#I really don't know what's wrong with me though

[midnite-c6]

WAIIT you should write namgyu and myunggi!! I love that broke bum baby daddy

i support this motion. first thing i thought of when i watched ep. 2

⊂⁠*⁠.⁠✧ you're myung-gi's "one and only", but oh no! looks like he's willing to do some teamwork on you...

warnings: 18+, DARK CONTENT, hate sex, double penetration, threesome, mysoginistic!nam-gyu & myung-gi x fem!reader, degradation, rough, noncon || ∆

⊂*⁠.⁠✧ myung-gi promises you, with all his heart, he'd find you. to compensate for whatever absence he had made you feel in the past, to compensate the love that he had neglected you of. but maybe you're the piece of shit one! for not accepting his apologies. for not forgiving him and letting him love you. for not letting him use you again.

it was cut-throat— two simple directions. he'd kill one person to pass, then he'd be running straight back to protect you. you said that he shouldn't, that he should fucking leave you alone because you can handle yourself. deep down, you are waiting for him. unbeknownst to you though, the drug addict offered up a proposal to team-up with myung-gi! two unstoppable forces. maybe this really shows what myung-gi's morality's truly like, he was destined to be partnered up with people like nam-gyu.

myung-gi was quiet most of the time, only breaking his silence by saying something useful. nam-gyu on the otherhand was unbearably talkative, "hey, man, you tryin' to find your girl?" myung-gi knows better than to respond. nam-gyu would nudge his shoulders, "you are. figures, she alone?" there's nothing meaningful to reply to that, nam-gyu doesn't care, he'll continue to talk and talk and talk, tilting his head to the side, curious-like...

"she's cute. really cute. perky tits, glossy eyes." myung-gi freezes, adjusting his knife to threaten nam-gyu's neck. "don't fucking dare," nam-gyu has no dignity left in him anymore, doesn't even show any sense of fear. "when's the last time you complimented her? maybe that's why ya’ two aren't gettin' along-" "i said fuck. off." the blade of his sword would touch the other guy's neck. nam-gyu pouts, whining in a mocking tone: "aww, but that's what's happening, right? i heard you two fightin', she doesn't wanna be with you, bro."

myung-gi stops walking, stops doing anything altogether, furrowed brows and a heart full of burden. was it wrong to think you were such a bitch? he was doing everything for you! "you're mad." nam-gyu snickers, "yeah, i am. fucking frustrated she won't get me."

"we can get her back, you know?" "what do you mean we?"

"we, take our anger out on her, works like a charm." he doesn't acknowledge myung-gi's question, "that bitch pisses me off too much, talks about how i'm crazy. she's crazy for not letting you help her— stupid, even." while myung-gi gives ideas for better teamwork ethic in hide and seek, nam-gyu gives the best ideas for shit like this. "i was kinda thinkin' of... hm... putting her in her place?"

"it wouldn't be that hard, i don't think... you've already gotten her knocked up!" he adds as he giggles to himself, like that was the most intellectual statement in the world. it takes everything not to shove the knife he was holding right through his chest, but myung-gi was easy to convince, to corrupt, maybe you do need to be put in your place.

when you hide by yourself, not looking to run into anyone but myung-gi, you find a small room with colorful drawings painted all over the walls. this was the best thing you could do, running constantly would only make you tired. though, after a few minutes, you hear nam-gyu's voice in the distance, player 124, someone you know you should stay away from. your breath hitches, hand covering your mouth so you wouldn't make a single sound, yet, you also hear myung-gi's voice. myung-gi! maybe he'd be able to save you from nam-gyu!

myung-gi pushes the door open, seeing you eye to eye. his expression softens for a second, before glaring at you, remembering what he wants to do. he slowly walks inside, looking down at you, with an unfamiliar look on his face. "i... myung-gi... careful, i heard nam-gyu's just right down-" nam-gyu would step in, ironically, speaking of the devil. "me? awh, she's thinking of me." myung-gi would grab the collar of your shirt, pulling you closer to him.

"what the- myung-gi." you call out, "you taking drugs too?" nam-gyu would take the hit from the comment, speaking just a few feet away from you, "that all you can say? you're so shallow... jeez... what a woman."

"shush, can you listen to me for once?" myung-gi reasons, but you were so stubborn! "what? what do you want from me again, myung-gi?" "you're fucking ungrateful." he pins you against the wall, two men who have knives were apparently teaming up on you, what else were you supposed to do???

"myung-gi- what are you doing-" he fake-pouts, like how you do whenever he asks for forgiveness. "oh? so now you wanna act weak? you've been tellin' me all this time that you can handle yourself." nam-gyu slides right behind you, "fuuck, tell her, bro!" hands immediately sliding underneath your shirt and on-top of your chest. you yelp. "myung-gi! he's—" he shushes you. "take off her clothes," nam-gyu would immediately do as he was told, he was also the one benefiting from it anyway. "you. don't say a word, unless i tell you to, copy that?" "what the fuck, myung-gi!" he'd grip your jaw, "can't your little brain follow orders? don't speak. simple." "or you die...!" the one behind you adds, you could only whine in response.

with your clothes lying on the floor, you feel filthy, for being sandwiched by the two men, one you barely even know, naked. "she likes this," he looks you in the eye, like he knows what you're going through and makes fun of you. "don't you?" myung-gi smiles, revelling in your defeat. you're not sure if you should respond to that or not. "she's making that face, means she's into this, disgusting shit like this." nam-gyu would gasp in amazement, smiling as he continues to grope your tits and occasionally flicking your clit. "really? told you. told you i'm an expert at what women like."

"myung-gi, please-" "you'll get what i can give you. no more special shit. i've been offering you everything and you're taking it all for granted. you should know by now you're gonna get what i choose to give you." it seems he was done, so genuinely pissed off at how you were treating him, despite how he was treating you just as bad and if not worse! you should stay away from self-absorbed men, but fuck, did a dick feel good. you'd probably get pregnant right now if you weren't already.

so there you were: the father of your child right infront of you, dick sliding in a rhythm inside your shamefully throbbing pussy, trying to match nam-gyu's pace. his left hand still gripping your jaw to look at him and only him. you whine with tears staining your cheeks, looking up at myung-gi like you were sorry. maybe occasionally looking at nam-gyu. "don't look at that jerk, or i'll make this harder for you." his other hand presses against your lower stomach, he knows you liked that. that's why he got you knocked up in the first place.

nam-gyu's warm breath would tickle against your skin, licking the back of your ear, "don't listen to him- he doesn't treat you right— ain't that correct?" nam-gyu's dick also filling up your other hole was too overstimulating, you weren't used to this at all, the way they coaxed you. both his hands were leaving prints on your ass and waist. "don't- fucking- mess with us, with your silly words," "the only thing sweet about you is your holes. sweetheart." that fucking lunatic's laugh ringing in your ear, you didn't wanna moan because a drug addict was fucking you senseless. or because a drug addict and your supposed husband was fucking you at the same time.

"please- i- myung-gi, forgive me...hn..!" it was so hard to speak without doing it though, moaning would mean they felt good, they felt amazing. that they'd be motivated to go on and on... "keep on begging, fuck, you- you're fucking heartless, for making me so stressed and worried about you-" they both continue to thrust and thrust, unstoppable, with all the adrenaline of murder and sex, they could go for hours if the game didn't have a time limit! "yeah... you shouldn't... treat your boyfriend like that- fuck, you're so tight-" "m'sorry- i'm really sorry.. myung-gi.. nam-gy-" myung-gi slaps your mouth, "not him. don't forget who you belong to." "i'm sorry!" you whimpered out. he's suddenly turned all strict on you... :(

you'd guess they had this all figured out, you don't know when they did. when you'd check the timer, there was still 20 minutes left! 20. long. minutes.

"for now on you're gonna be a good little tool for us until the finale..., we'll take it as an apology." "for- for us?" "me and him. i think two dicks’ just enough for a slut like you."

ts is sum freakshit . ✓✓✓ is it me or when myung-gi got meaner he got hotter. like THAT'S whats wrong with me. & dae-ho too... WHO SAID THAT

[aloeverawrites]

So it's been, ten years now? And I wanted to tell you all "The story of how the blueberries have been settling into life with humans and vice versa".

Civilisation's taking some time to adjust. Some people remember the war and hate blueberries, some blues feel the same way.

Some absolutely love the blueberries and I'm one of them. I actually have one living in my house, her name's Anna. I mean, I named her Anna I don't really know how to say her blue name, I don't have the mental capability of that. You have to have a sense only blueberries have to fully speak their language and my translator app can only do so much.

A lot of people have started having blueberries as pets, or the blueberries have started keeping us as pets? We disagree on who is whose pet, although we can kind of agree that the cats control us all. As they should. You haven't lived until you've seen a blueberry scrambling across the floor trying to run away from a cat that's insisting on an early dinner time. It's peak.

That said blueberries don't often get to interact with cats, see we have to take a special kind of antibiotic to kill bacteria we have that's fine for us, but not so great for them and vice versa. The blues are pretty similar to fungi except not that at all (I know, biologists are scrambling to keep up) so they have to make sure we don't catch anything weird from them either. Our medicines are doing better with our joint efforts but people and blues who cohabitate often have slightly worse immune systems than people who don't live with them. Sorry I shouldn't say people and blues, blues are people too tbh. Weirdly enough though, people who live with blues can see better and blues who live with people can hear and most blues can't really hear well at all. We don't understand it either. (The biologists really need to get to stepping with this.) So about the cat thing, we have to feed our cats a special food so their gets don't, you know, kill our homies. And not all cats take to it, so yeah not many blues live with cats. I am the lucky exception. Seeing them interact is just so funny.

We love the species we evolved with on earth with, don't get me wrong, but. It's been really nice to be able to talk, in the limited ways we can, to another species that has advanced technology and figured out space travel. Even if they have done better at space travel then us, and also technology in general. We're not resentful. :/ They do make fun of us for our spaceships and lack of ability to survive in space tho and it is very rude.

Anyway, also their translators have helped us speak to other species on earth, we've made huge advancements from that. Who knew spiders would be so good at engineering? (Well, spiders. The spiders knew that.)

Also, guess what we just discovered? It's so great, apparently the leaders from just before the invasion, were super disdainful about humans and also lower level blues so they sent their scientists to investigate us and find the worst ways to torment us. Similar to how things were on earth before the class war, the worst leaders didn't really listen to their scientists and activists much, so the lower level blues were kind of fed up with them too.

They liked humans and didn't really want to hurt us, so they told their leaders that humans hated things that we actually liked, like three day workweeks, and waygu beef. They also threw in the strawberry thing because, well if they're going to trick their leaders they might as well get something out of it and they had tasted strawberries when they were out in the field. They were never going back to a strawberry less existence.

So yeah, the kinder blueberries were covering humanity's ass back before we even knew they existed. I love those guys. (Well most of them-)

I'm writing this with Anna sleeping on my chest right now (does she sleep? Hibernate? Meditate? Nobody knows.) Life is a lot more peaceful now that we stopped letting the cruelest members of our species dictate how things were gonna go for everyone else.

The alliance between blues and humans has been great, as has the alliance between humans and every other species. We're pretty much all vegan now, nobody's killing anyone else. Plus lab grown food is super advanced now.

Yeah it's... nice. It just really shows that if you focus on caring about others, instead of hating them, the world can be a way more beautiful place for you all.

We've also been working together on a galactic defence program in case another alien species wants to get us both. We're also a little worried about the blue mainplanet changing policies and coming after us? Their base on Mars is basically a colony, shared with humans in exchange for letting them live on earth too.

The blues are considering sending some humans over as peacekeepers to begin immigrating to the blue planet and keep a solid human presence there to remind everyone not to, you know, kill us all. Also so they don't turn on the colony blues. We're trying to improve their technology so they can keep in touch with their home planet and keep them more united and maintain peace with the home world. (Also I will confess. We did create a new form of social media for them to keep them connected and now the blues are doing stupid lil dances across the lightyears. I know. Honestly we might have given the home world a reason to want to fight humanity-)

It's been working so far. It might not work forever. But, we'll deal with that day when we come to it. Humanity has dealt with worse. But we have peace now, and we're not going to waste it. We know how hard we fought for it, how many people died. So I'm going to stop writing and follow Anna's led and take a nap. My own version of peace in a peaceful world. The war can wait until we wake up.

"Dear earthlings, prepare to be my slave!" Announced the alien. "You will have to work 3 entire days from Monday to Wednesday, you will only get A5 wagyu steak for meals, and if that isn't cruel enough you'll have to work 2 entire torturing hours of picking strawberries every single work day!"

[brixbraxium]

I think the funniest thing about the Mike room is the fact that literally everything the Green Pippins says is true. Like, haha, yeah! look at all the silly parodies of the fan theories! Isn't it crazy how we all made such a big deal out of Mike when he wasn't really that important? Except... Who is he, actually? It's still unexplained. And the Mike room even gives us new pieces of evidence that make the whole thing even weirder. Like, Tenna's known mike "Since TV World":

Which presumably, judging by this vague shuttah dialog implying a massive shift in the landscape:

Means "Ever since Tenna was bought and installed in the Dreemurr Residence", right? But that'd be... well before Tenna met Spamton, since he only met Spamton after Kris and Noelle brought the laptop home:

So unless this happened literally like immediately after the TV was purchased, it seems that Mike isn't, for instance, a Spamton thing Tenna is trying to emulate. But it also can't really be the other way around, because Tenna clearly doesn't know anything about Mike? He gets fooled by three entirely different impostors, and gets pissed if Mike isn't there in his room. Which seems really weird if Tenna is actually in the know. None of the people in TV World have ever seen Mike. AND YET!!!! Spamton is VERY insistent that he knows something they don't;

And this answer is EXTREMELY WEIRD when you think about it, because, while right now it kinda seems like this was foreshadowing for the Mike Room... That doesn't really make sense? In September 2024, CHAPTER 4's main content was completed:

And yet, Pluey- which we now know is related to the Mike Room- wasn't implemented yet.

Pluey only got added in February!!!! The Mike Room content was seemingly quite last minute. And we can be fairly certain that he isn't saying that they still need to implement Pluey for Console versions, because he really made it seem like the only reason the Bonus Room was added was because of the Switch 2:

All together, what that means is... For some reason, even way back in the days of the original Sweepstakes, it was already known to Toby Fox that Tenna's Crew has no clue who Mike is, but Spamton does, even though this information wasn't originally intended to be actually shown to us???

Which makes the Mike stuff even WEIRDER!!! WHO IS HE!? WHY HAS NOBODY EVER SEEN HIM? WHY DOES SPAMTON KNOW WHO HE IS? WHY IS TENNA SO EASILY FOOLED??

WE KNOW THAT HE MUST. EXIST??

IT SEEMS THAT HE IS ACTUALLY OUT THERE DOING STUFF? 'IT JUST SORTA HAPPENS' !?

IS MIKE, LIKE, A SHAPESHIFTER OR SOMETHING!?!?! IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!!!!

But Lo, on Hopes and Dreams they send. Potential for Relevance appears at CH5'S END.

This TV... Surely this TV is relevant to something, it's right there in Flower King, and it isn't really the setup for any jokes or anything. It's just... sitting there. Waiting. My current conspiracy? Mike is relevant to Chapter 5. And, much like King and Queen kind of have a shared history, and Tenna has a history with Queen, Mike (Potentially this TV????) has relevance to Tenna. But the community got way too attached to the idea of Mike in the Ch2 days. That's why Toby needed to clarify via the Sweepstakes that Mike and Tenna were different- because Mike was important. And the reason the Mike room exists is because he was already making bonus content, and figured that he might as well use the opportunity to politely tell us all of our theories were wrong, while also calming us down a bit by making us think that Mike is less relevant than we thought, while also prodding the mystery a little deeper. People will tell me it's cope, that Mike was nothing. But I say all of this as someone who genuinely thought that Mike was Nothing in the Ch2 days. The information we have literally just doesn't make sense. The Pippins' rant is funny, but, it's also entirely true- every single point he makes is accurate, and I don't think that's a mistake. Mike for Chapter 5..?! Trust..

[aernx]

IT'S A WRAP ! ⌗ 이희승 ( oneshot ver. )

synopsis ⟢ wrapping is easy when it comes to dumplings. but when it comes to your feelings…not so much. after getting separated from your childhood nemesis, lee heeseung, you think your life will go smooth like butter (js like what BTS sang). but fate has other plans when he was forced to help around in your family’s dumpling restaurant.

◌ wordcount﹒ 13.1k

◌ pairing﹒ lee heeseung x fmr

◌ genre﹒ childhood enemies to lovers, hs au, takes place in their summer break, reader is taehyun’s (txt) older sister, tbh no srs hating js silly rivalry, crack , heeyn parents r silly

◌ featuring﹒ txt, chaewon lsrfm, enhypen, brief mentions of seventeen (ily joshua n hoshi)

◌ warnings﹒ profanities, harsh language, jealousy, heeyn hating eo, kissing, fluff, heeyn silly stuffs, denial, i think that's it, oh probably bad and inconsistent grammar at times, miscommunication (that shiii)

aerinotes ⟢ u guys don't know how much i giggled at the screen when i write this 😁 THIS FIC MEANS SOOO MUCH TO MEE I HOPE U GUYS GIVE IT SOME LOVE 💗💗💗 also MY FIRST EVER LONG FIC??? aerin long fic debut!!! so im sorry if there r lots of mistakes n it's kinda messyy n if the pacing is badd !! i'll improve next time guys TRUST‼️‼️

this was previously a smau but now the smau is discontinued. i can finally say goodbye peacefully to my heeyn 🙁 i’ll miss them <3 hope you guys enjoyed this! be sure to leave a like, comment n reblog to let me know watchu think abt it !! ENJOYYYY

"MOM YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT!?" It’s only been a week since you returned from your exchange student program in Japan yet your mom was quick to throw you a bucket of ice water on a hot summer evening.

“Which part of it is not clear, dear? Heeseung is going to start working in our dumpling shop this in this last month of summer and I want you to be his mentor tomorrow.” Excuse me what? Mentor?? “You know, teach him how to use the register, how to serve the customers, and later how to wrap the dumplings.”

No way there was no chance in hell that you were going to do this. Become Heeseung’s mentor? Hell no! You would rather give Taehyun your first born privileges.

Okay, maybe reasoning with her would opt her to change her decision. “Yes, I heard you for the first time but I can’t really place the reason why you want me to do this, mom. You know that we don’t…get along that well.”

Don’t get along that well? You scoffed internally at your choice of words, it was clearly an understatement, your mother knew that too.

You and Heeseung never got along. At all. Your mother and his mother were the best of friends so ultimately that means that he was there for good and you could not escape him. At first, mini-you was glad at the thought of having a childhood friend. Maybe you two could replicate the friendship of your mothers.

Yet at the age of five, where the two of you met for the first time and he stole your toy and decided to hide it from you, you knew from that moment that you would never get along. That first impression only triggered the competitiveness in you and it became a never ending game of chase. Of course, your mothers showed disappointment with the fact that their children did not enjoy each other’s presence, hoping that as they grow up, you and him would learn to overcome this little feud of yours.

Oh how they were wrong. Along the years that follow, your hatred towards each other only grew. Even though you both hated each other, he was still a big part of your childhood. And him being your neighbour didn't even help. You were so fucking bored of that face of his.

Eventually everyone got used to this relationship you shared with the boy and both parents didn’t try to do anything about it anymore. After all there was no point.

Although your feelings towards Heeseung were more on the negative side, you adored his parents, and your parents adored him too. Your families were close but you two weren’t. When you were younger, you would make it your life mission to get Heeseung to cry and he made it his to make you irritated. But as you both grew into adolescence your behaviour began shifting.

Now, instead of sitting by your side to provoke you, he would sit the farthest from you at the dinner table and you would do your best to ignore him at every family event. This never changed, even when you got into highschool. Both of you would try your hardest to let the other’s presence turn to ghosts, yet the tension around you remains haunting.

“Come on Yn, I know you don’t have the best relationship with Heeseung, as you guys are always fighting like cats and dogs,” Your mother muttered the last part quietly. “But I trust you with him, dear. Even though you both hate each other, you’re the one that knows him best there and I feel like he’ll focus more under your gaze instead of anyone else.”

Gosh why was your mother so persistent? “Mom, have you met us?” You can hear your mother’s snicker. “Then you should know that he won’t listen to me! There’s a reason why we don’t get along, mom. He’s gonna cause so much ruckus if I become his mentor. I find no problem with asking Taehyun to guide him instead.”

Your mother knew that you didn’t want to go forward with this. But it was really a last resort of sorts. And a little part of her wished that maybe this occasion would end your feud with him because she and Mrs. Lee always wanted their kids to get along well, just like them.

“Initially, I thought about that too. But Taehyun already has a lot of plans for tomorrow and you just went home like a week ago so you have lots of free time before your senior year starts.” She pointed out.

“Who knows maybe Heeseung changed these past six months without you. Maybe he even misses fighting with you everyday.” Chuckling, your mother gave you a knowing look as your face scrunched at the thought of that.

Hah! He? Missed you? There was no way. Heeseung was probably glad you were gone for six months. In fact he probably wished you were gone forever.

“Come on, my Yn. We’ll go shopping together with Aunty Lee and I’ll get you those concert tickets for that group you like so much. I’ll buy 4 for Chaewon, Yeonjun, and Soobin too. So you guys can watch it together.”

Your eyes lit up as her offer ringed your eardrums. One day of mentoring Heeseung for shopping sprees with your mom and Aunty Lee PLUS concert tickets for you and your friends?? Sounds like a fair deal.

“Ah…you know me so well, mother. You know I will never decline those.”

“You know it, darling.”

*

“You want me to-what?!” Disbelief, Heeseung stood from the couch and turned towards his mother who was currently sitting cross legged on her armchair.

“What did you expect?! I told you to stop sneaking around all the time and this is final! You are working in MANDU4U, Yn’s family dumpling shop tomorrow.”

Spending his summer break working? Are you fucking kidding?

“Bu-”

Mrs. Lee stood up from her chair, levelling her gaze with her son. “No buts! I already talked to your Aunty Kang and all you have to do is show your ass over there and work.” From the tone of her voice, Heeseung knew that he messed up. It was bad, like REAL bad. Maybe he should’ve listened to his friend's advice to NOT sneak out.

Mrs. Lee shrugged before continuing. “Think of this as a new experience. You’ll be learning new things and you’ll be earning money. I see nothing wrong with this. You don’t have any right to complain, young man.”

As much as Heeseung dreaded it, he knew no point in resisting. He was at fault and if it was in other circumstances he would stand his ground but he knew better. Oh well, at least she didn’t forbid him to hang with his boys.

And besides it’s not as if he’s going to meet her. He’s aware of the fact that she went back from that program a week ago. Of course he was, his family insisted that they also accompanied picking up Yn from the airport.

Did he come along? Yes. Did he have the option not to? Also yes. Did he know why he came along? Not really. Maybe he missed her and their fights just a little bit. Or maybe not. That question remained ominous as he himself didn’t even know the correct answer.

But was he glad with the fact that she was gone for the past six months? Of course he was! Well it was a bit more quiet than usual but hey! Quiet is good right? Yeah of course. Now that she’s back does he still hate her guts? For sure, yeah definitely.

“Also Yn will be your mentor and I want you to be on your BEST behaviour and do whatever she says.” Mrs.Lee abruptly added before striding out of the room trying her best to contain her smile.

“Mom WHAT?!”

*

You idly stood on the gazebo of your family’s shop, glancing back and forth towards your watch as the digital digits morphs into what seemed to be eight past twenty. Heeseung was supposed to be here at eight sharp but here you were, still waiting for his stupid ass to come.

It was only five minutes after that, the sight of Lee Heeseung appeared in your line of view. Fucking finally. “Heeseung, you’re late.” You aligned your body opposing his, blocking the entry of the door with your figure as he tried to brush himself through.

“Tch, it’s whatever. Let’s just get started.” His hand longed for the handles but you were quick to stop him. “Drop that attitude, Heeseung. I don’t want this as much as you do so you better not make this any harder on me.” Your grip on his hand opted him to fix his gaze with yours.

You tighten your grip on his wrist. Not caring whether it hurted him or not–which it probably didn’t. “Use that tone on me one more time and you’ll be scrubbing the bathroom floors instead of working behind the cash register.”

Heeseung clenched his fists in between your grasp on his wrist, a low attempt of wanting to break free. “You’re not my mother, you can’t tell me what to do.” He gritted as an annoyed expression washed over his features.

“You’re right, Seungie. I’m not. I’m your employer. And you-” Your point finger shoved his chest “-have to do exactly what I say."

*

Lee Heeseung hated it–hated this. That helpless feeling of not being in control. Especially when his arch enemy is the one stringing him like a puppet.

Kang Yn loved it–loved this. How couldn’t you when your arch nemesis had to grovel in submission for the sake of punishment from his mother. It’s fun really. It's like having a maid–you mean– personal assistant of your own.

“No Heeseung, that's not the right way!”

“Be more thorough when checking someone’s order!”

“Gosh this is tiring. Heeseung, get me a coffee.”

*

Ignoring some mistakes made, the first day of work went surprisingly fine. You taught him various things. Starting from how to work the register and basic manners to serve customers and he was actually going along with what you instructed. Gee, maybe your mom was right all along–you could be really intimidating sometimes.

“This is it for today.” You said, handing him a pen to sign his attendance. “Okay, Thanks.” He calmly received it before signing under his name. Along the string hours of work between you and Heeseung, the atmosphere remained tense. But much to your surprise (and a certain part-timer named Sunoo who went to your school) the both of you endured the entire shift without biting each other’s head off.

Sure there were some occasional fights here and there but the graph always dies down after, returning to its normal wavelength as the days progress. And you were quite happy with the outcome.

One; you did not let the intrusive thoughts win and slice his throat when he was on his break and two; you did not embarrass yourself in front of the customers by screaming frantically at him (although you did do it in private) You could say that this day was a success and you were proud of yourself. Ah you were finally free from him.

Or so you thought.

*

“So you’re telling me your mom told you that you’ll be mentoring Heeseung for the rest of the summer break?” Soobin questioned, making you groan against your pillows. You raised your head towards the window still, the sight of the moon greeted you in an instance, gracing your room with its incandescent glow.

"She made sure to leave that part the first time she mentioned, alright." You grumbled under your breath.

Chaewon patted your head as she noticed your current distress while Yeonjun and Soobin looked at you with sympathy laced upon their irises. It was currently near twilight in the nearing end of summer. From a distance, you can hear a few neighbours that stood up late making BBQ in their backyards, while some of the houses remained still and quiet.

The light on your window was like a singular lamp amidst a dark room to your unlit neighbourhood. It was summer break so your parents didn’t mind you staying up late. They even let your friends stay over with the exception of Soobin and Yeonjun sleeping on a spare mattress on the floor.

“Yn, I knew it was too suspicious that your mom was offering you THAT much just for one day of mentoring!” Yeonjun pointed out from his mattress below before joining everyone on your bed.

“At least you’re getting money out of this, am I right?” Chaewon said after smacking the poor boy with her elbows, triggering a laugh from Soobin as he saw Yeonjun’s current state.

“-Ouch! Gosh Chae that hurt!” He threw her a nasty glare and Chaewon stuck her tongue out in response. “Plus the fact that Mama Kang AND Mama Lee promised to take you shopping makes it too good to be true to just make that a one time thing.” Yeonjun shrugged before dodging another hit from Chaewon.

“Ugh I hate it when you’re smart sometimes, Junnie.”

“Don’t forget the fact that your mom promised to buy us all concert tickets!” Soobin reminded. “Work your ass off Ms.Kang. We would be thanking you for your services!” He stood from the bed, bowing 90 degrees to you causing the room to erupt in laughter.

“You all better be thanking me for this! I don’t know how I'm going to handle him for the rest of the summer! He’s literally my neighbour! I see him everyday. I can even see him across my window!” Once more, you buried your head on the pillows, gaze unconsciously averting to the blinds covering the glass panels.

“But you hadn’t seen him nor contacted him for six months right? Surely he changed.” Chaewon pondered earning a scoff from you. “Girl let me tell you, he did not.” You answered, emphasising the “not”.

Yeonjun laughed at your misery, opting you to throw a pillow at his face. The room had gone through its nth time of laughing fit before you all started to calm down.

As the room went down from its climax, Soobin’s question seemed to pique everyone's interest. “By the way if it’s okay to ask, how did you and heeseung hate each other like this? I mean the two of you never got along. Everyone knows that but like you both definitely seem more intense now like ever since you got offered to join the exchange student program.”

You sighed before answering. “Well it’s a long story but-”

*

“-I was supposed to get the offer to join the exchange student program.” Just a few meters from where you and your friend gathered, Heeseung and his friends were doing the exact same thing you were doing.

They all gathered on his mattress, sharing stories as the moon reaches its peak of serenity. “Ohh i get it, so from your point of view, it seemed as if she “stole” your future.” Jay nodded at his friend as the room was filled with collected hums and a few shocked faces.

“No lie I would’ve hated them too if someone did that to me.” Jake added, agreeing to his friend’s current situation."

Heeseung only shrugged and buried himself in the comfort of his pillows. “So what are you gonna do now, hyung?” The youngest of them questioned. “I don’t know. I mean there’s no point in defying my mom when she’s persistent. So I guess I’ll just go with it.”

“Do you still hate Yn because of it now? I mean it’s been six months.” Jungwon tilted his head, curious. “I…I don’t know. We’ve never gotten along since we were five so I don’t think our relationship changed a lot.” Heeseung raised himself from his pillows, now sitting upright.

“But it's not entirely her fault, is it? If you had been a better option for the program you would still be chosen regardless.” Jay knocked some sense into his friend.

“I guess I just blamed her for being better.” A strain smile settled on his lips.

“But to be honest I don’t really care about it anymore, you know? If i really did get that exchange student program, I would've missed so many moments with you guys, including how Niki literally got a girlfriend?? Earlier than me??” Their hearts warmed to Heeseung’s statement before laughing at his last.

The night on both sides of the window ended after crescent smiles and glee surrounding the atmosphere as the sun began to rise causing them to go to a much needed slumber.

*

“Hey, Noona. Looks like you're in a good mood.” You entered the shop with a smile as you greeted the smiling Sunoo. “Yes because you're the first person I see here, and not that brat.” You whispered the last part.

“Quite the charmer you are, Yn.” A familiar voice rang your eardrums. Speak of the devil. “Right, I was praying you would forget this whole thing and just go sulk in your room all summer.” You grumbled, not bothering to avert your gaze to align with your nemesis behind you.

You feel his presence drawing closer and closer before halting just a few inches from your back. Sunoo is long gone now, opting to prepare some stuff in the storage room.

“And make you look good, whereas I look like the rebel child? Keep dreaming, Kang.” He whispered, voice dripping with mirth.

You scoffed rolled your eyes in response, moving forward towards the register, leaving Heeseung to fend for himself at that moment.

This is going to be a long day.

*

One week has passed and you are now used to seeing Heeseung lurk around the area. Now that he’s already familiar with the register and serving people you have to go to the next step: teach him how to make dumplings.

At first, you were against the idea. But your mom insisted that Mrs.Lee wanted Heeseung to be more adapt than any other employee. Hence why he needed to master more than one skill to manage. So, you gave in.

Heeseung was ready to start his new routine. Coming to the shop everyday (excluding Sundays and Saturdays) at 8am and start preparing the register and other things before opening at 9am. He’ll be honest, the first few days, he was dreading it. But eventually, being surrounded with the busy yet calming atmosphere of the shop feels so comfortable? Or maybe because he was spending his summer productively.

But yesterday, Yn had messaged him to arrive at the shop an hour earlier than usual. Seven am?! That’s basically dawn in Summer! Heeseung dragged his feet towards the welcoming door, the sun greeted him with a morning glow as he slowly entered his demise.

“Morning, sunshine. Are you awake?” Sitting in one of the chairs, you chuckled, amused at his hunched silhouette.

“You’re crazy for forcing me to work this early on. This is basically child labor!” He sat opposing you, hands folded above the table as he buried his head in between his arms.

“Well your mother consented to this. Get up.” Your request was left hanging as Heeseung replied an audible “no”, prompting you to leave the boy behind.

Droplets of water trickled to the back of his neck, stirring him awake before he-hold on why was he wet? His fingers touched the source of coldness, his head jolted up meeting your gaze. ”You’re fucking crazy!”

“Thanks, baby. Awake now?” The smirk on your lips is evident and Heeseung swore that he was going to rip your face off.

*

“What are we doing?” Instead of answering, you hand a slightly-damp Heeseung an apron and ushered him to wash his hands before starting. “Just go wash your hands first.” He rolled his eyes before complying to your demands.

After finishing with such tasks he returned to his position beforehand. “All clean now.” He dangled his palms to align with your vision. Now that the two of you are clean it's time to start this mission. Wrapping dumplings.

Heeseung eyes lingered on the swift movement of your fingers. Quick hands easily wrap the ball of meat between a thin layer of dough. He shifted his attention elsewhere for a second and when he returned, you were already done with the process. The perfectly wrapped mandu sat in the heart of your palms, sitting proudly before him.

“That doesn’t look hard, let me do it.” The boy shrugged, earning an amused scoff from you. He took the initiative to try it for himself, but before he could reach the layers of thin dough, he felt a slight sting lingering on his arm. “Gosh! What was that for?!”

“Do you ever pay attention? Lace your hands with some flour before taking the dough so it’s not sticky, bambi.”

Bambi? Did you just refer to him as a Disney cartoon animal?! Well sucks to be you at least he was a Disney character. Not some meaningless being.

“Crazy bitch.”

“What did you say?!”

“I said I got the hitch!” Was hitch even a word? Probably. Or not. Heeseung grudgingly dipped his fingers into the bowl of flour before spreading a light amount in his palms. He then took a thin layer of dough and a little ball of minced meat mixed with onions and other dumpling stuffings(?). He placed the ball in the center of the surface before…before…uhm what was the next step again?

His hands froze mid air for a second. Should he ask for help? Oh and get roasted for not paying attention again? No thanks, his ego was too big for that. Right he’ll figure this out. This is Lee Heeseung we’re talking about. Lee Heeseung vs dumpling, let’s see who’ll win this game.

The tall boy recalled your hand movements, trying hard to remember the steps you did. Right it was uhm….take the left corner, then the right, unite them to the center? Yeah that right. Next is…squish the edges! He’s too smart and talented for this. Heeseung 1, dumpling 0.

The satisfied smile he wore was so apparent. The tips of his finger lightly pressed onto the dough in an attempt to link them together. Except it was not sticking. He kept on applying pressure, more and more as the seconds tick. Once he thought that it would hold, he settled the…ill-shaped dumpling on the table. With his hands on his hips, he turned to face your observing stance. Not bad for his first try. Or so he thought.

Five seconds of victory was cut short when the dumpling slowly–but surely–unwrapped itself from the shape Heeseung molded it to. Heeseung 0, dumpling 1.

The guise of his face showed it all–his mouth hung open, eyes deadpanning the dumpling like it was his sworn enemy–it was so hard not to erupt in laughter. You covered your mouth to contain your glee. This was too funny.

Your oddly timed coughing shifted Heeseung’s gaze to yours. At first the look in his eyes reeks of annoyance but the sound of your echoing laugh was enough to leave a ghost of a smile on his face. You didn’t get angry, that was a first.

Heeseung was shocked to see how calm you were after witnessing his failure. (except for the laughing part) “I would be a hypocrite if I got angry at you.” You started. “The first time mom taught me how to wrap these, I would always rip the dough.”

“Oh.”

“Right.” You cleared your throat. “Let me repeat the steps again, slowly this time.”

The clueless boy watched your movements distinctly. He noticed how eased you were as you did the task at hand, focused yet you were doing it so effortlessly. He also noticed how you poke your tongue slightly when your fingers pinched the perfectly folded dumplings’ little details, and the little specks of flour that landed on the tip of your nose. There was something about you today that he couldn’t ignore.

Heeseung looked at your current expression, and suddenly you both were five again. You were sitting in his living room with a crayon tucked in between your fingers, your tongue slightly stuck out as you avert your attention to your drawing as your mothers chatter dissipates in the back.

Twelve years have passed yet you still look the same to him. The first girl that entered his life other than his mother, the first girl he fought with, and the first girl he ever loved. Not that he was ever going to admit that. But perhaps just for today, he would forget your fuse with him and pretend that everything is okay

“That’s how you make a perfect dumpling.” The curve of your lips was so warm and inviting and he felt a suspiciously warm feeling slowly settling on his chest. Well that was new. Maybe because it was too early in the morning that’s why Heeseung felt so out of it today. “Ehem, okay. I should be able to do it now.”

*

“Mom, I’m back!” You enter the living room, goals set to lay comfortably down at the soft cushions of your couch. “In the kitchen, sweetie! Come Yn, Aunty Lee is here.”

The smell of homemade cooking dragged you to your mother. “Hi mom, hi Auntie Lee.” Eyes crinkled as you smiled widely at the two most important figures in your life.

“Hey, honey. Hope Hee hasn't given you a hard time.” Mrs. Lee softly smiled. “Do you really need to ask that to know, Auntie?” Your joke (not) prompts the two middle aged women to laugh. “Jokes aside, I guess he's tolerable when he shuts up.”

“Yn!”

“Kidding, mom!” Not really.

“Anyways, we owe you a shopping spree. Let's go this weekend. Your shift ends at noon right, darling? What do you say?” Your eyes lit up at the offer.

Who were you to refuse?

*

Smell of dumplings and busy chatters crowded the shop, sunlight beaming through glass tinted windows as customers took over the vacant seats available. “Here’s your freshly steamed mandu, Auntie Park.” Mrs. Park was a regular, don’t get me wrong, she was lovely, but she could be a little…nosy.

“You’ve gotten much more beautiful since coming home from Japan.” She smiled knowingly. “Tell me, have you found any Japanese boyfriend, dear?”

Your eyes widened–not expecting her direct question. “ I can assure you, auntie. No boyfriends here.” The curve of your mouth formed upwards. “Is that so?” She squinted her eyes in suspicion, eyes darting to follow Heeseung’s moving figure a few feet away. “I see that Ha-eun’s boy is here helping. Is that one your boyfriend?”

Heeseung? You boyfriend? You grimaced at the thought. You would rather eat a raw dumpling.

“Oh auntie, literally anyone but him. Besides, I’m too busy studying and helping with the shop while dad is busy planning on opening other branches.” You chuckled, denying her assumption.

“What a perfect daughter you are! I bet Ha-yoon and Ji-woo are proud to have you as their daughter.” You were about to leave before hearing her continue. “You know, I have a son your age. You should know him, he goes to Decelis too. Park Jeongsong, are you familiar? Maybe I should set you guys up.”

She lifted her point finger to her chin. “I think you guys are compatible, he's mature….”

Park Jeongsong. Of course you were familiar. He’s one of Heeseung’s close friends and the only one that you tolerate. To be honest you were quite tempted at her offer. Jay’s got it all. Perfect looks, ridiculously sharp jawline, and most importantly manners (one that Heeseung lacked for sure). You scoffed mentally at the thought. But unfortunately, you were not looking for anyone to date for the time being.

“I’m sure he’s great, auntie. I’m just focusing on myself right now.” You politely turned her down. “Enjoy your dumplings, please tell me if you need any assistance.”

“Yes, thank you dear. I hope I wasn’t being too nosy. I’m still working on that.”

“Don’t worry about it, auntie.”

*

Mrs. Lee and your mother promised to pick you up right after your shift ends. It’s been two weeks since Heeseung’s arrival and you notice that he’s becoming accustomed to the work before him. Given so, this was your first time leaving him alone in the shop. Even though there were other workers, you still hadn’t completely trusted the boy.

“Double check the orders, got it.”

“-And shut the blinds when closing.” He repeated after you.

“Honestly, why are you so anxious? I’m not going to bomb this place when you leave, Yn.” Heeseung crossed his arms. “Don’t trust me enough, flower?” His glint is mischievous, teasing apparent in his tone.

“First of all, don’t call me that.” You shudder at the nickname. “Second of all, no I don’t trust you. What if this place turns to ashes when I return.”

“Okay, flower.” He was playing with you, you knew that. “I’m not even in charge of the kitchens, I promise I won’t blow this place down.”

“Hmm, okay.” Your pupils shifted left and right–as if you were looking for someone. “Sunoo, watch over him for me when I’m gone.” You untie your apron from the nape of your neck before nearing the exit earning a nod from the young boy.

*

The shopping spree was fruitful, they really went all out on this one. Insisting on buying you dresses, cute tops, pants, shoes, as well as a few accessories. You were grateful–of course–but you would be lying if you said it wasn’t tiring. Though as tiring as it can be, you were having fun.

You entered your house with shopping bags occupying your upper limbs, the weight heavy on your arms. Your mother had a few of her own too and you wonder how she was carrying them with grace. You both dropped the bags on the floor before entering the empty living room. “Huh, I guess Tae and your father have gone to sleep.”

To be honest, any sane person would. It was almost twilight. The three of you found a night market on your way back, compelled by the mannequins and price tags, the two women dragged you out of the car to have a look around.

“So, Yn, now that we’re alone.” Your mother settled on the couch. “Tell me-”

*

“-how’s everything going on in the shop?” Lee Hae-in met her son still sitting in the lounge room upon her return, his eyes glued to the show on tv. But now, the dark screen reflected two figures sitting on the cushions, a mother with the son she grounded.

“It’s not that bad, I guess.” Heeseung started. “At first it was-”

*

“-dreadful. I hated mentoring him. He did everything wrong and would make annoying expressions everytime I corrected him. I felt like I wanted to pull his hair out!” Your hands went up to your head in frustration triggering a laugh from your mom.

“Is that so? Now that we’re basically halfway there,-

*

“-How do you think about her now? About all this, I mean.” The Lee woman questioned, ears perked as she listened contently to her son before her. “Uhm, I guess we’re getting along more? I mean we don’t fight that often anymore. A few insults are thrown now and then but that’s just how we always are at each other.”

“That’s good to hear.” A satisfied smile graced the older Lee. “How about the shop? Are you doing your tasks well, dear?”

“Yeah, I think I’m getting the hang of it now.”

The two older women were happy at their children’s answers. Just two more weeks or so and maybe just maybe this will mark the end of awkward dinners and uneasy tension.

“Heeseung, honey, I know you were upset with Yn after she won the exchange program instead of you. However, you’re almost an adult now. I think this is bothering her as well, why don’t you two take some time to talk about it?”

Heeseung pondered before answering his mother. Even though the tension has resided between you two for the time being, it was mostly due to professionalism to maintain poise in front of other employees and customers. If he wanted this to remain forever (or at least longer than the summer break) he would have to clear the air.

“I’ll think about it, mom.”

*

“Heeseug, I told you to be gentle with that!”

“Yn, I’m doing it exactly like what you told me!”

Shuffling noise and exclamation marks were the first thing Taehyun heard as he entered the shop at the break of dawn. “Gosh it's six am, they better not be fucking.” He grumbled under his breath before going into the kitchen.

“What are you guys doing?” Body leaned at the doorway, Kang Taehyun watched his hyung and noona–who claimed they hated each other–wrapping dumplings (more like wrapping each other) in a very close proximity.

Ha! Two weeks in, and they’re already getting closer. He was right. Now mom and Auntie Lee owe him so much cash for this.

You were quick to add some space in between you. The blood rushed to your face resulting to a pinkish hue. “We’re just preparing the mandus for today.”

“Riight. I’ll be at the register if you need me. Which you probably won’t.” He turned his back from the seniors behind him, the smirk on his face widened as he imagined how much money he’ll receive upon winning the bet with his mom and Heeseung’s.

flashback (few weeks ago)

Rays of sunlight occupied each corner of the living room as the songbird sang its morning praises. It was a perfect day to relax. Lee Hae-in and Kang Ha-yoon sat amidst thick cushions as they waited for their steamed milk buns to cook.

“You know, that was cheeky of you when you suggested this summer activity for Heeseung.” Ha-yoon started earning a light giggle from her dearest friend. “I have the biggest opportunity laid bare in front of me! I couldn't resist even if I could help it.”

“How long will it take for them to warm up to each other?”

“Two weeks.”

A familiar voice urged them to snap their heads in its direction, only to find the youngest Kang standing with his hand crossed over his chest.

“How are you so sure, Taehyunnie?” His mother questioned. The Lee woman also looked reluctant. “They've been hating each other for years, Tae. I don't think they will get along in two weeks.”

���Are you willing to bet on it, Auntie Lee, Mom?” His challenging tone was inviting. Who were they to deny a bet? Without a second doubt, the two women nodded their heads and smirked. “You're so on.”

*

With a final click!, the shop was officially closed for the day. Heeseung handed the key to you before taking something from his bag. “Yn, hold on.” His hand is placed on your shoulder, urging you to turn towards his direction.

“Hm? What’s wrong? You tilted your head, confusion written all over your face. The boy released the light grip he had on you before lifting up his free hand and unfolding his wrapped fingers.

A gasp escaped your lips at the item he held before you. There it was, a small lego figurine sitting on the center of his palm. And it was not just any figurine, but it was your favorite back when you were five. Your eyes wander into his own, the small smile adorning his face along with the swirl of emotion pooling in his vision.

You remember the day you lost it. How the world seemed to crumple beneath your feet as you lost–no–Heeseung stole the main character of your ultimate favourite lego friends set.

“Missed her?” He nudged the figurine towards you, a sign for you to take it and you did just so. “So you did steal her, huh. You denied it so much back then, I still remember.” You bite your lip in effort to suppress the curve that was slowly creeping in, but seemingly failed as you examined the small toy in your hands.

The plastic was old and details were worn out due to aging but aside from that, all the parts remained intact and well kept. Heeseung did not break it nor ruined it like you thought he would. Instead he took great care of it. Why?

“I recall, it was the first time we met. We were at my housewarming party and I really wanted you to play with me and Tae, but you didn’t.” The raven haired boy reminisced, the smile still etched on his face. “You kept playing with this lego set without any bother in the world. I really wanted to play with you but all you do is ignore me.”

“So you stole the figurine to get my attention?” You raised your left eyebrow, an attempt to guess where he was going. A small chuckle rang through your ears. “Well, it worked I guess but not in the way that I hoped. After that I just–I don’t know–kept annoying you because that’s the only way you’ll ever pay attention.”

His words settled heavily on your heart. All this time, your feud growing up was just a matter of attention. Guilt crawled from the depths, slowly leaking through your eyes. Heeseung was quick to notice. “Yn, that was so long ago, no need to be guilty.” His hands went back to your shoulders. Somehow, the warmth radiating from him felt nice–comforting.

“We could’ve been those childhood friends.” You whispered, rewriting memories inside your head. Echoing a “what if” scenario if you got along from the beginning.

“We could be now, if you want.” Dozens of stars are reflected in the dark pupils of Heeseung’s doe eyes and you can’t bring yourself to look away, not even if you tried. Your gaze shifted to his lingering hand on your scapula before urging closer in his embrace. Arms wrapped itself around his body, your movement slow and careful, giving him space to walk away. But he didn’t. He enveloped you further into himself. Your face is pressed against his chest, eyes closed. No words are spoken but the gesture speaks volumes.

“I’m sorry, Yn.” Heeseung broke the silence between you. “For everything I did to you since we were five.” He whispered, fingers trailing the strands of your hair. “And more importantly, for taking out my anger on you when you got accepted to the exchange program instead of me.”

“I’m sorry too.” You replied, head turning up to meet his waiting gaze. “I joined the program to spite you. Didn’t think I would get it, but I somehow did and made everything worse.” You unwrap each other from the embrace, solemn looks embroidered on your faces. A gulf of harsh wind swept through you, your body shivered slightly at the impact, instantly missing the warmth from the previous action.

“You deserve it, Yn. I was jealous, I could admit that now. If I had been the better choice, I would still be chosen regardless.”

“Oh, Heeseung.” Your frown is evident, denting your features and the boy before you feels the urge to wipe it off so badly as if it had no right to tarnish your perfect face.

“It's all in the past now, flower. We're good now, right?” Heeseung smiled and after, you feel a hand slip itself into your own, relinquishing the comfort from the hug. You looked at your entwined hands before offering a small nod.

“It’s getting late. Let's walk home together, yeah?”

*

A week has gone by in a blur of routine. Summer break is ending and no amount of complaints is going to stop the time from running. Heeseung now stands right in front of your door, heart palpitating and hands sweaty. It's been 5 minutes now and he's still contemplating whether he should knock on your door or just leave at this point.

After that night, your relationship with him began to shift. As you arrive at your designated homes, you two meet again across the windows of your rooms. Exchanging waves and passing short notes through the glass barrier before bidding good night. It was like straight out of a Taylor Swift music video.

Heeseung caught a smile corrupting his features before closing his mouth in shock. Did he just smile at the memory of you?? What. The. Fuck. He shook his head abruptly from side to side, almost as if he had a goal to remove something from his mind.

Just as he was doing so, the door suddenly swung open. “Heeseung?” A voice called out, confusion lacing her tone. “Auntie Kang, Hi!” The boy offered a flashy smile, almost blinding the middle aged woman. “What are you doing here, Hee?” The woman smiled at the sight of him and raised her eyebrow in amusement at his…enthusiasm?

Heeseung was happy in the early morning. This was a first.

“Are you okay? Why do you seem so happy? Too happy maybe.” Her eyes squinted in suspicion. “Whaaat? Nothing, Auntie! Just excited because dad said I could use his motorcycle today.”

Your mother hummed in understanding. Muttering how kids these days are so funny before asking the bambi-eyed boy, “What are you doing here thou-”

“Hee, you're here!” An excited voice called out, prompting the two figures on the doorway to look your way.

So this is what it's about. Mrs.Kang bit her bottom lip to contain the smile from seeping through. Noting the interaction in her mind to tell Heeseung’s mother for their planned brunch in a few hours.

Your mother wasn't oblivious, something clearly changed between you too. Gone were the two kids that used to chase each other in the courtyard, sabotaging each other’s items for revenge. You’re all grown up now and Kang Hayoon almost felt a tear drop from her left eye.

Call her dramatic but hey, Heeseung is as much like her child as you are. Just like you are a daughter to the Lees. And these two children used to be muttering curse words why chasing each other.

Kang Hayoon felt a wave of surging proudness. While your father is busy taking care of building another branch for the restaurant, you offered to manage the current one for the summer so your mom could rest. Even with your position as Heeseung’s mentor, you still insist doing so with the excuse that Heeseung is already well adapted with everything now.

You reached the door, giving your mom a quick kiss on the cheek and a goodbye before leaving with the boy. “Bye mom, it’s almost eight. We’re going to the restaurant now!” You greeted her from the motorcycle seat. “Bye, Auntie! We’ll be careful, don't worry!” He smiled once more and with a final wave, the two sped away from the driveway leaving the smiling woman on her porch.

“Hae-in needs to hear about this.” Your mother giggled before calling Heeseung’s mom on dial and closing the door as she decided that she could not wait for brunch to tell her.

*

To say Sunoo was shocked was an understatement. He stood behind the register, preparing the cash for change as he was met with his boss (you) and the intern (heeseung) got out of a motorbike together. His eyes were like saucers and his jaw was wide open. He’s so used to seeing you both fight in the mornings that it felt so…weird seeing the two of you all smiley.

“Fuck, I owe Taehyun 5 bucks now.” He whispered lowly, silently cursing at the bet he lost. The boy smiled and greeted you as well as Heeseung before returning to his current task, not forgetting to make those classic Sunoo bewildered faces behind the register and away from your prying eyes.

Taehyun arrives later with some special premade dumplings made by your mother. Passing by Sunoo as he received the cash with a swift motion in triumph. You and Heeseung are both too easy. He thought, suppressing the singular curve forming on his lips.

*

The restaurant thrives under your management. You silently thank your dad for teaching you these skills since you were little. Heeseung is currently working as a waiter (because you think he is still wonky at wrapping dumplings), busy tending to curious aunties with his charm. After your little heart to heart, you start to see him in a different light. The way his smile deepens as he is asked about his interests, the politeness seeping through his crinkled eyes when he excused himself and moved closer to you-wait what??

“You think I wouldn't notice you staring, flower?” You grimaced at the decor beside you, finding any mistake palpable in your surroundings, and ignoring the way your stomach fluttered at the nickname he just called you. Heeseung chuckled at your antics, finding you adorable.

“Staring? Hah! You’re so full of yourself, Heeseung.” Your false laughter echoed through the restaurant, turning a few heads from other workers before you threw them a glare to go back to work. “That was Jay and Jake’s moms. They were wondering how I’m doing.” You scrunch your eyebrows at his explanation. “Okay? I didn’t ask what you were doing, Lee.”

“Back to last name basis? You wound me, baby.” The bambi-eyed boy placed his hand on his chest, feigning a hurt look on his face. You rolled your eyes at him (and that ridiculous petname) before shoving him lightly. “Go back to work, employee.”

“On it, boss.” He replied, not forgetting to throw a wink at you before opting back to work. Fuck, what was he doing to you?

*

You’re pacing back and forth across your room, hands on your hips, and hair all disheveled. Chaewon laid comfortable on your mattress, elbows supporting her upper body as she watched your distressed state with amusement. “Yn, you’re going crazy.”

Tonight was an overdue girls night, meaning Chae is over at your house for the weekend. This day also marks the second last week of summer. That means one more week ‘till you are back to textbooks and exams. You groaned at the thought (and at Chaewon) before inching towards the window. Your eyes subconsciously reached the house across yours, revealing your beloved neighbor–shirtless–his ridiculously sculpted figure standing there on the other side of his window for the whole world (you) to see as he held what looked like shirts on his left hand and his phone on the right pressed on his ear as if he was calling someone.

“Uhm Yn, you’re gawking.” Your best friend peered behind you. Her hands on your shoulders as she took a peek of the sight before you. You hurriedly closed the blinds in reflex. “Damn okay, you don’t want me looking at your man. I’ll be respectful.” A sheepish smile kissed Chaewon’s face before turning her back on you and jumping back into bed.

“Chae, something is wrong with me.” You fall face flat to your bed, right beside your girlfriend. “Everytime I see him, I feel this weird feeling in my chest–and no it’s not the urge to pull out his hair.” You murmured, flipping your body to align with the ceiling before continuing. “Which is really weird because I used to always feel that way.” You pointed out, index finger up to enhance your stance. “But now everytime I see his face I just want to-want to-”

“Kiss him?” Chaewon’s smirk is glowing in her features, fully dripping with mischief. You sat up at her reply before turning your head towards your best friend, your expression shaped in disbelief. “Chaewon, what the hell.” You grab your nearest plushie–one that you stole from Taehyun’s best friend, HeuningKai–before (affectionately) beating the brown-eyed girl with it.

The sound of laughter filled the room like oxygen. “Yn, you can hit me all you want but you can’t deny it.” The raven haired girl said between her fits of giggle. “After that little apology session, you just want to kiss him pretty.” The wiggle of Chae’s brows urged you to throw the plushie right at her face. Your friend groaned at the impact before recovering as if it was nothing.

Suddenly, everything comes crashing down like an airplane with a failing engine. You paused abruptly, a huge thought bubble forming above your head. Fuck did you like him? Like, like–like him?? No, you can’t. You can’t be catching feelings with the boy you just made amends with a week ago. The boy you swore to hate since you were toddlers.

Chaewon read the expression on your face like an openbook before opting to sit across from you. “Yn, for what’s worth, he’s a really nice person. And he’s practically already family.” Her hands made their way to your shoulders. The feeling is familiar but different. Chaewon’s arms are lighter and more poised in contrast to Heeseung’s warm touch. Your head darted to your covered window, curiosity pooling in your heart at what he was doing and what he would think of this–of you.

“Imagine telling your family that you and Heeseung are a thing.” Your best friend started. “Auntie Lee and Auntie Kang are going to start jumping in glee and start preparing for your wedding with an eight week honeymoon plan to the Bahamas.” You rolled your eyes at Chae’s daydream. Though deep down, your heart swelled at the thought, offering a silent prayer as hope for the future.

“Ever since that day, he’s been, I don’t know, different.” Distress is evident in your sigh, storms of doubt clouding your thoughts. “Maybe I’m getting attached to him, I’m not sure. Maybe I’m spending too much time with that guy.” You place two hands on Chaewon’s shoulders before shaking her. “Chae, baby, loml, cleanse me, like right now.” Chaewon nodded at the request like a diligent soldier before shaking you with much more intensity.

“All cleansed now?” She asked, before stopping the vast movement. Your head is spinning, figuratively and literally, and you raised both of your thumbs toward the raven haired girl. “Fuck, I like him. I like Lee Heeseung.” You confessed against a pillow you found beside you, banging your head at the soft cushion before muffling your exasperated scream as Chaewon sat behind and patted your back in reassurance.

What a way to start girls' night.

*

Heeseung thinks you’re acting weird. You’ve been avoiding him lately–more than usual. Was it because he’s not improving with his dumpling wrapping skills? Or was it because that stunt Jake convinced him to pull, ending with him shirtless before his opened window across your own as he pretended to call someone, looking all important, while it was Jake on the other end, fully assuring him that this plan is foolproof. That it will make you go all drooling on him and finally fall in love.

The bambi-eyed boy mentally cursed at Jake. His plan definitely made you think Heeseung was some weirdo. Fuck, he just ruined all his chances with you and it’s all because of that stupid Austrilian.

Heeseung came true to his feelings one random night in the middle of a night ride with you. You both just finished closing up the shop, bidding farewell to your other workers before logging off for the night.

The boy noticed your tired demeanor, immediately slipping your hand in his before leading you to his bike. “What's the hurry, Hee?” You giggled softly at his antics, the sound speeding his drumming heart ever so slightly.

“Come on, I wanna show you something,” He unclasped your joint hand, and the warmth soon returned as he fixed your helmet on your head before adjusting his own.

Heeseung drives at a medium pace. Not too slow to bore you but also not too fast to risk your lives. The bambi-eyed boy passed your houses, earning a curious look from you. You watch as you exit the suburbs to a little road near the highway. The view from above was breathtaking, city lights cover the vast land like pieces of your lego city collection. You gasped at the beauty ahead of you. The dark haired boy stopped at the hook of the road, taking off his helmet and yours as his steps started inching towards the railings of the empty road.

You follow closely behind, basking on the beauty of the night. The city is still lively–it always is. A contrast to the sleeping stars that hung on the horizon, blinking in haze as humans are left to wonder from below.

Your hand is placed beside his on the railing. Gentle wind kissed the tip of your nose with grace, prompting you to close your eyes to enjoy the serene moment. “This is nice.” You whispered, releasing all the stress harboring on your shoulders and Heeseung hummed in agreement, his head turning in your direction.

The boy watched the sight before him with much intent. His focus shifted to the details of your skin, blurring the busy city’s whispers. Remnants of neon lights were reflected on your face below the moonlight. He noticed your lids fluttering before gazing at the stars above. “What a pretty view.”

Heeseung’s eyes remained on you, the city and sky distorted as he pinned his vision on you. “Yeah, it’s breathtaking.”

The two of you went home in comfortable silence. Your head slowly drowsing on his back before you fix your position to sit upright. Heeseung chuckled at your sleepy state before muttering, “You can sleep, flower. We’ll be home in no time.” His tone is soft on your ears and you hummed at him–too sleepy to voice a proper reply. And before you know it, two arms wrapped itself around Heeseung’s waist, prompting his heart to stop for a second before running at a faster pace. You settle comfortably behind him, your cheek pressed on his back as he drives with such carefulness and grace to your homes.

After returning to his own room, we wasted no time to call his closest friends, confiding to them about his newfound realization. He was in love with you, so badly.

*

Today was the day. The day where Heeseung is going to confront you. He’s tired of having to walk around eggshells around you, he wants to make things right, clear out any misunderstandings (and maybe confess if it all goes right). You texted him yesterday that you won't be needing a ride from him as you had to tend to other matters earlier than usual. As much as it disappointed him, he had no choice but to comply, not wanting to push past the boundaries you built.

Heeseung arrived at the restaurant much earlier than usual. He glanced at his watch, the time read 7:30. Seven fucking thirty. Gosh it was dawn for holiday mood Heeseung (even though it was 30 minutes earlier than his usual routine, BUT that was 30 minutes of sleeping wasted) The things he’d do for you. The boy sighed, fumbling with a copy of the key you gave him before.

He inserted the key towards the hole, turning it to the left in an attempt to unlock the door but failed in doing so. Heeseung paused before examining the handle, confusion glazing his features as his hand grabbed the knob before slowly pulling it down and opening the door with success.

What? Did you forget to lock the door before closing yesterday? No, he was sure you didn't. You were never that irresponsible. In fact you were probably never irresponsible at all. Did someone break in? There were no signs of force breaking in so that was not possible.

An echo of laughter rang through his ears, stopping Heeseung from his tracks. He peered his eyes at the sound that seemed to be coming from the kitchen. Slowly, the boy made his way towards the source, curiosity tugging his heart.

The kitchen light was on and through the window, Heeseung could perfectly see two people standing at the dumpling-making-table-thingy. His eyes widened at the revelation, there was you talking to another man beside you. He's seen him before, but he just can't quite place who. It’s one of those boys you hang around with. Soobin and Yeongjum? Whatever it was.

The boy squinted his eyes, trying to make out who exactly was this person beside you. A distraction to suppress the gnawing feeling pooling in his chest as another line of laughter escaped your lips.

His heart ached when your laugh settled on his mind. A pang of jealousy hit him across the face. You never laughed that much with him. Well maybe it was due to your past rivalry, but it's all gone now, right?

Well maybe he was wrong because your words proved him otherwise.

“By the way, Yn.” The man before you called out, prompting you to hum in reply. “How's everything, you know? With the Heeseung thing and all.”

“It's been really tiring. With school coming soon and everything, ugh.” You sighed, the crease in your eyebrows deepening and Heeseung felt the urge to kiss it away. Though he grounded himself at his position, still behind the walls as he listened to your conversation.

“I’ve been avoiding him lately, Junnie.” His ear perked up at your confession, subconsciously leaning in to hear you more clearly. Ah yeah, Yeonjun. That was his name.

“Why?” Yeonjun asked, confusion wrapping his tone as his hands skillfully wrapped the dumpling before him. Your lack of answer shifted Heeseung's focus to the ridiculously perfect dumpling sitting proudly on Yeonjun’s hand and how quickly he moves on to the next one, wrapping with such professionalism as if he's been folding dumplings since he was born.

Heeseung’s annoyance was cut short as he heard your answer. “I don't know. I just…don't want him to get the wrong idea.” Your voice is small, barely heard, but Heeseung could hear the words clearly.

You didn't want him to get the wrong idea. That was it, that was basically a rejection. You don't feel the same. The bambi eyed boy felt his heart sinking in his chest. The same organ weighs fifty thousand pounds heavier than it usually was, dragging him down with it.

“Anyway, you're driving to the concert, right?” You questioned, tone picking up ever so slightly.

Heeseung furrowed his eyebrows. Concert?

“Yeah, yeah, of course.” He heard Yeonjun reply. “You've worked so hard to earn these tickets, we’ll have the best time there together, Ynnie.”

The boy behind the kitchen window resisted the urge to scoff. So that's it? You agreed to mentor him for a stupid concert date? Jealousy was a drug and Heeseung dwelled in it with no hesitation. He ignored the way his heart clenched at the thought of losing you. Well, you were never his in the first place.

They boy left the restaurant in the same manner he went in but with more passive aggression. Taking the keys with him before driving off back to his house. Fuck this stupid mentoring shit and Fuck these stupid frelings.

You remained unaware of the tragedy that happened outside as you continued to focus on preparing the delicacy. “Yn, you have to tell him.” Yeonjun’s voice snapped you out of your thoughts. You still, knowing exactly what he meant, while hands are still moving–folding the dough as if it ran an automatic program. “I don't know, Junnie. What if he doesn't reciprocate my feelings?”

“He would be stupid not to.”

*

Yeonjun was right, you had to be true to your feelings. Your friend left after he finished helping you with the dumplings, leaving you alone amidst your thoughts as the workers arrived one by one. You watch by the front door carefully, eyes focused to find a certain bambi-eyed boy. Concern clouded your mind, the clock strikes nine and Heeseung has yet to make his appearance.

This was weird, he was never late (save the first day). Well maybe because you’ve been going here together for the past few days, but he was never late even at the beginning. Did something happen to him? “Sunoo, have you seen Heeseung?” You turned your head towards Sunoo behind the register, eyebrows furrowed in question. The boy shook his head in response and you ignored the way your heart sank.

You grab your phone from your pocket, muscle memory automatically hovering towards his contact. These past few days you and Heeseung’s been texting more often, and though you hate to admit it, the feeling made you giddy to the heart. Your fingers typed on the keypad in a swift move, texting a quick “where r u it’s late” and a “r u okay?” right after.

The boy in question was laid in his bed. Back against the mattress as he wallows in heartbreak songs all morning. The ping from his phone urged him to open the screen, his chest heaved heavily upon seeing your messages. Why do you care? He scoffed after reading the message mentally. Just let that Yeonjun replace him or something. Heeseung suppressed his impulsive thought to type that in and settled with a lame excuse instead. “not feeling well, won’t come today. sry." Before turning up the volume as Mr. Loverman comes to play.

You frowned at his reply, a worried expression taking over your features. “oh no :( get well soon hee.” Your fingers moved before you could control them. “rest up. I’ll come over after my shift.”

Heeseung widened his eyes as he read your reply, clearly not expecting your last statement. He quickly sat up, thinking of yet another lame excuse to avoid you seeing him. Fuck this was bad, his plan surely backfired on him. “U CANT! Uhm it’s infectious, don’t come near me or u’ll get sick.”

Infectious? What? Is Heeseung okay? You spent the whole week maybe even month with him lately, and whatever it is he caught, there’s probably a big change you’ve caught it too. “Did u get covid or smthn?” You typed in, concerned for yourself too slowly creeping in. It’s been years since the pandemic, you were even surprised it was still a thing. “does it mean I cld have it too? Shld i get tested? Yk what imma get tested rn.”

“It’s not covid!” His reply made you pause on your tracks. “It’s nthn srs, u don’t have to come. Js focus on the shop.”

“Will u return tmrw?” You questioned, no effort in containing your curiosity. “Idk, we’ll see.”

Yeah right, “we’ll see.” Heeseeung scoffed at his own text. He’ll see if he recovered from heartbreak enough to be able to see your stupidly beautiful face. The boy locked his phone before opting to throw it to his bed as he continued to blast to a thousand more sad songs. Fuck you and your perfect self. Why don’t you just go take care of Yeonjun when he’s sick of something.

*

Friday comes in a flash. The sun has set twice since Heeseung’s disappearance and he thinks two days are enough time to sulk and return to his current summer disposition. It was his last day here anyways. After this, school will return and you both will just pretend the other doesn't exist as usual.

He makes his way past the front doors, mind unfocused as he ventures inside the restaurant. His tired eyes met yours, and for one second Heeseung forgets everything he eavesdropped that morning. “Heeseung.” You called out, surprise laced on your tone, clearly not expecting his return after disappearing from the face of earth. The boy resisted the desire in his heart to just run and hug you until you suffocate. But the remnants of your voice that haunted him till this day pulled him back. “I’ve been avoiding him, Junnie. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”

Right, you don’t like him that way. He has to remind himself of that and drill it onto his brain. “Heeseung?” You draw closer at his silence. Your hand slowly made its way to his arm, touching the skin slightly before the boy nudged back, avoiding your grasp.

Oh.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s fine, whatever. I’ll just go to work now.”

You don’t know what’s going on, you don’t know what’s wrong. His tone is indifferent, cold, and weaved with a harsh emotion you can’t quite place. The boy passed by you, accidentally bumping your shoulder before starting his usual routine. You could almost hear your heart breaking in your chest, the feeling dragging you down as rain started to pour, the clouds diminishing the ray of sunlight left in your eyes and the sky.

*

The rest of the day is filled with awkward tension and forced professionalism. Heeseung is aware of his status in the restaurant so he maintained his poise. Though he can’t help but steal glances of you, managing the schedule and tending the customers with such light in your eyes, contrast to his gloomy vision. The pain in his heart is subduable but he hates it. It was stupid of him to fall for you in the first place. You were always there, not even 200 meters away from him everyday, yet why do you still remain so out of reach?

Yellow hue dissipates into serene blue, the stars finally waking up to light the dark night. Heeseung waits behind, leaning on his motorcycle as you close up for the day. This was it, his last shift and probably his last one-on-one interaction with you.

As much as Heeseung wants to avoid you right now, he doesn’t have the heart to make you walk back alone. After all the past two days has been enough.

The ride back home was quiet, awkward silence cut through the tension like knife slicing though a piece of room temperature butter. The boy stops in front of your driveway, waiting for you to remove your helmet before parking the bike in his garage.

“Thank you.” Your whisper graced his ear, your gaze finding him like a pirate longing for her lost treasure. “For the ride…and for everything.” Was what you said before turning your back on him and reaching towards your front door.

Heeseung was quick to return home, not forgetting to wipe the strain tear that escaped his right eye as he reached the comfort of his room. Gosh was he stupid.

*

“Babe, do you think Hoshi is going to notice me if I use this top or the other?” Chaewon stands in front of the full length mirror, opting two tops each on her left and right hand. The question rang pass through your ears, your focus all poured towards your window, gaze stuck on the glass panels across your own, his midnight blue curtains covering the interior, screaming at you like it held a “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS” sign right on your face.

Your best friend turned her head towards you at your lack of reply, eyebrows furrowed as she noticed your current predicament. She was quick to move towards your window and closed the blinds, bursting the rain cloud forming above your head. “Yn, spill the beans.” Chaewon’s voice is serious and compelling, and just like that, words start spilling from your mouth. You told how gentle and considerate he’s become for the past week, the occasional night rides, the conversation that continued till midnight, the little notes you passed from your window, and the fact that he suddenly started to act cold and weird on you since Wednesday.

Chaewon listened with much intent, her hands moved quickly to wipe your damp cheeks as the tears fell without any warning. Well good thing you haven’t started your makeup. “You have to talk to him, baby.” She started, hands gentle on the crown of your head. “I’m going to beat him up for making you cry.” She whispered lowly, triggering a chuckle from your throat.

“How? All he does is avoid me. I don’t even know what I did wrong.”

The raven-haired girl hummed in response, the gears of her brain spinning. “Don't your families have a joint dinner together every last Sunday of the month?” You nodded slowly at her question, mind deliberately following where she was going. “That’s tomorrow, you’ll talk to him then. Steal him away after dinner or something.” She lifted up her arms to your shoulders before shaking them hard. “Let me cleanse you. For now, let's have fun, look at hot men dancing and doing fanservice. Forget ALL the drama.”

A chuckle escaped your lips as the light made its way back to your eyes. She’s right. Today you’re going to forget about Heeseung and that stupidly pretty face of his. Tonight you’re going to go to that SEVENTEEN concert and occupy your mind with Joshua Hong.

*

Family dinner is awkward as usual. Well for you and Heeseung, not for your parents and brother. Taehyun talking about something with your parents as you sat across the boy that’s been avoiding you. You dismissed the desire to look at his face because right now you are stuck in a perplexity. You don’t know if you want to punch him or you want to kiss him. Well you do know that you want to do it hard, either of the options doesn’t matter.

Your mothers left the dining room to prepare dessert and Heeseung excused himself to go to take something from his room. You took this as an opportunity, muttering “I need to go to the bathroom real quick.” before exiting the space to follow after him. Missing the way Taehun spoke to your dad and Heeseung’s. “50 bucks say that they’ll make out in his room.”

You sped towards the hall, taking his hand as you pulled him into his chambers. The bambi eyed boy felt like an intruder at his own living quarters, his eyes widened in shock, not expecting your actions. “Heeseung, let’s talk.” You start, voice sturdy and serious, cornering the boy before you with an arm beside his shoulder to block any escape route, his back pressing against the wooden door.

“What…what do you mean? Th-there’s nothing to talk about.” The boy grumbled, trying his best to not fluster under your gaze. Gosh why were you so close? Heeseung’s breath became shallow and quicker, the tips of his ears morphed into a crimson shade as he noticed your proximity.

Your eyes squinted at his sheepish reply. “Don’t act stupid, Lee. You’ve been avoiding me all of a sudden with like absolutely no reason!” A polished finger made its way to the dark-haired boy’s chest before he felt a light pressure at the contact. “You disappeared from the shop for two days–you’re welcome by the way for not telling our parents–and started acting like I don’t deserve your time or something.” You shove repeatedly at the same point, frustration swallowing you entirely and Heeseung? He just braced the impact like it was nothing to him.

Heeseung stilled as he waited for you to calm yourself, his gaze tenderly settled on you, in contrast to the emergency sirens that’s swarming his head like a busy ER hospital. Fuck, what was he gonna tell you? That he overheard you and Yeonjun and that he avoided you because he can’t handle a little jealousy and perhaps competition? Were you and Yeonjun even a thing? His mind is in scrambles and he can’t seem to get anything out.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to hurt you like that.” You peer towards the floorboards, features flushing scarlet as guilt wraps the previous emotion away. Your finger is still on his chest and before you can lower it down, a warm hand enveloped your knuckles. Chocolate colored iris melt into your own letting a thousand emotions seeping through like an overflowing glass of water akin to an eternal fountain. “Yn, let me explain everything.”

So he did and you let him. Heart echoing in sync against your ribcage, his hand not leaving yours anytime soon as he rubs soft circles. You almost melt in his touch. Keyword: almost. Gosh Yn were you that touch starved? Or did you really miss him that badly?

“I overheard your conversation with Yeonjun last Wednesday morning.” He confessed, thumb caressing your skin in a gentle motion. You can hear the gears of your brain spinning before wondering, “Last Wednesday…Yeonjun…What? It was like half past seven, how were you there? You said you were sick.”

“Yeah, let me continue first.” You nodded at his statement. “I wanted to, uhm I don’t know, like surprise you by going there early?” Heeseung paused, silently questioning his past self. “Oh, I also got curious why you didn’t want to ride together that morning.” The boy spontaneously added. “First when I entered I was confused why was the door unlocked but then I heard laughs–your laugh from the inside and I guess I wanted to know who made you laugh like that.”

You soaked his words like a sponge’s first contact with running water. The pattern of his thumb movements is still softly caressing your epidermis, offering you a peace of mind as you sink in his explanation. “Then I saw you with Yeonjun all comfortable and I got jealous. I realise you never smiled at me like that or laughed that much with me around. I got so jealous that I just couldn’t see you or I’ll burst in frustration.”

He stopped stroking your palm and instead squeezed it firmly before fidgeting it with both hands. “I also heard about the concert date. So I found out you mentored me for a month to get a concert date with another man. He must be pretty special, huh.” His movements went to halt and you hate how your heart seemed to ache for more–more of his touch.

“Yeonjun and I are just friends.” Your whisper is gentle upon his ears, the implication of another statement relieved his whole body. You’re still single. “He was helping out because he lost a bet and well he was damn good at wrapping dumplings too.” You chuckled, mind drifting to that particular moment and as if on cue, Junnie’s wise words echoed through your mind. You have to tell him how you feel, Yn.

“Yn I-”

“Heeseung-”

You both started simultaneously startling each other with the synchronisation. “You go first, Hee.”

“Are you sure? You can go-”

“You look like you need to get something out that badly.” You attempted to joke, lifting up the heavy mood that surrounds you like a thick fog.

Heeseung took a deep breath as he stepped closer towards you. His back is not leaned against the door anymore and his gaze is stuck on yours. “Yn I…I like you. Fuck, I love you, even, probably, I don’t know.” The boy pulled your still joint hands, lifting it up before kissing the skin in a gentle manner, one that leaves you yearning for more.

“But I want to…figure it out. With you, if you don’t mind.” Your connecting gaze doesn’t break. You breathe in his confession like a drug, addicted to the true sound of his heart. The light in his eyes dimmed at your lack of reply. But before he could turn away, a force pulled him down from the nape of his neck as warm lips pressed against his own, soft but also fierce, not lacking of passion. Almost as if you’ve been waiting to do this.

The boy doesn’t wait to reciprocate, one of his hands slithered on your waist like it was meant to be there as the other cups your cheek, angling it sideways to deepen the kiss. You could feel it, all the raw emotion rushing through the action. And right now, this is all that matters. His lips are gentle on yours, moving with such care like you were the most precious thing in his possession. Years of tension and harbored feelings melted into the kiss, you pulled him even closer to you, like you can’t handle any remaining distance between you.

Heavy breaths echoed across the room as your faces deepened into five shades of maroon, your past actions finally settling into you. You couldn’t believe it. You just kissed Lee Heeseung. And he kissed you back. If you were to tell this moment to your five year old self, you swore she was gonna punch you in the face for having Heeseung’s cooties.

“So…uhm, I like you too?” You sheepishly smiled, still enveloped in his embrace. The warmth excluding him started to feel like home.

The boy before you mirrored your smile before quickly pecking your lips. You both laughed at the carefree moment. Finally after a decade and two years of constant fighting and suppressed feelings, you both came true to another.

“Come and give me another kiss, girlfriend.” Heeseung felt the corner of his mouth curling up, eyeing his love. The newfound status rolled out of his tongue like it was second nature, like he had practiced it a couple hundred times before.

The butterflies swarming your stomach still continued to linger and even increased tenfold. The tips of your ears showcasing the color of your favorite fruit–strawberries. But instead of melting into a mush (like you would prefer to tbh), you hummed in thought, leaning backwards with his hands wrapped on your waist supporting your back before replying, “Girlfriend?” Your eyebrow shot up. “Maybe after one date, then I’ll consider.”

Heeseung harbored no other emotion in his gaze rather than one reeking of amusement and love as he kissed the tip of your nose, amplifying the crimson shade of your facade.

"Okay, next Saturday, 7pm. Wear something nice, baby."

BONUS:

You and Heeseung made your way back to the dining table with flustered faces, (slightly) swollen lips, and a suspiciously good mood. Taehyun raised his eyebrows at the two older people before him, his gaze later shifted to the side, making eye contact with your dad and Hee’s before receiving two fifty bucks under the table.

Ah, what a good day. Now he just needs to collect the remaining money from Auntie Lee and your mom’s bet.

Kang Ha-yoon and Lee Hae-in watched as their children exchanged sheepish glances instead of muttering curses at the other, a surging proudness fills the air like oxygen, letting the two woman finally breathe in the air with no cut throat tension radiating from you and Heeseung.

They might’ve lost a hundred bucks and may or may not owe Taehyun a new PS5, but as awkward dinners turn into lively conversations (without any passive aggression lacing in your tones) the two women send knowing smiles to each other.

It seemed as if their plan had worked. A little too well maybe but hey, maybe they'll officially be family if this continues. After all, your mothers have always secretly fantasised about yours and Heeseung’s wedding without any knowledge that there is a bigger chance of it coming true.

The private pinterest board rotting in your mother’s account may be for good use after all.

Fin.

TAGLIST -> @jiwuu @xylatox @ttulixia @iboughtnjz @bubblytaetae @wintereals @manuosorioh @ddolleri

AERNX 2025

[greenwitchfromthewoods]

a new beginning. l Joel Miller

Summary: waiting for this day, more and more worries appeared in your head

Warnings: tears, worries and fears about being a parent, Reader is pregnant, Gail shows up, Reader and Joel are worried but try to support each other; someone new shows up at the end

A/N: I guess I was waiting for this chapter. And you?

your feedback is very important to me and I thank you for all the reblogs, comments and likes. 🖤 sorry for all the mistakes

short stories from life. [masterlist]

The next few weeks were really warm and not good for you. There was not much time left until you were due and your body was really giving you a hard time. You felt uncomfortable in your own skin, which was hard to bear and really overwhelmed you. Every stitch felt irritating, you felt swollen and it seemed to you that if Ann looked beautiful, you were rolling like a ball.

No, you didn't tell Joel or anyone else about it because you were already the target of their attention. That also annoyed and tormented you.

And it wasn't until one evening when Joel came home early and Ellie went out with Din and Jesse that everything came to light. For a moment he was scared when he heard your sobs coming from the bedroom, but when he entered he saw you sitting on the bed. Joel's shirt was tight around your belly, you pushed back your damp hair and your eyes were red from tears. However, as soon as you saw Joel in the doorway you quickly wiped your cheeks.

"What happened?" he asked, scared. “Something’s wrong with…”

“No, nothing with the baby.” You answered quickly, and after a moment you added a little too nervously, “And no, I’m not giving birth. Not yet.”

He looked at you tenderly and hesitantly approached the bed. “Will you tell me what’s going on? I can see that something’s worrying you.”

You took a deep breath, your lips shaking from crying. “I just… feel bad. And I feel bad because I feel bad, and I shouldn’t, right?”

Joel sat down on the bed next to you, seeing you nervously twisting your fingers. He gave you time to get out what you needed to say.

“I look like a big ball. I feel like a big ball.”

“Honey,” he sighed. “You’re carrying our baby, it’s normal at this stage.”

“I know!” you groaned, holding back a sob. “But no one told me that before! I barely fit into my clothes, and the last time I dropped a spoon, Ellie had to pick it up because I couldn’t reach it. And I’m so hot! And I’m sleeping worse and worse. I feel like I’m on an emotional rollercoaster and I’m terrified…” you took a deep breath. “I’m scared of giving birth, I’m scared of what’s going to happen after. What if I can’t breastfeed? What if taking care of her is harder than we think? What if I’m not cut out to be a mother?”

Tears ran down your cheeks after the last words, but you didn’t wipe them away. “I’m tired, Joel. I love you, Ellie, and this little girl I’m carrying, but I don’t feel good enough. I’m trying, but… I’m scared I’ll let you all down.”

You had to get everything out because you fell silent, sobbing quietly. Joel felt like his heart would break seeing you like this and barely understanding everything that was going on in your head. He knew perfectly well that you didn't regret this pregnancy, but you were confused and unsure of what was to come.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet and he tried to choose his words very carefully. "When Sarah was born, I was really young. Too young. Things didn't work out with her mom and soon I was left alone with this little girl. It was really hard, even though Tommy helped me, but he was just a kid himself." He sighed. "I want to say that I don't know much about how you feel, honey. I can only guess how scared you are, but I will do everything in my power to make you feel like you have my support. Remember, you are not alone in this. We will find a solution to any problem we come across. I will get up at night, change diapers, bathe her and put her to bed so you can rest." 

“You’re impossible…” you moaned, but the corners of your mouth twitched.

“I am because I love the most beautiful woman in the world, and she is carrying my child.” He reached out and wiped your damp cheeks. “I know you are scared, I feel it too. And we have the right to feel that way. Our lives are going to change.”

You nodded. “Do you think we are ready for this?”

“With you, I am ready for anything.”

Gail walked down the stairs and spotted Joel sitting on the porch. The sunlight danced on the wooden floor as she walked through the living room and soon approached him.

“She fell asleep,” she said, quietly closing the door. She sat down on the chair next to the bench and leaned back, pushing her blonde hair back. “It’s good that you asked me to talk to her. I think I could have helped her.”

Joel nodded. He seemed so vulnerable when it came to the people he was close to.

“Thank you,” he replied, his voice full of emotion. "I didn't know who to ask to talk to her. She has friends, but you're a professional."

"I feel appreciated." Gail smiled. "You have to try to understand her, Joel. She doesn't want to hurt you, she just..."

"She's scared, I know," he finished for her. "I try to calm her down, support her. Sometimes I feel guilty for putting her up to this pregnancy."

The woman frowned. "Please don't say that. She wanted this just as much as you did. But your earlier loss couldn't go unnoticed. She felt guilty about what happened, and now she blames herself for everything that's going on in her head. She loves you. I can see it and hear it in her voice. She loves you, the baby, and Ellie. She's just a little confused. Hormones." she said, as if that summed it all up.

Joel nodded again slightly.

“How long until her due date?” Gail asked.

“Two, maybe three weeks.” Joel replied. “My first daughter was born a little early.”

“I have a feeling this one might be similar.” The woman smiled and, seeing Joel’s look, added, “Just an old woman’s hunch, don’t worry.”

She stood up and reached out to put her hand on his shoulder. “She knows you support her and love her. What lies ahead isn’t easy, but it will be beautiful if you’re in this together. If you or she needs to talk, you know where I live.”

“Thank you.”

Gail smiled and soon walked down the few steps and headed toward the street. Joel watched her for a moment, thinking about her words. He didn’t think he’d ever be a father again. The thought scared him a little, but once you were in that vision, it made everything a little easier. He felt his eyes getting slightly moist, so he got up and went back home.

He found you asleep in bed. Gail had to close the curtains so the sun wouldn't bother you. There was a blanket wrapped between your legs, and from under your slightly raised shirt he could see the curve of your belly. If he had a camera, Joel would have definitely taken a picture of you then, and put it in a frame to remember this moment forever.

"Come to me..." your voice was barely audible. You looked at him sleepily.

So he took off his shoes and laid down next to you, and after a moment your head rested on his chest, your arm tightly wrapped around him.

"I love you so much," you whispered, falling asleep again.

"I know, baby, I know," he replied, kissing the top of your head. "I love you too."

When you first felt something strange, you were with Ann and Elijah, taking fresh bread. You froze with the loaf in your hand. “What happened?” Ann asked, maneuvering to hide the buns while not letting Elijah put the whole bun in his mouth.

“Nothing, I guess.” You answered, touching your stomach. “Nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” You nodded. “Joel is at Russo’s, helping them with the oven. Can we go there?”

Ann was surprised, but agreed, because when Elijah heard Joel’s name, he let his mother take him in her arms without a problem. The day was warm, although you could already feel the approaching fall in the air. You had been feeling really good for a few days, the temperature had dropped, and talking to Gail and Joel had also helped you.

Before you even crossed the threshold of Russo’s, the strange feeling came over you again.

“Oh, honey! You look amazing.” Mrs. Russo quickly approached you with a delighted look. “Joel is in the kitchen. Should I call him?”

“If you would be so kind, ma’am.” You replied.

Ann placed Elijah on the floor and he quickly trotted after the older woman. Your friend looked at you suspiciously.

“Are you sure you feel okay?” she asked. “It seems like…”

“I feel okay.” You answered a little too quickly. “I just need to see Joel.”

“Now?”

“Yes!” You grabbed your stomach again and this time it didn’t go unnoticed by Ann.

When Joel came out of the kitchen, Elijah on his arm, all he saw was Ann’s wide eyes. “She probably needs to go to the clinic.” She said. “As soon as possible.”

“What happened?” Joel was a little confused. “Do you think…”

You nodded. “I think so. I’ve been having these weird cramps for a while now and… This has never happened before.”

Ann quickly took her son from Joel’s arms, then moved the bag of bread from your shoulder, telling you she’d take care of everything.

Joel was already there, his arm around you. “If you see Ellie,” he told Ann, “tell her where we are, okay?”

The woman nodded. “Good luck.”

“That’ll come in handy,” Joel mumbled, and you hissed in pain again. “Okay, honey. Time to meet this little one.”

She came into the world just as the room filled with the glow of the setting sun. Joel's ears were filled with a sharp and loud cry that he felt in every cell of his body. He continued to hug you, and you dug your nails into his palms - but that wasn't important. Only that cry.

Your face, a moment ago expressing pain and exhaustion, now lit up. You both looked at the girl, whom Dr. Morris quickly wrapped in a clean towel and placed on your chest.

"Hi, little girl. We've been waiting for you."

Your voice was quiet, but you were sure she recognized you. You looked at Joel - he was looking at both of you as if he couldn't believe what had happened, his eyes glistening with tears. Finally, you saw a shy smile on his lips, and his eyes found yours. He didn't have to say much, you felt the same.

"Jesus, darling. You were so brave." he said, kissing your temple. “You were both so brave. And she is…” 

“Perfect.”

☆☆☆☆

Thank you for your time.

taglist, i think: @picketniffler @orcasoul @bbyanarchist @o-sacra-virgo-laudes-tibi @somedayheaven @underneath-the-sky-again @callmebyyournick-name @hiroikegawa @mandaloriankait @mmmunson @grace-928 @umadirectioner @libraryofneith @princess76179

[neilsbeloved]

party on u

summary: another party invitation has you torn between going and not going. clark, who’s been there to pick you up every time you’re left in a party all drunk and alone, tells you to do the latter. you don’t agree.

pairing: clark kent x fem!popular!reader

tags: angst / established relationship / underage drinking / rocky relationships / arguments / mentions of puking / hotheads / silence treatments / subtle tones of bullying / reader is a people-pleaser

"Is puking your entire face out at the side of the road not enough reason to pass on this party?" The voice of reason—Clark Kent—rings in your ear. Standing above you with his arms crossed on his chest.

"Clark, I was invited, I can't turn down an invitation," you reason out.

He shakes his head, "That's not even an excuse. You're just scared that they'll get mad when you pass on some random person's birthday party."

"Fine—I'm going just because my friends asked me to. What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong with that?" he inhales, "Those same friends that invited you, they were also the ones that left you to fend for yourself in a stranger's house all drunk and alone." Clark's voice strains, though he did try to keep his gentle, it was hard when you've been arguing with him about the topic for an hour now. "God knows what could've happened if I didn't saw you at the cornfield puking."

His little outburst has you sitting in silence like a scolded child. Your head hanging low, lips pursing into a thin line.

Clark paces around the loft, arms still crossed, visibly frustrated at the situation. On any other day, he wouldn't even worry about what—or whose—party you're going to. He doesn't care about what you do with your personal life because he trusts you that much.

The only difference was he didn't have the same trust for your friends… and not to mention, he would be driving with his parents for a quick stop to Metropolis. He wouldn't be as quick as he always is to pick you up from the party.

"Just… think about this for a second, okay?" Clark's voice softens, walking over to you. "You don't have to do this just to please your friends. If they really are your friends, they'd be fine with you missing a party."

He bends down to take a seat beside you, already reaching out but then you pull away. Standing up abruptly as you walk to the side of the loft. Your features were firm, eyes unreadable and glaring at him.

"Don't be a hypocrite, Clark," you start, your jaw clenching as every part of you just screamed. "You please your friends just as much as I do mine and you don't see me calling you out on it. Why are you calling me out?"

"What? I'm not—"

You stop him from standing up, holding a hand towards him. "Every time you missed out on our date, you always say you were caught up doing something with Chloe—with Pete—With Lana—Hell, with everyone!" Your voice dials down, a sigh leaving your lips. "Everyone except me."

"Babe, this isn't even relevant to the argument—we're talking about you potentially being in danger because your friends couldn't be bothered to care for anyone other than themselves. Not even for the person they call their best friend." Clark's words hit a mark in your heart. The words you've dreaded to hear about your relationship with your friends were now out in the open.

Clark swallows the guilt in his throat, feeling his insides come on fire because of the look of hurt on your eyes. He never wanted to see those kinds of emotions in them, not when he knows they hold so much love.

After staring at each other for what seemed to be hours, letting the weight of both of your words hang in the air, you finally speak.

"We need to take a break, Clark."

His face drops, "No, we don't."

"Yes, we do." You say with finality, wiping the lone tear that fell from your eye as you grab your bag on his couch.

Clark grabs your hand, holding it tightly, refusing to let you go with a hot head. "No, we'll talk about this properly, Y/N. You can't just demand a break every time we argue."

"If I demanded for a break every time we argued, Clark, we wouldn't even be having this conversation right now." You shrug off his hand roughly. Ignoring that way his eyebrows knitted in confusion.

You take one more look at him. "I hope your parents get to Metropolis safely. Don't bother to text me when you get there."

Whoever said that parties can't make you feel better was stupid. You're feeling way better than you've ever felt before.

Or maybe that's the alcohol in your system.

Either way, the music's pumping that desperately needed faux happiness you needed so much. Your friends jumping with you in the middle of the house, drinks in hand, laughing and singing over each other's voices.

"I thought you would've flaked out on us!" Your friend says, sipping her drink.

Another agrees, "Yeah! I was starting to worry—is she really going to miss Lily's birthday?"

"Oh please, I wouldn't miss it even if my legs were cut off," you laugh, not enough to reach your eyes though. But you're sure none of them would notice it.

"Good," one says, "Because we wouldn't talk to you if you did."

You had hoped that they were only joking, that they were simply teasing you for arriving late, but the lack of chuckles or laughters that follow their words says otherwise. The space suddenly feeling tight as you try to laugh it off, continuing on dancing around despite the immediate change of air.

You try to ignore that twist in your stomach, unfortunately as much as the alcohol amplifies that tiny bit of happiness you have, it also increases the ache in your heart.

Desperate to escape, you excuse yourself to the bathroom.

"Oh, it's upstairs, don't worry I'll take you there," one of your guy friend says, handing over his cup to one of your friends before jerking his head at you.

He was one of the closest friends you hand in your friend group and so you didn't really question it when he practically split the red sea of people just to get you to the stairs.

"I'll wait here," he says, leaning on the wall across from the bathroom after taking a quick peek through the shower curtains in the bathroom.

"You sure?" You say, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Uh-huh, door's busted. I'll keep watch here."

You nod, heading inside, locking the door and doing your business.

As you sat on the toilet, you pulled out your phone and stared at the blank screen in silence.

There wasn't any new texts from your boyfriend.

Right. You asked for a break. How stupid of you to think he'd actually text you.

You turned off your cell, slipping it back inside your pocket before you fixed yourself in front of the mirror. You pull your lips into a smile, watching the way the skin of your lips cracked with the stretch. You take one deep breath, locking eyes with yourself.

"I'll be fine," you whisper, nodding silently as you head back out.

Three days since the party, three days since you've put a break on yours and Clark's relationship.

You're not sure if you can last any longer.

Before you ponder on the chances though, your friends are pulling you into another party.

"C'mon, please! I'll be the designated driver, I swear," a friend shakes your arm, convincing you for the past two minutes to come with them to this party at the edge of town.

You laugh dryly, staying firm with your prior answer—No.

That same friend rolls her eyes, roughly dropping your arm. You looked at her confusedly. The behavior didn't really surprise you, it's just the quickness of her mood to change.

"Dinah, you literally were the drunkest one out of all of us the last time we partied. Don't expect me to believe you'll be sober for this one, it's your boyfriend's party." You try to reason out, maintaining a neutral tone.

"Okay so? Johnny can drive you home," she turns to the man beside you, "You were with her last night, right? When she went to the bathroom?"

You shake your head with a soft scoff, "He left me in the bathroom. Went after you guys after you called him to head to some arcade in town."

Dinah and Johnny shares a look, one you knew very well. The friend in front of you—Alex— turns around, shaking his head at your words before he bumps with someone.

"Watch where you're going," Alex spits, throwing over a dirty look at someone you make to be Chloe Sullivan. Clark's friend.

"Oh wow, should I have made way for you, your highness?" Chloe laughs back, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

Clark appears from behind her, locking eyes with you.

He had his jaw clenched, eyes indescribable, visibly tensed at the sight of you.

Alex doesn't rebut, simply throwing the duo a dirty look before he grabs your shoulder and pulls you and Dinah to where your lockers were.

"That Sullivan's getting over her head," Alex scoffs, glaring at the blonde again.

"Yeah… maybe all that computer radiation's getting into her head," Dinah says, "That explains that wretched hairstyle, gosh, talk about a birds nest."

You inhale sharply, the constant mockery pounding in your ears until you just slam your lockers shut. The sound echoing so loudly throughout the hallways that it makes everyone pause for a second.

Clark's head snaps to you, eyes searching yours for any explanation.

When you glance at him, you speak: "Changed my mind, I'll come to the party later. I'll just come by Dinah's house and get ready there."

The exact moment you say that, your friends cheer. Patting you on the shoulder as a wild smile comes on their lips.

"I knew I could count on you," Dinah says, tightening her hold on her bag before grabbing Alex's hand. "We'll head to class, see you there!"

"Talk about friendship forever," Chloe snorts, glancing at you from the side as she sees the surprised look on your face.

Clark gives her a look. "Don't do that, Chloe."

When he turns back to your locker, you've left too.

This party is way different from the first one; there were more unfamiliar faces, more drinks, and definitely more trouble.

Your friends had all convinced you to wear something more… airy, something a lot more fun than the usual tank top and pants you wear to house birthday parties you come to. And so there you are, sitting in a circle of friends and strangers, in Dinah's bralette and skirt.

The bottle lands at you, and you sigh out relievedly when it's not that traditional spin the bottle game.

"Okay beautiful, truth or dare."

"Truth." You answer without a second thought.

The one asking you expected that already, and so his question hits you somewhere troubled. "Which one in the circle do you want to kiss right now?"

"Nobody," you scoff, glancing at every person.

They make a sound of disappointment at your answer. With the way the bottle was still being pointed at you, you're guessing they're not taking that answer no matter how much you say it.

The alcohol's pumping through your system, yes, but you know better.

—and so you know it's time to head home.

"What? We just got here and you're being asked a question, don't try to dodge it," Dinah says, shaking her head at you while another chorus of disappointed chatters rang through.

"What? I'm not trying to dodge it. I literally said nobody," you answer exasperatedly, arms crossing on your chest.

"That's not an answer, beautiful," the game moderator says, looking at you like you owed him something. "Just give us an answer and we'll let you go."

You've been to enough parties to know that this is more than just a question. In partygoers' head, this is an invitation to make out.

"Dinah, I don't want to answer the question," you tell her, doing your best to send her a telepathic message to just get you out of there.

Instead she looks at you with disgust. "Dude, just answer the damn question. Pick a random person and call them upstairs."

"Excuse me?"

The game moderator comes in between you and Dinah, holding up two hands. "Okay, okay, let's keep calm… we just need an answer. Y'know, just a name."

"Nobody. I want to kiss nobody," you take another look around the circle, taking a longer second to stare at Dinah from your position.

This time the sneer that comes on your lips is barely kept away as you notice dirty looks from your circle of friends—and from Dinah, of all people. "I'm going home. Make sure this one doesn't drive her car into a ditch."

You drink the last of your drink before leaving the circle, rushing outside into the front porch as a breeze of fresh air hits you in the face.

Your world spinning on its axis the moment the alcohol reaches your head, everything appearing in doubles as you grip the wooden rails. You gulp, tasting the foul taste of alcohol on your tongue again.

You breathe deeply, shoving your hand in your pockets to grab your phone.

There weren't any new texts or calls or anything, but Clark's name in your contacts is making it really tempting to do something.

A loud cheer comes from in front of the house, somewhere on the front lawn. You watch as a group of five people jump around in a circle, smiles on their faces as they cheered. Hands interlaced with one another before they break apart and come into one big hug.

Damn, You thought. Must be nice.

A part of your head pulses, the group of five now turning into a group of ten as you feel your knees buckle.

In a turn of moments, you click the green button on your phone, lips muttering only one name—Clark.

Before the line even starts to ring, you feel a surge of wind behind you. A familiar set of arms coming around your body as you give out, head falling back to see your boyfriend's face.

"I haven't even called you…?" You raise your hand to look at your phone.

Clark offers you a small and gentle smile, "You didn't have to."

hearts, comments, and reblogs are greatly appreciated! xoxo

[ssentimentals]

Hi love! I hope you're having a wonderful day!

I'm here to request from your prompt list if that's okay?

#3 with wonwoo fluff thank you !!! 💜💜

I love your writing style sooooo much I just wanted to let you know thank youuu

hi baby, i hope you're having a wonderful day too! of course it's okay to request, thank you for doing so and thank you for your kind words, they mean the world!💜

prompt: 'you never came to bed last night.'

when wonwoo finds you curled in an uncomfortable position on the sofa, he pauses and pinches himself lightly to make sure he's not hallucinating. he rubs his eyes for a good measure, but no, it's definitely you on that sofa, fast asleep in your last night's clothes. his heart instantly skyrockets up to his throat from nerves - why are you here? why did you decide to sleep on the sofa instead of coming to the bed to him? wonwoo can swear that you two were fine when you left to work yesterday morning - what happened in between? you told him to not wait for you because you had this work event and wonwoo didn't even notice how he fell asleep, too tired from this hell of a week. nervously, he walks quietly to the kitchen for a glass of water and when he comes back, you're already rubbing your eyes sleepily, looking so adorable that it tugs on his heartstrings.

'morning, love.' he carefully holds you the glass of water.

you blink twice at him before slowly sitting up anf reaching for the water with a small smile. you don't look mad, he supposes. but you must be or else why would you decide to sleep on the sofa?

'morning, woo.' you mumble, yawning. you lie back on the sofa, pulling your legs closer to your chest and giving him space to sit. 'what time is it?'

'around nine,' wonwoo answers, sitting hesitantly.

you sound just like you usually do in the mornings, nothing indicates that something is wrong. unsurely, he gently touches your ankle and breathes out sigh of relief when you stretch your legs out, moving them on top of his with a comfortable familiarity. you wouldn't have been like that if something bad happened, surely. then why-

'is... everything okay?' he asks quietly.

you hum questioningly and when wonwoo doesn't offer anything else, you open your eyes, turning your head to look at him. 'yes? why, did something happen?'

'you never came to bed last night,' wonwoo says, tracing circles on your knees. he doesn't meet your gaze, not now. 'i figured something happened if you decided not to sleep on our bed with me.'

at first you look confused but then you mutter 'oh' and pull your legs away from him. wonwoo freezes at the lack of physical contact, his mind instantly dives to the worst thing - that he fucked up, badly. he only feels like he can breathe again, when you move closer to his side, leaning on his shoulder with a yawn. 'i'm not fully awake yet,' you mumble, slurring your words a little right into his shoulder. 'but no, woo, nothing bad happened. i just came so late, i didn't want to disturb you.'

wonwoo frowns. he carefully wraps his arm around your waist. 'you never do,' he says, thinking whether he once acted like you bothered him, ever. 'i'm sorry for not waiting for you, i took those pills you told me about last time and they just knocked me out, i guess.'

'they and your general tiredness,' you say, looking up. your chin digs painfully into his shoulder, but he pays it no mind, finally meeting your gaze. you don't look mad, you look worried. 'it was a bad week babe, wasn't it? you didn't really sleep.'

yeah, it was shitty. too bad that you caught on it though. 'i'm fine,' wonwoo says, tightening his grip on your waist. 'and it'd be better if you woke up sliding next to me on the bed instead of me finding you sleeping on the sofa.'

wonwoo doesn't say that he doesn't like sleeping not next to you. he doesn't say how he is so used to having you in his arms every night, that at nights when he doesn't, his limbs ache with longing. instead he whispers: 'i will wait for you next time. and pick you up from events too. sorry, love.'

'nothing to be sorry for,' you assure him and it's sincere, he can tell by the look in your eyes. you carefully stand up and pull him with you, smiling. 'let's go to our bed and sleep some more, yeah? make up for not sleeping together yesterday?'

wonwoo's body sags in relief. god, yes. 'yeah,' he leans in and kisses your forehead. 'yeah, love, let's go.'

a/n: oooh, whenever i write fluff, i feel like i come back to my usual self <3 hope you liked it! - nini

my other seventeen works are here

request your own here

[pineconepie]

CHARACTERS: Vincent, fem!reader

WARNINGS/TAGS: Parental yandere, light infantilization, fem+afab reader, periods, period comfort, embarrassment from periods, non-sexual nudity, reader implied to be younger, cuddles, Vincent doting on Reader

WORD COUNT: 1.7k

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the other part of a commission that was done with Octavian!

You're sure you've never felt as miserable as you do now; your cramps feel like they're going to kill you, you've been nauseous all morning and you just want to stay curled up in bed all day, hiding under your covers.

Unfortunately for you, however, today Vincent is off work. Normally you'd love that, because then you could spend more time together. But right now, it feels like a curse; because how else are you supposed to hide this from him?

You're not ready to deal with it, nor do you want to.

To seem as least suspicious as possible, you try not to clutch your stomach as you descend the stairs towards where he sits, drinking his morning coffee.

Vincent looks up at you with a warm smile. "Good morning, sweetie."

Despite everything going on inside of your body and mind, you force yourself to return his greeting. "Hi."

You walk past him and quickly gather some cereal for yourself. You can tell Vincent notices, because he watches you with curiosity. "What's wrong? No 'good morning, Dad'? Just 'hi'?" He chuckles, but you can tell he's going through a million different possibilities as to what's wrong.

Instead of answering verbally, you shrug, pour yourself a bowl and grab a spoon. Then you make your way over to where he sits, taking a seat beside him instead of across.

Maybe that way his gaze won't be fixated solely on you.

Unfortunately, your plan fails, because he's still staring at you when you glance over.

"I was gonna ask if you wanted pancakes or waffles," he says finally.

"Nah, its fine, I'm alright with cereal this morning," you reply.

Vincent raises a brow, raising a hand to feel your forehead. "Are you sick? Getting a fever?"

"No, no," you stutter. "Nothing like that. I just, um, didn't sleep well last night..."

"Really?" Vincent asks. "Did you have any nightmares? Anything you want to talk about?"

Great. Now you're cornering yourself and lying even further than before. You're pretty sure part of him can tell you're lying, because he's so used to working with other liars. He reads people better than most could, which is probably part of his profession.

Knowing that just makes you more anxious.

For all you know, he probably sees through your facade completely and is waiting to call you out on it.

"I dunno... maybe? I don't remember my dreams," you say quickly.

"Hm." His expression shows that he's not entirely convinced by your answer.

You try changing the topic to distract him, and hopefully yourself. "Do you have anything specific planned for the day?"

Vincent blinks, then smiles fondly at you. "I'm going to leave it up to you. If you want to go shopping or go out to eat, that'd be fine with me. Or we could have a lazy day watching movies together. Anything you like, princess."

You feel nervous at his choices of options, considering you'd prefer not leaving the house today if you can avoid it. Maybe watching films together sounds nice, though even that gives you anxiety.

"I guess some movies would be nice," you mutter.

Vincent smiles, much to your relief. "Sounds good to me. Why don't you pick one for us to start with?"

So you do.

You get settled down on the couch after turning off the lights in the living room and opening the curtains for maximum viewing experience, snuggled tightly beneath a large fleece blanket. Vincent joins you moments after setting things up.

He wraps a strong arm around you, pulling you closer to his side.

Throughout the movie, he glances down at you occasionally as if checking up on something. Which makes sense since he seems worried about you for whatever reason. You pretend to pay attention to the screen while your mind races on elsewhere.

Every now and then there's a painful twist in your lower abdomen causing you to flinch slightly, although you try hiding these reactions from Vincent.

About halfway through the film, you start getting fidgety, wanting to switch positions constantly.

When you decide to curl up into a ball and bury yourself deep within your blankets once again, Vincent shoots you another glance. "(Y/n)?" he asks quietly.

"Huh?"

"What are you doing, honey?"

"Oh..." You look down embarrassedly. "Just getting comfy."

Vincent pauses for a moment before continuing. "Are you sure nothing is wrong? Nothing you want to talk about with me?"

Your heart pounds faster than normal and butterflies swarm your stomach. Your fingers tighten their grip on your sleeves as you answer: "Positive."

"Okay."

The movie continues playing, but neither of you speak anymore during the remainder of it. At certain points you catch Vincent giving you concerned stares again, especially whenever your hands wander absentmindedly underneath the blanket to press against your belly. When the credits roll around, however, he breaks the silence.

"I don't buy that."

You laugh nervously. "You love buying things," you attempt to joke.

He usually always finds amusement in your jokes, even the bad ones, but now he just looks frustrated. Its a rare expression on him, and definitely not one you like. "I'm serious."

You shrink back. "Sorry..."

Vincent's expression goes from stern to guilt-ridden immediately at your scared reaction. "I'm not mad. I'm just worried about you. Please talk to me."

"There's nothing to worry about." Your voice shakes as you say those words.

"(Y/n)." His tone sends shivers throughout your body. "You're lying to me." A pause. "Please don't lie to Dad."

You chew on your bottom lip anxiously. "...I... I don't wanna talk about it... please." Your voice cracks. Tears build in the corners of your eyes.

Vincent coos at you, pulling you into his lap. You bury your face in his chest as you cry softly. He rocks you gently, kissing your head every few seconds.

"Its okay, it's okay, sweet girl. Shhh..." Vincent hushes you soothingly. He keeps rocking and swaying slowly. One hand rubs calming circles along your upper back. His other cradles the back of your neck tenderly.

After a couple minutes of crying like this in his arms, he leans away slightly to lift your chin. With a thumb, he wipes the tears streaming down your face away carefully.

Then he smiles brightly down at you. "Hey there, kiddo."

You hiccup and sniffle. "Hi." Your voice quavers. "I feel so gross."

Vincent grabs a tissue from the tissue box on the coffee table, using it to clean off your runny nose and damp cheeks. "Much better now, huh? Crying is healthy for the soul. Even if it breaks my heart to see you cry, I'd rather you cry than hold it in. Just means I get to comfort my baby." He teasingly squishes your cheeks, which manages to bring a smile to your face. "There it is," he chuckles fondly. "How's about I go draw you a nice bath?"

That sounds appealing, honestly. "Yeah... sure," you agree.

"Perfect. Up we go." He hoists you into his arms and carries you upstairs, setting you on the counter in the bathroom.

He rolls up his sleeves before leaning forward and switching the faucets to get the perfect temperature.

You watch as the water fills up the tub, making little splashing noises when it hits the ceramic.

Once he gets satisfied with how full the basin is, he turns the knobs off.

Vincent hums as he searches through various cabinets, grabbing some scented bubble bath bottles. "Orange mango or watermelon?" After you give your answer, he tosses the opposite bottle back into the drawer, pouring the other into the bath. He stirs it in, letting the suds rise. "Let me know if it should be warmer or colder, kiddo."

He turns to grab shampoo and conditioner, giving you the privacy to step in. It feels nice, easing your cramps ever-so-slightly.

"Feels great," you sigh dreamily. "Thanks, Dad."

"Anything for my favorite daughter," he sing-songs.

"Your only daughter," you snort.

He laughs at that, placing the shampoo and conditioner in convenient reach. "Still true." He grabs a cup. "Now tilt your head back so I can..." he trails off.

You're quick to realize why. The water is a brownish-red hue.

To your relief, Vincent doesn't freak out. A look of realization spreads across his face, only after the initial shock. He chuckles in relief. "Oh, thank God. It's just your period." His expression turns to serious again. "Right? You aren't injured, are you?"

"No," you squeak out. "It started this morning. I'm sorry."

He holds his hand to his chest in further relief. "I was just a few minutes away from calling a doctor, you know that?" His expression softens. "Why would you hide this?" His voice seeps with genuine confusion and worry.

"...'cause..." You pause. "Because its embarrassing." You hug yourself anxiously. "And gross."

Vincent looks heartbroken. "Princess... you know periods are natural, right?" When you shrug, he frowns deeper. "(Y/n), I promise its okay." He rubs your shoulder. "Its nothing to be ashamed of. I'd never judge you for anything, let alone this."

"Thank you," you murmur. "It just feels so awkward."

Vincent laughs softly. "I've been preparing for this conversation for a while. Not really a fan of how we ended up here, but I'm just glad you aren't hurt." He sighs fondly. "I'll order you some pads, and when bathtime's done, there'll be a heating pad with your name on it."

You smile gratefully. "Thanks."

"Of course. My little girl is not allowed to suffer," Vincent says lovingly. "No, sirree. None of that allowed under my roof. Got it?"

"Got it," you laugh back. "Um, can we continue our movie marathons after I'm done washing up?"

He smiles warmly. "Of course. Since I'm such a good dad, I'll even let you pick one extra movie."

"Only one?" You groan dramatically. "All your movies are boring."

"They are not."

"They absolutely are. They're either the same 80's comedies over and over again, or the same superhero action movies over and over again."

"You're just saying that because you're a baby with a baby brain, and I have good taste." He sticks his tongue out playfully, showing he isn't actually upset. "Real movies, made for people who know good cinema."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," you roll your eyes. Your face softens. "Thanks, Dad. For being not-awkward."

He beams proudly. "Anytime, kiddo. I'm just cool like that."

You roll your eyes.

[housemdork]

house md rewatch: 2x15, "clueless"

"love will make you do wrong" oh i'm sure.

this is one of those recaps where i'm definitely just reiterating what the writers were putting down, but it's so insane that it bears in-depth repeating imo.

please believe me when i say this rewatch project's goal is a wholistic view of the entire series. yet, with that in mind, you can imagine the stress i feel when what seems like an episode devoted entirely to unpacking intimate interpersonal relationships has hilson as the fulcrum. and not just hilson - equal character development for both house and wilson as the domesticity shenanigans unfold.

that's not to downplay the patient story - it's crazy, and i'm kind of obsessed with it. the zebra factor is probably way off the charts, but i love the extra sherlockian vibe and the confirmation that house md can, in fact, do shock value without throwing entire identities under the bus (@ 2x13). all that plus the horror movie opening? golden (lmfao).

from the top, then. look at his triangle ass stance here:

we can safely say, i'd argue, that 2000s audiences were supposed to laugh at how much wilson cares about his appearance; i'm laughing, too, but in a 2020s Woke Queer Way. and house lasts just one night with wilson crashing on his couch before he says that this won't work; his domestic sphere has been invaded by someone he doesn't know how to account for, at least not in this capacity. one of the things we know about house thus far is that routine is immeasurably valuable to him.

it also kills me how devastated wilson is to hear that house wants him out, along with his sassy retort about house's hair, or "what's left of it." gagged.

this entire episode is based on the (heterosexual) domicile. it also devotes a lot of time qualifying the patient and his partner, bob and maria, as Sexually Freaky (tm). they upend traditional notions of marriage, partnership, and sex through their kinks/bdsm, including consensual noncon sex. the team leaps to the initial conclusion that bob's sudden suffocation comes from repeated history of rough sex, which is quickly disproven.

maria and bob's sex life absolutely boggles everyone's minds...except for cameron's lol. the growing fluidity with which she treats relationships as some of her convictions adapt (not dissolve! just shift!) is really interesting to me, like it interests chase, too lol.

2x15 persistently deconstructs maria and bob's personal lives until its full ugliness is on display (while unforch being a little kink-shamey, but we can look past this). despite their insistence that they're happy, maria is secretly poisoning her husband. despite their pristine home, what takes place in there is only thinly disguised intermarital violence. cameron's bet on their happiness falls flat on its face, and house md argues that a frontward functional relationship will always be plagued with deeper issues.

those issues are not represented visually, however! let's contrast the 2 major sites of domesticity in this episode:

foreman's remarks that maria and bob keep an impeccably clean place contrasts with wilson's general opinion of house's apartment. over the seasons, we see house's place in various states of disarray, though it's chock full of his personality and history, whereas maria and bob's place is just cold, 2000s chic. this reinforces the subliminal distance between maria and bob and captures the degree to which wilson is invited into house's personal life.

next i want to tackle the emphasis on food, poisoning, and choking in 2x15. i thought it was a silly bullet point in my notes until i actually sat down to right this (like literally in this moment!). after repeatedly arguing that bob was poisoned with heavy metals, house eventually lands on the theory that maria is behind it. it's not until the end does 2x15 reveal that she's been dosing his food with gold (don't ask me the full name lmfao), scarring his lungs over time.

meanwhile, in stuffed pepper, pancake, salad, and sandwich land:

house pretends to find the bell peppers stinky but takes a liking to the rest of wilson's cooking immediately. no poison to be had here. in an outwardly dysfunctional domestic situation, food sharing (however reluctant) is a net positive. wilson's final note warning house off his lunch is closer to a joke than a formal warning:

if it's not clear, i'm casting house as maria and wilson as bob in this off-kilter domesticity parallel, and a subtle but brilliant example of this comes at the very end. while maria is taken away in handcuffs, house rushes back home on his motorcycle. while foreman and chase inform bob that maria was trying to kill him, wilson sleeps soundly on house's couch. viewers are also treated to al green's "love and happiness" in the background, with the very poignant lyric: "love will make you do wrong."

everything about house/wilson and maria/bob is reversed, along with their respective "wrongs." 2x15 is funny and crazy enough to suggest that house deleting the message about wilson's apartment is symbolically akin to maria killing bob slowly over time. look how they both gaze upon their domestic partners - one with faux guilt on their face, and the other with faux annoyance:

i've spent all this time building to the following argument: in pretending that he hates having wilson around, 2x15 subverts the assumed happiness brought on by a heteronormative domestic space. as much as maria pretends to love bob, house pretends to hate living with wilson. maria tries to remove bob from her domestic (and from this earth lol) while house tries to keep wilson around. we spend an entire episode unearthing how sinister a sexually charged heterosexual marriage can be, only to arrive at the house and wilson dynamic of it all.

i'm not even strictly hilson posting here, just highlighting how bizarre it is in that 2000s network tv decided to deconstruct heteronormativity, however intentionally/unintentionally. it's not my fault that wilson has to make everything about sex. and that every moment of this episode is about sex except for the moments spent between house and wilson.

lastly, one of the concluding scenes between house and the fellows is a nice example of audience/house solidarity, something the entire show does subtly throughout to get us squarely in his headspace. the four of them are ruminating over what could possibly motivate someone to kill their partner, which cameron seems especially appalled by.

in response, house makes a slew of interesting deductions: "maybe she just got tired of being married. didn't want to admit to family and friends that the marriage everyone thought was perfect wasn't."

i call this house solidarity because we know for a fact that he's talking about wilson's situation...but who within his marriage? we never meet julie (which, apart from the unfortunate fridging, i think is a good narrative choice), so we don't get her side of the story or understand if/how she's been open about her and wilson's separation. all we know, and all that house cares to know, is that wilson's marriage isn't perfect.

this next bit is informed by my hilson brain, but there's been a subtle thrill in house in the face of wilson's separation. i get the sense that he hopes he's talking about wilson here, that he hopes wilson got tired of being married because things (in the aforementioned heteronormative relationship!) are imperfect. and, as if to secure this hope, he deletes the message about the apartment while looking especially smug.

this line of dialogue also does some work in acknowledging wilson's vulnerability. like the patient in 2x14 suggested, we can't be afraid to look stupid. by nature of showing up at house's door, he's admitted that things aren't perfect. that's their give-and-take; wilson lets house in emotionally while house lets wilson in physically. given house's reliance on routine and privacy, this is an equal exchange.

here's my actual final note: why can't wilson realize that he has a real love language? FOOD! and acts of service! you don't just have to sleep with everyone you love! there are other ways to express these things! you literally had a spoon at the ready for house! and you seem so secretly pleased when he doesn't hate the taste!

[ilid]

I made the mistake of posting this on Reddit. Would not recommend, i ended up looking like this:

But it made me realize something: Kris and Berdly's unclear relationship might be a 4D chess move from Tricky Tony as a way of hammering Kris' identity to the player. But why would that be the case? The game already makes it pretty clear that Kris is their own person and is different from the player. Anyone that has played the game with their eyes open should've gotten this by now, right? Yes, and despite knowing this, we still project our own feelings onto Kris (myself included, i'm not innocent). Think about it, why would Toby make such a vague scene as the one with Ralsei? Why is it left so up to interpretation compared to everything else? Except... the scene is not really vague, it's only vague because it's Berdly. What if we change the names up a bit for the sake of argument: What if it was uhmm.... (let's pick someone random) Jockington!

❤️ Jockington * Jockington? (Ralsei would be just as confused, he doesn't know shit about Jockington or how absolutely cool he is) * Umm, you don't have to repeat yourself so loudly, Kris. * ... * I - you don't have to repeat yourself, Kris. * If, it's what you really want, Kris! * I'm sure Susie would be happy to see you, um, spread your wings sports? If we don't asume anything about Kris' opinion on Jockington, this reads more like Kris is making their choice clear while Ralsei is the confused one. Especially those last two lines, why would Ralsei say that if it wasn't out of reluctant understanding? It almost sounds like he's saying "You have shitty taste but i'm happy for you anyways".

Then, why is this scene vague anyways if the text is written like a sitcom gag?

Easy answer: Berdly is fucking annoying. Toby wants us to hate Berdly, he's egotistic and constantly tries to piss Kris (and by extension the player) off. His arc in Chapter 2 is not even dignifiying considering his "tragic backstory" barely justifies any of his flaws, he still acts like a douche up until his very last line of dialogue, and in Chapter 4 he REGRESSES back to being almost as bad as he was before. It's SOOOO easy to hate him, even the people who like him often say things like: "He's funny as a character but if he was my friend in real life i would hate him". So when the average Player comes across a scene like this one, they think "This can't be, Kris must hate Berdly just as much as i do! Surely there's an explanation for this!" and so everyone interpreted this scene as "Kris screaming while confused and angry!" even though nothing in the text confirms this at all. But we have proof that Kris doesn't hate Berdly at all, they play video games together on a regular basis: - If you check on him in his second battle it says "He usually only gets this mad when you play games together." - He mentions Kris wavedashing in Super Smashing Fighters - They played Minecrap together in Noelle's blogpost from the Spamton Sweepstakes. - They both compete in speedrunning leaderboards. Not only that but it's implied that Berdly berating Kris, is actually a mutual thing: - "He usually only gets this mad when you play games together." - Berdly seems used to being taunted by Kris. - Kris prank calls Berdly in Noelle's blogpost but helps him reinstall Minecrap after he accidentally uninstalled it. If you take all this into consideration it recontextualizes Kris and Berdly's entire dynamic, THEY'RE QUIPING! The thing is, this is all FLAVOR TEXT, and very easy to miss for the average player! So when Berdly taunts Kris, we only see Berdly's side, and it comes across as insults! We don't have the context to understand it until later! Even dialogue options like: - Telling Berdly to stand outside Rudy's hospital window so he can throw something at him. - "Running away as fast as possible" instead of talking to him in the Librarby. - Singing the wrong number song. What initially comes across as "Kris hates Berdly" options, is recontextualized as just their usual quips! This recontextualization hammers in the fact that WE DON'T KNOW KRIS, we don't know Berdly in the same way they do, and as a result of that, we don't experience things in the same way they do. Just like how Kris' gender identity is commentary on how people project gendered stereotypes onto nonbinary people, Kris and Berdly's relationship is commentary on how people project their opinions onto characters even when we don't know the full picture. Even if i'm wrong (I'm not) and Kris actually does hate Berdly or there's a secret third option, my point would still stand! (I would just be at the butt of the joke).

I'm tired of all the Kerdly deniers coping. I've seen so many people interpret this scene as Kris repeating Berdly's name out of confusion, disbelief or even anger, even though there's nothing in the text implying this.

Usually the other character's make it pretty clear that Kris sounds confused when we make them say something they don't want to say. There's a very specific choice of words here, "repeating yourself loudly" is very different from just "screaming", this specific wording implies Ralsei is the confused one and Kris is repeating themselves as clarification. But, i guess you could say Ralsei is not the most gifted when it comes to understanding social cues, you could kinda make a case for Ralsei either not understanding Kris' tone or maybe even purposefully avoiding mentioning it as to not "upset the player" or something. So how about hearing it from the bird himself? When Berdly asks Kris to join Queen's team, Berdly is perfectly capable of reading Kris' confusion.

But, if you choose to go with Berdly to the festival...

Berdly is INCREDIBLY FLUSTERED, and there's absolutely ZERO mention of any confusion from Kris.

Kerdly is inevitable.

[blueteller]

Cale's antithesis: the Demon King Of Boredom

Today's newest TCF chapter really made me think...

The Demon King is the truest antithesis of Cale we have seen so far in this series.

I thought that role belonged to Adin, or White Star, or both. Each represent a dark reflection of what Kim Rok Soo/Cale "could have been": the White Star with how relentlessly deals his curse as he clings to life and his ambitions, and Adin with his schemes to manipulate others like a puppeteer.

But I was wrong. As opposite as they are to Cale in terms of morality, they're have a lot of things in common regarding their methods... partially. You know what I mean. They're schemers, Cale schemes too but better, et cetera.

Now I have a true example of what Cale's opposite is.

An adrenaline addict.

As much as I make fun of Cale for dreaming of slacker life while ignoring his own workaholic tendencies.... it's obvious Cale was conditions to be this way through his constant struggle for survival. Dude literally never had a break in his life ever since his parents died. There were always obstacles to overcome, such as an abusive uncle, an orphanage, getting by as a college students with side jobs, surviving literal monster apocalypse... trauma, grief, lonelines... Cale NEVER had it easy, ever. That's why he is so freaking tired. He is mad determined to get the peace he wants because his literal sanity is on the line. He cannot stop or turn back, he can only push forward, even if it's the last thing he wants!

An adrenaline addict who has peace but is driven mad by it? THAT'S Cale true opposite.

"The Demon King of Boredom" is someone who is on the exact opposite brink of sanity than Cale. Cale is driven mad by constantly struggling to achieve even a sliver of peace. The Demon King is literally fighting the mundane, because when someone like him has total security and power, it probably feels similar to being trapped under a mountain. It's constantly pushing down on him, like an insurmountable weight that never goes away.

It's no wonder both of them regard each other as crazy. They both are! Two opposite sides of the extreme. They're incomprehensible creatures to each other. Wanting something so desperately that the other has in such abundance that they're drowning in it.

I am on Cale's side on this, of course. I don't believe Cale could ever so hypocritical to become bored of peace, once he achieved it. Yeah, he'd probably go stir-crazy without problems to solve every once in a while, but once he had a longer break finally turn off his PTSD fight-or-flight mode... He would never complain about living in peace, much less selfishly try to create chaos just for the kicks. There are lines Cale would never cross, especially not for the sake of his own gratification.

It makes me wonder though... if the Demon King has potential for growth. Once he gets the taste of that desperate, "interesting" struggle he oh-so-much craves because he's bored out of his mind... Could he possibly grow to appreciate the value of what he once had? The fact that he was so powerful no one could really threaten him? Could he ever grow to miss those peaceful, boring times in the future? The grass is always greener on the other side, after all.

Such food for thought.

[proshippers-against-censorship]

You dont have to share this if it's too dark, but I'm tired of keeping it to myself.

I was molested as a child. Fictional content containing pedophilia doesn't trigger me. Nonfictional content concerning pedophilia doesn't even trigger me, though it is certainly upsetting because of the real children involved.

Here's the thing: I never got the therapy I should have. I never learned how to deal with it after. Even when you do learn all the right things and you get the help you're supposed to, that doesn't always help.

You know what did?

Reading stories that don't flinch.

Stories that take you through every messy confusing detail about how it feels, how it affects you, how hard it is to reconcile. Because it's fucking confusing. It's not just horrifying and scary. It doesn't just make you cry. When you're as young as I was, you don't even really understand what happened for years. Then it finally hits, and it's just weird.

Because a lot of pedophiles aren't violent. They don't physically hurt or threaten their victims. I was never afraid of my molester. I loved him. He was family.

So stories that walk through that journey of trying to understand, finally getting what happened to you, the confusion because they didn't really hurt you, but you know what they did was wrong...

It helps. It's VALIDATING.

And fetish content doesn't upset me either. 1, because it's NOT REAL, and 2, because it feels like taking the power back. It's something I've seen other victims talk about, but I've never seen anyone else acknowledge. Revisiting the circumstances of your trauma in a controlled way can be healing. It's not real, I can end it whenever I want to, I have the power now.

Proship doesn't hurt people. Censorship does.

.

[chara-cat5]

lads isekai au ch 12

reader is gender neutral, warning: swearing, mdni

masterlist

first 1

previous 11

next 13 (not out yet)

(q/a for any confused readers!!)

"you're not miss bodyguard."

you fidgeted your hands under rafayel's gaze, standing in the door to his studio while he sat perched on a ladder.

'why did i agree to this?'

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

"damn it."

both your and caleb's gazes snapped to mia, her soft curse directed at her phone as she glared at it.

"what is it, pipsqueak? something wrong?"

she looked up, a slight nervousness in her eyes. she turned off her phone, putting it down face down.

"no, it's nothing. a friend just needed something..."

"a friend, huh?"

you don't know if caleb had talked to her about sylus, but from his passive aggressive tone, you guessed he was assuming that is who she meant. you really shouldn't get involved with this...

"is it tara? i can take care of it. just text me the address."

the two glanced over to you, but you forced your gaze to stay on your breakfast, chewing casually.

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

and thats how you ended up here. a pouty fish climbing down his ladder, already complaining.

"she said she was coming over, but she lied and sent someone else instead. and here i was, excited to finally get to see her. she's been ignoring me for aaaaaages now."

you bit back an annoyed huff, shifting your feet.

"she just had a few things she needed to do. i can help you with whatever you need though."

he huffed, moving through the studio. without much else to do, you followed him.

"well, i wanted time with miss mia today... but i guess we can do some errands without her."

he made it to what looked like a bedroom, moving right to the connecting bathroom. you stayed in the bedroom part, moving to the large window. you looked out past his wispy curtains at the beach below.

"what kind of errands are we talking? grocery shopping?"

"pah-leese. we're going to a market, cutie. i hope you wore walking shoes."

you glanced at the door to the bathroom, humming softly. a farmers market actually sounded pretty fun, but with rafayel? you'd probably just end up carrying his bags.

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

the market place was a little crowded, other customers milling around, chatting among themselves. this had defiantly been a date idea meant for rafayel and mia to experience, plenty of other couples happily weaving among tables. you followed behind rafayel, keeping an eye on him while also browsing yourself. you weren't sure what he was here for exactly, but farmers markets were always fun so why not relax a little? you paused at one shop, looking at the delicious loaves of bread. you picked up a loaf of sourdough, taking note of the little heart cut into the top.

"spot something you want, cutie?"

you glanced up, meeting pink-blue eyes over you shoulder. he looked over the different loaves, picking up the one in your hand.

"we'll take this one."

you watched them exchange money, huffing softly as he took the bag and started walking again.

"i was just looking. you didn't have to get it."

"yeah, but you wanted it. so i did."

you scrunched up your face, following along. he stopped every so often, buying a few things. he didn't actually hand you the bags, fine with carrying what he bought. he did give you the bread, but that's because he bought it for you. when asked why, he dodged the question, just telling you to share it with mia. the two of you took a break halfway through, stopping in the shade while he organized his bags. you caught sight of a table selling meat skewers and you bought two. one with chicken and one with shrimp.

'rafayel likes seafood, right?'

walking back over, you hold the shrimp one out to him.

"here you go. snack time."

he blinked at it before taking it from you, tilting his head at it. you just ate your own, happily chomping down. he took a bite, watching you closely.

"... were they out of chicken?"

you glanced up, mid-bite, surprised by his question. you slowly lowered your skewer, glancing between his gaze and his skewer.

"do you... not like shrimp?"

he hummed, taking another bite, looking away casually.

"no i do. i was just wondering why you got me a different type."

shit. you hadn't thought it through when you bought them, only thinking about getting him something he'd like. excuse excuse excuse- ah!

you padded closer, drawing his gaze. before he could relax, you bit the next shrimp on the stick. he blinked at you as you chewed, lips parting slightly.

"hey! thats mine!"

you let out a laugh, holding out your own skewer.

"you can try mine too. sorry, i just wanted to give the different types a taste."

he hummed, hesitantly bitting into a piece of chicken. he chewed with a skeptical look, narrowing his eyes.

"how's it taste? it's good right? love me some greasy food!"

you took another bite, glad to be able to distract him for even a moment.

"it's good. thanks for getting me one."

you gave him a smile, nodding happily.

"no problem!"

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

after your time at the farmers market, you returned to his studio, helping him put up his purchases. you put the food in the kitchen and a basket he had insisted on getting in the middle of the counter.

"do you think i bought too much?"

you hummed softly, glancing in his direction.

"i wouldn't say you got too much, no. as long as you eat all the food, you aren't being wasteful. it should probably help you eat more constantly anyway. i know how artists like you get sucked into their work."

you went back to organizing his fridge, not noticing the elongated pause. when you did notice the silence and closed the door, you were met with a cheshire cat smile.

"an artist like me, hmm? and just what does that mean cutie?"

you blinked at him. geez- how many times have you fucked up with revealing too much? first sylus, then caleb (from him overhearing), then rafayel. twice today!

"i-... i just know how artists are. i had a friend a while back and had to force her to eat and drink water..."

he watched you for a moment longer before stepping around you, towards his bedroom.

"alrighty. well, i have a bath to take so you can go now. tell mia i expect something extra for skipping out today."

you watched him go, feeling like that was too easy.

'not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth, time to go.'

.

.

affinity l̶e̶v̴e̵l̸ [19]

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taglist: @sleepisfortheweakpooh @plzdonutpercieveme @young-adult-summer @mentaltrouble2201 @noxus123 @asakiyu @leftpoetrymoon @hon3yydew @anemobabygirl @clandestienly @crimsonrubie @beaconsxd @yuurisfavblog @cutiesgaloree @udejoenrlddo @mephisto-with-a-knife @poptrim @rhoswen-drake @szafficat

hello!!

don't know if this one seems too short, the notes app was starting to go slow on the page, but that might be because last chapter was too long, dunno. i do in twos on each 'note' and after a certain word count, it gets choppy.

anyway, raf has returned! love a little sassy fishy. got work today, so i'll probably only get one chapter today and one chapter tomorrow, we'll see.

thank you for reading!!

-chara <3

[urfavnewgirl]

he had warned you to wear flat shoes. ballerinas. or a kitten heel, at least. many, many times. in thorough, clear wording, he would even argue. but, ever the stubborn one, you had turned a deaf ear to all of his advice, of course. leading to the present moment.

one of bruce's stuffy galas. fake smiles and pretentious conversations. you, tipsily twirling around the room with his brother tim, giggling at the teenagers' antics. him, frowning at the sight of your actions. don't get him wrong, he'd be elated if the circumstances were any different. his best friend/crush, getting along with one of his family members? any man would practically swoon at the thought.

except, dick knew you. how you ticked. and, like a watchmaker inspecting the finest piece of swiss machinery, he could tell, just by the briefest of glances - your mechanics were off. completely.

it showed in the tiniest raise of your eyebrows whenever the drake boy lead you into a promenade. in your slightly scrunched nose when he picked up the pace. when he heard it in your wince, followed by the immediate dismissal of tim's concern, he had seen enough.

in three steps, the vigilante is at your side, his hand on your shoulder gently pulling you out of his brother's grasp, straight into his own. "hey. c'mere.” he turns you around, and your eyes meet the pair of beautiful blue ones you have grown so accustomed to. tim merely sighs, walks away. you think you hear him mutter the words “lovesick idiots” under his breath, but you're not sure, and besides, you're too busy frowning at the man in front of you.

“hello, richard. yes, thank you, i am fine. i was having a lot of fun dancing with your brother, actually, before i was so rudely interrupted.”

he follows your words with a raise of his eyebrows. “were you, though?”

you scoff. “YES! tim and i were bonding.”

“you can bond when your shoes aren't taking away your will to live.”

“what are you talking about? my feet are perfectly happy.”

at your response, he sighs in disbelief, his hand sliding down your shoulder to find yours. the first thing you notice is the warmth.  the physical roughness of his skin drastically contrasted his interior - his calloused touches only ever resulted in softness around you. a kind of gentleness that made you give in to whatever it was he wanted, at any moment. “come with me.” he says, voice only loud enough for you to hear. 

and you do, footsteps matching the pace of his without a second thought, until you pause in one of wayne manor's many hallways. he looks left. then right. then pulls you into a room. 

one look at the countless superman posters messily strewn across his walls tells you it's his. the sound waves of the music are long enough to reach his four walls, and you can make out the lyrics of yet another abba song. the third of the night, probably. you want to go back and dance again, but he gently pushes you to sit down on the bed, kneeling in front of you.

your face reddens at the sight of him beneath you, and you're eternally grateful his focus is elsewhere. “dick, what are you-” 

“your shoes.” his fingers move to the lace encircling your ankles, the pattern of his touch creating a mosaic of goosebumps across your skin. “i'm taking off your shoes.”

you groan. “if you wanted to see my bare feet, all you had to do was ask. you didnt have to drag me away from abba.”

dick chuckles. shakes his head. hands still untying the mess of fabric across your ankles. slow and steady. “silly girl,” he speaks, carefully taking off your right heel, before moving to the left to repeat his actions  "there's no need for that. i have a folder of your feet pictures saved to all my devices.”

“a true connoisseur knows the real thing is always better.”

“true. and i have to say, your feet really are better in person.”

your eyes widen in disbelief, meeting his own. his hands halt, resting on your left leg. a beat passes. and another. your shared laughter echoes through his room. it turns into quiet giggling eventually, both of you, clasping a hand over your faces. 

the sound subsides into silence, but the grins remain on both your faces. “i don't think i need you to take off the other one, actually.” you move.

“uh uh.” he catches your foot again. “not happening. you're taking both of them off, and im helping.”

again, he moves slowly, skilled fingers unwrapping the lace. all you find yourself able to do is stare. stare at the man in front of you. the man you get to call your best friend. the man you love. with his silky, tousled black hair, lean, muscular physique, and the suit that made him look like he had materialized right out of your nightly rem phase. dick grayson was beautiful, simply put. 

maybe it’s the way he looks, the way he acts, or maybe it’s the alcohol, you’re not sure. but you feel funny. both his hands enclose your left shoe now, gently slide it off your foot. you sigh in relief, words a mumbled mess as you look down at him. “you’re so dreamy.”

his gaze lifts, confused. “huh?”

“you’re so dreamy… and you’re also the sun.”

“are you quoting grey's anatomy at me?”

“kind of. incorrectly.”

he grins. gets off the floor to join you on the bed, placing your feet atop his lap, followed by an absentminded finger running along your calf. “i’d argue you’re the sun, though.”

“mmm…. nope. i disagree. all you.”

his expression softens into a smile when he turns to you. “and what makes you say that?”

you shrug. “dunno. you’re the center of my universe, maybe?”

“god,” he chuckles, “you’re worse than me in the cheesiness department.”

“again, disagree. you’re literally rubbing my feet, and i’m not even your-”

you pause. so does he, staring a heart shaped hole into your face.

“not even my what?”

“doesn’t matter.”

“it does to me.”

you sigh in defeat, scrunch your eyebrows, your voice melting into a barely audible, breathless whisper. “….not even your girlfriend.”

“and” he scratches his chin, inhales deeply, hand dropping to his lap again, “does that bother you?”

you nod.

he shakes his head. “no. say it out loud. please.”

“dick-”

“please.” glossy eyes. pupils blown. hair sticking to his flushed forehead. if his pleading tone had not been enough for you to melt already, the sight of him like this would have transformed you into a downright puddle.

“okay.” you murmur. inhale, nervously, “yes. it bothers me. that-” exhale, and your voice steadies, “that i'm not your girlfriend.”

it seems his usually talkative nature diminishes at that, because he lets a minute pass by in silence. two. three. when he's at seven, you straighten up, move your feet off his lap. he catches them, looks at your face this time. up, down, from your eyes, to your eyebrows. your nose, rosy cheeks, and it is only when he has memorized the exact color of them, that his eyes move down to your lips. there's a silent question in his gaze, and it is once more, merely answered by a nod. 

he chuckles, fingers engulfing your face. the room grows hot, all of a sudden. “verbal answer.”

“verbal answer requires a verbal question.”

“touche.” he smiles. “alright,” his tone is sweet, voice laced in honey, “can i kiss you?” 

“yes. you can kiss me.”

you thank the heavens above and hells you're not standing upright when he leans forward, because that simple first brush of lips is enough to make you go completely limp against him. there is a saccharine sweetness to his gentle kiss, and the taste of whatever sugary drink he had earlier only serves to alleviate the sensation. he pauses, pecks your lips once more, then pulls back. 

the both of you are red as beets, sporting matching lovestruck expressions, and definitely sitting way too close to each other. he tilts your head up, flutters his long lashes at you, before giving you a lopsided grin.

“it bothers me too.”

[withluvvenus]

　o͟u͟r͟ ͟f͟i͟r͟s͟t͟ ͟d͟a͟t͟e͟　　𝒆lementary teacher dr

　

“ can i ask you out ? ” 　　“ huh ? ” “ like . . . on a date ? ” 　　“ me ? ” “ i mean if you want ” 　　“ yes , ” “ yes ? like you want - ” 　　“ yes . ”

　

unknown number

　　Hello, this is matthew. From work.　　4:05 PM

me

　　hi matt!　　5:32 PM

matt!!! ( from work )

　　Hey, you told me to contact you at this number? 　　In regards of the date.　　5:32 PM

me

　　yes omg im sooo excited　　5:33 PM

matt!!! ( from work )

　　I'm happy to hear that. 　　I will pick you up at 7:00 PM, okay? 　　Is that okay with you?　　5:34 PM

me

　　matt you already asked me if i was ok w it 　　like 20 times 　　im giggling 　　ily you're so funny never die 　　and yes i'm very much okay with it　　5:36 PM

matt!!! ( from work )

　　Okay. 　　That sounds good to me too. 　　I won't die? 　　See you then.　　5:36 PM

　　

　　　　　　no , the date wasn't anything over the top . but it was eventful , and fun , and loving . i had fun , he had fun , we both had fun . so that's all that matters , right ? here's how it all started . it was a friday , and matt had been very very very distracted the whole day . as he taught the kids , i could just tell something was bothering him . like , he wouldn't even make eye contact with me , which he usually could . scarily good eye contact , makes sense when you're a teacher though .　　anyways , i let it slide . i didn't try to barge into his space and ask him what was wrong , i just let him exist and treated him the same ! during recess , he kept leaving to go to the bathroom or the staff lounge , said it was important . i just nodded and helping the students who stayed behind .

　　　　　　after school , i think that's when i really started noticing something was off and he was acting very odd . like obviously , i could tell before too , but now was different . he walked me to my car , which he only does if it's raining . it was bright and sunny outside , by the way . but anyways , i was like sure ! i like his company , he listens to me talk and it's just calming . we walks to my car , i was oversharing to him , and he was nodding per usual . but then he opens my car door for me , and that's when i realize ' hold on , something is off ' . like he's the type to open doors for you , but i don't know . i looked at him , and his head was down , he was avoiding eye contact . i didn't budge , duh . i wanted to know ! and then he told me . well , he asked me , really .

　　　　　　so we live in a small town in oregon , and there's not much in the town to do when you want to go on a date . well , there is a lot to do in the town , but if you want to hide from a bunch of third graders and their families ? the town isn't the best place for secrecy . so instead , matt took me outside of the town , a couple miles far off but not too far . we made one stop , at this ice cream shop ! he bought me whatever i wanted , i ordered chocolate ice cream with brownie in it . he ordered vanilla , and i obviously made fun of him for it . going back into the car , i asked him why we're skipping to dessert already . he pointed at the backseat and showed me he had takeout ready . takeout from the new restaurant i always talk about on trying . i had the biggest smile on my face when we drove to our final destination . cannon beach !

　　　　　　

　　　　　　he helped me step out of his luxury car , guided me to the beach . i love the beach . how did he know ? i asked him . he told me he listens to me . i think my heart melted and stained my rib cage with the adoration i felt for him just then . but whatever , anyways though , moving on , we found a spot away from the tourists and just sat there . we had ate dinner , watched the sun set , and then had ice cream . we both were giggling fits at the end of it , him grinning and teasing over every fact i told him from when i was little , and me going ' aww ' whenever he told me about his childhood . we talked about how we were when we were little , how different we were . how he didn't like the santa in the mall , and how i loved halloween since i was a little girl . he called me beautiful and i just smiled , not knowing how to tell him how i felt about him . i was hoping he would go first .

　　　　　　he didn't .

　　　

　　　　　　on the way back home , i kept talking to him . but it was different , the silence was just unusual . i couldn't tell it was good or bad . there were more pauses in between our conversations , more gaps to fill . he was focused on the road , it had started to rain heavily . we both were drenched from sprinting to his car , but it was still different . had i done something wrong ? did i screw up ? was i moving too fast ? i hadn't done anything , i don't even know what i was talking to him about actually . i wanted to ask him , even if this date wasn't successful , i didn't want to lose him .

　　　　　　but i didn't ask him .

　　　　　　instead , he parked in front of my house . before i could open my door , he quickly rushed over to open it for me . he helped me out again , taking my hand in his . he rushed me under the porch's shade , and he stood there , holding my hand still . he's looking at me . . . intensely ? i dunno , but before i can say anything he quickly asks ' can i kiss you ? ' . and oh . my . god . my heart fluttered , yes the melted one came back to life , WHATEVER . but yeah , he asked me if he could kiss me ?!?!? so obviouslyyyy i had to tease him even though 20 seconds ago i was freaking out over his whole existence and our whole chemistry .

“ you really wanna kiss on the first date ? are you sure ? ” 　　“ why would i not be ? i mean , if you don't want to- ” “ no ! it's just that it kind of means you have to take me out on a second date ” 　　“ i don't mind ” “ you don't ? ” 　　“ of course not ” “ oh ! ”

　　

　　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘂𝘃 ✶ 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝘀

　　　　　　　　　　　　　

[yurrrsssss-ghoul]

I gotta ask where do you find all this Damian hate or Talia hate cus I personally haven't seen any. My tumblr experience in this fandom has been over all positive. Everyone I've seen seems to like every character. I have came into with hate about any character actually when I think about it. Genuine question. So where are you guys getting all this from? Cus from my perspective it looks like you guys are looking for it.

Oh! And always I don't understand the hate for wfa. It think it's cute and fun but I understand it's not everyone's cup it's just the energy gives that you wouldn't like me because I like it...

(you came across my fyp and I got curious that's all this really is. Not trying to be rude I promise.)

Hi!

This is going to be a long post, so scroll down for the short answer.

First thing you need to know about me, I am a huge al-Ghul Family fan! I prefer Damian to the rest of the Batkids, Talia to Bruce and Ra's to any other characters. Second thing you need to know is that these characters, unfortunately, are often used as props to upvote other characters in one way or another, even at the cost of their own character assassination.

One thing I'd like to clarify, I do not actively seek out anti or hate comment of my fav characters--- in fact, I actively stay away from any variations of 'Bad mom Talia al-Ghul' or 'anti Damian' or 'Creepy Ra's al-Ghul', etc. etc. across any medias (tumblr, Twitter, ao3, TikTok). As we all find out later, everyone has a way of putting those kinds of element in any other tags.

The following examples I've provided are solely for illustrative purposes only. I do not condone harassments of any kind, and I do not encourage anyone to find these people unless you enjoy the kinds of contents that they produce:

As you may have realized, these aren't necessarily hate content, just people butchering my favorite characters for their blorbos to hug.

The first three images are being joking that Ra's would get on one knees for Tim, making Damian the butt of the joke, etc. The fourth picture is just?? Impromptu tag because why is Talia in it even though it's specifically about Bruce and Selina? Is she the ex? What.

This is literally a response from my own post where I make a satirical joke. Like. They come to my blog.

I applaud you for being able to curate your own internet experiences according to your preference, however it's a bit difficult for people who likes characters that are, for whatever reason, the punching bags for the fandom's favorite. The cause of trauma, as you will.

I can't escape it, because it's a popular notion that the al-Ghuls are the bane of everyone's existence within DC fandom spaces. That Talia drugged and raped Bruce (retconned), that she sleeps with Jason (also retconned), that Ra's is insane about Tim and obsessed with him (he talks to him, like, twice) and Damian is a feral Arab child that needed to be civilized.

I could scroll TikTok, came across a video that featured Talia in it, and the comments are filled to the brim with people saying bs like, "Remember when she SA'd Bruce?" or "Errmmmm do people forget that she cracks Jason like???". I decided to expand my repertoire and check the tags that aren't exclusively 'Damian Wayne-Centric' on ao3, and two scrolls in that boy was being put at the stake for being Robin or leaving Robin. Ra's al-Ghul is the victim of his own tags.

Regarding WFA, I have a sort of mixed-feelings about it; don't get me wrong, I recognize that comic to be fandom-pilled than it is a canon material. To me, WFA is as canon as 'Nothing Butt Nightwing' comic, or even Harley's Scratch and Sniff comic.

It's there for people in the fandom to enjoy, but not much of a canon material that you can refer to when discussing the depth of a character--- however, it's still not free from criticism as it also convey certain messages, and it's particularly bad considering that most (if not all) new fans either stayed loyal to that comic or only read WFA.

WFA is a comic that specifically made to indulge the fans, a complete fan-service if I ever see one, where they delve into popular tropes being thrown around in the fandom so they can garner more viewers.

Again, at the great cost of my favorite characters being butchered.

For example, episode 13 of WFA: Stupid Traditions.

Because of course, why would Talia who gave Damian Goliath (and should be canon in universe considering Goliath has made a few appearance in WFA) allowed Damian to have pets? Why would she allowed him to form meaningful connections with lowly beings like animals, even though both came from LoA who's notoriously known to be an eco-terrorist organization that protects the environment and whatnot? Preposterous!

I know it's not exactly an attempt of butchering Talia, but it's the implication. The sub context. Readers are meant to read that and goes, "Oh, poor Damian! He doesn't know how his birthdays should be celebrated because of his evil Arab family! Thank God his good white family is here to save him and lets him behave like a child that he should be!".

But in canon, this is how Damian's birthdays were celebrated when he was at the Waynes:

Either alone or Bruce flat out forgot.

It's the same element when Damian suddenly told Lizzie that Ra's used to lock him in a box without food and water and left him in the desert for seven days in the Trinity Special.

It's meant to invoke some sort of reaction from the readers without no real thoughts being put to consider how this might affect Ra's image and character as a whole. It particularly sucked considering this comic was written by Tom King. A.k.a the war criminal.

I've had similar conversations with many people asking why I hate characters like Tim Drake so much, and my answer is the same; I don't. I enjoy his character, but it's how people characterize him that made me annoyed. Not to mention how, again, my favs are butchered and assassinated to smithereens for him, and I suppose it's the same thing with WFA as well.

People who exclusively read WFA believes that it's canon, thus creating a problem where they thought fanon things are canon, even though it really isn't. They advocate that it's canon and they choose to disregard the actual canon materials, saying that the BatFam is this cool, loving bunch when these mfs cannot be in the same room without blood being shed.

Still, it's cool if you like it. I just wouldn't recommend it to other people, especially new fans, as their first comic.

TLDR; No, I didn't actively seek out hate content of my favs. Them being the universe punching bag is just a popular trope to curate the 'bohoo this poor white man' content, so I can't exactly escape it. No, I don't hate WFA, I just don't like it much. I can enjoy the Slice of Life but ehh. Don't treat it as canon or become your basis understanding of the characters and their relationships with other people, because it's inaccurate.