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#didn’t use any references till I started coloring (for the tatts) and I feel so accomplished rn
keelifallen · 1 year
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❦ home | ni-ki
↬ ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ:  nishimura riki / ni-ki x reader ↬ ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: fluff | friends to lovers | requested ↬ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢs: none ↬ ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 2.9k oops ↬ ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ: @onionhaseyeo  ↬ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: 
request was ni-ki fluff with a best friends to lovers storyline
i sorta wrote this in the car while I was out lol not sure if this is what you wanted but I hope you like it 💞(sorry if some parts are cringy 😭)
for those who read the tatts & cupcakes series the next chapter will (probably) come either later this week or early next week! since spring break is coming up next week i'm hoping to be able to spend more time writing :)
Entering what was now your 1st grade class, slight fear settled in the pit of your stomach since you were now the new kid at a new school. As your eyes landed on a certain brown-haired boy in the corner of the room, your fear disappeared slightly. He sat alone focused on his Nintendo Switch. Letting go of your mom’s hand, she called out your name but you practically ran to the boy. Merely looking at him gave you a sort of happiness that you’ve only felt whenever your favorite food was made for dinner.
Annoyance settled within Ni-ki as a face popped into his line of sight, distracting him from his game. Everyone in class knew better than to bother him. His eyes settled on you with a gaze that made you squeak and jump back slightly. He didn’t expect to see someone so… he wasn’t quite sure what the word was yet. Why did looking at you make him feel similar to the happiness he felt dancing? Instead of ignoring you, he took out the blue controller of his Nintendo Switch, silently handing it to you. You took the controller, fingers brushing against each other but too young to realize what the sparks meant.
“I don’t know how to play,” you said.
“I’ll teach you,” he answered. Going home that same day, you found out that you lived next door to each other.
In 4th grade, Ni-ki discovered that when he climbed the tree in his backyard, he was able to get to your room window without having to leave the house through the front door. It became a sort of “thing” between you. Your window was always unlocked, an invitation for him to come inside whenever he wanted. At 2 am one Saturday morning, you woke up from your sleep because of the sounds from your window opening. Sleepily, you lifted up your head to be met with Ni-ki. The moonlight shining on him with his hair all ruffled made you feel giddy inside.
“Did I wake you up?” he asked. With a slight roll of your eyes,
“No, you weren’t being loud at all.”
“I can’t sleep.”
“So you decided to make me not sleep?”
“It’s cold in my room.”
“It’s cold in my room too?”
“Let’s sleep together.”
It could’ve been that you were too tired to tell Ni-ki to get out.
Or it was because you were too cold and Ni-ki was shivering.
Whatever it is that it was, you moved to the other side of your bed, making space for him. He settled in, slight heat rushing to his cheeks as his head laid on one of your pillows. While the two of you have hugged and held hands, this was something different and both of your hearts were pounding in your ears. You fell asleep first, Ni-ki looking at you, breath slightly caught in his throat. Once again, there was the same feeling from when he first met you. Yet still, he didn’t know what it was nor the proper words to label it. Sharing the same bed because a source of comfort between you as Ni-ki realized that the feelings he couldn’t express in words, he could express through the sparks.
Towards the beginning of middle school, you started going to Ni-ki’s dance studio almost every day. You would watch him perform dances before any of his covers were uploaded online, your eyes were the first to witness Nishimura Riki in his element. He couldn’t deny how he loved the way your eyes lit up whenever he performed or how you’d clap and shout his name in support.
“Y/n-ah,” you heard as he sat next to you, taking a swig of water.
“Huh?” You looked at him, noting how his hair stuck to his forehead. Knowing that he didn’t like that feeling, you brought your hand up to his hair, fixing it for him.
Maybe it was because he was out of breath and his heart was already racing.
Maybe it was because your face was so close to his that the only thing he was able to focus on was you.
Maybe it was because your legs were touching since he always liked sitting as close to you as possible.
Whatever it was, there was that feeling again. And still, he couldn’t label it.
“What is it?” you asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. He cleared his throat,
“I’m gonna be an idol one day. When I become one, I want you to be in the front row of my concert.”
“You think we’re still gonna be besties when that happens?” you teased. He rolled his eyes,
“Obviously.”
Throughout middle school, Ni-ki unsurprisingly became popular with everyone. Most of the girls were captivated by how well he danced while the guys wanted to be him. He didn’t care, only sticking with you for the most part. You would eat lunch together at a hidden spot behind the back of the school that only you knew. In 7th grade,
“Ni-ki,” you said as you looked up at the sky, the blue color filling your view. It was nearing spring, the flowers were in bloom, and you found yourself wondering something.
“Yeah?” he replied, stealing one of your potstickers as if you didn’t save it for him.
“Jisoo-unnie told me she kissed Sean-oppa, and she said she didn’t like it. They’re gonna break up soon,” you said, referring to some kids in your class. The two were a “thing” together and while you knew what dating entailed, you’ve never experienced it yourself.
“And I care why?” You were nervous at what you were about to say but you weren’t going to back out now. Looking at him, slightly tilting your head,
“Do you wanna kiss me?” you asked. He choked on the potsticker, causing you to pat his back and give him water.
“Yah, is kissing me that bad?” you muttered to yourself.
“W-why?” he asked, unable to help himself from stuttering. With a shrug,
“I think I’d like it… if my first kiss was you.” You expected Ni-ki to tell you off. Or just flat-out leave. But instead, he leaned forward and as if it were instinct, your eyes fluttered shut. It lasted for a second, perhaps even less, but in that short time the sparks you felt whenever you were around Ni-ki intensified.
“There, we did it.” Your eyes widened as you looked at him, heat rushing to your cheeks despite the seemingly insignificant action. There it was again, that feeling that he just couldn’t name.
Ni-ki came into your room through the window at 3 in the morning to be met with the sound of your muffled sniffles and hated that he was the reason for it. He settled into bed with you,
“Get out you traitor,” you muttered. He sighed,
“I’m sorry, y/n-ah.”
“You’re really gonna leave tomorrow?”
“Technically, it’s later but-” interrupted by you throwing a pillow at him he let out a slight groan,
“Really?” he asked with a sigh.
“I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’m going to Korea, not dying.” You knew that he was doing it to fulfill his dreams of becoming an idol and you wanted him to. But last week, after seeing him with Lisa as his dance partner for the talent show, a fit of jealousy you’ve never known before settled within you. You didn’t tell him, how could you when you had no reason to be jealous? Instead, you smiled when his eyes met yours as you sat in the audience and clapped when he and Lisa got 1st place.
“Promise me we’ll video call? And that you won’t forget me.” He wiped your tears away with his sleeve,
“Promise me that you won’t go out with Sean?” he asked. Sean had asked you out after the talent show and you told him that you needed to think about it. Ni-ki was furious when he found out using the excuse that “Sean is a jerk” despite knowing damn well that he was jealous. But this wasn’t the time to be jealous because he was going to Korea. You brought up your hand, holding out a pinky. He did the same, both of your pinkies connected,
“I promise,” you said simultaneously.
While Ni-ki was in Korea and you were at home, you’d video chat and send text messages as often as you could. Over time, you started to realize that Ni-ki was starting to want one thing.
“I wanna go home, y/n,” he said one 4 am call.
“Ni-ki, you’ve sacrificed so much, you’re almost there. We believe in you.”
“I won’t be able to talk to you for a while.”
“Why not?”
“I’m going on a survival show called i-land. If I make it to the top 7, I’ll get to debut.”
“YAH, NISHIMURA RIKI WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME EARLIER?” you yelled, causing him to bring move his face away from his phone.
“It just never came up.”
“That’s great! Do your parents know?”
“You’re the first one I told.” That feeling that only Ni-ki seemed to give you whenever he did or said stuff like this made itself known. In the time that Ni-ki was gone, you realized that you missed him more than you should despite being best friends. It wasn’t until you had a talk with his sister that you realized, you had a crush on him.
“I miss you, Ni-ki. And I’ll be rooting for you the whole time.”
As cheers of joy filled your ears, the sound of your heart pounding was the only thing you could hear while what was on the tv screen registered in your head.
Ni-ki. Got. Fourth. Place.
Which meant that he was debuting.
Which meant that he was going to become an idol.
Which meant that his dreams were coming true.
You couldn’t stop the immense pride you felt and the shouts of joy that escaped you. Your best friend was debuting and you had the right to be proud of him.
During enhypen’s first concert, Ni-ki knew that he should’ve been happy. This was him living out his dreams, the same dreams that he spent countless hours up till the am talking to you about. Yet, unlike all those years ago, you weren’t here at his 1st concert. You couldn’t just hop on a plane to Korea due to current restrictions and your own schoolwork.
“What’s wrong?” Jay asked as he placed his hand on the maknae’s shoulder. Ni-ki looked at Jay,
“Y/n’s not here.” Though you weren’t aware of it, the other members knew you. Well, of you since Ni-ki talked about you often.
“Why don’t you call her?” Jay offered as a solution hoping to help in some way.
“Yeah, I will,” Ni-ki said.
Your phone rang and upon seeing the contact name, you answered it.
“You’re supposed to be performing, why haven’t you started yet?” you asked.
“How’d you know?” you smiled then changed the camera view to show your laptop,
“I’m streaming, dummy.”
“Illegally?” he asked.
“No comment.”
“Yah, you’ll get in trouble!”
“Good thing you’re on my side, yeah?”
“I wish you were here.”
“I am, just look at the camera and pretend it’s me.”
“It’s not the same.”
“I know, I miss you too,” you said with a sigh. Ni-ki heard his name being called,
“I gotta go.”
“Good luck and have fun!” you managed to say before the call ended.
At your high school graduation, you walked around looking for your family frantically texting Ni-ki’s sister asking where she was. It wasn’t until you crashed into what felt like a wall that you looked up, your hand rubbing your forehead. As your eyes met the man in front of you,
“Ni-ki?” He smiled, that feeling that he still couldn’t pinpoint after all these years infecting him once again.
“That’s all you have to say?” your arms wrapped around the now much taller boy instantly, practically jumping onto him which caused him to have to carry you like a baby koala.
“It’s been a year since we’ve last seen each other in person!” you muttered, your face resting in the crook of his neck, missing his scent.
“I literally FaceTimed you last night, you’re being so extra.”
“As if you’re not?” you countered.
“Only for you,” he said with a light chuckle.
“Wait, I’m heading to Korea in a few days, why are you here?”
“I couldn’t miss your graduation. I’m only here for a few hours before I have to head back.” He set you down though his arms stayed lingering on your waist.
“You spent money on a ticket just to be here for a few hours then to head back tonight?” your heart warmed at Ni-ki’s actions and you couldn’t hold back your smile.
“I know, I’m extra.” Just then,
“Babe!” you heard. You turned your head to be met with Sean, having forgotten him with Ni-ki here. You told Ni-ki of your current 2 month relationship and he was all for it, wanting you to be happy. At least, you thought so. Well, he did want you to be happy. He just preferred it if you were happier with him.
You landed in Korea a few days after graduation. Timing seemed to work out for you and Ni-ki since enhypen’s dorm was getting renovated, he needed a place to move to. Despite being offered to share a temporary apartment with Sunoo, he opted to get one with you instead. You were thankful for it, happy to be back with Ni-ki, and excited for the 2 of you to hangout like you used to. One particular night, Ni-ki’s practice was running late and you were having a bad day.
“What?” you answered annoyed at Sean’s call. Lately, you were starting to have a strong dislike towards him with how much of a jerk he was like whenever Ni-ki was around.
“Is Ni-ki there?” Sean asked, annoyed.
“Why does that matter?” You didn’t hear the door opening or Ni-ki coming inside.
“Because he’s stuck onto you like a leech.” Ni-ki froze at those words, unsure what to do. Sean wasn’t exactly wrong but you were best friends so it was natural for you to be close, right?
“What the hell do you know?”
“He’s been gone for so long and the first chance you get, you move to where he is. Does that make sense to you? Part of an idol group and can’t even-”
“Like hell, I’m gonna let you say stuff like that about Ni-ki.”
“I can’t even say my opinion?”
“Not when it’s wrong.” Sean scoffed,
“I’m your boyfriend.” The next 2 words that came out of your mouth came as a shock to you, Sean, and Ni-ki.
“Not anymore.” Ending the call and tossing your phone on the bed, you laid in bed looking up at the ceiling. Surprisingly, you didn’t cry. Ni-ki came into your room and laid on the bed with you,
“I heard,” he said.
“You were right all those years ago, Sean is a jerk.”
“What are you gonna do now?”
“What should I do now?”
“Go out with me.”
“On a date?”
“Mhm.”
“Why?”
“Because I asked you out.”
“You’re serious?”
“Mhm.” You weren’t quite sure how to respond since deep down you knew that your crush on Ni-ki never truly faded away. Things were different now and you were no longer kids in grade school who were unaware of what it meant for things like dating to happen.
“This could hurt us.”
“It could.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
“Where would we go?”
“Wherever you want.”
“This isn’t how I’ve imagined you asking me out.”
“So, you’ve imagined me asking you out?”
“Shut up, you’re an idol there’s a ton of imagines about you.”
“The only imagines I care about are yours.”
“Fine, I’ll go out with you.”
It was a day just like any other day when Ni-ki realized what exactly the feeling was that made itself known from the first time he saw you up until now. You just reached 10 months of dating, still living together in Korea. You were on the couch trying to do some work when Ni-ki showed up all of a sudden, clearly wanting some cuddles and physical affections. So you put on a movie, grabbed some blankets, and settled in. You were mindlessly running your hand through his hair,
“It’s been so long since I’ve felt like I’m home,” Ni-ki whispered as he looked up at you. His hair was soft, like cotton candy that melted in your mouth at an amusement park.
“With all the cameras surrounding you and being in Korea without your parents so young, it’s only natural for you to be homesick.” He realized that the feeling that appeared from time to time was something that he could now name. Home.
“I’m home with you, y/n,” he whispered.
❦ written by riri | blog masterlist
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