You weren’t feeling great. It started with a dull ache behind your eyes when you woke up and only got worse as the day went on. By mid-afternoon, your throat was sore, your body ached, and you were too tired to do much of anything except lie in bed, wrapped in blankets and scrolling aimlessly on your phone. Even typing felt like too much effort.
So you texted Woono, short and to the point.
“Can we reschedule? I think I’m getting sick.”
You expected a sad-face emoji, maybe a “get well soon,” or even a call later in the night to check in. What you didn’t expect was his response.
“I’m coming over.”
Your thumbs flew across the screen in panic.
“Nooo, you’ll get sick too. Seriously, don’t. I’m gross right now.”
He didn’t respond. Just left you on read.
Less than an hour later, your doorbell rang.
You shuffled out of bed, blanket still wrapped around your shoulders like a cape, and cracked the door open. There he was—hood up, mask on, arms full of comfort. In one hand, a thermos of soup. In the other, a small tote bag filled with cold medicine, vitamin drinks, and honey lemon candies. Tucked under his arm was the soft, squishy form of Hyobong, his favorite plushie.
“I brought backup,” he said, holding up the plushie. “And also soup. It’s my mom’s recipe. I stirred it, so I technically helped.”
You blinked, both touched and mildly embarrassed. “You really didn’t have to come all the way over here.”
“Yes, I did,” he said simply. “Now go lie down. I’ve got everything.”
You didn’t have the energy to protest, so you shuffled back to your room and climbed back into bed. A few minutes later, he entered with a tray balanced in his hands, eyes scanning the room like he was on a mission. He set the tray down, took his hoodie off, and sat at the edge of the bed beside you.
“You look exhausted,” he murmured.
“I look like death,” you mumbled.
Woono leaned in closer, eyes meeting yours with a softness that melted straight through your chest. “You look like someone who needs to be taken care of.”
Your breath caught just a little, but before you could respond, he was lifting the spoon to your lips. The soup was warm, comforting, and surprisingly delicious. You gave him a thumbs-up after the first bite.
“I told you,” he said proudly. “Mom’s soup has healing powers.”
When you tried to take the spoon from him, he shook his head and lightly pushed your hand away. “Nope. You’re not lifting a finger. I’m serious.”
After the soup, he handed you a honey lemon candy and made sure you took the medicine and the vitamin drink. You laughed softly at how serious he was about it all, and he only smiled, watching you with this incredibly gentle expression.
“You’re like… really good at this,” you said, voice raspy but amused.
He shrugged. “I care about you. Of course I want to take care of you.”
The way he said it was so natural, so matter-of-fact, that you had to pause. Your eyes met his, and suddenly the air in the room felt warmer.
You looked at him, really looked at him—how he sat with his knees turned slightly toward you, how his fingers played with the hem of your blanket, how his eyes held a quiet kind of worry even though he kept smiling.
“You’re gonna get sick,” you whispered.
“Worth it,” he whispered back.
He stood up just long enough to turn off the bedroom light, letting the soft glow of your lamp paint golden shadows across the room. Then he climbed into bed beside you, pulling the blanket over both of you and wrapping his arm gently around your waist.
“I brought Hyobong for you,” he said, pressing the plushie to your chest, “but I think I’ll do a better job keeping you warm.”
You laughed weakly and leaned into him. The warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his breathing, the way his fingers slowly brushed through your hair—it was everything your aching body needed. He began humming softly, a familiar tune you couldn’t quite name, and before you knew it, your eyelids were heavy.
When you woke up some time later, it was still dark outside. You were nestled against Woono’s chest, one of his arms draped protectively around your middle, and his cheek resting against your forehead. He was awake, scrolling quietly through his phone with one hand.
“Hey,” he whispered when he felt you stir. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” you mumbled, your voice still quiet. “Because of you.”
He smiled, leaned down, and kissed the tip of your nose.
“I’d take care of you every day if it meant I get to be this close to you.”
You blinked up at him, heart thudding a little harder. You weren’t sure if it was the fever or his words, but you suddenly felt very warm.
“Woono,” you whispered.
“Yeah?”
“I think I’m gonna fall harder than this cold.”
He laughed under his breath, cheeks tinged pink. Then he pulled you in a little closer, pressing his lips to your temple.
warnings: none(?) idk prob just blanket kicking fluff
You were scrambling around your room, pacing back and forth in front of your half-packed suitcase. This was your first-ever trip with Steve, one without your friend group, and it was a trip to LA to meet his family. Which was a big deal for you, sure, you’ve talked to his parents over FaceTime, and texted his sisters ever so often, but meeting them in person? This is a whole other level.
“You really are stressing over nothing, yaknow.” Kyungmun lets out, as he watches you dig through your drawers for the nth time this night. “He’s right, you shouldn’t be stressing. It’s just Steve's family, you’ve talked to them many times before.” Sion adds as he leans against your door frame, eyeing your movements.
“That’s just it though!” You scream, throwing some socks into your suitcase. “Sure, I’ve talked to them before, but it was through a screen! This is different, I’m actually going to meet them. IN PERSON!”
“Well, all you need to do is just be yourself, the y/n we all know and love. And you’ll be fine.” Woono chimes in from his place on your desk chair. “And… don’t be shocked if and when Steve finally asks you out, just breathe and say yes.”
You whip your head towards Woono, eyes widening at his sudden outburst. “What? T-theres no way that will happen.” You stutter, face heating up at the thought.
Kyungmun, who has been lying on your bed, rolls over, throwing one of your stuffed animals at your face while grinning. “Oh, come on, y/n, don't be stupid! We all know something is going on between you and Steve.”
Sion finally walks into your room and joins Kyungmun on your bed, shooting you a playful grin. “Honestly, y/n, you can be so oblivious sometimes! It's so obvious that he planned this trip to ask you out. Why else would you be meeting them in person?”
“Ugh, all of you are so… impossible!” You trail off, packing some extra outfits into your suitcase, before closing it. “I’m just going to enjoy this trip, and not think about ANY of that.”
“So you admit you thought of it.” Woono smirks.
You roll your eyes, deciding to ignore his comment, though you couldn’t stop your cheeks turning a soft shade of pink at the thought of Steve asking you out.
~~~
You and Steve finally landed in LA, and as soon as the both of you collected your luggage Steve immediately ordered an Uber to his house.
You couldn't help but feel excited as you glanced outside the car window, a smile creeping up as you saw the palm trees and buildings passing by. However, you can’t ignore the uneasy feeling in your stomach as you got closer to your destination.
Suddenly you feel a light squeeze on your hand, you turn to look at Steve whose hand is grabbing yours. “It’ll be alright, they already love you y/n. You don’t need to be so worried.” Steve says as if he read your mind.
“I know that… It’s just that this is the first time I’ve been invited to meet someone's parents, yaknow.” You sigh as you look down at your hands.
Steve lets you a little chuckle, “So, are you just going to forget that Woono’s parents invited you to their house for dinner?”
“Hey! That’s different, he's my best friend! This… this is different—”
“We’re here!” Steve cuts you off as he unbuckles his seat belt and immediately gets out of the car. You let out a quick sigh before you psych yourself up to get out of the car. You can do it, y/n, it's just his parents and sisters, you’ve already spoken to them before. You got this!
~~~
To your relief, Steve’s parents welcomed you with warm smiles and hugs, and even better, a home-cooked meal. Not to mention his younger sisters, who immediately took you in, dragging you onto the couch.
“Did you watch Study Group?” His youngest sister asks excitedly. “Sehyun and Hewon are so cute! I hope they end up together.”
You laugh at her enthusiasm. “I do watch it! I agree with you, they need to be together!”
“I swear if they don’t get together, I’ll throw a fit! She huffs, crossing her arms in front of her.
Soon after, his two other sisters join in on the conversation, and you spend the majority of the evening gushing about the latest dramas you’ve watched as well as listening to the girls rave over their drama crushes.
But just as the conversation was getting juicy, Steve walked over and told the girls that it was getting late and that you needed time to unpack. “Aww, Steve, no fair!!” His second-oldest sister whines. “Yeah! We were just getting comfy with y/n” The oldest pouts. “You’ll have plenty of time to bother y/n over these 7 days. It’s time for ya’ll to sleep.” With that, Steve gathers the girls and drags them to their rooms, even though they were begging to stay up a bit longer.
“Looks like they have a new favourite person now,” Steve says as he plops down on the couch next to you.
“What, no way.” You reply sarcastically.
“Oh yeah, just saying…” Steve trails off, rubbing the back of his neck, “You’ll be sleeping in my room.”
You quickly turn your head to face him. “What?!”
“Yeah…” He replies sheepishly. “So, uhh… mom just told me that the guest room pull-out couch thing. It—it broke when they were testing it before we came. And she just assumed since we were close, we’d be fine sleeping together.” He turns away as he says that last part, and you could swear you saw a faint blush on his cheeks.
“I mean, she isn’t wrong, we are really close!”
Steve’s eyebrows shot up. “But! I don’t think you're supposed to share a bed with a girl you just brought home,” You say, half-laughing and half-panicking.
"Don't worry, she knows we're just friends anyway," Steve replies, trying to help calm you down.
"Right. Just Friends... Imma go unpack." You say with a hint of disappointment in your voice, before getting up and heading towards his room.
Steve's eyes linger as he watches you get up to go to his room, before face-palming. Really Steve? Just friends?
~~~
It was now the third day, and you had completely settled into this new normal, even getting more comfortable being around Steve's family.
It was just after dinner, you were helping bring the empty plates to the sink when Steve pulled you into the hallway. "Hey, let's sneak out tonight. There's somewhere I wanna bring you."
Your stomach churns at these words. "Sneak out? What do you mean, sneak out?"
"Like, we wait for everyone to be asleep, then we—"
You cut Steve off, placing your hand over his mouth and looking around to make sure no one heard. "I know what sneaking out is stupid, I mean, what if we get caught? I do not want to get on your parents' bad side."
He takes your hand off his mouth, holding it slightly while he flashes you a smile. "Don't be a buzz kill y/n, they'll be asleep. Plus, if something happens, my sisters know and they'll cover. It'll be totally worth it once we're there, I promise."
You finally agree, after hesitating and a lot of back and forth between you and Steve. You had no clue where he was taking you, but all you knew was that you trusted him, and who knows, maybe it'll be fun.
~~~
After what seemed like a 30-minute drive, you found yourself in a dimly lit parking lot near the beach. "If this is your way of murdering Steve, this isn't funny," You say sarcastically as you watch Steve get out of the driver's side before making his way to you.
Steve laughs to himself before opening the passenger side door and ushering you out of the car. "I know what it looks like, but just trust me. Oh, and put this blindfold on.
Your eyes widen after hearing that last part. "Steve..."
"Just trust me."
Taking a deep breath, you nod hesitantly, before turning around back facing him as he blindfolds you. Interlocking his fingers with yours before he slowly leads you to the final destination.
~~~
"How much longer?" You question; it felt like you were walking forever. "Just a little longer."
"I swear to God, Steve, if you kidnap me, I'll kill—"
Before you could finish your sentence, you felt him let go of your hand. And before you could process it, your blindfold was off, and your senses were suddenly sent into overload.
You were faced with bright neon lights, and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy filled your nose. While carnival rides and games decorate the pier. Was this real? Were you actually at?
"Santa Monica Pier! Surprise!!" Steve yells with his hands up in the air.
Santa Monica Pier, the place you've dreamed of visiting.
You were speechless, to put it lightly. "I knew you would love it," Steve says, snapping you out of your trance.
"How'd you know?" You reply, taking in the view.
"I mean, it's not like you talk about it whenever we talk about LA. And what? It's like your ideal date spot." He teases, slinging his arm around your shoulders.
Your cheeks turn a bright shade of red at his words. Sure, you mentioned it once or twice in passing, but you never thought he was paying attention.
"What are you waiting for, y/n? Let's go!" Steve says as he pulls you through the crowd. And you follow him through the pier, stopping at each attraction, the roller coasters, Ferris wheel, spinning tops, bumper cars, you name it, the two of you rode them.
After the rides, both of you decided to get funnel cake (your favourite) and found a table to sit at to eat. When suddenly Steve excuses himself to the restroom.
You were slowly eating the funnel cake as you recalled the moments that just happened, and you couldn't help but smile. Steve was amazing, and you couldn't help but fall for him even more after tonight's events. Just when you were lost in your thoughts, you felt a slight tap on your shoulder.
When you turn, you come face to face with a giant cream coloured stuffed bear, waving at you.
"I thought you went to the washroom?" You say, as Steve appears from behind the bear. "I saw it on the way back and thought of you. Since yaknow, you would always go on about how you wanted someone to win you a gigantic stuffed animal at the fair or whatever.".
You couldn't help but smile from ear to ear as you pushed the cute plushie aside to give him a big hug. "Best night ever, thank you, Steve." You whisper into his ear.
~~~
It was day six in LA, you were chilling in the living room on the couch, when Steve's sister busted in out of nowhere, insisting on giving you a makeover. Before you could even answer, you were already out the door, at the nail salon, hair salon and finally a dress shop, trying on dresses the girls picked out for you. But that wasn't even the most shocking part; you were informed that Steve was "taking care" of everything.
You made a mental note to yourself to yell at Steve the next time you saw him.
The final stop was a boba shop, and this time, you fought the girls insisting on paying— you just couldn't bear to add to the guilt, knowing how high Steve's credit card bill was about to be.
The four of you were walking back to the house when his youngest sister said something that nearly made you choke on your drink. "Yaknow, Steve sucks at hiding his feelings for you"
"Right!" his middle sister chimes in, "He's basically in love with you at this point, I mean, who randomly pays for someones makeover?"
You took a moment to collect yourself, trying to keep the heat from rushing to your cheeks before responding. "You girls have an overactive imagination; your brother and I are just really good friends."
"And pigs fly." The oldest adds dryly from behind, making the other two burst into laughter. You rolled your eyes, trying—and failing— to hide the growing blush on your face.
~~~
It's Steve and your final day, when his family told you that as a family, yes, that includes you, you were going out for a fancy dinner. No wonder Steve practically forced you to get a makeover, you thought to yourself.
Dinner was at this fancy restaurant that looked over the seashore, and it was just a little bit after sunset when Steve pulled you aside, asking to talk to you privately. Saying that it was important, or something. The secrecy is making you nervous all over again.
"If this is your second attempt at trying to kidnap me, Steve, it's not going to—"
"Just trust me," He said as both of you excused yourselves from dinner, his sisters giving you looks and giggling to themselves before trying to be serious as Steve guided you to his car. The car ride was silent, both of you lost in thought. When suddenly the car stops, and he quickly gets out and escorts you out of the passenger seat.
In front of you, a breathtaking view of the LA valley, to say you were speechless was an understatement. It was gorgeous; words could not describe the way the building lights twinkled like stars against the dark sky.
"It's beautiful," You whisper, the words caught in your throat.
Suddenly, you felt Steve grab you by the arm, gently spinning you towards him, grabbing both your hands in his. His expression was serious yet soft at the same time. "So..." He begins, nervously fidgeting with your hands. "This whole week, I've been trying to find the perfect words and timing to tell you. But honestly, I just wasn't sure how to."
Your heart began to race, hearing his words. "The truth is, I like you... a lot."
"I like you too, Steve," You admit almost instantly, the words slipping out before you even had the chance to think.
He smiles warmly, "So will you finally be my girlfriend?"
You look into his eyes, laughing softly, feeling your cheeks burning from excitement and joy. "Of course," you say, "I'd love to."
You were busy making drink orders when you suddenly heard a firm knock on the counter. Not wanting to take your eyes off the strawberry iced matcha latte you were mixing, you reply with your best customer service voice, “One second please.” You hated when customers bothered you while you were doing your job, couldn’t they see you were busy? On top of that, you weren’t even the cashier. You thought to yourself.
“Yikes, not you using the customer service voice on me.”
The voice sounded hurt, and a lot like your best friend… “Woono?!” You finally look up after finishing up the drink before passing it to a customer. “Your one and only.” He replies with a cheerful smile.
You and Woono have been best friends since elementary, where you comforted him on the very first day of school when he cried because he didn’t want to leave his mom. Now the two of you were in university and were in need of some extra cash, being broke uni students after all. Luckily your grandma was kind enough to offer both of you barista jobs at her cafe.
“It’s been so long since we’ve had a shift together!” You beem, as you take a rag to clean up your era. “I know right? It’s been like what, one month?” He replies entering the counter and walking towards the crew room. Sure the two of you had classes together, hung out often and even studied at the cafe together when you weren't on the clock, but working with him was different. It was way more fun, and time passed by way quicker. The two of you were even the self-proclaimed dream team of the cafe, you worked well together mixing and brewing drinks within seconds and then passing them to the customers. Both of you were quick, efficient and totally in sync.
However, your grandma thinks otherwise or as she would put it, it was like making dumb and dumber work as cafe baristas.
The last time you worked together there was a little mishap.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
It was a slow day, there weren’t many customers, just the regulars who frequented the cafe every so often. You were finishing up an iced Americano for one of the customers, while Woono was replacing the empty cream bag in the machine with a new one.
“Geez, why is it always so difficult to change this stupid cream bag? I swear if I pull any harder it’ll…” Woono grumbles to himself as he pulls the tube of the cream bag trying to align the plastic spout with the machine holder, when suddenly he tugs a little too hard and the tube comes clean off the bag causing cream to spill everywhere.
You turn just in time to witness this whole ordeal, Woono’s face turns pale as he panics to stop the cream from spilling. And as the very good best friend you are, you take your phone out of your pocket and start recording.
“Ah! No, no no no!” He screams desperately trying to attach the tube back to the spout, failing miserably of course as the cream starts to cover his apron.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” You laugh, as you watch him helplessly try to fix the situation. This is too funny.
“Why don’t you be a good friend and come and help me!” Woono gestures towards you.
“I am being a good friend! I’m recording!” You reply still laughing uncontrollably.
“Y/n come on, your grandma will kill us if she sees this! Help!”
You finally shove your phone into your pocket and quickly make your way to Woono, however, due to the amount of cream that has pooled on the floor you slip.
“W-woah!”
In the process, you accidentally kick Woono’s ankle causing him to fall on top of you.
“Are you— are you fucking kidding me!” Woono looks around frantically, completely overwhelmed by the situation. “Get off me would you!” You say pushing him onto the floor as you try getting up, but as luck had it you grab the big bag of flour instead of the counter and it topples over, sending flour all over the place and sadly the two of you.
“Oh, this is wonderful! Just perfect.” You wipe the flour and cream mixture on your apron in an attempt to clean your hand, though it's more like spreading the mess around even more.
Woono who was still stunned at the events that had just played out did not notice the cream and now flour that was painted across his face, he tried to get up but knocked his head on the counter causing the opened espresso bean bag you had just opened before spilling on the floor.
“Nice one Woono!” You shout sarcastically.
“I– I’ll– I’ll fix this.”
But instead of actually doing anything to fix this mess, he playfully wipes his cream-flour-espresso-bean-covered hand across your shirt grinning. “Hey! What the fuck are you doing?!” You let out as you try to back away.
“That's what you get for knocking me to the floor!”
“That's what I get?! What do you mean that's what I get? We wouldn’t be in this mess if you didn’t break the cream tube!” You sarcastically yell as you grab a fist full of cream flour preparing to shove it in Woono's face when you notice the frightened look on his face causing you to freeze in place.
“And what do we have here?” Your grandma’s eyes narrow as she glares at the both who were covered head to two in cream, flour and coffee beans.
In a flash, the two of you get up and face your grandma. “It’s– uh– it's not what it looks like! I was changing the cream when the tube just…” Woono fumbles over his words as he points his finger at you.
“Woono started it!” You let out.
“Nu-uh! Y/n split the flour!”
“Oh yeah?! He broke the cream AND spilt the beans!”
Grandma squints at the both of you, hands on her hips trying too hard to hold in her laughter. “I left the two of you on the floor for 10 minutes, and this is what happens?”
The two of you pout at your grandma's words, “We— we didn’t mean to! It just— it happened so fast!” “One minute everything was fine then—” Both of you say, trying to defend yourselves.
When suddenly her facade breaks, tears welling up in her eyes while her hands come up to wipe them away as she bends over laughing. “I’ve seen my fair share of cafe disasters but this? This is something else! Just look at the two of you, both of you look like you fought with a piece of cake and an ice cream cone!”
You and Woono quickly exchange glances before bursting into laughter.
“But seriously though, clean this up before both of you start smelling like spoiled milk.”
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
Finally, Woono emerges from the break room, tying his apron around his waist. “I can’t wait to work together!” he says as he immediately jumps into making drink orders.
“I know! Dream teams are back at last!” You reply enthusiastically when suddenly your grandma appears out of nowhere.
“Oh look dumb and dumber are working together.” She chuckles.
Earning a groan from the both of you.
“Looking at the both of you now… that reminds me… the cream machine is empty.”
You and Woono turn to look at each other, fear plastered on your faces, recalling the incident.
