the pokes on your shoulder get incessant as you make your way down the hall. seungcheol keeps tapping you, following you around like an excited puppy, to your locker where you keep your books and take your bag out to leave.
"what, seungcheol?" you turn around in a single motion.
"whatchu doin' later this week?" he asks, a stupid, bright smile plastered on his face as if the last fifty-something rejections by you havent faltered him even in the slightest.
it's getting endearing, really.
seungcheol and you have been friends since high school, all because you made the mistake of lending him a pencil, and he's been at your side since then. he's been there through your first crush, first kiss, first school dance where he winked at you as you awkwardly followed your date. he's also been there along with the tubs of ice cream you finished because your first love 'broke your heart'.
he followed you to college, and gets to see your first-hand embarrassment when he finally shoots his shot and asks you out in your second year. he says it's all for fun with just a little meaning to it, and squirms slightly whenever he becomes emotional about you, but you secretly enjoy it, even though you pretend not to, because you can see how much he cares and how much you mean to him. and even through all facade, you believe he knows how much he means to you too.
"cheol, i already told you. i have a workshop to attend this weekend." you say, fishing for your stuff in the locker.
"maybe i can come along..."
"i'm not going anywhere with you." you shut the door, smiling when you see his little pout.
"also, you're always wearing these cool racer jackets, and yet i never see you riding a bike." you walk towards the exit, the boy tagging along.
"got it from a sale i went to with mingyu," he runs to stand in front of you, and continues walking backwards to keep up with you. "you like these? maybe i'll wear it more often then."
"oh, bug off. seriously. i need to get to the cafe before they turn off the wifi," you push him away and walk off.
the next week, you're walking out of class with an awkward realisation of silence surrounding you.
seungcheol's nowhere to be seen.
even though you would rather die than admit it, you wonder where he's at as you push your books into the locker you always promise to clean one day, and take out your stuff to leave.
as you exit the building, a revving sound stops you in your tracks. it's distant, but it's approaching, and just like the engine picks up speed, your heart starts thrumming faster.
the bike stops in front of you, and seungcheol's face emerges as he removes the helmet.
"seungcheol? what are you doing?" you run over to him.
"you said you've never seen me on a bike. so i got one," he places the helmet on tank and rests his head on his hand.
"i need you to know that i hate to admit it, but you look very freaking hot right now."
"i mean, i'm always hot, but i'll take it. so does this mean you'll ride with me?"
"yes, yes, yes please!" you perk up at the question. he chuckles before handing you the spare helmet, and holds your bag as you wear it and get on the bike.
"but you said you aren't going anywhere with me."
"don't push your luck, choi, or i might rethink my decision to kiss you later." you place your hands on his shoulders. he takes your hands and wraps it around his chest instead.
"well, hold on tight then. wouldn't want you to be dizzy before you even kiss me."
“…why can’t you see? i’m closer to you than you think.”
pairing: seungcheol x f!reader
genre: fluff
summary: cheol doesn’t give space for any girls in his life and only hangs out with his friends. when he starts to fall in love with this gamer girl he recently played with, he tries to court her without knowing her identity in real life.
warning: cursing
wc: 2.1k
Cheol has been waiting for 20 minutes, yet Wonwoo still didn’t appear in their base. Feeling impatient, he opens the global room chat and send a duo invitation button. Less than two minutes, a user [radiantstar] entered the base. “Hey, cherrycheol. I’ve been wanting a female friend for so long! Glad I saw your invitation on global chat,” upon reading that, Cheol pouted, “Uh, I’m not a girl. Why are you assuming I’m a girl?” the user radiantstar left the base, immediately a second after popping back in, just to say “Sorry for misgendering you, nice meeting you by the way, cherry ;)” then the user left again. Cheol was flustered. It was kinda funny, and he just felt like he wanted to know the person more. He pressed the ‘add users’ features and entered the id radiantstar. Once he was accepted, he sent a message
cherrycheol: why’d you left? let’s play
radiantstar: i’m looking for girls…
cherrycheol: wah, are you gaming or dating?
radiantstar: wdym 😭 i’m a girl… i wanted some girl friends to play
cherrycheol: oh. uh, i mean we could play? i’m not a girl, but i wanna play with you, if it’s okay
radiantstar: um, i guess a friend is a friend. okay. add me to your base, i got nothing in mine lol
cherrycheol: gotcha girl
And just like that, it’s been three months you started playing with Cheol. It was always fun, until one day he asked for your twitter username. You panicked, not wanting him to know who you are in real life. Gladly, you managed to dodge the question and continue playing. There are days you would trio with Wonwoo as well, and it’s very fun to you because they would carry you until winning. Upon logging off, you thought to yourself that you wanna try to slowly approach him in real life despite knowing his icy cold persona with girls. Here’s how you know that user cherrycheol is Seungcheol, the guy you had a crush on at school.
flashback ⋆౨ৎ
cherrycheol: hey, playing tonight?
radiantstar: bet
radiantstar: i saw you in duo mode jn, who is it?
cherrycheol: ey, are you jealous? :D
radiantstar: keep talking bullshit and i’ll block you
cherrycheol: calm down girl 😭 i was playing with my friend wonu.
Wonu… as in Wonwoo, your class president? You blinked a few times, trying to make yourself calm down and believe this is all just a coincidence. There must be a lot of people named Wonwoo, right? But again, the user cherrycheol… Cheol…? Oh no. This is not it, right?
radiantstar: ah i see
radiantstar: cherry, what’s your full name?
cherrycheol: that’s suspicious. why are you suddenly asking me this 🤨
cherrycheol: are you trying to hack me rn. bffr.
radiantstar: i dont even know how to 😭 just tell me 😭
cherrycheol: hm… i don’t know…
cherrycheol: okay, you tell me yours first, and i’ll tell you mine.
radiantstar: i’m kim hyori
cherrycheol: hyori.. i guess i’ll stop calling you star and call you hyori instead. my name’s seungcheol. choi seungcheol.
damn, you’re fucked.
after the chat, you contacted your long-distance best friend, the only one who’s willing to listen all your fangirling to cheol who doesn’t even bat an eye on you in real life.
end of flashback ⋆౨ৎ
You woke up extra early, to try and look prettier, since you’re going to try and approach him at school today. After finishing putting on a faint pink lip balm, you went to school while thinking about him. You saw Cheol with his friends at a gazebo, but you decided it’s not time yet. When everyone entered the class, you went to his table and stood without saying anything. Wonwoo looked up first, “Y/n? Is there anything you wanted to say?” his sweet smile reassured you a bit, then you spoke “oh, it’s nothing, just wanted to talk to Cheol…” despite you still wanting to talk more, he interrupted you, “it’s Seungcheol for you. and i don’t have anything to talk with you.” his cold demeanour doesn’t discourage you, as you know this is his persona in real life. You just smiled at Wonwoo before walking away, considering Cheol doesn’t even look at you for you to smile at him. Yet again and again, you never stop trying to approach him. A week has passed since the first attempt you tried talking to him, yet you’ve been rejected without mercy at all. A part of you felt annoyed but you still wanted to make him favour you in real life before exposing who you are. Later that night, he asked for your twitter once again.
cherrycheol: hey hyori, can i have your twitter please? i want easier access to talk to you
radiantstar: idk cherry, i don’t really have anything on twitter
cherrycheol: pleaseeee
cherrycheol: i don’t wanna ask for your number yet so twitter is okay for the time beingg
radiantstar: o so you plan to ask for my number soon 🫵🏻🤭
cherrycheol: yes hyori, but i’ll take it slow….. please please please ☹️
radiantstar: hm… okay, but i have a request
radiantstar: don’t call me hyori, call me star just like how we first talked.
radiantstar: i still call you cherry until now, so it’s fair for you to do the same
Despite his attempt to sulk, you tempt him using your twitter. At last, he gave up. You just hate it when he would call you hyori. You wanted him to say your name. There are days where he and Wonwoo would open their mic, and you wanted him to say Y/n. So it’s better to listen to him calls you by your nickname. Well, it’s time to dig an old unused twitter account so you don’t have to create a new account and make it more suspicious.
The following days felt like torture in school. Cheol’s coldness was like a wall, but every night he was the warm, playful Cherry you couldn’t stop thinking about. You started noticing small things like how his laugh sounded softer in voice chat than at school, how he’d always wait for you at the base, how he’d always hype you even if you died early in the game. One night, after a long gaming session, he sent a message that made your heart skip.
You shut down your phone, not wanting to be swayed. His words hit you harder than they should. You hated that he didn’t know you were right there beside him every single day. You decided to try again, tomorrow.
During break, you saw him alone, scrolling his phone. You took a breath and walked over.
“Seungcheol…”
He didn’t look up. “What?”
“Do you… want help with that math assignment? I noticed you were stuck yesterday…” you offered, keeping your voice gentle.
Cheol finally lifted his gaze, looking at you like you were nothing more than air. “No need. I can handle it.”
You bit your lip, nodded, and whispered, “Why can't you see? I'm closer to you than you think...” before turning away, heart heavy. From behind you, you barely heard him murmur under his breath, “Why does she keep trying…”
But he didn’t sound as annoyed this time. Before school ended, you caught him looking at you from across the hall, just for a split second, before he turned away, pretending you weren’t there.
He didn’t hop on the game that night, and you keep on waiting. So you texted him first.
At school the next day, you were at your locker when you heard his voice, closer than usual. He called you, voice quiet but firm. You turned, heart racing. This was the first time he’d said your name. “Y-Yeah?” His eyes were sharp, studying you. “Why do you always try so hard with me? Don’t you get tired?”
You felt your throat tighten, but you forced a small smile. “Because I want to be your friend. That’s all.” He blinked, like your answer threw him off.
“…Fine. But don’t expect me to go easy on you.” and he walked away, leaving you confused. And flushed.
That night, instead of texting you, he started in the base chat.
cherrycheol: star.
cherrycheol: i kept thinking about what you said, would i still want to be friends if you weren't what i imagined.
your fingers hesitated. and another bubble popped up.
cherrycheol: i would. i really would.
And then something unexpected happened. His mic opened.
“…Star?” His voice was softer than at school, almost shy. Your hand hovered over your own mic. Your heart pounded. Slowly, you clicked the mic on. “Y-Yeah?” The silence between you was deafening.
“…You really do sound familiar.” Cheol’s voice was just a whisper.
You couldn’t sleep. His voice saying “Star?” echoed in your head. You hugged your pillow, thinking about how close you were to him figuring it all out. And Cheol? He lay in bed, phone screen glowing as he stared at your Twitter profile — the one you finally gave him. He scrolled through your random retweets, your silly thoughts, the photos of your cat plushie.
At school the next day, he kept glancing at you. You felt it every time. In class, in the hall, during lunch. Like he was trying to really see you, inside out. Even Wonwoo noticed, “Cheol, what’s up with you? You keep staring at Y/N.” Cheol snapped his gaze away, muttering, “It’s nothing.” But inside, he was connecting the dots.
Wonwoo caught you alone in the library, your head buried in a book but your mind far away. He gently called out your name. You looked up, startled. “Oh, hey, Wonwoo.”
“Are you okay?” he asked, sitting down across from you. His gaze was gentle, but there was something behind it, something you didn’t quite see. “I’m fine,” you said, but he could tell you weren’t. “Is this about Cheol?” he asked, almost too quietly. You blinked at him, too speechless to speak. Wonwoo give you an unreadable smile, “Y/N… I’ve known for a while. You’re Star, right?” Your eyes widened. “How did you—?” “I just know,” he said, cutting you off before you could panic. You watched him walk away, his figure a little lonelier than before.
That night, he chatted in the base again.
cherrycheol: star, can we meet? i think i’m ready.
radiantstar: soon. promise.
cherrycheol: you know what’s funny? i think i already know you in real life.
radiantstar: oh?
cherrycheol: yeah. and if it’s who i think it is… i hope she likes me, both in game and irl.
You instantly gave an excuse to log out of the game. Your face was flushed, yet you forced yourself to sleep, not before hearing a notification sound, one that you set for Cheol’s twitter.
As tomorrow came, you entered class, nervous. But when you passed Cheol’s desk, he looked up at you. Really looked at you. And for the first time, he smiled—small, genuine. Wonwoo, sitting beside him, saw it all. He smiled too, but his heart ached quietly, hidden behind his kind eyes.
Cheol couldn’t stop thinking about you. About Star. About you and Star maybe being the same person.
So he hatched a plan.
cherrycheol: star, let’s duo somewhere IRL. like a game cafe. i really want to meet you
radiantstar: game cafe?
cherrycheol: yeah, i’ll wait. tomorrow. 5pm. [he sends the location]
Your heart raced. It was time. No more hiding.
You walked into the cafe, hands slightly shaking. And there he was. Seungcheol. Sitting at a booth near the window, nervously tapping his fingers on his phone. You swallowed your fear and walked over. “Hi, Cherry.” Cheol’s head snapped up, his eyes widened. He looked at you like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Y/N…?” You nodded, heart pounding. “Surprise?” He blinked, then broke into the softest smile you’d ever seen from him in real life. A little shy, a little amazed. “I knew it,” he said, laughing softly. “I had a feeling it was you. Star.” Your face heated up. “Sorry for not telling you sooner…” Cheol shook his head. “I’m glad it’s you. I’m really glad.”
And just like that, all those nights of playing, all those messages, they made sense. Cheol grinned, pulling the spare chair out for you.
“Come on, duo with me, Star.”
From across the street, unseen, Wonwoo stood quietly, watching through the window. He saw how Cheol looked at you, how his best friend’s eyes softened, how he smiled like you were the only person that existed. Wonwoo exhaled slowly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Of course it’s you.
Because he’d fallen for you a long time ago, before the game, before Cherry and Star. He’d liked you when you were just Y/N, the girl who stayed behind to help clean up after class, the girl who smiled at him even when no one else noticed he was there.
And now… he watched as his best friend got to be the one beside you. He smiled, but this one was for himself — bittersweet, quiet, full of the kind of ache that no one would ever see. “I’m happy for you, Y/N,” he whispered. “Really.”
don't play games (my heart is too fragile) - @cheers-to-you-th
Getting addicted to watching hot men play video games was definitely not on your year's bingo card. Getting addicted to watching Choi Seungcheol of all people? The idea would have been laughable.
complete mess - @straylightdream
life is hard, and he can’t take the weight of the world that feels like it’s on his shoulders. when he asked you to run away with him you can’t imagine saying no.
sneaky link - @aaagustd
pov: you can't stand the b*tch, but her brother's fine as f*ck.
movie night - @/aaagustd
so full of love - @ylangelegy
confessed by the wrong person - @joooooniecore
PLOT: a reunion changes everything between you and your best friend Seungcheol. A revengeful confession. Will you both be able to find each other back? Or drift apart?
pretty please (series) - @hongcherry
After being assigned a fashion show for your big senior project, you set off to find volunteers to make it successful. However, when you meet Choi Seungcheol and his unfriendly clique through your volunteers, you realize they’re an unwanted package deal you can’t escape from. Can you handle Seungcheol’s obnoxious friends, and can he handle your brash behavior?
untitled - @pochaccoups
untitled - @/pochaccoups
hockey player! cheol - @thepixelelf
April shower - @svtiddiess
The April shower may have crashed your picnic date, but with Seungcheol and Kkuma by your side, the rain didn’t matter.
I'll be home - @kkaetnipjeon
it's your first christmas apart from seungcheol, and you can hardly stand it.
to catch where you fall - @/kkaetnipjeon
untitled - @wqnwoos
I'm not coming home for Christmas - @frakts1ya
first time having sex with seungcheol in a new relationship - @hoshifighting
dilf! cheol - @/hoshifighting
co-worker! cheol - @/hoshifighting
After years of being Mr. Choi's personal secretary, you had become accustomed to the dynamics of working closely with him. However, fate had brought about a change – Mr. Choi's son, Seungcheol, would now be taking over the company. Unbeknownst to you, Seungcheol had harbored a secret crush on you for years.
bsf! cheol watching you ride a dildo - @/hoshifighting
(sulky) lover of mine - @monamipencil
starlit reset - @cherry-zip
Seungcheol falls asleep on the couch after a long day, and you tenderly take care of him. They share a quiet, loving moment, finding comfort in each other’s presence.
where are the vibes? - @daechwitatamic
Seungcheol always gives you what you need. Today, he's gonna make you ask for it first.
[12:29 am] - @soonyoungs
"is there a reason why you're naked in my bed?" - @ssentimentals
untitled - @seungcheorry
pulse - @coupsiedaisee
we need to talk - @100vern
sometimes the only way to win the game is to not play, but sometimes it's not a game at all—sometimes it's four years of emotional build-up with nowhere left to hide.
tomorrow tonight - @cheolbooluvr
making the bed - @shuafiles
you and seungcheol’s marriage is hanging on by a thread. separate rooms, broken conversations, and barely any contact, it's clear that what you once had is slipping away. desperate for a second chance, you both turn to couples therapy, but when intimacy—or the lack of it—becomes the topic of conversation, everything changes.
