♡ Summary: What happens when a seemingly innocent request for food brings unexpected tension to what was supposed to be a fun game night?
Inspired by Tokyo Ghoul
< Part one
The cold night air nips at your nose as you stroll alongside Jongho. Neither of you have spoken a word since you left the house just a couple minutes ago. You're chewing over your thoughts about what happened earlier as you feel your arm occasionally brushing against his.
You always found Jongho's presence to be reassuring, but right now, every touch feels like your nerves are being set on fire. How the guys reacted earlier to your request for food left you rather... confused? Upset? You don't even know what you should be feeling.
Why were they acting like that anyway? You slowly grew to know some of them better over the years, through Jongho. You thought you had become friends at the very least.
Their reactions honestly had your skin crawling for a second. Their gazes felt more dangerous, like something... bad was about to unfold. It just felt off. You don't even want to find out what that something might be. More thoughts come swirling in your mind as the pit of anxiety in your stomach grows.
You put your hands deeper in the pockets of your warm jacket.
In your peripheral you see Jongho, your trusted friend of a couple years, turning his head towards you. His eyes undoubtedly trying to read the expression on your face. He clears his throat softly.
"So, still up for a study session tomorrow? A friend lent me some useful notes for our law class," He casually shrugs his shoulders. "I thought it might be nice to look through them together."
Finally, you turn your head to look him in the eyes. The sincerity on his face makes your heart skip a beat.
You sigh and give him a soft smile, "Yeah... I don't really have plans after class anyway. Thank you, Jjong."
He nods his head and gives you a small smile in return.
Flustered, you look away as you both keep walking, your arm still occasionally bumping into his. Except now, your nerves were settling down a bit.
Whatever happened back there, you were going to figure it out another time.
Your steps halt as you make it to the front door of your apartment building. You didn't live anywhere particularly big or fancy, but the place was livable enough and close to your campus. It also was the only place you could afford at the moment, you know, after...
Jongho is already moving closer before you finish that thought. He seems to think about his words carefully before he inhales.
"Look... I don't want to leave before making sure that you...," He looks away for a second, closing his eyes in thought before they settle on you again, his gaze more careful than before. "Do you want to talk about... do you want to talk? Yeah... just- catching up? If that's okay."
Your heart squeezes a bit at that. As much as you wanted to be left alone for the rest of the night, a caring Jongho was hard to push away.
You had learned that much in the short span of your budding friendship.
Still, you try to hide your expression, head hanging down, as you answer sharply, "Talk about what, Jongho? I mean, yeah that was weird and all your friends probably hate me or something,"
You dig for your keys as you keep rambling.
"Enough to not wanna have me in your house it seems-"
"Woah woah hey, that's not what happened-"
"Then WHAT happened? Jongho? Are you really going to tell me that we're all cool and chill with each other when they can't even stand to share snacks? Huh? When everyone acts so strange and secretive around me?" Jongho is stumped in silence, unsure of what to say. You think you might be overreacting at this point, but the moment your hand finds your keys, you reach for the door to unlock it.
Right when you're crossing the doorway, you hear his voice murmuring softly.
"See you in class tomorrow, don't forget your textbook."
You close the door before he has the chance to see your face.
Breathing out a strained sigh, you try to clear your head from all the confusion this night had brought along.
Your ears pick up the soft sound of footsteps walking away.
You didn't hold anything against Jongho. You didn't even know who you felt strongly against. Was it the guys? I mean, you've always just hung out casually, and they never did anything strange unlike today.
You take the elevator up to your floor and enter your room, tiredly tossing away your shoes.
Your gaze shifts to the cabinet on your right, upon a small and worn-out picture frame sitting on top. On the photo were two hugging children, surrounded by a man and a woman, all smiling happily for the camera.
You don't recognise that smile on yourself anymore. Not since that dreadful night.
Bitter memories are quickly shoved away.
You step deeper into your empty living room.
Taglist ⟡ @emilysecresy
Erm-- so yeah this semester kicked my butt harder than I initially thought? Whoops! I guess it has been a couple months now, sorry for that! 🙇♀️
Thank you emily for being my first tagged :>
This was everything I could cook up in a short enough time, I hope I'll have more time to write during summer vacation🫣
I already have inspiration for a completely new fic, maybe san x reader or seonghwa x reader in a more dystopian plot🫣 buuut don't worry! I am currently working on part three of illicitly! I hope you guys are as excited as me😚
