Helloooo! Thanks for posting the Ha Eungyeol fanfic 💕 I wanted to leave another request about the Twinkling Watermelon series 😋 (I love that series hehe >ᴗ<). This time with Ha Yi-chan!
The idea would be a fanfic where the reader takes Cheong Ah's place, but without the deafness theme. She and Yi-chan have been childhood friends with a friends-to-lovers dynamic, and they are polar opposites: while Yi-chan is extroverted and a disaster at school, the reader is rather introverted and an excellent student.
In this scenario, Eungyeol is the future son of both, and when he travels to the past he discovers that his father is not in love with the reader, but with Choi Se-kyung. This frustrates him a lot, so he not only complains to Yi-chan, but he starts doing everything to convince him to spend more time with the reader and look at her in a different way. Yi-chan is confused at first, because he has always seen her only as his friend, but little by little, thanks to those situations and what he begins to feel, he realizes that he is actually in love with her 🥹💗.
If it's not too much trouble, could you please make it a little longer? I hope you get the point, and if I asked for too much, I'm sorry (•́ ᴖ •̀) Thank you very much! :3
... Strings of Fate ....
Contains: Romance, Slow Burn, Friendship to Love, Light Humor, Music/Band References, Time Travel (Future Son Intervention) Pairing: Ha Yi-chan x Lectora Word Count: ~3,400 (approximate, depending on final edits) TW (Trigger Warnings): Mild Jealousy, Minor Frustration/Angst, Light Emotional Tension
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
The classroom was noisy as always. Yi-chan barged in late, hair messy, tie crooked, and backpack slung over one shoulder. Teachers barely scolded him anymore because he always had some ridiculous excuse ready.
He plopped down beside you with a mischievous grin. —Lectora, can I borrow your notes… again? —Yi-chan, I’m not saving you every time. —Of course you are! You’re like my fairy godmother, only prettier and with a face that says you want to kill me.
Your cheeks warmed slightly. It had always been like this: you, responsible, smart, and calm; him, a walking hurricane. And yet, you two had never been apart.
✦✦✦✦✦
Everything seemed normal until a new boy appeared, guitar slung over his shoulder, face serious. Ha Eungyeol. He stared at you with a strange mix of tenderness and urgency. That same afternoon, behind Jin-soo’s music shop, he whispered to you:
—I’m your son… from the future.
You froze. —That’s impossible. —It’s not. You and Ha Yi-chan are my parents.
✦✦✦✦✦
The problem became obvious when Eungyeol saw Yi-chan chasing after Choi Se-kyung with sad, bent flowers. —No, no, no… —he muttered, covering his face—. This man is going to ruin everything.
From that moment on, Eungyeol made it his mission to intervene.
✦✦✦✦✦
First, the Watermelon Sugar rehearsals. Yi-chan dreamed of becoming a famous vocalist. —With my voice, we’ll fill stadiums —he said, staring at a cracked mirror. —With your voice, we’ll fill hospitals —you replied, amused.
Eungyeol insisted you attend. When you sat at the back, Yi-chan began messing up every note. He even smacked his forehead on the microphone.
—What’s wrong? —you asked, giggling. —Your gaze… it’s too strong. Like laser beams. —He scratched the back of his neck, blushing.
Eungyeol smiled. Step one: complete.
✦✦✦✦✦
Later, in the library, Eungyeol made sure Yi-chan was stuck at a study table with you.
—I’m not leaving until you finish at least three exercises —you said, serious. —Three?! That’s child labor! —he complained, but eventually obeyed.
Another boy approached you. —Lectora, could you help me with math too?
Yi-chan lifted his head immediately. —Sorry, she already has an exclusive client. —He held up your notebook with pride.
The other boy chuckled and muttered as he left: —No wonder, with how pretty you are, everyone wants your help.
Yi-chan went silent, frowning. You pretended to focus on your book, but your heart was racing.
—Since when do you need exclusivity? —you asked finally. —Since now —Yi-chan said without thinking.
✦✦✦✦✦
One afternoon on the bridge, Yi-chan encouraged you to sing along. —Come on, sing with me. —Are you crazy? I’m not making a fool of myself. —Well, I’ll sing until the stars clap for me.
His voice wasn’t perfect, but when his eyes met yours, it felt like this song was only for you.
From the shadows, Eungyeol whispered, satisfied: —This is how it had to start.
✦✦✦✦✦
After a night rehearsal, you walked together under the streetlights. Yi-chan was unusually quiet.
—Hey… —he said finally—. Have you ever thought that we could be more than friends?
Your steps froze. —Where did that come from?
He shrugged nervously. —I don’t know. Lately I feel weird when you’re with others… and when you smile, I feel like I can’t breathe.
Your cheeks burned, unsure what to say.
—I don’t want to lose you as a friend —he added, lowering his voice—, but I also can’t keep pretending you’re just that.
In the distance, Eungyeol sighed in relief.
✦✦✦✦✦
Yi-chan’s awkwardness escalated. He tried writing you songs, but they all rhymed with “pizza.” He tried carrying your books and nearly tumbled down the stairs. He got jealous of the wind if it messed with your hair.
✦✦✦✦✦
During band practice, Yi-chan would sneak glances at you mid-verse, totally distracted by the way your hair caught the sunlight. —Hey, stop staring at me like that! —you whispered, nudging him. —I’m… just… appreciating the scenery —he stammered, bright red.
Even the bandmates noticed. —Hyung, are you in love or something? —they teased. —Shut up! —Yi-chan yelled, hiding his face.
✦✦✦✦✦
Eungyeol started “accidentally” putting you and Yi-chan in situations together: shared library tables, walking home in the rain, studying late in the music room. Each time, Yi-chan’s heart raced and he started noticing little things: the way you bit your lip concentrating, how your laugh sounded when you were genuinely amused, the subtle glow in your eyes when you were proud of something.
✦✦✦✦✦
One evening, after a long rehearsal and a pizza break, you were sitting on the steps outside the music shop. Yi-chan plopped next to you, holding two slices. —Here. For… uh, energy. —Thanks —you smiled.
He stared at you, unable to hide it. —You know… you’re really pretty. Not that I’m saying it just because I have to or anything, okay? —Really subtle, hyung —you teased, but your cheeks heated up.
✦✦✦✦✦
Days passed, and every interaction became a little spark: shared jokes, tiny teasing, protective glances. The more Eungyeol tried to push Yi-chan toward noticing, the more chaos (and cute tension) built.
✦✦✦✦✦
One rainy night, you walked together under one umbrella. Yi-chan stumbled, your hand brushing his. He froze. —I… I think I like you. Like, more than a friend. Your heart skipped a beat. —Yi-chan… —I’m serious. I’ve been too stupid to see it before, but… I don’t want to pretend anymore.
✦✦✦✦✦
From that night on, Yi-chan tried to be careful… but mostly failed adorably. Carrying your books, attempting romantic gestures that went hilariously wrong, writing songs with cheesy rhymes, getting jealous of literally anyone who looked at you…
And you, Lectora, couldn’t deny it: Ha Yi-chan had stopped being just your friend.
The future was still uncertain, but thanks to a son determined to fix destiny, the first chords of their love story were playing loud and clear.
Author’s Note: Hellooo! Thanks so much for the kind words 💕 I had so much fun writing this for Ha Yi-chan and Lectora. I hope you enjoyed the friends-to-lovers chaos, Eungyeol’s little schemes, and all the sweet, awkward, and cute moments 🥹💗.