#snowventeen
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Holidate (Snowventeen Collab)
pairing; yoon jeonghan x afab reader
genre; smut, angst, fluff
warnings; fake boyfriend au, artist!jeonghan, stress about lying, unrealized feelings, conflict with family, reader’s parents are in the fic, joshua hong as a best friend, pretty heavy angst, eating and drinking mentioned, protected sex, oral (f receiving), handjob, fingering, light scratching, light breast play
svthub snowventeen collab master list - snowventeen tag list
w/c; 13k and some change
a/n; this will be my last snowventeen fic and for some reason as with most of my holiday fics this one got out of hand with length. I hope you enjoy it. thank you to @junkissed-replies, @duhnova, and @wonwussy for reading/proofreading.
“Why me?” Jeonghan’s brow raises in amusement giving you a full once over while you stand in front of him. He was one of your best friends but he really could be a dick when he wanted to be. “Because for one, you said you aren’t doing anything with your family for the holidays. Two, you are…classically attractive, and three, I need your help.”
When you call him attractive, Jeonghan’s smirk widens dramatically, leaning over the kitchen counter towards you lifting his hand to push your hair behind your ear causing you to take a breath. “You think I’m attractive?” Of course that would be the only part of the entire explanation he would have latched on to. Sighing loudly, you push his hand down causing Jeonghan to laugh and stand at his full height again.
“Will you go with me or not? I’m sure there will be someone there to torture, besides me.” Jeonghan runs his thumb along his bottom lip and gives you another once over lost in thought. A sigh escaping his lips when he nods causing you to smile melting his facade for a brief moment. You watch his face soften, his smile genuine until he clears his throat and glances down to his phone.
“I’m sure it will be fun and then you’ll owe me. I’m not sure how you’ll ever pay me back for this one though.” You sigh loudly at his words, lifting your shoulders in a dramatic shrug causing Jeonghan to laugh while he watches you. “I’ll buy you some paint or cook for you for like a week.” As much as he wanted to hold his over you for longer, Jeonghan couldn’t help the smile on his lips at your ideas of paying him back. They were both so genuine things he would enjoy from you but mostly just knowing that both would include your company.
You watch him nod, his lips pursed in thought causing his face to look somehow even more strikingly handsome. You found yourself more often than not wanting to smack the smug look off his face but you knew you never could. “Tell you what, I’ll keep those in the bank,” Jeonghan points at his head at the mention of the bank, his lips turning up in a smirk causing you to roll your eyes as he continues speaking. “and I’ll let you know what I decide. For now, gorgeous, you can call me boyfriend.” You really were going to regret this.
Your stomach was in knots by the time that you and Jeonghan pulled up outside of your family home. He had been a perfect gentleman and actually helpful most of the trip. Trying to help you stay calm, telling you he would make this easy. “We’ve been friends for years, Y/N. I know you better than you know yourself. I can play your boyfriend without a problem.” Then why was your brain screaming that your family would know you were lying?
This had all been so that you could stop the questions of when you were going to find a boyfriend, when you were going to get married, and most of all so you could stop the “well, you know your eggs are dying each and every day” conversations. For the past few years you were the center of attention for all the wrong reasons so this year you had taken it into your own hands to change the script.
Sliding out of the car, you swallow hard starting to turn towards the trunk of the Uber only to feel Jeonghan take your hand, hearing him tsk at you. “You are going to have to act like my girlfriend too. This is a two way street darling. So, though I don’t know who those people watching from the window are, I think it would be better if I carried in our bags, don’t you agree?”
Your eyes scan the front of the house seeing the face of your cousin, your mother, and one of your aunts watching you like a hawk. A large smile on your mother’s face while her hands gripped at the front of her dress trying to remain calm, you were so much like her. You had been nervous before, now you are terrified, your hands were sweating and Jeonghan could feel you trembling.
“Oh my god, they are gonna know I’m lying.” Jeonghan sighs at your words reaching up to push your hair from your forehead while the Uber driver sets the bags at his feet muttering a simple goodbye before the car pulls out of the driveway. “No they won’t. I won’t let this fail, when have you ever seen me fail anything?”
He had a point, he was good at everything. It was truly disgusting the more you thought about it. You found yourself instinctively leaning into Jeonghan’s hand making him smirk a bit, his own stomach doing flips but he was much better at hiding it. “Mhm, that’s what I thought. So just go with the flow and try to follow my lead. I’ll try to follow yours, okay?”
When you nod, Jeonghan smiles, his eyes glancing towards the window seeing even more people watching the two of you now. “Mm we have quite the audience. Don’t pull away…” You start to ask from what but Jeonghan leans in pressing his lips to yours letting them brush over yours so softly it takes your breath away. Shock sets in only once he pulls back his hand on your cheek covering your reaction from the onlookers, only a look of admiration on his face even as he wants to laugh at your wide eyes. “Couples kiss, you are going to have to get used to that, baby.”
“Oh my god, you’ve never kissed me before.” Jeonghan laughs, his thumb brushing along your cheek for a moment longer before he finally steps away to pick up both bags glancing back to wink at you. “Yeah, well I’ve never had a reason or occasion to kiss you before. Now let’s go in before they come out here. You have to introduce me to your family.”
You were still in shock walking slightly behind Jeonghan while taking the lead, making you bite the bullet and head towards the house. “You keep calling me pet names, you called me baby.” Jeonghan laughs, glancing over to you with a nod, “You are so observant today. I did call you baby because couples also use pet names. I thought it would be strange if we didn’t use them. You can call me anything you want, unless it’s something that would be obviously embarrassing. Y/N, take a deep breath, you look like you are going to pass out.”
His words are deaf in your ears when the front door opens, your mom’s voice cutting through the silence. “Y/N! Hi honey, you didn’t let us know you had landed and that you’d be bringing a guest.” You start to speak but Jeonghan can see how your lips barely seem to move so he takes over leaning to sit down the bags on the first step of the house, a bright smile on his lips when he offers your mother his hand.
“I’m Yoon Jeonghan, I’m afraid much of this is my fault, Mrs. Y/L/N. Y/N wanted to give you all a heads up but I thought it would be more fun if I was more of a surprise, a gift in a way. I know how important she is to you all, she has to be if she’s so important to me.” Your mother’s breath is shallow while she holds Jeonghan’s hand, his charming words cutting through her like a knife.
“Oh…it’s okay Jeonghan. I just, I’m afraid dear that I have only heard your name a few times from my daughter and with how you are speaking about her…” She lets the words trail off hoping that Jeonghan would fill in the blanks while her eyes fall on you, your cheeks burning as others stand in the doorway of the family home.
Jeonghan laughs moving to put his arm around your waist, his fingers pressing into your hip pulling you closer to him. “Again, my fault, I apologize. I hope you won’t hold that against your daughter or me, but if you are thinking that we are together you are correct. We have been for just under a year now.”
The two of you hadn’t discussed details of your dating life, that was hitting you now like a ton of bricks and you were incredibly grateful to Jeonghan for being so composed in coming up with a story on the spot. Glancing up at him you find yourself smiling softly making his throat tighten when his heart beats a bit faster.
Your mother’s voice cuts through you once again but you don’t look away from Jeonghan right away. “Oh! Oh my goodness, Y/N! He’s lovely, I wish you had told me. I don’t understand why you two have kept this so hush hush…”
Jeonghan grins, lifting his hand without thinking to brush over your cheek, making your mom coo out a sound of appreciation at how tender he appears with you even as he speaks. “I guess I just wanted to keep her to myself for a little while. No pressure to be anything but us.” You swallow hard nodding in agreement watching Jeonghan move to pick up the bags again. His eyes finding your mom once again letting her grab your hand pulling you closer to her.
“I’m so happy to see you with someone like this.” You laugh a bit out of nerves until you meet Jeonghan’s eyes and his smile. “I’m happy too, Mom.” Her laugh mirrors yours, her hand holding you tighter while pulling you up the stairs letting Jeonghan follow you both this time. “Okay let me get you both settled then you can introduce Jeonghan to everyone.”
The word ‘everyone’ echoed in your head all the way up the stairs and to your old bedroom where you stood still causing your mom to laugh. “Where is Jeonghan going to stay?” The laugh that escaped her lips caused you to jump slightly surprised only to feel Jeonghan behind you like a reliable rock. “Honey…I am not under any impression that if you two have been dating for around a year that you haven’t shared a room. He can stay with you, I don’t mind, besides we are tight on space. This is easiest.”
Jeonghan’s cheeks were warm this time, he had expected to have his own space away from you at least a night but he smiles at your mother leaning down to kiss the side of your head reassuringly. “This is perfect Mrs. Y/L/N. I’d rather be close to Y/N anyway.” You both watch her smile, a nod of her head when she pushes the door opening showing you the same bedroom you had used since a child. You find yourself happy you had taken down most of the embarrassing posters and changed out the bedding set a few years ago.
“Once you two are settled please come down. We are going to have drinks soon and like I said, you have to introduce your boyfriend to everyone. I know they are literally holding themselves back from climbing the stairs to get a look at him.” Another nervous laugh slips from your lips but you nod, leaning to kiss your mother’s cheek shutting the door with a small creaking sound.
Jeonghan watches you lean your forehead against the wood, his eyes curiously moving along your body while he drops the bags next to the bed and sits on it. “Y/N…she didn’t know. We are doing fine.” Your throat felt like it was closing up but you nod and glance back at Jeonghan furrowing your brows seeing him sitting on your bed. “Oh my god, how are we going to do this? You, sleeping in here, with me.”
A small sigh slips from Jeonghan’s lips, he didn’t see what the big deal was with sharing the bed but clearly it was making you freak out. Standing he glances around the room seeing a thick blanket picking it up showing it to you. “Just provide me with a pillow. I can sleep on the floor.” You felt horrible, the idea of him sleeping on the floor but at the same time it did make you calm down some. It seemed easier than sharing the bed with him.
Nodding you move further into the room while Jeonghan lays the blanket on the bed turning back towards you offering you his hand. “The others won’t be as easy as my mom. She’s easily charmed.” You watch a smirk spread over Jeonghan’s lips when he takes your hand running his thumb along the back of it lifting his brow.
“Well I’m incredibly charming, Y/N. You just keep up with the story in case we get separated. With that said, we probably need a firmer one, we didn’t really talk about that.” He watches you nod while obviously chewing on your cheek. “Okay, dating for just under a year. We’ve been friends for years, which is true. I asked you out for dinner, I’m a gentleman so that makes sense.”
When you roll your eyes Jeonghan laughs fighting the urge to lift his hand to brush over your cheek again. “Well I am, just ask your mom. So dinner, it became two then three dates and finally we just decided to become an item. You like that I paint…” You furrow your brows at Jeonghan’s words tilting your head.
“Yeah I do, so?” His fingers hold your thumb, stroking your skin gently without much thought, a laugh so smooth exiting his mouth it makes you have to hold back a shiver. “I’m just pointing out an easy point of conversation. I like how determined you are, smart, and kind…you were easy to fall in love with.”
Your brows furrow, you swallow hard finding it almost difficult to do so making your next words come out slightly strained. “Well your painting can’t be the only thing I like about you.” Jeonghan grins, raising his brow, lifting his free hand to gesture for you to continue. “Then tell me darling, what else do you love about me.”
The word love makes you pause, your mouth opening and closing one too many times making Jeonghan laugh. “God you are adorable…” When your hand connects with his chest, the smack weak but still getting your point across, Jeonghan continues to laugh, lifting both hands this time in defeat. “I…fine, I love that you are talented, your paintings, you are intelligent, charming, and deep down…and I mean way deep in your twisted little soul you are one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”
It was Jeonghan’s turn to swallow hard, his cheeks burning slightly while he laughed to hide his own feelings. “See, that wasn’t so hard. This will be easy as pie. Even I have to admit looking at us this all makes sense. So…we continue to go with the flow.”
Jeonghan’s words make you take in another shaky breath, something becoming far too common for you recently. His eyes are still moving over your face in thought until you finally nod your head and meet his eyes. “Yeah, it’ll be fine. Let me just freshen up a little bit and we can go downstairs.” Watching you move from him, Jeonghan bites at his bottom lip when you move into the ensuite bathroom. At least you two were lucky enough to have that extra space to yourselves which would make showering easier on this trip without drawing suspicions.
Behind closed doors you take a few steadying breaths looking at yourself in the mirror, the water running into the sink in front of you loud enough that you hoped Jeonghan wouldn’t hear your panicked sighs. You had always been more attracted to Jeonghan than you wanted to admit to yourself much less him, and now you were stuck in the same bedroom with him for close to a week. You knew you had put yourself into this predicament and yet it didn’t seem to help you feel any less panicked about it.
By the time you come out of the bathroom Jeonghan is sitting back on your bed looking at his phone, both bags on the dresser open. “You opened my bag?” Without looking up Jeonghan nods with a sound of acknowledgement. “In case you needed something before we headed down. I was going to look for your toiletries bag but I didn’t wanna overstep. Especially since you packed your lacy things on top.”
Your cheeks burn hotter than you thought they could, a scoff falling from your lips when you move over to your bag digging through things slightly to find your smaller bag taking it out putting it down harder than necessary. “What’s wrong Y/N? I didn’t mess with them. They are pretty, shame no one sees them.”
“Yoon Jeonghan…I said to torture someone besides me while we are here. Oh my god, please stop talking about my underwear and my sex life.” Jeonghan laughs under his breath, moving to stand, finding his way to stand behind you looking over your shoulder into the mirror. “Sorry, you make it too easy sometimes. I’ll be good, promise.”
You meet his eyes in the mirror while Jeonghan lifts his hand offering you his pinky as his promise. Your brows furrow but you lift your hand linking your pinky awkwardly with his not moving to turn around. Jeonghan’s hand slides along your hip, a smirk on his lips briefly until he pulls away with a sigh. “Waiting on you, baby. I’m ready to go meet the family.”
Most of the introductions had gone much like your mother’s until you had reached your cousin Patricia. Her eyes lingered just a little too long on Jeonghan for a woman who was already in a relationship, her smirk too knowing. “It’s just so funny to me that no one knew about you beforehand, Jeonghan. Y/N is really not great at keeping secrets. In fact she’s always been a little too loose-lipped for her own good, ever since we were kids.”
Your eyes fell on her left hand, she had been moving it more than she needed to trying to get you or Jeonghan one to say something about the ridiculously large diamond situated on her ring finger. Jeonghan laughs a bit strained, his fingers pressing into your side while he takes a deep breath into your hair trying to stay calm while dealing with the woman. “Mm, you smell so good.” At his words, your cheeks burn but a smile spreads across your cheeks at how genuine he seems even as you meet his eyes.
Patricia watches the interaction only to roll her eyes at the theatrics and clear her throat. “As I was saying…” Her sentence is cut short when Jeonghan looks back at your cousin with a sickeningly sweet smile on his lips that you had only seen when he was truly irritated. “That I am a well kept secret, Trish…we wanted it that way. I liked having her all to myself. No annoying phone calls from relatives…on either side asking when we’d take the next steps.”
“Mm right, and it’s Patricia. I’d prefer that, if you don’t mind.” Jeonghan just smiles, lowering his head in a small nod that you know meant he would call her Trish a few more times now knowing it bothered her. When Patricia lifts her hand obviously to push her hair behind her shoulder, a laugh slipping from her lips, Jeonghan sighs, noticing you giving her the attention she wanted.
You hadn’t meant to look at the ring again but she was throwing it in your face and the moment she noticed you looking Paticia gasped with such fake surprise you felt sick to your stomach. “Oh, yeah, oh my god Y/N look at this. Liam proposed last week, and I just had to say yes. He really is the most amazing man I’ve ever met in my entire life.”
Jeonghan watches you reluctantly congratulate her, your fingers brushing barely over hers to acknowledge the ring. “You can touch it, it’s 4 carats. Cost him a literal fortune but he said I was worth it and who am I to argue. “ Patricia’s words were starting to grate on Jeonghan’s brain, especially when he watched one of your aunts, assuming it was the woman’s mother approach and start to gush over the engagement to you.
“We are just overjoyed. We seriously expected you to be first Y/N. Your mother has honestly been disappointed every single year dear. Such a shame, but now since you seem to have a dashing young man…maybe he will make an honest woman out of you yet.” That seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back in Jeonghan’s head.
“I already have, or we are well on our way.” Your brows furrow heavily at Jeonghan’s words, the two women in front of you suddenly speechless, their eyes fixated on the man standing at your side. His eyes fall on your confused ones, you watch him smile, a look of confidence on his face. “Sorry baby, I know you wanted to wait but it is the holidays. Besides…I’d rather them all know you are going to be my wife.”
As if his words were a beacon in the room, your mother was at your side within seconds. Her hands grabbing your hands looking for a ring causing your cousin to laugh in disbelief. “She’s, well, she’s not even wearing a ring.” She had a point, you thought to yourself. This hadn’t been the plan, not even in the realm of the plan. This was so far off script that you were also speechless.
Jeonghan however shrugged, a gentle smile on his lips when he met Patricia’s eyes. “We didn’t want to rub our good fortune into the face of others. The holidays are supposed to be about family and coming together. That’s why Y/N wanted to wait but after meeting you all, this felt like the exact right time to let you all know.”
It seemed to be enough to silence your cousin for the time being, Jeonghan watched her take a step back allowing your mother to step in closer to you. Her excitement obviously keeps you and Jeonghan distracted until he feels a firm hand on his shoulder. His eyes find the hand before who it belongs to only for Jeonghan to swallow hard when he meets the eyes of your father.
“Could we have a talk, son?” Your eyes were now on your father and Jeonghan even when your mother told you he would be fine and to just stay with her. “Oh..yeah I know but, uh Daddy, be nice!” Your words barely reach the man’s ears but you hear a gruff sound that lets you know he heard you request. Jeonghan wrings his hands together, his nerves taking over him more than they had the entire night when he finds himself in a corner of the living room away from most of the guests.
“Um, sir…I feel like I should apologize for just springing this on everyone. I should have of course asked for permission be–” His words were cut short when Jeonghan watches the man smile, your father’s larger hand moving to gently slap at his cheek. “I appreciate that you considered it now. I have been watching you with her, Y/N looks happy. That’s all I need or want, Jeonghan. Don’t break my little girl’s heart, that’s what I wanted to tell you away from everyone else.”
Jeonghan stands perfectly still, the hand falling from his face while the man keeps his eyes fixed on him waiting for him to speak. “I–I won’t, I swear.” Now he felt like you had when the two of you had arrived. The man was going to know he was lying, not about perhaps breaking your heart but about it all. Swallowing hard, Jeonghan puts on a smile and lifts his hand to scratch at his eyebrow in thought.
“I believe you, and don’t keep any more of the details from us. I’m afraid my wife might lose her mind if you try, and I’ll lose mine in the process of that. I look forward to meeting your parents one day soon, hopefully.” Jeonghan holds back a groan at the idea of how he was going to turn this back around after he left here. He was going to break your mother’s heart but that was something he’d have to worry about next week.
“Uh, yes sir. I’m sure they would be very happy to meet you as well.”
At the end of the night you found yourself sitting on your bed, your hands tugging at your sleep shirt in an attempt to pull it further down your legs while Jeonghan made a makeshift bed on the floor near you. Reaching for the other pillow on your bed you offer it to him when he looks up from kneeling on the floor, his eyes lingering over your bareskin without much shame causing you to swallow hard.
“Jeonghan…” You watch him smile glancing away to put the pillow down muttering his apologies though it wasn’t your intention. “No, I was just going to say, the marriage thing? What the hell? We don’t even have a ring…that wasn’t the plan. That goes way beyond you pretending to be my boyfriend, don’t you think?”
Turning to lay down on the blanket, Jeonghan makes a face to the feeling of the hard floor against his back before letting out a small sigh. “I just got frustrated at your cousin, she’s a real bitch. You looked like a deer in the headlights when it came to her, so I lost it and it just kinda happened. I’ll get you a ring tomorrow.”
It was that simple? He could just get a ring tomorrow. When you scoff, Jeonghan glances up to you on the bed, a smile on his lips at your reaction. “What? Are you mad? Everyone seemed so happy about it. I mean except Trish.” Furrowing your brows you let out a breath moving to lay down on the bed looking up at the ceiling in the low light while Jeonghan’s eyes still remain on what he can see of you even as you pull the covers over your body.
“I’m not mad, I’m just worried. That was a huge jump and it’s going to be a huge disappointment later.” Jeonghan felt that same sinking feeling he had felt when talking with your father earlier. He hadn’t meant to hurt you, and to leave you with the clean up later. “Y/N…I can try to fix–” You speak over Jeonghan cutting him off causing him to smile, his teeth catching his bottom lip.
“However, it is nice to watch Patricia not be the center of attention and get what she wants for once.” Turning on your side, you look at Jeonghan, your eyes moving across his face until he notices meeting your eyes causing him to laugh. “Then we will let you have your moment, babe.”
Shaking your head, you tuck your chin into the covers with a half surprised sound trying to get comfortable when Jeonghan calls you another pet name. “No one is here to hear you call me babe.” A smile still on his face, Jeonghan shrugs, turning his face back towards the ceiling letting a soft breath slip from his lips. “No, but I’m just letting you get used to hearing it.”
The sound of the knock at the door didn’t seem real at first. You whine not wanting to wait up, turning your face into the pillow you mutter in your sleep but then hear your mother’s voice telling you that she has breakfast in bed for you and your fiancé. “Huh?”
“I have some breakfast for you honey. Are you decent? Unlock the door and I’ll bring it in.” Panic sets in when you glance to the floor to see a still sleeping Jeonghan. Sliding out of the bed you kneel beside him and put your hand over his mouth speaking in whispers when he wakes up shocked to see you leaning over him. “My mom is here with breakfast. Get in the fucking bed!”
Jeonghan shakes his head trying to understand what is happening but another knock and the impatience in your mother’s voice sends him into a similar panic as you get him moving. You watch him move around your bed, the pillow back in its original place, his legs under the covers while you throw the blanket over your comforter trying to make it look as if the two of you had been using it for extra warmth.
“Mom, I’m coming!” Making sure Jeonghan was settled, you see him nod before you open the door and offer her a smile, your fingers pulling at your nightshirt similar to the night before when you had tried to hide your legs from Jeonghan. “You didn’t have to bring us breakfast. We could have come down to eat…”
“I know honey, but it’s already after 9 and you hadn’t come down yet so I figured I would just bring it up. I assumed the two of you were up late…being young.” You grimace at her connotation causing her to laugh while she approaches the bed, her smile on full display for Jeonghan. When he leans to take the tray of food and coffee from her, your mother coos in appreciation glancing back at you happily. “I adore him, he’s such a gentleman. Do you two have plans today?”
You start to speak, but Jeonghan is quicker with a smile on his face. “Mm yes, Y/N has promised to take me into town. Show me around a little bit, I hope you don’t mind Mrs. Y/L/N. “ Your mom laughs giddy with excitement, shaking her head with a hand on her chest. “I don’t mind at all but please Jeonghan, you are literally part of the family now. Call me Mom, I insist.”
Jeonghan glances at you then nods, clearing his throat while moving the tray so you can sit back down on the bed next to him. “Of course…Mom. I’ll be sure to get her back well before dinner.” The two of you watch your mother fuss over you for a moment longer before she finally leaves the room shutting the door with a small squeak leaving you both in silence.
“That was too close of a call. We can’t take that long to answer the door again…” Jeonghan nods in agreement, stabbing a fork into some scrambled eggs lifting them towards you, surprising you when he offers you the first bite of food. Watching you take the food he smiles a bit and shrugs. “You’ll just have to share your bed with your future husband.”
Walking around downtown in your hometown felt different this year. It always felt a little strange after being gone for a few months but this year it was like seeing it through different eyes. Jeonghan had let you point out a few stores to him, he had commented on how quant it all felt in comparison to where he had grown up and where the two of you lived now.
Now you were sitting outside of a store, a bag at your feet and a drink in your hand while you waited for Jeonghan to finish his errand. You had an idea of what he was up to but if you thought too much about it your stomach began to feel twisted up with nerves. It wasn’t real but it was terrifying how quickly you had to begin reminding yourself of that.
Jeonghan thanked the woman at the counter reaching out to take the small bag containing a velvet box. It had taken him far too long to decide on a ring, especially for a relationship that wasn’t real. His brain just couldn’t seem to tell his heart the same as he slipped the bag into his jacket pocket and headed out onto the sidewalk turning back up to where he had left you.
You were breathtaking, just sitting on a bench, the sun on your skin and in your hair. Jeonghan smiled to himself watching you for just a moment longer than he probably should have while you fidgeted with your phone almost seemingly out of nerves before he felt his own phone go off in his pocket. You had obviously sent him a text message and he couldn’t blame you. He had taken so long on his task but he didn’t take his phone out instead he pushed forward simply saying your name causing you to look up with a smile spreading over your pretty face when you saw him.
“I’m really sorry, I know that took me forever. Oh you went shopping too? What did you get?” Jeonghan glanced at the larger bag on the ground next to your feet with curiosity. “Uh I’ll show you when we get back to the house…I sent you a text just a minute ago. I was just getting worried about you. I know you don’t know this area.”
You had been worried about him, Jeonghan’s chest tightened slightly but he managed to keep a straight face putting on a slight smirk. “I found you didn’t I?” When you nod, Jeonghan sits beside you reaching for your drink, taking a sip of the coffee with a pleased sound even as you stare at him in disbelief.
“What? What is that look for? Couples share drinks, darling.” Jeonghan watches you shake your head, your head lowering trying to hide an amused smile giving him time to take out the small bag removing the box. “Mm, Y/N?” Hearing your name you think Jeonghan wants you to take your drink back but when you go to reach for it you find a velvet box in his hand instead, making you lose not only your train of thought but also your breath.
Sensing your panic, Jeonghan scoots closer taking your left hand a laugh under his breath. “Don’t make it a big deal. You might hate it anyway…” You doubted it very much but yet you couldn’t find the words to come up with a witty comeback while you watched him open the box. Your eyes move over the ring, a pear shaped diamond, the band containing more small diamonds that caught the sun in an almost blinding way.
“I mean, if you really do hate it…the lady said I could exchange it within 48 hours–” Without thinking you move your left hand from his once the ring was settled in place to place your palm against Jeonghan’s cheek. Your lips brush against his gently taking his breath away this time. When it clicks what you’ve done, the apologies start under your breath but Jeonghan laughs, shaking his head.
“Why are you sorry? Couples kiss, especially engaged ones.” All you could think was there was no one here to watch the two of you kiss. There was no reason for you to have done it but his lips were back on yours, his hand pulling you closer by the back of your neck deepening the kiss further. You feel your chest tightening knowing you should pull away and remind both of you that this wasn’t real but it felt too nice to just give into the moment.
Jeonghan smiles against your lips when you don’t pull away. His stomach flips with excitement because though he knows he should pull away he doesn’t want to. He had found himself wanting to get closer to you before this entire trip and situation but he had never known how to approach it. He had been afraid to ruin what to him seemed like the perfect friendship.
When Jeonghan’s tongue glides along yours for the first time, that is when your brain fires off a panic, a small whine slipping from your lips. Jeonghan sighs against your lips leaning his forehead against yours nodding. “Sorry…that was too much.” You wanted to tell him it wasn’t, that you were just afraid of what this all meant or what it could mean but instead you only nod.
“I promised your mom we would be back in time for dinner. I need to keep that promise.”
You found yourself surprised how with even the weight of an expensive ring on your finger, your mother fawning over you, Jeonghan caused your nerves to calm with a single look. Dinner was much more simple with less family over though you knew that wouldn’t last in the days to come. More family would be back for dinners and holiday celebrations but you could take what calm you could get. Especially if that meant time away from your aunt and cousin.
After dinner Jeonghan had been able to help you slip away without much trouble using his charm, something you were actually beginning to enjoy. Maybe you could get used to being around him more. No, that wasn’t a thought you needed in your mind, no matter how easy he was making this.
Watching him from the bed you find yourself smiling to yourself before you remember the bag you had brought home from the shopping trip now sitting in the arm chair in the corner of the room. “Oh! Jeonghan, I almost forgot.” Your voice is almost unexpected, especially with how excited you sounded saying his name, Jeonghan jumps slightly laughing under his breath when he turns to watch you crawling over the bed, your shirt riding up your legs.
Jeonghan finds himself sucking in a breath to suppress a soft groan to the image, the look of your thighs on display like this was not something he had thought he would see but he had often imagined them. “What…uh, what did you forget?” You glance over at his stuttered words, a smile on your lips when you drag the large bag on to the bed and pat next to it for him to join you.
“I bought you a present, ya know…since I owe you for all of this.” Moving towards the bed Jeonghan takes a breath, trying to keep his eyes from your legs and instead on your face and the bag once you start to take out the art supplies making his heart melt. “You didn’t seem to bring any. You are always painting back home…I thought you might miss it while we are here. I don’t think they aren’t like fantastic , but it’s something to play with.”
Sitting on the bed Jeonghan takes the brushes from your hands letting his fingers slip over yours making you shiver slightly. You meet his eyes briefly before clearing your throat returning to your task taking out a few different sized canvases, some tubes of paint, and pencils. “I know there are more things you use, and normally you’d choose oil but the lady at the store said for travel, gouache would be easier for little projects.”
You really had thought about everything, Jeonghan smiled shaking his head taking a tube of the paint into his hands looking it over. “This is wonderful, babe. Thank you…seriously.” Your stomach tightens at the pet name and how it flows off his lips even with no one watching the two of you. When you reply with a meek, “You’re welcome” Jeonghan looks up with a laugh tilting his head. “Are you okay?”
Nodding you move from your knees to pull at your nightshirt trying to cover your skin once again. “Uh yeah, no I’m fine. Just a little tired…we had a busy day.” Jeonghan’s eyes fall on your hands fussing with the front of your shirt much like your mom seemed to do with her dresses or shirt when she was lost in thought. A smile on his lips even when he nods moving to stand moving the art supplies from the bed sitting them to the side.
“Then we should call it a night. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day, or evening I suppose. Your dad was telling me that the family is coming back over for dinner.” You nod moving under the covers, your heart beating fast while you watch Jeonghan move around the bed. His eyes catching yours and how nervous you clearly were.
“I promise I’ll be a good boy. I’ll keep my hands to myself and everything.” You couldn’t help but to laugh at Jeonghan’s words, feeling the bed sink down very slightly under his weight. A small happy sigh leaving his lips at the difference between the floor and the hard floor hitting him like a train. “God, your bed is comfortable.”
You feel a bit of guilt watching him turn on his side, his face nuzzling into the pillow making you smile slightly when he allows himself to get comfortable. You knew this had to be better than the floor, you couldn’t imagine how much his back must hurt with just a blanket to lay on. “I’m sorry Jeonghan.”
A sound of tired confusion leaves his lips, Jeonghan’s eyes opening to look at you laying on your side looking at him. The sight of you like this once again taking his breath away more than he had anticipated. “Why are you sorry?” He watches you shrug slightly clearly thinking too hard with how your brows pinch together.
“I shouldn’t have made you sleep on the floor in the first place. We are both adults, that was incredibly childish of me. I just…get more nervous around you than I probably should.” Jeonghan grins, his brow raising in curiosity. He wanted to press you and get to the bottom of why you were nervous around him but he felt like he already knew the answer, he just wished you’d say it. “Mm, well don’t be so worried about things. They say things happen for a reason right?”
Rolling your eyes, you laugh and turn on your back causing Jeonghan to stifle his own laugh by biting his lips. God you were so pretty even in a dark room, he had you in a bed and all he wanted to do was kiss you again but he had made a promise. “Goodnight Jeonghan.” Your voice cuts through the silence and his thoughts, Jeonghan makes a sound nodding his head a soft, “Goodnight” muttered into the night.
Jeonghan had woken up in the bed alone, he had been a bit sad about that but he wasn’t upset about how much better his back felt. He could hear the sounds of your family downstairs but he also knew there was no rush to go down. He wanted to give you time with them alone, he owed that to you. He had been on your heels almost the entire time since the two of you had walked in the front door.
Taking his time, Jeonghan took out the bag of art supplies you had gotten for him, unwrapping each one with extreme care. A smile on his lips while he balanced his phone on his shoulder letting it ring while he waited for Joshua Hong to pick up on the other end. It had been a few days since he had really talked to any of his other friends, including his best friend, and a lot had happened.
“Realize there is a time difference you, asshole.” Jeonghan laughs hearing the tired voice of his best friend, shrugging while he shifts in the floor using one of the smallest canvases as a paint pallet to hold a few different colors while he balances a larger canvas against his leg. “Morning to you too, Sunshine. I need to talk to you so get your ass up, it’s not that early. You are just lazy.”
Joshua groans, lifting his phone from his ear making a face realizing that Jeonghan was right. It was early morning but it wasn’t so early he could make too much of an argument. “I’m not lazy, I was out late having fun. You remember what that is like? Going out trying to get laid? Instead of playing boyfriend?”
Jeonghan rolls his eyes, his focus split between the painting he was working on and the teasing coming from the phone. “I’m playing fiancé actually…” Hearing this development Joshua sits up in his bed rubbing his eyes as if that would change what he had heard. “Pardon me? Who’s fucking idea was that?”
“Uh, mine actually. It was kind of an accident. Well not really but I’m not sure how to explain it. I was annoyed with her cousin. She’s such a bitch, trying to make Y/N feel like shit. I was tired of it so I just kinda said we were already engaged.” Jeonghan scoffed, hearing the laugh from the phone while Joshua tried to process what he had just been told.
Adjusting the phone on his shoulder, Jeonghan lifts his hand holding the paintbrush, accidentally smearing the blue paint on his cheek. “Did you tell her that you’re in love with her too during this accidental proposal?” Joshua’s words strung but Jeonghan scoffed again, rinsing his brush out more vigorously than necessary.
“I’m not in love with her, it was a crush…and I’m helping a friend. Don’t make this something awkward.” Hearing the sounds of painting, something Joshua was very accustomed to being friends with Jeonghan for so long, he raised a brow leaning forward on his bed. “Okay, did you take painting things with you on this trip? Because that is lame as fuck. Spend time with your girlfriend, I’m sorry your fiancée. And two, sure friends travel across the country to help each other and propose on accident all the time.”
When yet another scoff slips from his mouth, Jeonghan sits up looking at his works thus far before dipping into the yellow paint making a face at Joshua’s words. “No, I didn't travel with painting supplies. Y/N bought me some yesterday, when I was buying her a ring actually. As for traveling across the country, all that bullshit you just said, I’d do it for you so yes for friends, I’d do a lot.”
Joshua laughs in disbelief hearing that Jeonghan had bought you a ring but his words make his laugh fall short. “Ugh, I’d rather you didn’t. You seem perfectly happy in your relationship Hannie.” The cutesy version of Jeonghan’s name coming out of Joshua’s mouth like a taunt. “Are you that jealous, Shua? Did you want me to propose to you by accident first?”
Jeonghan laughs hearing Joshua’s complaints about how stupid he is and how he’s stuck his foot in it this time. “Yeah…I fucking know, but I’ll figure it out. Honestly it’s not bad, I…nevermind.” Joshua smirks a bit when Jeonghan stops himself from admitting anything though he wasn’t an idiot. He had known for a long time how Jeonghan felt about you even if Jeonghan himself was too afraid to admit it.
“Right, well you two enjoy the honeymoon and call me later.” Jeonghan wanted to come back with some witty comeback, something to make Joshua eat his words but the sound of the door opening behind him caused him to stop. “Uh yeah we will and I’ll do that. See ya.”
You smile seeing Jeonghan sitting in the middle of the floor, paint on his cheeks, nose, and neck. It made you happy to see him using the supplies because you knew how important it was to him. Jeonghan watches your eyes move over him and then the painting, the sound of the door closing behind you when you step further into the room.
“It’s so pretty Jeonghan. I was afraid I hadn’t gotten you enough colors to really make anything. I should have known you could make pretty much anything look good.” Jeonghan grins a bit shyly at your attention especially after his conversation with Joshua. You watch as he scratches the back of his neck only managing to smear more paint on to his skin causing you to laugh.
“Jeonghan, baby…you have paint all over you.” Raising a brow, Jeonghan feels his cheeks burn hearing you call him a pet name for the first time. Even if you were using it to tease him slightly. Leaning down you use your fingers to push at the paint on his cheek, your eyes meeting his making you shy now. The look of adoration in his eyes before he lifts his brush pushing it against your jaw playfully.
“Now you do too.” Jeonghan watches you gasp softly the feeling of the cold paint on your skin, he drags the brush along your neck raising his brow when you don’t pull away automatically. The sound of your breath hitching in your throat when Jeonghan puts the brush to the side reaching up to smear the paint along your skin with his thumb, a small laugh on his lips.
“I really want to kiss you.” Your hand slides to his forearm, your fingers pressing against his skin making Jeonghan take a breath, his eyes moving across your face landing on your lips when you finally speak. “No one is here to see it.” You watch a smile spread across his face, Jeonghan shakes his head leaning up to close the space speaking against your lips. “I know.”
Your mother seemed to notice a difference between you and Jeonghan. How he would reach out to hold your hand, lean over to kiss your cheek more often, and mostly how you couldn’t stop looking at him. She hadn’t doubted your affection for the man before but now it was so clear to see that she had to keep herself from staring at the two of you the entire dinner.
On the other side of the table, Patricia had only shown up with her mother. Liam had been called away on business, which seemed to be a usual occurrence for him. You had to admit you felt bad for her though at the moment you couldn’t find yourself caring that much especially when she was still doing her best to try to ruin your “moment”.
“The ring is cute, a bit small. The clarity seems a bit lackluster. You know Liam went to New York to get mine…” Jeonghan laughs softly against your shoulder before pressing a kiss to it. You can hear him barely mutter, “this bitch is getting on my last nerve” before he glances over to your cousin with a sigh. “New York you say? That’s fascinating, Trish.”
She watches as Jeonghan slides his hand delicately along yours, the ring catching the light, nothing wrong with it at all, in fact if put beside hers there was much left to be desired in comparison. Jeonghan had clearly put thought into your ring, not only to make sure it was nice but also about how it would look on your finger. “Not to brag but there’s nothing but clarity to this ring. It’s a French cut pavé diamond, 4.28 carats to be exact, vvs clarity grade. What did you say yours was again?”
Having not expected Jeonghan to have all the details of your ring and for it to be that nice, Patricia simply mutters her first name trying to remind him not to shorten it once again but Jeonghan smiles leaning to kiss your cheek again. “Anyway, the most important thing is how beautiful it looks on Y/N. I just wanted something that could come close to matching how stunning she is.”
You hear Patricia scoff then her mother’s hushed voice telling her to calm down. Your eyes finding your mother’s amused glance before she lowers her own trying not to laugh. Jeonghan grins against your hair muttering his apologies for taking it too far only to feel you shake your head. “Don’t apologize. I’ve never seen her crumble so fast. She’s furious. Thank you for letting me feel like I’m special for once.”
Jeonghan’s smile fades slightly, lifting his hand to brush his knuckles against your cheek. All he could think was how much of a shame it was that you had to only feel that now. “I’ll try to make sure you feel like this more often, darling.”
You listened to the sound of the shower running from the bed, a book on your lap though you hadn’t read a single word. Your eyes looking over the diamond on your hand remembering all that Jeonghan had said about it and you the past few days. All that had happened the past few days. It felt like a whirlwind and as if you had been watching a movie. Like you were watching your life from the outside in.
Furrowing your brows, you sigh leaning your head back against the headboard not really noticing the sound of the shower cutting off or the sound of the door creaking open. Jeonghan watches you, shorts low on his hips, his chest still damp, a towel in his hand lifting it to his blonde hair to push it through catching some falling droplets.
You once again were taking away his breath by doing nothing. You had said you were going to read after your own shower. He hadn’t wanted to disturb you, give you some time to yourself, but now here you were, the book on your lap, but you were running your fingertips over your ring. It made Jeonghan’s chest tighten, his heart beat faster.
Jeonghan tosses the towel gently into the hamper, his eyes finding his now dried painting, a woman draped across a bed, she looked suspiciously like you but you hadn’t commented on it. His lips turned up in a slight smile when you made a sound of acknowledgement realizing he was in the room with you once again.
Your eyes travel over his bare back, the light from the lamps catching some stray water he hadn’t caught with his towel that made you want to run your hands over his skin to push it away, but you didn’t dare move or speak. Jeonghan turned back towards the bed, his eyes much less shy than they had been before when it came to you in this room.
He let them skirt over your leg on the outside of the comforter, up to the nightgown you had chosen to wear tonight instead of an old loose shirt. A smile pushing up at the corner of his lips when he walked around the bed crawling on to it to take the book off your lap closing it even when you start to complain. “You weren’t even reading it.”
“I might have been…besides, why did you take it?” You were asking silly questions and you both knew that. Jeonghan’s hand slides along your side causing your brows to furrow, your body instinctively sliding down in the bed slightly. “Jeonghan…we can’t. This isn’t real, it will ruin our friendship.”
Jeonghan furrows his brows, shaking his head, he would never make you do anything you didn’t want to do. Stopping, his hand resting over your hips, Jeonghan glances up letting his nose brush against your, his wet hair dripping still on to your skin. “We can but if you don’t want this, just say it. I’m tired of pretending. You say it isn’t real?”
A whine escapes your lips, your hips lifting towards him, your hand gripping his forearm as if you are trying to keep him from moving from you. His words biting into you, his lips hovering centimeters from yours for the taking. When you press your lips to his, Jeonghan takes that as his signal to continue, his leg moving between yours while his tongue slips into your mouth with a small groan.
You barely realize you are whining when Jeonghan pulls back, a smile on his lips while he shakes his head. “It feels pretty fucking real to me baby.” You didn’t speak because you weren’t sure you could trust yourself not to give away too much. The feeling of how you should run is so present and yet all you could do was pull him back to your waiting mouth.
Jeonghan hisses against your lips when you lift your hips brushing your leg against his now hard cock pressing against his shorts. His forehead resting against yours, Jeonghan’s hand drags your nightgown upwards exposing more of your skin to him. His eyes follow his hand only for him to groan your name when he sees some of the lace on your skin that he had teased you about at the beginning of the trip.
“God you are so fucking pretty. Can I take this off?” You nod, your eyes closed tightly, almost afraid to look at Jeonghan. You feel his mouth against your neck causing you to moan his name while his hands pull at the silk, his thumbs grazing your soft skin. Jeonghan only leans back when he has to pull the gown over your head causing him to gasp out a groan seeing you like this for the first time.
When you whimper out his name in a soft moan feeling the air on your breast, your nipples hardening, Jeonghan smirks slightly leaning you back on the bed. “Open your eyes, baby. Look at me…please?” You arch your back pushing your breast towards his touch, his slender fingers tracing your nipples until you finally do open your eyes meeting his waiting gaze. “I’m gonna love you if you’ll let me.”
His words cause your skin to burn, Jeonghan can feel how warm you become, your thighs closing around his leg making him smile. “Please?” One word, a soft beg slipping out of your lips is almost enough to drive Jeonghan crazy. He wasn’t sure he’d ever make you beg, no matter how pretty you sounded doing it. He wanted to give you everything.
The feeling of your fingers running through his damp hair, the tug of the ring causes Jeonghan to groan, his lips pressing to the top of your chest before he works his way lower. His eyes glancing up at you at every small sound falling from your lips. When his tongue laps around your nipple, you lift your hand to bite at the meat of your thumb, a groan from his mouth causing a vibration to radiate through your skin.
Jeonghan lifts his head to take a breath, shaking his head to the sight in front of him. The way your chest was rising and falling, the way your lips looked around your hand. Your eyes had closed again but Jeonghan knew you could feel where he was and where he was going. You whine out when you feel his mouth near your belly button, his fingers twisting the band of your panties around them slowly working them down your hips.
It had been so long since you had been with anyone, and even longer since anyone had taken the time to really appreciate you like Jeonghan was. His soft lips brushing over every inch of your stomach and hips while he helped you lift your hips, pulling the lace along your legs. You open your eyes again when you feel him sit up, hearing him groan and mutter under his breath.
Jeonghan runs his hand over his mouth, dropping your panties behind him with the other. “I know I wanted to see you in the lace but this is so much better. Holy fuck, baby…” You start to speak though you aren’t sure what you were even going to say when you feel Jeonghan’s hand run along your inner thigh towards your center.
You were so wet, Jeonghan could see that but he had to feel it, taste you. Watching Jeonghan move on the bed, you whine at the loss of him but it’s quickly replaced with wonder while you watch him take off his shorts allowing you to see him for the first time. Jeonghan watches you swallow hard, a bit of pride taking over him. While he knew he wasn’t the biggest in the world, he didn’t have any reason to complain.
Watching him run his hand over his cock, you slowly let your eyes move back to his finding him watching you so intently. Jeonghan moves towards the chair where his jeans lay discarded to take out his wallet and a single condom making you laugh for the first time in a while. “Hey, it’s not funny. I’m just prepared…”
Jeonghan tosses the silver square onto the bed near you before he is moving back towards you himself. You reach out to touch him, your hands running over his shoulders causing Jeonghan to shiver, a smile on his lips when they press to skin once again. Feeling his fingers brush between your legs, you gasp in slight surprise arching off the bed. “Are you okay?”
Nodding you meet Jeonghan’s eyes, a smile on your lips, his fingers resting against your thigh just to make sure. “I..yeah, it’s just been a long time and I am nervous.” Jeonghan smiles, nodding in understanding. His lips meet yours gently so he can mutter against them between kisses. “I’ve got you. I’d never hurt you, you just tell me if you want me to stop or if you really like something.”
Jeonghan’s lips claim yours even while you nod, his fingers creating a v to rub along your wet folds separating them causing you to pull back from the kiss leaning your head back. Given access to your neck, he doesn’t waste the opportunity to explore your skin there, his tongue gliding along your skin up to your ear while his middle finger circles your entrance.
When Jeonghan feels your nails press into his skin, he takes that as you having had enough of his teasing, you moan so sweetly to the feeling of his finger pushing into you that his cock twitches. Your brain is on fire with feeling overwhelmed and aroused when Jeonghan’s shaft rubs against your thigh, his pre-cum smearing across your skin you can’t help but to reach between your bodies to wrap your fingers around him letting him slowly thrust into your hand.
With a choke groan against your throat, Jeonghan brows furrow tightly to your touch. The way your soft hand feels around his cock, if it were possible to be any harder he was sure he would have been in that moment. Your warm breath against the side of his head, Jeonghan has to reach to take your hand from him afraid you will cause him to cum too soon. “Too good baby, fuck. Scoot down in bed for me?”
You nod and Jeonghan slides back helping you to move further down into the bed, his hands sliding along your legs to push them apart so he can slide between them. “God there is so much I want to do with you.” His words cause you to shiver, his hair beginning to air dry tickling your skin while he works kisses back down your body. Jeonghan’s right hand moving to pull your calf onto his shoulder, his eyes meeting you once more before you feel his tongue run along your slit.
“Fuck, Jeonghan…” The words were so soft, a whine on your breath, Jeonghan felt like his head was floating hearing you whining for him. The taste of you on his tongue driving him to push his face in closer to you using his free hand to separate your folds giving him access to your clit. When his lips wrap around it, a tiny bit of pressure as he sucks, you squirm trying to close your thighs but find it impossible without squeezing his head between your legs.
Jeonghan grins against your pussy, groans of appreciation, muttering how fucking good you are when he presses his finger back into you, making you gasp his name. Your fingers digging into the bedding under you and his hair between your legs, pulling just enough to make him groan a bit louder. “Gonna…oh god…”
You were doing your best to stay quiet, Jeonghan didn’t know why that was turning him on even more, spurring him on to push you harder in a way. But when he knows you are about to cum for the first time, Jeonghan groans, nodding against you, adding a second finger feeling you stretch around them right before the coil snaps causing you to gasp out the most erotic sound he had ever experienced.
Your fingers shaking against his scalp from how intense your first orgasm felt, you only loosen your grip when Jeonghan moves to slide up your body, his lips finding yours again. You moan to the taste of yourself on his lips. His hand moving to grab the condom on the bed, you only feel him part from you again for a moment so he can open it and roll it down his length before he is back between your legs.
“You’re perfect, did you know that?” His words cause you to look away, turning your face even as you feel his hand move between your legs, the head of his cock lining up with you. Jeonghan’s free hand moves to your chin turning your face back towards him, a groan on his breath when he pushes into you, “Look at me, please, baby? I wanna see those pretty eyes while I fuck you.”
The words didn’t cause your skin to burn any less, you wanted to look away but found it impossible when you met his eyes, your lips parting in a silent moan to the feeling of his cock stretching you as he thrusts in fully. “Oh my god…” Jeonghan moves his hand to run his thumb along your bottom lip, his hips getting into a rhythm when you wrap your leg around his hip allowing him to go deeper and harder.
“Feel so good, God…I’ve wanted this for so long. Such a fucking idiot for waiting this long.” The words are spoken on a groan, Jeonghan’s forehead resting against yours. His breath becomes shallow with each thrust and how your body pulls him back into you. “Fuck, Y/N…I love you. I should have told you that before this too.” You close your eyes, feeling tears gathering on the rim of your eyes, you weren’t sure what he wanted you to say. Especially right now, in this situation, he was just lost in the moment.
Lifting your hand you push it against his cheek, lifting your head to meet his lips in an attempt to make him stop talking, which seems to work. Jeonghan groans into your mouth, feeling you tightening around him, your walls quivering as you get close to another orgasm just as quickly as he was approaching his own. He wanted to keep telling you how he felt because it felt like the right time but your kiss was just too sweet, the way your bodies were fitting together was too perfect.
You whine on his lips falling back over that edge, your nails raking across his back causing him to hiss into the kiss. Jeonghan buries his face in the crook of your neck, his thrusts becoming more erratic and shallow but with one last hard, deep thrust you feel the warmth of him spilling into the condom. His hot breath causes chill bumps to spread across your skin, your fingers running through his hair at the back of his neck while he comes down from his climax.
After a few moments, Jeonghan pulls from you and slides from the bed taking care of the condom heading into the bathroom where you hear the sound of running water. You run your hand over your face, contemplating how many mistakes you had just made. Tears finally slip from your eyes when his words echo through your head once again, “I love you. I should have told you that before.”
“It isn’t even real.” You mutter to yourself running your hand over your face pushing the tears away.
Jeonghan could tell you were putting on an act with him, more so than you had before. A frown on his face when you pulled away from a kiss to your cheek even in front of your family, Jeonghan sighed, reaching to take your hand. You let him slide his fingers along yours but you avoid his gaze until he says your name and he can see the sadness in your eyes.
“Baby, are you okay?” No one was close enough to hear the two of you speaking but it was still good out in the open to keep up the act you supposed. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why Jeonghan?” You watch him furrow his brows leaning back some to look at you a bit more. “You have been acting strange since this morning. Is this about last night? Do you regret it?”
When you look away, Jeonghan feels his heart sink slightly. You did regret it, you didn’t even have to say it. “Uh, well fuck. Okay…well I don’t. I meant everything I said.” You scoff barely meeting his eyes, how could he say that when you knew the type of person Jeonghan was. He and Joshua would go out every weekend, sometimes even more during the week to pick up girls to get laid so how was this not just another exploit for him or just the feelings of the week getting to his head.
“No you didn’t Jeonghan, and that’s okay. I don’t blame you for that. None of this is real…one more day of this and you will be free to get your head clear of me.” You lift your hand knowing people were starting to watch you, pushing your thumb along his cheek trying to hide his disappointment.
“It’s real, Y/N. Why do you get to say it isn’t?” Shaking your head, you knew this wasn’t the place for this conversation. You weren’t having this conversation when he was drunk on an idea. Standing you take your hand from him and put on a fake smile. “Because I’m a realist.”
Your mom followed you when you walked away from Jeonghan as if she could sense the tension. Jeonghan stayed where he was for a few moments longer, shaking his head before heading outside to clear his head. You were wrong, you were fighting against your own feelings for some reason that Jeonghan couldn’t understand.
He had never been this vulnerable with someone in his life. You literally had his heart in your hands and he wasn’t sure what you were going to do with it.
The next day the both of you had different motives. You were trying to act like you were the happy engaged woman you were supposed to be while Jeonghan had to act like he wasn’t trying to figure you out. In the bedroom you were even more distant. Barely willing to speak to him other than to discuss flight details, and how you were sorry for putting him through this.
Jeonghan wasn’t sure how many different ways he could explain to you that there was nowhere else he would want to be. He wanted to reach inside of your head and shake your brain to make you see things for how they were and not like you were seeing them. Instead he relied on being kind and gentle with you simply reminding you that this was real and how much he cared about you.
The day of your flight, Jeonghan watched you hug your mom and dad, his heart sad at having to leave knowing you were sad doing the same. There was so much love in the house when it was just your immediate family and he could understand why he had fallen in love with you so easily so long ago and how it had been so easy to admit it to you now.
Leaning down to hug your mom, Jeonghan laughs at her kind goodbye and requests for him to help you keep in better touch with your family. “I will do my best. She’s pretty stubborn when she wants to be.” Your mom laughs, her eyes full of love when she meets Jeonghan’s eyes reaching up to pat his cheek. “Yes she is, you will have your hands full, dear.” That much he knew, but it’s all he wanted, that opportunity to be the person who shared that with you now.
Getting into the car after helping you in, Jeonghan glances over to you frowning when you turn your head in order to avoid his gaze. “Y/N, can we please talk about this? We are going to be stuck on a plane for hours, you can’t just avoid talking and looking at me for 5 hours.” You could, you think to yourself but you knew you were being unfair to Jeonghan.
Your fingers play with the ring on your finger while the car heads down the highway towards the airport, your eyes finally looking up to meet Jeonghan’s. “I’m sorry, I know I’ve been awful the past couple of days. I did warn you that what happened might hurt our friendship. You are a wonderful man…I feel like I took advantage of you this entire time.”
Jeonghan shakes his head, starting to speak when you reach over to take his hands, placing something metal into his palm. He didn’t need to look down to know what you had put there, he felt his heart sink, tears threatening his eyes but he kept them at bay nodding. “I wanted you to keep it. You didn’t take advantage of anything and I don’t think anything hurt us. I’ve told you, this is real. It’s real for me.”
Shaking your head you glance back out of the window while Jeonghan looks down at the diamond ring in his hand. “You just feel that way right now. You are too close to me, once you get some time away from me…you will realize we both just got a little caught up in it all.”
He wanted to argue with you but the lump in his throat wouldn’t allow it. Instead Jeonghan remained silent, his fingers playing with the ring until the car pulled up outside of the airport. He put it into his pocket and helped the driver to take out the bags letting you take yours when you requested it. Jeonghan’s eyes fixed on yours the entire way through security and while you waited for your flight.
He hadn’t taken the ring back out until the plane was in the air. You had fallen asleep, your head unknown to you resting against his shoulder, Jeonghan let the light from the window catch the diamond to make patterns on the seat in front of him. He felt sick with all the things he wanted to change, all the things he wanted to say. How could he make you understand?
By the time the plane was landing, Jeonghan reached to run his hand over your cheek, waking you up gently with the ring tucked back in his pocket. You could tell something was different about him but you weren’t willing to ask, afraid you would break his resolve or your own. “Sorry…” You mutter realizing you had been leaning against Jeonghan who shrugs only offering you a smile.
“You didn’t bother me, I’m just glad you got some rest.” He was too kind, you could still sense the sarcastic man under the layers but there was this new wall built. Nodding, you clear your throat glancing away, your thumb subconsciously playing with your ring finger, missing the feeling and weight of the ring on your hand.
Jeonghan helped you with your bag and with making your way to the front of the airport where the two of you had agreed to part ways after the trip. Watching you closely, Jeonghan sighs when you start to speak but end up stopping yourself several times causing him to speak instead.
“Y/N, don’t say anything until I finish. Can you do that much for me?” You nod, tears already prickling your eyes. The urge to turn and run causes your feet to ache but you manage to stay still with your eyes on Jeonghan. “You say it isn’t real, that what happened wasn’t supposed to happen. I disagree, because to me this is, or was very real. I’ve been in love with you for years but I was too stupid and prideful to say anything. I guess that’s what got me in this mess right now. So I can’t really blame you for reacting like you are.”
Jeonghan feels his stomach turning when tears build in your eyes, he hadn’t meant to make you cry but he had to finish what he was saying. “But I can’t make you love me back, I told you’d I’d never hurt you and I’d never make you do something you didn’t want to do.” Standing your ground, even as Jeonghan moves forward you let out a small whimper when he takes your hand and you feel the cold metal in your palm.
“I bought it for you for a reason.” Your eyes close when Jeonghan leans in to press a kiss to your forehead, you feel a slight wet feeling to his cheek when he turns to walk away. Your eyes open when the panic starts to set in, your gaze dropping to the ring in your hand feeling like it weighed a hundred pounds.
“Wait….” Your voice is so quiet you barely hear it yourself but when you say it again and yell his name dropping your bag, Jeonghan turns around surprised to find you running towards him. His own bag hitting the ground he is ready to catch you, his arms wrapping around you, his lips meeting yours.
Jeonghan lifts his hands running his thumbs along your cheeks between kisses trying to push away your tears whispering, “Shh, it’s okay baby…I know.” You shake your head reaching up to grab his wrists pulling his hands down, he can feel the ring back on your finger when he meets your eyes again hearing what his heart had been longing for for years.
“It’s real for me too. I love you too. I’m sorry. It’s real…”
Jeonghan smiles, nodding his forehead resting against yours while he tries to calm you down, his mutters echoing your own. Joshua watches from his car, leaning against the driver’s side with a sigh at the sight muttering to himself, “Bout damn time…glad I cleaned out my backseat. Told him I’d be taking them both home.”
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love to keep me warm
seokmin x reader
synopsis: The holiday season is approaching, and you and your boyfriend decide to spend Christmas together for the first time since you began seeing each other. Trees must be chosen, sweets must be made, and gifts must be wrapped and placed just in time for the day. And nothing makes it better than doing it together with Seokmin.
currently playing: love to keep me warm - laufey, dodie
word count: 5.2k
genre/contains: fluff, comfort, moments of love, long-term boyfriend!seokmin, gn!reader, mentions of food, cats, overload of cute shit and sickeningly in love people, physical affection (kisses, cuddles), domestic things, Christmas gifts
a/n: merry Christmas guys! this is a part of the snowventeen collab that @svthub is doing this year and you can find the masterlist for all the wonderful December and holiday-themed fics here! have a happy holiday this weekend!!
.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.
The first snow always reminded you of those first months with Seokmin; the excitement, the nervousness, and all the firsts you had together during that first season you spent together. It had been two years since then, and by now all those first seemed to already have happened for you two.
All but this, you realized, this was the first time you two would be spending Christmas together.
Instead of going home to visit family in your childhood homes, you would be spending it in the city, together. It would also be the very first Christmas you two would be celebrating in your new place which you had only moved in together earlier this year.
Now you were standing in the street, looking up at the streetlight and watching the tiny crystalized flakes floating down towards the ground where they quickly disappeared into the dark asphalt.
“This is fucking incredible,” you said, flabbergasted at your own timing.
“I think this might be a sign,” Seokmin responded, making you look at him with a questioning expression, “it’s the universe telling us that we will find the perfect tree for sure,” he explained with a decisive and assuring voice without even seeing your face.
You couldn’t help but laugh at this, but perhaps he was right. Just as you had begun walking towards the plaza where they had begun selling trees for the holidays, the very first snow had appeared from thin air, shocking you both and apparently giving your boyfriend enough reason to think that the universe was on your side on your Christmas tree hunt this cold December evening.
“I hope you’re right, I really want us to get the most perfect tree for our first Christmas together!” you cheerfully exclaimed into the night air.
“Well, if that’s what you want, that is what you must get my love,” he said with a warm smile as he pulled you close to his side and continued to stride towards the tree market with renewed purpose. You giggled at his behavior but followed along without protest.
Two years, and he was still trying his very best to give you everything you wanted. If you asked, you were sure he would try and give you the world, wrapped up in a shiny little box with a pretty bow on top as he stared into your eyes as if you were the only world he needed in his life.
You were smiling to yourself as you walked towards your destination while admiring the snowfall that had begun laying a thin, sheer layer across the dark roads and sidewalks where you were promenading arm in arm with your boyfriend when he interrupted your daydreaming.
“So what exactly is it that we’re looking for when it comes to the perfect tree? Do we have a checklist?”
“Not a checklist per se… however, I do have some thoughts,” you began, and from the way Seokmin was nodding you understood that he was eager to hear these thoughts of yours. “First of all, I want it to smell good of course, but more importantly, I need one that won’t litter our floors with tiny needles these next couple of months,” you said, cringing from the pure pain of imagining stepping on those little pointy things. This is not even to mention having to vacuum the space literally every two seconds since the cats would most definitely be doing everything but leaving the tree alone and in peace.
It seemed like Seokmin had fully realized the pain in the ass one of those trees would be and quickly agreed with your requirements. By now you had reached the market, and you were standing at the far end of a huge parking lot, remarkably lacking in the car department and instead filled to the brim with what looked to be a giant forest that had sprouted overnight.
“That definitely sounds preferable. Let’s go with one of those… now which one is that?” he asked and looked around at the hundreds of trees standing leaned against fences and tied up with ropes in lines up and down the aisles. You couldn’t help but laugh at his dumbfounded expression, but honestly, you were feeling a tad overwhelmed by the sheer number of trees you had to select yours from.
“If I remember correctly from my googling I would say we should look at Fraser fir or Caanan fir, but also the classics like Balsam fir and Grand fir, and then we can see which one we can find a pretty one of,” you rambled, Seokmin nodding his head as if he knew precisely what you were talking about (he did not).
“I can’t really see if there are sections for the specific ones yet, so what do you think about just wandering until we see one that looks good, and then we ask what it is?” Seokmin suggested, which you agreed to very quickly since you didn’t really feel like asking for help right away. Especially since the small snowflakes had begun falling on top of the dark green needles covering the area surrounding you.
It was so beautiful, you felt as if you had wandered down some sort of magical winter wonderland while you analyzed the potential of each of the trees.
You walked down the rows of leaning trees, asking Seokmin to lift one up every now and then to get a better look at the tree when it stood up properly, and catching it when it inevitably (and of course accidentally) was dropped by your boyfriend, then followed by giggles from you and his flustered self apologizing and explaining how he once again just lost his grip on the prickly tree for a second and that he was sorry you were now covered in tiny needles.
Nevertheless, none of the trees, not even the ones that literally crashed into you, turned out to be THE tree you were searching for.
At least that was until Seokmin stopped right in his tracks, your body shifting a bit along with him as the forward motion you had going was now being pulled back to instead come to a sudden halt by the arm connected to the boyfriend who had just decided to stop. However, before you could ask why the hell he had stopped without warning you saw what he was staring at, his face concentrated and his eyes squinting as if to decide if he was seeing it right.
“Oh… you’re a genius,” you breathed out as you looked at the majestic tree in front of you.
He stopped squinting as you said this, instead he looked over at you and chuckled briefly at the look of wonder on your face. The simple fact that a tree could make you so happy gave him a feeling of something great. It was a sensation that he couldn’t place right away, but it was love he soon realized. Not the kind he had felt during that first winter you had spent together, when everything was new and exciting in a puppy-love kind of way. No, this love was all-consuming and so so sweet, and most of all comforting. It felt so safe that he wanted to freeze this moment and revel in this feeling; the feeling that you were what all those people had talked about when they said that home isn’t a place - it’s a person.
You felt like home, he thought, and felt it in his every cell.
Right as you proclaimed “This is the one,” Seokmin quickly pecked your soft cheek as the smile on his lips grew even wider along with your sudden decisiveness to pick up the giant tree and bring it home with you.
.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.
This was of course easier said than done, but in the end, you both made it home with both the tree and yourselves intact (for the most part).
“Holy shit, I had no idea getting a tree inside and up all those stairs would be that harddd,” you whined as you finally plopped yourself down onto the couch after having managed to put the tree in its foot.
After just a little while to rest you got up, sprinting towards the cabin where you store all the decorations. You looked over at Seokmin who was an exhausted mess on the couch you had just gotten up from and nodded while looking straight into his eyes. In response his own gaze hardened a bit, noticeably bearing the meaning of him understanding the seriousness of the moment.
“Let’s do this.” he said with a determined tone and you pulled out the multiple boxes you had both managed to collect from both family and from years of living by yourselves. It was time to decorate the house and the tree, and it would get done tonight!
At least that was what you both intended for when you had begun.
However, as most things you two do together, the hanging of the lights and stars in the windows, the colorful bulbs in the Christmas tree, and the many many elves and Santas that needed to be placed out in every nook and cranny, soon turned into a much slower affair.
At this point the stars had been hung, a couple of Santas had been placed in their new homes for the season and it had somehow already been hours. You had decided that a late dinner would be eaten once you had finished the tree, and then you would get the rest done tomorrow since every step was taking at least double the time you had calculated.
Now, you might wonder: why were things taking so damn long?? And well the only answer either of you could come up with was that it was simply impossible to make your new home into a Christmassy home without taking your time with every step. Every Santa and elf needed a name and a personalized home, which of course took its own little time to figure out, and then the fact that neither of you were experts on how to hang lights took a little extra time even though it was definitely quicker than housing and naming the tiny figurines. However, the thing that took up most of your time in the end, was the neverending talking. Somehow you still hadn’t run out of things to talk about after all this time spent together, which you found astounding if you were honest.
“I kinda miss having my own chocolate calendar this year,” you said when Seokmin asked if you were missing anything Christmas related this year.
This made him chuckle, “Why don’t we go get you one tomorrow then? I think that one is worth keeping alive.”
“Yeah? I’d love that,” you smiled as you hung yet another red bulb on one of the branches in front of you, “Which traditions do you wanna have for us?”
“Maybe making a gingerbread house and then eating it whenever my parents weren’t looking?” he answered, making you laugh at the thought of a teeny little mischievous Seokmin trying to break off a tiny piece of the house and running away as soon as he got it.
“Cute,” you laughed, “definitely worth keeping too, would you be eating one we made in secret too?”
“Well, of course, it’s half the fun isn't it.”
You shook your head, but it was impossible to put a stop to the laughter bubbling up as you thought about grown-up Seokmin copying little Seokmin as they ran away with big eyes that looked ever so scared to get caught.
The tree continued being dressed, the decor filling most branches with sparkles or different shades of red and gold. In the meantime, the conversation ended up touching on all kinds of traditions you both had had in your childhoods. Like powdered sugar and vinegar bookmark decor for the tree, oranges pricked with clove and hung with a shiny red ribbon in the kitchen, and the endless baking that used to be done in your childhood homes around this time.
Of course, the kittens decide it was absolutely necessary to help out, or well, to play around with strands of tinsel that was now in places of your apartment that you wouldn’t look in until way into next year. A surprise gift if you may say so.
.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.
Cookies of all shapes and sizes had been made and you were in a Christmassy and cozy mood on this fine baking day. The jazz playing in the back was flowing through your body as you wiggled your body, arms close to your chest as you shook your bum in slow side-to-side motions in beat with the jazzy holiday music.
From behind you a chuckle was heard, making you turn around, never stopping your little dance for a moment, the action inviting Seokmin who had spotted your moment to join you in your dancing.
He walked up to you, reaching forward his hand while bowing slightly.
“May I have this dance?” he asked in a deep genteel voice which made you choke back a laugh that was threatening to burst out.
“Oh, what a gentleman you are this evening,” you joked, and let your hand fall into his.
He carefully and rather sensually took the hand you had placed in his hand and repositioned it carefully on top of his shoulder, leaving it there as he led your other hand to meet the first one behind his neck. You let your fingers slide through his soft locks as he pulled you in by the waist, both hands placed carefully around you. He was so warm and comforting you thought, loving the way he held you safe in his arms as you swayed together to the music playing throughout the kitchen.
As the music had a drop he spun you around, making the warm light all around you blur, creating a magical aura just behind Seokmin who looked even lovelier than usual with a warm smile on his beautiful face and messy flour on his cheek.
You laughed at the feeling of being spun and as you came back to being held in his arms you gave him a peck before you let his neck go in order to reach for one of the trays of newly baked cookies you had been waiting to eat until they wouldn’t burn your mouth completely.
Soon Seokmin began cutting out tiny gingerbread shapes on the counter yet again, meanwhile, you were placed a bit away from him, nibbling on pieces of dough you had managed to steal away from him as well as cookies you had pulled out of the oven minutes before. Your position gave you the perfect angle to look at your pretty boyfriend concentrating on the shapes in the dough in his red Christmas apron you had gotten him last year, as well as a pretty view of the dark sky just outside your window.
The snow falling outside once again reminded you of those first months of your relationship. Everything was really so different now, not in a bad way, but the fireworks had somehow faded into this safe bonfire relationship. It kept you both warm and cozy but you couldn’t help but wonder if he felt like something was lacking.
“Do you ever miss it?” you asked, not stopping the impulse to find out if he had been thinking about the same thing as you.
“Miss what?”
“Miss how it used to be. With us.” you tried to further explain.
“If I miss how we used to be?”
“Mhm,” you nodded.
“I mean, I’ve been thinking about how it’s different now, but I don’t know. I don’t think I would say I miss it.”
“What would you say then?”
“I would say that you’ve become my person, my… home,” he said and looked up from the tiny tree shapes in the dough.
You giggled a bit, trying to hide just how flustered you became after hearing him call you his home. “You’re my home too now,” you said peeking out from behind your hands that you had put up as a fort in front of you.
“Why are you asking this though? Do you miss it?” he asked as he placed the final gingerbread figure on one of the sheets and picked up another ball of dough to get started with.
“I don’t really know, I think I’ve been reminiscing about it since we met around this time, you know? And for some reason I just kinda… I don’t know, I just wanted to know how you saw it,” you said and shrugged as you smiled a small smile.
“I get it, I have been thinking about back then too, but honestly I think were both better now. Yeah, we’re not the same people as back then and of course, we’re not the newly in love people we were back then… but we have grown, and so has our relationship.”
You nodded, listening intently to what he was saying, feeling a type of relief settling over your restless mind.
“Just so you know,” you said with a wide smile on your face, “I think I love you even more now than then, I think my feelings grew or something.”
“I can’t lie, I think mine did too because every day I seem to find another thing about you to love,” his entire face shone as he spoke and it touched you more than you were prepared for, “it’s mindblowing honestly.”
You nodded again, smiling as he rolled out the dough in his hands and glanced up at you where you sat, no longer nibbling away at the dough in your hands, holding back the tears threatening to fall down your cheeks.
He was right you realized, it wasn’t that you missed the excitement of feeling the fireworks as much as it was just knowing that you had changed, knowing things would never be that way again. But it was okay, things change, and in this case, you knew deep down that it had in fact changed to something even better. You had finished wandering the streets under the open sky with fireworks exploding and the cold making you shiver, now you were home.
You shook your head, enough sappiness, for now, you thought as you rose and grabbed the spoon in the empty bowl that was once filled with melted chocolate for the cookies. You licked the spoon, removing the leftover chocolate from the metal surface of the utensil before you put it down in the sink. When you turned around, however, you were met with a shocked look on Seokmin’s face, an expression that soon turned into unstoppable laughter making you panic for just a second before you realized that you must have gotten some of the melted chocolate on your face.
You scowled at him for laughing at you when you didn’t know why. However, there was no way you would let him have all the fun on your behalf!
So in retaliation, you puckered your chocolaty lips at him, letting him know that you would be messing up his pretty face if you got your way. Before you got the chance though, your forehead was met with a large hand pushing you back and holding you in place. He was just out of reach and you pouted just a bit before you tried yet again.
“C’mon! Let me kiss you! I need my revenge!!!” you shouted as you continued trying to get away from the hand that was creating an impenetrable wall between you and your target.
Just as you were in the middle of another escape attempt the wall suddenly disappeared and Seokmin’s laughter subsided into a small smirk decorating his gorgeous face.
“Fine, do it,” he smirked and pulled you in close to him, the sudden shift had your heart palpitating in your chest.
“Thank you,” you said and smooched his cheek, leaving chocolate traces all over.
Seokmin looked down at you with the same goofy smirk he had had before you kissed him, “Happy now?” he said and you looked at him with a faux angry look on your face as you fought your own emotions so as to not let your smile bubble up and show on your face. However, that was a battle you were destined to lose against yourself and you cracked within seconds.
He gave you a quick peck before he unwrapped his arms from around you and went to fetch a damp paper towel to clean the mess off of your face as well as his own. You couldn’t help but sigh deeply as you watched him move around the kitchen. I kinda hate you for making me this happy, you thought as you smiled to yourself. It was really not fair how he could make your heart flutter still after all this time - so rude.
.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.
In the few days right before Christmas, you were both busy trying to sneak all those hidden gifts out of their hiding places and wrap them. However, there were surprisingly few moments where either of you could manage to find the time to secretly wrap your gifts. One might expect it to get easier when you’re just two in a household, but for the two of you it turned out to be one of the hardest things you had ever had to do.
Somehow you both managed to walk in on the other as they tried to wrap their things, resulting in panicked shouting as Seokmin was entering your bedroom after coming home just a bit early from work one evening. Alas, conversations such as “NO! Don’t come in!!” “What why? Is something wrong?? Are you okay?” “Yeah! I’m just wrapping stuff, so go away!!!” followed by muffled laughing from Seokmin on the other side of the door as he went back into the living room with a “Put a damn sock on the door next time honey!” Which of course led to you scowling at him through the closed door.
Another time you had rushed into your bedroom after one of the cats who had kidnapped one of the Santas as he had decided it was now his and his only and he would take it. So just as you ran through the doorway you saw the blurred figure of Seokmin appearing before you, the cat quickly disappearing from your view. He threw himself directly at you, kissing you breathlessly as he backed you out of the room, effectively closing your eyes as you melted into the kiss and simultaneously keeping his gifts secret from you.
His techniques were surprisingly good as he managed to act on the spot every time, coming up with a new way to hide his secret little presents. They did end up with him kissing you most of the time, but… well okay maybe he only had that one way to get you to not look. However, it did work each and every time.
.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.
Christmas eve, it was finally here, and you had spent the day in Christmas-themed pajamas under your covers with Seokmin. The food had been ordered in and the cookies you had baked were being eaten with gusto as you watched your fourth or fifth movie of the day (they were blending together at this point).
On top of your both, the cats were cuddling together identically to their parents underneath the fluffy covers. The entire day had actually turned out perfectly, which seems like something that should be impossible when it comes to big holidays, but it really had been just perfect. The apartment felt so Christmassy and the food had been incredible, and since you had ordered it in there weren’t even any dishes which might’ve made the day a tad bit less perfect.
The happy ending of the movie was just coming to an end, the scene ending with the kiss under the mistletoe and the camera panning away to the carollers in the snow singing about basically exactly what had been happening in the movie as the credits began rolling.
“Should we do Home Alone next? I’m in the mood for some violence now,” you asked, receiving confirming nods from Seokmin who had a cookie currently halfway in his mouth.
But as you bent over to pick up the remote from the table in front of you, you caught a glimpse of the clock in the kitchen. “Oh my god? I didn’t realize it was this late,” you said with a gasp.
“You haven’t even gotten your gift yet!” you exclaimed and rose from your position, detangling yourself a bit from Seokmin, minding the cats so as to not disturb their Christmas-peace. “Wanna do gifts now?”
“Yeah, let’s do it!” Seokmin agreed, still trying to finish his cookie.
The both of you ran away to your separate secret hiding spots and returned within seconds, the wind chasing after you as you ran in excitement. Once you were both situated back in your spots, and the cats had begun placing themselves back in their own spots as well, you held out your gifts for him to take. He squished the package, a pensive expression taking form on his face as he tried to think about what it could possibly be.
“Do the little one first, I think that would be best!” you advised, finding it hard to keep your excitement inside as he began unwrapping the paper.
Seokmin pulled out a pair of beautiful wool socks from the shiny wrapping, his smile growing as he looked at them. “These are perfect! Thank you gorgeous,” he said and gave you a peck before he gestured towards you that it was your turn to open the packages he had placed in between you for you to grab.
You picked up the small, hard, and rather heavy package which surprised you at first. However, as you began pulling off the wrapping a lovely scent began spreading from the present. The candle you pulled out from its hiding spot was huge and red, and the fragrance of cinnamon apple with a hint of firewood made your heart and brain melt with cozy feelings.
“Oh my god, it smells so good!!” you exclaimed, shoving your nose into the candle yet another time.
“I hoped you would like that one, it felt so Christmassy you know,” he said with a huge grin on his face as you had your eyes closed in an effort to try and become one with the candle in your hands.
“I love it, now, your turn!”
“Alright, really hope we didn’t get the same thing,” he said, glancing over at the package you had yet to open which was roughly the same size and looked to be just as soft as the one he was holding.
“I doubt it, but you never know,” you snickered, excited to see how he would react to your gift.
It didn’t take long before the wrapping had been ripped off along with the ribbon, which to the cats’ pleasure was now available to steal and play with on the floor beside the couch. Left in his hands was a soft pile of fabric; a quilt he soon understood. The pattern, intricate and beautiful, completely covering the large blanket.
Seokmin was stunned just by how pretty it looked, but you spoke up, telling him to check the little leather patch in the corner of the quilt. As he read the words written on the patch his gaze became even softer than earlier, and as he looked up at you he said out loud “Love to keep me warm…”
You giggled, yet again a bit flustered from his unfiltered emotions being shown so obviously on his face, no matter what was happening, “What I mean is that I never really feel the cold, because you know, I have your love to keep me warm,” you began, emotions making your throat a bit thicker than usual as you tried to finish your explanation, “and so, I was thinking that now you will hopefully always be warm too with the help of this… and that it will remind you of how much I love you too.”
The tears felt like they would fall any second now, and then Seokmin pulled your entire body towards him, embracing you so tightly you could feel and hear how loud his heartbeat was inside of him. He kissed the top of your head and whispered “I love you too, thank you,” into your hair. You smiled widely as you buried your head in his warm embrace, letting a couple of tears escape from your eyes and ladning on the soft fabric of his shirt.
For a couple of minutes, you both just stayed like that, swaying slightly, kissing each other whenever you looked up and his hands stroking your back softly as you talked about how pretty the fabric of the quilt is.
“Wanna open your last gift?” Seokmin asked, “I mean, I don’t think it will be anywhere near as good as this one but maybe you will like it anyways.”
“I will love it, I’m sure,” you told him, which you within the coming minute would have to regret saying if you were honest. Because what you found inside the shiny wrapping was four sweaters and not just any sweaters, but matching sweaters; matching ugly Christmas sweaters you realized as you stared at the one you were holding up in front of your incredibly shocked face.
“They’re… really cute,” you said, baffled by how ugly these particular ones actually were. However, when you picked up the tiny ones, realizing that they were indeed ugly Christmas sweaters made for cats you couldn’t hold in your giddy laughter anymore. Seokmin looked so proud of his gift, and you knew that he did really think they were cute and you knew you would never have the heart to tell him otherwise so you didn’t. Instead, you looked over at him with a pout on your face, “They’re absolutely perfect baby, I love them. And you even got the cats their own, that’s so cute!”
This made Seokmin smile like a very cute fool, “Yeah? I wasn’t sure but they had it in so many sizes and I thought it could be cute,” he rambled on about the sweaters and you looked yet again at the one in your hand. Maybe they aren’t actually so bad, you thought, loving the way he had thought about you and the cats when he got them. Even if they weren’t cute in and of themselves, at least he was cute enough to make them a great Christmas gift anyways.
Putting them on the cats turned out a lot more difficult than either of you had imagined, but to your surprise, they were unexpectedly comfortable. With yet another kiss you enveloped his pretty lips with yours, saying thank you yet again before you snuggled into the soft fabric of your Christmas gift in Seokmin’s arms, the cats settling in their spots on top of the covers yet again. It really had been a perfect holiday season this year, and for this and many more reasons you felt yourself getting excited about next year’s festivities already.
.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・..・。.・゜✭・.
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Glacial Pace
❝ You’ve been in love with Xu Minghao from the moment he put a bandage on your cut at the age of six. When he asks you to pretend to be his girlfriend to get his prying family off his back, you quickly realize that keeping your feelings hidden from him will be next to impossible. Especially since your meddling friends are determined to have you admit your feelings before the holiday season is over. ❞
pairing: xu minghao x female reader
genre: fake dating au, friends to lovers, fluff, smut
word count: 5.3k
warnings: fake dating, meddling friends (they mean well i swear), mutual pining, moms saved this fic, lots of repressed feelings, unprotected sex, soft sex, creampie, cockwarming
a/n: this is part of the snowventeen collab! so happy to have been part of it! minors dni.
“We’re friends, right?”
You try to pretend the question doesn’t send you into a vague panic. Every time this question that isn’t really a question comes out of Minghao's mouth, you know he’s setting up to ask you for a favor. Judging by his tone you can tell that what he’s going to ask probably isn’t something easy, but because you were just slightly in love with him, it was foreseeable that you were going to agree to do whatever he asked of you.
“Yes, Hao. We’re friends.”
As much as you wished there was something more, that was the extent of your relationship. But that was fine. The heartbreak had dulled with the years.
“And friends help each other, right?”
You give Minghao an exasperated look. It’s not like him to beat around the bush for long, but he seems oddly reluctant this time. Even so, he doesn’t visibly show it. He leans further into the mountain of pillows you have on your bed with a subtle pout on his lips. You shouldn’t find the old hoodie and worn jeans he’s wearing this attractive, but Minghao always has a way of looking amazing in everything he wears.
“Are you gonna tell me what you want, or are you gonna keep asking me questions you already know the answers to?” You finally say, hoping you’re able to successfully hide how attracted you are to him.
“I need your help.” Before you could ask him what he needed from you this time, Minghao is sitting up and shoving his phone into your hands. “Read that.”
His phone is unlocked and opened to a group chat with what appears to be the majority of his extended family. You skim through the messages, trying desperately to hold back the amused smile on the edge of your lips.
Minghao frowns when you don’t immediately freak out. You were the one person he could count on to be on his side, but right now you don’t seem to think what his family is demanding of him is outrageous. He keeps staring at you, still waiting for you to give him the response he was expecting.
You look up from the screen, unable to keep the laughter out of your voice. “How does your aunt know you’ve been abstinent for a year?”
Minghao’s right eye twitches slightly as he snatches his phone back from you. “That’s all you have to say?”
“What else do you want me to say? That you’re the worst liar ever?” You laugh to distract yourself from the stuffy feeling growing in your chest.
At least, you hope what Minghao said to his family is a lie. After all these years, you still hadn’t managed to completely block out the feelings that came with being in love with Xu Minghao. All you can do is hope none of the tormenting feelings consuming you show on your face.
“Unless you are dating someone.”
Somehow, you manage to pretend that the very thought doesn’t sting as much as it does.
“You know I’m not.” Minghao scowls at you. “But that’s not the point. You have to help me because now they think I’m gonna bring someone home for winter break!”
It’s embarrassing how fast the knot in your chest dissolves. You take a mental deep breath and focus on giving Minghao the help he wants. “Just say your girlfriend is gonna visit her own family, or that she’s not ready to meet them yet.”
Minghao looks like he’s two seconds away from bursting a vein, but you aren’t entirely sure why. He was capable of being a master manipulator whenever he wanted to. A lie of this magnitude was something he could easily manage. It’s not like he hadn’t done it before. Still, part of you is sympathetic since your own mother had sent you a series of similar messages.
“My mom is already getting the cabin ready. It’s too late to back out now!”
This wouldn’t seem like a big deal, but you knew Minghao’s mom. She was the sweetest lady ever except when someone made her angry or disobeyed her. That’s why whenever she decided something, no one dared to go against her wishes or question her. Whatever she said was law. At least, in the Xu household it was.
“I don’t know how you expect me to help you. Your mom loves me, but even I can’t save you if she finds out you lied to her—”
“She won’t find out.” Minghao suddenly becomes unsettlingly calm. “Not when I tell her I’m dating you.”
By some sort of divine grace, you manage to not choke on your own spit. Instead you blink slowly, trying to pretend that his words don’t awaken something into you that is definitely not platonic.
“That won’t work!” You sound borderline hysterical. “She’ll definitely know you’re lying if you say I’m the girlfriend told her about!”
Minghao’s plan isn’t actually half bad, but you’re desperate to find an excuse not to help him. There’s no way you can pretend to date the man you’ve been in love with for literal decades without unintentionally revealing your feelings.
“No she won’t! Do you know how long she’s wanted me to ask you out?” Minghao says, the desperation pushing him to accidentally reveal a detail he would’ve otherwise kept to himself.
You try not to be too happy that his mom likes the idea of you two together while also ignoring the faint blush rising to his face. Instead, you focus on trying to weasel your way out of helping him.
“My mom will find out I lied if I bring home some random who barely knows anything about me.” You’re running out of legitimate reasons to say no, and before you can think up some plausible excuse Minghao pouts at you. “Please? I can’t ask anyone else to do help me. It has to be you.”
You know he says these words in a completely platonic you’re my friend so I trust you kind of way, but your stupid idealistic heart can’t help but be moved by them. And so, you say the words you know you’ll regret, but will make your friend very happy.
“Okay. I’ll be your fake girlfriend.”
“At this point you should just confess."
Seungcheol is usually a pretty sensible guy, but this is hands down the worst advice you had ever gotten from him. And the fact that both Josh and Wonwoo are nodding their heads in agreement makes you think that they’ve all lost their minds.
“Cheol’s not wrong.” Josh says, a teasing lilt in his voice. “It’s been years, and you haven’t even fucked him yet!”
The scowl on your face deepens. “Shut up. You’re the one who said I should move on. How do you expect me to do that if I fuck him?”
“How are you going to move on if you’re spending all your entire winter break pretending to be his girlfriend and lying to both of your families?” Wonwoo wonders with an amused look on his face.
You feel your face get hot, because yeah, it wasn't your best plan, and it did seem like it was a step backward in moving on, but details. “I’m just helping him! After this I’m going to go out and get a real boyfriend.”
Your friends share an unconvinced look. Seungcheol is the first to break the silence, signature deadpan expression in place. “So, acting out your fantasy of dating Minghao is going to help you get over him? Explain to us how that works.”
Now that it’s said out loud, you realize it sounds kind of stupid. Even so, you can’t very well tell Minghao that you don’t want to help him anymore. “Okay, so maybe it’s not the best plan, but since you guys are coming you have to help me so I don’t get too sucked into my role and expose myself.”
Your friends agree, but what you don’t realize is that they have a plan of their own to help you get what you want.
If your friends thought they were being subtle, they weren’t.
You noticed right away that they were nudging you and Minghao together. This was all under the excuse of helping you two get into your little act before reaching the small town you two grew up in. At first you didn’t say anything because you more than likely would’ve ended up sitting by Minghao anyway, but it was only until they started insisting you two hold on to each other and hold hands that you had enough.
As soon as Seungcheol pulled into the gas station and Minghao went inside with Wonwoo, you smacked the back of his and Josh’s heads. “What the fuck are you guys doing!?” You hiss, digging your nails into your palm.
Seungcheol glares at you, an expression of disbelief on his face. “You asked for our help! Doing all this cringy shit will turn you off from wanting to be in a relationship with Minghao!”
“And once you see how clueless he is at being in a relationship it’ll turn you off even more!” Josh chimes in as he rubs the back of his head.
Their words sound so utterly ridiculous and like a clear form of gaslighting. You don’t get a chance to say anything else because you see Wonwoo and Minghao on their way back.
“You guys aren’t helping so stop.” You hiss before the door is pulled open.
Luckily your friends say nothing as Minghao gets back into the car. You think that’s the end of it, but you’re very very wrong.
It’s not until you’re pulling into the driveway of the large cabin with two nosy families waiting outside that you belatedly realize that you’ve made a huge mistake.
You didn’t fully think out what helping Minghao really meant. Sure, you had known that you were going to be forced to confront Minghao’s nosy family, but you forgot to add your own prying family to the mix. You only hope that they don’t mention how you’ve been in love with your (fake) boyfriend for the two last decades.
You’re met with loud greetings, and soon enough dozens of people start to crowd the car as you all get off. It’s almost like you’re in a daze when you get pulled into ten different hugs in the span of thirty seconds, but it’s oddly comforting. Despite the situation, you had missed home and were happy to be back.
Somehow you manage to get away long enough to grab your things from the trunk. You’re hoping that everything goes smoothly as you start to make your way to the Xu family’s cabin, but as always, luck isn’t on your side.
“I got it, love.” Minghao says as he forcibly takes your bags from you, but not before pressing a chaste kiss on your lips.
Vaguely, you recognize the loud shrieking of the children that saw your kiss and the cooing from the older women who loved young romance. But even through all that, you manage to see your idiot friends colluding with proud smirks on their faces.
Wonwoo is the one they send to approach you, but he expectedly doesn’t repent for what he and the two other fools clearly made happen. “If you plan on deceiving both of your families, you have to stop acting like you’ve never kissed Minghao before.”
With that, he gently pushes you to join everyone else inside. You can’t be fully angry because his words are infuriatingly true. Luckily for you, everyone seemed to be too caught up in the holiday cheer to notice your little slip up.
“Why didn’t you tell me you finally bagged my cousin!?”
You look over to see one of Minghao’s older cousins grinning at you. It’s a relief to see her because in all the madness, she was usually the voice of reason. That and she was the one who kept your hidden love a secret the longest out of everyone who knew.
“Sorry! It all happened so fast, and we didn’t want to say anything in case it didn’t work out—”
“Trust me, I get it. Remember when I had to tell everyone about Jun at my graduation?”
You both laugh as you recall the time she had dropped the atomic bomb that she was living with Minghao’s childhood best friend at her graduation party.
“How long are you going to be here until you finally say hello to your mother?”
Minghao’s cousin gives you a sympathetic wave goodbye as your mom pulls you into a bone-crushing hug. You snuggle into her familiar warmth, hoping her embrace can provide you with the comfort you’re suddenly needing.
“Why was I the last to find out you’re finally dating Minghao?” She demands straight away after you pull back.
You apologize profusely, repeating the same excuse you gave Minghao’s cousin. That seems to placate her—for now—but she does insist on hearing every last detail about how you two got together. It’s both relieving and nerve wracking.
“I’m sure you’re happy. You’ve liked him since he helped you back home when you fell on the sidewalk.” Your mom recalls with a smile. “That race car bandaid he put on the cut meant so much to you, remember? You wouldn’t let me replace it—”
“Mom.” You quietly stress, frantically looking around to see if anyone had heard her. “You better not mention any of that! I promise I’ll tell you everything later, but right now please don’t embarrass me!”
She only looks at you with an amused glint in her eye. “Fine, but you’ll have to have that conversation with him sooner or later.
If you didn’t know any better, you’d think she was working with your no-good friends.
Your mom would’ve interrogated you further had it not been for the fact that she saw Joshua talking to Minghao’s mom. She barely told you she’d be back as she went straight for the boy who’d captured her heart back in your freshman year of college.
You slightly jump when a pair of arms gently wrap around you. Minghao’s cologne is engraved in your mind at this point, and you actually hate the fact that it comforts you.
“You have to act more natural.” His voice is teasing. “Otherwise everyone will think my love is one-sided.”
You manage to let out a weak laugh. It was clear that you were too in your head about the entire situation, and it was also clear that you were about to unintentionally reveal the feelings you’d worked so hard to hide.
“Just relax.” His lips brush the shell of your ear. “Moms are happy and busy trying to find out why sweet ol’ Shua still doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
The laugh you let out is louder and more genuine, and Minghao feels an intense warmth spread through his chest at the pretty sound. When you turn around in his arms to look straight at him, he wonders if this is all some lovely dream. If it is, he hopes he never has to wake up.
“Come on. Let’s go check out our room.”
He smiles broadly when he grabs your hand and let yourself be whisked away.
“You’re enjoying yourself a little too much.”
Minghao’s fond smile slowly slips off his face when he’s confronted by a smirking Seungcheol. He clears his throat and squints his eyes at his friend. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You hate ice skating.” Cheol points out. “But you’re having the time of your life just watching Y/N do it.”
He can’t deny this because there’s just something about the happy grin on your face as you beat Wonwoo and two of your cousins at a race around the rink for the fifth time that makes him feel an intense amount of affection and joy.
“She makes it look fun.” Minghao says honestly, not willing to reveal the other part why he feels so endeared.
Seungcheol hums, finding it extremely amusing how both you and Minghao were so unwilling to admit what was so obvious to everyone else. “I bet she’d have even more fun if you got out there with her.”
There’s a sinking feeling in his stomach when he hears his friend’s tone. At that moment, it becomes clear that Seungcheol is very much aware of what Minghao thought he’d been so good at hiding.
“Hao!” A comforting voice calls.
You’re gliding towards him with a bright smile on your face, and despite the nerves eating at his gut, he manages to return it.
“Come skate with me.”
It’s almost comedic how quick he is to obey your wish. He ignores the whistles and hollers from his friends as he literally clings on to you the second he’s on the ice. Your honeyed laugh is all that’s calming him at the moment since he’s feels like he might fall flat on his face on the hard ice.
“Don’t be so scared.” You say as you move at a snail's pace. “I won’t let you fall.”
Minghao’s heart starts pounding for an entirely different reason. Instead of staring down at his trembling legs, he’s focused on you and the warmth coming from your hands. Your grip tightens as you slowly increase your pace. It’s like you two are in your own little world as you laugh and glide around the ice.
You both are on a blissful high even when you return to the cabin. Surprisingly enough, it feels completely normal for you two to get into bed together, wrapped up in each other’s arms—just in case someone were to surprise you in the morning, of course.
There’s this natural domesticity between you two, but you’re just convinced that Minghao is just so desperate to get his family off his back that he’s putting his heart and soul into this act. It’s fine, well, it’s mostly fine. Even though everything up to this point has been fake, you’re still happy that you got to live out your deepest fantasy. Now you could move on, painful as it may be.
You try not to think about that as you walk into the holiday party hand in hand with Minghao.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming like it is every year. You try to pretend that you don’t want to let go of Minghao’s hand when his mother steals you away to help her in the kitchen. This was it. You know she doesn’t really need your help when she asks you to neatly place the cookies she’s baked on a large plate. She’s called you in to question you about your relationship with her son. Honestly, you were surprised she hadn’t done it sooner.
“I’ve never seen my son so happy.” She begins, a gentle smile on her face. “I’m glad he finally made you his girlfriend. I thought he’d never confess his feelings.”
You wonder if Minghao’s mom is being serious, but then you remember who you’re talking to. She’s not the type to spare feelings, not even yours.
“Why’d you think that?”
“Honey, I love you, but you’re really oblivious sometimes.” She laughs fondly. “My son has liked you for a long time. Do you know how heartbroken he was when you started dating that Jihoon boy? I thought he’d never get over it.”
Lee Jihoon? As in the guy you dated two years ago?
“But I’m glad to see that you finally like him in the way he likes you.”
You try to keep a straight face as if your mind isn’t now overcrowded with unfiltered thoughts. The way your heart is pounding against your chest is almost dizzying. “I think I like him more than he likes me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Minghao’s mom says with a sly grin that you recognize all too well. “While we’re on the topic, let me enlighten you—”
Meanwhile, Minghao is busy with your mom. A similar conversation is taking place—so similar that anyone might’ve thought the two women had planned it.
“You don’t know how happy I am that you and Y/N are finally together.” Her warm smile makes him feel a bit guilty.
“Finally?” Minghao laughs curiously.
“Yes, finally. I was starting to think you’d never return my daughter’s feelings.”
Minghao feels his heart pounding and his head swimming almost like he’s suddenly disoriented. Surely there’s no way your mom could be implying that…?
“You didn’t?”
Oblivious to Minghao’s sudden shift in attitude, your mom keeps talking. “Y/N has always loved you. I think it started around the time you moved into the neighborhood all those years ago. She would go around saying how she wanted to marry you.”
Minghao is physically unable to say anything, but that doesn’t matter to your mom. She carries on like he’s not on the verge of imploding.
“I remember how devastated she was when you took Chaeyoung to prom instead of her. She had turned down that nice boy from her math class because she hoped you would ask her. I’ve never seen her cry so much.”
Your mom sounds like she’s fondly recalling the past, but Minghao feels like he suddenly can’t breathe. The memory is vivid in his mind now. You hadn’t gone even when he insisted that you could go with him and Chaeyoung. Back then he had believed you when you told him you didn’t feel like going.
“Anyway, I’m glad you finally returned her feelings.”
“Yeah.” Minghao says feeling completely winded. “Me too.”
There’s an unspoken tension when you and Minghao get back to the cabin. You’re sure it’s purely because of you and what his mom had said. It’s obvious that you’re too in your head because you can tell your friend feels tense.
“What did my mom tell you?”
The question startles you out of your tormenting thoughts. You awkwardly stutter, wondering if you should lie or not. “I– Well—”
Minghao is staring at you intently, and you know there’s no point in lying to him.
“She told me that she’s happy you finally confessed to me.” Your voice isn’t as strong as you wish so you cover it up with a laugh. “I guess I was worried for nothing. She thinks you actually like me.”
It’s silent for a moment before Minghao speaks, serious as ever. “I do like you.”
You wish you could play his words off like they meant nothing, but you had been waiting literal years to hear him say those three little words, and you can’t pretend to be unaffected by them.
“I’ve liked you for a long time.” Minghao says as he slowly approaches you.
He’s standing directly in front of you now, and you’re not sure how to react. His eyes are shining with unadulterated affection as he waits for your response. Your head is spinning, but you still manage to answer him.
“I’ve liked you longer.”
Your face burns with embarrassment. It’s not like you meant to say that, but your nerves got the best of you. It doesn’t matter though because Hao seems to love it. His grin is full of endearment.
“Long enough to want to marry me?” He teases lightly.
Apparently, neither of your moms had any actual intention of keeping your embarrassing secrets. You soldier on and try to pretend you’re not mortified that your mom exposed you.
“I don’t know. I can’t marry someone who doesn’t know how to please me.”
His eyes darken instantly, and you hold back a smirk at how easily that worked him up. By now, Minghao has gotten so close that you can see every last detail on his face.
You’re not sure who makes the first move, but it hardly matters because Minghao’s lips are so soft, and the way he’s kissing you makes you feel like you’re floating. The way he pulls you closer while shoving his tongue in your mouth is dizzying.
Everything happens so fast. Before you know it clothes are being ripped off in between messy, wet kisses. You two fall on the bed, naked bodies pressing against each other with a passionate need. Minghao pulls back and cups your cheek tenderly. He affectionately bumps his nose against yours before he kisses you again.
Minghao’s hands feel hot as they trail down your body. His long fingers trail over your every curve, hands pressing against your breasts, pulling lightly at your nipples until he has you moaning into his mouth. It’s his favorite sound, he decides. He can’t contain his grin as he continues kneading your tits.
“Hao.” You mewl when his lips start to wander down your neck, affectionately tracing along your jaw and the column of your throat.
His dark hooded eyes are so pretty when they look up at you. Minghao only offers you an impish grin before he wraps his lips around your hard bud and sucks hard. He licks and bites around your nipple until you’re writhing underneath him, an intense heat building between your thighs as you tug at his hair. His dark strands are even messier than usual when he pulls off your nipple, but not before leaning down to press one more kiss to the soft curve of your tit.
Minghao trails his fingers down your sides, his teasing smirk back in place. “Want me to fuck you?”
There are times you hate his teasing nature. He must know how bad you want him since you’re literally dripping all over the sheets. However, since you’re so desperate, you’re not beneath begging.
“I need you to fuck me.” You say, not the slightest bit embarrassed.
There’s a slight pause where something in the atmosphere shifts to something more heavy.
Now Minghao’s gaze is heavy with affection as his thumb caresses your cheek. “I wasn’t completely honest before. What I feel for you... it’s more than that.” Minghao swallows deeply, feeling like his heart jumped into his throat. “I love you.”
His abrupt confession warms you up from the inside out. You can literally feel your entire chest be overcome with deep, unadulterated love as he nudges the fat tip of his cock against your fluttering cunt.
You wrap your arms around his slim waist and gently pull him closer, silently urging him to shove his dick inside you. “I love you too, Hao.”
The words are whispered against his lips before you capture them in an intimate kiss. You both swallow each other’s moans as he finally eases his thick cock into your dripping pussy.
Minghao lets out a gasp as he shoves his face into the crook of your neck. He starts to press hot, open mouthed kisses against your skin, loving the little whimpers and moans you’re letting out. His cock is stretching you out, and it feels like you might fall apart as his fingers trail down your body to rub your clit. Minghao rubs you deliciously as he keeps easing into you.
Pleasure licks up Minghao’s cock when your hot cunt clamps down on him like it never wants to let him go. He hisses at your choked mewl, loving how you seem to melt into his touch.
“So tight, baby.” Minghao’s words are slightly slurred.
You moan wantonly when he finally shoves the remainder of his thick cock inside your welcoming cunt. Already, you’re gushing around him. His entire length and heavy balls are coated with your arousal as he finally settles deep inside you.
The feeling of your velvety walls sucking in his fat cock has Minghao groaning against you. His arms slide underneath you and wrap around your waist to lift your hips and pull you tighter against him. Minghao’s soft lips trail against your skin as he starts to fuck into you, the tip of his cock hitting your sweet spot.
You’re both entranced with each other, and at some point you two look down to watch where Minghao’s cock fucks into you. The pretty moans and whimpers spilling from your lips only spur him on, wanting to hear you as much as possible since this still feels like a beautiful dream to him.
“God,” you moan when he gives a particularly sharp thrust. “Feels so fucking good.”
Minghao’s hand grabs the underside of your knee and lifts your leg over his hip at your words. You both moan loudly because the new angle has his cock going impossibly deeper. Right then he knows that he won’t ever get sick of the feeling of your tight pussy milking him.
“Fuck, baby. I’ll never get enough of you.” Minghao moans as he leans down to kiss you again.
The feeling of his lips pressed against your as his cock drills into you makes you feel drunk. Minghao feels like he’s slowly unraveling with that way you start to fuck your hips up to meet his thrusts. Your creamy cunt clamping down on him has him fucking into you harder.
It’s safe to say Minghao is obsessed with every last bit of you. The way your body feels pressed against his, the pretty sounds you let out, the feeling of your warm wet cunt squeezing him like it wants every last drop of his cum.
You moan louder when you feel your legs being spread apart. Minghao is roughly fucking into you at a savage pace now, his weeping tip slamming against your sweet spot with every thrust. He loves how your eyes are rolling to the back of your head as your thigh tremble and shake. Your sweet cunt is spasming around his dick, and he knows it won’t be long until you’re creaming all over him.
A sense of urgency suddenly overcomes Minghao. To see you falling apart under him would be a dream come true, and he’s just that much more motivated to make it a reality. His next touches are sensual and tender, fingers caressing your clit over and over as his cock fucks into you and works you open.
It doesn’t take much longer for you to gush all over him. The sight of your head thrown back with your mouth dropped open to let out a blissful moan of his name is addicting. Minghao wants your fucked out expression imprinted in his mind. He doesn’t stop his motions because the feeling of you coming on his dick is absolute heaven.
Your mind is still fuzzy from your orgasm, but you’re lucid enough to see the purest form of love in his honeyed eyes. “Fuck. I love you so much.”
Your words have him stilling his hips, head falling to the crook of your neck as he comes hard. Minghao cries out your name, voice thick with affection. You smooth over your hair as you whisper gentle praises in his ear. He ruts inside you in pleasure as his hot cum fills you to the brim, showing you exactly just how much love he has for you.
After a moment, Minghao pulls his face out of your neck to look down at you. Unadulterated joy and ecstasy covers his face as he takes you in as if for the first time all over again. Your expression is no different, all the repressed emotions you held for him on full display now.
Minghao grinds into you one more times, eyes rolling to the back of his head at the feeling of his cum being fucked back inside of you. He leans forward, lips brushing against the soft flesh of your cheek. “I love you more than anything.”
He collapses by your side, cock still nestled inside you. The words make your heart flutter as you tug him impossibly closer and nuzzle against him.
“I love you too, Hao. Forever and always.”
Your sleepy smile makes him press a kiss to your forehead. Minghao watches as your eyes slowly close before tightening his hold on you. He can’t believe this is all real and not just a figment of his deepest desires, but as you unconsciously snuggle deeper into him, he knows that he’ll never be happier than he is now, with you.
It’s his last peaceful thought as he falls asleep with you in his arms.
“This is your fault.” Josh glares at Seungcheol who is trying but failing to eat his cereal in peace.
“You’re the one who went along with the plan which clearly worked.”
The loud moans filling the cabin are sickening, and they wonder if they’ve played themselves by helping you and Minghao confess to each other.
“Wonwoo isn’t bothered.” Seungcheol says as he nods his head to the catlike guy who’s sitting on the couch, staring at his phone.
“You know he’s wearing noise canceling earphones, right?” Josh scoffs.
Now Seungcheol feels really stupid because it was clear that they really had played themselves. And all because you and Minghao had to take your relationship at a glacial pace.
taglist: @duolingofanaccount @felix-3002 @junhui-recs @asjkdk @dani41 @kageyama-i-want-tobiors @ohwonwoo @dokwiyomie
#minghao smut#svt smut#svthub.collab#svthub#svt x reader#minghao x reader#svt x you#minghao x you#seventeen smut#minghao fanfic#svt fanfic#svt fic#minghao fic#seventeen fanfic
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˗ˋˏ a winter interlude ˎˊ˗
synopsis: maybe this is meant to be an interlude – an unforeseen passing moment in each other’s timelines. but with the stroke of a conductor’s baton, the symphony lands on the fermata hovering above the note. do we allow this interlude to become something longer than a short period in our lives, or do we end it after all of it is over?
pairing: wonwoo x coworker!reader
genre: romance, drama, light angst
tags: children's book illustrator wonwoo, publisher reader, enemies to lovers, fake marriage, food/drinks, work husband jeonghan cameo, small town dynamics, snowed in, scene where reader almost gets physically injured
wc: 11.3k
message from nu: waaaa first fic of the year. special special special thank you to my beloved madi (@heartkyeom) for being my beta reader well after midnight. I also wanna thank mars (@onlymingyus) for being mars c: I remember a while ago I answered an ask with a possible wonwoo work husband spinoff. this is it. this is wonwoo's work husband spinoff. this can be read as a standalone fic. happy winter and happy new year to all of you. I hope you all enjoy this svthub snowventeen collab fic - nu ♡
wondernus's masterlist / snowventeen collab 18+
one
“Don’t forget to wear you layers because it’s about to be chillier as the week passes by. For those trekking into the mountains, make sure you look out for weather updates from the signal tower and stay indoors because a large snowstorm is about to paint the mountains white. Stay safe, and have a great day. Now, onto Yoon Jeonghan with the traffic.”
“‘Trekking?’ What are you? A protein bar wrapper? Anyway, thank you Joshu-"
Never really understanding why other people say they often find themselves turning down the music while driving to see better, you find yourself doing the same – driving in silence as if the silence could create such a frictionless surface that would shoot and propel your car to your destination. A couple of hours late to your annual winter work retreat, a clear understatement defined by the speed at which you are driving, what was supposed to be a carpool event turned into you sitting in a pool of cars while stuck in traffic.
The Sun shines lightly, a gentle kiss against your skin, but not enough to hug everything it touches in warmth. With the heater on high, you sit in your front seat sweating and dreading the moment when you have to get out of your car, thighs peeling off the leather seats and leaving a pool of sweat where you were sitting. Perhaps it is not the Sun and the heater’s heat that causes you to sweat, but a psychological factor – an amalgamation of stress and anxiety that stemmed from the moment you realized you were late.
No longer can you allow yourself to forgive him that easily, yet you really did not want t blame him for giving you incorrect meeting minutes. But when the retreat itinerary clearly stated to meet in the morning at seven in front of the publishing house, you should have known better than to wholly trust your ditzy new intern to attend your office meeting while you traveled out of town to hunt down your author for her overdue speculative fiction novel draft. Instead of writing the correct time to meet, he incorrectly noted the arrival time.
This unprecedented-precedented blip is the catalyst for a series of chain reactions that would metaphorically send you pummeling down the steep side of a mountain in a snowy avalanche that you could have avoided. But you do not know it, nor do you know how it, whatever “it” is, ends.
Dark circles under your eyes and a forgotten paper-thin pimple patch a jolt over a speedbump away from falling off your oily skin, you keep telling yourself that everything will be okay once you get to the camping grounds. Hopefully, this sort of denial could make up for the fact that you spent all of last night kicking your feet under your covers while binge-watching the reality show that your favorite boy group filmed rather than packing for your trip. But there is only so much your heater turned on high can do for someone wearing an old flimsy university tee with a couple of cat teeth-made holes who forgot to put their contacts in last night. You are better off skipping the winter retreat, but you are already nearing the mountains. There is no turning back – especially on winding roads.
And the embarrassment. This feeling of creeping anxiety seemingly washed away the moment it stepped foot into your head even though you are utterly unprepared and inappropriate for being late to the paid work retreat. Because this sudden realization hits you mid-drive: the only person who you would be embarrassed to meet in your current situation is excused for the retreat. Reasons unknown. And not that you would let any man define you, but at your core, you are simply a person with an embarrassingly big fat crush on your co-worker (and seemingly everybody else you work with). This crush is so bad that if HR made every team create their own set of photocards, you would put his in a protective cover with tiny holographic hearts, and then in a sturdy toploader decorated with overpriced stickers. One glance at him would put you in a trance, daydreaming about what it would be like to wake up in his arms on a sunny day with birds chirping outside your window, and him with a soft smile on his face.
Except for one thing – he hates your guts, so you decided to hate his too.
They always say “try, try again,” but how many tries would it take before the attempts turn Sisyphean? Sure, Hades enchanted Sisyphus’s boulder so that it would roll away before Sisyphus reached the top, but what about you? Car tires struggling against the icy roads, you drive carefully so your car does not turn into a giant hockey puck or a curling stone on (what is essentially) a giant ice rink. But being careful does not help the fact that you are unprepared. And being unprepared means your car has absolutely no way for you to drive over any sized slopes, no matter how many times you try.
You only realize any further attempt of going over the slope or taking any other route is fruitless when your tires spin in place after digging themselves well enough into the road. And you slump against your steering wheel like an exasperated character in a movie – pounding your head against 12 o’clock a few times for good measure. So much for a fifteen-minute-saving de-tour through a small town you have never seen before. And so much for you trying to drive over a slope you could easily walk over. Trying sucks.
Still, the only thing that keeps you from abandoning your hand-me-down car to trek forty-five minutes to the campsite is the fact that it is freezing outside, and your cellphone Wi-Fi gets especially spotty when you are in areas of high altitudes. With one final sigh, you push yourself away from your steering wheel to sit upright, leaning the back of your head against your headrest. There is not much to do except to put your car in neutral and try to push your car out of the little hole it dug itself in.
The thing is, the texture of real snow is a lot different from the snow that giant portable snow machines shoot out of their gigantic cylindrical nozzles to cover the courtyard in front of the city hall whenever the local city has its annual winter festival. Real snow is also incomparable to the “snow” a child creates along the perimeter of an ice skating rink, hands holding onto the rails for support while they repeatedly scrape the inside of one of their blades towards the inside of their other shoe, creating soft ribbons of shaved ice before the navy blue Zamboni can create a clean slate before private lessons start.
Real snow is relentless toward anybody who does not come prepared to interact with it. So, no matter how much you try to dig and twist your sneaker sole into the snow, that tactile grip that you wish to create that supports your feet while you are pushing against the back of your car can seldom be created. You slump against your car’s bumper in defeat. The Sun still shining on your skin, a little bit stronger now, leaves you with the same warmth you felt against your skin, a bit tingly and upsetting, when you knew your skin would still burn no matter how nice the cordiality of the Sun felt on that one Spring day in the past.
Plus, there is a little more time to observe your surroundings when you have given up completely.
In the grassy median strip that denotes the entrance into the small town is a wooden welcome sign with the name in loopy golden lettering against a beautiful pine green: “Welcome to Interlude.” A few feet ahead of you, the mountainous road marries smooth concrete, and the sidewalks pave in a festival town-esque brick lining. And you conclude you must be on the outskirts of the town. Leftover snow fills the grooves between each brick and covers the dark-colored awnings in front of each shop along the town strip. Where flashy LED shop signs and brightly colored bulbs decorate sidewalk trees drawing visitors in from around the world, is surprisingly a lack of people. And you frown while thinking about how you would be able to push your car to the side of the road if another vehicle wants to enter the town.
Not a few moments later, a navy blue truck slowly climbs up the road, and you feel the littlest bit of hope surge into your body. Forcing yourself to stand up, you move out of the way and wave at the incoming car. But as your day could not have gotten any more unfortunate, your car starts rolling backwards towards the pickup truck. And you cannot help but see your entire life flash in front of you – a person dressed too lightly for the snow and the used car passing by like a celebrity on a parade float, all in a moment.
What is scarier than the fact that your car is now bumper-less and the pickup truck remains unscathed is the man who hops out of his truck. Looking like a snow-stage boss from a video game, the man who is large and menacingly looking enough to make his shiny dark green car look like a minivan next to him stalks over to you with his finger pointed directly at your face. The only thing missing from the scene is the army of ice ogres that are supposed to follow closely behind him.
However, the only thing you can register is the fact that he is yelling at you – face glowing bright red and spit flying out of his mouth. Your body is frozen in fear. There is a lack of capacity for you to be able to stand up for yourself while you are shocked and unable to recognize your surroundings while terrible words spill out of the man's mouth. And you cannot do anything except take in his expletives while teardrops well up, ready to spill out of your tear ducts.
But they do not. A figure puts himself between the man and you, and your view is too obstructed to see the other side.
“I called the insurance company. Give me your information and I’ll handle it,” the mysterious person says.
“And who are you?” You hear from the other side.
“I’m their husband.” He fishes for his wallet in his back pocket and takes out a business card, handing it to the man between two fingers. “Call me. Email me. Your choice. I’ll get it sorted. Sorry about the whole thing, I didn’t have time to drive my partner. Bad husband right?... So, I heard you’re the new fishing shop owner? I’ll drop by sometime.” He tries to switch subjects to lessen the tension while slipping his wallet back into his pocket.
The thing is, it works. The presence of the man who uses his body to shield you calms the angry pickup truck driver almost exponentially. And the man who yelled at you seemed to forget he was yelling at you just because he realized your marital status. The man calms down, and even falters in his speech.
“Ahh…I’m not a fishing shop owner. I guess it’s fine now that you’re here, but you know men. There aren’t bad husbands, only ba-”
“I’ll be at Town Hall if you need more information from me.” The man who calls himself your husband purposely and curtly cuts the other man off, knowing very well that he would be even more upset if he heard the man finish his sentence.
The man does not turn back to address you until he is done taking photos of both cars and waving the other man goodbye. And your piece of junk car stays in the same spot, bumper-less and bruised, while the pickup truck, clearly without any injury, smoothly makes its way into Interlude, disappearing from your sight.
“You’re just going to dumbly let that man say those things to you? About you? Do you have no respect for yourself?” He lectures you, his deep voice muffled by the black wool scarf wrapped around his neck and mouth.
You see him clearly this time, how his black locks fall in front of his face in neat curtain bangs, set in a defined “C” shape. The oversized fleece-lined collar jacket falls to the middle of his thighs, leaving little room for his cream-colored sweater to peep into view. And his stance, focusing his weight on his right heel while his left foot slightly protrudes forward, allows him to tap his foot against the snow while he waits for you to answer him.
But what is shocking to you is not the code-switching he uses when speaking to the driver versus when speaking to you. What is shocking, you realize, are the thin silver-framed glasses that sit on the bridge of the man’s nose and the familiar deep woody scent that clings onto him, touched with a hint of peach.
It couldn’t be.
A cold chill leaves your tongue dry and squeezes your stomach.
“Are you dumb? Did you not hear about the snowstorm coming?” He asks you, a voice without concern, all while pulling out his phone from one of his pockets.
He tugs his manicured thumbs out of his gloves to wake his phone and proceeds to reveal his face from under his scarf to unlock his phone. After a few loud keyboard taps, you hear your phone’s notification sound from your car. But all you can do is stare back at the man, stomach gurgling and queasy.
“Yn,” your co-worker sighs, clearly annoyed by your lack of response. “Why are you here?”
two
A backpack-wearing piglet who happily crosses the street. A fashionably dressed lumpy toad who rows across the pond in a wooden paddle boat. A shrew who picnics with a chipmunk in a grassy city park. Tiny children who sit between each of a stegosaurus’s scutes. An angry and scruffy-looking Siamese cat who wears a cone too big for it to see. The backside of each illustration states:
Jeon Wonwoo
ILLUSTRATOR
Same Dream Publishing House
Work Email | Work Number | Personal Website
Nicely squared recycled textured card stock printed with soy ink, Jeon Wonwoo’s business cards can very well double as collector cards. And the owner of these cards himself, in your eyes, is the most beautiful man you have ever laid your eyes on. No fantasy writer, no Renaissance artist could ever truly depict how you see this man. Yet it makes you feel terrible, so entirely rotten on the inside, knowing that he would rather crawl up several flights of stairs made of tiny plastic building blocks than take a fifteen-second elevator ride with you.
If you could pinpoint the exact day Jeon Wonwoo started hating you, it would be the Monday after coming back from a previous work trip to the vacation home of a poet the two of you were assigned. The two of you were amicable with each other, even more so – close friends. A power couple in the children’s books and short stories field – a force to be reckoned with. And the hotel rooms adjacent to each other where the two of you decided to sit on opposite sides of your shared door and talk to each other with both your backs against the door. You remember the sound of his hair brushing against the wood and his soft chuckle when you accidentally bump your head against the door. The goodbye after the trip lingered for a little too long while the first hello back never came. And you can only watch from the back of the crowd during meet and greets and panels, sometimes only catching the tip of his tiny flyaway from far away.
It would hurt your feelings a lot less if he turned away whenever you walked near him, but he chooses to frown instead. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make you like him any less. But you do not know what you are holding onto (or if there is anything to hold onto at this point).
Even now, there is a blatant emotional and physical distance between the two of you. He briskly walks at least a meter in front of you, never turning his head back to see if he left you behind or if you were following closely behind.
The thick uncomfortable shoulder strap keeps slipping from your shoulder, unable to find any traction against the smooth nylon of the puffer you put on earlier. And it is just a walk, a measly ten-minute walk to the police station where you can report the accident, but it is hard to walk while looking ahead when you are so close to crying. No matter how much you try to adjust your shoulder strap so it doesn’t stop falling, it finds a way to slip from your sore shoulder or frozen grip. Overwhelming emotions usurp any will to continue onwards and leave you feeling so annoyed, so dejected, and so frustrated with everything that happened today. And when your bag’s strap slips again, you let it slip from your shoulder, sending your entire duffle bag crumpling against the wet and icy brick pavement.
And so you crumple with it, sinking to your knees and wallowing in your unhappiness.
The winter boots that clop in front of you never stop. Jeon Wonwoo would never stop for you, never walk backwards to pick up your heavy duffle and offer you a hand. So it wracks your head trying to understand why he would help you out in the first place, leaving you in the snow once everything was settled, and threatening an IOU coupon for the future. Why he would be in this town in the first place.
The shop window lights of the tiny electronics store to the side of you flicker on. On display and pressed flat against the glass are a bunch of old television sets stacked on top of each other, creating a large screen if not separated by the thick plastic television frames. Golden tempera paint in a modern Serif font exhibits the store’s logo across the glass: “Stay For A While,” in a wide downward pointing arc.
Every single television screen livestreams the local news. According to the subtitles, a giant snowstorm is about to hit the local area. Residents are advised to seek shelter and stay home. The sunny weather is only a farce.
But you don’t notice the news. To you, the only thing in front of you is a lachrymose shadow of a blob trapped in a foreign town with nowhere to go. And your heart follows closely behind the man as if dragged by him on a leash – blindly bouncing, cobbling, and getting scratched by the various pebbles and dirt on the pavement.
The man never looks behind to check on the organ. He doesn’t even know it’s there.
“What do you mean you’re cat sitting? Jeonghan, you never volunteer to do things willingly…Oh, for the friends who are high school teachers? Then road trip with their cat and save your cousin who is stranded in the mountains.” You adjust your grip on your phone while mindlessly browsing through the several knickknacks for sale in the souvenir shop in the town’s only lodge.
Passing the wall of graphic tees and sweaters and passing through a shelf of souvenir mugs, you stop at a shelf of tiny woodcarvings. Your eye lands on a figurine of a whittled cat, hand-painted orange with a white belly. On the other end of your phone call, your cousin complains about the weather, but you don’t listen – clearly too entranced by the tiny cat.
“Of course I listened to the radio this morning,” you mutter while running the tip of your pointer finger against the cat’s ear, feeling the smooth sanded wood under your touch. “Okay, you got me. It was for background noise. Look, I’m not asking you to pick me up today. I somehow ended up booking a room after finding out cab services are down today. But if you’re not going to pick me up then I’m going to hang up and solve this myself. But if you don’t hear from me in three days, then call a search party. Okay?”
Except he hangs up before you can say goodbye, grumbling about how you never listen to him. Still, you’re unbothered by his action. The tiny cat, now in the palm of your hand, looks so content with life, unbothered by what goes on around it. Your mind wonders about its artist, how long they must have spent carving the cat from a single block of wood, the hours it must have taken to create something so tiny yet so fulfilling to own. And you wonder about the artist’s emotions, if they ever felt sadness after parting with their cat. If the cat was the artist’s friend, even for the brief moment, that juncture, in their individual timelines.
It would be best if you left the cat on the shelf, you think. Just in case the artist ever changes their mind about selling the cat. And the cat looks happier sitting on the shelf with its other animal friends, happier than what its painted lazy smile suggests.
And for the first time today, you feel a tiny bit of happiness – a halcyon moment surrounded by forest-themed trinkets and flashing keychains with generic names and soft 2010s pop music playing from the store speakers. That is until you see a familiar figure being escorted to the lobby of the lodge. Curiosity causes you to leave your spot in the souvenir store, edging closer to the creation of a new scene.
“I have a room.” You hear him try to reason with the security guard. “It’s not called loitering if I am a guest.”
You can’t hear the security guard, but it seems like Wonwoo’s bluntness is not a strong enough source of logos for the guard. And the guard stands in front of the illustrator, fully unconvinced that the man wearing a suit and holding his work briefcase would be any other out-of-town guest. And one look of pure panic on Jeon Wonwoo’s stupidly handsome-looking face sends you on autopilot, making your way to his side for no good reason.
“Babe.” You lie through your forced smile while looping your arm around his right arm. “Where were you?”
His arm jerks in the tiniest bit before it relaxes as if he hesitated for a moment before making his decision. Of course, another explanation could simply be because he experienced a negative bodily reaction to your mere presence. Flabbergasted, he would mutter. The nadir of today’s excitement. And you would hate him even more for using vocabulary without incorporating any malapropisms. He is as pretentious as the outfit he wears.
“Baby,” he grits through his teeth. “This gentleman seems to think I’m stalking the halls like some animal out to hunt its prey.”
“Sorry, Sir.” You pout at the security guard, hoping your natural pathos could appeal to the man. “My husband has a tendency to walk around whenever he’s bored. It’s been a while since we went on vacation, and he clearly has too many thoughts in his head. You see his outfit? It’s a bad habit.”
The security guard strokes his chin and nods, eying Wonwoo’s ineffable outfit. He wonders why the man in front of him would pack a business suit for a vacation in the mountains, but he doesn’t want to be the one too quick to judge. Rather, he agrees with the fact that the suit actually fits the man very well. If the man wasn’t stalking the hallways just a few moments ago, he would’ve asked him about which tailor he sees. “If he’s so bored, why don’t the two of you join couples night tonight? Winners get a free bedroom upgrade. And between you and me, I heard there’s a famous author who’s staying with us,” he whispers the last portion, a quick cheeky wink.
You don’t realize that you are still grabbing onto his arm until you dragged him into your room. And he shrugs you off, taking the extra step to smooth out his suit fabric while looking through your vanity mirror before turning to you.
“You have the grip of a snapping turtle,” he scoffs while looking around your room.
It is a standard room with a single queen-sized bed at the center of the room. If it were not for the carpeted floors, the entire room would look like a wooden box from its Western Red Cedar planks that make up the four walls to the wooden paneling that covers the ceiling, giant circular wooden beams that keep the ceiling steady by design. The rooms in this lodge are a termite’s dream feast and an art deco enthusiast’s nightmare. Even the bedframe is made of logs, cylindrical in every piece, and the bedsheets are of deep burgundy red bordered with silhouettes of black bears as if it came straight from the video game your cousin was so obsessed with a few Summers ago.
What catches his eye is not the fact that your duffle bag is thrown across your bed, nor the fact that the lamps in your rooms may as well be oil lamps. Rather, he stares at the door to the right of your mounted television, the divider between your room and your neighbor’s. And you can’t help but wonder what is going on in that head of his.
“You are insufferable, you know that?”
“How long did it take for you to think of that comeback?” His attention is drawn away from the door and aimed toward you. “Just because I compared you to a turtle didn’t mean you had to act like one.”
Your jaw drops and becomes your turn to scoff at him, loudly. You cannot believe what you are hearing, and your breathing becomes shallower as you glare at him. “Are you kidding me? Me helping you literally saved you from being pathetically kicked out by the security guard. You should be happy I didn’t record it and post it online.”
“Like you would have enough followers for it to go viral,” he sneers while taking a step toward you. “And I never asked you for help.”
“Loitering in the hallways? Wearing a business suit when you’re supposed to be at the retreat?” Now there is almost no space between the two of you. And you reach over to his chest, grabbing the plastic nametag that dangles from his neck, and holding it up to his face. The item feels as cold as the person who wears it. “Wearing your work badge? Fine, I’ll admit I have no idea why you’re here. But if you thought that walking around and waiting for some author to come out of their room and have some preplanned accidental meet cute could work, then you’re so wrong. And I’m not going to let you defame our company just because you have no social skills whatsoever.” You let go of the item you’re holding, letting it drop against his chest.
“Okay, I’ll be the bigger man and admit that I was waiting for the author my team wants to work with to show up. But talking about defaming the company? You want me to care about what you say when all of that was coming from someone who would rather let some random man verbally degrade their worth than to stand up for themselves? You’re all bite and no tongue. Just like a snapping turtle,” he says, his face entirely without emotion.
“SNAPPING TURTLES HAVE TONGUES. DUMBASS,” you snap at him.
“That’s exactly what a snapping turtle would say,” he challenges you.
The thing is, Jeon Wonwoo likes to keep things short even though he is not as quick-tempered as you are. He prefers to relay everything he wants to say at once, saving anybody from asking for clarification. Yet, you can feel that Wonwoo only seeks to maim you with his words. Even at your most imperturbable composure with your intern, you cannot stand being alone in a room with Wonwoo once he starts opening his mouth to speak. And stupidly and repeatedly you let his elementary quips affect you like rubbing salt on an open wound. The laceration in your heart.
“You’re so rude Jeon Wonwoo. No wonder I hate you more and more every single day. You’re the single-most worst person in the entire world, and I hate how I once considered us friends.”
He looks like he has something to say to you but mentally drops the notion. Instead, he sighs and makes his way to the door beside your television, unlocking the knob and opening the door. He doesn’t make some offhanded comment about being your neighbor and only quietly closes the door behind him, making sure it’s locked with a tiny click.
three
It is a tiny office breakroom, the kind with a beige refrigerator whose motor is a little too loud, a low-watt microwave, and light green walls decorated with random pen marks from the lodge workers signing up for holiday potlucks. The late afternoon sunlight shines in an ethereal orange glow through the window, casting what could be the day’s last warm ray across the round wooden table in the middle of the room. Central heating runs throughout the building, and the lodge manager sits in the hot seat, his hands folded in front of him while he stares at you and your “husband.”
“Darling?” A nice elderly receptionist on break holds up a bag of mini marshmallows, the tri-colored kinds you can only find in baking stores, and points to it with her manicured finger. “Marshmallow?” she asks you from her place near the kitchen cabinets.
“No thank you,” you reply, your hands wrapped around a warm disposable cup filled with generic brand instant hot chocolate. Gratis, courtesy of the elderly receptionist before the manager arrived to talk to the two of you.
You bring the sugary drink to your lips, blowing softly and watching the steam disappear into the air. The drink itself, velvet chocolate that coats your tongue, is a warm invitation to this little town in the middle of nowhere. However, you cannot help but feel the only thing – or person – that unwelcomes you is the man who tries to angle his body away from you and the manager if the two of you ever cause trouble for your neighbors. Again.
“Look, we’re not going to kick you out. It would be inhumane to kick someone out during a snowstorm. And also we’re all kinda snowed in…actually, we’re super snowed in so nobody is coming in or out at this point. Funny how it was sunny earlier, right? Anyway, word has it that the two of you are married. So why don’t you two take some time to work things out, yeah? I’m no relationship counselor, but this is a small lodge in a small town so word gets out fast. So, seeing how far the two of you are sitting apart from each other, maybe channel that pent up anger into some competitive spirit during couple’s night because we can’t have you two being loud and arguing elsewhere. And I hate to be the bad guy here, but no more calls from your neighbors complaining about the two of you arguing or else we will contact authorities. Alright? Just keep it down and work it out, would ya?”
The manager’s lengthy spiel is immediately followed by silence, although not awkward, but one that provokes thought. And when you sense Wonwoo, being the smartass he is, open his mouth to counter his marriage status, and you immediately kick him in the shin with the heel of your tennis shoe. And he folds like his latest pop-up book, glaring at you while trying not to wheeze in pain. A fake smile and a solemn pledge to not bother the other patrons for the rest of the night are enough for the two of you to be excused from the conversation with the manager.
But not from each other.
How you ended up blindfolded and dizzy with a bat in your hands while Wonwoo angrily yells at you from the sidelines is beyond you. For the time being is what the two of you agreed with, albeit this one is far from Ruth Ozeki’s version. It’s a small promise to try to prove the two of you are more than amicable: attend a few games and activities together with the other couples, attempt to act like a married couple, and dip after an hour.
After twelve elephant spins with your forehead against the baseball bat, you and the other blindfolded contestants try to cross to the other side of the banquet hall in order to smash one of the many squashes on the large blue-colored plastic tarp laid across the floor. And Wonwoo, along with the other separated pairs, barks into the open air in the direction he wants you to move.
The funny thing is, you would expect to hear him call your actual name out of all of the pet names being thrown around, but Wonwoo cannot yell for the life of him, so much to shout your name in public. So even though you hear a bunch of people getting confused with the various forms of “honey” and “baby” being called out, you struggle to find his voice amidst the cacophony of shouts. Once the physical dizziness from spinning around evaporated, you feel a new kind of dizziness from being agitated as an aftereffect of trying to find Wonwoo’s voice in the middle of the crowd. By the time you decide on giving up, the shrill sound of a whistle signaling the end of the game fills the air. Shrugging the blindfold off your face, you look around to see the aftermath. While the other pairs are on the other side of the room surrounded by broken pieces of squash, there is only one man standing in front of you alone and separated from the others.
Your breathing hitches when you realize he’s walking towards you – long, even strides like the romantic lead in a movie. By the time he places himself in front of you, your baseball bat is in his hand while your cheek is in his other.
“It was hard, wasn’t it?” he whispers while looking into your eye.
Except you can’t help but train your eyes elsewhere, unable to look him in his eyes while it feels like your heart is beating erratically. And even though you know very well how he is faking everything, you can’t help but regress to the same you, the same you who is so helplessly in love with the man you hate. The same you who spends every day wondering how did the two of you end up that way.
“You only took the bat from me because you’re scared I might whack you with it. And not going to lie, I was contemplating it,” you mumble.
“It’s okay babe.” He tries to cheer you up, a slight undertone of insincerity in his voice. He continues to ignore your statement. “You did your best. Snapping turtles are slow, but they still manage to survive.”
Ignoring the fact that Wonwoo’s hand is warm because he has warm packs in each of his loungewear jacket pockets (and the fact that he refused to share one with you), someone catches your eye in the distance. Where workers are cleaning up the aftermath of the squash game, a familiar-looking man stands to the side where some lodge patrons flock around him with rectangular objects in their hands. Once you see him turn his head your way, your entire body freezes – Wonwoo’s touch suddenly begins to feel cold against your skin. And Wonwoo, who was expecting you to get mad at him for calling you a turtle, can’t help but notice your state of panic. And he not so subtly turns around to see who could be causing you so much fear.
“Oh my,” he mutters, coming to his realization.
“I can’t believe –” you begin before Wonwoo interrupts your train of thought.
“I hope he rots in hell before he can get his next book deal,” he almost spits at the man from several feet away. He drops his hand from your cheek and takes a tiny step back before taking a deep breath as if he is about to ask you something that he would regret, “Do you mind staying a little longer? I want to make sure chauvinists never win book upgrades.”
“Room upgrade,” you correct him while glaring at the other man from afar.
“What?”
“You misspoke.” You guide your attention back to the man who is, for what you think is the first time, looking at you attentively and without malice. And the fact that he is looking at you amicably makes your brain go haywire, but you subdue your thoughts and continue the conversation. “It’s the ‘room’ upgrade that we’re trying to stop him from winning.”
“Book upgrade or room upgrade, it’s the same thing.” He frowns while tapping the end of the bat against the ground. “It turns out your pickup truck man is the author my team is after. But I’d rather be jobless than to work with someone like him.”
So he works with you, absolutely demolishing the competition during the Dinner and Paint section and loudly cheering for you while you stacked plastic cups. And the way he smiles at you, lovingly and with the glimmer reflected from the ceiling lights contrasted against the cocky attitude he surrounds himself with when one of you wins a game – it almost makes you forget that you’re supposed to hate him. How easily he wraps his arms around you, hugging you tightly against his embrace so much that his cologne lingers on your clothes, leaves you feeling hopeless. Because the only time Jeon Wonwoo could ever approach you without visibly withering in repulsion is when he acts like he is in love with you.
Outside the cozy lodge, the Sun sets its rays on the heavy layers of snow. While the Earth turns to face the other way, the rays wash the pillowy white crystals in a warm and deep burgundy orange – a warm embrace, a promise to return, before parting for the night. As you clean Wonwoo’s smudged glasses with the hem of your shirt, he sneaks his right arm around your waist while he leans further into his seat as the Couple’s Night host announces the next game. You feel something warm enter the pocket of your jacket and look down to see Wonwoo’s hand back on your waist. The untouched hand warmer gradually feels hotter in your pocket when you gently place your fake husband’s glasses back on the bridge of his nose. He whispers a small “thank you,” and you can only smile back at him with a heaviness in your heart that only you can carry.
The hand warmer feels like it would burn through your clothes at any second.
four
“Team Snowball, what did your partner answer for the question: ‘What is your partner picky about eating?’” The emcee points at the woman sitting next to you who gladly flips her sketchbook around for the other half of the room to see. She squints her eyes, trying to read the woman’s squiggly writing, and smiles when she realizes it’s a match. “Soft grapes? It’s a match. Point to Team Snowball.”
Despite everything going around you, you can’t help but fidget in your seat, the sketchbook’s pages starting to feel damp in your sweaty palms. Wonwoo sits with the separated pairs across from you. He crosses his legs, and his sketchbook lays comfortably across his lap so he can twirl his black marker in his hand. Even when you know you wrote the correct answer to Wonwoo’s food preferences, the two of you are still several points behind the other teams. Your stomach cannot help but feel queasy every time you embarrassingly flip your sketchbook for others to see. Because every single wrong answer about your “husband” whom you love very much feels like a punch in your gut every time you hear snickers from the others around you.
Seafood is your answer; you’re the last to answer this round’s question. You earn a small cheer from the woman reading your answer and a small smile from Wonwoo. He sneaks you a tiny thumbs up, the tip of his thumb poking out of his sweater.
“Next question,” dictates the emcee. “When did you know they were the one?”
It’s an abstract question – one that doesn’t necessarily need matching answers from both sides. Still, you look across to look at Wonwoo, uncertain whether or not he would put much thought into an answer he would have to pull out of thin air. Uncapping his marker with his mouth, he pulls the sketchbook closer to him to scribble down whatever comes to his mind. The action leaves your mouth feeling dry: one, obviously, because he uncapped the marker with his mouth; and two, he was the first to start writing.
Some answers are simple. Some answers are meaningful. Some answers are like yours – “love at first sight.”
Corny, overused, and unusual, your answer is the safest route you knew you could take. And despite how clichéd your answer is – its timelessness, its Hallmark-ability – still garners a series of awws from everybody around you. Technically, there is some truth to your answer. You developed a tiny crush the first time you saw him at the office. Who wouldn’t? He surrounds himself with illustrations of anthropomorphic animals and has a laugh that bellows and fills any room with joy. He made your days brighter by simply existing.
Now, the brightness struggles to navigate its way through the thick fog. And you’re left alone in the cold, the fog’s misty droplets clinging onto your skin.
It’s weird how in this life, time moves linearly, but moments and experiences with others exist in intervals – interludes that we can relive over and over again through memories. Sometimes we experience interludes of happiness, interludes of pain, and interludes where it only seems like there are only two people in this world. But nobody can determine how long these interludes can last and for how long you can try to hold on to these moments before letting go.
“Let’s see if Team Turtle can earn a point. Please show us your answer.”
“I’m kind of embarrassed,” he softly chuckles, voice more sonorous than ever, while standing his sketchbook on his knee.
9 pm is his answer. You, and the rest of the people sitting beside you, cannot help but gaze at his answer in confusion.
It is only when he sees you staring at him he finally clarifies, “When we were sitting in my car eating donuts while the waves crash on the shores in front of us. You smiled at me with pieces of maple donut glaze stuck to your upper lip.”
You. He speaks in the second person and looks directly at you with a soft gaze. It couldn’t be, you think. But it is true, you recognize his diction as true. He’s speaking to you.
And you remember that shared moment in the front seats of his car, the night of the work trip. The donuts were for the poet, but the two of you had the door slammed in your faces before being able to hold a full conversation with the poet. And after an entire day of confusion and apologies, the two of you were finally able to fulfill your portions for the work trip. Who knew that the tiny suggestion of walking along the pier after dinner would turn out disastrous – frigid ocean winds strong enough to blow people away? The clothes the two of you packed were not meant to sustain harsh winds but harsh sunlight – after all, the work trip’s destination is a beach town. So the two of you sat in his car, eating donuts, people-watching, and sharing anecdotes to get to know each other better. It was the type of conversation that you would do anything to prolong its duration, the type of conversation with the right type of person.
“You were so happy,” he finishes.
You were so happy, it echoes in your head.
Are you happy now?
“How about you?” The emcee turns to you for clarification. “Your partner gave us such a beautiful explanation. So, you have to explain your ‘love at first sight.’ Tell us about it.”
“Ohh,” Wonwoo begins awkwardly while giving an equally awkward chuckle. “You don’t have to if you do-”
“I was having a really bad morning.” You smile into your lap and look up at your supposed husband. You don’t know why or how the full day with unease bubbling inside of you dispersed so quickly after Wonwoo’s particular answer. But you launch into your story, letting the words flow out of your mouth like melted snow on a grassy hill under the bright Sun. “A really bad morning. I ended up working overtime and accidentally missed my morning alarm. I had to chase the bus while my hot coffee poured out of its opening and onto my skin. My entire day at the office was a mess because I kept messing up. I felt awful and exhausted. So I worked overtime for the second day in a row to clean up my errors. Someone places hot green tea in front of me, the free ones at the office. There is a doodle of a stingray with the dumbest-looking smile on its face. It looked so pathetic that it made me feel a little better about myself. He says that he accidentally boiled too much hot water and thought to make a cup for me. And then he holds his own up in front of his face. There’s a picture of a cat wearing glasses. ‘You can do it,’ he tells me in a squeaky voice. And he leaves. We don’t meet again for about a month, but his kind gesture pieced me back together. And I held onto his kindness for days.”
He stares at you, a few strands of his hair out of place and in front of his eyes. He doesn’t care to move them back in place. There’s that smile on his face, the exact one you imagined to be on his face that time he sat on the other side of your shared door. Soft coral lips relaxed, but the cupid’s bow is slightly perked as the corners of the lips turn upward. He tries to hide the fact that he is smiling, keeping his happiness hidden and only to himself.
So you smile at him. An honest, genuine smile where the cheeks kiss the lower lashes. And his lips stretch thinly so that his brilliant white teeth shyly make their way into the open. He smiles back at you.
Musicians know that an interlude, in music, is an interrupting or intervening passage that connects different parts of a song. An interlude can also be a song in an album. In other words, there are different ways for musical interludes as well as temporal interludes to exist. Now, there is a new interlude in your timeline, this shared moment where two timelines from two completely different lives collide and converge. Anybody can tell that this shared moment is filled with happiness and understanding…perhaps, even longing.
But what do you call it when these two timelines have converged in the past? If two timelines that once converged reconverge at a further point on the timeline, did that initial interlude ever truly end? Are interludes simply short periods in our lives if these interludes stay in our timelines forever, even when the moments they denote end?
Nevertheless, at this moment, you know you’re happy. And you can only hope the man who sits across from you, the one who looks at you with a reminiscent expression you once experienced so long ago, is feeling the same way.
“Okay. We’re in third place. If we win this one, then we’ll be a point ahead of them.”
“I tied it pretty tightly. Is the tightness okay with you?” Wonwoo frowns from below you, seemingly exploring a different problem at hand. He inspects the rope he tied around your leg, poking and prodding at different sections. “It’s a three-legged race, but I don’t want you getting hurt from an accidental rope burn because I tied it too tightly.”
“Wonwoo, it’s fine.” You pat his left shoulder, letting him know he doesn’t have to worry.
He grabs your stretched hand, and you help hoist him upwards. But there is an apparent frown on his face.
“Why do you still call me Wonwoo,” he mumbles while wrapping your arm around his back and on his waist. There is a tiny pout on his face pointed downwards as he naturally loops his arm around your shoulders like he had done it a thousand times. “Are you not comfortable with calling me ‘babe?’ Any other name also works.”
Deep down, or not even deep down, you know he is right. You are uncomfortable with the idea of casually calling him by these pet names over and over again. Calling him by fake pet names, not counting the many idealistic scenarios that once played in your head, in this case, feels very wrong. His sudden change in attitude towards you as well as his overall demeanor after the last game left you in shock. A plot twist in a season finale would be less shocking than what you feel at this very moment. Like every other hypothetical person in your situation, you choose to ignore your problems by focusing on your other problems at hand. Because you know very well, allowing yourself to fully play into this fake husband rouse, even in times when you’re truly happy, would only hurt you in the end. And you’ve been hurt by him before, not really sure if you ever fully healed.
But you can’t deny he looks and seems nothing like the literal he-devil he was this morning. In fact, he seems to be the opposite. Even without being physically tied to you, he trails behind you like a lost puppy and clings onto your sleeve like a cat who kneads dough on your arm, nails hooked onto the fabric of your clothing. And you let him hold you close to him so much that he leans his chin on your shoulder while listening to others talk. And you let his hair tickle your scalp and would let him melt into you if he asked.
Getting hurt by the same man twice does not make a right. Succinctly, it only makes you dumb. So, to protect yourself, you use the image of the screaming man from the morning to remind yourself that everything is a rouse no matter how much you enjoy each moment with the illustrator.
The three-legged race’s course starts in the banquet hall, passes through the hallway and into the lobby, takes several twists and turns throughout the sitting area, and finishes in the banquet hall. Wonwoo takes the lead, firmly holding you against him while he chants “in, out, in, out” to direct how the two of you should speed-walk. But the excitement of the games and the promise of the upgraded room must have gone over the heads of several of the teams, causing each team to speed walk into a sprint once they left the banquet hall.
Wonwoo and you are also victims of wanting to win, or at least of wanting to beat the author. But in this incredibly small lodge, there are only so many paces you can take before having to try to squeeze past another team. And Wonwoo practically hoists you onto his foot without notice, penguin-walking you to make it past another team to navigate through the sectioned seating area.
Startled by his sudden lack of communication, you demand he set you down. “Let me go,” you grunt after being jostled against one of the round wooden tables. You are absolutely sure your hip would bruise in the morning if he bumped you into one more object. “It’d be easier if one of us walks ahead of the other.”
Does it look like I care?” His ego slips from his tongue, completely coating the sweet words that came out of his mouth before the game started. His sudden change in tone catches you by surprise. “I’ll buy a sled from the gift shop if it means I get to drag you instead of hauling you around.”
“It’s just a game.” You try to push yourself off of him, annoyed that he’s suddenly being uncooperative with you. In the meantime, the team behind the two of you catches up and pulls ahead. “Let me go before one of us gets hurt.”
Wonwoo’s eyes aren’t trained on you. Instead, he stretches his head to look at the few teams in front of the two of you. Surprisingly, the two of you make it out of the seating area without any trouble. Before the two of you can make a sprint back toward the banquet hall, you pull yourself away from Wonwoo, yanking his arm off of your shoulder.
“Babe, come on.” He holds out his hand for you to grab onto. “We’re going to end up being last.”
But your hand never reaches out to meet his.
“Babe? Are you serious? Are you kidding me? Are you really calling me ‘babe’ right now?” You almost shriek at him if it weren’t for the fact that the two of you are standing in proximity to the reception desk. But you are exasperated, your voice wobbles as you voice what is bothering you. “I’ve had it with you, Wonwoo. I tried communicating with you. I tried voicing my fears. But your head is so far up your ass that you couldn’t even think about the safety of the person right beside you. Am I sad and mad about what happened this morning? Yeah, I still am. Nobody deserves to be treated that way, but nobody deserves to be ignored. I don’t care about winning anymore. I feel humiliated, utterly and devastatingly humiliated by you and by myself. To think I let myself have fun around you. To think I believed for a second that you truly did care about me. At one point, I thought we were friends. At one point, I really did like you for who you were. But I guess I can’t expect people to stay the same, can I?” More words and sentences pour out of your mouth – like a small tornado that grows larger in size after picking up all of the things you left unsaid, the words that threatened to slip from your tongue all picked up and twirled into the tornado, you ended up saying more than what you meant to say.
“Look, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say,” he begins, but he can only hopelessly stare at you squatting in place to untie the rope that binds the two of you.
“There.” You bitterly drop the rope in his free hand. “You’re free from me now. You can go back to hating me all you want.”
“But I don’t hate you.”
“I’m done, Wonwoo. I’m done with being confused so I’m just going to give up and wallow in my room until Jeonghan picks me up once the snow clears.”
five
“No offense, but I would never spend that much time or energy on a guy…especially a guy who treats you like that. He even stopped pounding on your front door so that obviously means that he’s the type to stop trying after a while,” your cousin rants from the other side of your phone screen. He shuts his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose while the cat he is looking after purrs contently on his lap. “So what are you? A masochist? You like men who treat you poorly and then reward you with like an hour of happiness? That’s literally like if professors gave you the hardest final you’ve ever taken in your life and told you to grab a free cookie after you turned in the final. What are you even holding onto at this point?”
“I don’t know,” you wail at the older man, crumpling your used tissue in the palm of your hand. It quickly joins the growing pile of snot-riddled balls of tissue at the edge of your bed. When you recline into your initial position, the shifted blanket knocks Wonwoo’s hand warmer onto the floor.
“Eww stop holding your phone so close to your face,” Jeonghan complains, “Vernon says I kinda look like you, and I can’t help imagining that’s how I look when I cry.”
“I don’t know why I still like him,” you mumble to your cousin. You honestly still don’t understand why you like him despite every single recent negative encounter with him. To be honest, your heart doesn’t flutter as it does with the characters in the novels you read. Nothing cliched happens when you see him, like how the world stops and he is the only one who walks in slow motion. Quite frankly, your days pass by whether you see him or not, but it doesn’t mean that the thought of him crosses your mind every once in a while.
“Maybe you just like the idea of him,” he offers with a sigh. There isn’t much that he could do for you in the middle of a snowstorm except to be on a video call with you and hope that the can solve whatever you have going on before his bedtime.
“I make up scenarios of him in my mind but I still prefer the real him,” you admit with a twinge of embarrassment. You can only sink deeper under your covers, pulling the cabin-themed sheets closer to your chest. Maybe you’re still holding onto the Wonwoo who existed during the work trip, and maybe, you think, he still exists somewhere.
“Hypothetically, do you maybe think that the reason why he’s so bad at everything is because he spends most of his time with children and draws instead of writing so his communication skill is basically hindered? Like how you’re good with feelings and ideas because that’s the bulk of the media you surround yourself with daily so you have more exposure to that area. So you have man-child versus person with skewed expectations on love and relationships. But then you literally have people like me…perfect in every aspect.”
“Shut up. You talk about traffic every morning but you can’t even name the model of your car. You were also tricked by a catfish.”
“I’m hanging up.”
“I’m sorry,” you beg him. “Please don’t.”
“My point is.” He places his phone down on the sleeping cat to use as a temporary phone stand while he gathers his thoughts. “The two of you seem like total opposites. And the only time the two of you seem to work well together is when you meet in the middle. So, have you ever tried communicating with him? Ever pulled him to the side to ask him why he’s such an ass?”
Yoon Jeonghan’s simple solution to your problem causes your brain to briefly short-circuit. Silence fills your lonely cabin room as your mouth slightly hangs open while your cousin silently judges you from the other end of the phone. It took a simple suggestion to make you realize that you have been hanging onto Wonwoo’s personality change to even think to consider the idea of confronting him about it. And Jeonghan’s hypothesis may not be wrong at all – life isn’t a fictional novel where everything can be magically solved in the incoming chapters.
“No?” Your answer is meek. You don’t know what to feel after this revelation. Anger? Despair? Peacefulness?
“And is he still knocking on your door? Trying to talk to you?” His tone is gentle for once.
“Yeah?” You look to the right side of your room where the door stands between his room and yours. Slips of lodge notebook paper often found in the nightstand drawers slowly shove themselves through the tiny crack under the door. “I think he’s pushing slips of paper under our shared door.”
“Then go talk to him. But throw away your snot pile and fix your appearance before you do. Yeah?”
“What would I do without you?”
“I don’t know. And I don’t care. Bye.”
Sitting on the floor with your back leaned against the door, you shuffle the sheets of paper in your hands. There are a couple of sorry notes partnered with sad and apologetic-looking animal doodles. There are a few slips where he asks you to forgive him. Then there are these series of slips – a mini cartoon of his morning, this morning – that somehow cause a small upwards curl to form on your lips.
Blue ballpoint pen ink depicts a series of panels starting with a text he received this morning. This comic is void of cute tiny animals and can only be drawn with the sincerity of a children’s book illustrator. He draws himself staring at his phone screen in confusion – you’re missing, and the rest of the work group chat has no idea where you are. And he’s worried. Everybody is worried, but nobody is worried enough to send search parties for you. Blue-figured Wonwoo rushes out of his room, completely abandoning his presentation for the author, to rush to the entrance of Interlude. Because he knows that your team always passes through Interlude, but you’re known to arrive at the campsite while rubbing your eyes, hair frizzing from the static built from your head rubbing against the headrest while you were sleeping on the way there. But the scene he stumbles upon makes him angry despite how relieved he is to know that you are okay.
The few pages that you hold in your hand are smudged with blue ink, and the ending is unfinished. Wonwoo softly rasps his knuckles against the shared door, calling out your name. When you don’t reply, he sighs and sits down with his back against the door. You feel a tiny jolt with his added pressure against the door. Still, you can’t bring yourself to confront him. At least not yet.
“I’m childish and I let myself get caught up in moments. And you were right, if something happened to you, I would never forgive myself for hurting you. At one point, I really did forget that the reason why we agreed to work together was because we didn’t want him to win. I ended up wanting us to win, or at least for you to win so you could have the upgrade. I’m really sorry for not communicating well with you, and for how I acted.”
The sound of his hair leaving the door lets you know that he probably dropped his head toward his lap.
Taking a shallow breath, he mutters into his hands, “And I wasn’t lying when I talked about us at the beach. I really did like you then. I still like you.”
“Then why ignore me? Why act like you hate me? What did I do to deserve how you treated me?” The questions leave your mouth in a flare of anger.
“I started ignoring you because I was hiding from you. I couldn’t confront you because I knew I would make it obvious that I liked you. But I guess I hid from you for too long because you thought I hated you.” His voice muffled from being on the other side of the door.
“So all of this happened because of some big misunderstanding? Just because we couldn’t confront each other?”
So it really was a simple problem with a simple solution. The revelation feels like a sore punch in the gut, one that’s so surprising that all you can do is laugh.
“I’m sorry, Yn. I really am.”
“I’m also sorry.” You feel really guilty now that you know that you were wrong to believe that he hated you. “I should’ve confronted you about this earlier.”
“Does it still hurt?” His voice sounds clearer as if he shifted his body so he sits facing the door.
“Oh, from the race? Actually nothing happened.”
“From when you fell from heaven,” he finishes with his voice trailing in diminuendo, almost as if he is slightly embarrassed from using the overused pick-up line.
“It actually hurt a lot,” you joke. “But I’m glad it was you who found me in the middle of the road.”
“Then can I stay by your side? Not separated by doors, but by your side?”
So you push yourself away from the door, turning around to unlock the brassy knob. The door slowly swings open to Wonwoo, who is still sitting on the floor, now facing you. And you awkwardly sit in front of him, not really able to meet his eyes.
“I think I have a lot to learn.” He fiddles with the hem of his sweater. “I’ll start by being more communicative about my feelings,” he promises with a soft smile. “Because I really do like you.”
“I like you too.”
There is a magnetic pull that slowly draws the two of you closer together, a comforting sort of sensation that offers a moment of solace created from two extremes. The outside world is dark. The snowstorm has long gone. The surfaces where the sunlight once touched are replaced with the soft yellow glow of several lamps around both of your rooms. Kaleidoscopic remnants of shards of light scatter around every surface. But the two of you, seemingly in the very corners of your shared world exert a different type of glow - one that can only be created in a collision like the break of dawn after a devastating snowstorm.
“I really like you too,” you can’t help but reaffirm.
“It’s actually ‘I also like you.’” He can’t help but playfully correct you. “You’re the publisher. You shouldn’t be making these errors.” He teases.
“And you’re the illustrator, so shouldn’t you stay quiet so I can kiss you?”
one month later
At the base of a computer monitor, a tiny wooden whittled cat naps lazily next to its turtle counterpart. Two people sit side-by-side in the breakroom a few rooms away, the metal seats practically stuck to each other. While their lunches heat up in the microwave, the two happily discuss the upcoming young adult novel they are finally working on together. Under the table, their pinkies naturally interlock. The man who scrolls through art ideas on his tablet can’t help but let his eyes linger on his partner for a little too long while they scroll enthusiastically through the several concept art slides he created. When the microwave sounds, he quickly leaves a soft and brief kiss on the side of his partner’s temple before getting up to remove their heated lunches. And the partner smiles while turning back to look at him, a smile brighter than the soft sunlight that wraps the room in a warm afternoon glow.
There’s a new interlude in their timelines. In this interlude, the two opposites are taking it slow, learning to meet in the middle.
dedicated to ellie (@flowershu/@eliphant). just wanted to thank you for supporting wondernus for all these years. happy new year <33
Copyright © 2022 Wondernus. All rights reserved.
#svthub#svthub.collab#seventeen imagines#svt imagines#seventeen x reader#seventeen au#seventeen fluff#wonwoo imagines#wonwoo au#wonwoo x reader#wonwoo x yn#wonwoo fluff#wonwoo angst#wonwoo scenarios
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svthub presents: snowventeen
Welcome to Snowventeen! Have a cup of hot cocoa and browse our collection of holiday stories...
This collab will contain a combination of SFW and NSFW works. See each individual fic for tags and warnings.
Join the Snowventeen taglist!
➤ Seungcheol: Baby it's Cold Outside by @idyllic-ghost
tags: NSFW - smut, romance, high school sweethearts to strangers to lovers, ceo!scoups x bookstore owner!reader
synopsis: Wintertime is the perfect time for love to blossom. In the cold air, you find yourself needing to be warmed up in the arms of someone new. This holiday season was something special, something magical. It all started with meeting an old friend in your very own bookstore. Somehow it ended with him in your bed. What once seemed buried started making its way up again; the ice surrounding your heart seemed to be thawing. Can old love be renewed?
➤ Jeonghan: Holidate by @onlymingyus
tags: NSFW - smut, angst
synopsis: It's only for a week, he's doing you a favor, and he's your fake boyfriend. Why do you have to keep reminding yourself of that?
➤ Joshua: Cast me in a Better Light by @seungkwansphd
tags: SFW, fluff, musical actor!joshua x pit orchestra member!reader
synopsis: Joshua is a great singer and actor, you can admit that, but would it kill him to have some rhythm? The Christmas musical really will fail if you can't figure out how to read his cues, but he's wondering if you'll ever realize that he's sending you a different kind of signal, too.
tags: NSFW - smut, angst
➤ Junhui: Sounds of the Season by @junkissed
part 2: "match of the season" (NSFW)
tags: SFW, fluff, college student radio host!junhui x college student!reader
synopsis: when your university’s radio show hosts a matchmaking event to raise money, you figure, what have you got to lose? the question you should be asking is, what have you got to gain?
➤ Soonyoung: Day Of by @wonwussy
tags: NSFW - smut, crack, fluff
synopsis: December isn’t just for your typical gift giving holidays. There’s so much more to celebrate. You just have to get creative.
➤ Wonwoo: A Winter Interlude by @wondernus
tags: SFW, fluff, romance, coworker!wonwoo
synopsis: maybe this is meant to be an interlude - an unforeseen passing moment in each other's timelines. but with the stroke of a conductor's baton, the symphony lands on the fermata, hovering above the note. do we allow this interlude to become something longer than a short period in our lives, or do we end it after all of it is over?
➤ Jihoon: When We Didn't by @bitchlessdino
tags: NSFW - smut, fluff
synopsis: Remember when we almost? But we didn’t. And now what, you’re gonna sit alone, underneath your barely standing Christmas tree and not expect me to sit next to you? Maybe we should’ve.
➤ Seokmin: Love to Keep me Warm by @strawberryya
tags: SFW, fluff, comfort
synopsis: The holiday season is approaching, and you and your boyfriend decide to spend Christmas together for the first time since you began seeing each other. Trees must be chosen, sweets must be made, and gifts must be wrapped and placed just in time for the day. And nothing makes it better than doing it together with Seokmin.
➤ Mingyu: Hallmark Moment by @onlymingyus
part 2: "Love on 42nd Street" (NSFW, fluff, angst)
tags: SFW, fluff, angst, crack, single dad!mingyu x single mom!reader
synopsis: The kids have been watching too many Christmas movies, and are now determined to have their very own magical moment with their parents.
➤ Minghao: Glacial Pace by @wonusite
tags: NSFW - smut, fluff, fake dating, friends to lovers
synopsis: you've been in love with xu minghao from the moment he put a bandage on your cut at the age of six. when he asks you to pretend to be his girlfriend to get his prying family off his back, you quickly realize that keeping your feelings hidden from him will be next to impossible. especially since your meddling friends are determined to have you admit your feelings before the holiday season is over.
➤ Seungkwan: Everyone Knows by @onlymingyus
tags: SFW, fluff, fake dating, angst
synopsis: You know everything about Seungkwan so it shouldn't be so hard to pick out a Christmas present for your best friend. Everyone else knows it's hard to pick out the perfect gift for someone you are in love with.
➤ Vernon: Cold Hands, Warm Hearts by @duhnova
tags: SFW, fluff, humor, mildly suggestive, single dad!vernon x single mom!reader
synopsis: This holiday season, your daughter decided the best present she could give to you was a new boyfriend, which is why she and her best friend Yujin have taken it upon themselves to play matchmaker. Their candidate? Yujin's father.
➤ Chan: Hoodie Szn (But Make it Jolly) by @multi-kpop-fanfics
tags: NSFW - smut, fluff, mild comedy
synopsis: Getting snowed in with your boyfriend isn't as bad as you think: you can put up some early decorations, steal your boyfriend's hoodie - did we mention getting fucked in that hoodie?
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sounds of the season
day four of junkissed’s svt season’s greetings event
member — radio host!junhui x reader
genre — fluff, college au
word count — 1.7k
synopsis — when your university’s radio show hosts a matchmaking event to raise money, you figure, what have you got to lose? the question you should be asking is, what have you got to gain?
warnings — jun is so awkward but we love him, this is pretty dialogue-heavy sorry
notes — lowercase intended. also i know nothing about how radio works so if i’m wrong just ignore it lol
this is part of @svthub's snowventeen winter collab! be sure to check out the collab masterlist here and support our talented writers! this collab contains both sfw and nsfw fics; minors dni with nsfw fics.
edit 12/27: i have added a part 2 on my nsfw blog @onlyhuis! it is smut so minors dni. you can read it here!
one reblog = one holiday song on the radio
“that’s the end of today’s program, everyone, thanks for tuning in. remember to sign up for our ‘matchmaking for charity’ event while you still can! for every successful match, we’re donating $20 to toys for tots, so be sure to get your application in so we can find you a special someone this december. link is on our instagram, and our website, sdu.caratsradio.org, go check it out.”
a different voice follows. “we’ve been sounds of the season on 111.7 fm, hosted by our very own communications undergrads. have a great weekend, sdu students! we’ll see you back here monday at six for more holiday tunes.”
jazz study music from the next hour’s program begins to play as you sigh, closing the tab on your computer open to the school’s website.
for the last few weeks you’ve been listening to shining diamond university’s student radio station; more specifically, you’ve been listening to the duo that hosts the holiday music hour every monday and friday at 6pm. the festive music puts you in a better mood, but what you’re really there for is the hosts’ voices. their tone is so calming, most days you like to turn on the station in the background while you do your homework. something about the way they speak helps you focus. whoever they are, you could listen to them talk for hours.
there’s probably pictures of the hosts somewhere on the website, but you haven’t gone looking for them. you’re a little afraid that realizing that they’re not just pretty voices on your laptop, and knowing that there’s real-life faces connected to them would ruin the experience. so for now, you’re content to just imagine their voices and let your brain fill in the blanks.
you’ve been tossing around the idea of signing up for their event back and forth in your mind for a while now. being matched with a stranger at school just sounds nerve wracking, but at this point, you haven’t got much to lose. the worst that could come out of it is another bad date. plus, it’s for charity. you don’t know exactly what the parameters of the event are, but even if it doesn’t work out with whoever you’re matched with, you figure you could always just act like it did so the charity still gets the money.
what the heck, you figure. maybe it’ll be fun.
a week after signing up you get an email with info about your match and instructions on when and where to meet him. on saturday at noon he’ll be at the far corner of the café in the campus dining hall wearing a white hat, and you’re told to wear something blue so you can recognize each other.
when you get to the dining hall, the guy sitting at the table in the far corner is… attractive, to say the least. you would even call him your type, if you knew anything about him besides the fact that you’re on a blind date with a randomly paired listener of the program.
“hey! you’re my match, right? i’m junhui.” he stands up, greeting you with a shy smile. he’s deceptively taller than he looks sitting down, and you take him in for a moment.
“yeah, that’s me! nice to meet you!”
“can i buy you coffee?” he asks eagerly. “um, or whatever they have at the coffee shop.”
“oh– sure!” you say. you weren’t sure what you’d been expecting, but you hadn’t been expecting him to be so polite. “thank you.”
“of course,” he smiles.
you stand in line together at the register, and you order a cheap drink off the menu. but as he’s telling the barista his order, something clicks.
“hold on, you sound… really familiar.” you squint, tilting your head. he takes the two cups from the barista and looks over at you, confused. all of a sudden the realization hits you, and your eyes widen. you’d know that voice anywhere. “wait, aren’t you–”
he nods sheepishly, handing you your drink. “yeah, i’m one of the radio hosts.”
holy shit. “that’s cool that you signed up for this too, though. did one of the comm professors match people, or was it random, or…?” you ask, trailing off to let him answer.
“no, me and jeonghan put the matches together. so it was on purpose.” his fingers toy with the cardboard sleeve of his coffee cup, and he lets out a nervous laugh. “would you hate me if i told you i matched us because i’ve had a crush on you since we had com101 together?”
“really?” you laugh. blush creeps into his cheeks. “honestly, i barely paid attention in that class, i only took it for the credits.” you stop, realizing how that must sound to him. “i mean, no offense! i wasn’t trying to be rude, i just–”
he shakes his head quickly. “i get what you meant. and, it was a pretty big class, so. easy to not know everyone.”
“why didn’t you say anything? i know i probably looked grumpy in that class, but i promise i’m not,” you say, adding a smile that you hope looks encouraging.
“no! it’s not you,” he rushes to explain. “i’m just not that great at talking to people.”
“but… you host a radio show?”
“it’s not the same. i’m not truly talking to anybody but jeonghan. there’s a monitor that shows us how many people are listening, but i ignore it.” he leans back in his chair. “i have to do it as part of one of my classes, but i actually really enjoy it now.”
you smile. “that’s good that you found something you like.”
he clears his throat, taking a small sip of his drink. “so, do you, um, listen often? you don’t have to say you do if you don’t, by the way, i won’t be offended. just curious.”
you debate lying to not expose yourself, but he looks so excited to hear that you can’t honestly tell him no. “actually, yeah. i listen almost every program. you have a really nice voice.”
the tips of his ears turn bright red, and immediately you feel awkward again. “sorry, is that weird to say?”
“that’s—no, not at all!” he stammers. “i think it’s a really big compliment. thank you.”
“yeah,” you add, not sure how to respond without making things weirder. you’re both silent for a second, the busy sounds of the dining hall’s café filling the room in the absence of words.
after an almost uncomfortable amount of silence passes, you laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “so, uh, what do we need to do for this to be considered successful?”
“huh?”
“for the charity thing. how do you decide what gets donated and what doesn’t?”
his focus snaps back to you. “oh! we’re donating for all the matches, even if they don’t work. we just said that as, like, an incentive so people would sign up.”
“oh.” you nod, thinking.
“did– did you want to leave?” he asks shyly. “i don’t wanna keep you here if you’re not enjoying it.”
“did you want to leave?” you counter.
“well… no,” he says. “but i don’t wanna force you.”
“you’re not, don’t worry,” you say, shaking your head. it’s awkward, for sure, but it’s far from the worst date you’ve ever been on. the least you could do is stick it out for another half hour or so.
“sorry this is so weird,” he laughs. “i don’t go out a lot.”
“it’s fine.” you smile at him, hoping he’ll relax a little. “is that why you signed up for this?”
“well, kinda,” he nods. “i was hoping i’d recognize somebody’s name and maybe make a new friend. but this is good, too.”
you fight the urge to frown, since it’s obvious he’s trying his best, but you’re confused at his statement. “what do you mean, ‘this’?”
“i… don’t know. what do you think this is?”
“a date,” you say simply.
“oh!” he says, fiddling with his cup again.
“is that what you want this to be?” you ask gently.
“i– yeah, that would be really cool,” he grins, nodding. “a date.”
you smile at his enthusiasm. he’s cute, and his personality is, too.
“so, what’s working at a radio station like?” you pry. having finally been able to meet the man behind the voice you’ve heard so much of, you can’t say you’re not more than a little curious about who he is.
“oh, yeah, you like hearing me talk, sorry,” he says. your face heats in embarrassment, but before you can defend yourself, he continues on. “um, it’s pretty fun. the machinery’s pretty cool, the microphones and stuff. makes me feel like a professional singer or something. even though it’s more just choosing music to play than me actually talking.”
he looks up. “you can come by while we’re live sometime, if you want,” he says. “the studio’s really nice, they have beanbag chairs and somebody always brings snacks.”
“is that allowed?”
“sure! you can be my special guest,” he grins. “only if you want,” he adds a second later, as if he’s just thought of something.
you smile warmly. “it sounds fun. i’d love to.”
his face lights up. “great! can you come monday? we’re announcing the results of the matchmaking thing then.”
“i’ll be there.”
he pauses. “is this… a second date?” he asks tentatively. god, he’s adorable.
“yes, this is a second date,” you giggle.
he stands up. “should i walk you to your car? or is that too much?”
he holds the door open for you as you step outside.
you laugh. “no, my apartment’s on campus, i just walked here. but thank you for the offer, you’re really sweet. and thanks for the coffee, too.”
it might be because of the chilly december weather, but his cheeks seem a little pinker than before. “no problem,” he grins. “i’ll see you monday, i guess? for another date?”
“i’ll see you monday,” you confirm with a smile.
he waves, still grinning, and pulls out his phone. as you start to walk away, you hear his voice from behind you, “hannie, dude, you won’t believe what just happened!!”
you giggle to yourself. you can’t wait til monday.
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#svthub#seventeenweeklyarticle#k-labels#🌃 : june.writes#❄ june's winter wonderland! ❄#jun fluff#junhui fluff#svt fluff#seventeen fluff#svt imagines#junhui imagines#jun imagines#svt scenarios#jun scenarios#junhui scenarios#jun x reader#junhui x reader#junhui x you#junhui x y/n#wen junhui#svt junhui#svt jun#moon junhui#svt oneshot#seventeen oneshot#junhui fanfic#junhui seventeen#m: junhui#g: seventeen#c: fluff
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Day Of
pairing; kwon soonyoung x female reader
genre; smut/humor/maybe slight fluff
notes/warnings; use of pet name; ties; stupid humor; drinking; oral (f receiving); jeonghan and joshua make an appearance; jihoon is teased; this is part of the snowventeen for svthub collab
word count; 1940
December 1: Tie Month Begins
Soonyoung smirks as you round the bed, your eyes fixed on him. He resists letting out a groan of pleasure, his wrists twisting in the silk tie bind that has his hands up against the headboard, as he watches you for your next move. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”
You shrug one shoulder as you climb onto the bed, swinging a leg over his waist as you straddle his naked body with your own. “Wondering if I should tie your feet to the bed too,” you tease, slowly dragging another silk tie across his nipples. You smirk as you notice them pebble from the sensation.
He rolls his hips up against you, causing you to tip forward slightly. He hums in thought as you brace yourself against his chest with your hands, another smirk tugging at his lips. “You think you could?” he challenges.
You narrow your eyes at him, before arching your back and leaning to grab his ankles behind you. “Oh, I am sure I can,” you reply as you tighten your knees into his sides.
His eyes are glued to your chest, which is pushed out because of your position, and he licks his lips. “Fuck, babe. If you’re going to look like that while holding them, you don’t need to tie them.”
You let out a quiet laugh at his worlds, grinding your hips against him. “Oh yeah?” You sit up straight again and trail the tie down his abs.
He nods and pulls in a slow breath. “Yeah.”
You glance down at the tie and raise your eyebrows. “Hm. Then I’ll have to find another use for this,” you say as you lean over to press your lips to his.
He traces your bottom lip as you kiss with his tongue, a soft moan spilling from him as you pull back. “Fuck. I love National Tie Month,” he mutters with a grin.
You slowly push the tie into his mouth, winking at him as you whisper back, “me too,” before you lean back again.
—---------------------------------------------------------------
December 7: Letter Writing Day
You bite your lip as you sign your name at the bottom of the paper, letting out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. Setting the pen aside as you read over your words, you can only hope that Soonyoung likes it. You didn’t write him letters often, or rather at all, but today was a special occasion.
“Are you home?”
You perk up with a smile when you hear his voice, nodding a little at his question, before you realize he can’t see you. “Kitchen island,” you call back, hastily folding and shoving the letter into an envelope.
It only takes a brief moment before he appears in the kitchen, a curious look on his face. “What are you doing in here?” He pauses when he sees the envelope, tipping his head to the side. “What’s that?”
You drop your gaze to the counter and smile, holding it out to him. “Well, since today is Letter Writing Day…” you trail off with a small shrug.
He looks bemused as he takes it from you, turning it over in his hands. “A letter? What’s it say?”
You roll your eyes as you stand, shaking your head a little at him. “You have to open it and read it yourself. You can read, can’t you?” you joke as you head out of the kitchen.
Soonyoung pouts as you leave the kitchen, tugging the folded paper out of the envelope. He scans the page, his brows furrowing as he reads it. “Dear Soonyoung, I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You’re scu– hey! What is this? Get back here, you brat!” he yells as you giggle in the next room.
—-------------------------------------------------
December 16: Ugly Sweater Day
You peek in through the window of the dance studio, grinning instantly when you see Soonyoung finishing up his rehearsal. You pause with your hand on the door, however, when you see what he is wearing. And how he is dripping with more sweat than usual. Why was he…?
You push the door open as he finishes his final steps, quirking an eyebrow as he switches the music off. “Hey,” you greet, motioning to his sweater. “Why are you wearing that? You’re soaked with sweat!”
“Ugly sweater day!” he answers between his pants, grinning brightly at you. “I had to dress for the occasion.”
You roll your eyes at him as he starts to gather his things. “You didn’t have to wear it for rehearsal, you know. You have so many other hours in the day to wear it,” you point out with a half laugh.
He shrugs one shoulder as he chugs his water, before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yeah, but where’s the fun in that? Plus, I would have lost out on precious celebrating time.” He starts for the door as he slings his bag across his chest, reaching for your hand. “Ready?”
You just roll your eyes and laugh, tangling your fingers with his. “Yeah. Come on. I’m starving.”
—————————————————
December 18: Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day
“Buddy the Elf. What’s your favorite color?”
“What?”
You giggle at Soonyoung’s reply through the phone speaker. “What’s your favorite color?”
There’s a pause from the other side, followed by a sigh, and you can picture him shaking his head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Aw, come on!”
————————————————-
December 25: Joshua Day
This year, you and Soonyoung are hosting the annual Christmas get-together for everyone, and your apartment is bustling with all your friends. However, there is only one person the pair of you have your eyes on. You grab Soonyoung’s arm and drag him towards Joshua, who was standing near the Christmas tree talking with Jeonghan. “Joshua!” you yell as you cross the room, causing him to glance up with a questioning look.
You both come to a stop in front of him and grin, looking more mischievous than innocent, to which Joshua narrows his eyes. “What?” he asks, the corner of his mouth lifting in an amused smirk.
“Do you know what day it is?” Soonyoung asks, before taking a sip of his drink.
“Christmas?”
You roll your eyes and smack Jeonghan’s chest with the back of your hand, scoffing quietly. “His name is Joshua, and he doesn’t even know what day it is. Can you believe that?” you mutter as Jeonghan rubs his chest, confusion on his face.
Joshua glances between you and Soonyoung, growing more suspicious by the moment. “Is it not Christmas?”
You sigh and reach up to tug the Santa hat off of Joshua’s head, immediately replacing it with a cheap plastic princess crown with a gaudy pink heart jewel in the middle. You grin brightly at the sight, the crown sitting almost lopsided as it is too small for his head, and nod approvingly. “Happy Joshua Day.”
Jeonghan instantly breaks into laughter at the crown and Joshua’s expression, with you and Soonyoung looking satisfied and pleased with yourselves. “What?” Joshua asks, reaching up to take the crown off. “What are you talking about?”
Soonyoung smacks Joshua’s hand to stop him, laughing along with Jeonghan. “It’s Joshua Day. And Christmas. But, we thought Joshua day was more important, since we know a Joshua. You.”
“Just be glad that’s the day. Jihoon wasn’t too happy when we wished him a happy short person day,” you say with a shrug.
This causes Jeonghan to laugh even harder, and Joshua just rolls his eyes at the pair of you. “You two really are perfect for each other,” he mumbles under his breath, though he shoots you a fond look.
You lean up to kiss his cheek lightly, before grabbing Soonyoung’s hand so you two can make another lap around the room together.
Joshua sighs as he watches you two wander off, before glancing at Jeonghan. “What are you laughing at?”
Jeonghan shakes his head and lifts his cup to take a drink. “Nothing, your highness.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31: Champagne Day
You let out a quiet hiss as champagne hits your skin, slowly trailing down between your breasts. It doesn’t get very far as Soonyoung’s tongue laps it up as you arch your back up to him, your head falling onto your pillows. “Soonyoung,” you breathe as you tangle one hand into his hair.
He hums against your skin, his lips moving up to your neck as a quiet moan slips past your lips. “You want a drink, kitten?” he asks with a smirk, lifting his eyes to you.
“No. I just want you,” you whisper, smoothing your foot down the back of his leg.
He chuckles lowly and pulls back, reaching for the bottle of champagne on the nightstand. “You’ll get me, don’t worry.” He takes a pull from the bottle, swallowing a little as he leans down to kiss you.
Your tongues find each other immediately, and you can taste the sparkling wine in his mouth. You wrap your leg around him and pull him closer to you, desperate for more of him. One hand tangled in his hair, the other clutching his bicep as the kiss continues.
He finally breaks away, both of you heaving for breath, and grins down at you. “Fuck the champagne. I could drink you all night,” he murmurs as he kisses across your jaw.
You’d roll your eyes at such a cheesy line if you weren’t half drunk already, on him and the champagne, so you let out a half laugh. “I mean, you can have both.”
He reaches for the bottle again and slides down the bed, licking his lips as his eyes fix on your pussy. “You’re a genius,” he teases with a wink.
Your eyes go wide as he tips the bottle and a little liquid splashes on you, quickly followed by his mouth. “Oh, fuck,” you mutter as he circles your clit with his tongue. “The bu- bubbles kind of tickle.”
He only pulls back enough to pour more champagne on you, before lapping it up as he teases your folds with his free hand. “Oh, kitten, you taste even better,” he moans against you.
You gasp as his tongue pokes into you, and you can’t help but grind your hips against his face. “Fuck, Soonyoung. More.”
He doesn’t say anything as he obliges your request. This time he doesn’t leave you as he blindly pours the last shot of the drink onto you, before letting the bottle fall to the floor so he can grab your thigh.
You squeeze your eyes shut as he works two fingers into you, curling them up against your g-spot that causes you to moan loudly. The sound of his mouth, fingers, and your whines fill the room as he messily eats you out, quickly bringing you towards the edge. “Please… more…”
He sucks your clit as he adds a third finger, slowly working them in and out of your hole. He can feel you clench down on his fingers as your orgasm hits you, and grins against your cunt as you ride it out. He doesn’t make a move to separate from you as you come down, only moaning as your fingers tug his hair gently because of the overstimulation.
“Too much. Shit,” you whine, pushing him away from you.
He finally slides his fingers out of you and lifts his head, grinning up at you from between your legs. “Should I get another bottle?”
You can’t help the laugh that escapes you, shaking your head as you reach for him. “No, just fuck me instead.”
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cast me in a better light
pairing: musical actor!Joshua x pit orchestra member!YN
word count: 5.9k
synopsis: Joshua is a great singer and actor, you can admit that, but would it kill him to have some rhythm? The Christmas musical really will fail if you can't figure out how to read his cues, but he's wondering if you'll ever realize that he's sending you a different kind of signal, too.
genre/themes: romance, fluff, grumpy/sunshine dynamic, allusions to a bad breakup, hallmarkian romance, lol.
a/n: this is part of the @svthub snowventeen collab! you should check out all of the other wonderful writers & stories!
also these are the songs i drew inspo & lyrics from (don't sue me)
griff - on foot in front of the other
ariana grande - santa tell me (slow & reverb)
You balled your free hand into a fist as you turned back in your sheet music for what felt like the thirteenth time. It was your third rehearsal with the cast for this year’s Christmas musical and you were wondering if you could get away with strangling the lead, Joshua Hong, with your bare hands. You weren’t even working on anything difficult, but this man could not seem to sneak through a back alley with any sort of consistent rhythm pattern, so consequently you had nothing to follow. Your beats on the high toms kept missing his footsteps and everyone’s patience was wearing thin.
“Joshua, YN?” Janet cleared their throat, “Can you two spend some time together working on this? We need to either decide on a set tempo or work out some visual cues so that YN can follow your footsteps. We do need to move on for today though.”
“Of course!” Joshua smiled brightly at the orchestra conductor, “We’ll make time!” he gestured theatrically in a way that made you want to throw your drumsticks at him.
“Great,” Janet nodded at him before looking back down at the score, “Alright, let’s continue,” they lifted their baton, leading the pit through the second number.
“You still want to do dinner?” you asked Tetiana as she packed up her violin and bow.
“Yes! Although…,” she trailed off, pointing to something behind you.
Furrowing your brows, you turned slowly to see your one and only leading man, Joshua Hong. It was highly unusual to see cast members down in the pit.
“Hey YN! Thought I’d get your number so we can coordinate a few practices to nail down the walks,” he smiled at you.
“Ah sure,” you nodded. None of this would be necessary if he could just walk like a human person.
“Do you have regular days that work well? Or what do you think?”
“To be honest, my schedule is pretty irregular,” you answered honestly, thinking through the various jobs that you had lined up over the next couple of weeks. “I have a chunk of time free on Thursday between two and three pm?”
“That should work! I’ll text you to confirm,” he nodded, running through his own schedule in his head.
“Sounds good,” you raised your eyebrows at him, “Don’t get lost on the way out,” you couldn’t help but tease.
Joshua either didn’t hear you or didn’t respond as he walked backstage, but Tetiana laughed at your joke, which was enough to satisfy you.
“Ready to eat?” you asked her with a smile.
“Yes,” she laughed heartily. She wondered just how difficult of a time Joshua was in for during these one on one sessions.
❄❄❄
“Why can’t we just do a simple 2/4 or 4/4 pace when you walk from stage left to the alley?” you asked, slightly irritated already.
“Because it’s not what the character would do,” Joshua rebutted, as if what he was saying made any sense. “And depending on the show, the atmosphere may be different, so I want to leave it open for interpretation!”
“I-,” you cut yourself off, remembering your conductor’s words. “Okay, well then can we implement some sort of physical cue? Like a shoulder movement or something? I need to be able to follow you,” you suggested.
“Can you just watch how I move and see if there are any physical cues that I'm already doing?”
“Sure,” you sighed, gesturing for him to do his walk.
You watched him closely, eyes traveling from his shoulders to his fingertips and then back up to his torso, hoping to pick out some sort of movement that corresponded to his footsteps. You’d never seen Joshua at such a close distance before. From the pit, he was little more than the rough outline of a person, but up close you were forced to acknowledge how handsome he was. As you watched him move, you also realized that Joshua was much broader than you would’ve guessed. You were surprised when the thought hit you. Things were certainly easier when you watched him from a distance.
“Well?” he asked, turning his head to look at you after completing his exaggerated walk.
“Sorry, can you do it again?” you asked, shaking your head briefly to clear your thoughts.
“Yes,” he nodded, moving to start again.
You crossed your arms, tongue dragging across your teeth as you regarded him. Without even having to look, Joshua could feel your eyes rake up and down his figure as he walked and walked and walked. Your eyes burned into him intently and for someone who was a professional performer, he was surprised to find himself somehow nervous. Your tongue toyed with your left canine until you finally noticed that there was this little thing that he did with his chin just before he took a step. You might be able to work with that.
“Okay, I think I got something!” you clapped your hands together in relief, moving to the keyboard that was set up across the room from your drumset. “Okay, can we take it from here?” your fingers played out the closing melody that directly preceded his walk.
“Oh, yes?” Joshua did a double take. The way your fingers ran across the keys took him by surprise. “You play piano as well?”
“I’m a professional musician,” you wrinkled your nose up at him, “I can play several instruments.”
“Ah, of course,” he flushed.
You keyed out the melody again, leading him into his walk. He waited for you to cross the room to pick up your drumsticks before he started walking and you half-managed to follow his footsteps this time.
“That was better,” you shrugged, “We’ll need to keep working at it though,” you shrugged, eyeing the clock. You had to leave soon if you wanted to make it to band rehearsal on time.
“Oh right, you had to stop at three,” Joshua nodded, following your line of sight.
“Yeah,” you shrugged. The hour had passed quickly, most of it spent bickering, unfortunately. “When are you free next?”
“Saturday is pretty open as of now,” you suggested. “Would ten-thirty in the morning work?”
“Yes!”
“Would you mind actually meeting at my house? I have band practice right before and it would be nice not to have to drive here and set everything up.”
“Oh, sure I guess? What’s the address?”
“I’ll text you,” you smiled gratefully as you packed your drumsticks away, “Have a good day!”
❄❄❄
Joshua double checked the address before he got out of his car. He was halfway to the porch when the sound of music out back caught his ear. He was quite early and figured it wouldn’t do any harm to check it out. As he got closer to the source, the sounds of keyboard, drumset, and guitar became more individually discernible and these ensemble sounds worked together to complement the lead vocalist. Was this the band rehearsal that you had been referring to?
Joshua finally rounded the corner of the house to face a detached garage where the band was rehearsing. His eyes went to the drumset first, where he expected to see you. The large man seated behind the bass drum, however, was decidedly not you and so his eyes flitted around until they landed on the person standing behind the keyboard. You were playing and singing with such joy on your face and it made him stop in his tracks.
“I didn't think I'd get back up
I didn't think I'd be alright again
You know it's easy when you're young, bounce back and whatever
You just bounce back like it never happened”
You sang with your eyes closed, fingers gliding across the keyboard with an ease that startled Joshua.
“I put one foot in front of the other today
I stretched my arms out wide and it felt real strange
And then my legs, they started shaking and my hands, they started quaking
'Cause things just take longer to heal these days”
The tenderness with which you sang the last lyrics triggered a small burst of warmth in his chest and when your eyes opened to meet his, his heart jumped fully into his throat.
“Oh, you’re here,” you blurted into the mic without thinking, surprising your band mates.
“Hi, yes,” Joshua cleared his throat, “Sorry I’m early!” he waved at everyone good naturedly.
“Who is this?” your bassist, Elena asked, eyes dancing curiously at you.
“Joshua, he’s the lead in that musical I’m working,” you shrugged, for some reason embarrassed that he had seen you singing.
“Oh nice!” your drummer stood up to introduce himself, “I’m Amir, and that’s Elena. It’s nice to meet you man!”
“Hey thanks! Nice to meet you too,” Joshua smiled back at the large man, “I didn’t know you sang,” he remarked at you.
“I mean…we barely know each other,” you couldn’t help but remark.
“I guess that’s true,” he chuckled good naturedly, “You guys sound great!”
“Thank you” Elena chirped excitedly, “You should follow us on social media!”
“Please,” Joshua nodded way too genuinely, pulling out his phone and looking over Elena’s shoulder as she showed him the band’s various handles.
You knew that didn’t make any sense. You should want everyone and their mother to check out your music, but there had always been an unspoken separation between the cast members and pit orchestra and so it felt very odd to be letting Joshua into your life in this way.
“Do you wanna take that again,” Amir asked you, bringing your thoughts back to the present, “Or did you feel good about that?”
“I felt really good about that, actually,” you nodded and you meant it.
“Me too!” Elena chirped in agreement.
“Cool, well we’re done a little early so if you two need to work on whatever you need to work on, we can make ourselves scarce. But…,” Amir turned his eyes to Joshua hopefully, “If you might wanna jam with us…Elena and I have been learning ‘My Shot’ from Hamilton!”
“Oh hell yes,” Joshua answered seamlessly.
“Right on!” Amir nodded excitedly, sitting back down behind his drum set as Elena wiggled excitedly.
You gestured towards the microphone stand as you got out of the way for Joshua. He pulled the mic out of the stand and your jaw dropped when he started…rapping?
“Hey yo, I'm just like my country
I'm young, scrappy and hungry
And I'm not throwin' away my shot”
Amir’s grin grew wider and wider as he picked up on Joshua’s flow. You watched, eyes widening with amazement, as he just continued and continued. You knew it was a silly stereotype, but you didn’t ever think you’d see him rapping and you were surprised at how decent he was at it. You could tell that he was out of his usual element, but he managed to still have a swagger and presence that was quite different from when you’d seen him during rehearsal. Elena’s delight grew unbridled as they ran through a good amount of the track before Joshua ran out of breath.
“Sorry!” he laughed apologetically, “I don’t typically rap,” he smiled genially.
“No, don’t apologize man, that was awesome!” Amir shook his head vehemently.
You grinned as you watched the three of them bond. Amir and Elena had always had such open and welcoming personalities, so it didn’t surprise you that they connected with Joshua immediately.
“Of all the things I never thought I’d see,” you remarked as you looked at him with a newfound appreciation.
“I mean we barely know each other, right?” he couldn’t help but throw your own words back at you. He must’ve been still reestablishing his blood oxygen equilibrium, because there was no other explanation for why he winked at you.
You blinked.
“Well, we ought to get out of your hair cause we’ve probably eaten into enough of your rehearsal time,” Amir spoke up after exchanging a glance with Elena. They both packed up quickly and made themselves scarce as you settled in behind the drumset, adjusting the stool way, way down.
“That was fun,” Joshua smiled at you as you warmed up.
“You were perfectly on beat there! So if you could just do that while you walk,” you teased, eyes creasing as you smiled at him. Joshua opened his mouth, but you cut him off, “I know, I know, that’s not what the character would do,” you shook your head playfully at him.
You were pleasantly surprised that the next hour passed quickly. It was probably because Amir and Elena had helped break the ice a little bit, but you felt a lot more comfortable with Joshua today. In turn, he also seemed more open to your input and you were able to work out a decent system for establishing a walking or transition pace. Eventually, you got bored and worked on a few other passages before your stomach interrupted with a loud rumble.
“Was that your stomach?” Joshua asked, surprise evident on his face.
“Yes,” you laughed sheepishly, “I should eat something. Do you want to take a break? I’ve probably got something we can snack on.”
“I wouldn’t mind a snack,” Joshua smiled at you in a way that was disarming.
“Okay, follow me then,” you turned away, nervous, allowing him to follow you, “Don’t judge me, I know the place is a mess!” you disclaimed as you led him through the house. Joshua’s eyes widened with wonder as he inventoried the many, many instrument cases scattered around your house.
“How many instruments can you play?” he looked at you in wonder.
“I, uh,” you made a face as you counted in your head. “All of the strings and most of the percussion instruments.”
“What? That’s amazing!” Joshua gaped at you. He was truly impressed.
“Thanks,” you chuckled, a bit shy at his obvious admiration. Avoiding his gaze, you searched through your cupboard for something to eat.
“Can I try this?” Joshua gestured to the cello laying on the ground while you slid two frozen waffles into the toaster.
“Sure!” you called over your shoulder as you moved to the fridge. Waffles and cereal it was! You laughed to yourself as you heard some fiddling followed by a few noisy scrapes.
“This sounds horrible,” he remarked to himself as he continued to drag the bow across the strings determinedly. You couldn’t fight the smile that spread across your lips as you watched him out of the corner of your eye. You were surprised that you still found him endearing as he continued to make such grating sounds.
“You’ll have to adjust the pin,” you gestured to the bottom of the cello as you approached him, assessing the situation. “Here, hold this for me,” you lifted the instrument to the appropriate height and waited for Joshua to grab the instrument. You reached down between his legs and pulled the endpin out so that the cello sat at a better height.
“Okay, that looks better, now let’s address this grip,” you smiled, grabbing his hand and adjusting his fingers so they held the bow in a less awkward way. You didn’t notice, but Joshua’s Adam’s apple bobbed erratically when you moved to adjust his other hand on the neck of the cello. “You might actually be good at the cello,” you remarked, taking his left hand into your own. “You have these nice long fingers!”
Before he could respond, the waffles jumped in the toaster, pulling your attention away. It was just as well, because the best Joshua could’ve offered was a garbled cough with the way you had managed to fluster him. Blinking rapidly, he stood, placing the cello back on its side.
In the kitchen, you reprimanded yourself mentally as you placed the toasted waffles onto plates. Joshua did have nice hands, but you certainly didn’t need to be saying that out loud! Wordlessly, you brought everything to the kitchen table and gestured for him to sit.
“Hope you like Cap’n Crunch,” you laughed, “It’s the best I can do with no notice.
“I love Cap’n Crunch,” he smiled genuinely, “So do you teach as well?” he asked between mouthfuls. You nodded and worked through your own mouthful of cereal before answering him.
“Yes! I teach a handful of students, mostly string instruments.”
“Wow, that is really amazing,” Joshua beamed at you one more time before you ate in silence. The crunch of the cap’n filled the room and you were struck by the odd sense of intimacy that filled the moment. You wondered if it was one sided before you finished up and resumed practice
❄❄❄
Joshua couldn’t keep his eyes from wandering to you in the pit. You were laughing easily with some of the other musicians and he was surprised at the way he felt almost jealous? It made sense, of course, you knew them much better than you knew him. Prior to this show, you’d never even interacted, but after spending some time with you over the weekend, Joshua had had a lot of trouble keeping you out of his mind.
“Ready to get started?” Janet tapped their baton against their music stand.
Everyone directed their attention to the podium and flipped to one of the big dance numbers. It was quick and before long you were deeply immersed, trying to keep time with their steps.
“Very good, nice work!” Janet clapped happily, more than pleased. “Joshua and YN, great job nailing down the transitions as well! They’re looking much better.”
You smiled back, pleased as well. Joshua instinctively looked towards where he knew you were, even though it was too dark to see you anymore.
“Hey, YN!” you heard Joshua’s now familiar voice as you were on the way out of rehearsal.
“Hey, nice job today,” you smiled at him.
“Thanks to you,” he felt inordinately pleased to receive your compliment. “Hey if you’re not busy, do you want to grab some coffee?”
“I’m not, but why?” you asked.
“I-, do I have to have a reason?” he paused, furrowing his brow.
“I mean, I guess not but this is a little unusual. The cast members typically don’t acknowledge our existence,” you chuckled. You were probably being a little unfair, but this was also true.
“Well, you’re not exactly making it easy,” he pushed back, raising an eyebrow.
“…Fair point,” you had to admit. “You’re right. Let’s go get coffee.”
Joshua beamed.
“I like Almanac, but where do you like for coffee?”
“I like Almanac too!” Joshua’s eyebrows raised in surprise, “See we’re more similar than you give us credit for.”
“I already admitted I was being unfair,” you raised your brows at him, heading towards your favorite coffee shop.
“So how was the rest of your weekend?”
“It was pretty busy, but good! Yours?”
“It was also good,” Joshua smiled. You watched the way the corners of his lips curled up in a catlike fashion. “I had some free time after our practice, so I went to visit my mom.”
“Oh, nice! Does she live close? Far?”
“A couple of hours away, so it’s not too far. She’s getting a little older now, so I try to visit regularly and help around the house however I can.”
“That’s sweet of you,” you smiled. Joshua had always seemed like a gentleman and this was consistent with that.
“It’s the right thing to do,” he shrugged, opening the door to Almanac for you.
“YN!” the roaster, Sam, greeted you, “And Josh?” He did a double take when Joshua followed you inside. “Do you two know each other?”
“We do!” Joshua nodded, “You weren’t kidding when you said you like it here, huh?”
“I take my coffee very seriously,” you threw him a pointed yet playful look. “What’s interesting today?” you turned back to Sam.
“For you? I think you’ll like the Burundi best? Very juicy and complex,” he regarded you for a second. “And for you, Joshua? I think the Honduras? Nutty and more chocolatey notes.”
You and Joshua both nodded. When it came to coffee with Sam, you’d both learned that it was always best to go with dealer’s choice.
“Do we want these for here or to go?”
“I, uh…?” you looked at Joshua, this had been his idea to begin with.
“Here?” he suggested, hoping you didn’t feel obligated.
“Sure,” you shrugged.
“So how do you two know each other?” Sam asked as he bounced around behind the bar, grinding beans and prepping pour overs.
“We’re both in the Christmas show,” Joshua answered first, gesturing vaguely towards the theater where you’d just walked from.
“Well, he’s in it. I’m in the pit orchestra,” you felt the need to clarify.
“You’re in it! There’s no musical without the orchestra!” he insisted enthusiastically.
“I would agree with that,” Sam chuckled, intrigued at your dynamic.
“You know what I mean though!” you scrunched your face at Joshua, “If you say ‘I’m in a musical’ people think you mean the cast!”
Joshua blinked down at you. His lips curled up at the corners, amused at your fervor. Sam watched with a grin on his face as you and Joshua bickered playfully.
“Okay, here’s your coffee kids,” he finally interrupted, sliding two ceramic cups across the bar.
“Thanks Sam,” you beamed at him before turning to search out a table. It wasn’t terribly busy, so you were able to grab seats at the bar looking out the window. “So did you have something you needed to talk to me about?” you asked, shifting slightly to face him.
“No, I just wanted to spend some time with you,” he laughed, leaning back in his chair.
“What?”
“What?” he asked, a little confused that he kept having to explain why he wanted to be around you. You were incredibly talented and interesting, did you not see that?
“Sorry I’m not good at making new friends,” you chuckled wryly.
“You’re okay,” Joshua smiled. “I was actually hoping to ask you about your music making process. If you don’t mind.”
“Oh?” your eyes lit up. This was a topic that you could talk both of his ears off about, if he let you.
“Yes, I was wondering who writes your lyrics and whether you have a process for it. Like lyrics first and then music or vice versa?”
“That’s a good question that’s impossible to answer,” you grinned at him. “Amir and Elena and I tend to each write our own tracks, but we do ask each other for input. For me, I write the lyrics first and fill in the music around them. Elena is the opposite and Amir does both, depending on his mood. Do you write music?”
“I have tried in the past. But I’m primarily a vocalist, so I never really got to the part about filling in the music,” he chuckled sheepishly. “I can get by on guitar, but that’s about it.”
“It’s certainly not easy,” you laughed, “And then there’s the issue of baring your heart and soul to the people who do actually listen.”
Joshua enjoyed the way your eyes sparkled as you talked excitedly about your music making process. You didn’t seem to like to talk about yourself otherwise, so he hoped he could learn more about you through your music. Your next show was already marked down in his calendar and he couldn’t wait for the day to come.
“Sorry I’m talking your ear off!” you chuckled, bringing your mug to your lips.
“I like it,” his eyes creased as he smiled at you, resting his chin on his hand, eager to hear more.
You blinked. His statement was so straightforward and caught you off guard. You weren’t able to fight the heat that crawled up your neck, so you pretended it was a win that you hadn’t choked on your coffee entirely.
“Oh my gosh, I have to get going,” Joshua’s eyes widened when he noticed the time.
“Oh, okay!” you nodded. “Sorry, I told you I could talk forever about this!”
“Don’t be sorry. Time passes easily with you.”
“This was fun, thanks for suggesting it,” you stepped past his compliment and through the door purposefully. “Oh, it’s snowing!” you gasped, extending your palms upwards to catch a few flakes.
“Pretty,” he murmured, eyes watching you as snowflakes landed in your hair.
“It really is,” you turned towards him, fully beaming now. You loved being outside for the first snow each year. You and Joshua exchanged a laden glance before you couldn’t stand it anymore and excused yourself. It was cold out, but you almost couldn’t feel it.
❄❄❄
“Are you gonna sing tonight?” Elena asked you, eyes bright with curiosity. You tended to be fifty-fifty when it came to karaoke night. Sometimes you were in the mood and other times you weren’t. Tonight you were decidedly on the fence, so you planned to just go with the flow.
“Not sure yet, but I am here to support you,” you grinned, nose scrunching affectionately at her. “Is Amir coming?”
“Yeah, but he invited someone else so he’s waiting outside,” Elena nodded.
“Oh, okay!” you shrugged. It wasn’t unheard of for others to join you, but it wasn’t frequent either. You wandered to the bar to grab a beer while you waited.
“Yo!” you jumped slightly when Amir’s booming voice was accompanied by his hands clapping down on your shoulders.
“Jeebus,” you scrunched your face up at him.
“Two pilsners, please?” he signaled to the bartender before pulling you into a hug. “How’s things?” he asked as you headed back towards Elena.
“Pretty good! How are yo-oh?” you stopped mid-sentence when you saw Joshua sitting with her.
“Hey,” he smiled gently, waving at you.
“What are you doing here?”
“I invited him!” Amir stated as a matter of factly as he took the seat next to Elena at the picnic style table. You climbed over the bench on the other side, taking the spot next to Joshua.
“We’ve been chatting,” Joshua explained helpfully.
“Oh,” you nodded, though you were full of questions, “It’s good to see you.”
“You too,” he nodded, left knee nudging yours under the table.
Your heart flipped in your chest. You hadn’t seen Joshua since your post-rehearsal coffee, but he’d certainly been on your mind. If you squinted, in the right light, you would almost think that he was interested in you. But then again, you’d also thought things with your last partner had been going well just before they’d broken up with you too.
“What are you singing?” you asked, pulling yourself out of your thoughts.
“Well it has to be holiday themed, so that narrows down our choices,” Amir stroked his chin playfully.
“Have you decided?” Joshua turned to you, eyes curious.
“I’m not sure I’m going to sing yet,” you half-smiled at him.
“Oh come on! I’ll sing if you sing,” he offered.
“Why would I care if you sing or not?” you countered.
“Hm. You’re telling me you don’t want to watch me make a fool of myself singing Mariah Carey?” he teased, corners of his lips curling up playfully.
“Wait,” you blinked, “Wait, no I really do,” your eyes widened as you processed his words.
“You’d better pony up then,” he threw you a playful look as he brought his beer to his lips.
Elena watched Joshua with severe interest as he watched you wrack your brain for Christmas songs. He was so clearly interested in you, but she couldn’t tell whether your obliviousness was purposeful or not.
“What about ‘Santa Tell Me’?” she suggested, electing to help you out of your misery.
“Oh! I do like that song!” you smiled at Elena gratefully, “Will that do?” you turned to Joshua, an eyebrow raised expectantly at him.
You honestly expected him to say no and request a rendition of something much more embarrassing, so you were caught off guard when he cocked his head to the side and raked his eyes over you before nodding. Elena’s eyes widened before they flew to Amir to see whether he’d been paying attention to this exchange. As was typical, he seemed blissfully unaware as he drank his beer.
“Do we sign up? Or how does this work?” Joshua asked, craning his neck towards the MC.
“Yep, they have a sign-up sheet there!” Amir nodded.
“Shall we?” Joshua turned to you, extending his hand towards you.
“We?” you couldn’t help the question that escaped your lips.
“I don’t trust you not to chicken out. I would like to watch you put pen to paper,” he grinned mischievously at you.
“Me? Chicken?” you gasped, offended. “I would never!”
“Then let’s go,” Joshua chuckled cooly.
“Fine,” you scoffed, placing your hand in his and following him to the MC’s station.
“Amir!” Elena squealed as she watched you leave. “I think something’s going on?”
“Oh yeah, Joshua likes YN,” Amir shrugged, nodding as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“Wait, what?”
“He told me. Why do you think I invited him?”
Elena’s mouth hung wide open at this revelation. Of all the things she never thought she’d see, Amir meddling was pretty damn near top of the list.
“Am I going first or are you?” you asked Joshua as you held the pen above the sign-up sheet.
“I’ll go first,” he shrugged good naturedly, “It was my idea after all.”
“Okay,” you nodded, scribbling his name and then your own just below it, “No backing out now.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he winked at you. He couldn’t seem to help himself from teasing you tonight.
You watched, fascinated, as Joshua chatted with Elena and Amir. You’d have thought they’d known each other for years, but when you sat down to do the math, you were surprised to realize that it had really only been a few weeks since they’d met. It was a pleasant surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. Pulling yourself out of your thoughts again, you met Elena’s gaze, which was loaded to say the least. When she realized you were no longer spacing out, her eyebrows raised as her head jerked subtly, yet meaningfully, towards Joshua. You knew what she was saying and you maybe even agreed. You just needed to have another mental breakdown or two before you decided what you wanted to do about it.
“Oh, I’m next!” Joshua announced as he watched names on the screen flicker by.
“Break a leg,” you beamed at him. He faltered for a moment at the genuine openness of your smile.
You watched with a mixture of excitement and secondhand embarrassment as Joshua started his rendition of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’. It was stupid, but you were surprised at how good he was. He didn’t take himself too seriously, hammed it up when it was appropriate, and by the end of it you were smiling widely and singing along. In fact, you were enjoying yourself so much that you practically forgot you were meant to sing after him and rushed on stage at the last minute. Joshua handed you the mic with a playful chuckle, fingers brushing for just a moment.
“Santa, tell me if you're really there
Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here next year
Santa, tell me if he really cares
'Cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here next year”
Joshua smiled as he watched you sing. He wasn’t surprised that this song resonated with you. While perusing your music, it had become apparent to him that you’d gone through a big breakup sometime in the last year. He could certainly understand the reluctance to get involved with someone new, but he also hoped that he could prove himself to be a steadfast friend and potential partner.
You smiled impossibly wide as you grooved to the background music; you really did love this song! Inevitably your eyes moved back to your table and you paused when Joshua caught your eye. His eyes had creased into semi-circles and his lips had curled up just slightly at the corners as he watched you. Your brain stuttered and for whatever reason, the next lyrics that left your lips were from the explicit version instead.
“Oh, I wanna let him unwrap me, like oh-woo-oh
Get on top of him, by that fireplace, oh-woo-oh
But I don't want a new broken heart
This year I've got to be smart”
Joshua’s eyes widened in surprise as the crowd erupted in whoops and cheers. The way you’d held his gaze while singing had left his heart pounding wildly in his chest.
“Eee, you did so good!” Elena squealed excitedly when you returned to the table. It took every fiber of her being not to scream over your sudden improv. “I love that slowed version too.”
“Really good,” Joshua half-smiled, thinking furiously about when and whether to make a move.
“Thanks,” you giggled shyly, grateful for the residual adrenaline of performing. “When are you two up? I kinda want to go out and get some air, but I don’t want to miss you guys!”
“We’re not for a while, go for it! Bring us some beers back too,” Amir waved you away playfully.
“Okay, I’ll be back soon!” you waved briefly before heading out the door to the patio.
The gears continued to turn in Joshua’s head until Amir and Elena simply couldn’t take it anymore.
“Dude, what are you doing?” they demanded in unison.
“What?” Joshua looked up, slightly startled.
“Go get ‘em! Now’s your chance!”
“Now?!” He looked panicked.
“They wanna let you unwrap them, like oh-woo-oh,” Elena sang playfully at him.
“Get on top of you, by that fireplace, oh-woo-oh!” Amir harmonized before breaking out into a fit of giggles.
Joshua stood up. They were right, this was the opening. He headed towards the door he had seen you exit through and found you standing outside alone.
“Gah, I don’t know how you do it!” you started chattering when you saw him, “I still get such nerves about performing in front of crowds like that!”
“It doesn’t really ever go away,” he smiled reassuringly, stepping towards you. “Cold?” he asked, watching you blow warm air on your hands.
“I was hoping the fresh air would help me calm down a bit, but now I’m just cold,” you laughed sheepishly.
Joshua chuckled, folding his long fingers over your hands and pulling you towards him. You swallowed audibly as you looked at him, heart pounding even faster now.
“You are a captivating performer and a talented musician. The nerves never really go away, you’ll just get better at managing them,” he gazed deep into your eyes. “You made me feel a lot of feelings up there.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I’m not sure I’ve heard that version before,” he teased, grinning at you.
“I didn’t-, I don’t,” you floundered, but you didn’t really have much of an explanation. You had simply been flirting with him and he was flirting back.
“Can we go out on a date?” he asked, “If things go according to plan, we’ll be here next year too.”
You fought the urge to roll your eyes as you realized he was quoting your karaoke lyrics back to you. It was so corny and yet…it was working. You pushed up on the balls of your feet, leveraging his grip on your hands to pull him into a kiss. You could feel him smile against your lips and when you pulled away, you could see that a single snowflake had landed on his nose. What in the Hallmark movie?
❄❄❄
Thanks so much for reading! Would love to hear what you think and please also check out the other 'snowventeen' fics!
#svthub#svthub.collab#seventeen joshua fluff#seventeen joshua fanfic#joshua fanfic#joshua fic#joshua fluff#svt fanfic#svt fic#svt fluff#seventeen fanfic#seventeen fluff#seventeen fic#joshua x y/n#joshua x reader#seventeen x reader#seventeen x y/n#svt x reader#joshua hong fluff#joshua hong fanfic#joshua hong imagines#joshua hong x reader#svt joshua fanfic#seungkwansphd:writes
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Hallmark Moment (SVTHUB; Snowventeen Collab)
❆ pairing; singledad! kim mingyu x singlemom! reader
❆ genre; fluff, angst, romance, crack, parent au
❆ warnings; singledad!mingyu, singlemom!reader, kids, food, alcohol, sickeningly sweet moments of cuteness and romance, some cursing, kissing, light touchy moments
❆ svthub snowventeen collab master list - snowventeen tag list
❆ part two
❆ w/c; 19k and some change
❆ a/n; this is all fluff and I really do hope you enjoy it. I thought I might step out of my smut comfort zone a little bit and write a bit of fluffy stuff for the holiday season. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! a huge thank you to @housewifehui for reading along the way and then proofreading this beast and also thank you to my dear @onlyseokmins & @wonwussy for also reading and giving me confidence. fluff is not my strong point by any means.
“Let’s go, honey. Say goodbye to Amy so we can get out of Mr. Kim’s hair.”
Mingyu smiles at you, shaking his head while you both watch the girls start to complain about having to end their play date. You were always grateful for him picking them up after school so that you could take your time leaving work, but that didn’t change the guilt you felt. No matter if you enjoyed seeing him and Amy every weekday just as much as Mina did.
“Neither of you are in my hair. Besides, we really do wish you two would stay for dinner. I made enough spaghetti to feed a small army. Are you sure you won’t take us up on the offer Y/N?”
Mina whines, turning towards you to tug at the ends of your dress looking up at you. “Mommy please? Mr. Kim’s spaghetti is so much better than yours. I mean all of his cooking is better than yours, no fence mommy but it’s true.” You sigh into a laugh reaching down to tug at your daughter’s loose hair that had fallen from her ponytail. She had such a way with words and candor, something she had learned from you.
“Offense, not fence baby, and none taken. I know Mingy–Mr. Kim is a great cook.” Mingyu grins as you start to use his first name in front of the kids. He didn’t mind; he actually would prefer it, but he knew how much you wanted to teach Mina respect so he didn’t push the subject. When you sigh again and nod, Mina giggles moving back towards Amy to take her hand allowing the other small girl to pull her towards the dining room where dinner was already waiting.
You watch with adoration, trailing slowly behind them until Mingyu takes the spot beside you just inside of the dining room. Your eyes move over the freshly decorated Christmas tree just on the other side of the arch into the living room. Mingyu’s eyes can’t help but to mirror your eyes on the tree, but only, his stay on your face and your smile as it spreads across your face.
“It’s so pretty Mingyu. You put it up today?” Meeting his eyes, you feel your cheeks go warm at his attention already so focused on you causing you to look away when he laughs nodding towards the girls. “Yeah, they helped me. I just need to put the star on the top. Maybe after dinner you can help me with that?”
Nodding, you wrap your arms around yourself, making Mingyu’s eyes move over you once again with a smile. “Mm, perfect. Here, go ahead and join the girls, I’ll turn up the fireplace. You all get started with dinner.” You can’t help the shiver that runs through your body when his hand brushes over the small of your back causing you to smile, a smile that doesn’t go unnoticed by Mina or Amy who giggle in hushed tones.
“I know, I saw!”
“Tomorrow we will hang it up!”
Your brows furrow as you catch bits and pieces of this secret conversation, sitting down across from your daughter who had made sure to place you as close to Mr. Kim’s seat as possible. Her smile only fades slightly when you sigh and shift your plate and seat down a bit in order to give him more space. “You guys know how to set a table. You have to give people room to eat. What are you two whispering about?”
“Nothing mommy, and your seat was perfect. I don’t know why you had to move it…” You watch your daughter pout as you lean to begin putting spaghetti on Amy’s plate then her’s. “Okay, Mina. Napkin in your lap and eat slowly, both of you.” Amy smiles at you adoringly when you meet her eyes, making your chest feel warmer. You find yourself wanting to push her hair behind her ear and make sure she is well taken care of though, you know for a fact that Mingyu does a fantastic job of that even on his own.
“Yes, Miss Y/L/N. Thank you for staying for dinner. I really like when Mina is here for dinner and you too. I want you to do it more, please?” Your heart beats a little faster, your brain trying to come up with the right words, not wanting to hurt her feelings or give her any false hope. You simply smile, starting to speak when you feel warm wool around your shoulders.
“Amy, I’m sure Y/N and Mina will eat with us when they can and want to. Now eat up before all this hard work gets cold.” Your hands go to the shawl around your shoulders that Mingyu had placed there, your eyes meeting his to find him smiling. “You seemed cold, I hope you don’t mind.”
Mingyu’s hand slides over yours to take the pasta server out of your hand, gesturing for you to sit down. “And please, you are a guest, let me serve you since you served the kids.” You glance quickly at the girls as they giggle, spaghetti sauce covering their cheeks while Mingyu places a serving of spaghetti onto your plate.
“Girls, use your napkins. They aren’t just lap weights.” Mina sighs faux annoyed while Amy laughs, picking up her napkin wiping at her face. Mingyu grins as he watches you with the kids, enjoying the help with Amy and just watching you interact with them both. You were a good mom, attentive but still loving. It was clear that Mina loved you very much and that Amy had a special place for you in her life already.
Dipping out enough spaghetti that could feed two people onto his plate, Mingyu laughs when he finds you looking at him, his fork already twisting the pasta around it eagerly ready to bring it to his waiting mouth. He only stops at your look as you hold a much smaller bite an inch from your own mouth, a small amused smile slightly hidden by the spaghetti. “What?”
Shaking your head, you laugh before taking your bite, picking up your napkin to cover your lips and wipe them clean of any sauce at the same time. Mingyu takes his bite, filling his mouth with audible sounds of appreciation, making your heart once again feel full in your chest. Amy giggles drawing both yours and Mingyu’s attention while she watches her father eat with a shrug before pointing her fork at him.
“He always eats like this. Worse if you weren’t here Miss Y/L/N. Seriously, you could ask Mina. One time I think he inhaled an entire chicken off his plate. The whole thing!” Mingyu’s cheeks warm, he is quick to reach for his water taking a long sip looking at his daughter over the glass as she grins at him with one to match his.
“I think–” You can’t help but to laugh along with the girls when Mingyu has to clear his throat between talking before continuing, “Excuse me, I think that Amy is a bit dramatic. It wasn’t an entire chicken. I am just a person who enjoys a good meal.”
You nod along with his words, your smile as bright as the lights on the Christmas tree in Mingyu’s eyes while he watches you working to get another bite of food. “I like knowing you eat so well. It’s good, you are a very healthy man.” When you look up to find him watching you once again, your fork slips in your hand, causing you to drop what little spaghetti you had managed to gather on it, making the girls giggle at your clumsy nature.
“Thank you Y/N. Girls, eat your food. Stop giggling so much and actually put food in your mouths.” Amy and Mina mutter their okay to Mingyu’s words before going back to their meals, leaving you to regain your composure. A shared glance between the two of you and slight smiles hardly unnoticed by the two girls who kick at each other’s legs under the table before quickly laying down their forks, asking to be excused to go play.
A sigh falls from Mingyu’s lips before he smiles and looks to you for your opinion. “I–okay, but only for a little while longer. Mina, we can’t stay too late. You have school and I have work. I’m sure Mr. Kim would also like to have a peaceful evening before putting Amy to bed.”
The girls laugh nodding the entire time they run away from the table and towards Amy’s bedroom to play, leaving you and Mingyu alone to finish your meal. Mingyu smiles into his water once again before daring to let his eyes grace yours again. “You really aren’t bothering me by being here Y/N. I love having you and Mina in the house. It’s really nice. Amy loves having Mina here to play and I think, no I know, that she loves having you here too. She talks about it all the time.”
You shake your head, feeling your cheeks burning under his attention while you reach for your own glass of water, wishing it was something stronger. “Well we both really love her as well, and you. I mean we love spending time…with you. Mina hasn’t had a good male figure in her life in a long time. It’s really nice for her to have someone to look up to like you.”
‘...and you’ Those words take Mingyu’s breath away, causing him to sit back in his chair with a small grin, his eyes watching your fingers play with the glass of water. “Amy feels the same way about having a woman in her life. When you took her and Mina to that little nail salon a few weeks back? She couldn’t stop talking about it for days. She called my mom and talked about it for hours, about how Miss Y/L/N took her out for a girls' day. Y/N?”
Your eyes find Mingyu’s though you are smiling at his story about Amy and his mother when he says your name in a question. “Hm?” Mingyu’s grin widens at how your eyes widen slightly in a question to him as he stands to go to a small cabinet in the corner of the room. “Red or white wine?”
“Oh…I couldn’t. I have to drive home, and I told Mina we couldn’t stay for long.” Mingyu laughs softly, glancing back at you still taking out two wine glasses while you watch, a smile on your lips before you sigh. “Red, please? Just one glass.” With a nod, you watch the attractive man hold the wine glasses between his fingers and the bottle of wine in the other while he makes his way back towards the table and you.
Mina kicks her feet when she runs back to Amy’s bed falling down on it out of excitement. “Your daddy got out one of those big bottles we aren’t allowed to touch and mommy looked really happy. I seriously think Santa got the letters.” Amy smiles just as brightly as her father had while looking at you before falling back on the bed to lay beside her best friend, both girls letting out an almost dreamy sigh at the thought.
The two girls had spent many of their evenings after homework watching the Hallmark channel since they were playing Christmas movies. It all seemed so easy for people to fall in love and for families to have their happily ever after so why couldn’t they have that too? Why couldn’t their mommy and daddy have the same thing?
They had both watched you work so hard to support them even when you didn’t realize they were watching. They had seen you sad, crying when you thought no one else was watching, they might be young but they knew what loneliness felt like. Yes, you had lost a husband and Mingyu had lost a wife, but they had lost a mom and a dad.
Then something magical happened, they were put into the same class and quickly became best friends. You worked later than Mingyu, so it just worked out that he could keep Mina, making it easier for you to pick her up on your way home. The fact that you two seemed to get along so well was just another seemingly magical moment for the girls, a Christmas miracle. Just like one of the Hallmark movies.
Turning on her side, Mina reaches for the sprig of mistletoe that she had painstakingly tied the red ribbon around, her small fingers smoothing it while Amy watches her lost in thought. “Like you said, we can hang it up tomorrow. They have to walk under that archway like 100 times a day when your mommy comes by to get you. We will make sure it’s really visible so they won’t have any other choice but to go by the Christmas rules.”
Amy smiles as Mina does, her friend putting the mistletoe back down for safekeeping before sitting up on bed to reach for a small notebook that the girls now shared. “Okay so, we did plan one. Dinner as a family, check. Mistletoe tomorrow…oh the star tonight. Maybe we can get your daddy to help mommy to put it on the tree like in that one movie. Oh my gosh, Amy, did you see him put that pretty blanket on her shoulders?”
Mina watches the smile fade on her friend's face only slightly but she still nods. “Yeah, it was my mommy’s. At least that’s what daddy told me once when I asked. I mean I don’t mind your mom wearing it. She looked really pretty in it. I liked it, seeing her wearing that, instead of it just laying in my daddy’s room.” Mina leans to hug her friend making her smile once again, both girls laughing when the mood cheers back up.
“She did look really pretty, I think your daddy thought so too. I wish he’d just tell her. The girls in the movies seem to like it when the boys tell them how pretty they are. Maybe we can figure out how to get him to do that?” Nodding, Amy takes the notebook from Mina’s lap in order to write down the new idea on their list, knowing she was better at spelling out of the two.
“Daddy is a gennleman, he tells me that I’m pretty all the time. I’m sure he will be happy to tell your mommy.” A smile creeps along Mina’s lips at Amy’s words and her mispronunciation of gentleman while she watches the girl write slowly on the thick lines of the notebook. “Gentleman, like gentle. Mommy taught me that once. You know like when you touch a kitten, you have to be gentle?”
“Oh…that makes sense I guess? Daddy is gentle with me and you. He would be gentle with Miss Y/L/N and he’s a boy or a man.” Mina nods along with Amy’s words as if she made all the sense in the world, her smile just as bright as yours while you sipped at the last of your wine and leaned against the kitchen counter, taking a break only to dry plates as Mingyu washed them.
“Mina told me that you all don’t put up a Christmas tree?” Mingyu watches your face shift like a deer caught in headlights while you reach out to take the last plate from him, drying it slowly. “Okay, I’m not a Grinch if that’s what you are thinking, Mingyu. I just…I literally do not have time to put up decorations knowing that in a couple weeks I would need to take them all back down. You know how much I work.”
Putting his hands up defensively, Mingyu laughs, taking the towel from you along with the plate so he can put them away. “No, seriously I get it. I’m lucky to work from home most of the time. Mina can enjoy the tree here, I told her the same. She didn’t seem that upset about it honestly. Though she was more than happy to help decorate ours. I hope you don’t mind that she did.”
Shaking your head you pick up your wine, nursing the last new sips and watching Mingyu move around his kitchen as he puts away the last few dishes. Your eyes linger over his back and his face until he turns around to meet your eyes when you speak. “No, I don’t mind at all. It’s good she gets that piece of Christmas somewhere. She usually only gets it with my parents so it's nice to have it here too.”
Mingyu smiles once again with a nod, picking up his own glass of wine to take a sip. His eyes linger over your fingers and lips as you drink the last sip from your glass before setting it to the side. “It’s my pleasure Y/N. Are you sure you don’t want another glass of wine?” He watches a smile spread across your features while you consider his question.
“As much as I’d love to say yes, I have to say no. You understand, I’m sure.” Mingyu nods, taking your glass from your fingers, letting his fingertips trail from yours seemingly on accident when he turns to take it to the sink. “I do. Another time, a rain check? When you don’t have to work the next day. Maybe on a Friday? The girls are always asking for a sleepover.”
You watch his hands move over the fragile glass with such care that you can’t help but to tilt your head in wonder. How this large man could look like he was going to break something without even meaning to and yet hold something or someone like they were a cloud he wanted to keep forever. “They sure are. I keep telling Mina sometime later in the school year.”
Mingyu laughs, nodding into his wine, finishing it so he can wash his glass before setting it to the side to let it dry. “I wouldn’t mind it earlier, but of course it’s up to you.” You watch him take a deep breath, his hips leaned back against the counter mirroring you against the island causing him to smile. “Should we get the girls and put the star on the tree?”
Amy is mid laughter when Mingyu knocks on her open door, drawing both of the girls' attention towards him. “Hi daddy, what’s up? Are you and pretty Miss Y/L/N having good juice?” Mingyu laughs scratching the back of his neck realizing that the girls had been spying on the two of you. “Mmhm. We did have…good juice. Did you two have fun playing or did you spend your entire time spying on me and Miss Y/L/N?”
Mina sits up from the bed with a giggle while Amy tries to play innocent by picking up her doll running a brush through its overly tangled hair. “That’s what I thought. Come on, it’s time to put the star on the tree before you head home with your mom, Mina.” With a whine from both girls, Mingyu mimics them ushering out of the bedroom back down the hall towards the living room where you were already waiting.
Your eyes were on the tree, flicking from the different ornaments that had dates, some that were picture frames holding pictures of Mingyu and Amy. Your fingers pull the shawl tighter around your shoulders as you step closer to the fireplace, enjoying the warmth against your body and letting out a content sigh when Mingyu comes around the corner. Though neither of the girls seem to notice he stops in the tracks and has to take in a sharp breath at the sight of you like this.
Mina moves to pull on your dress moving to hold at the shawl also enjoying the warmth causing you to laugh. “Where is your sweater?” Amy laughs, moving towards you as well letting you hold her just as close as she speaks looking up at you. “She forgot it at school. I told her she would when she took it off. She can wear one of mine home tonight, I don’t want her to get too cold.”
Mingyu’s chest tightens when your fingers brush over Amy’s cheek. Your voice soft as you whisper your thank you to her, shrugging off the shawl to put it around both of the girls who curl up under it, enjoying the warmth and smell of your perfume you had left behind on it. Swallowing hard, Mingyu moves further into the room, his hand shaking slightly when he reaches for the box holding the golden star so he can take it out.
“Oh…it’s beautiful, Mingyu.” He grins into a laugh that is cut short when he has to swallow hard once again as you step closer to him and the tree. Your gentle fingers run over the star before you look up at him as if asking for permission which he gives with a nod of his head, allowing you to take the delicate tree topper from the box to show the girls who ooo and ahh.
“I love it daddy! It’s better than that stuffed elf we had last year. Did grandma give us this one?” Mingyu shakes his head no, a soft smile on his lips watching you move back towards him and the tree. Your eyes looking up at the top of the tree, you were clearly thinking there was no way you’d reach the top of it like this. “No baby, I bought it a few days ago from a shop in town. Y/N…wait, let me get a step stool.”
When you start to speak, Mingyu puts up his hand moving back to a hall closet to bring out a small stool unfolding it near the tree before offering you his hand stepping closer to you. “Carefully, I have you though, okay?” You laugh as you step up on the small ladder with a nod, your fingers delicately clinging to his while his other hand grazes your lower back.
Mingyu watches you carefully until you reach the top of the stool, his hands holding onto you gently but firmly enough that you could tell he would never let you fall. Never on his watch. Mina and Amy’s hands link under the warm shawl, happy smiles reaching their eyes while they watch you place the star on top of the tree making sure it is perfect. “How does it look, girls? Do you like this?”
Did they like this? Seeing the potential of a family in front of their eyes? “I love it mommy.” Amy squeezes Mina’s hand tighter, sensing the tears in her eyes helping her to hold them back. “Miss. Y/L/N, it’s almost as pretty as you. Don’t you think so daddy?” Mingyu looked at his daughter with a laugh playing on his lips but she was right.
“Mmm, almost but not quite.” Your cheeks warm, almost as if you were sitting right next to the fire, when you look down at Mingyu. His smile broadens into a grin before he takes a step back, helping you to carefully descend the step ladder. “Thank you for helping us put that up Y/N, it completed it. I could have never made it look that perfect.”
You watch Mingyu carry the step ladder away, your fingers nervously moving along your arms you now have wrapped around you with no shawl to hide under. “I’m sure you would have. The girls did a great job with the rest of the decorating. I’m sure they could have done the star just as well, but I am happy to help. It was nice to have a little taste of Christmas.”
Mingyu watches your hands move along your arms and he wonders if you are cold again, his eyes moving to the shawl around the girls but he knew he would never get you to stay for much longer. He found himself wanting to wrap you in his arms and hold you by the fire while the girls curled up next to each other under the shawl warm and happy by the tree.
Shaking his head, Mingyu pushes the thought away and smiles at you. “It’s my pleasure, just like I told Mina, you can always have Christmas with Amy and me. We do Christmas with my parents on Christmas Eve then spend Christmas here…I don’t know what your plans are…so I…don’t feel obligated.”
Mina sits up a bit looking at you longingly which makes your heart beat faster, an actual Christmas tree on Christmas for her. That would be nice…the thought plays through your head. “Uh we actually go to my parents on Christmas Eve as well so maybe. We will just have to see. Let’s not make any plans just yet.”
You watch Mingyu’s smile tighten every so slightly but he nods even as the girls start to complain. “Amy, stop it. Don’t whine like that. It’s almost time for bed anyway.” You nod agreeing with Mingyu taking a step towards the girls to collect the shawl folding it carefully. “It is, we’ve stayed far too late tonight Mina. Time to say goodnight.”
Amy and Mingyu watch you and Mina leave, a bit of sadness in both their eyes when your car pulls out of the driveway. Mingyu isn’t surprised when his daughter leans against him, a soft sad whine slipping off her lips. “You will see her in the morning. Time to brush your teeth, and I mean all of them, even the back ones.” Amy groans looking up at her dad with faux annoyance before smiling at him with his matching grin when he runs his finger over her nose only to tap the end of it.
You watch Mina in the rearview mirror any chance you get on the drive home. She looked sadder than normal and you weren’t sure why. Though you felt sadder than normal after leaving Mingyu’s house and once again, you weren’t sure why. Shrugging off the feeling you make it home with your daughter making sure to take extra care with the borrowed sweater she had worn home. “I’m going to put this in your bag, make sure you give it back to Amy tomorrow okay?”
Mina nods at you, her feet dragging while she walks past you towards the hallway making you lift your head and follow her. “Are you okay baby? Talk to me…are you that sad to leave Amy tonight? I know you want a sleepover but that just can’t happen on a school night. I really hope you will try to understand why?”
A sigh leaves your daughter’s lips, her small body plopping down on her bed before she looks up at you shaking her head. “I’m okay mommy. Can I say something and you won't be mad at me?” Your own sigh matches hers when you squat down in front of Mina to reach up, running your fingers over her soft cheek to offer her some comfort.
“Why would I ever be mad at you for saying something you feel like you need to say? Of course you can tell me something.” Mina swallows hard, leaning into your touch, her almost doll-like eyes avoiding yours, you know she is trying to keep her courage to speak. “I really like being at Mr. Kim’s house with Amy, almost more than here.”
Your stomach tightens, your brows knitting together at her confession but you nod starting to speak but Mina does first. “With you though Mommy. I like when we are all there together. When you get home from work, that feels like home. Coming here after leaving there feels like leaving home again.” Some of her words made you feel some better but others made it worse, but you’d never let that show not in front of her.
“Oh, I see. Is it our house? You don’t like your room maybe?” Mina shakes her head and finally meets your eyes letting you see a trace of wetness covering them, your heart feeling like it is going to shatter at her apparent sadness. “Oh baby…what’s wrong?” Shaking her head again the tears spill over Mina’s cheeks and she is unable to find the words only allowing her body to fold into yours.
Your own tears burn at your eyes but you keep them pushed back refusing to show weakness in front of your child. Fingers brushing through her hair, you hum rocking her softly until she calms down and soft snores take the place of her tiny sobs. Still you keep your own feelings at bay while you get her changed and tucked into bed making sure she is safe and sound, her door cracked when your back hits the back of your own door and the tears finally slip down your own cheeks.
Mingyu raises his brows looking up from his laptop to the sounds of hushed children’s voices. Taking off his glasses, he pinches the bridge of his nose with a sigh trying to make out what the girls are saying just a room away but instead he hears the sound of wood scraping along wood. “What in the world are they doing now?”
A small pained grunt falls from Mingyu’s lips causing him to put his hand on his lower back signaling he had been sitting at his desk for far too long anyway when he stands and moves towards the sounds of giggles. He stops short only to watch as Amy balances on the dining room chair, Mina trying hard to keep her held tall but still safe while she attempts to place something as high on the doorframe as possible.
“I need to get up higher. I’m gonna go on my tippy toes. Don’t let me fall, ‘kay?” Mina makes an unsure sound of approval going to hold Amy’s legs. Mingyu takes a step in closer only to stop again when he realizes that his daughter is holding a sprig of mistletoe in her little hand. “They have to see it here right Mina?”
“Oh…” The word slips from his lips just as a breath unheard by the girls when Mingyu understands what they are trying to do. A smile spreads across his lips only to be covered when he wipes his hand over his lips still concerned with the scene in front of him. He waits until Amy has placed the mistletoe on the side of the doorframe pointing outwards, as far up as she can get it before he clears his throat looking down at them instead of what they were hanging.
“Girls, you know better than to play on furniture. What if you fell down?” Amy panics, afraid her daddy will see the mistletoe before he should but when he doesn’t seem to notice she lets him lift her off the chair placing her safely on the ground next to Mina. “Sorry daddy, we were just…we were…”
Mingyu waits for an explanation but he knows it will be a lie and his daughter had been taught not to lie from an even younger age. “Playing on the furniture, I know. Now run on and finish your homework. I know you two can’t be done yet. We’ve been home less than an hour. I’m going to start dinner soon.” Amy lets out a breath of relief at not having to lie, making Mingyu smile, lifting the chair to take it back to the dining room when he feels a hand tug at his shirt.
A glance down makes his smile grow wider seeing Mina looking up at him, his heart warmer with her close to him. “What’s up Mina?” Her laugh is so similar to yours it makes him miss you being here. “Can you maybe text my mommy and see if we can stay for dinner again? Amy said tonight is soup night? I really like soup.”
God, how could he say no to that little face and that sort of request. Hell, if you said no he’d send home a bucket of the soup with you so that Mina could eat it for the next few days if he had to. “Of course sweetie.” His hand brushes over her head before he gestures with a nod towards the living room where Amy already was. “Now, go. Homework is waiting.”
Your phone vibrating on your desk was a welcomed distraction from your work computer letting you lean back and take a breath. You only had a couple of hours left but it felt like you had 8 more to go. When you see Mingyu’s name as the person who sent you the text you find yourself unable to hide your smile even when you know you are in your office alone.
Kim Mingyu: Hey, hope work isn’t too rough today. Mina wanted me to see if you two could stay for dinner again tonight. We are having homemade soup, a house special.
You swallow hard reading over the words a few times ready to decline him. You already had the words plotted out in your mind, ‘So sorry but I already kept Mina out too late last night. We’d love to do it another time.’ but another text comes in making you let out a soft sigh.
Kim Mingyu: I really hope you will stay for dinner. I enjoyed the adult company if I can be honest with you. I know you stayed out a bit later than normal so I will keep a better watch on the time tonight, scouts honor. What do you say?
“I doubt you were a boy scout Mingyu…” You whisper to yourself and the phone, your thumbs running over the sides of the device in thought. Another steadying breath taken you let your thumbs move to the keyboard so you can answer him not wanting to leave him on read knowing for a fact he would be waiting for a response.
Y/N: If you keep that promise cub scout. Soup sounds really nice, Mina really likes soup…but she probably told you that. Thank you for being so kind to us. You really don’t have to but I really appreciate it. I don’t tell you that enough.
Mingyu grins at his phone, raising a brow to your wording. Were you flirting with him? Shaking his head he chooses not to linger on that as much as your thoughtful appreciation. Which to him wasn’t even something you needed when it came to him. This was as easy as breathing for him. He wanted to do it, ever since he had met you and Mina it had always been on his mind. You had no one to help take care of you, not that you needed a man to “take care of you” but maybe you wouldn’t mind it once in a while to even have a friend lend a hand.
Kim Mingyu: You don’t even have to say it. You are a joy to have in my life.
The text comes through followed quickly by a second as your heart beats quickly into your throat. The correction calms you down but only slightly as you wonder if he had meant the first or second reply.
Kim Mingyu: *Our life. You and Mina are a joy to have in our lives. Haha…autocorrect.
Mingyu swallows hard, cursing himself for his quick wording and then his chickening out. His eyes watch the three bubbles pop up then fade several times before finally your response comes through.
Y/N: You and Amy are a joy in our lives too. See you later this evening.
You set your phone to the side, hands trembling slightly from how many times you had re-wrote that response. It had gone from, ‘But was it autocorrect Mingyu?’ to ‘You are a joy in my life too.’ before you finally landed on making you and Mingyu feel more comfortable with a safe response.
Mina and Amy giggle between spoonfuls of the soup while you and Mingyu share the occasional glance. Not much had been said between the two of you out of the ordinary. He had asked about your day, you had told him about it. You had asked about the kid’s evening and their homework and as usual it had gone pretty much the same as always except for a little mishap with climbing on furniture.
Now you felt warm and content in your chair, the same shawl from yesterday back around your shoulders while you sipped at probably the best homemade soup you had ever tasted. You had made Mina promise to not tell her grandmother that Mr. Kim’s soup was better than hers, causing a smile to grow on Mingyu’s lips before he met your eyes. Your heart racing ever so slightly under his gaze making you wonder how quickly you would be able to run away because you weren’t supposed to be feeling like this, not for him or anyone.
“Mommy, tomorrow is Friday.” Your attention brought back to the table you laugh nodding at your daughter's observation gesturing for her to continue. “And that means what to me Mina?” Her slightly annoyed sigh causes Mingyu to snicker into his water, getting a playful side eye from you before you give all of your attention back to the small girl sitting across from you.
“Well I was wonderin’ if maybe I could have a sleepover with Amy? If Mr. Kim says it's okay too?” Mingyu watches your lips tighten into a thinner line as you consider your daughter's question carefully. Your fingertips brushing together, a habit he had noticed you had when you were lost in thought. “I really wanted you to wait until near the end of the school year Mina…” You watch her face begin to fall and remember the night before, how you had held her in your arms while she cried herself to sleep. Your heart is tightening to the point of pain when you lift your hand to stop her from complaining or getting upset.
“If it is okay with Mr. Kim, then yes but only for one night.” Mina’s eyes glisten anyway when you say yes, her head turning towards Mingyu who was looking at you in almost disbelief. “Mr. Kim, can I?” Mingyu laughs quietly tilting his head, his hand moving to scratch the side of his neck. “Yeah, it is okay with me.”
Amy squeals in delight, putting her spoon down near her empty bowl before tugging Mina into a hug. The girls quickly begin to talk about their sleepover plans while you and Mingyu share glances then fond smiles. “Girls?” Your voice draws their attention causing them to stop for a moment with their rambles of excitement to look at you in question. “Yeah mommy?”
Clearing your throat, you wipe your lips with your napkin gesturing at their empty bowls speaking quietly but with authority. “Put your bowls in the sink and go play. Mina we are leaving in an hour. We aren’t staying as late as we did last night, especially if you are wanting your sleepover.”
Both girls smile at you quickly following your request before you and Mingyu listen to the sounds of their feet heading towards Amy’s bedroom leaving you two seemingly alone. “You know, I’m surprised you said yes.” You smile at Mingyu’s words leaning towards the table beginning to help clean up dinner, his chair lightly scraping along the floor so he can help you do the same.
“I’ve gone soft cub scout.” You listen to Mingyu laugh, it’s unlike his normal laugh, not as robust but instead it's almost warm and makes your skin tingle like a good sip of wine. “I’m glad, you deserve a little break once in a while Y/N. What will you do tomorrow evening?” Mingyu watches your brows furrow in thought, your back straightening while you hold bowls in both hands moving towards the kitchen and the sink.
“Huh…you know? I hadn’t even considered that. I have literally no idea. I haven’t had a day really alone in 6 years. I mean there have been afternoons but never really a night. Mina never wants to stay with my parents overnight, this is the first time she has wanted to stay overnight somewhere.” Mingyu follows behind you to the kitchen, the rest of the soup in his hand. He nods, only stopping to grab a few pieces of tupperware from the cabinet before turning towards you listening.
“Which, by the way, if she is a problem or has any problems obviously do not hesitate to call me. Literally it could be 2 in the morning. I will drive over here.” Grinning as he separates the rest of the soup into the leftovers containers, Mingyu nods then meets your eyes. “Don’t worry, you know I will keep in touch. I’m sure she will do fine but if we need you I will call you right away. I will always keep her safe Y/N. You are both very important to me, I–to Amy and I both. You know that.”
If he were any closer he would feel the heat coming off your cheeks. You were surprised it wasn’t boiling the water while you washed the dishes. “Oh…I, yeah. I, we know that. You are both very important to us too and I trust you completely Mingyu. She can just be a little sensitive, or you know, even dramatic sometimes. I was just wanting to warn you.”
Mingyu bites at his bottom lip pressing down on the lids of the containers glancing up at you to watch you rub the tips of your fingers together, soap dripping from your hands. “It’s okay. They are young, they’ve both already been through a lot. We can let them just be kids, can’t we? For one night?”
Your gentle smile and nod causes Mingyu to mirror it moving to the fridge to put one of the containers away, placing the other next to your purse on the counter. “This one's for you to take home. You don’t need to cook tomorrow. You said you don’t know what to do with yourself alone? Put on your most comfortable pajamas, heat up the soup, get a glass of wine, turn on the tv, and turn off the world for the night.”
It sounded like a dream. Something you never had time to do. Most nights after you got Mina home you barely took time to wash your makeup off completely before you fell into bed exhausted only to wake up the next morning, rise, and repeat. Mingyu grins, lifting his hand to cautiously push a piece of your hair from your eyes. “Then take a bath, not a shower. Take more than ten minutes to take care of yourself. Relax for once…”
When you laugh and don’t pull away from his hand, Mingyu takes a subtle breath in gaining some courage. “I mean…I could try those things. It will be easier said than done.” You watch him laugh, a nod of understanding, his body leaned up against the counter next to you, closer than he had ever dared to stand before.
“I get that but if you want to text me or call me to see how she is doing I won’t judge you. I will understand it completely. I will expect it actually, you are a great mother.” Your brain was running a million miles an hour. Has he always smelled this nice? When had his hand wrapped around your wrist? Why did it feel so nice to be touched by someone again?
“Thank you, Mingyu. Really, like I said, I don’t say it enough. You literally make it possible for me to have the job I do so that I can take care of Mina.” Mingyu smiles so bright even as his brows furrow, his hands moving the towel along yours to dry them off. “I already told you that you never have to thank me for that.”
“I know what you said but…” You walk with him, his gentle hand on your wrist leading you towards the living room only to stop short when he glances up to the doorframe then down the hall towards Amy’s room. Your eyes follow his making your words fall short into a small laugh when you see the poorly placed mistletoe that makes your chest and stomach feel warm and full.
“Climbing on the furniture?” Mingyu nods, his fingers very softly tapping against your pulse point keeping you close but never making you stay. “I think they are trying to tell us something.” You chew at your bottom lip considering that and how Mina had acted the night before when you hear the sound of whispers from behind you and Mingyu.
Neither girl was as quiet as she thought she was but both you and Mingyu could pretend for them to help them keep their little Hallmark moment. Tilting your head, your eyes narrow very slightly at Mingyu when you take a step backwards towards the living room bringing him with you under the doorframe and the mistletoe.
Mingyu chuckles quietly under his breath, his glance over your shoulder barely finding the girls as they peek over the sofa waiting with baited breath for you both to follow the Christmas rules. When Mingyu looks up at the mistletoe showing faux surprise you can’t help but to laugh quickly covering it up by pressing your lips together. “Well, Miss. Y/L/N we seem to have found ourselves under the mistletoe. There are rules about that aren’t there?”
Amy squeals only for Mina to elbow her side, muttering for her to be quiet while they watch. You roll your eyes at the perfectly charming and silly gentleman in front of you. His hand moves from your wrist to your cheek so he can push your hair over your ear waiting for you to speak but he almost renders you speechless with one simple act. “I–oh. Mistletoe?”
Mingyu watches your eyes move to glance at the mistletoe before they meet him again taking his breath away. The Christmas light plays off the color of your eyes making them sparkle. “There are rules, I believe you owe me a kiss Mr. Kim.” You watch a smile spread wider across his lips when you all but ask for him to kiss you. He had been waiting for that moment for months.
“You’re right, I’m such a fool. I knew that, may I?” His thumb on your cheek, his fingers splayed along the side of your face next to your ear Mingyu leans towards you when you nod and whisper yes and a small please. Mina is the one who lets out a small squeal this time when Mingyu’s lips brush over yours.
“It worked Amy…” Her little eyes threatening tears once again, she clings to her best friend while you two share your first simple kiss. It wasn’t anything they hadn’t seen in their movies but it felt more important even when you two stepped away from each other and laughed. You both seemed to glow in your daughter’s eyes. To them it was like seeing you both really happy for the first time in possibly forever.
Mingyu rubs his lips together, having to fight the urge to want to kiss you again and more fully. His eyes meet yours as you laugh, the warmth of your cheek under his thumb making him laugh when you reach up to move his hand down. Clearing your throat you carefully step away fixing your hair back from around your ear turning around pretending to be surprised when you see the girls behind the couch. “Girls! Were you spying?”
Both girls giggle loudly and duck back down making your and Mingyu’s hearts feel impossibly warmer and larger that night. His fingers brush over yours again causing you to look up at him meeting his gaze when he winks at you. He was entirely unfair. You look away like a shy school girl hearing him laugh moving his hand away walking into the living room to look for the girls as he leaned over the couch.
“Now how did that mistletoe get there hmm?” Amy looks up at her dad with a grin and a laugh only to be picked up and pulled over the couch in a fit of giggles. You watch as Mina moves around the couch trying to playfully help her friend, Mingyu letting the two girls quickly over take him beating him in “fair” combat before he surrenders only to pin them both, tickling them into another giggle fit.
You rest your hand against your chest over your heart leaning against the door frame still under the mistletoe while you watch. Tears threatening your eyes much like they had for Mina as you listen to her giggle louder than you had in months or maybe even years. If anyone had asked you what you wanted for Christmas at that exact moment you’d tell them nothing because you had just been given it.
“Mistletoe, add a big check. In fact, I think we can use the red colored pencil.” Amy laughs at Mina’s enthusiasm, the notebook on her lap, colored pencils laying on her bed next to her. “Got it. So, the teacher today was talking about how at holidays we get presents, right?”
Mina nods along with Amy’s words, her eyes following the other small hand as Amy makes the check mark next to the word mistletoe. “But she said that mommy’s and daddy’s don’t always want toys or games like we do.” Mina furrows her brows because this had been something she understood even though she did very much want a new doll from her list she also knew she wanted her family plans with Amy more.
“Yeah, she said to write them a letter telling them how much you love them.” Amy smiles, her brows wiggling much like Mina had seen Mr. Kim’s before after he had told them he had a surprise only for it to be dessert. “What Amy? Do you have an idea?” Nodding, the other girl moves to her knees on her bed, tearing out two sheets of paper from the notebook and handing one to Mina.
“We write letters to them and tell them why we think they should get married. I think they are already there. If this were on Hallmark we’d be only like two commercials from the end of the movie and the wedding. Your mommy needs time to pick out the best dress and my daddy probably already has a ring. He’s super smart like that.” Mina looked at her piece of paper before picking up a purple pencil considering her best friend’s words. She did have a point, if they were living by their movie logic this was all very much to plan but their parents could use a little push in the right direction.
“So a list of props and coms?” Amy nods excited, already scribbling on her page with a green pencil. “Yeah if you want to do it that way. Like they should get married because then your mommy wouldn’t have to worry about driving as far to work anymore.” Mina makes a sound of appreciation before nodding. Her pencil moves across her own page as she starts her list.
“Seriously, Amy…this is why you have all the stickers on your grade sheet. You really are one of the smartest people I know. Like mommy is the smartest then your daddy but you are right up there with them.” Amy beams at the compliment only looking up from her letter to her dad to watch Mina work for a moment. This was already the best sleepover either of them had ever had ever had, even if it was the first.
Mingyu had fed the girls dinner over an hour ago, leftover soup, before letting them go off to play. He had already told them they could stay up for a little while longer than usual but that he wouldn’t be tricked into letting them pull an all-nighter. Deep down he knew that neither of them would be able to do that no matter how hard they’d want to try.
Now he found himself stretched out on his favorite spot on the couch, his phone on his chest while he flipped aimlessly through channels on tv. Nothing had really caught his attention yet but mostly because he couldn’t get you off his mind. He had sent you a text just letting you know that everything was going well, you had responded happily to know it.
His lips pursed, Mingyu had told himself not to bother you beyond that. He himself had given you the advice to turn the world off. How could you do that if you had him texting you the entire night? It didn’t stop him from kinda wishing you would, even if it wasn’t about Mina. He had started to wonder if you hadn’t felt the same way about the innocent kiss as he had.
You were staring at your phone ignoring the tv completely. It would be so easy to just pick up the phone and text him, or even call him. You could even use the excuse of wanting to check on Mina. God that felt cheap, using your daughter as an excuse. Picking up your wine you all but pout into the glass taking a long sip of the alcohol lost in thought.
Why were you being such a wimp about this? He was just a guy, but was he? Of course he wasn’t. It was Mingyu. Mr. PTA, Mr. drooled over by every single other mother even the ones who weren’t single. This was Amy’s dad and at the end of the day that’s what really mattered.
Your wine sat down next to your phone, you swipe up the empty soup bowl taking it to the kitchen to wash only to glance back over your shoulder to the phone. “Fine…fine! Jesus, maybe he won’t think I’m completely pathetic.” Plopping back down on the couch you pick up the phone, pulling your legs under you before beginning to plot out what you’d try to text first.
Y/N: Hi, please don’t think I am a helicopter mom. How are things with Mina? How is your evening going?
God, had you sounded desperate? Was there an unsend button? There really was no way to put in an “autocorrect” mistake with how you had typed this. It was pretty clear and to the point that this was how you had meant to type the message. Picking up your wine you take a larger sip and wait, your knee bouncing lightly against the material of the couch from nerves.
Mingyu felt his phone vibrate on his chest causing him to jump slightly glancing around as if someone was going to point and laugh at him for being startled by it. When he saw no one else, he cleared his throat and grinned seeing your name. Of course you had asked about Mina, he had expected nothing else but you had also asked about his evening.
Kim Mingyu: Hey! Please, I’ve told you that you are a great mom. That will never change. Things are great, the girls were playing in Amy’s room. Quiet, perhaps too quiet but they are good kids. I don’t think I have much to worry about. Do you want me to tell her you said hi? I’m doing pretty good, just watching some tv. How about you? Are you trying to relax? Did you follow my advice?
Y/N: Yes, please, and tell her that I love her. Your evening sounds a bit like mine but yes I am trying to follow your advice. (picture attached)
Smiling Mingyu looks at the picture of the wine in your hand, the base resting against your leg that was covered in fuzzy Christmas themed pajama pants decorated with candy canes. His stomach felt tighter knowing you were comfortable and he hoped that you had little to no worries. It made him feel good to know that maybe he had helped you feel that way at least for a little while.
Kim Mingyu: Of course I will tell her. Very cute. I think I have a matching pair. Oh I think that there is some cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie on. If you are into that sort of thing. It looked pretty sweet. Just another recommendation.
‘Very cute’ This was fine. You were fine. Your cheeks were simply burning from your face from your wine not his text. Sure, and you hadn’t thought about kissing him again all day long. Sighing out a long slow breath you take a sip of your wine shaking your head to try to clear it.
Y/N: Oh? I will have to take a look. Is that what you are watching? A cheesy romantic movie alone on a Friday night?
Again, why was there not an unsend button on phones? You would think that the creators of such technology would know that people could not be trusted with their own words and needed at least a minute between each text being seen to consider what they had done. Instead you watch the message go to read and the three little bubbles pop up signaling that Mingyu was typing back to you.
Mingyu laughs, reaching behind his head to scratch at his neck. Was that a burn mixed in with a flirt? Is that what is happening right now? He didn’t want to presume but at the same time he was so tired of being afraid to do or say anything around you. He had shown that last night, granted a lot of it had been to not disappoint the girls but also to not disappoint himself for the 100th night in a row.
Kim Mingyu: Sometimes, all I’m missing is a glass of wine and someone to watch it with. I’d invite you to join me but I already gave you the night off. Should we do a rain check?
Was that a date invitation? Has the world begun to spin in the other direction? You were incredibly off kilter staring at your phone and his text in thought. Your fingers rubbing together, you chew on your lips trying to weigh out the pros and cons of accepting and rejecting him. If you accepted the rain check, pros would be; a lovely evening with a movie, a nice glass of wine, perhaps another kiss, who knows what else. Which then led you to the cons; who knew what would happen. It could end miserably and ruin your friendship with Mingyu while also ruining a friendship for your daughter.
Y/N: As much as I’d like to say yes to that, perhaps we need to remember who we are and who is around us.
His hands felt like weights but Mingyu understood what you were saying even if he didn’t want to. Leaning his head back on the couch, he sighed heavily when he heard a soft whimpering sound from behind him. Laying the phone down Mingyu shifted to look seeing Mina standing in the hall rubbing her eyes, tears running towards her lips.
“Mina, honey, what’s wrong? Come here.” The small girl wasted no time moving towards the couch curling her smaller body up to his making Mingyu take in a deep breath, his hand pushing her hair back so he could check her over for injuries or any signs of what was making her upset. “Talk to me, why are you crying? Did something happen with Amy?”
Shaking her head Mina whimpers looking up only resulting in making Mingyu coo in concern. His large thumbs wiping away her tears that seemed far too large for her small eyes. “Amy’s asleep. I was too but I had a bad dream and woke up. Mommy’s not here.”
Mingyu frowned but nodded, holding the little girl closer trying to comfort her like he had with Amy many times before. “You want me to call your mommy? She already told me to tell you hi and that she loves you but I know she’d be over here in just a little while to get you if you want her to. No one is making you stay the entire night Mina.”
Mina whines, shaking her head fervently, her hand gripping at Mingyu’s sweater. “I don’t wanna go home yet. I miss mommy but I don’t wanna leave. I wanna do the sleepover.” Mingyu nods, leaning to pick up his phone, pressing your picture on the screen to call you, making your brows furrow when you see his face pop up on your screen, having only expected a text message back.
“Hello?” You clear your throat answering the phone, the screen pressed to your ear, nerves eating at your stomach making you wonder even more why he was calling. It isn’t until you hear Mina’s tiny sobs that you sit up more in concern. Your voice quickly changes pitch, “Is she okay? I’m getting my shoes.”
“Y/N, no no, she’s okay. She just had a bad dream. She said she’s missing you. I thought if she could talk to you on the phone it might help. She was adamant she didn’t want to leave the sleepover.” Your whine reminds Mingyu of Mina’s causing him to close his eyes before he hands the phone to Mina who holds it with two hands to her wet cheek to meet her ear.
“Mommy?” Her shaky voice almost breaks your heart but also warms it at the same time causing you to sink back down on the couch. “Baby, are you okay? Talk to me. Min-Mr. Kim said you had a bad dream?”
You listen as the little girl recounts what she can remember of her dream. Something about a dark room at school and no one remembering to pick her up. Something that had never and would never happen, she knew that even as you promised and explained it. “Baby I will be there first thing in the morning to pick you up, I swear. Are you sure you don’t want me to come get you tonight? You know it doesn’t ruin the sleepover right?”
Mina whines causing you to smile, “Mommy no, please and if you come too early that isn’t good either. I wanna eat breakfast here. I’ve never had Mr. Kim’s breakfast. Wait Mommy you come eat breakfast too, like a family? Please?”
Mingyu watches Mina curiously, his brow raising at the word family. He was surprised how much it made his heart tighten and how much he wanted you to agree to the invitation. You chew on your lip with a sigh bringing your fingers up to pinch at the bridge of your nose considering everything that had happened, including turning Mingyu’s date invitation down.
“Mina…” The sound of your voice makes Mina start to tear up because she’s heard you say her name that way so many times, that is your ‘I’m about to say something disappointing’ tone. “Mommy, please!” The panic in her voice causes your heart rate to speed up when you realize how important this is to her, you weren’t stupid you had heard her call it a family.
“I–okay. I’ll be there for breakfast.” Mingyu watches the smile form on Mina’s lips making it impossible for him not to smile. “She said she’ll come to breakfast. I’ll even set the table Mr. Kim, I promise I’ll sleep the rest of the night. I love you Mommy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Mingyu takes the phone back, able to hear you tell Mina that you love her too, so much, just before the girl slides off the couch running back towards Amy’s room and bed. “She’s back to bed I guess.” You let out a tired laugh feeling a bit caught by your daughter, leaning back on to your couch with a small groan.
“I told you she’s dramatic. I’m sorry Mingyu, I’m sure I can just take her out for breakfast once I get there. You don’t have to cook all that food for us.” Mingyu frowns when you start to talk your way out of breakfast, his disappointment clear in his voice. “I won’t make you stay for breakfast but I would very much like for you to be there too. It really did seem important to Mina…and now I’ll be honest it’s starting to feel important to me as well.”
The silence on the phone is almost deafening to Mingyu, he can hear your soft breath but he has no idea what you are doing or thinking. Had he crossed a line? “Y/N? I’m sorry if I–” You shake your head and speak up to cut him off when he starts to apologize. “No, I’m sorry. I’m really guarded for myself and for Mina. It’s been hard Mingyu, but I’m sure you have your own understanding of that. It’s easier to push away than it is to let anyone close.”
If there was anything he understood it was that. There had been other opportunities in the past for relationships but he had never even truly considered them, not until you. He was terrified to hurt Amy and in honesty he was afraid to get hurt. Now he was afraid to hurt you and Mina though he knew he’d never do it on purpose.
“Yeah, no I get that completely. But if I can tell you something without you maybe thinking that I am a complete idiot or hell, that I’m going too fast…” You feel yourself start to panic at his words but you stay silent wanting to hear what he has to say. “Don’t we deserve a chance? Don’t the girls deserve it maybe? I don’t mean to use the girls like that, because that isn’t what I’m trying to do so please don’t think I am, but it’s very clear to me that they are trying to say something.”
You know he isn’t wrong so you nod but then remember it’s a phone call. “You are right. They have been…trying. Dinners, mistletoe, “family”. Mingyu, what if things don’t work out for us? That’s all I can think about. I’m truly the worst when it comes to this. I make a list of pros and cons and even if my pros list is 100 times longer than my cons list those cons weigh 1000 times more. “
Mingyu sighs into a laugh and you can picture him nodding, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve thought about that too, but I’ve also wanted to give this a try for months. Kissing you yesterday was more than just because of some mistletoe and because the girls wanted us to. I should have asked to kiss you long before that. There is so much I want to give you in your life and in Mina’s…because you have given Amy and I so much already.”
“Mingyu, please.” He smiles when you almost cut him off, your voice pleading in such a soft way it makes him wish you were beside him so he could touch you. “I’m serious Y/N. One step at a time maybe? We don’t have to say anything to the girls yet, we can just see how we feel and we can also remember that no matter how it goes for us we aren’t the important ones at the end of the day. What do you think?”
More of that deafening silence, god you were good with suspense. Mingyu chewed at his cheek looking over the lights of the Christmas tree, the gentle flickering almost memorizing him until you finally spoke. “Okay, I’d like to try, as long as we really do promise to remember to keep the girls first and not ruin their relationship.”
“I promise, with my entire heart I will not let that happen. I also will do my best to never hurt you, I think you’ve had enough of that in your life.” You close your eyes and mutter under your breath making Mingyu’s brows furrow while he leans forward looking down at his hand between his knees. “What did you say? You were really quiet.”
Your laugh makes him smile once again even as you sigh. “I was mainly talking to myself but I was just saying, please don’t say that to me Mingyu.” He shakes his head letting his teeth pull at his bottom lip not willing to give up that easily. “Sorry, no take backs. I mean what I say.”
Mingyu couldn’t help how many times he looked at you during breakfast. He hadn’t had the chance to see you early in the morning on too many occasions and if he had to admit it to himself he would love this opportunity more often. If it were possible you were even more beautiful in the early light, the sunlight in your hair, that soft smile on your lips any time you caught him staring at you.
Your cheeks had not stopped burning from the moment you had stepped inside the Kim residence an hour or so ago. Mingyu’s handsome smile kept catching your eye and you kept finding him unabashedly watching you. There was no way his attention was going unnoticed by the girls so you just did your best to keep yourself calm and not give off the wrong impression.
“So, did you enjoy the sleepover girls? What did you do?” Mina smiles at you, glancing between you and Mingyu before stabbing at her pancake while Amy answers your question. “We painted our nails, oh and daddy’s. Show Miss. Y/L/N how pretty we did daddy.” Mingyu sighs before extending his fingers out to you to show the pink nail polish covering some of his nails.
You laugh reaching to take his fingers into your hand running your thumb over his index fingernail appraising their work with a nod. “Mmm yes, this is good work. You will have to keep helping him out. There is no way he can look this pretty all on his own.”
Mingyu’s thumb grazes your palm causing you to look up into his eyes, your hand slowly moving from his. A smile growing larger on his lips when you clear your throat looking back at the kids. “What else did you do?” The girls go on to explain how they colored, played dolls, and made you both a present drawing Mingyu’s attention with those final words.
Even with his mouth full of pancake he makes a questioning sound tilting his head. “What sort of present?” Mina laughs at his muffled words shaking her head, “Mr. Kim! Don’t talk with your mouth full, bad manners.” When you laugh putting your fingers over your lips, Mingyu smiles looking over at you nodding before looking back to Mina after swallowing his bite of food.
“Mmm you are right, I apologize. My manners have returned, I promise. Now explain these presents.” You can’t seem to take your eyes off of Mingyu until Amy starts to speak, talking about how you two will have to wait until after breakfast. “They are like early Christmas presents but you have to get them before Christmas, you understand?”
Neither of you really understood but yet you both nodded to keep the girls happy telling them to finish their breakfast. Shared looks of some concern, you and Mingyu sip at your coffees when he nods and gets up to start clearing the table. “Well I can tell you this, no matter if we are getting early gifts or not, that does not mean anyone else is getting early Christmas gifts. I will not be bribed.”
Watching the girls finish their pancakes, you smile at Mingyu’s playful words before you stand to start helping him clean up. Each girl handing over their plate giggling when turned with a small surprised gasp to find Mingyu right behind you. “Sorry, I was going to…” Mingyu takes a step back so he isn’t breathing on to your cheek, his gaze unconsciously lingering over your lips.
“It’s okay, I’ve got the dishes this time. Why don’t you and the girls just enjoy the Christmas tree for a little bit while I finish up? Then we can figure out this present ordeal…” Mingyu smiles when you nod, taking a step away from him. Your eyes glancing back over your shoulder even as the girls pull on either of your hands to drag you towards the living room excited to turn on a movie with you.
By the time Mingyu finishes and makes his way to the living room he stops short in order to just take in the scene. Mina curled up against your right side and Amy on your left, both of the girls watching some Christmas movie on the tv while your fingers brush over their hair. This was what Mingyu wanted for Christmas, no one had asked him of course but they never needed to. He didn’t want physical possessions, he wanted this with you.
You smile when you look up realizing Mingyu is leaning against the wall watching you. Gesturing with your head you signal for him to join you with the kids. Amy is the first of the kids to notice her dad smiling brightly when he moves to sit beside her putting his arm behind you all on the couch. Her eyes meet Mina’s across your lap where they share an enthusiastic smile. Neither one wanted to move just yet, this was the closest thing they had to a “complete” family for their entire life.
Logically both of them knew that not every family had a mommy and a daddy. All families were built differently but it hadn’t stopped them from wanting that dream and when they had become friends it all had started to fit together like a puzzle that somehow no one had lost any of the pieces. Mina nuzzles against your stomach making you smile, your fingers threading through her soft hair while Amy drags your hand from her head down to her side where Mingyu’s free hand is, your hands brushing lightly.
Mingyu takes in a deep breath meeting your eyes, a gentle smile on his lips as the small girl’s hand tries to hold both of you closely. Neither of you had the heart to move them now. Not while they watched their movie, not while they seemed so content and happy. You wanted more happy days for Mina. Mingyu wanted them for Amy.
When you lean your head back and to the side, finding Mingyu’s arm behind you, the corner of his lips turn up. “I can move if you want.” He smiles a bit brighter when you shake your head no but you also don’t move your head. Instead he watches you lean your head against his arm while you watch the movie. Mingyu isn’t sure what the movie is even about, he isn’t sure he’d even care now. He can’t take his eyes off you or his mind off the feeling of you against him.
If it wasn’t for the cheerful music signaling the end of the movie not even the kids would have really realized the movie was over. They too had started to enjoy the warmth of the four of you curled up on the couch, the fire crackling nearby. Amy stretches, finally letting go of your and Mingyu’s hands leaning up to stretch, Mina quickly mimicking her. You both watch as smiles spread across their faces before the girls slide off the couch. “Both of you just…stay here.”
Mingyu laughs though he glances at you a bit sad when you sit up and slightly away from him but he knows why. “We won’t move Mina.” Amy grabs her hand dragging her towards her bedroom to presumingly grab the ‘early Christmas presents.’ You take a breath stretching a bit on the couch before feeling his eyes on you causing you to look over at Mingyu.
“Hi…” Just a simple word from his lips makes your skin prickle and a shy smile to creep along your lips. When you glance down at your hands Mingyu laughs, glancing back towards the hall to check on the girls before sliding closer to you. His fingers gently tilting your head back up to look at him. “I’m really glad you are here Y/N. I’m glad you came to breakfast and that you haven’t left yet…this is really nice seeing you for longer. Not feeling like you are always rushing out the door needing to get something done.”
His fingers push your hair along your neck causing your eyes to move along his face, from his lips to his eyes while you listen to him talk. “And I hope you don’t find me to be too forward and possibly an ass but if I don’t just say what I’m thinking with you I’ll chicken out and never say anything.” You laugh finding yourself just barely leaning into his delicate touch. “I think…I’d rather you just say it Mingyu. I can’t play games. Like you said I’m always rushing and there is a reason for that usually.”
Mingyu’s thumb glides along your cheekbone while his eyes seem to trace over your face like he wants to commit it to memory. “But we also have to be careful around the girls and not forget our promises. Remember?” He nods but doesn’t move, he simply points to his ear and smiles at you. “I’m listening for them and you can see over my shoulder. I just wanted a moment and I’ll move back, but I have to tell you that you are so beautiful. You always are but this morning you have taken my breath away every single time I have looked at you.”
Mingyu laughs when you try to look away, his thumb catching your chin turning your head back up to him. Your shy eyes meet his once again while he speaks. “And I know you know I have been looking at you quite a bit today. I apologize for that, I know it’s forward of me, but again like you said, no more games.”
You start to speak but Mingyu drops his hand and slides back a couple of inches, clearly hearing something you hadn’t but then you see the girls move around the hall. He smiles at you giving you a quick wink when you sit up a bit more trying to make it appear as if nothing was going on. You both quickly find out that neither of the kids would have noticed anyway, both of them holding a decorated piece of folded paper in their hands, their eyes on the paper.
“What ya got girls?” You smile at Mingyu's voice that seems to bring the kids out of their concentration and back to reality. Mina looks to Amy for her to take the lead knowing she had the most courage of the two of them. You feel your heart tighten slightly leaning forward reaching for Mina who takes a step towards you but doesn’t offer you the paper just yet.
“So we were learning about how not everybody wants toys and games for Christmas in school.” Mingyu nods along with Amy’s words reaching up to push her hair behind her ear, a smile on his lips. “Mm, that's very true.” She smiles finally meeting her dad’s eyes, most of her courage returning when she shows him the piece of paper. “Mina and I don’t just want those either. So we’ve made these for you.”
When Mina hands you the letter, you tilt her head up with your free hand smiling at her gaining one in return. “Did you decorate this too?” She nods, chewing at her lip causing you to laugh. “It’s so pretty, so many colors. Do you want us to read them now?” Mina nods, clearing her throat in an attempt to gain her own courage.
“Yes, please. They are very portant. I mean important.” Mingyu reaches over to brush his hand over her head when she corrects her word, a smile on his lips as Amy lays her letting in his hand. You watch the girls link their hands taking a few steps back choosing to sit on the floor, their eyes on you both in anticipation. Mingyu sighs a bit nervously, his glance meeting yours while his fingers unfold the letter carefully. You follow his lead doing the same with Mina’s, your eyes beginning to move over the page and her obviously carefully written words.
‘Dear Mommy,
First of tall, I love you very much. You are the best mommy in the whold wide world. Thank you for being my mommy. I do want dolls for Cristmas but I want something else too so I know how you make lists. I thoght I could do that too.
Props and Coms to you and Mr. Kim getting married: ‘
You look up at your daughter, your cheeks burning warm even though she smiles at you. Her spelling has gotten much better, that was your first observation. You were very proud of her but the context of the letter while not surprising was still a shock. Mingyu glances over at your letter, unable to stop the smile that crosses his lips before he returns to his own.
‘Dear Daddy,
I love you mostest. Even more than chocolate ice cream. I know you are the smartost person in the world so this won’t be a surprise. I don’t think I want anything for Cristmas. I mean if you ready got me presents that’s ok, I know Santa will bring more. I have been real good. But I want you to marry Miss. Y/L/N. I want her to be my mommy. I know she makes you smile like when I tell you a joke even though she is not funny. She’s really pretty. I know you tink so too. So I figure you ready have a ring like the boys in the Hallmark movie so maybe you can give it to her on Cristmas. Be a gennleman daddy.
Love, Amy’
Mingyu takes a deep breath finishing his letter while you are still going over the list of pros and cons or as Mina had put them props and coms for why you and Mingyu should be married. Less time on the road for you, she could have a daddy, you could have a husband. You sink into the couch continuing to read, realizing there were no “coms”.
Mina chews on her cheek watching you carefully finally moving to her feet to come to your side looking over your arm. Her little finger pointing to the last “prop” on her list. “That one is my most important reason. I like to see you smile and Mr. Kim does that the most.”
You swallow hard, attempting to keep yourself composed while you nod at her explanation. All eyes following your hands when you fold your letter back up and put it in your lap. “Um…girls.” That tone in your voice, the disappointing one that Mina knew. Amy watches Mina’s bottom lip start to tremble, the girl sliding from your grip but you aren’t quick enough to catch her before Mina is down the hall.
Mingyu frowns a bit folding his own letter, he wasn’t sure how to react to it all either. He hated to disappoint the girls but it wasn’t as easy as they wanted it to be. He watches you run your fingers through your hair before you stand and follow Mina down the hall, the soft click of a door opening and shutting then silence.
Amy doesn’t look up at her dad, the disappointment hanging in the air like a heavy fog. “Amy?” Hearing her name, she still doesn’t look up, instead Amy makes a sound to acknowledge that she had heard her dad causing him to slide off the couch into the floor with her. “It was a very nice letter, from both of you. A wonderful gift, thank you baby.”
She was strong, rarely cried so when tears slipped down her cheeks Mingyu had to hold his own back. “Oh, no honey. Listen, Y/N and I…adults are complicated. It’s not like the movies. Baby no one is trying to hurt you or Mina. I would give anything to give you the family you obviously want so badly…but things don’t happen for anyone in two hours like you see on tv. I know what you and Mina are trying to do and it’s so sweet of you both but can you do me a favor and try to let me and Y/N worry about the heavy stuff?”
Amy lets her dad hold her close, his fingers brushing away her tears while she nods. His heart still beating quickly listening to her soft sobs. “You are so young, don’t worry about playing matchmaker right now. Just worry about having fun with your best friend, about school, and about how much you are going to enjoy Christmas.”
Mingyu watches his daughter shrug her shoulders, his cheek meeting her forehead while he listens to her talk between soft whimpers. “I will try, but daddy I just wanted us to be…” He nods as her voice trails off because he knows what she wanted and honestly what he was wanting too. “All I can ask is that you try.”
Mina clings to you, both of you sitting on Amy’s bed surrounded by stuffed animals and dolls. Her little hands hold tightly into your sweater even though you knew she was upset at you. You hadn’t pressured her to talk, you had only told her how much you loved her and how sorry you were to disappoint her. It felt like you were always disappointing her.
“Did I not write it good enough?” Your own eyes close tightly, fighting back the urge to let tears slip from your eyes. “You wrote the letter so well. It was beautiful, Mina. I just need for you to try to understand that life doesn’t work that way. No matter if we want it to or not.”
She didn’t understand that, not when you looked so happy around Mr. Kim and then when you were at home you seemed sad. This was just logical to Mina. “I have so much to think about when it comes to who I would be with. My own pros and cons list would be much different, baby. You didn’t list a single con but I’m afraid there are always going to be cons.”
Mina shakes her head glancing up at you like you are speaking gibberish. “Like what? He’s so nice. You are nice. He cooks good and he has Amy. He’s a good daddy.” Your fingers work to untangle her hair while you sigh nodding. “You are right, I don’t disagree with those baby, but what about if Mr. Kim and I don’t end up getting along? I have to put you first always. Everyday I wake up with you in my mind and how I can make your life better.”
You watch her eyes blink out large tears that trail over her cheeks only to be wiped away by you. “My life, our life would be better with them.” You didn’t disagree with her but you couldn’t give her false hope when you were so uncertain of everything. The relationship with Mingyu had barely even begun. “Maybe, yes, but how about we just take this all one day at a time? Can you do that for me?”
You get a skeptical look from Mina who only when she meets your sad eyes does she nod. “Thank you. I love you so much, Mina and I would never hurt you. Not if I can help it, it is my job to keep you safe and healthy. That’s why I have to make decisions you might not like or go slowly with things even if it’s not how you want it to be right now. I know that’s a lot, maybe for you to understand but let’s just get through Christmas okay?”
Mina sighs, reaching up to wipe her nose with the back of her hand making you sigh. “Okay but only if you promise we will come here for Christmas.” She was so good at trapping you when you were weak, truly your child. “Okay, we will come here for Christmas, but only if you put this behind you and work hard at school.”
Sitting up Mina offers you her pinky drawing another sigh out of your mouth. “It’s serious business mommy.” You laugh, nodding when you link your pinky with hers, both of you leaning to kiss the top of your fingers sealing your promise. “No take backs.”
There were a few days when you were able to sleep in. Very few holidays that were deemed important enough that your work actually allowed you to have them off but Christmas was one of them. So you hadn’t set an alarm, instead you had planned foolishly to allow yourself time to sleep thinking you would get to sleep in to maybe even 8 in the morning.
When Mina’s body lands on top of yours, her excited voice in your ear all you can manage is a whine. Your hand pulling at her to tug her under the covers trying to make her realize it was far too early for this. “Mommy, Merry Christmas! We have to get up, what? No! No, under the covers silly. It’s already 5 in the morning. We are going to be late!”
“Late?!” You whine out the word and tug your daughter back to you hugging her tightly making her laugh. “I promise you Mina that Mingyu and Amy are not getting up right now, and if Amy has, Mingyu has done this exact thing to her. Now shh, sleep more.” Mine smiles curling her body into yours nuzzling under your chin listening to you talk.
“Mommy?” Her voice makes you let out a tired questioning sound, her fingers playing with the fabric of your night shirt. “You said Mr. Kim’s first name. You’ve been doing that a lot more.” Shaking your head, you pull her closer turning on your back. Mina watches you throw your arm over your face in the low light, a laugh on her lips. “Go back to sleep Mina. Give me at least another hour. Your mom is tired, and all she wants for Christmas is sleep.”
Mina smiles at your words nudging up against you with a small yawn, she had been wide awake but why was your bed always more comfortable than hers? It was so warm and you were so warm and felt so safe. She only nods a couple times before Mina is back asleep on your chest in a few minutes.
You hadn’t been wrong that Amy had attempted to wake Mingyu up just as early only to be wrapped in a blanket now squished up next to him softly snoring. Mingyu had managed to get around an hour more of sleep but as the sun began to rise he couldn’t help but open his eyes along with it. It seemed unusually bright, Mingyu had to squint sliding out of bed carefully not to wake Amy making his way over to the window to peek out. He can’t help but to smile a bit seeing a fresh layer of snow on the ground. “She’s getting everything she wants for Christmas it seems…”
Amy whines making Mingyu turn around seeing his daughter waking back up. She was struggling with his blanket that he had wrapped around her in attempts to in his own way swaddle his 6 year old daughter. A laugh falling from his lips he moves to help her untangle the fabric letting her sit up and stretch, her hair pointing in all different directions while she squints from the same light that had woken him up. “It’s bright…”
Mingyu runs his hand over her hair trying to tame some of the hair but he knows only a brush will really do the trick. “Mmhm, you should go into the living room and see why.” Amy grins, beginning to catch on to her dad’s meaning. Mingyu chuckles following behind his daughter, her feet hitting the hardwood floors quickly in excitement, a happy gasp leaving her mouth when she finally crawls up on the couch to look out of the window seeing the snow.
“Christmas miracles! Daddy, I asked Santa for snow!” Mingyu pretends to not know everything that Amy had asked for, simply letting his eyes widen in surprise. “And it seems like he probably left a bunch of the other stuff under the tree.” Amy giggles when Mingyu sits down next to her before she glances towards the tree in awe at all the different gifts.
“Woah! Why are there so many?” Mingyu can’t help but to cover his amused smile with his hand shrugging a bit when Amy crawls off into the floor to look at the gifts. “Oh my gosh, daddy! Santa brought Mina’s gifts here! How did he know? That’s so cool! You should call Miss. Y/L/N and tell her right now.”
Amy keeps carefully digging through the gifts, almost beginning to sort them while Mingyu shakes his head suppressing his laughter. “Should I? I will send her a text. How does that sound? Then I will start breakfast and you will keep your little paws off the presents. You will instead go take a brush to your hair and try to make it look like you didn’t get electrocuted.”
Pursing her lips in confusion, Amy turns to sit on her knees looking up at her dad as he pulls his phone from his sweatpants. She watches him send you a quick text, her head titling before he meets her eyes and laughs at her expression. “What’s that look for?”
“What’s lectrocuted?” Mingyu sighs and shakes his head trying to think how he could explain it, reading a text back from you, a grin spreading over his face. “It’s uh…you know what electricity is. The lights, when you get shocked. Your hair goes all over like that. Now go brush your hair Einstein. Mina will be here soon.”
“My name is Amy, you know my name Daddy. Just because you were reading your phone…gosh boys are so weird.” Laughing Mingyu simply puts his phone on the counter getting to work on Christmas breakfast hoping he will have at least most of it done before you arrive.
When you and Mina finally make it inside you are pulling her back to get her out of her jacket and shoes before letting her run off to find Amy. The smell of food hitting your nose makes you take in a deep breath, your mouth watering almost instantly. Walking through the house you find Mingyu in the kitchen, a smile on his face when you are finally close enough. “You finally just let yourself in for once.”
He laughs watching you roll your eyes, his own eyes surveying behind you only to step closer his hand running along your hip to pull you in a bit closer. “Morning…” Your cheeks warm instantly at his touch and attention. You still weren’t used to it and having to hide it from the girls made it even harder, but you still can’t help the smile on your lips. “Good morning.”
Mingyu’s lips press to yours gently and briefly before he lets you turn your head to see what he is working on at the stove. “It’s almost done. I thought I’d go a little traditional and a little not. I made some waffles, bacon, eggs, kimchi fried rice, and pajeon.” You shake your head reaching to pick up a piece of the bacon, biting off a piece then putting it to his mouth letting him take the rest from your fingers.
“You cooked enough for 10 people, Gyu.” He laughs swallowing the bacon, his neck heating up when you shorten his name. He still wasn’t used to it but he loved hearing it but he thought to himself there would be other names for him from you he might like even more. “Maybe but we can eat what we have leftover for lunch and then some of this like the rice will heat up really well for snacks.”
Always thinking ahead. One of the many things you found out that you loved about him. No, that you liked about him. You have to correct yourself even in your head clearing your throat nodding to his words. Taking one of the serving dishes you watch him carry three balancing one plate on his arm making you shake your head while you follow him into the dining room. Your eyes follow him but do seem to travel over his body until he makes a sound having caught you.
“Hmm, remind me later that I need to give you a Christmas present when we can be alone.” You start to complain but the girls running into the room at the smell of food cuts you off. “Oh my gosh! Mr. Kim, this looks so good!” Mingyu grins at Mina’s complement reaching over to ruffle her hair while the two girls take their seats. You start to move back to help him get the rest of the food but find him standing behind you.
“I’ve got the rest. Let me get your chair.” Amy makes an ooo sound causing Mina to giggle when Mingyu pulls out your chair for you, letting you sit down. “Daddy, so gentleman like.” Mingyu shoots finger guns at his daughter with a wink playfully making you laugh. “You said it right, I’m proud of you baby.”
Amy laughs rolling her eyes at her dad’s antics, her gaze finding you while you run your fingers over your hair trying to regain your composure. “Miss. Y/L/N, did daddy tell you about Santa bringing all the gifts here?” You smile at her and nod, leaning to start dishing out some food to the girls while Mingyu brings in the rest taking his seat.
“He did, that’s very exciting and convenient.” Mina laughs at how you choose to answer Amy picking up her fork stabbing at some of her food. “Amy said there are presents under the tree for you too Mommy and some not from Santa.” You furrow your brows glancing at Mingyu who tries to act innocent shrugging only to hand over the syrup to you.
“Is that so? Well we will have to take a look after breakfast is all done and cleaned up.” Amy nods in agreement while you raise a brow at Mingyu who simply smiles at you taking a big bite of pajeon. You shake your head amused with him deciding to pay more attention to the girls when you feel his free hand on yours under the table resting on your knee. His thumb gently glides along the back of your hand causing you to pause what you are doing.
Mingyu smiles at your reaction but he keeps the girls entertained talking to them both about the snow and the possibility of playing in it once all the presents are opened. When you turn your hand over letting his fingers lace with yours it’s his turn to be surprised. Mingyu’s breath catches, his eyes lowering to the table and both of you are pleased to hear the girls continue talking between themselves about their plans.
With your eyes on his, Mingyu doesn’t even hear when Amy speaks to him until you tap at the back of his hand and gesture with your head towards his daughter. “Mm what did you say sweetie?” Amy laughs, raising a brow at his reaction, some egg on the corner of her lips making him smile. She doesn’t budge even as her dad leans over to wipe them away, her mouth still moving to speak, “You two always take longer than us to eat but today can we maybe just go all together to the living room?”
Mingyu smirks into a sigh at her question, his hand falling from yours so that he can use both of his hands with his food for a few moments. “Yes, if we make a deal. When you two are finished, go start on dishes. We can work on them together then go open presents. You two always get out of dish duty. Give back since it’s Christmas, help me and your mom.”
You breath catches at how he says that last sentence and you notice that he seems to pick up on it too. “Mina’s…mom. You know what I mean.” Amy raises her brow even higher if possible glancing at Mina, both girls nodding but not before sharing a look of interest once again. You take a large sip of coffee meeting Mingyu’s eyes over the cup while he shoves food into his mouth only to glance away silently cursing at himself for a slip of his tongue.
Amy was right in knowing she and Mina would finish first. You and Mingyu watch the two girls gather their plates heading towards the kitchen only to hear the sound of water and their chatter when they leave the two of you alone in the dining room. “Sorry…” Your eyes lift to find Mingyu looking from you to his plate while he pushes around the last bit of food, concern written on his features.
“For? Why are you apologizing?” Mingyu sighs and almost whines making you laugh, it never ceases to amaze how a man so large could be so small sometimes. “Gyu, it’s fine. Nothing you said was…wrong really. I am a mom and they are now helping out. So where was the reason for you to say sorry?”
He picks up his coffee finishing off the last bit before sitting the mug back down, a soft breathy sigh slipping from his lips. “I’m trying so hard to keep my promise and keep everything from them but I also just want to be with you. I’m tired of having to pretend like I’m not falling in l..like I’m not in a relationship with you.” You watch him quickly backtrack on his words, your heart racing in your chest.
“I know, I don’t like it either but we said we wouldn’t tell them anything until we were sure about everything. We can’t risk hurting them. At the end of the day how we feel about each other is the least important thing.” That stung a bit, Mingyu’s face shows that just as much as it felt for you to say it. “Do you mean that Y/N? Or are you just trying to make it make sense?”
Mingyu watches you swallow hard, your head shaking while you try to come up with words only to fall short. His hand moves along yours on the table to hold it, his thumb sliding gently along your skin. “I won’t make you answer that right now. Let’s just have a good day with the girls and go from there, huh?” You nod in response, leaning your cheek into his lips when he leans to kiss it quickly.
The table slowly clears leaving you to grab just your own plate and a couple of leftovers so you can join the others in the kitchen. You find Mingyu at the sink having taken over the main washing duty letting the girls dry the dishes. A soft smile forms on your lips even though your stomach was in knots from your earlier words to him. Did you mean it?
You shake your head answering yourself in your head, no you hadn’t. He was important to you. The way you felt about him and how he felt about you was important, incredibly so. Over the past few weeks he had quickly become someone you looked forward to seeing as often as possible. You never thought that your relationship with him could make him an even better friend to you but you proved yourself wrong once again.
With the dishes washed and put away, leftovers safely secured for later, you and Mingyu follow the girls into the living room where they are given the go ahead to start going through the gifts. You join Mingyu on the couch sitting a few inches away from him watching Mina and Amy placing gifts into piles. “Are you going to take turns or just open them?”
Amy considers your question and picks up a gift with a grin that always reminded you of her dad, her eyes finding yours. “Take turns. This one is yours.” You furrow your brows reaching out to take the small long box from her hands to read the tag with a sigh looking at Mingyu who glances away towards the fireplace to avoid you. “Open it mommy.” Your fingers work over the wrapping paper slower than the girls would like but you find Mingyu’s eyes back on you when you finally reach the box under the paper and are able to open it, finding a thin gold bracelet inside. Small delicate gems hanging from the chain in different colors that shimmered in the light from the window making you take a deep breath.
“Do you recognize all of them?” You nod but quickly shake your head. You knew some of them but there were two you didn’t. Two stones were your and Amy’s birthstones, the others were different but it quickly made you realize who they belonged to. “You and Amy…” Mingyu smiles, reaching to take the bracelet out of the box, setting that to the side so he can put it around your wrist while the girls watch.
“So you can have everyone with you no matter where you are.” Mingyu isn’t aware of the tears in your eyes but Mina is. Her face falls in concern when she starts to move to her feet only to stop when you surprise everyone in the room by turning Mingyu’s face to yours pressing your lips to his. “Mommy…”
Mingyu smiles against your lips as the girls gasp and begin to talk excitedly until you pull back realizing what you have just done. “Oh my gosh! Santa got the letters for real. I mean it’s not a wedding on Christmas but…” Your cheek is warm under Mingyu’s thumb, his laughter helping to keep you grounded while you listen to the girls beginning to pick up other gifts.
“Seriously if he got that letter that means that I got a laptop Mina. Also we have like an entire wedding to plan. Daddy can’t do that and your mommy, oh my gosh she might be my mommy soon too!” You lean your head back and Mingyu lets you rest your head on his shoulder while he looks at the kids. “Hey what did I tell you before? Let us be adults and you two be kids. Open your presents.”
Amy gives him a sly look nodding while pulling one of her presents into her lap. “Whatever you say daddy.” Mina laughs almost matching her friend’s look before finding a gift with her name on it ripping at the paper. “Yeah whatever you say. You two just let us know when you need help. Cause we have an entire notebook ready. We’ve watched a lot of Hallmark movies.”
You sigh into a laugh finally looking up to see your daughter's eyes smiling when you see how happy she is. “I bet you have.” The rest of the morning goes almost as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Only a few glances from the girls and the occasional squeal of joy when they noticed that you and Mingyu were holding hands. It didn’t take long before they were both begging to go into the backyard to play in the snow.
Mingyu was more than happy to let you rest on the couch while he wrapped too many scarves around each of the girls. Both of them complained about needing to be able to move to play but he simply mocked them playfully tugging their hoods over their heads. “Stay where we can see you. If I look out that window and you are out of sight I will come find you and then melt all the snow.”
Getting a sour look from Amy, Mingyu smirked, pinching her nose before opening the door to usher both of the girls out into the cold. You watched from the couch, smiling when you saw them both come into view Mina instantly falling down to make a snow angel quickly followed by Amy. You don’t notice Mingyu joining you until his hand slides over your leg to your knee drawing your attention back to him.
“We will keep an eye on them, but they know the rules.” You smile with a nod watching him carefully and curiously when he leans up to reach behind a pillow to bring out another small wrapped gift. “You didn’t remind me but I remembered anyway.” When you laugh Mingyu’s smile grows exponentially, his eyes following your hands take the gift from him to set it on your lap.
“First of all you didn’t give me time to remind you and secondly I literally didn’t get you anything Mingyu. We said no gifts and you lied right through your perfect teeth.” Mingyu grins shrugging, reaching up to push a piece of your hair behind your ear while he glances out of the window to watch the girls playing. “I already got everything I wanted so maybe I did lie, but I think I like spoiling you a little bit. It seems like you’ve never been treated like this and I kind of like the look on your face when it happens.”
Your cheeks warm causing Mingyu to smirk when he feels it under his touch. “You are blushing again.” The sound of his laughter is music to your ears even as you elbow him playfully causing him to jokingly double over only to place a kiss to your cheek. “Open your present.” When you sigh, Mingyu taps at your nose while biting at his bottom lip watching you.
“Stop looking at me like that.” Another laugh slips between his lips at your words, Mingyu’s hand moving from your face to the back of your neck while he watches you opening the present. “How am I looking at you?” You shrug moving the wrapping paper to the side first before opening the top of the box avoiding his eyes. “Like a school boy in love or something.”
Mingyu raises a brow and shrugs his lips considering your words. “Interesting way to put it, but not far off.” You start to say something back to him but when you move the tissue paper in the box you find yourself speechless. Plane tickets along with another small unopened jewelry box sit on more tissue paper waiting for you to touch. “Gyu?”
“Hmm?” He watches you lift the box first, putting it to the side, then your fingers pick up the plane tickets where you read the dates of the flight, seeing two round trip tickets to New York City for a long weekend during New Years Eve. “Oh…how could we even do that? We both have kids and that’s just a few days…like literally…”
Mingyu hears you start to spiral so he takes his eyes from the window where he had been watching the kids playing to look at you. His hand moving to gently grasp your chin turning your head towards him. “Promise not to get too mad at me but I already took care of that. I spoke with my mom and yours. They want to split the time between them and take care of the girls. I believe your mom’s exact words were to “whisk you off your feet” so I’m here to whisk you off your feet Miss Y/L/N.”
Your hands were shaking so Mingyu took the tickets out of your hands reaching to pick up the jewelry box putting that into your hand instead. “It’s not an engagement ring. I’m not that crazy, yet, but please open it.” You look at the box using your thumb to push open the box only to have your breath taken away once more when you do find a necklace inside. “The girls found this one the other day and kept saying how it would look so pretty on you. I have to admit they have really great taste.”
You watch Mingyu’s fingers take the necklace from the box, he only makes a small questioning sound and you already know what he wants. He smiles when you lift your hair and turn your back to him so he can put the necklace around your neck clasping it only to let his fingers trace the delicate gold chain. Your fingers run over the small teardrop diamond pendant now resting on your chest, surprised when you feel Mingyu’s lips gently press to the side of your neck only once before he pulls away and lets you drop your hair.
“So are you mad at me for planning behind your back?” Mingyu watches you shake your head, not making him smile a bit brighter. He finds himself leaning his cheek against your palm when you reach up to run your thumb along his cheekbone. “No, I’m not mad. I’m just honestly really happy. You asked me something earlier and I avoided it. I didn’t mean what I said. You are so important, this is important. I’m sorry.”
Mingyu’s brows knit together, his face turning to press his lips to your palm causing your stomach to tighten to the feeling. “It’s okay. I know why you said it, but I’m so happy to hear you say this now. You are important to me too Y/N. Amy, Mina, and you are the most important people in my life and when I said I got everything I wanted for Christmas I wasn’t lying. This is what I wanted.”
You turn your head towards the window in order to stop yourself from letting tears fall from your eyes at Mingyu’s words only to find yourself watching as Mina and Amy throw snowballs at one another. Mingyu moves your hand into his, holding it at his chest, his eyes following yours to watch the girls playing until they notice you both watching and wave. “This is what I wanted too, Gyu. Merry Christmas.”
Mingyu smiles, meeting your eyes once again when you speak, your words going straight to his heart and stomach. When you lean towards him brushing your lips against his gently, he can’t help but to smile against your lips. Mingyu’s free hand moves to hold the side of your face gently while the snow starts to lightly fall on the happy girls playing outside making them laugh joyfully.
“Merry Christmas Y/N.”
❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆
tag list; @bangchanbabygirlx @just-here-to-read-01 @niktwazny303 @strawberri-uyu @yeritheloml @tis-niki @noraehey @hoohoohope @otterpopchan @xuxibelle @foxdaisy @smileysuh @vern0nsworld @synthetickitsune @enhacolor @pandorashbox @yeosayang @gyuhanniescarat @yoonguurt @jwnghyuns @xoxodino @sakurasangcl @woniewhite @fantasy2wonderland @midnightvalentines @junhui-recs @woozis-wife @cheolsbestie @sunnyteume @sakurasangcl @multi-kpop-fanfics @noseblowersanonymous @whyokoa @baldi-2 @misssugarlips @rubyscoups @httpswonwoosglasses @nikkell @midnightvalentines @onlywonus @raevyng @sstarryoong @dkakapizzaboy @noniestars @hoohoohope @kinohohoho
please note that I am doing my best to tag all of you who have filled out the tag list form but tumblr won’t let me tag some of you. I think that is because either you have tags turned off or possibly a blank tumblr page. consider reblogging some of the fics you like from me or other writers. ♥
© onlymingyus - all rights reserved. Reposting/modifying of any fic, or pieces of original writings posted on this blog is not allowed. Translations not allowed.
#mingyu fluff#seventeen fluff#svthub#caratwritersclub#svt fluff#kim mingyu fluff#mingyu angst#seventeen angst#svthub.collab#snowventeen#svt angst#mingyu crack#seventeen crack#svt crack#mingyu fanfic#seventeen fanfic#svt fanfic#mingyu x reader#seventeen x reader#svt x reader#singledad!mingyu#singlemom!reader
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hoodie szn (but make it jolly)
pairing: non-idol!bf!Chan x fem!reader (ft. roommate!Soonyoung)
genre: fluff, smut, comedy
warnings: mentions of food, reader is implied to be petite, fingering, use of pet names, whipped chan but also a tease, exhibitionism? sorta?, soonyoung is a cockblock on accident, playful banter, mentions of food
word count: ~1.9k
summary: getting snowed in with your boyfriend isn't as bad as you think - you can put up some early decorations, steal your boyfriend's hoodie - did we mention getting fucked in that hoodie?
Author’s note: Hello! This is my entry for the snowventeen collab of @svthub! Be sure to check out the rest of the fics as well <3 Happy holidays!
p.s.: have this terribly made header with early 2010s wattpad style lmao
“The snow has already covered the biggest part of the city, the roads are closed off until further notice. Citizens are advised to stay at home and cut down on any unnecessary transports for their own safety”.
“Wonderful…”, you sigh and turn off the television, slouching back in the cushions of the couch. You definitely didn’t expect getting snowed in the day after sleeping over at your boyfriend’s apartment.
But then again, when was the last time you actually saw snow in the city? Might as well enjoy it, right?
You open the curtains once more to take a peek into the now white streets, just a handful of people walking around in heavy clothing, clutching the grocery bags in their hands with all the necessary supplies.
A chill runs down your spine and you realize that you’re still in your rather thin pajamas, which aren’t really the best option for such weather. You skip to Chan’s bedroom and start rummaging through his closet, hoping you’ll find something warm and cozy enough. Your eyes shine when you spot a stark white hoodie of his, although you’re a tiny bit disappointed when you notice that the hoodie is sleeveless.
“Eh, I’ll just put a shirt underneath”, you deadpan and open the drawer right below, where Chan keeps some of your shirts - those you forget whenever you sleep over, at least.
Your intuition is proven correct as you spot a long sleeved black shirt and you waste zero time in changing into the handpicked clothes.
You do a once-over at the mirror and notice your bare legs, suddenly feeling very cold down there. “Damn, I’m sure I’ve brought socks with me…”, you mutter and search through your bag again. “Aha!”, you exclaim when you finally find your pair of black thigh high socks - which, coincidentally, are Chan’s favorite on you (you definitely didn’t do that on purpose).
A few minutes pass and you’re found in the living room again, laying on the couch, scrolling on social media out of boredom. You sigh as you look at the posted pictures, decorated balconies and Christmas trees, hot beverages and gingerbread houses. You close your phone, putting it down on the table, whining in defeat.
You glance around and notice that Chan's apartment is very much ordinary and in desperate need of Christmas decorations. Well, might as well keep yourself busy with something, right?
You get up and start searching around the house to find any obnoxiously big boxes that could possibly contain said decorations.
Living room? Nope. Soonyoung's room? Out of bounds, not stepping in there. Chan's room? Not there either.
"Where the hell are they…", you mutter and go to the bathroom to splash some water on your face, when you see a box awkwardly sticking out right next to the washing machine. Nah, it can't be, you think but you nonetheless try to pull it out and lift it up, a quite familiar sound echoing from within.
"I swear to God…", you plop the box down and remove the tape, rolling your eyes as you see that there are, indeed, Christmas stuff in there.
"These damn idiots", you grumble as you take out the colorful lights, trying to detangle them from the mess they currently are in. You’re caught up in separating all the garlands and mistletoes when the door clcks open, revealing your boyfriend (who could easily pass for a snowman in his current state).
“Babe, I’m h- what the fuck happened in here”, Chan deadpans while taking off his snow-covered shoes, leaving them on the doormat.
“That’s what I said when I realized it’s literally two days away from Christmas and you still don’t have Christmas decor in your apartment!”, you point at the open box, filled with mistletoes, lights and tree charms. “If anything, it makes me think you forgot about Christmas”, you plop on the couch with a disappointed pout. “Hey, that’s too far!”, he points at you in protest, “We just didn’t have enough time to decorate with Soonyoung”, he puts his jacket on the hanger, “Classes have been running crazy these days, everyone seems to wanna learn dancing for all the holiday parties”, he ruffles his hair a bit.
"Anyways, what were you doing outside with that weather?" you ask him, “Didn’t you freeze your ass off?”. “Yeah, I kinda did, but I managed to find food!”, he proudly flexes the bag with the warm takeout in it. “Aww, Channie, you didn’t have to”, “Shut up, of course I had to - It’s not like I always have my girlfriend staying over - with my flatmate not being here as well! Talk about luck, huh?”, “Well, I don’t know if getting snowed in counts as luck, but I’m not saying no to it”, you laugh.
After placing the food on the counter, Chan takes a more detailed glance at your current outfit.
“Babe, is that my hoodie?”, Chan raises an eyebrow, realizing that the sole clothing article covering your body, is indeed, his hoodie.
“Yeah, it is - does it look good on me?”, you hop off the couch and twirl around in a cute way, but you don’t realize the hoodie rides up and it reveals part of your ass - along with your lacy white thong.
Chan immediately gets up and pulls you flush to his body, his hands smoothing over the fabric, yet his palms ending up on your ass, squeezing the soft flesh.
“Baby, it looks really good on you”, he smiles, his voice dropping a few octaves, sending a shiver straight down your spine.
“So good I wanna make you cum while you wear it”.
“Channie!”, you yelp at his words, skin flushing at the thought of your boyfriend doing such unspeakable things to you, “May I remind you that you don’t live alone?”, you reprimand him and he rolls his eyes, pressing a kiss on your cheek, a radiant grin on his face. “Y/N, Soonyoung isn’t even here today and he won’t be able to return until the roads are cleaned up”, “You’re so insufferable sometimes”, you roll your eyes at him, but he merely brings you closer to him, making you back step towards the couch.
The back of your legs hit the cushions of the couch and you plop down on it with a giggle, Chan caging you with his body, his radiant smile captivating as ever.
"Hi", "Hey, handsome", you reply and he leans down to kiss you, spreading your legs to give him space. Chan gets the message and slots himself between them, his hands now running over your legs and the thigh highs.
"You brought these on purpose, didn't you?", he tugs at the elastic band, making it snap against your skin. "Maybe", you let out a tiny yelp as his fingers make contact with your covered core, rubbing your pussy over your flimsy panties.
"Naughty girl", Chan bites his bottom lip and slides your thong to the side, letting out a groan when he watches your pussy glistening with your juices, his fingers itching to slide in. “Chan, come on”, you whine, your hand wrapping around his wrist to pull his hand closer to where you need him the most. “Gosh, you’re so impatient”, he chuckles and you glare at him, opting to close your legs out of spite, but he’s having none of it.
“Baby, don’t misbehave”, Chan pins your right thigh with his free hand, the other one finally touching your pussy, making you moan out loud, “You wouldn’t really want me to leave you high and wet like that, right?”, he grins. “N-No, I don’t want you to stop”, you mutter, bringing your hand over your mouth to muffle the rest of your moans threatening to spill from your mouth. “What was that, baby? I didn’t hear you”, he sing-songs with the most teasing lilt he can muster. “Fuck, Chan, stop teasing and give me your fingers, please!”, you whine again, but it turns into a loud gasp when you feel your boyfriend’s fingers sink into your soaked core, instantly clenching down on them.
“Damn, baby, you’re sucking them right in, so fucking greedy”, Chan’s breath tickles your ear, his lips barely touching that weak spot behind it. You mentally beg he abuses that spot with his mouth, just like the way he knows.
He starts pumping them in a rather fast pace, his thumb reaching to rub your swollen clit, eliciting moan after moan from your lips. It’s as if he reads your thoughts when you feel his lips suck on that spot behind your ear, your mouth forming in an ‘o’ shape. “Doing so well for me, sweetheart, so fucking well, fuck”, Chan moans, his own self-control wearing thin as his cock twitches with every little sound you make. “More, give me more”, you whine, your hand reaching to Chan’s crotch, palming his bulge over his pants, making him groan, his head leaning forward, forehead touching yours, breaths almost mingling together.
The both of you are completely lost in pleasure, your boyfriend’s fingers never stopping their motions, rubbing against your walls, that you completely miss the door clicking open, a different figure entering the apartment.
“Hello? Anyon- HOLY SHIT DUDE!”, the source of the voice snaps the both of you out of it, making you scream out loud.
“What the- Soonyoung?! What the fuck are you doing here?!”, Chan yelps as he notices his roommate standing frozen on the doorstep. He puts himself in front of you to somehow cover your body from the older man’s sight, in an attempt to save the last remnants of decency. “Um, I can still see her, uh”, he gestures vaguely towards your body and you hide your face under your boyfriend’s hoodie out of shame.
Chan takes a pillow and throws it towards his roommate, while trying his best to put your panties back on, ending up leaving you high and dry, against his will, mouthing an “I’m sorry” with an embarrassed expression.
“Can you at least explain why the hell you’re here? Weren’t you supposed to stay at Seungkwan’s tonight?”, “Well yeah, that was the plan, until a power cut happened and both of our phones died out so I had no way to text you”, he lets out an awkward laugh. “Let me get this straight - you left Seungkwan all alone in his house without power?”, you straighten your clothes, legs feeling a bit wobbly.
“In my defense, he managed to send a text to another friend of his to spend the night there before his phone died”, Soonyoung tries to excuse himself. “And you didn’t think about doing the same?”, your boyfriend grits out of annoyance. “Oh…Ahah, you are not wrong there, buddy”, Soonyoung laughs, making the two of you sigh in defeat, “Yeah, sorry about that, Y/N”. “You’re lucky you’re Chan’s friend and I love you, otherwise I would have decapitated you”, “Okay easy there, tiger”, he laughs and goes into his room to change. You feel a pair of arms around your waist and Chan turns you around, pulling you flush to his chest.
“I promise to make it up to you, babe, I swear”, he whispers against your lips, his hands fisting your (his) hoodie. “You better hold up to your word, mister, or I’ll strangle you with that ugly garland”, “Is that a promise”, “Threat would be a more suitable word”, you retort playfully.
“I’ll accept it either way”, Chan kisses you again, grinning widely.
Maybe getting snowed in isn’t so bad after all.
#svthub#svthub.collab#dino smut#dino fluff#dino crack#chan smut#chan fluff#chan crack#svt dino#lee chan#svt smut#svt fluff#svt crack#seventeen smut#seventeen fluff#seventeen crack#seventeen
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𝐊-𝐩𝐨𝐩
Masterlist
blu-joons — multiple kpop groups
dreamescapeswriting — bts and skz
flwrboi — multiple kpop groups
jojayke — enhypen and txt
jiyeonnnn — multiple kpop groups
leedosbunnyboy (kinktober) — multiple kpop groups
leedosbunnyboy — multiple kpop groups
stay-midnight — skz
kpophubb — enhypen
jameui — multiple kpop groups
btsxmalereaders — bts, skz, and got7
male-reader-haven — bts and skz
delcakoo — enhypen
hwangyeonjun — multiple kpop groups
ivyuns — enhypen
nonrevblr — svt (december prompt challenge)
svthub — svt (snowventeen)
blue-jisungs — multiple kpop groups
minho-hoho — enhypen
thevampywolf — skz
sweetpieceofnightmarez — enhypen
qqtxt — txt
sungbeam — txt
pettypartypooper — skz (fic recommendations)
Headcannons/Fics
Bloody Birthday
You getting death threats from ‘fans’ — skz!hyung line
Till death do us part
Honey Money — l.jh drabble
Jay with a short gf
Jake with a short gf
Sunghoon with a short gf
Ni-ki with a short gf
Poly relationship with royal!wonki
Jeonghan has a soft spot for s/o
August
iuwon
Business Proposal
Confident
Royalty forbidden love
The Slope Is Treacherous
9:01 — p.sh
Long story short
You belong with me
Deal or no deal?
Only one shall remain
And the universe said, — absolutely addicted to this; waiting for updates
Astronomical fuck-up for one, please
Svt reacting to s/o squirting for the first time
Fixer upper — svt!minghao
Deadly sins — svt!minghao
Happier — svt!minghao
Minghao with lip-piercing
Only you - xu minghao
Y/n’s protection squad
Enhypen s/o privilege
Enhypen reacts to another member interrupting the both of you
Insecurity — skz, male reader
minwon
shut up (and kiss me) — skz!felix
pick me!
take two
idol s/o — skz
jeonghan with foreign idol s/o
Kyoto — skz
Hanaki - skz
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can i ask what fic you’re working on rn? what will be out next? 👀
currently working on jock!gyu, daddy!gyu part 5, e2l hannie, roommate!hao, and the snowventeen collab.
as for what will be out next… it will be jock!gyu
#it was the unanimous decision lmao#guess we all want to see him brought to life#not mad at it#also working on other fics#but these have priority#nonny
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OT13 Collab Masterlist
SVTHUB: Camboy Collab - Masterlist
Spookteen: 2022 Halloween Collab - Masterlist
Snowventeen: 2022 Winter Collab - Masterlist
SVTHUB's Secret Garden - Masterlist
SVTHUB's 70s;teen - Masterlist
Fall-ing For You: 2023 Autumn Collab - Masterlist
Cupid For You: 2024 Valentine’s Fic Exchange - Masterlist
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Everyone Knows (Snowventeen Collab)
pairing; boo seungkwan x gn reader
genre; fluff, angst
warnings; joshua, vernon, and mingyu are side characters, slight angst due to unrealized feelings, mentions eating and drinking, bad jokes, and crimes against food by lack of cooking skills, otherwise this is just fluff
svthub snowventeen collab master list - snowventeen tag list
w/c; 5.3k and some change
Joshua smirks behind his phone screen hearing you sigh for the fifth time in a row. Your finger pushes the scroll wheel of the mouse through yet another page on another shop but nothing wowing you. Nothing was screaming “Seungkwan.”
“This is so stupid, why does everything suck? It was so easy to find your present. Why are you so simple?” Shaking his head, Joshua considers his words to answer your question before sitting up on your couch finally speaking. “Because I’m your best friend.”
A scoff escapes your lips between another sigh when you close another window and type in another search. “You are both my best friends. In fact, Joshua Hong, I’d argue he is my first best friend and you are just second best. Especially after a comment after that.”
Joshua only laughs, whispering out a small “ouch” at being second best. It’s only when you glance over your shoulder at him that he laughs a second time shrugging your way. “Y/N…if you are that blind, I’d have to spell it out for you and then you’d just call me second best again. I bet you’d still make me pay for dinner.”
Shooting him a finger gun over your shoulder, you hear Joshua groan out a breath playfully, faking being annoyed as he falls back on the couch cushions. “You know him incredibly well Y/N. Just pick something, he will love it, I promise, almost as much as you love him.” The last of Joshua’s sentence is muttered under his breath but you are able to catch enough of it to make you spin your chair around with a loud annoyed scoff.
“Could you let it go? I don’t know what you are insinuating. Of course I love him, I love you too. I love all my friends.” Joshua raises a brow watching you stand up moving away from the computer for the first time in hours. Now you were pacing, a clear sign that you were overthinking and stressed.
“I know you love me and the rest of your friends…but Seungkwan is different. It’s been different with him since college. I don’t know why you two won’t just admit that and move past this charade. Seriously, Y/N?” You hadn’t even realized you were pacing in front of the coffee table until Joshua’s hand reached out to grab yours bringing your attention fully back to him.
“We are best friends but I’m sorry…if I get a fantastic job offer across the country I’m not going to be able to turn it down just to stick around closer to you. I’d miss the hell out of you but…I can’t do what you and Seungkwan did. You can’t see how that’s a little different?” You had always been told not to furrow your brows, your family members afraid you’d create premature wrinkles but as you stood in front of Joshua Hong you couldn’t help the way your brows knitted together tightly.
“Oh please, it wasn’t that great of an offer. I got just as good an offer here and I get to hang out with Kwan and you. So it’s not just about him. You are just trying to see something that isn’t there, and it’s cute but seriously…just help me figure out a freaking Christmas present for him before I run out of time.”
Joshua’s hand falls from your arm at the same time as a sigh slips from his lips. He wanted to shake you and tell you to wake up the same way he wanted to shake Seungkwan every time he saw the man but instead he simply nodded. “Sure, fine.” This time you are following Joshua back to the computer leaning over his shoulder making disapproving sounds at every suggestion.
Seungkwan wrinkles his nose, taking a long sip of his americano while he leans over the counter looking down at the display of various pieces of jewelry. A disapproving sound escapes around the straw that only causes Vernon to groan when he has to stop leaning on the counter and follow his best friend further into the store. “Dude…we’ve been here for two hours. Everything is starting to look the same. Just pick something. It’s not that serious, I swear.”
It might not feel serious for Vernon, but it was a Christmas present for you so to Seungkwan it was the most important gift he had to buy this year. Vernon meets Seungkwan’s glare, another groan slipping out of his lips when he knows he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. “Okay, jesus. Can we at least take a break? Maybe go to the food court? I am getting hungry.”
Seungkwan pushes his hand through a few shirts looking at the various patterns deeming none of them nice enough for you, his eyes glancing towards Vernon then to the cup in hand noting that he was almost out of coffee. “Mmm, I could use more coffee and this store sucks. Literally not a thing worth my time or Y/N’s.”
That was his in, Vernon nods moving to Seungkwan’s side gesturing towards the exit. “You are so right, Boo. I’ll even buy you a fresh coffee.” Seungkwan knew what Vernon was doing, he knew that he didn’t actually care what the store had, he just didn’t want to shop anymore, but a free coffee was a free coffee.
“Ok, but then we really have to buckle down and search this mall. I’m not leaving empty handed again, Vernon. I’ve got a week, it has to be perfect. I want Y/N to be blown away.” Vernon couldn’t help but to smirk a bit at Seungkwan’s words. It was pretty cute how much he cared about a gift for you, if only it wasn’t taking up Vernon’s entire Saturday.
“Or…you could just take Y/N out on a fancy date or something? That’d be better than something they’ll use a few times and then probably forget about.” Vernon keeps walking towards the smell of food, his stomach growling louder with each step causing him not to realize that Seungkwan wasn’t still by his side until he hears a loud “a-hem” from behind him.
Turning on his heels, Vernon raises his brows and his hands meeting Seungkwan’s gaze once again. “What? Why are we stopping? We are so close to the food court and the coffee? Why are you glaring at me?” In Seungkwan’s mind Vernon shouldn’t even have to ask but then again he knew that Vernon wasn’t his most perceptive friend.
“What do you mean take Y/N on a date? What the…” Moving closer, his voice dropping almost to a whisper as if someone was going to listen in and tell you about the conversation, Seungkwan glances around before continuing. “What are you even talking about? That is my best friend you are talking about. We are here to buy them a nice gift not to start this crap again.”
Rolling his eyes, Vernon sighs, using his shoulder to push Seungkwan forward and into the food court towards the closest coffee stand to stand in line. “Oh please, nothing is good enough for Y/N in this entire friggin’ mall and you know it, and do you know why Boo?” Chewing on his lip Seungkwan doesn’t answer, instead he shakes his head no but more as a way to wave off the conversation though he knows Vernon won’t let it go.
“Because nothing is good enough for the person you are head over heels in love with. Are you seriously going to go through another year of this? It makes me nauseous to sit in the same room as you two because I’m afraid I’m going to catch feelings.” Seungkwan was happy when the cashier asked him for his order knowing it would shut Vernon up at least for a moment, and because he could order the largest americano with an extra shot on Vernon’s tab.
“Literally you don’t need to answer me for me to know I’m right. Do you want me to make reservations? Then you could take it easy for a day or two? Get a nice suit; hell, maybe then you could actually pick out a present that would make sense to give them on a date instead of trying to pretend like you are picking out a present for a friend.” It was hard to ignore your friend’s rambling when the cashier was holding back a laugh ringing up your order with his card.
Seungkwan’s cheeks were burning hot, his neck felt even hotter when his eyes finally met Vernon’s again. “Could you please shut up? I am not in love with Y/N. I mean yeah I love them. I…god, I love all my friends, Vernon. That’s basic human decency, you should get some.” Vernon watches with an amused scoff while Seungkwan instantly turns to smile at the barista thanking her and taking his absurdly large coffee before walking away from him.
Vernon watches Seungkwan find a table, the man taking out his phone presumingly texting you giving him plenty of time to order something to eat. Seungkwan leans back, his thumbs moving over the screen almost comically fast while he tries to catch up with you. It was amazing to him, but not surprising, how much he missed you in just a few hours. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t at least FaceTime you in order to not feel like he was going stir crazy in his own apartment.
Kwan: If Vernon’s body is never found, tell the authorities he is visiting relatives on another planet.
The sound of the notification makes you smile even before you look at it because you knew who would be on the other end. Laughing softly you shake your head at Seungkwan’s text before responding quickly earning yourself a small side glance from Joshua and Mingyu as they sat at the table trying to enjoy lunch with you.
“It’s Seungkwan, literally the only person who can make them smile like that.” Joshua sighs into his water causing Mingyu to laugh while he reaches for another french fry, popping it into his mouth. “Well you better carry the conversation now, Hong, because if you are right there is no way we are getting a peep outta Y/N for at least half an hour.”
Y/N: What did he do this time? Aren’t you at the mall? Please tell me you are eating something and not just surviving purely on coffee Boo Seungkwan. The human body needs food, not just caffeine.
Seungkwan smiles at your text, lifting his coffee to his lips, taking a long sip, his shoulders lifting in a shrug. He knew you were right but he also knew he could rely on Vernon to get him something to eat because he was almost as bad as you were. Re-reading the message Seungkwan sighs and shakes his head, of course you remembered what he was doing today but he wasn’t sure what you had planned. It was lunchtime so he hoped that you were doing something similar.
Kwan: What hasn’t he done would be a better question. He makes it impossible to enjoy the mall. 🙄 Yes, dear I will eat food. I’m sure the heathen in question is getting me something too. What about you? Have you ate?
You could hear Joshua and Mingyu’s conversation, it had thankfully changed from you and Seungkwan to something about a tv show they were both watching. It was easy for you to ignore when your friends talked about you. It had become such a common thing in the last few years, especially when Seungkwan decided to move to an apartment just around the block from you, stating “It’s just easier to get public transport on this block” (despite the fact that it was further away from his work). You didn’t care, you liked having Seungkwan even closer. You didn’t see what the big deal was, best friends were close…that didn’t mean what they all thought it meant.
When the next text message comes in you laugh again, making Joshua give you another look, shaking his head. “Tell Kwannie we said hi.” When you simply make a sound to acknowledge what he said and nod, Joshua rolls his eyes and gestures towards you making Mingyu laugh. “Stop, they are cute. Did you ever pick out a gift for Seungkwan by the way?”
You glance up at Mingyu when he asks you a question, your attention split between your phone and him even as you frown a bit. “No, everything sucks and Shua is the worst shopping partner. Not even a bit helpful, do you have any suggestions Gyu?” Hearing you insult him once again Joshua scoffs, picking up his fork to stab at his salad a bit too aggressively, mocking you and making you smirk slightly.
Mingyu laughs at his friend's reaction, leaning forward a bit in thought, his own brows furrowing slightly in thought while you text. “What about something more sentimental since nothing bought seems to be clicking with you? Have anything you can make or maybe something that will remind him of the past? The good ‘ol days? Like when you guys first got together, I mean…when you first met.”
Both men watch your eyes narrow slightly at Mingyu’s words, your phone lowering slightly for a moment so you can analyze him. “We are not…never mind. Sentimental?” Your mind wanders for a moment letting Joshua and Mingyu snicker to one another when you don’t finish your correction of Mingyu’s wording but when you smile at an idea coming to your head Joshua is the first to notice the change.
“What? Did you think of a gift? Finally? Are we done?!” Instead of answering him you wave your hand signally for him to shut up, turning your attention back to your phone finishing your text back to Seungkwan. The first wave of relief rushing over you in weeks knowing you at least have an idea of what to do for Christmas.
Y/N: I’m out with Joshua and Mingyu now. Make sure Vernon gets you something delicious and call me when you get home. I love you Kwan.
Seungkwan wasn’t exactly sure why it took you so long to write him back or why your message seemed shorter but he was sure there was a perfectly good reason. By the time your message came through, he was picking at some chicken tenders Vernon had bought him refusing to eat until your text finally did come back. Vernon watched with a mixture of annoyed and amused noting the exact moment he knew when you had answered when Seungkwan picked up a piece of chicken eating it rather than nibbling on it.
“So…Y/N isn’t dead and you were worried for no reason at all.” Seungkwan shoots a look at Vernon as he texts you back that he loves you too and that he will call you as soon as he gets home. “I never thought they were dead, Vernon. God you are dramatic. I was just…mildly concerned. Never takes that long to write back usually but they are with Joshua and Mingyu so I’m sure it’s one of those idiots' fault.”
Vernon simply nods, hiding his smile with his own piece of chicken while Seungkwan checks his phone one last time before putting it away. “I’m sure it is, Boo. I was thinking about the Christmas thing, mostly because I don’t want to spend my entire Saturday inside this god forsaken mall. What if you make dinner for you two? You literally never cook, they always cook. That would be a great present.”
Seungkwan’s nose scrunches up slightly almost as if he dislikes the taste of the chicken in front of him at the idea Vernon offers but the more he thinks about it, it isn’t the worst idea. There were just a few kinks in the plan. “I’m sure that would be nice but I’d start a kitchen fire or serve them ramen. Not even nice ramen but like the most simple ramen. Not exactly a, “Merry Christmas here is your gift to remember,” kinda dinner.”
He had a point, Vernon knew almost better than anyone that Seungkwan was not a chef. Though he wasn’t either but perhaps together and with some more help they could make it work. “Ok, well tell you what. I’ll make a deal with you. If you promise that we can leave after we finish eating so I can go home and actually play some games on my day off, then I will help you cook. I’ll even get Joshua and Mingyu to help.”
Joshua wasn’t much of a bargaining chip but Mingyu…that was the pièce de résistance and worth maybe letting Vernon get his way. Seungkwan narrows his eyes, carefully considering the offer only to tilt his head glancing at Vernon’s cellphone gesturing towards it. “Ask them now, if they say they will help then we can leave after lunch, but I get to pick what we make for Y/N.”
Vernon wasn’t sure he had ever texted so fast in his life when he sent the offer to Joshua and Mingyu in a group text causing both men to glance at the table in surprise.
Vernon: Help me get out of the friggin’ mall. Literally 🆘. I told Boo I’d see if you two would help fix Y/N a Christmas dinner as their gift. Don’t let me down, but more importantly maybe these two will finally hook up and we can get some peace and quiet.’
Joshua is the first to respond, a smirk on his lips, his eyes side glancing at Mingyu first then you.
Joshua: Anything I can do to help and prove that I’m right to Y/N.
Mingyu: I’m going home in a few days for the Holidays. I won’t be here. I’m sorry Vernon.
Reading the text first, Joshua gasps, causing you to look up in concern. Your eyes do a quick scan of the man, your brows furrowed only to meet his eyes when he smiles shaking his head. “I’m good, just spilled some water on my lap. I’m catching some of Mingyu’s clutz.” It seems to be enough to make you less suspicious for you to return to your meal and something you were reading on your phone. Joshua’s attention turns back to Mingyu who gives him an apologetic look and a shrug.
Vernon’s stomach sinks seeing the text from Mingyu, his fingers tapping on the back of his phone before he glances at Seungkwan swallowing hard. “What if…Mingyu helps via FaceTime would that still count?” Seungkwan considers Vernon’s words, the straw of his coffee resting between his lips as he nods.
Vernon: Can you be ‘a phone a friend’ Mingyu? Boo will accept the terms if we can FaceTime you.
Mingyu: Yeah, sure. Just let me know when.
Seungkwan watches the smile spread across Vernon’s face causing his own stomach to twist with nerves. There was literally no reason for him to be nervous about having dinner with you. The two of you had gone out to dinner a million times together alone, you had cooked him dinner just as many times, but he wasn’t sure why this felt different all of a sudden. Why did this seem more important?
The smoke detector had only gone off twice, which appeared to be a good omen in Seungkwan’s eyes thus far. He was attempting to drown out Joshua’s comments about the temperature of the oven but Vernon was making that impossible all while the latter tried to follow Mingyu’s directions from an IPad screen.
“This is literal chaos. The worst idea I’ve ever agreed to. Y/N is going to hate this and me.” Mingyu laughs softly from the video call shaking his head while Vernon glances over to his best friend trying to give him a positive smile. “Hey, no…none of that. This is great. We have chicken ready to go in the oven, rice is in the rice maker, you are doing something with vegetables, and Joshua is the only useless one here.”
Seungkwan feels the dish towel brush by him on its flight over his head to hit Vernon square in the face once it leaves Joshua’s hand. “I’m doing plenty, you are the once that caused the last smoke alarm. Just put in the chicken Vernon, Y/N is going to be here in like an hour and a half.”
Vernon sighs, pulling the towel from his shoulder using it to pick up the pan of chicken turning towards the preheating oven to open it when all of the men hear a sound of caution from the IPad. “Did you turn it down?” Seungkwan can’t help but to be slightly amused watching Mingyu sitting up in his chair as if that was going to help him see further into the kitchen that was thousands of miles from him currently.
“It’s on 475, like I said before.” Vernon’s voice dripped with annoyance, the heat from the oven radiating into the room when he opened the door sliding the pan onto the top rack. “I told you that was too hot, turn it down Vernon.” It wasn’t making sense, that was clear by looking at Vernon’s face, this logic was sound.
“It will cook faster this way. Hotter oven, faster cooking. An hour and a half, remember?” Seungkwan watches Mingyu fall back on the chair, his head shaking defeated when he meets the camera and Seungkwan’s eyes. “I hope Y/N likes dry chicken, Seungkwan. Cause that’s all that Vernon is making you.”
“It will be dry just like his jokes, Mingyu. There is only so much you can save from so far away. I salute your efforts.” Joshua smirks into his words making Vernon scoff while Seungkwan sighs loudly tilting his pan towards the camera to show Mingyu the vegetables. “That looks so good Seungkwan. At least someone is listening to me. Those are done, put them in a bowl or something, they don’t need to keep cooking. You can mix that with the rice when you are ready to serve and it’ll warm the veggies back up.”
Seungkwan was thankful for Mingyu, he had helped him decide on the meal keeping it simple and still something he knew that you would enjoy. Something that you had made for him several times, though he knew this wouldn’t compare to your cooking. Glancing towards the clock, Seungkwan swallowed hard, noting that more time had passed than he had realized. He needed to set the table and make sure he looked okay. God why did he care so much? It was just dinner for his best friend? Wasn’t it? The closer it got the more he started to hear his friends' words replaying in his head. All those decisions the two of you had made playing back like a movie.
Vernon stepped to the side letting an unusually quiet Seungkwan past him with the plates and silverware. He wondered what was on his mind but deep down he was pretty sure he knew, in the days leading up to the dinner things had started to shift for Seungkwan and for you too. Joshua had noticed it too when you were wrapping your present. This Christmas was different.
Smoothing his hand over the tablecloth, yes he had even bought and put a tablecloth on his table for you, Seungkwan curses quietly under his breath smelling something suspiciously like burning chicken. “Vernon! Check the chicken! I need to get changed and then you two seriously need to get going. I need you out of here before Y/N gets here. I’m supposed to have done all this by myself.”
Vernon turns with wide eyes towards the oven at Seungkwan’s words, the realization he hadn’t set a timer hitting him in the same moment. A cloud of smoke pillows from the oven making Mingyu groan in disgust, running his hand over his face while he watches Vernon take slightly burnt chicken out of the oven putting it in front of the IPad. “It’s just…like, crusty or something. We can scratch off the really dark parts.”
Your stomach was almost queasy with nerves, your head spinning as you held the package to your side on the walk over to Seungkwan’s. You had sent him a text to let him know you were on your way, his request, a strange one at that, then decided to walk hoping the crisp air would calm you down. There was no reason you should be this nervous about going to his apartment. You had been there almost as much as you had been at your own apartment, but this felt all different.
Joshua had been the one to point it out to you so clearly he was to blame for all of this anxiety. He had helped you pick out the wrapping paper, watched you wrap the plain white box, that stupid smirk on his face the entire time. Then the jerk had the audacity to bring up how much Seungkwan was going to love the gift, how romantic it was. It wasn’t romantic, it was sentimental. You were going sentimental with this gift.
Looking up at the apartment building you blow out a breath shaking out your arms and your nerves one more time before starting up the steps and into the building. You only pause a moment to press the buzzer signal to Seungkwan that he has a guest, your feet hitting the steps working your way up.
The sound of the buzzer sends a panic through not only Seungkwan but the rest of the men including Mingyu who grabs his phone standing up to start pacing. “They are early! I mean everything is done but…you two are still there. Seungkwan wanted…” Joshua’s groan cuts off the rest of Mingyu’s sentence while he and Vernon watch Seungkwan move back into the room, his eyes wide with panic.
“Hide, right now. You will just have to sneak out when Y/N isn’t looking. Mingyu, I love you and thank you for everything but bye!” Seungkwan was quicker than Vernon, his hand hitting the red phone button before Mingyu even had a chance to respond. Vernon wanted to tell Seungkwan that everything was going to be great, that he looked sharp, and good luck but he knew better than to say anything at this point. Instead he grabbed Joshua’s elbow tugging him towards the guest bedroom just in time to hear the front door opening and your softer voice calling out Seungkwan’s name.
“Oh my god…” Joshua’s voice was quiet enough that Vernon wasn’t too afraid you or Seungkwan would hear but he still shushed him gesturing to the door pushing against it while also pulling in order to open it a crack without making a sound. “Vernon, if Seungkwan…”
“We have to sneak out, and I want to see how it goes.” Joshua knew Vernon had a point, it would be easier to sneak out if the door was already cracked, and he had to admit he did want to see your reaction to everything. Leaning into Vernon, Joshua grunts slightly to the feeling of the other man’s elbow hitting his ribs hearing him tell him to give him space.
Your eyes move around the sight of the kitchen, it was a disaster but you hadn’t expected much less when Seungkwan had told you he was going to cook. You still find yourself unable to stop smiling when you find him working to put the food on to the plates so carefully. Your heart tightening impossibly more at such a simple gesture when you consider how hard he must have worked on all of this. “Hey Kwan.”
Seungkwan pretends to be slightly surprised leaning into your kiss on his cheek, which were warmer than you were used to them being. He shies away only slightly at your laugh turning to meet your eyes, a soft gasp falling from his lips when he takes in your appearance. “You look stunning Y/N. I should have dressed up more. I didn’t…think, I don’t know what I thought.”
His eyes fall to the present tucked under your arm while you do the shying away this time. “Please, you look fantastic and this looks so good. I can’t believe you did all this by yourself. I’m so impressed..” Seungkwan starts to defend himself when you say you can’t believe he did it, but a smile replaces the look on his face when you finish your statement.
“I just wanted to do something nice for you. Something you do for me all the time, I don’t thank you enough for taking care of me Y/N.” Your head was spinning with Seungkwan’s words. Your eyes follow him while he sits the plates at the table before returning to you, that smile on his lips that makes you feel like you want to melt right there. He had never made you feel like that, you think but then quickly realize you were lying to yourself. You had never allowed yourself to feel that way before.
“You are easy to want to take care of Kwan, and you do take care of me too. Speaking of, um Merry Christmas. It’s a strange present but I hope you like it.” Holding out the box towards Seungkwan you dare to meet his eyes feeling the slight tension between the two of you that had never been there before. His hands brush over yours while taking the present from you, a small laugh escaping his lips. You watch Seungkwan shake his head, his body turning towards the kitchen island and you so he can unwrap the box.
Seungkwan can’t help but to notice how you are watching him, how you swallow harder when he is closer while he unwraps his gift. He was reacting the same way. Have you always smelled this good? Of course you had, he remembered when you bought this body wash and the scent but god it was intoxicating now. Lifting the top of the box Seungkwan laughs when he sees the hoodie inside, his head tilting glancing back over to you in question.
“I kinda stole it from you back in college when we first met. I know it’s your favorite. I keep stealing it because I like it so much but I felt like it was time to give it back. Actually let you have something that is your favorite for once. Not be so selfish.” That was something Seungkwan had never seen you be, selfish. Shaking his head, Seungkwan takes the hoodie out of the box bringing it to his nose to take in the scent of you, a smile on his lips, shaking his head before meeting your eyes again. “Y/N, thank you. This is perfect but I don’t want it back. It’s my favorite because I love seeing you wear it.”
Joshua elbows Vernon hard causing him to groan and glance over to him. He wanted to complain about being elbowed but both of them were smiling too hard seeing how this was going. You furrow your brows watching Seungkwan close the gap between you offering you the hoodie, your eyes moving from it to his face twice making him laugh. “Seriously, it’s yours–”
“It’s about freaking time. Now I’m ready to get out of here. I don’t want to see anything else.” Vernon laughs under his breath at Joshua’s words glancing away as your lips meet Seungkwan’s for the first time causing Seungkwan to gasp, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. His eyes glance past your head watching your two best friends slipping out the front door, his hand slipping around the back of your neck letting his eyes meet yours again when you give him a nervous glance.
“Everyone else knew huh? Were we the last to know?” Your laugh causes Seungkwan to laugh, his lips meeting yours again, this time more tender it takes your breath away. This really would be a Christmas neither one of you would ever forget.
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#seungkwan fluff#seventeen fluff#svthub#caratwritersclub#svthub.collab#svt#boo seungkwan fluff#seungkwan x reader#seungkwan fanfic#snowventeen
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