#woozi fluff

[fallenshuastar]

5:36 PM — LJH

timestamp drabble in which ... your boyfriend, jihoon, is home from a long day of practice and you just want him close.

𐙚pairing: idol!jihoon x gn!reader

𐙚content: fluff, established relationship, kissing, jihoon post-practice

𐙚word count: 625

a/n: my first post! i’ve had this wip in my notes for so long and finally managed to polish it up enough to feel okay about uploading it. (sorry, the use of present & past tense will not be consistent.)

late afternoon sun shone through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow across the adjacent living room walls. you laid on the couch, legs outstretched and covered with your favorite fleece blanket. it was a bit worn from many years of cuddling, but that made it more cozy.

too distracted by short-form cooking videos, you didn’t hear keys turning in the lock of the front door. only when the door slammed shut, were you startled from doomscrolling. you hear shuffling, presumably your boyfriend, jihoon, taking off his shoes and dropping off his bag in the entryway.

“i’m over here!” you call out. after shedding his shoes and jacket near the door, the next step in his routine was always to locate you. given that you shared a one-bedroom apartment, he typically was able to find you in under a minute.

you drop your phone to the side as he strides over to where you lay. cooking instructions continue to warble on muffled by the sofa cushions. as he's standing over you, hands stuffed into the pockets of black sweatpants, the familiar scent of him fills your nostrils—mostly sweat, any traces of his body soap or deodorant were long gone. he didn’t smell great, but it was a comfort all the same. after spending hours alone while jihoon worked, your favorite person was finally within arm's reach. "how long have you been laying here?"

"too long, probably," you admit with a shrug. “i sat down to watch a couple videos and now it’s-"

“after five in the evening,” he answers. jihoon knows on days that you don't work, you usually curl up with your phone and spend hours on the sofa. you then raise your arms, inviting him in for a hug. he leans down, placing a quick kiss to your lips. his long hair falls to the side of his face and tickles your cheeks. the warmth of your boyfriend’s plush, pink lips against your own makes your heart flutter—a sensation you've craved all day but is gone too quickly when he pulls back.

“wait, another one,” you protest before he has the chance to walk away. never denying you of affection, jihoon smiles and plants another kiss on your puckered lips. before the moment can end, you loop your arms around his neck, clasping your fingers. he stumbles, dropping his hands onto the couch on either side of your head.

“baby i’ll fall on you like this,” he lets out a raspy chuckle. his eyes trail over your face, noting the satisfaction--from your eyelashes brushing your cheeks to your closed-lipped smile.

“good,” you hum contentedly. in that moment, you wanted nothing more than to have your boyfriend as close to you as possible. his chest pressed to yours and his legs slotted between.

“but i’m sweaty from practice.” at his resistance, your eyelids flutter open and you're met with your favorite view. jihoon’s brown eyes gazing at you warmly, always accompanied a hint of a smirk, like he was charmed by your cuteness, by how much you wanted to be close.

“please, just a few minutes. i missed you today,” you pout, aware that he’s unable to resist your pouty lips and doe eyes. and what you’d said was true. though you'd been texting throughout the day, you missed the warmth and comfort of his physical presence.

“a few minutes,” jihoon relented. “then i have to shower.” the faint scent of your conditioner filled his nose as he snuggled further into your neck. though he would much rather be clean before holding you, jihoon couldn’t deny that he’d missed being in your arms like this as much as you did.

“yeah, you are kinda stinky,” you mumble and a laugh bubbles from your lips.

✎ᝰ.

(can you tell i miss woozi?)

if even one person enjoys this, then it was worth posting. thank you for reading ♡

jodi

dividers used were created by @uzmacchiato

[tttt06]

Product

Woozi x Black Reader

Requests are open! I reply quickly. Masterlist here

Part 2

Synopsis~ You're depressed. Music doesn't hit the same for you, and you just want an out. But Woozi is there when you needed him in more ways than one.

Warning~ NO smut, struggling mental health, Depression, mentions of other idols.

Word Count~ 7k

THIS ONE GOES OUT TO YOU @eddie-lis

Part 2 next week at 10 PM

Feeling indifferent is something you can never understand about yourself.

Life just feels like there's no end in sight. Life feels like you could crash and burn at any moment. It's not stable, it's not happy, it's loneliness.

You're a product for the people around you to sell.

There are even times when you question if you should stick around. 

Watching other idols with big smiles, recording, dancing, hanging out... You wondered if they really liked that. You wondered if it really was fun to be an idol.

You never have time for yourself, you always have to be perfect. You never get to see the people who care about you.

Life is evil. 

You walked through the HYBE building, not feeling like yourself. You were quiet as usual.

You were there to record a song, not really there for anything important. Your beanie was on your head, covering your eyebrows. Your clothes were baggy, your face was stoic.

You weren't happy to be here.

Either someone complains about your weight, attitude, career, or something else. Something is always wrong.

You walked into the studio, ready to sing real quick.

You were a soloist, known for your swagger. You weren't really expressive. You had no real emotion to share, so you usually stayed quiet, monotone.

Your fans loved how you would say the craziest things with the straightest face. But they didn't know you were depressed.

You used to be happy. You used to get excited. Now, everything is an expected price.

"Alright, starting from the top."

You write all your songs. You produce some, but you mostly write. There are plenty of songs you've written for other artists. 

You sang into the mic. Another song about love. That's what the executives wanted. They wanted you to sing about love, though you never experienced it.

You hated it. 

You've written songs about how you really felt, and recorded them too. Nobody's ever heard them.

You don't have anyone to show it to.

You finished your session, waving at the camera. You listened to the recorded vocals on the speakers and bobbed your head to it quietly. "Yeah, sounds great."

A producer turned around and touched your arm. "You going anywhere later?"

You stepped back, "I'm going home."

You walked out of the studio room feeling mildly uncomfortable. You didn't like being treated like a doll. You huffed, feeling tears ready to come out.

You stood in the corner, trying to conceal yourself as you cried. 

You were just so tired, so empty. You wiped the tears, sniffling. Maybe going on live would help. Seeing your fans always made you smile. It made you remember why you did this in the first place.

You opened the live without the staff’s permission. You just wanted to be seen.

The live went to 1 million views within seconds. You said, "Hey, guys."

You read the first comment. "Hey, Y/N. I’m itching for a new album like a drug addict.” 

You laughed. Your fans were always saying something crazy. As you settled into life, those thoughts crept back into your head. 

The kind that reminds you how useless you are. You felt yourself crying again. The comments filled with ‘are you okay?’ and ‘were you crying?’ 

You weren’t okay.

Your fans could see the mental decline happening. 

You said, “I just came on to tell everyone I love you. I’m working hard on the new album.”

You ended it abruptly, breaking into tears. You felt so lost, so alone. Like nobody actually gave a fuck about you.

You felt someone squat in front of you, and you looked up. 

Button nose, worried eyes, eyebrows furrowed, and pale skin. 

“You okay?”

You sniffled, wiping your tears in an instant. 

“Yeah, y-yeah.” You brushed your hands on your lap as you stood up.

Tears bubbled at your throat. You didn’t need this right now. You didn’t want sympathy.

“You’re not. Do you wanna stay in my office for a few? You’re Y/N, right?”

You finally looked at him through all the blurry tears. “You’re Woozi.”

He smiled, instantly going the humble route. “Just Jihoon is fine.”

You stared at him, eyes desperate for release. “Yeah, I just need a break.”

Jihoon waved his hand for you to follow him. You walked behind him closely, looking at all the staff staring back at you.

Jihoon closed the door behind you. You settled into the couch, lying down.

Woozi asked, “What’s going on?”

You turned to your side like it was a therapy session, “It’s fine. I don’t really wanna talk about it.”

Woozi said something that shocked you.

“Do you feel like nobody sees you?” Your eyes widened as you sat up. You did. You felt like you were invisible. 

You pouted, saying an unconvincing no. Jihoon laughed slightly. Mostly from disbelief that you thought that was a believable lie.

You looked away. You can’t bear eye contact. “I just feel sad all the time. Even the music I write doesn’t reflect me anymore. I feel like a product.”

Jihoon nodded, “You’re not a product. You’re a brand.” He shrugged while he leaned back in his chair, getting comfortable. His face had this unsettling acceptance.

You asked, “Have you felt like this before?” Your eyes followed his microexpressions.

The way his lips went to a thin line made you think he didn’t want to admit that.

He nodded, “My team got me out of that.” You whispered, “But, I don’t have a team.”

Jihoon leaned into you, nodding. “Well, now I’m looking out for you. You seem to be struggling a lot. You should confide in people about how you feel.”

He looked at the door and lowered his voice. It felt like someone was listening. 

“I know the staff can be pretty harsh. It’s best to find a real friend.”

You nagged, “You’re too busy.” He laughed, “Who said that?” You sighed, “You’re a part of SEVENTEEN. I know you’re busy.”

Jihoon shook his head, “Nope, I’m preparing to enlist.”

Your breath hitched. He was offering help. Did you want to be sad forever? No. You should accept this. But you didn’t want to. You didn’t know if you could trust him.

Woozi asked, “You’re looking for a reason to say no?” You came to, blinking away your intruding thoughts.

“N-no. I’ll talk to you.”

Woozi smiled, “Okay, give me your number.” You nodded, slowly. You were still doubtful. Still confused. 

You handed him your phone. He typed in his number. He handed the phone back to you, and you looked at it.

Jihoon. 

Nothing personal, no emojis, just Jihoon.

After that, you went home. You didn't have much to do, wanting to have the day to yourself. You sat in your bed, rolling over, and going to sleep.

You slept often. When you had nothing to do, instead of being on your phone or going out, you went to sleep.

When you woke up the next morning, it was 4 AM. You decided to stay up and go to practice. Your choreographer was there for your new album.

The title track was finished. That's the first thing you work on. It's produced by executives, co-written by you, and other famous songwriters.

You don't have much say in the title tracks. The B-side tracks are what you work on the most. The majority of the time, people listen more to your B-side tracks.

You got dressed and got a text from your manager. You were instructed to vlog.

You sighed, vlogging what you were doing. "Hey, luckies. I just woke up."

You looked in the camera, moving it so they could see your messy room. "I couldn't find out what to wear, so I ended up making a mess."

You flipped the camera back around and stretched. "I'm getting ready to go to practice. You guys love to see me dance more than singing, so my manager made me record today."

You smirked in the camera cutely. "I'm gonna do a transition, and the editors are gonna do something cool, or else I'm quitting the company."

You covered the camera and turned it off. You sighed, walking out of the apartment. You got in your car and put on your seatbelt. Your phone dinged, and you looked at it to see.

.

.

.

Jihoon

Heading in for work today?

You

Yeah but we're filming my practice video

Jihoon

Wanna come to my studio before you leave for the day? I'll be in there all day

You

Maybe if i'm not too tired

Jihoon

You sleep often?

You

yeah actually.

Jihoon

not pressuring you just stop by if you can

.

.

.

You started your car and got ready to drive. The drive to the company was short because of how close you live. You got out of the car, pulling up your pants. 

You looked up to see Enhypen members crawling into the building together. 

They always entered the building together. All the members would be in different parts of the building until about 10 PM. Then, they leave.

You never talked to them.

Well, you don’t want to say you don’t talk to them. You’ve exchanged a couple of conversations with all of them. But, out of all of them, you spoke to Ni-ki the most. He asked you to do a dance challenge with him once. It was cute. He thought you were the coolest. Heeseung also complimented your voice. 

Jungwon made an effort to get to know you as a leader.

And Jake and you get along because you’re both foreigners. But it’s a base-level relationship.

There’s room for improvement. 

You were Heeseung's senior by one year. 

You debuted in 2017 with a song named Lucky Charms. Your stage name is Charm.

You called your fans Luckies. It really was in honor of your first album.

You've learned a lot since then, about yourself.

You used to be so hyper and happy. But, little by little, the company dimmed your light.

Fans called it maturing, but you knew what it really was. 

You grabbed your bag from the car and walked inside. You could see Jungwon running around from where you were. He was always hyper. When he first debuted, he was so little, so happy. But even now, he still is.

You wondered how he did it. 

Maybe it's because he has a team.

But Ni-ki. 

He used to be hyper too, but now he's a little like you.

You were so much older than him, but you felt the same age.

You looked over to see Illit members coming over to bother them. You kept your head down, moving to your practice room.

They all looked up and bowed. You smiled, "Thank you, nice to see you." 

You were a respected senior. The first black soloist under HYBE. You were very popular, even now. 

The boys probably know you from newer songs or viral stages. But you didn't really identify with that part of yourself.

You walked into the practice room and were met with only your manager. "Where's Poppy?"

She walked over and grabbed your arm harshly. "You serious? What the fuck was that live about yesterday?!" 

You've forgotten about that. 

She let go of your arm, frantically brushing through her jet black, pin-straight hair. "Seriously! The company is yelling at me! You were crying in the live and everything. The fuck were you thinking?!"

You furrowed your eyebrows, "You're not gonna ask if I'm okay?" Your manager was stunned. Chae said, "Why should I? I know you're not, and that's not what matters right now. You need to be more fucking careful. You could've lost fans for that! Now the company is under fire once again because they think we're abusing you!"

You shook your head, "And you're not?" Chae's eyes went wide with rage. "What type of stupid ass question is that!? WE AREN'T!"

You hadn't raised your voice, just stayed indifferent. Your eyes scan her shaky anger. She was more scared of losing her job than losing you.

"It's whatever."

You shoved your hands in your pockets and sat on the floor farthest from her. You just wanted a break. 

Poppy walked in, looking around for you. She smiled, "There you are. Always early."

You smiled, quietly. "Yeah, that's me."

Poppy smiled gently, "Okay, let's get into it."

You stood up. Poppy was very intelligent. She could sense the tension in the room before she even walked in.

She chose not to say anything. You put the camera against the mirror and stepped away from it. You two started warming up for the practice.

She searched for your song in her folder and opened her arms. She released the tension in her wrist, moving them in a circle.

Then, she got into the dance. It looked more complicated than it really was. It was just flashy.

You joined in on some parts, already watching the choreo millions of times. 

You pulled up your pants slightly to do the footwork. She praised you over the loud music. "How'd you know this part!"

You smiled, doing the rest of the choreography. The music stopped, and she looked impressed.

You said, "I watched the original choreography about nine times. I picked up on it."

She knew that you worked hard to become a good dancer. It wasn’t talent anymore; it was skills. 

You were very suave when it came to dancing. You trained under JYP before going to Big Hit. Groove was kind of your style. Then, you moved to Big Hit, which is all about being flashy and popping.

You calmly followed her teaching as the camera captured the moments. The funny parts, the serious parts, the cool parts. even the parts where you make suggestions.

Everything.

But practice was over. You started packing your things up before walking out. You looked at your phone to see if Woozi had texted. He hadn't.

You just hoped he was still there.

You got lost on the route there. Confused about which door he is behind.

But you knocked, feeling his presence.

He opened it, letting you in with a smile. He said, "You came."

You laughed nervously. You didn't want him to get too excited. You have a reputation for being a disappointment. At least, that's what you told yourself.

Woozi looked at your arm, confused. "What's this bruise on your arm?" You looked down, not even noticing yourself. "Ah, must've been from when my manager and I got into it."

You brushed it off, letting yourself in. He looked at you, disappointed. "What? She hits you?" You shook your head, "No, she just yells a lot."

You sat on his couch and sighed. You didn't wanna talk. Woozi felt it in the air. He sat back down in his chair and went back to work.

It was a comfortable silence for a moment. Woozi hadn't said much, but the same loop was playing over and over. He was tapping on his beat pad, deleting the different beat progressions.

You got up, saying, "Wanna take a break? You're getting frustrated."

He looked at you, reading your expression. You were worried about him.

He nodded, "Yeah, we can take a break. I'm just trying to hit this deadline before I start preparing for the enlistment."

You forgot about that. But Jihoon wasn't phased by it all. It seemed like he watched Jeonghan and Wonwoo go through it. He wasn’t scared.

For a moment, you caught yourself staring. You blinked, looking the other way. "Wanna eat? It's on me?"

Jihoon saved the file, laughing. "Yeah, right." You looked at him, surprised he said that. "You think I'd let you pay?"

You shrugged. Jihoon sucked his teeth while grabbing his phone. "I'd never let a lady pay."

You rolled your eyes, "Please, I don't wanna hear that bullshit. Chivalry is dead."

You said it so casually. Woozi couldn't help but laugh behind you as he locked up the studio. You were met with someone standing on the other side. 

It was their leader, also known as S. Coups.

Woozi bumped into you, still rambling, before he looked up. "Oh, hey hyung."

Seungcehol looked at you, "Whose this?" You said, "Y/N." Jihoon kept walking casually as if not to make a big deal out of everything.

You followed behind him, just as casual. 

You weren't the loud type. S. Coups said, "I thought we were going to the gym together today?" Woozi laughed, "We're not. I have to do something. Did you read my text?"

You watched Cheol search his pockets and come to the realization that he forgot his phone. "Oh shit."

You wanted to laugh, but you turned away before you could.

Cheol simply sighed. "We'll talk later."

Woozi waved at him, still walking away from Seungcheol.

Jihoon looked at you, "You okay? I know he can be pretty intense."

You laughed, "I don't have anxiety. I'm just depressed."

You caught up to the elevator. It hadn't closed yet. You stepped inside. You saw some staff members and Sunghoon. Woozi stepped in after. 

Woozi said, "I'm driving." You sighed, "Whatever floats your boat, buddy."

Woozi chuckled at you. You were so... nonchalant about everything. So unserious.

He felt like he was starting to understand you. The way you thought, the way you moved. You didn't put much thought into it. 

He can see the remnants of your old self. The way you go with the flow, you get so happy when you laugh, how you talk to strangers, even your fans.

He was starting to understand you a little. Even though he's only known you for a day.

You were easy to get to know.

You arrived at the restaurant. It was a grill place. You were excited for some spicy beef. They passed you the trays of food. You huffed, trying to decipher what you wanted to eat.

"I think I might get some shrimp." You looked up, "Yeah? I want some beef."

Woozi asked, "Wanna share?" You shook your head, kinda cutely. He didn't expect that.

His face went slightly red. He was starting to see you differently. You were always tomboyish. You had a little swagger to you, but just now was different.

You had this adorable aura about you.

"I'm allergic to shellfish." Woozi's eyes widened, "Seriously?" You nodded, eyebrows furrowed, "Yeah, have you ever seen me eat shellfish?"

Jihoon laughed, "I've only known you a day." You sighed, "Whatever. But if you do end up getting fish, can I grill my food first?"

Jihoon smiled, "Of course." The lady came over to grab your orders. Woozi shocked you. He ended up getting double spicy beef. He didn't want you back there dying.

When the food came, he offered to cook it. 

Jihoon said, "Tell me about yourself." You looked up at him. Your mouth was busy drooling at the beef.

He seemed manlier today. You couldn't explain it, but the way he drove you, he's paying, he's cooking. He feels like a man.

You... kind of liked it. Liked how he made you feel taken care of for once. You felt safe. His demeanor was forgiving.

"I got scouted in America and ended up being an idol here. I didn't tell my parents because I was so excited to sing professionally. I left without telling them, and they got so upset."

You laughed, thinking back on it. "My mom was like, 'This is so dangerous, idols get abused, blah blah.' But I was set on a goal. They ended up disowning me a little before my debut. But my Dad is a softy and still kept in touch."

Jihoon was paying close attention to you, forgetting about the meat for a moment. Jihoon asked, "Do you... Talk to your mom?" You nodded, "Sometimes. It's not the same, though. I know we should talk, but I've been busy in Korea."

You smiled, "I was always a daddy's girl anyway." You looked at Woozi, and he quickly looked down to cook the meat. 

"How do you like yours cooked?"

You said, "Like medium rare. I like it really chewy."

Woozi picked up your plate and served you your meat. You did a little dance before digging in. Woozi found that amusing.

She dances when she's excited.

A mental note for later.

He watched you eat meticulously. You dipped the meat in the sauce, then grabbed some lettuce and wrapped it with some rice.

You knew what you were doing.

Jihoon put his meat on his plate and started eating.

You asked, "What about you?" Woozi looked up, "Well, I was in a group before seventeen and ended up moving to the show for better opportunities."

You looked at him, "Hm? What about family? And siblings?"

He pushed his food to one side of his cheek to muffle, "Only child."

You nodded, "Me too." You turned around quickly, and Woozi quirked an eyebrow. You did it so quickly, he didn't know how to react.

"You hear that?"

Woozi shook his head, "No. What are you talking about?"

You said, "They're playing All My Love."

You started singing your own song while doing the tutting moves. Woozi laughed, "You knew that quickly?"

You said, "When you work on the song for so long, you can tell when your song comes on."

Jihoon looked at you dancing slightly to your song. "You must be a great performer." You said, "Yeah, I have a performance coming up when this new album drops in two months."

You continued eating your food, "Though I have trouble writing love songs. It's not really the same."

Woozi nodded, "I get that. Haven't been in love in a long time." You nodded, "I've actually never been in love. I used to idealize it when I was younger, but one day I realized the only thing I love is my career and my fans."

You smiled, "Luckies have gotten me through so much. I confide in them a lot." Woozi nodded, "Carats are important to me as well."

You laughed, "My fans are crazy. I've had to scold them multiple times for cursing people out."

You smiled, thinking about a memory, "Once, these articles released some pretty solid constructive criticism on me. I had a performance, but I was sick, so I couldn't sing well. But then the article got into how weird it is that a black woman is singing in Korean. My fans went WILD. Bomb threats, doxxing, his picture was all over the internet, and they were clowning his bald spot."

You laughed, "I wanted to let him have it, but professionally I had to stop them from bullying the poor guy."

Woozi said, "Carats can be like that sometimes, but it's usually never that bad." You said, "Bomb threats, Woozi. Bomb threats!"

Jihoon laughed, liking the excitement in your voice. However, he didn't like that you called him Woozi. He liked Jihoon better. But he let it happen.

That day was filled with more talks about each other. More facts and stories about your lives.

The next day, you were back at dance practice with Poppy. Poppy noticed you seemed a little more smiley than usual. You said, "What are we learning today?"

She was staring at you in slight awe. "You seem happier." You smiled, "I guess I am." It felt unnatural for your body. But you were.

You were still talking at your quiet volume, but there was more spunk in your attitude.

Poppy and you danced together for about thirty minutes before you took a water break.

You sat down, sipping on your huge metal water bottle. 

It had so many dents from the number of times you've dropped it on the ground. It's so loud when you drop it, too. 

You've had Le Sserafim scream when it came tumbling down the stairs. You gave a very concerned apology, checking Chaewon and Kazuah for any injuries. 

The girls really love you, too. You were important to them. You’re a big inspiration for many of them who joined Hybe.

But, back to the present. You were sipping on that water bottle when you pulled out your phone to text some people back. You saw a text message from Jihoon again.

.

.

.

Jihoon

You at practice?

You

Yeah i'm taking a breather though

Jihoon

Well when your done you know i'll still be here. But i plan on being a while because I just got this surge of inspo

Jihoon

Might go to the convience store rlly late tho

You

We can go together.

You

I haven't seen you in like three days

Jihoon

I know I've been working on this song.

You

LMFAO damn, you must be real locked in. You sure you want me there distracting you

Jihoon

Trust you won't be a distraction

.

.

.

You were smiling to yourself. What does that mean? You're not a distraction to him. 

Poppy yelled, "Alright! Get up! We got shit to do!"

You saluted her and got up. 

Practice didn't run long before you went to Woozi's studio. You knocked on the door, and he opened it. "How was practice?" You sighed, "Poppy is just as crazy as ever." You plopped on his couch, looking at Amazon. You were shopping for bulk ice cream. Strawberry good humor bars specifically.

Jihoon asked, "What do you think you're gonna get when we go to the convenience store?" You sighed, "Probably some shrimp chips."

He looked at you, staring. He didn't find that funny. "Did you say you were allergic?" You looked at him, "I'm just kidding." 

His body relaxed slightly, and you continued talking.

A groan left your chest, "Should I spend 121 dollars on bulk good humor bars?"

Jihoon laughed, "No, you should not. What the hell."

He turned down the volume before playing that same beat again. The one you heard for the first time, you met.

"Lemme hear what you made so far." He played it from the beginning, and you nodded, humming a melody to it. Jihoon said, "Whoa, that actually sounds hella good."

You laughed, "I know, right? I'm a pro songwriter." Woozi asked, "wanna write to this?"

You nodded, "Yeah, give me a paper and pen." He asked, "You don't write on your phone."

You laughed, "No. I need to see all my mistakes."

You started writing, humming to yourself, recording on voice memos. Jihoon kept building the beat more and more. He picked up on your melodies, adding pauses and rises.

He turned around, and you smiled, "Ready."

Woozi asked, "The whole song? You wrote the whole song?"

You nodded, "I can write songs in minutes."

You sat up, grabbing his mic setup. "Hurry."

Jihoon let you plug everything in. You knew your way around a sound system. He was slightly impressed.

You connected the mic and headphones and began recording.

"If I could~" Woozi was thoroughly impressed. You had the vocals of an established R&B artist. Your runs were amazing.

You layered your first verse, already adding background vocals and harmonies.

He was witnessing a genius.

He was accustomed to people being impressed by how he works. His ability to put songs together like it was nothing. But watching you reveal a story through his music was seductive.

He sat back and watched you work. 

He hadn't even added autotune. Your voice is naturally beautiful on its own.

You took the headphones off, adding your own little things to your vocals. Small quips, cute 'yeah's' in the background. 

Then, within the hour, you had a song.

Woozi clapped, "Holy shit. Y/N, this was amazing."

You smiled, "Thanks. I think that was the most songwriting I've gotten done in a long time." You looked at Jihoon; his smile was warm and comforting. "Add it to your album."

Your eyes widened, "Huh?"

Woozi said, "It's yours, for free. Take it. If this isn't title track worthy, it's at least the B-side."

You smiled so brightly. That was the first time he's ever seen your eyes sparkle with happiness. "Really? You mean that!?"

He nodded. 

You jumped into a hug. 

You've never hugged Jihoon, never touched him. But this was something special.

And to everyone's surprise, he hugged you back.

It was warm and comfortable.

Woozi felt vulnerable, but it was safe there. Nobody was watching.

When you pulled away, you said, "This means a lot to me." Woozi smiled, "I'm glad, let's go to the convenience store now. I'm kinda hungry."

You and Woozi grew even closer over time. You were a month into this new friendship. Since your album is coming soon, you're getting busier preparing for it.

You started going to interviews, which is a rarity.

You don't do that often. You did get invited to something you weren't expecting. Suchwita.

Yoongi's variety show. You were coming back as the first guest of season 2. It was insane that Yoongi even wanted you on there. He specifically asked.

You walked in, carefully. There were lights and cameras everywhere. Staff members were running around like crazy.

You stood in the corner, slightly scared to move. Chae is coming in behind you. "Suga is over there, greet him kindly."

You looked at your manager. Was she implying that you were rude? 

You brushed off her words and walked toward Yoongi. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his pants baggy, stylish.

He's like a gruncle to you. You've spoken, he's nagged, you've kept in touch. You wouldn't say you're BEST FRIENDS, but you're comfortable enough to let your guard down around him.

You bowed, "Thank you for having me." He scoffed, "Thank you for coming. It's an honor to have you here."

You smiled and watched someone tap his elbow. He was supposed to start the shoot now.

You watched him do an ad, which was hilarious to you. He then started the intro.

"Today's guest is Charm. Known for her captivating solo performance and precise dance moves." Your eyes widened with slight embarrassment.

He continued, "She said, I normally hate interviews, but I figured Yoongi oppa wouldn't nag as much on camera."He laughed from slight disbelief and clapped. 

You were cued to step on stage. Yoongi stood up, clapping for you, and you bowed. "Ahh, no need."

You stood up, "I'm respectful."

You put a bag on the table, and he stared at you, confused. You said, "Okay, I brought a couple of things." He looked at the camera, already laughing at your antics. “Y/N, I have to start the show.”

You nagged, “Hold on a damn minute! Okay? I came bearing some damn gifts.”

You opened the bag, and it was a huge cat plushie. "I thought of you when I saw it." You pulled another thing, "This is a custom soju opener because you're an alcoholic."

You slid him one last thing, "And your favorite candy." Yoongi laughed at you. 

Yoongi knew you before you got depressed. He was an old friend of yours, and as time went on, you rarely kept in contact. But he was still a friend.

Yoongi lost the pep in his voice, "What'd you bring for us to drink?"

Your eyes widened as you looked at the camera, "He's already tired of me." The staff laughed, and so did Yoongi.

You pulled a custom gold bottle of Hennessy. "It was a housewarming gift." Yoongi was intrigued. He grabbed the bottle, inspecting the shine. 

"I forgot how rich you were." You were about to stick the middle finger up at him, but realized you were on camera. 

Yoongi teased, "Half the bottle is already empty." You said, "It's not even open, you liar."

You rolled your eyes, leaning back in the chair.

Yoongi said, "We got some chicken coming. We kept away from shellfish because of your allergies." You nodded, "Yay!"

You stared at him and asked, "So, how have you been, Yoongi oppa?" He laughed, "I'm supposed to be asking you that."

You said, "You know, preparing for this comeback." You looked at the camera with a robotic smile, "That's coming out August 22nd."

Suga couldn't help but laugh as he watched you shamelessly promote your music.

"I heard you write all your songs." You nodded, "I do. I'm a writing machine." Yoongi nodded, "Mm, where do you get inspo from? It takes a lot out of me to write songs."

You said, "Well, Grampa, I don't have to go MIA and go live in a mountain cave to write a song."

Yoongi sighed. He was tired of the grampa allegations. You said, "I just think about someone else's life, and write about it. The lyrics have to be so specific that you can't help but relate to them."

Yoongi said, "You've mastered that aspect of writing. You did allow me to have a listen to your album. I actually felt a lot of emotion when I listened to 'Product'."

You nodded, "That one was for the industry." You watched Yoongi open the Hennessy bottle and pour a shot. You grabbed it, cheering, and drank it.

You took a deep breath, "Ah, burns so good."

Yoongi stuck his tongue out in disgust, "You love brown liquor." You said, "Well, I am brown-skinned so..."

Yoongi burst into laughter, annoyed at how quickly you came up with stupid jokes.

He asked, "Do you drink often?"

You shook your head, "Back in the day, I used to drink with my staff after work, but things got pretty busy. I've been thinking of bringing those traditions back."

You leaned in, "You know I'm getting older, I can't be Charm forever. I'm starting to feel more like Y/N every day."

Yoongi nodded. You asked, "You know how in the beginning you can't tell the difference between your stage persona and the real you? I think I had that switch on for a long time. But, these days I've been feeling more like Y/N L/N instead of Charm."

Yoongi nodded, "There have been times we've hung out, and you were on ten the entire times, and others where your energy was low."

You nodded, "I'm starting to find my middle ground. As I get closer to my thirties, I start to feel that way."

Yoongi said, "Aren't you 25?"

You corrected, "26, get your facts straight. I was the youngest soloist in the game."

Yoongi shook his head, "Now that I think about it, how did we even meet?"

You said, "The company meeting. Remember? Namjoon fell in front of everyone, and the whole table was slanted."

Yoongi laughed, "Yes, I don't even think they changed the table."

You held your stomach, "I remember crying. Like it was so funny, I was crying."

Yoongi shook his head, "I thought you were so immature back then." You said, "I was. I was what? 17 at the time."

Yoongi nodded, "True. I remember watching you come in at 5 AM and leave at 12 AM every day. You were a workaholic."

You said, "Ah, so you were worried about me." Yoongi confessed,  "Well, I'm always worried about you." You smiled, "That's sweet gramps."

He scoffed.

He said, "I need another shot."

You poured it for him, then poured yourself a shot. 

You felt yourself getting looser as you looked at him. "Yoongi, you really are getting older."

He said, "You shouldn't talk to your sunbae this way."

Yoongi laughed, "You really impress me a lot, you know?" You quirked an eyebrow, "What?" Yoongi nodded, "Yeah, I saw your performance for... what stage was it?"

You asked, "MAMA?" He nodded, "Yes, that one. It was amazing. I mean, how do you even come up with the idea to switch the runs and beat?"

You thought back to the provocative outfit and dances you were doing, and suddenly felt really embarrassed. You adjusted the cropped tank top. "Oppa, that's embarrassing that you watched it."

He said, "Ah, I was a bit... scared."

You smiled, "I hate thinking of you seeing me like that." Yoongi nodded, "Ah, I figured you'd do things like that once you grew up. Jungkook acts the same."

You laughed, "How is he?" He sighed, really long. "He's... uhhh. He's Jungkook."

You giggled and continued talking about each other's careers and funny stories. 

You liked knowing that once this aired, everyone would be shocked by your friendship with Suga. You weren't really private or mysterious; it just never came up.

Everyone was more concerned about your relationship with idols like BlackPink, Red Velvet, and other groups.

You weren't close to anyone, really, outside the label. The occasional JYP artist, but that’s it.

But after the three-hour shoot, you went home. You fully expected no texts from Jihoon, but you were surprised. 

.

.

.

Jihoon

Wanna come to my home studio after? I bought some food?

You

I'm just seeing this!!! YES I WILL COME OVER TO EAT!

Jihoon

Who were you even filming with for that long?

You

Your evil twin

.

.

.

You laughed at yourself as you grabbed a change of clothes. You got back in your car to drive to Jihoon's place. 

You knew the route like the back of your hand. You didn't even knock; you just walked right in.

Jihoon was playing the guitar. He looked up, "Oh, you made it over here fast." You nodded, "I sure did. I heard food and came running!"

You mentioned, "I already ate while I was with Yoongi oppa, though."

Woozi stuttered, "Y-you were with Yoongi?"

You nodded, "Yeah. I was on his variety show. We're old friends."

Woozi asked, "Seriously? Why didn't I know that?"

You said, "It never came up. I don't hang out with many people. Yoongi oppa is one of the few."

Jihoon said, "You two must be close if you're calling him oppa."

You nodded, "We are... not as close as before because, Y'know, but enough to share funny stories from the past."

Jihoon said, "Ah, he must know a lot about the real you."

You nodded, "He knows a lot about the old me. Not as much as you, though." 

Jihoon's ears turned a light shade of pink. You looked at him, "So where's the food at?"

The next day, you were in the studio, still having writing sessions.

Your producer, also a pretty freaky guy, was with you. Along with your manager and co-producer.

You said, "I like this beat. I could write to it right now."

Your co-producer sucked in his flavored air from his puff bar. He blew out and asked, "What's been getting you so inspired these days?"

You write down another lyric. 

If love feels like this, then I've never been hurt before. I love everything about you, and I could love you even more.

The person you were thinking about is Jihoon.

The realization clicked. You were not happy about it either. This was bad. Really bad.

You can't have a crush on your only friend. That'll fuck everything you've built for yourself.

You realized you never answered your producer's question. You quietly said to yourself, "No fucking way."

Your co-producer asked, "What?"

You looked up, "I don't know. I've just been watching K-drama."

Your manager looked at you like you were an idiot. "K-drama? When have you had the time to watch TV?"

You smiled, "I do when I go to sleep."

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. Chae doesn't know about Jihoon. She'd freak out. She'd get mad even. 

You weren't in the mood to get slut shamed for something very normal. Instead, you continued your studio session.

You would write lyrics and try not to think about him. Jihoon filled your mind.

When you two were alone one time, you showed him the lyrics you'd written before. They connected you two further. You used to write very sad lyrics. The kind that made him upset that you were feeling like that all alone.

For the first time, he hugged you. HE INITIATED IT. You remember the look in his eyes as you listened to your own music. It was making you upset, too.

He said, “You don’t feel like this anymore, right?”

You remember looking at him, smiling, “No, because I have you now.” And then, BAM. Hugged. 

You think that's when you started to feel it. Those feelings that bubble in your chest. The ones that make you feel on top of the world.

It’s like the excitement you got when you boarded the plane to Korea without telling your parents. 

Those feelings. 

It was insane to you.

After the session, you looked at your phone for your usual text from Jihoon. You didn't see one.

You confusedly texted him.

.

.

.

You

You at your studio???

.

.

.

There was no response.

You looked up from your phone to see Chae staring at you. "What's wrong?"

You said, "Nothing, I just gotta check on something."

You walked out of the studio. He was only a few steps down. You opened the door to see him sitting. You thought he must've been really focused.

He must've had a lot on his plate.

Maybe he didn't see the text because he was so focused.

But you opened the door further to see someone else sitting next to him. She was playing the piano with him.

Woozi looked up at you. "Y/N?!"

You smiled, "O-oh... hey! Uh- uhm... I was just checking on you, but I see you're busy with someone else. I'm gonna go."

Before he could respond, you were running out of the hallway. 

You jumped into your car and drove to your house. 

The first thing you did was cry. It was something you haven't done in a long time. 

You've been so happy lately, and it was because of him. But now you're realizing he must be a group therapist. Maybe that was his girlfriend.

He told you he only lets his members and you into his studio.

He values his alone time and allows few people to join him.

So who was that? 

Who was she?

You sobbed in your room, disappointed. You couldn't believe that he did that to you.

Your heart was breaking apart, lungs collapsing on themself.

Your phone dinged, and you saw it was Woozi. You didn't answer. Then it rang, and you didn't answer.

You decided to distract yourself. You went on YouTube and saw that the interview with Yoongi was being posted soon.

You sniffled, decided to call Yoongi.

"Ya?"

You said, "Any chance you're free to drink?"

[catiekayy]

Up Late

Synopsis: Jihoon said he was only going to be at the studio after practice for a few hours, but he stayed way longer than expected (normal) You bring him dinner and stay to hang out until he’s ready to go home, but things get a little a little heated.

Warnings: MDNI 18+ Woozi/Jihoon idol! X reader, established relationship au, use of pet names (baby, love, pretty girl), food mention, dirty talk, unprotected sex (pls don’t), maybe a little soft dom! Jihoon?

Pairing: Jihoon x reader

WC: 2k

8:35pm

It was getting late, and raining, and of course you weren’t back yet, you said you were heading to the studio after practice, that should’ve been the first flag that you would be working late. You sigh, grabbing your keys and purse from the entryway, wrapping yourself up warmly, you don’t want to be on the receiving end of that scolding glare for not dressing warmly, you bound out the door to get dinner; for the two of you. Walking through the streets the lights from the signs reflect off the puddles on the pavement, your breath comes out in small puffs of air instantly evaporating. The further from your apartment you go the more the city sounds fill your ears and soon you find yourself in front of the restaurant you and Jihoon frequent when neither of you feel like cooking that evening, pushing open the doors the ajumeoni who runs the front of the place greets you by name and automatically puts in your order as you sit by the doors to wait “y/n? Beef bulgolgi, rice and some veggies?” She holds the bag up for you to take—you grab it with a smile and head back out the door, and back the opposite way down the block towards the heart of downtown your feet scuffing the ground, resisting the urge to step in puddles as you go

9:15pm

Standing outside the building you look up at the window, several floors up. The lights are off, but the stars are on; “the universe factory is open” you say softly to yourself as your feet move you to the entrance of the building, past security, and up the elevator to the door. As you punch in the code to unlock it, a special code Jihoon only created for you your heart does a little squeeze, you remember when he made that code for you last year; “so you can come see me whenever, or when you miss me” he said as he showed you how to unlock the door with it. Moments like this are frustratingly sweet- while you want him home you love seeing Jihoon in his element, at work and creating. You push the door open and pause for a moment taking in the space to make sure he’s not actively recording, he’s not in fact he’s facing away looking at the computer still unaware of your presence in the room

As the smell of food wafts to Woozi he spins his chair to face you, an unbelievably bright smile breaks across his face at the surprise. “y/n! What are you doing here? It's late, and raining. I was just about to come home” Jihoon says in a soft but slightly scolding tone tugging on the hem of your coat, coaxing you to sit in the chair he’s pulled up beside his own.

You roll your eyes and hold up the food bag knowing that he most definitely was not about to come home, even if he says that “I brought food, so you won’t starve while you let out your creative genius” Taking your coat and scarf off you hang them off the chair and then you start to pull the styrofoam containers out of the bag and hand him his and then you sit cross legged on the chair beside him “and don’t lie, you were definitely not about to come home” you roll your chair closer to his so that you can lay your legs over his lap, comfortable and casual affection is, you’ve learned, the easiest with Jihoon; he’s not one to openly be affectionate so you have to be casual and nonchalant about it. “Okay, you caught me, I have at least one more hour of mixing and editing left before I can say I’ve done serious work here tonight” Jihoon nods, casually rubbing your calf as he gives you a sidelong glance coupled with a little smile.

“You can stay though, I’d love it if I had some beautiful company tonight” a cheeky little smirk pulls up on his lips as he slides a pair of headphones over the desk so that you can also hear what he’s working on. “I guess I’ll stay, you know cause I enjoy music and stuff.” you return that same little smirk as you slide the headphones over your ears, glancing over at him as he grins adjusting his own headphones, taking a few bites of food and getting right back into work mode.

10:55pm

It’s been more than and hour, but you’re not complaining, in fact you’ve actually never been more turned on in your life, something about this subtle intimacy of sitting closely watching Jihoon concentrate hard on his work; the way he furrows his eyebrows as he’s constructing beats and rhythms…oh you’ve got a heat twisting in your stomach. you shift in your seat subtly trying to squeeze your thighs together to stave off the growing throbbing there, the movement unfortunately—fortunately(?) is not lost on Jihoon and he turns his head, removing one ear of his headphones and looks down his nose over his glasses at you “You okay baby? Uncomfortable? The couch is over there if you want to sit there, I’m almost done” he nods towards the couch and pushes his hoodie sleeves up revealing those damned forearms before he turns back to his computer, missing the lip bite you briefly do “no I’m okay this is perfectly fine” you reply with a quick nod, again subtly scooting closer, maybe if you just let your thighs touch his thighs that would be enough until you both got home, and that definitely works until you get lost in your thoughts watching his hands and arms move over the control panel and keyboard and you have to adjust your thighs again, desperate for friction now.

“baby?” Jihoon’s hand grips your knee to halt your movements and it’s just just enough to make your chest tighten up* your plan has been found out for sure “is someone a little needy tonight?” His eyes are on you again, headphones fully off now as he gives you his full attention.

“no, I mean not really I can wait..until we get home” you twist your fingers together as you speak, a flush dusting your cheeks as you desperately try to avoid your boyfriends gaze, you know if you look into his eyes it’s literally going to be game over for you, you’ll spill every thought swimming in your head.

Jihoon grasps your chin between his thumb and fingers, tilting your head up making you meet his eyes, that cheeky little grin still playing on his lips “you can wait hm?” he leans forward his lips brush the shell of your ear, the heat of his breath sending goosebumps down your neck “I don’t believe that for one second pretty girl” *his fingers tease up your thigh squeezing just enough to make your breathing falter slightly “What was that? Everything..okay pretty?” he asks, hearing your heavier breathing now Jihoon decides to push a little more. His fingers tease the inside of your thigh now, just slightly brushing where your thighs and your pussy meet and it’s enough to make you gasp, his lips kiss the skin under your ear, “I don’t think we’re making it home anytime soon” he says with a quiet heat into your ear.

Then your lips are on his in a hungry kiss, one you’ve been needing all night since you opened the door to his studio, Jihoon’s hand moving from your chin to the nape of your neck tugging just enough to tell you to come to him. You climb on top of his lap, your thighs spread open as they fall on either side of his legs, your lips meeting again in a deeply passionate kiss. “Ji please” you say in an uneven tone, pulling at the bottom of his hoodie, determined to get it off as fast as you can. Jihoon chuckles faintly and grasps your hands stopping your movements “you first pretty” and he pulls your shirt off, almost agonizingly slow for how long you’ve been waiting tonight. Then he frees your tits from your bra, palming one nearly instantly “God you’re gorgeous” Jihoon murmurs before leaning down sucking one nipple into his mouth, circling it with his tongue and sucking effortlessly, while his hand rolls and tweaks the other nipple in tandem with what his mouth is doing. All of this is coaxing small mewls and whines from you as thread your fingers into his longer black hair, tugging just enough to tell him wordlessly to keep going, your clothed cunt grinding back and forth on his hardening cock, that’s only growing by the minute. “Jihoon please!” You’re basically begging now and that’s exactly where he wanted to get you to, and before you even can blink he’s gripped your ass, stood up and carried you to the couch, depositing you on your back with him slotted between your thighs.

11:40pm

“Is this what you needed love?” He licks a slow long stripe up your sticky syrupy cunt; you’re both undressed now and he’s been in between your legs now for at least 20 minutes, his fingers teasing the opening to your pussy not sliding in you yet. “Don’t tease” you nearly sob out as he plunges his two fingers in working your g-spot with precision while leaning back down and wrapping his lips around your clit. White hot heat starts to pool in your stomach, your thighs try to close around his head and Jihoon pushes them back down. You know you're close, he knows you're close so he starts doubling his efforts. “That’s right love, you’re so beautiful when you cum for me” Jihoon works his fingers faster, your cunt weeping out wetness now with each movement of his hand as you cum for him, and he laps it all up before climbing up to your lips and kissing you, letting you taste yourself. “We’re not done yet pretty” he strokes your cheek as he taps the tip of his cock on your very over stimulated pussy making you whine softly. “Ready love?” He asks, looking at you, kissing your lips briefly. A nod is all you’re able to manage in your fucked out state and smiled pulled the corner of Jihoon’s lips before he pushed his cock into your slick puffy cunt, groaning as the warm wetness sucked him in and stretched around his size. He gave you a few moments to adjust as soon as his hips reached yours and once he started moving it nearly knocked the breath out of your lungs, each thrust was him pushing his cock through your tight gummy walls. “Fuck, you’re absolutely perfect” Jihoon mumbles against your neck as he continues to fuck into you, his groans getting louder as he feels you tightening around his cock, your second orgasm getting close with each second. “Come on baby… come on pretty cum with me” he nearly demands with sharper thrusts, his cock kissing your g-spot each time causing stars to burst behind your eyes and that sticky sweet wetness floods out around him as he fills you, grunting quietly into your neck.

12:00am

You’re both laying snuggled up on the couch of Jihoon’s studio now you lay on his broad chest, and a Jihoon lounges on his back; propped up slightly by the arm rest, his work long abandoned, clothes strewn about the floor leading to where you're both laying now. “You are the biggest distraction when I should be working” he kisses the top of your head, smoothing out your frizzing hair. “Hey now, I came to bring you food and to bring you home, not get fucked into next week.” You flick his chest as he laughs, wrapping his arms around you tightly, making your chest do that squeezing thing again and you look up at him “love you” you say and Jihoon looks down at you, pushing some hair off your still flushed cheek “love you too. Let’s get home, yeah?”

Author’s Note; thank you to @milk-moonbunnies for beta reading and overall just helping and being an ear for me to talk to through this I appreciate you! I hope you all enjoyed my first actual real smut fic, please like/comment or reblog I would appreciate any love!

[hufflepuffwriter1995]

Between the Notes: Chapter Three

Jezebel hated being overstimulated. It was the way her every nerve felt raw and exposed, the way every sound burrowed into her skin, making her feel like something was crawling all over her. Leaving the venue proved to be the hardest. People were excited, talking loudly, pushing her out of the way to get to the door. Juniper and Aera did their best to help. Juniper had lent her a pair of headphones that cut back the worst of the noise, and the pair of them had formed a protective shield around her. Still, she didn’t feel like she could breathe until they were outside, the cold air hitting her face.

It was once they were outside, the cold air grounding her, that she let herself smile. Today had been challenging, harder than she ever imagined it would be. The fan meet had left her dizzy, confused about a sudden feeling of being tugged towards Jihoon. The sound check and concert had been even worse; the crowd pressed her roughly against the barrier, and she was almost certain she was going to have a bruise. The entire day had been filled with a thousand tiny moments that she wanted to run, to give up and admit this just wasn’t something she could do. The fact that she had stayed, had carved out a tiny place amongst the chaos for herself, had her giggling with pride. She had done it. She survived.

“Hey, are you driving?” Aera asked, her voice soft, full of concern, as she pulled Jez from her thoughts.

“Oh no. My sister, in every way but blood, is meeting me at the hotel a block over. We have a room there. She wanted to come but got called into work. Not that I mind, well, I did, but it works well because now she can bring Binx. Thank you again for the headphones, Jun. They really helped.” She knew she was rambling, not that she could stop the words from tumbling out.

“It was no problem. I am glad they helped. Aera and I are staying at the same hotel, so once you have centred yourself, we will walk with you.” It was moments like these, little ones, where Juniper, June, or Aera so easily accepted her needs that she felt confused. So few people ever noticed, let alone didn’t judge her for them.

“Do you two always adopt anxious people, or is Jezzy just special?” A voice called out, one that Jez knew better than her own. With a squeal that is a mix of relief and joy, she turns to find Sorya. Despite being 5`3, her best friend cut through the crowd with ease, a confidence that had always left her in awe. At the moment, though, it was the small, tiny, black pug that was tugging hard on his lead as he tried to get to her that held her attention. Sorya waited until Jez was on her knees to release the pug, who came bounding toward her in a series of excited barks.

“Oh, she is just special. We usually keep to ourselves, but something about her screamed she’s our type of people.” Aera chuckled.

“However, if she had said she was a Hoshi bias, we would have had issues.” June teased.

“Oh yeah, she is more Jihoon. She's always going on about how she's worried he forgets to eat when he gets working.” Sorya chuckled before introducing herself. Once Aera and June had done the same, her green eyes fell onto Jez. “By the way, we are stuck waiting for a bit. The bridal party that was staying in our room and a few others still haven't checked out. They are giving us free access to a VIP lounge, a free extra night and free meals. Overcompensating for being booked and it being so late.”

Jez let out a small groan, trying to hide the annoyance and irrational flare of anger that hit her. It wasn't anyone's fault, not really. And while it certainly felt like it, the world wasn't out to be against her. She had just so badly wanted to crawl into bed with Binx, snuggle the little pug as close as he would allow it and turn herself off. She had spent all day surrounded by people, jostled and overstimulated, so that the idea of bed was like heaven. It would also give her plenty of time to figure out what to do with Jihoon.

He had been kind in his reply, assuring her that he didn't expect anything, thanking her for giving him a chance. Yet her stepfather's voice was a constant loop in her head. Girls like you don't get soulmates. She wanted to believe he was wrong, that Sorya was right, and she deserved love, but she wasn't sure she believed it, and what did that say about all of this? Sure, he was interested now, when he didn't know her past, how broken she was, but would that change if she let him in? Would he run?

Before she could spiral any further, a gentle hand on her elbow snapped her back into the present. The chaos of the hotel’s front lobby crashed against her already spent nerves.

Binx let out a small whine, jumping at her leg, and she bent without thinking. His front paws wrapped around her arms as she lifted him, his tiny body already nestling against her chest, his head tucking beneath her chin.

“The lounge is this way,” Sorya said softly. “I told them you’d need a private and quiet place. It’s dimmed—secluded—only a few VIP guests and us. There’s food. You don’t have to do anything except curl up in a chair with Binx and decompress. I brought my book. I’ll be fine.”

The edges of panic dulled at her words. Another soft hum travelled down the bond, smoothing the sharpness of Jez’s anxiety. Relief clouded her features, and she nearly leaned her full weight into her friend.

“Do you mind if we stick around?” Aera asked quietly. “Our rooms aren’t ready either.”

Jez nodded. “I don’t mind. You don’t need to be quiet—”

“We do,” June cut in gently. “You need to let your nervous system settle. And don’t try to spiral. If we wanted to be loud, we wouldn’t have asked.”

Sorya laughed softly. “Oh. Oh, Jez—I like them. They get it. Official seal of approval.”

She took Jez by the elbow, smiling gently, and led her toward the lounge.

It was, as promised, quiet and dim, tucked away from the chaos of the hotel. Large, comfortable chairs were arranged in a way that felt intentional—cozy without being crowded. Jez zeroed in on one in the corner and curled up.

Binx let out a small snort as he shifted on her lap before settling, his chin resting on the arm of the chair as he faced the door. The others chose seats farther away, giving her space. The simple consideration made her want to cry; they meant it. They didn't want anything from her. Instead of letting it spill over, she closed her eyes and, for the first time since she left, let herself relax.

No one wanted anything from her. No one crowded her space. She could finally breathe. Binx’s weight was a steady anchor against her legs as she let herself drift, Sorya’s voice a soft, familiar presence reminding her that she was safe enough to rest.

Jihoon

Jihoon knew without seeing her that Jez was near. The tug that had settled during the night was back, instant in a way that it hadn't been since the concert. Looking up from where he was seated, sunglasses on to avoid anyone recognizing him, he watched as she walked in. She seemed calmer this morning. Wearing a flowy royal blue dress and a jean jacket that she had her fingers curled around. A small black pug pranced beside her, ears up and alert, growling when an employee got too close. He could feel the slight spike in anxiety, but it was subtle, quieter. She spoke softly, showing him something before the man nodded and stepped back. Allowing her further access. No doubt her VIP access badge, since this was the private breakfast lounge.

She moved slowly, deliberately. Making herself a plate before grabbing a coffee, moving to a far table by the window. The sunlight washed over, causing highlights of Carmel to show in her auburn hair. The dog settled at her feet, head on his paws, alert but settled.

He turned, taking a bite of his fruit as he weighed his options. The bond was nearly wild, tugging harshly, and he could see the way each tug caused her shoulders to tense before she forced herself to relax. He would need to handle this slowly, carefully. Fingers drumming against his table, he looked up just in time to see Imogen walk in, his laughter at the sight of the girl bubbling up.

Imogen was not a morning person, which was evident in the scowl on her face and the hard set of her shoulders. Beside her, Cheol seemed amused but quiet, guiding her to his table.

"Morning, Noona." He sang, laughing at the grunt she gave him. "Cheol, get her coffee before the gremlin decides to eat us all." As he teased, his gaze flickered over to Jez, who was watching them now. Steady, intent, surprised. He smiled but turned his attention away, letting her choose what happened next.

"Mingyu to the rescue." The younger man sang, the broad-shouldered giant leaning over Imogen to deliver her favourite iced coffee, beaming when he got the rare and coveted morning smile.

"God bless you, Kim Mingyu," Imogen muttered before taking a long sip, a sigh of content leaving her.

As the usual morning chatter surrounded him, Cheol, attempting to get Imogen to talk beyond grunts, Mingyu, planning what to do on their rare day off, his gaze flickered back to Jez. She was studying him now, not intensely but clearly having an internal debate. He smiled warmly at her, watching her slowly return the smile before staring into her coffee cup like it held the secret to life.

"Isn't that the fan from yesterday? The quiet one?" Mingyu asked, voice laced with concern. While she may not have known it, Jez had been the hot topic last night. All his members were worried, Joshua to the point he admitted sending her a cold bottle of water in the middle of the fan meet. When he slowly, gently, explained the bond, they shared his concerns about how to get to know her without driving her away. Without making her think she lost her voice, her control, her anatomy.

"Yeah thats Jez."

"I want her dog," Imogen muttered, giggling when Cheol let out a dramatic sigh.

"Sure talk for the dog but not your boyfriend." He playfully pouts, grinning in triumph when Imogen leans up and kisses him quickly on the lips. He shook his head, a playful eye roll at them all and then stilled as Jez stood. Her coffee in one hand, a full plate in the other, she moved with what could only be described as terrified determination. She hesitated a few tables back, watching him before moving again, the little pug trailing happily beside her.

"Is... well... is it okay if I join you? I mean, if you want to be alone, I get it... I..."

[hufflepuffwriter1995]

Between the Notes: Chapter Two

Author: hufflepuffwriter1995

Fandom: Seventeen

Pairing: Lee Jihoon/Woozi x Jezebel (OC) Choi Seungcheol/S.Coups x Imogen (OC)

Chapter Warnings: Anxiety, self-doubt.

Story Warnings: Brief mentions of childhood sexual abuse. Body image issues. Anxiety, PTSD. Eventual Smut. It's a slow burn.

Blurb:

Jezebel never meant to stand out.

At a fanmeet, she keeps her voice low, her hands to herself, and her expectations even lower. Just another fan—quiet, chubby, from Canada—passing through Lee Jihoon’s life for only a minute.

Jihoon notices anyway.

And when their eyes meet, something unexplainable sparks between them—a thread neither can ignore. An accidental meeting and an exchanged number turn into late-night calls, time-zone confessions, and a friendship that feels too real to be safe. Jihoon falls first, deliberately and without apology, while Jezebel stays convinced that a man like him could never see her as more than a friend.

As Seventeen folds her into their orbit, Jihoon struggles to hide his feelings, and Jez struggles with understanding that she isn’t a burden.

A slow-burn soulmate romance about quiet love, chosen family, body image, and the moment someone finally says I choose you

Jez stepped out of the room where the fanmeet was held, the cool air hitting her face, and let out a soft breath of something close to relief. The lobby was still crowded, clumps of fans pressed together, exchanging stories of their minute with each member. She found a place against the wall, hugging her album to her chest as she started to box breathe. Before she could make it past one, a woman with a badge on her shirt, making it clear she was staff, was before her.

  "Jezebel?" She asked, and Jez blinked, trying to figure out what this was about. She didn't say anything else, just handed her a bottle of cold water, the expensive kind, the chill doing more to ground her than her breathing. Before Jez could question it, or even thank her, she was gone again. Confused, she stares at the bottle before remembering the radio host she won the vip experience from had said refreshments would be provided. Figuring that was it, she takes a sip, the cold water feeling like heaven. Feeling a little more like herself, she slid down the wall, crossing her legs and studied her album.

  The cardboard was worn around the edges now from hours of being used as an anchor. But it was the signatures, a mix of black and silver Sharpie that had her smiling despite everything. She had actually done it. She carved out room for herself in the chaos, existing in their world for a brief moment.

  It was then that she felt it again, that sharp tug behind her ribcage, but this time it was something like relief, not her own, that coursed down it. The unsettling reminder of it caused her to suck in a breath. So she hadn't imagined it. The idea of a soulmate bond had always filled her with a mix of pure dread and hope. On the one hand, this was someone who, with luck, would see every broken piece of her and love her regardless. Who would choose her when the world wouldn't? But on the other hand... girls like her don't get soulmates.

  She can hear him now, her stepfather, his voice low and amused. "You get a soulmate? Girls like you don't get soulmates. And even if you did, who would want you? They would reject it." His words burned like venom beneath her skin, and she picked at the edge of her album.

  She tried to focus, focus on the signatures and then she saw it. The number, written neatly beneath his name. The sight of it caused her heart to race, nausea to turn in her stomach. Hands shaking, she grabbed her phone. Ignoring the rant Sorya had texted her about the parents of the kid she was helping and opened the chat.

  Jez: (Lilo) I was at the fan meet and felt the thread. He even left his number. What the hell am I meant to do?! He's famous, Ray, he could have anyone! Why me? Why would fate do this? To take away the band that made this anxiety shit bearable? They can't be my safe place now?! I'll remember the time he rejected me! Or worse, what if he DOESN'T!? It would just be the bond making him want me! You heard my stepdad?! No one would want me! 

  She hit send, watching as the dots appeared, the sight causing her to breathe a little easier. Sorya was there. She would make it stop. She would drive out his voice, make her forget the touch of his skin on hers.

  "AERA, I FOUND HER!" Juniper’s voice cut through the noise, through her panic like a knife.  Pulling her so suddenly from the ghost of her stepfather's memory that she was a little disoriented. “Don’t hide like that! We thought you got trampled!” 

"Why were you looking for me? You don't need to take pity on me anymore.” Jez whispered, word tumbling out before she could stop them. Once they were out, Juniper froze, her eyes narrowing into tiny slits. Jez flinched; she really hadn’t wanted to make her mad. Before she could even begin to apologize, though, Juniper cut her off.  

  “Oh no!” Juniper snapped. “You don’t get to let anxiety rewrite this!” Jez flinched, but Juniper didn't soften; she just got steady, as if she was determined to make each word land with meaning. 

  “We didn’t befriend you out of pity. We befriended you because you seemed like you were about to jump out of your skin. We befriended you because we know what that is like.” Juniper gestured to Jez's bag, which was handmade with the phrase ‘All Time Low makes me happy, you not so much.’

   “We befriended you because you have an All Time Low bag, and honestly, that just makes you cool. We didn’t have to befriend you. We did it because we wanted, and anxiety doesn’t get to frame that as pity.”

  Jez swallowed, shame coating her features.  “I am so sorry. I just… I had a few people I used to call friends mention I'm exhausted, and if they didn't feel so bad for me… Sorya said they are idiots.” 

  “First, I don't know Sorya, but honestly, she's right. They are idiots. Second, damn you really need to meet better people. Lucky for you, better people found  you, and sorry we don't leave once you are chosen.”  

  “So that's it? Juniper, are we friends just like that?” 

  “It's June to you, and I am aiming towards your inner circle, but for now.” She shrugs, linking her arm through Jez's. Squeezing her arm as she gives Jez a warm smile. 

 “Yeah. Just like that. Now come on. We misplaced Aera, and I'm not doing the whole ‘let's spread out thing’ again.” 

  As June tugged her through the crowd, calling out for Aera, Jez felt her phone buzz with a notification, her shoulders relaxing as she read Sorya's words. 

   Sorya: (Stitch) First off, we have long since established your stepfather knows jack shit. So stop listening to that man and listen to me instead. The soulmate bond doesn't force you; it doesn't take away your choice. It's not like the movies where you become the center of their galaxy and feelings for every other woman in the world fade to nothing. It's a choice, and if he gave you his number, he made his. He chose to try to get to know you. He's already chosen you; he could have done nothing. Chances of you meeting again are slim, but he chooses to give you a way to reach him. Now you get to choose: to give the poor guy a chance or to let your stepfather take away something else. The choice is yours, but Stitch, I hope you choose him. Call me if you need me. 

  Reading her friend's words, she takes a gentle breath. Taking advantage of June and Aera reuniting, only half listening as June explains the previous events to type in the number she memorized without meaning to and prayed it wasn't a sick joke.  

   Jez: (Lee Jihoon?) Hey Jihoon. You left your number on my album. I hope it's okay that I reach out.  

  “June is right, you know,” Aera said softly. “We never do anything out of pity. You’re one of us now.”

  “Now let’s get to the soundcheck,” June added with a laugh, “and don’t worry. I won’t let anyone trample you—I’ll be in my best guard dog mode.”

  “She looks harmless,” Aera said, smirking, “but trust me—you just gained Scary Dog privileges. June grew up with six older brothers. They taught her how to be a princess with the skills of an assassin.”

   “Honestly,” June said with a dramatic sniffle, “that is the sweetest thing you ever said about me.”

  Jez laughed, tiny but genuine, as they entered the main venue area. Their badges were scanned, and Aera snagged them spots right against the barrier. Taking a deep breath, Jez focused on the girls beside her and prepared to see him again. Fear and hope flared in her chest. Would he even notice her? 

   As if answering her thoughts, a calm hum drifted down the bond—a gentle reminder that she wasn’t alone. Just before the boys walked onto the stage for soundcheck, her phone buzzed once and glancing down at her phone, she felt her heart in her throat. He answered.  

   Jihooon (Jez) Hey! Thank you for reaching out. It’s really okay. I was hoping you would. I wasn’t sure if leaving my number would give you the wrong impression. But I wanted to give you a choice. Even if you choose to let this turn into nothing, thank you for answering me.  

  Jihoon 

   For the first time during a concert—or even a soundcheck—Jihoon’s head wasn’t fully in it. His attention stayed locked on Jez, her body pressed against the barrier, fingers gripping it so tightly her knuckles had gone white. The girl beside her was elbowing anyone who got too close, again and again, fierce and unapologetic. Jihoon wouldn’t have been surprised if she walked away with bruises, but it was clear she was on a mission: protect Jez at all costs.

  None of that, though, stopped the panic bleeding through the bond—raw and sharp enough to make his breath hitch. It would ease during the songs, sometimes disappearing entirely beneath flashes of joy at certain ones. But the moment the last note faded, it came rushing back. He watched her eyes drift toward the exits, the quiet battle between staying and leaving etched plainly across her face. He had spent the time between songs, during the quick wardrobe changes, sending a soft melody down the bond. One he had written years ago but never finished, and found soothing. Hoping it wasn’t too much, but growing a bit bolder each time the hum was meant with a softening around the edges of her panic, dulling it so it wasn’t as sharp, easing it just enough she could breathe.  

  “You have been distracted all night,” Seungcheol asked, pulling him aside after the concert, the others walking ahead, sending him worried glances. He rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at his hyung, his words coming out in a rush.  

   “At the fanmeet, I met a fan, Jez, before I even saw her. I could feel it, a thread pulling me towards her. I could also feel her, her anxiety, her overstimulation, all of it as clear as my own. Seeing her, she looked so small, like she wasn’t used to people seeing her. It’s clear someone hurt her, and I don’t want her to think I am only interested in her because of this bond. I’m not. I don’t expect anything from it, I just… I want to help her feel a little less scared of the world. I left her my number, I didn’t want her to think I didn’t feel it or was out rejecting her. She answered, and I told her I don’t expect anything but...”He trailed off, taking a breath. 

   Seuncheol didn’t answer right away, just let them walk in silence, his usual tell that he was processing important information. He clasped a hand to his shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly as he stared at Jihoon. 

   “Do you hear yourself right now?” 

   “What?” 

   “You aren’t talking about her like a soulmate, like you expect a thing from this. You are talking about your fear, not for yourself, but for her. That right there tells me fate was right about this. She needs someone who is going to care. You also have handled everything right. You haven’t pushed her, you haven’t asked her for her time or space. Just let her know you see her, and it’s her choice what happens next.” The silence fell again as they passed staff, neither wanting word of this getting out just yet.  

   “People forget that the soulmate bond is a choice. It wasn’t a bond that made me fall for Imo, it was her. Her spunk, the way she so naturally defended us all, the way she never once saw S.Coups, I was always just Cheoli to her. A bond doesn’t create that. It just goes ‘hey that one right there is the one that is going to get every single part of you’ and then lets you decide the rest.” 

   “She may not answer me back.” 

   “And if she doesn’t, that's her choice, but honestly, someone who says they don’t expect a thing is always worth choosing.” His phone dinged then, quiet but loud all at once, and he smiled at the name on the screen. 

     (Jez) Oh.. thanks. The concert was great! You rocked it. Make sure to rest.   He smiled, he could feel her panic, the fear, but still she answered and not only that… she cared about him too.

[hufflepuffwriter1995]

Between the Notes: Chapter One

Author: Hufflepuffwriter1995

Fandom: Seventeen

Pairing: Lee Jihoon/Woozi x Named Plus Size reader (Jezebel)

Author's Note: HAPPY NEW YEAR. It is finally here. I hope you all enjoy. I did change it a little to add a soulmate bond, but it will mostly focus on healing, trauma and finding found family.

Warnings per chapter: Insecruities.

Warnings per fic: Smut, mentions of PTSD, past childhood SA/abuse, past mentions of rape, body insecurities, swearing, Plot:

Jezebel never meant to stand out.

At a fanmeet, she keeps her voice low, her hands to herself, and her expectations even lower. Just another fan—quiet, chubby, from Canada—passing through Lee Jihoon’s life for only a minute.

Jihoon notices anyway.

And when their eyes meet, something unexplainable sparks between them—a thread neither can ignore. An accidental meeting and an exchanged number turn into late-night calls, time-zone confessions, and a friendship that feels too real to be safe. Jihoon falls first, deliberately and without apology, while Jezebel stays convinced that a man like him could never see her as more than a friend.

As Seventeen folds her into their orbit, Jihoon struggles to hide his feelings and Jez struggles with understanding she isn’t a burden.

A slow-burn soulmate romance about quiet love, chosen family, body image, and the moment someone finally says I choose you

Check it out on patreon:

Between The Notes: Chapter One | BookishHufflepuff

Get more from BookishHufflepuff on Patreon

   Lee Jihoon knew that when it came to his music, he was a perfectionist.  It was why he was bent over his guitar, strumming the same chords over and over, trying to make the lyrics sound less hollow, less like they were written by a tired man. His fingers tapped against the wood of his guitar, studying the lyrics, when the notebook was closed suddenly, a pair of soft hands stole his guitar and replaced it with a tray of food.  

   “Lee Jihoon, stop stressing and eat.” Imogen, Seunchoel’s girlfriend of three years, scolded as she sat down, her long red hair falling into her face. “The fan meet is in two hours, and you need to eat and then get ready.” He stared down at the food, a bowl of rice and honey-glazed ribs that he knew she had made herself. Imogen was always cooking for them, her calm a steady presence amidst the chaos. 

    “Thanks.” He whispers as he glances up at her, giving her a small, grateful smile. “I just want to get it right.” 

  “Jihoon,” She says softly, her voice kind and warm, as she reaches over and gently ruffles his hair. “The fans don’t care if your chords are perfect right now, they care about you. You being healthy, not stressed. You need to give yourself a break. You have time to get this next album done. I mean, hun, you JUST released your last album. Give yourself time.” Logically, he knew she was right. He was the only one putting pressure on himself. Even Bang PD had told him to take a break. But the restlessness remained. 

    The door swung open, and Soonyoung appeared, all but vibrating with energy as usual. “Ready, Jihoon? The line is already insane, and Seokmin said the fans began screaming an hour ago.” Before he could answer, Hoshi saw Imogen and let out a happy cry before tackling her in a hug that Seungcheol had to rescue her from. 

    “Yeah, I’m ready.” He answers after taking a sip of cold water, trying to remember when Noona had slipped it near him.  

   “You look tired,” Mingyu said bluntly as he entered, handing him a bottle of water. “Finish eating because I don’t want to carry you off stage.  And I don’t think we can hold Noona back either.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m eating.” He mutters as the others file in, the usual chaos drowning out the subtle sounds of the city outside. Pushing the tray away, he picks up his guitar, strumming a few chords, not obsessively this time, but in enjoyment, the soft sound blending in with the chaos. This was the part he liked the most, the sounds his brothers all around him, the ease of the chords. As he plays, Imogen settles into the spot beside him, her legs tucked up under her, her head resting on her hand as she watches him. 

   “You are going to be okay.” She whispers, and for the first time, he feels like they were true, as if everything would be just fine. 

     Sooner than expected, Imogen was announcing it was time, tugging Cheol down to give him a long, lingering kiss that caused them all to whistle at, before ushering them out. As she always did, she squeezed his hand softly as he passed, a silent promise that he got his, that it would be fine. As company policy stated, she wasn’t allowed outside the greenroom or to be seen anywhere near them, but it was also a quiet promise that she would step in if needed. 

   As they headed down the hallway, the sounds of the fans screaming grew louder, the fan chant filling the air. A small smile graced his lips as he listened to the sound of the fans who adored them all. Hoshi seemed to be feeding off his energy, growing to an infectious manner.  As the doors opened, his nerves hit as the sound of the screams became almost overwhelming. Sensing it, Cheol leaned in, his voice raised enough to be heard above the noise. 

   “Breathe, the fans just want to see you happy. You got this, just smile.” 

   “Don’t overthink it,” Mingyu promised, squeezing his shoulders. Taking strength in his members all around him, he fell into the routine with ease. Shaking hands, smiling, signing albums, taking quick selfies, offering soft words of thanks as they sobbed. As he worked through, smiling amidst the chaos, he felt something tug at the edge of his focus. Something quiet, curious and unfamiliar. Everything blurred together, just as it always did until it didn’t. 

   His pen froze mid-signature, the motion faltering for half a second too long. His chest tightened with a strange, unfamiliar feeling, one he had heard about his entire life but never believed in, like a thread settling into his chest. Blinking, he scolds himself, forcing himself to focus as he finishes the signature, thanking the fan with a soft and kind smile. As she stepped aside, his gaze flickered over the next few fans in line, their faces blurring together and the voices blending into noise.  

   His heart skipped when he felt again, closer now, stronger. Not anxiety. Not exhaustion. Recognition. He swallowed, breath shallow, his fingers tightening around the pen in his hands. As the next fan stepped forward, his breath caught. 

    No way. He thought, pulse thudding. Not here. Not Now. Not like this. The pull strengthened, warm and steady in his chest. The stories always said it would feel like coming home to something you didn’t know you were missing. He always thought that part was exaggerated, told by love-struck couples who rambled about fate. He never expected to feel it, to find it. 

  Jezebel 

  Jezebel Hayes has been standing in line for hours and feels like she is getting nowhere. She reshuffled her weight, the ache in her calves burning as the line shuffled forward slowly. Around her excitement buzzed like static. Voices overlapping, lightsticks clicking, a few fans ahead, a girl screamed loud enough that it made her wince. Pulling her sweater over the swell of her hips, she started to focus on the texture of her album clutched to her chest, grounding herself in something solid.  

   “First fan meet?” A voice asked from her behind her, soft and gentle, as if she knew Jez might startle otherwise. Turning, she found two girls, both around 30, watching her with a steadiness that felt comforting. One was blonde, with bright curls that fell in waves down her back. The other has jet black hair with blue tips, slight waves adding texture to her hair. 

   “That obvious?” Jez asks with a shy giggle, a blush covering her features. 

   “You are hugging your album like it’s a shield.” The raven-haired girl chuckled kindly. “I am Juniper, by the way, and this is Aera. If it makes you feel any better, though, I am beyond nervous too.” 

  “Jezebel.” She answers, accepting Juniper’s hand as Aera bowed towards her. Not dramatic, just a small bend in the spine, a show of quiet respect.  

 “It helps to remember you don’t have to be anything other than yourself,” Aera said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips.  

  “She’s been through this before; this is her second one. I begged her to come with me. I am so nervous to meet them all.” Juniper rambled, falling into step beside Jez, filling the air around her with a nervous, excited energy that was contagious. As she moved closer to the front, Juniper’s chatter went in and out of focus. She nodded where she thought she should, but her attention kept slipping to the front of the room. She could see the table now, not well but enough to make out Seungcheol’s form, the way the light washed over his face, alight with a joy as he listened to the fan in front of him. The noise swelled with every step, getting louder the closer to the thirteen members she got. 

  Her chest felt tight, her breathing shallow, with every tiny step, not that she knew why. It wasn’t panic or fear, not exactly. It felt heavier, like anticipation. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she rubbed her thumb against the embossed lettering on the album, grounding herself yet again. You can do this. She told herself, mouthing the words to make them hold a little more weight. Aera noticed, adding her own words of encouragement that caused Jez to smile. 

  “You made it this far,” Juniper assured her, her hand squeezing her shoulder. 

  “They won’t judge you, just be kind, smile, and respectful. The staff only gets involved when fans get too close to them, pushing boundaries.” Aera assured her. Somewhere up ahead, a fan broke into tears, loud and hysterical enough that Joshua was halfway across the table, trying to help her. Another was trying to speak, mixing Korean and English, too excited and nervous to stick to a single language. Jez watched it all with a strange sense of detachment, as if she was watching it all through a piece of glass. She had just taken another step when it happened. 

  It wasn’t a touch, just the sudden, unmistakable warmth that bloomed behind her ribs. She froze mid-step, causing Aera to crash into her, the girl's voice rising with concern that Jez barely registered. Her breath caught as her fingers tightened around her album as the noise around her fell to a dull, low hum. Inside her chest, just behind her ribs, was a slow, instant, tugging, one that seemed sharp and terrifyingly familiar. She never thought she would get one, especially didn’t think to find it here. Her panic skyrocketed, coiling around the unshakable feeling of recognition.  

    “What the hell?” She muttered, just barely loud enough to catch Juniper’s attention. 

   “You okay?” 

   “Yeah,” Jez muttered, not bothering to tear her gaze away from the front of the room, her eyes flickering over each of the members as her mind raced to make sense of what was happening. “Just the crowds.”  

  “Dude, I totally get that,” Juniper assured her.  With the girls' easy assurances, questions on how to help, she felt a pang of guilt for not being fully honest. It wasn’t just the crowd that was bugging her, but the sudden, unmistakable feeling of being noticed.   

   Jihoon 

    Jihoon’s pen stilled, not because the fan in front of him had done anything wrong; she was sweet, crying as she explained the impact his lyrics had on her, but because the warmth in his chest suddenly surged sharply enough to steal his breath. An anxiety that wasn’t his flared suddenly. It was overwhelming, enough to have his teeth on edge. As a fan screamed, the noise jostling, he realized it wasn’t his anxiety. His eyes lifted from the album without thinking, flickering through the crowd until he found her, the noise, the faces, all blurring together as she came into focus. 

   He could tell by looking at her that she had been through it. She stood with her shoulders rounded, as if she was attempting to make herself smaller, as if she was scared to take up space. She clutched her album to her chest, rubbing the letters as if the album were an anchor. As recognition hit him, the warmth in his settled, threading itself deeper, like something that had always been there, finding its place. 

  He turned away, forcing himself to focus, finishing the signature before handing the album back. Thanked her profusely for the kind words, for being a part of the reason he wrote. She beamed at that, tears falling faster, harder as she stepped away, ushered towards Soonyoung. Taking advantage of the few seconds he had free, her watched her again. Her anxiety was a strong force, unforgiving, and he instantly hummed a soft, quiet melody of a song he never finished, sending it down the bond, praying it would work. She froze, her eyes flickering up, wide, startled, but he could feel it, the way her anxiety smoothed around the edges. He watched as her shoulders relaxed, the more sent that calm, steady humming, felt the calm that flared in her chest. 

  Beside her, the fan said something, her features relaxing a little at the words.  The thread inside of him pulled, triggered by her growing closer. It was gentle, persistent, as if it wanted him to move. Not now. He told himself as he watched her, noticing the way she pulled her sweater down, hiding herself. Shame flaring suddenly in his own chest, not his, hers.  This bond wasn’t meant to be rushed; it was meant to provide safety. 

  The next fan stepped forward, and he smiled, forcing his attention onto the fan. Thanking them for coming, for supporting them,  but his awareness stayed fixed just beyond the table. As he did, he noted the two girls beside her, one animated and warm, the other observant and steady, both working to distract her from the screaming that surrounded her, shielding her without crowding. He felt relief bloom in his chest. She wasn’t alone. She was three fans away, getting close enough that the bond settled, as if aware of what was about to happen. As he waited, he grounded himself, preparing himself to shift from the idol persona he wore during these. He didn’t want her to meet Woozi, but Jihoon. 

 Before he knew it, she was in front of him, and all he could do was watch her. She looked softer than he expected - not fragile, just careful. Her eyes, a dark brown with flecks of gold, were wide but steady, taking him in. The album in her hands was worn around the edges, as if she had picked at the sides without noticing. Her fingers remained curled around it, as if giving it up would send her drifting. For a brief moment, neither spoke before he leaned against the table, smiling softly. 

  “Hi.” He said, reaching forward before he stopped just short of touching her as he smiled, not the polished one, the real one that barely made it past the private walls.  

  “Hi.” She whispers, her voice is soft and a little gentle, a little breathless. He glanced at the album again, noting the name written in Joshua’s familiar writing.  

  “Jezebel?” His voice was soft, carrying with it a small note of recognition. 

  “Most people call me Jez.” She mutters softly, her eyes widening as if she hadn’t meant to correct him. 

  “Jez.” The warmth tightened in his chest as he repeated it slowly, memorizing as he tested the sound. Something in her expression shifted, softening, as if she didn’t hear it spoken kindly often. He slid the album towards him, signing in his name, before, in much smaller letters, adding his number. “Thank you for coming today.” 

  She smiled then, shy and hesitant but genuine. “Thank you…for the music. It helped me through a few things.” His chest ached as he caught the pain behind her words.  

  “I’m glad it could; that means a lot.” She watched him with a quiet curiosity, her eyes flickering between his face and the careful movement of his hand.

   “Are you okay?” He asked, watching as the question catches her by surprise, as if she wasn’t aware the subtle spike in anxiety had been noticeable. She blinks, confusion mixed with shyness clouding her features. 

  “Oh.. I… yes, I am fine.” 

  “Good, I’m glad. If it gets too loud, remember, don’t be afraid to take a step back and don’t feel bad for needing to take a step away.”  

  “Thank you. It was lovely to meet you, Jihoon.” Jihoon, not Woozi, the difference made his heart ache with recognition, the bond flaring briefly. 

  “Likewise.” He says softly, wishing he had more time, as he notices the staff ushering her towards Soonyoung. “Take care of yourself, Jez.”  He watched her walk away before picking up his pen, preparing for the next fan, but something had already changed. They found each other, and they weren’t running away.

[hufflepuffwriter1995]

Between The Notes: Chapter One Teaser!

Lee Jihoon knew he was a perfectionist. He didn’t need his brothers to tell him as much. His music needed to be perfect. It was why he was bent over his guitar, strumming the same chords over and over, trying to make the lyrics sound less hollow, less like they were written by a tired man. His fingers tapped against the wood of his guitar, studying the lyrics, when the notebook was closed suddenly, a pair of soft hands stole his guitar and replaced it with a tray of food.

“Lee Jihoon, stop stressing and eat.” Imogen, Seunchoel’s girlfriend of three years, scolded as she sat down, her long red hair falling into her face. “The fan meet is in two hours, and you need to eat and then get ready.” He stared down at the food, a bowl of rice and honey-glazed ribs that he knew she had made herself. Imogen was always cooking for them, blinking slowly as he tried to get his mind back from the music.

“Thanks.” He whispers as he glances up at her, giving her a small, grateful smile. “I just want to get it right.”

“Jihoon,” She says softly, her voice kind and warm, as she reaches over and gently ruffles his hair. “The fans don’t care if your chords are perfect right now, they care about you. You being healthy, not stressed. You need to give yourself a break. You have time, lots of it, to get this next album done. I mean, hun, you JUST released your last album. Give yourself time.” Logically, he knew she was right; he was the only one putting pressure on him, even Bang PD had told him to take a break. But he felt restless. He hesitated, then picked up his chopsticks, eating slowly as he allowed her words to sink in.

The door swung open, and Soonyoung appeared, all but vibrating with energy as usual. “Ready, Jihoon? The line is already insane, and DK said the fans began screaming an hour ago.” Before he could answer, Hoshi saw Imogen and let out a happy cry of Noona before tackling her with a hug that Choel had to save his girlfriend from.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” He answers after taking a sip of cold water, trying to remember when Noona had slipped it near him.

“You look tired,” Mingyu said bluntly as he entered, handing him a bottle of water. “Finish eating because I don’t want you to pass out in front of the fans. And I don’t think we can hold Noona back either.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m eating.” He mutters as the others file in, the usual chaos drowning out the subtle sounds of the city outside. Pushing the tray away, he picks up his guitar, strumming a few chords, not obsessively this time, just in enjoyment, the soft sound mixing in the chaos. This was the part he liked the most, the sounds his brothers all around him, the ease of the chords. As he plays, Imogen settles into the spot beside him, her legs tucked up under her, her head resting on her hand as she watches him.

“You are going to be okay.” She whispers, and for the first time, he feels like they were true, as if everything would be just fine.

[hufflepuffwriter1995]

Between the Notes

Fandom: Seventeen

Pairing: Lee Jihoon/Woozi x Named Reader

Warnings: Body Image insecurity, past abuse (sexual), mentions of PTSD, Anxiety, deep-rooted insecurities, eventual smut, slow burn, Jezebel is clueless. Found family, chosen family, themes.

Jezebel never meant to stand out. 

At a fanmeet, she keeps her voice low, her hands to herself, and her expectations even lower. She’s just another fan, quiet, chubby, and from Canada, passing through Lee Jihoon’s life for only a minute. 

Jihoon notices anyway. 

What starts as an accidental meeting and an exchanged number turns into late-night conversations, time-zone confessions, and a friendship that feels too real to be safe. Jihoon falls first, deliberately and without apology, while Jezebel remains oblivious, certain that kindness from a man like him couldn’t ever mean anything more. 

As Seventeen begins to fold her into their orbit, Jihoon’s feelings become harder to hide. Especially when Kim Mingyu flirts with her openly and easily, showing Jihoon what happens when someone sees what he has been too afraid to claim. 

A slow-burn romance about quiet love, chosen family, body image, and the moment someone finally says I choose you, out loud.

Chapter One: Coming Soon