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fushitoru · 1 year ago

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chapter 2: the aftermath a bridgerton!au

pairing ⸺ duke!satoru gojo x fem!reader

summary ⸺ dearest gentle reader, a new season is upon us as the ton gets ready for a season filled with drama, heartbreak, and passion. after being crowned diamond of the season, heir to a dukedom mr. satoru gojo⸺only looking to marry just to secure his inheritance⸺has his sights set on you, the easiest (and most obvious) option. later, when you catch his saying unsavory things about you on a terrace when he least suspected it, you swear to never marry gojo. as london's fashionable set goes through yet another wedding season, will there be hope for scandalous gossip, hate, and thinly veiled insults, or will we witness blooming love and passion?

warnings ⸺ nsfw, enemies to lovers, bridgerton au, angst, fluff, eventual smut, jealousy, misogyny, regency era au, gojo being infuriating, reader also being infuriating, both of them are clueless honestly

chapter summary ⸺ after an eventful first ball after your debut, you continue the season with thinly veiled vexation towards gojo. but fate is not on your side; you and gojo keep encountering each other, matching fire with fire (7.8k)

a/n some parts of this chapter broke my brain to write but i kind of had fun! as always thank you to @/sinn-claire for beta reading :p i was going to say i'll try to have weekly updates but i don't want to jinx it lol

prev. the debutante | next. the manor

general masterlist | series masterlist

Dearest gentle reader,

It appears that Her Majesty has bestowed the coveted title of this season’s Diamond upon none other than Miss Itadori, who has indeed lived up to her newfound acclaim as the incomparable of the year. At the latest ball, our shining Diamond was quite occupied, with suitors lining up in such numbers that one might have thought them to be queuing for the royal throne itself. Furthermore, blooms were budding between many of the debutantes and gentlemen, including…..

...Yet, one particular couple captivated the attention of all: none other than Mister Satoru Gojo and our season’s Diamond. After having kept his words sparse and his attentions limited to none, Mister Gojo appeared utterly taken with Miss Itadori, conversing with her intimately on the dance floor. It seems your humble Author was indeed correct⸺Mister Gojo has entered the marriage market. However, the exclusivity he has adopted may not deter the determined maidens he seeks to avoid, for the Ambitious Mamas will no doubt perceive his selectiveness as a challenge to be overcome.

One cannot help but wonder if an announcement of particular interest will be made at the upcoming Gojo country house party. Although your Author has not yet laid eyes upon the guest list for the Duchess Gojo’s anticipated gathering, reliable sources suggest that nearly every eligible young lady of marriageable age will be journeying to Kent next week. The country house party is known to be a perilous affair. Married individuals often find themselves enjoying the company of someone other than their spouse, while the unwed frequently return to town betrothed with surprising haste.

Indeed, the most unexpected engagements often follow closely on the heels of such rustic diversions.

⸻ LADY WHISTLEDOWN’S SOCIETY PAPERS

Satoru had no intention of squandering his time this season⸺or at any time, for that matter.

The notion of love matches held little appeal to him, despite witnessing such a union firsthand in his own parents. Make no mistake, the Duke and Duchess Gojo enjoyed a happy marriage, and Satoru held both his father and mother in the highest regard. Yet, he was perfectly content on his own.

Being one of the strongest bachelors⸺both intellectually and physically⸺has been Satoru’s destiny. Ever since his ancestors had been blessed by the royal family with the dukedom, the Gojo family had made its goal to be the most powerful nobility and the closest to the royal family. (Which is still maintained in the status quo, because the Queen dotes on Satoru, inviting him for tea every fortnight. The Queen lavished him with overly sweet biscuits, and in return, Satoru provided her with the latest gossip from court).

But this responsibility doesn’t get fulfilled without independence; one had to accept the solitary truth that to be truly great was to remain unswayed by the fleeting pleasures of the world⸺love included.

Satoru had little time or interest for the other vices that tempted men of his station, such as lust. Contrary to the whispers circulating among the ton, Satoru had never indulged in the life of a rake or frequented brothels as many of his acquaintances did. Really, the allegations were, in truth, merely just a byproduct of his appearance and demeanor; with a young man with the stature, face, and eligibility of Satoru, the public would immediately like to slap on the label of “rake” due to his arrogant personality. Moreover, any encounters he had witnessed between men and women⸺whether dropping his friends off at brothels in his carriage after an evening at the gentleman’s club or overhearing flirtations at parties⸺struck him as shallow and an utter waste of time, especially when he was already a week behind on the ledgers and other official matters his father had entrusted to him. (He did have one indulgence, however: a weakness for gluttony, with an array of sweet confections as his loyal companions during long, sleepless nights.)

Marriage was an even greater burden. The thought of being accountable for a wife, and eventually children, seemed like a daunting task to Satoru. With sleepless nights spent on covering just a fraction of the business his father must do as a duke, Satoru was tired. He was exhausted⸺exhausted from the weight of responsibility, from striving to meet his father’s expectations, from seeking the Queen’s approval, from worrying over what Whistledown might print about him, and from the gossip of the businessmen with whom the Gojo family dealt.

And yet, despite this weariness, Satoru was gripped by an insatiable obsession with perfection, an obsession that only deepened his fatigue. He craved approval, power, and the flawless execution of his duties⸺desires that gnawed at him even as they threatened to consume him.

Which is exactly why he needed a perfect wife. A wife that was capable, could handle bothersome people⸺which he was steadily losing the patience to deal with⸺and a reliable companion. Someone that would reduce his stress, not add to it.

Satoru had spent all day lurking in the shadows as best as he could; being the most eligible bachelor did mean that brothers and sisters were coming up to him, singing praises of their debutante in an effort to capture his interest. But Satoru knew all too well that the loudest families often had the most to compensate for.

As ladies in white paraded before the crowd, many buckling under the weight of judgment and attention, Satoru prowled like a jungle cat, staying hidden in the throng, biding his time, and waiting for the right moment to strike.

What he noticed first about you was your way of carrying yourself. Even Auntie⸺the Queen⸺who, after seeing countless of girls today, had been incredibly bored, dragged her eyes over you in slightly more interest than she did for others. The moment you stepped through those grand doors into the court, it was evident to everyone that your stride was that of someone who understood her role and position in life⸺a confidence that set you apart from the other debutantes. Satoru’s eyes raked over you, observing you as your chest rose slightly as you took a breath in.

And then you smiled.

Satoru's eyes widened, just imperceptibly, as he watched your expression as you made your way to the Queen. He made sure to shake his expression off to a more nonchalant one as he watched your form walk. Lesser men than Satoru would die for your smile. Men, out of all traits a woman could possess, cherished a pretty visage the most. Yet, what your smile conveyed went beyond mere beauty; it embodied innocence and the qualities most esteemed in a demure bride (which Satoru knew was just all a show, but it was indeed indicative of your skill to put up appearances, hence deeming you a reliable companion).

The corner of the young man's mouth rose. When the Queen declared you the diamond of the season, Satoru knew he had found his quarry.

When the ball came, Satoru acted similarly: observing from behind, staying in conversation with his friends and other noble men that did business with the Gojo family as he prowled the ballroom, waiting for the right moment to ask you for your hand. And then Naoya came in when you were finally alone, away from all the incompetent men that dared to think they had a chance to court you, and Satoru almost laughed snarkily at how easy it all was.

Approaching you, saving you from Naoya⸺it was all a perfect construction of his. Dancing, he noticed your steps were carried out with a practiced perfection and grace, and your responses to his questions displayed a respectable level of intellect. He could tell your responses were practiced and simple, your constitution and demeanor a result of much effort into presenting yourself as best as you could. But what does it matter, when you do it so perfectly?

Maybe it was a bit naive of him, but you seemed to glow when conversing with him. It amused him, as he kept watching your pretty eyes as you kept smiling while he kept throwing difficult questions at you. It was all expected, however. Satoru knew he was blessed with the brilliant blue Gojo eyes and eccentric fair, white hair; he was the most eligible bachelor for not only wealth and power but reproductive capabilities and opportunities as well. Which lady wouldn’t want to be mother to his cute and beautiful blue-eyed babies?

After witnessing such mediocre men who paled in comparison to Satoru, surely you must be smitten. Gojo could see right through you: you, the diamond, have been looking for a man as meritorious as you, and you had found it in Satoru.

So why were you acting this way?

When you wake up in the morning and get ready for suitors, it is as you expected; there are multiple carriages outside your doorstep, and there is a line from the drawing room, extending all the way down the stairs. When Choso stumbles into the drawing room, where you and your mother are enjoying tea, he is clearly unhappy at the selection of men waiting to be let in to call upon you.

“This is absurd!” Choso’s hands raked over his hair in an effort to process the scene he had just witnessed. “Why do I see Naoya waiting outside?”

Your nose crinkled in distaste. “Well, dear brother, I certainly cannot control which suitors call upon me. He must’ve enjoyed our conversation yesterday. The enjoyment, however, is one sided.”

Choso’s eyes widened comically. “You had a conversation with him yesterday?” He then turned to your mother accusingly, who was reading a Whistledown while sipping on her tea innocuously. “This would not have happened if I was there, Mother. This is your fault.”

Your mother continued drinking her tea nonchalantly, waiting for a few beats to grace him with a response. “I prefer this, my son, to no visitors out there because our dear Lord Itadori scared all the bachelors away with his pickiness.” Then, her eyes flashed. “And don’t give me that tone.”

You snickered behind your palm as Choso visibly deflated.

“Kuna! Get back here!”

Pitter patters of small paws started to get closer and closer, as heavy footsteps followed it. Yuji and the family corgi, Sukuna Jr., burst into the room. Eyeing the biscuit in your hand, Kuna made his way directly to you, panting at your feet. A pet given affectionately by your-not-so-affectionate older brother, Sukuna, when he left for his year long trip around Europe, Kuna was the cutest little puppy. You and Yuji loved to spoil him, clearly shown as Yuji patted him while breathing heavily. You cooed as Kuna licked your fingers while inhaling the biscuit you had presented him.

“Well,” your mother stood up, having finished her tea, and began ushering in the maids to clear the table. “It seems our morning will be quite busy. You’d best be prepared for a long day, my dear.”

Choso was still grumbling as he took a seat across from you, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the long line of suitors outside. “I’m keeping an eye on that Naoya fellow. If he so much as looks at you the wrong way…”

You raised an eyebrow at your brother’s protectiveness, feeling both amused and touched. “Choso, I appreciate your concern, but I can handle myself. Besides, with Kuna here, I doubt any of these gentlemen will get too close without proper approval.”

As if understanding the conversation, Sukuna Jr. barked enthusiastically, his tail wagging as he looked up at you with bright, expectant eyes. You smiled and scratched behind his ears, watching as his tiny body wriggled with joy.

Yuji, still catching his breath from the chase, flopped onto the chair beside you, shooting a grin at Choso. “Come on, big brother, give her a break. It’s not every day our sister gets declared the diamond of the season. Let her enjoy it.”

Choso crossed his arms, still unconvinced. “I’m just saying, if any of these men don’t meet my standards⸺”

“Your standards?” you interrupted with a teasing lilt. “Choso, I’d never find a husband if I had to meet your impossible standards. Besides, you should be more concerned about finding someone yourself.”

Choso’s cheeks tinted with a slight blush, but make no mistake; he was hot with anger, ready to make a snarky retort. Your mother, who had been overseeing the maids, turned her attention back to the conversation with a soft smile.

“Your sister is right, Choso. It’s her time to shine, and as her family, we should support her, not make things more difficult.” She gave him a pointed look before turning to you with a gentler expression, and he backed down as he always does for your mother. “Now, my dear, are you ready to begin receiving your guests?”

You took a deep breath, nodding as you steeled yourself for the hours of polite conversation and careful navigation of the social battlefield ahead. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Good,” your mother said, her voice laced with both pride and encouragement. “Remember, you are the diamond of the season. There isn’t a man out there who wouldn’t be lucky to have you.”

You offered a weak smile. “Let’s get this over with.”

As you walked toward the sofa where you would be talking with suitors, Kuna trotted alongside you, his presence a comforting reminder.With Yuji and Choso trailing behind, and your mother leading the way to open the door, you braced yourself for the onslaught of admirers waiting beyond the door.

But as you straighten your posture, in anticipation to greet the first suitor, you couldn't help but glance down at Kuna, who stared up at you with wide, curious eyes. You chuckled softly.

“Well, Kuna,” you whispered, “let’s see who passes your test today.”

Gojo’s gaze wandered down to Sukuna Jr. in your lap as you stroked his fur, and he gave you a saccharine⸺yet strained⸺smile. “Must this dog bear witness to our conversation?

As if sensing Gojo’s unfriendliness, Kuna started growling, and you could feel the rumble deep in his stomach. You met Gojo’s sweet smile with one of your own. “Yes.”

Gojo blinked, and the smile on his face faltered. You noticed that this was one of the first time Gojo’s ever expressed an emotion outside of smugness, and you count this as your personal win.

“Well,” he hesitated, and then a smile was on his face as if that stumble didn’t happen. “You look wonderful this morning, Miss Itadori.”

Your eyes flashed at his audacity to talk behind your back and try to fool you with flattery. “On the contrary, I think I look rather simple.”

Gojo, none the wiser as to what you were referring to, waved his hands. “Nonsense.”

Before you could respond, Kuna let out a low, rumbling growl, his sharp eyes fixed on Gojo. The sound was subtle, but in the quiet of the morning, it was unmistakable. Gojo’s gaze flickered down to the small dog, and his smile tightened ever so slightly.

You gently scratched behind Kuna’s ears, calming him, though his gaze never left Gojo. “I apologize on behalf of my dear Kuna,” you said, your voice light but nonetheless pointed. “He tends to be wary of many, particularly those he believes to be with ulterior motives.”

Gojo nodded, unfazed, and looked down at the dog in question. Upon eye contact, all your efforts to calm Kuna went to naught as the dog stood up, tense and teeth almost bared fully, to stare back at Gojo defiantly. Gojo, to his credit, was starting to be a little wary and was giving the pup an impassive stare.

“You know, I have an affinity for dogs. There are many pups that I have spent my entire childhood with.” He offered a chuckle and moved his hand to pet Kuna. “Dogs do have a way of sensing things, don’t they?” That was clearly the wrong decision because the dog’s growl grew louder, and suddenly, he snapped at Gojo’s hand. Before Kuna could sink his teeth into Gojo’s hand, however, Gojo smoothly withdrew it out of his reach.

“Protective, isn’t he?” Gojo laughed, but his stare towards Kuna was veering more and more into a glare. He tried to disguise his irritation by suavely adding, “Admirable. I’m glad he has protected my lady so well.” Gojo then grabbed your hand to give you a small kiss on the back of it while keeping eye contact. You had to divert your eyes elsewhere to avoid coloring your cheeks; while you knew this was just another one of Gojo’s pretenses to charm you, you were still fazed by it.

You cleared your throat and tried to uphold the conversation. After all, it would be outright rude to keep throwing thinly veiled insults his way when there were others in your company; he also had the potential to spread further malicious rumors about you if you showed attitude. You mustered up a fake smile, and offered, “He was a gift to me and Yuji offered by my older brother, Sukuna, when he went traveling,” you offered.

“Is that the brother you hoped to follow to Europe?”

You blinked and faltered. You didn’t expect him to remember that tidbit from your conversation at the ball last night. While most of the preferences you had asserted were artificial⸺supplemented to you by your tutor, who had drilled what fake preferences of yours would woo men⸺you truly did gain enthusiasm for the languages because you hoped to prove your helpfulness to Sukuna in an effort to run away from your inevitable debut. At the time, you were rebelling against anything your mama said, avoiding anything associated with being paraded around like an animal, put on display for men. “Yes,” you said slowly, “Yes, it is.”

Gojo smiled, this time a little more genuine at the fact it was his first time receiving an authentic response from you this morning, rather than something covered with a fake smile. Just as he leaned in slightly, probably preparing to make another smooth remark, Kuna, who had been shifting in your lap, suddenly stilled, his face buried in your lap and tail facing Gojo. For a moment, you thought he might be settling down.

And then it happened.

The largest fart ripped through the room out of Kuna’s arse, which was pointed directly in Gojo’s face. While you were not a scholar studying physics, you were aware that the air dynamics did not do Gojo any favors in preventing the smell from hitting him direct-on. Gojo’s eyes widened in surprise, and his suave expression faltered entirely as the smell quickly followed, filling the air around you both.

You could feel the heat rushing to your face in your effort not to laugh out loud. Trying to keep your composure, you gently patted Kuna’s belly, who was now face up, tongue lolling out in bliss. “Oh, dear,” you muttered, your voice strained with the effort to suppress a laugh.

Gojo, for once, was at a loss for words. His eyes were tearing up, probably at the smell; whenever you and Yuji spoiled Kuna with those biscuits, he dropped nasty-smelling dungs, and you knew Gojo wasn’t spared at all. The arrogant bachelor, who always seemed to have a witty response ready, was now at a loss of words as he weakly gazed upon the weak little poot! poot!s that escaped Kuna as you continued patting his stomach in an effort to relieve your pup’s digestive system.

At Gojo’s expression, you had to take quiet, deep breaths in an effort to rein in the cackles that were threatening to overcome you. You resorted to covering your mouth as you strained, “As you can see, my Kuna is quite expressive, and he seemed quite eager to show you that.”

He offered you a strained smile. “He does indeed generate quite a bit of wind.” At that, you could no longer hold back. Genuine laughter wracked through your figure, hurting your ribs as you tried to quell it with a hand to the mouth, but no avail. Your muffled laughter was still loud, and when the giggles subsided, you wiped your tears and threw an apologetic look at Gojo, preparing to express your regret.

But you stopped at the sheer wonder he contained in his face as his gaze fixated on your lips, which were drawn back in the ghost of the smile you had while laughing riotously. Without allowing you much time to dwell on it, he stood up and dipped his head in a little bow. “Well, I have been taking quite a bit of your time, Miss Itadori. I better let other suitors have their chance.” He kissed the back of your hand. “I hope to see you at the horse race tomorrow.”

“Likewise.” You couldn’t help but spy some red coloring Gojo’s alabaster cheeks as he made his way to the exit. As you greeted the next suitor, the imprint of a certain man’s lips continued to tingle on your hands.

“I told you he was a rake,” Nobara muttered as she scrubbed your arm with an intensity that matched her outrage. After hearing what Gojo had said about you, she was livid. Unfortunately, your skin was bearing the brunt of her frustration.

“Well,” you mused, trying to distract her, “what rumors have you heard that make you think that?”

“Momo told me a few months ago⸺” Nobara paused, her hands hovering over the various bottles on the counter. “Which scent would you prefer for your hair?”

“Sandalwood,” you replied.

Nobara nodded and poured some of the rich liquid into her hands before massaging it into your scalp. You closed your eyes, feeling the tension from the day's exhausting and dull conversations slowly melt away under her skillful fingers. “Momo mentioned that he’s often out late at night, which seems suspicious. But now that I think about it, Momo isn’t the most reliable source,” Nobara added, her tone shifting to one of skepticism.

You quirked an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”

“There’s talk that she attempted to lure another maid’s husband into an affair,” Nobara replied, her hands now working the shampoo through your hair with a practiced ease. “She even tried to gain access to his quarters.”

You gasped. “How scandalous!”

“I know,” Nobara said, her hands now massaging the back of your neck with a gentler touch. “So, who knows how much truth there is to her gossip. But still, Gojo’s behavior is less than honorable, don’t you think?”

You sighed, gazing up at the ceiling with a mix of frustration and resignation. “He was gossiping about me with other men, calling me all sorts of horrible things⸺‘simple,’ of all things. And yet, he has the audacity to want to call upon me?”

“You know,” Nobara mused as she continued her task, “He sounds the exact opposite of what some of your books would imply.”

You hummed in agreement, recalling the radical works you kept hidden beneath your bed. Your mother would be appalled if she ever discovered them, but you often sought solace in political writings that challenged the rigid expectations of society. “I know. And that is precisely why I have no intention of encouraging his attention this season—at least, not before I ensure his complete and utter humiliation.”

“But do take care. His connections to the Queen are quite strong.”

You drew back from Nobara's hands, much to her chagrin. She gave you a glare while you exclaimed, "What?"

“Surely you’re aware that the Gojo dukedom is among the closest to the royal family?”

You fervently hoped your mother hadn’t caught wind of Gojo's status. Yet, the way she had been observing you⸺subtly scrutinizing you in the drawing room while feigning interest in a suitor awaiting his turn⸺suggested otherwise. She had certainly noticed Gojo's growing interest, and the thought of her getting involved, fixating on a match with him, filled you with dread. Drawing your hands over your face, you moaned, the very notion of her scheming to pair you with Gojo weighing heavily on your mind.

“But that should hardly be a concern if you’ve begun to distance yourself from him, correct? You have been creating some distance, haven’t you?”

Your silence spoke volumes, and Nobara, ever quick to discern your hesitation, gasped in exasperation. “You cannot seriously be considering giving this gentleman any encouragement, can you?”

"No, no, it’s not that,” you replied, massaging your temples in frustration. “It’s just that my mother is probably ecstatic at the prospect of securing a match between me and Gojo.”

“But surely, if she knew the things he’s been saying behind your back, she would understand.”

You tried to open your mouth to respond, but it felt as if your throat had closed up. Would she really? A match with Gojo would mean elevated status for the Itadori family⸺a duchess for a daughter. What worth is there in being the diamond of the season if not to secure the most advantageous match? The very thought made your chest tighten with the suffocating realization that your mother might very well advocate for the union, despite Gojo’s duplicity.

“I⸺” you swallowed. “I’m not sure.” Before Nobara could interrupt, you stood up and reached for your robe.

Nobara's brow furrowed as she watched you stand up. "Where do you think you're going? You’re not done with your bath, and your hair is still full of suds!" She reached out to stop you, her hands hovering as though unsure whether to pull you back into the tub or grab the robe you were now clutching.

You forced a small, tired smile, grateful for the distraction. “I need just a moment. The water's gone cold, anyway.”

“Oh, nonsense! You’ll catch a chill if you get out now. Sit back down,” Nobara insisted, her protest tinged with genuine concern. She placed a firm hand on your shoulder, guiding you back toward the warm water.

With a reluctant sigh, you allowed yourself to be coaxed back into the tub. The momentary reprieve from the conversation was a relief, and you welcomed Nobara’s determined focus on completing your bath. She picked up a sponge, her earlier frustration melting into concentration as she scrubbed your back.

“Well, we can discuss that scheming rake later,” she muttered, more to herself than to you. “For now, let’s get you properly cleaned up before your mother comes looking for you. She’d never forgive me if I let you appear anything less than perfect.”

You nodded with a lump in your throat, grateful for the change in topic, even if only temporary. The soothing rhythm of Nobara's hands working through your hair, the warmth of the bathwater, and the familiar, comforting routine helped ease the tightness in your chest. For now, the troubling thoughts of Gojo and your mother's ambitions could be set aside.

“Now, hold still,” Nobara said, her tone softening as she rinsed the last of the soap from your hair. “We’ll have you looking radiant again in no time.”

The conversation was left unfinished, hanging in the air like a question that neither of you was quite ready to answer. But for now, the silence was a welcome refuge.

"Do you have any notion of how impossible it is to charm a lady when there is a pup expelling such foul air right beneath your nose?" Satoru lamented, leaning back in his chair and raking a hand through his tousled hair. The trio gathered at the table presented a rather unusual sight: Satoru, visibly discomposed; Nanami, calmly sipping his drink as ever; and Suguru, nearly doubled over in laughter at his friend’s misfortune.

“Would you please⸺SMACK⸺cease your laughing?!” Satoru glared at Suguru, who seemed to be of no hope, now with tears in his eyes as he clutched his stomach and the back of his head, which Satoru had just hit.

“Truly, your vanity⸺haaah⸺your vanity was in need of humbling,” Suguru managed between breaths, still snickering behind his palms.

Satoru glowered, crossing his arms and staring daggers into his drink, as if his gaze alone could break the fine glass. “My pride had already suffered enough. She was positively frigid.”

Nanami hummed. “Perhaps she’s merely discerned your true nature.”

“It defies comprehension,” Gojo groaned, ignoring Kento’s statement. “What kind of lady disparages her own beauty as ‘simple’? I cannot fathom what has caused her such vexation. Only the night before, she was utterly taken with me!”

Suguru⸺who had now calmed down⸺was in the midst of wiping his tears when he suddenly stopped. “You don’t suppose it had anything to do with your careless words, do you?”

Kento eyed the pair in front of him with an accusatory side eye. “And what precisely did you say?”

“Satoru, in his usual fashion, could not contain his tongue. Out on the terrace, with the garden as witness, he spoke rather unkindly, referring to the diamond as ‘simple and dull.’”

“Nonsense,” Satoru waved his hands, dismissing the idea. “The lady would never wander the gardens at such an hour in the night unchaperoned.”

“I suggest you reconsider.” Kento gave him a stern look and continued, “I happened upon her last night, emerging from the gardens, and she appeared rather disheveled.”

This revelation gave Satoru pause, but if there was one thing certain about Satoru Gojo, it was this: his arrogance was such that he could scarcely fathom anyone, least of all a lady, finding his charm anything but irresistible⸺even if that very lady had overheard him uttering defamatory remarks about her. And this lady was one he could not let go of, unless he wanted to wave good-bye to his future.

“I am confident all will be well,” Gojo exhaled, his lips curving into a Cheshire smile. “Even if she did overhear, surely a few well-chosen sweet words will surely set matters right.”

(He was most grievously mistaken.)

“How many of those biscuits do you suppose we could finish?” Yuji was eyeing the biscuits from his seat next to you in the pavilion where you and your family were sitting. Out promenading with the other families of the ton, it was a scenic and beautiful day for you to mingle with even more suitors. The joy!

“Certainly less than me,” you remarked, sipping on your tea smugly. By the irritated pout on his face, you knew you were successful at getting a rise out of your younger brother. Knowing your mother wasn’t in sight, you quickly darted for the jam-filled biscuits, and your brother quickly followed in tow; soon, you were both stuffing your faces silly with the sugary treats.

“You two are incorrigible,” Choso scrunched his nose from where he sat across from you, arms crossed. “There’s no need to inhale those biscuits. What if someone sees?”

Yuji stuck out his tongue⸺now adorned with biscuit crumbs⸺and continued gorging, while you snickered at your younger brother’s pettiness.

“Miss Itadori.”

You began coughing wildly, caught off guard, and hastily straightened your posture to greet your guest. You turned to see Lord Ino, who offered you a slight nod before acknowledging your brothers. “Lord Itadori. Mister Itadori.”

“Lord Ino, nice to meet you on such a fine day.” You try to put a smile on your face as best as you can, even though you were caught off guard. “How do you find today’s weather?”

Takuma grabs the back of your hand to kiss it. “I find it wonderful for the prospect of promenading. Do you care to do so with me?”

“Of course,” You stand up and link your elbows with Takuma’s.

“We’ll be thirty paces behind you, sister.” You both turned to look at Choso, who was giving Lord Ino his inevitable protective glare. Given Ino’s acceptable station, Choso hadn’t immediately protested, unlike the many suitors he had chased out of your manor the day before. He grabbed Yuji by the elbow, who, with cheeks comically inflated like a chipmunk hoarding acorns, was promptly dragged away. “Yuji, get up.” The last you saw of your brothers was Yuji’s futile protests, his mouth too full to be coherent⸺inevitably sending some crumbs flying onto Choso⸺and Choso swatting him for it.

As you began your walk with Lord Ino, the conversation naturally turned to the upcoming horse race. “Are you looking forward to the race this afternoon?” you asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

“I am,” the lord replied. “And you?”

“Very much so,” you said, a hint of excitement in your voice. “I have a feeling that the less popular horse⸺Blaze, was it?⸺might surprise everyone. The conditions seem just right for an underdog victory; the track is soft and warm, which would favor Blaze’s build.”

Lord Ino glanced at you with a polite but unconvinced smile. “But Thunder has higher odds and more bets. It’s as simple as that.”

You couldn’t help but bristle at the word “simple,” a word that had recently come to grate on your nerves. You pressed on, though, determined to keep the conversation pleasant. “I suppose there’s some truth to that, but sometimes there’s more to a race than just the odds and popularity.”

Ino chuckled softly. “Well, a good mentor and friend of mine⸺Duke Nanami⸺agrees with the odds, and His Grace is someone I deeply respect. I tend to follow his lead⸺the duke has a way of teaching lessons without hindering one’s growth.”

Before you could respond, the sound of a trumpet blared in the distance, signaling the start of the race. You looked at him, giving him a courteous nod, gesturing in the general direction Choso and Yuji were supposed to be in. “It seems the race is about to begin. I must rejoin my family.”

You curtsied as he bowed, and you watched as he walked away, leaving you momentarily alone. You took a deep breath, trying to dispel the lingering irritation from the conversation. Just as you began looking for your family, you felt a presence approaching.

You turned to find Lady Mei Mei and her entourage closing in. Their expressions were a study in artful contempt, laced with curiosity and barely concealed amusement. The atmosphere between you was thick with unspoken competition, each woman silently gauging the other’s position on the social ladder.

“Miss Itadori, what a nice surprise!” Lady Mei Mei remarked, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “It appears you are alone and unchaperoned in a garden yet again! At least, according to what the rumors say. Was it part of yet another one of your charming ploys to get what you want?"

You met her gaze with cool composure, not giving her the satisfaction of a visible reaction. "I have no clue what you're talking about."

Lady Mei Mei tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as if appraising a particularly interesting specimen. "Really?" she mused, drawing out the word as though savoring it. "It’s just that Lord Gojo hasn’t spoken with you all day. Even if Whistledown commended you in the last issue, I wouldn’t expect his interest to linger." The two ladies flanking her⸺unremarkable save for their sycophantic attachment to Mei Mei⸺giggled behind their fans, as though she had delivered a crushing blow.

You allowed yourself a small, almost imperceptible smile, one that didn’t reach your eyes. "So I’m assuming he called upon you?" you questioned sweetly, your voice laced with feigned politeness.

For a fleeting moment, Lady Mei Mei’s carefully curated composure slipped, the faintest flicker of irritation crossing her face before she regained control. She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper meant for you alone. “None of the suitors will be interested in you any longer. The Queen may have mistakenly proclaimed you the diamond, but a pretty face, empty smiles, and hollow words can only last so long.”

“Whatever would be most convenient for you to believe.” Her words were empty and her threats dull, but you couldn’t help but let it compound on the irritation you had experienced today. But you knew better than to let your tongue loose; you were quite impulsive when you had started, and you didn’t want to start any scandal anytime soon. Instead, you held your ground, trying to maintain your composure (outwardly, at least) as Lady Mei Mei and her entourage turned to leave, their laughter echoing in your ears.

You tried to implement a few things your tutor had ingrained in you: taking deep breaths and setting your posture correctly. However, as you stood there, collecting yourself, the last thing you needed seemed to manifest before you: Satoru Gojo.

His tall figure approached you with that familiar, self-assured stride, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Ah, Miss Itadori," he greeted, a sly smile playing on his lips. You were already irritated, and it took all your will-power to stifle a groan.

"I couldn’t help but notice you were conversing with Lord Ino," he remarked casually.

Give him a smile. "Indeed, we were enjoying a promenade. It is, after all, what young ladies and their suitors are expected to do."

“Quite the choice in company!”

KEEP up the smile. "He is a nobleman, and I am of noble descent. I fail to see your point, Mr. Gojo."

Gojo’s smile was quick and cutting. “Oh, I’ve no particular quarrel with Lord Ino. It’s simply that he’s hardly the sort I’d expect to see on your arm. After all, he’s practically Nanami’s lapdog.”

You felt the familiar irritation rising within you⸺and you were fighting for your life trying to keep a smile on your face⸺but you kept your tone measured. "And what, pray tell, are you implying by that, Mr. Gojo?"

"It’s quite simple, really⸺"

But your patience, already worn thin, snapped at that word.

"My good sir, do you not think it rather dishonorable to speak ill of others behind their backs?" Gojo began to respond, but you cut him off. "It’s curious how quickly opinions can change, is it not? Just the other evening, you seemed to hold me in rather low regard. Tell me, do you often dismiss people as ‘simple’ when they fail to meet any of the lofty expectations you have set? Or do you perhaps truly believe yourself to be at a station higher than others?"

Gojo stiffened, the smile slipping from his face as your words hit their mark. Before he could respond, Choso appeared at your side, his protective presence a welcome relief.

“Is there any problem, sister?” Choso asked, his tone polite yet firm as he glanced at Satoru, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Gojo’s gaze flicked to Choso, his irritation clear as he opened his mouth to make a cutting remark, and you couldn’t thank the gods enough for Choso’s mother hen tendencies. But the words faltered when he recognized who had interrupted. For a brief moment, surprise flashed in his eyes before he masked it with a tight-lipped smile.

You seized the moment, turning to Satoru with a sweet smile. “I think our time is up, Mister Gojo,” you said, your voice laced with venom.

Satoru hesitated for just a fraction of a second before nodding curtly, his expression unreadable. “Of course. Until next time, Miss Itadori.”

With that, he stepped back, allowing you and Choso to walk away toward where people were gathering for the race. As you moved through the crowd, you could feel Satoru’s gaze lingering on you, but you didn’t look back.

“That horse appears rather stout, does it not?” Yuji squinted against the blazing sun as he observed the horses from his seat beside you in the grandstand. “Why has it garnered so many bets?”

Choso, seated protectively on your other side, kept a steady arm linked with yours. His presence was reassuring, though your irritation was directed at the figure seated just below you. Satoru Gojo, to your endless chagrin, was sitting with Lady Mei Mei, who had all but forced her way into the seat beside him. Though he tried to appear indifferent, his signature flirty remarks flowing with ease, you noticed the subtle signs of irritation crossing his face. Whether it stemmed from Lady Mei Mei's advances or from your earlier exchange, you couldn't be sure. You refused to meet his gaze, though you could feel his eyes on you intermittently as the crowd waited for the race to begin.

“Men can be quite foolish at times,” you remarked hotly, your voice carrying just enough to be overheard. “Some people value the superficial and materialistic over true substance, much like they do with horses. Blaze, for instance, has the qualities that truly matter.”

You could almost feel Gojo’s gaze intensify, and despite yourself, you glanced in his direction. Lady Mei Mei, ever the actress, feigned a stumble, exclaiming with a coy smile, “These crowds are rather rough on a lady!”

You scoffed inwardly at her transparent attempt to press her bosom against Gojo’s arm.

“Oh my,” Gojo drawled, his voice oozing concern. “We can’t have that, can we?” Ever the gallant gentleman, he interlaced his arm with hers. “Here, for extra protection. I wouldn’t want a pretty lady shedding tears beside me.”

Mei Mei’s smirk was as satisfied as a serpent after a meal, and she batted her eyelashes coquettishly. “If I were to cry, would you console me?”

“Of course,” Gojo replied smoothly. “Though I might find myself crying should my horse lose. The bets I’ve placed are rather substantial.”

A flirtatious giggle escaped Mei Mei’s lips. “Then I shall cheer with all my might, so you needn’t suffer any losses, my lord.”

You were perilously close to tearing your hair out.

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, my lady,” Gojo said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it with exaggerated flourish. “But rest assured, I am quite confident of a victory today. Thunder is swift and cunning, far superior to that... other horse. It’s simple, really—Thunder will win.”

Your composure cracked. “Yuji,” you called, your voice sharp. Your brother, who had been lost in thought, snapped to attention. “Despite the other horse’s popularity, Blaze possesses the one quality universal to all champions: speed and diligence. The track conditions are in its favor.”

Yuji, caught off guard, blinked in confusion. “Yes, of course, sister,” he mumbled, clearly unsure of why you were addressing him.

“And anyone who thinks otherwise,” you continued, raising your voice slightly, “is bound to lose their money. Sorely and simply.”

Gojo matched your tone, his voice ringing out. “But of course, it’s all in good fun. There’s no need for hostility over a sport, is there? Both horses are fine contenders, though I remain convinced Thunder shall emerge victorious.”

Mei Mei tittered, parroting his sentiments, but you could hardly see straight for the anger coursing through you. Unable to hold back, you retorted, “However, it is, after all, still a race. And Blaze will win.”

By now, your exchange had drawn the attention of those around you, including your brothers. Choso and Yuji exchanged puzzled glances before Yuji asked weakly, “Are you still talking to us, sister?” Meanwhile, Choso’s protective instincts flared, his gaze darting suspiciously between you and Gojo.

Before you could reply, the horses lined up at the starting gate, and the crowd collectively rose to their feet, including Gojo. “Steady now, Thunder!” he called out, his voice brimming with confidence.

Not to be outdone, you shouted, “Come on, Blaze!”

The bell rang, and the horses surged forward, the crowd erupting in cheers. Blaze and Thunder quickly pulled ahead, the two horses locked in a fierce battle for the lead. Thunder was currently ahead, its sleek form cutting through the track with precision.

“Steady, Thunder! Keep the lead!” Gojo’s voice was full of excitement, urging his horse onward.

Your heart raced with frustration as Blaze lagged slightly behind. “You can do this, Blaze!” you urged, your voice rising above the din. Without thinking, you began whistling sharply, drawing alarmed looks from your brothers. The stares from the crowd meant nothing to you as you focused solely on the race.

Blaze, as if responding to your encouragement, began to accelerate, its powerful strides eating up the ground between it and Thunder. You noticed Thunder’s pace faltering, fatigue setting in, while Blaze surged ahead, pulling into the lead with a quarter of the race remaining.

Now it was Gojo’s turn to whistle, his voice tinged with desperation. “Straight to the finish line, Thunder! Don’t let up!”

But Blaze only widened the gap, its momentum carrying it farther ahead. You couldn’t contain your laughter, a joyous sound that bubbled up from within as Blaze crossed the finish line first, with Thunder trailing behind.

“Goddamn it,” Gojo cursed under his breath, his frustration palpable. You clapped your hands in delight, your laughter ringing out.

With deliberate grace, you placed your hands on your hips and turned to Gojo, flashing him a triumphant smile. “I’m so glad the ‘simple’ horse won,” you said, your voice dripping with satisfaction. “It seems I’ve finally bested a duke.”

Gojo’s blue eyes bore into you, their intensity searing, but you met his glare with a boisterous laugh, savoring the victory as the crowd’s cheers and claps echoed around you. Until it was only the two of you, staring each other down.

Gojo ⸺ 0, you ⸺ 1.

Now, Duchess Gojo had always had a penchant for gossip, no one escaping her eye and observation. Of course, it was now the Whistledown era, for the unknown author could observe far more than the high-profile duchess, who was the receiver of much praise and attention due to her son’s eligibility. But this eligibility had only been achieved because of her ability to direct the tide based on her reconnaissance, and in all her years, no could match her sass and direction. Except one.

"You know, Lady Itadori," the Duchess remarked, her tone laced with feigned pensiveness, "the Gojo manor in the countryside has been dreadfully quiet, and, if I may say, it has been quite some time since we last enjoyed a proper tête-à-tête.”

The two ladies stood together near the stands, choosing a more secluded spot from which to observe the horse race. Lady Itadori, her closest confidante, met the Duchess’s gaze with a gleam in her eye. "Indeed, I must agree."

For a moment, the two women stood in silence, their eyes surveying the scene before them. From the ladies flirting shamelessly to the gentlemen scrambling for the favor of the season’s debutantes, they were like spectators at a grand circus. Yet, their attention was drawn to a particular act.

Raising her fan to her lips, Lady Itadori whispered conspiratorially to the Duchess, "I might add, my diamond has been spending a considerable amount of time in your son’s company."

The Duchess met her friend’s eyes and laughed lightly. "How many days do you wager it will take in the manor?"

Lady Itadori, now fully smirking, gave a delicate shrug. "It took you and the Duke but four days."

prev. the debutante | next. the manor

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a/n: reader is hearing boss music rn

forced proximity whatttt

gojo when kuna ripped one in his face

comment, reblog, and send in an ask to let me know ur thots :3 memes are also appreciated <3

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iamred-iamyellow · 1 year ago

Text

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ Think Fast, You Only Get One Try - [Part 1]

♥ prev | next

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♥ pairing: lando norris x fem!reader

♥ chapter one synopsis: after almost two months it was finally time to tell lando about your daughter.

♥ smau + written - fc: girls on pinterest - none of the pictures are mine

♥ warnings: swearing !!!

♥ a/n: thank you so much for almost 400 followers and 1k+ notes on the intro <3 i really hope this part 1 lives up to your expectations! The next parts will have more smau and will ideally be longer (I just had to get the plot rolling with this first chapter lol)

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˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁‧₊˚ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁˖

You knocked on Lando’s penthouse apartment door, knowing there was no going back now. Bless your sister for being able to find where he lives in just a couple of minutes on the internet.

The man who opened the door wasn’t Lando, but Max Fewtrell. His gaze narrowed.

“Who are you?”

“I’m not sure if you remember me... but I met you and Lando at a club in Melbourne last year.”

His eyes saccaded between you and the baby you were holding.

"Lando," he shouted from the doorway. "Stay here. I'll go get him."

Max made his way to one of Lando's rooms, where he was talking to Oscar.

"There's a woman here to see you," he paused. "With a baby. She said she knew you from Melbourne last year."

Lando got up quickly and made his way to the front door. Once he got there, he stared at you and your daughter.

You nodded. "Her name is Camila."

He held his arms out, silently asking to hold her. After you handed Camila to him, he gently rocked her in his arms.

"Come in."

You had a very long conversation on the couch with Lando as his two friends eavesdropped from the hallway. They didn't even bother going into another room and closing the door.

"I want to be a part of her life, if that's okay with you?"

You nodded. "Could you start tomorrow?"

"What?" Lando blinked at you.

"My sitter quit, and I have work tomorrow. I checked your race calendar; you just got back from Japan and don't have to go to Shanghai until next week."

"Yeah, but I still have sim and training and-"

"You better hope your physical therapist knows how to rock a baby to sleep then," you said sternly.

"I can help if you want," Oscar piped up. "With Max and I, I'm sure you'll be able to spend some time with your daughter."

You smiled at Oscar. "I'll be leaving you in charge."

That statement elicited an eye roll out of Lando.

He shifted his gaze from Camila to you. "Alright, yeah, I'll take care of her for the next few days."

"Thank you," you placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll drop her off tomorrow at 10?"

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-The Next Day-

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user7 who's baby?

user3 oscar would be such a cute girl dad

lilyzniemer I agree

user1 🥹

user5 AWWW

user8 that should be me 😔

user2 holding your hand

user9 that should be me

user4 making you laugh

user12 you and lily are so cute :(

˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁‧₊˚ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁˖

-first is lando's phone, second is yours-

˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁‧₊˚ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁˖

-A Week Later-

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user7 Shanghai is soooo pretty

user9 so glad china back on the calendar

oscarpiastri proof that instagram is fake

maxfewtrell he's forgetting about sm REALLY important in his "life lately"

user8 ???

user2 @/oscarpiastri @/maxfewtrell what do you know

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dworkism · 4 months ago

Text

𐙚⋆° — reparation

pairings : hanta s. x gn!reader

warnings : i made this story from a dream i had guys pls pls sorry if its bad, reader is in support course :0, slowww buuurrnn, kind of IMPLIED but not explicitly said to be fem!reader (they just hang out a lot with the girls cause yea), LOTS of dialogue, and SWEARING , suicide joke SORRY

a/n : IM SORRY I MAKE SO MANY HANTA STUFF ZZZZZ i think i'll make eijiro next cAUSE this was kinda based off of this

➤ masterlist!

4,1k word count!

The Sports Festival was the first time you saw him. That lopsided grin present as his name flashed on the screen. Your first thought was how funny he looked. Sure, he’s cute, but those elbows are such a characteristic. You couldn’t help but snicker a bit. Seeing him get absolutely devoured by a certain two-tone haired, yet that smile persisted, as if it’s a stubborn stain, refusing to be washed away.

You remember that time, texting Kyoka about it.

[ 12:30 ] you : was that guy from your class lol [ 12:30 ] you : he’s kinda cute :P

And maybe that was the trigger point.

When Higari asked your class to create a gear design based off of a quirk, you didn’t sketch out a gear for yourself, or a pro-hero, no. Maybe it was just inspiration, or maybe just admiration; but you made a gear based off of him. The page is still stuck in your notebook until now, complete with little notes of each parts’ functions and whatnot. Even Higari himself nodded in approval. Yet the gear never came to life.

Or so you thought.

It was the middle of the semester when students in the heroics course started flooding the workshop. Around that time Mei seemed to work tirelessly day and night from how many requests she’s gotten from them. You were not much different, although the requests sent to you were quite a bit easier. Then one morning, that same lanky figure, lazing grin and laid back voice was present. In flesh, Hanta Sero.

His first awkward greeting to you was when you were carefully screwing shut a small contraption.

“Hey uh…” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck while his other hand was holding something, like scraps of metal or something.

“C-can you help me uh… fix this?” His grin grew, a look of guilt present in his face, mixed with sheepishness.

Your face contorted to confusion, brows stitched together while you attempted to figure out what was supposed to be fixed when all he held out was scraps of metals and screws.

With a sigh, you lifted up your goggles, and said; “I can’t fix scraps,”

“I’ll just make you a new one. Just describe to me what your gear’s supposed to do.” You chuckled, hands already snaking to the table to grab your notebook and pen.

And now here you are. Second year, second semester. You had grown close with the girls in the heroics course, especially Mina and Kendo, since they visit the workshop a little bit too often.

It was lunch time, you sat with the girls from 2-A, chattering and laughing about.

“How about you, y/n?” Tooru’s voice chimed through your daze. “You never tell us anything!”

You raised your eyebrows in interest, a hum to respond.

Tooru giggled, “You never tell us who you’ve got your eyes on! Come onn, there’s gotta be someone, right?”

You blinked.

Someone..?

You huffed a chuckle, “Nah, probably someone soldering iron right now.”

But then your mind flickered to that one page in your notebook. That lazy grin and those cheesy jokes he’d throw around while you measured his elbows, and how you’ve somehow memorized his blazer’s smell that always reeked of tangerines. Or maybe how he sometimes would bring your favorite snack with him, giving it to you as a token of gratitude.

Your eyes fell to your tray, your lunch still half eaten while your chopsticks hovered over your rice. “I dunno,” You shrugged. “M’ not really thinking of that stuff right now,”

Mina whined, “See? I told you! It’s hard to get y/n’s mouth to open about these kinds of stuff!”

A smirk tugged at your lips as you took a portion of rice into your mouth, chuckling at her acts.

༉‧₊˚.

You hummed to the song playing in the workshop as you carefully placed a small chip into the gear laid in front of you. A small tweezer pinched in your hand as you slowly descended the small piece, only for the door to open with an ear-cracking holler.

“yyyyy/nnnnn” Hanta’s voice whined, his feet dragging him to your desk.

“My gear broke, again! Such horror…” He dramatically collapsed himself, placing a hand on his forehead as he handed out his wrecked gear.

You stifled back a laugh, rolling your eyes as you focused your attention on the gear on your desk again, carefully placing the chip.

“You do this every week like it’s a routine,” You chuckled.

He gasped, placing his hand on his chest. “Foul creature!”

He stood up, pointing his finger to the sky while his lips twitched to a smile. “I must tell you, this gear is simply not able to contain my true power!”

“Falling down the stairs is not true power, Han.” You grinned, screwing shut the gear as you examined it one last time.

“...Okay, fine I dropped it.” He huffed, “But it just means your work needs to be evaluated!” He argued, pacing back and forth as if lecturing you.

“You’re one to talk,” You snorted, setting aside the small gear to a box before turning your chair to face him, to face his stupidly grinning face.

He laughed, getting on his knees as he handed the gear on his palms to you like it’s an offering. “Pleaseeee, pleaseee, fix this, pleaasee?”

With a roll of your eyes, you snatched the gear, placing it on your desk for the umpteenth time, your hands already readying the same screws, bolts, and everything the gear needed, already embedded into your memory like it’s your mother’s recipe. “I don’t even have to ask what’s broken anymore, Han, it’s that often.”

“Hey, it makes your job easier, riigghtt?” He nudged your shoulder. “Besides, it gives me an excuse to see you, don’t you miss me sometimes?” He asked, pulling a chair to sit.

You smiled, hands pausing on the gears casing as you were unscrewing it.

“I guess,” You mumbled.

He chuckled, the sound coming out more like a shriek more than anything.

“I gueeess” He imitated, you can even hear him sticking out his tongue at you. “Lying is bad y/n. Admit it. Your workshop feels dead without me,”

“I like the quietness better, actually.”

He giggled, “Ouch, man, here I thought we were long lost siblings.” With a creak of the chair, he leaned to your desk, eyeing you from the side. “I’ll pay you back, ‘kay?”

“With what?” You chuckled, eyes fixed on the gear.

“Banana milk,” He snickered, “And maybe if I’m feeling generous I’ll also buy you those steamed cakes you always eat since our first year.”

“The fuck?” You snorted. “You remember that?”

He pssh’ed, “Duh?”

“You eat that shit like it’s a reward every time you’re done with like… five gears or something,”

Glancing sideways, you couldn’t stop the grin tugging at your lips. “You’re weird.”

“You love me,” He teased, pushing himself to stand up from the chair. “Those steam cakes are ass, you’re weird.”

You mumbled a mock to him, sticking out your tongue as you reached out to grab a mold from the drawer.

His steps receded as he laughed, hands buried in his pocket while he walked backwards towards the door.

“I’ll get the original flavour,” He yelled. “Byeeee,”

Clack.

An hour and thirty minutes.

It took an hour and thirty minutes for you to finish that damned gear. To be exact, an hour and thirty minutes after you’ve finished the other gears before that. With a small groan, you stretched your arms above your head, your body’s slouch finally stretched out to fix your posture.

07:30 P.M. — The clock blinked, red bold digital numbers as if reminding you to stop and close the workshop for the day. So you did.

With a soft click, you locked the workshop’s doors, sighing softly to yourself while your other hand clutched your bag, keeping it on your shoulder. The floors of the building squeaked with the rubber soles of your shoes as you dragged your feet, echoing against the empty building.

Tucked away carefully in your bag was the reason. His gear, you even painted it in his signature colors; white, black, and yellow. Maybe that was the reason your clothes smelled like fresh paint all over, but you didn’t mind. You’d stuck a small note on it, written in your handwriting;

‘Don’t break this one >:(‘

The conversation from earlier rang in your mind again. Tooru’s sweet voice chiming that casual question, but somehow it bugs you a bit. “Come onn, there’s gotta be someone, right?”

Someone.

You chuckled softly to yourself as you mindlessly made your way to his class, no need to remind you again; his desk was third from the back, second from the right.

With a small noise, you placed down the gears, securing it into his drawer before you silently made your way out of the dark, empty classroom, then making your way to your dorm.

༉‧₊˚.

“Jeez,” Hanta muttered in awe, carefully examining the gears now resting on top of his desk. His grin grew as he saw the note, an expression—that of amazed and amused. His thumb grazed carefully over it, as if afraid to smudge it.

Even the colors were spot on, too, his colors. Small details you had implanted to the gear—maybe it was to ensure that he doesn’t break it again, or maybe it was just your way of evaluating your work. Either way, he finds himself grinning from ear to ear as he chuckles, looking at his newly fixed gear. You’d put an additional hole on the strap so he can adjust it more accordingly, the edges were smoothed out so that it sits comfortably on his arms.

“Shut up,” He laughed, the sound coming out more gentle—awestruck, adoring.

༉‧₊˚.

Knock knock knock! — The workshop door opened slightly, creaking as a shuffling sound made its way into the room. He’s right behind me, isn’t he.

“Moooorning,” He sang out, shaking the plastic bag in front of you.

“Banana milk, and steamed cake. Just how my favorite mechanic likes it.” He placed the bag beside your arm, “Yooouu’re welcome,” Pride laced his voice.

God, all you can do is smile, as you slowly peeked your hand into the plastic bag, peeking inside with the exact things he said. “You know you don’t have to do this aaall the time, right?”

“I know,” He shrugged, rocking back and forth on his heels. “But I wanna,”

“...You’re just bribing me,”

“I’m for reeaaaalll”

“...Thanks, Han.” You hummed, smiling softly as you reached into the bag, unwrapping the small steamed cake. The plastic rustled against your fingers as you tried to open it.

“You suck at opening shit,” He snickered, snatching the cake from you, ripping it open before handing it back to you. “Hm, eat,”

You blinked at him, feigning offense. “I was getting there.” You said, chuckling.

“Sure you were,” he teased, plopping down onto the nearest stool like he owned the place. “At the speed of a dying turtle.” The noise he made next was ugly. Imitating a grandma talking.

“Screw off,” You giggled, sticking your tongue out at him but took a bite anyway.

He watched you, arms crossed and chin propped on the edge of the worktable, eyes all full of mischief and… something else. Quieter. Warmer.

“You should smile like that more often,” he said out of the blue, his smirk faded into a small smile.

Your chewing paused. “…Like what?”

He leaned back with a stretch. “Like you actually like me.”

You shot him a look. “Han—”

“Kiddingg!” he grinned, holding his hands up in surrender. “Juusst kidding.”

After a small pause, he spoke up, “I gotta go now, my first class is heroics,” Hanta smiled, slapping his palms to his knees as he stood up.

With his hands in his pockets he walked to the door. “Byyyee, don’t miss me,”

“Oh, and finish the cake, it was super expensive.”

It had been like that for a little over a year now. He’d come to you, whining about his broken gear, begging on his knees for you to fix it—and every time you did so, you threatened him to never break it again or you’re not fixing it ever again. But that never happened. Every time he whined back to you, you’d fix it, no matter how much you groaned about it, you still fixed it for him. And he’d come to you the next morning to bring your favorites; always the same banana milk and steamed cake.

And honestly? It stuck to you. It became a small little routine for you, something you’d grown used to. But today—after yesterday’s little chat at lunch—it felt special, somehow. It felt like he saw you, like he…

…cares about you.

But that was just a silly thought.

You snorted.

Hanta’s nice. That’s what he is, nice, friendly. Welcoming to everyone, and you were no exception.

༉‧₊˚.

God, these projects show no mercy. And if you weren’t that much of a procrastinator, maybe these wouldn’t be stacked up into a bundle that you had to finish by tomorrow. A small grumble left your lips as you tweaked the final blueprint, scratching down the stiff paper before huffing a small celebration, rolling it up to tuck it behind your desk.

The clock showed the time—06:30 P.M.

Ugh. You missed your show again. With a small sigh, you stepped towards the door, rummaging through your pocket to ready the keys and lock the door.

Clack. The door closed, the lock clicking softly as you turned it to the right, jingling before you stuffed it back into your pocket.

“Like you actually like me.” His joke echoed.

His joke.

You brushed it off, even though a small smile tugged on your lips as you adjusted your bag over your shoulder, steps light towards the exit.

Wait. Is that…?

Standing by the gates was that same lanky figure, tall and lilt, hair slicked from the rain while his laugh echoed through it. You almost smiled, almost laughed at his face. Almost. Before you saw her. A small girl standing next to him, smiling so sweetly at him while his blazer was draped over her, fitting and perfect. The same blazer he usually draped over your shoulder when the workshop felt too cold, and he felt too warm. The one that had a small twinge of oil stuck to its cuff. The one that smelled like tangerines.

He said something. Something that made her laugh. And he smiled at that. He smiled at her laugh.

Like he was proud of it.

You felt your chest twist. Scrunched up and stretched. The rain wasn’t making anything better. The fact that you’re tired and pent up from today made everything worse.

So you ran.

You ran past them, bag over your head as you picked up your pace, your face was wet, and cold, not just from the rain. You hoped he didn’t see you, didn’t see that grimace you had on your face, didn’t see the way you bit your lip. But you hoped he did. Hoped he saw you.

The streets were blurry by the rain, thunder clapping above your head as you ran to the dorms. And you slipped. Slipped just enough to make you drop to your knees and scraped your palms. You groaned in frustration, in hurt.

So all this time you were just his fixer upper? Cool.

༉‧₊˚.

Two weeks.

It took him two weeks to notice something was wrong. Sure, you still fixed his gear, although he didn’t break them this time. Said they were ‘too pretty’ to be broken, but even that didn’t earn your usual witty remark, you just smiled faintly to him.

But he brushed it off.

Maybe you were just tired, maybe his trick of ‘breaking’ his gear was starting to piss you off. Maybe he needed a new excuse to see you other than fixing his gear.

Maybe you were growing tired of him. Naaaahhh. No way, jose.

You like his company, you enjoy being around him. He sees that, he sees you.

…But why were you pulling away? Did he say something? Okay maybe he did throw a small offensive joke. But you always laughed at that! So what was wrong? What was so wrong that you’re not even laughing at his jokes? His actions? Him?

Okay, fine. Whatever. Maybe you just needed some space.

So he gave you that.

But the moment he came into the workshop shaking your usual banana milk and steamed cake combo, and you rejected that?

“I’m good, Han. Thanks.” You replied. Blunt, short, precise, to-the-motherfucking-point.

Oh he screwed up. He screwed something up.

“Oh, uh..”

“Okay, I’ll uh… give this to Denks then, dude eats everything.” He chuckled awkwardly, the plastic rustling by his side.

“Mhm, okay.”

Shiiiittt he’s so screwed.

You didn’t even chuckle, and that’s how he knew.

༉‧₊˚.

“They hate me. They hate me so bad. I’m killing myself.” Hanta whined to his pillow, Kaminari perched by the edge of his bed.

“They didn’t even CHUCKLE at me, Den.” He groaned, his muffled voice cracking as he threw his arms up.

Kaminari sighed, arms folded as he glanced at the ravenette. “You’re being dramatic, Han.”

“No I’m not!” He protested, shooting up from his bed to sit up. “I’m not, okay? I just—I don’t know what I did, I just—...” He sighed, flopping back into his bed, groaning as he ran his hands over his face. “I don’t wanna lose them, Den..” He mumbled in a trembling voice.

“Then tell them that.” Kaminari shrugged, a chuckle on his lips as he scooted closer, patting Hanta’s thigh.

“...How?” He croaked back. “I don’t even know what I did wrong, dude I just…”

“Two weeks ago we were fine, I even made risky ass jokes to them and they laughed! And when I was lending that girl my blazer—”

Kaminari whistled. “Bingo.”

The bed shuffled as he sat up, head darting to Kaminari’s way while his mouth hung open. “Shit.”

“Go, Han.”

༉‧₊˚.

The halls of UA had never felt so… suffocating. He’s been here before, like hours like these too. Just now he feels like he’s risking his life as he stares at the slightly cracked open door of the support course workshop. His steps felt heavy, like lead weights dragged through the ground, and his mouth felt dry, like water had never touched his tongue, and suddenly the plastic bag in his right hand felt too plastic-y. The faint tune of your favorite song was humming through the air, as well as the consistent whir of the sanding machine.

As he slowly pushed the door open, the creak felt loud—too loud. Loud enough for you to dart your eyes to the door and paused your hand. His throat fell dry, drier than before.

“H-hey,” He grinned. It felt too wide, too stiff. But he didn’t care.

You held your gaze on him for a moment, brows furrowed, and he swore even when he couldn’t see your eyes through your goggles, he felt your stare pierce through him.

The sanding machine came to life again, louder this time as you ducked your head back to the gear in your hand. “Hey,” you mumbled back, not bothering to look at him.

“I uh…”

“I wanted to talk to you,” He chuckled, stepping just a bit closer, his hand gripping the plastic bag tighter.

Perhaps his portion of response from you had run out. You stayed silent as you continued sanding the casing of the gear, stopping briefly to examine it.

“...Y-you’re mad, at me, …I think,”

“And I uh…I just… I wanted to fix that, y/n.” He shifted his weight between his feet, chewing his bottom lip as you slowly paused the machine, setting it aside on your desk.

“Why?” You bluntly asked. Perching your elbow on your armrest as you lifted up your goggles.

God, you’re such a sight to him. Even angry and frowning at him like this, you took his breath away, if not more.

“B-because—...”

“I care?”

“I mean–! I care, I care, …I care… a lot,” He grinned again, nodding as if convincing himself before he cleared his throat, louder than necessary. “I care… I care about you, y/n.”

His gaze fell to the ground, pressing his lips into a thin line, he shut his eyes. “I…I made a mistake, okay? A-and… I hurt you, and I’m… real sorry, y/n.”

“...I don’t…wanna lose you,” He breathed that out, coming out barely above a whisper while his hand gripped the plastic bag tighter.

“Look–.. that one time, y-you saw me with that girl at the gate? S-she meant nothing, okay?”

“I just…wanted to be nice,” He muttered quietly, almost as if in shame.

“You’re always nice, Han.” You blurted, finally opening up your voice. It felt cold, different from what he was so used to hearing. “You’re always nice to everyone, aren’t you?” Your voice shook.

“...You probably think this is stupid, I don’t care.” You spat, your voice held a small tinge of anger in it.

“You made me think that you… you liked me, and—”

“Because I do.”

The words hung there, waiting for your response as the air conditioner hummed through the air.

“I…I do like you, y/n.”

“A lot.” He whispered quietly, his arms swinging in nervousness as he chewed on his lip, suffocated by the silence you answered with.

You stared at him.

Not just because he was standing there, but his words rang to your ears. It was what you wanted to hear. That confession, that maybe he cared for you for a reason. And he did. He did care for you for a reason.

“For a long time now, okay?”

“I—... I don’t even know when– I just–...”

He sighed. “I just… really like talking to you, I like how you understand my dumb jokes, and you even—...it’s dumb, but you flirt back when I do, okay? And that shit was hot… for me.”

He groaned, wiping his eyes with frustration in his movements, throwing his head back as he stammered; “I’m screwing this shit up– I’m..”

“y/n I’m just… sorry,” He said, finally looking at you. Hints of tears threatening to fall down his cheeks while he stared at you with desperation written all over his face.

“Please don’t… don’t leave,”

And you wanted to cry, and laugh, at the same time. Cry because you’ve never seen him like this, because did he really just lay his heart bare to you? Laugh because God he looks ridiculous right now. So desperate, so sad, if this was a less serious moment, maybe you’d pull out your phone and record him.

So you smiled, “I like you too,”

“H–..What..?” He croaked back, his voice unsteady as he looked up at you again.

“I like you, Hanta, I like you, back.”

He breathed out a laugh, finally smiling after what felt like his face was stretched down to the earth for the past few minutes, he grinned, running his hand through his hair. “You– what?”

Ahem. “Okay wait, pause—”

“C-can I–..?” A hand reached out to you hesitantly, sheepish and nervous, twitching slightly as if scared you’ll break if he touches you.

Slowly, you reached back, enveloping your hands into his, letting him slowly pull you into his embrace. Warm, quiet, and… smells like tangerines. A small giggle escaped his lips as he brought his hand up to your hair, carefully caressing it. “Shit, I’m so— happy right now,”

His heartbeat was fast, shinkansen speed-kinda-fast, you heard it as you slowly buried your face to his shoulder, your arms awkwardly wrapping around his waist, and you couldn’t help but smile widely, nuzzling yourself into him.

“I thought I messed this up, I swear— like, real bad, y’know?” He murmured into your hair, a hand gently resting over the line between your hip and waist. “I thought I lost you,”

With a swift motion, he took off his blazer, carefully resting it on your shoulders, as he wrapped his arms around you again.

“S’ yours now,”

“...What?”

“My blazer—...your blazer.”

You giggled, lightly pinching his shoulder. “Shut up,”

“Hey come on!” He chuckled, “I’ll even trademark it for ya,”

You grinned against his shoulder, arms wrapping just a bit tighter around him.

“C’mon, I know you looovee me that much, but I know you’re also hungry,” His hand nudged your arm with the plastic bag, “I brought my favorite mechanic’s favorites,” He hummed out.

“Steamed cake and banana milk.”

He grinned. “Just how you like it,”

And in the warm, quiet thrum of the workshop, under buzzing lights and the soft scent of sawdust and tangerines, it finally felt right.

Like home.

dworkism | do not repost!

➤ masterlist!

i gotta write other things other than this man i swear

#dworkism #divider by hyuneskkami #bnha x reader #mha x reader #bnha #mha #sero hanta #sero hanta x reader #mha fluff #hanta sero x reader #hanta sero #ᯓ juno crafts!

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pirateprincessblog · 1 year ago

Text

cosmos

18+ nsfw content ahead, approach with caution. if a minor, I ask you to not interact.

🌌𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫.: centuries ago, humans detected a signal from an asteroid with a collision probability of 1-in-1,200. unwilling to gamble with humanity's future, they decided to evacuate. thus, kang yeosang finds himself aboard a spaceship, nestled in a sleeping pod among thousands of other slumbering passengers. the destination appears distant, and everyone remains asleep. just why is the young man awake then? ☄️𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: kang yeosang x f!reader ☄️𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 17.7k ☄️𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬: angst, fluff, smut, slowburn, space travelers, space themes, plot twist, smut with plot ☄️𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬: masturbation, voyeurism, praise kink, hair pulling, multiple orgasms, unprotected sex, fingering, choking, hair pulling, oral (both receiving), multiple orgasms, biting, marking ☄️𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: Interstellar Main Theme (extended version)

🌠𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: swearing, light violence, existential crisis (me lol), depressing themes, mentions of death, slight blo0d (like two drops), mentions of substances 🌠𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: inspired by passengers (2016), i absolutely adore space, i am so in love with it, to the point it scares me how beautiful, enormous and unpredictable it is. i gave my all to this fic, kinda put myself in it, so please do not hesitate to leave a feedback <3 each word means the world to me!

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲.

"calculating remaining travel time... xjlsdja23ky324xii... updated."

"come on, you piece of shit."

"updated estimated time to reach proxima centauri b is nine hundred and twenty eight years, six days and seven minutes."

"fuck!" the man hits the screen with his fist, but the numbers don't budge. "what the fuck?!"

if the man's relatives and friends were awake around him at this moment, they would've been shocked. kang yeosang never swore, nor did he ever strike anyone or anything. him losing his temper is something that only ever happened once, at the entrance of the very ship he stands in. the captain wanted to separate his mother from his family, claiming there is no space for her and that they have reached the traveler limit. she is the last to board, they said, you'll wait for the next one. yeosang stepped down, letting his mother take his space, and said his tearful goodbyes before clearing the way for the captain and the stewards to close the doors.

however, they did not. instead, they waved their hand towards a group of people, keeping the door open for them. yeosang watched with his jaw dropped as a family of five rushed to the doors, dragging their designer luggage, wheels scratching the uneven concrete floor and making the man's ears bleed. blood boils inside his body, and his mother noticed the popped vein on his forehead from the window. before she can make it to the door to stop him, yeosang throws himself at the captain, hate, cussing and violence taking over his body.

once the stewards separated them and his mother's face appeared in front of him, he realized his mistake. the older man seized the woman by her elbow, then shoves her down the silver stairs. the sound of groans and thumps still echo in yeosang's ears, accompanied by the distant rumble of the luggage wheels that had triggered his reaction.

"you want to get on the ship so bad? go!"

he is forced inside the ship, and moved away from the doors so they can close them. through the window, he looks at his tearful and hurt mother through his own blurry eyes, heart ripping apart at the sight. i'll be fine, she keeps mouthing, forcing a smile.

they say the next ship will be ready soon, but after this, how can he trust anyone? besides, the ship could be ready next week, or next year. the danger is inching closer with each day that passes, increasing in speed and destroying everything in its path, until it eventually collides with the green planet, destroying both in the process. if they survive the impact, they will die of starvation. yeosang's heart clenches at the thought. he didn't want his mother to await certain death on this planet. he didn't want her to eat dust and dig for food in the ashes of those who stayed, willingly or forcefully.

but that might just be the price for his actions. yeosang sobs against the window, clawing at it. his lungs hurt, a new realization hitting him with each second that passes and sending him into another fit of wailing. a soft smile on her face is the last thing the man sees before he is pulled away from the window. he recognizes his sister's voice comforting him, even though she is in as much pain as him.

now, yeosang stands before the screen, its numbers blurred by fresh tears of sadness and anger. he walks over to his sleeping pod, eyes examining it and brain struggling to understand what went wrong. he lays inside once again, then closes the glass door. the white sheets are still warm and as uncomfortable as the first time he laid there. nothing changes, no sound is heard, no matter how long he lays there. he isn't stupid, he knows that the buttons on the outer shell need to be pressed in order for him to go into hibernation again. but maybe, just maybe, a miracle happens.

an hour, a nap, and no miracles later, yeosang is awake again. he sighs, chest swelling with sadness and pain once more. not only did he abandon his mother, but he is going to face his end alone too. the blonde man glances at the nearby pods; his sister, grandfather, and a few family friends all peacefully awaiting the end of the long voyage. hundreds of pods are lined up in the room, each person inside it dressed the same, stripped of any makeup, piercings, and earthly clothes, instead dressed in simple white silk sleepwear. from the richest to the poorest, they all share the same fate now; a plain sleeping pod, with no designer marks or gold pleating, barefoot, barefaced, and a desire to keep living. he is so close to them, yet so far. surrounded, but isolated.

until he hears a crash outside the hibernation room.

his bare feet tap against the cold white tiles as he follows the echo of the noise, heart thumping with fear and hope. is he not alone?

yeosang finally exits the hibernation room, eyes failing to catch an empty pod near the exit. he finds himself standing in the middle of what looked like a lobby. the pale colour of the walls hurt his eyes, along with a big number of white led lights scattered on the ceiling. on the first glance, it looked simple. once yeosang's eyes got used to the light, he noticed a great willow tree in the middle of the room. it is surrounded by a few wooden benches, all facing it. a long table follows the curved walls, decorated with plants of all sorts, protected by glass.

he does not speak just yet, instead he further examines the room. all the windows are shut, and yeosang doesn't think to approach one and remove the shade. he continues the path through the door closest to the one of the hibernation room, not knowing what to hope for. is he alone, or is he not? both possibilities are equally terrifying. if yes, what was the noise? if not, what could he expect from the person that was also awake for some reason?

yeosang seems to have entered a tube that served as a hallway, the walls curved and decorated with thin led stripes. yeosang's eyes shine under the lights, like a baby's on their first christmas. the hallway leads him into a somewhat warmer decorated room, soft yellow lights a contrast to the previous strong white ones. he raises an eyebrow as he takes in the space. it looks like a restaurant, with a bar fully stocked. there aren't many tables, all of them made to fit up to four people.

they are simply decorated, with a single electric candle in the middle. the chairs are all neatly tucked in, except one. the man carefully approaches the table, fingers hesitantly grazing the plush backrest. it is a deep green colour, the velvet material soft under yeosang's fingertips. the seat itself has an imprint, and yeosang's heart seems to stop for a moment. he raises his head abruptly, and his eyes lock with another pair.

he steps back, breath caught in his throat. the figure gasps too, eyes widening, before her legs carry her outside the restaurant and into another room. the man stays still, unsure if he should follow. what if it is a trap? for his misbehaviour? what should he do anyway? hide around the ship until the end of his life? could be tricky, but the ship is enormous. with an equally enormous luck, he might just make it.

his eyes catch a few items on the table; an opened book, a marker, cup of brown liquid and a broken necklace. on the floor is a shattered glass, probably the crash he heard. he takes the book in his hands, making sure to remember the page before closing it to view the title. it looks like a steamy romance, and when he goes through a few pages, he has to set it down before his attention shifts to something else.

"good evening, sir. ready to order?"

yeosang jumps, dropping the just acquired blue marker on the table. the voice is robotic, yet the face is human. it is an older man, with wheels instead of feet. his hands look human too, holding a tray with a single glass of water on it. it is when yeosang takes a sip that he realizes just how parched he was. he downs the glass, a few drops escaping and rolling down his chin and neck.

"what are you?" he finally speaks.

"i am a human made robot, created to be at your service during your stay at the ship. would you like to sit and take a look at the menu?"

yeosang sits down on the other chair, curiosity taking over him. shortly after, a thin menu is handed to him. it has a few usual choices, and a few more fancy ones. his stomach grumbles as he reads the ingredients of a certain dish, mouth almost watering when he sees the picture of it on the next page. but he has other things to worry about.

"made for our service, right?"

"indeed, sir."

"then, can you activate my pod again?"

"oh, sorry sir. that is beyond my program."

the blonde haired man sighs, dropping the menu on the table. he intertwines his fingers and rests his elbows on the edge of the table, his chin on top of his hands. he looks at the robot's smiley face, and then scoffs.

"it's just a few buttons."

"i'm sorry sir, but-"

"you're programmed to make dozens of cocktails, but not to press a few buttons?" he raises his voice, annoyed with the situation.

"it is dangerous, sir. i cannot just press any buttons, there is a whole procedure. your pod might implode, and you might endanger other pods, even the ship itself."

"bullshit."

"perhaps the young lady can help."

yeosang follows the robot's gaze, and his eyes lock with those from moments ago again. a female figure stands at the doors where she once disappeared, with no emotion on her face. at first, yeosang thinks that it is another robot. but all of her seems human enough.

"i'll be at the bar if you need me." with that, the robot slides behind the bar, busying himself with cleaning.

the girl approaches, carefully. when she reaches her once abandoned table, she slowly smiles. the look on the man's face makes her smile fade quickly, pure anger written all over his features.

"you." he says through gritted teeth.

"uh... hi. my name is-" she holds her hand out as a greeting, ignoring the sudden hostile demeanor.

"i don't want to know your fucking name."

"w-what?"

yeosang replays the image of the captain pushing him out of the way, only to invite a whole family inside after he said there is no more space left. he saw you, carrying that foolish designer bag over your shoulder, the weight of it pulling your body to the side. he remembers locking eyes with you for a split second, just before he went berserk on the captain. you looked like you hadn't worked a single day in your life, and like your world was only flowers and waterfalls.

"you're holding me accountable for your mom, aren't you?"

"do not talk about my mother."

"you know, before assuming something, you should try thinking a bit harder. how do you-"

"i don't have to- no, i don't want to think harder. you rich bastards waltz in here like it's nothing while us poor people have to scrape every corner of our house for the last penny to get a chance for a ticket." he stands from the chair abruptly, making it fall on the floor and you flinch.

tears gather in your eyes, and you feel frustrated that you cannot control it. why do you always have to cry, no matter the emotion? who cries from anger, for god's sake?

"oh, no no. you do not get to cry. that is my mother that stayed down there, and-"

"you think i just waltzed in here? just like that? you think i didn't pay for my own goddamn ticket? you think they let us in just because of our status and wealth?"

"you paid for your ticket? who told you that, your daddy?"

you stay silent for a moment, before confirming. yeosang laughs sarcastically, offending you even more.

"right." he scoffs.

"you think he would lie to me?"

"did you see the tickets? do you know what they look like? how much they cost? where they're taking us? do you even know where you are going? tell me any of these things, and i'll believe you."

you sit down, staring at the broken necklace. you did not know any of those things. you did ask your father to show you the tickets multiple times, you were excited. but he delayed it, even at the entrance, he didn't have to show it to the captain.

"that's what i thought."

"but... why would they let us board?"

"because your daddy is an important minister. you should try thinking a bit harder." he repeats your sentence from earlier.

you sit still, anger stirring inside of you. anger no longer directed at the gorgeous man, but at your family. your father specifically. the stranger picks up the chair, then sits on it. he sighs, shoving his face in his hands.

"what happened to your pod?" he asks, not yet looking at you.

"i don't know. i suddenly woke up, couldn't breathe, and had to break the glass to get out. next thing i know, it had smoke coming out of it so i pressed a bunch of buttons until the thing shut down completely. what about yours?"

yeosang removed his hands from his face, finally looking at you properly. he feels his ears and cheeks warm up, noticing just how beautiful you are. he looks at your book instead, unable to maintain eye-contact.

"no difficulty with breathing as far as i remember. i woke up like i did on earth every day, and it felt natural too. the lid was open, no smoke or cracks. the digital board seemed normal, the vitals still showing up until i had to rip the cables from my wrists." yeosang looks down on his hands, remembering how gently he yanked those tubes from his flesh. "then i was confused as to why i was the only one awake. i went to the main screen in the hibernation room, might've hit it, and then heard a crash. you, assuming?"

"yeah. i knocked it over while trying to fix the stupid necklace."

yeosang nods, eyeing the necklace that now rests in your fingers. it has a simple butterfly pendant, and yeosang fights the urge to ask if it holds any meaning.

"how long have you been awake?"

"about three weeks."

"it doesn't sound like a lot, but when you're alone, assuming it feels like three months?"

you laugh, "more like three years."

"have you tried sending a message back to earth?"

you frown, remembering all the video and voice messages you have sent the first day you woke up and met your new fate. you abused the poor system, sending a tearful plea for help almost every hour.

"i have."

"and?"

"it takes approximately nineteen years for them to receive it, and more than nineteen for me to receive the reply, depends on the speed we are moving at. in that time, the asteroid is expected to strike. they'll have it worse than i do, so i am at least grateful that i get to live to an old age. hopefully."

silence envelops both of you for a while. he seems to be thinking, eyes squinted and nose scrunched cutely.

"do you think... you can try activating my pod again?"

he sees your smile fade. must be horrible to be all alone, especially knowing that you won't reach the set destination. nine hundred years is a long time after all. barely any human lives past a hundred.

"i can try."

yeosang beams, excitedly standing up. he misses the way your eyes become glossy again, tears threatening to spill any moment. you trail behind him, using the chance to examine him. he is taller than you, with soft blonde hair that falls over his almond eyes, and bright skin. he looks like a prince, more beautiful than any man you've been with or had a crush on. he looks over his shoulder, checking to see if you're following him. his eyes are a warm chestnut brown, and his lips a pretty pink shade. you're jealous of his cheekbones and lashes.

soon enough you stand in front of his hibernation pod, the lid opened and the sheets inviting, no matter how uncomfortable.

"right, then. lay down." you say with a heavy heart.

he wastes no time, laying in the pod with his eyes closed and rolling up his sleeves. you take the discarded tubes, poking the tiny needles back below his wounded flesh and taping them back together. he closes his eyes, and his lips twitch in a smile. you bite the inside of your cheek, wishing for nothing more than for all of this to fail.

you're horrible, yes. but if you have to spend another day alone here, you might just toss yourself out in space without a suit on and die. robots are a good company only for a limited amount of time, before their answers start becoming repetitive and predictable.

"you never told me your name." you mumble, getting ready to close the clear lid.

"yeosang." he says, opening one eye to look at you. "yours?"

"y/n."

"beautiful." he compliments.

"bye, yeosang. i hope a better life awaits you." you say before your voice starts cracking, and a tear escapes your eye.

"bye, y/n." the man says his final words before closing his eyes again and relaxing.

you close the lid, then make sure his vitals are showing on the tiny screen. once everything seems ready, you follow the steps on the screen, pushing the buttons in the right order, until it asks for an authorization code.

"shit."

he seems to hear it, because he opens his eyes to look at you with his eyebrow raised. "what?"

"uh, i'll be right back. i just need the authorization code."

"oh. alright, i hope you find it."

"it should be on the main screen."

after a long time of fooling around on the screen, you do not find the code. if you were to start guessing, you wouldn't know where to start. the keypad offers both numbers and letters, and it could be any combination.

"yeosang?"

"yes?"

"i'm so sorry, but... i couldn't find the code."

yeosang's world shatters once again. it seemed way too easy anyway.

"help me out."

a week later, you still find the man in the same spot. he sleeps in his hibernation pod, and when he doesn't, he sits on the floor beside it and stares at the ceiling. the glass of water you had brought him last night, just like every other night, was empty beside it. it makes you feel relieved that he drank. you don't want him to die like this. you aren't sure how you would handle that, both emotionally and physically.

"yeosang?"

you call, hoping to convince him to come outside today.

"want a tour of the ship? you haven't seen anything yet. besides, don't you have to piss from all this water?"

"thanks for reminding me. my kidneys will kill me." he groans. "which way?"

you lead him out the hibernation room and into the lobby again, only this time you take a different path. there is a door near the restaurant hallway, and you playfully open it up for him.

"my lord."

he rolls his eyes, not yet in the mood for jokes. you lean your head against the locked door, hearing a soft sniff from inside.

"the sooner you accept it, the better it will be for you. i promise."

"you say it like it's easy."

"it's not. i still cry myself to sleep. but i like to pretend that i own the ship, and that all of those people in those pods are my peasants who are coming to serve me on my new planet."

you hear a faint chuckle, and your heart feels lighter.

"besides, once i show you everything, you'll see just how irrelevant our lives are compared to the whole universe. it's beautiful, yeosang."

"you can see outside?"

"yes. i'll take you to the cockpit, if you promise to have a proper breakfast."

you hear water running, and you assume he is washing his hands. "how do you know it's morning? isn't it always dark out there?"

"funnily enough, my digital watch still works. the battery did not run out yet. currently, it is ten in the morning on earth. i even let you sleep in! how generous of me."

he opens the door, causing you to stumble forward into him. he catches you before your head can hit his chest, and it is then that you realize just how big his hands are. you smile awkwardly, stepping back.

"let's go."

yeosang chooses a simple breakfast; cereal and a banana. you order your usual, the blueberry muffin and chocolate milk having you in a chokehold since the first day you woke up. you feel like a peasant who was allowed into his lord's house, eating like a starved farmer while yeosang eats like a sophisticated prince. he taps the napkin on the corners of his mouth every few moments, doesn't graze the spoon against the bowl and doesn't slurp the milk. you, on the other hand, have made a mess not only on the table, but on your lap and floor as well.

"so, uh..." he trails, moving the emptied bowl aside and reaching for the yellow fruit, "what's the plan?"

"are we talking short term or long term?" you also finish the muffin and set the paper wrap aside.

"let's stick to short for now."

"i thought i'd give you a tour of the ship. find you a room, spare clothes and such. the ship is like a city floating through space. my childhood town didn't have this many things to do."

the man laughs lightly, fidgeting with the banana. he doesn't peel it yet, his thoughts so intense they're almost audible. you call his name, once, twice. he doesn't respond. hesitantly, you reach over to put your hand over his. he ceases his fidgeting, his gaze locking with yours. the whites of his eyes are red and glossy again, and being the sensitive person you are, your eyes start burning too. you let out a shaky sigh, trying your hardest not to break down in front of him. he avoids your gaze again, seeing what he did to you.

"i'm going to sound mean and horrible. i know you might have a spark of hope left, and i want to tell you that you should get rid of it right away. hope will only worsen your pain. there is nothing we can do, yeosang. we can't turn the ship around, we are already years away. we will make it just in time for us to die of old age. we can't wake up any of the crew or loved ones, who would put them to sleep again? one of us would have to stay back again. and if you're thinking of the worst... well, i can't stop you there. i'll try, but the ship is huge. i won't be able to keep up with you if you do decide to take that step."

the blonde man sniffles, wiping his cheeks with the back of his free hand. his other one still subconsciously holds onto yours, thumb lightly caressing your skin and comforting you.

"if you, however, do decide... please let me know. so i can prepare to be alone again." your voice trembles, and tears finally set themselves free.

yeosang squeezes your hand, then put his other one over it and keeping it warm. he just now realizes how hard you also have it. he feels selfish, dumping all his sadness on you and not thinking about your feelings at all. you are a stranger, but if you are going to live on the ship with him, might as well try and make friends with you. otherwise, it would be awkward to coexist together.

"so, the cockpit?"

"woah, take me to dinner first."

as you help ryan, the robot you both named, clean up the table, yeosang takes the time to examine the bar.

"so he makes all the food too?"

"there's a couple machines back there, not humanoid though. enough to know a medium rare steak and fries. you'll need all the protein you can get."

he hums, then gets out of the way so that ryan can get the dishes cleaned. you wait near the table, not rushing him yet. he needs time, as much as you still need it. but one of you needs to be the tough one, or you won't last. as soon as he makes his overthinking face, you are quick to grab his elbow and drag him with you.

"there's more to the ship than the bar and the lobby."

when back in the said lobby, you release his elbow and continue down a different path. the short, tube-like hallway is the same as the one before, this time leading into a different room.

"this is the storage. spare clothes, towels, hygiene supplies and such can be found here. further down, see that door? those are the showers. but there is a shower in each of the vip rooms. you can pick whichever room you want when we get there."

"sounds nice."

you show him the gym and the small terrarium, before continuing through the main door of the lobby. yeosang watches in awe as you take out a silver card from the pocket of your sleepwear top and scan it.

"where did you get that?"

"found it in the hibernation room when i woke up. it was locked in a little glass box, it said something like break in case of emergency. seemed emergency enough for me. sadly, it did not have any codes to operate the pods."

the circular door opens smoothly in a spiral, opening a whole new hallway. this one isn't like the previous ones. it is wide, and it rotates around its axis. and it doesn't have a floor. it is simply a tube. the door closes behind you when you step over threshold, and yeosang flinches.

"uh..."

"trust me. take my hand."

everything yeosang does recently is with hesitation. and you understand him, truly. but at least he has someone to guide him. you had nobody. once his hand slides into yours, you don't give him time to ask anything before jumping inside the tube. his heavy body floats in the air, following after you. you can't help the smile that spreads on your lips when yeosang looks up. his jaw is dropped, and his eyes shine orange under the sunlight.

he is speechless, face pressed against the rotating glass like a child against a store window. you swim over to him, also pressing your nose against the cold glass. he is witnessing the first sunset on a different planet, and his heart flutters at the sight.

"it is..." he starts, but doesn't finish.

"i know. there's no word for it, is there?"

"not really, no. beautiful? glorious? breathtaking? none of it seems enough to describe it. it is... strange. different. scary."

you hum, looking down at the dense clouds of the yellow planet. "our earth is so much more beautiful, though. couldn't live on such a dull planet."

"do you think anyone lives down there?"

you shrug, not having thought about it.

"do you think anyone lives on the planet where we are headed? just how advanced is our science and astronomy? for all we know, we could get crushed by a single step from some giant as soon as we land. then all of this was for nothing."

it is the first time you hear him talk more, and you don't dare interrupt him. he has a lovely voice, a deep tone with a soft lisp. you smile to yourself, wondering if anyone pointed that cute trait out to him.

"i guess it doesn't matter for the two of us anyway. not like we are going to live to see it."

"such a ray of sunshine, aren't you?"

he chuckles, sparing you a single glance before flying off to the other side. the planet is enormous, even with the distance the ship keeps with it. their home star seems tiny, but you know that it is just very far away. it might be stronger and way bigger than the sun you know.

"how fun would it be if a fleet came rushing to the ship and they imprisoned us? made us work for them and all?"

"yeosang!"

almost half an hour later, you had to peel yeosang from the windows that were now full of face and finger prints. he whines, but doesn't have much power over his body like you do. you learned to navigate the zero gravity spaces, while he is just getting used to them. you effortlessly pull him through the tube, taking one last glance at the yellow giant below the ship before landing on a floor again. he doesn't succeed, instead landing on his hands and almost his face. the door closes behind you, and smoke fills the small hallway.

"pressure stabilized. you may proceed."

"thank you!" you yell, skipping towards the new doors.

"they can... hear you?"

"huh? oh, no they can't. that's just the automatic system. but it is a habit of mine, to talk to these machines. i had to speak somehow, or to something, otherwise i would've lost it."

"understandable."

using the card, you open another door. each time you do, you are amazed at the mechanics. everything is very futuristic, and no door opens with a doorknob. they are either sensor or card activated, and they always open unusually. from those that spirally open, to those that slide up or down. you love the noises they make when they do so.

"these are the vip rooms. we still have to figure out how we will use the card, since there is only one and you need it to move around. i can unlock the room you want so you don't have to look for me every time you want to go to your room, but that's all the card can unlock. i'll check with ryan if we can duplicate it for other doors."

"he was incapable of pushing a few buttons, think he can replicate a whole card?"

"doesn't hurt to try. anyway, pick a room!" you hand him the card, motioning to the sensors near the doors. "feel free to check out each one of them."

he wants to take the first one, without exploring the rest. but you pressure him into seeing others, claiming there might be better ones. truth is, you've claimed the best one for yourself. but he doesn't need to know that.

"oh, wow." he breathes out, entering the last room at the far end.

it has a simple white bed, already made with pillows and sheets, a desk and a few shelves above it. it has a door that leads to his own bathroom, and a small dresser. a circular window just above the bed takes yeosang's attention again. he smiles, then turns towards you.

"this one."

"you sure?"

"positive. i'd love to wake up to that view every morning."

"then, it is settled. you have your own bathroom and shower, so you won't have to go out all the way back to the lobby. there's also a minibar, it gets restocked once every two weeks for now. but i found a way to change it. it's just a few drinks and snacks."

he nods, still taking in the room.

"anyways, i'd like to call it a day. the cockpit will have to wait. you should refresh yourself, there is towels in the drawers under the bed and spare clothes in the dresser. it's only sleepwear, but fresh. the dirty clothes go in that bin by the door, it gets automatically dumped in the washing machine in the storage room every morning."

"wow, you've really done some exploring."

"guess i have. have fun. i'll unlock the room, then i'll be right across the hall if you need me."

"thank you, y/n."

a few days later, a knock wakes you up. you glance at the watch, and seeing that it is three in the morning, you groan.

"yes?"

"are you awake?"

"now i am."

"sorry."

you stay silent, waiting for him to continue. but he doesn't. you hear shuffling outside the door, then footsteps. you roll your eyes before dragging your body out of the comfortable bed. you open the door, only to find him very much awake and dressed in fresh clothes, on his way back to his room.

"what is it?"

"what's the time?" he turns around at your voice.

"three in the morning."

"oh."

you stare at each other in silence for a few moments. you raise an eyebrow, amused with his behaviour. "well?"

"right. i was bored. i don't know what to do. i can't sleep."

"then... go to the gym?"

"i forgot how to get there. is there anything else to do? where did you get that book you were reading?"

"ah, the library"

"there's a library?!"

"um, yes. not many books, though. mostly classics, only a small young adult and fantasy section. a few comics here and there. it is on the other side of the ship, though. want to borrow mine until tomorrow?"

his cheeks flush at the sight of the book, remembering the themes of it. a little reading can't hurt. besides, he hasn't had any activity in a while. not with himself either.

"sure."

"want to hang here while you read? if you start feeling sleepy you can just sleep in that other bed." you offer, gesturing towards the bed across the one you have occupied.

"sure, if you don't mind."

"make yourself comfy. the minibar is still stocked, feel free to take anything."

it doesn't take long for you to jump back into bed, warming it up and scrunching the pillow beneath your head. it is just not high enough. with your head turned towards the window, you can see yeosang's reflection. he sits cutely on the bed, back pressed against the slightly curved wall and knees pressed to his chest. his blonde locks fall over his eyes, and he blows upwards every now and then to remove them. you smile to yourself before dozing off.

the second time you are woken up, it is by soft whimpers coming from behind you. a wave of heat washes over your body, seeing the reflection in the window. yeosang lays on the bed, the book halfway finished but discarded on the floor next to the bed. he bucks his hips into his hand, which is wrapped around his pretty pink cock. the veins on his hands are bulging, like the ones on his cock, and you have to fight every urge in you to not jump on him.

you shiver at his moans, getting louder and more... pathetic. carefully, your hand slides from under the pillow and under the blanket, reaching the heat between your legs. he chokes on his own moans, gasping and whining more as he works his way to an orgasm. your other hand sits on your mouth, stopping any noise from escaping. you don't tease yourself, there is no need. you are wet enough for your fingers to slide inside of you easily, and you immediately start pumping.

light squelching is heard in the small room, and you are not sure if it is him or you. either way, the noises are driving you insane, and you hate that you cannot quicken your pace.

yeosang is a gorgeous man, and you found yourself having a crush on him the moment you saw him. but you never thought of him this way. he was just too sweet and innocent looking. now? seeing his veiny hands work on himself, pretty lips creating noises you didn't know men could make, cheeks flushed and hair sticking to his face and neck, you might just be in trouble.

"fuck-" he whispers, hips becoming sloppier with each thrust.

you use the last few moments of his lack of attention before his orgasm to speed up your fingers, inching yourself closer and closer, until a wave of pleasure washes over you and blurs your vision for a moment. you bite into your hand, legs squeezing shut from the intense pleasure. you did touch yourself occasionally during these few weeks, but nothing was as strong and intense as this. and none of it was because of yeosang.

you realize you missed his orgasm, and can't help but frown. you would've loved to see it. his pretty eyes rolling back, and his breathing getting shallow as he loses himself to pleasure. he has already composed himself while you were still getting down from your high. he stands up, puts the book on the nightstand near your bed, then makes his way back to your bathroom.

by the time he comes back, you are already asleep from exhaustion.

"tell me about yourself." he says the next morning.

"ask away." you respond, already out of breath.

the treadmill was never your friend. yeosang had joined you right after you warmed up, and you were the one blushing this time. every time you look at him, you see his sweaty face from last night. not a sight to complain about, but you could've done without it.

"i don't know. favorite colour? movie? song? are there such things on the ship?"

"there is a selection of songs. a couple from each period, as samples to show if there is anyone where we are going. well, they. and a few movies, i think. also some popular ones from each period. they have game of thrones, too."

"ah, i never watched it."

"really? i started it on the ship. didn't know what else to do. i am not watching the godfather or star wars again. so far it seems good. jon snow is to die for."

yeosang looks at you, confused. "i don't know who that is."

"if you want to watch with me, i'll show you. i haven't shown you the theater yet anyway."

you stop the treadmill, jumping off it and sitting on the floor for a moment. your legs burn, but it is satisfying discomfort. you wait for yeosang to dismount the stationery bicycle, not looking at his bottom whatsoever. not fair how it is better shaped than yours. he is speaking to you, but you are busy admiring his body. he always hides under the loose sleepwear, this is the first time you see him properly. he wears a tight athletic fit, showing off his broad shoulders and thin waist.

"is that okay?"

"what?" you accidentally yell, then slap your hand over your mouth.

he laughs, running his fingers through his damp hair and glancing at you over his shoulder. "i asked if you want to have dinner? i know we usually skip it from lack of moving during the day, but i am going to be here for a while. i'm going to need some food before bed."

"of course. i was thinking the same. any dress code?" you joke.

"i mean, you can dress fancy. why not? who's stopping us?"

"what, are you going to wear, like, a tuxedo or something?"

"i'll figure something out." he gets off the bicycle, sending you a playful wink.

you find yourself blushing under his gaze, but you do not look away. he is just too mesmerizing to look at. where has this man been hiding down on earth?

"need help getting up?"

"uh, i think i might skip the bike. my legs are too shaky. i'll stay on the floor for a while."

"you'll catch a cold. come here."

without a warning, his hands position themselves on your waist, and so effortlessly pick your aching body up. you hold onto his shoulders, flabbergasted. there is no motive, other than being helpful, but you can't help the sudden rush you feel between your legs. imagining him manhandling you, throwing you around as he likes, wrapping his hand around your neck as you struggle to breathe and beg him for more.

"i'll help you." he sets you down on the yoga mat, then gently pushes you to lay down. "you have to warm up more and stretch yourself."

"if i start warming myself up more, i won't have the energy for a proper exercise."

"come on, don't be dramatic. i'll show you now, alright?"

"fine."

you lay back, eyes looking up at the open ceiling. millions of white and yellow dots glimmer all across the dark void. yeosang's hands slide from your waist to your leg, gently rubbing the thigh. he puts light pressure on it, and it only increases the muscle pain. but you trust him, so you let him continue. he does the same to your other thigh, and repeats the process with your calves. he then sets his hands on your ankles, slowly pushing your feet across the mat until your knees are propped up. he doesn't stop there, picking your ankles off the floor and slowly pressing your knees to your chest.

"oh, fuck me." you gasp in pain, shutting your eyes and reaching for something to hold onto.

your fingers can't grasp the tight fabric of the athletic shirt, so you resort for digging your nails into his shoulders. he holds you in that position for a few moments, then slowly releases and straightens your legs out again. then again, and again, until you are sweating with pain.

"you're doing good," he hushes, "just a bit more. you can handle it for me, can't you?"

"i guess, yeah."

"good girl."

before you can respond with anything other than a grunt, yeosang presses your knees against your chest one more time, this time leaning his body against you. his body is firm, and big. he hovers over you, his crotch dangerously close to yours. if you moved just a few inches, you'd be grinding on him. he stays still for a moment, not breaking eye contact as he causes delicious pain, and you can't help but think about other ways he could stretch you.

"does it hurt?" he whispers.

"a little." you respond with an equal quiet voice.

"i'll get you used to it, don't worry."

it doesn't feel like he is talking about the warmup anymore. but you decide not to risk it. he could really mean it in an innocent and helpful manner, and you would be the lust driven fool who has ruined the only friendship you are going to have in your life. you remove your hands from his shoulders, then gently press them against his chest to push him away. he doesn't budge, but takes the message and moves himself. he is so much stronger than he looks, and it drives you crazy. such an angelic face, with such a sculpted body.

"i think i'll finish early today. if i continue, i won't have the strength to even dress for the dinner, let alone reach the restaurant."

"alright, then. eight tonight?"

"sounds good. got your card?"

he retrieves the shiny item from his back pocket and flashes it your way. "right here."

"great. i'll see you tonight, then. with my fancy clothes." you laugh, picking up the items you have scattered around the gym.

"ditto."

you raid the storage room, looking for anything that is not gym clothes or sleepwear. roaming around the ship, you find the luggage room. hundreds of bags, all full to the brim. you're sure they won't mind if you borrow something. not your fault your father made you pack simple childish clothes and only a handful of makeup.

eight o'clock rolls around quickly, and you may or may not be running late. your room is a mess, makeup scattered all over the desk and nightstand, and clothes piling up on the bed. you do not know what you've pulled from what bag. it's not like you'll be alive to hear them confront you anyway. you had heard yeosang's door shut ten minutes ago, and no matter how much you rush, it seems that everything is working against you. your hair was frizzier than ever, and you hated having it any other way than down. tonight, however, you do not wish to look like you just woke up and forgot about the dinner. you resort for a simple hairclip, pulling out a few strands of hair to frame your face. finally, you feel decent enough to leave the room.

yeosang hears the clicking of shoes, then stands up. his jaw drops at the sight, and he almost forgets to talk. he hasn't seen you with your hair up, ever, not in the gym either. you had some sort of a loose braid, but loose and messy enough to look how you normally do your hair. your face is exposed completely, along with your neck. yeosang was never one to gawk at a woman, but the way the deep red colour of the evening gown complimented your skin and the fabric hugged your curves had him stuttering. your lips had a red tint, with a hint of glitter, both matching the dress. the dress sparkles under the lights as you walk over to him, like the stars yeosang looks at all day and night.

"don't you look handsome." you smile.

he wears a loose, slightly see through black shirt, with nothing underneath. your mouth waters at the sight of the outline of his chest and abs. you so desperately want to run your nails down his torso. he also wears black slacks, and polished black shoes. his hair is tamed, falling in soft blonde locks around his face and showing his eyes properly.

"you look... uh-" his gaze roams your body, up and down multiple times. it lingers on your lace up heels, and if you looked at him for just a bit longer, you would see the way he gulped and licked his lips. "you look dashing."

"thank you, yeosang. you're very sweet."

he pulls out the chair for you, and that simple act already gives you butterflies. as you sit and look at the menu, as if it's your first time seeing it, you can't help but think whether this is a date. you fear to ask. two people looking good and sitting down for dinner doesn't always mean a date, right? even when they keep blushing at each other every few moments?

"are those your clothes?" you ask, chewing on the appetizer.

"no, actually. borrowed them from some guy named seonghwa, i think it said on the bag. he has good taste. i might borrow more things from him once in a while. what about you? that dress has to be yours, it looks like it was made for you."

"i borrowed it from some lady. seems that she only took evening gowns with her. from all of this, only the hair clip is mine."

yeosang nods, shoving a bruschetta in his mouth. "you look pweffy wif your hair up."

"what?" you laugh, taking the last appetizer from the sharing plate.

"i said..." he swallows, "you look pretty with your hair up. you should wear it like that more often."

"will do, sir."

two hours of eating, conversing and laughing later, you drag yeosang from his seat to dance. it has to be the prosecco speaking, because you would never ask him such a thing sober. especially because you can't dance.

"there is no music," he stands in front of you, hands resting on your waist.

he is slightly tipsy, but the sober one between the two of you. you wrap your hands around his neck, and call ryan.

"yes, miss?"

"put on some music, please."

"right away, miss. do you wish for anything specific?"

"play something by elvis."

even though you claim you can't dance, your body moves itself to the soft rhythm of the music. you sway your hips and move your feet to match the blonde man. both of you still have hands firmly planted on the others body, and eyes locked with each other. this time, neither of you look away. something about this moment is so beautiful, and so sad. you have each other, but are alone. you try to make the best out of the situation, but both of you are terrified. you have only learned to mask it well so you can keep each other strong.

but tonight, neither of you holds back tears. you let them freely spill, feeling vulnerable in each others arms. you tremble under his touch, afraid to let go. his thumb grazes your cheek, wiping the new tears away and caressing your skin in the process. this time, it is his turn to comfort you. he wraps his arms around you and pulls you into a hug while still swaying to the rhythm of the music. his head rests in the crook of your neck, nose nuzzling against your exposed skin. you have your head buried into his chest, while your hands rest on his back and fingers scrunch the light material of the shirt.

"you smell nice." he compliments softly.

you scoff through tears. "it's a new shampoo."

"macadamia?"

"yeah. was feeling like autumn today."

"i like it. better than my old spice supply."

it feels comforting to silently cry into his chest. after being the one comforting him and staying strong for a long time, it is his turn to cheer you up. he holds your face in his hands, thumbs relentlessly wiping tears away.

"as beautiful as you look even when you cry, i'll have to interrupt with a fun discovery i've made a few days ago."

your cheeks heat up at the compliment. nobody has ever told you anything like that. even at your lowest, he makes you feel pretty.

"a discovery?"

"yeah. i saved it for tonight. come with me." the brown eyed man smiles at you before offering his hand for you to take.

"but slow down, these heels are quite uncomfortable." you accept his warm hand, taking it like you were made for it.

he stays still for a few moments, gaze locked on the black platform heels. a squeal leaves your lips when yeosang takes your body in his hands, carrying you bridal style. you hold onto his neck, and press your head against his shoulder for support.

"wait, the card! i left it on the table."

yeosang makes his way back to the table, then lowers you enough for you to grab the card. you playfully put it between your teeth, then wrap your arms around his neck again. as he walks, you nearly drift off on his shoulder. the soft clicking of his shoes against the floor, his scent, and his occasional humming gives you a sense of serenity. he smells of vanilla and bourbon, and it is a big refreshment from all the ocean breezes and sport rushes. seeing him order the glass of bourbon made your stomach flutter, as you were used to men only ordering beer or a rum-coke. he took small sips of it, a complete opposite to you who finished two glasses before getting to desert. the third one we shall not mention.

you feel him stop, and you open your eyes. you look at a door you've never seen before. looking around, you notice lockers lined up on the wall and a screen hanging in the middle of the room.

"i'll put you down now."

he sits you on the bench under the screen, then crouches in front of you and reaches for the card still nestled between your teeth. you move your head away, sitting on your hands. he scoffs, then reaches again. but you are stubborn. you move your head away once again, causing him to sigh and rest his hands on your knees for support.

"can i have the card please?"

you finally lean in, getting to his eye level. his eyes watch your lips sparkle, just like the card that is stuck between them. the tips of his ears become hot again, and he is glad that his hair is covering them today.

finally getting the hint, the man sighs, playing annoyed. he leans in, hands squeezing your knees, before he takes the other end of the card in his teeth. you almost giggle out loud, not actually expecting him to do that. he takes his sweet time retrieving it, slowly pulling it from your mouth and keeping his gaze locked with yours. you finally let go, accidentally leaving a red lip stain on your side of it.

he then transfers it to his hand, while using his other one to poke your forehead. "you really are something."

"that's right, poke the weak."

"you're going to have to take your heels off for this."

you groan, throwing your head back dramatically. "do i have to?"

"why, too lazy?"

"maybe."

yeosang rolls his eyes, then takes your leg and places it over his lap. his fingers place the card back between his teeth, this time the side with your lipstick on it. something about the whole situation is insanely intimate, and you might beg him to just chain you up on the side of the ship so you don't do anything. he begins untying the laces of the heel, making sure to graze your skin accidentally with his knuckles. you feel his warm breath on your skin, and can't help but squeeze your thighs together. it is only then you realize that he can see up your dress. but he chooses not to.

"you do it so naturally. do you usually take girl's heels off?"

a pinch to your thigh causes you to jump and yelp, and you use your other leg to gently bump his shoulder with the tip of the heel. he doesn't react, only smirking to himself while still looking down and working on the halfway undone lace. you repeat the action, feeling mischievous and set on seeing what he'll do. on the third bump, yeosang grabs your ankle, yanking it forward along with your body and looks up at you.

your legs are now slightly spread, and he can easily look if he wanted to. but he still doesn't. his eyes stay locked with yours, no longer a playful glint in them. his pupils are dilated, causing his eyes to appear darker than usual. a gulp goes down your throat painfully slow, realization hitting you. he might not like this type of teasing and joking, and you might've pushed it too far. after all, he is trying to do a nice thing for you here. he is crouching on the ground for you, for god's sake.

"stay still." he almost growls, voice low and stern.

you nod, your eyes falling down on the leg in his lap. then, you notice the bulge in his pants. he might not be as angry as you thought after all. you stifle a smirk and decide to sit still and make it easier for him.

the man finally takes off one of your heels, and when you want to set your bare foot on the floor, he keeps it still in his lap. the tiles are cold, he says. he works on the other one, taking his sweet time while you admire the room.

you wonder what it is, and where he is taking you. the room gently sways in your eyes, or it might just be you. whatever it is, you trust him.

"feeling better?" he rubs your red and bruised soles. as comforting as it feels, you have to remove them before you drip through your dress and on the bench.

no man was ever this gentle and caring with you. yeosang doesn't even have that kind of relationship with you, and he is already way ahead of all the men you've ever been with. you might've just hit the jackpot with him. spending your life on this ship alone with him doesn't seem like the worst way to live.

"yes, better. thank you, yeosang. you're very sweet. who taught you how to be a gentleman?"

"my sister. that dumbass." he scoffs.

he then proceeds describing how he learned from her horrible boyfriends. they were always selfish, and she always felt alone even when she was in a relationship. she mostly felt used, ignored, and a second choice. yeosang would witness them coming home, doing the deed, then leaving because they had plans with the boys. she cried often, and even though she always slammed the door in yeosang's face whenever he wanted to comfort her, she was grateful that he won't grow up to be like them.

"your sister sounds nice. i've only had asshole brothers."

"well, none of them are in our way now. my sister won't suffer for another nine hundred years, and you won't see your asshole brothers for the rest of your life."

you continue rambling about how strict your father always was, how your mother only listened and rarely ever defended you against his accusations and your brothers' bullying, and how you had to hide every relationship and never got to enjoy them properly. although, now that you think about it, you had the same experience as his sister. you are glad not to be stuck with someone like them.

"now, wear this for me. there's a changing room right there. and don't ask. i promise, it will be worth it."

you feel like a child after coming out of the dressing room, standing up when he tells you, turning around and facing a certain direction. you both wear tight black clothes, and he checks the screen every now and then. once he makes sure that you are wearing the clothes properly, he opens one of the lockers.

"no." your jaw drops in disbelief.

"yes." he says, happily pulling out an astronaut suit.

"yeosang, that- is that safe? i mean, you're not thinking about leaving the ship, are you? this is just dress up, isn't it?" you ramble.

"it is perfectly safe. you told me once to trust you. now, it's your turn to trust me. why do you get to show me the cool stuff around here, but i don't get to do that for you?"

"yes, but... this is outside the ship. it's open space!"

yeosang helps you put the suit on, despite your ranting. you hold onto his shoulders while you put your legs in the boot part of the suit, then your arms until yeosang zips it up. it feels like you already have dozens of layers on you. he stifles a chuckle, and you squint at him.

"what is it?"

"you look like a penguin."

"yeah, well, so do you."

"i know. you just look cute."

he turns around to grab the gloves and helmet, leaving you to blush by yourself while he finishes zipping himself up. he brought back the fear you had forgotten about; fear of the unknown and stranded. at least if something happens, you are not alone.

"head up." you do so, and he connects an oxygen and communication system to the suit, then rolls up the collar of the undersuit so that it protects your neck and head, leaving only your face visible. "good girl."

"you need to stop saying that." you blurt out.

"and you need to stop teasing me every few minutes. there is only so much i can take."

"you're the one to talk! you always-"

"hey." his hand grabs your jaw, turning your head to look at him and stopping your complaining. "behave. or else."

"or else...?" you whisper, the prosecco still pulling the worst in you.

he leans in, noses almost touching and lips close enough to feel his warmth on yours. he looks into your eyes, then down at your lips, still holding your jaw in his hand. "or else i might just have to tame you somehow."

you gulp audibly. he smirks at that, then lets go of you and proceeds to put your helmet on. you feel frustrated. he is playing your game, and he is winning. you are supposed to make him blush and stutter, not the other way around.

"there, all fixed. can you breathe?"

"yes."

"can you hear me?"

"duh."

"through the system, dummy." he laughs, tapping on the wire that connects inside the suit.

"ah, yes. i can."

"good. i hope you don't have to pee."

"don't remind me of that! i had half a bottle of prosecco and am wearing like a hundred layers."

"good. no more pee talk. let's do this."

yeosang slides the card on the door, and enters the small space. when it closes, the space fills with smoke and lots of lights start going off and on.

"pressure stabilized."

"thank you!" he yells, playful smile dancing on his lips.

with a frown, you hit his arm for mocking you. he gently nudges you, as if pushing you away. you both know that if he wanted to, he could've pushed you way harder. and it makes you a little horny.

just in time, yeosang slides the card near the other door, then puts the card safely in the suit pocket and zips it. the round door opens, sliding up and revealing the dark void. instinctively, you grab his hand with two of yours. clinging to him like a sloth, you stand on the edge of the spaceship and look down. it strange that when you step over the threshold, no gravity will pull you down.

"wait!" you stop him before he steps over. "have you done this already?"

"uh... yes? i mean, i didn't go far or stay long. i think i hung for a few seconds from that handle and rushed back in. was scared shitless, honestly."

"you fool!" you hit him again, multiple times.

"ow! hey, what, what?!"

"you went to test it alone? you could've- you could've injured yourself! or worse! something could've gone wrong, and i would be all alone again!"

"you didn't think i'd bring you here before seeing if it's safe, did you? what if only one of us survived, the other would have to live with that guilt until the end of their life." he explains, holding you by your shoulders and gently shaking you as he speaks. "i know we've known each other only for a little over a month now, but i'd never do that to you. we only have each other, and i'd never do anything to leave you alone on this thing. i promise."

"promise?" your bottom lip quivers.

he sighs, closing his eyes and leaning his helmet against yours, as if leaning his forehead. "i promise."

"i believe you."

"good. otherwise, this would be a very bad idea."

with that, he pulls you over the edge, holding onto the handle on the outer surface of the ship. you squeal, legs wiggling in the unknown and arms firmly wrapped around his free one. he holds you close, not yet moving until he is sure that everything looks fine.

"i'll let go now, alright?"

"what if we drift away?"

"we won't, i tied us up to the ship. we can get back whenever we want."

you give yeosang only a few minutes of silence, before bombarding him with questions again. he answers every single one he knows, assuring you that he has everything under control. using the moment when you are focused on something on your space suit, he slowly lets go of the handle. as soon as you feel yourself drifting away, you glue yourself to his side, even going so far to wrap your legs around his.

"y/n, you'll have to let me go. i can't move like this."

"i'm scared."

"you want to go back?"

"no."

"then," he peels you away from himself, instead holding your hand properly in his. "let go."

you now float in the void, holding his hand and admiring the ship from the outside.

"you're looking the wrong way, doll. turn around."

due to the strange and spine-chilling situation you are in, you miss his little nickname directed at you. with his help, you slowly turn your back to the ship, and focus on the newfound space.

"look, down there." he points to the side.

"oh my god!" you exclaim, fear and excitement mixing inside of you. "what is that?!"

it is a bright, giant cloud of shiny dust. it has a light pink hue and a faded purple in the center.

"it's a nebula." he simply says.

"aren't they more colorful? i mean... that's just looks like a space cloud. it's nothing like the photos they send to us."

"ah, those images are taken with long exposure to capture all the lights, and edited later. our eyes cannot process all of those colours, so they sometimes add them on later."

"oh. well, nevertheless, it is stunning. it looks so glorious. i want to touch it."

"no, y/n, you can't touch the remains of a dead star."

"but why not?" you play along, acting like the spoiled child.

both of you laugh, holding onto each other and staring at the beauty of this frightening place.

"how did they calculate the trajectory? what if they missed some asteroid or something?"

"please don't talk about asteroids while we pathetically hang from a space ship in the void. i beg."

"sorry," you smile sheepishly.

"had enough? want to go back?" he asks, checking on your suit.

"not yet."

"want to go a bit furth-"

a snap interrupts him, coming from the ship. before you can look that way, yeosang pushes you away from him just in time, and you scream. a white object passes between the two of you, close enough to hit you. another snap is heard, then another. you finally look at the ship, right before more objects start flying at you. one of the smaller debris hits you, right in the helmet, sending your body further away. a few moments of silence pass, both you and yeosang going through shock. until you hear slight wheezing, and feel cool air on your face.

one of the boards on the surface on the ship must've come loose and broke into pieces. you gasp, body and soul reaching for the man now far away from you.

"i'm coming!" he man yells, panicked. but the communication starts glitching. it cuts off his words, and soon enough, you can't hear him anymore.

the air becomes harder to breathe, and lack of oxygen could kill you, if fear doesn't do it first. your vision becomes spotty, and yeosang's figure slowly starts blending in with the nebula behind him. you try covering the crack with your hand, and it helps for a short amount of time. you accidentally apply more pressure on it, causing the helmet to further break and wheezing intensify. the system begins to go crazy, sending you signals and urging you to get back on the ship. dozens of beeping noises, red lights and whatnot going off in your suit, yet all you can focus on is yeosang's failed attempts to reach you.

"yeosang..." you call, hoping he might answer.

but he doesn't, instead working with his arms and legs to get to you.

"keep... eyes... open... please..." his voice echoes inside the helmet, broken and mixed with robotic sounds. "take... hand... try... reach..."

"i can't," you breathe out, eyes closing. it is the last thing he hears from you.

"no!"

your vision blackens, and you stop the squirming, instead letting your body in the control of the cosmos. maybe that's how it was supposed to be from the beginning. no escaping doomsday, no ships, no wandering in the void, no claiming other planets. maybe humans were supposed to be the ones with limited knowledge. they weren't meant to go this far. or maybe the human race is simply that insignificant, compared to everything else. just a small, useless percent among the stars. the universe will stand, and continue being terrifyingly beautiful and endless, with or without us.

it feels like the right way to go. a punishment, for escaping your fate and leaving others to die a terrible death.

"i'm sorry, i'm so sorry, god i'm so sorry."

you couldn't have known, yeosang.

"i should've known, i should've stayed inside."

there was no way for you to know, yeosang.

"i should've died the first time i went, so you know not to do that."

don't speak such things, yeosang. maybe it was meant to be this way from the beginning.

"you don't deserve this, i do."

if you knew what i did, you would know that nobody deserves this like i do.

"please don't die on me, please. what do i do without you?"

you'll make it. you'll just have to do what i did. but you'll hate yourself for the rest of your life.

"none of it makes sense without you."

you'll hate yourself every time you look at their face. like i hate myself when i look at you.

"i- i think i love you. i don't think i'll make it without you."

i wish i could say it back without the guilt eating up my heart. i wish i could say all of this out loud to you, and not in my head. and yes, you will make it, yeosang.

kang yeosang hasn't eaten in days. the restaurant remains empty, as does the gym, and the discovered library, although with a few empty shelves. he sits on the cold floor of the emergency room, books scattered around him and one nestled in his hand.

"it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. however little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters." he reads, voice raspy and tired.

there is a pile to his right, and a smaller one to his left. he reads from morning to night, even though the stars and moons do not show it. he sits there, reading page after page, all to you who lay on the bed in the middle. he lowers the book after a while, glancing at your sleeping body.

"you know, if you've already read pride & prejudice, i can skip it. now that i think of it, you might've already read everything i read to you these days. sorry. must be torture."

already used to not getting replies from you, he sets the book down with a sigh. he folds the corner of the page, marking where he stopped reading. if you were awake, a poke to his forehead would be guaranteed, if not worse. he laughs, remembering the first time you discovered he did that.

"i'm sorry, are you ill? what the hell are you doing to my books?!"

"first of all, they're not yours. second, it's just a book. and third, to answer your question: i'm folding the corner."

"my lord, i have just lost all my respect for you. please exit my chambers."

"gosh, stop reading game of thrones already. if i get called lord one more time, i'm jumping into the nearest black hole."

"i am the queen of the ship, i do as i wish."

"and what does that make me?"

"you can be my queen hand."

"not your king consort?"

"ha! you wish. your house and blood is no match for mine, yeosang of house kang."

"whatever you say, your grace."

yeosang had forgotten about his own room. he hung out with you all day, and slept in the bed opposite to yours. for the first time in a while, he didn't think about what's outside, and what fate awaits him. he enjoyed the moment, enjoyed making you laugh and pissed. he loved how you could switch from giggly to angry in a split second, only from him tickling you too much.

now? he can tickle you as much as he wants, but you won't budge. you breathe, but you don't show any other signs of consciousness. he has raided every room there is, looking for any medical help in any form. he asked ryan, though he should've known better than that. i am not programmed for that kind of procedure, sir. yeosang already knew that sentence before it was said. it took everything in him to not smack the robot, but he heard your voice in the back of his head, defending the soulless thing.

he stands up, setting the book aside on the pile that is waiting to be read. he approaches the circular table, where he has laid you, stripped you of the heavy spacesuit and only left the first layer of tight clothes, then covered you with a light blanket. he managed to connect a few tubes to your body, following the instructions on the screen above the table. he can now see your vitals, he just doesn't know what to do with it. he relies on the ai, hoping it is right.

"if you do not wake up soon, my queen, i will take your throne," he jokes, tapping a damp cloth on your forehead. "then what will you do?"

he unbuttons his silk sleep shirt and stays in his white tank top, suddenly feeling hot inside the room. he folds it on the table next to your head, and pushes the hair out of your face. the system beeps above his head, showing increased heartrate. he looks down at you, searching for any sign of consciousness other than breathing.

"can you hear me?"

your heartrate goes back to normal, dimming yeosang's hope. he finishes wiping the sweat off your forehead and neck, then gently squeezes your hand before sitting back on the floor and resuming his reading.

when he wakes up, he finds himself in his own room. how he got there, he could not recall. but he left your side, after he promised himself to not do that ever again. almost jumping out of bed, the man dashes down the halls, the shiny card in his hand still holding your lipstick stain as he presses it against the various door sensors. he reaches the emergency room in record time, and his heart almost stops. you aren't there.

the tubes once attached to your body now lie on the floor, and the blanket is neatly folded on the table. his sleep shirt is gone, along with the book he wasn't done reading to you. hands hurriedly rubbing his eyes, yeosang fails to process what happened. he rushes through the rest of the ship, searching every nook and cranny in hopes of seeing your face. even going to the place he has been avoiding for the past few days. the spacesuits and helmets still lay on the floor, forgotten. the cracked one delivers a pang to the blonde man's heart, a painful reminder of his careless acts and their consequences.

hopeless, he reaches one final spot. the cockpit.

he had promised you not to go there without you, and the other way around. both of you were waiting for a perfect opportunity, when both of you are sober and wide awake. that never happened.

yeosang breaks his promise, holding the card to the sensor. the doors slide open, revealing the long awaited cockpit. two tall chairs stand side by side, separated by a narrow control panel. in front of the chairs is a wider and more detailed control panel. and above it all, a panoramic window. the ship is flying through a nebula, its vivid colours taking yeosang aback. bright shades of orange, yellow and blue envelop the ship, reflecting in yeosang's wide eyes.

"you said that the colours are edited on photos. how dare you lie to your queen?"

the man steps back, recognizing your voice.

"y/n?"

"yes?" one of the chairs turns around, and you sit in it. with a smile on your lips, the lost book in your hand, and his sleep shirt hanging from your body. but all he sees is your face.

he exhales, relief washing over his body like never before. not able to control himself, he rushes towards you, picking you up from the chair and enveloping you in his arms. the book falls to the floor, your arms flying to return the hug. it never felt as right as now.

"gosh, how did you get here by yourself? are you hurt?" he sets you on the floor, cupping your face in his big palms. "are you alright?"

"i'm fine. a little dizzy."

"i thought i lost you."

not able to stop himself, yeosang presses his lips against your forehead. he stays there, inhaling your scent and listening to your breathing. your hands slide down from his neck and find their place on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under your palm. it beats fast, almost matching yours. he pulls away, resting his forehead against yours properly this time, not through a helmet.

"how dare you leave me alone?"

"is that a way to speak to your queen?"

he chuckles at your jokes, even in such moments. he should get used to it by now. his thumbs rub your cheekbones, soothing you and making whatever worry you had left perish. you can't help the tears that prickle your eyes when you look at him. his are as red and glossy, and it takes you over the edge.

you climb on your toes, properly reaching his face. his heart beats faster under your palm, as if threatening to jump out. slowly, and with a bit of hesitation, you press your lips against his. it is a mere two second kiss, before you pull away. you search his face for any emotions; disapproval, disgust, discomfort. yet none of those are present.

he has his eyes shut, still taking in the kiss. you want to pull away, to give him space. but his hands slide down to your waist, pressing your body against his. he leans in again, capturing your lips with his. his kiss is an opposite to yours: confident and sure. he pecks your lips once, twice, again and again, until you finally relax in his arms and let your hands roam his body. fingers finding comfort in his blonde locks, and body pressed firmly against his, you kiss him like it's your last.

his grip intensifies, his fingers buried into your sides as yours gently pull on his hair. he picks you up, only to set you back into the chair you've been sitting in all this time. he easily finds the button to lower the backrest and turn it into a temporary bed, then climbs on it with you. his lips are hungry for yours, and even though you could use a moment of breathing, you do not stop him. allowing yourself another moment of bravery, you gently lick his bottom lip, asking to deepen the kiss. and the man listens. he opens his lips, tongue in search for yours while your hands play with the collar of his tank top on his back. you slide one hand underneath, feeling his hot skin on yours.

gently, yeosang grazes your tongue with his, and you taste salty liquid on his lips. tears fall down both your faces, drops rolling down your cheeks and mixing in your mouths with the kiss. it is emotional, passionate, and intimate in every way. he pulls away for a split second, only to take a breath and look at you.

his chest rises and falls heavily, and his lips are plump and a deep pink. his hair is ruffled, your doing. he already looks breathtaking.

"is that... my sleep shirt?" he finally notices.

"oh, yeah. i was feeling a bit chilly, i borrowed it. want it back?"

"no, you can- oh."

you sit up, enough to let the white silk material slide off your skin and pool on the chair. you had stripped yourself from the tight undergarments yeosang had left you in, instead wearing a white bralette and matching lace panties. from the size of his sleep shirt, he didn't even notice that you weren't wearing the short bottoms you usually do.

the white has never complimented your skin as beautifully as today, right in this moment. yeosang can't help but remove your hair from your chest and neck, letting it fall back and exposing your body to him. you let him, taking your time in examining him as well. he runs his knuckles down your wet cheek, wiping the tears that decorate your face, and continues down your neck. his forefinger takes the lead, caressing your collarbones and making a path between your breasts.

you take his hand, guiding it to the outline of your panties. his breath seems to stop for a moment, but a gentle smile on your lips assures him that everything is alright. he groans, slamming his lips back on yours, this time sloppier and rougher. noses brushing against each other, teeth clashing, and hands hurriedly getting rid of clothes, it is all you've needed all this time.

him, all of him.

a thin layer of sweat coats his body, making his pale skin shine under the lights of the nebula. he peppers kisses along your jawline, down your neck, and settles on your collarbones.

"my queen," he whispers, then runs his tongue along your collarbone.

your fingers play with his damp locks, gently pushing his head towards you and inhaling his scent. he seems to have a fixation on the certain part of your body, because he can't help but mark it with purple spots. you hiss at the sweet pain, and yeosang is quick to lick your fresh wounds, as if apologizing for what he did.

he lingers around the area a bit more, switching between the crook of your neck and the collarbones, until he finally dips his head down to your breasts. a shiver runs down your spine when he cups them, giving them a gentle squeeze before kissing all over them. you tremble under his touch, hips desperately searching his for friction. but he lowers your body back on the chair, limiting your moves.

you forget just how strong he is, and him holding your body in place with a single hand reminds you how much he works on himself, even when his life has completely changed. a gasp escapes your lips as you feel the tip of his hot tongue circling your tense nipple. he catches it between his lips, gently sucking it while his other hand travels down your body. his short nails graze your skin, and you've never felt this sensitive in your life.

he pays attention to every inch of your body, showering it with love and passion, marking your skin as he goes and making you his in every way.

"yeosang-" you choke out, feeling him bite your lower stomach.

"yes?"

"please," you beg, running your nails down his bulk arms and shoulders.

"patience, love. you'll get where you want to. what's the rush? we have our own eternity."

the way he speaks in a hoarse voice has you seeing imaginary stars beside the real ones out the window. he pulls away from your body, just enough to plant a kiss on your damp forehead. he pulls you in for a kiss again, sighs of pleasure leaving both your mouths as you kiss and feel each other. his bare body finally leans against yours completely, and you instinctively spread your legs. his arm hooks under your knee, bending it over and caressing your thigh in the process.

"you're everything i've ever wished for." he whispers between kisses. "i just failed to see it. it took me losing you to understand that."

"yeosang..." his name rolls of your lips so sweetly in a light moan.

"i'm so sorry for what i did."

"don't apologize."

"i will. you almost died because of me."

"don't speak of that now," you hush him with another kiss.

he listens, putting his other hand on your other leg and gently spreading them. he falls to his knees, hands still firmly planted on your thighs. you try pushing them together, instinctively, but you should've known better than that. they stay in place under his grip, exposing your glistening core to his hungry eyes. it's almost like he can see the colorful dust cloud down there, the layer of arousal mimicking his sweat and reflecting the blue of the sky.

yeosang isn't in a rush, unlike you. your hand pathetically grips his hair, pushing his head towards your pulsating and burning core. he chuckles between your legs, cool air hitting your clit from the proximity.

"please?"

"what do you beg for, pretty?"

"don't tease me, i've waited long enough. please, yeosang."

"oh, but i've waited long too. and now that i am here, i want to take my sweet time. i want to devour you, feel all of you, to mould you so that you fit perfectly in my hands. i want to make love to you among the stars, and i want to make you feel like a real queen of the skies."

it's like he fell out of a book. he knows all the right words, all the right gestures, and all the right touches. his tongue dips between your folds, plush lips following and lazily caressing your clit. your fingers tighten their grip in his hair, and your other hand digs its nails into his shoulder for support. settling for soft and gentle licks, yeosang truly takes his time with you. he makes out with your folds, as if they're your real lips, sucking on them, grazing them with his teeth and kissing along your clit. you squirm under his painfully slow moves, grinding your hips on his face in hopes of getting more friction.

tired of your disobedience and impatience, yeosang places your legs over his shoulders, burying his head further into your core and switching to rougher moves. lewd noises escape your lips, and you do not try to conceal them. he should know what effect he has on you.

he slurps up your nectar, coating his lips in shiny fluid and enjoys your core essence. he eats you like a starved man, not bothering to take a proper breath. he sucks harshly on your clit, drawing moans and gasps from you. when he pulls away, his cheeks are flushed, and his lips plump and glistening with your arousal. a thin string of saliva connects his mouth to your core, and you almost black out at the sight. you pull him by his hair, crashing your lips on his again. you taste yourself on his tongue, and even though you never liked reading about it or seeing it, it is something that you were truly missing out on.

you nudge him, asking him to switch positions. he smiles into the kiss, but turns you over so effortlessly. he is now the one laying down, and you are the one to break the kiss and get on your knees. you see him clearly for the first time. you decide to give him a taste of his own medicine, by taking it slow and teasing him. you kiss his thighs, ignore his aching area, and continue kissing his lower stomach. he can't help but reach for your hair, softly caressing it as you try your hardest to hold back, but seeing that he doesn't mind the delay, but rather enjoys it, you stop the teasing.

your tongue doesn't hesitate to lick a stripe up his hardened cock, circling around his tip and collecting the precum. he hums with pleasure, but doesn't close his eyes. he wouldn't miss this for anything. you take his red tip between your lips, slowly pushing until you almost touch his stomach. he twitches inside your hot mouth, the tip caressing the back of your throat and making your eyes tear up. finally, crying for a different reason.

unlike you, he doesn't buck his hips to speed up your moves. he is perfectly obedient, petting your head and muttering words of praise.

"that's a good girl," he whispers.

you bob your head up and down, testing the waters. he only sighs and hums, not yet moaning. your impatience wins again, your body eager to extract more dramatic sounds from him. you pull away from him, but not without a teasing kiss to his tip, before climbing into his lap.

"how do you want it, my queen?" he cups your face, and you're quick to nuzzle your cheek against his warm palm.

"i want it just like this. me on top."

"oh? didn't take you for one to be on top."

"i'll surprise you with so many things, kang yeosang. you just wait."

"that's my girl."

driven by pure lust and euphoria, you do not care about protection, or the aftermath. you simply raise your hips and align his cock with your clenching hole, then slide down on it. he slides in, inch by inch, deliciously stretching you and filling you to the brim. when you finally sit on it, both of you moan out, hands reaching for each other. his hands help you roll your hips, while your hands feel his torso and chest. you move, slowly, just the way he likes it.

the moans and sighs leaving his lips are the prettiest sounds you've ever heard. you stay silent, wanting to hear more of him. his eyes are fixed at the point where both of you are connected, pupils dilated as he watches your wet hole swallow him whole. the room is filled with squelching noises, the creaking of the chair, passionate kissing here and there, and neverending exclamations of pleasure.

you find yourself whining for release pretty quickly, the buildup already more intense than any of your previous orgasms. yeosang seems to be reaching his end as well, seeing his head hanging from the chair and exposing his pretty neck to you. you can't help but snake your hands up his torso, fingers finding the key pressure on his neck and gently pressing. he chokes out with surprise, sending you a single glance of pure ecstasy before letting his head fall back again.

the dried tears on his glowing face look majestic, along with his eyes rolled back and his hair a mess. he looks glorious under you, especially as his moans get more high pitched and needy. you feel yourself becoming tired, but you love the position too much to change.

"come on, love. fuck yourself dumb on my cock."

such vulgar words from such an angelic face make your insides quiver. it gives you a boost of energy, and you quicken your pace and bounce just like he told you to. he doesn't break eye contact with you, nor does he let you do all the work. his hips meet yours, reaching deeper inside and making you finally moan out loud. he sits up straight, pulling you close to him and holding your body in place so he can collide his hips with yours quicker and with more accuracy. you are a drooling mess, forehead pressed against his as you shamelessly moan into his lips.

"come on, angel. milk me dry like the good girl you are."

your walls squeeze around him, moans becoming whines and mewls.

"fuck, love- i'm going to fill you up-" he grunts, lips desperately chasing yours.

but both of you are too lust driven to kiss properly, so you settle for moaning into each others mouth and bite each others lips, all while chasing the sweet pleasure.

"my love..." he moans.

"yes-" you choke out, feeling the buildup getting ready to errupt.

"my fate..." he grabs your face, forcing you to look into his eyes.

"yeosang-" you sob, pathetically grinding your hips on his.

"my queen of cosmos."

the orgasm tears through you, erupting in your lower stomach and spreading to the edges of your body. warm liquid shoots inside you, and yeosang keeps rocking his hips to the point where he has your eyes rolled back and jaw dropped, no sound exiting your mouth. your nails leave marks on his back, shoulder and neck, just like your lips do on his. you bite down on his bottom lip, accidentally making it bleed. he hisses at the pain, but doesn't forget to help you ride out your orgasm. your moans bounce off the walls of the cockpit, filling yeosang's ears like heavenly music.

the man doesn't seem to get enough of you, because he lays you on your back and slides back inside you. you don't protest, instead relaxing your body and throwing you head back, much like he did. you let him praise you, use you, worship you. you could never handle more than one orgasm, yet kang yeosang has you moaning on the third one already. by the fourth one, you feel like you're drunk or on some kind of substances.

the vivid colours of the nebula never stop, dancing with each other and illuminating your bodies. yeosang kisses you, over and over, whispering sweet things into your ear and asking if you're good. you don't reply with words, but with a kiss to his forehead, nose, lips, whatever you could.

yeosang makes love to you until the ship swims out of the dust cloud, revealing the void littered with millions of glimmering dots once again. you've stopped counting after five, and let yourself go in his arms. maybe this was your fate after all.

or maybe you were kept alive just to confess to your wrongdoings to the man that has proclaimed his love to you. maybe your punishment is his kindness towards you, when you know you don't deserve it.

"i love you."

"i love you too, yeosang." you say it back, guilt still eating up your heart like the first time he said it, unaware that you could hear him.

the blonde haired man didn't have to try hard to get used to waking up beside you. it was his favorite part of the day for months now: waking up to your kisses, or the other way around. having breakfast together, going to the gym, then showering together. perhaps it was repetitive, but to yeosang, it was everything.

today, however, he woke up way before you. he has raided the luggage room, and created a mess until he found what he was looking for. you did your usual routines alone today, with yeosang busying himself with something else all day.

"i'd like to finish that book today, if you don't mind? i'll see you for dinner tonight."

"alright then. i'll miss you." you pout.

"i'll see you in a few hours, darling. fancy dress code?"

"sure! we haven't done that in a while. i can't wait."

and that's how yeosang found himself in the restaurant, spending two hours decorating the place with ryan's help.

"is the rose too much, ryan?"

"depends on the occasion, sir."

"let's say... proposal."

"i believe it is too little, sir."

"yeah, well, unless you can shit out a rose right here, i don't have much choice. i stole this one from the little terrarium in the lobby."

ryan doesn't respond, in his true robot style. yeosang sighs, lighting the candle on the table. you should be here any minute now.

"maybe i should've done it in the big terrarium." he overthinks.

"if i may, sir, the hibernation room would also be a meaningful place."

yeosang raises an eyebrow, amused. "hibernation room?"

"it's what started your new fate."

"ah, the broken pods. i guess i have to visit the engineers on board once, to thank them for that malfunction."

"oh, no need sir. you can thank miss y/n."

yeosang stops arranging the cutlery, looking at the humanoid robot. "what do you mean?"

"well, she is the one behind the malfunction. at least behind yours. so she is the one to thank."

"what?"

"oh, i thought you knew. apologies sir-"

"explain." he walks towards ryan, brows furrowed and hand fidgeting with the jewelry box in his pocket.

"i really shouldn't, sir. apologies, i-"

"you'll tell me," yeosang reaches for a glass of water, ready to pour it over the machine, "right. fucking. now."

"her pod was the only one that malfunctioned. yours was perfectly fine, sir. miss was lonely, and sad. she spent a whole week looking for a perfect match, and found you. she opened your lid, and rushed back to her room."

a crash, similar to the one on the very first day he woke up, echoes through the restaurant. yeosang turns around, finding your startled face looking at him and a broken bottle of wine by your feet.

you don't dare move, afraid of what he'll do. you have no excuse. and no shame.

he slowly steps towards you, causing you to step back. unlike the first day, his face doesn't give away anger. he is calm, and it scares you more. you wish he'd yell, push, throw. yet he doesn't, simply walking into your direction and stopping right in front of you, separated by a broken bottle. he steps in dark red liquid, the ruined shoes being the last thing on his mind.

"yeosang-" you whimper, his still face torturing you.

"don't."

"b-but-"

"do. not."

"you have to understand- i- i was just-"

his hand wraps around your neck, putting light pressure on it. "you took everything from me."

"yeosang, please."

"you do not get to cry. you do not get to feel my pity. you do not get to feel my mercy."

"please, understand me!"

"no!" he drops you on the floor. "i won't fucking understand you! i'd never do such a cruel thing to someone! have you felt no shame every time you looked at me? kissed me? comforted me when i cried about it?!"

pieces of glass tear your palms as you try to stand up, but fail. you sob on the floor, chest hurting from intensity. the glass shards dig into your thighs, and your dress soaks up the wine. you wipe your cheeks with your bloodied hand, accidentally smearing a few red drops on your face.

"here." he throws something in front of you before storming off.

you wail on the floor for what seems like hours. with your knees pressed to your chest, and your head resting on top of your knees, you cry. your dress is soaked with alcohol, tears and snot. you have no dignity left at this point. once you finally start calming down, you notice the plush box that lays discarded on the floor.

it reveals a stunning ring, with a simple stone in the middle. it looks like it was overgrown by vines, and is a rose gold colour. guess you can add it to the box with the broken necklace now. another relationship broken because of you.

days are longer than ever, with you waking up alone and eating alone. that is all you do, besides an occasional visit to the terrarium. when you hear his doors open, you do not dare exit your room until you hear them close. with each day you wake up, you love him more. your body aches for his, and soul yearns for his. maybe if you told him right away in the beginning, this wouldn't have happened. maybe he would've accepted it, he would have more time to understand.

you're a crying mess, from morning to night, until you pass out of exhaustion.

today, you woke up with a hoarse voice and painful chest. you desperately needed to get out the room, no matter if you heard yeosang's door or not. you might faint if you don't leave.

you limp through the hallways, holding onto the walls. you make it all the way until the rotating tube. why was there no other way to get to the other side?

you sit at the edge, head leaning against the stationary wall and legs hanging above the space. you watch the tube rotate, not brave enough to jump in today. but if you don't make it to the terrarium, you might stay here forever.

the doors open behind you, the familiar voice of the system echoing through the tube. you gulp, his scent enveloping you. you expect him to walk away, or simply jump in the zero gravity space and continue his path. but he holds out his hand for you to take.

you look up at him, eyes tired and bloodshot red. he spares you a single glance, before furrowing his eyebrows and looking away. your hand slides into his, as if made with his measurements in mind. he pulls you up slowly, then presses your body close to his. it is as if you were never separated. his vanilla scent fills up your nostrils, and soft breathing soothes you. you hold onto him, like you did when he took you space walking.

he moves through the tube effortlessly, stopping for a while to gaze at the planets below. they are as breathtaking as the previous ones, and the ones to come. yeosang never ceases to be amazed by the beauty of the universe.

upon reaching the other side, you clutch onto him, knowing that this is going to be a rare occasion now. maybe it was just you, but his breath hitches, as if he wants to say something. no sound leaves his pretty lips, not even when you land in the hallway and he helps you find your balance.

"thank you." you whisper.

he stays by your side, eyeing you up and down. "are you alright?"

"uh, yeah. aside from... you know."

he presses the back of his head against your forehead to feel your temperature. "you're a little hot."

a smile creeps on your lips, and you are desperate to make a joke. typical you, making jokes in situations that are serious.

"go on, say it." he sighs, his lips curving up as well.

"no, the moment is gone now."

"want me to repeat it?"

you roll your eyes, then become serious again. he stares at you, an unexplainable emotion on his face. disgust? maybe.

"where are you headed? you should lay down if you're feeling sick."

"terrarium. i need... fresh air."

"i was headed there too."

"oh. sorry, i'll just go somewhere else." you start turning around, and he grabs you by your elbow.

"you don't have to. come here."

before you can protest, yeosang picks you up in his arms, carrying you bridal style once again. while he is focused on the path, you take the time to admire him. he is beautiful. his eyes also seem to be a reddish pink shade, and he has slight bags under his eyes. but before a hope sparks inside your heart, you remind yourself that he does not weep after you. he does it after his family, and after his changed fate.

after the life you stole from him.

"i can hear you thinking."

"sorry."

"stop apologizing."

"okay, sorry."

he looks down at you, amused. "you haven't changed a bit."

"uh... sorry?"

for his own sake, he decides to ignore you. when reaching the terrarium, he sets you down on one of the swings. your head feels lighter already, but your voice stays the same. you aren't used to being this silent, despite being alone for almost a month. you steady yourself, holding onto the chains that hold the plank you call a swing. yeosang stands behind it, putting his hands over yours and gently beginning to push it.

"i understand." he starts.

"you don't have to-"

"no, let me." and you do let him. he lightly pushes you on the swing, taking his time to form sentences. "while you were passed out... i wished for nothing more than for you to wake up. if you didn't, i'd probably do as you did. humans aren't made to live alone, and i never believed it. until i got in this situation. thus, i understand. what i did not understand though, why me? hundreds of men and women in those pods, and you chose me. what made me stick out? what made you come over and open the lid? it's not like there are any personality traits written anywhere. i could've been a douchebag, and you wouldn't have known. then what? would you have gotten rid of me? locked me somewhere?"

"you were simply... angelic." you don't have to think long to give him an answer. you did the thinking before opening his pod.

"angelic?"

"you had this beautiful face, serenity painted on it. true, i did not know anything about you. you could've been short tempered, violent, or worse. after all, i'm a girl. alone, with no protection. yet i took my chances. and you turned out to be perfect. i fell in love with every part of you; with your soul, brain, body. you were my dream partner."

he is speechless. for the first time ever you speak openly about it, and you do not stutter.

"and i wanted to be your dream partner. i tried my hardest to be perfect, but my previous doings kept coming back and haunting me. that night... i wanted to tell you. i truly did. but that stupid robot beat me to it. i mean, seriously, he can't push a few buttons but he can gossip?"

yeosang snorts, then nods in agreement.

"i'm sorry."

"what?" you whip your head around to look at him. "no, i'm the one who should be apologizing. you did nothing wrong!"

"i've been thinking. i apologize for what happened on the space walk. and i apologize for getting violent with you. i just felt... cheated. and stolen from. i felt betrayed. and all that by the person i love with all my being."

"but, yeosang-"

"look, y/n." he walks around the swing and crouches in front of you, stopping your swinging. his hands rest on your knees, thumbs absentmindedly rubbing your skin. "for all we know, they could all be headed to a different type of destruction. maybe they miscalculated. maybe the planet already has life on it, and they see humans as threat. they won't hesitate to exterminate them in order to protect their planet. or maybe it is a higher, more advanced civilization. i don't know about you, but i'd rather live my life on a sized down earth than live to see my own species die out or become slaves to someone else. so, in a way, thank you. for saving me."

"oh, yeosang." you exhale, falling on your knees and into his arms. "i love you. i love you so much."

"i love you too, princess. say..."

"yes?" you pull away, wiping your upcoming tears so they don't fall.

"can you give me my ring back so i can propose? but please act surprised."

you laugh, and he laughs with you. you pull it out from your pocket, and he looks at you with a wider smile.

"i can't believe you had it right here."

"had what?" you shove it into his hand.

"what do you mean? the ri- oh. right." he catches on.

you stand up, pretending to look at the plants while he shuffles behind you. he clears his throat after a while, making you turn around. you fake a shocked expression, putting your hand over your open mouth after seeing him on his knee. the box is opened, and the ring is as beautiful as the first time you saw it.

"will you marry me, my queen of cosmos? and rule the cosmos with me by your side?"

"i will, my queen hand."

🌠 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: first of all, omg a happy ending?? is this a first for barbz? i hope you enjoyed reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it :)

🌠 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 (𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥/𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬)

@kodzukein @woomyteez @mulletdaddyjayjo @bae4choi @haatohwa @marvelahsobx @jxhnnyfav @angellluh @jjaemasung @oddracha @devastateed

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hwaslayer · 6 months ago

Text

the space between us three (jyh) | six.

⇢series masterlist | series playlist

⇢summary: while juggling the demands of life, yunho continues to do his best to raise his independent 11 yr old daughter, seora. throughout the years, they've built a strong foundation, an unbreakable bond— one that consists of late night talks and food runs, father/daughter dates, and sideline cheerleading at her basketball games. so when you unexpectedly come into their world, things shift. despite the uncertainty and the fear of stepping outside of their comfort zone, yunho and seora eventually learn how to open their hearts and learn how to rebuild a home where three can thrive together.

⇢pairing: single dad!yunho x f. reader

⇢genre: (18+ - minors dni) strangers to lovers, single dad au | fluff, angst, eventual smut

⇢word count: 6.6k

⇢chapter content/warnings: cussing, mature language, seora spends time with her uncle mingi, first date <33, yunho opens up about his parents to oc, holding hands, good conversations & just a bunch of cute simp shit, goodnight kisses 🥰, i swear things will get a lil spicier next chap lmao

yunho: goodmorning. 😊

This morning had been one of those mornings. You had gotten up a little later than usual, feeling tired from the exhausting week. On top of that, you turned down Yunho's offer to bring you to work so that you wouldn't have to take the bus over; afraid you'd be asking for too much since he was gonna be driving around later tonight. Had you known the bus would be running late, you might've taken him up on it. But, with it being Friday, you were just excited to get your day over with so that you could hang out with Yunho one-on-one.

It was a blessing and a curse that it was busy as soon as you walked in this morning. A blessing because the day would breeze on by. A curse because you didn't even get a chance to respond to Yunho's cute lil text before jumping right into your task list. Until, your desktop computer decided to be stubborn and stop working properly— setting you behind even more than you already were due to the commute.

you: hi, goodmorning ☺️

you: i'm sorry for the late response! i'm having quite the morning. i have so much to do, but my desktop isn't working now. i feel so incomplet and useless. 😭

yunho: it's okay! not like i thought you forgot about me or anything .. 🥲

you: lol sorry, never!

yunho: wdym it's not working?

you: it won't stay on. keeps going on power save mode even though my settings are adjusted to never go on power save mode.

yunho: interesting. where do you sit in the peds hospital again?

you: 4th floor, M103.

yunho: i'll be over in a sec.

you: yunho?? you don't even support our unit 😭

yunho: and? lol. i have time. brb!

"What?" You mutter to yourself as you set your phone down, a little worried about Yunho getting in trouble or pushing off his work to help you. You shrug it off, scribbling in your planner and working through emails on your laptop until Yunho swings by.

Which, didn't take him long post-reply. He was at your cubicle about 15 minutes later.

"Hey." Yunho says softly.

"Hi." You shyly laugh. "How did you even get in here?"

"IT has access everywhere, believe it or not." He smiles before pointing at your desktop. "Mind if I take a look?"

"Go for it." He pulls up an empty office chair nearby and drags it over to your desk, sitting comfortably as he presses the power button. He presses it a few times and clicks away at your mouse until the screen pops up.

"Hm." He hums. "Took awhile."

"It's gonna shut down on you."

"Is that what's been happening?"

"Mhm. Just now actually. When I get it back up and running, it'll let me work for a few minutes before it shuts off and goes into power mode randomly." He's click-clacking away on the keyboard, forehead tightly knit as he eventually rests his elbow on the desk— hand hovering over his mouth, with the other on the mouse.

"How old is your computer?"

"I don't know, maybe 8-10 years old? It was passed down from the previous project manager when I stepped into her role."

"Yikes." He laughs. "I'll try a few things, but might also be a good time to consider getting a new one." He starts pulling up the terminal and plugging in some code— language you definitely don't understand.

"Yeah, I know."

"You actively push data or other work to the cloud, right? So you have a backup and can pull it up anywhere?"

"Mhm."

"Good." He gives you a small smirk. "Then, getting a replacement wouldn't be so bad. You deserve it." You laugh.

"Hope the department thinks so."

"I mean, you do need a working computer to get your things done." He sits back in the chair and crosses his arms, slightly slumped in his position. "I just plugged in a code to mimic the movement of your mouse so the computer thinks something is always happening. If you look closely at the pointer, you can see it twitching a bit." You look up close on the screen and manage to see what he's talking about.

"Woah. Okay, genius."

"Not even." He laughs. "If you don't mind me being in your space for a little longer, I wanna see if this keeps your computer awake."

"As long as it isn't taking up unnecessary time and making you behind."

"Never." He smiles at you. "So."

"So." You mimic him. "Where are you taking me later?"

"For me to know and you to find out." You snort.

"Clever. Am I dressed enough for the occasion?" Yunho eyes your outfit, running a finger across his bottom lip while he smirks at you.

"Yeah, you look good. You always do." You playfully push him on the bicep, making him laugh. "What? I can't be honest?"

"Hey— oh? Oops. Hi Yunho." Noeul gives you a look before slowly walking away.

"Hey Noeul."

"I'll come back later." She mouths out as Yunho gives off a small chuckle. Suddenly, he shifts his attention back to your computer when he notices the screen go black, and he's back to sitting up again.

"Damn." He tries fiddling with the mouse and keyboard again. "Guess that didn't work. I think this is a hardware issue now, but .." He turns to you with the same smirk he was sporting earlier when he was spitting out those compliments. "Since your computer is pretty old, I can't say it won't act up again if you get this serviced."

"So, you're saying a new computer is definitely the way to go." He nods.

"You deserve it." He stands as he reminds you. "You should think about getting a 38" monitor instead of having two. It's basically the equivalent and helps with productivity."

"What are some good ones?"

"I can send you some recs in a bit. I'm sorry you'll have to work from your laptop for now. But, whatever you order, I can help make sure it gets to you ASAP and I'll help set it up."

"Yunho." You slightly pout as he's slowly walking out of your cubicle.

"No but's. I got you." He looks down at his watch. "Anyway, gotta head back."

"See, don't tell me you have tons of stuff to catch up on now because of me?"

"I doooon't." He almost whines with a small laugh. He totally does. He's actually kinda swamped, but he made it over anyway because seeing you is nice. "See you later?" You nod and giggle. "I'll text you when I'm all wrapped up on my end."

"Okay. Thank you again."

"No worries." He playfully sends you a wink before walking off and out of the office area. Noeul finally comes creeping up to your cubicle, squealing at a low tone.

"Stop, he's so into you."

"Don't start." You bite onto your bottom lip as you continue to keep your eyes glued onto the tiny laptop screen.

"Where is he taking you? Did he say anything?"

"Nope. I am completely in the dark."

"Those are the best kinda dates. He's gonna take good care of you."

"I just wanna get out of here." You whine as your place your head down on your desk for a few minutes.

"You will! And the wait will be worth it!" You look up at her and let out a small sigh, nodding your head.

"You're right. Let me tackle all of this so I can get outta here sooner than later."

"And hang out with your man, yes!" She leans against your desk. "By the way, what'd he say about your computer?"

"Oh, this thing is done with. I need a new one. I'm just waiting for Yunho to send me some recs."

"Been telling you that."

"Well, it kept me going for some time." You pat the top of the monitor screen. "It was nice while it lasted."

"I love this for you, you know that? Upgrading your computer, your love life. This era is cute." You chuckle and shake your head.

"Go. I gotta get back to work." You push her along, making her giggle at how obviously flustered you are over the topic.

yunho: some recs for the boss lady!

You see Yunho's Slack message come in, along with links from the IT catalog.

yunho: this CPU should do you good, along with the 38". 😮‍💨

you: haha, thank you. 😊 i'll place my order right now!

yunho: can you send me your ticket number so i can keep an eye on it?

you: maybe....

yunho: ☹️☹️☹️☹️

you: you have too much other work to worry about!

yunho: including your ticket, yes!

you: you're unbelievable. 😂

yunho: you can always opt out for tonight (ouch) ..... 😖

you: never! lol. i'm excited actually. ☺️

yunho: i am, too.

You smile to yourself during the brief pause in between messages, unsure how to respond to Yunho without sounding like you're doing too much or saying something crazy. But, the Slack notification goes off again—

yunho: okay, i actually gtg and help jihoon with something.

yunho: seriously send me your ticket number after you're done, pls!

Pause.

yunho: can't wait to spend time with you, y/n.

And all that overthinking goes straight out the window.

you: same. 😌

Seora had a long day at school— her day filled with a bunch of tests and pop quizzes, damn near dragging herself out of the classroom and into the gym afterward. She happily talks with her friends as they change into their practice gear, joking around and being the typical girls they are as they get out onto the floor with their water bottles. After equal wins and losses, the coach decides to continue running and improving plays to push the team forward to the playoffs and hopefully, a championship win.

When practice wraps up, Seora grabs her things and finds her other favorite uncle talking to some of the parents outside of the gym; sweat still on her face, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. When his eyes finally land on hers, he gives Seora's hair a good ruffle before taking her bags from her.

"Ace!"

"Uncle Mangi!" She copies his tone and laughs.

"How was practice?"

"Tiring. I'm pooped. I can barely feel my legs today."

"Working hard, atta girl. On our way to the WNBA." He tosses her bags in the backseat before hopping in. "Hope you don't mind, I gotta stop at the grocery store really quickly for our dinner."

"Only if I can grab some snacks."

"Course you can. Don't spoil your appetite for dinner, though. I'm gonna make some galbijjim."

"Yum! One of my faves."

"Exactly." He laughs. "How was school today?"

"The usual. Nothing too special."

"Nothing too special? Nothing happened at all?"

"Nope. Too many tests and pop-quizzes. I did get an A on my math test, though."

"That's something." She nods as she looks out the window.

"So, my dad's got another team dinner?"

"Mhm." He hums.

"Impossible."

"They've been working really hard on a lot of different things across the hospital lately. Helps relieve stress, I guess." One thing about Mingi is that he will never out Yunho the way Seonghwa unintentionally does. If Yunho's got a team dinner, Mingi will stick to the story down to the T. Maybe even throw in his own details and dramatics to make it more believable.

"He barely used to have team dinners."

"Well, maybe their goal was to have more!"

"Are you hiding something, Uncle Mangi? Cause Uncle Hwa accidentally spilled the beans last time and said dad was on a date."

"Why would your Uncle Hwa do that? Should I fight him?" Seora laughs and shakes her head. "He wasn't on a date."

"Uncle Mangi." He looks at her.

"Mhm?"

"Lying is bad."

"I'm not lying!" She continues to squint her eyes at him before finally giving up her case and settling back into the seat.

"Fine. What about you then, Uncle Mangi? What's new? How was your trip to Japan?"

"Nothing much. But, it was good. Nice to be in different sceneries from time to time."

"Dad keeps saying we'll tag along one day, but we haven't yet. I wanna go soon."

"I'll let him know, don't worry."

"They must have soooo much cute stuff. Don't they?"

"Lots." Mingi pulls up to the grocery store, driving into a spot near the entrance. "You'd definitely love it there."

"Where else have you been, Uncle Mangi?" She follows alongside of her towering uncle while he grabs a cart and heads into the store.

"Everywhere and nowhere all at the same time." She laughs.

"Seriously."

"One place I'll always remember is Switzerland. It's beautiful there. Probably one of my top places I've been to."

"I'm sure. I've only seen it in books, but it looks really pretty."

"It is. Those textbook pics definitely don't do it enough justice." Mingi sorts through the meat packages while Seora quickly wanders off into an aisle to grab her favorite chips and cookies. She drops it into the cart, with Mingi barely noticing.

"I have a random question for you."

"Try me."

"Do you think it's better to lock yourself up in a grocery store like this during a zombie apocalypse or keep it moving?"

"Well." Mingi continues to slowly walk down the aisles, making sure he doesn't miss any ingredients on his mental grocery list needed for tonight's dinner. "I'd say keep it moving."

"Why? You'd have everything in here."

"That's if no one raids the store, which would be impossible at that time. Plus, it can only keep you safe for so long before zombies find their way in or another group comes around. You could quite literally die before you even have a chance to try and survive."

"You'd have to take a break at some point though, right?"

"You could, but always best to keep it moving, ace. Never leave a trail for people."

"Okay, touché."

"Cereal first or milk first?" Mingi suddenly asks as they go through the cereal section.

"Cereal."

"What? No. Did your dad teach you that?"

"What kind of planet are you living on? Isn't that how it normally is?" Mingi stops the cart and looks at her.

"Warm or cold milk then?"

"For cereal?" Mingi nods. "Cold?!"

"You and your weird ass dad." Seora laughs loudly. "Did anybody want a child? Cause this one is not mine—" Seora pinches her uncle's bicep, causing him to yelp as they push through the remaining aisles.

"You soggy cereal lover." Seora points out.

"That's literally the best way to have it."

"Ew, you're like eating mushed up cardboard." Mingi sighs.

"You're very lucky I love you and that your dad is my bestfriend or else I would've blocked him."

"You're so dramatic." She throws more snacks into the cart just as they're about to head to the registers.

"Any more snacks or you're good?"

"I'm good! I'm excited for dinner." Mingi laughs.

"I am, too. Too bad I gotta cook it first."

"You're a great cook, Uncle Mangi. I always enjoy the food you make." She tugs on his sleeve.

"I do try my best." She helps her uncle load the groceries onto the belt, pulling the cart towards the end to help bag up their things and throw it back in. Mingi taps his card to the reader before helping Seora with the heavier bags. Once they've gathered all their things, Mingi pushes the cart over to the car, loading it up in his trunk while Seora plops into the front seat. "Ready to head home?"

"Yeah, dying to shake a shower." Mingi starts up the car and begins the journey home.

"Yeah, you need it." He teases, causing Seora to lightly punch him on the arm.

"You're mean!"

"Kidding!" He laughs. "So, what's on the agenda tonight? We eat, you do homework. Watch some shows? Talk a walk around the neighborhood?"

"Sure, whatever floats your boat. I kinda have a bit of homework so I dunno about that walk. Plus, I'm pretty sore already."

"Okay, we'll play it by ear then." On the way home, Seora continues to tell Mingi about the staycation her father took her on and the new dog café they visited. She talks to him about her friends and how one of her friends started having a crush on one of the boys in their class. Mingi playfully gasps before lecturing her about boys and how icky they can be [coming from an honest heart]. But Seora laughs it off and tells her uncle that she's not really worried about that stuff.

All Mingi can say in response is 'you better not be.'

When the two finally get home, Mingi immediately sets himself up in the kitchen to get dinner going, while Seora throws her backpack down in the living room and heads straight to the shower. She takes a good, long shower before throwing on her pajamas and brushing through her wet hair. She sits on the living room floor and gets going with her homework while waiting for her uncle to finish cooking dinner.

Meanwhile, Yunho makes his way over to the peds hospital— happily stepping into the elevator to make his way back up to your office. When he gets there, he realizes most people have already clocked out and left for the day, only leaving you and a select few heads working away in the cubicles.

"Hey. Ready?" You smile as you look up at Yunho, sending one last meeting invite for next week before closing down your apps and shutting off your laptop.

"Yeah! I thought you were gonna text me so I could meet you halfway."

"Um, no." Yunho laughs. "I would much rather come get you so we can walk to the car together."

"That's sweet." You throw on your coat and slide the bag strap over your shoulder. "So, how was the rest of your day?"

"Good. Not too crazy, at least."

"Did the offers go out to the candidates you were planning on hiring?"

"Oh, yeah! They actually signed earlier this week and they'll be starting next week. They were able to get the background checks cleared out in time."

"Aw, that's awesome! You guys will finally get help."

"Yeah. It'll be busy for awhile getting them onboarded and trained."

"Yunho's gonna go MIA."

"Yunho is not gonna go MIA." He laughs.

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah, of course." He chuckles. "I'll always make time."

"You say that now."

"And I'll say it tomorrow, and the next day, and so on." He pinches your cheeks. "Don't trip." You smile feeling his warm touch against your skin. "Well, I didn't think it'd be so cold this evening. Are you okay with your coat and all? Is it enough?"

"It is."

"Okay, well just let me know. We'll be inside for the most part, but I want you to be comfortable."

"Thank you." You continue to walk alongside of Yunho until you get to his car. You give him the ins and outs of your day besides the whole computer issue that he tried to rescue you from while he grabs your bags and gently sets it in the trunk of his BMW and pops the door open for you. When you slide in and get comfortable, you notice how spotless his car is and how it smells like a hint of his cologne, along with laundry detergent and the fresh car smell. There are a few colorful hair ties lining the bottom of one of the cupholders, along with a hoodie in the backseat and a basketball. Yunho laughs and apologizes for Seora's mess— he also hasn't gotten a chance to bring in her things simply because he doesn't think much of it.

It almost feels like Seora is with him one way or another and he finds comfort in that.

On the drive over to dinner, he asks a bit about what other days look like for you and if you anticipate other big projects to come your way. You talk about a new project that was already mentioned to you by your manager, which involves remodeling one of the levels to a study/meeting area. You also tell Yunho it isn't a high priority, but you've already started the conversation with some of the facilities coordinators that can help rope in the appropriate vendors for certain tasks.

He transitions by telling you a few of the little projects he's been working on with his team, along with figuring out how to upgrade systems and all that jazz. You find that Yunho and his team are constantly working to support so many different departments, and it amazes you how well Yunho is able to delegate and keep himself afloat. You ask if he's ever had to work late because of really urgent issues and he says he's only had to do it once or twice— most can typically wait until the morning.

"Okay." He says, pulling into a tight, narrow street to start looking for parking. "We're here."

"I have no idea where we're at."

"Oh." Yunho laughs. "That's good then. More of a surprise for you. But, please keep your expectations down cause I didn't do much."

"Stop. Don't say things like that. I'll love it either way." Yunho smiles as he turns another corner and finds a spot right away. He parks flawlessly next to the curb, shutting off his car before turning back to you.

"Ready?" You nod quietly, watching as Yunho hops out and does a light jog over to open the door for you. You give him a smile and tug on your coat while Yunho locks his door and leads the way next to you, hand on the small of your back. The walk isn't too far, the restaurant being down on the opposite end of the street, across the block. To your surprise, Yunho brings you to one of the new conveyor belt sushi restaurants. He greets the host and he immediately takes you back to a little booth near the belt. It's snug enough to fit two people.

"I'm excited." You look at Yunho and he laughs.

"Same, I could eat. You like sushi, right? Please tell me I didn't fuck up." He looks concerned for a moment.

"No, no. I love sushi. I actually haven't had it in so long." You rearrange your set up so you can eat comfortably, the waiter taking your order for drinks. You both ask for water, but before the waiter can walk off, Yunho suddenly asks for two glasses of hot sake.

"Thank you." He says, giving the waiter a curt nod.

"Sake?"

"Our little celebration for getting through the week."

"Wow, okay. Touché. I can get behind that." You look at him. "My birthday's coming up. You should come out with Mingi and Seonghwa. We're heading out to the club." You pause before shaking your head. "Or, actually, I'm being forced to go to the club to celebrate."

"Forced, hm?" He laughs. "That sounds fun, though. Send me the details. We'll definitely try to celebrate with you."

"Might be fun. We can be a fun group of people."

"Yeah?" Yunho likes that, you're down for things and he can tell you go with the flow. He likes someone who can just have fun with him. Someone who can just be with him; it wouldn't matter where they go or where their relationship takes them.

"Mhm. And I can tell you guys are fun." You laugh. "Seora must love having you as her dad."

"I hope so." Yunho laughs along. "By the way, feel free to start digging in." He gestures towards the moving conveyor belt and you happily start exploring your options as they come— taking a fresh plate of salmon nigiri to start off. The waiter quickly comes back with two glasses of hot sake, making Yunho smirk at you. He sets his chopsticks down and slides your glass over, raising his while you take yours. "Cheers? For getting through the week."

"Cheers!" You say cheerfully, tapping your glass against his before taking some of the hot sake down your throat. It burns, but the heat brings more warmth to your body on this cold evening. "Speaking of Seora, where is she right now now?" You drink a bit more before taking another plate off the belt.

"Spending time with her Uncle Mingi."

"That's cute." Yunho grabs a few plates and sets them aside while he decides which one he'll tackle first.

"She had practice and I had him go pick her up. I think they were heading to the grocery store to buy some ingredients for dinner before heading home last time he texted me."

"What did you tell her?"

"Mm." He hums. "I hope you don't take it personally or anything, but I told her it was a team dinner."

"No, of course not."

"I just, yeah." He chuckles a bit. "It's just easier to go with that."

"I believe it." The both of you continue to eat away at the sushi, small, empty plates piling up on the side of the table. Small conversations continue about day-to-day life; you and your friends, what you've been doing for yourself lately. Suddenly, you dwell on the fact that you don't know much about Yunho besides his day-to-day life with Seora and work. You know about his friends, his coworkers. But, you don't know anything deeper about his personal life.

His parents.

You didn't wanna be nosy and pry, but you wondered why his parents weren't the ones watching Seora.

Was it too much of you to ask?

Was this considered a real date if you two weren't trying to get to know each other? What were the boundaries?

"Yunho?"

"What's up?"

"Can I ask you something more personal?"

"Anything."

"I hope I'm not crossing boundaries here, but what about your parents? How come they don't watch Seora?"

"You're not crossing any boundaries." Yunho reassures you, but shakes his head before dipping into his next plate of sushi. "Uh, it's complicated. Things kinda just fell apart when Eunha passed." You slowly nod. "When my parents found out Eunha was pregnant, they didn't want us to continue with the pregnancy cause we were, what? 20 years old when we found out? Still in the midst of college. But, that's not what we wanted. They almost got to Eunha but we pushed through in the end and we had Seora. It was really hard for a long, long time, but Seora was worth every bit of it. My parents obviously didn't like the fact that we went against their wishes, so they kept their distance. It's been that way ever since, even when Eunha passed. I think it got worst, actually. Plus, I never had the best relationship with them from the get-go. They only see Seora once in a blue moon. They're the grandparents that just send the occasional bouts of money, birthday and holidays cards. Seora always wonders about them, but I can never give her an answer as to why her grandparents aren't around."

"I'm sorry, Yunho."

"Don't be sorry." Yunho smiles a bit.

"W-what about Eunha's parents?" You wanna ask about Eunha too, but you know this isn't the time.

"Uh, they're the same. They—" He pauses. "They cut off ties when she passed because it was too hard for them."

"Oh. Yunho." You say sympathetically, feeling incredibly bad for having brought it up in the first place. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to be such a debbie downer during dinner."

"No, it's okay. I promise. I've.. gotten used to it at this point. It used to be hard for me, but I've accepted everything."

"Still doesn't mean it doesn't get hard for you."

"I've learned to manage." He gives you a tiny, toothless smile.

"I hope you know you're doing an amazing job balancing everything and for being a great father to Seora."

"Thanks."

"I'm also glad you have Seonghwa and Mingi."

"Me too." He laughs. "They're a pain in my ass, but they're my bestfriends. I don't think I would have been able to get through a lot without them. And they're good to Seora."

"That's good, I'm glad." You eat a bit more before you feel yourself getting content and full.

"Full?"

"Damn near. I think I ate too fast." You chuckle. "I'm almost done with my sake."

"Bottoms up?" You nod, tapping your glass against his before the both of you take it to the neck. Yunho finishes up a few more plates before he sits back and gulps his water down, causing you to giggle to yourself. "Fuck, I'm full. Overdid it, for sure."

"Was worth every bit of it, though. Maybe we should walk it off?"

"Yeah. Let's head to the next stop. I think you'll like it. And we'll get our steps in." He pulls his wallet out of his pocket, calling the waiter over.

"Can I split with you?"

"Absolutely not." Yunho says, handing over his card directly to him.

"You're already driving me everywhere and taking me to another location after this. The least I can do is chip in."

"Nope. The least you can do is just enjoy yourself with me tonight." He smiles sweetly just as he grabs the receipt handed to him by the waiter, signing off and tucking his own copy swiftly into his pocket before looking at you.

"Couldn't even let me see the receipt."

"Nope." He repeats and stands. "Ready to go, pretty girl?" You feel the heat rise to your cheeks as you stand and nod, leading the way out of the restaurant with Yunho in tow. He answers your questions on the way to the car, giving you hints about the next location. It still leaves you stumped in the end, deciding to let Yunho continue taking matters into his own hands with you. He opens the door like the gentleman he is, slipping into the driver's seat as he rubs his hands together and immediately turns the heat on when he starts the car. "All good? Too hot?"

"Just perfect."

"Good." You sit back comfortably as Yunho sets off for the next destination for tonight. "So, how was the sushi? Be honest."

"It was so good!" He looks at you when he comes to a red light, almost as if he's trying to read you, really read you, and you giggle. "What?"

"Just making sure."

"That I'm not lying?"

"Maybe." You laugh even more.

"I would never. If I didn't enjoy it, I would've given an honest review."

"Mmkay, I believe you." He laughs. "I want you to have a good night with me."

"I am already." You look at him with a soft expression. "And I'm sure the next part to this will be just as fun. If not, more. I trust you."

"Do you?"

"I do." Yunho smiles, wanting to hold your hand so badly while he drives. But, he doesn't. He holds back. He feels like there could be a better opportunity.

One that'll feel right and set the mood for the remainder of the night.

For this entirely.

After a good 20 minutes of driving down south, Yunho exits off the freeway and takes an immediate right down towards a large-sized building with all modern exterior designs. He parks in the lot next to it, doing his gentleman deed of helping you out of the car and leading you towards the beautiful building.

It's one of the city's biggest museums, and the event they're hosting for a couple of weeks is called Spirit House. It focuses on Asian American and Asian diasporic artists that are showcasing art pertaining to horror, spirits, haunted houses, reincarnation, different dimensions and other themes along those lines. You continue to read the pamphlet before Yunho looks at you with a small smile on his face.

"Wanna walk around?" You nod.

"How'd you know I'd be into this stuff?"

"It sounded cool, so why not?"

"You're good, Jeong Yunho." You giggle and continue into the first part of the exhibit. The atmosphere is dark and dim, the artwork on the walls screaming afterlife. Death. Souls. Horror, fear. You're so intrigued that you find yourself slowly moving from work to work; trying to take in all the details of the images in front of you. You didn't even realize Yunho had been watching you from behind, snapping photos every chance he could before moving onto the next room to get a preview of what's to come.

"Hey." Yunho says from behind you. "Wanna show you something in the next room."

"Okay." You look down at the hand he puts out, waiting for you to take it. You gently slide your hand in his, fingers intertwining before he guides you to the next exhibit and it feels incredibly natural. It's a room full of mini fixtures— almost like miniature set-ups of old fashioned homes and other buildings. He shows you one that has the artist's own adaptation of Junji Ito characters spread across levels of an old, haunted house.

"Oh my god, I love it." You peek down to get a closer look, hand still laced with Yunho's. "I love Junji Ito. And the work in the other room reminded me of Takato Yamamoto. It's amazing."

"Made for you." You chuckle, tugging him along as you both look at the next miniature setups alongside of it. Yunho doesn't even mind one bit. He's enjoying the exhibit, but he's enjoying it even more with you here— holding his hand every step of the way. You snap a few photos of the art before Yunho directs you to stand near one of the exhibits where the lighting falls on you perfectly. He takes a few more photos— more candid ones from behind you especially— just so you have photos to look back at when you wanna reminisce on your first date with him.

The next room of the exhibit is an interactive light show; the room is completely dark, with different lights projecting things around the room. The background music is mysterious, creepy; fitting the vibe all together. You continue to walk with Yunho while snapping photos of your silhouettes in the mirrors. Yunho gets silly and makes a bunch of poses, making you laugh loudly in the process. At one point, you've found yourself standing near the corner of the room, watching all the lights come together to project a beautiful show onto the walls. Yunho comes next to you, admiring the same view— but you, mainly. You look up at him to tell him how amazing the event is, but he's already looking down at you with fondness and endearment sprinkled in his big brown orbs.

You almost.. wanna kiss him.

But, you shake off the thought quickly by dragging him to the next exhibits— loosely holding his hand throughout the rest of the event.

Too bad he would've kissed you back, had you known.

No, he needs to be a gentleman and he needs to do right by you, Yunho thinks. He can't just kiss you on the first date or else he runs the risk of you thinking he only wants you for one thing.

Like Ara; but, that situation is a little different.

"Yunho! That was so fun." You smile at him the way you do, and it melts his heart. "Thank you for taking me to this."

"Of course. I think it ends after the weekend, so perfect timing." You quickly scroll through some of the pictures you took. "I'll send you the pictures I have later."

"Okay." You look at the buskers on the opposite end of the street, along with a food cart nearby. "Yunho, let's go check it out really quickly!"

"I'm down." He nods, noticing it's only about to hit 10pm. Seora must be waiting for him, but he knows she'll sleep until he gets there and Mingi hasn't made a peep. He feels like he's in the clear.

He holds your hand tightly as you both cross the street safely, stopping near the food cart first while lightly bouncing to the live music nearby.

"Want a snack?" You nod and cling onto his arm.

"I could use one. Museum took up my energy." He laughs. Yunho buys some custard-filled bungeoppang for you two to snack on while observing the buskers. You bounce along next to him and he starts to dance in his own way, making you laugh at how cute he's being with you. You snap a few photos of him that you'll share later, not knowing Yunho had a bunch of your photos to share as well.

You and Yunho sing along to some familiar songs before the buskers end the first half of their performance for a tiny break.

"That was cool. They did really well!"

"They were so good!" You toss in some cash into the guitar case. "And I didn't know you could sing!"

"I— no." Yunho laughs.

"I wanna hear more of your singing." You pout as you tug on his arm on the way back to the car.

"Maybe."

"Yunho." You whine and he laughs.

"I promise you it's nothing that great."

"Very much the opposite of what I think, just so you know." He stands by the passenger door, allowing you to hop in but he doesn't close the door right away. He stands and looks at you and there's something in his eyes that you can't really read.

"I hope you enjoyed it."

"I did. A lot." He licks his lips, and you can tell he's having the same internal battle you had not too long ago in the light exhibit. But, he brushes it off by tapping the door frame before shutting your door gently and hopping into his seat.

The drive home is as expected; with you and Yunho talking about your similar music tastes this time and Yunho being a bit more open about his vocals. You look at him as he sings a tune or two, explaining that his dad is the one with the vocals in the family. You tease that next time, you two should go to a karaoke bar to end the night and he smirks.

At least you're thinking about next time's just like he is, too.

When he pulls up to your apartment, you find yourself not wanting to part from him. You know he has to go home to Seora though, and it breaks your heart knowing she's been waiting for her dad to come home. You step out of the car and tug on your coat, the night colder than it was a few hours ago.

"Welp, this is me." You both look at the apartment building, with Yunho tucking his hands into his pockets.

"Let me walk you up."

"No, it's okay. I promise it's right there." You point at your apartment before chuckling and turning to him completely. "Goodnight, Yunho. Thank you for tonight. I had a lot of fun."

"You're welcome, Y/N." He watches as you lean in to give him a kiss on the cheek. He blushes, and he loves the initiation, but he freezes. Completely.

"I'll see you next week, hm? Get home safely." You smile toothlessly at him before turning on your heel to walk up to your unit. Just as you're about to make it up the steps, Yunho is chasing after you with long strides, causing you to turn and raise a brow. "Did I leave something?"

"Mm, maybe." He says with a tiny smirk on his face. Suddenly, his large, warm hands come up to cup your cheeks— lips capturing yours in a sweet goodnight kiss. "Goodnight." You smile up at him as his thumb caresses the surface of your right cheek.

"Night." He steps back, biting his bottom lip to prevent himself from smiling too big. He lingers around until he sees you successfully slip into your unit and hears the door shut close.

What he doesn't see is the way you squeal and dig your face into your hands, incredibly giddy and happy from the turn of events.

You really liked Yunho.

And he does, too.

So much that the smile doesn't even fade when he pulls up to the house, Mingi's car leaving enough room for him to park in his usual spot. Yunho can see the faint flickering of the TV lights through the kitchen window, and he knows Seora is probably on the couch waiting for his arrival.

When he steps through the door, Mingi is placing some food into the fridge before returning his attention to the remaining dishes in the sink. He quietly greets his bestfriend before nodding towards the couch— signaling that Seora had fallen asleep while waiting.

"Has it been long?" Yunho asks lowly.

"A bit, yeah. She said practice was exhausting today." Yunho chuckles before crouching down in front of the couch and brushing her hair back.

"Ace." Her eyes slowly flicker open.

"Oh, finally. You're back." He laughs.

"Let's get to bed, hm?" She sleepily nods, sitting up before walking to her bedroom. "Say bye to uncle Mingi."

"Love you, ace!" Mingi calls out as he watches her sleepily walk across the living room.

"Love you too. Goodnight." She mutters and lazily waves before dragging herself into her room and shutting the door. It isn't long before Yunho sees her shut off the lights, causing him to turn the volume down on the TV before helping Mingi clean up.

"So, how was it?" Yunho smiles.

"Good." He avoids eye contact as he blushes, setting the dry dishes into the cabinet.

"Good?"

"Yeah."

"Meaning?" Mingi rests against the corner before smirking at him. " I have time."

"I really, really like her."

⇢taglist: @asjkdk @interweab @woojirang @svintsandghosts @cheolliehugs @persphonesorchid @mxnsxngie @jycas @cowboydk @nopension @curse-of-art @thechaotictheoryy @likexaxdaydream @dalsuwaha @enha-stars @yasuraokaa @professormingisglasses @yunyunrin @pommelex @astral-trashcan @laura1399 @domfikeluva @tournesol155 @hwaskookies @yusalterego @hwa-stars @hyukssunflower @chngbnwf @jaytheatiny @lucid-galaxys-world @chaotic-floral @sofkloster @honeyrecommends @hwashua-luv @luvv4bby @spicxbnny @pandyandy71 @sanniesaurus @angel-hyuckie @wolviejex @purpleyou7x

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powderpinkprincess · 5 months ago

Text

Issues [Lando Norris x model!reader] 16+

description: When you and Lando go out clubbing together, it never ends well. You're jealous and he's frustrated. warnings: alcohol, some swearing, arguing, mentions of family abandonment

A/N: To tell you the truth, as a psych student I’m a sucker for dysfunctional relationships where Y/N gives his chosen one a little trouble (or reversed). It may be just me, but I couldn’t find many x readers like that, so I decided to test the waters and post my crazy stuff. (I have much more wicked things in my folder but I'll hold them back for now lol) Just to give a bit of a context though, I will write a few sentences of Y/N’s backstory for this one, so her actions make a little sense.

Your backstory: Your Dad is a rally driver and your Mom is a model. As their only child, they have always wanted you to follow their routes, so ever since your childhood you’ve been modelling. However, when you were 8, your parents got separated and your Mom left you to live with your Dad pretty much from one day to another. You met Lando through your Dad when you were 18. Back then you were setting unreasonably high bars for yourself in modelling, hoping to get back your Mom. After some time of dating, Lando asked you to leave that life behind and move to Monaco with him, hoping that you would finally start to heal in a new environment. (He loves you but he’s not a magician to make all your issues disappear.)

Through the past 3 years spent together, you and Lando learned that it was never a good idea to go out clubbing together. For both of your sakes, it was better when you were sticking to your own group of friends while partying. However, it has been a while since Lando’s best friend, Max Fewtrell visited Monaco with his girlfriend, so you couldn’t just stay at home while they dived into the nightlife. Lando didn’t want to leave you out, so he offered that you invited your best friend, Sasha, too.

Sasha understood you like no one else. You met her here in Monaco, and the two of you got very close over a relatively short time. She was also a model who moved to Monte Carlo from abroad, but her parents were really nice, so she ended up well. Lando liked her. She helped you grow a lot.

Lando reserved a table in the VIP lounge of a club, so you already had a place to go to. He was sitting next to you, his hand resting on your leg. The boys ordered two bottles of vodka for starters.

“Alright, alright, let's drink," Max grinned, holding up his glass. You sipped on yours lightly, feeling your head already getting dizzy. It made your mind go quiet, a rare sensation for you. Lando was a little more active, talking loudly as Max told his stories from back in the UK. Sasha was on her phone, uploading photos of the four of you to her Instagram story.

“When does your boyfriend arrive?” you yelled through the music to your best friend.

“I think he said in like an hour or something,” she shrugged, finishing the vodka in her glass. “He better hurry, he’s missing out!”

“The table is under Lando’s name,” you reminded her. “Tell him to call if he's close by so he can go and get him, otherwise the bouncers won't believe he's with us.”

“Sure, I will,” Sasha grinned as she stood up. “I need to go to the ladies room. Wanna come with me?”

Sasha held out her hand to you, and you took it. Given that Lando reserved a table at the VIP section on the balcony, there weren't many people up there. The main dancefloor downstairs was shared with the non-VIP guests, but there was a smaller one up where you were seated.

When you appeared again, you were talking to another girl with Sasha by your side. As you sat back, he wrapped his arms around you, leaning over to talk to you through the music. “You alright?”

You just smirked and shrugged. Lando glanced at Sasha, who had a mischievous look glimmering in her eyes. He sighed and shook his head, downing the rest of his vodka. “Another round?” he asked.

One drink led to another and soon you were dancing. At first on the VIP floor, but then you decided to walk into the non-VIP crowd downstairs. An hour later Sasha’s boyfriend arrived, so Lando went to get him. The rest of you decided to get some fresh air by the entrance. On his way out, Lando met a fan, so he talked to her a little before making it to the front gate. Things got a little weird when she asked him to sign the tiny crop top she was wearing at the moment, but he’s gotten worse requests before. He quickly signed it, posed for a picture and then left.

When Lando returned, he couldn't help but notice how pissed you looked. He gently grabbed you by the hand and pulled you to the side, away from the hustle and bustle in the club.

“What's wrong?” Lando asked, looking at you with slight concern.

“You,” you answered without thinking.

Lando looked taken aback, raising one eyebrow. “Me? Why?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.

“You just keep forgetting you have a fucking girlfriend,” you glared.

Lando stared at you for a second silently, trying to process what you meant. He thought everything was okay, he hadn't done anything wrong... Had he?

“I haven't forgotten anything,” he said, raising his hands in confusion. “What are you on about?”

Lando had a feeling where this conversation was going, and he didn't like it. You were a jealous type in general, but on a daily basis, Lando could handle that pretty well. However, drunk Y/N was something else, and paired with drunk Lando it was a recipe for disaster.

You just stared at him angrily. Lando was getting frustrated. He hated arguing sober and he hated arguing even more so drunk.

“Will you stop being so vague and just spit it out?” he said, running his hand through his curls. “You're jealous, I get it, but what exactly have I done that has upset you?” Lando was genuinely confused. He thought tonight was going relatively well.

“You know exactly what I'm talking about!” you crossed your arms as well. You couldn’t believe he didn’t. That girl was practically showing her boobs into his face!

Lando was getting angry now. He wanted to just be able to enjoy a simple night out with his friends, but you had to turn it into a fight. Not again, he didn't have the energy for this.

“Clearly I don't know, seeing how I'm asking you,” he looked at you, shaking his head. “I haven't even looked at another girl all night long!”

“Oh, great, that's even better. So, you don't even know what my problem is,” you mumbled to yourself, but he heard it.

“No, Y/N. I don't.” Lando was getting tired of this now. "Please enlighten me," he leaned back on the wall behind him, rubbing his forehead.

“No,” you turned away. “I won't make a fool of myself.”

Lando rolled his eyes. He was beginning to wonder why he even tolerated this. He loved you deeply and you were a great girlfriend most of the time, but the jealous fights were draining him.

“Fine. I'm going back inside. See ya,” Lando shrugged and started walking back to the VIP section, where some of the others headed back already. Sasha was waiting for you a few steps away, so you would be fine with her.

Most of the time it was better to let you cool off a little before talking, but not when you were drunk. Him walking away was the cherry on top for you. You were so hurt and so triggered that you started crying. Sasha was now at your side, holding you close.

Lando found Max, who was sitting inside. He peeked out the window curiously when he saw that Lando returned alone and fuming.

“What's wrong with Y/N? Why is she crying?” Max frowned.

Lando rubbed his face and shook his head. “We were just talking and out of nowhere, she starts yelling at me. Apparently I'm neglecting her or something, I have no idea. She won't talk to me, so I came back here. You know how she gets when she's drunk.”

Max leaned a little closer. As he was the only person that Lando told pretty much everything to. He has heard a lot about this type of issue as well, and he was on Lando’s side. He liked you, but it always pissed him off how you could hurt his best friend by your insecure behaviour sometimes.

“Mate, why on earth are you tolerating this from her?” he asked, frowning.

Lando sighed. “She's my girlfriend. I love her. I know she loves me, too, she can just be a bit immature and a little controlling.” He took another sip of his vodka. “I know I shouldn't even be entertaining this behaviour but what the hell am I supposed to do?”

“I don't know, man,” Max shook his head. “My girlfriend can be jealous too, but she never throws a fit.”

“Yeah, cause she is reasonable. I'm a little jealous sometimes, too, I just don't show it. She really doesn't understand that sometimes I'm just working too hard, not neglecting her on purpose. She's very dependent on me,” Lando glanced back to the window, sighing deeply. “I’m not sure that is her problem right now though. I don’t know. I’ve tried to ask.”

Max just hummed.

Lando downed the last of his vodka. “I'll go back and talk to her. Wish me luck.” He stood up and headed for the exit, bracing himself for another fight.

As Lando approached the outside area, he saw you sitting on the ground, tears streaming down your face. You looked up at Lando as he sat down beside you. You didn’t expect him to come back. Whenever things got like this, you were sure he was done with you.

“Hey, baby.” He gently brushed the hair out of your face and took your hand. It was an automatic response to try and comfort you.

“What?” you scoffed in tears.

Sasha stepped further away to give you some space.

“Look, come here,” Lando wrapped an arm around you and gave you a soft hug, pressing a light kiss to your temple. “I hate seeing you like this. Talk to me, please? What have I done?”

“Do you even care? You walked away,” you cried.

Lando was getting frustrated again. He hated seeing you upset, but you weren't giving him anything to work with. “What was I supposed to do? If someone starts yelling at you and refuses to explain why, what am I supposed to do? You need to give me something here, darling,” Lando said. “I can't read your mind.”

“I'm not asking you to read my mind! It should be obvious by now, you shouldn't need mindreading,” you retorted. Him still talking to fans who stepped over a certain boundary was nothing new in your relationship.

“Well, it isn't obvious,” Lando raised his voice a little. “What is it? Do you think I'm paying more attention to my career than to you? Am I spending too much time with other girls? Am I not giving you enough affection?” He was just guessing and hoping that he would get it right. He couldn't stand this any longer.

“Those are only my problems in general,” you pouted.

Lando was at a loss. He shook his head and sighed. “Alright, I give up. You won’t tell me, but you won't stop crying? What do you want me to do to help? I can't fix your problems if you don't tell me what the problem is.”

“I want you to apologize!” you wiped your cheeks.

“Apologize?” Lando sighed. He took a few moments to gather his thoughts before looking deeply into your eyes. “All right, I apologize. I'm sorry. Is that what you wanted me to say? Can you stop crying now?”

“No because you weren't serious. You still don't know what you've done,” you shook your head.

You were really testing his patience now. Lando was tired, you were both drunk, and he just wanted to enjoy the rest of the night, but here you were, fighting again. “What do you want from me, Y/N? Seriously. I don't know what's wrong, I've tried asking, but you won't tell me,” he said, staring at you with frustrated eyes.

“Why did you keep talking to that girl?!” you finally blurted out.

Lando frowned. Which girl? He didn’t remember talking to any girls besides Sasha and Max’s girlfriend. Oh, and that fan he met while getting Sasha’s boyfriend. Lando sighed deeply, his heart sinking. Why couldn't he just have one night out in peace? He took a deep breath to calm himself down before responding to your accusation. “Y/N, I'm a Formula One driver, I talk to a lot of people,” he tried eventually. “Are you talking about the one that came up to me? Cause talking to fans is literally part of my job. It’s in my contract.”

“But you’re off season!” you retorted.

“Does it matter? If a fan wants to talk to me, I can't just tell them to piss off. Or do you want me to be rude?” he asked. He was slowly getting worked up again. It wasn’t just that arguing about this was ridiculous, but also that your heavy feelings always touched him somehow. Even when he didn’t want to be affected.

“I don’t want you to be rude. I want you to spend your time with us, with me,” you sniffled. “Fans get so much of your attention during the season. Just send them away, you’re on a holiday.”

“That would be rude,” he answered immediately. “Besides, what's the big deal? I was just talking, I was not hitting on her. We shared like two sentences. Why do you want to fight with me so bad?”

“I’m not trying to fight you, but you were talking to a girl who was obviously flirting with you! You just don’t see it anymore because everyone loves you so much,” you cried. You were terrified of losing him because he found someone better. There were plenty of girls trying their ways all the time, just like this one.

Lando shook his head, clearly getting more impatient and frustrated with the conversation. “Okay, let's say she was flirting with me. So what? This is ridiculous, Y/N. You have no trust in me. You think that any girl I talk to is automatically a threat to our relationship? You know what that screams? Insecurity. I love you, but I can't keep having this conversation every time we go out. You're not being fair to me.”

“I'm not being fair?!” you hiccupped.

Lando clenched his jaw, trying not to lose his temper. “Yes, you're not being fair. How would you feel if I accused you of cheating every time you spoke to another man? That would be unfair, wouldn't it? It's the same for me. Why is it ok then that you assume I'm trying to get with every woman I look at?”

“I didn't say that!” your eyes widened. His anger was scaring you now.

“You don't have to. I can read you like a book. How about I go over every guy you've ever talked to and accuse you of flirting with them, does that sound fair?”

His defensiveness made you also feel like you had to defend yourself. “No, I just mean that you told me the other day that people annoy you because they won't leave you alone even in your time off, yet you are talking to them as if they were your favourites!”

“Y/N, I can't ignore them all the time! They pay their hard-earned money to buy a ticket to a race to cheer for me. I can't just brush them aside and look like an arrogant dickhead,” Lando sighed. “Baby, this is exhausting. Why do you question my loyalty to you every time I'm around another woman? I’ve never given you a reason, and it makes me feel like you don't trust me at all. Trust is the foundation of any relationship, without it, we have nothing.”

Your heart sank. He just said that you have no trust in him. Did he mean that…?

“We have nothing?” you echoed quietly.

Lando felt his heart twist with guilt. He knew your abandonment issues were always there, lingering beneath the surface, and he cursed himself for triggering them in this situation. “No, that's not what I meant. You're twisting my words. We have something special, and I don't want to lose you. But I can't be in a relationship where I feel like I'm constantly being accused of doing something wrong when I'm not. It's not fair to me, Y/N.”

“So you want to leave?” you sobbed out. What did he mean he couldn’t be in a relationship like yours?

Lando's heart sank as he looked at your distraught face. The last thing he wanted was for you to feel abandoned, especially since the history you had with your Mom leaving. He knew how deeply it affected you still to this day. He knew how much it hurt you.

He took a deep breath and spoke softly. “No, Y/N. I don't want to leave. I want us to fix this. I want you to trust me, to see that I love you and I am not going to cheat on you. But we need to find a way to communicate better, to hear each other out.”

You were just crying and crying. Your buttons were obviously pushed, no matter how Lando tried to avoid it. You were so easily hurt when you were drunk.

Lando was feeling completely frustrated and helpless. He didn't know how much more of this he could take. “Are you going to let me hold you and comfort you at least, or are you going to push me away?” he asked softly, his voice a mix of exhaustion and worry.

You glared at him. “You are the one saying that you can’t be in a relationship like this, yet you keep accusing me that I wanna push you away!”

“Because you are!” Lando exclaimed, his frustration beginning to boil over. “You're being so passive-aggressive! You won't tell me what's wrong, but you cry and push me away when I try to comfort you. What am I supposed to do, Y/N?”

“I don't know!” you snapped back. “I'm sorry that it's so hard to love me, okay? But I never forced you to date me! I know it is hard to deal with me, I know that I have so many problems, you don’t have to keep rubbing it in.”

Lando sighed. “Y/N, it's not hard to love you. It's hard when you don't communicate with me. You can't just expect me to read your mind and know what you want from me, I can't do that.” He was trying to convey his feelings as clearly and as gently as possible, but deep down, he felt a growing sense of helplessness. He didn't want this to turn into another explosive argument. “Can we please just talk about this without yelling? Please?”

“I'm not yelling!” you yelled.

“Yes, you are yelling,” he replied firmly, trying to maintain a calm demeanour. “I am trying here, Y/N. I am trying to talk to you, to understand what is going on with you. But you're shouting at me, and it's not helping. Can you tone it down, please?”

At first you wanted to yell back to defend yourself, but then his words finally sank in. You took a shuddering breath and nodded.

“Thank you,” Lando allowed himself a small smile. “I love you, okay?”

You nodded silently.

“Do you love me?” he asked.

You nodded again.

“Great. Then we will work this out, yeah? Maybe not tonight,” he quickly glanced at his watch. “It’s past midnight anyway. We’ll go back inside, enjoy the rest of the time here, then we’ll take a cab and go home. Max and his girlfriend are planning to go on a date tomorrow, so we’ll have the house for ourselves to talk. It will be alright.”

You sniffled and wiped your face. Lando pulled you close, and you finally allowed him. Miscommunication was a common root of argument in your relationship, you knew it. Thinking back now that you weren’t in fear of him leaving you, you could’ve just told him what hurt you right away.

Lando held you for a minute before he took your hand and started leading you back inside. If one thing was for sure, it was that waterproof mascara was a godsent product in your rollercoaster of a life.

#lando norris #lando x reader #lando x you #lando x y/n #lando norris x reader #f1 x reader

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angelsglitch · 25 days ago

Text

ITS NOT LIKE I LIKE U

mean!reader x loser!ellie highschool au

summary: youre popular and it's safe to say you dont want losers like ellie coming to the best party of the year. but maybe the reason you dont want her there isnt the reason you would expect.

warnings: swearing, drug use

lowercase intended

pink - you

green - ellie

blue - other characters

one - see u saturday two - my little loser three - knew you hadn’t changed

you stumble over to where ellie is sitting, clearly intoxicated

“well, well, if it isn't little miss perfect. what’re you doing all alone over here?”

ellie looks up at you with a mix of annoyance and frustration, trying to maintain her composure

“shouldn’t i be calling you that…. and i'm not alone. jesse's just... getting a drink.”

“right.” you laugh then walk off.

elie lets out a sigh of relief as you walk away, but her moment of peace is short-lived. the party is getting more chaotic by the second, and she feels trapped in this situation

she walks out into the garden and takes a deep breath of fresh air, grateful for the quietness of the garden. she pulls out her phone and starts texting jesse

| ellie: i'm outside in amy’s garden. way too loud in there. come find me when you're done?

jesse responds quickly

| jesse: yeah man i'll be there in a minute jst tryna get away from this girl too lol being annoying as usual

a few minutes later, jesse finds ellie in the garden and sees her sat on a bench

“you good? saw you sneak out here before” he says

ellie nods, still looking a bit stressed. “yeah, I just needed some space. that girl is relentless.”

he sits down next to her “yeah, she gets like that. but you shouldn't let her get to you. she’s just jealous of how smart you are.”

ellie snorts “jealous? of me? that's a first.”

jesse grins “seriously man, you're way cooler than her. and all of them — you just don't see it.”

ellie rolls her eyes, but a small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth “whatever you say, jesse. let's just chill out here for a bit longer. i really don't want to deal with her ass again tonight.”

“alright, i’ll go find dina then i’ll be back” he says disappearing back inside

ellie watches him go, then leans back against the bench, staring up at the stars

“finally, some peace and quiet." she says to herself, however she jinxed it as you walk out into the garden.

ellie notices you and tenses up again, her shoulders stiffening as she pretends to be engrossed in her phone

“ohhh my god what a loser” you laugh to yourself slurring your words in the process.

ellie’s face flushes red with anger and embarrassment, but she keeps her voice steady "leave me alone bro. i’m not in the mood for your bullshit."

“why should i? i didn’t fucking want you to come anyways” you snap back

ellie stands up, finally facing you head-on “bro what the fuck is your problem with me?”

“i just don’t fucking like you!” you spit

ellie laughs bitterly "yeah, i got that loud and clear. but you know what? i don't like you either. you're just a shallow, fucking judgmental person who thinks being popular makes you better than everyone else."

“i’m not-! i just can’t- just forget it” you stutter trying not to say the wrong thing

ellie crosses her arms, looking at you with a mix of irritation and curiosity "can't what? can't handle someone who's not like you? someone who actually has interests and doesn't care about being liked by everyone?"

“you think i haven’t tried to fucking like you?”

ellie raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised by your outburst "what are you talking about? you've made it pretty clear you hate me from the moment we met."

“you just don’t get it and you never will so just… stop” you sigh

ellie scoffs

“no, i don't get it. you come here and start shit, then say you tried to like me? that's rich."

“seriously fucking just stop you’re gonna get shit out of me that i don’t wanna say”

ellie takes a step closer, her expression softening slightly “fine, i'll stop. but you know what? you're the one who keeps coming back to bother me. maybe you should figure out why that is before you start throwing insults around."

“because..” you trail off, too drunk to collect your thoughts

ellie waits, her eyes searching yours for an answer “because what? spit it out."

“because i fucking like girls” you let out a breathy scoff to yourself “and im in denial… but i know, deep down, but i cant-i have a reputation and i just can’t.”

ellie's eyes widen in surprise, her expression shifting from anger to shock “you... what? you like girls? that’s why you’ve been so shitty to me”

“i’ve always liked you I just- couldn’t let myself… so i tried to hate you and i was a bitch. i admit that”

ellie takes a step back, processing this information “wait, you've liked me this whole time? and you thought the best way to handle it was to bully me to push down your feelings?"

“what else could i do?! i couldn’t let anyone find out! everyone would see me differently, especially because you’re…. you”

she looks hurt and frustrated “so you decided to make my life hell instead of just talking to me like a normal person? you know, i thought you were just some typical homophobic bully. but now I see it's just your own internalized issues."

you stand there at a loss for words

ellie crosses her arms again, her voice firm but not unkind “you need to figure your shit out. you can't keep pretending to be someone you're not. and you definitely can't keep taking it out on me."

you sigh “im sorry okay? so there’s your answer.”

ellie sighs deeply, running a hand through her messy hair "sorry isn't enough. you need to stop being a coward and be honest with yourself and others. it's not fair to anyone, especially me."

you throw your hands up in the air in frustration “oh god i don’t even know why i told you.”

ellie looks at you with a mix of sympathy and frustration “maybe because deep down, you know you can trust me. but trust doesn't just magically fix everything, you still have to make things right.”

“i swear to god if you tell anyone about this you better count your days and count them well”

ellie’s expression hardens again “don't threaten me. and i won't tell anyone, but only because it's not my secret to share. but trust me, i can handle whatever you throw at me."

you sigh again “i just don’t know what to do.”

ellie softens slightly, seeing your genuine distress “you need to start by being honest with yourself. and maybe stop being such a jerk to people who don't deserve it.”

your expression falters and you look at her looking genuinely apologetic “im sorry, i really am. i just thought it was easier for me to not think of you in a romantic way if i just filled my head with bad thoughts about you.”

ellie shakes her head, a small smirk playing on her lips "that's the stupidest shit i've ever heard. but i guess i can understand the logic... sort of. you really are an idiot, you know that?"

“yeah, i am”

ellie chuckles softly, the tension between you starting to ease “at least you're self-aware. but seriously, you need to work on your coping mechanisms. they fucking suck.”

“seriously, i just don’t know what to do now. i don’t wanna keep on being mean to you but if i just stop altogether, my friends will think something is up.” you say

ellie considers this for a moment "well, we could start by being civil. maybe not hang out with your friends when they're being assholes to me. and maybe... we could try talking more. like normal people."

“are you serious? really? i can’t be seen speaking to ellie williams of all people.”

ellie rolls her eyes “oh please, like i care about your social status. i'm not asking you to be my best friend or anything. just... not treat me like shit anymore."

“ill think about it” you joke playfully

ellie rolls her eyes again, but there's a hint of a smile on her face "yeah, yeah. don't strain yourself too hard thinking, princess."

“you know you’re actually not that bad as ive conditioned myself to think” you admit

ellie smirks “and you're not as much of a bitch as i thought. who would've guessed?"

“oh ha ha”

ellie laughs genuinely this time "just admit it, you like speaking to me."

“maybe. or maybe my true feelings are coming out from the deep depths of shadows” you laugh

ellie raises an eyebrow, clearly amused and bursts into laughter "oh lord you're such a weirdo. but hey, if you can stop being a dick, maybe we can be friends."

“bro friends? i’m trying to not like you not fall in love with you”

ellie's expression shifts to one of surprise and slight disbelief "wow, you're really laying it all out there today, aren't you? you can't just say stuff like that and expect me to react normally."

“i’m drunk. i really don’t care what i say.”

ellie crosses her arms, looking skeptical "drunk or not, you should still watch what comes out of your mouth. especially when it's about your feelings for me."

“why” you say confused

ellie steps closer, her voice lowering “because it complicates things. you're supposed to be my bully, not someone who's secretly into me. it's confusing and messy.”

“fair enough” you shrug

she studies your face, trying to gauge your sincerity

“so, what happens now? you just go back to being the popular pretentious bitch and pretend this conversation never happened?”

“well, i don’t know. i’m sure you heard the talk of the school that me and mason broke up and i don’t know what to do about it because he wants to get back together, but i don’t like him. i don’t know if i like boys at all.”

ellie's expression softens slightly, showing a hint of concern "yeah, i heard. and honestly, it sounds like you need to figure out your own feelings before you worry about mason. you don't have to rush into anything."

“i’m sorry for like telling you my feelings about you and shit”

ellie shrugs

"it's fine. i mean, it's not like you planned to confess your feelings while drunk. just... maybe next time you're feeling confused, talk to someone who's actually a friend."

“thank you” hug her but she doesn’t push you off

she stiffens slightly at first, clearly surprised by the hug, but then relaxes and awkwardly pats your back

"yeah, don't mention it. and maybe lay off the alcohol for a bit."

“it’s cold, do you wanna talk inside?” you suggest while rubbing your arms

ellie glances at the house, then back at you “sure, why not. i could use a break from the cold anyway."

ellie follows you, looking around curiously as you walk upstairs and enter the guest room

"so, what's the plan? are we just going to sit here and avoid the real world for a while?"

“i mean sure, i don’t mind”

ellie plops down on the bed, making herself comfortable "cool. i could use a break from studying anyway. and honestly, i'm curious about why you're suddenly being nice to me."

“well i did just fucking confess my feelings” you say, confused about her obliviousness

ellie laughs softly "yeah, that is true but that doesn't mean you have to be nice. you could still go back to being your usual self tomorrow."

“fair… do you think it was obvious?”

she looks at you

“y’know that i liked you or was i too much of a bitch for you to tell”

ellie thinks for a moment, fiddling with a loose thread on her shirt "i mean, i had my suspicions at first. the way you would always target me specifically, the insults that seemed a bit too personal... it made me wonder if there was something more behind it."

“oh.”

ellie smirks again "yeah, 'oh' is right. you weren't exactly subtle about it"

“did you ever feel any type of way back..?”

ellie hesitates, avoiding eye contact “i... don't know. maybe a little confused? i mean, i never expected the girl who made my life hell to suddenly have feelings for me.”

ellie notices your silence and looks at you "what? you can't just ask me that and then not say anything."

“i just don’t know what to say.”

ellie sighs and leans back against the wall "well, maybe you should start by explaining why you even liked me in the first place. i mean, we're literally complete opposites."

“i don’t know, you’re pretty, your smart, you have friends that like you…”

ellie chuckles slightly at the compliment

“pretty? that's a new one. and yeah, i have friends, but they're not exactly popular like yours.”

“yeah.”

ellie looks at you intently

“i really didn’t plan on telling you this”

ellie laughs again, shaking her head "i know you didn't. but now that you did, we're stuck in this weird situation where you have feelings for me and i'm just... confused."

“yeah” you walk over to the bed and sit next to her

ellie tenses up slightly as you sit close to her, the bed adjusting to the new weight

"you're really not making this any easier you know”

“what?”

elie looks at you, her expression a mix of annoyance and curiosity "trying to figure out what to do about all this. you're sitting here, being nice to me, telling me you have feelings for me, and i don't know how to react."

“right”

ellie runs a hand through her messy hair, clearly frustrated

“and it's not like i can just forget everything you've done. the bullying, the insults... it's hard to just move past that.”

“i’m not saying you have to like me back ellie”

ellie looks at you, her expression softening slightly "i know you're not. but you're still expecting something from me, aren't you? some kind of reaction or response?"

“well yeah i guess, but i im not expecting anything i mean i made your life shit for ages” you reply back to her as she glances down at your lips as you talk

ellie quickly looks away, trying to hide the fact that she was staring at your lips "you're right about one thing. you've been a real fucking pain in my ass”

“i know i get it” you say as the two of you hold eye contact

ellie's breath hitches slightly as she maintains eye contact, her heart racing. the tension in the room is palpable.

"then why are you still here? why do you even care about how i feel?"

“i’ve already told you, i get it’s hard to understand, it’s confusing for me too.”

ellie swallows hard, her gaze flickering between your eyes and lips again

"yeah, it really is. you're a walking contradiction, you know that? one minute you're being a total jerk, and the next you're confessing your feelings."

“i know, i know” you say looking down at her hands avoiding her stare

ellie notices your gaze and instinctively pulls her hands away, crossing her arms defensively "stop looking at me like that."

“like what?” you say, genuinely oblivious

ellie huffs, clearly flustered

"like you want something from me. like you're waiting for me to do something."

“i said nothing, and the fact you brought it up seems like you want to do something.”

ellie rolls her eyes, but there's a hint of a smile on her face "you're infuriating, you know that? always finding a way to twist my words."

“i’m just kidding, unless? joking.”

ellie lightly shoves your shoulder, a small laugh escaping her lips

"oh, shut up. i'm not doing anything with you."

“your loss.” you shrug as you lean back on the bed

ellie watches you lie down, her eyes lingering on your relaxed form for a moment before she shakes her head

"you're actually so full of yourself. just because you're hot and popular doesn't mean i'm going to fall for your charms."

“oh so you think im hot?” you say turning to face her fully.

ellie face turns bright red as she realizes her slip-up "i- bro- i didn't say that- i just meant… oh you’re so fucking annoying”

“aw” you mock her and pull a fake sad expression

ellie covers her face with her hands, clearly embarrassed "stop being so smug. it's not cute."

“you’re cute”

ellie peeks at you through her fingers, her cheeks still flushed

"i hate you."

“i hate you too.”

jesse pushes through the crowd of everyone in the kitchen and walks up to dina.

“hey d, you seen ellie anywhere?”

“ohh, no she’s not in here or in the garden, maybe check out front or upstairs, we’ll look in abit” she says to him taking a sip of her drink as she dances.

“alright we’ll check for her soon” he replied as he places a kiss on her mouth.

ellie hesitates for a moment before lying down next to you, keeping a small distance between you

"this doesn't mean anything, okay? i'm just tired of arguing."

“yeah, i know… me too.” you let out a breathy sigh

ellie stares up at the ceiling, trying to ignore the fact that your shoulder is almost touching hers

"you're really testing my patience here man.”

“could say the same to you”

ellie looks at you with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity "what do you mean by that?"

“im kidding” you say nudging her shoulder

ellie groans in frustration "you're such a tease. i don't know if i should punch you or kiss you."

“oh?”

ellie's eyes widen at her own words, realizing what she just said

"i- like bro i didn’t even say that. i didn’t mean it like- i'm just tipsy and saying stupid things."

“so why don’t you?”

she freezes, her heart pounding in her chest*

"why don't i what?"

“the second option.”

ellie's breath hitches as she looks at you, her eyes flickering to your lips again

“you’re fucking kidding me”

“am i?”

ellie swallows hard, her resolve weakening "yeah actually, yes, you are. and i should be smarter than this, but... i can't help myself."

ellie leans in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper

"you're really going to make me do this shit, aren't you?"

“hm?” you tilt your head slightly

she leans in and kisses you passionately, her hands gripping your shirt as she pulls you closer. the kiss is filled with pent-up frustration and desire.

ellie breaks the kiss for a moment, breathing heavily

"i hate you for this."

“i hate you more.��

you lean back in ellie kisses you back fiercely, her fingers tangling in your hair as she deepens the kiss. her body presses against yours, seeking more contact.

suddenly dina walks in as she’s looking for ellie and you both jump away from eachother quickly

ellie quickly runs a hand through her messy hair, trying to compose herself as dina stands in the doorway with a smirk on her face.

"well, well, well. what do we have here?" dina scoffs

“what.”

dina leans against the doorframe, crossing her arms

"don't 'what' me. i saw you two. i'm not blind."

“what’s happening is someone fucking?” one of the school jocks, logan says peering through the door

ellie's face turns bright red again, mortified at being caught by not just dina, but also logan

"looks like the nerd finally got lucky." he says

“and with little miss queen bee? noooo wayyyyy! and after mason? hashtag downgrade!” he chuckles to himself as he snaps a pic of us, finding himself hilarious.

ellie shoots him a glare "shut up, logan. fuck off."

logan chuckles and walks away, leaving dina still standing there with a knowing look on her face

"you know this is going to be the talk of the school now right?

ellie groans and puts her head in her hands

"i'm never going to live this down. i can already hear the whispers."

“how about you just drive me home?” you change the subject, forcing a smile.

ellie looks up at you, grateful for the distraction "yeah, that sounds like a good idea. let's get out of here before anyone else shows up."

“good plan.” the two of youwalk down the stairs through the kitchen and leave amys house, then get into ellie’s car.

ellie starts the car and pulls out of amy’s driveway, her knuckles white as she grips the steering wheel tightly

"i can't believe this is happening. why did i let myself get caught up in this?"

“to be honest i think we would have been fine if logan and dina didn’t see” you say trying to look on the bright side to a situation that has no bright side

ellie glances at you, her expression a mix of frustration and annoyance

"yeah, but they did see. and now everyone's going to know. it's just... embarrassing."

“dina won’t tell anyone, but logan… i don’t know, he’s like masons best friend”

ellie's grip on the wheel tightens even more at the mention of mason

"yeah mason is the last person i want to know about this. he'll never let me hear the end of it."

“how do you think i feel he’s like the most crazy ex ever!”

ellie lets out a humorless laugh

"right, i forgot about that. he's obsessed with you. this is going to be even worse for you than it is for me."

“exactly and like y’know.”

ellie nods, understanding the gravity of the situation

"yeah, he's going to flip out. he's already threatened me once for even talking to you."

“i don’t think people would even believe logan though, like me with you.”

ellie glances at you again, her expression softening slightly "maybe not. but he'll still try to start rumors. and you know how fast they spread in this school."

“it’s fine, i don’t even care anymore.” you sigh

ellie lets out a small sigh following yours, her shoulders relaxing a bit

"you're surprisingly calm about this. i'm still freaking out here."

“i think if i lose my friends for yknow making out with a nerd then they’re obviously not my friends, y’know?”

ellie smiles slightly, touched by your words

"i appreciate that, angel. but i don't want to cause any problems for you. you have a reputation to maintain."

“it’s fine ellie, really, i feel speaking about it tonight kinda changed my thoughts on things, y’know.”

ellie pulls up to your house and parks the car

"i guess i did have some things to say. but i didn't expect them to affect you so much."

“thanks for driving me” you say giving her a genuine smile.

ellie turns to face you, her expression serious

"anytime. and if you ever need to talk again... i'm here."

“i- okay.” you say giving her a quick kiss on the lips

ellie blushes again, caught off guard by the kiss

"see you tomorrow, princess."

“see you at school nerd.”

ellie watches as you get out of the car and head inside. she sits there for a moment, processing everything that just happened before driving away.

ellie walks into the school hallway, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. she can already hear whispers and see people pointing and staring at her. maybe not that dramatic, but it definitely felt that way.

ellie tries to act casual as she walks into class andtakes her seat next to you, but she can't help but notice the looks from her classmates. she whispers to you

"i think everyone knows."

“yep. same” you say quietly

the teacher looks at the two of you

“girls stop talking.”

ellie quickly shuts up and faces forward, her cheeks still slightly pink. she glances at you out of the corner of her eye, silently communicating her discomfort.

“awww love birds” one of the boys on the basketball team speaks out

ellie tenses up at the comment, her hands gripping her pencil tightly. she shoots a glare at the basketball player.

“shut the fuck up, jake."

you pull your phone out under the desk to message ellie

| you: everyone knows and ive fell out with pretty much all my friends because of it ;-;

ellie's phone buzzes and she discreetly checks it, her heart sinking as she reads your message. she types back quickly.

| ellie: sorry to hear that like genuinely. this is all my fault

| you: it’s okay, i have u right? my little loser”

ellie can't help but smile at your message, despite the situation. she types back with a hint of sarcasm.

| ellie: wow thanks for the pep talk. i feel so much better now."

| you: but seriously, it’s good. im sure masons mad, haven’t seen him yet today

ellie glances around the room nervously, half-expecting Mason to burst in at any moment.

| ellie: yeahh i’m sure he's seething. he's probably planning some dramatic confrontation.

| you: we can talk about it behind school later, me and u

ellie nods slightly, understanding your plan.

| ellie: okay sounds good. i'll meet u there after class

ellie takes a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

| you: its gonna be okay

| ellie: "I hope so. but I trust u. srsly

you give her a small smile as you glance over to her, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation for your meeting later.

| you: speak to u later see u there loser

divider creds: @uzmacchiato

#ellie williams #ellie x fem reader #ellie the last of us #ellie willams x reader #ellie x reader #tlou fanfiction #ellie tlou #high school #tlou au #ellie x you

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sunsetmaneuver · 2 months ago

Text

yearn, baby, yearn - bradley bradshaw x reader

omg hello! my first ever post on here! hooray! no better way to start off than with a little yearning. i haven't written for a fandom in so long, so forgive me if i seem a little rusty! trust, i'll get back into my groove soon lol. lmk what you think, i hope you enjoy <3 requests always open!!

length: 2.3k words

warnings: swearing, beginning stages of a panic attack, probably some grammar mistakes lol, pining and yearning

You know when you have a secret you've been keeping for so long, it starts to eat away at your insides? Starts to physically hurt to force it down? I am usually a very inconspicuous secret keeper; I have been all my life. But for some reason, this one crawls up my throat and begs to spill every single time he's near me.

His mahogany eyes boring into me whenever we're together, the way his laugh coats every fibre of my soul and tugs on my heart, that cocky little grin that's somehow always present on his face. All of it, all of him, makes it damn near impossible to keep it to myself. Bradley Bradshaw is, in the simplest, yet somehow most incredibly complex way, everything to me. But I can't shake the feeling that to him, I'm just his best friend; someone he met some odd years ago at a bar, both of us far too intoxicated for a casual Tuesday night. I can still remember the hangover and text messages that came the following morning. From that day forward, our friendship solidified and blossomed into something I never could have anticipated. How could someone be in love with their best friend without risking blowing up years of friendship if it ends badly?

I glance over at the clock on my bedside table for what feels like the hundredth time tonight, "2:47 AM" burning back at me in a bright red glow. I've been tossing and turning for almost four hours, reeling over every interaction I could recall having with Bradley, the most recent being the casual dinner we shared last week at his apartment. Sharing a meal together isn't unusual for us, but thinking about it makes my skin burn with frustration and lust I had no business feeling.

"What are we watching tonight?" Bradley asks as he shuts his apartment door, a box of pizza balanced on his arms. He sets it down on the coffee table and moves into the kitchen, grabbing plates and napkins. I can't help but take note of how his shirt lifts up ever so slightly, tanned abs peeking out at me, as he grabs the plates from the cabinet. I will myself to pull my eyes away from him and turn my attention back to the TV screen.

"I don't know, there's nothing good," I mumble, flipping through movies on Hulu with my legs tucked up underneath me. Bradley reemerges from the kitchen rather quickly, setting the plates on the table and plopping down next to me, lazily draping an arm over the back of the couch. The action is so casual, so instinctive, like he's been doing it all his life. My breath catches in my lungs. Suddenly very aware of our position, I clear my throat and click on whatever movie the remote has landed on. The large man next to me lets out a soft chuckle, his knee bumping mine ever so slightly.

"Gnomeo and Juliet?" He doesn't even try to hide his teasing tone or the way his eyes flick from my eyes down to my lips for a fraction of a second. I roll my eyes and lean forward to take a slice of pizza from the box-- green peppers and olives, my favorite for reasons Bradley "just didn't understand". But he always got it anyway, and always ate it with minimal complaints.

The night went smoothly, the occasional laugh coming from Bradley, our plates long discarded and swapped out with a couple of bottles of beer. Sleep tugged at my eyelids, and, eventually, my head found Bradley's shoulder. He let me sleep pressed against him, a protective arm around me, drawing circles on my shoulder, until the movie was over. Then he dropped me back off at home, and I spiraled.

Groaning a quiet "fuck this", I shove my comforter off me and swing my legs over the edge of my bed, hastily putting on the slippers that sit in a neat pair beneath me. Throwing my glasses on, I stride to my house robe, draping it over my pajamas, which consist of one of Bradley's old Navy t-shirts and a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants. I don't bother brushing my hair, but obviously, my appearance is the last thing on my mind. The only thing I can think of is Bradley, and Bradley's stupid mustache, and Bradley's stupid smile, and Bradley's stupid lips. Bradley's stupid lips on mine.

It's like I'm on autopilot -- swiping my keys up from the bowl by the front door, barreling towards my car before climbing in and driving East. I don't even bother to turn on the radio; the only sounds swirling around me are my thoughts, my unsteady breaths, and the bumpy road under my tires. After 15 minutes of driving, I pull up behind that all-too familiar beat-up, blue Bronco I've watched and waited by my window for countless times over the years.

"What the fuck am I doing?" I whisper into the air, but I don't stop myself. Unbuckling my seatbelt and slamming my car door shut, my body starts to tingle, starting in my feet, inching to my fingertips, and finally reaching my face. I'm on fire but ice cold at the same time. The feeling of wood beneath my knuckles suddenly pulls me back down to earth. It doesn't take long for Bradley to appear at the door, confusion and sleep settled deep on his face as he all but pulls the door off its hinges. The chain lock, thankfully, prevents him from losing his security deposit.

"It's fuckin' 3 o'clock in the morning--" Bradley grumbles, eyes barely open as he squints at me through the cracked door. It must register with him that it's me in front of him, because his confusion only seems to grow. His hands come up to rub the sleep from his eyes.

I can't breathe.

"I have something to tell you." I blurt out. My voice sounds foreign, straining to get the words out, garbled and distorted. It feels like I'm watching myself from outside my body, standing at my best friend's apartment door, spewing nonsense at three in the morning. Bradley's eyebrows pull closer as he shuts the door, unlocks it properly, and opens it fully, revealing his nearly naked appearance. A pair of black sweatpants hang loosely on his hips, like he had just thrown them on in a haste to answer the door. I try not to stare too long at his abs, or his biceps, or the hair on his stomach that trails down to his--

"What is it? Are you okay?" His tone dances on the line drawn between sounding concerned and sounding annoyed, but his eyes soften at me. I can't feel my fingers or my nose, and my teeth feel like TV static. I nod my head slowly, sneaking a glance at my hands to make sure they're still there. I look back up at Bradley and clench my fists, trying to feel my nails dig into my palms. He steps aside to let me walk through his doorway, gesturing for me to come in, but I don't move. My feet stay firmly planted on the carpeted hallway of his apartment complex.

Here goes nothing.

"I'm not good at this," I begin.

"Good at what?" He yawns.

"Two years ago, when your favorite mug went missing from your cabinet for a few days-- that was me. I accidentally dropped it while you were in the shower one day, so I bagged up the pieces and shoved them in my purse."

The mug, as ugly as it was, meant a lot to Bradley. Bought at a rest stop in Missouri with his mother, Carole, almost two decades ago. The faded words "There's no place like home" encased within the dark outline of Missouri's state borders on one side, and a huge cornfield on the other. A small chip in the handle. Ugly little thing. He told me the story every time he drank out of it, how his mother had spotted it on a road trip and laughed until tears came out of her eyes, thinking it was the funniest, ugliest thing she'd ever seen. It was the hardest she had laughed since his father died.

Carole Bradshaw has been gone for some years now, so Bradley drinks his morning coffee in that mug every day and replays that memory, hoping to remember her laugh forever. I never miss the way Bradley's cheeks and nose burn a deep crimson while telling that story, or how he grows quiet for the next fifteen minutes after he's finished.

"Okay..?" His brows shoot up, puzzled and a little annoyed. I silently curse my brain for deciding to have this epiphany at the ass crack of dawn. My tongue darts out over my lips, and I continue.

"I felt so awful, I called out of work that whole week, and I drove there. To Missouri."

My hands shake by my sides as I finally get the courage to walk forward into his apartment. I start to pace as he shuts the door, leaning his back up against it with arms crossed over his chest. His eyes burn with something I can't name, and his lips part. I take his silence as a cue to continue.

"I went to nearly every rest stop until I found it, that ugly fucking mug that you love so much--"

"Wait. Slow down. You-- You drove to Missouri?" Bradley's voice rasps, full of shock and bewilderment. I can't stop the word vomit that's about to escape, back turned away from my best friend. I pace and pace and pace before turning back around to face him.

"And when I got back home, I chipped the handle as best as I could to match the original. Then I came here while you were at training, and I put it in your cabinet. I don't know why I did that. Any of it. Friends don't-- friends don't do things like that. They don't drive 50 hours round trip for a stupid coffee mug, and that scares me because I don't know why every time I'm around you, I want to do things like that for you, and I just want to make sure you're happy all the time and I know I sound crazy and I don’t know what’s wrong with m--"

Bradley pushes off of the door and stops in front of me, hands dipping to gently cup my face up towards him. The moonlight seeps in through his windows, hitting the side of his face in a way that makes his eyes appear lighter than they are. He stares at me as I stand there, chest heaving, trapped by his touch, and a silence washes over us. He’s searching for something on my face, frantic and unknowing. He keeps opening his mouth like he has something to say, but it closes not long after. I’ve never seen him like this before. He was usually so calm and collected, the voice of reason, the confident one. But now, for the first time since I’ve known him, Bradley Bradshaw is speechless.

Biting my lip as tears sting my eyes, I swallow my pride, and, finally, the words that have been on the tip of my tongue for God knows how long tumble out.

"I'm in love with you, Bradley Bradshaw. And it is killing me." Words so quiet, so pathetic, but so certain. He doesn't say anything for a few seconds, and fear rises up in my chest. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe this could've waited until the morning, or until I figured out whatever the hell my problem was.

Just as I'm about to plead with him to say something, anything, he leans down and lets his lips hover over mine, eyes flicking up to meet mine for less than a millisecond before he connects us.

The kiss is tender and genuine, and everything I'd imagined it would be like. We stand there, lips moving in sync and hands exploring, before Bradley pulls away. He rests his forehead against mine and lets out a shaky breath, bringing his hand to rest on my face. I lean into his touch instinctively.

"Do you have any idea how long I've been wanting to do that?" He breathes out, thumb brushing my cheek gently.

"Probably not as long as me," I quip back with a tiny giggle. He exhales a laugh out of his nose as a smile grows on his face, then moves his hands so they're wrapping around my body in a tight hug. My arms find their place around his waist as he begins to rock us back and forth softly.

"I love you, too." This has me pulling away again so I can see his face in all of its bashful glory. Even in the darkness of the living room, I can make out the flaming pink blush on his cheeks. I grin wildly at him before pulling him down by the neck and catching his lips again.

"You know, I should've known," I mumble against him.

"Oh really?" He muses back playfully, hands sliding down my back, eager to roam.

"Yeah. There's no other reason you'd willingly eat my bizarre pizza." Bradley's laugh breaks our kiss, but I don't mind. The way he's looking at me right now, like I'm the only thing that keeps him tied to this planet, the only thing that matters, is more than enough for me.

"That pizza is truly God awful." And with that, he plants a kiss on my forehead, grabs my hand, and leads me to his room.

We fall asleep shortly thereafter, my body pressed into his side, head on his chest, with an arm draped over his stomach. Bradley draws circles on my shoulder as he holds me close, our legs tangled together under the sheets.

Bradley Bradshaw is everything to me, and I am everything to him. No doubt about it.

#bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #top gun maverick #top gun #bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #tgm x reader #top gun fanfiction #dagger squad #rooster x reader

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liliwritin · 7 months ago

Text

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!" - E.W

- Summary: Y/n appears with a hickey on her neck, Ellie is pissed, and Y/n's breasts are beautiful.

- A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR!! This is really short but I liked it lol

Men, leave our lesbians alone!

"Oh my God, he's so cute!" Y/n says feeling the baby lay on her neck and "bite" with his gums.

"He liked you Y/n." Maria says smiling seeing the baby totally at ease with the young woman.

"Yes, maybe I'll quit patrols and start taking care of the children." Y/n says jokingly.

"Ellie would like that, she goes crazy every time you go out on patrol without her."

"I hate it when she goes on patrol without me too." Y/n says smiling and patting the baby's back.

"By the way, you two can come over for dinner tonight, Joel is coming too."

"Oh, that's awesome Maria, thank you."

"I better get going, Ellie should be home by now, I'll talk to her about dinner." The young woman hands the baby to Maria.

"Be careful on the streets, dear, I'll see you tonight." Y/n smiles and leaves, humming, heading towards her house with Ellie.

"Ellie?" Y/n says taking off her sneakers and placing them next to her girlfriend's converse.

"In the kitchen!" Y/n smiles and goes towards the voice.

"Maria invited us to have dinner with them, Joel is going too." She says arriving in the kitchen, and seeing Ellie with her back turned washing some dishes that were in the sink.

"Really? Do you want-WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!"

"What?! What the hell happened?!" S/n says, already taking out her gun and looking behind her for danger.

"What the fuck is this Y/n?" Ellie says approaching her and looking terrified at her neck.

"What?" Y/n says practically motionless.

"Are you cheating on me?" This makes Y/n's eyes almost pop out of her head.

"Why would you say something like that?!"

"You have a fucking hickey on your neck!"

"What? That's definitely yours Ellie." Y/n says Putting the gun back and with her hand on her neck, going to the bathroom where there is a mirror.

"No, that's not mine, that wasn't there this morning." Ellie says following her girlfriend to the bathroom and almost crying.

Y/n looks at her neck in the mirror, and sees that there really is a hickey there.

"Ellie, I didn't cheat on you, trust me.

"There's a fucking hickey on your neck, how am I supposed to believe it?" Y/n stands there speechless, looking at her neck in the mirror and trying to understand where that came from.

Until suddenly she smells vomit and her eyes widen.

"Ellie... it was the baby!" She says going to her girlfriend and holding her by the shoulders.

"You're fucking crazy." Ellie says in disbelief.

"No, it was the baby I was holding, Maria saw." Y/n says taking off her shirt almost too quickly.

"No no no, if you think seeing your beautiful breasts will make me forget this, you are very wrong-" Ellie is interrupted by her girlfriend putting the shirt on her nose.

"Smell that, it's the smell of baby vomit."

"Are you telling me... that your lover has a baby?" Y/n rolls her eyes and throws her shirt on the floor.

"Fuck Ellie, I was holding a baby and he did this, I swear." Y/n takes her girlfriend's face in her hands and is only inches away from her face.

Ellie analyzes her girlfriend's face looking for any sign of deceit and lies, but finds nothing, she seems desperate to fix this.

"Do you promise?"

"All over Jackson." Y/n responds immediately.

Ellie closed her eyes and sighed,

"What a fucking scare."

"I love you, only you." She pulled Ellie into a kiss, which she returned gratefully.

"Who would have thought a baby would cause all this mess, huh." Ellie said, kissing her girlfriend's cheek and resting her forehead against hers.

"And it's not even ours yet." Ellie smiles wider at that.

"So you wanted to distract me with your beautiful breasts?" She says, placing her hands on Y/m's waist, and moving up to her bra.

"Did it work?" Y/n asks, biting her lips.

"Oh it sure did."

#lesbian #ellie #ellie the last of us #ellie willams x reader #ellie williams #ellie x fem reader #ellie x reader #ellie x you #the last of us

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sourcherryandsprinkles · 2 years ago

Note

can you do a part two to the imagine about conrad bringing his new gf to belly and jeremiah’s wedding??? i’m so curious to see what happens next lol

Request: Can we see more of conrad and his Stanford tutor girlfriend at cousins? Like him showing her around and they run into Nicole and everything. He's just so in love he doesn't notice anything or anyone but her. Maybe we see a family dinner

I had no intentions to, but after the crazy amount of demands for a part 2, I caved in…and here it is

my taglists are here + you can send requests here at any time

—

Conrad didn’t want to deal with everyone’s questions about you right when you got to Cousins, so you snuck out by the beach after dropping your bags in his room. He felt like he was fourteen again, sneaking out to catch the early waves.

Neither of you had swim clothes on, so you just walked along the sandy shoreline while Conrad shared all sorts of little stories about Cousins.

‘’This is where you learned to surf?’’ you asked, gesturing toward the water.

Conrad hummed, his hand holding yours. ‘’And where I got stung by a jellyfish.’’

‘’A jellyfish?’’ you echoed, a touch of concern in your voice. That sounded pretty serious.

‘’Yeah. Steven kept telling Jeremiah that he had to pee on my leg so I wouldn’t need amputation and I did not want that,’’ he recounted with the same disgust as that day. ‘’Never do that, by the way. It can do more harm.’’

You nodded, though you doubted you would ever need that piece of information.

You walked and talked some more, until a playful glint of mischief flashed in Conrad’s eye and he turned to you, lifting you over his shoulder and taking you to the water. A squeak left your lips, caught off guard, and then you instinctively clung to his back, wrapping your arms around his shoulders as he threatened to drop you in the water fully clothed.

‘’If you drop me, I swear I'll—’’

Conrad cut you off with a mischievous grin, his laughter mixing with the soothing sounds of the ocean. ‘’You’ll what?’’ His voice was filled with playful challenge, and he took a few steps deeper into the water.

When you came back to the summer house, Laurel whisked you away and Conrad went looking for Jeremiah. Unfortunately, someone found him first.

‘’I don’t want her here.’’ Belly's voice hissed, her eyes glaring at the one she used to call her’s. ‘’This is my wedding, I get to decide who attends.’’

Conrad knew this wouldn't be easy for her — seeing him with another girl —, but he didn't expect Belly to behave like a child. She made a choice two years ago, she made a choice weeks ago when she decided to marry Jeremiah.

‘’If you want her to leave, I’m leaving too,’’ he replied firmly but calmly. ‘’Good luck explaining to Jeremiah why his brother and best man is not at his wedding.’’

Belly sighed, accepting the lost battle. ‘’Fine. She can stay…’’ It didn’t enchant her, but there was no way she was risking Conrad leaving. Jeremiah was so happy when he got his RSVP response. ‘’Did you bring her here just to spite me?’’ she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.

Conrad couldn't believe her accusation. He took a deep breath, struggling to maintain his composure. ‘’Are you being serious right now? You're getting married, and you still think I came here to get you back? It’s been two years. I moved on, Belly.’’

She met Conrad's gaze with a mixture of frustration and defiance. ‘’I did too. I’m getting married.’’ Belly smiled, the ring on her finger suddenly feeling heavy.

‘’Then why are you so bothered that I’m dating someone else?’’

Belly opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

‘’How can you do this to Jeremiah?!’’

Conrad was exasperated. Him and Jeremiah had tough moments, but he was his little brother and he promised their mom to take care of him. And that included making sure he’s not marrying someone who doesn’t love him the way he deserves.

‘’He's inside, helping Taylor with the center-tables while his fiancé is having a jealousy fit over her ex boyfriend’s new girlfriend. You can’t have everything, Belly. You picked Jeremiah, you made that choice—’’

‘’And you left!’’

‘’Because you picked Jeremiah!’’ Conrad spit back, plunging back into old feelings. ‘’There was nothing left for me here.’’

‘’You didn’t show up on the 4th of July. Everyone was there, but you weren’t. How can you miss Susannah’s favorite holiday?’’

‘’How can you announce your engagement on her special day?’’

‘’It was Jeremiah’s idea—’’

‘’I don’t care! I don’t care whose idea it was,'' Conrad cut. ''Just like I don’t care that you’re jealous I came here with Y/N. You always said you don’t like the attention, but it’s bullshit. You crave attention, but you’re no longer my center of attention and that’s something you have to accept.’’

An undeniable tension hung in the air during dinner. Everyone was sitting outside, discussing around a light meal Laurel had prepared — with your offered help. The conversation was mainly around the soon-to-be-weds, but eventually circled back to you and Conrad.

‘’So, Connie, how long have you been hiding her from us?’’ Laurel asked, a light teasing tone in her voice.

The attention shifted to you and Conrad, who immediately felt uncomfortable. Unlike some people around the table, he didn’t like being the center of attention. ‘’I haven’t been hiding her,’’ he defended, shaking his head, trying to downplay the situation.

‘’Then why did you miss the last Christmas?’’ Steven questioned, giving Conrad a knowing smile.

Conrad glared at him, cursing his big mouth. ‘’Med school is hard, Steven. And Y/N is tutoring outside her classes, so she can’t just leave whenever she decides.’’

‘’What about the skiing pictures I saw? I doubt there’s skiing resorts in Palo Alto.’’

‘’It was a last minute thing,’’ you explained, helping Conrad against Steven. ‘’My parents rented a cabin and invited us for a few days. We would have loved to come to Boston for Christmas if we had time.’’

It wasn’t the full truth, but Conrad was grateful for your quick lie. You did go on a ski trip with your parents during winter break, but Conrad had no intention of coming to Boston for the holidays. He didn’t want to spend Christmas at home without his mom.

‘’Well, I'm glad you both could make it for the wedding,’’ Jeremiah said, smiling warmly at you and Conrad, his gaze lingering on his older brother for a moment. ‘’It means a lot to me — to us. Right Bells?’’ He glanced at his fiancé, who was visibly unhappy about your presence.

She had made no effort to engage conversation with you — nor Conrad — during the whole dinner. Even her friend Taylor had been whispering in your back with Belly. It was such an unclassy teenager behavior. You personally didn’t care.You weren’t there to make friends, you were Conrad’s guest.

Belly forced a smile, stabbing at her food with her fork. ‘’Yeah.’’

—

All and more taglist: @spiokybirdstarfish @kenqki @liidiaaag @hawkegfs @gillybear17 @areaderinlove @acornacreacure @black-rose-29 @fudge13 @cece05 @rosie-cameron @Caxddce @laylasbunbunny @gemofthenight @beautyb1ade @hi-bored-as-fcuk-rn @lovelyy-moonlight @mellabella101 @vxnity713 @marzipaanz @bisexualgirlsblog @queenofslytherin889 @thatbxtchesblog @softb-tterfly @ethanlandrycanbreakmyheart @xyzstar @graceberman3 @Heartsforneteyamsully @aerangi @hallecarey1 @bxbyyyjocelyn @mikeyspinkcup @jackierose902109 @daisydark

TSITP taglist: @msmarvelknight @maritaleane @dingus0401 @idontknowwhatimdoing777 @nomorespahgetti @lomlolivia @5sosbands @bloodyhw @depthsofdespairr @a-band-aid-for-your-heart @gilbertscurls @brandirouse86 @leilani-nichole @Veescorneroftheworld @papayaboyluvr @bchindureyes @bellysbeach @slytherinambitious @darylscvmdumpster @johannelis2302nely @aqshua @foockingasshole @straberryshortcake143 @luiise @sickntiredtoo @adrluvh @mymultiveres @Rosekar16 @hopeurokays @amysangrl @hopelessromantic727 @beth-gallagher22 @lonelywitchv2

#conrad fisher #conrad fisher imagine #conrad fisher x reader #conrad fisher fanfic #conrad fisher x you #the summer i turned pretty #the summer i turned pretty imagine #tsitp #tsitp imagine #this suck but I can't write anything better I'm sorry

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stylestarkey · 8 months ago

Text

TWO DOORS DOWN│07

𐙚 a rafe cameron social media au

pairings — famous!rafe X pogue!femaleOC (f.c christina nadin)

summary — IN WHICH the cameron siblings turn to social media in a desperate attempt to track their childhood neighbour, who also turns out to be a huge fan of sarah.

warnings — swearing!

navigation — masterlist 06 07 08

liked by elynajavier, johnbroutledge and 976,039 others

sarahcameron this week ☻☻☻

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user1 the face card is unreal

arianagreenblatt made it to the dump ↳ sarahcameron ofc barbie ↳ user2 name one celeb sarah has beef with ILL WAIT ↳ user3 our hot, kind and unproblematic queen <3

johnbroutledge i love you ↳ sarahcameron i love you bird ↳ user4 MAMA Y PAPA ↳ user5 wedding when ↳ sarahcameron when he brings it on home ↳ justkelce HAHAHAAHHA ↳ topperthornton icl that was funny ↳ user6 LET US IN ON THE INSIDE JOKE ???? 😭

user7 our nyc it girl ↳ user8 fr like serena van der woodsen who

elynajavier rango made it ↳ sarahcameron come to nyc cutie (and ur dog) ↳ elynajavier broke but if i start walking now then i'll be there in ten business days

rafecameron cute ↳ sarahcameron thanks? ↳ user9 rafe being nice??

user10 guys that elyna girl is pretty omg ↳ user11 IVE BEEN SAYING THIS 😭 she should model!! ↳ user12 i heard she’s poor though? ↳ user13 and what if she is bitch ↳ user12 just saying, she could be using sarah to gain a name

liked by kiecarrera, cleoanderson and 133 others

elynajavier winter doesn't exist in obx

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cleoanderson flowers from who bitch ↳ elynajavier we’re choosing what looks good for my mom’s weddingg ↳ cleoanderson I FORGOT THATS NEXT MONTH ↳ kiecarrera we gon be the hottest flower girls 🫠 ↳ elynajavier bridesmaids* and yk i’m a lilies typa girl 😔😞 ↳ cleoanderson i’m sorry gf here 💐💐💐 ↳ kiecarrera that’s not …

kiecarrera is this a soft launch ↳ elynajavier of me, u & cleo. gangbang 😇 ↳ cleoanderson real ↳ kiecarrera @/sarahcameron welcome to join ↳ sarahcameron it's a pleasure ↳ jjmaybank huh ↳ popeheyward wtf

jjmaybank bitch be broke today and rich tmr ↳ elynajavier ask luke to get inspiration from my dad and find himself a hot kook like my mom x ↳ jjmaybank just for them to divorce 7 years later? x ↳ kiecarrera dude

popeheyward always having drinks without jj and i??? ↳ cleoanderson always fishing ↳ kiecarrera always playing cod ↳ elynajavier always MIA in the gc ↳ jjmaybank always by daniel caesar

sarahcameron how did rafe get in your photo dump but not me ↳ cleoanderson OOOO ↳ kiecarrera LMFAOOOOO ↳ jjmaybank what r we oooing lmfaoing for ↳ elynajavier i’m sorry baby call me rn ☹️

rafecameron calling my sister baby but not me ↳ jjmaybank it's okay baby. i gotchu ↳ rafecameron yeah no ↳ elynajavier i

note 𐙚 — been a while since my last update but TRUST i just had a mental block for a few days! 😭 rn i am literally just yoloing this smau and making it up as i go HAHAHA also ignore how they've only known each other for a month ... lol - H

#rafe cameron #rafe cameron angst #rafe cameron smut #rafe cameron fluff #rafe cameron smau #rafe cameron fic #drew starkey #drew starkey fic #outer banks #outer banks fic #obx #obx fic

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outtathisworld-imagines · 2 months ago

Text

Masterpiece

——⚡️——⚡️——⚡️——⚡️——

Pairing: James Buchanan Barnes x F!Reader

Warning: Fluff, some angst and violence, pregnancy mention, suggestive themes, like two swears, secret marriage trope always has me in a chokehold. Flashbacks are blocks of italic! Not proofread 🥲

A.N: Lol sorry this is a long one and I even cut it down 🥲

Please let me know what else you guys would like! I do have a few other fics on the back-burner (for now!) that I'll start to post soon and just let me know if you'd liked to be tagged in further works too ✨

——⚡️——⚡️——⚡️——⚡️——

“I’m almost thirty years old mother, I don’t need a babysitter.” You grumbled sitting next to her, she was too distracted with her phone to pay attention to you. “I need to get back to my work.”

“Hmm, oh, yes. I know.” She just about managed to shoot you a smile for a second before being engrossed with the screen again. “But I’d rather be safe than sorry, you’ll be under surveillance just until things settle down. The team are trustworthy,” she paused and placed her phone on her lap. “Most of the team are relatively trustworthy.” Your brow almost shot to the roof of the car from your forehead. “Don’t give me that look, dear. There’s reports that your shadow security team has been compromised- that’s a risk I cannot take.” She sounded like she actually cared.

You sighed and sunk into the seat even further, your hand mindlessly going to the chain around your neck with a gold band attached to it. A remedy to soothe your anxious thoughts.

She was right, you had heard rumours but didn’t want to believe it, you thought your drastically different career choice to your mother would distance yourself from trouble. How wrong you were.

Your relationship with her was an odd, distanced one. She barely knew anything about your life since you became virtually estranged from her after your father’s death, both of you engrossing your time in your respective careers to cope with the grief.

She publicly rose to the top in the world of security, you hid away in an art gallery in the lower east side selling and curating pieces. It was in your art gallery you met the love of your life, a love transitioning from getting slices of pizza after he visited the gallery to standing at the end of an aisle as you became husband and wife.

Just the two of you. The world didn’t know about you both- it was the safest option- especially with his past and his evolving future.

You followed her through the building, an unknowing feeling in the pit of your stomach. “How long am I going to be here for?” You asked.

“Until it’s safe.” She sternly replied, not giving you any choice in the matter as she lead you into a living area. “It might be worthwhile staying away from the gallery for a few weeks too-“ you opened your mouth to protest and she held up a finger to silence you. “No, Y/N, no. Not until we have the all clear.” She stubbornly put her foot down and your shoulders fell as well as your face, plastered now with a frown at her words. “I’ve summoned them all here to meet you.”

“How did they even find out who we are to each other?” You asked.

She shrugged “These people, Y/N. They will do anything to find something that is your weakness.” She said and you almost felt touched that you were a weakness of hers, a once frosty demeanour thawing in front of your eyes. “Plus they can access most records for a high enough price- must have done that with mine. Likely my medical records and that’s how they have eventually tracked you down.”

Yelena was walking with Bucky, the others trailing behind them as they went to meet with Valentina. “She’s wanting a security detail on her daughter,” she explained.

Bucky let out a snort “Daughter? I had no idea she had kids?” He replied.

“Just the one apparently.” John added as they approached the doors.

You turned as the door opened, your eyes locking to one person in particular. It had been three months since you saw him in person.

The one person you promised to have and to hold, the person whose hand you held while making that promise, who you shared an unbreakable vow with, for better and for worse.

Till death.

—•—

Three years ago…

It was his therapist that suggested art, he wasn’t quite sure why, but he had found himself one day outside a virtually empty gallery- aside from one person standing inside. He almost attempted going to the Metropolitan museum or another large gallery, but he didn’t want to be amongst the crowds. He opened the door, a bell gently dinging as he stepped through the door.

“Hello, can I help you?”

Bucky politely smiled “I just wanted to look at some of the art of that was okay?”

“Sure! Just let me know if you need a hand with anything.” You got back to typing an email for a client interested in a piece. Bucky took you in for a moment, the well tailored dress and pristine hair and makeup.

Almost as if you were a piece of art on display too.

He slowly wandered around the space, each piece of art as interesting as the next. He just didn’t know how. He cleared his throat to grab your attention, your head raised up with a smile and you walked over to him. “How can I help?”

“What is this supposed to make you feel?” He asked, pointing at a painted scene in front of him.

You smirked and shook your head. “I can’t tell you that, that’s been you and the art.”

Bucky tightly smiled, his head dropping as if to silently say ‘Of course that’s the answer’.

“I can help you try to understand it through something I do if that would help?” You suggested. Bucky agreed, happy enough to try anything if it would assist him, not just with the art but his journey through therapy too. “Okay, I always find it best if you sit,” you pointed to the small seating blocks behind you.

Bucky chortled “I thought that was art too,” you giggled and encouraged him to sit.

“I look at it for at least solid ten seconds, edge to edge and everything in between.” You say focused, Bucky mirrored you. “Then I close my eyes so my vision is not blurring my feelings.” You did just that and Bucky followed suit. “Does this help?”

A new surge of emotion washed over Bucky like the finish on the painting. “It does.” He was beyond amazed.

You opened your eyes again and watched him for a moment, a soft smile dancing over your face. It always brought you such joy seeing someone truly enjoy art for the first time. It was a bonus if they were as cute as he was. “I rotate my pieces on a weekly basis, most things sell but I get new pieces in each Thursday. You can pop by anytime to view them.”

Bucky opened his eyes, pleasantly surprised to find you looking at him. “I’ll do just that.”

“I’m Y/N, by the way.” You extended your hand out to shake his.

“I’m James Barnes, but you can call me-“

—•—

“Bucky?”

Your voice was tight. Surprised and shocked…and feeling very on the spot all of a sudden.

“You know each other?” Valentina asked, her eyes darting between both you and the super solider.

‘I thought I did,’ you both had the same thought running through your mind.

Bucky opened his mouth to reply but you quickly got in there first. “From when I read about him,” you practically vomited your words. “Yanno, online and…stuff.” She slowly nodded, not wanting to address the new tension in the room.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Yelena,” a girl with blonde hair introduced herself to you with a smile “Welcome to your temporary home.”

You bashfully smiled, your stomach feeling like it had the weight of the tower you were standing in pressed on it. “Thank you, I’m Y/N…” you briefly paused, unsure what one of the plethora of surnames you could go by to use. “Y/N Y/L/N,” your father’s surname was a safe, old faithful. You saw the face of your mother droop ever so lightly at the mention of it.

“I’ll show you to your room, Y/N, you’re in good hands here.” Ava smiled and you followed her down the hall, your eyes meeting Bucky’s again and seeing a whirlpool of emotions in them.

“I’ll see you soon, sweetheart! I hope you settle in well!” Val lightheartedly shouted to you before intensely scowling at the thrown together team, shooting them a deadly glare. “Keep. Her. Safe.” She bit out with a pointed finger. “Because I promise you there will be dire consequences none of you will want to face if she’s put in any danger.”

“I didn’t know you had a daughter,” Bucky lowly spoke and Val turned her attention to him. Bucky’s head suddenly spiralling at being thrown this new information.

Val hummed “Yes, well, now you do. I expect her to have someone with her at all times, ideally, she doesn’t leave this tower until everything is sorted. I’ll be in touch.” She turned on her heel and the clipping noise slowly disappeared with her.

The team turned to Bucky. “You okay?” Yelena asked with a tone laced in concern.

Bucky nodded, swallowing thickly with a tight smile. The wedding band hanging from his dog tags suddenly feeling like it was weighing him down.

—•—

Two years ago…

Since the day he stepped through the doors of the gallery, Bucky had visited each week since, every Thursday for new art.

He was becoming a permanent fixture in your gallery.

You were leading him through as you often did, being his personal guide on a weekly basis. Bucky even had bought a few of the specialty curated pieces you sourced for him on visits. “This is a new one from-“

“Do you wanna get dinner?”

He quickly asked, as fast and erratic as the Jackson Pollock hanging in the corner of the gallery space. You blinked, you could see his chest racing almost dangerously fast as he kept facing forward at a painting. You smiled, biting down on your lip at his offer.

“Like actual dinner and not Pizza from Milo’s on the corner?” He reiterated and you giggled.

“I’d love to.”

And that’s how it officially started. Dinners became more frequent, then drinks every now and then afterwards, then one night back to yours and then nights at his and so on.

Months later you found yourself wrapped in his arms, both of you bare and catching your breaths, his most recent painting purchase at the end of the bed. “Do you make your own art?” He asked while looking at it.

You glanced up to him with a small, yet sad smile. “Not really, not often. I don’t have much time to dedicate to that too if I’m being honest.” You admitted. “The gallery is my focus.”

“What got you into art?” He asked, your late night talkings becoming more and more meaningful and deeper as your relationship developed.

You deeply sighed with a lazy smile, appreciative he was so interested in you. “My parents were polar opposites in supporting my passion, my mother was absolutely against it while my dad always pushed me to pursue what I loved. I stayed with my dad most of the time after the divorce, we went to the MET gallery every Sunday morning with pencils and papers and would draw one painting each before going to a diner for pancakes. We did that right up until he died when I was twenty.” Your smile had fallen a little and Bucky gently stroke your cheek to soothe the ache he knew you carried.

“What about your mom?”

—•—

Bucky quietly yet frantically knocked on your bedroom door, you opened it and hastily pulled him in. “She’s your mom?!” He quietly yelped “You didn’t think to bring up that Valentina- the most prolific person tied to this country’s security- is your mother?” He ran a hand through his hair “Jesus, I knew you had a strained relationship with her but now I know why.”

“Do you think it’s that easy to drop into conversation?!” You just as quietly argued back, unsure of the volume tolerance between the walls. “And, hold on just a minute, you work for her?!”

Bucky swallowed “I work adjacent to her,” he calmly replied. “Besides that’s not the point here-“

“All those ‘trips’ to Washington? How many were actually to here? To carry out her dirty work-“ he cut you off, just as you did to him.

“I try to help keep this country safe! It’s above board!” He snapped back and you felt rage surge through your veins.

With a huff you turned and walked to the window “You didn’t answer the first question.” Your voice was faltering. The facade was cracking from the whirlwind of emotions you had faced within the last few hours. “I thought you were still part of congress.”

You heard his footsteps approach you “I was just trying to protect you- protect us!” He said. “I wanted to keep you safe.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” A tear slipped down your cheek and you quickly wiped it away. “I would have understood, I’m your wife, Bucky. I would have supported you.”

“I could ask the same,” your head snapped around. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

You shrugged a shoulder “Val- my mom and me- it’s just hard to sometimes wrap my head around, never mind dragging someone else into it. I wanted to protect you too, I didn’t want to draw attention to us incase anyone got to you.” Bucky’s eyes softened and he approached you with open arms. “I was trying to make sure it would always be just us.” A promise you both made the night he proposed.

Both your hearts in the right place.

He pressed a long kiss to your temple. “I missed you,” he admitted. “Everything’s okay. It still is just us.” He pulled back a little and tried to reassure you with a smile “Even if you did read about me online…” he teased and you playfully rolled your eyes before he placed a gentle kiss against your lips.

He felt you smile, his body melting against yours as it always did. “I like what you’ve done with your hair,” you pulled back taking a proper look at him. He smiled, reaching for the engagement and wedding ring kept safe under your top on your chain. He brought them to his lips and kissed them “I missed you too, so much.”

You then took in your room and sighed, he noticed. “You want me to grab some home comforts for you? I can go down to your apartment, get whatever you want.”

Your heart swelled at his thoughtfulness. “I’ve got some stuff with me, but I’d love my blanket actually,” you let out a broken bubble of a laugh “I sleep with it every night because it still smells like you…” you softly spoke. “I know we’ll have to maintain a distance here-“

“Anytime you need me for anything, even if it’s just a minute together, you got all mine.” He said, his hand gently cupping your face. “I’ll head now, you can spend some time with the guys and get to know them if you like? They are actually okay.” Bucky smiled to himself before turning serious. “Expect Walker.” He deadpanned and you laughed.

“I love you.” You called out to him just before he vanished from your line of sight.

Bucky turned with a smile “I love you too.”

—•—

One year ago…

“What’s all this then?”

When you walked into his one evening there was a table set up clad with arts and craft supply’s and lit by candlelight, a bottle of your favourite wine chilling at the end.

“Well I had seen it online and was talking about it with my therapist and Sam, it’s a ‘Paint and sip’ night. I thought you’d enjoy it?” He nervously licked his lips. “Do you?”

You absorbed in the tiny little details you knew Bucky meticulously thought about, a smile forming on your face just as quick as the tears of joy in your eyes. “I love it,” you quietly said and embraced him in a hug.

You sat down on opposite sides of the table and got started. “I thought we could manifest through art?” Bucky had said. “What your thoughts and feelings are and show each other at the end…?”

You nodded and started painting, he nervously picked up a brush and started on his own canvas with a trembling hand. He occasionally glanced up to you, saw your brow creasing in focus at points before you caught his gaze and smiled at him, his worries melting away. “I’m ready if you are.”

“I am,” he said.

“Are we doing a countdown or…?” Your fingers eagerly rested on your canvas.

“You first,” Bucky encouraged and you turned around your painted picture. “Is that us?” He warmly grinned and you nodded with a smile.

“That’s what I manifest. I manifest us.” You confessed. “I love you, I love that you did this for me. It means so much.”

Bucky reached across the table and squeezed your hand too before revealing his masterpiece to you.

It was a picture of a ring.

“This is what I manifest.” Bucky’s voice shook. “I manifest us too.” He stood up, your chest was thumping erratically as he came beside you and got down on one knee, causing your breath to hitch. “You make me feel more than any piece of art ever could. More than anything in this world- period.” He presented a ring to you, just like the one he painted. “Will you marry me?

—•—

“I can help with dinner,” you said, the team’s eyes on you now as you stood awkwardly by the door. “Please, I wanna feel useful.”

Yelena nodded and encouraged you forward “You can help Bob with the table if you like?” You happily accepted, wanting to repay the team for being forced to watch you. You grabbed some plates and took them into the dining room.

Bob was there already sorting out some cutlery. “Oh, hi!” He waved “Thanks for bringing the plates through.”

“That’s okay, I’m happy to help,” you placed them on the table. You knew a little bit about Bob, what your mother was responsible for, it made your heart sink with guilt. “I’m sorry for what she did to you,” you quietly spilled your internal thoughts.

Bob twiddled with his fingers before setting a place “It’s not your fault, besides, I signed up for it.” He told you. “I was in a bad place and I thought it would help.” The sigh that left his lungs reached your ears.

You paused and an idea popped into your head.

“Have you considered art?”

When Bucky reached your apartment, an uneasy feeling suddenly washed over his skin. He glanced over his shoulder not noticing anything out of the ordinary.

He grabbed one of the holdalls from your closet and grabbed things you might need. Blanket of course, some extra clothes and the canvas of the ring he painted for that hung by your bed, he wanted to make your space in the watchtower feel a little more like home.

He did a double check over and that’s when he noticed a little red light, hidden but not hidden well. A camera. He picked it up and squinted at it before unplugging it and placing it in his pocket.

When he went back downstairs and locked up again, he recognised two men from before he entered in the same black car. When they caught him looking they drove away.

But not before he got a photo of the license plate.

—•—

6 months ago…

“I’m hoping to run for congress.” He told you one night over dinner.

Your eyes widened and so did your smile, not letting any of your internal worries for him show as you played with your engagement and wedding ring. “That’s amazing, Buck! I’m so happy for you!” You hoped he would be safe, you needed him to be safe. With Bucky’s past, you knew his future- especially a political one- would be just as dangerous. Maybe you could make a call that would ensure that he would be kept safe.

Your internal pondering was cut short as he continued. “Lots of visits to Washington…” he paused. “Some even say that buying somewhere is ideal.”

You swallowed hard, enough for him to notice. “Washington isn’t that far. We can make it work.”

He nodded, his eyes falling to the table. “I want to keep you safe. I want to make sure you’re safe.” He said and you nodded, understanding that to the world he was still the winter solider and you were a gallery owner but with each other you could and would be husband and wife.

You reached across to him, your hands meeting in the middle. “Then let’s just keep it between us and our two witnesses. The less people know the better. The safer.”

—•—

Bucky watched as you paced on the phone a few days later. Being stuck for four days in the tower was starting to drive you insane. You did have moments of respite, nights being held by Bucky before he snuck back to his own room. You also did some painting with Bob, talking to him about art as you did, it made you feel close to your gallery despite being stuck inside.

“You okay?” He asked as you tossed down your phone and then yourself on the sofa, just the two of you in the living room.

“I need to get to the gallery,” you said and he looked at you with concern.

“Y/N…”

“James…” you used the same tone back at him. “But seriously, I gotta go because my insurance won’t cover me if anything happens with the art on the walls if I close for a period of time. I told them it could be a month and they said I’m not covered unless the artwork is in the safe.” You huffed, running a hand through your hair.

Bucky pulled you to him, pecking your forehead before you rested against his chest. “I can go, get everything put away for you.”

“Has to be me, I have a biometric finger-pad along with the lock on my safe. Only I can access it.” Bucky held you tighter, of course that was the case.

You heard footsteps and pulled away from each other, acting as casually as possible. Bucky looked to you and then his band of misfits. “Guys, there’s something we need to do.”

You were grateful they accompanied you.

All of them.

You appreciated the hands helping you out as you cleared the gallery walls, Bob asking the odd question about a piece, Yelena already picking out something she wanted to buy, Alexei and John trying to understand a contemporary surrealist piece, and Ava taking note of what you had going into the safe. Your heart was striped raw just as much as the space you stood in. “Hey,” Bucky pulled you from your thoughts “That’s everything.” You sharply nodded, Bucky noticing the tears starting to gloss over your eyes. “You’ll back here soon,” he tried to assure, trying to sound certain for your sake before whispering “We’ll be back here together soon.”

“I’m just gonna lock the safe, won’t be a minute.” You went to the back of the gallery and listened for the soft click to confirm the safe had closed. You gathered your things from your desk, your eyes catching the light of your security camera suddenly going off. “Huh..” you muttered to yourself.

Suddenly a barrage of gunfire went off and you fell to the floor of your office screaming. You could hear Bucky yelling and you frantically tried to get to your husband. You were picked up into Alexei’s arms along with Bob. “We need to get you out of here!” You burrowed yourself into him as you were taken back to the car you all came to your gallery in, Alexei practically throwing you in the footwell of the backseat as he pulled out a gun and shot at someone following you. “Guys! Let’s go she’s out!” The team all reconvened in the car as John drove from the scene, Ava carried out another task with Yelena. Bob was in the backseat with you, Bucky was trying not to let his mask slip but his jaw and fists clenched with every sob from your mouth. He was desperate to comfort you.

When you arrived at the watchtower, you remained in the car. Bucky, ignoring the puzzled glares from the team carried you back bridal style to your room as you cried into the crook of his neck and gripped onto your shirt. He shut the door with his foot and placed you down on the bed. “Baby,” he lay you down before he engulfed you in a hug as you brokenly sobbed into him, asking a never ending string of ‘why’s’.

You pulled away from him “I wanna be alone.” Your voice shook “I need to be alone.” You asked in an almost demanding tone. Bucky suddenly understanding where you got certain quips from. Despite you not looking like Valentina, you sure had traits of her personality at times. Bucky nodded in understanding, placing a kiss to your cheek before doing as you asked.

He shut the door as you shut him out.

Bucky remained close however, he sat by your door until you were ready. The sound of clacking heels drew his attention from his feet to his mother-in-law Val. “Where is she? Is she okay?!” He had never seen her look so fearful before.

“She’s in there, wants to be alone.” He replied.

Valentina ignored him and pounded on your door, rattling the handle that you had locked from the other side. “Honey, it’s mom, can I come in?” She called. “Please, sweetie.” She thudded in the door again. Then a little harder.

Bucky sighed as he stood and walked off, Valentina not even glancing twice as she pleaded with the door. He caught up with Ava and Yelena before going out and picking you up something he knew would make you feel a little better. An hour later he arrived back with dumplings, Valentina was on her knees still begging you to open up, dried tears on her face.

Bucky knocked your door this time. “I got you dumplings from the place you like on the outskirts of Chinatown.” Valentina’s brow creased at his words before stiffening at the sound of your door unlocking.

The second she saw you she wrapped her arms around you. “Oh my sweet girl, I’m here. You’re okay.” She peppered kisses on your temples. Bucky saw how drained you were, how you looked like you were on the verge of crying yourself to sleep before he called out to you. Your mother led to your bed, holding onto you tightly, you glanced up to Bucky with heavy eyes as he passed you the takeout box.

He left you with her and sat outside by your door again.

An hour later she emerged. She closed the door, letting you rest after falling asleep while crying. She looked at Bucky who stood as she emerged. “I want every single one of them dead. I don’t care how you do it- just get it done.” Bucky had seen many looks from Valentina- just not this one. A new, cold, darker demeanour that even terrified him. A look of a mother willing to do anything to protect their child.

“Ava and Yelena got one. He’s in the basement.”

Her expression turned to an unreadable one, Bucky feeling ill at the sight. She turned on her heels and made her way to the basement. “Well, why didn’t you tell me about our…guest.” She malignly spat out.

“Woah, Val, are you sure seeing them is a good idea? You’re upset-“

“I’m perfectly fine,” she said calmly. “Or I will be when I watch you and your group of misfits break every single bone in their body for traumatising my girl.” She tightly smiled and walked to the elevator, Bucky followed. “Yanno, I’m glad you care about her, weird that it’s so intense, god, it’s really full on.” She shifted in the spot she stood. “She could have picked anyone,” she started speaking, watching the numbers go down as they approached the basement. “I’m glad she picked you.” The air left Bucky’s lungs and he slowly turned to look at her, a smug smile on her face. “Oh c’mon, you thought I didn’t know?” She snorted while raising her brows. “Just confirmed it for me seeing the rings around her neck tonight.”

“Val-“

“Was she beautiful?” She asked. Her eyes giving her away as a tear slipped down her cheek. Bucky jolted his head, silently prompting her to elaborate. “On the wedding day. I know she would have been but I just-“ she sighed. “Was she beautiful?”

“Beautiful doesn’t even cut it…” he quietly said as he reminisced, mentally picturing you at the end of the aisle and then eating wedding cake in your pyjamas the next morning for breakfast.

The doors opened and Val strode to the interrogation room. “Just wait until I get my hands on his son of a bitch.” She hissed.

“Her apartment was bugged too, they are still getting images from a camera I found there, I think they have tailed her for a while. Got a photo of a licence plate that they are running too.” He kept up with Val’s hastily walk “As soon as we get anything-” the two of them were suddenly brought to a halt. Frozen in place. The door to the room was wide open and the shooter they captured was gone. Val rushed in and found a note on the table that read: ‘You take one of ours, we take yours.’

—•—

Three months ago…

“Out of all of the sights in Washington,” you snaked your arms around Bucky’s waist as you approached him from behind as he made breakfast. “This is the best one.”

You felt the low hum from a laugh under his breath “What you after, gorgeous?” He turned around and captured your lips. “Another round?” He smirked, hands roaming over your bare frame as you wore nothing but his dress shirt. You giggled against his passionate kisses, four months had passed since you took your vows, a month since he left to pursue his political career.

He grabbed your thighs with his strong hands and you jumped, legs wrapped around his waist. He led you back to the bedroom and laid you on the bed, kissing down the valley between your breasts. “Jeez at this rate I’m gonna end up-“ you cut yourself short with a clearing throat. Bucky noticed.

“Gonna end up what?” He kissed your stomach. Then paused, gazing at it before looking up to you. “Oh…” the bedroom suddenly had a conversation hanging in the air that neither of you had intently discussed. His hand unintentionally grazed over your abdomen and you reached for it, holding it in place.

You swallowed hard before smiling and squeezing his hand. The question being silently answered by you first. Bucky responded with a wide grin and kissed the hand that lay atop of your stomach before happily pouncing on you.

—•—

Gunfire filled the building, Yelena’s voice shouting over the system “Four enemies! They have Y/N.”

Val looked at Bucky with wide eyes, he did what any son-in-law dreamt of and shoved her in a storage closet, told her to stay there and keep quiet before closing the door. He rushed to your room, bedsheets askew, streaks of blood on the floor, the painting of the ring thankfully unscathed and the dumpling box empty. He did a sweep, checking under the bed and in the bathroom.

That’s when he saw it, when he saw almost half a dozen.

Poorly concealed pregnancy tests.

He picked one up. Then another. Then another. All with the same conclusion.

“Shit,” he tossed them back and ran. “Where is she?!” He yelled out, his lungs burning and his body filling with adrenaline.

“Bucky!” John called him over “They have a helicopter, she’s the roof!” Bucky and the team all hurried to the roof and saw you with a gun to your back and tears flowing through your face. He stormed out, much to the dismay and chides of disapproval from everyone.

Bucky raised his own gun and held it out “You’re not taking her anywhere! None of this was ever her fault.”

The man that had his grip on you laughed “She’s leverage. The ultimate blackmail.”

Bucky smirked without a hint of amusement. “No she’s not. She’s my wife.”

Within seconds you found yourself in the ground, the piercing sound of two gunshots ringing in your ears as blood pooled around your body. You tapped yourself down, no signs of injury, the same couldn’t be said for the man who captured you or his helicopter pilot. You looked up, Bucky holstering his gun before crouching down to you, the second shot that took out the helicopter pilot coming from your mother who stood at the edge of the building and clearly ignoring Bucky’s requests.

He scooped you up “We need to get you both checked out.” You tensed in his arms at his whispered words. “You did a shit job trying to hide those tests,” he tiredly laughed and kissed your forehead.

“Well, this has been a family get together to remember!” Val called out and Bucky stoped in his tracks, looking at you and your wide eyes. “And remember Bucky, you’re my son-in-law first, winter soldier second. Never tell me what to do again.” The team’s jaws dropped simultaneously at the news. “Art collector third now I guess courtesy of Y/N!” She wildly laughed.

Bucky shook his head and before he knew it, shot a comeback in her direction.

“Actually, I’m now the father of your grandchild.”

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