EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT (PHAINON IS IN HIS FEELINGS AND HE CAN’T GET OUT OF IT) — PILOT
a phainon x female reader modern au series.
overview: the crowds cheer when you finally announce that you have a boyfriend! and there’s a lot to be expected, considering it is your first relationship. you’ll be experiencing many ‘firsts’—first kiss, first dates, first everything.
though it doesn’t make sense.
phainon had been in a relationship before, and yet he shares the same sentiment.
(or: phainon finally learns what it’s like to be loved in return.)
tags: modern au, emphasis on the firsts, many firsts, miscommunications, established relationship, first love, fluff and humor, hurt/comfort, toxic relationship + manipulation (not for phaicham and the reader at least), past exes, reassurances, female-reader, awakenings, rated mature, additional tags to be added
“Will you stay?”
There it is—you knew this was coming. You pause from using your phone and look by your shoulder from the bed, and just behind you, lies Phainon, your big, wonderful, boyfriend, with hair white as snow, and eyes as blue as the ocean.
( Yeah, you can’t do this. You can’t speak poetry like him when it comes to describing things. How can Phainon do it? How can he spill such words with ease? )
You sigh, “Phainon.”
He doesn’t budge from his hold on you. His arms—that were solid, and biceps ( that you were pretty sure was tailormade for you because of how squishy they were )—engulf your very being in the bed. It’s not like you’re complaining, you are exactly where you want to be.
But sometimes Phainon just underestimates his weight.
“Please? Can you stay?”
You feel your cheeks heat up—you absolutely cannot believe this man. This beefy, huge man who seriously towers over you every time you’re together, pulling off the wounded puppy look.
Seriously, how did you bag him? Even your cousins and aunts are baffled. A guy like him, who’s just the biggest definition of every parents’ dream son, besotted over you. Even your best friends asked what your manifestation rituals were.
But the unforgettable thing about all of this was that your mom made sure that you wouldn’t go back on your word. You promised her that under no circumstances will you be letting this man go.
And it’s as if you have a plan to do so! Like Phainon, you want him badly as well.
Unfortunately, he grows upset at your lack of response—since you were too busy reminiscing about the course of events after you disclosed that you were dating Aedes Elysiae’s pride and joy. The man squeezes your waist a little, and calls for your name. “Stay.” He blinks wistfully. “Please?”
You almost choke. You’re starting to believe Cipher’s words: you really do have Phainon wrapped around your finger no matter what you say. You just think that Phainon is like this because it’s what boyfriends do, but, but—
“Hate to break it to you, but there’s a reason why women prefer the chalant types instead of the nonchalants.”
Gods. Phainon. He’s ridiculous. He’s ridiculous! And you’re ridiculous! Why are you not answering him yet?!
“A-alright,” you stammer, and you watch how he beams. You hold your breath when your massive imagination procures an image: your wonderful boyfriend Phainon, with perky ears and a wagging tail.
What the fuck.
This is Mydei’s fault. He shouldn’t have said that Phainon acts like a dog sometimes. But in Mydei’s words, he called Phainon a rabid hound. Or whatever that means. You still don’t understand why Mydei’s tone resembled a warning. How can Phainon be a rabid hound? He’s often putty when you’re around. Like a golden retriever puppy with separation anxiety. So it really doesn’t make sense.
“I’ll stay, I’ll stay.” You give him a small grin. “Wouldn’t want you to spam our DMs, would I?”
He presses closer with a pout—your breaths intermingling. The proximity causes a stir in your stomach, and you swallow when his bigger hand touches your stomach.
Phainon’s hand. It’s big. And it’s hot. Does he know he exists?
“Well, you like me spamming our DMs, right?” His nose nuzzles yours, and you automatically close your eyes.
Being under Phainon’s gaze—you really have to get used to it, truly. You feel like your heart’s about to explode from his undivided attention. Seriously, how?
How did you get him? What have you done?
He calls your name again. “. . . It’s okay, right? You—you don’t mind it.”
You don’t answer.
Not yet at least, when you’re way too embarrassed on the inside.
Phainon’s smell. Phainon’s voice. Phainon’s arms. Phainon’s hand. Phainon’s face. You probably died and you’ve gone to heaven. After doomscrolling and immersing yourself with various AstralToks and PenaconyTube reels, you’ve somehow passed on and made it to the end of the light, white tunnel.
You can’t believe being surrounded by everything Phainon is the mystery that humans are trying to solve.
What does heaven really look like?
Well, the answer’s spectacular.
Phainon.
Phainon.
It’s all Phainon.
Phainon buries his face on your neck, and you feel the goosebumps. Your face steams hotter from the touch, and you are trying not to combust on the spot as you envision the bridge of his nose grazing and his lips lightly pecking your skin.
Oh, gods.
“I will stop if you want to.”
Don’t stop.
“. . . If you need me to.”
Just like that, you’re pulled out of your reverie.
Everything comes into a halt. The comedians in your head, the gossipers, the podcasters, or whatever you’d like to call it, have gone quiet.
And it’s all because Phainon’s voice wavered.
“Phainon?”
Does he feel like he’s a bother? No, no! That’s not quite it. He’s got it all wrong! You were just so—so, ugh, you’re so stupid. If you just focused on the present, this wouldn’t happen! You can already imagine Professor Anaxagoras’ narrowed eyes.
You shake your head. No time for that!
So you focus on the matter at hand. You’ve got this. Though you may be silly at times, you know Phainon. You know him very well, in fact, that you are proud that you’re probably the only person in the world who knows how to take care of him.
Like clockwork, your body moves on its own. Your heart takes the reign, and the bed shifts from your movements. The downcasted gaze coming from him is lifted up when you gently cup his cheeks. His furrowed brows make your chest ache.
There may be days where you tease Phainon and you get a spectacular view of him scrunching his eyebrows, but your soul genuinely wishes that he smiles everyday.
“I don’t mind it,” you admit, and the side of your lip twitches in fondness and amusement. “I just—well, um—“
You gonna be honest now? So be it.
“—I find it fascinating that you have so much to tell me, and uh—“ you suck at this. Yes, you know how to take care of Phainon but you’re still not used to looking him straight in the eye. It’s unfair how he’s so dreamy, even up close. The Titans, heck, or even Aeons, gave him so many buffs. “—have so many reels to send me.”
( Sculpted like a mighty hero is one thing they made sure everyone will see. But this mighty hero is only for your eyes to see. )
“I love you,” he says in earnest, and your heart pounds. He says it so easily, and you gulp again. He leans to your right palm, and his other hand cradles it. “That’s why I have so much to tell you. And so many reels to send to you.”
And those reels involve adorable dogs merely spinning around. Engagement farm clips with ‘send this to your favorite person ever’ captions. Heck, even shitposts or the dumbest jokes from this generation are added into the mix.
( But it’s not just reels, you hear? You recall the time Phainon sent you links from the World Wound Web whenever you’re out for an errand. Lovely articles that benefit you so, or that he finds intriguing. Like Love Letters for the People Who Are Too Hard on Themselves, and even something philosophical—Reflections in the Golden Wheat Fields.
It always sparks meaningful conversations with him, and you wouldn’t want any other way. )
“Aaand I, you,” you laugh, and Phainon pouts. If you’re crazy, you probably have an estimated number of Phainon’s pouts until today. Then, combined with your feelings from earlier, and regarding Phainon’s excessive loads of messages, you say, “I’m sorry I can’t keep up with you sometimes, love.”
“Honey,” he grumbles, and your heart performs somersaults. You like it when he calls you that. Honey. Like you’re something sweet, when he’s obviously sweeter. “Say it back.”
You gape at him. He’s more upset at the fact that you didn’t return his I love you. Perhaps he has already forgiven you with your lack of reels. “What?”
He huffs, in mock offense, and you wish you can take a picture of this endearing expression forever. You cherish Phainon being all huffy. You cherish everything about him. “Say that you love me back. In full.”
And, well. Who are you to deny his desire? Or what he wants? Or what he needs?
Before you can control it, a warm, tender smile makes its way on your features. ( You fail to notice the effect this has on Phainon, because his eyes go wide. )
Leaning closer, you whisper, “I love you, Phainon.” Like it’s something sacred.
There it is.
Pure delight. Admiration. Love.
You assume that Phainon got what he wanted, but then he closes his eyes. Leans his face, too.
And anticipates.
You snicker. You really don’t know how you got Phainon to love you back, but you’re glad that he did.
You offering your heart to him back then, it’s enough for him to be the happiest man in the world. ( His words, not yours. )
Careful, you shorten the distance, and quietly brush your lips against his, still a bit timid. Shy. Testing the waters. But Phainon tonight is everything but.
He kisses you back with an enthusiasm that there’s a smack of lips.
For a few seconds, your lips remain interlocked. You listen to Phainon’s breathing, to Phainon’s small content moans. You feel like you’re melting, but as always, Phainon’s got you. When did he even steady you? When were your chest pressed against one another, and when did you wrap your arms around his neck?
You instantly pull away after this realization. Phainon, who was into the moment, whines, very much unsatisfied that the session was interrupted. “Honey. . .”
Be still, your heart. Flustered, you ask, “D–do you like k–kissing me so much?”
“Yes,” Though dazed, he answers, with no hesitation.
Ah, there goes your heart, really. You are weak. You’ve already done something similar before! You’ve seen him without clothes. And you’ve been underneath him during a long night. Kissing is normal for couples, so why are you still glowing in embarrassment?
Again, how did you bag Phainon?
Like a volcano, steam releases from your ears. You have to calm down. Not right now.
Not—
Apprehensiveness appears before you when it takes you another moment to reply, and out of instinct, you snap back to reality. One of your hands caresses his smooth, supple cheek to soothe his nerves.
Despite thoroughly mortified, you reach out, “Phai—“
“Is it okay? If—if we kiss again?”
An arrow strikes onto your back.
( You’ll never forgive the person who had him first. )
“Of course,” You nod, and you smile wider when there’s profound relief blooming on his face. Though you’re caught up in your own overwhelming feelings, Phainon is important, first and foremost. “Of course we can.”
Time has already passed. It’s been a year since you both have gotten together. There are still many things to be experienced. To be discovered. To be explored.
And yet despite it all, you’re committed to fulfill one goal.
To make Phainon feel so loved.
You hope you’re doing a great job so far. You hope you do.
Pasts are yet to be uncovered. Secrets. Unspoken feelings. True, they may be painful. But it’s a journey you’re willing to take regardless.
You’ll reassure Phainon no matter how many times it takes. You’ll kiss him lots. Hug him lots. Hold his hand lots. Send him more reels. Articles. Do the cheesy stuff he has wanted ever since.
And you’re going to have fun. He’s going to have fun. Cyrene did say that this would be a romance story like none that has come before.
There will be trials and tribulations.
But you’ll remain headstrong.
Because you love Phainon, foolishly so. You really do.
So you want him to feel what he’s been missing out on.
But first—
“Can I have one more kiss, honey? Please?”
You have to survive this.
“W-w-wait, let me breathe first—“
“Haha, you are so red, honey. You can’t keep up, huh?”
notes: my first phaicham debut !!! i’m a thrillseeker here. havent even finished amphoreus yet here i am. cannot shut up about phaicham in corporate hours so here. for phainon nation i hope he’s in character and if he's not once i finish amphoreus.... yeah. ok HFJKDFHD
anw i’d like to dedicate this to my amazing besties. rhen, who witnessed my first phainon unbecoming. of course to jules for her patience w/ beta-ing, and to pine, for receiving all my phaicham hcs in RANDOM hours of the day ( LOL )
well since this is a pilot i will be continuing if theres a popular demand. like how tv shows and studios/channels/franchises work, and if my schedule will allow it JKHFJFD i lobe phainom #imbusyasf it's no joke i swear after my meeting finished i immediately went running to my google docs PLSSS so no guarantee when im also taking a break from writing !!!
if i do continue this it's gonna be so messy jfhgfhjf poor phaicham :((
future scene // excerpt