really nice time" she said softly.
"so have I."
there was a brief pause. not awkward. just... hopeful.
will rubbed the back of his neck before letting out a small laugh.
"i've forgotten how this part works."
she grinned "the goodbye?"
"yeah."
"i think..." she smiled, "one of us is supposed to ask if we'd like to do it again."
"right."
he met her eyes "i'd really like to see you again."
her smile widened almost instantly.
"i was hoping you'd say that."
"so..."
"so yes."
another laugh escaped both of them.
her car pulled up beside the pavement. she opened the door before looking back at him.
"text me when you get home?"
"i will."
"you'd better."
"i'll prove I'm capable."
she rolled her eyes fondly before climbing into the car.
as it pulled away, she looked back through the window, finding him still standing exactly where she'd left him.
he lifted a hand in a small wave.
she smiled all the way home.
for the first time in a long time, a blind date hadn't felt like meeting a stranger. it had felt like the beginning of something.
—
—
the first text came before either of them had even made it home.
will: made it back alive
she smiled the second her phone lit up.
you: good. i was starting to think you'd got lost.
will: i did.
will: took the wrong exit.
you: already making me question your sense of direction.
will: it was one wrong turn.
you: sure it was.
she couldn't help laughing as she unlocked her front door, the conversation continuing while she kicked off her shoes and headed upstairs.
it felt... easy.
neither of them had to think too hard about what to say. every message seemed to lead naturally into another until they both realised it was well past midnight.
—
the next morning, she woke up to another notification.
will: morning :)
she glanced at the time.
11:58 a.m.
she smiled to herself before replying.
you: morning?
you: it's basically lunchtime.
three minutes later...
will: morning to me.
you: lazy.
will: content creator.
you: same thing.
—
Days passed and somehow texting became part of their routine. she'd send him a picture of the coffee she'd picked up on the way to a meeting. he'd reply with a photo of whatever meal deal he'd grabbed from the nearest shop. he'd send voice notes complaining about editing. she'd respond with one laughing at him because he'd somehow managed to lose a file again.
the conversations drifted between completely ridiculous and surprisingly meaningful without either of them noticing.
one minute they were arguing over whether cereal counted as dinner.
the next they were talking about their families, childhood memories and what they wanted their lives to look like in ten years.
it was comfortable. comfortable in a way that surprised them both.
about a week after the date, she was halfway through editing when her phone buzzed.
will: question.
you: go on.
will: how are you alive before 9 am every day?
she laughed.
you: how are you asleep until midday every day?
will: talent.
you: concerning talent.
another message arrived just after six that evening.
you: have you eaten?
there was no reply.
five minutes.
ten.
fifteen.
finally...
will: ...
you: william.
will: i was about to.
you: you weren't.
will: i literally had the app open.
you: order food.
will: yes ma'am.
she smiled, shaking her head.
an hour later he sent her a photo of a takeaway bag sitting on his kitchen counter.
will: happy now?
you: very.
—
neither of them told anyone just how often they were talking.
when stephen asked what he'd been smiling at during editing, will shrugged it off.
"nothing."
stephen looked at him suspiciously.
"you've smiled at your phone about six times."
"i've seen a funny tiktok."
"you hate tiktok."
"...good tiktok."
stephen didn't believe him for a second.
her friends weren't much easier to fool "you've checked your phone every five minutes."
"i have not."
"you literally smiled at it."
"i was reading an email."
"brand deals don't make people grin like that."
she tried to hide her smile.
"it wasn't a brand deal."
"so it was him."
her silence answered the question for her.
by the second week, the messages had become almost constant.
good morning. good luck with filming. how did your meeting go? drive safe. don't forget to eat. goodnight. small things.
the sort of messages neither of them realised they had started relying on until one evening when will spent the entire day filming away from his phone.
she didn't think much of it until nearly nine o'clock. no memes. no random updates. no messages complaining about editing. nothing.
just as she was debating whether to text first, her phone buzzed.
will: sorry.
will: been filming literally all day.
before she could even type a reply, another message appeared.
will: missed talking to you.
she stared at the screen for a moment longer than she'd like to admit. a smile slowly spread across her face.
you: i missed talking to you too.
she watched as the little "typing..." bubble appeared almost immediately, then disappeared and then came back again.
eventually...
will: would you maybe want to do something this weekend?
her heart fluttered despite herself.
you: i thought you'd never ask.
she set her phone down on her bed, unable to stop smiling.
across the city, will did exactly the same thing, neither of them had called it a second date, neither of them had called whatever this was "dating."
but somewhere between late-night messages, coffee photos, voice notes and checking that the other had eaten, they'd quietly slipped into something that felt like the beginning of more and neither of them wanted it to end.
—
the soft launch
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yourusername: rainy days 🤍
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user: WHO’S HAND IS THAT???
user: you cannot just drop this on a thursday night!!!
user: HELLO????
—
the hard launch
@ yourusername
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yourusername: turns out blind dates aren’t that bad @ willne
summary: arthur films late night content in an empty theatre and finds someone still practicing on stage. yn is rehearsing alone for an upcoming audition and doesn’t expect anyone to be there. they strike up conversation between takes of her routine and he becomes the only audience she trusts while practicing.
word count: 1,011 words
the theatre was never truly silent.
even after practice with the group was over, even after the lights dimmed and the staff had cleaned and closed up, it still breathed old wood settling, curtains shifting in the faint draft and the echo of practice clinging to the walls like a memory that could never be forgotten.
arthur wasn’t supposed to be there.
technically, he was suppose to be back at home filming an unrelated video on some video game. however, unrelated had never stopped him from wandering into places he didn’t fully understand yet.
he stepped through the side entrance he’d been told was “definitely not for public use” phone held low and movements silent. the corridor stretched long and narrow, walls filled with torn production posters and taped up rehearsal schedules.
then he heard it. music, soft, looping and precise.
arthur’s silent steps slowed, following it instinctively like it was pulling him forward before his brain could even catch up.
at the end of the corridor, the door was slightly ajar. he hesitated for a moment, then pushed it open just enough to see inside.
the stage was lit in those bright fluorescent lights, empty, dark red seats stretched into the darkness, rows upon rows like they were waiting for something that had already happened. at the centre of the stage, someone was dancing, not performing. not fully. not for anyone, just practicing.
the movements were controlled but tired in a way that suggested the person had been there for hours. a spin, a step, a reset. again and again.
arthur didn’t move. he should have said something, or left, or atleast made his presence known like a normal person would have. instead, he stayed where he was, half hidden behind the doorway, watching.
the girl didn’t notice him at first, or maybe she did and decided it didn’t matter. she reached the end of the sequence, paused briefly, breathing steadily and then starting again from the beginning.
arthur lowered his phone completely, tucking it into his pocket. for once, it didn’t feel like something to film.
eventually, the music cut off plunging the large room into silence that felt like a weight.
from the stage, the girl had turned her head slightly towards him, one hand resting at her side, posture straight even while resting. she studied him for a second. not alarmed. just unimpressed in a way only those who were exhausted could manage.
“you’re not supposed to be in here” yn said once she had caught her breath.
“i’ve been told that a lot today” arthur replied.
that got her lips to turn up slightly. not quite a smile but something close enough that it counted. she walked over to the edge of the stage where her water bottle sat, taking a slow sip before speaking again “you have a camera, are you filming something?”
arthur blinked “yes” he said, nodding slowly before silence settled again, but it wasn’t the uncomfortable type. more full.
up close, he could see details on here face that he hadn’t noticed from the door way. the faint sheen of sweat at her temples, the way her hair was slicked perfectly back into a well kept bun even after all the dancing and the way her shoulders stayed slightly tense like she didn’t trust them to fully relax.
“you’re here late” arthur said quietly, as if he didn’t want to break the silence of the room. she shrugged lightly “audition prep” she stated simply “at this hour?” he questioned “it’s quieter” she replied, then, after a beat “no one’s usually watching at this hour.”
arthur glanced around the empty auditorium “that part is correct”. this time, yn did smile. briefly, like it wasn’t something she was use to.
he leaned against one of the seats on the front row, not sitting. he examines the girl for a moment curiously “do you always rehearse alone?”
“not always” she said “just when i need it to be right”. arthur nodded slowly like he understood more than he probably did “what happens when it’s right?”. she pauses for a moment "that doesn't really happen" she said but it didn't sound bitter. just factual.
something in the air shifted slightly after that, less guarded, more open in a way neither of them acknowledged directly. arthur looked towards the stage again where she stands "do you ever get tired of it? doing the same thing over and over" he asks.
she considered his question for a moment, rolling the cap of her water bottle between her fingers. "yes" she said honestly "but not enough to stop."
arthur gave a quiet hum of agreement, like that made sense to him even though he had no idea. from somewhere deep in the theatre, a maintenance light flickers on and off, as if reminding them both that time was still passing.
he pushed off the seat he was leaning against, she studied him for a moment longer than necessary. finally, she stepped back to the middle of the stage "you're distracting" she said.
"not on purpose" he remarks back "that doesnt help me" she replied. arthur lifted his hands in surrender "i'll go back to being very still and silently supportive." that got a proper laugh from her this time, quick, surprised, gone almost as soon as it appeared.
she turned away, resetting her position. but before the music stared again, she glanced back over her shoulder "you can stay" she said. "just don't talk when the music's on."
arthur nodded immediately "deal."
the room filled with sound and this time he'd forgotten all about his camera, he just watched as if she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
--
@ yourusername
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yourusername: practice was a little different today 🩰🤍
tagged: arthurtv
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arthurtv: it was so nice to watch you practice, still have no idea how you stretch like that liked by author
user: ARTHUR?!?!
user: wait this is lowkey cute
user: arthur is just a fan of everything at this point
Hey! I was thinking of a ballerina reader x arthurtv! Like maybe they're both friends (little angst) and arthur accidentally walks into her (us hehe) doing ballet and he's absolutely smitten and never felt this way before about her as he just finds it so graceful and had no idea we even did ballet!
anon you must be a mind reader because i’m working on a arthurtv x ballerina reader fic right now omg
001. my requests are always open, i’m a student which means that takes up most of my free time, if i don’t answer or take a while to answer your request please be patient
002. i will not write any dark content or smut
003. unless stated other wise, all of my fics are fem!reader. i’m willing to write for male or gn but i may not do is as well
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