the cupid project ➛ 2/2
part one
✦ pairing: bada lee x fem!reader
✦ summary: you and your long-term work crush devise a plan to win a company contest. in the end, you wind up going to extreme lengths to commit to the bit
✦ genre/au: fluff, smut MDNI!!, fake dating, videographer reader, bada's extra sweet here, slight friends to lovers
✦ word count: 7k
✦ warnings: isn't proofread. top!bada. bada carries a strap and im not talking about a gun. fingering.
✦ a/n: happy (early) valentine's day!
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When the two of you arrive, the bowling alley is mostly empty, save for the JustJerk employees milling around and a couple of people hanging out in the arcade. The staff member at the counter gives you a warm greeting and directs the two of you to the lane your friends are at.
You walk up the ramp, scanning the area. The first person you spot is Hoyeon, who is sitting down, chatting with Minho. When she notices the two of you, her lips stretch into a wide smile and she raises a hand to wave. You return the gesture, and the two of you approach her.
"Hi," you smile, plopping down onto the seat next to her. Bada sits next to you, effectively sandwiching you between the two women.
"Hey, guys," she greets, a twinkle in her eyes.
"Did we miss anything?" Bada asks.
"Just the boys getting their asses beat by the girls,” Hoyeon says, glancing at the time on her phone.
"Sounds about right," Bada chuckles.
"Hey! We're not that bad!" Minho says, mock-offended.
"Sure, Minho," Hoyeon says, smirking.
"I don't know. I'm not that great either," you admit.
"Really? Why?" Bada questions.
"I guess I'm just not competitive," you shrug.
"Well you’re gonna have to start getting competitive. I can’t let you be the one who lets the boys get a hold on us,” Bada proclaims, nudging you.
“Why not? We could have a tie, then. Wouldn’t that be nice, Minho? For the boys to not be so embarrassingly outplayed all the time?" you suggest, earning a glare from Minho.
"Oh, shut up," he mutters, causing the three of you to laugh.
"Anyway, y/n, if you’re really that bad, don’t worry about it. I’ll help you out,” Bada promises, placing a hand on your knee. You try not to react.
"Okay, cool, thank you.” You nod, trying not to react.
“No problem,” she says, planting a quick kiss on your cheek. You were going to die before tonight was over.
You glance at Hoyeon, who, upon seeing the exchange, smirks. “So, I'm guessing you two are getting along well?"
"Yeah," Bada grins. "I think so."
"That's good," Hoyeon smiles. "I'm glad."
"Thanks," you reply, avoiding her eyes. You haven’t told Hoyeon that you were faking things with Bada. After the pictures dropped, Hoyeon was one of the first people to text you about it, sending you a flurry of messages full of profanities for not having kept her updated. You’re not sure why you don’t want to tell her the truth. You know she’d be able to keep a secret.
But a part of you knows that you’re enjoying the pretending a bit too much. If you fess up, it would make the reality of the situation more apparent, and the thought of that is starting to disappoint you more than the idea of losing the prize, altogether.
“Hey! There you two are,” Youngj shouts, breaking your train of thought. He makes his way toward you, followed by Redllic wearing a sour expression on her face.
Youngj stops in front of your group, placing his hands on his hips. "You're late," he pouts.
"Sorry, boss," Bada apologizes.
"It's okay. You're not the only ones," he says, sighing. “Are you guys gonna come play or what?”
"We're coming, we're coming," Bada replies, grabbing your hand and pulling you up.
“Eat em’ up, girls!” Hoyeon shouts with a whoop, followed by loud booing from Minho.
"Let's go," Bada smiles, squeezing your hand.
"Right," you reply, ignoring the racing of your heart.
Bada drops your hand, walking over to the rack and grabbing a bowling ball. She turns around, giving you a thumbs up and a cute smile. You roll your eyes and she laughs, turning back around.
As she steps forward to take her turn, you catch a whiff of her perfume. It's intoxicating.
The ball rolls down the lane and knocks down nine pins. You close your eyes, resisting the urge to shout. Why was this woman good at everything?
Bada throws the ball again, knocking the last pin over and finishing her frame with a strike. The crowd applauds, and she does a cute little curtsy, which you find unreasonably adorable.
You watch her, transfixed, as she approaches you.
"Good job," you say, a bit too enthusiastically.
"Thank you," she smiles, placing a hand on your shoulder. "Now, it's your turn."
"Alright, alright," you say, making your way over to the ball rack.
You select a red ball, testing the weight. It's heavy, but not too much, and fits comfortably in your hands.
"Remember, use the guide, aim for the middle, and throw slowly," Bada calls, and you nod, not turning around.
You position the ball against your chest, lining up your feet. Then, in one swift motion, you push the ball forward and release it.
The ball lands directly in the gutter, rolling down and colliding with thin air. You groan, watching the screen count up the pins you hit, or lack thereof. Zero.
"It's okay. Here, I'll show you," Bada says, placing her hands on your shoulders and guiding you over to the middle of the lane.
"First, you want to line up your feet." She says, standing behind you. "And then, you want to position your shoulders and the rest of your body."
You do as she instructs, attempting to focus on her directions.
"Then, the key is to relax and to keep your arm loose. If you tense up, your ball will go all over the place," she says, wrapping her hands around your bicep, massaging it a bit. "So, take a deep breath, and just throw the ball."
You breathe deeply, closing your eyes. You feel the weight of her arms leave your own, and then the weight of her hand on your back.
"Ready?" she whispers, and you nod.
"Okay," she says, patting you, signaling that she has moved.
You exhale, opening your eyes and swinging the ball forward.
You release the ball, and it glides down the lane, knocking eight pins down. You can hear the cheers, but the sound is muffled.
"You did it!" Bada exclaims, hugging you tightly from behind. You laugh, returning her embrace.
"You did most of the work," you say, grinning.
"You would have gotten it without me eventually.”
"Whatever you say," you say, not wanting to argue.
The rest of the night passes by quickly, with you and the girls absolutely destroying the guys, filled with laughter and smiles. By the end of the night, your stomach is sore and your cheeks are aching. When you’re not laughing with one of your coworkers, you’re with Bada, giggling at her jokes, listening to her stories, and being a part of her world. And in the moments when you think nobody is looking, she looks at you and smiles, her eyes soft and sparkling.
Toward the end of the night, you head to the bathroom, fixing your makeup and taking a few breaths.
After you finish, you exit the restroom, walking over to the bar and ordering a glass of water. As you wait, you notice Bada talking to Redllic, their faces stern and serious. You can't hear what they're saying, but something about their expressions is making you nervous.
"Here's your water," the bartender says, handing you the cup.
"Thank you," you respond, accepting the drink. You take a sip, trying to act casual, but you're not fooling anyone. You knew Bada and Redllic had some kind of romantic history, but you weren’t sure how significant it was.
After a moment, Bada and Redllic separate, heading toward different ends of the bar. Bada makes her way over to you, her features still hardened.
"Are you okay?" you ask, concern filling your tone.
"Yes. I'm fine," she replies, her voice stiff.
"Do you want to talk about it?" you offer.
"Not now. Let’s just have fun, yeah?" she says, a forced smile appearing on her lips.
"Okay," you say, reaching over and squeezing her hand. She squeezes back.
"You know, you look nice tonight," she compliments.
"Thanks," you smile, blushing slightly. "You do, too."
"Thank you," she says, and a small grin replaces her false smile. "So, are you having fun?"
"Yeah, I am," you nod. "A lot of fun. It’s a good thing you dragged me out here, seriously. I’m actually good at bowling now.”
"I mean, you weren’t that bad of a student. It’s not like you needed much help. I’m almost wondering if you faked being bad," Bada teases.
"What?! Of course not. How could you think that?" you exclaim, feigning offense.
"Mhm, I don’t know, you seemed pretty excited when I came to help you out. I think I felt your heartbeat over there," she laughs, poking your arm.
Oh shit. You’ve been found out.
You cross your arms, stubborn and determined to get yourself out of this. "Well, was it necessary to get so handsy with it? Do you do that with all of your students?”
"Only the cute ones," Bada says, staring you down.
Your heart races. This was escalating quickly. “Well, then, I guess I’ll consider myself lucky."
"You should," she says, a smirk appearing on her lips. “I could get much more handsy, if you wanted me to."
What the hell was going on? As much as you and Bada have casually flirted, it’s never gotten this bold. Whatever happened while you were in the bathroom must have seriously messed with her brain. Maybe she’s experiencing face blindness and thinks you’re someone else.
"Oh, how so?" you ask, playing along, testing the waters.
"I can show you," she says, placing a hand on the side of your face, brushing her thumb across your cheek. She moves her other hand onto your lower back, her grip light, yet firm. You shiver, leaning into her touch.
"What do you think?" she whispers.
"I think I'd like that very much," you admit, feeling her breath on your neck.
"Good," she murmurs, her eyes locking onto yours.
She closes the space between you, and her lips are on yours. She tastes like the fruity wine she had earlier and her chapstick.
You kiss her back, savoring the moment. Warmth and comfort is all around you, enveloping your senses. You pull away after a moment, catching your breath.
"What's wrong?" Bada asks, searching your face.
"Nothing. Everything's perfect," you say, kissing her again.
You don't care anymore. You just want her.
You move your hands, wrapping them around her neck and pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Her hands trail up and down your sides, sending goosebumps up and down your arms. She bites your lip gently, and you gasp, tugging on her hair.
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, you separate.
Bada exhales, fixing her bangs.
You stare ahead blankly, your mind fuzzy. But, through the haze, you feel a wave of euphoria rush over you, and you have to bite your lip to stop yourself from grinning. There was not a single part of you that would've guessed that you'd end up kissing Bada Lee upon joining Justjerk. Really, you were surprised she even gave you the time of day in the first place. You'd spent months trying to work up the courage to speak to her, and when the chance came, you almost choked and avoided her, too overwhelmed by the mere thought of speaking to her. But, as the old adage goes, life's full of surprises.
Bada twists her head to the side, staring at something, or someone with a furrowed brow.
"Hey, what's wrong?" you ask, placing a hand on her forearm.
"Oh, nothing. I was just looking out for Redllic," she replies, her frown melting into a small, apologetic smile.
The smile that you were trying to hold back disappears, replaced with a cold, hard pit of dread. "What about her?"
"She's over there," Bada nods, tilting her chin. You don't bother to turn to look. "You know that conversation you saw us have? She came up to me and accused us of pretending to get together for the money. Said there was no way we actually got together that fast. I, of course, denied it. Hopefully that kiss will shut her up."
"Oh. That makes sense. Sorry for not being more helpful," you apologize, your voice coming out hollow.
"Don't be," she says, her words rushed. "I didn't tell you about it because I didn't wanna worry you. But, we're in this together, right?"
"Yeah, definitely," you say, attempting to ignore the lump in your throat.
"That's good. Now, what were we talking about?" Bada asks, grinning.
Were you even talking about anything? You can't remember, too preoccupied with the dull feeling in the center of your chest. It's not like you were expecting Bada and you to be an actual couple. You were well aware that whatever relationship the two of you shared was just a facade. But hearing the reason why she kissed you was like a bucket of ice water poured over your head, reminding you of reality.
"I can't remember. Actually, I think I'm feeling a little sick," you lie.
"Oh, are you alright?" she asks, her voice laced with concern.
"Yeah. Don't worry about me. It’s probably something I ate. I'm just gonna head home, I think. You don't have to come with. I'll catch an Uber," you reply, forcing a weak smile.
"What? No, don't waste your money. I'll drive you home. Let me just grab my stuff," she offers, but you shake your head.
"It's really okay. I don't want you to miss out on fun with your friends," you insist, the ache in your throat growing. Why'd she have to be so nice?
"No, I insist. I'll drop you off and come back."
"Bada-"
"Y/N, please," she interrupts. "You're important to me. You're my friend. Helping you out isn't a big deal."
Her words simultaneously break your heart and fix it, and, finally, you give in.
"Fine," you sigh.
She grins. "Now, stay put," she commands, a stern expression replacing her worried one.
"Yes ma'am," you salute.
"Good girl," she teases, and you just stare, your face turning pink.
Bada walks off, and you stare into your glass, the ice having melted. After a moment, she returns, her jacket and backpack slung over her shoulder.
"Ready?" she asks, and you nod, following her out of the bar.
The night is cold and dark, and the stars are shining bright. The sound of the wind fills the air, and your footsteps seem loud, crunching against the ground.
You get to the parking lot and walk over to her car. Bada unlocks the doors, and you open the passenger door before she can do it for you, ignoring the frown on her face. You slide in, put your seatbelt on, and she turns the key, the engine roaring to life.
The ride home is filled with an awkward silence, neither of you sure of what to say. Finally, Bada clears her throat.
"Listen, y/n. Are you upset with me, or something? If I did or said anything to make you mad you, I'm sorry," she says, her voice tight.
"No, it's not that," you assure, and she relaxes a bit. "I'm just feeling sick. Like I said."
"Alright," she sighs.
You arrive at your house, and you unbuckle your seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride."
"Of course. I'm glad I could help. Goodnight," she says, and you nod.
"Night," you say, exiting the vehicle.
You head up the path, the wind causing your hair to fly in your face. As you are about to reach the front steps, Bada pulls her car back, reversing. She rolls the passenger window down, sticking her head out.
"Wait!" she shouts, and you freeze, your hand gripping the railing.
"What?" you call back, confused.
"I-uh...ugh," she exclaims, her forehead wrinkling. "I can't just leave you alone. Not when you're sick. Let me take care of you. Please."
You blink. You just could not get rid of this woman. "I'll be fine," you reply, shortly, turning toward your building again.
"At least let me walk you inside. Then, I'll leave," she offers.
You groan, stopping in your tracks with your eyes closed in frustration. It was too cold for this. "Fine," you mutter.
"Great," she says, and the relief in her voice makes you feel guilty.
"But only for a few minutes. And only because I know how persistent you are."
"Thank you," she says, and the sincerity in her voice makes your chest tighten.
She turns her car off, grabs her backpack, and hops out of the vehicle. You lead her into the building, and the two of you make your way up the stairs, eventually arriving at your door.
You unlock it, and the two of you enter. Your apartment is dark and silent, and the sound of your breathing is loud.
"Well, here it is. It's not much, but it's home," you shrug, flipping the light switch on.
"It's cozy," she smiles, and you can't help but grin, too.
"Yeah. Um, would you like some water, or tea, or anything?"
"No, thank you. I'm okay," she replies, adjusting her backpack straps.
"Alright, then," you say, standing in the entryway.
The awkward silence returns, and the two of you stare at each other, neither knowing what to do. Finally, Bada steps forward, closing the space between the two of you.
"Are you sure you're okay? You seemed pretty distant toward the end of the night," she asks, her features soft.
"Yeah. Like I said, not feeling great. Must have been the food," you repeat yourself robotically, not looking her in the eye.
She frowns. "I'm sorry."
"Why? It's not your fault," you shrug, avoiding her gaze.
"It is, though. Isn’t it? You're my friend, and I care about you. So, if something is bothering you, I want to know and work it out,” she pauses, a guilt-ridden expression overtaking her features. "If this is about the kiss...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
Your stomach drops, and your eyes widen. "What? Why?"
"Because," she sighs, rubbing the back of her neck. "I took advantage of the situation. I should've just told Redllic to fuck off. Or maybe even asked you if you were comfortable with it beforehand."
"You didn't take advantage of me," you argue.
"Still. It wasn't right. I shouldn't have done it. I'm sorry," she repeats, looking at the ground.
"You don't need to be sorry," you insist.
"Really?"
"Yeah," you nod.
"Okay," she says, the crease between her eyebrows disappearing. "Well, then, I guess I should go."
"I guess so," you agree, not making a move.
She hesitates, staring at you. You stare back, your heart racing. She reaches out and takes your hand, giving it a squeeze.
"Goodnight," she whispers, her voice soft.
"Night," you reply, her touch burning your skin.
She releases your hand, turns around, and heads out, the door closing behind her. You watch her leave, your brain going a mile a minute.
You don't know what's wrong with you. It was just a stupid kiss. It meant nothing. But, despite all of that, the pit in your stomach won't go away, and the thought of her lips against yours replays in your mind.
Maybe you were wrong. Maybe it wasn't just a kiss. Maybe it meant everything.
Oh fuck it. Fuck it.
You open the door with a vigor that rivaled that of the Hulk's. "Bada," you call out, sprinting into the hallway.
A few steps down the hall, she freezes.
"What is it?" she asks, turning around, her eyebrows raised.
"Just-just, um," you stammer, your mouth dry. "Come back."
She stares for a second, then smirks. "Okay," she says, walking back with a pep in her step.
Once she reaches the door, she enters, and the two of you stare at each other, unsure.
"What is it?" Bada asks, her face calm.
"I-uh," you start, then swallow.
Fuck. Why was this so hard? Why couldn't you just be honest with her?
"What?" Bada urges, the smirk returning. You look at the floor, the wall, anything. Finally, you take a deep breath, and look her in the eyes.
"I wanted to ask if...you could maybe stay a little longer," you murmur, your cheeks hot.
She raises an eyebrow, her expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief.
"You sure?"
"Yes," you respond, a little too quickly.
She grins, the smirk replaced with a genuine smile. "Then, I will."
"Okay," you breathe, letting the tension flow from your shoulders.
"So, what did you want to do?" she asks, staring at your lips.
"I don't know," you shrug, not taking your eyes off hers.
"Hmm," she hums, stepping closer.
"Uh, did you wanna, uh, watch TV, or something?" you offer, your voice quiet.
"No," she replies, shaking her head.
"What did you wanna do, then?" you ask, your heartbeat fast.
"Something else." She mutters, and without warning, her lips are on yours again.
She wraps her arms around you, and you immediately melt into her embrace, her scent clouding your senses. Like last time, you wrap your arms around her neck. Her tongue slips into your mouth, exploring, and her hands run down your sides, sending chills down your spine. You let out a moan, and she bites your lip, drawing another from you.
Your hands tangle in her hair, and hers cup your ass, lifting you up. She carries you over to your bedroom, per your directions, and places you onto your bed gently. Her fingers graze your thigh, and goosebumps pop up all over your body. You pull away, and her eyes are dark.
"Do you want to do this?" she asks, her voice low.
"Yeah," you respond, and she grins.
She kisses you again, and her fingers inch upward, her hand sliding under the hem of your shirt. She traces your skin, leaving a trail of fire, and your breathing quickens.
"Can I take this off?" she asks, pulling at the bottom of your top.
"Yes," you say, lifting yourself off the bed slightly.
She slides your shirt up, and over your head, tossing it aside. She unhooks your bra and discards it, too.
Her eyes linger on your bare chest, and you watch her pupils dilate. You bite your lip, running your hands through her hair.
"Fuck," she growls, and she pushes you back down onto the mattress, her lips trailing from yours to your jaw, your collarbone, your neck, and finally, your chest.
She sucks and nips at the skin there, and you grip her hair tighter, eliciting a moan. She moves downward, kissing down your torso. When her lips reach the waistband of your jeans, she stops, glancing up at you.
"Do you want me to keep going?"
"Yes," you plead, and her mouth curls into a mischievous smirk.
"Okay," she says, and she undoes the button and zipper of your jeans.
She tugs them off and throws them aside, leaving you in just your underwear. Her eyes are on yours, and you're frozen.
"Please," you beg, and she lets out a deep chuckle.
"Begging already?"
"Shut up," you hiss, and she laughs, before her hands slip beneath the hem of your panties.
She pulls the material off, leaving you completely exposed.
"Fuck," she mutters, her eyes wide.
You squirm under her gaze, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "What?"
"You're so fucking sexy," she breathes, her eyes filled with lust.
"Really?"
"Of course. Do you even know what you're doing to me right now?"
"N-no," you mumble, averting your eyes.
"Look at me."
You obey, her usually warm puppy eyes now darkened into something wicked, capturing yours.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes," you breathe.
"Good. Now, lay down," she commands, her voice firm.
You comply, relaxing your body. She climbs on top of you, her hand resting on top of your thigh.
"Do you still want to do this?"
"Yes," you affirm, nodding.
"Okay," she says, and then, her hand is between your legs.
Her fingers slide along your wetness, and your breathing quickens. Her eyes are fixed on yours, watching your reaction.
"Shit," you groan, as her finger presses against your clit.
"You like that?" she purrs, her lips ghosting across your skin.
"Mhmm," you moan, her finger circling the sensitive bud.
Her finger slips inside you, and you cry out, throwing your arms around her torso. She pumps slowly, and her thumb brushes against your clit.
"More," you pant, your body trembling.
"Of course," she hums, slipping a second digit into you.
"Ah," you moan, gripping her tightly.
She thrusts her fingers deeper, hitting that special spot within. You gasp, your back arching. You're so wet you can hear the squelch of her digits moving inside you, and you slam your eyes shut, overwhelmed. Her lips meet your neck, her teeth nipping at the sensitive flesh, and your moans are muffled.
"Bada, please," you whimper, her fingers curling against that spongey tissue, the sensation making your toes curl.
"Please what, baby?" she murmurs, her thumb rubbing against your clit, the friction making you shiver.
"Fuck, fuck, I'm close, please," you gasp, your walls tightening around her. "Make me come," you choke, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes.
"I will," she promises, and her fingers thrust harder, her thumb moving faster. You cry, the tension in your abdomen building.
"That's it, baby, come for me," she coaxes, and with one final brush against that sensitive spot, you shatter.
The orgasm rips through you, and you convulse, your vision blacking out. You gasp for air, trying to catch your breath. She watches you, a satisfied smile on her face as she caresses your sides with her other hand.
"Did you enjoy that?"
"Yeah," you say, breathless. "But you didn't finish," you frown, your eyes trailing to her still-clothed form.
"Oh, I will," she says, a smirk reappearing. She rolls over, grabbing her backpack.
"What are you doing?" you ask, sitting up.
"I'm not done with you yet," she answers, her smile devilish. You watch, transfixed, as she pulls out a strap-on and a bottle of lube.
"Oh," you exhale, your core heating. This women was going to be the death of you.
"This okay?"
"The fact that you're casually carrying around a strap-on?"
She smiles, sheepishly. "I like to be prepared."
"But, yes, that is more than okay," you say, licking your lips.
"Great," she says, unbuckling her belt and shrugging her pants off, revealing black boxer briefs. She steps into the harness, pulling the straps tight. She squirts some lube onto her hand, reaching for the dildo, but you stop her.
"Wait-can I?"
"Go ahead," she nods, giving you a smile.
You kneel on the bed, facing her. You gather some lube onto your hand, then coat the silicone. Your hand runs along the length, and your eyes are fixated on the fake cock. It's large, and ribbed, and the mere sight of it makes your thighs squeeze together.
"Like what you see?"
"Yeah," you whisper, looking at her.
She grins, her hands tangling themselves into your hair, pulling you forward. Your lips crash into hers, and she pulls away, her hands tugging your head backward.
"How do you want to do this, pretty girl?"
"I-I don't know," you stammer, flustered.
She chuckles, releasing her hold on your hair. "Lay back down."
You follow her orders, laying back against the pillows.
"Spread your legs," she commands, her tone firm.
You do as she says, your pussy aching. She positions herself in front of you, and leans forward, her lips brushing against your ear.
"Ready?"
"Yes," you sigh, wrapping your arms around her again.
She guides the dildo into you, and the tip teases your entrance, the cool silicone sending shivers through you. She pushes into you, and you gasp, the ribbed surface scraping against your walls.
"Is this okay?"
"Yeah," you moan, squeezing her.
She hums and begins to thrust, hard, the silicone stretching you open.
"Fuck," you cry, digging your nails into her back. Her mouth reaches your neck, sucking, and biting, the sensations overwhelming.
She picks up the pace, your bed squeaking in response, and your hips buck, the pleasure building.
"Oh god, oh fuck," you whine, tears pooling in the corners of your eyes.
"So beautiful," she murmurs, her voice strained.
"Bada, please, faster," you beg, your muscles tensing up.
"Fuck," she hisses, her pace quickening.
"Yes, yes," you pant, the coil in your stomach tightening.
"You gonna come, baby?"
"Yes, fuck, I'm so close," you moan, her words pushing you closer.
"That's it, come for me," she groans, her thrusts getting sloppier.
"Fuck, Bada," you whine, and you break, the orgasm consuming you. You scream as you ride the waves of ecstasy, her name tumbling from your lips. You cling to her, shaking, the intensity nearly blinding.
"Fuck," you whisper, the euphoria fading, and exhaustion taking over.
"That's it, good girl," she whispers, slowing her thrusts.
You let go, sinking into the bed, your mind hazy. She pulls out of you, and removes the strap-on, tossing it onto the floor. She lays down beside you, and you snuggle into her, your head resting on her chest.
"Fuck," you mutter, unable to form a coherent sentence.
"That was fun," she says, her tone teasing.
"Yeah," you sigh, nuzzling closer.
She strokes your hair, her fingers soothing.
"We should get some rest," she says, her voice low.
"Mhm," you hum, your eyes closing.
You feel her place a kiss on the top of your head, and a smile forms on your face. You drift off, a grin still on your face, and a certain someone's heartbeat the last thing you hear.
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Bada was nowhere to be seen. After you woke up to an empty bed, you searched your house, convinced she was playing a prank on you. No trace of her, her clothes, her bag. You tried to call her, but her phone was turned off. It was as if she'd vanished into thin air.
And so, there you sat, in your apartment, where you slept with her, alone, wondering if you hallucinated the whole thing. Maybe, the stress of working at Justjerk, the pressure of living up to your expectations had finally gotten to you, and caused a nervous breakdown. But, no. She was there, she was real, and she'd given you the best night of your life. The best week of your life. So, where was she?
As the days dragged on, your heart grew heavy. Your calls went unanswered, texts left on read. You didn't even see her at work. The other teachers at Justjerk asked around about her, but the only answer everyone had was that she'd called in sick. You were worried, confused, and mostly hurt. What had happened? Did she regret it, and that was why she disappeared?
In addition to that, your deadline was approaching. People seemed convinced enough that you two were dating at this point, but it probably didn't look good to show up to the Valentine's Day party without your supposed girlfriend.
You're sitting at home, silently wallowing next to Hoyeon, who is lying on your couch after coming over to your house to edit because of her noisy neighbors. While you're aimlessly shifting your oatmeal around in its bowl, you hear her slam her laptop shut with an exhale.
"Y/n, is everything okay?" she asks, her tone concerned
"Yeah, I'm fine," you say.
She shifts on the couch. "Really? Cause it doesn't seem like it."
"It's nothing," you shrug, pushing the bowl away.
"Come on, you can talk to me."
"I just-," you start, before pausing.
"Take your time," she says, her voice gentle.
"I think something's wrong with Bada," you say, quietly.
"Isn’t she sick?"
"I don’t know. I don’t think so. I actually haven't seen or heard from her since, uh, last week. And she won't answer my calls or texts."
"Huh, that's weird. Why?"
"I-I don't know. She just up and left. We had sex, and the next morning, she was gone. Like she'd never been there," you confess, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes.
"Hey," Hoyeon says, reaching over and rubbing your shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I'm just-,"
"It's okay. You're allowed to feel this way. I mean, who does that to their girlfriend? That's horrible," Hoyeon huffs, a look of indignance crossing her features.
You cough. "We're not-we're not really dating. Well, I think we aren't," you admit.
She stops her ministrations. "What do you mean?"
"We-uh, pretended to date. To win the contest."
She blinks, processing this in silence. Then, she lets out a loud guffaw, the force causing her to slip off the couch and land on the floor.
"What's so funny?" you ask in disbelief.
"You-you are so ridiculous," she manages, her body shaking with laughter.
"Ridiculous? Why?"
"Do-do you not realize that the two of you have been pining over each other since the day you started at the studio?"
"Wh-what? No. We have not," you insist.
"Yes, you have," she giggles, wiping a tear from her eye.
"How could you tell?"
"It's so obvious! Listen, I don't know what kind of weird situationship you guys have gotten into but I don't think anyone is pretending to like anyone, here."
"But she left me!" you argue, exasperated.
"Maybe she was being stupid. Or embarrassed. Who knows? But, she definitely has a thing for you. She's been bothering the videographers forever asking for you. Were you the one who suggested you fake date?"
You blink. "No.”
She laughs again, picking herself up off the floor. "Exactly. Now, have you told her how you really feel?"
"What? No."
"Then, go do that! That's probably why she ran for the hills. Just go to her house and confess."
"I-okay. You're right," you say, standing up.
"Damn straight I'm right. Now, go get your woman," she grins, ushering you towards the door.
You give her a smile, and step outside, a new sense of confidence flowing through you. What were you so afraid of anyway? She wouldn't have done all that she did if she didn't care about you, right? You needed to find her, and tell her. Tell her everything.
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After driving to a random neighborhood and being hit with the realization that you had no idea where Bada lived, you receive a text from Hoyeon just in time with an address.
The sun was just beginning to set, and the sky was a beautiful gradient of blue, pink, and purple. You drive for a bit, eventually making your way to a more residential area, until you find yourself parked outside of an apartment complex.
You exit your car and make your way inside. When you arrive at her unit, the door opens before you can even knock.
"Oh, y/n, hi," Badi says, her voice raspy, her eyes wide.
She looks unlike herself. Her hair is unkempt, her skin paler than usual. Her clothes are rumpled and her eyes are red, like she's been awake for days.
"Hi, are you okay?" you ask, worried.
"I've been better," she shrugs, looking away.
"Can I come in?"
"Oh, uh, yeah, sure."
She steps aside and you enter. The interior is what you'd expect from her; tidy, and simple.
"Are you hungry?" she offers, gesturing towards her kitchen.
"No, I'm good. Thanks."
"Okay."
You stand in the middle of her living room, the tension growing by the second.
"I've been trying to reach you," you start, tentatively.
"Oh, yeah, sorry, my phone's dead," she lies.
"Really? Because, the first few times I called, it rang," you say, crossing your arms.
She sighs, and walks over to the couch, flopping down. "I'm sorry," she mumbles, burying her face in her hands.
"Sorry? For what? Leaving me alone in bed, with no explanation, not answering my calls or texts for the past week, and lying to my face?"
"I didn't mean to-,"
"Why'd you run?"
"Because I was scared," she says, looking up.
"Of what?"
"This," she admits, gesturing between the two of you.
"You're not scared of anything," you scoff.
"I'm scared of you, y/n."
"Me? Why would you be scared of me?"
"Because I've liked you ever since the day you walked into the studio. I wasn't lying when I said I think you're amazing. And then I didn't want to ruin the friendship that we built."
"So, you pretend to be my girlfriend, sleep with me, and then leave without a word?"
"I'm sorry. I wasn’t initially planning on doing things this way. But you brought up the fake-dating and I thought maybe if we pretended, that'd be enough. It wasn't, and I let my feelings get ahead of me. And, I'm sorry," she confesses, her gaze dropping.
You review that first meeting you had in the dance studio. For the first time, you realize that Bada actually didn’t suggest fake-dating you. You did. She just proposed that you approach things romantically, rather than platonically. Which could have easily been her attempt at asking you out.
Whoops.
You exhale slowly, sitting down next to her. "You know, it's funny. I was coming over here to tell you the same thing. You're really special to me. And, I didn't know how to express that for real. So, I thought, if I was in a fake relationship with you, then it would be easier to do that. Guess, I was wrong too," you say, smiling sadly.
"So, does that mean-,"
You roll your eyes. "Yes, Bada, I like you."
"Oh," she says, smiling, looking away again.
You bite down on your lip. "So, what are we gonna do now?"
She fully turns toward you, a hopeful gleam in her eyes. "I guess, we can start over. If you want. Go on a real date?"
"Sure," you reply, a warmth blossoming in your chest.
"Cool," she says, her expression brightening.
"Cool," you echo, the two of you grinning, staring at each other like idiots.
"Can I kiss you?"
"Please," you whisper, and she leans forward, her lips capturing yours. You close your eyes, sinking into her touch, the worries, and anxiety of the past week disappearing. Who would've thought that a silly team-building exercise within your company would have ended up leading to this? You almost wanted to ask Bada to pinch you, but, the feeling of her hands cupping your cheeks, and the taste of her mouth, was enough to reassure you that this was real-that the whole thing had been real the entire time. And now that you knew it was, you couldn't wait to explore it further, and discover more about the beautiful woman next to you, who has stolen your heart.
Or, maybe you should give that credit to Cupid. After all, the Cupid Project turned out to be way more successful than you, or Youngj, could've ever imagined.
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Not.
"How did we lose?!" You nearly screech, watching Hoyeon and Howl stand in the middle of the room with a check in their hands.
Bada stares at them with a frown. "I don't get it either. Isn't Hoyeon a lesbian?"
Youngj appears out of thin air, sliding into your line of sight. More accurately, it is his bright red fuzzy sweater with pink hearts that captures your eye. "Irrelevant to the contest. Remember, this project was not meant to encourage new workplace relationships."
"But—"
"Nope," he pops the 'p', "You two are very cute, but you lost because you two idiots were already in love with each other, and were just too stupid to admit it. You didn't even need to be a part of the cupid project."
You groan.
"On the bright side, we have free heart-shaped sugar cookies in the corner. Congratulations, Y/n and Bada, on a job well done. Please don't break up, because I do not want to deal with any workplace drama. Goodbye." He disappears again, leaving the two of you staring at the ground.
You guess you were gonna have to say goodbye to that camera, as well.
Bada turns to you, offering a small smile. "Are you okay?"
You shrug. "It's alright. I didn't need the money anyway. I got something much better out of this whole thing."
She blushes, her cheeks matching the color of her plain red sweatshirt. "Ew."
"Oh shut up," you say, swatting her arm with a laugh.
She rubs her arm, her bottom lip jutting out.
You sigh, pulling her into a hug. She buries her face in your neck, humming. "Well, I guess I don't need to give you the gift I got you for today, then."
"Gift? Wait, what?" You say, shoving her away in shock.
She bursts into laughter, raising a bag that she's been holding silently behind her back. "Of course. I couldn't not get my girlfriend something for Valentine's Day. I've been hiding it the whole time. Here."
You grab the bag, opening it. You pull the gift out of the bag, and a soft gasp leaves your mouth.
It's the camera.
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