#figuring out how much of said scenes like that to actually write and when to let it fade to black has been hell lol

[mustangs-flames]

Fluffy Siam headcanon: When they cuddle, Cian likes to be the big spoon because it makes him feel in control and safe, and Sam likes to be the little spoon because it makes him feel loved and cared for, and even though they didn't feel that often growing up, they get to feel it with each other <3

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺💜💜💜💜💜

[airenyah]

Sex scenes don't bother me as much as kiss scenes. When the characters are making out in a way that indicates it will lead to sex, I'd scream at the screen "Just take off your pants and start grinding under the covers already!" because I cannot watch them mash their mouths together for another second.

That being said, I'm not a huge fan of sex scenes because firstly—I can't take the movements seriously, and if there's sound effects, there's also a high chance of me laughing. Secondly, the squishiness of the human body is another thing I can't take seriously. When I first watched the Only Friends trailer, and I saw that scene where Sand thumbs Ray's tattoo, I thought it was a butt tattoo because of the way the skin bounced in slow-motion, but no, it's actually a hip tattoo; the human skin is just that springy on every part of the body. While everyone was going crazy because of the tattoo-touch, I'm laughing because the bounce was so pronounced.

Basically, kiss scenes ick me out while sex scenes are comedy.

omg that sounds like such a fun way to experience sex scenes tho!! i wish my reaction was more like that rather than convulsion. i'd much rather experience a comedy show tbh dfjkkdgj

also interesting point you bring up about the human body being so squishy. i never really thought about it but yeah. human bodies are just so weird?????? actually, only the other week i was talking with another friend (who's likely also ace-spec) about just how humans (and tbh even animals) will just have things dangling from them?? whether it be genitalia or boobs or whatever. like, those body parts are just... hanging there?? and technically even your arms but at least you can control those. meanwhile my boobs will just bounce depening on what movements i make and i can't control them and they're just hanging from my chest while i go about my life. like, why?? i want dog boobs where you mostly have just the nipples and they only really get big when i have an actual child to feed (i know human breasts also swell when they fill with milk during a pregnancy, but why do i have to have two balls of meat hanging from my chest even when i'm not pregnant?? who thought of this design??). coming back to your point of the human body being so squishy and actually yeah, i'm realizing now that i can't take it seriously when people talk about how hot boobs are precicely because boobs are so squishy and also so wobbly and just. how is this not funny to people? dkdfjdjfk

and lmao i remember everyone going crazy over the tattoo!!!!! i realized right away that it's on the hip but maybe that was bc i remembered the placement of it from the eclipse. which is also why that scene didn't make me laugh, i was actually too busy trying to read what it said bc in the eclipse we never got to see that tattoo up close enough in order to be able to read it. so while everyone was freaking out i was just sitting in my corner like "omg so the tattoo says 'beautiful'???" i'd been wondering about it for a year ever since the eclipse, so i was just excited to finally know what it says bc i'm a nosy ass bitch lmao

anyway, i love hearing about your experiences. it's so fascinating how varied the ace experience can be and how specific things affect everyone differently. and i think it's also cool to hear what things other ace people pick up/focus on while the allosexuals are busy drooling over whatever is happening on screen dkjkdkjg

the kissing... idk, i can't tell you why it doesn't actually bother me that much or why i might even enjoy it. although i do have to say, the act of kissing does look extremely weird. sometimes (usually during longer kiss/make-out scenes) i'll be sitting there and suddenly it'll hit me that "actually kissing looks SO strange, whose idea was it for kissing to be a thing??"

sometimes in my head the kissing just conjurs up the image of a fish opening and closing it's mouth, like so:

except, you know, kissing involves two people so in reality it's more like:

[maskedbyghost]

Simon knew marriage came with adjustments, but nothing could have prepared him for life with a writer.

It wasn’t just the weird questions—though there were plenty of those—it was the way your mind never seemed to slow down. You’d be doing something completely normal, like folding laundry, and suddenly stop, eyes going distant.

He’d barely have time to ask what was wrong before you’d rush off to scribble something down, muttering about plot twists and character arcs.

Sometimes, he’d wake up in the middle of the night to find you sitting up in bed, phone screen lighting up your face as you frantically typed notes because “this idea can’t wait until morning.”

It meant half-finished coffee cups scattered around the house, abandoned when inspiration hit.

It meant narrating your own actions under your breath, like “she sighed, stretching her arms above her head” while actually doing it, which always made him raise an eyebrow.

And then there were the moments that made him question everything, like when you casually asked if he thought someone could realistically survive being shot twice in the chest or how long a body would take to decompose in a swamp. He used to answer with concern. Now, he barely looked up. “For a book?” “For a book.”

At first, he thought the strangest part was the research, but then he realized it was how easily you pulled him into it. You used him for everything—testing out fight scenes by making him grab your wrist so you could figure out how a character would escape, running your hands over his shoulders and down his arms as you mumbled about muscle structure and “what kind of build do you think my main guy should have?”

You studied him constantly, stealing phrases he said, describing his expressions in your notes, even admitting once that a few of your male characters had a bit of his attitude.

And then there was the way you used him for other inspiration. He figured it out one evening when he saw you sitting on the couch, staring at him with that look—one that usually meant you had something on your mind, but this time, you weren’t saying anything. Just watching.

He glanced over from where he was cleaning his gun. “What?”

You didn’t answer right away, just tilted your head slightly. “I think I want to write a new scene.”

He raised his brow, setting his things aside. “What kind of scene?”

A small smile played on your lips as you stood, walking toward him. “Something a bit messy.”

Simon leaned back, arms resting lazily on the couch as he looked you up and down. “You need details, then?”

“Mhm.” You straddled his lap, fingers toying with the hem of his shirt. “Need to get it just right.”

He smirked, his hands settling on your waist. “That why you’re lookin’ at me like I’m about to be put to work?”

“You don’t mind a little hard work, do you?” you teased, nails scraping lightly against his skin.

His grip tightened, voice low. “Not if you’re gonna make it worth my while.”

Much later, when you were tangled in the sheets, catching your breath, you rolled over and reached for your phone. Before you could even unlock it, a strong arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you back against Simon’s chest. “Nope,” he muttered against your shoulder.

You laughed. “I just had a thought—”

“Don’t care.” His voice was warm and heavy with sleep. “Whatever you’re about to write down, you can remember it in the morning.”

“But—”

A hand slid down your hip, fingers pressing into your skin in a way that made you shiver. “I said, in the morning,” he murmured, his lips brushing against your ear. Then, just to make sure you listened, he added, “Be a good girl and go to sleep.”

Your entire body heated at the words, your brain short-circuiting for a second before snapping into overdrive. Without a word, you bolted upright, nearly diving for your phone as you started typing furiously.

Simon groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Are you serious?”

“Shhh,” you hushed him, fingers flying across the screen. “This is really good.”

-------------------------------------------

@daydreamerwoah

[lxvsiick]

YOU CAME TO ME, MY ANGEL | PARK SUNGHOON X READER

SECOND PART TO CALLING ON MY ANGEL (read part one first!)

PAIRING: troublemaker! park sunghoon x good girl! fem! reader

SUMMARY: When the attention on Sunghoon starts to shift because of his smile, Y/n develops a weird feeling in her stomach.

GENRE: imagine, good girl x bad boy, fluff, a little bit of angst if you squint

WORDCOUNT: 4.6k

WARNING: a kissing scene at the end! sunghoon calls y/n "angel"

A/N: ngl, when i was writing this and rereading it over, the want to sleep on a highway was so tempting :D i'm glad you all like CALLING ON MY ANGEL! i was actually surprised by how many people liked it ,, i hope you like the second part! enjoy!

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows of the school hallways, casting soft, golden light on Y/n as she walked with a noticeable bounce in her step. A bright smile lit up her face, and in her hand was a small cone of ice cream, which she licked contentedly. She looked like a sweet angel, her joyful energy spreading around her like sunshine.

Beside her, Sunghoon walked with his hands stuffed in his pockets, his eyes fixed forward, face blank, like he couldn’t care less about anything happening around him. His usual cold, intimidating presence stood in sharp contrast to the warm light she brought with her. The other students in the hall were wary of him, their eyes lowering as they passed, whispers swirling in the air.

“Isn’t that Sunghoon?”

“He looks so scary...”

“What’s Y/n still doing with him?”

The whispers weren’t lost on Y/n. She could hear the murmurs, feel the stares. Her steps faltered slightly, but then she leaned closer to him, nudging him lightly with her shoulder. Her voice was soft, like a secret meant just for him.

"Just ignore them, Hoonie" she said, her smile unwavering despite the growing tension around them. "They don’t know anything about you."

He glanced at her, expression still unreadable, but there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes. A small sigh left his lips as his gaze flicked back to the students.

"I don’t care what they think," he said, his voice low and casual, as if none of it mattered. His eyes briefly caught hers, a quiet warmth under the tough exterior. "As long as you’re next to me, Angel."

At that moment, her heart skipped a beat, the corners of her lips lifting in a shy smile. She always melted a little when he called her that. Angel—his pet name for her—was something so sweet and personal, it never failed to make her feel special.

But the effect of that single word was much bigger than she realized. The students in the hallway, already whispering, suddenly let out audible gasps. Heads turned, and the once-muted whispers escalated.

"He called her Angel?"

"Did you hear that?"

"What is even happening right now?"

The tension in the air was thick, but Y/n wasn’t fazed. She kept her head high, finishing her ice cream with a bright smile, completely unfazed by the reactions of those around them. Beside her, Sunghoon maintained his calm, unfazed by the stir his simple term of endearment had caused.

In that moment, it didn’t matter to either of them what anyone else thought. It was just them, walking together, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

The sun hung high over the quad as Y/n walked with a couple of her friends, laughter and light conversation filling the space between them. They were chatting about random things—weekend plans, a funny moment from class—when her attention shifted to the other side of the quad.

In the distance, she spotted Sunghoon, his familiar, tall figure walking with his group of friends. As usual, students around them kept their distance, their heads low as they moved out of the way. His group, known for their intimidating presence, had that effect on everyone. The air around them felt thicker, quieter—until she broke it.

Without hesitation, she raised her arm and called out, "Hoonie!" Her voice rang out across the open space, bright and cheerful. She waved at him with a big smile, completely oblivious to the attention she had just drawn.

Her shout cut through the noise of the quad. Heads turned, curious eyes following the direction of her gaze. Sunghoon, hearing her voice, paused mid-conversation. His eyes scanned the crowd before locking onto her. For a moment, his usual cool expression lingered, but then, unexpectedly, his lips curved into a small smile. He raised his hand, giving her a soft wave back.

That single smile—the rare, fleeting expression—seemed to shift the very atmosphere around him. The students, who were accustomed to seeing his stoic, unreadable face, were stunned.

"Did he just… smile?"

"I’ve never seen him smile before…"

"Wait, that’s what he looks like when he smiles?"

Whispers erupted among the crowd as they began to murmur in disbelief. The quad buzzed with low, shocked conversations as people exchanged glances. Some students stood frozen, processing what they'd just seen. For the first time, Sunghoon, the one they'd always viewed as cold and unapproachable, looked human.

"He’s… kind of handsome, isn’t he?" one girl whispered, nudging her friend.

"Yeah, I never noticed before, but with that smile…"

It wasn’t just the smile—it was the way he looked at Y/n, the way his expression softened, just for her. There was something so genuine in that moment, and for many of the students watching, it completely shattered the tough, distant image they had built of him.

The shift in perception was palpable. As Y/n continued walking, her friends giggling beside her, she had no idea that the simple wave and smile had sparked a quiet change. The students who had once feared or misunderstood him were now seeing a different side—a warmer, more human side—thanks to her.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

The next day, the atmosphere around Sunghoon had noticeably changed. Walking side by side, Y/n chattered away about random things as he escorted her to her class. Though her words bounced around with lively energy, his focus never wavered from her, watching her intently, soaking in every detail of her presence.

As they moved through the hallway, something was different. The students, who used to avoid eye contact or shy away when he passed, were behaving… differently. No longer did they lower their heads or shuffle nervously to the side. Instead, some even made brief eye contact and gave short, polite nods of acknowledgment.

"Hey, Sunghoon," a student greeted as they walked by.

He didn’t respond verbally but gave a subtle nod back, his attention still centered on Y/n.

What really caught him off guard was when a couple of girls from another class shyly waved at him as they passed. "Good morning, Sunghoon!" one of them chirped.

Again, he acknowledged them with a small nod but didn't waver from his focus. His priority was always her. The smile he had shared the day before had sparked a shift in how people saw him, but he barely noticed. All he cared about was the angel walking beside him.

Unbothered by the newfound attention, he listened as Y/n talked animatedly about her latest interest. To him, the hallways might as well have been empty, because the only thing that mattered was hearing her voice, seeing her smile.

When they finally reached her classroom, they came to a stop in front of the door. She turned to face him, her eyes bright as she smiled up at him. "Thanks for walking me to class," she said, her tone warm and filled with gratitude.

His lips curled into a rare, soft smile reserved just for her. He raised his hand, gently patting her head in a gesture that had become second nature by now. "No problem, Angel," he said in that low, calm voice of his. "I'll come get you after class so we can go to lunch together."

Her cheeks flushed slightly at the pet name, but she nodded happily. "Sounds good!" she replied with a grin before turning toward the classroom.

As she disappeared through the door, he lingered for a moment, watching her go with a fondness that was impossible to miss. Then, with his usual composed demeanor, he turned and made his way back down the hall, the whispers and greetings of his classmates now background noise to his thoughts of her.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

After Sunghoon left her at the door, Y/n walked to her desk and sat down, pulling out her notebook and pens, preparing for the class ahead. She hummed a little under her breath, replaying the moment he'd patted her head. It was always sweet, the way he had his reserved moments only for her.

The quiet of the classroom was soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching her desk. She looked up and saw a group of three girls standing in front of her. Their expressions were friendly, but there was a hint of curiosity glimmering in their eyes. One of them, a girl with short, dark hair, Hana, spoke first.

"Hey, Y/n, right?" she asked, her tone friendly but direct.

She nodded, smiling politely. "Yeah, that's me. What’s up?"

The three exchanged a quick glance before the girl continued, "We were wondering… about Sunghoon. He’s always walking with you. What’s he like?"

Caught off guard by the sudden interest, Y/n blinked, her pen hovering over her notebook. She wasn't used to people asking her about him—most students were too afraid to even mention him in passing. But after yesterday’s smile in the quad, she supposed it was natural for some curiosity to grow.

"Um, he’s…" She hesitated, thinking of how to describe him. "He’s actually really nice once you get to know him. He’s just... quiet around others."

The second girl, with blonde hair tied in a ponytail, Jihye, leaned in a bit closer. "You mean he's not as scary as he looks? I mean, without all the bruises and cuts, he's actually really handsome."

Y/n felt her heart do a little flip at the comment. Handsome? She supposed she’d always known that, but hearing it from someone else felt... strange. "Yeah," she answered, smiling softly. "He’s definitely different when you get to know him."

The third girl, the quietest of the group, Sola, suddenly asked, "So, is he talking to anyone? Or, like... dating someone?" Her eyes widened with curiosity as she leaned forward, clearly eager for the answer.

Y/n froze for a moment, unsure of what to say. She wasn’t dating him, not officially, but the two of them were undeniably close. She could feel the weird sensation bubbling in her chest—a feeling she couldn't quite name. Was it jealousy? But why would she be jealous?

Trying to stay composed, she gave a gentle shrug. "I’m not really sure. We don’t talk about that much."

Jihye sighed in relief. "That’s good. I was hoping he wasn’t seeing anyone because..." She paused and exchanged another glance with her friends. "Would you mind introducing me to him? I’ve been wanting to talk to him, but he’s, well... hard to approach. You seem to know him really well."

The strange feeling in Y/n's stomach tightened into something more distinct—an uneasy knot. She wasn't sure why, but the thought of introducing someone to him, especially a girl who clearly found him attractive, made her chest tighten. Still, she kept her smile soft, trying to hide her discomfort.

"I can try," she said, her voice gentle. "He’s... a bit reserved with new people, but I’ll see what I can do."

The three girls beamed, clearly thrilled by her answer. "Thanks, Y/n! You’re the best," Hana said, before the group finally walked back to their seats.

As they left, Y/n stared down at her notebook, her pen resting idly in her hand. That weird feeling wouldn’t go away, and she didn’t know why. Was she... jealous? She shook her head slightly, trying to push the thought away. It didn’t make sense. But as she sat there, thinking about introducing someone else to him, she couldn’t shake the unease that now lingered in her chest.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

The lunch bell rang, signaling a break in the day. Y/n was still sitting at her desk, lost in thought. The conversation from earlier with the three girls had left her feeling unsettled. She was mulling over their questions about Sunghoon, when a familiar voice broke through her reverie.

"Hey, Angel," Sunghoon called softly from the doorway of her classroom, hands casually in his pockets, his usual blank expression on his face. "You ready for lunch?"

Snapped out of her thoughts, she blinked and smiled up at him, gathering her things before walking over. "Yeah, let’s go."

They walked side by side through the hallways, a familiar rhythm to their steps. But Sunghoon quickly noticed something was off. Y/n wasn’t her usual bubbly self, and her expression was distant, as if she was caught up in her thoughts again.

He glanced down at her, frowning slightly. "What are you thinking about?"

His voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and she looked up at him, blinking. "Huh?"

"You’re quiet today. What’s on your mind?" he asked, his tone soft but curious.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I was just wondering... what do you think about making new friends?"

Sunghoon let out a small, amused snort, his lips quirking into a brief smile. "Don’t care. I’ve got my boys and you. That’s all I need."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt her cheeks flush. She wasn’t sure why, but his simple words—so direct and clear—made her feel warm inside. "Oh," she murmured, feeling slightly flustered. "That’s... sweet."

They continued walking, but the knot in her stomach, the one that had been brewing since this morning, tightened as they approached the cafeteria.

After they grabbed their lunches, they made their way to their usual table, where Sunghoon's friends were already gathered. The atmosphere was comfortable, familiar, but the tension inside her didn’t ease.

As they sat down, though, a voice interrupted the peaceful moment.

"Y/n!" came a call, cheerful and bright.

Jihye, from this morning, the one who had asked her about Sunghoon, appeared beside the table with her lunch tray in hand. She smiled widely, as if they were old friends, and without waiting for an invitation, asked, "Mind if I sit with you guys?"

True to her sweet, angelic nature, Y/n couldn’t bring herself to refuse, even though she felt a surge of that strange emotion bubble up inside her. "Uh, sure," she said, offering a polite smile.

The girl didn’t hesitate and took the empty seat—right next to Sunghoon. His friends exchanged knowing glances, but no one said anything.

As they began to eat, Sunghoon's attention was solely on his lunch, but the girl seemed determined to pull him into conversation.

"So, Sunghoon, do you like any sports?" she asked, her eyes bright with interest.

He barely looked up, responding with a curt, "No."

Unfazed, she tried again. "Do you hang out with your friends often after school?"

"Sometimes," he said, his tone flat.

The girl wasn’t deterred by his short answers. She continued asking him question after question, her tone almost flirty, though Sunghoon didn’t seem the least bit interested. His answers grew shorter, and eventually, he stopped answering altogether, merely shrugging or nodding when necessary.

All the while, Y/n sat quietly in her seat, picking at her lunch. Her usual bright energy was dulled, replaced by that growing, unfamiliar feeling in her chest. She wasn’t sure what to call it—jealousy? Frustration? Whatever it was, it made her stomach twist uncomfortably as she listened to the girl chatter away at Sunghoon.

His friends exchanged amused looks, clearly sensing the awkwardness in the air. Jake nudged Jay with a smirk, and he raised an eyebrow.

Finally, the lunch period was almost over, and Y/n couldn’t help but feel a small sense of relief. As the bell rang, she quickly stood up, grabbing her tray. "We should head to class," she said softly.

Sunghoon stood as well, ignoring the girl’s lingering presence and focusing solely on Y/n. "Let’s go, Angel," he said, his voice low and calm.

The girl’s face fell slightly, but Y/n hardly noticed. Her mind was too focused on the odd, swirling emotion that had taken root inside her. She couldn’t help but feel like something had changed—and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

The hum of the engine filled the comfortable silence inside Sunghoon's car. Normally, the drive home from school was filled with the sound of Y/n chatting away about her day, excitedly sharing the details of her classes, her small victories, or even her frustrations. But today was different.

She was quiet—too quiet.

Glancing over at her in the passenger seat, Sunghoon noticed the way she was staring out the window, her eyes distant and lost in thought. Her hands, usually expressive as she spoke, were still in her lap, fingers fidgeting slightly.

His brow furrowed in concern. Something was bothering her, and he could tell.

Instead of driving straight to her house, he took a detour, turning the wheel in the direction of the small park near her home. The moment he pulled into the parking lot and cut the engine, the sudden stillness seemed to snap her out of her thoughts. She blinked and looked around, realizing they weren’t at her house.

"Why are we here?" she asked, her voice soft, almost distant.

Sunghoon turned in his seat to face her, his gaze steady and gentle. "Angel," he began, his tone low and soothing, "what's wrong? You’ve been quiet all day. I know something’s bothering you."

Her lips parted as if to say something, but she hesitated, her eyes dropping to her hands. For a moment, she fidgeted in her seat, unsure of how to put her feelings into words. But Sunghoon waited patiently, his gaze never wavering.

Finally, she sighed and looked back up at him. "It’s... it’s nothing, really. It’s just..." She trailed off again, struggling.

"Angel, you can talk to me," he encouraged, his voice soft.

She bit her lip, then took a deep breath. "Okay. Yesterday, after you walked me to class, some girls came up to me and... they asked me about you."

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

"They asked me about what you’re like," she explained, her fingers twisting together in her lap. "And then one of them—she asked me if I could... introduce her to you."

At that, Sunghoon frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. "And?"

"I didn’t know what to say," she admitted. "I couldn’t refuse because, well, I didn’t want to be rude. But... I wanted to refuse. I wanted to say no. And ever since then, I’ve had this weird feeling in my stomach, like..." She trailed off, searching for the right words.

"Like what?" he asked gently, his voice calm and soothing.

She sighed, shaking her head. "I don’t know... like I don’t want anyone else to get close to you. It’s stupid, I know, but it just... bothered me."

For a moment, the car was quiet as her words hung in the air. Then, Sunghoon let out a small, playful chuckle. "Angel," he said, a teasing grin spreading across his face, "are you jealous?"

Y/n’s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. "What? No!" she protested, lightly smacking his arm in embarrassment. But her blush betrayed her.

He laughed softly, shaking his head. "You don’t have to lie. It’s okay if you’re jealous. It’s kind of cute, actually."

She groaned and covered her face with her hands, her blush growing deeper. "I don’t know what I’m feeling," she mumbled through her fingers. "Maybe I am jealous. I just... I don’t like the idea of other people wanting to get close to you like that."

His playful grin softened into a tender smile as he reached out and gently took her hand in his. The warmth of his touch calmed her slightly, and she peeked out from behind her hands.

"Angel," he said softly, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand, "no one could ever replace you. I don’t want anyone else but you. I’m yours. Okay?"

Her heart swelled at his words, and she finally dropped her hands from her face, meeting his gaze. His eyes were warm and sincere, full of affection. A small, shy smile tugged at her lips.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

For a moment, they simply sat there, hands intertwined, the weight of her worries slowly lifting. She felt silly for being jealous, but his reassurance made her feel better—like everything was going to be okay.

With a soft squeeze of her hand, Sunghoon smiled again. "Now, are you ready to go home? Or should we stay here a little longer so you can keep being jealous over me?"

She laughed softly, rolling her eyes. "Let’s go home, Hoonie."

With one last squeeze of her hand, he started the car and pulled out of the park, the tension between them melting away as they drove in comfortable silence.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

The hallways were bustling with students as Sunghoon walked alongside his six friends, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. They surrounded him, their voices a mix of laughter and banter as they discussed their morning classes and plans for later. Though he was in the center, Sunghoon wasn’t really engaging, just listening with a relaxed, blank expression.

Suddenly, Jihye stepped into their path, her bright smile directed solely at him. His friends quieted down, their attention shifting to her as she confidently strode up and stopped in front of him.

He came to a halt, the rest of his friends following suit, and looked down at her with an uninterested stare. His posture didn’t change, still nonchalant, but his eyes gave nothing away.

“Hi,” she greeted, her voice sweet and almost too eager. "You know, you’re not as scary as everyone says you are." She grinned wider. "Actually, I think you’re really handsome."

His friends exchanged amused glances, some of them snickering at the bold compliment. Jake elbowed Jay lightly, trying not to laugh out loud, but Sunghoon remained stone-faced, unmoved by her words.

“Thanks," he said flatly, the word carrying no emotion whatsoever.

Encouraged by what she perceived as an opening, the girl stepped a little closer, her confidence growing. "So, I was thinking... maybe we could hang out sometime? Go on a date?"

The air shifted. His friends went quiet, waiting for his response, some of them already stifling laughter, knowing exactly how this was going to go.

Without missing a beat, Sunghoon looked her dead in the eyes, his voice cold and blunt. "I’m not interested," he said simply, his words like a slap in the face. He didn’t even soften the blow. "And I never will be."

His rejection was firm and absolute, and her face fell slightly, the confident smile wavering.

Before she could even recover, he continued, his tone sharp now. "Stop bothering Y/n about me. Leave her alone."

Jihye's expression soured at the mention of Y/n, and her posture stiffened. Clearly offended, she crossed her arms and glared up at him. "Her?" she sneered. "You’d rather be with someone like her? She’s nothing special."

That was it.

The air around Sunghoon changed in an instant, his relaxed stance becoming tense. He took a step closer to her, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. His jaw clenched, and his gaze hardened into a menacing glare.

“Say that again,” he challenged, his voice low and threatening.

Her eyes widened, clearly taken aback by the sudden shift in his demeanor. She swallowed hard but held her ground. “I-I’m just saying—”

He cut her off, his voice ice-cold. "Don’t insult her. Not ever again."

The threat was clear, and she realized quickly that she’d crossed a line. His friends stood silently behind him, watching the scene unfold but not interfering, their faces reflecting the same unreadable expressions.

“You think you can just walk up to me and insult someone I care about? You’re not worth my time, and you’re definitely not worth hers." His eyes narrowed, and he leaned down slightly, his words sharp as a knife. "So, get lost."

Stunned and clearly humiliated, the girl stumbled back, her face flushed with anger and embarrassment. She glanced around at his friends, who were watching her with barely concealed amusement, and then back at him. She opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it and turned on her heel, storming away in a huff.

As she disappeared down the hallway, Heeseung broke the silence with a low whistle. "Man, she didn’t stand a chance, did she?"

Jay laughed, shaking his head. "I almost feel bad for her. Almost."

But Sunghoon wasn’t interested in the jokes. His expression was still hardened as he stared after her retreating figure, but after a moment, he let out a long breath, shoving his hands back into his pockets.

Jake nudged him playfully. "Guess she knows now not to mess with Y/n."

"She better," he muttered, his gaze softening only slightly as he turned away and resumed walking.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

The sun was starting to set as Sunghoon drove through the familiar streets, the hum of the engine a calming presence. Beside him, in the passenger seat, Y/n was happily chatting away, her voice light as she recounted the events of her day. Her words were full of the small details—her classes, something funny one of her friends said, and the little things she noticed on her walk to school.

She was radiant when she spoke, her face lighting up with every new story, and Sunghoon couldn’t help but watch her as he drove, a soft smile tugging at his lips. The world outside seemed to blur into the background; all that mattered was the sound of her voice and the way her eyes sparkled.

As they approached the park, he turned the steering wheel and pulled into the parking lot, the car coming to a gentle stop under the shade of a large tree. They’d been here before, a quiet place where they could steal a few moments together away from everything else.

“Let’s hang out here for a bit,” he said as he turned off the car.

She looked over at him with a smile, nodding as she continued talking, this time about something one of her classmates did during lunch. He leaned back in his seat, one arm resting on the wheel, the other draped casually across his lap as he listened intently to every word she said.

But after a while, Y/n noticed the way he was staring at her—his eyes warm, focused entirely on her, as if she was the only thing that mattered. Her words faltered for a second, a light blush creeping onto her cheeks as she realized he wasn’t just listening; he was captivated.

“What?” she asked, her voice soft and a little shy.

He didn’t say anything at first, just kept staring, the intensity of his gaze making her heart race. Then, slowly, he leaned in closer, his face mere inches from hers. The quiet rustle of the park’s leaves surrounded them, but in that moment, it felt like the world had stilled.

His voice was soft, almost a whisper. “Can I kiss you?”

Her breath hitched, her blush deepening as her eyes flicked from his lips to his eyes. She swallowed, feeling the warmth of his closeness, and after a second, she gave a small, shy nod.

That was all the confirmation Sunghoon needed.

In one smooth, gentle motion, he closed the remaining distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a soft, tender kiss. It was sweet, unhurried, like they had all the time in the world. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she felt her heart swell, her hands coming up to lightly rest on his arm as they shared the moment, lost in the quiet intimacy of the park.

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜

PART ONE | CALLING ON MY ANGEL

MASTERLIST

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, lxvsiick, 2024

[writer-logbook]

How to improve your writing style : a 5-steps guide.

Intro : I love the 5-steps format, don’t mind me. Again, this essay is based on my personal experience.

Read in different genres. Ok, I know you’ve probably heard this advice more than you can count but did you ask yourself why it is so important ? You probably wonder ‘‘How reading some historical fiction will help me writing my sci-fi novel ?’’ For that simple reason my friend : they meet different purposes. You don’t know how to describe a castle ? It’s okay, historical fiction got your back. Because it aims at something more realistic and accurate, it would tend to be more specific and detailed when it comes to describing clothes, furniture, places and so on. Why ? Because, most of the time, THEY ACTUALLY EXISTED. Take a closer look at how it is done and draw your inspiration from it (but please avoid plagiarism it’s bad - and illegal)

Take notes and CLASSIFY them. To make reading somehow useful, you have to actually make it concious, which means you have to write things down to remember them. When I come across a description I like, I tend to takes notes of the figures of speech that are used and class them, so when I have to write a similar scene, I have an idea of what have been already used, and weither or not it achieved its goal. I am NOT talking about COPY another author’s style !!!! It’s about finding inspiration and new approaches. I also tend to take notes of the new words I wish to incoporate into my writing. The thesaurus is my new bestie.

Rewrite the same scene from different POVs. First of all, it’s fun. And it’s a really good way to spot quirky formulations. For instance, if you describe a ship, the captain’s POV should be different from that of a simple observer. The first one would be naming each part princisely whereas the other would only be admiring the surface without knowing anything. If the caption is the same for both POVs, maybe you should consider write your passage again (or have a good reason, like a strong amateurism for the mere observer). It’s go hand in hand with coherence - but it would be an essay for another time (maybe).

Read your text aloud. I put major emphasis on that one because it’s as underated as reading books for various genres. You have no idea how much we DON’T speak the way we write. Even dialogues are crafted in our stories - so make sure to give them proper attention. (i even read my email aloud but-). I KNOW how cringey it might be as I am doing it MYSELF but the benefits are worth the 35-minutes shame I endure from my own mess. Before you can shine, you have to polish (shout out to the one who said that first if it’s not me).

Take a step back. I strongly advice you to let some time pass before reading your text again and profreading it. It will cast a new light upon your work and with fresh eyes you’d be more likely able to spot what needs to be erased or rephrased.

That’s all for me today. Since I would be entering my proofreading phase for my writing contest, the next essay would probably about proofreading (with examples from my own novel ?). Unless someone wants me to write on a specific subject first.

Gentle reminder that I’m still French and not a native so please forgive my dubious grammar and outrageous mispellings.

[bibookdemon]

Chat. Gay chicken(?) with Shang Qinghua and Shen Yuan.

Warning for some nsfw aspects further down ;3

-Started out as SQH writing LBH as bi in PIDW, he was catering to the fans so suddenly LBH discovers he's also into men lmfao, so he writes a smut scene between LBH and another man and it is so much worse than any of the other smut. Bro did not do any of his fucking research. He has no fucking clue.

-Some of the fans eat it up but SY is like NUH UH THIS IS SHIT. And of course he writes that it's shit.

-For once, SQH writes back: 'Like YOU would know, you rich fucking asshole!' (He's gathered that SY has enough money he can sit around all day and leave bad reviews on his story.)

-SY is all 'Of course I know, idiot! Literally everyone knows how to write gay smut!!'

-And SQH is too deep in his rage to think about what he's saying so: 'Prove it then.'

-SY is also too deep. 'Come to XX on XX day.'

-They meet at a bustling coffeeshop that's super cute and geared towards couples. SY's first impression of SQH is 'wow he's short' and SQH's first impression of SY is 'yeah he looks fucking gay.' And he's pretty sure he's gonna eat his words.

-They go on a fucking coffee date. SY buys him coffee, they get a cute table in a semi-private corner, they actually get to talking and everything is kinda chill.

-SQH eventually remembers that hey, this guy is the jerk who leaves shitty comments on his story. So he tells him to man tf up and prove he knows about gay smut.

-SY is now scrambling to figure it out. He does not, in fact, know how to write gay smut. He does not, in fact, know how to prove it. So, now that he's panicking, he does the unexpected to divert SQH's attention: He slides a hand over SQH's, leans it, and kisses him right on the lips. 'How's this for gay?'

-SQH is absolutely surprised and flustered and also holy fuck that was like a really good kiss and low-key he wants to be kissed like that again but- 'still doesn't prove anything - unless you're unable to prove it'

-SY is in this too deep and has too much pride to give in. So he decides to go for another shock factor. He gets out his phone and he calls his favorite hotel. And he books a room. And SQH is just thinking to himself 'what the fuck have I gotten myself into' but of course he's not gonna back out! He has too much pride as well, and hey, a hotel room is better than his dingy little place, and maybe he also wants some more of those kisses.

-They go to the hotel in SY's car (SQH took the bus to get to the coffee shop) and then they're at the hotel and then SY is initiating a quick, sloppy kiss in the parking lot and SQH is feeling a little turned on and then- they have to go inside

-He figured SY was rich, but he didn't realize just HOW rich the bastard was. Bro got a fucking suite. It's huge, the bed is nice, the moment they're inside the room, SY's tongue is down his throat.

-After that, they both sorta stumble through the steps, SQH is too busy being turned on and wanting more kissing to recognize that SY is fumbling with everything and is sweating buckets and trembling cause he's so nervous. When it was time to put the condom on SY was so worried he was gonna rip it lmfao

-And they fuck, and it's awkward but also good, and SQH afterwards is just like 'you should prove you know how to write gay smut more often. To me.'

-SY is just like 'yeah, yeah,' he's tired and he wants to sleep and he just grabs SQH and snuggles him cause it feels right.

-Morning rolls around and they both realize what they just did + what they said they'd do in the future. And they're both looking at each other wide-eyed. And finally, SQH is all, 'Look Cucumber-bro, I don't know about you, but I had a fun time, and fuck all the stupid shit about writing gay smut, I want to BE the gay smut.'

-And SY is just like 'Ok,' because he has nothing better to say but he doesn't mind SQH's reasoning and he liked the sex.

-They'd be fucking hilarious. Poor SY doesn't know what he signed up for, SQH ends up having this endless stamina + an endless torrent of new ideas for them to try. 'I have to know how it works for the story!!! The fans are eating up my writing lately!!!!' - And SY has come to find SQH absolutely adorable and he can't say no to that cute face.

-They're just fuck-buddies at first, but they eventually develop a crush on each other, have a whole dramatic situation over that, and then start dating. (SY starts showering SQH in rich gifts lmao - some of them are useful some art, SQH loves all of them cause omg his boyfriend loves him and gift-giving is part of his love language.)

[all4yoi]

𝓛overs 𝓓on't 𝓛ast (𝓦e 𝓓id 𝓞nce)

𝓳ake x fem!reader 🪷 cw ໒꒱ 4.4k word count. exes to lovers angst !! angst ?? 2nd chance romance, mild profanity, yearning, silent longing, did i say yearning? confrontation under the rain!! the rain!! tiny bit of jealousy, eventual fluff, there is like a duet scene but trust me on this!! hear me out ok.. lmk if i missed anything else, mentions of enhypen characters and 2 ocs, not proofread 💔

synopsis ໒꒱ They were lovers once.. quiet, constant, and inseparable, until love slipped through the cracks of silence and unsaid words.

When Y/N agrees to join a weekend getaway with old friends, she expects campfires, lake swims, and group games. Not Jake, the boy she once called home. The boy who drifted away without a storm, just a soft fading into silence. Now, in the cozy confines of a remote cabin, with nowhere to run and too many memories between them—they’re forced to coexist for five days of shared meals, fun activities, and lingering glances.

But as buried feelings resurface and conversations tiptoe into vulnerability, the question isn’t just "what went wrong?" it’s "is there still something worth fighting for?"

notes ໒꒱ i drafted this spontaneously after i heard lovers by anna of the north xd! anyway, it was supposed to be sunghoon but i was like.. nah jake would fit sm better so heres another full fic for jake grah.. also like finished this in one seating i think i write better with music motivation dude anyway, i hope you all enjoy as much as i did while writing!!

"You've been locking yourself up for God knows how long, just come with and unwind." the voice of your best friend Aina whined through your phone.

It has been exactly three days since your friends have been calling you nonstop trying to convince you to join their getaway somewhere in the woods in between mountains.

"It's just for five days, please Y/N.. just, think about it, okay?"

That's exactly why you're now here, in the middle of the woods with your big friend group. Looking around, you spot their respective cars parked near the big cabin, you felt your chest tighten at the familiar black honda civic with a bumper sticker that said "my dog is cooler than your boyfriend" that you remember buying two years ago.

"Y/N! Oh my gosh you actually made it!" you felt the arms engulfing your body before you could process who's voice it belonged. Momentarily forgetting what you've seen, you wrapped your arms around Aina, smiling against her hair.

She pulled away with a big smile before her brows furrowed slightly.

"Look, I didn't know he was coming okay? If I'd have known, I would've told you." she said with guilt, following your gaze towards the black car. You shook your head, waving her off telling her it was fine and that you've moved on.

You didn't know if you were assuring her or yourself.

-

"There she is!" "You cut your hair?!" "I thought you died, lowkey." were your friends' words to you as you entered the cabin with Aina. One by one, they gave you tight hugs, muttering how much they've missed you and asking if you were fine now.

While everyone was gathered around you, eager to see you again after so many months, one person remained seated on the couch his eyes softly trained to your figure as if he was trying to memorize you again.

"Y/N, we're sharing rooms. Alright with you?" you looked back towards the voice and accidentally looked at him.

Jake.

Jake in all his glory, his hair was still fluffy, long sleeves instead of a shirt, his chunky shoes and ripped jeans. He was still the same. He was still Jake, just not yours anymore.

Your eyes met and he sent you a small polite smile, his smile faltered when he saw your face fall. Guilt spreading all over his body and face.

"Y/N?" Sunoo's voice brought you back to reality, finally breaking the awkward interaction with Jake.

"Ah, yeah. No problem, Sun."

"Gotcha!"

-

The sun is setting and everyone is at the back of the cabin, others were coming in and out from the back door bringing food, blankets, and utensils out.

Heeseung came marching holding a cup with sticks in it.

"Okay, listen up! Everyone's going to pick a stick and the two who gets the shortest ones will be the one grilling. Fair?!" everyone agreed. Others were rubbing their hands, some wanting to grill and others just wanting to relax near the bonfire beside the pool.

Everytime someone pulled a long stick, everyone either cheered or groaned.

"Ah, well shit." you heard Jake from beside Sunghoon who laughed out loud. Turns out, Jake got a very short stick, meaning out of the two sticks in Heeseung's cup is short as well.

You and Ni-ki stared at each other before lunging towards Heeseung who stumbled back with a laugh, everyone watching in anticipation.

Ni-ki laughed in triumph upon seeing the length of his stick.

You stared at your ridiculously short stick, raising a brow at Heeseung who put his hands up in mock surrender. "Don't blame me, blame fate." he snickered as he walked away, patting Jake's back.

Everyone 'ooh-ed' in realization. You playfully rolled your eyes while successfully avoiding Jake's gaze, walking towards the grill silently and turning it on.

You could feel your heart beating faster than normal when you felt his body heat to your left. He rubbed his nape in embarrassment but said nothing. He kept glancing at you while also flipping off the boys behind him when they would teasingly pinch his side making him stumble closer to you.

"Sorry. It's- you know how they are.." he muttered once, only receiving a tight lipped smile from you. You both cooked silently, you placed the raw beef and pork, while he was in charge in plating them and delivering it to your friends.

As you finally wiped your hands with paper towel, Jake spoke beside you. "Hey.. uh, you look nice." he silently whispered.

You stared at him, first in shock then disbelief. You scoffed, brushing past him and seating beside Aina. Jake was left standing there in front of the grill, lowering his head and turning to look at you at the table.

You were so near yet so far, but he had no right to yearn for you back when he was the first one to pull away.. right?

-

"So, Y/N. How's nursing school?" Nari, another girl friend, asked from beside Jungwon who nodded at the question.

"Yeah, you like totally ghosted us after you and Jake- ah!" Ni-ki was quickly silenced by Jay who kicked his shin from under the table. "Oh, right. Sorry." the youngest whispered before stuffing his face with more beef.

Jake hung his head low across you, his tongue poking the inside of his cheek.

"Uh.. um. It's fine, hard. But I'm managing, I have to." you awkwardly laughed before putting another piece of pork in your mouth.

Heeseung noticing the tense tension spoke.

"Come on, Y/N didn't ghost us, she was just busy. You know how nursing school can get..." everyone stayed silent, at another attempt to bring the mood back, he asked. "Uh- Anyway, anyone up for some karaoke?" his question definitely broke the tension as everyone except for two people agreed loudly, jumping from their seat.

You sighed, standing up and beginning to clean up the table, deciding that you'd join karaoke later. Jake silently helped, he wiped the table clean and threw the trash while you washed the dishes.

You didn't even notice your hands were shaking until Jake held your wrist gently, his thumb rubbing lightly on your skin, grounding but too familiar. "Hey, relax. Come on, let me do it." he said it in that soft, affectionate way only he could, the tenderness in his tone that made your chest ache.

"What are you doing, Jake?" you shakily asked, staring at his fingers still wrapped around your wrist.

"Just trying to help, Y/N."

You finally looked up at him, eyes glassy while his were filled with concern and guilt. "Well, I don't-" your voice cracked, "I don't need your help. Not anymore, okay?"

Jake swallowed the lump in his throat, his fingers detaching from your wrist as he nodded. "Okay.. got it."

-

You exhaled through your nose, hearing the laughter and lyrics being yelled in the living room, and just as you had entered, Ni-ki pointed at you in glee.

"Just in time! Y/N and Jake, you're next!" your brows shot up in surprise, confusion and nervousness snaking up your spine as a tipsy Nari pulled you beside her while Jake was pulled beside Heeseung.

Before you could protest, two mics were shoved into your hands. Jake gripped his a little too tightly.

"I haven't sang in 2 years-"

"So what?! This isn't a competition, just have fun!"

You looked towards the TV, the words Just Give Me A Reason by Pink and Nate Ruess making your heart beat faster.

Of course, they'd pick this out of everything.

"You both- killed! and I mean, killed it! Last time we had karaoke. We had to hear it again." a clearly drunk Sunghoon exclaimed as he sat cross legged on the carpet, looking at both you and Jake as if this was a concert he was attending.

You sighed, but lifted the mic anyway—heart hammering, throat dry, forcing yourself to sing. You didn't glance at Jake. Not when he sang his part, not even when the room erupted in cheers.

Then came his voice. Lower, quieter, and so full of something you tried to ignore.

"I've never stopped, you're still written in the scars on my heart.." he sang deeply, his eyes locked on your face before looking down at the floor once realization dawned onto him that you were not looking anytime soon.

"Everyone shut up! The bridge is coming. Stand up, stand up." Aina shouted, urging you to stand while Jake did the same while singing his line.

"Oh, tears ducts and rust, I'll fix it for us.."

"We're collecting dust but our love's enough."

"You're holding it in, you're pouring a drink."

"No, nothing is as bad as it seems."

"We'll come clean."

Each lyrics were sang with something heavy and deep, emotions seeping through the microphones but no one seemed to notice except you both.

As the final lyric was sang, everyone drunkenly cheered, hooting for you both, oblivious to the war in your chest. You laughed awkwardly and coughed before excusing yourself in the kitchen.

You suddenly remembered two years ago, when you last sang that song with him. You had both pretended to break up with each other so that you and him "channel the pain" into the duet, and aftering singing, you'd both hug and kiss each other.

"That was the worse two minutes of my life." he'd say, kissing you softly and smiling in it while he held you close, ignoring your friends' protest on the pda.

It was something to be laughed about in your relationship back then, and now, you just sang it with him but there were no hugs after it.

No kisses.

No hugs.

No soft teasing from your friends.

Just silence.

You flinched when someone slid a glass of water beside you. Jake opened his mouth but decided against it, remembering your words from a while ago.

"I don't need your help anymore."

He pursed his lips before he walked away but without a last glance at your slumped figure on the kitchen counter, alone.

-

You didn't know what time everyone decided to retreat to their respective rooms. Sunoo was passed out beside you, his limbs sprawled in uncomfortable positions yet he snored soundly.

But your eyes stayed open.

You kept replaying everything that happened tonight. Jake's car in the driveway with the stupid bumper sticker you bought him, the two of you cooking, eating across from each other, God, you even sang together. Yet, you still felt empty. The lingering question in your chest threatening to come out.

"Was I not worth fighting for?"

You could remember vividly the silent apartment. Two people, one couple, yet it was so silent. It had been weeks since you have spoken properly with your boyfriend. Weeks since the last shared kiss, the last meal shared, everything.

"Are we okay?" you had asked him one night on your shared bed, his back towards you. Your voice silent, cautious and afraid.

He sighed, replying with a silent "yeah."

"It doesn't feel like it."

Jake sat up, brushing a hand through his hair.

"It's just- maybe we're just tired. Maybe we need space." and after weeks of longing, he had finally looked at you in the eye, but he wasn't saying what you had thought he'd say when he finally looks at you.

"Space?" a whisper. "Or a way out?"

"I don't want to hurt you more than I already have."

Then that was it. No one shouted, no one begged, no one cried. Just silence and the sound of your heart breaking softly.

You nodded, getting up from the bed before you left and never came back ever again.

Sometimes you had thoughts, if you have not asked him that night, would the both of you still be together?

You would've willingly accepted his silence, just the mere presence of his warmth was enough, but you respected yourself and didn't want to be selfish.

If you had not asked, would he have fought? Would he have stayed? Would he have chosen you, even quietly?

-

Morning came quickly, the sun peeking through the drawn curtains. Sunoo was still knocked out beside you, his sleep shirt riding up due to his constant moving. You carefully slid it back down before leaving the room.

The cabin was quiet, each room's door was still closed. Everyone was asleep still, or so you thought.

You heard him before you saw him.

"Fuck." Jake sleepily cursed at himself, hurriedly washing his hand on the sink as he weakly stomped his barefoot on the wooden floors.

You watched him silently, slipping beside him and grabbed a mug from the cabinets. He looked at you sheepishly, his pale hand turning red.

"Good morning." he greeted silently, turning the faucet off and carefully dabbing his reddened hand with a hand towel.

"Morning," you whispered back, your eyes still trained to his hand. "You 'kay?" his eyes widened at the question, gulping before nodding.

"Yeah, totally- um. You know, just accidentally spilled boiling water on me, nothing bad haha.." he cleared his throat, mentally slapping himself for how much he rambled. He noticed the corners of your mouth twitch, and he smiled.

A genuine Sim Jaeyun smile. Not an awkward or forced smile. Just him.

"You were always bad at handling burns." you said softly, placing your mug down before opening the cabinet below the counter and taking the first aid kit you spotted yesterday.

Jake blinked. "You remember that?"

"You cried over a curling iron once."

Jake choked before laughing. "That was scalding! You said it was on low!"

You nodded your head mockingly with a soft smile on your lips, putting your hand out, waiting for him to place his injured hand on yours.

He let you treat him in silence, eyes following every movement you made. Your delicate fingers rubbing a soothing cream on the red spot on his hand. It was still soft and light, still so you.

His eyes trained over your face, memorizing every feature.

"Thanks.." he muttered.

You hummed, putting everything back on the cabinet. "You should keep it dry." you said, patting his now bandaged hand. He begrudgingly took it back from your warm hands.

"Yes ma'am." he said in a light teasing tone, testing the waters if you'd respond to his humor.

You didn't respond, merely smiled and went back to making coffee. There was a pause, the air suddenly tensing. Then he spoke.

"I missed this." he said quietly, as if he had not intended to say it out loud.

You froze, hand stilling from mixing your coffee. "Sorry?"

Jake shook his head, smiling hesitantly as he gestured to the both of you. "This. You. Talking, laughing over stupid stuff," a slight pause, then, "Everything, really."

He scratched his nape with his unharmed hand, "I didn't realize how quiet things got when you left."

You resumed in stirring, not sparing him a glance.

"I didn't think you noticed."

"I notice everything."

Silence. Then footsteps from the stairs.

"Uh- breakfast." you said quickly, brushing past him to go over the fridge. Jake deflated but kept it to himself, knowing he had no right to feel this way when he was the one who let you go.

"Right, let me help."

-

Breakfast was surprisingly light. For the first time since the trip started, it actually felt like a vacation. There were no awkward silence or dead air like yesterday. Everyone joked about their hangovers, inside jokes were thrown.

"So, Jake and Y/N cooked breakfast?" Jay, who was the last one to wake up suddenly exclaimed from the stairs, walking towards the crowded dining table.

Ni-ki paused, "Wait, Jake," he pointed at the said man who raised a brow and had a strawberry on his mouth. "Made these pancakes?" he pointed towards the overflowing pancakes on his plate.

"I did Ni-ki, don't worry." you said lightheartedly, your brows quirking at him, playful and knowing.

The youngest visibly sighed in relief before he stuffed his mouth with the pancakes. Jake took offense and raised his arms.

"So what if I made the pancakes? Does it make it taste different?" he defensively asked making everyone stare at him in disbelief.

There was a beat of silence before everyone spoke over the other.

"Seriously?" "It's like he's not ashamed at all." "Just eat, Jake."

"Last time you tried cooking pancakes for everyone, you gave everyone food poisoning." you spoke, pointing at him then everyone else with your fork. Someone choked, either from holding back a laugh or the way you said it.

Jake's jaw dropped, putting a hand over his chest. "Slightly undercooked doesn't count as food poisoning! No one even threw up!"

Sunoo snorted and Jungwon raised a brow before nodding towards the youngest. "Ni-ki literally cried."

"Ni-ki threw up." you corrected, a brow raised as you kept your eyes on Jake who was fighting back a smile.

Breakfast was chaotic but fun. That morning, before you stepped out, you decided to push back every hard feelings you carried. Your friends planned everything and wanted to enjoy their small break. You didn't want to ruin the atmosphere by constantly being a moping cow, so even if it did hurt throwing jokes here and there with the person who broke your heart, you'd bear with it for the sake of your friends' happiness.

-

Once everyone was full and energized, you all gathered in the living room again. Nari had invited everyone for truth or dare to pass time.

You all sat in a circle in the middle of the living room, suddenly feeling like middle schoolers again. An empty coke bottle sat on the middle before it was spun by Heeseung.

"Okay! Sunghoon, truth or dare!" Heeseung exclaimed when the bottle stopped and pointed at Sunghoon. Said man groaned but picked truth anyway.

"Kiss, marry, kill, Aina, Nari, and Y/N go!" you audibly laughed while the two other girls made face.

"Obviously marry Y/N, kiss Nari and I'd kill Aina." there was a roar of laughter after he answered, Aina loudly complaining on why'd she be killed.

Jake furrowed his brows, his grip on the throw pillow on his lap tightening. "Obviously?" he whispered to himself but unfortunately, Sunoo heard.

"What? Jealous?"

Everyone 'oohs' awaiting his response. Jake shook his head, laughing slightly. "Of Sunghoon? Come on."

Sunghoon cackled but pointed at him anyway, "'Kay big boy, truth or dare?"

"Truth." everyone groaned, someone calling him a coward, someone saying two truths in a row was boring but he didn't care.

"Oh wait! I have one!" Ni-ki exclaimed, mischievous smile on his face. "Shoot." Jake nodded at him.

"What happened to the girl you were hanging out with in the city? Mira, was her name?" the room oohs, not noticing the way you subtly froze.

Jake stiffens, his gaze turning towards your uninterested figure. You were biting your lip, playing with the rim of your glass filled with juice.

He laughed hesitantly. "I was just walking her to class. Nothing happened, we're just groupmates."

Jake's eyes danced from your figure who remained still, to Ni-ki, to Aina who was now looking at him with furrowed brows, to everyone else who was now silent.

You looked to your left and see Jungwon's half filled bottle. Grabbing that opportunity, you snatched it from him and stood up.

"I'll get you your refill." and before he could stop you, you were already up your feet and left the living room.

"Nice going, she was actually starting to opening up more." Nari said, sparing a single glance at Jake and Ni-ki before standing up and following you.

Jake sighed, "Dude, seriously?"

Ni-ki sat back in guilt. "Sorry, I thought she's moved on."

"Okay, only a stupid person would think that." Jay said exasperated.

"Can we stop talking about this without her here? Seriously." Aina yelled, eyeing everyone with a hard gaze.

Heeseung stood up from his position and straightened his shirt. "I'm going to my room and coming out once the tension has cleared."

Jake watched as everyone left the living room, he could hear the faucet in the kitchen and faint murmuring from Nari. The room was silent but his heartbeat stayed loud. He needed to talk to you. Before the silence between you grew too loud to fix.

-

You kept your head low as you refilled Jungwon's glass, Nari standing beside you with her arms crossed over her chest.

"You don't have to pretend with me, you know?" she said softly, stepping closer. You nodded absentmindedly, screwing the lid back on the juice and tucking it back in the fridge.

"I'm not pretending."

"Come on, Y/N. Who are you fooling? You laughed when Sunghoon said he'd marry you, but Jake? One mention of a girl you don't know and you bolted." she whispered yelled, not wanting to be overheard by anyone.

You let out a sharp breath and messed your hair. "I'm just tired, Nari."

Nari's eyes softened, "You can talk to me, to anyone. We're your friends."

"I.. I think it was a bad idea, coming to this trip, I just-" you sighed, pulling the hem of your hoodie lower as if it would protect you from everything you were feeling. "I need a breather."

Nari didn't stop you but she watched as you walked away, biting her lip in worry and concern.

You hugged yourself tightly as you walked over the dock while the wind danced with your hair. You sat at the edge of the wooden platform, thoughts spiraling in your head.

Were you that easy to replace? But you couldn't blame him, it's been two years and he can date whoever he wants, but the unanswered questions still lingered.

Was I not enough? Did I give him too little? Maybe I was too clingy? Was I too pushy? Did I annoy him?

Did he fall out of love because he's seen everything you lacked with someone else?

You were so deep in thought you hadn't even realized the cold pattering of the rain dropping on your cheek. Just as you looked up in the dark sky, the rain poured, as if the world was crying for you.

The universe was crying for your pain, as if it could feel what you carried. And at some point, you didn't know anymore if the liquid dripping down your cheeks were your tears or the salty rain.

"Y/N!" you ignored his voice, choosing peace with the world who shared your pain. "What are you doing?! You're gonna catch a cold!" you were abruptly pulled up by your forearm but you snatched it away from his grip.

"Since when did you care, Jake?" you questioned, voice finally firm but shaking still. Jake's breathing was heavy, from the running or the question, you don't know.

"Since always. I've cared since always!" He screamed through the loud thunder, looking at your soaked figure. Your hair sticking to your face, your hoodie getting soaked, and yet, you were still the most beautiful woman he's ever seen.

"I'm telling the truth, nothing ever happened to me and that girl. She was a groupmate, nothing else." he added, desperation slipping through each word he muttered.

You laughed. "It doesn't matter, Jake. I don't need your explanation, we aren't together anymore."

He didn't know his heart could break all over again. His breath stuttered, his eyes blinking rapidly. "I thought.. I thought we were getting better." he murmured.

"So did I." you smiled, but broken. "But maybe that was stupid of me, really."

Jake shook his head, stepping closer and his arms hovering over you as he hesitated whether he should hold you or not. "No, don't say that." his voice cracked. "I'm just- God, I'm trying not to mess this up all over again. Please just hear me out."

You looked at him in confusion and disbelief. "Why now, Jake? Why now that I'm finally building myself back up, now that I'm finally learning how to live without you?" your voice shook, sadness, anger, confusion. You didn't know anymore but you wanted it to stop.

"Because I still love you." he paused, his voice cracking. "I loved you then, I love you now, especially now." he whined, tears falling from his eyes.

"That's.. you-" your scoffed out a short laugh with a tear falling. "That's not fair, Jake."

"I waited months for you to reach out. I walked away, expecting, hoping that you'd follow me and tell me you still loved me." you cried, your fist clenched at your side. "But you didn't.. Jake.. you didn't fight for me, for us."

Jake hesitantly brought you to his arms, melting in you when you didn't pull away. His neck was wet, with the rain and your tears but he didn't care. You were shivering and crying and he desperately needed you warm.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, baby. I didn't know how to, we were young." he whispered in your soaked hair. "But now I do. I'll fight now, for you, for us."

You shake your head against his neck, sobbing harder.

And somehow, the words you've been meaning to hear were finally uttered. Under the pouring rain while the world weeped with you in the arms of the boy you never really unloved.

EPILOGUE (One Year Later)

"Baby, seriously it's not that serious." you deadpan at your sulking boyfriend, his body was on top of yours, his weight crushing you comfortably.

He exhaled against the crook of your neck and you whined with a chuckle at the ticklish feeling. "It is serious. That lego set was the final piece for my collection," he pulled away, not all the way but just enough to look at you.

"I already had it in my hand, but boom! The kid gets it 'cause he's younger? What kind of policy is that?" he whined again, dropping his face back into your neck.

You chuckled at your boyfriend's whining, playing with his hair while he continued to ramble on how he deserved it better.

The journey to this relationship wasn't smooth, there were times you hesitated, scared that whatever happened then would happen again, but he always reassured you.

There were also times where he'd get overwhelmed but instead of pulling away, he'd talk to you with that cute eyes of his, asking for comfort and just talk, and you both did, for hours until he felt better.

No one pulled away anymore, no one was going to walk away anytime soon.

"I deserved it better, right baby?" he sulked, puckering his lips as he looked at you.

"Yes, you big baby. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"What does that even meannn." he grumbled into your shoulder.

Your relationship with Jake wasn't perfect, but what's a real relationship without imperfections?

You were lovers once, you are still, and until evermore.

(fin.)

[kainabunny]

creative

Thought I'll post this here since been reading a lot. No, I never get exhausted on creating lore for any storyline. I've been in mcrp space for 10+ years, believe me when I say... I have ideas I really do. Issue is I'm not allowed to write that style of lore like im used to.

It wasn't a choice I was allowed to make but I make work with my writing. Especially since atm I love what I do. This is my job and I'll do my best to make a quality episodes.

Whether it's in the m c r p space or in v r or my own content. Please know that I we'll never run out of creativity for stories. I love characters.I love the environment.And I love how much i'm allowed to do. Certain careers, I work for allow me to write my own things that eventually become fan favorites. While others, I must listen to the rules since they are my clients. I never, ever run out of creativity, or else, how will I pay my bills🥺

I draw, Va, Body act,edit , make blockbench models and write. I do a lot since in the end of the say I wanna be supportive to my friends and clients. Many know me without even knowing me. I've been behind the scenes helping where I can since 2015 on projects with multiple people! So let's clear somethings up:

There seems to be a lack of communication with us.

TSBS fans of Femme:

I should paste here since im assuming majority are not not in the server. Femme Nights has shifted to Roblox. Was not by choice but unfortunately we roll with the punches. Davis is no longer at femme as writer. He is still around for other channels and for his health chose to drop femme. (Dude works on so many channels... so makes sense to drop one)

Flora and I have been the ones taking care of Femme since. So we'll support him same way he supported us. (I better not see a rumor that he hates us. My bestie is over worked plus I mod for him. So... we all friends who help each other. Also he is marring my bestie☺️) I've taken on the mantle as writer for femme while Flora has been overseeing my work and coming up with concepts( we are both figuring out our workload behind the scene🥺) I just got sick and tried of everyone just assuming we "ran out of ideas" or "oh this is a break bc they are overworked" Clearly we haven't met! 😈

Regardless, I promise each video isn't done with the intention of being "baby" we are trying our best with videos. Concepts that are wayyy more but we are hired to work here. So we have to listen to our boss. I can't promise lore will return the same way as VR. I can promise is giving a story and being entertaining. Flora and I hope everyone can understand that part.

Now with that said I know we will be losing a good chunk of the fan base. Hell ive read the comments and heard the hate you've posted about this. I do not blame anyone for leaving and dropping femme! I also don't know too much on roblox but I wanna be better! I wanna thank you folks for allowing us to grow in VR storyline. Now if you stick around please do it for Flora and myself. I promise you I'll do my best together. We just need some patience and positivity. Some actually good criticism then we hate it. We already talking on how we can add some certain characters. Storylines and expand. (Again we are trying so don't quote me. I wanna suprise you if I get the ok.) im excited, excited to see this through but Flora and I need your support.

Personal:

Now if you wanna see me more active please go to Twitter for me or join my live on twitch(Kainabunny). I really enjoying my time here and won't talk against fan bases I don't know. However, I'm trying to step up and understand the fan bases I work for. So please any questions about how I work or projects I don't mind💙 ( won't lie felt a little insulted you guys assumed Davis would leave a channel without someone who can keep up? Dude once I get approval on certain storylines I guarantee you'll adore what's to come!) Seriously, you guys should go do a little research on the projects ive helped. Most likely was the reason I've made you cry in the MCRP community 😅😅😅

Sorry for the rant hope everyone enjoys!!!

[carawenfiction]

So...remember how I said in that update post how I might MAYBE do a TSS rewrite and post it for free?

"Maybe" quickly turned into "definitely happening". Instead of making it outside of COG, however, the finished product that's already published will be updated with the rewritten files. This means that if you've already purchased TSS through COG, you'll have the rewritten version available. That's how I originally intended to go about things with the old rewrite and is the better option here to avoid potential complications.

I've been in contact with COG and they've let me know that I'd be able to do what I have in mind even if this results in a different wordcount and very different scenes/plot points and a different kind of main story.

I realize that this announcement is probably pretty jarring since my last post stated that I wasn't sure about doing a rewrite but that I wanted to if I had enough time. After making that post, I started creating an outline for the rewrite mostly for fun...and one thing kind of led to another. I want you all to know that I wouldn't be making this post at all if I wasn't sure about this. It's because I've already begun the process and feel incredibly motivated and inspired that I can do this that I'm making this announcement.

This rewrite is not going to be like my old attempt at a rewrite, though. It's an entirely new one that I feel much more confident about.

So far I've written the outline for the rewrite and started reworking already existing scenes from chapter 1 as well some new ones. I'm happy to say that the difference between how the rewrite process felt years ago compared to now is like light and day. It seems like those years I've taken away from TSS were very healthy and helpful in giving me some distance and letting me figure out what kind of story I really want to tell.

My plan is to rewrite book 1 and then make 1 full continuation after that. Instead of a trilogy, it looks like this version of TSS will be 2 volumes, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be shorter than originally intended. I think it's more doable for me to rewrite the first book (starting from scratch while also using some already written scenes, since I've been assured I'm allowed to do so) and then make 1 complete continuation of it rather than trying to fill stuff out over 3 different entries, and I think it'll serve the plot and story as a whole to do it that way.

That being said, I fully understand that some - or most of you - might have trouble trusting my word after me failing to do the rewrite I wanted to years ago and not delivering a second book. That's completely fair. This time I'm not rushing things and I don't feel any pressure to do this. It's not something I do out of dislike for the original, but rather out of love for what it could be and what I could make it into, if that makes sense. I'm taking as much time as I need to and am not putting any pressure on myself to do this.

My other project takes priority right now so I can't dedicate all of my time to the rewrite, but I'm working on it when I have time over or get stuck. It's actually pretty nice to alternate between two different stories that have different settings and has helped a bit in avoiding writer's block.

Here are some differences between TSS and the TSS rewrite (most of the changes I made to the old rewrite no longer apply):

The rewrite will be told in second-person point of view ("you" instead of "I"). The reason for this is that when I first started TSS I was really unused to the second-person POV, but after having spent years in the IF space it's now the other way around. It'll make writing much easier for for me, and I hope it won't feel too jarring for people who are used to the first person POV.

The Shadowman and Jealene (now "J") will both be genderselectable just like the main cast. The Shadowman will be genderselectable later on, though - it might sound strange but I think it makes sense when you have more context. J plays a bigger role than they did in the original and their personality is a bit different in this version.

Some side characters (such as most of the hideout) will be cut. This is because they felt really underdeveloped to me in the full game and didn't serve much of a purpose. Instead I'm focusing more on the main cast + a few key characters to ensure the story plot stays focused and you get more time to develop bonds of various kinds with the main cast instead.

The relationship system will look a bit different. Instead of bars showing a percentage of approval, I'll write a description of each character and what they think of you. The descriptions will shift when the character starts viewing you differently, whether that's due to rivalry, romance or friendship. My hope is that this will allow for a more nuanced relationship system/descriptions. I'll also adjust the options a bit to try and make choices more nuanced and am thinking of including the option of having ex. a heart next to a romantic choice for those who want to know for sure what they're getting into. The different responses (such as shy, flirty etc.) will stay but some of it will probably be reworked. Essentially what I want to do is allow for a wider range of MCs and how the characters respond to the MC.

The MC is going to have more agency in certain ways. I've included something plot-relevant to the main character that can potentially change the dynamic between them and the group a bit, but it all depends on how you play it.

The tone might be somewhat different. Not entirely, of course, but there are some parts of the old TSS where the characters sound a bit younger than they are supposed to be, where tension and seriousness has been sacrificed in favor of humor and where some of the interactions aren't the way I would prefer for them to be. I've gotten older since writing TSS (gasp) and my tastes have changed, as has my writing to some degree. In order to do a rewrite I'd have to write in a way that's most enjoyable for me and that I feel best fits the story I want to tell. That's not to say that there isn't going to be silliness etc., but I'm adjusting the tone somewhat and putting more time and effort into descriptions and the writing overall.

The narrative will be different, even though the overall story itself will mostly stay the same. I'm keeping a lot of elements and also aim to introduce new ones that I believe will strengthen the story and make it a more enjoyable game overall.

I think those are the main differences I can give away right now without spoiling anything. I'll make sure to post updates when I've got more to share! Once the demo for the rewrite is finished, I'll post it on the forums and link it in an intro post on here.

Thank you all for sticking by me throughout the years. I hope you'll find some comfort in returning to this world, as well as new things to ponder and excite you in this new upcoming version of the story <3

The Azuridia and Quaiel chibis are done by the amazing madebysalfi

[theonottsbxtch]

hiiii i loved ur CL fics sm I was wondering if you could write angst of LN inspired by the song Casual by chappel roan?😭 feel free to ignore this req though!!💕 love u

CASUAL | LN4

an: this is TOTALLY not based off personal experience and TOTALLY didn't make me cry writing it, i poured two years worth of bullshit into this i hope you enjoy it. one of these scenes actually happened try and guess which one AND TO MAKE IT WORST I WAS THE JOURNALIST AND HE WAS THE SPORTS PLAYER ANYWAY

wc: 10.2k

Present Time

The city lights blurred through the rain-streaked window of the sleek black cab, each droplet a reminder of how tonight had unravelled into something far too complicated. She sat back against the worn leather seat, her fingers unconsciously tapping the small notebook resting in her lap. She hadn’t written a word.

She shouldn’t have agreed to this interview. That much was clear now. But when her editor had mentioned his name, her chest had tightened. It had been a year—no, closer to two—since the last time she’d seen him in person. But when you cover Formula 1, you don’t escape the shadow of Lando Norris for long. Especially this season. And here she was, his shadow pulling her back in, as if those tangled months had never happened.

The cab slowed, pulling up to a luxury hotel that had never seemed like Lando’s style—until it did. The polished, impersonal grandeur, the kind that screamed you were too famous, too fast to belong anywhere at all. The driver mumbled something about rain, but she barely heard him. She was too busy staring at the figure that had just appeared through the entrance. Tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly leaning against a pillar, Lando’s expression was hard to read, even from here. His trademark black leather jacket hung off him like a second skin. She remembered that jacket. She remembered far too much.

He spotted her through the rain, those piercing green eyes locking onto hers with the same intensity that had once sent her world spinning. For a moment, time seemed to slip backward, to late nights and whispered arguments, to hotel rooms where neither of them had belonged.

She swallowed hard and pushed the car door open. She wasn’t here for that. This was just work now. An interview, a piece for tomorrow’s newspaper. Nothing more. Lando had made it clear a long time ago that they were nothing more.

She stepped out into the rain, the cool drops on her skin grounding her just enough. Lando didn’t move, but his gaze followed her like a predator’s, waiting to strike.

"Long time no see," he called out as she approached, his voice low and edged with something she couldn’t quite place. 

She flinched at his voice, directed towards her. Like it had all been some fleeting game, some disposable moment. The thing was, she had been the one who’d tried to keep it light, who’d pretended she didn’t care. But Lando had always seen through her. And now, she wondered if he could still see what a mess she was beneath the practised professionalism.

"Yeah," she forced a tight smile, trying to pretend that his voice didn’t sting. "Just work, Lando. Let’s keep it that way."

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling the corner of his lips. “If you say so.” He said it like a challenge, like they both knew this wasn’t just a story for either of them.

She held her breath, her heart pounding far too hard for someone who had promised herself she was over this. Over him.

But deep down, she already knew the truth: there was nothing casual about Lando Norris. There never had been.

Two Years Ago

It had been a suffocatingly hot afternoon at the Austin Grand Prix. The sun hung heavy in the sky, the smell of burning rubber thick in the air as engines roared, and tension crackled around the circuit. But none of that had mattered when she was with Lando.

Just minutes before, she’d been in his driver’s room, his body tangled with hers, skin still warm from the way their desperation had collided. It had been fast, rough—like all the moments they’d stolen in between races. And for a fleeting second, she had believed that maybe this time was different. Maybe this time, he’d let her in.

But as she stepped into the paddock, adjusting her shirt and fixing her hair, she heard his voice, sharp and careless, coming from around the corner. She should have walked away. But curiosity, or maybe the sick need to hear, pulled her closer.

"I don't know, man," Lando’s laugh broke through the air like glass. "It’s casual. She’s just another girl. You know how it is."

She froze, her breath catching in her throat. She pressed herself against the wall, just out of sight, the words slicing through her. Just another girl.

She heard the other driver—was it Pierre? Or maybe Charles—murmur something back, his voice muffled, like it didn’t matter. Nothing anyone else said mattered after that.

All she could focus on was Lando. The way he spoke about her as if the last hour hadn’t happened. As if they hadn’t just been in his room, their bodies and hearts closer than they had ever dared admit out loud.

Her stomach twisted violently, shame and anger rising in her chest. How could he act like that? Like none of it meant anything? Like she didn’t mean anything?

She pushed herself off the wall, her heart hammering. She had to leave, get out of here before the flood of emotions swallowed her whole. But just as she turned the corner, she came face-to-face with someone who could unravel her even more.

Lando’s mother, Cisca Norris, stood in front of her, a soft smile breaking across her face the second she saw her .

“Darling, it’s been too long,” Cisca’s voice was warm, so achingly kind, as she pulled her into an embrace.

She wanted to scream, wanted to cry, wanted to run, but instead, she wrapped her arms around Cisca and tried not to let the tears fall. Cisca held her like she was more than just another journalist, more than just another girl passing through Lando’s life. The woman had always been good to her, always treated her with affection that felt too close to motherly.

She couldn’t break now. Not in front of Cisca.

“Yeah, it has,” she managed, her voice thin as she pulled back and forced a smile. Her chest was burning, her throat tight. Cisca’s eyes searched her face with that kind of intuition only mothers had. She must’ve known something was wrong, but she didn’t ask.

“You should come by later,” Cisca continued, still holding her hands in hers. “Dinner with the family. It’ll be nice.”

She nodded, her vision blurring as she made some excuse, something about needing to finish a story. Cisca finally released her, her touch lingering as if she could sense the storm brewing inside her.

The second Cisca was gone, her composure cracked. She made her way to the bathroom, her legs unsteady as the pain crashed over her in waves. She locked herself in a stall, her back pressed against the cold tile wall, and finally let out the breath she had been holding.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the image of Lando’s smirk, the sound of his voice when he had so casually discarded her like she was nothing.

She had always known it couldn’t last, that Lando wasn’t the kind of man to settle down, least of all with someone like her. But hearing it like that—hearing him reduce everything they had been to something so meaningless—tore something inside her she hadn’t even known was fragile.

She thought of Cisca, of the warmth in her embrace, and it only made the ache worse. There was no pretending now, no saving face. The line between Lando’s world and her own was more jagged than ever. She didn’t belong, not here, not with him.

She had barely pieced herself together by the time she left the bathroom stall. Her reflection in the mirror looked foreign, hollow-eyed and shaky, her hands gripping the counter as if the world beneath her feet might give way. But she didn’t have time to fall apart. Not here. Not now.

The media pen was bustling with the usual post-qualifying chaos—drivers weaving between journalists, cameras pointed in every direction, reporters asking the same rehearsed questions. She’d done this a hundred times, and today should have been no different. But today, every movement felt like it was being held together by string, and she was one breath away from snapping.

As soon as she arrived, her producer, Mark, waved her over, holding up the microphone with a nod. She forced a smile, plastering on the face she always wore when the cameras were rolling. She could do this. She had to do this.

Lando was already there, standing with a few other journalists, casually leaning against the fence like he hadn’t just torn her heart in half an hour ago. He looked almost too relaxed, that signature smirk playing on his lips. When his eyes met hers, something in them flickered—like he knew. Like he could see how fragile she was, and he wasn’t about to make it any easier.

"Hey," Lando drawled as she approached, his voice low and smooth. He flashed her a grin, the one that used to make her stomach flip. Now, it only twisted the knife.

She kept her face neutral, gripping the microphone a little tighter. "Lando," she said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside. "You had a solid qualifying. What are your thoughts heading into tomorrow’s race?"

He tilted his head, his gaze never leaving hers. "Oh, you know," he said, his tone almost playful. "Feeling good. Always do when I’ve got the right motivation." He winked, just subtle enough that the cameras wouldn’t pick it up, but she caught it. And she hated that her heart still skipped at the sight.

She fought to keep her composure, swallowing hard as she moved on to the next question, doing her best to keep it professional. But every answer Lando gave was laced with innuendo, his eyes lingering on her in ways that felt too personal. Too raw. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him to stop playing games, to stop acting like everything between them was fine when she was barely holding it together.

"Alright, thanks for your time," she said, ending the interview with a tight smile as the camera finally cut. Her hand was shaking, the adrenaline rushing through her veins like fire. She needed to get out of here. Fast.

But before she could move, Lando stepped closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Sweetheart," he murmured, his voice so quiet no one else could hear. "I'll meet you at the hotel later?"

She stiffened, her entire body tensing. She turned to look at him, her eyes wide, disbelief flooding her chest. How could he be so casual, so careless? Did he really think she’d just meet him after what she overheard? After the way he’d reduced her to nothing?

Lando’s fingers brushed against hers, and for a split second, he took her hand, bringing it to his lips. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, just like it always did. He kissed her hand gently, like nothing had changed. Like he hadn’t just broken her in two.

She yanked her hand away, her breath catching as the pain clawed at her chest. She couldn't do this. Not again. She forced a small, tight-lipped smile, nodding as if she was agreeing, but inside, her heart was shattering all over again.

"I’ve got to—" she started, her voice cracking slightly as she turned back to Mark, her producer. "I need to go. Tell them I’ll be back later."

Mark frowned, concerned. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I’m fine," she lied, her throat tightening as she backed away, already feeling the tears pressing against her eyes. "Just… something came up."

Without waiting for his reply, she slipped through the crowd, moving faster now, desperate to get out of the media pen, away from the cameras, away from him. She barely made it around the corner before the sob hit her, choking her breath, her chest heaving as she pressed her back against the wall, her hands trembling.

She couldn’t hold it in anymore. The tears spilled over, hot and heavy, her body shaking as she gasped for air. How could he do this to her? How could he look at her like that, touch her like that, after treating her like she meant nothing?

She tried to steady herself, wiping furiously at her face, but the more she tried to hold it together, the more everything crumbled.

"Is that you?" A familiar voice cut through the fog, and she looked up, blinking through her tears to see Oscar standing just a few feet away. His brow furrowed in concern, his normally playful demeanour replaced by something much more serious.

"Oscar," she croaked, her voice barely a whisper. She tried to pull herself together, to stand up straighter, but it was no use. The floodgates had opened, and there was no stopping it now.

He stepped closer, his expression softening as he realised what was happening. "Hey, hey, it’s okay," Oscar said gently, his hand resting on her shoulder. "Come on, let’s get you out of here."

She shook her head, embarrassed, ashamed that anyone had to see her like this. "I’m fine, I just—"

"You’re not fine," Oscar cut her off, his voice kind but firm. "Let’s get you somewhere quiet, okay? You don’t have to pretend with me."

She nodded, her vision still blurred with tears as Oscar guided her away from the chaos of the paddock, his arm around her shoulders, his presence steady and warm. She didn’t have the strength to protest, not now.

For once, she didn’t have to hold it all together. And maybe, just for a moment, that was enough.

Oscar’s arm was strong around her shoulders, a steadying force as he led her away from the paddock, away from the media pen, and away from the chaos of her unravelling thoughts. She didn’t resist, couldn’t find the energy to argue, not with the weight of everything crashing down around her. She was barely holding herself together, her body trembling, her breath hitching with every step.

They walked in silence through the back corridors of the paddock, Oscar casting glances at her every few moments, his brow furrowed with concern but not pushing her to speak. When they reached the quiet of his driver’s room, he opened the door without a word, guiding her inside gently.

She wiped at her face again, trying to compose herself, but the tears wouldn’t stop. She felt exposed, like her heart was laid bare for anyone to see, and the shame of it was almost as painful as the heartbreak itself.

“Sit down,” Oscar said softly, leading her to the small couch in the corner of the room. “You don’t have to talk. Just breathe, okay?”

She nodded, sinking into the couch, her hands still trembling in her lap. Oscar crouched down in front of her, his gaze soft and full of something like understanding.

Before either of them could speak, the door to the room opened again, and she looked up to see Oscar’s girlfriend, Lily, stepping inside. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene—her  tear-streaked face, Oscar’s protective stance—and immediately crossed the room to join them.

“Oh, sweetheart…” Lily’s voice was full of sympathy as she sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "What happened?"

She shook her head, her throat tightening, unable to form the words. She didn’t want to say it out loud. Didn’t want to admit that Lando still had this kind of power over her.

Lily didn’t press her, just held her closer, rubbing soothing circles on her back. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”

Oscar sat beside them now, his gaze serious as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “Lando?” he asked quietly, and her silence was enough of an answer.

She sniffed, trying to hold back another sob, but the pain was too sharp, too fresh. She’d overheard Lando brush her off like she was nothing. And then he had the audacity to act like everything was fine, like they could just pick up where they left off—like it didn’t matter that she was breaking.

Lily exchanged a look with Oscar, her eyes narrowing in frustration. “Darling,” she said gently, turning toward her, “you can’t keep doing this to yourself. He’s… he’s not good for you.”

She swallowed hard, blinking back fresh tears. “I know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

But knowing didn’t make it any easier. Knowing didn’t stop her heart from racing every time she saw him, didn’t stop the ache she felt when he touched her, when he looked at her with that smug confidence that twisted her insides. She had told herself so many times that she needed to stop. But every time she tried to pull away, she got sucked back in—into the whirlwind that was Lando Norris.

Oscar sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “He’s using you, mate. You deserve better than this. Better than him.”

She flinched at the words. She had thought, once, that Lando could be more than what everyone said he was. She had thought, in those stolen moments between races, when it was just the two of them, that he felt something for her, too. But she couldn’t ignore it any longer. He didn’t. Not the way she wanted him to.

Lily squeezed her hand gently. “You need to end it,” she said softly but firmly. “For good. Before he hurts you any more than he already has.”

She knew they were right. Oscar and Lily had always been kind to her, more like family than colleagues. They had seen it from the outside—the way Lando toyed with her emotions, the way he pulled her close only to push her away when it suited him.

She inhaled shakily, her heart still aching, but there was a flicker of something else now. A quiet, growing resolve. She couldn’t keep letting Lando tear her apart, not like this. She couldn’t keep waiting for him to change, for him to see her the way she wanted to be seen.

“He’s not worth this,” Oscar added, his voice gentle but firm. “I know he’s my teammate but you deserve someone who’s actually going to be there for you. Not someone who makes you feel like you have to hide how much you care.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting their words sink in. She knew they were right. She had known for a long time, but it was easier to lie to herself, to believe that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different. That Lando would show up for her, the way she had always shown up for him.

Lily’s arm tightened around her shoulders, her voice soft but steady. “Darling, you don’t have to do this alone. We’ve got you.”

She nodded, her throat tightening again, but this time it wasn’t from the heartbreak. It was from the quiet understanding, the sense that maybe, for the first time in a long while, she wasn’t as alone as she had felt.

She sat there for a while, letting Lily and Oscar’s presence anchor her. They didn’t push her to talk more, didn’t force her to explain everything. They just let her breathe, let her fall apart without judgement.

And for a moment, she felt the weight on her chest lift just enough to see things clearly.

She knew she shouldn’t go meet him in that hotel room. She knew it had to end. For good.

But she went back.

She went back to the hotel room, even though every part of her knew she shouldn’t. She told herself she was just going to tell him it was over, that she couldn’t do this anymore. She told herself that she wasn’t going to let him pull her back in.

But the second she walked through the door and saw Lando standing there, leaning casually against the desk with that damn smile—like he’d been waiting for her, like she was exactly what he wanted—her resolve crumbled.

“Hey, you,” he said softly, his voice warm in that way it always was when they were alone. He pushed off the desk and crossed the room in a few easy strides, pulling her into his arms before she could even think about saying no. “Missed you.”

She froze for a moment, her body tense in his arms. She wanted to believe him, wanted to sink into the comfort of his touch. But her mind was screaming at her to remember, to think of what she had overheard in the paddock. She’s just another girl. His voice echoed in her head, sharp and cruel, even as he held her close now, as if she was anything but.

“I thought about you all day,” Lando murmured against her hair, his lips brushing her forehead. His hands slid down her back, pulling her closer, and she couldn’t help but shiver under his touch. He had always known how to touch her, how to make her forget everything else.

She wished it was enough.

He tilted her chin up, his green eyes searching hers, and for a second, she saw something there—something real, something that made her heart ache with the hope that maybe, just maybe, he meant it this time.

But then the words he’d said to his mates resurfaced, slicing through her like a knife. It’s casual. She’s just another girl.

Her throat tightened, but she forced a small smile. She had come this far, hadn’t she? Why couldn’t she just leave now?

Because you want him to care, a voice in her head whispered. You want to believe he’s different when it’s just the two of you.

Lando pressed his lips to hers, slow and sweet, like he wasn’t in a hurry, like he could take all the time in the world with her. And for a moment, she kissed him back, letting herself get lost in it, letting herself pretend that maybe the things he said didn’t matter. That maybe this was the real Lando—the one who held her close, the one who kissed her like she was the only thing that mattered.

But the more he kissed her, the harder it was to silence the voice in her head. The harder it was to ignore the truth that was gnawing at her.

You’re just another girl. It’s casual.

His hands slid under her shirt, fingers tracing soft patterns on her skin, and she shivered again, but this time it wasn’t just from his touch. She couldn’t stop thinking about how he had reduced her to nothing more than a fleeting moment in his life, something disposable. It didn’t matter how tender he was being now. It didn’t matter how much she wanted to believe that this was something real.

“Lando,” she whispered, pulling back slightly, her chest tightening. She didn’t know what she was going to say, but she knew she needed to say something—anything—to stop herself from falling deeper.

He smiled at her, that lazy, cocky grin that always made her knees weak. “What is it, baby?” he asked, his hands never leaving her, like he couldn’t bear the distance between them for even a second.

She wanted to ask him. She wanted to confront him, to make him explain why he could hold her like this but talk about her like she was nothing when she wasn’t around. But the words stuck in her throat, too heavy, too painful.

Instead, she let out a shaky breath and shook her head. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Lando’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, like he was trying to read her, but then he kissed her again, deeper this time, and any chance she had of stopping this slipped away. His hands slid down to her hips, pulling her flush against him, his breath hot against her neck as his lips moved lower, kissing along her jaw, her collarbone.

And for a second, she let herself get lost in it, let herself drown in the sensation of his touch, the way his hands felt on her skin, the way he knew exactly where to kiss her to make her forget everything else.

But the words kept creeping back in, no matter how hard she tried to push them away.

Just another girl.

Lando’s hands were working their way under her shirt, his fingers brushing the bare skin of her waist, and her heart pounded in her chest, but not in the way it used to. Now, it was pounding with fear, with the knowledge that this would never be enough.

He was whispering something against her skin, something low and sweet, but she couldn’t hear it over the roar of her own thoughts. She felt his hands tugging at the hem of her shirt, and she let him pull it over her head, let him kiss her again, harder this time, like he couldn’t get enough of her.

But she wasn’t really there. Not fully.

In her mind, she was back in the paddock, hearing his laugh, hearing him reduce her to nothing. The way he talked to his friends—so casual, so careless.

Her body responded to him, the way it always did, but her mind was miles away. She was too distracted, too hurt to fully give herself to him the way she always had before. She wanted to be here, wanted to feel that connection again, but it wasn’t working. Not this time.

Lando didn’t notice. He never noticed when she was pulling away, not really. He was too focused on what he wanted, too caught up in the moment to see the cracks forming in her resolve.

As he pushed her back onto the bed, his lips trailing down her stomach, her heart twisted painfully. She should stop this. She should say something. But she didn’t.

Because as much as she hated it, as much as it hurt, part of her still wanted to believe in the version of Lando that was in front of her right now. The version that kissed her like she was the only girl in the world.

Even if she knew it was a lie.

The hours passed in a blur, a mixture of whispered words, shared breaths, and touches that felt both familiar and distant at the same time. She lay beside Lando afterward, her body nestled against his, her head resting on his chest as his arm wrapped lazily around her. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, like this was where she belonged. Like nothing outside this room mattered.

But it did.

The silence between them felt heavier now, thick with unspoken truths and the weight of everything she wasn’t letting herself say. She listened to the steady rhythm of Lando’s heartbeat under her ear, trying to ground herself in the moment, trying to make it feel real. But her mind kept drifting back to his words—just another girl—and no matter how close he held her, it felt like he was slipping further and further away.

For a moment, it almost felt peaceful, lying there in the quiet of the hotel room, their legs tangled together under the sheets. Lando’s fingers traced absent-minded patterns on her arm, like it was second nature to him now. She wanted to hold onto that feeling, wanted to believe that this, at least, was real.

But then his phone buzzed on the nightstand, cutting through the stillness.

Lando sighed softly, shifting beside her as he reached for it. She felt the absence of his warmth immediately, and the hollow ache in her chest returned.

He glanced at the screen, his thumb swiping across it before he answered. "Hey, mate," he said, his voice low, casual. Like the moment they’d just shared didn’t change anything, like nothing had shifted.

She stared up at the ceiling, her breath catching in her throat as she listened to the one-sided conversation.

“Yeah, I’m at the hotel,” Lando continued, his tone easy, unconcerned. “What’s up?”

There was a pause, and she felt Lando shift again, his hand brushing absently against her bare skin of her hip as if he wasn’t even fully aware of her presence anymore.

"Alright, yeah," he said after a moment. "I’ll come down in a bit. Dinner sounds good." He laughed softly, the sound sending another pang through her chest. "Tell Max not to leave without me."

When he hung up, Lando turned his head to look at her, flashing her that easy, crooked smile. "That was the guys," he said, already starting to untangle himself from the sheets. "We’re heading out for dinner."

She forced a small smile, trying to keep her voice steady. "Right. Yeah. Sounds fun."

Lando leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before climbing out of bed. He moved with the same casual confidence he always did, completely unaware of the storm raging inside her.

"I won’t be long," he said as he pulled on his shirt. "Maybe I’ll bring you something back."

She just nodded, unable to find the words. She watched him button his jeans, the same knot of confusion and hurt tightening in her chest. How could he act like everything was so simple? Like she was just… there, waiting for him whenever he decided to come back.

Lando tossed a quick grin her way as he grabbed his jacket from the chair. "I’ll see you later, yeah?"

"Yeah," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "See you later."

And just like that, he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him. The room felt so much bigger without him in it, the space beside her cold and empty. She stayed there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts spinning, trying to make sense of everything. But the more she tried to piece it together, the more it felt like everything was unravelling.

The sound of her phone vibrating on the nightstand snapped her out of her thoughts. She glanced over, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the name flash on the screen: Cisca Norris.

She hesitated for a moment before swiping open the message.

Hey, darling! We’re heading out for a little shopping trip tomorrow. Just me and Flo. Thought it might be fun to have some girl time—want to join us? xx

Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes stinging as she read the message. Cisca had always been so warm, so welcoming, treating her like she was part of the family. She had this way of making her feel like she belonged, like there was a place for her in Lando’s world.

But it only made everything harder now.

She could still hear Lando’s voice in her head, so clear, so dismissive. It’s casual. She’s just another girl.

Her hands trembled as she typed out a response, her fingers shaky on the keys.

Thanks, but I don’t think I can tomorrow. Hope you all have fun though xx

She hit send before she could change her mind, before she could give in to the crushing weight of guilt pressing down on her chest. She knew Cisca didn’t mean to make it harder, didn’t know what was really going on, but it felt like a cruel reminder of everything she wasn’t—a real part of his life. She was just someone he kept in the shadows, someone he could pretend to care about when it was convenient.

The tears came before she could stop them, hot and relentless, blurring her vision as she lay there, staring up at the ceiling. She’d tried so hard to hold it together, to convince herself that maybe, just maybe, things would be different this time. But it wasn’t different. It was the same as it always was.

Lando would leave, and she would be left behind.

She lay there, her body still against the cool sheets, the emptiness of the room pressing in on her. The tears wouldn’t stop. They spilled down her cheeks in silent waves, and for the first time in a long while, she didn’t even try to hold them back. The room felt too quiet without Lando’s presence, without the pretence of connection he so easily crafted when it suited him.

Her phone buzzed again, a small ping echoing in the quiet. She didn’t want to look, didn’t want to face any more reminders of what she couldn’t have. But her gaze drifted toward it, her blurry vision focusing on the screen as a new message from Cisca popped up.

That’s a shame, sweetheart. Maybe next time? You’re always welcome with us. Big hugs xx

The kindness in the message felt like a punch to her gut. You’re always welcome. But how could she ever feel welcome in a world where Lando could say one thing to her face and another behind her back? How could she fit into the life of someone who treated her like she was disposable—like she was nothing special?

She clutched her phone in her hands, her knuckles white, as her tears continued to fall. Her mind replayed the moment in the paddock, hearing Lando laugh, hearing him reduce her to just another girl, nothing more than a casual fling. And yet, here she was—back in his hotel room, back in his bed—still hoping that maybe he would see her, really see her, the way she saw him.

Her chest tightened painfully as she stared up at the ceiling, the dull ache spreading through her like poison. She had tried so hard to be strong, to keep her distance, to protect herself from this exact feeling. But it was like Lando had a hold on her, one she couldn’t break no matter how much she knew she should.

She wiped at her face, trying to steady her breathing, but the sobs kept coming. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way Cisca treated her like family, like someone who belonged in their tight-knit circle. It was so different from how Lando treated her—warm and genuine. It made it worse, somehow, knowing that his family liked her, that they welcomed her, while he just kept her at arm’s length. It hurt in ways she hadn’t expected.

She curled up on her side, pulling the sheets tighter around her, as if they could shield her from the truth. She had been waiting for a moment like this, where Lando would be kind, where he would hold her, and she would feel safe. But no matter how close they were, she always felt that distance. He’d given her his body, sure, but nothing else. And she’d given him everything, every piece of herself, only to be left empty.

She pressed the back of her hand against her mouth, trying to muffle the sobs that were choking her. Her body shook with the force of it all, the heartbreak, the shame, the overwhelming feeling of being used and discarded. She had always been so careful in her life, always kept her guard up, but Lando had slipped past her defences with such ease.

The minutes ticked by, the silence of the hotel room swallowing her whole. She stared at the ceiling, the tears finally slowing but leaving a hollow ache in their wake. Lando would be downstairs by now, laughing with his mates, carefree, as if none of this mattered. As if she didn’t matter.

Her phone buzzed again, and she flinched, afraid it might be him—afraid that any text from him would pull her deeper into this pit she was already drowning in. But when she looked, it wasn’t him. It was Lily.

Hey, just checking in. Everything okay? Xx

She swallowed hard, the lump in her throat making it impossible to answer right away. Lily had been so kind to her earlier, so gentle, and part of her wanted to reach out, to tell her the truth, to admit that she had come here even after she knew she shouldn’t.

But how could she explain this? How could she tell Lily that, even after everything, even after Lando had made it clear she didn’t mean anything to him, she had still come back? She had still fallen for his charm, for his soft touches, for his empty words.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, uncertain of what to say. The shame felt too heavy, too consuming. She didn’t want anyone to know how weak she felt, how much she had let Lando hurt her.

Instead, she typed a short reply.

I’m okay. Thanks for checking in xx

She hit send before she could second-guess herself, the lie sitting heavy in her chest. She wasn’t okay. She hadn’t been okay for a long time.

Another tear slid down her cheek, and she wiped it away quickly, frustrated with herself for still crying over someone like Lando. He wasn’t worth it. He never had been.

But knowing that didn’t make it hurt any less.

The bed felt cold without him, even though she knew his warmth was only temporary. That was the thing with Lando—it was always temporary, always fleeting. And she was tired of pretending it wasn’t.

She pulled her phone closer, her thumb hovering over Lando’s contact. She thought about sending him a message, thought about telling him that this was the last time, that she couldn’t do it anymore. But she knew that he wouldn’t care. He’d smile, maybe say something sweet, and she’d fall right back into his orbit, trapped by the promise of something that would never come.

With a shaky breath, she dropped the phone onto the nightstand, rolling onto her back once again. The tears had stopped, but the ache remained. She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep, to forget, just for a few hours. But she knew that when morning came, the reality would still be there—Lando would still be Lando.

And she couldn’t keep doing this to herself.

She got out of bed and she tried.

She had tried to pack. She really had.

She had grabbed her suitcase, tossed in a few clothes, and told herself that it was over—that this would be the last time she’d let him do this to her.

But then she’d stopped, staring at the half-packed bag, her hands frozen mid-motion. She couldn’t bring herself to finish. The idea of leaving felt like admitting defeat, like walking away from the small, fragile hope she’d been clinging to. The hope that maybe, just maybe, Lando would change.

And so, she had left the suitcase open on the floor, unfinished, just like everything else between them.

The hours dragged by in painful silence. She sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes unfocused as she stared at the door. She should go. She should pick up her things and leave before Lando came back, before he could draw her in again with his soft smiles and casual charm.

But she stayed.

She stayed because part of her wanted him to come back. Wanted him to kiss her, hold her, make her feel like she wasn’t just another girl, like she actually meant something. Even though she knew it was a lie.

Her phone buzzed a few times on the nightstand, but she ignored it. She didn’t want to deal with anyone else right now—didn’t want to answer Lily’s worried texts or face the concern in her friends’ voices. They didn’t understand. They didn’t know what it felt like to be caught between wanting someone and knowing that they would never give you what you needed.

The sound of the door clicking open snapped her out of her thoughts, her heart jumping into her throat. Lando stepped into the room, the faint scent of alcohol and laughter clinging to him as he kicked off his shoes. He looked relaxed, like he’d had a good time, like the night out had done exactly what it was supposed to—take his mind off things.

“Hey, you,” he said with a smile as he spotted her still sitting on the bed. He held up a brown paper bag, a familiar logo stamped on the side. “Brought you something to eat. Thought you might be hungry.”

She stared at him, her stomach twisting at how easy it was for him. A quick thought passed her mind, wondering what he had said to his mates when he brought home some takeaway. He acted like nothing had happened, like everything was fine. She wanted to be angry, wanted to ask him how he could do this—how he could come back here, act so normal, after everything he’d said about her.

But she couldn’t. The anger was there, buried deep inside her, but it was swallowed by the familiar pull of Lando’s presence. She hated how he could disarm her with something as simple as a smile, hated how even now, after everything, part of her wanted to reach out and take the food he’d brought, to thank him, to let herself believe that maybe this was him showing that he cared, in his own way.

“Thanks,” she murmured, her voice hollow.

Lando crossed the room and set the bag on the nightstand before sitting down beside her on the bed. He leaned in, brushing a kiss against her temple, his hand resting on her knee as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Her breath hitched at the contact, her heart betraying her as it fluttered in her chest. She thought of the highs, the way Lando could make her feel so alive, so wanted. She thought of the times when it was just the two of them, when he would hold her and everything else would disappear. Those were the moments that kept her here, that made her stay, even when she knew she shouldn’t.

“You okay?” he asked softly, his voice tinged with just enough concern to make her believe, for a second, that he might actually care.

She forced a smile, nodding even though she felt anything but okay. “Yeah,” she whispered. “I’m fine.”

Lando’s hand slid up her arm, his fingers gentle as they traced her skin. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips, slow and deliberate, as if he was trying to remind her of the connection they shared. And for a moment, she let herself get lost in it. She let herself believe that this was real, that Lando’s touch meant something more than just the physical.

“I’m gonna hop in the shower,” Lando said after a few seconds, pulling away with a lazy grin. “I won’t be long.”

She nodded, watching as he disappeared into the bathroom, the sound of the water starting up a moment later. She stayed where she was, her mind racing. The kiss had been warm, familiar, but it wasn’t enough to chase away the doubts, the pain that had been building inside her all night.

With a sigh, she glanced toward Lando’s phone, which he had tossed carelessly onto the bed before heading into the shower. The screen lit up with a notification, and despite herself, her eyes flicked over to it.

It was a text. From one of Lando’s friends.

You’re staying with her? Has she not got the hint yet?

Her blood turned to ice.

The air seemed to leave the room all at once, and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. The message stared back at her, mocking her, confirming everything she had been trying so desperately to ignore.

Has she not got the hint yet?

Her throat tightened, tears welling in her eyes again as the words sank in. Lando’s friend was in on it—on this twisted game Lando was playing. He knew. They all knew. And still, Lando had brought her back here, kissed her like she meant something, only to laugh about it with his mates behind her back.

Her hands trembled as she set Lando’s phone back down, her vision blurring with fresh tears. She couldn’t do this anymore. She couldn’t keep pretending that this was okay, that she was okay. Lando didn’t care about her. He never had.

The sound of the water running in the bathroom felt distant, like it was coming from another world, another life. She sat there, her mind numb, her heart breaking all over again. She should’ve left. She should’ve finished packing her bag and walked out of that door the moment Lando left for dinner. But she hadn’t.

And now she was paying the price.

Lando emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, his hair damp and tousled from the shower. Water still clung to his skin, the dim hotel light casting a glow across the muscles of his chest and arms. He looked every bit like the Lando that had drawn her in from the start—effortlessly attractive, with that air of confidence that always seemed to follow him.

She couldn’t deny it. He was beautiful. Anyone would fall for him at first glance, and she had. But now, as he stood there, looking every bit the part of the man she had once thought she could love, the attraction didn’t hold the same weight it used to.

Sure, he was magnetic, the kind of person who could pull you into his orbit with just a smile. But what had that really gotten her? A heart that was constantly breaking, and a life lived on the sidelines, waiting for scraps of affection. The price she paid for being with Lando wasn’t worth it anymore—not when every touch, every kiss, every whispered promise felt like it was laced with lies.

Her chest tightened as she picked up her phone from the nightstand, her fingers curling around it like it was her lifeline. She had to get out of here. She couldn’t sit here, pretending everything was okay, pretending that she didn’t see that message, didn’t know exactly what Lando’s friends thought of her. What he thought of her.

“I’m just going to get some cutlery from downstairs,” she said, her voice shaking slightly as she tried to move toward the door, away from him.

But Lando’s hand shot out, gently pulling her back before she could make her escape. His fingers wrapped around her wrist, and she could feel the warmth of his skin, the way his touch still made her heart stutter despite everything. His brows furrowed slightly, his eyes searching hers.

“You’ve been off lately,” he said, his tone soft but probing. “Is it work?”

Her heart raced, panic flooding her veins. He was looking at her like he was genuinely concerned, like he cared. But she knew better now. This was part of the game, part of the act he played so well. And she had to lie—because the truth would only expose just how far she’d fallen for him, how deep this had gone for her, and how little it had meant to him.

“Yeah,” she replied, forcing a weak smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Work’s just been a lot lately.”

Lando’s grip on her wrist loosened, but his eyes didn’t leave hers. He leaned in slightly, his voice soft, almost affectionate. “You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”

She swallowed hard, her throat tight as she fought back the storm of emotions threatening to spill over. She wanted to scream at him, to ask him how he could ask her that after everything—after the lies, after the way he’d treated her like she was nothing more than a fleeting distraction.

But instead, she did what she always did. She lied.

“Of course I would,” she said, the words tasting bitter as they left her lips.

Lando’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he let go of her wrist, his hand dropping back to his side. He smiled, that same easy, careless smile he always wore, and for a second, it almost felt like he believed her.

“Good,” he murmured, brushing a quick kiss against her temple before stepping back. “I’m glad.”

She nodded, her heart heavy in her chest as she forced herself to stay calm, to not let the cracks show. “I’ll just be a minute,” she mumbled, slipping away from him and heading for the door before he could stop her again.

As she stepped into the hallway, the air felt cooler, sharper, like a small relief from the suffocating warmth of Lando’s presence. She leaned against the wall for a moment, her phone still clenched tightly in her hand, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. Her mind was spinning, her heart aching with the weight of everything she couldn’t say.

She had lied to him. Lied to protect herself, to protect whatever was left of her dignity. But deep down, she knew the truth. She couldn’t keep doing this.

Not anymore.

She didn’t make it far before the tears started. Her steps slowed as the pressure in her chest became too much, the weight of everything crashing down on her all at once. She turned a corner in the hallway, eyes blurry and throat tight, searching for somewhere—anywhere—she could hide.

She spotted a door slightly ajar, marked with a plain “Staff Only” sign. Without thinking, she slipped inside, closing it behind her. It was a cramped janitor’s cupboard, the air thick with the smell of cleaning supplies and stale mop water. But it was quiet, dark, and, most importantly, away from Lando.

Her back hit the wall, and she slid down to the floor, curling in on herself as the sobs broke free. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to muffle the sounds, but it was no use. The tears came in waves, the pain too raw, too overwhelming to control.

She hated herself for coming back, for believing, even for a moment, that things would be different. For letting him touch her, kiss her, knowing deep down that none of it meant what she wanted it to. And now, sitting alone in a janitor’s cupboard, hiding like a child, all she could think about was how foolish she’d been.

With shaking hands, she grabbed her phone, barely able to see the screen through the tears. She scrolled to Lily’s contact, hesitating for only a second before pressing the call button. It rang twice before Lily answered.

“Sweetheart?” Lily’s voice was soft but immediately laced with concern. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

The floodgates broke, and she couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out, her voice a broken, shaky whisper. “I hate myself,” she sobbed, choking on the words. “I hate that I let him do this to me. I keep going back, Lily. I hate it. I hate me.”

“Where are you?” Lily’s tone shifted, calm but urgent. “Tell me where you are. I’m coming to you right now.”

She swallowed hard, trying to catch her breath enough to speak. “I... I’m in some janitor’s cupboard. Down the hall from Lando’s room. I—I didn’t know where else to go.”

“I’m coming, okay? Just stay there. I’ll be right there.”

She nodded even though Lily couldn’t see her, clutching the phone to her chest as she waited, her sobs quieting but still leaving her body shaking. She felt so small, so utterly broken. The seconds felt like hours, each one dragging by in painful silence.

It wasn’t long before there was a soft knock on the door, and she heard Lily’s voice. “Darling? It’s me. Can I come in?”

She reached up, her hand trembling as she unlocked the door. Lily slipped inside, her face full of concern as she quickly closed the door behind her, blocking out the world. Without saying a word, she knelt down beside her, wrapping her arms around her tightly.

She broke all over again the moment Lily held her. She clung to her friend, burying her face in her shoulder as the sobs wracked her body. Lily didn’t say anything at first. She just held her, her hand gently stroking her hair, her presence a quiet reassurance in the small, dark space.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered through her tears. “I keep... I keep letting him hurt me, and I know I shouldn’t. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t stop. I hate myself for it.”

“Hey, no,” Lily said softly, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes. “Don’t say that. You’re not the one who’s wrong here. He’s the one messing with your head, making you think this is normal. But it’s not your fault, okay? It’s not.”

She shook her head, the tears still falling. “I just feel so stupid. I saw a text from his friend... asking if I hadn’t gotten the hint yet. They know. They all know, and I’m still here, like some pathetic—”

“You’re not pathetic,” Lily interrupted, her voice firm but gentle. “You’re strong, darling. Stronger than you think. And I know it hurts right now, but you don’t deserve this. You deserve so much more than what Lando’s giving you.”

She tried to breathe, but her chest still felt tight, her mind spinning with shame and self-doubt. “I don’t know why I can’t just leave.”

Lily squeezed her hand, her eyes softening with understanding. “Because when someone gets into your head like that, it’s not easy to just walk away. He made you feel special, even if it was for the wrong reasons. But you’re not alone, darling. You’ve got me, you’ve got Oscar, and we’re not going anywhere. I’ll be here with you until you’re ready to leave, whenever that is.”

Her lip quivered, fresh tears welling in her eyes. She nodded, grateful but still lost in the ache that Lando had left behind. Lily’s words were like a balm, but the pain still sat heavy in her chest, raw and unresolved.

Lily leaned back, adjusting so that they were sitting side by side, their backs against the wall. She kept holding her hand, her thumb tracing soothing circles over her knuckles. “We can stay here as long as you need. You don’t have to face him right now. You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

She let out a shaky breath, closing her eyes as she leaned against Lily, her body still trembling from the tears. “But he hasn’t done anything wrong,” she murmured, trying to convince herself, even as the words tasted bitter. “He just... he just doesn’t know how I feel.”

Lily pulled back slightly, her gaze intense as she looked into her eyes. “Yes, he has. Don’t lie to yourself, sweetheart. It’s not just about what he’s done; it’s about how he makes you feel. And right now, you’re hurting, and that’s not okay. You deserve someone who cares about you, not someone who’s playing games.”

She bit her lip, frustration mixing with sadness. “I know, but...”

“No buts.” Lily interrupted, her voice steady. “You’re worth more than this. You don’t have to keep accepting less than you deserve. You know that, right?”

She nodded, but the ache in her chest remained, a stubborn reminder of the tangled mess of emotions that Lando had stirred inside her. She felt like she was being pulled in two different directions: her heart yearned for the connection she had with Lando, while her mind screamed for her to walk away, to protect herself from more pain.

“What if I just... went and got my things?” she whispered, almost to herself. “I could just—”

Lily shook her head firmly. “You shouldn’t have to do that alone. I can call Oscar and ask him to pick up your stuff from Lando’s. He’s supportive, and I’m sure he’d be more than happy to help.”

“Are you sure?” she asked hesitantly, the thought of involving Oscar making her heart race. “I don’t want to make things weird.”

“It’s not weird,” Lily said, her voice soothing. “It’s what friends do. You need to take the first step in reclaiming your space. Let’s get your things, and then we can figure out the next steps together. You don’t have to face this alone, and you don’t have to keep putting yourself through this.”

She nodded again, feeling a flicker of gratitude for Lily’s unwavering support. It felt good to have someone in her corner, someone who believed she could do better, even when she struggled to believe it herself.

“Okay,” she finally said, her voice steadier now. “Let’s do that.”

“Good,” Lily replied, squeezing her hand tightly. “I’ll get Oscar to come over. And remember, you’re stronger than you think.”

Present Time

Now, standing in front of him in the rain-soaked street, she wondered if he even remembered that day. If he had any idea how much it had gutted her. The memory felt like a ghost, haunting her thoughts, each painful recollection mingling with the cold raindrops cascading down her cheeks.

“Should we get started?” she said, her voice a little too sharp. The rain was mixing with the ache in her chest, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could stand there, looking into those eyes that had once made her feel seen. Once. She hated that feeling of vulnerability he inspired, but even more, she hated the way it was fading.

Lando tilted his head, studying her with that signature smirk tugging at his lips. It was the same smirk that had once made her heart race, ignited her passion, and made her forget her own worth. But now, it only deepened the resolve she had built since their last encounter. There was a flint in his eyes, a spark that had once drawn her in, but she refused to let it affect her anymore. Those flames of desire he ignited had left her burnt before, and she wasn’t going to let it happen again.

“Yeah. Let’s get started,” he echoed, his voice smooth but tinged with a hint of something darker lurking beneath. She could sense it—an undercurrent of his charm that was both magnetic and dangerous.

They both knew this wasn’t just another interview. Not for him. Not for her.

But she wasn’t that girl anymore. She wouldn’t let him see her fall apart again. Not this time. Each raindrop felt like a reminder of her strength, a symbol of her resolve to stand firm against the tides of emotion that threatened to wash her away. She took a deep breath, grounding herself in the moment, and steeled her gaze against the storm brewing in her heart.

“Let’s talk about the last race,” she said, forcing her voice to steady. “You seemed to be struggling with the new tires. What do you think the team could do differently moving forward?”

Lando's brow furrowed, momentarily surprised by the shift in her tone. It was almost like he was used to her fawning over him, allowing his charisma to overshadow her professionalism. But not today. Not anymore.

He responded, launching into technical details, but she could see his focus drifting, his smirk slipping just a little as he searched her expression for any trace of the girl he had once known—the one who had been captivated by his every word. But he wouldn’t find her here, not today.

As he spoke, she fought to keep her expression neutral, not letting the echoes of their past seep into her demeanour. The way he moved, the way he gestured—there was still an effortless charm to him, but it was fading, like a sunset after a long day. She wasn’t here to be dazzled; she was here to reclaim her narrative, to make sure he understood that she had grown.

“Uh, sweeth-” he said suddenly, cutting himself off from finishing the per name she used to love, his tone shifting as he leaned closer, invading her personal space. “You seem… different. What’s going on?”

The intensity of his gaze was like a spotlight, and for a moment, she felt the familiar stir of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. But she clung to the memory of that cramped janitor’s cupboard, to the warmth of Lily’s embrace, and the strength it had given her. She wouldn’t let him in, wouldn’t let him see her falter.

“Just focusing on the questions, Lando,” she replied, her voice crisp and steady, eyes locked on his. “I’m here to do a job.”

He narrowed his eyes, clearly thrown by her tone. The playfulness he often relied on was nowhere to be found, and for the first time, she saw uncertainty flash across his face. It was intoxicating, seeing him taken aback. It reminded her that he wasn’t invincible.

“Fine,” he said, his tone shifting back to that of a confident driver. “I can handle a little professionalism. I admire it, actually.”

“Then let’s keep it professional,” she shot back, her heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and exhilaration. There was something liberating about standing her ground, about showing him that she wasn’t afraid to push back.

As they continued their exchange, a storm raged on outside—water pouring down in sheets, thunder rumbling in the distance. But here, away from the rain, she felt the weight of her past begin to lift. She wouldn’t allow Lando to pull her back into his world of uncertainty and heartache. She was building her own life now, with friendships that mattered, goals that fueled her, and a vision that didn’t include him.

With each word, she drew a line in the sand, reminding herself that this was her moment, not his. She had reclaimed her voice, and she was ready to use it.

the end.

[yoonlyhan]

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ in which akaashi keiji is your new editor for your manga... who admittedly likes you

you can't deny that being home alone with a man makes your nervous. but it seems mr. akaashi , your new editor, is harmless. very gentle, calm, and kind.

which is why he makes you nervous.

you were a fairly known manga creator in japan and international. so you were granted to work inside your home and not in the office since it pressures you more working in the office. and you were mostly working alone, with editors coming in and out of your house to check up on your manga and help on some parts.

your lead editor previously was a woman. you were pretty much comfortable working alone with her in your house. until the news that she resigned reached your ears.

turns out she was pregnant and thought it would be the best to focus on their growing family. fortunately, the manga you were working at that time already finished. so there were no conflicts in the scedule.

you were happy for your former editor. you even sends her flowers to congratulate her. but how about you? who's gonna fill in the role of your lead editor?

and that's when the company introduce you to mr. akaashi.

“is there something wrong?” mr. akaashi asked.

you blinked at him. you realized you were staring at him for quite a moment.

“ah, well...” you awkwardly scratched your cheek. “the next scene of this chapter is what i'm still unsure of... i thought of conducting a research about it but i figured i could just ask you.”

both of you are sitting on the floor with the table in front of you have papers scattered on it. pencils, pens, and ink are also on the table. while mr. akaashi is in front of you, writing something.

he raised his hand to fix his glasses. “yeah? what is it then, ms. l/n?”

you glances at the notebook in front of you with the scenes written of the chapter you were currently working on. you've listed the main scenes and you were trying to fill the scenes with words and actions as the written draft.

“how do boys act around their crushes?”

you looked back to him and saw him staring at you. mr.akaashi place an elbow on the table and leaned his face on his palm. he thinks for a minute while his eyes closed and you took the chance to carefully admire his features.

“i agree it was the best choice to ask instead of reearching about it.” he said.

you slides back your gaze at his eyes that was already pointed at yours. “...yes?”

“but i also think that it's different for everyone on how they act around their crushes. considering the personality of your male character, am i the best person for you to ask? i might give out a different answer from what you'll expect, ms. l/n.” he gave out a little smile.

you part your lips, thinking of the personality and the possibilities of how your character acts around people. you absolutely not know how but... your character and mr. akaashi are quite similar.

and you were thinking how you probably... actually took inspiration on your character from mr. akaashi's personality.

“i actually think that both of you are the same. in terms of your personality, that is.” you confessed. ”so i was thinking it would be the best to know some of the real-life situation.”

mr. akaashi stares at you.

you avoids his eyes. “...or ideas. if you have any idea of how my character would act.”

“well, i'm glad you want to get ideas from my experience. i'm sure it will be much helpful for you but i think i'd rather give you some ideas than from my own experience.” mr. akaashi took a sip of water.

you turn your head back at him with widened eyes. “eh? why? do you not have any experience with your crush? on how you act around them?”

...oh shit.

“sorry.” you covered your mouth with your fingers. “if you're uncomfortable telling me, it's fine, mr. akaashi. i understand if it's too personal.” you slightly bow your head at him.

ah, suddenly you missed your previous editor. it's too awkward here with mr. akaashi.

though it had only been 2 months since the both of you are working with each other and the possibilities of having to work more months with each other... you feel like you're making it awkward and less comfortable to work with mr. akaashi.

you'd hate to think he'll feel like that.

“ah, it's alright. it's not uncomfortable.” you heard him say that made you raised your head to look at him.

“rather...” mr. akaashi looks down to the papers, seemingly avoiding my eyes on him. “it's embarrassing.” he said with... reddened cheeks.

“oh no, it's okay! you don't have to.” you assured him, feeling embarrassed as well. ah damn, you can't help but stare at his cheeks. you were feeling you cheeks burned as well from embarrassment. ”...you don't have to.” you coughed out.

do mr. akaashi does this too when he's arround his crush?

mr. akaashi covers his lower face with his hand and was quiet for a while. you thought he would not talk about it again so you awkwardly bit the insides of your lower lip. until he glances at you.

“i only started noticing my self act awkwardly around them.”

you blinked at him. “yes?” you leaned forward, intrested in his answers. you hold a pen as you were ready to write down everything he says.

“mhh... i think i was more gentle with them. as if I don't want her to see her troubled face all the time. i tried helping her as much as i can.” you kept on writing. “i just can't help it but i had this habit of staring at her on times i know she isn't looking. and then i would notice something new about her every time like...”

you stopped writing when mr. akaashi didn't continue to talk. your eyes slides towards his and noticed how deeply mr. akaashi is looking at you.

you stared back at his growing smile. “like how she furrows her eyebrows when she is focused. when she would blinked hard when her eyes are starting to feel dry. when she would eat the last bite even though she's already full so that the food would not be wasted.”

oh... shit.

mr. akaashi smiles more as he tilts his head. “or when her face is immediately red when she's embarrassed.”

you coughed.

“i would just... notice all of it.” mr. akaashi straightened his posture and dropped his hand under the table.

“...correct me if i'm wrong but... do you like me?” you immediately asked.

you didn't want to waste time thinking about mr. akaashi's words since you already noticed how it heavily affects you. you didn't want it to interfere with your work together with him.

mr. akaashi blinks and lick his lips wet. your eyes dropped to it. “i'm sorry... are you uncomfortable?”

“no! it's—” you felt your cheeks hot from your sudden shout. you dropped your head to the table and surrounds your head with your arms.

you were trying to cover your face from mr. akaashi since you felt like you were becoming more obvious.

“i'm not. i was just feeling shy all of the sudden.” you mumbled.

mr. akaashi was silent and that made you nervous. not until you felt him patting your head. “i'm sorry, please don't think much about it.” he said.

“i don't want to interfere with work, ms. l/n. but i do like you.”

you felt your self stiffen. “i thought i was obvious with it...” you heard him cleared his throat. “but you don't have to think about me. i'm not gonna do anything.”

you moved your head to take a peek with him. this time with your brows furrowed.

“you're not gonna do anything?”

he shakes his head. “i don't want to make you uncomfortable, ms. l/n. i'm worried it would affect our work and relationship.”

“even though you like me?”

“even though i like you, yes.”

you hid your face again and breathe out. “it's fine. you can act comfortable with me.” you mumbled.

“i'm sorry? what was that?” he kept brushing your hair.

“it's fine. be comfortable with me, mr. akaashi.” you raised your head and leaned towards him.

“let me see how you act around me.”

he blinks. then avoids looking at me. “... is this for you to get ideas for your story?” mr. akaashi whispers as he covers his lower face again, specifically his reddened cheeks .

you smiled a little. “that as well but i just wanted to see how you are if you're comfortable with me. let's do our well.”

he glances at you, seemingly searching for something. “i'll... make sure to help you, ms. l/n.”

your smile grew wider. “looking forward to it, mr. akaashi.”

i was actually half-asleep when i wrote this djodnc

masterlist ♡

© written by @yoonlyhan. don't plagiarise my content. u will be blocked :x

credits to @anitalenia the wonderful divider ♡

[ashwhowrites]

Ash!!! I’m so happy you’re back! When I noticed I unfollowed and refollowed so you’d be at the top of my list lol. Sorry about that I just need quick access to your addictive stories. Welcome welcome welcome back! ❤️

I’ve requested anon before you left but because you’re back I wanted to do one with my name just to further show my excitement to have you and your stories back! Social anxiety is a thing and I feel weird making requests usually but I’ll shove that aside so you know how much you were missed! And how thankful I am to see you WELL above all. So glad you got some inspo back and are up to writing again, never any pressure though!! Take your time and enjoy what you write!

I was thinking for my request... 👀 I’m wanting it to start angsty and end happy. Really mean Eddie sinking to bully level. a mistaken identity, Eddie believes reader has said/done something nasty to him or the hellfire boys but it wasn’t her.

So he’s awful to her, outright mean. She tries to go meet him at the picnic table to figure out why he’s being so hateful (because she’s always secretly admired and crushed on him) and he really sets into her. (Nothing physical, although crowding her or making her back up is okay.) He says some nasty things he doesn’t actually believe and she runs from him in tears. He’s still pissed so he starts a rumor about her that day. (Something Hawkins would gossip about, make her out to be a freak so she sees what it’s like for Eddie b/c again he’s confusing her for other girl.)

It works, next week at school everyone is shunning her, only a few friends stay by her. He hears Dustin talking about her and his mess up is revealed! Dustin (no one knows Eddie started the rumor) is like how could you forget who she is? She’s the one who talked the theater teacher into letting us use their stereo for atmosphere tapes during hellfire! (Doesn’t have to be that if you have a better idea!) And (some other similarly nice and supportive thing to further twist the knife here, like snuck them prop goblets and costumes or whatever you think)!

Eddie is disgusted that he let himself be like Jason. After school he finds her in the drama room before Hellfire. She and Eddie are the only people there and she looks terrified of him. He breaks and tears up, maybe actually cries?, begging her on his knees in dramatic Eddie fashion for forgiveness as he fumbles his way through a messy, babbling explanation. After listening to him she tells him about all the chaos and strife his rumor caused But! she accepts his apology and agrees to give him a chance to redeem himself.

Omg I’m so sorry this is fifty-leven years long. 😩 hope that’s all okay? So so much love and thanks for even reading this monster ask lol. No pressure, just so happy that you’re back! May you stay inspired and get joy from every piece you write. ❤️❤️

I hope this is what you wanted and you enjoy it! Thank you for requesting ❤️

Mistaken identity

Eddie was popular in a way that people knew exactly who he was and most things about him. Everyone knew he lived in a trailer park, contributing to the nickname of trailer trash he often heard. People knew he was in a band, just figured he sang about the devil. The students knew he was part of the Hellfire club, leading them to believe he was weird. As everything above him mixed together, people declared him a freak.

He was popular to Y/N in a different way. She didn't care that he lived in a trailer park. She wished to see his band play and listen to his songs. She thought hellfire was creative, and she even helped them with some campaigns, just behind-the-scenes work. Above everything, she had a massive crush.

She wasn't sure if it was the sexy long hair, the dark tattoos, the chains, or his dorky smile that won her over. But she was stumbling and tripping in love with the obvious boy. She wished they talked more, but he often gave her the cold shoulder. Which at first, she didn't mind as he gave everyone the same attitude. But she couldn't help but think she deserved to be treated slightly better. She didn't deserve to be treated poorly like all the people who were mean to him. She was nice and sweet to him. And it broke her heart more and more when he refused to acknowledge her.

Everything stung more when she was in love.

~~~

Eddie hated everyone, but there were a few on his list whom he hated with every bone in his body. No matter what they said to him, he wanted to rip them apart with his teeth. Jason was a given, but there was one girl that Eddie hated just as much. Her name was Y/N, and it all started in middle school. He'll never forget when she broke him into tears right before the talent show. The mean names she called him and painted a picture of him that he didn't want to be. She was just another person who looked down on him all because he didn't have a rich daddy.

He was positive she didn't remember it because she acted all friendly and fake with him. He hated that she was attractive; it wasn't enough to make him like her, but just enough that if he was with her too long, he'd give in.

~~~

Y/N's crush continued to grow. And it was getting to a point where it was all she could think about. So, she was going to talk to him.

His deals in the woods weren't as secretive as he thought. Y/N knew where to find him.

She was nervous as the sticks crunched under her feet, signaling her arrival. Eddie's eyes hardened upon seeing her, and she tried not to turn around.

"Not happening, princess," he spat as he stood up.

"Eddie, can you just hear me out?" she asked. She tried not to feel defeated as he packed up his stuff.

"Yeah, right," he laughed, throwing his backpack on his shoulder.

"You never listen to me! I just want to ta-" her voice cut out when he walked to her. His chest puffed out as he looked down at her, breathing heavily. It was clear as day he was pissed off, and she was slightly scared.

"I don't give a shit what you want, got it? I can't stand you. I hate you, and I hate everything about you. I don't want to talk because I couldn't care less about you. Can you get that through your head?" his voice was getting louder as he got closer. He was growling in her face, and she couldn't help but back up.

She scrunched her nose as she felt tears filling her eyes. She really didn't want to cry in front of him. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

"I beg you, do me a favor and leave me alone."

"I tried," she whispered. She sniffled as she cried. He rolled his eyes, seeing the tears rolling down her face. She was quick to run away, allowing herself to cry.

~~~

She was terrified to see him the next day. Her head was down as she walked through the building. She knew the day would be awful, but she didn't think the situation would get worse.

A rumour began to spread that she made moves on the freak. She couldn't believe someone had made that up. And it made her wonder who saw them out there.

People who never noticed her before seemed to watch her every move. All of a sudden, everyone was interested in her, and she hated it. She was embarrassed to know that her crush was the topic of the news and she was being made fun of for it.

She made sure to stay clear of Eddie, not looking up from her feet unless she was in class.

Eddie finally felt at peace after his talk with Y/N. He got to say what he thought he wanted and spread a little rumor around the school. He wanted her to be mocked and labeled as a freak, just like she did to him.

~

Eddie was enjoying his day, a smile on his face as he headed towards the lunch room. He sat at his usual table, hand on Dustin's shoulders as he sat down.

"Dude, have you heard about Y/N? I can't believe people are being so mean to her because she tried to make a move on you!"

"Well, she should've thought it through," Eddie shrugged.

"What did you do? Did you let her?" Dustin asked

"Of course not!" Eddie scoffed. "I only mean business during my deals."

"Maybe you should clear it up. I mean she's super nice and has done a lot for us," Dustin explained.

"What has she done for us?" Eddie asked

"She's president of the student council! She allowed the club, she provided a place for us to play. She held donations to help with the custom T-shirts. She's done a lot and I think you owe her that."

Eddie had an unsettling feeling in his stomach. "Wait wait, she did all of that? Why? She hates me!"

"She doesn't hate you!"

"Yeah, she does! She ruined my performance at the talent show and mocked me for being poor. She's just like everyone else." Eddie said as he rolled his eyes.

"I truly don't think she's ever done that. She isn't the type," Dustin said. "Are you thinking of the right person?"

"Of course, I'm thinking of the right per -" Eddie's voice trailed to silence as the gears moved in his head. It wouldn't make sense for her to help him out if she hated him. He tried to think back to that night in middle school, the blurry face of the girl becoming clear. "FUCK!"

Dustin jumped as he yelled. He watched as Eddie stood up and looked around the room. Before he could spot her the bell rang.

~

Eddie couldn't find her anywhere and he knew why. He practically threatened her if he ever saw her again. With defeat, he entered the drama room. He was shocked to see someone already there.

"Hello?" He asked, the body jumped and turned around. He was shocked to see it was her.

She didn't say anything but he noticed the way her hands began to shake as she quickly cleaned off the table.

"Hey listen," but she was quick to cut him off.

"I know, I'm sorry! I thought I'd be done by now. I'm just gonna clean it up and out of your way!" She stumbled, her voice was shaky as she held back tears.

"No, listen. I fucked up really bad with you," he sighed.

She looked at him, a little stunned.

He went to walk towards her but froze as she jumped back. He felt even worse as he realized how scared she was. He wasn't any better than the bullies he dealt with all his life.

"Don't be scared, I want to apologize for everything," he said. She was a little skeptical as she watched him drop to his knees.

He placed his palms together like a prayer as he hung his head in shame. "I'm incredibly sorry for yesterday and for being rude to you all these years. You never once deserved it, and I'm ashamed of my actions," he looked up at her, and she was surprised to see his eyes slightly glisten. "I thought you were someone else, someone who ruined my life in middle school. Embarrassing to say I completely was holding a grudge and it wasn't even you. I started the rumor because I wanted people to think you were a freak like me. You were innocent and I hate that I did that. I also hate that you are scared of me," he cried. "I hate that people are scared of me."

She chewed on her bottom lip as his voice cracked and tears began to fall down his cheeks. "Eddie you caused so much damage. It's hard to not be a little scared of what you are capable of doing. I mean the heat I've got from a silly rumour? Imagine what else you could have done."

"I'm sorry. Please don't be scared of me," he whimpered. Her heart fell to her feet as she walked over and cupped his face, kneeling down to his level.

"I'm not scared," she said confidently. She offered a small smile as she wiped his tears. "I hope you know that I would never want to hurt you. I've got too much of a soft spot for you."

"I truly am so sorry," he whispered. Melting into her hand.

"I believe you, and I guess maybe I can give you another shot. After you tell everyone the truth. " she smiled. "Should we start over?"

"Thank you," he sighed in relief, "And I will! I'll tell everyone the truth and never treat you that way again." He stood up, helping her to her feet. "Starting over right now!"

She laughed as he jumped out the door, letting it fully close before he re-entered.

"Well, hello gorgeous," he smirked, "what's your name?"

"Y/N, and you are?" She smiled as she placed her hands on the table behind her, leaning.

"Eddie's the name, do you come here often?" He flirted as he placed his hand on the table next to hers and leaned down.

She blushed as he was inches away from her face. The closest she has ever been to him. "I don't." She couldn't wipe the smile off her face even if she tried.

He clicked his tongue, turning his head as he smiled down at her. "Maybe you should."

@bmunson86 @mxcheese @ladymunson @michaelfuckinglangdon @z0mbie-blah @biittersweet @mirrorsstuff @somethingvicked @micheledawn1975 @ago-godance @magnificantmermaid @tlclick73 @hargrovesswifee @cityofidek @silky-luxe @lokiofasgard616 @loving-and-dreaming @eddiemunsonsbitch69 @ashlynnkennedy @strangerthingsstories5255 @harringt8ns @pleasinghellfire @whoscamila @stusdollface93 @gretavankleep37 @bellaisswagger @arlxt @ineedmentalhelp123 @emxxblog

[keelt9]

TICK TACK Pt.2

Masterlist // Pt.1

A/N: The second part; actually if you want you can’t omit it, it’s perfectly fine.

But probably as you see I have a problem with the one part stories, I’m sorry! 😂

I take a quick glimpse at my writings and  I noticed I’m in my Piastri era, so you keep seeing him between my regular works. ☺️

Anyway, thanks for reading! 🍒

The flag of the victory waves in front of him, he tries to be measured with the meaning of the victory but hell yeah, he will enjoy this.

The crowd turned wild, the team was happy and he was on the top of the podium as he kept being praised for what an amazing weekend he just had. 

While he’s coming out of the interview room, he finally notices his name leading the championship in the boards.

With broken ribs and a bruise on his behind he’s ready for the final photo with the full McLaren team, plus if he’s lucky and George reads his text he will be waiting for him to leave tonight. 

5 hours and he will be with her, inside of his head, a buzzing tick tack is distractful.

As the team gathers together, Lando keeps his eyes on the distance, recognizing a figure running as she’s avoiding people like she’s in the middle of a game. 

Lando whistle. “YOU ARE A LUCKY MAN.” As he grabs Oscar before letting him go with a confused expression. 

By the moment he realizes Y/N is running to him, he just has time to smile as she jumps to hug him. arms around his neck and legs around his waist.

“Oh my god!” Oscar whispers right ath her hair as she grips him tighter.

Tom laughs. “Now he will have a bruise on his chest.” Walking away with Lando giving the couple privacy.

“How?” She still splits like a koala against him. 

Y/N smiles, kissing his lips. “I just got through an odyssey, but it was totally worth it.” 

She saw the trophy on the floor, the black cap with the golden number 1 on his head and his big smile on his face. 

“YOU’RE LEADING! OH MY GOD!” She grabs his face and covers him with kisses as he chuckles. 

“I’m really sorry for the interruption but Oscar we need you for the photo.” A girl said with a conflicted smile. 

Y/N get down on him. “Damn, sorry.” She apologizes but Oscar grips her hand. 

“It won’t take long, ok? Don’t move from here.”  Y/N laughs giving him one last hug.

She only realizes of his intentions when after the photo and the splash of champagne he goes running to her, shaking her head she starts to run, refusing to get wet with champagne.

Useless try because Oscar grabs her by the waist as he hugs her by the back getting all her back with champagne both of them laughing under a couple of cameras shooting at them; taking an amazing photo.

“Thank you.” Y/N say to a girl who gives her clothes in a bag. 

Oscar giggles seeing her with a pair of black jeans that some girl borrows to her and one his shirts, after that hug, more drink keeps falling all over them in different directions. 

“You look astonishing.” He kisses her forehead as she pouts. “Now, dinner on me, but talk on you.”

She giggles, grabbing his hand. “Deal.” 

On their walk to the exit she takes her time to thank Tom for the talk before the race, but she has a special thank for the person who literally opened the doors to her. 

“Mr. Hamilton.” She runs when he sees the man walking outside of the Ferrari hospitality. “Thank you so much, once again.” 

Mr. Hamilton shakes his head, he rarely sees a girl with so much confidence and anger at the same time trying to get into a fight with a big man.

He smiles as grabs her hands. “I'm glad you found your boy.”

Oscar presses a smile as he starts to walk again. “A lot of things to tell me, I guess.” 

Hearing it's actually hilarious, Oscar is sure it must be hard to believe for anyone who doesn’t know her or saw the scene.

He knows Gema and is aware that her father is a pilot, so he tends to have a lot of connections on the air. In a miracle thing, he found a flight connection that will lead her in another two flight connections, the last of them will, if she had luck, let her in the airport at the hour the race starts.

And actually with 20 hours of flight, a bag and an improvised change of clothes at 30,000 feets, she arrived when the race was on the 61 lap. 

As the bodyguard heard she is in fact Oscar Piastri girlfriend he only said. “Yeah right.” 

Her clock keeps tic tac getting her anger and anger, ready to start a fight getting over the fence when Mr. Hamilton found a girl fighting with a massive man, he approached trying to avoid a disaster.

What a surprise when he found out the girl over the fence is no more than Piastri girlfriend, he already had seen her a couple of times in the distance, she looks so serene, but at that moment she is ready for anything that could come.

He talked with the bodyguard as he opened the big door, he knows her and she must be inside. 

After what he could count 10 thank yous she ran when the fireworks lit up the sky, there is a winner.

Isn’t a surprise that every member of the security stop her when they saw her running without any pass, so each stop dailey her as they calling to corroborate all is in order; finally reaching McLaren garage the team giggles as she avoid persons in her way, with one image clear in her mind Oscar on the top of the podium.

“And well, the rest you know it.” Y/N said finishing her dinner.

Oscar is bejeweled so much for her, it’s late at night she had more than 20 hours of flight and still looks so full of energy.

Oscar put a lock of her hair behind her ear, as she has a sleepy smile.

“What?” She leaned in his hand. “How tired I look?” 

Oscar kisses her temple. “What did I do to have you?” Y/N giggles.

“Have an awful taste in ice cream and the luck of my mom punished me for arriving late the previous night.” Oscar laughs as he asks for the bill.

“Let’s go, I have other plans in mind for us.”

Telling random stories as they share silent moments in his room is the most perfect plan for them, just having each other feels surreal and adorable, in their own world built in every part of the world they could be. 

That’s how they fall asleep he hugs her by her back breathing slowly and calmly, both of them craving for a proper rest, only finding it in each other's arms.

The soft knock on his door wakes him as she tries to do it too.

“It’s ok, I’ll go, keep sleeping.” He whispers to her head, she nods and hides her face between the sheets.

Half asleep and tossing his hair in all directions he opens the door, George is fully changed, he remembers he forgot to tell him it’s ok, he doesn't need a ride anymore.

“She is here, huh?” George is giggling as Oscar nods. “Well, I better go, see you in two weeks mate.” 

Oscar thanks him before closing the door one more time, walking back he stays still for a while in the frame of the room.

She hides between the sheets as she breathes slowly, waiting for him for the way she turns to the side he should be, it's his biggest prize.

“Could you please stop staring at me and come back to bed?” Y/N mumbles refusing to open her eyes. 

Oscar smirks walking to bed as she lifts the sheets for him to get in, immediately laying her head next to him as he pulls her closer. 

“Just, you don’t have to worry about running around to airports one more time, I use my influence and well, do I mention your director of the department is a big McLaren fan?” Y/N opens one eye seeing Oscar smiling proud.

“What?” She tries to stand but he grips her tight against him. 

Oscar kisses softly her lips. “I can’t get rid of your homework but I get you one free week.” Y/N rolls her eyes as she smiles. “People said the weather in Australia is perfect for a romantic runaway.”

Y/N click her tongue. “Really?”

“Sure.” He gets comfortable as he closes his eyes. “Tom said he will help you with those last exams.”

Y/N laughs hitting his back, for being involved in a career that involves maths even though she's pretty good at it, the last exams start to freak out of her. 

“I love you.” Oscar whispers in her head. “Thanks for being here.”“Well, you better reward me with more wins.” Oscar laughs as she closes her eyes too. “I love to run against the clock.”

[fictoculus]

౨ৎ genshin men; love languages...

send a request!┊masterlist┊taglist applications

FEAT... aether, albedo, alhaitham, ayato, childe, diluc, gorou, heizou, itto, kaeya, kaveh, kazuha, neuvillette, scara, thoma, tighnari, wriothesley, venti, xiao, xingqiu, zhongli

A/N... ohemgee kaede is back ?!! i'm sorry it's been so longggg i've really missed writing, i think i js kinda lost my spark for a bit but i should be back to posting nowww hooray !! even if i don't come backkk (since i'm not fully certain) i hope you can still enjoy these hc drabble thingies nd also my previous works, thank you ♡

✧ quality time.

he wants nothing more than to spend time with you, to smell the sweet fragrance of your perfume as it dances in the gentle breeze. he wants to watch as your hair flows gently, each strand delicately swaying back and forth, as if to mimic the way he swings his arms when his hand is holding yours. just being around you gets him all excited, though you'll never catch him actually admitting it. he has countless photos of the two of you together, each one connected with a memory that will stay with him forever. he often finds himself looking over them late at night when he's missing you, wishing you were there to hold him, or tell him about your interests, even sitting in silence would suffice. he just wants to be with you, whether that be studying, sleeping, reading, shopping, eating - he doesn't care, he'll do anything as long as it's with you..

xiao, alhaitham, aether, heizou, wriothesley + your favs

✧ gift giving.

it's almost like routine. at least once a fortnight, he comes knocking on your door with some sort of gift, stops you in the corridor with a bag full of goodies, or has a huge bouquet of your favourite flowers delivered straight to your front door when he's unable to come see you. he goes through a lot of trouble behind the scenes to get these things together for you, but it's all worth it when he sees that pretty smile light up your face, eyes glistening with pure excitement as you see whatever he's prepared for you. his eyes, on the other hand, are full of love as he sees the outcome of his hard work; your happiness is of utmost importance to him. the gifts he gives come in all different shapes and sizes, anything from a snack you'd said you'd been craving to a ridiculously expensive piece of jewellery, but you know that no matter what it is, he put so much thought and care into picking it out for you; that's what mattered to you most. even if he didn't shower you in his love this way, you wouldn't love him any less - of course you wouldn't. you care about him, not the things he gives you (though you really do appreciate them). he loves you more than words can say, and this is his way of showing it.

zhongli, ayato, albedo, neuvillette + your favs

✧ physical touch.

he's all over you. from the second you wake up to the moment you drift off to sleep. 24/7. he just can't get enough. he's practically addicted to your warmth, the softness of your skin, scars and all. it no longer comes as a surprise when you feel his arms snake around your waist from behind, or even when he nuzzles his face into the crook of your neck, his hair tickling your cheek as he moulds around your figure. he can't seem to stay away from you. the second he hears your voice, or the mention of your name, even your footsteps (yes, he knows), he comes rushing over, immediately insisting on intertwining his fingers with yours. your contact is replenishing to him. no matter how tired he is or how many hardships he had to face that day, feeling you run your hands up and down his back or cup his cheeks, his mood is immediately uplifted.

itto, childe, diluc, tighnari, kaeya, kaveh + your favs

✧ words of affirmation.

"i love you" "i love you" "i love you" it's constant, over and over and over. he repeats it a thousand times, as if it's an ancient incantation, but he still doesn't think it's enough. he just wants you to know how perfect you are, how beautiful you are, how easy to love you are; he wants you to see yourself the way he sees you. he's desperate to talk about you, to tell someone how much he loves you, and who else would he tell than the person he trusts most? and so, when the two of you are finally snuggled up close, he'll whisper in your ear the most poetic words you've ever heard, trying his best to capture your essence, though to him, it always feels just out of reach. he knows he'll never be able to truly explain how he feels about you, because there are no words for that feeling he gets in his heart when he hears your voice, or lays his eyes on you, let alone thinks about you. he recites your own stories and little habits back to you as if you're a complete stranger to yourself, and honestly, you can't help but find it endearing. he loves you so much, and he always knows the perfect things to say to see that smile he treasures deep in his heart.

kazuha, xingqiu, zhongli, venti, neuvillette + your favs

✧ acts of service.

sure, he may not be so good with words, but not to worry, he makes up for it one way or another. it's the little things for him. every morning without fail, he'll pack your lunch and leave it on the kitchen counter for you, a little memo hidden inside signed off with his initials and a small doodle, as always. he'll iron your clothes and hang them in your wardrobe, all neat and tidy for when you get dressed the next day. he'll get up 15 minutes earlier than when you usually arise, cooking breakfast for you and letting the scent of crisp bacon waft into the bedroom and wake you from your slumber. he'll do anything for you, big or small; he just wants to make sure you know how much he loves you.

scara, thoma, alhaitham, diluc + your favs

thanks for reading ♡ want to read more? my requests are OPEN, so please feel free to let me know what you’d like me to write next!

TAGLIST…@maopll . @nyxmainex . @avensuersa . @moondrop-gummies. @lacunaanonymoused apply here

© FICTOCULUS 2024; please do not steal, translate, or repost my works as your own

[marauder-misprint]

Friends

Series Masterlist

Sirius Black x Fem!Slytherin!reader

1.4k words

cw: fluff

When Regulus enters the common room, you emerge from your dorm, books and other study materials in hand. Now that you had your nap, you were ready to get all the homework you had been putting off done. Regulus debates telling you about Sirius now. But as he watches you spread out across a table with a determined look on your face, he decides against it. Instead, he stands at your side and leans over the table to see which subjects you’re working on.

“Divination?” he asks.

You nod. “Professor Traumine is checking our dream journals this week and I haven’t had any I actually remember… Care to help?”

“Help?” he asks hesitantly, not really sure what you’re asking of him.

“Making stuff up. What seems like something I’d dream about and then we figure out what it means using the book.” You give him a pleading look. “Please, I’m horrible at making the dreams up. I’ll figure out what they mean on my own.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Regulus pulls up a chair and reaches for the journal you have open.

“Just seeing what you’ve written before. Maybe you can have a repeat dream or something,” he explains.

Between the two of you and the occasional passing friend, you finish the dream portion of the homework fairly quickly. You laugh as you interpret the fake dreams.

“Apparently, there are several family deaths in my future. That’s what, an excuse to miss school or something?”

“Anything about relationships?” Regulus asks, testing the water. 

You give him a sideways glance. “Relationships?”

“Particularly with my brother?” 

“Regulus, I don’t want to talk about him,” you groan. 

He leans forward. “I think you should.”

“Why? What do you need to know?”

“The same question as always. What’s going on between you two?” Instead of sounding accusatory as he had in the past, Regulus sounds arrogant, like he already knows the answer but wants to hear you say it.

You shrug. “Some kind of friendship, I guess?”

Regulus doesn’t mean to, but he laughs. Loudly and uncontrollably. You stare at him with wide eyes. You can feel the eyes of other Slytherins on the two of you. You had gone from peacefully working on homework and chatting with those who stopped by your table. Now, he was making a scene.

“What the fuck, Reggie?” you hiss.

“Some kind of friendship?” he repeats back to you in between laughs. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No?” 

“Love, darling, dearest friend of mine,” Regulus starts to say, ever so slightly calming himself. “Sirius came looking for you. Pacing the dungeons, hoping to run into you. Friends?”

“Right. Friends,” you say naturally, as if you were simply confirming that there was a giant octopus in the Black Lake.

Your mind, however, starts to spin. Sirius was looking for you? After you called him attractive again, with many synonyms, to his face, in the purest tone of genuinity, without any sense of tease. After telling him he was a good time. After saying that you maybe should write to him… You curse yourself for having said so much.

“Friends,” you echo yourself despite Regulus not saying anything.

He cocks an eyebrow. “So you said.” Then he smiles wickedly. “Or are you trying to convince yourself that’s all it is?”

“Regulus,” you warn, your voice dropping low. 

“I wasn’t so sure about it before, but I think I’ve played matchmaker,” he says with a smile.

“If anyone has the right to claim matchmaker, it’s Dorcas. Or… or Lupin and Potter. Certainly not you!”

“Aha! So there is a match!”

Your face grows hot. That wasn’t how you meant for it to come out. There wasn’t a match. It was just you realizing that Sirius wasn’t too bad and you liked being around him and he was fun and attractive and he smelled nice and there was something about the way he always had cigarettes with him that he was willing to share and the way he carried himself and… Shit. 

You gather your things in a panic.

“I will, uh, erm, see you tomorrow? I… I gotta go…”

You return to your dorm and hide within the curtains of your bed. Regulus was right: someone had played matchmaker.

---

You avoid Regulus in the morning. If anyone mentions either Black or Gryffindor, you change the topic or leave the conversation. You’re more skittish than usual. You’re more flighty than usual. You can’t seem to focus on anything besides your current crisis. 

Yes, you’re calling it a crisis. 

You manage to survive the day and you’re feeling a little better. You think you’ll be able to hide in your dorm again until you completely sort out your thoughts. 

But then his voice rings down the hallway. Sirius calls out your name. 

“Hey!” he says, running up to you.

“Hi?” you reply cautiously. You didn’t know if you were ready for a conversation with him.

“I-uh, how have you been?”

“I’ve been good. Yeah… good. You?”

The air between you feels thick with things unspoken. You certainly aren’t going to acknowledge it though. You’d rather this be a quick conversation so you can keep your wits about you.

“Going a bit crazy, if I’m honest,” he says.

You raise your eyebrows and tilt your head. “Is that so? What for?”

You start to walk and Sirius immediately falls in step with you. You aren’t sure where you are going, but it feels more natural to be moving than loitering outside a classroom. Depending on where you went, it would also be easier to shake Sirius if you felt like you were actually going to lose your cool. 

“Been meaning to, wanting to talk to you.”

“Well,” you chuckle, “here I am.”

“Right. Here you are. And here I am,” he says, laughing at himself. 

You wait for him to continue.

“I… I… I’m just going to come out and say it. Yes. That’s what I’m going to do.” He swallows thickly. “I like spending time with you. A lot. And I’d like to go on another date with you. To Hogsmeade, to a quidditch game, to the kitchens, hell, I don’t care. I didn’t think I’d need to talk to Regulus again and I really want to, if you want to.”

You stop walking. You clutch your things tightly to your chest. Sirius took a few steps beyond you before realizing that you weren’t next to him anymore. He turns back to you with worry etched into his face. 

“You don’t want to, do you?” he mumbles, looking down at the ground. “I thought after what you said last weekend…”

You take a shaky breath. “No… Shit, no. I do. I mean, I’m not against it.”

SIrius looks up, his eyes sparkling with emotion. He moves closer to you as his worry slowly melts away. 

“You do?”

You nod, not trusting your words. He gently puts a hand on the side of your shoulder.

“Then why do you look like you’re about to faint?”

You take another breath. “Because… I meant what I said. After the party… And I was so hellbent on not caring for you, but, ah, here we are?” You let out a nervous chuckle and tighten your grip on your books.

“Here we are,” he repeats, his lips curling into a smile. 

“But you want to take me to a quidditch game, you’ll be waiting until next term…”

He barks a laugh. “Yeah, I’m not waiting that long. So, sneak to Hogsmeade? Picnic? Visit the kitchens? I’ll do whatever you want to. I just… I want to spend time with you.”

You press your lips into a thin line as you think. 

“How about a walk? Just like around the grounds or something. And we can stop by the kitchens after?”

He nods vigorously. His excitement is so palpable that you can’t help but smile at him.

“I’d love that.”

“Too bad Padfoot isn’t here to enjoy it though,” you tease. 

“D’you miss him?” Sirius asks with a smirk.

“I miss dogs in general. You do have a cute one though,” you say thoughtfully. 

Sirius chuckles and throws an arm around your shoulder. “I mean, if all goes well, maybe you can visit the Potters and hang out with Padfoot over break.”

“That’s… that’s some kind of wishful thinking, Black. Dunno if we’ll be there after a second date.” 

“Worth a shot,” he says. “As long as you write me.”

“With that quill you bought me? Let’s see how this walk goes first.”

“This walk? Are we doing it now?” He sounds flustered. 

“No. Salazar, no. I have assignments to do.” You pause and bite the inside of your lip. “Tomorrow after class?” 

“Tomorrow.”

tags: @2dloveshp, @yearninglustfully, @made-for-oliverwood, @ilovejamespottersomuch, @hisparentsgallerryy, @itsseaberri, @corawithfanfiction, @devilslittlehelper, @jllyunn, @barnes70stark,

tags: @crowleythesexydemon, @flow33didontsmoke, @navs-bhat, @louweenier, @l0g0phobe,

@ellouisa17, @theendofthematerialgworl, @marina468, @bmyva1entine, @ravisinghs-wife, @azure-drag0ness, @sunowee, @mysteriouslyperfecttiger

Just a warning for all of you lovely people: I think we are nearing the end of this series. I'm feeling like a max of two more chapters. Thank you for all the love y'all have shown this series - every comment/like/reblog means the world to me

[darkwitchoferie]

Train Ride - Chapter 4, Hyunjin

A quick note about the immersive Van Gogh Exhibition. They go to SeMA – the Seoul Museum of Art. That’s not where the real exhibit was when it was in Seoul, but fanfic rules, so who cares? Also, why was Hyunjin’s smut scene so much harder to write than any of the others so far? Like, it just didn’t want to cooperate. Finally, I decided to use text screenshots from time to time instead of just saying ‘oh you got a text’. There’s only one in this chapter. Also, this one has more plot to it than the others have had. It starts to get that way after this. Still smutty, but a tiny more plot too.

Cw/tw for this chapter: alluded to member x member action (Innie and Felix), unprotected vaginal sex, nipple play, oral (f receiving), this one’s actually really sweet

wc: 3.8k

Master list

While you were watching the livestream of the boys in the airport, you got a text notification. Seeing it was from Chan, you opened it quickly to see a screenshot of the picker wheel you were using with Hyunjin’s name chosen. Smiling to yourself, you switched back to the livestream, watching your boys make their way through the airport and thinking of ways to seduce Hyunjin.

It was about an hour after they were on the plane, while you were on your way to the grocery store, that you saw an ad and realized what you wanted to do. You knew Hyunjin was a romantic at heart and, while he may not object to being outright seduced the way Felix and Jeongin had been, he’d like something with more romance. When you parked at the grocery store, you quickly pulled out your phone and bought two tickets for the immersive Van Gogh Exhibition that was happening at SeMA for the free day they had, two days after their return.

--

Hyunjin picked you up at your apartment in one of what you often thought of as his most dressed-down outfits. Not to say he didn’t look good – he always did. But there was something about the way he was dressed and held himself that made him seem like ‘no, I’m just an attractive man, definitely not Hyunjin of Stray Kids’. You weren’t sure what exactly it was, but when he was dressed so simply like this, people tended to not notice who he was. It reminded you of something you’d read about Marilyn Monroe, how she said she could “turn on” the Marilyn persona but otherwise people wouldn’t notice her. With Hyunjin, the disguise was the persona he was turning on.

He had a cap pulled down enough to partly obscure his face, but not enough to make it seem like he was hiding. He’d told you once before that that was part of the trick – hiding without making it look like he was hiding.

Knowing the way he would be dressed, you dressed to match. Instead of wearing fancier or typical date-wear, you were just in a normal, knee length skirt that flared out when you spun, a plain t-shirt, and flats. While normally you may have considered jeans or shorts given the pleasant weather, you’d discussed with Chan and the two of you agreed that there was something delightful and ‘easy-access’ about being in a skirt for every one of these seductions.

“Hey, Y/N,” he smiled at you, pulling you into a hug. “Thank you for this. I didn’t even realize the exhibition was in town.”

“Oh, of course. I saw the ad for it and immediately thought of you.” You linked your arm through his as you headed toward the elevator. “And I figure we’ll be there for a while, so stop for dinner after?”

“That sounds perfect, actually. Chan’s not gonna miss you?”

“He knows I’m with you today. And he’s holed up with Sungie and Bin.” You knew he only planned to be with them for an hour or two, but you didn’t need to point that out. Let Hyunjin assume it meant one of their marathon sessions.

He chuckled, clearly assuming that. “Good point.”

The immersive exhibit was perfect. So much so, that you periodically forgot your seduction plan, which you supposed helped it feel less rehearsed. You’d been thinking and planning for this date the whole time they’d been gone that you worried you’d come off as stiff or something. Instead, the pair of you fell into a natural rhythm and it felt perfectly normal to reach over and grip his upper arm, play with his hair that was finally growing out long enough to actually, properly, play with, or tuck yourself close to him whether there was a crowd of people around you or not.

After getting your fill of the exhibit, the pair of you headed back to Hyunjin’s car. You watched him gesture wildly as he talked about Van Gogh’s artwork, hands imitating the movement of the stars, speech speeding up as he talked about his favorite parts of the experience. Then he stopped, just before reaching his car, and flushed.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to –”

“No,” you cut him off, “nothing to be sorry for. I was enjoying your enjoyment, Hyune,” you smiled at him, linking your arm through his again.

“I just, I know I can be a little… much sometimes.”

You raised an eyebrow at him. “And that’s different than any of our other friends, how exactly?”

“Okay, that’s…. Yeah, you have a point.” He grinned at you, turning to face you fully and pulled you into a hug. “Seriously, thank you for this. It was amazing.”

“You’re so incredibly welcome. I’m glad I got to do this with you.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of your head before letting go. “Dinner’s on me. Where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere Thai, I’m craving chicken satay.”

“Ooo, yes.” He chuckled, taking your hand and spinning you, making you laugh too. The pair of you made it to your favorite Thai restaurant where you were sat at a booth toward the back of the seating area. The managers all knew who you were, or more importantly, who Hyunjin was, so they did what they could to make sure you were seated out of the way like they always did when any of the guys came in.

On your way to the table, you sent Chan a prearranged emoji message to let him know that you’d be back to your apartment in about an hour – the Thai restaurant being less than a five minute drive from your apartment. He was most likely already waiting at your apartment, but just in case he wasn’t yet, you sent the text to be sure. Hyunjin slid into the booth and you slid in beside him, sitting just barely far enough away to not be touching. He gave you a weird look, but otherwise didn’t comment on how close you were. Just like he hadn’t commented after any of the looks he’d given you at the museum that you’d elected to ignore. You ignored this look too, crossing one ankle behind the other and then fighting the internal laughter that came when your brain provided you with an ‘actually keeping your legs closed?’ joke.

Throughout dinner, you kept leaning into Hyunjin’s space – laughing with him, touching his arm, sharing his food. While none of it was unusual in the context of your friendships with all of the guys, you did your best to take it past the edge of flirting but not so far past that it would make him uncomfortable. Hyunjin was a good friend, one of the best, and as far as he knew you and Chan were exclusive.

As always, when you hung out with any of the guys, Hyunjin walked you to your apartment door. Chan was either watching the parking lot or got very lucky, and opened the door before you could put the key in the lock.

“Hey baby,” he kissed your cheek in greeting. “Hey Hyune.” He waited until you were both inside and he’d closed the door before asking, “So, how was your date?”

Hyunjin sputtered, “It wasn’t…. Hyung, I… I wouldn’t….”

“It was good. I got some great photos of Hyune enjoying the immersion. And he did that thing where he imitates the art with his hands, ya know?”

“Adorable,” Chan agreed. Hyunjin had fallen silent, staring between the two of you.

“We went for Thai at our usual place down the road. And I think I make Hyune nervous. Or, he’s just nervous how you’ll feel. I couldn’t really tell.” You could, but you wanted Hyunjin to know that you understood his nervousness.

“What is happening here?” He asked, still unsure and looking between you both.

“I suppose we were more direct with Jeongin and Felix,” Chan commented to you.

“Okay, more direct sexually, yes, obviously. But I feel like this was more romantic, ya know?”

Chan hummed his agreement. “Yeah, alright,” he turned to Hyunjin. “Blunt and direct, or soften it a little?” he asked.

“I don’t…. I don’t know?”

“Okay. I’m going to ask you something. It’s a genuine question, so I want a true answer. No judgement from us, no matter what your answer is.” Hyunjin nodded, not remotely reassured. “Do you want to have sex with Y/N?”

“Hyung, she’s your –”

“Nope,” Chan cut him off, “irrelevant for this conversation. Ignore me. Do you want to sleep with her?”

Hyunjin looked wide-eyed between the two of you a few times. “Yes,” he said softly.

You grinned, preening just a little bit. “Do you want to go on another date with her?”

“Yes.”

Chan smiled. “Good. Let me tell you what’s going on then.” He told Hyunjin about your desire to at least have sex with, but hopefully date, all the members but he didn’t elaborate on the previous comment about Jeongin and Felix.

When he was finished, you wrapped your arms around Hyunjin’s waist from behind like you’d done countless times throughout the time you’d known him. “It doesn’t have to change anything, Hyune. We can have sex today, then never again. We can have sex as often as we can fit it in for however long we both want. We can date and it can be a serious relationship if you want. Or, we can pretend this conversation never happened and today was just a fun day between friends. And any variation on any of that with Channie. It’s entirely up to you.”

Hyunjin hesitated. He brought his arms down to cover over yours but otherwise made no move for a few minutes. You didn’t press him, recognizing that he needed to think through his options. This was interesting for you to watch as you hadn’t given Jeongin and Felix the opportunity before anything happened. Which, worked out fine for your relationship with the both of them, but you knew it would never have worked that way for Hyunjin. The man had a romantic soul. Not that the others didn’t like romance, but it was just different with Hyunjin – he was more like Chan in this way.

After a few quiet minutes where you and Chan patiently waited for Hyunjin to think everything through, he turned in your arms. You tilted your head to the side, silently questioning him. He smiled, bringing his hands up to cup your cheeks and gently pressed his lips to yours. You smiled into the kiss, tightening your arms around him. You could still feel the nervousness, or maybe uncertainty would be more accurate, in the way Hyunjin touched you even as he tilted your head so he could deepen the kiss. You decided to just follow his lead rather than stop him to ask if he was sure. You were confident that Hyunjin wouldn’t do anything he wasn’t sure he wanted to do and the lingering nerves were either from the unusualness of the situation or because he knew Chan was watching you both.

His confidence grew as he kissed you, his tongue sliding past your lips and one hand sliding to the back of your head, cradling the back of your skull as the other slipped down to grip your hip. You clutched the back of his shirt as he broke away from your lips, trailing soft kisses along your jaw, neck, and down to the neck line of your t shirt. He didn’t seem to be in any sort of rush, just enjoying feeling your skin under his lips.

“Bedroom?” he asked softly, pulling away for just long enough to ask. You turned in his hold, forcing him to drop the hand that had been holding your head down to your hip. He stuck close to your back, occasionally pressing a kiss to the side of your neck, as you led him to your bedroom, Chan trailing behind him. Once in your room, his nerves came back, though it didn’t seem quite as much. He turned you around so he could kiss you again, then gently led you backwards until your knees hit the edge of your bed and you dropped down onto it.

Chan didn’t say a word, barely made any noise, letting this encounter unfold as just the pair of you. He moved to sit in the chair you’d put in front of the large window in your bedroom and relaxed back into the cushions, content to just watch.

Hyunjin bent over you, cupping the back of your neck and tilting your head back to give himself better access to your neck. Once again trailing soft kisses down your neck, he slowly shifted to force you to lean back on your elbows, placing a knee between your thighs as he did. He pulled back slightly to look at you as he slid his hand under the hem of your shirt. You nodded, sitting up just enough to help him lift your shirt over your head. He leaned back in, pressing you all the way onto your back this time.

Unhurriedly, but in relatively short order, Hyunjin had you completely stripped under him. At some point, you weren’t really sure when or how you didn’t notice, he’d stripped himself too. At his urging, you shifted around so you were laying back against your pillows, legs splayed wide so he could lay between them. With a pleased smile, he followed you, pressing a few kisses to your belly.

Hyunjin’s hand slid up your inner thigh, fingertips dragging just enough to tickle and make you squirm. He lifted his lips from your belly long enough to look up at you with a smile when you giggled. You sighed in pleasure with his fingers finally brushed over your folds, pausing to gently flick you clit with the pad of his thumb. Watching your reactions, he slid a finger up and down you’re your folds, parting them then dipping a finger into your pussy. Your head tipped back against the pillow as he slowly started thrusting into you.

You looked to Chan who smiled and winked at you but was still fully dressed, man spreading on the chair and with a noticeable tent in his jeans.

You moaned low in your throat when Hyunjin added a second finger, easily sliding it in along side the first. He continued softly kissing your belly, the light, sweet touches turning you into a puddle of goo. You carded your fingers through his hair, thinking you could be content with just these light, simple touches for hours.

You’re somewhat surprised to feel the coil of an orgasm building in your belly already. As if sensing what you only just started feeling, Hyunjin bent down and flicked his tongue over your clit. He batted the sensitive buddle of nerves around with his tongue until he felt you clench around his fingers and groan out his name.

As you come down, you glanced over at Chan at the sound of a belt being undone to see he was finally stripping himself. Once naked, he sat back in the chair, making no move to join the pair of you or to actually touch himself.

Between your legs, Hyunjin grinned up at you. You tugged his hair, making him lift himself up so you could kiss him. He pulled his fingers out of you, sliding his hand up your belly and pressing his palm on your sternum as you reclaim his lips. With a small smile to yourself, you hooked a leg over his and used the leverage and surprise to flip the pair of you. You giggled again, this time at the surprised look on his face. Looking down at his cock, steadily leaking precum, part of you wanted to taste him, but you wanted to feel him buried inside you more in that moment.

You straddled Hyunjin’s hips, a hand pressed to his abs to help you balance, the other hand wrapped around his cock. Slowly, giving yourself time to adjust as you went, you sank down onto him. You sighed in pleasure and watched his eyes roll back in his head as you rolled your hips once fully seated. His hands slid up your thighs to grip your hips, fingertips digging into your flesh hard enough you felt pretty sure there’d be small bruises. All the nervousness that had been lingering in his eyes, vanished as he looked up at you.

Steadily, with help from Hyunjin, you rolled your hips building up a rhythm. Sliding a hand up your back, he pushed you forward a little, just enough that he was able to lean up and wrap his lips around a nipple. Your hips faltered for a second as your head dropped forward with a groan. Behind you, on the chair, you could hear the sounds of Chan stroking his cock. You stayed leaning forward, bracing both hands on Hyunjin’s chest, lifting your hips now instead of rolling to give him a better view. The new motion and position put a wonderful amount of pressure on your clit. Added to it, Hyunjin brought a hand up to tease which ever nipple he didn’t have in his mouth.

For just a second, you reflected on how well all the guys treated you so far, always seeking out and paying attention to the areas that gave you pleasure. Not that you were surprised they were just as sweet to you sexually as they were in every day interactions. But still, they all seemed to focus on your pleasure more than their own. Or at least, it felt that way.

Then you lost that train of thought as his free hand slid between your bodies, quickly finding and rubbing circles against your clit. You gasped, digging your fingernails into his pecs as the orgasm that had been building crashed through you, Hyunjin’s name falling from your mouth like a litany prayer. Your hips slowed, then stilled as you came down from your high. Then you relaxed your arms, dropping to rest on his chest.

“Still good?” Hyunjin confirmed.

“So good.”

“Good.” He gripped your hips, lifting you slightly, and started thrusting up into you. The motion and pressure on your clit, not to mention the perfect thrusting against your g-spot, had you quickly building to another orgasm. Your moans with every thrust were somewhat muffled against his skin, but you were fairly sure he could still hear them. Giving into the impulsive thought that often crept into your mind when you watched him dance and definitely did now, you leaned up a little and licked a long stripe up his sweaty neck.

He groaned at your action, planting his feet so he could thrust up faster. With another, longer groan, and one last deep thrust, Hyunjin stilled as he came inside you. The feeling of his cum filling you, and his cock twitching against your g-spot, triggered your third orgasm, causing you to clench around his softening cock and pulling a small whimper from him.

After a minute or so, you slid off him, flopping onto the bed beside him.

“Hey baby, you got one more in you?” Chan smiled down at you, slowly stroking his cock. You had no idea when he’d gotten up from his chair, but you frankly could not care less.

“Absolutely,” you reached for him, but made no move to actually get up. He chuckled, moving to lay between your legs and claim your lips for the first time since you’d gotten home. You hummed into the kiss, lifting one leg to hook it over his hips and pull him firmly against your body.

It was not the first time he’d had you after someone else had come inside you – nearly every morning that Jeongin wanted a morning quickie, Chan decided he did too. But, as he slid inside you, the obscene feeling of someone else’s cum, Hyunjin’s this time, oozing out around his cock delighted you the way it always did.

“Fuck,” he growled against your neck. “You looked so good on Hyune, baby.”

“Mm, felt so good too.”

Hyunjin, laying beside you, danced his fingers over your belly, tapping then drawing little patterns, seemingly content to just be there but not actually add any stimulation. With a smile, you reached for his hand, pulling it to your lips and pressing small kisses on each of his fingertips, then setting his hand back on your belly. With a content sounding hum, he leaned in to press his cheek to your shoulder, looking down your body so he could watch Chan thrusting into you.

“Oh God,” Chan groaned, leaning back a little and seeing both of you watching him. He sat himself up on his knees, sliding his hands slightly under your hips so he could left them up, changing the angle and causing your back to arch. His thrusts sped up, rocking your body and pulling nearly constant moans or little ahs from you. It was, Chan knew, one of your favorite positions at the end of the night. You didn’t have to do much, there was little to no pressure on your, at this point, overstimulated clit, he typically went deeper than he had before, and his cock slid against your g spot without hitting it directly.

With the practice of someone who knew your body well, Chan had you building to a fourth orgasm fairly quickly. When your walls started fluttering around him and you reached out to grip the arm of Hyunjin’s hand that was still on your belly, he knew you were close. He kept his pace steady, helping you ride the wave that was building then washing through your body. His name fell from your lips on a sigh, you clenching around him causing him to cum too, filling you completely.

Tired, but content and comfortable, you relaxed on your bed between Chan and Hyunjin. After a few quiet minutes, Hyunjin said, “I would like to try the dating option. I’m not sure if…. I mean, the constant sharing might be too much for me.”

“That’s okay,” you reassured him quickly. “If it is, or it starts to be, come to us and we’ll talk about what to do.”

As usual, Chan insisted on getting up and getting a shower. While the tub filled and you and Hyunjin quickly showered off so you could properly relax in that bath, Chan hurriedly stripped your bed, changing the sheets.

Cuddled in the bath, allowing the jets to soothe sore muscles, you were drifting off a little when Hyunjin asked, “What did you mean about Iyen-ah and Felix earlier?” You giggled before the pair of you gave him the shortened version of your previous encounters with the two of them.

Previous Next

Taglist: @skzficpriv @strayk1ds143 @vegetablesarefuntables  @imagine-all-the-imagines  @yeetmylifeu  @wolfo2027