#lee dino

[haologram]

yours, always ❆ l.c [m]

𝜗ৎ part 7/17 of happy haolidays with haologram!

— synopsis: life after undergrad is difficult, and life back home is harder than ever when you're finding trouble filling your time. with the weight of great expectations on your shoulders, miscommunication leads you to places you wouldn't go even if it were essential for survival. – genre: est. relationship ; angst, fluff, smut. — pairing: boyfriend!lee chan x prospective grad student!fem!reader – word count: 14.6k — rating: 18+. minors do not interact. – warnings: swearing, they argue a lot, mentions of food/alcohol, smoking (weed), mingyu and soonyoung make their reappearance, mentions of bribery, mentions of the weird time between the end of college and figuring your life out, concerns of infidelity (baseless). smut warnings: unprotected sex. duh. lowkey exhibitionist as fuck, alludement to edging, car sex, oral/fingering (f.rec), dirty talk (so. much.), missionary, masturbation (f), creampie. — what to listen to: i'm so into you - swv ; all night long - mary jane girls ; heaven - taemin. – author’s note: [special thanks to @/saradika here on tumblr for these lovely snowflake dividers!] welcome back to haologram! this is a special segment i’ve created to give a quick thank you to all of my friends this holiday season, and this one is for my angel baby, @sn4psh00t! josie, i'm so grateful to have you in my life and i can certainly attest that the majority of caratblr writers are so excited every time we see you pop up. you are an incredibly rare find on these wormholes of the web, and i'm so honored to have you around and consider a friend. i hope we get closer in the new year, and we can see each other thrive in the things we love. i'm always rooting for you, my josie posie! this being said, this is 10000% a spinoff of 'between you and me', and i spent the day writing this and rereading my own fic between my fingers hehe but i hope you love it as much as i love you!! happy haolidays, josie! i love you!

IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE YOU AND CHAN DECIDED TO TAKE YOUR RELATIONSHIP SERIOUSLY.

Well, almost a year.

You'd returned to campus hand-in-hand, and said nothing. People knew without a word, and they understood that Chan was no longer available to fool around. To canoodle, to warm someone's bed for a couple hours before heading back out to scour for another.

You decided not to let insecurity rear its ugly head. Chan chose you, and you chose him.

Doesn't mean that the stories about how good he was in bed stopped circulating.

The matching promise rings on your fingers certainly ensured they died down significantly, and Chan being nowhere to be found on April Fool's weekend (when his frat usually threw a major rager) — only solidified to all the people who didn't know your history with him that he was definitely not getting back on the market any time soon.

You spent said April Fool's weekend holed up in your childhood home, with Chan nestled into your side and pouting at your every attempt to get out of bed. You'd initially gone back home to celebrate Rosie's birthday — only to arrive home and see both your parents and your little sister sneezing their heads off. Your mother claimed allergies, your father was sure it was death knocking at his door — but your little sister sprawled on the living room carpet with crumpled tissues in her hand and asked for her birthday scoop of chocolate almond ice cream, only to be told by her pediatrician hours later that she had the flu and had to rest up.

Safe to say, she threw an absolute fit and you made her stay at home while you dragged Chan out to the ice cream parlor to pick the ice cream up anyway.

Graduation came and went — the two of you (surprising due to the circumstances) graduated summa cum laude, and your families threw a conjoined party. You went back to campus afterwards to pack up your apartment, snickering to yourself at the barren walls of Chan's bedroom and the crowded walls of yours. He'd promptly slithered his way into your space when you both got back in January, his trinkets and posters migrating little by little until your bedroom was an amalgamation of you and him.

Made you laugh a bit when his Iron Man figurines stood proud next to your Catwoman — the only time Marvel and DC can coexist silently.

Upon your return to town, you and Chan had been pulled in all different directions. Job interviews across the city, only for Chan to end up working at your father's store and for you to take on a temporary managerial position at your mother's restaurant. You looked for apartments together, finding jackshit in the surrounding area and Mrs. Lee kept hinting at the fact that their house was open to house you both — seeing as they were only there during the holiday season, and their apartment in the city was their norm. Chan stayed there, but you found solace in your bedroom…

So that meant you and Chan were living separately for the time being, sleeping together in his room (or yours) only on the weekends.

You met every morning at your dining table, barely changed out of your pajamas and pressing a tired kiss to the other's lips before slumping in your chairs and sharing a cup of coffee before your mother forced breakfast under your noses and made you eat to get your day started. You'd wrinkle your nose at the scent of scrambled eggs, and Chan would steal your extra piece of toast — but you ate silently, quickly, and thanked your lucky stars that your mother's restaurant was only down the road from your father's store.

You carpooled with Chan to save money, your car sat pretty in the driveway as he drove you both around town, to and from work…on dates.

Dates that were few and far between, usually on a Friday and usually ending with you on his lap in his bedroom, his hands up your shirt and yours tugging at his hair. Sometimes the two of you were too tired to do anything, barely making it past the threshold of your bedroom before falling asleep on the mattress next to each other.

Your parents and his agreed that you were just feeling the effects of life after college. You weren't nearly as busy as you used to be, and the lack of stress in your lives seemingly took a toll on you — your mother tried to make everything much more stimulating, as if the clinging of birthday bell every so often and the beeping of POS systems didn't already haunt you in your sleep. Chan was only faring slightly better — his days consumed with the embarrassment of mothers flirting with him and your father's stern eyes. Despite liking him, your father made it no secret that Chan was only there as a favor to you, and he was the only employee that got weekends fully off.

Your lives felt slightly mundane for the summer months, but you silently bowed your head and took everything with appreciation. Mrs. Lee got you and Chan both down to the dance center every few weeks, giving you a chance to get all your frustration out by teaching a class or two. Chan was much better at it than you were, taking the time and energy to perfectly learn a complex choreography and actually teach it — whereas you would spend your four hours in the city showing off all your acrobatic skills you'd learned from years of cheerleading to little kids who ooh'd and ahh'd.

Time went on, decisions were made, money was saved — and it's December again.

Your parents are still excited to have you home, and you actually get a chance to help with the decorating this year — eagerly dusting off twinkle lights and Christmas figurines, and Rosie gets to see you decorate the tree all by yourself. It'd been your favorite thing to do before you left for college, and Rosie had only see your parents do it since then — and she wasn't all that excited to see you anymore, moreso content with your constant prescence and cheering eagerly when you'd take your mother's car and pick her up from school at the end of your shift.

You and Chan are once more squished together in your bedroom when his cousins make the drive into town — this time, actually having time to spend with the two of you and staying until the end of January.

There's a bit of bickering between you and Chan.

He's taking up too much of the bed. He's taking too long in the shower. He's hogging the blanket, he's stealing your socks, he's in your way when you're trying to brush your teeth and wash your face.

He argues that you're practically on top of him in the mornings, that you could easily join him in the shower. He argues that you complain about being hot at night while he runs cold, that your socks were originally his, that you are in his way when he is trying to shave and blow-dry his hair.

Neither of you apologize, only grumbling before one of you pulls the other into a kiss. It's usually him, and he's usually got you pinned against the door telling you to apologize. You never do, only letting him kiss you until your lips are swollen and your mother bangs on your bedroom door asking if everything is okay.

And neither of you know that your parents share worried looks when you're not around, hearing the arguing through your bedroom door. Hearing it through the bathroom door, hearing it up until Chan kisses you stupid with his hands wandering more than they should for a winter morning.

With all the bickering comes less time for intimacy. Not just sex, of course not (even if you haven't had the time to properly mess around since December even started) — but you don't get to have conversations because you're both still angry. You don't talk over breakfast, picking at your food before one of you inevitably gets up and eats alone in the kitchen. You don't get a chance to stand in the same room to get dressed, because you'll be damned if Chan weasles his way out of apologizing by kneeling in front of you and pulling your shorts down. You don't touch, you don't hold hands, nothing — until you're both out the door for the day and he opens the car door for you and helps you in.

The car ride is silent. No music, no talking — just tight jaws until he pulls into the parking lot of your mother's restaurant and leans over the center console. He doesn't apologize, just presses a kiss to your cheek before you (despite the annoyance in your belly) turn your head and kiss him properly. You tell him to have a good day between kisses, he reminds you to eat lunch, his hand squeezing your hip before telling you to run inside. It takes you a moment to stop kissing him, so much so that he has to (rather reluctantly) pull away and give you a pointed look.

You think about him for the rest of the day then. You text him asking if he's eaten lunch. He'll text back a picture of him picking Rosie up from school when you couldn't. He'll ask you if you want something from the gas station, and you'll see Rosie barreling into the restaurant with a bag of M&Ms and he follows behind with her backpack in hand. He greets your mother, he gives you a kiss and catches you both up on what her teachers said — that she has homework, that she was on the green smiley face all week and got a treat to take home, to make sure she stays warm because she's in the winter play and can't be replaced…the like.

Something about it makes your chest warm.

Another thing to note is that you're both waiting on acceptance (or rejection) letters from a couple grad schools in your area, your undergrad campus included — and you're anxious, even if you're only really hoping to get into your undergrad university. You're visibly nervous as you pace back and forth in the office of your mother's restaurant — she had once more roped you into taste-testing her holiday menu. Chan is equally as on-edge, if not more, and you want to attribute all the bickering to said unease about the near future.

But it feels like an excuse.

It feels like an excuse when you argue with him, when he scoffs at you, when he kisses you out of frustration instead of the same sweet sentiment you know you both hold for each other.

When he hasn't called you baby in a while.

And you know, you know you said that the insecurities that make your chest tight weren't going to make a comeback but you can't help but let them fester a bit when you see how easily Chan fits into your life. It scares you, to know that he's been by your side your entire life and yet, he's still choosing you. Despite the flaws and faults, the fighting, fucking and everything in between. You're worried about it, day in and day out — and you want to convince yourself that the 'gut feeling' you have about your relationship is just a jumbled mess of jitters.

You assume that not sharing a bed with him every night is also adding to that. Not getting to hold him close, not being able to breathe him in right after his shower when he smells like eucalyptus and your lavender body wash that you've bitched him out about using but he just smiles in your face. Not getting to kiss him goodnight, even when he ends up with his hand down your pajama shorts and your shirt is somewhere across the room…it's all piling up.

It's all bothering you.

"Honey, you're going to pace a hole in my floor." Your mother says gently, her fingers expertly clicking around a calculator as she holds up some tax form. You sigh, running a hand through your hair as you force yourself to sit in the rolling chair next to her, your hands fiddling with the buttons of your cardigan as you check the clock. Chan would be off in ten minutes, and then he could race home and check the mail. You weren't off for another hour and a half, and your stomach was starting to hurt.

"You'll get in, don't worry." She gives you a reassuring smile, reaching out to squeeze your knee as you slump against the desk. You know you probably seem childish, you probably seem like you're stressing yourself out about nothing — but your mother understands this feeling all too well. She was also in your shoes once, working in the back of a restaurant after college and waiting on those damn letters.

The difference is, she had no one supporting her the way she can support you. She was freshly married, working a stressful job and struggling to make ends meet. Your father was working two jobs, long hours spent away from the apartment that would become your very first home — because you came along during the part of their lives that was barely starting to settle. Your parents took many risks opening their businesses but taking care of you had to have been their biggest struggle.

And they did it anyway. With all the love they had, all the money they could scrape up, all of it — and eventually, both businesses took off and they never looked back. Sure, it was confusing when a music store and a restaurant within two blocks of each other were named after the same person — but local newspapers and even your town's radio station had interviewed your parents enough over the years that everyone knew the backstory. Newcomers could read about it from newspaper clippings on your mother's restaurant entrance or hear about it from your father's excited conversation — eventually, hearing it from you and Chan whenever people asked who 'Y/N' was.

However, you said 'me.'

Chan said, 'my boss' daughter,' 'my best friend', 'my girlfriend.'

'Mine,' if it was someone around your age.

It made you a bit giddy, biting back your smile like a schoolgirl with a crush.

"What if I don't?" You murmured, letting a frustrated groan fall from your lips as you leaned forward in your chair, covering your face with your hands. She snickers, her hand smoothing over your hair before patting your back, "go home."

"I can't, Chan—" "Walk to your father's shop and go home, Y/N. You can't work in these conditions, maybe the cold air will do you some good."

You do as she says, and she kisses your forehead as you pout, tucking your scarf into your jacket. She pulls her knitted beanie over your head before giving you a careful push out of her office and letting you know she'd clock you out. You opened your mouth to ask about Rosie, only for her to hold a finger to her lips and shoo you away.

The air was prickling against your skin as you made your way outside. There wasn't any snow so far, but the sky was gloomy and so was your mood. You shoved your hands in your pockets, your purse hitched high on your shoulder as you reached the crosswalk. You could see your father's shop sign from where you stood — bold blue lights forming your name and standing out against the white background. If you peek over your shoulder, you'll see your mother's sign, too — recently rebranded to a flickering neon sign, on theme with the retro vibe of the restaurant.

You ignore the pit of inadequency sinking in your stomach as you cross the street, nibbling on your lips and missing the feeling of Chan's warmth.

Despite yourself, you miss him. Even if he makes you angry in the morning and steals your toast, even if he uses up all your body wash when he stays over, even when he merely hogs the blanket and leaves you a shivering mess at two in the morning — you miss him.

Your father sees you coming from halfway down the block, his eyes lighting up through the store windows as you smile inwardly. He stops what he's doing to make his way to the door, and you see Chan holding boxes up to his eyes as he fumbles around to get to the front counter. You speedwalk the rest of the block, your father smiling brightly as you greet him with a hug and a kiss to his cheek.

"It's freezing out there, bud. What're you doing? Did your mother send you down?" He asks, closing the door behind you as you rush over to take one of the boxes off Chan's stack, wiggling your brows at him as he scrunches his nose at you. You stick your tongue out at him, and he just shakes his head, suppressing his smile as he keeps moving towards the counter.

"She sent me home early because I was, in her words, 'going to pace a hole in her floor.'" You roll your eyes, but the waver in the back of your voice is far too evident for your father's keen hearing. He raises a brow, "if this is about grad school—"

"It is, you know it is." You sigh, setting the box down on the counter. You take another and do the same, your boyfriend peering at you through his lashes before tilting his head, "were you checking the Informed Delivery again? I told you to stop doing that."

"I can't! I need to know when the mail is getting here," you slump against the boxes, and your father shares a look with Chan before shaking his head.

"Honey, you're going to get in." "You don't know that!"

"Y/N, it's grad school. I've been there, done that, and I did it with a kid and a wife and two jobs." He says pointedly, making you huff as Chan bites back his smile. You reach over and pinch him gently, earning a scowl as he bats your hand away. Your father pats your shoulder, "it's going to be okay. You're going to get in and you're going to do great and you'll be so proud of yourself."

"What about making you proud?" You mutter, and he just pulls your jacket hood over your head with a soft tap on the box beneath you, "you make me proud just by existing. Go home, Y/N. I'll see you both later."

Chan's eyes widen, and he darts to the back to get his coat as your father begins unpacking one of the boxes. You watch him silently, seeing him pull out a new shipment of vinyls, "anything good?"

"Everything's good," he retorts, holding up an ABBA vinyl that was missing from his collection. "Take this with you, put it on my desk at home."

You grab it, tucking it under your arm as you watch Chan bustle out of the back room with his scarf in his hand. He doesn't bother pulling it over his neck, or zipping up his jacket — and your father gives him a stern look. He pouts, limply zipping up his jacket to the middle of his chest, only for you to roll your eyes and reach over, pulling up to his chin.

"You'll get sick and then we're screwed when your parents get down here." You scold him, and you point at his scarf, "put it on."

"You're my girlfriend, not my mother." "If you want me to keep being your girlfriend—"

"Alright, alright. No need for threats today," he grumbles, wrapping his scarf around his neck loosely before fishing his keys out, "ready? Who is picking Rosie up?"

"No one. She has rehearsal for her play tonight," your father states, peeking over David Bowie and KISS vinyls in his hand. "You guys get home safe, and stay out of the garage."

"Unwrapped gifts?"

He uses the vinyl to point at you, "I mean it, missy. No peeking."

"No peeking, got it." You nod, waving goodbye as Chan bows his head politely. He slips his hand in yours, pulling you towards the door and back into the biting winter wind. "Bet you're glad you put that scarf on, huh?"

"Shut up," he rolls his eyes, dropping your hand and wrapping his arm around your shoulders before pressing a kiss to your temple, "did you eat lunch?"

"You just told me to shut up and now you're asking about lunch?" You jest, but wrap your arm around his waist as he guides you both through the vast parking lot. He shrugs, pressing another kiss against your cheekbone, "you're annoying."

"You're worse." "You still love me, though."

"Blah, blah, blah." You mock him with your gloved hand as he smiles against your skin, "I still haven't forgiven you for making our anniversary on Christmas Eve, Lee Chan."

He hums, ducking his head slightly to brush his lips to yours. You roll your eyes at him, giving into his lips as he pulls you into his chest, your lower back hitting the trunk of his car. His hand slides to your face, cupping your jaw as he speaks between kisses, "I'm just the gift that keeps on giving."

"You're so fucking annoying," you snort, and he just smiles into your lips as he cages you between him and the car. "Babe, I'm cold."

"I know a way to warm you up." "You're corny as fuck, get out of my face."

He only laughs, planting a chase kiss to the corner of your mouth before opening your door. You slip inside, quickly grabbing the AUX as he closes your door and rounds the car, sliding into the driver's side. He starts the car with a shiver, rubbing his hands together for warmth as the air vents blast warm air.

"Do we have plans tonight aside from combing through the mail?" He chides, and you huff, pulling your mother's beanie off and tugging at your scarf.

"Mingyu and Soonyoung texted me earlier saying they picked up from Hansol, if we want to join them at our spot." You unzip your jacket as he pulls out of the lot, peeling to the left to head home as he nods. "We're supposed to be getting snow, though, and they want to get up there pretty late so we're not busted like high schoolers."

"We're always supposed to be getting snow," he shakes his head, veering into the left lane as you nibble on your lip. He glances at you out of the corner of his eye, holding his hand out for you to take as you rest your head on the window. "Y/N, you can't stress yourself out like this."

"How are you fine? I feel like I'm going to throw up and die," you mutter, tracing circles into his palm before he sighs, simply sliding his fingers into yours and swiping his thumb back and forth on your hand. The car is silent as he drives home, and you hate the way your throat burns as you take a glimpse over your shoulder to look at him.

His eyes are tired, his back sore…mind full of stress and ideas and problems.

Chewing on his cheek as he flicks on the turn signal, your house coming into view as you sit up. Your eyes immediately dart to the mailbox, which is stuffed full (and left open) with overflowing mail. Chan barely has a chance to pull into your driveway before you're opening the door and sliding in front of the mailbox — pulling letter after letter out.

None of them are addressed to you except one, from a university across town that had the highest acceptance rate in the county. Close to home, carried your degree and Chan had applied, too.

You shove the rest of the mail into Chan's chest as he sidles up next to you, ripping the envelope open — and your heart sinks in your chest. The Dear before your name does nothing to soften the blow, and you try not to crumple the piece of paper in your hand as Chan's fingers gently pull it from your grasp. He clicks his tongue, folding the page back up and tucking it into his pocket. He slots the rest of the mail back into the mailbox, looping his arm with yours and pulling you toward the house.

You fall into lockstep silently, the rejection making your eyes burn with tears.

It was so stupid. A university with a seventy-six-percent acceptance rate saying no to you — a summa cum laude graduate with a hefty résumé and strong ties to the community. You knew half the professors there, they were friendly with your parents and Chan's. You knew other students there, Hansol and Seungkwan being two of them — Hansol went at night after his apprenticeship at the tattoo parlor and his sporadic shifts at your mother's restaurant, and Seungkwan went in the morning, leaving the spot open at your father's shop for Chan to fill.

"It's gonna be okay." Chan murmurs as he unlocks the front door, kissing your temple as you make your way inside. You roll your eyes, blinking back the tears as you kick off your boots. He takes your coat off, hanging it in the front closet as you cross your arms on your chest and make your way to your bedroom. He shuffles around in the front of the house for a moment as you slide your jeans off, grabbing a pair of his sweatpants from your drawer and pulling them on. You're pulling your shirt over your head as he appears at the door, your fingers plucking one of his out as he presses a kiss to your bare shoulder.

"Y/N, come on." "It's fine. It's not a big deal." "You can be upset about it, you know."

His fingers unclasp your bra, pulling the straps down your arms and tossing it across the room before he squeezes your sides. You shake your head, tonguing your cheek as you pull the shirt over your head. He rests his chin on your shoulder, "how can I help?"

"I don't need help." "Y/N."

"I don't, it's fine." You twist out of his hold, pulling your duvet out from its tucked position and moving your throw pillows onto the desk chair in the corner. He changes his clothes silently, his fingers fiddling with the remote and pulling up a random rerun of 2 Broke Girls on your television before sliding into bed with you. You're facing the wall, your knees curled to your chest when you feel his arm pull you into him. Your back hits his chest as you let a singular tear spill down your cheek, and he sighs against your neck as you bite back a sob.

"I know you're crying." He whispers, "it's going to be okay. It's just one. You have six others, don't worry."

Something in you wants to say that he doesn't get it, but he does. He does get it, and that's what bothers you — you know he didn't get in, either. His letter arrived a week before yours did, but he took it differently. He'd stared at the letter for a few seconds before shrugging and tossing it into the recycling bin in his kitchen.

He'd taken it in stride.

"It's frustrating," you mutter back, your voice thick as you wipe at your eyes haphazardly. He laughs softly, his hand slipping under your shirt and caressing your skin, "yeah, I know. But we'll never appreciate the easy things in life if other things didn't fuck us over."

"I know." "It'll be okay." "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," he presses a kiss to the back of your neck, and you sigh, letting your shoulders sag as you turn in his hold to bury your face in his neck. He wraps his arms around you, peppering kisses along your hairline, "I love you, and I'll always be here."

You nod silently, tears continuing to spill down your cheeks and soak into his shirt. You're not sure when you fall asleep, but you're sure the warmth of Chan's embrace and the soft cadence of his heart were nothing but a lullaby.

Your father had been wrong about Rosie — the rehearsal had been the day before, and the play was that night. The Lees also arrived back in town that night, creating even more of a hectic night as they tried to settle in while still getting ready on time to attend Rosie's play.

You and Chan were barely awake when your father pulled you out of bed, turning on all the lights and thrusting two bouquets of flowers into your hands when he rushedly told you to get dressed and get down to the elemtentary school. Chan haphazardly pulled on a pair of slacks that you'd ironed days in advance for this day, and you shimmied into the dress you'd promised Rosie you'd wear for the night of the play — a deep red with glitter all over it, swiping on a quick layer of lipstick and basically falling out the front door.

You were both half-asleep and sharing a cup of hot chocolate in the back of the school's auditorium, watching your little sister prance around the stage as Rudolph, her nose painted red and her microphone taped to her forehead. You leaned your head on his shoulder then, his hand snaking around your waist as one of the mothers leaned over and asked which kid was yours.

"Oh, she's my sister. She's Rudolph."

The mother, her nametag reading Mrs. Kim, gave you a tight smile. You raised a brow, "which one's yours?"

"Dasher. He'd wanted to be Rudolph but I guess your sister took the part." Her voice was rather grating, and you nodded slowly as your hand on Chan's arm tightened. Chan's brows furrowed, "Rosie earned that spot."

"Sure, of course." She nods, crossing her arms as your sister gave a monologue, "it had nothing to do with your mother being the caterer for the dinner after."

"That's enough, thank you." You snap, turning away from her as your mother leaned over your father to ask if you were alright. You gave her a thumbs up, and Chan's grip on the flowers was deathly as he tongued his cheek. You sat stiffly in your seats until the play ended, cheering loudly as the cast took their bow and the curtain dropped. Mrs. Kim was out of her seat before you or Chan could speak, but the sour taste lingered in your mouths as you both moved with your parents to find Rosie.

"Y/N! Did you see me!? Was I cool!?" Rosie screams your name from the side of the stage, and you smile as you make your way over to her. She wraps her arms around your neck as you nestle her to your hip, kissing her cheek, "you were so cool, babycakes. Come on, Channie's gonna take our picture, okay?"

The night went on smoothly, but you and Chan continued to share glances as the majority of the cast and their parents moved to your mother's restaurant. Mrs. Kim ate with an annoyed look settled in her brows, and you felt Chan hold you back from saying anything one too many times as your mother gave a toast.

She even congratulated Mrs. Kim's son on being casted as Santa's very first reindeer, the boy smiling as your mother mentioned the importance of his character.

"Glad to see someone knows the story," Chan mumbled in your ear, and you bit back your laughter as his phone buzzed against your thigh. You glance down at it, and he covers it quickly, shoving it into his pocket before kissing your cheek, "it's Mingyu. I'll be right back."

You hadn't seen Mingyu's name on the screen.

You'd seen an unsaved number.

You ignore the sinking feeling in your stomach as you nod quietly, his hand squeezing your hip as he slinks away. He makes his way outside, and you can still see him through the window — a grin on his face as he pulls his phone out of his pocket and checks whoever messaged him. He's flushed, as he scrolls through something, zooming in and tilting his head the way he does when he's intrigued by something. He swipes out of it, his thumbs clicking around the screen and sending off a message.

You don't see anything else because Rosie tugs at your sleeve, asking you if you'll get her a slice of the black forest cake your mother had made. You agree, swallowing the nausea in your throat as you scurry to the back.

"You're looking green, honey." Your mother's voice cuts through the air as you shakily cut the cake for Rosie, giving her a thick slice on a paper plate and making sure she takes it with both hands. She thanks you as she skips back out of the kitchen, and you glance at your mother. Her eyes are expectant, and you nibble on your lip.

"I didn't get into the university across town," you sigh, and her eyes soften. It's not a lie, obviously — but you're not going to bring up your relationship and it's potential problems up to your mother. She gives your shoulder a soft squeeze, "it's okay, honey. You've still got, what, six letters? I'm sure you'll get in somewhere."

"Yeah! Me too," you nod quickly, "I'm just bummed. I hope I at least get back into my undergrad, it would be embarrassing if I didn't."

"You will, honey." She snorts, pinching your cheek, "Now, come on. I need to rub Mrs. Kim's face in the fact that she couldn't buy Rosie's spot in the play. Can you believe she tried to bribe the teacher into letting her son be Rudolph? Despicable."

You gaped as you followed behind her, Chan still standing outside. He was still smiling, but he was speaking on the phone. He was leaning against the building, fingers toying with his lip the way he does when he's excited. His brows move as he speaks, his teeth sinking into his lower lip as he nods.

"Actually, Mom, I think I'm gonna cut out early." You clear your throat, and her eyes widen as she looks at you — but something on your face must give you away because her brows furrow.

"Honey, are you okay?" Her voice is hushed as she holds a hand to your cheek, feeling around as your father makes eye contact with you across the room. He excuses himself from his conversation just as Chan makes his way back inside, forcing himself to neutralize his expression before stepping back into the main room.

"Are you alright, Y/N? You look…stressed." Your father's voice is low as he, too, presses his hands to your face, and you bat them both away as you nod.

"Yes, I'm fine! I'm not sick, I'm not pregnant, so don't worry." You assure them, but your voice is thick the way it is before you start crying. Worry flashes across their faces, and you press a kiss to each of their cheeks before you feel Rosie tug at your dress, "are you leaving, Y/N?"

"I don't feel well, babycakes." You pout as you crouch to be eye-level with her, and she frowns as you carefully fix her antlers. "You did so well, though! You're super duper cool, the best Rudolph I ever did see."

She perks up slightly, and you wipe her face of cake crumbs before pressing a kiss to her forehead, "I'll see you at home, yeah? I gotta wrap your presents, too."

You wiggle your brows at her as she hugs you tight, bidding you goodbye excitedly. You wave at your parents, giving Chan a firm look that catches him by surprise. You push the door open, pulling your jacket over your shoulders and storming out of the building. He follows behind you, grabbing your wrist as you round the corner to the back of the parking lot.

"Woah, hey. What's got you in such a rush?"

"I want to go home. I have things to do." You reach into your pocket for the keys, only to remember that Chan drove you both. "Give me the keys, I'll drive."

"Not like that, you won't." He scoffs, and you twist your wrist out of his hand with a huff, "Y/N, what's gotten into you?"

"Nothing, I just want to go home. I need to wrap gifts and I need a damn drink." You run your hand over your face, blowing a breath out your lips as you look at him, "what did Mingyu want?"

He stiffens, but recovers quickly as he shrugs, "said he's got prerolls and we should join him and Hosh tomorrow after work. They're going into the city for last minute gift shopping, but they should be back before the snow is supposed to hit tomorrow."

You tongue your cheek, eyeing him before you take a step closer. He raises a brow at you, "what?"

"You giggle while talking on the phone with your cousin?" You ask, crossing your arms on your chest as Chan rolls his eyes. "Do you?"

"You don't laugh with your cousins?" "I don't have cousins, you know that."

"Y/N, what are you trying to get at?" He says flatly, "are you just looking for reasons to fight? Because I'm getting really sick of it lately."

You must look some kind of way because he sighs, running a hand over his face, "I didn't mean it like that—"

"Give me the keys." Your voice is plain, level. You hold your hand out, and he shakes his head, "I'm not letting you drive like this."

You shove your hands into your pockets out of frustration, feeling your mother's dolphin keychain rub your palm. Your eyes widen, and you pull the keys out and click around, your mother's car across the lot. You glance at Chan over your shoulder, before clicking your tongue.

"Might want to ask Soonyoung if he'll fork your bed over tonight." You turn your nose up, your heels clicking against the pavement as Chan moves to block your path. "Move."

"Y/N, I really don't want to do this tonight, okay? I'm sorry, I'm not trying to make things more difficult—" "You're not doing anything, Chan. I just want to go home. So move." "You're calling me Chan and you haven't called me that since we got back to campus last year so don't act like you're not upset with me."

"Chan, I'm going home." You state, a finality to your voice that he doesn't like as he shakes his head, "we're going home together."

"You weren't talking to Mingyu on the phone." "So what if I wasn't?"

"Then who was it?" Your voice comes out softer than you intend it to, and you're annoyed at the tears pricking the back of your eyes when you hear your mother yelling your name. You push Chan away slightly, turning around to see your mother looking around for you. You wave your hand, walking away from Chan quickly as she holds up a stack of envelopes.

"Honey, I'm sorry," she's out of breath as she reaches you, holding them out. "The mailman dropped these off here right after you left and I didn't get a chance to get them to you. Good luck!"

She scurries back inside, and your name is stamped across all the envelopes with several university seals. You chew on your lip, shoving the envelopes in your pockets and taking a deep breath.

"Please, let me take you home." Chan's voice is in your ear, and you shake your head, feeling your earrings swing.

"I'll see you later, Chan." You murmur, skirting around him and making your way to the car.

He doesn't follow you this time.

YOU WENT TO BED WITHOUT OPENING ANY OF THE ENVELOPES, AND IT'S BEEN A WEEK SINCE YOU'VE SEEN CHAN.

He texted you several times, calling you at least twice a day before you sent him a simple stop. He didn't, and you silently muted your conversation thread, ignoring the flooding messages and fiddling with the ring on your finger that said he was yours.

And you were his, of course.

That wasn't the part you were questioning.

You drove yourself to work — making both sets of parents felt the shift between you and Chan. Your little sister felt it, too, as you hoisted her into your backseat and drove her around with you to run errands for your mother and then drop her off to spend the day with your father at the shop — giving Chan a nod in greeting.

The way he frowned made your heart sink, but he didn't beg. He didn't plead, he didn't force you to speak to him and you were glad he didn't. You were really glad he didn't, because he was giving you the space you wanted even if it was clearly hurting him, too. You saw the way his hands twitched at his sides to touch you, the way he shifted in his seat at dinner — the way his eyes pleaded with his parents not to ask any questions and how they listened.

You went out for breakfast alone to avoid speaking to him, and you took yourself to the shop for your snow tires — the snow starting to layer slowly over the course of the passing days. Mingyu and Soonyoung were finally done with their gift shopping, and Chan hadn't been home until nightfall for the last two days…

"It's Christmas Eve," your mother sang, prancing through the living room with her big dress held against her chest. Yours was a soft pink this year, and you snickered from your spot on the couch as she ruffled your hair, "go get ready!"

"I will, I will." You pushed off the couch, shaking your head as you made your way back into your bedroom. You closed the door behind you, glancing at the envelopes on your vanity. You chewed on your lip, sighing as you grabbed the stack and stood at your desk, picking up a letter opener and taking a deep breath.

"It's not a big deal." You whispered to yourself, slicing through the envelope and unfolding it.

Rejected.

You're on envelope number three when Chan slips into your bedroom. You don't notice him, your vision blurry as you read the same words for the fourth time, after much consideration, we regret to inform you…

"Stupid," your voice is thick as you mutter to yourself, crumpling the paper slightly in your hand when you feel his chin on your shoulder. You don't bother fighting it, leaning into his warmth as a singular tear drops onto the paper. "Hey."

"Hey." He murmurs, his arms wrapping around your waist as he sighs. You don't like the way your heart picks up at his touch, your hands reaching for the next envelope. He pushes them out of your hands, slotting the letter opener back into your cannister of pencils before pulling you away from the desk. He turns you around, caging you against the vanity as he peers down at you.

"Are you still—" "Who were you on the phone with?"

He sighs, resting his forehead against your shoulder, "I don't have to tell you everything I do, Y/N."

"If there's someone else, just end this now."

He looks up immediately, "what? What did you say?"

You breathe out shakily, picking at your nails between your bodies as your lip trembles, "if there's someone else—"

He doesn't let you finish, crashing his lips to yours. The kiss is hungry, angry, even — like he's trying to prove a point. His hands are tight on your hips, pulling you flush to his chest, "never, ever would I do that to you, baby. There is no one else but you. Ever."

"But you—"

"I promise. I'd never step out on you like that. I told you I'd do right by you and I meant that, your honor is mine, too." His eyes are soft as you pout, "seriously? That's what you thought was happening? You think I'd do that to you?"

"No," you admit, covering your teary eyes with your hands, "God, I don't know. I'm just…I'm sorry. Everything fucking sucks and the weather is changing and we are changing, I feel crazy. I think I'm going crazy."

"You're not going crazy," he speaks gently, his hands stupidly comforting as they slide up and down your hips, squeezing lightly. "We are changing. Things are changing, time is passing. You're allowed not to like it."

"Then why is no one else freaking out? Why does it feel like I'm the only one?" You speak behind your hands, and his own wrap around your wrists, moving your arms to wrap around his neck before he presses a kiss to each of your eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks…one to your lips. "Chan."

"We are freaking out. I'm waiting on letters, too. I'm waiting for answers just like you are, just like everyone else. I want to make you proud, too. I want to make my parents proud, your parents, shit, even Rosie. I know you want that too, and knowing that you're doing this with me makes it easier. So what if we don't get into a couple of schools? We're bound to get into one, you know? We're moving down the path we're meant to, at the pace were supposed to. You want all your answers now and that's just not how it works, babe."

"I miss you," you hug him tightly, "I miss sleeping next to you every night."

He sags in your hold, his arms tight around your waist as he trails kisses down your shoulder, "I miss you, too. God, I miss you."

"Sleep here tonight." "I will." "And tomorrow night."

"Okay," he nods as you sniffle, "dumbass."

"Fuck you!" You bury your face in his neck despite yourself, feeling him smile against your skin, "Chan, stop."

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry." He peppers his lips along your cheeks, kissing the pout on your lips twice before matching your expression. "I haven't seen you in a week because of this shit."

"You still haven't told me who you were on the phone with." "I don't have to."

You must look unimpressed, because he rolls his eyes, pulling his phone out and clicking around before pointing at the unsaved number. He presses the information icon.

Maybe: Diamond Life Apartments.

You tongue your cheek as he kisses it, tossing his phone on your vanity as you huff.

"And the pictures?" "Units that fit our budget. How did you even see that?"

You don't reply, slotting your lips with his. He melts into you, his hips pressing against yours before his hands slip under the waistband of your sweatpants. His thumbs brush the lace of your panties, and he pulls away to pull the sweatpants down — peering down at the white fabric. You shove his hand away, "you're not supposed to see that."

He nods slowly, but his fingertips pluck at the collar of your shirt, and you cover your chest with your hand before he can see the matching white lace of the bra. He nods again, fighting back his smile.

"You're fucking me tonight, aren't you?" "In your dreams."

"Yeah, you're in all of them." He speaks between kisses to your lips, "with the house…the ring…anything you want."

Your cheeks grow hot as he teasing his fingertips beneath the waistband of your sweatpants, "it's our anniversary and we're spending it with our parents and getting stoned with my cousins. Isn't that such shit?"

"You asked me to be your girlfriend on Christmas Eve, Chan. You knew it would be this way." "Stop calling me Chan. You're pissing me off."

"Don't care, that's your name," you shrug, your breath hitching in your throat as his hands cup your ass. He kisses down the column of your throat, nipping at the skin, "aren't you supposed to be getting dressed, baby?"

"How come you can call me Y/N for the last three weeks but I call you Chan and I get the paddle to my ass?" You huff, feeling him smile against your neck before he meets your eyes again.

"You told me that you didn't like it when I called you cute names while we were fighting, but we've been fighting everyday so I didn't know when I could or couldn't." He says pointedly, your eyes narrowing as he presses another kiss to your lips, "and if you wanna try a paddle, we can—"

"Shut up." "But you're so pretty bent over my knee…whining for more—" "Lee Chan."

He squeals as you poke his sides, pressing another kiss to your cheek before pulling his hands out of your sweatpants.

"But, seriously. Look at me," his hand grabs your jaw gently, making you meet his eyes, "it's just you and me. Okay? I'd never do that to you. In a million years."

"A million and one?" "It's an imposter. Not me."

"Okay," you mumble, blinking up at him as he cooes, pressing a kiss to your puckered lips. "You're so cute, baby. I love you."

"Uh huh." "Say you love me back or I'm keeping your gift for myself."

"Now I sound materialistic if I say it back," you point out, making him huff as you let out a chuckle. "I love you. Get out, I have to get dressed."

"Just a peek?" "You already got your peek." "Is it at least sheer?"

"Chan, get out of my bedroom." You state plainly, jerking your thumb in the direction of the door, and he pouts but moves away slightly. You turn around, your hands moving to grab your hairbrush when you feel his hand on your back. You roll your eyes as it snakes through your hair, tugging gently as he presses his hips against your ass. Your eyes flutter shut as you feel his bulge press into you through the thin fabric of your sweatpants.

"Just for good measure, you know I'm only yours, right?" His voice is low against your ear, and you hum in the affirmative as his other hand lightly drags a finger down the column of your throat, wrapping gingerly at the base with a soft squeeze. "And you're mine, right? All of you. Mine."

"Yours," you breathe out, and his fingers in your hair let go gently, soothing your scalp before both hands trail down to your chest, cupping your tits firmly, the rough material of your bra helping the friction against your nipples. You can't help but push your hips back against him, feeling his teeth nip at your earlobe.

"All of you." "All of me."

"Good girl, baby." He kisses the shell of your ear, "I'll see you later, beautiful."

Dinner is even slower than last year.

You're happily surrounded by family, and you can tell your parents noticed you and Chan are back on speaking terms. None of them say anything, simply watching the way he whispers about your mother's dress while unwrapping your silverware, the way you press a kiss to his cheek when he asks you to pass the salt, the way you both blush furiously when Rosie scrunches her nose at you and asks if she can be your flower girl when you get married.

Of course, you both say yes.

The questions you once hated are no longer asked. Your parents (read: your mother) no longer badger you about when you're getting married, when you're having kids, when you're settling down — instead, all four of them turning the focus on Chan. They ask him when he'll be proposing, when he's going to get his act together, when he's going to start thinking about your futures together and apart — and you can't help but smile smugly as he sinks in his chair. You eat your food silently, letting him drown in the questions as he gently nudges your foot under the table every time it's a 'we' question rather than a 'he' question.

"You're cynical," he murmurs as everyone gathers back around the front door, saying their nightly goodbyes and Rosie is leaning against your hip as your mother and Mrs. Lee have a laugh. Your father takes her swiftly, tucking her into her carseat in the back of his car before you and Chan get a chance to say your flurry of goodbyes and kissed cheeks.

"I thought it would never fucking end," you scrunch your nose as you take your coat off in the passenger seat, your dress rustling as you sink into the comfortable felt seats of your car. He snorted, "you? What about me!? You left me to die out there."

"We die like men, Lee Chan. I listened to them for years!" "…Very true, very valid and I'm sorry."

"Yeah, you should be." You mutter, but he doesn't start the car. You spare a glance his way, seeing him already staring at you. "What now?"

"Did I tell you how pretty you look tonight?" He leans over the center console, innocently running his eyes over you. You raise a brow, "yes, Chan. You cried in my bedroom and told me I looked like Ariel if she slayed and had a voice when she met Prince Eric."

"Or Princess Peach." "Both are princesses, are you trying to tell me something?"

"That I know no other characters with pink dresses." He kisses your cheek, "and that—"

"If you call me your princess I'm gonna throw up." "But you are." "Bleugh, next."

"I've called you that before and you've never complained," he snorts, turning the car on as you roll your eyes. You hate the way your cheeks heat, your fingers toying with the pink tulle of your dress before you peer over at him as he peels out of the parking lot.

"What are you giving me this year?" "All my love." "Chan."

"It's true!" He argues as he slows to a stop at the end of the street, preparing to drive up to the spot where Mingyu and Soonyoung said they'd be waiting for you both. It was your spot, technically — Mingyu and Soonyoung just happened to stumble across it when you and Chan snuck up there to get a little touchy-feely in his car during your graduation party with the excuse of buying more chips.

"Babe, come on." You whine, tugging at his suit jacket as he tongues his cheek, pulling forward as the light turns green, "you can't say I'm your princess and not tell me."

"I didn't get to say it, you cut me off. Bleugh, next, if I recall correctly." "I'll suck your dick if you tell me right now."

"Tempting offer," he reaches over, pinching your cheek between his knuckles, "but you'll wanna do that after, anyway. Trust me."

"I don't like you very much right now." You cross your arms on your chest, your fingers toying with the pendant of the little gold necklace you wore today. Your dress was floor-length with long sleeves and a square neckline, and you'd worn your hair down and back at Rosie's instruction. She'd begged you to do her hair like yours, and you'd even slipped a little tiara into the bump of her curls.

The rest of the ride was silent aside from Chan's phone on AUX, She's My Religion by Pale Waves being the last song to play as you made your way up the hill, snow covering the patches of grass and making you scrunch your nose. He slows to a stop, turning the car off before turning to you.

"I need you to open this before we do anything else." He reaches into the glove box, pulling out an envelope. It's addressed to you but the mailbox is that of your father's shop. It's from your old university, and you glance at him as he pushes it into your chest. You take it with a sigh, shaking your head as you hastily rip it open. You slip the letter out, giving him a bored look — but there's a twinkle of something in his eyes.

"What do you know, Lee Chan?" "That I love you."

"Uh huh," you must look unimpressed, because he points at the letter, "read it."

You make a show of undoing the folds of the letter, clearing your throat, "Esteemed Y/N L/N…they're really laying it on thick, aren't they?"

"Read, baby." "I'm reading, I'm reading."

"It is my distinct pleasure to inform you…" You trail off, sitting up abruptly as the words get caught in your throat. Chan is giddy next to you, "It is my distinct pleasure to inform you that you've been granted admission as a graduate student for the P.S.M program in Biotechnology for the upcoming Spring Quarter…"

You feel your lashes wet, Chan's fingers gently wiping your cheeks, "I told you you'd get in."

"I'm gonna throw up," you blurt, your voice thick as he laughs. His arms wrap around you tightly, tears of relief streaming down your cheeks as you cried into his shoulder, "Chan, I'm going to throw up."

"No, you're not. Because this suit was very expensive and you don't want to spend your Christmas cleaning puke out of your car." His teasing tone only makes you cry harder, his hand smoothing back your back in soothing circles, "shh, I know. So stressful, huh? But now I can say I told you so…and who knows, maybe you'll get a doctorate."

"Please," you scoff, sniffling, "I can't wait for an acceptance letter to that, I might die."

"Well, if you put three different mailing addresses you'll certainly drive yourself mad, my love." "Fuck you." "God, I wish you would."

You pinch his arm as he giggles, batting you away lightly as you slump in your seat. You take a deep breath, looking at the letter on the dashboard before looking back at him, "did you get a letter?"

"Nothing yet," he shakes his head, "but that one got to the shop this morning, it would've been there all weekend if I hadn't dropped by to pick up your gift."

"Getting me a gift from my dad's store is a cheap cop-out." "I never said it was from the store, I said I went there to pick it up."

"Well, what is it?" You sniffle, closing your eyes. "And don't tell me it's something expensive, because my stomach already hurts at the money I dropped for your gift earlier."

"You might be upset if I tell you the price." "Then don't, just give it to me and pretend it was cheap." "I don't think I can."

"Why?" You peel open your eyes, only to widen them the moment you see a small velvet box in his hand. He nibbles on his lip, fiddling with the crease of it as you sit up properly, "Chan."

"Don't say my name like that." "Like what—" "Like you're about to break my heart."

"Chan," you cover your face, letting out a frustrated groan as a fresh batch of hot tears simmer in your eyes, "Chan."

"Baby, please. Just listen." He pleads, and you trill your lips to stave off a sob as he pulls your hands from your eyes, his thumb running over the promise ring he'd given you exactly a year ago. "Just listen to me."

You nod silently, a laugh of disbelief falling from his lips as he wipes his knuckles across your cheeks, "baby, stop crying."

"I can't." "You can." "I love you."

"I love you, too." He presses a quick kiss to your forehead, before he takes your hands in his. "I don't want to ever take away from your personal achievements. I am infinitely proud of you and I'm incredibly honored to be the one that calls you mine."

"Chan." Your lips tug into a pout, dragging his name out as you bury your face in his neck. He wraps his arms around you gently, kissing the side of your face as he speaks.

"This is not a proposal until you want it to be. I didn't expect this either, but I don't have another gift prepared or properly wrapped for tonight. We can hold off. I can do this another time."

You're silent in his arms, your fingers carding through the hair at the nape of his neck. It's gotten longer, long enough to tug on as you feel him keep kissing your face.

"…And you won't be upset?" "Never upset with you, my love."

"Can I see it?" You pull back slightly, and he nods, shakily popping the box open. Your pout only grows deeper as you steady his hand, planting a kiss to his temple as he turns on the courtesy lights. A thin gold band with a princess-cut diamond, and three side stones — two sapphire, one emerald. It matches your promise ring, and his. His eyes are scanning your face as he shifts slightly, "do you like it?"

"Did you ask my dad?" "And your mom. And Rosie."

"Give me your speech." You sniffle, resting your head against his. He blinks at you, and you wave him on, "go on. Let's hear it. Question and all."

"I love you." He starts, and you nod quietly, your thumb tracing his nailbeds as his other arm wraps around your waist, pulling you over the center console and sitting you in his lap. He moves the seat back slightly, and you snuggle into his chest as he takes a shaky deep breath.

"I love you, and I remember when we were in middle school and I told you that for the first time, you told me that it was selfish to say that. That I loved you, because the point of being in love was that there was no I in team. You didn't let me tell you I loved you again without interrupting me and telling me that we loved each other, and that stuck with me for a very long time. I wanted to be in love with you, forever, even if it meant constantly getting interrupted because I knew how you felt about it but I can't help but give in to that selfishness. To love you and want you all to myself, knowing that I'd never get over you if I had even just a taste of what it was like for you to be in love with me. Our relationship has taken the worst times of my life and made them all that much sweeter, and amongst it all, you've made me a better man. I know I have a lot to live up to, and I know I've made you so many promises…and I intend to keep each and every one of them. I will always, always embrace your individuality and I always want things to be as easy as they've always been between you and me. You call my name, and I'll come. If time is the issue, if school is the issue, if I am not man enough for you yet, I will wait. Patiently, and I will be better for you. I will do everything I can to be the man you need, and in turn, I want you to be everything you've ever wanted. I want you to feel fulfilled. My love for you is rooted in selfishness, I will never deny that, and even if you deny me now, or tomorrow, or in ten years time…I'll still love you endlessly, if it means you're happy with yourself, and your honor is mine even if mine is not yours. I know this is a lot of me, me, and me…but I hope you'll have me, anyway. Will you…marry me?"

You nod your head silently, putting up your hand. It trembles slightly as you tap the box with your ring finger. He takes it out quickly, sliding it down your finger with shaky hands as you both hear a car pull up into the snow. You don't give him a chance to speak, pressing your lips to his as his thumb adjusts the ring on your finger before you move to hold his face gently. It's cold against his cheek, you can tell by the way he flinches — until you hear the slam of a car door.

"I love you." You mumble against his lips, "we're going to go up there for an hour, pretend we care about what they have to say, then I'm going to pretend I'm cold and you're going to walk me down here and I'm fucking you in the backseat. Do you understand?"

"Yes," he's breathless as he looks up at you, "yes ma'am."

"Perfect. Let's go get fucking blitzed." You pat his cheek, before turning back, "and yes, by the way. I will marry you."

"Great," he nods, but there's a gloss over his eyes that tells you the feigned nonchalance is not nearly enough to contain his emotions. You press a kiss to his lips again, "I love you, so much."

"I know." "Say it back, dipshit."

"There she is," he smiles, making you huff as he chuckles, wiping his eyes carefully, "I love you, honey."

"Are you still going to cry at our wedding?" "I could cry right now." "No balls."

Tears start to stream freely down his face as you gape, quickly wiping his cheeks as you plant your lips all over his face, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry—"

"I love you so much, Y/N." "I know, I know I love you, honey—"

A knock on the window makes you both jump, and you quickly cover Chan's face by holding him to your chest as you crack the window. You raise a brow as you look up at Mingyu, "yes?"

"Are you guys gonna get out or make out, 'cause I got shit to do." Soonyoung interjects from behind him, and the taller man nods and shrugs as he steps back. You roll your eyes, "you never change, Hosh."

"You're still hot, too." He says smugly, and Chan scoffs from against your chest, rolling the window down blindly and pointing a finger at his cousin, "I'll fucking end you, shithead."

"Yeah, because a little guy with lipstick stamps all over his face is going to beat my ass." He teases, and you give him an unamused look as you roll up the window, "we'll be right there."

"Don't get stuck, now." He turns on his heel, whistling as Mingyu shakes his head and follows up the hill.

"I like the lipstick stamps, thank you very much." He mutters, his arm around your waist tightening before he peppers kisses at the base of your throat, "you still want that summer wedding?"

"In the woods? "Like in Breaking Dawn?" "I'm getting déjà vu."

"Mmh." He keeps kissing up your neck, his hand finding yours and interlacing your fingers as he trails up your jaw, "you smell so fucking good."

"Keep it in your pants. Twenty minutes." You breathe out, but you lean into his lips more. He tugs at your earring, "I'm already hard."

"Not my problem." "It is. Did you know my girl's goin' to grad school?"

"Is she, now?" You run your free hand through his hair as he kisses your cheek repeatedly, but you tug him back, earning a soft whine and a rut against your thigh from his hips. "Get it together, baby."

"Just touch me a little. Spit in my mouth, even." "You're insane." "About you."

You plant a kiss on his lips, reaching into your seat to grab your coat and pulling it over your shoulders as he pouts, kissing up your neck. You hate how easily your underwear sticks to you, but you ignore the throbbing sensation and unlock the door — your hand easily finding his buldge over his pants and giving it a tight squeeze.

"Behave," you mutter sternly, his eyes wide as he nods. His lips part slightly, and you roll your eyes as you lean over slightly. He instinctively opens his mouth for you, sticking his tongue out and letting you spit onto it. He lurches forward to kiss you, and you let him meet your lips as you feel him grinding against your palm greedily. You give him another squeeze, swallowing his gasp before pushing the door open, "don't act up, Lee Chan."

"Tell me you love me." "I love you." "I could literally cum right now."

"Get out of the car, idiot." You roll your eyes again, but don't fight back the smile that graces your lips as you zip up your coat. He slides out shortly after, clearing his throat as he adjusts himself in his pants.

"One hour," he holds up a finger as he grabs your hand, and you raise a brow. "Easy. I've got this."

Not easy, and neither of you got this.

Chan is quietly listening to Mingyu talk about how he's finally got a foot in with Tzuyu from the jewelry shop in town, a long time friend of yours. You're listening to Soonyoung talk about his boyfriend from back home, how he went home with his parents and they've been struggling to communicate.

You can feel his bulge under your thighs as you sit on his lap, the two of you sharing a chair Mingyu brought out from the back of his truck. You can feel him rut against you every few minutes, genuinely trying to get comfortable but failing as the softness of your thighs tightens with every movement — and you're both grateful that Mingyu and Soonyoung are too zonked too notice it. You feel a sharp inhale against your neck about twenty minutes, and you almost think he's finished in his pants — but a strained look tells you he's fine.

"So, we heard you might have some news," Mingyu suddenly says, and you cross your legs on top of Chan's as you raise a brow. He blushes something awful as he looks away, and Mingyu wiggles his brows as he hands the joint over to you. You hold it between your lips, taking a quick drag as you tilt your head, "me? News?"

"Oh, cut the shit." Soonyoung says, a shit-eating grin spreading on his lips as he leans over his knees, resting his elbows on them. "Tell us already. Confirm or perish, Miss Y/N."

You roll your eyes, holding up your left hand. They glance at it, furrowing their brows and looking at each other. Mingyu scoots closer, holding your hand to his face before Chan swats him away and pulls your hand to his chest.

"You're engaged?" Mingyu asks, confusion crossing his features as it does your own.

"Uh, yeah? Is that not what you were talking about?"

"Sure, whatever. Uh, congrats," Soonyoung waves it off, before clasping his hands together, "grad school. You got in, right?!"

Realization crosses your face as both men look giddy for your answer, excitement gleaming in their eyes and warming your chest. You bite back your smile, nodding slowly as they cheer loudly. You cover your ears as Soonyoung smothers you in a bone-crushing hug, and Mingyu smacks the back of Chan's head lightly.

"You should learn from her! She's so smart and cool and you're some frat boy." Mingyu turns his nose up at him, and you manage to free yourself from Soonyoung's embrace to rub the back of Chan's head.

"Hey! He's still waiting on his letters!" You defend him, tucking his head to your chest as Chan sticks his tongue out at them, "yeah! I'm still waiting!"

"Listen, doll." Soonyoung points at Chan, "you can't expect wifey here to carve the pavement for you to drag your nuts. Either you get into grad school or you die trying, and if you're not going to go then you build her a house with your hands."

"I know how to love my girl, thank you very much. I'd build her a palace, so fuck off." Chan smushes his face into your neck, and Soonyoung rolls his eyes, the whites dusted pink from the weed.

"God, I miss Jihoon." He slumps back on his chair. Mingyu scrunches his nose, "then call him, idiot. I'm sure he misses you, too."

"This is why Tzuyu doesn't fuck with you." "First of all, Tzuyu and I are gonna go steady. Just you wait." "She invited you to her New Year's Eve party, Mingyu. She didn't ask you on a date."

"So? She might want a New Year's kiss! I can't risk not taking any chances she might give me!" Mingyu exclaims, and Chan taps his watch quietly.

"Hour and ten, baby." He whispers into your neck, and you sigh, looking over at Mingyu and Soonyoung.

"Fellas, I hate to do this—" "No! C'mon, Y/N! We're only here for a few more days before Soonyoung makes us drive back to smooch his boyfriend!"

"Whine all you want, bud, but I'm practically freezing my toes off." You grimace, gesturing at your open-toed heels with a stiff hand. "I'm just gonna warm up. I'll be back."

"You guys might as well go home," Soonyoung scoffs, nudging Mingyu with his elbow. "I told you they couldn't hang."

"Oh! Okay!" You nod, cueing in malicious compliance as you hold the joint back out to Mingyu. He takes it suspiciously, and you grab Chan's hand and stick your tongue out at Soonyoung, "have fun missing your boyfriend while I fuck my fiancé, shithead."

The boys nearly fall over themselves trying to argue with you, but you hold your head high and pull Chan down the hill to your car. You fish the keys of his pocket, letting him pull you close and kissing your lips messily as you unlock the car.

"I know it's our anniversary," he mumbles, actively trying to pull the zipper of your coat down in the freezing winter air, "and I promise I'll make it up to you but if I'm not in you in the next five minutes, I might die."

"You won't die." "But you can take it for me, right? You're my good girl, right, baby?"

Your cheeks grow warm despite the weather, your hand finally unlocking the doors as he kisses down your neck.

"Trying to knock me up already?" "Fuck, don't say that."

His hips press against you, and you hardly have a chance to open the door fully before he's pushing you inside, the warmth engulfing you both as he slams the door shut and makes quick work of your shoes, tossing them into the front seat. You're not surprised as he kisses the arches of your feet, dragging his lips up your ankles and pushing the skirt of your dress out of the way as you try to pull off your coat.

If Chan is anything when it comes to you, it's needy.

If Chan is anything when he's stoned, it's needy.

His kisses against your thighs are wet and messy, and you hardly have time to pull the zipper of your dress down like some sort of contortionist when you feel his face pressing into the damp fabric of your panties. You hear him inhale deeply as you manage to pull the dress over your head, lazily tossing it into the front seat as you feel his tongue press against your clit through the fabric, your thighs closing around his head before he forces them apart, whining at the taste of you coating his tongue through the fabric.

Your hand pulls at his hair, your skin already slick with sweat as you make him look up. His chin and lips are already covered with your juices, "I thought you wanted to fuck me?"

"I do," he pants out, "but you look so pretty. I have to appreciate it first."

You don't get to speak again because he shoves your hand out of the way, nosing at your pussy before pulling you firmly onto his face. You cover your mouth as you gasp out, his lips sucking your clit perfectly through the soaked underwear and making your skin prickle. Your hands card through his hair, holding him firmly in place as you rock your cunt against his tongue, before you feel his fingers pull your panties to the side and dive back in. He swirls his tongue just the way you like, whines of his name falling from your lips as your thighs tremble. He pulls back, his face covered in spit and arousal when you feel his fingers run through your folds, pressing hard against your clit and tracing tight circles. Your stomach caves in slightly, thighs closing around his hand as he tuts.

"Come on, baby. Can't keep your pretty thighs open for me? Didn't you miss me?" He pries your legs open with one hand, a pout on your lips as he presses a quick kiss to them. "Don't you miss me touching you like this?"

You nod limply as the embarrassment of bringing you so close to the edge already settles in, gasping lightly as he lands a wet slap to your clit. You rut up against his hand, earning another as he kisses up the side of your neck, "always so wet for me. You love me, baby?"

"Love you," you nod frantically as his fingertips tease your entrance, "love you so much."

"Love me so much, right? Wore this cute set for me? Wanted to look so so pretty for me, right?" His whispering only makes you whimper against his neck, your hands pulling at his suit jacket when you realize he's still fully dressed. "Need words, baby."

"Take off your c-clothes," you stammer out, your fingers pawing at his tie as he nips at your neck. He smiles against your skin, "but I want to look good for you."

"I'll touch myself for you," you offer, your voice shaky as he barely dips his fingers inside you. Your own tighten, "wanna earn it. Wanna see you, please…"

"Please?" "Please, daddy."

He kisses down your chest, his free hand unbuckling his belt expertly and pulling it through the loops, tossing it somewhere in the car as he gets back down to your cunt. He sucks your clit into his mouth, pulling you onto his face harder as he slides his fingers inside you. You let a choked moan out, his fingers moving so fast you can almost taste your release on the tip of your tongue, your thighs shaking as his mouth forces you across the finish line with a hard suck. Your fingers tug at his hair, your other hand covering your swollen clit from his mouth. You can feel him pout against your knuckles, kissing them needily when you feel his tongue snake over the ring he'd just given you.

You use your foot to push his shoulders back, his eyes fixed between your thighs like a man starved. His hand wraps around your ankle, and you quickly close your legs, lifting your hips to pull your panties off. His fingers fumble with his tie as you spread your thighs again, resting your ankle on his shoulder as he pulls it off his neck and throws it aside.

"Want you." You mumble, your fingers tracing over your puffy clit with a soft groan, your head falling back against the door as he unbuttons his shirt haphazardly, straining against his pants as he untucks his shirt. You huff as he trails his eyes up, your fingers spreading your cunt open lewdly, "look here. Want you to see how much I missed your cock inside me."

"Don't say that, I won't make it out of these pants," he whines, almost breaking the zipper of his pants as you sink your fingers inside you, thrusting them in and out shallowly before pulling down the cups of your bra and cupping your chest, pinching your nipple between your fingers with soft moans falling from your lips. He fumbles with tugging his shirt off, kissing the side of your foot and up to your knee as he throws it over his shoulder. He yanks you to him as he tugs his hard cock out of his underwear, not bothering to pull them further down before he pulling your fingers out of you and pressing them against his length. He ruts against your palm, letting you smear your cum and arousal all over him before you wrap your fingers around him tightly, tapping his tip against your clit with a whine before grinding yourself against it.

"Put it inside, baby." He orders, his eyes dark as you oblige, biting your lip as you tilt your hips up and guide him into your entrance. Your breath hitches, the stretch familiar and so good as you move to wrap your legs around his waist, pulling him closer. He groans, holding himself over you, his fingers digging into the seat under you as you try to move your hips against him. His hands pin your hips to the seat, "you do this on purpose, you know."

You peer at him through your lashes, your nails digging into his shoulders as he gives you a hard thrust, your moan choked as he builds a brutal pace, "you do all these things to get me desperate and wonder why you can't fucking walk the next day."

"L-Love it," you try to reply, your thighs tight around his hips, "love it when you fuck me l-like this."

"God, I know…" his head falls forward, eyes squeezed shut as you whimper underneath him, "pussy's so fuckin' wet…feels so good, baby. You're mine, right?"

His hand wraps gently around your throat, squeezing softly as you squeeze your cunt around him, "all of you. You're mine. This pretty mouth that talks all that shit, mine…takes my cock so well, too. Right?"

His hand trails down, pulling at the middle of your bra roughly, and you hear the flimsy fabric tear as he pushes it aside. He pinches your nipple between two fingers, giving the other a soft squeeze with a grunt, "these are mine. Always been mine, gorgeous. Perfect. You love it when I paint these with my cum and you're mine, right?"

Your head is swimming as he picks up the pace, his hands squeezing your thighs in a death grip, "these are mine, too. Press these pretty thighs together and fuck my cock between them when you're not being a good girl, yeah? Make you all messy and clean you up with my tongue after. Wrap these fuckin' beautiful thighs around my head, God…you're mine, right?"

Said thighs are shaking as he buries himself to the hilt inside you, holding them apart almost painfully as his hand snakes down between them and traces circles into your swollen clit. Your hips chase the friction, watching him bite his lip as you clench around him. He lands a sharp slap to your cunt, tears pricking at your eyes at the stimulation.

"Greedy cunt's mine, too, huh?" He mutters, throwing his head back as he gives you another hard thrust of his cock, your jaw falling slack as he hits the perfect spot. "Right there, huh? Right there, baby?"

"Y-Yes," you breathe out, pinching your nipples between your fingers as he sinks into you over and over.

"Perfect fucking pussy…so wet and needy for my cock, right? Always ready for me, whenever I want…gonna fill you up, okay?" He leans forward, biting the lobe of your ear, "I own you, you know that? Bet you did. You're my smart girl, right? So smart…gonna be a grad student and make me proud, right? So proud of you, princess. I'll tell you everyday."

You nod, tears rushing down your cheeks as you feel your thighs tighening around him, feeling him sucking the soft skin under your ear before he speaks softly, "you're mine. Just like I'm yours. You own me, too, baby…be proud of me, too."

You whine loudly as your orgasm rips through you, feeling him chuckle as he quickly follows. You wrap your legs around his hips tight, pulling him into a searing kiss as you keep rolling your hips up. He takes the hint, keeping his pace as you moan into his mouth, "missed your cock so much, missed you. Love you."

"Proud of me?" "So proud of you."

CHAN ALMOST THREW UP RECEIVING HIS ACCEPTANCE LETTER TO GRADUATE SCHOOL.

And he cried. He bawled in your arms in the middle of your bedroom, holding the same letter you'd opened just days prior in his hands. You kissed him all over his face, stamping your lipstick into his skin as he cried quietly. He pulled you close, the letter long forgotten on the ground as he tried to kiss you back, eventually managing to pin you against the carpet.

Your idea of celebration was quiet and private, and your parents excitedly made a nice dinner and had Mingyu and Soonyoung over before they left for the city again. Soonyoung once more inhaled your mother's chocolate cake, but you'd winked and handed Mingyu an extra Tupperware. He thanked you with a kiss to your forehead that earned him a smack from Chan, and you'd laughed until your sides hurt.

The thing about loving Chan was just that.

His devotion to it all. To you, to loving you, to being yours. He'd never known how to be anything else, and he's admitted he never wants to know, either. He makes good on his promises — he practically worships the ground you walk on, he kisses you breathless and keeps it cool in front of your parents. Your graduate school acceptance is the biggest deal you'd known since your first words — and Chan makes it a point to keep it that way. He talks you up to anyone he can, talking about how his girlfriend is a graduate student and she's going to be the best of the best in her field. He talks about how cool and smart you are, how hardworking and sweet.

He still whispers dirty things to you in the corners of your homes, don't get it twisted — something about how pretty you are with his cock in your mouth, how you must love being treated like his 'dirty little slut' so much…but you ignore the flame in your cheeks as he kisses you innocently, slipping away like nothing happened.

You'll be back in the city soon, too. Nestled away in your apartment, walking on campus — hand in hand.

Your engagement ring is nestled beneath your shirt most days, strung on a necklace with the same locket you were wearing last year when he asked you to be his girlfriend. Neither of you said anything, but you'd quickly learned how eager he was to defile the ring and the idea of you as his, eternally — often asking you to wear it when you fooled around, getting off on the idea of calling you his wife and making sure you knew he meant it. He was going to make you his wife — smart, gentle, with a loud mouth and a soft heart, you were his for the taking. Loving, worshipping…all of it.

He owned you, your heart, and he's stuck his claim years ago.

Just like you owned him.

Just like you reassured him.

"You're mine, right? And I'm yours?" "Always. Yours, and mine."

HAOLOGRAM © 2025 ||  no translations, reposting or modifications are allowed. do not claim as your own. viewer discretion is advised. your media consumption is your responsibility.

[luvmari-owo]

WHERE WERE WE?

summary: After weeks apart, Dino finally comes home to the person he missed most. A quiet night together quickly turns playful as the two try to make up for lost time.

drabble chapter!!

themes: fluff romance and playful intimacy

pairings: svt’s dino x girlfriend!reader

notes: tried a different writing from the byeol universe. HEHE i can’t seem to get rid Dino off my mind. I hope you enjoy this:))

The front door had barely closed behind him before you were in his arms.

Weeks apart had made both of you desperate in the softest way possible. Dino had laughed the moment you nearly collided into his chest, dropping his bag carelessly to the floor before catching you by the waist and lifting you like it was nothing. The next thing you knew, you were seated on his lap on the couch, legs wrapped around his waist, fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck.

“I missed you,” you whispered against his lips.

He answered by kissing you harder.

It was warm and familiar, the kind of kiss that made time blur. His hand cradled the back of your neck, thumb brushing your skin, while the other rested securely on your waist as if he still needed to reassure himself that you were really there.

You smiled into the kiss, breathless when he kept chasing your lips every time you tried to pull away. You felt his hold tighten, his strength grounding you against him.

Then his phone rang, breaking the quiet serene moment between the two lovers.

But neither of you moved from each other, just completely lost within the moments together.

Then, his phone rang again.

Dino only tilted his head and kissed you deeper, making you laugh against his mouth as you gently pushed at his chest.

“You have to answer that.” You murmured against his lips

His brows pinched together immediately. “They can wait a few more minutes.” His voice came out low and whiny, lips already brushing yours again. “Or an hour.”

You giggled, pressing your palm flat against his chest to hold him back. “Chan.”

He groaned dramatically, dropping his forehead to your shoulder with the sound of someone deeply wronged by life itself. It made you laugh harder.

Still keeping one arm around your waist, he reached behind him for the vibrating phone and glanced at the screen.

His expression turned even more offended.

He lifted the phone so you could see.

Hoshi Hyung Calling

You bit back a grin.

“Of course,” Dino muttered before answering. He raised a brow before sending a soft teasing smirk at you. “Oh, hyung.”

You stayed curled comfortably in his lap, arms looped around his shoulders while he spoke. His voice was polite enough, but every few seconds he shot you looks of pure suffering that nearly made you laugh out loud.

As he listened, his eyes drifted over you absentmindedly.

Your sleeve seemed to had slipped down one shoulder, revealing the straps of your velvet colored bra

Without breaking conversation, Dino reached over and gently tugged the fabric back into place, smoothing the neckline with absent care. A second later, he brushed your hair away from your face too, fingers lingering at your cheek before returning to hold the phone.

The gesture was so natural, so practiced, that your chest tightened.

Even while distracted, he was always taking care of you.

You played with the curls at the back of his hair, letting your fingers trail down to the nape of his neck. He shivered slightly but kept talking, one hand squeezing your waist in silent retaliation.

Finally, he sighed. “Yes, hyung. Okay. Bye.”

He then threw his phone on the end of the couch that was next to him.

You smiled softly. “What was that about?”

Dino slumped back against the cushions. “Hoshi hyung being dramatic over something that could have been a text.”

You laughed, brushing his fringe back.

He looked at you for a moment, eyes softening completely now that the interruption was gone. Then he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear and the corner of his mouth lifted into a teasing smirk.

“Now,” he murmured, pulling you closer by the waist, “where were we, baby?”

You barely had time to giggle before he buried his face against your neck, pressing warm kisses there until you squealed and clung to him.

“Chan—” you breathlessly giggled.

He only grinned against your skin before finding your lips again, kissing you slow this time, like he had all night to make up for lost time.

[boolioo]

- 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬? -

𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: skater!chan finally bags the cute boba shop worker he’s had a small crush on since they started working across from him. who knew they were full of surprises?

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: zumiez worker!chan x tii cup worker!reader (reader is written gn, but you do have a more femme leaning aesthetic [you also buy a skirt, but that's less relevant to the plot] and wear false nails [this one is for the plot])

𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: fluff, strangers/acquaintances to lovers, meet-cute in da mall :D

𝐰𝐜: 8.1k

𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬: whipped!channie (he's a lil pathetic), mutual pining, mentions and appearances of other members (mostly vernon), skateboard terminology that may not make sense to those who don't skate (but is easy to look up), one comment of hot topic slander, egregious use of commas

𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤: california love - 2pac, roger, dr. dre | replay - iyaz | bang bang - k'naan, adam levine | everybody talks - neon trees | cupid's chokehold/breakfast in america - gym class heroes | classic - mkto | stereo hearts (ft. adam levine) - gym class heroes | troublemaker (ft. flo rida) - olly murs

𝐚/𝐧: this was supposed to be just a cute drabble- i didn't WANT to write a whole fic. sigh. oh well. shoutout to @sparkyy00 for reading all my shit as i go, and the wonderful @gent1es3xy for beta-ing. thank you both so much for keeping me going (and fueling my antics) <3 and special props to @noniesgummysmile; this one's for you babes. mmmwah !! have fun (｡•̀ᴗ-) ✧

𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲'𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐜, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 ^^

Chan was getting pretty sick and tired of organizing stickers. 

There’s really no point; considering the display was just going to get rifled through again within the next hour, and all his hard work and adhesive-residue fingers will be for naught.

Some of these stickers’ designs were terrible anyway. The brand logos he can give a pass–and his personal favorite, “The Goose is Loose” wanted poster, that one’s pretty good–but why there’s copious amounts of “i love boobies” he’ll never know. 

But, hey, a paycheck’s a paycheck so who’s he to judge. 

Despite some of the, albeit weird, setbacks, Chan wouldn’t say he hates his job. Working at Zumiez was chill; the general crowd was full of like-minded people who appreciate good, quality skate clothes and parts that they can just pop in for during their visit to the mall. He’d made some good friends through their regulars, even finding out a few went to his university.

Then there’s always the young teens who either like the aesthetic better than the Hot Topic downstairs (as they should, that place can burn), or who are interested in getting started with their first skateboard and have no idea where to begin. Building their boards and walking them through the process—while giving some of his own tips—is always the highlight of Chan’s day. 

And if he’s able to get discounts on said parts for his own boards? Hell, he’ll take it. 

Working in the mall itself was interesting. All of the stores were crammed in every which way, yet they still somehow managed to be far bigger than you’d expect; complete with giant entrances that display the vibe of each establishment pretty accurately. 

And it’s through this entrance, technically two of them, that Chan looks through now.

He’s finished with the sticker display and presently stands behind the register with his face propped up in his hand. It’s slow right now, just some guys in the back looking at trucks–with Vernon helping them–so there’s no one to give Chan grief for slacking. 

Thus, he watches; eyes wandering past the entrance to his workplace and out into the mall’s white interior. His brain has been desensitized to filter out the usual bustle, barely even registering each person that passes by. Instead he opts to focus his gaze into the shop across the way: Tii Cup.

Or, more specifically, to the person working the counter inside the boba shop. 

He doesn’t know their name. All he knows is that ever since they started working there three months ago, and he realized that their shifts almost always lined up with his, he hasn’t been able to get them out of his head. 

Chan’s seen his fair share of attractive people; everywhere in LA from his uni to this mall is full of them, a beautiful range of styles and personalities as far as the eye can see. But there’s something about them in particular that he can’t seem to look away from. 

Everything enticed him; from the hints at their style, white and pink accessories adorning their head and soft frills peaking out from the stark black of their uniform, to the way they carry themselves, confident and friendly, greeting each customer with a smile. 

And that smile, that damn smile.

Even from across the mall, he knows that smile radiates enough warmth to rival concrete that’s been baking in the California sun for several hours straight. 

And, oh…what he’d give to feel even a drop of its shine directed towards him; and learn how to make it stick around forever.

It’s never obvious when your whole life is going to turn on its head, is it? Chan never thought so at least. Sure, there were surprising moments, but they usually never amounted to much past that. 

So there he was, rummaging around in the back for something that a customer requested; a customer that Vernon was helping—so why is he the one having to go box diving like it’s an extreme sport? Whatever, he found what he needed and shut the supply closet door with his foot. A faint clatter rang out behind him, sounding a little too close to one of the bigger boxes on the higher shelves deciding to jump ship.

Chan winces, but opts not to acknowledge whatever damage is behind those doors in favor of leaving it as payback for Vernon later.

He steps out onto the floor again and beelines to where Vernon waits by the case of skateboard wheels. Chan shoots him a small glare, stepping behind the counter and handing the customer their requested item: Slime Balls, in a nice teal color with light up LEDs. A solid set of wheels; they have good taste.

The customer completes their purchase, with the addition of one of the dreaded “i love boobies” stickers–Chan has to resist the urge to strangle himself–and exits the shop. 

Chan’s eyes trail after them, casually drifting around the shop again. There’s a few more customers milling about; a mother helping her son try on skate shoes, a couple browsing the wall of jeans, and some poor soul in the back who can’t seem to make up their mind on which deck decals they wanted.

Chan could only chuckle at their struggle before his gaze is drawn back to the front with the arrival of another group.

It was a close knit group of four, all casually chatting with one another as they walked in and immediately turned left towards the bedazzled pink women’s clothing section.

Each of them looked like they were right at home there with the vibe they gave off; it was like they all stepped right out of a pastel rewrite of a 2000s chick flick. Pink tones and neutral patterns were mixed with denim and layered accessories that to some would be considered gaudy, but they made it look effortless. 

Their combined laughter bounced off the racks and filled Chan’s ears, causing him to smile. He liked seeing people happy; it was probably the best look anyone could wear, he thought.

One of the figures that had been standing in the back, clad head to toe in varying shades of pink and yellow, turned their head to look around the shop more, landing on Chan.

He met their gaze and his smile dropped.

You.

 “I never understood what you saw in him anyways.”

“Oh please, like your taste is any better.”

“Hey–”

“Can y’all shut up for a sec and answer my question. Which belt?”

You grinned at your friend's antics, stepping in between the bickering to aid in Holly’s dilemma, “Go with the bullet belt, it matches your fishnet top.”

Holly’s eyes lit up and she nodded, placing the other belt–a clear plastic one with a heavy buckle–back on its hook. 

“It’s nice to know that someone around here actually cares about my date tonight,” she drawled, draping the bullet belt over her arm. “Because unlike some people,” She gestured between the two at your sides. “I can actually keep a man.”

Lang’s shoulders raised to your right as he feigned a gasp. “How dare you- I’ll have you know each of my partners has found me wonderful. A true delight!”

Seojun reached around you to flick him in the forehead. “Uh-huh. Sure, buddy. And that’s why you’ve got a body count long enough to rival Santa’s list. Did you make sure to check it twice?” 

“EIGHT IS NOT A LONG LIST–”

Seojun burst out laughing, “Eight-! In two years bro! You can’t look me in the eye and tell me that’s normal.” He trailed off into a fit of giggles, wiping his hand on your shirt like he could rid himself of the potential contamination that was Lang’s terrible boyfriend capabilities. You smacked his arm in return.

Placing both your hands on their backs, you shoved them forwards to follow Holly. “Just be quiet and help her already. That’s the whole reason we even brought you guys in the first place.” 

The two of them grumbled but begrudgingly walked after her, leaving you to close the gap and leisurely hang back behind the group. 

You snickered, shoving your hands in your pockets and letting your eyes wander around the store.

Zumiez was cool; you liked shopping here–albeit not very often. The floor-to-ceiling stacks of clothes and cramped racks of hoodies and jackets was the exact mix of organized chaos that you thrived in. And while you wouldn’t quite consider yourself drawn to the more loose and dark skater clothes that they did supply, there was a smaller section that had items more your speed. There were plenty of cropped hoodies that layered perfectly over variously colored graphic baby tees, which matched the plethora of bottoms and shoes you already had at home.

But today you’re not here for yourself, so you take it slow.

Your eyes trail over the stickers plastered on the fake graffiti walls. Most of them are ones that they sell, go figure. Once your gaze lands on one too many “i love boobies” stickers (why is there a whole column of them lined up one right after the other-), you switch your sights to the register; where, to your surprise, another pair of eyes was waiting for you.

Oh-

He realizes he’s been caught and quickly ducks his head. Your eyes remain glued to him, and as if he can feel your stare drilling into the back of his head, you watch as his ears start turning pink. 

Oh. 

Oh, he really is adorable.

Tii Cup was not your first choice when looking at job options; especially when it was located in a mall, of all places. 

However, you’re a college student; you need the money—and more options, of which there are none. Alas, beggars can’t be choosers.

And thus is the story of how you got stuck at Tii Cup. 

It’s not all bad, though; you’ve actually come to enjoy it the longer you’re here. Your coworkers are incredibly friendly and accommodating to your inexperience, and making drinks is more relaxing than you’d think. Plus, you’re rarely bored with the steady stream of mall goers constantly coming and going, so there’s always a new face to talk to. 

But there was one face that caught your eye, cementing itself in your brain even though he never set foot in your place of work.

He was gorgeous; fluffy brown hair falling into his eyes that he would frequently try to blow out of the way, and an adorable toothy smile accompanied by a distinctive laugh that rang all the way across the mall into your ears.

When you heard his laugh, faint as it may have been, for the first time while working, your head whipped in the direction it was coming from. You wanted–no, needed–to know where that sound came from. 

And you found it across the mall, in the store facing you: Zumiez.

It seemed he mostly worked the register, not unlike yourself, but you’d sometimes see him restocking products along the walls (and staring at the higher shelves like he was wrestling with his pride on whether or not to grab a ladder).

How you could discern all of that by the tiny pinprick of his figure you could see from behind the drink counter was an unsolved mystery. Not that you were keen on looking away anyways.

Bright. That’s how you’d describe him.

And that description rang true the more you observed him as you followed your friends through the shop.

After he’d broken the little staring contest you had going, he seemed determined to avoid looking at you again–or be caught looking, that is. He thought he was slick, but you could still sense his gaze on you when your attention was elsewhere. It was amusing really. 

You weren’t planning on getting anything for yourself today, you were mostly here for support and regulating Lang and Seojun’s antics, but that was before a denim skirt caught your eye. It was sturdy, with deep pockets (or as deep as you can get with a shorter skirt), and perfect for bedazzling.

And if it gave you an excuse to talk directly to the cute boy behind the counter, well, you grinned.

Say no more.

Chan wasn’t panicking. 

Certainly not. 

He just thought you were cute, that’s all. And he didn’t dare entertain any thoughts about interacting past that.

So, no, he wasn’t actively fighting internal combustion at the sight of your group approaching the register. 

Although, to be fair, he should have expected this. It was a fifty-fifty draw as soon as your group stepped in the store on whether you’d walk out with a purchase or not; thus, meaning he’d have to interact with one or all of you. Good thing he’s not a gambling man because he’s currently losing that bet.

He plastered on his best “customer service” smile to hide the torment.

“Hey there! Did we find everything okay today?”

“Absolutely,” Holly responded, placing the belt and a newly acquired pair of jeans on the counter. She snickered. “I hope we weren’t too much of a ruckus on your slow day.”

Chan shook his head, hair flopping in front of his eyes once more, “Not at all. Consider it a welcome distraction.” He flicked the stubborn hairs away, shooting her a boyish grin.

Holly exhaled in mock relief, “Thank goodness, I don’t know what I would’ve done if these jeans were kept from me for even a minute longer. Thanks to some people—“ She shot a glare over her shoulder.

Lang stuck his tongue out, the metal barbell pierced through it reflecting the fluorescent overheads, while Seojun didn’t even look up from the game on his phone.

Holly clicked her own tongue. “And just between you and me,” She leaned over the counter conspiratorally. “Those two numbskulls need to quit it with the romantic tension or I’m gonna smash their heads together myself.”

Chan snorted, his smile turning genuine as his shoulders eased a bit. His peripheral glazed over the rest of the group, before catching your eyes again and immediately shooting back to what he was doing.

Right. A customer is making a purchase.

Work the register, Chan.

His body slipped into autopilot; folding the jeans with enough skill–or required training–to make his mother proud. Placing the items in a tote bag and tearing a receipt from the printer, he handed Holly her items, bid her good day, and resigned himself to watching you all leave and go back to his normal routine of only seeing you from a distance.

At least, that’s how it should go, right?

The drawer to the register clicked shut with finality, which couldn’t be said for Chan’s heart when he looked up and found you standing directly in front of him (on the other side of the counter, obviously). 

You grinned, sliding forward the skirt you’d grabbed, and Chan took a deep breath to recenter himself—and remember how to form sentences. “Hello, find everything alright?”

Your eyes crinkled as you nodded, “Yep! Wasn’t really looking for myself, but this caught my eye so I had to indulge.” A shrug. “And I got paid yesterday so it’s fineee.”

“Eugh, don’t I know it,” he groaned. “Any ideas for this item in particular? It’s great on its own, but I can’t imagine someone with such a distinct style like yourself–” he gestured vaguely over your outfit, various charms dangling and sparkling in the dingy shop lighting, “–would just wear it plain.” 

Your cheeks ached as your smile widened, a laugh slipping past your teeth. “Yeah, actually. I got this huge bag of pearlescent rhinestones a while back and haven’t found a chance to use them. I’ll probably end up lining the seams with them…or something like that. A gradient up maybe? I’m not quite sure yet.” It wasn’t a complete lie, you really did have a giant bag of sparkles sitting in your closet. 

Has it been there for about two years? Yes. 

Were you pulling these excuses out of thin air to self-justify your need to talk to this guy? Also yes.

Details, details.

“Well, whatever you come up with I’m sure it’ll be great.” The two of you exchanged a grin, and Chan let out a breezy laugh as he completed your purchase. He pushed forward the card terminal and you absentmindedly swiped, keeping your eyes and smile on him. 

They were stunning, he thought, matched your smile. You even had little rhinestones in the inner corners and around your waterline that further accentuated their rich jewel color.

Safe to say, Chan was starstruck. 

Warmth exuded from your presence in waves; yet all you were doing was standing there, calmly watching him and looking more gorgeous than Chan could comprehend. Well, maybe that’s a stretch, because clearly he’s of sound enough mind to realize how pathetic he’s being. 

Forget your smile being as warm as the sun, should they put you in space you'd give the center of the solar system a run for its money. 

Chan dragged a hand down his face, his eyes turning into crescents as he smiled–grimaced? He wasn’t sure. Regardless, he hands you your item and you relieve him of it.

“Thanks! I guess, I’ll see you around…?” 

“For sure!” 

For sure? What is he talking about—there’s no guarantee he’ll ever see you again from only a foot distance. “You know where to find me. Or uh…I’ll just be…here. Yeah.” Good save.

“Right,” you held his stare, taking in the layered browns of his eyes. 

An air of comfort resided in them. You’d meet his eyes and warm vats of chocolate greeted you, gently swirling with a subtle amber hue when the light hit them just right. It was like you could taste the sweetness by proxy just by looking into his gaze.

Hold on, your train of thought came to a screeching halt. 

“What’s your name? I totally forgot to ask, I’m so sorry–”

His eyes widened out of their relaxed almond shape. “Oh! No, yea—don’t worry about it!” He chuckled, running a hand through his hair (probably only worsening the bird’s nest it already was). “It’s Chan.”

You mulled it over, rolling the syllable on your tongue, your voice dripping with what Chan could only hope was something akin to fondness.

“Chan…” you mused, a small grin settling on your features. “It suits you.”

He could feel the heat creeping up his neck and rising towards his cheeks, but as soon as he opened his mouth to respond a sharp call rang out behind you.

“Yah! Flirt on your own time, I’ve got a date to get ready for!” Holly groaned.

You rolled your eyes, the rhinestones stuck to your skin shifting with the movement, and waved goodbye as you turned to make your way back to your friends. 

Chan watches you go, ruminating on the interaction, however brief.

Everything he had conjured in his mind about what you could be like couldn’t’ve prepared him for actually meeting you in person. Your confidence was exuberant, your style—no longer hampered by the heavy black uniform—was eclectic yet meticulous, and your smile made him feel like the skies had personally opened upon his person to shower him in its light on a gloomy day. 

But as he watched you walk away chattering to your friends, it was your eyes that kept coming back to him; bright and curious, sparkling like the jewels that surrounded them. Yes, the eyes of…

Chan yelped, grabbing your attention as you turned around from where you stood at the entrance to the store.

“Wait—I never got your name,” he called, nervously fiddling with the ends of his sleeves.

You met his gaze, smiling as your name fell from your lips. 

And just like that, you were gone, dragged out by your impatient posse; leaving Chan in awe of your bedazzled eyes and only one word ringing through his head:

Pretty…

The weekend passes. Chan alternates himself between schoolwork, work, and squaring up with his past self in the mental arena of regrets.

He’d spoken to you, gotten you to laugh, even managed to get your name—which was still bouncing around his head like a screensaver logo.

And he’d forgotten to ask for your number.

The wall would look great with a head-shaped dent, wouldn’t it?

Vernon was no help; as soon as Chan finished relaying the tales of his misfortune, he’d just shrugged.

“Well, you got their name; why don’t you just go up to them at work and ask? You’re already on some level of familiarity. It wouldn't be that weird.”

Chan shut him down immediately. Go up to them at their work? What is he, some desperate creep jumping at the first chance he gets now that he has your name? Nope. No, no, no.

He groans, slumping forward on the register counter and hiding his face in his arms. He hears Vernon sigh, and his receding footsteps as he leaves Chan to man the front. 

He just slumps over further, his back curling like he suddenly acquired his own turtle shell to crawl into, practically begging the floor to disappear under him.

Abandoned.

Abandoned in his time of distress by his only companion, how could he. 

Chan’s mental cursing of his coworker’s bloodline is interrupted by a soft voice.

“Uhm, Chan? Are you okay-?”

His head whips up fast enough to audibly crack. 

You wince at the sound, “Dude–that sounded like it hurt like hell. Are you okay?”

Chan doesn’t even notice the throbbing in his temple (he will later, though; Vernon will reprimand him too), taking in your worried expression and new, equally elaborate outfit for today. Blue seems to be the theme this time around. Nice. Blue is nice. It looks good on you.

Pick up your jaw, Chan, the floor is disgusting.

He clears his throat, straightening up and shifting his weight to shake out the pins and needles from leaning over too long. “Yeah, uh, I'm fine. Perfectly fine. What’re you doing here? Wait, no–that came out wrong. Uhm.” Oh, someone end him. “How can I be of service to you on this fine afternoon?” Sure, that works.

You smile and brandish a bag that he only just now noticed you were carrying. “Turns out, I can’t read,” you sigh dramatically, “ I got the wrong size and need a bigger one. This one couldn’t even make it past my thighs.”

Chan decides to slam shut the door to whatever thoughts that comment entails, and instead responds, like a normal person. 

“Hm…well we just changed our floor layout yesterday, and I don’t think I remember seeing that skirt for sale anymore.” He frowns, mouth forming into an adorable pout that makes you want to poke his cheeks.

“But then again,” he notes, “Vernon was the one who did the women’s side this time around, so I could ask him if you’d like? Or even check the back; since it’s so recent we might have a few left over.”

“That’d be great! I don’t mean to make you do more work than this is worth though–sorry about that.” 

He waves away the comment, “Nonsense. This is literally my job.” He steps out from the register and scans the store for that familiar face. No luck, must be in the back. “I’ll be back in a jiffy,” he winks. 

Jiffy? He can’t walk away fast enough. 

Fortunately for Chan, they did have some extras left.

Unfortunately, he forgot to see what size you were returning.

So when he returned with four skirts in tow, he had to ignore the small red tint to his cheeks as he took in your confusion. “I forgot to ask what size you needed…so hopefully, one of these works..?” C’mon ground, open up already.

Thank goodness you laughed. 

“Of course, no worries!” You scanned over the skirt’s tags, settling on one that was about two sizes up. 

“I think this should do it,” you mused, “it was really only the waist that was a problem, seeing as I couldn't try anything past that. So if I just…” Grabbing the two ends of the skirt along the waistline, you raised it and wrapped it around your neck to measure. The edges met, with a little extra overlap to boot. Perfect. 

“Yep! Look, if I have a bib, then it’s perfect.” You did a little twirl to emphasize your point, the denim being held around your neck lifting slightly along with the other loose layers in your outfit. “I think this makes a nice addition, don’tcha think?”

Your combined laughter filled the shop as Chan tucked away the skirts you didn’t need.

The two of you chatted about anything and everything while he processed the exchange. He found out you went to a college not far from his, amidst a story about how inept one of your professors was at navigating basic technology; and in turn, he told you about how two of his upperclassman friends almost got suspended for a prank they pulled during orientation week (how Mingyu could stand to show his face around the art department was still a mystery to him).

Chan finished printing your new receipt just in time for the ending of his harrowing tale about an altercation with another friend of his.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Minghao that speechless, save for when Vernon started shooting him with a water gun while he was meditating on the green.” He chuckled fondly at the memory, handing you your new item with a reluctant smile. 

Why must all good things come to an end? It wasn’t everyday that he met someone like you: amicable, easy to talk to, a sense of humor he can get behind, and not to mention an immaculate style to match.

You know what? No. 

He already fumbled once, he’s not going to let the opportunity pass again. 

“Hey uh, I know we’ve only spoken twice now,” He can’t believe he’s actually doing this.

“But I’d really love to talk and get to know you more—preferably not when I’m on the clock.” A nervous pause. Finish strong Chan, too late to back out now. “Could I maybe get your number so I can take you on a date? Only if you’re comfortable with it of course–” he sputters. 

A beat passes.

And another as you shift around the bag on your arm. 

Chan opens his mouth to take it all back when you slide your phone to him on the counter; a new contact open on the screen, presumably for him to fill. 

He met your gaze—incredulous—as you smiled, all bright and beautiful, “I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you, too. To be honest, I probably would’ve come running back to get your number the first time if Holly hadn’t practically been dragging me by the collar out of here.

“Plus,” You propped your arms on the counter, various charm bracelets clacking on the laminated wood. “I’ve seen you around from before then; and I have to say after meeting you, I’m glad to see that you’re even cuter than I thought.”

Chan’s face should be considered a fire hazard.

“Well,” he gulped, “I’m glad I’ve exceeded expectations…?” His brain is too fried from firing on all cylinders just to remain standing, so he hands you back your phone; his contact still on the screen, now reading: Lee Chan (from zumiez). 

Your eyes flick over the screen, then you start typing. Chan feels his phone buzz in his back pocket, a text from you presumably. 

“Aish, I should probably get going. I need to track down Lang for his glue gun, and this skirt ain’t gonna bedazzle itself!” Laughing, you turned and walked back out into the mall, but then stopped at the entrance and glanced back to Chan.

“Thanks for your help Chan! Hit me up for that date when you’re free.”

Chan was only able to check your text on his break twenty minutes later.

> heya! its the bedazzled skirt dude :p lemme know when youre free to chat, and for that date you promised hehe ^^

> cya around channie <3

The two of you did end up going on a date not long after. It went swimmingly (and not just because it was at the beach), and you parted ways with the promise of more meetups and dates to follow.

You’d also see each other in the wild from time to time. One such time–much to the dismay of Chan as he looks back on it–was when he was out skating with Vernon along the coast. They usually just cruised when skating here because the sand on the concrete made skating all the more difficult, much less tricks.

So that’s what they did, and what they were doing, when a voice started to call his name.

“Chan!

“Channnnn! Hey, Channie!

“YAH-! LEE JUNG CHAN I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!!”

He jolted at the full legal name, his head cautiously turning in the direction of the perpetrator. Which turned out to be you, sitting criss-crossed on a concrete wall, beads in hand like you were in the middle of crafting (who is he kidding, of course you were), with Seojun next to you eyeing him over the rim of his drink with what looked like amusement. 

Chan lit up, his whole face screaming pure, unfiltered joy as he waved back to you.

But—because fate likes to mess with him—while he was preoccupied taking in this chance encounter with you, he failed to notice how much his skateboard had slowed underneath him. 

Then came the break in the sidewalk, a caught wheel, and his entire body seizing in surprise as he crashed into the grass. 

Has the Earth finally decided it’s his time? Just crack open underneath him and swallow him whole so he doesn’t have to lament in his shame? 

He laid there sprawled out on his back for a good twenty seconds, trying to retrieve the air knocked out of him as he stared dazed at the sky, contemplating his position in the universe.

Red coated his ears and neck like the dirt now on his jeans, and he had quickly gotten back up and cast you one last wave before skating away to avoid further ramifications to his ego.

Vernon cast you a sideways glance, shrugging, before waving goodbye himself and taking a running start to catch up to Chan.

You still giggle about it to this day–Chan hides his face in his hands each time you remind him.

Casual encounters increased after the second and third dates. Some more intentional than others, but the one neither of you will ever forget is when Chan visited you at work a few months after the two of you started talking.

It wasn’t the first time he’s come here during your shift; he’d made it a habit after you’d made it past the talking stage to come over every few days on his break. Sometimes he’d get a drink, always asking you to surprise him with whatever your current favorite was, and other times he’d just stand around to chat (your coworkers liked him though, so he never got too much flack for distracting you).

Regardless, you were more than happy to see his fluffy brown head and giddy smile pop into the shop.

And this time was no different, you spotted him approaching and quickly finished up the drink you were working on so you could greet him freely with a smile. He returned it instantly, sliding up to the counter with his usual grace and you set off to prepare a drink for him. You’d decided to keep it simple and give him your favorite: peach milk tea with flavored popping boba to match.

Or at least, you would’ve if you hadn’t turned around only to see your coworker using the last of the peach popping boba. Huffing, you swapped plans and started making a brown sugar milk tea instead. Respect for the classics.

What you’d failed to notice, though, as you focussed on perfecting the drink, was how quiet Chan had gotten.

Usually he’d be filling the space with endless chatter—for your entertainment or just because he liked to yap, either way you loved it. It didn’t matter if he was rambling about how obtuse his professor was, or going into way too much detail about another creepy antique shop Vernon had dragged him to in order to find a present for his partner. You never had to question what was on his mind because he’d come running to you with the latest news.

But now there was none of that. And it was only when you turned around to give him the drink that you saw his apprehensive stance. He was wringing his hands, twisting the two rings on them absentmindedly, and his eyes would flick to yours before looking away just as fast. 

You frowned, setting aside the drink. Refreshments could wait.

“You alright there Channie…?”

A visible flinch, like he’d forgotten where he was and had gotten lost in the recesses of his mind. Your frown deepens.

“Chan-”

“I need to tell you something,” he blurts.”Or, rather, ask you something.”

You blinked. “Okay..?” Nodding, you gestured for him to continue.

“Right. Okay. Uh,” He sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

“Uhm…well, first of all, I just wanted to tell you how much I love spending time with you. I know it’s hectic to plan around work and school and whatnot, but you’re easily one of my favorite people to just be around. I don’t think I ever thought that when you first came into Zumiez that day that we’d end up as close as we are. And I wouldn’t change a thing, don’t get me wrong,” A chuckle. 

You could see his usual confidence returning as he went on, and it made you smile. He reached for the drink and took a sip, humming when the sweetness hit his tongue.

“Well, that’s a lie. Kind of,” He raised his eyes to meet yours as he chewed, a sheepish smile coating his features. “I suppose there’s one thing I would change.”

He stepped up to the counter, setting aside the drink, and held out his hands. Like he was asking for yours in turn. And maybe he was, you weren’t quite sure; but you slipped your hands in his anyway. He squeezed them once. It was a grounding action, for the both of you. 

You cocked your head, amusement tainting your face. “And what would that be, hm?”

He grinned, shooting you that toothy smile that you’ve come to adore (with a bit of tapioca stuck in the corner that made you stifle a laugh). 

“I don’t want to be your friend anymore.”

What. 

Your face fell in an instant, brows furrowing in confusion. 

He doesn’t…what? 

After all this time? How long has he thought this, were you that bad a friend? How did you not notice sooner? No, he literally just said he liked your company. “What are you-“

He continued in the midst of your spiral, “I don’t want to be your friend; but,” he sucked in a breath as you held yours, “if you’ll let me, would you allow me to be your boyfriend?” 

Oh. 

Then he’d looked at you with eyes that emulated the pearls in the drink you made him, and all you could do was lean over the counter and pull him down to meet you as you breathed out a single: 

“Yes.”

Chan was going to commit a felony. 

Either that, or eat these damn screws.

Whichever comes first.

Everything had started out fine; he’d bought his new set of wheels—complete with longer screws and spacers, then picked you up outside your campus for a little casual hangout time before your shifts started. You’d heard him rave about these wheels for over two weeks, so it was only fitting that you be there when he finally put them on his board.

But now, he’d rather have you be anywhere else than right here watching him try not to blow a gasket over some dumb bolts.

A fight he’s actively losing at this rate.

You’d offered to help, multiple times actually. As much as you loved his little pout and furrow in his brow when he gets frustrated, now you just felt a little bad for trying not to laugh. But Chan refused your assistance each time. 

It wasn’t that he was stubborn—okay, he was, but the gentleman in him couldn’t let you ruin the fresh set of nails that your roommate had done for you.

He liked this set, it was a little longer than what you usually had, resulting in sharp clacks as you tapped your fingers on the back of your phone. You’d even sprung for decorative charms and mini pearls to litter the glittery pink surface.

And then there was the smile you’d worn when you opened the door for him (a bit too forcefully maybe, much to the chagrin of your roommate, who yelled at you to be careful), brandishing your bedazzled fingers with barely contained excitement. 

Yeah, Chan would rather jump off Santa Monica Pier than have his stupid board ruin such artistry. (Did his refusal also have to do with the fact that he wasn’t sure you even knew the first thing about navigating a skateboard, much less constructing one? …Maybe.. But he’s not going to tell you that-! What kind of boyfriend would he be if he said that to your face?!)

Besides, he’s not going to let himself be bested by bolts of all things. They’re just tiny chunks of metal, and he’s a grown man! 

The bolt slips out of his fingers off the screw.

It clatters to the pavement, mockingly bouncing a few times before settling just out of reach.

Chan considers throwing the skate key into the ocean.

“Babe.” You wave a manicured hand in front of his face. He doesn’t register it, just continues to ruminate on how best to reduce this skate key into scrap metal.

A small chuckle escapes your lips as you softly turn his face to look at you. His cheeks flush with a rosy tint, his eyes widening in surprise before softening and melting slightly at the contact. Ah, there we go.

“I admire your effort.” You begin, raising your other hand to brush a lock of hair out of his face. “But I can’t watch you dig yourself deeper into this pit of despair, okay? Can you hand me the skate key, so I can help you?”

Chan sighs, his breath hitting your palm in a short burst. Reluctantly, he hands over the tool; his shoulders sagging in defeat. Bested by nuts and bolts. Right in front of you, who is now taking his board and bracing it between your legs, probably on your way to breaking a nail as you lodge the truck in place and screw on the bolt with ease…

Wait, what.

His eyes locked in on your fingers, watching them nimbly flick the bolt onto the screw. You flipped the skate key to carefully pop the tiny allen wrench out from the top. Maneuvering around your nails, you positioned both the skate key and the small phillips head screwdriver at the other end of the allen wrench on either side of the screw and bolt holding the truck in place. Then you start twisting. 

It’s not supposed to look that good is it?

You’re just screwing on a bolt, bracing the screw head at the other side of the board so the bolt actually attaches. One screw finishes with ease, and you pick up another bolt and position it at the next point; diagonal to the first, like you’ve done this a million times.

Chan just stares, watching you attach the other three screws without missing a beat. 

Oil and grease smears on your hands as you handle the parts, but stars still glitter both on your nails and in his eyes.

The last bolt is secured with one final tug of the skate key, and you lay the board deck-down across your legs. You wipe your hands on the grass to rid them of the worst grease stains; you’ll clean them later with wet wipes in your bag, but right now you want to check your handiwork. 

“I think that should do it!” You flick one of the wheels and watch it spin with ease on the new bearing Chan had installed. The colors of the marbled rubber blend into one blurry circle before slowing down and differentiating themselves again. “Can I try them out?”

Chan blinks, snapping out of his daze as he processes your request.

“I mean, yea? Of course you can.” Like he’d ever refuse you anything.

He stands and dusts his hands off on his jeans. He raises them awkwardly towards you, not unlike how middle schoolers would when dancing with a partner for the first time and don’t know where to put their hands. “Do you want to hold onto me? I can like, walk alongside you as you hold onto my shoulders, or something-”

Please, he doesn’t think he can take you falling off the board. Or getting injured in general.

If you so much as crack one nail, he’ll drop to his knees in remorse, and he was already holding his breath watching you assemble his board like the angel you are (you were even in white with pastel accents today, gorgeous as ever). 

He’s mid-shift from one leg to the other when you playfully scoff and place the board on the asphalt, before getting to your feet yourself.

You flash him a grin, your eyes sparkling in addition to the rhinestones once again surrounding them. “Oh, ye of little faith.” You pecked him on the cheek and moved past him to step on the board.

“Watch and learn.”

Chan could only reminisce on the slight breeze that ruffled his hair as you took off. 

Then the realization hit him like a ton of bricks:

You could skate. 

Sure, Chan had always had an inkling in the back of his head about “What if we skated together?”, and even had offered to teach you at one point. But he’d been interrupted by Mingyu asking who he was on call with–yes, his partner does go to another school, thank you very much–and the conversation never circled back. 

Now his eyes just trailed your figure gliding along the concrete and he couldn’t imagine a world where you didn’t know how to skate.

And you could skate well.

Your kickoff was clean, and each additional push off to maintain speed was followed by a smooth re-footing on the board. Weaving through the beach goers was no challenge either. Bending your knees and guiding the board with subtle shifts of your weight, you eased through and around the crowd until you turned around back towards Chan.

Your hair was windswept, various strands falling across your face, and you wobbled a little–your arms shooting out to the sides to maintain balance–as you slowed down before recentering yourself with one last push. Then you raised your head to look at Chan, a bright smile coating your features.

And oh…you were breathtaking. 

You rolled to a stop in front of Chan, stepping off the board and propping it on the curb with a breathless laugh as you swiped your hair back into place. “Well, I’d say they’re a solid pair of wheels. They feel great, babe. I can see why you chose them!”

Chan didn’t move. 

He was stunlocked; your cheeks were flushed with exertion, your smile radiated happiness, and your eyes were sparkling like the sun on the waves in the ocean behind you. 

And then you were cupping his face; looking at him all soft and pleased, your nails resting lightly on his cheeks, and it took everything he had not to melt to the floor in your hands.

“Channie…you alright there, bud? You’ve been kinda spacey today…” Your bottom lip jutted out in a pout, causing Chan’s eyes to dart to your mouth before returning to your eyes. Which were now sparkling with something else, a look he’d become very familiar with in these past weeks since dating you. 

He wasn’t going to make it to his shift alive was he?

Your lips curled in a smirk, thumbs brushing the apples of his cheeks, which were now beginning to look like said fruit.

“Has anyone ever told you how cute you are when you’re flustered?” you chided. “Your eyes get all round and you get this whole ‘awestruck’ look on your face. Even your jaw drops slightly, juuuuust like this.” 

You punctuated your point by sliding your thumb down to use your nail to tug his bottom lip slightly. Chan had never been more thankful for the longer shape.

He let out a ragged sigh, fogging up some of the jewels glued to the acrylic. “You may have mentioned it in passing, yes…” Hell, you never let him forget it. 

His hands moved to rest on your hips, softly fiddling with the fabric of your hoodie that was tied around your waist. He matched your grin with one of his own, turning his head to place a lingering kiss on the palm still cupping his face. “You’ll be happy to hear that you’re the only one who’s actually had the pleasure of saying it to my face.”

You scoffed, “And why would I be happy about that? More people should acknowledge how adorable my boyfriend is.” You squished his cheeks, causing his lips to purse in sync with your own as you scowled at him. He’s just so malleable; makes you want to poke and prod him all the time.

“Is this just your ploy to get people to say you have good taste,” he mumbled, amused. It wasn’t really a question. You both knew it.

Immediately your grumpy demeanor was replaced with an exaggerated smile as you leaned forward into his face. 

“Yes.” A kiss to the temple. 

“It.” Another on the other side. 

“Is.” Tip of his nose.

As much as he tried to stand on his own–and keep his pride intact–Chan loved when you just treated him like a marshmallow. He’d gladly let you tickle and tease him if it meant he got to hold you close and brighten up your day, even just a little bit.

Admittedly, it was a little embarrassing in public; but when you looked at him like he was all that mattered, and you started grumbling about how unfair the world was while littering his face with the sticky residue of your lipgloss, he couldn’t bring himself to care. 

“Deal with it.”

And he would, in a heartbeat. Because now your lips are on his and everything else in the world might as well dissolve in your sweetness.

[𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐒:]

Entering Zumiez to drop off your boyfriend wasn’t the big heartbreak you think it’d be.

Hard to miss someone when you can still have mimed conversations from across the mall, much to the dismay of your coworkers (poor Vernon has been smacked in the face one too many times, and has since learned to avoid Chan when his attention is directed outside the store). Plus, the two of you had a date planned for later tonight–the whole reason you’d gotten your nails done in the first place. 

That didn’t stop you from keeping your hands together for as long as you could, of course.

You chatted with Vernon behind the register as Chan clocked in. He returned right as a customer walked up to pay, and the two of you stepped aside so Vernon could do his job. Something the customer was purchasing caught your eye, making you snicker and subtly point it out to Chan. 

He groaned. “Why do we even have those stickers.”

You laughed, hooking your arms around his neck and resting your head on his shoulder. “They’re just funny at this point, to be honest.”

 “Ehhh… debateable. But sure, dear, whatever you say.” He hummed, looping his arms around your waist to give you one last hug before you had to leave.

You’d since put on your hoodie since entering the mall, stating the air conditioning made it too cold. He didn’t mind. Now it just felt like he was hugging a big cozy plushy–that would randomly kiss his cheek with an exaggerated “mmmwah!” 

Curse having a job, he’d rather stay here in your embrace.

Your breath hit his ear as you giggled.

“Don’t worry. I love you for more than your boobs, pretty boy.”

He yanked your hoodie strings closed.

ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ,<)~✩‧₊ 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝, 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 .ᐟ.ᐟ

[inmynewworld]

[facetheseventeen]

Cutesie Scoupsie ✨

[shuaasumii]

“Girl Dad”

after having 2 (possibly 3) daughters, you can’t help but wonder if your husband will be lonely without a son of his own.

PAIRING: dad!dino x mom!reader

GENRE: fluff ofc

WARNINGS: mentions of pregnancy

TAGS: girl dad!dino, the daughters are just referred to as the youngest and oldest, youngest is abt 2 and oldest is abt 5, reader is pregnant

A/N: proud to say that I wrote this at 1 in the morning :). but I believe that dino is a boy-dad through and through, but this fic made me want to think otherwise! pics above r from pinterest and pink divider made by @icheries

You lie peacefully lounging on your bed, still dressed in your pajamas. You hold your phone in hand, scrolling mindlessly as your youngest daughter continued her nap on top of your body, her tiny head leaned on your chest. Her older sister not far, she however lies next to your figure instead of on top. Her short arms are wrapped around your thigh and her face is snuggled against your hip. Their little bodies move slightly with each breath.

On the other side, Dino (not so) sneakily snaps pictures of this simple but cute moment of his favorite girls.

You notice him holding up his phone suspiciously, making you look up only to find him pointing his camera directly at you.

“Quit taking pictures of me,” you quipped, flashing him a playful look.

Dino grins lowering his phone for a second, “how can I? My four favorite girls are in one frame,” he said referring to the baby still inside of you.

You were about 20 weeks pregnant with what could possibly be your third girl. The second you two found out you were pregnant again, Dino wouldn’t stop talking about how he knew it was gonna be a girl. Either he genuinely has a feeling it’s a girl, or he’s secretly hoping for yet another daughter.

“You don’t even know if it’s a girl yet,” you interjected.

“I do,” he said confidently, “it’s my dad intuition,” he continued as he moved his fingers to his temple.

You smile quietly at him, wondering how you were able to find a man who was so immersed in being a father.

“Won’t you be sad?” You asked suddenly.

Dino quirked a brow at you, beyond confused, “why would I be sad, baby?”

You sighed, “well you’re not gonna have any boys to play with.”

Dino stared at you appalled, “first of all, I don’t care what gender the baby is, as long as I’m raising it with you it doesn’t matter.” He stopped to take a breather before continuing once more, “and second of all, I absolutely love having a bunch of mini versions of you running around the house.”

You blushed slightly, your heart being filled to the brim with love. You wonder again, how could you have possibly pulled someone so loving. You had definitely gotten lucky with your girl-dad of a husband.

Dino threw his phone somewhere on the bed and scooted closer to your side, still leaving space for your oldest in between.

He leaned in to kiss your forehead, your nose, and your lips before moving to whisper in your ear, “plus I already deal with 12 other chaotic boys at work, don’t think I need 13.”

[featdinoir]

nobody gives a fuck but i made stamps

[98boo]

dino – new burstday 💙