Prompt: “Real funny.” -- @challengingwords prompt #50
Pairing: Jae Park x female reader
Genre: fluff / christmas au
Warnings: none
Word count: 589
“What? Why isn’t it working?!”
Jae looked up from his phone at your panic, discarding the device to investigate your huffs and shrieks as you dashed around in the kitchen.
He found you looking at the oven in bewilderment, the turkey that had been put on for Christmas dinner still sitting there looking rather uncooked.
Your eyes flitted to his desperately. “The oven is broken.”
“Can’t be. We’ve been cooking in it all week long,” Jae reminded, stepping closer to check everything out.
“Well, now it’s not working! Dinner is ruined!” you cried, your gaze slipping to the clock on the wall with a hearty wail. “Everyone will be here in three hours!”
“Three hours should be plenty to cook a turkey,” Jae reasoned, but you were prancing up and down on the spot like a disgruntled reindeer who didn’t get to fly off with the others on Santa’s sleigh.
Looking closely at the oven, Jae stifled a laugh. “Babe?”
“Oh what?! Christmas is ruined all because our stupid oven is—”
“Not turned on,” he concluded with a snort.
Your irritable expression turned murderous. “Don’t be ridiculous. I turned it on hours ago! Look, the oven light is on and everything!”
Still struggling to not laugh, Jae pointed to the dials on the panel. “You’ve turned on the oven setting, which makes the light come on, but not the temperature gauge.”
“What?” Shunting him out of the way, you looked at the panel and then frowned. “But I… I’m sure I turned it on! Surely, I did! I got up and turned on the oven, and then dashed off to finish wrapping presents. I did it!”
Without answering, knowing you would hit him if he did, Jae reached for the temperature dial and turned it on. Instantly, the fans of the oven started up.
You shared a look with your partner, yours of sheer horror, whilst his was strangled amusement.
Jae couldn’t help it. Laughter erupted from every part of him, and he doubled over, gripping onto the countertop as his knees wobbled with the sheer strength of his reaction.
You grumbled incoherently as you opened the door to the oven and put the turkey back in it, reaching for the temperature to put it on the desired heat. “Oh yeah. Laugh it up, Jae. It’s real funny.”
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t laugh,” he wheezed out, looking up at you and then was hit with another wave of giggles. “But you were just so comical right now.”
“Super comical.”
“Come on, Y/N. You can see that this is a little funny, right?”
Your hands rose to your hips and his laughter cut short. “You know, I wonder if Santa is going to have anything but coal for you this year!”
“I already know you’ve gotten me three presents under our tree, babe,” he cheekily pointed out, and you spun on your heel, heading out of the kitchen and towards the twinkling pine in the corner of the room. Ducking underneath, you reached for those presents, right as Jae attempted to stop you.
“Okay, I’m an asshole for laughing at your stressed-out reaction!” he proclaimed, and you arched an eyebrow at him to show you were now ready to listen. Jae regathered himself before smiling warmly at you. “At least, we figured out it wasn’t working now instead of an hour before dinner. Christmas isn’t ruined. We’ve saved it by turning on the dial needed to actually cook things.”
description: you love when chanyeol takes an interest in your hobbies, but he doesn't always have a talent for them submission for prompt #4 of @challengingwords.
word count: 330+
After finishing the final row of purple, you check on Chanyeol and have to stifle your snort with a cough.
“Are you okay?” He asks, glancing up from his attempt at crocheting. Yarn laces between his fingers and attached to his hook is a tangled ball of yarn, though if you squint you can kind of make out what looks like stitches.
“I’m fine. You’re not.” You chuckle. “Here give me that, you’re doing it wrong.” He holds his hands out to you, and you gently slip the yarn from his fingers and attempt to unravel his mess.
“I did it how you showed me.” He pouts.
“I don’t think you did.” You mutter as you work on a particularity difficult knot.
When Chanyeol came upon you crocheting a new holiday sweater, he had become enthralled. After watching you for hours, he determined that he was fully capable of crocheting. Excited by his enthusiasm, you had agreed to teach him.
Taking out your basket of scarp yarn and a crochet hook, you showed him how to chain and do a single crochet stitch, and after he failed the first time, you showed him again. He continued to fail, and you continued to teach him, until with huff he snatched the hook and yarn from your hand and swore he would figure it out on his own. You let him because there is no reasoning with Chanyeol when he gets like that.
With the yarn untangled and once again a ready ball, you hold it out to him along with the hook. “Would you like me to show you again?”
He pushes your hands back towards you. “I think I’ve had enough crocheting for today.” You smile and nod as you tuck the items back into your basket. “Are you hungry?” He asks as he pulls out his phone. Your stomach grumbles in response. “How about a to-go order and a movie to end the night?”
You enthusiastically agree, as you set aside your sweater and stretch your aching fingers.
Here is our new writing challenge! The next one will be issued on the 28th March at 8am NZST.
———————-
What is Challenging Words?
We invite you to join us and write 500 words or less on the prompt above over the next two weeks. Make sure to tag #cwprompts or #cwchallenges in the first 5 tags so we can share your story on the blog. For further information, feel free to check out our guidelines below to make sure you’re ready to be challenged!
Prompt: “Would you just sit still?!” -- @challengingwords prompt #49
Pairing: Jeon Jungkook x female reader
Genre: fluff / tattoo artist au
Warnings: tattoo equipment loosely described.
Word count: 475
“Would you just sit still?!”
“I am,” you retorted, your eyebrows knitting together. “I haven’t moved once.”
Jungkook looked at you incredulously. “Really? You’re shaking all over.”
“I’m…” Glancing up at your boyfriend with wide eyes, you groaned. “Okay, so maybe I’m a little nervous.”
His lips tipped up at the corners. “Just a little?”
“Maybe a lot?”
“You’re questioning your own anxiety levels. Sounds to me that you don’t want me to do this.”
“I do!” you shot back immediately, whining when Jungkook’s free hand gripped your left arm tightly. “Ow!”
“Be careful, Y/N. I don’t want to hurt you any more than you’re obviously panicking over me doing.” Placing down the instrument next to the chair you sat on, Jungkook sighed, folding his arms over his chest. “I won’t do it.”
“But you promised me that you would!” you exclaimed, your eyes still round but this time with disappointment. “You promised, Kook.”
“I did that without the knowledge that you’d be this frightened of it.”
Looking away before the tears welled up in your eyes, you sighed. “It’s my first one. I don’t know what to expect.”
You were both silent for a moment, and then his hands reached for your face, cupping them around your cheeks. “Do you really want this?”
“I do. And I want it to be you who does it.”
Jungkook searched your expression for any sign to stop this again. “You need to hold still. Okay?”
“I’ll try my best.”
Your boyfriend turned back to the equipment beside you, and you stretched your left arm out, flipping it so the soft skin of your forearm was exposed. The design of your choice was already stencilled there, and now you just had to pull it together for the time it would take to get it permanently inked into your skin.
“Ready?” Jungkook asked, and you nodded, closing your eyes so you couldn’t react before he placed the tattoo gun on your skin. Jungkook’s free hand held down your arm, and he began his work.
It wasn’t as painful as you expected it to be, but it wasn’t pleasant either. After about five minutes of adjusting to the pain, you opened your eyes, watching your tattoo artist boyfriend work. His artistry was second to none, and after a while, you weren’t really that aware of the pain anymore. You were too entranced by the concentration on his face and the way your design choice came to life.
Finally, Jungkook was done. You marvelled your first tattoo, your lips spreading out into an excited grin. “It’s beautiful.”
“So are you right now,” Jungkook murmured, smiling at you lovingly. “Thank you for trusting me with this.”
Stretching forward to kiss him, you stared at Jungkook when you pulled back. “I don’t know why I was so scared. You always look after me.”
Warnings: none, though it might make you hungry lol
Word count: 551
“I never expected to experience this type of betrayal,” you told your best friend Ivy, feeling as dramatic as the statement sounded. Looking at her with a sullen expression, you sighed. “My heart hurts.”
“And my head cannot deal with you right now,” she replied with a strong eye roll, shaking her loose copper curls over her shoulder. “Only you would take this as an opportunity to mourn.”
“It’s a great loss to our city,” another voice interjected, and you turned to look at the man standing nearby. He cupped his chest as he looked up at the closed storefront. “They made the best donuts I’ve ever tasted.”
“Right?!” you whined, jerking away from Ivy to commiserate with the handsome stranger.
You both sighed heavily at the same time.
“I’m just going to leave you two to sulk and get my coffee from the café two doors down,” Ivy announced, sending you a disbelieving smile before telling you she’d catch you after work.
You turned to the man, who pouted at you. “They truly were the highlight of my working week.”
“Where do we go now to get our fix?” you wondered, turning your stare back to the bubble-gum pink store. You eyed the PERMANENTLY CLOSED sign, a sour taste forming in the back of your throat.
“There’s that donut store three blocks over,” he suggested initially and then groaned. “But they’re mediocre compared.”
“We’re addicted to the best donuts this city has to offer.”
“Had,” he lamented, and you both sighed again.
“Maybe it’s a good thing?” you suggested, though to be fair, you were trying to convince yourself it wasn’t the big travesty that it felt right now. The stranger eyed you curiously. “I was eating them three times a week at least. My goal to shape up for the summer would mean I’d have to cut back on them, somehow.”
“You don’t need to shape up,” he blurted out, his ears turning red. “I mean, if you have a goal like that then it’s yours to decide on. But uh… I’m digging a hole here, aren’t I?”
You giggled, shaking your head. “Admittedly, I don’t have the best track record in avoiding baked goods, so it’s an empty goal, really.”
“So, it’s not just a donut craving?” he mused, and you lifted a hand solemnly in an oath.
“Guilty.”
“Well, it’s not the same as a donut, but have you tried the triple chocolate cookies over at—”
“Mama’s Bakery?!” you cut in, grinning as you nodded. “They’re to die for.”
“Should we then?” he offered, and you cocked your head to the side.
“Go get cookies?”
“And coffee if you drink it. I’m more of a hot chocolate type of guy myself.”
“It seems I’ve found my match in a sweet tooth today,” you announced gleefully, holding out your hand in introduction. “I’m Y/N.”
“Taeyong,” he answered, slipping his hand into yours. “And I’m guessing if we have this much in common about food, then it’s going to be easy to get to know you more.”
“There’s a whole heap of delicious desserts to share in this city. If you’re up for it?”
Taeyong grinned, shaking the hand you only then realised he still held. “I think I’m going to feel more than a sugar rush soon.”
Why were you constantly sneezing lately? It wasn’t spring, nor did you suffer greatly from pollen anyway. At least that would make more sense for your sudden affliction. Aside from the moment when it happened, you didn’t feel unwell at all. It was seriously confusing you.
“Bless you,” a honeyed voice announced, and you glanced up to look at the desk adjacent to yours. Junho smiled but didn’t lift his gaze away from his task.
“You’ll grow tired of saying that, you know,” you grumbled, and Junho chuckled, right when another sneeze built up within you.
You managed to suppress it for all of two minutes. Three sneezes followed, as did Junho’s well wishes triple-fold.
You grew irritated and stood up. “Mind if I head out and get something to take for this?”
“Go on. I can’t imagine it’s easy to focus on work right now,” he sympathised, and you nodded, grabbing your bag, and you stepped outside.
Five minutes later, and you felt completely fine. By the time you reached the nearest pharmacy, you hadn’t sneezed once. Explaining your issue to the pharmacist, they prescribed you something to help ease the sneezing but insisted you looked around the workplace for what you were allergic to.
“Of course, why didn’t I think of that?” you murmured as you clambered back up the stairs into your department, smiling at a couple of workers as you went by.
It happened as soon as Junho looked up at your arrival. “Did they—you’re still sneezing.”
“It’s something in this area,” you concluded, explaining to Junho how you hadn’t sneezed once when you were gone.
“Want me to help you look?” he offered, and you nodded, your search coming up fruitless. Everything around you was normal office supplies, and no one had flowers in the area – not that you were affected by them in the first place.
“It’s maddening!” you exclaimed as you sneezed again, and Junho ran a hand through his hair.
“Just what is it?” he wondered, scanning the area again.
The next day, you weren’t sneezing every few minutes. By lunchtime, you were euphoric. You had not only caught up on your work from the day before, but you were also processing files you set aside for later in the week.
“My allergies!” you stated, pumping your fist into the air. “They have cleared!”
“Good for you, Y/N,” your boss mentioned, her attention falling to the empty chair nearby. “Junho not in today?”
“Huh. That’s what’s missing,” you said and then gasped, covering your mouth. “I can’t be…”
Shaking her head at your nonsense, your boss returned to her office as you stared at Junho’s empty spot for a moment. You then giggled. “No way. That would be ludicrous to be allergic to a person, right?”
You didn’t even need to mindfully look out for the differences. As soon as Junho greeted you, you replied with a sneeze. And even if you took your medicine, you were still struggling by the end of the workday.
Since Junho worked from two departments in the building, he was missing the next day from his desk. You were back to being productive and sniffle-free.
By Friday morning, you were convinced he was the cause.
“That sneezing of yours—”
“Don’t find me weird for this, but have you changed cologne or something recently? Showering in a new body wash by chance? New washing powder? Something different?” you prattled off, and Junho eyed you warily. “I’m not trying to pry, I promise. But I think it’s you.”
“Me? What?” he asked, his gaze narrowing. “It can’t be me, Y/N. You can’t be allergic to someone.”
“Hear me out.”
“I don’t want to.”
“But it makes sense! When you’re not here, I’m fine. The moment you smile that beautiful dimpled smile of yours, I’m returning to Sneezeville immediately!”
Junho stared at you for a moment before bursting into laughter. “That’s your proof?”
“Well, what more can I say? My allergy is you.”
Leaning towards you, Junho smirked. “Have you thought it might not be an allergy you’re dealing with but feelings instead?”
“What? That makes—”
“My adorable dimpled smile,” he repeated, and you groaned with embarrassment. “Do my eyes make you react too? What about my voice? Face it. Sounds to me that you might like me.”
“Don’t be so rash. It’s probably a change you’ve made, and I’m sensitive to it.”
Junho stared at you. “So, you don’t like me? Not even a little?”
Just thinking about it made you sneeze. Junho laughed heartily. “Wait! That’s not— it can’t be! I mean— Junho!”
Quickly taking you by the hand, Junho strode down to the boardroom, pulling you inside before shutting the door. He then looked down at you, his smile warm and inviting.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” you managed to say before sneezing again.
“Bless you,” he voiced, and you rolled your eyes. Junho grinned. “Maybe I have the cure.”
“What’s that? Just change whatever it is that you’ve—”
He cut you off with a kiss, slow and lingering. Blinking several times before closing your eyes, you focused on the embrace, melting further into it than you expected to.
Oh.
You definitely felt something for him now.
Pulling away, Junho searched your expression curiously. “Are you still allergic to me, Y/N?”
You felt no sneeze on the horizon. However, reaching out for the collar of his shirt, you shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe we should do that again just to make sure I’m fully cured.”
Prompt: “Why can’t you hear me?” -- @challengingwords prompt #40
Pairing: Hwang Minhyun x female reader
Genre: fluff
Warnings: none
A/N: I finally wrote something, thank god! Dedicating this to @minsmonaverse as I mentioned I would try and write Minhyun again.
Word count: 375
“I can’t wait for you to return, Min,” you enthused, sitting back in your home office chair. “I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you. It has, actually. To the point, I think I’ve forgotten how you smell. Wait. That sounds weird.”
You laughed good-naturally all the same, knowing your boyfriend would understand your excitement. He was anticipating his return too.
“Y/N, I can’t quite make out what you’re saying.”
Frowning, you pulled your phone away from your ear to ensure you hadn’t accidentally muted your call somehow. The screen flashed with the call details, and you saw everything was in order. Hitting the volume button, you placed it back against your head. “How’s that?”
“If you’re talking to me, I really don’t know what you’re saying,” Minhyun continued.
“Why can’t you hear me? Is the signal bad?” you asked, even though you were uncertain if your voice would come through to him.
“Oh, I don’t think this is going to work. I can’t hear you. Maybe go outside?”
“Would the signal be better out there?” you wondered, backtracking in your footsteps to the front door. Swinging it open, you started to blink rapidly.
And Minhyun grinned and ended the call. “Ah, I bet I could hear you perfectly now.”
“Wait… you… and this whole time… you’re back?!”
“In the flesh,” he confirmed as he held out his arms, your body quickly nestling into his.
You had missed more than his scent, and as you inhaled deeply, you worked on imprinting how his body fit perfectly around yours as well. Minhyun’s grip tightened, and you rejoiced with how comforting this moment was.
Until your brain finally recovered from the initial shock. Pulling back just enough to look up at him, you scowled. “I was seriously stressing right now!”
“You always tell me to try and be more playful,” he offered, pouting slightly as he thought over his actions. Minhyun smirked. “I think the end result was worth a little bit of your heart racing, don’t you?”
Softening your expression, you nodded and dove back into his arms. “You’re right. I’ll happily play along with any playful prank of yours if it means I get to be with you like this in the end.”
Prompt: “In what world would that happen?” -- @challengingwords prompt #42
Pairing: Koo Junhoe x female reader
Genre: suggestive / friends to lovers au
Warnings: suggestive
Word count: 340
“Date me.”
Glancing up from the magazine he was loosely perusing, Junhoe smirked. “No.”
“Come on! You know this will look great for both of us.”
“How exactly?”
“Your boss will stop pestering you inappropriately, and I’ll be better off if I can avoid any further blind date offers from my employees. The last thing I need them to think of their boss is that they’re a sad loser in love.”
Junhoe chuckled. “Why lie?”
“Hey! I could make a wonderful lover!”
“In what world would that ever happen?” Junhoe taunted, and you fumed, storming up to your friend and scowled. He eyed you curiously for a moment before sighing. “See. You hesitate before-”
Leaning down to kiss him, you blinked several times in realisation that you had actually followed through. For years, you had dreamed of this moment, holding out on every opportunity sent your way because of your crush on Junhoe.
You hadn’t expected his response to be so eager. Hands reached out to pull you into his lap, bringing you closer for further inspection. His tongue was meticulous, diving in and encouraging yours to dance along with it. With your breath now completely stolen, you felt giddy, thankful for the lap you now sat on.
Your knees would have definitely given out on you otherwise.
When Junhoe finally pulled back and stared at you intensely, you smiled lightly. “See. I can too.”
“Can too what?” he breathed in confusion.
“Make a good, uh, lover,” you awkwardly responded, not feeling as confident as you had before.
Smiling, Junhoe shrugged. “That was just one taste, Y/N.”
“What?!”
“But you know, maybe this is the right universe for me to test just how good of a lover you are. Or maybe not. But I do have the ability to send you right into the galaxies, so…”
You laughed, rolling your eyes a little despite the surge of anticipation that engulfed you from Junhoe’s words. “Oh yeah? Well, space traveller, you better be prepared to take me on quite the expedition.”
