#Best React build tools | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

adelliet · 3 months ago

Text

Joel Miller X f!reader

NEW TATTOO

Summary: You decided to get a new spicy tattoo in a very specific place on your body. The moment Joel noticed your new addition, he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.

Warnings: 18+ MDNI, strong language, nicknames (baby, darlin',…), fingering, unprotected sex ( p i v ), pull-out method, doggy style, short aftercare

A/n: Hey! I apologize if some phrases or parts aren’t grammatically correct or don’t make sense, English isn’t my native language! <3 Anyway, enjoy!

Masterlist

“So, how do you like it?” the tattoo artist asked as she set down her tools.

Slowly, you sat up, your body feeling a little sore after lying still for hours—plus, voluntarily being tortured by needles didn’t help. As you limped toward the mirror and turned to get a proper look at your ass, your pupils widened with admiration.

“It’s fantastic,” you said with a proud smile, checking out the masterpiece from different angles. The tattoo artist giggled, clearly pleased to have another satisfied customer.

You stood in front of the mirror for several minutes, still mesmerized by your new addition. Before stepping into the salon, you'd been shaking with nerves, questioning whether this was a good idea at all. But right now, there wasn’t a single doubt in your mind. This was the best decision you could've made. No regrets whatsoever.

As you continued admiring the fresh ink on your skin, a new thought crept into your mind. How was Joel going to react? Would he be mad? Excited?

Well…you were about to find out soon.

Your excitement for Joel’s reaction grew bigger with every step you took toward home. You already knew he would be there, which made the wait easier.

“Hey, honey!” you greeted softly, glancing toward the couch where Joel was sitting. You could barely see the tip of his head, a sign of how deeply he had sunk into the cushions.

“Hey,” he murmured, turning his gaze toward you, watching as you took off your jacket, stepped out of your boots, and placed your keys on the key peg. His day always felt so much better the moment you walked through the door.

“How was your day?” His voice was calm, with just a hint of concern. You smiled, your dimples appearing as you did. There wasn’t a single day without him asking that question, without him being interested in your day, your work, basically, in everything about you.

“It was good, relaxing,” you replied, your steps leading toward Joel, before you planted a soft kiss on his pink rose-colored lips. He melted into your touch, sighing, clearly wanting more, but you straightened up, ruining his chance to get another.

“What about you?”

“Good, relaxing,” he mocked, though not in an offensive way. You pouted playfully and shook your head, as you watched him smirk at you with those devilishly mischievous eyes.

“I’ll go take a shower…” you said, delicately swaying your hair as you turned to walk upstairs. You could feel Joel’s hungry gaze burning through your body. You loved how obsessed he was with you, and he loved how much you were obsessed with him. Perfect balance.

Fresh, clean, and shining, you walked from the bathroom wearing only your panties. The moment you opened the door, your eyes spotted Joel, already lying in bed, wearing just shorts and holding a book.

You would lie if you said you weren't a bit surprised, especially at how fast he had moved from downstairs to here, but more than the surprise was a warmth building inside you.

With your bare breasts touching the cold air, you elegantly walked toward your closet. You knew Joel was looking at you through his eyelashes. Even though he had seen you naked a hundred times, his dick hardens every time you show even a tiny bit of your bare skin.

You waited patiently for Joel to notice the new decoration on your back, subtly bending over to look for a t-shirt to sleep in. It didn’t take long before you heard the bed creak, signaling that Joel had swiftly moved.

“What’s that?” His voice wasn’t as soft and calm as before. You could hear the eagerness in it, the rough, almost predatory tone.

“Hm?” you hummed, pretending to have no clue what he was referring to.

There was a small pause, Joel’s eyes locking onto your lower back, making it clear what he was talking about.

“Oh, you mean this?” You looked down at the tattoo, smiling proudly as you turned so that he could see the tattoo better. Your heart raced with excitement, even though you couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

Joel’s eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of it. The room seemed to hold its breath, his gaze intense as he examined the design. You could feel the tension in the air, the way his muscles tightened.

“Do you like it?” You lifted your head, your eyes locking with Joel’s, who was watching you intently. His face was expressionless, and you couldn’t read what was going through his mind.

He seemed completely focused, his book lost somewhere in the sheets, but at that moment, he couldn’t care less about where it had ended up.

The tattoo on your back seemed to have him in a trance, not allowing him to look away. “Come here,” he commanded, his voice serious. Without a word, you slowly walked toward him as he quickly adjusted, sitting on the edge of the bed. You turned around, glancing behind you to see what Joel was doing. His expression remained neutral, which made you feel a little anxious.

Joel’s fingers lightly brushed against the ink etched into your smooth skin. His touch sent a shiver down your spine, and he noticed it, but didn’t let it show. His fingertips traced the lines of the tattoo, exploring the texture, feeling how different it was from the smoothness of your unmarked skin. Every now and then, you couldn’t help but flinch slightly, the softness of his hands making you twitch with a mix of sensations.

His breaths grew heavier, deeper. Each one fanning against your skin as his fingertips sent jolts of electricity through your body. Heat pooled low in your stomach, an ache building as your thighs instinctively pressed together.

Joel inhaled sharply, almost as if he was steadying himself, before finally pulling his hands away. He didn’t move, didn’t speak, just stared at the ink now permanently etched onto your skin, his gaze unreadable.

“Is there a deep meaning behind this?” His voice was low, thick, as he licked his lips and finally looked up at you, his eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that sent another shiver down your spine. Like he was trying to see straight through you.

“Not really,” you admitted with a small, almost guilty smile, even though there was nothing to feel guilty about.

“I just liked it,” he nodded, pouting his lips like he was deep in thought. “And you wanted it to be in that exact spot?” His tone hadn’t changed, and with his face giving nothing away, you couldn’t tell if he was asking in a good or bad way.

“I mean, yeah…” Joel inhaled sharply, rubbing his palms against his thighs and glancing away from you. He looked… you’d even say pissed. You didn’t realize it would make him angry. It made you a little sad, but only for a second.

You didn’t even have time to take a breath before Joel yanked you by the hips, pulling you into the small space between his legs. His lips latched onto your neck immediately, sucking and biting like a goddamn vampire.

You let out a sharp gasp, completely caught off guard by the sudden move, but you melted into his touch within seconds. His hands were everywhere, exploring you like he hadn’t memorized every inch already. Despite knowing your body better than his own, he still traced your curves, squeezing every muscle he could get his hands on.

“J-Joel…” you barely managed to choke out, your voice trembling. Your panties were soaked now, definitely leaving a wet spot on the sheets.

“Gettin’ a tattoo, huh?” he murmured, his hot breath ghosting over your already sore neck.

You arched your back as his hands slid up your inner thighs, teasingly close to where you needed him most.

“We both know damn well why you got that,” he whispered between brief pauses in his kisses.

Your hands moved on their own, sliding behind you to tangle in Joel’s dark curls. You tugged whenever the need for pressure between youe legs became too much to bear.

You couldn’t even fully focus on his words, as the only thing your brain let you think about, was your throbbing pussy. Your arches were getting your ass closer with every more to Joel's dick, being tightly captivated in his shorts.

Your hips were moving forward and back, desperately trying to create some friction, but Joel wasn't a teaser. Well, not today.

One of his hand elegantly and painfully slowly slides under your panties, finding your clit and without hesitation, he started making small, recurring circles. His finger was just slightly pressed, not giving you the full strenght yet.

“Fuck you're wet…” he groans, resting his forehead against your shoulder, during which you tried really hard not to scream his name through the whole neighborhood.

He was so good with his hands, especially his fingers. The more circles he made the closer you were getting to the edge, but you didn't want to end it so soon. But Joel didn't give you much of a choice when he pushed in not one, but two fingers at once. "Fuck Joel-" you gasp, throwing your head back as you shutted your eyes tightly.

He was stretching you, his fingers skillfully curling inside you, making the juicy sound sourrounded the whole room, that was already filled with thick tension. Your hips were moving along his fingers, desperately riding him. You were pathetic, but that was the last thing you cared about right now.

"Come on baby, I know you like it" Joel pushed you even closer to your orgasm by his hot crispy voice. His pace grew, he was pumping his fingers in and out, loving the way it sounds. You were losing it. The heat between your legs grew bigger, dangerously fast and you couldn't stop it. You started trembling all over, your legs shaking and the urge to pee was already there.

"J-Joel I-" you couldn't even form a full sentence, but it was already too late. Your walls clenched around his fingers and you moaned loudly as you came. Joel was still working you up, stopping when you came down your high. "That's it, good girl" he gave you soft kisses all over your neck, giving you a minute to breathe.

Your chest moving up and down rapidly, you would appreciate a longer break, but Joel didn't give you that. Instead, he grabbed you and clamsily laid you on your back onto the bed, that sagged under his weight. You were looking into his dark hungry eyes full of lust, as you were trying to catch your breath.

"Now tell me, did you get that tattoo because of me?" his voice was shaking, not because he was scared or anything, but he was running out of patience while his dick in his shorts slowly began to tear a hole to free himself.

Your pulse quickened, you didn’t know how to respond, and you couldn’t. It felt like someone had cut out your tongue. It was so hard to answer.

“N-no,” Joel scoffed, his tone clearly showing he didn’t believe you. “Well, still, what did you expect to happen when I would notice?” He was still teasing you, clearly wanting to hear you admit that you wanted him to fuck you. But you were too weak for that.

“I don't know” you somehow manage to answer fully, but it wasn't a satysfying answer for Joel. He pulled down his shorts while still maintaining eye contact with you. His tip rubbed gently against your inner thight, making your core start pulsating again.

"Tell me darlin', do you want to be fucked?" his face just inches from yours, his arms keeping him steady over you. God he smelled so good, you adore his cologne and right now, it's tickling your olfactory buds like never before.

You nodded harshly, your lips parting and your eyebrows flicking up, as you desperately wanted to be filled by him. You didn't need to coax him twice.

He suddenly grabbed you and flipped you onto your stomach, while he held your waist tightly and raised it, so that he could easily penetrate you. "God, I won’t last long with you like this," he growled before slowly sanking into you. You buried your face in the mattress, moaning at the top of your lungs and gripping the sheets tightly around you.

You always forget how big he really is.

"Just like that, you're doing so good sweatheart" he supported you, before pushing himself into you all the way to the base.

Joel heard you screaming his name into the mattress and that only turned him on even more. When he looked down and focused on his view, on your beautiful round ass and that gorgeous tattoo, he knew he's the one that's fucked.

His hips started moving, slowly not to hurt you, but it was just a short peaceful warm-up. After a few more gentle thrusts, he pulled out of you almost fully, before aggressively slamming into you with full strength. You moved your face to the side to breathe, your whimpers now more clear.

"Oh darlin'" his words came out like exhales, every time he shoves deeply into you. "You're. So. Tight. Fuck-" he increased the pace and force, it wasn't just hard pushes anymore, but frequent thrusts that made your ass jiggle. The smacking sound, mixed with yours and Joel's moans were surrounding the entire room, which smelled like sex and passion.

The soft lamp that shone with warm light, standing on the bedside table, gave the whole moment an irreplaceable atmosphere. A nice, calming vibe, which Joel put the cherry on top by mercilessly fucking you from behind.

"J-joel" you saw it coming. Another orgasm of this night. "I know baby, I know" he hissed, clenching his jaw as he threw his head back, disappointed he couldn’t look at your tattoo anymore, but he couldn’t handle it no more. His thrusts were out of control. He was currently just trying to catch up with his orgasm, miserably.

“Oh Jesus Christ-“ Joel saw white stars, his eyes squeezed shut so tightly. You were in exact same situation. All your senses stopped, your ears started ringing, and your whole body went numb. You gasped so loudly, arching your back as much as your body allows, before you released yourself. Just when your body relaxed, Joel quickly pulled out of you and squirted his white thick liquid on your back.

He groaned loudly, as you fell down onto the bed and closed your eyes, exhausted, but more satisfied than you expected. You could hear Joel, breathing like he just ran a marathon. "Fuck baby, that would make a great photo" he pointed with his last bit of strength to your tattoo, now covered in his cum and you both chuckled.

After a while, he took the tissues and gently wiped your back, before collapsing next to you. All you could do was turning your head towards Joel. Beads of sweat filled his old tired face. He looked terrible but perfect at the same time. His messy hair, gray beard, nose that you could ride from morning to night, he was perfect.

He sensed that you were watching him, so he opened his eyes and turned his head, your eyes locking with his. "You're okay?" his voice sounded a little worried, but when you nodded your head and gave him a reassuring smirk, he smiled back in relief.

“You know, that tattoo really awakened the beast in me,” he added, and you laughed in agreement. The truth was, you really hadn’t expected this. Deep down, you had hoped it would happen, but you didn’t set your hopes too high. With Joel, though, you never know.

He’s full of surprises.

358 notes · View notes

mamayura · 3 months ago

Text

Revelator analysis: Marinette remembering the Umbrella scene incorrectly

You know what I find really interesting about the interview scene in "Revelator" where Adrinette retells how they met? Marinette is actually getting a few details wrong.

Mind you, no deal breakers. She got all the emotional beats down accurately. And I will only truly take this as canon anyway when the French original has her misremember things the same way. But for now, it's really interesting that MARINETTE is the one who gets a couple of details wrong about the moment she fell SO in love with Adrien, while Adrien himself is out here making no such mistake in the whole interview:

This is correct. Simple as that.

This one... is on very thin ice. In reality, Marinette had just left the building and noticed it was raining when Adrien started talking to her. Yes, she was ready to wait until the rain stopped, but she never truly got to the waiting part:

But, by all means, if this were only this detail, I wouldnt make this post right now. Even if, factually, she didnt wait, she just noticed it was raining and thought she had to wait.

But let's get back to this later because there is another layer to this that was the catalyst for me writing this. But for now, moving on:

This is correct again. Adrien, in fact, had an umbrella.

But here is the thing:

This is... straight up wrong. Objectively. What Marinette reacted negatively to was Adrien trying to be friendly and saying "Hi" to her:

He only offered his umbrella at the end, so Marinette claiming so confidently in "Revelator" that she at first turned down the umbrella is false. Adrien opened it for himself because he was the one standing in the rain for a bit while explaining his perspective:

I sure don't see any umbrellas being turned down here, Marinette. So what exactly are you remembering? Just saying.

From this point onwards, the Adrinette interview is accurate again because 1) it's about the emotional core of it, and 2) well, Adrien is then talking the most because it's about him and Marinette is mostly just adding to it. So, yeah...

Look, I don't wanna say that this is some deep betrayal of love and proof that Marinette's love for Adrien isnt real. Of course not. And again, there is still the chance that the line in question is right in the French original (though, I do gotta say, I doubt it because that would change the natural flow of the conversation)

I just find it interesting that the thing about THE Umbrella scene that Marinette gets wrong is the UMBRELLA itself and how and when it was extended to her.

Cause, well... This is not a documentary. Marinette is not a real life person who can mix some things up without it meaning anything. She's the main character and the main narrative tool of the story.

This is the moment SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH ADRIEN. Pretty much 80% of what she does in this show goes back to this moment. In story-telling practice, yes, her being the one who recalls that moment incorrectly should mean something.

Bad faith reading: it's a major indicator that Marinette is actually not as invested in Adrien and their relationship anymore as she was once upon a time. Her needs and desires have changed and that's causing problems now.

Good faith reading (and I genuinely mean good faith reading. Fucking BEST faith reading, in my opinion):

The details that Marinette gets wrong about the Umbrella scene actually correspond with the ending of "Strike Back" where Marinette's lightning moment happened with Chat Noir:

Cause if you combine Marinette's memories of the Umbrella scene with the Strike Back scene, then, yes, Marinette WOULD remember standing way longer in the RAIN before Adrien eventually came to her:

Not because that's how it factually happened in "Origins", but because she was alone in the rain for a solid bit before Chat Noir arrived in "Strike Back".

But the most important thing is that, if you combine the two lightning scenes, this objectively incorrect line actually checks out again:

Because the moment Marinette fell in love with Chat Noir was about him having extended his hand several times but her having pushed him away and held at arms length:

Marinette in the Umbrella scene didnt turn down Adrien's umbrella. Not only because that simply didnt happen, but also because Adrien only had the opportunity to offer it ONCE which she then immediately took. Chat Noir, on the other hand (is that a pun?), did offer the gesture she then fell in love with more than once, which she initially turned down, but eventually accepted.

So, again, worst faith reading: we were supposed to pick up on Marinette remembering the iconic Umbrella scene incorrectly which is supposed to subtly tell us that life has changed Marinette's feelings for Adrien for the worse because she's simply not the girl she was a year ago and the love she once wanted doesnt fit her needs anymore, so it's fading and getting drowned out.

Best faith reading: It's a subtle hint that the love she once wanted doesnt really fit her needs anymore, but the one that does more and more now is Chat Noir who, as we all know, is Adrien Agreste.

Though, no matter which one it is, one truth remains: Marinette remembered the UMBRELLA SCENE wrong and that means something.

#ml spoilers #miraculous ladybug #ml season 6 #miraculous #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #love square #adrienette #adrinette #ladynoir #ml revelator #ml Umbrella scene #ml origins #ml analysis #ml theory #ml Strike Back #ml #ml speculation

309 notes · View notes

twilightkitkat · 8 months ago

Text

Plenty of people talk about how Logan would react to Vanessa (mainly how he'd become jealous and insecure over her relationship with Wade), but have you ever considered how Vanessa would react to poolverine?

To seeing her ex-boyfriend—the man she'd given her entire future to, expecting for them to get married—move on?

Don't get me wrong, Vanessa "moved on" too, but it wasn't the same. She started dating one of her coworkers casually, trying to create a "normal" life for herself, but you can tell her heart wasn't in it. That she liked him, maybe, but didn't love him with the same ferocity she loved Wade with.

She had been prepared to start a family with Wade. To have children together, to marry him and love him despite all his flaws and his gruesome appearance.

And yet... he started slipping away. He said he wanted her back, that he'd give up the world to save her, but what about now? When she was saved? When she was back alive, back home.

He was capable of fearing for her life, of revenge, of embarking on journeys across the seven seas to get her back. But was he capable of keeping her? Of living a quiet life with her and being content?

You can't say that Vanessa didn't try. That she didn't love Wade enough, because she did. You can see her desperation at the table, trying and failing to get through to Wade. You can almost feel the resignation as she realizes this man wasn't the one who fell in love with her.

Because, despite her support and company, Wade still felt empty. Like he had a higher purpose he hadn't achieved. He felt the itch under his skin, the ache in his chest, gnawing and raw and eating him alive. He cared, of course he did, but it wasn't enough.

And Vanessa knew this. She didn't break up with him because she was disappointed in his lack of achievement—she'd support Wade no matter what his goal was. She broke up because she realized that she wasn't enough anymore.

She might've been enough, once, before scars marred his skin and unspeakable trauma was hidden behind his eyes. Before Francis tortured and killed the man he once was, leaving behind a pile of ashes that had to build itself up from scratch into a person again.

But she couldn't understand him like she once could. Couldn't relate to his trauma when it ran through his veins. Couldn't hear the screams echoing in his ears. Couldn't silence the disgusted voices in his head when he looked at his mangled face in the mirror.

She tried to accept him, tried so hard to reach him, but she couldn't fully understand him. She couldn't. And so she let him go.

But you can't let go of a decade of your life that easily. Of course, she missed Wade. She missed him and loved him and a part of her was still waiting for him to come back and kiss her and mean it.

But then he brings Logan home.

And Logan is everything she's not. He's rough where she is smooth. Masculine where she is feminine. Mean where she is nice.

But, above all else, he understands Wade in a way she couldn't.

Understands the itch for blood. The haunting voices ringing in his head. The constant feeling of wrongness, like his body was a tool or a weapon but never quite his anymore. The pain. The suffering. The trauma. The loneliness.

And it hurts.

To see Logan do what she couldn't. To see Logan live the life she'd once dreamed of, loved and matched by Wade in all of the ways that matter.

It makes her question what she'd been doing wrong, if she could've done anything differently to finally get through to Wade. Because this was evidence that it was possible. That someone could force Wade to confront himself and make Wade content. (It's proof that she wasn't enough. That her efforts meant nothing because it was her who was the problem.)

But she smiled at Logan and Wade, together. Gave Wade her best wishes, her congratulations. She was honestly happy for him. She wanted Wade to be happy, even if it wasn't with her. She knew he deserved to feel loved and cared for and understood.

But still, a small, bitter part of her feels irrationally angry. At Logan. At Wade. At the universe.

Wade got his soulmate, his other half. He finally met someone who matched his crazy and meant it. He was radiant with joy, bouncing with an energy Vanessa hadn't seen since before his diagnosis.

And her relationship was going well. It was fine. Dermott was nice and handsome and polite.

But that was it. He took her to romantic dinners while Wade took her to arcades. He gave her flowers for her anniversary while Wade gave her the ski ball token he'd saved on their first date.

It was good. But it wasn't passionate. There wasn't the same chemistry—the same connection. Dermott asked her about her favorite color and all Vanessa could think of was Wade and her pouring over names for their future children.

But he was gone.

He was Logan's now.

Logan, who's traumatized and grieving and fucked up and an alcoholic. A broken man. (Was Vanessa really any better, at this point? A shiny new job and relationship don't cover her flaws. The emptiness.)

(At least now she understands, even fractionally, what Wade was going through. It's a bitter, sobering thought.)

He was Logan's, not Vanessa's.

Was he really ever hers to begin with?

#deadclaws #deadpool 3 #deadpool and wolverine #deadpool movie #logan howlett #poolverine #wade wilson #wade x logan #wade/logan #kitkat #vanessa carlysle #angst #poolverine angst

365 notes · View notes

topazadine · 10 months ago

Text

Writing Post Masterlist

All my posts about writing - plus some I absolutely loved by other writers.

Masterlists by Other People (all good)

"Writing Tips Masterpost" by @deception-united - Deception-United has an incredibly wealth of resources available, far more comprehensive and detailed than mine. Go check it out!

"WQA Post Master Lists" by @writingquestionsanswered - Another fantastic and wonderfully comprehensive resource that covers damn near everything you need to know about writing. Genuinely one of the best free resources on writing that you could find on the internet.

General Advice for a Happy Writing Life

"The Myth of the Martyr Artist" - An incredibly important post, perhaps my most important one ever, that discusses why mental illness is a burden, not a benefit. I have no idea why this even needs to be said, but it does, apparently.

"Building Self-Esteem as a Writer" - Why you gotta be nice to yourself. You gotta.

"Identifying bad writing advice" - Warning signs that the post you are reading kinda sucks and you should click off.

"Advice to Beginner Writers: The Good, the Bad, and the Unpleasant" - How long it takes to become a good writer, what to focus on when learning, and why fanfic is such a useful tool.

"Mindset Shifts: Fanfiction -> Original Fiction" - What fanfic writers should know about deciding to take on original characters and stories.

"Defeating Protracted Writer's Block" - What to do when you find it impossible to write for days, weeks, or months at a time.

"Five Common Anxieties of Newbie Writers, Demystified" - Explorations of five mindsets that can set younger writers back as they learn their craft, including overcompetitiveness, overdescribing, and fearing they're "too old."

"Good Motivations for Continuing to Write" - Why it is crucial to have a passion for writing beyond fame and fortune.

"Extremely controversial writing opinions that will make you mad (but I'm going to say them anyway)" - Things you really don't want to hear, but need to be said. A bit of tough love, including the insignificance of ideas, the cold hard truth about how non-writers react to your writing, and the essentiality of having a well-rounded life.

"Why Mindfulness Is a Key Practice for Writers" - On the need to slow down and let our brain rest - plus some options that are categorically not sitting there in dead silence (boring).

"Writing When Happy" - Wherein I hijack someone's question to discuss the Myth of the Martyr Artist, why we might self-limit because of it, and how to do the impossible: write when we're happy.

"The Neurodivergent Writer’s Guide to Fun and Productivity" by @bookishdiplodocus - Excellent advice on how enjoying the process and reminding yourself that writing is supposed to be fun can help you stay motivated and productive, even when your brain is not cooperating.

"The Glorification of Self-Deprecation in Art/Writing Spaces" by @nicolkoutoulakiauthor - I've discussed before how crucial it is to have a healthy self-esteem when writing, but Nicol does it even better here. Nicol also includes some excellent reframing tactics so you can stay motivated.

Generalish Writing Advice (multifactorial)

"Signs That You Will Probably Finish Your Writing Project" - An analysis of the mindset that leads to results, and encouragement on how to develop them.

"'How Do I Start Writing?'" (Or; A Psychoanalysis of Newbie Writer Fears) - Inspired by the dozens of Reddit posts that ask this exact same thing, often with useless responses. So why do people ask this? I offer my theory.

"I Can Think of Ideas But Can't Write Them!" - A consideration of the many reasons you might find it difficult to get started on your precious idea-baby.

"How to elevate your writing style with 6 simple hacks" - Information about how to develop a prettier prose style, catch errors, develop good dialogue, and focus on brevity.

"How to improve your writing style : a 5-steps guide" by @writer-logbook - Especially great information on why reading widely is so helpful for your craft!

"Some Writing Advice" by @whispers-whump - Especially great discussion of why you shouldn't write what you mean.

"Practical Writing Advice Part 2" by @so-many-ocs - Does what it says on the tin. Simple, easy-to-follow advice that can break you out of writer's block.

"25 Prose Tips for Writers" by @thewriteadviceforwriters - I absolutely love the emphasis on sound and harmony here. As someone whose entire book series revolves around the magic of poetry, of course I think this is incredibly important advice!

"Pacing and Show Don't Tell" by @mylordshesacactus - Two for one deal! First, learn more about why pacing is important; then, look at some examples of the classic advice "show, don't tell." The post does a great job on breaking down what show don't tell actually means and what is not a violation of this guideline so that newer writers aren't confused.

Writing tools

"How to Build a Sustainable Writing Habit Through SCIENCE (Fuck Off, NaNoWriMo)" - Why NaNoWriMo doesn't actually motivate young writers and how to do better through a spreadsheet (yes, really, a spreadsheet). It also explains the importance of intrinsic motivation!

"'I've Outlined Too Much and Now I Can't Write!' (Or: the Double Outline Method for Overanxious Plotters)" - Some of us tend to go absolutely ham on our outlines, to the point where they're practically their own books. But then we also tend to not actually do the writing attached to said outline. Does this mean outlining is useless? Of course not. My method lets you have your outline and eat it too. (.... Wait.)

"'How Do I Make Myself Start Writing?' (Tips to Get the Damn Thing Done) - In this post, I provide a step-by-step guide to start writing, including a few tools to help improve motivation and concentration.

"How to Write Faster (And, Hopefully, Better Too)" - Eliminating distractions and forcing your brain to write is key to getting more done. Here, I explain how you might be limiting yourself by too much thinking and not enough doing.

Worldbuilding

"Stop Making Everything So Damn Complicated!" - Why fantasy (and scifi) does not need to be dizzyingly intricate to be enjoyable.

"How to Kick Ass at Worldbuilding" - I offer some suggestions on how to create a grounded and interesting world that will not bore your readers, based on real life examples.

"Grounded vs. Airy Fantasy" by @aethersea - Excellent breakdown of different levels of groundedness in fantasy and why it's important to understand your own approach.

"Fantasy Guide to Building a Culture" by @inky-duchess - Thorough and methodical analysis of what can create a compelling fantasy culture, including those things that many fail to think about when writing.

"Writing tip - Research" by @pygmi-cygni - Fantastic assessment of the importance of research, including for fantasy stories. As Pygmi-Cygni said, a lot of people claim that they don't need to do any research for fantasy novels, which isn't true! Any parallels to IRL need to be realistic, or you will lose credibility.

Plotting

"How to Use Chomolungma for Writing Adventure Stories; Or, the Plot Mountain Method" - If you're sick of saving felines who should really figure their own shit out, it's time to head to Plot Mountain. In this post, I offer you an alternative to the formulaic "Save the Cat" and "Hero's Journey" which also incorporates tension, characterization, and forward momentum.

"Avoiding Melodrama In Your Writing" - The most annoying all things: melodrama. My least favorite thing. Do not do it. I will show you how.

"How to Find a Plot When All You Have is Characters and Setting" by @rheas-chaos-motivation - This is a common problem for many writers, when you have cool characters or an intriguing setting. This short post can help you kickstart your ideas for how to create an intriguing plot that has built-in tension.

Description

"Remembering Perspective When Writing Descriptions" - Key factors to think about when describing other characters or settings from your POV.

"Description, Momentum, and Tension; Or, How Not to Bore a Reader" - Why, when, and where to put description so that people don't skip over it. Hopefully.

"Writing Notes: Seasons" - Each season has both benefits and downsides. In this post, we look at the negatives and positive aspects of each so you can decide how a particular season may strengthen your themes - plus some descriptions to help inspire you.

"Writing Advice: Spicy Mundanity" - Wherein I explain how to stop having boring descriptions by packing in characterization.

"How to Write Smut?" by @unfriendlywriter - Wonderful examples of how to write heartstopping smut.

"How to pull off descriptions" by @fictionstudent - Fictionstudent has a ton of great posts, both about film analysis and about the art of writing. I especially liked this one because it discusses how important perspective is for descriptions and the importance of filling in the details as a character would rather than just throwing it all at the reader at one time.

"How to avoid White Room Syndrome" by @writerthreads - Fantastic and focused advice on how to ensure you're offering readers just enough setting to help them envision the world.

Characterization

"Writing Relatable Characters; Or, Using Human Failures to Your Advantage" - Explaining how you can use character flaws and human needs to create a relatable character. Also explains the basic development of a plot, which is about equilibrium.

"How NOT to Write a Character" - Wherein I give you some examples of annoying characters we want to punt off a cliff so you can watch yourself.

"Writing Strong Female Characters" - Why you should give your female characters a secret goal, as well as how to avoid common 'strong female' stereotypes.

"Writing Compelling Trauma in Fiction: Dos and Don'ts" - How to avoid melodrama and create intriguing emotional wounds for characters.

"Quality Assurance Checks for Character Development" - Thought exercises that can help you differentiate characters, prune down unnecessary characters, develop true chemistry between LI and MC, and avoid having too many POVs.

"Developing Character Agency (Or; Cutting the Plot Strings)" - A discussion of character agency and how to ensure your characters are not bound by the narrative.

"Writing Notes: Thought Distortions" by @literaryvein-reblogs - Some psychological concepts you can use in your writing to add depth to characters.

"Questions about your character’s perspective on love and relationships" by @luna-azzurra - Excellent questions that can help you delve into your character's attachment style, what baggage they may bring to a current relationship, and how to create conflict through mentality.

"How to Write a Confession of Love," also by luna-azzurra - Perfect discussion of how to create tension, the utility of setting, not making it perfect, and including the other character's response.

Revisions

"Common Writing Issues that Reduce Readability" - Examples of fixes for four common issues: double describing, long sentences, overexplaining, and head hopping.

"How to Avoid Purple Prose" - A critical part of the revision process is making sure your writing is clear and balanced. In this post, I show a blatant example of purple prose and provide suggestions on how to make a more elegant passage.

"Differential Diagnosis When Your Writing Is Getting Worse" by @ariaste - Fantastic explanation by a professional writer about why you might feel like your writing is getting worse and what to do about it.

"How to Make Your Writing Less Stiff Part 3" by @physalian - Physalian's whole blog has some excellent advice, so definitely give it a look!

"How to Improve Your Writing" - Also by literaryvein-reblogs, this offers some excellent exercises to help with sentence-level issues, such as modifiers, parallelism, and details.

Publishing

"How to promote your book online : a discussion about social media (and few tips)" by writer-logbook - Great tips about how to get more interest in your book. I especially enjoyed the emphasis on patience and consistency. Writer-logbook has some excellent info overall about the nitty-gritty of writing, so I definitely recommend poring through their blog in general. (That's why they're included here twice!)

"A masterclass in how not to market your books, in one singular tweet" - Wherein I help you derive lessons from an abysmal tweet by an author.

"Mistakes I Made When Self-Pubbing My First Book (Part 1: Mindset Edition)" - I talk about how being delulu is not the solulu, that yes marketing is important (even if it is horrible), and how a bit of self-confidence can go a long way.

"Mistakes I Made When Self-Pubbing My First Book (Part 2: Presentation Edition)" - Graphics and covers and blurbs! Learn about them. Do not do what I did.

"Mistakes I Made When Self-Pubbing My First Book (Part 3: Ads and Reviews Edition)" - Why you have to get reviews. You gotta. And you gotta demand them. Shake those reviews out of your readers. You'll thank me later.

Specific Research Advice

"Assassination Methods Through the Decades: A Writer’s Handbook" by @hayatheauthor - A thorough review of different assassination methods, including a section discussing common assassination methods by region!

"How to Write Someone in a Wheelchair" - A group effort! This is a reblog chain discussing body language in manual wheelchairs, the mechanics of power wheelchairs, wheelchair propulsion methods, and a reminder that just because someone is in a wheelchair doesn't mean they can't walk short distances.

"Writing Research Notes: Caves" - Oh caves how I love them. Caves. Let me tell you about them if you want to write about caves. Blessed.

"Writing Research Notes: Horses" - A beginner's guide to horse mindsets, whether horses like working, approaching horses, how to ride, and tips on training.

"Writing Research Notes: Bipolar Disorder" - Written by me, a writer with bipolar disorder! This shares basic facts about bipolar, offers a list of symptoms you can use, and cautions you against spreading misinformation through poor characterization or myths.

"Writing Research Notes: Politics" - I provide a quick overview about governments and international relations, based off my suffering while getting an MA in International Relations.

"Stop Doing This in Injury Fics!" by @pygmi-says-hi - Discusses some common errors when writing whump/angst. The fever part was especially helpful for me!

"Writing US Military Characters" by @lookbluesoup - An explanation of the habits and mentality of US military characters. Many of these were quite helpful for my fantasy military characters, so you can get a lot of mileage out of these for soldiers in other militaries too!

Little Funsies

"What Painting Style Is Your Writing?" - A short exploration of different writing styles to help you better understand your own approach.

I'll be adding onto this as I continue to scroll through my old likes and, of course, as I find more resources.

#writing #writing resources #writing tips #writing advice #writing help #how to write #fiction writing

478 notes · View notes

metanarrates · 6 months ago

Note

Hello. Sorry if this a stupid question u can ignore if u want.

How can someone get better at media analysis? Besides obviously reading a lot.

Im asking this bc im in a point where im aware of my own lack of tools to analyze stories, but i don't know where to get them or how to get better in general. How did you learn to analyze media? There's any specific book, essay, author, etc that you recommend? Somewhere to start?

I'm asking you because you are genuinely the person who has the best takes on this site. Thank you for you work!

it sounds like a cop-out answer but it's always felt like a skill I acquired mostly thru reading a ton, and by paying a lot of attention in high school literature classes. because of that I can't promise that I'm necessarily equipped to be a good teacher or that i know good resources. HOWEVER! let me run some potential advice to you based on the shit i get a lot of mileage out of

first off, a lot of literary analysis is about pattern recognition! not just pattern recognition in-text, but out-of-text as well. how does this work relate to its genre? real-world history? does it have parallels between real-life situations? that kind of thing.

which is a big concept to just describe off the bat, so let me break it down further!

in literature, there is the concept of something called literary devices - they are some of the basic building blocks in how a story is delivered mechanically and via subtext. have you ever heard of a motif? that is a literary device. it's a pattern established in the text in order to further the storytelling! and here is a list of a ton of common literary devices - I'd recommend reading the article. it breaks down a lot of commonly used ones in prose and poetry and explains their usage.

personally, I don't find all the literary devices I've learned about in school to be the most useful to my analytical hobbies online. motifs, themes, and metaphors are useful and dissecting them can bring a lot to the table, but a lot of other devices are mostly like fun bonus trivia for me to notice when reading. however, memorizing those terms and trying to notice them in the things you read does have a distinct benefit - it encourages you to start noticing patterns, and to start thinking of the mechanical way a story is built. sure, thinking about how the prose is constructed might not help you understand the story much more, but it does make you start thinking about how things like prose contribute to the greater feeling of a piece, or how the formatting of a piece contributes to its overall narrative. you'll start developing this habit of picking out little things about a text, which is useful.

other forms of in-text pattern recognition can be about things like characterization! how does a character react to a certain situation? is it consistent with how they usually behave? what might that tell you about how they think? do they have tells that show when they're not being trustworthy? does their viewpoint always match what is happening on screen? what ideas do they have about how the world works? how are they influenced by other people in their lives? by social contexts that might exist? by situations that have affected them? (on that note, how do situations affect other situations?)

another one is just straight-up noticing themes in a work. is there a certain idea that keeps getting brought up? what is the work trying to say about that idea? if it's being brought up often, it's probably worth paying attention to!

that goes for any pattern, actually. if you notice something, it's worth thinking about why it might be there. try considering things like potential subtext, or what a technique might be trying to convey to a reader. even if you can't explain why every element of a text is there, you'll often gain something by trying to think about why something exists in a story.

^ sometimes the answer to that question is not always "because it's intentional" or even "because it was a good choice for the storytelling." authors frequently make choices that suck shit (I am a known complainer about choices that suck shit.) that's also worth thinking about. english classes won't encourage this line of thinking, because they're trying to get you to approach texts with intentional thought instead of writing them off. I appreciate that goal, genuinely, but I do think it hampers people's enthusiasm for analysis if they're not also being encouraged to analyze why they think something doesn't work well in a story. sometimes something sucks and it makes new students mad if they're not allowed to talk about it sucking! I'll get into that later - knowing how and why something doesn't work is also a valuable skill. being an informed and analytical hater will get you far in life.

so that's in-work literary analysis. id also recommend annotating your pages/pdfs or keeping a notebook if you want to close-read a work. keeping track of your thoughts while reading even if they're not "clever" or whatever encourages you to pay attention to a text and to draw patterns. it's very useful!

now, for out-of-work literary analysis! it's worth synthesizing something within its context. what social settings did this work come from? was it commenting on something in real life? is it responding to some aspects of history or current events? how does it relate to its genre? does it deviate from genre trends, commentate on them, or overall conform to its genre? where did the literary techniques it's using come from - does it have any big stylistic influences? is it referencing any other texts?

and if you don't know the answer to a bunch of these questions and want to know, RESEARCH IS YOUR FRIEND! look up historical events and social movements if you're reading a work from a place or time you're not familiar with. if you don't know much about a genre, look into what are considered common genre elements! see if you can find anyone talking about artistic movements, or read the texts that a work might be referencing! all of these things will give you a far more holistic view of a work.

as for your own personal reaction to & understanding of a work... so I've given the advice before that it's good to think about your own personal reactions to a story, and what you enjoy or dislike about it. while this is true that a lot of this is a baseline jumping-off point on how I personally conduct analysis, it's incomplete advice. you should not just be thinking about what you enjoy or dislike - you should also be thinking about why it works or doesn't work for you. if you've gotten a better grasp on story mechanics by practicing the types of pattern recognition i recognized above, you can start digging into how those storytelling techniques have affected you. did you enjoy this part of a story? what made it work well? what techniques built tension, or delivered well on conflict? what about if you thought it sucked? what aspects of storytelling might have failed?

sometimes the answer to this is highly subjective and personal. I'm slightly romance-averse because I am aromantic, so a lot of romance plots will simply bore me or actively annoy me. I try not to let that personal taste factor too much into serious critiques, though of course I will talk about why I find something boring and lament it wasn't done better lol. we're only human. just be aware of those personal taste quirks and factor them into analysis because it will help you be a bit more objective lol

but if it's not fully influenced by personal taste, you should get in the habit of building little theses about why a story affected you in a certain way. for example, "I felt bored and tired at this point in a plot, which may be due to poor pacing & handling of conflict." or "I felt excited at this point in the plot, because established tensions continued to get more complex and captured my interest." or "I liked this plot point because it iterated on an established theme in a way that brought interesting angles to how the story handled the theme." again, it's just a good way to think about how and why storytelling functions.

uh let's see what else. analysis is a collaborative activity! you can learn a lot from seeing how other people analyze! if you enjoy something a lot, try looking into scholarly articles on it, or youtube videos, or essays online! develop opinions also about how THOSE articles and essays etc conduct analysis, and why you might think those analyses are correct or incorrect! sometimes analyses suck shit and developing a counterargument will help you think harder about the topic in question! think about audience reactions and how those are created by the text! talk to friends! send asks to meta blogs you really like maybe sometimes

find angles of analysis that interest and excite you! if you're interested in feminist lenses on a work, or racial lenses, or philosophical lenses, look into how people conduct those sort of analyses on other works. (eg. search feminist analysis of hamlet, or something similar so you can learn how that style of analysis generally functions) and then try applying those lenses to the story you're looking at. a lot of analysts have a toolkit of lenses they tend to cycle through when approaching a new text - it might not be a bad idea to acquire a few favored lenses of your own.

also, most of my advice is literary advice, since you can broadly apply many skills you learn in literary analysis to any other form of storytelling, but if you're looking at another medium, like a game or cartoon, maybe look up some stuff about things like ludonarrative storytelling or visual storytelling! familiarizing yourself with the specific techniques common to a certain medium will only help you get better at understanding what you're seeing.

above all else, approach everything with intellectual curiosity and sincerity. even if you're sincerely curious about why something sucks, letting yourself gain information and potentially learning something new or being humbled in the process will help you grow. it's okay to not have all the answers, or to just be flat-out wrong sometimes. continuing to practice is a valuable intellectual pursuit even if it can mean feeling a tad stupid sometimes. don't be scared to ask questions. get comfortable sometimes with the fact that the answer you'll arrive at after a lot of thought and effort will be "I don't fully know." sometimes you don't know and that can be valuable in its own right!

thank you for the ask, and I hope you find this helpful!

#narrates #thanks for the kind ask! i feel a little humbled by your faith in me aha #this may be a bit scattershot. its 2 am. might update later with more thoughts idk #nyway i feel like a lot of lit classes even in college don't tell you why they're teaching you things that might feel superfluous #hopefully this lays out why certain seemingly superfluous elements of literary education can be valuable #the thing esp about giving theses and having a supporting argument... its not just because teachers need to see an essay or whatever #the point is to make you think about a text and then follow thru by performing analysis #and supporting that analysis w/ evidence from the text #u don't have to write essays but developing that mindset IS helpful. support ur conclusions yknow?#anyway thanks again hope it's illuminating

221 notes · View notes

literaryvein-reblogs · 23 days ago

Text

Character Development: Obstacles

At the heart of any story is a main character on a quest to resolve a conflict and reach a desired goal. A writer’s job is to make the story compelling by placing obstacles in the protagonist’s way.

Obstacles - a literary device that can build tension, transform characters, and propel a story in a new direction. Obstacles—combined with a protagonist determined to overcome them—are essential elements of a great story.

Ways to Use Obstacles to Enhance Character Development

The best way to accentuate the tension, raise the stakes, and fast-track character growth in a story is to create problems for your character that threaten to derail their journey. Here are ways you can introduce obstacles to enhance your story:

Use obstacles to reveal character motivation. As a writer, you need to understand what motivates your characters and how they respond to problems. If it helps, work on some basic character development exercises. While you should flesh out the basics, like the character’s personality traits, mannerisms, physical appearance, and quirks, you need to know more about their life and what they’ve been through to figure out what motivates their actions. In the actual story, obstacles will illuminate your character’s motivations by drawing on these attributes. This will help you create a dynamic and relatable character.

Layer obstacles for deeper tension. Obstacles can be literal—a physical person or object that stands in the protagonist’s way—or they can be unseen forces acting against a character. Use both types of obstacles to layer tension and create a story with texture and depth. For example, weave an internal conflict into the storyline, and create a way that a character’s beliefs are challenged by their problem-solving actions.

Use subplots to complicate things. Every subplot needs a purpose. Write subplots for secondary characters that ultimately create complications for your protagonist.

Put obstacles in your antagonist’s way. Why should your protagonist have all of the problems? Make your antagonist more than just the bad guy. They need everything your main character has—complexity, backstory, problems, and obstacles. Figure out what their motivation is for going against the protagonist, and slow down their chances of success with obstacles.

Use obstacles to build a transformative character arc. Just when things are looking good for your protagonist and it seems like they’ve found a solution to their problem, put up a barrier to impede their progress. Obstacles are a force for transformation that creates memorable characters. When a character changes over the course of a story, they become more three-dimensional and intriguing. Think of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Each obstacle he meets changes him until his encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Future and his final transformation.

Reasons Problem-Solving Is Important in Storytelling

To overcome obstacles, fictional characters need to develop problem-solving skills. Creating challenges for your protagonist is an important element in storytelling for several reasons:

Problem-solving propels a story forward. Every story hinges on a character facing a problem. When the main character’s dilemma is revealed at the beginning of a story, most often during the inciting incident, it establishes the purpose of the plot. The main character’s journey as they navigate obstacles and solve problems drives the narrative arc through to the end of the story.

Problem-solving skills are a powerful tool for character development. When real people face challenges in real life, they reveal a lot about themselves by how they react. When you put obstacles in a character’s way, it’s an opportunity to reveal deeper details about who they are by how they respond. If you ever have a story with a flat character, give them a situation that forces them to employ problem-solving skills and watch them come to life.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

#character development #obstacles #writing tips #writeblr #literature #writers on tumblr #writing reference #dark academia #spilled ink #writing prompt #creative writing #writing advice #on writing #writing inspiration #writing ideas #light academia #lit #writing resources

126 notes · View notes

sunday-bug · 2 months ago

Note

Can you write about Bucky being insecure about his arm malfunctioning? Maybe you’ve only been dating for a short while and he is still wearing the gloves to cover it but something happens and he ends up having to tell you about it and he feels like you would reject him, but you’re really comforting and it’s like super fluffy

Oh my gosh I love this idea 🥲

🦾💗🦾💗🦾💗🦾💗🦾💗🦾💗🦾💗🦾💗🦾💗

The subzero February weather outside seemed to be seeping into your ancient apartment, and you pull your cardigan tighter against your body as you look out the window. You’ve been dating Bucky for a couple weeks, and he is over at your place for the first time tonight, dim sum in hand.

He’s setting up the takeout on your tiny dining table, still bundled up in his coat and typical layers.

“That all smells amazing,” you say, walking over to help him. “Can I take your coat?”

“Uh, sure,” he says, shrugging out of it, “Thanks, doll.” You hang it up on a hook by the door, and you both sit down to eat.

“Your apartment is neat,” he muses, biting into a dumpling. “How old is this building?”

“Hmm, like 1920’s, I think? I like it enough,” you answer, going for a steamed bun.

You are both quiet for a moment, enjoying the food, able to hear the wind outside and the sounds of your apartment.

Bucky glances over at your sink with a concerned look, “That faucet always drip?”

“Ah, yeah. I put in a maintenance request last week, but they haven’t gotten to it yet.”

“Let me take a look,” Bucky says, getting up from his chair and walking over to the sink. “You got a wrench?”

“Yeah, one sec,” you say, walking to the hall closet to get your small pink tool box. “This was a gift from my best friend when I moved in,” you explain, looking down with a blush at the hot pink tools.

Bucky chuckles lightly, “Hey, a wrench is a wrench.”

He grabs it from you with his gloved hand and positions himself on his back under the sink, using his phone as a flashlight with the other, ungloved hand. You’d asked him about the glove on your first date, and he’d given a non-answer so you dropped it, not wanting to press the issue. He starts tinkering with the pipe under the sink. You hear a strange clicking noise, like metal gears, before Bucky whispers, “What the hell?”, and sits up quickly, removing his glove.

You blink once. Twice. Is his hand… metal? He flexes the hand’s fingers, and you hear the clicking sound again.

“Uh…” you start to say, bringing him back to the moment.

He stands up suddenly, wide-eyed with worry, “I was-I was going to tell you… eventually. Um, yeah… my, my arm is metal.”

“Metal?” You ask, looking from his eyes to his hand.

“Vibranium, actually,” he clarifies. “I-I didn’t know how you’d react, and I didn’t want you to be scared or weirded out, so…”

“Bucky,” you cut him off, taking a step toward him, “it’s okay. Why would you be scared to tell me?”

He runs his hand through his hair, “I like you, and I just didn’t want you to, like, stop… seeing me.”

You step up to him, offering your hand. He gently offers his metal hand to you, and you take it in both of yours, “I like all of you, Bucky. Please don’t feel like you need to hide anything from me, or be worried about me bolting. I’m not going anywhere.” You squeeze the hand gently, “This is nothing to be ashamed of.”

You watch his shoulders relax as you reassure him, and he envelopes you in a hug.

“Thank you… I really needed to hear that. In that case, I don’t actually need a wrench,” he flexes his hand and gets back under the sink with a smile, fixing the leak in 10 seconds.

“Oh. That thing is handy,” you muse, “no pun intended.”

Bucky sits up and chuckles heartily, before his gaze softens, “Thanks again, for being understanding and just being you.”

“It’s nothing,” you shrug. “Now let’s finish dinner, and maybe you can fix my bent wheel axle next.”

“You got it, doll,” Bucky says with a laugh.

-the end-

Hope this is what you’re looking for 🦾

#bucky barnes #winter soldier #james buchanan barnes #sebastian stan #congressman barnes #thunderbolts #thunderbolts*#bucky’s metal arm #vibranium #bucky fic #bucky x you #bucky x reader #boyfriend!bucky #ask reply #inbox open #blurb requests

129 notes · View notes

mylovesstuffs · 4 months ago

Text

OT13 reaction to having a blue-collar s/o

Request: hey celeste!! I'm a big fan of your work and wanted to request something!!

could you maybe please do a "seventeen reacts to having a blue collar gf"? I've never seen a pov like this before (probably bc it's not a popular job amongst women) but since I myself am a blue collar girlie I wanted to know if you'd be willing to do that!! 😆

feel free to ask if you have any questions, like if I was too unspecific or something and also it's totally fine if you don't want to do that, since I know it's not everyone's cup of tea!!

i hope you have a wonderful day and keep up the AMAZING work💓💓 love i

A/N: First of all—THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! 😭💛 Your support means the world, and I love that you want something unique and personal to your experience! A blue-collar gf pov is definitely underrated, and I’m so here for it. For this, I’ll focus on how they’d feel about your job, their concerns (if any), and how they’d support you! (I hope I did this justice ☹️) Btw, I also have favourites here and they are Jeonghan and Minghao. I feel like it's so them 😭

"THAT'S SO COOL" (The Most Supportive & Hyped About It)

Jun: He thinks it’s badass. It’s as simple as that. He respects that you have a practical, hardworking job and if you ever mention difficulties (physical labor, rude customers, long hours), he’ll listen and cheer you on. “You’re amazing, do you know that?” If you work with machines/tools, he 100% wants to try them out just for fun.

Hoshi: You tell him about your job, and his eyes light up immediately. He’s fascinated, constantly asking questions like, “Wait, you can fix that by yourself??” If it’s anything remotely hands-on like construction, mechanics, electrical work, he’s your biggest fan. Expect him to brag about you to everyone. “MY GIRLFRIEND CAN LIFT HEAVY STUFF AND FIX THINGS.”

Minghao: He loves how capable you are. He sees it as a form of independence and discipline, which he finds really really attractive. If people ever make sexist remarks about your job, he’ll call them out immediately. “It’s 2025. Are you still stuck in the past?” Also, if you work long hours, he makes sure you rest properly and do self-care.

"I’m Impressed, But Also Worried" (Proud but Protective Boyfriends)

Seungcheol: He’s so proud of you, but he worries all the time. If your job involves heavy lifting, dangerous tools, or extreme conditions, expect him to check on you constantly. “Did you wear your safety gear?” If you come home exhausted, he’s immediately taking over chores so you can rest. But overall, he admires your work ethic.

Joshua: He loves that you have a strong work ethic but he’s very concerned about how exhausting your job might be :( If your job is physically demanding, he’s the type to massage your shoulders when you get home. If you’re ever frustrated about work, he’s the best listener and reassures you everytime without missing a beat.

Woozi: He’s genuinely impressed but secretly protective. If your job involves early mornings, overtime, or rough conditions, he worries a bit but won’t say much. Instead, he’ll support you by making sure you eat well, rest properly, and don’t overwork yourself. He also respects your independence and hard work and will subtly flex about it. “Yeah, my girlfriend’s amazing like that.

"WAIT, TEACH ME??" (Lowkey Wants to Try It Too)

Vernon: He thinks it’s so cool and will ask a million questions. “So, how does that machine work?” If your job involves fixing things, building things, or using tools, he’s immediately invested. He doesn’t care about traditional gender roles—he just thinks it’s awesome that you have a hands-on skillset.

Dino: At first, he’s shocked (“Wait, you do WHAT??”), but then he’s super into it. If you’re doing something mechanical, electrical, or construction-related, he wants to help. He’d be so excited if you taught him anything hands-on. He’s also SO PROUD that he tells everyone, “My girlfriend is literally the strongest and best person I know.”

"ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE SAFE??" (Protective & Slightly Overthinking)

Jeonghan: He pRetENds to be worried but secretly, he’s bragging about you. “She’s stronger than me, and I’m okay with that.” If your job is exhausting, he’ll try to make your life easier by spoiling you (“Nope, you’re not cooking today. You worked hard enough.”). Also, he 100% uses your job to mess with people, “If you’re mean to me, my girlfriend will literally destroy you.” 😭

Mingyu: He’s so amazed but also lowkey stressed about your safety. “Babe, do you wear gloves? Do you take breaks? What if something heavy falls?” He’d be so dramatic if you ever got a small injury (“OMG, does it hurt??”), but overall, he loves your job and thinks you’re a superhero.

Seungkwan: He’s so impressed but also so stressed. If your job involves lifting heavy things, working long hours, or anything even remotely dangerous, expect him to lecture you like a mom. “Why do you have to do all that? Where are your gloves? Are your breaks long enough?” But deep down, he’s SO PROUD. If anyone ever doubts your abilities, he’s ready to fight. “My girlfriend could outwork you any day.”

"Hmm…Let Me Help Too" (Wants to Make Your Life Easier)

Wonwoo: He finds it super admirable and respects how much effort you put into your work but instead of asking a lot of questions, he’ll quietly support you. If you ever come home tired, he’ll make sure everything is done so you can relax. If you struggle with anything, he’ll help without making a big deal out of it.

Dokyeom: He’s so proud but also constantly worried. If your job is physically demanding, he’s always like, “Are you sure you’re not overworking yourself??” He’s the type to pack snacks or a drink for you so you don’t forget to take breaks. If you ever doubt yourself, he’s there with infinite encouragement. “You’re amazing, always know that!”

132 notes · View notes

soapyghostie · 1 year ago

Note

Hello!! Can you write any of the dbd killers (and The Doctor) with a reader who comes back severely drugged after a trial with The Clown? How would they react?

Ayyyyy! Another request, that’s been sitting in my inbox since forever, is done! Slowly, but surely getting back into writing. This is my first time writing for Evan and Frank. Hope y'all enjoy.

The Trapper/Evan MacMillan

When Evan sees you stumbling and disoriented, Evan’s eyes widen in immediate concern. He can feel his heart pounding as he rushes to your side, a surge of worry overtaking his typically stoic demeanor. He even feels fear coursing through him as he begs you to tell him what happened as he takes your hands in his shaking ones to try and stabilize you.

When you finally tell him about your trial with The Clown, a deep-seated rage builds within Evan. His face is contorted with a mixture of worry and rage as he imagines the sadistic torment The Clown put you through. He grabs his weapon and grips it tightly with a burning desire for revenge. You’ll have to calm him down and convince him to stay with you; if not, he’ll storm off to teach The Clown a lesson. However, you do end up convincing him to stay, although he makes a mental note to have a ‘friendly’ conversation with The Clown later.

Evan’s large hands, usually accustomed to handling large and dangerous tools, shake as he tends to your wounds. He does his best to be gentle as he’s not used to patching up wounds, normally being the cause of them. His usually stern expression softens as his heartaches at the sight of your suffering, revealing a side that only emerges in the face of genuine concern for you. Enjoy it while you can because he rarely shows this side of himself to anyone, even to you.

Evan then wraps his arms around you in a silent comforting hug. Y’all stay there for many minutes remaining silent and steadfast as you recover. Evan’s eyes blaze with determination, silently promising that The Clown will pay for the anguish inflicted upon you.

The Legion/Frank Morrison

When you come stumbling into Ormond after your trial, Frank freezes in shock as he witnesses your disoriented state, his usually charismatic and cocky demeanor replaced with genuine concern. He rushes to your side and throws your arm over his shoulder to support you the rest of the way to the resort. Once inside, he’ll sit you down on one of the worn out and torn couches making sure you're comfortable before sitting down next to you.

Frank will aggressively try to get you to talk to him about what happened. I advise you not to take it personally when it comes to Frank’s aggressiveness. This is just his way of showing he cares about you and he doesn’t know how to express himself in any other way so give him some slack. Jeez y’all. (Just kidding) Anyway, when you tell him about your trial with The Clown, a spark of fury ignites in Frank as he contemplates the sadistic acts committed towards you by The Clown. His worried expression twists into a snarl, a clear sign of revenge plotting against The Clown. However, Frank (for once) actually doesn’t give in to his impulses, due to your pleas, and stays to take care of you. He’ll get his gang together and plot a revenge plan on The Clown later while you're resting. No one hurts you and gets away with it.

Despite his constant tough exterior, you can feel Frank’s hands shake as he patches up your wounds. He’s uncharacteristically tender, his eyes betraying a depth of emotion not often seen by him. Also, he’s at your beck and call. Whatever you need Frank will get it for you. Icepack? Food? A blanket? Frank is on it.

Frank being the overprotective boyfriend he is will remain constantly by your side while you are recovering. Hey, you never know who could come and harm you? Anyway, Frank will hold you in his embrace as long as you will allow him too, whispering reassurances while also promising safety and vengeance, ensuring that The Clown’s actions toward you will not go unpunished.

The Doctor/Herman Carter

At first Herman doesn’t recognize your state as he is too absorbed into his work, although he does greet you, hearing you stumble into his office. However, when you don’t reciprocate a greeting of your own is when Herman looks up from his work. At that moment, his clinical gaze shifts immediately to genuine concern as he takes in your disoriented state. Worry flashes across Herman’s face as he assesses the situation as he springs out of his chair to your side, guiding you to a bed to lay down on.

When you tell Herman what happened during your trial with The Clown, his mind starts racing with analytical anger as he contemplates the sadistic experiments that you told him that The Clown inflicted on you. However, in your drugged state and inability to read your partner’s emotions, you can’t tell what kind of emotions Herman is feeling due to him keeping that professional facade he always has. Although, if you look closely enough, you will see the determination burn brightly in his eyes to avenge you.

Surprising even himself, Herman administers caring for you with precision, his usually clinical movement now laced with genuine empathy. He patches you up no problem with little to no error. Once you are all patched up, he suggests for you to get rest as your body won't be able to heal itself properly without it.

Herman remains as a steadfast presence, checking in on you once and awhile. If you need or want anything, he’ll get it for you. As he helps you recover, a burning desire to slow and painfully torture The Clown gives way into his mind. Maybe once you are 100% again he’ll teach that fat fuck a lesson or two.

#dead by deadlight #dead by daylight #dead by daylight x reader #the trapper #evan macmillan #evan macmillan x reader #the trapper x reader #dbd legion #the legion #frank morrison #frank morrison x reader #the legion x reader #the doctor #herman carter x reader #herman carter #the doctor x reader #sophi ghostie writes

687 notes · View notes

hyuniemyunie · 2 months ago

Note

I need my son

like what if since Sonic is his older brother in a way

what if we are like an older sibling to tails

like how sometimes the boyfriends younger sister becomes best friend with the girlfriend-

I just want to hug my son

High-Speed Bonds, Slow-Built Trust

sonic x gn!reader, platonic tails

sfw

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

(ФωФ): a bond in the making! platonic fluff with tails, romantic stuff here n there with sonic. FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF FOUND FAMILY AHH

i didnt give reader a gender but i did like

"thanks sister/brother/sibling" so uh yeah

i ammm still emptying out my drafts, requests will be open again once im done

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･

The first time you met Tails, he had been so painfully shy that he could barely look you in the eye. Sonic had introduced you with his usual breezy confidence, grinning as he ruffled the kid’s twin tails like it was second nature.

“C’mon, Tails, don’t be weird,” Sonic had teased, pushing him forward slightly. “They’re cool. You’ll like ‘em.”

Tails had flushed under his fur, ears flicking as he ducked his head. He was smaller than you expected, his golden fur slightly mussed from whatever project he had been working on before Sonic had dragged him out of his workshop. He clutched his wrench in one hand like a security blanket, glancing between you and Sonic like he wasn’t sure what to do.

You had crouched slightly, making yourself smaller so you weren’t looming over him, and extended a hand. “Hey, Tails. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

His fingers twitched against his wrench, hesitating.

You didn’t push. Instead, you just let your hand hang there, waiting, offering him the choice.

After a long pause, he slowly—very slowly—reached out and gave you the smallest handshake you had ever received. His fur was soft against your palm, his grip hesitant but warm.

From that moment, something shifted.

—

Tails wasn’t used to having someone besides Sonic looking out for him. He was independent, brilliant, and had long since proven himself more than capable of handling his own problems. He had built machines that could outpace Eggman’s warships, hacked into impossible systems, and even flown headfirst into danger just to pull Sonic’s reckless ass out of trouble.

But no one had ever been soft with him. No one had ever just… looked at him like he was a kid who deserved warmth.

No one until you.

At first, he didn’t know how to react to it. When you casually slung an arm around his shoulders, he stiffened before awkwardly relaxing. When you pulled him into a one-armed hug after a long day of fixing up the Tornado, he just blinked up at you like you had done something utterly foreign.

When you ruffled his ears absentmindedly one evening, he turned bright red and short-circuited so hard he nearly dropped his tools.

Sonic, watching from the sidelines, just cackled. “You good there, buddy?”

Tails had scrambled to save face, stammering about how he was fine and totally not freaking out over a little hair ruffle, thank you very much. But the next time you did it, he leaned in—just a little.

—

The first time Tails really sought you out was after a long, rough day.

Eggman had attacked without warning, and while no one had been seriously hurt, it had been a lot. Buildings had been damaged, the Tornado had taken a beating, and Sonic had barely gotten out of a nasty fight without limping. Everyone had pulled together to fix things, but you had noticed how quiet Tails had been the entire time.

He hadn’t spoken much, just throwing himself into repairs like his life depended on it. Even when everything was over, and everyone was resting, he had stayed up late, working on the Tornado long after he should’ve been asleep.

You had found him in his workshop, hunched over a pile of broken parts, muttering calculations under his breath. His wrench trembled slightly in his grip.

“Tails?”

He startled like he hadn’t heard you come in. His ears flicked back, and he quickly turned away, pretending to fidget with a screwdriver. “Oh! Uh, hey! I—I was just—”

“You okay?”

“I’m fine!”

That was the fastest lie you had ever heard.

You walked over, kneeling beside him. You didn’t say anything, just waiting, giving him space to breathe.

For a long moment, he didn’t move. Then, so quietly it was almost a whisper—

“…I messed up.”

You frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I—I should’ve seen it coming. Eggman’s attack. I should’ve done something. Maybe if I—if I had been better, faster, smarter—”

“Tails.”

His ears flattened at your tone, eyes wide.

“You didn’t mess up,” you said, firm but gentle. “You did your best. And no one got hurt because of you.”

“But—”

“Would you ever say something like that to Sonic if he made a mistake?”

That made him freeze. His mouth opened, then closed, as if his brain was short-circuiting.

You softened, reaching out to place a careful hand on his head. “You’re allowed to be a kid, you know. You don’t have to carry everything on your own.”

His bottom lip wobbled. Just a little.

And then—hesitantly, nervously—he leaned forward.

You barely had a second to react before his small frame pressed against you, his arms wrapping around your waist as he clung to you with surprising strength. His twin tails curled slightly, trembling.

You hugged him back instantly, cradling him close, rubbing slow circles against his back. He smelled faintly of oil and metal, but beneath that, he still smelled soft—like something warm and familiar.

It was the first time he had ever hugged you first.

And you swore, in that moment, you weren’t ever going to let this little fox carry his burdens alone.

—

It had been a few days since that moment in the workshop. Tails hadn’t said anything about it since, and you didn’t push. But something had changed.

You noticed it in the little things.

How he hovered closer when you were around, his twin tails swaying just a little more excitedly when he saw you. How he’d glance up with those big, bright eyes, silently seeking your approval when he finished a project or figured out something new. How he didn’t flinch away anymore when you reached out to ruffle his ears or pull him in for a quick hug.

Sonic, of course, had noticed too.

“He’s stuck to you like glue, huh?” Sonic had teased one afternoon, watching as Tails followed you around like a shadow, adjusting his goggles and muttering about his latest invention. His tone was light, but there was something fond in his eyes.

“Maybe he just likes my company,” you had shot back playfully, nudging Sonic’s shoulder.

Sonic had snorted, crossing his arms. “Yeah, well… Can’t say I blame him.” His grin had softened slightly, just for a moment. “He needs someone like you.”

You had blinked, caught off guard by the seriousness in his voice. But before you could respond, Sonic was already gone, racing off like he hadn’t just dropped that bomb on you.

And now…

Now you were realizing just how right he was.

—

“Hey, hey! Careful with that!”

You barely managed to catch the wobbling tray before Tails completely knocked it over. He had been trying to carry two mugs of hot cocoa—one for you and one for him—but his little hands had been trembling from the weight.

“Whoa!” You steadied the tray, glancing down at him with a raised brow. “What’s the rush, little guy?”

Tails’ cheeks flushed under his fur, ears twitching. “I-I just… I wanted to surprise you…”

You blinked. “Surprise me?”

“I made it myself,” he mumbled, eyes fixed on the mugs like they were the most fascinating thing in the world. “I thought… maybe you’d like it after… y’know.”

Ah.

You didn’t have to ask what he meant. You had been out all day, helping Knuckles with a problem at Angel Island, and Tails had been left behind to keep things running smoothly in the workshop. He hadn’t said anything, but you could tell he hadn’t liked being left alone for so long.

And now here he was, trying to make up for it by…

Your heart melted on the spot.

“Tails,” you murmured, crouching down so you were at eye level with him. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to,” he insisted, his voice soft but firm. His little hands tightened around the tray, his tails swishing anxiously behind him. “You… you do so much for me. I wanted to do something for you too.”

You stared at him for a moment, your chest tightening. This kid…

You reached out, carefully taking the tray from his hands and setting it down on the nearby table. Then, without a word, you pulled him into your arms.

Tails squeaked softly but didn’t resist. He melted into the hug almost immediately, his twin tails curling around your waist as he pressed his face against your shoulder.

“Thank you,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper. “This means a lot to me, Tails.”

He didn’t say anything, but you felt his arms tighten around you, his small body pressing closer like he was trying to soak up as much warmth as possible.

You stayed like that for a while, just holding him close, letting him know—without words—that he wasn’t alone. That he didn’t have to do everything by himself.

And when you finally pulled back, his eyes were brighter. Lighter. Like a weight had been lifted off his tiny shoulders.

“Come on,” you said softly, ruffling his fur with a gentle smile. “Let’s go drink that cocoa before it gets cold.”

Tails’ smile was small, but it was real.

“Okay.”

—

The next time something went wrong, Tails didn’t shut down.

Eggman had launched another surprise attack, this time targeting the outskirts of Green Hill. No one had been hurt—thank Chaos—but the aftermath had left a mess of broken buildings, scattered debris, and enough chaos to make even Sonic’s head spin.

You had been right there with them, helping where you could, but it was Tails who had really stepped up.

He was a blur of golden fur and twin tails, barking out orders to the villagers as he coordinated repairs, his mind working faster than anyone could keep up. But this time…

This time, when it was over, he didn’t immediately retreat to his workshop to drown himself in work.

Instead, he found you.

“Uh–hey?”

You had barely had a moment to catch your breath when you felt a small tug on your sleeve.

“Hey, buddy,” you murmured, turning to look down at him. His eyes were wide, his tails drooping just a little, but he was holding himself together.

You crouched down immediately, your arms opening without hesitation.

Tails didn’t even think twice. He barreled into you, his small frame pressing against you as he clung to you like a lifeline.

You held him close, one hand stroking gently between his twin tails, the other rubbing slow, soothing circles on his back. His body trembled slightly against yours, but he didn’t cry.

“I’m proud of you,” you whispered softly, pressing your cheek against the top of his head. “You did so good today, Tails. So, so good.”

His little hands clenched into the fabric of your shirt, his breath hitching just slightly. “You mean it?”

“Of course I do,” you murmured, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. “You’re amazing, Tails. And I’m always going to be here for you, no matter what.”

His bottom lip wobbled again, but this time…

This time, he smiled.

It was small, a little shaky, but it was there.

“Thanks… big sister/brother/sibling.”

Your heart skipped a beat.

Oh.

Oh, this kid was going to be the death of you.

“Anytime, little guy,” you whispered, pulling him close again. “Anytime.”

—

That night, Tails fell asleep curled up beside you, his twin tails wrapped around your arm as he snuggled against your side.

And as you watched him, his breathing soft and steady, you realized something.

You weren’t just Sonic’s friend anymore.

You were Tails’ family.

And you wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.

—

Tails had always been a little shadow to Sonic—following him around with wide eyes, learning everything he could, and idolizing him in a way that made Sonic both proud and a little worried. The kid was smart—too smart—and he had a tendency to push himself way too hard just to prove he could keep up with Sonic’s pace.

Sonic loved him like his own little brother, no doubt about that. But Sonic wasn’t exactly… the best at slowing down long enough to let Tails feel that love.

That’s where you came in.

You had slipped into their little world so seamlessly that even Sonic was a little surprised. At first, you were just there, hanging out and helping out whenever needed. But somewhere along the way, things shifted.

Tails started sticking to you just as much as he did Sonic. And not in the same way—he didn’t try to impress you or prove himself like he did with Sonic. With you, he was just… Tails.

Soft. Open. Vulnerable.

And Sonic noticed.

—

It was a quiet afternoon in Green Hill, the kind of rare day where Eggman wasn’t causing chaos, and the sun hung lazily in the sky. You were sitting on the porch of Tails’ workshop, a half-finished project in your lap, while Tails tinkered with something nearby, his little hands expertly adjusting tiny gears with delicate precision.

Sonic was lounging a few feet away, sprawled out like a cat in the sun. His eyes were half-closed, one arm lazily tucked behind his head, but you knew he was paying attention. He always was.

“Y’know,” Sonic murmured, breaking the comfortable silence, “I never thought I’d see the day where Tails had someone else wrapped around his little finger.”

You snorted softly, not looking up from the project in your hands. “Says the guy who let him follow him around like a baby duck for years.”

Sonic cracked one eye open, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, well… He’s a hard kid to say no to.”

“Tell me about it,” you muttered, glancing at Tails. He was completely in his element, his tongue poking out slightly in concentration as he adjusted a screw.

Sonic’s smile softened as he followed your gaze. “He’s different with you,” he said quietly, and for once, there was no teasing in his tone. “He’s… calmer.”

You paused, your fingers stilling as you processed his words.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Sonic added quickly, propping himself up on one elbow. “I know I’m awesome—”

“Obviously.”

“—but I’m not… good at that soft stuff, y’know?” His grin faltered just a little. “I’m always running. Always moving. But you…”

You finally looked up, meeting his eyes.

“He doesn’t have to chase after you,” Sonic murmured. “You’re there.”

Your chest tightened, and you swallowed hard. “I’m not trying to replace you, Sonic.”

“Pfft.” Sonic waved a hand dismissively, his grin back in full force. “Like anyone could replace me.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Cocky.”

“Confident.” He winked, but then his expression softened again. “But seriously… I’m glad he’s got you.”

“Me too,” you murmured, your eyes drifting back to Tails.

“Guys!”

You barely had time to react before a small blur of golden fur barreled into you, nearly knocking the project out of your hands.

“Whoa! Easy, bud,” you laughed, catching Tails before he could send you both tumbling. “What’s the rush?”

“I finished it!” Tails beamed up at you, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he held up the small device he had been working on. “It’s a signal booster for the Tornado! Now the comms will stay connected even if Sonic goes out of range!”

“That’s awesome, little guy!” You ruffled his fur affectionately, and Tails practically preened under the praise. “You’re a genius, y’know that?”

Tails’ cheeks flushed, his ears twitching as he mumbled, “I had a good teacher.”

Sonic, lounging nearby, smirked. “Aw, you talkin’ about me, little buddy?”

Tails blinked, looking between you and Sonic. His brow furrowed slightly in thought before he gave a small, shy smile.

“Both of you,” he murmured softly.

For a moment, there was silence.

And then—

“Okay, that’s it.” Sonic was up in a flash, scooping Tails into his arms and spinning him around with a laugh. “You’re too cute. It’s illegal. I’m gonna have to arrest you.”

Tails squealed with laughter, his twin tails wagging as he giggled uncontrollably. “S-Sonic! Stop!”

You watched them with a warm smile, your heart swelling at the sight.

Yeah. This was home.

—

Later that night, after Tails had fallen asleep on the couch with his head resting in your lap and his tails curled around himself, Sonic plopped down beside you with a content sigh.

“He’s out like a light,” Sonic murmured, glancing down at the sleeping fox. “Kid works too hard sometimes.”

You ran your fingers gently through Tails’ fur, your touch soft and soothing. “I know.”

Sonic was quiet for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer.

“You really love him, huh?”

You didn’t even have to think about it.

“Yeah,” you murmured, your eyes never leaving Tails’ peaceful face. “I do.”

Sonic’s grin was softer this time, almost… wistful.

“Good.”

You glanced at him, arching a brow. “Getting sentimental on me, Hedgehog?”

“Pfft. Nah.” Sonic leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. “Just… y’know.” He peeked at you out of the corner of his eye. “I don’t say it much, but… thanks.”

“For what?”

“For being here,” Sonic murmured. “For him.”

Your throat tightened, and you looked away, focusing on the rise and fall of Tails’ small chest. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

—

Tails stirred slightly in his sleep, nuzzling closer to you with a content sigh. His little body pressed against yours, seeking warmth and safety even in his dreams.

And as you gently pulled a blanket over him, brushing a strand of fur away from his face, you knew…

This wasn’t just Sonic’s little brother anymore.

This was your little brother too.

And you would protect him with everything you had.

Forever.

#gender neutral reader #gn reader #gn!reader #sonic the hedgehog x reader #sonic x reader #sonic the hedgehog #sonic fandom #tails the fox #miles tails prower #platonic tails #tails x platonic reader

71 notes · View notes

eclipsaria · 3 months ago

Text

Pairing:

Entrepreneur! Jay x unemployed! reader

Warnings:

Fluff, mentioned of patience running thin

Side characters:

En- Sunghoon

W/C:

12 741

Song:

Enhypen Masterlist

One random evening, while scrolling mindlessly through TikTok, a video caught your attention. It was a prank—a girl texting her friends, pretending to be in financial trouble, just to see how they would react. Some friends responded with concern, others offered money, and a few even ghosted her. You raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Would my friends react the same way?

Curiosity got the best of you. Without overthinking it, you opened your chat with Sunghoon and typed out the message:

"Hey… I’ve been struggling financially lately."

You expected some encouraging words—maybe a comforting “Don’t worry, I got you” or even a playful “What happened to your luck?” Instead, the three dots appeared, your heart beat slightly faster with anticipation… and then:

"So you want to get a job?"

You frowned. That wasn’t the reaction you expected.

Still, you decided to keep the prank going. "I don’t know," you replied, waiting to see where this would lead.

Almost immediately, Sunghoon texted back.

"In that case, I got a friend that needs you."

Huh? You blinked at the screen. Somehow, this little joke had taken a weird turn. I was just testing him—how did I end up getting recruited for a job?

You quickly typed, "Wait, I was just joking—" but before you could hit send, another message popped up.

"Joke or not, I actually need you. You’re a lucky charm, after all."

You sighed, staring at your phone. Sunghoon always had a way of twisting things to his advantage.

Well… maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

—

Hi, my name is Y/N, and I am a fast learner. My friends call me a lucky charm—not just because I pick up skills quickly, but because luck always seems to find me, even in the most unexpected situations.

And, apparently, that luck just landed me a job I never even asked for.

—

Some time later, after Sunghoon finished explaining the job, everything finally clicked.

Jay—his friend—was facing every entrepreneur’s worst nightmare: near bankruptcy.

The company Sunghoon had mentioned wasn’t just struggling; it had been on the brink of success before taking a devastating fall. Once thriving, it had built a strong reputation, but betrayal from within had shattered everything. Disloyal employees leaked trade secrets, competitors seized the opportunity, and now Jay’s business was crumbling right in front of him.

It wasn’t just about money anymore. It was about survival.

You sat in silence, processing everything. Sunghoon, for once, seemed hesitant, his usual teasing demeanor gone.

"I thought about asking for your help before," he admitted, voice softer than usual. "But it felt wrong. Like I was just using you for your luck."

You stared at him, taken aback. Sunghoon wasn’t the type to hesitate. He was stubborn, confident, and always in control. Yet here he was, confessing that he had held back because he didn’t want you to feel like a tool.

A part of you wanted to tease him for it—So you do believe in my luck, huh?—but another part understood the weight of his words.

You glanced down at your phone, at the chat where all of this had started as a simple prank. A harmless joke. But now… now it wasn’t just that.

You took a deep breath and looked back at Sunghoon.

"I’ll do it," you said, determination settling in.

His eyes widened slightly, surprised at how easily you agreed.

"Not because of the prank. Not because of luck. But because I want to help."

Sunghoon didn’t say anything for a moment, then—just barely—you saw a small, relieved smile tug at the corner of his lips.

"Then let’s get to work, lucky charm."

Which is how you ended up standing in front of the tall building.

At first glance, it still looked luxurious—polished glass windows reflecting the city skyline, a grand entrance that spoke of past success. But looks could be deceiving. Sunghoon had told you the truth: the company was barely holding on.

Almost all the employees were gone, not because they wanted to leave, but because Jay couldn’t afford to pay them on time. Instead of forcing them to stay under unstable conditions, he let them go—choosing to take on the impossible task of managing everything on his own.

You didn’t know much about Jay, but one thing was obvious: if no one stepped up, he was going to crash and burn. Overwork, stress, and exhaustion wouldn’t rebuild the company’s reputation. If anything, it would only dig the grave deeper.

You sighed, shifting your weight before glancing at the watch on your wrist.

Right now, this place should be buzzing with life—employees coming in, meetings scheduled, the parking lot packed with cars. But the reality? Silence.

Only one car sat in the parking lot, and it wasn’t hard to guess who it belonged to.

So this is what desperation looks like.

Rolling your shoulders, you took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Alright, Jay. Let’s see what we’re working with.

The sound of your footsteps echoed against the quiet pavement as you approached the entrance. Despite the grandeur of the building, the silence made it feel almost abandoned. You reached for the door handle, half-expecting it to be locked, but it swung open with ease.

Inside, the lobby was spotless—too spotless. No receptionist at the front desk, no employees walking around with paperwork, no murmurs of conversations in the background. It was unsettling.

You took another glance around before walking further in.

"Sunghoon better be right about this," you muttered under your breath.

You weren’t here because of luck. You weren’t even sure if you could actually help in the way Jay needed. But one thing was certain—this company wasn’t going to recover if Jay kept trying to fix it alone.

Following Sunghoon’s vague directions, you made your way through the empty hallways until you reached a large office door. The nameplate read:

Park Jongseong – CEO

Jay.

You knocked firmly, and after a few seconds, a tired voice called out, "Come in."

Taking a deep breath, you pushed the door open.

The first thing you noticed was the overwhelming amount of paperwork stacked across the desk. Documents, folders, even an empty coffee cup sitting atop a pile like a forgotten trophy. The man behind the desk barely looked up, pen still moving as he skimmed through a contract.

Black hair slightly tousled, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a sharp expression that only deepened when he finally lifted his gaze to meet yours.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with the same exhaustion laced in his voice, he asked,

"Who sent you?"

You straightened your posture and introduced yourself, making sure your voice didn’t waver.

"Sunghoon sent me."

At your words, Jay blinked as if processing them, and then—his expression shifted.

For a split second, he looked at you as if you were an angel descending from the heavens, ready to pull him out of his misery. The relief in his eyes was almost overwhelming, and you felt a sudden urge to correct his assumption.

"Uh… Just so you know, I don’t actually know anything about office work."

You expected disappointment, maybe even frustration, but instead, Jay let out a quiet chuckle, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly.

"Sunghoon mentioned you," he said, leaning back in his chair. "He said you’re a fast learner."

Your face instantly warmed.

"He did?"

Jay nodded, amusement flickering in his tired eyes.

You rubbed the back of your neck, suddenly feeling shy. It was already embarrassing enough that Sunghoon had talked about you, but the fact that he had complimented you? That made your stomach do an odd little flip.

"Well… I guess I can try," you admitted, still flustered.

Jay sighed, but this time, it sounded less like exhaustion and more like cautious hope.

"That’s more than enough for me."

Jay gestured toward the chair across from his desk. “Go ahead, settle in.”

You took a seat, still a bit unsure of what you had just gotten yourself into.

He leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. “Let’s get one thing straight—I can’t afford to pay you right now.” His tone was blunt, honest. “Not until I see some positive progress with the company. If things turn around, we’ll talk about salary. But for now…”

You nodded before he could even finish. “That’s fine.”

Jay raised a brow. “Really?”

You shrugged. “It’s not like I actually need the money. I just… figured you could use the help.”

For a moment, Jay just stared at you. Then, unexpectedly, he huffed out a small laugh, shaking his head. “No wonder Sunghoon insisted you’re special.”

Your face warmed again, but you quickly cleared your throat. “So, what exactly do you need me to do?”

At that, Jay’s tired expression hardened into something more determined. He sat up straighter, grabbing a few papers from the stack in front of him.

"Let’s start with saving this company from completely sinking."

Jay led you through the office building, pointing out different floors and their current conditions.

"Right now, some areas are barely functional," he admitted. "A lot of equipment is either outdated or completely missing. That means you’ll have to move around a lot to get things done."

You nodded in understanding. It made sense—if he had to fire almost everyone, there was no way the company could still be running smoothly.

But as you listened to him talk, your attention drifted elsewhere.

His voice was steady, but his face told a different story. Pale skin, sharper cheekbones than someone his age should have, dark circles under his eyes—it was obvious. He wasn’t taking care of himself. Maybe he hadn’t in a long time.

It didn’t take much to figure it out. He had poured everything into keeping this company afloat, and in doing so, he had completely neglected himself.

Jay never told you what your actual role here was supposed to be. But in your mind, you had already decided.

If no one else is going to take care of him, then I will.

Not just as someone helping the company, but as someone making sure he didn’t collapse along with it.

The hours passed faster than you expected. Jay spent time teaching you how to use some of the machines still available—copy machines, printers, database systems that had barely been updated. It took effort, and by the time you finally started getting the hang of things, the sky outside had already turned a warm shade of orange.

You turned to Jay, feeling guilty. "I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time."

To your surprise, he simply smiled and shook his head.

"Don’t be. If anything, I should be thanking you." His voice was softer this time, less strained. "You’re doing all of this without expecting anything in return. That means more than you think."

For the first time since meeting him, Jay didn’t look as burdened. And somehow, that made all of today’s effort feel worth it.

You weren’t sure how to respond to that, so you simply nodded, glancing away to hide the warmth creeping up your face.

Jay stretched his arms above his head, letting out a small sigh. “You should head home. It’s getting late.”

You glanced at your watch and realized he was right. But as you looked back at him—his tired posture, the way his fingers rubbed at his temples—you knew he wasn’t planning to leave anytime soon.

"What about you?" you asked.

He gave a small, tired smile. "I still have some things to finish up."

You frowned. "You mean overwork yourself more than you already have?"

Jay chuckled, but he didn’t deny it. Instead, he just waved a hand. "It’s not a big deal. I’ll be fine."

You didn’t believe that for a second.

"Have you even eaten today?" You crossed your arms, raising a brow at him.

He hesitated.

"Jay."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "…Not really."

You let out an exasperated breath, grabbing your bag. "Alright, that’s it. I’m not letting my boss starve himself on my first day."

Jay blinked. "Wait, what—?"

"Stay here. I’ll go get food." Before he could protest, you were already heading toward the door.

Jay called after you, laughing softly. "You’re not even on payroll, and you’re already bossing me around?"

You turned slightly, flashing a grin. "Better get used to it."

And with that, you stepped out, determined to make sure that if you were going to help rebuild this company, the person running it wouldn’t destroy himself in the process.

You made your way outside, the cool evening breeze brushing against your skin. The streets weren’t as crowded anymore, the rush hour slowly dying down. You pulled out your phone, quickly searching for nearby restaurants.

"Something quick and filling…" you muttered to yourself, scrolling through the options.

A small ramen shop a few blocks away caught your attention. It wasn’t fancy, but it had good reviews, and more importantly, it was close enough that Jay wouldn’t have to wait too long. Without hesitation, you headed in that direction.

The moment you stepped inside, the warm aroma of broth and spices wrapped around you like a comforting hug. You placed an order for two servings—one for Jay and one for yourself because, honestly, you were starting to feel hungry too.

While waiting, you leaned against the counter, checking your messages. Sunghoon had texted.

Sunghoon: How’s it going? Did Jay scare you off yet?

You rolled your eyes and typed back.

You: No, but I think he’s on the verge of collapsing from overwork. I had to force him to eat.

A few seconds later, Sunghoon replied.

Sunghoon: Lmao good luck with that. He’s stubborn. I tried before, and he told me coffee counts as a meal.

You sighed. Great. Another reckless workaholic.

Once the food was ready, you grabbed the bags and quickly made your way back to the office.

When you returned, Jay was exactly where you left him—hunched over his desk, eyes glued to his laptop screen. You dropped the food on his desk with a loud thud, making him jump.

"Eat." You pulled up a chair and sat across from him, already unpacking your own meal.

Jay eyed the food, then looked at you. "You really didn’t have to."

"Too bad," you said, shoving a spoon into his hand. "You’re not getting rid of me that easily."

He stared at you for a moment before shaking his head, a small, amused smile playing on his lips.

"Alright, alright. You win."

You watched as he finally took a bite, his shoulders relaxing just a little.

Maybe Sunghoon was right—Jay was stubborn. But you had a feeling that with a little patience (and a lot of food), you’d get through to him eventually.

Jay noticed the extra bag in your hand and raised an eyebrow. "You got some for yourself too?"

You shrugged, settling into the chair across from him. "Figured I might as well eat while making sure you do."

He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head as he pulled the food closer. "You really are something else."

You didn’t respond, simply opening your own meal and digging in. For a while, the two of you ate in comfortable silence, the only sound being the occasional clink of chopsticks against the bowls.

After a few bites, Jay sighed in content. "I forgot how good actual food tastes."

You shot him a knowing look. "You mean instead of just surviving on caffeine?"

He smirked but didn’t deny it. "Let’s just say my eating habits took a hit when everything started going downhill."

You nodded, understanding the weight behind his words. Running a company—even one on the verge of collapse—was no easy task. Jay had been shouldering everything on his own for so long that he probably forgot what it was like to have someone looking out for him.

"Well," you said, pointing your chopsticks at him, "you’re stuck with me now. So, expect to be properly fed from now on."

Jay raised an amused brow. "Are you my assistant or my personal caretaker?"

You smirked. "Both."

He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. But there was something softer in his expression now—like some of the weight on his shoulders had lifted, even if just a little.

"Thanks, Y/N."

You blinked, a little caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. But you simply nodded, taking another bite of your food.

"Just don’t make me regret it."

Jay chuckled at your response, shaking his head as he continued eating. The comfortable silence between you two felt surprisingly natural, as if this wasn’t your first time sharing a meal together.

As he took another bite, you took the chance to observe him. He still looked exhausted, the signs of stress evident in the lines on his face, but at least now, with warm food in his stomach, he seemed a little more at ease.

"So," Jay spoke up, setting his chopsticks down. "If you’re really serious about helping, what’s your plan?"

You tilted your head. "My plan?"

"Yeah." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You said you’re here to help rebuild the company, right? I already know you’re a fast learner, but what exactly do you want to focus on?"

You tapped your fingers against your bowl, thinking. Truthfully, you hadn’t mapped out every detail yet. You had jumped into this because of a prank, but now, standing in front of a struggling company—and an overworked CEO—you knew you wanted to do more than just lend a temporary hand.

"Honestly?" you admitted. "I was thinking of taking on whatever needs the most attention. But..." You met his gaze. "I also want to make sure you don’t collapse in the process."

Jay blinked, clearly taken aback.

"I mean, look at you," you continued, gesturing vaguely at him. "You’ve been running this place alone, sacrificing your health, barely eating—and for what? If you go down, this company goes with you. So yeah, I’ll take care of whatever needs to be done here. But I’m also keeping an eye on you."

For a moment, Jay didn’t say anything. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to argue, but then he exhaled a quiet laugh, shaking his head.

"You’re really stubborn."

You grinned. "Told you to get used to it."

He ran a hand through his hair, still smiling slightly. "Alright, fine. But don’t expect me to suddenly start taking breaks all the time."

"Baby steps." You leaned forward, resting your chin on your hand. "I’ll break you in slowly."

Jay rolled his eyes, but you could see the amusement in them.

"Guess I really am stuck with you now, huh?"

"You bet." You smirked. "Now, let’s talk about saving this company."

As the sky turned a deep shade of navy, Jay stretched his arms and let out a tired sigh. "Alright, that’s enough work talk for today."

You glanced at the time and realized how late it had gotten. The office was eerily quiet, with only the two of you left in the entire building.

"I should get going." You stood up, grabbing your things.

Jay looked at you, then at the empty office, before frowning slightly. "How did you get here, anyway?"

"Public transportation."

At that, Jay clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Nope. Not happening."

You blinked. "What?"

He grabbed his car keys from the desk and stood up. "I’ll drive you home."

"That’s not necessary—"

"It is necessary," he interrupted, raising a brow at you. "It’s late, and you just spent the entire day helping me. Let me return the favor."

You hesitated. It wasn’t like you didn’t appreciate the offer, but you didn’t want to trouble him more than you already had.

Sensing your reluctance, Jay sighed and pointed toward the door. "Come on. I’m not letting you walk alone at this hour."

You opened your mouth to protest again, but before you could, Jay gently placed a hand on your back and literally started guiding you toward the exit.

"Jay—"

"Nope, no arguing. Just accept my gratitude, would you?"

You sighed in defeat. "Fine."

A satisfied smile tugged at his lips as he led you to his car.

The drive was quiet at first, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the faint music playing from the radio. You glanced at Jay from the passenger seat, watching as he drove with one hand lazily resting on the wheel. He looked more relaxed now, as if having company took away some of the weight he carried.

"So," Jay spoke, breaking the silence. "Are you always this persistent, or am I just special?"

You smirked, leaning against the window. "You’re special, alright. Specially terrible at taking care of yourself."

Jay let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. "You really don’t hold back, huh?"

"Not when it comes to stubborn CEOs who think coffee counts as a meal."

He shot you a sideways glance, amused. "You and Sunghoon really are something else."

"That’s what friends are for," you replied.

Jay was quiet for a moment before he murmured, "Yeah… I guess you’re right."

Something in his tone made you glance at him again, but before you could ask, he pulled up to your place.

"Alright, we’re here." He shifted the car into park and looked at you. "Get some rest, alright? We’ve got another long day tomorrow."

You smiled. "You too. And don’t you dare skip meals."

Jay chuckled. "No promises."

You narrowed your eyes at him before stepping out of the car. As you reached your front door, you turned back to see Jay still waiting, making sure you got inside safely.

For someone who barely took care of himself, he sure was thoughtful.

With a small wave, you stepped inside, already bracing yourself for whatever challenges awaited you tomorrow.

As soon as you got inside, you flopped onto your bed and pulled out your phone. It didn’t take long for you to find Sunghoon’s name in your messages.

You: You didn’t tell me your friend was this bad at taking care of himself.

A few seconds later, the typing bubbles appeared.

Sunghoon: LMAO you’re just finding out? I’ve been telling him for years, but he never listens.

You: No wonder he’s on the verge of collapse. I had to literally force him to eat.

Sunghoon: Sounds about right. So? How was your first day at ‘saving Jay Industries’?

You rolled your eyes at the dramatic phrasing.

You: Long. He made me learn a bunch of stuff, and I didn’t even realize how late it got.

Sunghoon: That bad?

You: Not bad. Just… overwhelming. The company is really in a rough spot.

For a moment, Sunghoon didn’t reply. You could tell he was thinking.

Sunghoon: You really don’t have to do this, you know.

You sighed, staring at the screen.

You: I know. But I want to.

Sunghoon: Even though it started as a prank?

You: Yeah. I guess seeing how much Jay is struggling made me realize that it’s not just about luck. He’s been fighting alone for so long, and I don’t think he’ll make it if someone doesn’t step in.

Another pause. Then—

Sunghoon: …Thanks.

Your brows furrowed.

You: For what?

Sunghoon: For helping him. I wanted to ask you before, but I felt like I was using you. He needed someone, and I just… didn’t know how to make him accept help.

You stared at his message for a moment before typing back.

You: Well, too bad for him. He’s stuck with me now.

Sunghoon sent back a laughing emoji before replying.

Sunghoon: Good. Someone needs to keep that guy in check.

You smirked, typing one last message before setting your phone aside.

You: Don’t worry. I’ve got this.

You stared at your phone for a moment before a thought crossed your mind. If you were really going to help Jay, you needed to stay in contact with him directly instead of waiting until you saw him at work.

You: By the way, send me Jay’s number.

Sunghoon’s reply was immediate.

Sunghoon: Why? You miss him already?

You rolled your eyes.

You: Be serious. I need to talk to him about work.

Sunghoon: Yeah, yeah. Work.

A moment later, a new contact popped up in your messages.

Sunghoon: Here. But I’m warning you—he’s terrible at replying. If he doesn’t answer, just show up at his office and bully him into talking.

You: Noted.

You quickly saved Jay’s number and hesitated before sending a message.

You: Hey, it’s me. Sunghoon gave me your number. Hope that’s okay.

To your surprise, the typing bubbles appeared almost instantly.

Jay: You already got my number? That was fast.

You: What can I say? I’m efficient.

Jay: Should’ve expected that.

You smirked before typing again.

You: Anyway, I wanted your number so I can bug you about work outside the office too.

Jay: Wow, lucky me.

You: You are lucky. Now, go to sleep. You need rest if you want to rebuild the company.

A pause. Then—

Jay: Bossy already, huh?

You: Get used to it.

You waited for another reply, but after a minute, nothing came. You assumed he had finally listened and gone to sleep.

Smiling to yourself, you set your phone down and stretched out on your bed.

You had only just started this whole thing, but somehow, you had a feeling this was going to be one interesting journey.

—

The next morning, you woke up to a notification from Jay.

Jay: I actually did sleep early for once. Congratulations, you’ve already changed my life.

You chuckled, shaking your head before replying.

You: I’ll take my award in cash, thanks.

Jay: You’re not even getting paid yet.

You: Yet.

Before he could respond, you sent another text.

You: I’ll be at the office soon. Do you need me to bring anything?

A minute passed before Jay’s reply came in.

Jay: Coffee. And maybe a miracle.

You rolled your eyes but smiled.

You: I’ll see what I can do.

After getting ready, you stopped by a café and grabbed two coffees before heading to the office. As expected, Jay’s car was already parked in the nearly empty lot.

Stepping into the building, you found him hunched over his desk, flipping through papers with a tired expression. He looked up as you entered, blinking in surprise before his gaze dropped to the coffee in your hands.

"Is that for me?" he asked.

"No, I bought two for myself." You placed one on his desk with a smirk.

Jay scoffed but took the cup anyway, lifting it to his lips. He took a sip, then sighed in satisfaction. "Okay, maybe hiring you was a good decision after all."

"I wasn’t hired, remember? I just showed up."

"Same thing," he said, waving a hand.

You shook your head before pulling up a chair. "Alright, let’s get to work. What’s on today’s agenda?"

Jay glanced at the pile of documents on his desk before rubbing his temples. "Too much."

"Then let’s start with one thing at a time," you said. "We’re going to rebuild this company, Jay. You’re not doing this alone anymore."

Jay stared at you for a moment before a small, tired smile appeared on his lips.

"Yeah," he murmured. "I guess I’m not."

The day passed in a blur of paperwork, phone calls, and discussions about the company’s current state. Jay, despite his exhaustion, was surprisingly sharp when explaining the details. You absorbed everything as quickly as you could, determined not to slow him down.

By lunchtime, you noticed Jay had barely touched his coffee, let alone thought about eating. You sighed, pushing back from your chair.

"I’m going to get food."

Jay barely looked up from his laptop. "I’m fine."

"No, you’re not." You grabbed your bag. "I’ll be back."

Before he could protest, you left. You picked up lunch from a nearby restaurant and returned to find Jay in the exact same position, still typing away.

You dropped a takeout box onto his desk.

"Eat," you ordered.

Jay raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t ask for this."

"And I didn’t ask to work for free, yet here we are."

Jay huffed a quiet laugh, finally leaning back. "Fine, you win."

The two of you ate in comfortable silence, and for the first time since you met him, Jay actually looked somewhat relaxed.

After finishing his food, he stretched and glanced at you. "You’re really serious about this, huh?"

You nodded. "I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t."

Jay studied you for a moment before smiling slightly.

"Then let’s make this work."

—

The following days settled into a routine—long hours at the office, paperwork, strategy meetings, and making sure Jay didn’t forget to eat or sleep.

You learned quickly, just as Sunghoon had promised. At first, Jay was hesitant to give you too many responsibilities, but as he saw how fast you picked things up, he started relying on you more.

One evening, as you were sorting through documents, Jay suddenly sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.

"We need investors."

You glanced up. "I figured as much. Any leads?"

Jay shook his head. "Not really. The company’s reputation took too much damage. No one wants to take a risk on us."

You frowned, thinking. "What about the company that bought out your competitors? They clearly have the funds."

Jay scoffed. "Yeah, and they’re the reason we’re in this mess. They want us gone, not saved."

Silence settled between you. The weight of the situation was clear—without funding, Jay’s dream of rebuilding the company would slip further out of reach.

Then, an idea struck you.

"What if we find smaller investors? People who are willing to take a gamble?"

Jay raised an eyebrow. "Like who?"

You smirked. "Leave that to me. I think I know where to start."

Jay looked at you, curiosity flickering in his tired eyes. "You really don’t give up, do you?"

"Nope," you said, standing up and stretching. "And neither should you."

For the first time in a while, Jay looked like he believed in the possibility of success again.

"Alright," he said, a determined spark returning to his gaze. "Let’s do this."

—

Over the next few days, you started reaching out to potential small investors—entrepreneurs looking for opportunities, former business partners who still held some loyalty to Jay, and even a few bold risk-takers who saw potential in the company's revival.

It wasn’t easy. Some people politely declined, some outright laughed at the idea, and some were hesitant, saying they needed time to think.

Jay, despite his usual cynicism, was watching your efforts with a mix of amusement and quiet admiration.

One evening, after another round of investor calls, you sighed and slumped against the office couch. "Man, people really don’t like taking risks, huh?"

Jay chuckled, leaning against his desk. "Welcome to my life."

You glanced at him. "Hey, at least one of them said they’d consider it. That’s something."

"Yeah, thanks to you," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I should’ve reached out sooner, but… I don’t know. Guess I wasn’t ready to hear more rejection."

You gave him a small smile. "Well, you’re not doing this alone anymore. So if you ever get tired of rejection, just let me handle it."

Just then, your phone buzzed. You glanced at it and your eyes widened.

"It’s one of the investors. They want to meet."

Jay straightened. "When?"

"Tomorrow," you said, feeling a rush of excitement.

Jay exhaled slowly, nodding. "Alright. Let’s make this count."

And just like that, the first real step toward rebuilding the company had begun.

—

The next morning, you arrived at the office earlier than usual. Jay was already there, dressed in a sharp suit, a stark contrast to his usual slightly disheveled appearance.

"Whoa," you said, setting your bag down. "Didn’t know you could clean up this well."

Jay smirked. "I figured I should at least look like someone worth investing in."

You chuckled, checking your notes. "The meeting’s in two hours. You ready?"

Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair. "As ready as I’ll ever be. This is our first real shot at getting funding."

You could tell he was nervous, even if he didn’t outright say it.

"Relax," you said, patting his arm. "We’ve got this."

Jay glanced at you before nodding. "Right. Let’s go."

—

The meeting was held at an upscale café, a place you suspected the investor chose to subtly show their status. You and Jay sat at a table near the window, waiting.

A few minutes later, a man in his late forties approached. Dressed in a crisp suit, he had the air of someone who had seen and survived multiple business storms.

"Mr. Park, I presume?" he said, shaking Jay’s hand before turning to you. "And you must be the one who reached out."

You nodded, introducing yourself.

The investor sat down, ordering a coffee before getting straight to the point. "I’ve looked into your company’s history. You had a strong presence before… well, everything happened. What makes you think you can rise from that?"

Jay exhaled, his shoulders squared. "Because I know where we went wrong. I trusted the wrong people, didn’t adapt fast enough, and let our competition get the best of us. But I’ve learned. I won’t make the same mistakes again."

The investor hummed, glancing at you. "And you? You’re not an official business partner, yet you’re the one who reached out. Why?"

You met his gaze without hesitation. "Because I believe in this company. And I believe in Jay."

Jay turned to you slightly, surprised.

"I’ve seen how hard he works," you continued. "He’s not just trying to revive this company—he’s willing to fight for it. He’s learned from his past mistakes, and with the right support, he’ll make sure this company stands stronger than before."

The investor studied you both for a long moment before finally speaking.

"Alright. I’ll consider investing."

Jay’s eyes widened slightly. "You will?"

"On one condition," the investor said. "Show me a concrete plan. I don’t just invest in words—I invest in action."

Jay nodded immediately. "I can do that."

The investor finished his coffee, standing up. "I’ll give you one week. Impress me."

With that, he left.

You turned to Jay, grinning. "Well? What do you think?"

Jay exhaled sharply, a slow smile forming. "I think we just got our second chance."

The moment you and Jay returned to the office, the reality of the situation sank in.

"One week," Jay muttered, rubbing his temples. "That’s barely any time to put together a solid proposal."

"Then we better not waste a single second," you said, already pulling out a notebook.

Jay glanced at you before nodding. "Alright. Let’s do this."

—

The following days were an exhausting blur of planning, strategizing, and fine-tuning every detail of the proposal.

Jay handled the financial aspects, breaking down numbers, projections, and potential revenue streams. You focused on presentation—analyzing competitors, highlighting the company’s strengths, and creating a compelling pitch that would convince the investor to take the risk.

You barely slept, surviving on coffee and sheer determination. Jay wasn’t any better, but you made sure he ate and took breaks, even if it meant forcing food into his hands.

By the fifth day, you were both drained but determined.

Jay leaned back in his chair, sighing. "This… might actually work."

You grinned. "Of course, it will. We’re not going to let this slip away."

—

The day of the presentation arrived.

The investor had arranged a formal meeting in a conference room, the kind of setting that could make or break a deal.

As you and Jay stood before him, the weight of the moment pressed down on you.

Jay took a deep breath and started the presentation, his voice steady despite the pressure.

You watched as he spoke with conviction, explaining the company’s revival strategy, financial recovery plan, and long-term goals. When it was your turn, you presented the market analysis and why investing in the company now would be a profitable decision.

The investor listened intently, occasionally nodding, but his expression remained unreadable.

When you finished, silence filled the room.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, he leaned forward.

"Impressive," he said. "You’ve done your homework."

Jay exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. "Does that mean…?"

The investor smirked slightly. "I’ll invest."

You barely stopped yourself from cheering.

Jay, stunned, could only manage a quiet "Thank you."

The investor stood up, extending a hand. "Don’t make me regret this, Mr. Park."

Jay shook his hand firmly. "I won’t."

As you walked out of the building, the weight of the past week lifted.

Jay turned to you, still looking like he couldn’t believe what had just happened.

"We did it," you said, grinning.

Jay let out a breathless laugh. "Yeah… we really did."

That evening, Jay insisted on celebrating properly.

"Come on," he said, nudging your shoulder. "We finally got an investor. We can’t just go home like nothing happened."

You raised an eyebrow. "And your idea of celebrating is…?"

"Barbecue," he grinned. "My treat."

You weren’t about to turn that down.

—

The smell of sizzling meat and charcoal filled the air as you both sat at a small but lively barbecue place. Jay had already ordered enough food to feed at least three people, and you watched as he expertly grilled the first batch.

"Didn’t take you for a guy who knows how to grill," you teased.

Jay scoffed. "Please. I practically grew up doing this."

You laughed, picking up your chopsticks as he placed the first pieces of perfectly grilled meat onto your plate.

"Eat up," he said. "You earned it."

You didn’t need to be told twice.

As the night went on, the exhaustion from the past week started to fade, replaced by an easy comfort. The stress, the endless planning, the sleepless nights—it all felt worth it.

Jay leaned back, sipping his drink. "You know," he mused, "when Sunghoon sent you my way, I didn’t think you’d actually stick around."

You rolled your eyes. "Wow, thanks for the confidence."

He chuckled. "No, I mean it. I was ready to just… deal with everything on my own. But you stepped in, and suddenly, it wasn’t just me against the world anymore."

You blinked, caught off guard by his honesty.

Jay smirked at your silence. "What? No comeback?"

You huffed. "Just eat your food, Park."

He laughed, and for the first time in a long while, he looked genuinely happy.

As the night stretched on, you realized something—this wasn’t just about saving a company anymore.

This was the start of something bigger.

—

Each morning, Jay’s car would be waiting outside your place, and each evening, he would be there to take you home. At first, it felt like a simple gesture of appreciation, but as time passed, it became something unspoken—an unbreakable routine between the two of you.

The conversations in the car ranged from business strategies to meaningless banter, yet each one felt significant in its own way. Jay never directly said why he insisted on picking you up and dropping you off, but you could see it in his actions—the silent gratitude, the lingering glances, the way he’d wait until you were safely inside before driving away.

Despite the growing closeness, Jay never crossed the line of turning it into something more. You could tell—he wasn’t avoiding it out of disinterest, but out of hesitation. The company was still in a fragile state, and he was too weighed down by responsibility to allow himself to think about anything else.

So you didn’t push.

Instead, you matched his pace, walking beside him through the struggle rather than pulling him in a direction he wasn’t ready to go.

—

One evening, as Jay parked in front of your place, he didn’t immediately reach for the door handle. Instead, he sighed, resting his hands on the steering wheel.

"You know," he said after a moment, "sometimes I wonder if I’m being selfish."

You turned to him, surprised. "What do you mean?"

He glanced at you briefly before looking ahead again. "Having you stay by my side like this. I should be handling everything on my own, but instead, I let you get involved."

You frowned. "Jay, you’re not forcing me to be here. I chose to do this."

He exhaled sharply, as if frustrated with himself. "I know, but… I don’t want you to feel stuck just because of me."

Your heart ached at his words.

"I’m not stuck," you said firmly. "I’m walking with you. That’s different."

Jay turned to you fully this time, his expression unreadable. For a moment, it felt like he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he simply nodded.

"Alright," he murmured. "Goodnight, then."

You smiled softly. "Goodnight, Jay."

And just like always, he waited until you were inside before driving away.

—

The days blurred into weeks, and your routine with Jay remained unchanged. He still picked you up every morning and dropped you off every night. At work, you both pushed through endless hurdles—meetings, negotiations, and the slow but steady rebuilding of the company’s reputation.

Despite the stress, there were small moments that made it all worth it. The way Jay would order your favorite coffee without asking, how he’d wordlessly hand you his jacket when he noticed you were cold, the way his eyes would soften when he looked at you after a long day.

Yet, despite everything, he never crossed the invisible line between you.

One evening, after an exhausting day of back-to-back meetings, Jay leaned against his car, exhaling deeply before turning to you.

"I think we’re finally getting somewhere," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "For the first time in a while, I don’t feel like I’m drowning."

You smiled. "That’s because you’re not alone in this anymore."

Jay looked at you then, and something flickered in his eyes—something almost vulnerable. But just like every other time, he swallowed it back.

"Come on," he said instead, nodding toward the passenger seat. "Let’s get you home."

—

But that night, as you settled into bed, your phone buzzed with an unexpected message.

Jay: Are you free this weekend?

You blinked, staring at the screen. He never texted outside of work-related things.

You: Yeah, why?

There was a long pause before his reply came.

Jay: I want to take you somewhere.

Your heartbeat quickened slightly.

You: Where?

Another pause.

Jay: You’ll see.

For the first time in a long time, it felt like maybe—just maybe—he was finally ready to take a step forward.

You had expected something different. Maybe a quiet coffee shop, a park, or even just a moment where Jay would finally let himself relax around you. Instead, you found yourself seated in a high-end restaurant, across from a potential business partner, listening to Jay discuss company recovery strategies.

You did your best to mask the disappointment settling in your chest. Of course, you knew better than to expect anything personal from him right now. The company was still his priority, and you had promised yourself you would walk at his pace.

"What do you think, Y/N?"

Jay’s voice pulled you from your thoughts, and you blinked before quickly adjusting to the conversation.

"I think it's a promising opportunity," you replied smoothly. "But we should ensure that our resources can handle the implementation before committing."

The business partner nodded, seeming impressed by your input. Jay glanced at you, his lips curving into the faintest smile, as if he had expected nothing less from you.

—

The meeting stretched for another hour before concluding. The moment you stepped outside the restaurant, you exhaled, letting your posture relax.

"Thanks for coming with me," Jay said beside you, his tone lighter now that the meeting was over.

You shot him a look. "Did I even have a choice?"

He chuckled. "Fair point."

For a brief moment, silence settled between the two of you. Then, after a long pause, Jay sighed.

"You thought today was going to be different, didn’t you?"

Your breath caught. He had noticed.

You hesitated, then shrugged. "It’s fine. I know you have a lot on your plate."

Jay rubbed the back of his neck. "I do, but… that wasn’t my original plan."

You glanced at him, confused.

"I did want to take you somewhere else today," he admitted. "But the meeting came up, and I couldn’t afford to ignore it. The company still needs work."

You searched his face for any hint of an excuse, but all you saw was genuine regret.

"I’ll make it up to you," he added. "Next time, no work. Just us."

Your heart skipped at those last two words, but you kept your expression neutral.

"I’ll hold you to that, Park."

Jay smirked. "I wouldn’t expect anything less from you."

And with that, he opened the car door for you, as he always did, slipping right back into the routine that had become so familiar. But this time, something was different—he had finally acknowledged the shift between you.

Now, it was only a matter of when he’d take the next step.

—

The days returned to their usual rhythm—early mornings, long hours at the office, late-night drives home. Jay was still as focused as ever, pouring every ounce of his energy into rebuilding the company, and you followed suit, ensuring that nothing slipped through the cracks.

Your role within the company had gradually expanded. What started as simple assistance had turned into full-fledged management work. You handled schedules, organized meetings, and even dealt with negotiations when Jay was too swamped to do so himself.

At first, Jay had been hesitant to let you take on so much responsibility.

"You don’t have to overwork yourself for this," he had told you once, watching as you typed away at your desk late into the night.

But you had simply given him a look. "And you do?"

That had shut him up real quick.

—

One particularly exhausting day, Jay barged into your office, looking disheveled.

"The finance department just informed me that our budget for next quarter might not be enough to sustain operations," he muttered, dropping into the chair across from you.

You exhaled, rubbing your temples. "Did they give you exact numbers?"

"Yeah." He slid a document across the desk. You scanned it, eyebrows furrowing.

"It’s not as bad as I expected," you murmured, calculating figures in your head. "But we’ll need to cut costs somewhere or find additional investors."

Jay sighed, leaning back. "Easier said than done."

You stared at him for a moment. He looked exhausted—dark circles under his eyes, tension in his shoulders.

"I’ll handle the investors," you said. "You focus on internal restructuring."

He sat up. "Are you sure?"

You gave him a small smirk. "Do you doubt me now?"

That earned you a soft chuckle. "Never."

—

The following days were a whirlwind of calls, meetings, and late-night brainstorming sessions. You reached out to potential investors, scheduled presentations, and pitched plans with confidence. Jay worked tirelessly on restructuring expenses and ensuring employees were taken care of.

It wasn’t easy, but slowly, things started to improve. The company, once on the brink of collapse, was beginning to stabilize.

One evening, as you were wrapping up your work, Jay leaned against your office door, watching you with an unreadable expression.

"You really are a lucky charm, huh?" he murmured.

You rolled your eyes. "It’s not luck. It’s effort."

Jay chuckled. "Yeah. But I still think I got lucky having you here."

Your breath hitched slightly, but before you could respond, he pushed off the doorframe.

"Come on," he said. "Let’s go home."

And just like that, another long day ended—with you and Jay, side by side, working toward something bigger than just the company.

—

The company had finally reached a point where it could stand on its own. It was far from the powerhouse it once was, but it was no longer on the verge of collapse. Progress, no matter how small, was still progress.

With stability came a new problem—workload. No matter how efficient you and Jay were, the reality was that the two of you alone couldn’t handle everything forever.

So, one evening, after another long day of juggling multiple responsibilities, you decided to bring it up.

"Jay, we need to start hiring people."

He immediately tensed, the memory of past betrayals flickering in his eyes. "No."

You sighed. "Jay, we can't keep doing everything ourselves. We’re already stretched thin, and if we want this company to grow, we need a team."

"I can't risk it again," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "What if we hire the wrong people? What if they do the same thing as before?"

You softened. "I get it, Jay. But we won’t be careless this time. We’ll be thorough. Background checks, interviews, probation periods—we’ll make sure we only hire people we can trust."

He stayed silent, contemplating your words.

"Jay, trust me on this," you said gently. "We built this company back up together. Let me help you take the next step."

After a long pause, he let out a sigh. "Fine. But you handle it."

You blinked. "Wait, what?"

He crossed his arms. "If we're doing this, I want you to be the one hiring. I trust your judgment more than anyone else's."

You stared at him, processing his words.

"That’s… a lot of pressure, Jay."

He smirked. "You can handle it."

—

The next day, you wasted no time. You put out job postings, sorted through applications, and scheduled interviews. Jay was still hesitant about the whole thing, but he didn’t interfere.

When the first batch of candidates arrived, you ran them through rigorous interviews, assessing not just their skills but also their integrity. Some were impressive, some were questionable, and some… were immediate no’s.

At the end of the day, you sat in Jay’s office, going over the shortlisted candidates.

"I have a good feeling about these ones," you said, passing him the files.

Jay skimmed through them, nodding slowly. "If you trust them, then I trust them."

You smiled. "That means a lot, you know."

He met your gaze, something unreadable in his eyes. "It should. Because I don’t trust people easily."

Your heart skipped, but before you could say anything, he leaned back with a tired sigh.

"Alright, boss," he teased. "Let’s hire your picks and see if they can keep up with us."

You chuckled. "They’ll have to, if they want to survive here."

And just like that, another milestone was reached—this time, with you leading the way.

The hiring process went smoother than you expected. With careful selection, you managed to find a small but promising team—motivated individuals who were eager to work and prove themselves.

Jay, still a little wary, observed them closely in the beginning. But as days passed, even he had to admit that your choices were solid. The new employees weren’t just competent; they were hardworking and committed to the company’s growth.

It was strange, in a way. What once felt like an empty, dying business was now full of life again. Meetings became more frequent, workloads became more manageable, and for the first time in a long time, Jay didn’t have to carry everything on his shoulders alone.

—

One evening, after a long day of onboarding new employees, you found Jay leaning against his office window, staring at the city lights.

"You look deep in thought," you said, stepping inside.

He turned to you with a small, almost amused smile. "Just realizing how different things feel now."

You walked over and stood beside him. "Different in a good way, I hope?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I was so used to doing everything alone that I forgot what it felt like to have people to rely on."

You nudged him lightly. "Well, you’ve always had me."

Jay glanced at you, something unreadable in his gaze. "Yeah… I have."

The moment lingered longer than it should have, the air thick with something unspoken.

But before anything could happen, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Still, there's a long way to go. We may have a team now, but the company isn't out of the woods yet."

You chuckled. "You really don’t know how to take a win, do you?"

He smirked. "I do. I just don’t celebrate too soon."

"Fine," you said playfully. "Then let me celebrate for you."

He raised a brow. "And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"

"By taking you out for dinner," you announced. "To celebrate hiring our first batch of employees successfully."

Jay gave you a look, as if debating whether to argue, but in the end, he exhaled and nodded. "Alright. But I’m driving."

You grinned. "Deal."

The restaurant you chose wasn’t anything too extravagant—just a quiet place with good food and a comfortable atmosphere. Jay didn’t seem like the type to enjoy fancy dining, and you were right.

"This is nice," he admitted as you both settled into a booth.

"Told you," you teased. "Sometimes you need to step away from work and just enjoy the moment."

Jay sighed, leaning back. "Easier said than done. But… I guess I’m trying, thanks to you."

The conversation flowed naturally as you both ate. It wasn’t just business talk anymore. Jay shared small things about himself—stories from before his company, old ambitions, and even funny moments he had with Sunghoon. In return, you told him about your life, your own aspirations, and how ridiculous it was that you even got involved in all of this because of a prank.

That made him laugh. A genuine, unguarded laugh.

"I still can't believe that’s how this all started," he shook his head.

"Yeah, well," you smirked, "lucky charm, remember?"

Jay glanced at you, something warm in his eyes. "Yeah. I think I finally understand why Sunghoon calls you that."

The way he said it made your heart skip, but before you could respond, he stretched his arms and stood up. "Alright, since you dragged me out here, I’ll cover the bill."

"Hey, I was the one treating you!" you protested.

He smirked. "Then consider this a bonus for being my ‘lucky charm.’"

You huffed but let him win this time.

—

On the drive back, the car was filled with a comfortable silence, the soft hum of the radio playing in the background. Jay's hands rested on the wheel, his focus on the road, but every now and then, you caught him glancing at you.

When he pulled up in front of your place, he didn't unlock the doors immediately. Instead, his fingers tapped against the wheel, as if hesitating.

"Thanks for tonight," he finally said. "I… think I needed this more than I realized."

You smiled. "No problem. Just remember, the company isn’t the only thing that matters. You do too."

He exhaled softly, as if your words hit deeper than expected. Then, after a pause, he finally unlocked the door.

"Get some rest, Y/N."

As you stepped out, you felt his gaze linger, as if he had more to say but chose not to.

And so, the routine continued.

Every morning, Jay picked you up. Every evening, he dropped you off. And somewhere in between, the dynamic between the two of you shifted—not just as partners in rebuilding a company, but as something more.

Something unspoken. Something waiting for the right moment.

—

Eventually, the company was rising up slowly, gradually returning to its once peak times as the workers got used to the environment. What once was a near-empty space now bustled with activity. From just a few occasional calls to the constant ringing of phones, employees walking back and forth, the rhythmic sound of keyboards clicking, and printers humming—it had become a normal, functioning office once again.

Yet, despite all this progress, one thing remained uncertain: your position.

It felt like you were part of the team, but Jay had never officially given you a title. You worked just as hard as everyone else—maybe even more—but there was no clear role attached to your efforts. You started wondering if, after all the problems were solved, you'd return to being unemployed.

The thought stung more than you expected.

But you trusted Jay. Even if he hadn't said anything, you wanted to believe that he wouldn’t just let you walk away after everything.

Then, one afternoon, when the entire office was gathered for an announcement, Jay stood before everyone, his expression calm yet firm.

"I want to take a moment to acknowledge someone who has been here since the very beginning of this rebuilding process." His voice carried through the room, making your heart race.

"Without this person, I don’t think I would have made it this far. They didn’t just help the company—they helped me, personally, in ways I can’t even explain."

You blinked, realization dawning as Jay’s gaze met yours.

"Which is why I’m officially appointing Y/N as the company’s manager. My assistant."

Gasps and murmurs of approval filled the air before they erupted into cheers. People clapped, congratulating you as if this had been the obvious choice all along.

But you? You stood there, completely stunned.

"You… never told me about this," you finally managed to say, looking at Jay in disbelief.

A small smirk tugged at his lips. "I wanted to make it a surprise."

You didn’t know whether to laugh or scold him for keeping this from you. Instead, you exhaled, shaking your head as a smile broke across your face.

"Well… I guess I’ll be in your care, then, boss."

Jay chuckled, extending a hand. "That goes both ways."

As you shook his hand, a feeling settled deep in your chest—this wasn’t just a temporary job anymore. You had built something here.

The rest of the day felt like a blur. People kept coming up to you, shaking your hand, clapping you on the back, offering words of congratulations. It felt surreal, almost like a dream. Just a few months ago, this company had been on the verge of collapse, and now, not only had it risen from the ashes, but you had somehow become an official part of it.

As the excitement settled and everyone returned to work, you found yourself standing by Jay’s office, peeking inside. He was already back at his desk, flipping through documents as if nothing had happened.

"You didn’t have to do all that, you know," you finally said, stepping in.

Jay looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"

You sighed, crossing your arms. "Making me the manager. You could’ve just… I don’t know, given me a normal position. I never expected anything big."

Jay leaned back in his chair, studying you. "And that’s exactly why you deserved it."

You blinked. "What?"

"You never asked for anything. Never once complained. You put in the effort, stayed through the hardest times, and still chose to stick around even when you thought you’d end up unemployed. That’s the kind of person I need by my side."

His words caught you off guard, warmth creeping up your face. You hadn’t realized how much he had noticed.

"Besides," he added with a smirk, "you’re still my lucky charm. Wouldn’t want to lose that now, would I?"

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile forming. "Yeah, yeah. Just don’t expect me to do everything for you."

"Too late," he shot back, chuckling.

And just like that, things continued. Only this time, it wasn’t just about rebuilding the company anymore—it was about moving forward, together.

—

Fast forward five years, the company had finally regained its former glory. What was once an empty building, barely surviving with just you and Jay, had now become a thriving enterprise. Workers filled every floor, meetings were constantly being scheduled, deals were being signed, and the company name was making waves in the industry once again.

And yet… after seven years of being by Jay’s side—working through every hardship, celebrating every milestone, and sharing countless moments—you were still just his colleague. His trusted manager. His friend.

Which is why, as you sat at your desk during a rare free moment, you furiously typed out a message to Sunghoon.

You: Jay is seriously taking his own sweet time.

Sunghoon replied almost immediately.

Sunghoon: What did he do now?

You: More like what he’s NOT doing. It’s been SEVEN YEARS, Sunghoon. SEVEN. And I’m still just his “assistant.”

Sunghoon: I mean… technically, you are.

You groaned, typing furiously.

You: That’s not the point!!! I’ve been by his side all this time, and he still hasn’t made a move! Is he waiting for me to grow gray hair?!

Sunghoon: Maybe he’s waiting for the right time.

You scoffed. You: And when will that be? Our 10th anniversary of being “just colleagues”?

Sunghoon sent a laughing emoji before replying, "Just be patient. You know Jay. He’s careful with everything. If he hasn’t done anything yet, it’s because he wants it to be perfect."

You sighed, leaning back in your chair. You knew that. Jay wasn’t the type to rush into things, especially when it came to something serious. But after seven years, how much longer was he going to take?

Before you could dwell on it further, a knock at your door snapped you out of your thoughts.

It was Jay.

And he was holding two coffee cups.

"Busy?" he asked, stepping inside without waiting for an answer.

You quickly locked your phone, straightening up. "Not really. What’s up?"

He set one of the cups in front of you. "Figured you could use a break."

You stared at the cup, then at him. This wasn’t unusual—Jay always made sure you were taken care of, in his own way. But lately, these little gestures had been happening more often.

"Thanks," you murmured, taking the cup.

Jay leaned against your desk, watching you. "You’ve been working hard. Don’t forget to take care of yourself."

You took a sip of your coffee, trying to ignore the way your heart skipped a beat. "You too, boss."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I told you to stop calling me that."

"Then what should I call you?" you asked teasingly.

For a moment, Jay didn’t answer. His gaze lingered on you, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

Then, with a small smile, he simply said, "You’ll figure it out soon enough."

And just like that, he walked out, leaving you staring after him—completely confused and, more than anything, frustrated.

Sunghoon’s words echoed in your head. "Be patient."

You huffed, taking another sip of your coffee.

Easier said than done.

—

Eight years. Eight years of working alongside Jay, watching him grow not just as a businessman but as a person.

He no longer worked himself into exhaustion like he once did. He learned to delegate, to trust his employees, and most importantly—to take breaks. He finally understood that he didn’t have to shoulder everything alone. And all of that? It was because of you.

But while Jay had changed in so many ways, there was still one thing he hadn’t done.

And you were getting tired of waiting.

So this year, you decided that Valentine’s Day would be different.

Every year on this day, you had a little tradition—taking Jay out for dinner. It started as a joke, back when the company was still struggling. You teased him about having no time for romance, and he fired back that you were just as hopeless. So, to make up for your nonexistent love lives, you made it a tradition to treat each other to dinner on Valentine’s Day.

It wasn’t meant to be anything serious. Just two friends keeping each other company.

But over the years, it became something you looked forward to. A small, quiet moment where it was just the two of you, away from work, away from responsibilities. And every year, you wondered—would this be the year he finally confesses?

Every year, you left disappointed.

So tonight, as you sat across from Jay in a dimly lit restaurant, watching him sip his wine, you decided—this would be the last Valentine’s dinner you’d spend waiting.

You were tired. Tired of dropping hints. Tired of waiting for him to finally see what had been in front of him all along.

"You seem quiet today," Jay noted, setting his glass down. His sharp eyes studied you, as they always did. "Something on your mind?"

You forced a small smile. "Not really. Just… thinking."

"About?"

"The future."

Jay hummed, leaning back in his chair. "That so? What about it?"

You hesitated, gripping your fork a little tighter. "Just… wondering how long I’ll be staying here."

His brows furrowed slightly. "At the company?"

You gave a small nod, keeping your tone light. "I mean, I’ve been here for eight years, Jay. Maybe it’s time I think about moving on."

The air shifted. Subtly, but you felt it.

Jay set his utensils down, fingers clasped together as he regarded you carefully. "Are you saying you want to quit?"

You shrugged, pretending to focus on your plate. "Not right away. But eventually, yeah. I can’t be your assistant forever, you know."

Jay didn’t speak for a long moment. You didn’t dare look up, afraid of what you’d see in his expression.

Then, quietly, he asked, "Where would you go?"

You let out a soft laugh, though it felt hollow. "I don’t know. Maybe travel a bit. Maybe find a job somewhere else. Maybe even… start my own company."

Jay’s jaw tightened at that last part. "I see."

Silence fell between you. You poked at your food, your appetite suddenly gone.

This was it. If Jay wasn’t going to make a move, you’d make it easy for him. You’d leave.

And if he let you go without a fight—then you’d finally have your answer.

Jay's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. His fingers tensed around his wine glass before he finally spoke.

"Just a little longer."

That was all he said.

You inhaled sharply, gripping your napkin under the table. The frustration, the years of waiting, the countless times you held onto hope—it all boiled up inside you.

"For how long, Jay?" Your voice was quieter now, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. "For how long do I have to wait?"

Jay froze.

His eyes flickered with something—regret? Guilt? Hesitation? You couldn't tell. But what you could tell was that he didn’t have an answer.

That realization made your chest tighten.

You let out a forced chuckle, quickly shaking your head. "Forget it." You waved a hand dismissively, pasting on a smile. "It’s Valentine’s Day. No need to get all serious, right?"

Jay didn’t say anything, but his gaze remained on you, unreadable.

You picked up your glass, taking a slow sip, hoping it would drown out the lump in your throat.

"Let’s just enjoy the night." You placed the glass down, pushing away the bitter taste lingering in your mouth—both from the wine and from the conversation you just had.

Jay nodded slowly, but for the rest of the evening, the air between you was different.

He didn’t touch his wine again.

—

The moment you stepped into the office building, expecting another normal workday, you were immediately met with an unusual sight—every worker standing in front of you, their faces filled with anticipation. Confusion crept into your mind as you slowed your steps, glancing around.

"What… is this?" you mumbled under your breath.

Before you could process anything further, a familiar warmth encased your hand. You turned your head, only to find Jay standing beside you, his fingers laced with yours.

And then, right before your eyes, he slowly got down on one knee.

Your breath hitched.

Gasps and murmurs filled the office space, but you barely heard them. Your world had shrunk to just him—to Jay, kneeling before you, his gaze filled with something deeper than words could ever express.

"I’m sorry," he started, his voice steady yet laced with emotion.

Then, he pulled out a velvet box.

The moment he opened it, revealing the glimmering ring inside, your vision blurred with tears.

"I’ve been planning this since last year with Sunghoon, and a few weeks ago with everyone here." He gestured to the workers around you. "I know I made you wait for so long, and for that, I’m truly sorry. But more than that… I want to thank you."

Your lips trembled as he continued.

"You didn’t have to stay, yet you did. You didn’t have to help me rebuild everything, yet you did. You were my strength when I had nothing, and now that I have everything again, I want to share it with you. At my best, at my most successful, at my most handsome—" he smirked slightly through his own emotions, making a few people chuckle—"I want to propose to you."

Your hands flew to your mouth, unable to stop the sobs that broke free.

"So… will you marry me?"

You nodded frantically, words failing you as tears streamed down your face. Then, without waiting another second, you threw yourself at him, wrapping your arms tightly around his shoulders.

Loud cheers erupted around you. Workers clapped, whistled, and some even jumped with excitement. Sunghoon’s laugh echoed through the space, but you barely heard anything past your own crying and the warmth of Jay’s embrace.

"Yes," you finally choked out between sobs. "Yes, Jay—yes!"

His arms tightened around you, his own breath shaky against your shoulder.

And just like that, after eight years of waiting, Jay was finally yours.

He finally proposed to you—on White Day.

The day you had once assumed would be just another routine morning at work had turned into one of the most unforgettable moments of your life.

Even hours later, as you sat in Jay’s car on the way home, your fingers couldn’t stop tracing the ring on your hand. The weight of it felt surreal, as if you were still dreaming.

Jay glanced at you briefly, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "You’ve been staring at that ring for the past twenty minutes."

You turned to him, flustered, but the overwhelming emotions still had a grip on you. "Can you blame me?" you murmured, voice soft. "You finally did it."

His smile softened, eyes focused on the road. "I did. And I would do it all over again if it meant seeing you this happy."

Your heart clenched. "You really made me wait, you know."

Jay sighed dramatically. "I know, I know. Sunghoon made sure to remind me at least ten times a week."

You laughed at that, shaking your head. "I bet he did."

As the city lights passed by, a comfortable silence settled between you both. Then, without warning, Jay reached over, taking your hand in his. He brought it up to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against your knuckles.

"Thank you for waiting for me."

You squeezed his hand, feeling your chest tighten with warmth.

"Always," you whispered.

You hummed, pretending to think deeply. "So… does that mean I’m your wife now?"

Jay chuckled behind the wheel, his hand interlocking with yours effortlessly, as if it was second nature. His thumb brushed against your skin in slow, soothing strokes.

"You’re my fiancée," he corrected, the corners of his lips tugging into a teasing smile. "After marriage, then I get to call you my wife."

The car came to a stop at the red light, and without hesitation, Jay lifted your hand to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss against the back of it. His eyes, filled with warmth and adoration, met yours.

"Hopefully, we can do the wedding sooner," he murmured, voice dripping with fondness. "So that I can see you walk down the aisle in a beautiful wedding dress… and finally call you mine, officially and forever."

Your breath hitched, heart fluttering at his words. The way he looked at you—soft, full of promise—made your chest tighten.

"You’re saying that as if I’m not already yours," you whispered, unable to hide your smile.

Jay chuckled again, squeezing your hand gently before the light turned green.

"You are," he admitted. "But I want the world to know. I want to stand in front of everyone, look you in the eyes, and say ‘I do’ without hesitation."

His words left you speechless, warmth spreading through your entire being. You watched him drive, the faintest hint of a blush dusting his ears.

You sighed dramatically, leaning back in your seat. "Fine. I’ll marry you."

Jay let out a laugh, shaking his head. "That’s supposed to be my line."

"Too late. You already proposed."

"And you already said yes."

The two of you shared a look before bursting into laughter, the air between you filled with nothing but love and the promise of forever.

—

The day finally arrived.

The grand hall was filled with soft music, laughter, and the scent of fresh flowers. Guests were seated, all turning their attention toward the entrance, where the grand double doors slowly opened.

Jay stood at the altar, dressed in an immaculate suit, looking more handsome than ever. His fingers twitched slightly, a nervous habit he had whenever he was overwhelmed with emotions. Sunghoon, standing beside him as his best man, nudged him lightly.

"Breathe," Sunghoon whispered with a smirk. "She's already yours."

Jay let out a shaky breath, but the moment he saw you, everything else faded away.

You walked down the aisle, clad in a breathtaking wedding gown that made you look like something out of a dream. Your eyes locked onto Jay’s, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.

The vows were exchanged, promises sealed, and the moment the officiant declared you husband and wife, Jay wasted no time pulling you into a kiss—deep, full of love, and sealed with all the emotions he had been holding back for years.

The cheers erupted around you, but all you could focus on was Jay, his arms wrapped around you tightly as if he never wanted to let go.

"You're my wife now," he murmured against your lips.

You grinned, teasingly whispering back, "And you're my husband."

Jay chuckled before pressing another kiss onto your forehead. "Finally."

The night was filled with laughter, dancing, and celebration. And as you both drove off toward your honeymoon destination, hand in hand, you realized that this was just the beginning of a new, beautiful chapter—one where you and Jay would be together, forever.

@stvrrylove @sol3chu @firstclassjaylee

59 notes · View notes