#and we got there and they were so good the entire stadium screamed when they started sugar we're going down | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bnpd · 27 days

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❝ LONG SHOT ! ❞ ; 001

❝ PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER!GOJO SATORU X PHYSICAL THERAPIST!READER. ❞

SYNOPSIS: After an unexpected encounter with the infamous Gojo Satoru at a local convenience store at 3 A.M. You're given the opportunity to worm your way into his life, but not without a personal invitation from Gojo himself. One thing leads to another, and you're the first person they call when he gets a career-threatening injury, forcing both of you to spend day and night together, but without some obstacles of course: your cousin.

WORD COUNT : 8K SERIES MASTERLIST : ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° .

PT. 1 : PT. 2

Your days start off simple. Wake up at 5 am. Shower at 5:05. Get ready at 5:30. Breakfast at 6:30am. Leave your cozy city apartment at 7:00 am –sharp– to make it to work.

“Good morning Miwa,” you greet politely, walking past her desk and she scrambles to gather her clipboard. Hot on your tail, she frantically looks over her notes. “What do you have for me today?” You ask.

“Doctor, your first consultation of the day is waiting for you in your office! And your regular patient called to let you know that those exercises you suggested are working wonders!” You nod and hum occasionally to inform her that you’re listening as you maneuver through the rest of the doctors, stopping momentarily to encourage a patient lifting weights. She speaks quickly. “And Doctor Shoko called to ask if you’ll be going to…” she pauses and you figure she’s looking at her notes again. “The basketball game,” and she's quick to add “ —the Jujutsu Sorcerers are playing tomorrow night.”

You stop abruptly outside of your office door, feeling Miwa lightly bump into your back before she mutters a swift apology. You turn around, raising a questioning eyebrow. “She called about that? Tell her I’m bus-”. Miwa’s quick to intercept. “She insists! Plus, I thought you loved the Jujutsu Sorcerers?”

You think it over.

You did like them. No. They were your absolute favorite basketball team. Besides, you could never turn down a basketball game.

“Fine. I’ll see her tomorrow night. Thank you Miwa.”

“We have just minutes to go here in the fourth quarter of the season opener at the Sorcerer Stadium. The Jujutsu Sorcerers are up by ten over the Special Grades, thanks much to the tremendous effort of the star point guard, Gojo Satoru.”

Inside the stadium is loud, as fans cheer on their favorite teams. It’s a full game tonight. A completely sold out stadium with all the people that showed up to praise their favorite players. The energy is loud, and fun. As people stand, and others sit in their seats in a stressful manner—mostly the losing team.

The two kids behind you wear matching Jujutsu Sorcerers jerseys. One boy is sporting a 01 while the other sports a 02. One for the infamous Gojo Satoru and the other for Geto Suguru. You’re happy to admit that you too are sporting a number 01 jersey.

“Gojo Satoru, one of the best point guards in the league. Living up to his reputation and title of the ‘Chosen One’, tonight.” You listen, and watch intently as the announcers speak of Gojo. As he dribbles left, dodging every player in his way, bypassing their attempts to stop him. He’s unstoppable.

“He looks inside. And he’s got nothing there.” The announcer anticipates. The crowd stands up from their seats eager to watch his next move. Their anticipation is intense as everyone in the stadium witnesses the Gojo Satoru work up close.

“He’s gonna take it himself!” The announcer exclaimed in disbelief, he himself could not believe this. “Behind the back! He puts it up, and it's good” The entire stadium puts their hands up to cheer, and scream. You see a mix of colors in the crowd, mostly a light blue in support of the Jujutsu Sorcerers.

You tune out the announcers as Gojo Satoru is celebrating his team's score. He’s sweating so much his jersey sticks to his chest and stomach. You can faintly make out the outline of his abs. His muscles flex as he lifts his shirt up to wipe the sweat off his forehead, his abs on full display. You grin at how hot he is. Anyone with eyes can see it. You swear you hear the girls cheer louder at the display of skin. Even if you were still here for the game, you were still a woman after all.

“You’re drooling.” Shoko points out beside you, and you almost reach your hand towards your mouth to check before you playfully narrow your eyes at her. “Please,” you say dismissively, “What’s the correct way to react to a court full of sweaty hot guys? Watch the game?”.

Her eyes roll dramatically before sporting a playful grin, and you bump your shoulder against hers to bring out a full smile from her. You succeed.

Shoko continues to cheer on the team. This is the most excited you’ve seen her since she found a remaining cigarette in her car after she’d just ran out. You were so distracted by the cigarette addict beside you that you almost missed the foul they gave the other team as Gojo Satoru stands on the free throw line.

“Gojo Satoru shot 95% from the freethrow line last season, but he’s been 100% tonight.” The announcers go back to bickering about the game, praising Gojo’s in-game scores. “Let’s see if he stays on his hot streak tonight, and for the rest of the season–”.

Gojo dribbles the ball, and the stadium remains silent. The tension thick in the air as they hold their breath��even you, who leans forward in anticipation. He locks his knees, and shoots straight into the basketball hoop. The ball never even touches the rim. He makes both shots. Gojo smirks cockily as he slaps Geto’s hand twice in celebration.

“-And he’s done it! It’s 12 in a row, for Gojo Satoru. Geto Suguru–number two–has 10 tonight. Quite a duo on the court. I would say.”

Shoko and you cheer on the team as they celebrate the win themselves. The kids behind you scream so loud your eardrums almost pop, but you can’t find it in yourself to mind.

The energy in the stadium tonight reminds you of why you loved going to basketball games in the first place. The excitement in the court, and in the entire stadium is something no one can miss.

The kids behind you are so excited that it spreads to you, and you jump up to celebrate with them. Their toothy smiles are so big and bright. They warm your heart. The moment is quickly ruined by the woman sitting on the other side of you, opposite Shoko.

“Look at that!” Your cousin harshly tugs your arm, pulling you down to reach her seat. “The player’s wives section. Full of snobby bitches.” Her fingers frantically shake to dramatize how much she wants you to see. “I’m looking.” You reply exasperated before rolling your eyes. “She has a custom Birkin! Do you have any idea how expensive that is?” She asks, and you reply with a muttered response “A house mortgage loan, I assume.”

Your cousin was—to put it shortly–spoiled, but you respected her views on someday marrying a rich man. The only problem with that is that she even uses the good ones.

She was a model. Not a well known one, but a model nonetheless. She was gorgeous, and everyone knew it. Even the men you dated. Most of them had gone as far to tell you. But you never let it deter your self-esteem. Men are a defective species and that has nothing to do with you. You choose to push that thought aside before it can develop into a mental breakdown in the middle of a basketball game.

The children screaming behind you interrupt it before it can. “Look, look!” The kids behind you frantically poke at you to look.

“He just made a three-pointer,” the boy lisps a little, and you swear you feel the saliva hit your face.

More than half of the game is just Gojo Satoru stealing the ball, and making countless scores.

You look up at the clock and see the time as it read ten seconds on the board.

“Gojo Satoru again with the ball!” You watch as he steals the ball and dribbles all the way across the court. Five seconds on the clock. He jumps up, and slams the ball directly into the basketball net with both hands still hanging onto the rim. “Anddd Number 1… brings the game home!” And the final buzzer rings across the court, calling the game. Zero seconds on the board.

The announcer makes one last comment, “Unbelievable performance by Gojo Satoru.”

Gojo is instantly swarmed with reporters in hopes of getting a word with him. But he’s fine with this. He loves the attention. He loves it when all eyes are on him. He thinks it’s how it should always be. A cocky man at heart.

“Tremendous game tonight Gojo Satoru.” The reporter speaks, and she’s too close for any regular reporter, and Gojo catches onto it quickly. “Thank you, thank you.” He responds in an airy flirty tone.

He scans the stands, and his eyes catch onto a woman helping two kids from their seats—they wear the number of his jersey, and Getos. His eyebrows furrow, and he tunes out the reporter subconsciously. The mysterious woman laughs at something her friend says—and his eyebrows lift up in surprise at the recognition of his friend, Shoko.

“Almost a decade with the Jujutsu Sorcerers, the only franchise you’ve ever played for…” a male reporter takes a lead on his attention as Gojo turns his head over to talk to the male reporter. He smiles into the camera, a radiant smile.

A player from the opposing team passes Gojo before patting his back, and cheers at him for the good game.

“...But you’re a free agent at the end of the season. The question everyone wants to know… will Gojo Satoru re-sign with the Jujutsu Sorcerers?” he asks as he shifts the microphone from side to side at the question, urging Gojo to answer. The reporters surrounding him, too, lean closer into him.

Gojo licks his lips before responding. His chest breathing erratically from the previous game, “I prove myself night in and night out on that court. I’m the best in the league right now. Of course they’ll sign me. I’m the best.”

He winks at the female reporter after his proud admission as her face turns bright red at the display of flirtation. She lowers the microphone to say something to him personally before his manager comes disrupting the flirty exchange and drags him away from the reporters as their distant shouts begin to fade, entering the locker room.

You’re exiting the stadium before one of your cousin’s friends invites herself into the conversations. Completely interrupting your rant about how horrible the injury a recent basketball player received.

“Girl, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” You turn around at the sound of the high-pitched voice, and see a woman dressed in all black, some large classy sunglasses, and a dark cherry red lipstick. Her aura emitted elegance, and high-class.

“Hey,” she greets you in a monotone voice before turning over to your cousin again and her excitement seems to be shot back into her system as she begins to ramble to your cousin. Your head tilts at her attitude. Disbelief is clear on your face.“It is so packed in here, it is so gross.” She comments with an undeniable hint of disgust in her voice as she clutches her mini purse closer to her.

“But anyway!” she dismisses, “Gojo Satoru… is having a birthday party Saturday night at his house, but we don’t have the tickets yet, sooooo we’re going to an after party tonight, and see if we can worm ourselves into getting some tickets.” She picks at her nails before grabbing your cousin's hands to shake them in an urging manner. She takes her glasses off to show her a pleading look.

Your cousin lifts her eyebrow in question, “Where’s the after party?”

“The Shibuya Hotel.” Your cousin thinks it over before nodding, turning over to you. “You don’t mind do you?”

You smile at her, “No, not at all. Do your thing.”

“K-K, bye!” Her long slender fingers moving back and forth in a quick and dismissive goodbye.

The bells above the door jingle to announce the presence of someone entering the convenience store. The sudden sound of them has you looking up.

After the game ended you went home and locked yourself up to finish some remaining paperwork, before checking the time and deciding to grab a snack at your favorite corner store.

You glance up at the clock in wonder. It’s currently 3 a.m, and the convenience store tucked into the sketchy corner of the city is always empty. It’s quite a walk from here to your apartment, but a welcomed one. Especially at this time. You always found yourself making late night trips to the store for a midnight snack. They were just something you found quite peaceful. A walk in the dark as you play your favorite playlist, finding a chance to lose yourself in your own head.

You were close to the owner, an old sweet man that conjured a liking to you because of how much you resembled his daughter that was currently deployed overseas.

You spare a glance at the hooded figure that steps into the store, their back turned to you, but you note how tall they are. A shiver runs down your spine as the opened door allows cold air to rush into the tight space.

You’re not sure if the shiver was a cause of the gust of wind that slithered its way inside or the new presence of the looming figure. You don't like to ponder on the possibility that it might be the latter.

You continue to browse through the mochi flavors, looking for your beloved one. It’s unusual for them to be unstocked around this time, considering how cold the weather is. And how empty this side of town finds itself to be. You sigh as you bend down to get a better look.

You feel a presence behind you, and you stiffen at their closeness. A masculine, slender hand, comes into view, as it reaches for the exact flavor of mochi you so happened to be reaching for as well. You both freeze at the sudden, and unexpected contact before both releasing a nervous laugh.

But neither of you find it in yourselves to retract your hands. You clear your throat before speaking.

“Listen…It’s been a rough night,” You start, and turn to face him, but pause mid sentence at the look of what he’s wearing. A black face mask, a black hoodie with the hood of it over his head, and some sunglasses?…At night…and indoors? Not only that, but the man in question was insanely tall. Taller than any regular man you’ve encountered. He had the height of a basketball player.

“Never mind,” You suddenly find yourself not in the mood to argue with a suspicious stranger at 3 a.m. in a sketchy part of town.

Your mother always taught you that as a woman being careful with who you piss off, especially a man that could bring you harm, was important. You wish you had the confidence to defend yourself physically, but you’d rather never have to take those chances. That was the reality of it.

“You can keep it.” You mutter before gathering your things, and speeding over to the cash register. You watch him scan your items, but you can’t shake off the feeling of two eyes burning holes in your back throughout the whole ordeal.

You pull your scarf tighter against your neck as you speed walk in the direction of your apartment. The cold of the fall and lack of sun always make your entire body quiver. You thank your past self for wearing thick layers of clothing, knowing you wouldn’t be able to handle the freezing weather.

You never could handle the cold.

Your senses heightened when you heard steps approaching behind you, quickly at that.

You clench your first in your coat jacket, readying yourself for anything. The steps get closer, and you wait until you feel their presence closely behind you before swinging around, surprising him with a amateaur punch. “Ow!” the stranger winces. “What the fuck!” He chokes out in surprise, holding his face in shock.

You bring your hands up to your mouth in a gasp. “Oh- My-God!” A frantic apology is quick to escape your lips. “Why would you do that?!” You question the stranger exasperatedly. “Don’t–sneak up on a woman like that!” Your hands move around to signal the obvious, it’s dark.

“Well, fuck!” He responds, “I was just trying to give you the mochi,” His hand extends to reveal the truth. A mochi sits in his grasp—not just any mochi—the one you abandoned back in the store for the sake of it. He chased after you to give it to you.

Your body deflates at the realization, and it makes you feel a tiny bit sorry. Not for long when you realize he's most certainly at fault. He should’ve known not to approach a girl in the dead of night.

A few feet of distance separates you both, but you can’t help but release a tiny embarrassed laugh at the comedic situation. Your contagious laugh seems to transfer to him because he releases a small huff of amusement under his breath.

You’re both standing under a streetlamp a few feet away from the convenience store, in a defense mode. The stranger in front of you still holds onto his face in an attempt to relieve the pain.

The physical therapist in you kicks in, and you step closer towards him to inspect the damage. He’s reluctant to let you approach him, tensing is evident in the way his shoulders square up. But you reassure him. “It’s okay,” you softly comfort, “I’m a physical therapist, I just want to see that it won’t bruise or anything.”

Your words seem to help because his guarded shoulders deflate a little.

“Let me see,” you murmur into the dark, reaching over to remove his hand. He watches you intently through his glasses, and you realize he’s wearing a lot to protect his face. You take the time to study his remote way of dressing. His attempt to hide himself, you reason within yourself. His hair is covered by a black hood, paired with a black beanie, a black face mask that covers his lips and nose, a light blue sweatshirt that brings some color, some gray sweats that cover the entirety of his long legs, and a black puffer jacket to help keep the cold out. He looks warm, yet cold at the same time.

You wonder why he’s deliberately trying to hide who–or what—he is.

You find out soon enough because when you peel off his hand, and later his face mask to get a better look at his cheek you blurt out the first thing that crosses your mouth.

“You’re Gojo Satoru.” It’s spoken in a whisper, he almost doesn’t hear the acknowledgement with how soft your voice travels. Your eyes are wide with surprise, and a bit of elation. It felt like a caress, he notes.

A choked gasp almost leaves your lips when you take off his sunglasses and find the most unreal set of blue eyes stare back at you.

“The one, and only.” His response doesn’t come out as confident as he planned. Instead it came off shaky, and unsure. Breathless even. He blames it on the look on your face, and the way you stare intently into his eyes, seeing straight through him. His lips crack into a smile, and the amused look in your eye caused by his cheesy line.

“You sound more confident on TV.” You retaliate. He’s quick with a witty response, “Maybe you just make me nervous.” He wets his lips with a swipe of his tongue, taking you in. You’re illuminated by the streetlamp.

You laugh at his stupid attempt to flirt with you, playfully dismissing his advances.

Bringing your focus back to his cheek you inspect it before speaking, “It won’t bruise,” He looks like he’s ready to speak up but you interrupt him by finishing your sentence, “But—you’ll still need to ice it. At least for tonight.”

Of course it wouldn’t bruise, you’ve never taken any lessons on how to properly hit—let alone land a punch. You punched him in hopes of catching him off guard before he could surprise you, giving you the chance to run for the hills, not because you knew you’d be able to take a stranger in a fight.

When your fight or flight response kicked in, you didn’t even ponder the possibility of punching a professional athlete, let alone a professional basketball player. One that played for your favorite team. Quite frankly you were starstruck, and the fangirl in you was having an entire party. The Gojo Satoru was here. Right in front of you. He was even more gorgeous up close—taller too.

The cameras did indeed do him justice, but nothing ever compares to the real thing. His bright blue eyes, and snow-white lashes were straight out of a magical fairytale. As much as you’d like to jump up and down, and then hug him, you knew you had to contain yourself. Otherwise you would scare him away. Or he would feel too uncomfortable to engage in casual conversation with a crazy fan.

But you were more of a basketball fan than solely a Gojo Satoru fan, and that fact alone was keeping you at bay. Your early childhood years of having a basketball coach father always kept you engaged in basketball in general.

After going back inside the convenience store to grab some ice from the ice machine—with Gojo trailing closely behind you—you both now sat on the edge of the sidewalk right in front of the convenience store, talking amongst one another about nothing in particular. The only source of lighting being the lit up convenience store, and the streetlamp hovering over your seater figures.

Gojo sits beside you with a hand holding the ice pack to his face, while another is used to reach into the bag of mochi to grab some more. But your mind can’t seem to ignore how close you two sit against one another, your thighs are almost touching from your close proximity.

“Thank you.” Gojo’s hushed voice cuts through the silly conversational atmosphere, and turns into a semi-serious one.

A tiny toothless smile spreads across your face, “You can thank me, by winning the championships.” Your knee knocks into his in an attempt to bring back the playful mood, and he takes it gratefully. He responds eagerly by knocking his knee against yours in response. His touch shoots a tingle up your spine.

Your smile must be contagious because the cutest lopsided smile makes an appearance on Gojo’s face, “Oh, so you’re really a die-hard fan?” He teases.

“Ever since I was a little girl.”

“How so?” He asks, his eyes never leaving your face as his hands reach into the bag of mochi to munch on.

“Well,” You think about your next words as you gesture for Gojo to move the bag of mochi closer so that you can grab a piece, “My dad was a college basketball coach—still is—and all through elementary to middle school I would often sit on the side of practices and watch them play. So I kind of developed an interest in watching the sport. I find it nostalgic—in a way. My dad and I just bond over it.”

You mention how you were looking to become a professional NBA physical therapist. It had been your dream ever since you were a little girl. And it still is. Though you’re a current sports physical therapist— the best in your field—you want more.

He’s silent as he reflects on your response. You take this as your chance to bite into your mochi, humming contently at the yummy taste. The chewy texture is satisfying against your tongue, its sweetness seeping into your mood.

“That’s cool,” he replies after a moment of silence. “I grew up watching—and playing—basketball too.” He pauses, and you patiently wait as he collects his thoughts.

“But mostly because our family has been professional basketball players for generations, and I just kind of fell into that.”

You nod your head in understanding. You wonder if he’s playing because he genuinely likes the game or because it’s expected of him to continue the tradition. The legacy.

You knew about the Gojo family being generational professional basketball players. Every single one of them have played for the Jujutsu Sorcerers, and because of them they’ve always been an outstanding basketball team. Some consider them to be reincarnations of each other, but that’s just silly internet theories.

There’s numerous articles about the Gojo family, a lot of them highlighting the way they dominate almost every industry. Their wealth, and worldwide superiority is insanely known. It went beyond just Gojo’s direct family playing professional basketball, their entire family tree is gifted with various qualities.

You can’t imagine the burden he must carry.

One thing is certain and it’s that you’re genuinely delighted in his presence. You realize he’s silent before looking over at him, and you frown at the unreadable look on his face. “What’s wrong?” You probe.

His gorgeous bright blue eyes look all over your face in an analytical kind of way, before a ghost smile grazes his features. “Nothing,” he says softly, his eyes staring softly at you, “Nothing at all.” He turns back to bite into his mochi, chewing on it before contently humming to himself.

A familiar tune, you realize, and you gasp before hitting his arm, “Is that the Digimon tune?” His eyes twinkle in surprise, and something like eagerness—before he takes off into another excited rant. Telling you about his favorite digital pet model toy he used to own as a kid, and how he still has a collection of them at home. He tells you about how he wishes to find a rare one. His descriptions are so animated, and you can’t help but stare fondly at his features.

Though you weren’t a huge digimon fan, you don’t bother telling him in fear of breaking through his elation.

How the corner of his lips turns up in excitement or how his hands are used to animatedly demonstrate what he is trying to portray. Often used to wave them around. Your favorite feature would have to be his eyes, and the way they sparkle when he talks about something he's passionate about. Even in the darkness his ice cold blue eyes find a way to look so warm.

You like the bubble you’ve both created for yourselves. Time feels unimportant, and worries feel so far away.

After his rant you fall back into a comfortable silence. The ambience around you does a good job at filling the silence. The crickets hidden in the grass sing as the wind blows, swaying the trees. The moon lightens up the world to the best of her ability. But the city is alive, it always is. New York never sleeps, even at night. It’s probably the time it’s most awake.

Gojo breaks the comfortable silence,“What are you doing Saturday night?”

You make it back at 7 a.m., (with the help of Gojo driving you home), and thank the gods that you didn’t have work today. Shoko would’ve pestered you about your late-night whereabouts.

You’re welcomed by the sight of your cousin sitting on the floor by the coffee table surrounded by numerous magazines scattered around the living room. Her concentration prompts you to raise a skeptical eyebrow.

Cautiously walking into her space to not cause a disturbance, you ask her why she has a mess in your living room.

“I’m researching.” What could she possibly be researching in a magazine?

She notices your confused silence, and heavily sighs before putting her pen down. “I’m trying to figure out how to marry a professional athlete so that I can leech off him, and live a happy–rich–life. A girl doesn’t just become the wife of a NBA franchise player by accident.” She takes a moment to apply lip gloss before continuing.

“It takes strategy, good intel, and vision.” She finishes off before grabbing the poster board sitting next to her, showing you a pin board with various different basketball players. Thankfully, a certain bright blue eyed player is absent.

Next to each of their pictures is their name, age, birthday, interests, basketball team, and other miscellaneous facts. Her entire pin-board looks like an FBI investigation wall.

“Modeling only pays so much. Especially as a model who isn’t a Super-model.” An exasperated breath leaves her lips as if she was exhausted from just explaining the obvious to you.

“I mean look at this!” She says, frantically showing you the magazine. You lean over to get a better look as you read the title.

‘PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, NANAMI KENTO’S WIFE STARTS BRAND NEW BAKING TELEVISION SHOW.’

“These women get fragrance deals, shoe lines, clothing lines, like; Oh.My.God! Even shows!” Each admission becomes more passionate than the last. As she continues to rant to you. “I’m almost 30. I need to start thinking for myself, and my future. Like, now. I’ll find a man, and use him.”

You laugh at her crazy talk, you start putting fingers down as you list her current struggles, “You’re crashing in my guestroom.” One finger down. “Your BMW got repossessed because you stopped making payments.” Two fingers down. “You haven’t been able to hold a steady job.” Three fingers down. “And you don’t even help clean the house.” Four fingers down.

You wave them in front of her face to try and get your point across. “Look, I’m all for you finding a rich man in the future, and living off of him—that’s fine. But for now, at least help around the house when you can. I work lots of shifts at the clinic, the least you could do is help at home—”

“Especially since you don’t help me pay any bills.” She’s ready to protest, and cut you off. You make sure you get the last word in. “I don’t care because I get paid enough to cover this nice apartment in the middle of the city. Just, take some stress off my shoulders.” You smile kindly at her.

She lets out a huff of annoyance before turning back to her magazines, and ignoring you. A tired sigh escapes your lips. Her gloomy mood makes you feel pitiful, but thankfully you remember what Gojo said to you that night.

“Besides, how are you gonna get an NBA husband, if you…” You grab your phone, and tap on the screen before showing her the details for Gojo Satoru’s Saturday birthday party, “Don’t go to the gatherings?”

Her eyes grow wide with excitement, and she jumps up to hug you. “How did you do that?” She questions in disbelief, as she grabs your phone to see the tickets. “Well, I bumped into him in the street, and one thing led to another so he invited me.”

She squeals before hugging you again. “I need to figure out what I need to wear. No—I need to figure out what I need to buy to wear.” She runs to your guest room in excitement, muttering to herself as she begins to move further and further away from you. The door slammed shut as an indication that you’re now alone in the living room.

You choose to keep the details hidden of how exactly you met Gojo because of how personal they felt. It felt like something sacred that should be kept between Gojo and you. You didn’t want to let anyone inside your little bubble. As selfish as that sounded.

What happened earlier this morning felt so refreshing. You softly smile to yourself before walking to your room to rest your eyes before the party.

Your mom has always believed in destiny. That the universe worked in mysterious ways. She liked the idea that everything was meant to be. People were at a certain place, and time for a reason. Even if you lose something—whatever it may be— the first time, it’ll always come back someway, somehow.

You believe it now as she enters your old adolescent room before you, holding a box in her hands. You had decided to get ready at your parents house because of how convenient it would be, considering how Gojo’s house is closer to your parent’s house compared to yours.

“You are going to find a husband tonight.” Your mother laughs. You playfully roll your eyes at her admission. “Mom… don’t start.” You half-heartedly warn before she goes off her lovesick rant, placing the box on the table next to you.

“Honey, I married your father, and he still can’t believe his luck. I mean I understand, I am beautiful, and so is my gorgeous daughter—”

“—and niece!” Your cousin adds before going back to the mirror, touching up her eyelashes.

Your mother and you sweetly laugh before continuing, “I mean, when I first met him, it was like love at first sight.” You can’t help the frown that overtakes your features at her admission, a certain white-haired blue eyed man coming to mind.

“Anyway,” Your mother says before waving dismissively, “I have a surprise.” She smiles, before opening the box she had brought with her. You gasp as she pulls out the most gorgeous set of earrings you’ve ever laid eyes on. “Are those…?” You trail off in question.

“Your grandmother’s diamond earrings.” Your mother confirms before gazing softly at them. “She wore them the night she met your grandfather, and I wore them the night I met your father. And now I want you to wear them.” She tells you.

“They’re beautiful!” Your cousin compliments, quickly picking herself up from her seat and making her way over. “They are more than beautiful,” Your mother responds in agreement.

“I don’t think those will suit her Auntie, but they will suit me!” You glare at your cousin. Your mom smiles at your cousin before handing them to her. A look of betrayal paints your face. “Then I think you should wear them.”

Your heart drops at the admission, and before you could protest. The earrings are already on her before you could blink. “What do you think?” She asks you. Ugly. You think.

“I think I need a shot.” You mutter.

“Oh my god.” Your cousin says in amazement. “This is beautiful.”

You can’t help but silently agree with her. Gojo’s house was beyond gorgeous. The house was elegant, simplistic, yet lived in. It was decorated enough to uplift the house, rather than outshine it.

You walk through the main entrance, and see a lot of faces you’d usually see on TV, magazines, and billboard signs. Lots of Gojo’s teammates scatter among the crowd. They’re easy to spot considering their height.

The music is played to a low volume. The atmosphere emits one of class, tranquility yet fun, and livelihood. People chatter away, immersed in their own worlds, without a care in the world. You suppose that people who have the privilege to attend a Gojo gathering can afford to live without a care in the world.

As you enter the main living room, you hear a voice command the room. Perfecting timing.

“I’d like to make a special toast, for a special birthday boy.” Geto grins, lifting his drink to cheer, before grabbing Gojo by the neck and continuing with what you suspect is a birthday speech. As if on queue the people begin to gather around Geto and Gojo.

“I’m sure you’ve all heard this before,” Geto pauses before continuing, “that when some people become rich and famous they turn into pricks…” He looks back at Gojo, “But Satoru’s always been a rich and famous asshole, so it doesn’t apply to him.” He laughs before receiving a shove from Gojo as they share a hearty laugh together.

“Point is, he’s still the same guy from high school…minus the stickman legs, and high-pitched voice.” The crowd joins in on Geto’s laughter, “To my one and only best friend, happy birthday.” The crowd cheers, and a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday!' ring throughout the room. “Thank you Suguru.” You watch as Gojo and Geto prepare themselves to do a load of shots. As the music begins to pick up again, and the crowd disperses.

Your cousin taps your shoulder, and you look over at her, “I’m gonna go explore okay?”

“Oh! O–” You turn around to find her already gone, “--Kay.”

You find your way to the bar, as you sweetly greet the bartender. “Can I have a glass of champagne?”

You’re waiting patiently against the bar when you feel a tap on your shoulder, and a look of surprise crosses your features at the sight of Gojo’s beaming smile. “You made it.” He says happily, eyeing you with a dopey smile.

“Happy birthday!” You tell him, and his hand rests beside your waist against the bar, slightly caging you in. “I got you a card!” You say, reaching into your handbag for the Digimon themed birthday card, and a breathy chuckle leaves Gojo’s lips at the sight of it.

His eyes twinkle when he looks back up at you, “Aw, come on,” He says before continuing with a fake pout, “No surprise punch?”

You laugh at his lame teasing, but play along with him anyway. “Maybe next time, if you decide to run up behind me in the middle of the night, I’ll give you two.” His lips set on a teasing yet flirty smile, raising a questioning eyebrow, “Next time? With the way you look tonight, there will definitely be a next time—”

“Oh god!” A frantic voice interrupts you both, and you’re not surprised to find out the culprit is your cousin. Although you’re happy that she found you again, currently her presence is an unwelcome one. Her hand rests on your shoulder as she looks into your eyes. Your annoyance is quickly replaced with worry as it immediately overtakes your features. “There you are! I am so sorry, but I need to leave.” Your cousin says.

“What? Why? Is everything okay?” You ask, quickly scanning her for any physical injuries. “Everything is okay! It’s just that I got a call from the non-profit I was working with, and they need me to come in immediately.”

Non-profit? Working with?

“What? You don’t–”, She gives you a look that causes a realization to wash over you. She’s lying to make a good impression. With a roll of your eyes, you clear your throat to look back at Gojo but find that he is already fixated on something. Or more like someone.

Your cousin. The look on his face causes a sinking feeling to settle in your stomach. “Hey.” He says.

“Gojo, this is my cousin.” You tell him her name before continuing, “We grew up together.”

Your cousin barely glances at Gojo before realization dawns on her about who he is, and a flirty smile graces her features. “Oh, hi. Nice to meet you.” She says, before slipping back into a false indifference. Gojo’s eyes never leave her figure, but your cousin has a game to play, and it’s her favorite one. Unfortunately for Gojo, he’s playing right into it.

“One of the volunteers at the homeless shelter I help out at, just called in sick. So I need to go.” She begins to walk away, but Gojo stops her before she can. “You know, I volunteer too.”

“That’s cool," she says before turning to you and perking up again, “I have to stop by the store to buy some games for the kids, okay?” You couldn’t believe her. Her head tilted to one side while listening to him, a hidden sheen of interest coated her eyes.

You think you might have to kill yourself after this.

Gojo’s eyebrows raise once again in a curious manner, “You two…live together?”

“If by living together, you mean she free-loads, then yeah! We live together.” That earns you a gentle elbow in the stomach. “How can I get in touch with you?” He persists with an unrelenting stare.

“Oh…Gojo…It’s Gojo, right?” You feel your eyes roll involuntarily,” I’m sorry I’ve tried the whole ‘dating an athlete thing, and…it’s not my thing. But it was really nice talking to you.” She turns to you once again, and you swear you see a menacing glint in her eye. “Are you ready?”

To jump off a cliff? Absolutely.

Your cousin walks away, and anger overtakes your entire body. You turn to look at Gojo, and deflate at how his attention is solely on her, and the way she confidently walks away, catching the eyes of many men. Unaware of the attention you hinder as well.

You feel sick to your stomach. You should’ve asked the bartender for a round of shots.

Gojo’s friends watch as you walk away with interest in their eyes. “You know, the objective is not to make them leave.” Geto speaks up. Entranced by you.

But Gojo’s eyes stay focused elsewhere, before looking at Geto, “I think this worked out just great.” He trails off.

“What the hell was that back there?” You interrogate in a tight voice as soon as you shut the car door. “Oh. Come on.” The tone of her voice has you reeling back. You watch in disbelief as your cousin reapplies her lipstick through your car vanity mirror. She pops her lips before continuing, “Was he looking at me when I walked away?” Her eyes shine with a gleam of deviltry.

A scoff leaves your lips, and you look away from her. “Yes, he was.” Sadly. “You do realize, you don’t work—let alone volunteer—for a homeless shelter, right?”

“Obviously,” she counters, “But he seemed like the kind to fall for that kind of stuff. So I gave it to him, and it worked. I won’t even need to work a job anymore when I get to live in this big house.” Her hands gesture back to the direction of Gojo’s house before continuing to fix her makeup.

“You don’t even work a job now.” You emphasize with raised eyebrows, and a tilt in your head. “Besides, you rejected him.”

“Yeah,” your cousin responds in a ‘duh’ tone, “That’s probably the first time that’s ever happened since…forever. Trust me…” She trails off while fixing her hair, “I’ll be hearing from him.”

And she did.

The next morning you’re almost leaving your apartment for work when you hear a knock, and find a well dressed Gojo before your eyes. You raise a questioning eyebrow at the sight of his presence.

He eyes you for a little before clearing his throat. “Is your cousin here?” A hesitant tone overtakes his features, studying you for a reaction.

Your heart threatens to drop, but you clear your head before it can. “Yeah.” You respond somberly before continuing, “She’s in her room. I’ll go get her.” You turn around to fetch your cousin but pause mid-turn as a sudden question sweeps into your head. You turn to face him once again in clear confusion.

“How did you know I lived here?” You ask skeptically. Gojo grins confidently, a lazy smile gracing his features, “I know people.”

“That’s reassuring.” You drift away from him after curtly inviting him inside your home, and you watch as he studies your cozy apartment. Zero-ing in on the personal pictures of you you’ve hung up on your bookshelf. A faint hum comes out of him as he studies your pictures intently, memorizing them.

“Aren’t you nosy.” You quip at him teasingly. He turns to look at you with a playful expression. “Well, I find you interesting.”

“Well not interesting enough,” you say, muttering to yourself. “What was that?”

“Nothing.” You say walking away from him to get your cousin.

Everything took off from there. One dinner turned into two, then three, and then more than you could count on two hands. It’s like their love came easy for them, and you could tell by the countless tabloids covering their every move.

From Gojo’s ravenous yacht dates with your cousin, to endless shopping sprees. Everyday a new magazine feature was released to keep the public updated on their love story. But you didn’t need to read them to know how good they were to one another. You could tell by the way they’d gaze at each other, more on Gojo’s part.

She’d come home countless times, with something new to share. Whether it was a new expensive necklace Gojo had bought her, or he took her overseas on a spontaneous trip. You sat there and took it. You were helpless, and all you could do was blindly support her. Encourage their relationship.

And Gojo? He became unstoppable. It was impossible to believe how much better his life got—considering how great it already was. He was amazing on the court, and off the court (so you’ve heard). Your cousin got her wish granted. She could finally sit in the basketball wives section, sporting a new exclusive purse every game. She got the brand deals she always wanted, and a feature on a well known magazine. The paparazzi were so obsessed with them. Oftentimes photographing them on outings, whether it was an exclusive club, or a sweet night out together.

Headlines often portrayed their relationship as anything short of wonderful.

“PACKING IT IN: Gojo Satoru ushers his precious girlfriend into his Mercedes after spending an exhaustive day buying up boutique Manhattan.”

“LOOK OUT!: Gojo Satoru and girlfriend share a sweet kiss at a beach in Bora Bora.”

She got everything she ever wanted, and Gojo wasn’t an exception.

At first it felt like you were drowning. Like you couldn’t escape them, but then acceptance began to settle in.

You were aware of your brief interaction with Gojo. Though it felt like more than that, you realize maybe you’d jump the gun too fast. The way you both clicked that night, maybe you’d imagined his interest in you. Maybe you’d wish so badly for it that it twisted your reality of things. You’d wished to have swept him away the way your cousin did. It hurt to see the man you’d ever truly had a faint interest in slowly fall in love with your cousin. They were just so in love. At least, he thought he was.

But it didn’t matter anyway, it’s not like you knew the guy–beyond just a conversation that lasted hours. Vulnerability leaving you both bare to one another. Gojo wasn’t yours. And now he’ll never be.

You weren’t bitter. No. On the contrary, at first you were upset—granted—, but then you were happy for her. How could you be bitter? You had your own thing going on. It was going to take far more than this to hurt you. Besides, you could just avoid Gojo Satoru, right?

feel more than welcome to submit a request <3 ᥫ᭡ join my taglist :

TAGLIST : @luvwithau @sugacor3 @seajunie

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mydearesthrry · 9 months

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A Compilation of Y/nrry on Stage - h.s.

a/n: self indulgent, once again. been watching a couple of old 1d concert vids lately and this just came to me like i think i wrote all of this in about 20 mins? enjoyyyyyyy

🎀 warnings/cw: nothing, fluff, cursing?

🐇 pairing: 1dbandmember!yreader x fratboyera!harry

💐 wc: 1.2k

summary: 3 moments during the take me home tour where ynrry shined through on stage.

Y/N could sense mischief from a mile away. From the second the fans screamed to looking over at where they were pointing, she knew she was fucked. Clad in a light pink shirt and crop top that only showed an inch about her torso, she tried to run away from Louis but the stilettos on her feet gave her no opportunity to.

“Louis! Louis stop, don’t!” Her pleading seemingly wasn’t enough because, within a blink of an eye, she was drenched in cold water. The two of them immediately knew what this meant.

It meant war. And she was determined to get all of her bandmates on her side to defeat Louis.

At first, she tried running after him, but when she realized it was no use since he was so fast and she was in heels, she called Harry over and immediately told him to turn around and crouch to help her. Harry, who had seen the entire interaction, was immediately down and got down without question. She hopped up on his back, motioning at Zayn for him to throw her a water bottle, Harry immediately started running toward Harry.

As he ran, her in-ear monitors made her remember that she was to sing soon, and she raised her mic to her lips, singing softly. “And if we get together, yeah get together, don’t let the pictures leave your phone! Do you guys think I can beat Louis?” She screamed, following her lyrics, giggling at the loud cheers from the crowd. Harry continued running, and Y/N looked down to see that Niall and Liam were running with them, water bottles in their hands as well.

Louis glanced over his shoulder and saw them running after him, pulling a face and running away faster. Unfortunately, he was too slow, and they all eventually caught up to him. Zayn too, who was right behind him and making sure he didn’t run away. Liam and Niall caught Louis by his arms, holding him still so their best friend could get her revenge. Harry stalked over to them and set her down, Y/N still singing as she had Harry crack open her bottles. Giggles instead of melodies filled the stadium speakers as she poured the water over his head. The rest of the boys handed her their water, and she continued to pour water on Louis.

“Paybacks a bitch, Tommo.” She grinned, grabbing him by the back of his neck and into a hug, pushing him away when their cue came in to start doing the rowing dance move. They all stood in a staggered line, laughing loudly while they danced.

Everyone else flared away, but Harry stayed. He bent down, mouth close to her ear as he popped out her in-ear, and very softly, whispered, “Good job on your victory, Princess.”

—

The band sat in their respective spots, the soft guitar for Summer Love filtering through the air. In front of Harry, a little off to the side was Y/N, who had the brightest gleam in her eyes, admiring the crowd. It was during songs like these that she allowed herself to bask in the feeling of fame, one that often consumed and overwhelmed her. She giggled when she waved at a few fans and they started screaming and crying in response to her. She glanced over her shoulder to see if Harry had seen that, and smiled wider when she saw he already had a grin on his face.

Raising the mic to his lips, he followed Zayn’s lyrics, and since Y/N was already looking over at him, she twisted on her bottom, being careful of her skirt. Her eyes traced all of Harry’s features, them being nearly enhanced due to the bright spotlights on him. Finishing his part of the first verse, his eyes flicked back to her, nose scrunching cutely. She blew a playful kiss back, laughing when his cheeks became overtaken by a pinkish hue. Jumping down from her spot, she walked over to the back of the stage to retrieve her phone, before jogging back to her spot, confusing Harry when she passed it and instead beelined for him.

Plopping down next to him, she swiped on her phone until she got to the camera app, holding it up to be level with their faces. They pulled a couple of funny faces before she tossed her phone over to Liam and Niall to the right of her, who grabbed it with ease. They started snapping pictures too, Liam turning to face his back to the crowd, taking a selfie with them too. The mic was on her lips, and they motioned her to catch it, but she shook her head no.

They tossed the phone back to her anyway, but she missed the catch and clenched her eyes shut, only for them to snap open again when she felt two taps on her thighs. Opening her eyes, she saw Harry grinning at her with a shit-eating grin, holding her phone in his hand.

She rolled her eyes, grabbing it from him and unlocking it again. She pulled up her camera roll app, looking at the pictures of her and Harry. She smiled and set one of the funnier ones as her home screen background. She turned her phone to Harry, and he grinned at her, trying to subtly move his arm behind her back to rub it. Turning to him, she held up a hand to block the crowd from seeing what she was whispering into his ear.

The crowd screamed when they saw this, but they would never know that the words she whispered into his ear were ‘I love you’.

—

As Niall talked to the crowd, Y/N and Harry pulled their in-ears out of their ears to talk to each other, something that was extremely common at their concerts.

“What d’you wanna order from the hotel when we get back? ‘M starving and I miss you. I feel like I’ve not seen you all day.” Harry said— shouted, knowing she could barely hear over the volume of the crowd. She turned around, shrugging her shoulders. Harry rolled his eyes, and she tiptoed, the heels on her feet not being enough to be able to reach his ears.

“I‘ve been craving pizza since this morning, maybe that if they have it. We can cuddle when we get back to the hotel, but you have to shower, you’re all sweaty. As for the pizza,” She questioned in his ear. “I’m not sure what toppings yet, but maybe we can agree on some?”

He nodded, giving a thumbs up, “Wanna join me in the shower?” She looked at him with an annoyed expression, but he had a boyish grin on his face.”‘M putting olives on the pizza.”

“Oh, absolutely not, are you serious? Harry, that’s disgusting.” She pulled a face of disgust, putting her hand on his face to push him away. He had the biggest look of offense on his face, and she giggled. He didn’t get far from her push, only about 1 foot away. She laughed when she heard him scream ‘Say sorry!’, and she shook her head no.

“You know I hate olives! I’m picking all of them off and giving them to you.” She grinned back, and he rolled his eyes again, but with the look he gave her, it was obvious that he would do anything for her.

#harry styles #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fluff #harry styles x reader #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles x y/n #harry <3 #harry styles blurb #harry edward styles #famous!reader x harry styles #harry x 1dbandmember!reader

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hausofanya · 4 months

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FANMADE VIDEO

[ AUTOMATED VOICE. ] hi. friendly neighborhood anyangi here back at it again with another highly requested cléo moments video. and since i love my wife, why the hell not. here’s a brief background for those who somehow got this on their youtube rec and don’t know who this absolute STUNNER is.

cléo, born cléo anya torell, is a member of the fucking powerhouse that is called stray kids. they are a idol group under jyp entertainment and she is their main vocalist. her voice is literal gold. she wasn’t called the golden voice in high school for nothing. don’t believe me? listen to this:

youtube

sorry for how long that was…. and i had to keep in that last run in because that cover was ELEGANT. genuinely gave me chills. yebba and cléo collab when… but anyway.

along with being a vocalist, she also writes, produces, raps, acts, and plays several instruments. SELF. TAUGHT. you just had to be there when she trolled an entire stadium worth of fans when rumors spread about her playing were thought to be ‘prerecorded’ in 2020. nobody in their right mind plays fucking megalovania to prove they’ve been playing piano since they were little. iconic tbh. you just had to be there.

since then, it’s sparked a trend for idols to play silly songs live to prove their musical abilities. notable performances by cléo also include coconut mall, the peanut’s theme, and an impressed rick roll in our lovely year of 2023.

( okay but megalovania though. 😭 of all songs i’m so weak— you would thinks she would have played something cute but NOOOO. it gives CHEESE energy a little bit. im so here for it. )

when you first get into stray kids, you probably think her being the only girl makes her the most sane one. people have that misconception with seungmin, too. that because they’re not as reactionary as the others, that they’re calm as hell. well i implore you to watch the skzcode episode where they did that horror house. felix may have been the scaredy cat when kittyracha had their turn, but by now we should know cléo is NAWT a fan of bugs.

the boys making her dig out the key through the slime was so cold 😭 the scream she let out ?? literally broke the sound barrier. ariana grade who… mariah carey where….

anyway, just don’t mention bugs around her and we’re good. because i would like to still be able to hear. and without further ado, here are my favorite cléo moments.

𖧷

— HYUNJIN X CLÉO 2KIDS EP

“…come to think of it, i knew you did ice skating. so i don’t know how the others didn’t. did you not tell them?”

cléo appears smug, seemingly recalling the moment the two had been talking about. the pair are talking about a moment shared back in their high school days, when comes to a surprise to the group that cléo knows how to ice skate.

“well, not professionally at least. like most things i know how to do, i taught myself how to skate. on ice and on skates, too.” she then pauses, confused. “i didn’t tell them? i’m sure that would have come up at random.”

“well, i remember complaining about you not teaching me.” hyunjin crosses his arms petulantly, much to cléo’s visibly growing amusement. “even when we were back in high school. you absolutely refused to teach me!”

cléo can’t hold her laugh in anymore, bursting into louder laughter as hyunjin’s complains rise in volume. it even amps up to them tussling over the throw pillows, cléo still laughing the entire time.

“it’s not like i had ill intentions? look—” cléo tries to quell his comically growing tantrum, but the fact that she’s still half laughing as she talks only fuels him the more.

“four years!” cléo sputters out a strangled laugh ( gasp? girl help … ) in response, startled at hyunjin’s sudden exclamation. “when i met you, you said you’d been skating for four years! you were depriving me—”

“you watch too much anime.”

“—of my— oh, shut up.” cléo snickers as he shoves her shoulder. “i could have been gliding on ice professionally by now.”

the mood suddenly takes a comical u-turn, with hyunjin pouting as cléo’s expression turns increasingly deadpanned—the way it normally does before she says something out of pocket. ( i’m already laughing pls help— 😭 )

“sweetheart.. with all due respect—and i’m going to touch your hand when i say this,” cléo starts, taking his hands in hers with a serious expression that leaves her friend dumbfounded. “just because you’re an amazing dancer doesn’t mean you’ll hold up well on ice. i didn’t bring up ice skating with you because when we went rollerblading you could barely stand up without clinging to the railing like a baby deer.”

cléo then turns to the camera with the same serious expression. “it took five people to peel his body off the floor. it was very embarrassing. someday i’ll post the pictures. maybe on his birthday.”

“wAIT NO—”

𖧷

— NCLÉO INTERVIEW #1

“you don’t wear heels?”

“not really. i’m already tall enough, i think.” cléo shuffles her hosting cards and smiles, gently tapping them against the bureau to straighten them out. “plus i heard it’s like an indirect insult to people under five feet seven to wear heels around them. i’m being respectful, yeah?”

johnny poorly hides a laugh into the collar of his shirt.

“i think it’s really admirable when men do it, though. no really! i’m actually serious,” cléo grins when her guests begin to laugh in surprise. “‘cause my legs absolutely check out within the first few hours. i don’t remember who it was, but i saw an idol kill a performance in stilettos. i can’t even do that. props to them for real. cause what use are my ankles when they can’t even execute their god-given purposes.”

( i really think this moment was unscripted cause girl looked genuinely confused when mark started choking on his water 😭😭😭 )

mark scurries off backstage as haechan falls over in his chair, his laugh almost bouncing off the studio walls as cléo looks on in bewilderment. ( IT WAS REAL TO HIM!! )

jaehyun wipes genuine tears from his eyes before looking off camera and descending into hysterics again. the camera pans to mark consulting a stylist ( who looks seconds from laughing herself ) about his drenched shirt, making everyone on set succumb back to laughter.

to add a cherry on top, cléo looks into the camera with wide eyes. “are these grounds to be sued.. sm entertainment i am so sorry.”

𖧷

— RED LIGHTS MAKING FILM

while chan and hyunjin are seemingly distracted going over choreography, cléo wanders off set still clad in her mv outfit much to the surprise of her assigned staff and cameraperson. they’re quick to pan the view over to her, where she looks to be scrutinizing the chained bed soon to be seen in the music video.

she then looks down at her outfit, white from head to toe just like her partners with chains locked around her body in crossing patterns, and stifles a shocked sound as if she’s had a revelation. it catches her bandmates’ attention, looking over at her as she turns around to meet their gazes.

“when we decided the concept was going to be sexy, i was thinking like. maybe skin showing. that’s normal. we do that all the time. this?” cléo points at the bed again, eyes wide, “this is straight up debauchery. stays are going to pass out. most of them are kids! i don’t want to be responsible for emotional and financial compensation!”

hyunjin nearly falls over at how distressed she looks, just about crumpling to the ground in laughter as chan looks at the camera for assistance. getting none, especially with his partners in various states of hysterics, he sighs and looks up to the ceiling for strength.

“christopher! think of the children! and—” cléo clutches at her heart as if pain, amping up the theatrics as hyunjin practically writhes on the floor. “the PARENTS. what are we going to do when we perform this and there are PARENTS IN THE CROWD.”

staff can be heard stifling their laughter as chan genuinely looks at a loss for words. his disbelief is almost tangible as he turns to stare at the bed as well, which is ultimately what makes cléo’s façade crack before she starts giggling.

“we should add a viewer discretion before the performance. ‘warning: may include vigorous gyrating and writhing on the floor. may also include—’”

cléo is lovingly cut off by a hand over her mouth, an amusedly ticked off chan dragging her away from the camera to the sound of hyunjin cackling in the background.

𖧷

— NO BADDIES, NO BADDIES, NO CAR…

“so i hear you’re an nct fan. an nctzen? czennie, i think is what they’re called.”

“yeah!” cléo responds enthusiastically to the interviewer, beaming brightly at the camera. “i’ve interviewed them myself, too. great band of great people. fun and fresh.”

“that’s exactly what i wanted to talk to you about actually.” cléo looks mildly surprised, but shifts in her seat to face the interviewer more directly. “you always credit one of your best friends as the reason why you’ve become such a big fan of other groups.”

“no, definitely. moniqa’s always been a big part of my life, so it’s natural her likes kinda bleed into mine a bit, you know?” the interviewer nods, making cléo smile faintly. “right. so please don’t take this lightly when i say she’s the biggest nctzen i know.”

cléo laughs as the small studio audience cheers, prompting her to point off camera. “they get it!”

“so moniqa is the reason why you’ve listed all these groups as your current favorites.”

“oh, yeah. i kinda regret making my personal spotify public cause now people can see what i listen to 24/7. cause the amount of people who were like ‘STRAY KIDS NCT COLLAB???’ just because hot sauce or ay-yo would come on shuffle were so—”

cléo buries her face in her hands in exaggerated fashion as the set laughs.

“stop reading into my listens so hard! i just like music!”

“so speaking of music, i heard you got into a bit of a heated debate over a song with moniq—oh.” the interviewer looks surprised as cléo’s expression morphs into one of passive smugness, quickly wiped off just when the camera shifts to her. “what—”

“hm?”

“you just—”

“so we were playing a game,” cléo starts, purposely ignoring the interviewer grasping at straws, which makes the audience laugh. “where we had to guess the song that came up just by the first couple of notes. me being the competitive person i am, who just so happened to be influenced by the biggest nctzen i know, kept getting neck to neck ties with moniq. and i could tell it was pissing her off a little bit. cause admittedly, i was being a little sh—.”

( they really censored her like that…. 🙄😒 )

“and she got designer by 127 WRONG. which was so funny to me.” pausing when the interviewer looks confused, she reiterates, “it was on the same album as two baddies! you know… two baddies, two baddies, one ridiculously expensive car… and speaking on two baddies—”

( 🎶 TWO BADDIES TWO BADDIES ONE PORSCHE 🎶 )

“—i did my research when that song dropped.”

the interviewers audibly sputters, nearly dropping his cue cards. “you did research?”

“a porsche can fit five people,” cléo continues as if she hadn’t heard him, making the audience laugh again. “what happened to the other two baddies. can’t believe they would kick two other baddies to the curb like that. what did the other two baddies do? all four of them could fit in my rover.”

“you have a rover—”

“and that’s not considering extra optional third row seating. so not only are there now ZERO baddies in your porsche, now you’re stuck paying for the car your bought to impress them. kai had a vision when he chose a rover. and i’m inclined to agree.”

( the interviewer was too stunned to speak… 😭 )

the set is in hysterics by the time she stops talking, even the camera work shaking as the person struggles to keep the frame straight. what’s worse is that cléo looks completely serious, making the interviewer huff a disbelieving laugh.

“should we call you miss rover then?”

“please look forward to my solo album,” cléo tacks on the joke, complete with a bow that makes him laugh. “i’ll ask a neo who can drive to feature on the title track.”

( GIRL I— 😭😭😭😭 )

𖧷

— RUN KITTY RUN ( COFFEE WITH THE BOYZ )

“—welcome members sangyeon, eric, kevin, and juyeon of the boyz!”

the audience claps as the four walk out on the cushioned set, smiling and waving at the camera before they bow and sit down, cléo and guest co-host moniq doing the same. cléo waits for the cheers to die down before she speaks…

…and promptly forgets every word in both the english and korean language when she locks eyes with sangyeon.

the boys looks confused when cléo doesn’t speak for a moment, looking amongst themselves as she stares down at her cue cards in a mixture of embarrassment and bewilderment. it doesn’t help that moniq is starting to catch on, formerly confused before she remembers the episode’s guests—

and also promptly begins to cackle. obnoxiously loud.

( THE WAY CLÉO JUMPED 😭😭😭 … )

with sudden abruptness, cléo stands up from her chair, makes a slow bow in their direction, bucks at moniq ( which only makes her laugh even harder 😭 ), and books it off set. dragging her producer off with her.

the boyz members only look on in varying degrees of amusement and confusion as moniq struggles to explain between bits of laughter about how cléo had been equal parts nervous and excited for this episode, being a huge fan of the group, smiling in good nature as all four of them relax and laugh as well.

“if she comes out, we promise to give her a signed album,” kevin pipes up with a grin. an unidentified sound wafts up from backstage, which makes everyone succumb back into laughter. moniq is holding her stomach at this point, seconds away from tears streaming down her face.

moniq calls cléo’s name sweetly, a shit eating grin on her face. but she doesn’t have to wait long before cléo makes her reappearance. only… not on her own.

much to the studio audience’s surprise, ends up being bodily carried back to her hosting seat by security. she’s propped in place like a doll, her head hung low in embarrassment, and moniq lasts about 0.03 seconds after personnel gingerly fixes flyway strand of hair before she starts laughing.

“i want that album after the show,” cléo points at kevin seriously, causing him to snicker quietly as she plasters on a smile and continues with the interview as if nothing happened.

𖧷

[ AUTOMATED VOICE. ] and there you have it. i would have included more, but we would be here forever and i’m sure you have places to go and people to see.

if this video hasn’t already made you want to check out stray kids’ resident cat girl then i really don’t know what else to tell you. she’s funny, hot, and extremely relatable. she truly is just like me. and her voice. i cannot stress her voice enough. siren like. i would lose myself at sea willingly.

🤷‍♀️ i really would.

anyway that’s all for now. see you guys in the next video!

#[ fanbase. ]#she’s just like me fr 🫂#fictional idol community #fictional idol oc #fictional idol addition #fictional kpop community #fictional kpop oc #fictional kpop idol #skz 9th member #skz added member #skz addition #skz female addition

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jokeroutsubs · 6 months

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Joker Out in Tvornica Kulture - Jokeroutmania

On Friday, the first of two sold out concerts of the Slovenian music sensation, Joker Out, was held in Tvornica Kulture.

“This is the first post-Yugoslav Slovenian band that sold more than 50 tickets in Zagreb”, Ivan Ramljak, a longtime music journalist who has since turned into one of the best domestic documentary film directors, jokingly commented to me on Facebook. The truth is an inseparable component of every good joke, including the joke mentioned above.

The last post-Yugoslav Slovenian band that performed in the same concert venue was the band Siddharta, who also filled Tvornica Kulture, two decades ago, but in unusual circumstances in which a considerable amount of buses full of their Slovenian fans also came with the band. In 2003, at the peak of their career, Siddharta filled Bežigrad Stadium in Ljubljana and their loyal followers really followed them everywhere, and to Zagreb as well. That was the only night in Tvornica Kulture in Zagreb when I couldn’t hear Croatian spoken in the audience almost at all, so in that sense maybe the theory that the Zagreb public didn’t buy even 50 tickets was correct, despite the euphoria that dominated in a full Tvornica.

Twenty years later, Joker Out is a whole different story. Maybe it wasn’t obvious this summer, when they were the opening band for the popular Serbian duo Buč Kesidi at Šalata, but it definitely was at Špancirfest in Varaždin before Franz Ferdinand’s concert. To picture it, it’s enough to retell the story from the backstage, where the Scottish stars arrived right when the audience was screaming, saying goodbye to Joker Out. Alex Kapranos was delighted and surprised by it at first and asked if people were really so excited for Franz Ferdinand, but his mood was ruined when he got the answer that the reaction of the public was towards the opening group. On the other hand, maybe that was one of the reasons Franz Ferdinand delivered an excellent performance that night. Competition is a good thing.

The Zagreb promoter of Joker Out’s recent concerts was also very surprised when the tickets sold out and the decision to add another date was made. The tickets for that concert sold out as well, and the final tally is approximately 3,400 tickets sold for Joker Out.

The Croatian general public found out about Joker Out from Eurovision, where this band represented Slovenia. “They’re really handsome guys. We’d love to play around with them, if we find the chance. Maybe we’ll stick carnations up our asses or have group sex”, Mrle from Let 3 joked around in his usual fashion, but in a somewhat patronizing way. However, now at the end of the year there’s no joking around with this Slovenian band, who’s not only in demand in our region, but also more widely, from Scandinavia to Gibraltar. In addition, they recorded the song “New Wave” together with the legendary Elvis Costello, and a fairly well known British agency took them under its wing. Translated from the promoter’s language: If you want to book Joker Out, calling Ljubljana won’t work, for that you’ll have to dial a number in the UK and agree on their terms and prices. Sharp, isn’t it?

Now, it’s not exactly appropriate to stick a carnation up someone’s ass when they can teach about success in jumping to the most lucrative position in show business, which is being a teen rock star. Carpe Diem? Joker Out have definitely ‘seized their day’.

The Zagreb concert, scheduled for 21:00, started at 21:00, accompanied by screams of the entire Tvornica Kulture. Yes, screams that are an integral part of the song “Sunny Side of London”, which starts with a Beatles polyphony from Joker Out, followed by a ‘Beatlemania’ from the audience when the frontman Bojan Cvjetićanin appears. Basically, a ‘Jokeroutmania’, without exaggeration. I haven’t seen or heard that kind of mutual engagement in a long time.

This wasn’t a case of initial enthusiasm, which usually lasts for 10-15 minutes and then the band has to pull it on their own in order to raise the tension again to a new peak, according to the invisible sinusoidal rule. No. Last night, the venue sang with the band from the first until the last song for almost two hours, and when “Sunny Side of London” was performed as the last encore, it was followed by even louder screams than at the beginning. As if the enthusiastic and adrenaline-charged youth in Tvornica Kulture didn’t dance and sing the whole time in between.

I dare to say that the Slovenian language has never been sung so heartily and accurately in Tvornica. English as well, and we can’t even talk about “Demoni”, which is in our language. The band itself is full of first-class musicians, and one of the more experienced visitors said that evening: “We watched far more unstable British bands at INmusic festival”.

Of course, Joker Out’s songs are in the rock sphere, which massively attracts the teenage audience. But these songs are neither bad, nor do they bring with them the well known “stink” of pandering to the public. Joker Out believes in their songs. There’s no fraud with them, and their strongest “joker up their sleeve” is Bojan Cvjetićanin, who is a born frontman - he learned all the lessons, and managed to maintain naturalness and spontaneity, especially in communication with the audience.

With the exception of drummer Jure Maček, who cannot move around the stage due to “his job description”, the entire line-up alongside Cvjetićanin, i.e. guitarists Jan Peteh and Kris Guštin, as well as bassist Nace Jordan, formed a barrier at the very edge of the stage during the entire concert, which was an added bonus to the euphoria. No one turned their back to the audience during the performance, on the contrary, they were “on the front line” from the beginning until the end.

And of course, Joker Out are far ahead of similar bands that use pre-recorded instrumentals and samples during their performances. Namely, they have that old school, organic approach, which brings success in a time when there is a lot of talk about the popularity of trap music and similar genres, and about the lack of relevant young guitarist bands that could attract significant interest, primarily from a young audience.

And finally, we’re not talking about a band that was created as a project before the Eurovision Song Contest and is now flying on the wings of that success, but about the guys who have been working since 2016 on something they were recognised for across Europe six years later. As much as I appreciate Let 3, I have to express my doubts about who has better “group sex” with the audience. The only thing I have no doubt for is that Tvornica Kulture will be on fire tonight as well. The teenage audience chose their heroes and they didn’t choose wrongly.

Original article Ravnododna (11.11.2023)

Translation credit @moonlvster

#joker out #bojan cvjeticanin #jokeroutsubs #jan peteh #kris gustin #bojan cvjetićanin #nace jordan #jure macek #kris guštin #tvornica kulture #zagreb

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pensat-i-fet · 1 year

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A familiar face (Rúben Dias x Reader)

**I found this on my drafts and thought it could work for the request I got of writing something that involved some cute interactions with kids. I can try something else in the future if this isn’t good enough. And I hope everyone enjoys it anyways!! ❤️❤️**

Word count: 2512

Masterlist

Wattpad

“Auntie, please!!”, I hear my niece begging for the 20th time in the last two minutes.

“Leah, leave your aunt alone. If it was just you it’d be fine, but you can’t ask her to babysit your entire friend group”, I hear my brother say.

My niece Leah got tickets to go watch the next Manchester City match from one of her friends. She and two more friends want to go but neither my brother nor his wife can go to the match with them. So she wants me to take three kids with me to a stadium where there’ll be thousands of people. And a lot of them will be half-drunk by 3 pm.

“Richie’s dad can come with us. Pleaaaaase!”

The idea of taking so many kids to a match terrifies me, but seeing the tears in my 8-year-old niece's eyes is a lot worse.

“Ok, I’ll take you”, I say to her.

“You sure?”, asks my brother. But it’s too late to change my mind. I’ve already been tackled to the floor by Leah.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

And that’s how I find myself driving three kids and an adult I have never met before to the Etihad on a Sunday.

“Don’t worry about them too much”, tells me Richie’s dad. “I’ll keep them in check. You enjoy the match too”.

The seats are in the fourth row. I’ve been to the Etihad before but never in such great seats.

Leah, Richie and Amanda sit in between Richie’s dad and me, to make sure we can keep an eye on them more easily.

“Auntie! Can we get some food?”, asks Leah when the players are coming out to do their warm-up.

“Sure, what do you guys want? Also, what are you guys allowed to eat?”

To that, Richie’s dad laughs. “Burgers and fries should be fine. Maybe something sweet for the second half if everyone behaves, ok?”

They all nod and I move to go back inside and get the food for everyone.

When I get to the lower area of the stands, I turn to look at the pitch before heading to the stairs. The players are all divided into three groups, each doing a different type of exercise to warm up.

Before I turn again to leave, I notice one of them looking at where I am. I look behind me to see who he might be looking at and find no one. But when I look back at him, he’s gone.

“Here you go”, I say, trying to give everyone their food and not drop it. It was a struggle to bring it all back by myself.

“Thanks!!”, they all say in unison. They really want those sweets.

“Auntie”, says Leah, “who is your favourite City player?”

“Um…not sure, to be honest. I haven’t had the chance to watch them a lot this year but I guess De Bruyne is still a good answer, right?”

“Yes!!”, screams Richie, who is wearing his De Bruyne shirt.

“I like Mahrez”, says Amanda.

“Great choice!”, tells her Richie’s dad. “What about you Leah?”

“I would usually say Bernardo but I think I like Rúben Dias better today”.

“Why is that?”, I ask her.

“Because he’s going to give me his shirt after the match”.

I look at her confused. Where is she getting those ideas from? I don’t want her to think it’ll happen and then be sad when it doesn’t.

“Maybe he will, yes. But if he doesn’t it’s ok”, I say.

“No, I know he will”.

“Leah…”

“She’s right”, says Richie’s dad, surprising me. “He told her he would while you were gone”.

Now I really am confused.

When the teams go out to start playing, I lean down and whisper to Leah. “Which one is Dias?”

I really haven’t been watching them in the last couple of seasons. I’m not super familiar with the new players.

“Number 3. He’s looking at us right now”, she says, pointing at one of the players.

When I look up, I see she’s right. And I see that it’s the same player I saw looking my way before.

The match ends with a 3-0 win for City. And by that time, I’m more than ready to go home. The kids have been good, but they are a lot of work.

I’m so tired I actually forget about Leah and her deal with Dias. But she hasn’t forgotten, of course. And neither has he.

He approaches our area, pointing at Leah and asking her to come closer. She grabs my hand and runs downstairs.

“Hi, what’s your name?”, asks her Rúben.

“Leah. And this is my auntie”.

When she says that, he looks at me and I don’t really know what to do anymore. Not only is he ridiculously good-looking, but he also has one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve ever seen. And he’s directing that smile at me right now.

“Hi”, he says to me.

“Hi”, I say back, surprised I managed to get a word out.

“So, can I have your shirt?”, asks Leah, interrupting the moment.

“Of course”, he says, giving Leah another smile. A different type of smile, though.

When he takes his shirt off, I try to look away. I’ve always had a thing for tall and strong men like him.

“Did you enjoy the match?”, I hear Rúben say. And when I look at him, I realise the question is directed at me, not Leah.

“Yes. It was great. You were all great”.

“Auntie, we need to go. Richie’s dad is calling us”.

I turn to make a gesture to Richie’s dad, letting him know we’ll be there in a second. And then turn back to Rúben, who is still there, looking at me.

“Thanks for the shirt. We have to go”.

“Right”, he says, looking unsure of himself all of a sudden. “I hope I get to see you, both of you, at another match”.

And with that, he runs to join his teammates. What did just happen?

Working at a bookstore is a bit of a dream for me. I get to be surrounded by books and get a discount when buying them. And of course, I buy way more than I should. I love chatting with customers about the novels they want to buy and helping them discover some hidden gems. I even advised my bosses to create a "staff recommends" shelf where we could put all our favourites so customers could ask us about them. And it's definitely helped increase the sale of some more unknown books.

I am on that shelf now, talking to a lady about why the book Stephanie recommends will be great for her grandchildren. Once I've convinced the lady to buy not only that first book but the second and third in the series too, Steph herself comes to the area where I’m working at the moment with an annoyed look on her face.

"Something wrong?", I ask.

"It's madness down there", she sighs. "There is someone famous and people are fighting to get photos taken with him".

"Someone famous?", I ask, curious as to who could come to our little shop. "Like, an author?"

We sometimes get authors coming to the store to sign some of their novels, so that's my first thought.

"No, I don't know who he is but even the children are going mad".

"That's intriguing. How about you stay here and I go to your place so I can see this famous guy. Now I'm curious", I laugh.

"Go ahead. I'm not coming downstairs until he leaves. Two kids stepped on my feet to get to him", says Steph, rubbing her feet with a painful look.

"I'll be careful", I say with a chuckle while I make my way downstairs.

I'm not even halfway down when I see him. The guy everyone wants a photo with is none other than Rúben.

I freeze and just stare at him, smiling and taking photos with everyone. Being particularly cheerful for the adoring children.

"Sorry, miss, I need to go downstairs", I hear being said behind me. When I turn around, I see a woman waiting for me to move since I'm blocking the stairs.

"Of course, sorry. You go first", I tell her, moving to the side.

I move to Steph's checkout area, trying not to look at Rúben. And trying to control my nerves.

"Hello?"

When I hear the voice, I look up from the computer to find Rúben staring at me, with five books in his hands.

"Hi. Can I help you?", I say, trying to remain professional and not show my shock at him being here. He won't even remember me anyway.

"I would like to pay for these", he says with a smile. He's even closer than he was at the match. And he's even more gorgeous dressed in an all-black outfit than he was with his sky blue City kit.

"Of course", I say before I start to scan the books. "This one is great", I say, noticing he picked one of my recommendations from last month.

"I'll have to read that one first then", he says, making me look at him again. He seems to be looking at my face trying to find something there. So I look down again, nervously.

"Do you have a loyalty card?"

"I do but I don't have it with me now".

"Oh that's ok", I tell him. "Just tell me your phone number and I'll find your profile in our system".

When I find it, I look up at him and ask. "Rúben, right?"

"Yes. But you already knew that".

"I'm sorry?", I say, shocked by his comment.

"We talked at the match the other day when I gave my shirt to your niece. I know you know who I am", he says, laughing at my expression.

"Right. Yeah. Um…I did not expect you to remember me", I say, blushing fiercely. "There were thousands of people there".

"Yes, but some faces are easier to remember than others", he says, leaning closer.

When I look into his eyes, I lose the sense of time and place for a second. Until I start to notice how long the line behind him is.

"Um…right. Are you paying with card or cash?"

"Card, please".

"Of course, it's ready now".

"You know", he says while entering his pin number in the machine, "since you know my number now from the loyalty card, maybe you could use it to let me know more book recommendations".

What?

"I don't think I'm allowed to use the client's private information for personal purposes", I tell him putting his receipt in his bag and giving it to him.

"You got my permission to do it", he says with a big smile. "Bye, hope to see you soon. It was nice to find a familiar face here today".

"Bye…thanks for…umm…the purchase", do I know words?

He just smiles again and leaves. I turn slightly to watch him walk to the front door when I hear a throat being cleared.

Right, I'm still at work. I forgot for a second.

“Sorry, sir. How can I help you?”

A couple of days later, I’m putting some new releases on the shelf when I hear Stephanie approaching and talking to someone else.

“Yes, there she is! She’ll be able to help you”.

“Thanks”.

I turn to look at who’s talking to find Rúben looking at me, a big smile on his face.

“You didn’t give me those book recommendations I asked for, so I had to come back to get them. The book you told me was good was incredible. I read it in one sitting”.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it”, I tell him, moving away from the mountain of books I still need to sort out. “But…this feels a bit stalkerish. No offence!”

He just laughs and raises his hands.

“I get it. It does. But I swear I didn’t know you worked here. That was a coincidence. A great one, I might add”.

To that, I look down to hide my blush.

“So”, he continues, “can you recommend more books to me or not?”

“Sure, that’s what I’m here for. Let me tell one of my colleagues to continue sorting this pile before”.

"Were you looking for some romance?", I say, pointing at the first section we walk past.

He looks at me with a small smirk on his face. I guess he got the double meaning. "Maybe, but not in my books".

"You don't fancy reading about a hot Duke that will make you swoon?", I say, holding a copy of Bridgerton.

"Not today", he laughs.

"Yeah, not my thing either".

"What type of books do you like?", he asks me.

"Literary fiction, fantasy, maybe some romance…it depends on my mood, really. I even read horror sometimes. Even though I'm a baby who can't watch horror movies".

"I might be interested in horror. But I'll need someone to hold my hand while I read in case I get scared".

When I turn to look at him, I notice how close he is.

"You've got plenty of big teammates that can do that for you I think".

He laughs. "Not what I had in mind".

Twenty minutes later, I walk Rúben to the checkout so he can pay for all the books he’s buying today.

“Do you have a piece of paper?”, he asks.

“Sure”.

“Ok, here is my number. I gave it to you. And I want you to use it, ok?”

“I don’t know. I…”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No”, I say.

“Girlfriend?”

“Not one of those either”.

“So would you like to come on a date with me?”, he says.

As always, I want to overthink this. But what is it to overthink? A handsome, nice and smart guy wants to go on a date with me.

“Yes”, I say, smiling at him.

“Perfect. Then text me your number and we’ll talk more about it”.

I nod, giving him his bag full of books.

“Do you actually want all those books or did you just buy them to have an excuse to talk to me?”

“Oh, I want them. But it’ll take me a year to read all of these. Another trip to try to woo you and I’ll have enough books to last me my entire life”, he says, blushing slightly.

I laugh at his words and say goodbye to him.

When I turn back to go upstairs and finish the job I was doing, Stephanie stops me.

“That’s the famous guy from the other day”, she says.

“Yes”.

“And he was flirting with you the whole time. How do you know famous people? And what does he even do to be famous?”

“Footballer. I met him when I took Leah to a match”.

“Shut up! Are you dating a football player?”

“I’m not dating anyone”, I laugh.

“He looked like he’d be happy to change that”, she winks before leaving.

I guess he did.

#ruben dias #ruben dias imagine #ruben dias x reader #ruben dias fluff #ruben dias x yn #ruben dias fanfic #ruben dias one shot #ruben dias fanfiction #footballer imagine #footballer x reader #footballer fluff #footballer fanfiction #foootballer fanfic #footballer one shot

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lululawrence · 11 months

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As a non American can you explain why are there 3 concerts in Ohio? Is it a really big and populated state? Or else Louis could've done 1 bigger venue.

Djebdishdisvjdvsh

Sorry. I had to scream a little in the car because listen 😂😂😂 when the dates were announced I wanted a single show in Ohio. We get passed over all. The. Time. So often. So I first saw cuyahoga hills and was like…. Why there??? Nothing is there??? 😂 but OHIO! And then I saw Cincinnati and I was like… Cincinnati too???? Okay! Hitting the northeast corner and southwest corner of the state! Cool! And then Columbus too??? Like I legit texted @londonfoginacup asking like HOW MUCH DOES LOUIS LOVE US THAT HE IS GIVING US THREE OHIO SHOWS? Like we have to go to all three to show him Ohio loves him and this wasn’t a mistake right??? 😂

Which we obviously did. But we were just as surprised as you, I PROMISE YOU.

That said, there’s a lot of reasons why he could have chosen three shows here.

One: Ohio has three major metropolitan areas in the one state, which is pretty rare outside the super large and populous states. He’s hitting the three major markets and since he seems to be trying to hit even the smaller areas that don’t get much attention with this tour, it makes sense for that alone really.

Two: Location. Ohio is a state in an area of the country called the Midwest, but we are located in a pretty central area. This could explain it as well, because he’s not going to Kentucky (the state south of us) and I don’t think he’s going to Pittsburgh? (The closest large city east of us, he played there last year on Valentine’s Day hehe) which means they’ll be looking for shows to attend closeby, and Ohio can offer that. So while he’s also hitting Indianapolis (closest large city west of us) and already hit Detroit (another large city in the state north of us), he’s also not playing West Virginia (another state that borders us) and… yeah. Lots of people in that space who will be needing a place closeby to see him.

Which brings us to three: Population. We aren’t the MOST populous state or anything, there’s a reason people get us confused with Iowa and Idaho lol but, that said, we are the tenth (or seventh??) most populous according to the google search I just did lol different sites disagree, but when you consider there are fifty states, that’s still a good showing lol considering we have so many other populous areas surrounding us that the concerts would also draw from, that could have also been a contributing factor.

And lastly four: SCENERY. Listen. Ohio gets shit on a lot for being a “boring” state or a “flyover” state (aka no one comes here as a destination) and it pisses me off lol every single person I’ve ever brought to Ohio has been surprised when they got here because there was so much more here than they thought and parts of the state are GORGEOUS. I mean did you see the flyover view that John Delf did on Instagram of the cuyahoga falls venue??? That’s actually in a national park and it is just stunning there with gorgeous hiking and waterfalls and shit in the near vicinity. It’s amazing. And the venue he played tonight in Cincinnati was literally right on the Ohio river that creates the southern border for our state, and it had a view of one of my favorite bridges I’ve ever seen! PLUS!!! Tonight there was a full moon, and it was right above the bridge and Louis got to look at us AND THE BRIDGE AND MOON THE ENTIRE TIME. How gorgeous is that??? Like look at this shitty photo I took. Incredibly beautiful.

That’s from the railing that was only a short distance behind me and the sound guys for the concert so. Not shabby, right?? Now the venue in Columbus is right downtown in what we call the arena district because the arena where our hockey team plays is right across the street and the baseball stadium is next door and the new soccer stadium is in the area now too, so it’s got loads of venues and restaurants and shit right there and Kemba is one of the best indoor/outdoor venues in town now. I’ve seen several shows there over the years, and it’s great every time. It’s got good sound, a good setup, and the staff is always fantastic so while it’s maybe not the coolest venue, I do love when artists I enjoy come there. Not sure of the appeal on Louis’ end, but ¯\__(ツ)__/¯

So, taking all of these points into consideration, it does make a bit more sense… but three does still seem like he just felt like being overindulgent to us and show us extra love 😂😂 as emmu said, I guess Louis loves us best hahaha

We are just kidding, please don’t send me hate lol

I honestly also do not know why he chose to do this for us, but it makes travel plans a lot easier for us and I’m really fucjing thankful haha I’ve mostly been worried we wouldn’t be able to fill the venues sufficiently but so far so good so here’s hoping Columbus shows up too haha Heaven only knows parking and driving in Columbus is a fuck ton easier than doing so in Cincinnati 😂

#long answer long #sorry it’s so wordy #but hopefully this does help??#I obviously feel a bit too much pride in my state sorry lok #but also forgive me for choosing to pretend to believe louis put three shows in Ohio bexause of me and emmu #😂😂😂😂#fuck that idea is hysterical to even write out but damn is it a fun thing to joke about lololol #asks #anonymous

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sleekervae · 7 months

Text

So Good [0.3]

Masterlist

A/N: we're in spooky month!! the best time of the year! My updates are going to be coming out slower for my stories (I know, such a shock coming from me) but I am back in school and I have a new job so I'm stretched lol. But I'm still lurking here and I'm still working away. Love you lots!

Warnings: none

Purple text is Korean

The girls had seats on the mid mezzanine, not so high up but not so close to the stage. Never the less the view was incredible, the energy buzzing under the stadium roof. There was this simmering fuse that was dialling further and further, everybody seemed to be on edge as they waited for the show to begin. The energy even seemed to affect Kimberly as her knee bounced on the spot. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as she gazed at the thousands of fans filling the space, all buzzing with anticipation. The arena was alive with energy, and colorful lights danced across the audience, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Darius had his hand over her shoulder, rubbing her affectionately to try to ease whatever tension was coursing through her.

"Dude," Chloe nudged her with her elbow, "Why you looking like that?"

"Like what?" Kimberly asked.

"It's the same face you had on when we first performed at the VMAs," she pointed out.

To be honest, she wasn't entirely sure why she as so nervous, so she chalked it down to baser excuses, "Just feels weird being here without Charlotte," she replied.

"Ah, she'll be fine," Chloe replied, "She's probably sucking face with Hemmings as we speak..."

"Are we gonna' be happy or upset if that happens? Maria asked, waving around a sphere on a handle, clicking the button to change the colours. Kimberly glanced at her.

"I... happy, I guess -- Where'd you get that?" she asked.

"Jungkook gave it to me," Maria replied, waving it around, "Everybody's got one!" the other three looked around, it was only then they noticed the sea of bright orbs illuminating through the dark stadium threshold.

As the lights in the arena dimmed, the crowd erupted into deafening screams of excitement. Kimberly's heart pounded in her chest as the LED screen on the massive stage came to life, displaying the opening titles.

"Here we go," Darius awed from beside her. She smiled sweetly at him, her elation fluttering from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.

Behind the curtain the boys were lined up on the mechanized riser, the screams of their fans penetrating through the floor and their in-ear sets. Namjoon was always apprehensive before a show, he always wanted go perform well, give the people a reason to come back -- and considering the stakes they were playing at right now, he knew BTS had to deliver. Tonight however there was an added pressure knowing that Kimberly was somewhere out there, he had to give her reason to remember him and his bandmates.

Kimberly, and her boyfriend...

Get it together!

Suddenly, a pulsating electronic beat filled the air, and the curtain exploded with vibrant visuals of the guys paired with anecdotes from their album, projected above from... somewhere. Every face that appeared on the projection got a hearty round of screams, their personalities varying from soft smoulders to cheeky smirks; the tension was drawn out until the last possible moment.

Chloe nudged Maria, "Hey! Why don't we do visuals like that at our shows?" she asked over the hype.

Maria cocked a brow at her, "Go ask Terryn, and she's gonna huck her budget book at your head," she replied, referring to their stifling manager. Chloe shrugged back.

Kimberly wasn't paying her friends much mind, too caught up in the build up. The crowd began to chant over and over, minutes closing to seconds and seconds zeroing out until finally, finally the curtain was pulled away in a dramatic bang, and all seven members of BTS came into view. The crowd's energy surged to a fever pitch.

Kimberly couldn't hide the excitement off of her face as Not Today began to open, gaze falling over Namjoon with his intro. His confidence was undeniable, far away and still so imposing on the T-stage. He exuded an air of powerfulness that straddled the fence between human and God status; he knew they had the crowd by their throats.

Even as Suga flew into his verse, her eyes always stayed focused on Namjoon, effortlessly following every sharp, coordinated move. He was even more mesmerizing to watch in person than on any screen; and he and the boys were so precise that she too couldn't deny how hard they had worked to pull it off.

What was even more impressive was how the crowd sang along so sharply in English and Korean, matching the boys' infectious energy. Kimberly and her friends were instantly swept up into the hype, the energy taking on a different type that they had never experienced, not even while they were performing.

The entire show was over two hours long, but it felt like it just flew by. Though time wasn't a constant whenever BTS were performing, they were losing themselves in their craft, enamoured with the high they were riding at each dance break, taking time to talk and get to know their crowd. And of course, it wouldn't be a BTS concert if Jimin wasn't slipped around on the floor, or Jungkook and Taehyung were getting into mischief together. Suga was shy as always, muttering some words here or there, and Jin was pouting whenever someone would take the piss out of him, leaving Hobi to release his infectious giggles. It was during these less serious times that Namjoon could relax and take in the moment, marvelling at the scale of what he and his friends had built in the last five years.

His gaze fixated on the middle mezzanine, off to the right he could make out Kimberly and her group. She was close enough to be recognizable in the sea of dark masses and scattering strobe lights, but he could pick her out like he was aiming for the bullseye of a dart board. Now and again he'd watch her dance with her friends, or with Darius, and he'd do his best to keep his composure whenever he saw her in his arms. No one else was privy to the boost of energy he'd taken on during his cues.

He had caught Kimberly's eye somewhere between Danger and Run, decided to test his boundaries -- pretending Darius wasn't there for a moment -- as he winked at her on the fly. Of course Kimberly caught him, but she chose to keep that to herself as neither her friends or her boyfriend seemed to notice amidst the hysteria.

Muscles ached and feet were sore, and as much as the guys loved to perform, coming back into the green room was a great relief for them. Taehyung barely made it onto the couch before he flopped down with a heavy sigh, and Hobi -- in truest fashion -- toppled onto him.

"Ah!" he cried out, part defiant part exhaustive, "You're heavy! Get off!"

"But you're so comfy!" he whined back.

Namjoon took a seat on the opposing couch, his once perfectly tousled hair damp with sweat, pushed back off of his head; he was grateful as one of the crew handed him some cold water to splash across his face.

"That was so good!" Suga cried, the loudest he had been all day, before he took slumped down on Taehyung's legs. The younger boy cried out again.

"Hey! I'm not a love seat!"

"How many seats is Staples centre?" Jungkook asked, puffing from the ground, "Did we sell out?"

"And then some!" Jimin too decided to fall on top of Taehyung and Hobi.

"Ah! Help!" the younger boy squealed, struggling to turn his head to Jin, "Hyung! They're tryna' crush me!"

The eldest member pushed his sweaty-drenched hair out of his eyes, shaking his head at his friends' shenanigans as he waved off Taehyung, "Ah, you'll live,"

"Some help you are," he grumbled, squirming as Suga started to bounce up and down on his spot, "Namjoon!"

Namjoon rolled his eyes, "If you guys crush him, you have to nurse him back to health," he reminded the boys.

Just as Suga hopped off of Taehyung, the door to the green room opened again. One of their roadies had Catch the Caper in tow behind him, all of them ecstatic after the show.

Chloe knocked on the door frame, "Can we come in?"

Jungkook immediately lit up, "Yeah, yeah! Come!" he waved them over.

Kimberly simpered at the mess of boys on the couch, with Maria and Darius trailing behind her. She looked to Namjoon, pointing, "Is he okay?" referring to Taehyung.

Namjoon nodded with a tired smile, "Yeah, he'll be fine," he assured her, "Did you have fun?"

"Did we!?" Chloe nearly hollered, her dimples on full display as she beamed brightly.

Maria nodded, "You guys, that was so good! You were awesome!"

"And you know it's good if Maria's saying it," Chloe added, "She almost didn't come tonight,"

"What're you talking about?" Maria smacked her arm, "I was always gonna come, right Kim?" she turned to her bassist.

"That's right, honey," Kimberly chuckled.

Jimin suddenly exclaimed, "Hey! You bring Charlotte next time, yeah?"

"Why didn't Charlotte come, anyway?" Jin asked.

Suga shrugged back, "I think it's about a boyfriend or something,"

Taehyung finally struggled enough so he could throw Jimin and Hobi off of him, the pair tumbled to the ground. Hobi groaned as he banged his hip.

"Thanks for the help, guys," Taehyung grumbled, sitting up quickly and stretching out his spine.

Kimberly looked to Namjoon again, who simply shook his head in a silent 'don't ask'.

"Anyway, we're gonna let you guys get your rest," Kimberly said, "Just wanted to say thanks again for the tickets. You guys were incredible,"

"Totally," Darius chimed in, "Best show I've seen in a while. And I've worked a few of 'em,"

"Thanks, man," Namjoon bumped his fist, "Are you guys leaving?"

"Yeah. You guys look like you could use a good night sleep, anyway," Maria replied.

"What are they talking about?" Hobi asked.

"I think they're leaving," Taehyung replied with a pout.

"Are you guys in LA for long? Maybe we can drag Lottie out with us before you go?" Chloe asked, teetering on hopeful.

Regretfully, Namjoon shook his head, cautiously making eye contact with their tour manager, "We'd love to, but I'm afraid we're taking off again tomorrow,"

Kimberly couldn't hide the flicker of disappointment in her eyes, nevertheless she understood that they had a tight schedule. Her chest felt heavy as she wondered when again she might be able to see Namjoon.

"Shit," Maria tsked, pulling her out of her headspace, "We get it, though,"

Chloe then piped in, "Hey, but we're supposed to be in Korea next spring! Maybe we can make a weekend out of it?" she looked the girls hopefully.

Jin's face lit up, nodding fervently, "Yeah! Come on! We'll have party!" he started to dance on the spot, much to the other's amusement.

Kimberly smiled, trying to keep her elation in check, "Let's talk to Terryn about it," she said to her bandmates.

Jungkook then cut in, "Okay, but... but before you leave; Maria:" he spoke slowly, pushing himself to stand up from the floor, "One, erm -- an geim deo," he pointed to the foosball table, then looked to Namjoon, "How do I say --"

"Game," he corrected him, "One game,"

"Okay," he nodded, "One game?" he looked to Maria again.

Maria cocked a brow at the younger boy, "You're not tired?" she asked, unsure.

Jungkook shook his head, already bouncing on the spot, "I am okay! One game," he assured her, "This time -- you on mine team,"

Taehyung pouted, "What? Who do I play with, then?"

Darius stepped forward, "I'll take him, if he wants," he offered. Namjoon quickly translated for Taehyung; the younger boy took one glance at Darius before jumping up, suddenly just as reinvigorated as his bandmate.

"Yeah! Le's go!"

Maria looked to Kimberly and Chloe, who gave no objections as she agreed, "Okay, let's do it!" they four of them migrated back to the foosball table.

Chloe and Kimberly just laughed with each other, "We're never gonna leave," Chloe muttered.

"Nope," Kimberly shook her head.

"Hey, hey, come-eu!" Jimin ushered them over, "You come-eu... I don't know how to say it,"

Namjoon simpered, the familiar ache in his chest returning with some faint excitement, getting to spend a little more time with Kimberly, "Make yourselves comfy,"

When exactly Kimberly and Namjoon would get to see each other again would be a mystery -- for now, anyway.

Until then, they had to settle for texting, sometimes chatting on the phone. The boys had returned to Korea, so of course timing was a little difficult to master. However, they soon worked out the kinks. Namjoon would wake up -- sometimes at nine, sometimes later -- and he'd be excited to see another message from Kimberly. Or Kimberly would be up in her LA apartment, either with company or by herself in the evening, and she'd light up when he'd give her a call. On their off days, they could talk for hours; discussing music, different artists and recommendations, books both fiction or not, or they would discuss what was going on in their day-to-day, be it career-wise or personal.

Namjoon knew he was walking a sensitive tight rope, especially as he got to hear her voice more and more. He could picture her lounging around on her sofa, no make up, comfy sweats thrown on while she laughed at one of his stories. He'd pace around the kitchen, trying to cook while he listened to her list off what movies she loved and why Monty Python and the Holy Grail was her favourite.

"I don't think I've watched it," he admitted sheepishly, waiting patiently by the stove for his rice to boil. His smile grew when he heard Kimberly gasp, feigning insult.

"You've never -- Oh my God! You have missed out!" she gaped, simultaneously brewing a pot of tea in her kitchenette.

"Now hold on -- I said I don't 'think' I've watched it. Give me a break," he chuckled back, "I've watched Airplane... I think,"

Kimberly simpered on the other end, "You think, hm? You hear that sound?"

Namjoon moved to check his rice, "-- What sound?"

"Your audacity showing through the phone," she replied, disposing of her teabag. Namjoon laughed, clearly picturing that coy little smile on her face as she teased him.

"I'm sorry. I hope this won't affect our friendship too badly," he said. He was satisfied the rice was finished boiling, so he took it off the burner and started fluffing it up with a fork, just like Jin had shown him.

"I think I can look past it," Kimberly noted. By now she had a steaming mug of chamomile tea in her hand, curling up on her sofa while the book she'd been reading lay open against the cushions.

Namjoon awed at her, "So merciful, thank you," he was none the wiser as Jungkook shuffled into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from his bleary eyes and yet, curios to see Namjoon seemingly talk to himself. He was still too bleary to note the headphones in his ears connected to his phone.

"Who are you talking to?" he asked, his voice groggy and soft.

Namjoon glanced up at him, "Kimberly," he answered simply. A particular thrill raced down Kimberly's spine, hearing him say her name in his dialect.

Jungkook narrowed his eyes, "In America?"

"Yeah,"

"Isn't that crazy expensive?"

"Not with WhatsApp," he shrugged.

"Who's that?" Kimberly asked, the younger boy's voice echoing in the background.

"Jungkook. He's not a morning person," Namjoon replied, smirking at the younger boy as he collapsed into a chair at the table, "Go make some coffee! Or get some fresh air! You look zombified," he told him.

Jungkook groaned, "V is so clingy when he sleeps. It gets too hot in his room, I had to peel him off me all night," he replied.

Namjoon quirked a brow, "Why were you sleeping in V's room?" he asked.

"Because my bed's too crowded" he replied simply.

"... What's on your bed?" Namjoon asked warily.

"Clothes. Some shoes. A hair dryer," he smiled sheepishly.

They'd had this talk before, and if he wasn't taking another phone call, Namjoon might've lectured him on keeping his room tidy. And while he certainly was no cleaning freak himself, he liked having order in his room, and he especially kept his bed clean so he could sleep.

"Oh my... wow," he grumbled.

Kimberly laughed on the other end, sensing his grumbling, "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Don't worry about it," Namjoon replied, "What are you up to tonight?"

Kimberly glanced at her book cover, "Nothing, really. Might try to finish this book I'm reading," she said.

"What're you reading?"

"It's called 'Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars'," she read aloud, simpering a little, "I picked it up when we were in Montreal,"

"Oh yeah? What's that about?"

"A transgender woman leaves her abusive household behind to run off to the Street of Miracles, where she joins a vigilante gang of glamorous warrior femmes called --" she checked the back of the book's synopsis, smiling to herself, " -- the Lipstick Lacerators,"

Namjoon chuckled with intrigue, "Really?"

"Yeah. They go around avenging murdered trans and BIPOC women, and the heroine goes on a whole self discovery journey while she's at it," she explained, "It's kind of a lot, I know. But the story sounded cool and the cover is really cute,"

"That sounds really interesting, actually. Do you like it?" he said, eyeing the bottom of the pot curiously.

"So far so good, yeah," she replied.

He noting the gummy, glommed on rice stick to the metal. He cursed under his breath, "Ah, fuck,"

"What happened?" she asked.

He sighed heavily, "I over boiled my rice again," he grumbled, "Sorry -- it's not a big deal,"

"Oh, it's okay," she assured him, "Is it sticky or just mushy?"

He poked at the rice grains with his fork, noting the texture, "More sticky,"

"Run the rice under cool water, and you can dislodge it with your fingers," she explained.

Namjoon cocked a brow, "But the bowl's gonna fill up with water," he pointed out.

Kimberly bit at her lip, trying to gauge whether or not he was joking, "Joon... you put the rice in a colander, then you run the water," she had a hard time trying not to smile at his cluelessness. He had told her he wasn't so keen in the kitchen, but she didn't think he was that bad.

"Ah," he nodded sheepishly, "That makes more sense. You're a genius,"

"I wouldn't go that far," she replied, "But I do usually tend to be right,"

Namjoon smirked, rustling through their cupboards for a colander, "Is that so?"

"If you ask Chloe, she'll say otherwise. But I got a pretty good track record," she assured him.

Jungkook couldn't help but watch from the table, curious to see Namjoon appearing so happy -- despite his rice debacle. He knew he had been talking to Kimberly for a while, even before they left the states, he would peek over his shoulder to see he would be texting her. His English wasn't so good that he could understand what they were talking about, but he could tell Namjoon put an effort into talking to her. And while he never said anything, whether he was texting or on the phone with Kimberly, Jungkook found Namjoon's little spark of joy quite endearing.

He was pretty sure he and only a couple of the other guys new about his crush on Kimberly -- he knew Jin certainly had. Jungkook had overheard their hushed conversations, with Namjoon confiding in his hyung and wishing their contracts were a little more lenient with personal relationships. Jungkook wouldn't admit it out loud, but he too wished sometimes that their contracts weren't so strict. He felt for Namjoon; and though he may deny it, it was becoming clear that Namjoon was feeling some type of way for Kimberly that he shouldn't be discussing out loud. But Namjoon knew if the guys or anybody on management had asked him about her, he would swear up and down they were just friends.

They had just renewed their contracts for another seven years. They asked for a little bit more leniency in their day to day lives, their acknowledgements, credits and whatnot; trying to make the dotted lines more empowering to them. At the moment, none of the members of BTS had thought to renegotiate the dating rhetoric, they were so busy and knew that if their American debut took off -- as it had -- their schedules would become twice what they were before. So the no-dating clause had been left out, nobody dreaming -- especially Namjoon -- that they'd meet or like somebody enough to send them into a head spin.

Namjoon wasn't sure why he had taken to Kimberly so much, he'd never had that at-first-sight moment with many girls. Jin told him it was probably because she was American and quote-on-quote "exotic" to him; but they'd met American girls before and he hadn't reacted the same way to them. Her overall personality drew him in like a good book; so many pages to peel back and so much to learn, not to mention her cover was absolutely gorgeous.

"I found it!" he cried triumphantly, holding up the colander like a trophy. Jungkook snickered from the table, still not making any movement to get up and do something productive.

"Amazing!" Kimberly awed, already hearing the rush of water running in the background, "Are you reading any good books?"

He took a moment to think it over, the first big title shifting to the forefront of his brain as he answered, "I am. It's called 'The Vegetarian',"

"The Vegetarian?" she echoed curiously, " -- are you a vegetarian?"

"Definitely not," Namjoon replied with a snicker, "But the book follows this young woman telling her family that she's turning to vegetarianism, and it sets off this whole array of unsettling events between her and her family, and her husband leaves her and... it's insane, but it's a really good read,"

"All that over being a vegetarian?" Kimberly asked, feigning shock, "Holy shit,"

"I mean -- it's not a big deal in Korea. We eat a lot of meat but we also have a lot of veggie dishes -- bibimbap, mandu, mung bean pancakes..." he listed off.

"Japjae?" she asked suddenly.

"Yeah, that's a good one!" he replied, "You gotta' be careful when you order it, if you're a vegan -- sometimes they make it with animal stock,"

"Good to know," she nodded, chuckling, "I'm not a vegetarian anyway, my family might disown me if I was,"

"I have a hard time believing that. You got a favourite food?" he asked.

"Oooh, that depends," she awed, "Are we talking home cooked meals or any type cuisine?"

"How about one and one?" he decided, "I can go first, if you like,"

Kimberly curled up tighter on her sofa, her book long forgotten now, listening to his mellifluous tone, "Sure,"

"My home meal would definitely be kalguksu," he started, "It's kind of like chicken noodle soup, but with fish broth instead. It's pretty good,"

"Kalguksu... did I say it okay?" she laughed sheepishly.

"You said it perfectly," he chuckled, "And my non-Korean cuisine would be a good pizza... or churros,"

"Mmm, you'll love Brooklyn, then," she noted.

"What about you?" he asked.

"... My home meal is a really good grilled cheese. You need the good sourdough and butter on both sides," she said, "And I loooove sushi,"

Namjoon grimaced, "Raw fish?"

"Yeah,"

"I'm not particular on fish raw. Seafood in general, really," he replied.

Kimberly gasped, about to scold him, when she suddenly came upon a daunting realization, "Wait -- but you said your favourite soup comes in a fish broth!"

"Yeah, but there's no fish in it!" he replied matter of factly, "I pick it out,"

"You pick out the -- oh my god," she shook her head, her smile getting bigger as she heard him laugh, "Do you like cheese?" she asked suddenly.

"Of course I do,"

"And peanut butter?"

"Yeah,"

"Okay, you'll be fine, then," she decided.

"Thank God! I can enjoy my day, now," he pulled the rice from under the water and fluffed it with the fork again, impressed as the grains weren't so gummy anymore, "Your rice hack worked, by the way,"

"Oh, good,"

"Speaking of disowning -- my mom's gonna rip me a new one if she finds out I don't know how to cook rice properly," he shook his head.

She tsked, "What? You mean k-pop stars struggle to do simple, mundane things like we peasants do? Unbelievable!"

"I know," he chuckled, "We're just like you, it's incredible,"

Jungkook scoffed, picking up on some key English phrases so he could call him out "Namjoon! Tell her about the time you tried to cut an onion with the cover still on the knife!"

Namjoon glowered at him, "... how about I tell her about the time you fell asleep standing up?" he snapped back.

Kimberly simpered, "What's going on?"

His glare never left the smirking maknae, grumbling into the speaker, "Don't worry about it,"

They continued to chat well into the evening, or in Namjoon's case, in the early afternoon. They could've chatted for hours more, though Kimberly had to go to bed and Namjoon had more work he had to get done.

Exchanging good nights and good mornings was comical to say the least; and when the dial clicked and she was left in silence Kimberly sat on her sofa, her book long forgotten, and she felt this odd pull in her chest. She liked Namjoon, that went without saying, she knew the moment she walked out of that arena that she would be anxiously anticipating when they could see each other again. If she had to settle for phone calls and social media for now, then so be it; she loved learning every little thing about him, tucking away the details like priceless gems in her jewelry box.

Kimberly curled up in her bed, tucking her book in her lap to try and get some reading done. Darius' name flashed across her screen, he was letting her know that he would be working late at the club and he'd be home at some point in the early morning. They didn't live together, Kimberly had decorated the apartment to be a perfect reflection of her, and Darius would come over now and again after his shift and spend the night. She never liked sleeping alone; and she respected Darius' job and she never faulted him for it, but she sometimes wished she didn't have to go to bed alone.

Even if he was on the other side of the world, Namjoon was still there at least, he would pick up and answer if she so dared called him. Over the phone, he instilled the same comfort in her as though he was still in the room with her, and she was excited for the familiarity, the infectious glow that his presence provided her from the first moment she saw him.

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