NOTE FROM SENA , thank you tea for the help with the idea!! other requests will take time since I'm sort of exhausted these days and I don't want to rush into posting. [REQUESTED] (this is a fic in a headcanon manner) MASTERLIST!!
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i. THE MEET-CUTE AT THE WORK PARTY
It’s one of those awkward work gatherings where everyone’s either standing around quietly or sticking to their teams.
Matthew, the new guy, looks lost but also undeniably handsome with a shy demeanor. You decide to be kind and strike up a conversation because you’ve been there before.
He’s immediately drawn to how easygoing you are—how you make him feel like he belongs.
From that night on, he always remembers the way you smiled when you told him, “Hey, you’ll fit in just fine here. Don’t worry.”
He low-key starts looking forward to seeing you around the office the next day.
ii. THE WAY HE LOOKS AT YOU
Oh, and it’s painfully obvious to everyone but you.
When you’re in a group meeting, Matthew’s eyes involuntarily soften every time you speak. It’s the small things—he watches you talk with that fond look, as if you’re the only person in the room.
He’ll make small excuses to glance over at you, under the pretense of “checking emails” or flipping through papers.
Someone at work catches this (likely your co-worker who knows everything) and starts quietly teasing him about his not-so-subtle puppy-dog eyes.
iii. THE HANGING OUT MORE EXCUSES
At first, it starts casually. “Hey, want to grab a coffee after the team meeting?” “I haven’t tried that lunch spot yet, what do you think?”
Slowly but surely, these invites turn into semi-regular hangouts—he’ll always find a reason to ask.
You notice how he pays for your coffee every time, and if you try to insist on paying, he’ll shake his head with a shy smile. “I just wanted to treat you.”
You find it so cute that you stop fighting him about it.
iv. CATCHING HIM IN THE ACT
It’s a random monday morning, and you’re coming into work earlier than usual.
You spot Matthew at your desk, awkwardly leaving a chocolate bar and a small handwritten note. The note says something simple like, “I hope this makes your day a little better :)”—it’s so pure that your heart flips.
Before he can bolt, you call him out: “Matthew, what are you doing?”
He freezes mid-step, red creeping up his face. “Oh—uh, nothing! I was just—uh…morning!”
You raise an eyebrow, smirking. “Are you bribing me for something?”
He laughs nervously but promises (because you caught him fair and square) that he owes you dinner—like an actual dinner.
v. THE DATE
Matthew doesn’t do things halfway; he picks a stunning, 5-star restaurant because he wants it to be special. He wants to impress you, but not in a flashy way—he just genuinely thinks you deserve the best.
He shows up looking ridiculously good in a suit, and you almost have to double-take because this isn’t your work Matthew; this is “effort” Matthew.
Throughout dinner, he’s attentive and genuinely interested in everything you say. He remembers the smallest details about you—your favorite drink, how you take your food, even random anecdotes you told him weeks ago.
When the check comes, you try to pay out of courtesy, but Matthew just shakes his head firmly. “Not a chance.”
“Matthew, let me—”
“What’s a wallet at this point?” he jokes, and you laugh because he’s genuinely so sweet about it.
vi. THE OFFICE GOSSIP
After your very clear date, you start hearing whispers around the office. Your co-worker corners you at lunch, gleefully reporting, “I knew who his crush was! It’s you. I knew it all along.”
You roll your eyes, flustered, but can’t help smiling because… well, they’re right.
vii. MATTHEW’S POST-DATE BEHAVIOUR
If you thought he was whipped before, it’s ten times worse now. He’s still nervous around you sometimes but far more confident about showing how much he cares.
He casually drops things at your desk—flowers, little snacks you love, or coffee when he knows you’re swamped.
He still insists on “treating you” because “you work hard, you deserve nice things.”
Eventually, he stops pretending it’s casual and just tells you, straight-up: “I really like you. You’re the best part of my day.”
And let’s be real: You like him just as much.
viii. THE ENDING
Matthew and you become the office “It” couple—everyone roots for you because, honestly, it was so obvious from the way he looked at you from day one.
He’s still spoiling you, still making you laugh, and still getting adorably flustered whenever you remind him just how much you like him back.
PAIRING: best friend ! matthew × afab reader. SYNOPSIS: have been friends with matthew ever since childhood you hated the fact that he never saw you in a romantic way but you had made up your mind to make him notice you in another light this time. [THIS WAS REQUESTED] GENRE: fluff. WORD COUNT: 984 [LIBRARY]
“Hey! Why are you ignoring me?” you tap Matthew’s shoulder, frowning at the way he barely glances up from his phone. The thing you hate most about him is this—how completely nonchalant he is about everything, especially when you’re clearly annoyed. Doesn’t he realize how much it stings to feel ignored by your favorite person in the world?
He hums in acknowledgment but doesn’t look up. What hurts even more is the soft smile on his face—not for you, but likely for some girl in his DMs asking him why he’s so handsome or if he’s single.
“What?” he asks when you snatch his phone away. His raised eyebrow screams indifference, and it only fuels your frustration.
“What what?” you snap, glaring up at him. “Why are you so desperate for love? For a girlfriend? Am I boring now or something?”
You’re practically vibrating with indignation, standing on the edge of the bridge and glaring up at him like an ant squaring off against a giraffe. He sighs, tilting his head lazily.
“Easy for you to say,” he mutters, clearly unimpressed. “You’ve got a million friends, people hitting on you left and right. Me? I have none, Y/N. Not everyone’s as lucky as you.”
The snark in his voice makes you want to throttle him. “Such a loser,” you mumble, huffing. But then, in a moment of reckless honesty, the words spill out before you can stop them.
“I do like you, you idiot. Not that you’d even notice.”
You freeze as the weight of your confession settles between you both. Your cheeks flush, and suddenly, you’re stumbling backward, your foot slipping dangerously close to the edge of the bridge.
Before you can fully process what’s happening, Matthew’s arm wraps tightly around your waist, pulling you flush against him. Your heart races as your face collides with his shoulder, his cologne invading your senses and making your knees weak. His phone is still clutched awkwardly in your hand.
A loud cough interrupts the moment, and you both pull apart quickly. It’s your mutual friend trailing behind, looking all too smug as they pretend not to have witnessed the scene. You shove Matthew’s phone back at him, mumbling something incoherent, and the two of you start walking home in complete silence.
The tension is unbearable, thick and awkward in a way it’s never been before. You curse yourself silently for ruining the easy, comfortable dynamic you’ve always had. Matthew stays quiet too, his hands stuffed in his pockets, but every so often, you catch him glancing at you out of the corner of his eye.
It’s painfully awkward, yet somehow… it doesn’t feel bad.
You and Matthew could share anything embarrassing with each other, no matter how ridiculous it was. But this? This was different. It was weird in ways you couldn’t put into words. Sure, you’d once showered together as kids—innocent and carefree—but now, the air between you was heavy with unspoken feelings. And for days, neither of you brought up your accidental confession.
That is, until you see him. Talking to another girl.
Her hand rests casually on his shoulder, her eyes wide and blinking at him like he’s the most fascinating thing on the planet. Your chest tightens, a feeling somewhere between betrayal and frustration creeping in. You hadn’t expected Matthew to avoid the topic forever, but this? Letting someone else flirt with him? It stings.
The logical thing to do would’ve been to walk away, to leave him be. But logic has never been your strong suit. So instead, you storm over, glaring daggers at the girl until she backs off. Matthew stands there awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
“Hey, she—” he starts, but you cut him off.
“You piece of shit!” you yell, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. “You decided to ditch me for that chick?!”
Matthew looks at you, stunned, his mouth half-open as you barrel forward.
“I FUCKING HATE YOU, SEOK MATTHEW! Could you not just reject me instead of rubbing it in my face by flirting with someone else? Do you not realize how much I LOVE YOU?! Do you not see how much it hurts when you add random girls on Insta? When you get so desperate for a girlfriend even though I’M RIGHT HERE?! AM I NOT GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL?! AM I JUST BEST FRIEND MATERIAL?! WHY, SEOK MATTHEW?!”
Your voice shakes with the effort, your chest heaving from yelling so hard. Matthew stands frozen, his eyes wide as the weight of your words settles over him.
“Umm… well… I like you too,” he finally stammers, rubbing the back of his neck. His voice is hesitant, almost shy. “Like… I thought you had better options…”
His words hit you like a bucket of cold water. You grab his shoulders, forcing him to look at you. Your eyes narrow, searching his face for any hint of doubt.
“When did I ever give you the impression I wanted anyone else?” you mutter, your voice low but firm. He blinks rapidly, his gaze darting anywhere but your face.
“I-I thought I had no choice,” he mumbles awkwardly, but before he can say more, you throw your arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.
“Then it’s final,” you declare, your voice muffled against his chest. “You’re dating me. No choice left. I waited for so long, and I’m not waiting anymore.”
Matthew stiffens at first, but when you mention going to “someone else,” he immediately tenses, his arms tightening around you.
“I won’t, okay?” you reassure him with a soft laugh, pulling back just enough to look at his face. “But I hate you as much as you hate pink for not confessing first.”
He smiles sheepishly, his ears burning red as he mutters, “I don’t hate pink that much…”
“Exactly,” you tease, resting your head against his shoulder with a satisfied sigh.
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