#wherethefireliliesgrow

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Make Me Happy

Huh Yunjin x Reader

GENRE: fluff

TYPE: One Shot, Long Fic

INSPIRED BY: Make Me Happy-WheeIn

"And Zeus, with his mighty thunder in hand, ruled the sky and Olympus," you read, flipping to the next page of the storybook and showcasing the colorful pictures of Zeus.

It was a Saturday morning, and you were immersed in reading stories for the children at the hospital. As a child psychology major, you relished the opportunity to connect with different children each Saturday. Your love for children made spending time with them while earning extra credit a win-win situation.

"Zeus has a wife named Hera, the Queen of Gods," you continued, pointing to the illustrated photo of Hera on her throne.

"Sometimes Zeus made mistakes, like having other friends. Hera didn't like that, but they still ruled together on Mount Olympus."

“Ms. Y/N?” a cute voice squeaked from the circle of kids in front of you. It was a small girl with short blonde hair and thick glasses.

“Yes, Kayla?” you smiled at her.

“What is M-I-S-T-R-E-S-S-E-S?” Kayla squinted, trying to read from the book you were showing. The rest of the kids leaned forward, curious about the illustrations.

“M-I-S-T-R…” The word clicked in your head, and you looked at the little girl in shock. “Where did you learn that word?”

“There,” Kayla pointed at the bottom corner of the book with her small finger.

You quickly turned the book around to check the illustration. There, at the bottom, was a scribble of words written in black marker.

Friends? More like mistresses. LOL

“What the fuck?” you muttered under your breath.

This was one of the children’s books you brought from your department’s lounge, where they keep all materials used in class.

A chorus of oohs broke out around you at the sound of your mild exclamation.

“I mean, what the fuzz?” you hastily changed your choice of words, hoping the hospital staff didn’t hear what you just said. “What the fuzzballs.”

Luckily, the children giggled at that, immediately distracted when a boy named Jake decided to share the story about how he swallowed his cat’s fuzzballs and ended up in the hospital.

The storybook took you longer to finish reading as you made sure to check every page before showing the kids the illustrations. Thankfully, there wasn’t any more writing in the rest of the book. You covered the words with a Post-It before returning it to the lounge.

It happened again after a few weeks. You were reading a Dora the Explorer book to the children, and there it was, in the smack middle of the book, a sentence scribbled in the same scrawly, obnoxiously bolded handwriting.

“Can you find the chocolate tree?” you read before staring at the page in horror.

This chick is blind, FR.

The kids whispered, trying to understand what the handwriting meant.

“C-H-I-C-K…chick!” Carter, a red-haired boy, exclaimed loudly, proud of himself for being able to read it.

“There aren’t any chickens in Dora,” Kayla chastised him, shaking her head as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“There is too,” he huffed, pressing a smudgy finger onto the page. “It says here! C-H-I-C-K. Chick.”

“Well, there’s only the big red hen. No chicks,” Kayla insisted, standing up to grab the book from your hands. The situation was about to get worse in a few seconds as you saw Carter’s face redden in frustration.

“Okay! That’s enough story time for today,” you quickly stood up, snapping the book shut. “Who wants to play Monopoly?”

“ME! ME! ME!” The kids screamed in excitement, forgetting the book altogether. It was a relief that kids forget about things so easily.

You, on the other hand, did not forget about this.

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“Someone keeps leaving nasty comments in the children's books,” you huffed, dropping the Dora book in front of your best friend, Chaeryeong.

You had found her sitting in front of one of the long tables, peacefully eating her lunch in your department’s lounge. The room was slightly crowded, filled with students doing their projects or chatting with each other before classes.

Narrowing her eyes at your rude entrance, Chaeryeong slowly took off her headphones and dropped her chopsticks.

“No hello beautiful?” she asked, rolling her eyes playfully. “Why are you reading children's books anyway? Are you seven years old or something?”

“I’m reading them for the kids at the hospital,” you said impatiently, flipping open to the page where the messy handwriting was located.

“See? This person keeps writing in these books! The kids keep reading them out!”

“This chick blind, for real?” Chaeryeong snickered after reading it aloud. “Well, this person has a good point. Dora IS blind as fuck.”

You huffed, annoyed at how unserious the raven-haired girl was. But before you could open your mouth, a soft chuckle came from the table next to yours. You turned your head to come face to face with the queen bee and the captain of the volleyball team, Huh Yunjin. She grinned at you as she casually leaned on her elbows, not hiding the fact that she was eavesdropping on your conversation as the rest of her friends were engrossed in another conversation.

“See? Even Yunjin unnie agrees,” Chaeryeong said, slyly bringing Yunjin into the conversation.

She knew about your little crush on the captain ever since freshman year. You were just too chicken to strike up a conversation with her, and she was flirty by default, breaking hearts left and right. You just didn’t want to go through the heartbreak, after seeing so many girls crying in the bathroom over her.

Your eyes met Yunjin’s chocolate ones, her bright gaze felt like it was penetrating your soul. People weren’t kidding about her beauty; she really was a sight to look at. You felt your face flush as her gaze never left yours.

“Yeah, she definitely needs to get herself some glasses,” Yunjin pushed her headband a bit higher to keep her orange hair out of her face. “But I support an unbothered queen.”

Yunjin let out a little laugh, her nose scrunching adorably. You couldn’t help but stare, mesmerized by the way her full lips pulled back to show her glistening white teeth.

“Stop being gay,” Chaeryeong whispered, nudging you with her legs to wake you out of the trance.

Huffing in embarrassment and annoyance, you grabbed the Dora book and the rest of your stuff and started to put them into your bag.

“Where are you going?” Chaeryeong asked.

You could see the volleyball captain staring at you from the corner of your eye, and your ears flushed a deeper red.

“I’m going to find someone who understands how serious this situation is,” you ignored the soft snickers coming from both of the girls and turned around to walk out of the lounge.

“Let me know if you found someone who managed to get that chick a pair of glasses,” Chaeryeong called from behind you, laughter in her voice.

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Cute. That was the first thing Yunjin thought when she saw you during the freshman orientation.

She was there to recruit people into the volleyball team when she noticed you, sitting in the second row, eyes barely open, mouth slightly agape as a few wisps of hair fell into your face when you started to doze off.

Ignoring the knowing looks of her teammates, she intentionally tried to get close to you, all but failing drastically. She ended up recruiting all of your close friends into the volleyball team, all but you. You were definitely not a land animal; that was all that Yunjin could say after watching you fall face-first onto the ground at any given chance.

But at least her efforts weren’t all gone to waste. Having recruited Chaeryeong and your roommate Yeji onto the team meant that she could see you in the bleachers in every game and often see you swing by during practice. Her delusional self convinced her that you were there to see her, but deep down she knew that you never even spared her a second glance.

Like today, you had once again rushed away from her as if she was the most menacing thing in the room, and you wanted nothing but to end the conversation with her. Was she really this scary? Or had you found out about her obsession with you?

“You should try to talk to her more, you know?” Chaeryeong said, raising her eyebrows as she watched her captain gaze after you leaving the room.

“Huh?” Yunjin quickly composed herself, leaning back in her chair. “With who?”

“Y/N. I know you like her.” The raven-haired girl said with a grin. “And I approve.”

“Pfft, I don’t even know her that well.” Yunjin whispered, lowering her voice to make sure her friends didn’t hear this conversation.

“I’m not Dora. I see how you look at her,” Chaeryeong pushed.

“I—I don’t look at her differently.”

Yunjin stood her ground, staring at Chaeryeong, ready to deny everything that came out of the younger girl’s mouth. But Chaeryeong wasn’t intimidated, shrugging nonchalantly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“She finds your jokes in the books funny. Don’t let her reaction fool you.”

Laughing at Yunjin’s expression, Chaeryeon added, “I know your ugly handwriting.”

With that, the slender girl slipped her bag onto her shoulder and stood up, smiling mischievously at the blushing captain in front of her.

“Can’t believe it took you two years to make a move.”

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Unconvincingly as it sounded, it really started with boredom.

Yunjin was alone in the student lounge last semester, skipping her least favorite class from Professor “Dead-Eye” Yoo and taking the liberty of finally having some alone time. Yunjin knew she was quite popular, being the captain and all, but sometimes she just wanted to go back to being that shy gamer girl she once was.

The lounge was deserted, and Yunjin flopped onto the sofa she sometimes saw you sitting on in the far-right corner. A couple of bookshelves were situated next to the sofa, completely filled with children’s books.

Scrunching her eyes in confusion about why there were so many books for kids when it was a university department lounge, Yunjin decided not to question it and got to read to kill time. But being attentive was not her strongest trait, so she soon relented to her immaturity and boredom.

Grabbing a sharpie from her bag, she started to leave dumb comments here and there in different books, as if she was the biggest book reviewer in the world. It was an immature and stupid thing to do, she knows. But at least it somehow managed to catch your attention, albeit months later.

God must’ve taken pity on her, watching her suffer through countless blind dates that her friends had arranged her to through her first two years of college, finally giving her the chance to know you better.

It was a few days after her encounter with you at the lounge with Chaeryeong, and she found you scribbling down in a brown notebook on the sofa next to the bookshelves again, this time alone. Deciding to brave herself just once, she took her breath and mustered all of her confidence before making her way towards you and flopped down onto the empty space next to you. She was going to take a chance and take Chaeyeong’s words as advice.

“Hey Y/N.” Yunjin gave you a boyish charming grin, her orange hair tousled perfectly across her leather jacket. She was effortlessly cool, and her sudden close proximity made your face heat up.

“Uh, hi, Yunjin-ssi.” You quickly bowed in respect.

“Please drop the honorifics.” The captain waved her hand, giving you a wink. “Just Yunjin is fine.”

You nodded, eyes flittering from Yunjin’s mesmerizing large ones to the record book in your hand. Unsure of what to do, you decided to awkwardly continue writing.

“What are you doing?” Yunjin slightly leaned towards you, her vanilla perfume invading your senses.

“Um... I-” You shook your head to gather your thoughts, “I’m keeping track of the books that were written on. We would have to replace them.”

“Ahh… the Dora book?”

“Yeah. I also found a new one this week, in the Ice Age books.”

“Really? What did it say?” Yunjin asked, trying to keep her face casual.

“It simply just wrote LIA next to Sid’s face.” You said, biting your lip to hold in your smile.

Yunjin, on the other hand, let out a booming laugh, enjoying the joke way too much.

“I’ll let Lia know she’s famous.” Yunjin said, after taking a few minutes to finally come down from her laughter.

Even though she was the one who wrote it, she still found it funny that her roommate, Lia, looked exactly like Sid the sloth when she was sleeping.

Trying to hide your grin, you said, “It’s not funny. The kids keep reading out the comments.”

The sight of your smiling made Yunjin’s heart soar. She was proud of herself for succeeding in making you smile, despite you not knowing it was her who left the comments. With this affirmation, Yunjin continued to make jokes with you as you talked for a bit. She would do anything to charm you, and she already had a plan hatched in her brain, something to do with your notebook.

“I’ll talk to you later, Y/N.” The captain squeezed your hand as she saw her friends calling for her.

You were disappointed to see her go, but you knew that she had better things to do than talk to you. She was, after all, one of the most popular and busiest students in your major.

“See you.” You muttered, ears red at the feeling of her hand on yours.

The captain walked towards the door, before turning back and raising her hand as a goodbye in a goofy boyish way that made your heart flutter.

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It happened again, but this time, it was in your record book. Again, in obnoxiously bolded and capitalized letters, the mystery person managed to annoy the hell out of you, but you couldn’t help but find a bit of amusement in them.

HI :)

They had written this in the smack middle of a new page in your notebook, wasting the entire page. Deciding to write back for the first time, you took out your pen and wrote a small line under their loud greeting.

Don’t write in my notebook :)

Thinking this was able to stop the culprit from writing anything else, you shut the book satisfied. Oh, how wrong you were.

The next day, you found a light pink post-it stuck on top of the original page.

BUT I WANT TO BE FRIENDS :(

Annoyed at the culprit, but also at yourself for finding them cute for using a post-it instead of just writing on your book.

No.

You wrote back, slightly hesitating before slamming shut the notebook altogether. Although intrigued and wanting to know who was behind the writing, it was probably best that you don’t encourage them.

“Getting ready to dive deep into another children’s book of yours?” A familiar voice broke you out of your thoughts.

Your heart couldn't help but lurch at the sight of the orange-haired captain smiling at you, her nose scrunched adorably.

“Yeah, any recommendations? I know you love these books.” You teased back, already comfortable with her presence.

Despite not really getting the chance to talk to her that much, she had this aura that made you feel calm and relaxed, as if you could trust her with anything.

“I’ll recommend one only if you read it to me.” Yunjin flirted easily, giving you a charming grin and wink.

Caught off guard at her response, your face turned a slight shade of pink. “I-”

“I’m just kidding, Y/N.” The taller girl laughed at your flustered state. “I used to read ‘The Jungle Book’ to my sister when she was a kid, and she loved it. Maybe the kids at the hospital would love it too.”

"You have a younger sister?” You asked. This was new information to you, but then again, you and Yunjin never really talked before this semester.

“Yeah, we have a really big age difference though. She’s 10 years younger than me.” Yunjin’s eyes glinted at the mention of her sister.

“She must be really happy to have you as a sister.”

“I hope so." Yunjin said with a sad smile, “I haven’t seen her in a couple of years. She’s still in the US with the rest of my family.”

“It must’ve been hard for you to move here all alone.” You hesitantly reached out your hand to squeeze the Captain’s forearm in comfort.

She gave you a grin at your touch, and your heart fluttered at how her eyes seem to twinkle whenever she met yours.

“I’m fine now.” She said, putting her other hand on top of yours. “I made a lot of friends, and also, I got the chance to meet you.”

The flirty queen-bee you knew was back. You cleared your throat to shake off the nerves she managed to give you and pulled back from the trance she pulled you into.

Quickly checking your watch as an excuse to avoid looking into her eyes again, you noticed it was almost five p.m., the time Chaeryeon left for practice.

“Don’t you have practice?” You asked.

“Nope.” Yunjin made a pop sound at the P, which you found adorable. “We have a game next week, so I gave the girls a two-day break.”

“You’ll be watching us, right?” She asked, her eyes hopeful.

You nodded, “I never missed a game. I’m Chaeryeon’s and Yeji’s number one fan.” You grinned, proud of yourself.

Yunjin merely pouted at this, “You should cheer for me sometime. I’m playing too, you know.” She nudged you.

You laughed, trying to shake off your nervousness at her blatant flirting. “You already have a lot of fangirls.”

Yunjin whined, begging, “I don’t know them, but I know you. None of my friends wear my number because they’re on the court with me.“

“I’ll think about it.“ you laughed at her antics. Although she was a year older than you, she managed to act like a little kid sometimes.

After talking (more like flirting on Yunjin’s side) for another while, Yunjin left to go to her part-time job at the diner, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

The feeling she gave you messed up your thoughts, and you were worried that your old crush on her will be reignited.

She was just friendly. She thought of you as a friend. You convinced yourself. You needed to see her as a friend too, before you get your heart broken.

“Maybe I need other friends than Yunjin.“ you muttered to yourself before opening the notebook once more.

No.

You crossed out the word and wrote.

Fine. What’s your name?

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Turns out, the person behind the obnoxious block letters was worth talking to. You’ve been texting the mysterious person for the past few weeks, and they managed to entertain you and connect on a deeper level. Never getting a reply to their name, only with a doodle of a snake, you exchanged numbers without knowing each other's names, and it was better like that. To talk about your day anonymously.

You were, however, curious about the person behind the texts and writing. They were considerate, easy to talk to, and extremely funny. You honestly felt that you could be really good friends with them. From books to life goals, you could talk to them about anything and everything.

It was a bit unnerving how someone in your major knew all this about you, but at the same time, you felt that they were someone you could trust, and they felt the same way about you after sharing some of their family problems with you.

You noticed you were developing a sort of attachment to this person, as if they were your soulmate. You found yourself instantly texting back whenever the snake contact popped up on your phone, and when you were texting, you were re-reading your past conversations. They were a great way for you to get Yunjin off your mind, which you found to get harder every time she stopped by to say hello.

“You’re late, Shin.” Chaewon, the co-captain of the volleyball team, chastised a wind-swept Yuna as she slammed open the door to the locker room and hurried to change into her team uniform.

Yuna was the newest addition to the team and was also the cousin of Y/N. (As soon as Yunjin heard of this, she immediately treated Yuna with patience and additional care, not that she liked you or anything, just her showing affection to her juniors).

The volleyball team was getting ready for the final match before the semi-finals. They had an away game with a nearby school, and Yuna, being Yuna, had overslept and missed the bus to the game. Yuna quickly bowed her head in apology, and Chaewon simply patted her head in assurance and ushered everyone to warm up.

“What took you so long?” Yeji asked, “I thought Y/N said she would drive you instead.”

"She did. But it took her half an hour to get ready because she was busy giggling at her phone like a love-sick schoolgirl.” Yuna said, exasperation in her voice.

At that, Chaeryeon, who was standing near the two girls tying her hair, let out a laugh. “Yeah, she’s been doing that pretty often. She must have a crush or something.”

“You think so?” Eunchae, one of the tallest yet youngest players, chimed in, exposing the fact that she was eavesdropping.

“That’s new; I thought she would just end up being a single woman and adopt all of the kids in the hospital.” Yeji mused, happy that her roommate is finally interested in someone. Throughout the two years she lived with you, you seemed to show zero interest in love.

“Must be nice to be liked by unnie.” Eunchae said dreamily, causing the rest of the girls around her to fake gag and give a round of protest.

“Wish it was me instead.”

“Who are you dreaming about dating?” Yunjin suddenly appeared, wrapping her hands around the tall girl. “My baby manchae is off limits until she’s 40.”

The captain had returned from a quick discussion with their coach and had gone into the locker room to usher the girls out for warm-up.

“40? Do you want me to die single?” Eunchae furrowed her brows and pouted, “And besides, we were talking about Y/N unnie’s love life, not mine.“

“Y/N? What about Y/N?” Yunjin tried to ask nonchalantly, leading the girls out of the locker room.

“She has a crush on someone.” Chaeryeon said slyly, paying close attention to Yunjin’s reaction.

The orange-haired girl kept her face composed, but in reality, her heart was beating at the thought of you liking someone, that wasn’t her. A sense of hollowness and jealousy crept into her skin.

“That’s nice. Do you know who?”

The girls shrugged, and Yunjin decided not to push anymore. The way Chaeryeon looked at her was obvious enough to blow off her cover and reveal her affection towards you, and she was not keen on letting others know.

Putting on a smile so bright that could make any of the people in the crowd swoon, Yunjin tried to push back her thoughts and jealousy, waving to the people in the stand as the team entered the court.

Cheers came from all around her, cheering her name every time she sent the ball flying at deadly speed toward her rivals. She wasn’t called the Ace of SNU for nothing. Yet, as she scanned the crowds after every point earned, she hoped you would also be there yelling her name.

“Good game.” Chaeryeon whispered in Yunjin’s ear as they gathered together in a group hug to celebrate another victory.

The crowds were wild around them, chanting their names as they celebrated their ticket to the semi-finals.

“But you better step up your other game before it’s too late, captain.” The raven-haired girl gave Yunjin a grin before sauntering off to the stands, where you were hugging Yeji in celebration.

You were wearing Chaeryeon’s spare uniform, proudly displaying the Lee on your back, while waving a self-made Yeji and Yuna flag. You looked so cute with your hair in a ponytail, with two lines of blue drawn horizontally across your cheeks to represent SNU.

At that moment, Yunjin wished nothing more than to see you wearing her uniform instead.

She better step up her game.

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So…have you ever been in love before?

You were late at night studying in the school library a few days after the game when your phone buzzed, indicating a text message. It was from your mystery friend. 

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion at their sudden question, before typing out a quick response. 

No, I don’t think so. Have you?

As their text bubble indicated typing, a full minute passed before their response came through.

No. 

Followed by another long pause. 

But I wish I did. 

Biting your lip in thought, you were unsure of what to make of this sudden confession from your friend. You were developing an attachment to them, which seemed foolish when you didn't even know what they looked like, let alone their name.

It was truly pathetic; the two people in college for whom you had feelings were the queen bee of the school, with a long line of admirers, and the other was some random faceless stranger about whom you knew everything and nothing.

What got you thinking about this? You typed back. 

A girl. But she has feelings for someone else. 

So your little mystery friend does have someone on their mind. You tried to push down your disappointment and the slight burn of rejection as you replied. 

Have you tried telling her how you feel about her?

No, I would probably scare her off or something. 

I’m sure you won’t. 

It took them another five minutes before they finally responded back. 

What about you? Is there anyone on your mind?

Yunjin, the fiery-haired girl, instantly came to mind. Recent interactions with her had given the impression of growing closeness. She took the time to chat with you in the student lounge, held your bag, walked you back to your dorm after study sessions, and even brought treats from the diner when her shift ended. Though it felt like more to you, the realization struck that she viewed you simply as a friend.

Yeah, this girl. But she sees me as a friend.

Yunjin's heart skipped a beat upon reading your reply. It confirmed Chaeryeon's statement – you had your eyes set on someone else. She pondered the possibilities, considering potential candidates. Was it the charming Shin Ryujin from the softball team? Perhaps someone from the hospital where you volunteered? Or could it be one of your close friends, like Chaeryeon or Yeji? The uncertainty left Yunjin feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Did you tell them how you feel?

No, I would probably scare them off or something. 

Despite her heartbreak, your text made her smile a bit. There you were again, teasing her by copying her sentence. 

I’m sure you won’t, pretty girl. 

How do you know if I’m pretty or not?

I just do. 

You couldn’t help but blush at their compliment. They always managed to say something earnestly that made your heart flutter, similar to the way Yunjin always seemed to have an effect on you. 

You should take this confidence and confess to the girl you like before it’s too late. What’s there to lose?

You have a valid point…

I’ll work on confessing to them before the end of the year, but only if you be my wingwoman. 

Your wingwoman? How? I don’t know anything about them. 

Just share with me the little things you like as advice. 

Deal. 

So…better start listing. 

Hmm, I’d say start with flowers. 

Oh, and little notes are pretty cute, too. 

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"The Ultimate Checklist to How to Get That Girl? Seriously?" Chaewon read over Yunjin's shoulder incredulously.

Flushing a deep red, the captain quickly slammed shut her notebook and pushed the short-haired girl away.

"Stop snooping!"

"You know you can just ask her out, right? Y/N." The shorter girl reached over to snatch the book from Yunjin, quickly scanning over the checklists.

Yunjin had managed to devise a checklist incorporating all the things you mentioned in your previous text conversations with her about your preference as her 'wingwoman’. She had compiled recommendations on what someone should do to win over someone's heart, hoping to win over yours. 

"I can't. She likes someone else." Yunjin said defeatedly, her shoulders sagging.

"Who can resist the Huh Yunjin charms? I'm pretty sure everyone would love to date you." Chaewon snorted, amused by how her seemingly always confident friend was so hung up on you. This was a first.

"Not Y/N."

Although teasing her friends was in her DNA, Chaewon couldn't help but feel bad for her friend. Yunjin looked lost (kind of like a kicked puppy, but she wasn't going to say that to her face), and as co-captain of the team, it was a rule that she would need to support their captain whenever they needed help.

"Find, I'll help you." Chaewon sighed, looking at the long list and preparing herself mentally. It was going to be a long few months.

"Let me call the girls for backup."

“Another gift from your secret admirer?” Yeji teased when she saw you enter the shared dorm with a tray of hot coffee.

You had just returned from the library, preparing for your final exams, and found yet another gift waiting in front of your door.

You shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but your ears betrayed you by reddening. “There’s one for you.”

Yeji jumped up in excitement and went straight for the coffee, sighing contentedly as she sipped on it. “I’d just date them already.”

You had been receiving these little gifts for the past few weeks, and it was driving you crazy. Initially sweet, the mystery person never revealed themselves, making you suspicious of everyone. Additionally, you were concerned about how much they were spending on you. Although seemingly insignificant, the little gifts added up.

The first gift was a single rose and a typed note in front of your dorm room, a bit like a ransom note. The note included a cheesy pick-up line that you found endearing, despite yourself. Soon after came cute accessories, a new hair tie, and even a cute hippo plushie. Your admirer seemed to know a lot about you, even the things you lost. 

They gifted you things you had listed out to your mystery friend. Could your admirer and your friend possibly be the same person?

“Oh, by the way, Yunjin and the team are coming over to discuss our strategies for the championship game, is that okay?” Yeji mentioned casually, trying to hide her grin.

Chaewon had called her earlier, letting her in on Yunjin’s huge crush on you and the plan to sweep you off your feet.

Panic filled your eyes as you looked up from your phone. You were still dressed in your "bum outfit," as Yeji would call it, consisting of old sweatpants and an oversized Nike hoodie – definitely not presentable.

“What? When?” You quickly surveyed the room, noticing a small pile of clothes and rushing to stuff them in the laundry basket.

“In about…”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Now.”

At that moment, you pulled your hair out of its messy bun and ran your fingers through it in a rush. Leave it to Yeji to embarrass you in front of Yunjin.

Before Yeji could open the door, it was slammed open, revealing a snow-covered Chaeryeon with her cheshire grin, followed by Chaewon, Lia, Yuna, and Yunjin. Your eyes met hers, and you got lost once again in her warm brown hues.

She looked particularly good today, with her fiery orange hair tucked into a gray woolen hat and dressed in a red leather jacket. She gave you a toothy smile before closing the door behind her.

“Hey, stranger, it’s been a while,” Yunjin said, pulling you into a hug, engulfing you in her sweet lavender perfume. “I missed you.”

You immediately blushed at this, still not used to her flirty nature.

“We had lunch together last Saturday.”

“Yeah, three days is way too long,” she sighed dramatically, her arms still wrapped around your shoulders. Her eyes scanned your features, as if she was trying to memorize every freckle and blemish.

“If you two are done flirting, we would like to start discussing tactics,” Chaewon said, her lips curled into a teasing smile as she saw Yunjin immediately pull her arm off of yours and turn beet red in embarrassment.

“I…” Yunjin muttered, before giving up coming up with an explanation and plopped down onto the sofa.

You busied yourself with schoolwork as the girls squeezed into the makeshift living room and focused on their strategy plan for the upcoming games. You watched them with adoration; it wasn’t often that you saw them together except for their games, and you loved how sweet their dynamic was. Chaewon was the one who kept everyone focused, Lia and Yeji were the encouraging ones, and Yunjin was the planner. She led the gameplays and tactics, ensuring everything was on track. The older girls also babied Yuna and Chaeryeon, making sure they understood everything.

You didn’t know Chaewon and Lia that well; they were Yunjin’s friends. Still, you could tell that they were just as sweet and caring as the captain was. However, you couldn’t help but think of the comment your mystery friend left in the Ice Age book whenever you looked at Lia. She did look a bit like a sloth, but the cutest one ever.

Hence, you decided to text your mystery friend.

Lia does kind of look like a sloth. But cuter. 

As you sent out the text, a small buzz came from the living room. 

Cuter as in your type?

No. But you did her dirty by writing her name next to Sid. 

Another buzz. You furrowed your brows and looked toward the direction of the living room. 

Who IS your type then?

Someone funny, I guess. Goofy but smart. 

Buzz. It felt too coincidental. Your palms started sweating at the thought that you might finally discover who was behind those texts that accompanied you through long nights and motivated you.

Hmm…is there someone like that in our school?

Yeah, there is. 

As soon as you sent out a text, another buzz came from the living room. At that moment, you were convinced that your friend was one of the girls in the room.

Is it the person you mentioned you liked?

You silently leaned forward on your bed to peek at the girls obscured by the sofa, lying on their stomachs in front of a strategy board. You froze at the sight of Yunjin biting her full lip and looking at her phone, engrossed in whatever she was reading. The rest of the girls were talking with each other, none of them looking at their phones. 

Could it possibly be the orange-haired girl all along? The girl you've been texting about was the one receiving your texts. If they were Yunjin, then she would possibly be the one sending you your gifts.

The pounding in your heart was so loud, engulfing you in erratic thumps. You couldn’t even hear the girls talking; all you could focus on was the possibility that Yunjin was the person behind the texts. 

Deciding to leap in faith just this once, you texted back.

Yes. The captain of the volleyball team, do you know her?

Another buzz followed by the screen of Yunjin’s phone was enough to prove that she was indeed the person all along. Eyes scanning through the sentence you sent to her, Yunjin’s brown eyes widened, and she immediately threw her phone to the side, covering her face with her arms. She let out a muffled scream and kicked her legs in excitement, startling the rest of the girls.

You couldn't help but laugh at her adorableness. Putting on your headphones, you pretended to be studying while trying to calm your erratic heart. Muffled shouts and laughter could be heard from the girls, probably picking on their captain.

.

.

.

.

For the first time in her life, it seemed that fate had taken favor in Yunjin. Having dedicated all of her time to school and volleyball, she never had the privilege of starting a relationship with someone. Volleyball itself took up most of her time, with her parents and her personal coach insisting on her becoming the best player in the league and eventually joining the national team of South Korea. She wasn’t unhappy with her life, but she wouldn’t call herself happy.

Sure, her friends set her up on several blind dates, but she never liked them enough to want something more. She was only interested in being the best at volleyball and being the best captain for the girls, nothing more.

That was, until, she met you.

She was enamored by you right from the start, with your shy smile and soft features. She wanted nothing more than to get to know you. After finally getting the chance to talk to you after two years, she had fallen for you, deep. All those late-night talks through text made her understand that you were more than a mere crush, more than any of the girls on those blind dates. The way you viewed the world made her want to become something more to you. She wanted to be included in your world.

Life started to mean more than just volleyball, and she noticed that you made her happy, actually happy. 

She hoped that you would give her the chance to do the same for you. Now, with the revelation that the person she worried so much about you liking was her, she was beyond the moon. She just hoped you wouldn’t be disappointed that she was the one behind the texts.

It was the Saturday after the eventful day, and Yunjin was nervous. She blamed it on the finals game they had tomorrow, but in reality, it was the first time she was alone with you after knowing that you liked her.

After running to you during her lunch break from her shift at the diner two months ago, she had established a weekly routine of getting lunch with you every Saturday. The diner she worked at was near the hospital she volunteered at, so grabbing lunch together before visiting the kids was another highlight of your week.

"Did something happen?" You asked as you sat across the captain.

You had arrived at the booth a while ago, and the captain hadn’t said much but to order. She was fidgeting with the straw of her iced coffee, bending it over repeatedly as she looked at anywhere but you.

"What? No!" Yunjin’s eyes flitted to yours, before quickly looking away again.

"Nothing’s wrong."

"Then how come you’re avoiding me?" You asked, slightly pouting.

Yunjin nearly kissed you on the spot at the sight of you pouting cutely.

She had been refusing to meet your eyes because she knew that the second she did, all defenses would fall, and she would just confess her love to you. It has been like that for the last few days, ever since she knew that you liked her back; she wanted nothing more than to have you in her arms. But she hadn’t thought of a plan on how to ask you out yet; she also had to confess to you that she was the one behind the texts. This scared her, worried that you would hate her for lying to you about not knowing who you were.

"I-I’m not." Yunjin stuttered, still refusing to look at you in the eye.

Before you could reply, the waitress brought over your food. You always got the same thing, blueberry pancakes with scrambled eggs on the side, while Yunjin always had her protein lunch filled with eggs, chicken, and tofu. It didn’t really look good, but Yunjin made sure her body was in the best shape for volleyball.

Today’s meal was slightly different. The waitress had also brought in a plate with two gingerbread cookies, both with cute red buttons and frosty smiles.

"We give out gingerbread cookies to our customers every year around Christmas time," the waitress explained, her eyes twinkling mischievously, "Enjoy!"

Yunjin watched you from the corner of her eyes as you excitedly took a few photos of the cookies.

"Look Yunjinnie, they’re holding hands!"

Yunjin wished she could hold hands with you.

"This one looks more like you." You giggled, moving the plate forward to show her.

The restaurant workers seemingly did not put their heart into decoration because the one you insisted that looked like Yunjin had lopsided eyes and a way out of proportion mouth, so wide that it went higher than the eyes.

"Are you saying I look ugly?" She said, pretending to be offended.

"What? No!" You interjected, blushing a deep red and pulling back the plate to inspect the cookies. "I meant that you always have a big smile like this, meeting your eyes."

That’s because I only smile like this when I’m with you, Yunjin thought.

"Here, try one." You broke the cookies apart and raised one of the cookies towards Yunjin’s face.

"I can’t. I have to stay in shape for tomorrow's game." Yunjin was taken aback at your forwardness. She was normally the one flirting, and you were the shy one. It seems that the roles have reversed today.

"C’mon. Just one bite wouldn’t hurt." You wheedled. "Please?"

Yunjin’s eyes finally met yours. Big mistake.

Your eyes, every so bright, were staring at her pleadingly, with a hint of something that Yunjin couldn't quite put a finger on. Was it affection? Adoration?

Nevertheless, the captain immediately gave in and took a bite of the cookie in your hands. She would always do anything for you.

"It’s…It’s good." Yunjin managed to say, her gaze still locked with yours.

You let out a satisfied grin and brought the same cookie to your lips, pausing slightly before taking a bite.

Yunjin’s brain went into a full system shutdown. YOU JUST ATE THE COOKIE SHE HAD. IT WAS AN INDIRECT KISS. I REPEAT. INDIRECT KISS.

“Mhmmm… It’s so good. Tastes like Christmas.” You said, finally breaking eye contact and looking at the rest of the cookies in front of you.

“It’s almost the end of the year.” You said softly, before looking up again at the flustered girl.

End of the year.

Yunjin’s heart went into rapid speed, and her blood went cold. Could you have possibly known that she was the one texting you? How else would you know the importance of the end of the year to her? She had promised you that she would confess to her crush before the end of the year if only you would become her wingwoman.

Shaking her head slightly to push out the possibility, she tried to forget about her ‘delusions’. You didn’t know. There was no way.

Thankfully, you changed the topic to her games tomorrow, saving her from embarrassing herself.

“Will you be at the game tomorrow?” Yunjin asked as she walked you to the hospital after lunch.

“Of course.” You said, gently holding onto her arm to keep yourself from slipping on the icy roads. (Yunjin’s heart still stuttered whenever you did that).

“I never miss a game, remember?”

“Will you-Will you be cheering for me?” Yunjin asked hesitantly.

“Hmm? I always cheer for you girls, pabo.” You laughed, nudging the taller girl.

“No, I mean,” Yunjin looked at your hands clutching tightly on her arm. Deciding to brave herself for the first time today, she asked, “Will you wear my number?”

She watched as your cheeks turn pink at her words.

“I don’t know…you have quite a lot of fangirls already.” You answered, hitting both of you with déjà vu.

“But none of them are you.” The orange-haired girl stopped walking, gently pulling you around to look at her.

To say you were in deep was an understatement. You had fallen hard for the captain, in love even. Her beauty and confidence were what had drawn you to her at first, but after getting to really know her through those texts, you had started to fall in love with her. Her mind, the way she thought, and her endless patience… she was something that was too good to be true.

“What are you trying to say?” You asked, searching her eyes for any hint of hesitation. You found none, only determination and softness in those honey-brown hues.

“I’m saying…” Yunjin paused, composing herself before she stared back into your eyes, “I like you, Y/N, a lot.”

“And it would be nice if I can take you out on a date.” She continued, her eyes gleaming hopefully.

“But only if you want to.” She hastily added.

You laughed at the last sentence. She was always so considerate, worried that she would be doing something without your consent. And that was what you loved about her.

“I would love to.” You said, before standing on your tiptoes to kiss the tip of her frozen nose. Yunjin froze at the feeling of your soft lips on her skin.

“But only if you win the game tomorrow.”

Yunjin let out a sigh of relief before gently wrapping her arms around your waist, pulling you closer. All those sleepless nights dreaming of you were worth it.

“Easy.”

.

.

.

.

As the captain got ready for bed, a familiar buzz came from her phone. It was from you.

I better see your jersey in front of my door tomorrow, Huh Yunjin.

Yunjin let out a scream, scaring Lia, who was already passed out, and causing her to fall off her own bed.

"What the hell?" Lia groaned from the floor, looking up at her roommate.

"She knows it’s me. And she’s okay with it!" Yunjin said, giggling like a schoolgirl and dancing around. "She likes me back!"

Sighing, Lia slowly dragged herself up from the floor and laid horizontally back on her bed, too tired to crawl back under the covers.

"Go to bed, Yunjin."

Giggling to herself, the captain quickly texted you goodnight, receiving another sweet message from you.

As she went to turn off the lights, she looked at her roommate, sleeping with her mouth open and dressed in her greenish-grey fuzzy pajamas.

Lia did indeed look like a sloth. A cute one.

“Why does Yunjin-unnie have a sunburn?” Eunchae whispered, not so quietly.

“That’s not a sunburn, that’s the glow of love, manchae.” Yeji laughed, patting the taller girl’s head affectionately.

“Love? What?” Eunchae furrowed her brows, clearly out of the loop.

"Someone in the stands is rocking her jersey," Chaeryeon added, grinning mischievously, despite Yunjin shooting her a disapproving look as they continued warming up for the game.

“One-third of the crowd is wearing her number,” Eunchae whined, scanning the crowd again for Yunjin’s possible lover.

You waved shyly to the girls (mostly to Yunjin) as you moved to sit on the bleachers with your friends. You had found a box containing Yunjin’s jersey and a light blue bandana, along with a single rose in front of your dorm room when you woke up in the morning.

You had put on the jersey and decided to tie your hair with the silky bandana, and adding a dash of sparkling highlighter. You wanted to look your best for the captain.

Unable to resist herself, Yunjin made her way towards the railings near the bleachers, ignoring the teasing hoots coming from her members. You walked down a few levels to meet her at the other side of the railing.

“Hi,” she said cutely, her eyes sparkling in happiness as she checked you out. You looked so good in her jersey.

“Hi, Yunjinnie.”

“You look good.” She bit her lip and reached over to hold your hands in hers.

“You better win this game, Yunjin. I’m looking forward to our date.”

“Of course. I play better when I’m in a good mood.” Yunjin leaned over and pressed her lips on your forehead.

“And you make me happy.”

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.

“Aw man...” Eunchae said sadly, watching her captain and you cuddling up together. “I wanted to date Y/N-unnie.”

“You’re too young for dating, Hong Eunchae.” The rest of the girls said in unison, before grabbing the maknae away from the scene.

It's a long one!

A bit of fluff for Christmas :)

Thoughts?

[melpomene-writes]

palette by wherethefireliliesgrow angst with mina is perfect T_T

okay, ty, i'll go read it rn!

[wonyoluv]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your page!! been stalking your page for a while now your recs are so good 🤩

some of my favs you can check out

love you twice —wherethefireliliesgrow

this is the cutest story I read about Yunjin so far. so fluffy and made me melt when I read it 🫠 one of my fav writers, they also write really good angst stories for whenever you want to bawl your eyes out

It’s okay to be selfish—biscuitblinkeu

the flow of the story is really good!! I read all the chapters in one go. made me want to love to a rural village and fight crazy hunters to protect the loml 😍😍

TYSM i'm glad you've been enjoying my recs <33 i'll definitely check these out !!

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Linear Lines (Part 2 of Clerestory Rendezvous)

Yoo Jimin x Reader

GENRE: fluff, angst

TYPE: Two Shot, Request

You can find the first part, Clerestory Rendezvous here

You, adorned with a white scarf delicately wrapped over your shoulders, swiftly pulled into the parking lot of the familiar cathedral. The soft sunlight cast a subtle warmth before yielding to the November breeze's chill, prompting a shiver as you stepped out of the car. Cursing inwardly at your tardiness, a soft jingle emanated from the blue bracelet on your wrist. You hastily brushed through your wavy hair before ascending the stony stairs that seemed to lead directly to the cause of your heart nearly leaping out of your chest.

Standing before the towering wooden doors, you took a sharp breath before gradually walking in, the echoing of your footsteps resonating abnormally loud within the hushed limestone walls. It had been a while since your last visit, and the thought of Jimin standing under the clerestory windows clouded your mind whenever you returned.

Ethereal glitters from the sunlight scattered through the clerestory windows, painting the marble floors with colorful hues. It was just as beautiful as you remembered, but the reason for your breathlessness was not the cathedral; it was the girl standing in front of the candlelight, a breathtaking smile gracing her lips as she stared at you.

Your heart lurched at the sight of Jimin, momentarily stunned by her presence. Snug in a woolen grey sweater, her hair now back to a raven black, with perfect bangs framing her face, she looked even more enchanting than through your screen. Despite countless FaceTime calls and watching all of her comeback videos, seeing her physically in front of you caused your brain to short-circuit.

"Are you just going to stare at me all day?" Jimin laughed, her nose scrunching adorably at your frozen state.

Your eyes scanned her face, your heart tingling at the sound of her heavenly voice, yet you remained rooted in place.

With another adorable giggle, Jimin took a few steps forward and reached down to tug at your hands. "Y/N-nie." She gently pulled you closer, hoping to break you out of your trance. Her long arms wrapped around your waist as she put her chin on your shoulder, burying her face into your neck.

She deeply inhaled your floral scent, tinged with the familiar faint trace of pastels. Her eyes closed in contentment to finally have you close in her arms after months of longing. The past year had been tough on the idol, with continuous comebacks and endless traveling for performances. AESPA's popularity had soared, and her company insisted on maintaining the momentum. She had barely enough time to sleep, let alone visit you.

The feeling of her hot breath on your neck finally broke you out of your trance. Your arms automatically reached up to pull her closer, eliminating any distance between you two.

 "I missed you," you muttered, your voice slightly muffled by her hair.

Jimin pulled back, grinning at you with soft eyes twinkling. She cupped your face with warm hands, gently caressing your cheeks, leaving a soft tingle in their wake.

 "I missed you more, jagi."

Unable to contain yourself, you looked into her eyes, feeling like you held the galaxies in her universe. Your eyes shifted from her soft honey hues to her full pink lips. Before you could initiate a kiss, she placed her forefinger on your lips, halting you.

 "Let's not blind God with our kisses," Jimin giggled at your pout, pulling you along as she walked out the doors.

Leading her to your car, hands intertwined and swinging between you, she was confused to see you stop in front of a sleek black vehicle. "New car?" She asked.

"Yeah, thought you might've been tired of sitting in my beat-up truck. Last time, you got paint all over your expensive dress," you laughed, turning to look at her.

"I like the truck. It had its own charm," Jimin said, reaching up to play with the hairs at the nape of your neck.

With soft sunlight cascading on her pale skin, making her light freckles barely visible, you couldn't help but bring your faces closer, brushing her nose with the tips of yours. 

"It had charm because you were there," you said, kissing her eyelids. You heard her take a sharp intake of breath, shivering slightly.

Jimin couldn't resist any longer and closed the gap between your lips. She pulled your face down, and your soft lips met hers. Sighing into the kiss, she felt your lips curve up in a smile. You allowed her tongue access without any resistance, shivering as it met yours. Gently pushing her, her back leaned on the car, ensuring there was no space between your bodies.

When air became a problem, you were the first to pull away. Jimin let out a whine in protest, her lips trailing behind yours. You laughed at her adorableness, looking at her once more. Her eyes were still closed, long lashes fluttering, and her lips were swollen, with her lipstick smudged. This messy version of Jimin was your favorite, and your heart warmed at the thought that you were the only one to see  it.

“C’mon, pabo. We have places to be.” You messed up her hair a bit more, laughing at her as she cleared her throat and glared at you, trying to conceal how much the make-out session affected her.

You unlocked the sleek black car, and she slid into the passenger seat with a satisfied grin. As you settled into the driver's seat, Jimin couldn't help but run her fingers along the dashboard, appreciating the unfamiliar but luxurious surroundings.

"Alright, where are we off to?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

A playful smile tugged at your lips as you started the engine. "It's a surprise," you teased, winking at her before pulling out of the cathedral's parking lot. .

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.

.

As you drove, Jimin filled you in on all the things you missed for the past year. The drive was long, so you had stopped at the bakery she was obsessed with the last time she was there, for a few of her favorite Fougasse. It felt right, with your hands intertwined and resting on her legs, as she fed you bits of her Fougasse (more like all of the olives because she hated the taste). It felt like home, and it seemed like she never left. You wondered if you were soulmates in your past life, as she appeared to understand everything about you.

“Are you plotting to murder me in a deserted place?” Jimin teased, a playful glint in her eyes, as you maneuvered down another empty country road.

Acres of land and grass stretched endlessly, devoid of any other cars in sight.

"Hush," you laughed, bringing her hand to your lips for a kiss as your attention stayed fixed on the road.

Her heart fluttered at the gesture; she wished for nothing more than for you to pull over and resume the previous make-out session in the backseat.

“I’m taking you to meet my grandma.”

Silence hung in the air as Jimin's mind raced with concerns. She felt immense happiness at the thought of meeting your family but couldn't shake the fear of potential disapproval from your grandma.

"You mentioned last time that you wanted to go somewhere in the countryside, so I thought it would be nice if we could stay at my grandma's for a couple of days. But we can go back to my place if you're uncomfortable. I'm sorry I didn't ask you first." Mistaking her silence for anger, you slowly pulled over to the side of the road, turning around to look at her with your full attention. 

Jimin quickly shook her head.

"Don't be sorry. I'm just scared that she won't like me. I can't speak French."

"I already told her about you. The fact that you speak Korean definitely won her approval." You laughed, finding her worries endearing. "She always chastised me for my broken Korean."

Still uncertain, Jimin nodded slightly. Sighing, you cupped her face gently with warm hands, attempting to soothe her. You left a small kiss on her forehead, and she leaned in immediately for more. 

"How can I make you feel better?" 

"A kiss," she said without hesitation.

You grinned before pressing another soft kiss on her nose. "Better?"

Shaking her head, she pointed to her lips, a playful pout on her face.

Amused, you gave her a peck on her cheek. "How about now?"

She glared at you in feigned annoyance. 

“I need a couple more.” Jimin said, grinning at you mischievously before locking her lips with yours. 

Before you knew it, you were putty in Jimin’s arms, with her graceful maneuvering herself onto your lap, hands in your hair, and her teeth gently nibbling on your lower lips.

.

.

.

.

The drive to your grandma’s house took a bit longer than expected, the sun having dipped below the horizon by the time you pulled onto the pebbled road leading to the cottage.

Jimin stepped out of the car in awe, savoring the crisp, clean scent of the air and the picturesque surroundings. Your grandma's quaint two-story cottage, constructed from butter-colored bricks, stood proudly amidst a charming garden. Ivy adorned the exterior walls, lending an air of age and mystery. Jimin felt more at peace than she had ever been, far removed from the city lights and urban chaos. She was here, surrounded by the tranquility of nature, with you.

Gently holding her hand, you led her through the garden.

A thunderous bark echoed from the door, which swung open to reveal a large brown Chow Chow dog bounding towards you.

"Bear!" You laughed with excitement before getting playfully tackled to the grass as the dog showered you with affection.

"He’s been waiting for you for hours. What took you so long?" A raspy voice came from the door.

A frail old lady, with wisps of grey hair in a puff, leaned on the door sill with a cane in her hand. Her face bore the marks of time, yet her eyes gleamed with brightness. She exuded kindness and a keen elegance that you also possessed.

“Ah, that’s why.” Your grandma looked at Jimin, and then at the faint hickies covering the idol’s neck, a smile playing on her lips.

“She’s a showstopper. I don’t blame you.”

The raven-haired beauty blushed in embarrassment, her face turning a shade of red as she stumbled forward to shake your grandma’s hand.

To her surprise, your grandma pulled her into a warm hug. “You make Y/N happy, and this is all that matters to me.”

You observed the scene with adoration as Bear continued to slobber all over your face. The two most important people in your life were now together with you. There was nothing more you could ask for.

It turned out that Jimin's worries were unfounded, as she gained your grandma’s approval right from the start. Another point in her favor was when Jimin successfully brewed a traditional kimchi jjigae she had learned from her mom. Your grandma nodded in approval, giving you a wink and whispering, “You better marry her.” They conversed in Korean, at times too rapid for you to comprehend, but you didn’t mind. Seeing Jimin so happy, her face flushed from the soju, and your grandma patting her arms in adoration, this was all you needed. The night passed quickly, filled with your grandma sharing embarrassing stories of your childhood and showing off your awkward baby pictures to the idol. It was well past midnight before your grandma retreated to her room.

“I love your grandma,” Jimin said, laying on your childhood bed, dressed in an adorable fluffy pink pajama set.

"And she loves you," you grinned at her before turning off the lights and settling in bed with her.

She immediately snuggled up to you, her nose stuck to your neck, inhaling your scent deeply. You shivered as her cool breath blew across your neck, goosebumps popping out at her close proximity. 

You hesitated before saying the thing that had been on your mind for a while. You never really brought up the courage to tell the idol.

“But not as much as I love you.”

You felt Jimin still, not taking a single breath. Panic set in, worried that you scared her off. You weren’t together physically for much time, but you couldn’t help falling deeper in love with the idol.

The silence felt so long, but before you could open your mouth to change the topic, Jimin let out a small sigh of relief.

“I love you, too,” she said, giddy and her heart feeling like it was about to burst. “I wanted to say this for so long.”

You pressed your lips to hers, finding solace with her in your arms. The room was hushed as soft whispers of affection and the gentle rustle of clothes falling to the floor filled the space.

Neither of you got much sleep that night.

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. 

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.

The two of you fell into an easy routine, as if you had been living together for half of your lives. You would wake up early, leave lingering kisses on her bare back as she snuggled deeper into your pillow, and start your day with your grandma’s hearty breakfast. Retreating to the study room or the backyard when the weather was nice, you'd begin your work.

After graduation, you had immediately joined one of the biggest event companies in Europe as their event illustrator, working on significant projects, particularly for the entertainment industry. As the Paris Fashion Show approached, your manager requested you to work remotely. The upside was that Jimin was scheduled to attend the show this year, allowing you to see her in all her glory, posing in front of your designs.

As you worked during the morning, Jimin would stir awake to the gentle knocks of your grandma on the bedroom door. Her frail voice followed, calling out “gang-aji” affectionately.  Jimin would then indulge in a delightful breakfast and accompany your grandma for a stroll, often driving her to the early market for groceries and errands. 

The afternoons were yours to share. You would then take Jimin on hikes with Bear, or take her to the lake nearby for a picnic and charm her with all of your random survival hacks you learned from Girl Scouts. The days passed filled with love, laughter, and soft kisses. The initially planned two-day stay was extended to another two weeks, and soon, you were to return to the real world.

You noticed Jimin becoming less affectionate as the day of your departure neared. Despite trying not to think too much about it, you couldn’t help but overthink that this might be your last trip together.

“I don’t want to leave,” Jimin sighed, seeking solace by lying on your lap, her hand idly caressing Bear's large head.

“Hmm?” You answered, concentrating on sketching the idol in your lap, biting your pencil as you stared at your art in your sketchbook.

Jimin waited patiently for you to complete that final stroke, a gentle smile gracing her lips. The days with you had only deepened her affection, and she wondered if she could return to the months of separation. She had started to intentionally distance herself, preparing herself for the impending drawbacks of leaving France, and of leaving you. Tomorrow, you were scheduled to head to Paris for final checks on the fashion show site, while she had meetings lined up with her agency and manager to prepare for the fashion show.

Setting aside your sketchbook, you gazed down at her, brushing soft strands of hair from her face. Jimin looked healthier, dark circles erased, and a few healthy pounds gained, giving radiance to her face.

“Do we have to go tomorrow?” Jimin pouted, her face contorted into a grimace. 

“Unfortunately, yes. But we can always come back whenever you want, baby.”

The idol’s eyes lit up at your comment, but immediately dampened as she thought about the upcoming schedule. Another comeback was scheduled, which meant less time to see you.

"When are you leaving France?" you finally asked, carefully inspecting your girlfriend's expression.

This had become a touchy subject, always leading to small fights whenever you brought up her schedule, so you started to avoid talking about it.

Jimin avoided your eyes and continued to stare at the sky, “Right after the event.”

You nodded in understanding, trying to push back the lump in your throat at the thought of saying goodbye.

“Do you know when your next break is? I could go visit you.”

Jimin simply sat up and harshly said, “No idea,” her eyes burning with frustration.

The conversation immediately changed moods. Jimin didn’t mean to lash out, but this has been bothering her for quite a while. She hated the idea of having to go on days without seeing your face again, she loathed the fact that she could possibly never step out of the spotlights, and most of all, she abhorred herself for thinking that you are just a dream too good to be true and something she would never be able to fully be with you.

Slightly taken aback at her reaction, you nodded, trying not to show your hurt.

“It’s okay, we can figure it out.”

You were met with silence.

.

.

.

.

After a tearful goodbye with your grandmother, Jimin and you got into the car in the early hours of dawn. The drive to Paris was a quiet one, with only the soft hum of the car engine accompanying the two of you as you navigated the familiar roads. The atmosphere inside the car was heavy with unspoken emotions, the looming thought of reality dampening Jimin’s emotions. It seemed that the closer you got to the event, the more closed off your girlfriend became.

Jimin stared out of the window, lost in her thoughts. The country roads slowly changed to the highway, and the trees and sunshine were replaced by the bustling city skyscrapers. She couldn't shake the feeling that her dreams and yours were diverging as you navigated towards reality. It seemed like the past weeks with you were just a dream after all, something Jimin could never have. She wondered if she would ever be able to see your grandma again.

As you parked the car in front of your hotel—shabby but clean, all you could afford—the silence lingered. You exchanged glances, both hesitant to address the unspoken tension that hung in the air. Jimin's eyes, once filled with love, now held a mixture of longing and apprehension.

Once inside the room, you turned to Jimin, searching for words that could hopefully bridge the growing gap between you. She met your gaze, her eyes a stormy black, exposing the internal struggle she was facing.

"I'm sorry," Jimin whispered, her voice barely audible.

You approached her, gently cupping her face in your hands. "There's nothing to be sorry for, Jimin. We'll figure this out, together."

“I just…I just don’t think I can handle being away from you for that long again.” The idol muttered, eyes slightly tearing up.

“Don’t think about it.” You leaned over to kiss her tears away. “We’ll be together in no time.”

“Will we?” Jimin’s voice raised an octave higher in frustration, “I have another two comebacks scheduled, and you’re here working. Is the next time I get to see you another year later?”

You stepped back, rubbing your forehead, trying to calm down your temper. You knew Jimin was not lashing out at you; she was just insecure about how things were.

“What do you want me to do, Jimin?” You asked, knowing full well what her answer was going to be.

She hesitated, wringing her hands in nervousness and desperation. She knew that the moment she voiced her thoughts, things will never be the same. 

“You could leave with me. Go back to Korea with me.”

You raised your voice, furious at how selfish her request was. “I can’t just leave my job. I can’t just follow you around like a lost puppy.”

“Well, I can’t just quit being an idol.” Jimin's voice cracked, her body swaying as she tried to comfort herself.

She looked so small, so defeated, consumed by her thoughts and the overwhelming sadness.

As her tears fell, a sharp ache rippled through your chest. Seeing her cry like this, witnessing her pain over you, tore at your heart. You couldn't bear it. You pulled her back into your arms, but this time, the embrace felt heavy with the weight of uncertainty. 

“Shh…I’m sorry, baby.” You stroked her hair, trying to stifle her sobs.

“It will take us some time to figure things out, but I promise I will find the time to visit you as much as possible, don’t worry.”

“You’re still here, and somehow I already miss you.” Jimin cries into your chest, shaking uncontrollably.

“The past weeks with you made me want nothing more than to be with you every second of the day, but I keep feeling that our lives are so different, like we’re just two parallel linear lines.”

Your heart crumpled at her confession; you could feel it break into a million pieces at the thought of her doubting that your lives are never meant to be intertwined. Perhaps she was right; perhaps you and her were too different, but you were adamant about making this work.

You loved her too much to give up.

“We’ll make it work.” You whispered, but even the promise sounded hollow to you.

As you dropped Jimin off at the luxurious hotel booked by her company, her words of linear lines, of being parallel, kept echoing in your ears. Jimin was a child of stardom; lights followed wherever she went, and you felt that she deserved nothing but the best. and the stark contrast between her grandeur and your shabby hotel, along with your grandma’s run-down cottage, struck you with a painful realization. The nagging thought at the back of your mind of never being enough now loomed large, wavering your confidence.

It was ridiculous how you actually believed you and Jimin were meant to be together. Your life has been parallel since the start.

“I’ll see you soon.” You said, as Jimin slowly unbuckled her seatbelt.

She nodded, trying her best not to cry. This felt more like a goodbye than a see you later, but she wasn’t ready for either.

Jimin leaned over and pressed her lips on yours, trying to convey her love to you. She hoped you understood. She hoped that this wasn't the last.

“I love you.” You muttered against her lips, tasting the salt of her tears.

“I miss you.”

As Jimin walked away, disappearing into her towering hotel, you were left sitting alone in your car. The echoes of shared laughter and whispered confessions lingered, an unforgettable imprint of a love that tried to fight against boundaries.

You didn't fail to notice how her bracelet was situated neatly on the dashboard in front of the passenger seat.

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.

.

“Karina! Karina!”

“Look here, Karina!”

“Turn for us!”

Shouts could be heard from the crowd of flashing lights as Karina walked down the red carpet. She moved towards her band members with grace and confidence, poised with precision, dazzling everyone with her beauty.

A faint smile could be seen on her face as she looped her arms with Winter and posed for picture after picture. But you knew her well enough to notice her hand shake slightly in nervousness and the way her eyes tightened when her ex-lover wrapped her arms around her waist for another picture for the scandalous tabloids.

Your heart throbbed in pain, wanting nothing more than to cross the sea of people, breach the barriers, and pull your Jimin into a comforting embrace. But she was no longer your Jimin; she was Karina.

Just as you predicted, she seamlessly blended with the tone and manner of the event decorations, as you had based everything on the thought of her. Karina appeared angelic in her white gown, fitting perfectly with the theme. The soft, colorful glitters of the chandeliers, meticulously designed to replicate the clerestory windows where you first met, cascaded onto her silhouette. She looked unbelievably celestial, almost too perfect to be real. A year ago, you thought she belonged in the Musée du Louvre, and tonight she confirmed that.

As she gracefully moved towards the event, you stood quietly by the walls, dressed in black attire, attempting to blend in as an event worker, avoiding notice from the crowd. Hundreds of people separated you from her, all eager to catch a glimpse of the captivating ethereal being you had come to know so intimately, yet remained a mystery.

And then it struck you.

Karina was the art, and you were just another person in the crowd, admiring her from a distance. 

You were hers, but she could never be just yours. 

You were linear lines, just never meant to intersect.

Well...this ended differently than what I had planned 😬

For all you fluff lovers, I'm sorry 🥲 I couldn't stop myself

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Moonlight Sunrise (Part 1)

Minatozaki Sana x reader

GENRE: angst, fluff, non-idol

TYPE: Short fic (part 1 out of 3 maybe?)

Slowly making your way down the dusty, unfamiliar roads, you passed several guards waving large indigo-purple flags.

“Only two more days before the labyrinth opens!” they yelled, “Find the Luminite Stone and save the princess from the labyrinth!”

Several men, presumably the best knights and warriors of their kingdoms, crowded around the guards, sizing each other up and boasting about their wins.

As you passed by the crowd, you quickly pulled down your hood, trying to avoid any suspicion. There was a low possibility that anyone recognized you, as you were more of an assassin, always with your face covered. However, you were worried that others from the same profession might be present as well.

It was almost time for the annual labyrinth challenge, where warriors and knights from all over the world traveled to the Minatozaki kingdom, one of the most powerful kingdoms existing, to save the princess and win her hand in marriage. The only child of King Minatozaki had been cursed by one of the eastern witches after they were accidentally omitted from the baby’s birth celebration. It was rumored that she had one of the most angelic faces to grace the earth, but right after her 17th birthday, she disappeared from public view altogether.

A labyrinth of a thousand acres suddenly appeared at the borders of the kingdom, shrouded by dark clouds and vine-covered walls thousands of meters high. In the core of the labyrinth was the Luminite stone, a stone that grants the beholder any wish, and the princess’s soul was also bound to the stone. The princess was said to only be seen in the labyrinth, forever lost in the dark.

King Minatozaki loved his daughter dearly. Although he was reluctant to marry her off to just anyone, he knew that he himself couldn’t manage to retrieve the stone with his daughter's soul from the labyrinth. He wanted his daughter free from the grasp of the labyrinth, so the only way to do so was to hold a competition every year when the gates to the labyrinth opened.

Anyone who managed to make it out alive with the stone would be able to have their wish granted, but at the same time, as they now had the stone, they would be in control of Princess Sana, and the entire kingdom would be inherited. This prompted countless greedy men to try, hoping to have their deepest desires fulfilled and to possess the most beautiful human to grace the earth. However, not once had anyone made it out alive from the past ten competitions, all disappearing mysteriously.

You couldn’t care less about owning an entire nation, let alone marrying a random princess that you had never seen. You were there for the one wish that would be granted by the Luminite Stone. You had someone to save, and that brought you out from the private, invisible life as an assassin.

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The sun was setting as you finally reached the golden gates of the castle. Its towering walls, adorned with intricate carvings and banners bearing the kingdom's crest, loomed majestically against the dusky sky. Each night leading up to the competition for the week, the King hosted lavish banquets within the castle's celestial halls.

These gatherings weren't just about food; they were a spectacle, ensuring the competitors were not only well-fed but also immersed in the grandeur of the kingdom. Newcomers were welcomed with open arms, and given the chance to register, mingle, and familiarize themselves with the labyrinth's complexities before the daunting challenge ahead. After all, this was probably the last time they would ever have something to eat before they met their end in the labyrinth.

The banquet hall buzzed with hundreds of men, their voices echoing off the walls. You spotted a few familiar faces from your past travels but made a beeline for the reception, preferring not to draw attention. After all, the labyrinth held not only unknown monsters but human threats as well.

“Name?” the page asked without looking up, his tired face buried in countless scrolls of paper.

“Hwang Y/N,” you muttered, shifting uncomfortably and pulling your hood even higher over your face.

The page paused, his hands trembling slightly as he looked up at you. His eyes widened in shock, and he pushed his glasses closer to his eyes, clearing his throat.

“Hwang Y/N? The NightWalker?”

You nodded, expressionless, as the man cowered in fear.

“I-I didn’t expect you to participate in these events.”

“Is that a problem?”

“N-no… of course not. I guess even assassins have an eye for beauty,” he nervously laughed, expecting you to agree.

You narrowed your eyes at his comment, disbelieving how even those who worked for the princess treated her as an object.

“You should keep your mouth shut before I cut off your tongue,” you whispered in his ear, watching with satisfaction as he fumbled with his pen.

Before you could do anything else, a warm arm wrapped around your shoulders. Instinctively, you reached for your small knife, but the intruder's hand firmly grasped yours, firm yet unthreatening.

“Now now, Hwang. That’s not how you greet an old friend, is it?”

You turned to see Momo, one of your close colleagues before she became head of security for the Minatozaki Kingdom.

“Hirai,” you sighed, pulling her into a hug.

“Fancy seeing you here, stranger. It’s been, what, three years since I last heard from you?”

“Five,” you grinned, feeling more at ease with Momo by your side.

“Yes! Exactly! Ever since you took down the Kim Clan, you just disappeared,” she sighed dramatically, leading you toward a table filled with exotic cuisines. She grabbed a bottle of champagne, taking a sip before passing it to you.

“The hero of the century, gone without a sound, forever remaining a mystery. Face unseen, name forever known. Until now,” she said as if narrating a fairy tale. “She shows the world her face, to save the damsel in distress.”

You rolled your eyes and took a swig of champagne. “I’m not here for the princess or power.”

“Whichever reason you are here for, I won’t pry. I’ll just be cheering you on from the sidelines.” Momo smirked, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. Her respect for your privacy was always something you loved about her.

“Anyway, I have to get back to my duties. Let’s catch up tomorrow before the challenge.” She says loudly, before whispering in your ear, “take the door on the left, and go down two flights of stairs. You’ll find the backdoor to the garden.”

As if nothing happened, she straightened up and breezed away toward a small crowd that was about to break into a fight.

You watched Momo easily tackle a barbaric man down to the floor, without drawing her sword. The crowd of onlookers quickly dispersed as Momo stood up with one of her feet on the man’s stomach, looking challenging for anyone daring to cause more trouble in her land. She caught your eye and grinned, giving you a goofy thumbs-up before changing back to her serious face.

You chuckled, grabbing an apple and the champagne, before slipping to the darker corners of the kingdom undetected. Momo working here was a blessing in disguise, she gave you the chance to get to investigate the labyrinth before the challenge.

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As you navigated down a murky corridor, the air thick with the scent of age and dampness, you descended what felt like more than two flights of stairs, each step creaking under your weight. At last, you stumbled upon a wooden door, its frame nearly crumbling with decay from years of neglect and exposure to the elements.

Pushing it open with a groan, you were surprised to find yourself greeted by a scene of unexpected beauty. The garden beyond was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, casting ethereal shadows upon the grounds. Dewdrops reflected the moonlight like diamonds on the grass, their gentle shimmering a stark contrast to the dark, cloudy skies looming over the labyrinth just meters away.

The metal walls that surrounded the garden appeared rusted and weather-beaten, their once sturdy facade now worn and rusted. You couldn't help but wonder if they were enough to keep people out, let alone the rumored monsters said to lurk within the labyrinth's depths.

Taking another swig of your champagne, you wandered around the walls, the sound of your footsteps echoing softly in the still night air. Peering into the swirling mist, you strained your ears and thought you heard faint roars emanating from within. Yet, in the eerie silence of the garden, you couldn't be certain if they were real or merely figments of your imagination, born from the ominous atmosphere that surrounded you.

"Guess I won’t be getting anything out of this tonight," you thought, sighing as you took a seat on one of the forlorn benches near the metal bars.

Taking an apple out of your coat pocket, you polished it on your sleeve. Just as you were about to bite into it, an eerily soft voice echoed from the shadows looming over the corner.

"Can I have some?" A hooded figure emerged, causing you to leap to your feet.

Despite your assassin training, you hadn’t heard her approach.

The figure slowly removed her hood, revealing long, almost white blonde hair that seemed to reflect the moonlight. She was around the same age as you, her face perfectly sculpted but haunted, with dark circles under her eyes.

“I mean no harm,” she raised her ghostly pale arms in surrender.

You narrowed your eyes in suspicion but nodded nonetheless, despite the blood in your body pumping in a fight. It was obvious that this being was not entirely human, but you were in no condition to fight a monstrous being before the competition. The stone was what was important, so you were willing to do anything to avoid conflicts before the challenge.

The girl walked slowly towards you, her posture and grace as if she came from royalty, and sat down on the bench. She looked up at your standing figure expectantly, giving you a soft smile as you finally sat down.

You reached into your coat to pull out a small knife, and the girl immediately flinched. But you simply used the knife to peel the apple, before slicing a piece and putting it onto her hand.

“Thanks,” she muttered, before nibbling on the piece of apple.

You took a good look at the girl. She was thin, too thin, as if she would be blown away by the wind.

“You can call me Luna,” she said finally, still nibbling on the small piece of apple.

You gave a small chuckle at the irony of her name. She did indeed look like the moon goddess herself.

“What’s so funny?”

You shrugged, continuing to slice more pieces of apples for the girl. You saw her glaring at you from the corner of your eye, letting out huffs of frustration when you never said anything.

“Normally when someone introduces themselves to you, you do the same in return,” she said annoyed. Her annoyance made her seem human, and this eased your nerves a bit.

“I’m Hwang Y/N,” your lips twitched, trying not to smile at the way Luna chewed on the apple angrily.

“I like your name,” she said grudgingly, reaching over to grab your champagne without asking.

“What about it?” It wasn’t often that someone didn’t flinch when they heard your name.

“Hwang,” Luna explained as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, before chugging down half the bottle of champagne.

“It means bright, right? Like the sunrise.”

“Yeah, and?” you asked, reaching over to grab the champagne from her hands. “Stop stealing my shit.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the sun,” she muttered. “Wish I could see the sunrise.”

“Why can’t you?” you asked, turning around to look at her.

Luna ignored your question, instead turning her body towards you.

“What are you doing here, Y/N?” she raised her big eyes to look at you, her eyes suddenly glowing a faint crimson in the honey-brown hues.

She was definitely not fully human.

You shivered slightly, both in fear and something else, attraction. No, it must be because you felt sorry for her. The poor girl seemed to not have access to much food.

“Thought I could get some clues here before the challenge,” you said honestly.

“Are you looking to win the princess over, too?” she asked with a hint of bitterness in her tone. “To control her as if she was a puppet?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

You hesitated, knowing it wasn’t smart to share anything with strangers, you knew that. But there was something about this girl that you couldn’t seem to put a finger on, it was as if her aura could power all your feelings. You couldn’t do anything but tell her the truth. It was as if she casted a spell on you, her glowing eyes controlling every move.

“I need that stone. I need to get that wish so that I can save my sister.”

Luna’s eyes softened slightly, the glowing red fading and turning back to the original brown color. You felt your body instantly relax.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“She’s sick. She’s been sick for a few months and there’s nothing the doctors can do. Time is running out so I have to hurry.”

The image of your little sister lying in bed, her once lively face now sunken and yellow, her eyes devoid of their usual spark, sends a shiver down your spine. The very thought grips your heart. It was her condition that drove you to show your true identity and take part in this dumb challenge, revealing yourself to the public eye, and relinquishing your assassin status. Now that everyone knew what you looked like, it was inevitable that a bounty would be put on your head.

“I’m sorry,” Luna said, her voice gentle.

Her hand raised slightly as if she wanted to hold yours in comfort but thought better of it.

You shook your head and looked down at your knees. You couldn’t let anyone sense your weakness.

You heard Luna get up from you, this time finally being able to hear her movements.

“I hope you win, Y/N,” she said, her voice soothing, passing warmth throughout your body, instantly making you feel better.

She put a small black object in your lap, a compass.

You looked up and found her walking backward towards the metal walls, a smile playing on her lips. She looked younger when she smiled, innocent even.

"Take the path on the far right, then follow my compass," she instructed, her voice echoing faintly as she effortlessly passed through the metal bars and vanished into the dark mist.

"I'll lead you the way."

You shivered, utterly enchanted and spooked by that humanlike being.

After a moment, you finally shifted your attention to the compass in your hands. It was an exquisite piece, adorned with golden rings and silver arrows.

You flipped to the back of the compass, and there, engraved in elegant wording:

Minatozaki Sana

Next chapter

Been wanting to get this out to you guys for a while now! It's quite different from what I usually write, so let me know if you want to see more of this.

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Love You Twice

Huh Yunjin x Reader

GENRE: fluff

TYPE: One Shot

Inspired by: Love You Twice - Huh Yunjin

"Hello, is anyone here?"

A loud voice echoed from the front of the shop, accompanied by the obnoxious ringing of the bell you had left on the counter. You groaned internally, hoping for a slow day since you were still recovering from a severe cold from last week. Unfortunately, your manager refused to give you another day off, so you found yourself pathetically hiding in the storage room, seeking a few moments of respite.

"Hellooooo," the voice called out again, causing your headache to intensify. 

"Yes, I'm here," you sighed, getting up and dusting off your pants. "Please give me a second."

Stepping out of the backroom, you came face to face with a girl, likely around the same age as you. She wore black-framed glasses, a face mask, and a black fisher hat.

"What can I get for you?" you asked, mustering a smile while trying to stave off your fatigue.

"Hmm…Can I have a cinnamon churro and a cup of iced Americano?" The girl stared at you curiously, her wide brown eyes fixated on your every move. After taking her money, you began preparing her order as she settled into a corner table, taking off her hat and face mask.

You set your phone on the speaker and played the hottest Korean hits on Spotify. There was something about the mysterious girl that made you think she would enjoy some K-pop songs while she waited. And indeed, when you brought her order to the table, she was fully immersed in dancing to Fearless, which you found adorably funny.

"Quite a dancer you are," you laughed, setting her food down.

The girl blushed and quickly switched off the camera she had set up in front of her.

"Thanks for the food," she said shyly, hiding her smile behind her coffee cup.

"It's no problem! Enjoy," you replied, slowly retreating back to the kitchen. "Feel free to record or film anything you want. I'll be back here if you need me."

You could tell from her poised and polite demeanor that she might be an idol or celebrity. With her large brown eyes, luscious lips, and slender build, she stood out as someone more than just an average customer.

In the backroom, you struggled to stay awake, listening to muffled sounds of the mysterious stranger talking to her camera. 

"Hey," her sonorous voice echoed from the front of the shop again, pulling you out of your half-asleep state. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah, what can I do for you?" You quickly stood up, wiped your hands on your apron, and walked to the counter.

She gave you an awkward smile, hesitating before speaking. "Could you, you know… sit and talk with me? I'm feeling a bit bored."

You checked the clock on the wall before replying, "I don't get off until another five hours."

She pouted, "There hasn't been another customer after me, though."

You raised your eyebrows, "My boss would be offended."

"No, sorry," she panicked, "I didn't mean that no one wanted to come. I mean, the food is great. You're great, and I…"

She cut herself off, catching you laughing at her.

"Nevermind," she muttered with a huff, turning back to her table.

"Hey, I'm sorry," you called out. "I can't sit down with you because my manager checks the CCTV, but I can make it up to you with another cup of coffee. We can talk while I make it."

The brunette nodded, satisfied with your apology, and sat herself on the stool in front of the counter. There was something about you that made Yunjin want to spill her thoughts to you at the first chance; you looked like someone she could trust without hesitation. She had been stealing not-so-subtle glances at you ever since she first entered the store, though you didn't seem to notice.

"I never caught your name," you said, grabbing an empty cup.

"It's… Jen," she said hesitantly.

You sensed her reluctance, possibly due to her fame, so you respected her privacy and didn't press further.

"Nice to meet you, Jen. My name is Y/N," you said, reaching out to shake her hand. She warmly shook your hand, leaning slightly over the counter to give you her best smile with her tongue stuck slightly out between her teeth. 

"Well, Jen, how do you want your coffee? Iced or hot?" you asked, a bit starstruck by how alluring she was, shyly smiling and looking at you under her long curled lashes. 

Her confidence boosted at your reaction to her harmless flirting, and she winked, saying, "Steamy hot."

You snorted, trying to shake off the shivers she sent down your spine. "Coming right up."

The three hours spent with Jen were surprisingly effortless. Beyond her flirtatious facade, she proved to be easy to talk to and incredibly down to earth. She eventually confided in you, admitting that she was an idol of one of Hybe's biggest girl groups, but you treated her just like any other customer, and she appreciated that. During your conversation, she opened up about the challenges of being an idol and shared more personal aspects of her life. It felt like you had known each other for lifetimes and were just catching up on recent events.

Despite knowing that she shouldn't be sharing such personal thoughts with a stranger, Yunjin couldn't help but fall for you. Those short hours were enough for her to fall for you, and she desperately tried to memorize every detail about you within that limited time. The way your hair fell into your eyes, the concern you showed when she mentioned stalkers following her home, the way you laughed at her jokes, and how you blushed at her flirtations—all of it left an indelible impression on her. She knew that this encounter was a one-time thing, and she should forget about you after today, but she couldn't help longing for the possibility of your lives intertwining in the future.

The soft tinkle of the door opening snapped both of you back to reality. You had unconsciously drawn closer as you talked, your forearms almost touching across the counter. Quickly straightening up, you cleared your throat, trying to break free from the trance Jen had somehow pulled you into just by her presence alone. Jen seemed to be equally entranced, shaking her head slightly as she took a sip from her nearly empty mug.

A young girl in her teens bounced into the cafe with glee, her face lighting up with a wide smile.

"Anneyonghaseyo," she greeted you with a bow before turning to Jen. 

"Unnie! I've been looking all over for you." She launched herself at Jen, and you could see the affection between them. “Manager-nim wants us to go back.”

"Oh, okay," Jen replied, her expression slightly disappointed that her time with you was coming to an end. She wished she could spend a lifetime with you, but she knew it wasn't possible.

"Do you want something to go, Manchae?" she asked the younger girl, hoping to prolong her time in the store, even if only for a few more minutes.

"Oooh yes, can I get a chocolate muffin?" Eunchae's eyes lit up at the mention of food.

"One chocolate muffin coming right up," you grinned, heading back to prepare her order.

As you turned away, Eunchae couldn't help but tease her unnie, repeatedly turning her head to look at Jen and then at your silhouette. Yunjin blushed and playfully pushed the taller girl away, not used to this kind of attention.

"Here you go," you said, handing the bag to Eunchae.

As Yunjin reached into her bag to pay, you raised your hand to stop her. "It's on the house."

Yunjin opened her mouth to argue, but you insisted. "As you said, we don't really have that many customers here," you winked, "I'll have to throw them out anyway."

She blushed deeper at the reference of her embarrassing mistake earlier, and you quickly assured her you were joking. Your playfulness only made her blush more, and you found her intriguing—so confident and flirty one moment, and a shy mess the next.

"I'll see you around, Y/N," Yunjin said, extending her hand once again for a shake. She just wanted some kind of physical contact with you, and her hand lingered slightly longer than usual during the handshake. "Thanks for keeping me company."

"It was nice talking to you, Jen," you replied, shaking her hand warmly. You felt a pang of melancholy as this beautiful girl you had just met was leaving. "And it was nice to meet you too, Eunchae."

Eunchae was beaming, fully aware of the conversation happening in front of her. She knew Yunjin had difficulty connecting with people and had remained single for years despite having a long line of admirers. If this cute barista was the one to win over Yunjin’s heart, the maknae was determined to support your happiness. And she usually got her way.

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For the past several weeks, Eunchae had been giving Yunjin a headache, constantly thinking of ways to persuade her to visit your coffee shop. The rest of the girls caught on to Eunchae's antics, and they joined in, playfully teasing the blonde and suggesting your coffee shop at every opportunity.

Whether it was rain or shine, hunger or thirst, the girls managed to steer the conversation back to you whenever they could.

"Unnie, I'm hungry. I want the muffins at Y/N's."

"Where do you want to hold your birthday party, Chae?"

"Hmm… is Y/N's open?"

"Sakura unnie, let's get drinks tonight."

"Yesss, do you think Y/N's sells soju?"

It was all in good fun, and Yunjin couldn't help but get flustered whenever your name was brought up. However, she stubbornly resisted their suggestions and ignored the members whenever they proposed visiting your shop. The girls were genuinely curious about you, so they convinced Eunchae to take them to your shop during their days off. There, they could see why Yunjin was so enamored with you. Your sweet and soft-spoken demeanor balanced the idol perfectly. 

The girls continued to come up with various schemes to turn their favorite not-couple into an actual couple, but despite their efforts, nothing seemed to work. However, as it turned out, they didn't even need to put in all that effort.  Yunjin and her clumsy self, would end up making a mess and visiting you herself to solve the problem. 

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Your Monday started off badly. You had just finished a painful statistics class, and your professor grilled you for accidentally falling asleep. It wasn't entirely your fault; the professor had a monotone voice that could put anyone to sleep, talking about magic in a world filled with numbers. Nonetheless, he kept you after class for a whole hour, scolding you with his tone-deaf voice repeatedly.

This left you in a rush to get to the coffee shop without having the chance to grab lunch. You knew your manager would be furious if you were late.

Entering the shop through the back door, you hastily grabbed your apron and hair tie, rushing to the front. Your good friend and coworker, Wheein, leaned on the counter, teasing you with a playful smile as you tried to catch your breath.

"You're really unfit," she calmly remarked, her dimples showing as she teased you.

"Shut…" you panted, "...up."

Wheein laughed and poured you a cup of water.

"There are a bunch of people outside our store today," she said casually, her fingers tapping on the spotless counter.

Furrowing your brows, you looked outside the glass windows and saw groups of people peeking into the store, some even taking photos. You were puzzled as to why they were there.

"What are they doing here?" you asked.

Wheein shrugged, "No idea, I didn't ask. They've been there since I opened, but they never came in."

Just then, three girls entered the store, giggling and looking at you. They whispered among themselves before walking towards the counter.

"Annyeonghaseyo," the first girl said, and the other two burst into a fit of giggles.

"Um, annyeonghaseyo," you blinked, feeling slightly awkward. "What can I get you?"

"Three cinnamon churros and three iced Americanos, please."

You quickly rang up their order while Wheein started working on the drinks. As you prepared the churros, you could hear whispers and the sound of camera clicks from the girls.

Before you could ask what was going on, a few more people entered the store, all behaving similarly to the first group of girls—whispering and looking at you curiously before placing their orders.

"This is crazy," Wheein muttered, just as confused as you. The shop had never seen so many people at once, and they all seemed to be waiting for you before coming in. "Are you a celebrity or something?"

You shook your head, “If I was, I wouldn’t be working part-time in this shitty store with you.”

The blue haired girl chuckled and playfully nudged you, before efficiently handling the growing number of orders.

The rest of the afternoon passed by in a blur. A line formed outside the coffee shop as customers continued to flow in endlessly. You made more churros in four hours than you had in your entire two years of working part-time at the shop. The sudden rush of customers had turned your ordinary day into a surprisingly eventful one, and you couldn't help but wonder what had caused this unexpected influx of people.

It was like this for the rest of the week. Whenever you weren't working, a bunch of people would gather outside the store, and groups of fans would squeal and whisper when they saw you working. Some people even asked for selfies, which you politely declined, but that didn't stop others from sneaking photos of you as you worked. Your manager had caught on to this phenomenon and decided to schedule you to work every day that week, without any sort of raise, and extended the closing time to nine p.m. instead of the usual five p.m.

It turned out that a famous food sharing account had posted something about the coffee shop you worked at, which explained the influx of customers. But for you, it felt more like a punishment than a reward, as it brought only exhausting shifts and the constant invasion of your privacy.

Sighing, you rested your head on one of the tables you were cleaning up. It was Saturday night, and you had finally closed the store after a hectic day, serving hundreds of people all by yourself. Wheein was sick and couldn't make it to her shift, leaving you to handle everything alone.

As you closed your eyes for a moment to daydream about Jen, the alluring girl whose image had been visiting your dreams for months, the familiar sound of the door opening made you jump up. You cursed yourself internally for forgetting to lock the door after closing hours.

"Sorry, we're clo—" Your words caught in your throat as your eyes met the captivating pair of brown eyes that had haunted your thoughts ever since your last encounter.

"Jen," you said breathlessly, thinking you'd never see her again, at least not in person. After all, she was a famous idol, and her group's newest comeback had topped the charts.

"Hey, Y/N," Yunjin's eyes crinkled as she smiled at you. Her hair was now dyed a dark shade of brown, and she was dressed in a casual sweater and jeans, still as breathtakingly beautiful as ever.

"What are you doing here?" you asked, genuinely surprised to see her in your store again after months of no contact.

"Are you okay? Did something happen?" Your concern for her warmed her heart, sending tingles down her spine. Seeing you in person again, after months of longing, brought all the feelings she had tried to keep at bay rushing back without control.

She stepped closer to you to grab your hands, “I’m here to apologize.” 

"For what?" you inquired, your cheeks tinged with a shade of pink from the touch of her hands.

“For the post.”

“Jen, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Yunjin took a deep breath, mustering the courage to share her most embarrassing secret.

"I have a finsta account where I rate the churros that I try," she confessed, looking a bit bashful. "And someone found out it was me running the account. My fans have been visiting all the places I posted about."

"You're the reason why I've been working my ass off this week?" you blurted out ridiculously.

"Yes," Yunjin whispered, hanging her head and still holding onto your hands. "I'm sorry."

You were silent for a few seconds, and Yunjin feared she had upset you. But then, you started shaking, and soon you were laughing uncontrollably. She was confused at first but couldn't help but smile as she joined you in a fit of giggles.

"You're so lame," you gasped out between laughs. "A churro rating account?"

"What?" Yunjin pouted, her nose scrunching. "I love churros."

You were once again captivated by this girl standing in front of you. In front of thousands of people, she was Huh Yunjin, the talented idol topping charts and taking home awards. But here, with you, she was a dorky girl with a cute smile and a loud voice.

“Do you want some?” You said, “I made a few extra today.”

Yunjin nodded enthusiastically, always ready for a few tasty treats. "I am really sorry for the trouble it has caused you," she said once you came back with a bag of churros.

"It's fine," you shrugged. After all, it wasn't really Yunjin's fault. She was just a woman who liked her churros.

"Let me make it up to you," Yunjin suggested, her eyes slightly closed in anticipation. “Let me take you out for dinner today.”

She had decided it was now or never, after months of thinking about you. She couldn't ignore her feelings any longer, especially after seeing your pictures all over social media with her fans calling you hot, bringing out her possessive side. She was lovesick, and the only cure was you. 

After what felt like hours, you finally said, "Sure. Let me finish cleaning up, and we can go."

Yunjin did her best to help with the cleaning, and within half an hour, you found yourself sitting in her car as she drove you to get, as she put it, the best pizza to ever exist in the world.  As the car moved along the city streets, you found it hard to tear your eyes away from Yunjin's side profile. The way she furrowed her brows in concentration, the slight tilt of her head as she listened to the music, it all felt incredibly endearing. You couldn't help but feel a strong attraction to her, and the desire to lean over and kiss her grew with each passing moment.

At a red light, Yunjin turned to meet your eyes with a soft smile on her lips.

"Whatcha thinking about, pretty?" she winked at you playfully.

Without thinking, you blurted out, "You." 

Both of you blushed at the sudden confession, and Yunjin cleared her throat, quickly averting her eyes. Fortunately, the light turned green, saving her from further embarrassment.

Inside, Yunjin's heart was racing with anticipation. She couldn't believe that you might feel the same way about her. Summoning her courage, she reached over and gently held your hand that was resting on your lap. The moment your fingers interlocked, it felt familiar and comfortable, as if you were meant to be together.

Yunjin's hand never left yours during the entire ride, not when she reached over to grab the box of pizza, or when you maneuvered your way to her dorm. You were worried about meeting her members, but she assured you that they were outside grabbing a late dinner. Oh, how wrong she was.

Eunchae had excitedly called her unnies when she saw Yunjin sneak out, and the group decided to wait for her in the shared living room instead of actually going out for dinner. They were so eager that they could barely contain their excitement when they heard the keys jingle to their dorm.

"I think we have some soda in the fridge. I’ll go grab them," Yunjin said as she gently pulled you inside.

"Can you grab some for us, too?" Chaewon suddenly said, scaring the wits out of both of you.

You quickly dropped Yunjin’s hand and hid yourself behind the taller girl, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention.

"What are you guys doing here?" Yunjin spluttered, slightly embarrassed at being caught.

"We wanted to meet Y/N," Sakura said slyly.

"Hi," you said shyly, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

"Hello, Y/N. You are as beautiful as Yunjin described," Kazuha said, throwing a teasing smile at her unnie.

"So slayyy," Chaewon added, bursting into a fit of giggles.

"Guys," Yunjin groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. She should have known her members would embarrass her like this.

"Okay, you met her. We’re going to go to my room now," Yunjin announced, attempting to lead you away from her teasing members.

However, Eunchae wasn't ready to give up her time with you just yet. She quickly bounded over to you and grabbed your other hand, using her maknae charms to persuade you to stay.

"But I wanted to watch a movie with Y/N unnie," the maknae pouted and begged you with her puppy-dog eyes.

Unable to resist Eunchae's charm, you looked at Yunjin before nodding and saying, "Sure. What movie do you want to watch?"

Yunjin groaned again, this was going to be a long night. 

The group ended up watching one of the Conjuring movies. You were cuddled up in Yunjin’s arms, seeking comfort and protection from the scary parts. It was amusing how Yunjin tried to pretend not to be scared and wrapped her arms around your shoulders protectively. You could feel her whole body shaking as she tried not to scream from the jump scares.

Under the flickering lights of the TV, you looked up at the girl you had met only twice, yet it felt like you had known her for years. Deciding to let your heart take the lead, you craned your neck and placed a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth.

Yunjin’s eyes nearly bulged out at the feeling of your lips on her face, and she felt her heart pounding even faster than the jump scares had made her feel. If this was heaven, she would die happy in your arms.

Giggling at the scene in front of her, Eunchae whispered loudly, “Yunjin unnie looks like a fish.”

The rest of the members quickly turned to look at Yunjin’s expression.

“You have it bad, Jennifer,” Chaewon said in English, sounding like a sorority girl. 

“Unnie’s always had it bad,” Eunchae shrugged, “Her post was like a lovesick schoolgirl.”

“Yeah, she even wrote a song for Y/N,” Kazuha agreed.

Curious, you asked Eunchae to show you the post on her finsta (much to Yunjin’s protest). 

Churros were a bit sweet: 6/10

The cute barista was even sweeter: 100/10

Would definitely fall in love with her twice, in every lifetime. 

I hope she felt the same about me.

Maybe if I write a song for her, she would know how I feel.

Attached to the post were a few photos of the churros you made for her. And in the last photo, there was a blurry picture of you standing by the counter, focused on making coffee.

You looked up at Yunjin, who was hiding her face behind her hands, blushing furiously at being caught. After all those months of thinking about this beautiful stranger and listening to her songs, you were over the moon to discover that she had written those songs for you.

“I’d fall in love with you more than twice.” 

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Clerestory Rendezvous

Yoo Jimin x Reader

GENRE: bittersweet, fluff

TYPE: One Shot

Karina, her collar pulled up to shield herself from the chilly November air, hastened her steps along the stony road toward the cathedral. The drizzling rain intensified the coldness, causing goosebumps to rise on her arms beneath her thin sweater. She inwardly cursed for forgetting to bring an umbrella, but quickly adjusted her golden locks under her baseball cap and ascended the final set of stairs with determination.

Karina was in France for the week, as part of AESPA's world tour for the European leg. With Gislle's help, she managed to slip away from her manager's watchful eyes and embarked on a solo train journey from Paris to Lyon. While Karina had a genuine love for Paris, she had grown weary of the constant red carpets and the intrusive camera flashes that followed her everywhere she went. Above all, she needed some space away from Winter, her bandmate and former lover. All she longed for was a peaceful escape, where she could remain anonymous for a few days. That was why she found herself shivering in the rain, making her way towards another captivating cathedral that had caught her attention.

Standing in front of the towering wooden doors of the cathedral, Karina drew in a breath in awe.Despite the early hour, the darkness of the approaching night seemed to envelop the limestone structure, enhancing its celestial beauty. The warm glow of candlelight danced on the reflective stone walls, while hushed prayers reverberated throughout the sacred space.

Karina settled onto the smooth wooden bench at the front of the cathedral, her hands instinctively finding their place on her chest as she prepared to immerse herself in a sincere prayer. Her gaze wandered upward, drawn to the mesmerizing play of muted colors that scattered through the clerestory windows above. The ethereal light painted the stone walls, infusing the space with a captivating warmth that seemed to beckon her deeper into the sacred embrace of the cathedral.

With every ounce of her being, Karina hoped and prayed for the solace she so desperately sought, yearning to escape the clutches of heartbreak that had plagued her for far too long.  As tears traced their path down her cheeks, each droplet carrying the weight of her emotions, Karina tenderly wiped them away, her touch gentle against her dampened skin. It felt as though an eternity had passed, time distorted in the depths of her inner turmoil. Gradually, she allowed her eyes to flutter open, and in that moment, she found herself captivated by a pair of soft brown eyes, gleaming with a mix of curiosity and understanding, on the bench next to hers.

Startled, the owner of those eyes quickly averted their gaze, fumbling with the contents of their backpack in a flurry of nervousness. Karina's pulse quickened, uncertainty washing over her. “Does she know who I am?” She muttered in panic.

But before Karina could rise from the bench, the girl timidly approached her, clutching something in her hand.

"I'm sorry if I'm intruding. It's just that you seemed like you needed this," the girl said softly, placing a packet of tissues in Karina's hands.

Furrowing her eyebrows, Karina scrutinized the unfamiliar girl before her. She appeared to be around the same age, her eyes wide and brown, adorned with delicate dimples that graced the corners of her mouth. Dressed in a cozy white fur coat and jeans, she had an undeniable cuteness about her. Karina couldn't help but be momentarily captivated, momentarily forgetting that she may be unintentionally staring at the stranger like a creep.

You faltered under the intense gaze of the mystery blonde, whom you happened to spot crying during your weekly visits to the town cathedral. As an art student studying in France, you often frequented this particular cathedral to capture the enchanting play of light on its walls.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable," you apologized again, breaking Karina out of her trance.

"No, it's fine. Thank you for the tissues," Karina responded with a warm smile, causing your heart to skip a beat at her effortless beauty.

With her finely sculpted features, luminous eyes, and cupid's bow lips, Karina seemed like the most magnificent sight to behold in the Musée du Louvre. She appeared almost too perfect to be human, but her gentle smile and tear-stained face served as a reminder of her humanity.

You bit your tongue, feeling slightly self-conscious, and shifted your gaze to the marble floors, averting your eyes from the angelic figure before you. After a brief moment of contemplation, you reached into your pocket and pulled out a small folded piece of paper, placing it in Karina's hands. Confusion flickered across Karina's face as she gingerly unfolded the paper.

To her surprise, it revealed a sketch of her side profile, captured in the act of gazing at the clerestory windows through the lens of her film camera. Though rendered solely in pencil, the drawing was truly captivating. It skillfully portrayed the melancholic expression on Karina's face, capturing her soft features and the essence of her being. The picture seemed to convey a thousand words, telling Karina's story.

"I'm an art major," You explained awkwardly, attempting to justify yourself and prove that you weren’t just a creep but rather someone with an obsession for capturing the beauty of art.

"Usually, I focus on architectural design. Figure drawing isn't really my forte, but you are perfect for it."

Karina raised an eyebrow and playfully smiled, "I'm perfect, huh?"

Blushing, you stumbled over your words, "I m-mean, perfect for capturing in artworks. You look like you have thousands of stories to tell."

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss..." Karina trailed off, expecting you to fill in the blank.

"Y/N. My name is Y/N," you replied.

Karina found the way you said your name so effortlessly comforting. Unlike her stage name, which felt like a heavy burden, the way your name rolled off your tongue seemed light and carefree. It made her realize how much she longed for that kind of simplicity.

"Well, Miss Y/N, can you sign the picture? I'd like to brag in the future that I met one of the most famous artists in the world," Karina grinned, although her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

You laughed and signed your name on the back of the paper. "What's your name?"

Karina hesitated, unsure whether to reveal her true identity. Even though you seemed like the kind of person who wouldn't be affected by her fame, she still wanted to keep it hidden.

"Jimin," she said, opting to give her Korean name.

"Jimin," you repeated with a smile. "I like your name."

Karina had never been particularly fond of her name, considering it too ordinary. But hearing you say it, with a hint of an accent, made it sound more intimate and endearing.

Before Karina could respond, a soft buzz from your phone interrupted the comfortable silence. You checked the message, grabbed your bag, and turned your attention back to Karina.

"I have to go. It's been very nice meeting you, Jimin," you said, extending your hand.

"You too, Y/N," Karina replied, clasping your hand in hers and shaking it gently. "Thank you for the picture. I really like it."

You shyly shrugged and began to walk away. However, after a few steps, you suddenly stopped and looked back at Karina.

"I hope you find your happiness," you said sincerely. "Whoever or whatever is making you cry alone in a foreign cathedral, it will pass."

Karina sat there in silence for an hour, pondering over the words you had spoken. She knew she deserved happiness, and she understood that her journey with Winter had come to an end. The fame that came with being an idol often left her feeling isolated and detached from the world. She was unhappy and lonely, but she had to conceal her emotions behind a mask of makeup and smiles.

It was pouring by the time Karina decided to leave the cathedral. The rain fell relentlessly from the night sky, as if the heavens themselves were shedding tears for her misfortunes. She stood in front of the towering wooden doors, feeling a mix of annoyance and despair.

Finding a place to stay without ending up drenched seemed like an impossible task. Frustrated, she paced back and forth for a few minutes, attempting to call an Uber but to no avail. Just as she was about to give up, a beaten-up faded blue truck pulled up, its headlights illuminating the church courtyard like a guiding light.

You swung open the truck door, umbrella in hand, and rushed towards Karina. She was pleasantly surprised, thinking that their brief encounter earlier in the day would be the last time she would see you.

"I noticed you didn't have an umbrella with you today," you panted, brushing raindrops off your jacket as you shielded Karina from the downpour.

"The rain can get pretty heavy towards the end of the year, so it's always a good idea to have one handy."

"Thank you," Karina murmured gratefully. She was taken aback by the kindness you were showing a stranger you had just met.

"Do you need a ride?" you asked, noticing that she had the Uber app open on her phone.

"It's okay," Karina shook her head, not wanting to impose any further. "I'm trying to catch an Uber."

"Getting an Uber here can be quite difficult. It's quite far from downtown Lyon," you explained, patting her shoulder to ease her nerves.

"Come on, I'll drive you to your hotel."

"I actually haven't booked one yet," Karina admitted, shivering from the rain.

Her clothes were soaked, and water dripped from her golden locks.

"It's fine. I can lend you some dry clothes first," you said, tugging the taller girl towards your truck, hoping silently that you weren't making a terrible mistake.

"Please don't be a serial killer. Please don't be a serial killer," you prayed in your mind.

It was unlike you to offer a ride to a stranger, let alone invite them into your home. But Jimin seemed like a nice girl, albeit a sad one.

You turned up the heat in your truck and reached under the car seat for a blanket to cover Karina. 

"So..." you began, trying to break the silence as you carefully maneuvered through the dark, winding country roads. The rain continued to pour relentlessly. 

"What brings you to Lyon?"

"Just to rest for a few days," Karina replied vaguely.

"How many days are you planning to stay? I can recommend a few places," you offered.

"I'll be here until Saturday, then I leave for Paris," Karina replied.

"Ah, the day after tomorrow," you nodded, squinting your eyes to see the road better. "Are you traveling alone?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?" Karina turned her body to face you. "Are you planning on abducting me?"

"What?" you spluttered, taken aback by the unexpected remark. "No! I just wanted to make sure you'll be fine."

Karina's laughter tinkled like music, her head thrown back in a melancholic yet beautiful display. She seemed like a damsel in distress, but you knew deep down that she was not someone who needed saving.

.

.

.

.

After half an hour of driving, you finally arrived at your flat in the city. It was a small two-bedroom apartment near your university, where you spent most of your days drawing until the sun rose, often with a glass of wine in hand as you raced against deadlines.

Karina followed you as you climbed a short flight of stairs to the second floor of the building. Your flat, although small, felt cozy and inviting. Art pieces adorned the walls, and various art supplies were scattered across the kitchen island. A small TV and a gray cushioned couch were positioned near the balcony door, while a large bookshelf filled with books occupied an entire wall.

You led Karina to your room. "You can find some spare clothes in my closet. The bathroom is down the hall."

Karina flashed you a grateful smile and slipped into your room to change into dry clothes.

With a sigh, you shrugged off your jacket and made your way to the kitchen. The exhaustion on Karina's face was evident, with dark circles under her eyes and a melancholic expression whenever she fell silent. Taking a look inside your fridge, you were relieved that you had gone grocery shopping the day before.

You decided to prepare a comforting meal of Bibimbap, guessing from her accent and mannerisms that Karina might also be Korean. Hoping to alleviate any homesickness she might be feeling, you set about making a traditional Korean dinner, accompanied by a bottle of French wine for a unique experience.

"It smells really good," Karina's soft voice echoed from behind you.

Turning around, you saw the taller girl wearing your thick university hoodie and sweatpants. She had removed her makeup, and the tips of her hair were slightly damp from the shower. You couldn't help but stare, finding her adorable and warm in your clothes, creating a sense of home.

"Thanks, I thought you might appreciate something familiar," you replied with a smile. Despite her towering height, she seemed small and vulnerable. The sadness in her eyes never seemed to fade, even when she laughed.

"Feel free to look around. The food will be ready in ten minutes."

Karina nodded and squeezed your arm in gratitude before wandering off to explore the living room. Being an avid reader, she perused your extensive bookshelves until she stopped at the end.

"You listen to Taeyeon?" she exclaimed, holding up an album by Taeyeon. "I thought you'd only listen to classical music or something."

"That's a bit stereotypical," you chuckled. "I actually stumbled upon her singing on the streets of Berlin during a show a few years ago and was immediately captivated by her talent. That girl can sing."

"Yeah, she's really talented," Karina agreed, gazing at the album cover of Taeyeon's album.

It felt surreal to her that she had lunch with Taeyeon just a few days ago, and now she was on the other side of the world conversing with one of her fans.

"And pretty too, just like you," you added. "You both have a similar aura."

Karina felt her face grow warm, quickly diverting her attention back to the bookshelf.

"Yeah, our company has a particular taste," she mumbled.

"Huh? What?" you asked, not catching her words clearly.

Shaking her head dismissively, Karina replied, "Oh, it's nothing."

It was a close call for Karina. She mentally scolded herself for almost revealing her connection with Taeyeon. You seemed observant, likely due to your artistic skills, and she didn't want to inadvertently disclose too much information.

Karina helped you bring the food out to the balcony, where a wooden table and chairs were set in the middle, along with a cozy bean bag chair in the corner and string lights adding a touch of charm.

The food you had prepared was delicious, and it made Karina long for home even more. Despite being extroverted, she rarely felt comfortable opening up to people so quickly. However, in your presence, she felt a calming effect, as if you made her forget the painful things that often plagued her thoughts.

Before she knew it, after three glasses of wine, Karina found herself pouring out her troubles to you. She rambled about a failed relationship, her head resting on your shoulder as you sat together on the bean bag. She waved her glass of wine emphatically as she spoke.

"How could she leave me for someone else when I gave her everything?" Karina slurred, sniffling from both tears and the cold.

You hummed in agreement before getting up to fetch a blanket for the drunken blonde.

"No, don't leave me!" Karina pouted. "Everybody leaves me."

Chuckling, you assured her, "I'm just getting a blanket for you." Her adorableness touched your heart, and the sight of her feeling so insecure and hurt awakened your protective instincts. You couldn't fathom why anyone would intentionally break her heart.

"If you come back safely, I'll give you a kiss," she declared, nodding to herself.

"It's best to save your kisses for someone you genuinely like," you laughed nervously, your heart fluttering at her words.

"I like you. You're so pretty and nice," Karina slurred, tilting sideways and giggling at you. "I'm a very good kisser, so it's a win-win situation."

Laughing again, you bent down to gently tuck her hair behind her ears. "You will find your happiness. If someone makes you break down in front of a stranger, seeking affirmation, then they're not worth your tears."

After rummaging for a spare blanket, you returned to the balcony only to find Karina fast asleep. Her head drooped with a half-empty glass cradled in her chest, her tears glistened on her pale cheeks under the now clear night sky, and the moonlight reflected on her halo of blonde hair.

"It's unfair how someone can be this beautiful even when they're drunk," you whispered to yourself, approaching the sleeping girl and carefully carrying her to your spare room.

.

.

.

.

Karina felt the sunlight on her face when she woke up. She kept her eyes closed and hummed in satisfaction at how comfortable she felt. It had been a while since she had slept so well. As she lay there for a few seconds, she suddenly realized that this wasn't her bed, and she couldn't recall going to a hotel. Panic set in, and she sat up quickly, scanning the room for any signs of danger.

The room she found herself in was cozy, with clean white sheets on a soft bed and a fluffy pillow that bore the imprint of her drool (she was a messy sleeper). Despite its small size, the room was meticulously decorated, with a polished desk and mahogany wooden closet doors. The scent of soft flowers and oil paint lingered in the air, a scent that reminded her of you.

You.

Groaning, she buried her face in the bed at the thought of you.

Yesterday, she had lost control and unloaded all her troubles onto you. She couldn't remember much, except for the way your eyes softened and how you wiped away her tears with your warm hands. She recalled feeling a tingly sensation when your eyes met, and she couldn't shake off the memory of wanting to lean over and kiss you. Being drunk was definitely a wrong move, and now she was experiencing a pounding headache from the hangover.

A soft knock came from the door, accompanied by your gentle voice, "Jimin? Are you awake? Can I come in?"

Karina quickly composed herself, sitting up straight and fixing her hair.

"Yeah, come in," she replied, clearing her throat a few times to dispel the sleepiness in her voice.

You entered the room with a plate of food in your hands and placed it gently on the edge of the bed.

"Hey, are you feeling okay?" you asked, your eyebrows furrowed with concern. "I got you some medicine for the headache."

Karina squeezed your hand gratefully as she swallowed the aspirin with the water on the tray.

"Sorry for making you uncomfortable yesterday," she fidgeted, picking at the blueberry muffin you had prepared for her. "I'm normally not such a lightweight."

"You didn't," you assured her with a smile, sitting down next to her on the bed.

"I actually quite enjoyed your impromptu performance of Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance.'"

She groaned in embarrassment, and you couldn't help but laugh at how she could look so much like a little girl at times, especially when her playful side emerged.

Karina was captivated by your laughter, with your head thrown back and the silver frames of your glasses slipping down your nose. She thought you looked incredibly beautiful with your hair tied up in a bun and wearing an oversized sweater with shorts. She enjoyed the way you treated her, so gentle and kind, without a care in the world. She knew it was likely because you didn't know who she was, and she wanted to preserve this simplicity a little longer. Her heart unexpectedly yearned for you, and it left her both confused and happy.

"Spend the day with me," Karina blurted out. 

"I mean, could you take me to some good places in Lyon? I could use a tour guide."

You raised an eyebrow at her sudden invitation. "Where did the mysterious brooding stranger from yesterday go?"

She gasped playfully, feigning offense. "Excuse you, I was not brooding. And I actually just wanted you to be my Uber driver."

You pushed her playfully, causing her to fall back onto the bed.

"Finish your breakfast and get changed. Your bags are in the closet."

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.

.

.

The two of you headed to Parc de la Tête d'Or, your first stop—a beautiful garden with a lake and a small zoo. Karina had expressed her desire to go somewhere she could practice her photography, so you thought this would be the perfect place. It was one of your favorite spots, as you had spent countless hours there during your first year of college for one of your classes.

Karina was like a kid in a candy store, excitedly exploring and jumping around, eager to see everything. She took so many photos that you worried she would use up all her film before noon. It brought you joy to see her mood lifted, no longer carrying that haunting look in her eyes. She looked even more beautiful like this, if that was even possible—carefree and happy. You knew that your friendship was temporary, as Karina would be leaving for Paris early the next morning, but you were glad that you could bring a genuine smile to her face, even if only for a little while. You cared for her, perhaps even more than you should.

"Hey Y/N!" Karina called out from behind you, her voice filled with excitement.

Turning around with a smile, you were met with the sight of Karina snapping a photo of you.

"Hey!" you protested, realizing she had been capturing moments of you throughout the morning.

"What? I like to take photos of pretty things," she replied smoothly, taking your hand in hers and tugging you toward the lake.

You couldn't help but feel your ears heat up at her comment and the sensation of her warm hand interlocked with yours. She definitely wasn't making it easy for you.

After some persistent begging, Karina managed to convince you to go on a paddle boat with her. You had always been hesitant because of your limited swimming abilities, but her pouty face was impossible to resist.

"If you fall into the water, I'll save you," she said with a wink, exuding confidence in her flirting. "You could be my Lois Lane."

Her words sent your heart racing, and you knew you had to get used to her flirty manner. True to her word, when the boat nearly tipped after hitting a rock, her arms instinctively wrapped tightly around your waist, pulling you close. The combination of her breath on your neck and her ear-piercing screams sent goosebumps down your arms. You convinced yourself it was the latter that caused the reaction.

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.

The next stop was Croix-Rousse. Karina spent nearly two hours tasting everything the market had to offer. It amazed you how someone so slim could consume so much food. You loved the way her eyes lit up with excitement when she discovered a new dish, so you ended up buying even more just to see her happy.

"Look!" Karina called out joyfully, running toward you with two bracelets in her hand. "I got one for each of us."

The bracelets were made of two threads of dark blue string, each adorned with a small silver charm. The charms had the words Le destin décide qui entre dans votre vie, mais vous décidez qui y reste engraved on them.

"Do you know what it says?" you asked, a bit confused about her choice.

She shrugged nonchalantly. "The old lady said it was perfect for us and gave it to me for free."

"What old lady?" you inquired, puzzled, as you hadn't seen any elderly women as you walked through the market.

Karina seemed equally perplexed.

"That... one," she trailed off. "Weird, she was just there."

Shrugging again, she dismissed the thought. "Never mind. Can you put this on? I want to take a picture."

You nodded and helped her put hers on before tying yours around your wrist. Karina happily snapped a photo with her phone, making it her home screen.

"I'm glad I met you," she said, her lips gently brushing against your cheek before pulling you toward the next destination. "I'll never forget this trip."

As the day progressed, you couldn't help but realize that you felt the same way. This encounter with Karina had touched your heart in ways you couldn't explain, and you knew this day would be etched in your memory forever.

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.

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After climbing the hills to see the beautiful sunset, you took Karina to one of your favorite restaurants in Lyon. As you ordered fluently in French, Karina stared at you, captivated by your presence. She couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of freedom and joy when she was with you. The pressures of being an idol and the pain of her past relationship faded away, replaced by the warmth and happiness that radiated from your companionship. She knew deep down that you were never meant to be together, but she couldn't help falling for you.

"What are you planning to do when you graduate?" Karina asked, taking a sip of wine.

"Hmm... I'm not sure yet. I'm thinking of visiting my parents back in Korea before finding a job here," you replied.

"You should! I could be your Uber driver when you visit," she suggested playfully.

"Whoa, I didn't know Yoo Jimin could drive," you teased, earning a light slap on your arm.

Unbeknownst to you, calling her by her real name caused a pang in Karina's heart. She hadn't revealed her career as an idol to you yet, and she wasn't sure if she ever could.

Throughout the dinner, Karina couldn't take her eyes off you. She wanted to capture every moment, every detail of your presence in her memory. While she knew that life would go on after she left, she cherished the time she had with you and wanted to etch those memories deep within her heart. You had unknowingly become a source of hope and positivity in her life, changing her perspective on things and erasing her negative thoughts. Above all, she didn't want to forget the warmth and reassurance she felt when your eyes met, yearning to have you in her arms every morning.

The ambiance under the lamp posts as the evening progressed created an enchanting atmosphere.

Karina's eyes sparkled as she leaned in and whispered, "I really want to kiss you."

Your heart pounded in your chest, and the intensity of Karina's gaze slowly chipped away at your self-control.

"What's stopping you?" you replied, unable to resist the magnetic pull between the two of you.

In that moment, Karina leaned over the table, her lips meeting yours. The connection was electrifying, and a surge of emotions overwhelmed both of you. It was as if fireworks erupted, and the scent of her perfume intoxicated your senses. Karina deepened the kiss, pouring all her adoration for you into that single moment, fearing it might be her last chance to express her feelings.

Briefly pulling back to catch your breath, you couldn't help but let out a laugh as Karina whined and tried to pull you back for more.

"Whoa," she breathed, her voice filled with exhilaration.

"It's way better than yesterday," you said.

Confused, Karina looked at you and asked, "Yesterday?"

"Yeah," you replied with a laugh, "You actually drunkenly kissed me yesterday before throwing up. Can't believe I'm that bad at kissing."

Embarrassed, Karina hid her face in your neck, unaware of her actions from the previous night. "You're a really good kisser," she said dejectedly, feeling apologetic. “I’m so sorry.”

"I liked it," you reassured her, pressing a gentle kiss on her temple. "I'd gladly accept any kiss from you."

Karina pulled away from your embrace and looked at you with a serious expression. Her thoughts raced in her mind as she struggled to articulate them into coherent sentences

"I think I’m falling for you," Karina whispered, her voice filled with vulnerability.

You nodded, your eyes reflecting the same sentiment. "As I am for you."

"But..." Karina exhaled, struggling to find the right words.

"But we can't be together," you finished her sentence, understanding the unspoken obstacles that stood between you. A bittersweet understanding passed between the two of you.

Karina's gaze fell to the ground, her heart already aching at the thought of leaving you tomorrow.

"We can't be together," she repeated, trying to convince herself as well. "At least for now."

"It's okay," you reassured her, gently taking her hands in yours. "Even if we have to part ways here, I hope that I've made your little getaway to Lyon worthwhile."

Karina traced the bracelet on your wrist, feeling the engraved letters on the charm beneath her fingertips.

"You make me feel happy again."

"I'm glad," you whispered, your heart heavy with longing. "You deserve the world."

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The drive home was filled with silence. Karina held your hand on her lap as you drove, lost in her thoughts. The idea of being separated from you, even for a short while, felt unbearable. After bidding each other goodnight, she wordlessly knocked on the door to your bedroom. Without hesitation, you let her in, holding her close in your arms until sleep eventually claimed her.

The next morning was tinged with melancholy and tearful kisses. Karina didn't want to leave, but she had a performance that night. On the platform, she pulled you into a tight embrace, closing her eyes and inhaling your scent. It was likely the last time she could hold you like this, but she hoped against hope that it wasn't.

"I know this is selfish of me, but will you meet me again?" she asked, cupping your cheek with her hands.

"What do you mean?" you inquired, your heart skipping a beat.

"I'll come back next year, to Lyon." Karina had made a promise to herself last night before drifting off to sleep. She would come back to you, no matter what.

"If you want me to."

"Of course I want you to," you replied, a flicker of hope lighting up your heart. The fact that she wanted to see you in the future lifted a weight off your shoulders.

"Promise me you'll wait for me at the cathedral where we first met," Karina requested, her gaze determined.

You nodded, your commitment unwavering. To be honest, you would gladly follow her anywhere.

"Under the clerestory windows?"

"Under the clerestory windows," she confirmed, her resolve unwavering.

With that, she pulled you in for one last kiss, savoring the taste and memorizing the shape of your mouth before boarding the train.

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As Karina rummaged through her bag to find tissues to dry her tear-stricken face, her hand brushed against a rolled-up piece of paper. She unrolled it, and her breath caught in her throat at the sight. It was a drawing of her leaning on the rails, gazing at the sunset atop the Croix-Rousse hill. The beauty of the sunset was perfectly captured with oil paint, the orange streaks scattered across the paper. You had even added jewel-like flecks of gold and yellow on her face, capturing her childlike glow of joy and carefreeness. Was this how you saw her?

Her heart swelled with the feelings she had for you, her heartbeat quickening. She knew deep down that you would be waiting for her, no matter what.

Flipping the paper over, she saw your neat handwriting in the bottom left corner. It was addressed to her.

Jimin,

I hope that when life becomes overwhelming for you, you'll hold onto the memories of the sunset on your face, the echoes of the cathedral bells in Lyon's streets, and the moments we shared to bring you comfort.

You deserve boundless happiness, never doubt that. I'll immortalize you in my art, and perhaps one day you'll come across one of my works when you're feeling down. I'll paint your silhouette everywhere until you no longer feel pain or loneliness.

Le destin décide qui entre dans votre vie, mais vous décidez qui y reste.

Fate decides who enters your life, but you decide who stays.

I hope you choose to stay, Jimin.

P.S. Good luck at your concert. Spicy is my favorite song to work out to at the gym.

Karina dropped the paper in shock upon reading the last sentence. You knew who she was all along, and yet you didn't let it affect your feelings for her.

She grabbed her phone and quickly typed a message to you:

"I'll stay. Wait for me."

"See you during our rendezvous under the clerestory windows."

Jimin was finally happy. 

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Moonlight Sunrise (Part 2)

Minatozaki Sana x reader

Part 1

GENRE: angst, fluff, non-idol

TYPE: Short fic

You could feel the warmth emanating through the wooden doors of the hub, followed by muffled roars of laughter and conversation.

Momo had invited you for a drink in the local pub the night before the start of the event. You had spent the day training and preparing yourself, and you also did some shopping, buying food to pack for the event as it may last up to several weeks, depending on whether any contenders are alive.

Taking a deep breath to brace yourself, you pushed open the door and walked in.

The chatter died down immediately the moment you stepped in, with all of the men looking at you menacingly and with a hint of fear. War heroes, knights, and even thieves were there, all wanting a piece of the treasure. They had nothing in common in terms of background, only one thing—they saw you as their biggest threat.

"Y/N!" A familiar voice called from the back of the pub, Momo. "Over here."

You slowly made your way towards her, hands deep in the pockets of your coat. Some of the people stood up as you passed them, afraid yet trying their best to show their dominance.

You heard one of the groups of people make a move to draw out their weapons as soon as your back was turned, and you swiftly drew out your poison-soaked dagger. Skillfully dodging his swing, you silently and swiftly had your dagger at his throat.

The crowd fell silent, tension thick in the air, as beads of sweat formed on the scarred man's brow.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He cried out, craning his head to look at his leader for help.

His leader, a blurry hard-faced man, simply looked away and sat down.

"Now now, Y/N," Momo sighed, getting up from her seat and tugging you to release the man. "Let's not kill anyone before the competition."

Reluctantly, you relented, allowing the man to stumble backward and collapse onto the wooden floor.

"But feel free to hunt as many down in the labyrinth," Momo mused with a mischievous glint in her eyes, laughing when she saw the rest of the people shuffle uneasily.

The crowd cleared within seconds, leaving the bar now half empty.

"What a way to clear the crowd, I'm impressed," a soft voice called from the table Momo was originally sitting at, and you looked over to find another of your past colleagues and close friend of your sister, Minjeong.

Minjeong trained with you, your sister Yeji, and Momo at the same academy, spending most of your childhood together under the same master. She was skilled in poison and herbs, choosing to leave the academy as soon as she turned 16 to set off on a journey to learn more in this area. You hadn't seen her since.

You did, however, hear stories about her once in a while—how she turned into a master of poison and started her own academy at the young age of 21. Most of the weapons infused with poison, like the very one you had, were developed by her. Her name was now Winter, possessing a beauty as captivating and alluring as the first snowfall of the season. Her features were delicate yet sharp, like the frost that kissed the landscape with its icy touch. But beneath her stunning exterior lay a darkness, a chill that could freeze the hearts of those who crossed her path. As all of the people who had unfortunately come in contact with her dangerously poisonous infused blade, only managed to utter "cold as winter" before they hit the ground dead.

Contrary to what you had heard about her through these past few years, the tall girl was here, smiling goofily, grabbing you into a familiarly tight hug.

"I missed you, Y/N unnie."

You returned the gesture affectionately, feeling a surge of nostalgia. Minjeong had always been like a younger sister to you, a role she embraced wholeheartedly during your time at the academy.

"You've grown tall, baby rabbit." 

She let out a laugh and dragged you and Momo to sit down with her. "That's exactly what Momo unnie told me when she saw me."

Momo simply glared at her with her arms crossed in front of her.

You let out a sigh. This was the face she made whenever someone was about to do something stupid.

"What are you doing here, Minjeongie?"

"Same reason as you. I'm going into the labyrinth."

"No," you said simply, shaking your head, with Momo nodding in agreement. "That's too dangerous."

"Whyyy," Minjeong whined, her tone childlike despite her lethal reputation, "I'm fully capable."

"We know you are, Min. It's just that it's too much of a risk. No one knows what's in the labyrinth," Momo tried to appease the younger girl. "Besides, what could you possibly want from the labyrinth? Money? We can provide that, just tell us how much you need."

The younger girl pouted. Seeing this menacing girl acting so childish must have been bizarre for the people she hunted down.

"I have money. I just really need this material that's rumored to be in the labyrinth," she paused, before quietly muttering, "the ashes of voidlings."

"Absolutely not," Momo hissed, "are you out of your mind?"

Minjeong looked at you pleadingly. She knew you were always the one to relent and fall for her maknae charms.

"If Y/N unnie is with me, it will be safe."

You sighed, shaking your head. "Not this time. Voidlings are not creatures you can kill. Even Master Kim said to flee when we encounter one."

Voidlings originated from dark witchcraft, when a spellbounder cast the darkest, most evil curse on a deceased, turning them into beings of the dark, preying on fear and weakness. These beings were created only if the deceased was filled with enough anger and hatred, making them powerful and nearly unbeatable. There has been no sure way to defeat these creatures. Nearly every person who encountered them died on the spot, let alone survived long enough to defeat them and gather their ashes.

Desperate, Minjeong blurted out the reason she swore to keep secret. "It's for Yeji."

"What?" You paused, putting down your mug and looking at the young girl.

"What about Yeji?" Momo asked, completely out of the loop. You hadn't told her the reason why you were here.

"Yeji wrote me a letter a few weeks ago, asking me for help. She wanted me to accompany Y/N unnie into the labyrinth, saying it was too dangerous for anyone to go alone. She told me you were going for her, and that was when she told me about her illness."

"She's sick? Wha-when? How?" Momo furrowed her brows in concern. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"She's been sick for two years now, and it's getting worse," you lowered your eyes, staring at the droplets that formed on the outside of your mug. "She was poisoned by one of the unknown beings in the far eastern territory, and no one has a way to cure her. That's why I was hoping to find the Luminite stone—you get one wish, right? Maybe this would work."

"My students and I have been trying to figure out a counterpoison for that, and I need the ashes of voidlings," Minjeong patted your hand in comfort, "If the stone doesn’t work, we can try for this."

The three of you sat in silence, each one lost in your thoughts, weighed down by the news like thick clouds pressing down. With every passing moment, the heaviness in the air grew, filling the room with uncertainty and a sense of foreboding that stretched into the late hours of the night. It was as if the very atmosphere held its breath, anticipating some ominous revelation lurking just beyond reach.

After much contemplation and discussion, you and Minjeong came to an agreement, despite Momo's disagreement. If you failed to find the stone within a week, Minjeong would enter the labyrinth and help you find and defeat a voidling. None of you were happy this decision, but this was the only way to save Yeji.

"It's late, you have a big day tomorrow," Momo yawned, rubbing her eyes. Minjeong was already fast asleep with her head drooped over the table.

"Yeah, I have one more stop to make," you said rising out of your seat, "Can you let me into the castle?"

"You know I can't do that, Y/N," Momo sighed before lifting the sleeping girl in her arms.

"Please. There's someone I need to say thank you to."

"Fine," the head of security relented. "Minjeong is crashing at my place anyway."

The three of you slowly made your way down the empty pebbled roads, the moonlight guiding the way, just like old times when you would leave training and head back to the dorms together. However, this time, there was a noticeable absence – Yeji.

"By the way, what's Princess Sana's favorite food?" 

"What the fuck, Y/N? Be quiet or we're going to get caught." 

"Please?" 

"Fine. Apples I think. Anything apple flavored."  

"Nice." 

"Shut up." 

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.

Pushing open the familiar run-down wooden door, you found the space in front of the labyrinth deserted, as expected. You had a feeling the princess didn't want to be seen, especially after giving you that fake name.

Silently, you walked towards the metal bars and peered into the dark misty abyss again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blonde girl. Instead, you saw only eerie shadows that seemed too haunting to be her. You definitely didn't want to come in contact with any of those beings.

Deciding to call it a night, you reached into your knapsack and pulled out a bottle of apple cider along with some small cakes bought at the market earlier that day. Placing them on the bench where you had sat together the day before, you wanted to thank the princess for her compass, even if you weren't sure if it was real or not.

Before you could make your way back, a familiar soft voice cut through the whooshing sounds emanating from the black clouds within the labyrinth.

"Hwang."

Turning, you found Luna sitting on top of the towering metal bars, swinging her barefoot legs casually.

"Hey."

She jumped down from the metal wall, landing gently with a thud.

"Couldn’t resist visiting me, huh?" She chuckled, eyeing the items on the bench. "Ooooo apple cider!"

She eagerly tore open the bottle and took a swig, resembling a little kid on Christmas morning. You couldn’t help but soften at her endearing behavior.

"It's just to thank you for giving me the compass."

"How do you know if I'm not fooling you?" She turned to look at you, a piece of cake still in her mouth.

"I don't," you said honestly, "but I'm willing to take that risk."

"For an assassin, you're oddly trusting," Luna mused, before splitting one of the cakes and passing it to you.

"How did you-"

"I hear your name once in a while in the labyrinth, Hwang." Luna giggled at your bewilderment, before lowering her voice as if she was an announcer. "The greatest assassin of the century, Hwang Y/N, the NightWalker. Some of the competitors talked about you, 'What would the NightWalker do in this situation?', 'Oh no, I'm cornered, if only I could walk on water like the NightWalker.'"

Your face flushed with embarrassment as she teased you, her laughter echoing through the empty space.

"Shut up," you nudged her with your shoulder.

She no longer felt like a monster; she felt like the cheerful princess people always talked about in their stories.

Luna put her fingers to her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles.

"Besides, it's a win-win situation if I get the stone," you shrugged, biting into the cake, the sweet-savory invading your taste buds.

"How so?"

"You're Princess Sana, aren't you?" You laughed at her surprised expression. "It says on the compass. If I win, I promise you'll be able to see the sunlight whenever you want. I have no interest in locking you by my side."

Instantly, the carefree girl in front of you shifted to the defensive half-human being. Sana's eyes glowed red once again, and you felt your body constrict, as if a rope was squeezing you tightly. She was looking for any lies behind your eyes. She found none.

"Sorry," she muttered, releasing you from her stare. You simply waved her off.

"I can't see the sunrise either way. I'm bound to the stone," she murmured softly, her delicate features cast in a faint glow from the moonlight.

As she spoke, her shoulders hunched slightly, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes of the weight she carried. Your heart couldn’t help but flutter in sympathy for the beautiful being before you, her words tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"The moonlight will be the only light I see for the rest of my life."

"I'll figure out a way. I always do," you promised.

Sana looked up to meet your eyes, her own remaining human and soft this time. In that moment, her gaze held a sense of vulnerability. You found yourself momentarily lost in her soft honey hues, the warmth of her gaze enveloping you. A faint blush tinged her cheeks as she met your stare, a silent acknowledgment of the connection between you.

"You're an odd one, NightWalker."

"As are you, Princess." you replied, unable to resist a teasing tone.

"Don't call me that," she muttered, trying to hide her smile, but her eyes betrayed her amusement.

You spent another hour or two talking to Sana, enjoying her company and the lighthearted banter that momentarily lifted the weight from your shoulders.

"It's almost sunrise. I have to go," Sana announced, stretching as she rose to her feet. "You should get some rest too, Y/N."

You nodded, following suit and standing up.

The princess grinned and extended her hand in a handshake. "Partners?"

"Partners," you agreed, shaking her hand firmly. Her touch sent a shiver down your spine, despite the warmth of the night.

Satisfied, with a hint of pink on her cheeks, Sana turned to make her way back towards the labyrinth, her figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.

"You better bring me some more of those cakes, Hwang," she called back before vanishing completely.

"Aye-aye, Princess," you replied, unable to resist one last teasing remark.

"Don't call me that!" she retorted with a laugh, her voice echoing faintly in the night.

Previous Chapter

Cute filler chapter this time 😉

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

The Moon and the Stars

Nakamura Kazuha x reader

GENRE: slight angst, fluff

TAGS: roommates, friends to lovers

TYPE: Request, Oneshot

If Kazuha were to liken you to something in the universe, she would readily consider you as constellations, the Ursa Minor to be precise. Cliche like straight out of a fairytale, her fascination with you had ignited since the day she stepped into the dorms. The memory of you, seated on your bed, lost in music with headphones on, and yet managing to send her with a shy smile that could light up an entire room, was etched in her mind. Just like the steadfast North Star that outshines the other constellations.

However, like the relationship shared between the stargazer and the stars, you felt both so close yet so far to Kazuha. As roommates, you were inseparable, sharing late-night conversations about dreams and future plans, enjoying movie marathons, and indulging in those warm cuddles – endless cuddles. Yet, when it came to friendship, Kazuha yearned for something more. She longed for your connection to stretch beyond the boundaries of friendship. She yearned for you to belong to her and for her to belong to you.

But, like stars scattered across the night sky, there remained a gap between your hearts. Kazuha struggled to summon the courage to cross that gap, often lingering within the spaces in-between, hoping that someday you would notice her feelings. For now, she found solace in observing you from a distance, content in appreciating your beauty, just as the gentle light of your smile warmed her soul.

Lugging her backpack onto her shoulder, a sigh escaped Kazuha's lips. With the weariness of an astronomer burning the midnight oil, she switched off the lights of the astronomy tower. It had been one of those nights, poring over her astronomy report while the telescope's gaze locked onto the distant stars until the unholy hour of 2 AM. Eyes heavy with exhaustion, she began her journey back to the dorms, her steps slow and heavy.

In these moments, she questioned her decision to double major in dance and astronomy. But despite the fatigue, there was a fascination she held for the stars and, well, someone else. Someone who was, more often than not, already cocooned in Kazuha’s blankets when she returned. Finding you comfortably snuggled under her bedcovers, engrossed in a show on your phone, was a sight she adored. It made her heart flutter – you, her very own Ursa Minor, cozy and ready to hibernate like a little bear cub, your warmth echoing the stars above.

However, when she pushed open the door to your cozy dorm room, an eerie darkness and two empty beds greeted Kazuha. Frowning, the ballet dancer snatched her jacket from her bed and made her way towards the library.

You had been pushing yourself to the limits, immersed in preparations for the upcoming finals. Opting to spend your free time and even your sleep at the library, you had become a rare presence in the dorm, barely allowing yourself a break. Despite her best efforts, Kazuha's attempts to help you unwind had failed terribly, only succeeding in driving a further distance between you two. She had always known you as hardworking, but witnessing you in this state for the first time in the two years she had known you was a first.

The library's study room was nearly deserted, with only a handful of students scattered about, attempting to cram just a bit more knowledge into their minds before the exams. While ballet and astronomy were Kazuha's chosen majors, the two majors that didn't require extensive library sessions, she was familiar with this section because of you. With a confident stride, she navigated to the far right corner, where she was sure she would find you. And there you were, sitting amidst a sea of books, blankets draping your shoulders, your glasses nearly slipping from your nose, as you jotted down another line in your notebook.

At the sight of your familiar eye-crinkling smile directed at her, Kazuha's heart danced within her chest. God, how much she adored that smile, one that you exclusively reserved for her.

"Hey Zuha, what are you doing here?" you whispered, tapping the chair next to you, inviting her to sit.

Obediently, the taller girl settled down, leaning into you, resting her head on your shoulder, and shutting her eyes in fatigue. The nearness of her, the warmth of her breath on your neck, sent a tingling shiver down your spine. However, you brushed aside any distracting thoughts and instead focused on holding her large hands with yours.

"I missed spending time with you," her soft breath caressed your neck as she spoke, her eyes still closed. "You’re always cooped up here."

"My finals start next week," you sighed, rubbing your eyes tiredly. "My dad would kill me if I fail."

"Still, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rest," she retorted with a yawn, her eyes barely opening.

"I think you’re the one who needs a rest," you playfully teased the ballet dancer, a small smile tugging at your lips.

Watching her struggle to keep her drooping eyes open, you made a decision. Gently, you led Kazuha towards the large grey sofa situated near the window. She watched you, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, as you grabbed your blankets and walked back to the sofa.

"You can sleep here for a while. I’ll finish this chapter, and then we can go," you said, placing the blankets over her.

Yet, her reaction took you off guard. Swiftly, Kazuha's arms circled around your neck, pulling you down with her. A small scream of surprise escaped your lips as you found yourself sprawled on top of her, your heartbeat racing.

Coughing in embarrassment, you scrambled to disentangle yourself, standing up quickly. It wasn’t unfamiliar for the two of you to be this close, especially during movie nights when she insisted on cuddling, but being in such proximity to her face always set your heart racing.

"Kazuha!" you scolded, lightly swatting her hand as she attempted to draw you back to her side.

"Stay with me?" she pouted, her puppy eyes in full effect. "I won’t distract you, scout’s honor."

True to her word, Kazuha maintained her silence as you continued studying on the couch beside her. She cuddled into your side, snoring peacefully. Unbeknownst to her, her mere presence, the soft weight of her body against yours, was in itself a distraction. Your thoughts wandered away from your textbooks, escaping to an alternate universe where you could be more than friends. The chapter remained unfinished, swept away by the chaos her embrace had brought within your otherwise tranquil mind.

.

.

.

.

"I think you’re forgetting your priorities," your dad hissed through the phone, his voice dripping with venom. "Perhaps we should have you drop out. You’re wasting money anyway."

Leaning against the balcony railing, you fought to contain the tears threatening to spill. The pain of your father's words continued, a torrent of emotional abuse that had become all too familiar over your 21 years of existence. Each word was a dagger, carving wounds into your heart. You felt like a red and white target pinned to the walls of your family home, subjected to his verbal abuse until you were left full with pain and sorrow. You were never enough, especially not when you had a golden boy for a brother.

"Women are useless. I should’ve known you would end up like your mother," he remarked, his words hitting their intended mark with precision.

Bullseye. Mentioning your late mother was a calculated blow that amplified the ache.

"I really am trying," you managed to say, your voice thick with the lump in your throat.

"Well, you better try harder," he spat, the line going dead as he hung up.

Wiping the tears from your eyes, you gazed up at the waxing crescent moon, mapping your future steps alongside the growth of the new moon. Though you despised the necessity of it, your first move was clear: distance yourself from your distractions, at least temporarily. That included the girl of your dreams, the one who resided in your heart, Kazuha.

But for tonight, you resolved to enjoy one last movie night in the ballet dancer's arms, sharing the ice cream you had picked up during your weekly grocery run.

The night that followed was one of bittersweet peace. Wrapped in Kazuha's sheets, your head nestled on her pillows, you savored a sleep unlike any other you'd have in the upcoming month. Her fingers combing through your hair lulled you into a sense of security, a temporary refuge from the storm raging within you.

.

.

.

.

Kazuha was worried, to say the least. She had rarely seen you throughout the entire week, as you had chosen to retreat back to the library. You were even giving her the cold shoulder, but Kazuha tried to explain it away as you being under pressure. She knew your father was extremely strict, to the point of toxicity, but she had no idea just how bad it actually was.

Even during your only shared class, Korean, you would now sit at the front row, distancing yourself from Kazuha. She missed you deeply – missed talking to you, spending time with you, and most importantly, missed your warm hugs.

Today was no different. Kazuha was late to class; she had overslept due to going to bed in the early hours of dawn (she had been having trouble sleeping without you there). Expecting you to save her a seat as you used to, she was met with the sight of you sitting in the front row with some of your medical major friends.

“Miss Nakamura, please sit down,” the professor said sternly, his deep voice echoing through the full auditorium.

Blushing a bright red, the ballet dancer quickly took a seat in one of the empty chairs in the back, next to another fellow Japanese student named Sakura.

Covering her face with her arms, Kazuha slumped over the desk with a groan, embarrassed by her entrance and heartburned with sadness at the sight of you seemingly no longer wanting her around.

"You okay, Zuha-chan?” Sakura timidly asked the sulking girl. It was rare to see the usually happy and joking girl looking so crestfallen.

"Yeah,” Kazuha muttered, her face still buried in her arms. “I mean, no. I’m not okay.”

Sakura raised her eyebrows and patiently waited for the younger girl to continue.

“I don’t know what I did wrong,” Kazuha mumbled, finally sitting up. “It’s like all of a sudden, Y/N doesn’t want to hang out with me anymore.”

Sakura held back a smile. She had always suspected that Kazuha was enamored with you, and you with her. The only people who couldn’t see how you felt about each other were the two of you. Why else would Kazuha reject all those admirers throughout the years? Why else would all your dates fail? Like stars and the moon, the two of you were meant for each other, slowly revealing yourselves in the night as the world continued to spin.

“Have you tried talking to her about it?” Sakura asked.

Kazuha pulled at her midnight black locks in distress, “Yes! She just pretends not to hear me.”

Suddenly gasping as if she realized something, Kazuha grabbed the smaller girl and slightly shook her shoulders, “Is Y/N dating someone? And she doesn’t want to tell me? That explains why she’s never at the dorm or never answers my calls.”

She slumped in her seat, trying not to cry at the thought of you liking someone. She couldn’t comprehend why she always felt this surge of jealousy whenever you went on dates.

Sensing the younger girl’s distress, Sakura gently put her hand on hers in comfort. Sakura decided to play cupid this time; she was tired of watching the two of you dance around each other for years.

“I don’t think Y/N is dating anyone. But I think you should tell her how you feel before it’s too late.”

“How I feel?” Kazuha furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

“You love her, don’t you?”

Did she feel anything for you? Kazuha was dumbfounded at Sakura’s question. She had never really thought about the possibility of being something more than friends with you. Being by your side was enough, but the idea of sharing your affection with someone else made her uneasy. And then it clicked – she was in love with you.

“I guess I do,” Kazuha whispered, lost in thought.

Satisfied with the outcome, Sakura smiled and refocused her attention on the professor, leaving Kazuha to grapple with her newfound emotions.

.

.

.

.

With a box of Korean fried chicken from your favorite restaurant in hand and a soft grey kitten plushie in the other, Kazuha made her way to the library. After taking a few days to come to terms with her feelings, she had decided that she would tell you how she felt soon. She knew you were still busy with finals, so she was content to wait until everything was over. Right now, she was simply eager to see you again after two long weeks of you avoiding her.

The moon was full tonight, perhaps an omen that everything was coming full circle.

Her heart pounded as she pushed open the door to the study room, her eyes immediately finding the back of your head in your favorite corner. But this time, you weren’t alone.

You were laughing at something your classmate, Yunjin, said. Jealousy and sadness gripped Kazuha's heart, jealousy that you were spending time with someone else and sadness that you had declined her offer to study together, yet seemed to be having a great time studying with Yunjin.

“H-hey, Zuha,” you stuttered. 

It had been so long since you had seen your roommate, and her presence sent shivers down your spine. You had missed her so much, to the point where breathing felt painful, but you couldn’t afford distractions if you wanted to pass this semester and continue studying in the same school with Kazuha. She looked great today, dressed in sweatpants and a tank top that showcased her toned stomach and arms.

“What are you doing here?” You asked.

“I know you’ve been skipping meals, so I brought you dinner,” Kazuha said, showing you the plastic bag in her hand.

God, Zuha, you're making it hard to keep my distance from you.

“I already ate with Yunjin,” you responded, trying to create some distance between you and Kazuha. Just one moment here, and your thoughts were already a mess.

Yunjin watched you intently, as if conveying a message through her eyes. You blushed, trying to avoid eye contact with both of the girls. You had confided in Yunjin about your crush on Kazuha, and she had been relentlessly urging you to confess for the past few weeks. You had promised to do so after your exams; hiding your feelings from your roommate was getting increasingly difficult anyway.

Misunderstanding the situation, Kazuha's heart shattered. She didn't like the way Yunjin looked at you, and she certainly didn't like how you responded to her gaze, turning into a blushing mess. Maybe the full moon wasn't an omen of things falling into place; perhaps it was an omen that she would come to terms with the truth – that you simply didn't like her back.

“I—” Kazuha struggled to swallow the lump in her throat, “yeah, okay.”

She took a step back, trying to leave as soon as possible. She hid the plushie she had bought for you behind her back.

"I should go," she mumbled, avoiding your gaze, "I'll see you whenever."

“Zuha—” you began, reaching out to grab her hand, but she had already turned around abruptly and left, leaving your hand suspended in the air.

“You really should stop avoiding her,” Yunjin advised, observing you with knowing eyes. “You're hurting her.”

“I know,” you groaned, replaying the image of Kazuha's sad expression whenever you had ignored her. “I just can't think straight when she’s here.”

“Well… you aren’t straight to begin with.”

“You’re not helping, Yunjin. “

.

.

.

.

Rubbing your tired eyes, you pushed open the door to your room. It had been a while since you were there, and you were eager to finally see Kazuha and spend some time with her. The last exam had just ended, taking up eight hours of your day. It was already midnight when you had left the classroom.

Confused to find the dorm room empty and dark, you knocked on the door of the dorm across from yours. Kazuha often spent time with your neighbors, Sakura and Chaewon.

"Long time no see, Y/N," Chaewon greeted you with a smile after opening the door.

"Yeah, sorry for not hanging out with you guys," you apologized, scratching your head. "I was busy with finals."

"Y/nnie," Sakura chimed in, pulling you into a warm hug. "You should talk to Zuha."

"I know," you sighed, "Do you know where she is?"

"Probably in the astronomy tower. She's been there a lot lately," Chaewon said, giving you a knowing look.

Did everyone know about your feelings? You shook your head in confusion, thanked the two girls, and headed to the astronomy tower.

The path to the building seemed darker and longer than you remembered. Then again, Kazuha always held your hand when you walked there to stargaze. The nights felt lighter with her, and the winters were warmer when she was near. She was like the moon, casting a gentle and bright light on your otherwise empty and dark life that had known nothing but the cruelty of your father.

Spotting the taller figure sitting in front of a large telescope on the top floor, you approached Kazuha, your footsteps echoing in the empty space.

"Hey," you said, your voice sounding strangely loud in the quiet.

"Hey," Kazuha replied, her expression unreadable in the dark, but her tone carrying a sense of coldness.

"Can we talk?"

"Oh, so now you want to talk?"

You winced. You deserved that for avoiding her without explanation for the past few weeks.

Kazuha turned back to the telescope and continued her observations, scribbling down some notes in her notebook.

“I’m sorry, Zuha,” you said softly, settling down next to the taller girl. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Kazuha continued to ignore your presence, pretending to record the constellation information in her book.

“I only wanted to keep you close to me,” you confessed, reaching over to touch the hand that was holding the pen.

“Then why did you avoid me?” she finally asked, her clear eyes meeting yours.

Sighing, you realized it was time to address your feelings. Yunjin would probably tease you mercilessly for finally admitting them.

“Because you make me nervous,” you admitted.

“Did I do something to make you uncomfortable? If I did, I apologize, I didn’t mean—” Kazuha began to panic, clearly not expecting your answer. Had she unintentionally pressured you?

You saw her mind racing, so you gently cupped her cheeks with your hands to calm her down.

“No, Zuha, that’s not what I meant,” you reassured her, your thumb brushing against her skin. “I meant that being around you makes my heart race and my thoughts a jumbled mess.”

Kazuha’s body seemed to tingle at your touch. After a month of silence, your nearness was overwhelming, but in the best way possible. She really was a sucker for you.

“I’m in love with you, Nakamura Kazuha,” you finally admitted, leaning closer until your breaths mingled and you could smell the soft scent of lavender on her.

“It’s like whenever you’re near, my mind goes blank, and I can’t concentrate on anything else. I avoided you because I could never seem to stop thinking about you, and I kept failing my lessons because you would always enter my mind when I started to take an exam.” ”

Kazuha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The person she had secretly loved for years was confessing their feelings for her. It felt surreal, like a dream come true.

“You’re like the moon to me, Zuha,” you continued, your finger tracing the lines of her nose and lips.

“It might sound cliché, but my life felt like a dark night sky before I met you. I hated the darkness, my family, my life. But you changed that.”

Finally breaking out of her daze, Kazuha extended her long arms and pulled you into an embrace so tight that you practically ended up in her lap. Your cheeks turned a deep shade of red, but you snuggled closer into her warmth.

“That’s funny. I’ve always thought of you as one of the stars” Kazuha mumbled into your neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses. The sensation sent shivers down your spine, and you wanted nothing but for her lips on yours.

“The Ursa Minor, to be exact. Like a small, cuddly bear, with the North Star guiding me in the right direction.”

You chuckled at her analogy, relieved that she seemed to forgive you. In fact, you were getting more than you hoped for – you had the girl you loved holding you close.

“The moon and the stars,” you mused, briefly pulling away from her to gaze at the night sky.

“Mhmm, and I love you too,” Kazuha responded, tugging you back into her embrace before capturing your lips with hers.

The waning crescent moon hung in the sky, surrounded by the brilliance of the summer stars. It felt like the beginning of something new, a fresh start with Kazuha by your side.

Felt that this was a bit rushed 😢

But I loved doing the moon symbolisms

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

High School

Kim Minji x Reader

GENRE: angst, slight fluff

TAGS: high school, right person wrong time

TYPE: One Shot Inspired by: High School- Alexander 23

When the name Kim Minji is mentioned, people immediately associate her with being the oldest member of one of the world's biggest girl groups. They think of her elegant visuals, unwavering talent, and professional mannerism on screen. It's hard to determine whether it's a blessing or a curse to be the one who knows her true self off-screen. You were the only person who witnessed her relentless dedication to achieving her dreams of becoming an idol, the sparkle in her eyes at the mention of her favorite flavored ice cream, her self-consciousness about her ears, and the sweetness of her lips when they were locked with yours. At least, you used to know all of these things.

You both crossed paths on the very first day of high school, a tale that could be described as a cliché love story. Fate placed you together in the chemistry class, but instead of finding chemistry within the subject, you discovered it between yourselves (resulting in your failed class, as you were too distracted by her). From the moment your eyes met, you were immediately captivated by her presence. Her shy smile, causing her eyes to squint into crescent moons, enchanted you completely.

A powerful connection effortlessly formed between the two of you, and you quickly became inseparable best friends. Over time, your circle expanded, gradually incorporating more people. She possessed a magnetic charm, attracting others to her like the sun in your small high school solar system, while you and your friends orbited around her like planets.

Despite her growing popularity and busier schedule as the captain of the school's dance team, she never let you slip from her thoughts. She would eagerly whisk you away to museums, dance rehearsals, and amusement parks, making sure you were always a part of her life. You were her best friend, as she was yours. Nights were spent in the warmth of her embrace as you stayed over at her house, seeking comfort after long hours of homework, and days consisted of the two of you finding each other in school hallways after going to different classes.

"I missed you," Minji would always say, a warm smile spreading across her face as you reunited in the bustling hallway. With a casual ease, the taller girl would sling your bag onto her back and intertwine her fingers with yours, walking you to your next class.

Your friends often teased, playfully suggesting that your relationship seemed more like dating than mere friendship. Blushing, you would shyly deny their claims, even though the racing of your heart whenever she pulled you close, betrayed your true feelings. Deep down, you yearned for something more, but it remained unspoken, concealed beneath the surface of your friendship.

Luckily, Minji thought the same thing, as she finally mustered up the courage to ask you out on the last day of your second year in high school. She had called you after her dance practice, telling you to meet her outside your house. Opening the door, you discovered her nervously fidgeting, concealing something behind her back. It took several attempts to get her attention, and when her eyes finally met yours, her face flushed a bright shade of red.

It took Minji a few minutes to gather her thoughts and confess her feelings to you without stumbling over her words. You found her absolutely adorable, with her timidly tugging at the sides of her sweatpants and swaying slightly back and forth. That was the day you shared your first kiss. The memory of her soft lips against yours, her long arms wrapped around your waist, became etched in your mind forever.

"I really like you," she whispered against your lips, her eyes closed, intoxicated by your closeness.

"I can tell," you laughed, accepting the bouquet of flowers she held out to you and nuzzling your nose into her neck, inhaling the familiar scent of pine and mint that belonged uniquely to her.

Your relationship was sweet, even till the end.

Minji had successfully entered Hybe as a trainee during your third year in high school, and could no longer attend most of the classes at school. Nevertheless, she always found ways to surprise you, leaving cute notes in your locker or sneaking into your room at midnight with a bag filled with your favorite snacks and movies. When you were busy preparing for college entrance exams, the aspiring idol made sure to take you on small dates, providing you moments of comfort. You loved her with all your heart, but deep down, you knew that your relationship had an expiration date. Her talent shone brightly, and you were confident that she would successfully debut. 

She broke things off a few months leading to her debut. As she struggled to find the right words, you nodded in understanding, pulling her into a final embrace and burying your tear-streaked face in her shirt.

"It's okay. I understand," you whispered. "They will love you just as much as I love you."

"But I only want you," she responded, her broad shoulders slumped in defeat.

It was the first time you had ever seen doubt in her eyes. She had always been so certain about her future and her dream of becoming an idol. As much as you adored her, you refused to be the reason for her hesitation.

"You'll still have me. Together or not, I will always be here cheering you on." 

You stood on your tiptoes and kissed her for the last time in forever. 

As you had predicted, the world fell head over heels for Kim Minji.  She was adored right from the start, the moment her face graced the debut lineup. They loved her for the person she had become – poised, stunningly beautiful, and incredibly talented. Their adoration for her was so immense that it led to sold-out stadiums and her topping the charts for months.  

However, as you lay alone in bed every night, it was the pure and genuine version of Minji from the past that filled your thoughts. You had loved her then, flaws and all, and you still loved her now. You loved the way she would pull on the tips of her long hair whenever she was thinking or nervous, you loved the way she looked in her baggy sweatpants and scruffy shoes after a day of rehearsals.

Most of all, you loved the way her eyes softened when she looked at you. 

But that was all part of the past now. All you had left of her was the soft bunny-eared hat she had gifted you right before her debut, the very same design she wore in her latest music video. And that was okay. She was loved by millions, and that was what truly mattered.

You found solace in knowing that crowds would cheer her on as she stood on stage, chanting her name in adoration. You made a promise to yourself that you would continue to love the Minji you knew, even when the stage lights dimmed. You were determined to ensure she felt loved no matter where life took her.

She was your high school love, and you were content with that.

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Feelings

Shin Ryujin x F reader

GENRE: fluff

TAGS: college love, friends to lovers

TYPE: One Shot

Inspired by: Feelings - Lauv

Ryujin was on a mission. She had grown tired of waiting for you to realize on your own that she was the one meant for you. After patiently biding her time for two years, hoping you would end things with the boyfriend who seemed to never make time for you, Ryujin finally saw her chance. However, it seemed that the universe was determined to see her fail. She had attempted to confess her feelings to you three times before, each time ending in failure. But they say the fourth time's the charm.

As cliché as it may sound, it was love at first sight for her.

During her first year in college, on one of her drunken escapades, she stumbled into a small coffee shop near her university. And there you were, greeting her with a warm smile despite the early hour and her embarrassing entrance of nearly breaking the glass doors with her head. You made her the most delicious cinnamon latte she had ever tasted. She joked that it was the sole reason she kept returning, but deep down, she knew she couldn't bear a day without seeing your beautiful face.

To her delight, she discovered that you were a fellow student at the same university and of the same age as her. She was desperate to get your phone number, even willing to give up her reckless drinking habits in favor of coffee, especially the coffee you made. It took her 17 visits to the coffee shop before she finally mustered the courage to ask for your number, although it didn't come from her own lips. Every time she tried to speak, the words would get stuck in her throat, leaving her gaping at you like a fish. It was her best friend and roommate, Yeji, who managed to obtain your number.

Yeji, with her eyes sharp like a cat, noticed the sudden change in Ryujin's behavior early on. Instead of dealing with broken-hearted girls leaving their shared room after one-night stands, she now witnessed a giggly and infatuated Ryujin. Yeji suspected that someone special had captured Ryujin's heart, and to her surprise, it was you, one of her group members in the economics class. On the 17th visit, Yeji dragged Ryujin to the coffee shop counter and boldly asked for your number.

You agreed, thinking it wouldn't hurt to make a new friend. After all, you were quite lonely, spending your days working at the shop and struggling through your studies. Little did you know that this was the beginning of two long years of Ryujin secretly pining over you.

Ryujin adored everything about you. She loved your gentle nature, your patience, and even your dad jokes. She even grew to love your pet guinea pig, Cough Drops, despite its weird name and tendency to pee on her hand. The only thing she couldn't stand was your toxic on-and-off relationship with your jerk of a boyfriend. For the past two years, whenever you broke up with him, she would try her best to sweep you off your feet. However, her efforts often went unnoticed as you mistook her genuine kindness for her naturally flirtatious personality, considering her just a close friend.

But that didn't mean you didn't feel the butterflies whenever she appeared at your apartment door, her hair tousled from riding her motorcycle, dressed in a leather jacket, and wearing a charming smile. There was definitely something more between you two when she kissed the top of your head before bidding farewell. Still, you always dismissed those feelings, attributing them to her reputation as a player. Ryujin had dated many girls and was known as the biggest flirt on campus, a fact you were well aware of.

Time and again, Ryujin patiently waited for you to end things with your boyfriend, hoping that you would finally grasp her true intentions. The first two times she mustered the courage to ask you out, you brushed it off as a joke, hiding your own flustered state. Deep down, you feared that she had noticed the way you looked at her with longing, just like your friends always teased you about.

"Love knows only broken ends," you told her, trying to convince yourself as much as her. "We're the best versions of ourselves as friends."

And so, you returned to your boyfriend, unknowingly shattering Ryujin's delicate heart even further. She was never one to give up so easily, and she knew that the best version of her was when she was with you. 

On that fateful third attempt, Ryujin had everything planned out to finally express her feelings to you. With a bottle of champagne in hand, she intended to celebrate the last day of class before winter break and confess her love to you sincerely and without hesitation. She even bought a bouquet of sunflowers, knowing they held a special place in your heart. However, when you opened the door, she was taken aback as you pulled her into a tight embrace, your tears soaking into the fabric of her shirt.

“Cough Drops died.” You had managed to muster out between sobs. 

Ryujin had closed her eyes and cursed at the Fates from above, they really didn’t want her to find happiness. Even though she had dreamt of being with you for years, she still prioritized your feelings over anything. The timing wasn’t right, and that was okay. She could wait for you forever. 

Ryujin, determined to give Cough Drops a proper farewell, embarked on the task of arranging a small funeral for your guinea pig. Finding a suitable burial place proved challenging, but eventually, she settled on utilizing one of Yeji's large potted plants. Fortunately, Yeji had already returned to her hometown for Christmas, sparing her from witnessing Ryujin's unconventional handling of her precious plant babies (she had received a huge scolding telling Yeji after, and had to clean the dorm for two months straight). She held you close as you sniffled and cried, laying the sunflowers she had bought for you on top of Cough Drops before covering them with dirt. She even sang to the guinea pig, per your request.

Oh, the things she would do for love.

Which brings us to the final and fourth attempt. Ryujin was beyond nervous, meticulously arranging a romantic picnic at the park and even persuading Yeji to make her special spaghetti, knowing it was your favorite. She had made up a sorry excuse of wanting to take a walk after class, and you gladly accompanied her without any hesitation. 

"Something on your mind?" you asked, gently tapping her arm with your fingers.

Ryujin shook her head, offering you an unconvincing smile. "Nothing. I'm just glad you're here."

You leaned against her shoulder, interlocking your hands with her clammy ones. "I'm glad you're here too, Ryujinnie. I'm lucky to have you as my best friend."

The word "friend" made Ryujin flinch, but she held onto hope that she could change that today. However, before she could take you to the location she had everything set up, a downpour along with thunder ruined her plans. 

Drenched and frustrated, she walked you back to the door of your room, feeling defeated. 

"It's okay, Ryujinnie. I still had fun," you tried to cheer her up. "It's always fun when I'm with you."

She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket and sighed in defeat. 

"Do you want to dry off in my room and watch a movie?"

Ryujin shook her head, running her hands through her dripping hair. "I've ruined my chance."

"What chance?" Confusion filled your voice. When she brought you to the park, you thought she simply wanted to change your usual Friday movie nights for something different.

Ryujin took a deep breath, looking into your eyes. It was now or never. "I have feelings for you," she blurted out. "I always have."

"Ryujin..." You were taken aback. You too had feelings for her, but the fear of losing her if things didn't work out had held you back.

"We're better off as friends."

Ryujin stepped closer, grasping your warm hands in hers. "Why?"

"Because love only knows broken ends."

"You don't know that." Ryujin pulled you closer, their breath brushing against your face. She was warm, so close. All it took was leaning forward a few centimeters, and your relationship would be forever changed. 

“Tell me, do you feel anything for me too?”

“I-” You looked everywhere but at her. “I don’t.”

“Are you sure?” Her lips softly caressed  your cheeks, making your heart go in a frenzy.

You gulped, struggling to maintain self-control. "Yes."

"If you're sure, I can leave," she murmured, her breath mingling with your hair, a slight smile forming on her lips. She could feel your defenses breaking down.

"Don't go." Your hand tightened around her jacket.

"Then give me a chance." Ryujin gave you that smile capable of winning countless hearts, the smile she reserved only for you. "Let me change your mind."

"Okay." Unable to resist any longer, overwhelmed by her scent and proximity, you pulled on the collar of her jacket and brought her lips to yours.

She smiled, finally having you like this in her arms and getting the chance to kiss you after years of waiting. The kiss started off slow but quickly became passionate. Both of you had too many unspoken feelings hidden beneath the facade of friendship, and now they rushed to the surface. It was a kiss unlike any you had experienced before, making your head spin. You yearned to explore more of Ryujin, wanting to mold yourself into her and be enveloped by her warmth every second of the day.

As your tongue traced the outline of her lips, she pulled back, panting and blushing. Her heart raced, and the sight of you—lips swollen, hair disheveled, and dazed—made her feel even more.

Ryujin laughed contentedly, knowing that all the waiting had finally paid off. 

"I'll change your mind," she whispered in your ear before gently pushing you into your room for another long-awaited makeout session.

And she did.

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Among the Wildflowers (Part 1)

Kang Haerin x Reader

GENRE: fluff, angst

TYPE: Two-part series (Part 2)

Haerin is older than her actual age in this story

The ceiling fan let out a creak as the shutters turned slowly, offering zero relief from the scorching summer heat. You wiped the sweat from your brow with your forearm, still adjusting to the city's humidity. Under your parents' insistence, you had recently moved to Seoul due to its reputation for having the most heart donors. They promptly secured you a spot in one of the city's esteemed hospitals.

That's why you found yourself at your aunt’s flower shop on a Wednesday morning, instead of being in your final year of college. The heart transplant waitlist was lengthy, leaving you with little to do but undergo treatment and wait. The presence of flowers and plants offered some solace from your worries.

You were so immersed in your work that you failed to notice the presence of someone entering through the open door. The stranger tried to catch your attention several times, but you were bent over the pots in front of you, carefully measuring the amount of fertilizer. 

A tap on your shoulder made you jump in surprise, accidentally knocking over a pot. Clutching your chest, you tried to calm the racing of your already weakened heart. Glancing up, you saw a girl, around your height, with long light brown hair and big feline eyes. She sported silver-framed glasses and a long white doctor's robe.

"I'm so sorry," she bit her lip, swiftly bending down to help pick up the broken pieces of the pot. "I can pay."

"No, no. It's fine, I'll take care of it later," you assured her. "How can I help you?"

The girl straightened up, adjusting her glasses. "I'd like to buy some flowers." Her gaze shifted to her scuffed white shoes, hands tucked shyly into her coat pockets.

"Sure, what kind of flowers are you looking for?" you inquired.

A cute frown creased her forehead as she thought for a moment. "What do your customers usually get?"

"It varies," you replied, "each flower holds its own special meaning."

"Ah." Her gaze remained on her shoes.

She was the shyest person you ever met, and you could tell this conversation was not going to go anywhere without a little push.

“What occasion are the flowers for?” You pressed, hoping that this mystery girl can give you some insight on what she wanted, or you think both of you would die from awkwardness. 

“I want to buy flowers for some kids.” 

“For their birthday?” 

“No.” 

“Graduation?” 

“No.” 

You sighed, exasperated. This was going nowhere. 

“You have to give me some context in order for me to figure out what flowers you need.”

Finally, after what felt like hours, the girl gathered her thoughts and stammered out, “Th-they’re my patients. I want flowers to make them feel better.”

Despite her communication struggles, you couldn't help but feel a fondness for her. Not every day did you encounter a doctor so genuinely caring for their patients. You had your fair share of doctors, and they were never like this. 

“I think sunflowers would work.” You said, passing her a fresh sunflower, “They symbolize happiness and strength. And also they are very cute to look at.” 

As she held the sunflower, her eyes lit up with a radiant glow. Even without a smile, she possessed a certain prettiness, but when her eyes squinted and her mouth transformed into a toothy grin, her beauty was elevated to a new level.

"I think the kids would love this," she said, her eyes meeting yours, brimming with excitement.

Her newfound happiness was infectious, lifting your spirits as well. With another shy smile, she left the shop, clutching a bouquet of sunflowers. You watched her through the window, a skip in her step as she headed toward the hospital.

.

.

.

.

From that first encounter, you saw her every Wednesday like clockwork. The familiar cat-like eyes would shyly enter the shop, and your warm greeting would turn her into a stuttering mess. It took her a moment to explain the purpose of each bouquet – sometimes for new parents, for sick children, or for recovering patients leaving the hospital. After each visit, she would leave with a variety of flowers, from Blossoms to Lilies, accompanied by her endearing shy smile.

On her fourth visit, you learned her name – Haerin. She was a medical resident at a nearby hospital, the same one where you received your treatments. She was working towards becoming a surgeon. With each visit, the shifts became more apparent – a glimmer of excitement dancing in her eyes whenever she talked about her work. Gone was the evasiveness; instead, her gaze now lingered upon yours, a testament to her newfound openness. Her feline-like eyes held yours longer, as if whispering secrets between blinks, mirroring the candid exchange of thoughts that flowed seamlessly between you both. She was opening up to you, as you were with her. 

You didn't realize how much you enjoyed her presence and how much you looked forward to her visits until she didn't come on the tenth week.

9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock... You continued to glance at the clock behind the counter, waiting for Haerin's arrival. You were worried; Haerin was never late. You wanted to call her to make sure everything was okay, but then it hit you that you were never that close to her. You didn't even have her phone number, you didn't know her last name. She was just a customer, and you were just the florist who would listen to her thoughts as she bought flowers for the people she cared for. You had begun to think of her as your friend. Trying not to be disappointed, you started to clear the shop, getting ready to head home for the day.

"Shit, shit, shit," Haerin muttered as she hurried down the block, doing her best to navigate through the streets without spilling the two cups of coffee in her hands. 

She had always been a consistent person and hated any changes in her schedule. Today was Wednesday, and Wednesdays were special. Wednesdays were what she eagerly looked forward to every week– a chance to spend a few minutes chatting with you. However, a late-night surgery had thrown off her schedule. She had fallen asleep on her couch after returning home, only waking up at four in the afternoon. Despite the setback, seeing you was non-negotiable for her.

Her heart sank when she arrived at your shop's front doors, finding them already locked with a "Closed" sign displayed. Frustrated with herself for forgetting to set an alarm, she kicked the ground in disappointment. As she started to turn away, she caught the sound of shuffling from behind the shop. Quietly following the path leading to the garden and greenhouse, she discovered you tending to the garden bed.

Seeing you filled her heart with an inexplicable feeling, as if her emotions were in a jumbled mess. She pretended it was because you were a great listener, but deep now, she knew it was something more.

"Y/N," she called out, startling you just as she had the first time you met.

You jumped, clutching your chest in response to the sudden sound. Lately, your heart had been acting up, and the surprise didn't help matters.

Turning around, you met Haerin's gaze, your heart fluttering despite the momentary pain.The light of the setting sun reflected on her face, scattering a golden glow that highlighted her almond-shaped eyes and made her gentle expression even more inviting.

"Hey, Haerin," you quickly composed yourself, brushing dirt off your pants as you approached her.

Although still embraced by the gloden hues of dusk, you could see how tired Haerin was, her dark circles contrasting against her windblown hair. “Are you okay?”

"Y-yeah," she stammered under your scrutinizing look. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it today."

"It's okay. I understand you must have been busy," you reassured her. "There are more important things than buying flowers."

"No, no!" Haerin hurriedly explained, stumbling over her words. "I was part of a surgery that lasted eleven hours. I got home late and overslept. I didn't wake up until now, and I realized I had no way to reach you since I don't have your number, and..."

"It's alright, Rinnie," you chuckled, taking one of the coffee cups from her and sipping. "Mmm, that's good. Thanks."

Rinnie. You gave her a nickname. Haerin squealed internally at the thought of getting her first nickname ever, and it was by you. 

“Do you have to go back to work?” 

She shook her head, relief washing over her. "No, I have the day off."

"Want to help me water the flowers?"

Haerin had never been particularly attentive to plants since her childhood. Somehow, every plant that ended up under her care seemed doomed, meeting an untimely demise due to her neglect. She often ended up giving them away before she could forget to water them and seal their fate. However, being around you was a different story.

"Come, let me show you the greenhouse," you invited, leading her toward a massive three-story glass structure that stood behind the shop.

Your aunt had dedicated half her life to constructing this impressive greenhouse. Rising three stories high, it boasted intricate glass designs that permitted the sun's rays to illuminate every corner. The structure also featured a variety of shutters, each designed to cater to the specific life cycles of the flowers it housed. Your aunt was meticulous in her approach, taking personal charge of planting the majority of the flowers. Only occasionally did she import more delicate varieties that required special care.

Entering the greenhouse, Haerin was awestruck. She was amazed that such a place could exist in the busy streets of Seoul, hidden behind skyscrapers and neon lights.  The sweet scent of flowers enveloped her, reminiscent of the fragrance she associated with you.

At the back, there was a small decorative pond. As a child, you used to spend hours watching the frogs and fish glide through the water, mesmerized by their graceful movements. Surprisingly, the young doctor shared your excitement. She stared at the frogs intently, even taking photos of them with her phone. You let her enjoy the sight while you finished taking care of the plants, occasionally checking in on her with a smile.

"You know, the longest-lived frog reached 40 years," she suddenly shared after observing the frogs for a while.

You laughed at her unexpected fact as you continued to tend the rose bushes. "Really? That's over a hundred in frog years, right?"

“Yeah, like 180 in human years.”

"I can't imagine myself living that long," you mused.

"Why?" Haerin furrowed her brows and tilted her head, looking like an adorable confused kitten. "Most people I see in the hospital wish to live forever."

"When you're that old, all the people you love have left the world already. I think it would be quite lonely," you scratched your chin, thinking. "And besides, I don't need to live forever. I just want to be remembered by somebody, and that's enough."

Haerin's gaze met yours, and in that moment, she vowed to remember you forever. She hoped you would remember her too. Or perhaps, she'd make sure you wouldn't forget her. She decided the first step was to charm you with frog trivia.

“Some frogs weigh more than 3 kilograms.” 

"Okay, that's pretty scary. Thank God I don't have those here," you laughed again, standing up from the bushes and grabbing your tools.

"Let's go, Dr. Doolittle," you teased, gently bumping her shoulder with yours.

"I just really like frogs," Haerin turned a bright pink at your teasing and reached over to carry the tools for you.

And I really like you, she thought.

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After that day, Haerin would talk to you every day. You would stay up texting her, keeping her company during her night shifts, or she would drop by for a quick lunch with you when she had the time. She continued to buy flowers from you every Wednesday, paying full attention to you as you entertained her with a new species of flower every time, going through all the facts and symbolization. Haerin was enamored by you, and you felt the same about her. Her quirky jokes and random animal knowledge were endearing, and you found yourself constantly thinking about her and missing her when she wasn't there.

You were falling, and you were falling fast.

As weeks slipped by like a fleeting dream, the summer's swelter surrendered to brisk mornings and gusty afternoons. Time marched on, relentless, yet the same could not be said for the sluggish progress of the heart donor list.

The wait remained as long as ever, and the pains in your chest had become more frequent. Sometimes you would wake up in the middle of the night, feeling as though your heart might leap out of your chest or stop at any moment.

After procrastinating for far too long, you finally found yourself in the office of one of the nation's most esteemed cardiologists. Yet, within the depths of your awareness lay the unwavering truth – no cardiologist could save you, only a new heart could.  

"Have you been taking your medicine?" Doctor Kang asked sternly, pushing back his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"I forget sometimes," you muttered, guiltily.

"Y/N, you have to take the medicine four times a day," he said. "It helps with the chest pains."

"Yeah, but it won't help with the heart failure."

Doctor Kang sighed, scratching his greying beard. He was worried; your test results weren't good. But he was an insistent man, and he would do everything he could to keep you alive and healthy until you could get a new heart.

"Don't give up yet, Y/N," he gave you a soft smile that made his almond-shaped eyes crinkle around the edges, reminding you of the girl you adored. "Please take your medicine and come back the same time next month."

"Thanks, doc," you nodded, getting up from the chair. "I like the flowers."

Doctor Kang's gaze drifted fondly to the pink daisies adorning his table. You knew without a doubt that Haerin had delivered them – a bouquet of pink daisies, just like the ones she purchased from your shop the day before. You had spotted a similar arrangement at the front desk as well.

"I like them too," he grinned, his face lighting up. "They're from my daughter."

You walked back home in a daze. Doctor Kang was Haerin's father. You slapped your forehead, berating yourself for not realizing it sooner. Her last name was Kang, and she had mentioned that she came from a family of doctors. How had you missed such an obvious connection? As you replayed your conversations with Haerin in your mind, you couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions. You hoped that Doctor Kang wouldn't mention you in front of Haerin. You were afraid of how she would react if she knew about your health condition. The thought of her worrying about you weighed heavily on your mind as you continued walking, lost in your thoughts.

Abruptly turning a corner, you collided headfirst with another person. "Sorry, I didn't see—" you began apologetically.

"Y/N? Hey," a familiar voice chimed in. Haerin's face lit up with joy as she greeted you, her eyes shimmering with excitement.

"Y/N?" Another voice, this one also donning a white doctor's coat, inquired. She shifted her gaze between you and Haerin. Jealousy pricked at you as you noticed the way the girl's arms were linked with Haerin's. "The famous Y/N?"

Sensing your gaze, Haerin pulled her arms away from the other girls, and sheepishly smoothed her hair. “Cut it out.” she muttered, slightly pushing the girl. 

"Hello, Y/N. I'm Hanni," the girl introduced herself with infectious enthusiasm, standing on her tiptoes to pull you into a hug. "I've been dying to meet you.  Oh My God. This one here has been talking about you nonstop.”

Raising an eyebrow, you shot Haerin a playful look, prompting her to blush even deeper.

"Stop it, Hanni," she said, pulling the exuberant girl away from you. "You're smoldering her."

As it turned out, Hanni was not only Haerin's childhood best friend but also her fellow doctor-in-training. Despite their shared background, they were complete opposites in terms of demeanor – Hanni was boisterous and lively, whereas Haerin remained shy and reserved. However, their shared kindness and compassion were what had drawn you to the cat-like girl.

After what seemed like a drawn-out exchange for Haerin, Hanni finally departed for her shift, but not before playfully whispering to Haerin, "You better confess before I do."

The taunt turned Haerin into a flustered mess.

Haerin walked you back home, her white coat gently draped over your shoulders to keep you warm. The two of you walked toward the shop, side-by-side, in comfortable silence. Although every fiber of her being longed to reach down and intertwine her fingers with yours, Haerin couldn't muster  the courage to make that gesture. Instead, her fingers twitched nervously by her side, a silent indication of the unspoken feelings that lingered between you.

"I'm sorry about Hanni," Haerin began, her voice laced with apology. "She can be a bit overwhelming at times."

“I like her.” You assured. “She’s funny.”

A vulnerable smile crossed Haerin’s lips.

“And I like you.” she blurted out. It was now or never. She had spent so many sleepless nights thinking about how to convey her feelings, but nothing seemed to be the perfect solution. So here she was, on a crisp autumn night, revealing her emotions without any scripted lines.

You halted your steps, turning to gaze at the blushing girl before you. Her feline eyes radiated adoration and hope. 

"I like you, too," you chuckled, playfully teasing. "But you'll have to try harder than that."

Haerin's relief transformed into a radiant grin. She tenderly reached down and enveloped your hands in her own.

Lifting them to her lips, she whispered, "Don’t worry. I’ll plant you a sea of blossoms if I have to, just to have you remember me.”

We all need a bit of sweetness to balance out the pain.

More angst to come 👀

Part 2

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Handle It

Son Chaeyoung x reader

GENRE: angst, slight fluff

TAGS: idol, heartbreak

TYPE: Request, Drabble

Slightly out of breath after your performance, you rushed off the stage with your fellow members, making your way down the long hallways toward your designated lounge. Your legs felt shaky and weak from a combination of exhaustion and a lack of food.

It was the second week of your promotions, and despite the initial excitement of finally being able to release new music to your fans, you were feeling drained both physically and mentally.

Even though AESPA had built up a sizable audience before your official debut, and you had thousands of fans cheering you on during each promotion stage, you couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of loneliness. This comeback was notably different - it was the first one without Chaeyoung. Memories of her sneaking into your practice rooms for a quick kiss of good luck or her comforting hugs waiting for you in bed after long months of promotions haunted you.

Not even the enthusiastic smiles of MYs, your loyal fans,  in the audience could fill the aching void in your heart.

"Are you okay?" Minjeong's soft murmur reached your ears, and her comforting hand gently squeezed yours as you walked down the hallway with the other girls.

You shook your head, unable to find the words to express the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside you. The lump in your throat seemed insurmountable, and it took all your strength to keep from breaking down.

Minjeong, always perceptive, noticed the exhaustion in your eyes and wrapped her arms around your waist, leading you forward with a gentle but firm touch.

As your roommate, she had been witness to the quiet tears that flowed from your bed late at night and had observed how you hardly touched your food. She understood the pain you were going through after your difficult breakup with Chaeyoung, but she struggled to find a way to help you open up about it. Nevertheless, she was unwavering in her determination to be there for you, offering her support when you needed it most. After all, you were not just friends; you were best friends who had supported each other through countless heartbreaks and the pressures of the idol life.

The hallways were cramped and noisy, filled with idols and backstage workers rushing in various directions to their designated spots. The bright lights and loud commotion were giving you a pounding headache, and all you wanted was to return to your dorm and sleep for the rest of the week.

"Eunchae!" Jimin and Yizhuo suddenly exclaimed from up ahead, waving excitedly to the youngest member of Le Sserafim.

"Unnie!" Eunchae giggled in response, equally thrilled. "I saw the performance! You guys were amazing!"

Eunchae was followed by a filming crew, apparently working on the next episode of Star Diary. Your group had a close relationship with the younger girl, especially Jimin and Yizhuo, who had appeared in one of her episodes before.

Eagerly bouncing over to give all of you a hug, Eunchae grinned and gestured to two figures within her filming crew. "I'm filming with TWICE today!"

Glancing over her shoulder, you spotted the person you had been dreading to see the most: Chaeyoung. She looked as beautiful as ever, with her messy blonde hair and bangs falling into her eyes. She was wearing a simple rock-band t-shirt and black jeans, proudly displaying her tattoos. You remembered lying in bed, tracing over those tattoos with your fingertips while you watched her compose one song after another. 

Standing next to her was Jeongyeon, and by the looks Jeongyeon was giving you, it was clear she knew about the misunderstanding between you and Chaeyoung. Even more evident was the fact that Jeongyeon was on Chaeyoung's side.

"Annyeonghaseyo sunbaenim," Jimin and the rest of your group quickly bowed out of respect, with the two seniors doing the same.

An awkward silence hung in the air, and you could see Eunchae struggling to find something to say.

"I think we should head back to our lounge," Minjeong smoothly suggested, gently pulling you closer to her protectively. "We have interviews in another hour."

Chaeyoung's eyes narrowed as she noticed Minjeong's hand on your waist, her face contorting with jealousy. You knew that look all too well - it was the same look she had worn when you ended things between you. The fire in her typically calm eyes, the twisted expression that hid her welcoming smile.

You despised that look on her, and you loathed how the words that usually followed it would cut like knives into your heart. Her anger brought up flashbacks of how sour your relationship ended, and you worked on blinking away the tears that were starting to gather in the corners of your eyes. 

Seeing your seniors glaring at you, Jimin and Aeri quickly positioned themselves in front of you, shielding you from their view. Although your members were usually polite and friendly, they were not hesitant to protect you from other seniors. After all, you were their maknae, and they were very protective of you.

"It was nice meeting you, sunbaenims," Yizhuo said coolly, offering another respectful bow. "Eunchae, we can catch up later."

Eunchae was left momentarily speechless by the encounter. Confusion must have crossed her mind as she witnessed the rather cold interaction between the two groups. After all, everyone thought you were all quite close. Aeri often hung out with TWICE's Japanese members, and Jihyo was frequently seen taking all of you to lunch, treating you like her own children. You were famously known to spend time with Chaeyoung and Mina, watching movies together and visiting museums. You were all close, until the breakup happened.

You gave Eunchae a small, reassuring smile and squeezed her arm before leading the way down the hallway, the rest of your group surrounding you like a protective barrier.

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After yet another decline to a movie night from you, the girls had had enough. It was time for an intervention.

It had been a few months since the breakup, and they were tired of seeing you moping around and refusing to take care of yourself. Your obvious weight loss, the dark circles under your eyes, and your lack of presence on stage were deeply concerning. They all knew you took your performances and practice seriously, always giving your all, but lately, your eyes had seemed vacant, empty of emotion. Even fans and media outlets had caught on, spreading news and negative comments about your declining health. Everyone was worried, everyone but you.

"Yah! Kim Y/N! Wake the hell up!" Yizhuo yelled, storming into your shared room with Minjeong and flicking on the lights.

Aeri followed closely behind, yanking your blankets off, while Jimin jumped on top of you, shaking your shoulders to rouse you.

You groaned, your eyes squinting under the sudden brightness before burying your face deeper into your pillow.

"I'm tired," you huffed in annoyance, trying to push Jimin off. "Leave me alone."

"Not a chance, Y/N," Jimin said sternly. "We need to talk."

You stiffened at Jimin's tone. She didn't often assert her leader's authority like this, and you could tell she was not happy with you. Reluctantly, you sat up, rubbing your eyes and then looking at the four pairs of worried eyes before you.

"This has got to stop. You're being self-destructive," Jimin pointed an accusing finger at you, her brows furrowing in concern.

It was unusual to see Jimin this serious; she was typically the hyper one among the five of you, which made her current demeanor all the more unsettling.

Seeking support from Minjeong, you turned to her, but she shook her head and avoided your gaze. She knew this wasn't her place to intervene, and she too had grown tired of your self-destructive behavior.

"I'm n—" you began, but Jimin's glare silenced you. 

"Y/N, we don't know what happened between you and Chaeyoung, but we're here for you. Please talk to us, or at least tell us what we can do to make you feel better," Aeri begged, sitting down on your bed and pulling you into a comforting hug.

Her embrace triggered a torrent of tears. You were so exhausted from feeling this way, from the ache Chaeyoung had left in your heart. As you sobbed into Aeri's arms, the rest of the girls quickly joined the hug, soothingly stroking your head and patting your back. You weren't known for being the one to cry in the group; they rarely saw you shed tears (except for Minjeong, who was aware of your late-night crying sessions). So, they knew how serious this was.

"I'm sorry," you cried as they attempted to comfort you. "I'll try to get better."

"Please spend some time with us or your friends," Yizhuo urged, "and stop skipping meals. Everyone is worried."

"And also quit smoking," Minjeong added, her words slipping out before she could stop them.

Your eyes widened in fear as they met hers, and both of you silently prayed that Jimin hadn't heard.

"SMOKING?" Jimin shouted, her entire frame trembling with anger. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SMOKING?"

The rest of the girls looked at you with pity. They knew about the bad habits you'd developed, everyone except your leader.

"Good luck," Yizhuo whispered, squeezing your hand before hurrying out of the room with Aeri and Minjeong.

“I’m going to kill Chaeyoung,” Jimin muttered, before throwing a fit. 

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After that decisive intervention and a stern talking-to from Jimin about smoking, you slowly began the process of piecing yourself back together. Taking additional dance lessons with Minjeong, you gradually regained the strength you had lost. You also kept busy by participating in more entertainment shows, striving to prove to your fans that you had returned even stronger than before. Despite your efforts, thoughts of that particular blonde never left your mind, influencing every aspect of your life.

On the other hand, Chaeyoung managed to maintain a polished facade in public, but behind closed doors, she would often break down. Your favorite sweater still sat neatly on your side of the bed, and some of your plush toys remained arranged exactly as you left them in her room. Without you there, her room felt too big, too desolate.

She attempted to dismiss your significance as just another fling in front of her members, but they could see through her facade. They knew that you were the reason why Chaeyoung seemed to be permanently stationed in the recording studio now, and why her laughter no longer reached the depth of her eyes.

“If you keep doing this, our next album is only going to be ballads and sad songs.” Tzuyu settled down beside the blonde, who was fervently jotting down in her notebook, surrounded by crumpled paper balls.

The early hours of the morning found the tall maknae at JYP's studio, her brow furrowed with concern. Jihyo had reached out earlier, requesting her to check on the brooding Chaeyoung. Despite the other TWICE members' efforts to persuade her to leave the studio and spend time with them, their attempts had all been in vain. It was time to play the maknae card.

It had been a while since Tzuyu had seen her unnie, and she understood how Chaeyoung tended to withdraw when left alone. So she enlisted the help of the cheeriest and most boisterous person she could find, urging them to drive with her to the studio to locate the heartbroken idol.

"What do you mean? I only write lead singles," Chaeyoung attempted to force a smile, concealing her true feelings.

"Mina unnie told me she saw you clutching your notebook to your chest and weeping into the microphone last night," the tall maknae deadpanned.

"Tzuyu!" Nayeon interjected, nudging the girl gently.

"What Tzuyu meant was that we know you've been feeling down lately, and we want you to know that we are here for you."

Chaeyoung nodded slowly, her mind lost in thought. She was aware that her mood was causing worry among her fellow members, yet she couldn't bring herself to open up to them, knowing she would be unable to contain her emotions if she started talking.

"I'll be fine," the blonde murmured, avoiding the concerned glances of her members.

Sighing, Tzuyu pulled the smaller girl into a gentle embrace, offering her comfort. It was unusual for the younger girl to initiate physical contact, indicating how much Chaeyoung's absence had troubled her.

"Stop being stubborn and just apologize," Tzuyu advised, stroking her hair tenderly. Not to worsen the pain but to address the issue, she continued, "You crossed the line. She's hurting more than you are."

Chaeyoung bit her lip and nodded, finally setting aside her pride and acknowledging her role in causing immense pain. She was determined to make amends, but not before addressing her own insecurities. She didn't want to inflict any more harm on you than she already had.

"But for now... I can take you out for drinks to take your mind off things," Nayeon chimed in, flashing a toothy smile, which earned an appreciative nod from the blonde.

The night ended with one irresponsible unnie getting the maknae line intoxicated. Jihyo was furious upon seeing a video of Chaeyoung loudly cursing into the studio microphone and brandishing an empty bottle of soju, while Tzuyu lay on the floor attempting to count non-existent stars through the windowless studio.

At least this drunken escapade managed to get the Chaeyoung back on her feet. Jihyo reassured herself as she attended meeting after meeting with the board, explaining the situation and attempting to appease the public.

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Promotions had become a whirlwind after the success of your comeback, your schedule jam-packed with overseas travel. SM Entertainment was determined to expand your fanbase internationally, hence your prolonged absence from South Korea for several months.

The busy schedule and the time spent away from South Korea had been somewhat healing for your heart, gradually piecing it back together as days merged into months. You were content to have missed out on the award shows and music banks, places where you were likely to cross paths with the members of TWICE.

In your second week back, you took the time to reconnect with all of your friends after having lost touch with them for a while. Your close friend Haewon was overjoyed at your return and invited you for a sleepover at the NMIXX dorms. You shared a close bond with the girls, particularly Haewon, as you were both the same age and had originally trained in the same company. You had been a JYP trainee for several years before transitioning to SM, enticed by their promise of an immediate debut. It was through the workshops held by TWICE that you first met Chaeyoung.

Somehow, the original planned movie night turned into a pillow fight with the girls. You were carrying Haewon on her back, and she was waving a large pillow determined as you faced your competitors, Lily and Bae. 

With a battle cry, Haewon tugged at your hair like reins, signaling you to charge.You ran towards the two girls, and Haewon braced herself before swinging like a mad man, trying to get Bae off of Lily’s back. You managed to miss out on the fight despite amidst it, as Haewon’s hands were holding onto your face and covering your eyes every time she lost balance (which was 90% of the time).

When your vision finally cleared, you saw the two girls sitting on the living room floor, attempting to disentangle themselves, while Haewon remained on your back, her hair wild, and the rest of the girls laughing from the sofa, thoroughly entertained by the fight.

"We're such a good team," Haewon exclaimed, still swinging around on your back, attempting to flex her non-existent biceps. "If I were gay, I'd date you."

"I think Y/N unnie was blind the entire time, though," Sullyoon chimed in with a giggle.

"And deaf. Haewon was screaming in my ears," you added, attempting to rid yourself of the ringing in your ears.

"I think I'm going deaf too," Lily muttered, sitting up and rubbing her ears. "You nearly killed us with your screams, woman."

Before Haewon could retort with a witty remark, a sharp knock resounded from the door. The girls exchanged perplexed glances. Visitors were rare, given the strict rules at JYP's dorms regarding unauthorized entry, unless it was their manager.

Who could possibly be seeking them out at 1 in the morning?

Another impatient knock echoed through the silence.

Haewon hopped down from your back and cautiously approached the door. 

"Who is it?" she called out, her voice tinged with a hint of fear. 

No response, just an unsettling silence.

"Maybe it's manager-nim?" Kyujin whispered, seeing their leader's hesitation. 

As the group's leader and one of the oldest members, Haewon had always strived to be responsible and resilient, but bravery was admittedly not her strong suit. She was trembling as she slowly inched her way forward. 

"C'mon, I'll go with you," you offered, taking her hand and guiding her toward the door. 

Another set of urgent knocks reverberated, prompting the shorter girl to seek refuge behind your figure, clutching your arm in worry.

"What do you—" Your words were cut off as you swung the door open, revealing Chaeyoung with her fists raised to knock once more.

"Chaeyoung," you whispered, her presence once again taking your breath away.

Somehow, seeing her up close ripped open all the wounds you had painstakingly mended over the past few months, ushering in waves of pain as your heart lurched and faltered.

The older girl was adorned in a cozy beige woolen sweater and grey sweatpants, topped with the familiar grey beanie you had gifted her a few years ago. The rolled-up sleeves of her sweater revealed her tattoo-covered forearms, the collection seemingly grew during your time apart. She looked as breathtakingly beautiful as the last time you had seen her, except for the dark circles that now seemed etched beneath her eyes.

"Y/N," she breathed, offering you a sad smile that hinted at her dimples. "Hey."

"Oh, annyeonghaseyo Sunbaenim," Haewon's head popped up from behind you, her grip on your arms still firm.

She quickly bowed in respect, a mix of confusion and slight worry in her eyes, having been on the receiving end of Chaeyoung's fits of jealousy during your trainee days when you were too close.

You braced yourself for the familiar look of jealousy from Chaeyoung, the intense glare that always made you flinch, but to your surprise, there was none. Instead, her eyes conveyed a haunting sorrow, paired with a small genuine smile.

"Hey, Haewon," Chaeyoung greeted, reciprocating the bow without a hint of anger. "Do you mind if I borrow Y/N for a bit?"

Haewon looked at you with uncertainty, and you gently squeezed her hand, nodding in reassurance. Despite the ache in your heart, warning you to keep your distance from the blonde, you found yourself inexplicably drawn to her, yearning to be near her. Besides, this composed and collected version of Chaeyoung was a new sight to behold.

Closing the door behind her, you found yourself alone in the empty hallway with the girl who held the power to either shatter you in seconds or offer you a taste of heaven. The gentle scent of detergent and lavender lingered in the air, bringing back memories of being held in her arms.

You waited patiently as the idol fidgeted with the rings adorning her fingers, her gaze fixated on her worn-out sneakers, lips pressed tightly together. 

"If there's nothing you want–"

"Come with me," she interjected abruptly, immediately flushing at her unintended interruption. "I m-mean, can you go somewhere with me?" 

Mustering up her courage, she finally met your gaze, her warm eyes causing another surge in your heart. You found yourself nodding in agreement and following her out of the building without a second thought. She could lead you to your own destruction, and you would still follow her. You could picture your unnies shaking their heads in disappointment at you right now. 

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.

Chaeyoung was nervous. Scratch that, she was terrified. 

It felt like her one and only opportunity to win back the girl of her dreams, and the fear of ruining things was suffocating. It had been so long since she had last seen you, and all she wanted was to pull you into a tight embrace and never let go. She wanted to fall to her knees and plead for forgiveness, but at the moment of seeing you, her mind had gone blank, unable to form coherent sentences.

Now, with you seated in the front of her car, the wind tousling your hair, she couldn’t help but admire your beauty. The soft illumination from the streetlights cast a gentle glow over your features, accentuating your angelic features as the car glided down the street.

She was resolute in her determination never to let you slip away again, if you allowed her to stay. The past few months without you had been torture, and you were the angelic presence that had lifted her from the depths of despair. She loved you more than anything, and she was ready to spend the rest of her life ensuring you knew it.

"The studio?" you asked, eyebrows raised as you recognized the familiar parking lot that Chaeyoung pulled into.

"Yeah, I wanted to show you something," she responded, opening the door for you. "If that's okay?"

You nodded. How could you ever say no to those hopeful eyes?

It was like déjà vu all over again: you sitting on the familiar black sofa, and Chaeyoung fumbling with the buttons and levers of the recording panel in front of the room. The sight of her trying to set everything up brought bittersweet memories. Days spent in the studio, watching her compose and record, flashed through your mind. 

"I wrote a song for you," Chaeyoung stated after a prolonged silence. "PD-nim wanted it for our upcoming album, but I want your approval first."

You nodded, giving her silent permission to continue.

She fetched two headphones from the table and walked over to you. Out of habit, she gently placed them on your head.  The soft pads of the headphones met your ears, and her fingertips, warm and tender, brushed your cheeks, sending an electric current through your body. Your heart quickened its pace, pounding in your chest, and you involuntarily drew in a sharp, trembling breath, caught in the gravity of the moment.

Realizing her mistake and mistaking your reaction for annoyance, she jumped back in embarrassment. "Sorry. Habits die hard."

Returning to the panel, she took a few deep breaths to compose herself. Your reaction only intensified her self-doubt. Perhaps she was too late. Perhaps she had hurt you too much for you to forgive her.

With a click of the play button, music filled your ears as you focused on Chaeyoung. She tapped her feet nervously, her eyes shifting from her hands to your face as you listened.  Mina's rare lower register sent shivers down your spine, but you found it hard to focus on the lyrics; all you wanted was to hear Chaeyoung sing it to you, to hear her true feelings.

"Stop," you said suddenly, removing your headphones. "Please stop."

Chaeyoung quickly pressed pause, her fingers trembling at the thought that you didn't like the song or didn't want to know what she had to say. 

"You don't like it?" she asked, crestfallen.

You shook your head. "I want to hear you sing it for me. Just you. Like you always did."

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Chaeyoung reached for the guitar on the nearby stand. If singing this song to you would make you happy, she would do it, no matter how vulnerable it made her. Her eyes met yours before she began to sing. The hint of a smile on your face and your tender expression gave her the courage to express her true feelings, to apologize for all the wrongs she had committed, for hurting you.

Words were never her strong suit, so she often hid her true thoughts behind harsh words to protect herself, but it had only broken your heart. Her eyes never left yours as she sang, conveying her apology for her jealousy, the hurtful words, the fights, and the misplaced anger directed at you. She tried her best to convey that she couldn't live without you and that she loved you.

As the final strum of the guitar echoed in the air, the two of you looked at each other, tears glistening in your eyes, the long-overdue apology finally spoken. All you wanted was to forgive the tormented girl before you, to kiss away her pain and tell her you loved her too, but you were afraid of getting hurt again.

"I'm so sorry, Y/N," Chaeyoung said, placing the guitar down and kneeling in front of you, grasping your cold hands in her warm ones.

"I'm sorry for hurting you."

She reached up to wipe the tears from your cheeks, and as you closed your eyes, leaning into her touch, her warmth, her scent, her presence filled the void in your heart, but you worried that when she left, you would have to start healing all over again.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to understand what I did wrong. I was so selfish and sure of myself that I ignored your feelings," she continued, gently stroking your face as tears streamed down her own.

"I shouldn't have projected my past trauma onto you. That was unfair. I should have trusted you instead of trying to keep you away from everyone just because I was insecure."

"Chae..." Her nickname slipped from your lips, making her heart soar.

"Jagi, please forgive me," she implored, pressing your hands to her lips and kissing them. "I can't handle another day without you."

You sighed, pulling your hand away from her lips to rub your forehead. Deep down, you wanted to be with her again. She was like a drug; the closer you got, the stronger the withdrawal. You knew that after this encounter, it would take your heart several months to heal again.

"I don't think I can handle another heartbreak, Chaeyoung."

At that, the light in her eyes dimmed, and she bit her lip, struggling to hold back her sobs. Slowly rising from the floor, she turned around, pretending to switch off the machines and speakers, although you knew she was trying hard to compose herself.

"I understand," she whispered, her back still turned to you.

She looked so small, so defeated, and you couldn't bear to see her in so much pain any longer. She may have had issues to resolve, but so did you. With her close, you knew she would always be the only one for you. She was like air in deep water, providing support and slowly pulling you towards the surface.

You approached her slowly, observing her body shake with quiet sobs as she stood facing her feet. Wrapping your arms around her waist, you buried your face in her hair, pressing kisses to the exposed skin in comfort.

"But I don't think I can handle losing you again."

Not fully structured, but just wanted to drop something for you guys.

Please let me know what you think!

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

At My Weakest

Ahn Yujin x F reader

GENRE: angst, slight fluff

TAGS: broken friendship, unrequited love, best friends

TYPE: Request

Closing the heavy metal gate with a gentle push, Yujin walked along the familiar stony pathway leading to the two-story house. The autumn breeze danced across her cheeks, brushing away the remnants of tears that had left their mark, only to be replaced by fresh ones welling up in her eyes.

Seeking solace in nostalgia, Yujin grabbed the hidden key concealed beneath the cat-shaped umbrella stand, a gift she had given you all those years ago. With a sense of trepidation, she slipped into the place she had once called home. The walls were still adorned with a pale tint, the creaking wooden floorboards, and the warm glow of yellow lights greeted her, as if time had stood still in the house. Yet, one thing had changed irrevocably—the bond you once shared, forged in innocence, had withered away, leaving behind an ever-present, suffocating pain in her chest.

It’s funny how time changes relationships, leaving only memories engraved into the very fabric of the walls, whispering stories of the past. 

Continuing down the hallway, Yujin couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle upon laying her eyes upon the wall adorned with your school pictures. The laughter, however, held a tinge of melancholy.

Pausing in front of the last photograph, she found herself transported back to the days of preschool graduation, where you and Yujin had clasped hands, beaming with toothy smiles under adorable graduation caps. Below the photo, were both of your scribbled handwriting, spelling out the surnames of each other.

You had insisted on only writing down each others’ surnames, claiming that writing your full name was unnecessary. Yujin knew you were actually struggling with spelling out the ‘YU’ in her name, so she nodded in agreement. 

"I always call you Yujin, never with Ahn. So I won't forget your name, but I might mix up your last name," you had explained while inscribing "Ahn" with a pink marker, insisting it suited her name perfectly. "I added a heart because you're my best friend."

With a final glance, Yujin made her way to the living room, only to be confronted with an unrecognizable sight. It seemed that you decided to change things after all. You were never the one to really dwell on the past memories, Yujin was.

The weathered brown couch, where Yujin had spent countless nights cradling you in her arms, soothing your heartache over another failed relationship, had been replaced with a sophisticated black leather sofa. The small boxed TV, which had witnessed your shared love for romance movies, had been replaced by a grand flat-screen display. The room, once spotlessly arranged by your mother's loving touch, now bore witness to scattered toys strewn across the floor. Yunjin knew you had a daughter with your ex-fiance Do-yun (she stalked your social media), and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of hurt as she recognized your daughter's striking resemblance to you when you first met.

Her body automatically led her to the familiar staircase that she spent most of her childhood racing up and down from. While the floorboards retained their familiar appearance, a polished wooden handle now adorned the staircase, along with safety nets that stood as safeguards for your daughter.

Yujin closed her eyes and gently placed her hand upon the newly polished handle, ascending the steps one by one—counting silently. One, two, three, four, five... She halted abruptly on the ninth step, bending down to inspect the bottom right corner, just next to the handle. There, etched onto the wooden floorboard, she found a sentence, so small anyone would miss it if they didn’t know what to look for: Think of me, Ahn Yujin.

You had carved it into that particular step of the stairs the night before Yujin debuted as a member of IZ*ONE. The two of you had sat on those stairs, sipping stolen champagne from your parents' cupboards at three in the morning, engrossed in conversations about the future. Yujin could vividly recall the sight of you, head resting on her lap, radiating a breathtaking beauty. Her heart raced every time your eyes met, and the scent of your vanilla perfume drove her crazy. She had wanted to bend down and kiss you. 

“Do you get nervous before you perform?” You had asked her, curious about the soon-to-be idol. 

“Every single time.” She had admitted.

“How do you overcome it?”

Yujin held the image of your gaze in her mind, your eyes sparkling with interest and a lazy smile gracing your lips. You looked at her as if she held the power to hang the stars in the sky, or so she believed.

“I think of you.” She confessed, her voice was filled with vulnerability. 

“Me? Why?” you asked, genuine surprise etched across your face.

“Because you make me brave." she had answered, her heart pouring out its truth.

Upon Yujin’s confession, you had sat up and grabbed a hair pin, and leaned over the stairs, carefully engraving Think of me, Ahn Yujin on the wooden surface. 

"Promise me that you'll always think of me when you're scared, Yujin," you had requested, a flutter in your voice. "I'll always be there for you."

“I promise.”

Yujin had faithfully kept her promise, clutching the necklace you had given her and thinking about the way your eyes crinkled when you smiled before each performance. But you, on the other hand, had failed to keep your promise. You were no longer there for her, and your once supportive smiles were conspicuously absent from the crowds.

As Yujin reached the top of the stairs, she made her way slowly towards your room. The hallway near the bathroom stirred painful nostalgia within her, serving as a painful reminder of where everything had unraveled—the place where your cherished 14-year friendship had crumbled to dust.

It happened when you were both 20 years old. You had returned home from college for the winter break, while Yujin finally managed to persuade her manager to grant her a two-week break following a busy comeback with IVE. Yujin had hoped to spend quality time with you after a year of not being able to hang out. However, you seemed too preoccupied and busy for her. The thought of you possibly being involved with someone else pained her heart, yet she desperately clung to the remains of your friendship. She would rather have you as a friend than not have you at all, and she missed you dearly.

Just a few days prior, Yujin had planned a movie night with you. But when she arrived at your house and was let in by your mom, she found you dressed in a stunning midnight black backless dress and heels, leaving  your bedroom and walking down the familiar hallway. In Yujin's eyes, you looked celestial, surpassing even the beauty of a tapestry of constellations.

“Hey, where are you going?” Yunjin had asked you, confused.

“I have a date with Do-yun.” you replied, standing in front of the hallway mirror and fixing your makeup.

“I thought we had a movie night planned out.” Yujin had said, with a hint of disappointment for being stood up the third time by you this week. 

You had slapped your forehead in revelation, “I forgot that was today. I’m so sorry. Rain check?”

"I'm going back to Seoul this Friday," Yujin said, her anger beginning to surface. "I've been back for ten days, and we haven't hung out once. You've already canceled on me twice."

"I said I was sorry," you retorted, frustration creeping into your tone.

 "Sorry doesn't fix anything. You begged me to take time off to spend with you, but when I do, you act like I don't exist."

"Begged you? I never begged you," your face reddened with anger. "Why do you keep insisting on spending time with me? Don't you have other friends?"

Those words struck a blow to Yujin's ego; you were known to say hurtful things during arguments.

"I do have other friends, but you're my best friend. I missed you."

You looked at Yujin in the eye, shook your head, and pushed past her. "I can't deal with this right now. Do-yun is waiting outside."

"He's not right for you," Yujin pleaded desperately, feeling as though she was losing you with each passing year.

"Give me one reason why he's not good enough for me, Yujin. You've never liked any of my boyfriends," your annoyance grew as the argument escalated.

Yujin fell silent, her mind racing to find a way to keep you by her side without crossing any boundaries.

"Whatever, Yujin. Goodbye," you said, turning around to make your way downstairs.

"Please don't go," Yujin rushed forward and grabbed your wrists.

"I'm in love with you."

She watched as you froze, your body stiffening at her confession.

"What?" you turned to look at her, eyes wide with shock and confusion.

"I'm in love with you. I always have been," Yujin whispered, aware that this revelation would forever change everything between you.

You closed your eyes slowly, as if the sight of Yujin had become too much to bear.

"Please don't say that."

"I can't hide it any longer," Yujin wanted to shout in frustration. "I see your face everywhere I go, I miss you when you're not around, I can't stop thinking about you."

"Yujin, I'm not gay," you paused, tears welling up in your eyes as you carefully chose your words. "Stay away from me."

Yujin always knew that you didn't reciprocate her feelings, but she never expected you to reject her for who she truly was.

She had left your house that day, breaking off all contact , leaving behind her love for you. Yet here she was, ten years later, back in your house, entering your room for the first time in a decade, simply because you had sent her a text expressing a desire to meet up with her. Pathetic as it may sound, Yujin knew that if you said you wanted her back in your life, she would drop everything in a heartbeat.

Taking a deep breath, Yujin finally reached the door to your room and pushed it open. Despite the changes downstairs, your room remained unchanged. It was as if time had frozen within these four walls, disregarding the changes happening outside. The bed sheets still bore the same shade of blue, the pictures of your prom night together were still on your desk, and even the brown stuffed puppy she had given you for your tenth birthday remained on the bed.

The only indication of the passing years was the little girl sleeping peacefully in the bed, clutching the stuffed puppy tightly in her arms. You were lying next to her, gently stroking her hair, and when you saw Yujin, you met her eyes.

You appeared slightly older, with weariness evident in your eyes, but to Yujin, you were as beautiful as ever. 

"Yujin," you whispered, and she cast her gaze downward. 

“Hey.”

She heard you slowly rise from the bed and approach her. Yujin closed her eyes, silently praying that she could regain her composure after seeing you. It had taken her years to move on, but deep down, she knew she never truly had.

Before she could react, you threw your arms around her and engulfed her in a hug. 

“I’m so sorry.” You sobbed, refusing to let go. 

Yujin simply shrugged, unable to bring herself to say anything. 

"I'm sorry for the things I said to you. I couldn't process my feelings for you back then, and all I could think of was pushing you away from me."

“It’s okay.” Yujin whispered, finally wrapping an arm around you. 

“No, it’s not. I hurt you, Yujin.” You pulled back and looked at her determinedly,

“I am in love with you Yujin, I’m sorry it took losing you for me to understand this.”

Yujin froze, staring at you with her eyes wide in shock. 

“You love me?”

You nodded, tears welling up in your eyes. "I think I always have, but I was so terrified when you confessed your love that I pretended not to feel anything. I wanted to keep our friendship, but instead, it drove you away."

The words caught in the idol's throat. Standing before her was the girl she had loved for almost two decades, and the possibility of you returning her feelings was overwhelming.

"What took you so long?" Yujin pulled you impossibly closer, burying her face in your hair.

"It would have been selfish of me to declare my love for you while you were with someone else, so I waited."

Suddenly, the young girl on the bed stirred, rubbing her eyes and sitting up. Her brown doe eyes mirrored yours; she was a spitting image of you.

"Mommy?" The young girl called out.

“I’m here baby.” You walked over and scooped the girl in your arms. “Do you want to meet my friend?”

Your daughter happily nodded as she looked at Yujin. Just like you were as a kid, your daughter was outgoing and eager to meet new people.

"Hello, your majesty," Yujin bowed, formally introducing herself.

Your daughter giggled. "My name is not majesty."

"I thought you were a princess. You look so pretty," Yujin pretended to be shocked, eliciting more giggles and a blush from the younger girl.

"What's your name, princess?” 

"Kim Yujin." 

Yujin smiled, her surprise evident.

"You named her after me?" she whispered, causing you to blush in embarrassment.

"I missed you a lot during my pregnancy," you confessed, trying to defend yourself. "Cut me some slack. I was at my weakest."

Yujin burst into laughter, finally able to breathe without feeling the ache in her heart that had persisted for ten long years. She could adapt to the changes in your house, and most importantly, she could definitely get used to the way you felt in her arms.

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Among the Wildflowers (Part 2)

Kang Haerin x Reader

You can read part 1 here

GENRE: fluff, angst

TYPE: Two-part series

Haerin is older than her actual age in this story

Time weaves its intricate threads through the universe, gathering atoms together and generating the cells in your body, while the rest of them slowly fade and wither away. It ensures balance, ensuring that new life enters the world to fill the void left by those who departed. Goodbyes are always tinged with sadness; perhaps winter embodies the Earth's sorrow, mourning the flowers and life that have departed as leaves transition from green to brown.

Time is an enigma, often slipping through your fingers without leaving a trace, while at other moments, it seems frozen in place, as if the clock's hands have come to a standstill.

Moments spent with Haerin always carried the gentle caress of a spring breeze, imbuing your body with warmth as the days rushed by. But unfortunately, you are situated on the other side of the hospital from where Haerin is, sitting on a hard cold bench, waiting to run another Echocardiogram test.

Fatigue kept you from tending the flowers you cared so dearly about, yet, severe heart pains in your chest kept you awake every night. You shivered in the winter air, wearing nothing but a thin hospital gown, before your name was finally called and you were brought to the testing room down the hallway. 

It was another busy day at the hospital, and Haerin was relieved that her lunch break had finally arrived, even though it was two hours late. Carrying a bag of food you had packed for her the previous day (you insisted on including some leftovers from the dinner you shared, emphasizing the importance of Haerin incorporating vegetables into her diet instead of her usual instant noodles), Haerin proceeded down the east wing of the hospital.

Her customary break spot was the rooftop on the opposite side of the hospital, as it was the only place where she could find peace and quiet (and finally have the opportunity to smile as she texted you, free from Hanni's playful teasing). Although you two were not officially a couple, it felt as if you were already in a long-term relationship, minus the physical affection and formal label. Haerin, however, was actively working on changing that, working on planning the perfect date and eventually asking you to be her girlfriend (or asking you to elope with her, but she felt that it would be too soon for you).

She missed you every second when you were not there with her, so when she saw you leaving one of the rooms of the hospital made her double take, unsure whether it was really you or just a figment of her imagination for missing you too much at work. 

“Y/N?” Her voice reached out, urging her steps to hasten, closing the distance between you two. 

Your heart jumped when you heard your name spoken by your favorite voice. Under usual circumstances, you would've already locked gazes with her soft brown eyes or pulled her into an embrace. Yet, in this vacant hospital corridor, your instinct was to vanish, to merge with the cold marble beneath, erasing the present.

You paused, inhaling deeply before pivoting to meet Haerin's gaze.

A feeble smile graced your lips. "Hey, Rinnie."

"Why are you here?" Concern etched her features, her fingers lightly grasping your arm. Her eyes flicked to the door you had exited, realization dawning. It was her father's office.

"Why are you seeing a Cardiologist?" Anxiety tightened her voice, her mind racing, thinking of the worst-case scenarios.

 A sigh escaped as you observed Haerin's thoughts whirl, her brow furrowing with worry. This, precisely, was why you had hesitated to tell her about your condition.

“Is there somewhere we can talk?” 

Haerin took you to the rooftop of a building. The view wasn't much to write home about – just plain wooden boards and an empty dirt area posing as a garden. A small shack, probably for storing cleaning supplies, sat nearby. A bench adorned with cushions and blankets stood beside it. On a table nearby, a small frog plushie and a few books were neatly arranged. You couldn't help but smile at the sight; it seemed to be Haerin's secret hideout, and she had clearly tried her best to make it cozy.

She gently nudged you to sit on the bench, wrapping you in a thick woolen blanket before settling down beside you. Her furrowed eyebrows had been a constant during the conversation, and her worry was starting to bother you.

“I’m fine, Rinnie. Really.” Your fingers brushed her mocha-colored bangs aside, smoothing away the furrow between her eyebrows.

Her eyes fluttered shut, leaning into your touch. “Tell me, please.” she whispered. 

"I was born with a defect in my heart.” You admitted, “The hole is getting bigger, so my parents had me move to Seoul for a higher chance of getting a donor. I’ve been waiting on the list ever since.”

“Do you know how many more people are before you?”

You nodded, “Yeah, it’s quite a long list.”

Before Haerin could offer her suggestions or propose alternate treatments, you gently placed your forefinger against her cupid's bow-shaped lips, effectively silencing her.

“I’m okay, Haerin, please stop worrying.” You giggled at the way a faint blush crept onto her cheeks at the feeling of your finger on her lips. “What you should be worrying about is that sorrowful garden sitting there.” 

“I’m really bad at keeping plants alive.” Haerin shrugged and grinned her catlike smile at you, appreciating your effort in lighting the mood. “Plus, it’s the middle of November.” 

As she enveloped you in a warm embrace, you nestled into her, feeling the softness of her breath on your cheek as her face nestled against your temple. In her embrace, time seemed to shift, pushed by a magical force as Haerin summoned the essence of spring during the midst of winter.

“Maybe we should plant something when it gets warmer.” You said, “If I recall correctly, an adorable cat with glasses mentioned something about planting me a sea of blossoms.”

At your teasing, Haerin blushed a deep shade of red. She didn't quite understand how she had let such a mushy statement escape her lips; she decided to attribute it to her love for you.

“Wait and see.” She braved herself and pressed her lips to your temple. “I’ll get that blossom garden to you in no time.”

The sensation of her lips against your skin felt electric, sending shockwaves through your already erratic heartbeat, leaving a sense of warmth as your heart raced. You turned around to face the girl that you adored so much, your emotions nearly overwhelming you. 

"Let's start with something simpler." Leaning closer, you planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Especially since I've seen how you managed to 'take care' of my cacti." (They all died a tragic death)

Haerin's long fluttered as her eyes closed, an image of the prettiest butterfly. “What would you like me to plant for you then? I’ll start planting them as soon as spring is here.”

“Wildflowers.”

“Why?” She whispered, leaning closer to you. 

“Because they have this simple beauty that is only noticeable when you look closer. They also symbolize the beauty of living in the moment, and…love.”

“Love, huh?” Haerin asked, her breath mingling with yours in their proximity.

“Love.” You confirmed, lost in the soft depths of her affectionate brown eyes.

Unable to resist any longer, Haerin bridged the remaining space between your lips. After months of longing, she finally felt as close to you as she had ever hoped. Reveling in the softness of your kiss, she closed her eyes, pulling you onto her lap and wrapping her arms around your waist. Your hands found their way to her shoulders, fingers tangling in her hair as your breaths intertwined and your tongues met.

As the need for air grew more pressing, you reluctantly broke away, your faces still mere inches apart. You chuckled softly at her dazed expression, your fingers grazing her slightly swollen lips.

"And also, wildflowers are incredibly low-maintenance. It's hard to kill something that thrives even in the harshest conditions."

Haerin threw you over her shoulder and ran around the open space at your taunt, making you scream in laughter before nearly throwing up.

.

.

.

.

Time is both a cure and a curse. 

For those in pain, time is a cure, mending wounded hearts and stitching together fragmented souls. The hurt is carried away by the clock, just as the first spring rain washes away the chill of winter. The agony fades, to be replaced by the soothing embrace of passing moments.

Time, however, becomes a harsh conjurer of longing for those in love. Lovers long for the capacity to stop time, to relish every shared smile, every whispered word. But time, unyielding and uncaring, quickens its pace whenever happiness enters their lives, passing in a flash and leaving only a wistful trace.

Winter used to be a season of disappointment for you, when wildflowers faded and the beauty of snow escaped you. You didn't see the allure of chilly winds nipping at your cheeks and staining your nose crimson growing up in the country. 

But with Haerin by your side, winter is warm. 

Winter is now filled with her warm body snuggling you under the covers, with the mugs of hot chocolate she would make for you before your movie marathons, with her hot breath mingling with yours as your lips meet, and with her arms encircling your shoulders as you take late-night strolls down the bustling streets of Seoul.

Life was better with Haerin by your side, but to say everything was better would be a lie. 

Although you tried to hide it, Haerin could tell that your condition was getting worse as the days pass by. She knew it would go against your intentions, but she found herself breaking down in front of her father, tears flowing as she begged him to find a way to improve your health, to expedite the search for a donor. She was desperate, worried that she would lose you just when she spent her whole life looking for you. 

You could no longer take care of the flowers in the greenhouse. You claimed it was because the flowers had trouble growing in the greenhouse due to the cold, but Haerin knew that your heart could no longer keep up, struggling to pump blood through your veins as it fought with failure. So she did everything she could to keep you happy; she learned everything she could to keep your precious flowers flourishing, tending the garden for you after her long work shifts. She would choose the prettiest flower that bloomed every time and bring it back to you, dramatically declaring her love to you along with another frog fact of the day to make you giggle.

The sunlight spilled into the room and onto Haerin’s face, stirring her awake. She turned around on the bed to pull you closer into her arms, watching your sleeping face in content. After pressing a soft kiss on your forehead, the young doctor got up to get ready for a long shift. She had another surgery scheduled for later in the evening, which would probably last until midnight if everything was successful.

On the upside, she had three days off after the surgery and was planning to go on a romantic camping trip with you to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Spring was just around the corner, and the weather was slowly beginning to warm up. Smiling at the thought of cuddling with you next to a campfire and roasting marshmallows, Haerin made her way towards the hospital.

The familiar feeling of your heart skipping a few beats before restarting its pace woke you up with a start. Despite the slightly painful awakening, you felt better. In fact, this was the most energetic in months. Deciding to take advantage of this feeling, you headed towards your second favorite place in the world, the greenhouse (the first being in Haerin’s arms). 

It’s been a while since you last stepped foot into the glass garden, and you were amazed at how well the older girl took care of your plants and flowers. You knew the girl had been overworking herself just to keep the flowers you loved so dearly healthy, watching countless YouTube videos to learn how to take care of each kind of flower. She really loved you, as you loved her. 

Checking the time, you hurried towards the market to buy a few supplies. You had decided to cook dinner and bring it to the hospital for Haerin. It’s been a while since you had the strength to cook, and you were worried that the girl would go back to her habits of eating a few pieces of junk food or skipping food altogether. You decided to cook her favorite, smoked salmon with lemon, and shrimp fried rice; taking note of how Haerin was really like a cat, enjoying seafood over anything. 

After stopping in front of one of the other flower shops in the city, you made your way to the hospital in light steps. The setting sun painted the world in a breathtaking display of orange-red hues, casting your elongated shadow across the road.  Despite the walk to the hospital taking longer than anticipated, requiring occasional breaks to catch your breath and steady your irregular heartbeat, the excitement of seeing your favorite person in the world continued to course through your veins. 

"Y/N? Baby, what are you doing here?" Haerin's voice carried a mixture of surprise and concern as she encountered your presence. Her brow furrowed in worry. "Are you okay? Where does it hurt?"

A soft giggle escaped your lips, finding the concern etched across Haerin's face adorable. Her unwavering care for you never failed to touch your heart, always leaving you with a warm sensation. "I'm perfectly fine, Rinnie. I just wanted to bring you dinner. And flowers – I got you flowers."

Haerin’s gaze softened and her face broke into a smile, happy to see you feeling better. “Thank you, love.” She wrapped her arms around you and pulled you into a kiss. “What flowers did you get me?”

“My favorite wildflower, Forget-Me-Nots.” You said, giving her the bouquet of baby blue flowers. 

Haerin chuckled, a brief kiss landing on your lips before she examined the flowers. "You're always on my mind, baby. Forgetting about you? Impossible."

"Still, you should keep them in your office," you suggested, unwrapping the paper and arranging the flowers in a vase on Haerin's desk. "So that when a beautiful patient tries to flirt, you'll glance at them and remember I'm here, waiting for you."

The doctor playfully flicked your forehead, a snort escaping her. "Feeling a little jealous, are we?" Her tone was affectionate. "I only have eyes for you."

"Good," you whispered, your lips brushing against hers.

After a quick dinner and numerous kisses, you gently urged Haerin towards the surgery room. Promising to be there when she returned, you watched her leave. As you headed back home, weariness, which you had been fighting off, began to seep back into your body. Your steps grew slower, breaths a touch shallower. The chest pains resurfaced, a gradual burn coursing through your veins, winding its way back to your heart. Perhaps a quick nap would help, you reasoned. Yielding to your heavy eyelids, you settled onto the bed, nuzzling into Haerin's pillow. Inhaling her scent, the persistent ache within your chest began to wane with the slowing of your beating heart.

The surgery went without a hitch, with the team successfully completing it within the originally estimated time. Despite her fatigue, Haerin was in a fantastic mood, eagerly anticipating going home and spending the remaining few days with you.

Observing you today, radiating happiness and good health, Haerin felt a renewed sense of hope. Her father had reached out to her before the surgery to inform her that you were now next in line for a healthy heart, and she was overjoyed to share this news with you.

"Baby?" Haerin's voice echoed through the house as she stepped in through the front door. No response greeted her.

Assuming you had dozed off while waiting, she walked softly down the hallway, eventually entering the shared bedroom. A small laugh escaped her lips at the sight of you nestled against her pillow, lost in peaceful slumber, still wearing the clothes you went out in. 

“Baby.” She called again, “Y/N. Let’s get you changed.” 

That’s when she knew something was wrong. You were still. Too still. 

"Y/N?" Panic laced her voice as she rushed to shake your shoulders. "Please, wake up."

The body she had always nestled close to for warmth was now cold. Her beloved pair of eyes were forever concealed beneath your eyelids, no longer capable of providing her with solace and affection. You were gone. 

A searing pain ripped through Haerin's heart, shattering it into shards of agony, crashing like relentless waves against the unyielding rocks of her being, leaving only a mist of shattered thoughts behind.

Was this the agony you felt? Had the hole in your heart inflicted you the same torment that losing you was doing to Haerin? If she could, she would have given you her heart just to keep you at her side. Yet it seemed that love alone lacked the power to keep someone from slipping away.

"I don't think I could ever forget you," Haerin sobbed, her entire body convulsing with grief as she curled up beside you. She hoped that you would remember her, in the afterlife and in your next one.

.

.

.

.

Time, Haerin decided, was neither a curse nor a cure. Time was only the canvas on which fate's intricate designs were created. She was fated to love you, and was fated to lose you. The ache in her heart did not fade with the passing of time, nor did her love.

She wondered if this constant ache would serve as a poignant reminder of your existence for the rest of her life. And if it meant keeping you closer to her, she'd embrace that gentle simmer within her heart.

Lowering herself, Haerin gently placed your favorite necklace onto the soft freshly watered dirt. Stepping back, she nodded her head in approval. You would’ve been proud of her.  The once dusty and barren hospital rooftop had undergone a metamorphosis, transforming into a vibrant sea of wildflowers, as she had promised.

The spring breeze danced through the blue forget-me-nots and swayed the white daisies, before caressing Haerin's face, leaving behind a subtle trace of the sweet, familiar floral scent – your scent.

“A sea of wildflowers, for you to remember me by.” Haerin whispered, a few drops of tears escaping her eyes,

“and for me to never forget you.” 

As the sun set below the horizon, throwing a warm glow over the blossoms, Haerin remained there, her heart heavy but comforted by the idea that your memory would bloom eternally among the wildflowers.

And that's it 👀 Hopefully, this meets your expectations of angst.

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

Masterlist

TWICE

mina

Palette (series)

chaeyoung

Handle It

sana

Moonlight Sunrise

ITZY

ryujin

Feelings

NewJeans

minji

High School

haerin

Among the Wildflowers Part 1 / Part 2

IVE

yujin

At My Weakest

AESPA

jimin

Clerestory Rendezvous Part 1 / Part 2

minjeong (winter)

• Burning Memories

LE SSERAFIM

yunjin

Love You Twice

Make Me Happy

kazuha

The Moon and the Stars

Feel free to send requests!

The groups I write for are in the comments