#k radio!
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CHERRY ─ psh. ❀
a lollipop a day keeps park sunghoon away…
# genre: outcast!sunghoon x class prez!fem!reader, enemies to lover, slow burn, high school au, 90’s au
# warnings: insults, minor violence, substances/partying, cursing, lil makeout sesh, minor bullying, portrays some idols in a bad light; inaccurate and not how I view them!
# featuring: sunghoon & enha! + txt + aespa
# playlist: not for sale by enhypen, still into you by paramore, chaser by woodz, high school sweethearts by melanie martinez
# a/n: hi guys!!! it’s insane that the cherry teaser got so many likes omg. ty guys so much!! plz enjoy <3 (dont let this flop)
# word count: 13.1k
# taglist: @alicesolengg @ningngyu @ramenoil @simjakeissohot @skzenhalove @parkhonnie @denleave1088 @voidbeomgyu @ilymarkchan @everyoneluvscheol @haerinpham @fakeuwus @chesh1re-cat @advesperamz @papiibuprofen @loveliii @cutiejseong @luvyouchuu @hancafe @aeminju @chaerybae @b1ndignity @edilysoob @river-06 @fariylixie0915 @amortenha @hoonpalettes @asyleums @moonmoongi @jyndre @parksunghoonsgf @whippedforbeomgyu @dianzed @soobliss-blog @manooffline @iscocohere @saythenameseventeen178 @woniewonn @luv4cheol @tinylittlebuggi @h-hazwie @ddazed-lhs @enhacolor @hiqhkey @webqrl @ilovewonyo @aesunghoon @hanienie @jrjr289
it isn’t a well disguised fact that park sunghoon doesn’t like you–no, hate would be a better word. park sunghoon hates you, and he makes it clear to everyone who knows him. but when you leave him a different flavored lollipop every day, it gets a little harder to loathe you.
[more under the cut!]
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍 - chapter i.
Park Sunghoon finds solace in the fact that he annoys you.
He isn’t sure he truly does, as you’re quite adept at keeping your face blank when something pisses you off. But for a moment, that bright, customer-service smile slips, and the left corner of your lip twitches when he sneers at you from across the room. That’s how he likes it. He likes that he has an effect on you, negative or otherwise, although it was always the former.
“You need to let it go.” Jake sighed as he watched Sunghoon’s eyes follow you across the room when you stand to pass out the second semester chemistry syllabus. “I don’t even understand why you don’t like her."
“How could you not?” he phrased his question like a statement.
“Well, first of all, she’s my math tutor.” Jake says, smacking the top of his best friend’s head with a rolled up spiral notebook, crumpling his notes. “So I have to get along with her. And second of all, she makes it pretty easy considering she’s such a catch.” Sunghoon groaned in annoyance, a petulant frown on his pretty face.
“God, you’re so brainless.” Sunghoon whined. “You’re just another one of the idiots completely infatuated with her.”
Well, why wouldn’t he be? You’re the president of the school council, head of the party planning committee, photographer of the yearbook club, and the school newspaper’s best writer. It’s an intricate balancing act, and a wonder that you could keep it up on the daily.
“I’m not infatuated.” Jake said with an indignant hiss. “I just don’t hold stupid grudges– shit, she’s coming.” The Aussie cleared his throat and painted an enthusiastic and eager smile onto his face as you approached the boy’s shared table.
“Good morning.” you chirped, and Jake grinned in response. “Here’s the syllabus.” You passed a double sided sheet of paper to each of them, gently setting it down on the desk. It didn’t escape Sunghoon’s attention that his was wrapped up in a roll, a piece of tape closing the document into a cylinder. You sent him a soft smile, looking at him through your lashes, before backing away from the table and moving onto the next pair of students who were waiting to receive their assignment. Sunghoon rolled his eyes, hesitantly peeling off the strip of adhesive and unrolling the paper to reveal the object inside, Jake peering curiously over his shoulder in an attempt to see.
“God, she’s still at it.” Sunghoon groaned, reaching down to pick up a small lollipop, a vivid yellow and wrapped in a holographic piece of cellophane with a little red ribbon tying it closed. “I thought she might’ve stopped.”
“Dude, you’re so lucky.” Jake breathed enviously, and Sunghoon looked at him with distaste. “You know how many guys in this school would kill to get a lollipop from her?” Sunghoon ignored his best friend's implorations, unwrapping the treat and shoving it into his mouth.
Lemon. He hated lemon.
When he looked back to the front of the classroom, you were setting the remaining stack of papers on the teacher’s desk, peeking at Sunghoon’s reaction. You seemed somewhat pleased to see the boy sucking on the sweet you had left him, and you sent a bright smile in his direction. His eyes were drawn to your shirt, which was adorned with what he thought was a very tacky depiction of a dove and some hearts, and he inwardly grimaced. Apparently, it wasn’t too inward judging by the look on your face.
He smirked, lifting up his hand and subtly sending you a different kind of bird with his middle finger. Your smile dropped entirely, and you rubbed your lips together in annoyance, retreating to your desk with a mix of frustration and despondence. That made him very satisfied.
“Would it kill you to be nice for once?” Jake asked, a skeptical look on his face as he watched the entire encounter go down. Sunghoon shrugged, setting his hand down on his desk and strumming his slender fingers on the wooden surface.
“Probably.”
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Today was yet another failed attempt at making Park Sunghoon like you.
You had to admit, you weren’t entirely pleased with your lollipop arrangement, and by that, you meant that you hated it. Treating Sunghoon like a human being with real emotions was so hard when he was such a piece of shit. You let out an exhausted sigh, hopping onto the counter of the candy shop. Your best friend laughed at your theatrics, wiping his hand with a white rag and tossing you a packet of red licorice.
“What’s the problem?” Jungwon asked inquisitively as though he didn’t already know the answer. “Sunghoon again?” His tone was filled with pity, and you hated it. You rolled onto your stomach, ripping open the packaging and tucking one of the red ropes into your mouth with a heavy sigh, blinking twice hard, before frowning.
“He’s not budging.”
“That’s a shame. I’m almost out of lollipop flavors.” Jungwon tutted with disappointment, reaching into his pocket and removing his hand with a treat, barely able to hold back the anticipating grin on his face. He tossed it to you. “Or am I?”
“You’re a lifesaver.” you sighed, pocketing it. “I’m not sure how you keep coming up with more.” Your best friend simply shrugged, tucking his hands into his pockets.
“Chef’s secret,” he smiled.
Jungwon had adored candy since you met him, but the only thing he adored more than eating candy was making candy. This came in handy during basically every holiday or romance related occasion. A handmade bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries, a box filled to the brim with toffee, or a lollipop. He liked lollipops the most. “Maybe you should stop with the lollipops. I’m down to my last vial 0f strawberry flavoring and our restock isn’t until next Monday.” he scrunched his nose up at the thought.
“What if he gets pissed off once I stop giving him them, and then he gets even meaner?” you wondered aloud. “What would I do then?”
“Um, report him to the principal?” Jungwon suggested, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and you shot up into a sitting position.
“Absolutely not.” you hissed. “I have to beat him.” You raised your fist to the air, seething with vengeance. “I will make that pretty bastard like me, goddamn it.” This was it. Jungwon was convinced that you had finally gone ‘round the bend. A ringing sound resounded through the shop as someone pushed through the front door with a grin.
“Did someone say pretty bastard?” he said, arms held out playfully as he turned his nose up to the ceiling. You only pouted in response. “Awww, baby what’s wrong?” he asked, circling his hands around your waist and pressing a kiss to your forehead while Jungwon stuck out his tongue.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” you dismissed the topic with a wave of your hand and a sigh. You knew very well that if Heeseung got word of the way Sunghoon was treating you, you’d have a dead body on your hands. “How was practice?”
“Pretty good. Coach says I’m doing well. Could get a scholarship.” He cuddled up to you, until something hard and spherical hit him in the face, and he gripped his nose with a groan, bending down to pick up the fallen object.
“No cuddling in the store.” Jungwon said, a hand on the door as he came back to the counter, a thin white stick protruding from his mouth. “It’ll scare the customers.”
“Likely.” Heeseung scoffed, yet he pulled the wrapper off the lollipop and shoved it in his mouth, swirling the sphere on his tongue. “You wanna go see that new movie, Ten Things I Hate About You? It’s playin’ tonight and Beomgyu said it’s good.” You laughed, pulling the lollipop out of his mouth with a wet ‘pop’ sound, and tucking it between your own lips. Jungwon gagged on his lunch.
“I don’t trust any movie that Beomgyu says is good.”
“Ah, c’mon babe. It’ll be fun.” he said, returning his hands to your waist as you smiled. He had a way of making you smile even when you were at your lowest.
“Alright.” you caved, and he pumped his fist, planting a kiss on your cheek.
“Glad you said yes, because I already bought tickets.” You chastised him, but he only laughed and grabbed your waist, lifting you off the counter like a sack of potatoes while you shrieked. “Thanks for the sucker, Won!”
“Yeah, yeah. Have fun!” he yelled after the two of you until you were out of sight, hopping into his old Dodge Viper with lovesick, giddy smiles on your faces. Then the boy sighed, rolling his eyes. “Pricks.”
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
“Red Vines.”
“Gotta be Charleston Chews.”
“Ew, no fucking way. Charleston Chews are just s'mores without the best part.” you scoffed, finger wagging in your boyfriend’s face as the exasperated teenage cashier watched you argue about your candy choices for the movie you were about to watch.
“I’ll let that go, because I love you.” he warned. “But Charleston Chews are the best candy.” Despite his protest, he reached for the Red Vines on the shelf and dropped them next to the cash register as he removed his wallet from his pocket.
“Thanks, baby.” you kissed him on the cheek, and he sent you a grin for the reward. “But they definitely taste like shit.” you said cheekily, and he smacked you lightly on the top of the head, before grabbing your Red Vines and pulling you away.
“I’ll get you back for that.” He teased, and you stuck your tongue out. “Oh shit, I left my Coke at the register.” You laughed at his blatant forgetfulness as he smacked himself in the forehead. “Go, hurry. I’ll wait here.” He darted out the exit, excusing himself and apologizing as he ran past a pair entering the theater, almost knocking their popcorn out of their hands.
“Where’s he off to in a rush?” one of them asked incredulously, the other mumbling incoherent responses as they seated themselves. Great, the teenage cynics who apparently had a grudge against your boyfriend were sitting right next to you.
“Heeseung’s really been busy lately.” one said, and your ears perked up at their use of his name. “With scholarships, and all that. Must be hella tired.” The voice sounded oddly familiar, but you couldn’t exactly place who it belonged to.
“Yeah, as if.” another scoffed. “He’s probably busy making out with his fuckface girlfriend.” Your eye twitched.
“C’mon, don’t be mean. What’s she ever done to you?’ another said.
“She’s awful. You’re so gullible.” the same disparaging voice said, and you huffed. You recognized that drawl, you had heard it somewhere but you weren’t sure where. “Heeseung’s an idiot. The both of them can go to hell.” Enough was enough. You stood, reaching over to the cynical boy sitting directly next to you and grabbed the front of his shirt, and even though you couldn’t see his face, you could feel his shock.
“You got something to say about me and my boyfriend?” you hissed.
“Have you had your break today? We all need to get away, there’s one place that’s on your way,” the jolly actors sang as the screen suddenly lit up with an advertisement, the lights turning on and revealing the boy before you.
“Y/n?” Sunghoon asked incredulously, and you grit your teeth. He got a reaction out of you. You had completely played yourself.
Despite your instant regret, you continued to grip on his shirt. “Park Sunghoon.”
“What are you doing here?” he hissed under his breath, and your eyes darted to Jake, sitting beside him. He looked utterly stunned. He had never seen you react to Sunghoon’s tauntings before; even Sunghoon never had the pleasure of seeing you burst out in a properly angry reaction.
“Seeing a movie with my boyfriend.” you muttered. Sunghoon didn’t respond, and you thought this might be the first time you had seen him off guard.
You dropped his shirt, letting him plop back down onto the cushioned seat.
You had seriously messed up. Sunghoon was never supposed to see you angry, more than anyone. You were about to do some damage control when Heeseung strode straight through the swinging doors with a box of Charleston Chews and a plastic cup of Coke so large it looked like it could cause diabetes immediately upon consumption.
Heeseung always had incredibly bad timing.
“Hey baby.” he slid into the seat next to you, pecking a kiss onto your cheek. He coughed on his soda pop when he saw the pair staring at him, seated directly next to you, one boy looking at him like he had just ran over his cat. “Oh, hey guys. Jake,” he said, nodding to the older boy of the two. “How’s varsity tryouts?”
“Going good.” Jake said meekly. The two were acquainted from their time on the rugby team, yet Jake suddenly felt extremely intimidated by the older boy. You said nothing, leaning back in your seat with a perturbed look on your face.
Once you and Heeseung finally struck up a conversation, Jake leaned in and grabbed the front of Sunghoon’s shirt with an extremely stressed expression.
“Are you trying to get us killed?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Sunghoon snapped, not sounding sorry at all. “Christ, you really had to book the seats right next to Jack and Joan Sprat?”
“I didn’t know they’d be sitting there.” Jake said through gritted teeth, and it was easy to see that the poor boy was at his breaking point. “I would just like to get through this movie peacefully.” he rubbed his temples, expecting protest. But to Jake’s surprise, the boy didn’t complain. He was much too busy staring at you. “Sunghoon?”
“Yeah, I got it.” the boy rolled his eyes, turning away. Jake looked at him in a double take, shocked at the boy’s compliancy, but pleasantly surprised.
Maybe this would be a nice trip to the theater after all.
Of course, nothing could be peaceful when you and Sunghoon were in the same room together. The tension was undeniable, even to your oblivious boyfriend.
Safe to say you only registered about half of the movie.
Not to say that the film wasn’t engrossing. In fact, you were beginning to seriously enjoy it. Sunghoon, however, was enjoying the movie a bit less than you were.
“This is so fucking stupid.” he muttered to Jake as the main characters bickered on screen. “This would never happen in real life.”
“That’s why it’s a movie, dumbass. Now can you shut up? You’re seriously bumming me out.” Jake snapped back, slapping the back of Sunghoon’s head. Sunghoon reached over to retaliate, knocking his cup of Sprite over in the process, spilling the entire contents of the plastic container directly onto your skirt. You squealed, and Heeseung cursed, pulling you up as he dug in his pockets for napkins. You glared at Sunghoon and saw that he looked rather surprised at his own action, and for a moment you doubted if he did it on purpose. But then the look of shock shifted into one of satisfaction, and you chose to not give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Gosh, I’m sorry.” Sunghoon said in a way that told you he wasn’t sorry at all.
“That’s one hell of a mess.” Heeseung kissed his teeth, attempting to use the napkins to clean off your skirt, but the people behind you began to boo at your obstruction of their view. “Alright people, Jesus. We’re moving.” He took your hand and pulled you back down, still attempting to dry you off. While you greatly appreciated the effort, it was doing practically nothing to help.
“It’s okay, Hee.” you said, pushing his hands off with a tight smile. “It’ll dry.” You sighed, reaching for the box of Charleston Chews. You didn’t even like this stupid candy, but you needed something sweet to calm your temper or you were going to kill someone. Your hand exited the box covered in melted chocolate, and you threw your head back in displeasure. But suddenly, an idea struck you.
The sacrifice of your boyfriend's candy was worth it.
You sloppily upturned the box into Sunghoon’s lap, the half-melted chocolate slipping onto his light tan pants as he inhaled sharply, his lip pulled between his teeth.
“Whoops.” you said with a smile, turning back to the screen.
Sure, you were done being nice to Park Sunghoon. But you still tucked a sucker into his pocket, hoping he would find it on his way home and at least have some kind of consolation for his ruined trousers.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Sunghoon collapsed onto his bed, reaching under his bed frame for something beneath. When his hand emerged, it held a dark green spiral notebook, with a pencil held by a strap of elastic. He swirled the lollipop around his mouth, thinking carefully for a few moments before flipping to the next open page on his notebook.
“June 15th, 1999… Strawberry… cheesecake…” He mused under his breath as he jotted it down on the lined paper, biting the inside of his left cheek with furrowed brows. “Maybe just strawberry cream?” he thought to himself, biting the end of his pencil before shaking his head. “Had to be cheesecake.” He surely sounded insane to anyone who was listening from the outside, yet this was a nightly routine for the teen, notebook and pencil in hand as he pondered the flavor of the day.
He had tasted birthday cake, banana split, bubblegum, gingerbread, black licorice, pina colada, pretty much any flavor that even Willy Wonka himself could come up with. He thought he might’ve had every lollipop flavor in the universe, and the pages of his notebook had become worn with your endless supply of sugary treats.
However, he did find it odd that you had never given him cherry before.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐄 - chapter ii.
There was something you had never told anyone. Not to Heeseung, not even to Jungwon, and you told him just about everything, maybe too much. No, this secret went untold, and you planned to take it with you to your grave.
Park Sunghoon was your first love.
It’s not like he ever loved you back. This was your freshman year of high school, the first time you met the young charmer, who at the time was wide eyed and raven haired, quiet and not very conversational. At the ripe age of 14, he wasn’t fully comfortable in his skin yet, not making many friends and focusing on building his figure skating career rather than on his grades. He was nerdy, he was awkward, and he was always alone in the cafeteria, picking absentmindedly at his food while he daydreamed.
He was beautiful. You found yourself unable to look away.
Even in your freshman year, rising up the school hierarchy wasn’t difficult. You joined the school council in your first week at Decelis High, easily acquiring the vice president position once election day came around, leading you to take the president position eventually. You started writing in the newspaper club in your second month of high school, your teachers recognizing your potential and promoting you to head editor as well as a journalist, and students immediately began to respect your brave commentary on the school’s weak ethics and poor handling of their students. School was improved when you joined, and the student body found that their day brightened up when you walked down the hall with your signature smile.
Which is why it was odd that you fell hopelessly head over heels for a quiet boy who interacted with no one and didn’t speak unless spoken to, head perpetually in the clouds. And despite your undeniable popularity, he never paid a lick of attention to you.
It took until your junior year for him to even speak to you. When his head wasn’t somewhere over the rainbow, he was focusing on skating, skipping classes to run to the rink for a quick session with his trainer. And when he wasn’t skating, he was playing soccer. Through the rose tinted lenses of love, you thought he was an excellent player, but supposedly his coach didn’t agree. He was benched for nearly all his games.
You never told him you had feelings for him, but the closest you came was when you showed up to the soccer game he was playing in with a button on your shirt that said “Go Sunghoon!”. You cheered for him the entire time, even if the only reason he was playing was because Kang Taehyun had sprained his ankle.
Sunghoon scored one goal, but the more experienced player had sucked up the pain and decided to jump into the game last-minute, scoring the winning goal and sending the audience into a frenzy like they had just won the olympics and not an amateur high school soccer game. The team picked up Taehyun on their backs and ran around the field toting him on their shoulders like a trophy, and poor Sunghoon was left on the bench with a frown, wishing that he could’ve been the one on their shoulders being celebrated. You felt so bad for him that you stood up, cupped your hands around your mouth and yelled for his attention, garnering weird stares from those next to you, but you didn’t care. When you yelled his name with a cheer, he looked up into the stands and sent you the most luminous smile you had ever seen, one that could’ve made the sun itself envious of his radiance.
Which is why it confused you when he hated your guts less than a year later.
You never really understood why Sunghoon disliked you. It was a mystery, not only to you, but to everyone who knew about it, even Jungwon, who had seen more ugly and intolerable sides of you than anyone. Nobody really knew why Park Sunghoon despised you, so they just stopped trying to figure out why.
But not you. You needed to know why he didn’t like you, why the boy who you loved so dearly ended up hating you so much he was spiteful at your mere existence.
Your first memory of Sunghoon was the first day of high school, when he came through the school gates with a big, red sucker in his mouth and an overwhelmed look on his face. So you decided lollipops were the best way to win him over.
But with every canned stick of orange creamsicle, every discarded cotton candy and crushed lemonade, your feelings slowly left you until the love you once felt for the boy disappeared as he left his tally on your heart, then faded into nothing.
Then you met Heeseung. On January 1st, just as the clock struck midnight at Choi Yeonjun’s New Years party, he asked you to be his girlfriend. And suddenly, you didn’t really care if Sunghoon loved you back or not.
But you never stopped wanting him to like you.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
You were entirely done with being nice to Park Sunghoon. After nearly a year of being treated like the scum on the bottom of his shoes, you weren’t afraid of him anymore, you weren’t afraid of showing him how truly done you were. But Jungwon still had buckets full of lollipops left for you, so you supposed the lollipop charade could go on for a bit longer.
You still didn’t like him though. That’s what you told yourself.
“She’s acting differently.” Sunghoon scrunched his eyes into scrutinizing crescents as he watched you stride down the hallway nonchalantly. Just a moment previously, you had met his eyes while you walked, textbook clutched to your chest, and rather than sending him a joyous smile or a wave, you ignored him as though he wasn’t even there, which shocked him thoroughly.
Plus, it was the fourth period and you hadn’t even given him a lollipop yet.
“You’re just salty that she poured her Charleston Chews on you. You’re imagining it.” Jake scoffed, eyes attached to his book, scanning over every word.
“No, you don’t get it.” Sunghoon huffed exasperatedly, arms crossed as he watched you saunter to Heeseung’s side and allow him to pull you into his embrace. “She’s never ignored me like this before. She doesn’t just… look away.”
“So she doesn’t like you anymore. Big deal.” Jake shrugged, but Sunghoon seemed rather upset by this sudden change of events. “You fumbled the bag, that’s all.” Sunghoon’s eyes shot to his shorter companion as they narrowed.
“What do you mean?”
“C’mon, dude. You had y/n y/l/n, the ultimate sweetheart of Decelis High, practically begging for your attention, and you were nothing but mean to her. I mean, anyone would want to be in your place. Of course she’s sick of you.”
“Yeah but-”
“But nothing.” Jake punched Sunghoon’s arm, putting a soft dent in the fabric of his puffy jacket, and the weaker of the two winced. “You were fucking bogus.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Sunghoon snapped, swatting Jake’s hand away with a scowl. “I was a loser.” When Jake nodded, affirming Sunghoon’s self-diss, he sent him a glare. “Well, what am I supposed to do about it?”
“Nothing, bro. Just move on and stop being such a dick.” Jake shrugged, walking away with his nose still buried in his book, leaving Sunghoon to think. Did he really care if you didn’t like him anymore? Would it be so bad for you to continue to ignore him?
The answer was yes. Undeniably so, because he despised you, and it only brought him more joy to see you struggle. Sunghoon liked being catered to, and you had just taken away his greatest pleasure.
The game was on.
“Jake, it’s simple.”
“No, it’s not.” Jake rubbed his forehead frustratedly as you attempted to explain the permutation formula to him for the fortieth time that day. He was supposed to be good at math, at least that’s what Jay said, and Jay was almost always right. However, you realized after a few tutoring sessions that Jake was a bit less attentive in math class as his friend made him out to be. “Why is there an exclamation point?”
“The exclamation point is to demonstrate how you’re supposed to multiply the number by each number following it, consecutively.” Jake looked like you had just told him to grow wings and fly, and you took the paper from his hand with a small giggle. “Jesus, Jake. You look like you got three hours of sleep last night and your dog shit in your cereal.” He let out a chuckle.
“You’ve got half of that statement spot on.”
“I’m going to assume it’s the former.” you said playfully.
“You got it.” he sighed a second time.
“Wanna talk about it?” He huffed, like the mere memory of his stressors were enough to upset him even when they weren’t present.
“It’s nothing…” You knew it wasn’t nothing. “It’s just Sunghoon.”
Bingo.
“He’s so oblivious sometimes.” Jake said exasperatedly. “Although, most times I’m pretty sure he’s being dense on purpose.” You stared at him blankly and he rested his chin on his palm. “He’s so stubborn. I always tell him to just let things go, to move on, but he never listens.” You didn’t need an explanation to understand what he was talking about. “I don’t know. He’s just felt so negative recently. Especially today.”
“What’s so different about today?” you asked, elated that he was frustrated at your indifference, which wasn’t indifference at all judging by how much you cared.
“Nothing, for most of us.” the Aussie shrugged. “I suppose he’s just feeling a bit abandoned.” You raised an eyebrow, and Jake seemed to notice his misstep. “T-that doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“Sure.” you snorted, pulling the sheet of paper you were supposed to be attentively solving into your lap, flipping through your binder for the notes.
“Are you free on Saturday night?” Your eyebrows practically flew to your hairline.
“Depends on who’s asking, and why.”
“Yeonjun’s throwing a party.” You were very well aware of Choi Yeonjun, a freshman at Hybe University. Even after finally graduating a few months ago, his parties were a must for the top tier of Decelis’ elite students; namely the popular kids. You didn’t often frequent parties, but Heeseung and Yeonjun were quite close friends. You had never missed one of his parties, and you didn’t plan to break that record.
“I wasn’t aware.” you picked up a pencil and began scrawling, eyes on your lap.
“It’s a smaller thing than usual. Just some friends, and friends of friends. Maybe a few friends of friends of friends.” You allowed a smile to pass over your lips, and Jake smiled in success. “So you’ll come?”
“I’ve never missed a Choi party.” you shut your notebook and passed the completed homework back to its owner. “I’ll give you the answers, just for today.”
“You’re the best, y/n.” Jake grinned as you stood, holding your binder to your chest, smiling in response.
“I know. Oh, and Jake?” he tilted his head as you removed a green lollipop from the pocket of your pleated skirt, sliding it across the table until it came to a stop just before his hands. “Give this to Sunghoon.”
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Park Sunghoon was absolutely fuming.
Typically, when school was over, he’d come home, collapse on his bed, write down the lollipop of the day, and then firmly put you out of his mind. But today, for the first time, he found himself unable to do any of those things. He sat on his bed, staring at his wall silently. He was in a haze. He needed a distraction, asap.
When the doorbell rang, he ran downstairs in record time.
“Hit the brakes.” his little sister snapped as he dashed to the door, pulling it open, excited even to see the mailman. He was surprised to see his best friend on the other side, who gave him a sideways look.
“Your scowl is freaking me out.” Jake said, hands in his pockets as he strolled inside. Sunghoon closed the door behind him.
“Get used to it.” Sunghoon replied petulantly, and the two boys walked back up the stairs to Sunghoon’s room. “What brings you to my part of town?”
“I’ve got news.” Jake said, flopping down onto Sunghoon’s bed with a smug expression on his pretty face. “Oh, but before I forget.” Jake reached into the pocket of his blue jeans, removing a spherical object and tossing it in Sunghoon’s direction. The younger boy caught it, his face brightening subconsciously.
“Finally,” he rolled his eyes, unwrapping the lollipop and tucking it into the side of his mouth, sucking on it thoughtfully.
“As I was saying I-” Sunghoon ignored Jake’s ramblings, ducking under his bed and reaching for the green notebook, rifling through the mess under his bed frame. Typically, he’d be too embarrassed to do this in front of company, but he couldn’t find it within him to care. “Did you hear about Yeonjun’s party this weekend?” Sunghoon ignored him, removing the lollipop from his mouth and shoving it towards Jake.
“Do you think this smells like apple?” he asked, and Jake swatted his hand away.
“Did you hear anything I just said? And I’m not putting my face anywhere near something that’s been in your mouth.” Sunghoon rolled his eyes again, turning his attention back to his notebook as Jake stared at him. “Are you even listening?”
“I’m listening.” Sunghoon waved him off, but Jake could swear he heard him muttering fruits under his breath.
“Yeonjun’s having a party this weekend.” he repeated, and Sunghoon looked at him blankly, finally putting his pen down.
“So what?” he scoffed. “You’ve never wanted to go to one of those parties before. They don’t want people like us there.” Jake narrowed his eyes.
“People like us? They’re fine with me, you’re the one they have a problem with.” Jake said, pressing his pointer finger into Sunghoon’s chest while the latter frowned. “In fact, I happen to have an invitation, considering me and Heeseung are friends.”
“I don’t want to go to any party that Heeseung is going to.” Sunghoon refused childishly, and Jake kissed his teeth.
“I don’t get what your issue with Heeseung is. Hating y/n was bad enough, but Heeseung is especially innocent.” Jake shook his head when his best friend opened his mouth to protest, slapping his hand over his mouth before he got the chance. “I know what you’re gonna say, and I don’t wanna hear it.” Sunghoon remained silent.
The two boys sat quietly for a moment, just looking at each other, both as stubborn as the next. Jake broke the silence, sighing exhaustedly.
“Will you just do this one thing for me? Please?” Sunghoon pursed his lips. On one hand, he hated partying. He wanted nothing to do with it. But on the other hand, Jake Sim was his best friend, and he loved this boy more than he loved himself. And he had been a pretty shitty friend recently.
And so, the boy with iron resolve, and an even stronger temper, nodded his head.
“Fine, but seriously, just this once.” he said, wagging his finger when Jake’s face broke out into an enormous smile as he leapt up from the bed. “Never again, okay?”
“Pinky promise!” Jake said, running out the door and down the stairs, slamming the front door behind him as Sunghoon shook his head.
What had he gotten himself into?
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 - chapter iii.
Park Sunghoon had a confession. It was one that he hadn’t told anybody. Not his family, not his friends, not even Jake, who he told nearly everything. No, this was a true secret. One that was bursting at the seams, that he desperately wanted to confess.
You were his first love.
Well, he assumed you were. He had no idea what love was; he was only fourteen at the time. But it felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest when you didn’t meet his gaze, and it felt like he was on cloud nine when he spotted you staring.
Sunghoon wasn’t one to make many friends. He wasn’t a social creature. He couldn’t say that was how he liked it, because he wasn’t necessarily sure that was true. He didn’t know if he liked to be alone, or if that was just how it had always been. But that changed when he met you.
For once, he found himself wanting to be around someone. The minute he laid eyes on you, he fell head over heels. You were everything he wasn’t. He knew he was in love with you when a junior tried shoving Jake into a locker and you punched him in the face. Even Sunghoon didn’t have the courage to stand up for Jake like that.
Sunghoon admired everything about you, but he knew you could never care about him. You were president of the student council, head of the party planning committee, photographer of the yearbook club, and the school newspaper’s best journalist. You tutored, you played multiple instruments. You liked being around people. You were brave and righteous. You were everything he wished he was. Why would you like him? He was just a loser who skipped class to skate and wished he had a little more courage.
But sometimes, he saw a little glimmer of hope for the two of you. When you came to his soccer game and only cheered for him, when you lent him your favorite pencil, when you left a note on his desk saying you liked his diorama the best. Sometimes he even thought that he could be with you if he finally followed his heart.
The only issue? Lee Heeseung.
Captain of the varsity rugby team, runner up for valedictorian, king bee of the school. He was loved by everyone. He had more friends than he could count, and the same for his admirers. When he wanted something, he got it. Sunghoon supposed you counted for that as well. It was obvious that he had a crush on you. Everyone knew you and Heeseung would date eventually, even Sunghoon.
Sunghoon had never fought for anything in his life, but for once, he was willing to fight for you. Until something happened that changed his perspective of you completely, something that made him despise you so much, he could barely contain it. Nobody knew what changed, but one day, Sunghoon dedicated his life to hating you.
You had no idea why.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Jungwon thought he could find out something about your past with Sunghoon if he sleuthed hard enough, but he was finding it more difficult than imagined.
He had checked the records in the principal's office —with the cover story that he was doing an investigative report— three times over, and he had yielded nothing. He asked nearly everyone he knew for any kind of background information. He even checked with the newspaper department, hoping they had some kind of trashy gossip if nothing else. Most of what he heard was entirely useless, consisting of people trash talking Sunghoon and hyping you up entirely too much. Jungwon thought they’d reconsider their words after witnessing you on a bad day.
He sighed frustratedly, collapsing into the principal’s chair, kicking his feet up onto the desk. Absolutely nothing.
He cocked his head when the door unlatched, slowly creaking open no more than an inch or two. A sneakered foot snuck its way inside, the rest of the intruder following, letting out a yelp when he saw Jungwon sitting skeptically in the center of the room.
“What are you doing here?” Jake said, a hand on his chest as he exhaled rapidly.
“What are you doing here?” Jungwon repeated his question back at him. Jake and Jungwon were mostly ambivalent towards each other, but there was always some distaste. After all, they were the best friends of mortal enemies.
“I…” Jake stared at him blankly. “I’m checking the records.”
“What a coincidence. So am I.” The two boys sized each other up, wondering if they might be there for the same reason.
There was no way.
“How’d you get in?” Jake said after a beat.
“Front door.” Jungwon replied, and the older boy frowned.
“Yeah, I gathered that. I mean, what did you tell administration to get in here?”
“I told them, ‘I want to check the school records.’” Jake shook his head, reaching for the desk containing the files of all the information on every student.
“Are you kidding me? Administration would rather die than let me in here.” Jake sorted through the files. He paused, frowned, then thumbed back and forth for a moment before straightening up and crossing his arms. His eyes widened when he saw the missing file he sought splayed out on the desk, just underneath Jungwon's shoes. “Why were you looking at Sunghoon’s personal file?” Jake said with an accusatory tone, and Jungwon paled, snatching it off the desk and tucking it away into his jacket.
“You’re imagining things.” he said quickly, and Jake rolled his eyes, turning back to the file cabinet. He removed your file, looking at Jungwon pointedly.
“Are you here for the same reason I am?” he asked. Neither of them wanted to admit it, but they were both certain they had the same goal.
Jungwon nodded slowly. “I think so, yeah.”
“You want to find out what happened with Sunghoon and y/n, don’t you?” Jake asked, and Jungwon averted his eyes sheepishly. There was a moment of silence before the two boys broke into laughter. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Jungwon smiled, crossing his arms. “Let’s work together.”
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Sunghoon was having a horrible day.
Most of Sunghoon’s days were below average, simply because he didn’t often feel like having fun. But that day, he had woken up with a sinking feeling in his stomach and a furrow between his brows. That day was going to be a horrible day, and he knew it even at 6:45 am when the snooze button on his alarm stopped working.
He got to school with no bad occurrences, almost forgetting what was making him so upset. But when he saw you and Lee Heeseung, his lips on your neck, he suddenly remembered.
It gave him momentarily relief when he recalled the apple sucker from yesterday, but when he caught himself smiling, his mood only soured further.
“Morning, sunshine!” Jake chirped, attacking from behind and ruffling Sunghoon’s hair cheerily. Sunghoon glanced back to give him a glare, attempting to repair the damage Jake had done to his hairdo.
“You seem awfully jolly this morning,” he said gruffly.
“I don’t know. Something good is in the air this morning.” Jake hummed, hands in his pockets and a significant spring in his step.
He couldn’t very well admit that he was orchestrating an entire plan to get you and Sunghoon alone together so you’d finally resolve your issues. And he definitely couldn’t mention that he was plotting in cahoots with your best friend.
“Yeah, right.” Sunghoon scoffed.
“I’m assuming that —once again— you’ve chosen to have a bad attitude today?” Jake asked rhetorically. He already knew the answer. He knew his best friend well enough to decipher when he was upset, although it was easy enough that anyone could probably tell; Sunghoon was in an awful mood on most days.
“It’s not something I choose.” Sunghoon scoffed, still messing with his hair.
“Sure it isn’t.” Jake said sardonically, punching him in the shoulder as Sunghoon glared, rubbing the sore area. “Don’t be a- oh hey!” Sunghoon whirled around at his best friend’s sudden topic switch to see you dashing past. “Hey, did you do the chemistry homework last night?”
“Of course I did.” you scoffed. “I’m assuming you didn’t?”
“Clearly you know me well. No chance I could get the notes off of you?”
“No chance, sorry Jake.” you laughed like the tinkling of bells. “But who knows, I might pass you the answer sheet while the teacher isn’t looking.”
“You’re the best!” he grinned as you saluted playfully.
Your joyous facade faded for a moment when your gaze locked with Sunghoon’s briefly. You searched his face for any sign that he had received your gift, but his stoic glare firmly remained. You held back the urge to roll your eyes, turning on your heel.
Your lack of a response only made Sunghoon more upset. He was scowling hotly, so much so, that it was certain you could fry an egg on his head.
“She’s such a pretender. Can you fucking believe that?” You heard him scoff just before you left, an accusatory hand pointing in your direction. Jake cocked his head, and Sunghoon’s scowl deepened. “She didn’t even acknowledge that I was here!”
“Why should she?” Jake laughed, tucking his hands into his pockets and walking away as Sunghoon froze on the spot, practically shaking with rage.
Oh, you were going to regret ignoring him.
It almost made Sunghoon sick to think about how much he used to like you.
He thought of all the times he had written your name in his notebook surrounded by hearts and little angel wings. All the times he wished he could bring you flowers, or tell you how he felt. All the times he watched Heeseung sweep you off your feet, and felt bitter resent in his throat. For the first time in his miserable 14 years, he was certain he was in love. It was a bit far-fetched, considering he had only spoken to you once or twice. He didn’t know if he had ever had a full conversation with you.
What was it all for? Why did the girl he loved have to hurt him so bad?
It made him think that life wasn’t very fair. That people were egocentric, they didn’t consider others feelings. He was pathetic, he knew that. He should let it go, forget about what happened between the two of you and move on. He had his own life, you had yours. His existence shouldn’t center around the hatred of another human being.
Maybe hating you was an escape. Maybe he hated you because he couldn’t handle the thought of loving you anymore.
The line between hate and love was very fine. Even he knew that.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
You really didn’t want to go to this party. The more you thought about it, the more you felt sick to your stomach.
After the week you had, drinking with a bunch of teenagers sounded like the last thing you wanted to do. Even being around your friends and boyfriend sounded deeply unappealing; for the first time you could remember, you just wanted to be alone. But you knew this was important to your clique, and so you sucked it up, brushing the dust off the front of your party dress and turning around to your friends.
Ningning and Karina sat on the bed, on their phones. Ningning was dressed in an orange tube top dress, Karina wearing an identical one in purple. Neither of them noticed you until you cleared your throat, and they fawned over your dress.
They were your friends, supposedly. You liked them well enough, and they seemed to like you the same. They were sweet girls, but you didn’t really connect. The only reason you were friends was because you were popular, and so were they. You were living in a dog-eat-dog world, where popular girls became friends with each other to avoid making enemies. You wished it wasn’t like that, and you had a feeling they did too.
Yeonjun walked into the room with a big, cheesy grin on his face, toting your boyfriend behind him. Further back were Beomgyu, Huening Kai, Taehyun, and Soobin, the rest of your boyfriend's older friends. See also: people you didn’t really connect with.
“Are you girls ready?” Yeonjun asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes as the group crowded in. Heeseung came from the back of the procession to take your hands, and it felt like a breath of fresh air. You sighed as the others engaged in conversation.
Heeseung frowned. “You okay? You usually love Yeonjun’s parties.” You brushed some stray hair out of your face and painted on a smile.
“I’m fine, Hee. Thanks for looking out for me.” you said. He pressed a soft kiss to your cheek, adjusting your necklace so the clasp was aligned with the nape of your neck.
“Anytime you wanna leave, just say the word. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.” You held his hand with a smile.
“Don’t worry about me, baby. Just have fun.” you ushered him towards his friends, and he gave you a brief look before he went to join them. The crowd filed out of the bedroom and into the living room, ready to party.
You sighed, looking at yourself in the mirror for a moment and taking a deep breath to relax yourself. You had no idea why you were so nervous. You had done this a million times around. You knew the party scene like the back of your hand, it was the life you had been living for the past four years.
You stared at the pink dress you were wearing. It was your favorite dress, yet somehow it didn’t feel good anymore. The lamp from the ceiling shone on your necklace, the bright, diamond letter H catching the light.
Usually, you tried not to let Sunghoon get to you. He was just a jealous, rude, idiot who wanted to bring you down for no reason. But today, his words reverberated in your head, ringing painfully, no matter how hard you tried to get them out.
She’s such a pretender.
It made you wonder, was he right? Were you putting on a show for everyone but you? You had played your role so well, you had almost fooled yourself.
Sometimes you got tired of being perfect. You got tired of keeping up your facade all the time. You almost lost yourself in the process.
Maybe Sunghoon was right. Maybe you were a pretender. Maybe hating you meant that he was the only one who really understood you.
And maybe that was a good enough reason to hate him a little less.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 - chapter iv.
“For the record, I am not happy about this.” Sunghoon said for what must’ve been the millionth time that night. Jake had forced him into a button up and combed his hair, in comparison to his usual overgrown bangs and old band tee. He cleaned up nice, but the boy’s foul expression was enough to drive off any prospective attention.
“Tough luck.” Jake said, adjusting his chain as he smiled charmingly at himself in the mirror. “It’s one party. You’ll be fine.” Sunghoon continued to grumble.
He wasn’t used to seeing himself done up nicely. He felt too vulnerable without his long bangs hiding his eyes and a hoodie to cover himself up. It didn’t feel right to see himself fixed up like this, but he kept telling himself that it was only once, for Jake.
Jake looked down at the watch on his wrist, a string of curses leaving his lips.
“Shit, Sunghoon, we gotta go. We’re late.” he grabbed his jacket off the coat rack, dashing out the door while Sunghoon dragged his feet behind him.
“We’re fashionably late.” the younger boy corrected, Jake turning around to give him an impatient look, nodding his head towards his car.
“We’re gonna miss all the fun, c’mon.” Sunghoon frowned.
“What a shame.” he mumbled under his breath, following his best friend into the car and praying that this night would go well, and without conflict.
That was wishful thinking.
Sunghoon instantly knew he was right when they pulled up into Yeonjun’s driveway. He could hear the music pumping from inside the house, so loud it made his ears ache. He could see the crowds of people through the enormous glass windows, and grimaced at the idea of being among the masses of sweaty bodies. Jake however, seemed delighted, and so Sunghoon tried to put a smile on his face.
Jake turned off the ignition, leaning over to his best friend and studying the blank look on his face. “Ready?” he asked, and Sunghoon nodded with an exasperated sigh, unbuckling his seatbelt and slamming the car door behind him. Jake rolled his eyes.
“This is going to be a nightmare.” Sunghoon said, unable to hold back a quip. Jake patted him on the shoulder, ringing the doorbell with a grin.
“Let’s see if you can last the whole night.”
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
It had only been an hour and your head was already pounding.
All the lights felt too bright, the music was too loud, and too many people were trying to talk to you. After having your crisis of self merely 60 minutes previous, you were definitely not in the mood to make conversation with anyone. You downed your third vodka soda of the night and felt everything get a little hazier. You were satisfied when the sound got a little quieter and the lights became less harsh.
Toting your fourth drink in hand, you dropped down to the couch. Most people were busy dancing, thank God, and the only people on the couch was a girl vomiting in Yeonjun’s best porcelain vase and her friend coaxing it out of her. You didn’t mind it too much. At this point, you were craving some humanity.
You felt a little at ease when Jay sat beside you, smiling in greeting. Jay was pretty much the only one of Heeseung’s friends whom you actually liked.
“How’s the night going?” you asked, sipping on the red cup in your hand.
“It’s alright.” he said, his words slurred as he rubbed his nose. It was clear that he had more than a few drinks, probably a couple past his capacity. “Your friend- what’s her name? Tried talking to me earlier.” You didn’t bother to inquire. “Ning? Ningning?” he laughed to himself. He was obviously drunk, so you took another sip and ignored his ramblings. Even the most sensible of people were insufferable to you at the moment.
He sniffled briefly, and you studied his face. You could practically see the gears in his head turning as he poked his tongue into the flesh of his left cheek thoughtfully.
“Hey,” he suddenly said, looking at you very seriously. “I’m really sorry about that Sunghoon thing, y’know. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and it’s really been bothering me.” You furrowed your brows.
“What Sunghoon thing?” you said, and his jaw dropped open, laughing drunkenly as he covered his mouth. Clearly he had said something he wasn’t supposed to.
“Oops, did Heeseung never tell you?” he said, trying to backtrack. “Oh, we just fucked with Sunghoon a little in sophomore year. You know, back before you and Heeseung started dating.” An awful feeling crept into your insides as you stared at him relentlessly until he finally continued. “We, uh, we just wrote him a letter or something like that.”
“What did it say?” you demanded.
“Oh, you know.” he said for the thousandth time, and you were beginning to lose your patience. He took a swig of your drink to loosen his tongue. Jay knew he shouldn’t be the one to tell you about this, but his conscience was pressing him to continue, and so he did. “We just said some mean stuff, called him a freak. Told him to stay away from you. It was Heeseung’s idea, really.”
You felt a pit in your stomach. You felt so sick, you didn’t even have the capacity to register the anger bubbling up in your throat. Why would your boyfriend do this? What had Sunghoon ever done to him?
You didn’t even notice that you were defending Sunghoon over Heeseung.
“Why would you do that?” you asked blankly, and Jay stood up quickly, stumbling drunkenly as he almost lost his balance. He sensed that he said something he shouldn’t, and if he kept drunkenly blabbering, Heeseung would definitely kick his ass for it sooner or later.
“Uh, you should ask Heeseung about t-this.” he stuttered, evading before you got angry. He had never seen you upset before. Nobody had, with the exception of one.
You stood from the couch, downing the remainder of your drink, feeling the alcohol leave a burning trail down your throat before you tossed the cup to the side.
You had to find your boyfriend.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Dear Sunghoon,
I know you have a crush on me. I’m sorry to say this, but I really don’t reciprocate your feelings. To be honest, I find it disgusting that you think you even have a chance with me.
Maybe you haven’t realized, but we come from completely different worlds. People actually like me. You might not know what that feels like, but it’s actually pretty nice to be liked. I get good grades, I make friends, I do the work. Something you wouldn’t know much about. You’re nothing compared to me. You have no idea what it’s like to be admired, or to have friends. Maybe that’s because you’re always alone, daydreaming like a fucking loser.
I could never love someone like you. You’re a freak.
Sincerely, y/n.
P.S. I’m in love with Lee Heeseung.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Jake, that bastard, had absolutely disappeared. He had left Sunghoon stranded in a house full of strangers. And not just any house; the house of the man he disliked nearly the most. Well, after you, then Heeseung, then Jungwon… you get the point.
Sunghoon wasn’t a big drinker, but he downed any alcohol he could get his hands on. His fourth shot of vodka left a fierce burning in his throat, and he tried his best to ignore it. Alcohol was just about the only thing that could make him feel a little less alienated in a place full of people that despised him. With every sideways glance, even an admiring or curious one, he felt more and more like running away. But he promised to stick around for the night, and he was a man of his word. Most of the time, at least.
He felt his eyes almost roll into the back of his head when Lee Heeseung approached him, toting one of his goons behind him.
“Can I help you?” Sunghoon said from behind the rim of his cup, brows raised skeptically. Heeseung had a foul look on his face, one that Sunghoon hadn’t really seen before. He seemed to be a jolly guy most of the time.
“What are you doing here?” he said, voice low.
“Sorry, I wasn’t informed that you were Yeonjun’s security guard. I’ll be on my way out, if need be.” Sunghoon said sardonically, and Heeseung’s scowl only deepened.
“I’m warning you, watch what you say to me.” Heeseung said, pointing so closely, his index finger nearly brushed his chest. “I think we both know you don’t belong here.”
“Wow, it seems like you’ve got an attitude problem. Not as innocent as everyone thinks, huh?” Sunghoon didn’t shy away from the contact, attempting to close the inch difference between their heights. It was a lot harder than it seemed. “Just like you little girlfriend.” he provoked, and Heeseung grabbed the front of his shirt, jaw pulsing.
“You watch what you saw about her.” Heeseung said through grit teeth. “You’re just jealous, and we all know it. She could never love someone like you. You’re a freak.”
I could never love someone like you. You’re a freak.
Sunghoon furrowed his brow. He tried his hardest to keep his lower lip from trembling. He couldn’t show that he was hurt, no matter what.
“I’m not afraid of you.” he said.
Heeseung scoffed. “You’re pretending.”
“I’m not the only one.” The two boys stood in silence for a beat.
Heeseung dropped Sunghoon’s shirt, adjusting his jacket with a glare. “Fuck you, Sunghoon. We come from different worlds, you have no idea what it’s like to be me.”
We come from completely different worlds.
You have no idea what it’s like to be admired.
With that, Heeseung was gone, his lackeys disappearing as well. And it was all coming back to Sunghoon, biting his lip furiously to distract from the burning in his eyes. He downed the rest of what was in his cup, wandering back to the kitchen.
Maybe he wasn’t welcome here, but he was going to drink them dry before he left.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
“I have a surprise for you!” Jungwon waved his arms excitedly. You stared at him, completely unamused. Your best friend definitely had the worst timing ever.
“I’m a little busy.” you said, trying to push past him to no avail. You didn’t feel like explaining your situation, not until after you talked to your boyfriend.
“It’s really important,” Jungwon insisted, pressing his hands to the small of your back and steering you towards the staircase. You tried to squirm out of his grip but gave up about halfway through. You would humor Jungwon and see his stupid surprise, then you’d find Heeseung and have a serious conversation.
“Okay, right this way,” Jungwon mumbled, pushing you into a spare guest bedroom. “Wait here for just a moment, I need to get something ready.”
“How long is this going to take?” you said exasperatedly, flopping down onto the bed and crossing your arms.
“Just a minute!” he yelled before slamming the door, dashing away.
As he walked into the corridor, he high fived a certain blond haired boy, Jake rushing by to find his respective best friend.
“Some guy upstairs said he was looking for you.” Jake said, jabbing his thumb at the staircase. Sunghoon’s brows knitted, looking up skeptically before taking another swig of the drink in his hand.
“Me? Was it Heeseung?” Jake shrugged ambiguously.
“Don’t know. He was walking real fast, muttering your name. I think he went into one of the rooms upstairs.” Sunghoon put down his cup, rolling his eyes and heading quickly to the staircase. Jake grinned successfully, trailing behind the boy as he muttered strings of profanities and insults.
“What the fuck does he want…” Sunghoon grumbled, opening the first door he saw when he went upstairs, shutting it in exasperation when a couple screamed, their intimacy interrupted. Jake grimaced; Sunghoon seemed unaffected. He continued this with three more doors, until he finally reached one with a white frame and a silver handle, one with squeaky hinges, one that locked from the outside.
“Where is he-” Jake shoved the boy with all his might, slamming the door behind him as his best friend yelped, pounding on the door. Jungwon came running from around the corner, diving for the doorknob with a key in hand, turning it firmly in the lock. No matter how much Sunghoon protested, it was futile.
“Nice one.” Jake said, high fiving the younger boy as the two proudly celebrated their success. They stared at the door until Sunghoon’s protests went quiet, and the culprits were left with an awkward silence as they registered their actions.
“...We did a good thing, right?” Jungwon asked unsurely.
“...Yeah. Definitely.”
“Oh, fucking excellent. God, this night couldn’t get any worse.” Sunghoon said immediately upon noticing your presence. He huffed, pacing around the room while you stared at him, eyes watery, biting down on your lip hard. Sunghoon was filled with so much rage, he was unable to speak, and the two of you sat in silence for a brief second before you got to your feet, walking straight up to him and slapping him in the face.
“I am so fucking mad at you!” you yelled, shocking both of you.
“Me? What could I have possibly done to make you mad at me?” Sunghoon shouted incredulously, pressing his hand to his hot cheek, red blooming under his skin.
“This whole rivalry!” you said, gesturing vaguely. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” he asked irritatedly.
“About the letter!” Sunghoon paled. He had imagined this moment a hundred times over, and none of those hypotheticals went like this. He simply couldn’t have this conversation with you, it was too painful. It was in the past.
“Why should I? You’re the one that wrote it.” he said frustratedly.
“Jeez, you’re so fucking stupid. I never would have done that to you. I wouldn’t say any of that mean shit to you. I didn’t write that letter!”
He scoffed, “Oh yeah, then who did?”
“Heeseung did, Sunghoon.” He paused for a moment, not sure what to say.
You’re just jealous, and we all know it.
She could never love someone like you, you’re a freak.
We come from completely different worlds.
You have no idea what it’s like to be me.
Heeseungs hurtful words rang around his head, cutting into his skin like hot knives. It was impossible. You wrote the letter. Heeseung wouldn’t have done that.
“Why would he do that?” you stared at him, unbelieving at how oblivious he was.
“Because I was in love with you, obviously!”
It felt like Sunghoon’s heart was on fire. The two of you stared at each other in silence for what felt like centuries, Sunghoon’s head spinning. Suddenly, everything was much too real for him to take in. His rising body temperature, the sweet lilt of your voice, the way you looked at him through your lashes.
“What?” he questioned blankly, hardly even registering what you were saying. He felt dizzy. “You were in love with me?”
“Well, it was freshman year. I was 14. Can you just shut the fuck up? I’m still mad at you.” you said, your cheeks went aflame with the realization of what you had just said.
He grinned. “You’re so dumb.”
“You’re so fucking annoying-” Suddenly, his lips crashed into yours.
He tangled his hands in your hair, knotting his left hand in your hair. You kissed him in return as he held your waist in his right hand, his teeth biting your lower lip. You both fought for dominance, staggering through the room until your back hit the wall, and you wrapped a leg around his waist as he cursed under his breath. It was a kiss of hatred, but at the same time, relief. His lips felt as though they were made to fit yours, fitting like a puzzle piece. You parted for a breath, but he pulled you back in hungrily.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” The two of you pulled away immediately as Jake cursed loudly, Jungwon behind him with a look on his face like you had just shot him. “What is wrong with you two? We wanted you to make up, not make out!”
“Get the fuck out!” Sunghoon shouted, running after his best friend and shoving him away, slamming the door behind them with a heavy exhalation. When he turned back to you, you were trying to hold back a giggle and failing miserably.
The two of you began to laugh, and Sunghoon dropped to the floor with a sigh, you doing the same and sidling up to him.
“I can’t believe we just did that.” you said, feeling intensely embarrassed.
“ Yeah, I bet you’ll give me herpes.” Sunghoon mocked, and you turned to him with a glare, and he held his hands up. “Old habits die hard. But I really am sorry I was mean to you. I didn’t know Heeseung wrote the letter.” You scowled at the reminder.
“Heeseung…” you said, rubbing your eyes. “Jesus. What am I gonna do about him?” Sunghoon didn’t reply, staring at the ceiling thoughtfully.
“Did you ever think I was a freak?” he asked suddenly. You frowned.
“Why would I think that?”
“I don’t know. I was always alone, always daydreaming. I wasn’t popular or anything. Didn’t you ever consider that you shouldn’t like someone like me?”
“Someone like you?” you snorted. “C’mon, don’t be full of yourself. You’re just a person. I could care less if you like to be alone, or if you daydream. So does everyone else, they’re just not brave enough to say it aloud.” Sunghoon smiled in relief, and he wanted nothing more than to press another hungry kiss to your lips. But he knew he needed to hold back. I mean, you had just gotten over your rivalry a couple minutes ago. He should probably give it some time before he starts kissing his ex-nemesis.
“You should probably go,” he said, avoiding eye contact. “I bet people are looking for you. And I think you might need to talk to your boyfriend.”
“Ex boyfriend, when I’m done with him.” you said, rolling your eyes and getting to your feet, bruising the dust off of your dress. You held out a hand to assist Sunghoon in getting up, and he took it with a smile. You walked, turning back when he didn’t follow you. “C’mon. Let’s show Heeseung that we’re not enemies anymore.”
He couldn’t hold back his grin.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
You felt like the room quaked when you walked downstairs with Sunghoon.
The music didn’t stop, but it almost seemed like everything went silent, hundreds of pairs of eyes landing on the two of you immediately, narrowed, criticizing. Sunghoon was sweating at the judgment, but you strode confidently, not paying any attention to their stares. And like magic, everyone began to turn around and mind their own business. You sent Sunghoon a wink.
“Do anything with confidence, and people won’t give a shit.” you said. Sunghoon grinned. He knew he had a lot to learn from you. The two of you slid through the bodies, navigating your way through until you spotted him from across the room.
Lee Heeseung. The man you called the love of your life just a few hours ago. You wonder if you still loved him after what happened.
“I think I’m gonna head out.” Sunghoon said, tilting his head towards the door.
“See you later, Sunghoon. Don’t be a stranger.” you said, before turning on your heel and marching away. He shook his head at your retreating figure, smiling with a warm blush on his cheeks before he made his exit.
“Heeseung!” you yelled across the room, attempting to pass by the hordes of drunks to get to your boyfriend. Him and his friends were playing a rowdy game of beer pong, and he watched you inquisitively with a ball in hand. “We need to talk.”
“About what, baby?” he asked, tossing the ball and scoring with ease, Yeonjun and Beomgyu cheering behind him and chanting his name.
“Heeseung.” you said his name coldly, and he grew serious within an instant.
“Yeonjun, take my place.” he said, slapping his friend on the back as the boy raised his brow, the group watching you with curiosity as you walked away.
You led Heeseung to the backyard, crossing your arms the minute you turned around to face him. He could tell you were serious as ever.
“What is it baby?” he said with concern, reaching for your arm, but you pulled away from him quickly. He only grew more worried.
“Heeseung, do you have anything to tell me?” you asked vaguely, and every bad thing he had done in his entire life ran through his head in an instant.
“No?” he said pathetically. “Y/n, will you just tell me what you want?”
“Why did you write Sunghoon that letter?” Heeseung paled. He didn’t think you would find out. Not this soon. “You said such hurtful things to him, why? And addressed from me?” You said, voice wobbling.
“Baby, let me explain-”
“You’re the reason Sunghoon hated me so much. I put up with his belittling for years because I thought I deserved it somehow. Just to find out it was you all along? What kind of fucked up person would do that?”
“How else was I supposed to get him away from you?”
“That’s not your decision to make, Heeseung.” you said coldly.
“Look, baby, that was all in the past. I’m really sorry, can’t we just look past it?”
“No, Heeseung, because you hurt an innocent person really badly. And that is always unforgivable.” you sighed, pinching the space between your brows.
“He doesn’t matter, y/n. I’m your boyfriend, not him!”
“Well, not anymore.” Both of you froze. Through the glass walls, the entirety of the party stared at the two of you, Decelis’ golden couple. Now destroyed.
“You’re breaking up with me,” Heeseung said slowly, in disbelief. “Over Park Sunghoon?” You stared at him for a moment, before steeling yourself.
“Yes. Yes I am.” And then you walked off, pushing past the shocked crowds with tears in your eyes, gunning it for the door and disappearing into the night.
Something was telling you to run after him.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
epilogue.
“She’s still at it?” Jake asked in disbelief. Just a moment previous, you had strode straight up to Sunghoon from your spot at the blackboard with the utmost confidence and placed a lollipop onto his lap. You didn’t even look into his eyes, just turning on your heel and returning to your duties.
He was beginning to get envious looks from his fellow classmates, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
“S’pose so.” Sunghoon said, unwrapping the cellophane and popping the treat into his mouth with a satisfying suction sound. “Mm. At least she’s giving me good flavors these days.”
“It’s been three years. You’d think she’d stop by now.” Jake shook his head, tossing his notebooks and laptop into his backpack as the bell rang, dismissing class.
“She’ll never stop. She loves me.” Sunghoon grinned proudly, the stick of his lollipop protruding from the corner of his upturned mouth.
“Why doesn’t she ever bring me lollipops?” Sunghoon frowned, slapping Jake in the back with his notebook before shoving it into his duffel. “Ow! What?”
“She’s my girlfriend. She’s not allowed to give lollipops to anyone but me.” Sunghoon said, like it was obvious, walking to the front of the class with Jake in tow just behind him. “Besides, you don’t even like lollipops anyway.”
“It’s the thought that counts.”
Even after a year of dating, you and Sunghoon were still up to your classic shenanigans. It was a wonder that the two of you were still together, considering how often you bickered. You were lucky that you loved each other more than enough to make up for the arguments.
“Hey, baby.” he said, striding up to your place at the front of the class and pressing a sloppy kiss onto your cheek. You wiped your cheek off with a playful scowl, before plucking the lollipop from Sunghoon’s mouth and putting it between your lips.
“Hey, Hoonie. Hey, Jake.” You reached for your boyfriend’s hand as the three of you walked out of class together. “How was practice, you two?”
“Mm, I’m tired.” Sunghoon said, pecking you as Jake rolled his eyes at your overt pda. “Jake’s been keeping me busy with training.”
“If you weren’t so shit, I wouldn’t have to train you all the time.” Jake ruffled the younger boy’s hair as he looked up at him with a scowl. After your debacle with Heeseung, Jake quit the rugby team, deciding he favored soccer. It turned out to be a good decision, as he was quite good at it, and you decided it must have been pure fate that gave him a scholarship to the same college you and Sunghoon were attending.
“Hey, I joined soccer way before you did. Have some respect for your seniors.” Sunghoon said, evading Jake’s hands as he reached to slap the younger boy, the two tussling as you watched with a smile, sucking on your lollipop.
“Jesus, don’t you ever get tired of those two?” a weary voice said, sidling up to you as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. You turned to face Jungwon, his bangs matted to his forehead and his button up shirt nearly halfway undone.
“You’ve been sleeping during class?” you asked, humor in your tone as your best friend turned to you with a raised brow.
“How could you tell?” You didn’t answer. Sunghoon ran to you, a big grin on his face as he dragged Jake behind him in a headlock.
“Hey, Jungwon.” he said, reaching for a handshake that Jungwon didn’t reciprocate. He then reached for the stick dangling from your lips, removing it, kissing you softly, and then putting the sucker back in his own mouth.
“You guys are disgusting.” Jake said, voice muffled from under Sunghoon’s bicep.
“Cherry, again?” Jungwon said, watching the bright red sphere as it protruded slightly from Sunghoon’s mouth. “I should’ve known you were up to something when you ordered them in bulk.”
“What can I say? A tradition’s a tradition.” you grinned, taking Sunghoon’s hand as the four of you walked in a line. “A lollipop a day keeps Park Sunghoon away.” He looked at you with a snort, unable to hold back a smile.
“Did you just come up with that?” he asked, amused.
“I did.” you hummed, and he pressed a kiss to your nose, Jungwon and Jake groaning loudly in unison.
“We get it, you’re in love.”
“Enough already, it’s gross.” they whined, and the two of you laughed together, swinging your hands back and forth like a little swing between your sides.
Who knew you and your enemy would fall in love? You certainly couldn’t have predicted it. Turns out that college life had a lot of unexpected surprises in store. But while everything kept changing, there was one thing that always stayed the same.
Sunghoon’s heart always skipped a beat when you gave him a lollipop.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
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☆ late night company.
➷ in which the Gods give you a shit day, and Aphrodite makes up for it.
pairing: son of poseidon!jeno x daughter of ares!reader
genre: hurt comfort, fluff, slight angst, bff2l!AU
warnings: anxiety, injuries, reader is implied to be female!!
word count: 4k words
a/n: sorry if any opla readers get this i just suddenly got the urge to write for mr lee jeno bc <3 jeno tee hee !! also wtf this work has been sitting in my drafts for a whole 8 days i wanted to post it SO bad but i went out of country and didnt have my laptop </33
anw!!! bros the sunflower of 3 years is now jeno biased,,,, sorry hyuck i still love you
You feel your heart continuously spiraling in your chest. It's growing wild, crashing heartbeats uneven and quick. With every breath you breathe, you feel a dark, nervous pit in your stomach grow.
Anxiety.
One place you never fail to find yourself at when you're feeling especially weak, is none other than by the river. Oftentimes you spend your time skipping rocks or staring at the water, the tranquility bringing some kind of peace to you.
However, none of those things seem to help tonight.
You sit on the dock, playing and fiddling nervously with your fingers as your mind runs too fast for your liking.
"You're on my property,"
A sudden voice to your right startles you, more than you'd like, yelping in surprise.
And at your reaction, the person next to you instantly knows something is wrong.
It's Lee Jeno, son of Poseidon, heartthrob of all of Camp Half Blood.
Someone who's stolen your heart.
Jeno stands there with a boyish smile on his face, a glint in his eyes shows no harm, though shines with charm. His hair is messy, which is normal for this late hour, but he seems as awake as ever.
He's a big reason why you're in this state, and it seems to get worse and better at the same time as you observe his expressions. His eyebrows crease, in worry, lips that were previously smiling quickly transforming into a worried frown.
"Sorry," You mumble, frantically standing up. "I didn't realize,"
How did it even slip your mind? You're by the lake, he's the son of the God of the Seas, of course you're in his area.
Before you can take a step forward, Jeno halts you, "No!" he reaches out with a hurry laced in his voice. "No, please stay,"
He could never forgive himself if he were to leave you alone in such a state. It's clear you're vulnerable. And for you to be just the slightest bit disturbed is a bad sign.
You've always been calm, composed, even in the heat of a battle, you were always so sure of yourself. Seeing you here, so oblivious about everything, your mind drifted somewhere far? Jeno can't help but worry.
"O-oh, okay," You nod, before awkwardly retracting your foot, taking it back right next to your other one.
It's silent a moment after, with neither of you knowing what to say. All that can be heard is the quiet waves rippling through the lake, and the soft bristling of the trees brushing against each other.
God, Jeno looks really cute tonight.
It's rare to find him outside of his armor, paired with his sword, gifted from his father, and shield, looking fit for the title of a demi-god, and yet tonight you see him so human. He sports a bomber jacket, a random band t-shirt underneath, and a pair of basketball shorts.
To put it simply, Lee Jeno looks very boyfriend material right now.
To him as well, you look different from what you're usually looking like on a daily basis. Just like him, you look human. But in a different way. Once again, you look vulnerable. There's an obvious nervous glint in your eyes, unfocused and darting everywhere, and your form shrinks with every moment that passes, arms hugging to yourself.
"Are you okay?"
Jeno's voice is comforting, gentle, and yet it still manages to startle you.
Why are you so uneasy tonight?
You don't respond. Your mouth opens, but nothing comes out. A moment passes, then another, but you can't seem to find your words.
"No," You breathe out. In an instant, you feel your body relax when the truth finally comes out, relaxing further when Jeno seems to be unbothered by the fact, reaching out to you.
You accept his offer, stepping closer to him, your fast heartbeat finally slowing when his hands gently search for comfort in yours, his thumbs rubbing gently at your skin.
"I'm not okay,"
"I know,"
And when Jeno looks into your eyes, he doesn't think anything could hurt him more than this. He's been in countless battles, earned multiple injuries and scars, but there's a different kind of hurt when he sees the tears forming at your waterline.
"Can you explain?" You find solace in his warm touch, following as he tugs at your arm. A silent invitation to his cabin. You don't pull away. Jeno glances at you for an answer, smiling softly when you nod simply.
You can't explain it, but there's a feeling you have whenever you're around Lee Jeno. It's comforting, gentle, and you feel that you can be genuinely vulnerable around him.
You think it's love.
You date it back to last summer, when you had defeated him in a small spar together. Despite you winning, he was the one smiling brighter. It confused you at first. You thought maybe he was making fun of you, maybe he let you win, but a moment later, you realized it was admiration.
The way his smile caused your own had your heart lifting, filling your head with thoughts you never thought you'd have for anyone.
When you went to Jaemin, son of Aphrodite, he thought you were dumb at first. How could you not see it? Lee Jeno had been harboring feelings for you for weeks, and finally, you felt the same.
And just 2 weeks ago—13 days and 12 hours ago, to be exact, Jeno confessed his feelings.
Feeling terrified and confused about what to do, you asked for time, time in which he gave you generously.
You don't know why he's still nice to you, when you've been taking so damn long to answer him.
You suppose he really does love you, you conclude it when he's taken you to sit with him on a couch.
The cabin is quiet, so very quiet, it's a nice change from your cabin, full of life and busy people running left and right, with crafting tables in every corner, you like how quiet it is.
Jeno sits patiently next to you, his hands still in yours. "How are you feeling now?"
You peer up at him, attempting to blink your tears away. "Better," You sigh, smiling lightly. It's natural, and unlike your usual bold smile, but Jeno feels absolutely lucky to be able to see it.
"Will you tell me what's wrong?"
He means no harm, simply wanting to help you, but it still confuses you. How could he be so caring towards you?
You answer him, despite your mixed emotions, quietly mumbling, "I've just had a really shit day." Your head turns away from him, almost embarrassingly, pursing your lips.
Jeno's hand releases from yours, and although you instantly miss its warmth, his fingers find itself caressing at your jaw lovingly, before he turns your head back to him. He looks at you with care, so lovingly that it almost overwhelms you, as he speaks, "Tell me about it,"
Something about Lee Jeno just makes you want to melt, to depend fully on him and be loved, to love him. It scares the shit out of you.
"I lost a sparring," You mumble. Jeno can't help but chuckle a little. To others, losing a practice battle is routine, everyday, but it means so much to you it makes him feel proud of how passionate you are.
However, there's something you're not telling him. He can feel it.
"And then?"
"And then my siblings were constantly at my neck because of it."
Truth be told, it's not just today's battle. You've been off for 2 whole weeks, and for good reason.
But feeling this way... it feels so foreign to you. You hate that Jeno has such a hold on you, such an effect on you, plaguing your mind and constantly being reminded of him from the smallest things, it's new.
But another part of you longs for more, for more change, to explore this new thing, to be happy with Jeno.
"I feel weak," You tell him. You feel even weaker when he hums in understanding, feeling the warmth of his fingers caress your skin. His hand is still on your jaw, now wiping away the stray tears you didn't even realize you had let slip, oh so gently and carefully.
"I'm supposed to be strong, like my siblings, like my father. But I can barely control my emotions and actions and sometimes I just feel so... useless? I'm Ares’ daughter, for fucks sake. The God of war. I-I should be able to fight with no problem, win every fight. Isn't that what I was made for?"
You can sense Jeno's growing concern, you can feel it with each hush he lets out when you cry a little harder, you can feel it now that he's let both of your hands go to cup dearly at your cheeks, and you hate that you yearn for more.
Why must you appear so weak in front of Lee Jeno?
"I know it's just my emotions and whatnot, but... god, I don't want to disappoint people anymore,"
Jeno shakes his head, squeezing gently at your cheeks. "Don't say that. You don't disappoint anyone,"
"I disappoint my father—I disappoint myself." You say instantly, and it's clear it's a thought you've had for a long time. "I disappoint you..."
Jeno's eyes desperately search for yours, his face leaning in close to yours. "Hey, hey, look at me,"
His voice lulls you to a calmer state, as he shakes his head lightly, and despite all that you've said, how much of a burden you've been to him, he smiles at you. How can he smile at you? When you've been nothing but so frustrating tonight?
"You could never disappoint anyone," Jeno mumbles firmly, stroking at your cheek. "not me, at least,"
For months on end, Jeno has watched you beat yourself up for the smallest things you do wrong. A small mistake during a spar, tactics failing in a game of capture the flag, even when you get the date wrong you never cease to criticize yourself.
You've got high expectations. Expectations even you yourself can't reach.
"Don't you see? I'm disappointing you right now," You breathe out. It's full of anguish, distress, as if to prove a point. A point that Jeno can never see. "I'm being such a burden, you shouldn't even have to take care of me—"
"—I want to take care of you." Jeno interjects immediately. "I need to know you're safe. I don't care if you think you're a burden, because I know you will never be one."
Through your sniffling, and wobbly lips, a smile is somehow curling on your lips, as your hands creep up to circle around Jeno's wrists.
"There's that smile," He whispers, with the brightest grin you might ever see, a smile even Apollo, the God of sun and light could never beat.
Jeno leans in close, before he presses his lips gently to your cheek, cleaning you of your tears. Each kiss he leaves on your skin spreads warmth within you, like a fire growing bigger and bigger, until it consumes your whole soul.
This time, you welcome the fire, finally feeling secure within Jeno's arms.
What have you been so worried about? Lee Jeno may be oblivious at times, but he's not dumb. He's genuine, he's caring and loving and he's the same person who confessed his love for you 13 days ago, the same heart, the same mind, the same Jeno.
So, you fall into him. You don't care if it's terrifying, or if you have a few bumps on the way, because Jeno is your safetynet. He always has been, and will always continue to be your safetynet.
You just hope Jeno feels the same for you.
You're brought back to reality when Jeno pecks lightly at your nose, his laugh resonating through the room right after he sees your shocked face.
"You know I like you, right?"
You've known for 13 days and 12 hours. Even with all that time to process his confession, it's like he's saying it for the first time, as he holds your face dearly, as he stares into your eyes with so much emotion, it almost overwhelms you. He says it as if he means it.
And he does.
"I know," You know with all your heart. You melt when he smiles sweetly down at you, your throat burning with the urge to tell him that you like him too, hell you might even love him. Your fingers tingle, yearning for his touch, your heart burning for him. But he doesn't deserve it. Not after how long you made him wait for a response.
You don’t understand how Jeno could ever look at you the way he is right now, his eyes shining with such a dear look in them, his lips curling lightly. You know you look like a mess, with your puffy eyes and wet cheeks, how could anyone see the worst side of you and still love you?
You suppose it’s the pressure you get from all your tough siblings, standards way too high for you to reach, but you know you would feel the same if Jeno was crying in your arms as well.
“Good.” He mumbles. “It won’t change.”
A sensation hits you. Your heart jumps and you feel all of a sudden breathless. No amount of tears could take this much air from your lungs, and it’s not anxiety filling them. This time… it’s a warm feeling, it swirls and spreads all through you as Jeno continues.
“I know what you’re thinking, Y/N, that I would stop liking you just because you didn’t answer me. But that’s not true,” He shakes his head, stroking at your cheeks as he scoots closer to you. His voice grows softer, but with the distance between you two, he’s never been clearer before. “I’ll wait for you. Forever, if I have to.”
Lee Jeno has you hypnotized, and you wonder if this is what sirens are like, because he’s all that you want suddenly, you feel so dizzy and hazed with… love. You love him, goddamn it, and he loves you too.
“Just… take your time, okay? I want your answer to come from you, your heart. Not from your siblings, or father, or even me. I want your truth,”
And your truth is him. It stupid to think, but you truly do think that you were made to be with Lee Jeno.
When he pulls away, and finally gives you some (very unwanted) space, you decide to tell him.
“Jeno,” You breathe out. You’re sure the sounds of waves outside his window can easily beat your volume, but you’re more sure Jeno hears you, as his eyebrows shoot up instantly, and he hums, leaning in close. He’s always so tentative to you, you’ve always loved this trait about him.
“It’s been two weeks–”
“–I said you don’t need to–”
“–I want to,”
This time, it’s him who goes speechless, and you can almost see the pink in his cheeks growing under the dark light of his cabin. “Go on,” He finally says.
“Thank you,” You reply. “As I was saying, it’s been two weeks, and I’m ready to give you my answer.”
Jeno’s shocked when you reach over, fingers brushing over his, as you take his hands in yours. “I’ve… always been held under some sort of expectation, always being watched, waiting for some victory, and I hated it. I still do,”
Jeno’s heart softens, as does his eyes as he listens, knowing very well what you are talking about. You’ve isolated yourself countless times when you are unable to reach the expectations, afraid to show anyone emotion.
“and god, did I want to give up. I’m sick of my siblings always picking at my every flaw, judging every step I take. I felt trapped. But you… you’re the opposite. I feel so free around you, it scares the shit out of me. I think about you constantly, day and night, when I’m training or just reading a book, every tiny thing reminds me of you and it’s honestly scary. And you have no expectations for me, it was confusing at first, but I understand now. I don’t have any for you, either. I love how competitive you are, and how you’re still so humble despite being a child of one of the big three’s, and how you take care of everyone, even people you don’t know, and hell–I find your lame jokes funny. I never minded when you’d watch over me, if anything, I loved it. And I was confused what it was at first,”
You suck in a deep breath, shutting your eyes, Your heart beats loud in all your senses, you feel it rising at your throat, tingling at your fingers that Jeno caresses, but it’s okay. It’s Jeno, he could never hurt you.
“But I know now.” Your eyes flutter open, and in a second, your nerves fly away. Jeno’s looking at you with so much love, patiently waiting for you to finish, so you do.
“I like you, Jeno. I might even love you,”
You both grow silent after that.
Once again, you grow anxious.
Holy shit, did he lose feelings in the span of your 2 minutes spent ranting to him?
And when you’re about to lose all hope of an acceptance, Jeno’s fingers tighten around yours the moment they attempt to slip away.
Alarmed, your eyes slowly trail back up to his face, unable to read his expressions.
Jeno sighs. “Say it again?”
“The… the whole thing? I mean, I could,” You mumble. You’re serious. You could recite the whole thing if he wanted word-by-word, you’d do anything for Lee Jeno right now.
When he doesn’t say a word, you suspect it’s what he’s genuinely asking for, clearing your throat to start over once again. “right, okay, uh… how did I start?”
Suddenly, you realize that you are not capable of reciting the whole thing word-by-word. It had all come out with its own flow, you had absolutely no control of your mind, nor did you even think you’d have to say the whole thing again.
Despite that, you still try. “Um–I was always told I had expectations… is that what I said? I don’t know, I don’t really remember. Just something about um, feeling trapped, or something… and feeling free around you? Is that… I think that’s what I said.”
Stupidly, you keep going, knowing fully well that you can’t repeat the deep and touching moment. Jeno finds it so very endearing that you try, however, unable to find it in himself to actually stop you, when you look so cute holding onto his hands and trying to remember your words.
“Whatever, it doesn’t matter, but after that I said something about, uh, you being a child of Poseidon? God, I can barely remember. Anyway, you’re cool, Jeno, you really are–”
Suddenly, your mouth clamps shut. A warmth envelops your chin, lips, to your cheeks, before you realize Lee Jeno has his hand covering your mouth, shutting you up. You’re surprised to see a grin on his lips, even more so when he starts chuckling, taking his hand off to ruffle it gently on the top of your head. “Not that part,” He finally says.
“Then… which part?” The way you look at him, Jeno almost thinks you’re doing it all on purpose. Your eyes shining just for him, your confused scrunch on your eyebrows, how could he ever fall more in love with you?
“You love me?”
Oh. That part.
“...yeah,” You breathe out, growing shy. It takes you a moment, before you remember his words.
Say it again.
“I think I’m in love with you, Jeno,”
At your words, he seems to grow tense, but it’s different from all the sparring matches you’ve had with him. He has a huge smile on his face, his eyes creasing into little moons, moons in which you love, the smile that you long to see everyday. How did it take you so long to decide you love him?
“I think I’m in love with you too, Y/N.”
“Okay, cool,” You nod, attempting to act cool. The Gods know how you really feel, your heart beating as fast as ever, shit eating grin growing on your face as his hands slip in yours once more, as you lean into him. “that’s super cool,”
“mhm, yeah, really epic,” Jeno mirrors your attitude, you can tell he’s growing shy. You know from the way his voice dies down a little, growing small with mumbles, you know from the way he curls his body slightly, but he’s still as confident as ever, bumping his forehead with yours.
You chuckle at the action, shutting your eyes to savor the moment.
At that moment, you both silently thank Aphrodite, for guiding the both of you here, right now.
Your eyes open once again, and you find Jeno already staring at you. You offer him a smile, one that he welcomes, and returns with his own bright grin. His mouth opens slightly for a moment, but nothing comes out. Jeno blinks, thinking hard to himself.
You wonder what he could be thinking about, but before you could wonder more, or even ask what’s on his mind, he speaks.
“Can I… kiss you?”
You chuckle lightly at his words, bringing your forehead away from his as your head throws back in soft laughter. Albeit confused, Jeno still watches, his heart burning with every laugh you let out.
“You know you don’t have to ask, right?” You finally say as you stop laughing. “Go ahead,”
Jeno smiles, and his face is so close to yours that he could smile against your own. Your noses brush, eyes slowly shutting, and his warm lips envelop yours. It feels tender, soft, gentle, and loving, his hands wrapping slowly around your waist. Kissing Jeno is different from what you’ve always thought kissing him would be like. It’s comforting, not rushed. It’s welcoming, it feels like home, where you’ve always belonged.
Jeno feels the exact same thing, his lips curling and shifting between yours as your hands hold dearly at his jaw, caressing at his skin.
When you pull away, all that resonates through the Poseidon cabin is your shallow breathing, and sounds of the soft waves hitting shore, and it couldn’t be more perfect. In Jeno’s arms, worrying about nothing, thinking about nothing but him.
“Stay the night?”
“What?”
Jeno’s eyes widen as he realizes his abrupt words, his mouth gaping. “N-no! Not like that!”
You both know it’s not like that. You find it cute that he still says it, anyway.
“I-I mean, your siblings upset you, right? You don’t want to go back to your cabin–unless you want to! Of course, it’s your choice, completely,”
And they say chivalry is dead.
All you can do is continue to stare at him as he goes on and on, admiring the way his cheeks grow red, and his rushed words, you wonder if this is how Jeno felt when you ranted before.
“I, personally, don’t want you going somewhere you don’t feel safe in, you know? With people who have hurt you. We could just hang out, talk, or something. I can show you a bunch of stuff my dad left for m–”
This time, Jeno’s shocked, blinking at you as your hand envelops his lips to halt his ranting.
“I’d love to stay over,” You mumble, dropping your hand from his face. “you’re the only one I feel safe with right now,”
Jeno finally grins, feeling love resonate through his body, reaching out to place his palm on your cheek. The love spreads and multiplies as you lean into his palm, like a disease, but you know if that was the case you would have been infected for a long time already.
“...so can I check out Poseidon’s trident?”
“Oh, for sure. That thing’s huge.”
#lee jeno imagines#nct imagines#nct dream imagines#kflixnet#knet bakery#k radio!#nct writers#neoturtles#lee jeno#lee jeno x reader#lee jeno scenarios#lee jeno fuff#lee jeno drabbles#lee jeno blurbs#nct x reader#nct scenarios#nct fluff#nct drabbles#nct blurbs#nct dream#nct dream x reader#nct dream scenarios#nct dream fluff#nct dream drabbles#nct dream blurbs
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A Song of Ice and Fire
❝ they say the crimson king is as ruthless as the freezing winters of your land...❞
𓏲 PAIRING. prince!minho x princess!reader (ft. guard!jisung x reader)
𓏲 GENRE. fluff, angst; royalty!au, fire-bender!minho & ice-bender!reader, historical drama, action, romance, love triangle/forbidden romance, arranged marriage!au, subzero!au
𓏲 WORD COUNT. 35k
𓏲 WARNINGS. language, mild violence, minho is a jerk at first, cliche asf, mildly suggestive, a brief allusion to assault (but it's stopped before anything happens), blood, injuries and tending to them (i am not a doctor), food, mentions of war and famines, poison, mentions of death, reader gets carried around and has hair that can be put in a ponytail, petnames, includes the rest of skz as various people (TV-14)
𓏲 SUMMARY. when you agreed to marry the prince of the crimson clan in order to sign a peace treaty, it feels like your entire life is crumbling down in front of your eyes. forced to move to another kingdom, you're afraid of being shackled in a loveless marriage. minho's reputation precedes him, and the stories you've heard aren't exactly great. yet the seemingly perfect kingdom has many secrets, along with a dark history that goes beyond anything you would've imagined...
𓏲 A/N. ot related to GoT at all!! just liked the title lol. inspired by the webtoon subZero. this is just a flaming pile of garbage lmfao - i started this fic back in july but i only got like 1k before i gave up. then, i recently picked this story back up since i didn't want to give up on it. a lot of effort went into this, but i recognize that this story isn't perfect. i came to a realization of how much i despise my writing style while i was writing this :<. i'm a tad bit afraid that only like two people will read lol but oh well, we shall see :) on a lighter note, i really hope you enjoy and please don't forget to lmk your thoughts as i'll literally jump with joy :> side note: the reader comes from the azure clan but the royal guard is caled the cerulean guard.
𓏲 SPECIAL THANKS TO. @luvseos for beta reading the prologue-ish part, tysm!! (also, i'm so so sorry i am not able to tag you so i assume you deactivated :( ) @hyuukais and @kurosism for going over the first part of the fic! thank you guys a lot and i really appreciate all of your nice comments and suggestions <3 big thanks to @sw1mmingfoolz for reading through the first part! thank you for all your sweet comments :> and @celestialgyu for going through the entirety of this. I was nearly gonna start crying in the dms tysm <3
@seung-scrittore oh my god leo you are a savior for going through this entire monster!! thank you! i can't stress it enough how grateful i am <33 i really appreciate it :< also sorry for having to correct shitty typos and my malfunctioning grammar lmfao
@chaninfused furat thank you for listening to my rambles as i was losing it on main lol. it was really nice and helpful talking to you, especially as your (self proclaimed) no 1 stan lol. also shout out to your arab prince! minho cause i'm still on the agenda and i can't deny i thought of him while writing this. go read danse macabre for some quality prince!minho (and great plot)
@choihaiyun for the amazing banner idea/creation <3
MASTERLIST
The night was coated in inky darkness, thunder rumbling outside your window.
It was a cold winter night, heavy snow coating your entire kingdom like a blanket. Loud arguments echoed through the room, various voices from both sides unable to reach an agreement.
You weren't surprised—it was a tough decision to make on your part, or rather, on your uncle's part. The men from the Crimson clan appeared in your kingdom a few days ago with an unexpected offer: a peace treaty. After many years of war, your entire kingdom was in ruins and it came to no one's surprise that your uncle jumped at the opportunity to finally end the conflict that had been going on for over a century.
That was, however, before he had heard the details of said treaty, and after finding out what the last requirement was, he was about to turn it down at lightning speed.
That's when you suddenly stood up, dusting the imaginary specks of dust from your finest gown—the one you were ordered to wear tonight.
“Enough!” you shouted over the loud voices in the room.
Everyone, both your people and the people of the Crimson clan, immediately turned their heads towards you in surprise, not expecting such an outburst from the crown princess. You'd been silent the entire meeting, choosing to keep quiet and let them talk, but you'd had enough. Everybody was speaking over you, arguing over your future like it was some sort of commodity; nobody even bothered to ask you what you wanted.
Taking a deep breath, you finally whispered, “I agree to the marriage.”
. ˚✧・* •
flashback
“A little bit tighter,” you said to Mina, your maid, who was tightening your dress from the back.
It was currently almost five o'clock and you had a meeting with some officials from the Crimson clan in about fifteen minutes.
To your utter surprise, it was them who first reached out to you on forming an alliance. The war had been going on for over a hundred years and your clan was on the brink of extinction.
Pushed back from the mainland, most of your colonies and settlements now laid offshore on secluded islands in the north.
Your once prosperous nation was now a shell of its former self, ridden with poverty, famine, and death.
To put it simply, the Crimson clan massacred your entire nation and left it in ruins.
Every day, you awoke to the howling of hungry citizens who were freezing in their little cabins with nothing to eat, nothing to do. The war had left its imprint on your nation and if you didn’tdo anything soon, nothing would be left of the once prosperous clan.
You fiddled with your sleeve nervously as you walked down the hallway, both Chan and Jisung right behind you. This was a major meeting and they'd rather be found dead than not accompany you on such an important day. The three of you had been through so much growing up side by side, and they were the only people you could consider friends.
Sweat was beginning to line your forehead as you nervously stopped in front of the grand entrance.
Jisung immediately rushed to hold the door open for you and you offered him a grateful nod, taking a deep breath before you entered the den of lions.
Lifting up your dress slightly, you bowed down to the visitors before taking a seat by your uncle.
Ever since your father died in the war, he was the one to temporarily rule the kingdom until a new ruler would arise. Despite his rather meek and quiet nature, he tried his best to be a strong and dependable leader for your people. Unlike your father, however, he was never a good strategist so he left most of the tactical details to Chan—captain of the Cerulean guard and his right-hand man.
The thin cushion you were sitting on proved to be rather uncomfortable after a full hour. During this time, Felix—the general and minister of foreign affairs (and the crown prince's cousin)—unrolled a scroll handed to him by one of his servants. The fiery red emblem of the Crimson clan shone on the creamy piece of parchment, making you feel even more stressed than you thought was possible.
As his slim fingers worked to crack the seal, you could feel your breath hitch in your throat. This tiny piece of paper would determine your future, along with the future of your entire kingdom.
And despite the Crimson guard arriving with words of peace, you couldn't help but stay alert. You felt uneasy as you watched the cunning man's lips tug into a smirk, reading the terms and conditions.
“Lastly, due to the unusual grounds for the treaty, the royal court requires that the Crown Princess is to be wed to Crown Prince Minho, effective immediately.”
. ˚✧・* •
A thick silence engulfed the three of you as you sat in the carriage, too stunned to speak. Or at least you were. The consequences of your words weighed down on you like a heavy blanket, enveloping you in darkness from which you felt as if there was no way out.
Turning your head to your two most loyal men (and friends, of course), you couldn't help but notice how tense they were. Chan, always one to put others before himself, tried to mask the unease but you saw it clear as day in his eyes.
He was afraid.
Meanwhile, Jisung didn't even bother to hide his emotions. A scowl was painted across his pretty lips as his hands clenched into fists. He was staring out the window, almost as if he didn't want you to see the burning rage in his eyes.
A sigh left your parted lips as you fixed your gaze on the village you were passing by. All the people seemed to be happy, the roads were clean and flowers blossomed from every little garden. It only reminded you of how little your people back home had.
You felt a pang of guilt in your heart.
I failed my kingdom.
You weren't able to protect your land. It was a sad realization, but it was the truth. It was the reason you had agreed to be shipped off to Crown Prince Minho as an appeasement gift in the first place. It hurt your pride, there was no doubt about that, but it was your duty.
Not because you were a brave princess ready to do anything for her kingdom. The thought of fleeing came across your mind several times, however, there was a bitter reason why you never even considered it an option.
You had nowhere to go.
Your entire land had been occupied by the Crimson Guard for over two decades now. Not to mention that anywhere you'd go, you'd still be recognized as the Crown Princess of the Azure clan. There were probably hundreds of people who wanted you gone, and if you ever set foot in the neighboring kingdom without an official treaty, you were as good as dead.
You've heard lots of things about Prince Minho.
And honestly, they weren't that great. Quite the contrary—the word around was that he was an unimaginable brute, bitter from the loss of his older brother whom he loved dearly. You winced at the thought of having to meet the man.
You've never met him personally—not many people have—but stories of his staggering beauty traveled to your kingdom too. They say his eyes are as sharp and cunning as those of a dragon and that if you look into them for too long, you'll get burned.
Clenching your hands by your side, you sighed, perching your head against the glass as the demons of sleep slowly overtook you.
. ˚✧・* •
“Y/N, wake up!” you heard a hushed whisper as someone lightly shook your body. “Y/N!”
With a gasp, you shot up, hurriedly looking from side to side. “It's okay, Princess, it's just us,” Jisung murmured in a low voice, the voice he used only when talking to you. As the familiar tone reverberated in your head, you released the breath you were holding, placing your hand on your chest to calm your erratic heartbeat.
“S-Sorry, Ji… just another nightmare…”
“Don't worry, I'm here,” his hand slid down your cheek to your shoulder, rubbing it comfortingly. “I won't let anything happen to you.”
Jisung's serious tone made Chan snort, shaking his head at the two of you and the obliviousness you both possessed. The boy looked at you with adoration and love, like you held the Milky Way in your eyes, while you never said anything, presumably not realizing how deep his feelings for you ran.
Or perhaps, Chan had it all wrong and you loved him back… he couldn't be sure, however, that would be even worse. The three of you were about to enter the Crimson palace, the land of the enemy, to offer a treaty. Your entire land's future relied on how well the deal would go, how merciful would the Crown Prince be. There was no way in hell Jisung would knowingly risk the future of your country by getting chummy with you, who was supposed to be wed to him, the Prince, as an “appeasement gift” of sorts.
Chan never really understood the whole royalty schtick.
Sure, he was a royal guard (the captain, in fact) and it was his duty to protect the Princess, but when he was a young teen who just started out at the academy, he had no idea of the inner workings of the palace.
He wasn't aware of all the things that were done behind the curtains, all the hushed deals, and secret affairs. However, most of all, he never would've expected to see you, the little girl whom he knew since she could walk on her own two feet (or rather waddle, to be precise), be wed to someone like Prince Minho.
Nevertheless, the man couldn't help but scoff, a small smile appearing on his lips, despite his best attempt to hide it.
Ever since he was a little boy, Jisung had this sense of duty and obligation to protect you. He was closer to your age than him, so it was natural that the two of you were closer with each other than you ever were with him. Or perhaps it was too natural.
With a light thud, the door to your carriage opened, and a young guard held out his hand for you to take. Ignoring the glare Jisung shot the poor boy, you gladly accepted his hand, slipping your gloved palm into his and walking down the steps till your feet were securely on the ground.
Upon stepping down, you were immediately taken aback. The Crimson Palace was simply divine. The humongous building extended as far as the eye could see, offering a horizontal view of the ancient-looking (but well kept) structure. Despite wanting to appear proper and lady-like, you couldn't prevent your jaw from dropping in awe.
“This is… wow,” you whispered, tongue darting to moisten your lips.
Your throat suddenly felt very dry.
It was then that you noticed how warm the climate was. The surcoat with the traditional fox-fur lining began to feel heavy on your shoulders and you realized that for the first time in years, you actually felt warm outside.
“Hey, hey,” a soft voice murmured in your ear, tugging on your sleeve. “Do you think it's him?”
You didn't have to even ask who Jisung was talking about. A cloud of worry washed over you as you immediately straightened your posture, expecting the Prince to appear from behind the swarm of guards to welcome you.
You were left disappointed though, as the person who emerged from the crown wasn't the Prince. Rather, the man that came forward was one you recognized immediately.
He was the one who came to your kingdom prior to your arrival. Felix was his name, if you recalled correctly. The pleasant smile he showed you when he was in your homeland was gone and instead replaced with a sour expression that did nothing but show his distaste for you.
Nibbling on your bottom lip, you clenched your hands in worry, momentarily allowing your gaze to drop down.
“Why's he the one greeting you?” Jisung spat out, standing in front of you protectively as if attempting to shield you with his own body. Chan too stepped in front of the two of you, hand immediately reaching for the sword by his side as if preparing for the worst.
“Where is the Prince?” he spat out lowly, his voice audibly dropping an octave. Usually, this would result in the opponents quivering in their boots. Chan could be a scary man when he wanted to and he wasn't afraid to unleash his more deadly side if it meant he would adhere to his duties.
Alas, it seemed like this trick wasn't enough to scare the Crimson soldiers.
A mere chuckle left general Felix's lips as he gestured for the men around him to disperse. Once the soldiers weren't coming directly at you, Chan stepped away with a sigh, recognizing that you were no longer in imminent danger.
Unlike Chan, however, Jisung never left the spot in front of you, his hand still protectively wrapped around your waist. The glare he was giving the Crimson Land's general was pretty intense if you'd take into account that the man was several ranks higher than him and could obliterate the three of you with a single snap of his fingers.
“Jisung!” Chan whisper-shouted from next to you, tugging his younger friend's sleeve. “Stop it.”
The boy shot another nasty glare, this time in his captain's direction, making his eyes widen. Chan was about to yank him from his position when suddenly, your voice rang through the air, clear as day.
“Jisung! I appreciate your concerns, however, I need to meet with the officials of the Crimson Land. Don't forget that we're the guests setting foot in a foreign kingdom.” Your eyes met over his shoulder. Then, with a softened tone, you continued, “I'm gonna be okay, don't worry.”
Maybe it was the strong imploration in your eyes, but Chan suspected that it was more likely the fact that you gently placed your palm on his shoulders that made the young boy step back. It wasn't the first time that the young lieutenant got into a fit and had to be coaxed by you to get back in line.
As a seasoned general of the army, Felix was quite impressed by your commanding tone and by how you managed to convince what seemed like a typical low-rank brat into listening to reason. Nevertheless, he didn't let it show, instead, focused on you—the future Princess of the Crimson Land.
Right?… wrong.
“What is the meaning of this, General?” Chan suddenly spoke up, confused as to why the Prince wasn't already here greeting you and welcoming you to the palace as was customary. You may come from a poorer land than his, but still, you were a princess.
His future wife for god's sake.
“The nerve of this man,” he growled under his breath, clenching his fists. “Where is His Highness? Shouldn't he be here welcoming the Princess?”
From the tone his voice took, you could tell that Chan was losing his patience. You tried to calm him the same way you would Jisung. Unfortunately, you did not have that effect on him. Chan simply shook your hand off but took a deep breath, calming his heartbeat.
“Sadly, the Prince could not join us now. He had some other important duties he had to tend to. Fear not, His Highness's schedule has been cleared for the evening. He and the Princess may meet in the latter hours of the day.”
“What other duties could he have that are more important than meeting the Princess?!” Jisung scoffed, folding his hands over his chest to show his distaste. He bit the inside of his cheek in annoyance, sending another glare to the General. The man looked quite… young for his age, and Jisung couldn't help but realize that he must be really skilled to have earned the general's title in his early twenties. Hell, the man looked like he was younger than Chan!
“Now,” Felix continued, “I believe it is my duty to show the Princess around the palace.”
. ˚✧・* •
You would think that Felix was relishing in the way you cowered as you were made to follow him around the palace. Behind every corner, crook, and cabinet, there were at least half a dozen of maids or other palace staff gossiping about you.
“I heard that she begged for His Highness to marry her! She's only after his fortune ”
“Supposedly, she stole food from the food supply, letting her own people go hungry!”
“They say she has an awful temper and hits her own maids!”
“Don't mind them,” he rumbled, his deep voice sending chills down your spine. “It's just idle gossip. They don't have anything else to talk about.”
‘Yeah sure,’ you thought. As if he wasn't smirking at the prospect of your humiliation. He had all the power to order them to stop, yet he let the rumors spread like wildfire instead, leaving you to walk over the scorching trail of embarrassment.
Wrapping your arms around yourself, almost as if trying to create a shield between you and their hurtful words, you let out a muffled whimper.
“H-How did these rumors even spread? I never did anything of this sort…”
The General smirked, his head turning away from you as he gazed at the lush gardens of the palace. “That, Princess, I wonder too…”
. ˚✧・* •
The clock struck seven when the maids were tightening your dress. It had been almost three hours since you'd arrived at the palace. General Felix took you on a lengthy tour of the kingdom's grounds and showed you to your chambers.
Despite feeling sad and lonely, there was no denying how beautiful the Crimson Land was. From the majestic palm trees lining the path to the main gate to the Palace itself, you were still in awe.
How could a building look so beautiful, like it was taken straight from The Tales From the Thousand and One Nights?
You wondered if the Prince was beautiful too… it was no secret that Lee Minho was considered one of the most attractive princes to have graced the face of Earth. The tales of his beauty and intellect reached even the most secluded corners of the Azure Land. Yet these whispers shared amongst the people were also filled with anecdotes of his cruelty and apathy.
You knew more than to believe baseless rumors spread by servants, but the story of his older brother's brutal death was one that everyone knew by heart. It was supposedly this tragic event that caused the Prince's heart to turn into ice…
A loud knock could be heard as the maids secured the last hairpin into your hair.
“Come in,” you stated, praying that your voice wasn't quivering. You fiddled with the hems of your delicately sewn sleeves, attempting to keep the anxiety at bay.
A young man, somewhere around your age, entered the chambers with an unrolled piece of parchment. “The General request your presence in ten minutes. He will accompany you to meet His Highness.”
The way he addressed you informally wasn't lost on you, yet you didn't even find it in you to bother getting angry. Instead, you nodded, gathering the heaps of your skirts before standing up.
You followed the boy into the upper floor of the palace, immediately noticing the sudden change in setting. Although never too pressed on luxury and the way your sleeping quarters looked, it was pretty hard to miss how much more lavish and decorated this floor was. Despite this sudden discovery, you tried to stop the inevitable train of thought that you were building up to.
Perhaps you were kept on the other floor for… security reasons.
Yeah… it was bullshit… you knew. And since you were already self-conscious enough about the deal, it made it even worse.
‘Don't dwell on it, Y/N,’ you whispered to yourself as you were strolling down the hall. ‘There's nothing you can do…’
Swiftly, one of the mahogany doors burst open, General Felix walking out of the room clad in his finest robes. His platinum hair was slicked back and held up by a single hairpin, giving him a more mature and aged look. He gave you his signature smirk (one that promised no good), nodding to the man who brought you and dismissing him promptly.
“Follow me, Princess.”
Hoping to keep up with the General's fast pace, you sped up slightly, the heels of your expensive crystal shoes clicking against the marble floor.
Suddenly, the man stilled, his steps coming to a halt. You squeaked, almost bumping into him, but luckily, you managed to stop right before making contact with his body, dodging the first of many bullets that were to come at you.
“His Majesty is in the last chamber on your left. No need to knock, you can simply walk straight in. He has been anticipating you for the entire evening.”
Taking a deep breath, you start walking towards the door, unclenching your hands that were balled into fists. ‘This is it,’ you thought. ‘I'm finally going to meet the Prince… my future husband.’
Even simply hearing the word itself made you unconsciously shudder, unsure of how to feel about this.
The dark, oak doors to His Majesties chambers were rather plain, you noticed. Unlike the Generals', there were no golden plaques or anything lavish that would point to the crown Prince living there.
You couldn't decide if that was a good sign or not.
Heeding general Felix's advice, you reach for the door handle. Fingers tightly gripping at the cold metal, you felt chills run down your spine as you opened the door, walking straight into a lavishly decorated room.
The shelves were filled with artifacts and scrolls, some of them looking more than two hundred years old. A thick aroma of rose and patchouli wafted through your nostrils, attacking your senses. A loud cough tore from your throat as you covered your mouth in hopes of blocking any more of the scent. It felt like you just inhaled a bottle of the most precious bath oils.
Taking a few more steps, you found yourself standing in front of a silk curtain. Looking back, maybe you should've realized that the entire setting was rather… unusual. Later that evening, you would curse yourself for not realizing sooner.
You blamed it on the giddiness from meeting the Prince, or perhaps it was a morbid sort of curiosity that led you to tug at the curtain which revealed…
The crown Prince changing?!?!
A gasp left your parted lips, alerting him of your immediate presence. You were met with a handsome man in his early twenties, clad in form-fitting trousers and a shirt half pulled over his torso. His toned chest gleamed back on you, lingering droplets of water gliding down the smooth planes of pale skin.
A loud cough made you jerk, realizing that you were staring at the Prince who was currently half-naked.
The Prince.
When that last bit sunk in, you yelped, hastily covering your eyes to block your view of the man.
“I-I… I'm-m sorry, Your Highness. I d-didn't mean to—”
Pulling down his silk shirt, the Prince's lips were tugged into a tight line as he watched you fumble with your words, arms crossing over his chest. Though he managed to conceal it, your intrusion managed to throw him off. A smirk appeared at the corner of his lips when he spotted how flustered you were.
Sensing that you weren't going to finish your sentence anytime soon, Minho waited for a couple of seconds, just to make sure, before he started walking away, completely ignoring your presence—as if you weren't even there.
You almost cowered under his menacing aura.
As you watched the back of your future husband turn on you, a sudden pang in your chest made you do the unthinkable: you reached out and grabbed his arm.
The way he stopped in his tracks made your heart beat like crazy, and for a second, you almost forgot how to breathe.
After what felt like an eternity, his lips finally parted as he uttered a sentence that would haunt you for the coming days.
“Let go.”
. ˚✧・* •
After the rather embarrassing encounter with Prince Minho, you ran out of the room in tears, barely managing to hold in your sobs. Out of all the ways you could've met him for the first time, you had to walk in on him while he was changing (courtesy of general Felix—that man really must hate your guts).
Since you heard all the horrible rumors about him, you had hoped you could at least make a good first impression. Hell, even decent would be fine. Well, as always, fate throws fortune, but not everyone catches.
The way you're running down the hall feels most improper.
You're holding your robes high, so as not to trip over them, and waterfalls of tears are streaming down your face. Perhaps you were overreacting… no—scratch that—you were overreacting, no doubt.
You couldn't find proper reasoning for this onslaught of emotions. Was it caused by all the recent stress surrounding the engagement? Or perhaps the fact that you were anticipating this moment, imagining in your head how this exact meeting would go.
Wiping the tears from your face with the back of your hand, you sobbed.
“Why… w-why me?”
As you turned around the corner, you were too preoccupied with your current situation to pay attention to your surroundings. You didn't notice the person walking ahead until it was too late.
“Ouch!” you whimpered when you bumped into a sturdy chest, rough hands reaching to steady you at your waist. “You okay?”
Raising your head slowly, you stood up upright, coming face to face with Jisung. His sparkling orbs scanned over your face, taking in the redness of your eyes and your tear-soaked cheeks.
He looked as if he was going to say something, yet instead, he bit down on his lip, holding in whatever angry exclamation that was forming at the tip of his tongue. He shouldn't raise his voice… not when you were so visibly shaken.
“What's the matter, Princess?”
His voice was laced with concern, perhaps a smidgen of anger, and it almost made you choke on your sobs. Your fingers deftly gripped onto the sleeves of his coat as you tried to calm your breathing. His arms felt so warm and inviting that you almost wanted to burry yourself into his chest and forget about everything that just happened.
Carefully peeling your eyes from the ground, you gazed into his, blinking away the tears as you shook your head, letting him know you didn't want to talk about it. Instead, you lurched forward, whispering, “please… just hold me.”
Jisung almost felt his heart snap when he heard you utter those words, holding onto his last bits of restraint like a man thrown overboard would onto a wooden plank. Bending over, the young lieutenant slid his hands under your knees picking you up bridal style.
“Let's go somewhere more private.”
. ˚✧・* •
Turns out that the Crimson Palace offered plenty of nooks and crannies perfect for late-night talks.
“Please… stop it, Jisung. It's embarrassing…” you whined, swatting his hand away. He had been pestering you for the past few minutes to tell him what happened. After he scooped you up into his arms and carried you to the east wing of the palace, Jisung spent almost an hour simply holding you close, rubbing soothing circles on your lower back and caressing your hair.
His comforting touch allowed you to calm down and unwind, an effect he's had you since childhood.
“We've known each other since we were kids,” he exclaimed. “Whatever it is, I won't think you're embarrassing. Plus, I need to find whoever hurt you and give them a piece of my mind!”
You stifled a chuckle. “Geez, good luck with that. I heard that the Prince is an excellent swordsman.”
Jisung spluttered, eyes bulging out of his skull. “The Prince made you cry?! Goddamn, does he have no shame? I'm going to—”
Before he could even finish the sentence, you cut in with a shy giggle, placing your palm on his shoulder. “It's okay, Ji. honestly, I can't even blame him. You know… it was me who walked in on him while he was changing. He must've been just as taken aback as I was,” you sighed.
“Still—” Jisung whined, a pout appearing on his lips, “—he had no business being so mean to you. And that snake Felix!” he exclaimed, anger returning to his tone. “What's his deal?”
A few minutes passed, the two of you sitting on the balcony and enjoying the sunset as the golden hues mixed with the pink ones, creating a wonderful pallet on the sky. Jisung's arm slowly progressed from being propped against the cold marble to securing its (rightful, in his opinion) position around your waist, pulling you closer to his side.
Inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne, you let your aching body relax, almost melting into his hold. His warm, protective hold, the only one that reminded you of how a mother would hold her child. You always felt safe in his arms.
A sudden ache in your stomach made you realize how hungry you were. Your lips curled into a pout as you exhaled, making Jisung turn around. “You're hungry?”
“Jisung—” you dragged out the last syllable of his name in a teasing way, just like you did when you two were kids. “How could you tell? I was just thinking about getting something to eat.”
The boy chuckled, glancing down before gazing back into your eyes. “I've known you for ages, Princess. I know the face you make when you're hungry, when you're tired, when you're annoyed. I was practically raised to guard you and make sure you're satisfied at all times.”
His tone took a rather nostalgic sound and you swallowed thickly at all the fond memories you've shared with him. “I suppose that's true. Nobody understands me like you do, Jisung.”
“Right? The two of us are perfect for each other!”
Suddenly, your throat felt oddly dry. You were perfectly aware of what Jisung was getting at with this statement, his true intentions clear as the sky on a summer night. And perhaps it was fate that brought you together yet again as Jisung gazed into your eyes, a loving smile across his lips.
Then, quickly, as if he was afraid he would lose the courage, he leaned down and pressed his lips against yours. It all happened in a flash, Jisung's arms wrapping around you and pulling you close, your hands sliding into his hair, gripping onto the locks tightly—as if your life depended on it.
Your head was spinning, the air around you heavy, and the only thing you could pay attention to was Jisungs warm lips molding against yours. It was almost like the world around you stopped spinning, everything—including your surroundings—forgotten in favor of the man in front of you.
It was intoxicating, addicting, heated—like a hot summer evening—and you melted into his embrace like the tip of an iceberg fighting against the last rays of the Sun.
Suddenly, a loud clank could be heard, one akin to someone dropping a heavy object. You and Jisung immediately separated from each other, fear written in both of your eyes. His palm pressed against his mouth, fingers caressing his lips as if he still couldn't believe what he was done.
“Shit!” he whispered. “What have we done?”
This was wrong. Everything that just happened was wrong. How could you have allowed him to kiss you? If anyone saw you, you were done for…
“Y-Y/N–” Jisung stuttered, tears materializing at the corners of his eyes. “I'm s-so sorry… I swear I didn't mean to—I have no idea what came over me–”
“–Jisung,” you cut in, realizing that he was about to spiral. Jisung always put up this tough persona, pretending that he was okay and nothing bothered him, but over the years, you've learned to tell when he was in one of those moods. Push and pull, like the tides of the ocean, your understanding of each other was a two-way street, reliant on how the two of you experienced the presence of the other.
“What happened right now was certainly…” you took a deep breath, just a step too close to freaking out. “Improper. Neither of us should have engaged in such acts. As such, we should never ever speak of it, understood?”
You peered at him from under your lashes, hoping to coax more than just an empty stare from him. Luckily, the boy swallowed thickly, but nonetheless nodded, focusing his entire attention on you.
“That's not to say though that I didn't enjoy the kiss.” You grabbed his hand in yours, shyly looking away. “There's a reason I reciprocated, Jisung. Make no mistake.”
The look he gave you was almost as painful as the expression he made when he first heard that you would be moving away. Like a man starved of his deepest, darkest desires. By telling him that you felt these feelings, these tender emotions reserved for people in love, you were letting him know that although he scored in the first alley (by winning your love), there were other circumstances that would prevent the two of you from taking your relationship anywhere further.
He would have to watch you wed, not to mention he would have to be present during the ceremony. And that's not to say that he wasn't capable of being happy for you—he was, but there was a small seed of doubt that was planted in his mind before you even left your kingdom.
Would you be truly happy?
Or rather, would Prince Minho make you happy?
The tales and rumors that surrounded the… cold-hearted nature of the Prince were known to all. In the back of his mind, Jisung had already performed an assessed judgment of Minho and his entire persona. And he came to a very simple conclusion.
That bastard did not deserve you.
A sudden fluttery motion materialized in the corner of his eye—you were waving your hand in front of him, hoping to catch his attention.
“We should go.” The words fell from his mouth in a quick breath as he shot up, grabbing your hand and running towards the direction of your bed chambers.
“Wait, Jisung!” You exclaimed, trying to shake off his much too powerful grip on your wrist. It was no use—as a trained guard, he was leaps stronger than you and your pleas fell on deaf ears. “Calm down, please.”
“I can't, Y/N. I'm sorry, I've dishonored you. It's my duty to bring you to your chambers as quickly as possible—that's the least I can do.”
A choked sob leaves your throat. But you know that he's right—all that's left for you to do is pray that no one saw you. Relaxing into his grip, you allow the lieutenant to walk you in front of your door.
“Goodnight, Princess,” he whispered, giving you a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes.
“Goodnight, Ji…”
. ˚✧・* •
“What were you thinking?!”
Chan's voice rang loud and clear, cutting through the crisp morning air. The Captain measured his subordinate with a bewildered glare, fumes almost seeping from the top of his head.
When he saw the way Jisung nervously fiddled with the hem of his shirt, eyes cast downwards, something tugged at his heartstrings, making his gaze soften.
“Jisung,” his tone was now calmer and quieter, barely above a whisper. “Why did you do that?”
The younger boy snorted, “Out of all the things you could've asked me, I never expected you would ask that.”
Chan raised his perfectly shaped eyebrow. “You're not gonna say anything? I expected you would have at least a proper excuse.” When Jisung stayed silent, he sighed, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, “Why did you kiss her?”
“You know the answer to that just as well as I do. Don't make me say it out loud…”
He sounded broken, like some higher power sucked all the life out of him, leaving only a shell of his former being behind. And Chan hated it. He hated how things had to pan out. He hated himself for not realizing that something like that was bound to happen.
He watched the two of you grow up, side by side. Like two peas in a pod. Jisung and Y/N. the princess and her guard. The two of you spent all your free time together, getting into all sorts of trouble. Chan wanted to kick himself for not putting an end to this fairytale love story before it got out of hand.
Another thought raced through his mind. “Did anyone see you?”
The way Jisung avoided his gaze made it perfectly clear.
. ˚✧・* •
The next morning, you woke up to the birds chirping outside your window. The view from your chamber was so idyllic you almost forgot the events of yesterday evening.
Slipping from under the covers, a loud pounding in your head made you stumble as you whimpered, steadying your hand against the wall. For the first time in months, you placed your hand against your head, closing your eyes as the ice began to cool you down.
You hated using your powers.
They reminded you of all the horrid events in your life, all the things you wanted to leave behind. Yet for some reason, you only felt relief. Like the familiar feeling of ice crystals seeping from the tips of your fingers reminded you of the few happy memories you shared with your parents.
Paddling towards the heavy door, you pushed it open, peeping down the nearly empty hallway. Suddenly, the smell of freshly baked rolls and the sweetest fruit wafted through your nose, making you sigh in delight. It had been ages since you last ate, and the loud grumble of your stomach made you realize that fetching some breakfast wouldn't be so bad after all…
You followed the delicious scent of food down one of the more secluded halls until you reached a heavy mahogany door. The sight made you shudder as you remembered yesterday's events. Luckily for you, the Prince was likely dining in the main dining room, and not in the small, hidden corner of the east wing. Using all your strength, you pushed against the door.
And curse your luck cause once again, you ended up face to face with Prince Minho.
Sweat broke out on your forehead as you took a step back, ready to run out the door and disappear.
“Good morning, Princess,” the General's voice drawled, making your skin crawl. The smirk painted across his lips made you want to throw up, remembering how he purposefully made you walk in on Minho just so that you'd leave a bad impression.
“M-Morning. I'm really s-sorry, I didn't mean to i-interrupt—”
“—nonsense. You're not interrupting, am I right, Your Majesty?”
Minho scowled, redirecting his attention back to the vegetable omelet that lay in front of him.
“I should probably go–” you whispered, reaching for the door handle. The air in the room was thick and heavy, weighing down on you uncomfortably.
“Stay. I'm sure the Prince would like to hear about your first day in his kingdom. Right?” Felix nudged the man, feigning innocence.
“Whatever, Lee. I'll be leaving soon, anyway.”
The general looked back at you, flashing you a bright smile. “It's settled then. Please help yourself.”
Metaphorically backed into a corner, there was nothing left for you to do, other than accept his (insincere) offer. A sigh escaped your lips as you sat down, smoothing the hem of your silk nightgown, suddenly feeling insecure. Had you known that you would dine with him, you would've dressed more appropriately.
“So, Y/N, do you mind telling us how your first day went?” Felix piped while gracefully cutting his pancakes into manageable pieces and dipping them in honey. You couldn't help but notice the dangerous glint in his eyes, a shiver running down your spine.
“It went rather well, although, I didn't really get to explore much of the palace.” You proclaimed, bitting down on a piece of fresh fruit. “I was hoping I could get to go outside and see the villagers too—you know—to get acquainted with the people.”
A smug smile appeared on Felix's face as he pretended that you piqued his interest. “Well, I'm sure that you got to explore other things last night, am I right?”
Your brow shot up, not understanding what he was getting at when suddenly, it hit you. The color drained from your face as you put together two and two, realizing what he meant. Felix noticed the sudden change of attitude, smiling proudly as he took yet another jab at you.
When you make no efforts to explain, he continued, “I am curious though, where did you go after meeting His Majesty?”
The heat rose to your cheeks as you stumbled to answer him without saying anything suspicious.
“I-I was looking for the way back to my bed chambers, but due to my limited knowledge of the palace, I got lost.”
Another snicker. “And did someone, perhaps help you find your way?”
“Y-Yeah… I met one of my guards and he escorted me back to my room.”
“I see. You must be really grateful to have met him, Princess. So grateful that you—”
“Enough!”
Minho's voice sounded much too irritated as he cut his General off before he managed to say anything else. A shiver ran down your spine as you realized what this meant. He knew. He knew exactly what happened between the two of you and he wasn't happy about it.
“Felix, I think we should allow the Princess some privacy. The meeting starts in fifteen minutes.”
You allowed yourself to nervously peer at Minho through your lashes, instantly regretting your decision. When your eyes met, there was so much anger and hostility in them that you shuddered.
“It was very nice talking to you,” Felix winked as he and the Prince walked out, leaving you to drown in your sorrows.
The sound of the door slamming echoed in your head.
. ˚✧・* •
The branches fluttered in the wind, flapping from one side to another, guided by the howling air. You sat perched on one of the benches deep in the gardens, hidden from view.
For the past few days, you roamed around the palace, trying your best to stay hidden from Prince Minho and Jisung.
Steering clear of the Prince proved to be a rather easy task—there was no reason for you to want to spend time with him and vice versa. But avoiding Jisung… that ended up being a lot more difficult than you initially anticipated.
Not that the two of you crossed paths that often, rather, it was the strong pang of guilt in your heart whenever you passed him. Whether he was sparring, practicing, or patrolling the palace grounds with Chan, your heart would break at the sight of the dark circles under his eyes and the generally lifeless energy he exuded.
Little by little, the loneliness slowly got to you, devouring you like a deadly plague until nothing was left. The darkness consumed you in its entirety, and with no one to turn to, you felt like it was you against the world.
The dark clouds in the sky were a perfect visualization of how you currently felt.
Speaking of clouds, you could tell that a storm was coming, thunder beginning to rumble in the background. There was no use sitting like a duck and getting wet.
Gathering the hefty skirts of your azure robe, you stood up, dusting off the dirt from your hands. A heavy raindrop fell from the sky, splattering against your skin. With a sigh, you picked up your pace, running towards the main gate.
. ˚✧・* •
You learned that spending hours at the library isn't something one can just stop doing.
Well, to be fair, there wasn't much for you to do, other than burying your nose in a book, but it still brought back many cherished memories from your childhood. Before the accident. Before all your troubles. Back when your biggest concern was when the sequel of your favorite series would arrive.
The action itself held no real value to you, but it was the idea it represented. It allowed you to pretend that you were just another person in academia, studying to make something of yourself. There was no pressure to be perfect, to marry, to listen to your husband.
It was just you and the bulky, leather-bound tomes. The scrolls made out of quality parchment that smelled like home. Just you and the scent of fresh ink.
The book that was currently perched up on your lap was rather interesting.
“The Crimson Clan; Tales from the Depths and Crevices of the Most Prosperous Nation”
Despite its somewhat… jarring name, the contents of it were rather straightforward and simple. Everything you'd possibly want to know about your new homeland was in here. The foundation, history, and rebirth of this thriving land—all were explained in the most thorough of details.
You even found yourself smiling while reading through the chapter on festivities and celebrations. It stirred something within you, to know that these people were fortunate enough to have so much to celebrate.
Ignoring the slight pang of jealousy in your heart—one caused by the unfortunate circumstances of your war-stricken, poverty-afflicted nation—it allowed you to feel something you haven't felt in a long time.
Something dangerous... Hope.
An emotion you had long given up on after seeing your land in ruins and your people in pain. You cursed yourself for allowing something that could threaten the alliance to even happen.
It seemed like there was no chance for the Crown prince to love you—which hurt you more than you admitted to yourself—but it didn't matter. Marriage out of love was rare anyway. So in hopes of preserving the deal, you decided that you would try your best to win the favor of Lee Minho.
Sans love, romance, or affection.
You would make sure that you'd see this treaty to the end.
. ˚✧・* •
The wind tonight was light and breezy, like a whiff of fresh peonies on a spring morning.
After many days of locking yourself in the library, your joints were aching, leading you to believe that you deserved a bit of a break.
You spent the better half of the week reading through many volumes of the ‘The Crimson Clan’ series, learning everything there was to know about your new homeland. It was certainly difficult, more difficult than you first imagined it to be, but after hours spent cramped in the corner of the library, things were starting to look up.
The unfamiliar words and phrases were starting to clear up, having read them enough times to learn their true meanings. The unusual ways of the nation inked on the pages were beginning to make sense after you understood a little bit of how they were thinking, and the festivals and celebrations were becoming more comprehensible as you read of their origins.
You even kept a small notebook by your side at all times, jotting down the new words you've learned and organizing your thoughts and opinions.
A loud growl of your stomach made panic, looking around in fear that someone saw you. It was rather stupid—there was no one around—but the dread of someone seeing you in such an… unladylike state made you tremble.
Fortunately—just as you predicted—no one was around to witness the embarrassing sounds of your stomach. And maybe this was a sign that you should take a break, and perhaps, get something small to eat.
There's a light bounce to your step as you walk down the empty halls, humming a tune you heard the royal quartet play. The birds were chirping and the weather was lovely—making you suddenly regret that you spent the past days holed up in the library.
“What do you think you're doing?!”
The loud scream had you stopping in your tracks. What was going on?
“I-I'm s-so sorry. I-I was told to c-collect a-all the laundry. P-Please, don't p-punish me,” Came the answer in a much quieter voice.
Turning around the corner, you found a small group of people crowded around two; a servant and a guard. Immediately, you could tell that the guard was threatening the young girl, as she was backed into a corner, eyes wide as a laundry basket lay discarded by her feet.
“How dare you go through my drawers without permission?” he barked, ears turning red in fury. The girl only took a step back, quivering as she realized she hit the wall. “I won't let this slide!”
“Enough!”
All eyes were on you as you walked up to the guard, fuming. “What do you think you're doing?”
“Y-Your Majesty—” he stuttered, anger slowly dissipating, “I was only chastising this, this foolish maid for going through my room!”
You shook your head. “There's no reason for you to yell at her like that for such a simple mistake. You could've explained what she did wrong without scaring her like that.”
You gestured for the girl to come to you, sanding in front of her protectively. Giving her a smile, you remarked, “If he ever gives you any trouble, come to me immediately.”
The man's face turned beet red in embarrassment as he looked down at his feet. “And you, if I ever hear that you're bothering her, you'll be on laundry duty for the next week!”
There was a loud chorus of laughter that followed and the people around you slowly started to scatter, leaving only you and the young maid. She looked to be a few years younger than you.
“T-Thank you, Your Majesty,” she bowed, shyly looking away.
“It's okay. Assholes have to be put in their place, right?”
She didn't laugh.
Embarrassed by your little joke not landing well, you reached out to gently pat her hair. “What's your name?”
“Yuna.”
She was still shaken up, you could tell by her closed-off stance. “Well, Yuna, I think you were very brave today. I'm really sorry you had to go through this, please don't hesitate to reach out to me if anything like that happens again.”
With a wave of your hand, you saw her off, smiling widely as you walked down the hall.
. ˚✧・* •
“Your Majesty—” you ignored the calls of the young servant, wiping the sweat off your forehead. “I'm fine, don't worry.”
“Please, Your Majesty… you've done nothing else than reorganize these scrolls for the past few days! You have to rest…”
“No, I'm fine, don't worry. I'm glad to be of some use.”
You moved another section of scrolls and loose leaves of parchment down on the floor, wiping down the shelf with a wet rag. After making sure the surface was perfectly clean, you picked up the scrolls, reorganizing them on the shelves by date and topic.
While doing so, you've also managed to learn more about the kingdom, familiarizing yourself with its history. These ancient scrolls provided you with much more information than the books you read.
The afternoon sun was shining down on you through the large, open windows. The light cotton blinds were no longer enough to protect you from its wrath.
“Maybe it really is time for a break,” You mumbled, dizziness slowly taking over you. You wiped down your forehead with a wetted cloth, swiping over your face and cooling yourself down.
You've been in here for… seven hours already…
. ˚✧・* •
“What?!” The Crown Prince shouted, slamming his fist on the table. His eyes were sharp and focused, glaring down at the poor messenger that was quivering in his boots.
“I'm afraid t-that's all I know, Your Majesty. We've been told that a rebel group has infiltrated our lands. We're currently awaiting more information regarding the size of the group and how far they've reached.”
A long, drawn-out sigh escaped the Prince's mouth as he slumped back in his seat, rubbing his temples. The palace was already in chaos after the arrival of the Crown Princess, and this was slowly becoming more than he could handle.
The messenger scurried away after being dismissed.
Before the Prince could even take a breath, another knock on the door made him roll his eyes.
“Come in!”
“Your Majesty,” the old man bowed. Minho immediately glanced up after recognizing him as the man he appointed to watch over you. “Has there been any development?”
The man, face aged by war, pressed his lips into a thin line before pulling out a piece of parchment. His fingers deftly worked to undo the knot on the string, sighing when the parchment finally unrolled.
“There haven't been any interesting sightings of Her Majesty. Every day, she wakes up and eats breakfast before walking to the library. There, she reads through an impressive amount of chapters on the history of our land, takes some notes, and walks back to her chambers where she orders a light dinner.”
The old man paused, looking the Prince in the eye before continuing, “Recently, she has been spotted going to the ancient scroll room instead of the library. A servant told me that she insist on cleaning the room and reorganizing all the scrolls.”
Minho cut the man off, “—Who has she been ordering to clean the room?”
“No one. She insists on doing everything herself, Your Majesty.”
The Prince audibly groaned at the revelation. After what happened, he had wished for you to give him a reason to hate you, but so far, you'd given him none. Instead, you made guilt blossom in his chest by behaving like a responsible future queen a king could only wish for.
So far, you've kept to yourself and educated yourself on the kingdom's history and its traditions. You didn't abuse your power and outright refused help unless it was absolutely necessary.
Running a hand through his hair, he questioned, “Were there any, uh, any incidents? Anything unusual?”
“No, Your Majesty. Her Majesty hasn't done anything out of the ordinary. Although—”
“—although what?” he immediately latched onto his words, ears perked in interest.
“I've had several accounts from servants and other palace staff that Her Majesty got into a quarrel with one of the guards.”
Minho was hanging on his lips, listening intently. He ran a hand through his hair, sipping from his goblet.
“It appears that the guard was verbally harassing one of the new maids. Her Majesty was just around the corner so she stepped in, putting an end to the fight and telling the guard off.”
Minho felt like banging his head against the wall.
Why were you so kind? So perfect? It gave him a headache just thinking about all the things you've done since you arrived. He was hoping that during this period of separation, he would catch you doing something improper, something that would give him a reason to cancel the treaty and subsequently, cancel your engagement, thus annulling your arranged marriage.
But so far, all you've done was for the benefit of others. You have proved yourself to be a kind and intelligent person, which were exactly the traits he would've been looking for in his future Queen.
When he realized that the old man was still standing by his desk, he cleared his throat, “You can go now, thank you.”
Bowing, the man hurriedly walked out of the room, leaving the Prince to drown in his sorrows, consumed by guilt.
. ˚✧・* •
Later that evening, you found yourself in your bed chamber after a long day. Your muscles were aching from standing on a ladder and cleaning all day. Upon entering through the door, something rather strange caught your attention.
There, on your bed, lay a beautiful red gown with golden stitching. Your eyes bulged out of your skull as you took in the gorgeous article of clothing. It was the prettiest dress you've ever seen.
As you took a step closer to admire the garment, you noticed a small folded piece of paper attached to the front of the dress. Skillfully, you pull it out and unfold it, scanning over the message written in neat cursive.
Dear Princess Y/N,
I know we haven't gotten off on the right foot, and I'm aware that I too am partially to blame for that. It has been brought to my attention that you spend every day in the library reading or cleaning the scroll room. As such, I was hoping I could invite you to a proper dinner (hence the dress ;).
When you are free, please stop by my chambers. I would love to arrange a proper date with you.
Sincerely, Lee Minho
. ˚✧・* •
Your heart was beating loudly as you stopped in front of the heavy doors. The handle was platted in gold and the wood was carved with beautiful ornaments, reminding you of the front gate of the palace. You gently pick up the metallic ring and bang it against the door.
“Come in,” Came the muffled reply.
As you nervously walk into the room, you feel like your skin is on fire. Fear clouds your eyes as you worry about the unknown. How would he react once he saw you?
When you found the ruby dress in your chambers, it felt like your heart did a 180. Touched by the kind gesture, you almost allowed yourself to fantasize about all the what-ifs. What if Lee Minho actually cared for you? What if he wanted to spend time with you? These questions were running through your mind like a whirlwind, further confusing your already unstable heart.
When the Prince comes into view, you almost felt the blood freeze in your veins. Clad in a fitting robe with gold fastenings, accentuating his broad shoulders and impeccable physique, you couldn't help but swoon at his beauty.
His trimmed locks were parted in the middle, framing his handsome face. Against the pale complexion of his skin, his rich, chocolate eyes stood out, peering at you with an intensity that brings Chan's infamous glare to shame.
Too busy nervously fiddling with the hem of your skirt, you didn't notice the way his gentle smile fell, turning into a frown.
You were anxious.
Not only that—to Minho's dismay, you looked like you haven't slept in days. The circles under your eyes were prominent, and the way your muscles tensed made his heart shatter.
“Have you been sleeping well?”
The question caught you off guard, but not as much as the soft tone of his voice. He sounded almost…. Concerned?
Your eyes fluttered, giving away just how much you needed some shut-eye as you whispered, “Not really, Your Majesty…”
He expected you to elaborate, but you didn't, leaving him unsure of what his next steps should be.
“You can call me Minho,” he paused, letting the words sink in. When they did, your eyes parted wide, taken off guard by something that should've been so insignificant but held so much significance to you.
‘You can call me Minho’
That sentence played over in your head like a mantra. “Minho,” you breathed out, barely above a whisper. The name was so known, yet still seemed so unfamiliar. It rolled off of your tongue with strange, child-like anticipation. Like it held something deeper.
The Prince smiled upon hearing you call him by his first name. Like honey, it sounded so sweet when said by you.
“Due to our predicament, I think it would be rather foolish for us to stay exceedingly formal with each other, don't you agree?”
Your heart was beating loudly against your ribcage as you squeaked, “You can call me Y/N, too.”
“Great,” he smiled, “I'm glad we're on the same page, love.”
The heat rushing to your cheeks almost made you want to hide your face in embarrassment. Minho chuckled at the adorable sight, fighting the urge to reach out and pat your hair. His smile only grew when you carefully glanced at him from under your lashes.
“I'll arrange for Seungmin, our healer, to come to visit you,” he muttered, scribbling something down on a piece of parchment. “I'm sure he can recommend something for you to sleep better, perhaps some herbal tea…”
The two of you talked for a few more minutes. The Prince kept asking you questions regarding your schedule, what you did during the day, and if you had any idea what caused your sleep problems. You tried to answer him to the best of your abilities, occasionally staring off into space as you wondered what caused him to make such a 180 personality-wise.
Placing the parchment into a drawer and slamming it shut, Minho faced you, giving you his full attention. A coy smile played on his lips when he remarked, “About dinner… does next Friday sound good?”
. ˚✧・* •
Anger.
That's all that was on Felix's mind as he strolled down the hall, trying to get away from Minho's chambers. He was sick, sick to his stomach from the conversation he just overheard.
‘Love.’
He wanted to barf. What did you do to cause Minho to behave like that? The general barely recognized his longtime friend in that short conversation between the two of you that he eavesdropped on. Why was he so smitten? Did you manage to seduce him?
It truly wasn't like him to behave like that, Felix concluded, and he was gonna make sure he helped his friend see the light again.
. ˚✧・* •
Your shoulders scraped against the wall as you leaned on it, breathing in to catch your breath. The air suddenly felt thick and heavy as you struggled to calm your nerves. Maybe you should really catch a break?
But there was still so much for you to do… the piles upon piles of books, scrolls, and other artifacts were hard evidence of that.
And much to your dismay, you still haven't been sleeping well, meaning that the exhaustion was slowly getting to you. Your limbs were aching and your entire body felt rather stiff.
“Damn it,” you groaned, sliding down the wall till you were sitting on the freezing marble floor.
“Your Majesty.” A sudden knock echoed through the room, your eyes immediately shooting up towards the door. “Come in,” you reply.
A young girl came scurrying inside the room with a golden tray. She placed it on the table, positioning the tea kettle and the teacup next to a small pile of paper.
“This is the herb tea sent by head healer Seungmin as per His Majesties request.”
“Oh, right. Thank you so much!” you beamed, shooting up and walking towards the table. The maid poured a generous amount of the liquid into the cup, handing it to you with a slight bow.
“Thank you. You may go now.”
Bringing the porcelain cup to your lips, you inhaled the fresh, fruity scent, sighing at how pleasant it smelled. With a relaxed smile playing on your lips, you sipped the warm beverage, enjoying how it heated you from the inside, leaving behind a tingling sensation.
While reading about the kingdom, you noticed that a lot of the authors mentioned the complicated system of the land's foreign trade policy. Despite the fact that you read many books on the topic, it quickly became quite obvious that they only touched the surface of the complex system.
That's why you decided to schedule a meeting with one of the advisors of the royal court, a man named Hwang Hyunjin. You've heard many things about him, from his socialite, flirty nature to his love for pies.
It's the reason were in the kitchen, apron tied tightly around your waist as you sifted the dry ingredients into a bowl. After that, you cracked a few eggs into the mixture, stirring it till you had a dough-like consistency.
All and all, it took you about an hour till the pie was finally in the oven. Wiping the sweat off your forehead with the back of your hand, you smiled at the sight of your creation. It may have not been the nicest looking pie you've laid your eyes on, but you were proud nonetheless.
Once it was done, you pulled it out with a pair of oven mitts. Excitement washed over you—it smelled exquisite—and you were ready to present it to the self-proclaimed pie man of the city.
. ˚✧・* •
The wind was light and breezy, tousling his hair as he stood on the balcony, bending down over the railing. From the corner of his eye, he saw you, walking through the garden in your outdoor cloak, smiling from ear to ear. In your hand, you held a box, and he could only guess what was inside.
Jeongin—one of the guards you've befriended during your stay—greeted you with a tip of his hat as you passed the gate. You grinned at him in return, commenting on something that made the boy visibly blush, looking away shyly.
Despite only watching you from afar, Minho couldn't help but smile softly. Every day, his heart seemed to yearn for you more than before.
And Lee Minho was a man of principles… he followed his heart.
. ˚✧・* •
The night had fallen. In the sky, countless stars were shimmering like scattered moondust and glimmering like lost beacons of hope.
The meeting with Hyunjin went rather well if you could say, and you left his house feeling like you've learned a lot. Despite his flirty nature, he seemed to have known that there was a certain line he shouldn't cross, given that you were to be wed to the Prince, so he only allowed himself to occasionally wink at you, gloating over the bashful smiles you gave him.
“You make a lovely baker, Princess,” he complimented, eating another spoonful of the pie. You smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of your neck. “Thank you.”
Once you arrived back at the palace, you slipped into your silk nightgown, sighing at the cool sensation that spread over your body. You weren't used to such fine materials, your kingdom being way too poor for such luxuries, but it seems like the Crimson clan had enough money on their hands to afford these expensive items.
You asked one of the maids to bring you some boiling water. Once she arrived, you pulled out the sachet of Seungmin's herbal tea and prepared the beverage.
You drank it while watching the stars from your balcony. The air was chilly and cool, the wind fanning your cheeks. As you sipped the drink, you couldn't help but feel drowsy, like you were about to fall asleep. Your mind felt foggy like it was being put to sleep which alarmed you. You were just fine earlier. What caused this?
You tried to stand up, but you were unable to, instead stumbling over your feet and falling to the ground.
On second thought, the marble floor of the balcony was pretty comfortable, you realized, as your warm cheek pressed onto the cool stone.
. ˚✧・* •
Minho was starting to grow concerned when you didn't answer after the fifth knock. Standing in front of your door impatiently, he was bouncing on the balls of his feet, pondering. Should he come in?
He waited for a couple more seconds, just in case you were walking towards the door, but when nothing happened, he knocked for the final time.
“Y/N, are you okay? I'm coming in!”
Without missing a beat, he rammed his shoulder against the door using all of his strength. After the second try, the hinges finally gave out, the door bursting open and allowing Minho to run in.
“Where are you? Y/N?!”
There was alarm in his voice, and it took all of his willpower not to panic. Your bed was empty, and he noticed how it was made, the blanket neatly folded over the length of the wooden frame. You would always make your bed yourself, the maids would tell him.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he scanned the room, searching for a clue—anything, really—that could hint at your whereabouts.
If something happened to you…
Fuck. He didn't know if he could ever forgive himself if something were to happen to you.
And while he was busy muttering all the curses he knew, he caught something from the corner of his eye. A fluttering motion. Turning his head, he noticed the white curtain dancing in the evening breeze. And the curtain was leading from the balcony…
Aha!
He ran to the glass french door, immediately spotting your crumpled-up body on the cold marble. Bit by bit, he felt his heart crack at the sight. What did you deserve to be lying on the ground, passed out like that?
“Y/N,” he cried, kneeling beside you and cradling your face in his hands. He pushed the stray locks of hair out of your face, gently thumbing the apples of your cheeks.
“Oh, Y/N! What happened to you, my love?!”
The desperation in his voice was heavy, and with hooded eyes, he gently slid his hands under your frame, effortlessly lifting you into his arms. He pressed you close to his chest as he walked back inside of your room and laid you on the bed.
. ˚✧・* •
“Will she be okay?”
The healer rolled his eyes at the Prince, applying the soaked cloth on your forehead. It was the fifth time His Majesty had asked, and quite frankly, it was beginning to get on his nerves. Seungmin had just come down from a fever, so he had to step in, covering for his sick friend.
He never would've imagined the Crown Prince to have such a desperate side to him. Misery definitely didn't suit him, he decided. It wasn't a good look on him, or perhaps, it was the fact that it shattered the cold image he had created in his mind of the Prince.
“She likely just passed out due to exhaustion,” he said in a gruff tone, swiping the hair away from your forehead. “Her muscles seem tense and she hasn't been sleeping well.”
“I-I know,” Minho's voice cracked. “I hoped that the herbal tea would help…”
A beat of silence followed. “Well, I think my job here is done, Your Majesty. She should come to in a few hours,” the young healer muttered, grabbing all his belongings. “Call me if anything happens.”
The door thudded, leaving Minho alone with you in the room. The feeling of distraught crept over him, clawing at his heart as he watched you lay peacefully beneath the covers.
It was during times like these that he felt utterly useless. There was nothing he could do, and realistically, he should've accepted that. Yet there was a part of him that yearned to do something, to help you, to relieve the pain.
His heart skipped a beat when he realized something. The two of you hadn't known each other for long enough for him to know how to make you feel better. No, regrettably, he wasn't in possession of such knowledge.
Yet he knew someone who was.
His insides twisted at the thought, almost as if his gut was trying to talk him out of this. Thinking about him only made him remember his short-lived jealous streak—an emotion he didn't want to feel again.
Han Jisung. He didn't like him, far from it, he rather despised the young guard, for multiple reasons. The first one was his loud nature—mere days after the arrival of the Cerulean carriage, he was already the talk of the town. He heard at least a dozen maids giddily chirping about his supposedly gorgeous smile. It didn't help that he joined the sparring club as soon as he could, allowing a large amount of the female population the privilege of oogling his toned physique. He was the center of attention anywhere he went, winning the favor of all the palace staff.
But what irked him the most was undeniably how close he was to you. Minho knew it was childish to foster such jealousy for the guard. Despite his rather surprising self-awareness, he couldn't help but feel a prick of envy whenever he saw him, especially after hearing that the two of you made out in his palace, despite the fact that he was supposed to marry you in the near future.
In spite of all the things he listed in his head, he wasn't blind to the fact that you cared for him deeply. Just as Jisung must've cared for you. But he knew. He knew that this was the one thing he could do for you.
So despite his better judgment and the erratic beating of his heart, Minho headed out of the room in search of a person he never expect to look for in the first place.
. ˚✧・* •
To say that Jisung was confused would be the understatement of the century.
It wasn't every day that the Crown Prince came looking for you, especially if you kissed his future wife.
He entered the empty changing room, leaning his back against the wall with an unreadable expression. Jisung didn't know if he should bow or not. He decided that it would probably be improper not to, so he managed to awkwardly lower his torso, the shirt he was putting on still caught around his shoulders.
Once he was decent, a loud cough from the Prince made him look up. “I need you to follow me.”
When Minho noticed the uncertainty swarming in his eyes, he clarified, “Y/N fainted. I think she could use waking up to a familiar face.”
From then on, it was a blur. Jisung bolted out of the room like thunder, leaving Minho. Not wanting to be left behind, he ran after him, following his trail back to your bed chambers. His heart finally shattered as he watched the young guard disappear inside, the door slamming shut behind him.
. ˚✧・* •
Ever since you awoke to Jisung besides you, your heart felt just a little bit lighter. Despite the constant workload you inflicted upon yourself, there was still a void in your chest, left behind after the two of you practically cut off any sort of interactions.
It had been weird at first, but to be fair, the weirdness, or so to speak, had begun when Jisung, your best friend and guard—had kissed you, right inside the palace of your future husband.
It came as a surprise to you how easily the two of you had glossed over the initial awkwardness.
“Wait– sit down, Y/N. You shouldn't be overexerting yourself,” his hand on your shoulder pushed you back down into the covers.
“Oh please,” you groaned, “I'm fine now. I must've gotten a bit light-headed, you know, from the change of air pressure and all.”
Jisung snorted, “We both know that's bullshit, Princess.” Then he took on a much softer tone, “But even if you're feeling better now, you still should rest.”
You tsked, but in the end, you complied. You knew he meant well and you didn't want to worry him anymore. Instead, your palm reached over to his, gently encasing his hand in yours.
“I know that it's hard, but we must address the elephant in the room, Ji…”
You could feel him tense, eyes glancing anywhere but at you. He opened his mouth to say something, yet nothing came out, allowing the pregnant silence to envelop you. When he finally gathered his thoughts, he glanced back at you, an apologetic smile on his lips.
“I'm sorry, Y/N. I know I never should've done that,” his hand gripped tightly onto yours. You carefully watched his face, only to realize—to your unease—that he started crying. There were tears streaming down his face, leaving faint trails of moisture that glimmered under the light. You watched in horror as the sobs wracked through him, muffled sounds leaving his parted lips.
And the only thing you could do was gently rub his back, blinking to suppress any tears gathering at the corners of your eyes.
“Ji—” you whispered, but Jisung cut off. “—I-I'm really s-sorry. I know I've caused you a lot of pain,” he sniffled, looking away in embarrassment. “It's hard for me to f-follow boundaries without overstepping them—especially since the line between us has always been s-so blurred—but I clearly went too far.” Another sniffle. “A-And this time, m-my reckless actions had dire consequences…”
And the dam broke.
Tears were now streaming down your face like a waterfall, staining your cheeks as you whimpered, “Sungie, please…”
He understood your silent plea, hand reaching out to grab yours, intertwining your fingers together. “I'm so s-sorry,” he sniveled onto the top of your head as you buried your face in the crook of his neck. “Sungie…”
After a couple of minutes of enjoying the warmth of his embrace, you pulled away from his chest. “T-This is probably the most we've ever apologized to each other,” you sniffed, a small smile appearing at the corners of your lips.
“Y-Yeah,” Jisung whispered, running his thumb down your cheek, wiping away the moisture. “My pride usually got the better of me…”
A pleasant silence settled in the air as you watched Jisung, eyes carefully following the way his facial expressions changed. He seemed unsure of himself, something you weren't necessarily used to which made you frown.
Glancing at you, Jisung noticed how intently you were watching. Grasping your hand, he worried his lower lips between his teeth before muttering, “I think Minho likes you.”
“Jisung,” your eyebrows shot up, unsure of what to make of this statement, which sounded more like a prank than anything, “what are you saying?”
A small pout appeared on his lips when he realized you didn't believe him. “I-I—”
“—Yeah?” you implored impatiently, a sudden wave of giddiness washing over you. “Why do you think that?”
“As much as I hate that snobby bastard, I couldn't help but notice that he seems to care for you all of a sudden,” Jisung muttered under his breath, unable to look you in the eyes. “He's the one who brought me here — he came running to me like a madman just to tell me that you fainted.”
“Why would that be unusual though? What if he just wanted someone else to wait with me? He probably didn't want to deal with me—” you pointed out hurriedly, not buying the whole schtick.
“S'cause he said something about you ‘wanting to wake up to a familiar face’ or whatever... Awfully cheesy, I know,” he chuckled, fidgeting with his fingers, “but he really seemed worried about you. His clothes were all disheveled and his hair was messy… he probably stayed by your side for at least a few hours.”
Your eyes widened, heat rushing to your cheeks making you look away in embarrassment. This was all it took for you to feel like a lovestruck teenager once again. Your heart was beating inside your chest at the mere possibility of him actually caring for you.
“I should probably go—now that you're up,” Jisung stood up, dusting off his leather pants. His expression turned into a hard mask of unreadability as he walked off. “Sleep well, Sungie,” you managed to call after him before you heard the door slam shut.
The steady beating of his heart contrasted with the tears trailing down his cheeks as your last words echoed in his head.
And just like a mother hen has to part with her little ones, Jisung parted with you.
This was the end of the two of you ever sharing anything other than a platonic relationship, and with a heavy heart, he acknowledged that it was time for him to move on.
This time, for good.
. ˚✧・* •
“Minho!” you called, running down the hall in hopes of catching up to the Prince. It was past breakfast, and you were walking towards the main gate when you spotted the handsome man strolling through the corridors of the palace.
Briskly, the Prince turned around after hearing his name being called, mouth stretching into a grin when he realized it was you who was calling him.
“Good morning, Princess. How are you? I hope you're well-rested after yesterday's events.”
You rubbed your eyes tiredly, stifling a yawn, “Yeah, pretty good! I'm just tired and achy but other than that, I'm perfectly fine,” you flashed him a smile.
You couldn't help but notice how his smile froze, a worried expression painting his face. “Are you alright? Should I call the head healer to make you some brew—”
“—No! It's fine,” you interrupted, not wanting him to needlessly worry. “Really, I'll be okay.”
A heavy silence engulfed you as you stood in front of the Prince, pondering over how you were going to thank him for yesterday. Finally, after a long series of deep breaths, you turned to him.
“By the way, um, I wanted to thank you for… you know… what you did yesterday.”
“What do you mean?” he inquired, placing his hand on your arm. “Oh, you know,” the heat rushed to your cheeks, making you look away shyly. “You were the one that found me, right? Jisung told me that you stayed with me for over an hour before you brought him to me…”
“Oh…”
You missed the way the apples of his cheeks turned a shade of pink, fumbling with the hem of your sleeve. “Well… I'll have to go now,” you whispered, your words barely audible. Before you could overthink your actions (which would inevitably lead to you chickening out), you leaned closer to him, pressing a quick kiss to the curve of his jaw.
“Goodbye, Minho,” you waved with newfound confidence, crinkling your eyes. Minho could only watch as your figure disappeared around the corner.
He hadn't felt so euphoric in ages.
. ˚✧・* •
“Hmm,” your foot tapped against the ground, hands on your hips as you chewed at the nib of your pen, scanning the market. At first sight, the place reminded you of everything that your own kingdom wasn't. It was lively and crowded, and there were so many goods you didn't know in which direction to look.
Truly a feast for the eyes, you noted.
But despite that, you knew that the Crimson land, just like any other land, had to have its own set of issues.
Issues that you soon discovered ran a bit deeper than you originally had anticipated. After countless short ‘interviews’ (if you could even call them that) with the local citizens and villagers, you found out that there was a reoccurring pattern of corrupt, lesser-powerful royals in charge of the adjoining regions under the Crimson rule abusing their powers.
“Count Choi raises the taxes by a little bit every year,” an elderly woman complained, lowering her voice as a string of colorful curses rang from her lips. Frustration could be seen in her angry gaze—you could tell how powerless she felt.
A middle-aged man, similarly to her, shared how Viscount Kim suspended the stream from the river to the well, cutting off their immediate water supply.
“It's nearly impossible to reach His Majesty in any way. Or at least since the…” he immediately paused, looking around in fear of being overheard. “...Since his brother died in the war,” he whispered urgently, shaking his head.
“But even if we could set up a meeting with him, I highly doubt anyone would be willing to.”
It surprised you to hear just how much his own people feared him. Sure, Minho wasn't exactly the most… hospitable person when you first met him, you wouldn't even go as far as to say that you were friends, but the look of fear in the people's eyes was unmistakable.
As far as you could tell, the people were utterly terrified of him.
Noting down all the new information into your handy journal, you made a mental note to find a way to bring it up with Minho as soon as you could. Perhaps once you two finally managed to have the promised dinner together…
‘Just a few more days’ you realized with glee.
A loud thud almost made you drop your notebook as you realized where you currently were. Coughing awkwardly, you briskly walked over to one of the more secluded stalls, not wanting to stand still in the middle of the busy marketplace crowd.
A sudden smell of freshly baked rolls wafts through the air, making you keen. You turned around over your shoulder in hopes of finding the stall that managed to produce such lavish-smelling treats.
“Hello,” you walked up to the small booth, greeting the elderly lady behind the counter with a smile. In front of you layed pastries of all shapes and sizes, arranged in multiple rows. Almost salivating, you scanned all the treats—you felt like a kid in a candy store. There were so many options and quite frankly, when presented with so many choices, you felt at your wit's end.
“You aren't from here, are you?” she chuckled, wiping her hands into the apron around her waist.
“Oh… can you tell so easily?” you winced, rubbing the back of your neck, heat rushing to your cheeks.
She smiled, “Don't worry about it, sweetheart. It isn't quite often that we see foreigners here and we can usually tell by seeing them shop around.”
“I see. Do you mind if I ask you to recommend me something? There's just so much to choose from and I'm afraid I'd stand here all day if I had to choose,” you giggled bashfully, looking down in embarrassment. It was true though, and with so many choices, you were bound to ponder over something as simple as what you should eat for ages.
“Of course,” she bent down and picked up a large pot. “Jeongin! Bring the sugar dragons!”
Your brow raised upon hearing the familiar name, a smile appearing on your face when you saw the familiar figure come in through the door. The boy looked like he had just rolled out of bed, dressed in what you assumed to be his comfortable clothes. His hair sat messily atop his head, likely uncombed, making him look even more adorable.
“I'm coming!”
Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he placed the large container on the counter, pushing the hair out of his face. Only then did he notice you standing in front of him, smirking with your arms crossed over your chest.
“Y-Your M-Majesty–” he stammered, taking a step back. His eyes widened into the size of dinner plates, causing a chuckle to tear through your throat.
“Jeongin,” you cooed, grinning at the sight of your friend (at least you hoped you could consider the boy your friend). A rosy blush rose to his cheeks, dusting them with a soft, peachy hue. Stuttering, he awkwardly attempted to bow as his mother watched, unsure of what to do.
She ended up following suit, lowering her head as a string of apologies left her lips. “It's okay,” you tried to placate the two of them, repeating over and over how you didn't really care for royal greetings anyways.
Moments later, all three of you sat around a small table in the middle of their living room, munching on the little sugar dragon popsicles.
“What are you doing here anyway, Princess?” Jeongin's tone—to your relief—took on a more laid-back quality as he slumped back into his chair.
“Oh, nothing much,” you remarked, noticing how Jeongin's mom was now watching you intently. “I thought I could actually come to see the village myself and meet the people of the land I will soon rule.”
You sipped some freshly squeezed juice jeongin graciously offered you before continuing, “I figured I could ask around and figure out some points of friction,” you gestured towards the market outside the window. “Since I still don't get recognized in public, I figured people would tell me there was something bothering them.”
“That's very nice of you to do,” Jeongin chimed, picking up all the plates from the table. “Did you find out anything interesting?”
“Oh, definitely,” you lean over the table, immediately launching into a detailed explanation…
. ˚✧・* •
A strangle of curses left your lips as you sat on the chair, focusing all of your energy on creating a spark of ice. Your eyes were shut in concentration, brows furrowing at the realization that you likely wouldn't produce any anytime soon.
“What is going on?!” you whisper-shouted under your breath, staring at the tips of your fingers as if that would ever help. You had bumped your head earlier in the morning while preparing some morning tea and to prevent a nasty bruise from appearing on your body, you thought that you could cool the sore spot with some ice.
Except it wasn't working at all. It was like you never had any powers, to begin with, the feeling reminding you way too much of how you felt back when you were a toddler, forced to focus all your energy into manifesting the first slivers of ice.
‘This is bad,’ you realized, beads of sweat forming at the top of your forehead. ‘Really bad.’
The realization of what would happen if it were released to the public that you lost the ability to control your power hit you straight in the face, causing your heartbeat to steadily grow.
There were so many officials and high-standing people in the palace, hungry to find anything as simple as an unrelenting rumor or idle gossip to discredit your position as the future queen of the nation.
And the fact that you couldn't summon your powers would definitely be enough grounds for them to try and annulate the treaty.
The whole point of this marriage was to unite the two kingdoms and create a powerful empire, one that could afford to stay at peace. It was expected that the two of you would produce an heir soon after the marriage, followed by (hopefully) many more children to come, some of which would inherit Minho's fire-bending ability while others would learn how to control ice, like their mother.
And despite the fact that you would never be forced to battle anyone, the information about your sudden ability-loss would certainly make you an easier target as you would be rightfully deemed weaker and more vulnerable.
“Damn it!” you groaned, wiping off the tear that slid down your cheek with the back of your wrist.
‘This wasn't going anywhere,’ you concluded, so you decided that you had to distract yourself asap. Picking up your trusty, leather-bound notebook, you began to flip through the pages until you found the one you were looking for. At the bottom, there was an address scribbled down in smeared ink.
It was the address of the local orphanage.
While talking to one of the villagers, you had found out that there weren't that many teachers in the regions that would teach poorer people. He explained that because of that, some children (especially the orphans) grew up struggling to read, write, or even do simple calculations in their heads.
And since no one really paid any attention to you, slipping out of the palace with two bags filled to the brim with clothes, supplies and some food was the easiest thing in the world.
Damn, maybe the palace should update its security.
. ˚✧・* •
“Hello,” you greeted the children lined up in a row, “I'm Y/N. Nice to meet you.”
“Hello Miss Y/N,” all the kids greeted back in unison, beaming with happiness despite their torn clothes and streaks of dirt on their faces. Your heart clenched at the sight, making a mental note to remember to bring some washing oils next time you came.
The head of the orphanage, Jihyo, welcomed you with open arms, enthralled that she had someone who seemed interested in the well-being of the little kids.
“You know,” she wept, wiping the tears off her face, “It isn't often that we get volunteers here, especially ones that are willing to teach these poor kids some skills that would help them once they become adults.”
You nodded gently in understanding, handing her your handkerchief. “I'm glad to be of service.”
Once you handed her the bags filled with goods, she busted in tears once again, hugging you with so much fervor you were afraid she'd crush your lungs.
After that, she lead you to the room where a small chalkboard hung on the wall of the modestly furnished space.
Setting down your materials on a small table, you grabbed a piece of chalk before writing on the board the contents of today's lesson, underlining it twice.
“Now, who can tell me the alphabet?”
. ˚✧・* •
After the first day of volunteering at the orphanage, you realized that it was something you enjoyed a lot. It gave you a sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that you were helping these children who had so little, and you told yourself that you would bring the lack of proper funding for these institutions to Minho's attention since you didn't really hold any power yourself as of right now.
Every time you saw them smile as they read a word out loud or calculated something in their head, your heart burst at the sight of their happy cries and cheers.
“Here you go,” you handed the young girl with pigtails the last piece of pie that you bought on the market before coming here, wiping your sticky hands into a towel nearby.
“Thank you,” she chirped, gleefully swallowing down the pastry with a grin. “You have a really nice dress, Miss Y/N,” she suddenly spoke up, staring at your yellow gown in awe. “And you're really pretty and smart too! Just like a princess… I wanna be just like you when I grow up!” she pumped her fist in the air, giggling softly.
“Aww,” you coo, touched by her kind words. “That's so sweet of you to say, Rosie. You're really sweet and pretty too, you know that?” She smiled bashfully as a gentle blush colored her cheeks.
“Do you want me to braid your hair?” you inquired, gently brushing a stray lock from her face. After her furious nod of approval, she grabbed your hand, leading you towards one of the cushions on the floor.
. ˚✧・* •
“There, you go! All done,” you grinned, patting her head after fastening the last of the fancy hair clips you took out from your bun into her braided hair.
“Thank you so much, Y/N,” she turned around to pull you into a hug, “you're the bestest person in the world.”
“Uh-uh,” you tutted, wiggling your finger in front of your face to show your disapproval. “You know that's not true, Rosie. Miss Jihyo has been taking care of you for so long and she's the most caring person I know. She's the bestet person, don't forget that.”
“Ahh, you're right,” her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “She's the bestet person in the world but you're right after her.”
“Thank you, Rosie,” you whispered into the crown of her head, rubbing her back. “And you're the sweetest little girl I know.”
. ˚✧・* •
“Come in,” you muttered against your pillow, too tired to leave the sanctity of your bed and open the door. A loud click could be heard as a tall figure stepped inside your room, shutting the door behind.
“Hey, Y/N…”
You immediately recognize the soft, husky voice, heat rising to your cheeks as you struggled to sit upright with the sheets still tangled between your limbs. “M-Minho! Hi–”
The man chuckled at your distressed state, cooing when you buried your head in your hands in embarrassment. ‘Cute,’ he thought.
“I'm not interrupting you, am I?” he asked, sitting on the edge of your bed. You promptly pulled your legs up to your chest to make more space for him. “N-No, I was just taking a small nap since I didn't sleep well last night.”
“I see,” his brows furrowed, “you're still having trouble sleeping?”
You could feel your heart combust at the question. It was stupid, beyond stupid, and you knew—however—it was like your heart had a mind of its own, completely ignoring your rational thoughts.
“I think I'm still getting used to the new setting, perhaps the change of weather,” you added lamely, fiddling with the hem of your nightgown. Suddenly, Minho scooched closer to you, making you look up.
“I'll go ask Seungmin if he has anything other than the tea that he could give you,” he placed his hand tenderly on your thigh, rubbing the soft flesh with the tips of his fingers. The gesture caused a pleasant shiver to run through you and you sighed. “Thank you.”
The two of you stay like that for a bit longer, enjoying the balmy silence before Minho cleared his throat, catching your attention.
“U-Uh… so, I know we haven't been able to spend much time with each other,” the corners of your mouth twitched, and you were very close to reminding him why the two of you didn't meet.
Upon seeing your expression, his cheeks flush. “I know it's because of me—I'm really sorry we had to cancel our dinner plans—Felix ambushed me with an unplanned meeting so I had to take care of that…” he trailed off, his hand still resting on your supple skin.
“It's okay, Minho. I understand that you have many responsibilities as the future King.”
“Yeah, but that doesn't excuse me canceling so abruptly,” he reasoned. “I was hoping we could have the dinner next Saturday—I've had my entire schedule cleared for the day so we can even go somewhere after we eat.”
The smile you gave him was positively contagious, and he found himself beaming. “Okay, then it's settled.”
. ˚✧・* •
As you're walking down the alley leading to the orphanage, you couldn't help but feel like you're being watched. After turning around multiple times to check if you see anyone trailing behind you, quickening your pace in hopes of losing the person, you still can't shake the eerie feeling.
Jihyo had warned you about walking to the orphanage. She mentioned the army barracks being stationed nearby, as well as a brothel just a few blocks down the neighborhood. It wasn't the ideal place to run a children's home, but due to her limited funding, she had to settle for the less than quintessential location.
“Sometimes, there are drunk men wandering the streets,” she whispered hushedly, looking over her shoulder to make sure none of the kids could hear her. “Please be careful, especially after dusk…”
Her warning echoed in your head, making shivers run down your spine as you scanned your surroundings. As you briskly hiked your dress up in hopes of having more mobility, you heard a sudden thud, panic flooding through your veins.
‘Just a little bit more,’ you thought, sighing in relief as you slung the door to the orphanage open, stepping in and shutting the door behind you.
Immediately, you were swarmed with kids flocking to you, little Rosie reaching to envelop you in a tight hug.
“Hello, Y/N,” they all chirped in unison, some grabbing your dress in attempt to pull you into their study room. “Hey, hey!” you giggled, patting their heads. “Don't worry, I know how eager you are to learn. I'm coming!”
And just like that, you're pulled into their own little world, pointing at the chalkboard as you explain today's topic at hand—multiplication. It's a hard topic to grasp, especially for kids who have never gotten a proper education. The children's ages varied—from as young as four or five to the eldest being in their preteens. And because of the huge age difference, you were forced to tailor your explanations to them depending on which category they fell into.
The youngest bunch was occupied with drawing basic shapes (you sat them at the back of the room and handed them some colored pencils along with a few sheets of paper). The rest of the kids were seated before you, all staring at the board intently as you tried to explain the mathematical operation to the best of your abilities.
“Each bird in the sky has two wings. But if there's three of them, how many wings are there in total?”
Judging by the way they all frowned, you could tell they were deep in thought. It took a few seconds, but finally, one of the girls raised her hand.
“There are six wings, right?”
“Correct!” you beamed, pushing a stray lock of hair behind your ear. Moving over to the board to grab a piece of chalk, you began to draw three birds in total, writing small numbered indexes above each wing.
“See?” you gestured towards the board, “there are six wings in total. Well done, Yujin!”
. ˚��・* •
“Remind me again, Felix, why are you bothering me in the middle of work?” Minho sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair. His golden crown lay on the table beside him, discarded, as he found it pretentious to wear the ornate piece of gold when he found himself in solitude.
“Sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty,” the general snickered, reaching for the paperwork on Minho's desk. In a swift motion, he slammed his hand down on the table, seizing the papers from his hands and placing them on the armchair behind him.
Minho could only scowl at the blatant show of disrespect, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I found out some very interesting information about the Princess.”
Upon hearing that, Minho's ears perked, causing Felix to chuckle. ‘He had become weak,’ he thought, so smitten for that girl.
When he was sure he had his attention, he continued, “A little birdie told me, that the Princess has been sneaking out of the palace quite often.”
Minho's expression faltered for a fraction of a second, but unfortunately, Felix had noticed.
“Why would that be of my concern, Felix? Y/N isn't my possession—I have no interest in controlling her every move. If she feels like taking a breath of fresh air, who am I to stop her?”
“I don't think you're understanding what I'm trying to convey, Your Majesty,” he drawled, smugness radiating off of him in waves. Minho had to hold himself back from decking Felix in the face.
With a groan, he looked him dead in the eye, “then tell me, Felix, what is it that your little spies have found out?”
“She's been sneaking out to the eastern part of the district,” the General noticed how the Prince's throat bobbed. “Almost every day, she leaves in the morning and returns in the evening. Apparently, it's in the area near the barracks and the illegal brothel down on Scarlet street.”
An uncomfortable silence ensued, the only thing that could be heard was the rapid beating of the Prince's heart.
“Oh, and also, one of the servants caught her sneaking into the supply room,” he handed him a report, “there have been things going missing in the past two weeks, and it is starting to affect our scheduled monthly budgeting…”
As Felix watched the gears spinning in Minho's head, he couldn't help but grin wickedly. This was exactly what he had wanted—to plant the seed of doubt in the Prince's mind, allowing in to slowly grow over time until it would eventually take over him.
And you had handed him the perfect means to do so on a silver platter.
“Where do you think she has been going?”
The question slipped from his parted lips in a quiet breath, and Felix couldn't help but admire how calm and collected he sounded. But then, the cracks in his facade slowly started to appear as the corner of his mouth twitched.
And that's when Felix decided to lay the last blow.
“I'm not entirely sure, but I'm betting she's secretly meeting with the loverboy…”
And that's all it took for Minho to storm off, leaving a pleased Felix alone in his office. The Prince's hands were clenched into tight fists, steam practically rising from atop of his head.
‘Stop it!’ his inner voice suddenly commanded, snapping him out of his fit of rage and back into reality. This was you he was talking about. Kind, open-hearted, and diligent Y/N.
What a fool he was, he realized, wanting nothing more than to give himself a smack. There was no need to get unnecessarily angry—he could just go to you and ask you to explain. Especially since that part of the city was very dangerous—perhaps he could just warn you about the potential peril.
After the short pep talk, he finally stood in front of your heavy doors, knocking gently on the dark wood.
He knocked once… Nothing.
Twice… Still no luck.
And when he knocked for the third time without you responding, panic slowly flooded his veins.
You were nowhere to be found.
He searched through your room, turning everything upside down but there was no trace of you.
He knew you were a free spirit but did you always have to worry him so much?
Slamming your bedroom door behind him, he ran down the hall, thinking about where you could have gone. And that's when it hit him—perhaps Felix was truly right about your supposed whereabouts.
Realizing that made shivers run down his spine—he didn't want you anywhere near that street, especially so late at night.
“Fuck it,” he mumbled under his breath, throwing on his overcoat and grabbing the small decorative dagger that hung on the wall. It was his brother's.
After informing one of the servants of where he was headed, he ordered a small group of soldiers to be sent in the same direction in case things truly went south.
“Please, Y/N… be okay.”
. ˚✧・* •
As you stepped outside the orphanage, you cursed at the realization of how late it was. You hadn't planned to stay for so long, but you found yourself helping Jihyo with some chores (and there were so many of them), like washing the laundry, cleaning the living space, and preparing some of the food for tomorrow.
Your mind wandered back to your plans for the upcoming days. The date of your dinner with Minho kept coming closer and closer, which made your heart race. The image of the two of you sitting next to each other, eating some good food and laughing at each other's jokes like a normal engaged couple made the heat rise to your cheeks.
But you couldn't help it—ever since you and Minho had smoothed out the initial misunderstandings between you, you seemed to have fallen for the Prince. Sure, he was cold at first, something that made you keep your distance from him, but you slowly began to realize that there was much more to Lee Minho than meets the eye.
Under his perfect facade, you found him to be a vulnerable man, who was forced to build walls around himself in order to protect his emotions. He loved his brother dearly, and you could tell that his untimely death shook through him like a storm, leaving his soul broken into pieces.
It was just your luck that he seemed to be warming up to you, actually making an effort to interact with you and ask you about your health.
Suddenly, you heard a loud thud, accompanied by some loud voices. Your heart stilled in your chest as you paused, listening intently for any other noises.
You didn't have to wait for long, as a plethora of men's voices echoed through the night, making you realize that they were drunk. Very drunk. Their voices were slurred, sounding like they just got wasted at some bar nearby, but that didn't help to soothe your unease.
Drunk people meant angry people, and you didn't want to risk being in their presence to find out just how angry the men got here.
You began to run straight ahead, hoping that you'd slip by without them even noticing, or at least fast enough so they wouldn't be able to react in any way. You could hear their voices getting closer to you, but alas, you were almost at the end of the street. Hopefully, you'd just take a turn and leave this nasty street behind.
Wrong. What you didn't account for was the light from the only flickered lamp at the beginning of the street getting weaker and weaker. You realized that you had tripped way too late, unable to brace yourself for the fall. A shrill scream left your parted lips, as you cursed yourself for being so damn clumsy.
“What was that?” one of the men grumbled, suddenly sounding perfectly sober. A chorus of mumbles ensued as they all tried to figure out what had just happened. You felt your life wither in front of your eyes as one of the guys pointed in your direction.
You scrambled to your feet, nearly tripping in the process again, but your attempts at getting away were feeble at best. A calloused hand clamped around one of your wrists, pulling you back into a rough body. You wrinkled your nose at the heavy smell of liquor.
“What are you doing here so late at night, pretty girl,” the man slurred, hand reaching to grab your cheek. You had to fight the urge to spit in his face, instead choosing to simply wrinkle your nose in disgust to mask the growing fear coursing through your veins.
“J-Just on a late night stroll… my husband is expecting me home in a few so…” you trailed off, hoping your voice sounded steady enough to convince them. You prayed that the ‘husband’ card would be to your advantage and they'd let you go if you mentioned that you were already with another.
Was it horrible that you had to go to such means? Sure, but at this moment, the only thing you cared for was getting out of here as soon as possible, your pride be damned.
A chorus of oooh's could be heard, followed by boisterous laughter. “You say you have a husband, little one?” the man's grip on your wrists tightened as he ran the rough pad of his thumb down the apple of your cheek. It was now that you realized how powerless you felt without your abilities. You would've kicked his ass if you could just freeze his hands and get out of his grip, but with your current predicament, it wasn't possible
“Well, it seems like your husband really doesn't care about you, little lamb. Especially if he lets you out all alone so late at night.”
The words cut deeper than you expected them to, like someone plunged a knife into your chest, twisting in and rearranging your insides.
“Wait a second!” one of the men in the back shouted, catching the attention of his companions. “She seems familiar…” he trailed off, grabbing your face roughly and moving it to inspect you from different angles.
A few seconds passed, followed by a loud gasp. He dropped your face, mumbling to himself, “i-it's her… it's the Azure Princess for God's sake!”
You winced at his revelation, cursing under your breath. You were hoping they wouldn't recognize you, unable to predict what they would do if they had realized that you were in fact the future Queen. From what you've gathered, your popularity here wasn't exactly what you had been hoping for.
Well, it seems like you would find out soon enough…
“Now well well well,” the man grinned, revealing his rotted teeth as he walked around you like a predator ready to pounce on his prey. “This changes everything, don't you think, sweetheart?”
“It doesn't change the fact that your breath stinks, Smelly,” you spat back, trying to hold in the gagging noises in the back of your throat. The man's face turned beet red, fumes nearly coming out of his ears as the other men tried to stifle their snorts, looking away and masking their laughter with a few awkward coughs.
“Damn, she's feisty,” one of them chimed, quickly shutting up when he noticed their leader's piercing glare.
“It seems like you haven't understood the gravity of your situation, witch.”
When you heard him growl, regret washed over you almost immediately. ‘Stupid, Y/N, stupid!’ you chanted in your head, wincing as you felt his grip on you tighten.
Suddenly, a fluttery motion materialized in the corner of your eye. It was pretty dark, the singular lamp at the end of the street not doing a good job of illuminating the area, but you were positive that you saw something move past you.
“It seems like you aren't realizing the gravity of the situation, you fucking bastard!”
You gasped upon hearing the familiar voice, tears of joy prickling at the corners of your eyes.
“M-Minho,” you croaked, relief washing over you like a tidal wave. You shifted slightly, noticing that the man's grip on your hands had loosened slightly, but not enough for you to break his hold.
Minho stiffened at your hoarse voice, anger flooding through his veins. His arm was currently slung around the man's much broader figure, pressing the tip of his dagger to his jugular. His other hand was extended towards the rest of the group, flames bursting from the tips of his fingers.
The men took a few steps back, clearly frightened by the sudden display of power. They all knew what this had meant since only the royal bloodline possessed the ability to wield fire—the Prince had come to get you.
And by the sound of it, he was livid.
“I'll say it only one more time, you pathetic piece of shit, before I fucking burn you to the ground,” he seethed into his ear, pressing the tip of the blade deeper into the man's skin, a few drops of blood dripping down his hand.
“Let. Her. Go!”
Everything that happened after that was a blur. You could vaguely remember the events that followed Minho's sudden appearance. The bastard who held you didn't want to give up, but after feeling blood trickling down his neck, he unwillingly let go of you, pushing you to the ground with a thud.
He turned around to fight with Minho but he never really stood a chance in the first place, the young Prince blowing a gust of flames in his direction, tearing a shrill scream from his throat. After that, the two sparred for a short while, and despite his smaller stature, Minho had managed to land a fair share of blows on the much larger man.
There was a dangerous glint in his eyes, making it look like he was far gone as he landed a final blow on him, spitting on his wrecked body. You watched the scene with wide eyes, trembling in the chilly, evening air.
Never in your life had you seen a man as angry as Minho was right now.
He was panting, deep, ragged breaths leaving his parted lips as he tucked the dagger behind his belt. Slowly, as if afraid he would scare you, Minho turned around, eyes finding yours.
Upon seeing you shivering on the cold ground, he felt something tug at his heartstrings.
“Princess—” he rasped, wiping his bloodied hand into his leather pants before carefully walking towards you. He crouched beside your figure, running his thumb down your cheek to wipe away the trail of tears that'd fallen.
“You're probably cold, aren't you,” he slid off his coat, gingerly placing it on your shoulders. You accepted the warm garment with a quiet ‘thanks’.
“Everything will be okay,” he whispered, hands sliding under your body and hoisting you up into his arms. You snuggled up into his chest, pressing closer to him in hopes of obtaining some of his body heat.
“Let's get you back,” he bent down to press a chaste kiss to the top of your forehead, smiling gently—a stark contrast to his wrath you witnessed mere minutes ago.
On the way back, once you fell asleep in his arms, Minho allowed himself to let go, unable to keep the strong facade any longer. A few tears trickled down his face as his grip on your form tightened.
‘You must've been so scared,’ he realized in anger. Why were you out so late? Why didn't you protect yourself? From what he had heard, you were quite the powerful ice-bender, and Minho for the love of God couldn't figure out why didn't you try to do anything against the men.
“Your Majesty,” Changbin, the captain of the 1st legion saluted, wincing at the state of his ruler. “I apologize for the delay, we had some troubles during our departure.”
“There's a man lying unconscious a few minutes walking from here. Go and bring him back. I want him sent to the dungeon,” Minho muttered darkly.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
. ˚✧・* •
When you awoke to the birds chirping, sunlight was streaming through the flimsy curtains, making you squint. Your head was pounding, a dull, steady ache accompanying the numb pain around your wrists.
A sudden movement made you look down, noticing Minho half-sitting in what looked like an uncomfortable chair, his head and torso lying over your lap. The morning rays of the sun were illuminating his face, like a glow cast gently on him by the angels.
“Minho—” you stirred him awake, tenderly brushing the sweaty locks of hair from his forehead. He mumbled something unintelligible in response, groaning into your duvet. “Hey, hey—wake up.”
With a sudden jerk, he shot up, tiredly rubbing at his eyes as he slowly came to. “Good morning… uh, how are you feeling?”
“Morning,” you responded lamely, scanning his face and spotting the dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he had barely slept all night—which he probably had—but the sight made your heart clench.
“W-Wait a second… morning? How long was I out?”
Upon hearing the panic flaring in your voice, he responded as calmly as he could. “It's okay, don't worry. I, uh, I brought you in yesterday at night so probably about ten hours?”
All the memories of the previous night started to flood back, making you feel dizzy. The world was literally spinning, your head feeling heavy when Minho gently propped you up, helping you find a more comfortable position.
“Go back to sleep, okay?”
And just like that, everything went black.
. ˚✧・* •
“Good afternoon, Princess,” a familiar friendly voice chirped, walking through the ornate doorway. Groaning, you peeled your eyes open, coming face to face with Jeongin, who was holding a tray full of fresh pastries and fruit.
“My mom prepared these for you, they're fresh out of the oven.”
There's a forced cheerfulness in his tone, and you assumed Jeongin was trying to comfort you, not wanting to bring your spirits down.
“Thank you.”
He set the tray on the night table, careful not to hit Minho (whose head was still laying on your lap) with the assortment of treats he brought.
“How long has he been there, do you know?” you suddenly spoke up, keeping your eyes trained on the Prince. You had a suspicion that he hasn't left your side but you were hoping it wasn't true.
“I'm not sure, actually,” Jeongin shrugged, “but I heard that he carried you here all the way. And judging by his appearance, he probably stayed all night with you. He was really worried.”
Glancing up at Jeongin, you tried your hardest to muster up a smile. “Yeah… that sounds like something he would do…”
. ˚✧・* •
It took another few hours for you and Minho to finally talk.
After Jeongin left, you munched on one of the sweet pastries before pulling over the duvet and lying back in your bed. Your hand was gently curled around his hair as you let the exhaustion take over you once again, closing your eyes and welcoming sleep with open arms.
When you awoke, it was already evening, judging by the sun setting behind the windows.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Minho's raspy voice startled you into a seating position, eyes widening. “Ah, sorry… I, uh, I didn't mean to startle you,” he winced, hand reaching for yours as he gently interlocked your fingers.
“Um, it's okay,” you croaked, “I was just surprised, that's all.”
The uncomfortable silence lingered in the air for a bit longer, making you wince. It felt like you had just gone back to being awkward together, and it pained you so much to be unable to talk to him freely.
You shifted in your seat, your hand gently tugging at Minho's in the process, bringing it closer to your own lap. Your ears perked up when you heard him let out a pained groan, panic immediately flooding your veins. You glanced back at him, noticing the soiled bandages peeking from under his linen blouse.
“Minho!” you exclaimed, hastily reaching for the shirt and gently pulling it away, inspecting his injury. You were met with what looked like a knife wound, sloppily wrapped in plain bandages that were soaked with blood.
“What happened to you? Are you okay?” the questions began to roll off your tongue in a swift manner as you peered at him from under your lashes, distraught.
Minho, visibly taken aback by your concern, merely shrugged. “It must've happened while I fought off that bastard—I think he managed to graze me with his knife…”
“Grazed? Are you kidding me? Minho, this gash looks deep, did you at least get it disinfected?” you exclaimed worriedly. The way he guiltily avoided your gaze answered your question.
“For God's sake,” you groaned, kicking off the blankets and throwing your legs over the edge of the bed. Alarmed, Minho immediately reached to push you back down.
“I'm just going to get the healing kit,” you murmured under your breath, feet padding against the cold, marble floor. Once you returned, you gestured towards the bed.
“Sit down on the bed, you dummy,” you gave him an incredulous look as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I'll clean your wound.”
A soft blush coated Minho's cheeks as he sat down on the bed, nervously tugging at the sleeve of his shirt. You placed the box on the chair he previously occupied, taking out all the items you would need.
Clearing his throat, Minho muttered, “I didn't know you were a healer.”
You smiled gently, preparing an herb decoction in the small washbasin. “I'm not, I just know a thing or two about treating wounds—there was a shortage of healers in our kingdom during the war.”
“Ah,” Minho awkwardly bit his lower lip, evading your gaze. “I see.”
After you were done with the herbs, you turned around to face him, pointing at his shirt. “Can you take it off? I, uh, I need to access your wound to properly wash it.”
“Yeah, of course,” his lips curved into a smile, hands reaching to pull the shirt over his head. If he noticed the heat rising to your cheeks, he didn't mention it, instead basking in the way your gentle hands began running over his torso as you carefully unwrapped the bandages.
After you were done, you placed the soiled gauze on an empty tray. Your cheeks were warm as you took in Minho in all of his—albeit slightly disheveled and injured—glory. Smooth planes of toned, sun-kissed skin that felt like heaven under your fingertips.
He was so… warm.
And you meant that in the most literal way—his body heat was unmatched. Perhaps it was due to the warm nature of fire, or the generally hot lands of the Crimson land, but his soft skin was radiating so much heat.
Not to mention his hair—dark and touseled, so unlike his usually tidy and neat updo. You had to resist the urge to run your hair through his curly locks.
“My eyes are up here, sweetheart.”
You immediately snapped your gaze back up to him, face heating up in embarrassment. “I-I… I wasn't—”
“Weren't what? Staring at me?” he smirked, his ego swelling up after having caught you staring at him for so long. Well, to be fair, it was nice to know that he had a similar effect on you as you did on him. When he noticed how flustered you were, his tone took on a softer edge.
“It's okay, Princess—no need to be embarrassed. After all, we will be soon husband and wife.”
Sadly, his statement only riled you on more as you grabbed your supplies.
“This may sting a little,” it's the only warning you gave him before beginning to gently run the wet cloth over his wound.
“Ah-ah,” he moaned in pain, clutching onto the bedsheets as if his life depended on it. Your eyes widened at the sinful sound, bitting at your lower lip.
“S-Sorry.”
Once you deemed the wound clean enough, you placed your palms against his toned chest, gently pushing him down on the bed.
“Stop it,” you grumbled, pinching his waist once you saw him wiggle his eyebrows suggestively… “It'll be easier for me to properly rinse the wound with the herbs if you're laying down.”
Chuckling, Minho submitted to your wishes, his back making contact with the bed. You kneeled beside him, grabbing a clean cloth before dipping it in the herbal tincture. Once it was completely soaked, you gently wrung it over his wound, wincing as he groaned in pain.
You repeated the process a few more times, until the wound was relatively clean, save for the few streaks of blood on the pinkish flesh.
“ ‘M sorry,” you mumbled quietly, reaching for a small tin. “I'm almost done.”
“It's okay, no need to apologize.”
After that, you applied some sage salve onto the wound and proceeded to tightly bandage it with a new gauze.
“Thank you,” Minho slid up into a seating position, pushing the sweaty hair from his forehead. You could tell that he was still recovering from the stinging sensations, breathing shallowly.
“It's no problem, just make sure to visit the palace physician to make sure everything is alright.”
When he didn't respond, you noticed how tense his shoulders looked. His brows were furrowed, almost as if he was deep in thought and he kept balling his hand into a fist before unclenching it. Seemingly, something was bothering him.
“Are you okay, Minho?” you decided to voice your concerns, nervously biting your lip.
“I–, uh… yeah. Don't worry about it, it's kinda stupid,” he chuckled anxiously, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
“Hey, hey… look at me,” you gently grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up at you. “Your happiness matters just as much as mine. If there's something bothering you, please tell me. Maybe I can help…”
“That's the thing,” he laughed bitterly, “I don't think you can help me with this.”
You peered at him, confused.
“It's just that— I…” the words seemed to get caught in his throat. “Were you with Jisung last night?”
As soon as he uttered the sentence, his head fell into his hands, embarrassed. “No, whatever, you don't have to answer. This is just the jealousy speaking—I shouldn't be concerned about that when your life was in danger yesterday—” he rambled on, clenching his hands into fists—a habit you have picked up on as a sign of stress.
“Minho,” you stroked his cheek with your palm, “Please, just look at me.”
He slowly lifted his head, eyes staring into yours. You noticed the wetness at the corners of his eyes—were those tears? You didn't ask, however, not wanting to put him on the spot. He seemed to struggle with being vulnerable and open with people, so you figured it would be better not to mention it.
“Why would you think I was with Jisung?”
“I don't know,” he grumbled, wiping his eyes. “You seem to like him a lot… and when Felix told me that you were sneaking out to the eastern district, I-I, I just figured you were secretly seeing him, you know… since the barracks are in the east too.”
“Oh Minho,” you thumbed the tear rolling down his cheek, “I didn't even know that the barracks were nearby. I promise that's not what happened. Me and Jisung, um, we talked it out already and there's nothing between us. We haven't actually spoken for ages…”
“I know… I should've known,” he corrected himself, “but I don't want you to cut him off completely, Y/N. I understand that he's someone close to you so please, don't feel like you can't spend any time with him. At least not too much,” he added after a short pause, making you giggle.
“Alright. I appreciate it, Minho.”
Despite Minho initially looking like a weight was lifted off his shoulders, you still felt like something was bothering him. Gently, you nudged him in the side, whispering, “Is that all that was bothering you?”
“Actually,” he breathed out, “it's not. There's so much about you that I don't know. You're such a fucking mystery to me, you know.”
You could hear the frustration in his voice, making the coil in your stomach tighten. Running a hand down his back, you whispered, “what exactly do you want to know?”
“Everything. Like what body wash you use cause it smells fucking amazing,” he grumbled, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips.
“Why thank you,” you giggled, attempting a curtsy in your seating position, “I use the same vanilla body wash I've used for my entire life.”
After a moment, his hand reached out for yours, gently interlocking your fingers.
“If I'm being honest, I still don't understand what exactly happened yesterday. Why were you out so late? Where even were you?”
“I was at the orphanage,” you mumbled quietly.
“Come again?”
“I was at the orphanage,” you repeated, this time louder, looking away in embarrassment. "When I found out in what poor conditions the place was, I decided to come every day and help clean the place and teach the kids how to read and count.”
“Of course you did,” Minho breathed out in exasperation. “I was so damn stupid—the missing supplies—I should've realized it was something like that. I know how sweet and selfless you are, Y/N, and trust me, it's one of your most magnificent qualities, but for once, just for once, could you have been a little selfish and thought of yourself?”
“What do you mean–”
“I mean that you shouldn't have stayed so long, but most importantly, you should've defended yourself!” he inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as he ran his other hand through his hair.
“They say that you're one of the most powerful benders from the Azure kingdom, so how come you didn't do anything to fend them off? They should've been small fish compared to you…”
And there it was. Minho had just asked the million-dollar question that you've been trying to avoid for the past few weeks. Your heartbeat quickened as sweat started to gather on your forehead.
“I-I…” you meekly whispered, the words not coming out. Minho noticed the apparent change in demeanor, as well as the way your shoulders began to tremble.
“Hey, it's okay, don't worry. You can tell me anything,” he coaxed you, gently gripping your waist and placing you on his lap. Brushing the hair out of your face, he whispered, “you can lean on me whenever something's bothering you, you know? That's what I'm here for.”
“I lost my p-powers, Minho.”
There… you said it. You uttered the sentence you hoped you would never have to say out loud. You awaited his reaction, the anger, confusion, and frustration that would follow.
Nothing.
Gently peering at him from under your lashes, you found his lips to be curled into a soft smile. Pity, you quickly realized. Oh no, he would break it to you know—the engagement would be broken off, your kingdoms would be at war again, you realized in panic.
“I-I couldn't tell you since I knew how important that aspect was to the royal court. As soon as they find out,” you hiccuped, “they'll formally break off the engagement… and my people… the Azure land c-can't take more war, Minho! We'll be obliterated so please, d-don't—”
“Do you seriously think I would break off the engagement because of that?”
You blinked.
Once.
Twice.
“Seriously, Y/N, I know I acted like a selfish prick at first, but do you really think that lowly of me? That I'd send you back home along with my army hot on your heels just because of that?”
Your eyes were glossy, “I… I don't know,” you admitted after a while, blinking away the tears. “Everything was fine before, but one day, I just couldn't summon them. And I was too scared to tell anyone since the final clause of the treaty is that the two of us marry and produce a powerful heir that should inherit both our abilities…”
Minho blushed furiously at the mention of an heir, the tips of his ears turning beet red. “I, uh, we'll find a cure, don't worry. If I have to, I'll travel with you far and wide to visit every healer in the kingdom.”
His words soothed your fears as you melted in his embrace. “T-Thank you, Min.”
He softened at the nickname. “Don't worry about it, everything will be okay.”
The two of you sat like that for another couple of minutes, Minho rubbing your back as you calm down from the onslaught of emotions. It was a bit embarrassing for you to cry in front of him, but despite the slight distress, you were glad you got those things off your chest.
And it seemed like it was quite a productive conversation for Minho as well. You could tell that it was rare for him to open up as much as he did. He wasn't used to being vulnerable in front of others, especially after his brother's passing.
Later at night, after he had carried you bridal style to your chambers, he told you that the two of you could visit the orphanage together first thing in the morning. After that, he kissed you on the forehead and wished you sweet dreams.
The cool breeze slipping from the open window made you shiver as you tangled your limbs into the sheets. A particular sentence from Minho had stuck with you, something that he said in between his frustrated exclamations of how careless you were.
“Please, Y/N. I was so scared history would repeat itself. I can't lose another one… I can't lose you…”
. ˚✧・* •
“Here you go,” Minho handed you fresh pastry, paying the woman as the two of you strolled through the market. It was pretty early in the morning, the sun still rising, as you walked hand in hand.
“You can't wear this,” you poked him on the shoulder, “everyone will recognize you.”
“So what? You're not really that incognito yourself,” he pointed at your face. “Soon, everyone in the nation will recognize you as my wife, and therefore, their lawful queen.”
“Minho,” you smacked your lips, hiding your embarrassment. “C'mon, let's go.”
The Minho that stood in front of you now looked quite unlike the Minho you were used to from the palace. His hair was dissheveled, the mop of unruly curls sitting atop his head and glimmering more than any crown could.
He was dressed in simple clothing, natural colors, and clean lines, both of which accentuated his sturdy build and the rugged charm he exuded.
You, on the other hand, were dressed in a plain, beige dress that fit around your body snuggly, a thin, leather belt fastened around your waist.
“Wait a second, I have an idea!” Minho exclaimed, tugging at your belt loop to bring you closer to him. His hand gently brushed against your neck, fingertips igniting all the sensitive nerve endings.
He pulled out a beautiful silken scarf, looping it under your hair before tying a knot, bringing your locks into a ponytail. “There, now you'll fit in.”
On your way to the orphanage, Minho acted as your tour guide, pointing at all the noteworthy monuments and retelling you the history of the city like he was a walking textbook. When you pulled out your trusty leather-bound notebook to take some notes, he immediately asked about its contents, and when he jutted his lower lip, you couldn't deny him.
“Well… it's actually just notes I took on the kingdom's history, culture, and the problem areas. I talked to some of the citizens and asked them about possible areas of friction.”
The memories of your amateur interviews came back to mind, heat rising to your cheeks. Minho seemed awfully intrigued, ears piqued in interest.
“I had told myself that I would bring up these issues once we shared some dinner but since that never happened…”
You trailed off solemnly, causing Minho to wince. He knew it wasn't proper of him to flake out like that but the sudden meeting that Felix sprang on him required his immediate presence.
“Anyways,” you turned the page in your notebook, beginning to read off all of your notes, “I was told multiple times that some of the men in power abuse their status. They leverage things like fresh water and raise taxes and there's no one to stop them.”
Minho frowned at the revelation, unsure of what to say. “That's not all,” you continued, looking him in the eye. “Apparently, you're very hard to reach—countless people have tried to set up an audience with you but they were never allowed—and these are only the few that aren't petrified of you.”
“Hmm, I honestly didn't expect that. Most of the internal affairs like requests for an audience go through a couple of people before they reach me—I'll have to ask them about that.”
Once the two of you reached the orphanage, Minho's hand nervously found yours. You could tell he was beginning to feel anxious, so you resorted to caressing his knuckles with your thumb.
“Don't worry, the kids will love you,” you beamed, brushing a curly lock from in front of his eyes. Minho blushed at the affectionate gesture, your hooded gaze unhelpful to the pink blossom on his cheeks.
“If you say so…”
Tapping your knuckle against the unpolished wood, you knocked a few times. When the door opened, Jihyo popped up from behind, grinning upon seeing you.
“Hey, welcome,” she pulled you into a tight hug. Only then did she notice your companion, welcoming him with a wave. “Are you Y/N's husband?” she gushed, holding the door for the two of you to enter. Heat rose to your cheeks at her words, but Minho simply smirked, “Not yet, but we're engaged.”
“Ah, this is so sweet,” she placed her hand in front of her lips, cooing. “Young love—it's so refreshing to see nowadays.”
As soon as you stepped into the cramped living room, a dozen or so kids immediately flocked to you, welcoming you with a smile.
“Hii, Y/N. Did you bring any sweets?”
“N/N, I missed you so much.”
“Who's this man? Why did he come with you?”
You chuckled at their inquiries, gently stroking their heads. “One by one, guys. I have something for you, don't worry, Gyu,” you nodded towards one of the boys who instantly lightened up, grinning from ear to ear.
“Aww, I missed you too, Rosie,” you hugged the pigtailed girl, turning around to face Minho. “And this is… Lino, he's very excited to meet you all—greet him warmly, please!”
Minho flushed at the nickname, barely concealing the smile that was peaking through his scowl. You laughed at the expression he made, the sound still ringing in his ears hours later like the most beautiful melody.
To see you like this, he couldn't get enough of it. He stood by the large glass window, resting his back against it as he watched you from afar, drunk on the sight. Not that looking at you wasn't a blessing in and of itself—far from that, actually.
Minho used to pride himself on being able to resist all things irresistible.
He learned how to accept defeat, and how to deal with things he never thought he would get in life. How to deal with the repercussions of watching people from afar have what he desperately wanted, but never thought he could have.
A normal, domestic life.
It used to ache him so much… after his brother's untimely death, he was faced with more than one cruel occurrence. He would have to be King. and because of that, any sort of life, with just a semblance of normalcy, should've been ruled out. Right?
Wrong… maybe.
The joyful screams and beams of laughter rang through the air as you chased around with the kids, your dress floating around whimsically. Oh how he longed for you to smile like that in his presence, he longed to be the cause for your happiness, just like these little rascals seemed to be.
The last blow to his already fragile and tender heart was when one of the girls jumped into your arms, which resulted in your holding her like one would hold a newborn, rocking her from side to side. He nearly burst at the sight, mind immediately wandering to what your kids would look like.
‘Fuck,’ he thought. It almost felt like you were doing this to him on purpose, trying to rile him up. He dismissed the idea though when you turned around to face him, a wide, innocent smile on your lips.
“C'mon, Min. Come join us, we're gonna play tag in the backyard!”
And just like that, Minho knew there was no going back.
. ˚✧・* •
“Teach him a lesson!” one of the men shouted, earning himself at least a dozen ‘yeah's’ from the gathered crowd. “Show him how it's done here in the Crimson land!”
Ignoring the hollers, Jisung wiped the blood from his busted lip, straightening up as he waited for the General to strike again. Unfortunately for him, the loud noises around him proved to be detrimental to his ability to focus, slowing down his reaction time.
Another round of applause rumbled as Felix managed to land another blow on him, this time hitting him straight in the jaw.
“You're awfully slow today, aren't you,” he remarked, brows shooting up. Jisung shot him a nasty glare, “And you seem awfully chatty. You think you can manage to win this battle by talking me to death?”
His taunt didn't draw out the reaction he wanted, the General not even blinking. “No, but I might beat you into a pulp if you don't step up your game, loverboy.”
Jisung ground his teeth at the taunt, knowing fully well what Felix was getting at. His irritation must've shown, as the most shit-eating grin appeared on the General's lips.
He just hit the nail in the coffin.
“Don't call me that,” he tried his hardest to sound intimidating, but it rather had the opposite effect. “Why shouldn't I? Isn't that who you are—a guard helplessly in love with the Princess? You must know that relationships like these are merely fantasies, right?”
When the lieutenant didn't answer, he continued, still watching his moves with a hawk eye. “Face, it—you'll never get–”
And that was all it took for Jisung to clench his fists
It wasn't for about ten minutes that Felix was declared the official winner of the match as he landed the final blow, punching his opponent in the gut. Jisung was sent flying across the makeshift ring, coughing up a bit of blood.
As he sat on the dirty floor, surrounded by a few dozen men, soldiers and farmers alike, he felt like the ground should swallow him up alive. His cheeks were warm, a soft shade of red blossoming from his neck upwards. Whether it was from the exertion his body went through or the bustling humiliation coursing his veins, he couldn't tell.
Tears welled up in his eyes making him hiccup, his lashes fluttering as Felix delivered the last kick… Before he could splutter out the words to give up, the ground was torn from under his wobbly feet and everything went black.
. ˚✧・* •
“Your Majesty!”
The loud knock wakes you from your peaceful slumber, a tired groan escaping your lips. “Coming,” you muttered, slinging your legs over the edge of the bed.
You paddled on your bare feet towards the wooden door, opening it to come face to face with one of the guards. Immediately, you felt a twinge of embarrassment as you realized that you were only wearing your silken night slip. The guard, however, didn't react in any sort of way, handing you a large rose bouquet wrapped indelicate wrapping paper.
“His Majesty ordered for this to be delivered to you,” he noted, before bowing down and walking away. The heat rose to your cheeks as you stood in the doorway with the large assortment of flowers, startled to the core.
You never would've pegged Minho as the romantic type…
Inside your room, you placed the bouquet on the table, noticing that a small, paper note had been attached to one of the flowers. Your fingers worked gently to unfold it, reading the contents in one go.
For Princess Y/N,
I hope you like them, sweetheart ♥ can't wait for our dinner tomorrow…
LMH
. ˚✧・* •
Later that day, you and Minho bumped into each other during lunchtime, and he suggested that the two of you grab something from the kitchen and sneak out on the balcony to eat.
“I looked over the issue with Count Choi and Viscount Kim,” he mentioned after swallowing down the last piece of the chicken pie. “Indeed, the two of them had gotten many complaints on how they ruled their regions; I can't believe this hasn't been brought to my attention.” his fists clenched, showing how frustrated he was with the situation.
“There's nothing we can do about that now, Minho. I'm just happy that we found out. It seems like this is a recurring pattern thought…” you trailed off solemnly, gazing at the city.
“Yeah. I'll have to have a little talk with some of the men in the Royal Court—this behavior is unacceptable.”
“It's good to know that you are interested in these things, I can tell that you care.”
Minho looked away, trying not to seem fazed by your words. His hand found its way onto yours, gently enveloping your palm, causing a pleasant shiver to run down your spine.
“I'm also looking into what can be done for the orphanage,” he relaxed his posture, tipping his head towards the blue sky. “So far, it seems that they lack mostly funding, so I'm going over it with the palace accountant—it seems like we'll be able to give them a more than healthy sum every month that should be more than enough to run the place smoothly. They should also be able to afford to employ one or two more people to keep the place running.”
Your smile brightened at the thought of Jiyho having some support, both financial and physical. She worked herself nearly to death, doing everything she could to keep the place going.
“Thank you, Minho,” you whispered, your words barely audible.
The Sun was glimmering, painting the sky in hues of gold. You gazed into the distance, a sense of newfound longing in your heart. “The sky's beautiful, isn't it?” you entwined your hand with his, voicing out your thoughts.
“Not as beautiful as you are,” came his breathless response. Your heartbeat quickened in surprise as you slowly turned around to face him. His lips were gently parted as he gazed at you with an intensity you've never seen before like you held the entire Milky Way in your eyes. Heat rose to your cheeks, your fingers numbly clutching onto the hem of your gown.
“You know you're the smartest, kindest, most stunning woman in the entire kingdom?”
You spluttered, unsure of how to respond to his words. The weight of his compliments hung in the air, an unexplainable tension forming between the two of you. Minho's gaze softened at your bashfulness, hand cupping your face.
“I mean that, you know,” his thumb gently stroked your cheek, causing you to nearly melt from his mere touch. “I know it's been difficult for you to adjust to your new life, but I want you to know that I'm so proud of you.”
A shiver ran down your spine, lashes fluttering at the pretext of what was going to happen next.
“I've been waiting for this for so damn long,” as if on cue, Minho breathed out, his warm breath fanning your cheek. You could almost feel the plush of his oh-so-soft lips on yours, excitement running through your veins.
Yet it seemed like the universe had a personal vendetta against you when you heard the door crash open.
“Your Majesty!” a guard in his early twenties burst in, bowing down.
You instantly jumped away from Minho, flustered from the sudden interruption. On the other hand, Minho's reaction was completely opposite to yours.
“What is it?” he grumbled, a light blush blossoming on his cheeks. Why did this always happen to him?
“We have just received a report that a famine had broken out in the northern villages. The last few caravans sent by Your Majesty had been attacked, resulting in there not being enough resources to keep the people in the area fed.”
A beat of silence followed before any of you spoke, the guard promptly excusing himself and leaving the two of you to wallow in the remains of the depressing statement. Your hand was still holding on to his, so you could feel the way he tensed. His brows were drawn together, lips set in a firm line as he struggled to articulate his thoughts.
“Minho,” you tried to gently call his name, rubbing his back in hopes of soothing his anxieties. You were worried too, but you could tell how much more this affected him, despite his best efforts to hide it.
“Y/N,” he nervously bit down on his lip, “I know we were going to spend some time together—”
“Go,” you reassured him, placing your hand on his shoulder. “I understand that this is a situation of utmost importance.”
His expression relaxed into a smile. “Thank you, I appreciate you being so understanding.”
“Oh please,” you waved him off, “it's nothing. I would gladly accompany you if you'd like, but I fear I would mainly impose…”
“Nonsense,” he held out his hand for you to take, like a true gentleman. “I'd welcome your presence. Besides, it's about time that the officials start getting used to seeing you around—after all—you don't think I'll the only one to decide on all the matters, don't you?” he grinned.
“If that's the case, I'd love to come.”
. ˚✧・* •
The air in the council chambers was as suffocating as the freezing winters of your land.
The room was laid out rather nicely, you presume. A voluminous ornate table at which all the council members gathered, large windows allowing copious amounts of sunlight to stream in through, and elegant paintings of the entire royal bloodline hanging off the walls.
Minho, as the Crown Prince and rightful heir to the throne, occupied the head of the table, and with the crown perched on top of his head, he looked more like the menacing ruler everyone made him out to be. You were sat right by his side, ears piqued as you listened intently to their conversation.
“Councilman Moon,” Minho's voice bounced off the walls, the authoritative edge ever so present. “I don't understand the point you are making. There's a famine breaking out—in what world is that not a priority matter for us to discuss?”
“If I may,” you intervene, gathering the attention of the rest of the councilmembers and Minho himself.
“Of course, Princess,” he spoke softly as if reassuring you with the gentlest of smiles.
“Thank you. So I wanted to follow up on what the Prince had said,” you brought your hands from your lap to the table. “Allowing a famine to spread would be way too risky—especially once it spirals out of control… Trust me, I have seen my Kingdom nearly fall apart due to there not being enough resources,” your brows furrowed at the unpleasant memories. “And that's not to mention that it would be a terrible decision to make, morally speaking.”
One of the men let out a distasteful scoff, and everyone's gazes immediately focused on him.
“Is there something amusing that you'd like to share with the rest of us, councilman Jung?” Minho snarled in his direction.
“Not exactly, Your Majesty. I merely believe that the Princess shouldn't speak on matters she outside of her scope of understanding.”
Before Minho could respond, you cut in. “Why do you believe that I possess no understanding of this topic? I have seen what hunger had done to my people, and I merely want to prevent history from repeating itself here.”
“What do you propose we do then, Your Majesty?” one of the kinder council members spoke up, intrigue lacing his tone.
“Well, first of all, I'd suggest that each caravan carrying supplies is accompanied by a small cell of soldiers that will make sure that no one comes to harm and that the supplies will be safely delivered to their final destination.”
Immediately, councilman Jung interrupted you, fiery gaze piercing through you.
“And where do you suggest we find all these soldiers? Trained men do not grow on trees, Your Majesty.”
“There's plenty of soldiers in the barracks right now, if I'm not mistaken,” you retorted, challenging him. “The war has ended, which means that most of the troops are now back home. Undoubtedly, there should be enough manpower to make sure that basic resources are redistributed in the land, isn't that correct?”
“Indeed, it may appear so, but what if conflict won't cease? The union has not yet been officially consummated, so who's to say what may or may not happen?”
Silence followed, and you were sure that if you tried, you would've heard a pin drop.
“E-Excuse me?” you managed to stutter after a while, frustration and confusion mingling inside of you. “What do you mean by that?”
“Yeah,” Minho cut in angrily, “what do you mean by that, councilman Jung? ‘Cause if I remember correctly, you were the same person that suggested we force the Azure kingdom to surrender since you believed that they would not agree to our terms. But they have, and Princess Y/N seated here beside us is living proof of that.”
“O-Of course, Your Majesty, I didn't mean to—”
“Not to mention that I do not appreciate your accusatory and rude tone. You spoke as if doubting the validity of this union. The official wedding ceremony will be held shortly, but that doesn't give you a reason to spout such denunciatory ies.”
The rest of the council was quiet, everyone holding their breaths as they watched the brawl between the cantankerous councilman and the Prince.
“To bring this meeting to an end, I propose that we go with the Princess' idea. She made many righteous points and I believe that this is the minimum we can do for our entire nation to remain prosperous.” he shot councilman Jung a venomous glare, effectively silencing him.
“And lastly, I would like to add something that should have been obvious in the first place.”
Scanning the room, eyes lingering on each and every one of the men present. “In no way are you to ever disrespect the Princess in such a manner, have I made myself clear?”
“Transparent, Your Majesty.”
. ˚✧・* •
The man ground his teeth, nervously walking around the room with his hand curled in his hair. This wasn't what he wanted to hear on a fine Saturday morning, not at all.
A guard slipped into his room, handing him the folded piece of paper and whispering in his ear. “Everything will go according to plan. He folded under the pressure immediately and agreed to do as you say.”
At least there was some good news.
. ˚✧・* •
The Sun had already begun to set when you started to get ready for your much-anticipated dinner. Despite how excited and giddy you were, the anxiousness stored in the back of your mind prevailed, causing you to stress unnecessarily.
You opted to prepare another cup of fresh tea, the healer having brought another batch. It was an improved recipe, he told you, and before you even took a sip, you could smell the sharp scent of apricots filling your nostrils.
A few isolated petals of a blush pink hue floated amongst the mostly-clear liquid. You downed most of the tea in a long, drawn-out gulp. The loud ticking of the clock reminded you that you were indeed on a time crunch, so you stood up, heading towards your closet to pull out the prized item of clothing.
Placing the red gown against your body, you twirled around like a giggly twelve-year-old, your heart racing at what would become of today's evening. You gently peeled off your simple dress, slipping into the bright-red one. Shivers ran down your spine as the satin made contact with your heated skin, leaving a blissful trail of tranquility.
You tied the bow at the back, tightening the gown at your waist before looking in the mirror, a pleased smile forming on your lips.
All that was left now was to tie your hair into a slightly more intricate updo that you would usually do, followed by a light spritz of your favorite vanilla-scented perfume.
A sudden wave of nausea crashed over you.
You had to bring your back against the wall, inhaling deeply to calm your erratic heartbeat. ‘Everything will be okay,’ you tried to tell yourself, pressing your hands to your cheeks. There was no reason to be worried, but then why was your heart racing like a horse running through a field?
It was one of those… that supposed gut feeling that you've heard, even read of. But you merely ignored it, sliding on a plain, gold bracelet around your wrist that matched the golden hems and stitchings of your dress.
Taking a deep breath, you stepped out of your chambers, both excitement and qualm coursing through your veins.
. ˚✧・* •
The halls were unusually empty, void of the customary liveliness and buzz you had attuned to.
The sleeves of your gown draped over your shoulders comfortably as you walked towards the grand dining room where you were supposed to meet Minho.
You nearly felt on top of the world, so much having changed since you first arrived. It felt like you finally had something to look forward to in this union—perhaps—that you wouldn't be shackled to a loveless marriage as you had previously believed.
The room was just a few more turns away. You could already smell the unmistakable aroma of brassiered chicken and many other southern delicacies.
As the tip of your foot made contact with the ground, you felt like the world was being torn from under your feet. With a quiet gasp, you folded over like a ragdoll, falling limply to the ground. A sudden burst of cramps ramped through you, causing you to convulse on the floor, hoarse cries of pain leaving your dry lips.
Once the sudden rupture of pain came to a stop, you nearly moaned in relief. Sweat lined at your forehead as your hands tried to grasp against the marble floor, attempting to support you into a seating position. But to no avail.
It took approximately a minute or two for the world around you to go pitch black.
. ˚✧・* •
Tick tock.
Minho watched the grandfather clock tick on the wall, brows furrowing at your absence. It was currently six-forty… you were ten minutes late. If it weren't for the dozen or so maids and cooks lining the wall of the dining room, he wouldn't have been as worried as he was now.
‘News traveled fast,’ he recalled, and what other new gossip could there be on a fine Saturday evening if not something as scandalous as the Crown Princess standing up her fiancé.
It was highly unusual for you to be late, that was what struck him first. What's more, it would be nearly unheard of for you to turn up late knowing how important today's dinner was for your image, especially amongst the palace staff.
Adjusting the collar of his crisp white blouse underneath his navy suit, he swallowed thickly, brushing off the nonexistent dust from his pressed pants. The golden fastenings of his jacket clinked, grabbing the attention of the people around him.
He nervously bit down on his lip, ignoring the curious glances from some of the younger maids as he kept his eyes trained on the clock. He knew that there was one more thing on their minds right now, and it was undoubtedly the odd color of his outfit.
It was unusual for a Crimson ruler to adorn the colors of the perceived enemy. He was taking a huge gamble by wearing navy, but he had hoped that the sightings of the two of you each wearing the other nation's colors would stir something within the people.
‘I hope you comes soon,’ he thought, sighing at the sight of the now cold food…
. ˚✧・* •
Jisung was walking down the hall when he suddenly noticed something peeking from around the corner. It was a small tuft of red fabric, or at least it seemed like it from afar.
He began walking briskly towards the spot—it was highly unusual for the palace floors to be littered with anything, having been cleaned multiple times a day. As he was getting closer and closer, he could see more of this supposed ‘piece of cloth’, rather, it was beginning to look more like… an arm?
His eyes widened in surprise, mouth ajar as an unconscious body came into view, limbs twisted under a gorgeous red gown.
“Y/N?!” he cried when he finally recognized you, his insides clenching at the sight. Your lips were parted, a sliver of drool on your cheeks. Nearly instantly (or as quickly as his shocked state allowed him to), he bent down to your level, fingers pressing to your neck to check your pulse.
‘Thank god,’ he thought, feeling the albeit slowed drumming of your heart. His hands slid under your body, hoisting you up with a grunt. His stomach was still aching from having been kicked there repeatedly by the General, but the adrenaline proved to do wonders for him once again as he briskly walked down the hall, heading for your bed chambers.
When he passed a maid, he immediately ordered, “The Princess is unconscious! Go get the palace healer and inform His Majesty about it.”
The girl hastily nodded, running off in what he presumed to be the direction of the infirmary.
. ˚✧・* •
For the nth time in the past few weeks, Minho felt his heart plummet to the depths of the sea. There was a weird buzz in his head, one that drowned out everything else, as the last bits of cohesion exited his body.
He had just been informed that you were taken into the infirmary by Jisung and that he requested for him to come as soon as possible.
When he had hoped there was a solid reason as to why you didn't arrive, this wasn't what he had meant.
Before he even knew it, his legs were carrying him in the direction of your bed chambers, heart erratically pounding against his ribcage. His ears suddenly picked up on what seemed to be an argument between two males. The closer he got to your room, the louder he heard one of them scream while the other begged for him to stop.
What the hell was going on?
His question was answered as soon as he burst through the door, panting, eyes scanning the room. He noticed you lying on the bed, frumpled, with your limbs curled under the sheets. Your face displayed a twisting of emotions, mainly pain, and exhaustion and it looked like you were knee-deep in a living nightmare.
Before he could come up to you and check how you were doing, he noticed something that concerned him highly.
In the corner of the room kneeled Jisung, pressing Seungmin to the floor, rage written all over his face. The healer underneath him thrashed in his hold, begging to be released.
“I'll ask you again: what the fuck did you put in that cup?” he growled in his ear, twisting his arms against his back. Seungmin writhed, bitting down on his lip. “I-I didn't do anything—you must've been mistaken!”
The two of them seems so engrossed in the brawl that they didn't even notice the Prince standing above them, livid.
“What's going on?”
His tone was dripping in authoritativeness, anger licking away at his insides. Both Seungmin and Jisung immediately snapped their heads towards the Prince, the latter spluttering to form a coherent answer.
“I brought Y/N inside and asked for them to call for you and a healer. This guy over here tried sneaking something into her water while I was tending to her.”
Minho's eye twitched as he glanced at Seungmin with newfound anger. “Is that true, Seungmin? Should I expect the palace healer to sneak things into people's drinks now?”
“Y-Your Majesty, I-I was merely…”
“You were merely what, Seungmin? I'm dying to know here,” he replied venomously.
“I-I… okay, I admit I did it, okay?” he suddenly burst out, tears streaming down his cheeks. Both Minho and Jisung watched him, stunned.
“You admit to what?” Jisung grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up until he was facing him directly. “What did you do?”
“I… the General… he,” Seungmin hiccuped, “He threatened me and my family. He said he would make me and my family suffer if I didn't…”
Minho clenched his fists, nearly growling, “What did he tell you to do? Answer me!” All of his attention was on the young healer, rage coursing through him.
“He made me add poison to her tea!”
Silence. If he had tried, he could've heard a pin drop.
Then, all the muscles in his face contorted into a mask of pure fury and disgust. He dug his nails into the palms of his hands, nearly drawing blood as he pushed Jisung away, grabbing the trembling healer and pinning him against the wall.
His stare was icy, venomous, even but what scared Seungmin, even more, was the calmness in his voice when he spoke, “What did you put in her tea?”
“I-I'm not sure… the General just gave me a s-small pouch of flowers and told me to add it to her tea mixture. I r-really don't know, please…” he cowered under his stare, trembling.
His pathetic sobs were interrupted by a loud cough coming from your bed. Minho immediately let go, running towards you as Seungmin's body slumped to the ground, quiet sobs wracking through him.
“Y/N,” he called out for you, gently moving your head to the side so you were facing him. Your cheeks were warm, just like the rest of your body, and you felt unimaginably dizzy like the entire world was spinning around you.
“M-Minho,” you croaked, pupils dilating as you clutched onto his hand like it was your lifebuoy. “I-I feel sick…”
His heart cracked upon hearing your voice… so broken. “I-I…”
Before he could even say anything, something burst through the door, causing him to look up.
Or rather, someone.
“What happened?” Chan panted, directing the question at Jisung, but Minho was the one who answered, bsikly explaining what he had heard from Jisung and the servant.
“The Princess was poisoned?” a higher voice shouted in disbelief, only coming to view as she stepped out from behind Chan, worrying her lower lip between her teeth.
Minho seemed to recognize her from passing, but couldn't exactly place her face. Her hair was swept into a simple bun and she was dressed in a plain dress with an apron, making Minho believe she was one of the maids.
“I-I, uh, if I may, Your Majesty,” she gestured in your general direction, averting the Prince's eyes. “May I have a look? I have some knowledge in toxins and maybe I could…”
“Please,” he cut her off weakly, “Go ahead.”
Yuna crouched down beside you, wiping the sweat off your forehead with her sleeve. “How are you feeling, Your Majesty?”
“Y-Yuna,” you smiled at her, hand reaching to grab hers. “How have you been?”
“I'm sorry, I don't think it's the proper time to discuss this now,” she turned around at the three men behind her. “Please bring me some water and a clean cloth.”
Once Chan handed her the filled washbasin and a rag, she dipped the fabric in the water and placed it over your forehead.
“I'll need you to tell me exactly how you're feeling…”
You began to describe the type of pain you're going through, the nausea, and the pounding of your head. Yuna took notice of the way your pupils dilated, the gears in her head spinning as she tried to figure out what could've caused your poisoning. After all, the first step to finding an antidote was identifying the poison.
Suddenly, she turned around with a jerk, scanning the room. “Do you still have the mug she drank the tea from?”
Jisung immediately sprung up, grabbing two that were on your table and handing them over to the girl.
“It's useless,” Seungmin rasped from the corner of the room, guilt written all over his face. “The General was positive that it would be over once she drank it,” he supplied unhelpfully, ignoring the nasty glares he received.
Despite the healers' words, Yuna looked inside the first mug, frowning when she saw nothing. It was empty. When she began inspecting the second one, a gasp erupted from her throat as she dropped it.
The ceramic mug shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces.
“T-That was a petal from…” she turned around to look at them, all hanging on her lips. “T-The Nerium Oleander…”
Chan frowned darkly, having heard the name somewhere before. “Isn't that the flower they used to poison—”
“Y-Yeah… it's how the Prince of the West was poisoned hundreds of years ago.”
Minho glowered, remembering the story from a passage in his history book. It was the most infamous case of poisoning, something remembered by all. His heart clenched at the thought of you facing the same end.
“I-Isn't there anything you can do?” he pleaded, voice cracking midway as he glanced back at you, tossing and turning in your bed.
“I—” she bit down on her lip, eyebrows furrowing as she racked her brain for a solution.
“I'm not sure about this,” she began, running a hand through her hair, “But I believe I read about garlic having particularly good antitoxins for poisonings such as this one.”
“Whatever you need, tell me… I'll bring it to you,” Minho pleaded.
“Okay. I'll need a few cloves of garlic, some activated charcoal, and a medicine trunk—preferably the one from the main infirmary.”
. ˚✧・* •
An excruciating ten minutes later, Minho returned, panting. He handed Yuna all the things and she immediately got to work, carefully propping you against the headboard. Your head lolled to the side, eyes struggling to stay open.
She added a spoonful of the black powder into a cup of water, thoroughly mixing it. When it all dissolved, she pressed the cup to your lips, gently tipping your head backward. “You have to drink this, Your Majesty.”
In your weakened state, you gulped down the dark liquid, gagging at the nasty texture. Once you finished, Yuna handed you a glass of plain water which you gratefully accepted. “This will make sure you get the full dose,” she explained.
“Now,” she chopped up the garlic into thin pieces, placing it in the mortar with some other herbs, “I'll prepare this paste for you to eat. It won't be tasty, but it should hopefully combat the toxins from the oleander.”
Once finished preparing created the foul-smelling paste, she fed it to you in spoonfuls. You groggily swallowed it down, clutching onto the sheets with newfound vigor. Who knew, maybe you'd even survive this ordeal…
You took the moment to survey the room, finally feeling conscious enough to gather what had exactly gone down. You saw Seungmin crouched in the corner of the room, head in his hands. Chan and Jisung were sitting by the table, both distressed.
Last but not least, Minho was standing, his back propped against the wall. His hair was disheveled, matted locks pressed to his forehead and a singular tear ran down his cheek, causing your heart to shatter.
It took you a few moments to register what he was wearing. The navy suit hugged his body and showed off his built physique, the golden fastenings only adding to the whole visage. It dawned upon you that he'd chosen to wear your nation's colors, just like you would've worn the scarlet dress.
“Minho,” you suddenly croaked, catching the attention of everyone in the room. The Prince's head snapped toward you, eyes watering. He immediately ran to your bed, kneeling beside you as he grabbed your hand in his, gently intertwining your fingers with his.
“How are you feeling?”
A loud cough tore from your throat, promptly providing him with an answer. “Oh, Y/N… everything will be okay, alright? I-I promise…”
Then he turned around, gaze hardening. “Captain,” he looked at Chan, hands clenching into fists. “I want you to go find General Lee and arrest him at once.”
Venom was dripping from his tone, and Chan immediately understood that this wasn't just a question. It was a command.
“Where should I put him, Your Majesty?”
“The dungeon,” he muttered darkly. “I want him locked up with all the criminals he had put behind bars himself.”
Chan saluted, running off to find the General.
Meanwhile, Yuna finished preparing the antidote, a sigh of relief escaping her parted lips. “I'm done, Your Majesty. Quickly, we don't have much time to spare.”
You promptly opened your mouth, allowing her to feed you spoonfuls of the potent mixture. Your gag reflex was activated as soon as the bitter flavor attacked your tastebuds, but knowing what would happen if you refused, you involuntarily swallowed down every last bit.
“Water, p-please,” you whimpered, suddenly feeling like you would throw up. Minho jumped to his feet, filling up the cup from the pitcher and bringing it to your lips. He benevolently tipped the cup, supporting the back of your head with his palm. As you greedily gulped down the liquid, he threaded his fingers between your locks, tenderly massaging your scalp.
“What should we do now?” he asked Yuna, placing the cup on the nightstand. The girl looked at him with wide eyes, nervously twirling a strand of hair between her finger.
“Now… now we wait. If I did everything correctly, the antidote should be contouring the poison. Her Majesty will have to rest for a few days, that's for sure—no exerting her mind or body—but after that, she should make a full recovery. But if I didn't…”
“No,” he cut her off. “Don't say that. I'm sure you did everything that you could and I trust you, alright?”
She smiled weakly. “Thank you.”
“You should go rest up. I'll stay here with Y/N and make sure everything is alright. I'll call for you if anything happens.”
. ˚✧・* •
The following days were some of the hardest moments in Minho's life.
However, the excruciating pain he went through while having to watch you writhe in discomfort didn't compare to the suffering you had to be going through.
Despite his exhaustion showing in many ways, namely the dark circles under his eyes and his clothes sticking to his sweaty body. All and all, he felt almost disgusting, but he refused to leave you side for more than a few minutes.
After a few days, it was obvious that you would make a recovery. Minho nearly weeped in joy when you suddenly sat up, looking him dead in the eye as you muttered, “You stink.”
He breathed out a short laugh, a light, husky sound that you thought was beautiful.
“How are you feeling?” he then asked, eyes watering as he took in your whole body, relief washing over him.
“I'm fine, just a bit numb,” you answered truthfully, lifting your hand above your head in an attempt to stretch your sore muscles. “Although I am craving some chicken pie…”
Minho chuckled, patting the top of your head with a gentle laugh. “On it!”
It was later that night that you realized how incredibly lucky you were as the two of you each enjoyed a few slices of chicken pie.
. ˚✧・* •
“Please, Minho,” you stubbornly jutted your lower lip, throwing your sock-clad feet in the air as you watched your fiancé button up his blouse. His expression remained stone-cold, but you could already see the cracks in his resolve.
“Why won't you let me come see him? If I'm going to be the Queen, I should at least be able to face my enemies, don't you think?” And in a much quieter tone, you added, “I'd at least want to know what made him hate me enough to try to poison me…”
“Y/N,” Minho sighed, rubbing his temples. “I really don't think it's a good idea for you to see him right now—you're supposed to be resting, remember?”
“I know,” you groaned, “but it's been over a week—I'm fine now, okay? Besides,” you gave a lopsided smirk, “If you don't want me to exert myself, you can always just carry me there…”
Minho blushed at your words, clumsily buttoning the last button up on his shirt. “I, uh, still… I really don't like the idea of you being in the vicinity of that bastard.”
With the way his brows furrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin line, a thought popped up in your head. “By any chance… you didn't,” the words dried in your mouth, “you didn't hurt him, did you?”
The Prince immediately understood what you meant by the word hurt. You were asking him if he had tortured, or perhaps even killed the young General who had dared to commit the highest form of treason. To be fair, Minho had all the prerogative to do as he pleased with him after he'd attempted a hand at the future Queen's life.
A slow, controlled breath left his lips. “No, I didn't. I had thought about it though, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't even bring myself to face him. The two of us grew up together for God's sake.”
You could hear the frustration in his tone as you gently rubbed his back in hopes of soothing his nerves. “But you know what angers me the most?”
Knowing that it was a rhetorical question, you didn't answer, allowing him to continue. “I hate the fact that I didn't see it coming. I noticed that he behaved a bit weird around you, but I chalked it up to him looking out for me, wanting to make sure I marry someone he deemed worthy…”
“Minho, please, don't blame yourself for something that was out of your control. It's no surprise that you didn't see it coming—nobody suspects the people closest to them, that's just how it is.”
“I know,” he released a shaky breath, “But I can't help but feel like I failed you.”
“Oh please,” your hand reached to cup his cheek, “Don't say that. Now let's go, I think there's a General waiting for us to visit.”
“Alright, but you have to promise me one thing, okay?”
You pressed your lips into a thin line, suppressing the smirk that formed at the corners of your mouth. “Sure.”
“Stay behind me at all times, alright? The dungeon's a dangerous place and knowing that you'll be going there without being able to protect yourself makes my skin crawl.”
“Okay,” you breathed out, “I'll stay by your side.”
. ˚✧・* •
The stairs leading to the dungeon were dark and damp, the pungent smell of mold causing your nostrils to flare. Minho was walking in front of you, your hand clasped in his as he carefully guided you down the spiral staircase.
Once you arrived, your eyes flew from one side to the other, taking in the crumbling stone walls.
There were about a dozen or so cells in the dungeon, and only about half of them were occupied. On the far left, you spotted a mop of silver curls, akin to Felix's. You quietly pointed in that direction, whispering, “Is that him?”
“Yeah.”
Slowly but surely, Minho walked up to his old friend, an odd sense of fake confidence to his steps. You trailed behind him, fire in your eyes as you awaited the moment you'd come face to face with the man who plotted your near-murder.
The closer you came, the more your heart plummeted in your chest. The heels of your boots clanked against the cold stone, complimenting the pitter-patter of the water draining down the sewage system.
“General Lee,” Minho spat out venomously, hand reaching to push you behind his body. You nearly rolled your eyes at his protectiveness, but you found it endearing nonetheless.
Felix's head was slumped down, facing the ground as the two of you approached. More than two weeks had passed since his arrest, and the harsh conditions of the dungeon were beginning to take an evident toll on him.
“Felix,” you finacé called again after he didn't respond, worry beginning to show on his face. “Answer me.”
Slowly but surely, the General raised his head, not bothering to straighten his posture that was held down by the shackles holding his wrists above his head. His bloodshot eyes were oddly glassy, a shiver running down your spine once you made eye contact.
“Well well… to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Minho growled, “don't be cheeky with me, Felix. Not after you've committed the highest form of treason.”
The man attempted to raise his hands up in defense, an apologetic smile appearing on his lips when he was stopped mid-way by the bounds on his wrists. “Then why has the royal couple decided to pay me a visit?”
“You should already know by now,” Minho clenched his fists, tearing his gaze from his once close friend, “that I want answers. I want to know what made you do the things you did, Felix?”
The frustration in his tone was evident, and you wished you could just take him from this place. Your earlier need to see Felix face to face diminished into dust.
“You know,” Felix suddenly spoke up, his grave tone echoing in the dimly-lit room, “I've always been jealous of what you had.”
After a short pause, he continued. “The money, the fame, the love… it felt like you had the entire world at your fingertips, while I had to wrestle through all the stages of life with nothing to my name… not even a home to return to.”
“Felix… I-I—”
“No, Your Majesty,” Felix cut him off pointedly. “This isn't just about poor orphaned Felix. No. This about who made me an orphan in the first place!”
To say that Minho was stunned would be a gross understatement. His eyes were filled with confusion as he peered down at the man he once considered his closest friend. The two of them grew up nearly side by side, and if it weren't for Minho’s royal duties kicking in prematurely due to his older brother's death, they likely would've been even closer.
“I-I don't understand… if you hated me so much, why did you pretend to be my friend all your life? Not to mention, why were you after Y/N in the first place? She didn't do anything!”
The tremor in his voice became clearer, something that you noticed when his hands began shaking. “I still don't get it, Felix… you tried to kill her for fucks sake! When she didn't do anything to deserve it…”
Suddenly, he looked straight at you, locking eyes with you as he snarled, something akin to anger and resentment bubbling up in his throat. “Maybe she didn't, but her worthless scummy people definitely did.”
Felix's eyes darkened with an emotion you weren't able to place, and if looks could kill, both you and Minho would be six feet under.
“You know,” he growled, hands jerking in the binds, “our father was a real piece of work.”
“Our? What the hell are you talking about, Felix,” Minho snapped in bewilderment. What was going on? Why was he feeling like he was about to hear something he didn't like?
“He thought he got rid of all of them,” his voice cracked midway, causing your heart to shatter. “B-But my mother managed to run away with me and hide near the northern border.”
Finally finding your voice, you whispered, “A-Are you trying to say that—”
Instead of answering your question, Felix's hands burst into flames, the fiery inferno licking away at the metal cuffs. A maniacal laugh tore from his throat, causing you to freeze in your spot.
The metal binds around his wrists began to melt, silver liquid dripping down on the floor. His eyes were darkened, and frankly, it was the most scared you'd felt in your life. Utterly terrified would fit better.
The General, after having regained footing, walked up to the metal bars, the only thing separating him from you and Minho. A lopsided smirk appeared on his face as he whispered, “didn't realize you had a younger brother, did you, Minho?”
The way he said his name… you could tell it stupified the Prince. His eyes were wide, hands trembling as he stood rooted to his spot, unable to tear his eyes from the sight in front of him. Hearing Felix address him like that sure did a number on him, especially hearing the venom dripping from his tone.
It was like he was talking to a completely different person.
His lips parted, and in a soft breath, he whispered, “Do you know what happened to us after that?”
A gentle shake of the head was enough of an indicator for him to continue. “The Azure soldiers raided the village and killed my mother. I was locked in the basement as she let out her last breath.”
And then, almost instantly, fire erupted in his eyes. He grinned uncontrollably, hand surging forward as a mass of fire, shaped into a sharp dagger cut through the air.
“NO!” you screamed, realizing what he was about to do. Your hand shot forward, grabbing onto your fiancé's tunic, and in a frenzy, you pulled back, both of you falling to the ground.
You winced under his weight, wheezing before you noticed the small burn mark on Minho's cheek. He was dumbfoundedly rubbing at the gash as if he was still processing what had just happened, blood seeping through his fingers.
By now, the guards must have had heard the hubbub as a dozen or so soldiers ran down, bursting through the door and making quick work of restraining the former General.
And what worried you the most was how easily he let them take hold of him. Not once did he attempt to fight back, even though you were positive that he could've obliterated them with his newly-revealed powers. And even without them, General Felix was undoubtedly one of the most feared swordsmen and fighters in the nation.
As two of the guards escorted you and Minho out of the dungeon, you couldn't help but turn around one last time, catching Felix's smug leer.
“This isn't over,” he mouthed with a grin, holding your gaze for a few more seconds before one of the guards rammed his head into the cobblestone.
. ˚✧・* •
The chirping outside the window caused you to stir in your sleep, sighing as you cuddled back into your fiancé's toned chest.
“Are you awake?” his raspy woke you up, a whine escaping your lips. “As a matter of fact, I wasn't…”
A throaty chuckle left his parted lips, a sound you found wholly attractive, but you'd never tell him that. Instead, you pressed yourself closer to him, enjoying the warmth he exuded. It was on days like these that you were grateful that Minho slept shirtless.
After the unpleasant incident with Felix in the dungeons, he insisted on taking an entire week off. It was something that the two of you desperately needed—some alone time to heal from the unsettling experience.
All and all, you were happy Minho had made that choice. The two of you got to spend loads of quality time together, indulging in each other's presence. The mornings were particularly nice, especially when Minho pampered you with kisses, his wolfish hands running all over your body.
“Did you drink your medicine yesterday?” he murmured in your ear.
“Yes, mom,” you rolled your eyes. He had been asking you the exact same question for the past week, making sure you drank the herbal mixture that would revert the toxins from the poisoned tea you had been unknowingly drinking.
A sudden smack echoed through the room.
“Minho,” you cried, rubbing your sore bottom. “That hurt!”
The Prince chuckled, a teasing grip on his lips. “Oops, my bad.”
Turning around, you stared him in the eye, pouting. “You just wanted an excuse to slap my butt, didn't you?”
He huffed in response, “Please, that was just a light tap.”
Despite your best efforts to hide the corners of your mouth lifted up into a smile, “Two can play this game, you know?”
Minho's eyes widened when you reached out your arm and smacked his bum. “Ouch! That's not fair, you hit me a lot harder!”
His whines were cut short as a sudden knock sounded through the room. The both of you stilled, holding in the bursts of laughter. Something like this was always bound to happen at the funniest moments.
“What is it?” Minho called, too lazy to get out of bed. His hand was gently stroking your cheek, a gesture that always made you melt into his touch.
“Your Majesty! The dressmakers will arrive shortly. Where should we house them?”
“Give them one of the larger rooms in the southern wing. You can tell them that Her Majesty will be ready at noon.”
You grasped Minho's hand in yours, entwining your fingers. “The dressmakers?”
“Yeah. I requested the most famous tailor to design your wedding dress. She only works with the highest quality fabrics and is known throughout the kingdom.”
“Minho,” you murmured. “You didn't have to go that far. If it came down to it, I'd marry you in a jute bag if I had to. ”
“Nonsense,” he pressed a chaste kiss to your forehead, heat rising to your face. “I only want the best for my angel.”
“Ever the romantic,” you snorted, pulling him closer. Your nose bumped into his collar bones, inhaling the scent of his musky cologne.
“Only for you, baby.”
After a while, Minho dragged you out of bed, claiming that the two of you needed to go on with your days. You enjoyed a hearty breakfast before you were forced to separate—you heading towards the dressmaker while Minho went to take care of some paperwork.
. ˚✧・* •
“Your Majesty,” the woman, Chaeryoung, greeted you with a curtsy, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. Even at first sight, you could tell that she had impeccable taste. Her gown looked like something straight out of a fairytale causing you to open your mouth in awe.
Clasping her hands together, she chirped, “Let's get you dressed in some of my finished pieces so we can get an idea of what suits you best, alright?”
Two hours and approximately twenty dresses later, you were finally done. The design you two came up with was still in the works, but you've established a few key elements.
Firstly, the dress would be made out of angora silk—the softest and most expensive type of silk there was. Heat rose to your cheeks when Chaeryoung told you, squashing your meek protests.
“I will not tolerate anything less for the Queen's wedding dress.”
Secondly, you decided on the silhouette; a basque, ballgown-like overskirt that flared at the waist with lace trimmings. It was a rather pompous design in your opinion, but Chaeryoung assured you that you would look fantastic. And in a sense, you would be fulfilling your childhood dream of wearing a princess-like gown at your own wedding so without much reluctance, you agreed.
Your hair would be pinned up into a twisted low bun with some scarlet peonies woven in—a simple updo that wouldn't take too much attention off your face. On top of that, you'd adorn a modest, sheer veil with jewels at the hem.
Stretching your arms above your head, you stepped into Minho's bedroom, plopping yourself on the bed. The sheets were infused with his smell, something you had come to love while falling asleep by his side.
. ˚✧・* •
“You know, I never actually brought anyone here,” Minho mused as the two of you walked through the secluded park hand in hand, his warm palm enveloping yours.
“How come?” you piped, looking at him intently, a bright sort of curiosity glimmering in your eyes. The palace gardens were vast, in fact, you figured they could've been bigger than the grounds of your palace back in the Azure land.
His eyes suddenly filled with sorrow, “My brother used to take me here all the time when we were little.”
“Oh,” the word left your lips in a partial breath, immediately feeling guilty for having asked in the first place. “I'm sorry.”
“No, no. Don't be,” Minho responded, “It's okay, don't worry. I'm just happy that I get to spend some time with you. I'm sure my brother would've liked you a lot…”
“You think so?”
His hands dropped to your waist, pulling you into his chest. “I know it.” A teasing smirk appeared on his face as he pinched your side, leaning down and connecting your lips in a heated kiss. Your eyes widened in surprise, but eventually, you melted into his embrace, hands sliding around his neck to tug at the strands of his hair.
“Sweetheart,” he rasped, pulling away in a breathless daze. “I-I… thank you. For everything.”
The sincerity in his eyes almost made your knees buckle, your hand reaching to caress his face. It wasn't usual for Minho to show vulnerability, and you were happy he felt comfortable enough with you to share such personal moments with.
You leaned towards him, pressing your lips to his in a much shorter sweet peck, smiling brightly. “He would've been so proud of you, Min.”
Minho looked puzzled for a second, before a look of understanding spread across his face. Warmth filled his orbs as he leaned down to press a kiss to the curve of your jaw, causing a shiver to run down your spine.
Then, he gently brushed the hair out of your face before he kneeled down on one knee. Taken aback, you lifted your brow, unsure of what he was doing. The light breeze tousled the locks in front of his eyes, the scene beginning to remind you of one straight from a romance novel.
“Y/N,” he began, gazing into your eyes with such intensity it made your head spin. “You know, I never would've expected to fall in love with you,” he spoke softly into the whistling wind, breaking your gaze for a second.
“Our first meeting was surrounded with unpleasant circumstances, but because of that, I feel like I can appreciate the bond we've built even more.”
You nodded wordlessly, silently agreeing with every word he said. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips before he continued, “And I've come to realize how wonderful of a person you are. Never in the twenty-two years I've been alive have I met someone as kind and selfless as you, not to mention you're a real goddess,” he added with a wink.
“Minho—” you spluttered, feeling bashful under the waterfall of compliments he was issuing you. “I-I, uh, I mean…”
“It's okay,” he pressed his thumb to your lower lip, effectively silencing you. “Let me do all the talking, sweetheart.”
When you nodded timidly, he carried on, “And one afternoon, I realized that I truly wanted to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. I want to wake up by your side every morning and go to sleep next to you every night. I want us to rule the land together and start a family with you.”
His hand dug into his pocket, pulling out a velvet box. He opened it with ease, holding out the delicate ring with a small ruby stone in the middle.
“Y/N, I'm asking you not as the Prince, not as the future King, but as Minho… Lee Minho. Will you marry me?”
You brought your trembling hand to your mouth, swallowing down the lump in your throat. Tears were pricking at the corners of your eyes as you whimpered, “Y-Yes. I'd l-love to…”
A relaxed smile appeared on his lips, previously tense shoulders relaxing as he slipped the wedding band on your ring finger. It fit like a glove. Bringing your hand to his mouth, he pressed a gentle kiss to your knuckles, holding in the joyful screams that chafed at his throat.
You placed your hand onto his cheek, pulling his head up so you could lock lips once again, the warm tears searing your flesh.
And just like that, the two of you enjoyed your last week together before the wedding preparations came in full throttle.
. ˚✧・* •
“Minho, please,” you burst into your now shared bedroom with pleading eyes, “Help me hide!”
“What did you do this time?” your fiancé raised a brow, an amused chuckle escaping his parted lips. He was sprawled across the bed, long legs nearly dangling off the edge of the mattress with a leather-bound book in his hand.
You hated to admit it, but Minho could pull off anything while looking sinfully attractive.
Shutting the door behind you gently, you took a deep breath to steady you heartbeat. After all, you had run all the way from the southern wing. “For your information, I didn't do anything. But they were gonna make me choose what color napkins I want for the reception. Do you hear that? Napkins—”
Minho had to stifle a laugh at the frustration in your tone, sitting up to pull you onto his lap. You fell into his hold with a slight yelp, heat rising to your cheeks at the close proximity.
“How 'bout I make it up to you, baby?”
The blood stilled in your veins at his flirtatious words, immediately feeling yourself curl into a ball at his playful actions. Minho noticed the change instantly, guilt washing over him.
“Hey, hey,” he cupped your cheek, tilting your head upwards until you had no choice but to look at straight at him. His chocolate orbs held nothing but fondness, which helped you relax into his touch. “There's no need to be shy, Princess. I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable, okay?”
You leaned in closer, resting your head against his chest and inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne. “I'm sorry, I know you'd never do anything like that,” your breath hitched in your throat. “I'm just a bit nervous about the wedding, that's all.”
“Why are you nervous? Are the preparations not going well?”
You shook your head softly, “No, that's not that. I'm just anxious about how the people will think of me as their new Queen…”
“We've been over this a million times,” Minho murmured against the top of your head, gently rubbing your back. “And my initial opinion still stands—they will love you. You're a good person and sooner or later, they'll realize that you have their best intentions at heart.”
“I hope you're right,” you sighed. He responded with a smile, “Don't worry. I know I'm right…”
Then, he leaned down until his lips were ghosting above yours.
“Can I kiss you?”
Afraid that the words wouldn't leave your mouth, you nodded, fluttering your lashes as he sealed your lips with a heated kiss. You felt heat spread all across your body, as if the warmth from his lips was seeping into your every cell. His hands slowly lowered from your waist to your thighs, the pads of his thumbs gently running over the sensitive skin.
It sent electric jolts that went straight to your stomach, warmth pooling at your belly. You pressed yourself closer to him, mewling at the feeling of his nails digging into the soft flesh of your thighs.
After what felt like eternity, Minho disconnected your lips with a groan, lips curling into a teasing grin.
“I think this has been a long day for you. Wanna cuddle before we go to sleep?”
“Yeah,” you yawned, exhaustion slowly taking over you. “I'd love that.”
. ˚✧・* •
The day had finally arrived.
After weeks upon weeks of meticulous and rigorous planning, you were finally about to step out and walk to the altar where your union would be officially sealed, the treaty officially coming into effect.
And despite the fact that you had been preparing for this moment nearly your entire life, your heart felit like it would jump out of your chest with how fast it was beating.
You would be marrying Minho today.
You would become the Queen.
And for some reason, you felt a tug at your chest. Fear and excitement were coursing through you, the stark contrast of emotions swirling inside of you like a tornado.
Your hand dropped to your chest, picking up the shimmering, crystal pendant that Minho gifted you a few days prior.
“Your Majesty,” Yuna's voice sounded through the wooden door, causing you to look up. “You'll be up in a few minutes.”
Taking a deep breath, you mustered all your energy to respond in a calm and collected way. “Of course… I'm coming.”
Stepping out of the dressing room, you readjusted your dress at the waist, smoothing down the nonexistent creases on your robe. The soft silk felt like heaven under your fingertips, and you grinned appreciatively at the delicate lace hems.
“You look absolutely breathtaking, Your Majesty,” Yuna giggled, unable to hold it in. Her hands immediately reached to readjust the red peonies woven into your hair, making sure that everything was in place.
It all went by in a blur; you were suddenly pushed down the aisle, a chorus of cheers and applause ringing through your ears. The velvet carpet crunched under your heels, and to your surprise, you noticed that the edges of the rug were lined with fresh peonies, not unlike the ones in your hair.
It seemed like Minho was really pushing this whole flower aesthetic, and if you were honesty, you were living for it.
When your eyes met, it felt like fireworks erupted in your chest. Minho had impeccable taste, that much you knew, but this was the first time you'd seen him dressed to the nines like this.
A crisp white suit adorned his body, the snug fit merely accentuating his broad shoulders. His russet hair was gelled to the back, revealing his forehead with only a few strands falling from the slick updo.
You nearly gasped when you saw the azure colored pocket square was neatly arranged in his breast pocket, the shade unmistakenly reminding you of your nation's true colors.
Everything went quiet, the screams and the hollers of the people dying out in favor of all the eyes slowly gravitating towards you. You could feel every single pair of orbs on you, a shiver running down your spine. As you walked down the aisle with the large, orchid bouquet in hand, your eyes locked once more. He gently took ahold of your hand, the two of you walking the last steps to the altar together.
“Princess Y/N of the Azure nation, do you take Prince Minho as your lawful husband that you will cherish in sickness and health and promise to stay faithful to for as long as the two of you shall live?”
Inhaling, you responded, loud and clear, “I do.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”
Everyone cheered, throwing their hands in the air as Minho pressed a kiss to your lips. It was short and sweet, yet managed to convey so many emotions, like hope and promise for a better future.
Your finger was now adorned with two rings; the one he proposed with and the simple wedding band that matched his.
Never in your entire life had you felt such a rush of endorphins. Blood was coursing through your veins, the excitement, and the atmosphere filling you with a sense of warmth.
Minho suddenly grabbed your hand, raising it above your head with a smirk. “Do you wanna show them?”
You nodded almost instantly, knowing what he wanted to do. Simultaneously, frozen icicles shot from your hand, bursting through the air as Minho did the same, except it was fire that was bursting from his fingertips.
The crowd started cheering at the showy display of power as loud chants tore from their throats.
“Long live the Queen!”
. ˚✧・* •
Jisung was watching you from the swarm of people, craning his neck to watch you from his seat in the fourth row. Next to him, Chan glanced down at him, clearly worried for his friend as he mumbled, “Are you sure you're okay?”
He nodded in response, refusing to tear his eyes from the scene in front of him. Minho had just kissed you in front of the entire kingdom. He knew he should've been happy for you, especially after seeing that genuine smile on your lips along with the glimmer in your eye.
But Jisung couldn't help himself from feeling a pang of jealousy in his heart as he watched you and Minho's hands connect. Despite knowing that you were now married to another man, he couldn't just let go of his feelings for you.
And as he watched the two of you smile at each other from under your lashes, gazing into each other's eyes like lovestruck fools, Jisung's heart shriveled up in his chest like a decaying flower on a summer evening, blown away by the breeze till nothing was left but dust.
. ˚✧・* •
epilogue:
A maniacal laugh tore from his throat as he perked his ears. He could hear the wedding bells all the way down here.
The freezing temperature no longer affected him, skin having grown numb to it a long time ago, and the damp smell seeped through every thread of his tunic, irreversibly marking it with its unbearable stench.
His eyes glimmered under the moonlight, sharp and cunning as always. He was a calculative man, for sure, and right now, he was weighing out his odds.
Perhaps escaping wouldn't be as hard as he had initially thought…
© May 2022 by crispy-chan — all rights reserved. do not modify, copy, repost, translate or claim as your own.
a/n: my longest piece to date :) I hope you enjoyed and I applaud you for coming so far! please please let me know your thoughts :< it's what keeps me going on here :> also, shout out to the people that can recognise who was based off of who (as in which character from subZero)...
#lee minho x reader#lee know imagines#lee know suggestive#districtninewriters#ficscafe#kdiarynet#kdiner#ultkpop#kwritersworldnet#kflixnet#k radio!#stayhavennet#straykidsland#lee minho fluff#lee minho angst#lee know fluff#lee know angst#lee know scenarios#lee minho suggestive#stray kids imagines#stray kids fluff#stray kids angst#slz fluff#skz angst#skz scenarios#lee minho scenarios#stray kids minho#kpop scenarios#lee minho x you#lee minho x y/n
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prettywon presents... SIXTEEN EIGHTY-FIVE
?!#%$ synopsis: You and Riki were the hardest workers on the newspaper staff. Despite this, you two are never to be seen working together. He avoids you and you avoid him, until you're both put up for the task of running the "Love Seekers Column." As the column gains popularity, so do you and Riki, and no good can come from that.
OR You and Riki are forced to work together. Why are his small habits, formerly irritating beyond means, suddenly so charming?
?!#%$ pairing: nonidol!Riki x gn!reader
?!#%$ wc+genre: 6k words of angsty fluff (mainly fluff? we'll see)
?!#%$ warnings: swearing, 4th wall gets broken ??, Riki is asshole
?!#%$ cast: Jake+Riki of enhypen, LOONA+ITZY cameo 😍
?!#%$ a/n: for a collab with @iwonzzi !! so much thought went into this tbh I shed TEARS.
?!#%$ perm+collab taglist: @gloomysunny @candidupped @illiterateliz @jiwlys @soobin-chois @acciomylove @ja4hyvn @vantxx95 @sbnchaos @yizhoutv @nikisgirlfriend — @ayayiiie @dstarsz
ISSUE ONE : Nishimura Riki.
–
YOU typed away on the keyboard, monotone clicks filling the room. The silence was welcomed and all you'd ever wanted while working on the school newspaper. Words came to you naturally, fully enjoying the rare silence you had.
Unfortunately, it was short-lived. Riki burst into the room, saying farewell to his just-as loud friends. He didn't spare you even a glance as he neglected to close the door, per usual, and instead grabbed a Chromebook. It was the same routine you both always followed . He forgets to close the door, you do it for him, he complains his computer is dead, you remind him that he had forgotten to plug it in before leaving yesterday. At least, that's what usually happens.
“Riki, for once could you close the door yourself.” Things like a shut door may seem minor, yes, but were essential if you were to focus. Which is something Riki knew well. “Y/N, for once could you get off my back about every little thing I do?” While his friends call it caring and you wanting him to be well-mannered, he calls it being picky and a perfectionist.
“I wouldn't be ‘on your back’ if you weren't acting like a 5 year old, forgetting the most basic things.” You continued working on the front page of the newspaper, wishing he would stop being petty and just close the door. “It's not that hard, I'm not asking for-”
“Shut up” Riki stood up to close the door, the sound louder than what you expected. “Can’t you let me work for 5 minutes?” He ruffled his hair, sitting down to finish up the page he had been working on.
“Why should I? You never let me work in peace considering all you do is leave a mess for me to clean up.” Your leg bounced at an increasing tempo. You hated him but complaining about him when he was right in front of you felt different from doing it behind his back.
"Who said you had to? It's not like we're dating."
Both of you stopped. You stopped typing, he stopped digging through his backpack in search of a chip bag. Riki had words forming in his head, a desperate explanation as to why he said that. Even a laugh at the very notion of you two dating would work. But he couldn't find anything to say as he slowly thought about the two of you more. Stuck in the same classroom after school nearly everyday, the feelings he held were always a slip of the tongue away.
You cleared your throat and that was enough for the two of you to somewhat agree that what just happened would never see the light of day.
In all honesty, you and Riki had never before talked this much, ever. So as the tension grew, he constantly reminded himself that he hates you and you hate him. That's how your relationship worked, and that's how it will always be.
A short apology was on the edge of your tongue as someone rushed through the door. Jake, whom you liked far more than Riki, had his hands on his knees, “I just had the smartest idea ever.”
***
“What do you mean, love column?” It didn’t seem as if Riki liked the idea, and you could see why. Everybody is already so obsessed with love anyways. Why feed the addiction?
“You know what I mean, it's like The Lonely Hearts column, except we have a little section for love advice as well.” Jake paced around the room, eyes filled with excitement, more excitement than when he had first introduced the idea of a school newspaper.
“Jake, that column is older than my great-grandma. Not to mention there's dating apps out there, they wouldn't be that interested.” You didn't have time for his ideas, the latest issue hadn’t been completed though it was set to be published tomorrow. “But it's simple, people submit descriptions of their ideal type,” Jake paused, choosing his next words carefully, “and you two can choose which one you want to feature.”
“What?” Riki half-shouted, almost dropping the computer he was putting away, “You think Y/N has the kind of experience to be giving other people relationship advice?”
“You want me to work with someone as careless as him?” Your typing slowed as you stared at Jake, tone more aggressive than you intended.
“Look, I know that you two aren't on the best terms,” Riki cut off the older boy, “We aren't on any terms. I'd rather hang out with Mr. Park before working with them.” You nodded dully in agreement.
“You two have the time in your schedules to work on the column, and think about the popularity we would get.” Jake placed his hands on the table before him, trying to get you two to see the bigger picture.
“I'm fine with working on it, but couldn't I do it with you instead?” Ignoring the scoff from Riki, you continued, motivated to spend more time with Jake, “It's just sorting through submissions and coming up with some half-assed romantic advice, right?”
“I would if I could but considering it's February, there's gonna be dozens of submissions and I'll have to be running the club on top of that” Jake sighed, “Not to mention soccer season is coming up, I just can't.”
“Put an ask for submissions in the front page. We'll publish it tomorrow.” Jake glanced in your direction. You did as he asked, hesitating; why did Jake want this so badly?
“I still don't think this is a good idea,” Riki stood up, tired from arguing with you and Jake suddenly showing up with some idea about a love column. Jake seemed confused, and reasonably so, you don't think Riki has ever been so against something before. “The newspaper is already hard to manage as is because of some people.” He glanced your way, which you decided would be better for you to ignore.
“Well that doesn't matter, it's already final. I've asked the principal to make a call for submissions in the morning announcements tomorrow” Jake spoke in a cool tone, not letting Riki’s hot headed tendencies get to him.
“Whatever, I told Heeseung I would hang out with him today,” Riki gathered his stuff, biting the inside of his cheek. “I finished my page, I don't slack off as much as one person might think.”
Jake bid his farewells to Riki and walked over to you, placing a hand on your shoulder, making your palms sweat more than you'd admit. “Please, this'll help stop the newspaper from shutting down.” He held back the second reason why he wanted the column as he gave you a smile and left the room. “Wait, Jake,” you called out to him, turning around slightly.
“Yeah?” He responded, reacting to your voice.
You paused. You considered voicing your complaints about Riki. You could tell Jake absolutely anything in these few moments, and Riki wouldn't be here to rudely interrupt.
“Don't get too stressed about the newspaper, focus on school and soccer, Riki and Ii can handle it.” Jake, nodding in thanks, left the room.
Now it was just you left with a front page waiting to be finished.
***
“Riki, why the hell did you disagree?” Jake caught up with him, knowing that he didn't have plans with Riki. “I didn't want to agree too easily,” he lazily threw away a gum wrapper, “I'm supposed to hate them, remember?”
“Yeah, and I thought we were changing that.” Jake swung his arm over Riki’s shoulder, “I worked my ass off with the principal to let us add that column. You know they're considering cutting us off in terms of funding.” Jake sighed, feeling the gray hairs growing already.
“And like I said, this column will help, people are stupid for love,” Riki said, shrugging off Jake's arm and quickening his pace. “Yeah, like you” Riki scoffed and continued walking without Jake, who was laughing a bit too hard at his own joke.
ISSUE TWO : LOVE SEEKERS COLUMN
—
You biked to school, noticing something odd ass you entered the campus. People were actually interested in the newspaper. Usually only teachers picked it up and the select few students that liked crosswords, but to see so many holding the newsletter? Unheard of.
You put up your bike and found Jake, surrounded by more people than usual. Making your way through the small crowd, you gave Jake a questioning look. “I told you the column was a good idea Y/N, the newspaper’s going to be everywhere!” Jake's happiness couldn't be hidden as he repeated, “Please drop off your submissions for the Love Seekers Column in the box in the front office” to all the curious people in search of a significant other.
Passing through the aforementioned front office, a decent line had formed in front of a small box titled ‘LS Column Submissions Here!’
Before you could make it to the hallway, Yeji approached you. “Y/N, you're with the newspaper right? Do you think you can give some advice on how to know if he's the one?” Yeji walked with you to class, “I'll owe you big time, my parents want me to get into long term relationships, but I can't choose just anyone.”
“I can't do that Yeji, and no offense but we've only talked once.” You gave the girl your sympathy as you entered your biology class, only to find that Riki was in a similar situation as you.
“I'm telling you, I can't just give you the spot in the column,” Riki tried shoving off the hand on his shoulder to no success, “Jake told me that we had to be particular with what we choose.” Yuna, who had been questioning the boy, wasn't hearing a word.
“C'mon Riki, I thought we were like this,” Yuna crossed her index and middle fingers, “Do me a favor this once. Please?”
Since when did Yuna ask others for favors? Guess love really could change people.
“Yuna, Riki made it clear that we'll be choosing the name appearing in the Love Seekers Column ourselves,” You cleared your throat, hating the thought of defending Riki, “it's just Tinder in a newspaper, why bother going through all of this?”
Yuna left her spot next to Riki and grabbed your shoulders, less gently than she intended to. “It's Valentine's day soon.” She emphasized the second word as if you didn't already know, ��Not to mention we're almost done with our second year of high school, people are getting desperate for someone to date” Yuna finally let go of your shoulders, sighing like it was obvious.
“Which is why,” Yuna dragged out the last word, a sweet tone enveloping the sentence, “I need to be the one in the column.” You rolled your eyes and tried moving past her to no avail “I’m serious Y/N” she continued her fruitless pleads as you wondered why the hell Riki wasn't here fending her off with you.
Turns out, he had moved to the other side of the classroom, hanging out with his friends and laughing about something. He left you to deal with Yuna’s desperate pleas as he kicked back at whatever he was talking about.
“Yuna, I'm sorry but I can't help you” You finally escaped the suffocating conversation and, ignoring the complaints of the girl, sat down.
You barely had time to unwind when you were approached by another girl, Ryujin. “Hey Y/N, I have some spare change if you're down to let me feature in the newspaper.” You leaned back into your chair, trying your hardest not to snap at the unknowing girl.
“I can't do that, besides it doesn't even matter that much anyways.” You wholeheartedly believed that this was an idiotic idea, and barely believed that Jake was behind it.
“Doesn't matter? Do you know how hard it is to find someone your type that actually goes to your school?” Ryujin gawked at your nonchalant attitude, “You have all the power right now, anyone who gets their submission posted will probably get into a relationship soon after.” She took your hand, successfully catching your full attention.
“You can bribe anyone with the chance of being in the column,” Ryujin emphasized ‘anyone,’ like you didn't grasp the concept, and honestly you really didn't.
“That's exaggerating, it's not that big of a deal.” You shook off her hand as you looked at the board behind her, curious about what you were doing in class again. Ryujin re-entered your line of vision, “You could even offer some girls a date with Jake or Riki, they're some of the most pined after boys in the entire school.” After seeing you laugh, Ryujin lightly hit you,
“I'm serious! I wouldn't be surprised if most of the submissions were just love confessions to them.” Ryujins face was full of everything but playfulness as she continued trying to buy her way into the newspaper, and unbeknownst to you a certain boy was listening in.
Idea after idea formed in his head as he finally realized how he was going to confess.
***
You walked into classroom 168, tired from dealing with people wanting to be in the newspaper all day. “It looks like you've been through hell” Riki was already there, sifting through the submissions. A pen and a ripped piece of paper sat beside him, but you thought nothing of it.
“Wouldn't you like to know,” scoffing, you took off your backpack and rolled your shoulders, allowing them to relax after a long day, “you're the one that left me to deal with them. Always running away like an idiot”
“Yeah well I'm not the one that's exhausted after talking to one person” Riki spun around in the swivel chair he was in, facing you, “I actually have a life.” He placed down the submission he was holding and picked up another, laughing.
“Look, this person said that their type was you,” drawing your attention, Riki noticed the hint of joy in your eyes. He didn't even say who it was from yet. Why were you so happy? When he saw you walking towards him, he ripped up the submission. “Of course, we won't be putting that into our newspaper. It was probably just a dare anyways.”
Stopping momentarily, you cleared your throat and sat in the chair next to him. It probably was a dare anyways, he just loved rubbing salt into every wound didn't he. Picking up a slip of paper from the box, you read it out loud.
“Tall guy that plays sports, has good humor and isn't too possessive” humming, you read the back of the paper “oh, this was Yuna's submission.”
“Let's just pick a random one and get this part over with, and do you have to read it out loud?” Riki continued without a care for your response “I'm mainly worried about the advice part, we both know I'm more experienced but Jake would never trust me to write something like that.”
Once again, he continued. It was one of the many traits you hated about him, he never gave you a chance to be nice towards him. If he let you speak you could've proposed him giving the advice and you writing it down; but he spoke before you could interject. This wasn't the first time, on various occasions you have tried being polite by throwing away his leftover chip bags, cleaning the classroom after he leaves, etc.
But not only does he ignore your efforts, but he acts like your kindness is your fault. You vividly remember the time he loudly called you “his servant” when talking to his friends, making sure the entire class could hear. You were doing things for people for weeks after that.
“Seriously, why did Jake trust you to work on this column” Riki laughed, ever so clearly at you than with you, “you're hopeless, have you ever even had someone confess to you before today? Not to mention it was anonymous” he continued smiling, picking at random pieces of paper.
“Honestly, not only do you lack self confidence but so do the people you attract. How pathetic.”
Your hand made contact with his face, something you've wanted to do for months. Of course you didn't expect to be crying while doing it, but that was a minor detail. Violently using your sleeve to stop the tears, you took a deep breath.
“You think I want to work with you? I haven't talked to you for the past 4 months for a reason.” You stood up, eyes red and stinging. “And honestly, I hate you. I hate how you're in the one club I like at school, how you always leave your shit around for me to clean up, how you always talk about me and never with me,” You took a shaky breath as you walked across the room to pick up your bag, “I hate everything about you and honestly, I'd rather move countries than be with you”
You left the classroom, bag in hand as you pulled out some change to buy a snack on the way home as a desperate grab for comfort. Riki was about to call out your name, but knows he won't be able to repair what he's done so quickly. He picked up the pieces of paper he ripped up, and gently put them together. They read, ‘My ideal type is you, Y/N’ just like he mentioned before. But if you carefully flipped the torn paper over it, you'd see something else.
Thank you for always keeping me in line, Riki
ISSUE THREE: Jake Sim
—
Riki was worried. Not only was two days ago the first time you had left classroom 168 before him, but yesterday was the first time you ever missed working on the newspaper on purpose. Or so he thought.
“What do you mean Y/N worked on the paper yesterday?” Riki stopped walking next to Jake, who had a strawberry milk in hand. “Y/N said they came by in the morning to work on it, they finished all of their pages so they're good for this week” Jake tossed the milk carton, eyeing Riki. “You're mad at me aren't you.” he continued, hands in his pockets.
“Of course I am, how am I going to fix my mistake if I can't even see Y/N?” Riki rushed to match the pace of the older boy.
“Riki, I already helped you out by setting up the column,” Jake sighed, stopping in front of his classroom, “this was your opportunity to tell them, you messed it up not me.”
“At least try and get them to be in the same room as me, please?”
“... sure”
***
Jake ruffled his hair as he stepped into the classroom, which you also happened to be in. He sat next to you like he always did, and pondered how he should go about asking you about Riki.
Jake started speaking before he knew what he was going to say.
“So…” he trailed off, not preparing what he was going to say next.
“So..?” you raised an eyebrow, laughing at the boy's awkward posture.
Y/N totally thinks I'm the male lead in this. I should probably change that, right?
“Why'd you stop by in the morning yesterday? I thought you hated waking up early.” Regret was quick to settle in, as he saw your face flushed in a shade of light pink. He didn't even realize that he remembered such an insignificant fact about you.
I made it worse?!
“Well I guess you could say me and Riki got into a small argument,” you propped your chin up with your palm, “he was being an asshole so I just left. And to be honest I don't really want to see him again.”
“Well, you can't be in the classroom in the mornings anymore,” Jake started lying, coming up with anything to get you two together, “It's being used for.. tutoring starting today. And you're kinda aggressive when you type so it would be distracting.. maybe?”
“You're such a bad liar Jake, I'm not going to spend time with Riki if that's what you're planning.” You raised an eyebrow, aware of the boy's tactics. Of course you had no clue why Jake wanted you and Riki to be together.
“Oh..” Jake turned away, leaving you to bask in your success. Until tomorrow, that is.
And so Jake found himself being trailed by Riki once again as he entered his classroom. “Make sure you actually do something this time you stupid furry” Riki called out from the end of the hallway, causing some weird looks as Jake hurriedly ran into the classroom. Of course, not before shouting “Yeah but you owe me ice cream after school” to his love sick peer.
Dodging a few kids running around the classroom, he made his way to his desk. “Morning, Y/N” You turned to the boy's voice, smiling and waving like you usually did. Now was the perfect time to set Jake's plan into action.
“Oh, I forgot I had to ask you something, did you finish the love advice part of the LS Column? I didn't see it when you handed me your work yesterday.” Jake looked at your notebook, and watched as you broke the lead of your mechanical pencil.
“Shit, I totally forgot about that, I'll work on it after school today.” You closed your notebook, getting ready for class, “I'll finish it before Riki gets there. Whatever you were trying to do yesterday isn't going to happen.”
“Great! How about we get some ice cream after?” When he saw you eagerly agree, he couldn't help but hold a bit of guilt. But after all, Riki just said he wanted to be in the same room as you, he never specified that it had to be classroom 168.
***
Riki patiently waited for Jake at the ice cream place. At least, he thought he was waiting for Jake.
You rushed to the ice cream shop after finishing at the school, eager to spend some time with your more-than-little crush; Sim Jake. This was the first time Jake had ever initiated a hangout between you two so you were beyond excited.
Riki checked his phone, the message read as follows:
Sim Furry
Hey, so uh.. you're gonna be getting ice cream with y/n instead of me! THIS IS THE LAST THING I'M DOING FOR YOU. I'm not pushing this along any further. I WANT TO GRADUATE IN PEACE!!
Looking at his phone in alarm, he glanced back up to see you walk in. Fuck. This was not the plan Riki had in mind. He didn't have a plan, he was going to come up with something with Jake over ice cream.
Clearing his throat, he took out one of his airpods, the faint sound of pose by loona playing in the background as he approached you. “Why is someone like you here? It's not like you have a date or anything..” Riki bit his lip, noticing how you ignored him.
“I do actually, I'm supposed to meet up with Jake here” you replied, knowing it was a lie. Well, half-lie. You were supposed to hang out with Jake, but you're 99% sure you were the only one that considered it a date.
Jake Sim that asshole.
“I was actually supposed to hang out with Jake here too.” Riki decided playing dumb was the best choice, and honestly it was the only choice.
“Oh”
“Yeah”
You two stood in front of each other for a moment, the eye contact making Riki’s palms sweat and his ears embarrassingly red.
“Order for Riki?” The cashier called out for the boy, and he turned for 5 seconds to get his beloved double scoop chocolate cookie dough ice cream.
“Wait, why are you leaving?” Riki rushed to be at your side “I uh, bought too much ice cream and Jake would be mad if I left you alone after he stood us both up”
And I got two spoons on purpose so we could share.
“Thanks for offering the ice cream but I'd rather not spend time with you.” You turned back on your heels and you were nearly at the door when Riki tapped your shoulder.
Strange, didn't your heart only race when Jake did that?
“I don't want to be seen with you either, but like I said Jake wouldn't like it if I left you alone.” Riki offered you a spoon, which you hesitatingly took.
“Fine, but I'm only doing this for the free ice cream.”
***
Riki happily walked to the park with you, though clearly you didn't feel the same. “About yesterday, I'm sorry about what I said,” Riki started, nibbling on his spoon, “I was completely out of line and deserved to be hit by you.”
“You did deserve that, but I doubt you actually think that.” Of course, you don't buy the apology. Riki had always treated you horribly, why would this time be any different? “Thanks for saying sorry I guess, but let's just accept the fact that we'll never be anything more than peers.” You halfheartedly said, not thinking much of it.
Those words cut through Riki like no other. Not even friends? His heart ached and his happiness was all but present as you two reached the park. “Yeah, sure.”
You two found a bench to sit on, you sitting further away from Riki than needed. “So uh, are you still mad at me?” Riki held the cup of half-eaten ice cream in his hands, glancing at you occasionally. “You called me pathetic.” You not-so gently reminded him.
“Yeah I don't really have an excuse for that,” Riki bounced his leg nervously, “I just wanted you to know that I'm not some total jerk that always makes fun of you.” Riki chose his words very carefully, making sure that he kept his semi-long term crush on you under wraps.
“But you are a total jerk that always makes fun of me,” You responded, “remember when you told everyone that I had a crush on Sunghoon even though I had never even talked to him before?”
The boy recalled the exact memory you were referencing, wincing at his past cruelty. “Yeah I'm sorry about that too..”
“Are you really Riki?” you stood up, brushing your pants off, “Thanks for your consideration, really, but I'll head home now.” with a turn, you headed towards your neighborhood, but once again Riki tapped on your shoulder.
“Let me walk you home at least, it's getting cold anyways” He silently offered you his jacket, and ignored the leaps his heart did when you saw you hesitatingly put it on.
The walk home was awkwardly silent, but you appreciated the gesture, even if it was by the one guy you hated. You walked on the side of the sidewalk facing away from the street, hands in the pockets of Riki’s jacket. Riki coughed, doing anything in a desperate attempt to fill the silence.
“Feel free to keep the jacket.” Riki said once you reached your house after an embarrassingly long walk. “I'll throw it away then” You said without hesitation, and without saying goodbye you walked into your house.
You bolted upstairs to your room and threw Riki’s jacket off, landing on your chair. You jumped onto your bed as you hugged your pillows. You looked through your window and saw Riki walking away. Why did your face feel so hot when you saw him smile?
ISSUE FOUR: A Crush.. on Riki?!?!
—
You tapped your pencil on the desk, it was the next day and you sat next to Jake. Ignoring his supposedly indirect glances in your direction, you found it strange how his sudden interest in you didn't make your heart race like it had so many times before in the past. Your mind had been filled with Riki since the ice cream ‘date’, but it couldn't be because you liked him, right?
You two had just walked to the park and talked for a bit. That's it. Even though you two were mistaken as a couple once or twice, that was all it was, a misunderstanding. Even if the silence was nice and you wished you stayed with him for 20 minutes more, it's only because he offered you free ice cream. He only did that to apologize for his behavior, and you knew better than to shamelessly accept the aforementioned apology.
“Hey, Jake.” You stopped pondering and turned to face the boy. Worry filled your mind when the butterflies you used to feel whenever you looked at Jake disappeared.
“Yes?” He replied, a little too quickly, “Is it about Riki? Are you two getting along? Tell me everything that happened yesterday.” He shot out question after question, and your suspicions were confirmed.
“So you did set that up!” You sat up straight, still surprised that the golden retriever-like boy could pull off something like that. “Yes.. why?” Jake started, “Did nothing happen? Damn that kid.”
Your heart skipped a beat, “Was something supposed to happen?” you leaned towards Jake, curiosity apparent. “Well yeah he was supposed to-” He loudly cleared his throat, “Anyways did you do the English homework?” He laughed when you responded with a groan. Your doubts were confirmed when once again, butterflies didn't erupt in your stomach at the sound of his laughter.
You found yourself in bed that evening, thinking about Jake, and feeling nothing, and then thinking about Riki and feeling your heart race. You looked at his jacket resting on your chair, and remembered the walk home you had together. You buried your head in your pillow, searching for your phone.
—
YOU: Jake are you up?
JAKIE: OFC DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO TALK ABOUT?
YOU: I swear to god you cannot tell anyone
JAKIE: OF COURSE!!!!!
YOU: I think I like Riki
JAKIE: SECOND MALE LEAD CURSE IS GONE LET'S GOOOO
YOU: What.
JAKIE: Nothing <3
YOU: okay r u just gonna say that and not help me.
JAKIE: bro why do you need my help you see him everyday when y'all work on the newspaper just talk to him then
YOU: hmm.. no!
JAKIE: THE FUCK YOJ MEAN NO?!?!???
YOU: He hates me remember 😂😂
JAKIE: I wouldn't be saur sure abt that one .. anywayz!
YOU: huh
JAKIE: just act like you do around me after school tmr LOLZ
YOU: I have no reason to be there tho like I finished everything
JAKIE: Riki has been procrastinating on choosing a submission for the love seekers column go help him or something GOOD NIGHT
YOU: WHAT?
YOU: JAKE
YOU: HELLO??
—
***
And that's how you found yourself in classroom 168 the next afternoon, nervously looking at the door to see if Riki was going to walk in.
As if on queue, Riki barged in like he always did. He was ecstatic to see you in the room, the past two days were incredibly dull without you. Tossing his backpack to the left, he glanced at you, wondering if he should close the door. Deciding that would be a too obvious notion towards his affection for you, he acted against it.
“I thought you finished everything already” Riki asked, sitting on the other side of the room as per usual. “I did, but we still need to pick which submission is going into the paper this week.” Standing up, you walked to the other side of the room.
And so the next 20 minutes were spent with Riki, laughing at people's type and holding eye contact with each other for a second too long.
“This person said they wanted a person that would wear cat ears” you pointed out, laughter heard from both you and Riki as smiles filled the air. “That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, cat ears?” Riki tossed the paper out before picking up a random paper. He blushed a light shade of pink before hiding the paper away.
“What was on that one?” You raised an eyebrow at him before reaching for the paper still in his hand, “C'mon give it, was it a declaration of love or something?” You reached over, completely focused on grabbing the slip of paper. Riki, needless to say, was focused on other things.
Like one, how you were trying to grab the other love confession he submitted, two, how you smelled like coffee milk. And three, how you were inches away from him, making his face redder than ever.
“It's nothing really,” Riki tried maneuvering the paper so it would be out of your reach but he only made matters worse. He accidentally revealed the back, which read ‘I’ve always loved you, from Riki’
Dramatically gasping, you hid the bitterness resting in the pit of your stomach, of which you would later find out to be jealousy. “You like someone? Who is it you asshole” you said, reaching even further.
The chair Riki was sitting in tipped over, and unsurprisingly, you landed on top of him. You saw the black fabric of his hoodie as you wondered, is his heart supposed to be beating this fast? No, the real question was is your heart supposed to be beating this fast?
While Riki was distracted, you glanced at the sheet of paper that put you two in this very situation. It was clearly written by a shaking hand, but you could vividly see the words scribbled on.
‘I know I've been annoying to you for months, but I don't want to pretend that I hate you anymore. This is sort of embarrassing but I've liked you since our first year here, and I joined the yearbook club because you did.’
No name was mentioned, but you didn't need one to know who he was talking about. “Riki” you said, barely above a whisper. The boy in question felt his heart pounding within his ribcage, he knew that you knew and that he was either going to hate today or love it.
Gently grabbing his chin, lifting it slightly, the boy melted under your touch. “Is this.. okay?” You mumbled, glancing at his lips, leaning in just enough to send Riki insane. “Yeah, it's okay” he barely formed the sentence, stuttering and pausing between words. Your noses were aligned, you could feel each other's breath as you ran your hand in his hair. Riki felt his heartbeat over everything, over the sound of the athletes talking in the hallway, over the air conditioning, everything.
Two years of stealing glances at you, two years of talking about you because you were all he thought about, two years of wanting your hands intertwined, he endured acting like he hated you for this moment.
Well maybe not at this exact moment.
Jake ran into the room through the open door, courtesy of Nishimura Riki, to see both of you, mere centimeters away from a kiss. “Oh… sorry, bad time, I'll just uhm..” Jake silently backed out of the room, closing the door.
You burst into laughter, hiding your face in Riki’s shoulders as he wrapped his hands around you, hand resting gently on the back of your neck. You made eye contact with him once again and lightly hit the boy, “Why don't you ever close the door?” Riki laughed along with you, a chorus of melodies neither of you could get tired of before he finally planted a kiss on your cheek.
You stood up, using a chair for support as you then pulled Riki up. You fixed your hair, he tried cooling down his burning face.
“Does this mean we're..”
“A walking enemies to lovers cliche? Yes.”
Riki blinked a few times at your response, “I was going to say a couple but I think I like the sound of lovers better” he smiled, picking up the tipped over chair as his eyes landed on the basket of papers still on the table.
“Shit, we still don't know which submission to put for the Love Seekers Column.”
#enhypenwriters#ficscafe#k radio!#enhypennetwork#kflixnet#enhypen#enhypen jungwon#jungwon#enhypen jake#jungwon enhypen#enhypen reactions#ni ki nishimura#enhypen nishimura riki#1685 🗞#enhypen sunghoon#enhypen fanfiction#kim sunoo#jungwon fanfic#jungwon fluff#ni ki#itzy#itzy yeji#itzy ryujin#riki x reader#riki oneshots#jake enhypen#yang jungwon#riki fanfic#enhypen oneshots
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♪ 02:27AM — YOON JEONGHAN
starring…jeonghan x gn!reader | villian × hero!au
genre...romance, fluff, comedy? a bit angst
warnings…small angst at the end
w.c...0.3k
ratings...sfw
a.n...100 followers special! i had to make this a special because i just LOVE LOVE LOVE villian and hero aus.
"okay okay, I'm coming. stop banging the door, it's going to break."
"who knocks on people's door during midnight when you're supposed to be in bed?" jeonghan grumbled, rubbing his eyes as he stumbled his way to get the door.
"again?" jeonghan wasn't wide awake but he knew who was at his front doorway, he knew it all too well. it was you, the ol' "scary" villian everyone projects you to be.
"what do you mean, again? excuse you, this was only the...2...4...6...well counting this one so 7..well the 7th time i came to your doorstep so don't be dramatic." you spoke and jeonghan sighed in disbelief, dragging his face with his palm.
"mhm, so what brings you here? at my doorstep?"
"i need...what i need is..help"
"yeah, I'll wait for the magic word as you bleed."
"fine, please." you scoffed at him and he laughed at you. pretty sure no one can laugh at you but for some reason, you didn't mind his laughing.
"come on in, madam" he looked at you cheekily and pushed his face hard. you sat on the sofa, still in pain at that as you waited for jeonghan to get the first aid kit
"here. a cup of black coffee like usual?"
"with milk today because im craving for milk"
"what are you? a toddler?" he joked around as he made your coffee. you rolled your eyes and continued patching up your wound.
just in time, jeonghan handed you your coffee. "so, I'd like to know a few things, two things to be exact." jeonghan uttered as he crossed his arms.
"what?"
"why were you wounded and why did you come here."
"I'm not telling you the first part but the latter, you do realise you're the only one who doesn't try to kill me even when I'm literally in front of you, right?" you looked away and stared at the window.
"there wasn't a reason to."
jeonghan sighed as he stood up, looking awfully upset but you didn't know why. he walked to the door of his room but stopped there.
"you know, today could've been marked as our 1 year anniversary if you never left."
unedited -- wrote this at 2am tyvm
#kflixnet#klibrary#k radio!#k labels#seventeen imagines#seventeen#jeonghan#jeonghan imagines#jeonghan x reader#seventeen fluff#seventeen scenarios
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COPYCCINO — 23: we got plans
synopsis: soobin has been talking to who he thought was his unrequited crush on messages, only to find out through a visit to their coffee shop that it was in fact not them. not only does he meet the real y/n, he runs into their friend yeonjun, an ex friend of his who he has some unresolved issues with. as soobin and the real y/n are getting to know each other, yeonjun and soobin are working through their misunderstandings, as well as trying to figure out who the catfish was.
taglist: @iyeonjuni @soobnny @taeyun @yyx2 @odxrilove @ifwtyun @luvrbin @iuwon @moondust-zia @jakekgs @soobintoyou @ijhyo @cherr-y-eji @peachy-yabbay @ameliesaysshoo @sunlightwoo @enhacolor @hotboyyeonjun @multi4lifer @milkycloudtyg @bluhr @strawberri-uyu @magicalstudentwhispers @notdrunkbutdazed @mondayisrain @butterflx @cherrybeomgyu @skinnygowon @gu8ki @feyregels @blahbluhblahbluh @hueofjamjam @wccycc @mnlylonely @seventeeneration @hyukabean @boba-beom @moaberryjjunie @soobmint @tae-ology @voidbeomgyu @hyuntaena @loverhyunn @ericyjun @calumsfringe @7thgyu @ashxxkook @soobsfairy444 @sansluvr @flrtsbin
send an ask to be apart of the taglist!
prev / masterlist / next
a/n: typo in soobin’s text i meant “goodnight sleep well” 😭 and i swear next chapter is gonna be the festival LMAO
please do not translate, modify or repost on other platforms.
© fairybinie
#🪐 — soobin!#🐇 — fairybinie!#kflixnet#ficscafe#k radio!#txt smau#txt au#txt fake text#txt fluff#txt angst#txt crack#txt imagines#txt scenarios#txt social media au#soobin scenarios#soobin smau#soobin imagines#soobin social media au#txt fics#soobin fics
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[3:02] ! lee heeseung
GENRE ▸ pure fluff, implied college!au, gn!reader
WORDCOUNT ▸ 492
DISCLAIMERS ▸ none, not proofread
TAGS ▸ @soobin-chois @enhacolor @ethereal-engene @yyunari
“What the hell are you up to now, Y/n?” Heeseung’s groggy voice rings in your ear the moment he picks up the phone. It’s clear that he was fast asleep like he usually is at three in the morning (unless of course, he secretly stays up all night playing League Of Legends), but you don’t care.
“Seung.” You quietly say, almost pressing your phone speaker to your lips to avoid speaking loudly and potentially waking up your parents thanks to the paper-thin walls of your apartment.
“What?” He sounds impatient. You can't really blame him, though, since you literally called him in the middle of the night.
“I need a hug.”
At this, your boyfriend and neighbor snorts at the random statement. “L/n Y/n.”
You gulp at how scary he sounds even when half asleep. “…Yes?”
“Did you seriously feel the need to wake me up just for that?”
“Well, you could’ve just ignored my call.” You admit, almost too proud. Heeseung groans and you hear shuffling through the phone and assume that he’s rolling over in his bed like he usually does when he wakes up in the night.
“Bullshit.” Even with his back turned to the phone, you can hear him and you instantly visualize how his face must look at the moment. He’s definitely rolling his eyes.
But you giggle, letting the grin that was picking at your lips finally take control. You place your phone down on the mattress and adjust yourself so you’re laying on your stomach. Grabbing a stuffed toy to place under folded arms and chin, you mumble. “And who’s fault is it for allowing my calls and texts to go through even on do not disturb mode?”
For a minute, it’s dead silent. You’re wondering if Heeseung fell asleep until a long sigh resonates through your phone. “Y/n.”
“Yes?”
“Just come over.”
“Say no more!” You try to hide your giggle, immediately kicking off your covers and tiptoeing your way out of your apartment to the one down the hall. Once at the door, you hang up the call and punch in the digits to unlock your boyfriend’s apartment.
You don’t even hide your excitement as you run to Heeseung’s room and crawl under the covers and into his embrace. His features are still visible in the dark, and you can tell he’s glaring at you.
“You are such a baby.” He deadpans, but the way he pulls you closer says otherwise.
“Fine, have it your way.” You act mad and kick him away, attempting to turn your back to him but his grip on you tightens. “Tsk.”
“Kidding.” His hand travels to your waist underneath the covers, pulling down your shirt that had ridden up. “Now sleep, you’ve got nine A.M classes.”
“Fine.” You snuggle deeper into Heeseung’s arms, taking in the scent of his freshly washed hair. “Nighty night.”
“Goodnight, Y/n.” He kisses your hair softly.
#kflixnet#ficscafe#enhypenwriters#k radio!#enhypen#enhypen fanfiction#heeseung#lee heeseung#lee heeseung fic#heeseung x reader#enhypen fluff#heeseung fluff#kpop#kpop fanfiction#kpop fanfic
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SIREN’S LAMENT — k.sn
SYNOPSIS . From the day she got her powers, Y/N knew they were given to her because she was meant to use them to get what she wanted. After all, sirens were notorious in Greek Mythology for hypnotizing sailors and leading them to their deaths. She would be a fool to waste her abilities. If you were gifted like her, wouldn’t you do the same?
GENRE . Angst, fluff if you squint, greek mythology AU, highschool AU
PAIRING . Kim Sunoo x Fem! Siren! Reader
WARNINGS . Depictions of violence, vulgar language, Y/N is kind of manipulative sawry <3
WORD COUNT . 4.8k
A/N . my entry for @iyeonjuni’s power of love collab !! this was rly fun to write hehe <33 i guess this is also my celebration for 700 bc it’s the first written fic i’ve written for a while so :)) the idea that i’m more than halfway to 1k followers is insane like i can’t believe it :(( ily narinators take this as a thank u bc i love u all 🤍
TAGLIST . @muhwaa @hoori @yizhoutv @ja4hyvn @koakyuu @carayat @one16core @enhacolor @jangwonie @soobin-chois @moaengenesworld @en-boyz @msxflower @ohmy-fandoms @yunki4evr @centheodd @jungwonize @yeongwonie @strwberrydinosaur @duolingofanaccount @butterflyy-ningg @yjwonz @jaeyunnsworld @sunsunu
Y/N L/N GIGGLED AS SHE CORNERED THE GIRL,
her hair waving elegantly through the wind. However, her intentions were anything but elegant, or kind for that matter. The quivering first year a few feet away from her was surrounded by walls, as the malevolent girl sauntered forward with seemingly no care in the world. The younger was petrified, and Y/N loved it.
As heinous as it was, Y/N bathed in the fear she caused others. It was nothing but a pastime to her. Backing people into a corner, messing around with them a little, and getting them to do things for her. Her powers made it too simple.
"P-Please! leave me a-alone! I'll do anything... just please stop!" The first year, a girl named Hana, begged. She was crouched down with her hands in a pleading position.
It was pathetic.
Seeing her at such mercy only made Y/N feel high with exhilaration. All that begging just for her to leave–
Y/N couldn't get enough.
She knew it was immoral, sure, but she could care less. She was gifted with the power to control whoever she wanted after all, it would be a waste to not use them. Getting people to do her bidding was just how she went about using her powers. Besides, no one ever got hurt. It was all in good fun! Just as long as she never got caught.
Y/N put a hand to her chin, feigning thought. "That's a good idea, Hana! I should do that!"
Hana’s eyes sparkled with relief, delighted to be out of danger. It was almost saddening to see how quickly she thought she was safe. As Hana stood up to say 'thank you', Y/N started vocalizing.
"Ahh, ahh~'' Her perfectly pink lips excreted the spell that made people's knees weak and clouded their minds. She started to approach closer to Hana, and eventually encased her in her arms. Essentially 'kabedoning' her. Y/N’s petrifyingly sweet face was close enough to Hana that she could make out every small detail, every crevice.
Her voice is so nice, Hana started to think. I could just fall a...asleep.
Just a bit more.
Y/N continued to hum her song, as the people passing by stayed blissfully unaware. And anyone who did notice assumed that the two girls were having an intimate moment in a dark alley. Normal high school things.
They couldn't be more wrong. Poor Hana was being hypnotized right under their noses.
Y/N continued her song until Hana was fully under her control. As soon as the victim's eyes turned dull, she smirked.
"Whoops, my bad.”
"That’s it for today, your homework is to annotate the worksheet that you received.”
Everyone thanked the teacher as she left, then dispersed amongst one another to head to lunch.
"N/N!" Runa called out, grabbing onto the said girl's arm. Runa was Y/N's self proclaimed best friend, and an exchange student from Japan. Truthfully, Y/N didn't care much for Runa. But she had to pretend that she did, because she planned to use something for Runa.
She wasn't quite sure why Runa clinged onto her in the first place- seeing as Y/N was dubbed as both terrifying and intimidating. Even if she was doing something casually, there always seemed to be a glare that graced her face at all times. All the students feared her, and often cowered in her presence. Her sharp eyes glared into their souls, intimidating others to no end.
Runa, in contrast, was the sweet beauty. Everyone loved her, guys and girls alike. Her deep brown eyes and shiny brown hair were captivating in their eyes. and her angelic personality was a plus. Runa was all around, utterly perfect.
Y/N hated it.
But she faked their friendship for an entire year.
"Hey, Runa." Y/N groaned out. Runa always dismissed her dismissive behavior because of her reputation. "I need to meet Kim Sunoo during lunch for a project, so i won't be able to sit with you"
"Sunoo? Isn’t he a third year?" Runa scratched her chin, recalling the tall senior.
"I take third year Chemistry." Y/N answered. Despite popular belief, Y/N was incredibly smart. However, she didn't feel the need to take the test required to skip the second year science class, so she used her powers on the principal to help her move into a specific chemistry class. the one with Kim Sunoo. her crush.
Somehow, even the heartless Y/N could harbour feelings for someone. She wasn't sure how it developed, seeing as she had no other connections with the cheerful male besides the one class they had together. But seeing him in the halls made her chest thump and her mind fuddled. She had feelings for him, and she would do anything in her power to be with him.
Maybe it was his captivating smile, or maybe it was the way he made it his own personal mission to befriend everyone in the school. Whatever it was, Y/N constantly found her eyes drawn to the schools’ resident ‘sunshine’. No matter what situation she was in, her gaze never failed to wander to him. It was annoying, really.
But Y/N never minded. After all, Sunoo was just the most enchanting person to be infatuated with.
Unfortunately, her powers weren't strong enough to make someone love her back. Trust her, she's tried. She figured it was due to the fact that being in love was such a powerful emotion— one she hadn't experienced yet. She liked Sunoo and was deeply besotted by him— but she wasn't in love with him. Not yet.
It was a miracle that Sunoo was the one to approach her for the project. She would've used her powers on him, but luckily she didn't need to.
"Oh, okay then! I'll see you next class!" Runa smiled her beautiful smile and left.
Y/N hated that smile.
But she softened at the thought of spending time with Sunoo. She kept this fondness internal, just to protect her notoriety.
"Y/N" a whisper came from a table at the back of the library, trying to grab the delinquent's attention. His whispers traveled to her line of hearing, and she turned to see him. Her one and only crush, Sunoo. "Over here!'
Mentally, Y/N's lips tipped into a grin. "Afternoon." she nonchalantly greeted, which contrasted the rapid beating of her heart.
"Good afternoon! You brought your chemistry book, right?" Sunoo asked, sliding her chair back for her to sit.
Such a gentleman... Y/N inwardly blushed, but quickly shook it off. "Yeah, it’s in my bag."
The surprisingly excited third year ruffled her hair. "Good! Let’s get started then.”
These small actions Sunoo did confused her. Did he like her back? Or did he do this to everyone? Her brain stayed multitasking as she focused on both the project as well as what Sunoo may have thought of her. Deep down, she knew no one would bother to spare a second thought for her besides being frightened. She understood them. as much as she knew, she couldn't bear to consider the fact that Sunoo didn't share the same feelings as her. So she pretended that wasn't the case, and opted to believe he liked her back.
“So it comes from the gaseous particles in Earth’s atmosphere and charged particles in the sun’s atmosphere colliding. And colors come from the type of gas particles.” Y/N explained the magnetism behind the Aurora Borealis to Sunoo since he had asked about it. “For example, the greenish yellow color comes from oxygen molecules, and red colors come from high altitude oxygen-”
Y/N’s explanation was cut off by Sunoo’s (not so) subtle laughter. Before she could ask why he was laughing, he answered for her.
“Sorry for laughing, I just find it a little funny that one of the most scary people in our school is a Chemistry nerd.” Sunoo teased. “But it’s cute! You should show this side of yourself more often.”
If it had been anyone else who said that, Y/N would have rolled her eyes at them and walked out of the room. After all, how could anyone tell her what to do? She was always the one telling people what to do, which made her automatically above everything. She would only abide by the rules when she wanted to. And if she wasn’t in the mood on that particular day, she would hypnotize who she needed to get what she wanted. It was what sirens did.
But somehow with Sunoo who told her, she surprisingly didn’t mind. In a way, him calling her cute made her feel bad about her resentful persona. If cute was what Sunoo wanted, then she could be cute. She would just have to… try a little harder.
As their study session progressed, Y/N gathered a strong emotion radiating off him. On one hand it was good, because she fed off of the strong emotions of others in order to strengthen herself and her siren powers. On the other hand, she was quite worried. For the emotion Sunoo felt, was love.
Love towards whom? That she didn't know. But she could only hope it was her.
“So Y/N,” Sunoo began speaking as he typed his part of the project on his computer. “I feel like we don’t talk a lot during class, and I want to get to know you more.”
His statement caught Y/N a bit off guard. He wanted to get to know her? It somewhat made sense, since Sunoo was a well known social butterfly and was friends with many people in her grade, but it still didn’t fail to make her feel giddy inside.
Kim Sunoo wanted to get to know her….
Maybe she could act normal just for a little bit.
“What do you want to know?”
“Hm… anything?” He shrugged, and looked over at the section of books next to their table and noticed a cookbook. “What’s your favorite fruit?”
“Strawberries.” Y/N answered. “My second favorite would be mangosteen though, because they’re fun to peel and also look like butts.” She let out a small chuckle at her juvenile joke, and she felt proud when Sunoo laughed at it as well.
She’s loosening up… Sunoo smiled.
“Butts? Seriously? I’ve always thought they look more like onions.” Sunoo said.
“Have you ever seen one before?” Y/N couldn’t help but pull up a picture of a peeled mangosteen to show him. “Look, doesn’t that look like a buttcrack to you? They’re really juicy too– not in a weird way though.”
Towards the end she realized what she was saying. Was she really trying to explain to her crush why she thought mangosteens looked like butts? The fact that she was showing any emotion besides anger or indifference was surprising enough. But Sunoo just had the ability to make her act more like a normal person and not a supernatural being. It was relieving, in a way.
To Y/N’s surprise, Sunoo burst out into a fit of laughter. “Hey! Do you even know what you’re talking about? It looks nothing like one.”
“It does though! Next thing I know you’re going to try to tell me that lychee doesn’t look like a vagina.”
Sunoo pursed his lips. “You’re going to ruin eating fruits for me.”
“Hey, you asked a question, and I answered. That’s on you.” Y/N shrugged. She noticed how Sunoo kept checking the time every so often. It was as if he was in a rush to get somewhere. But that couldn’t be right. After all, he wanted to be there, right?
It didn’t matter either way, she would just have to try even harder than before. “Do you like mythology?”
The question surprised Sunoo. He hadn’t expected that she would start the conversation, but he wasn’t complaining. It made his plan a little easier. “It’s not something I actively indulge myself in, but I think it’s very interesting. Are you into it?”
“Yeah, especially Greek Mythology.” Y/N answered. “Percy Jackson got me into it in elementary school, and I’ve been studying it ever since.”
Sunoo pushed aside the neglected chemistry project and leaned on the table ever so slightly. “Tell me what you know then.”
Y/N pulled out her book on different creatures in Greek Mythology, and handed it to Sunoo. “Here, you can flip through it.”
“You really carry this around? You’re an even bigger nerd than I expected.” Sunoo mumbled the last part, and opened to the page about the Hydra. “The hydra is a serpent-like creature, born as the child of Typhon and Echidna. It dwelled around Argos and bore multiple heads. However, anyone who tried to cut off one of the heads would soon find out that two more grew in place of it. Inevitably, the hydra was killed by the Greek hero Hercules.”
“I love Hercules! Like, the Disney movie.” Sunoo giggled. Y/N mentally facepalmed at that. Of course the Disney depiction of Hercules was wildly inaccurate, but she couldn’t complain. It wasn’t as if they had a way of knowing the full accuracy of everything.
Sunoo then turned to the next page, which was about sirens. Ironic, wasn’t it? “Sirens? As in, from My Little Pony- Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks?”
Y/n actually really liked that movie, because it was more accurate as to how she acted as a siren. So of course, Adagio, Sonata, and Aria were her favorite characters (heavy on Adagio, that girl was basically a cartoon version of her). “No, but that’s a really good movie.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Sunoo looked back at the book. “Sirens are creatures of Greek Mythology. They're seductive creatures, embodied as half-woman and half-bird. Their intoxicating voices lure sailors towards the 'sirenum scopuli' islands in which they reside. These sailors were led to an unfortunate fate, as the captivating singing of the sirens distracts them and ultimately leads them to crash into the rocky islands.”
Sunoo closed the book when he finished. “That’s horrible, honestly.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Well, it’s one thing to outright attack people. The hydra for example, at least it can’t trick you. It’s moves are predictable and you can create a plan to get around it. With something like the siren, you’d never be able to predict when they hypnotize you. And once they do, you can’t snap yourself out of it.” He explained, not aware that the girl he was explaining it to was a siren herself.
To say she was a little offended was an understatement, but she easily concealed it. “I’m sure the sirens have their own reasons.
“...They’re seductive killers, Y/N. I’m sure any reason they had would be completely one dimensional.”
Ouch.
“That’s true.” Y/N pursed her lips and stood up. “I’m going to the bathroom real quick, I’ll be right back.”
“Come back soon!” Sunoo whispered out when she left the table.
I can’t believe Sunoo and I are getting along. Y/N thought, as she walked back to the library from the bathroom. I knew talking to him wouldn’t be hard, but I didn’t think it was going to be this easy! It’s almost like we were made to be friends…
The idea humored her.
She never realized how easy conversation came with Sunoo, but it just did. After they got past the initial breath of awkwardness, and when Y/N decided to drop her tough girl act, it was as if the two were made to be friends.
Or maybe it was just the fact that Sunoo was an excellent conversationalist. Whatever it was, Y/N felt extremely comfortable in his presence which was surprising considering the nature of her crush on him and the nature of her character. She didn’t feel the familiar racing of her heart that she normally would’ve if her and Sunoo interacted, nor did she feel her body temperature change in any way. She didn’t feel the need to use her powers on him for her own selfish needs. She just felt, normal.
"It’s going according to plan!”
As Y/N rounded the corner to go back into the library, she heard Sunoo speak on the phone. And maybe it was a little rude, but she was curious and decided to eavesdrop. How bad could it be?
“Yeah, we’re becoming good friends. You know, she’s surprisingly nice when you get to know her.”
That made Y/N feel happy. Sunoo thought she was nice… how could she ever go back to her old ways after hearing that?
Well that was an overstatement, but maybe she would tone it down. Just for him.
“I know right? I was really shocked when she started a conversation with me.” A chuckle was heard from the other line. Perhaps it was Park Sunghoon, Sunoo seemed particularly close with him. “Maybe I’ll introduce you two. I feel like you would get along.”
He’s not Sunoo but if Sunoo wants us to be friends… I’ll consider it.
“Runa?” As she heard that name come out of Sunoo’s mouth, Y/N’s gaze hardened immediately. “I’ll ask about her soon. After all, I can’t make it seem like I’m just using Y/N to get to Runa.
Y/N was about to sigh in relief because surely, it was a misunderstanding? He didn’t want her to think he was using her to get to Runa because he genuinely wanted to be friends with her. Surely that was the case.
But Sunghoon’s words made her break on the inside.
“Isn’t that what you’re doing though?”
Y/N could hypothetically feel her heart crack. Right down the middle. She couldn't speak or think, her mouth was shut tight. Her breathing slowed and stayed heavy. It was a new feeling, one that she wasn’t particularly fond of. Was she experiencing her first heartbreak?
No! she internally yelled. It’s not supposed to happen like this! I'm supposed to break hearts! I don't get heartbroken.
But if that was the case, then why did it hurt so much? Why did she want to crawl into a six feet deep hole and stay there forever?
“Well yeah, but if she catches on then she’s going to tell Runa. Then I’ll never get a chance with her.”
Before either Sunghoon or Sunoo could say anything more, Y/N decided to make her presence known.
“Is that how it is?” Y/N clutched her heart, as she stepped out of the shadows. Sunoo, who was previously holding his phone to his ear, dropped it out of surprise.
“Y/N! H-How much did you hear?”
Y/N looked at his eyes, the eyes she once held dear to her emotions, and gave him the coldest stare she had ever given anyone before. “Enough.”
“Listen I-”
“It’s okay, I understand. Runa’s perfect in every way. She’s kind, cheerful, and pretty. I don’t blame you for doing what you did. After all if it weren’t for me, Runa would never give you the time of day.” Y/N spoke with indifference laced with her words. “We can finish the project another day.”
With that, Y/N stormed out to find her best friend.
It was the first time she had ever felt hurt. It made her feel shitty and unwanted. And frankly, she never wanted to feel it again.
Runa Minami.
I hope you eat shit.
"Oh, N/N!" Runa giggled and waved at her friend. Y/N turned to see the person she despised the most. the one who took Sunoo away from her. the one who hurt her.
"Runa" she disgruntledly huffed out. "Meet me in the abandoned hallway in ten minutes"
She didn't pay another thought to how suspicious she sounded. All she wanted was to teach Runa a lesson.
The innocently unsuspecting girl agreed, and let Y/N saunter off.
Runa followed Y/N's orders and turned the corner to the infamous abandoned hallway ten minutes later, notorious for being the place where couples made out. The invitation confused her, seeing Y/N wasn’t the type to be into romance. But Runa cared about Y/N because she reminded her of herself in elementary school.
Cold, indifferent, and unwelcoming.
It was the reason as to why she stuck with her for their first year, and the reason why she was so quick to dismiss her cold behavior.
She thought Y/N was about to confess to her, which is why she followed her to the hallway. Even if that wasn’t the outcome, she was curious as to what it would be.
"Hey N/N—"
"Come closer."
Runa's breath got hitched in her throat, as she approached closer. to her, the atmosphere was intimate. if you take into consideration the context of the hallway, you might think so as well. But to Y/N, it was anything other than intimate.
In a flash, Y/N had slammed Runa against the wall. In truth, she had a thing for kabedoning girls. It was, for a lack of better words, hot.
But that was besides the point. there was a confused glint in Runa's eyes, one that Y/N desired to crush.
Just as Sunoo had crushed her.
She knew it was cruel. Runa wasn't in control of Sunoo's feelings. She didn't even know the male liked her. And in all honesty, Y/N really did not want to harm Runa.
But she couldn't hold back. Her heart ached too much to not do anything, and she would rather hurt Runa than Sunoo. God forbid she do anything to him.
As sorry as she was, the bottom line was that Y/N was angry. Y/N was angry, and jealous. She needed to ease the pain. and the only way to do that was by inflicting pain from the source of all her problems.
"Sunoo likes you.”
Runa leaped back, not expecting that to be said. Her heart stopped when she realized what the situation was. Her friend got her heart broken, and it was all her fault.
"Oh... does he?" Runa answered, still stunned. She barely even knew the guy, after all. "That's good for him"
Still muddled with her resentment to her friend, Y/N kneed her stomach, and Runa fell to the ground as a result. Y/N placed her foot over Runa's head.
"N/N?" confused, she looked up at Y/N for the answer she so desperately seeked. "What’s going o—"
"Shut up! Just shut up!" Y/N yelled. "Fucking hell— shut up for once!"
She let out a large breath, before not hesitating to throw a punch at the defenseless Runa below her.
Runa, who was untrained in self defense, could only take the pain as the girl she cared for attacked her for seemingly no reason.
By the time she had asked why, Y/N burst.
"Why!? Because he chose you over me! The one guy I actually like chooses my friend over me??" Shegroaned and continued to strike at her. "I'm Runa, I'm perfect and everyone loves me!" she mocked Runa's voice. "You’re so annoying— god! I can't stand you!"
She didn’t blame Y/N for hurting. Maybe she was too careless and didn’t care enough for her as much as she thought she did. Maybe she neglected Y/N’s feelings too much and prioritized her own. After all, it was usually Runa who dragged Y/N around to go out.
But in any case, wasn’t Y/N going overboard?
Runa's chest started to hurt. not from Y/N's fists, but from the emotional pain she felt.
Yelling. Yelling was all she heard. Yelling from the principal. Yelling from her parents. Yelling from Runa.
Yelling from Sunoo.
Y/N had ended up in the principal's office, in a situation in which she couldn't get out of. She couldn't help it! She had been emotionally hurt for the first time, and didn't know how to handle it. But her actions were far from forgivable.
Although she was a bully, she only went after people's emotions. She never physically hurt anyone. At least she had some morals. But this time, she let her sentiments get the best of her. and Runa came out hurt in the end.
"Wait— you like Sunoo? Never mind, doesn't matter. Did it ever occur to you that i don't even like him back?? I don't even like men!”
The words that Runa had spoken to her stuck in Y/N's mind all while she was being berated by the school staff and her parents. It had never occurred to her that Runa wasn’t into guys. Perhaps that may have been why Runa stuck to her throughout their first year, because guys would never approach Runa with Y/N there.
Guilt had begun to seep through, once she realized the weight of her actions. I’m getting expelled, my parents are mad at me, Sunoo hates me, and my now ex-best friend got her heart broken. By me. Her head throbbed. She couldn't handle all of it happening at once.
And so Y/N stood up with such hostility that made everyone in the vicinity jump. She didn't pay any mind to it and snatched her bag, then proceeded to storm out of the room. It didn't matter anymore. She was bound to be expelled anyway. She would handle the scolding later.
She wondered why she felt so guilty, seeing as she was a siren. She was meant to cause misfortune upon others. She was somehow granted with such powers, the least she could do was use them properly. Properly, as in seducing others with her voice and then using them. And generally, she never felt regretful of her actions. Instead she would be proud when she saw others fall to her command. She thought she would be especially content too, due to the fact that she didn't care much for Runa.
But no. the moment she retreated, Y/N felt like, for a lack of better words, shit. The pleasing feeling she usually felt when she inflicted distress on people was not present, but rather replaced with guilt.
Did that mean that she would learn from her mistakes and use her powers for the better?
Of course not.
At the end of the day, Y/N knew she would always be the same disgusting creature that held such powers. no matter how much she tried to sugar coat it, that fact would never change.
Sunoo stood outside of the room and waited for Y/N to leave. Once she did, he grabbed her arm.
“What the fuck is your problem?!” Y/N yelled as she ripped her arm out of his clutches.
“Everyone was right about you. You’re cold, heartless, and selfish.” Sunoo glared at the girl he once almost considered a friend. “I can’t believe I ever wanted to befriend you.”
That made Y/N laugh. “Wanted? You only talked to me because you wanted me to help you get closer to Runa. Even if I thought we were getting closer, you only had your own interests at heart.” Her glare on Sunoo hardened. “If I’m selfish, then so are you. I was just more physical with it.”
“And that makes it any better?!”
“I’ll never deny that I’m a horrible person. You, on the other hand, act like you’re innocent when in reality you’re not.” Y/N pulled out her book of mythology. “Remember sirens?”
“...Yeah.” Sunoo hesitantly answered.
Y/N took a breath out of her nose. “You said that it was horrible that they lured people to their lands so they could kill them. But it’s okay for you to do the same thing? You acted like you genuinely wanted to be friends, and then you broke my heart. And all of a sudden, you think you can high road me?”
“Still, you hurt Runa. She was your best friend.” Sunoo criticized.
“I know I did and I feel extremely guilty about it. But there’s nothing I can do to atone for it, so it’s better if I just leave. I’m getting expelled anyway.” Y/N mumbled. “I’ll apologize to Runa before I leave, and I’ll face any punishment the school gives, but I don’t want to hear you of all people criticizing me for it.”
“So you’re just going to leave?” Sunoo inquired.
Y/N looked at the injured Runa, who was woefully scrolling through her phone, and sighed. “Yes, it’s for the best. And I’ll stop liking you, so don’t worry about that.”
“Goodbye, Kim Sunoo. Thank you for being my friend, even if it was just for a moment.”
Something that most people would see as a blessing ended up breaking an innocent girl beyond repair.
And Sunoo realized one thing. That he never truly knew Y/N L/N at all.
#poweroflove💥collab#enhypenwriters#enhypennetwork#kflixnet#ficscafe#hiraya m#k radio!#enhypen x reader#enhypen kim sunoo#enhypen sunoo x reader#sunoo x reader#sunoo oneshots#enhypen oneshots#kim sunoo x you#sunoo x you#kim sunoo
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Sun god!Haechan X Mortal!Reader
Part 2 of 19:10
Plot; Haechan comes to terms with the fact that he cannot be the one to love you
Genre; angst
Warnings; mentions of death
Work count; 0.4k
Networks; @k-radio @kflixnet
A god falling for a mortal is more common than you may think. Going back to ancient Greece the stories of lifetimes crossing have been filled with love turned to pain as time goes on and Gods forget the mortal they gave their heart to has to die eventually. You might be thinking that the pain of death is something that the gods would be used to but that would not be further than the truth.
All gods hear the warning tales of an immortal being with someone doomed to die and many stay away; however, those who fall despite the warnings never know the hurt they will experience.
Haechan falling for you was unexpected by all the other godly beings. Jeno, Mark and Renjun were all quite supportive having never loved a human before but those who had warned him immensely with the only one staying quiet being Chenle, the god of love.
He knew better than everyone that love cannot be controlled and while it may hurt in the long run the joy that this love would bring him would brighten each ray of sun that touched the earth.
While I wish that I could tell you this story had a happy ending I’m afraid that is not the case. For the one downside of immortality is that you must watch those you love move on. Haechan could not reveal himself to you so he chose to watch from a distance which was more painful than anything else he would ever experience.
All he could do was watch you go through life without ever saying a word. He watched you fall in love, experience heartbreak, and find yourself all without ever saying a word because he would rather live in a world without you then have to spend an eternity longing for what had been.
Love is a powerful thing that has survived centuries; it has lived longer than empires, rulers, religions, and cultures but sadness and grief has survived the same. The god must have to live with both as one cannot exist without the other as long as you can live forever.
It is said that death is what makes us human and the fact that Haechan has to live forever means that he cannot be the one to love you. He had never felt the pain of immortality more than when that realisation crashed over him like Poseidon's tide.
#k radio!#kflixnet#haechan fluff#haechan x reader#nct dream fluff#nct dream fanfic#nct dream fanfiction#lee haechan#nct haechan#nct dream haechan#lee donghyuck#nct fluff#nct fanfic#nct drabbles#nct x reader#nct x y/n#nct dream x reader#nct dream x y/n
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arts & crafts center
wc: 0,8k
pairing: demigod!hyunjin x gn demigod!reader
summary: your shared passion for art and your father's powers bring you closer together
genres: fluff, little angst, demigod!au, camp half-blood!au, strangers to friends!au, mutual pining!au, son of aphrodite!hyunjin, child of aether!reader
tw: magic, physical injury, infirmary, idiots
notes: yeah, since there's more cabins being constructed, i took the liberty to add gods of my choice. meet aether, the primordial god of light and the upper air!
networks: @kflixnet @k-radio
permanent tag list: @soobin-chois @badwithten send ask/dm/comment to be added!
The guy spent most of his time in the arts and crafts center to paint. You went there to sculpt every once in a while.
Every time you went, he was the only one that wasn't from the Athena cabin. There were always Athena kids there, but an Aphrodite son... Now, that was something.
When you'd hear him complaining about the light, you'd bend it so that it would hit his subject —whatever it was— like he wanted. It was just practice for you and a divine gift for him.
It went like this for a few weeks, until he came to see you after finishing a painting. "Aether kid? Thank you. My paintings are way better when you're here and use the light," he smiled, bowing slightly.
"It's my pleasure to help a fellow artist, Aphrodite kid."
"Please, call me Hyunjin."
"Y/N."
"Sorry I didn't come earlier Y/N, I had to make sure it was really you before presenting myself."
"Of course, it would've been embarrassing to thank someone for something they didn't do," you giggled and he laughed with you.
Since then, you became friends, often going to the arts and crafts center together —at least when you went— which was more often now.
Sometimes you'd pass by on your way to the training grounds and turn invisible to scare him. Nevertheless, you'd wait for his paintbrush to be everywhere but in his hand to avoid a disaster (you're not a monster).
Once, though, he was so focused on something important for him, he got mad when you sneaked up on him, which startled you.
"Stop scaring me like that!" he hissed, annoyed.
"Okay," you faltered, "I'm sorry."
He looked over and his anger dissipated a bit. "Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to use charmspeak."
"No, it's okay. I'm really sorry. I promise I won't do it anymore."
You kept your promise alright. You were so ashamed of yourself that you avoided going back there altogether. No, it was not the best thing to do. But hey, you were young and your feelings mattered.
Of course, Hyunjin's too.
Even knowing that, you'd turn invisible and flee every time you'd see him looking for you. When he walked past your cabin (your siblings sure knew an Aphrodite kid was searching for you), before and after meals, chariot races and games of capture-the-flag.
Yeah, it lasted a while. Around two weeks, I think.
Then, Hyunjin had enough. He never thought he could miss someone so badly but here he was, pathetically whining about you not wanting to speak to him.
Needless to say, all his friends knew about you and the terrible things he did to drive you away. It was a matter of time before they teamed up with your siblings to stop this nonsense —according to them, anyway.
Fortunately —or not, depending who you're asking—, on one fateful Friday evening, an Ares kid hurt you badly enough during capture-the-flag that you ended up in the infirmary.
Guess who came to see you first?
Yes, Hyunjin, good job!
You were laying in bed, your sword arm in a plaster. He was standing a few beds away, panting and staring at your face then your arm.
If you spotted him, you did nothing to leave. Maybe you were too badly hurt from the game or just exhausted from running away. Either way, Hyunjin approached and sat on a wooden chair next to you.
"Hey," he greeted sheepishly, rubbing his nape.
“Aye,” you greeted back, a little weak.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like my arm has been run over by a train. I’ll be okay tomorrow.”
“Okay,” he breathed, then inhaled deeply. “Y/N, I’m sorry. Scaring you away was the last thing I wanted.”
You shook your head and held his gaze. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I did. I used my ability to make you uncomfortable and I deeply apologize. I avoided you because I was too embarrassed.”
His eyes softened at your sight and kind, honest words. “I got mad at you for nothing, I’m sorry.”
“It was justified,” you insisted.
“Still, I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
“It wasn’t cool of me to do what I did, your anger was rightful.”
“I—”
“Can you please stop and make up already? Gods, you’re so dense, both of you,” Lia cut off, frowning and tending to another camper close to them.
Hyunjin and you apologized at the same time and laughed quietly.
“The truth is… I was painting something for you, and I wanted it to be perfect. I might have been a lot stressed about it.”
“You made a painting for me? You’re so sweet Jinnie.”
Blushing at the nickname, he looked away and took your unharmed hand in his.
“So… are you coming back to the arts and crafts center if only to receive my gift?”
“Depends,” you smirked, “do you miss me or my powers?”
“All of you.”
thank you for reading! if you enjoyed, here's the masterlist <3
#kflixnet#k radio!#kpop demigod au#stray kids#hwang hyunjin#stray kids demigod au#stray kids drabbles#stray kids imagines#stray kids scenarios#stray kids hyunjin#stray kids x you#gender neutral reader#percy jackson au#pjo#hoo#hwang hyunjin x reader
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DELICATE ─ psh. ☆ (teaser)
does love ever cross the line?
# genre: rich kid!enemy!sunghoon x fem!reader, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, slow burn, family feud, non idol au
# warnings: substances, lots of pining/angst, cursing, insults, mature jokes, implied sex, I have no idea how businesses work plz don’t roast me
# featuring: sunghoon & enha! + le sserafim
# playlist: delicate by taylor swift, take care by beach house, love by kendrick lamar, babydoll by dominic fike, hurts so good by astrid s
# a/n: hi y’all! I got this request a long time ago and only recently got to it, so I hope y’all like! lmk if u want to be added to the taglist! pls enjoy <3
# word count: 13.2k
# taglist: @lovialy @minniejenseo @powerpuffstuts @mnxnii @idkdykilr @ionlyreadforfanfics @heelovesmeknot @100520s @simjyunnie @scrumptiousloser @eneiyri @pinkkami @milkycloudtyg @enhypenlovre @pinkkami @m3chigo @saythenameseventeen178 @desistay @capri-cuntz.@taerifin open!
# unable to tag: @hohohobo
this was written upon anon request; check it out here!
when your father’s company cratered after a faulty business deal, a vendetta was formed between your family and the biggest export company in south korea. but that rivalry begins to falter when you fall in love with the ceo’s son.
[more under the cut!]
˗ˋ☆ˊ˗
Awards banquets were Sunghoon’s least favorite part of being in business. Forget the ruthlessness and backstabbing, dressing up in a suit and pretending to be successful blew all that warfare out of the water.
“It’s too tight.”
“It’s fine. You’ll be fine. Just stop complaining.”
“I’m not kidding, Jake. Loosen it or I’ll kill you.” Jake sighed, tugging on the navy blue tie until it was hanging loosely around Sunghoon’s neck, a stark and messy contrast to his crisp black suit and neat button up.
“Jesus Christ. After fifteen years, you’d think you’d know how to tie a tie.” Jake said, shaking his head as his best friend checked his hair in the mirror.
“Are you sure we have to go to this thing tonight?” Sunghoon huffed, brushing a stray piece of hair into place.
“Don’t be stupid. You’ve been going to these galas since you were six, and dragging me along with you.” Jake scoffed, pushing Sunghoon’s head from behind and ruining his hairstyle yet again, the latter glaring.
“You love it.” Sunghoon teased, tearing his eyes away from the mirror after checking his hair a last time. “God, I can’t believe we’re still having these idiotic galas. Everyone just knows they’re a coverup for big corporations to distract from the fact that they’re abusing their poor workers.”
“Nobody cares these days. Put a bow on anything and the media will eat it up.” Jake said, adjusting his tie before slapping his friend on the shoulder. “Ready to ruin some lives? Destroy some young futures?”
“Not funny.” Sunghoon warned, pointing his finger at Jake while trying to tug on his shoes with the other hand. “You know how much I hate the company.”
“Say that as much as you want, but you’re still wearing shoes bought with your daddy’s blood money.” Sunghoon huffed.
“Hm...I suppose you’re right.” he said, putting his hands on his hips.
“C’mon, let’s get you to the ball, Prince Charming.” Jake dragged Sunghoon out of the room by the wrist, locking it behind him, Sunghoon in tow.
Sunghoon sighed. God, how he hated his life. A legacy built on deception, and nothing he could do about it. Him and Jake made their way to the elevators, his dull eyes disappearing behind the closing doors.
He didn’t belong anywhere. Certainly not here.
˗ˋ☆ˊ˗
On the other side of the city, you were having an entirely different conversation.
“Take that off, Chae.” you said, biting into an apple. Your red lipstick bled into the fruit as you stared judgingly at Chaewon’s enormous diamond necklace.
“But it’s so pretty.” she crossed her arms, but you gave her a stern glance and she turned around to change with a roll of her eyes. “And you, put that out.” you swatted at Jay’s hand, a lit cigarette perched between his two fingers, roiling smoke spilling from the top. “You’re gonna make my new dress smell like smoke.”
“Jeez, what’s got your panties in a twist?” Jay asked, putting out his cigarette on the corner of the coffee table, which made you frown. “No need to stress. You’ve done this business routine a million times over.”
“I’m just nervous, I guess.” you said, hands fidgeting in your lap.
“I thought you didn’t care what the Parks thought about you.”
“I don’t.” you said firmly, tongue poking into the flesh of your left cheek. “I just want things to go smoothly, that’s all.”
“So you’re not gonna stand up to those fuckers that ruined your life? No protest?” Jay asked, resting his chin on his hand. “You always wanted to take them down.”
“Of course I do. But tonight’s not the night.” you sighed, rubbing your forehead, smudging your foundation and cursing when you realized what you had done. “I just want to be put together, just for one night.”
“Well you certainly look the part, honey.” he said, eyes trailing over your floor length red gown. “You’re a proper businesswoman.”
“I hope so.” you laughed.
“You’re gonna kill it. I know it for a fact.” Jay said, pressing a kiss to your cheek before standing. “Now let’s get you to this ball.” You grinned up at him, getting to your feet and brushing the dust off your skirt with determination.
“Let’s show these people who our company is.”
˗ˋ☆ˊ˗
#ミ☆#misojunnie#kflixnet#k vanity#k radio!#enhypennetwork#delicate#sunghoon#enhypen#sunghoon fanfic#sunghoon enhypen#sunghoon angst#sunghoon ff#sunghoon x reader#sunghoon oneshots#sunghoon imagines#sunghoon scenarios#enhypen x reader#enhypen fanfic#enhypen angst#enhypen ff#enhypen oneshots#enhypen imagines#enhypen scenarios#enhypen fluff#kpop#sunghoon etl#sunghoon au#enhypen au#enhypen smau
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Lee Jeno's top 10 ways to stay warm.
pairing: (implied) bad boy!jeno x reader
genre: fluff, strangers to lovers!AU, college!AU, winter!AU, slight bad boy!AU
warnings: mentions of anxiety
word count: 1.4k words
a/n: hi its jeno hours
also lowkey wanna make this a whole fic idk...
networks/taglist: @neoturtles @knet-bakery @kflixnet @nct-writers @k-radio + @soobin-chois @markhyuckselca @jaehunnyy @justalildumpling <3
It's cold. Really fucking cold. And it's night. Scary. A snowy, cold, scary night, and you have a bus to catch. So, instead of staying outside, where it's cold, and dangerous, you decide to step into the bus stop smoking pod, knowing it's a lot warmer in there.
And now, here you are, reading a novel you can barely focus on, due to the cold, and your slight anxiety of being alone.
A moment later, however, your anxiety spikes its all time high as the door to the smoking pod swings open, causing you to look up with wide, worried eyes, only to soften when you recognize the platinum white hair and leather jacket.
It's Lee Jeno.
He's got his usual cold, bad boy exterior stoic face, and almost permanent scowl on his lips, as he curses and shakes his head like a wet dog, shaking the snow off his hair.
He doesn't seem to realize he's got company, not until you let out the sigh you sucked in abruptly from his sudden entrance.
"O-oh," Jeno stumbles over his words, recognizing you from campus. "hey,"
"Hi," You reply back quietly, lips pursing into a line awkwardly.
He takes a few steps towards you, his sneakers tapping against the ground oddly loudly. Jeno halts after no more than 3 steps, pointing at the seat next to you. "Do you mind...?"
"Oh," You shake your head, hands waving as well. "no, please, sit."
It's a cold night, sitting seems like a more comfortable position, better than having your joints freeze while you're standing at least.
As Jeno takes a seat next to you, you can't help but feel incredibly awkward, glancing down at your novel, once again barely paying attention, but for a different reason now.
You know Lee Jeno. You're not too sure if he remembers you.
Last week, Zhong Chenle's party, you kissed. Twice. Once, at a game of spin the bottle, a small, innocent peck, and another time under the mistletoe. Not that innocent.
You can barely remember it, but Donghyuck made sure he recorded both, and showed you both. You had dreaded seeing Jeno after that party, afraid he would find you... weird, or anything of that sort.
Look at you now, stuck alone with him on a very cold night.
Emphasize on the very. Because it's very, very cold tonight.
You try to hide the slight shiver in your movement, opting to shift in your seat to try create some sort of friction, for some nonexistent heat.
Had you expected Jeno to notice? Maybe.
Had you expected him to take his leather jacket off, and offer it to you? No. Not at all.
"S-sorry?" You blink at the jacket being placed on your lap, too shy to look Jeno in the eye.
You don't have to worry about that, because Jeno's just as embarrassed, looking to his side. "Y-you're shivering, right? It's okay, just take it."
"No, Jeno, I really can't."
"I insist, Y/N."
"You only have a t-shirt on, Jeno,"
"It's okay, you look freezing, Y/N,"
"Jeno, I ca—"
"—hey,"
His hand suddenly envelops yours. It's... very surprisingly warm, as his thumb strokes across your skin comfortingly. "I swear, I'll be fine, okay?"
Jeno's got a small, stupidly attractive smile on his lips, head tilting to the side. He's got some snow in his hair, but it blends in almost perfectly due to how white he dyed his hair. He's... ethereal.
"Fine," You give in, sighing.
Jeno goes as far as helping you slip his jacket on, fixing it on your body, stroking the sleeves across your arms, making sure your neck is all covered. He smiles at the way you simply look up at him, lips agape to say something, anything, but you don't know what.
Lee Jeno knows who you are. He remembers you from Zhong Chenle's party—well, long before that. He remembers you from the day you bumped into him in the hallways, apologizing profusely at something so small. You picked his books up for him, and as cheesy as it sounds, his heart raced and he fell the moment your hand brushed slightly against his.
And when you kissed him in spin the bottle? God, he felt like he could cry. Partially because he was drunk. And when he caught you under the mistletoe with him, pushing Kim Sunwoo out of the way so you could be with him, and when your hands tugged him closer by his hoodie strings to kiss him deeper, he swore he was gonna bawl.
And here he is, how blessed is he to be next to you, alone, just the two of you, with you wearing his jacket, looking all adorable in it?
Lee Jeno thinks the Gods have blessed him, and he will thank whatever is out there in the universe for this opportunity.
He's about to express his gratitude right now, as your hand taps his, your cold skin against his.
When Jeno turns, he's immensely surprised when you have your scarf and beanie in your hands, reaching them out to him.
He doesn't respond, simply freezing and staring at the items with wide, almost puppy-like eyes.
Chuckling, you decide to put them on him yourself, placing the scarf down to start with the beanie. You reach up to slip it over his head, making sure to cover his ears nice and snugly. Your fingers unintentionally skim over the skin of his cheek, but neither of you comment on it, neither of you mind it, really.
"Warm?" You question quietly, grinning when he nods. A small curl appears on the corners of his lips, as he starts to grin as well.
Next, you take the scarf from your lap, raising it to wrap it around his neck. Jeno instinctively leans down to help make the task easier, feeling not only his neck warm when the scarf is wrapped, but his cheeks and heart as well.
Lee Jeno is blushing, you could blame it on how cold it was, but god knows the truth.
"There, all better."
Jeno basks in the warmth of the items you had placed on him, smiling fondly. "Thank you."
"No need, when you gave me your jacket. Thank you for that."
You're incredibly adorable. Wrapped up in his leather jacket, hands rubbing together, a shy smile on your lips.
Lee Jeno wants to kiss you. Again. For real, fully sober with nobody around to record and shove in people's faces the next day, nobody to whistle out and hoot at the interaction, no disruptions at all.
Jeno finds his hands suddenly unwrapping your soft, warm scarf from his neck, holding each end tightly, before he loops it behind your head.
What's he doing? You both have no idea.
A moment later, however, you are fully aware of his lips inching towards yours. His breath hits your lips, as he tugs your neck closer by the scarf, and suddenly all you can see, is Jeno. The red tip of his nose, his hazy, but fully beaming eyes as he stares at your lips, and his lips brushing against yours. His breath is warm, so incredibly warm, the warmest thing you've felt tonight.
And suddenly, your eyes are shut, as you make a move and press your lips together.
Jeno's hands release the scarf, as one of his arms wraps around your waist, pulling you closer, the other slipping to hold your neck gently. His warm hands leave a trail of goosebumps on your skin, as you tilt your head to deepen the kiss, your own hands holding dearly at his cheeks.
When you pull away, you share warm breaths, finding it comforting in the middle of the cold night.
"What was that for?" You mumble against his lips, laughing lightly.
Jeno shrugs, "It's one of my top 10 ways to warm up. It's cold. Figured I might try the top method."
"Kissing someone?"
"Kissing you,"
He bumps his nose against yours, as he chuckles along with you. "Seems like it worked,"
"If I'm not mistaken, Jeno," You tap at his cheek, stroking his skin. "I'd say that's just an excuse, and the real reason is because you like me,"
"What makes you assume that?"
"Maybe because it's my reason too?"
He grins at your words. "Okay then," Jeno's thumb streaks across your neck, warming it up, along with your heart, with every moment spent near him. "Yeah, I like you."
#lee jeno imagines#nct imagines#nct dream imagines#kflixnet#knet bakery#k radio!#nct writers#neoturtles#lee jeno#lee jeno x reader#lee jeno scenarios#lee jeno fuff#lee jeno drabbles#lee jeno blurbs#nct x reader#nct scenarios#nct fluff#nct drabbles#nct blurbs#nct dream#nct dream x reader#nct dream scenarios#nct dream fluff#nct dream drabbles#nct dream blurbs
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I’ll hold you until you tell me to stop
pairing: bf!seungcheol x self-insert/OC (uses she/her pronouns) + established relationship
genre: angst, fluff, slice-of-life // warnings: mentions of death, dealing with loss, grieving, and a funeral
This is NOT edited & switches in between all types of POVs....
summary: dealing with a loss of a loved one is never easy & Seungcheol knows that but he will his best to help you get through it
word count: ~1.9k
note: as always, this is yet another self-indulgent fic & I hope that anyone who has or is dealing with a loss of loved one that you take care of yourself. I also offer my condolences to all those families who have lost their loved ones in the recent shooting.
a gentle reminder to you who is reading this. I appreciate you and whenever the days start to get cloudy and dark, the sun is still shining behind those clouds.
I send the strength to get through those days. Thank you for existing. And please don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help if you need it. It’s hard but the best and better days for you are still waiting to be lived through.
The day when I found out that my cousin (in-law?) had passed, I was out dog-sitting with one of my sisters. We had no clue what and how it happened. Other than my oldest sister sending a link to a fundraising page for his funeral services and all.
Just a few weeks ago, my feed and stories was filled with photos of my cousin’s wedding. While I wasn’t close to my cousin due to age difference and location, it was a big surprise to hear of his passing. This cousin who passed married into the family hence why I say cousin in-law. We’ll give him the nickname Angel and my cousin’s nickname Darling.
When I found out, I didn’t have too much of a reaction. I don’t think I truly processed the news and went on about my day. To think that it wouldn’t hit me hard was naive. Because a few days after, I came across Angel’s sister’s post for him on Instagram. It hit me like a truck. I don’t want to take away any of the attention from Angel’s family, but it struck a chord for me by coming across the post. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if I lost any of my siblings.
They are a group of my favorite people in the world despite their flaws and how annoying they can be. Nothing can replace how much they mean to me. So I suppose I put myself in Angel’s sister’s place and it broke me. There was nothing but full on non-stop tears coming out of me. I could only imagine how much pain and loss she must be feeling.
I sobbed for a good 15 minutes while I was working. Yes, I know, I’m technically supposed to be on focus mode as I work but I couldn’t help it. It was a slow day ish work day for me. There was a lot going on. Anyhow, I didn’t think too much about this until the day of the funeral.
Sleeping late was not a good choice as I had to wake up earlier to get to the start of the service on time. Nonetheless, I don’t think even if I got enough sleep, it could have prepared me for how much I was going to bawl my eyes out.
On the way to the funeral home, with Cheol driving, I was staring off into space. Not quite thinking of anything but also these thoughts weren’t nothing either. He’d ask if I was okay and I couldn’t respond verbally so I nodded. He can’t remember the last time that he’s seen me like this.
Cheol knew that there wasn’t a point if he kept pushing forward because it’d lead to nothing new for him. So he let the silence fill the air and continues driving. When we arrive, we quietly greet my sisters and take our seats in the far back.
Not long after taking our seats, the service starts. Listening to the pastor and then speeches from Angel’s loved ones. That’s when the waterworks start to turn on along with sniffles. Seungcheol takes notice and brings my head so that it’s laying on his shoulder. Rubbing my shoulders too. He had a feeling that it would not be the last time he’d be doing this today.
Not to sound like he was complaining or anything. Cheol didn’t mind it, he knew how tough it would be. I didn’t know Angel enough but the times that I met him, his face was always smiley. As a friend said today, his smile took up half of his face and maybe that’s what made it so contagious. So you couldn’t help but smile back.
If I could describe it, it reminds me of a child’s smile. In addition to that, the times I’ve met him, he was kind and easy-going. Even though, looks can be deceiving, his smiles never felt disingenuous. Anyhow, hearing these speeches it paints a bigger picture as to who he was and all the love & joy Angel brought to those around him.
The love that they had for Angel was so heartfelt but so was the anguish laced in their voices. How funny and cruel it is that the last time they gave Angel a little speech about him was at his wedding. The things we do to celebrate and commemorate our loved ones mirror each other in ways I sometimes wish they didn’t.
After hearing and saying some prayers to Angel as he flies back home, it came down to the time for us to bid our final goodbye. Walking down to see him one last time, with Cheol holding my hand, once again brought tears to my eyes. Exiting the funeral home and trying my best to take deep breaths to control my breathing. It was hard. I eventually got the hang of it but seeing Angel there felt surreal. Maybe not surreal? Maybe as a gentle reminder that this is all indeed real, which I’m not too sure I wanted to be.
Time passed by and before we knew it, it was time to make our way back to our cars to drive to the burial service. Returning to the car, Cheol handed me a tissue and silence took over the sound in the car again. You’d catch him a couple times stealing glances at you. Quietly but surely finding out what to say or do next for you. Making sure that you felt comforted and not alone during this time.
In the meanwhile, he’d let you hash it out on your own first. Plus he knew that he’d able to bring you extra comfort at home, out of the public eye. Cheol and you were both the type of people to keep most of your love life under wraps. It just makes the things more special and meaningful.
Arriving at the cemetery, the service continued forward with additional prayers led by the pastor. As the service continues and comes to a close, Cheol’s shirt has become your personal tissue — minus the blowing of your nose part. He’s still rubbing your back and holding you close as you cry.
After dropping in the rose & watching the dirt fill what was once an empty hole now accompanied by Angel’s casket, concluded the service. It seems like I was just unaware of where the rest of my sisters were until my brother in-law pulled us to be with them.
Going to them and one of my older sisters held me as I cried more. It got somewhat bad to the point where my cries started to make noise. And now instead of only one of my older sisters consoling me, it was two of them. One of them still holding me and the other rubbing my back & telling me it was okay.
Throughout the entire service, my cries weren’t that bad but perhaps the concluding moments were the hardest for me. I had placed one of my hands over my mouth to muffle the sounds. I felt embarrassed but I couldn’t help it. They weren’t terribly loud but it sure felt like it.
My brother in-law ended up getting me a tissue as per request from my oldest sister. Cheol was talking to my sisters and cousins in the mean time. Just as he was doing in the car, he’d steal a look or two at you to check up on you. But knowing that you were in your sisters presence and arms put him at ease.
The time passes by some more & we say our goodbyes to my cousins and sisters. On the drive home, Cheol decides play to some light music. The volume is on low and he does in hopes of lifting up your spirits.
Once y’all are home, y’all change and wash the clothes. You don one of his hoodies and shorts while he changed into sweats and a sleeveless shirt.
He’s not completely sure on what your next steps are since the service is over, he can still tell that it’s on your mind. However, Cheol doesn’t have to worry anymore because you softly ask him to hug you.
And so that is exactly what he does. He hugs and hold you firmly. Whispering if you’d like to move to the couch to cuddle and you whisper a yes. And to the couch y’all cuddle.
Somehow you two fall asleep… Well okay, you fell asleep first and Cheol couldn’t move because you were asleep, but he too was tired from today. It was a lot, even if he also didn’t know Angel that well.
When you woke up, you took notice of his arms still being around you. Knowing that made you feel safe. You ended up staring at him with a lovestruck gaze and his kiss to your forehead brings you out of it.
“My love, your staring is a little too loud”, only for you to smack him and pouting.
“Okay, I’ll just look at other people then” said with a lighthearted tone. Now it was his turn to pout and sulk. “I’m joking baby! You know I only have heart eyes for you.” Kissing him on the cheek.
“Anyways, my love. I hope you know that I’ll hold you until you tell me to stop.” He stated while holding eye contact with you. These words ,(it’s a sentence I know but bare with me), of comfort made you soft. Laying your head back down to his chest & snuggling into it as if you were cat.
Whispering back to him “I appreciate you and love you so much more than you know”.
True to his words, he didn’t let go of you until you told him to. As the hours passed by, y’all did some small activities and chores around the house. One of those activities included playing SEVENTEEN’s new album and dancing along to it.
Dancing to it in the kitchen as he tried to teach you the HOT point choreo, before he decided that life is too short to take things seriously all of the time. And so the dance party was filled with free style dance moves. Besides there technically isn’t a wrong way to dance.
If there’s one thing you’ve learned about SEVENTEEN as a group, they continue to always bring a new type of music onto the table with each comeback. It never fails to amaze you.
Anyhow, a goodnight kiss is given before y’all fall asleep. However, the thoughts between you two didn’t quite stop yet.
Seungcheol took a mental note to be on the lookout for your moods and mannerisms. As I tend to sometimes think about what has recently happened and cry about it. While he knew it was okay that you cried and let out your emotions, he didn’t want you to fall down a rabbit hole of questions.
He’ll save you or you’ll save yourself but sometimes it gets hard.
Anyways, Seungcheol’s hugs and presence gives you a special type of comfort. It would never be comparable or the same to my sisters but it came in pretty damn close.
I’ll be forever thankful for all that Seungcheol has done & will do. Especially during tough times like these.
Thank you for reading this.
I debated if I should I guess publicly publish this but hopefully this maybe help anyone who might be going through losing a loved one as well. Plus I suppose this how I’m trying to cope.
To my cousin, Angel, rest in peace & I hope that you have found not only the answer(s) you were looking for but also a peace of mind. We already miss you so much and love you so much.
Please take care of yourself and thank you again for existing.
signing off with love
- ash
#k radio!#kflixnet#klibrary#ficscafe#underworldnet#seungcheol x reader#seungcheol x OC#Seventeen imagine#seventeen imagine#seventeen#seventeen s.coups#s.coups x reader#s.coups x y/n#seungcheol angst#seungcheol fluff#seventeen fluff
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Y.JW — CRUSHING on you !!
╰┈➤ pairing: nonidol!Jungwon x gn!reader
➤ wc+genre: .04k words of tooth rotting fluff
➤ warnings: not proof read, may be unrealistic
➤ a/n: I cannot stop writing for Jungwon. 
perm taglist [OPEN]: @gloomysunny @candidupped @illiterateliz @jiwlys @soobin-chois @acciomylove @ja4hyvn @vantxx95 @sbnchaos @yizhoutv @nikisgirlfriend
ꕥ listens to love songs thinking of you .. it's disgustingly romantic but he loves it. Does this a ton, especially before you guys became friends. Probably has an entire playlist dedicated to songs describing what he wants to have with you, or songs that remind him of you in general. Probably titled "hide from Ni-Ki" in all honesty.. listens to it on the way to school and let's his imagination run wild. He's thought of every possible trope, e2l, s2l, best friends 2 lovers, one bed, it's all been thought of to the sound of this playlist.
ꕥ stares at you in class .. every year he walks into a classroom wishing for 3 things. One, a good teacher. Two, that you're in his longest class. Three, that if you're in any of his classes he has a good angle. Not in a creepy way obviously, he just can't help it. We all have had that one good looking person in our class that we couldn't see properly because the seating was simply not working with you </3 He just fully embraces to his love for you everytime he finishes his independent work early and gets to steal glances at you still struggling. Unless you glance back at him. He'll practically snap his head in the other direction, filling his thoughts about how great the weather was today even if it was raining that day as he tried to stop the red hues threatening to expose him. Once he was sure the coast was clear
ꕥ Pays attention to you .. obviously. I'd say he'd be the kind of person to leave a snack you said you liked at your desk. The type to ask one of your mutual friends to check on you the days you look tired. The kind of person to ask the teacher for more time on an assignment when he sees you're still working and you're too embarrassed to ask yourself — even if he finished 10 minutes ago. Probably zones out looking in your direction. He's also noticed how you act more nervous around him, but it couldn't be because you reciprocated his feelings, right?
#enhypen writers#kflixnet#ficscafe#k radio!#enhypen network#new format for headcanons idk if it looks good on desktop 😟😟#enhypen#enhypen jungwon#jungwon#reblog !!#enhypen jake#enhypen reactions#enhypen smau#enhypen sunghoon#enhypen social media au#enhypen social au#enhypen fanfiction#kim sunoo#jungwon fluff#ni ki#yang jungwon#jungwon enhypen#jungwon fanfic#enhypen heeseung#enhypen jay#enhypen niki#jake enhypen#jungwon angst#park sunghoon
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best friend
# starring: pining best friend!jeon jungkook, f!reader
# word count: 3K
# content: angst? deep pining, texts not screenshots, songfic, lyrics bleed into the story.
# summary: after a long time of hiding his feelings for you, something in jungkook seems to change, but what will you do about it?
# warnings: drunk behavior, bad decisions, swearing, a wet jungkook.
# a/n: (man i had to repost this due to many mistakes) uhhh so this is actually from this jungkook fic i started to write a while ago, i even have like half a playlist and a few drafted chapters. this might be a teaser, if it gets enough attention for me to start working on it again. also, the mentioned brother is Choi Yeonjun. this was originally written with an OC but here it's Choi Y/N lol. hope you enjoy!
Jungkook can’t help but think that he should’ve stayed at home, instead of being here, surrounded by all of his closest friends and still feeling so down, so alone. He checks his phone for the nth time as if his best friend’s name would suddenly pop up, even though he knows for sure that will not be the case.
You’ve been spending your day today with your dearest Jihyun. Fuck does Jungkook hate himself for setting the two of you up in the first place. Why did he ever even think of it as a good idea? In his search for someone to date you, he should’ve looked for someone with bad looks that wouldn’t look good next to you.
How and why didn’t he notice his feelings for you before that? He could've made you his, but no… guess it wasn’t meant to be. He wasn’t made for you.
Y/N: Jungkookie!! Happy birthday <33
and you weren’t made for him.
Though it somehow seemed easy. Once Jungkook found out how he felt for you, he thought all he had to do was confess and ‘claim his spot’ to be your boyfriend. He was very wrong.
As soon as he sees the message the person he cares for the most in the world sent, he tries to suppress the grin on his face and the fluttering of his chest, too.
JK: Thanks!! :D
JK: How’s the romantic evening going??
While he waits for a response from you, he takes a glance at the place surrounding him. The party his hyungs threw to celebrate another year of his life. It seems everyone is having a good time, enough for the birthday boy’s sour mood to go unnoticed.
Soon, his phone buzzes once more and it reads you’ve sent him a file, which he’s already betting won’t make him happy.
And indeed it does not, because not only is your pretentious, good-looking, asshole of a boyfriend in the frame, but also, you’re not even in it. What a waste of pixels. Right after the image, you send a few more messages.
Y/N: Great!!! He told me that to make up for being so absent because of practice, we’ll spend the rest of our night watching a ton of movies.
Y/N: This guy is truly wonderful. He brightens my day like no one else does <3<3<3
Well, damn. If he was sulking before, now there’s a black cloud with thunder and lightning on top of Jungkook’s head.
He rolls his eyes. Now, usually he has no problem with playing the role of the best friend, he’s got tons of experience. It’s something he’s been doing for most of his life –though he surely didn’t use to pretend before, because he didn’t have a need to–, but this is just not the same. Now there’s this guy stealing the spotlight that your attention is. And Jungkook most definitely still wants to be your favorite boy.
JK: Wow, that’s just great!! I really hope you also make up to me for your absence today.
He’s definitely being petty, and not proud about it. Thankfully, you don’t make him wait long for your reply, so he can’t even stop to think and wish to be the one who makes your days.
Y/N: Ah, Jungkookie… I really am very sorry about not being able to make it to your party tonight.
Y/N: It’s just been so many weeks went by without seeing my boyfriend, I think I started to hallucinate!
Jungkook sighs, typing into the screen after staring at it for many seconds.
JK: I’ve been gone for long on various occasions, too!
JK: Do you think of me too as you lie awake?
This time, Jungkook knows your reply will make itself be awaited for a while, so he decides to stand back up to fix himself one more drink, just to sit back again. Halfway through his plastic cup, there’s a buzz from his phone.
Y/N: That’s different, you dummy!!
JK: *Sigh*
JK: I can’t wait to be your number one again.
Y/N: Jungkook, did you seriously just type a verb between asterisks? Lmao, what is this, roleplay?
Y/N: Is this a throwback to 2013?
JK: Your ability to change subjects amazes me.
JK: I’m your number one fan, Y/N.
Y/N: And I’m yours, JK.
Please don’t judge Jungkook, don’t misunderstand him, either. You’re the most special person in his life, way beyond just being his best friend. And he’s well aware of your relationship with Jihyun and, if you’re happy with him, and seeing him only once a month –if lucky–, then there’s not much for Jungkook to do. He’s not gonna stand in the way of that happiness.
And he might be in love, but it’s not like Jungkook can offer you anything better than what your boyfriend can. You’re not famous, and if being with Jihyun and his ‘backup dancer for JYP’ schedule is difficult, Jungkook can only imagine how much worse it could be with his idol schedule.
Especially if you consider it’s 2018 and his career is taking off like he never imagined it could. Also, it’s nice to remember the fact that you’re his best friend.and have always been.
Jungkook loves you so much, he wants to break your heart and make you cry, with all the love this world holds. He thought he could continue to wait.
But suddenly, it was too late. Yugyeom called a while ago, he told Jungkook that after many months dating, goddamn Jihyun hyung was planning to make things with you fully official. Throwing in the possibility of moving in together and that sort of shit.
And Jungkook was on his own shit now. He had so many things to occupy his head with aside from the fact that Jihyun was doing things with you that Jungkook could now only dream of doing.
Yes, it’s wrong and he knows it, and his own members tell him that always. But Jungkook can’t do much about it, besides suffering and pining. It was exactly that thought what made him drink a little more than he should.
And do something he would probably regret for the rest of his dreadful existence.
After maybe an hour and a half, Jungkook decided it would be a good idea to walk out to the balcony the place had and he went for his phone, pressing the icon for the phone call’s app.
He searches for your name among his contacts and with the last of his alcohol soaked neurons and the wrongful thought that this was a good idea, he taps the little green phone, waiting for the ringing to start.
“... Jihyun, wait.” He hears you mumble, distantly, “Hello? Jungkook, are you okay?”
Ah, there it was, your beautiful voice. Better than any angel’s.
“I‘m great, yeah” he manages to reply, with feigned calmness.
“You sure, Jungkookie? You don’t sound very well”.
“Let me tell you how it feels to be fucking great. I feel great, really”.
“Uhm, I’m not following– I don’t understand.” Me neither, Y/N. Jungkook thinks he’s only vomiting words.
“You need to be yourself Y/N. And love someone for loving you instead of someone really cool that makes your heart melt: you need someone who understands how you truly feel.”
“Jungkook–”
“You’re still my favorite girl. Even if you missed my birthday party.”
“Is that what this is about? Because I already told you I’m sorry, but it’s not even your actual birthday, yet– just a party because you’ll be on tour for your actual birthday. And I already said that I would make it up to you, okay?”
“That’s not what this is about,” Jungkook grunts, feeling his grip on his phone tightening, “ I hope you trust me and believe me when I tell you there’s no one else more beautiful in this damn world, than you”.
“Thanks? Look, Jungkook… Jihyun’s waiting for me, and–”
“Ah, that’s right. That hyung is… he’s something else. Is he your best friend now?” Jungkook hears you softly mutter under your breath ‘my what?’, but he doesn’t allow you to speak any further.
“Yeah, I mean, he must have taken the spot, if we consider the fact that you and I are not best friends anymore, haven’t been for a while.”
“We’re not?”
“No, Y/N, we’re not. Things have changed a lot and it seems you’re the oblivious one. Probably the only person who hasn’t noticed any of those changes.”
“That damn word… so, what? You’re finally telling me why even my own brother’s been calling me that for months on end, now?”
“Hmm, you’re gonna want to be my best friend, baby.”
“Baby? Jungkook, can we speak seriously for a moment? You’re pissing me off.” You sigh, tired of his behavior.
“How much did you drink tonight?”
“I’m rich, I’m famous, more than your dear little Jihyun could ever hope for and every day I wake up hotter than before. Everyone wants to be my best friend and you won’t be the exception.”
“Jungkook, I’m not asking again. For Christ’s sake just tell me, how much did you drink tonight?” when Jungkook only chuckles humorlessly, you decide it’s enough, “Y’know what? Forget it. I’m driving there to pick you up.”
“I say that I’m happy. I always say that I’m happy but no, no, no, no,” Jungkook’s voice sounds rough, and he seems to spiral in his own thoughts even as he speaks, “I haven’t been happy in a long time, and it’s all because of you, Choi Y/N. It’s all your fault.”
“Jungkook, wait. Jihyun’s leaving my place and I’m goint to pick you up, okay? I’m not far from where you are.”
“I know, I asked my hyungs to rent this place so you could come, because it’s not a long drive and it’s not one of those pretentious places you say only idols wish to attend to, so I thought it’d be perfect– everything was going to be perfect, but we had to ruin it… bye, Y/N.”
As Jungkook takes his phone away from his ear, he still listens to you exclaim something about –probably– not hanging up. He still taps the small red phone on the screen.
As the screen changes and shows him your contact info, he sees the picture he’s put to identify you, it’s you both together, he just feels so much.
So much love for you, so much pain from all his endless pining; a part of him knows deep down people were right, he should’ve just confessed, if not to be with you, at least to lift the weight from his shoulders and his heart, but he was so scared, and now he had gotten to this point, where the turmoil of feelings he had been dealing with now was flooding him with a need to yell and cry, he was just so afraid.
He can’t handle it, so he just does the first thing that comes to his mind, and Jungkook throws his phone into the air with all of the strenght he can gather.
He remains for what seems to be hours staring at the buildings and streets ahead. The small cars circulating and the even smaller people walking from here to there. It’s already late, but there’s nothing quite like Seoul’s nightlife. Always moving, always lit up, yet Jungkook’s spent the brightest months of his life and career, darkening.
“Jungkook! Come on, I’m driving you home,” you say, as soon as you get there. Jungkook only registers a femenine voice and an arm pulling him.
“Y/N, you made it!” Jungkook takes your silhouette in as you drag him back inside the party just to leave again. You’re wearing some baggy gray sweatpants that he knows you wear a lot to just be home, and an also baggy hoodie that’s oversized on you, which actually, used to be his.
Your hair looks a little messy, but he still likes it, you just look so homey, he wants to hide in your arms and maybe sleep, or sob, or kiss your cheeks, maybe all of those in no particular order.
“--you heard me? Jesus, you reek of alcohol, let’s just go home,” you take Jungkook’s wrist, dragging him out of the party, “ah, before I forget, hand me your phone so you won’t pull anymore of this dumb stunts of yours.”
“Yeah… that’s not gonna happen,” Jungkook answers and your head immediately whips to glare at him, “don’t think it’s something personal, it’s just I may have thrown it into space after hanging up on you.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Jungkook shakes his head no “What the hell were you thinking you big–”
You sigh loudly, “you know what? Forget it. Let’s just leave and pray no crazy person finds it and won’t get to use it because it’s beyond repair.”
Jungkook allows you to finally drag him all the way to the exit. His hyungs and friends are all talking and dancing, but none of them sees him, or you.
On the elevator, you’re both quiet and you still hold his wrist, like he’s a small child. You even open the door for him once you’re both next to your car and Jungkook still says nothing, hurrying to put his seatbelt on.
“So, are you finally telling me what was all of that about?” You say just as the building you were both in is out of sight.
“I still wanna be your favorite boy. And I think you should drop that hyung.”
You turn to look at him briefly before turning your gaze back to the road, “Jungkook, I just don’t get what you’re talking about. You’re special to me, you’re important in my life.”
“No, Y/N, I wanna be the one that makes your day, the one you daydream about, the reason behind your pretty smile.”
“Jungkook…” you speed a little, without even sparing him a glance, and he aches inside.
“No, no. I’m dying to be your number one, I mean it. I can’t stop thinking of this world where you’re my biggest fan and I’m yours; where just like there’s no one better than you in my eyes, you feel the same.”
He’s not surprised when you stay quiet. In fact, you say nothing at all in the next six minutes you spend driving back to your place. Note that it was six minutes because of the speed you were driving at, which was a risk to his physical integrity, as well as yours.
“We’re home. Take your shoes off when you walk in and go take a shower, I’ll make some coffee for us.”
Jungkook sighs, simply following your order. Why won’t you listen to him? Are you in some sort of denial phase, or maybe you’re really just that oblivious? This is too much for his fuzzy, drunk brain.
Jungkook shrugs off his denim jacket, dropping it somewhere on the way to your bathroom. And once he’s in there, he turns the shower on, not worried with the temperature he might get.
“Jungkook, you didn’t close the do– what’s wrong with you?!” you yell, maybe in horror, or maybe in frustration, “Why would you get in the shower with your clothes on?!”
“I want to break your heart Y/N, and make you cry in the same way you make me cry.”
Your bathroom has a sliding glass door, and Jungkook’s forehead is leaning against it, letting the water soak his clothes and make him feel heavy. Your face relaxes, but you still look at him with confusion tinting you, the same way you have been looking at him for the past few months. “God fucking damn, I can’t think straight anymore and it’s all because of you Choi Y/N. I can’t think of anything or anyone who isn’t you.”
“Jungkook?”
“Please, Y/N. Stop asking me to speak with clarity, I can’t get any clearer than this–” he speaks again, knocking softly on your glass door “ –when I tell you I want to be your favorite one, that I want you to look at me the same way I look at you. Okay, Y/N? I don’t know what that pretty head of yours is deducting but I want you to understand I’m telling you I want to be the only one for you.”
You only stare at him, in absolute silence. The only noises come from the water that’s falling on him and your kettle in the kitchen.
Jungkook opens the door and does something he will probably regret for the rest of his miserable life, but also something his mind has been begging for so badly, he’s dreamt of it.
He can’t be bothered with turning the shower off, when he reaches for your wrist and pulls you closer to him. He presses his right hand against your cheek and his lips against yours. You gasp and he takes advantage of it by pulling you even closer.
He starts to move his lips and Jungkook swears he ascends to heaven when you kiss him back. The kiss might not even be intense like one of those you might see in American TV, but he feels his knees weak and warmth all over his body.
Your arms go to his shoulders and when your hands go for his hair, Jungkook could swear magic’s real and it’s produced by your lips, because he just likes you so much and it drives him crazy how he feels, he could laugh, and cry, scream and sing. All at the same time, just because of you.
He parts from your hold sooner than he’d like, but then again, kissing you for the rest of eternity might come a little too short for Jungkook. He rests his forehead against yours, and your hands go from his nape to his shoulders, and from his shoulders to his forearms. Both of you breathe agitatedly and Jungkook can hear his heartbeat so loud it must be bluetooth paired to a speaker, or maybe five.
“Let me be the only guy for you” he kisses you again, softly, barely the ghost of a touch, “I might just be the one.
🌿 reblogs are greatly appreciated!!
#k radio!#kflixnet#jungkook x you#jungkook x reader#jungkook imagines#jeon jungkook x reader#songfic#best friend au#bts x y/n#bts x female reader#bts#bts jungkook#jeon jungkook x you#koroktsuya
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Merry Bad Ending ! park sunghoon
hi! so this is my entry for @jungwonize and @chiyuv’s “Withering Blissfully” Collab! i hope you enjoy and please do not read this without someone or something to hug ahah- also big thanks to @alohajun for beta reading this <3
PAIRING ▸ goody-two-shoes!sunghoon x delinquent!reader
GENRE ▸ enemies to lovers, fluff to angst, coming of age, inspired by The Outsiders by S.E Hinton
SUMMARY ▸ in 1980s seoul, park sunghoon’s life gets tangled with l/n y/n, his schools top delinquent. he doesn’t like her and swears to never get close to her, but when he ends up breaking that vow and befriends her, tragedy strikes. but of course, he should’ve known. because nothing good comes out of something rotten.
WORDCOUNT ▸ 5905 (i’m so sorry)
DISCLAIMERS ▸ major character death, swearing, violence, mentions of knives, tasers, crowbars, blood and fighting. juvenile delinquency, mentions of murder (poison), somewhat unlikeable characters, eat the rich
TAGS ▸ @soobin-chois @yyunari @ethereal-engene @enhacolor @liliansun
“L/N Y/N, late again!” The teacher's shrieking voice took over the classroom.
Seventeen-year-old L/N Y/N stood at the door, rolling her eyes at the woman as she unwrapped a lollipop and stuck it in her mouth. “So? At least I’m here.”
The teacher almost swore. It was written all over her face. Y/N nonchalantly waltzed over to the empty desk at the back of the classroom. The students all watched her with hatred sketched into their features.
No one around here liked L/N Y/N, and she didn’t like anyone either. She was a delinquent, going around and wreaking havoc. Picking fights with street gangs and adults alike.
Some said it was a pity, having her above average looks ruined by the scars and bruises her body gained from getting tangled up in fights. Most girls would curse her for having those looks but letting them all go to waste.
When the teacher did nothing but glare at her, the girl put her legs up on the desk and smirked. “What’re y’a gonna do, old lady?”
“L/N Y/N!” She was now trembling. Face red and lips quivering with rage.
“That’s my name, yes. But call me Black Widow, that’s what they call me in the streets. Cool, ain’t it?”
“Enough!” The woman yelled, slamming her fists onto the stand in front of her. “Get out of my classroom immediately!”
Y/N rolled her eyes, moving the lollipop to the other side of her mouth. “I’m already here, old hag, so just continue the lesson already. Geez.”
And suddenly, someone stood up. “Ms. Lee asked you to leave.”
It was Park Sunghoon. The model student, child of a famous politician. He was smart, rich, nice, and respectful. Y/N knew who he was, but she didn’t pay any mind to the nerd who was the teachers’ pet.
“Do you ever get tired of acting like a prim and proper little good-for-nothing nerd, Park?” At that, it was like a pin dropped. Everyone froze like the ice age suddenly hit the classroom. “I mean come on, you can’t expect to always be the old geezers’ little toy.”
Sunghoon’s hands formed into fists at his side. He bit his bottom lip, glaring at the girl across the room who looked amused.
And without a word, Y/N kicked her feet off the table and hopped out of the classroom, humming peacefully at the commotion she’d just caused.
—
Sunghoon went home annoyed that day. When his driver came to pick him up as per usual, the boy sat quietly in the back instead of starting up a small conversation with the man in front of the wheel.
When he got home, the first thing on his mind was to see his father. Luckily for him, the man had made time to see him in his office after his son had made the request.
“Sit, son.” Mr. Park watched attentively as Sunghoon dropped into the chair in front of him.
“Do you know L/N Y/N?”
At the unexpected question, the man straightened in his seat. “Why?”
“Isn't it obvious? How in the hell is that girl still not expelled from the school? She can’t be someone important, can she?”
Sunghoon’s lips parted slightly, seeing his father sigh deeply. “She’s the daughter of L/N D/N.”
The boy’s eyes widened at the name. Y/n? The daughter of one of the richest men in Seoul?
“What? How the hell did I not know?”
“That’s because on paper they are strangers, son. When Y/N’s actions started hurting the family name, her father had a few men alter some things and change her identity completely. She was given an apartment and monthly allowance, but other than that, the man who used to be her father remarried, and is living happily with his wife and newborn son. Even though she's still somewhat protected by him, paying the school to keep her under the radar.”
“What about the mother?”
“She died. She was poisoned by the man because he had caught her having an affair with a Japanese diplomat.”
Sunghoon’s mouth was now agape. He couldn’t understand what was happening.
“It’s crazy what money can do, huh?” Mr Park laughed uncomfortably at the thought, rubbing his hand over his face. “Look, son. Don’t bring this up with anyone. That man holds enough power to wipe our names out of society.”
“Y-Yes. Of course, father.”
—
“Shit, you guys just won’t piss off!” Y/N’s voice resonated through the dark back alley as she swung her pocket knife at the stranger.
The man who had attempted to hold her at gunpoint was now knocked out on the ground and blood was leaking from his side. The pistol had been discarded, landing somewhere in between the trash bags stashed further in the alley.
Y/N looked up to catch the eyes of another guy, who seemed terrified. Definitely a newbie. They were members of a popular street gang. They called themselves the Vipers. She spat, shoving her hands into the pockets of her sullied school blazer.
“Tell your leader to leave me the fuck alone. I ain’t got anything to offer to that pathetic man. My business with you Vipers was over the moment you cowards ratted me out to them Jokers.”
And with that, Y/N turned and left. She could hear the newbie run to the other man’s aid. She continued walking to nowhere in particular. It was a Thursday afternoon. She had skipped her classes after lunch. It was probably around three now, seeing as students filled the streets.
She was considering going to Hannam-Dong, with the image of the man who’d abandoned her when she was merely twelve in mind. She didn’t care for how he was doing. She didn’t care if he was happy. And she definitely did not care if he was enjoying his corruption-filled life with his new family.
She just wanted to taunt him a little. Remind him of the past life he led when everything he had was at stake. Maybe she would’ve vandalized his house. Not out of resentment or hatred, but because she thought it would be fun.
Y/N was dragged out of her thoughts when she turned the corner and saw a group of high schoolers beating up someone. There were five of them. As she approached, a crooked smile picked at their lips.
No way, if it isn’t Mr. Perfect Park Sunghoon.
She crossed her arms, amused as he was being kicked around and punched. But when things got too far, AKA the pocket knives and tasers were brought out, she stepped in.
The first punch was to the guy holding a pocket knife. The commotion caused the over four to turn their attention to her.
The boy with the pocket knife recoiled and hit the ground with a loud thud. They all looked at her and grinned maliciously.
—
Sunghoon woke up in an unfamiliar place. An unfamiliar bed. It smelled different. Like cigarettes.
That’s when he panicked. Suddenly sitting up and immediately regretting it. His head was pounding, and he was struggling to open his eyes, let alone breathe.
“Woah, energetic now, aren’t we?”
That voice.
Sunghoon turned to his left and pried open his eyes. There, leaning against the doorframe, was none other than Y/N. The room was dark, but at least the light from outside peeked in.
“What type of nightmare is this?” He mumbled, to which Y/N scoffed.
“Wake up, kid. This ain’t a dream you’re in.”
Holy shit.
“What the-” He looked down to see his hands wrapped up in white bandages. He felt one going around his head and another along his shoulder blade. “Did you attack me or something? What the hell?!”
Y/N almost laughed. It seemed like she was going over to the bed, but stopped midway and walked towards the window instead. “Be grateful, you little brat. I saved you from those delinquents. You would’ve been dead had I not stepped in.”
“Yeah, right, as if you of all people would do such a thing.”
That made the girl turn around. She studied Sunghoon carefully as he swallowed. Y/N turned to look outside. It was night time but Seoul was bright and alive with lights and people’s laughter in the streets. For a moment, it was still. Peaceful, even. But then she directed her gaze to the boy in bed, crossing her arms whilst doing so.
“You know, you’re lucky those were just some high school brats and not an actual gang.” She moved closer to him, eventually making it to the bed. She sat down and fell on her back, sprawling her arms out as she stared at the ceiling.
Sunghoon had nothing to say. Part of him wanted to yell, scream, and even get the hell away from her. But something tugged at his heartstrings when he was suddenly reminded of the conversation he had with his father.
Was it pity that he felt for her? He sure hoped it wasn’t because never in his life would he ever see L/N /Y/N as anything else than a disgusting, troublemaking girl.
“What happened to them?” He suddenly asked, his voice cracking in the process, which made his ears turn red.
“Gave them a good beating.”
Sunghoon scoffed. “There were five of them. No way you actually beat them all.”
“Well, do you see any damn scratches on me? I’m not the one covered in goddamn bandages now, aren't I?“ Y/N suddenly snapped. Sunghoon flinched. He was reminded of who she was and what she was capable of.
“I should go. Home, of course.” He muttered, climbing out of bed and grabbing his stuff.
He called his driver to pick him up and waited in the entrance. Y/n didn’t budge, and he was relieved. Sunghoon went home that night and was immediately greeted by his worried dad.
Seeing the man pacing back and forth in the living room of their estate made him wonder. Does she even have anyone in her life except for herself?
—
Y/N didn’t show up at school for the next week. No one cared. In fact, everyone, including the faculty, was happy.
One person wasn’t, and that was Sunghoon.
He should’ve been over the moon like everyone else. But he wasn’t. Why? He didn’t know. He found himself subconsciously drawing his gaze to the vacant desk at the back of the classroom.
—
A week later, Y/N walked into History class with a bandage on her cheek and cuts fully covering her hands.
That made rumors spread across the school, amongst students from all grades and teachers alike. Even the lunch ladies were giving Y/N the stank eye.
“Hey,” Sunghoon managed to pull her aside at lunch. He was just in time because, judging by the looks of it, you were about to leave.
“Whaddya want, Mr Teachers’ Pet.”
He almost replied with “Do not call me that!” but kept his cool. “What happened to you?”
Y/N looked him dead in the eye. “Suddenly interested in my life now, huh, Mr Perfect?”
Sunghoon frowned, eyebrows furrowing. “Did you get into a fight?”
She scoffed, “Five, actually.” Y/N scanned him up and down, a smirk growing on her face. “Since when does the model student concern himself with the school’s delinquent? Won't that hurt your perfect little reputation, Park? Hm?”
“Stop it.” He glanced at her hands. The wounds were open, blood gushing out every time she moved them. “Come with me.”
He didn’t let her reply before dragging her out of the school and to a nearby convenience store. The girl didn’t resist, which was weird since she was damn well capable of drop kicking the guy if she wanted to.
But instead, she let him clean up the cuts, apply ointment and even bandage her hands up.
“There.” Sunghoon said as he put away the stuff he bought. When he looked back at the girl, he was surprised to see her eyes focusing on him. An unreadable expression painted her face. “What?”
“Why are you, of all people, taking care of my injuries?”
Sunghoon didn’t have an answer to that. He actually wasn’t sure why he did what he did. Was it because Y/N helped him when he got cornered by those guys? Maybe because he felt like he owed her something after that.
“Forget it.” He abruptly stood, about to leave, when she grasped his forearm with a questionable amount of strength. She didn’t look up at him. Instead, her eyes were watching the cars go by in the street.
“Don’t help anyone in this world. Listen, I don't know why you thought it was a good idea to do this, but you filthy privileged rich rats don’t need to help people like me out of pity.”
Sunghoon’s eyes narrowed. “How ungrateful.”
Y/N’s grip loosened enough for the boy to pull away. “I was just trying to help. I guess you’d rather rot all alone.”
If Y/N wanted to say anything, Sunghoon didn’t let her, for he simply walked away.
—
It had been two weeks since Sunghoon last spoke to Y/N. October had rolled around, and the weather was getting chillier by the day. The leaves started changing colors, and the sun was setting a lot sooner than usual.
Sunghoon was out shopping with a few of his friends when he passed by the apartment complex that Y/N lived in. He stopped for a moment, looking up at the building. His friend had nudged him, causing the boy to shake his head and continue on like nothing happened.
It took around two hours before Sunghoon couldn’t take it anymore and announced to his friends that he’d be heading home, using the excuse of having a massive headache to disguise the fact that he was really heading to Y/N’s apartment.
He didn’t know why, but he ran. He ran back to the building he passed by that morning and ran up the numerous flights of stairs. His heart was pounding, but he just assumed it was because of the excessive running.
I’m supposed to stay the hell away from her. I'm supposed to despise her. She’s the school's delinquent. We don’t belong in the same world. We shouldn’t have ever even spoken.
And yet … Here I am.
L/N Y/N, why are you so — intriguing?
There were two knocks on the door. Just as the boy was about to knock a third time, the door opened. Y/N raised a curious brow when she met eyes with the unexpected visitor whose hand was still hovering mid-air.
Neither of them said anything. Sunghoon guessed it was around three seconds, but to him, it felt like an eternity. Like time had stopped.
“So… are you just going to stand there?” Y/N’s voice broke his train of empty thoughts.
“Oh, uh—“ He cleared his throat in a rather awkward manner. “Hi.”
“Hey.” Y/N looked amused at his demeanor and left the door open as she turned on her heels and disappeared into the apartment, leaving the door wide open.
Sunghoon took it as a sign that he was welcome and stepped in, taking off his shoes before following Y/N to the living room. She was sitting on the couch reading some sort of book he didn’t recognize.
“You actually read?” It wasn’t supposed to be condescending. However, the way the words took a specific tone of disbelief and belittlement suggested that the boy thought otherwise.
“You come to my apartment to question my interests, Park Sunghoon?”
“No of course not! I just—”
And that’s when she chuckled. It was quiet, almost inaudible, but he heard it.
“Kidding.” She glanced at him with a taunting expression, which made him burst into silent giggles as well.
It was weird. Sunghoon didn’t feel like this was right. No. This was wrong. He wasn’t supposed to be there. Never in his life was he supposed to be talking to her, let alone ditch his high-class friends to see her. But somehow, his mind and body brought him there.
“What’s that book?” Sunghoon scooted close enough to read the title.
“The Outsiders.” Y/N handed the book over for him to read the blurb at the back.
A small nod indicated he had read it, so she took the novel back from him. “Rich kids like you should read it.”
“What does that imply?” Sunghoon raised a skeptical brow.
“Nothing, really. Just thought you — hey, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Sunghoon had pulled at the collar of Y/N’s t-shirt, exposing a scar that drew across her shoulder blades.
“What …” Sunghoon trailed off, bewildered. He didn’t even realize Y/N’s hands on his arm until he felt the sharp pain of her fingernails digging into his skin. “Ow! What the hell?”
Her eyes were deadly. As cold as ice, and as vicious as venom. She roughly threw his arm away from her, causing the boy to gasp in pain. “Don’t you ever touch me, you hear that?”
“Okay!” He gently rubbed the reddened skin, terrified eyes meeting Y/N’s gaze. His voice was hushed. “I’m sorry… I just saw—”
“Enough. We will not talk about this ever again.”
“But — hey! How did you even get that scar? It can’t be from a street fight because—“
“Fine.” Y/N suddenly stood up. “You want to know what happened? I’ll show your nosey ass what the hell happened. Then you keep your mouth shut. Deal?”
Sunghoon was frozen, processing the words in his head. In the end, he nodded with a gulp.
He didn’t know how long they were walking. He didn’t even recognize the streets they were passing by. It probably took around thirty minutes before they reached an abandoned park. Everything was overgrown, the playground dirty and covered in dirt and sand.
Y/N quietly walked over to one of the swing sets. The boy watched as she grazed her finger along one of the rusted metal posts. The paint was partially chipped off. Then he saw it.
A small symbol engraved on the post. It wasn’t clear what that symbol represented, but it seemed to affect Y/N by the way she was looking at it.
Without a word, she sat down on one of the swings, waiting for Sunghoon to do the same before talking.
“In middle school, this one kid would always find a way to get under my skin. He teased me a lot, sometimes would even push me off the swing or down the slide. He hated me. I hated him.”
Sunghoon studied her closely. Y/N didn’t seem like her usual self. She was focused, choosing her words carefully so as to not make her look weak.
“I just assumed it would stop one day. But I guess not. Didn’t know he had it in him to carry around an actual knife.” She let out a dry laugh, and Sunghoon could only stare at her baffled. “Let’s go. I told you what happened. Now you keep your end of the bargain.”
—
Somehow, Sunghoon found himself around Y/N a lot after that. She didn’t particularly like having him around at first, but she warmed up to him to a certain degree.
But whenever Sunghoon tried to talk to her at school, she would treat him as a stranger or ignore him. This annoyed the boy, but he didn’t say anything about it.
Over time, Y/N had taught Sunghoon how to loosen up a bit. Whatever the hell that meant in her dictionary. On the contrary, Sunghoon forced her to do some of her homework. He didn’t know how the hell he persuaded her to do it, but the look of shock on the teacher's face when she handed in her work was enough for him to want to make her keep doing it.
After school, they went to the convenience store. Sunghoon was waiting for her to finish, but then suddenly, she took off running, grabbing him along with her as they fled the store without paying for their food.
“What the hell Y/N?!” Sunghoon yelled as they ran, glancing back to see a police officer chasing after them. “Wait, why is there a cop behind us?!”
Y/n was laughing, holding on tight to her stolen chips. “The damn clerk called the police as soon as we walked in. I’m guessing they saw me fighting with those stupid middle schoolers a few weeks back and decided to play the safe option.”
Sunghoon was in shock. He was amazed at how his body was still moving. “But that doesn’t mean you were going to cause trouble!”
“Dunno, man. People judge my looks a whole damn lot. It’s probably the bandaids.” She was giggling now, turning her head left and right to find a way to escape. “Left!”
As they rounded the corner, they gained more attention. The pedestrians cleared the way so as to not get hit by the two teenagers. “Listen, Park. Rule number one about sticking with me: If we ever are in trouble, run. And don’t you dare look back, just run!”
Sunghoon stared at her. And for a moment, he swore his heart skipped a beat. She looked so innocent and happy despite literally running away from the police after committing theft. For once, Y/N looked like she was having fun.
The two eventually lost the police officer and headed back to Y/N’s place. As soon as they got in, Y/N kicked off her shoes and threw the snacks, then herself, onto the couch. Sunghoon was still in a state of shock, standing still at the feet of the sofa.
“We could’ve gotten caught! What if we went to jail for that, Y/N?!”
“Oh, chill out, dude. No one goes to jail for stealing a few chip packets at a corner shop.” She rolled her eyes at his overreaction.
“But still I would've gotten in so much trouble, Y/N.” He finally sat down, reluctantly snatching a chocolate bar and taking a big bite out of it.
Y/N sat up and laughed at him, to which he muttered something about stress eating.
“Dude, it’s fine. We didn’t get caught. Besides, it was that damn clerk’s fault for calling the cops on us.”
Sunghoon stopped. It was true. If the worker hadn’t made such assumptions about Y/N, he wondered if things would’ve gone differently. He knows for damn sure that if he was with his other friends, the man wouldn’t have batted an eye at all.
He turned to look at the girl who was engulfing the food. For a second, the boy almost teared up.
L/N Y/N was fearless. She didn’t care what people thought of her. She did what she had to do, even if it meant getting her hands dirty. She wasn’t scared of death, Sunghoon concluded, remembering the time she jumped out the third-floor window at school in freshman year. No, death was something she waved off. She was heartless, mean, and cold.
At least, that’s what everyone else thought.
But Sunghoon knew her better than anyone else, and yet he felt like he knew almost nothing about her. She was funny and smart. Book smart and street smart, she just never showed off the former. She enjoyed reading books about delinquents, sleeping in on Sundays and making fun of crying children.
His body moved on its own. Because the normal Park Sunghoon would never have hugged L/N Y/N. The normal Park Sunghoon that was a model student and perfect son would’ve never kissed someone who was the complete opposite of him.
But Park Sunghoon did. He kissed L/N Y/N.
The both of them felt their faces heat up, bodies stiff as they found themselves in this strange predicament.
When they broke apart, Sunghoon looked anywhere but at her.
“Didn't know you liked to kiss any girl in your field of vision after stealing from a convenience store.” Her words made him laugh, and he was relieved to see that she was smiling, too.
“I’m sorry, I should’ve asked ...” Sunghoon’s arms were still around Y/N’s shoulders, but he didn’t care enough to let go of her just yet.
“So, do I need to ask if I want to kiss you again? Properly, this time.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Of course not.”
—
Sunghoon opened the door of Y/N’s apartment to see her opening a bag of popcorn. It had been around a week since they ungracefully kissed and Sunghoon was starting to wonder if they were dating or not.
After that day, Y/N never bothered to mention it again, which confused the boy. She acted like everything was normal after that.
“Hey, are we dating?”
Her hands stopped moving at those words. “Dating as in, like ... boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“Well, yeah, I don't know what else it could be.”
“I don’t know, are we, Park?”
“I don’t know either. That’s why I’m asking you.”
Y/N stopped. “Do you like me?”
“Of course I do. I didn't kiss you for nothing.”
“Then, I guess we are.”
And that’s how Park Sunghoon’s first love ended up being the person he used to hate the most at school. He didn’t want to admit it, but he fell hard.
—
The following month was pure bliss for Sunghoon. He saw Y/N every day and even slept over at her place a few times a week.
One Saturday afternoon, Sunghoon rolled over to see Y/N peacefully reading a book from some Japanese author. He eyed her carefully.
“I love you.”
Y/N’s hands froze on the page she was about to turn. But after a moment, she continued on like she didn’t hear anything.
“Hey.” Sunghoon tried again. “I love you.”
But when Y/N completely disregarded his attempt, the boy got upset. “Aren’t you going to tell me you love me, too?”
Again, she didn’t answer, nor did she even acknowledge his presence. Sunghoon couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t say a word as he packed up. Part of him wished Y/N stopped him before he walked out of that apartment. But all of him wanted her to say those three words.
She didn’t. And Park Sunghoon walked home that night, furious at his girlfriend.
—
When Y/N tried to talk to him again a few days later, she was completely shut down. She’d even gone over to his place to talk to him, only to be denied two seconds later.
This, in turn, caused her temper to grow worse than before. It’s like she went back to the person she was before meeting Sunghoon, but worse.
Anyone from any gang on the streets she saw, she beat up without a reason. High-schoolers, Vipers, and even Jokers.
This caused a ruckus amongst Seoul’s delinquents and gangsters.
And, so one night, when she’d gone out and gotten herself piss drunk, they decided to make her pay for the damage she’d caused to their gang members.
—
“Hey did you hear? Y/N ended up in the hospital last night. Apparently, she was jumped by over fifteen men.”
“I know! That’s so scary, she kinda deserved it though. It’s her fault for being involved with those scary gangs.”
Sunghoon’s head snapped up, seeing the two girls who had just been talking about Y/N.
“What did you say?” He almost ran over to them, knocking a chair down in the process. The girls were shocked at how concerned he looked, and this caused the whole class to divert their attention to the three of them.
“L/N Y/N is in the hospital. She got attacked by a bunch of men.”
“Yeah! It was all over TV last night.”
Sunghoon’s eyes grew wider than humanly possible. His head started violently shaking as his gaze bounced from the floor, to the fallen chair, back to the two girls and finally, Y/N’s desk.
The boy didn’t know what happened after that. All he knew was that he’d somehow ran across the city to the hospital and demanded for Y/N’s room number in a frantic way.
They weren’t supposed to allow visitors given the state Y/N was in, but after seeing Sunghoon, the doctor let him in.
And there she was, laying in the hospital bed, an oxygen mask attached to her face. The bleeping from the heart monitor rang in his ears. So much so he had to cover them as he walked over to the bed and dropped onto the chair next to it.
“Y/N …”
The door suddenly opened. Sunghoon didn’t need to turn around to know that it was the same doctor from a minute ago.
“How bad is it?”
“Not good, son. Fractured spine, multiple stab wounds to her torso, internal bleeding, and broken arms, legs, fingers and jaw.”
And that’s when he reached his limit. Sunghoon broke down into tears. He’d gotten ahold of Y/N’s freezing cold hand, kissing her palm as he repeatedly apologized.
He apologized for not being good enough to her. He apologized for being such a good-for-nothing nerd who looked down on delinquents. He apologized for getting angry at her. And he apologized for not letting her in when she’d gone over to talk it out with him.
It all happened in a blur. One moment all he could hear was his own voice.The next, the heart monitor went off like crazy. And then somehow, amidst his sobbing and thrashing, the nurses got him out of the room as the doctors tried their best to bring back his girlfriend.
But when the doctor came back outside with a sympathetic expression, Sunghoon’s world stopped.
—
Sunghoon became delusional. He skipped school for god knows how long. He never left his room. He refused to eat or even talk to anyone, except for his dad, who occasionally came in to hold his grieving son.
His heart hurt hearing Sunghoon blame himself for the death of a girl who was wanted all across Seoul. He wished he could’ve told him that, but he had no place to speak on their relationship.
It took around three weeks before Sunghoon stopped crying. There was no funeral that was held in Y/N’s honor. Even if there were, who would’ve even attended it? No one liked her. No one loved L/N Y/N except for Park Sunghoon.
His father had their butlers go over to Y/N’s place and bring her personal belongings. Except, there wasn’t much save for a few books, her uniform and a sweatshirt that Y/N stole from Sunghoon when it was cold outside.
The least expected thing was the doctor who came by. He’d dropped off an envelope.
“It was in the pocket of her jacket. It has your name on it, son, so I thought you might want to have this.”
Sunghoon went straight to his room and opened the envelope. He tried his best to hold back his tears when he saw what was in it, but a few slipped past nonetheless.
It was a letter.
Sunghoon,
Ah shit, I’m terrible at writing things like these. Where am I even supposed to start?
You know what? You better drag your damn butt back here before I actually go insane without you. I didn’t realize how much your absence affected me. So get back here, you little good-for-nothing prim and proper rich kid, before I go there and bring you back by force.
Listen, shit has gone to hell after what happened. I’m going back to my old habits and that’s not a good thing. My head is wanted amongst the criminals of Seoul. Maybe it’s ‘cause I beat all them douche bags for fun. Who cares though? I needed to blow off some steam. They were pretty easy targets, anyway.
I don’t really know what else to say. God damn it, Park, you know I'm not good with these cheesy things. I’m writing this as I’m wearing that stupid sweater of yours because it smells like you.
In fact, your scent is all over this goddamn house. It's driving me nuts knowing you’re not even here. There’s so much food left over cause I accidentally make too much. I got into the habit of cooking for you too, you damn spoiled rich kid.
What I'm trying to say is, come back. Come back and bother me. Come back and yell at me for getting into another fight. Come back and tend to my wounds like you did at that convenience store. Come back and tell me how much of a loser I am for liking The Outsiders so much.
I don’t care whatever the hell you do. Just come back home.
I know you’re pissed at me, but understand that I’m too much of a coward to say those words you wanted me to say. I’m scared, okay? I’m really fucken scared, dude.
I’m sorry I couldn’t say it back to you when you said it so easily to me.
I love you, Park Sunghoon.
I do, trust me when I say I do. You don’t know how much I've been wanting to say that to you.
But I'm scared, okay? I may look all tough and fearless, but I'm actually really fucken scared right now. I'm scared of losing you and I'm scared that you’ll get hurt because of me.
I'm scared, Sunghoon. I really am.
So please just get your little smartass back here and hug me. Kiss me. Tell me you love me again and I'll say it back. I’ll say it a thousand times if that’s what it takes.
I love you, Park Sunghoon.
And if we ever fight again, force those words out of my mouth.
I don’t know how long it’ll take after you get this letter to come back to me. A week? Two weeks? A month maybe?
God, the thought of it taking that long is actually going to kill me. So hurry and come back.
And remember, rule number one: If you are ever in trouble, run. And don’t you dare look back, just run.
From Y/N, to my lifeline.
—
L/N Y/N lived a pretty terrible life. From having her father poison her mother because of an affair to then being abandoned and erased of her identity, it was inevitable she was going to end up like this. Growing up on the streets, she had to fight to survive. She couldn’t trust anyone. And she could never let her guard down. Not even for a split second.
Through her eighteen years in this godforsaken hellhole, she didn’t harbor any love for anyone. Not even herself. She trusted no one except for herself, yet at times, it was hard to do so.
But everything changed when her life got mixed up with that of Park Sunghoon. She began to smile more. She had a reason to keep going. Because someone was there to talk to her. To hang out with her. To trust her. And to love her.
Park Sunghoon was the only thing Y/N loved.
#withering blissfully: the collab#kflixnet#enhypenwriters#ficscafe#k radio!#enhypen#sunghoon enhypen#enhypen sunghoon#park sunghoon#sunghoon#enhypen fanfiction#sunghoon fanfic#sunghoon angst#enhypen angst#angst#kpop fanfic#kpop fanfiction#kpop#enhypen x reader#enhypen x female reader#sunghoon x reader
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