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#//OML I've never done such a thing before and actually enjoyed it?
togenabi · 10 months
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with flowers under the stars
inumaki toge x fem!reader (royalty au)
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♡—Toge does his best to impress you, even when others might not want him to.
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previous♡— [PART 1]
word count♡— 4.1k words (oml)
genre♡— fluff, romance, royalty au
aged up characters♡— 18+
content notes♡— potential lovers to actual lovers, mutual pining, courtship, dating, everyone is a prince or princes, older brother!gojo satoru, no use of y/n, romance, very fluff, mentions of engagement and marriage, toge uses sign language, some characters may be ooc >< pls forgive me
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author's note♡— after rising from the grave (I'm so sorry this took so long! buT! I'm graduating! AAA) I finally finished the sequel to my first toge fic. thank you so much to those who have appreciated my previous work! now that I'm back, I hope you enjoy this as well! (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)♡
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Exchanging letters with prince Toge occurred frequently before you finally met again. He talked about many things, but they all ended the same way: mentioning how lovely you are and how he wishes time could run faster so he could meet you.
Toge's kingdom was a week on ship and a day by train away, so visiting was saved for important duties or events. ‘Maybe I should ask your brother to appoint me an official position in the council so I can stay in the palace.’ He wrote to you once. You reply that he doesn't deserve it, since he wouldn't be working with the empire or its people in mind.
He writes back that he fell for you a little more, and you trace that line an infinite number of times before tucking the letter away.
When the day of the banquet finally arrives, Satoru notices that you appear a bit more lavish than you usually care to look during events.
“Why! My dearest sister! How stunning you look! And for my birthday, no less! I love that color on you, your taste has improved so much!” He suddenly gasps dramatically and loudly—so loud, that the maid helping you with your earrings flinches.
“Are those... the earrings I got you last year? But I've never seen you wear them! I would give you a hug if it wouldn't ruin your clothes!”
You ignore him the entire time he fusses over you. He looks nice today, you admit. His hair is styled down which gives him a softer aura, and his white suit with gold details looks pristine. A midnight blue cape drapes over his shoulders and flows down his back. It would be difficult for anyone else to pull it off, but you don't tell him that. Goodness knows he would never let you hear the end of it.
You sigh as you watch him through the vanity mirror, but he only becomes even more giddy at your silence.
“Hey, give me that.” Satoru says to the attendant holding your brush. “Leave us.” He says as he stands behind you to brush your hair. You stare at him in disbelief.
Satoru knows you love when he brushes your hair. Even if you never outright told him, it was obvious that you enjoyed it when he cared for you. But because you were embarrassed to ask him as you got older, he hasn't done it since you were children.
He's silent and focuses on brushing your hair gently. The moment feels strangely emotional, and your resolve to ignore him cracks a bit.
“So...” Satoru meets your eyes in the mirror, then winks. “You and Toge, huh?”
You tsk, letting your resolve fully break. “I should've known you would notice.”
He laughs and places a hand on your shoulder. “Well, he wrote saying his father wanted to trade silk from their territory, and that he would like to stay at the palace to handle the negotiations.”
“...Add that to the letters you're receiving everyday, and it wasn't too hard to piece things together.”
You groan and cover your face in embarrassment. You and Toge weren't exactly a secret, but you didn't want your brother to know until it got more serious.
“So what now?” You dread having to ask. “Are you going to tell me to call it off?”
“Nope.” Satoru says, smiling. “Besides, if you're anything like your dear old brother—which, you are! Don't deny it!—I'll end up driving you into his arms if I try to keep you away.”
His eyes suddenly turn serious as he considers his next words. “He's a good kid... Good enough for you, though? We'll have to see.” He places the brush on the dresser, and takes your hand to help you on your feet.
“But what's important is to know yourself and decide for yourself. Don't let anyone else make that choice for you.” He looks sincere as he places your hand on his arm. “Shall we?”
“Satoru...” You call him, touched. He grins and kisses your forehead.
“And of course, if you end up marrying him, that saves me and the ministers the work of looking for your match!” You slap his shoulder, but he only laughs harder as he escorts you out.
The ballroom was sparkling when you arrived. There were already plenty of guests partaking in the revelries as the event had begun half an hour before. Satoru had insisted on the importance of being fashionably late. Normally, you wouldn't have let him actually be late, but you caved only for today.
“Entering, their Royal Highnesses, The Imperial Crown Prince and The Imperial Princess.”
As you descended the stairs with Satoru, the people bowed and you took that as an opportunity to look for a head of white hair, a mask or a high collar covering half the face.
“You're being too obvious.” Satoru whispered. “He'll show up, don't worry.”
He led you to the center of the hall. You were so caught up on looking for Toge that you had nearly forgotten you were to share Satoru's first dance; as he still wasn't engaged. The both of you took your positions gracefully as the music started to flow through the air.
“I'll spin you a few times.” He was grinning. “Try to spot him.”
And yet, the song ended without you seeing Toge anywhere. After giving a hasty bow to your brother, you went on with your search once again.
Your eyes caught princess Nobara the same moment she did yours. You were about to go greet her when her eyes trailed off to something behind you. When her gaze returns to yours, she's smirking and it makes you turn to look at what she saw.
Toge takes your breath away as he walks up to you. He wasn't wearing a mask, or a high collar like he had been during the previous ball. His suit was pitch black and every bit as elegant as him. Your eyes were immediately drawn to his lips and you blushed when he caught you staring. All you wanted to do was to dance with him so that you had an excuse to be close.
It seemed that he picked up on that, as he bowed and offered you his hand.
“It's good to see you again.” You greet him. He kisses the back of your hand with a smile before sweeping you away to dance.
Suddenly nervous, your words get stuck in your throat as the beginnings of a soft waltz reach your ears. “I... tried looking for you when I arrived.”
Toge leads the dance as effortlessly as he did the first time. It almost amazes you how natural it feels to move and sway with him. He seems pleased to know that you were paying him as much attention as he gave you.
Not wanting to simply dance, you took to asking him questions. “Did your journey here go smoothly?” Toge nods.
“When did you arrive?”
‘Today.’ He mouths.
“Ah. I'll have to take you sightseeing then.” You grin up at him. “Would tomorrow be alright?” You get your answer in the form of Toge grinning back, and before you could prepare yourself, he twirls you around and catches you in an embrace as the song finishes with a flourish. A number of people around you started to clap, and you couldn't help but blush in his arms.
After settling at the less crowded side of the ballroom, Toge explains, ‘I also tried to find you. I arrived as early as I could, and yet you and your brother were late.’ He looks at you almost as if to scold you, but you see mischief in his eyes. ‘I thought that you might be by the window where we met... So I went to check.’
“Oh, I see.” You respond, a bit embarrassed. “I should have warned you about my brother's flair for dramatics. He tends to do that when he's the star of the event.”
‘Do you have any remaining commitments here at the ball?’
That makes you think for a moment. “No, Satoru's the one the people want to bother today. Why?”
Toge gives you a look that makes you want to agree to almost anything he asks. ‘Will you allow me to whisk you away?’
And so you were both running, hand-in-hand and laughing, on your way to that secluded hall with the stained glass window. It shouldn't have been possible, but it felt more magical than before to be with him here again.
Toge slows his steps when you both reach the window. You realize that despite coming to cherish this place, you never sought it out when he wasn't around. Something tells you that would have only made you miss him more.
Looking at you with a serious expression, he begins to sign, ‘I know I have been very upfront about myself caring about you... But I want to ask this properly, because you deserve nothing less than the best.’
‘I would like—if it is alright with you, to formally court you.’
The smile on your face glows before you can help it, and you throw your arms around him.
“I would very much like that as well, my dear prince.” You lean to kiss his cheek.
Toge looks dazed and happy as if drunk on something you had given him. Maybe he was.
The moonlight shining through the glass paints him in a kaleidoscope of colors. Before, the only colors on him were the purple hues in his eyes. And now he stood before you, bright and shining.
‘You look beautiful.’
He took the words right out of your mouth.
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Satoru came to find you the day after the banquet. Naturally, he entered your office without knocking, and unceremoniously dropped a heavy document in front of the one you were already working on.
“What's this?”
“Toge's proposal...”
The floor seemed to sink, your heart and your breath gone along with it. “What?”
“—for the trade negotiations.”
It took everything in your power to not throw the block of papers at him. “You're unbelievable.”
Satoru only hummed. “So is your boyfriend. I can't believe he's making me work right after my birthday! He should be kissing up to me, not giving me paperwork!”
“Last time I checked, he's courting me. Not you.” Nevertheless, you take a few moments to sift through the document. It was very detailed and efficient. You note that the length of the proposal was due to the many alternative plans Toge had prepared. This would certainly help the negotiations go smoothly. Satoru and the ministers merely had to look at the options.
Looking back to your brother, you couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. What was he complaining about, when all he had to do was select the best plan and tweak where it was necessary?
“We're to begin the negotiations in two days. I think his plans have potential—” You couldn't help but snort at that, from what you'd seen, Toge was already excellent. (You were not biased. Not at all.) “But, I don't think the older ministers will be kind to someone who acts like a know-it-all.”
“Toge doesn't—”
“A-ah,” Satoru waves a finger at you, as if you were a child being told what you did wrong. You scowl at him but he ignores it. “This will be a test for him, to see if he's able to win against those old goons.”
“You mean yourself, then?” His expression drops at that, and you don't bother to hide how satisfied that made you feel.
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As the weeks flew by, Toge ended up being a lot more busy than you both anticipated. Despite officially dating, lunches together turned to having tea during breaks; then that turned to catching him in the hallway for a few moments before he had to go.
You didn't understand why his workload only seemed to grow, no matter how much effort he put in. Once, when you caught him just before he entered his chambers, you had asked him if anything was going wrong with the negotiations.
Toge looked exhausted, and yet he gave you a smile that made your heart melt. ‘No, the talks are going well, I suppose I'm just having trouble adjusting to the empire's work culture.’
You must have looked unconvinced, because Toge suddenly leaned in and rested his forehead against yours. Mischievously, he stared into your eyes until you were too flustered to be worried anymore. He laughed when you had to push him away.
That night, he bid you farewell with a kiss to your cheek.
‘Good night, darling.’
The next time you had Toge to yourself for an entire day, it was due to a holiday celebration. Everyone was too occupied with the festivities to work. You were supposed to be at another banquet Satoru had hosted, but you were determined to monopolize Toge's time today.
So you showed up at his door at the earliest respectable hour of the morning, dressed for warm weather and a picnic basket in your hand.
“Will you allow me to whisk you away?” You asked when he answered the door.
You took him on a tour of the parts of the palace he hasn't seen yet. Your office, the private library, and even some of the secret passage ways. His eyes lit up with curiosity when you showed him one behind a portrait.
You had lunch in the gardens, under a tree that offers wonderful shade. A soft blanket laid across the grass, with a spread of the empire's specialty dishes arranged all over it.
“This one,” You show Toge a cookie with flowers piped on top. “Has been my favorite since I was a child. It has just the perfect amount of sweetness, and goes beautifully with tea.”
You move to hand Toge the cookie, but he doesn't take it. Confused, you're about to ask him if anything was wrong when he leans forward and opens his mouth expectantly.
Wordlessly, you raise the cookie to his lips. The moment feels oddly intimate as he takes a bite without removing his gaze from yours.
Toge hums and moves his hands to sign, ‘It's indeed delicious.’ He leans to you and opens his mouth again.
You push the half-eaten cookie into his hands and turn away to hide your blush. “If you're able to tell me what you think about it, you can eat it yourself.”
He breathes out a laugh. Smirking at you while he chews the remaining cookie.
It was so peaceful, just sitting there with him. And it seemed as though you weren't the only one who wanted to sit with Toge. A tiny white butterfly fluttered about before landing on his knee. He looked so enchanted by it. Staring close, but being careful that he didn't move his knee or disturbed it.
The butterfly flying away made you want to explore too. Getting yourself up, you look over your shoulder and gesture for him to follow. He offers you his arm once he catches up, and you rest your hand on it. Birds chirp and leaves rustle in the wind as you walk towards the shimmering lake at the edge of the gardens.
Bracing yourself on Toge's arm, you kick your shoes off. You set them aside to dip your toes into the water. “It's so refreshing!”
Toge feels his chest grow as warm as the sunlight kisses your cheeks. He gets down on one knee to untie his shoes when he's abruptly hit by a splash of water. Flabbergasted, he looks up at you, blinking away the water droplets in his lashes.
Of course, Toge isn't one to back down from a challenge. The result is the both of you shivering and drenched by the time the sun has set. Your maids fuss all over you when you get back to the palace, and the other staff almost faint at the puddles that trail after you and Toge.
It was useless to insist that you could walk alone and that you both should get cleaned up at the soonest. Toge didn't leave your side until you entered your chambers, your gazes only being broken by the door once it closed.
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You got the most dreadful fever after that day with Toge. Satoru, wanting you to rest properly, made you swear not to lift a finger for work related reasons until you got better. Which, you followed without complaint. You took a break for a few days.
Toge did his best to see you, but he only got busier. His eyes looked more and more tired, dark circles under them when you caught him in the library one morning. He stayed there to work overnight. You were barely able to convince him to rest.
On another night, one of your maids caught him trying to sneak in your room, screaming and kicking him out. You could have sworn half the palace had woken up to that, and you couldn't help but hide under your sheets due to the embarrassment.
What irritates you most, however, was that the first thing you heard when you get back is, “Oh. Finally decided to return to your duties, eh?” from a delegate who spent most of his time gossiping, and whose biggest contribution to the empire was refilling the inkwells in the conference room...
The conference room has five inkwells.
Those ministers and court members were proving more and more to be nuisances. You gave them an earful when they had assumed you were slacking off when you were sick.
Not to mention, you suspected that they have been making Toge do more work than he needs to. Even if he never complains, you don't fail to notice how some courtiers turn their noses up at him just because his kingdom was distant and smaller compared to the scale of the empire.
The thought of Toge being belittled makes you pause during work, frowning at a chart of kitchen expenses as if it's done something offensive.
Dropping your pen, you head out of your office with brisk steps. You had to speak to Satoru.
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“Overworking Toge? Why, dear sister, I can't believe you're accusing me of such a thing!” Satoru puts a hand to his heart as if he was wounded by your words.
“Maybe not.” You're not going to let him weasel out of this one. “But you let the other ministers and court members walk all over him! Is Toge supposed to just sit there and take it? He's a prince, damn it!”
“Listen,” Satoru leans forward, his elbows on his desk as he uses his hands while explaining. “The ministers are just a bit frazzled, that's all. They think he forced you to skip the holiday banquet, and that he got you sick. He's good at his work, sure. But in their eyes? He just looks like a bad influence on you.”
You scoff.
“Now,” Satoru interrupts before you can say anything, “They were going to try and match you with prince Megumi—”
“Megumi's already engaged.”
“I know, I know. And that's why they're planning on pitching you with prince Yuji or princess Nobara.”
“I'm already with Toge.” You say sternly. “And what happened to not letting others make my decisions for me?”
“As far as those old goons are concerned, Toge is only the third best for you. ‘For the greatness of the empire’ and all that.” It doesn't escape you that he dodged your question. “They're going to try to push you apart until you break up or get hitched.” He leans back, crossing his arms on his chest. “Whichever comes first.”
“Why don't you stop them?” Frustrated, you run your hands through your hair. “Tell them I really like him and that they should leave him alone!”
“Sweetheart,” Satoru's tone becomes deeper, and you hate how it instantly makes you shut up. “The thing is, if Toge isn't capable of handling this, or if he backs out of your relationship because of it, he's not worth your time.”
You stare at him, unlinking. The thought of Toge leaving you had never occurred to you before, and Satoru could tell.
“I told you I would test him.” He shrugged. “It seems I'm testing you too.”
Rushing back to your office, you grab a piece of parchment and your pen from your desk. Not bothering to sit down as you write: Meet me at the gardens, by the tree. Midnight.
You fold it and hastily stuff it into an envelope. Delicately melting wax, you stamp your seal onto it before calling for your most trusted maid.
Handing her the letter, you instruct her, “Deliver this to prince Toge and prince Toge only. If anyone hinders you or attempts to read it, report back to me immediately. Go.”
She bows, and exits the room.
That night, Toge arrived before you. You note that he has a penchant for being early as he reaches to squeeze your hand. He looks you over to check if you're alright, and despite seeing nothing of concern, he asks anyway, ‘Are you okay?’
“We need to talk.” You nervously purse your lips. “The courtiers, the ministers... My brother. They've been making your work difficult.”
He sighs. ‘You found out.’
“You didn't tell me!” You rest a hand on his cheek, absentmindedly grazing your thumb over the marks near his mouth. “Do you understand what they're trying to do?”
‘Testing me.’
“Yes.” A lump forms in your throat. “Satoru said it's until you give up on me, or if you... propose.”
Heart racing, your hands can't stop fiddling with things. His face. His hair. The fastenings of his suit. “I'm just so worried. I care a great deal about you, and I just wanted to ask if you're enduring this because you want to.” You bite your lip in thought. “If it's because you're sure about... me.”
You can't look at him. You suddenly feel foolish. You should have given it a night and slept on it to gather your thoughts. You should have—
Toge embraces you. Everything stops.
You take in the view of the gardens over his shoulder. It was dark, and there was barely any light save for the stars twinkling above. You closed your eyes and let yourself be held.
Pulling away, he doesn't seem as fazed as you do, if at all. He turns to you slowly, and after taking a deep breath...
‘Marry me, then.’
You choke on air.
“Wh-what?!” A warmth creeps into your cheeks. “What are you—”
He places his hands on your shoulders and stares into your eyes. He gives you a look and mouths, ‘Breathe.’ And you do.
Once you've calmed down, he begins to explain.
‘We can come forward and make a statement that we've been seeing each other with marriage in mind. Which...’ He pauses, suddenly shy. ‘I have. I've been thinking about swearing everything to you... Intertwining my future with yours.’
‘I know it's only been a few months, so we could have a long engagement if you want. For us to get to know each other more. And if—’ Toge's hands freeze, his movements are slow as if the next words pain him.
‘...If you decide to break off the engagement, I will not force you to stay with me.’
You immediately stop his hands, holding them tightly with your own.
“Toge... I wouldn't even consider this with anyone else,” You feel genuinely happy as you smile at him. “But I'm willing to try. With you. Only you.”
He glows in a way that reminds you of when you first met. His expression is soft as if he's melting, and he smiles at you brightly. You think of how lucky you are that he looks at you this way.
‘This isn't the way I wanted it to happen, but...’
Toge picks a small, white flower from a bush nearby. It faintly reminds you of the butterfly that had flown to him the last time you were here together. His eyes are focused and he frowns in concentration as he fiddles with the stem. Your heart stutters as he makes... a delicate ring.
He kneels.
You say yes.
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A letter from you and Toge arrives on Satoru's desk the next day.
‘Dearest brother,
Please approve this statement that prince Toge and I have been seeing each other, and that we have decided to get engaged. You will find the formal document stamped with our seals attached to this letter.
We expect your approval posthaste, and I will not consider any objections. Please let us know when you will be available to discuss the engagement ceremony.’
“Your highness, what should we do with these documents you had forged?”
“Oh. Hand them over.” Satoru waves a hand to dismiss the attendant after retrieving the files.
He gets up from his desk and walks to the fireplace. “I can't believe he proposed before I could falsely accuse him of treason.” He tsks and throws the documents into the fire.
His eyes find a framed photograph on the fireplace mantel. It was of him and you as children. Satoru was laughing after you ran to him for a hug. His gaze grows sad yet understanding... He won't be the first person you'll turn to anymore when you get married.
Sighing, he considers that he should be thankful you chose someone determined and true like Toge. But then Satoru grins.
“I suppose I can always mess with him as his brother-in-law.”
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448 notes · View notes
starkid-innit · 1 month
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hi oml I'm so glad this blog exists I would be so lost without it tysm for running it
how do you reckon friendship bracelet trading will actually work?? I made some on impulse but it just hit me that I will actually have to interact with people in order to trade hahdh .. I get so anxious and awkward around people I think I have made a grave mistake (/mostly joking)
will people come to me if I just have the bracelets on display? will people want to choose from the ones I have or do I just give out random ones? has anyone ever done anything like this before and can share how that went?
literally any advice or ideas from anyone would be helpful even if it's very blunt (like "just go up to people and ask to trade.") because I think if I have what I need to do in writing I can refer back to it and it should be much easier (this probably makes no sense and I'm sorry this is so long ahahd I've never been to a concert before and I'm terrified)
Very good question! I think there’s a few different ways to approach it so it depends what you’re comfortable with and what you want to get out of the experience
If you’re happy to give away bracelets rather than trading, I think the easiest way re anxiety would be to wait until you’re sat down and then give some away to the people around you. You’ll probably have to strike up a conversation but I would open with something like asking how far they’ve travelled or asking if they’re excited for the show. Then you can say that you’ve made some bracelets and would they like one and I’m sure they’ll say yes 🥰
If you’re looking to trade I would definitely say wear them on your wrist- I’ll definitely be going up to people who are wearing bracelets. In some ways trading will be easier because you won’t have to explain the bracelets and you might get some people who approach you. The difficulty will be I have no idea how easy it will be to spot other people with bracelets so you might be looking for a while!
The main thing is that starkid fans are so lovely and people will definitely appreciate you offering a bracelet, so even though it seems scary you just have to go for it and trust that everyone will be lovely ❤️
Oh also it might also be nice/less stressful to focus on people who look like they’re by themselves!
Hope this helps and I’m sure it will be fine- thanks so much for getting involved and I hope you enjoy the show!!
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bxwtothefirstorder · 5 years
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Not Alone Anymore
My shortie to @propertyofpoeandbucky‘s Mystery Writing Challenge. Hope you like it! Also, happy birthday, @propertyofpoeandbucky! [Read on AO3 if you wish.]
Title: Not Alone Anymore Chapter/One Shot: One shot Author: @bxwtothefirstorder (main: @yoursaviourhasarrived) Rating: M Warnings: Graphic depiction of physical injury Prompt line: "I don't know how I've dealt with not having you in my life for so long."
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"General Hux is hot."
Liz eyed you in a way if she asked if you were sane or have you lost your mind as you munched on your food.
"No", she replied in a way that you had to giggle.
"But he is. I mean, I get all tingly when he orders me around."
Liz furrowed her brows at your reddening cheeks and flashed a sly smirk at you.
"Bet you'd even kneel for him if he asked, huh?"
You blushed further and occupied your mouth with more food to avoid answering.
"Would you polish his blaster?" Liz now giggled, and you shoved her playfully in the shoulder. "Do you think he'd fire too quickly?" You couldn't help but giggle with her. As others were talking around you two in the canteen, nobody paid much attention to what you were talking about. Or so you thought. "He does look like he has a lot of pent up stress..."
"He could use a massage or two", you agreed.
"Massage."
Both of you giggled and totally missed the fact someone was sitting in the row behind you and actually heard every word. A moment later he got up and faced you — but you both still showed your backs to him and didn't notice a thing.
"What do you think, would he have an O-face when he, you know", Liz wondered.
"Nah, I bet he'd try to control himself. He's all about control."
"Do you think he has a Daddy kink?"
"More like Master and servant", you figured.
"Would you like to play along?"
"Oh, yes. I would. I think I'd be a very good girl."
You raised your glass and drank when suddenly a voice boomed from above and behind you.
"Are you two having fun?"
You spat out the water in front of you and Liz squealed, drawing a lot of attention to the — now — three of you. You glanced at Liz and she stared back at you, mortified, your thought written all over her face: he's going to kill you both. He killed people for less, according to legend.
"My office, now!"
You heard a certain long gaberwool coat swish and fine boots clicked away on the durasteel floor, and you quickly cleaned up the table where you spat your water before whipped your head to the direction where he went, your face burning like a sun, shaking from head to toe.
Knowing better than to keep up the General, you quickly got up on your feet and followed Liz who appeared to be a lot calmer than you. You never had demerits, she did. You never got into trouble, she did. This wasn't something you wanted to get written up for and you didn't want to scrub toilets twice a day for a month, before and after your work at your unit. Liz checked where his office was — neither of you've been there before —, and while you both waited for a lift to arrive, your friend took your right hand.
"It's going to be fine", she tried to calm you down, "it was just a funny discussion. We did no harm."
"But he sounded so mad!" You squealed out, on the verge of tears.
"I'd bet he also felt flattered. I mean, there's no one on this ship, except you, who'd find him attractive."
"Ha-ha, very funny."
You didn't laugh, though. Still shaking, you both approached Hux's secretary's desk – you didn't even know he had a secretary. She didn't look different from you, though; same uniform, same unit settled before his door. Although she had some authority about her character, and you felt like a knot forming in your throat when she instructed Liz to go in first, instructing you to sit down and stay quiet while you waited for your turn.
When you finally put yourself down on the chair you buried your face in your hands and tried to force back the tears. You were somewhat successful; you were under constant pressure due to the fact you served an organisation which was at war, and any and all added stress made you an anxious, shaky mess.
You wondered what would the consequences be; Liz was right that this was really just a harmless discussion, it wasn't even a gossip, but replaying the entire thing in your head it sounded very inappropriate and you cursed yourself over and over again how could you be so stupid to talk about things like that in a place like the canteen, where anyone could hear you. You really didn't mean any harm; you just wanted to emphasise you've found the General… well… sexy. There were quite a few other officers Liz used to talk to you about; and you always had a lot of giggle-time while you were at it. Of course, most of the time, you had those discussions in the privacy of either your or Liz's quarters, but sometimes, while you sat at your units at work, she'd make a funny noise when a handsome officer would walk by and you couldn't help but react to it.
And now, here you were. General Hux heard you, and he sounded so angry at both of you. You couldn't see his face in the canteen, as he walked away, but his ears were red with – you figured – fury, and that could not mean good. Suddenly, the door opened and Liz walked out. You shot to your feet but before you could walk over to your friend who was very pale and smiled a trembling smile at you, you've heard your own operation number being shouted from the office.
Without having any other choice, you entered the room without hesitation. You were loyal and obedient enough not to make things worse for yourself. Hux's office was barren; save for the desk and single chair reserved for him and the huge First Order banner hanging behind him. You stopped a few meters away from his desk and stood at attention; there was no sign of him telling you 'at ease'. He leaned back in his fine leather chair and had his datapad in his hand, a leg drawn across the other; you were pale until now, but being in a room like this with him and seeing him sitting like that, his green eyes focused on his datapad's screen made you blush.
Damnit. Whatever you said, you meant it. He was irresistible.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
That caused your heart to sink. He didn't sound mad; he was completely calm, and he didn't even look up at you to see your reaction to his words. You didn't move, didn't flinch; but wished the durasteel floor of his office would swallow you whole.
"I'm sorry, sir. I meant no harm."
Your voice sounded very quiet and very submissive. A thought of how much he'd heard crossed your mind. You tried to swallow your nervousness when his eyes suddenly moved up and stared in yours. He slowly set the datapad, face down, on his desk. Your heart raced in your chest and you could've sworn he heard it. You definitely did.
"What should I do with you now?"
For some reason the naughty thoughts spiraled back in your mind and you had a hard time thinking of an appropriate answer now.
"I don't know, sir", you decided to say quietly, hoping giving the authority over you back to him would please him.
"I honestly have no idea how to deal with this situation, [Y/L/N]." He paused. This didn't mean you weren't in trouble, but maybe, if he was as flustered as you thought he was, maybe you had a way of wriggling out of this without, well, permanent damage. To your record, or yourself. "I never thought you even noticed me."
Stars, what?? Did you hear that right? Was this honestly – what was this? A confession? Did he just— you stared at him and he waited for you to answer, the silence nearly crushing you, your heart beating even faster in your ears.
"Sir?" You managed to push through your shock and confusion and he intertwined his fingers in his lap.
"Is it true?" He asked back and slightly furrowed his ginger brows as he tried his best to read you. "Do you think I am, quote, hot?"
If your face was red until now, you thought it'd set ablaze at his question. You closed your eyes for a few moments to escape his gaze, but you didn't dare to do this for long, you felt it was inappropriate. You owed him this much, didn't you?
"Yes", you sighed, and prepared yourself for complete annihilation.
He observed you for quite a few seconds before he let out a sigh and finally got up from his seat. Walking over to you, he stopped – his boots only a few inches from yours, he towered over you. You suddenly felt even smaller than you originally were. You never noticed he was so lean. Your eyes widened with awe, and now you were completely aware of the fact just how dangerous he was; he could make you cease to exist, but for some reason, for some very weird reason, you didn't feel fear.
After the battle of Crait you sought him out, finding him in his old quarters on the Finalizer. In the past few weeks you've been travelling with him; to the base, to the Supremacy, to Crait, and now you both were back at the start.
"Tage", you whispered as you approached him. He was sitting on the edge of the bed and had his face in his hands. "Are you okay?"
He lowered his hands and stared forward, not answering for a few seconds as you approached him and slipped a hand on his shoulder. His pain distorted and you withdrew your hand.
"No", he whispered back.
"What happened?"
You weren't allowed on Ren's command shuttle where Hux was, but you were near, on a remaining ship orbiting near the planet, waiting for him to return. But ever since he did, he didn't reach out for you. Was he ashamed of the failure? You've gathered it wasn't his fault. You moved to kneel in front of him, your hands gently resting on his knees, but he still avoided looking at you. Without answering you, he reached for his uniform jacket and started to get it off. You gasped when you saw the bruises all over his shoulder where you touched him a moment ago.
"I'm not feeling well", he murmured and you reached up to cup his face as softly as possible.
"I'll get the medkit", you softly kissed his lips, and you were glad he kissed you back.
Pulling away, you hurried to the refresher and brought a box back with you. You sat next to him again, and he already removed his tank top, too. You fought back your tears when you saw the state his back was in. He was covered with black, blue and purple bruises. As gently as you could, you started to apply a cream which helped with brusies like this and healed them in a matter of a few hours. Hux remained silent for a while as you worked and didn't move; he didn't give a sign that he felt anything of your touch, so even if you accidentally hurt him, you didn't know. Nevertheless, you were as careful as possible. Finishing with that, you retrieved a glass of water and a painkiller for him and knelt before him again, giving him the pill.
"Everything will be okay", you promised him, "you're stronger than anyone else."
He never said, but you knew your words always made him feel better. His green eyes grew softer.
"Thank you, [Y/N]", he said after he took the pill. You watched him swallow it with some water, settling the glass on the nightstand before he got a hold of your hands. "I don't know how I've dealt with not having you in my life for so long."
You smiled.
"I don't know either", you teased softly, moving his hands on your face, kissing him again.
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milkybonya · 3 years
Text
i'm not the same boy you knew back then
Warnings: food mentions and some angst, party mentions
Pairing: Yedam x (gn)reader
Summary: where Yedam broke your heart in high school because he didn't know how to act but now he's desperately in love with you and wishes you still felt the same :")
word count: 5.8k
inspired by Walls by All Time Low (it has explicit language! be careful~~i've put a link for it at the veryyy end of this fic)
[a/n]: I GOT SO CARRIED AWAY FOR THE FLASHBACK PART OF THIS OML I'M SORRY FOR THE CHAOS AND MESS BUT I HOPE YOU ENJOY
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Hey there it's good to see you again, It never felt right calling this "just friends". I'm happy, if you're happy, with yourself.
"Isn't that Yedam?" your friend, sat beside you, asks. They point to somewhere behind your head, and naturally, you turn around to follow their finger with your eyes.
As the doors to the lecture hall swing shut, a familiar boy begins to walk quickly down the steps. While grinning, he decides on a spot near the back, far away from your almost front-row seat. You let out the breath you didn't realize you were holding and face the front.
"Since when did he go to our university?" your friend asks, also facing the front now.
"I have no clue," you admit.
You'd purposely accepted an offer at a faraway university to avoid having to see Yedam ever again after high school. High school had become one of the worst times of your life thanks to him.
-
Yedam's pov
As soon as I enter the hall, I find [y/n] with my eyes immediately. They look at me with a mix of shock, disgust and hatred, but seeing them fills me with so much joy that I can't help but smile.
Deciding not to bother them, I pick a spot near the back and sit down. I wonder to myself if switching to [y/n]'s school was the right choice...
-
[y/n]'s pov
It was obvious you were too much for me. Oblivious, I was young
Back in high school, you had the fattest crush on one of the school's most popular kids, and you hated yourself for it. It wasn't like you could control your feelings... but your heart was set on him. His smile made you feel so warm and you felt happy despite him not having the slightest clue who you were. You always watched him from afar, peering at him as he walked into the classroom while waving at all of his friends before taking a seat at the back.
By some chance, you got paired with him for an assignment. You thought he would be disappointed, since he had never spoken to you, but contrary to his somewhat intimidating aura as a result of him being a popular kid, he smiled warmly at you as you introduced yourself.
"I know you're [y/n]," he said quietly, looking down at the assignment instructions in front of him.
"How do you know?" you asked him.
He looked up and leaned in closer to you to whisper into your ear, only after being sure that no one was watching.
"It may not seem like it, but I do know my classmates."
When he moved back, he flashed you a grin before returning to the assignment instructions again. Your heartbeat was flooding your ears.
After meeting up several times to do the research and plan out the presentation together, you and Yedam somehow grew closer. You had always thought he was some sort of chic, cool guy, but he turned out to be super soft and sweet. The two of you laughed at each other's dumb jokes and procrastinated late into the night sometimes, only beginning your work when the café was about to close.
On one of those days, Yedam asked if you wanted to go to his place to finish the assignment.
"It's due in two weeks and we still have so much to do... plus we're so busy that we can only meet once a week," he explained, pouting slightly.
You agreed, feeling somewhat nervous and excited at the prospect of going to your crush's house for the first time.
His parents were home but asleep as it was late for them, so the two of you quietly went to his room.
In-between muffled giggles and late-night snacks, the two of you managed to get a lot of work done before you felt as though you'd hit your limit. After yawning and stretching, you told Yedam that it was time you went home.
"Do you live far from here?" he asked you.
You, in fact, did live quite far from his house, but you felt bad telling him this, so you lied and told him you lived close by.
He pouted and looked down.
"I was going to ask if you wanted to just sleep here... but I guess it makes sense for you to go home," he said, helping you pack up your things.
Yedam... wanted you to stay the night? How could you miss such an opportunity! Your crush! Wanted you to stay the night!!
Yedam noticed that you'd stopped moving, holding your pencil case in your hand as you thought about what to say.
"Is everything okay?" he asked you.
"Yeah... I actually... live kind of far," you mumbled, not wanting him to get mad at you for lying.
"You do? Then why did you say you live close by?" he asked, also taking his hands away from your backpack.
"I didn't want you to walk me home or anything," you explained. Yedam smiled at you, shaking his head.
"Don't worry about it now... do you have any clothes to change into?"
"Just my gym clothes... but they're dirty," you told him, shyly.
"Do you want to take something of mine to wear?" he asked you, already standing up to look through his closet without waiting for your answer.
You were going to say no, again, not wanting to bother him, but he had already pulled out some of his comfier clothes for you to wear.
After changing into them and walking back into his room, you avoided Yedam's eyes as he quietly lost his mind over how cute you looked.
"Um, so..." Yedam started, scratching the back of his neck.
"Would you be okay with sleeping in my bed? I'll go sleep in the livingroom-"
"No, no! I'll go sleep there-"
"No, I can't let a guest sleep on the couch!"
Both of you sighed, not being able to win against one another.
"Listen, it's either you sleep in my room and I go to the livingroom, or we both sleep in my bed," he said, pointing to his bed behind you.
You froze, trying to consider your options as your heartbeat grew louder.
"Well... I guess we're both sleeping here then," you said, in a tone that tried to sound confident but was a little shaky.
You plopped yourself face first into the bed to hide from your embarrassment, feeling the bed shift a few seconds later as Yedam joined you.
"Scooch over towards the wall. I'll sleep on this side so you won't fall off the bed at night," he said, pointing to the side of his bed that faced the rest of his room. You smiled at Yedam's kind gesture as you moved over.
He had turned off the light and it was dark now, and both of you lay side-by-side on your backs, staring up at the ceiling.
"Are you... asleep?" he asked you quietly a while later. You shook your head at first, but then realized he couldn't see you. So you said a quiet "no".
You felt Yedam shift as he turned to face you. You carefully turned your head towards him too, wondering what he was up to. It was hard to see in the dark, but he was just admiring your face. You looked away, feeling embarrassed, until you felt him shuffling closer to you.
It was a little nerve-wracking watching his figure tower over you in the dark. Blinking up at him, you parted your lips to ask him what he was doing, but he spoke first.
"Am I allowed to... kiss you?" he asked, quietly looking down at you.
Yedam... wants to ???? Your crush wanted-
You found yourself nodding before your thoughts could entirely be processed, and watched as Yedam lowered himself onto you with a small smile. His heart soared as he watched your reaction -- your eyes were squeezed shut so tightly out of nervousness.
Before his soft lips met yours, he found your hand under the blankets and held it in an attempt to ease you of your nervousness. He didn't know that it only made your stomach feel the effects even more intensely.
Your lips touched for only a moment, but it felt like a whole eternity. When he pulled away, he moved off of you quickly and shuffled over to his side of the bed again.
"I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry," he mumbled, looking away from you. You were confused.
"What's wrong?" you asked him.
"I... I was supposed to tell you I like you first but then now you're right beside me--wait not that I like you... wait I mean I do, but I didn't want to tell you like this--"
Hearing his unsure confession was all the confidence you needed to pull him closer, accidentally tightening his hoodie strings as you pulled him in to carefully press your lips against his again. He completely melted into your hands, then, wrapping an arm around your back and holding you close.
That was probably one of the last good memories you have of him.
After that, Yedam turned into a different person the next morning, avoiding your eyes and missing any trace of a smile on his face as he pushed a plate of breakfast towards you.
"Let's not walk to school together, okay? I'll be leaving first," he told you, leaving you alone in his own house.
You had no clue what was going on and no appetite to eat. After waiting a few minutes, you walked to school after him. You had no idea how to even get to school from his house, so after getting lost and arriving late, you finally managed to make it.
When you tried to approach him in class, he would turn his back on you and ignore you. It made you feel so small that you stopped even trying.
It was really hard for you to show up to school after that, because of how terrible you felt, but you still tried your best. Your friends knew something was wrong and they did their best to help you, but it didn't stop you from thinking about Yedam and why he was acting so strangely.
Until he texted you one day in the middle of class, asking you to meet him in an empty classroom.
You told yourself you shouldn't pay him any attention, especially after he ghosted you like that, but you still followed after him, curious to see what excuse he would give you.
In the classroom, you couldn't see anyone, so you thought Yedam hadn't arrived yet until you heard him call out your name from behind a file cabinet. By the windows.
"Come here, [y/n]," he said, motioning for you to approach him. He was smiling at you again, just like he did on those days when you'd study with him in the café. You told yourself to just turn around and leave, but your feet guided you to him.
You frowned up at him.
"What the heck have you been doing?" you asked him, tears already threatening to leave your eyes.
"[y/n], I-I'm sorry... you know how it is for me, with my popular reputation. Some kids saw us at the café and posted pictures of us, saying that I was going around dating a loser-"
He was holding onto your hands while wearing a pitiful expression, but you coldly pushed him away after hearing him out.
"So you've been acting weird because I'm tainting your reputation? Yedam, we never even dated! You gave me some... half-assed confession and... kissed me in the middle of the night and then ghosted me," you told him, sternly.
"I know, I'm sorry... It's so pathetic but I really do like you... I'm just really bad at this, I know, but I'm telling you now I like you-"
"In an empty classroom. Behind a file cabinet."
"Please, [y/n]. Date me for real... I promise I won't let you down."
You and your kind, innocent heart believed his promise. You believed him because his eyes were sparkling and he was holding onto you so tightly.
Yedam told you that you had to date him in secret, and that was just one of many red flags. He explained that if his friends found out, he would be teased and you would be hurt by their words, too. Nonetheless, you agreed. At school, you never spoke to him. All you got were stolen glances, Yedam winking at you every time you turned around in your seat. Somehow, that was enough to make your heart flutter.
You could only see each other in each other's homes, since even the risk of being caught out on a date was too much for Yedam to handle. The two of you would intertwine hands while watching a movie. You'd rest your head on Yedam's shoulder, or sometimes he would rest his head in your lap and you would gently stroke his hair, watching as his eyes squeezed shut tightly while he indulged in the feeling of your love.
Sometimes the two of you would listen to music together, quietly sharing earphones while staring out the window.
Sometimes you would just talk for hours into the night.
Yedam's smile would never leave his face when he was with you.
Except for when he was at school.
And you could handle it. At least you thought you could, until the final straw.
For Yedam's birthday, a few of his friends had gathered in his home, celebrating. You were also invited, of course, after you begged Yedam to let you come. He had told his friends that he invited you as a gesture of thanks for working on the assignment with him... it broke your heart to hear this lie, but you shrugged it off, again.
Everyone was feeling excited as they all started a game of spin-the-bottle. You felt incredibly out of place and already angry, even more so upon seeing a girl getting all handsy with Yedam, stroking his thigh with her hand and playing with his hair. She was constantly glued to him, but you shrugged it off, again.
After the bottle's mouth faced Yedam, the girl beside him dared him to kiss someone. How childish, you thought to yourself. You watched as Yedam locked eyes with you and started to stand up, making his way towards you with a small smile, but the girl beside him stopped him.
"Where are you going, damie? Isn't it me who you should kiss?"
Yedam looked back at her and then at you.
"I-"
"C'mon, it's your birthday!" she said, dragging him back down.
That literally is not an excuse and makes no sense, you scoffed to yourself, rolling your eyes.
The next few moments were a blur, but Yedam ended up kissing her and you felt like a piece of paper being torn in two. We can't even look at each other in public, you thought to yourself. You fought back tears and got up to leave. No one seemed to mind or care about where you were going, since none of these people were your friends anyway. Even Yedam was preoccupied, his lips on the mouth of this other girl.
You couldn't just shrug things off anymore. This was it. Now, it was your turn to ghost Yedam.
You hadn't told him, but your family were planning to move to another city soon. You told them to plan the move for earlier so you could leave that dreaded place and leave Yedam. Ignoring all his calls and texts, you transferred out the next week, and that was that.
-
I'm gonna break down these walls, I built around myself. I wanna fall so in love, with you, and no one else, Could ever mean half as much, to me as you do now. Together we'll move on, just don't turn around, Let the walls break down.
You can't focus in lecture as everything that happened with Yedam flashes before your eyes. Just as you're starting to live a normal life without him, he has to show up and allow of the trauma to resurface.
As soon as your class ends, you quickly pack your bags. Your friend does the same, understanding exactly what is going on. But it seems like Yedam and his feet move a little faster.
Just as you're about to leave your row, you look up to find Yedam standing at the end of it, a small smile on his face.
You sigh and turn around, telling your friend to do the same so you can leave through the other side. But Yedam just follows behind you quietly. He doesn't say a word and just follows you as you and your friend as you leave the lecture hall to go to your next class.
Suddenly, you stop. Your friend and Yedam stop, too.
You turn around, your fist clenched into a tight ball.
"Yedam, can you please stop following me? Do you not have classes of your own or things to do? Please leave me alone," you told him, turning your back on him again and walking forward.
Your friend didn't follow you, though, but looked back and forth between you and Yedam. So lost in your thoughts, you walk to class on your own, not noticing that your friend isn't following you.
-
Yedam's pov
After they say those words and leave, I feel my heart breaking in two. Of course I know how much I've hurt [y/n], but their words make me realize that I'll never be able to completely understand. I almost start crying right there and then...
"Yedam, right?" their friend asks me. I look at them and nod, confused.
"Listen, [y/n] hates your guts. They're not going to talk to you and hear you out, so I'll do it instead. I know [y/n] might regret it if they don't hear you out, even if they don't want to."
I smile at [y/n]'s friend. That sounds exactly like [y/n]...
"You've probably heard a lot of awful things about me, and it's all true. But... [y/n] probably didn't tell you about those nights we spent in each other's rooms... the times that we did get to spend with each other alone.... sorry, what I'm trying to say is that I've always loved [y/n]. Not even 'like', but I've always loved them. And I don't think I'll be able to stop... I know I was such a terrible boyfriend back then. I don't think I can say I even was much of a boyfriend... but I've changed. I can promise that I've changed. I know it must be so arrogant of me to ask if they'll give me another chance but..."
I trail off, my brain shutting down as I struggle to find anymore words to express myself. [y/n]'s friend nods after I trail off.
"I see... well, I've heard about your promises. I heard they couldn't be trusted but if you've changed, then maybe that has changed, too. [y/n] has a really kind heart, but I won't let them date a jerk ever again. So unless we both know for sure that you're different now, we are not letting you date them."
With that, [y/n]'s friend walks away and leaves me there.
-
[y/n]'s pov
In class, you feel completely empty, unsure of how to feel. You only notice that your friend had not been beside you this entire time when they take a seat in the spot beside you, apologizing that they're late.
"Where were you?" you ask them, looking up as they sit down.
"I was talking to Yedam," your friend tells you, never one to lie.
Your face fills with disgust at the mention of his name.
"Why would you do that?" you whisper loudly, causing some heads in the lecture hall to turn your way. You mumble an apology before returning to your friend.
"I wanted to hear him out," they say, casually opening up their notes.
"What did he say?"
"So you are interested, huh?" they ask you, teasing.
"No, I'm not!"
"I know, calm down! He just said something along the lines of how he's always loved you and does now, too, and that he's changed--"
"That is the most garbage thing I've ever heard," you say, interrupting your friend with a scoff. They smile, shaking their head at you.
-
When you return to your dorm after all your classes, you find a small gift bag hanging on the door knob to your room. Curious, you pick it up and notice it has your name written on the side.
You could recognize that handwriting from a mile away.
As if it's the side of a hot pan, you drop it, watching its contents spill to the ground. A pack of your favourite snack falls out, along with a neatly handwritten note, a CD player and earphones.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to look, you tell yourself.
Picking everything up and walking into your room, you sit on your bed and read the note over.
[y/n]!! ah, it doesn't make sense for me to be cute or excited in this note, does it? >.< please forgive me.... i'm a little nervous... here is that snack that you've always loved... do you still love it now, too? and here is something that i wrote for you~it's on the CD. just press play and i'll let the song do the talking... i wrote this after you disappeared.
- yedam
This song better be god tier if he's coming to leave it at my door, you think to yourself.
As the song fills your ears, it seems to fill your empty heart too. You can tell it's full of Yedam's sincere feelings and thoughts... or he's just doing a good job of acting while singing. You can't seem to tell, but you still tear up a little.
You hear the door to your room swing open, as your friend, who also happens to be your roommate, barges in.
"What are you up to?" they ask, placing some things on their desk. They turn around immediately when they hear you sniffling.
"ARE YOU CRYING?" they shout, sitting beside you and wrapping their arms around you.
"This... song... Yedam..." you croak, just handing them the earphones.
When they listen to it, they also go quiet.
"It sounds really sincere..." your friend tells you, quietly.
"I'm not the only one who feels that way?" you ask your friend, looking at them.
"You know him better than I do, so you're probably right," they tell you, standing up.
"Why did this boy have to show up and make a mess of my life again," you groan, hiding your face in your hands.
"Well, I have just the solution! I know you're probably going to think about him and not get any work done anyway, so should we just go to a party?!" your friend tells you, jumping up and down.
"A party?" you wrinkle your nose in disgust.
"It'll help you stop thinking about him! Please, we never went to any parties last year!! Let's go, just this once!" they beg.
After thinking it over, you agree. What's the worst that could happen?
-
Wearing one of your favourite fits and feeling good, you walk alongside your friend, who already has a groove in their step as the two of you make your way to the house where the party is set to be held. It isn't that hard to find, since you're just following the bright lights and loud music in the distance. It's a wonder the people in that house aren't being arrested for causing such a ruckus...
Finally there, you step inside and try not to bump into any weird people. The music is so loud its deafening, and you shrivel up at the sound of it. Your friend wraps their arm around you, pulling you in close and guiding you to the snack/drink area so you can take what you need and go to a quieter place.
Your friend did beg you to come today, so they won't force you to dance or do any things you don't want to do...
Now equipped with everything you need, you make your way to the basement, where it's a lot quieter despite being so busy.
"How's this for a change?" your friend asks you, grooving along to the distant sound of the music from upstairs.
"It seems like you want to dance," you tell your friend.
They shake their head.
"I'll stay with you toniiiiiight!" they cheer, hugging you tightly. You laugh.
"It's fine, just go up! The crowd doesn't seem too scary or weird down here," you tell them as you watch two people play mario kart in front of a TV.
After asking you 1000 times if it's really okay, they leave you there with a drink in your hand. You continue watching the two people playing mario kart, secretly rooting for the boy in orange because his fit looks really nice, even if you're only looking from the back.
He ends up losing and you let out a "noooo!" loud enough for the two to hear. When they turn around, you discover that the boy in orange had been Yedam all along!
I take back rooting for him... he deserved to lose!
Widening your eyes at the sight of him, you quickly turn away and try to navigate your way towards another room. To your surprise, as soon as you walk in, Yedam is in there, holding the door open at the other end and panting.
"[y/n]," he calls out softly, smiling slightly. You can tell he's testing the waters and wondering how to react.
You try to walk out of the room, but the door behind you has been shut by some drunken idiot! He's pressed up against the frame and no matter how much you push, the door just won't open.
"[y/n], if you want to leave, it's okay. I don't want to bother you," Yedam tells you, stepping aside from the other door and motioning for you to walk through.
You sigh.
"No, it's fine. I guess we're here for a reason now, or something," you mumble, sliding down the wall until you're in a comfortable sitting position.
Yedam smiles, closing the door behind him.
"Still caught up in all that destiny stuff?" he asks you, joining you in sitting on the ground but also keeping his distance.
You scoff in response. How does this kid remember everything about me?
"So... what are you doing in my house?' he asks you.
"Your.... house?"
"Yeah, this is my house. You didn't know?" he asks you, looking bewildered.
You think about your friend. They must have brought you here while knowing it was Yedam's house...
"Um... nevermind that. How... have you been?" Yedam asks you, wringing his hands.
"Me? I've been doing great until now. How about you?" you spit out your words sarcastically, but Yedam doesn't seem to mind.
"I've been... well... I'm not sure. It would be cheesy for me to say I've been feeling lost without you, but that's kind of how it is," he tells you, chuckling nervously.
"Yeah, super cheesy. It also doesn't make sense, Yedam," you tell him, avoiding his eyes.
"I know it doesn't, but to me it does. I know our relationship was a mess, but those times that we spent together were... something else. Probably some of the best times of my life, honestly," he tells you.
"And why... are you telling me this?" you ask him, curious to see how he'll respond.
"Because I know I'm in the wrong and there's no excuse for my past childishness, but... I've missed you. And I still do. I know I was really caught up in my reputation back then and I didn't open myself up to you properly, but I want to do that now."
He runs his fingers through his hair, and something inside you turns. You didn't realize just how much you loved it when Yedam did that until now... he looks so pretty--
No. What are you thinking?!
"I haven't missed you though, Yedam," you say.
He smiles sadly.
"I know. And there's no reason for you to. But I'm just... asking for a second chance in case you think there's anything left."
You gulp and look up at the ceiling. You hadn't even considered the possibility of dating Yedam again, but talking with him now is different. He's less cautious and seems to be a lot more comfortable with you.
Someone knocks on the door behind Yedam and Yedam tells them to come in.
"Oh, am I interrupting?" the boy asks, slowly backing away.
"It's fine, I'm just talking to [y/n]," Yedam says with a smile, gesturing towards you. You greet the boy and his eyes light up.
"[y/n]?! The one you always tell me about? Gosh... it's so nice to meet you!" the boy says, shaking your hand and sitting down in front of you.
"You put up with a lot of Yedam's antics, I've heard," he says, laughing. Yedam laughs along, but you're still in shock.
Yedam had never told anyone about you... but now this random boy knows everything?
"It was more than antics. I was... really bad to [y/n]. I'm surprised they haven't left yet," Yedam admits, leaning back.
"I transferred to your old high school after you transferred out, and this boy was always sad. He didn't talk to anyone but me, only because the teacher asked him to show me around. He told me everything about you and eventually told the rest of his friends, too. You were his biggest and only heartbreak... I swear everyone at our school knows about you," the boy explains.
"What did you tell them?" you ask Yedam.
"He told us how he had been dating you in secret because he was afraid to ruin his popularity, but that he regrets it a lot. A lot of his friends left him after finding out you dated Yedam," the boy explains. Yedam nods along.
You're in shock. The boy who was so secretive and insecure exposed himself as a heartbreaker?
"Anyways, I'm sorry to be interrupting. I'll leave now!" the boy says, standing up and closing the door behind him.
"You... told everyone?" you ask Yedam. He nods.
"I feel like it was the only thing I could do for you. You deserved to be known as the one who held my heart," he says, holding his chest and laughing at his own cheesy words.
You find yourself laughing along and loosening up.
A moment of silence stretches between the two of you, and Yedam breaks it by standing up.
"Do you wanna play mario kart with me? You seemed to be having fun watching," Yedam asks you quietly.
You nod, also standing up.
The two of you play for about an hour, screaming and yelling at the TV just like you used to in your bedroom when you'd play games together.
"I won!" you declare in glee, turning to Yedam to do your signature high five with him. His hands meet yours, and you only realize what you're doing only after its already happened. You awkwardly move your hands away, facing the screen again.
"I'm sorry..." you mumble.
"No, I'm sorry! It's really okay, [y/n]... if you feel uncomfortable around me, you don't have to--"
"Your song touched me a lot, Yedam. And now I feel like... I want to try again. Just like this game," you say, pointing to the screen that has try again written in the corner.
"Are you sure?" he asks you, slowly.
You nod, deciding you've made up your mind. You've seen a lot of green flags already -- enough to decide that it's okay to move forward.
Yedam smiles and looks down at his lap. Then his head lifts up quickly, his eyes lighting up.
"I can take you to that café you always wanted to go! They have one in this city... and there's a museum next to it too! Do you want to go there? I.."
As he continues talking, you realize that all of the things he's saying he wants to do were things that you never did with Yedam, even after one year of dating him. It was always stay-at-home dates and ignore-each-other-when-we're-at-school. Somehow, you feel excited, wondering what things will be like.
"[y/n]! I've been looking everywhere for--oh, Yedam? Hi!" your friend greets you both.
"Did you have fun dancing?" you ask them. They nod, pointing to Yedam with their eyes.
You get up and whisper into your friend's ear.
"We have a lot to talk about, but I think..."
Your friend doesn't even wait for you to finish before they say, "well, I have to leave early now. Yedam, can you walk [y/n] home? Great, thanks!"
With that, they disappear and you shake your head at your friend's strange behaviour.
Yedam is all smiley while still sitting on the ground.
"Do I get to walk you home now?" he asks you, standing up.
"I wonder what would've happened if you walked me home that day, too..." you mumble, thinking about the day you slept over at Yedam's in the same bed as him.
"What, do you want to sleep over today, too?" he asks you.
You shake your head.
"I don't want things to turn out like that again."
"You mean, you don't want me to kiss you like I did then?" Yedam teases you, sending you a wink.
"You--shut up!" you yell, chasing after him with a pillow.
This boy literally broke my heart, you think to yourself. He is testing his limits...
After you both calm down, Yedam walks you home. It's a little quiet at first, until Yedam speaks.
"Can... I hold your hand?" he asks you.
"This soon?" you say, still grabbing his hand anyway. He looks down at your hand in his and smiles.
"Yeah... you don't know how long I've been wanting to do this for," he admits, swinging your arm up and down as you walk.
You shake your head at him.
"Let's run!" Yedam declares, racing forward with your hand in his. You trail behind him, the sound of laughter escaping your lips and ringing in Yedam's ears. It leaves a bright blush on his face as he thinks to himself about how much he's missed your laughter.
The two of you slow down, panting.
"I'm so tired," Yedam wheezes, laughing at how weird he sounds.
"Do you want me to kiss it better?" you tease him. He raises his eyebrows at the comment. Maybe it's the adrenaline from all the running or the feeling of the night air, but a courage surges through you as you snake your hand around the back of his head and pull him towards you, pressing his warm lips to yours.
You pull away shortly after, feeling breathless again. A blush dusts Yedam's cheeks as he stares at you with wide eyes.
Your own stomach is full of butterflies, but you ignore it and walk forward.
"Are you not coming?" you yell to the boy behind you. He laughs and chases after you.
[a/n]: i just want to say that i do not condone getting back together with a toxic ex so soon... i was just really excited while writing and sped up the plot >.< but don't ever get back with someone who has hurt you unless you are 100% sure! please take care of yourself!!
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edupunkn00b · 3 years
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Hey! I know you've sent me one of these (I'm sorry for not having answered it - I'll get to it when I finally have some free time (!)), but if you're interested:
💖 What do you like most about your own writing?
😈 Is there anything you enjoy doing that you think your readers hate?
💻 Do you do research for your fics? What’s the deepest dive you’ve done?
You don't have to answer this of course if you don't want to, and I hope you have a good day (or night) <3
Thank you so very much for the Ask! I could answer questions about my stories all day long.
💖 What do you like most about your own writing?
I like that I'm doing it. Some thoughtless IRL comments many (many) years ago in middle school had convinced me I couldn't write. Not fiction, at least. Almost a year ago, I started again just because I couldn't get the ideas out of my head any other way. And I've (re)discovered how much I love it.
😈 Is there anything you enjoy doing that you think your readers hate?
I really, really like telling stories out of order. I don't think anyone who reads my works does, though.
💻 Do you do research for your fics? What’s the deepest dive you’ve done?
Oh, yes! I love researching for my fics. Sometimes I am inspired to write something after I researched an interesting topic, and then I just give in to the need for information and don't come up for air until I've got a whole universe populated with information.
The deepest dive was probably for Matchr. In addition to all the stuff on security systems, lethal injection medications for humans and animals, auto injectors and how they are designed to fail on second use, and HR RFID tracking systems for two paragraphs in Logan's backstory fic (When The Bad Guys Win,) I studied matching algorithms and wrote a really terrible bit of code to do fuzzy matches so I would have a sense of what the output looked like in Python. I pulled in some personal experience and background knowledge I had on internet privacy, search engines, and predictive policing algorithms for Matchr, as well.
The next closest deep dive was probably Do Us Any Harm, the pirate!Sides fic. An early idea i had for a pirate!Sides story was actually partially a theatre AU, so i listened to the Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore (OML those musical are so problematic it hurt), and read an annotated collection of the libretto for other Gilbert & Sullivan operas.
I also read The Old Man and the Sea (again), the Magic Treehouse pirates book (Remus' jab at Roman was factual), and Moby Dick. (I'd never actually read the entire thing before.) Plus I did a bunch of research on slave ships, 18th century naval weaponry and piracy history. (I pulled in some personal experiences for this fic, as well, from when I worked os a deckhand on a working schooner at the South Street Seaport museum.)
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