#stick with your thing for a while and engage with it deeply

[whimsicalnancy]

— i got into the void state back to back 4 times

guys, i think I've found a cheat code to effortlessly reprogram the subconscious mind to enter the void state, tho it can be used for other things as well.

the cheat code:

so, I was honestly getting so bored of making and listening to the same old type of subliminals. you know… the typical affirmations on loop, layered with rain sounds or some aesthetic music. they worked, sure but I kept thinking, there has to be a smarter, smoother, unique way to speak to the subconscious.

so I was just sitting and thinking...umm if my future self already had everything I wanted. how would she talk? how would she act?

and this wild idea popped into my head out of nowhere:

“wait… what if I recorded a fake interview with my future self?”

like “hey, how has your life changed after the void?”

and me then answering the question and yapping as if I have already had mastered the void..

BRUH, HOLD ON

i’m not gonna lie, I felt like an absolute genius in that moment. like when I would be focused on the interview, background sub affirmation will sweep in through my subconscious. giggled so hard.

i did some research and let me tell you why this is a genius idea and why this would work.

• it activates neuroplasticity through simulation:

when you listen to a conversation that sounds like your future self casually recalling success, it triggers mental simulation a process where the brain mentally rehearses an experience. thanks to neuroplasticity, our brain begins rewiring itself to adapt to this new "reality," even if it hasn't happened yet.

• bypasses critical filters and reconstructs self-image:

typical affirmations often trigger the Reticular Activating System (RAS) to filter them out if they don't align with your current self-image. but when you're hearing a relaxed, believable conversation like "Yeah, it's just normal now, i don't chase it anymore" it flies under the radar. this style avoids resistance and quietly restructures your internal self-schema, making lasting changes to your identity without inner conflict.

• it engages the limbic system for emotional encoding:

subliminals that evoke emotion trigger the limbic system, the emotional core of the brain responsible for memory and behavioral shifts. when you hear yourself speaking from a place of fulfillment like joy, ease, or pride - it creates emotional anchors in your subconscious. this emotional charge imprints the new belief deeply, making the transformation stick in a way dry affirmations can't replicate.

my success with this:

i decided to make a subliminal based on that idea, for the void. i kept the affirmations low in the background and made the interview part fully audible. I recorded myself answering interview-style questions in my own voice, but as if I were already the version of me who had completely mastered the void. and putting it all together took over 2hr not gonna lie, but it was all WORTH IT 💅🏻🫶🏻

even while I was creating it, i kept getting this giddy, butterfly-in-my-stomach kind of feeling. like, listening to MYSELF talk about MY dream life? ugh, it was something else.

anyway, when it was finally done, i was like, "I'll try it out tonight." but of course, my curious little self couldn’t wait. so i hit play immediately. laid there, sometimes zoning in on the interview going on, sometimes just vibing with the calm music. halfway through, I started feeling symptoms but since you’re not supposed to focus on them, i redirected my attention right back to the interview.

and then BAM! everything went silent. like, really silent. the next moment i could hear the subliminal again. then it went all black. then i heard the sub again. it was like i was literally going in and out of the void on a loop. wild, right? 💀 i was laying there with my eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling, completely amazed. then before i could attempt again, my mom called me and i had to go.

now cut to that night, i literally jumped onto my bed like it was a trampoline, put on my subliminal, and just laid there. and yep, symptoms showed up again. then pitch black. i was like, “wait, lemme check if I’m in the void,” and that’s where I messed up, the moment i brought my awareness to the 3D, poof, i was out. AGAIN. i was like, girl, what are you doing???”

but I was too tired to care, so i replayed the subliminal, didn’t focus too hard, and just started making scenarios in my head to help me sleep. and then, out of nowhere, i felt this wierd, tingly pull, my heart was racing like crazy. and yup,

there i was, in the void, the pure consciousness!

calm 💅🏻 quiet 💅🏻 all pitch black 💅🏻

this time, i didn’t even bother checking or analyzing shit. i just stayed chill and eventually fell asleep ‘cause I was completely wiped out.

did i manifest:

not yet. after my last void attempt, i haven’t really tried to get in again. i’ve been working on upgrading the sub and fixing a few music issues. but guess what? i’m planning to use the sub to enter the void again on my birthday and manifest something special for me. something i had been desiring for decades:) and when i do, i’ll show y’all, just like I did with my other manifestations in the past. better be ready babe.

final words:

if anyone else has already played around with this concept or came up with something like this before, big love and credit to you<3

and people, steal this idea! just talk to yourself, literally.

sit down and have a full on convo like you’re the version of you who already has it all. whether you call it your higher self, future self, or just “that version of me” .. speak from that place. out loud. say how your life feels now, what you’ve created, how normal it all is.

stop waiting. start being.

[2cupids]

gf!shoko playing with your pussy in the front seat of the car.

contains. wlw, reader and shoko are both camgirls, semi-public, sho’s smoking a cig, light degradation, pussy slapping, reader is called pretty girl, male masturbation at the end (feat. geto being a creep). mdni (17+).

length. 1.3k

never in your life have you been more thankful for the dark tints on your girl’s car windows than you are now. without them, any innocent passerby that just so happened to glance over at the car would bare witness to the filthy scene that’s currently unfolding in the passenger seat.

one of your legs is thrown over the console, your lashes gently brush over the skin underneath your eye as your eyes flutter shut, struggling to stay open as girlfriend!shoko rubs your clit over your panties with her slim fingers. sweet sounds roll off the tip of your tongue with ease at her continuous teasing and your hips have decided to act on their own accord, bucking up every couple of moments for more sensation.

shoko switches between a mix of firm and feather-light touches while rubbing the sensitive pearl and if you add in the way she gradually quickens rubs your clit faster, only to slow down again moments later, it’s basically torture—extremely pleasureable torture. sitting loosely in her left hand between her index and middle fingers is a cigarette she’s been nursing since before she even parked the car in the nearly vacant lot and turned the camera on.

it’s hard for her to tear her gaze away from you, even just for a second to engage with the viewers or to check the notification alerts that ding, especially when you look so pretty like this—velvety skin of your neck fully exposed and breathy pants of broken words exit your mouth in attempt to tell your girlfriend how good she’s making you feel. something about this occasion has her pussy throbbing more normal. maybe it’s because they’re in public. but whatever the reason may be, it’s got her panties sticking uncomfortably to her soaking cunt and she’s scooting around in her seat every few seconds to momentarily ease the ache between her legs.

the wet spot on the crotch of your light colored lace panties steadily continues to grow bigger the longer the shoko decides to draw out her merciless teasing. a long drag of tobacco is taken from her cigarette, leisurely inhaling the smoke into her lungs before opening her mouth again to exhale, the smoke hitting you directly in the face. both of you share a knowing look with each other, quietly agreeing the little blowing smoke in you face thing was hot as fuck.

her head dips down to your breasts, enclosing her mouth around the perky nipple closest to her and sucking on it. soft amber eyes discreetly flicker up to look out the windows, scanning their surroundings as she pulls back from your chest. eventually her eyes trail down your body, tongue poking out to wet her lips at the sight of her girlfriend so beautifully spread out for her and the viewers.

shoko leans in to press a kiss to the sensitive spot on the left side of your neck before moving up to capture your lips in a tender kiss. the fruit flavored lip gloss on your lips mix with the lingering aftertaste of cigarette smoke on her tongue, creating an oddly pleasant taste that you both want more of.

your lipgloss gets more smudged as she delicately slips her tongue into your mouth, tasting even more of you. a small frown appears on your lips in the middle of kissing because you feel shoko move her hand away from your clit and you’re close to protesting until you feel a sharp smack to your clit. arching your back off the seat, you unintentionally deepen the kiss as you whimper into her mouth, to which your girlfriend hums low in approval and smacks your pussy a couple more times.

she breaks the kiss to stare deeply into your heavily lidded eyes, a telltale sign that you’re close to cumming. she leans in to whisper degrading words into your ear in that smooth voice of hers that are inaudible to your audience, but that doesn’t mean they miss the effect of whatever she’s saying is clearly having on you.

“my pretty girl,” shoko murmurs, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of her lips. “you like when i spank your pussy? treat you a slut on cam?” she chuckles, nipping at your earlobe.

and not even two minutes into her whispering to you, you’re already falling apart on her fingers. delicious moans that could easily put anyone in a trance slip out of your mouth as your hips roll to ride out your high, pussy dripping and clenching around nothing but air.

donations and comments flood in, a clear message that your viewers are very satisfied. but there’s one viewer in particular that’s sitting on the other side of the screen who finds an unparalleled—albeit sick—amount of pleasure in the scene he watches on his computer. the sounds spilling out of your mouth alone is almost enough to make him cum, but something is holding him back. it always is.

a single, raven colored bang sticks to his forehead as he pumps his cock, thick veins pulsating against his palm. another small bit of lotion is hurriedly squeezed onto his dick for more slip, his large, calloused hand tugging roughly at his length. his other hand slides over his muscular thigh and down to massage his balls.

strained, soft groans choke out from bestfriend!geto's throat as his finger circles around the sensitive glans penis, hips jerking as he teases the delicate layer of skin. sticky precum is spread all over his cockhead with his thumb as he watches his best friend, shoko, pleasure and make out with you.

deep inside his consciousness, geto knows this is wrong. so wrong. he feels guilty—disgusted and shameful, and like the biggest weirdo on the planet. the first time he stumbled upon your shared account, it was a genuine accident... but he still didn’t immediately click off your page either. instead he stayed. he was horny and needed to bust a quick nut. that wasn’t bad, was it?

but as of now? he’s got no answer or excuse for continuing to watch you two. it’s just that he simply can’t help himself away or pull away, even though he’s sure this is considered highly taboo.

the things that are wrong, always seem to bring the most pleasure. why?

geto can’t even count the number of times he’s had trouble looking shoko in the eye after seeing her play with herself on stream or replaying the sound her pussy makes in his head when she fucks that entire eight inch dildo inside her while groping with her tits.

and you? don’t even get him started on you because somehow it’s even worse. he’ll just be sitting across from you in a cafe and all he can imagine you wearing are those skimpy outfits you’ve put on for the stream, teasingly bending over and spreading your pretty pussy wide for the camera, showing everyone how wet you are.

out of guilt and to soften the blow, he often donates money because that’s the least he can do. plus, that doesn’t make him a complete freak since he tips you guys, right?

and despite all the flood of emotions he feels, the titillation of it all ultimately outweighs them. which is why his cheeks are slightly flushed and his fist is tightened around his cock, white hot spurts of cum shoot from the tip as he watches two beautiful women on the screen in front of him that he just happens to know personally. which is also why, he’s ready to do this all over again when your stream starts again two days later. just like he’s been doing for months.

[lonely-ey3s]

Heartlines | Chapter One

pairing: harry castillo (materialists) x f!reader

chapter summary : Are you hard to love, or have you not found the right person? After you meet Harry Castillo at your sister's wedding, he shows you what it means to be in love. He shows you how to be loved.

chapter warnings: fluff, slow burn, angst, Harry speaks Spanish (translations will be there), reader has a somewhat emotionally abusive mother, unwanted touching, drinking, vomiting, switched POV's.

word count: 10k

a/n: alright here it is! chapters will be every other sunday as ride or die will be launched next weekend !! this also somewhat requested by @iheartoldermem so thank them !!

Dividers by: @saradika-graphics and @cafekitsune

Masterlist

'It’s better this way’ is something you’d constantly tell yourself. A little lonelier but better. It wasn't ideal, but it was safer for your heart this way.

Just like it wasn't ideal that you were sitting at your little sister’s bachelorette party with a mocktail in your hand, sober.

You sat there while everyone else in the bridal party was on the dance floor, with some random man that wasn’t their boyfriend or husband grinding up on them.

You didn't mind sitting back and watching other people have fun, perhaps make stupid decisions. But doing it sober?

However, you had one job tonight as the maid of honor: get her to the wedding tomorrow morning and get her down the aisle without stupid, drunken decisions being made.

This meant attending this party and sticking it out in this god awful strip club.

So you watched your sister like a hawk. You sat there sipping on your drink, keeping your head clear and your eyes open. Watching her dance with some fuck boy from out of town grab her ass and grind up against her.

You watched them dance together for a few songs, letting her enjoy her drunken bad decision at the rate it was going.  

You heard her hiccup and then saw her shake her head as a ‘No thank you’ slurred out of her mouth. You also watched him persist on taking her back to his place, his hand on her hip, smirking at her as he tried pulling her off the dance floor. 

You stepped down from your barstool and came over, putting yourself between the two of them. “Alright, I think it’s time to move on to greener, more available pastures, buddy… the one isn't available... and has said 'no'..." You gently pushed him away from her, your lips in a tight smile. 

He chuckled, his eyes clocking your body up and down, checking you out, biting his bottom lip, “Well well, I think I see a greener ass… I mean greener grass right in front of me!” he smirked, “Name’s Spencer, what’s yours?” he crowded your space, taking your hand in his. 

You grinned and chuckled, taking your hand back quickly, then tsked. “You are so barking up the wrong tree, Spencer…” You chuckled and shook your head in disbelief- the audacity of men never ceased to amaze you. “Keep it movin’, bud!"

You turned towards your sister, effectively cutting off engaging further with him. 

He sighed and turned around as well, walking away to another bridesmaid who was dancing across the dance floor.

She had a face of utter fear as reality set in. “Oh god, I think I’m gonna be sick…” she said before putting her hand over her mouth and gagging. 

You shook your head again at her reaction and chuckled, “Alright, I think that’s our cue to wrap this party up for you, little miss thing…” You wrapped her arm around yours and walked with her to the bathroom. 

She did her best in the incredibly ridiculous high heels to walk with you, but most of the travel was you dragging her along. 

Once in the bathroom, she ran into the stall before collapsing to her knees and coughing as she vomited into the toilet. 

You weren’t too far behind her, quickly gathering her hair up and holding it up behind her. You took a deep breath and sighed deeply. “There ya go… let it out,” you encouraged, leaning down to rub her back. 

She coughed and took a few deep breaths before she vomited again, groaning. 

After a few moments, you leaned over and grabbed her some toilet paper. “Here, wipe your mouth hun…” you said softly. 

She looked up and smiled lazily, “You’re such a good sister…” she hiccupped, taking the bunch of toilet paper from you and wiping her mouth. “You’re going to make such a good wife one day too…” she giggled, her eyes fluttering closed. 

You chuckled, “You’re so drunk and delusional…” you tsked. 

“How so?” she asked, then almost immediately bent over as she coughed again, vomiting more into the toilet. 

“You’re good… keep it comin’... get it all out.” you encouraged gently, ignoring her question. 

After getting it all out, she leaned back and laid her head against the stall wall, closing her eyes. “Just because Robbie and Damon didn’t work out doesn’t mean there isn’t someone out there for you…” she said before opening her eyes and looking up at you. 

Ever since she got engaged, she had been determined to find you someone as well. She wanted you just as happy as she was with her fiance, Ben. 

The number of blind dates or double dates you had been on in the last six months just to keep her happy was astounding.

However, none of them wanted to settle down, be in a committed relationship. All they wanted was a ‘casual’ relationship. To them you weren’t good enough for commitment as you knew most of them were now exclusively dating someone else.

You didn’t fit their boxes, weren't good enough to be the ‘forever’ in their life. Hell, 13 dates later, you began to think, it must be you. 

Something must be wrong with you.

You must have some immediate invisible sign on your head that says something like ‘Step on up and break my heart’ or ‘Fuck me over’. 

The last date you went on a few weeks ago was the straw that broke your camel's back. 

Lila set you up with one of Ben’s coworkers. Some narcissist who thought just because he had a yearly salary of over $2 million that money would earn his way into your pants.

When you thanked him for a good night but didn't invite him in, the things he said to you in anger and obvious sexual frustration– created the first brick of your now indestructible wall. 

So that was it. 

You swore it all off. It wasn’t going to happen again if you could help it. 

‘You can’t get hurt if you don’t open your heart.’ 

You leaned against the wall and folded your arms. “Lila, it's so much more than that, and you know it…” You bit the inner part of your cheek, “Just… you tried, and I appreciate that…” you said softly before your voice changed, sounding a bit firmer, “...but let what’s dead, fuckin’ rest in peace.” you shook your head looking down at your shoes, letting out a breath of something. Anger? Sadness? Frustration? Maybe all of the above. 

She sighed softly, defeated. “Fine… I’ll leave it.” 

After a few moments of silence, she cleared her throat. “What time is it?” 

You pulled your phone out of your purse. “It’s just past 2 am…" you tsked "We should get you home. We’ve got an early morning…” You put your phone away and held out your hand. “We need to be at the venue by 9 am…” 

She smiled and reached up for your hand. “What would I do without you?” 

You pulled her up to her feet and chuckled, the tension breaking between the two of you. “I don’t want to know the answer to that question…” You teased. 

She chuckled and held onto your arm as the two of you headed back to her place to spend the night. 

You had her up and at the venue just before 9 am, sitting in the glam chair with a glass of ginger ale and another with an Alka-seltzer on standby as she was feeling slightly hungover.

After glam, hair, and getting into your dress, you came over to her.

She was still getting her hair done. “Is there anything last minute I need to get you?” you asked, putting a bracelet on your wrist, smiling at how beautiful she looked. 

She smiled and looked around, making mental notes of what she needed. “Oh! I need my bouquet and grandma’s bracelet! Dad said he had it with him…” She looked back at you.

You nodded. “I’ll go find the florist and Dad…” You smiled. “Hang tight…” You maneuvered your way through the room and made your way downstairs to the ceremony room to where you’d first look for the florist.

You looked around for anyone with flowers and saw all of the groomsmen. They were all in a small circle, putting their boutonnieres on each other's lapels. 

You snapped and then clapped excitedly, “Bingo!”

You put on a smile and walked over, “Hey guys, sorry but, quick question… where did you all get those?” you pointed to one of their chests, eyes bright with hope.

Austin, Ben’s old college roommate, turned and smiled at you. “Uh, I’m not sure. Harry brought them over. You could ask him…” he said daftly. 

You bit your tongue, holding in what you wanted to say, so you held your hands out in front of you to accentuate the sarcasm about to come out of your mouth, “Great, great… now who’s Harry?” you tilted your head, chuckling lightly, mildly frustrated as time was ticking. 

“I’m Harry. Who’s askin’?” you heard a voice behind you, one with a soft timber but a strong and commanding tone. 

You turned around, and the most beautiful man stood in front of you. He was broad, yet appeared welcoming and soft. His hair was tidy yet somewhat rugged as he was pushed back fashionably. He looked expensive but not too snobby in his black and white suit. 

He was smiling at you with the biggest brown eyes you’d ever seen.

You nodded slowly, whispering back, “Harry…” then smiled and lightly chuckled as you snapped out of your daze, “Um… flowers! Where did you get those boutonnieres?” You gestured to the one on his lapel. 

He looked to where you were gesturing then looked back up at you as he used his thumb to rub his bottom lip, his eyes drinking you in for a moment subtly, “The florist, she came to us…” he held out his hand to you, offering to shake yours, “Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met, you are?” he smiled warmly. 

You saw someone with a bunch of flowers walk behind him and gasped, “You!” You shouted, waving your finger at them. 

“Mrs. Flower… person!” you went to walk away but turned to Harry and smiled gesturing to yourself, “Sorry, um I'm... uhm the maid of honor, and one on a time crunch… nice to meet you Harry.” you did a small wave then picked up the front of your dress and turned towards the person carrying flowers, “Excuse me, florist person!” you chased after them. 

Harry chuckled as he watched you chase after that person, turning back around to talk with the group of men.

You finally caught up with the person carrying the flowers, who connected you with the main florist– who, ironically, was already heading up to give the bridal group their flowers. 

You took yours and made sure your sister was good before heading back down to then find your dad and get your grandma’s bracelet before rushing back upstairs and putting it on your sister’s wrist as the ceremony was moments away from starting. 

“You look beautiful Lila…” you said touching her cheek, “I’m so happy for you and Ben…” you teared up and looked over her features, “Ah, you two are going to be so happy…” you let out a chuckle which made a tear fall down your cheek. 

She put her hand on your cheek as well and smiled, “I know one day, whether you want to believe it or not, you’ll have this too.” 

She teared up when you shook your head, smiling sadly before she whispered, “Everyone deserves a ‘Ben’...” She softly chuckled, a few tears falling down her cheeks. 

You quickly took a tissue and dabbed the tears up. “Hey, no tears, you’ll ruin your makeup…” you softly laughed. “You can’t cry until the altar when you do your vows!” you teased. 

She softly laughed and nodded, letting you fix her makeup. “I love you, sis… thank you for always being here for me.” 

You nodded and smiled, “Always.” You held her hands and took a step back, looking over her, “Now, let’s go make you a Mrs. Reynolds!” you grinned. 

Just as you said that, the wedding planner came in, headset and clipboard in hand, eyes filled with purpose.

“Ok! It’s time, everyone… places!” She smiled and clapped excitedly, “Bridesmaids and maid of honor, you’ll follow me down to line up. Lila, your dad is waiting out here for you…” She smiled and then walked out. 

You looked at her, and she took a deep breath, her hands becoming clammy all of a sudden. 

“Hey, I’ll see you when you get to the end of the aisle, yeah?” You smiled softly, attempting to snap her out of her thoughts. 

She nodded and then smiled, “Yeah, I’m good. Go!” she giggled. 

You grabbed your small bouquet and then quickly walked out of the room to catch up with the group. 

You all got downstairs to gather behind the big doors that would open when the music started.

All 10 of you were being shoved together by the wedding coordinator and her assistant in a double file line. Men on the right, women on the left. 

The group dwindled down, and then you were taken by the arm by the assistant, murmuring to herself, “Lastly, the maid of honor with the best man… perfect!” she said out loud as she stood you next to a familiar face. 

Harry offered his arm and smiled down at you. “I’m sorry, your name is 'maid of honor', isn't it?” he teased. 

You chuckled and slid your hand under his arm, holding onto his bicep and placing the flowers where they were supposed to be held, “Yes, but that's my alter ego - my real name is Y/N… you know, kinda like Batman…” You joked.  

He chuckled, “If I get to walk down the aisle with Batman– that’s the ultimate win in my book.” he wiggled his arm that you were holding onto softly.

You smiled and looked down, making sure you looked good before you looked up at him, and bounced back, “Well, glad I can provide you with the experience of being with Gotham’s mightiest hero…” you looked toward the doors opening and the music starting to play.

He liked how witty you were, how you genuinely made him laugh and smile.

You whispered, leaning in slightly, “Although, I am sorry to disappoint… not to give you the full experience. The suit is in dry cleaning…” you joked. 

Harry snorted out another chuckle. The wedding planner’s eyes darted towards the two of you as she stood beside the door's entrance, counting when to send the next pair down the aisle. 

Both of you saw her gaze, but instead of it making you quiet, it made you giggle, which only made him chuckle a little louder. 

She put a finger to her lips to signal for you to be quiet. Her eyes filled with frustration- the two of you being childish in her book. 

You softly cleared your throat and stopped, nodding at her apologetically. Harry smiled at her and gave her the zipping his lips motion and then motioned throwing away the key behind his back, making her only narrow her eyes more at him. 

He softly chuckled and nodded at her, mouthing ‘Sorry…’. 

The group moved up a pace as one of the couples started walking down the aisle. After another couple of counts, another group went, which triggered everyone to move up. 

Harry leaned in, keeping his eyes forward, and whispered, “For the record, I like this ‘suit’ a lot better… this color brings out your eyes.” he put his hand over yours on his bicep for a moment before taking it away and keeping it at his side as you both stepped forward again.

You couldn’t help but blush at his touch. Something so small, a simple touch, was making your heart smack against your chest and a flutter of butterflies in your stomach. 

You kept your eyes forward, leaning into him, challenging, “You can’t say that; you haven’t seen me in the actual suit yet…” you whispered back, taking another step forward. 

He bit the inside of his cheek and smirked, then went to say something back when the wedding planner cleared her throat and whispered to you both, “Big smiles and walk in 5…4…3…2… go…” She gently nudged Harry forward by pushing the back of his shoulder.

You both took a step forward and began walking down the aisle at a steady pace, smiling toward the crowd as they were all watching you. 

Halfway down the aisle, he leaned over and whispered, looking down at you, “Tell me then, how does the bride know Batman?” he turned his head back to smile at the crowd, the same as you were doing. 

You smiled as you walked, whispering back, “Well… in this multiverse, Batman’s parents didn’t get brutally murdered– she also has a little sister.” You nodded over to your mom and grandparents sitting in the front row. He looked over and nodded at them, then connecting the dots- he knew exactly who you were now. 

He looked down at you and smiled warmly. “Ah, I knew I recognized you…” 

You looked up at him. “Sorry?” you raised your eyebrow, confused.  

The end of the aisle came, and he smirked a little, leaving you both on the perfect cliffhanger, “I guess this is the end of the line for us… guess we’ll have to catch up later then?” he winked before the two of you split, going your separate ways.

He stood next to Ben, putting his hands in front of himself, and smiled out towards the crowd. 

You walked to where you needed to be and peeked over at him, wondering how the hell he knew who you were.

Your thoughts were paused when you looked down the aisle as the music switched to signal your sister’s arrival, your focus automatically on her. 

What you didn’t see was that Harry’s eyes weren’t watching down the aisle for Lila– they were on you. 

The ceremony was beautiful. Your sister looked breathtaking– it was everything she wanted. 

Ben’s vows to her were heartfelt and made almost everyone tear up or cry, including yourself. 

At one point, you caught Harry looking over at you, his eyes warm, full of adoration and sincerity. You suddenly became shy and quickly looked down at the bouquet you were holding, noticing your cheeks feeling warm, your heart pounding quickly again. 

Fuck. How the hell was he getting under your skin like this? You were so against getting involved with anyone.

However, the way he would look at you, how he was so easily making you feel this bashful and shy- it was just frustrating. 

'It's those damn brown eyes' you thought to yourself. You were a sucker for men with big puppy dog eyes- which he had and you knew was an expert in using.

You would avoid him the rest of the evening. Nothing can happen if you just avoid him, right? 

However, after the happy couple were pronounced husband and wife and started to walk down the aisle, you realized that the instructions were to regroup with your aisle partner and walk back down, following behind the happy couple. 

Well shit. So much for avoiding him.

'Ok one more walk down then we will stay away from Mr. Brown Eyes' you told yourself as you saw Harry look over at you.

Once your sister and Ben started to walk down, he walked to the middle of the altar and held out his arm to you, softly smiling, “Shall we?” 

You gave him a small polite smile and nodded, you gently held onto his arm and walked with him down the aisle. 

You both started cheering with the rest of the crowd when Ben stopped at the end of the aisle, dipping your sister down and giving her a deep and slow kiss. 

You chuckled when your sister looked back at you, giggling, looking happier than ever. 

You blew her a kiss and gave her a thumbs up. She returned it and then nodded at Harry and winked at you.

You're kidding me.

'You cheeky little fucker' You immediately knew what she had done. She set this up. You should’ve known better. Your sister had literally been trying to be a matchmaker. This was a new level, though, but you should've known nonetheless. 

The only problem was one thing.

This was none of this was her doing. You just so happened to hit it off with Ben's best man.

When she had set you up with other guys, she never considered Harry. Lila never thought you two would hit it off, frankly. You were from two different worlds. He was from one end and you from the other. He was also just as hard-headed in some ways as you were.

She and Ben never thought to give either of you the chance together; however, there it was– an obvious spark. 

And it’s not that you didn’t like Harry or find him attractive. He seemed sweet, and from the way you two were bouncing back and forth, you got along. He was also incredibly handsome. He was your type, ticked all of your boxes from an outside perspective. All of that was great–  and if you were in a different place, you’d dive in. 

But you weren’t. You still felt broken. 

The last 2 years of relationships and failed dates just ruined your self esteem. You just were not ready to open up your heart or even try to give a guy a chance– even if it was someone like Harry. You were too afraid of getting hurt once again.

You continued to walk to the reception hall, splitting away from your sister and Ben as they went to take photos outside the venue. 

You let go of Harry’s arm and saw your mom motioning for you to come over to her. 

You nodded at her. “I uh, I’ve been summoned…” you chuckled softly and turned to him. “It was lovely to meet you, Harry…” You held out your hand for him to shake. 

He tilted his head a fraction and looked down at you, smiling warmly, “It was lovely to meet you as well…” he took your hand, and instead of shaking it, he leaned down and kissed it gently, keeping eye contact with you.

For once you were speechless. And before you had time to react, one of the groomsmen grabbed his shoulder, pulling him away, “Open bar, man! Come on!” they said excitedly.

Harry looked back at you and smiled, “I’ll find you later?” he shouted as he was being dragged by the arm.

You nodded and smiled politely. “Sure…” You chuckled and then walked towards your mom, putting on a fake smile. 

During the reception, you did what you could to avoid him. You put yourself in every other social situation or task to act busy, rarely sitting down or remaining alone. 

Mainly not allowing yourself to slip into his ‘brown-eyed spell’ as you dubbed it. 

You could feel his gaze on you from time to time, and once when you were waiting for your drink at the bar you clocked him coming your way. You acted like someone call you and rushed off.

He brushed it off, knowing not only were you the maid of honor but the brides sister which he assumed came with more than normal responsibilities during a wedding.

He was confident that one way or another, he'd reconnect with you.

He was sure of it.

Halfway through, it was time for toasts. 

Your sister looked at you and nodded after the DJ announced it, signaling she wanted you to go first. 

You took a deep breath and stood from your seat, taking your glass of champagne in your hand and then gently tapping the knife on it. Everyone started to calm down and look at you. 

You went to start when someone ran over and handed you a microphone, “Oh.. god, ok…” you suddenly got nervous so you chuckled shyly, “Uhm… good evening everyone. For those that don’t know me, I am Lila’s big sister and the maid of honor.” you smiled softly and then pulled out your phone, “I just wanted to say a few words and wishes to the happy couple tonight.” 

You looked up to where your sister and Ben were sitting and let out a breath. “I uhm… I first met Ben when he was standing on my parent's front porch with a bouquet of lilies 3 years ago— pacing back and forth, practicing how he was going to tell Lila how pretty as he rehearsed it to the wall.” You smiled at Ben, and he chuckled and nodded, remembering.

You continued, “We said hello, I gave the usual ‘You hurt her, I’ll kill you and make it look like an accident’ talk…” You joked and shrugged nonchalantly, and the crowd chuckled. 

“He took her to see a play. I believe they went to see Phantom of the Opera, right?” You looked at them, and they nodded. 

“Anyway– the importance of this was she had gone out with 3 other guys before Ben that month. She’s also not a big theatre person…” You looked at her, “Which, who doesn’t like the theatre?” you teased. 

The crowd chuckled and you smiled and looked back at your phone and set it down on the table, “But after all three of those dates– she didn’t come home and have the stupid idiot, ‘I’m in love’ smile plastered on her face, the one that has been stuck on her face ever since she went out with Ben.” you smiled at your sister and she teared up, nodding at you. 

“You’ve made each other smile brightly… warmly… and with every ounce of love and adoration since that night. I hope that everyone can find that type of love in their lifetime; that they find their Ben, their Lila.” You nodded at them. 

You cleared your throat and took a breath, feeling yourself tear up, “There's, uh, there's a poem that I found by Kiersten White that says, 

‘And I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you, and I'd choose you’...” 

You took a moment and looked around the room, and saw Harry, he was looking at you the way Ben looked at Lila when they first met– like he was content. He was looking at you like you hung the moon and stars. 

Your heart skipped a beat, more butterflies erupted in your stomach, and the devil betrayed you because a blush bloomed across your cheeks as well as a small smile. 

You quickly looked away and found your sister and Ben, swallowing down the jackhammer that was currently trying to break down your walls. 

“I, uhm...” you let out a shaky breath, trying to refocus.

You flexed your hand at your side anxiously and then took a deep breath, “I can trust that in any lifetime, in any world, you two would find each other."

You sighed and teared up seeing your sister wiping her eyes, "I can’t ask for better comfort… to know my best friend… my little sister will know what it is to be loved in every circumstance.” you lightly chuckled seeing Ben lean over and kiss Lila’s cheek, making a tear fall.

Your lip quivered slightly as you began to speak again so you chuckled it away and shook your head, looking down for a moment and then back up at Ben.

“Ben, welcome to the family… I love you like a brother and couldn’t be more excited for you and my sister’s union today.” you smiled and tsked feeling more tears threatening to fall, “So with that, I’d like to toast to the happy couple, may your days be filled with love, laughter, and light– cheers.” you raised your glass and so did everyone else.

You nodded at your sister, assuring her you were ok, just happy for her.

She had tears falling down her cheeks, nodding back at you, then mouthed, ‘I love you’ to which you mouthed back. 

After you sat back down, Ben’s brother, one of the other groomsmen, proposed a toast as well. To which was mainly sharing some embarrassing stories of him but turned out quite heartfelt and tender at the end. 

After the toasts were done, it was time for the couple’s first dance.

The slow music that you sister and Ben had picked out started playing over the speakers, and the lights dimmed. You turned around in your chair to watch them on the dance floor. You leaned your chin against the back of the chair.

You were over the moon for your sister, so happy for her to find her happiness. 

However, in this moment, you realize just how long you have put on a happy face. Since her engagement, you’d not let yourself feel anything but that- forged happiness.

Because as you watched them dance, whispering words of love to each other– a part of you felt sadness, and maybe some envy. 

You can’t remember the last time you’d felt that vulnerable, that free with someone. The last time you felt a fraction of what you’d imagine she was feeling was back in high school at your senior prom. 

‘God, that’s pathetic…’ you thought. That was over 15 years ago. 

You shook your head and refocused, beginning to look around the room at all the happy couples as they watched them dance– observing their expressions, their reactions to their partners sitting next to them, surely whispering words of love as well. 

You were so lost in your thoughts, so deep into the moment, that you didn’t hear the DJ announce for everyone else to join them on the dance floor for the next slow dance. 

Your parents stood and started walking out to the dance floor together, pulling you from your thoughts.

You smiled at them and then looked back and around at all the happy couples joining them before you stood from your chair. You leaned down to grab your glass to go get another drink when you heard someone clear their throat behind you. 

You leaned back up and turned around to find Harry, smiling softly at you with his hand outstretched to you, “May I have this dance?” using those brown puppy dog eyes to his advantage. 

You looked at him and softly chuckled, feeling shy and nervous under his gaze. “I uh… I don’t know how to…” you started, trying to come up with an excuse. 

“I’ll teach you…” He held his hand out a little more, “Just one dance?” he smiled just a little softer, tilting his head to the side playfully. 

You bit the inside of your cheek, contemplating, and then sighed softly, “Just one…” you put your glass down as you smiled a little and then took his hand gently- this time a spark of electricity zinged up throughout your body. 

He walked with your hand in his out to the dance floor and put the two of you in the middle, lost in the crowd, but when he turned to stand in front of you, it was like the rest of the world disappeared. 

It was just you and him. 

“So you’re going to hold my hand like this…” he moved your hand in his slowly, looking at your hands together then he looked back down at you, “Then your other hand can either rest on my chest… or on my shoulder or around my back…” he explained quietly, his expression was soft and tender.

You swallowed nervously and blushed. You nodded before putting it softly around his back and resting your hand on the back of his shoulder.

“I’m going to put my other hand on your waist…” he gently put his hand on your waist, pulling you closer to him slowly, your faces now impossibly close. 

You couldn’t help but smile at how close you were to him, slightly blushing deeper.

His cologne smelled of bourbon and woodsmoke– it was intoxicating. It was comforting. It calmed you. 

His hands were gentle and soft in the way he held you– like you were something to cherish. You felt like the only person in the world, in his world. 

He softly spoke, interrupting your thoughts, “...and then all we’re going to do is step and sway back and forth…” he began to lead, and you followed. 

The music was soft as you swayed with him. There was like a bubble you were both in– everything around you felt blurred or muffled.

After a few moments of silence, you looked up at him and tilted your head. 

“So, you said you recognized me earlier…” You let out a nervous chuckle. “Should I be concerned?” you teased. 

He immediately looked down at you and brought your hand in his, closer to his chest. This effectively pulled you a little closer so you two could hear each other better over the loud music. 

He chuckling softly, “No– nothing like that. I’ve just been to your sister’s house. I’ve seen a few photos of you around her place…” he smiled softly down at you. 

You nodded. “Ah, I see…” You let out a dramatic breath of relief. 

He let out a soft chuckle again, then scoffed, “What? Did you think me a stalker or something?” he acted offended with the biggest smile across his face. 

You smiled and pulled your head back a fraction, “No! No… I just… I don’t have very good luck with guys, that’s all…” You looked down for a moment, chuckling at his playfulness. 

He hummed. “How so?” he asked, still looking down at you. Noticing you slowly opening up to him. Instinctively, his thumb started softly rubbing up and down on your waist as if he was trying to soothe you, coax you to open up to him. 

You looked up at him and saw something in the way he looked at you. He was looking at you like there was something worth looking at. 

However, this was something that immediately set off warning bells in your head. Ones that sounded the alarm to ‘man the walls’, ‘weapons at the ready’ type of alarm. 

Ones that have been up for the last few months whenever something feels like this happens. Or when it feels like it’s getting real. Mechanisms that, over time, you've used to try to keep your heart safe.

You bit the inside of your cheek, and that wall went up– closing yourself back off. “Just… not had the best luck is all.” You cleared your throat and looked at the flower on his chest to focus on something that wasn’t his gaze. 

He swallowed and bit his lip as he looked down at you, noticing the way you were closing yourself up again.

He’d known about what you’d been through, why you were closing up.

Unfortunately, he knew a few of the men that disrespected your time as they were men he and Ben worked with. Men he didn't understand why Ben and Lila would set you up with other than they were single and mutual friends.

Ben and he were good friends. They hung out often as they not only worked together but they had also had been friends since childhood, so there was that element too- a brotherhood. 

That being said, whenever you came home early from a date and called Lila with the news and he was over at their house, he heard how Lila would try to talk you through it. 

He was at Ben and Lila's when your last serious relationship ended on account of Damon, your ex, cheating on you. The sound of your cries on the other side of the phone as you sobbed and questioned your worth– no one should ever go through that. 

After the dating apps ultimately turned you off to the idea of love– Lila would always try to set you up with mutual friends of hers or Ben’s– insisting since they knew them, it'd work out.

For some reason, though, he was never in the running– they never offered him. 

He didn’t know why– maybe it was the different lifestyles? Perhaps Lila just didn’t think the two of you as compatible? 

He never knew why, but today he confirmed there was something between the two of you. There was a spark.

He felt it. 

He knew you felt it, too.

From the way you’d smile at him or the way you melted into his touch, he knew– now he just needed to convince you to give him a chance. He just needed a way in to start breaking down those walls you kept reinforcing.

He hummed and looked over at Ben and Lila as they danced. “I’ve had my fair share of bad luck too lately…” he admitted, trying to find common ground. “I took someone out last week… turns out they were just in it for the wrong reasons.” 

You looked up at him, eyes expressing empathy. “Yeah? What reason? If you don't mind me asking...” 

He tsked, “She was in it for the money.”

You chuckled, “You’re kidding me…” You chuckled more, thinking it was a joke, but then you realized he wasn’t laughing along. 

You quickly stopped, and your smile faded. “Wait, you’re not kidding…” you realized. "Fuck... I'm so sorry..." you looked down, cursing again under your breath.

He couldn’t help but smile widely. “No, it's ok."

He waited for you to look back up before continuing "I, uh… god, how do I say this?” he chuckled. 

You chuckled, now embarrassed but chuckled nonetheless, “You’re loaded?” you joked. 

He chuckled a little louder, turning some heads around you, so he leaned in close to hide his chuckle, making you giggle. 

He looked at you, your eyes meeting his, and slowly stopped chuckling, “I uh, I do well for myself… I’ll say that.” he cleared his throat softly. 

You nodded and then looked at your hand in his, noticing the ring he was wearing. “Well for yourself? Harry, that ring costs more than a year of my salary…” you teased, smiling back up at him. “Who the hell are you?” you raised your eyebrow playfully. 

Boom, there it was– the wall’s foundation cracking.

He took a moment and looked down at you, hearing the song close to ending, so he took a chance- he dove head first. 

He smiled and nodded at you, “Let me take you out to dinner, I’ll show you…” he softly rubbed your waist with his thumb, “What do you say?” he leaned in a closer. 

No sirens. No alarm bells.

Instead- Boom. One brick down. Bang bang… another. 

You blushed, and the smile you had across your face somehow brightened at his boldness. 

You took a moment, reading his eyes, trying to find something, anything to tell you to say no, but you couldn’t. He was sure of himself, so sure of you. 

You swallowed shyly and went to answer when your dad interrupted, clearing his throat and putting his hand on Harry’s shoulder from behind him, “Mind if I cut in?” he said with a smile on his face, obviously not picking up on what was going on. 

Harry’s eyes shot over to your dad's and he chuckled politely, slowly letting go of your waist but not your hand as it fell between you two, away from your dad, “Of course sir…” he looked down at you, “I’ll uh… I’ll find you later?” he said with hope in his tone. 

You felt him run his thumb over your knuckles softly, you couldn’t stop the butterflies from erupting deep down. 

You bit the inside of your cheek and nodded, “Yeah, find me later…” you gave his hand a small squeeze of reassurance. 

He pursed his lips together to try and suppress the grin that was forcing itself on his lips but failed, “I will…” he said softly. 

Your dad cleared his throat again, and Harry chuckled nervously and let go of your hand slowly, gently patting your dad's arm, “Good to see you again, Richard…” then walked away, heading towards the bar, looking back over his shoulder at you once more. 

Your dad hummed then softly took your hand and positioned himself to dance with you. He caught your eyeline and nodded at you, “How you holding up, kiddo?” he smiled down at you. 

You looked up at him and gently smiled, “I’m good– other than my feet killing me, I’m good.” You chuckled. 

“Harry wasn’t botherin’ you?” he nodded over his way, raising his eyebrows.

You tsked and sighed, “Dad…” you softly laughed, knowing what he was doing. 

He shrugged, “What? Can you blame me for worryin’?” he looked down at you, eyes soft with concern.

You shook your head, “No… no he wasn't.” you looked down and bit your lip, then looked back up at him, your expression softening, “What do you know about Harry? I mean other than he’s a good friend of Ben’s…” you inquired. 

He looked out into the distance as he thought about what he had known from speaking to Ben about him previously and then speaking to him earlier today, “He’s some big wig in the city… makes real good money. Uh… I know from speakin’ to him earlier that he’s been good friends with Ben since they were young?” he looked at back you curiously, “Why do you ask?”

You shrugged and looked over at Ben and Lila, avoiding his eye contact, “Just askin’...” you said softly, sighing softly. 

Your dad looked over at Harry, who was sitting by the bar, watching the two of you. He smiled softly at your dad– your dad nodded at him politely, then turned back to you, picking up on what he may have just interrupted between the two of you. 

He spoke up softly, “If it’s… just in case you’re wonderin’... I know Ben wouldn’t let him near you without a ten-foot pool if he was bad news, right?” 

You chuckled softly, looking at Ben, knowing how protective he had always been with you, “Yeah… that’s true.” 

He took a breath and cleared his throat, attempting to get your attention. “Bug?”

You looked up at him, your eyes soft and curious. “Yeah, Dad?”   

“I know you’re not lookin’ right now, and your heart is still mendin’... but take it from me… don’t let a good thing pass by just because you think you’re not worthy of it.” he looked at you with nothing but love in his eyes, “I love you bug, and I just want you to be happy.” 

Your dad was someone who rarely spoke his mind. For him to say any of that shocked you. You took a moment before you smiled and leaned up, kissing his cheek, “I love you too, Dad…” 

He smiled, then took your hands, backed up, and slowly spun you around, making you giggle happily as he pulled back and hugged you gently as the song came to an end. 

The DJ came onto the audio system, and an old country song that your sister and dad loved started to play. You immediately knew what that meant as you looked at Lila, who was letting go of Ben’s hands. 

The DJ announced over the room, “If everyone will please exit the dance floor, we will be havin’ the daddy-daughter dance now…” the music gradually getting a little louder. 

Your dad kissed your cheek softly, “I’ll see you later, Bug…” and then walked away towards your sister, leaving you on the dance floor.

You moved off the floor with everyone and then looked towards the bar, expecting to see Harry there, but he wasn’t anywhere to be found. 

You looked around and tried to find him in the reception hall but couldn’t see him, he just seemed to have vanished. He was just there; where could he have gone?

The longer you stood there looking around, your heart dropped a little. 

After a few moments, you shook your head in disappointment and sighed. You cursed yourself for thinking that maybe something was happening between the two of you. The insecurity creeping itself back in. 

You could feel your ears hear up the more embarrassed you felt, a lump forming in the back of your throat as well. 

You clenched your jaw and breathed out a breath through your nostrils, grabbing your phone before you looked up and started walking over to the bar to reinforce that wall that had started to come down.

“Marinti, please?” you looked at the bartender. She nodded and smiled, starting to make it. 

You sat on one of the stools and tucked your hair behind your ear, watching the woman make your drink, blocking out everything else around you. 

Not long after, a young man came up to you, one of Ben’s old college roommates that Lila had tried to set you up with weeks ago, who had bailed at the last minute. 

“Hey, you’re Lila’s sister, right?” he hiccuped, obviously intoxicated. 

You turned your head and politely smiled, “Guilty as charged...” then looked back to the bartender as she handed you your drink, smiling and nodding at her to thank her. 

“I’ll uh, buy you a drink…” he smirked, “I’m Diego…” he held his hand out, leaning against the bar on his side, crowding your space. 

You chuckled softly, taking a sip of your drink. “Well, Diego, as flattering as that I’m sure would be— it’s an open bar, so no one needs to buy anyone a drink… it’s all been paid for...” you said, sounding a bit sarcastic and annoyed. 

He didn’t catch the tone and snapped his fingers, like he’d had an epiphany, “Oh! You’re right!” he chuckled, “You… you’re so smart. Lila said you were smart…” he scooted a little closer to you, tapping the bar to ask for another drink from the bartender. 

You took another sip of your drink, and nodded, “I am smart.” you then sighed at him looking at you up and down, feeling grossed out by the way his eyes darkened lustfully, “I’m also not interested in whatever tree you’re tryna bark up Diego…” you tightly smiled, now annoyed by his presence, taking another sip of your drink. 

He frowned and tsked, “Oh come on, don’t be like that baby…” he put his hand on the small of your back, which made you choke on your drink. 

You coughed then turned and shoved him off you, “I am not your baby and I won’t repeat it, back off asshole…” you warned. 

He tilted his head, and a new darkness fell over him, one that raised a huge red flag in your mind.

He bit his lip, then raised his eyebrow, offended by your action. So he did what any tiny dicked asshole would do and attempted to make you feel just as small.

“Man, you know... they were all right about you… you’re a fuckin’ mess.” he spat, not liking the rejection he’d just received.

You felt your face turn red and tears start to well up, your heart beating so damn loudly that you could hear it in your ears.

You shook your head and clenched your teeth, looking down at your drink then picked it up, “You know what? Maybe I am a mess… but you just showed how tiny your dick is by that antic.” you splashed your drink on him and then smiled tightly, “Good luck scoring with someone else tonight smelling like that." you set your glass down.

"If there’s one thing that will dry a pussy up— it’s a man that smells like bad news…” You then quickly grabbed your things and walked past him towards the main exit doors. 

You needed fresh air. You needed to get away from all this. It was all too much.

Harry had to step away to take a work call, so he moved to the bathroom area to find some quiet. 

When he started walking back to the bar and saw you splash Diego with your drink and then storm out the other end of the hall. He weaved through the party crowd as fast as he could to follow you, concern written on his face. 

When you opened the doors of the venue, you were met with a bitter cold gust of wind, making your breath hitch in the back of your throat. 

You stepped out and let the door fall closed behind you. Your breathing then quickly became frantic and quick, emotions crashing down on you. 

You felt suffocated by this whole night, by this whole last week. Diego just shut off the damn ventilator that was helping you breath. 

You moved your feet forward and kept walking, beginning to somewhat hyperventilate, tears now falling. 

You whispered as you quickly walked down the long set of stairs, needing to get as far away from that damn building as quickly possible, “F-fuck… fuck him… fuck all of it…” you muttered, softly sobbing. 

You kept walking and just so happened to stroll into a vineyard area to the left, hugging your arms as you walked in the cold. 

You felt so embarrassed, so humiliated by what Diego had said.

Is that what they all thought of you? Were you that big of a mess? Is that what Harry picked up on? Was that why he left?

Through the tears that partially blinded your vision, you saw a fountain in the middle of the vineyard. Fairy lights were gathered in the middle, creating an almost peaceful atmosphere. 

It was beautiful. It was sanctuary. 

You started to jog slowly to it, picking up the front of your dress. 

Harry burst through the front doors, softly calling your name, expecting you to be there but when he didn’t find you he looked around, buttoning up his jacket due to the cold, “Fuck… where are you?” he asked himself. 

His eyes searched the area.

There were only two things you could have done: hail a taxi and leave— which you wouldn’t do. He knew your sister would never let you live that down. That or escape somewhere close by. 

He walked down the stairs, and then he saw the vineyard off to the side. Something in his gut told him to go that way, so he did. 

He followed the path, looking down every quiet corner or empty bench. 

When he got to the end of it and saw you by the fountain, sitting on the edge, your fingers dancing across the water— he let go of his breath.

He softened at the image before him, taking in the simple yet overwhelming beauty you were to him. 

He went to walk but then stopped for a moment and swallowed before clearing his throat, trying not to startle or scare you, “You know, when you said to find you later, I was thinkin’ more by the bar or on the dance floor…” he teased as he put his hands in his pockets as he started walking towards you. 

You turned around and saw him and for a split second, your heart leapt. You felt a sense of happiness, relief– but then that stupid insecurity overshadowed it and drop-kicked it out of your being. 

You quickly looked back down at your lap, sadly chuckling, “I’m sorry. I thought you left. I couldn’t find you after I was finished with my dad…” You turned back towards the water and wiped your eyes on the back of your hand, hoping he didn’t see.

He tilted his head as saw you wipe your tears. “I made you a promise, querida…” he said and then sat down on the edge of the fountain, turning his head to look at you, “I’m a man of my word.” 

You nodded, keeping your eyes on the water, little fish coming up to your fingertips, “You’re a rarity amongst men if that’s the case…” then scoffed out a chuckle.

He let the moment sit in silence, letting you have the peace he could tell you needed. 

The music from the reception hall was loud enough you could hear it from where the two of you were.

He listened to the music, and as it began to slow down, an instrumental version of 'Your Needs, My Needs' by Noah Kahan started to play. 

He stood and turned to face you, extending his hand, “We never got to finish our dance…” his eyes soft, inviting. His smile was tender and gentle. 

You looked up at him and then his hand, everything in your body cemented you where you sat. Everything was telling you not to reach up and take his hand, but when you levetated to your feet and took his hand, it almost felt like it was a gravitational pull– it was magnetic.

He pulled you softly to the middle of the courtyard, then let go of your hand. “First things first…” he took off his suit jacket and then wrapped it around your shoulders. “Can’t have you catchin’ a cold, can we?”

You put your arms through the sleeves. It drowned you. 

You looked down at yourself and couldn’t help but giggle at how ridiculous you must look.  

He chuckled and took a step back to look at you, “Much better…” he stepped back and then effortlessly took your hand again. “Now come ‘ere…” then put his hand on your waist, pulling you close. 

You blushed so red that you felt like there might be steam coming from how hot your cheeks felt against the bitter cold at the way he was with you.

Your other hand instinctively landed on his shoulder, lightly holding onto it. You looked down to suppress the smile that had been plastered across your lips. 

He swayed with the music, smiling to himself, knowing he was pulling you out of that shell, knocking down that wall again. 

He waited a few moments, then tempo changed he chuckled and took a small step back to spin you around slowly. 

You giggled and spun around slowly, looking up at him, seeing he was smiling just as much as you were.

When he pulled you back into him, you lost your balance, the alcohol you’d had earlier making you feel a bit light on your feet. You fell into him, lightly yelping as you did so. 

You knocked both of you back a few steps, but he recovered with ease. “Woah there…” he teased as his arm wrapped around your waist to catch you as he stumbled back, chuckling.

You giggled a little louder, feeling silly for the loss of balance. “Told you I couldn’t dance…” 

He chuckled and rubbed his thumb against the small of your back that his hand was now holding you at, “You never said you couldn’t dance, querida… just that you didn’t know how…” he corrected as he retook your hand, pulling it close to his chest, in between the two of you, starting to sway with you once again. 

You pulled back a little to bounce something back at him, putting your hand on his chest to help you balance. 

But your mind was distracted as you could feel his heartbeat against your palm, it pounding just as quickly as yours.

He was just as excited and nervous as you were with him.

You heard him say your name softly, but it was muffled, your head swirling. 

He said it again, this time using his hand on your back to gently pinch your chin between his thumb and forefinger, pulling your eyes up to meet his, saying your name once more, and leaning in a tad. 

Your name sounded different coming off his tongue. It sounded right. It was like everyone had been saying your name incorrectly– you’d been saying it wrong.

With him, it felt warm, full of light– he gave it purpose.   

You were about to say something, having even inhaled before, but before the first syllable came out of your mouth, your phone dinged a couple of times, interrupting the moment. 

You cleared your throat, "Sorry, excuse me..."

You stepped out of his arms and walked over to it as it lay on the concrete wall of the fountain. You picked it up and looked down at it. It was your mom. 

��Where are you? Lila is about to leave! She said you’re in charge of handing out sparklers to guests?’ 

‘Hello?’ 

‘I need you to answer me…’

‘This isn’t a time to sulk and disappear if that’s what you’re doing. You need to come back to the venue.’

You sighed softly and swallowed down everything you’d been feeling, reality setting back in, that last message hitting a nerve. 

You felt the wall reinforce itself, and with that, you went back to closing yourself up. 

You typed back as response then looked up at Harry as he stood there, waiting for you with a soft smile on his face.

“Sorry uhm, I need to get back…” You picked up your things. You took off his jacket and gently handed it to him, smiling politely before starting to walk back, keeping your head down. 

There was that shift again. The warmth he just felt you exude, and again when you were both on the dance floor in his arms– it was gone. Things had changed. You closed back up. What happened? What the hell did Diego say to you? Who the hell just texted you?

He stood there, and something fueled inside him; he wasn’t one to give up so easily. 

He put his jacket on and quickly caught up with you. “Wait- I’ll walk with you…” He gently placed his hand on the small of your back. 

You kept your eyes forward or down, avoiding eye contact with him. That insecurity that Diego had found earlier was back to its normal scheduled programming of making you feel small, insignificant– worthless.

He cleared his throat softly as you exited the vineyard and started walking back towards the venue, “Hey uhm, whatever Diego said to earn you throwing a drink at him, don’t listen to him— he’s a fool.” he turned his head to look down at you. 

You shook your head and tsked, “Yeah… well, he had a point.” you said numbly as you started walking back up the stairs. 

He stopped and stayed at the bottom, looking at you as you went up. “What did he say to dim that pretty light of yours?” 

You stopped a few steps up, your hand on the rail, and kept your eyes fixated on the ground, tears starting to well in your eyes as you replayed his words in your mind. You moved up a few more stairs. 

He walked up a couple of stairs as you moved, to be just below you, proclaiming, “Because whatever he said, cariño, I can prove that he’s wrong…” he said softly, sounding like he was pleading for a chance. 

You stopped moving, and for a split second, those doors opened back up. You felt like you were easing into him, trusting in his words. 

However, just as fast as they opened, they shut– your mom being the catalyst. 

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” she shouted from the top of the stairs, looking down at you with her hand on her hip. She then saw Harry below you and she instantly changed her tone, “Oh Harry, sweetheart, how’s your evening been?” 

You sighed and shook your head, scoffing at her personality change before running up the stairs, leaving Harry where he was. 

He was so close, so close to breaking through those walls.

He looked up at your mom, “Evenin’, Mrs. Winters.” he politely smiled then his eyes followed you as you ran up the stairs. 

He was now determined more than before. He wouldn’t allow you to think of yourself in any way that someone like Diego might have described you or whoever texted you.

Hell no. 

He clenched his jaw and scaled the stairs up to her. “Did you need your daughter’s help with something? Perhaps I can assist?” he smiled.

About 20 minutes later, you had everyone outside and sparklers lit, the happy couple running down the stairs down to a limo that was ready to take them to the airport for their honeymoon. 

After you and the families said goodbye as they left, everyone started to clear out and pack up. 

Your mom grabbed your arm and pulled you aside at the bottom of the stairs. "Okay, so to get the deposit back, we need to have this place cleaned in the next two hours.” She had a panicked look in her eye. 

You chuckled, your feet and back aching from the long day you’d had, unlike her, who had spent most of the night drinking champagne. “You’re kidding, right?” You looked at her in disbelief. Leave it to her to do something like this after a day like this. 

She raised her eyebrow and laughed, pulling you by the hand up the stairs, “Oh, Bug, you’re so funny— of course, I’m not kidding!” 

Harry was talking to another groomsman towards the top when he saw you being dragged by your mom. He excused himself and ran inside after you both. “Mrs. Winters!” he called. 

Your mom turned around and smiled brightly, letting your hand go, “Oh, thank you so much for all your help today, dear!” She touched his arm, smiling brightly at him.

He smiled down at you, then looked at your mom. “I, uh, was wondering if you needed any help with the cleanup?” He was going to do anything he could to spend more time with you tonight. 

“Oh, there’s no need for that! My Richard said you had an early morning— you should go home and get some sleep! I’m sure today has been so exhausting for you.” she tsked sympathetically and now patting his arm. 

He smiled warmly, “That’s very kind of you but with all due respect, ma’am, it wouldn’t be right of me as the best man to leave you to do all this work.” he put his hand over hers, “Put me to work— I must insist.” he winked at her. 

Your mom looked at you and raised her eyebrow towards Harry as she leaned over to whisper to you. “See now, why can’t you find a man like him, Bug?” she jabbed at you, in her way, trying to be funny. 

Normally, you’d feed into her humor and punch something back. However, that hit a nerve this time. 

You looked at her sadly and bit your lip, then muttered under your breath as you turned away, “I’m going to go… do something else…” Then you walked away towards the refreshment table, going to pack up the food first. 

Your mom noticed the sudden drop in your mood and felt like shit. “Shoot, I…” she sighed and wanted to go after you but knew you would need space from her after something like that. 

Harry noticed how the comment immediately made you shrink, and the look you had across your face broke his heart.

He looked down at your mom and cleared his throat softly. “I’m going to go help her…” he nodded and then walked towards where you were packing everything up into to-go containers.   

He came up and stood next to you, starting to help pack up the food in silence. After a few minutes he stopped and turned his head, “I don’t know what Diego said, or what’s goin’ on..." he softly sighed.

"You don’t have to say anything, but just know I’m here. I’m here if you need someone to talk to,” he said, reaching over and gently touching your hand, which was lying flat on the table as you listened to him.

You clenched your jaw, and tears began to well up at his touch. You kept your eyes on the box in front of you, doing everything you could to not melt into a puddle of tears in front of him. 

For the last few months, there was a pain deep in your chest that had been festering– not allowing anyone in, anyone close enough to you.

However, no matter how hard that fester tried to push him away or avoid him tonight, he kept coming back.

He kept showing up. 

You couldn’t help but feel the pain start to morph into something different under his touch. It wasn’t pain, it wasn’t depression, it wasn’t sadness. 

Instead, it was something light. It was something hopeful. 

It was your heart starting to beat again- beginning to mend. 

Next Chapter

no pressure taglist: @thebeautytoyourbeat, @sarahhxx03, @blahkateisdone, @sunnytuliptime, @pedroscurls, @docharleythegeekqueen @pedritosgirl2000 @fancyyoouu @greendudenumber7, @queenofdisaster12 @axshadows @mystickittytaco @yxtkiwiyxt @alltheirdamn @punkshort @stylesispunk @iheartoldermem @mermaidgirl30 @mountainsandmayhem @sp00kymulderr @brittmb115 @poor-unfortunate-soul9927 @spacelatinos4life @pedge-page @pedropascalfab

[pinkmoontaco]

Fated to Love You || Choi Seungcheol

Pairing: Idol Scoups X Solo Idol Y/n Genre: Romance/Angst/Second chance romance/Drama Plot: After a highly publicized breakup with Seungcheol, Y/n finds herself caught between the past and the present as she navigates love, heartbreak, and the pressures of fame. With the world watching her every move, unexpected encounters, media scandals, and unresolved emotions complicate her journey. As tensions rise and feelings resurface, she is faced with a choice—one that could change everything. Authors note: Hey everyone! I know it’s been a while since I last posted, but I’m finally back with a new story! I’ve put a lot of effort into this one, and I really hope you all give it a chance. Writing this wasn’t easy, but your support always keeps me going. Thank you so much for your patience and for sticking with me—I truly appreciate it! Please keep commenting; your words inspire me more than you know. Hope you enjoy the story! Love you guys 💕✨

Feel free to make requests

M.list

The bustling chaos of the airport filled Y/n’s senses. She pulled her cap lower over her face and adjusted her sunglasses, hoping to slip past unnoticed. It was her first public appearance since announcing the cancellation of her engagement, and she knew the media frenzy that awaited her.

But the fans were relentless. As she walked toward the departure gate, a small crowd gathered around her, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of questions.

“Y/n! Is it true you and Seungcheol broke up because of Sewon?”

“Do you regret ending the engagement?”

“What happened between you and Seungcheol?”

Y/n stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding. She forced a calm expression, though her hands trembled as she gripped the strap of her bag.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be answering any personal questions today,” she said firmly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

The cameras continued to flash, and the murmurs grew louder, but Y/n kept walking. Her chest tightened with every step, each question cutting deeper than she cared to admit. By the time she reached her gate, she felt like she could barely breathe.

Finding a quiet corner, she slumped into a seat and closed her eyes, willing the tears to stay hidden. The echoes of the fans’ words lingered in her mind, reopening wounds she thought she had begun to heal. But as painful as it was, Y/n reminded herself why she had made the decision to walk away. It was for her own peace, her own worth things she refused to compromise any longer.

Seungcheol stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over Y/n’s contact. He had hesitated so many times before, unsure if she would even want to hear from him. But tonight, the emptiness in his apartment felt unbearable, and he couldn’t shake the need to hear her voice.

Taking a deep breath, he pressed the call button. The line rang, each tone dragging out the silence he dreaded. Finally, the call went to voicemail.

“Hey, Y/n,” he began, his voice low and uncertain. “It’s me. I… I just wanted to check on you. I know I don’t have the right to ask, but I hope you’re doing okay. I miss you."

He paused, the words catching in his throat.

“I… I’m sorry for everything. I hope someday we can talk. Take care, Y/n.”

Ending the call, Seungcheol let out a shaky breath and set the phone down. The emptiness lingered, but for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope—however small—that things might one day be different.

A day later, Seungcheol sat in front of his phone camera, his expression a mix of determination and vulnerability. He had debated for hours about making this video, but the backlash Y/n was facing left him no choice.

Pressing record, he took a deep breath and began to speak.

“Hi, this is Seungcheol. I know a lot has been said and speculated about my relationship with Y/n and the engagement we ended. I want to start by saying that Y/n has always been someone I deeply respect and care for. The decision we made to part ways was mutual, and it was a deeply personal matter.”

He paused, his eyes glancing down briefly before returning to the camera. “But what I cannot stand by and watch is the way she’s being harassed and blamed. Y/n does not deserve the hate or the accusations being thrown at her. She made the decision that was best for her, and I respect that wholeheartedly.”

Seungcheol leaned forward slightly, his tone growing firmer. “I also want to address the rumors about Sewon. She is a friend, nothing more. Any assumptions beyond that are untrue and have caused unnecessary pain to everyone involved.”

He exhaled slowly, as if releasing the weight of his words. “I’m asking, sincerely, for everyone to stop harassing Y/n. She deserves peace and privacy, just as any of us do. Please be kind. Thank you.”

With that, he ended the recording and uploaded the video, hoping it would help ease the storm Y/n was facing. As he sat back, he realized that while he couldn’t undo the past, he could at least try to make things right in the present.

Two days later, Seungcheol found himself dialing Y/n’s number once again. To his surprise, this time, she answered.

“Hello?” Y/n’s voice was calm but distant, guarded.

“Y/n,” Seungcheol said, his voice heavy with emotion. “Thank you for answering. I just… I needed to talk to you.”

She remained silent, and he took it as his cue to continue. “I know I hurt you. I know I let you down in ways I can’t even begin to make up for. But I want you to know how sorry I am. Truly. You didn’t deserve any of this—the doubts, the pain, the public scrutiny. None of it.”

“Seungcheol,” she interrupted, her tone sharp yet composed. “I didn’t answer this call to hear your apology. I’ve heard it before. What I needed from you was action, not words. And you failed me when it mattered most.”

He swallowed hard, the weight of her words cutting through him. “I know. I just… I hoped there might be a way to fix this. To fix us.”

“There’s no fixing this,” Y/n said firmly. “Not anymore. I gave everything to this relationship, and I lost myself in the process. I won’t do that again.”

Her words were final, and Seungcheol felt his chest tighten. “I understand,” he said quietly. “I just want you to be happy, Y/n. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“I hope you find happiness too,” she replied

Three years ago

Under the bright lights of Y/n’s solo concert, Seungcheol and the members of Seventeen stood backstage, waiting for the show to begin. The crowd’s energy was electric, and their excitement mirrored the audience’s.

When Y/n finally took the stage, she owned it. Her presence was magnetic, her voice captivating as she performed with a passion that seemed to radiate beyond the stage. Seungcheol found himself mesmerized, his admiration growing with every song.

“She’s incredible,” Jeonghan whispered, nudging him. “No wonder everyone’s in love with her.”

Seungkwan nodded enthusiastically. “She’s not just talented; she’s got this aura. It’s impossible not to admire her.”

As Y/n finished her set and thanked the audience, her smile was radiant, lighting up the entire arena. Seungcheol couldn’t help but feel a spark of something deeper—a connection he couldn’t quite explain.

When they were finally introduced backstage, Y/n was gracious and warm despite the exhaustion evident in her eyes. She greeted each member with genuine kindness, and when her gaze met Seungcheol’s, he felt his heart skip a beat.

“You were amazing out there,” he said, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest.

“Thank you,” she replied, her smile soft and sincere. “I’ve heard so much about you and your group. It’s an honor to finally meet you all.”

That night, Seungcheol found himself lingering after the others had left, gathering the courage to speak again. “Y/n,” he began, his voice quieter this time, “I was wondering… if you’d like to grab coffee sometime. Just us.”

Her eyebrows rose slightly, surprise flickering across her face. Then, she smiled—a real, genuine smile that made his heart race. “I’d like that,” she said simply.

And so, it began. Coffee turned into late-night conversations, shared laughter, and a deep bond that grew stronger with each passing day. For Seungcheol, falling in love with Y/n was as natural as breathing, and in her presence, he felt like he had found a kindred spirit. The world seemed brighter, and the burdens of their demanding careers felt lighter when they were together.

Though their love story had its share of challenges, those early days were a reminder of the connection that had once brought them so much joy. And even now, as Seungcheol reflected on everything they had lost, he couldn’t help but cherish the moments that had made him fall in love with her in the first place.

As their coffee meetings turned into a weekly ritual, Seungcheol found himself looking forward to those moments more than anything else. Y/n had a way of making him laugh, even on his worst days. She listened intently, offering advice when he needed it and silence when words weren’t enough.

One evening, after a particularly long day of rehearsals, Seungcheol showed up at their favorite cafe, his exhaustion evident. Y/n noticed immediately and pushed a steaming cup of tea toward him.

“You look like you’ve been through a war,” she teased gently.

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “Something like that. But seeing you makes it all worth it.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she hid it behind her own cup. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Choi Seungcheol.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he replied with a playful smirk. “It got me here with you, didn’t it?”

Their banter flowed effortlessly, the connection between them growing deeper with every interaction. Over time, Seungcheol began to realize that Y/n wasn’t just someone he admired—she was someone he wanted by his side, through every high and low.

One night, as they walked along a quiet street after another coffee date, Seungcheol stopped abruptly. Y/n turned to him, puzzled.

“What is it?” she asked.

He hesitated, his heart pounding. Then, he took a deep breath. “Y/n, I know we’ve only been seeing each other for a short time, but… I like you. A lot. And I was wondering if you’d give us a chance—like, a real chance.”

Y/n stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, he feared he had ruined everything. But then she smiled, her eyes softening.

“I’d like that,” she said simply.

Relief and joy washed over Seungcheol, and without thinking, he reached for her hand. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she squeezed his hand gently, and they continued walking, their steps perfectly in sync.

It was the beginning of a love story that would change both of their lives forever.

Three years into their relationship, Seungcheol knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted Y/n to know how deeply she meant to him and how much he wanted to build a future together. With the help of the Seventeen members, he meticulously planned the proposal.

The venue was a private rooftop garden, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and surrounded by blooming flowers. It was the same place they had shared their first late-night conversation about their dreams and fears. Seungcheol wanted the moment to feel intimate, just as their relationship had always been—a sanctuary from the chaotic world around them.

Y/n arrived at the venue under the pretense of a casual date. As she stepped onto the rooftop, her breath hitched at the sight before her. A path lined with candles led to Seungcheol, who stood waiting under an arch draped in soft, white fabric and flowers.

He smiled nervously as she approached, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. “You’re here,” he said, his voice tinged with both excitement and nerves.

“What is all this?” she asked, her eyes glimmering with curiosity and emotion.

Taking a deep breath, Seungcheol dropped to one knee, pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket. Y/n gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.

“Y/n,” he began, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. “From the moment I met you, you turned my world upside down in the best way possible. You’ve been my rock, my partner, and my greatest love. Every day with you feels like a gift, and I can’t imagine my life without you by my side.”

He opened the box, revealing a delicate ring that sparkled under the soft glow of the lights. “Will you marry me?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Tears streamed down Y/n’s face as she nodded, unable to find the words. “Yes,” she finally managed to say, her voice breaking. “A thousand times yes.”

Seungcheol stood, slipping the ring onto her finger before pulling her into a tight embrace. The sound of soft applause broke out as the Seventeen members emerged from their hiding spots, cheering and congratulating the newly engaged couple.

The night was filled with laughter, love, and promises for the future. For Seungcheol and Y/n, it was a moment they would treasure forever—a testament to the love that had grown between them, steady and unwavering, through every challenge and triumph.

But as the weeks passed, cracks began to appear in their seemingly perfect engagement. It started when Seungcheol grew closer to Sewon, a fellow idol he had known for years. Initially, Y/n didn’t mind; she trusted Seungcheol and knew how important friendships were in their industry. But gradually, his priorities seemed to shift.

Missed calls, delayed responses, and canceled plans became more frequent. Whenever Y/n tried to address the issue, Seungcheol brushed it off, claiming he was busy with group schedules and projects. However, Y/n couldn’t ignore the pattern: most of his excuses coincided with him spending time with Sewon.

One evening, after yet another postponed dinner, Y/n decided to confront him. She waited for him in their shared apartment, her heart heavy with unease. When he finally walked through the door, his tired expression did little to soften her resolve.

“Seungcheol, we need to talk,” she said firmly.

He sighed, dropping his bag onto the couch. “Can it wait? I’m exhausted.”

“No, it can’t,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly. “You’ve been distant lately, and I feel like I’m not even a priority anymore. What’s going on?”

He rubbed his temples, frustration flickering across his face. “Y/n, I told you, it’s just work. You know how demanding our schedules are.”

“Is it work?” she pressed, her eyes searching his. “Or is it Sewon?”

At her words, Seungcheol’s expression hardened. “Why are you bringing her into this? She’s just a friend.”

“Then why do I feel like I’m competing with her for your attention?” Y/n’s voice cracked, the pain she had been suppressing spilling out. “You cancel our plans to meet her, you talk about her all the time, and you don’t even see how it’s affecting us.”

“You’re overthinking this,” he snapped, his tone sharper than he intended. “Sewon has nothing to do with us. You’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

Y/n took a step back, stunned by his dismissiveness. “Nothing?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you even hear yourself, Seungcheol? I’ve tried to be patient, to understand, but I can’t keep pretending that everything’s fine when it’s not.”

He looked away, his jaw tightening. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“I want you to choose us,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “But it feels like you’ve already made your choice.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavily between them. Seungcheol opened his mouth to respond but stopped himself. Instead, he turned and walked toward the bedroom, leaving Y/n standing alone in the living room, her heart breaking.

The days that followed were filled with strained conversations and unspoken tension. Y/n tried to hold on, hoping that Seungcheol would realize what was at stake, but his continued indifference only deepened the rift between them. Meanwhile, the rumors about him and Sewon began to spread, fueled by fan speculation and media reports.

Y/n found herself caught in a storm of doubt and heartbreak, unsure of how to salvage a relationship that seemed to be slipping through her fingers. And as much as she loved Seungcheol, she couldn’t ignore the growing feeling that she was fighting for something he no longer valued.

One rainy afternoon, Y/n received a message from Seungcheol, asking to meet at a small café they used to frequent during the early days of their relationship. Despite her reservations, she agreed, hoping for clarity amidst the chaos.

As she entered the café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of soft jazz music greeted her. Seungcheol was already there, sitting at a corner table, his hands wrapped around a steaming mug. His eyes lit up when he saw her, but there was a hesitance in his gaze.

“Thanks for coming,” he said as she sat down across from him.

Y/n nodded, folding her hands on the table. “What did you want to talk about?”

Seungcheol sighed, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his mug. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us… about everything.”

“And?” Y/n prompted, her heart pounding in anticipation.

“I don’t think I’m ready for marriage,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I was, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I’m too young. There’s so much going on in my career, and I feel like I’m being pulled in so many directions.”

Y/n stared at him, her chest tightening. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? Before proposing?”

“I thought I could handle it,” he said, his eyes filled with regret. “I thought my love for you would be enough to overcome everything else. But now, I’m not so sure.”

Her lips trembled as she spoke. “Do you even want to be with me, Seungcheol? Or am I just another thing you’re unsure about?”

“Of course I want to be with you,” he said quickly, reaching across the table for her hand. She pulled away, shaking her head.

“You can’t have it both ways,” she said, her voice breaking. “You can’t ask me to commit my life to you while you’re unsure about yours.”

Her voice was sharper now, the edge of frustration cutting through. “Is it about Sewon?”

Seungcheol’s silence spoke louder than words. Sewon’s name had become a sore point between them in recent months. A close friend and fellow idol, her bond with Seungcheol had always been evident. While Y/n had trusted him implicitly, the whispers of fans and the media began to seep into her mind, planting seeds of doubt.

“She’s just a friend,” he said, but his tone lacked conviction. “You know that.”

“Do I?” Y/n’s voice cracked, betraying the pain she had tried so hard to mask. “Do you realize how it feels to constantly see her by your side, laughing with you, leaning on you? And the worst part? You’ve never once tried to reassure me."

Seungcheol reached across the table, his hand hovering over hers. “I never meant to hurt you. You have to believe me.”

“Then why does it feel like I’m the only one fighting for this relationship?” She pulled her hand away, tears threatening to spill. “We’re supposed to be partners, Seungcheol. But lately, it feels like I’m competing for your attention.”

“Maybe… maybe we need some time apart,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/n felt her heart shatter. The engagement ring on her finger suddenly felt like a burden, its brilliance mocking her pain. She slipped it off and placed it on the table between them.

“If that’s what you want,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. “Then I won’t stop you.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

Y/n felt her heart shatter. The engagement ring on her finger suddenly felt like a burden, its brilliance mocking her pain. She slipped it off and placed it on the table between them.

Y/n stood, her chair scraping against the floor. “You already have.” Without another word, she walked out of the café, leaving Seungcheol sitting alone, the weight of his choices pressing down on him like never before.

*Flashback ends*

In the weeks that followed, Y/n channeled her heartbreak into her music. Late nights in the studio became her solace as she poured her emotions into lyrics and melodies. Each song she wrote was raw and vulnerable, capturing the pain, confusion, and longing she felt.

When her album was released, it became an instant hit, resonating with fans and critics alike. Tracks like "Falling Out of Love" and "Shadows of Us" topped the charts, their haunting lyrics striking a chord with listeners. In interviews, Y/n remained composed, describing the album as a reflection of her personal journey but never delving into specific details about her relationship with Seungcheol.

One particular song, "Unspoken Goodbye," drew widespread attention. Its lyrics painted a vivid picture of unreciprocated efforts and the ache of realizing love wasn’t enough to hold two people together.

“I reached for you in the dark, but you were already gone. Promises turned to whispers, and now I sing alone.”

Fans speculated endlessly, piecing together clues from the lyrics and her recent public appearances. Some sympathized with her, while others continued to draw comparisons between her and Sewon, fueling debates online.

Through it all, Y/n remained focused on her craft, using her art to heal. Though her heart was still mending, her music gave her

Months after the release, Y/n was invited for an exclusive interview with a renowned media outlet. The interviewer, known for their probing questions, eventually brought up the topic that many were curious about.

“How do you feel about Seungcheol now?” they asked, leaning forward slightly. “After everything that’s happened, do you still think about him?”

Y/n paused, her hands resting gently on her lap as she considered her words. She met the interviewer’s gaze, her expression calm but tinged with melancholy. “A piece of my heart will always love him,” she admitted, her voice steady but soft. “I could never hate him. He was a significant part of my life, and what we shared was real and meaningful.”

She took a deep breath before continuing. “It hurts me to see him getting hurt. Despite everything, I don’t wish pain or hardship upon him. I think that’s what love truly is—wanting the best for someone, even if they’re no longer in your life.”

Her candid response resonated with fans and viewers alike, painting a picture of grace and emotional maturity. It reminded everyone that even in heartbreak, love could leave behind a legacy of compassion and understanding.

Seungcheol watched the interview late at night, alone in his apartment. Her words echoed in his mind, filling him with a mix of regret and longing. The song, the interview, everything she had shared publicly—it all made him realize just how deeply he had hurt her and how much he missed having her in his life.

On an impulse, he picked up his phone and dialed her number. It rang twice before she answered, her voice cautious. “Hello?”

“Y/n, it’s me,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “I—I saw the interview. And the song. I just… I needed to tell you how sorry I am. For everything.”

She was silent for a moment before responding. “Seungcheol, we’ve already been through this. I’ve moved on, and you should too.”

“I know I messed up,” he said desperately. “But seeing you, hearing your words—it reminded me of everything we had. I miss you, Y/n. I miss us.”

Her voice remained calm but firm. “You miss what we had, Seungcheol, but that doesn’t change what you did. You made choices that hurt me deeply, and I can’t just forget that.”

“I’ll do anything to make it right,” he pleaded. “Please, just give me another chance.”

She sighed softly, her tone filled with a mixture of sadness and finality. “Sometimes, love isn’t enough. I’ll always wish the best for you, but I can’t go back to the way things were. Take care of yourself, Seungcheol.”

Before he could say anything else, she ended the call, leaving him staring at his phone, the weight of her words sinking in. For the first time, he truly understood that some things, no matter how much he wished otherwise, couldn’t be undone.

Months passed, and Y/n eventually entered a new relationship. Her new boyfriend was kind, understanding, and patient—everything she thought she needed to heal. On the surface, they seemed happy together, and the public saw it as her fresh start.

But deep down, Y/n couldn’t shake the emptiness she felt. The laughter didn’t feel as genuine, the conversations didn’t spark the same warmth, and despite her efforts to move on, her heart still ached for the love she had lost.

She found herself reminiscing about Seungcheol more often than she cared to admit—his bright smile, the way he always made her feel safe, the late-night talks where they dreamed about their future together. No matter how hard she tried to deny it, a part of her still belonged to him.

And no matter how much she wanted to forget, she couldn’t.

One evening, Y/n took the stage at a major rock festival, her energy electrifying the crowd. She had always loved experimenting with different genres, and this performance was one of her most powerful yet—raw, intense, and full of emotion. She poured her heart into every note, her voice carrying the weight of everything she had been through.

Backstage, her old friend Seungkwan watched from the wings, deeply moved by her performance. He had always been close to Y/n and seeing her like this—fierce yet fragile—made him realize how much she was still hurting.

Unable to ignore it any longer, he reached out to Seungcheol. “Hyung, you need to come see her. You need to hear her.”

Despite his initial hesitation, Seungcheol agreed. The two arrived at the concert venue unnoticed, blending into the sea of fans as Y/n performed.

Seungcheol’s heart clenched as he watched her under the bright lights, singing her heart out. He could feel her pain in every lyric, see the lingering sadness in her eyes. It was a painful reminder of everything they had lost.

And in that moment, he realized—he had never stopped loving her.

The moment Y/n stepped off the stage, her adrenaline was still pumping. The roar of the crowd echoed in her ears, but even their deafening cheers couldn’t drown out the heaviness in her heart. She barely had time to catch her breath before a familiar voice cut through the haze.

“Y/n.”

She froze.

That voice. That tone.

She turned slowly, her eyes widening as she met Seungcheol’s gaze. He stood just a few feet away, his expression unreadable, but his eyes—those same eyes she once drowned in—were filled with something raw. Something she wasn’t ready to face.

Before she could say a word, her boyfriend Minseong appeared by her side, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Hey, is everything okay?” he asked, glancing between Y/n and Seungcheol.

The tension was suffocating. The members of Seventeen and her own group lingered nearby, uneasy, unsure if they should step in.

Seungcheol let out a bitter chuckle, shoving his hands into his pockets. “So this is him?” His voice was sharp, edged with something close to resentment. “The guy you moved on with?”

Y/n’s jaw clenched. “Cheol—”

“Did he ever make your heart race the way I did?” Seungcheol asked, his voice rising. “Or did you just force yourself to move on because you were scared?”

The room fell silent.

Y/n took a shaky breath, her eyes burning. “You don’t get to do this,” she snapped. “You don’t get to walk back into my life after all this time and question my choices. You were the one who let me go.”

Seungcheol stepped closer, his frustration bubbling over. “Let you go? Y/n, you walked away!” His voice cracked slightly, and for a moment, the anger wavered, revealing the hurt beneath. “You left me. And now you’re here, acting like none of it meant anything?”

“It meant everything,” she shot back, her voice trembling. “And that’s exactly why I had to leave.”

Her boyfriend shifted awkwardly beside her. “Maybe we should talk about this later—”

“No.” Y/n shook her head, eyes locked onto Seungcheol. “You don’t get to stand here and act like you’re the only one who suffered. Do you think it was easy for me? Do you think I didn’t spend nights wondering if I made the right choice?”

Seungcheol’s breath hitched.

Y/n’s hands balled into fists. “I waited, Cheol. I waited for you to fight for me, to give me a reason to stay. But you didn’t. You let me leave. So don’t you dare show up now, acting like you still have a say in my life.”

Seungcheol stared at her, chest rising and falling with the weight of everything he wanted to say. The members of Seventeen shifted uneasily, exchanging glances.

Seungkwan finally stepped in, his voice gentle but firm. “Hyung, maybe this isn’t the right time—”

But Seungcheol ignored him. His eyes stayed on Y/n, desperate, pleading. “Tell me one thing,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Are you really happy?”

Y/n faltered.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

And in that silence, Seungcheol got his answer.

The morning after the heated confrontation backstage, the internet was in chaos. News outlets, gossip sites, and social media platforms were flooded with headlines, each twisting the story in its own way.

"Y/n and Seungcheol's Backstage Clash: Former Lovers Turn to Heated Argument at Music Festival!"

"Caught on Camera: Y/n and Seungcheol's Explosive Fight – Tensions Boil Over in Front of Seventeen and Industry Insiders!"

"Seungcheol Confronts Y/n Over Their Past – Did She Ever Move On?"

Fan-recorded videos from the concert venue circulated online, showing snippets of their intense exchange. Though no official statement had been released, lip readers and “insiders” claimed to have deciphered the argument. The drama escalated as netizens took sides.

🗣️ "Y/n deserves to move on. Seungcheol had his chance, why is he acting up now?"

🗣️ "You can literally see the pain in Seungcheol's face... he's still in love with her."

🗣️ "Not Seungcheol pulling a ‘are you really happy?’ moment like it’s a K-drama 😭😭"

🗣️ "Her new boyfriend just standing there while Y/n and Seungcheol basically confess their unresolved feelings 💀"

Within hours, major entertainment news outlets picked up the story. Some reporters speculated on whether the ex-couple had lingering feelings, while others accused Seungcheol of being possessive. Articles broke down the timeline of their past relationship, analyzing every interaction they’d had in public since their breakup.

A particularly viral article from Dispatch read:

"Inside Y/n and Seungcheol’s Emotional Backstage Confrontation: A Love That Never Faded?"

"Sources close to the artists claim that the fight was years in the making. ‘They never fully moved on from each other,’ an anonymous staff member revealed. ‘Everyone knew there was unfinished business between them.’"

Another gossip site went even further:

"Did Y/n Settle for a ‘Safe’ Relationship? Fans Speculate That Her New Boyfriend is Just a Rebound!"

Y/n’s company quickly released a short statement:

"Y/n had a private conversation with a colleague. We ask for your understanding and request that unfounded speculations be avoided."

But Seungcheol’s company remained silent, fueling more rumors. Some fans believed it was because he had nothing to deny.

Meanwhile, Seventeen’s members were being bombarded with questions during schedules. Seungkwan, who had been there that night, looked visibly uncomfortable when asked about it during a live stream.

“Ah… it’s not my place to say anything,” he murmured, avoiding eye contact with the camera. “I just hope people don’t believe everything they read online.”

Three days after the backstage altercation between Y/n and Seungcheol shook the internet, the idol finally addressed the controversy.

At midnight, Seungcheol went live on Weverse, looking visibly tired. Dressed in a simple hoodie and cap, he sighed before speaking, his voice softer than usual.

“First of all, I want to sincerely apologize to the fans,” he began, his fingers laced together as he bowed slightly. “I never wanted to cause a scandal or bring unnecessary attention to anyone, especially Y/n. That night… things got emotional, and I let my feelings get the best of me.”

He paused, exhaling shakily. “I know many of you have seen the videos and read the articles. There’s no excuse for what happened. It was a private conversation that, unfortunately, became very public. And for that, I take full responsibility.”

His eyes flickered with emotion as he hesitated before continuing. “I also won’t lie to you. The truth is… I never stopped caring about Y/n.”

The comment section exploded instantly.

Seungcheol swallowed hard, his hands slightly shaking. “I don’t expect anything to change. She has her own life now, and I respect that. But I also don’t want to pretend anymore.”

💬 “DID HE JUST CONFESS???”

💬 “Wait wait wait HOLD ON.”

💬 “HE STILL LOVES HER??? SEUNGCHEOL WTF”

💬 “Someone check on Y/n’s boyfriend bc there’s no way he’s okay rn 💀”

“I loved her. I still do. And that’s something I can’t hide, no matter how much time passes.”

A heavy silence filled the air. The weight of his confession was undeniable.

“I don’t regret what we had, and I will always be grateful for the memories. But I also know that some things… can’t be undone,” he murmured. “No matter what happens, I just want her to be happy.”

He looked straight into the camera. “To the fans who were disappointed in me, I’m sorry. To Y/n, if you ever see this… I’m sorry for putting you through this again.”

With one final bow, he ended the live.

But the internet was just getting started.

Within minutes, hashtags like #SeungcheolApologizes, #CheolStillLovesY/n, and #Y/nResponseWhen? trended worldwide. Fans were divided—some heartbroken over his pain, others hopeful that this was the beginning of something new.

A few days after Seungcheol’s confession sent the internet into a frenzy, Seungkwan found himself standing outside Y/n’s apartment, nervously shifting on his feet. He had sent her a text earlier, asking if he could talk, and to his surprise, she had agreed.

When the door finally opened, Y/n stood there, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on her face. She looked tired—exhausted, really. And Seungkwan hated knowing that he had contributed to it.

She stepped aside, allowing him in without a word. He hesitated for a second before walking inside, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.

Taking a deep breath, Seungkwan turned to face her. “Y/n, I… I’m so sorry.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

She raised an eyebrow. “For what exactly?”

His stomach twisted. He knew she wasn’t making it easy for him—and honestly, he deserved it.

“For dragging Seungcheol to your concert,” he admitted, guilt evident in his voice. “I thought I was helping. I thought if he saw you, if he heard you sing, he’d finally get some closure. I never meant for things to spiral like this.”

Y/n let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head. “Closure?” She scoffed. “Seungkwan, I was finally starting to move on, and now look at this mess. Do you know how many headlines I’ve had to ignore? How many people have been asking me about my relationship, about Seungcheol, about us?”

Seungkwan lowered his head, shame washing over him. “I know. And I can’t tell you how sorry I am for putting you through this again. I never wanted to make things harder for you.”

She studied him for a moment before sighing. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me,” she said, voice softer now. “But you should have stayed out of it, Seungkwan. It wasn’t your place to interfere.”

Seungkwan swallowed hard. “I get that now. And if I could take it all back, I would.” His voice cracked slightly. “I just—seeing you like that on stage, I knew you were still hurting. And I saw how much hyung was struggling too. I thought… maybe, deep down, you both just needed a push.”

Y/n’s shoulders slumped, and for the first time, Seungkwan saw the raw emotion in her eyes. “You don’t think I know that?” she whispered. “You don’t think I’ve spent every single day wondering if I made the right choice?”

His breath hitched.

“I still love him, Seungkwan,” she admitted, the words hanging heavy in the air. “But that doesn’t mean we can go back to how things were.”

Seungkwan felt his chest tighten. He had hoped—prayed—that maybe, just maybe, things would fall back into place. But Y/n’s expression told him everything he needed to know.

“I get it,” he murmured. “And I swear, I won’t interfere anymore.” He looked at her with sincerity. “I just want you to be happy, Y/n. Whether that’s with Seungcheol or not.”

For the first time that night, Y/n’s expression softened.

“I know,” she said. “And I appreciate that.”

The tension between them eased, just slightly. And as Seungkwan left that night, he hoped—more than anything—that one day, Y/n and Seungcheol would find the happiness they both deserved.

The buzz surrounding Y/n and Seungcheol hadn’t died down, and after weeks of speculation, Y/n finally agreed to an exclusive interview. It wasn’t to explain herself, nor was it to address the scandal directly—she simply wanted to remind the world who she was beyond the drama.

Sitting across from the interviewer in a beautifully lit studio, Y/n looked poised and elegant, her aura calm despite the chaos that had surrounded her lately.

Halfway through the interview, the inevitable question came.

“Y/n, with everything that has happened recently, I think what everyone wants to know is… are you happy?”

The studio fell into silence, and for a moment, Y/n only blinked, as if carefully choosing her words. The interviewer watched her expectantly, and fans watching from behind their screens held their breath.

Then, Y/n smiled—not forced, not hesitant, but genuine.

“I am happy,” she answered simply, nodding. “I have people around me who love and support me. I’m doing what I love. I’m growing, learning, and becoming a better version of myself every day.”

She paused, her fingers gently running along the armrest of her chair. “I think happiness isn’t just about one person, or one moment. It’s about finding peace within yourself, no matter what’s happening around you.”

Her words sent waves across social media. Some fans cheered her on, proud of her strength, while others couldn’t help but read between the lines.

No matter how people interpreted it, one thing was clear—Y/n wasn’t letting the past define her anymore.

💬 “She didn’t say she moved on. She said she’s happy… but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love him anymore.”

💬 “If she’s happy, then that’s all that matters. She deserves it.”

💬 “So this is really the end for her and Seungcheol?”

💬 “What if she’s saying this to convince herself? She looked kind of sad for a second.”

And whether Seungcheol was part of her future or not… that was a story only time would tell.

Just when the internet was beginning to settle down after Y/n’s interview, a single post sent fans into a frenzy once again.

Late at night, Y/n’s boyfriend uploaded a picture to his Instagram story—an intimate yet casual shot of him and Y/n. She was leaning against him, laughing softly, while he had his arm draped over her shoulders.

But what truly set the internet ablaze was the caption.

"Thanks for letting her go."

Within minutes, screenshots flooded Twitter, Instagram, and online forums. Fans and netizens had mixed reactions—some supporting the new relationship, others furious over what they saw as an unnecessary dig at Seungcheol.

It didn’t take long before Seungcheol’s name began trending again, fans anxiously waiting to see if he would respond.

💬 “OHHHHH HE’S PETTY FOR THAT 😭”

💬 “No way he actually posted this 💀💀💀”

💬 “Seungcheol, don’t look at your phone bro.”

💬 “He really said ‘I won.’ But did he, though?”

💬 “This feels kinda insecure… if you’re happy, why throw shade?”

💬 “Y/n deserves to be happy, but this caption was not it.”

However, Seungcheol remained completely silent. No statements. No cryptic posts. No subtle likes or unlikes.

Following the viral Instagram story from Y/n’s new boyfriend, media outlets wasted no time in picking up the drama. Within hours, headlines flooded every major entertainment site, further fueling the ongoing controversy.

📢 K-Buzz News: "Y/n’s New Boyfriend Takes a Dig at Seungcheol—‘Thanks for Letting Her Go’ Sparks Debate!"

📢 AllK-Entertainment: "Is It a Low Blow? Y/n’s Boyfriend Posts Shady Caption Amidst Seungcheol’s Confession!"

📢 Dispatch Exclusive: "Aimed at Seungcheol? Y/n’s Boyfriend Under Fire for His Controversial Instagram Post!"

The articles analyzed every angle of the situation—some supporting Y/n’s boyfriend, claiming he had every right to express his love publicly, while others criticized him for being unnecessarily petty.

One report even included insights from an anonymous industry insider:

"It’s no secret that Seungcheol and Y/n had a deep history. For a new boyfriend to make such a statement so publicly… it seems more like a declaration of victory than genuine love. Fans are divided, and understandably so."

Online discussions became more heated, with netizens and fans picking sides.

After days of silence, Seungcheol finally broke his silence—and he did it in the most Seungcheol way possible.

💬 “I mean… he’s not wrong, Seungcheol DID let her go.”

💬 “There was no need for this. If he was confident in their relationship, he wouldn’t have posted that.”

💬 “Is Y/n okay with this? She’s been trying to move on peacefully.”

💬 “This is getting so messy. I just want all of them to be happy.”

During SEVENTEEN’s sold-out concert, emotions were already running high, but no one expected the leader to address the controversy head-on.

Right before launching into a rap solo, Seungcheol took a deep breath, smirked slightly, and let the mic drop to his side for a second. The crowd fell silent, sensing something was about to go down.

Then, he looked out at the audience and said, “Someone decided to run their mouth… but I can’t just let that go, right?”

The stadium erupted in screams.

Without missing a beat, the beat dropped, and Seungcheol spit bars sharper than knives, delivering what fans immediately recognized as a freestyle diss aimed directly at Y/n’s boyfriend.

“You think you won, but why you still talkin’?

Got my leftovers, but you’re still stalkin’.

Holdin’ her hand, but you checkin’ my page—

You insecure, man, just stay in your lane.

The crowd went wild, some covering their mouths in shock while others jumped, hyped at the unexpected callout. Seungcheol didn’t stop there. He ended the rap with one last line that sent chills through the venue:

Talkin’ like you won but you don’t know the game,

She’s not a trophy, she don’t need a new name.

You flex online but we know it’s pretend,

If you gotta talk about me, are you really her man?”

“Real love don’t need a caption, it just stays.”

🔥 FANS. LOST. THEIR. MINDS. 🔥

💬 “DID CHEOL JUST DISS HIM LIVE???”

💬 “HE REALLY SAID I CANT LET THAT GO LMAOOO”

💬 “That was directed straight at him and everyone knows it 💀”

💬 “The way Seungcheol handled this was straight SAVAGE but CLASSY.”

As expected, clips of the performance exploded online within minutes. Hashtags like #SeungcheolDissTrack #StayInYourLaneand #ICantLetThatGo trended worldwide.

💬 “DID HE JUST CALL HIM INSECURE???”

💬 “Seungcheol said ‘you got her but you’re STILL mad’ LMAOOO”

💬 “This man had enough and snapped 💀💀”

💬 “Y/n’s boyfriend better not check Twitter today.”

💬 “The fact that he did this in a FULL concert with THOUSANDS of people watching… legendary.”

Even fellow SEVENTEEN members couldn’t hide their reactions—Mingyu was seen howling with laughter, Hoshi dramatically clutched his chest, and Jeonghan smirked knowingly.

Meanwhile, Y/n’s boyfriend remained silent on social media. No response. No clapback.

Because at that moment, Seungcheol had already won the battle without even trying.

The K-pop world is ablaze once again as Seungcheol's recent concert performance has sparked a fresh wave of controversy.

Leading outlets like Dispatch, AllKPop, and K-Buzz wasted no time covering the unexpected diss.

📢 Dispatch Headline: "Seungcheol's Savage Rap Sparks Speculation – Is Y/n's Boyfriend the Target?"

📢 K-Buzz: "‘Stay in Your Lane’ – Seungcheol Sends a Clear Message During SEVENTEEN’s Concert!"

📢 AllKPop: "Seungcheol Breaks Silence in the Most K-Pop Way Possible – Fans Call It the Ultimate Clapback!"

The viral moment had fans dissecting every line of the rap, with many convinced that the lyrics were aimed directly at Y/n’s boyfriend following his controversial Instagram post.

The reaction online was immediate:

One industry insider told Dispatch:

"Seungcheol is known for writing deeply personal lyrics, but this performance felt different. It was raw and deliberate—he knew exactly what he was doing."

Neither Seungcheol nor his agency released an official statement, but fans noticed that SEVENTEEN’s official social media accounts carefully avoided posting clips from that performance—further fueling the speculation.

💬 "He didn’t even name-drop, but we all know who he’s talking about."

💬 "Seungcheol said ‘stay in your lane’ and mic dropped. ICONIC."

💬 "If I were Y/n’s boyfriend, I would deactivate every social media app right now."

💬 "Seungcheol is fighting demons with a whole concert tour."

Meanwhile, Y/n’s boyfriend remained silent on the matter, with some fans calling his Instagram caption “the worst mistake of his life.”

As the drama unfolds, all eyes are now on Y/n, waiting to see if she will respond—or if she’ll continue to rise above the storm swirling around her.

After the chaos from Seungcheol’s viral rap performance, Y/n couldn’t stay silent any longer.

Furious over the public spectacle he made, she reached out to him directly—and it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.

The tension was thick the moment he answered.

“What the hell was that, Seungcheol?” Y/n snapped, skipping past pleasantries. “Did you really have to turn this into a public mess?”

Seungcheol sighed, already anticipating this reaction. “I didn’t mention anyone’s name.”

“Don’t play dumb!” Her voice was sharp with frustration. “You knew exactly what you were doing! You turned this into a damn spectacle, and now everyone is talking about it.”

Seungcheol, still heated from everything that had happened, scoffed. “Oh, but your boyfriend’s post wasn’t a spectacle? He went out of his way to take a shot at me, and I was just supposed to stay quiet?”

Y/n exhaled sharply, her patience wearing thin. “You don’t have to stoop to his level! Do you even realize what you’ve done? Fans are eating this up, and now it looks like some childish feud. And me? I’m stuck in the middle of it.”

Seungcheol was silent for a moment before he muttered, “He started it.”

Y/n let out a humorless laugh. “Oh, grow up, Seungcheol. This isn’t about winning or losing. This is my life you keep dragging into the spotlight.”

Her voice softened slightly, but the hurt was still there. “I just wanted to move on. Why couldn’t you let me?”

Seungcheol clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of her words. “Is that really what you wanted?” His voice was quieter now, raw with emotion.

Y/n hesitated for just a second. But she forced herself to stay firm. “Yes. And if you actually cared about me, you would have respected that.”

The call ended before Seungcheol could respond.

For the first time in a long time, he felt like he had truly lost her.

After their heated call, Seungcheol couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at him. He knew he had hurt Y/n, and no words could undo the mess he had made.

So, instead of words, he chose actions.

Every single day, he sent her favorite flowers, carefully arranged and delivered without a note. He didn’t expect a response—he just wanted her to know that despite everything, he still cared.

At first, Y/n thought it was from a fan or maybe her company, but as the days passed, the steady arrival of fresh bouquets started to make her wonder.

Then, one evening, she finally acknowledged them—posting a picture of the flowers on her Instagram story.

🌸 "One of my fav things." 🌸

Fans immediately flooded the comments with love, but one particular comment caught her attention.

💬 "Minseong is so sweet for doing this!"

Y/n didn’t respond, assuming her boyfriend, Minseong, was the sender. But before she could even process it, a verified comment appeared below.

💬 Seungcheol: "They’re from me."

The internet exploded.

💥 Fans Lost Their Minds 💥

Y/n stared at the comment, her heart dropping into her stomach. She had unknowingly posted a gift from Seungcheol, and now the entire world knew.

💬 "OH MY GOD. SEUNGCHEOL, WHAT?!"

💬 "The audacity… but also… the romance??"

💬 "Minseong is getting secondhand embarrassment right now LMAO."

💬 "This man does NOT give up."

💬 "Y/n, girl, we need a response ASAP."

The moment Minseong saw the comment from Seungcheol, he was furious. His name was trending alongside Seungcheol’s, and fans were speculating about their relationship.

That night, he stormed into Y/n’s apartment, his jaw clenched, his voice laced with anger.

“Do you have any idea how humiliating this is for me?” he snapped, tossing his phone onto the table. “The whole internet thinks I’m some fool who’s been competing with your ex this entire time!”

Y/n, still overwhelmed by everything, took a deep breath. “Minseong, I didn’t know the flowers were from him. I thought—”

“You thought what?!” he cut her off, his voice rising. “That I’d waste my time doing some grand romantic gesture when I know you’re still stuck on him?”

Her eyes widened at his tone. “That’s not fair.”

Minseong let out a bitter laugh. “Fair? You’re the one making me look like an idiot while secretly holding onto the past.” He stepped closer, his presence suddenly suffocating. “You liked it, didn’t you? Knowing he’s still chasing after you?”

Y/n took a step back, her chest tightening. “I didn’t ask for this. I was moving on—with you.”

Minseong scoffed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “No, Y/n. You weren’t. You were just pretending to.”

His words struck deep, but before she could respond, his hand slammed down onto the table, making her flinch. He didn’t hit her, but his anger was dangerously close to boiling over.

That was it. The final straw.

Y/n’s voice was firm, unwavering. “We’re done.”

Minseong froze. “What?”

She exhaled, steadying herself. “This isn’t love, Minseong. You don’t trust me. You don’t respect me. And I refuse to stay in something that makes me feel like this.”

His expression hardened, but he didn’t fight her decision. He knew he had lost. Without another word, he grabbed his things and left, slamming the door behind him.

The moment he was gone, Y/n finally let herself breathe.

It was over. For good.

Following the sudden news of Y/n and Minseong’s breakup, fans speculated about the reasons behind their split—especially after the viral Seungcheol flower incident.

To address the growing rumors, Y/n’s company released an official statement:

📢 [OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM Y/N’S AGENCY] 📢

*"Hello, this is [Agency Name].

We would like to address recent reports regarding Y/n’s personal life.

After much discussion, Y/n and Minseong have decided to part ways. They will continue to support each other as colleagues and friends. We ask that fans respect their privacy during this time and refrain from spreading speculation that could harm either party.

Regarding the recent online discussions, Y/n has no involvement in any public disputes, and we kindly ask for understanding as she focuses on her career and well-being.

Thank you for your continued support."*

— [Agency Name]

Fan Reactions

Late at night, Y/n’s phone buzzed with a message from a number she hadn’t seen pop up in a long time.

💬 "‘No involvement’?? Her ex-boyfriend literally humiliated her, and they’re acting like nothing happened??"

💬 "I just know Minseong is punching the air right now."

💬 "Seungcheol’s somewhere smirking."

💬 "Hope Y/n is okay. She deserves better."

💬 "They didn’t even deny the flowers were from Seungcheol. Interesting… 👀"

Seungcheol.

Seungcheol: Hey… How are you feeling? Seungcheol: I heard about everything. I just… I wanted to check on you.

Y/n stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She knew she should ignore him. After everything that had happened, after all the chaos, it would be easier to just move on.

But a part of her—the part that still remembered how safe he once made her feel—couldn’t.

Y/n: I’m fine.

It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either.

Seconds later, her phone started ringing. Seungcheol was calling.

She hesitated before answering. “What do you want, Seungcheol?”

His voice was gentle, laced with something softer than usual. “I wanted to hear your voice, baby.”

Y/n’s breath hitched. “Don’t call me that.”

He chuckled, but there was an undeniable sadness behind it. “I can’t help it. You’ll always be my baby.”

She closed her eyes, gripping the edge of her blanket. “You don’t get to say that anymore.”

Seungcheol sighed. “I know I messed up. I know I’ve made things worse instead of better. But I meant what I said… I’m not giving up on you.”

Y/n swallowed, her heart racing. “You can’t just decide that.”

“But I can decide to keep trying,” he countered, voice firm. “I let you go once. I’m not making that mistake again.”

Silence stretched between them. Y/n hated how her heart betrayed her in that moment, how it ached at the sound of his voice, how it longed to believe him.

“I don’t know if I can do this again, Seungcheol,” she whispered.

He exhaled, his voice softer this time. “Then let me show you that you can.”

The world was buzzing with excitement—both Seventeen and Y/n had been nominated for the Billboard Music Awards. Social media exploded with congratulations, and fans couldn’t stop talking about how fate kept bringing them back into the same spaces.

That night, Y/n was in her hotel room when her phone lit up. Seungcheol was calling.

She stared at the screen, debating whether to pick up. But a part of her already knew—she would always answer when it was him.

With a sigh, she swiped the call open. “What do you want now, Seungcheol?”

His deep chuckle came through the line. “Can’t I just call to congratulate my baby?”

She rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat. “I told you to stop calling me that.”

“I’ll stop when you stop running away from me,” he said smoothly.

Y/n’s breath caught in her throat. “I’m not running.”

Seungcheol scoffed. “Then tell me why every time I reach out, you push me away. Every time I try to come closer, you take another step back.”

She clenched her jaw, looking away as if he could see her through the phone. “Because it’s easier that way, Seungcheol. You and I… we always end up hurting each other.”

His voice softened. “Not always.”

“Enough times.”

A pause. Then, “And yet… here we are. Still picking up each other’s calls.”

Y/n closed her eyes. He wasn’t wrong. No matter how hard she tried to stay away, something kept pulling them back together.

“Just tell me one thing, baby.” His voice was quieter now, more vulnerable. “Is there still a part of you that wants me?”

Silence.

Y/n knew her answer. But she also knew that saying it out loud would mean stepping back into a storm she wasn’t sure she could handle.

So instead, she whispered, “Goodnight, Seungcheol.”

And then she hung up—leaving him with the silence that said everything he needed to know.

The stadium roared with cheers as Seventeen was announced as the winner. The members hugged, overwhelmed with emotions as they took the stage to accept their first-ever Billboard Music Award.

Backstage, the energy was electric. Staff members, fellow artists, and friends were congratulating them left and right. Amid the chaos, Y/n found them.

Dressed in a sleek black outfit, she approached with a small smile. “Congratulations, Guys.”

The members turned to her, pleasantly surprised. Seungkwan was the first to pull her into a hug, followed by Joshua and Hoshi. They had always been close to her, and despite everything that had happened, there was no awkwardness—only warmth.

Then, her eyes met Seungcheol’s.

He stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “You are here.”

Y/n smirked. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

The members exchanged knowing looks before slowly dispersing, giving them space.

Now alone in a quieter corner of the backstage area, Seungcheol studied her carefully.

“Thank you for coming,” he said softly.

She shrugged. “You worked hard for it. You deserved to win.”

Seungcheol took a step closer. “And do I deserve another chance?”

Y/n inhaled sharply. “Seungcheol—”

“Listen to me, baby,” he cut in gently. “I know I’ve messed up before. I know I let you go when I shouldn’t have. But I swear to you, I’ve never stopped loving you.”

Her heart pounded, but she kept her face neutral. “It’s not that simple.”

“I know,” he admitted. “But I also know you still feel something for me. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but he was right, and they both knew it.

Seungcheol sighed and reached for her hand, his touch hesitant but warm. “One date. That’s all I’m asking. No pressure, no expectations. Just you and me, like old times.”

Y/n bit her lip, her walls threatening to crumble.

One date.

That was all.

What was the worst that could happen?

“…Fine,” she whispered.

Seungcheol’s face broke into a boyish grin, his dimples showing. “Really?”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s just one date.”

He chuckled, squeezing her hand. “One date is all I need.”

Breaking News: Seungcheol & Y/n Spotted on a Date!

The entertainment industry was buzzing with new headlines the morning after Seungcheol and Y/n’s long-awaited reunion.

Photos had surfaced of the two enjoying a quiet evening at a luxurious yet cozy restaurant. Fans noted how they laughed easily, leaned close to talk, and looked at each other like no time had passed.

🔹 "Seventeen’s Seungcheol & Y/n Reignite Romance? Spotted on an Intimate Date!"

🔹 "Old Flames Reunite: Seungcheol and Y/n Seen Boarding the Same Flight Together!"

🔹 "Eagle-Eyed Fans Notice Y/n Wearing Her Old Engagement Ring—Is Love Back in the Air?"

“Look at the way Seungcheol is staring at her… He’s so in love.” – A fan commented on Twitter.

“It’s crazy how they just fit together. Like they were never apart.”

If the dinner date wasn’t enough, a bigger surprise came the next morning when both Seungcheol and Y/n were spotted at the airport—boarding the same flight.

Fans went into a frenzy.

A Few Months Later…

“Where are they going together??”

“This feels like a drama plot… a romantic getaway???”

It started with a simple Instagram post.

Y/n wasn’t one to flaunt her personal life, but tonight, something felt different. She uploaded a picture of her hand resting against a bouquet of white roses—and on her ring finger, a brand-new engagement ring sparkled under the dim light.

💍 CAPTION: “Some things are worth finding your way back to.”

The internet exploded.

🔥 BREAKING NEWS: Y/n Is Engaged!

"Months after rekindling her romance with Seungcheol, fans noticed Y/n sporting a dazzling engagement ring. While no official statement has been released, the caption and the ring say it all!"

As the world celebrated, somewhere in the quiet of their own little world, Seungcheol pulled Y/n into his arms and whispered against her forehead:

📝 Fans React:

💬 “THEY’RE REALLY ENDGAME OMG 😭😭”

💬 “Seungcheol, you romantic fool, YOU DID IT!!”

💬 “The way this love story has come full circle… I’M SOBBING.”

“Told you I’d never stop trying, baby."

Seungcheol Confirms Marriage to Y/n—Fans Go Wild!

Seventeen’s leader, Choi Seungcheol, has just dropped the biggest bombshell during an album promotion event—he and Y/n are officially married!

"We Got Married Recently" – Seungcheol’s Unexpected Announcement

During an interview for Seventeen’s latest album, the members were discussing the inspiration behind their new songs. When asked about the meaning behind a particularly heartfelt track, Seungcheol smiled knowingly.

“This one’s special. It’s about someone I love. Actually… I guess it’s the perfect time to say it—Y/n and I recently got married.”

The room went silent for a second before exploding into chaos.

The members clapped and cheered. The interviewers were speechless, fumbling for words before finally stuttering, “Wait—married?! Like, officially?”

Seungcheol grinned. “Yeah. Officially.”

As if that wasn’t enough, minutes after the interview aired, Seungcheol posted a never-before-seen picture of Y/n on his Instagram.

The photo was simple yet stunning—Y/n sitting in their living room, wearing one of Seungcheol’s oversized hoodies, holding a cup of tea with a soft smile.

The caption?

“Wifey. ❤️”

The Internet Breaks: Fans & Celebrities React

Within minutes, social media exploded.

Even celebrities joined in.

🔹 "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WIFEY????? SEUNGCHEOL PLEASE EXPLAIN.”

🔹 “Not only are they back together, THEY’RE ACTUALLY MARRIED. MY HEART CAN’T TAKE THIS.”

🔹 "This man just dropped a marriage announcement like it was a casual Tuesday.”

Jeonghan commented: “Wow, we lost him for real. Congrats, bro.”

Seungkwan: “I DESERVE CREDIT FOR THIS!!!”

Hoshi: “Does this mean I can still be part of your love story? 😭”

Following Seungcheol’s viral "Wifey ❤️" post, fans eagerly waited for Y/n’s response—and she did not disappoint.

She uploaded a candid photo of Seungcheol in their home, wearing a cozy sweater, running a hand through his hair as he smiled at something off-camera.

The caption?

“Hubby ❤️”

As expected, the internet went absolutely wild.

Mingyu: “Wow, you two are really doing this, huh?”

🔹 “WIFEY AND HUBBY POSTS ON THE SAME DAY???? THEY ARE SO IN LOVE I’M CRYING.”

🔹 “Y/n is now officially the luckiest person alive. Like. LOOK AT HIM.”

🔹 “THEY REALLY GOT MARRIED AND NOW THEY’RE CASUALLY POSTING ABOUT IT LIKE THIS ISN’T THE BIGGEST NEWS EVER.”

Jeonghan: “I give it 3 months before Seungcheol starts posting ‘My wife is the most beautiful person in the world’ every single day.”

Woozi: “Congrats, now please stop writing sad songs about her.”

Felix (Stray Kids): “This is actually the cutest thing I’ve seen in my life.”

After days of trending worldwide, Seungcheol and Y/n finally sat down for their first official interview as husband and wife. Fans had been eagerly waiting to hear their love story straight from them, and the couple did not hold back!

1️⃣ Why Did Y/n Give Seungcheol a Second Chance?

💬 Y/n: “A lot of people asked me this, and honestly, I asked myself the same thing at first. But… Seungcheol never stopped trying. Even when I was stubborn, even when I told him to move on, he just kept proving to me—through his actions, not just words—that his love for me never changed.”

💬 Seungcheol: [laughs shyly] “It was never even a question for me. I just knew she was the one, and I was willing to wait however long it took.”

2️⃣ How Did Seungcheol Propose?

💬 Seungcheol: “I was nervous. Like, really nervous. I had planned everything perfectly, but when the moment came, my hands were shaking.”

💬 Y/n: [laughs] “I noticed! He dropped the ring box at one point.”

💬 Seungcheol: “I wanted it to be special, but at the same time, I didn’t want some big public thing. So, I took her to the place where we had our very first date. Just the two of us. I told her everything I felt—why I loved her, why I’d never stop choosing her. And then I got down on one knee and asked.”

💬 Y/n: “And I said yes. Obviously.”

3️⃣ How Did the Seventeen Members Help?

💬 Seungcheol: [groans] “Oh my God. They were worse than me.”

💬 Y/n: “It was adorable, actually.”

💬 Seungcheol: “So, before I proposed, the guys decided they had to be involved. I thought they’d just help with the setup or something, but no… they insisted on singing ‘Marry Me’ by Jason Derulo while I was proposing.”

💬 Y/n: “I walked into the venue and suddenly all of Seventeen was standing there, singing with way too much passion.”

💬 Seungcheol: “Jeonghan was even pretending to wipe tears like he was my mother.”

💬 Y/n: [laughing] “It was so chaotic but also the sweetest thing ever.”

4️⃣ Why Did You Keep the Marriage a Secret for So Long?

💬 Y/n: “We really wanted to enjoy this moment for ourselves first. In this industry, so much of our lives is public, and we just wanted a little while where it was just us.”

5️⃣ How Did Seungcheol Win Y/n Over Again?

💬 Y/n: [teasingly] “He was persistent. Annoyingly so.”

💬 Seungcheol: “I sent her flowers every day, wrote her letters, checked in on her, reminded her of all the little things I remembered about her. I just wanted her to know that no matter how much time passed, my love for her never changed.”

💬 Y/n: “At first, I was so set on keeping my distance, but then one day… I realized I didn’t want to run anymore.”

💬 Seungcheol: “So, you admit I won?”

💬 Y/n: [laughs] “You never had to ‘win.’ You were already the one.”

6️⃣ Final Thoughts?

💬 Seungcheol: “I know our story has been crazy—lots of ups and downs. But I think that’s what makes it special. We grew, we changed, and we still found our way back to each other. And now… I get to call her my wife.”

💬 Y/n: “And I get to call him my husband.”

💬 Seungcheol: [grinning at her] “Best title I’ve ever had.”

As expected, social media exploded with love and admiration for the couple.

🔹 “This is literally a K-drama but real life.”

🔹 “Seventeen SINGING while he proposed? I need a documentary on this whole love story.”

🔹 “They were always meant to be. I’m so happy for them.”

With their love stronger than ever, Seungcheol and Y/n’s journey continues—but this time, as husband and wife.

[bloomzone]

📕 𝟓𝟎-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞

March 1st ! If you’ve been slacking, if your study habits have been messy, or if finals are creeping up way too fast this is it. I did a 20-day productivity challenge before, but now, with finals staring me down and less than 90 days to go, I need to actually get my flip together.For the next 50 days, I’m locking in. This isn’t about aesthetic study sessions or fake productivity or like those 10s filming study routine 💁🏻‍♀️ . It’s about deep focus, real progress, and making sure you n i walk into finals prepared, not panicked.

before we start! what are the ..

🔴 Things You Need to Avoid

When you’re pushing yourself to study, it’s easy to fall into traps that make the process feel harder than it needs to be. One of the biggest things to avoid is procrastination. It’s tempting to delay tasks and distract yourself with less important things, but the truth is, the longer you wait, the more overwhelming it becomes. Putting things off only builds stress and leaves you with less time to focus on what truly matters.Another major pitfall is burnout. While it might feel like working non-stop is the key to success, the reality is that exhaustion doesn’t lead to productivity. If you push yourself too hard without breaks or balance, you’ll find your focus slipping, and your energy drained. Instead, aim for deep, focused study periods with scheduled rest to recharge. The key is working smart, not just hard.u also NEED to stay away from passive studying. Reading over your notes without actively engaging with the material might feel like you’re making progress, but it’s not enough. True learning happens when you interact with the content whether that’s through active recall, practicing problems, or teaching the concept to someone else. It’s about getting the information out of your head, not just in.And then there’s multitasking, which can be deceiving. You might think that juggling multiple tasks or subjects at once is a sign of productivity, but in reality, it dilutes your focus. Instead, concentrate on one subject at a time and give it your full attention. By focusing deeply, you’ll achieve better results in less time.Finally, avoid over-planning. It’s easy to get stuck in an endless loop of scheduling and rearranging without actually doing the work. While having a plan is crucial, it’s more important to take action. Don’t get paralyzed by perfection; start moving forward, and adapt as you go.

💡 What You Need to Succeed

Success in a challenge like this comes down to preparation, mindset, and consistency. First and foremost, you need to set yourself up for success by organizing everything you need. Having your books, notebooks, and study tools ready at your desk isn’t just about being prepared—it’s a psychological trigger that helps you get into the right mindset. When you see your space ready for work, it subconsciously tells your brain that it’s time to focus.But it’s not just about the materials. Your environment matters. A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind, so make sure you have a clean, quiet place to study. This is where you’ll spend most of your time, so make it a space that supports your work rather than distracts you. Even something as simple as proper lighting and a comfortable chair can make a huge difference in your ability to focus.It’s also essential to have the right tools. Flashcards, sticky notes, mind maps, or even physical planners whatever helps you engage with the material actively is what you should have at hand. You don’t need to follow a one-size-fits-all strategy, but it’s about finding what works best for you. What will make the material stick? What will make you more engaged and less likely to zone out?Consistency is key, too. This isn’t a sprint y'all u need to commit to a study schedule that’s manageable and realistic. Establish a routine that you can stick to every day thats what my teachers say everyday whether it’s an hour in the morning or a few hours in the evening. Building consistency will help you develop the discipline needed to push through tough moments, especially when motivation runs low.Finally, don’t forget about your energy. Sleep, food, and overall well-being are the foundation of any successful study routine. Without proper rest, your brain can’t absorb or retain information. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep to let your brain recharge and consolidate what you’ve learned. Likewise, pay attention to your body when you're well-rested and nourished, you’ll feel more alert, focused, and motivated. Let's cb !

📕 𝟓𝟎-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧

( starting March 1 – May 9)

0️⃣1️⃣ Week 1: System Reset & Strategy (March 1-7)

🔹 List everything you need to study before finals.

🔹 Identify weak areas & high-priority topics.

🔹 Create an adaptable study plan (structured but flexible).

🔹 Set non-negotiable study hours per day (📚 2< hours).

🔹 Organize notes & resources so you’re not scrambling later.

🔹 Test different study environments & methods to maximize focus.

0️⃣2️⃣ Week 2: Deep Focus & Active Recall (March 8-14)

🔹 No passive studying (no just reading or highlighting).

🔹 Prioritize active recall (practice papers, Q&A, teaching concepts).

🔹 Use visual memory aids (mind maps, charts, bullet points).

🔹 Track distractions & eliminate what kills your focus.

🔹 Keep a focus log: What breaks your concentration? Fix it.

0️⃣3️⃣ Week 3: Technical Subjects and theory based subjects (March 15-21)

📜 Literature, history , philosophy... and theory-based subjects:

➖ Read critically, summarize, and debate ideas (not just memorize).

➖ Work on structured arguments & analysis for essays.

📈 Math ... problem-solving subjects:

➖ Use timed practice to simulate exam pressure.

➖ Write key formulas & rules on flashcards.

➖ Break down problems into step-by-step solutions.

🔹 Study difficult subjects when your energy is highest.

0️⃣4️⃣ Week 4: Writing & Expression (March 22-28)

🔹 Summarize topics in your own words every day.

🔹 Create one-page cheat sheets for major topics. (for revision nothing else 💁🏻‍♀️)

🔹 Write mock essays & structured answers (practice depth).

🔹 Focus on clarity & argument-building (make your writing strong).

🔹 Challenge: Can you explain this concept in 3 sentences?

0️⃣5️⃣ Week 5: Self-Testing & Performance Check (March 29-April 4)

🔹 Take full practice tests under exam conditions.

🔹 Time yourself: Work on speed & accuracy.

🔹 Identify weak spots and revisit them.

🔹 Grade your own work harshly—improve where needed.

🔹 Find patterns in mistakes and create strategies to fix them.

0️⃣6️⃣ Week 6: Memory & Retention (April 5-11)

🔹 Daily mini-revision of past weeks’ topics (keep everything fresh).

🔹 Use mnemonics, stories, & memory associations.

🔹 Sleep optimization for memory consolidation (good sleep = better recall).

🔹 Try retrieval practice before checking notes.

🔹 Apply concepts in real-life situations (where possible).

0️⃣7️⃣ Week 7: Peak Productivity & Stamina (April 12-18)

🔹 Push study hours (without burnout).

🔹 Use study sprints: 2-3 intense sessions per day.

🔹 Reduce fake productivity (low-value tasks don’t count).

🔹 Prioritize high-impact topics.

🔹 Simulate exam pressure—train yourself to think fast under stress.

0️⃣8️⃣ Week 8: Advanced Questioning & Strategy (April 19-25)

🔹 Study past exam patterns : what do they repeat?

🔹 Learn what examiners actually want in answers.

🔹 Debate answers with yourself or others (argue both sides).

🔹 Find alternative explanations for complex topics.

🔹 Challenge: What’s the hardest question you could get? Be ready.

0️⃣9️⃣ Week 9: Mastery & Confidence (April 26-May 2)

🔹 Final review: Focus only on weak spots.

🔹 80/20 Rule: What 20% of topics will help the most?

🔹 Do “last-minute style” studying—but without panic.

🔹 Take simulated exams with time limits (test performance).

🔹 Train your brain to stay confident under pressure.

🔟 Week 10: Exam-Specific Prep (May 3-May 9)

🔹 Prioritize final polishing, NOT cramming.

🔹 Review summaries, key formulas, & essay structures.

🔹 Optimize sleep & energy (don’t mess this up now).

🔹 Have a "cheat sheet" in your mind for each subject.

🔹 Last 3 days: Light review, no stress, trust your prep.

last tip !

There will be moments when u feel like giving up, when the material seems overwhelming or the effort too much. That’s when your mindset needs to kick in. The difference between success and failure isn’t about natural talent or born smart it’s about your ability to keep going when things get tough I'm talking about the material not burnout out .The truth is, hard work, perseverance, and adaptability are what lead to success not innate ability.Think of each week as a building block, each day as a step forward. Every time you study, you’re not just learning the material you’re evolving. You’re becoming more disciplined, more capable, and more confident. Even on the days when you feel like you’ve made little progress, remind yourself that you’re making small, consistent strides. These small changes compound over time

good luck !

@bloomzone

[nialovessatoru]

archive

academic rival! gojo satoru who was mesmerised from the first time he saw you and grew even more infatuated with you as he realized how smart you were.

you didn’t engage much with other people, didn’t care for gossip or drama, never laughed at his jokes in class

only once, you called him a “pretentious mess” under your breath. you didn’t even stick around to see him splutter.

and god, he was obsessed.

he very quickly and harshly had to face how one-sided his infatuation was.

it was a stupid attempt at flirtation, something he didn’t spend too much thought on, because if he did, he would’ve overthought it and never said it.

on second thought, maybe that would’ve been better.

he leaned against the door of the classroom as you were about to leave, with a stupidly cocky grin that concealed his nerves effortlessly as he said something like,

“you know, it’s kind of hot when you get all snarky while explaining”

you blinked.

and blinked again.

then let out a harsh scoff.

“don’t you have somewhere to be, gojo?”

then you brushed past him without a second glance.

from your perspective, it cemented what you already assumed; gojo satoru was a cocky, smug asshole who only talked to you to get under your skin.

so that’s what you let yourself believe.

you became more competitive, tried to get better grades than him on everything and got infuriated when that resulted in the both of you becoming top of the class, equal in academic achievements.

at first, gojo didn’t understand why you always seemed so agitated when he scored better than you. he studied hard to impress you.

but you weren’t.

he entertained the rivalry regardless, seeing it as a game, something to bring you two closer in its own way.

when it finally clicked and he realized that you must’ve taken it as him seriously trying to defeat you, he decided to try again.

he approached you when you were sitting alone in the cafeteria, asked if you wanted to get coffee, real soft, real genuine.

and you just stared at him.

“what?”, he’d chuckled, awkwardly. “coffee. with me. it’s not poisoned, promise.”

your eyes narrowed at him, tone sarcastic.

“oh wow, you must really have too much time. and a great sense of humor too.”

he stilled.

“…what?”

“look, if this is some weird prank or pity thing, save it.”

and you grabbed your bag and walked away. again.

and for a moment, gojo just stood there, stunned.

he didn’t realize you thought he was that much of an asshole. that you took his efforts and the rivalry he assumed to be a friendly competition so negatively.

he didn’t know how to tell you he thought of you more than he should.

that he noticed the way you clicked your pen and poked out your lower lip whenever you were thinking.

the way your handwriting would get messier and slanted more towards the left, when you suddenly came up with something.

that the day you won against him in the debate and that the hint of pride you showed when you countered his claims never left his head.

something in his chest ached at being rejected this way but it ached even more at the realisation that you truly disliked him.

and okay, maybe he deserved your cold shoulder because he was entirely too cocky that one day and made a comment that clearly struck you the wrong way, which he never tried to fix.

but he will from now on.

god, he will.

he swears he’ll show you his true self. not your rival. not the popular prick who charmed girls left and right.

but the satoru whose heart felt like it was struck by cupids arrow from the first time he observed you from his desk on the other side in class.

he’d try.

try hard to make you see him for real.

because he needed you to know that side of him that wanted nothing more than your recognition.

the side of him that had fallen so hopelessly and deeply in love with you.

a/n: my fingers are itching to write a full fic about this because oh my god, i need him bad.

[rhyrhy]

Happy accident’s

Butch Abby! draft

This is a silly draft, based on this tweet! (But make it Abby)

Mlist

The bass-heavy thrum of music pulses through the dimly lit bar, weaving between the laughter and faint chitchat of the crowd. This place is packed, you thought. Between the neon lights reflecting off half-empty glasses and slightly sticky tabletops, it was kind of cozy.

Even if the air smells like spilled liquor, a clatter of mixed perfumes, and the wafting bite of cigarette smoke from the patio. You sighed deeply knowing you’d have to rewash your hair to get the smells stuck once you returned home. 

At one corner of the bar, a group of femmes huddle close. Among them, you adjust the straps of your fishnet stockings beneath your shorts, sipping a vodka cranberry. Though your eyes kept flickering towards the pool table. You inconspicuously pretended to roll your neck to get a better look at the figure of your attention.

“Oh, she’s pretty…” you thought, scanning over what you could see from your seat. Still trying to be subtle and not stare like a weirdo.

toward the pool table, where a tall, broad-shouldered butch in a fitted tank top and cargo pants leans against the edge, laughing with her small pack of friends. You watched as her arm flexed slightly to adjust her grip on the cue stick. Slightly lowering her body to get a good shot, she looks so focused…cute.

Once you realized how long you had been staring You quickly turned back to your friends, pretending your gaze wasn't lingering. Mentally slapping yourself.

“Ooo, who are you looking at?” One of your friends says, trying to follow your now abandoned gaze.

“What? Pfft, no one.” Yeah, that was totally convincing. Not.

You earned a few laughs at the obvious lie, going back to your previous conversation. You, feeling a little embarrassed for looking so hard, kept your gaze forward. Doing your best to be engaged in the conversation in front of you.

When suddenly, while sitting, your fishnets brush against warm skin and a rough texture, pulling you backwards a little.

Snag

Abby halts mid-step, confusion flashing across her face as she tries to move, but something tugs against her thigh. 

"What the—" you say, a little startled from the sudden pull, grabbing the end of the table to stabilize yourself so you didn’t hit the floor. 

She turns, and that's when she sees it: your fishnets are hooked onto her carabiner. She glances down at the sudden resistance and then back up, amusement flickering across her face. How silly.

"Oh," Abby says, fighting back a grin.

You immediately move to free it, but she beats you to it, insisting apologetically. 

"Oh—hold on, I got it." 

Her hands are rough, but surprisingly gentle as she tries to work the fabric loose. You feel your cheeks burn, her fingers lingering a moment too long over the frayed edge of the hole in your fishnets. The smell of her soap filling your senses.

"Sorry about that." Abby murmurs, finally untangling your fishnets from her belt.

When she fully stood in front of you, you couldn’t help but scan over her a little more before replying. 

“No worries.” A small smile and wave of your hand followed. You spot another small grin on the woman in front of you as she leans against the bar, seemingly eyeing your fishnets. 

"…Those are cute, by the way," she says, a hint of approval in her voice. She motions towards your shorts and the exposed length of thigh underneath.

"They…look good on you."

“Yeah? Thank you. I’d say the same, but your outfit was just attacking me,” you joked, feeling a bit more confident than before. This wasn't so bad.

She grinned and looked down at her carabiner and pants. 

“Hey, it’s not my fault your fishnets have a thing for my gear,” she replies, followed by a huffed laugh.

“But, I’ll take it as a compliment.”

————

Yeah it’s a small obsession atp, I have no shame.

[hpiiker]

WHITE FERRARI || HP²⁵ 🪷 ˙⟡

:: HPIIKER’S PROFILE || my inbox is open! 📨

:: white ferrari by frank ocean 🌊 thank u for 1.6k <3

MIND ON THE ROAD, YOUR DILATED EYES — you and hasan constantly etched into each other. his honey, tinted eyes admiring your eyes, no unsettling thoughts or feelings ruining his brain. the bronzed sun, comfortably floating with all the stars, moon and airy clouds in the sky. creating the most warm, golden, shine across each other's skin. glowing, matter of fact. your body is happily sat in front of his opened legs. the hard, wooden shore end you're both sitting at the end of the pier.

every sound that echoed from the bolstering pier or the susurration of the waves arriving at shore, facing your’s and hasan's backs, faded like old childhood photos. rotting away in a withered, wooden draw you haven't opened in years. hasan's calloused hands approaching to cup your jaw, his curved thumbs stroking up and down your cheekbones. you soul feels satiated, giving each other a saintly smile.

STICK BY ME, CLOSE BY ME — hasan wants to melt his skin into your’s. each freckles that spiralled from one to another, creating a splatter of specs across his olive tone skin. from one human being to another, clothes hanging of the human’s curved and edged bodies. the heavy, but somehow delicate cotton blanket spilled over his and your body. droopy eye lids combatting against the fatigue. hasan’s body easing into relief, your body mirroring his motive.

both vicariously feeling... beatific. spending each day of the moment together. no one, no thing, is moving or leaving it's place. everything is right where it is.

I CARE FOR YOU STILL, AND I WILL FOREVER — hasan is forever a scrupulous person to you. the doodle you drew in his past notebook, etched into his brain. your favourite scent, meal or dessert, cotton bedding from a past trip, childhood plushie that was a attached to your hip as a kid, a childhood memory from your catastrophic childhood. your last mark left in his home, the used cup in his sink to a worn top of his by the laundry hamper.

laying your back up against his bare chest, outside. by his outdoor furniture, lighting the fire pit. his chin resting on your shoulder, hasan fiddling with your engagement band. every time you guys weren't going to be in the same vicinity, you always clinked your wedding band together, saying "seni seviyorum." it always happens, you guys couldn't care if them words were said in front of no one to millions of people...

kaya lazily walked her way over, climb up to lay between your's and hasan's legs. hasan is content, everything he loves deeply and securely, it's here.

♪

I'M SURE WE'RE TALLER IN ANOTHER DIMENSION — you and hasan hiding love notes/letters in coats, books, drawers, for each other to find... || you keeping a proof of love box, things that you and hasan are proud of, goals achieved, notes to self, and moments where you guys didn't give up on yourself or the relationship when things got tough or worse. || “now give your old man a kiss” || hasan squeezing your hand three times, to secretly tell "i love you." || hasan catching you staring and sending you a teasing wink, wether that's on or off stream || already thinking about cleaning up the place before you come home for work || hasan nuzzling his head on your shoulder whenever he's sat next to you while your chatting away to friends || "next time, i'm coming. cause i know what your clumsy ass is like" || "how could you do that?", "you would have done the same!".

:: tags — @snowsdiaryy @sunshineblnd @the-phantom-author @fullofgutsndopamine @nfr-girly @haileyisnotcool @exhaustedclown @tiege2000 @cinnabearice @saviorcomplexrry @pupity @moondust-imagines @kqmbr1a @2005irlfawn @feeling-normal @freak4hamzah @issi505 @gotavansleep @ohsorrythen @makeandshift @majknn @hauntedmorgue @greenandyellowfroggies @il0vetopgunnn @rosylnsworld @the-mrs-malik-styles @wakemeupshaking014 @cannotgetoverit @fuckfuckshitfuck @arielijog @slutt4siriusblack @daintyseiren @jimins-favblackie @jollysportsflowerbailiff @nevergonnaloveagain-hey @jimmyjimjim123 @benzodiazepines-withdrawal @xxepherr @buckys-goodgirl @vicravluv @mavericksice @buckybarnesandmarvel @d1g1talxgf @aomi-nabi @colddarkearthworm @raven18 @idkwtfimdoing2 @urfavhornyperson @deliciouskittenarbiter @inhibitionfreewriting

[vintage-bentley]

It’s ridiculous that the trans community sees even respectfully not engaging with their beliefs as an act of malicious bigotry. What I mean by this is things like referring to a trans identified male as they/them or with no pronouns instead of she/her. That is a respectful way of not going against your own beliefs, while also going out of your way to not be abrasive by calling him he/him. It’s simply not engaging with somebody else’s belief while trying not to be overly hurtful about it. That’s not evil. “But it hurts to know people don’t see you as your gender!” TOO BAD. You have to grow a thicker skin and understand that nobody is required to engage with your beliefs to spare your feelings.

To me, it’s just like when I go to an event that includes saying grace or a prayer. I’m an atheist and anti-theist. I could easily be openly disrespectful and flash a devil sign, or stick out my tongue, or make noise, but I don’t. I simply don’t bow my head, I don’t recite the prayer, and I don’t say “amen”. Might this hurt people around me? Of course! I’m sure there’s religious people who would be deeply offended to see somebody not engaging in group prayer. But that’s simply not my problem. It’s their problem to accept that not everybody believes what they do, and that nobody is required to play along to spare their feelings.

The harsh reality is that if you believe in something that isn’t proven to be true (like the idea of a gendered soul, or a soul that needs to be saved by a higher power), you have to 1. Accept that it’s a belief, 2. Accept that not everyone will believe in it, and 3. Understand that somebody’s disbelief is not a slight against you.

[bittertasteofhoney]

Good Day Sunshine | Ch. 11

Hummingbird

Summary: Fate clearly wants you and Joel to be together again but this was not what you had in mind. No matter how careless you were…

SPOILERS IN THE TAGS BELOW

|| angst, jackson!joel,  jackson!joel x f!reader, age gap (but legal!), reader is afab, pregnancy ||

Notes: I know this trope is not a lot of people’s preferred flavor. If this isn’t your thing, I just want to say thank you so much for reading this far. I truly appreciate every minute you spent reading my words. The thought blows my mind!!! If you are sticking around, buckle in, babes, because we have so much tension and a healthy dose of smut coming your way. Forever grateful for every single one of you! <3

18+. Read at your own risk. You are responsible for your own media consumption. Minors DO NOT ENGAGE.

The characters, names and characterizations belong to HBO Max and The Last of Us franchise. This work is my creative property and aside from re-blogs and shares, I do not give permission to share or copy my work without permission or consent.

Previous Chapter.

Somehow, a month passed. You let your anger fuel you as you went about everyday life. You no longer hid in the gardens or at home but tried to find a sense of normalcy. Sure, you saw him, which gutted you each time, but you never met his eyes. If you walked by one of his construction sites on a delivery, you turned your face as you passed him poring over plans. If you saw him and Ellie in the mess hall, you walked by to squeeze her shoulder, but never lifted your eyes to meet his. 

You couldn’t look at him. You couldn’t bring yourself to meet the eyes of the man who walked away from you that easily and for such a stupid reason. But there was also another reason you couldn’t look at him. 

It had been a week since the realization hit you head-on while you were sitting on your patio, mindlessly sipping a cup of tea. You were thinking about the last time Joel was here with you. 

He walked in through your front door, heated about something while you chopped veggies in your kitchen. He came up behind you and hugged you, burying his face in your hair. You could feel the tension rolling off his body, so you snaked a hand behind his head to twirl your fingers in his curls. 

“You doing okay?” He shook his head, still buried in your hair, humming deeply. “Do you want to talk about it?” He shook his head again, and you giggled. “Fine. We’ll talk later, but we have to come up with a way to help you relax.”

His hands slid down your sides and gently cupped your ass. “I have a few ideas.” His gruff voice sent a shiver down your back. 

“Oh yeah?” He hummed again from behind you, and you closed your eyes and dropped the knife you were chopping with. You braced yourself on the counter as he gripped your hips and pulled you flush against him. “Joel.”

“What would you say if I told you I’ve been thinking about you bent over this counter all day long?”

You lightly laughed, but it soon turned to breathless panting as he began kneading your ass with his hands. “I would say you should probably focus on building…whatever it is you’re building…” 

You could barely think as his hand slid up your back, and he gently pushed you forward. You pressed your ass against him and softly whimpered as you moved it in a slow, circular motion, feeling his growing erection.

He hissed and tutted softly. “We were fixin’ the electrical in that house in the back section of town. It was a goddamn nightmare. I should be offended you didn’t pay attention, but I don’t know a goddamn thing about gardening.” 

You dropped your head between your shoulders as he slid a hand to your front and used it to unbutton your shorts and slip under your panties. His fingers slid lower and lower until one began to circle your clit. 

“Joel.”

“Yes, darlin’?” You gasped as he pinched it. 

“I…I…” He chuckled. The asshole actually chuckled. 

“I can’t give you what you want unless you ask for it.” You whimpered again, and he just laughed. So, you decided to take matters into your own hands. 

You reached to grip the hand driving you crazy and squeezed until he stopped his ministrations. Confused, he withdrew his hand and stepped back, giving you some space and misinterpreting your action as disinterest. 

You spun around slowly until you faced him, gripping his shirt and pulling him to the ground. He did as you directed, following your pushes and pulls, with a befuddled look on his face. “Lay down.”

He raised an eyebrow but did so slowly. You moved to straddle him, still standing, as you removed your shorts, panties and top. He slowly undid his belt and slid his pants down past his knees with a look of reverence in his eyes. 

“Darlin’?” 

You dropped to your knees and widened your stance to accommodate his hips. “You told me to use my words. Instead, I’m not asking this time.” His eyes grew so dark that they were almost black at this point. 

The two of you never broke eye contact. Not when you slid onto his length, when he dug his hands into your hips to control your pace or when he groaned and came much quicker than you. And god, you ate it up. You loved that he was so turned on that he couldn’t keep up with you.

You shivered, remembering the way he made you feel, but you felt your stomach drop. 

The two of you were never careful. Clearly. Condoms were never part of the conversation, given how hard they were to procure in the post-outbreak world. Even if you managed to get your hands on a twenty-three-year-old packet, they were rarely effective. And if you happened across a diaphragm, you’d found the golden ticket.

Unfortunately, you had your hands on neither and also didn’t possess enough self-control to attempt the pull-out method, so you and Joel continued to give in to your desires without much thought for the consequences.

The consequences you were currently dealing with as you thought about your period being three weeks late. Sure, it was always irregular due to your inconsistent diet before coming to Jackson, but your tender breasts gave you another puzzle piece. Shockingly, you didn’t feel panic. At least, not much.

It wasn’t easy to get pregnant, to begin with, and a baby in a town as secure as Jackson wasn’t the inconvenience people beyond the fence viewed it as. To a degree, you were happy about it. You’d always imagined a child when you were brave enough to picture life fifty years in the future. And knowing it was Joel’s sent a warm feeling to your chest.

But it also sent you into a state of panic. You got upset any time you thought of how he might react. He seemingly didn’t want to be with you, so why would he want to share a child?

Of course, you couldn’t keep it from him. You had more than a few weeks before you began to show, but once you did, it wouldn’t take long for that man to clock any change in your appearance. He still watched you like a hawk whenever you were in the same room. 

You had to tell him. You wanted to. However, you knew he would feel obligated to tie himself to you, and that always gave you pause when you considered starting down his path to break the news.

So, you found yourself knocking on Tommy’s door one evening, twisting your hands across your abdomen as you waited for him to answer the door. It took him a few minutes, and your hands were rubbed raw before the door swung open.

“Sunshine? What can I do for you?” You met his questioning eyes sheepishly.

“Can we talk?” 

He nodded and stepped aside so you could enter the house. He led you into the kitchen and pulled out a chair for you to sink into. He sat down opposite of you and patiently waited for you to begin. The more you met his eyes and looked away, the more panicked you felt until finally, your eyes filled with tears, and you leaned forward with your head in your hands. 

He shot out of his chair and came to squat before you, rubbing your knee and telling you to breathe. When you finally caught your breath, you dropped your hands and hiccuped. 

“Tommy, I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you mean? What’s goin’ on?” He reached out to hold one of your hands and rubbed his thumb across it comfortingly. 

You hiccuped a few more times before looking down at your lap. “I’m pregnant.” 

The man almost fell back on his ass as the words left your mouth. He regained his balance by gripping the side of your chair and looked at you with wide eyes. “Pregnant?! You’re sure?” 

You nodded as your eyes filled with tears again. 

“Does he know?” You shook your head and recovered your face with your hands as it crumpled. He leaned forward and wrapped you in a hug, letting you dampen his shoulder as you let it all wash over you. 

You couldn’t see, but Tommy looked visibly uncomfortable as he watched you cry and held you for several reasons. He was seeing red, knowing his brother hurt you enough that news like this caused you this much sadness. He also still felt a sense of loyalty toward Joel and was worried you would keep the child from him, no matter how much he may deserve it.

“Are you gonna keep it?”

You looked at him with wide, wet eyes and nodded, wiping the wet trails on your cheeks and taking a short breath. “Yes. I know it isn’t ideal, but it’s something I wanted eventually. It’s just happening sooner than I thought.”

He nodded, listening to you, and cracked a smile. “Well, that’s all that matters. As long as this is somethin’ you want, we’ll do anything we can to help you. Me and Maria, we’re here for you. No matter what.”

“Thank you, Tommy. Really. But I’ll be okay. I’m going tell him. I will. I just…” 

He rubbed your knee again, giving you time. You shook your head and struggled to begin speaking again. After a few mumbles and false starts, you finally were able to say, “He feels what we had was a mistake and I don’t…I know he never meant for this to be the outcome of what…we had.”

Tommy’s face hardened in anger. How the fuck could his brother ruin the confidence of this incredible woman? Especially a woman for whom he was head over heels.

You took another breath and returned to wringing your hands together to give yourself something physical to focus on as you continued, “I’m worried. I don’t want to make this any harder on him.”

Tommy’s eyebrows stitched together in confusion. “What? Why? This is a surprise, of course. But my brother is a decent man despite how goddamn stupid he can be.”

You took a shuddering breath. “He already lost one kid. I don’t want…I don’t want him to feel a sense of obligation. I would feel like I’m manipulating him or something. But I don’t want him to not know his kid.”

This time, it was Tommy who covered his face with his hands as he tried to control his breathing. You knew about Sarah. If you knew about Sarah, there was no doubt in Tommy’s mind that Joel loved you.

His eyes watered, and his voice cracked as he held your hand and said, “If you’re going to keep it, you gotta tell him.”

After a beat, you nodded and stood. “I will.” He also nodded and got up with a grunt, placing a hand on your back and walking you to the door. 

After you said your goodbyes, you immediately set down the path to the Miller house, not wanting to waste another second in agonizing debates and anxiety. He had to know and now was better than any other time. 

When you knocked on their door, you once again twisted your hands together as you waited for it to creak open. It took much longer than your wait at Tommy’s because Joel was just on the other side of the door, standing in shock after seeing you through the peephole.

You were here. Standing on his porch. He wanted to rip the door open and drag you inside and into his bed, but he could barely move. Eventually, he slowly opened the door and met you with surprised eyes. 

“Hi.” God, your voice. Your last conversation haunted him, and hearing it directed at him in such soft tones stilled him. 

He knew he had to respond, but all he could do was just stand there.

You looked at him, hating how much you missed him, and let that feeling wash over you. You were still pissed, but seeing the way he looked at you now almost made you buckle at the knee. “Can we talk?”

He nodded and opened the door wider, but you shook your head. He leaned an arm on the doorframe, mainly to keep him upright, and attempted to look at ease as you began to talk. 

You looked at the ground before speaking. “Look, there isn’t an easy way to begin this. We haven’t talked in a while… And god, this isn’t something I ever thought I would have to tell you. But…” 

You took a shuddering breath, and he stepped forward without thinking and placed a gentle hand on your shoulder to steady you. You looked at it and then finally met his eyes. “Joel, I’m pregnant.”

The floor beneath him should’ve given out, and panic should’ve flooded his system, but all he could think was how beautiful you looked. He knew the news was a shock, but the only reason his grip tightened on your shoulder was the look of fear in your eyes. 

You take a step back, forcing his arm to drop. “And I’m keeping it. I just wanted to let you know but…” You took a breath. “I’ll leave it up to you as far as how involved you want to be. I know it’s a lot to think about and this was the last thing you expected after…everything. But I know what you…”

You stopped yourself from continuing as he shook his head, confused. 

“What I what?” His voice was so gruff. 

You closed your eyes and winced before answering.  “What you lost. Before.” 

The silence between you was heavy. His face was now all hard lines.

“I want to give you a choice. This baby will be here and…if you wanted to know them, I want you to have that choice.” 

His eyes met yours again, filled with questions and a matching shining layer of tears. He was already a pseudo-father to Ellie, but this. He never thought this would happen to him again.

He moved forward as if he was going to comfort you but stopped himself. “What do you need from me?” You shook your head. This wasn’t the question you expected him to ask.

“Nothing…Joel. I’m fine. I promise. The town will provide me with anything I need. We have a pretty good program for mothers to be.” He nodded and took a step back. “Well, now you know. I guess…I’ll let you know in about eight months.” 

You walked down the steps, and Joel almost followed you but let you get ahead as he battled with what to do next. After a few moments, he stumbled after you, calling out to you to hold up for just a second. You slowed your stride so he could stand next you again.

He panted before speaking. “Look, a baby is not what I was expecting, but-” He held out a hand to completely stop you from walking. “Hold up for a second. I’m trying to-.” He took a deep breath. “I want to know this kid.” 

Your eyes softened, and you nodded. Did he think you would keep his kid from him? You could tell there was so much more he wanted to say, so you waited for him to talk, but he just kept his eyes locked on yours.

“Joel...of course. If that’s what you want, of course you will. You’ll know them. I promise.” You looked at the ground and then back up to him. “As their dad.”

He nodded solemnly, and you grappled internally with whether or not this was something he truly wanted. And it broke you a little. 

In a fractured voice, he looked up and said, “I’m sorry. I was trying to-to make things better, and I just…I just took your life away.” His eyes were closed to spilling over due to the fresh tears.

You shook your head and forced a smile. “Nothing to be sorry for. This is a happy surprise. At least to me. These things…they just happen.” 

You walked away quickly before your tears could overtake you again, leaving him alone with his thoughts and without a response.

But the only thing on his mind was a baby with your eyes, and the thought almost brought him to his knees with gratitude.

Next Chapter.

Tag List :) @silksepia @hello-nah817 @longlivetheloneliness @keseqna @millers-girl @treacherqus @lemonboi @spnfic85 @secretlettersfromyourlove @nosebeers @boscogirlsworld @aleemendoza2425-blog @puppi-sonnenschein @needz1nk

18+. Read at your own risk. You are responsible for your own media consumption. Minors DO NOT ENGAGE.

[sleepingdeath-light]

wind archer cookie smut hcs ; 18+

requested by ; anonymous (30/01/24), anonymous (06/06/24) & 🃏♟️ anon (25/01/25)

fandom(s) ; cookie run

fandom masterlist(s) ; hub | specific

character(s) ; wind archer cookie

outline ; “(over 18 btw, specifically 19 yrs old) SO SO, since your request box are coming to a close, I'd like to request Wind Archer Cookie in his "corrupted form" (not exactly his corrupted form but yk that emo looking costume he has? If you read the event story which includes that form you probably know what I'm talkng about) and smut hcs if possible?? If that's too specific, just do normal smut hcs for Wind Archer Cookie. Thank you!”

&

“22 years old. Honestly surprised no ones requested this yet, but can we please get some Wind Archer Cookie Smut Headcanons? Thank you.”

&

“Could I request a Wind Archer x GN! reader smut hc? (I'm 19! Sorry, this was a little awkward T^T)”

warning(s) ; sexually explicit content, soft dominant!wind archer cookie, praise kink, outdoor / public sex, marking kink, clothing kink, overstimulation, one point mentioning period sex at the end

minors and ageless blogs will be blocked

wind archer cookie definitely leans more towards a soft dominant role in the bedroom, but generally when the two of you are intimate it’s done without any set roles or expectations like you would have if you were engaging in an actual scene. the only reason he falls under that category, really, is because of how strict he is about putting you and your pleasure above his own and how intent he is about taking care of your needs — something that lends itself to him naturally taking more control in the bedroom even if there aren’t any set roles you’re trying to embody at the time

wind archer cookie, both in and outside of the bedroom, always speaks to you with nothing short of reverence and respect. he outright refuses to degrade or humiliate you, finding both things to be unnecessarily cruel for someone he cares so wholly about, and either sticks to praise or a calm description of what he’s doing and what he intends to do — in other words, when he’s not thanking you for letting him make love to you or telling you how incredible you feel wrapped around his cock, he’s talking you through the most toe-curling pleasure you’ve ever experienced and asking for your consent each and every step of the way

(having your ongoing and enthusiastic approval throughout the whole process is very important to him — and very attractive too… there’s just something about you giving him that look and practically begging him to go ahead while he’s buried between your thighs or just barely pressing the tip of his dick into your entrance that makes his head spin in the best possible way)

his favourite position is, without question, missionary, as basic as a choice as that might be. he just enjoys the general intimacy of it and he loves being able to look into your eyes as you cum.

cowgirl is a close second, but generally speaking he prefers being able to take the lead which pushes missionary that bit above it

this is something that he’s rather ashamed about, but wind archer cookie has a very minor marking kink. he’s not sure when it came about or even when he realised just how deeply it actually impacted him, but one day he happened to notice a hickey he’d left on your neck the night before and was left with the realisation that he really liked how it looked and he really wanted to give you more — never voiced these thoughts to you and if he has his way he never will, but if you’re paying close enough attention to him it’s impossible to ignore how his eyes are drawn to the visible marks he’s left on you

doesn’t usually have any strong feelings about the clothes you wear and finds you equally as attractive in anything you have on… but there is something distinctly arousing about making love to you when you’re wearing nothing but one of his tunics… especially first thing in the morning when you’re still all soft and sleepy and sensitive

loves going down on you and arguably gets more out of it than he does when you return the favour. earlier on in your relationship he had a very timid and slow approach to it (kitten licks, chaste kisses, looking to you for guidance a lot), but with time he’s gotten a lot more confident and much more efficient at taking you apart piece by piece (lick by lick, kiss by kiss) and building you back up again over and over until he’s satisfied and you’re too fucked-out to form any coherent thoughts at all. also big on eye contact when he goes down on you; he loves watching the way your expressions shift as he pleasures you and he could watch you fall apart on his tongue for the rest of his life and never tire of the view (just thinks you look hot and will tell you that the second he pulls away from your sex long enough to actually speak the words)

wind archer cookie gets off on pleasuring you and, as such, tends to get carried away quite often when the two of you are being intimate. this means that unless you actively call him out on it or otherwise make him stop prematurely, it’s pretty much inevitable that you’ll end up trembling and weeping from overstimulation by the time he’s finished with you

… he just really likes making you feel good, okay?

big fan of outdoor sex, especially if it involves him getting to go down on you in the forest he’s protected since before he was given a physical body. getting drunk on you — your flavour on his tongue, the sounds you make for him, the feeling of your thighs clamping down on his head and your fingers twisting in his hair — is so much more fulfilling to him when he’s surrounded by nature and it’s so painfully obvious that it’s difficult to deny him when he asks you to indulge in this one request of his

isn’t opposed to threesomes (or just generally including others in your sex life) and isn’t an overly possessive/jealous person, but he is very insistent on safety and boundaries during these encounters — better safe than sorry, after all, and he refuses to go to bed with someone (or let you go to bed with someone) that he doesn’t trust

the most sensitive parts of his body are his inner thighs and biting them will make him whimper if you catch him off guard (a rare occurrence as he usually tends to groan and grunt instead) — use that knowledge however you will

not necessarily against bottoming but it’s not something he’s super into and he’ll only do it on occasion — partially because he much prefers being able to pleasure you, and partially because he’s just not all that used to being penetrated and it’s a bit of a strange sensation for him still. again, he will do it if it’s something you enjoy but know that he does generally prefer being the top.

if you have periods then he’s not opposed to having sex with you during them (or even going down on you if you have no problem with that), but you’d need to be the one to bring it up — he’s just worried about potentially hurting you due to the circumstances (especially if you happen to have particularly bad cramps)

[kyouka-supremacy]

I think about a lot of the differences between beast and Canon Akutagawa but I think the one similar consistency they have other than love/grief/rage and being absolutely homosexual for white haired protagonists is the fact that they are both goth enough to pull a Mary Shelley and also confess it to their Atsushi's. I like to think that instead of saying I love you, Akutagawa's confession was basically, "If you were to die before me, I will take your heart and wrap it in my favorite poetry, and carry it with me everywhere. Even when it is time for me to be put in my grave."

Canon atsushi's reaction to this at 2:47 AM on a sleepless night is, "[snort] not my leg?" and then says i love you back when akutagawa least expects it, and nearly has a heart attack cause he wasn't expecting it.

Beast Atsushi's response to it at 2:47 AM on a sleepless night is, "Duly noted, I'll update my will...does this mean we're gonna get married then?" which catches Beast Akutagawa so off guard he's like, "you've considered marriage. with me."

"I've...I have the priest (hirotsu) on speed dial. Just in case...?"

(Beast aku doesn't even agree or disagree, he just says "you're doing all the paperwork, I hate paperwork" to which beast atsushi, who has already forged his signature and finger print and has been waiting for a reason to register the paperwork for A While TM is like "got it :)")

Anon come here... Let me kiss you... You get sskk and Beast sskk so well kiss you kiss you kiss you showering you in all your favourite flowers!!!! Thank you for this I have barely anything to add because really what else is there to say? This is precisely how they would act.

Canon Atsushi is, precisely, exactly, like you described him: snarky, yet so acutely aware still, so on track with what Akutagawa is saying. He's the one who would playfully poke fun of Akutagawa as he's dying for him. I love this aspect of Atsushi messing up with Akutagawa and Akutagawa messing up with Atsushi– I think it's an aspect of their rivalry that would stick to their relationship no matter the stage. I think it's very sskk in the way they can be confident when they are with each other, and thus engage in competition. I think it speaks of a level of being comfortable they can only reach when they are with each other. I think Atsushi would definitely say: “Not my leg?” That's so cute, thank you. And then say “I love you too”, because he loves to take Akutagawa off guard, and because, all playing around aside, he loves him :)

Beast sskk are so cute. They're my favourite ever. They are so morbid and so tender at the same time. I don't think they share this teasing each other as much as the other sskk do, because competition to the extent the others experienced was never a thing for them. They are more quiet than that, but also giving off this feeling of, you just know no one else could be by their side. They're very precious to me. Atsushi having thought about marriage countless times, indulging on daydreaming about normal happy lives and normal couple things, just as a way of fantasizing and nothing more of course, but let's keep the priest (Hirotsu) on speed dial just in case. Vs. Akutagawa who never once it had crossed his mind but upon Atsushi mentioning it is like. “Sure. You take care of all the paperwork tho I'm NOT handing that.” And Atsushi is like “Oh. Okay :)” ajhsvakhjvkjhvcf they are so cuteeee. Atsushi knowing how to forge Akutagawa's signature AND finger print too for good measure is the cutest thing, it's something that's SO them, they trust each other so deeply, they're parts of the same being. I've said thousand times before that to me Beast Atsushi is the perfect trope of ex-mafioso house husband and this little illegal things he probably doesn't even realize are illegal are exactly what I'm talking about. They're both too messed up to realize they're freaks / they don't care because they match each other's freakiness / I love them SO much.

I do share this vision of canon sskk and Beast sskk where they are two sets of different people, but at the same time, sometimes their destinies will overlap for a fraction of second: like saying the same thing at the same time one night. They are so <3

[jimmyscanongf]

So I was thinking about Jimmy (as one does) and thinking how he’d react to his partner proposing to him. I know he would probably NEVER want to get married (unless he gets tons of therapy) so he probably won’t be the one to ask, but would he accept if he was the one proposed to? I can totally imagine him being like smug like of course they want to marry me and probably thrilled he didn’t have to spend money on a ring, but I can also see him feeling emasculated in a way? Especially if his partner is fem or presents fem... Idk I was just thinking and was wondering if you (the Jimmy expert) had thoughts on the matter?

i think he’s going to absolutely feel emasculated. like it’ll come as very mixed strange emotions to him with this predominant angry emasculated feeling, he’ll think “who the fuck do you think i am?!” and will probably. reject you at first. very unkindly. he’s going to break your heart. and depending on how healed he is, either the relationship will never be the same and he’ll. i dont know how to explain it, it’s like he thinks you think you’re above him somehow or that he’s womanly and weak it’ll be this whole Thing he’s gonna develop a fucking complex and the relationship will have this underlying tension forever. also proposing to him is a very clear indication that you want to Get Married To Him and so it’ll be this fucking thing that never stops prodding at his mind he’s thinking is this relationship not fucking enough as it is? the man is allergic to commitment at this point. so i think sadly if he’s really unhealed it will probably spell demise for you two 💔

but if he’s a bit better, maybe he’s in therapy working through his shit you know he’s in the thick of it and not perfect but making progress. after he storms off he’s gonna go think about it some more. it’s gonna dawn on him just how deeply you fucking love him to have asked HIM to marry YOU. he might drink and cry about it in private for a while. he’s thinking about your face when he rejected you how fucking broken and crestfallen you were and he haaaates himself so fucking much for it. and then i can see him starting to feel panicked and running back to you, he’s thinking that nobody will ever love him enough to marry him, nobody will love him like you did ever again. and i think if youre a guy/masc partner he may just throw himself at your feet and tell you how stupid he was and accept your proposal. but if you’re a girl/fem partner i think this masculinity gender roles thing will be a big sticking point for him i dont knowww if he will necessarily accept your proposal but he will go out and buy. probably the most inexpensive acceptable engagement ring he can find (like he’s going to a pawn shop or some shit) and he will instead tell you how stupid he was and propose back.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Some Tips & Advice for Writing Fiction

"Since advice is usually ignored and rules are routinely broken, I refer to these little pearls as merely 'suggestions.'....There’s nothing binding here. All suggestions can be ignored when necessary." —John Grisham

Love your story. Many writers create their best work when they’re deeply invested in their characters and plot.

Withhold information from your readers. When writing fiction, only give readers the information they need to know in the moment. Ernest Hemingway’s iceberg theory in writing is to show your readers just the tip of the iceberg. The supporting details—like backstory—should remain unseen, just like the mass of an iceberg under the water’s surface. This prevents readers from getting overwhelmed with information and lets them use their imagination to fill in the blanks.

Write simple sentences. Think of Shakespeare’s line, “To be or not to be?” famous for its brevity and the way it quickly describes a character’s toiling over their own life. There is a time and place for bigger words and denser text, but you can get story points across in simple sentences and language. Try using succinct language when writing, so that every word and sentence has a clear purpose.

Mix up your writing. To become a better writer, try different types of writing. If you’re a novelist, take a stab at a short story. If you’re writing fiction, try writing nonfiction. Try a more casual writing style by blogging. Each piece of writing has a different point of view and different style rules that will help your overall writing skills.

Write every day. Great writers have a regular writing habit. That means dedicating time every day to the craft of writing. Some writers assign themselves a daily word count; Stephen King writes 2,000 words a day. You might also join a writing group; being accountable to other people is a great motivator. Don’t worry if what you jot down is technically bad writing or you struggle to get something onto a blank page. Some days will be more productive than others. The more you write the easier it gets.

Set milestones. The average word count for a book is 75,000 words. That can make novel writing intimidating. If you’re working on your first novel, stay motivated by setting milestones. This will help you break the book down mentally so it is easier to manage and easier to stick with.

Understand basic story structure. Professional writers are well-versed in the framework most stories follow, from exposition and rising action through to the climax and falling action. Create an outline to map your main plot and subplots on paper before you get started.

Don't write the first scene until you know the last. This necessitates the use of a dreaded device commonly called an outline. Virtually all writers hate that word. Plotting takes careful planning. Writers waste years pursuing stories that eventually don’t work.

Learn strong character development techniques. There are effective ways to create a character arc in literature. Learn what character information to reveal to increase tension in your story. Your main characters should have a backstory that informs their actions, motivations, and goals. Determine what point of view (POV)—first person or third person—complements the character’s interpretation of events.

Use the active voice. Your goal as an author is to write a page-turner—a book that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Use the active voice in your stories. Sentences should generally follow the basic structure of noun-verb-object. While passive voice isn’t always a bad thing, limit it in your fiction writing.

Take breaks when you need them. Writer's block gets the best of every writer. Step away from your desk and get some exercise. Getting your blood flowing and being in a different environment can ignite ideas. Continue writing later that day or even the next.

Kill your darlings. An important piece of advice for writers is to know when words, paragraphs, chapters, or even characters, are unnecessary to the story. Being a good writer means having the ability to edit out excess information. If the material you cut is still a great piece of writing, see if you can build a short story around it.

Don't introduce 20 characters in the first chapter. A rookie mistake. Your readers are eager to get started. Don’t bombard them with a barrage of names from four generations of the same family. Five names are enough to get started.

Read other writers. Reading great writing can help you find your own voice and hone your writing skills. Read a variety of genres. It also helps to read the same genre as your novel. If you’re writing a thriller, then read other thrillers that show how to build tension, create plot points, and how to do the big reveal at the climax of the story.

Read beyond what you like. Dutch writer Thomas Heerma van Voss says: "Read as much and as widely as possible. See how other writers construct their scenes, tease the reader, build tension. Don’t be afraid, especially when starting out, to steal or imitate – all arts begins with imitation. One of the Netherlands’ most famous writers began his writing career by copying out stories by Ivan Turgenev in an effort to master his rhythm and way of writing."

Read writers who do not write like you. Trinidadian-British poet Vahni Capildeo says: “Make friends with writers who do not write like you. Swap books. Show each other work. Take the long view and the wide view. Writing adds your lifetime to the lifetime of everyone else who has written or read, or who will read or write, including non-‘literary’ folk. All sorts of people work carefully or lovingly or effectively with words. You may find inspiration in a law report (ancient or contemporary) or a tide chart, or in an ‘unplayable’ play…"

Research. Critically acclaimed novelist Guinevere Glasfurd says: “Writers are often exhorted to ‘write what they know’. But what if your protagonist is a fourteenth-century nun? Or a drag queen from Kentucky (and supposing you, the writer, are not)? Start by reminding yourself why you want to tell the story. Research can be frustrating; sometimes the archive is silent, the answers are not there. There’s a reason for that and that should spark other questions. Research can also be enormously rewarding. It can, and likely will, reveal something unexpected. It is important to remain alert to that, to be attentive and open to surprise. Research is an iterative process. Research a bit, write a bit, research a bit more. Allow your writing to remain fluid at this point, open to question, encouraging of further enquiry.”

Write to sell. To make a living doing what they love, fiction writers need to think like editors and publishers. In other words, approach your story with a marketing sensibility as well as a creative one to sell your book.

Write now, edit later. Young writers and aspiring writers might be tempted to spend a lot of time editing and rewriting as they type. Resist that temptation. Practice freewriting—a creative writing technique that encourages writers to let their ideas flow uninterrupted. Set a specific time to edit.

Get feedback. It can be hard to critique your own writing. When you have finished a piece of writing or a first draft, give it to someone to read. Ask for honest and specific feedback. This is a good way to learn what works and what doesn’t.

Think about publishing. Few authors write just for themselves. Envision where you want your story to be published. If you have a short story, think about submitting it to literary magazines. If you have a novel, you can send it to literary agents and publishing houses. You might also consider self-publishing if you really want to see your book in print.

Ignore writing advice that doesn't resonate with you. Not every writer works the same. You have to figure out what works for you in the long run. If working off of bullet-point outlines gives you hives, then don't do it. If you work best writing scenes out of order, then write those scenes out of order.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References

[tiwo444]

My Two Non-Negotiable Lifestyle Habits

♡ I only consume unhealthy meals on holidays.

Holidays include Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, July 4th, and other cultural or nationally relevant holidays. This means no fried foods, no pastries, no soda, no heavily processed meat, and no candy. I eat ice cream but limit it heavily and I avoid sugary foods like they're the plague. For the longest time, I thought sugar tasted so nasty. I had this core memory of eating plain sugar as a kid and thinking the aftertaste was gross, and I’ve hated sugar ever since. I literally hate eating pastries and sugary meals for breakfast because they make me nauseous and I only have my sugar intake from fruits, fruit juices/smoothies, coffee, matcha, and honey.

I have to follow a religious fast where I go vegan for a majority of the year (varies from 50%-70% of the year) but for when I don't fast, I consume large amounts of beef and fish. I don't use non fasting periods as a reason to eat sloppily but maintain eating 2-3 meals a day where I consume lots of veggies, protein, dairy, and fiber. I eat lots of traditional Ethiopian and Mediterranean food and Asian food. I usually meal prep on Sundays.

I hope to live a long, healthy life, so that means not severely limiting myself. I never starve and I don't encourage EDs at all (for obvious reasons). They lead to starve/binge cycles, drain energy, and are not sustainable. Discipline is a long-term muscle, and eating high density meals with healthy foods 99% of the year is the best because I give myself all the nutrition I need without feeling like fainting from starving myself or feeling groggy from greasy food. Having high energy throughout the day is extremely important to me so I eat whatever I want as long as it is healthy. This is not a diet I follow once in a while, its a way of life maintained by discipline.

♡ 2+ hours of deep learning every day, including rest days, breaks, and holidays, for the rest of my life.

It also means 2+ hours of studying on top of the usual studying I do for school. The world is always changing and being adaptable is the most important skill a person can have, and this means constantly learning about the world. This doesn't mean keeping up with social media influencers or celebrity news, but actual news and information that impacts our world and our history.

Learn from past world leaders, study physics concepts, work on your writing skills, learn a language, draw and study human anatomy, etc. I usually pick a goal topic to study and stick with that topic until I have mastered it or learned it well. This is a process that can take one 2 hour study session or several months. Dedicating two hours a day for serious studying, with no breaks gives me enough time to deeply dive into a topic and really understand it. This means engaging with the topic in a meaningful way (asking questions, self quizzing, active recall, creating something, etc.) and not just mindlessly reading or taking notes.

My favorite things to study are economics, mathematics, sociology, history, art, art history, computer science, politics, and culture. Being knowledgeable can help you frame your opinions, other's opinions, world events, and even help you predict the future from studying the past. I study early in the morning, whenever I have a break, or late an night.

You don't need to attend an ivy league university, you don't need to attend community college, you don't need formal education, you don't need to be young, or born naturally smart to improve your mind and to become an educated person. So many people can change their lives by studying 30 minutes a day and by then applying that knowledge into their life with action. I believe that one of the most powerful tools that human beings have is our brain, human minds placed footprints on the Moon and also placed destruction to entire civilizations. Lifelong learning is imperative because it's world changing. It is a privilege to study and to learn, so if you can study, study. If you can't, study anyway.

T.

[rotting-ink]

For the sake of my high school AU fantasies to be as accurate and in character as possible, what would the ROs be as a generic American high school stereotype.

Keep in mind that you cannot take popular mean girl Quincy and religious nerd D from my hands.

heeheehee :}

L Rawlins: I'm so sorry, but L is a teacher. Probably Maths or Woodworking stuff and is just quietly working away, while also trying to make sure E doesn't fuck up in school.

S Della Rovere- VERY popular exchange student from Italy. Life of the party, THROWS those parties. Is the person that is somehow popular and yet everyone likes them because of how nice they are. Very sweet.

Z Chambers- Quiet kid, in all black, and hoodies. Gets bullied, or at least got bullied, before high school. Very artistically talented, very withdrawn and then when you get closer, they're very sweet.

V De Winters- Former popular kid. Was a preppy popular kid, dating Quincy and being the It couple for absolutely ages, until some nasty rumors spread about V. They were painted as a slut and their popularity crumbled. In their last year, they befriend people like E and Saleos over everyone else, instead hanging out with the more outcasts of the schools.

Seir- Apart of the Emo's, who would obviously want to dress far more Goth if the school didn't jump down their throat about it. Quite mean, but a very good friend if you get closer to. It's obvious Seir and Saleos have some sort of history but had a falling out and now harass each other.

Saleos- Jock popular kid. Popular because they're rich and cool, either apart of the sports team or a cheerleader. However, not like S, they're renowned for being mean, and an absolute bully. Fuckin ruthless and the type to shove people into lockers and spread nasty rumours. Very rude to Seir too.

Starling Knight- Teaching Assistant. Graduated and wants to get a few years of extra money before paying their own way through medical school. Dry, not fully engaging, but very good at when they themselves start teaching, they know they're stuff and they know "how to dumb it down" for kids. But shuts down after class and fucks off. You will never found them around the school unless they're teaching.

A Lancaster- Revered rich kid who stays out of drama. Just focuses on their sports and their studies, and is known to be dry as fuck. Not interested in going to your party, fuck off. No one can believe that they're actual best friends with D Woolf, but ever since they arrived late in the school year as the new kid, that's the main person they hang out with.

E Rawlins- Easy going, likeable kid whose mental health crashes out at their last year and withdraws into themselves. Goes from the fun guy whose kinda loud in class but never intends any harm and goes to visit their sibling's class room, to someone who willingly sticks to themselves, snaps at people to leave them alone and hangs out behind the school. In fact, seems kinda weird around someone, following them around and breaking into their locker.

Quincy Beaumont- On par with Saleos. Catty mean popular kid, but, most annoyingly, they're deeply talented. It would be one thing if they weren't, but they're amazing at theater and drama and music, its obvious that they're going to go far. Nice to people they're in productions with, as well as any music classes. Other than that, catty and mean. Except to V, even after their reputation tanked. Hangs out with them, even if pushed away.

D Woolf- Quiet religious kid who was bullied HARD by Saleos especially, right up until A starts at their school. Used to pray over their food, and be excited in Philosophy and Science classes, but these days they're quiet, subdued. Hangs onto A's sleeve everywhere they go. Slowly perks up through the year with A, but absolutely terrified of Saleos.