#now onto aimeric.

[laurents-secret-diary]

Can we see any of your drawings you may have had for the side characters please??? 👉👈

I only got a couple so far! I think I'm gonna do Nicaise next

[toruro]

now that i'm finally done with isohel i need to dissect all the ways the song isohel basically is the reason behind every decision i made abt this story

eden, the artist behind isohel actually said: "'isohel' is about wishing the best for the people you’ve left behind but knowing that you’re probably better off where you are now" so the way eden talks about it in his song is w the context of people ("if invisible lines (aka isohels) lead your way back to me, still i got nothing")

in the context of reader and joshua, the idea of leaving things behind didn't mean the reader would leave joshua behind, but that she was leaving her past behind her. she was letting go of the isolation and resentment she felt and instead moved onto a better place which was her letting go of her qualms and living w out worries with joshua (does this make sense?!)

another thing that rly drew me to this song was outro which is in french: comme les nuits quand je ne savais pas encore, comme les nuits qui m'ont appris à aimer les adieux, comme les nuits quand on croyait que tout irait bien, mais cela n'a pas d'importance car les nuits, bruyantes/brillantes (x3), sont toutes pareilles à la fin

this roughly translates to: like the nights when i didn’t know yet, like the nights that taught me to love goodbyes, like the nights when we thought everything would be fine, but it doesn’t matter because the nights, noisy/bright (x3), are all the same in the end (translations from genius)

my interpretation of this was basically "even if we are not together, we are under the same sky and will always be connected," which ties back to the idea of an isohel (see below). these lines of the song were what actually pushed me to have reader and joshua separated for a couple months (rather than my initially planned 2-3 ish weeks) so i could emphasize how, even if they were apart for long periods of time, they would be able to appreciate the symbols of each other in their daily life and appreciate their existence even if they weren't side by side ... in other words reader and joshua's love transcends the area and distance between them!

plus the whole concept of an isohel is just incredibly interesting to me djfksdkd i'm not sure how well i described in the story itself, but for reference, here's a picture of an isohel map

it's really interesting because you notice that none of these lines actually intersect. the isohel either goes full circle (in the context of the story: the story starts at the castle and her mother gets found out, and then later she returns to the castle and she herself gets found out so it's sort fo a full circle moment) or the isohel is a singular line from one end to the other (in the context of the story: joshua and reader's lives were bound to be intertwined because it's like one isohel that is binding them together + even if they were not always 'together,' they were connected through this line of sunshine)

[aira-mai]

SILVER LINING // Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja (ORV)

Left pic: Joonghyuk

Right pic: Dokja

Pairing: boyfriend for hire!Joonghyuk x client!Dokja

Summary: Dokja caught his boyfriend cheating on him. Heartbroken and pressured by a promise with his friend, Kim Dokja decided to hire a boyfriend to fulfill the promise.

Content: sfw, a bit of nsfw at the beginning

Word count: 2.6k words

For tropetember: 06/09 boyfriends for hire

~~~~~~

“Ah-!”

Sensual moans and gasps filled the room, entangled limbs moved perfectly together. The sounds they’re making could make anyone blush with shame and arousal. A lone figure stood quietly outside the bedroom, silently listening to the intense act. Both parties in the room didn’t sense the figure, passionately continuing their lovemaking. After a few minutes of silence, the figure silently walked towards the front door and left.

~~~~~

“Son of a bitch!” Dokja angrily slammed the cup he’s holding onto the table. His face flushed due to the alcohol and his eyes were teary with some redness at the corner. Dokja depressingly slumped his body on the table and cried out, “I treated him with love and respect but he actually cheated on me?!” Dokja filled his cup with more alcohol and drank it in one clean swoop. He then continued crying, and cursing his ex.

Not able to endure it anymore, Han Sooyoung lightly slapped Dokja’s shoulder while she nagged, “I already told you that guy is no good but you kept persisting saying he loves you.” Dokja paused his cries and looked up. He pouted, “You should be comforting me, not blaming me for my mistakes.” He glared at his best friend. Sooyoung felt a little amused. Glaring at me with his swollen eyes doesn’t look threatening at all. He looks a bit funny instead. Sooyoung shook her head and silently sighed in her heart.

“Get drunk with me, Sooyoung-ah.” Dokja said as he loosely swing his empty cup around while foolishly laughing. Sooyoung stared at him for one good minute before concernedly asked, “So, will you be going to Hyuk’s wedding?” Dokja stopped his movements and stayed silent as he contemplated on how to answer the question. Sooyoung waited but seeing him not saying anything, she finally relented and gave him a card. A business card to be exact. Confused, Dokja held the car before opening his mouth, “What’s this?” The fancy letters ‘Aimer’ printed on the car looked exquisite, confusing Dokja even more. Is this supposed to be my solution? Dokja questioned in his mind.

Sooyoung nodded as if she could read his thoughts, “This can be your solution.” Dokja looked at her in disbelief. Is she drunk? He thought and gave Sooyoung a condescending glance. Sooyoung understood his gaze. She held the urge to smack him and explained, “A friend of mine gave this to me. It’s a service for hiring partners. My friend works there as one of the workers” She paused before continuing, “If you don’t have any solutions, try hiring one as your boyfriend. Well, it’s a one time thing anyways.” Dokja held the card silently before responding, “I’ll consider it.” He then put the card into his pocket.

~~~~~

After bidding farewell to Sooyoung, Dokja went back to his apartment. It was only a little bit after 4pm but the apartment looked cold and desolate as if it’s ownerless. Dokja loosened his tie, walked into his bedroom and tossed his bag at the corner of the room. Not bothering to change his clothes, he then slumped on his bed, making a fwomp sound. He laid there, staring at the dark ceiling of his bedroom. Countless thoughts swarmed his mind.

It’s been a week since he caught his boyfriend cheating. He was heartbroken of course but it’s not like he didn’t expect it. This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Kim Dokja has never had a lasting relationship. They either cheat on him or leave him for a woman. The first few times, he was optimistic but now, he’s losing hope. Am I destined to grow old alone? Dokja sighed heavily. He then remembered his promise to his friend, Hyuk.

Hyuk, one of his few friends in university was getting married. Hyuk knew he was gay and accepted it well, hence Dokja felt comfortable with him. When he told Hyuk he had a boyfriend, Hyuk was very happy and told Dokja to bring his partner to the wedding. Dokja promised him but unfortunately, that cursed of a boyfriend cheated on him.

Dokja harshly rubbed his face. It’s not a big deal to tell Hyuk that he broke up with his partner. But he didn’t want to endure any possible pitying gazes. Being gay in this country isn’t something that is widely accepted. Even though most people are more open and accepting these days, they still have some prejudice about it. To them, having a gay relationship can cause unhappiness due to the challenges. It’s better off to be with a woman they say.

With repeated disappointments of his love life, Dokja felt somewhat pessimistic. He continued staring at the ceiling for a few minutes before moving his hand towards his pocket. The card Sooyoung gave him is in there. He sat up, contemplated for a long while before taking out his phone. He dialed the number written on the card and waited nervously. If after three beeps they don’t pick up, I’ll hang up and forget all about this. Dokja confirmed his resolve.

The call connected on the second beep. A cheery voice came out, “Hello, this is Aimer’s office. What can I help you with?” With mixed feelings of both regret and relief, Dokja nervously replied, “Um yes, I would like to hire a partner, please.”

“Of course, tell us your preferences and we’ll find one for you. We have a wide variety of female partners to choose from. Please also take note that our workers do not provide any sexual services. They are only to accompany you in your life within a limited time frame. If there are any reports that you violate the rules, you will be blacklisted and sued.” The last few sentences were said in a heavy manner.

Dokja was silent for a few seconds before blurting out, “I want a boyfriend.”

“…” The person on the other side was obviously taken aback. They were silent for a few seconds before responding kindly.

“I apologise for my assumption that you needed a female partner. Yes, of course, same sex partners are also available here.”

Dokja let out a sigh of relief in his heart. He then told the other person his preferences and hung up the call. Dokja sat on his bed, staring at the floor before shaking his head and went on to take a shower.

That night, he received an email informing him of the meeting time and date. They also sent him information of his hired boyfriend.

Yoo Joonghyuk… Dokja said silently. He felt that he’s seen Yoo Joonghyuk somewhere. He shook his head to remove nonsense thoughts and confirmed the date and time were aligned with his free time before shutting off his phone. In the midst of falling asleep, Dokja softly muttered, “I hope things will go well…”

~~~~~

Saturday arrived quickly. Dokja wore one of his best outfits for the meet up. It wasn’t too sloppy nor too fancy but it was just right. He then took a bus to the café, the place where he and Joonghyuk will meet. He walked into the café and was immediately greeted with the fresh smell of coffee and pastry. Dokja arrived a few minutes early so he sat at an empty spot near the window. The moment he sat down, the bell on the door chimed, signaling another customer coming in. Dokja looked up and a pair of deep brown eyes meet his gaze.

Dokja was startled and before he knew it, the owner of the eyes walked and stood in front of him. The man in front of him then asked, “Kim Dokja?” Not yet recovering from seeing a very familiar face, Dokja subconsciously nodded. The man then sat in front of him.

The atmosphere was silent between the two of them before Dokja opened his mouth, “Um, Yoo Joonghyuk?”

“Yes” Joonghyuk answered smoothly.

“Oh” They both went silent again.

Dokja was truly surprised. He really didn’t expect the Yoo Joonghyuk he hired as a temporary boyfriend was his university classmate Yoo Joonghyuk. A real shocker indeed. He was curious why Joonghyuk has this job when in his memories, Joonghyuk has always had outstanding grades. Also, isn’t he straight? Dokja pondered. There has never been a rumor that Joonghyuk likes men and he’s very popular with the girls so everyone just assumed he’s straight.

As Dokja was lost in his thoughts, Joonghyuk cleared his throat to get Dokja’s attention. As if knowing what Dokja was thinking, Joonghyuk answered, “The owner is my relative so I occasionally help them.” Dokja nodded in understanding. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Joonghyuk continue in a slightly low tone, “I am also like you.”

“What?” Dokja blurted out. “No, sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I was just surprised.” Dokja frantically explained.

Joonghyuk nodded, signaling that he understood. Not sure if it’s because of Joonghyuk confirming he’s gay or something but Dokja felt less nervous. Dokja turned to look at the counter and the long array of pastries. He asked, “Do you want anything?”

“Just a cup of coffee”

“Okay” Dokja stood up and walked to the counter to queue. While waiting for his turn, he felt a bit giddy. It’s a lie if he said he isn’t attracted to Joonghyuk. The man was basically his type. Dokja felt excited at the prospect of dating Joonghyuk. No. Dokja shook his head. What am I thinking? This is only temporary. I’m too easy to fall for someone tsk. Dokja gave himself a self-depreciating smile. After coming back with their order, they started discussing.

“Since the wedding is in 3 days, do you want to get to know each other by hanging out with me? Dokja asked. “It’s just until the wedding day. It’s to make us familiar with each other in order to not blow our cover.”

“Yes, that’s good for both of us.” Joonghyuk nodded.

Dokja smiled, “Then what do you wanna do today?” Joonghyuk glanced at his watch before coming to a decision.

“It’s still early. I’ll take you out to somewhere.”

“Oh, you drive?”

“Yes.”

Dokja was pleasantly surprised. He thought Joonghyuk came to their meeting place with a bus. Well then, don’t mind if I do. Dokja quipped in his heart happily.

~~~~~

Dokja stood in front of his apartment’s door as he watched Joonghyuk’s car leaving the area. It was night and they spent their whole day hanging out. Dokja took a deep breath as he held a stuffed animal that was almost half his size, plastic bags containing various food and some shopping bags. He got into his apartment and walked towards the small kitchen. He placed the food on top of the table and went to his bedroom. The shopping bags were placed on his bed with the stuffed animal included.

After he finished his shower, Dokja laid down and stared at the stuffed animal before tightly hugging it. He felt what he experienced today was unreal. It’s been so long since he felt the excitement of a date. Joonghyuk, during the whole date was amazing. He was so considerate and gentle. Even though he rarely talked, his actions made Dokja’s tummy filled with butterflies.

Dokja squealed silently and rolled a few times on the bed before calming down. Get it together. This is temporary. After the wedding, we’ll separate. He determinedly reminded himself. He felt a bit sad after the reminder but he will still cherished his memories today. He smiled before slowly drifting off to sleep.

~~~~~

Three days passed in a blink of an eye and the wedding day arrived. Dokja nervously check himself in the car to make sure he was decently dressed. After confirming his look on his own, he turned to Joonghyuk beside him.

“How do I look?”

“You look fine.” Joonghyuk paused a few seconds before answering.

“Your answer isn’t convincing at all.” Dokja huffed and glared at Joonghyuk. He then continued checking in the rearview mirror.

“You look as handsome as always.” Joonghyuk was silent before muttering.

“What did you say?” Dokja didn’t hear it clearly as he was still nervously fixing his appearance.

“Nothing.” Joonghyuk turned his head to look outside. After a few minutes, seeing that Dokja still wasn’t done, he urged him. “You look fine. We should go. Your friend is probably waiting for us right now.” He gently patted Dokja’s back, urging him to get out of the car.

“Fine, fine.” Dokja grumbled. He got out and when he saw there were a lot guests, he felt nervous again. He went to Joonghyuk’s side and silently grabbed his arm for support.

Joonghyuk patted Dokja’s hand and walked slowly towards the entrance. They saw Hyuk and his newly wedded wife thanking the guests for coming. Hyuk was facing the entrance venue so he clearly noticed Dokja and Joonghyuk walking towards him and his wife. He was momentarily surprised when he saw Joonghyuk.

“You’re here!” Hyuk exclaimed as he hugged Dokja and patted his back in a friendly manner. Dokja smiled and did the same. Dokja then introduced Joonghyuk to them.

“This is my boyfriend, Yoo Joonghyuk” Dokja smiled, masking his nervousness.

Hyuk and his wife greeted Joonghyuk good-naturedly. Hyuk shook Joonghyuk’s hand and said, “I didn’t expect you both to date.” Hyuk laughed. “Have you guys been dating since university?”

“No, we started dating after both of us graduated.” Dokja answered.

“That’s good, that’s good.” Hyuk smiled.

After the introduction, Dokja, Hyuk and his wife started mingling together, laughing and sharing stories with Joonghyuk occasionally adding in some words. During the whole conversation, Joonghyuk’s hand never left Dokja’s waist. Hyuk and his wife noticed this and smiled. They then excuse themselves, telling Dokja and Joonghyuk to eat to their heart’s content.

They watched as Dokja and Joonghyuk walked away with Joonghyuk still not letting go of Dokja’s waist.

“They’re such a good couple.” The wife sighed admirably. Hyuk nodded in agreement. During the whole conversation, he noticed that every time Dokja talked, Joonghyuk would look at him with a gentle and doting gaze. I don’t think Dokja noticed it though. But that’s alright. It’s good that there’s someone who loves him. Hyuk smiled and went on continue greeting the guests.

~~~~~

Joonghyuk sent Dokja back to his place. He stopped his car in front of the building. Dokja didn’t move to get out of the car and Joonghyuk didn’t urge him. They both sat quietly in the car.

“Hey” After a while, Dokja opened his mouth. He bit his lip nervously and glanced up at Joonghyuk. He wanted to ask something but he didn’t dare to open his mouth. Joonghyuk waited silently. Seeing Dokja still contemplating, Joonghyuk cleared his throat.

“After this… when are you free?” Joonghyuk asked. Dokja abruptly lifted his head, locking eyes with Joonghyuk. Startled, Joonghyuk looked away, his body tense and his jaw clenched.

Dokja stared at him for a few minutes, making Joonghyuk feel more nervous. Joonghyuk was already giving up when a pair of arms softly wrapped around his neck. A light kiss was planted on his cheek. Dumbfounded, Joonghyuk stared blankly at Dokja. Dokja’s face flushed.

“What, you don’t like the kiss?” Dokja huffed, trying to hide his embarrassment. Waking up from his stupor, Joonghyuk gently laughed which made Dokja even more embarrassed. Joonghyuk raised his hand and placed it on Dokja’s cheek. He gently caressed Dokja’s soft cheek with a slight smile decorating his lips.

“How could I ever dislike it?” Joonghyuk said softly.

“Hmph”

They spent a few minutes just gazing each other with Dokja’s arms hugging Joonghyuk’s neck and Joonghyuk gently caressing Dokja’s cheeks. They didn’t know who started first but the distance between them was slowly decreasing. They shared a soft and light fluttery kiss. The kiss wasn’t lusty or steamy. Just a kiss filled with the love they had for each other.

After the kiss, Dokja buried his face in Joonghyuk’s neck, trying to hide flushed face. Joonghyuk chuckled and gently caressed Dokja’s head. They enjoyed each other’s presence for a few more minutes.

“Can I hire you again? The kind that doesn’t have a time limit”

“Yeah, you can.”

END

~~~~~~~~

Author's note:

Really, really sorry for the late post. I'm on a trip and the internet here sucks really bad. Couldn't even load tumblr smh. Anyways, I'm not too sure abt the flow of this fic cause I'm not used to writing fluff but i hope y'all will enjoy it nevertheless. Pls excuse the poor grammar. Thank you!

Taglist

@vivvys @nyanggk @seattlesolace

[ches-grinner]

Day 26 - Aimeric & Makedon

And Aimeric isn’t idle, in the little house with Makedon. He knows how to fire a gun, and he’s good at it. He knows how to utilize the knife he keeps tucked in his boot to best effect, despite his small size. Makedon is an excellent teacher.

“So what now?” Aimeric places a hand over the photo of the casket, his face. The headline still swims in his lower peripheral, but he ignores it. He knows there’s a plan, there has to be. While Auguste would have sent him away for his own protection, Aimeric knows he’s smart enough to use every tool he has.

He’s learned to speak, read and write Akielon, as well as had an introduction to some basic programming languages - with remote instruction from someone he’s almost positive is Lazar.

Aimeric’s attention is drawn back to the moment when Makedon lays a large hand over his smaller one atop the newspaper. “Today, we refute this charge.” He nods to the article, “We’re taking a trip, no need for a bag, we won’t be gone long.”

Without preamble, Aimeric rises, heads out to the garage. He slides his arms into his leather jacket, zips it up. Places a miniature version of Makedon’s helmet onto his head, and climbs into the big man’s newest acquisition: a comfortable sidecar attached to his bike.

[usafphantom2]

Tap pictures to enlarge

☝️ and drop markers for the Main Force to bomb. As the nine 635 Sqn aircraft approached the target, they were met with a wall of intense and accurate flak. The Master Bomber was put out of action and his Deputy was shot down. Bazalgette and his crew now took over responsibility as lead markers, but they too came under fire.

A direct hit on the starboard wing started a raging fire and knocked out both engines on that side, while another strike on the nose almost severed the bomb aimer’s right arm. Nonetheless, Bazalgette kept control and managed to drop his markers and bombload onto the target. Suddenly, the Lancaster entered a spin and lost considerable altitude before Bazalgette regained control. The bomb aimer was moved to the rest bunk. But now fuel from the holed wing tanks was pooling in the rear fuselage and the fumes had incapacitated the mid upper gunner.

At this point, the port inner engine also failed. Told by his flight engineer that the aircraft was finished, Bazalgette ordered the crew to bale out but had no intention of abandoning the injured bomb aimer and unconscious mid-upper gunner, who could not do so. Now alone at the controls, he searched for a place to land. With the Lancaster still trailing flames from the starboard wing, Bazalgette pulled off a textbook forced landing near the village of Senantes. But the aircraft was almost immediately engulfed by a huge explosion as the remaining fuel ignited, killing all three men on board.

All 4 crewmen who did bale out, however, survived despite the low altitude and evaded capture with the assistance of the French resistance. This has been their pilot’s 58th operation, yet his entire crew had already agreed to volunteer for a rare third tour with ‘Baz’. The bodies of bomb aimer, Flt/Lt Hibbert and mid upper gunner, Flt/Sgt Vernon Leeder were recovered by the French and taken to the church at Senantes. They were then removed by the Germans and buried at Marissel, near Beauvais, despite the objections of the locals.

Subsequently, villagers returned to the crash site to lay flowers and managed to recover partial remains of Ian Bazalgette, which they hid until the arrival of Allied forces. He was buried with military honours in the churchyard on October 8th, with his sister in attendance. With evidence provided from the French and his surviving crewmen, Bazalgette’s VC was announced on 17th August, 1945. It’s hard to argue with the words of his citation: ‘His heroic sacrifice marked the climax of a long career… His courage and devotion to duty were beyond praise’.

[kurosawa-family]

Request Rules

First of all, NSFW requests regarding minors WON'T be accepted. This blog is for people seventeen (17) years old and older, so keeping in mind the NSFW an TW content featured within, and that which extents onto this blog, I kindly ask that you refrain from interacting in general if you are under the forementioned age, and refrain from interacting with 18+ content if you are a minor.

Regarding the rule AND WARNING from above, I'm not responsible if a minor decides to interact with this blog. I will, however, take action once I'm made aware of it. If you know about a blog that belongs to a minor and I'm not aware of it, please let me know.

It would be appreciated if you make it clear to whom you’d like the response to be by. (i.e: Yvonne Beauchene, August Kurosawa, Convoitise, Aimer, etc. )

Now, what I WILL DO:

Headcanons.

Scenarios.

Reacts (Min. of 2 Kurosawa members).

Match-Ups [0/10 slots filled]

Characters/Song Opinions.

Moodboards.

Aesthetics.

Drabbles.

What I WON'T DO.

Nothing at the moment.

[mino-diabolik]

five times kissed (Aimer)

’ 𝙵𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴𝚂 ’ 𝙳𝚁𝙰𝙱𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙿𝚃𝚂.

five times kissed:     ( five times the receiver and sender kissed )

𝐎𝐍𝐄 — First Stolen Kiss

His chin resting on the palm of his hand, Mystic gazed at Aimer in silence. The intensity of his stare drove Aimer to a point in which he could no longer continue to focus on his work.

He snapped up, “What do you want!?” It was clear he was annoyed. He had even crumpled up the paper between his fingers. This was exactly why he always kept things as they were. Trying to change settings—such as grading at the library and not his office as usual—had made him a vulnerable target for Mystic’s annoyance. What an idiot he was!

The Founder simply snickered quietly, scooting his chair closer to the other’s. Aimer inched away.

“Get back.”

“No★”

“You——”

“How many times must I say it?” Mystic interrupted, reaching up to lightly brush away a stray strand of hair away from the second-born’s face. “Don’t frown. Or else you’ll grow wrinkles on your face, big guy.”

Aimer uncaringly turned his face away with a scoff. “Don’t touch me.”

“Oh, but how else am I suppose to make you want me more?” Mystic teased, feigning a solemn tone.

Aimer gathered a few sheets and stacked them together, tapping them in the desk’s surface to align them correctly. “Why bother with something that will never happen?”

Mystic slithered a hand over Aimer’s thigh and leaned in closer. “You’re just stubborn.”

Flustered—though much more annoyed—Aimer snapped back around to face Mystic for a second time. “Get your—” His words were cut mid-sentence as the mischievous little demon swiftly leaned in for a kiss. Though it could much more accurately he described as a peck, having it lasted less than half of a second.

Absolutely gobsmacked, Aimer sat in dead silence for a moment. Mystic hurriedly jumped out of his chair and rushed out of the room between laughter and giddiness, leaving the second-born to try to process just what the hell had happened.

𝐓𝐖𝐎 — First Kiss (in their arrangement)

“It’s fine,” Aimer wrapped a hand around the nape of Mystic’s neck, tugging him along. It seemed like a coy gesture. As though he really wasn’t sure what to do to the situation brought on upon him. “I’ll kiss you if you want.”

Mystic wasn’t shy in the slightest to pounce. He shuffled further up on Aimer’s lap and wrapped his arms around his neck as he brought them closer for that one long awaited gesture. He closed his eyes and tilted his head to deepen the kiss, melting as Aimer’s second hand trailed down the length of his spine, before coming to rest on the small of his back.

The Founder excitedly dove in for a more lascivious method, brushing a hand around the second-born’s neck and pinching his chin to tug it down. Having made a gap between his lips, he slipped his tongue right through, brushing the other’s top row of teeth. Aimer, though slightly shaken, relented. He rose from his chair, effortlessly picking up the smaller man along. He sat him down at the edge of the desk and hovered over him; his silhouette completely shadowing the one below.

Mystic grasped onto his shoulders as both slowly descended into a madness fueled by a desire they didn’t know existed until that moment.

𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 — First Kiss (as a couple) (Based off what happened right after this interaction)

Aimer had quite literally passed out for a long time. Though as he had promised, Mystic didn’t move an inch from his spot. He had even fallen asleep himself for a few hours. By the time his eyelids fluttered open once again, it was been little more than a day and a half.

The calmness and relaxation on Aimer’s snoozing expression, the soft manner of he breathed, it felt like he truly had been teleported into some other universe. Truthfully, this scene wasn’t all that new. He had woken up in Aimer’s arms multiple times by then. In close past instances, though, a wave of regret would wash over him.

But right now… he knew what Aimer felt. He could finally hold him without the worry that he would perhaps one day grow tired of their physical relationship and turn his back in him the next.

Mystic lifted a hand, barely even grazing Aimer’s cheek with his finger. No matter how gentle, the touch made the second-born flinch awake. He exhaled rather loudly, blinking a couple of times as his vision cleared.

Aimer gazed at Mystic with the very haze anyone that had just woken from an almost 48 hours worth of sleep would. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming still…” his voice was hoarse and it embarrassingly sent a shiver down Mystic’s spine.

The Founder chuckled, pressing a palm on the side of his face. “I’m pretty sure this is the real world.”

Aimer leaned into the touch and didn’t respond, warming Mystic’s palm. There was a long silence between them, giving them a chance to realize the close distance between the two. A sudden dawning realization washed over their faces and both seemed equally coy.

Mystic was the first one to reach out, placing both hands on Aimer’s face, but both leaned in at the same time. Their lips crashed with gentleness, rather than with that aggressive desire they shared many times in the past.

It was sweet. Loving. Even gentle.

The kind of kiss that could communicate—

“I love you,” Aimer whispered once their lips parted for a split second.

Mystic rolled over to get on top of him and dove down for a second kiss. The second-born sat up, lifting the Founder along. He rested a hand on his back to keep him from leaning too farther back. Mystic desperately wrapped his arms around the other’s neck, bringing him as close as it was physically possible.

Soon enough, gasping, they parted. They remained close enough that one could feel the other’s breath against his mouth. Mystic pressed his forehead against Aimer’s and they both sat there, silent, finding comfort in the mere sound of each other’s breathing.

“I love you…” Mystic’s voice cracked slightly. He’d finally said them. Those words that hurt him so much in the past. Words precious enough that he wouldn’t even dare think about. He gritted his teeth and let out a shuddering exhale. “I love you, Aimer.”

𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 — Conflicting Schedules

“Ah, Cher,” Mystic grinned upon seeing his husband walk back into their bedroom. He looked like a mess, honestly. Disheveled hair, untidy clothes, and be had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. “Welcome back.”

The Founder finished putting his revolver into its case on the inside of his jacket and jogged up at him. Aimer tiredly followed his movements and smiled. “You’re leaving?”

Mystic deflated momentarily. “Duty calls,” he sighed. “I might be gone for the weekend by the way. Sorry for the late notice. Kazuha just gave me the information a couple of minutes ago.”

Aimer tried not to seemed upset by the news, but didn’t succeed. He looked like a pouting child. “This was my first free weekend since the start of the semester.”

Mystic smiled pitifully. “I’ll finish quick, I promise. I’ll be back by Sunday night! Just take some rest while I’m gone—”

The suddenly sound of his cellphone ringing caught him in the middle of the sentence. The name of his dreadful boss had appeared on screen and the ringing was relentless, so he answered. “I’m on my way out, you can stop calling now!” Then hung up immediately after. He turned back to face Aimer.

The second born shook his head. “It’s fine,” he smiled, patting his head. “Be careful, okay?”

“Of course, it’s like you don’t know what a professional you’ve married!”

Aimer gave him that warning look and Mystic looked down. “Yes, sir.”

As Aimer plopped down at the edge of the bed, he began watching Mystic as he gathered his things in a panic, urged by the unending ringing of his cellphone. He tossed the strap of his backpack over his shoulder and searched around the room one final time to make sure he wouldn’t leave anything essential behind.

“I’ll be on my way, Cher! Rest well, I’ll be back soon!” And he sped off towards the door.

“Hey, hey!” Aimer called out before swung the door open.

Mystic screeched to a halt and turned around. “What is it?”

“You’re forgetting something.”

Confused and startled, Mystic patted around the cases and pockets in his uniform. He was even going to start searching the inside of his backpack for anything missing when he noticed Aimer waving for his attention. When he looked up, his husband tapped his lips with a subtle smile.

Mystic paused for a moment, his eyes slowly widening as a dawning realization hit him. “Oh, you spoiled little shit.” He trotted up to Aimer and planted a nice lasting kiss on the man’s lips and smiled. “I’ll be back.”

𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 — Absolutely Shameless

“Gentlemen,” Kazuha’s voice broke through the room.

Mystic quickly rose into view from behind the couch with a bit of surprise, meanwhile Aimer had to hold onto the edge of the backrest in order to sit up. He was very clearly disheveled and the collar of his shirt had been stripped open. He was haze, like he was intoxicated somehow. It was very clear a very heated make out session had gotten interrupted.

“Could you please find a private space for your lascivious activities?” The princess huffed, folding her arms.

“Don’t be a prude,” Mystic snickered.

“I am not.” Not anymore, at least. “I’m simply asking that you have a fraction of respect for the rest of the members in the house.”

“Says the one that is always kissing a pretty white head,” the Founder retorted.

Kazuha sneered. “Says the one who has been fucking at the kitchen counter for the past few days before breakfast is prepared,” she hissed. “Oh, my poor Familiars couldn’t believe it.”

Both Aimer and Mystic seemed absolutely shocked, before an aggressive rush of red flooded their faces.

“At least try to be subtle about it, you two.”

[the-backspin-alchemist]

For Wips: 🕳️👀🎧

🕳 - What’s a plot hole you just can’t seem to fix?

Dragon’s Fang: Andrill not just snowballing and curb-stomping everyone. By rights eventually he should be able to outmatch the two(ish) Godlings in the story and yet I need him not to so he doesn’t just kill Thraxiphar in a fight.

Space Dragons: I keep having to grapple with the way the mortal members of the Stranded would have basically had entire worlds change into something unrecognizable in the millennium they spent stuck in space. That’s so many human lifetimes, so many orkish lifetimes, but for elves and dwarves, they don’t age past a certain point, so their societies have been relatively static due to older generations not dying out. And I keep having to figure it how the hell that works.

🎧 - What are the first three songs on the playlist?

Dragon’s Fang:

Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked - Cage The Elephant

Robot Boy - Linkin Park

Brave Shine - Aimer

Because, in order:

Andrill. That’s it, that’s the reason, is Andrill, the rogue.

Luna getting her early pep talk from Andrill and Kira after meeting the two of them

It’s Aimer and the main group of Dragon’s Fang are anime as hell, they need a good theme song as they start kicking ass

Space Dragons:

UNTIL IT BREAKS - Linkin Park

Determinism - Jeremy Blake

Castle of Glass - Linkin Park

UNTIL IT BREAKS and Castle of Glass are both due to the Stranded collectively coming to terms with their collective minds having been pulled apart and stitched back together and their worlds having changed completely while they were gone.

Determinism is the exception as Wes is the one that’s kicked into Sociopathic Mode and just tries ti start turning everything at his disposal into a big war machine ti fight the enemy.

👀 - A piece of lore you’ve been waiting for an excuse to share

Kira’s sword is in reliable because Kira doesn’t think anyone can break it, so she ended up subconsciously Writing onto the blade that it’s indestructible. So now it legitimately is unbreakable.

Zoia Caellos Pendragon has prevented the Chainbreaker Wars three separate times by showing up and basically just staring down the Rohzians every time they start saber-rattling, and they blink every time because they know that she knows they can’t beat Iryz in a space war

[ducknotinarow]

"Well well, look who showed their face," Devil hisses, face contorted into a clear scowl as he turns all his fury towards the Prince, "An' here I thought you'd be too busy kissing my King to actually show up to the event."

Oh he wants to throw such a fit towards Stolas about this, but there were far too many witnesses and he'd rather not make a scene in front of so many other high ranking demons. Despite the flames that spark the end of his tail, and bristled fur, Devil does keep himself distracted with the end of his pitchfork,

"He'll leave you you know, he always comes crawling back to me," Devil hums, smirking, "Always," He repeats, "I give you six months before he's back at my side, and you're left, all alone, once again - perhaps you should've held onto that Imp better, maybe then you wouldn't have to ruin a relationship - again."

|Muse interaction Stolas went ahead to check on in introducing not himself but Dice, it was the first real putting they would be joining Stolas as his right-hand man now. Stolas couldn't help but be a little smug about the fact either as he soon turned to face Dice beaming at them, hands right away moving over them to fix up thier outfit not that anything was out of place he was just showing off. As he made sure thier bowtie was straight and the lapels of his jacket were winkled free before he went to stand beside them arms moving to hold on to Dice's own as he smiled at them "Well then King Dice I am ready for my right hand to escort me in now, don't want to keep me from joining everyone else now would we," Stolas asked leaning his head over nearly resting it on to the other's shoulder. Dice seemed fine to play along with Stolas, they were so good about giving Stolas what he wanted after all. Though Stolas hope they were just as excited about the night. Not for the event itself, it's self it was just anything gathering of hell big wigs. Nothing of real importance was ever handled in one of these it was more showing up for the sake of showing up. Stepping into the hall a bit ago Stolas would dread this moment but with dice at his side? well, he saw no reason to carry that weight. Walking over to his table for the night Dice is the perfect escort for the evening as they lead him to his seat. One thing for sure Stolas could see Dice was enjoying getting to come along with him. Which were good Stolas hated leaving all by themself before leaving to clearly only stare out the window and await his return. Did it matter if that was the case no that is simply how Stolas decided to believe they did when he was away from them.

Dice offered to grab thier drinks as they went to step away. Leaving Stolas to enjoy watching them leave. His evening was simply perfect and not a single thing could bring the Prince down from the stars he was floating around in.

"Well well, look who showed their face,"

And with the single sound of that voice everything changed, Stolas turned his attention their way he knew who it was right away. He wasn't surprised they were here either Stolas had expected they would run into them at some point all things considered. Noting how the Devil himself was scrolling his way.

"An' here I thought you'd be too busy kissing my King to actually show up to the event." Where the Devil was keeping his own face firm in the scrolw that had aimer at Stolas. Stolas had allowed his own to react to that wording. 'his King' HIS KING! Stolas didn't think so, not after all they had put Dice through and had done to them even, yet they wanted to stand there and talk as if Stolas stole Dice from them? Feathers bristling up from that alone, a shame seeing how he went to the trouble of preening them earlier, Stolas would love a repeat of the time he shifted into his full demon form to set the Devil into his place. But that wasn't really something he could do here. Not to mention despite the Devil coming at him =, how fire sparked out from their tail even though they were keeping themself to appear well composed in the moment. Losing his own composer? would make it like he lost. Talons curled into a fist as he turned away from them. Let them have a fit. Stolas was above it he was a proud demon after all he wasn't going to let such petty remarks get to him. But Devil wasn't going to allow himself to be ignored. As they kept thier own attention to the end of thier pitchfork speaking up once more. "He'll leave you you know, he always comes crawling back to me,"

As the saying goes it was as if the Devil was speaking on his shoulder, picking at worries Stolas tried to hide away to himself. Sure Stolas had fessed up to Dice about some of the things he worries about. Think he hurt them like he has so many others..but he did hold onto another. Dice leaving him. Listening to them humming clearly they felt they were winning in this stand-off right now.

"Always,"

Cursing himself as he once more tried to look at them. They knew where to strike that much was for certien. Stolas eyeing them narrowing his eyes at them, uncaring about a scene being made if it meant making them shut-

"I give you six months before he's back at my side, and you're left, all alone, once again - perhaps you should've held onto that Imp better, maybe then you wouldn't have to ruin a relationship - again."

That hit more than Stolas thought it could. Something he could never forgive himself over it didn't matter if there was never love between him and Stella. He had ruined it Octavia said it herself his life fell and started t crumble around him.. all because he wanted to simply chase after..Blitz. Stolas sat there silent he opened his beak to speak up and tell them off and defend themselves. because none of that was true..well some were but a good amount wasn't even remotely close! Dice wouldn't have been happy with the Devil..right? Dice was happy when they wanted to get back together before. he was so quick to jump at the chance to be with the Devil despite all the complained about and told Stolas about thier relationship...and yet they did go back to them. Any words the owl had become lost to the air for a moment. If Stolas hadn't interfered and gotten involved would they have tried once more with the Devil?

And left Stolas alone. Slightly shaking his hand as he tightens his fist turning back to them. Stolas wasn't going to lose face here not in front of them.

"You lost him," Stolas said hissing under his breath, becoming just a little fed up at the moment. Feathers bristling up as he could feel the anger boiling in him. Hearing Dice's voice just now broke Stolas out of his thoughts, unsure if they had seen the Devil just now. Stolas didn't care what they said about him he wasn't going to let them anywhere near Dice. Quick to push away from the table, not even caring that the motion made his chair fall back. As Stolas moved onto his feet not paying a glance to the Devil not yet, he turned to cut Dice off before they could get to the table, quick to set his hands on Dice's face to keep them looking at the Devil as if they hadn't seen them already. "Don't you dare let them see your beautiful green eyes?" Was all Stolas said for an answer on what he was doing, looking back over his shoulder to the Devil now. Turning around to better face them, smirking himself now. "You know Devil if you're jealous that he never went back to you you can say as much." Stolas started with "Or are you just feeling too shy to make it known?" Stolas lifted his hand up to his beak acting in shock as if he had a slip of his tongue instead of saying it on purpose. "Hmm, I can't blame you though after all My King Dice is such a wonderful company, I jumped at the chance to have him be my right hand. Because unlike you Devil I saw the value of such an outstanding man. I just had to get my talons on him the first chance I had" Stolas making out to sound like yes he did steal Dice from the Devil no that isn't how it happen but, the rumor mill that been against him would love to turn and twist the details that way. And That is what he was counting out. Look if they wanted to make Stolas out sound like he stole Dice from the Devil was that turly the Prince's fault? Look if he had the rep he did might as well make it work for him. Moving to lean in closer to the Devil as he went to speak to them. This part was Devil only

"I mean he is rather charming and when he sought me out and began to chat me up?" Yes, he knew Dice felt bad about his intentions at the start but that didn't mean Stolas could use it to make the devil look bad in it. "let's not forget when you dropped him again who did he go to? me who has he stuck to since also me." Smiling faded as he fixed them with a look eyes narrowing to them as he let them light up so to punctuate his next point. "Leave him, alone Devil, you lost him and unlike you, I will be keeping him close." Stepping away as Stolas returned to Dice gesturing to have them turn around so thier back was to the Devil. "I think we need to make the rounds darling I would like to properly introduce my right hand to the others, after all, seeing as you'll be around me so much!" Tosses the last bit over his shoulder before hanging onto Dice's arm once again. Hugging on to them possessively as he let his feather puff up a little and hissed before moving to rest his head on to thier shoulder. Despite how he went on about it Devil's words were still getting to him not that he was going to say a thing about it looking up to Dice's face as he simply acting on his mood of annoyance "He is a dick and not the kind I rather handle,"

[pourcap]

thoughts: pg chapter 13

This was an entirely masculine force, who had been riding together for some time, and knew how to use their weapons. oh good!!! :)))))))

He received a sideways blue-eyed glance at the halfway point, and saw everything he believed reflected in that hard single look. i still can't believe how good the regent is at manipulation to make anyone believe laurent to be a coward

Laurent didn’t comply. Laurent answered him back in Vaskian, but—for once in his life—Laurent got only two words out before the man simply did what most people wanted to do when speaking with Laurent: he hit him. i don't have to know exactly what laurent said to know it wasn't nice, but nooooo, i don't want him (or damen) hurt :(

It was the sort of blow that had sent Aimeric sprawling against a wall and then to the floor. Laurent staggered back a step, paused, then returned his glittering gaze to the man (...). i looooove the subtle hints at laurent being so strong <3

Not all the bows: Damen had no doubt that, given a day or two, Laurent could have these men at each other’s throats. But they didn’t have a day or two. ahh so that's what he's trying to do

Damen’s questing gaze found Laurent’s. (...), but Laurent, judging the odds and returning a different conclusion, minutely shook his head. look at them once again working as a team!!! <3

The clan leader stepped in close, too close to hit Laurent—close enough that he was breathing all over Laurent when he slid his hand slowly down over Laurent’s body. ughhh, no. i hate this.

damen !!! i love him !!!! so much !!!!

When he came back to himself, more than one man was holding him down. His hands were still tied behind his back, but around him, there was chaos and physical disruption, and two of the men were dead. One had been driven onto the point of another’s blade. One had hit the ground and then had Damen’s foot applied to his throat. oh wow. all of that, hands-free... he's the hottest

(...) Damen did not need to understand the dialect to understand the orders: Kill him. no????????????

'He says, “Fast death doesn’t hurt,”’ just before a fist was applied to Damen’s stomach. man, this is... a lot. i know laurent saved his life here but god, that's going to be painful.

They had not considered his size, or the fact that, by now, he was seriously annoyed, having long ago reached the threshold of what he would tolerate. SERIOUSLY ANNOYED. TOLERATE.

Since Laurent had decided not to follow through on his own reckless gambit, it was going to be Damen’s pleasure to escape the hard way. i just think that damen is genuinely so hot

damen <3 is <3 so <3 hot <3

That Laurent was still trapped in the camp while he did so did not worry him unduly. Laurent was the one who had insisted on this mode of escaping. lol the pettiness

i love that laurent was just as successful !!! power couple !!!

also, when does laurent ever not have a plan?????

(...) while other people were doing his fighting for him, he was calmly looking about himself for a way to untie his hands. seriously, laurent is so... idk how to describe it. it's not really arrogance but it's also not not arrogance. impertinence, maybe? but in a good way? ... yeah idk

Damen emerged from cover, took a firm hold of him and spun him around. Then he pulled out the knife and cut his hands free. i'm at the point where i just think that everything damen does is hot

Laurent said, ‘What took you so long?' honestly i love laurent but i get why damen is annoyed with him so often. just tell him about your plans!!!!!!

'Once,’ said Damen. And swept up his sword in the way of the man coming towards them. The man, expecting a kill, was startled to find his slashing blow met. Then he was dead. Laurent withdrew the point of the knife from the man’s ribcage and did not argue further, because by now, the fighting was on them. 1) i know exactly what tone damen used when he said 'once'. 2) yes!!! see??? work as a team!!! it's better!!! 3) laurent is also very hot and i know damen's competency kink is kicking in again

(...) Laurent inserted himself at Damen’s left, which, Damen noted without surprise, let Damen do all the heavy fighting. Until the moment when a clansman attacked from the left, and Damen, bracing himself to call hard on the muscles of his bruised side, found that Laurent was there, meeting the man’s blade, dispatching him with efficient grace, and shoring up Damen’s weak side. Damen, disconcerted, let him. I LOOOOOOOVE THIS. sorry about quoting so much again but i love love love love loooove this.

(...) Damen, seeing Laurent in the horse’s path, appraising the situation like a mathematical problem, took a handful of the fabric at the back of Laurent’s jacket and pulled him hard out of the way. i am so in love with them

LIKE A COW????

Laurent answered in a hard, unyielding voice, ‘The slave lies in no bed but mine.' awww. that's strangely considerate? and sweet :')

Laurent had already done the sidestepping. i wonder just how uncomfortable he gets with sex. does he think about having some, ever, at all? it's got to be difficult for him to even entertain the idea, i'm sure :(

Damen pushed himself up on an elbow, and propped his head on his hand, his fingers in his hair. that's... new? not entirely new, since he's been drooling over laurent for a while, but it's such a surprisingly intimate way of welcoming laurent into his space...

He saw that Laurent was looking at him. Not watching him, as he did sometimes, but looking at him, as a man might look at a carving that has caught his attention. laurent is checking him out??? damen, 98% naked???

'I would be,’ said Damen, rearranging his legs again, ‘if the lamp weren’t behind you.' AAAAH. oh my god. that was... quite a comment??? damen holy shit lol

laurent is just calmly lying down next to him when a while ago, he had him whipped for something not too different... interesting

'Close enough to see your eyelashes, said Damen. 'It’s lucky you do not have the size to breed great warriors.' ahhh he's so flirty i love it

'My size,’ said Laurent, ‘is the usual. I am not made in miniature. It’s a problem of scale, standing next to you.' i love them <3 i love the way they talk to each other (sometimes) <3 (also, i imagine laurent to be around 180 cm and it's truly not his fault that damen is probably 195 cm)

damen can be such a softie <3

'No,’ said Damen. ‘I don’t want a woman.' god i can't do this

Sitting up meant taking up all of the extra space in the tent. He found himself looking down at Laurent, his eyes passing slowly over the delicate skin, the lamp-darkened blue eyes, the elegant curve of cheekbone, interrupted by a stray strand of blond hair. how is laurent so calm?? i'd blush and stutter and pass out

After the initial discomfort, Damen felt the ice start to draw out the heat of the bruising, spreading cool numbness, so that the tense muscles around it began to relax as the ice melted. i don't know if this is supposed to be a metaphor for their relationship but it reads like one and i am SO happy

After a pause, Laurent said, ‘Since I can’t throw a sword.' he's STILL thinking about it :'))))))

(...) ‘I think . . . things are about to become very dangerous.' '“About to become,”’ said Damen. i know me saying this is getting repetitive but i really enjoy damen's sarcasm

(...) He was aware that Laurent was looking at him again, even as Laurent lay relaxed, his pale hair mingling with the soft fur, a line of very fine skin visible all the way down the loose opening of his Vaskian bedclothes. But after a moment Laurent turned his eyes elsewhere, and then closed them, and they both made their way to sleep. this is not even slow-burn anymore, i just want them to kisssss <3

i really, really, really loved this chapter

[qiuwen]

POV: giving Xiao a playlist as a last gift from you before you leave for college

about 2k words! // cw: mentions of cake, coffee, and a few swear words here and there. have fun reading!! g/n reader

now playing: kataomoi by aimer

“Xiao, i've been accepted by teyvat university, i'm leaving next monday”

What?

(Tuesday, 6:30pm)

Xiao couldn't remember when was the last time he wasn't with you. You were always with him, one way or another. Breaking into the nearby convenience store together? Everyday. Staying in bars for far too late and end up getting locked inside? A fair few times. Reading in bookstores but not getting anything so you get kicked by the manager? Too many to count.

You’d dance along the strings of his heart, fiddling with all the delicate and the untouchable without a care in the world. And despite everything, how you sabotage his bath by switching shampoo with mustard, how you’d secretly add spice to his meals because you know he absolutely despises it, he loves you. No. No, the point is he doesn't love you. He hates how you make him want to screw all logic and run into your arms, he hates how your music taste is all over the place, and he most certainly loathes how you’re actively escaping through his fingertips, and he can’t do anything about it, even if he terribly wishes to do so.

He met you in a cafe he was performing at. Honestly? he should have already seen it coming when you barged into the area. It was all too obvious, the way you’re a stranger looking for some danger, and he’s an upcoming guitarist with a suspicious tattoo on his right arm, what more is there to say? Then he found out the room he rented was yours, and when he realised you were going to be roommates with him, he wanted to die on the spot (not out of love, but how you are an utter annoyance and distraction to him).

So why wasn't he leaping in joy now that you’re finally gone?

He knows why, actually. He just really doesn't want to admit it, because why would he when it was hopeless right from the start? Even if it seemed workable from the surface, despite how many times he tried to convince himself it is going to, somehow, magically, work, it didn't.

So he kept a good distance, and acted in the role of a good friend.

The slight buzz from his phone distracted him, or it would’ve been him and his thoughts against the world for the next 30 minutes (because then he needs to get up and write his essay that's due at midnight). Crawling out of his bed like a dead man, he reached for the device and scanned the messages. He stopped. There was your name. You were asking him out on a date.

It took a second for him to process everything, but when he did his cheeks had never been hotter and his body had never shot up from the bed so fast. It was like when you finally defeated that big boss in a game after you tried for the millionth time, an epiphany, a sudden vision of what could be. You, in his arms, giggling about some random stuff you found online, while he, holding you, smiles because you look so perfect. The whole moment is perfect, so perfect he almost wants to stop time and put it in a frame so it can never end. Yet, fate has other plans and brutally pulled him out of his little trance.

It wasn't like you really “asked him out” anyways, you said to “meet up at the cafe tomorrow morning”, which isn't exactly “do you want to go to the cafe tomorrow for a date?”, but hey, a man could dream.

Dejected, he flopped onto the bed again. It's amazing how you make him feel so many things within one few minutes, when he’s usually so stoic in front of people.

(Wednesday, 9:16am)

There he sat by the window with his coffee, his third to be exact. He's been here for at least fifteen minutes, and all you’re making him do is wonder, wonder why you weren’t here yet, when it's you who invited him first.

Then the door rings, for the 13th time since he sat down. He groans, but nevertheless, he snaps his head to the door (for the 13th time since he sat down), though reluctant. The one that stormed through the door was you of course, no one could've done it like you did (It was exactly like when he first met you). As you frantically apologise for “missing the time” and “sleeping in for too long”, his attention was diverted to your bag, or more specifically, what's in your bag.

“Who are you gonna give those flowers to?”

Flushed, you stopped talking. “So,” you began again, while sitting down. “So, i'm leaving next monday.” “You’re leaving next monday. Yes. I got that part. I assumed it was why you invited me out today.” “Yes, actually, but you really didn’t have to say that because in my script the next line I was supposed to say was ‘this is why I invited you today’” He rolled his eyes.

“But anyways, this,” You reached into your bag. “Is for you.”

It was a black cassette tape, with a little white in the middle just enough space for you to write “for Xiao <3” (in a rainbow pen of course). There were tiny flowers stuck to it, but they had long dried out and became floppy and dull. The stickers that you tried to keep on the object were all on the verge of falling, and the only thing intact was the tapes inside, safely protected from the cruelty of the outside world, thanks to its shell.

“Look, I know it's not much, but it's what I have and I know you like collecting this kinda stuff. Oh and this,” You handed him the bunch of flowers, “I noticed how the ones on the tape were kinda,, yeah, so I got you those, in compensation.”

“Thanks,” he muttered (it was more like a whisper really), as he took the gifts from your hands, “I like them, no I mean I really like them, thank you.” You grinned, playfully slapping his upper arm and singing your own praises. What you didn’t know was how he obsessed over the little heart you drew next to his name. Because why would you draw a heart? Next to his name no less? A heart. Next to his name drawn by you. He feels like he's about to faint.

“Sorry i uhm, gotta go. Packing and all.” Right, you were leaving. That's why you’re giving him a gift, not because you like him too. “Okay, I get it, see you.” He watched you leave him, and for a terrifying moment he was about to call out your name and do a completely illogical thing that’s called “confessing your love right then and there because you can’t stand it anymore”. But alas! Your laugh while dropping him a final deez nuts joke was just the right thing needed to stop him, he really didn't want to ruin what you have now.

The next few days he ignored all of your calls, messages, and basically every contact method he had with you. Why would he when he’s busy keeping his feelings in check and staying out of love with you? The only thing that connected you to him now was the cassette tape you gave him, and he listened to it, a lot of times, so many times he could sing and play the tunes on his guitar by memory now. He knew you liked him too, it was apparent with how you’d look at him the same why he does to you, apparent in how you’d only flirt with him, apparent in how every song in the tape were love songs. He’d cry over you, dream about you and what could be, hell he even went as far as searching up cringe worthy “crush/reader” fanfiction on wattpad. But that was only until next monday.

(Monday, 8:00am)

It was Day 567890 of beating the shit out of his alarm clock.

He woke up, brushed his teeth, washed his face, put orange in his hair, no wait, why is he putting orange in his hair. Taking out the orange substance in his hair, he stepped into the shower.

Showers are good and all but the one thing he hates is how there's nothing to distract him from his thoughts. He could play music but that doesn't really work because he's lost every other cassette tape he owns after he got gifted yours. And he needs something, he desperately needs something to distract him.

Because today is the day you leave.

(Monday, 4:00pm)

It's been eight hours since he left his bed, and he can’t sit still because he knows for a fact that your flight is at five thirty and if he’s gonna say goodbye it would be now or never. Would you even want to see him? After all of this? After all of him ignoring you? Do you still see him as a friend? Hell do you even remember him? It took one message from you to make him get his ass on his motorcycle and speed drive to the airport.

(Monday, 5:00)

“Xiao!” a voice, assertive yet tender, called to him. “Xiao!” it repeated, this time laced with slight irritation. Sometimes he really wishes that he’d never met you, since if he didn’t he would be at home right now, doing whatever he was doing rid of the torture that is you. Even so, if fate really gave him another chance he wouldn’t change anything, he would still live his life with you, because you had become his life source. If he were the moon you were the sun, without you he would be a piece of material without shine. If he were the torn paper then you would be the duct tape, securing everything together again and reducing damage made. If he was darkness then you are the light, the dashing light that slices through his eternal darkness and carves a way out for him to follow.

“-ere you listening?” “yeah, yeah i'm listening.”

Reaching out next to him, his hands emerged along with a rectangular box. “This,” he pushed it onto you, “is for you.” “A cake? Really, Xiao?” “Shut up, it was the only thing i could find that's even considerable as a gift okay.” “Yeah yeah sure whatever you say”

Then for a little while there was complete silence. It was just you, and him, next to each other. It made Xiao all too aware of his own feelings, and how he needs you at this point. He’s so stupid for ignoring you it might’ve been the dumbest thing hes done (excluding that time when he believed you telling him bananas are actually blue). For now, at least a few minutes, he has you all to himself, and that’s enough, you were always enough.

He watched your smiling figure walk through the terminal gates, and with one last wave, you were gone. And that was okay, because he wants you to receive the best future anyone can have.

Feeling something in your pocket, you reached in only to find a note. A tiny, badly scrawled out note.

“My love for you is irrevocable, now and always. I await your safe return.”

A smile appearing across your lips, you wonder who possibly could be your secret admirer.

Xiao was anxious. He was more than anxious. It's been three years since he last saw you in person. He was glad you decided to return his affections, but also worried about how you’d like him now. More specifically worried of how you would like his third ear piercing. He told you about it of course, you said you liked it, but what if you really didn't? In that case he should take the earring out immediately, but if you liked it you guys could have matching ones, but what if you didn't-

“Xiao!”

It was like he had fallen for you all over again.

a/n: hello, hello! We meet again. to be honest this might be the longest i've ever written and finished. i really hope you guys like it and if you do please put a like!! A reblog would also be extremely appreciated!!! thank you for your suport!

requests are open if anyone wants to make any.

[radiorenjun]

drama love || qian kun

¤ pairing: qian kun x reader

¤ genre: comedy, slight angst, drama, college!au, drama club!au, president of the drama club!kun x star of the drama club! reader, enemies to lovers-ish, frenemies to lovers, friends to lovers, fashion major! reader, business major!kun, tsundere!kun.

¤ synopsis: You and Kun always have this weird relationship where you’re not necessarily enemies but not exactly friends. Most of the time, you would be seen scolding by Kun for skipping club meetings to hang out with the other seniors despite the fact that you were one of the main lead actresses of the club. And as time goes on, watch as you and your senior’s relationship blossom into something more than a simple friendship between two college students.

¤ warnings: tsundere kun! swearing, probably some innuendos but nothing too bad, kun is a year older than the reader, height discrimination against Ten and Kun (I’m sorry), kun a bit more chaotic here than in real life. Lots and lots of teasing and insults, slight mentions of burdening someone, arguments, genz humor, probably a plot hole or two, bullying kun supremacy

¤ wordcount : 23.5 k words

¤ playlist: double take by dhruv,  free love by g, if i could write a bike by chevy, lovely night by ryan gosling and emma stone, kataomoi by aimer

¤ a/n: featuring a few of my moots!

“Oh,Y/n, good to see you here,” your underclassmen greeted with a polite bowl as you shot them a smile. 

“Hey Chenle, Furou,” you waved, adjusting the beret on your head as you tugged on the saddle of your back to adjust it on your shoulder. “Y/n, meet Sungchan. He just transferred from the Business Department,” Chenle introduced, putting a hand on the taller boy beside him as Furou let out a soft chuckle. You smiled at the tall boy, looking up at what you assume to be a 180 cm giant standing in front of you. “Wow, you’re pretty tall. You know you could be one of the main leads of the drama club,” you raised your brow with a light laugh, shaking the younger boy’s hand.

“Jisung is almost taller than me,” Sungchan chuckled bashfully, looking down at his feet as he retracted his arm. “Oh hush, you’re still taller than our male lead. He’s literally 170 centimeters, I don’t even know how he’s able to get the part. Curse his pretty privileges,” you grumbled under your breath, remembering how your co-partner on the stage was constantly flirting with his girlfriend during practice instead of actually helping with painting the props like the rest of the club members. 

“You also have pretty privileges too, though,” Furou raised her brow, a smile tugging at her lips as you huffed. “Flattery will get you nowhere, honey,” you joked, a sinister smile playing at your lips as you watched a deadpan expression flash over your underclassman’s features. “What are you three up to?” you asked, putting your hands on your hips. “We’re just going to go to a nearby cafe, they say they’re having a huge discount on their infamous cheesecake,” Chenle explained, pointing his thumb behind him as Furou nodded in agreement. 

“I don’t want to be the third wheel, so I’m off studying and catching up with my major,” Sungchan informed with a nervous chuckle, a distressed expression making its way onto his face afterwards as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I see. Well, I hope you all have fun,” you chuckled, pulling the sleeve of your sweater back to reveal the watch on your wrist, your eyes widening slightly at the time. “Oh dear God, would you look at the time,” you blurted out loud, a panicked smile forming at your lips. 

Furou laughed at the sight of your terrified expression. “I suggest you should really get going, too,” Furou added, stretching her head to look behind you to spot a certain someone. “Yeah, if you don’t hurry, your escort will get here,” Chenle snickered, nudging his girlfriend’s sides as they both shared knowing looks. “Escort?” Sungchan furrowed his brows in confusion, watching you gulp heavily as the two continued to tease and snicker at you mischievously. “Y/n’s pretty notorious for skipping her drama club,” Chenle explained, his sinister grin never leaving his face. 

“Therefore, everyday, the club president comes down to pick her up. The drama club escort is pretty scary,” Furou added with a small snort, making you let out a scoff as you crossed your arms against your chest with a roll of your eyes. “I skip club meetings because I love interacting with all my seniors and underclassmen, duh,” you said, lifting your brow as if it was the most obvious thing ever. “Sure, whatever you say then, Y/n,” Furou and Chenle nodded with a roll of their eyes. 

Now, you would probably imagine said club president would arrive in some sort of carriage. Probably the same pumpkin carriage Cinderella used back in her fairytale story. You would probably expect said escort would at least show up in a white or black suit, a button up shirt and beautiful slicked back hair. You would expect an escort to say ‘my lady’ and gently hold your hand as you step into the carriage and take you away as two horses pull the carriage away to your desired destination.

At least that’s what Sungchan thought.

Of course, it’s not a usual sight to see some random guy sprint down the halls shamelessly yelling your name at the top of his lungs with anger flaring his pupils, his fluffy blond hair thrown back against the wind as he ran as fast as his legs could take him as if he was running for the Olympics. He looked exactly like that running emoji except this guy had blonde hair and was wearing a baggy hoodie over his form, some black jeans and a pair of Nike shoes to accent his whole look. 

“Y/N! WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT BEING LATE TO THE CLUB MEETINGS?!”

“That’s my signal to leave, I’ll see you guys arou-” before you could sprint the other way or finish your sentence, you felt someone grab the back of your sweater tightly to keep you from going anywhere. “I have been looking for you for the past thirty five minutes! And now you’re going to fucking run away?” Kun gave you a bittersweet smile, his eyes screaming bloody murder as you paused in fear. You gulped, looking back with a nervous toothy smile, giving your senior a small thumbs up. 

“Good afternoon, Kun, how may I help you?” you asked in the sweetest voice you could muster, sweat dripping down your forehead as you watched Kun’s stare grow even more murderous with your words. “I’m sorry for the interruption,” Kun said in a genuinely nice tone, turning to your underclassmen with an angelic smile before glaring daggers at you before tugging you back to the direction of the school theater room with all his might. You stumbled over your own feet, gripping the saddle of your bag as Kun continued to practically drag you against the floor to the theater room. 

“W-Wait, Kun! I can walk myself,” you grunted, an awkwardly nervous laugh elicited from your lips as you used one hand to grip on your bag and used the other to keep your beret to your head as Kun continued to pull you by the back of your sweater. Kun sighed heavily, grabbing your arms and pulling you up to your feet before turning you around and wrapping his fingers against your shoulder blades and began to push you to the direction he came from. “I swear, one of these days I will fling you to the theater room,” Kun grumbled under his breath as you both walked through the crowded halls filled with eyes boring into the back of your skulls. 

“Kinky,” you snickered, waving at the people you recognized as you and Kun speed walked to the theater room together. You felt him squeeze your shoulder as a type of indicator that you should keep your mouth shut before he actually flings you to the sun like a frisbee. “Shut up, you horny creature. I am not going to be provoked by your unholy perverted thoughts. This should be counted as harassment,” he hissed as you finally stopped once you opened the door to the theater room. 

“Why do you even skip practice, you’re the main lead for pete's sake,” Kun groaned, releasing his grip from your shoulders to wrap his fingers against your wrist and head to the stage where the rest of the actors had gathered around. 

“It’s about time you showed up,” Brooke snickered as Kun let you take a seat right beside her, huffing as you cupped your cheeks in your palms and propped your elbows up on your legs. “Yeah, yeah. Do kiss my ass more, would you, Brooke?” you giggled, shaking your head as Kun started talking about repainting the old props as the paints were chipping off because Angie and Renjun forgot to buy more primer for the last play you had over two weeks ago. “Y/n, please do try to not fuck anything up while we paint,” Kai joked, wrapping an arm around your shoulder.

“It’s in my blood to fuck things up, Kai,” you shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous grin taking place on your lips. “Where were you off to, though? It took Kun half an hour to find you this time,” Haechan, Kai’s boyfriend, whispered from beside her in curiosity. “That’s like a new record, you had a great hiding place this time,” he gave you a supportive thumbs up, earning a smack from Kai afterwards for tolerating your irresponsible behavior. “The other side of the building,” you grinned, giving the boy an innocent peace sign. 

“That’s our lead actress right there,” Brooke shook her head profusely, chuckling softly at you.

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

“Wait, Kun, since you’re in charge of the sets and props. Does that mean you aren’t in the plays?” Shotaro asked, dipping his brush in the can of pain before splattering dots on the surface of the wooden board by brushing his fingers against it to resemble stars. Shotaro was the newest member of the drama club, therefore Kun, being the president of the club, had the responsibility of guiding him a lot on what to do and what not to do. Which was a fairly simple job considering all he had to say was ‘never follow in Y/n or Ten or Kai or Angie’s footsteps and you’ll be just fine.’

Kun hummed, running a hand through his hair as he sat down in front of the younger boy with crossed legs. “I used to be in the plays but I think I like this a bit more,” Kun said with a charming smile, waving the large brush around as he helped Shotaro paint the skies. “I see,” Shotaro nodded in response, flinching when he felt your hand on his shoulder as you came barging in their conversation. “No, no, Shotaro, you got it all wrong,” you shook your head at him, earning a pout from Kun.

“Kun wanted to win the male lead and grow taller to fit the role of the prince of the stage, but alas,” you leaned over to sling your arm over your senior’s shoulders, earning a death glare from said man as he furrowed his brows and frowned at you. “Our Kun here suffered from malnutrition, therefore he stopped growing completely and now he isn’t tall enough to make it to the male lead,” you grinned, over-exaggerating your words just a tad bit as Kun raised the can of paint by the metallic handle. “I am this close to throwing this can of paint at you,” Kun deadpanned. 

Shotaro hummed, raising his brow at the two of you. “Isn’t Ten shorter than Kun, though?” Shotaro asked, his eyes wandering to the boy in question who was currently chatting up his girlfriend as they painted over their own set of props. “Yes, thank you! Finally, someone who looks at things through my eyes!” Kun groaned, grabbing Shotaro’s hand and shaking it rather vigorously in his grip. “Shotaro, you are an angel,” he complimented, causing you to frown at this. 

“Ah yes, all it takes to get on Kun’s side is to tell him that he’s taller than Mister Chittaphon. Of course,” you huffed, sitting back in between them as you placed your cheek against your fist, looking back down at the prop. “Again, this close to throwing you this can of paint,” Kun repeated with a roll of his eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll sue you, Kun,” you sent him a cheeky grin, patting your senior’s shoulder in mock pity as he rubbed his temples in frustration, causing you and Shotaro to giggle.

You weren’t quite sure if it was obvious, but you’ve always admired Kun. You didn’t know if your feelings were in the romance department or the mentor department, but you couldn’t help but admire your lovely senior. He was at the top of his major, studying hard everyday and managing his own things while keeping the club in good shape despite the fact that he has three hooligans (consisting of you, Ten, Kai and Angie but mostly you) to handle on a daily basis. 

You knew he was an explendid cook, too. Considering he brought a whole buffet for the whole club that he cooked all by himself to celebrate the new anniversary of this club. Kun was talented and good looking, you couldn’t deny it even if you tried.(and thankfully, you don’t need to because no one ever asked about your thoughts on your handsome senior) He was caring, despite the fact that he was always yelling at your ear everyday, but nonetheless you knew he actually cared about you deep down. 

Kun was the reason why you had joined the drama club in the first place. You weren’t much of a theater kid, but you were pretty good at acting back in highschool. Just as when you promised yourself not to get involved with the art of theater, you saw Kun acting as a prince in a play at a fair your college hosted back when you were in your first year of college and you couldn’t help but sign up immediately so you could get a closer look at his acting. And as time went on, your playful nature was the reason why he was always by your side. 

You refused to think deeper about your feelings on the boy, but you knew they were crossing the line of friendship. Considering the true reason you always skipped classes was (partially to socialise and chat up your seniors and underclassmen to catch up with them) the fact that Kun would always be there to bring some entertainment into your day whenever you even attempt to skip the club meetings. Pushing aside the fact that you almost lost your life over it countless times, you didn’t mind facing the wrath of Kun everyday just to get a few laughs out. 

 Infuriating and teasing him was always a fun activity.

Quite ridiculous, you gotta agree. 

Though, you gotta admit that sometimes his words hurt. You knew he was probably joking most of the time but you couldn’t help but feel saddened sometimes whenever he would grumble on and on about how you shouldn’t have joined the club if all you’re going to do is annoy him all the time. But you didn’t let his words linger in your mind for too long and chose to focus on annoying him either way. 

“Damn, Kun. You should stop getting angry so much before your veins pop out, I don’t think any of us are mentally stable enough to call the ambulance for you,” Kai joked as she stood next to said man who was currently trying his best not to beat the living crap out of you right next to you. “Agreed. You’re old enough, Kun, you don’t need any more wrinkles than you already have, you know?” you teased, poking Kun with the wooden hand of his paint brush with a smug expression on your face. 

“This is age discrimination,” Kun mumbled under his breath after a big sigh of exhaustion, rubbing his forehead with his fingers. “Okay, I discussed this with Ten early and I figured I should have informed you too so I’m telling you now about the new story we’re going with for the next play,” Kun ran a hair through his hair, adjusting the glasses on his face as you cocked your head to the side in confusion. “Wait, what’s wrong with the story I suggested?” you furrowed your brows, offended at his sudden decision to change the story. 

Kun narrowed his eyes, brows furrowing at you as if he was trying to decipher if you were joking or not. “Are you mental?” Kun asked, crossing his arms against his chest as his eyes went wide, a smile of disbelief on his lips. “How the hell did you think a made up story between the dragon and the donkey from Shrek was ever going to be a good plot for a theatrical play?” he exclaimed in disbelief, causing you to scoff as he waved his arms around in confusion. “You just don’t know what a real beautiful story is, Qian Kun,” you scoffed, crossing your arms against your chest. 

Kun groaned, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose to keep himself from exploding right in front of you. “I get how you want to make people around you laugh, but I don’t want this club to be the laughing stock of campus, Y/n,” he groaned, hunching his back as he massaged the space in between his eyes to try to reason with you. However, seeing the older boy in distress was like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, you couldn’t help but get on his nerves and push on his buttons even more than you should. 

“People need some laughter, Kun. What are you planning, anyways? Some boring Romeo and Juliet type of shit? Twist it up a bit, if you don’t like the donkey and dragon trope I can give you a new one on the spot,” you waved him off before gasping loudly as an idea popped into your head like a lightbulb turning on. “What about Romeo but make it a furry Rapunzel? Romeo, Romeo! Let down your hair! Or tail, whichever works. Be original, Kun!” you nudge your friend with an encouraging wide smile. 

Kun opened his mouth to speak as his brows furrowed in confusion before closing it after a small pause. “Dear god, you’re even worse than Yangyang when he asked if he could put crocs on Louis,” he hissed, sighing heavily when he made a note to himself to never come to you for plot ideas for the play. “You should be in the Writing major instead of the fashion major, it suits you,” he commented with a sarcastic thumbs up. “Nice try, Kun. Flattery is no way to get me to change,” you winked, earning a small chuckle from Kun himself. 

“Anyways, I was talking over story inspirations with Brooke and Angie. They had some really good suggestions and we ended up choosing this movie called La La Land-” he frowned when he saw you slowly lay down against the wooden floor boards with a loud annoyed groan. “Dear God, Kun. Couldn’t you at least go with something original? My Furry Romeo concept was way better than this,” you swung an arm over your eyes as Shotaro let out a loud alarming yelp when he saw your arm almost knock over a can of blue paint over the props. 

Kun rolled his eyes once again, taking a loud exhale as he met your eyes that practically screamed ‘please don’t yell at me, it was an accident. I cry easily’. 

“As I was saying, it’s about a pianist and an actress falling in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future. It’s an enemies to lovers-ish type of story,” he ignored how you kept groaning and complaining in the middle of his words. “And I’m supposed to be playing this actress?” you asked, removing your arm from your eyes to lay it on your stomach as you turn your head to look at Kun with a raised brow. “No shit, you’re our lead actress,” Kun leaned over to smack his hand on your knee with a small chuckle. 

“You know if you still want the lead role so badly, Kun. You can take my place in this play, just this once,” you grinned, raising your index finger at him and twirling it in front of his face in circular motions as you sat up. Kun frowned, rolling his eyes as he gently pushed your finger away from his face. “No thanks, princess,” he teased, standing up after ruffling your hair with his hand to go check on the other members on their painting progress so far. “Hey, watch the beret! It’s new, you know!” you hissed before pausing when words that slipped out of Kun’s mouth had finally sunk into your brain, feeling your heart skip a beat at his soft tone.

Kun has never used nicknames or pet names on you. It was always the regular ‘dumbass’, ‘y/n’, ‘l/n, ‘the bane of my existence’ or the occasional ‘the reason why I wished murder was legal’. But it was never ‘princess’. It felt weird being called that, a good kind of weird. You didn’t know if you liked it. The sound of the pet name rolling off of his tongue did something to you and you didn’t know whether to find it ominous or exhilarating. 

“Did he just call you ‘princess’?” Brooke gaped, her jaw dropping to the floor as she ran over to your shocked state. Your eyes widened slightly at her sudden appearance, playing it off casually afterwards as you shrugged nonchalantly at her. “I think so? Why?” you asked, leaning back a bit to relax your posture as Brooke gave you a knowing smirk. “That literally has never happened before,” she grinned, sitting down beside you with a half beta-read script. “Really? Then you must’ve never watched his acting performances before,” you snickered, your mind having flashbacks to Kun’s face always flushing beet-red back when he was the male lead of the play. 

You always teased him for not being able to say ‘my love’ without being a tomato on stage during practice before he stopped auditioning for roles half way through your first year of college. “God, I missed his acting days. Back then, I would be the one making fun of him off stage,” you sighed, chuckling sinisterly when you remembered how Kun had to hop off the stage unceremoniously in his prince costumes to chase you down the school halls whenever you made fun of a certain gesture he made when rehearsing his lines with the previous lead actress. (who had graduated early to pursue a career in music,  if you recalled properly)

“Ah yes, Lunatic Prince Kun chasing down one of the well known clowns this school had ever seen. I still remembered laughing my ass off when Kun dropped his crown midway and had to hold it to his head as he ran down the halls to catch you,” Brooke snickered, shaking her head at the vivid memory, remembering how Kun had cursed out loud when he dropped the (quite expensive) fake crown onto the tiled floor of the halls. “Damn, someone should’ve taken a picture. I didn’t look bad that day considering I was wearing my latest designer shoes back then,” you pouted, putting your chin under your palm as you let out a huff of breath.

“You know,” Ten, Brooke’s boyfriend, spoke up behind the two of you as he came up to sling an arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders with a smug expression. “You and Kun have been getting a lot closer than usual. He’s picking you up for practice everyday, right?” he asked, a smirk adorning his lips as he wiggled his eyebrows at you suggestively. You snorted, waving your hand off. “The man almost ripped my sweater off because he was practically dragging me against the floor. We’re close, alright,” you nodded in agreement, patting the beret on your head afterwards.

“Sounds like Kun has some kind of crush on you to me, though,” Ten added, a mischievous smile spreading across his lips, attracting attention from another one of the club members, Angie. “Kun? We’re talking about Qian Kun, right?” she jumped into the conversation shamelessly, wrapping her arms around your neck to engulf you in a small back hug. You were taken aback by this sudden statement, gently pulling her arms away from you as you shook your head aggressively. “Where the fuck did that come from, Ten Lee?” you spluttered, a flustered expression making its way onto your face. 

Angie laughed. “Are you shitting me, right now? Kun? The Qian Kun? Having a crush? On the Y/n L/n? I knew you were on crack but I didn’t know you were that high, Lee,” she snorted, doubling over laughing at the thought of Kun having a crush on you with Brooke joining in on the ridiculous conclusion her boyfriend has come to. “Yeah, no, that’s not happening,” she shook her head at you, wiping an invisible tear from her face as Angie leaned her arm on your shoulder.

You furrowed your brows as you leaned back with an offended expression. “What’s that supposed to mean?” you exclaimed, looking at your two friends who were bawling their eyes out laughing with a confused expression. “No offense, Y/n. But with the reputation you and Kun have the past two years and people occasionally shipping the two of you for your chaotic interactions, once they truly walk into this theater, thoughts on you being a couple would be thrown out of the window without any hesitation,” Brooke shook her head, giggling behind the back of her hand. 

“Don’t get us wrong. I personally think you two would be cute together once you stop getting at each other’s throats. But right now? I think Kun is more interested in his own toenails than you,” Angie jokes, slinging an arm around your shoulder. “The other day, the man was about to throw a bag out of the window at you when he spotted you running away from the third floor,” she added, wheezing out afterwards as she and Brooke continued to giggle. “She isn’t wrong, perse,” Brooke shrugged.

You couldn’t help but shrug in defeat, a small laugh eliciting from your lips afterwards. “I guess you’re kind of right.”

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

You didn’t know what’s wrong with you lately but you couldn’t get Brooke and Angie’s words out of your head since last week’s practice for some odd reason. You would find yourself thinking them over as you were embroidering on one of your clothes for a school project that was due in a couple of days, your brows furrowing as you got lost in your own thoughts as you sat next to your classmate in the fashion department room.

What the hell did they even mean by ‘Kun was more interested in his own toenails than you’? Clearly he’s more interested in you than you would think considering he always picked you up everyday after your morning classes are over for the afternoon club meetings. They clearly don’t know what they’re talking about. Just because you’re always facing the wrath of Qian Kun doesn’t mean he despised you, right? He knows you just like to joke around and push on his buttons, you overheard him laughing it off and calling your silly antics ‘amusing’ once when you were passing by his side of the building.

You cursed incoherently when the needle you were using suddenly broke in half from how hard you were gripping it, grumbling as you realised you have to continue with a new one. You tied the string into a knot against the fabric, cutting the string off as you stood up to walk over to the trash can near the entrance door to throw away the broken needle. A sharp click of the door caught your attention, figuring that it was probably your professor, you turned around only to face none other than Qian Kun, the man of the hour.

“Kun?” 

Kun looked up from his papers, his doe eyes gazing up at you before widening slightly. “Oh, Y/n, hey,” he gave you a kind smile, removing one of his hands from his papers to give you a small wave. “What are you doing here? Have you finally decided to accept my offer of throwing away all of your clothes in exchange for my masterpieces?” you couldn’t help but tease, raising your brow at him as you placed the back of your hand on your hips, inevitably causing the older boy to frown.

“One day I’m going to really fling you to the sun,” he deadpanned, eliciting a small giggle from you. “Sure thing, old man. For real, though, what are you doing here? Came to see your favorite underclassman?” you wiggled your brows, laying your fingers on your chest jokingly as Kun rolled his eyes with a small chuckle. “As a matter of fact, I did come here to see my favorite underclassman,” he nodded, a genuine smile settling upon his facial features as he waved the back of his papers in front of your face. 

Taken aback, you waved him off with a hand, laughing lightly as you felt your heart increasing it’s pace. “Stop, I feel honored to be the infamous Qian Kun’s favorite underclassman. I always knew deep down you liked me-,” you avoided his eyes, chuckling nervously at his word before you were suddenly cut off by one of your classmates who called out Kun’s name behind you from the other side of the room. “There he is! My favorite underclassman,” Kun raised a hand to wave at the boy who called out his name with a smile. 

You furrowed your brows, turning around to see the charming Jung Jaehyun jogging up to the two of you with a smile on his face. “Hey hyung,” Jaehyun greeted giving Kun the typical weird bro-hug the male college students in your school often did. “Hey, y/n,” Jaehyun greeted, giving you a polite smile and a small bow despite the fact that you were bugging him a couple minutes ago while he was finishing a new sketch while calling with his friend, Doyoung, who was in the culinary department. 

“Hey Jaehyun,” you eyed the boy suspiciously. “Jaehyun’s your favorite underclassman? And all this time I thought you and I had something, ‘hyung’,” you mocked the same tone Jaehyun used, crossing your arms against your chest as you huffed, eliciting a few laughs from the two boys. “I’m sorry that you’re too delusional,” Kun grinned mischievously with a wave of his papers, patting your head with the small stack of papers in his hand before walking off with Jaehyun to the desk he was using.

You gave him the stink eye, earning the finger from Kun, himself. Scoffing as you walked back to your desk where your friend,Abhie, was making no effort to hide the fact that she was laughing at your little misunderstanding. “Stop laughing, it’s embarrassing enough as it is,” you huffed, sitting down on your chair with a sour expression as you reached over the desk to grab a new needle to use to finish the design on your old shirt. “Let me take in on how embarrassing that was first,” she laughed, watching as you try your best to cover your flustered expression. 

“Kun and Jaehyun have been spending time with each other a lot more than usual, don’t you think?” you asked as you grabbed a new embroidery thread from the bundle in front of you, measuring the thread as you unwind the bundle. “They’re in different majors but they look quite busy, I don’t think Jaehyun’s even in the drama club. I’m pretty sure he has to deal with his own writing club so I’m sure he isn’t joining the drama club,” you analysed under your breath, your brows furrowing in concentration.

“Guess someone got sad that her senior didn’t see her as their number one underclassman,” Abhie raised her brow, crossing her arms over her chest as she placed her finished embroidery on the table you were both sharing. “What are you talking about? I may not be his favorite underclassmen, but I know I’m definitely his number one,” you lied, huffing dramatically to make your friend laugh even more. You knew very well that you’re definitely not Kun’s number one, but seeing your friend laugh was amusing. And you felt the urge to push on Kun’s buttons as payback for deceiving you. (sort of)

Abhie scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Believe what you want,” she laughed, an amused smile taking over both of your faces as you stood back up and placed your needle back on the table beside your embroidery hoop. “Observe,” you snickered, turning around to walk towards said senior with a loud call of his name, ignoring how most of your classmates instantly gave you death glares from every corner of the room for disrupting the quiet atmosphere you all had developed over the past couple of hours. 

“Kun! Qian Kun!” you exclaimed, jogging up to him as he continued his talk with Jaehyun. 

“I sense an incoming dissatisfaction,” Kun deadpan, sighing heavily as he felt your presence grew closer with every step, causing Jaehyun to snicker at the older’s half annoyed and half embarrassed expression. “Who’s cuter? Me or Jaehyun?” you asked, putting an arm over his shoulder and tugging him towards you. “Jaehyun,” he stated almost immediately with a monotone, his gaze never tearing away from the papers in his hands.

You frowned, causing Jaehyun to laugh even more than he already has. “You didn’t even hesitate to think,” you frowned, retracting your hand to put your hands on your hips as you narrowed your eyes at your senior. “Didn’t need to,” Kun grinned sinisterly, shooting you a small glance before looking back down at his papers with a poker face. “Ouch, my heart hurts now,” you winced dramatically, laying a hand on your heart as you took a step back and swung the back of your free hand against your forehead. 

“My heart’s been broken so many times-”

“Don’t you have your embroidery assignment to finish?” Jaehyun asked, an amused smile on his face as Kun gave you a perplexed expression, his brows furrowed and his mouth gaped open as he tried to find the words to speak. “Oh shit, right, nevermind,” you lowered your hand with wide eyes, closing your mouth shut at the reminder. “I’ll see the two of you later,” you waved, waddling back to your desk when you remembered that you had two days left to finish said assignment and you were barely halfway done. 

“As you should!” Kun exclaimed.

“So?” Abhie raised her brow at you with a small hum. “I’m definitely his number one,” you popped up, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs up and a wide smile. “I am not believing that,” she giggled, shaking her head as you scoffed and went back to finishing your design on your shirt. “Why do you and Kun fight 24/7, though? I swear, you two are infamous for arguing on a daily basis. You’re not even in the same year or major, it’s hilarious,” Abhie laughed in disbelief, running a hand through her long hair. 

“Tough love,” you exclaimed with another enthusiastic thumbs up. “Unrequited tough love,” she added with a soft snort, causing you to laugh as well. “He’ll learn to love me soon enough, just you wait,” you waved her off, sticking your tongue out as you tried to slip the thread into the tiny hole in your needle. 

-

“What if we do a musical for the next play?”

“Kun, stop flexing. We know you just want to sing.”

Kun frowned upon the sound of your voice, turning his head to glare at you as you laid down on the wooden floorboards of the stage. “I swear, if violence weren't against my morals, I would’ve kicked her to the moon. God give me strength, I don’t have enough cash for bail money,” Kun groaned, rubbing his hands against his face in distress as you and a few other club members laugh at his reaction. “I admire the amount of patience God has given you, Kun,” Gwen patted his back sympathetically. 

“Gender equality at it’s finest,” you cheered, raising your hands up enthusiastically before they flopped down almost painfully against the floor of the stage. Kun rolled his eyes, walking over to the other side of the room to discuss the play with the other members of the club. “You really like Kun, huh?” Brooke raised her brow at you, wiggling them afterwards when you met her eyes with an enthusiastic nod. “Of course, I do! He’s my senior after all,” you sat up, stretching your arms over your head with a yawn.

“The smile on your face makes your words seem so passive aggressive,” Kai chuckled, shaking her head profusely. “Oh hush, it may seem like I’m pushing his buttons on purpose but I actually really admire Kun. He’s the reason why I got into this club in the first place,” you exclaimed with a genuine smile, turning your head to watch the older boy flip through the script with Ten and Renjun from the other side of the theater room. “Wait, what?” Kai’s eyes widened at your sudden statement. 

“Yeah, I actually got into this club because of Kun! I remember it like it was yesterday, I was just walking around campus and I passed by the theater. He was practicing for a play and I was like ‘damn, mans got skills.’ And at one point he gave me a flyer to join this club and encouraged me to join, which is why I’m here now,” you explained, shrugging casually as you leaned back against your hands behind you with a soft smile. “And if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have met you guys,” you added on. 

“Cool, but I was asking about the part when you said you weren’t pushing his buttons on purpose,” Kai chuckled, earning a soft smack to the arm from you as Brooke let out a loud laugh in response. “Same, same. I can’t believe you’re not annoying him on purpose, I mean, I’m not complaining. It creates more romantic tension that I could use for my literature essays,” she shrugged, slinging her arm over your shoulder with an enthusiastic grin. “Of course I’m annoying him on purpose,” you rolled your eyes. “I’m not that big of an airhead, you know,” you scoffed as you pushed Brooke’s arm off of your shoulders.

“You know, there’s a chance that Kun would replace Ten in the play this time?” Haechan asked, plopping himself down beside his girlfriend while chewing a mouthful of bread. “Excuse me?” your eyes widened, straightening your back up as you and the girls lean over to hear Haechan more clearly. “Ten got an opportunity to go to an Art Gallery in Busan, he’s not sure if he’s going though but if he does, he can’t be back in time for next month’s play,” Haechan informed, pulling out a cupcake from his bag and handing it to Kai. 

Brooke’s eyes lit up at this. “Oh yeah, he told me about that! It’s a great opportunity for Ten, I doubt he’s going to deny the offer for some play,” Brooke chuckled, shaking her head at her own boyfriend. “So, you’re telling me that there’s a chance I’ll be doing the play with Kun?” you asked, eyes wide as a wide smile spread across your face. “Oh god, I’ve never actually acted in a play with Kun before. He stopped acting by the time I joined the club,” you exclaimed excitedly, your hands balled up into balls at the thought of acting side by side with your senior on stage. 

“More opportunities for you to bully our Kun,” Kai giggled, nudging your sides with her elbow as you nodded eagerly. “That too!” you agreed with an enthusiastic nod, raising your hands up in the air at the thought of finally seeing Kun act on stage once again. “Honestly, I thought I’d see myself on Mars sooner than seeing myself and Kun on the stage together performing,” you scratched the back of your neck with a nervous chuckle as Kun began walking over with stacks of paper in his hands. 

“Here’s your script for the next play, rehearsals are going to start tomorrow so y/n,” Kun gave you a knowing look, eyes boring holes into your head as you gave him an innocent smile and a peace sign as you take the paper away from his hand, your fingertips grazing his own. “Don’t be late,” he sighed heavily, smacking the stack of papers on the top of your head softly before distributing the actors their own scripts. 

You purse your lips, rolling your eyes. “‘Don’t be late’,” you mocked his tone, shaking your head at the elder. “As if you don’t pick me up every morning class before I even have the chance to be late,” you mumbled under your breath, earning a smack upside the back of your head from your friends, letting out a yelp in response. “What was that for?” you rubbed the spot where your friend hit, turning your head around to see Furou with a cocky grin. “Come on, we actually have a pretty strict deadline this time,” Furou sat beside you, patting your back. 

“They say the school is holding some sort of event next month and Kun’s taking this pretty seriously considering the money we earn from this play will be donated to charity,” Furou explained, kicking her feet as she looked around the theater. “So you’re going to be dragged around Kun a lot during rehearsals,” Furou chuckled, giving you a look of mock sympathy, causing you to groan loudly and lay back down on the wooden floor of the stage. 

“Oh well, at least I get to see our lord and savior, Qian Kun, act on stage again,” you gave her a sarcastic thumbs up, smiling at her as you turned your head around to look at the boy in question who was furrowing his brows as he read over Kai’s script with an intense expression, a hand pushing back a part of his dyed hair that was covering part of his eyes, his parted lips mouthing the words printed on the paper. 

Your friend chuckled at how intently you were staring at the older boy, shaking her head profusely. “Does this mean you’re going to stop being annoying momentarily?”

“Keep dreaming.”

-

“As you may have heard from our precious club members, I will be replacing Ten as your supposed love interest on stage,” Kun said, popping out of nowhere as he pulled the chair in front of you to sit right across the table. You furrowed your brows, “are you stalking me?” you frowned, looking up from your phone as you carefully sipped your beverage. You swore that this man was psychic, he can sense where you are whenever and wherever and it was almost not funny. 

Kun rolled his eyes at you, crossing his arms against his chest as he let out a heavy sigh. “We have practice in two hours, I just happened to be in the library the same time as you do. Except I don’t come here for free coffee and free wifi,” he smacked his bag filled with a stack of books on accounting right on the table with a click of his tongue, taking you by surprise at the sudden sound. “I figured we could chat for a bit and walk to the theater room together since you’re oh-so-busy,” he grinned cheekily, causing you to roll your eyes. 

“Excuse you, you’re not my babysitter. I can go to the theater room myself, thank you very much,” you huffed, frowning deeply at the unusual sight of his cheeky grin. You couldn’t help but admire how his eyes crinkled slightly as his lips stretched across his face, thus revealing his cute dimples that made you suppress the urge to poke them. Kun’s smile always had that weird effect on you and you didn’t know why. And you didn’t know if you liked it either. 

Which was probably the main reasons why you liked pissing him off all the damn time. 

“Sure, as if I don’t have to run like Sonic the Hedgehog all around campus to ensure that you’re not skipping,” Kun chuckled, shaking his head at you in amusement. “I’m just helping you, Kun. You always go on and on about losing weight even though you’re literally one of the fittest guys I’ve seen on campus. I’m helping you by making you exercise by disappearing every five seconds,” you went on dramatically, waving your hand around in circular motions as you spoke, sipping your drink with your free hand. 

“You never fail to blow me away with your weird respon- did you just call me hot?” he raised his brows when he took a small pause at your words, causing you to stop sipping your cup. You paused, your eyes grew wide as they scattered to look everywhere but him, replaying your words in your head to figure out where he got that idea from. “I just called you fit, there’s a difference,” you slowly pulled your drink away from your mouth, trying to appear as casual as you could. 

‘Keep calm, Y/n. Qian Kun can sense your fear.’ as you would often say.

“So you’re basically saying I look good?” Kun cocks his head to the side, a smirk playing on his lips as he raised his brow at you, taking you aback at his sudden cockyness. You paused, gulping as you stared into his eyes for a brief moment, sipping your drink loudly as you desperately tried to think of a good comeback. “What did you say our next play was about?” you spluttered, coughing when your voice cracked, putting a hand on your throat out of habit as you looked down at your feet. 

Kun chuckled, looking down at his own hands when you changed the topic. “Since we did La La Land for the last play, I figured we’d do something old timey. A classic. Brooke and Xingyi managed to come up with a few plots and we came up with this story of a princess having a secret affair with her musketeer bodyguard,” Kun explained, choosing to let your words slide momentarily as you revert back to your casual self. “Oh god, Brooke and Xingyi came up with the plot?” you groaned, putting a hand on your face as you rubbed your forehead. 

“Don’t tell me. It’s going to end in despair, isn’t it? Dammit, they know full well I despise getting all emotional on stage, I swear, they’re doing this on purpose,” you grumbled under your breath, plopping your now empty cup on the table with a scowl on your lips as Kun let out an amused laugh. “Oh shut up, they’re taking this chance to see me cry too, you know,” he raised his brow at you, leaning back and relaxing against his chair. You paused, taking his words in before clicking your tongue.

“You’re going to cry on stage?” you blurted out, your eyes going wide at the thought of seeing your senior cry in front of hundreds of people. “Can I rent a camera crew to take HD pictures of you in tears in front of me? I think that would be one hell of a sexy cinematic piece to go with my photography portfolio,” you asked, wiggling your eyebrows at the older boy with a teasing smile on your face. 

Kun chuckled, tutting as he waved his finger at you rather sassily. “Look who’s being a stalker now?”

You leaned back, a frown settling upon your lips at his words as you huffed at him. “I’m doing this for humor purposes, it’s for the good of the world. And my own amusement, of course. Don’t you think a lovely picture of our dear president bawling his eyes out on stage would be a perfect decoration for our stage?” you asked, putting your hand up in the air as if you were caressing an invisible wall. Kun pressed his lips together to stifle a laugh, a hand on his chin and his fingers covering his lips. 

“I think I’ll have to reconsider changing the plot to whatever donkey dragon furry type of fanfiction you came up with in your head back when we were doing La La Land.”

-

“You know, I thought you were gay,” you mumbled, drawing circles on the smooth surface of the piano as you continued to listen to Kun practice on the piano the music department had been using to practice for their own music show for the event. Kun let out a soft chuckle, “is this about the Jaehyun question you asked a couple of weeks ago?” he asked with a staggering breath, flipping through his music sheets as you continued to hum in confirmation. 

Nothing had changed after Ten left for his trip to Busan. Other than the fact that Kun has been rehearsing his lines with you 24/7 considering you were his partner on stage after all. Though, he wouldn’t be as aggressive and you don’t have to sacrifice your perfectly good sweaters getting ruined as these days his ‘aggressive dragging by the back of whatever top you were wearing on that day’ technique had morphed into ‘pulling you by the wrist like a rag doll’ with a script in his hand.

You could see from a mile away that Kun was more than excited to finally be on stage again. And you couldn’t help but let a smile stretch across your lips whenever you sat beside him when you were reciting your lines together, watching the passion glimmer in his eyes as his face contorted with emotions as words spewed out of his mouth like a song bird chirping on a tree branch on a bright morning. 

Kun had called you over after your class to try on the costumes that just arrived and to check on any imperfections and minor details. You were always his go-to fashion kid whenever he needs help with anything that involves fabric and accessories. The moment you opened the door, you were immediately greeted with melodious piano music and a rather handsome senior behind said piano with his brows furrowed in concentration. It was a rare sight to see for you.

“You said I needed to try on some outfits and inspect the costumes?” you put a hand on your hip, walking around the stage as Kun closed the piano lid while he got up on his feet. “As always,” Kun rolled his eyes, grabbing the saddle of his bag and slinging it over his shoulder as he walked over to you. “I told the others to place the costumes near the changing room, come on,” Kun placed a hand on your shoulder as you walked side by side to the changing room, his sudden touch sending shivers down your spine. 

“You okay?” Kun asked all of a sudden, pausing in your steps. 

You hummed, looking up at him in surprise, your eyes going wide. “You just shivered, is the ac too cold or something?” Kun asked, retracting his hand to slip it in his pocket as he looked around the theater room, extending his other hand to feel the cold atmosphere. “Yeah, I’m kind of chilly, I guess,” you mumbled with a slight nod, rubbing your arms to cover up your lie. You weren’t going to lie, you kind of liked the comforting way his hand felt on your skin. 

“I’ll be fine, Kun. Let’s just go back to what we’re doing,” you scurried off to the changing rooms, spotting the opened box filled with plastic wrapped costumes and their props. Trying to shake the thought of holding Kun’s hand in yours out of your mind as you sat down on the wooden floor and began opening a few of the costumes to examine the details to look for odd spots or ripped fabric, hearing Kun’s footsteps catching up to you a few seconds later. 

After a while of sitting side by side, focused on spotting any minor mistakes with the stitching and the quality of the costumes, it was finally time for you to test your own individual costumes. “So, which one do you think I should try first? The pretty princess gown or the Belle from Beauty and The Beast before she developed Stockholm syndrome?” you asked, nodding your head at the two dresses hanging by their clothing hangers in each of your hands. Kun laughed lightly at your small joke as you turned to the mirror, humming as you furrowed your brows.

“Try the peasant one first, the fabric looks pretty low quality compared to the dress,” Kun hummed, pointing at the brown dress in your left hand. You huffed, rolling your eyes as you placed the princess dress on the empty space on the chair beside Kun. “No shit, it is a peasant dress after all. Look at those improper cross stitches, they could’ve done a better ladder stitch on the waist,” you mumbled to yourself as you walked into the changing room and began to change into your new costume. 

“This dress is kind of tight, though,” you commented as you tugged on the ribbon around your waist with one hand and unlocked the door with the other, seeing an unbothered Kun looking through his phone with his brows furrowed. “What do you think? See anything wrong with it?” you did a slow 360 twirl in front of him, tugging the edge of the dress down when you spotted a few wrinkles. “Could use some ironing,” Kun joked, putting a hand on his chin as he looked up at you admiring yourself at the mirror nearby.

“It’s a peasant dress, Kun. They purposely didn’t iron this to fit the aesthetic,” you turned around to your senior with your hands on your hips before outstretching your hand for Kun to give you your princess dress. “Princess dress, please! This is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most,” you grinned, causing Kun to chuckle as he grabbed the clothing hanger with the dress clinging onto it beside him and handing it to you. “Thank you, old man,” you snickered as you hopped in the dressing room again, dismissing the loud offended ‘hey!’ Kun had let out behind you.

Once you walked out of the dressing room, you were tugging on the gloves you were supposed to wear, adjusting the fake plastic tiara on your head. “Okay, Kun, round two. How do I look?” you asked, patting your sparkly dress to remove any dust sticking to the fabric. Kun looked up from the costume he was examining himself with unbothered eyes, which grew wide slightly at the sight before him. 

To say you were astonishing to his eyes was nothing but an understatement. The way the dress defined the shape of your body, the way the crown had accented your face, the way the gloves covering your hands made you look so elegant and delicate. His heart raced as he watched you scratch your hair while examining yourself in the mirror to look for any rips in between the fabric and the designs. He had to keep himself from letting his jaw drop to the floor as his eyes scanned you from the cute little hello kitty socks you were wearing to the beautiful red crown placed on your head. 

“Are you smiling at me, Qian Kun?” 

He blinked, his eyes lowering down from your crown to your eyes, gulping silently as he realised you had caught him checking you out. He kissed his teeth nervously, leaning back against the chair as he looked down at his hands. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mumbled under his breath, shaking his head abruptly as he felt you take a few steps closer towards him with a smug expression on your face. 

“You think I look good, don’t you?” you pointed an accusatory finger at the boy, who shook his head vigorously at you. “I was looking at the realistic tiara,” Kun coughed, clearing his throat as he stood up suddenly, taking you aback by how close the proximity between the two of you have become once he got to his feet. He resisted the urge to boop your nose as his hands went up to gently lift the tiara from your head, careful to not get any of your hair as he examined it in front of you with a sheepish smile. 

‘God, what am I even doing?’ Kun thought to himself as he used his superb acting skills and squinted his eyes at the tiara in between his fingertips. Though, his attempt to cover up the fact that he was internally flustered was futile for your next words had thrown him into a state of shock for a few seconds. “You know you have a pretty smile,” you commented, your eyes boring into his casually as you watched Kun examine the tiara with a small smile. 

His eyes grew wide at you, his body froze as his smile became crooked at the sound of your words escaping your lips. “Excuse me?” he said after a pregnant pause, your words echoing in the back of his skull over and over again like a broken record player, sending jolts of electricity into his own heart. “You have a very pretty prince smile,” you couldn’t help but reach up and poke the dimples protruding from his cheeks with your gloved finger, grinning mischievously when you saw how Kun’s nervous expression melted into one filled with embarrassment. 

“Thanks,” he muttered, gulping as he plucked up the courage to carefully place your tiara on top of your head again, his fingers caressing your hair slightly. You felt your heart raced as he gently placed the tiara back where it was as if he was crowning you princess himself. “You should smile more,” you mumbled, feeling yourself grow sheepish as Kun’s hands carefully pulled away from you. “Yeah?” he hummed back, almost inaudibly as he looked down at your feet with a soft smile on his face. 

“Can you smile more so you don’t exactly look like a body that just got pulled out of the river?” 

Kun’s head shot up in alarm at your words, all of the bashful and giddy feeling bubbling up in his stomach evaporated instantly as he could feel his vein pop under his skin. Watching as your own flustered expression morphed into a smug one, adjusting your tiara with your gloved hand as you broke the intimate aura that had crawled its way between you two merely seconds ago. 

“Just when I thought you were going to say something normal for once.” 

-

“Oh, five minutes late! That’s the earliest you’ve ever been,” Lin exclaimed, putting the back of her hands on her hips as she watched Kun drag you across the floor into the theater room by the wrist as if he was dragging a body from the fiery pits of the underworld. “I wasn’t fast enough,” you groaned, standing up straight as your back was starting to hurt from your terrible posture. “You are not the Lightning McQueen you think you are, y/n,” Lin chuckled, shaking her head at you as Kun shut the door behind you and released his hold on your wrist. 

“Exactly my thoughts,” Kun nodded in agreement, giving you an amused smile. “I like to believe I’m Sonic the Hedgehog or the Flash, but you do you,” you huffed, crossing your arms against your chest as you walked over to the other members of the club, who were all currently helping the others with their costume as you were all finally starting rehearsals considering the play was  in less than two months. 

“She’s coming in earlier than usual. Usually it would take you about fifteen minutes to half an hour to find her and another ten minutes to drag her here,” Lin commented, taking a step closer to Kun as she examined your figure socializing with the other club members, who were looking at you as if you had grown two heads. (no one could blame them for being shocked to see you on time, usually you would take centuries to get to the theater) 

The boy beside her hummed as he shrugged. His hands dug through his bag for his phone and his script, oblivious to the smug expression Lin was giving beside him. “Mostly because we meet up before rehearsals start in the library to go over our lines,” Kun shrugged, pulling out the crumpled stapled papers from his bag pockets. “We might as well normalize seeing her arrive on time now,” he chuckled, flipping through the pages as he read through the sentences he highlighted a couple of weeks ago. 

Lin raised her brow suspiciously, crossing her arms as Doyoung walked up to Kun with a confused expression. “Did something finally happen between you and y/n?” he asked, putting a hand on his chin as he stood in between Lin and Kun, squinting his eyes at you as he and the girl watched you revise your lines with your brows furrowed with the other members of the club. A tiara was placed on your head as you helped your fellow actors with their lines, your free hand making grand motions as you read your lines aloud. 

Kun furrowed his brows at Doyoung’s statement. “What do you mean ‘finally’?” he asked with an incredulous expression, his head shooting up from his papers as he furrowed his brows at his friend. “I don’t know, there’s something suspicious with you and her arriving together. There’s something even more suspicious with the fact that you’re both arriving on time!” Doyoung exclaimed, crossing his arms against his chest, narrowing his eyes at his friend who gave him a confused expression. 

“Apparently they’ve been having library dates everyday before rehearsals so they’re only a teensy bit late now,” Lin informed, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, causing Kun’s frown to deepen even more. “They’re not library dates, we’re just discussing and reading over our lines together,” Kun retorted, feeling his heart race in his chest at the thought of being on a date with you. He felt flustered at the mere thought of hanging out together as more than friends, but yet again, your little meetups felt more than just a casual hang out. 

Though he was probably overthinking it again.

“Oh, so it’s definitely a date,” Doyoung confirmed. 

“Agreed,” Lin nodded with a hum. 

“It’s not, I’m just there to keep her from escaping campus before rehearsals start. I mean, we are having our big assignments coming up so I guess she doesn’t have that many people to talk to as a reason to ditch practice. “They’re just friendly meet-ups. How can it be a date if all she does is infuriate me and make my college life a living hell even more than Yangyang has. And that’s saying something considering I live in the same dorm,” Kun rambled on, his hands moving around and making dramatic gestures as words of complaint continued to spill out of his mouth like a leaking tap.

“Yet that doesn’t stop you from having a crush on her for the past two years, does it?” Doyoung smirked, raising his brow at his friend who had stopped talking upon hearing his question. Lin giggled, pressing the back of her hand against her mouth as Kun’s expression became flustered. You could practically hear ‘kun.exe.hasstoppedworking’ from the boy’s thick skull as Kun froze in place, trying to come up with some random reason to deny his friend’s words.

Alas, Kun was not much of a liar. 

“Yeah,” Kun chuckled, looking down as he flushed, a giggly smile spreading across his features as his gaze shot up from his shoes to you. Okay, maybe he wasn’t much of a big liar but he was too whipped to deny it. 

The soft, innocent smile on your face as you made a few of the club members laugh with your witty jokes and silly antics, watching them cackle and hold their stomachs to contain their laughter. That was Kun’s favorite smile. “It doesn’t,” Kun sighed rather dreamily, relaxing his figure as he leaned his head to the side to get a better look of your smile.

Truth be told, it really was no secret. Literally everyone in the club knew about Kun’s obvious crush on you ever since he ‘retired’ from being the male lead. Ever since the day he met you when you were just in your first year, looking for new friends and new hobbies to do. Ever since the first day he saw you audition for the main role back when the drama club was doing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for the annual event your campus always hosts. 

Watching you act on stage as part of the audience made Kun feel as if he was looking up at a sky scattered with stars. The way your personality completely morphs into the character you were portraying and the way you conveyed whatever message your character was trying to send out to the audience had made you find your way into his heart throughout all these years. The way your beauty sparkled under the lights, the way your expressions captured his heart on stage. The way your voice sends butterflies into his stomach as if you were ordering them to fetch his heart like an ominous siren. 

He didn’t mind being teased by you every single day if it meant that he was getting your attention, he didn’t mind dragging you to the theater room everyday if it meant he got to get close to you. He didn’t mind being the target of your jokes if it meant that you two could get a tiny bit of interaction during practice, despite the fact that you two get nothing done together if so. After all, those were the original reasons why his liking for you grew ever so stronger. It was almost laughable.

Hell, it was making him crazy.

“KUN! Y/N IS RUNNING AWAY AGAIN!”

“DAMMIT, Y/N.”

Quite literally.

-

“Oh, how I longed to be in your arms after all these years, Abdul!” you cried out, clutching the dress with both of your hands as Kun wiped the invisible sweat off of his brow, dropping the sword he was clutching to the wooden floor of the stage as a look of despair stretched across your face. 

You only had less than three weeks left of rehearsal, therefore, everyone had to be focused. You had been practicing for the past two hours now without breaks, your throat was sore from delivering lines and dehydration. One of the air conditioners wasn’t working very well this morning and maintenance was coming the next morning, leaving you and the rest of the club members under scorching heat. It was the middle of June, after all. And the god forsaken dress you were wearing was no help whatsoever.

“Princess Putri, my love, my little songbird! Oh how all of these years of holding myself back, all these years of fighting and hoping to reunite with thou,” Kun recited, his face scrunched up as if he had really been fighting a dozen of thieves to protect the princess. The expression on your face did nothing to show how awed you are at the sight of Kun’s acting. It’s been so long since you’ve seen Kun shine on stage again and quite frankly, you missed it. 

You were seeing Kun’s superb acting performance right in front of you. He wasn’t even taking this as seriously as he should in the actual performance. You couldn’t imagine how magnificent his aura would be once the lights shine down upon him on stage once the day arrives. And you couldn’t help but admit that you couldn’t wait. 

Though as much as you would stand on the stage to admire your senior’s acting performance, you were on the brink of being one with the sun itself. You watched with a sorrowful expression as Kun walked over to you, his boots making soft noises with every step he took, his hand on his chest as he came closer to you. You smiled slowly, focusing on staying in character as Kun recited the words written on your scripts.

Reciting the words as he perfectly brought the message his character, Abdul, was conveying to your character, Princess Putri, to life. It was like music to your ears. 

You and Kun were standing in front of each other now, proximities close as the room grew dim save for the two stage lights shining down upon the two of you. The theater was almost as silent as a mouse except for the soft piano music Chenle was playing below the stage. The atmosphere felt seren, it made you feel as if it was just the two of you on stage, stuck in your own little world. 

Eyes gazing into each other, your hands placed gently against his chest. Your fingers fiddling with the tassels on his shoulders, his hands coming around you only to land on your hips as he pulled your body towards his own, his face oh-so-close to your own. “May I indulge in the feeling of finally having your lips pressed on mine, my love?” Kun whispered, his soft voice booming across the speaker, half lidded eyes gazing down your lips before glancing back up to your eyes. 

With glossy eyes, you looked up at him, sniffling into the mic softly before slowly nodding. A sad smile stretched across both of your lips as Kun leaned his head towards your face and leaned it to the side, thus covering both of your faces with his hat, giving the audience the illusion of the characters actually kissing. Upon hearing the club members clap for you, a few whistles from all around the theater room as the lights finally turned back on, you pulled away, making sure to add distance in between the two of you as you coughed awkwardly. 

You couldn’t even stop your heart from beating so loudly in your ears as you clasped your hands behind your back, squeezing your hand into tight fists to calm yourself down. You’d like to think that it was the heat affecting you but you knew very well that there was no point in lying to yourself considering Kun was also avoiding your eyes for a brief moment. For a short moment, you couldn’t get the thought of Kun’s face being so close to yours out of your head. You couldn’t get the feeling of your heart which was on the brink of bursting out of your chest.

This never happened whenever you were acting with Ten on stage before, or any of your partners. It was odd to say the least. But your thoughts were cut short when your co-director spoke up to break the tension in the whole theater room. 

“As expected of the president and our star,” Doyoung clapped unceremoniously, looking down at the clipboard he was holding in his arms as he flipped through the pages. “Okay, so, the play is in less than three weeks. We just need to adjust a few things then we’re good to go,” he announced with a loud clap, putting the clipboard in between his arms. “You all did good, we’re going to cut rehearsals short today, you all deserve it!” he added with a wide smile, earning enthusiastic cheers from the people around you. 

You let out an exasperated groan, rubbing your face with your hands as you internally thank the gods that you decided to use your waterproof make up set today. “Dear god, I am literally being roasted alive,” you groaned, wiping the sweat off of your brows as you pulled the tiara off of your head and placed it on the props where the rest of the other crowns were being placed. Kun walked to your side, pulling his hat off of his head, being careful as to not get the feather on it. “I could tell how much you were practically dying out there,” he chuckled as you both made your way backstage. 

“Why are our costumes so damn hot, too? The fabric is literally acting as an aluminum foil for baking us alive, the maintenance better be here before we arrive tomorrow or else I’m going to fling myself to the sun,” you tugged the bow off of your collar, fanning yourself with your hand as Kun pulled his gloves off of his hands. “Don’t worry, I’ll always be here to help you fling yourself to the sun,” Kun joked, running his hand through his hair to mess it up a bit. 

“That’s so romantic of you, Kun.” You placed your hands on your hips, grinning mischievously at him. “Nice try, you’re never going to get rid of me until you graduate,” you stuck your tongue out teasingly at him, walking over to your bag filled with your clothes and heading off to the changing room. 

As soon as you left your stall, you were immediately pulled by your friends into a group huddle. “Dude, you were amazing out there. God I can’t wait until the big day comes,” Kai exclaimed, slinging her arm around yours as you watched Angie grab your costume out of your arms and placed it in your opened locker. “Agreed, the chemistry between you and Kun are just-,” Gwen gave a chef’s kiss with her fingers at the end of her sentence as she walked beside her. 

You smiled, laughing lightly. “Thanks! Damn, I wish I was one of the audience. It’s been a while since I actually watched a play and not act in it,” you hummed, slinging your free arm around Ren’s shoulders. “Oh my god, I remembered seeing you in the audience two years ago. Look at you now, acting on stage with Qian Kun!” your friend exclaimed, putting her free arm in the air to emphasize her words. 

“More like ‘being the reason why Kun is taking anger management classes’,” Angie snickered, earning a pout from you as you huffed at her. “As he should,” you joked, shaking your head profusely before they began to speak up again. “Are you sure you aren’t into Kun? That scene looked pretty intense and I’m 100% sure the theater hasn’t been this intense since that day you tripped over a can of paint and fell off the stage,” she added with a raise of her brow, her lips quirking up into a small grin. 

You grimaced at the embarrassing memory of tripping over a few cans of pain, thus falling off of the stage and twisting your ankle. You remembered how Kun had to carry you with a disappointing shake of his head to the nurse’s office. However, thanks to your shamelessly bubbly personality, the tension in the atmosphere was cut like a knife when you patted Kun’s back with one arm and raised your uninjured leg up the air, pointing your free hand to the entrance as you yelled “onwards, donkey!”

“I remembered that! Did you really have to call Kun ‘slower than a snail who didn’t study their Math test because they overslept’? We could’ve lost another club member, you know? And what if Kun goes to jail for attempted murder? We’re all too broke to bail him out.  Who am I going to ask Yangyang to sneak into their room for pictures of their elegant notes to?” Kai smacked your arm with her own, a joking frown on her lips as you let out an amused laugh. “Chill out, you’re never going to get rid of me,” you waved your hand off, rolling your eyes at your friends. 

“Also, I don’t like Kun like that,” you deadpanned, sending a glare to your friend, who grinned even more. “Are you sure? The chemistry was hella spicy back on stage, and that kissing scene? Oh god, I was so close to pushing both of your heads together so you can actually kiss!” Gwen gushed, groaning as the other girls agreed with affirming nods and light laughter. “She’s not wrong,” Brooke added with a simple shrug, crossing her arms over her chest when she saw you looking at her to back you up. 

You rolled your eyes. “That just means that Kun and I have superb acting skills, thank you very much!” you exclaimed with a bright smile, earning more smirks and grins from your friends as you all walked down the campus hall to head to the nearby cafe across the street. “Come on, you two looked like lovers who have actually been longing to be with each other for years!” Kai exclaimed, her tone becoming slightly whiny. 

“Again, superb acting skills,” you stated with a silly grin.  

“I swear, you’re so oblivious to your own feelings. Dude, no one looks at their co-star like that!” Gwen groaned, smacking you upside the head gently, causing you to let out a surprised yelp in response. “You’re making a big deal out of this, I swear to god,” you rolled your eyes at your friends, rubbing the back of your head. “As much as I hate to say it, they’re not wrong. You two were all googly-eyeing each other up there,” Ren chuckled, shaking her head at you.

You groaned once again, scratching the back of your head. 

“For fucks sakes, I don’t like Kun!” 

-

“Is that literature?”

You glanced up from your paper, not surprised to see your senior, Kun, sitting down on the empty chair across the table from yours. “Yeah, I was absent last week so I had to catch up on some assignments,” you nodded, tapping the highlighter against your lips as you gazed into your laptop screen filled with nothing but long paragraphs of letters and random words. “Though the professor refused to fill me in on anything and my friends who are in that same class are too busy right now to help,” you groaned, leaning your head on the highlighted literature book on your desk. 

Kun chuckled, sipping his coffee before placing it on the table. “Mind if I take a look? I’ll see if I can be any help,” he asked, putting his forearms on the table as he gave you an amused smile. “Go ahead,” you waved your hand off, your voice muffled by the thick pages of your book as you let out an exasperated sigh. Kun smiled sweetly, leaning over to pull your laptop and turn it so that he could see the screen better. 

“Oh, I did this one a couple weeks ago,” he hummed, scrolling down through the questions your professor had given, furrowing his brows as he read over your answers. “As a drama kid, you’re not much of a literature fan, huh?” Kun chuckled, raising his eyebrows at you as you leaned your head up, placing your chin on your book as you shrugged casually. “It’s just not my cup of tea,” you confessed truthfully, knowing full well that you have no idea what you’ve been writing for the past thirty minutes. 

“When is this due, exactly?” he asked once again, scrolling down your google docs. “Saturday?” you sat up straight, groaning as you looked down at your book with a hopeless expression. Kun let out a small ‘ah’, looking down at your barely finished assignment, thinking so hard you could probably hear the gears in his head turn. “Tell you what, I think I still have my old notes. You can revise and find the answers there instead of working your ass off all night for this,” Kun suggested, giving you a tightlipped smile, sliding the laptop over to you.

Your eyes widened at his sudden statement. “Wait what? Kun, no, you’re going to need it too once the exams starts,” you frowned, shaking your head at him as you gripped the sides of your laptop to slide it over right in front of you. “It’s fine, Hendery borrowed it the other day, too. I don’t mind if you borrow it for a day or too as well,” he shook his head at you, his charming smile never leaving his face. 

“Kun, no. Dude, it’s fine, really. It’s just forty numbers, I’m sure I’ll get it finished before the deadline,” you shook your head vigorously, a firm frown placed on your lips as you gazed up at your senior. “You know you want to,” Kun taunted, his teasing tone sending sparks into your chest as he leaned his cheek against his knuckles, a loopy smile spread across his face. Oh how the turns have tabled. You always found it immensely attractive whenever Kun became cocky.

His usual cranky, mature, responsible self was an admirable feature of his, you weren’t going to lie. But there was something attractive and endearing when Kun’s cocky side popped out, you couldn’t help but admit to yourself that his loopy smile was the definition of ‘hot’. Of course, you weren’t going to admit it to his face. Not today, at least. 

You stared into his eyes, watching as one of his eyebrows turned upwards as he waited for you to accept his offer, his loopy smile gradually turning into a smirk as the seconds went by. At this point, you were just having a pointless staring contest. “No,” you deadpanned, huffing as you shut your laptop and carefully placing it in your bag. “I refuse to accept your help, good sir,” you gave him a cheeky grin of your own. 

“Are you sure?” Kun asked, his smirk never leaving his face as he leaned back in his chair to run a hand through his slightly disheveled blonde hair, pulling his glasses off of his face. “Why are you so persistent in helping me over something so small? It’s just an assignment, Kun,” you placed your hands on your hips as you squinted your eyes at him suspiciously, pondering if he wanted something from you to get him so persistent on letting him help you. 

This was not the usual Kun you knew. Usually, Kun would smack you with whatever papers he had on hand whenever you even joke about asking him for help with your assignments. And now, he was suddenly offering to let him help you? It was enough to convince you that Kun was possibly replaced by an alien. Or even worse, brainwashed by those aliens Renjun had always ranted about. Oh god, you regretted ever doubting and snoozing off during his annoying explanations. 

“Who are you and what have you done with Kun?” you asked, shakily holding up your pen at him as if you were ready to strike at him at any given moment. Kun furrowed his brows, smiling softly at you as he pulled his face away from his knuckles. “Why are you acting as if I’ve been possessed by a ghost or replaced by some sort of imposter, this isn’t among us,” Kun exclaimed incredulously, biting his lips to keep himself from laughing. 

You pulled your bag closer towards you, tightening your grip on the pretty yellow gel pen in your hand. “How do I know if you’re actually Kun and not some kind of alien? Last time I checked, you nearly banished Yangyang from your dorm when he asked you for help on his homework,” you furrowed your brows at him, waving your pen in circular motions as Kun balled one of his hands up into a fist, pressing it into his mouth. 

“Yangyang and Hendery had to perform a whole ass satanic ritual to get you to help them with their studies, it only makes sense for me to be suspicious if you’ve been abducted and brainwashed by those aliens Renjun always talks about,” you slowly got up from your seat, pursing your lips as you began to add on to whatever evidence you have in mind to prove that Kun was probably not himself at the moment. “I’ve watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials before, I know how this alien shit works,” you hissed. 

Kun’s body began to shake as he tried his best to conceal his laughter as his eyes scrunched up into cute little moon shapes, his dimples protruding from his cheeks, pressing the back of his hand to his mouth to keep himself from doubling over laughing and disrupting the other students or teachers in the library. “And then? Go on, I’m listening,” Kun managed to gasp out as he took his glasses off to rub the space in between his eyes as he laughed silently. 

You couldn’t help but grin, watching as Kun patiently waited for you to go on despite the fact that he was probably on the brink of laughing himself to death. You then pouted, crossing your arms over your chest as you turned your head away from the older boy, tapping your feet against the carpeted floor. “You’re really being suspicious, you know,” you grumbled under your breath as Kun let out another wheeze of laughter. 

“Alright fine, how about this? You do something for me in return if I give you my notes,” Kun asked, a wide smile stretched across his face as he leaned over against the table, raising a brow at you as he placed his glasses back on. You lit up at this, turning your head at him in curiosity. “Yeah sure, name your price. As long as it’s not anything weird,” you nodded, earning another laugh from Kun at your sudden change of reaction. 

“Alright in exchange for my literature notes, you let me treat you out a day before the big day of our spectacular performance. I heard there was a carnival near the park, we could just meet up there,” Kun raised his brow, letting out a small hum as he looked at you with a glint of hope in his eyes. Your eyes widened at his sudden proposal, uncrossing your arms from your chest you leaned your head to the side in confusion. “Like, just the two of us?” you asked rather hesitantly, feeling your heartbeat increase slightly. 

Kun chuckled once again, nervously scratching the back of his head in an attempt to hide how flustered he felt at that moment as he stood up, grabbing his cup of coffee with him with one hand and snucking the other inside his pocket. “Why not?” he shrugged casually, a shy smile stretched across his face as he spoke, looking up at you with a soft expression on his face. Oh how fast your heart was racing at that exact moment.

You bit your lip, looking down at your shoes for a brief moment before gulping slightly. “Is Qian Kun asking me out on a date?” you teased, a cheeky grin forming on your lips despite the fact that your heart was practically ramming against your ribcage. Kun let out another chuckle, his soft smile sending a swarm of butterflies fluttering around and about in your tummy. 

“You can think of it whatever you like.”

You smiled at his words, giggling lightly. 

“Well, better be prepared to be penniless after the charity event ends then, Kun.”

Yeah, you definitely take back what you said about not liking Kun.

-

“Y/n! Truth or dare!” 

“Excuse me?” you cocked your head to the side, dropping your bag at the side of the stage as you walked up to your group of club members who were all huddled up into a huge circle. “We’re playing truth or dare, join us, won’t you?” Ren asked, grabbing your hand and pulling you to sit on the empty spot next to her and Shotaro. “Truth or dare? What are we? Elementary schoolers? I’m definitely in,” you chuckled, scooting over as you rubbed your hands together sinisterly. 

Brooke laughed, shaking her head at you. “I love how we’re just here playing truth or dare while the fossils are over there doing business,” she snickered loudly, looking over the only three responsible members of the club. More infamously known as ‘The Fossils’ which consists of one of the oldest members of the club, aka, Gwen, Doyoung and Kun. Pushing aside the fact that Gwen is only in her second year of college. 

“We can hear you!” Gwen exclaimed from a mile away, furrowing her brows as she flipped through the schedules of the events with the other two seniors. “We know!” Brooke yelled back, a cheeky grin spread across her face as you let out a light giggle. “Okay, so, who’s next?” Haechan asked, spinning the empty wine bottle in the middle of the group circle. “Wait where did you guys even find an empty wine bottle? Isn’t heavy alcohol not allowed on campu-”

“Shotaro, hush! It’s stopping!” you gently pushed the younger boy’s face away with a palm to the side of his face to hush him as you all watched in anticipation as the bottle slowly came to a stop, the empty tip pointing at Renjun, who groaned in annoyance as the others cheered for joy. “Oh fuck,” Renjun cursed, a frustrated smile stretched across his face as you rubbed your two hands together. 

“Dare,” Renjun chuckled. 

“I got a good one!” you exclaimed raising your hand, receiving mischievous grins from your friends as Renjun’s smile turned into an abrupt frown. “I dare you,” you looked around, spotting a small empty plastic doritos bag and placing it in the boy’s hands with a cheeky grin. “To throw this out of the window to aim it at the security guard,” you grinned, your eyes glimmering with mischief as you laughed sinisterly. 

“What did the security ever do to you to make you dare someone else to litter from the third floor?” Haechan asked, laughing along as you all watched the colour fade away from Renjun’s face. “He scolded me for accidentally dropping my juice box to the ground,” you rolled your eyes, patting Renjun’s back and pushing him to get up on his feet. “I swear my juice box didn’t even touch the ground and the old man had to go ham on me,” you grumbled under your breath as Renjun got up to his feet with the plastic bag in his hand. 

Renjun looked back at you, placing his hands on his hips. “You’re making me a victim of your revenge here,” he deadpan, furrowing his brows as you handed him the finger. “It’s a dare, Huang,” you wiggled your eyebrows suggestively. “Either that or you put that maid dress costume we bought earlier on with cat ears for the next hour,” you placed your hands on your hips. “Renjun, put the maid dress on,” his girlfriend barked, pulling out her phone and opening the camera app, eliciting laughs around you as you all watched her serious expression in contrast to Renjun’s terrified one. 

“I rather not embarrass myself publicly like this, thank you very much,” Renjun shook his head, glaring at everyone who was hoping for him to choose the maid dress instead of knocking on death’s door. “Well? Off to it, we don’t have all day,” you grinned, waving your hand at the boy as if to shoo him away from you. “I swear, I’m going to pull an uno reverse on you someday,” Renjun grumbled as he opened one of the windows of the theater room, peeking down to spot the unsuspecting security guard along with the other innocent bystanders. 

You all cheered unceremoniously as you watched Renjun ball up the plastic bag and throw it down to the security guard before quickly shutting the window close so as to not get caught by said grumpy security guard. “Great, who’s next?” you exclaimed with an enthusiastic clap of your hand, ignoring the death glare Renjun was sending you from across the room as he walked back to the circle. “Oh god, I hope we get someone good,” Kai mumbled under her breath as she spun the bottle.

You all waited in anticipation, sucking on your bottom lip as the bottle slowly comes to a stop, the tip pointing right at you. ”Shit,” you exclaimed with a sarcastic smile, looking around your friend group who gave you all evil glares as if to say they were finally going to have revenge for all the stupid dares you made them do the past two years you’ve been here considering the bottle rarely goes to you. 

“Truth or dare?” Brooke asked with a sinister smile, rubbing her hands together as they all scooted closer to look at you in anticipation. Watching as you gave your friends a tight lipped smile, gulping inaudibly as you nervously blurted out a small “truth?” almost questioningly. 

“Do you have a crush?”

“Hah?”

You furrowed your brows, confused. “What are we? Middle schoolers?” you raised your brow, scratching the back of your head. “Just answer the stupid question, y/n,” Kai deadpanned, her sinister smile never leaving her face as you continued to stare at your friends with a confused expression. ‘Well this isn’t as bad as I thought,’ you thought to yourself with a small shrug. “Yes, I do,” you admitted shamelessly as if it was an everyday question, giving them an innocent smile. 

“Who?” Shotaro asked, squinting his eyes at you. You raised your brow, crossing your arms firmly as you giggled. “One question per truth, suck it,” you teased, sticking your tongue out at your friends. Someone else spun the bottle quickly, causing it to stop right in front of you, causing your jaw to drop, eliciting a round of applause and laughter from your friends. “Okay, now spill, who?” Brooke repeated Shotaro’s question, tapping her nail against the wooden floor in anticipation. 

“But I haven’t chosen whether I wanted truth or dare, yet,” you shot back, raising your brow as your friends shared knowing looks. “Still,” they replied shortly, tight-lipped smiles stretching across their faces as you frowned abruptly. “This isn’t fair, I can’t get asked twice!” you retorted, feeling your anxiety creep up as you saw Kun’s figure discussing the events with Gwen and Doyoung at the corner of your eye, hoping to god that he wasn’t listening to any of this. 

Haechan shook his head, tutting at you softly. “The bottle landed on you fair and square, therefore you have to answer the damn question,” he grinned, laughing sinisterly as you purse your lips at how you’re literally cornered by your friends right now. “Fine, I’ll say who it is,” you grumbled, adjusting your sitting position on the floor. “He’s someone who hates me,” you stated, half jokingly, giggling as their reactions dimmed down only to realise that you have pulled an uno reverse card. 

“What? That’s not fair, you have to say their name!” Angie exclaimed, pointing an exclamatory finger at you as you stuck your tongue out at your friends with a cheshire grin. “Suck it, you didn’t say I have to specifically say his name!” you giggled, giving them enthusiastic jazz hands. “Anyways, I’m not playing anymore to save whatever's left of my dignity,” you scooted backwards, giving them two peace signs, your wide grin never leaving your face. 

“Wait, she said ‘he’. And she said that he hates her, which only leads to one suspect,” Kai explained, looking at the rest of your friends with brows furrowed with concentration. They all gasped in unison, looking at you with wide eyes before looking back at your precious club president (aka the poor unsuspecting victim slash bystander) with an equally shocked expression. 

“KUN! DO YOU HATE Y/N?” Angie shouted at the top of her lungs, cupping her mouth to attract the three Fossil’s attention. 

“What?” Kun shouted back, turning around with his brows furrowed, papers in his hands as he used the heel of his palm to push his glasses up to his head. Oh how you felt your heart dropping to your stomach. The fact that you had found out you had developed a small crush on your lovely senior merely less than three days ago wasn’t helping the fact that he looked immensely attractive in his attire. 

With his glasses pushed up to the top of his head, causing the bangs in front of his forehead to mess around a bit. His platinum blonde hair was a little bit messy and disheveled, probably the result of his hands running through them too much in distress. Considering Kun had a morning class today he was wearing a baggy white t-shirt over his tall, built figure. The sleeves were short and wide enough to reveal his muscular forearms. His black ripped jeans giving him that edgy, sort of ulzzang boyfriend look that you would see on pinterest. 

“DO. YOU. HATE. Y/N?” Angie repeated.

“Stop yelling, you’re going to make us all deaf!” Gwen shouted back. 

“Do I hate Y/n?” Kun repeated, pointing a finger at himself before looking at you, his adorably confused expression sending butterflies in your stomach. When the hell did he have that big of an effect on you? You swallowed down your nerves and used your superb acting skills to shoot him a loopy wide smile, giving him a sarcastic thumbs up, earning a soft smile from your lovely senior.

He chuckled briefly, putting the back of his hands on his hips. “Yeah, I do!” He teased, his cute dimples appearing on his cheeks as he grinned cockily at you, causing you to frown abruptly. “It’s scientifically proven by Qian Kun, our lord and saviour himself!” Kai exclaimed, raising her arms up in the air as if she had just received an invitation to the Grammy awards. “Y/n, you like Kun?!” Angie gasped dramatically, shaking Lin’s shoulders aggressively as if she had just found a priceless artifact. 

You laughed, trying to conceal how flustered you felt knowing full well that Kun was joking considering what happened approximately three days ago at the library. You know damn well that he was definitely lying. “You all have a huge misunderstanding,” you exclaimed, standing up to your feet as you jogged on over to stand beside Kun, wrapping an arm around his neck and pulling his head towards you as if you were putting him in a headlock. 

“You can’t see it but he is in love with me!” you joked, giggling lightly as Kun began to start smacking the papers he was holding against your back gently as a sign to let him go. “Get your filthy hands off me,” he joked, his body shaking as he laughed. “You aren’t the draco malfoy you think you are, Kun,” you grinned, looking down at the guy whose neck was stuck in between your right elbow. 

“This is harassment, I should sue,” Kun laughed as you released him from your grasp, smacking his papers gently on your head. 

“See, guys? Kun is infatuated and lovesick.”

Oh how you didn’t know how true your words are. 

-

Today wasn’t one of Kun’s greatest days. 

He didn’t know why he was so upset that day but it was one of the rare times when he would wake up on the wrong side of the bed. The fact that the moment he got out of his room only to see Yangyang’s stuff all over the couch angered him even more, despite the fact that the younger was probably already off to class. Kun had an afternoon class that day as his professor had postponed the classes due to personal reasons, which left him to go to the theater room early to practice his lines before the other club members arrived. 

He wasn’t in the mood to take anyone’s bull crap today and the fact that the event is coming up in a week wasn’t helping his terrible mood. All he wanted was to crawl back to bed and sleep until his emotions weren't bubbling up inside of him, waiting to burst. Though, thankfully for him and everyone else, the club members were able to tell that Kun wasn’t in a very happy mood at that moment. 

So they were pretty cool with Kun using whatever patience he has left and replying with short one worded answers unless needed. Funnily enough, today is the last day of rehearsals so Doyoung decided that you should all just retouch the props and backgrounds with paint and mod podge to be sure that the paints don’t chip off if something happens during the big day. Though, unfortunately for you, you were too high on serotonin (in other words: caffeine) to acknowledge the scary aura Kun was radiating. 

“Qian Kun!” you exclaimed, jumping on him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Lovely morning we’re having, don’t you think?” you grinned, cocking your head to the side to have a better look at Kun’s face, your mood wavering in the slightest bit when your eyes came in contact with his cold, exhausted ones. “Yeah, sure. Have you done your part of the props, yet? We have to make sure everything’s good by the end of the day,” Kun asked, gently pulling your arm away from his shoulder as he tried his best to keep his temper. 

You frowned slightly, putting your hands on your hips. “Of course not, I just got here,” you informed, shaking your head at him firmly. “Well then, get to it. We don’t have much time today and I really want to go home,” Kun waved you off, his tone strict as he looked down at the clipboard in his right hand, using the left to rub his eyes. 

His strict tone caught you off guard. He wasn’t usually this strict to you, he sounded like your 80 year old science professor after the man lost his glasses and refused to find them because there was 20 minutes of class left. Those aren’t really good memories to reminisce at that moment. But nonetheless, Kun wasn’t in a good mood and you didn’t know if you should keep cracking jokes or shut up. 

“Kun’s being unusually not himself today,” you commented under your breath as you walked over to Renjun and Angie, who were repainting the tree barks for the play while you were carrying a can of paint for them. “He’s been like that since he came here, man’s probably having a shitty day, don’t bother him,” Renjun shrugged casually, dipping his paintbrush into the paint can you had set on the floor beside you along with the other cans of paints, earning an hum of agreement from his girlfriend. 

“I agree. Kun rarely gets this pissed off and from what I’ve heard from past club members, an angry Kun isn’t a good thing,” Angie added with a nod, pointing her wet paintbrush at you with a suspicious glint in her eyes. “So try not to anger him, most of us are trying our best to just get shit done and go home, too,” she told you, her tone slow as if she was gently telling off a small, stubborn, bratty five year old who’s prone to mess things up with every step they take. 

In this case, you were that five year old. 

“What if he just needs some cheering up, though?” you asked, sitting down on one of the crates filled with props, careful as to not accidentally knock over the paint cans around you. “He might be in a terrible mood but maybe he needs some cheering up or something,” you mumbled, drawing patterns on the wooden crate with your finger as your eyes glanced from the wood to Kun’s distressed figure. Leaning your chin on your palm as you watched Kun walk around with an emotionless expression on his face.  

Renjun clicked his tongue, bending down to open another can of paint to add more details to the leaves. “Y/n, no. Please don’t, just help us with the props. Angie’s almost done with colouring each individual wooden bush, you should help and actually do something,” Renjun shook his head firmly, narrowing his eyes at you as you gave him a frown, looking down idly at the can of paints surrounding you as Angie carefully dipped her paintbrush in one of the paints, her tongue stuck out at the corner of her lips as her shaky hand carefully added more details to the wooden board. 

Before you could open your mouth, you heard the senior in question call out your name with a heavy sigh following after it. “Y/n, get down from there before you break something. Help the others with the prop won’t you?” Kun sighed heavily, furrowing his brows as he placed the hand that was holding his clipboard to his hip and raised the other to pinch the bridge of his nose as he felt his blood boil in annoyance. “Relax Kun, I’m simply observing,” you grinned, giving him an enthusiastic wave which only happens to make his frown deepen. 

“Observing isn’t going to get anything done around here, why can’t you help out for once other than laze around?” Kun glared daggers into your skull, but alas, you didn’t appear to be as fazed as you were on the inside. “Who took a shit in your cornflakes today, Qian Kun?” you asked, crossing your arms across your shoulders as you grinned gingerly at him, earning a soft groan of annoyance from the older boy. 

He took a deep breath as if to keep his composure and hold himself back from doing anything he’s going to regret. But alas, was murdering you on the spot really that big of a crime if all you’ve been doing the past hour was chat around and push his buttons by simply breathing? 

 “Y/n, I don’t have the patience to deal with your shenanigans today. Just get off the damn crate box and help out for once,” Kun was beginning to grow restless. He didn’t know why he was getting so worked up over your daily nonsensical antics, he didn’t know why seeing your pretty smile was making his patience run out like sand in a tiny hourglass. The way you responded with a quick “nope!” with an eager shake your head wasn’t helping him tame the flaming fury inside of him. 

“Y/n, I swear to God. You’re so ludicrous and infuriating, I don’t even know why we haven’t kicked you out yet,” he hissed, his eyes darkening as he felt his mind grow numb, oblivious as to how your bright smile had faltered at the anger lacing in his voice. “Hey, you don’t need to be so mean!” you exclaimed, furrowing your brows as Kun’s eyes shot up to look at you. “Oh, I’m sorry,” Kun said sarcastically with a roll of his eyes. 

“I think I have the right to express my frustrations if all you’re going to do is mope around. It’s literally the last day of rehearsals, you should be taking things seriously,” he laughed in disbelief, running a hand through his hair. 

You opened your mouth to say something before closing it when you realised you had run out of comebacks considering Kun was ‘kind of’ right in a way. But you believed that you should all have a good break before the actual performance considering you’ve been practicing so hard for the past few weeks. You all deserve a good rest and you were sure you were going to get it if it weren’t for the fact that Kun was currently in a shitty mood and none of you were brave enough to ask for one. 

“Just get down from there and help Angie paint before my brain explodes into smithereens,” Kun sighed once again, furrowing his brows as he waved his hand off. You huffed, mumbling small curses under your breath as you blindly hopped off of the crate you were sitting on before your feet accidentally knocked over a few cans filled to the brim with paint, causing them to spill to the wooden floor. “Shit,” your eyes widened as you quickly bent down to pick the cans up, earning a few frustrated calls of your name from your club members. 

“Shit, I’m so so sorry I wasn’t looking!” you stammered as you saw Renjun hopping off his stool to look at the mess you had accidentally made. “I’ll get the mop, we can still wipe it off before the paint fully dries,” Renjun exclaimed, running his hands through his hair in distress. “I’ll come with you,” his girlfriend patted his shoulder with a heavy sigh. “Y/n, what the hell?” Kun exclaimed, walking up to you as his eyes grew wide, fury glossing over his pupils as you fumbled with your bag to find the wet tissues as your friends ran off to the nearby janitor’s closet. 

You pulled out a box of wet wipes as you knelt down, trying to wipe off as much as you could as you looked up at Kun in a panic. “I didn’t mean to knock it over, I swear! It was an accident, I didn’t-” you were cut off with a frustrated groan from Kun, watching as he rubbed his face with his palms as if he finally had enough of your nonsense. “Shut up, just shut up, y/n. Oh my god, see this wouldn’t have happened if you just fucking listened to me!” Kun scolded, the anger in his tone holding no mercy as everyone stood still in the room in awkward silence. 

Your jaw dropped in surprise, needles slowly piercing your heart as you watched Kun’s face get even angrier as the seconds went by and at this point you ran out of tissues to wipe the paint off. “Kun, I said I was sorry. It’s not like I purposely kicked the paints, I was just getting off the crate like you told me to,” you shot back defensively, careful as to not grip the tissues in your hand as they were dripping everywhere on the floor. 

Kun rolled his eyes, a deep frown on his face as his expression darkened at your words. “I told you to get off of the crates, not walk around like a drunk blind bat. Did you get hit in the head or something? I swear I still don’t understand why we haven’t kicked you out of the club. You’re lazy, reckless, clumsy, you never help around. All you do is cause trouble for everyone, you’re late all the time that you need me to babysit you 24/7,” Kun began ranting, oblivious to how every word was like a dagger shooting through your heart. 

“It’s so annoying and sometimes I just wished I never asked you to join this damn club if all you’re going to do is pile up more work onto not just me but the other members of the club. We were suppose to finish early if it weren’t for your clumsy ass fucking up once again!”

It was pretty rare to see Kun curse. And when he did, it’s usually a sign that you have gone too far or you’ve pushed his limits. You’ve never seen Kun this angry at you before in your two years of knowing him, you’ve never seen him this livid even if you pushed his buttons way more than you should. But the way he looked at you was the one that hurt the most. The way he laughed sarcastically in disbelief as he continued to rant on and on how he’s so close to kicking you out of the club.

The way his expression was telling you to leave his sight for good. The way his dark eyes held nothing but hatred and anger. 

It hurt you. 

His cold angered stare did nothing but pierce your heart as you blinked back the tears that started to gather in your eyes. A lump began to gather in your throat, begging for you to let it out as your eyes burned. You looked down sadly to avoid Kun’s angered eyes, gripping the half dried tissues as the paint stained your hand and dripped down in between your fingers and back to the floor. 

“Look, Kun, I’m sorry okay. Just let me clean it up I swear I-”

“Why did you even join this club if all you’re going to do is burden me and the other members?” Kun snapped. 

“Kun, that’s enough,” Doyoung spoke up upon entering the theater room with a bucket filled with water in hand, putting the bucket down in front of you before placing a hand on Kun’s shoulder to stop him from saying anything else. “Y/n, calm down. It’s not a big deal, you didn’t even spill that much, you can just go home for today,” Doyoung gave you a comforting smile, reaching over to pat your head as you took in a deep exhale to keep your tears in as you felt eyes boring into the back of your skull. 

“What? No, she needs to clean this up and face the consequences of her clumsiness,” Kun’s eyes went wide at his older friend, shaking his head as you bit your lip to keep yourself together. “It’s no big deal, Doyoung. Really, I’ll just clean it up myself,” you shook your head, leaning down to lift the bucket up towards you. “No, you two can go home early. Kun, you’re clearly in a terrible mood so I suggest you just go home and take some rest. Y/n, it’s okay, I’ll clean up. I haven’t been doing much these days anyway,” Doyoung shook his head profusely, grabbing the bucket from your hands. 

“Doyoung, you can’t just-”

“Doyoung, it’s fine I can-”

“Just go home before I dump paint on the both of you,” Doyoung hissed, shaking his head at both of your stubbornness. ‘They really are perfect for each other,’ he thought to himself as Kun clicked his tongue in frustration, walking back stage to grab his stuff to cool off. You stood there in silence, you didn’t know what to say and honestly you were scared that if you were to take one more step, you would fuck something up again and make Kun get even more angrier at you. 

Doyoung chuckled, shaking his head at you as he walked over and placed a hand on your shoulder. “Hey,” he spoke up, attracting your attention. “Go home already. Don’t take Kun’s words to heart, you know very well he didn’t mean them. He’s just having a bad day, he’ll be back to his nice self tomorrow,” Doyoung gave you an encouraging smile, causing you to muster up whatever strength you had left in you to smile back at him. You gave him a small nod, despite the fact that you weren’t so convinced. 

“Thanks, Doyoung.”

-

You were an idiot. It was no surprise to anyone. 

After three days of no interaction with Kun whatsoever, you still decided to go to your little hangout? Date? Friend date? (You don’t even know anymore.) That you both had arranged two weeks ago at the library. You remembered the excitement you had suppressed all week at the thought of finally going out on a date with Kun but that was before the fight that happened at the theater club three days ago. Could you even call it a fight if you were the one who was apologizing and Kun was the one uncharacteristically yelling at you?

You didn’t know anymore. 

You were also hoping to patch things up with Kun when this date finally came up considering you couldn’t find him anywhere on campus. Hell, you even had to ask Yangyang for Kun’s whereabouts which wasn’t much help considering all he told you was ‘he comes and goes like the wind’ but you were desperate to talk it out and apologize to your senior. 

Was this the effect your crush on him had? Usually you would just wait it out until things get better between the two of you but you knew that this wasn’t a minor fight. You actually pissed Kun off to his limits and you knew you had to apologize if you wanted him to continue to like you. That is if he actually does like you and wasn’t flirting and messing with you in the library for laughs and payback for all the mischief you had caused during your two years of knowing each other. 

However, to your dismay, you had been waiting at the park right across the carnival for three hours. And you were getting quite chilly (curse your past self for wanting to look good and had decided to wear you newest short sleeved shirt) and the wound in your heart was slowly opening up again the longer you waited. You’ve sent around five to seven texts by now and you were starting to wonder if he was just busy or if he was purposely ignoring you. 

Y/n: Yuh Kunners   16:49

Y/n: are you coming anytime soon?? Remember we were gonna hang out today right?????    16:50

One missed call from y/n

Y/n: I’m waiting in the park like we planned. Are you on the way lol   17:10

Y/n: kun im getting cold lmfao get over here before i turn into a living ice cube   17:37

Two missed calls from y/n

Y/n: dude i spent an hour choosing my clothes pls come ive been waiting for hours  18:49

Y/n: kun???? Cmon i know u were mad but u cant just stand me up here lmfao :,}   19:00

Two missed calls from y/n

Y/n: i guess ur not coming, huh  19:45

You sighed heavily, feeling your eyes burn as you watch people coming in and out of the carnival, gripping tightly onto the saddle of your bag as you begin to walk to the exit of the park. You pressed the back of your hand to one of your eyes when you realised you couldn’t hold back a tear, blinking rapidly when you started to feel them begging to leak out of your eyes like a broken tap. But you knew you couldn’t just cry like a loser in public just because someone stood you up. 

Your thoughts begin to wander as you make your way down the sidewalk and towards the bus station, feeling your heavy heart slowly sink down to the bottom of your stomach with every step you take. You could admit that you did go a little too far back at the theater room considering so many people had warned you to lay off the joking around for just one day so as to not make Kun’s temper go off the charts. You should’ve listened to them, you could admit that. 

But you also knew that you didn’t deserve to be stood up like this.

And it sucked. 

How could he just yell at you, storm off, proceeded to ignore you like the plague at school, then ghost your text and stand you up just like that without an apology or an explanation? Hell, he didn’t even read your texts. 

“Y/n?” 

You looked up from the ground with wide eyes, recognizing that melodious voice you’ve been longing to hear for the past three days. “Kun,” you mumbled almost inaudibly, your eyes widened slightly to see Qian Kun in his casual attire that could easily send your heart into a heart attack. “What are you doing here?” he asked, coughing awkwardly as he took in your whole look, feeling his breath being taken away by the mere sight of you being more dressed up than you usually are. 

“Waiting for you,” you deadpanned as if it wasn’t obvious enough, feeling your tears dissipate when you finally made eye contact with the boy in front of you, whose eyes grew wide at your words. “Me?” Kun’s eyebrows were raised in surprise, confusion glossing over his facial expression as he pointed a finger to himself. “Remember we planned a carnival date two weeks ago? Or are you just still mad at me for what happened in the theater room?” you asked, giving him a sad smile. 

Kun’s face turned pale at the reminder, your words hitting him like a brick when he realised he had stood you up for who knows how long considering the bus stop you two were standing on was quite the long walk from the carnival. “Oh fuck,” he blurted out when your words finally sink into him, an apologetic expression washing over him as you crossed your arms in front of your chest. “Are you that mad that you just had to stand me up?” you furrowed your brows, taking a step towards him. 

“Y/n, I’m so so sorry,” he started but you cut him off to give him a piece of your mind. “Look I admit, what happened at the theater was my fault and I should’ve listened to you instead of pushing your buttons and causing trouble. But was it really that bad that you had to keep me waiting here for not two- but three hours? I know I was- I am immensely annoying and I’m truly sorry for that,” you took a deep breath to keep yourself from getting too emotional in front of him as Kun stared guiltily at you.

“That was completely on me but that doesn’t give you a valid excuse or reason to stand me up for three hours, Kun,” your gaze hardened as you stared teary eyed inot Kun’s sad ones. He gazed up at down at your hopeless figure, swallowing at what he’s about to do as he leaned towards you to grab your hands in his, giving them a tight squeeze as he lifted them up to his chest. Your eyes widened at the sudden contact, despite the fact that you’ve literally hugged him on stage before. But there was something in his actions that made it seem more intimate in a way.

 “I don’t know what to do or say to make you feel better but all I can say is that I’m sorry, I'm so so sorry,” he started, running his thumbs over your knuckles. 

“I swear, I know it isn’t an excuse but I’ve been so stressed the past couple of days with the play, the big assignments at the end of every semester and I recently got this internship deal and I just started today. I completely forgot about today, I’m so so sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you, and about the theater-” he swallowed down the guilt bubbling up inside of him as the memory of your hurt expression resurfaced in his mind once again. (which sort of brought him to the point of avoiding you all around campus)

“I had my phone on mute during the internship and I must’ve missed your texts. I’m assuming you sent me some because I know for a fact your impatient ass would probably bombard my phone with calls and texts,” he joked, laughing lightly when he realised now isn’t the most appropriate time to joke around considering you two were in a very tight situation. He gave you a small smile, his eyes filled with a small glint of hope as he took a step and tugged your hands so that he could enclose whatever proximity you two had left in between you.

“I’m so sorry. I know you might not forgive me but I hope you can give me a chance to make it up to you. Right here, right now. The carnival isn’t closing until midnight after all,” he suggested with a small shrug, looking down at his wrist watch before gazing back up to your eyes with a soft expression. You bit your lip, gazing down at your hands being held delicately in his, his thumb caressing your knuckles softly as you gave it a small thought. 

You gave him a genuine smile, your heart lightening as you came to find that you couldn’t refuse anything when Kun was giving you a look as if you were the only thing valuable to him in the world at that moment. 

“Sure, Kunt.”

“Can we just have one day without you pushing my buttons?”

“I have the right to call you day considering you’ve been an absolute Kunt this week, get over it.”

-

“Okay, ladies. I have a confession to make,” you took a deep exhale as you walked over to the food table where your friends were sitting in before the actual performance. “You like Kun?” Brooke raised her brow, opening her mouth as Ten leaned over the table to give her a spoonful of the sweet dessert he was having. Your jaw dropped when you realised she beat you to your own confession but however you weren’t backing down from an opportunity to mess around with your friends. 

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Nope.”

“Yep.”

“I really really like Kun,” you confessed all of a sudden, causing Kai to choke on her ice cream at the sudden news. “That’s so sudden,” she exclaimed with a hoarse cough, leaning over to steal Hyuck���s cup of coffee as she chugged it down while patting her chest. “Cat’s out of the bag, I like Qian Kun. But are you all really surprised?” you sighed, sitting down beside Lin as you sipped on your own drink with a nonchalant shrug.

“Excuse me?” a sudden voice spoke up. 

You stopped sipping loudly at the familiar voice, turning your head around slowly to come in eye contact with none other than Qian Kun himself who was in the middle of eating his fruit salad. His brows furrowed in confusion as your eyes grew wide, embarrassment creeping up your cheeks as your jaw dropped open, your thoughts messy as you try to find the words to speak. “You didn’t tell me Kun was here,” you hissed at your friends, choosing the option to act as if Kun wasn’t sitting right beside you this whole time. 

“Dude you’re literally blind, he was here the whole time,” Kai deadpanned, giving you a look that completely expressed how she was fed up with your idiocy for the day. “Can I speak now?” Kun pipped up, a smirk stretched on his lips as he watched your flustered figure retaliate against your friend’s words for calling you blind despite the fact that you kind of are in a way. “Nope, nevermind!” you shook your head abruptly, standing up as you gripped your handbag and slung it over your shoulder. 

“You didn’t hear me say shit! Obliviate!” you used the straw the cashier gave you as a wand, waving it in front of Kun before you ran for dear life to the one place where he can’t get in: also known as the women’s dressing room. “Oh no you’re not! You can’t just Harry Potter reference you’re way out of this confession,” you could hear the chair grinding against the tile floor, signalling that Kun had got up to follow after you as you both laughed loudly.

“Go away, Kun!” 

You knew that confessing that you like Kun wasn’t that big of a deal considering you did almost cry in front of him when he stood you up a couple of days ago on your carnival date. And you were definitely more than sure that he had reciprocated your feelings considering how he was smiling nonstop (Plus the fact that the apples of his cheeks and ears were tinted pink) after you pressed a small peck on his cheek at the end of the date right as he dropped you off at the bus stop. 

But it wouldn’t be fun if you continued to act as bashful as you did back at the carnival date, would it? 

You and Kun let out small lighthearted giggles as you shut the door of your dressing room to his face, provoking him even more as you jokingly told him to ‘fuck off’ considering you two have about thirty minutes left until you have to get on stage. Yes, you were using this as a delightful excuse to do your make up and dress up fifteen minutes earlier than the rest of the cast considering it was quite a long play and you wanted to reread your script and calm your nerves before show time.

-

“Princess Putri, my love, my little songbird! Oh how all of these years of holding myself back, all these years of fighting and hoping to reunite with you once again and hold you in my arms,” Kun recited as you ran towards him, into his arms which were stretched open wide, waiting to wrap around you in a tight and loving embrace. With a single, meaty tear, you jumped into his arms. Letting him spin you around like the princess you were portraying as the piano music became loud and almost deafening, almost letting you believe that you were in your own world.

Going against the script, you wrapped your arms around Kun’s neck, leaning your head towards his to nuzzle his nose against yours lovingly, eliciting a laugh from said boy as he placed you back on your two feet. “Oh how I’ve been longing to feel your lips against mine,” he leaned his forehead against yours, his words going against the script as he wrapped his arm around your waist to pull you closer to him. Placing his free gloved hand on your chin, his thumb caressing your lips as the camera zoomed in on your expressions. 

Your raw emotions being captured on the camera as you gaze back at Kun lovingly, a loopy smile stretched across your face as you scanned his features. His blonde hair poking out of the hat he was wearing, his front bangs messy and slightly wet with sweat with the sword fighting scene he had with Haechan earlier on stage moments prior. Your heart was beating rapidly against your chest, your breathing hitched as Kun slowly leaned his head towards yours, closer than he should be as the piano music in the background began to slow down. 

His eyes gazed up and down from your eyes to your lips, his tongue darting out to wet his own as his dark pupils sparkled under the theater light, the audience as silent as mice as they waited in anticipation for the long awaited kiss scene. “May I?” he whispered almost breathily, his melodious soft voice sending shivers down your spine, the microphone attached to his cheek picking up on his almost inaudible words. His eyes gazed up at yours for your consent as your lips parted into a wide grin.

You leaned forward, nodding softly with a wide smile on your face. He let out a soft chuckle, lips inching closer to yours as your free hand tugged on the tips of his hat to tease the audience by blocking the kiss scene completely from them as his lips pressed against yours. His hand that was on your chin moved up to your cheek as he leaned his head to the side slightly for a better angle, hearing the audience break out into a loud applause as you gripped onto his hat tighter to cover up the fact that the two of you were practically making out in front of a hundred people. 

Your eyes shut tight as you basked into the feeling of Kun’s soft, slightly chapped lips against yours, the cherry lipstick probably making a mark on his lips as you moved yours against his in sync as Kun’s hand that was on your cheek moved to turn off your mic and his own as he refused to pull away from you. He leaned his face so that he could deepen the kiss, not caring about the lipstick you were wearing that was currently smearing and staining his lips a rosey pink. 

“Holy shit, are they actually making out?” Haechan whispered aloud backstage, leaning his head forward slightly so as to not accidentally get caught by the applauding audience as Lin and Doyoung pulled on the rope to close the curtains. “Did anyone get that on camera?” Kai hissed, looking at the other club members in hopes of finding someone with their camera phone up, smiling widely when she saw Ten and Brooke holding up their phones up with big grins on their faces. 

“YOU MORONS, STOP RECORDING AND CLOSE THE CURTAINS!” Doyoung exclaimed from the other side of the stage. 

-

“Are we just going to ignore the fact that you two just made out in front of a couple hundred people?” Ten chuckled, replaying the video of you and Kun kissing in front of the whole campus and probably their parents, siblings and grandparents. “Plus the owner of the school and the theater majors,” Brooke added with a soft snicker as Ten pulled her close to him in a tight embrace as they and a few other club members gathered around to watch the video. “Priceless, who knew our favorite dynamic duo would end up making out in front of the whole campus?” Kai teased, wiggling her eyebrows at you. 

“Shut up,” you grumbled, leaning your head down on the table to avoid the knowing smirks of your club members. “I didn’t know you were all suppose to bully me today, I would’ve brought a pan to smack you all into tomorrow if I knew this was going to happen,” you added, mumbling small curses incoherently as your friends considered to snicker at your uncharacteristically flustered and bashful state. 

You remembered immediately running off from the stage once your club members started applauding and whistling at you as soon as you pulled away from the deep kiss. You and Kun both had flustered expressions stretched across your faces when you saw the smudged lipstick stains on both of your lips, panting for air as you stared wide eyed at each other. You were also sure Kun had run off to his own dressing room to save himself from any more teasing. (especially from Ten)

As soon as you locked the door to your dressing room, you couldn’t stop your heart from beating rapidly against your chest. The butterflies in your stomach swarming as if there was an earthquake, a giddy feeling bubbling up in your chest. You swore it took everything inside of you to not scream your emotions out into the bag you brought today, but you survived after drinking lots of water to calm yourself down (despite the fact that you could feel a giddy smile stretch across your lips whenever your mind wanders back to the soft makeout session you and Kun had merely moments ago. 

“Hey, can we talk?” Kun’s voice snapped you out of your thoughts, causing your head to shoot up from your leaning position on the table. Eyes wide as you both stared in awe at each other, feeling your hearts race when Kun coughed awkwardly to break the awkward tension settling in between the two of you. “I-” you were soon cut off by Kai, who popped out of nowhere to push you up to your feet with a mischievous grin stretched across her face. 

“Of course, go ahead. Take your time, after all you are done here, right?” Kai gripped your shoulders tightly when you opened your mouth to speak, realising that for once in your life you didn’t know what to say in situations like this. “Right! Now, off you go!” She exclaimed with a soft giggle, shoving your bag in your hands before pushing you towards Kun, ignoring the death glare you were sending her as you followed Kun out of the theater room. 

Kun shoved his hand in his pockets, racking through his brain to think of something to say to break the awkward tension. “So,” he started, wincing at how awkward he sounded before proceeding with his words. “Are we going to talk about what happened back there or?” Kun raised his brow at you, finally turning his head to make eye contact. You bit your lip nervously, looking down at your feet before gulping and looking back up at him. 

“Not until you- you uh-,” you coughed, pointing a finger at the corner of his mouth. “You got a little- a little lipstick there, bro,” you quietly pointed out, internally cringing at how awkward you two were despite the fact that you were fine with shamelessly running away from him after confessing your crush on him with laughs and giggles in between. Kun’s eyes widened at your statement, wiping the corner of his lips with the back of his hand as he mumbled small apologies under his breath. 

Kun paused when you finally told him that the lipstick was finally wiped off. “Did you just call me ‘bro’?” he deadpanned, furrowing his brows in confusion. The atmosphere slowly returning to normal upon his obvious question as your eyes widened in a panic. “I don’t know! I panicked! We’ve never had a post make out conversation before. Or a conversation that doesn’t involve you glaring daggers into my head, I swear if looks could kill,” you shot back, waving your hands around as Kun let out a light chuckle.

“So, do you like Messi?” you asked after a pregnant pause, clasping your hands behind your back with a small smile. Kun raised his brow at you, chuckling softly at your words. “Is that supposed to be a Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo reference?” he asked, letting out a soft giggle when you nodded shamelessly in response, wide smiles stretching on both of your lips as you looked down at your slightly dirty shoes. 

“Can we talk now?” he asked, leaning his body against the wall as you both stared at each other in silence. Except, this time the silence was no longer awkward. Hell, it was almost comforting. 

“Of course, yeah. Sure,” you nodded, trying to keep your cool as Kun took a step towards you. “Well, for starters, I really enjoyed- I mean- fuck,” Kun started, scrunching his face when he realised he was stumbling over his words, rubbing his face in frustration. “What I meant to say was I really liked kissing you,” he looked down nervously, eliciting a small smile from you as you had never seen the calm and collected Qian Kun this flustered in front of you. And you couldn’t even believe the fact that you were the one who was the main reason why he was like this. 

“I don’t know if you meant what you said when you said you liked me before the performance, but fuck it. I really really like you and I really do want to be more than friends or club members,” Kun chuckled, swallowing his nerves down as he fiddled with his fingers in front of you, his dimples protruding on his cheeks as he gave you a cute, toothy smile. You couldn’t help but push your own nerves back to tease him, raising your brow as you gave him a cheeky grin. 

“Is Qian Kun simping for me, right now?” you teased. 

Kun let out a light laugh, shaking his head at you profusely at the sight of your own light expression. “I guess I am,” he shrugged with a staggering laugh, joining you in your small fit of giggles. “Well in that case, I’m just here waiting for you to pop the question,” you placed the back of your hands on your hips, giving him an encouraging smile despite the fact that your heart was beating oh-so-loudly in your ears. 

At this point his eyes had turned into small moon shapes from how wide he was smiling and his cheeks were starting to hurt. “Pop the question? What is this? A marriage proposal?” he teased, raising his brow at you suggestively. Now it was his turn to tease you. 

“Shut up, you know what I mean,” you smacked his arm jokingly, giggling along with him bashfully. 

He took another step towards you, leaning towards you to grab your hand in his, intertwining his fingers with yours tightly. Giving your hand a loving squeeze, he took a deep breath as he looked down at your intertwined hands. “May I be your boyfriend, then?” he asked, a soft, boyish smile on his face. The happy glint in his eyes never leaving him as he stared lovingly into yours, taking in your features slowly as you giggled lightly. 

“Whipped Kun hitting different,” you commented, eliciting a laugh from your senior as he squeezed your hand in his gingerly once again. 

“Just say yes so I can kiss you again,” he rolled his eyes at you, his soft smile never leaving his face. 

You puckered your lips gingerly, answering him with your actions as you waited for him to press his lips against yours. “I’m waiting, Kun,” you said with puckered lips, giggling softly. Kun let out a light hearted laugh (which was sure to add ten years to your life span the more you listen to it) as he commented on how uncharacteristically adorable you were being at that exact moment, earning a loud complaint from you as you frowned at him. “I guess you don’t want me to say yes,” you sighed heavily, sniffing for dramatics as you raised your free hand to your eyes to let out a fake cry. 

“You’re so dramatic, I’m so close to taking it back,” Kun muttered under his breath before reaching over to cup your cheek with his free hand to turn your face back to face his. Pressing his lips against yours in a soft, passionate kiss, he smiled when he heard you giggle against his lips while squeezing his hand that was intertwined against yours at your sides. 

¤ tagging: @kunrengui @chiffonymark @lebrookestore @leetaeyonglover @oifelixcmerebrou @fruityutas @vera-liscious @c-sanshine @thats-a-jen-no-no @coco-riki @stayzenniesstuff @stayctday @yunntext @qianinterprises @dreamyyang @channoticedmeuwu​ @caratinylyfe​

[laurentspup]

do you have anymore sugar baby laurent stuff?? honestly i don’t even care if it’s just bullet points i miss this au 😪

omggg T-T i have a lot of drabbles and i've been working on chapter 1 for like forever now hahahahahaahuhuhuhuhuh it's... a struggle huahauhuh but i can't let u wait any longer bcs ur love for it makes me so happy so sooo happy!!

so here are snippets?? i guess??? of what i have so far... i have something due on wednesday and usually.... the need to procrastinate takes over me and to cope i Write hauhuahuha so i promise i will get something done! here are two drafts though because u deserve it all!!!!

+

The man Laurent wanted to see is the real deal. The one on the cover of all the magazines, an heir to an empire, and the most important, insanely hot and insanely rich. Damianos Vallis, future CEO of Ios Corp.

Damianos is the cream of the crop. Every woman and man wants a taste of him, wants to be the future Mrs. or Mr. Vallis, trophy wife or husband. No one had any luck with that for the past five years because he was in a happy relationship, until recently, when his fiancée, Jokaste, cheated on him with his brother.

Talk about the drama.

The tabloids went wild. And poor Damianos, didn’t know it had been happening for half a year, is now wallowing in self-pity in the VIP lounge of this club. Laurent, being who he is, wants a taste of that promised life, which brings him here now, tolerating the boring opening act to get to the main event.

He spots Damianos immediately when he arrives, he isn’t hard to miss. He enters the lounge with confidence and authority. His magnetic force is strong, all eyes turn to him.

He’s tall and hot and flanked by two bodyguards. He screams importance, screams for you to look at him and his gladiator built body. God, he must be in proportion everywhere.

Even Aimeric stops making out with the cover boy to drool at Damianos. Once he takes his eyes off after a really long time, he gives Laurent a look that can only be described as ‘That’s your goal for tonight? Goodluck.’

Laurent doesn’t need luck. According to his research —all the magazines and news articles he read since deciding to assimilate himself into Damianos’ life somehow— he is Damianos’ Type.

Blonde, check. Blue eyes, check. Pretty, check. Cold and cunning, check.

If Damianos had met him before his ex-fiancée, Jokaste, they’d be married by now.

Laurent isn’t letting Damianos go once he latches onto him. Jokaste is an idiot. Kastor isn’t even half the man Damianos is, he knows that and he never even met him.

He watches Damianos sit by the bar, alone. His bodyguards stand away from him. Good, it means no one will stop him from approaching.

Laurent walks up to the bar confidently, swaying his hips with a purpose. He ignores Damianos first, but he sits right next to him despite there being plenty of room.

Pretty men like him never have to wait for the bartender so once he’s seated, he gives his order. Just a cocktail for him, fuck whatever divorced Smith wanted. The bartender nods and moves to make his order. That’s when he looks to his left where Damianos is sitting.

“All by yourself?” He asks him, fully turning his body to Damianos.

He sees Damianos sigh, as if bracing himself before he faces Laurent. He twists his head and opens his lips to probably reject him, but then, he stops and blinks.

Yeah, Laurent has that effect on people.

The bartender gives Laurent his drink and he thanks him. As he sips his drink, he looks at Damianos again and tilts his head. “Am I that pretty?”

“You…”

“Hm. I know. I have that effect on people.”

Damianos is speechless. Good. That’s what Laurent needs.

“I don’t want to be a cliché but take a picture. It’ll last longer.”

Damianos loses his trance then.

Before he can respond, Laurent says, “Better yet, take me home. You’ll see everything.” He winks.

+

(this next one is unrelated to what's above, it's actually a removed part of the office scene but it will be a drabble instead heh)

“Your shirt is a little inappropriate for the office, though.” Damianos says as he trails his fingers down to more exposed skin on Laurent’s chest. He’s wearing a black, silk shirt with a deep V-neck, exposing his bare chest. “I don’t like anyone seeing what’s mine.”

“What are you going to do about it, daddy?” Laurent asks, leaning into Damianos’ touch.

His hands are now inside Laurent’s shirt, fingers grazing over his hardened nipples. He pinches.

"What do you think?"

[lamen-trash]

19 for Damen/Laurent? 💙💙

19. Forehead kisses (Prompt from this list)

Laurent did not know when he first started noticing it.

Maybe it was a few months after his frequent visits to Damen’s apartment began, or maybe earlier. He couldn’t be sure.

All Laurent knew was that somehow, in the midst of making dinner, watching a movie together, and the inevitable drooping of his eyelids as the night wore on, he magically ended up in a bed every night. Granted, it was the guest bedroom, but Laurent never had any recollection of saying goodnight to Damen or walking to bed. None of that seemed to matter, though, when Laurent was greeted with the sight of Damen cooking breakfast in the morning light, curls askew and smile lethal as ever.

It never bothered him before. That is, until one night, when both men had consumed one too many glasses of wine and made more than a few jokes at the other’s expense.

“Oh, come on, you’re the one who can’t even stay up until midnight and falls asleep on my couch all the time,” Damen laughed, his finger flung out accusingly and his eyes full of glittering mirth. The alcohol brought a sweet flush to his cheeks that made Laurent feel like he was melting on the inside.

His words, however, brought Laurent to a halt. He could only stare as Damen started to laugh harder at the stunned expression painted across his pale features.

“Don’t look so surprised,” Damen teased. “You always complain about being too tired to drive home and your words get all slurred and I have to carry you to bed.”

“I– What?” Laurent could feel a fiery blush start to overtake his features. “You definitely do not.”

“Wow, so you really don’t remember, huh?” Damen’s laughter had died down, but the soft, amused gaze he directed at Laurent stayed on his face.

Laurent had to change the topic. To something. Anything. “Kind of like you don’t remember spilling all those people’s drinks at The Abbey?”

That seemed to do the trick, as drunk indignation twisted Damen’s features. “Hey, I have no recollection of ever–”

And, bingo. Oaf distracted, crisis averted. “Of course you don’t remember – you were hammered!” Laurent laughed. “All of those women kept giving you dirty looks for the rest of the night.”

As Damen tilted his head back for a hearty laugh, Laurent stalwartly ignored the strong column of his throat and the dip of his Adam’s Apple. They had been friends for years, and Damen had never made a move. Laurent needed to get over himself.

Later that night, as their energy faded and the conversation dwindled, Laurent was determined to stay alert. But there was something about the soft leather of Damen’s couch, the warm lighting of the apartment, and the soothing sound of Damen mumbling an old story that had Laurent’s vision fading.

When the feeling of arms folding around his body permeated the haze in Laurent’s mind, he had the wherewithal to mumble “M'awake,” and try to squirm out of Damen’s arms.

It was to no avail, as Damen only tightened his grip before leaving the living room. “Let’s get you to bed,” Damen whispered close to his ear. Laurent could only let out a little noise of acknowledgement in response.

Everything was still hazy when Laurent felt covers being pulled up over him, and then, a pause, like the entire world was waiting for something. Maybe Laurent was waiting, too.

And suddenly: the gentlest feeling of lips against his forehead, like a butterfly wing fluttering against his skin.

Laurent would’ve stopped to think about it more if his mind wasn’t already slipping into unconsciousness the moment the feeling faded. That night, Laurent slept a sound, dreamless sleep.

Waking up the next morning was like emerging from the cold ocean after a long swim. It was as if liquid warmth was bleeding into every one of Laurent’s limbs, making him snuggle down further into the soft bedding.

And yet, when he opened his eyes and remembered the previous night in a sudden rush, all Laurent could feel was panic.

What had Damen meant by that? Was he supposed to remember the kiss? Did Damen kiss him in a platonic way or in a we’ve-been-friends-for-years-but-I-secretly-want-you-like-you-want-me way?

Laurent couldn’t help but bury his face into a pillow and let out a silent scream. Leave it to Damen to do something so innocent yet so loaded, and not think twice about it. It was cruel, really – Damen wasn’t the one with severe mental health issues prone to overthinking and thought loops.

The more Laurent thought about it, the more he could feel himself getting fired up. How dare Damen play with his heart like this? Especially after everything Laurent had told him about his past, how much he had trusted him with…

However, all thoughts of chewing out a too-large Akielon verbally that morning dissipated when Laurent peeked out of the guest room to see a fully-prepared breakfast with pancakes, berries and homemade whip cream.

Fuck, Laurent thought, and his heart instantly swelled in size. Damen knew the key to his heart all too well – sweets. Damn him.

While Laurent filled himself with sugar and carbs and coffee, no mention of last night arose, and Damen continued on like everything was normal. He took Laurent’s prickly morning attitude in stride and even ruffled his blonde hair before going to get dressed.

If you want to play oblivious, two can play at that game, Laurent thought to himself, and chewed thoughtfully.

From that point on, every time Laurent went over to Damen’s house, he made an effort to hold onto the last shreds of consciousness before everything slipped away. Like clockwork, around midnight, Damen would gently pick Laurent up and carry him to bed before tucking him in and kissing his forehead. The feeling was always fleeting, but treasured in Laurent’s bruised heart.

Sometimes, if they had laughed particularly hard together one night, Damen would spend a few extra seconds stroking Laurent’s cheek or hair, before pulling away as if burned.

It was maddening. Not that Damen was treating him tenderly for seemingly no reason – that, Laurent particularly enjoyed – it was that Damen seemed to want to touch him more, yet never did.

“We’ve been friends for years, and nothing until now,” Laurent exclaimed, waving his hands around as if that would solve his problems. “Why doesn’t he just make a move already?”

Aimeric only raised his eyebrow over his freshly-brewed coffee as he took a long sip.

“You’re judging me. Why are you judging me? You know I hate it when you look at me like that,” Laurent deadpanned.

Aimeric let out a little chuckle before shaking his head fondly. “You,” he began, pointing a perfectly-manicured nail in Laurent’s direction. “Have a problem. And Damen does, too. There’s something wrong with you guys.”

“If you could skip out on the insulting me part and move on to the advice segment of this coffee date, I would really appreciate it.”

Laurent couldn’t hold in his begrudging smile when Aimeric wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and raised his voice an octave. “Ooh, we’re on a date right now? Should I delete my dating apps and tell all my boy toys that I’m taken?”

After a firm smack to Aimeric’s arm and a classic over-the-top reaction from the brunette, he sighed. “Listen, I’m only going to say this once. Do with it what you will.”

Laurent nodded, gravely serious.

“Damen’s in love with you,” Aimeric said, and then took a sip of coffee as if those words hadn’t just flipped Laurent’s entire world upside down.

“And before you wipe that stupid look off your face and deny it, you should hear that you’re definitely in love with him, too.”

“Wh–”

“Don’t make me say it again, and don’t deny the truth.”

Laurent’s mouth snapped shut. He chose his next words carefully. “Yes, it is true that after many years of friendship I do feel a certain… fondness for Damen, but that’s not–”

“Oh, for crying out loud,” Aimeric exclaimed, and slapped his hand down onto the table. “You guys have been in love with each other for years and we’ve all been waiting for one of you to make a goddamn move. I’m sick of this back and forth ‘Will they, won’t they’ and ‘Oh they’re pining for each other and it’s romantic’ bullshit.”

“Wait–” Laurent felt like his eyes were about to pop out of his head.

“I’m being dead serious when I say you need to make a move as soon as possible or else I will spontaneously combust from lack of attention. All our friends ever want to talk about when you’re not there is how much you and Damen want to bone each other but act like you’re just friends. I told Pallas about a new guy I’m dating the other day and his response was to ask me if I want him as much as Damen clearly wants you. How is one man supposed to live like this?”

“Aimeric, stop–”

“It’s always Damen this, Laurent that. ‘They’re meant for each other,’ blah blah blah. What about my fairytale slowburn friends-to-lovers romance? What about any of us? It can’t be about the It couple all the time.”

“We’re not even a couple!”

“Exactly. That is my point. Get your shit together before we all excommunicate you two from the friend group for being dumbasses.” Laurent could see in Aimeric’s pointed look that his friend was serious.

While Laurent sat in stunned silence, Aimeric regained some of his usual amused nonchalance. “I’m late for my 2:00 meeting.”

With that, Aimeric was up out of his chair and patting Laurent’s shoulder in farewell before breezing out of the coffeeshop door.

Laurent could only finish his coffee quietly, sitting in dazed contemplation of what he was about to do.

That night, Laurent knew he had to bring out the big guns.

“Wow, wine and vodka tonight?” Damen asked upon opening his door, eyeing the alcohol in Laurent’s hands.

“Let’s play a drinking game,” Laurent said in response, a smirk playing around his lips. He didn’t miss the way Damen’s eyes strayed to his mouth.

Hours later, when Damen was thoroughly drunk and laughing way too loudly at Laurent’s insults, Laurent decided to make his move.

“Damen,” Laurent began, waiting until his friend looked up at him with glazed eyes. They were both sitting on the ground in front of the couch, a few candles lit around them. “How long have we been friends?”

“Is this still part of truth or dare?” Damen asked.

“No, it’s just truth now. We each ask a question, and the other person has to answer truthfully. If the other person refuses to answer, they have to take a shot.”

Damen let out an overdramatic whine and let his head fall back against the couch. “No more shots.”

“Then answer truthfully, and we won’t have a problem.” Laurent’s smile was sharp. Too sharp, and he could feel it. Even with the drunkenness running through his veins, Laurent’s nerves were on fire.

“Okay,” Damen said.

“Okay?”

“Yes, I said yes!” Damen laughed, and turned to face Laurent more fully. “You go first.”

Laurent made a show of thinking before starting again: “How long have we been friends?”

Damen’s smile turned dopey. “Hmm. Five years? No, six. Was that just a test?”

“Maybe,” Laurent couldn’t help but be charmed by Damen’s drunken earnestness. “Your turn.”

“How do you get your hair to be so soft?” Damen asked in wonder, reaching out a finger to twirl a golden loc around.

Laurent laughed. “Conditioner.”

“Never tried that,” Damen said thoughtfully, which made Laurent laugh again. Damen, being Damen, joined in, until both men were giggling uncontrollably on the floor for no apparent reason.

It was when their laughter started to die down that Laurent decided to rip the Band-Aid off.

“Are you in love with me?”

Damen’s laughter abruptly cut off. Laurent couldn’t bring himself to meet Damen’s gaze, so he opted to stare down at his crossed legs and fidgeting hands.

Wordlessly, Damen poured himself a shot and downed it in one go. Laurent risked a glance up and was met with Damen’s solemn face, uncharacteristically stoic.

“My turn.” Damen said in a rush. “How long have you been awake when I kiss your forehead at night?”

“A couple months now.” Damen wasn’t meeting his eyes, so Laurent pushed on. “Do you want me?”

Another shot, downed hastily by an increasingly-drunk Damen who still refused to make eye contact.

A shred of irritation slithered into Laurent’s heart. Why wouldn’t Damen just talk to him?

“Do you ever think about it? Us together?” Damen went to pour another shot, but before he could say anything else, Laurent shot to his feet.

“Oh, so you’re just not going to answer me, then? You’re not going to answer any of my questions? How about this: Have you ever thought about fucking me? About me naked underneath you? About us kissing and holding hands and going on dates in public together?”

Damen raised the shot glass to his lips, but Laurent knocked it out of his hand before it reached his mouth. Finally, Damen met Laurent’s gaze, and the panic that had been seizing Laurent’s heart for months seemed to be reflected in his dark irises.

“Stand up and talk to me, idiot, before I leave this apartment and never come back,” Laurent hissed.

Slowly, Damen rose to his feet. “I love you,” Laurent managed to get out, despite his throat closing up with emotion. “And if you don’t love me back, I’m not going to wait around and–”

Between one second and the next, Damen had a strong arm wrapped around Laurent’s waist and was pulling him in, closer and closer until their mouths met.

Laurent could only freeze, everything in his body coming to a halt, as he registered what was happening. Damen was kissing him. He had refused to answer all of his questions, and yet–

“You’re the idiot,” Damen whispered into the scant space in between their lips when he pulled away. “I’ve been in love with you the whole time.”

“But– I– you–” Laurent tried and failed to get a coherent sentence out.

“I thought you were asking all of those questions because you were mad I was carrying you to bed and kissing you goodnight,” Damen laughed. “Granted, I am quite drunk and not thinking straight, but that’s not the point.”

“The point is–” Damen began, but interrupted himself to steal another quick kiss. “I want you more than anything in the world. I’m happy with your friendship if that’s all you’re willing to give, but you need to know I’ve been in love with you for years.”

The room seemed to come into sharper focus, as if every detail in Damen’s apartment had been hiding from Laurent previously.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Laurent could hear the shrill tone in his voice, his incredulity overcoming all reason.

“Laurent,” Damen deadpanned. “I’ve barely dated anyone else the entire time we’ve been friends and I make you food all the time. You’re my emergency contact for everything. Hell, you’re the only one of our friends who has a key to my apartment. Was I not making myself clear enough?”

After a moment of contemplation, Laurent could only laugh.

“What?” Damen asked defensively, as Laurent leaned forward to rest his head against Damen’s shoulder, stifling his giggles in the fabric of Damen’s sweater.

“I just… this whole time?”

“Yes.”

When Laurent pulled back, he was met with the softest look he’d ever seen on Damen’s face. It was almost unbearable. And yet, he could bear it. For Damen, he would.

Laurent leaned in for another kiss. “Six years, huh?”

“Mm-hm,” Damen murmured against his lips.

“I guess we have lots of lost time to make up for,” Laurent smirked, and grabbed Damen’s hand.

“We are both way too drunk to have coordinated sex right now,” Damen warned, and Laurent laughed.

“Not sex,” Laurent said, and took back his spot in front of the couch. “We’re playing the questions game again, and this time you don’t get to evade. I need some answers, starting with a detailed explanation of when exactly you started to like me as more than a friend.”

The wicked yet playful look on Laurent’s face made Damen groan.

This was going to be a long night. Somehow, Damen couldn’t find it within himself to care.

Read this on AO3.

[mrsalwayswrite]

Safe (Eugene Roe x Reader)

Based on this post by @problematicfavesareproblematic​ because its too cute and I can’t help myself apparently. 

This is also my first Eugene Roe fic!! Yay!

All translations are via Google...someone please tell me if they are wrong! 

Warnings: angst? fluff? 

Words:1500

Tag list: @happyveday​ @evelynshelby​ @sydney-m​

<gif not mine, thanks Pinterest>

 "Get everyone in the trucks! Go! Go!" Winters commanded his men, walking down the line of waiting vehicles. 

 Doc Roe looked up from wrapping a bandage around a man's shoulder. He watched the men scurry around like ants after a child kicked their home in childish glee. 

 Operation Market Garden was collapsing around them. Since learning about the operation, while the other men cheered at the idea of Berlin by Christmas, Roe felt nauseous. Something about the operation did not sit well with him. Call it intuition or a sixth sense, he just knew it could not be that simple. Before they dropped into Holland, he had convinced all the medics he knew to bring extra bandages and morphine, anything they could get their hands on. He hoped it would be enough. 

 "Can you get up?"

 The Private grimaced, face pale. "Thank you, Doc. I'll find a seat myself."

 "We'll find you some morphine at the aid station." Roe nodded at the Private before starting along the line of trucks, eyes and ears open for the call of a medic. 

 He caught sight of Spina helping a limping Private onto a truck bed before climbing in himself to continue administering aid. As he continued, he checked people off his mental list. He saw Shifty, Moore, Liebgott, Ramirez, Tanner, Talbert...more and more raced back to the trucks, some with blood tainting their skin and uniforms. He would have to check on them later. 

 There was one face in particular he had not seen yet. 

 The further he walked, dodging men retreating, the more his heart pounded in his ears. She was supposed to be in the back. She was supposed to be safe. 

 "Non, non, non, où es-tu?" He whispered to himself, panic creeping under his skin. (No, no, no, where are you?)

Ever since she had been wounded in Carentan, Winters had kept her from the front lines unless absolutely necessary. Usually, she was holed up somewhere and watching the men's backs, using her sniper skills. Shifty may be their sniper on the ground, but she was their sniper from above. Their guardian angel. If she had been sent to assist...the situation was worse than Roe had previously thought. 

 Sometime between Toccoa and Aldbourne, he something shifted between them. He could not pinpoint an exact moment. It was somewhere in the lingering touches, the soft smiles exchanged, the comforting words and stories to cheer one another up...somehow, he had fallen in love. Now he needed her just as much as air. She was his lighthouse, his beacon of hope. She had to be safe. 

 Glancing to his left, he headed towards the truck with what looked like most of her platoon in it. "Luz! You seen y/n?"

 Luz looked down at him from his seat. "No, Doc. Last I saw she was protecting the retreat." Remorse and concern filled his eyes as he answered. They both knew what that meant. She would be the last to evacuate, the last to safety, the one most likely left behind. 

 Roe started running. 

 "Merde." He swore, eyes darting everywhere for a sign she was nearby, that she was alright. She had to be. It was that loyalty that he both loved and hated in her, how she would make sure "her boys" were safe, protecting their backs and lives, and in the process, be willing to sacrifice her own. 

 "Y/n! Y/n!" He began calling out in desperation. Ignoring the stares of some of the men, he wrestled internally with his own panic. His cries bordered on hysterical at this point. 

 They had never spoken those three little words to each other. Never put a name to what existed between them. They just were whatever the other one needed. Over the past two years, that grew until they were each other's world. How they sought each other out. How in a group, they always looked for the other first before anyone else. The quiet nights they cried together. 

 "Richardson! Is y/n with you?" 

 The man glanced around the back of the truck that he was waiting to jump into. "No, Doc. She missing?"

 Roe did not wait to reply. He kept moving. He had to. Otherwise the growing terror in his mind would consume him. "S’ll vous plaît, Que Dieu la laisse être en sécurité. S'il vous plaît."  (Please, God let her be safe. Please.)

 "Doc! Over here!" 

 He zeroed in on Toye's call at the last truck. Pushing anyone who got in his way, he raced to where Toye stood watching. Once Toye noticed him coming, he sat back down, turning back to the person sitting next to him. 

 Rounding the side, he felt his heart and mind restart as he saw her. She sat next to Toye and some other Private on the uncomfortable wooden bench, her beloved rifle in her lap. As if sensing him, she looked up to meet his gaze. A soft smile -his smile- touched her lips. The panic and terror threatening him vanished like a mist in the wind. 

 "Mon amour." He breathed out, relief flooding him. There was dirt smeared on one side of her face and a small cut on her chin. Otherwise she appeared fine, even if her clothes looked disheveled and dirty beyond saving. She was alive. (My love.) 

 Without a further word, he jumped up into the truck and knelt down in front of her. "Hey, you." He held her face in his hands, gazing into her eyes for a long moment before pressing their foreheads together. 

 "Hey you." She whispered back, her hands cupping his own face. He could taste her breath on his lips. "I'm alright, Gene. I promise."

 Leaning back, he ran a hand through her hair, wondering what happened to her helmet. Then he felt something wet and sticky on his fingers. Pulling his hand back, he saw blood on it...her blood. 

 Immediately he went into overbearing doctor mode. 

 "What happened?" He demanded, turning her head to the side and trying to find where the bleeding stemmed from. 

 "I'm fine."

 He glared at her before resuming his inspection. Carding his fingers through her hair for an extra second, he began inspecting underneath, silently praying it was minimal. He could not lose her. There was nothing gushing so that was a good sign. She still seemed coherent, her eyes were not dilated, other good signs. 

 "I just hit my head a little on a brick wall when one of those explosions went off. It's not a big deal."

 "Doll, shut up and let the man look you over." Toye drawled from beside her, watching the two in amusement. 

 Roe rolled his eyes as she stuck her tongue out at Toye. She winced when he touched a particular spot on the side of her head, hair matted with blood. After a moment, he leaned back on his knees and began digging through his medic bag. 

 "There’s a laceration but it doesn't look deep. You're lucky." He wrapped a bandage around the cut and her head to hold it there. Suppressing a chuckle, he continued to wrap it as she narrowed her eyes at him. She hated being fussed over. In his opinion, she could deal with it. She needed to get better...for both of their sakes. 

 The truck suddenly lurched, beginning its escape from Holland and the disastrous mission. 

 Roe shoved the Private next to her over, ignoring his protest, and slipped to her other side. Quietly he took her hand in his as his eyes scanned the others. He had been so focused on her; he did not even think about if any of the other men in the truck were injured. Luckily none were. 

 "I'm sorry I scared you. I had to help." She murmured, voice barely above the rumble of the trucks. 

 He sighed, squeezing her hand then pulled her closer into his side. "I know, mon amour, I know." He looked down, meeting those eyes he adored. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

 She laid her head on his shoulder. "No, but you can't protect me from everything. This is war."

 "I can try. Tu es tout pour moi. J’ai besoin de toi à mes côtés. Toujours. Je promets après cette guerre de continuer à vous aimer et à vous chérir comme vous le méritez." The words poured forth, needing to be said, needing to be spoken aloud, even if just for his own sake. Though he meant them with all his heart. (You are everything to me. I need you by my side. Always. I promise after this war to continue to love and cherish you as you deserve.)

 "Gene, you know I don't speak French. It's not fair cause I wanna know what you're saying."

 "I'll teach you, y/n. I promise." He could not help but press a chaste kiss to the top of her head as they bounced along the road.

 Looking at the blue sky and clouds above, he prayed he would be able to fulfill both of his promises to her, that they would both make it through this war. Most of all, he prayed for her to be safe, even at the expense of his own life. 

[tenwoology]

[00:27] zhong chenle + last stardust by aimer

you felt like shit. everyday feels like a goddamn routine and it was becoming unbearable for you. it always feels like you’re always looking for something in the dark; always reaching for something you don’t even know. there’s this dark clouds looming over your head and all you could hope for is a little sunshine to distract you from all the dark thoughts you’re having, even a tiny bit of it would suffice. 

your phone buzzed, taking you out of your reverie. you looked at the small string of letters on your phone. you up? you blinked a few times to adjust yourself from the brightness, and soon the text was followed by: pls let me know if you’re up. 

i am, le. what’s up? you texted back. 

great. now open your door. it’s cold out here. 

you rolled out from your bed trying to understand the message he sent you. it’s not like going at your house in the middle of the night is something crazy chenle has never done before, in fact, he’s done it multiple times. 

“hey,” there he stood on your front door; sporting a trackpants and an oversized shirt that you remembered wearing twice already. 

“chenle,” you murmur in a daze, still not believing that he’s in front of you. 

he flashed you a small smile before throwing himself into you, his arms slowly wrapping around your waist pulling you closer to his body. his cologne slowly invading your senses as he nuzzled his face on your neck. 

“what are you doing here? how about the dance camp?” you furrowed your eyebrows in confusion.

he let out a tiny chuckle that caused his breath to fan over your neck, almost tickling you. the dance camp had ended just hours ago and staying there any longer held no significance for him, he wants to see you now. furthermore, from the back of his mind, he thought that maybe he is right.

“so, sungchan wasn’t lying when he said you’ve been off the edge lately?”—did he just—“i missed you. so bad. that’s why i’m here.”

you felt a stinging in your eyes. he knows it.

and you missed him too, a lot.  

chenle released himself from the hug and brought your cheeks to his palms, tracing your cheeks with his fingers. he stared at you for a moment before he quietly hovered his face over yours and time seemed to stop when he finally rested his lips onto yours. it was soft and velvety that you almost felt like melting to it. it’s the connection of two souls in the moment of being your vulnerable selves; it wasn’t anything magical, certainly. but it surely made you feel more alive than ever.

and no man has ever made you feel like that other than him.

your foreheads pressed together, he whispers, “love, i’m home,” his warm minty breath now fanning over your lips. 

and there he is, the sunshine you were hoping for. not a tiny bit of it. instead, the sunshine that runs through your bloodstream. the warmth that lingers on your skin for the longest time. 

a huge ray of hope when all things felt like falling apart.