hii i’ve seen you’re accepting requests and wanted to ask - could you write something sweet and comforting about idol!jeonghan x secret partner! reader? like the public doesn’t know he’s dating his partner and one day he comes back from the shoot so tired and grumpy but his partner makes it all better :)) it can be gender neutral if you’re comfortable with writing that :)) sending lots of love and thank you in advance!! ❤️💋
idol!Jeonghan x gn!secret!non idol!reader
Often, Jacket shootings were generally already very hectic, and were spread out for a few days, ensuring efficient stylings throughout the week, giving the various stylists and idols space out their workload.
That wasn’t the case for this specific album. The BSS unit had an overseas schedule, leaving them with only two days of the week for the jacket shooting so that the editors could finalise the album format and packaging. Mingyu had an event popup, and as brand ambassador he wouldn’t be able to miss it, so that left him busy from Thursday onwards. Chan had to be at the studio with Jihoon and Seungcheol to prepare for a solo project. It was almost as if everyone had something on their plate this week, leaving a very small window for their jacket shooting.
Wednesday was the one day where everyone was able to align, leaving a very heavy schedule. They had to take photos, in various combinations, in diverse stylings, makeup, and sets. It was going to be a tiring day.
Jeonghan woke up at 3 am, left by 4 am, and started working by 5 am. His heart ached when he saw the empty space next to you, the mattress made flat by him cleaning his side of the bed out. He wished he could just sleep in this once. He told himself it was all going to be worth it, with a free Thursday just in hand (that was a lie, he was invited to a radio show to promote the upcoming album.)
The day went by in flashes, getting his hair washed, sprayed, makeup laid on, retouched, flash, clothes layered on, getting driven to new sites and sets for specific styles. Then, his makeup was washed off, and he then got another style of makeup applied, and hairspray spritzed on all over again.
As the cameras flashed, all he could think about the soft mattress he would slam into at the end of the day, your laughter booming through the apartment and the crunch of fried chicken. He had left you a note on the door expressing his need to sleep in. He had also sneakily mentioned ordering in for the night when he finally made it back. He couldn’t wait for the day to get done with.
When he finally got done with the day, he had fist bumped the members and shot them a tired smile, before walking off into the evening. The parking lot wasn’t empty, with some stylists taking a smoke break, chatting around, or laughing with some of the other members who had dispersed to return home. He walked to the car, texted you a quick update, and drove in silence, tapping onto the steering wheel.
Jeonghan sighed as he drove into the parking lot, only to look up and smile when he saw the warm lights emitting from his (and your) apartment.
In the elevator, Jeonghan felt a numbing pain on the nape of his neck. Perhaps it was his posture, but he presumed it was the aftermath of posing, filming content, and the overall effect of such a packed day.
You had heard the front door open with a beep at about 10:42 pm, just as you unboxed the fried chicken that had arrived mere minutes ago.
“You’re home?” You’d hummed out, understanding just what a troubling day your lover had had.
Jeonghan had walked in, seeing the warm look in your eyes, and his pouty upset smile had turned almost teary, feeling eternally grateful and relieved for the love he had received, just from entering the home the two of you crafted together and the look you had blessed him with.
“I’m home.” He would love hearing those words uttering from your mouth, and combined with the smell of the oily fried food, his breath only quickened, “I’ll quickly wash up and we can eat together, I'll be just five minutes!”
He couldn’t leave without pecking your cheek, nursing an amicable gaze, meant just for you.
Jeonghan had immediately gone on a rampage when he took his first bite. The two of you were across one another on the floor, and he was complaining about the incidents that had happened at work.
“Oh yeah, Minghao and Hansol were asking about you,” He said, munching some, the wiping some of the breadcrumbs off the corner of your lip.
“How are they?”
“They’re good, just working on some stuff for their upcoming unit comeback. They’re off to Paris for fashion week. They were asking if you wanted to come with them again.” He had huffed, shaking his head in mock worry.
You could only laugh, belly aching.
“You know the last time I went to Paris with you, we almost got caught by fans? It was only my quick thinking of walking without you when you got stopped that helped, otherwise we’d be making news the very next hour!”
“Enough, Enough, Enough,” he had pouted out, dropping the last piece of chicken, beginning to clean up.
“Wait, don’t start cleaning without me!” You had whined.
“No, No let me. You ordered the chicken and are also tired from work.” You had nodded off, but couldn’t help but walk towards him as he separated the trash, bent over the trash can.
“Thank you, by the way. I'm sorry today was so tiring and I hope you always find comfort at home here, with me.”
“I always feel better when I'm around you. Thanks for listening to me. I don’t even know how you read my mind, I’ve been craving chicken all day today.”
“It’s couples telepathy, Jeonghan”
He could only smile in return, and dragged you into a loose, yet warm embrace. The day concluded on a bright note, with his heart as light as ever, and all the worrying thoughts buzzing around his head dissipating with you in his arms.
end ˎˊ˗
an: first of all, my DEEPEST apologies!! I'm so sorry for such a late post, i hope you didn't have to wait too long </3 thank you for your patience and I totally went over my og wc LOLZ.... anyways, thank you so much for requesting and I appreciate the support so SO much!! much love to you as well dear friend :3 take care and have a lovely time ahead.
Playlist : Love looks pretty on you by nessa barett, About you by The 1975
Note : This was for my favorite leo @coupsalchemy about her favorite leo, seungcheol. I wanted this to be done soon but life kept me busy so here it is. Belated happy birthday @coupsalchemy and to seungcheol. I love you a lot, my friend, C. You are wonderful and it is my honor to be your friend. Im so sorry this is angst, but i hope you still love it anyway. Heheheh.
Not beta read, Im sorry for any mistakes you find.
Your body, mind and soul were all consumed by a man with dimples and little pouts, who was always by your side and never seemed to stop looking at you like you were a star.
It had been 14 days, 9 hours and 15 minutes since you've seen him, touched him and it has started to slowly ache your heart so much, it physically hurt you to come home and not hear him talking to kkuma or not have him holding you so softly and gently.
It did not matter that he always texted you good nights and good mornings, and replied whenever you asked him if he had eaten or had good sleep. And the I-miss-you's and The I-love-you's were not enough either.
You do not know why this man had you hooked this bad, but you only wished he felt the same way. Because all of this fear, you realized, the ache and the pain of having him far away from you and wondering if he felt that ache the same way you did, was just the deeply rooted trauma of your past relationships.
Falling in love, caring for the person and realizing that you were just a stone in their path to reach someone better and worthwhile than you.
Was it your fault you attracted people with that mindset? Or Was it your fault for genuinely believing that someone really wanted to love you?
It took you a while to get over those experiences, the years of therapy and months of hesitation worked when you started dating Seungcheol. Or it seemed so.
The distance was something you did not know how to deal with. In your two years of relationship, you never doubted the way he loved you. And thinking otherwise makes you sick to your stomach now.
The fear started to creep in few days ago. The house empty of his presence, the bed cold on his side, his little gaming sessions where you learned new stuff, his hugs and the way he fit into your world so perfectly.
The rain pattering on the windows fills the silence in your cabin as you patiently wait for the clock to strike 6. The little cherry charm attached to a little black cat charm ring in your hands as you fiddle with it.
You try your best to get rid of the bad thoughts, but it just sticks to you like sweat on a sunny day. Uncomfortable, but you just can't get rid off it unless you find a cool breeze somehow.
Grabbing your bag, you walk out of your cabin to the elevator unable to breathe a second in there. Your secretary would be most glad if you leave early anyway, so it didn't matter much.
There were tears in your eyes, your throat locked as you sniffle your nose on a tissue.
Oh god, you were crying now.
The elevator ride, fortunately, was a short one as you were the only person riding it. Unfortunately, the cries just grew louder and you weren't sure how you would be driving like this back home.
A ding tells you that you are now in parking lot, you quickly cover your face with your hair, a bunch of tissues still in your hand and beeline towards your car.
It was going to be fine.
He's going to be back soon.
And mostly, this ache will slowly start to fade away.
You have done this, been scared, been tired, been lonely, but you have always been happy. No matter what, you would always find your way to that cool breeze in your very sunny days.
You—
You stop dead in your tracks when you hear it. Your name being called out loud. But that's not what stops you, it's the person that voice belongs to.
Then you hear it again, and everything gets loose. You are, not caring about whoever might see you, bawling your eyes as your turn to find the familiar car and your man standing in front of it.
His silhouette turns blurry because of your tears but you can see him running towards you. He stops right in front of you, his musky scent filling your entire being as he holds your shoulder, frowning.
"Are you okay?" Concern fills his voice as he looks at you crying, his heart breaking wondering who he was supposed to take care of for making you cry this way.
The moment Seungcheol saw you for the first time, laughing so heartily as you talked to your friends at a bar was when he realized he was in love. It was funny, but he was sure.
He did not know what made him to approach you that day, and straight up ask if you wanted to have a drink with him. He was glad that part of him helped him out that day, helped him find you.
You were this ball of sunshine, radiating your warmth to your people. People who you believed and trusted to be yours. You were lovely, you had a laugh that sounded funny and made everyone laugh, you had a heart that made him feel so loved he wondered if he deserved to be loved that way.
You cried watching movies and somehow he started to do it too. He would always find new things to cook for you, watching your eyes tear up when you eat something delicious. Watching you make funny faces when he made anything too sour.
His heart was filled with happiness because of you.
So, watching you cry now, the sound wrecking his heart makes worried and has his thoughts running rampant.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He chants it for reasons unknown as he hugs you tight, holding your head as you lean on his chest holding him tight.
Fortunately, the parking lot is a lot empty than he imagined it so he did not need to worry about you, worrying that someone would find you crying. So he just continues rubbing your back.
A few minutes pass by and you finally look up at him, face puffy and tears in your eyes.
"I'm sorry," something crosses your eyes and you back away from him immediately.
He does not let you, he holds your arm and pulls you back into his arms.
The something that crossed your eyes was fear, he knew it very well, being acquainted with it in his days of knowing you.
Seungcheol was well versed in the tales your eyes held.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," a dismissal, your eyes were not even meeting his now.
"Truly?"
"Yes"
"I don't believe you,"
"Let me go,"
"Give me your eyes, love."
You do. A few minutes of hesitation, followed by you finally giving him your eyes and he sees it. Your blatant lie.
"Tell me the truth now," he asks you, his face closer to yours as your breathes entangle.
"I missed you," you whisper.
"Hmm?"
"I missed you!" You look away making him chuckle.
"I missed you too, love." He leans and kisses your forehead.
"I missed you so much I felt like I was dying."
"Truly?" You ask him, voice low.
"Truly." He did physically feel a ache in his heart he contacted doctors only to get the answer that he was lovesick. He did not sleep much because he would look at pictures of you in his phone, remembering the day a picture was taken.
He would stay up at night, dreaming about the dates he would plan for you when he would be back.
2 weeks away from you, felt like years and he did not know how he was going to survive being away from you again.
And then you were on him, hugging him so tight he felt his breathe wooshed out of his lungs for a second.
He held you same way, his being fully consumed by you, and his heart—that hurt to have you so far away—finally feeling better.
And you finally felt the cool breeze in the sunny day, one that embraced all of you no matter the parts you showed.
love is impossible and hard to figure out, they can be subtle like how seungcheol looks at you but tells you there was something in your hair. love drives you crazy, like how seungcheol pulls you away from anyone moving close to you, was it love or simply his character?
pairing : choi seungcheol x gn!reader / word count : 2.7k words
genre / tags : friends to lovers, romance, tension, suggestive, idiots in love, confession, non-idol!au, ft. roommate! chan
warnings : not proofread, endearments (honey), kissing, (sort of) messy make out, reader is wee bit possesive and a bit of a freak
mellow's notes : hi hello idk why i decided to rush to finish this, but here we are! it has been a while since i posted a fic which is ha...idk how my writing is right now, so let me know what you guys think!! call this a practice for writing tension & kissing scenes!
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⤷ see also on : ao3 | wattpad
★・now playing : 掙脫 by faye wong
"Can I borrow your Chapstick?" Seungcheol asks, and even before he could hear a response, you immediately fiddle for your bag and hand it over to him. Seungcheol quietly says, "Thank you," as he mentions letting you watch the rest of the episode, but you don't exactly do that.
The opened snacks of your favorite candies and sugary cornflakes have now been discarded. Even when you were trying to get into the final episode, your eyes can't seem to linger on as it moves its way to Seungcheol using your chapstick.
Damn, he looks too good using it.
Cherry-flavored balms were his favorite; you remember he mentioned it when you were using it, absentmindedly staring at you using it for just a little longer than usual.
Clutching the plushie that reminded you of him, you look at the way he swipes the chapstick around his lips, the color slowly giving his lips life, making it look like cherry itself. You can see how he wipes away the excess that sits on top of his lip as he returns your Chapstick.
"Hey," Seungcheol said, the bed creaks as he leans closer to you, too close. That familiar scent of his perfume is slowly etching its way into your clothes and kissing your skin. You try to pull yourself away from getting too close. Anything to get him out of your head.
His hand was trailing yours; you don't move an inch. Your heart settles when Seungcheol finally takes your hand to steal a half-empty cereal box from you.
"You're looking at me again, honey," Seungcheol emphasizes that last word with a tone that shows concern. Your eyes don't focus back in the show. You simply look at him...and his lips—those lips that had a deep shade of red from the tint and the sheen, making it look more plump.
"What? Oh sorry. Didn't know where else…" You look away from him and his lips as your own hide from it; you could almost taste the cherry flavor that you applied to your lips a few hours ago.
Honey was supposed to be a sweet endearment that he gives to his friends; he loves using it whenever you do any of his favors, or he even helps you with anything that you need working with.
'Thanks, honey' or even, 'You can always count on me, honey'.
Seungcheol doesn't like you that way, and you know that the endearment meant little interest, but right now, it's actually getting on your nerves, with just how good he calls you that even when you've listened to voice messages that the two of you sent to each other just for laughs, the endearment he uses as a norm, creating never ending twists around your stomach.
The way your shoulders lightly bump into each other as you adjust your pillow still makes you wonder if it might even mean something more. Would calling you that mean that he feels the same way for you?
"It finally took them a while." You smile when the characters finally kiss. You look away for a moment to look at Seungcheol, who quietly focuses on the scene.
"It's kind of funny how they're so oblivious that they even liked each other."
"They're too subtle about it." You say, "I didn't even know that they were into them until we got into what he was thinking."
You couldn't help but laugh; the male character especially reminded you of Seungcheol, even with the way he quietly follows behind the main character, who complains about their life.
And just like the main character, you couldn't decipher him. Even staying in his bedroom, a space that you've made your home to, there was still something about the way his hand quietly returns to its position of holding yours, as your thoughts that begin to think about anything about him, force itself to pry away from the scenarios where he has unconsciously holds your hand every time the two of you spend time together, buying more snacks for the next weekend.
You try not to think about the way he speaks to you; always so sweet with his words and close to you to whisper stories and jokes as if the two of you should be the only ones listening. Though as the episode comes to an end, you and Seungcheol bid goodbye, you slow your steps, hoping that he would suddenly open the door and give you a kiss that could rival the films the two of you watched, finally melt away the vagueness that runs through your mind 24/7.
If only that were the case. But, in the end, you find yourself in your car, playing any songs from your playlist that show those repressed feelings for your friend. You slowly end up forgetting the ending of the movie. Driving back to the apartment. A message popped up, and then a few more. As you reach your destination, you grab your phone to look at the messages.
Cheol <3 sent you 3 messages.
As you read the message thoroughly, you frown before throwing away your phone somewhere. You're gonna have to tell Chan about this, one of the few people who know your already fleeting feelings for Seungcheol, as he is the only one to ever see you take him home after one night of drinking with him.
He knows something that you don't. You've heard his stories about being in between the two of your antics that always end in quiet apologies and the tint of red in Seungcheol's ear (something you have yet to see). They are always exaggerated, you think to yourself.
"I like him."
"No way, Captain obvious."
The simple reply sends a flying plush of an otter to his head. Chan groans as he grabs the toy, tossing it back at you as you hug it tightly. "Then why are you even asking me? If you like him, just tell him."
You look at Chan before grinning at his current position. Slouched down on the couch as the two of you listen to a movie that has been played for the nth time, only serving as a quiet buzzing noise to accompany the ad games that Chan was playing.
"Well, it's different. How do I know if he likes me? What if he doesn't even like me that way?"
"Dude, he's like the only one who calls you honey so much, it's kind of sickening."
"Okay, but like…" It was dumb trying to refute someone who somehow knows what's up between the two of you, and with the way he rolls his eyes with you.
"Well, whatever, I know he likes you. Who else even goes to pay for dinner in advance for the two of you, as if he already knew what the two of you would get…" Chan said as he tossed his phone away, being dropped somewhere on the couch as it slipped out, and a bang could be heard. A curse left through Chan's mouth as he gets off the couch to grab his phone, rubbing any dust away with his shirt. "Do you not realize how much of a date this sounds?"
It's a wild idea, but the thought that Seungcheol would even take you out, it doesn't even seem real. Movies make it seem so easy for people to like each other. A fantasy that hits you too hard when you realize how daunting it is to even ask someone if you like them.
Chan notices the way you slump on the couch, even focusing on the movie that the two of you didn't even like. Eventually, he pauses the movie, making you look back at him in confusion. "Uh, you're gonna have to tell him eventually."
"But what if he doesn't even like me that way?"
"Right…that's pretty unlikely."
"You always say that." You frown, scooping a handful of popcorn, as you continue speaking with your mouth full. "Name me one time he showed any kind of interest."
"How would I know…" Chan says, "He's always taking you away from everyone, even the guys who like you don't even get a chance." You stare back at the television screen, slightly flushed that Seungcheol would even think to take people away from you.
"But seriously though, you should see the way he looks at you, he looks." Chan grabs the remote before lowering the volume of the buzzing noise of the action scene of the movie. "Plus, you guys hang out all the time; he's sure to develop something."
A message popped up as you continued scrolling.
Cheol <3 sent you 3 messages.
[ Today ⋅ 8:30 PM ]
Cheol <3
movie night, you prepare the CD's?
they say it's—
A hand quickly steals your phone away, not letting you finish the message that Seungcheol wanted to tell you, "Notice this, the two of you got personal movie nights without us." You look at Chan, who simply tilts his head and grins, and grabs a handful of your favorite cereal.
"Can you not?" You take your phone back from his very light grip as you read the finishing messages. There are even more new sets of text. You smile at the familiar sticker that he uses every time he shows that he's read your replies.
Cherries fill your messages. As Seungcheol is writing his message, you scroll back through the other messages he's sent you. Butterflies always seem to flutter around your stomach and the round of your cheeks to kiss you as he finally sends his message.
See you tomorrow?
"You're smart," Chan smiles, finally playing the film. The scene shows of the main character running as fast as they can, "He's just stupid at giving you the signs."
You find yourself in his bed as he is changing into something more comfortable, before the two of you watch on your laptop, even when there's conflict within you and your brain.
It was always Seungcheol's idea for you to spend your weekends at his house, and you can never really say no to movie night. You weren't opposed to Seungcheol's home. It was much better, much more comfier, had Seungcheol living here…it didn't actually matter, you just preferred it.
"I ordered some food, but if you're still hungry," Seungcheol tosses you a package full of flavored popcorn, and another twist for your stomach, because of course, he would know what your favorite is. Seungcheol never really opposed your tastes, even when he was obvious about his dislikes.
You begin setting up your laptop, another romance movie. You already know that he was next to you when the bed begins to weigh down, and his shoulder lightly bumps into yours.
You remember what Chan told you before he said his goodbyes; something about testing the waters for any clues of interest by wear. You started small, wearing a top that he Seungcheol says looks really nice on you, perfume that is subtle but not overbearing, his favorite scent.
As the movie begins, you know that this kind of silence wasn't going to last forever. Seungcheol quietly talks about how confusing the movie is with the story when you quickly interrupt him.
"Can I ask you something?" You, looking at him, for once, notice something in the way he was looking at you.
Seungcheol was very close to you; he didn't wear his cologne, but you could still feel it, the way it kisses your perfume. His skin has a slight tint of red at the tips of his ears, and the ends of his hair seem to have curled up ever so slightly. Even the way he tilts his head, you could see sparkles in his eyes so clearly, it's as if your vision had greatly improved even more.
Maybe you were thinking about this a little too hard. But seeing the way Seungcheol was quietly mumbling quiet words to himself, realizing how long he had actually been staring before looking away and taking a deep breath. He smiles as he looks back at you, a smile that means everything now.
"I want to be honest." You begin, ignoring the movie, becoming a sort of grounding hold as it plays a silent scene between the main character as he stays alone in his home with his dog. "Cheol, you're gorgeous, and everything that you do, even if I think you're doing it in a friendly way, is making me go crazy!"
. . .
The very, very silent moment between the two of you is momentarily interrupted when the movie moves to a more upbeat sound of the song California Dreamin'. Which brings a smile upon Seungcheol that you take a breath, one you didn't even know that you were holding.
Seungcheol puts his hands over his face, holding that position for a few seconds before chuckling, "God, why are we even like this?" Seungcheol mutters to himself, leaning his head on your shoulder. "We really are oblivious, aren't we?"
"Maybe." You sigh, gently lifting him off of you, getting a good look at his face. He wore an embarrassed grin as you swept up his hair. "Dumb, and vague, both of us were..."
Chan knew what was happening between the two of you; you were simply in your own head, fawning and going crazy. If only love were easy to understand, you unfortunately got the confusing kind, though you don't mind it.
After all, seeing Seungcheol ramble on about moments where it should have been obvious to the two of you that there's probably something up, you wanted to shut that mouth up more now that you knew. Your movements were swift as you moved to kiss him on the cheek. The movie conveniently plays Faye Wong's cover of Dreams, which gives you a bit of confidence to quietly kiss the corner of his mouth.
When you pull away, you look up at Seungcheol as he shakes his head, and a smile spreads across his face. "You surprised me."
"I had to shut you up somehow."
"This is how you shut people up?"
"It did work, though," you huff in response.
Seungcheol grins, holding your face up with just his hand on your chin, looking at you and then at your lips, which open slightly at the gentle pull he holds on you. Enamored, you looked very enamored. "I think you need to surprise me more."
"How should I do it then?" Your lashes flutter as his thumb lightly grazes against your bottom lip, the sheer color of pink staining his thumb. You were also wearing his favorite balm.
"You didn't even kiss me on the lips…I think it'd be more surprising." It was then that he quickly stole your breath away, and the taste of cherry begins to overwhelm you. Your back moves away from the headboard as you lie down on the cool mattress, reaching over to pull him closer to you, not leaving any room to breathe.
He is quick in his way when his mouth moves heavy against yours, as well as the way the heft of his arms pushes down to you, closer to the scent of his cologne, leading the chorus of your lips as he lets himself in, his tongue enters, and your lips begin to quiver. It felt good the way he lets you tangle your legs around his hips, giving you easier access to hold you tightly.
It felt like a dream, you wished it didn't end.
"I'm sorry for being like this," he mumbles through the kisses, leaving you breathless as he pulls away to kiss the apple of your cheek, lips trailing to your jaw as he leaves peppered flutters and red stains. "Beautiful," he calls you, kissing your brow.
"Mm," you could only reply, holding onto the black locks of his hair as you let him suck a sensitive spot around your neck. Your body is lightly anchored onto his hips as your hand moves up, feeling him, how he tries to keep himself up and not trap you down with more cherry-flavored kisses.
"Honey, look at me," Seungcheol whispers. You love it when he calls you that.
His lips were flushed as he gave you a long smooch; you could taste the Chapstick that you used a while ago. It feels good knowing that it came from you and no one else. Seungcheol never let you go that day, holding onto you as he whispers confessions only to be listened to by both of you.
You could do this forever.
thank you for reading the confusing kind
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⤷ find me on : ao3 (mellow_wishes) | wattpad (mellow-wishes)
mellow's notes : sort of but not really a cheol bday fic because im like two days late. also i watched chungking express so i thought why not add that one cranberries song and reference california dreamin' hehe
me when trixie @joshujin writes sebongs as men who murder for their partner and love them more than anything in the whole world:
no because the absolute CHOKEHOLD Adore U and Coup De Grace has on me is INSANE. idk what kind of CRACK was laced in between those lines but i can assure you i'm fucking addicted.
no because i'm out here catching myself giggling at the thought of coup de grace!vernon while in class, actually don't get me started on coup de grace, i need to analyze that fic like a literary masterpiece, the fmc was so... omg. it can genuinely be considered as a modern day classic.
my crash out here does NAWT do justice to the sheer talent of trixie because it's almost 2 AM and i'm unable to form coherent thoughts but god that fic left an impact on me i fear.
Y/n and Mingyu have been best friends since kindergarten. They were so inseparable that they developed their own language. But what will happen if they accidentally get married during their annual trip to Vegas? Do they stay married because of unforeseen circumstances? Or not? Will it turn into a real marriage? What happens when it begins to feel more than just a fake marriage to them?
"Thanks for this trip, Mingyu." I slurred my words as I placed my hand on his chest
"Are you having fun?" he asks, not as slurred but he was still drunk
I nodded happily. "I'm really glad I have a friend like you." I pointed at him with my fingers still on his chest "Did you know my mom wants us to get married?"
He laughs as the loud music pounds in the club we were in. We were by the bar, so it wasn't that loud. "Really why?" he asks
I shrugged "I don't know. I guess she thinks we should get together someday." I answered, "Does your mom think that too?" I asked
"Yeah, I think she does. But I told her we're just friends."
"Exactly! Can't a guy and a girl be friends without having romantic feelings for each other?" I exclaim
"I know, right?" he snakes his arms around my waist, pulling me closer so I can hear better "You know why they think that?" he asks, and I shake my head "Because we're always this close with each other," he answers "They think that we're going fuck at one point."
I laughed at his choice of language "Good point." I looked at him "We should prove them wrong then." I said
"How?" he asks curiously
"We should get married!" I shouted happily at him
Mingyu laughed at my words, "What?! How is that going to prove the wrong?"
"If we get together as a couple and see that we can't work as a couple - it'll be too weird, they should see that we're always going to be friends - just friends."
"Yeah, but why get —"
I gasp, cutting him off "Look! A couple at the other table - they looked like they got married across the street." I said, pointing at the couple, "That's so sweet. " I finished
Mingyu motioned to the bartender to get some drinks for us. Then the bartender puts a shot in front of us, and he hands me one, "To the couple!" he shouts
I laughed before clinking our glasses together and downing the alcohol. Mingyu and I let out a cough from how strong the drink was "What are we talking about again?" he asks as he scratches the back of his head
I blinked my eyes rapidly, trying to remember "I don't know..."
"Shall we dance instead?" he pulls out his hand
I grabbed it and said, "Let's go!" leading him to the dance floor
The rays of the sun were hitting my face, making me groan lightly. I opened my eyes slowly, and when my eyes adjusted to the light, I was back at the hotel suite Mingyu booked for us, which was odd because I don't remember coming in here. I was staring at the ceiling; a low snore beside me chirped. I slowly looked at the person beside me and found a shirtless Mingyu beneath the covers. My eyes shot down at myself, and when I realized I was wearing his white button-down from last night, I shot up from bed.
"Mingyu! Wake up!" I shake his shoulders awake "Hey! Wake up!" I slapped his cheek softly
In response, he released a low 'ow' before saying, "What?" he snapped
"Why are we in bed together?" I asked as he slowly lifted his body
I couldn't help but stare at his upper body. I knew he was muscular, but I've actually seen him like this before.
Mingyu finally got a hold of himself and stared at me "Are you wearing my?..."
I nod slowly "Did we?..."
Mingyu shook his head "No, I'm pretty sure we slept in different places last night," he said
"And yet we're here!" I shouted
Mingyu and I groaned at my voice "Don't yell, my head is killing me," he said as he grabbed his forehead
"Sorry." I said grabbing my head
He cleared his throat "What do you remember?" he asks
I shrug "I remember drinking, dancing, probably me vomiting somewhere, but... nothing about this." I gesture between us
Mingyu lifted the covers up "Well, I'm not totally naked. Maybe we didnt—"
"You don't know that." I cut him off "I'm just gonna tell you that; I'm not wearing anything underneath this." I mumbled
His eyes grew wide at my statement, "Okay, let's not jump to conclusions." He placed his hand on my shoulders gently before getting out of bed grabbing his pants and putting them on on
I sighed, "Mingyu?" I called
He looked at me "Yeah?"
"Are we good?" I asked, fidgeting with my fingers
He came to my side of the bed and sat down "Of course we are, Y/n. I promise everything will be okay," he says, giving me a soft smile
I smiled back at him "Thanks." I said
"Whatever happened, I'm sure we'll deal with it together, okay?"
I nod, "Okay."
There was a knock on the door, making Mingyu and me jump "I'll get it. Come out if you're ready." he gives me an encouraging smile before going to the door
When he left the room, I got out of bed and started to look for my things. I gathered my undergarments and put them on, then I proceeded to throw Mingyu's shirt again since I couldn't find my own.
I came out of the room, and I heard Mingyu was speaking to someone "I told you, ma'am, I don't know what you're talking about. I assure you, you have the wrong room," he said to the woman dressed in a uniform that I'm guessing she works for the hotel.
"What's going on?" I asked, coming into their view
"Ah, at last your wife is here." she grins at me
I released a laugh, "That's funny, I'm not married." I said, going to Mingyu's side
She released a soft chuckle. "Not before last night, you and Mr. Kim got married last night. So that makes you his wife."
Mingyu and I looked at each other, shocked, then back at her, "WHAT!" Mingyu and I exclaimed together
summary: you've just moved in with your boyfriend, and you're getting ready to go out together. too bad you have a habit of making things hard for him.
warnings: not proofread (when is anything i make proofread anyway), disgustingly in love cheol and reader, domestic bliss, reader wears a dress, unprotected sex (DON'T)
a/n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHEOL!! i love this man with all my heart can you believe it. i also wrote this as part of @studiosvt A Midsummer Carat's Dream event - pls go check out the other fics, too! ALSO also, huge thanks to @straylightdream for making me this absolutely amazing banner, especially on such short notice. you're the best, dreamie, i love you very much <3
It has been a week since you and Seungcheol moved in together. It has honestly been a week of bliss for the both of you, filled with domestic moments and sweet, giggly kisses. You find yourselves following each other around your apartment, never spending more than fifteen minutes in different rooms if either of you can help it.
During this week, you both decided not to make any social plans so you could spend all your time and energy on getting properly settled in your new home. Today, though, you finally feel like it's time to break out of your bubble of domestic bliss and reenter the world, and you both agreed to attend a party at your friend Soonyoung's place.
So, for the first time in a week, you have not spent your entire evening plastered to your doting boyfriend's side, because he is a man and therefore does not need to spend as much time getting ready to go out as you do. It's truly unfair, you think, how good he looks even when he just rolls out of bed in the morning.
You've been getting ready for the past two hours, showering, styling your hair, doing your makeup, and picking out your outfit for the evening. You end up in a dress that drapes over your curves in a way that makes you feel confident and sexy even though the dress is pretty long and not very revealing at all. Your makeup isn't exactly dramatic, but it definitely does bring out your eyes and emphasize the shape of your mouth. In short, you feel hot.
"Cheollie," you call, grabbing the bag you're planning to bring tonight. "You ready?"
You smile when you hear his footsteps approaching from the hallway. You're still not used to sharing a home with the love of your life, but nothing makes you happier than knowing that his home is yours, too. Your heart feels so full it could burst.
"Yeah, just let m- wow."
As soon as your boyfriend enters the room, he stops in his tracks. His eyes are tracing up and down your body, and when he meets your amused gaze, he lets out a breath.
"Why do you insist on making everything so hard?" he asks, his voice almost pained.
"What do you mean, baby?" you ask, burrowing your eyebrows at him and blinking in confusion. What on earth have you done now?
Seungcheol closes his eyes for a second and takes a deep, fortifying breath. When he opens them again he groans audibly, and steps closer to rest his forehead against your shoulder, nuzzling into the crook of your neck. His arms come up to encircle you.
"Cheol?"
"You, my love, are so fucking gorgeous," he breathes, and you feel his lips moving against your throat. You swallow. "Why do you have to do this to me when we have to leave soon?"
His words make you smile, finally understanding what he's talking about. You would be lying if you said his reaction didn't give you an immense ego boost, because of course they did. Seungcheol is the most beautiful man you know, and whenever he compliments you, you can't help but melt. He always makes sure you know that he means it.
"Cheol," you giggle, your arms coming up around his shoulders to play with the hair at the nape of his neck.
"Don't," he groans, his arms tightening around you even more.
You're pressed against his firm chest, and the hard planes of his body never cease to make you hot. One of your hands starts trailing down over his shoulder, following the lines of his pecs before coming to rest against his tummy. Your boyfriend shivers and presses his body yet closer to yours, his lips finding purchase against your skin and pressing wet kisses wherever he can reach.
The plan was to leave in ten minutes, but you sincerely doubt that will be happening. You don't actually want to be leaving in ten minutes anymore; you have more urgent things to attend to.
Mind made up, you trail your fingers even lower, allowing your nails to scratch against the fabric of your boyfriend's shirt. His lips fall away from your skin, mouth now open and panting against you. Your fingers begin to toy with the waistband of his jeans, the jeans that fit him so well and make his ass and thighs look absolutely sinful.
You're disappointed that you have to pull further away from Seungcheol’s body in order to unbutton his pants, but you decide to take the opportunity to press your lips to his. There's nothing slow about the kiss, only wet tongues meeting and exploring, teeth almost knocking together from how eager you both are. The kiss distracts you enough that your hand simply stays by his waistband, a finger curled into one of his belt loops.
Seungcheol's hands have started wandering, his hands sliding against the silky fabric of your dress to caress every inch of your body that he can reach. You let out a little moan as one of his hands glide over your breast, the other grasping your ass firmly. He takes the opportunity to walk you backwards, and when your knees hit the edge of the bed, you decide that you don't care if he ruins your hairstyle before you're even out the door tonight; you just want him. So you fall.
"Cheol," you gasp when you fall, your mouth falling away from his with the motion.
His pupils are so dilated that you can barely see the beautiful brown color of his irises. He looks absolutely ravenous, panting and towering over you. He's looking at you as if you're a meal and he's been starving, nevermind the fact that he already fucked you awake this morning in the same bed you're in right now.
You scoot back on the bed and he climbs after you, caging you in with his muscular arms that you more often than not just want to take a bite out of. One of his hands wastes no time in coming up to glide against your body again, and you can feel the heat of his skin seeping through the fabric of your dress. His hand comes up to your breast again, and this time he deliberately starts rubbing against your nipple, and the feeling is enough to make you moan breathlessly.
His eyes haven't left you once, flicking between your body encased in silk and your flushed face. Your dilated pupils match his, you know without even seeing yourself. Your back arches, pressing yourself closer to his body and into his palm. Seunghceol swears under his breath, his head hanging down against your shoulder once again as if looking at you is physically painful for him. You remember your earlier objective to remove his jeans, and when you bring your hand back to his waistband, you realize that he very well might be in physical pain.
He is so hard under your fingertips, and even just a gentle brush of your knuckles against the bulge of him makes his hips stutter. You refuse to be distracted again and finally pop the button open, dragging the zipper down, too. His face leaves your shoulder and you look up at his face. His eyes are shut in pleasure, his cheeks red with want, and his lips are covered in a mix of his and your saliva, glistening in the low light of your shared bedroom. He looks absolutely ruined, you think.
"Baby, please," he rasps, voice shaking slightly. "I know we should leave, but I can't-"
You interrupt him with a kiss. It's filthy once more, your tongue tangling with his and your lips melding together his like they were made to fit one another. Your fingers trail up from his waistband and start dragging his shirt up, your nails scratching gently against his skin. He shudders at the sensation and leans back briefly to get his shirt up an over his head.
As soon as his chest is bare in front of you, he decides that it's not fair that you can see him and he can't see you. His fingers stop teasing your nipple and instead move to slip the straps of your dress down your shoulders. He doesn't want to remove the dress fully, unwilling to part with your body long enough to get it fully off, but he doesn't think he can last a second linger without seeing your breasts.
He tugs the front of your dress down and immediately dives in to lick and suck at your left nipple, kneading the other breast fervently in his hand. You gasp and arch into him again, and his bulge rubs against your core over your dress and through his jeans. The feeling is too much, and you need him. Your hands come down to frantically push down his jeans and underwear, but neither one of you can be bothered to part long enough for him to fully get them off.
Instead, as soon as his cock is free from the confines of his clothing, your hand comes down to stroke him. He loses focus immediately, his hips rocking into your hand and his mouth falling away from your breast. He's panting hotly against your skin, unable to pull himself together enough to move forward with anything.
"Inside, please, Cheol," you pant against his ear, and he lets out a broken groan against you.
Even though it pains him, he slides his cock away from your fist and sits up slightly. His eyes rove over your body hungrily; you look ravished, your dress half off, your hair a mess, and your makeup completely smudged from his debauched kisses. He's still panting, but he comes back to himself enough to slide your dress up your legs and above your waist, granting him access to your soaked underwear.
The underwear don't even come off, he simply slides them to the side. He feels how soaked you are for him and gives a raspy hum that sets your skin alight, a buzzing sensation spreading from your core and outward. He rubs your clit a few times, but you whine at him so desperately that he can't hold back anymore.
Neither of you even think to grab a condom — he just slides home, burying himself inside you. He's so thick, so big, that you feel him in your throat. He has enough sense to pause as soon as he's inside, partially because he knows that you need time to adjust, but also because if he doesn't, he knows he will cum before you do, and he would rather die than have that happen.
The two of you stay like that for a few seconds, his chest pressed to yours and your arms coming around to press your nails into his back. Seungcheol is practically vibrating with the need to move, but you don't even have the breath left to tell him it's okay. You end up just squeezing him and nodding desperately, hoping that he will get the hint.
He does.
He pulls out slowly, and then pauses. Your eyes shoot open, desperately trying to convey that you need him to fuck you right now or you will die. He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment and takes a deep breath before pushing back in. Your jaw falls open, a mewl falling past your lips without you even noticing. His hands come to grip your hips so tightly that you can feel the bruises form under your skin, but you don't even care.
"You're my fucking dream girl, baby, you know that?" he breathes out, and when you don't answer, he stops moving.
You almost panic, physically needing him to move. Your eyes fly open again, and when you look at him, you see that he is waiting for you to answer. Having barely registered his question, you just blink at him for a few seconds before nodding.
"I know, Cheol," you choke out, barely having managed a whisper. "You're my dream, too, baby, now please move. Please."
He chuckles gently at your words, kissing you deeply, and then he starts to move in earnest. His hips don't slap against yours, but instead slide against them, giving stimulation to your clit and heightening your pleasure even more. You feel like you're going insane, sure that this feeling, so big and overwhelming, cannot possibly be contained in such a small form as a human being. It feels world-shattering, like it should level at least a city. Somehow, it doesn't, and you survive.
Seungcheol lifts your left leg, resting it against his hip, and it brings him so much deeper than before that it takes your breath away. His lips travel down to press kisses against your throat, and then travel back down to your breasts to lick and suck angry red marks into your delicate skin. Nowhere anyone else can see them; these are just for him.
The feeling makes you clench around him and he lets out a string of swear words, not sure what he's supposed to do to make sure he can last longer than you. If he can't he will obviously eat you out, and that would honestly be a pleasure for him — he would live between your thighs if he could — but he wants so badly to come with you, to reach his peak at the same time you reach yours. So he slides a hand between your bodies and starts rubbing your clit, fucking into you harder and deeper than before.
Your peak approaches you so fast you're not even aware it's coming before it's upon you, crashing over you in overwhelming waves that make you moan so loud you're sure your new neighbors will have some complaints. You don't care, because your orgasm is so all-consuming that the rest of the world simply falls away. Your nails claw down you boyfriend's back, no doubt causing red welts to form all over it, but you're pretty sure he likes it because suddenly, he's coming too.
The two of you remain like that for a while, entangled in one another and panting heavily. Your dress is rumpled, your hair is a mess, and you can feel that your lipstick is smeared all the way down to your chin. You will definitely be late to Soonyoung's party, but that's okay; it was worth it.
Seungcheol eventually lifts himself up a little and looks down at you with a softness that contrasts heavily with what you just did. He lifts a hand and smooths it over your cheekbone, gently wiping away an errant tear and the resulting streak of mascara.
"I'm sorry I made us late," he murmurs, and then leans down to press a gentle kiss to your lips.
You huff at him, and he pulls out gently. You wince a little. His jeans chafed against the skin of your thighs while he was fucking you, but once again, you find that it was worth it. He disappears into the bathroom and returns with a warm washcloth and helps wipe you down. Miraculously, no bodily fluids got onto your dress, which you chalk up as a win.
You look up at the love of your life, a playful smile on your lips that makes him fall even more in love with you somehow.
"It's okay, Cheol — like you said, I'm the one who makes it hard for you."
💌 g e n r e: fluff, hurt/comfort, established relationship and split
💌 s u m m a r y: in which you and jeonghan take time apart to learn how to choose each other in every version of yourselves.
inspired by @/prestonrack on instagram.
love isn't about choosing each other just once.
It's spring, and Jeonghan wants to leave.
You'd seen a lot of sides of Jeonghan in the four-and-a-half years you'd known him. His gentle demeanour, his clumsy side, even his micro-annoyed expressions when something went horribly wrong.
You'd never seen this side of him, however. The sight of him sitting at the dining table, his head in his hands, despondent and exhausted. A shadow of the personified sunshine you once knew. The version of him who'd had too many late nights, too many troubles plaguing his mind. And there you were, a woman whose tongue became sharper than knives, someone who managed to say the nastiest things without batting an eye and call it love.
"I think we should... take a break," Jeonghan says, his voice muffled by his hands. "We can't keep doing this. We can't keep going round in circles, arguing about the same things over and over. You're tired of it, and frankly... so am I. I'm really, really tired."
You barely recognise your own voice when you reply, "I...I didn't..."
"I know," Jeonghan replies, although he doesn't actually know what either of you mean. "I know. But I'm also allowed to be upset at this. At you. I can't keep coming home and fighting a new war each time. We can't do this and then pretend everything's fine five minutes later. You're stressed, I'm never available enough... we're not the same people we fell in love with. We're not the same people we used to know."
It all sounds very transactional, you almost say out loud. But all that comes out of you is a gentle nod. A nod more gentle than anything you'd said or done to him these few months. "Right."
Above all, you were sorry. Sorry that you'd driven the both of you to this bitter, bitter end. Sorry that you couldn't even apologise for it. Sorry that you were the reason why this man, this beautiful man who had always loved to smile, couldn't even look you in the eye right now.
He looks up, as if he can't believe your easy agreement himself.
You swallow so hard that the lump in your throat actually hurts. "Okay. Um... I'll go."
He looks alarmed at your words. "No, you don't have to--"
"I can't stay, Ha-- Jeonghan," You mumble, looking around the house. A roof, and four walls containing so many fond memories. Way too many than what's good for you. Of him lying in your lap, of singing completely off-key to Katy Perry, of drunken giggling and inside jokes and dancing in the dark. "This place is yours. You bought it. I'll...I have to go. I'll go now."
"Not now," He replies, standing up. "It's late, and it's cold. Don't just go now because we're taking a break--"
"It's--it's really nice of you," You mumble, wiping your nose. "Really. I'm not leaving because I don't want to see you. It's just that if I continue to see you, I think I might not want to leave anymore. Take this as me trying to give you the peace you -- we need. I... I really have to go."
He shakes his head. "Stay for the night, at least. We've... we've loved each other too much to let this just be the end of it. And I really don't feel great about you leaving right now."
Loved. The word rings through you. And it takes all the fight out of you. So all you do is nod. "I'll take the couch."
Jeonghan still looks uncomfortable at the idea. But you, too, shake your head. "Please don't try to convince me."
After a few moments, he finally relents. "Alright, then."
You pack quickly in (what used to be) your shared bedroom, spend one exceedingly awkward night on the couch, and by eleven the next morning, you're closing the front door and stepping away from the apartment you called home. You don't even know if Jeonghan wakes up to see you leave. By eleven, you've bid goodbye to the life you once knew, and to the man you'd given your entire heart to.
It's summer, and you're alone.
The months have truthfully flown by. You don't see Jeonghan at all, and you make no move to contact him. Work is the same as it always is, only now you throw in a hundred and ten percent just to make sure you're well and truly exhausted by the time you get home. You don't want to leave any space in your time, or your head, to think about him.
A nice, long drink before bed is your alternative. But alcohol, as you know it, has always been a fine line, and it only takes a teensy step, a "just one more" to turn everything upside down and cross it to the point of no return.
And so you find yourself dialing his number one warm night, intoxicated and barely seeing straight. The half-empty tequila bottle reflects all the mistakes you're about to make. He picks up on the third ring.
"Hello?"
Some part of your consciousness is screaming no, no, no!!! And yet, you can't bring yourself to hang up just yet. So you just stay silent and hear his voice.
"Hello?" He repeats. "Are you there? What's happening? Are you okay--"
"I'm okay," You reply, lips curving into a smile. "Aaaalll good."
There's a pause. You can almost hear the click in his brain when he makes the connection, because he's Jeonghan, your boyfriend of four years -- well, was, and he knows you so well, you could say he knew you inside out, and--
"Are you drunk?"
"No!" You insist. "Mm... I drank a little, but you know me, I have an iron liver--"
"The tolerance of a fruit fly," He interrupts, deadpan. "Are you drinking at home or outside--"
"Oh, home," You reply airily. "Home, home. Although I don't know where that is."
"Do you need me to pick you up--" He sounds alarmed. "Are you lost? Send me your location."
"No, no," You sigh. "I'm saying that just 'cos... I'm not used to it, you know?"
"Used to what?" He asks softly.
"Just... this!" You gesture around your kitchen, as if he can see it from wherever he is. "A great big apartment, and plates for so many people, but no one at home. Just me and my four walls. And this Jose Cuervo."
He stays silent.
"Oooh, plates." You say, opening a cabinet and promptly bumping the door into your head. "Oh, ow."
"Baby-- I mean--"
"Yeah, there's baby ducks on this one," You say happily, pulling one out. "I bought it because I thought you'd like how their beaks are lopsided."
"Hey," He says. "Look, I know you're drunk, but you can't just do this in the middle of the night."
"Riiight." You reply, face flushing red. "I'm sorry, I'm embarrassing myself, aren't I?"
When he doesn't reply, you feel tears welling up in your eyes. This isn't the Jeonghan you know -- the one you love would always reply, always talk, always play along with the bit, because you'd laugh, and he'd smile because you were laughing.
"I'm sorry you had to pick up... bye--"
"Wait. You're sure you're safe? Do you need me to come and find you?"
"No, no," You say. "Don't come near me. Don't come and find me."
"What?"
"If you come, I might not let you leave," You mumble, a little more incoherently. "I can't get used to... I'm gonna go now."
"Well, finish your thought before you go," He says sternly. "You can't get used to what?"
"I just got used to not being at home," You reply, the phone beginning to slip from your jelly fingers. "My home doesn't feel like one right now."
"Yeah?" He asks, quieter now. "What does home usually feel like, then?"
"Like you," You say sleepily, the phone falling, seconds from clattering on the table. "I think it always felt like you."
And then you fall asleep, the tequila finally taking over.
It's almost autumn, and Jeonghan spots you first in the grocery store in the central district. You're focused on picking out the perfect apple.
You almost turn on your feet and bolt when he calls your name, but you force yourself to slowly turn around and face him. "Oh. Jeonghan. Um... hi."
Jeonghan looks at you. You don't look like you want to be here at all. You're looking everywhere but at him, you're shifting on your feet, and you look jittery -- something he'd only seen the night before you'd surprised him with a watch he'd been eyeing for months.
So, instead of firing off questions, he glances at a nearby diner. "Want to grab something to eat? They serve good shakes."
--
"How are you?"
"Oh, uh, fine." You fidget with the edge of the menu. "As per normal."
"Where did you go to stay?" He asks again. "I couldn't get a hold of you after... everything. I wondered where you went."
"Just further away," You shrug. "Found a studio apartment closer to work, and, well, it's just me. I don't need a space that big."
He nods once.
It takes a few more bites before he takes a deep breath and tells you, "I'm sorry. For how I... ended things. I -- I don't..."
"Jeonghan, you don't need to apologise," You interrupt, putting your fork down. "Honestly, it was mostly my fault. We were just trying to survive on our own, and I made you feel horrible for doing it differently than I was. You didn't deserve that."
He nods silently, raising an eyebrow. "That's... really nice of you to say."
"And I should have realised..." You clasp your hands and look down at them. "That you five years ago wouldn't be the same as you now. I loved you because of your kindness, and gentleness, but now I know... being in love with you didn't mean finding you only in what I thought you were."
Jeonghan stares hard at you, as if he hasn't quite seen you properly before. "What does loving me mean, then?"
"I think it means finding you in every version, even when you're worn down by life and rebuilt by growth, because it's all the real you," You look down at your own plate. "And choosing to love all of it, and every version of you still to come. I know that now."
"I'm not going to ask you for another chance," You continue, swallowing hard. "I know we're way past that. I just wanted you to know that... I'm trying to become better. I'm trying to learn how to stop controlling something that I should've let run its course."
And it's really good to see you again, you almost say, but hold your tongue.
The remainder of the meal passes in silence, and when you can see the bottom of your glass and Jeonghan has taken his last bite, you offer a small smile. "It was nice to talk about this. Really. Thanks for staying to eat."
He doesn't say anything, just continues to watch you silently as you gather your things.
You bid him goodbye, and leave the small diner. You're about to step on the crosswalk when you hear rapid footsteps. You turn and Jeonghan's standing right behind you, looking as though he can't quite believe himself either.
"Um... are you okay?"
"No."
"Oh," You reply. "Did... did I say something hurtful again? Look, I'm really sorry--"
"No, you didn't."
"What is it, then?"
He shakes his head. "I can't believe I'm saying this."
"What?"
"There's just one tiny, really important flaw in your otherwise stunning reflection," He mutters.
"What do you mean?"
"You really weren't going to ask for another chance?"
"No...?"
"And that's where you went wrong," He declares firmly. At your incredulous expression, he shakes his head. "You're right that 23-year-old me won't be the same as I am now. But every version of me, whether I'm 23, 28, or 90, will always want you."
"Jeonghan--"
"I wasn't perfect either," He tells you ruefully, shutting his eyes as if he can't face you. "I shut down and stopped talking. I didn't tell you what I really wanted. You're not a mind reader. I shouldn't have assumed you'd just know."
"Still. I had the nastiest mouth. I recognise that now."
"And you're learning from it," He counters. "I'm not making excuses for your mistake. If you haven't noticed, you're more at peace. You seem.. calmer, less on edge. I had lessons of my own that I needed to learn, too. I can't let you take all the credit for this one." A wry smile finds its way onto his face.
You huff a laugh. "So what now?"
"What now?" Jeonghan repeats, taking one timid step closer. "We sit down. You call me out on my shit, and I'll call you out on yours. We'll talk about everything huge and small, even if we think it won't matter later on. We won't be stupid and try to start over as friends. I know I said I was tired, but frankly, I'm even more tired having to go through my day waiting for you to call while sober, or wishing that I could call."
"I would've picked up if you did," You admit.
He smiles. "I know. So would I, drunk or not."
It's winter, and you've never been happier.
He catches you being more aware on what you're saying, and how you're saying it. You notice him trying to vocalise his thoughts, when he's struggling and when he needs comfort. And suddenly, your words make a hundred times more sense, even to you.
To fall in love with Jeonghan had always been easy. To love him over and over, during the easy and the hard, was the part where you could never stop trying. Luckily for you, you had someone who was just as willing to choose you, over and over again.
Hii!! can I have a ot13 seventeen meet cute? Different scenarios where you meet and it’s just fluffy and cute like bumping into one another a dropping stuff kinda thing! Hope that’s ok and thank you! love your writing! X
pairing: Seventeen x female!reader
warnings: pure fluff ehehe that's it, some romcom and kdrama shit
Flashbulbs detonated in endless, blinding strobes, casting harsh light across the marble floors of the arrival hall. The air vibrated with a deafening cacophony of screams, shouted questions, and the incessant click of camera shutters. Seungcheol—known to the world as S.Coups—walked through the center of the storm. Even after years in the industry, the sheer volume of an airport crowd required every ounce of his focus. He kept his composure, offering polite nods to the press and waving warmly to the fans lined up behind the barricades, trying his best to acknowledge as many people as possible while keeping a steady pace.
Then, the press line collapsed inward. A surge of paparazzi broke past the rope, causing the tight wall of security surrounding him to tense and push back. In the chaos, one of the larger guards stepped back blindly to shield Seungcheol, shoving through the crowd without looking.
The collision was hard and sudden. A startled gasp cut through the noise right beside him as you were knocked completely off balance, tumbling onto the hard tile floor. Your belongings scattered around you—an innocent bystander caught in a hurricane that wasn't yours.
Seungcheol saw it happen in real-time. Without a second thought, he broke his stride, ignoring the sudden pull of his manager's hand on his sleeve. He stepped outside the moving perimeter, dropping down slightly to reach out a steady hand to you.
"Are you okay?" his voice was grounded, cutting through the surrounding static. He gripped your hand carefully, offering enough support to help you back to your feet.
"Hyung, we have to keep moving," the security guard who had bumped into you urged, his voice tight with panic as he tried to form a protective wall around Seungcheol again. "The crowd is getting too congested."
Seungcheol completely ignored the warning, keeping his eyes on you as he gently retrieved a loose notebook from the ground and handed it back. "I'm so sorry about that. Are you hurt at all?"
You dusted off your jacket, offering a small, reassuring shake of your head as you accepted the book. "No, it's fine, really. Don't worry about it—you have celebrity immunity anyway. Accidents happen in these crowds."
A quiet chuckle escaped his lips, though he gently shook his head at your words. "No such thing," he replied smoothly, a hint of a warm smile breaking through his tired expression. "That’s not about immunity, it’s just basic etiquette. Someone gets knocked down, you help them up."
A soft laugh spilled from your lips at his fast response, your eyes crinkling with genuine amusement. In that brief, quiet beat, Seungcheol actually looked at you. The chaotic noise of the airport seemed to dull for a second as he took in the bright, effortless beauty of your smile and the softness of your features. Amidst a sea of flashing lights and frantic energy, your calm presence was striking.
"Seungcheol-ah, please, we really need to go now," his manager pleaded louder, gesturing toward the sliding glass doors leading to the waiting van.
This time, Seungcheol acknowledged the command with a firm nod. He turned back to you one last time, offering a polite bow. "Again, I’m really sorry for the trouble. Please take care, and have a good day."
"Thank you," you smiled softly, stepping back to give him room. "Have a safe ride."
He gave you one last polite nod before letting his team guide him through the automatic doors and out into the crisp outdoor air. The noise subsided slightly as the heavy glass doors slid shut behind them, but Seungcheol paused right before stepping into the dark SUV. He turned his head, looking back through the transparent glass into the bustling terminal, taking one last moment to find your figure in the crowd and engrain the memory of your face in his mind.
Jeonghan
The cozy break room on the styling floor of the HYBE building was filled with the quiet rustle of paper and the clinking of coffee cups. As a new member of the wardrobe team, you were eager to get to work, sitting at the central table with two senior stylists as you all flipped through the mood boards for Seventeen's upcoming concept shoot.
"Honestly, these new looks are incredible," you said enthusiastically, tapping a finger on one of the sample swatches. "Take Jeonghan, for example. He's going to look absolutely amazing in these tailored silhouettes. The tones are so elegant."
You leaned back in your chair, taking a sip of your iced coffee before continuing nonchalantly, "Which is honestly a relief, because his last photoshoot was kinda weird, wasn't it? Those neon colors and oversized cuts didn't really suit him at all. It felt like a total stylistic miss."
As soon as the words left your mouth, a suffocating silence fell over the table.
The two stylists across from you instantly froze. Their eyes widened in pure, unadulterated panic, and the one holding a pen dropped it onto the table with a soft clatter. You blinked, thoroughly confused by their sudden horror. Before you could ask what was wrong, a quiet, deliberate throat-clearing sounded from directly behind your chair.
Your entire body went cold. You froze in place, every instinct telling you not to look, but you slowly turned your head anyway.
Leaning against the doorframe was Yoon Jeonghan. He was dressed casually in a soft hoodie, a mischievous, amused smirk dancing on his lips. His dark eyes locked onto yours, sparkling with playful entertainment at your caught-red-handed expression.
You swallowed hard, your voice barely a squeak as you blurted out, "Am I fired now?"
Jeonghan let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "Not yet," he answered smoothly, his voice carrying that familiar, gentle melody.
He uncurled himself from the doorway and pushed off the frame, taking a few lazy steps into the room toward the couch near the wall. He picked up his forgotten baseball cap from the cushions, tossing it lightly in his hand before turning his attention back to you. "Are you new here?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
You swallowed heavily once more and gave a stiff, nervous nod, feeling the gazes of your terrified colleagues still burning into your back.
Jeonghan slowly eyed you up and down, his smirk widening into a slow, cat-like smile that made your pulse race. "I see," he murmured, his gaze resting on your face. "Well, I really can't wait for more of your insights on the next project. You must be very sharp if you noticed all of that."
A bright, uncontrollable blush rushed to your cheeks. "I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to—" you started hastily, hands coming up to attempt a proper, desperate apology.
"Ah, don't worry about it," Jeonghan interrupted softly, holding up a hand to stop your rambling. The teasing glint in his eyes softened into a warm, genuine smile. "I actually like honesty. It's refreshing."
You blinked at him in surprise, caught off guard by his easygoing response. Jeonghan just maintained his playful smile, pulling his cap onto his head and adjusting the brim. Without another word, he turned on his heel and sauntered out into the hallway, leaving behind a faint hint of his perfume and a room full of breathless silence.
Joshua
The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly, turning the paved sidewalk into a shimmering blanket of heat. Summer was in full force, and the small pastel-colored ice cream truck parked near the plaza felt like a beacon of hope. You stood at the front of the line, fanning yourself with a paper flyer while mentally reviewing the Korean phrases you had spent the morning practicing. You wanted to order entirely on your own today—a small personal goal to test your language skills.
When the vendor looked at you with a friendly, expecting smile, your mind went completely blank.
The heat seemed to melt every single word out of your head. You opened your mouth, stammered through a broken syllable, and paused, desperately trying to pull the right vocabulary from memory. Nothing came. Frustration bubbled up instantly, and you let out a low, defeated sigh, quietly cursing at yourself in English as your cheeks burned hotter than the summer air.
"Need a hand?"
A smooth, gentle voice spoke up from right behind you. You turned to see a tall, handsome guy with soft eyes and an impossibly calm demeanor standing next in line. Joshua offered you a comforting, reassuring smile, stepping forward slightly. "I notice you were kind of struggling so...want me to help you out?"
Relief washed over you instantly. "Oh, thank you so much, yes please," you said softly, gladly accepting his rescue. You quickly told him the exact flavor and scoop count you had been trying to ask for.
Joshua nodded attentively, turning to the vendor with effortless ease. He placed the order in fluent, crisp Korean, adding a polite request for extra napkins. Within moments, the vendor handed over a sweet, chilled cup of ice cream.
As you stepped to the side, you turned back to Joshua with a grateful smile. "Thank you so much, seriously. I swear I actually know how to speak Korean, but I think the heat is completely frying my brain today."
Joshua let out a low, musical laugh, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine amusement. "Hey, don't worry about it at all," he assured you softly, his tone incredibly warm. "Honestly, the heat gets to everyone. I get tongue-tied and struggle with words sometimes, too."
You smiled brightly, touched by how kind and considerate he was being. "Well, thanks again for coming to my rescue. You're a lifesaver."
"Anytime," he replied, his smile lingering as he looked down at you.
For a brief, quiet second, the oppressive summer heat seemed to fade into the background. Your eyes locked with his, sharing an unexpected moment of quiet connection amidst the gentle hum of the city. Feeling a sudden flush on your neck that had nothing to do with the sun, you cleared your throat gently to break the spell.
"Well... I'll let you get your treat. Have a great day!" you said warmly.
"You too," Joshua smiled back softly.
You turned and walked off down the tree-lined path, enjoying the cool sweetness of your ice cream.
Joshua stayed where he was, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as his eyes followed your retreating figure through the sunlight. He kept watching until a heavy cough shattered his train of thought.
"Young man," the ice cream truck owner called out, leaning over the window frame with an eyebrow raised. "Are you going to order something or just stand there staring all day?"
Joshua snapped out of it, a sheepish, charming grin breaking across his face as he rubbed the back of his neck and finally stepped up to the counter.
Jun
The heavy thud of leather meeting pads echoed through the spacious gym, punctuated by the sharp rhythm of your breathing. It had been an exhausting hour of self-defense practice, and your arms were already starting to feel like lead. Clad in comfortable workout clothes with white boxing bandages neatly wrapped around your hands and wrists, you were determined to master at least the basics of staying on your feet. Unfortunately, your balance had other plans.
You took a miscalculated step backward to reset your stance, but your heel caught on the edge of a thick rubber mat. With a startled gasp, you lost your footing entirely. You stumbled helplessly, your arms flailing in a desperate attempt to catch yourself, but gravity won. Instead of hitting the hard floor, you slammed squarely into someone who happened to be passing right behind you.
The collision sent both of you tumbling down in a chaotic heap. You hit the mat with a dull thud, your breath momentarily knocked out of you.
Panicking instantly, you scrambled up into a kneeling position and looked down at the person you had just flattened. Your heart dropped into your stomach when you recognized him. It was Wen Junhui—Jun from Seventeen. He was currently training intensely for an upcoming movie role that required extensive martial arts and fighting scenes, and you had just tackled him like a football player.
"Oh my gosh, I am so, so sorry!" you apologized hectically, your voice pitching high with panic. You scrambled to help him, reaching out with your bandage-wrapped hands to offer support. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to—are you hurt?"
Jun groaned softly, rubbing the back of his head before accepting your hand. Despite the sudden crash, he let out a light breathy laugh as you helped him back up to his feet. Standing at his full height, he shook off the impact, brushing down his sweat-dampened shirt.
"Hey, it's okay," he assured you, his deep voice calm and soothing. He gave you a warm, reassuring smile. "I'm totally fine, don't worry."
"I lost my balance," you explained breathlessly, heat rushing to your cheeks as embarrassment settled in. You gestured vaguely back toward the mat. "And you were... unfortunately right in my way."
Jun chuckled, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. He glanced down at your hands, nodding approvingly at the crisp boxing bandages wrapped tightly around your knuckles. "Well," he said, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips, "looking at those bandages, I'd say you'd do pretty well in a real fight. You managed to knock me down in less than a second."
You let out a nervous laugh, hiding your blushing face behind your bandaged hands for a brief moment. "I am extremely new to this whole self-defense thing," you admitted with a self-deprecating smile. "Clearly, I still have a whole lot to learn before I can actually call it fighting."
Jun smiled gently, nodding in complete understanding. Having spent weeks drilling complex choreographies and stunts himself, he knew how clumsy the learning process could feel. "It takes time," he offered kindly. "You're doing great."
You smiled back, though you offered him one last concerned look. "Are you really okay, though? I don't want to be responsible for delaying your movie prep."
He laughed again, shaking his head. "I promise you, I'm completely fine. I've taken much harder falls than that today."
You let out a long sigh of relief, the tension finally draining from your shoulders. A small, cheeky smile played on your lips as you joked, "Well, if I ever stumble into you again, feel free to just knock me down first."
Jun grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Deal. I promise I'll do that next time."
The two of you exchanged one last warm smile, the initial awkwardness melting into a comfortable beat of silence. You waved a little awkwardly with a wrapped hand, gave him a final apologetic nod, and turned around to walk off back toward your training corner, feeling your cheeks burn all over again—though this time, not entirely from embarrassment.
Hoshi
The heavy beat of the music bounced in your ears as you finished up a grueling set, completely in your own world. You had your noise-canceling headphones pressed firmly over your ears, the volume turned up high enough to drown out every clang of iron and hum of the treadmills around you. The next track hit your playlist, and the familiar, addictive intro of Seventeen’s "Thunder" immediately sent a rush of energy through your veins.
Instantly hyped, you wiped the sweat from your forehead and began walking between the rows of weight machines to head toward the drinking fountain. You couldn't help yourself. You started mumbling the lyrics under your breath, completely caught up in the rhythm. As the beat dropped, your shoulders began to sway, and you executed a dramatic, mini version of the iconic choreography right there in the middle of the aisle, giggling softly to yourself at your own silliness.
Suddenly, a light tap on your shoulder shattered your musical bubble.
You spun around, startled, and pulled one side of your headphones down to rest against your neck. The words died in your throat as your eyes went wide. Standing right in front of you was Kwon Soonyoung himself—Hoshi.
He offered you a faint, mischievous smirk, his eyes bright as he gestured toward the storage rack tucked into the narrow space directly behind where you had just been dancing. "Hey," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "I really didn't want to just push past you or scoot you out of the way, but I need to grab something out of that shelf behind you."
Your mouth dropped open in complete shock. Heat rushed to your face so fast you felt dizzy. You quickly scrambled to the side, stepping out of his path while your brain desperately tried to process the fact that Seventeen’s performance unit leader had just witnessed your impromptu solo performance to his own group's song.
"Fuck, I'm so sorry," you squeaked out, still frozen in place with your mouth slightly agape.
Instead of just grabbing his equipment and walking away, Hoshi chuckled, retrieving a set of resistance bands from the shelf. He turned back to look at you, his smirk softening into a warm, teasing grin. "By the way, great moves," he praised, tossing a approving nod in your direction. "You really nailed the timing."
You let out an awkward, breathy laugh, burying your face in your hands for a second before looking back at him. Embarrassment burned bright in your chest. "Would you mind taking one of those heavy iron weights over there and just smashing my head with it?" you asked, pleadingly gesturing toward the rack. "Please, just end it now."
Hoshi threw his head back and laughed aloud, the bright sound echoing over the gym background noise. "Hey, it's really not embarrassing!" he assured you, his eyes crinkling into his signature 10:10 smile as he shook his head. "Honestly? It was pretty cute."
You let out a pained, sarcastic smile, clutching your chest as if his words were physical hits. "Thank you," you replied dryly, your tone dripping with playful irony. "But I prefer getting my head smashed."
Hoshi let out another light laugh, adjusting the bands over his shoulder. He stepped past you, giving you a quick, playful wink. "I'll be listening out for your next performance," he teased over his shoulder. "See you at the next song!"
You stood completely still, watching his athletic frame walk across the gym floor toward the dance studio section. As soon as he was out of earshot, you let out a long, dramatic sigh, slumping your shoulders in utter defeat.
"Great," you muttered to yourself, slipping your headphones back over your ears. "Now I have to change gyms."
Wonwoo
The evening air was crisp and unforgiving, but you barely felt the chill. You were sitting on the cold metal bench of the bus stop, completely curled in on yourself as tears streamed uncontrollably down your face. A huge, bitter fight with your boyfriend had left your heart shattered, the harsh words still echoing in your mind. A few commuters standing nearby cast uncomfortable, side-long glances in your direction, but you didn't care. You were too exhausted, too overwhelmed by the heavy lump in your throat, to bother hiding your grief.
You buried your face in your knees, your shoulders shaking with heavy, shuddering sobs.
"Excuse me... are you alright?"
The quiet, deep voice broke through the fog of your tears. You sniffled hard, wiping your wet cheeks with the sleeve of your sweater as you slowly raised your head.
Standing right in front of you was Jeon Wonwoo. He was wearing a dark, oversized coat and a pair of round, black-rimmed glasses. His sharp features were softened by a look of genuine concern, his brow slightly furrowed as he looked down at you.
"I'm fine," you managed to choke out, your voice small and raspy as you sniffled again, desperately trying to pull yourself together in front of him.
Wonwoo gave a brief, subtle nod, but he didn't move away. "I'm only asking because...you know...you're sitting out here all alone, bawling your eyes out," he pointed out gently, his tone completely devoid of judgment.
His straightforward honesty made the fragile dam inside you break all over again. You hesitated for a split second, your mouth trembling, before another fresh wave of tears overflowed, and you pressed your hands over your face with a muffled cry.
Wonwoo quietly reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small pack of tissues. He pulled one out and offered it to you, waiting patiently until you took it. "Boyfriend?" he asked softly.
You paused, dabbing at your wet eyes and blowing your nose into the soft paper. You looked up at him through blurry, swollen eyes, completely caught off guard. "How... how do you know that?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
Wonwoo shrugged lightly, a tiny, sympathetic shift in his expression as he looked down at his shoes for a moment before meeting your eyes again. "I just guessed," he murmured softly.
He watched you with a quiet, pitiful gaze as you tried to catch your breath. "Look, I'm not a therapist or anything," Wonwoo said, his deep voice carrying a quiet weight that seemed to instantly ground the chaotic energy around you. "But I'm pretty sure no guy is worth all those tears."
You stared up at him, his gentle words sinking deep into your chest. Slowly, you nodded, acknowledging the quiet truth in what he said.
A soft, warm smile touched Wonwoo's lips, softening the sharp lines of his face. "It's all going to be alright," he added softly.
For the first time all evening, the suffocating weight on your chest lightened just a bit. You looked back up into his calm, gentle eyes and managed to offer him a small, genuine smile. "Thank you," you whispered, feeling a real sense of comfort in his unexpected presence.
Wonwoo smiled back, his expression relaxed, before he shifted his weight and glanced around the bus stop a little awkwardly, adjusting his glasses. "Well... I have to get going now," he said gently, taking a small step back. "I really hope you feel better."
"I do. Thank you again," you replied, giving him another appreciative nod.
Wonwoo gave you one final, reassuring smile, turned around, and walked off into the evening twilight, leaving you with a light heart and a renewed sense of strength.
Woozi
The warm, cozy atmosphere of the café was filled with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the quiet chatter of soft background conversations. You sat in a quiet corner table, staring blankly at the blinking cursor on your laptop screen. As an aspiring songwriter, you had been sitting here for over two hours trying to finish a new track, but inspiration was playing hard to get.
Chin resting in your hand, you gazed out the window, watching the rain trickle down the glass as you mentally dragged yourself through line after line. You were trying to build a lyrical transition, but no matter how many times you rearranged the sentence, you just couldn't find a word that rhymed naturally without sounding forced.
"Shallow....Shadow...no...Window- god no...fuck it can't be that hard" you accidentally murmured out loud, completely unaware that your frustrated whisper had carried across the quiet space.
"Try 'hollow'," a calm, composed voice suggested from across the aisle.
You blinked, startled, and snapped your head up. Sitting at a small table just a few feet away was Woozi. He had a pair of sleek headphones resting around his neck and his own notebook sitting beside a half-empty iced americano.
When your eyes widened in shock, Woozi gave a small, nonchalant shrug, taking a sip of his coffee. "Sorry," he offered smoothly. "I just heard you struggling out loud."
A light blush warmed your cheeks, but you let out a heavy, tired sigh, running a hand through your hair. "No, it's fine," you said with a wry smile, gesturing helplessly at your laptop screen. "Songwriting is just... way harder than it looks. Sometimes the words just refuse to come together."
Woozi nodded in immediate, deep understanding. The subtle tension in his posture relaxed, recognizing the familiar struggle of every creator. "How long have you been writing songs?" he asked softly, resting his elbows on the table and looking at you with genuine curiosity.
You paused, thinking for a second as you calculated the past few months of late-night desk sessions. "Only a couple of months, honestly," you admitted, letting out an embarrassed laugh. "And as you can see, I'm really not very good at it yet."
Woozi didn't agree with your self-deprecation at all. He shook his head slowly, his expression serious yet gentle. "Don't say that," he assured you, his tone quiet but firm. "It's not about being 'good' or 'bad' when you first start out. You just have to find your own style and rhythm. It takes time."
You chuckled softly, looking at the legendary producer with a mix of awe and gratitude. "Well, hearing that from you means a whole lot, considering you're the ultimate professional."
At your sincere compliment, a subtle flush of pink crept onto the tips of Woozi's ears. He looked down at his desk for a brief second, clearing his throat awkwardly as he tried to hide a shy smile. "I wouldn't say that" he muttered softly, looking back up at you with a gentle warmth in his small eyes. "I started out in the exact same place once, staring at blank pages."
Your heart warmed at his humble words. The lingering self-doubt that had been weighing on you all afternoon suddenly vanished. Smiling brightly at him, you leaned over your keyboard and typed the word he had suggested directly into your lyrics, watching the line finally flow seamlessly together.
"Thank you," you said softly, meeting his eyes across the tables with a genuine, relieved smile. "Seriously."
Woozi offered you a sweet, subtle smile in return, his dark eyes sparkling with quiet encouragement. "Anytime," he replied softly, before slipping his headphones back over his ears and returning to his work, leaving you inspired and ready to write again.
Seokmin
The harsh studio lights flooded the set as the floor manager signaled the start of the dry run. DK sat on the plush leather couch alongside Seungkwan and Vernon, the three of them comfortably settling into their usual talk show routine. It was just a rehearsal, but DK was already in high spirits. Throwing off his script for a moment, he delivered a couple of smooth, well-timed jokes, delivering the punchlines with an incredibly straight face. Beside him, Seungkwan snorted softly and Vernon let out a quiet chuckle, used to his mate's sudden bursts of wit.
Behind Camera 2, you bit the inside of your cheek, trying desperately to keep a professional composure. As part of the floor crew, you were supposed to remain a ghost—silent, observant, and out of the spotlight. But DK's comedic timing hit you just right. You ducked your head, trying to swallow the bubble of laughter rising in your chest.
DK’s sharp eyes didn't miss it. Spotting your shoulders shaking behind the lens, a glint of mischief sparked in his brown eyes. Fueled by the visible reaction, he leaned into the bit, layering one absurdly deadpan remark onto another. He adjusted his mic with exaggerated elegance, dropping another off-script side comment with effortless humor.
That was your breaking point. A bright, burst of laughter escaped your lips before you could stop it, ringing clearly through the quiet studio space.
Instantly, several crew members turned their heads toward you. Your face flushed bright red under the dim perimeter lighting. "I'm so sorry," you whispered hurriedly, taking a hasty step back into the shadows of the background, bowing your head in embarrassment.
Instead of moving on, DK leaned forward, a broad, radiant smile spreading across his face. He pointed lightly in your direction, his voice ringing over the studio speakers. "It's good to know at least someone in here finds me genuinely funny today."
The studio burst into lighthearted giggles, melting the awkward tension instantly, though your cheeks remained warm for the rest of the run.
Once the director called a break to prep for the live broadcast, the members unclipped their microphones. While Seungkwan and Vernon headed toward the dressing rooms, DK excused himself and walked straight toward the edge of the set where you were gathering your clipboard and headset.
"Hey," he said gently, stopping a comfortable distance away. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking genuinely sheepish. "I wanted to apologize. I saw you trying to stay quiet and I totally egged you on. I didn't mean to get you called out by the crew."
You shook your head quickly, offering him a reassuring smile. "Oh, no, please don't apologize! It wasn't your fault at all. I was just being unprofessional. I'm supposed to keep a straight face no matter what."
"Unprofessional?" DK shook his head, his wide smile returning as he met your eyes. "Not at all. Honestly, I was flattered. Knowing I made you laugh like that made the whole dry run way more fun for me."
A soft chuckle slipped from your lips at his sincerity. "Well, I promise I'll hold back when we actually go live later."
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes sparkling with playful warmth. "Please don't," he murmured softly, a genuine, affectionate smile tugging at his lips. "I think I'll perform a lot better if I know you're listening."
You stood there for a quiet moment, sharing a warm smile with him as the ambient noise of the bustling studio faded into the background.
Mingyu
The morning sun warmed the winding brick paths of the zoo as the camera crew adjusted their angles around the small enclosure. Seventeen was filming an outdoor content episode, and Mingyu was currently standing a couple of feet away from you, his hands hovering nervously in the air.
You were standing in the center of the walkway, holding a fluffy, wide-eyed raccoon securely in your arms. The little animal clung contentedly to your thick canvas vest, its tiny paws resting against your shoulder.
"Are you sure he's safe?" Mingyu asked, eyeing the sharp little claws with a mix of fascination and mild panic. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his tall frame leaning back slightly just in case. "He won't bite, right?"
"He's completely harmless and super friendly," you assured him with a gentle smile, adjusting the raccoon in your grip so its soft back was facing Mingyu. Then, keeping a completely straight face, you added, "Although... he really hates bright colors and strong scents. It makes him super aggressive."
Mingyu froze instantly. His eyes went wide as he looked down at his own oversized, vibrant cobalt-blue shirt, before his gaze snapped to his wrists, where he had applied a generous spray of cologne right before filming. A look of genuine horror washed over his handsome face.
Unable to hold it in any longer, a burst of laughter escaped you. "I'm just kidding!" you laughed softly, shaking your head. "He couldn't care less about your shirt or your cologne. He's an absolute sweetheart."
Mingyu let out a dramatic sigh of relief, placing a hand over his chest as a sheepish smile broke through his panic. "Ah, don't scare me like that!" He stepped closer, eyeing the animal with renewed courage. "So... can I actually pet him?"
"yes sure," you nodded encouragingly.
Reaching out slowly, Mingyu extended two fingers and brushed them delicately against the raccoon’s dense, soft fur. The animal didn't flinch, simply wiggling its dark nose in curiosity. Mingyu’s face lit up instantly with a bright, childlike grin.
"See? Good job," you praised gently, your eyes crinkling with warmth as you watched him carefully stroke the back of the raccoon's head.
Mingyu paused, glancing up at you through his dark lashes with a playful smirk. "Are you talking to the raccoon or to me?"
You chuckled softly at his quick humor. "You're doing amazing as well, Mingyu."
His smile widened, his cheeks dimpling slightly at the praise. As he kept petting the raccoon, he noticed how comfortably the little creature remained snuggled against your chest, its head buried lightly into the crook of your neck.
"He really seems to adore you," Mingyu noted, his voice dropping into a softer, admiring tone. "He's clinging to you like you're his whole world."
You shrugged lightly, a modest smile playing on your lips. "Well, I'm the one who feeds him every single day. I'd be pretty offended if he didn't like me by now."
Mingyu shifted his gaze from the animal up to your face, his dark eyes locking onto yours with an unmistakable spark of warmth. "Honestly? I can't blame him," he murmured smoothly, the corner of his mouth curving into a charming smirk. "I'd probably stick close to you, too."
A quiet beat settled between you both. The bustling sounds of the camera crew seemed to fade as you locked eyes for a brief, electric second, a shared smile passing between you before the flush in your cheeks could give you away.
Breaking the moment playfully, you reached into your pouch, pulled out a juicy green grape, and held it out to him. "Here. Give him a treat."
"Oh, nice," Mingyu smiled brightly. As he reached out to take the grape, his large, warm fingers brushed against yours. The brief, lingering contact sent a sudden ripple through the air, leaving a lingering smile on both of your lips as he turned to feed his new little friend.
Minghao
The heavy bass reverberated through the polished floorboards, pulsing steadily against the chest of everyone packed onto the dimly lit floor. Deep purple and crimson laser lights sliced through the gentle haze overhead, casting sharp shadows across the moving crowd. Minghao stood a few meters back from the main floor, a drink held loosely in one hand. He was dressed casually, off the clock, enjoying the rare luxury of an unscripted night out where he could blend into the ambient energy of the music.
As his eyes scanned the shifting silhouette of the room, his gaze snagged on you.
You were standing nearby, completely immersed in the rhythm, swaying easily to the track with an effortless grace that caught his attention. There was an unbothered, authentic vibe to the way you moved that set you apart from the chaotic energy around you. As if sensing his eyes on you, you turned your head mid-sway. Your eyes met his through the neon-tinted darkness.
A quiet, mutual recognition passed between you, and you offered him a subtle, knowing smile. Minghao’s lips curved upward in response. He hesitated for just a beat, taking a brief second to appreciate the unexpected connection, before smoothly cutting through the crowded space until he was standing a comfortable distance beside you.
"What do you think of the DJ tonight?" he asked, leaning in slightly so his calm, low voice carried over the thumping bassline.
You glanced toward the booth at the front of the venue, tilting your head thoughtfully before turning back to him with a slight shrug. "Honestly? He's alright...okay I guess."
Minghao raised his eyebrows in genuine surprise, a flash of intrigue in his dark eyes. "Just okay?"
A soft laugh escaped your lips, the sound almost lost to the surrounding noise. "Yeah. I'm usually more into proper techno beats," you admitted, moving your shoulders slightly to the rhythm to demonstrate. "Something with a real drive to it where you can actually lose yourself and move freely. This is a little too formulaic."
A slow nod of appreciation washed over Minghao's face. He got it instantly. As someone who cared deeply about movement, art, and genuine rhythm, your perspective struck a chord with him.
For a moment, both of you turned your attention back to the stage, watching the DJ manipulate the turn tables while the flashing lights washed over the crowd. The track reached a predictable, somewhat lackluster drop that lacked any real punch.
Minghao leaned back toward you, his dark eyes sparkling with quiet confidence. "You know," he murmured, his tone smooth and laced with playful conviction, "I could honestly do a much better job up there than he is right now."
You turned your head toward him, your eyes widening slightly in amused challenge. "Oh really?" you asked, a playful skepticism lacing your voice. "That's a pretty big claim to make."
Minghao didn't flinch. He simply met your gaze with an easy, self-assured composure, tilting his head with a slow, deliberate nod. "100% sure."
A sharp, matching smirk broke across your lips, mirroring his own. Standing together amidst the neon haze and the pounding speakers, a quiet, unspoken understanding clicked into place between the two of you, turning a mundane night at the club into something far more intriguing.
Seungkwan
The morning rush at the downtown coffee shop was at its peak, and the line stretched nearly to the front entrance. Seungkwan stood near the middle of the queue, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he waited for his turn. Behind the counter, you were working as efficiently as possible, but the customer currently at the register was making progress impossible.
The middle-aged man had been standing there for five minutes, demanding intricate breakdowns of every milk alternative, complaining about the prices, and tossing out condescending remarks with every question.
"Is this oat milk organic? Why does a syrup shot cost extra? Are you sure you even know how to brew a proper espresso?" the man sneered, his voice loud enough for the entire room to hear.
Seungkwan crossed his arms, his brows furrowing in irritation. He hated seeing service workers treated poorly, and his mouth twitched, itching to say something to the impolite stranger. Yet, you maintained an enviable level of composure, answering every ridiculous query with a steady voice and a firm, practiced customer-service smile.
However, when the man scoffed and muttered a cheap insult about your intelligence under his breath, your patience finally reached its absolute limit.
Your smile didn't fade—it transformed into something razor-sharp and made of pure iron. You rested both hands flat on the counter and leaned in slightly, your eyes locked onto his.
"Sir," you said, your tone impossibly polite yet dripping with ice, "you are currently holding up a line of fifteen people with completely nonsensical questions, wasting everyone's time including mine. If you do not intend to place an order right now, I'm going to ask you to step aside so I can serve customers who actually know what they want."
The man's jaw dropped in absolute shock. Gasping in disbelief, he opened his mouth to argue, but you simply gestured toward the door with an unwavering, brilliant smile. "Have a lovely day!"
Unable to form a coherent reply, the appalled customer grumbled under his breath and stormed straight out of the shop.
As the door clicked shut, Seungkwan immediately stepped up to the register. He looked at you, his eyes wide with genuine admiration. "Honestly? That was incredible. Your patience is legendary."
You let out a long, exhausted sigh, leaning against the register as the adrenaline began to fade. "I'm so sorry you had to witness that," you murmured, rubbing your temple. "I usually have a longer fuse, but I just completely lost my temper."
Seungkwan shook his head vigorously. "Are you kidding? You held out way longer than anyone else would have. I would have crashed out after two minutes flat."
A genuine chuckle finally broke through your fatigue, lighting up your face. "Thanks. Now, what can I get started for you?"
He quickly placed his order, and when the payment terminal prompted him for a tip, he tapped the screen, selecting the highest percentage option before adding an extra bill into the tip jar on the counter.
You blinked in surprise, looking at the generous amount. "Oh, wait—no, you really don't have to leave that much! That's way too much."
"I insist," Seungkwan smiled warmly, sliding the bill deeper into the jar. "You earned every single cent of that today."
Seeing his determination, you smiled softly and conceded. Before handing him his receipt, you reached into the glass display case, pulled out a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, and slid it across the counter toward him. "Consider this on the house, then. A small thank you."
Seungkwan’s face lit up into a bright, radiant smile as he accepted the treat. "You're the best," he said, clutching his coffee and the cookie. "I wish you strong nerves for the rest of your shift today."
"Likewise," you laughed softly, meeting his eyes with a warm, shared understanding. "Enjoy your day!"
He gave you one last supportive smile before stepping aside, leaving you with a lightened heart to face the rest of the morning line.
Vernon
The mid-afternoon sun filtered through the large glass windows of the cozy corner café, casting warm geometric light across the wooden tables. Vernon sat across from Seungkwan in a quiet booth, his eyes scanning the colorful menu cards scattered on the table. When you walked up to them, holding your digital notepad with a friendly, welcoming smile, Vernon looked up and met your eyes.
"Hi there! Are you ready to order?" you asked smoothly.
Vernon nodded, placing his finger on two items. He smoothly gave you Seungkwan's order first before pointing out his own selection. "And I'll take this one, please. But quick question—I have a severe peanut allergy. Is there any chance there are peanuts in that?"
You didn't even need to hesitate. A sympathetic look crossed your face as you shook your head gently. "Ah, unfortunately, that dish uses a house sauce made on a shared line, so there might be a trace of peanuts in it. I definitely wouldn't recommend taking the risk."
Vernon let out a soft sigh, resting his chin in his hand as his eyes darted back to the menu. "Shit. Okay, how about the savory crepe?"
"Cross-contamination in the batter mix," you answered instantly.
"The roasted vegetable panino?"
"Pesto spread contains crushed peanuts," you countered without missing a beat, offering him an apologetic smile.
Vernon paused, tilting his head as his eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise. He looked up from the laminated paper, thoroughly impressed. "Wow. Most servers usually have to run back to the kitchen and check with the chef three times for stuff like that."
A soft chuckle escaped your lips as you shifted your grip on your notepad. "Well, I take my job—and my customers' safety—very seriously," you assured him warm-heartedly.
Vernon stared at the menu for another quiet second, looking utterly overwhelmed by the remaining options. Finally, he closed the booklet with a soft snap, shrugged his shoulders, and looked directly up at you with a amused, trusting glint in his dark eyes. "You know what? I trust you. Just surprise me with something good that won't kill me."
You couldn't help the bright smile that spread across your face. "Deal. Your life is in safe hands, I promise."
Ten minutes later, you returned to their booth carrying a heavily loaded tray. You set down Seungkwan’s meal first before placing a beautifully arranged, fresh seasonal bowl in front of Vernon.
"A completely nut-free, freshly prepared grain bowl with avocado, roasted chickpeas, and lemon-tahini dressing," you announced proudly, gesturing toward the plate. "Zero chance of peanuts anywhere near it."
Vernon looked down at the dish, his eyes widening in appreciation. "Whoa. That actually looks amazing."
"I hope you enjoy it," you smiled, taking a step back to leave them to their meal.
Vernon looked back up, catching your gaze before you could turn away. A warm, genuinely sweet smile broke across his handsome features. "Thank you so much. Seriously, I really appreciate it."
"You're very welcome," you replied softly.
For a brief, quiet beat, the ambient hum of the busy café faded into the background as the two of you shared a lingering, comfortable smile. Breaking the moment naturally, you gave him a final friendly nod and turned back toward the counter to handle your next table.
Vernon’s gaze stayed pinned to your back, his eyes following your figure as you walked through the dining room.
Beside him, Seungkwan took a quiet sip of his iced drink, leaning across the table and nudging Vernon's arm with a sharp, knowing elbow. A wide, teasing smirk painted Seungkwan's face, snapping Vernon right out of his trance as he hurriedly picked up his fork with a sheepish grin.
Dino
The faint, comforting scent of old paper and dust filled the cozy vinyl shop, accompanied by the gentle hum of indie music playing overhead. Lee Chan—Dino—stood near the back corner of the store, completely absorbed in the rows of classic records. His fingers brushed carefully over the colorful sleeves until he paused, pulling one out with a quiet breath of appreciation.
It was a Michael Jackson album. He held the sleeve in both hands, gazing at the iconic artwork with absolute admiration. Michael Jackson had always been his ultimate role model, the legend who inspired his passion for dance and performance, and seeing the physical vinyl always sparked that familiar fire in his chest.
"That's my absolute favorite album," a voice said softly beside him.
Dino started slightly, turning his head to see you standing right next to him. You were looking at the record sleeve with a bright, nostalgic glint in your eyes.
As soon as you realized you had spoken aloud to a complete stranger—and recognized who he was—a sudden wave of panic washed over your face. "Uhm... I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you," you apologized quickly, taking a small step back and waving your hands dismissively.
Dino quickly shook his head, a bright, friendly grin instantly breaking across his face to put you at ease. "No, no, no need to apologize at all!" he said, his voice warm and inviting. "It's actually my favorite as well."
Your eyes lit up with genuine surprise and delight. You smiled warmly at him, tilting your head. "Yeah? Well you have great taste"
A faint flush of pink dusted Dino’s cheeks at the unexpected compliment. Touched by your words and suddenly feeling a burst of gentlemanly instinct, he looked down at the vinyl and then offered it out toward you. "Do you want it?" he asked quickly, extending the record into your hands.
You let out a soft, amused chuckle, shaking your head gently as you held up your hands in refusal. "Thank you, but I actually already have this exact one at home. You should definitely keep it."
Dino smiled back, pulling the album back toward his chest with a soft laugh. "Well, then I have to say, you have great taste as well," he countered playfully, his dark eyes sparkling with affection.
A comfortable, sweet silence settled between the two of you. Both of you exchanged shy, slightly flustered smiles, the quiet hum of the record shop suddenly feeling much more intense. Dino’s mind was racing, trying to think of something—anything—clever to keep the conversation going.
You cleared your throat softly, breaking the delicate spell as you motioned toward the neighboring racks of records. "Well, I'll just go look around over there and leave you to your shopping," you said with a final, sweet smile.
Dino's eyes widened slightly. Panic spiked in his chest. He desperately wanted to say something—ask for your name, offer to buy you a coffee, or even just ask what other artists you liked. He opened his mouth to speak, but under the pressure of the moment, his brain went completely, utterly blank.
"Okay," he managed to press out, his voice tight and squeaky.
That was it. Just a single, pathetic word.
You gave him a gentle, polite nod and turned around, casually strolling over to the next aisle.
Dino stood frozen in place, staring at the empty space where you had just been standing. The moment you were out of sight, he closed his eyes tightly and squeezed the Michael Jackson record in his hands, mentally groaning in sheer frustration. He lowered his head and bit his lip, completely mad at himself. Out of all the charming things he could have said, all he had managed to offer was a squeaky 'okay'.
