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here’s AO3’s official statement about it
here’s the post I made that covered other types of bots
TW: brief discussion of involuntary sexual activities
Wrapped in one of Yeonjun's sweaters and with empty hands, you arrive in front of Ben's heavy door. It needs some knocks until he opens.
Before he says anything he eyes you up and down, then Yeonjun. A smirk appears on Ben's face and he reenters his room with a wave of his hand signifying you to follow him.
The pile of clothes next to his bed is gone; the teddy holds an umbrella; and some new light catcher hang from the ceiling. The rainbow colored spots dance through the room in excitement.
Ben sits down on the sofa and crosses one leg over the other, his eyebrows raised and the smirk still prominent.
'So, what's new?,' he asks and chuckles when Yeonjun dramatically pulls your bag up his shoulder, then flicks back his hair.
'I acquired a new style,' he says and strikes a pose.
You laugh, but somehow feel shyer than you anticipated.
Ben's eyes find yours and they seem to silently ask you 'What did you do to him?'. You shake your head and try suppress a smile.
'I see. Is the bag spacious enough to carry all your sorrow?', Ben mocks and reaches out to you to tug on your sleeve.
You comply and drop down next to him, his arm immediately circling around your shoulders.
'Hi,' he whispers into your ear.
'Hi,' you say out loud.
He gives you an amused look.
'How's it going with gym boy?,' he asks curiously.
You watch Yeonjun placing your bag and jacket on the floor to your feet. He excuses himself and leaves the room which allows you to fully focus on Ben.
'Lino?,' you ask stupidly.
'I think that is the one you've been gushing over the past few days, yeah,' he chuckles.
'I've got a phone,' you beam.
'A phone. Didn't know you wanted to go out with a phone,' he yawns.
You pull him in closer, welcoming his head against yours.
'Gonna ask him for his number? That oldschool?,' he snickers and starts playing with your sleeve again.
Yeonjun returns and silently hands each of you a cup of tea before he sits down next to you and sips on his own.
'I want the full city experience,' you return.
'And that includes talking over the phone?,' Ben questions.
'I guess. I've never had a phone,' you laugh.
'Give it to me,' Ben urges and you want to lean down to get it out of your bag, but Yeonjun is faster.
His hand shakes when he hands the device over.Before you can say anything he looks away and continues drinking his tea.
'Lino is great and all, I bet, but you need to save my number first.'
'Why?,' you laugh and taste lavender on your lips.
Ben looks up, eyes big and eyebrows knitted. He sulks like a little boy, yet proceeds to smile like a man.
'It would hurt my ego if your gym crush made it onto your contact list before I do. Who were you to call when you're in trouble?'
'You know, Lino is probably stronger than you. Perhaps I should just call him first,' you counter just to be met with a loud groan of annoyance.
'Oh, shut up. Stronger my ass. I'd flick that little man aside,' he whines.
'Yeonjun, you already put your number in, didn't you?,' he addresses the older man, abandoning the teacup on the floor.
'I did,' Yeonjun whispers, still turned away from you.
'Wow, I am only second?,' Ben huffs and finally works on the display.
'Here,' he announces and hands it back after only a few seconds.
'My number. You text me, you call me - whenever you want. Promise?,' he says as he holds out his pinky.
'Promise,' you sigh and roll your eyes, yet intertwine your pinky with his.
He smiles. You do, too.
BLURRY GREEN ・•❍•・Chapter 12: Yeonjun
I frown, the whole time actually.
I frown when I get the tea. I frown when Ben leans into Bambi. I frown when he puts his number into her phone. I frown at their pinky promise. I even frown when they fall silent and do nothing but sit there.
I am sure what I feel is supposed to be jealousy. It would make sense, however, the word doesn't feel quite accurate. There is something else that I can't pinpoint. Is it wonder? Fascination?
Ben and Bambi allow me to see for the first time how people bond with ease over their shared experience of not growing up in the city. They have a past that I can't even imagine, let alone understand. They got to know life in a way I never will. And they get to know how it is to start life over again.
Is it joy? Ben finding a new friend so easily must be an assuring experience for him. Moreover, he finally gets to catch a break from the otherness that still lingers when he hangs out with us. In Bambi he has someone who has the capacity to understand him on levels we never will. They probably don't even have to talk about the Outside. They already know each other to have all the relevant context.
Maybe that is what I envy and fear at the same time. I envy such easy bonds and I fear never being understood so wordlessly.
'What are you thinking?,' Bambi asks and I turn around only to find her looking at me with tired eyes.
'Are you tired?,' I respond.
'You made lavender tea,' she laughs sleepily.
'I did. Thought it calms us down,' I explain.
'Weren't we calm enough before?,' she questions.
Ben looks up and laughs out loud.
'I could hear your both's hearts beating even when you were still standing on the other side of the door,' he exclaims.
Bambi and I look at another, then at Ben, and then all three of us burst into an embarrassed laughter. We laugh on and on and at one point I find Bambi holding onto my arm. Carefully, I take her hand and let our fingers intertwine. I am not sure if she notices, as she is busy catching her breath. When she pulls my hand in her lap and holds it there, I like to believe she is doing it consciously.
I watch her slumping against the mattress when we all decide that we are tired. Ben wraps the blanket around her and positions himself next to her. They gravitate towards another so naturally.
Ben's teddy accompanies me on the sofa. As I take a last sip from my lavender tea, I hear Ben and Bambi whispering to another. I watch them settling into each other's embrace, mere shadows of figures in the glimpse of the moons' light that shine through the high windows, while I snuggle into the pillow beneath me.
'Night, Bambi,' I say and Ben's immediate complain follow.
'What about me? The second a lady is present you just ignore your best friend?'
'I never ignore Soobin,' I respond feistily.
'Oh, you're an ass Choi Yeonjun,' Ben groans and I get up.
I walk over and lean over him. He almost jumps up when I tug the blanket around him and pat his head.
'Goodnight, Beomi,' I say cutely and run my fingers through his hair a few times.
'Beomi, huh?,' Bambi asks softly and Ben hums contently.
'This is home,' he sighs and I feel him returning to calmness between Bambi and my touch.
'May I call you Beomi from now on, too?,' she asks more silently.
'No, I'm Gyu to you,' he spits with no true force in his voice.
'Beomi,' I say.
'Gyu,' Bambi finishes off and I get back to my made-shift bed.
BLURRY GREEN ・•❍•・Chapter 12: YJ & BB
YJ: You have a phone! Now you're a real citizen :)
BB: The honor!
YJ: hehe, have you already texted Lino ;)
BB: No. I need to process the whole day first before I can shift my focus.
YJ: It was a lot, huh?
YJ: I'm sorry that I yelled at you
BB: I already forgave you!
YJ: Oh, then the other thing, huh?
YJ: I'm so sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I really thought you meant taking a shower as in literally taking a shower and that's it. I didn't mean to reject you or anything, but there is no way I want you to drop to your knees the second I am naked.
BB: Don't repeat it. I am embarrassed as it is!
YJ: click on the face, there are emojis you can use btw
BB: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
YJ: no, don't be embarrassed!🥺
YJ: we showered together, there is no way you are still embarrassed
BB: I am. I'm so sorry. I just thought- I don't know. Men usually like that!?
YJ: Men do, but kind men don't expect you to do it when you aren't comfortable!
BB: You could tell🙄
YJ: Of course I could tell! You looked so scared!
BB: Men usually don't care looking.
YJ: Stop it. I fucking hate men!
YJ: I am so sorry you had to go through that! Let me tell you, because apparently you don't know yet:
YJ: You only do what you're comfortable with when you are comfortable with it!
YJ: Understood?
BB: yes
YJ: How are you feeling? How does your heart feel?
BB: It's heavy. It's a lot. I'm not stupid. I know what they did was wrong, but there were things I believed had to be done to secure me in the long run.
YJ: Not anymore, I promise.
BB: Thanks for being kind.
YJ: Always.
YJ: I hope you didn't leave feeling bad.
BB: No, I felt relaxed. Your clothes are comfy. So is Ben's room.
YJ: Good.
YJ: You made me feel relaxed, too. Already beforehand. Thanks for caring for me.
BB: :)
YJ: Lino is a kind man as far as I know, btw
BB: Yeah?
YJ: Yeah
YJ: Will it be awkward the next time we se each other?
BB: probably
YJ: yeah, probably... maybe we should use Ben as a buffer again
BB: he'd get all whiny and pouty
YJ: he's so annoying. Can he like, not be adorable for a second?
BB: I think it's his default setting
YJ: what's yours?
BB: what?
YJ: what's your default setting?
BB: I don't know? Yours?
YJ: Mine is being pretty.
BB: you shallow man...
BB: I think yours is being kind.
YJ: thank you :(
BB: why the sad face?
YJ: kind is a shallow word
BB: it isn't?
YJ: yeah, it is... anyways! Did you text Lino?
BB: no😣
YJ: oh, someone is scared?
BB: no.
BB: just
BB: ...
YJ: it's fine. You can do it!
BB: sure
YJ: BB, come on
BB: BB?
YJ: you're being a bit of a baby right now, so
BB: shut up :(
YJ: I leave you be :)
BB: See you in class tomorrow?
YJ: sure thing!
BLURRY GREEN ・•❍•・Chapter 12: LK & BB
BB: Hello! It's Bambi. I got your number from Yeonjun and thought I'd text you.
LK: 👁️
BB: eye
LK: Ayyy! :D
BB: Ayyy?
LK: Ayyy😎
BB: ay :(
LK: WHY THE SAD FACE??? D:
BB: oh, I broke the ay-curse 😍
LK: born to ay, forced to care😭
BB: life is hard, man
LK: indeed
LK: but not as hard as my muscles
LK: did you see my shoulders last time?
LK: they're getting broader 😍
BB: I think that's just the illusion of your striped shirt
LK: D:
LK: I didn't ask for fashion advice!
BB: did I ask for the mental image of your luxurious shoulders?
LK: luxurious, huh?
LK: how's city's luxurious life treating you so far?
BB: quite well. I like it here :)
LK: that's good to read!
LK: are you coming to the gym tomorrow?
BB: need someone to carry your tools after you or what?
LK: I have hands, you know, I can carry my own stuff
BB: want to show off your shoulders?
LK: no, not to you at least 😳
BB: you're a confusing zebra
LK: ah, I see class is doing you well. Learned about animals?
BB: why are you not in school?
LK: because I know all the important animals on this planet
BB: you only ever talk about cats
LK: exactly
LK: so, you'll be there tomorrow?
BB: I don't think Taehyun has time to teach tomorrow
LK: I have time!
BB: you want to teach me? :D
LK: I want to make you suffer through some exercises, yes :D
BB: you know I am better than you in sports
LK: don't underestimate this city boy here!😡
LK: no, but really, please come tomorrow. You're the only one on my level. Chan and Changbin only ever lift weights and the others only ever whine. You're a good mixture of both
TW: brief discussion of involuntary sexual activities
Wrapped in one of Yeonjun's sweaters and with empty hands, you arrive in front of Ben's heavy door. It needs some knocks until he opens.
Before he says anything he eyes you up and down, then Yeonjun. A smirk appears on Ben's face and he reenters his room with a wave of his hand signifying you to follow him.
The pile of clothes next to his bed is gone; the teddy holds an umbrella; and some new light catcher hang from the ceiling. The rainbow colored spots dance through the room in excitement.
Ben sits down on the sofa and crosses one leg over the other, his eyebrows raised and the smirk still prominent.
'So, what's new?,' he asks and chuckles when Yeonjun dramatically pulls your bag up his shoulder, then flicks back his hair.
'I acquired a new style,' he says and strikes a pose.
You laugh, but somehow feel shyer than you anticipated.
Ben's eyes find yours and they seem to silently ask you 'What did you do to him?'. You shake your head and try suppress a smile.
'I see. Is the bag spacious enough to carry all your sorrow?', Ben mocks and reaches out to you to tug on your sleeve.
You comply and drop down next to him, his arm immediately circling around your shoulders.
'Hi,' he whispers into your ear.
'Hi,' you say out loud.
He gives you an amused look.
'How's it going with gym boy?,' he asks curiously.
You watch Yeonjun placing your bag and jacket on the floor to your feet. He excuses himself and leaves the room which allows you to fully focus on Ben.
'Lino?,' you ask stupidly.
'I think that is the one you've been gushing over the past few days, yeah,' he chuckles.
'I've got a phone,' you beam.
'A phone. Didn't know you wanted to go out with a phone,' he yawns.
You pull him in closer, welcoming his head against yours.
'Gonna ask him for his number? That oldschool?,' he snickers and starts playing with your sleeve again.
Yeonjun returns and silently hands each of you a cup of tea before he sits down next to you and sips on his own.
'I want the full city experience,' you return.
'And that includes talking over the phone?,' Ben questions.
'I guess. I've never had a phone,' you laugh.
'Give it to me,' Ben urges and you want to lean down to get it out of your bag, but Yeonjun is faster.
His hand shakes when he hands the device over.Before you can say anything he looks away and continues drinking his tea.
'Lino is great and all, I bet, but you need to save my number first.'
'Why?,' you laugh and taste lavender on your lips.
Ben looks up, eyes big and eyebrows knitted. He sulks like a little boy, yet proceeds to smile like a man.
'It would hurt my ego if your gym crush made it onto your contact list before I do. Who were you to call when you're in trouble?'
'You know, Lino is probably stronger than you. Perhaps I should just call him first,' you counter just to be met with a loud groan of annoyance.
'Oh, shut up. Stronger my ass. I'd flick that little man aside,' he whines.
'Yeonjun, you already put your number in, didn't you?,' he addresses the older man, abandoning the teacup on the floor.
'I did,' Yeonjun whispers, still turned away from you.
'Wow, I am only second?,' Ben huffs and finally works on the display.
'Here,' he announces and hands it back after only a few seconds.
'My number. You text me, you call me - whenever you want. Promise?,' he says as he holds out his pinky.
'Promise,' you sigh and roll your eyes, yet intertwine your pinky with his.
He smiles. You do, too.
BLURRY GREEN ・•❍•・Chapter 12: Yeonjun
I frown, the whole time actually.
I frown when I get the tea. I frown when Ben leans into Bambi. I frown when he puts his number into her phone. I frown at their pinky promise. I even frown when they fall silent and do nothing but sit there.
I am sure what I feel is supposed to be jealousy. It would make sense, however, the word doesn't feel quite accurate. There is something else that I can't pinpoint. Is it wonder? Fascination?
Ben and Bambi allow me to see for the first time how people bond with ease over their shared experience of not growing up in the city. They have a past that I can't even imagine, let alone understand. They got to know life in a way I never will. And they get to know how it is to start life over again.
Is it joy? Ben finding a new friend so easily must be an assuring experience for him. Moreover, he finally gets to catch a break from the otherness that still lingers when he hangs out with us. In Bambi he has someone who has the capacity to understand him on levels we never will. They probably don't even have to talk about the Outside. They already know each other to have all the relevant context.
Maybe that is what I envy and fear at the same time. I envy such easy bonds and I fear never being understood so wordlessly.
'What are you thinking?,' Bambi asks and I turn around only to find her looking at me with tired eyes.
'Are you tired?,' I respond.
'You made lavender tea,' she laughs sleepily.
'I did. Thought it calms us down,' I explain.
'Weren't we calm enough before?,' she questions.
Ben looks up and laughs out loud.
'I could hear your both's hearts beating even when you were still standing on the other side of the door,' he exclaims.
Bambi and I look at another, then at Ben, and then all three of us burst into an embarrassed laughter. We laugh on and on and at one point I find Bambi holding onto my arm. Carefully, I take her hand and let our fingers intertwine. I am not sure if she notices, as she is busy catching her breath. When she pulls my hand in her lap and holds it there, I like to believe she is doing it consciously.
I watch her slumping against the mattress when we all decide that we are tired. Ben wraps the blanket around her and positions himself next to her. They gravitate towards another so naturally.
Ben's teddy accompanies me on the sofa. As I take a last sip from my lavender tea, I hear Ben and Bambi whispering to another. I watch them settling into each other's embrace, mere shadows of figures in the glimpse of the moons' light that shine through the high windows, while I snuggle into the pillow beneath me.
'Night, Bambi,' I say and Ben's immediate complain follow.
'What about me? The second a lady is present you just ignore your best friend?'
'I never ignore Soobin,' I respond feistily.
'Oh, you're an ass Choi Yeonjun,' Ben groans and I get up.
I walk over and lean over him. He almost jumps up when I tug the blanket around him and pat his head.
'Goodnight, Beomi,' I say cutely and run my fingers through his hair a few times.
'Beomi, huh?,' Bambi asks softly and Ben hums contently.
'This is home,' he sighs and I feel him returning to calmness between Bambi and my touch.
'May I call you Beomi from now on, too?,' she asks more silently.
'No, I'm Gyu to you,' he spits with no true force in his voice.
'Beomi,' I say.
'Gyu,' Bambi finishes off and I get back to my made-shift bed.
BLURRY GREEN ・•❍•・Chapter 12: YJ & BB
YJ: You have a phone! Now you're a real citizen :)
BB: The honor!
YJ: hehe, have you already texted Lino ;)
BB: No. I need to process the whole day first before I can shift my focus.
YJ: It was a lot, huh?
YJ: I'm sorry that I yelled at you
BB: I already forgave you!
YJ: Oh, then the other thing, huh?
YJ: I'm so sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I really thought you meant taking a shower as in literally taking a shower and that's it. I didn't mean to reject you or anything, but there is no way I want you to drop to your knees the second I am naked.
BB: Don't repeat it. I am embarrassed as it is!
YJ: click on the face, there are emojis you can use btw
BB: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
YJ: no, don't be embarrassed!🥺
YJ: we showered together, there is no way you are still embarrassed
BB: I am. I'm so sorry. I just thought- I don't know. Men usually like that!?
YJ: Men do, but kind men don't expect you to do it when you aren't comfortable!
BB: You could tell🙄
YJ: Of course I could tell! You looked so scared!
BB: Men usually don't care looking.
YJ: Stop it. I fucking hate men!
YJ: I am so sorry you had to go through that! Let me tell you, because apparently you don't know yet:
YJ: You only do what you're comfortable with when you are comfortable with it!
YJ: Understood?
BB: yes
YJ: How are you feeling? How does your heart feel?
BB: It's heavy. It's a lot. I'm not stupid. I know what they did was wrong, but there were things I believed had to be done to secure me in the long run.
YJ: Not anymore, I promise.
BB: Thanks for being kind.
YJ: Always.
YJ: I hope you didn't leave feeling bad.
BB: No, I felt relaxed. Your clothes are comfy. So is Ben's room.
YJ: Good.
YJ: You made me feel relaxed, too. Already beforehand. Thanks for caring for me.
BB: :)
YJ: Lino is a kind man as far as I know, btw
BB: Yeah?
YJ: Yeah
YJ: Will it be awkward the next time we se each other?
BB: probably
YJ: yeah, probably... maybe we should use Ben as a buffer again
BB: he'd get all whiny and pouty
YJ: he's so annoying. Can he like, not be adorable for a second?
BB: I think it's his default setting
YJ: what's yours?
BB: what?
YJ: what's your default setting?
BB: I don't know? Yours?
YJ: Mine is being pretty.
BB: you shallow man...
BB: I think yours is being kind.
YJ: thank you :(
BB: why the sad face?
YJ: kind is a shallow word
BB: it isn't?
YJ: yeah, it is... anyways! Did you text Lino?
BB: no😣
YJ: oh, someone is scared?
BB: no.
BB: just
BB: ...
YJ: it's fine. You can do it!
BB: sure
YJ: BB, come on
BB: BB?
YJ: you're being a bit of a baby right now, so
BB: shut up :(
YJ: I leave you be :)
BB: See you in class tomorrow?
YJ: sure thing!
BLURRY GREEN ・•❍•・Chapter 12: LK & BB
BB: Hello! It's Bambi. I got your number from Yeonjun and thought I'd text you.
LK: 👁️
BB: eye
LK: Ayyy! :D
BB: Ayyy?
LK: Ayyy😎
BB: ay :(
LK: WHY THE SAD FACE??? D:
BB: oh, I broke the ay-curse 😍
LK: born to ay, forced to care😭
BB: life is hard, man
LK: indeed
LK: but not as hard as my muscles
LK: did you see my shoulders last time?
LK: they're getting broader 😍
BB: I think that's just the illusion of your striped shirt
LK: D:
LK: I didn't ask for fashion advice!
BB: did I ask for the mental image of your luxurious shoulders?
LK: luxurious, huh?
LK: how's city's luxurious life treating you so far?
BB: quite well. I like it here :)
LK: that's good to read!
LK: are you coming to the gym tomorrow?
BB: need someone to carry your tools after you or what?
LK: I have hands, you know, I can carry my own stuff
BB: want to show off your shoulders?
LK: no, not to you at least 😳
BB: you're a confusing zebra
LK: ah, I see class is doing you well. Learned about animals?
BB: why are you not in school?
LK: because I know all the important animals on this planet
BB: you only ever talk about cats
LK: exactly
LK: so, you'll be there tomorrow?
BB: I don't think Taehyun has time to teach tomorrow
LK: I have time!
BB: you want to teach me? :D
LK: I want to make you suffer through some exercises, yes :D
BB: you know I am better than you in sports
LK: don't underestimate this city boy here!😡
LK: no, but really, please come tomorrow. You're the only one on my level. Chan and Changbin only ever lift weights and the others only ever whine. You're a good mixture of both
as a trans stay i am feeling some type of bad about the general state of the world in regards specifically to my community and our physical safety; stayville on the gender spectrum could use a channie big hug at the very least imo
is this cringe? absolutely but who tf cares my grocery and power bills have doubled in the past three months live fast and free and make art that makes you feel comforted in times of peril babe
Something about Tori’s final official heartstopper comic appearance being one defined by pure, intense joy makes me tear up because I feel like it shows the evolution of her character.
Her story started as a sad, isolated teenage girl who hated herself, her environment and the people in it. She was so empathetic that other people's sadness made her own worse, and so she asked 'why are there no happy people?' in 'Solitaire' since school and its misery affected everyone around her too. But a year and a half after the events of Solitaire we have this panel. Tori is sitting with her friends at university and has an outburst in the library. At school, Tori felt alienated from everyone in her own friend group, but then she came to uni and found her own people. What's more, she's doesn't feel obligated to put on a front in the presence of her new friends, whereas in 'Solitaire', Michael explicitly says that the two of them have to put on a pretence to appear 'normal' like a 'posh suit for dinner'. But in this scene Tori allows herself to fully feel and display her emotions and is completely unapologetic about it. Also, her established empathy from 'Solitaire' let's her be happy for Michael's success here. What could have been her 'weakness' in Solitaire (empathy) became a source of joy for her. Moreover, Michael, the person who she was so reluctant to form a relationship with ended up being the person who brought her so much joy in multiple ways. This entire panel completely contrasts to Tori's depression, alienation and reservation at the beginning of 'Solitaire' and it is so beautiful to have seen her evolve- even if only in snippets throughout the comic.
I know Alice Oseman probably didn’t intend for this one short scene to be analysed like this, but what I am trying to say is that finally, at the end of heartstopper, Tori spring is happy. And it makes me that much more hopeful about my own future after school.
synopsis: your boyfriend, choi yeonjun, seems to have this natural dominant thing to him.
› pairings & contents: choi yeonjun x reader, established relationship.
✧ warnings: non sexual dominance, dom!yeonjun, use of nicknames (baby), headcannons + drabble.
• you wouldn't expect a guy like yeonjun to be dominantly in an intimidating way, because truly, he's not. it's quieter than that. he just... naturally takes the lead without making it feel like he's forcing you to follow. somehow, everyone ends up listening to him anyway.
• he'd absolutely do that thing where he guides you through a crowded place with a hand resting lightly on your lower back or around your shoulder. not possessive, just making sure you don't get separated. if someone bumps into you, he'll instinctively pull you a little closer before asking, "you okay?"
• if you have the tendency of overthinking,, or just overthinking something in general, he won't sit there entertaining every "what if." he'll listen first because he genuinely wants to know what's bothering you, but eventually he'll sigh, look you dead in the eye, and go, "okay. enough. we're not doing this to ourselves anymore." and somehow... you actually stop spiraling.
• he has a habit of making decisions when he knows you're mentally exhausted. "what do you wanna eat?" turns into, "don't think about it. i already ordered." because he knows you'll spend forty minutes saying, "i don't mind."
• he's definitely the type to tease you for pretending you're independent twenty-four seven, even if you really are an independent person. "you know you can let me help, right?" followed by a grin because he already knows you're about to refuse.
• eye contact is kind of his thing. if you're trying to lie to him or hide that something's wrong, he'll tilt his head a little and just... look at you. not saying anything. waiting. he knows you'll crack eventually.
• if you're arguing, he isn't the type to yell over you. honestly, he'd probably get quieter. calmer. almost annoyingly calm. he'll wait until you've gotten everything out, then respond without matching your energy. somehow that's way scarier than shouting.
• he'd gently fix things without asking. your hoodie's twisted? fixes it. your necklace clasp turned around? fixes it. a strand of hair stuck in your lip gloss? already moving it away before you even notice.
• "come here."
yes, that's literally it.
not demanding though, not harsh, either. just confident enough that you find yourself walking over before realizing you didn't even question it.
• he's competitive by nature, so if you challenge him to literally anything, he'll get this little smirk that says oh, you're serious? then he'll beat you while laughing the entire time. and yes, he'll remind you about it for the next week.
• if someone disrespects you, he just steps in. i doubt he'd be the type to cause a scene, honestly because there's something about the way he carries himself that makes people rethink what they were about to say.
• he'd absolutely steal your phone when you've been doomscrolling for hours. "that's enough." you'd complain, reach for it, and he'd hold it juuust out of reach with the biggest grin on his face. "go drink water first."
• when you're walking together, he subconsciously adjusts his pace to yours. if you're distracted and drifting toward the road, he'll lightly hook a finger around your sleeve and guide you back without even interrupting the conversation.
• he's really good at reading people, so he'd notice the little things before you mention them. the fake smile. the shorter replies. the way you start picking at your rings when you're anxious. he won't ask, "are you okay?" ten times. instead he'll quietly clear your schedule if he can, hand you your favorite drink, and say, "talk whenever you're ready."
• physical reassurance comes naturally to him. a hand on the back of your neck when you're stressed. squeezing your shoulder as he walks past. resting his chin on your head while you're standing next to him. nothing dramatic—just little habits that somehow make everything feel calmer.
• he's the type to casually move you behind him without thinking if a bike comes speeding down the sidewalk or if there's a crowd pushing through, because protecting the people he cares about is almost instinctive. (please do not mistake this for him thinking you're incapable, absolutely not.)
• if you're being stubborn for absolutely no reason, he'll match your energy. "fine." "fine." ten minutes later he's standing in front of you holding out the thing you refused to let him carry earlier. "are we done?" and somehow he's smiling the whole time because he knew you'd give in eventually.
• compliments from him feel different because he doesn't throw them around every five minutes. don't get me wrong, he compliments you so well. if he tells you, "i'm proud of you," or "you handled that really well," you know he means every word. he's observant enough to notice the effort nobody else sees.
• at the end of the day, remembering the little things so you don't have to. making decisions when your brain is fried. standing in front of you when things get messy and beside you when they don't. he never makes you feel smaller,, if anything, he has this quiet way of making you feel safe enough to be completely yourself.
— FURTHERMORE . . .
"you're sulking."
"i'm not."
yeonjun looked up from his phone for maybe half a second before humming.
"you've answered every question with one word for the last ten minutes."
"...have not."
"there it is again."
you crossed your arms harder, determined to stare out the café window instead of at him.
he let the silence sit.
most people would've rushed to fill it.
yeonjun never did.
he was annoyingly patient.
"...you gonna tell me what's wrong?" he asked eventually.
"nothing."
"right."
another few seconds passed.
he reached across the table, not for your hand, but for your untouched iced coffee.
he took the straw, used it to stir the drink, then slid it toward you.
"drink." followed by a "please."
you blinked.
"that wasn't an order."
"i know."
"...you're weird."
"probably.
you took a sip anyway.
he smiled to himself like he'd expected that.
"better?"
"a little."
"good."
you narrowed your eyes.
"don't do that."
"do what?"
"the... thing."
"very descriptive, baby."
"where you somehow make me do what you want."
he laughed under his breath.
"i didn't make you do anything."
"yes, you did."
"you made the decision."
"because you looked at me."
"that's usually how conversations work."
you groaned, dropping your forehead onto the table.
"you're actually impossible."
he reached over and gently flicked your forehead.
"dramatic."
"mean."
"still drinking your coffee though."
"...don't ruin this for yourself."
"too late."
he grinned.
a few minutes later, you finally admitted what had been bothering you all afternoon.
he listened without interrupting once.
when you finished, he nodded like he'd already been piecing everything together in his head.
"okay."
"okay?"
"yeah."
"that's all you have to say?"
"no."
he stood, grabbed both of your bags before you could reach for yours, and slung them over one shoulder.
"come on."
"where are we going?"
"walking."
"yeonjun—"
"you're overthinking."
he held the café door open.
"and i'm fixing it."
"...you always think you know best."
he shrugged.
"not always."
a beat.
"just most times,"
you rolled your eyes so hard it almost hurt, but you walked through the door anyway.
