[17:35] you were feeling under the weather today due to the monthly visits from a familiar friend. fiancé!johnny was no stranger to this and funnily got used to the repeated cycles in the three years of your relationship.
so he forcibly, yet sweetly dragged you out for a late afternoon walk for groceries since he saw your refridgerator was close to being empty.
grocery shopping with johnny has its perks and downsides especially when you both decide to have a date night in. this time around it was designated in your studio loft apartment, the reason being that his roommates were being too loud and he just wanted to leave the chaos for a while. “your home is a safe haven.” he’d say.
he reminded you that spicy, oily, sugary foods, and of the sort were a no-go—as if you didn’t know that already. but weather was cold and spicy food with some kind of protein was all you wanted for dinner tonight.
you both entered the supermarket and walked along the jar section to buy the ingredients paired for tonight’s raffled choice of disney movie: zootopia. johnny teased that it was the right timing for you both to go vegetarian for dinner to match the theme.
“ugh but i’m in the mood for spicy chicken.” you pouted, and it came to a halt when johnny gave his toothy smirk and raised his eyebrow at you. slightly hitting his arm, you knew of the implication, “not that kind of spicy! gosh.”
he just laughed softly and gave you a forehead kiss, saying he was kidding. “okay fine i’ll make an exception.” he pulled you closer to him as he pushed the grocery cart, “no spicy consumption, but we’re gonna go pescatarian. i was thinking greek hummus with corn chips, salmon salad, tofu stew, and some dark chocolate almond bark for dessert, deal?”
how glad were you to have him plan the menu for movie night. he may not look like it, but johnny’s great in the kitchen. and he always made sure that you were well taken care of during this time of the month. sometimes you’d joke that it was his act of service to not get on your bad side.
you tiptoed and returned the kiss to his left cheek, though closer to his jaw, “deal.”
johnny unexpectedly blushed. he stared at you and your lips for a bit as he ran his left hand on the very spot where you kissed him. he coughed to cover it up but it very obvious to you that he got so shy.
You and your friends went to your college’s annual Halloween carnival for the first time. You looked forward to it for weeks. You and your crush Johnny were excited for the most popular attraction: the Ferris Wheel. Legend had it that the couple who landed at the top of the ride and kissed…would be together forever. It was so romantic.
Upon entering the carnival, it looked a little unusual. The screams seemed more distant. When you did hear the screams, you could sense something…not joy or excitement…but pain and anguish. The employees were silent and lifeless, the blood drained from their faces. You didn’t know if you should be impressed with the workers’ commitment to the holiday. Or if you should call the paramedics.
The more the fear wanted to rush to the surface for you, the more quickly it drowned away. It was like something prevented you from thinking too much. It was a feeling you never felt until tonight.
Your friend group was already paired up with their boyfriends and girlfriends. You and Johnny were the only friends in your group. You had been best friends for a few months now, taking things slowly. But tonight you were ready to take things to the next level.
As you waited in line for the Ferris Wheel, Johnny smiled at you. “Think we’ll make it to the top of the ride?”
You shrugged, a sheepish smile on your face. “Maybe. I hope so.”
Johnny wanted to kiss you then and there. He didn’t need a carnival legend to profess his feelings to you. But, just like you, he was a hopeless romantic. And if you two ended up making it in the long run, it’d be fun to have this story to look back on.
Your friends waved to you as they ascended one by one in the Ferris wheel passenger cars.
Johnny let you go in first and he followed right after, sliding in next to you. He played around with you as the wheel turned. He shook the car just a little to scare you. And you smacked him to make him stop. You two were giddy with excitement, hoping to land at the very top.
And that you did. The wheel stopped. You and Johnny froze from the laughter, avoiding each other’s stares. You were both shy as you looked off at the distance. The Ferris Wheel was taller than you expected. In fact, the other passenger cars seemed further away from yours now. Maybe it was the feeling of being alone with Johnny that made it seem like no one else was around.
Shy, you looked at the city’s nighttime view. “Wow, Johnny I can see the Neo City Tower in the distance!”
Johnny chuckled lowly. “The only view I need is you.”
You turned to him and saw that he was facing you. No trace of mockery in his face. Your inhibitions dissipated quickly and you leaned into him. He followed suit. You kissed. You kissed for a long time. You embraced each other, completely immersed in the connection you shared.
Not realizing what it was that actually happened to you two.
One minute you were on the ride making out with Johnny. The next you found yourself fading, feeling disoriented. You blinked several times to try and shake the feeling away. Johnny’s warm embrace vanished. When your headache finally cleared, you found yourself in front of the House of Mirrors. Your comfy T-shirt and jeans were gone, Instead you wore a worn-out tuxedo with tattered black dress shoes. You looked down at your skin to see it covered what what looked like dirt and dried blood. You frowned.
What the hell was going on, you asked yourself. Confused, you tried moving away to find your friends. To find Johnny.
Then, suddenly, you saw a zombie-like man in a costume much like yours. He was on stilts as he was followed by laughing little kids. You were surprised to see it was Johnny. He had a blank expression. And…you could feel his misery.
All of the anguish you felt upon entering the park…You could feel all of it now. And it didn’t go away.
You wanted to laugh at this ridiculous dream. Surely you must’ve passed out from the excitement and you would wake up at any moment.
You tried calling out to Johnny but the words didn’t come out. All that came out of your mouth was this: “Step right up to the House of Mirrors! Do you have what it takes to make it to the end?” You yelled this repeatedly at the passing patrons.
You tried saying something else and nothing came out. You pinched yourself once to try and wake up but nothing happened. You were still an attendant at the House of Mirrors. When you tried pinching yourself again, you couldn’t.
Then, two of your friends Mark and Yuta came by and asked you, “Do you know where they sell funnel cakes?”
You wanted to yell: Yuta, Mark, it’s me, y/n! This isn’t funny. Don’t act like you don’t know me.
You tried to get your friends to realize who you were but…it was as if you were a stranger to them. You motioned the guys to the left. Words escaped your lips automatically: “Right down this way by the Ring of Fire.”
“Thanks!” Then, your friends walked off, not seeing the tear slip down your cheek.
Johnny walked past you again. He could only stare at you. And cry, just like you did.
The legend of the Ferris Wheel. You and Johnny kissed. You ended up together forever.
Just not in the way you expected: at a carnival, never to leave and never to act on your own free will again.
[a/n] a tiny tiny timestamp from way back in december 2020? january 2021? i’ve had this dumb convo with my chaotic gc which led to this so shoutout to them for the idea :* ily bros [warning]: (1) mention of seggs, nothing suggestive or nsfw
[13:00] It was Saturday.
You and Johnny decided it would be a nice idea to stay in for once. But both of you were clearly getting bored from doing absolutely nothing.
Johnny had the idea of playing rock, paper, scissors and the winner would decide every activity you two were going to do at home.
The second game you guys played, you won and you asked Johnny to make breakfast for the two of you. While you knew that your meal was going to be relatively simple, you couldn’t deny that you just wanted to admire your boyfriend cooking with his top naked and his grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips.
You also didn’t miss the opportunity to grab your camera to immortalize the moment, a Fujifilm X100F that Johnny had gifted you after he purchased the latest version, the X100V one. While you at first refused his expensive gift, Johnny quickly changed his words and said that you could borrow it for an indefinite amount of time.
(Sometimes you hated how cheeky he could be.)
You lost the third game so you were supposed to do the dishes alone. But somehow, Johnny was right there by your side helping you with them.
“What?” he asked, probably feeling self-conscious because you kept staring at him. Because you didn’t respond, he suddenly pecked your lips lightly and then your nose.
“I wasn’t asking for kisses but okay,” you mumbled shyly as you dried the plates.
“Maybe,” Johnny replied. “But I still wanted to give you some. You’re just too adorable.”
After a few rounds, you realized just how bad you were at this game. You also couldn’t understand how it was possible for anyone to be this bad – wasn’t rock-paper-scissors a game of luck?
“Noooo,” you bemoaned as you lost yet another time. “I want a rematch.”
“Baby,” Johnny said with a small snort. “This is our fifth rematch.”
“I don’t understand how can I lose so many times in a row! What happened to my luck? I used to be a lucky person! A super lucky one!”
You then looked at your boyfriend up-and-down and immediately understood where all of your luck went.
“I guess maybe I did use all of my luck on you,” you mumbled to yourself, but Johnny only laughed at your reasoning.
“Baby, you’re being ridiculous.”
You harrumphed. “Fine, one last time.”
“You sure?”
You nodded and glared at Johnny who seemed amused for some reason. “Yes.”
“Just what exactly do you want me to do so badly that you’re this desperate?” he asked with a raised brow.
“I just want to win once,” you said with pouted lips.
“It’s just a game, sweetheart,” Johnny said with a chuckle, but he probably thought that you were cute or something.
You narrowed your eyes at him, feeling that something wasn’t right. But you ignored it and then told your boyfriend, “I’m going to put out rock.”
“Okay, babe.”
“I’m going to put out rock,” you emphasized again.
“Yes, okay, babe.”
“Okay, rock-paper-scissors, shoot!”
You looked at your clenched fist and Johnny’s open-palm. Your mouth slightly dropped at how your boyfriend had the audacity to not only put out paper when you specifically told him that you were going to put out rock, but also at how he was literally shaking with laughter at the moment.
“Unbelievable,” you said with a small scoff.
Johnny immediately wrapped his arms around you in an attempt to soothe you before kissing you on the cheek.
royal au. soulmates au. very sweet and caring, innocent boy johnny. fluff and romance all the way up to the sky. very slight smut at some point. and you know me, i love me some angst.
word count nearing 5k
"you took a liking in johnny since kids, his father is your family's butler and so your days, or most of them, are spent with the company of the young boy. you admire johnny for the kind of person he is, the kind you had never seen."
one day we were fifteen.
As the night sky turned darker and darker by the second you found yourself mesmerized by its shining beauty. It is not like you don't watch it every single night, analyzing every string of light fade away as the moon rises, but...
"It feels different every time, am I right?" a quiet voice murmurs from behind you. "As if you read my thoughts." you smile looking back at the friendly figure standing behind you.
John and you always had this abnormal psychic connection, it makes you wonder if perhaps you both are soulmates or something of a kind. You have grown up together since his father is your family's butler, but you never even thought of treating John as lower to you.
"Shouldn't you be heading home by now? At this hour the forest trails are quite dark." you interrogate, earning a low chuckle in response. "I came here, to you, with a fairly wild proposal."
You laughed, you knew that when John struck that pose and wore that tone of voice was because he tried to imitate his father, how eloquent and elegant he shows himself to others.
"And what would that be, young John?" he eyes you with disgust in his look and sticks his tongue out. "Would you come with me to the royal library tonight? There's something I want to search upon."
He never changes, does he? There is no John without a good lesson or two to be learned each day. That's what you most love about him, his keenness to learn every single detail about whatever matter he’s interested in that day. He drags you to most of his discovery sessions because, according to the young boy, you love it as much as him.
It would be a lie to say otherwise.
"What is it today?" you needed to know if his sudden midnight interest was worth the effort of running and hiding from the castle guards. "Today..? Well, today I want to learn about love," he answers small, a hint of blush covering his ears.
You let out a chuckle amused and stand up from the grass you were sitting on. If it is because of love then it is worth all the trouble.
John sincerely amuses you. Not only his unusual personality but the way he tries to put logic into every feeling. Almost as if he is not human, or, at least, human like you. There's no imagining life without heart racing feelings, for you there's no such thing as not feeling anything at all. But John doesn't seem to fit your views and that's the exact reason as to why he searches and reads about anything new he feels, that's how he is and has always been. That boy is just too innocent for a heartbreaking world like the one you are experiencing.
"Be quiet now. If the guards catch us there will be immense trouble," you say with a finger at your lips and John nods. And before taking off to the library you flash a bright smile at him, so bright that it frightened the boy and, unwillingly, he stayed behind contemplating what he had just seen.
One of the guards dangerously quickly approaches John and you fear for your life at that moment. Why would that imbecile be standing there for? On the verge of getting caught? The rustling of the guard's sword against the wall woke John up from his daydreaming state and, with the sneakiest sounds possible, he made his way over to you.
"What were you thinking, idiot?" you hit the back of his head slightly "You were this close to being seen."
"It looked like the stars." he mumbles as if a witch had cast a spell on him "Those beautiful bright stars you watch every night."
You gazed at him in confusion, wondering what he referred to. Waving a hand over his eyes you get them to meet yours.
"What are you talking about, you lunatic?" you laugh, but immediately cover your mouth afraid of the loud noise. "Your smile, your highness. Your smile looks like the stars, beautiful and beam." John tilts his head innocently.
Heat rushes it's way up to your face and you are found too astonished to even retort at the compliment. John had never, in all these years you two shared, complimented you in such a blatantly and straightforward way. You were not used to be treated like that by him, and it makes you weak.
"Let's just go inside." you find it best to just extract that conversation from your mind and finally head to the so near library "And I told you I don't find comfort in you calling me 'your highness', John."
"Neither do I, with such a formal way of calling out for me. I will correspond to your need as soon as you refer to me as Johnny." he huffs unsatisfied and opens the old crocked wooden door in front of you.
The old library smells the same every time you cross it's doors, passion and peace. And almost as if someone knows you'll be there, one simple candle is lit at the main table. You glance briefly at Johnny and he shrugs, neither does he know who lits that candle every night.
"Go search for a book to read. I will do the same," you inform making your way to the nearest bookshelf.
He rapidly yet quietly makes his way to the pile of books stacked on the floor and starts his discovery for something he's eager to know about. Many books fly past his eyes, about nature and space, about insects and reptiles, about anything and everything.
"There's nothing here." his tone is childlike, immature yet for good reasons. Johnny is eager to learn, but he needs a subject that catches his eye. "Look harder, there must be something." you chuckle.
He scoffs and resumes his previous actions.
By the time you finally find something that catches your eye and you know you haven't read before, you approach Johnny and his immense pile of books, kneeling next to him.
"Any luck yet?" you smile fondly and he shakes his head negatively. "What about you?" he questions looking at the book in your arms. "I found this book that I had never read or heard about before." you hand it to him. "What is it about?" he asks, eager to know, as always. "A romance."
"Love then?" he pauses briefly, seemly thinking about something "Can you read it for me?"
"Of course. Come."
You make your way to the big old divan, waiting for you at the end of the library. Getting rid of your shoes you sit down with the book on your side and call for Johnny. "Lay here. Relax and just listen." you tap your lap softly.
With no further talk, Johnny complies and rests his head on your thighs. And as every single word comes out of your mouth he listens carefully, as if some sort of spell was cast on him and his attention can not be withdrawn from your voice.
Momentarily you look down at the boy on your lap and he seems to be sleeping rather peacefully, you smile reading the last sentence of that chapter.
"And that's why loving you was the best decision I ever made."
A low chuckle coming from Johnny startles you and his laughing intensifies. "I'm sorry. It felt like I had to say something about it." he smiles, eyes still shut "I fancy the way they feel love, but it is never the same, is it?"
"No. Love can not be described, only felt, and we don't feel anything the same way."
"Just like fingerprints, correct? Every human has its own." Johnny says raising his hand in the hair, analyzing his big slender fingers. "Exactly, that is a fairly good analogy."
"What is love for you, y/n?"
"I don't know, Johnny. Love can be a lot of things. I love a lot of things as much as I love a lot of people."
Johnny pauses his thoughts and the words bluntly exit his mouth.
"Do you love me?"
Your eyes widen and you find yourself crawling into embarrassment. He must not realize what that kind of question does to you.
"I don't know." is your answer, and it makes you wonder if you will eventually regret it one day "But I love the things you like."
Johnny finally opens his eyes to take a look at you and, with innocence, he flashes you the brightest smile you have ever seen.
"If you love the things I like… I wonder, does it mean you love yourself?"
then we became eighteen.
You were once again by the garden, listening to the dear crickets that sang loudly. You love warm summer nights like this, when that one soft cold breeze brushes against you occasionally.
From far away you notice an odd figure on the lake. Perhaps someone decided to swim... But at such hours? A lunatic for sure.
Curious on to who that person was you approached the lake and squinting your eyes you try to identify them. They keep swimming comfortably, seemingly not knowing you're there. The dim light of your portable candle and the one emanating from the moon don't make it easier for either of you to identify each other, but, in the midst of it all, knowing it could be anyone from the castle, you only call out for one name.
"Johnny?"
The waves on the water cease and the stranger is suddenly facing you.
"You scared me, y/n." he laughs lowly, swimming swiftly to where you stand.
It abruptly clicks inside your mind that Johnny must be devoid of all his attire to be able to swim, so you're about to see something you are not supposed to.
"Excuse me." you apologize turning around, your back facing the naked boy "I saw you from afar and got curious as to why you were awake and swimming at an hour like this."
"How cute." he chuckles and you hear some muffling behind you "You can look at me now."
You turn around to face the boy and even if your expression let him know you were serene, that was the biggest lie you didn't even have to tell. Your heart was exhilarating, almost as if the poor thing wanted to jump out of your chest.
You avoided all eye contact or any kind of look at his body, but you couldn't deny that Johnny was there, right in front of you, wet gleamy hair and shinning body from the water drops, his leggings almost sticking onto his body like slime and his bare chest tormenting you. Every little detail of his was on display, just for you to appreciate.
Your hormones were testing your limits and you didn't enjoy how you shivered at all the thoughts that ran through your mind.
"Is everything okay?" Johnny draws in closer, gazing at you intensely. "Of course, why wouldn't it be?" you back away from him, terrified, not of him but yourself.
"Don't lie to me."
His hand brushes against your cheek and you sigh.
"When did it become like this?" you close your eyes to take in all of Johnny's touch. "It's been a while." his hand slides down smoothly "You just haven't noticed. How naive."
Forcing yourself to open your eyes you meet his gaze and that feeling inside of you awakens even stronger. You don't care anymore, it doesn't matter when it feels this good. Now you finally dare to say...
"Kiss me." he breathes out.
Again, like he's reading your mind.
When your lips crash it feels like your body is getting everything it has ever craved for. It is almost overwhelming. Your first kiss, it never was anything special to you, but everything you do with Johnny is special.
He unattached his lips from yours and looked at you fondly.
"How- Oh, wow, what are you doing?" he chokes on his own words and looks away from you.
You laugh soundly taking your clothes off and drop them next to you. You could've kept your underwear but it would be a bother to get it wet. Or, at least, that was what you let yourself believe to be the reason.
"I'm feeling like going for a swim. Don't you?" you make your way to the water and dive in carefree. "Y/n wait!" Johnny yells out before running to you.
From under the water, you can see each other and you playfully throw him a kiss before emerging to the surface. He does the same seconds after and swims closer to you.
"You are getting crazier by the day." he holds you close by the waist. "Maybe."
"Every time I'm next to you." Johnny starts "I feel like I'm drowning. Like something is holding me down under the water and keeping me from breathing. Although, when you look at me that feeling vanishes and I can breathe again."
You can only stare at the boy in surprise. You wonder how long has Johnny been feeling like this and yet keeping it all to himself.
"I'm happy you are breathing right now."
You kiss him once again, and again, and again, and for the rest of the dawn, you never let go of his lips. Now you know where your safe place is. Something in Johnny's embrace feels like it completes you, perhaps it is the way he holds you, or his warmth or the sweet words he whispers.
Oh lord, it is him. You now know. You finally know what it is.
"I know now. Ask me again," you whisper. "Ask you what, y/n?" Johnny questioned. "You know what to ask."
"What is love for you?" he says.
Yes, it is definite, you finally know what it is.
"Love is this moment. This is love." your grip tightens on his body "Love is what I feel for you and for the things you like."
A small sob echoes along the lake waters, yet it isn't you. Your hand caresses Johnny's wet brown hair singing him a gentle lullaby to keep him calm.
You do not need confirmation, nor do you need an 'I love you too'. This is all you need. These tears told you anything you needed to know.
"If you keep crying, I will cry too," you say playfully. "Cry then." Johnny looks at you, his expression serious amongst the tears "Shed at least one tear for me as well."
His words surprise you and, instead of doing as he asks, you burst out into the most pleasant laugh you ever gave. Not to be misunderstood, you are not in a million years trying to shame Johnny, it amazed you how you just now realized the amount of love you have for that boy.
"You are very beautiful," he whispers, burying his face on your chest like a little child. "Beauty ends. Will this end?" you rest your head on top of his.
"Not as long as I'm alive and by your side. Beauty may end, but it doesn't compare to what we have. Our love is beyond beautiful."
You smile, but the relief never came with his words. Yet you decide to just cherish that moment with Johnny as much as you can.
suddenly we were twenty-one.
Johnny eventually grew up to be a great man in the future that quickly approached. He was no longer a little child, neither were you. Both had grown up to what you were meant to, fulfill your duties and keep the balance on the castle. But since he left it never felt the same ever again, and it had one of the most bitter tastes you had ever experienced.
One day you overheard the guards talking about him and all the memories just struck you as strong as a bolt of lightning.
"Young Johnny comes back in a few days, right?" one questions. "I think so. His trip must've been tiring, I assume. What type of business did he have to leave so abruptly and for so long."
"You don't know?" the other just shrugged confused "Him and your highness were caught together by the queen. His father feared for the poor boy's life and sent him away."
"That was meant to happen." the man sighs. "What do you mean?"
"Those two were born to be together. It was only a matter of time until they realized that their childhood friendship could turn into something else. These three years won't change anything."
The man talked about it like he knew it all. And maybe he did, maybe he was right, maybe, just maybe, you were courageous enough to do anything as long as it guaranteed Johnny in your arms again.
"Mother, you know he is arriving today, am I right?" you nervously nibble at the biscuit on your hands. "I know, honey." she speaks calmly, too odd for you "Are you excited?"
"I miss him." you have nothing left other than honesty. "I know. I'm sorry."
You look at her confused, yet she simply stands up and exits the room, somehow running away from that situation, you and your feelings. It doesn't matter, does it? Johnny's coming back and he's the only one you care for right now.
Then, when the night settled, Johnny was by the castle doors, waving in surprise seeing you outside waiting for him. Running rapidly in his direction you jump on to his arms and take in the feeling of having Johnny's arms around you once again.
"You grew up," he comments hiding his face on the curve of your neck. "You did too." you stroke his hair "I missed you."
"I'm sorry." is all that he says.
Why does it feel like everything is falling apart? It feels wrong, Johnny isn't happy to be back and you are being left in the dark.
You let go of the boy and the sadness in his eyes scares you.
"What is going on?" you try reaching for him but he just shakes his head.
Maybe Johnny didn't grow up after all. This childlike behavior is very much like him, and it makes you miss even more what is already in the past. Every night you shared together at the library, under the stars, at the lake, on your bed. You missed it all, yet these three years seemed to have taken away Johnny from you, and it utterly scared you.
"My father sent me away to keep me from being with you." you took it was better to only listen and nod "But he had more plans to my trip than what I knew."
You look at Johnny, waiting for whatever bomb he had to drop, already feeling your legs give in.
"I'm engaged."
No. That's not how your story ends. You won't take that ending, not in a million years, you will only settle for the happily ever after, nothing else.
You find yourself speechless, there's nothing you can say that will make the situation any less terrifying than it is. It makes you feel like your heart has been ripped from your chest and thrown far away, where you can't possibly reach.
"This is it." Johnny lowers his head. "Is it?" you sigh "When did it become like this?"
Johnny's eyes widen when the memories from that day flow inside his mind and you smile through the tears.
"I don't want to pretend I don't need you, I can't. Pretending like nothing happened leaves a bitter after taste." he brushed his hair back and looked up at the sky "You know, your smile still looks as beautiful as the stars. I'm glad."
There is a comfortable silence that hovers around the two of you at that moment, giving a lot of time to fill your empty mind with thoughts. Thoughts of Johnny. Thoughts of you and him. Thoughts about all the promises.
"When is the wedding?"
Your eyes focus on the beautiful stars to keep you from crying your soul off right there.
"In two months."
His mouth is dry and you know how much his heart aches.
"Does she love you?"
The stars seem to flicker for you.
"She does."
Albeit, the only star Johnny can look at is you.
"Does she love you as you love me?"
He shivers.
"No. No one ever will."
You sigh.
"This is not what we promised."
He chuckles, his tone bitter.
"It never is."
We should stop making so many promises, you think.
"I will never cease to love you."
Like soulmates, once again, you say it together.
For the rest of the evening you don’t cross paths with Johnny, but with it comes the undying urge to run to him and jump into his arms. You know you can not do anything right now, there is not your place to do whatever it is you desire in a moment when someone you love must be hurting a lot.
The next few days went by like torture. Johnny would not even look your way some times, and the tension when you are in the same room is just too obvious. This is not how you want it to be, if it will happen you should be by his side no matter the circumstances.
To get your head out of everything that haunts you, you decide to enjoy some time alone in the garden. But, what you would not imagine is that a place like such would bring you the most memories of all. The ones which hurt the most.
“I have thought of running away plenty of times before.” his voice echoes from your side “But it will not solve even half of my problems. Our problems.”
“I understand, Johnny. I do. Yet I will not interfere with your decisions, you know what is best for you and I support that.” you smile bitter and lower your head, sobbing quietly. “You will forever be the love of my life. That will not change under any circumstances.”
“Are you trying to make me cry more?” a chuckle runs straight out of your throat and Johnny accompanies you “It is the same for me as well, young Johnny.”
“May I kiss you one more time?” he asks. “We should not.” you know you do not want that. “One last kiss, please.”
And like so you grant his wish.
Your lips connect too casually as if two magnets are just naturally drawn to one another. But, in fact, that is exactly the dynamic existing between you and Johnny, your soulmate.
His hands take their time to slowly explore your body, only to make you shiver and tremble and feel like crying.
That is not just like any other kiss, this one feels exactly like the last one. It feels bitter and sad, and every little residue of longing just keeps coming furiously.
When you open your eyes you see how emerged in tears Johnny is. His sight is blurred from all the water accumulated, which infuriated him even more. At that moment, all he wants to do is look at you, but he can not do something as simple as that.
“I love you, Johnny.” your foreheads meet, and you both sob “That is why I am letting you go.”
in the end, we knew what love was.
"Dear Johnny,
How are you? I have been missing you greatly these days. I heard you have been doing good regarding your business, which makes me very happy. How's your wife and kids? Are they even bigger now? Last time they looked just like you.
Your father came by just a few days ago and had tea with me. We had a good time, I missed him. He wondered if either of us resent him, what nonsense. The poor man always cried at my feet with regret, I pity him. Maybe if he knew us like we know each other he wouldn't feel the need to make himself go through all the pain. He should not have those types of worries at his age, it is surely not good for the heart.
Do you still think about it? About us I mean. It would be a lie if I told you I don't, but isn't that part of what makes us what we currently are? I like to think back at it all and smile with the memories, as painful as they are. I hope you do the same. You should, at least, keep the promise that you will keep me alive inside your memories for as long as you are alive. We should try to keep a promise for once, am I right?
Anyway, I have great news, I'm sure you will be pleased to hear them. Mister Gerard came to me with the proposal to write a book. Isn't that outstanding? I am so excited about the outcome of this. When he asked me what I decided on writing I needed no time to think. Of course, I will write about love.
I will be sending you a copy once I am done. I hope you enjoy it as it will be written just for you.
With love,
your soulmate."
Ten years have passed by, just like a bolt of lightning. You never saw Johnny go away because he never actually left, nonetheless, he remained in your heart. Thinking that way made it hurt less.
Johnny lives happily with his wife and children nowadays. They form the most beautiful family you have ever seen, it warms your heart. They pay you visits when summer comes, and you always prepare a great feast during their stay.
Some days still make you wonder as to how things would end if your mother had never found out about the two of you, but this outcome feels right somehow. For this life, this is what you get, and you can not complain.
Johnny admitted in the beginning that he felt bad about his wife, Mary, that every though that crossed his mind was painted of you and not her. He felt like the biggest liar and betrayer to ever exist. You just smiled at him, you didn't have the answer to those worries.
However, one day Mary came to you, serene as she always is, and simply asked.
"Johnny loves you, doesn't he?"
You couldn't find the words. There was no escape, you couldn't lie at the poor woman's face. You just shook your head, ashamed.
"I assumed. Your majesty, I love Johnny and don't intend on letting him go." she wasn't challenging you, those were genuine love words "He's the father of my child."
And that was the first time that you knew the man you once loved was about to be a father.
"Shall I give the child my blessing? I would love to be their godparent." your smile was honest, but it hid the pain behind your words.
Nowadays you don't feel it anymore. The envy, the rage, the sadness. You adore Johnny's kids, they remind you so much of him.
And it's good to remember.
You love to remember how much you love Johnny.
and in another life, we met again.
That was definitely being the worst day of your week. Spilling coffee on your shirt wouldn't be such a big deal if it weren't your favorite Marvel t-shirt. After a few rubs you gave up, it was time to let it go and try to somehow wash it at home.
As you were making your way back to your seat you notice a guy hovering over your table, looking at the book you had left open.
"Excuse me." with a light scoof you grab his attention "Can I help you?"
"Oh sorry, didn't mean to be n-" and he stops as he raises his eyes to look at you.
His face. His face felt so familiar. It felt like you have seen it in your dreams. Like somehow you were once close to it.
A feeling of longing came rushing to your heart and it ached so hard. You couldn't understand. What was that? Who was he? Why did he make you feel so safe?
"Your shirt is very nice." he plays it off, that brief moment where you both just starred at each other. "I love Marvel." you answer embarrassed.
"Looks like you love the things I like." he said.
You smiled widely. That simple sentence warmed you inside. How odd of an encounter that was.
"I'm John. You can call me Johnny." he smiled and reached out his hand. "I'm y/n, nice to meet you Johnny."
You sat down again, and invited the odd stranger to do the same. Needless to say he did so and took the opportunity to strike any kind of conversation, anything, just to listen to your voice. To him, your voice felt like home, like a warm embrace you receive when you feel lost.
To him, it felt like the perfect description of love.
"What are you reading, y/n?" he asks curiously, never letting his eyes fall away from yours. "A romance, Johnny."
"Can you read it for me?"
-
this fanfic was one hell of a ride. the thoughts kept coming in strong and i felt like crying when i decided i would not make them end up together in the first life.
i hope you guys understood the references and analogies, i really put my all into writting this and i'm very satisfied with the outcome!
Pairing: Johnny x OC black female (certain NCT members make appearances)
Word Count: 5.3k
Summary: Soraya is starting her first year of university in Chicago on a full ride volleyball scholarship. Her life hasn't been very eventful and a guy she meets one night is determined to change that.
[a/n]: This is my first fanfic! I plan to add more to this story if you guys like it so lemme know what you think. Thank you 🥰
~~~Soraya~~~
“Mom. Mommy. Mother. Female that pushed me out of her vagina!” My mother finally stops fawning over my belongings long enough to listen to me.
“I got it. I’ll finish decorating it later.” she gives me a withering look because she knows I’m lying.
“I’m still not moving until I meet your roommate so you can stop tryna get me ta leave.” rolling my eyes I examine the rest of the room liking the simple double room layout.
Excited for my first year of college doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now. Finally all my hard work paid off. The four years of only studying and practicing in high school lead me here to this moment. Chicago State University became my dream college after a class field trip in my junior year, I fell in love with the city and the overall vibes it gave me. I didn’t have a specific school I wanted to attend, my mother did, but I knew I wanted to play some type of sport. When senior year came around and the scholarships started rolling in for all three of the sports I played I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know which school to pick let alone which sport.
The answer was made for me when a letter from Chicago State University came in. My mother wanted me to take the basketball scholarship to Duke but I had already made my mind up.
A loud bang followed by multiple voices shouting brings me out of my reverence. Looking at my mom we move in sync to the door. Before we can even touch the knob the door bursts open and a tall asian girl all but falls in followed by four more bodies.
“Oh! Hello! Sorry for the commotion.” addressing my mother and I in a heavily accented tongue. Japanese I presume from the conversation I hear from her family.
She is really beautiful, standing at like six feet two inches. Arms and legs long and muscular from what I can see under her clothes. Her hair is cute short in a pixie cut which accentuates her face well, bringing out her delicate features. Her face is small, lips full, eyes large and nose small and straight. When she smiles rows of perfectly brace aligned teeth flash at you.
The girl and her family drag in hella suitcases all the while talking over one another. I laugh at their dynamic while my mother looks offended at the intrusion.
“Um...hello? Yeah, excuse me what are you all doing here?” shaking my head at what is to come I try to stop it before it does.
“Oh, my name is Miyabi and I am on the volleyball team. This is the room I was given. We just came from the airport.”
As my mother was fixing another round of probably intrusive questions I jump in.
“Are you from Japan?” my curiosity winning out as usual.
“Yeah! How did you know?”
“Good guess.”
The smile that over takes her face makes me smile as well. She introduces her family to my mother and I before starting to unpack. I have never seen a group of people move as fast or as efficiently as hers did within the span of 20 minutes. Her entire side of the room was cleaned and fully decorated, clothes placed neatly in her side of the closet, desk organised and bed made. My mom and I watched as they interacted with each other for the first ten then continued setting up my side. All we finished setting up was my desk and bed area. Finally convincing my mother to leave the rest for me to finish we head to the cafeteria with Miyabi and her family for some lunch.
The campus is filled with new students moving in with their families much like Miyabi and myself. It’s nice to see so many different demographics of people in one place, a complete 180 of where I grew up. Montana is predominantly caucasian so I got used to being the only dark skinned kid, it became normal to me to be the odd one out. Now in a place like this where so many look like me I feel more out of place than I ever did in Montana.
Miyabi’s family leaves to rest at their hotel before they leave tomorrow, each one of them crying over having to leave the other. Before they depart her mother takes my hands in hers and asks in broken English if I can look out for her. Not knowing what else to do I promise her I will.
My mother leaves a little while after, our goodbyes far less emotional. I make her promise to let me know when she arrives safely back home and she makes me promise to at least send a text once a day to let her know I’m still alive. The rest of the day Miyabi and I explore the campus and get to know each other.
She is a middle blocker and was personally recruited by the head coach. When she learns I am a wing spiker her shock is unrestrained. Being so used to this reaction I just laugh it off. Standing at only five feet eight inches I am more in line with being a librero than a wing spiker but my athleticism and vertical leap do more than make up for my lack of height.
We meet a few more of our teammates along the way and introduce ourselves. They tell us about a party being thrown at one of the frat houses tonight in celebration of new pledges, suggesting we come. They part ways with us when some guys from the basketball team come up to them. Never being much of a partier it takes Miyabi unleashing a potent dose of puppy dog eyes on me for me to agree to go. I also would feel terrible letting her go out her first night here alone although she does well interacting with others, I doubt she would have any trouble making friends.
Heading back to our room we spend the next few hours unpacking and picking out our outfits for tonight. Both of us came here in very travel savvy fits consisting mainly of oversized shirts and sportswear. Summer hasn’t completely abandoned us yet so we both opt for lighter more summery clothing. Keeping my look simple I throw on a pair of high waisted mom jeans and a white tee tied in front with my old white Keds. Miyabi’s fit is a little more extravagant but suits her bubbly personality well. Black and white plaid schoolgirl skirt paired with a white skin tight faux turtleneck tucked into them and the sickest pair of white platform boots I have ever seen.
“I am so mad we don’t wear the same shoe size right now.” I gush at her as I salivate over her shoes.
“I can send you the link of where I got 'em if you want.”
“Girl, please do cause those are everything.”
We both opt to keep our makeup light and soon we are making our way to the frat houses. Other people are walking in the same direction as us clearly having heard about the party as well. Soon enough loud music can be heard and flashing lights become visible, the amount of people we see increases also. A large group has formed around what looks to be a group of guys, pledges I’m assuming. Pushing our way to the front Miyabi and I watch the guys be put through a rough series of trials, from drinking water with a goldfish in it, to being forced to streak. Things like this never interested or entertained me so I tell Miyabi I am leaving to go check out the rest of the party, she grabs my arm telling me we go together everywhere. Agreeing with her we make our way into the house. The music is loudest there, people are everywhere and all over each other. Finding the kitchen quickly Miyabi drags me with her to find drinks for the both of us. When she offers me a Corona I decline.
“No thank you sis. I don’t drink.” she nods and switches drinks to a Coca-Cola for me.
Taking the unopened can I thank her and we chat amongst ourselves until the girls we met earlier find us and drag us to the dance floor, the living room, where we spend the next hour dancing our lives away. I break away first to get water.
Finally making it to the kitchen through the mobs of people packed in one place I catch my breath. The only other person in the kitchen with me is a guy. He smiles softly at me when he notices me. He’s cute, well more than cute. Standing well over six feet he towers over me as he straightens up from looking in the fridge for something. Smiling back at him I put my locs up in a messy bun away from my neck as I crouch in front of the open fridge looking for bottles of water.
“What are you looking for?” a voice startles me a little, peering around the fridge door I see the guy watching me closely.
The lighting in the kitchen is dim but enough for me to see just how beautiful he really is up close. Longish dark brown hair messily falling into his eyes, pretty down turned eyes, pretty brown down turned eyes that look sleepy hidden behind glasses. Round glasses that sit atop a gorgeously straight nose bridge. My hand itches to trace his features as I lay my eyes on his lips. A deep cupid’s bow, plump pink lips that upturn at the corners, the most striking part of his face to me besides his eyes. Clearing my throat to answer him I stand tucking the last loc away from my face.
“Bottled water.”
“Thought so. They are outside in the cooler out back.” gesturing for me to follow him he leads me through the house to the backyard where the setting seems more intimate. Couples holding to each other tightly and strangers finding comfort in deep conversation.
“Here you go.” he hands me a bottle of water. I thank him then go to sit on the steps of the deck we are on.
I don’t expect him to sit next to me and jump a little when he does. His large frame filling the rest of the space on the staircase.
“Johnny.” holding his hand out for me to shake he looks into my eyes. Looking from his eyes to his hand and back again I shake his hand lightly.
“Soraya.”
The smile that over takes his face makes me hold my breath. It is beautiful, adding a youthful effect to his overall look. His eyes crinkle up into slits and my heart skips a beat.
“Nice to meet you Soraya.”
~~~Johnny~~~
She is beautiful, one Soraya. With her long black locs, mischievous feline eyes, high cheekbones, a cute upturned button nose and lips so large, pink and soft looking I find myself staring at them anytime she speaks. I remember seeing her in the cafeteria earlier today with who I assume is her mother and the tall girl she came to the party with. I couldn’t stop looking at her then just like now. She looked mean and unapproachable at first but the longer I watched her interact with everyone around her I realise she is so full of life that you can’t help but be drawn to her.
I watched her dance with her friend and some other random people that she welcomed to be in her presence. Deciding I was being a little too creepy I left to go hang in the kitchen away from the girls trying to gain my attention and my friends getting wasted.
I never expected her to walk in, let alone by herself. Her skin glowed in the soft light of the kitchen. Little beads of sweat dotting her forehead. When she began fanning herself and tying her hair up I couldn’t look away. She crouched in front of the open fridge and I truly noticed all of her for the first time. Her body caught my whole attention. She is tall, not tall like her friend who clearly stands over six feet, but tall enough to be noticeable. Her arms and legs are long, her waist small, hips wide but not too wide and even though the pants she has on are kind of baggy you can tell her legs and ass are quite ample. She looks athletic and quite flexible. It’s not easy for people to squat into the crouched position she is in unless they have an Asian heritage or some sort of dance/gymnastics background. When I asked her what she was looking for I wasn’t prepared for what she sounded like.
There was a slight presence of an accent which made her deeper voice sound all the more sexy to me. I wanted her to keep talking to me somehow.
When she sat on the porch steps just watching everyone interact with each other my heart lurked in my chest. She looked so at peace but so lonely sitting there I couldn’t help myself when I sat next to her. I want to know everything about her.
“Nice to meet you Soraya.”
“Nice to meet you Johnny.” loving the way she says my name and the little smile that graces her lips. I throw all caution to the wind.
“Are you a freshman?” she doesn’t avoid my eyes as I ask her questions and that makes me nervous. Usually the average human can’t hold eye contact for more than a few seconds especially in this close of proximity. I like to hold eye contact with people because I feel a surge of power and excitement when they look away. She doesn’t waver though and I find myself fighting to keep hold of her gaze.
“I am.”
She has freckles and little moles all over her face and parts of her skin I can see. I want to count them all. I remember my mother telling me where you have moles is where your lover kissed you most in your past life.
“Do you play a sport?”
“Volleyball.”
“What position?”
“Wing Spiker.” her answer is surprising to say the least. I figure she would be a libero with her smaller size. One look at her face tells me she is used to this assumption.
“Your vertical must be ridiculous, makes sense though.”
Cocking her head at me she asks what I mean.
“Your legs. I can tell they are really powerful not to mention long. Your arms are really long too and your hands are huge.” She looks away from me for the first time since I sat next to her and I see her play with one of the rings she wears.
“What about you? Do you play a sport?”
“I used to my freshman year, I’m a junior by the way, then I got hurt.”
“What happened?” she looks back at me, her eyes holding concern and warmth.
“I blew out my knee last year. Now I just redshirt. I was never really into sports intensely anyways. It was just a way to pay for school.”
“What sport did you play?”
“Soccer.”
“Really? My little brother plays, he’s really good.”
The way her face lights up talking about someone she loves makes me feel funny. I want her to light up that way when talking about me. It’s been a while since I felt like this about anyone.
“How many siblings do you have?”
“I have two younger brothers. Kyle and Andre. Seventeen and Thirteen. Andre just turned thirteen in August. Do you have any siblings?”
I want her to look at me this way for the rest of eternity. She holds stars in her eyes and has my heart in her hands already.
“No, I’m an only child.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-one. You I am assuming are eighteen.”
“I’ll be nineteen in a few weeks.” September. Her birthday is in September.
“Nice.”
“What is your majour and what are you passionate about since sports ain’t it?” her question catches me off guard. She seems to have relaxed some.
“Music. I majour in music. I’m the DJ for the campus radio station also.”
Her eyes open wide at my revelation. The way she listens and takes in information is cute like it is the most amazing thing she has ever heard in her life. It’s honest. She can’t seem to hide her emotions well all being shown on her face.
“I’ll have to subscribe!” I chuckle at her excitement.
“What is your majour?” I tried to guess what she would be studying but the longer I talk with her the less I can grasp an idea. Maybe some sort of psychology, something to do with people.
“English majour with a minor in International Relations.” Yupp, would have never guessed that.
“Why those?”
“I’m not from America. I am from Barbados and have always loved to travel, to write and love learning languages.”
“Ahh, that makes sense now.”
“What makes sense?”
“The little accent I hear.” shock passes through her eyes.
“You can tell?”
“Yeah, only cause my parents are from South Korea and I grew up around accented English. I’ve always been able to tell no matter how slight it is. You say certain words differently.”
Nodding her head she starts speaking to me in Korean. I am so shocked I don’t hear a word of what she said.
“W-what?” Repeating what she said I am floored at her fluency.
“How do you know Korean?”
“I told you I like learning languages.”
“Yeah, but Korean? That’s kind of random.” I laugh a little.
“Not really.” She goes on to tell me the story of how she came to speak Korean and I can’t help but like her more than I already do.
“Have you ever been?” the way she speaks about the country you would swear she has been or is Korean herself.
“No, sadly I haven’t. I have plans to though. Have you?”
“Twice yeah. I was born here though, in Chicago.”
“How was it?”
Stars light up her eyes as she leans closer to me without realising in her excitement. She smells so good, not like the annoying fruity perfumes most women wear but something more earthy and deep. Under the lights from the house her skin looks even softer than before. Swallowing heavily I glance quickly at her lips. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Why does she affect me so badly?
“It was great, there is alot to do and it’s alot more diverse than you think in some places.”
She hangs onto every word that exits my mouth even leaning against my shoulder slightly as we trade stories late into the night. After talking for hours she suddenly jumps up.
“I have to go find Miyabi.”
“The girl you came with?” seeing her panic a little over her friend is cute. She leaves me sitting there as she all but sprints back into the house. Trailing after her I watch as her body relaxes visibly upon seeing her friend sitting in the living area playing a game of Never Have I Ever with a few other people.
“Soraya! There you are. Come play!” tugging Soraya down to sit next to her she declares the game restarted.
A few of my friends are in on the game as well so I decide to join.
“John where you been?” one of my best friends and teammates asks. He is sprawled out on a couch looking at peace with himself. Yuta’s eyes flit to Soraya momentarily then back to me raising an eyebrow.
“Around.” is all I say sitting down next to my friend Taeyong.
The game starts pretty mildly with innocent topics such as stealing or skipping class. Soraya still has all her fingers up and is quietly watching everyone around her lose fingers myself included.
When the questions made their way around to Yuta I could almost hear the trouble start.
“Never have I ever slept with more than three people in one night.” He looks directly at me daring me to lie. Glaring at him I begrudgingly lower another one of my fingers.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Soraya staring at my hands. Ashamed for once in my life I wish she didn’t have to see this side of me.
~~~Soraya~~~
More than three people in one night. Chuckling softly to myself I see him peep at me from the corner of his eye. The guy is funny, seeming so calm and collected all night but now I see as usual you can’t judge a book by its cover and humans are far more complex than they ever care to admit.
The questions continue and all my fingers stay spread. I realise my life has lacked any real excitement or adventure, this realisation makes me melancholy. At least I will win this game it seems. Everyone in the room has either folded all their fingers or on their last two or three. Miyabi has three fingers left. Johnny has two.
“Never have I ever stolen a friend's crush.” Johnny brings me out of my stupor with his question. Looking up at him I see him staring down the guy lounging on the couch.
Yuta I think his name is. A cheeky fellow with a serious expression and a lovely smile when he does use it. His appearance is kind of messy but in a very aesthetically pleasing way. Hair dyed a bright red and long, pulled back into a half updo bun. Yuta puts his last finger down with a smirk on his face. Looking between the two of them the tension is palpable.The moment passes and the game continues with everyone none the wiser. Finally it is my turn, I have only folded two fingers so far and for very minor things compared to what the others have done. Wanting this game to be over I choose a question everyone will most likely have to put a finger down for.
“Never have I kissed someone.”
As I thought everyone who was left put their finger down. I win the game. Johnny openly stares at my hands, an unreadable expression on his face. Miyabi yawns loudly declaring she is tired and ready to go to sleep. Checking the time on my phone I see it is well into the early morning hours. Excusing us I let Miyabi lean on me as I lead us out of the house and back to our dorm. The walk was longer than when we came with her full weight on me so I stop and help her up onto my back. Carrying her the rest of the way on my back we reach our place of residence quicker.
Dropping her onto her bed heavily and taking her shoes off I search through my things for makeup wipes to clear both our faces.
Tonight was an experience, my first real party that wasn’t a team dinner or school dance. The drinking, smoking, and general freeness of it all was not something I am used to. Talking to guys also was never on my radar but talking to Johnny wasn’t so nerve-wracking. He was intriguing and very honest in the way he speaks something I notice you don’t see very often these days. I wouldn’t mind talking to him again, finding out the story behind the apparent wild choices he made and the obvious tension between him and Yuta.
Gently wiping the little bit of makeup from Miyabi’s face then applying some of my moisturising lotion just so her face wouldn’t be dry when she wakes up. Taking care of my skin I finally change and make my way into my bed.
Waking up I check the time, sighing when I see I haven’t been asleep for more than two hours. Insomnia is a bitch and she just keeps coming back.
Rummaging through my backpack I pull out my diary, in times like these it’s the only thing that gives my mind peace. Writing has always been a safe place for me, when I would forego parties I would write about them. When I lost a game I would write that I had won as if the words scribbled onto paper or typed onto a document could change the past or predict the future. I write until Miyabi wakes up then we decide to go to the cafe for breakfast after we wash up.
It’s still early when we enter the cafe so not many people are present. Entering the line for breakfast, Miyabi and I chat about last night.
“No, but listen! He was so cute and charming. Yuta I think his name was and he is Japanese too from Osaka. I think he might be on the soccer team.” Yuta. That name…. I think it’s the name of the friend of Johnny’s from last night.
“We can go to a practice later if you would like.”
“Can we really? I didn’t get a chance to talk to him long last night but…wait what about that guy you came in with before the game? He was cute and seemed into you.” she watches me with a twinkle in her eye, a hopeless romantic type, not what I would have pegged her for. Cute.
“Johnny. Yeah, he was nice.”
“He seemed more than nice. All throughout the game he was watching you.”
“Mmmm.”
“He seemed surprised when you ended the game with that question. I’m curious too, have you really never kissed anyone?”
~~~Johnny~~~
Waking up early for my morning run and exercise I can’t seem to get Soraya off my mind. Her innocence baffled me. When she implied she had never kissed anyone I wonder if that was the truth or if she just wanted the game to end? She looked tired so maybe that was it, she just wanted to go sleep and didn’t want to be rude. But what if?
Coffee. My body is screaming for coffee as I end my run, deciding to stop by the cafe. It’s empty, the few people in here don’t look like they have woken up fully yet. The coffee here is surprisingly good, not what I’m used to but tasty enough.
Scanning the cafe I see two girls looking a lot livelier than the rest. The shorter one looks familiar, it’s hard to make out her features without my glasses but it looks like Soraya. Her hair is covered by some sort of scarf and her clothes are extra baggy sweats. The coffee machine pings bringing me out of my stupor.
You should go talk to her Johnny. Yeah. Yeah. Do that. It’s no big deal. She’s the same girl from last night right? Right. Let’s do this!
Making my way over to her I pause when I hear the conversation she is having with her friend. The same friend from last night.
“No, I wasn’t lying. I haven’t kissed anyone.” she chuckles a little then fills up her plate with more food.
“Seriously? Like ever? Never? Why?”
Yeah, why? I want to know why too.
“It just never came up or was a priority of mine.” I am sure my face looks stupid right now.
“Wait does that mean you have never had a boyfriend?”
Surely she had to have had a boyfriend. What man or even an adolescent boy would see her and not want to date her? In the daylight she is even more mesmerising. She looks warm in her oversized grey hoodie and matching grey sweat shorts. The scarf hiding her locs is a pretty golden yellow. The starkness of the colour against her skin is gorgeous. The way she stands like she is the most important person in the room is quite attractive as well.
“Correct. I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
Coughing from shock I alert the two women to my presence.
“Oh! Johnny right?” her friend addresses me first.
“Hey. Morning.” I wave at them. Wave? Come on John.
“Morning Johnny.” the smile that falls on her lips makes my heart stutter. Dimples. Fucking dimples. Of course she has to have dimples.
“Morning Soraya.”
~~~Soraya~~~
My goodness he looks so good. Like he just came from working out or something. His hair pushed back with a sportsband. The shirt he wears is black and sleeveless, giving me an unobstructed view of his arms and damn it if they look amazing. His joggers are black as well but fit him so perfectly I wonder if they were specifically tailored for him. My eyes travel up from his feet to his eyes. Those eyes. Like freshly made honey straight from the comb of the most hardworking bees.
“Are you here for breakfast?” Miyabi breaks the ice once again. Her bright personality proving to be a joy to have around.
“Uh, yeah.” he grabs a plate and begins adding food to it.
Watching him fills me with a sense of warmth.
“Come eat with us.” the words leave my mouth before I can stop them. He looks surprised but nods and finishes piling food on his plate. He follows us to a table near the windows.
We eat in silence for the most part each one of us taking turns to make polite conversation with one another. Miyabi finishes eating first then leaves claiming she has something to do but as I watch her leave she has a shit-eating grin on her face and is making obscene motions behind Johnny’s back. Rolling my eyes I focus on the gorgeous man in front of me. The sun is hitting one side of his face just right, highlighting his sharp features and bringing out the lighter tones of his eyes.
“What’s your favourite colour?” I blink a few times not sure what I heard.
“Huh?” smooth as sandpaper Raya.
He smiles softly and repeats the question.
“Violet.”
“Violet? Isn’t-” cutting him off with a hand before he can even finish that statement I go off on a tangent about the differences in the colours Violet and Purple, going so far as to pull up a chart on my phone.
“You get that alot I see.” he laughs like a teleprompter wrote it out and I find it so endearing.
“Yeah. Only artists seem to understand what I mean.”
“You should meet my friend Taeyong then, the shorter guy I was sitting next to at the party. He is an Arts majour.”
“I would love to!”
“Give me your number and we can all hang some time then.” smooth Mr. Johnny. Real smooth. Don’t think I didn’t see what you did there sir.
I give him my number because truthfully I was looking for a way to ask him for his as well, he just beat me to it. Talking some more I learn quite a bit about this man. As more people fill the cafe the quiet almost magical bubble we had for ourselves pops. Figuring there is no point in dragging this on I make up an excuse to leave.
“So, can I text you sometime?” standing outside the building to the cafeteria I get shy as I watch literally everyone that passes us stare at our interaction.
“If you would like. I must warn you though, I’m terrible at replying unless I deem you important or entertaining in my life.” he smiles at my words and says he will just have to become both before he leaves.
Watching him jog away I can’t help but fawn over him. I didn’t come here to this school to date but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to try it out.
And we’re back with more Johnny content here! Of course, he’s the apple of my eye, my ultimate current bias, the love of my life, and the list go on. But I do get tempted by other good-looking K-pop men sometimes...
Here’s a GIF of him looking adorable with some noticeable blush. The color reminds me of Glossier Cloud Paint in Storm, but of course, I could be wrong. Drop that blush shade, dude!
Mahal ko kayong lahat! :)
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Summary: These pieces were inspired by a prompt list by @neoculturedrabbles. Since you guys know how I feel about Johnny, please expect that the next installments will feature two prompts in it too.
POV: 2nd person since I wrote this late last year. I know; you’re getting tired of reading that over and over.
Word count: 1,800 words
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Prompt #1: “Shut up!”
“Make me!”
Now that you and Johnny were a couple, that didn’t stop him from annoying you to tears.
You were working on an article at the dining table when you heard him sing Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ off-key. He was at the kitchen, cooking his trademark omelets for breakfast.
“John, please!” You shrieked, turning your head towards the kitchen. “Can you pipe it down? I’m trying to work here!”
He responded by continuing the song, his voice more off-key than before.
You rolled your eyes and went back to your laptop, huffing in annoyance.
A few minutes later, Johnny emerged from the kitchen with your breakfast, and he was now singing Heart’s ‘Alone’ in the same irritating manner.
“Love, what’s up with you? Why are you annoying me? Do you know I’m about to have my period soon?” You said when he placed a plate of omelet and rice in front of you.
“I’m not doing anything unusual,” he said, this time placing a cup of coffee beside your breakfast, “I’m just being myself, you know?” He winked at you and patted your shoulder.
“But baby, you know when I’m in front of my laptop, I’m most likely working,” you grumbled, now taking the cup of coffee to sip on it.
“I can never tell,” he sat on the seat across from you, “Maybe you’re just reading hentai or playing your porn games,” he wiggled his eyebrows for effect, and you almost spit your coffee.
You just flipped him the bird and took another sip of the coffee he made. As always, he got your preferred taste perfectly – strong and sweet, just like he is.
“How dare you, Suh Youngho! I don’t do that anymore!”
“Yes, you do! You fell asleep with your Incognito window on a hentai comic the other day!”
That was the last straw, and you went to his side and pinched his cheeks. “You silly boy! Stop taunting me!” You squeaked, pinching his cheeks harder while he laughed at your flushed and annoyed face.
“No, I’m not going to stop teasing you! It’s also my job to annoy you since your sisters are out!” He said in between your pinching.
“Johnnyyyyy!” Your hands snaked their way around his neck, and you felt tears brimming at the corners of your eyes. “Shut up!”
“Make me!” He challenged, his face serious.
Now that was something you didn’t expect – he had his poker face on, and he seemed calm. You let go of your hands around his neck and settled them on his shoulders.
But when he gave you his trademark wink, you felt miffed again. You decided to play his game and pecked him on the lips instead.
You weren’t able to get away from him since he locked you in his embrace and deepened the kiss.
As your tongues clashed against each other, you gasped when you felt something poking beneath you. Ugh, not again! He was turned on with what you did, and you tasted like coffee, of course.
You let go when you felt very bothered by his boner and pinched his nose this time.
“You big freak,” you huffed, raising your middle finger at him again, “You’re such a tease, you know?”
“I know, baby,” Johnny had the guts to lick his lips in front of you, “and I’m going to taunt you every day with all my loving.”
“Can we have breakfast now?” You got your spoon and fork and started digging into your meal.
“Sure thing, baby,” He said while he moved his plate and drink beside you. When he was done, he sat on the chair to your left and fed you a spoonful of rice and omelet. “Say ‘ah,’” he instructed in a flirty tone, which you obeyed.
“Don’t be so grumpy, my baby princess,” he cooed, wiping the excess rice on the top of your lip.
“But I’m about to have my period! My chest feels heavier, and I feel more bloated,” you whined.
“Even if your boobs don’t get bigger and you don’t look plumper, you are always a grumpy girl,” it was now his turn to pinch your cheek.
You crossed your arms over your chest and looked away from him. Since his hand was still on your chin, he tilted it again toward his direction.
“If you promise me that you won’t be grumpy anymore, I’ll stop teasing you.”
You sighed in defeat and nodded. “Okay, I’ll try my best.”
“No buts! You should do it. You look the most beautiful when you smile.”
You pinched his arm in embarrassment and went back to eating with your head down. “You are such a flirt, love. But thank you.”
“You’re welcome, baby.” He kissed the side of your head, and both of you ate in silence after.
///
Prompt #12: “You’re a pain in the ass, you know?”
“Yeah, but I’m your pain the ass.”
Your head was throbbing in pain because a) you lack sleep, and b) Johnny was being such a pain in the ass to deal with.
As you searched the cabinet for some Advil, you saw a pair of long arms reach over you and grabbed a large pink pillbox.
You turned around to see it was the source of your headache, grinning sheepishly at you. “I assume you need Advil?”
You nodded in response, silently grabbing the pillbox from him. You went to the dining table where a glass of water was waiting for you and opened the box to get your much-needed medicine.
You felt Johnny’s eyes on you as you swallowed the pill and drank water. You closed your eyes for a bit, savoring its bitter taste in your mouth.
But then, you remembered all the things he did during the previous week that got on your nerves.
He hid your strawberry-flavored Greek yogurt from the fridge just when you were craving for it.
He placed your usual mug in the highest cupboard the day after he was in charge of doing the dishes. You had to climb up the sink just so you can reach it, and he laughed at your attempt to grab it the first time you discovered it was up there.
He woke you up by replacing your alarm with his voice recording remixed with EDM beats. He laughed again when he saw your grumpy reaction, your hair sticking all over the place as you chased him around the house with your pillow.
He used your favorite tote bag (which you waited for ages to be restocked!) when he went grocery shopping all by himself, ruining it in the process. Now it was under his care, and you didn’t know if he has finished mending it yet.
But the most annoying thing that he did was when he tickled you to tears when you didn’t wake him up when he needed to be up early for a schedule. Although he seemed annoyed at first, he was also in tears from laughter as he saw you writhe in his touch.
You let out a huge groan before lying on the couch. “This headache sucks,” you said, curling up on the sofa.
“You need some rest, baby,” you heard Johnny say, who was now standing in front of you. He wore a basketball jersey and jogging pants, which was his usual home attire.
But as always, you were distracted with his big and meaty guns. You grabbed the pillow at your foot and covered your face in it so you couldn’t see his towering figure over you.
“I’m resting right now. Please,” you looked at him briefly, “stop annoying me. You’re one of the reasons why my head is throbbing right now,” you covered your face with the pillow again.
“Oh, but why me? I have been nothing but good to you!” You felt an additional weight at the end of the sofa, which meant that he sat down beside you.
“But you kept on annoying me by hiding my food, ruining my stuff, and most of all, you almost tickled me to death!” You threw the pillow at him, which he caught. He held it in front of him and looked at you with puppy eyes.
“But Essie! You know that’s one of the ways to show that I love you!” He whined while making cute faces at you.
“Johnny, there are times that I appreciate it, and there are times that I do not,” you grumbled, now sitting up on the couch. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know?”
“Yeah, but I’m your pain in the ass,” he responded smoothly, running one of his hands through his hair.
“Ugh, Suh Youngho!” You groaned, lying back on the couch again. As soon as your back hit the sofa, you were flustered to see him on top of you with a Cheshire cat grin on his face.
“But you’re so cute when you’re grumpy!” He said playfully before his hands went to your sides and tickled you until you were in tears again.
“I’ll get you for this, John!” You said in between wheezing and kicking.
The tall guy snickered, but then he looked at you with concern when he noticed that your tears didn’t stop falling. He stopped tickling you and wiped your tears away. “Sorry, baby,” he whispered, now kissing your forehead.
You shut your eyes for the nth time today, processing this intimate moment you got yourself into. He was too close, and you could feel his breath against your forehead. Your body felt warm from head to toe, and his body felt that way as well.
But come to think of it, your head stopped pounding. You opened your eyes and saw that he gave you the sweetest smile before kissing your temple.
“Do you feel better now?”
“Surprisingly, yes. I feel much better now,” you gently pushed him away from you as you sat up once more. “But I think I should still get some rest.”
“That you do need, baby. Come,” he held your hand and led you to your room. “I’ll tuck you in.”
“No, John! I’m fine. You don’t have to do that for me,” you mumbled, looking away from him as he squeezed the hand he held.
“I insist. I want to make it up to you for being a pain in the ass.”
“But you’ll always be even if you do sweet shit like this, you know?”
“Yeah, I do. But still, please? Can I tuck my surly baby in bed?” He pleaded, blinking his eyelashes cutely at you.
“Ugh, fine. I request for hair brushing and thigh tapping too, please.”
“Anything for my dear Essie,” he said before carrying you into your bedroom bridal-style.
[16:42] boyfriend!johnny was aware that his large physique intimated people. a tall stature he inherited from his parents and his time as an athlete contributed to this. back then, he had been the subject of such rumours that he was a part of a triad during his time in school.
for whatever reason there was, the majority believed it to be true. they’re following the stereotype, he’d say. despite being at the taller side of the height spectrum, it was obvious he would be mistakened to be aloof. in contrast though, he was still well appreciated and respected by everyone.
you were guilty of being a part of the majority for a shortwhile, but those rumours were proven to be false when you discovered something quite surprising. with other people, he was quite cold but friendly. but with you..
.. johnny was a tsundere, and a huge one on that note.
he was misunderstood by many when in reality, he was such a sweetheart and more of a gentleman than others would like to offer. he was just soft for you.
you’ve been his girlfriend and were in a relationship since then and entered your fifth month together. so johnny wanted to hang out at the arcade, saying that the trending reels of alphabet dates inspired him to do so.
good for you since you were looking for some excitement after finishing your graduation papers. it even became more interesting when you spotted your high school friends, majority of them being guys and introduced him to them.
your boyfriend was taken back by this, he didn’t know that you were very friendly with guys. of course he’d understand the nostalgic familiarity you felt.
“babe.” he playfully whined, placing his lips on your head, his hand around your waist. but he felt a little kick in his heart when you slowly entertained them.
“just for a bit, babe. it’s been 10 years.” you locked his hand to yours.
the small talk you had led to the punching machine, knowing that things would get rowdy in a bit. johnny felt a little protective and his hold on your hand tightened that it wasn’t unnoticable for you.
“johnny, was it?” jaebeom started, “fancy a game?” referring to the punching machine.
“yeah, sure.” he coldly accepted, making you raise an eyebrow in a skeptical way.
one by one your high school friends had their turn. johnny stood by the basketball ring machine, one hand on it and another on his hip, observing the guys.
if you remembered correctly, he scored a 961 with people from his 127 filming club. this time the highest score was 943, made by jaebeom. piece of cake, he thought.
folding his sleeve up to his shoulder, you couldn’t help but silently laugh at what your boyfriend was trying to prove.. that he was way stronger than any of them combined.
boom. his punch landed on the bag. the numbers crawled up quickly. johnny was sure he’d at least score 965. when the numbers showed a 949, jaebeom and his friends nodded in pride that your boyfriend was not someone they should mess with.
when you bid your farewells after a 10 minute meeting, you turn to johnny. “what was that all about?” you snickered, cupping his face seeing him all pouty.
he sniffed in a laugh and peeked glances around, making sure you two were alone. his arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you close to him. “whatever you mean?”
you poked his cheek dimples as he smiled and that’s when you figured him out. “you were jealous, weren’t you?”
he hid his face between your neck and shoulder, “mhm. you saw right through me. was i obvious?”
you carressed his hair, he was being a softie when it’s just the two of you. “johnny, babe, it was waayy too obvious.”
he pulled back, smiling at you endearingly. he ran his thumb along your lips before placing his on it. “of course, gotta show ‘em who the alpha is.”
you laughed too loud for your liking, covering your mouth and playfully hit his chest. “oh that’s what it is. i guess i should bark?”
johnny parroted your laugh before challenging you, “can you? bark for me?”
“make me.” you ruffled his hair, making his grip on you tighten.
