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mikalei · 5 months

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Always coming back to reread this masterpiece

"MOTH TO A FLAME (part 1)"

Bada Lee x Fem!Reader

prologue ⟵ part 1 ⟶ part 1.5

series masterlist

summary: y/n l/n is the youngest team member of Jam Republic, competing in the second season of Street Woman Fighter. she’s got the sweetest smile and the most vibrant personality, but she also may or may not be the biggest hothead on the show when it comes to defending her teammates. apparently that’s attractive to Bada Lee.

word count: 9k (holy shit)

warnings: swearing, reader is described as cute and small a lot, Bada is kinda confusing with her feelings, also this isn't proofread so... sorry for any mistakes lol- lemme know if I missed anything!

“I think Jam Republic is finally coming out-” someone states and the excited conversations start to fill up the studio. Jam Republic walks into the fight zone for their first introduction and they're all just very happy to be there. All the girls are smiling but Audrey and y/n have the biggest smiles on their faces out of anyone. Everyone is commenting on how pretty they are and how their smiles are so precious

“Wow, Audrey is like a doll! So pretty…” Tatter is outwardly in awe of the girls, much like some of her other teammates. But their leader, even though she agreed, was trying to keep the girls’ confidence up.

“True, but we’re prettier” she replied in a motherly tone and patted the blonde girl's head, causing them all to smile and giggle. Minah notices Jam Republic approaching the area they’re seated in, and shares a mischievous look with Lusher, before adding to the conversation-

“Y/n’s like a princess though. No one’s beating that” she states matter-of-factly, anticipating her leader’s response. Bada opens her mouth to say something but right as she’s about to speak, she and y/n make eye contact. Y/n smiles even bigger than she already is, eyes twinkling, and she bows politely greeting team Bebe. Bada is lowkey rendered speechless because she’s pretty sure she just saw an angel.

“Oh- h-hello” she struggles to speak and immediately after y/n turns away, Bada is grimacing and covering her face out of embarrassment, her teammates now laughing at her distress. She tries to laugh it off and put on a smile because of all the cameras around- she just really hopes they didn’t catch that and it won’t be aired.

As Jam Republic continues to stride across the stage, past all the other crews, getting a feel for the room, they finally settle in the middle- waiting for their video to be played. Audrey and Y/n are holding hands and giggling excitedly, while the rest of their team shares similar smiles and affectionate chuckles towards their youngest members.

Then the review video plays…

“I think they all want to be the main character- how are they ever gonna work together?” Y/n can’t help but huff out a laugh of disbelief, but she’s not quite angry yet. She felt a little twinge of annoyance but other than that, she thought it was kind of funny.

“I’m gonna steal the spotlight from you” Audret whispered sarcastically, bumping her shoulder, causing y/n to laugh. They were smiling and giggling again… until the others started targeting her and Audrey.

“They’re like babies- I don’t think they’ll have any real skill.” All the members are just nodding and keeping their composure, with light smiles, except for y/n. Her smile has dropped into a frown and her brows are furrowed as she tries to understand how these people could so willingly make assumptions about them. And it only kept getting worse-

As their individual dance clips started to play y/n could already feel the tension inside her start to rising. After Kirsten, Ling, Latrice, and Emma’s clips all played- Y/n’s was next. It was a somewhat recent clip of her dancing to “Basics” by TWICE, where she’s got her signature bright smile, and is bouncing around, just enjoying the choreography. She loves that choreo and has always been proud of it because it was fun, so her smile started to come back a little while watching it. She tried ignoring everyone’s words, and for the most part, it worked, but she was still able to hear-

“Isn’t this too juvenile? She doesn’t seem competitive at all.”

And if there’s one thing y/n hates- it’s people doubting her passion. She’s always been very dedicated to dance, but she also learned how to have fun and enjoy it, while still working hard to always be improving. But to be honest, it didn’t upset her too much because she never really cared what people’s opinions were on her- as long as she was happy, healthy, and kind y/n couldn’t care less what people thought. Unless it was about someone she cares about, then that’s when problems arise.

Audrey’s video played right after y/n’s and even though the older girl was keeping it together and even sporting a small smile, the same could not be said for her teammate. Y/n listened to everyone laugh and jeer at her friend, and she felt genuine violence start to bubble inside her. How dare they laugh at her? Who do they think they are? She clenched her jaw and felt any bit of respect she had for these people leave her body. Y/n was already over this shit.

“I think they’re pretty dancers, but that’s it- they’re just pretty dancers.” The other teams ‘ooh’ at this and letter other noises of enablement. By now Y/n’s face has totally dropped, and there’s no expression besides a deadly look in her eyes. While everyone else is brushing it off with some laughs, especially Audrey, y/n can't help but feel her anger fully ignite into a blazing fire. Their video came to an end and while others applauded respectfully, y/n stood there- arms crossed with her head tilted slightly, a stone-cold expression overtaking her face.

"Oh my god- y/n is the only one not smiling anymore" Akanen pointed out from Tsubakill’s side of the room. To which Rena gasped and replied “Eh?! Oh no! She looks so upset!” and the others all focused solely on her. other teams seem to be thinking similarly.

"Audrey is laughing about it like it's nothing and y/n looks like she's about to kill everyone who picked her as the worst dancer…" Mina Myoung jokes, laughing at the young girl. Some of her members laughed with her, while others just observed with cautious eyes. They didn’t want to accidentally make eye contact with Jam Republic’s seemingly small but mighty dancer.

"From everything I've seen of Y/n, I never thought I'd see her without a smile- more importantly I never thought I'd see her look that angry" Harimu gasps, gripping Redy’s shoulders, pulling herself to hide behind her slightly. Peaking over Redy’s shoulder, she listens to the older girl reply in a tone just as fearful as her own. "I didn't even think she'd be able to make such a scary face" Redy laughs but trembles a little.

"Oh my- wow, she looks so much older with that look on her face…" Funky Y openly expresses how baffled she is to her crew, with wide eyes and mouth slightly dropped open. Yoonji replies quickly in a frantic tone

"Like she's not a baby anymore, suddenly she became a Lion" she animatedly expressed with a growl after to prove her point. And her members can’t help but huff out a few laughs and roll their eyes at her antics. But still- even as they joke around, all are still weary of how y/n will act now.

All of the dancers quickly took notice of y/n’s 180 switch in vibe, and couldn’t help their conversations- some frantic, some laughing and continuing their degrading energy that got her all worked up in the first place, some fearful… and then there was Bebe.

"Woooah… what happened to cutie y/n? She's scary now-" Bada marvels at the small girl standing at the back of her team, with her arms crossed. She really was just as confused as everyone else on how y/n could go from being this darling princess with a dazzling smile and sparkly eyes- to this ice-cold girl who might start calling people out by names soon if she gets pushed any further.

Bada’s teammates look at her, and some nod, while Tatter holds back a laugh, mumbling her leader’s words to herself,

“Cutie…” Minah and Lusher hear her and start giggling, causing Tatter to start giggling as well. Bada doesn’t seem to hear them- that or she just pretends not to, cuz she sits there, unbothered, leaning her elbows on her knees, observing the scene before her with a barely-there smirk.

y/n continues to glare at the screen ahead of her and tries to contain her rage. Latrice puts a gentle hand on her shoulder and y/n just nods her head, poking her inner cheek with her tongue, trying her best not to say something that will definitely get her kicked off the show. Audrey sees how furious her bestie is and turns to poke her cheek playfully, of course with a smile still on her face

"heyyyy, don't stress. It's okay!" she puts an arm around the younger girl's shoulders and continues

"Plus this is just another great opportunity to show everyone what we've got!" and of course, Audrey, ever the optimist, successfully calms her down. y/n sighs and leans into the taller girl.

"I know, I just hate how almost all of them think we suck just cuz we're young."

"well they also think we suck cuz we're pretty" And Basically everyone watching is like- "Aw they're still cuties, even though y/n can be scary".

Bada can't help but laugh at them, specifically y/n

"She's pouting now. Cute." She chuckles softly with a small smile on her face, as she sits, elbows resting on her knees, with her hands clasped. Lusher can't help but side-eye her leader and chuckle as well but for a different reason

"Bada, you seem a little too interested in her" She snaps out of whatever daze she was in, sitting straight up and looking over at Lusher for a second, before turning to look back at the front where Jam Republic is now exiting

"I'm interested in a lot of people here." she explains cooly, surveying the room

"Not true-" Tatter leans over from the other side of Bada to look her right in the eyes "We can all tell you haven't found a single person here interesting, until her- or at least her team."

____________

"She looks kind of scary now…" Yoonji whispers to her teammates looking at y/n. Redlic looks in the direction Yoonji is looking at and laughs a little.

"What're you talking about? y/n? She looks like a kitten trying to be a lion." Now the rest of ManneQueen is staring at Jam Republic, specifically y/n l/n. And sure enough, instead of her usual bright and smiling self, her eyes were back to being fiery and to put it bluntly, she looks pissed the fuck off again. Waackxxy was the one to turn to Redlic and go-

“No, she’s definitely got something fierce going on right now… I hope she has a lot of battle cuz I’m kind of interested in her now…” causing the rest of her team to laugh and agree. On the other side, Jam Republic is having their own discussion regarding y/n.

“I think you should just wait and see- maybe no one will even pick you as a “no respect” dancer!” Ling tried cheering up her younger teammate.

“No I want someone to battle me- I want everyone who voted for me and Audrey to come and try us” y/n fired back with her arms crossed as she leaned back into her chair. She really did look intimidating, especially with her makeup and hair done. Audrey on the other hand was not feeling the same fire-

“Uhm, maybe we don’t need everyone to want to battle us…maybe just a few.” Audrey started to reason,

”Cuz I don’t know if you remember, but there were a LOT of people that voted for us as the worst dancers…” which caused Kirsten and Ling to sigh, and y/n to roll her eyes and clench her jaw.

“Audrey, my love, I’m very well aware of how many people think we suck-“

“You don’t suck-”

“Thank you Emma, but please give me a second”

“Y/n take a deep breath and check your well-being”

She sighed at their team leader’s advice, knowing it was to help her out and so that she didn’t get too fired up with her teammates. It’s not that y/n doesn’t get along with them- it’s the furthest thing from that, she adores her teammates- but she gets very passionate about everything, and she’s a bit of a hothead. On top of all that, y/n is very protective of those she cares about, some of those people being her dear teammates.

“I’m sorry” she mumbles a bit, but ultimately huffs out the response. To which Kirsten replies with a motherly “thank you”, causing the others to chuckle.

“I just don’t understand how they can all collectively make the assumption that we’re not as good as them- for what? Why? Because we’re foreigners? Because we smile a lot? Because we’re pretty? To me THAT just sounds like jealousy” y/n continues to rant, frantically moving her hands and arms about, expressing her frustration- and her team just listens patiently for her to finish. Once she finally lets out her final huff and relaxes back into her chair with her arms crossed again, and a pout now sporting her face, her teammates can’t help but smile gently at their youngest member- some even trying to hide giggles and chuckles of endearment.

“Y/n, sweetheart, you’ve gotta remember- not everyone thinks like you- I wish they did, but they just don’t” Kirsten starts to comfort her, and places a hand on her head, trying her best to calm down the passionate young girl.

Kirsten always felt like asking y/n to join her team was one of the best choices she made in regards to being a leader. She knew the younger girl had experience in kpop dance styles, having performed at multiple k-con stages and doing countless covers from other groups, even choreographing her own routines to kpop songs for fun and still getting the attention of the original artist. Kirsten also saw an unlimited amount of potential in y/n and saw how quickly and easily she absorbed everything around her. The only thing she was worried about was how young she was. it wasn’t a huge concern to her since their whole team was pretty young, but when it came down to it, Kirsten ended up adding Audrey in as well, and the two hit it off right away! To be completely honest- Kirsten felt as if the three youngest members were her babies. Audrey being the sweet angel of a golden child, Emma being the responsible oldest, and y/n being the chaotic troublemaker who’s always trying to pick a fight with someone for hurting her sisters.

“You just need to remember that we’re here to dance, have fun, and gain a new experience… alright?” Kirsten has successfully reduced her gremlin child to a less angry (but still very pouty) version of herself.

“…alright” y/n mumbled.

“Thank you. Now please stop pouting, you look like a kicked puppy and the others will probably start picking on you soon” Kirsten teased lightly, which caused Audrey to join in and start poking y/n’s cheek, leading to Emma tugging gently on her hair, and Ling poking her other cheek, all while Latrice coos at her and pats her head. This all of course causes her to start whining and complaining playfully at her members teasing.

But the endearment for each other doesn’t end outside of the members' little cluster. the love for Jam Republic, and specifically y/n, has now spread to the entire studio. as everyone originally took notice of the youngest member’s slight temper tantrum, most didn’t really know what she was ranting about, but they could tell she was once again not happy at all. The two teams sitting nearest to Jam Republic happened to be Bebe and 1Million, who originally both had members that intended to battle y/n, but after hearing her rant, some opinions changed.

“I like her style! She’s very passionate” Harimu laughed as she explained her newfound interest in Jam Republic’s youngest.

“That’s what I was thinking- I don’t even wanna battle her anymore, especially after how scary she looked before- I just wanna watch her tear up the stage with all her energy” Redy chimed in.

“Do you think we should go up to her during break and try to become friends?” They begin to laugh and joke around about their shared interest in y/n. But their team’s older members aren’t quite on the same level of endearment.

“Ya- you two should be trying to take her down before befriending her, don’t you think?” Lia warns the two girls, who just look at each other and start giggling.

“I don’t know if I’d necessarily wanna go up against someone with her temper” Redy starts off jokingly, but Harimu is already coming back in a teasing mood-

“Yeah cuz you’d probably cry.” Which has Redy letting a gasp- her jaw dropped to the floor, eyes wide with shock and (false) betrayal.

The other team seated next to Jam Republic isn’t as chipper as 1 Million though, as their leader is trying to convince her team to stick with their guts.

“You wanted to battle her at first for a reason- why would that reason change if you still haven’t seen her dance?” Bada asks Kyma, Sowoen, and Minah. They all voted y/n as the worst dancer because her style was too “pretty” and they thought she relied on having cute expressions. Bada didn’t entirely agree with her teammates, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. She even originally stated how she thought y/n’s style was refreshing and youthful, but she was worried about how she’d be with darker concepts.

“Well- I mean- she seems kinda crazy…” Cheche halfheartedly joked, but in reality, she was being completely serious.

“Why? Because she’s angry? She should be angry. Being voted as the worst dancer isn’t something to be happy about…” Bada replies calmly. No one really says anything, as they all are just trying to process whether or not their leader is provoking them, or if she’s defending their opponent because she thinks she’s cute.

Bada sighs and stands up to stretch. She wants her team to not only be amazing dancers, but critical thinkers too. Of course, Bada wants a win, but she also wants her team to be strong- and if going up against someone with untouchable morale and endless energy will force her teammates to be stronger, then that’s what they need to do.

She also may or may not be personally interested in seeing what y/n is made of. After all, she caught her attention originally with her bright smile and explosive personality- then again shortly after with how serious and intimidating she gets when people question her abilities. Bada thought her bold expressions and reactions to things were an endearing contrast from her cute or refreshing facials used when dancing. So now having seen y/n in stark opposition, she’s even more interested.

They all finish up introductions and meet the judges, then are sent off to get changed and prepare for the battles that are about to ensue. Jam Republic’s hideout is full of conversation from the second they enter the room.

“Well besides y/n almost setting the place on fire, I think that went well!” Ling chirps, smiling in faux satisfaction at her teammates, who let out variations of laughs.

“I can’t believe they think so lowly of us” Audrey finally expresses her disappointment, sharing a kicked puppy look with y/n, who longer feels angry, just tired. The younger of the two just leans her head on her friend's shoulder and stays quiet.

“I know, but that’s exactly why we’re gonna go out there and show every single one of them how wrong they were, right?” Kirsten encourages with her once again motherly tone and warm smile.

Bebe’s hideout conversations on the other hand are going quite a bit differently than Jam Republic’s…

“So moral of the story: I’m scared of a five-foot-nothing, angel-faced, baby who may or may not have the ability to shoot lasers out of her eyes.”

“Minah, what the fuck are you even saying right now-” Tatter sits and stares at her teammate with a concerned look. Minah and Kyma have been going back and forth since they got back about how they regret picking y/n as their no-respect dancer already, because of how quickly and drastically her personality changed when she got upset.

“I’m just saying- I feel like if I looked her in the eyes at that moment, I would've died.” Minah replies dramatically, and Kyma nods her head enthusiastically in agreeance. Bada huffs out a laugh and rolls her eyes at the two members’ antics.

“You do realize she’s still just a kid, right? You have nothing to worry about. Even if she does look scary, she’s probably all bark and no bite” Bada smirks slightly and leans back comfortably on the couch in their space.

“Weren’t you just saying how cute she was?” Lusher side-eyes her as she questions.

“Yes, and? That’s exactly my point. She’s too cute, so there’s no way she’d actually be able to go through with whatever she looked like she could've done.” Bada reasons, shrugging. Everyone just sighs and new conversations arise.

After all the teams have finished preparing, they all head back down to the main studio and take their seats again. The judges are all prepared and after a slight re-introduction by Daniel, the host, the battles are set to begin.

Bada being part of the first battle of the season was definitely necessary, and her win practically secured her spot as the best dancer involved in the program.

Everyone was hyped especially the members of Jam Republic, who were all just very happy to be there- even y/n, who had managed to calm down from her original state of rage, and now she’s back to her excited, vibrant self, of course wearing a giant smile. The girls all cheered and at some point (she doesn’t know when) y/n ended up clinging to Emma with wide eyes and jaw dropped. After Bada finished everyone obviously went crazy with an uproar of applause, but y/n could only let out a few claps, as she was still shell-shocked. Ling glanced at her teammate and started laughing

“Did you enjoy that y/n?” Y/n, still in a daze, puts the back of her hand on her cheek, then her forehead

“My face feels so hot right now”

“Oh my god y/n! You’re like- actually a tomato!!” Kirsten noticed her youngest dancer’s flustered state and couldn’t help but bring attention to it. With all her teammates' eyes on her now, they giggle as she starts whining and covering her face, collapsing into a ball on the floor. She looks up at Ling, who gently pats her head, and goes

“I don’t think I’m gonna survive this” sending all of her members into a fit of laughter over their youngest dancer’s uncontrollable admiration.

“The way she got up in Redy’s face- UGH I WOULD’VE DIED” she continues fangirling, catching the attention of a few of the other dancers- specifically from Bebe. Lusher is the first to glance sideways at y/n with wide eyes and a hidden smile- she’ll have to tell Bada about it afterward.

When it’s revealed that Bada won, y/n just about flew twelve feet in the air, that’s how high she jumped. Bada acted coolly and honestly pretty cold toward Redy, but the second she made eye contact with y/n, she smiled charmingly causing the already flustered girl to smile even brighter. She sits back down with her crew and Lusher leans over to whisper in her ear,

“I think y/n really likes you” she teases, causing Bada to roll her eyes and glare.

“Enough…” the older girl warns playfully, in tow causing Lusher to raise her hands in defense.

“Alright, fine- but just know she really enjoyed your performance.” and the conversation ended there.

During Kirsten’s battle with Waackxxy, the members of Jam Republic are once again hyped up, but this time- it’s tenfold.

Y/n is standing on top of the front row of their team’s bleachers, jumping up and down so much that at one point she nearly slips. Emma and Audrey are of course both there to keep her out of trouble (like always) and they all make eye contact before bursting out laughing

From across the room- Bada is pretty much just as invested as they are. Except she’s a little more focused on one of the members who ISN’T currently dancing. She of course paid attention to Kirsten’s battle and was genuinely blown away by her style- But Bada couldn’t help but get distracted by the small girl a little bit behind her, screaming and jumping like her life depended on it. She tried not to smile or laugh at y/n’s antics but she couldn’t help it when she almost fell off the bleachers. At first- when she watched her slip, Bada felt herself tense up, almost as if her instant reaction was to reach out and try to catch her from across the room. But once she realized y/n was alright (and that she’d have been fine had she fallen from the short height) she shook her head laughed, but more at herself for feeling so protective of this girl she hadn’t even spoken to yet.

Shortly after Kirsten’s first battle, Audrey has hers- Which means, y/n is about to be at her peak of hype woman realness. When Audrey's name is called, y/n shoots straight up and gets right to hyping her best friend up. She’s smiling and rubbing her shoulders and shaking her around a bit to show her excitement, and finally, the two do their signature handshake that they’ve done before every performance together since they became friends

Bada again watched from the opposite side, and she couldn’t help but feel extra critical while watching Audrey. There was nothing wrong with Audrey’s dancing! In fact- Bada was thoroughly impressed, (but she wishes she wasn’t). Instead of catching y/n’s reactions, this time she was totally focused on the dancers- Bada was curious as to what made y/n so defensive of Audrey, and now she understands a little better. That doesn’t ease her feelings of discomfort though, especially as the battle comes to an end and she watches y/n pounce on Audrey the second the timer runs out. What frustrated her even more was how quickly she became self-aware in that moment. Wait- why do I care so much? She was asking herself as her eyes darted to the floor.

And when she was announced the winner, Bada applauded and cheered, but again felt bitter seeing Jam’s Republic’s two youngest members be cute together. Now all Bada can focus on is why she herself is so bothered by y/n clinging to her teammate, and smiling like Audrey just won the Olympics.

“She seems like a really clingy person” Bebe members all look at Bada and then follow her line of sight to Audrey and y/n- or rather y/n sticking to Audrey and congratulating her. Lusher is the first to speak up again,

“Audrey?” she questions, peaking over at Bada in confusion, whose eyes are fixed back on y/n.

“No, y/n”

“Oh, of course”

Lusher’s response is sarcastic and causes the others to laugh lightly at the sub-leader’s attitude towards their oldest member. Bada once again has no reaction as she’s too focused on y/n smiling angelically, celebrating Jam Republic’s win.

“Omg please don’t tell me you’re already jealous” Sewoen teased and Tatter laughed hysterically. Bada raised her eyebrows and finally turned to look at the girls.

“Me? What would I be jealous of?” she pouts slightly when she talks. Even though she seems all tough, and tall, and cold- only one of those things is true. Bada is really a big softie- a baby angel trapped in a 5’9 body. Her teammates know this all too well as they halt their teasing for a moment to admire their cute leader. But that obviously doesn’t last forever.

“Bada-” Lusher tilts her head, exasperated. She stares at the older girl for a few seconds in disbelief, before letting out a huff of a laugh again. Bada’s eyes just widen as she looks around at her team- she really is confused, because while yes- she is starting to realize she may have a genuine crush on y/n, Bada thought she was doing a pretty good job at hiding it!

“What?? I’m serious- I'm not jealous of anyone” She tries to laugh it off and move on but the only reaction she gets is a few side-eyes from the other members. So she lets out a sigh and hangs her head in embarrassment.

“Let’s just leave it please” She smiles timidly, and THIS causes the other girls to laugh.

Many more battles occur before it’s finally Y/n’s chance to dance. When she’s called up to pick her no-respect dancer, y/n smiles brightly and walks to the center.

"So I actually have a lot of respect for this dancer, and I kind of selfishly chose her for the opportunity to share the stage with her and feed off her energy…" she starts, making sure to survey the whole room before eyes finally land on Bebe

"No way she's gonna pick Bada", "is y/n really about to pick Bada???", "Ya, she must be insane" excited murmurs fill the studio as everyone anticipates her pick.

Bada tries to keep her expression neutral, but she can't help how her eyes widen when she makes eye contact with the young dancer standing in front of her crew. Bada thinks y/n looks cute holding the mic with both hands, poking her tongue out and smiling nervously.

Y/n takes a deep breath and walks slowly toward the team she's been eyeing up

"For my no respect dancer, I'd like to battle Bebe's…" It feels like everyone is holding their breath. Y/n holds eye contact with Bada but breaks it with a nod

"Lusher"

Everyone goes crazy, even Lusher herself- She stands up and bows, smiling brightly, and as she starts to descend the bleachers they're sat in, she turns to Bada with wide eyes and whispers-

"I for sure thought she was gonna be calling your name…" she started seriously

"Hm… guess not yet" she teases her leader and Bada shoves her away

"Ya, go dance or something" she mumbles, already exhausted from dealing with the teasing of her members. Lusher meets Y/n halfway and actually reaches out to shake her hand, to which a nervous Y/n excitedly and politely bows and shakes her hand

"Good luck" Lusher smiles gently and y/n's eyes twinkle a little more at the kindness

"Thank you so much, you too!" and then they're separating and heading back to their sides to start the battle. Bada can't help but roll her eyes at her younger teammate, because while she's appreciative of the good sportsmanship, she knows it's really just to tease her more. Once Lusher heads back to Bebe’s side, Bada is behind her with a hand on her shoulder, talking calmly and softly.

"You know this is a cutthroat competition right? You're not supposed to be nice to your opponent- especially since she chose you as her "no respect" dancer-" Bada begins firmly

"Bada, did you listen to a word she said before? Or did you block it all out after you realized she wasn't talking about you?" Tatter laughed, once again taking the opportunity to tease the group leader

On the other side, Jam Republic is also teasing their group member

"I for sure thought you were gonna pick Bada" Latrice stated, massaging y/n's shoulders, shaking her around a bit to keep her energy up. She didn't say anything, just laughed and rolled her eyes. Noticing the lack of reaction, Ling reaches over and pinches her cheek-

"Are you kidding, y/n would probably forget how to breathe if she had to go up against Bada" causing them all to burst out laughing, including the youngest. She moves out of they're teasing reach and steps onto the dance floor. Daniel introduces the two again and allows them to do their little speeches before the battle actually starts. Y/n goes first and she has that same nervous smile back on her face, but her eyes still twinkle with excitement

"As much as I do respect you, I apologize because I'm still going to compete and perform like I don't" she finishes, trying to seem cool, but she ends up giggling a little. Everyone obviously loses their shit and starts screaming, and even Lusher is clapping and nodding with approval

"Y/n-ya" Everyone's eyes widen, especially Y/n's, as they anticipate Lusher's comeback

"I appreciate your admiration, but there won't be any sharing of the stage, cuz it's all mine" and cue the 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the other dancers, and y/n just smiles and nods. They turn over their mics and prepare for the music to start

"First up- Bebe! LUSHEEEEER" Daniel shouts out and the music comes in as everyone cheers. She starts with some smooth groves and then hits all the accents once the beat drops. Y/n just felt happy to be there, face scrunched up showing how impressed she is with her opponent's moves. Bada tried to solely focus on Lusher, but she couldn’t help but eye up the opposing dancer. and if anyone happened to notice and ask her about it, Bada would just tell them that she was inspecting the competition for the sake of her team…

As Lusher's time runs out, she finishes off strong by getting in y/n's face and ruffling the shorter girl's hair while smirking, causing her to giggle and poke the inside of her cheek with her tongue. She nodded as Daniel announced the switch, and she anticipated everyone's reactions

CL's "Tie a Cherry" starts playing from the pre-chorus and everyone gets even more hyped- some were jumping around and screaming, some grabbed onto their hair, some just had wide eyes and jaw dropped. Lusher stood similar to the last group- eyes wide and jaw dropped to the floor, but she still smiled and laughed in astonishment. Y/n smiled coolly and nodded her head to the beat before bouncing to get into the feel. She does a quick spin around and her vibe has completely changed again-

Everyone notices the different look in her eyes and they all start fangirling amongst themselves again, expressing how excited they are to see her dance. Lusher stands back and watches, amused and somewhat proud, like she's just got herself a new friend- a friend that challenges her by picking a song that she already danced to with the artist.

Bada on the other hand is trying to control her emotions and reactions again- standing behind with the rest of her team, hand covering her mouth, brows furrowed. She's stressing rn, but not because she's scared that Lusher will lose (frankly, she could care less about that) but rather because she doesn't know how she's gonna last a whole season of watching y/n dance without reacting in the most obvious ways possible- especially since she has a reputation to uphold. Now- Bada has never really cared about that type of stuff, she's chill and doesn't really care whether or not people think she's cool. But this- this feeling she gets while watching y/n dance- is a whole new level of uncool. To be completely honest- Bada feels pathetic.

y/n's been hitting every beat, leaving it all out on the floor- her movements are explosive and captivating. So much so, that certain viewers are mesmerized even by the smallest aspects of her performance that she doesn't even have control over.

"Woooow… how does her hair just perfectly fall into place…" Bada's mesmerized voice doesn't fit in with the chaotic energy and screams, so it catches the attention of Tatter, who looks over to see a dazed leader with a slight blush painted on her cheeks, and she bursts out laughing.

"Bada… you need to pull yourself together" she laughs. but right as she finishes her sentence and looks back to watch the rest of the dance, the iconic "razzi shots" line occurs and y/n handles it perfectly.

Right as the "razzi shots" line is played through the speaker, y/n's whole body reacts as if electrified- her articulation is so on point that the final hit of her movement mixed with her unmatched expression sends everyone spiraling into a frenzy. And it only got worse as her next movements were smooth, yet articulated combinations of body rolls and hip swivels, leaving everyone with jaws dropped. No one expected the cute, sometimes fiery, girl to have such an alluring, sexy side to her. Especially Bada, who is now fumbling between covering her eyes and her mouth cuz she's so flustered she doesn't know what to do. And the fact that she doesn't understand why she's feeling this way is making her even more flustered.

Y/n's time is about to run out as she slides onto the ground, and with a flip of her hair, she hits a sexy pose that's all tied together with a seductive smile. The applause are the loudest they’ve been so far, everyone is beyond baffled after watching her perform. She stays in her pose for a second, basking in the attention, and to make it even better she daintily bites her finger and puts on a cute-clueless kind of sexy facade. As if she didn’t just completely destroy everyone’s expectations of her.

After a couple of seconds of holding her pose, she laughs at herself and stands up, first bowing to Lusher, then turning to the audience on her side and bowing- which causes another uproar. Y/n’s brilliant smile is back and she can’t help but clap her hands and cheer with everyone else. The sweet girl who loves to perform was back and she was once again just happy to be there.

The time comes for the judges to decide the winner and in a clean sweep, 3-0, y/n takes the win. Everyone cheers, and y/n comes running up to Lusher to shake her hand again, but Lusher pulls her into a hug instead before pulling back and holding onto the smaller girl's shoulders.

"You're literally so amazing- I was totally joking before, let's share the stage all the time" Lusher jokes around, a genuine smile on her face, but still a teasing lilt in her voice.

"Oh so now you wanna share cuz I won?" y/n teases back, causing Lusher to laugh and shove her shoulder gently, the two girls smiling and giggling together.

"You wish that was you, huh?" Tatter whispers to Bada as they watch from their seats. Bada just turns to look at her with the most fed-up look, causing the blonde to let out a snort of a laugh. As Lusher strides back over to Bebe’s side, she’s smiling still as she looks at her team and shrugs her shoulders. They all hurry to pat her on the back and tell her how well she did, no matter the outcome.

“Y/n is no joke, you guys should be scared to challenge her for sure now.” She looks specifically at the three who had picked her as their no-respect dancer. Causing them all to sigh and chuckle a little in defeat.

“It’s okay- we’re stronger. We have to be.” They all turn to look at their leader in disbelief. They've all noticed how she’s been acting toward y/n, and find it hard to believe Bada actually thinks they could beat her- shit they would even agree that Bada doesn’t think anyone could beat her.

“Whatever you say, captain…” Tatter replies and they all turn their attention back to the front.

As everyone finishes up their individual dance battles, and the battle of the aces finishes off- the teams are released to go prepare for the group battle. Everyone begins heading to their respective rooms, but one dancer stalls behind her crew by a few steps. y/n keeps peaking over her shoulder every so often, to glance back at Bebe. She simply wanted to ask Lusher for her phone number, but the girl didn’t seem to be with her team. She eventually stopped walking altogether and when y/n looked forward again, she realized the rest of her team was so far ahead she’d have to jog to catch up.

“Were you looking for someone?” y/n whips back around and is met with the rest of Bebe, more specifically their leader, who is a lot closer than she expected her to be. Her eyes turn into saucers and she seems to struggle a little to find words.

“Oh- actually- well yeah actually I was…” y/n nervously smiled and looked up at Bada, hoping that her face wasn’t turning red already. Bada gave a gentle smile in return. She looked relaxed, cool, but in her head she was trying to keep calm and not squeeze the cute girl in front of her.

“I was wondering where Lusher went, actually.” the Jam Republic dancer spoke up a little more confidently this time- still very shy, but definitely was able to speak without stuttering, which is progress!

“Mmm” Bada hummed and nodded, seemingly understanding. She held eye contact with the younger girl, before asking,

“Why?” to anyone on the outside looking in, this situation probably looks like a gang of scary tall women harassing some poor girl- which is exactly what Audrey is thinking when she turns to ask y/n a question and looks back to see her many meters away, conversing with Bebe’s leader, while the rest of the crew stands behind her.

“Oh my god- we lost y/n” she starts to panic, causing all the older members to whip around and look at Audrey like she’s crazy, then look at the spot next to her where the youngest member usually stood. Kirsten takes a deep breath before releasing it and shaking her head, Emma and Ling are genuinely in shock, and Latrice just looks at each of the members before laughing and starting to head back towards the direction they came from, to retrieve their baby.

Meanwhile, said baby is still struggling through a conversation with “the love of her life”, as she described to her team after watching Bada battle Redlic.

“Uhm- well I was looking for Lusher hoping I could get her number, or give her mine, cuz… because I really enjoyed dancing with her!” y/n finishes off strong and Bada just tilts her head in an amused, yet condescending way. Y/n finally took the opportunity to actually look at her, and wow, does she wish she didn’t, because if her face wasn’t on fire before, it sure is now. Bada was standing confidently with her feet planted shoulder-width apart and her hands casually in her pockets. Y/n was usually good at acknowledging an attractive woman leaving it at that- but this shit was just too overwhelming for the poor girl.

“She went to go refill her water, but she should be back soon. We were obviously heading to our room so if you wanna come back with us and wait for her, you’re more than welcome to.” Tatter speaks up in a chipper voice from beside Bada. She could see how red the girl’s face had gotten and wanted to help her out a little by putting her focus on something other than Bada. although her comment only seemed to make it worse-

“Oh! Oh no, that’s okay! I don’t want to intrude, and I- I should probably get back to my group anyways to prepare for the battle-” y/n frantically starts to ramble, her face somehow even brighter red than before. Bada couldn’t help the amused smirk that spread across her face.

“How about you just give me your number and I’ll give it to her?” Bada cuts her off, and not only do y/n’s eyes grow four times in size but so do Bada’s teammates’. They all try to discreetly glance at each other without freaking out, cuz since when was their leader this bold???

“Yeah… yeah of course.” Bada smiles and y/n is about to give her number, right when-

“We seriously need to put you on a leash, girl” Latrice laughs and puts her hand on y/n’s shoulder, leaving her to jump in surprise a little, not expecting her crew to have showed up behind her. The young girl let out a relieved sigh and then a tired laugh. She glanced back at Bada and the rest of Bebe then bowed slightly.

“Thank you so much for your help, but I'll just keep an eye out and try to catch her later” she speaks softly and smiles politely before moving to finally head back to her waiting room with her members. As she’s about to round the corner, y/n looks over her shoulder and shouts a sweet “good luck!” then waves cutely.

Bebe is still standing in the same spot they were in when y/n left when Lusher finally made her way back to them.

“Why are we just standing in the hall… I thought you guys would be back in our room already.” She eyes up her crew suspiciously, looking at every one of them before landing on Bada.

“Well, we would’ve been if Bada hadn’t decided to harass y/n” Kyma pipes up, and Lusher sends a look that can only be explained as concern and disbelief toward Bada.

“Excuse me, I did not HARASS her???” Bada looks over at the girl with an incredulous look.

“Right, you just tortured the poor girl and acted so cold she probably thought you were gonna eat her-” “EAT HER???? WHAT AM I NOW? A WOLF???”

“Well-” Tatter chimes in this time, “you did kind of give off that vibe when she was talking to you just now.”

“Okay- we can get back to unpacking that later. Why was she even over here?” Lusher interrupted the flow of conversation. Bada sighed and hesitated before sharing

“She actually was looking for you…” she started calmly. Noticing Lusher’s confused expression, she continued

“y/n was asking for your number… said it was because she really enjoyed dancing with you.” Bada smiled a little as she shared this information with her teammate, who in turn also smiled. Lusher’s wide eyes and light grin, made Bada realize how she actually had the opportunity to get y/n’s number and failed miserably.

“But she said she’d come find you later, so be on the lookout.” the group leader stoically expressed. Lusher hums and nods, mentally pocketing the information. They finally head back to their room and begin to prepare for the battle.

As ALL of Jam Republic enters their room, the first they do after shutting the door is all turn to face y/n. All of the members stare in anticipation, waiting for her to burst.

“So are you gonna tell us what the hell you were doing talking to Bada Lee?” Latrice urges with a teasing grin. Everyone continued to wait for y/n to start excitedly ranting, but it never came.

“I feel…” the youngest starts and they all lean in slightly, waiting for her to express everything vividly,

“I feel really confused.” She finishes her statement in a daze and honestly, the members are now convinced she’s totally out of it.

“Oh my god… what did she say to you?” “Are you okay?” “Do we need to fight her?” Emma and Audrey go back and forth with their questions, hurrying to bring y/n to sit in between them on the couch.

“She just… she’s… I just really love women, and I think I specifically am going to fall in love with that woman, and I think I'm gonna die” she rants outwardly, still in a daze. All of her members lean back slightly, flabbergasted by the youngest’s statement. Kirsten tries to keep her jaw off the floor but she puts up a hand and tries to dismiss the situation for the time being

“Well… uh… alright should we prepare for the battle, and revisit this later?” “yes please” “alright awesome, thank you for sharing y/n” “yeah, no problem”

All teams have gathered again in the main competition area for the group battle, all fired up again and ready to rumble. The energy is high as all groups compete, the mission’s final ranking is announced and Jam Republic celebrates their decent rank of fourth place. With Bebe placing right above them in third, y/n turns to the groups and claps for them, making eye contact with Lusher and giving her a thumbs up, which is returned.

They wrap up and begin to head back to their rooms again. Y/n approaches Bebe with a bright smile and hopes that Lusher will come right forward and save the other girl from embarrassing herself again in front of the group’s leader. But it turns out Lusher has other plans. She skips down the bleachers and smiles at y/n before walking right past her.

“Bada, can you get y/n’s number for me, I have to use the restroom- thanks!” she shouts as she retreats, causing all of her teammates to laugh in shock, except her leader. Bada, unprepared for the confrontation, is a little flustered and doesn’t know if she’ll be able to put up the same act as before.

Bada stands from her seat and calmly and coolly strides towards y/n. She pulls out her phone and opens the contact app, handing it to the small girl with a relaxed, almost bored, expression. When y/n doesn’t do anything at first, she looks up at Bada with wide puppy eyes, and Bada swears she stopped breathing for a second.

“You can just put your information in my phone and I'll send it to Lusher” the team leader explains, hoping y/n can’t tell how worked up and tense she is right now.

“Oh- yeah. duh” Y/n awkwardly laughs and enters her information before looking back up again with bright eyes to ask-

“Can I give myself a contact picture?” She doesn’t seem awkward or nervous at all when she asks for permission, and Bada finds it adorable. She couldn't help the endeared laugh that escaped her, and she was honestly okay with it because afterward the vibe totally changed.

“Of course you can give yourself a picture” Bada responds with a gentle, amused smile and y/n feels her nerves start to dissipate, as Bada’s genuine smile makes her feel warm and fuzzy, and she never wants to stop seeing such a beautiful thing.

Y/n poses for her contact photo by simply doing a peace sign and sticking out her tongue. Bada again giggles at her cuteness and thanks her when she hands her phone back. She’s about to speak when the Jam dancer beats her to it-

“Even though I technically gave you my number for Lusher, you should definitely still text me too, so I have your number as well!” y/n confidently speaks, but the blush painting her cheeks betrays her nerves. Bada’s eyes widen, genuinely shocked at her bold request.

“Of course- I’ll text you right now.” and so she does. Y/n giggles as she watches Bada take a similar selfie to her, which she receives moments later.

“That’s for my contact picture by the way-” the older girl jokes, which causes y/n to burst out laughing. She was surprised that this Bada was the same person as the one who almost had her fainting in the hallways earlier. The two talked and laughed some more- they really couldn’t get enough of each other.

“You know, I was freaking out during your battle with Redy- when you got in her face and started like- making fun of her height or whatever you'd call that- oh my god it was amazing! My face got so hot watching that” y/n excitedly expressed her admiration, but realized a few seconds too late how she possibly exposed herself. And she felt her face heat up immediately when Bada tilted her head and smirked teasingly.

“Oh? Why was your face all hot? Huh?” Bada teases, standing firmly with her arms crossed over her chest. She steps up to y/n, similarly to how she did with Redy. except when she’s directly in front of her and able to look over her head entirely, Bada glances down at y/n who’d already staring up at her with those wide puppy eyes that have been trapping her all day, her mouth slightly hung open.

Y/n is holding her breath- the way Bada is looking at her right now is making her want to cry. She’s so close, and the tone she uses while teasing y/n makes the younger girl weak in the knees, ready to fold at any second. She tries to stay aware, but y/n can feel her eyelids start to droop, as do Bada’s. The way she’s looking at her- with half-lidded, seductive eyes- y/n doesn’t understand how she got here, but the last thing she wanted for was it to end.

Bada had to remind herself there were many other people and cameras currently around, so she looked y/n up and down, smirked slightly (yet effectively), and backed away. She cleared her throat, but the smirk remained on her face, in fact- it was even bigger than before.

“I’ll text you later, okay?” She’s still close enough to where she can speak softly, and it makes her heart rate pick up when she realizes how flushed and dazed the younger dancer is in front of her. Bada raises her eyebrows slightly when she doesn’t get a response, to which y/n reacts quickly with a firm nod. Bada giggles at her and continues to tease.

“Ya- you should really learn how to use your words, puppy” Bada smiles condescendingly and y/n’s eyes widen once again. She lets out a small gasp when the older girl ruffles her hair before walking away.”

“I’ll text you, y/n!” Bada shouts over her shoulder and y/n just stands there, astonished. She eventually makes her way back to her crew, who watched the entire thing go down.

“What the FUCK was that-”

notes: thank you so much for reading!! sorry that this is so long and there wasn't any "real" romance written in yet. this is definitely a slower burn series, but it's because I like to build up every detail of a story haha. hoping to have the next part ready by the middle of this week, please look forward to it!!

#talk with nique

1K notes · View notes

mikalei · 8 months

Note

Since you requested this, I present some Lyney angst.

After Lyney stood you up on your date for the umpteenth time for Lumine, you begin to reevaluate whether continuing the relationship is worth it.

Your decision is finally made when you end up spending your anniversary alone; you begin to remove yourself from Lyney's life. You stop going to his and Lynette's performances, you completely change your daily routine just to avoid the twins, you even stop going out on 'date nights'.

After a while, you make the decision to completely disappear from Lyney's life... By leaving Fontaine and moving to Liyue where your maternal cousin, Ying'er.

It is only after Freminet lets it slip that he saw you by a Waverider Point did Lyney realize that he hadn't seen you for a while. He hurries to your house, but it's already too late; you were long gone and the only thing left in the house was a box containing every present he had given you.

AN: My tears were my dinner for tonight. I blame you for it :| Reblogs are much appreciated.

Pairing: Lyney x f! reader

Words: 7450

CW/TW: neglect, insecurities, regrets, jealousy, ghosting, angst (no comfort)

AN 2: There will be a part 2 to this story. If you want to be tagged in it, please let me know via comments, DMs or asks.

header art credit

Just a Lumidouce Bell

Am I still not worth that much? I'm sorry for the way my life turned out. Sorry for the smile I'm wearing now, guess I'm still not good enough....

Amidst the muted elegance of Hotel Debord, you sat alone at a table, an island of solitude amidst the bustling symphony of clinking glasses and hushed laughter. The warm ambiance of the place seemed to mock your anticipation, and your fingers tapped rhythmically on the tablecloth. It had been two hours already – two hours of watching the seconds on your watch crawl by like wounded insects. Your fourth glass of Fonta stood empty, a testament to the passage of time, or rather, the lack thereof. The soft glow of the chandeliers cast gentle halos on the faces of the diners around you, their conversations forming an indistinct hum in the background. Each passing minute weighed on you like an anchor, dragging your hopes deeper into the abyss of disappointment. You glanced at the waiter who had been keeping a sympathetic eye on you, his understanding smile only amplifying the emptiness settling in your chest. With a sigh that felt like the release of a heavy burden, you motioned him over and requested the bill.

As you absently traced the rim of your glass, your thoughts turned to the painful cycle that seemed to have gripped your relationship. Lyney's absence on countless dates had gradually eroded the foundation of trust and affection between you two. The memory of his excuses and empty promises lingered like an unwanted ghost, haunting the corners of your mind.

The waiter returned with the bill, and you settled it with a mix of resignation and quiet determination. Leaving the table behind, you stepped out into the Fontaine night, where the chill wind embraced you like a forsaken lover. The sky above was a tapestry of melancholic gray, and the air carried the scent of rain, as if even the heavens were in mourning. A bitter smile tugged at your lips as you recalled the old tale whispered by the Fontaine residents – the legend of the hydro dragon's tears. They said that when the dragon cried, it rained in Fontaine, as if the very essence of the city wept. Tonight, however, it seemed that the tears were not exclusive to the hydro dragon. The world around you felt like a reflection of your own shattered hopes and unspoken fears.

How many times had you stood at this precipice, hoping against hope that Lyney would emerge from the shadows, apologizing and promising change? Yet, tonight marked the culmination of a painful decision you had been grappling with for a while. You cast one last look at the hotel's entrance, where the promise of Lyney's arrival had withered into nothingness. With a heavy heart, you turned away, your footsteps carrying you through the quiet streets of Fontaine.

In the aftermath of another painfully unattended date, your thoughts traced back to when the shift in your relationship with Lyney had begun. It was a time when a fabled traveler named Lumine had graced Fontaine with her presence, a time of both salvation and unintended consequence. Lumine had arrived in the city just in time to quell the storm of false accusations that threatened to engulf Lyney and his sister Lynette, accusations that had cast a dark cloud over the opera house they held dear.

As Lumine recounted the events that had unfolded, her words were a lifeline thrown to the twins. Paimon, her ever-loyal companion, had echoed the sentiment, and together, they wove a narrative that exposed the fabrications that had threatened to unravel Lyney and Lynette's reputation. You had stood on the fringes of the courtroom, your heart a conflicted battleground.

But the moment of salvation was soon tainted by the truth Lumine unearthed – the revelation that Lyney and Lynette were entwined with the Fatui, the very organization that had sown chaos and discord throughout the world. The atmosphere in the room shifted from relief to palpable tension. You watched as Lumine's expression twisted from compassion to betrayal, her gaze hardening as she stared at the twins. It was as if a chasm had opened between the savior and the saved. Lyney's eyes, once bright with hope, dimmed with the weight of regret and shame. In that pivotal moment, alliances shifted and perspectives changed, leaving an indelible mark on all involved. You, a silent spectator in this theater of emotions, had nudged Lyney to make amends, to bridge the gap that Lumine's revelation had torn open. The bonds that formed in the midst of adversity were often the strongest, and it seemed only fitting to build bridges and show gratitude.

However, as time unfolded, what had begun as a well-intentioned bridge-building exercise had evolved into something more complex. Lyney's interactions with Lumine deepened, and the lines between friendship and something more nebulous blurred. The halo of Lumine's presence cast a shadow on your once-intimate moments, like a third party in a relationship that was never meant to be.

Lyney's attention, once solely yours, had now shifted toward Lumine and Paimon’ s needs. Expeditions and adventures seemed to beckon him at every turn, each one carried out with an enthusiasm you had once known so intimately. It was as if you were watching a play from the wings, a play in which you had once held a starring role but now struggled to find your place. The weight of his absence settled heavily on your heart, a void that grew with each time he disappeared without a word. He accompanied Lumine on explorations, embarked on quests at her side, and even ventured into realms unknown, all while leaving you in the silence of unfulfilled plans. The intimacy you had once shared was overshadowed by a gnawing ache, an ache that whispered of betrayal and abandonment, even as you fought to quell those feelings. You had whispered to yourself that you were overreacting, that this was the product of insecurity and nothing more. The sting of neglect seeped into your heart, slowly but surely, and you struggled to reason with the feelings of jealousy and hurt that began to fester.

You remember that one evening, you had been sharing dinner with Lyney and his sister, Lynette. The conversation had flowed in fits of banter and laughter until it had inevitably veered towards Lyney's grand finale, a spectacle involving Lumidouce Bells cascading from the opera house ceiling like sparkling confetti.

The exchange between the siblings was a dance of words, a playful sparring that masked a deeper sentiment. "Oh come on, Lyney. Lumidouce Bells again? I thought you'd go for something truly unexpected, like Rainbow Roses. I mean now that you’ve given Lumine one." Lynette had teased, her grin a sly challenge.

Lyney had laughed, a light in his eyes. "Well, Lyn, sometimes the unexpected is what leaves the most lasting impression. And besides, Lumine seemed to appreciate it."

The exchange between the siblings was a lighthearted banter, but its impact on you was far from trivial. A faint wave of jealousy surged within you, unnoticed by anyone but yourself. Rainbow roses – a symbol of affection and love, yet they had never graced your presence. You swallowed the emotions that threatened to spill forth, battling the thoughts that questioned your own worthiness. Had you not been special enough to deserve such a gesture? Were Lumidouce bells all you were worth to him? When had the gift of rainbow roses become Lumine's privilege, while you stood on the periphery?

With a determined exhale, you pushed the memories away, the sound of your footsteps against the cobblestones echoed beneath your weight. The decision had begun to take shape, a fragile ember of strength ignited within the recesses of your heart. It was time to create distance, to let the echoes of your absence resonate in the spaces Lyney now shared with Lumine. Maybe, just maybe, he would realize the chasm that had formed between you two, a rift born of neglect and unspoken yearnings.

You recalled the moments when you had attempted to bridge the growing gap between you and Lyney. The conversations, the attempts at understanding, all seemed to dissolve in the face of his apologetic smiles and kind words. He would express remorse for his actions, his absence, and offer promises of change, but those promises seldom materialized into action. The disconnect between his words and actions cast a shadow of disillusionment over your heart, and the ache of feeling unheard and unseen grew heavier with each passing day. There were nights when you would pour your feelings out, laying bare the loneliness that gnawed at your soul, and he would listen with attentive eyes and a sympathetic touch. His reassurances would wrap around you like a fragile cocoon, and in those moments, it felt like you were understood. But as the days flowed into nights, those assurances would dissipate, leaving behind the cold residue of his absence.

Amidst these tumultuous emotions, you had set your sights on your anniversary, hoping against hope that it would serve as the turning point. It was a date pregnant with the weight of your relationship, a day that would mark whether the bonds between you and Lyney were still strong enough to weather the storm that Lumine's presence had unleashed. With a heavy heart and the weight of uncertainty on your shoulders, you had decided to give it one last chance, to see if he would rise to the occasion and mend what was frayed. The thought of your anniversary, the day that marked the culmination of your journey together, tugged at your heart as you walked through the moonlit streets. The cobblestones beneath your feet seemed to whisper tales of past celebrations, of shared laughter and stolen kisses. The memories were a tender reminder of what had once been, and your steps grew heavier with the weight of the decision you knew you had to make.

-------------------------------------

The opera house stood before you, its grandeur illuminated by the soft glow of golden lights that lined its entrance. The air buzzed with anticipation, the energy of the audience seeping into the night. As you approached the entrance, your heart quickened with a mixture of hope and trepidation. This was the night of Lyney's show, a night that held the potential to mend the fractures in your relationship. You clung to that hope, even as doubts gnawed at the edges of your resolve.

As you stepped closer, a man stationed at the entrance regarded you with a look that spoke of impatience.

"I'm sorry, miss, but I can't let you in without a ticket," he said curtly, his tone devoid of empathy.

You blinked, taken aback by his dismissal. "But I should be on the list. I'm a VIP for Lyney's show," you protested, your voice quivering with a mix of frustration and desperation.

The man raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "And what makes you a VIP?"

You struggled to keep your composure, your voice cracking as you responded, "I'm Lyney's girlfriend, and I've always been there to support his magic shows."

He let out a scoff, a condescending smirk playing on his lips. "Lyney's girlfriend, huh? I've heard that one before. If that were true, you should have been on the list. But you're not."

Stubbornness fueled your determination as you planted your feet by the entrance, watching as people with tickets were allowed to pass. Your heart clenched with every person that walked by, their laughter and excitement cutting through your resolve like a knife. You were holding on, holding on to the belief that Lyney's promise to change, to prioritize you, wasn't just empty words. Then, your gaze shifted, catching sight of a familiar figure – Lumine, accompanied by the ever-cheerful Paimon. They approached the entrance, their presence a stark contrast to the turmoil in your heart. The man stepped in their way; his voice curt as he asked for their names to check the list.

Paimon’ s voice chimed, "We should be on the list! We're VIPs!"

The man scanned the list, his expression changing to one of recognition. With a nod, he granted them entry, opening the door with a polite gesture. The interaction was swift, seamless – a confirmation of their privileged status.

Your heart dropped like an anchor, the realization hitting you like a wave crashing against the shore. Lumine, the fabled traveler who had unwittingly become a central figure in your heartache, was being welcomed with open arms. The same arms that seemed closed off to you.

Lumine's gaze shifted, her eyes meeting yours. She smiled warmly, her voice carrying through the air, "Hey, why don't you join us inside? It'll be fun!"

You managed to conjure a smile, but it felt like a mask stretched too thin. Your head shook slightly, a half-hearted refusal escaping your lips. "I appreciate it, but I have some errands to run, and I'm running late. Enjoy the show!" The lie tasted bitter on your tongue, but it was a necessary shield to protect yourself from the vulnerability that threatened to spill forth. Before Lumine could insist further, you turned away, hurrying from the opera house entrance. Tears welled in your eyes, a torrent of emotions threatening to drown you. How could he? How could Lyney forget your name on the list? Was it a thoughtless oversight or a deliberate omission? Each step you took away from the grand entrance echoed the rhythm of your heartache.

As you walked away from the opera house, your heart weighed down by the fresh wound of rejection, your thoughts turned to the looming anniversary. Just one more week, and it would mark the day you had set your sights on, hoping against hope that it could breathe life back into the fading embers of your relationship. You had planned it meticulously, each detail chosen with care, envisioning a day where the two of you could finally address the growing chasm between you. Lyney had promised he'd be there. He had assured you that he wouldn't let anything get in the way, that this date would be different. You clung to those words, the memory of his sincerity a beacon of light in the darkness of your doubts.

But now, with the fresh wound of being excluded from his show, you wondered if there was even a point to it all. Could this relationship withstand the storm that Lumine's presence had brought? Could Lyney truly change, or were his promises just empty words, blowing away with the wind? As the moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light casting a gentle glow over the city, you quickened your pace. The aquabus was waiting, its doors open, ready to carry you away from the scene of your shattered expectations. You stepped aboard, the soft hum of the engine a soothing backdrop to your tumultuous thoughts. The seats felt cold against your skin as you settled in, the world outside passing by in a blur of lights and shadows. The gentle lapping of water against the boat's hull seemed to echo the rhythm of your heart, both steady and uncertain. The city's lights danced on the water's surface, mirroring the dance of emotions within you. Your gaze remained fixed on the horizon, your thoughts a whirlwind of hopes and fears. You had invested so much into this relationship; into the memories you had shared and the dreams you had woven together. But now, those dreams seemed fragile, like delicate glass ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

-----------------------------------

The rain fell in relentless sheets, soaking you to the bone as you stood before Lyney's home. In your hand, you clutched a bouquet of rainbow roses, their vibrant colors dulled by the downpour. It was impossible to tell if the water streaming down your face was tears or rain, the two merging seamlessly in the haze of your hurt and frustration. With trembling fingers, you knocked on the door, each tap a testament to the storm raging within you.

The door creaked open, revealing Freminet, Lyney's shy and quiet brother. His expression was a mix of reluctance and confusion as he regarded you.

"Can I help you, (y/n)?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

You struggled to keep your voice steady, your heart hammering in your chest. "Is Lyney home? I need to talk to him."

Freminet's confusion deepened, his brows furrowing. "Lyney's not here. He went out somewhere, and I don't know when he'll be back."

The weight of disappointment settled on your shoulders, a heavy burden that threatened to crush you. You managed to offer a weak smile; your gratitude sincere even in the face of your own pain. "Thank you, Freminet."

Turning away from the door, you walked back into the rain-soaked streets, the bouquet of roses now a poignant symbol of unfulfilled hopes. Your footsteps were heavy, each step echoing the ache in your heart. The plan had been simple – a picnic date in the picturesque mountain ranges of Elynas. You had arrived with a heart full of anticipation, bearing gifts, a lovingly prepared meal, and a bouquet of rainbow roses. But as hours turned into a day, all that greeted you was the relentless downpour. The sun had set by the time you had decided to confront Lyney directly. It was your anniversary, a day that was meant to celebrate your love and connection. Instead, it felt like a cruel reminder of the growing chasm between you. Your emotions were a tempest, a maelstrom of hurt, anger, and betrayal. The wind seemed to mirror your turmoil, howling through the city's streets.

As you walked back home, your clothes clinging to your skin, you spotted a scene that shattered what little was left of your resolve. There, at a bakery, stood Lyney and his sister Lynette, laughter and mirth in the air. And standing beside them was Lumine. You covered your mouth to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape, your willpower barely containing the torrent of emotions within you. The weight of the past weeks, the unfulfilled promises, and the pain of your anniversary – it all crashed down in that moment. You felt like an outsider, a shadow lingering on the fringes of their happiness. With a heavy heart, you turned away, your footsteps carrying you into the night. Each step was a heartbeat of agony, your soul aching with every footfall. The city's lights blurred through your tear-streaked vision, the raindrops masking your tears. Each footfall was a heartbeat of agony, your emotions raw and uncontained. The city around you seemed to blur, the rain masking the tears that fell from your eyes. In the quiet solitude of your home, the pain became a living thing, an ache that seeped into your very being. The anniversary that was meant to be a turning point had instead become a breaking point. And as you lay in your bed, tears staining your pillow, you couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had shattered beyond repair.

Back in the solitude of your home, the pain became palpable, a living entity that refused to be ignored. Sleep eluded you, the darkness of the night only amplifying the darkness within your heart. Your mother's words echoed in your mind, a whisper of wisdom that you couldn't ignore. It wasn't right to stay in a place where you no longer felt welcome, and this relationship had become exactly that. The pain, the heartache, it was a weight you could no longer bear. Sleep never came that night. Instead, you lay there, tears staining your pillow, the echoes of shattered dreams reverberating through your thoughts. The decision had crystallized – it was time to quietly exit Lyney's life. The pain was too deep, the hurt too raw, and the love you once shared felt like a distant memory. As the night stretched on, you found solace in your mother's words, a bittersweet reminder that sometimes, leaving was the only path to healing.

In the days that followed, the pain remained a constant companion, an ache that settled deep within your heart. You made a silent decision to gradually withdraw from Lyney's life, the weight of unfulfilled promises and shattered dreams urging you to seek distance.

You found yourself avoiding the places where Lyney and Lynette performed. The familiar auditorium that once echoed with applause and magic now held too many memories tainted by disappointment. The sound of applause felt like a mocking reminder of the applause you had given him, the cheers that had always been for him but had never seemed to reach your ears. Your daily routine underwent a transformation, as if you were trying to rewrite the narrative of your life. Mornings were no longer marked by the smell of coffee brewing and the anticipation of the day ahead. Instead, you woke up to the quiet embrace of solitude, your footsteps leading you away from the places that held too many memories. The cafe you used to frequent was now replaced by a new haunt, where the barista didn't know your name or your story.

If anyone dared to bring up Lyney's name, you became evasive. Each inquiry felt like a dagger, a reminder of the pain you were trying to heal from. You mastered the art of changing the topic, a skill born out of necessity. When friends asked about him, you would smile and steer the conversation toward safer waters, your heartache hidden beneath a facade of normalcy. In every action, every choice you made, your quiet withdrawal from Lyney's life became more pronounced. There was the evening when you saw a poster advertising a new magic show by the twins, and you deliberately turned away. You didn't want to see him in the spotlight, a place that once held so much allure but now felt tainted by unfulfilled promises. Then there was the day you walked by the park where you had shared laughter and secrets, and instead of walking through it, you chose to take the longer route. The thought of stumbling upon him, of facing the painful truth of his absence, was a fear you couldn't bear.

The change was reflected in your living space. Photographs that had once adorned the walls were now tucked away in boxes; memories sealed away like precious relics. The pillow that once held the scent of shared dreams was replaced, the fabric absorbing the salt of your silent tears.

In moments of solitude, you found yourself haunted by memories. The sound of his laughter, the touch of his hand – they had become ghosts that whispered in the corners of your mind. Each time you felt the urge to reach out, you clenched your fists and reminded yourself of the pain that lingered beneath the surface.

And yet, despite your efforts, there were times when the walls you had built crumbled, and the anguish within you threatened to spill over. You would catch a glimpse of something that reminded you of him – a street magician performing tricks, a rainbow after a storm – and your heart would ache with a bittersweet mix of longing and resentment.

Despite your quiet exit, the silence from Lyney's side was deafening. It had been two weeks since the anniversary, and the absence of his presence was another knife that gutted you. Your withdrawal had been a decision to protect yourself, to heal from the wounds that had been inflicted, but it hadn't alleviated the pain. Fontaine, once a place of shared memories and dreams, had become tainted by the echoes of a love that hadn't stood the test of time.

The decision for a fresh start had been a gradual realization, a seed planted in your heart that had grown into an unwavering resolve. You couldn't continue to live in a place that held too many memories, too much pain. So, you made the monumental choice to leave Fontaine behind, to start anew in Liyue, where your maternal cousin, Ying'er, lived. The preparations had been meticulous. Each step, from packing your bags to selling belongings that held too much sentimental value, had been a farewell to the life you were leaving behind. The pictures that once adorned your walls, the trinkets that had once been gifts from Lyney – they were now memories stored in boxes, reminders of a past that you were letting go of. The decision was both liberating and heartbreaking, a duality that you carried with you as you stood at Romaritime Harbor.

The day had finally arrived, the culmination of weeks of quiet planning and emotional preparation. The ship that would take you to Liyue loomed before you, a vessel of possibilities and new beginnings. You hadn't informed anyone of your plans, not even Lyney. The only connection you had maintained was through the letters exchanged with your cousin. The details had been carefully arranged, and your goods were already on the ship, waiting to carry you toward your future. All you had was your backpack and a small travel bag, each item carefully chosen for its practicality and necessity. Your heart felt heavy as you stared at the ship, your emotions a whirlwind of anticipation and trepidation. The bustling harbor, with its scent of salt and sea breeze, seemed to mirror the churning sea of emotions within you.

The moments before you finally boarded felt surreal. You were on the cusp of a new chapter, a story yet unwritten. The bustling activity of the harbor was a stark contrast to the stillness within you. You took a deep breath, the cool air filling your lungs, and with that breath, you let go of the pain, the hurt, and the unfulfilled promises that had weighed you down. The ship's horn sounded, a deep, resonant note that seemed to echo through your very being. With determined steps, you walked toward the gangplank, your heart pounding in rhythm with the steps you took. As you crossed the threshold onto the ship, the world behind you blurred, and the world ahead held a promise of healing, growth, and a chance at finding yourself again.

----------------------

Lyney's nimble fingers worked swiftly, carefully packing away his props and magical tools backstage after yet another successful magic show. The applause from the audience still echoed in his ears, a reminder of his talents and the connection he had with his spectators. His assistants were bustling around him, the energy backstage almost as electrifying as the performance itself.

"Great job, everyone!" Lyney cheered, his smile genuine as he patted one of his assistants on the back. "That was a fantastic show."

The assistants shared relieved and satisfied smiles, their camaraderie evident in their interactions. As Lyney continued to pack his bags, he noticed his younger brother, Freminet, approaching him. However, Freminet's expression was slightly different – a mix of hesitation and something that seemed like offense.

Lyney furrowed his brows, curiosity piqued. "Hey, Freminet, what's wrong?"

Freminet glanced around to ensure they had a moment of privacy before speaking in a hushed tone. "Lyney, did you find someone else to help gather materials for the magic pockets?"

Lyney's confusion deepened, his brow furrowing further. "What do you mean? I've been waiting on you to give me the materials for making the magic pockets."

Freminet's expression softened, a touch of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "I must have misunderstood, then. I saw... I saw (y/n) at the Romaritime harbor, and I thought... I thought you had found someone else to help…."

Lyney's confusion deepened, his thoughts racing to make sense of the situation. "Wait, (y/n) was at the harbor? What was she doing there?"

Freminet shrugged, his voice soft as he apologized. "I'm sorry, Lyney. I didn't mean to jump to conclusions. It's just... I saw her, and I thought maybe she was there to help distribute the magic pockets."

Lyney's brow furrowed further, his concern growing. Why would you be at the harbor? The pieces of the puzzle didn't fit together in his mind. He clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the unease that threatened to bubble up.

Just then, a new assistant who was in charge of entrance and security approached, a curious expression on their face. "Lyney, who's (y/n)? I heard you mention their name."

Lyney's gaze flicked to the assistant, his heart skipping a beat at the mere mention of your name. He took a deep breath, steadying himself before he answered. "(y/n) is my girlfriend."

The assistant's face turned pale, a sudden shift in the atmosphere that Lyney couldn't quite place. Before he could inquire further, another assistant named Fabien chimed in, breaking the tension. "It's been a while since we saw (y/n) at the shows, hasn't it?"

Lyney's brow furrowed again, and he absentmindedly placed his fingers under his chin, a thoughtful gesture as he considered Fabien's words. It had been some time since you had appeared in any of his shows. Something wasn't adding up, and he couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling of unease.

As if sensing Lyney's thoughts, Jerome, the assistant who had asked about you, hesitated before speaking. "Lyney, I might have messed up."

Lyney turned his attention to Jerome, his eyes narrowing as he asked, "What do you mean?"

Jerome shifted uncomfortably, clearly troubled by whatever revelation he was about to share. "A few weeks ago, a woman named (y/n) came by during the performance at the Opera House. She told me that she was your girlfriend, but her name wasn't on the VIP list. I... I didn't let her in."

Lyney's eyes widened, shock and disbelief mingling on his face. "Wait, you're saying that (y/n) came to one of the shows, and you didn't let her in?"

Jerome nodded, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, Lyney. I just thought... I didn't want to go against protocol."

Lyney's eyes widened in shock, a gasp escaping his lips before he could stop it. It couldn't be possible that your name wasn't on the list. He had never excluded you from his shows before. The realization hit him like a physical blow, his heart pounding in his chest.

Serge, another assistant, chimed in, his voice carrying a mixture of matter-of-factness and concern. "Yeah, it's true. (y/n)'s name hasn't been on the VIP list for the past few shows."

Lyney's mind raced, piecing together the puzzle with growing dread. If your name hadn't been on the VIP list, it meant that you hadn't been attending his performances. But why? He couldn't comprehend why you wouldn't have been there. And then, Serge's words hit him like a lightning bolt, igniting a whirlwind of emotions he hadn't expected. Between all the chaos related to the prophecy, to the primordial sea, the fatui, he had forgotten to give your name once and the list had never been updated since then. "Why didn't you bring this to my attention, Serge?"

"I just assumed you and (y/n) broke up," Serge said, his tone apologetic. "Especially since you've been getting closer to Lumine lately."

Lyney felt like the ground had been pulled from beneath him. The assumptions, the misunderstandings – they were crashing down around him, leaving his heart in tatters. He wanted to protest, to explain that there was nothing between him and Lumine, that his heart still belonged to you. But the words caught in his throat, suffocated by the weight of his own silence.

Lynette's comforting hand on his shoulder brought Lyney back from the turmoil of his thoughts. Her touch was gentle, a silent reassurance that he wasn't alone in this. He met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and regret, and she offered him a sympathetic smile.

"(y/n) will understand," she said softly, her voice carrying a soothing melody. "Misunderstandings happen, Lyney. You should talk to her and make it right. Maybe take her on a nice date, show her how much you care."

Lyney's gaze was distant, his thoughts a turbulent whirlpool. Make it up to you... The words echoed in his mind, and he suddenly realized how long it had been since the two of you went on a proper date. Months, it had been months. And then, like a punch to the gut, the memory hit him like a tidal wave. He had become so caught up in the chaos of his life – the prophecy, the secrets of the primordial sea, the Fatui's plans – that he had let something as important as your relationship slip through the cracks.

The anniversary... it had been a few weeks ago, and he hadn't been there. He hadn't kept his promise to be by your side. He clenched his jaw, the weight of his own neglect and forgetfulness crashing down on him. He remembered the day clearly now, how he had been sidetracked by Lumine's confession about never having eaten a croissant. It had led to a whimsical food adventure with Lumine and Lynette across Fontaine. He had lost track of time, of the significance of the day, as laughter and the joy of the moment had carried him away. He couldn't believe he had forgotten such an important day. The day that marked the beginning of your relationship, the promise of a shared journey. How could he have allowed himself to be so careless, so thoughtless? The realization was a knife in his heart, and he felt a heavy sense of regret settle over him like a shroud.

Lyney's mind raced with a newfound determination as Lynette's words echoed in his ears. He couldn't let this misunderstanding fester any longer. He had to make things right, to find you and explain, to apologize for his neglect. The realization of his mistakes had taken a toll on him, and he couldn't bear the thought of you feeling abandoned. You deserved better than that, and he was determined to show you just how much he cared.

Without a second thought, he left the backstage in a hurry, the urgency of his actions fueled by regret and love. He berated himself mentally for letting you down, for not being there for you when you needed him the most. You, who had embraced every part of him – his past, his affiliations with the Fatui, his ambitions, and his bond with Lynette. You had accepted him with open arms, without any grand expectations. The memories of your unwavering support, your soothing words, and your warm presence flooded his mind, adding fuel to his determination.

The path seemed endless as he ran, his heart pounding in his chest not only from the physical exertion but from the fear of what he might find. He had taken you for granted, assuming you would always be there, believing that your bond was unbreakable. But now, he was faced with the possibility that he had pushed you away, that you might have left because of his own mistakes. The image of you, the warmth of your smile, your unwavering support – it all flashed before his eyes as he reached your home. His breath was ragged as he halted in front of the door, his hand poised to knock. But before he could make contact, his heart sank at the sight before him. The door was slightly ajar, swinging open with an eerie quietness that set his nerves on edge.

He pushed the door open wider and stepped inside, calling out your name in a voice that betrayed both desperation and hope. "(y/n)?"

The sight that greeted him was nothing short of a gut-wrenching shock. The living room, once filled with warmth and memories, now lay barren and empty. The walls that had once held photographs and decorations were bare, the echoes of your presence erased from every corner. His breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening as his eyes landed on the center of the room. Everything was gone. All that remained was a solitary box in the center of the living room, accompanied by a dried bouquet of rainbow roses.

Lyney's fingers trembled as he reached for the dried bouquet of rainbow roses. His heart felt heavy as he carefully picked it up, his gaze fixated on the attached card. The edges of the card were slightly crinkled, and he noticed that it had been exposed to moisture before, the ink smudged in places. His chest tightened as he read the words, the sentiment behind them hitting him like a tidal wave.

"In a meadow full of Lumidouce Bells, you are my Rainbow Rose."

The corners of his lips twitched as he saw the lipstick stain in the shape of your lips, a bittersweet reminder of the affection you had poured into this note. And then, his eyes focused on the date below the message – the date of your anniversary. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. This was the gift you had prepared for him, the gesture of love that he had so conveniently forgotten.

His stomach churned with nausea, regret, and self-loathing. How could he have been so blind, so absorbed in his own world that he had overlooked something as important as your anniversary? He swallowed hard, his throat dry as he placed the bouquet and the note gently to the side of the box, a mixture of reverence and guilt in his touch.

With hesitant hands, he opened the box, revealing its contents – a treasure trove of memories that he had unknowingly neglected. Trinkets, photographs, tokens of your shared journey. His fingers trembled as he reached for a small jar filled with dried Lumidouce Bell petals – from the very flowers he had given you after his magic tricks, a gesture that had turned into a tradition between you. His heart ached as he held the jar, each dried petal carrying a memory, a moment of joy and connection.

His fingers continued to explore the contents of the box, pulling out gifts that he had given you. Each memory resurfaced as he sifted through the box, his fingers brushing against trinkets, photographs, and gifts that once held a special place in your hearts.

A perfume bottle – a fragrance that had always reminded him of you. He could almost smell the subtle floral notes as he held it in his hands, a memory of the times you had embraced him, your scent mingling with the magic of the moment.

Earrings – he remembered the way your eyes had lit up when you had opened the box containing them. He had chosen them carefully, wanting them to be a reflection of your uniqueness, just like the love you shared.

A soft shawl – he recalled draping it over your shoulders during chilly evenings, the two of you huddled close together as you watched the stars. The shawl had become a symbol of the warmth you brought into his life.

His gaze shifted to the photographs, memories frozen in time. Pictures of him and you, smiles and laughter shared in moments that now felt distant yet vivid. Some photographs included Lynette and Freminet, reminders of the bonds that were important to you as a couple. He traced his fingers over the images, his heart aching with the weight of his regret.

But there was more in the box, a neatly wrapped package that drew his attention. His heart skipped a beat as he unwrapped it, revealing a new pair of gloves and a magician's cane. His initials and yours were engraved on the base inside a heart, a symbol of the love that had once burned brightly between you. He remembered the times he had performed magic tricks for you, the way your eyes had lit up with wonder and amazement. He recalled the joy you found in those moments, and he felt a lump form in his throat as he realized how much he had taken that happiness for granted. He could almost hear your voice, the excitement as you had presented him with the gift, the promise that you would always support him in his endeavors.

Tears welled up in Lyney's eyes as he held the magician's cane, his grip tight as if he could somehow hold onto you through it. He could feel the weight of his own mistakes pressing down on him, the ache in his chest almost suffocating. His gaze fell to the bottom of the box, where a note lay tucked away. With trembling fingers, he picked up the note, his heart pounding in his chest as he read the words.

"In a meadow full of Lumidouce Bells, you were my Rainbow Rose. But in the end, I was just a Lumidouce Bell."

The words were stained with tears, a stark reminder of the pain and heartache you must have felt. He clenched his fist, the note crumpling slightly in his grip. How had he let things come to this? How could he have pushed you to a point where you felt like you were just another fleeting moment in his life? He had hurt you deeply, and it was his fault that you had felt pushed aside and abandoned. The guilt and self-hatred were almost suffocating, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he imagined the pain you must have experienced.

Without another moment's hesitation, Lyney stood up, the cane still clutched tightly in his hand. He had to find you, he had to make things right. The thought of you being in pain, feeling betrayed and alone, was unbearable. He rushed out of the house, the echoes of the memories still ringing in his ears as he made his way to the aquabus that would take him to the Romaritime harbor.

The journey felt like an eternity, each passing second a reminder of the time he had wasted, the moments he had missed. He trembled with fear and anxiety, his heart pounding as he thought about what he would say to you if he found you. Would you even be willing to listen? Would you give him a chance to make amends?

As the aquabus docked at the harbor, Lyney's heart raced even faster. He rushed off the boat, scanning the area desperately for any sign of you. He asked bystanders, his voice a mix of urgency and desperation, but no one seemed to know where you were. Panic gnawed at his insides as he realized that you were truly gone, disappeared without a trace. He stumbled towards the docks; his vision blurred by tears. The water stretched out before him, a vast expanse that mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He dropped to his knees, his fingers gripping the edge of the dock as he stared out at the water. He felt a surge of rage and self-loathing, his heart consumed by a storm of emotions. How could he have allowed this to happen? How could he have hurt you to the point where you felt like you had no choice but to leave?

The pain was almost physical, a crushing weight that settled over his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He stared out at the water, his vision blurred by tears, his thoughts filled with memories of you – your laughter, your smile, the warmth of your embrace. He had taken it all for granted, assuming you would always be there. And now, he was faced with the harsh reality that he had pushed you away, that he had lost you. As the water lapped against the shore, Lyney's heart felt as though it was shattering into a million pieces. He clung to the cane he still held in his hand; his knuckles white from the force of his grip. He had always been the magician, the one performing tricks and illusions, making things appear and disappear. But now, it was he who was left with a vanishing act – you, the most important part of his life, had disappeared, slipping through his fingers like sand. It was a cruel twist, a bitter taste of his own medicine.

A voice echoed in his mind – Lynette's words about misunderstandings, about making things right. But how could he make things right when you were nowhere to be found? How could he apologize and explain when he didn't even know where you were? The uncertainty gnawed at him, the fear that he might never get the chance to tell you how sorry he was, how much he loved you. He wished he could perform a real magic trick, make you reappear in front of him, hold you in his arms and tell you how much he needed you. But life wasn't a magic show, and the consequences of his neglect were painfully real. He had failed you, failed to protect the love you had shared, and now he was left with the emptiness of your absence. The realization hit him with a brutal force – you were truly gone, and he had no one to blame but himself.

Taglist: @hiraethsdesires; @sailorstar9; @aerithsthingss

(p.s - there is another Lyney oneshot I am working on which i mentioned in one of my posts. Please let me know if you want to be tagged on that one and no it isn't a part 2 for this one.) Edit: There will be a part 2 to this story. If you want to be tagged in it, please let me know via comments, DMs or asks.

#i am not fine after this

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