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bluehoodiewoozi · 2 years

Text

Darling

Jeon Wonwoo x fem!Reader

Genre: fluff with a hint of anxiety.

Final Word Count: 9k

Warnings: mildly suggestive content. drinking/alcohol mentions. (mentions of having children.)

[Series: Serenity Street 17] Your boyfriend’s been trying to propose to you all week, but he’s starting to wonder if he should wait until you’ve settled into your new apartment.

[DAY 1, FRIDAY]

Tucked in the deepest crevices of his pocket, the ring weighted heavy. It was hidden in a small green velvet box, waiting for its time to shine on your finger, just like he was waiting for the right moment to present it to you.

The ring seemed to get heavier the more in love he fell – or so he had found. But the timing was never right. But maybe this week he could finally break out of this circle and propose like he’d been daydreaming for so long.

“Wonwoo!” your voice called his attention away from the ring. He hummed and feigned a smile that would soon become genuine. You let out a helpless laugh and pointed to the pile of cardboard boxes waiting in the back of your car. “Aren’t you going to help? What? Am I the only one moving?”

He laughed at your words before taking the large box from your hands, much to your evident annoyance. “I’m here, I’m here.”

“You seem so distant lately,” you mumbled and picked up a different box before turning to the front door. You let out a deep breath as you stared up at the menacing six-story building.

“Come on then, slowpoke,” he told you through laughter, already halfway up the first stairs. “The apartment’s not gonna fill itself.”

“If we just hired a moving company, it would,” you bit back and followed after him nonetheless.

Wonwoo, having waited for you at the top of the first stairs, offered scoff. “I’m the only moving company you need, sweetheart.”

You pretended to throw up in your mouth as you passed him by and did your best to run up to the second floor. You would soon realise your mistake, leaning against the railing on the third floor, out of breath.

Once Wonwoo, always the slow and steady one, reached you, you whined, “Why did we choose the sixth floor? It’s too far.”

“You wanted a nice view of the river,” he retorted before nudging you. “Do you want to give me your box?”

“I can handle it.”

His eyes narrowed. “Liar.”

You offered him a glare and instead of making him cower, it only served to make his heart grow fonder. The ring felt even heavier than before as he couldn’t help but smile at your expression.

But proposing on the stairs while you’re both out of breath wouldn’t be very romantic, would it? The ring would have to wait a little longer, he decided, and smiled a little wider.

You grumbled when he leaned over to press a kiss to your cheek.

“Come on now,” he encouraged sweetly, “we’re already halfway there.”

“Do we really have to carry all this stuff up the stairs?” you whined but followed him the best you could. He wondered if you were aware of the way his eyes darted back over to you every time you let out a slightly louder gasp for air.

Wonwoo fought a laugh. “We can always just leave all our stuff in the van and carry one box a day. Whatever suits you best, darling, but I do warn you that it will probably take closer to three years than three days that way.”

“Always the smartass,” you grumbled under your breath but he pretended not to hear.

“The fourth floor!” he cheered right then, smiling brightly at you as he danced under the large number 4 sign on the wall. “Just a bit more to go!”

As you were about to respond with a sarcastic remark, a new voice joined the conversation and Wonwoo knew right then that his proposal would have to wait another day.

“Hi! Are you guys the new renters of 6B?”

Wonwoo nodded, his eyes fixating on the cheerful guy coming up to them from the hallway. “Yeah, that’s us.”

“Finally!” The man clapped his hands together, a wide smile on his face. “We’ve all been so excited to meet you guys! I’m Seungkwan!” He reached out his hand to shake Wonwoo’s but quickly realised the two of you had more important things to use the hands for. With an awkward smile, he retracted his hand. “I live in 4B. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“I’m Wonwoo and this is my fi– partner, (Y/n),” your boyfriend introduced right after, cursing in his head at the smallest slip-up and praying you didn’t notice.

Thankfully, you seemed unaware of his mistake. Seungkwan, on the other hand, gave him a knowing look and a teasing smile. “Right,” he trailed off with a nod before clapping his hands together again. “Do you need help moving?”

“Yes!”

“No,” Wonwoo tried to argue but you were faster and far more enthusiastic than him. To be honest, he probably would’ve succumbed to your wish within minutes anyway. It was easier to just give up now. He sighed softly. “Yeah, I guess we do need some help.”

He glanced towards the metal doors in the wall across from the staircase. “We were told there was an elevator but it didn’t seem to work just now.”

“Oh, that old thing?” Seungkwan visibly shuddered. “You’re better off pretending it’s not there. It’s always either broken or leaving people stranded inside. Just ask Junhui and Jihyeon.”

Before Wonwoo or you could ask who those were, Seungkwan gasped. “Right, I was supposed to get you some help with the boxes. How many people do you need? Three? Four? Seven? Ten?”

“I–” You shared confused looks. “I guess three would be fine?” you finally decided.

“Alright, I’ll go find someone to help.” Seungkwan nodded and began counting on his fingers. “Yeah, I can find someone. Three people.”

“You could be one,” Wonwoo offered with a short laugh.

Seungkwan waved his idea off. “No, no, I have work in like half an hour. I was just on my way. Alright, I guess I’ll go and find…” He began his descent down the stairs all the while mumbling, “Joshua, Mingyu and Jihoon, maybe… Jihoon’s definitely home.”

Wonwoo and you stood in silence for a moment before sharing a laugh and continuing your journey up the stairs.

“Do you think this is one of those buildings where everyone knows everyone and they have little dinners and game nights together?” you wondered.

“From the sound of that guy, it definitely is,” Wonwoo concluded. He could only hope they wouldn’t take his introverted nature as a personal offence.

Perhaps the conversation on the fourth floor served as a much needed break because the sixth floor came into view very quickly after that.

Upon reaching the rooftop, you practically dropped your box and slumped against your boyfriend’s back. “That… That was pure torture.”

“We still have twenty boxes to go, darling,” he told you softly as he leaned over to kiss your head. “Do you need a break?”

You considered for a moment. “No, we’re already here,” you eventually decided and pushed yourself back upright, picking up your box again. Just a few more steps and you would be in your new home.

“Come on then,” he laughed. “Let’s go take a look. I think there was a bed there.”

“There’d better be a bed or I might scream.”

“Then I hope the walls are thick.”

You snorted and followed him to the door. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

As you reached into your pocket for the keys, loud voices sounded over from the staircase. You froze in your spot, eyes darting over to Wonwoo.

“These must be the guys Seungkwan sent over to help,” he guessed and turned to greet them.

Instead of three mean, five came, a woman in tow. The tallest of them offered a wide smile and a wave to the pair of you. “Hi, are you the new renters?”

“Depends. Who’s asking?” Wonwoo joked before nodding. “I’m Wonwoo. This is (Y/n).”

“Well, I’m Mingyu from 1A,” the tall man introduced, practically waltzing over to you, “and these are my neighbour Jihoon, Joshua from 3A, and Junhui and Vernon. Jun and Vernon live in 6A, so I guess they’re your neighbours.”

“They’re a bit shy though,” the woman told you with a mischievous smile. “Don’t mind it too much when they run away when you try to say ‘hi’.”

Joshua snorted. “I think you’re just scary to them.”

“I’m Jina, by the way,” the woman introduced after rolling her eyes at the man’s remark. “I’m this weird guy’s roommate. Not really by choice.”

“I sure hope you two have a better relationship than they do,” Jihoon told you with a chuckle.

“So, where do you need us?” Vernon wondered. “I assume you locked your van so we can’t really…”

As Wonwoo was about to volunteer, you had the exact same idea and spoke up, “I’ll come downstairs and unlock it for you guys. Wonwoo, you can handle it up here alone, right?”

You handed him the apartment keys before he could protest, so he just nodded for now. At least Jina went with you so you wouldn’t be alone, he told himself with a sigh as he unlocked the door.

Upon placing the things down on the living room floor, he sighed and reached into his pocket. His fingers wrapped around the velvet box before bringing it out.

“Guess you’ll have to wait another day,” he whispered, admiring the ring and all it would stand for. Soon. He’ll just have to be patient.

[DAY 2, SATURDAY]

His forced his eyes open with a low groan. The sun was too bright and he didn’t like it at all.

He also didn’t like the way you were trying to wriggle out of his embrace in bed.

“Stay still,” he mumbled and tightened his hold just enough to keep you there. He knew he was too stubborn for his own good every morning, but he told himself he could afford to be a little selfish from time to time. He closed his eyes in preparation for more sleep.

When you made another attempt to leave him, he groaned and tightened his hold once again, a bit tighter this time. You let out a laugh at his affection and he felt a smile tug at his lips at the sound – he loved hearing your laughter.

“Wonwoo, darling,” you whispered as you turned in his arms to face him, “we need to get up eventually. It’s already almost noon.”

He grunted. “We have time. The boxes aren’t going anywhere.”

“That’s exactly why we need to wake up.” You laughed once again, at your own joke this time. “The boxes aren’t going anywhere and it’s driving me insane.”

“Darling, if I don’t get to sleep and hold you for a little longer, I will be the one going insane.”

His words seemed to do the trick and you stopped protesting for the time being. You just lied there, in his arms in your shared new apartment, right where you belonged, and he didn’t remember ever feelings so complete before.

The thought of proposing came once again, urgently ringing in the back of his mind. This was the perfect moment he realised. Almost on instinct, his hand began reaching for his pocket – only to realise he wasn’t wearing his pants and the ring was on the other side of the bed, on the chair where his pants were.

Still, better with a ring in reach and in the perfect moment than not at all. He cleared his throat. His hand was already running up and down your arm as if to feel your closer.

“Darling, will you–”

“Okay, wake up,” you interrupted and his eyes flew right open at the sound. You laughed at his expression before pressing a kiss to his cheek and sitting up. “Come on now, we have stuff to unpack and a bedroom to decorate and the living room is a mess and– What do you want for breakfast? I think we have some eggs in the fridge.”

He was dumbfounded. Still, he swallowed back his annoyance and nodded. “I think there were some eggs and Mingyu brought us some tomatoes and bread too.”

“Oh!” You cheered. “Looks like we have a plan for breakfast.” Your gentle slap against his bicep stung only the tiniest bit. “ Wake up now, or else we’ll really be moving in for three years in a row.”

Begrudgingly, he sat up and stretched. “Fine, but you owe me twenty kisses in the evening.”

“For what?” you wondered while pulling on your clothes.

“Just because.”

You clicked your tongue. “And to think I almost made you breakfast in bed.”

Feeling playful all of a sudden, he immediately lied back down. You stared at him in astonishment as he joked, “You still can.”

“Get up!” You reached for a pillow to hit him with, smiling at the sound of his laughter. “You’re in charge of setting the table now.”

“Fine, fine,” he laughed still and finally climbed out of bed.

He wondered if you felt a similar sense of fondness as you watched him brush a hand through his messy hair and rub the sleep out of his eyes. His own heart always skipped two beats in a row at the sight of you doing the same – just like today.

Unable to contain his adoration, he wrapped himself around you once again, standing up this time. You let out an annoyed breath as his arms tightened around your waist and his chin rested against your head.

“You’re insufferable.”

He hummed and kissed your cheek. “Only for you, darling.” Then he found himself pouting as you turned your head further away. “What? No kiss good morning?”

“Morning breath.”

“I don’t mind,” he joked and left another kiss on your cheek. “But alright, I’ll be lenient and raise your debt to thirty kisses.”

You gasped accusingly. “You little–”

“Thirty five,” he sang and detached from you to pull on his shirt. “Do you want to make it forty?”

“Do you want to make breakfast on your own?” you shot right back and he grimaced at the thought, his nose scrunching as if he could smell the burnt toast already.

He sighed softly, a little theatrically even as his shoulders slumped just a little. “Fine. I suppose I can lower your debt to twenty-five kisses.”

“I can live with that,” you laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek before scurrying out of the bedroom.

Once again he felt the urge to go down on one knee and just utter those words that had been itching in his throat all this time. He sighed: proposing in the middle of haphazardly thrown cardboard boxes and plastic bags wouldn’t be very romantic, would it?

He didn’t even place the velvet box in his pocket this day, but he wondered how much longer he could wait. Soon, he told himself. One day.

[DAY 3, SUNDAY]

Wonwoo liked to think he was efficient. That’s why he brought you to the closest paint store the day after you declared you wanted to paint the tired yellow bedroom walls. He was incredibly glad the landlords – represented by their son, Jihoon – had given you full permission to renovate and decorate the apartment to your own vision (“Just as long as you keep the walls up and don’t burn anything,” Jihoon had sternly told you).

Making you happy was the best feeling in the world and he would do just about anything to experience it time and time again. His heart practically sang as he waited for you to pick out a colour you liked (and though he threw in a judgement here and there, he already knew he would love whatever colour you chose).

“You seem excited,” he told you when you asked him why he was staring at you instead of being helpful. “It’s cute.”

You rolled your eyes. “Of course you’d think I’m cute while stressing over whether to paint the walls beige or lilac.”

“Have you considered having an accent wall?” the staff helpfully offered and Wonwoo was sure he would be the at the receiving end of your annoyed glances for the rest of the day – after all, how could your genius boyfriend miss a possibility so obvious? But maybe, he thought, you would stop glaring at him when he paid for the paint and the supplies from his own bank account.

You called for his attention again as he reminded himself to be strong and not give in to your passive aggressive stares no matter how adorable he thought they were. “What do you think, Wonwoo?”

“Hm?”

He laughed at the way you dramatically rolled your eyes and shook your head. “Do you just take me to shops to stare at me? Is that your way of window shopping?”

“No, I just think you’re very cute when you’re excited about buying paint,” he told you with a smile before focusing on the task at hand. “What do you need?”

“For the accent wall, do you want green or red?”

“My computer has red lights,” he responded with a small shrug, “so red would look nice, I think.”

“Oh, right, we still have to set up your computer and the whole wi-fi thing,” you realised before slumping a little and patting his arm in a comforting manner. “I guess you must miss your games a lot.”

He shook his head, a sweet smile on his face. “You’re more than enough for me, darling.”

You frowned and looked at him; he felt like you could see right through him and into his pocket where the ring still waited. He hoped he was just paranoid.

“What’s up with you lately?” you wondered all of a sudden, the frown still persistent. “You’re not usually this cheesy.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess moving into the new apartment has made me… more appreciative of who I came here with?”

“Can you be appreciative in some other way?” you joked and held the paint cards up for him to see. “For example, you could help me pick a colour.”

“I already gave my suggestion.”

“I’m double-checking.”

His eyes narrowed as realisation hit. “You want the green, don’t you?”

“It would go well with my plants,” you told him shamelessly.

“You mean the one cactus you’ve managed to keep alive all these years?” he teased and you immediately scowled.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll get more plants and keep them alive this time!” you argued. “I’ve done some research, and I think I found a few that would look really cool and wouldn’t die so easily.”

He smiled widely at the thought. “If you manage to keep any more plants alive, I’ll have to marry you on the spot.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise.”

Once you finally decided on a colour (a sage green that you were adamant matched the undertones of your cactus), all that was left to do was go home, move the bed and some furniture out of your bedroom, and start painting. Why you had to do all of that in one single day confused him a little, but he reminded himself that the faster you make this place feel like home, the faster he could get down on one knee and finally propose in peace.

During the second step of said plan, Wonwoo really wondered if he should ask one of the neighbours for help. Vernon had seemed friendly enough, right?

“Why is this drawer so damn heavy?” you gasped out while pushing it with your entire body.

Wonwoo couldn’t even laugh because he was struggling almost as much. “Maybe it’s made of lead or something?”

“Maybe we should get that checked.”

And once the drawer – the final obstacle – was out, the painting would begin. Except, just as one would expect, exhaustion took over. Wonwoo laughed fondly as you fell into the bed, now located in the smack middle of the living room temporarily, and pretended to snore.

“We’re not going to get those walls painted at this rate, sweetheart,” he told you but laid down next to you nonetheless, resting his head on your chest.

You hummed. “Just a short nap and then we’ll finish.”

Before he could utter another word, you were off to dreamland. Wonwoo soon followed.

[DAY 4, MONDAY]

You never did get around to painting the bedroom walls on Sunday. The nap lasted far longer than either of you anticipated.

Painting it on Monday morning or during the day was out of the question though because of work.

“Why don’t they provide vacation time to people who are moving?” you wondered as Wonwoo led you out of the car at the end of the work day. He held your hand tightly in his, mind set on getting back home as quickly as possible. “Seriously, this is torture.”

“I did suggest moving when we get our vacations in three months,” he told you with a sigh though he felt anything but annoyance. He smiled when he opened the front door of the apartment building and let you inside.

You whined. “But then this apartment would’ve been off the market and we would’ve been stuck with some weird building that has a view of the nearest skyscraper or something.”

“Maybe a building that has working elevators?” Wonwoo laughed at his own joke as the two of you passed the notorious metal doors in the hallway.

“You know,” you sighed, “I did expect to have a working elevator when we got this sixth floor apartment.”

“You’re out of luck then,” Jihoon’s melodious voice carried through the first floor hallway, from near the noticeboard, followed by the sound of shuffling slippers. “The maintenance men came by today and said they’re waiting for a specific part.”

“And how long’s that going to take?” you voiced the question the both of you were thinking of.

Jihoon cringed. “Just… Don’t get your hopes up for another… Month or so.”

“Oh, great.” You offered Wonwoo a sarcastic smile. “Guess we’d better put off furniture shopping for a while.”

“Yeah, you guys have fun with that,” the landlords’ son nodded and headed back to his own apartment.

“It must be nice living on the first floor,” Wonwoo couldn’t help but mumble in envy as the two of you continued climbing up the stairs.

You hummed in agreement, desperately trying to keep your breathing under control even as it became more and more difficult with every passing step.

When you got to the fourth floor, you slumped against the railing and reached your arm out towards Wonwoo in a dramatic manner. “I can’t go on much further… Save yourself, my love.”

Wonwoo held back a laugh and reached out for you just the same. “No, my love. We must keep going. Stay with me, my beloved.”

“I cannot.” You slumped further down, now sitting on the floor. “I’ll meet you in another life, my beloved…”

As you gave your best re-enactment of a dying princess, Wonwoo couldn’t help but giggle. He leaned down to pat your shoulder. “So, I suppose I’ll have to paint and decorate the bedroom on my own then?”

Your eyes snapped open, glaring at him. You suddenly felt as though bursting with life. “I swear, if you paint the accent wall red–”

“I am so painting it red,” he joked with the most serious look you’ve ever seen him give you.

“Nope.” You pushed yourself to your feet and brushed off any dust. “I am legally obligated to not let you do that.”

“But why?” he whined playfully when you grabbed his arm and began dragging him up the stairs. “I want red…”

“It would clash with my cactus, baby.”

He pouted. “But there are house plants that have red on their leaves. I think it would look cool.”

You didn’t budge.

Honestly, Wonwoo didn’t even mind that you wanted the green wall. He was just joking around to see it you’d cave at all. Actually, now that he thought about it…

“Won’t the green clash with my computer’s lights though?”

You froze mid-step. You just stood there like that for a minute. Well, maybe not a full minute, but just long enough to make Wonwoo wonder if he was witnessing a glitch in reality. Then, you turned back to him and sighed. “Tell you what: if you let me paint the bedroom walls green and beige, I will let you choose the colours for the other room.”

He beamed and you couldn’t hold back a laugh as he squeezed your arm with glee.

“What do you want to do with the other room anyway?” he wondered when you finally reached your apartment and sat down on the couch. “Office space? Gym?”

You seemed a little awkward all of a sudden. Growing concerned at your silence, he nudged your shoulder.

“You’re the one that wanted a two-bedroom apartment,” he reminded you softly, “so I want to know what you’re thinking of, darling.”

“I was thinking,” you finally slowly uttered, “a spare room for now and then one day… maybe…”

As he waited for you to drag out the words, he felt a smile tugging at his lips. If he knew you even half as well as he thought he did, he would have to propose now.

You nervously chewed on your lip before lifting your gaze to him. “Maybe a nursery, one day?”

A smile appeared on his face at moment’s notice. “I love that idea.”

“Right?” You sighed in relief and smiled as well. “Maybe not yet. We’re not even married yet so–”

He reached towards his pocket. This was it. He could make it a reality. One step closer.

“Or!” You clapped your hands so suddenly and loudly that the velvet box slipped out of his grasp and back into the depths of his pocket. “We could get a cat to practice. You like cats, right? Think about it! You can remodel the room to be the cat’s room for now and a few years, probably. It’ll be great!”

Wonwoo opened his mouth, his fingers finally wrapping around the box again. It was now or–

“Okay, get dressed,” you slapped his arm playfully and jumped up to head towards the where you’d placed your casual clothes last night. “We have a lot of painting to do today. I want to sleep in our bedroom by the end of the week.”

And just like that… Wonwoo sighed deeply and nodded. “Right. Let’s do that.”

[DAY 5, TUESDAY]

Wonwoo liked Tuesdays. He liked them because his company liked to have shorter work days on Tuesdays. He could come home barely an hour after the usual lunch, head light and a smile on his face at the thought of a nap or maybe even a gaming session.

He wasn’t particularly fond of the way you refused to let him pick you up from work on Tuesday evenings. After learning his Tuesdays were shorter, you had insisted that he use all of his free time to relax rather than worrying about you. You were, after all, all grown and independent and could find your way home.

“I could come and pick you up,” he had once again suggested in the morning as he shrugged on his cardigan. “It’s not a big deal.”

You had just rolled your eyes and patted his head. “I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl, Wonwoo.”

“At least take the car,” he had insisted, placing the keys into your palm before you could protest. “I don’t trust you alone on public transportation in the evenings.”

“How is me taking the metro in this area worse than me walking home back in our old area? you had wondered with a laugh but taken the keys nevertheless.

“It was a way shorter distance,” he had pointed out before pressing a kiss to your nose. “I just want you to be safe, darling.”

“My prince charming.” You had glanced at the clock on the wall. “But if you want to catch the bus, you might want to hurry a little.”

And so he survived Tuesday on a light heart, knowing you’d be safe and get home on your own. (The knowledge did not stop him from asking you to text him when you started your way home, but he told himself these were baby steps.)

When he got home, he habitually checked if the ring was where he’d last left it. It was still safe in the pocket of his sweatpants. He smiled as he glanced at the shiny ring. “Maybe tonight...”

Instead of worrying about it, he decided to occupy himself with something else. It was a little lonely setting up his computer and a proper router to use instead of his phone’s wi-fi hotspot the two of you had been operating on, but he managed.

Barely two hours later, his old gaming set-up was up and ready on a make-shift desk in the spare bedroom. When you finally came into the apartment in the evening, you found him gaming away for the first time in a week.

You laughed at the sight. “Wow, you must have really missed gaming. I thought you’d come greet me with a hug or something, but no, you’re playing.”

Slipping his headphones off of one ear, he turned to offer you a smile before turning back to the screen. “Welcome home, baby. Love you.”

“Right, right,” you joked and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I guess I don’t have to worry about finding something to keep you occupied tonight.”

Turning to you again, he raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“I saw some of the girls that live in the building – Jina introduced us – and they’ve invited me to go out on a little girls’ night with them,” you told him, eyeing him as if to check if he’s okay with it, even though the both of you knew you had made up your mind already.

He smiled brightly. You wouldn’t even realise it was a mask to cover his disappointment – his plans of a proposal over dinner were once again going down the drain. “That’s sweet of them. What are you going to wear?”

You laughed. “Why does it matter?”

“Well, you see,” he started, pulling you into his lap slowly, “if you decide to wear a certain dress of yours, I might have to lock the doors and keep you here with me. Preferably in the bed.”

You pretended to think. “You mean the red one?”

He nodded curtly. “I’d have to hide the keys.”

“Or do you mean the black one, with the lace at the–”

He groaned at the thought and hid his face in the crook of your neck. “Just say you don’t want to go out, please.”

“No, I do want to go out!” You laughed gleefully and kissed his cheeks. “I just like the way your ears turn bright red when–”

“And here I was trying to be a good boyfriend and support you in finding a nice outfit to wear to a night out with your new friends,” he interrupted dramatically while pushing your squealing self off his lap. “You’re hopeless.”

“Hopelessly in love with you,” you declared and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. “I’ll be back around midnight, probably.”

“Do you need me to come pick you up?” he offered, eyes gleaming at the thought of witnessing your drunken form. He always did love how chatty and sweet you became when alcohol was involved. “You can just text me if you need me to.”

You nodded. “I know. I know the drill, baby. I’ll let you know.”

You left barely an hour later, sparing him only another sweet kiss and a smile as you waved goodbye and headed out to meet Jina and the others. He remained at his desk, phone expectantly placed against the monitor so he could immediately see if you called or texted.

As the hands of the clock reached well past midnight, a ring of the doorbell pulls his attention instead. He stumbled over to the door to find you propped against the shoulder of a disgruntled Joshua, another girl – Jina – hanging onto his back like a koala and babbling under her breath as he stood there.

“This one’s yours, I believe,” the neighbour said with a smile and gently nudged you towards Wonwoo who could only laugh in surprise.

“What happened?” Wonwoo leaned down to to your slumped and sleepy form to catch your gaze. “You were supposed to text me, remember?”

“Wonwoo!” you cheered instead, suddenly recognising him.

Your boyfriend offered Joshua a confused look. The latter sighed. “Jina sort of butt-dialled me. I don’t think they wanted to leave the club yet, but I could barely make sense of what they were saying so I figured I’d better get them home before it’s too late.”

“Well, thank you.” Wonwoo smiled as Joshua, groaning under the weight of his drunk babbling roommate, nodded and walked away.

Without another word, Wonwoo locked the door behind him and led you over to the bed.

“Did you have fun, darling?”

You nodded and let him remove your shoes. “The girls are so great. Did you know Hyesoo is an artist?”

He hadn’t even known there was a Hyesoo in the building but he smiled and nodded anyways. He picked up a discarded black t-shirt – one of his own, as he realised upon closer inspection – and held it out to you. “You must have drunk a lot. Can you put this on by yourself?”

You grabbed the shirt with a pout and nodded, determined to prove you were worthy. As you began to struggled out of your clothes, Wonwoo chuckled and headed towards the kitchen. “I’ll get you some water and a snack. Do you want apple slices or a granola bar, darling?”

“Apple sounds nice,” you mused, only partly paying attention to the conversation at hand because you were too busy figuring out the dark sorcery of the t-shirt. “I like apples.”

“I know you do,” he whispered and watched you in amusement.

“You know what else I like?” you called out once you managed to pull on the t-shirt.

He hummed. “What else do you like then?”

“You.” You smiled brightly. “I like you, Jeon Wonwoo.”

“I like you too, darling,” he laughed and handed you a small bowl full of apple slices as well as a bottle of water.

Looking close to tears, you pouted at his words. Wonwoo had forgotten how emotional you could be when you were drunk. “Only like?”

He shook his head and kissed your forehead. “I love you, darling.”

You beamed once again, the beginnings of tears disappearing at a moment’s notice. “I love you too, Wonwoo. So, so, so, so–” you began counting on your fingers, “–so, so so so–”

“That’s a lot of ‘so’s.” He grinned.

“–so, so so sooooo much!” You finished with a dramatic intake of air. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he agreed once again and began tucking you under the blanket, making sure to cover your feet first so you wouldn’t catch a cold.

“No, you don’t understand, Jeon Wonwoo!” you protested and reached out to hold him by the shoulders so you could stare him deep in the eye. “I love you.”

He nodded, as patient as ever. “I understand.”

“No, you don’t,” you argued, crossing your arms over your chest as you went on a tangent. “I love how handsome you are and how your eyes shine when you talk about video games or when you read a good book– and– and I love the way your ears turn red when you’re shy– and I love your voice when you read me a passage from your book and–”

“Okay, okay,” he tried to shush you but you were having none of it. His ears began turning red once again as you continued.

“I love you considerate you are and how you always take care of me and– I love, love, love it when you tuck me into bed when I’m a little tipsy – which, by the way, I am not right now. I am perfectly sober!”

He decided to settle down in the bed as well. Maybe a good cuddle would calm you down before you’d climb out of bed to take out your laptop and start putting together a PowerPoint presentation to prove your point.

But you seemed to have no intention of stopping. “I love how you smile when you think I’m being cute– See! You’re doing it right now!” You giggled at the sight and kissed his lips, a little less graceful than usual, but successful nonetheless. “And I also love your kisses and your hugs and– Oh, and don’t get me started on your cuddles!”

As you continued your little lecture, Wonwoo wondered if maybe this was the perfect moment he’d been waiting for all this time. But as you began dozing off on his shoulder, your own words tiring you out and the alcohol working its magic all at once, he put the thought away.

“I’ll propose soon, I promise,” he whispered against the crown of your head once your quiet snores began sounding. “Soon. When you can remember it.”

[DAY 6: WEDNESDAY]

“So, baby, I’ve been thinking–” you started the moment you picked up the paint roller in the evening after work. You were still only halfway done with painting the bedroom that Wonwoo now realised was far bigger than either of you had grasped before this project.

He snorted. “That’s never a good start.”

You clicked your tongue and flicked some beige paint right at his back. “You are awful, honestly.”

“Is that what you’ve been thinking?” he gasped and flicked some paint right back at you, prompting a laugh.

“No,” you told him, “but I was going to ask you what kind of a cat you’d like, but now I’m not going to!” You stuck out your tongue at him.

“You really want to get a cat?” he wondered with a smile.

In his happy little daze, he barely had the mind capacity to realise he was about five millimetres from leaning against the freshly painted wall. He let out a sound of surprise and stood up straight again, craning his neck to check what had happened to his shirt. You laughed loudly at the sight, folding over at the force of your giggles.

The tinge of annoyance he felt was quickly overpowered by fondness. Maybe today would be the day?

“Okay, okay,” you finally gasped out, “so what kind of cat?”

“I’d be happy with any,” he told you honestly. “As long as we raise it together.”

You hummed in thought. “What if we get a grumpy old one?”

“The kind that hates everyone?”

“The kind that hates everyone but us,” you corrected and continued painting the wall, “because we’ll be great cat parents and the cat will just adore us.”

The ring felt heavier than it had ever before. Except… it didn’t weight anything at all. Frowning, he reached into his pockets. He let out a sigh.

“You okay?” you wondered, concerned at his suddenly sullen behaviour.

He put on a smile and nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

After all, how was he supposed to say that he was disappointed he couldn’t propose yet because he had put his ring in the pocket of his coat to make sure nothing would happen to it as you painted the bedroom walls?

“Are you sure?” you reached over to hold his hand. He felt a little better at the gesture, though his heart hurt that he’d have to wait a little longer and let this moment pass by.

He smiled a little wider for your sake and pressed his lips to yours. You giggled into the kiss and his smile was quickly fuelled by joy rather than need.

“So, about that cat?” he started again, raising an eyebrow. “I want a black cat.”

“Oh!” You perked up at the thought. “Yes! I agree. Like, completely black right? With shiny eyes.” He nodded. “Our own little adorable void. I love it already.”

He couldn’t find the words to tell you how excited he was for what the future had in store. He glanced out the door, wondering if it was worth it to slip into the hallway and back into the room to get the ring and make his dream come true.

“We should probably remodel and decorate the spare room for them,” you pointed out after a moment of thought just as he was about to come to a decision. “You wanted a red accent wall, right?”

Feeling a little dumb that you even remembered, he nodded. You beamed at him, completely forgetting the wet and sticky paint roller in your hand as you widely gestured around the room.

“Imagine how cute it would look! I room with a red wall, or maybe two– I’m thinking burgundy but I don’t know if it would go with your computer lights.”

You paused for a moment, tilting your head in the way Wonwoo always found so endearing. “You can keep your computer there and when they fix the elevator, we can get you a new desk and some cat towers, and then– Oh my god, it would look so cute if we got a black cat and they had a little playroom in the spare room!”

Wonwoo decided right then than he didn’t want to interrupt your fantasy. He smiled and nodded along as you made plans for the cat you didn’t even have yet. He couldn’t wait.

[DAY 7: THURSDAY]

“Baby,” you called softly at 7 am, stroking his hair so gently that he wondered if he was maybe imagining it, “we have to wake up.”

He was awake, but refused to open his eyes. Maybe if he tried hard enough, he could fall back asleep and the responsibilities of the day would not find him. You let out a laugh as he burrowed further under the blankets.

“Wonwoo, we’re going to be late to work at this rate,” you told him.

He grumbled and slowly removed the blanket that was covering his face. He opened one eye. “It’s not my fault someone decided to window-shop cat toys and towers and kittens until 2 am last night.”

“Okay, in my defence,” you started, “you were just as excited as I was, baby.”

“I won’t deny that.”

“Good, at least we’re on the same page then. But seriously,” you patted his chest, “we have to get up and find something to eat.”

“Five more–”

“Five more minutes turns into five more hours very easily with you, Wonwoo.”

He pouted. “It is what I deserve for finishing the walls yesterday. We might be able to move back into the bedroom tomorrow.”

“Speaking of the bedroom–”

He could practically smell the newest remodelling idea baking in your head. He squeezed his eyes a little more shut as if the action would make your thoughts avoid him.

“We don’t have to, but I kind of want to put up some new bookshelves and maybe paint the ceiling as well.”

He sighed deeply as his (mildly delusional) plan failed. His eyes opened to stare at you in disbelief. “Green again?”

“It’s a pretty colour!”

“I demand full rights to remodel the spare room and half of the living room,” he told you sternly.

Your eyes narrowed in thought. “Depends. Can I get more plants for the bedroom window and shelves?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just get some fake plants? I’ll feel bad if you kill another plant,” he suggested while climbing out of bed and searching for his clothes.

“You speak as if I torture them on purpose.”

“You might as well.”

You rolled your eyes. “Arrest me, officer. I have commited a cardinal sin by loving house plants.”

He laughed and reached over to hug you from the back. He kissed the spot behind your ear. “Let’s just get some of those fake vines or something. They’ll last longer.”

“It’s not the same, baby!” you whined and rested back against his chest. “They feel dead.”

“As opposed to the actual plants that will probably–”

“And to think I was going to ask if you wanted to have a nice date night tomorrow,” you scoffed and tried to leave his embrace.

Now it was his turn to whine. “No, darling, I didn’t mean it–”

“Just because I’m offering a romantic dinner and a movie night?” you joked. “Wish I had known you were so easy to win over when we first started dating.”

He laughed. “I think you figured it out pretty fast though. You had me wrapped around your finger by the third date.”

“Sometimes my own power scares me.”

You laughed as you walked out of his embrace and began searching for your blouse. All the while, Wonwoo began making a plan.

Tomorrow could be his chance. During dinner? After dinner? While watching the movie? He still had so much to figure out.

[DAY 8: FRIDAY]

Wonwoo felt a little dizzy the whole day, from waking up to taking you home after work. His hands kept shaking even as he helped you put away the groceries, to the point where you asked him if he was okay.

He put on a smile and nodded. “Just some tremors again, I guess.”

“Do you want me to turn the heating up?”

“No, it’s okay. It’s not bad. I’ll just find a warmer sweater,” he told you and kissed your cheek before brushing past you.

You offered him a worried glance, habitually still heading over to the thermostat to set the temperature a few degrees higher. You knew him better than anyone and he should’ve known by now to not hide his struggles from you – you always found out one way or another.

He let out a shaky breath as he began rummaging the boxes for his favourite brown sweater – the soft one you had gifted him on your first Christmas together. He pulled it on as soon as he found it. Habitually, he reached towards his pocket. But the ring wasn’t there today.

Trying to keep his anxiety under control, he searched the pockets of the pants he’d worn the day before. Of course it was in there, waiting for him and for this evening. He clutched the box tightly and swiftly placed it in his pocket – tonight it wasn’t there just in case. It was there to be revealed and used.

Once he returned to the kitchen, dressed in a warm sweater, his round glasses perched on his nose, you offered him a smile. “Do you want to help with dinner?”

He struggled to keep his voice steady. “I can try.”

“Great,” you handed him a bowl of salad and spring onions. “Wash these for me, why don’t you? I’ll get started on the dessert.”

He nodded and headed to the sink. As he carefully washed the vegetables, his mind once again wondered to the small velvet box waiting in his pocket. He wasn’t going to miss his chance tonight.

But he still waited for the chance. The perfect moment. Maybe he shouldn’t have. Maybe he should’ve blurted out those four words already at breakfast on Saturday.

The burden of the proposal rested on his shoulders the entire time you ate and chatted away. Everything about the evening was perfect so far and he couldn’t help but worry his words wouldn’t be perfect enough to fit. Maybe he should wait another day or two? But the ring might as well have been screaming at him at this point.

The food was perfect, just like everything you ever made for him (though you gladly would’ve argued). The candles on the table and the kdrama soundtrack playlist you had put on only added to the atmosphere. You had put so much effort into making this evening perfect for the both of you. His anxiety was flaring.

You seemed a little more talkative and giggly than usual, he still managed to note. A part of him wondered if you could sense his nervousness and were reacting accordingly. Maybe this was your attempt to reassure him of his decision.

“That was delicious,” he finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse from the way he had barely managed to speak two full sentences between eating. His throat was so clammed up that he feared he wouldn’t be able to say those words he’d been wanting to say for so long.

You beamed. “That’s because I’m the superior chef in this apartment.”

He nodded appreciatively, unable to hold back a smile at the way you seemed more cheerful than usual. He wished he could shake the nerves and join you in your joy.

“Do you want to start the movie and we can eat dessert while watching, or do you want to try the dessert now?” you asked him as he helped you clean the table.

He hesitated, thinking of the ring in his pocket. “Actually–”

“Oh, we should definitely eat the dessert while we’re watching the movie,” you suddenly decided. “I always get hungry during movies.”

He nodded and closed his mouth again.

Once you were settled down on the couch, the tv already playing the opening credits of the movie you had picked out for the occasion (honestly, he wasn’t even sure what this movie was about; his nerves had a tendency to make him a little aloof, so he only hoped it was something romantic).

You cuddled close into his side and he suddenly forgot there was a movie playing at all. You were the best view he could have asked for.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Wonwoo?” you asked him softly, looking straight at him. “You seem so quiet today.”

“I was just about to say the opposite about you,” he joked and poked your cheek. “You’re so chatty today that it’s hard to get a word in.”

You laughed. “I guess you’re right. But you’d tell me if something was wrong, right?”

“Of course.”

You let out a deep breath, eyes suddenly a little unfocused as you leaned out of his embrace. “I do hope so, because I’m about to do something a little stupid.”

Why did his heart rate pick up like he’d just run a marathon? What did you mean by ‘a little stupid’? You weren’t about to break up with him like this, right? No. You wouldn’t.

He tried to reassure himself as you seemed to gather your courage for something. His fingers wrapped around the little box in his pocket and he took a deep breath. Maybe he should just–

“I love you. Marry me, Jeon Wonwoo.”

His heart stopped. He swore it stopped and froze before heating up and beating at ten times its usual speed.

“W- What?”

You cleared your throat and reached for something in your pocket. When he broke out of his daze, he realised you held out a red velvet box. You opened it to reveal a ring.

“I’m asking you to marry, Jeon Wonwoo,” you repeated yourself with a hint of a smile on your lips as his jaw dropped. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I just couldn’t wait any more, so I–”

Were there tears in his eyes? He wasn’t even afraid to admit that yes, there were actual tears in his eyes, waiting to trail down his cheek at all of the joy and relief he felt.

Glancing away from you to gather some courage, he took a deep breath, gripping the box in his pocket. When he turned back to you, you looked a little concerned at his reaction, so he put on a smile. He put on a bright smile and told you, “On one condition.”

You blinked at him. “Is it that you get to remodel the spare bedroom? Because I already told you��”

It was now or never. Definitely now. He lifted his hand out of his pocket and held out the little green velvet box, opening it with his shaky hands. You gasped.

The two rings sat there, in the boxes on your palms, facing each other as if they were the ones considering marriage.

“I’ll marry you if you agree to marry me first,” he finally managed to say between choking on his joyous tears.

You found yourself joining him in crying. Unable to find the words to say, you nodded enthusiastically – frantically, even. “Of course! Yes, yes!”

Before he could respond with the same words, you threw yourself into his arms. “God, I love you so freaking much, Jeon Wonwoo.”

He laughed through his tears. “Enough to marry me?”

“Absolutely, yes,” you whispered into his neck. He took the chance to slip the ring out of the green velvet box and onto your finger. It fit perfectly (“Just like us,” he mumbled under his breath but you were too busy crying to hear).

When you felt the cold metal against your skin, you suddenly leaned back and brushed away your tears before putting on a serious face again. “What about you? Will you marry me then?”

He laughed a little louder. “I think that’s a given.”

“I want to hear you say it,” you demanded, but you were only half-serious.

“Yes,” he finally told you, “yes, I will marry you.”

You cheered at the words and leaned back into him, this time with the intention to kiss the breath out of him. You were overjoyed, as was he.

All of this time. This entire week he had been waiting for this moment, to get down on one knee. He never knew you had the exact same intention.

When you finally pulled away again and rested your forehead against his own, he felt an unfamiliar weight on his finger. He glanced down – you had managed to slip the ring onto his finger when he was too busy being breathless.

“I can’t wait to start introducing you to others as my fiancé,” you told him with a laugh.

“We can always invited Vernon and Junhui over to celebrate,” he joked but you grimaced and shook your head.

“Maybe tomorrow. Tonight it’s just us.”

“I love you, darling,” he whispered before kissing you once again.

And now he had the ring to prove his love for you, and your love for him.

NOTE: and so we start off the series! i am excited and terrified at the same time and I hope that this fic didn’t disappoint you guys too much... also, idk whose fic comes out next or when, so you’ll have to be patient, i guess?

#seventeenweeklyarticle #wonwoo scenarios #wonwoo x reader #seventeen scenarios #svt scenarios #jeon wonwoo scenarios #seventeen x reader #.avy writes

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bluehoodiewoozi · 11 months

Text

Dreamers

Lee Seokmin (DK) x fem!reader

Genre: mostly fluff, with a hint of anxiety

Word Count: 10.9k

Wanings: food mentions. adult language. a few parts may come off as suggestive, but not really. y/n is an environmentalist but not vegan.

[Series: Serenity Street 17] Sleepwalking is a nasty issue. You find yourself in the correct building but wrong apartment, sharing a room with a ridiculously cute boy who seems to find it amusing.

Note: This one goes out to all of my ambitious girlies! Keep working towards your dreams!

The moment you stepped onto the evening bus you regretted the decision.

With a bright smile, Sunny greeted you, rushing to move her bags into her lap so you could take the seat next to her, all while never once taking her eyes off you. Her brows rose in a questioning manner. You cursed under your breath as your neighbour’s usual warm smile morphed into a look of disbelief when you sank into the seat next to her.

With a sigh, you raised a hand to silence her. “I know.”

But she didn’t take the hint. “When was the last time you slept? Did you sleep at all last night?”

“Why do you keep asking questions you already know the answer to?” you whined and hugged your bag close to your chest. “I’m sure you heard me showering at 3 am.”

“The bags under your eyes aren’t supposed to make it look like you have a black eye,” she told you as if she hadn’t heard you at all, still eyeing you in worry. “How much did you sleep? You look worse than Jeonghan when he thought I was mad at him.”

“Does it matter?” You huffed. “At least I’m getting some rest.”

“I think it only counts as rest if you actually get 8 hours of sleep every once in a while,” she countered with a snicker, “which, by the looks of it,” she gave you a once-over, followed by a disappointed a sigh, “you haven’t had in years.”

“I sleep just fine. I’m healthy, I am productive,” you defended and tightened your hold on your bag. “Sleep is for the weak anyway.”

Sunny rolled her eyes. “Sometimes I wonder how you’re friends with me but not Jihoon. Your mentality is almost identical.”

“Listen, somebody has to do the work. And unlike some, I’d actually like my work to amount to something bigger than an average paycheck that barely covers my bills. I have ambitions. I want to make the world a better place.”

“Honey, at this rate you’re not gonna live long enough to see your ambitions come to life,” she grumbled under her breath and linked your arms. “It’s okay to rest every once in a while. Take a week off from work and actually just do something fun for a change.”

You grimaced. “I’d rather not. Messes with my groove.”

Sunny had no words left to say. She stared at you with a wide mouth for a moment before sputtering, “How– How are we friends?”

“Fate brought us together so you could nag me at all possible hours,” you joked, looking out the window now to avoid missing your stop. “But seriously, I don’t need to rest. I love my job and my colleagues and I’m making a change.”

“You should at least go to sleep early tonight.”

“Can’t. I have a big report due next week and I don’t want to miss my deadlines.”

Her gaze hardened immediately as she cursed, “Why, you little–”

“Hey!”

“I’m just worried about you,” she mumbled through a pout just as your bus arrived at your shared destination. With a begrudging sigh, she unlinked your arms and gave you an encouraging pat on the shoulder as the two of you stood up and walked over to the door “Well, I guess it’s your life. But I swear–” she pointed at your face, eyes squinted in a glare; she interrupted herself mid-sentence, “no, I vow that if you collapse under the stress, I’ll personally go and hand in a letter of resignation in your name.”

You scoffed at her empty promises, smiled, and stepped off the bus. You had no doubt you would be just fine and she was overreacting over nothing. She couldn’t wrap her mind around your work ethic and goals – she was built of an entirely different wood.

Then again, you couldn’t deny you often felt a little jealous of her. The nagging feeling hit once again when you looked up to find Jeonghan standing at the gate of your building, his smile widening the closer Sunny and you got to him. You envied that she had found – through trials and tribulations, you’d admit – a perfect man to brighten her days while you had no time to even contemplate romance.

“How was your day, my beautiful lady?” Jeonghan greeted your neighbour with a sweet kiss on her forehead before taking her bag and leading her inside with a hand on her back. He didn’t forget to offer you a welcoming smile and a friendly “good evening” as well, both of which you returned.

“Are you going to the 5th floor tonight?” you asked them as the three of you trudged up the stairs and they made no effort to walk to her apartment.

Sunny nodded. “It’s movie night and he has the bigger TV.”

Jeonghan let out a loud ‘ha!’ and grinned at her victoriously. “So you admit it. My TV’s better than yours!”

“That’s–” She sighed deeply. “That is not the point right now–”

“How is it not?”

Unable to continue watching their lovers’ quarrel, you hummed and waved them goodbye before promptly unlocking your apartment, walking in, and quickly locking it again as if their bickering or cheesy nicknames could otherwise follow after you.

You had far more important things to do, after all.

With a tired sigh, you warmed up some of last night’s leftovers and opened your laptop. The familiar Times New Roman font on your screen prompted a soft groan, but still you squared your shoulders and got to work.

If you were quick, you’d get this done way before the deadline. Maybe you could even go to work in the morning with a nearly finished report! You smiled at the thought.

But life doesn’t always go as expected.

You thought you were old enough to know this fact already. After all, when had life ever followed your expectations? It seemed to enjoy throwing curve balls right at your head.

You woke up with a splitting headache at 7 am, an hour before your usual alarm. It was strange – you concluded so as you stared at the time on your phone through a squint. With a soft huff, you let the phone drop back onto the mattress and your head onto the pillows.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” you then heard a voice.

Your eyes snapped open. There was someone in your room.

The voice sounded apologetic as it continued in a whisper, “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to make any noise. Sorry. Let me just get my shirt and–”

You sat up abruptly to stare at the intruder – a handsome familiar-looking man shuffled around the walk-in closet. Worst of all – he was shirtless. You dreaded to think of what had happened the night before.

“Who– Who are you?” you stuttered out, instinctively lifting the blanket higher against your torso despite the fact that you were fully clothed. “Why are you in my apart–”

Then it hit you. The worst of the worst realities.

“Holy shit, this isn’t my apartment!” you screamed and jumped out of bed to apologise profusely. “I’m so so sorry! I had no idea! I don’t how–”

“Hey, hey!” The man – now wearing a crispy white button-up shirt – walked out of the closet hurriedly, a worried smile on his face as he rushed to comfort you with a gentle hand on your back, leading you to sit back on the bed. “It’s okay.” He let out a laugh. “I was going to let you sleep for a while more. It’s okay.”

You had no clue how he could be so calm about this. What the hell happened last night?!

You stuttered. You sputtered. You gasped for air like a fish out of the water. You were on the verge of a panic attack at 7 am in the morning and he was smiling, all while patting and rubbing your back like it was the most natural thing.

“Why am I here?” you eventually managed to breathe out. You hated to admit that his calm and friendly nature was helping you adjust to the situation.

He raised a brow, his soothing movements stopping. “I was hoping you could answer that.”

When you made no move to do so and only offered him a puzzled look, he shrugged. “I woke up to someone trying to unlock my door at 2 am. Almost cried, actually, but then I heard a knock and Mingyu telling me to open the door, so I did and you…” He gestured widely to his room. “Well, you came in and went straight to bed as if it was your own home. I didn’t know what to do but Mingyu and I figured you needed to rest.”

You stared at him with a dropped jaw. “You didn’t think to call the police?”

“Well,” he grimaced, “I was going to but you really looked like you needed to sleep.” He gave you a worried look, inspecting your face. “You still do, actually. Do you sleep at all, like, outside of my bed?”

“I sleep plenty,” you scoffed and got out of the bed, wiping your face with your sleeves as if to rid it of any evidence that might suggest otherwise. With an awkward look, you bowed and began heading out. “Well, thank you for… your hospitality. I’ll get going. I’m sorry for bothering you. This won’t happen again.”

Before he could say another word, you slammed the door shut behind you and began heading… where were you heading?

You looked around the hallway. It was still your building. You could recognise these hallways even in your sleep. A quick glance informed you that you had just stepped out of apartment 1D – the apartment directly below yours.

You groaned as the realisation sank in that you could never visit the first floor without feeling awkward again. With a sigh, you headed up the stairs to your own apartment.

“Isn’t that Seokmin’s apartment?” Sunny pointed out when you told her of your horrible adventure on the bus home from work later that day. She frowned a little as she tried to recall exactly who lived there.

“Whoever it was, at least it wasn’t Jihoon.” You shuttered to even think about it.

Sunny grimaced. “Yeah, I’d be bailing you both out of jail right about now.” She then shrugged. “Yeah, I think that’s Seokmin’s apartment. He really just let you stay the night there?”

“Apparently?” You wanted to laugh at the insanity of the situation. “I have no recollection of what happened or how I ended up there. The last thing I remember is working on my report in my kitchen and then waking up in a shirtless man’s apartment.”

“Shirt–” She almost broke her neck at the speed she turned her head to look at you with wide eyes. “He was shirtless when you woke up?!”

“He was getting dressed for work–”

“Well, is he hot?!”

You had never wanted to throw someone out of a moving vehicle so much before. “Is this what you’re focusing on right now? I’m going through a crisis here!”

“Yeah but–”

“You literally have a boyfriend!”

“Yeah, but–” She paused mid-excuse and nodded her head in acknowledgement. “Right. You have a point there.”

“How did I possibly end up in his apartment at night without remembering it?” you contemplated, leaning your head back against the seat. “I can’t think of a single explanation.”

“It is weird,” Sunny hummed in agreement as the bus rolled to your stop. The two of you got off.

“Where’s Jeonghan?” you wondered in surprise upon not seeing him all the way up to the second floor.

Sunny shrugged, still deep in thought about your predicament. “I don’t know. Probably causing trouble with Junhui again. Possibly getting on Joshua’s or Hyesoo’s nerves. Maybe he stole someone’s mail or took the hinges off someone’s door. Not my problem.”

You could only stare at her in absolute wonder. “He’s your boyfriend.”

“He’s his own person.” She then clapped her hands together in revelation, stopping in her steps in the middle of the hallway. “Didn’t you say you used to sleep-walk as a kid? I swear you mentioned it over coffee once.”

You nodded. “Yeah, but it hasn’t happened in a literal decade.”

“Who’s to say it didn’t happen again last night?” she suggested with a shrug. “By the way, do you wanna come over for coffee and cake? Jeonghan bought one on sale because the expiration date is today, but it’s sort of giant.”

After contemplating for a moment (more of a debate really, won by the grumbling of your stomach), you agreed and followed her into her apartment.

As the two of you walked into the kitchen, she continued, “All I’m saying is that there’s a lot going on in your life right now and maybe it all worked together – the stress, the lack of sleep, you get the gist – and now you’re sleepwalking again.”

“I sincerely doubt it.”

“You should see a doctor about that,” Jeonghan suggested. You jumped in your spot before finding him sitting at the dining table, fully focused on assembling a lego set. He continued without a care in the world, “Sleepwalking can be a serious issue.”

Your eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”

He finally glanced up to offer you an amused look and a chuckle. “I’m her boyfriend. Where else would I be?”

“I invited her over for coffee and cake,” Sunny informed him with a kiss on his cheek. “Play nice.”

“Yes, princess,” he spoke in reply before turning back to you. “But I would really go to the doctor if I was you. If it’s bad enough that you wake up in someone else’s apartment, it’s bad enough to warrant a doctor’s visit.”

You felt yourself pale, your blood running both ice cold and lava hot. “How– Why do you know that?”

“It’s the talk of the town,” he joked before waving his joke off. “Just kidding. I met Seokmin on my way to the store earlier and he told me. He seemed worried about you.”

“So it is Seokmin!” Sunny cheered victoriously. “I knew it! I told you!”

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow and laughed. “Good job.”

“Thanks.”

You sat down at the table and slumped in the chair. “But if I’m sleepwalking, why did I go to his apartment?”

“Isn’t it right below yours?” Jeonghan pointed out like it was obvious. “Asleep you probably thought you were going to your own apartment. You just mixed up the floors.”

“So,” you sighed and rubbed the bridge of your nose before meeting his eyes and maintaining eye contact, “what you’re suggesting is that I fell asleep–”

“Yes.”

“–in my apartment–”

“Mhm.”

“–then left my apartment for some reason–”

“That much seems obvious.”

“–and then went to Seokmin’s apartment–”

“For some reason, yes.”

“–one level below my own?”

Eyes widening, he hummed at the slight error in the logic. “You do have a point. Why would you leave your own apartment to go to your apartment?”

“My head hurts just listening to this,” Sunny informed the two of you while serving the cake. As a slice fell over on a plate she quickly assigned to Jeonghan, she suddenly suggested, “What if you thought you were going on a walk and then returned home?”

Jeonghan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest as he began recounting, “So, what you think happened is that she fell asleep–”

“I’m going to kick the both of you out if you start again,” his girlfriend declared all of a sudden, pointing a knife in his direction. “I’m serious.”

“It is a reasonable guess though,” you decided as Sunny placed a plate of cake in front of you. “I do love going on walks when I’m stressed.”

“Then–”

A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. You watched in mild amusement as Sunny and Jeonghan silently argued over who should open the door and if they should open the door at all. Eventually, to your surprise, Jeonghan relented and got up with a slight groan. The moment he was out of the kitchen, Sunny stole his seat across from you.

“I think the worst part is that I don’t know how to face him again, like ever,” you started the conversation again while taking a bite of the cake. “It was so awkward.”

“Speaking of awkward,” Jeonghan announced and led the newest guest into the apartment. The now familiar feeling of both ice and lava in your veins made a new appearance as you recognised the visitor. Your spoon dropped back on the table.

Seokmin offered you a friendly smile and a wave. “Ah, so that’s where you are. I tried your door but no one answered so I wondered if I had the wrong place.”

“You–” That was the only syllable you managed to voice. Your brain was scattered, filled with pictures of the awkward morning as well as a single fluttering butterfly carrying an obnoxious sign that said ‘he cares’. You gulped.

Thankfully, Sunny stepped in. She smiled brightly and ushered Seokmin to take a seat while she found an extra plate.

“I wasn’t going to come and bother anyone–” he tried to reject the offer of cake, but failed to. He was too friendly for his own good – just like the rumours around the building often said. He sat in the seat Sunny had preoccupied just seconds ago, right across from you, and smiled at her. “Well, if you insist.”

“What can I do?” Jeonghan sighed and theatrically looked away as he started his monologue. “Everyone loves my girlfriend so much. How can I possibly keep her–”

“Stop being melodramatic and come eat, idiot,” Sunny laughed and took the seat next to you. “So, Seokmin, what brings you to my friend over here?”

Seokmin opened his mouth to reply before turning to you and softly asking, “Is it okay to talk about it here?”

Sunny chuckled. “About her waking up in your apartment? Go ahead. I think everyone in the building knows already.”

“Oh.” He offered you an awkward-looking smile. “Well, sorry about that. I only mentioned it to Mingyu and Jeonghan but I guess– Nevermind. I just wanted to tell you to not worry about it.” His smile brightened, genuine and full of warmth all of a sudden. “We all have rough days – and rough nights – and I’m just glad you got some rest.”

“I have one question,” Jeonghan raised his arm before asking, “where did you sleep?”

“Me?” Seokmin shrugged. “The sofa. There was a woman in my bed.”

You somehow felt both worse and better than before. At least you knew he didn’t hold a grudge – after all, he seeked you out just to tell you it had been fine – but at the same time: you made this poor man sleep on the sofa instead of his objectively comfortable bed.

“I’m so sorry–”

“I said it’s fine,” he laughed and reached out to pat your hand. “I really don’t mind. You looked like you were sleeping very well. But–” he tilted his head in thought, a slight frown appearing, “–is it possible you were sleepwalking? You didn’t react at all last night, to anything. You just… brushed past us like we weren’t even there. I don’t know if you even had your eyes open.”

Sunny all but slammed her spoon on the table to give you a haughty look. “Yep. Told you. You were sleepwalking.”

You frowned. “I guess it’s possible.”

“Should I…” Seokmin scrunched up his nose in thought. “Should I maybe keep a look out in case this happens again?”

Immediately you shook your head. “No. No need. It was a one-time thing. A fluke. It was nothing. Won’t happen again.” In your attempts to not look at him, you happened to eye the clock. Your jaw dropped. “Oh. I should go home. I have–”

“–a report due in a week and deadlines to meet,” Sunny finished for you with a laugh. “I know, I know. Go.”

Jeonghan spoke up as well, “Take the plate and another slice of cake before you go. I want to know you eat at least a little between your work.”

You did as you were told and made your escape without another word, not even a goodbye to Seokmin.

You had no time to feel guilty or consider that your heart fluttered a little at the thought of him coming to find you. Once again, you buried your feelings into lines of Times New Roman in your report.

“Oh, you come here too?” you heard his voice just two days later at the grocery store.

It was a little surprising to find him there: the store was a good mile further from the one closest to your building. Like a startled owl, you stared and blinked at him in the cereal aisle.

As you opened your mouth to respond, he chuckled and looked away at the cereals. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to talk to me. I just needed to get some Fruit Loops and figured I might as well say hi.” He placed the cereal in question into his basket and offered you one more friendly smile and a playful wave. “So, hi!”

“Hi,” you managed to drag out as you lifted your hand in a wave.

With a chuckle, he turned and headed away to the next aisle. You thought you were free from him for the day.

But alas: you found him again when you went to get eggs. He seemed to be contemplating between two brands. You tried your best to go unnoticed as you searched for your favourite local free range brand. To you dismay, he stood right in front of the eggs you seeked.

“Excuse me,” you started and tapped his shoulder when he didn’t seem to notice.

He smiled upon recognising you. “Yeah?”

“Could you move? I want those eggs.”

“The expensive ones?” He raised an eyebrow and handed you a carton. “They’re almost triple the price of the store brand.”

“But they’re free range and locally sourced. You should try them,” you explained with the slightest bit of enthusiasm before placing eggs into your cart and walking away in the direction you thought him least likely to follow.

You truly thought you were free of him when you went to the checkout, but once again, as if tasked by god himself to be wherever you went, Seokmin was in front of you in queue, meticulously placing his items on the counter. As he turned to put away his basket, his eyes found yours and a bright smile appeared on his face. “Oh, it’s you again!”

“It’s me again,” you replied with an awkward laugh.

“Are you leaving too?” he wondered while fishing his bag for his wallet. When you nodded, his eyes lit up. “Do you need a ride home?”

Your eyes widened. “A ride?”

Why was he offering you a ride home? Why was he so friendly with you at all? You had broken into his apartment – in the eyes of the legal system anyway – and he was smiling at you like you were a beloved friend.

“Of course. We should stick together, no? We’re neighbours, after all– Hold on,” he interrupted himself to respond to the cashier, “Yes, by card please.Thank you.”

“You might have to wait a moment then,” you finally relented when he turned to you once again, eyes resembling a puppy. His smile widened at your words and he nodded.

The ride home was short and awkward. You greatly feared he would try to retaliate for the emotional damage you might’ve caused by sleeping in his apartment. To your relief, he did not such thing and only continued cheerfully chattering.

“–but I feel like a dog would be too much work, you know? I love dogs but I don’t have that kind of time.” He offered you a glance. “Do you have any pets?”

You scrunched up your face in thought as the car rolled to a stop in the parking lot of the building. “I have a cactus.”

“... Does it have a name?”

Eager to not disappoint, you blurted out the first name that came to mind: “Bertha.” You shut your eyes in shame.

But as the two of you got out of his small red car, he laughed. “Bertha? Sounds lovely. Is she high-maintenance?”

“Very.”

“Yeah?”

You decided you liked his laughter and the bright smile that came with. “Easier than a dog though.”

He laughed louder at that and handed you your grocery bags. “I bet. Maybe I should get a cactus too.”

“I highly recommend,” you chuckled, finding his laughter contagious. “It’s very fulfilling to watch it do absolutely nothing all-year-round.”

When the two of you got into the hallway, he paused in front of the staircase. As you were about to ask him about it, he asked, “Do you need help with your bags?”

“No, I’m–”

“They look heavy.” He frowned before holding up a single finger, jogging over to his door, dropping his singular bag in front of it, and running back to you. Before you could formally protest, he grabbed the bags from your hands and began the journey up the stairs. When you froze in your spot, he turned to ask, “Well, aren’t you coming? Or were you going to sleep at mine again?”

Your face burned at the teasing comment. You decided following after him was the lesser evil.

“There we go,” he cheered when the two of you reached your door. He rubbed his hands against his thighs a few times, awkwardly like a schoolboy, before smiling and waving goodbye. “I guess this is goodbye for the day. It was nice talking to you.”

You didn’t manage to even thank him before he was already halfway down the stairs. Maybe you made him as nervous as you made him. As you went to sleep that night, you replayed the interaction over and over again in your head, failing to hide a smile at the memory.

The valley of the mattress had a hold over you. You had never been so comfortable waking up – well, with the exception of maybe once or twice.

The pillows were the perfect temperature, the blanket hugged you just right, the big teddy bear you hugged to your chest smelled fresh out of the washing machine–

“Since when do I have a teddy bear?” you grumbled in confusion and pried your eyes open. You felt all blood rush away from your face as you looked at the bear – light brown with a baby blue bow, its eyes shining up at you.

You had never even seen this bear before.

Cursing under your breath, you glanced around the room. You were back in your very own personal hell full of flowing beige curtains, white unfamiliar sheets, and teddy bears: the hell known as Seokmin’s apartment.

The realisation brought tears of frustration to your eyes, but you were too stubborn to let them loose. It was barely 8 am but you were already on the verge of crying – what a joke.

Wiping your eyes, you all but slammed the bear down on the bed (you’ll never admit you did feel a little bad about it seconds later and gave it a little pat on the head) and stood up. You stumbled out of the bedroom and towards the front door.

As you reached for the doorknob – the final obstacle on your journey out of hell –, you heard his voice, sweet as honey like always, “Oh, you’re not going to stay for breakfast?”

You froze.

“I made extra waffles and all,” he added, sounding a little dejected. You didn’t have the heart to tell him no, so you sighed softly and turned around to give him a tight-lipped not-quite-genuine smile. His own grin brightened at the sight. “Is that a yes? You’ll stay?”

“Only for the waffles,” you lied and took a seat at his table.

He laughed and placed a plate of fresh food in front of you before taking the seat across from you. “Not because you don’t want me to feel bad?”

“No,” you grabbed a fork and began filling it with food, “I just don’t like food waste.”

“Oh, right! Minghao said you work for an environmental company. That sounds cool.”

“Yeah?” You swallowed your food. “What about you? What do you do for work?”

He cleared his throat as though the question had caught him by surprise and he was too shy to say. After a moment of silence, he bashfully admitted, “I’m a music teacher at primary school.”

You blinked in surprise. “A music teacher?”

“Well, I wanted to be a singer– a musical actor, actually,” he explained, his voice fluctuating in volume and his ears bright red, “but I’m a little too shy to audition. So I just stuck with teaching others to sing.”

“That’s so cool though,” you told him with a smile. “Are you good at singing?”

His ears seemed to turn an even deeper red. “My friends think so but I don’t know. I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement.”

“Then why not audition? You only live once.”

He seemed thoughtful all of a sudden, watching your increasingly awkward self. You were just about ready to apologise for your possibly intrusive question when he softly asked, “Why not rest and live a little? You only live once, right?”

The question felt awfully pointed and you didn’t fail to let him know with a glare.

“I’m serious,” he declared, his lips pouting a little as if he was actually upset at your lack of self-care. “Whenever I see you, you’re always rushing somewhere. The only person you seem to be friends with is Sunny, and maybe Jeonghan by association.”

You opened your mouth to defend yourself. “I’m also friends with Minghao–”

“He barely even leaves his apartment. He doesn’t count.”

“He counts!”

“Do I count?”

“Of course you–” Your eyes widened as did his smile.

“We’re friends now!” he declared while pointing an accusatory finger at you, his voice raising in excitement. You began to protest but he was having none of it. “No take-backs! We’re friends – you just said so!”

“I didn’t actually–”

“Nope. No. We’re friends.” He narrowed his eyes at you, his smile never fading. “Or do you just sleep in random guys’ beds?”

You wanted to protest, you really did, but there’s only so much you can say to defend yourself against such accusations. Besides, his bright smile at your defeated nod could’ve won awards.

Accidentally waking in his apartment didn’t end. No. In fact, it somehow got worse.

Once every week quickly turned into once every few days. You were tempted to start keeping track of how often you woke up in your own bed but one could assume the numbers wouldn’t be too impressive.

You grew accustomed to the smell of his detergent and the smell of breakfast in the mornings. Was this what it might’ve been like to be in a relationship?

“How come you’ve never dated anyone?” he wondered once over breakfast.

You shrugged. “I don’t have the time.”

“Too busy saving the world?” he teased like he often did. Over time you stopped finding it annoying (perhaps because he sounded almost genuinely proud of you every time he said it).

“I assume you don’t get a lot of dates either,” you bit right back between bites of pancakes.

He seemed to be taken aback by your observation. “What makes you think that?”

“You sleep with a teddy bear, Seokmin,” you deadpanned.

He pouted. “Fluffy is a premium sleep companion.”

You laughed. “Is he?”

“You steal him every other night!” he accused with a chuckle. “I’m sure you know how great he is by now.”

“He’s truly a– What did you say? A premium sleep companion?”

“That’s what the label said when I got him.”

“Maybe I should invest in a bear too,” you wondered thoughtfully between bites.

Seokmin raised an eyebrow. “Then why don’t you?”

“No ti–”

“If you make the ‘no time’ excuse again, I will scream,” he said with in utmost seriousness. You promptly shut up: Seokmin’s lung capacity was well-known by everyone in the building.

After a moment of silence, he cleared his throat. “You know, if it’s physical contact that you need to sleep– Nevermind. How are the pancakes?”

Whether it was to save your or his dignity, you chose to ignore his first comment and answered only the last question, “Their colour is nicer than usual. I like the golden colour.”

“I guess the free range eggs really do make a difference,” Seokmin mused with a chuckle. When you offered him a surprised look, he hummed in confusion. “What?”

“You bought free range eggs? Didn’t you say they were too expensive last time?”

He shrugged. “I figured I might as well try to make some more ethical choices while shopping. Besides, you recommended them–”

Your eyes welled up a little. “You bought more expensive eggs because I recommended them?”

“And because I care for animals,” he added in a little too fast.

You laughed and nodded. “For the animals, right. Me too.”

“Do you ever rest from your work?” he wondered after a moment. “What do you do outside of it?”

“I… don’t know. I read. I like to clean.”

“But what about going to festivals? Swimming? Cycling? Dancing?” He grew more and more desperate as you rejected every hobby he offered. “No wonder you’re so tired all of the time! You’re a workaholic.”

You snorted. “Sunny did say I’m similar to Jihoon.”

“I didn’t think it was this bad.”

“I think he’s worse though.”

“Oh, definitely, but he doesn’t go to sleep in his neighbours’ beds,” Seokmin pointed out with a look of worry. As he watched you for an exactly uncomfortable amount of time, his eyes eventually lit up again. “I have an idea. What are you doing tomorrow evening?”

“Working–”

“I swear if I hear that word one more time, I will scream.”

You, once again, promptly shut up.

“Great,” he beamed and clapped his hands together, “I’ll text you to details later.”

“You’re not even going to tell me what we’re doing?”

You sighed in disappointment as he smiled brightly and shook his head ‘no’.

A knock on your door notified you of his arrival. Despite being sure it wasn’t meant to be a date and knowing that Seokmin had seen you in far worse condition, you still took a deep breath and gave yourself a quick once-over at the mirror.

When you opened the door, he smiled at you brightly. “I see you’ve dressed up too.”

“I would hardly call this dressed up,” you told him rather sheepishly, suddenly even more aware of you appearance. “You look very dapper as well.”

“Yep, and do you want to know why?”

“Why?”

His smile widened so much you worried for his cheeks. “Because you and I are going to the theatre.”

“The theatre?” You paled at the mention and looked down at your outfit. “I feel like I’m underdressed then.”

“You look fine,” he laughed and grabbed your hand. “Let’s go or we’ll be late. And trust me,” he widened his eyes for dramatic effect, “you don’t want to be late.”

You gave in begrudgingly and locked the door as fast as you could while he practically bounced at your side in excitement.

“What are we going to watch then?” you finally remembered to ask when you entered the theatre less than 15 minutes later. “I swear, if you dragged me here to watch an opera–”

“It’s a musical, actually,” he admitted bashfully. “I love musicals and I don’t know much about other theatre performances so I thought– But if you don’t like musicals, that’s–”

“I don’t mind musicals,” you told him with a little laugh and pat on his shoulder. “But I have to admit, it has been ages since my last time at the theatre, and I haven’t seen a musical in a few years at least.”

“That’s fine. I’ll guide you through it.” And as if the last shy bone had left his body, he grabbed your hand and led you to your seats, all the while widely smiling at you and giving your hand periodical squeezes of encouragement.

His hand never left yours for the duration of the musical, not even for intermission, not even when he ordered cake from the theatre café to hold you over until after the show. His hand remained warm in yours, fingers squeezing a little tighter every once in a while, his thumb running over the back of your hand.

It was so warm, so comforting. Just his presence alone was enough to make you dizzy with the feeling of safety and happiness. His touch? You were floating on cloud 9 with zero regard for what was going on below – or on the stage, for that matter.

Frankly, you could barely remember to watch the musical because you were so busy marvelling at the feel of his hand in yours.

“That was so good,” he excitedly told you as the two of you returned to your apartment. “The music was phenomenal.”

“The actors were very good.” And that was the only contribution you could make to the conversation because you definitely hadn’t paid any attention to the plot and your knowledge of music was simply not there.

But thankfully, that seemed to be far more than enough. His eyes gleamed as he sat onto your sofa and gestured widely while speaking, “Right? The leading woman was just– Incredible, fantastic. Her range! I’m a little jealous, actually.”

You took the seat next to him. To your surprise, his hand found yours once again, wasting no time in interlocking your fingers. And just like that, paying attention to anything else became difficult.

Were you really developing a crush on him? Just like that? You refused. You were too busy to be pining after a man.

But when slid closer to your side and looked at you like you were the most wonderful person to ever exist, you suddenly didn’t care about the lack of time. Screw it. You’d make time if it meant you got to see his star-filled eyes again.

“... Sorry, what?” you coughed out when he paused and looked at you expectantly.

He laughed. “You’re so cute. I asked if you wanted to go see another musical with me someday.”

“I’d love to,” you blurted out without thinking.

Yeah. Screw deadlines.

“Okay, perfect!” His smile brightened up the entire room as he rested his head on your shoulder. “Because I heard they’re doing Excalibur next season and I desperately need a friend to go watch it with me. I saw the premise and heard a preview of one of the songs and they’re holding auditions next month and I am already obsessed–”

Your brain was barely functioning at all, and yet you could recall one single memory from the depths of it. A dream he had shared. “Then why don’t you audition?”

He sat up abruptly, looking at you as if you were insane. “I couldn’t possibly–”

“Why not?” you asked. “I heard you singing the other day. You’re really good. I think you could get any part pretty easily.”

His ears turned more red with every word you said. “You flatter me…”

“I’m serious, Seokmin!”

“I’m not that good. And I have zero acting experience, aside from a few courses I did in college. Why would they ever pick me?”

“Why wouldn’t they?” you countered and he scoffed.

“I can think of a few–”

“You never know if you don’t try,” you told him and raised your hand to brush a stray hair off his forehead. “I’m rooting for you.”

As your words faded into the night and your eyes met, you wondered if he could feel the sparks flying and bursting all around you as well. Did he also feel that overwhelming adoration for you?

He sighed after a while, a bashful smile on his face. “You must be tired. It’s been a long night. Go to sleep.”

“I really should,” you yawned as if on cue. You shared a laugh at the timing.

He squeezed your hand one last time. “Well, good night then. I expect I’ll find you at my apartment in the morning–”

“Or you could stay here and we don’t have to worry about that,” you blurted without thinking. Your face flashed hot right after.

Had there been any alcohol in that cake he bought for you? Why were you feeling so bold all of a sudden?

“I–” He seemed speechless.

“I don’t know why I said that,” you rushed out and avoided his eyes. “I think I’m just really tired and work has been stressful and maybe my brain is just broke–”

He placed his hand behind your neck and led your head to rest against his chest as he rubbed comforting circles on your back. You could hear his body rumble with laughter as he held you. “I’d love to stay over. Besides,” he pushed you away just enough to look you in the eyes again, “I think it’s only fair that I get to sleep over this once, because you sleep over at my place a lot.”

You frowned and pouted. “It’s not like I mean to–”

“A lot,” he repeated with wide eyes and a teasing smile before pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “But it’s okay. I don’t mind.”

When you recounted the half-embarrassing and yet half-lovestruck happenings of the previous night to Sunny on the way back from work, she stared at you in bafflement.

“You actually asked him to sleep over?” she gasped, hand over her heart as if she was a peasant woman of the 16th century hearing the most scandalous gossip. “You little vixen!”

“Nothing happened,” you insistently told her as the two of you stepped off the bus.

She huffed. “That’s honestly so boring. I mean, have you seen that man? What I wouldn’t give to–”

“I am once again reminding you that you already have a boyfriend.”

“You don’t know what we’re into in the bedroom,” she countered with a smirk.

You only now realised how much Jeonghan was rubbing off on her. She was becoming a second him, slowly but surely. Couple of the year.

“I’m taking away your friend privileges, Sunny,” you told her at that and rushed ahead to avoid hearing any more weirdly Jeonghan-like jokes from her.

She laughed at that before running after you. “Okay, okay, no more dirty jokes.”

“Thank god,” you sighed towards the sky.

“So, did any sleepwalking occur?” she then asked before humming in thought. “Well, I imagine if it had, I would’ve heard about it by now. It would’ve been quite a sight to see Seokmin running after an asleep you towards his apartment at 2 am.”

“I didn’t sleepwalk.”

And frankly, if you had, Seokmin must have done a very good job of getting you back to your own bed because you woke up exactly how and where you fell asleep – wrapped in his arms, head resting in the crook of his neck.

Sunny suddenly stopped in spot. Her eyes wide, her lips parted. She pointed an accusatory finger at you, “Wait, does that mean you two are dating now?”

You weren’t sure you had the answer. And you wouldn’t have time to find the answer for a while.

“Good morning!” you heard Seokmin’s voice before you even opened your eyes.

Unlike the previous few times, disappointment filled you as realisation hit. You groaned and turned over to bury your face in his numerous pillows, hoping you could suffocate yourself out of a mildly infuriating nightmare.

Seokmin clicked his tongue. “Not quite the greeting I was expecting, especially considering I was greeted with a hug the last time we shared a bed.”

“Shut it.”

“Oh, you’re mean today.”

“Did I fall asleep mid-work again?” you sighed and slowly sat up to glare at nothing in particular. Seokmin went to great lengths to avoid whatever direction to directed your deadly look to. “God, I bet I didn’t even make it to the second graph– I’m not gonna have time to go to the office for work today.”

He stared at you curiously. “So, work from home? I mean, if you have the possibility.”

“Yeah, but then I’ll get distracted and then I still won’t end up doing anything,” you whined before falling back into the pillows. You wanted to cry just at the thought of that stupid report waiting on your idle laptop.

“Why are you so stressed about this report anyway? I don’t think you were ever this upset over any other reports.”

“If this project report goes through, and we pull off this project – which I still have to plan, oh my god, I am so far behind–”

Seokmin laughed at your frantic movements and moved over to place his hands on your shoulders and keep you still. “Hey, hey, don’t get distracted. If the project goes through…?”

You took a deep breath. “If the project goes well, I will get a promotion. Less hours, better pay.” You sighed. “Then maybe I’ll be able to get a dog like I’ve always wanted.”

“That sounds wonderful! We should celebrate with breakfast,” he suggested with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

But as tempting as it sounded, you simply didn’t have any time to chat. You had work to do. And so, you stood up, fixed your hair, gave Seokmin an affectionate yet half-hearted pat on the back and headed for the door.

You couldn’t wait to spend your day in complete lonely misery. At work you at least had friends to talk between sections. All you had in your apartment was Bertha and instant coffee.

And it was as if Seokmin knew it just from the way you spoke to him that morning.

When the clock struck twelve, you heard a timid knock on your door. Confused at the noise and a little disoriented from the five pages of words you had written, you stood up and went to the door.

Your heart grew three sizes when you saw him standing there, looking so awfully huggable in his large white hoodie and grey sweatpants, glasses on his nose accompanied by a kind smile. You were so surprised to find him there that you failed to consider why he came.

He had to nudge you with the plastic bag he was holding for you to even notice it.

“Sorry,” you stammered and stepped aside to let him in, “I’m just a little-”

“Stress? Overworked? Confused because you’ve been staring at a 15-inch screen for the past three hours?” he suggested and brought the bag to the kitchen. “That’s okay. Don’t even mind me.” He smiled as he nodded towards your laptop. “Go on. Work waits. The sooner you get to it, the sooner it’ll be done.”

Disoriented as you were, you didn’t dare argue and slowly walked back to your previous seat at the coffee table, all the while watching him cautiously.

As your fingers landed on the keyboard, he began lifting things out of the bag. You watched in awe as he stacked snacks and vegetables onto the counter.

Feeling your eyes on him, he lifted his head to glare at you. “Work.”

“Work,” you repeated on instinct and turned back to your laptop. He laughed a little at your robotic tone.

Some 20 minutes later, you felt a presence next to you. When you turned to face it, Seokmin was holding an fruit slice up at your lips.

“Eat,” he told you softly. You did as told.

“What are you doing?” you asked between confused laughter and chewing. Your eyes landed on the bowl of fruits he had placed in front of you.

He shrugged. “Taking care of you. You seemed so upset this morning… I thought it would be nice to spend my free day helping you.”

Your eyes widened. “It’s your free day? And you’re here? You should be resting!”

“Watching you is all the rest I need,” he winked playfully before lifting another fruit to your lips. “Now, eat up. This is lunch. I’ll make something better for dinner.”

“You don’t have to–”

He took this chance to shove a piece of apple into your mouth, effectively interrupting your speech. “I will, and I don’t care what you say.”

He glanced around the apartment as you began to eat the fruits on your own. “When was the last time you opened a window?”

You watched curiously as he stood up (with a groan because his bones simply weren’t as nimble as they used to be) and headed over to the windows, opening a few to air out the room. As he did so, he told you, “They say that good airflow and fresh air help the thought process. We air out the classrooms between every lesson so the next students won’t get too tired.”

“I don’t think I’ve opened any windows in here since I first moved in,” you confessed before turning back to your laptop. Before you could your train of thought again, a soft fabric was placed on your shoulders. You looked up to find him smiling at you brightly. “So you won’t get cold.”

“What about you then?”

He shrugged and winked. “I’ll just consider this my daily walk in the park.” He then looked around the apartment again, as if looking for something to do. You couldn’t help but find it endearing.

“Maybe… you could… make me a cup of tea?” you suggested.

He lit up at the idea. “Coming right up!”

Before heading to the kitchen, he leaned down to press a kiss to your forehead. It seemed almost like a reflex – like he didn’t even need to think about doing it.

Relishing in the leftover warmth of his lips and the feel of his hoodie on your skin, your work took a backseat for a while. Instead of thinking about your project of a lifetime, your brain was drowning in one singular question. You glanced towards the kitchen to watch him, a smile appearing on your face as you did.

“Seokmin?” you called out softly after a moment.

He hummed in response immediately, eyes lifting from the cup he was preparing so he could offer you an encouraging smile.

You took a deep breath. “What are we?”

He paused. “What do you mean?”

“You and I. What are we to each other?” you wondered, unable to look away from him. There was something you badly wanted to hear him say and yet feared at the same time. “What are you to me?”

The corners of his lips twitched. “I… I’ll be whatever you’d like me to be.”

“Whatever? A friend?”

“If that’s what you wish,” he breathed out, a little shakier than before.

“What about a lover?”

He smiled. “If you so wish.”

“Then… what do you want me to be?” you asked him quietly, a part of you praying your words would go missing in the incoming wind before they reached him.

“I just…” He bit his lip in contemplation, ears turning red, and avoided your eyes.

“What do you want me to be to you, Seokmin?” you repeated your question, a little bolder this time, hope sparking in your heart.

He looked up again, into your eyes. “Mine.” You let out a breath – of relief or fear, you weren’t sure – but he didn’t hesitate when he repeated, “I want you to be mine.”

You felt guilty for the words you’d utter next. “But we don’t have the time for that…”

“That’s okay,” he assured you with a kind smile. “We’ll take it slow.”

“Slow? How slow do we take it?”

“As slow as you need. I’m not leaving.”

“I signed up for the auditions,” he told you over breakfast a few days later. “Jihoon’s helping me prepare.”

You were still neck-deep in your project, struggling to meet the deadlines and coordinate your team. This seemed to lead the asleep you to Seokmin’s apartment more often than not. It was almost like you woke up in his bed every morning now.

But even in your despair, you couldn’t help but be excited for Seokmin.

Your eyes lit up and a squeal came out as you grabbed his hand over the table. “Really? You did?!”

He used his free hand to rub the back of his neck bashfully. “Well, you said I should give it a try, right? Who knows,” he shrugged, trying his best to seem nonchalant or even fake a little bit of confidence, “maybe they’ll give me a part.”

“I’m sure they will,” you insisted, squeezing his hand. “Your voice is amazing and you’re so handsome – the ladies are going to swoon when they see you on the stage.”

He laughed. “Will you be one of those ladies?”

“I’ll be in the front row,” you solemnly promised. “At every show. You’ll get sick of seeing me.”

“I could never,” he assured you.

Seokmin’s audition would take place two weeks later. You made sure the mark the day with a big red circle on your calendar – on all three of them, in fact. And now it was time.

Between your seemingly endless stream of project complications and Seokmin’s daytime job and audition preparations, you barely saw him. If it weren’t for your persistent sleepwalking problem, you wouldn’t have seen him at all. And so, the curse had became a blessing.

“You’ll do great,” you assured him minutes after waking up in his bed. You made sure to give him the warmest hug before letting him leave the room. “I believe in you. And so does Jihoon, apparently.”

Seokmin pouted. “Did he say that or are you lying to make me feel better?”

“We talked yesterday,” you told him, appalled that he’d even accuse you of such atrocities. “He said he has complete faith that you’ll do well.”

“I don’t believe you but–”

“Do you want to fight me? Already?” You raised a brow and he shook his head immediately. “Exactly. Just accept the compliment. And don’t forget to call me when you finish, okay?”

“Of course,” he promised.

He kept that promise. Just as he stepped out of the theatre, his shaky hands picked up the phone and chose your number.

You answered the call with prep in your voice. It had been a good day so far and you were expecting to hear his no-doubt joyous retellings of the audition.

What you weren’t expecting was: “Can you come get me? I think I might cry.”

“Why, why?” Despite your words, you didn’t hesitate to slam your laptop closed and grab your jacket. “Are you okay? Were they mean?”

“They weren’t mean,” he mumbled on the other side of the line, “but I don’t think I did well.”

“I’m sure you did wonderful,” you spoke while rushing down the street. Thankfully, the theatre was barely a five-minute walk from your office – half that at your current pace. “You’re just putting yourself down over nothing.”

Seokmin whined. “You’re seriously overestimating me.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“No, I’m serious. You overestimate me.”

As you crossed the street, you noticed a familiar figure dragging his feet along the pavement, head low and shoulders slumped. “Now why would I do that?”

“Because you like me a little more than you should,” he suggested while kicking a pebble. You could already hear his voice even without the phone. “I’m sure the directors think I’m a joke or something. God, I am so–”

“Don’t you dare say another bad word about yourself,” you scolded him with a gentle slap against the back of his head.

He stared at you in bewilderment – both from the fact that you might as well have appeared from thin air and the fact that you just did that.

But you were unrelenting in your affection for him. “Lee Seokmin, listen to me: you did absolutely great. You did your best. And even if you don’t get a part this time, they’ll value the fact that you now have experience with auditions. Take it in stride.”

Tears gathered in his eyes. Before long, he pulled you into his embrace, holding you impossibly tight. “You’re just saying that… Thank you.”

“That’s what I’m here for, silly,” you laughed and hugged him back just as tightly. “I think we should celebrate this occasion.”

“Even if I screwed up and don’t get the part?”

You scoffed. “Absolutely! A little cake can make everything better, no?”

He sighed. “I don’t think I can eat right now. I might throw up from the nerves.”

“Drink then?”

He contemplated and then straightened up. “I could go for some bubble tea…”

“There we go!” you cheered and gently pinched his cheeks, prompting a small giggle. “My treat because you did so well today and I’m so proud of you.”

This time it was you who grabbed his hand without any hesitation, more than happy to reassuringly squeeze it as you walked and talked.

“When will you get the answer?” you wondered.

He sucked in a breath. “In about a week, they said. Or maybe never–”

“Seokmin,” you scolded.

“In a week,” he corrected himself with some enthusiasm. “I’ll get answers in a week. And then I might actually cry.”

“And I’ll be there when you cry tears of joy, darling.”

“Tears of joy?” He raised a brow and smiled in disbelief. “You seriously put too much faith in me.”

You nudged his side. “As if you haven’t been equally supportive about my promotion.”

“Oh, right,” Seokmin gasped, “won’t your promotion interview be in a week too?”

You would’ve preferred he didn’t remind you. Then again, you guessed it was only fair.

“Will you come over to hold me when I cry too?”

“Tears of joy?” he teased and leaned over to kiss your temple. “I’ll be just a call away.”

The week somehow passed at both the pace of a snail and the pace of Junhui on a sugar rush.

After finding you in his bed every single morning, Seokmin resorted to just sleeping over at your place, tightly cuddling you to keep you in place. He now had a whole drawer dedicated to his things in your bedroom.

The day started okay. You were awoken not by a loud alarm like you had expected, but by Seokmin gently singing you awake.

For a moment, you thought you had died and gone straight to heaven – maybe working so hard to save the environment had paid off after all, you thought. But no, it was just your reality.

What a beautiful reality. You couldn’t help but smile as you cuddled into his chest.

“If you keep clinging onto me like that, I won’t be able to make my famous waffles for a lucky breakfast,” he whispered but made no attempt to push you away.

The delicious breakfast was followed by an encouraging hug on the way out of the building, him to the school and you to the office. You wore a smile the entire time.

Up until you made it to your desk. Then the reality began sinking in.

This was the day that could make or break your career. The day you had worked so hard for that you neglected your private life for so many years.

As the clock on the wall slowly ticked forward, your hands began to shake. Your throat was dry. Your head was fuzzy, full of nothing but anxiety. If someone had asked you about anything, you would’ve only been able to stare at them with a mouth wide open.

20 minutes until your scheduled interview. You were starting to feel sick.

When another colleague came to give you a supportive pat on the back, you excused yourself and grabbed your phone to rush outside to the balcony. You sat on a chair and willed yourself to take deep breaths as you tapped on his number.

You wanted to slap yourself when you realised that you hadn’t even bothered to check if he was on break yet.

But he answered on the first ring. “Hey, what’s up? Did you have the interview alread–”

“Seokmin, I can’t do this,” you whimpered into the microphone. “I can’t do this. They’re gonna realise I’m an idiot and they’ll fire me and–”

“Woah, woah, what happened to your positive can-do attitude?” he wondered. “You’ll be fine.”

“No–”

“(Y/n),” he said your voice so firmly that your breath got caught in your throat. “(Y/n), you will be fine. You’ve worked there for so many years, you’ve achieved so many things. If they wanted to fire you, they would’ve done that by now.”

You took a shaky breath. “What if it’s an elaborate prank?”

“Why would– Baby, listen to me. You’ve worked hard. You put everything you had into that project – I was there, I saw it. You and your ideas are invaluable to your company. They’re going to ask you a few questions as a formality and they’re going to give that promotion and then you and I are going to go to a celebratory dinner and it’ll all be over.”

“And I can get a dog?” you whispered, a small smile tugging at your lips.

“You can get two dogs if you want, baby,” he laughed. “You deserve it. Don’t underestimate yourself. I believe in you and I’m sure your co-workers do as well.”

“How do you always know the right words to say?”

He laughed once again. “Baby, I’m a teacher. I’m literally trained to comfort people. I’m just glad I’m able to comfort you as well.”

“Thank you.”

“No need,” he responded, “just go and ace that interview. Okay?”

“And then you’ll come and wipe my happy tears?”

“You already know the answer to that question. But I expect the same treatment when I get my audition results.”

“Will do.”

“Go and get them, tiger.”

You weren’t sure what it was, but something about the conversation seemed to have lifted the weight off your shoulders. When you walked back to the office, the upcoming interview no longer felt as taunting.

As the clock hit 2 pm, you squared your shoulders, took a deep breath and headed to your manager’s office.

When the day ended, you found Seokmin standing in front of the office building, a blinding smile on his face.

“Well?” he asked expectantly, though the look in his eyes said that he had every faith that you would only give him good news. You were glad to prove him right.

Your coy smile was replaced with joyous laughter as you ran to hug him and called out, “I got the job!”

“You got it? You got it!” he cheered with you, jumping up and down with you in his arms, not far from spinning you around in the air. “I knew you would! What did I tell you? Silly you,” he let you out of his hold to place his hands on your cheeks and pull your face closer to his own, “you thought you wouldn’t get the promotion. Look at you now. I’m so proud of you.”

You breathed out in relief. The smile seemed to never stop tugging on your cheeks. “I’m so relieved I could cry.”

“Then who will dry my happy tears?” he teased with a bright smile.

You tilted your head in confusion. “Wait–”

“I got the part,” he whispered, his smile only growing wider, eyes sparkling. “I’m going to become a musical actor, officially.”

“Oh my god!” you practically squealed and now it was your turn to hug him and jump. He was glad to join you, laughing in glee. “I knew you could do it! I knew it!”

As joy got the best of you – and who could blame you: this was the happiest day of your life so far –, you grabbed his face and pulled him closer to you to press your lips against his own. He melted into the gesture, arms wrapping around you tighter as if to will the moment to last forever.

When you pulled back, just enough so that your noses touched, he laughed in disbelief. “I thought we were supposed to take it slow?”

“Screw taking it slow,” you whispered and kissed him again. “Might as well make it a triple celebration.”

“I like the sound of that.”

BONUS !

While practically leaning out of their open window to watch you and Seokmin kiss under the streetlights on your way home, Jeonghan and Sunny argued.

“I told you they would get together,” Sunny declared, her eyebrows raised as if to dare her boyfriend to prove her wrong.

Jeonghan scoffed. “Please. They’re just kissing. It could be casual.”

“Just say you don’t want to owe me 20 bucks.”

“I don’t owe you 20 bucks! We have no confirmation!”

“Jeonghan, listen here–”

“No, no, you listen–”

“Both of you listen here!” Chan bellowed from the window above them. “If you don’t stop arguing right now, I will report you both to Jihoon’s parents! Some of us are trying to sleep!” Silence followed. “And pay her the 20 bucks, Jeonghan. They’re clearly together.”

Jeonghan grumbled and glared upwards before fishing a 20 out of his pocket and handing it to his smiling girlfriend.

#seventeenweeklyarticle #seventeen scenarios #seventeen x reader #seokmin x reader #seokmin scenarios #seventeen fic #dk scenarios #.avy writes #series: serenity street 17 💙

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