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to celebrate jeonghan coming home⊠user haoboutyou is also coming home??? life has been tough but iâm tougher đȘ
it is entirely jeonghan's fault that the two of you only arrive at the beach when everyone else was getting ready to leave.
by the time the train pulls into the station nearest the beach, the afternoon has already begun softening around the edges. the heat no longer sits heavily on your shoulders, and the crowd you've expected is already thinning. families are packing up picnic blankets while children drag their feet across the sand, bargaining for five more minutes in the water. somewhere behind you, someone struggles to fold an umbrella that's clearly won the argument.
you'd told him as much while the train rattled towards the coast, watching families with oversized cooler boxes board at earlier stops. when the two of you finally stepped onto the sand, the afternoon sun has already begun its slow descent, bathing the shoreline in a warm sort of glow that makes everything look softer than it really was.
"i don't know why i listened to you," you mutter, slipping your sandals off before they fill with sand.
jeonghan glances over his shoulder, a smile tugging at his lips. "because i have good ideas."
"you have ideas."
"they're usually good."
"they're usually convenient for you." he hums, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and continues walking ahead with the tote bag hanging loosely from one shoulder.
you watch him duck instinctively around a little girl running after a beach ball before he veers closer to the water, where the tide packs the sand into something firmer beneath your feet.
as much as you hated admitting it, he'd been right.
you glance sideways. "...i hate that you're right."
jeonghan smiles to himself without looking at you.
"i know." curse his stupidly handsome smirk.
-
the beach feels slower than you remember. maybe it's because there's finally enough space to hear the waves over everyone else's conversations, or maybe it's because neither of you has anywhere else to be afterwards. the wet sand cools your feet while jeonghan walks close enough that your shoulders brush every few steps.
you don't think much of it when jeonghan slows down for the third time. the first had been because he'd spotted a shell half-buried in the sand, the second because he'd insisted a cloud looked suspiciously like mingyu's profile, and now he's crouching again, poking carefully at something with a stick he'd picked up somewhere along the way. you've already learned that hurrying him accomplishes absolutely nothing, so you stop a few steps ahead and wait instead. eventually, he looks up with the sort of expression that tells you he's forgotten you kept walking in the first place. "look," he says quietly, pointing towards a tiny hermit crab making its way across the wet sand. it takes all of five seconds for the little thing to disappear beneath a rock. somehow, that seems to satisfy him.
you don't say anything about it once he stands again. there isn't much to say, really. the hermit crab has disappeared, the stick in jeonghan's hand is abandoned somewhere along the wet sand, and the two of you continue walking like that small interruption had been a perfectly normal reason to stop. with him, you suppose it is. jeonghan has always had a way of making detours feel intentional, as if the day had been quietly waiting for him to notice whatever everyone else had walked past.
-
by the time you finally decide to sit, the sun has lowered enough that the water looks gold where it catches the light. jeonghan drops onto the towel first with a small sigh, one that sounds far too relieved for someone who has done nothing more strenuous than walk slowly and inspect beach wildlife. you sit beside him and open the container of fruit you packed that morning, only to find the pieces still cold. for a moment, you stare down at it, confused, until jeonghan reaches into the tote and pulls out a half-melted bag of ice with the calm expression of someone whoâs just performed the greatest trick of all time.
"when did you buy that?"
"when you were looking for your sunglasses."
you pause. "... my sunglasses were on my head."
"i know."
there's no point arguing with him after that, not when he looks so pleased with himself and not when the watermelon is cold enough to make you forgive him almost immediately. the two of you eat straight from the container, passing it back and forth until the fork is mostly forgotten and jeonghan starts stealing pieces with his fingers. every now and then, the wind picks up enough to threaten the napkins, and he catches them without looking particularly proud of himself for doing so.
the beach continues emptying around you. somewhere behind you, the family with the defeated umbrella finally manages to fold it, earning a tired cheer from one of the children. jeonghan laughs under his breath, and when you turn to look at him, the sunset has caught on his face in a way that feels unfair. soft hair, softer eyes, the kind of expression that makes people forget he is usually the reason something has gone missing in the first place. he must feel you staring, because his gaze shifts towards you after a moment, curious but unhurried.
"what is it?"
"âs nothing."
his mouth curves like he doesn't believe you, but he lets it go. instead, he leans back on his hands and looks out at the water again, close enough that your knees touch. after a while, his pinky hooks around yours where your hands rest on the towel between you. not quite holding your hand, not quite asking to, just enough contact to acknowledge you're there.
you let him have it.
the sun sinks lower, the tide creeps closer, and jeonghan's shoulder eventually settles against yours like he has simply run out of reasons to keep the space between you. you think about teasing him for being tired after insisting this was the perfect time to come, but he looks too comfortable to disturb. besides, he had been right. the beach is nicer like this, quiet and half-empty, with the day folding itself away slowly around you.
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All is copacetic and swell in the roaring 20s, and studioSVT invite you to be a part of the shindig. Whether it's the flappers of Midtown or the prim men of Wall Street, there's opportunity for everyone in the Big Apple. Gather round, guys & dolls as we're âšPuttin' on the Ritzâš!
Turn in your invitations at the door. Join the taglist with a visible age indicator on your blog [no age, no tag!].
đ„ Oops! Some of these invites are only for cats 18+. Please check all the warnings before stepping through those doors đ„
âšInvitation: Velvet Vengeance by @lovelylonelinesssvt
đ„Hosts: Choi Seungcheol x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: New York 1920, mafia controls through strategy, silence, and violence. A fragile peace now begins to break when secrets surface in clubs. Choi Seungcheol is looking for answers, for names, for revenge just like you are. While trying to find the man whoâs behind your loss, youâre caught between an imminent gang war and Seungcheol, a man determined to protect you, to fight for you and now to fight next to you.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: tainted tides by @joshujin
đ„Hosts: Choi Seungcheol x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: The wife of a politician is good for very few thingsâhow flawless and beautiful and desirable you are being paramount to all. Every fundraiser, every gala, every luncheon, you're at your husband's side, the picture perfect portrayal of who New York City expects their First Lady to be. What they donât expect is their prohibitionist mayorâs wife to be spotted at a popular speakeasy the night of the city's biggest raid. Or for her to go missing shortly after.
âšInvitation: and all that jazz by @hannieoftheyear
đ„Hosts: Yoon Jeonghan x reader
đ The Main Drag: The Canaries, the bar where unimaginable dreams come true for all, only with one exception. Each night, after the doors lock, the deserted bar hosts one last client: the sidelined jazz singer whose time to shine gets pushed back time and time again, yet, the only one who seems to notice is the watchful bartender, ready to listen to your rambles after-hours.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: under the starlight by @starlightkyeom
đ„Hosts: Joshua Hong x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: joshua doesn't think twice when he takes the job as a singer at a speakeasy. doesn't worry about who's running it or about anything illegal. it's a chance to sing, like he's always dreamt. despite the circumstances, it's all running pretty smoothly. until he meets you. all the knows is that you're married to someone within the family running the speakeasy. that should be enough. when he sees the sadness in your eyes, he knows that he needs to know more.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: safety by @mylovesstuffs
đ„Hosts: Joshua Hong x reader
đ The Main Drag: In 1920s New York, a failed medical experiment turns the city into something theyâve only seen in fiction â the infected not quite dead, not quite alive. Fleeing the ruins, Joshua Hong, heir to one of the cityâs most influential tailoring and fashion dynasties, and a woman who once lived under his familyâs roof, they rely on each other to survive.
Forced to pretend theyâre something theyâre not, they soon learn that safety comes at the cost of truth
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: deadlock by @sailorsoons
đ„Hosts: Wen Junhui x reader
đ The Main Drag: You and Junhui have the perfect life together. Sure, you've failed to mention you're a spy for Clockwork and he never mentioned being a hitman for Protocol, but what couple doesn't lie? The lies work - until Junhui is tasked with killing you, his perfect wife who has secrets he never dreamed of.
Cocktails đ The Berries
âšInvitation: Pendulum by @gyuswhore
đ„Hosts: Wen Junhui x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: There are many things your father never told you when he left you his flower shop; the ever creaky door hinges, the delivery man who can never seem to tell the orchids from the gardenias, and the headquarters of the biggest mafia in New York operating in the employee break room.
Of course you're used to it now, the familiar faces passing in and out of the shop while you pretend nothing is amiss. Until a new face appears, disappearing into the backrooms without a word, bloodied knuckles and a poorly strapped revolver on his hips.
Suddenly, it's very hard to pretend.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: Kitty by @aeristudios
đ„Hosts: Kwon Soonyoung x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: You moved to NYC from the South to seek out Soonyoung, the barber with connections that can help you hide in plain sight. But as you start to finally start to settle in and you and Soonyoung become close, your past catches up to youâ putting everything you fought for at risk.
Cocktails đ The Berries
âšInvitation: where do stars go? by @imnotshua
đ„Hosts: Kwon Soonyoung x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: nothingâs ever been serious where youâre concerned, especially the way you flirt with him. but when he overhears something he shouldnât, and your perfect mask slips, soonyoung starts to wonder if youâve been keeping other secrets hidden in the dark.
Cocktails đ The Berries
âšInvitation: my dearest by @straylightdream
đ„Hosts: Jeon Wonwoo x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: he has a debt to one of the richest men in the city, with ties to the mafia. he's offered a lifeline he canât turn down. marry the daughter to the man heâs in debt to. theyâre both two people thrown into a marriage they never planned. the only way to survive is to stick together and to protect each other.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: You & I by @sailorsoons
đ„The Hosts: chauffeur!Jeon Wonwoo x mafia!reader
đ The Main Drag: Wonwoo has been your loyal driver and security detail for years now. But before that, he was your friend - someone you loved, even. Now, you spend most nights in silence, wishing you could go back to the way things were.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: spectre by @shinysobi
đ„Hosts: Lee Jihoon x reader
đ The Main Drag: for four years after his graduation from city college of new york, lee jihoon has kept his head down, hoping for the best, and preparing for the day when his little ruse dissolves. he's good at hiding, after all. he's been doing it for years. unfortunately, when dealing with the unruly cousin of a shipping magnate, smokescreens tend to shatter, and spectres tend to return.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: Room 217 by @goldenhourology
đ„Hosts: Lee Jihoon x reader
đ The Main Drag: Fresh starts are hard, but running away from your mafia husband is even harder. After escaping the protection of the Lucky Ace gang and fleeing to New York City, you find Lee Jihoon, a reserved yet enigmatic hotel owner. The Hotel Ruby conceals a popular speakeasy, the Velvet Ruby, within its walls. It takes some convincing, but Jihoon eventually offers you a job, a chance at stability and anonymity. But every swanky hotel has its secrets. When you stumble upon the locked door to Room 217, nothing could prepare you for whatâs waiting on the other side.
Cocktails đ The Berries
âšInvitation: never forget a pretty face by @miniseokminnies
đ„Hosts: Lee Seokmin x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: your father has always had friends in high places, almost as high as the debts he kept. following his disappearance (read: murder) the men who swore to protect him take you somewhere your father's creditors would never find you: a mechanic's shop tucked away in a little hole in the wall that no one would ever see if they weren't looking for it. your life has been a series of interesting events but this might be the most enticing of them all.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: spellbound by @kyeomofhearts
đ„Hosts: Lee Seokmin x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: love was always easy for you, until it wasnât. young and careless, you let him fall for you and walked away before admitting he was the one. years later, with the world pressing in and your heart still quietly aching; you meet him again by chance and realize some love never fades, only waits.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: drive me crazy by @jakedustry
đ„Hosts: Kim Mingyu x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: There isnât anything Kim Mingyu can come back home to, no one waiting for him at night when he gets off his shift, so when he finally takes a few days off, his plan consists of two simple things: drinks and sleep. But his world takes a spin around when he stumbles upon a group of officers arresting a young lady begging for help after a night out. If Mingyu has one weakness, itâs people in distress, especially if it involves a child in need.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: crossing without steps by @nerdycheol
đ„Hosts: Kim Mingyu x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: You grow up knowing your life will be decided for you. The right schools, the right friends...the right engagement. Loving him makes sense. It fits. Then you meet someone who doesnât. Mingyu is uncomplicated in ways your life has never been, all warmth and honesty, a presence you are not meant to linger on. You tell yourself it is nothing, a harmless pull. But wanting him begins to feel like standing too close to the light. Caught between the future promised to you and the love you never meant to find, you learn that some feelings do not ask for permission.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: somebody's sweetheart by @haologram
đ„Hosts: Xu Minghao x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: minghao is eerily convinced that nothing means anything without passion. love, money, fame...it's nothing without passion and everything with love. he just has to find the love he preaches before it's too late for her.
Cocktails đ The Berries
âšInvitation: When the Sun Rises in New York by @vernonverse
đ„Hosts: Xu Minghao x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: You are sent to New York City twenty-four hours before your wedding to a man you've never met. On the train from your home to the big city, you meet Minghao, a struggling painter spending his final day in America before deportation. With the clock already ticking and no future promised to either of you, you spend one day wandering the city, knowing that life is already lining up to tear you apart forever.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: death, diamonds and decorum by @hannieween
đ„Hosts: Boo Seungkwan x f!eader
đ The Main Drag: It was only supposed to be a job. One last quick, easy smash-and-grab before you walked away from the life, forever. But everything changed when you were told you would be working side by side with your ex-boyfriendâthe love of your life, your biggest mistake and the one person you swore you would never talk to again, Boo Seungkwan.
And that was when you knew this job wouldnât be so easy.
Cocktails đ The Berries
âšInvitation: Chasing the Feeling by @mingsolo
đ„Hosts: Boo Seungkwan x reader
đ The Main Drag: When Seungkwan is tipped about a very illegal shipment being diverted to the Mauve family warehouses, he knows he has to be quick. What he realizes upon arriving is that you are already there, always a step ahead of him.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: last call by @wqnwoos
đ„Hosts: Chwe Hansol x reader
đ The Main Drag: You didnât expect to run into your late brotherâs best friend tending bar at an illegal speakeasy â or to start falling for him. But when you realize Vernon is involved in the same kind of work that got your brother killed, liking him suddenly feels dangerous in ways you know too well.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: the phantom of the cinema by @belovedgyu
đ„Hosts: Chwe Hansol x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: Between scandalous nights in a cinema, a love takes shape in time stolen, and a marriage built on survival. A devotion so fierce that art and memory begin to blur. As films mirror truths youâve tried not to name, youâre forced to confront what was lost, what endures, and whether some stories deserve to be finishedâŠno matter the cost.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: bare your soul by @starlightkyeom
đ„Hosts: Lee Chan x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: your brother is all you have left after losing your parents, but he doesn't always make the best decisions. despite him being older, it's usually you taking care of him. when he gets into over his head with gambling debts, he turns to bare knuckle fighting in an underground ring. the money is actually decent and he's surprisingly good, until a new rival starts rising. chan is undefeated and unrelenting. you might hate him even more than your brother does.
đ The Berries
âšInvitation: the bride by @coupsalchemy
đ„Hosts: Lee Chan x f!reader
đ The Main Drag: Actress Jung, known for her spectacular hits Love, Forevermore, and La Vie En Rose, that is still housing the Capitol Movie Palace is back on the screen after a year of disappearance. Finally her hiatus comes to an end with a new movie, the bride, in production. Gossip is that the movie is inspired from her calamitous love life that has people wondering how a person, a woman, can fall in love seven times.
Will she get her heart broken for the eighth time with her rumored clandestine Choi Seungcheol or will she break her curse of âalways a bridesmaid but never the brideâ with the entry of a new male actor in town, Lee Chan.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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pairing: mingyu x f!reader
wc: 13k
warnings: arranged marriage, classism, fluff, angst, jealousy (as always), oral sex (f!recv.), love at first sight(?), a bit fast paced, might contain inaccuracies(i tried my best), NOT beta-read
glossary: i used some slangs used in 1920s to maintain some relevance to the theme (đ) playing goosberry- thirdwheeling, bee's knee's- extraordinary person, to carry a torch- to have a crush on someone, salesroom- salesroom, joe- common man
(a/n): part of puttin' on the ritz collab hosted by @studiosvt. thankyou for hosting another fun collab. i swear all the themes are so good for me to give it up. do read all the other fics, everyone has worked so hard :) don't forget to reblog if you liked it and tell me what you like and not like so that i can improve in future :3
âTake your eyes off that book for once and live in the real world.â Paâs voice pulls your attention from the page to his face, though he is already stepping out of the car. You glance to your side, to where your mother had been sitting, only to find her giving you that familiar look. The one that says you know Pa does not like seeing your nose buried in a book.
You sigh as you slip the book closed and follow your mother out of the car, smoothing your dress as your feet touch the pavement. The building before you is neat and imposing, its tall windows gleaming under the afternoon light.
The bell above the door chimes as the three of you step into the salesroom, the space opening up into polished counters and neatly displayed marvels of modern living.
A man approaches almost immediately, his suit crisp and his smile practiced. You assume he must be the manager from the way he carries himself, the way his attention goes straight to Pa. "Mr. Hong," he says, extending his hand. "Welcome."
Pa greets him in turn. Your mother lingers at his side while you trail half a step behind, hands folded, eyes wandering over rows of new inventions you are meant to want.
âWeâre preparing for a wedding,â Pa says after the pleasantries, straight to the point. âLooking for something practical. Something useful.â
The managerâs eyes brighten at that, and he gestures toward a display near the back. He begins explaining the merits of several electric refrigerators, their ability to preserve food longer, the mark of a modern household. Pa listens intently as the man opens doors, points out compartments, lists features meant to impress.
Pa runs a hand along the smooth metal, thoughtful. Then he turns slightly toward your mother. âCharles would like this, wouldnât he?â
He is polite to a fault, always saying the right thing, always standing straight, always mindful of who might be watching. Reputation matters deeply to him, perhaps more than anything else. Appearances must be maintained, traditions respected, nothing ever allowed to stray too far from what is deemed proper.
You don't hate him. Charles is not cruel, nor careless. He treats you with courtesy and kindness. Yet, there is something about him that feels distant, like a man already married to the life expected of him.
You suppose that, in his eyes, this refrigerator makes sense. Another sensible purchase. Another step toward a well ordered future.
You know better than to interfere. Decisions like these are not meant for you. Your role is to agree when spoken to, to smile when appropriate, to trust that the people who know better have everything under control. So when your parentsâ attention remains fixed on the manager and his endless explanations, you take the opportunity and slip away.
You wander past the polishes appliances until something tucked slightly to the side catches your eye. A phonograph rests atop a polished wooden cabinet. Your fingers brush the edge of the cabinet, tracing the smooth finish, then hover near the horn. You imagine music filling a room, imagine evenings softened by sound rather than silence.
âDo you like it?â
Assuming the question isn't for you, you don't answer. You continue looking at the phonograph until the lack of response becomes noticeable. You glance up.
A man stands nearby, watching you with a faint smile.
You point to yourself, unsure. âMe?â
He nods.
âUh⊠yes. No. I mean,â you falter, embarrassed. âI was just looking.â
He chuckles softly and steps closer. âItâs a good one,â he says, gently. âClear sound. Strong needle. If you take care of it, itâll last years.â There is a warmth in his voice as he speaks, a fondness, like he is talking about something dear. âMusic sounds different on these.â
You listen, drawn in despite yourself. Somewhere between his explanation, your focus drifts. You notice the shape of his eyes, expressive and bright, the way his hair falls slightly out of place, the softness in his smile that feels entirely unpracticed.
âWhatâs your name?â you ask.
âKim Mingyu,â he answers.
You smile. âMingyu. Do you like it?â you ask, gesturing to the phonograph.
His eyes light up, and he continues, speaking about music, about evenings spent listening. You nod along, asking small questions wanting to hear him speak more. You do not realize how long you have been standing there until a familiar voice cuts through the moment.
You turn to see your parents waiting, already prepared to leave.
âIt was nice to meet you,â you say softly. âMingyu.â
âNice to meet you too,â he replies.
âSee you again,â you add, unsure whether it is something you are allowed to say.
You settle back into the car, skirts smoothed, posture proper, the familiar weight of your parents on either side of you. The door closes with a dull thud, sealing you back into your place.
Your father is the first to speak. "Charles is coming home tonight,"he says, almost casually. "We should start planning about the engagement now."
Ma hums in agreement, asking him if there is anything to be prepared for the meeting with their future son-in-law. You nod when expected, a small sound of acknowledgment leaving you, though the words barely reach you at all.
Your gaze drifts instead to the salesroom window as the car begins to move. Through the glass, you spot him. Mingyu stands near the display, hands resting on the cabinet, his attention elsewhere now.
As the car begins to move, the image shifts, the glass carrying him farther and farther away until he is nothing more than a shape behind light and reflection. You do not look away until the salesroom disappears from view.
A few days roll by, slow and uneventful, until you find yourself out again, this time for dress shopping.
Martha is with you today, like always. She has been there for as long as you can remember, lingering in the background of your childhood. If anyone has ever known you in all your unguarded moments, it is her. She is older than you by years, and yet indulgent enough to let you forget that sometimes.
The shop is bright and filled with fabric, layers of silk and lace draped over polished counters. You move between racks with a lightness you rarely allow yourself, lifting skirts, holding them up to your frame, spinning just enough to feel the fabric sway.
âCareful,â Martha chides, arms already full of garments. âYouâll wrinkle everything before we even get to the fitting room.â
You slow, offering her a sheepish smile that you know she cannot resist. She sighs, shaking her head, but her lips betray her.
You both leave the shop with bags in hand. you insist on ice cream, dragging Martha along despite her protests about sugar and melted hems. You buy two conesâ chocolate for you and vanilla for her.
She sets the shopping bags down with visible relief, flexing her fingers as you press the second cone into her hand.
âFor me?â she asks, surprised.
âFor you,â you say simply, already taking a step ahead.
âMiss,â Martha calls, juggling the cone and bending to pick up the bags at the same time. âWait. These are heavy.â
You glance back, walking backward now, licking at the edge of your ice cream. You smile at her, bright and teasing. âHurry up, Martha.â
And then you bump into someone.
Your steps falter, ice cream nearly slipping from your hand as you instinctively step back preparing yourself for an apology.
"Oh!"
It's him.
For a moment, you simply stare, surprised in a way that steals your breath. You had not expected to see him again. At least not like this. And yet, a quiet, unwelcome gladness settles in your chest before you can stop it.
âIâm so sorry,â you begin, then pause.
âMingyu,â he says followed by your name. âYou were at the shop the other day.â
âI was,â you say, warmth creeping into your voice. âHow do you know my name?â
He nods. âHeard it that day, at the salesroom. It was pretty hard to forget youâit.â He quickly corrects himself.
Your cheeks warm at that, and you shift slightly, suddenly aware of the way you are standing, the ice cream slowly melting in your hand. Your gaze drifts, then settles on the flowers in his handâa modest bouquet of lilies and sunflowers.
You glance around and realize where you are. A flower shop sits just behind him, its door open, the scent of petals lingering in the air.
"Are those for your lover?" you ask, even thought you know you might be overstepping, you kind of envy the woman he thought of while buying these.
âNo,â he says quickly, almost tripping over the words. âNo, I'm not in a relationship.â
Your eyes flick back to the bouquet, questioning without meaning to be.
âOh,â he adds, realizing, a soft laugh escaping him. âThese are for my grandmother.â He scratches the back of his neck, shy, almost boyish. "She really likes sunflowers."
"That's so sweet."
His eyes meet yours, and for a second the look he gives you feels thoughtful, curious, like he is seeing you rather than simply looking at you. You glance away first, suddenly conscious of your ice cream, the slow drip threatening your fingers.
He laughs softly. âIt's melting.â
You look down with a small gasp. âOh. Right.â
You fumble for a napkin, and before you can properly manage it, Martha appears at your side, bags in hand, eyebrow raised ever so slightly.
âThere you are,â she says. âI turn my back for one moment.â
You smile innocently. âI ran into someone.â
Her gaze shifts to Mingyu, assessing but kind. He straightens instinctively, offering a polite nod.
âGood afternoon, maâam.â
Martha hums in response, then looks back at you. âShall we continue, or are we planning to block the pavement all day?â
You suppress a laugh. âWe were just leaving.â
Mingyu steps back to give you space, though there is reluctance in the movement. âIt was nice seeing you again,â he says. âI didnât expectââ He stops, smiling instead. âIâm glad I did.â
âSo am I,â you say quietly.
Mingyu shifts his weight slightly, adjusting his grip on the bouquet as if wanting to continue this conversation with you but the way Martha was gaping at him suddenly made him aware of how long he had been just standing their and admiring you.
âWell,â he adds, lifting the bouquet slightly, âI should take these."
You nod. âOf course.â
You hesitate, then add, âMaybe Iâll see you around?â
His smile returns, warmer now. âIâd like that.â
You walk a few steps before Martha speaks again, her pace unhurried, perfectly measured beside yours. The street noise rushes back in, filling the quiet he left behind.
âWell,â she says at last.
You glance at her. âWell what?â
She gives you an amused look. âYou seem to have developed a habit of bumping into interesting people.â
You feel your face warm. âIt was an accident.â
âOf course it was,â Martha replies, adjusting the bags in her hand. âAccidents can still be interesting.â
That earns a sheepish grin from you. You lick at the melting edge of your cone, buying yourself a moment. âHe was just someone I met once before.â
âAh,â she says, drawing the word out. âJust someone.â
You walk in silence for a bit, the street opening up ahead of you, warm and alive. Then Martha speaks again, gentler this time.
âHe seems kind.â
You glance at her, surprised. âYou think so?â
âI wouldnât say it if I didnât,â she replies.
Your steps slow slightly at that. You say nothing, because you do not trust your voice to remain steady.
Martha squeezes your arm briefly as you walk. âItâs nice to see you laugh like that,â she adds. âYou donât do it enough these days.â
You look down, smiling to yourself. âNeither do you.â
She scoffs. âI laugh plenty. Just not at men who bump into me on the street.â
The next time you see Mingyu, it is raining.
It falls with no warning, one moment the sky is clear, the next it opens up entirely, rain pouring down hard enough to scatter people off the street.
You stand beneath the narrow awning of the post office, hands tucked into your coat, watching the rain hit the pavement. A letter has just been sent, sealed and addressed carefully to your brother.
You miss your brother terriblyâyou had been inseparable since forever. But he left years ago, chasing work the city could not offer him, and ever since, his visits have been few and fleeting. So, now you settle for letters instead.
You snap out of your thoughts when the sudden gust of cold misty air hits you. You have no umbrella and your empty hands make that painfully clear. Midst of debating whether to make a run for it or not, you notice someone step closer, shoes stopping just short of the edge of the shelter. You glance up.
Mingyu.
âHello,â he says first, a little breathless, like he had not expected this either.
âHello,â you reply, surprised and quietly pleased all at once.
âWhat are you doing here?â he asks, then quickly adds, âI mean, not here here. Just⊠the post office.â
You smile faintly. âI was sending a letter. To my brother.â
He nods, understanding softening his expression. âI had some installation work nearby,â he says. âThey needed help setting something up inside.â
For a moment neither of you speak.
âWhy are you standing here?â he asks.
You lift your palms slightly, as if the answer is obvious. âNo umbrella.â
âAh,â he says, tapping the tip of his umbrella lightly against the ground, using it for support as he settles beside you. âThat would do it.â
The rain pours down relentlessly, filling the silence between you. Without quite deciding to, you shift a little closer to him, drawn in by the warmth radiating from his body as the chill settles into your bones. You tell yourself it is only that, that you are cold and nothing more, an excuse you cling to even as you know better. He smells like lavender and the thought stays with you longer than it should. If he notices the way you move nearer, he gives no sign of it, says nothing.
You wait, half expecting him to speak, while he seems to be doing the same, both of you lingering in that quiet moment, unsure of who should say something first.Then, as if by instinct, you both step forward at the same time.
âWhy arenât youââ you begin.
âDo you want toââ he says.
You stop, then let out a soft laugh. Mingyu too laughs, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly shy. You gesture for him to continue.
He clears his throat, suddenly nervous. âWould you like to share an umbrella with me?â he asks, words tumbling slightly over one another. âI mean, the rain does not look like it is stopping any time soon, soâŠâ
You look at him, something warm blooming in your chest. âYou would not mind?â
His head jerks toward you immediately. âWhy would I mind?â
You giggle softly. âThen⊠yes. I would like that.â
His smile comes easily now. He opens the umbrella and steps out into the rain, pausing just ahead of you, holding it steady. You join him, the space beneath the umbrella small but enough. His arm brushes yours as you fall into step together.
The streets glisten underfoot, puddles rippling as drops fall on the ground. He matches his pace to yours without thinking, slowing when you do, angling the umbrella whenever the wind shifts.
You walk beneath the umbrella together, the space close but careful, his arm steady as he shields you from the rain. The street gleams under the downpour, puddles breaking apart with every passing drop.
âWell,â he says, glancing down at you, âthis is not how I imagined my afternoon.â
You smile. âYou did not plan on rescuing strangers from the rain?â
âHardly strangers,â he replies. âWe have collided twice now. That feels intentional.â
You laugh. âBy that logic, I should start watching where I walk.â
âPlease donât,â he says easily. âIâd miss the chance.â
You shake your head, amused. âDo you always say things like that?â
âOnly when Iâm nervous,â he admits. âWhich is unfortunate, because it seems to happen often around you.â
âThat is good to know,â you tease. âI was beginning to think you were just naturally bold.â
He scoffs lightly. âI am many things. Bold is not one of them.â
âYou did offer to share your umbrella,â you point out.
âAfter standing there far too long debating it,â he says. âI almost convinced myself the rain would stop out of politeness.â
You laugh again, softer this time. âI am glad it didnât.â
He smiles at that, adjusting the umbrella as you turn a corner. âSo am I.â
A gust of wind cuts through the street, blowing rain beneath the edge of the umbrella. Cold drops kiss your sleeve and cheek, making you flinch.
âOh,â you murmur.
âSorry,â he says quickly, adjusting the umbrella, angling it closer. âThe wind has a mind of its own.â
âMuch like you,â you tease. âYou seem to appear when least expected.â
He laughs. âI will take that as a compliment.â
You feel warmth bloom despite the cold, rain still tapping insistently against the fabric above you. You open your mouth to reply when the sound of wheels rushing over wet stone grows louder.
A motorcar barrels past the edge of the street. Before you can react, Mingyu reaches out and pulls you toward him. The car speeds by, splashing water onto the empty stretch of road you had been standing on moments before.
Your breath catches.
âIâm sorry,â he says immediately, loosening his grip. âI didnât mean to startle you.â
You shake your head, still a little stunned. âNo. Itâs fine. I justââ
You trail off, suddenly aware of how close you are now, how the umbrella shelters you both, how his hand lingers near yours as if reluctant to pull away entirely.
He clears his throat, stepping back just enough to give you space. âYou were saying?â
You blink, then laugh softly, a little breathless. âI⊠honestly do not remember.â
Mingyu just laughs, shaking his head.
The walk slows as you turn onto your street, the rain easing just slightly, as if it knows the journey is nearly over. Your house comes into view, its windows lit warmly against the darkening evening.
You smile, a little shy. âThis is me.â As you reach the gate, you turn to face him. "Thank you,â you say. âFor walking me home. And for the umbrella.â
âOf course,â he replies easily. âIâm glad I could.â
When you step a bit away from him, you notice one shoulder of his his coat is noticeably darker, damp from where the rain had slipped in while he made sure you stayed dry.
âOh,â you say, frowning slightly. âYouâre wet.â
He glances down, then shrugs. âOh. Yeah. Itâs no problem.â
âIt is,â you insist. âYou got wet because of me.â
âItâs just a coat,â he says quickly. âItâll dry.â
You hesitate, then reach out, fingers brushing the fabric. âLet me have it,â you say. âIâll get it cleaned.â
He shakes his head. âYou donât have toââ
âPlease,â you say, more earnestly now. âOtherwise Iâll feel really bad.â You do not realize you are pouting until his lips twitch, a quiet chuckle escaping him.
âWell,â he says, surrendering, âI suppose I donât stand a chance.â
You brighten immediately, taking the coat from him with care. âOf course.â
He smiles at you, rain still falling lightly around him. âGoodbye.â
âGoodbye,â you reply.
You watch him leave for a moment before stepping inside, the door closing softly behind you. The house is warm and quiet. You hold the coat a second longer than necessary.
It smells like him.
You are halfway up the stairs, still holding onto that quiet, foolish smile, when a familiar voice stops you.
âWhere have you been for so long?â
You turn slowly. Pa sits on the sofa, cup of tea cradled in his hand, watching you over the rim. Opposite him, legs crossed neatly, posture impeccable, is Charles.
The smile fades.
âCharles,â you murmur, more to yourself than to anyone else.
Paâs expression hardens. âYou are to be married soon,â he says sharply. âIt is not appropriate for you to be wandering about like this. â
Your fingers tighten around the railing.
Charles lets out a small laugh. âUncle, do not worry,â he says smoothly. âEverything will change once we are married.â
He looks at you then, expectant, waiting for agreement. You open your mouth, but nothing comes out.
Another soft laugh from him, unbothered. He sets his hands on his knees and turns back to your father. âMay I spend a little time with her alone?â
Pa gives him a small smile. âOf course! There's no need to ask me, you are to be married anyway.â
Charles stands and gestures toward the stairs. âShall we?â
He goes ahead of you, already climbing as if this is his house. You follow a step behind, slower, your stomach tightening with every stair. You already dread the conversation waiting for you.
He enters your room first.
Charles looks around with polite curiosity, eyes moving over the shelves lined with books, the desk cluttered with loose papers and half finished thoughts. His lips press together. He clicks his tongue once, quietly.
âYou stillâŠwrite,â he remarks, glancing at the chaotic pile of papers on your desk.
When no reply comes, he turns to face you, folding his hands neatly in front of him. âI came as soon as I landed,â he continues smoothly. âThere is much to prepare for, and I thought it best to ask your opinions on certain things.â
You nod. âOf course.â
His attention drifts downward then, to your hands. You are holding a coat you do not recognize as yours, the fabric dark damp, which he assumes is because of the rain. As he looks closer, something shifts in his expression. He inhales lightly, once, then again. The scent clinging to the coat is unfamiliar. Not the soap used in this house. Not yours.
His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.
âYou were out longer than expected,â he continues, voice still calm. âPeople notice these things.â
âI was delayed by the rain,â you say.
He hums. âYou should be more careful. Soon, your actions will reflect on both of us.â
There it is. The thing he always returns to.
He glances back at your books. âYou will not have as much time for these after the wedding,â he says lightly, as if discussing the weather. âA household requires attention.â
You manage a small smile. âI imagine it does.â
Charles steps closer, his voice warming, softening into something meant to reassure. âYou will adjust,â he says. âI am sure you will.â
You look up at him. His hand lifts, brushing your cheek before tucking a damp strand of hair behind your ear.
"You know I care about you, right?" his voice warm.
You nod, though your grip tightens around the coat.
He smiles and puts his hand down. "Well, I should let you rest. You must be tired."
He leaves your room your room a moment later, the scent lingering, the weight of the coat still warm in your hands.
You close the door behind him and cross the room, the weight of the moment finally settling into your bones. You let yourself fall back onto the bed, arms spreading out against the covers as a long sigh leaves you. The ceiling blurs above you as your thoughts tumble over one anotherâthe conversation, Charles, the future laid out so neatly for you, whether you want it or not.
You turn your head and your gaze lands on the coat resting beside you. The faint scent still clings to it, unmistakable now in the quiet of your room. Your lips curve into a small, private smile before you can stop it.
You can't wait to meet Mingyu tomorrow.
The next noon, you ask the driver to park a little distance away from the store.
You sit there longer than necessary, fingers tightening around the small bag in your lap. You check your reflection in the hand mirror once, then again, then a third time, smoothing hair that refuses to be out of place. You inhale. Exhale. Too many times to count.
It is not like you are meeting Mingyu for the first time, but all those times before were coincidences ,and this was somewhat planned and you wanted to look presentable for the first time.
When you finally step inside, no one rushes to greet you the way they did when you came with your parents. You are simply another presence in the room, and strangely, you do not mind. It gives you time to look around the storeâ to look around for the one you came here for.
You spot him in the corner.
Mingyu is bent over a machine, sleeves rolled up, hands busy adjusting something delicate and precise. His brow is furrowed in concentration, hair falling forward just enough to look careless. There is grease smudged faintly along his fingers, his focus so complete that the world around him might as well not exist.
He does not seem to notice when you get near him. You clear your throat to get his attention.
He looks up, surprise flashing briefly across his face before it softens into a smile. He straightens quickly, wiping his hands on a cloth nearby.
âYou look really busy,â you say, smiling.
âYeah,â he replies, a little breathless. âNo! No, actually, just finishing up.â
For a moment, you simply look at each other. Then you extend the bag toward him.
âI came to return this.â
He takes it, curious, and peeks inside. The coat is there, neatly folded. And beneath it, a small box, wrapped carefully.
He pauses. Frowns slightly. Then opens it.
Inside rests a small brooch, simple but elegant. He looks up at you, confused.
You smile. âThank you. For yesterday.â
âI was justââ he begins quickly. âI mean, I was just doing my job.â
You shake your head. âIt is not your job to walk me home safely.â
âButââ
âTake it, Mingyu,â you say gently. âThank you for yesterday. I really enjoyed spending time with you.â
Color creeps up his neck, unmistakable. He clears his throat, closes the box, and places it carefully back in the bag.
âItâs no big deal,â he mutters, embarrassed.
âIt is to me,â you reply.
He looks at you then, really looks at you, his smile changes into a softer one. Mingyu hesitates, shifting his weight, fingers tightening briefly around the bag in his hand.
âUm,â he starts, then stops. Tries again. âDo you want to maybe⊠have lunch together?â
He barely lets the words settle before he rushes on, tripping over himself. âYou know what, itâs okay. You must be busy and I should probably get back to work andââ
âI am not busy,â you say quickly.
He blinks.
âAnd lucky for you,â you add, smiling, âI am actually very hungry.â
His expression brightens instantly, relief and excitement mixing in a way that makes it hard not to smile wider. He comes around the table in a few quick steps. âWell, thatâs great. If you could just wait a moment, Iâll clean up real quick.â
You nod, watching as he moves with surprising speed, wiping his hands, setting things aside, already halfway back to you before you expect him to be.
âReady,â he says, a little proud.
You step out together, the bell above the door chiming softly behind you. The street feels different in daylight, livelier, warmer.
âDo you have a place in mind?â you ask as you walk.
âI do,â he says immediately. âThereâs this small cafe down the street. Nothing fancy, but they serve really good sandwiches. And soup. Their breadâs always fresh. I have lunch there almost every week, actually.â
He keeps talking, filling the space easily, telling you about which days they bake extra, which seat near the window gets the best light, how the owner remembers his order without asking.
Then he stops.
ââŠBut,â he says slowly, glancing at you, âIâm not sure if youâll like it.â
You tilt your head. âWhy wouldnât I?â
He scratches the back of his neck. âWell. You know. Because youâreâŠâ
You understand what he means without him finishing it. You scoff, leaning a little closer. âMingyu, you seriously underestimate me. I love food,â you say, dragging out the words, âand Iâm very glad youâre taking me with you today.â
He smiles at that, a little shy, and you feel a small flutter at the corners of his mouth.
Soon, you reach the cafe. The bell above the door chimes as you step inside, and the owner, a round, cheerful man with a perpetually flour-dusted apron, greets Mingyu warmly.
âMingyu! Back again, eh?â he says, eyes lighting up. âAnd⊠whoâs this pretty lady?â
Mingyu clears his throat, slightly flustered. âThis is⊠uh⊠my friend,â he says.
The owner laughs, clapping him on the back. âHa! You seem to know a lot of pretty ladies, lucky bastard!â
Mingyuâs cheeks pink instantly, and you canât help the small twinge of jealousy that prickles your chest. Who else has he brought here before?
You both head to a table in the corner, Mingyu moves ahead of you pulling out a chair for you. You don't think much of it, head filled with questions.
You pick up the menu but canât resist. âSo⊠who else have you brought here?â you ask, voice light but teasing.
âHuh?â he looks genuinely confused.
âThe owner said you know a lot of pretty ladies,â you explain, glancing at him, âso I was just wondering⊠which other pretty lady youâve brought here.â
Mingyu shakes his head. âIâve never brought anyone here. Youâre the first.â
You canât help but smileâ he looks like shy bird.
He continues, his voice dropping slightly. âHe⊠he once saw me with a customer, and since then heâs been on my back. Heâs crazy⊠no one is prettier than you.â
You feel the heat rise immediately, cheeks warming, heart skipping.
Mingyu seems to realize it too, his eyes flicking to yours, expression caught somewhere between embarrassment and pride.
âLetâs⊠letâs order,â he says quickly, clearing his throat, and lifts his glass for a large gulp of water. You hide your smile behind your menu, trying not to look too pleased, but failing spectacularly.
The cafe visit passes in a blur of laughter, shared bites, and easy conversation. The walk back to the salesroom is comfortingâ you get to know about Mingyu's obsession with reading booksâ one thing you both had in common among other things.
The conversation drifts effortlessly, touching on little curiosities and passions, until the shop comes back into view, and the comfort of the walk lingers long after.
When you reach the entrance, you pause. âThank you again, Mingyu,â you say, smiling. âI had a really nice time.â
âMe too,â he replies, his own smile warm, a little shy.
Mingyu watches you go, shoulders tense for a moment, eyes following your figure until it disappears from sight. He doesnât even notice the hum of the street around him.
A voice cuts through his thoughts. âAre you in love, my boy?â
Mingyu jumps, spinning around to see Jeonghan peeking over his shoulder, smirking.
âWhat?â Mingyu says, heart suddenly racing.
Jeonghan's smile turn into a genuine one. âYou're carrying a torch, oh my god.â
âIâm not,â Mingyu insists, brushing it off, though his voice wavers.
Jeonghan just shakes his head and sings, loud and teasing, âYou are in love, so in loveâŠâ before turning back to his work with a triumphant grin.
Mingyu groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. âIâm not in love, okay? Sheâs just⊠a friend.â
Jeonghan, still smirking, hums teasingly, âLoooveeeeâŠâ
âShut up!â Mingyu snaps, red creeping across his ears, but thereâs no real conviction in his voice. You linger in his thoughts far longer than he cares to admit.
Much to Mingyuâs quiet dismay, a week passes without a single glimpse of you.
He keeps himself busy, or at least he tries to. He throws himself into work, fixes machines with more focus than necessary, lingers longer than usual while locking up. Still, his eyes wander. Every other day he finds himself passing the flower shop, slowing near the post office, pretending he has errands when really he is only hoping. Each time, he leaves with empty hands and a heavier chest.
He even postpones his monthly trip to the bookstore, something he never does, telling himself he will go next week when his head is clearer. It never quite is. By the end of the week, the absence feels loud enough that he gives in and heads to the bookstore anyway, convinced a stack of fresh pages might help.
It is there, between shelves and spines, that the heavens finally take pity on him.
As he turns into another aisle, he bumps straight into someone. He looks up, already forming an apology, and then his breath catches.
Your name slips off his tongue with an unmistakable excitement.
He blinks, half certain he has imagined you, then immediately stiffens, realizing how creepily cheerful that must have sounded. You, on the other hand, look delighted.
âIâm so happy to see you,â you say, eyes bright. You glance around at the shelves. âAre you here to buy books too?â
His shoulders ease as he smiles. âYeah. I was starting to think Iâd never run into you again. Iâm glad we met like this.â
âIâve been busy this week,â you say. âMy birthday preparations took over everything andâ.â Then, quieter, almost lost between words, âI missed you.â
He stills, surprise flickering across his face. Thinking how wrong it might have come off as, you shake your hand quickly.
âNo, noâ you rush, cheeks warm. âI meanâit was fun spending time with you. I missed spending spending with you.â
His laugh comes easy, relieved. âI missed you too.â
âReally?â you ask, smiling.
He nods, then tilts his head. âItâs your birthday? Iâm sorry, I didnât know.â
You laugh. âHow could you? I never told you.â
âWell,â he says gently, âhappy birthday.â
âThank you,â you reply, then pause. âItâs tomorrow. If youâre free⊠Iâd really like you to join.â
You pull an invitation card from your purse and hold it out to him. He takes it carefully, like it might disappear if he grips it too tightly.
âThank you,â he says. âIâll try to come.â
Before you can say more, a familiar voice calls out to you from the front of the shop, reminding you that you have to leave, that your father will be home soon. It's the same woman he saw you with the other day.
"Just a minute, Martha." you call back, then turn to Mingyu once more. âI really hope youâd come.â
You give him a smile, warm and lingering, before moving away to check out your books.
Mingyu stands there a moment longer than necessary. The faint scent of vanilla trails in your wake, already missed. He looks down at the invitation card in his hands, thumb brushing the edge, a small smile settling on his face.
He folds the card neatly and slips it into his coat pocket, right over his heart, before finally turning back to the shelves. The books blur together now, their titles meaningless. His mind is already elsewhere, already counting the hours, already hoping.
For the first time all week, the wait feels bearable.
Mingyu stands outside your house longer than he should, invitation card folded and unfolded between his fingers. The place is lit up like it is holding its breath, windows glowing warm against the night, laughter slipping out through the walls. He looks down at himself, suddenly aware of how little he belongs here, and for a brief moment, he considers turning back.
But it is your birthday.
So he straightens his coat and steps inside.
The house is transformed. Garlands of soft lights trail along the banisters, flowers spill from vases in careful arrangements, pale ribbons woven between them. Music hums low and elegant, conversations overlapping in polished tones. Everyone looks effortless and expensive, silk dresses brushing marble floors, tailored suits pressed sharp. Mingyu feels like he has walked into another world, one he is only meant to observe.
He accepts a glass of wine from a passing servant, murmurs a thank you, and drifts toward the corner of the room where he can breathe. He tells himself he will just wait, wish you well, and leave quietly.
When you appear, the room seems to notice before himâ conversations pause, heads turn. You descend the stairs in a burgundy floor-length gown with intricate black beadwork, a fitted silhouette, and you lookâyou look angelic.
Compliments follow you down the steps, voices praising your beauty, your grace. You thank them all with a practiced smiling but your eyes wander around the room looking for a particular someone.
When your eyes land at him your smiles changes to a warmer one. You lift a hand and wave. Mingyu lifts his glass in return, heart thudding a little too fast.
You start toward him but are intercepted, pulled gently into another conversation.
Fifteen minutes go by and eventually the cake is brought out, candles lit, people crowding close to feed you the first bite.
A man, who's almost Mingyu's age, stands constantly beside you, too close for his comfort. Mingyu does not know who he is, but the sight leaves something unsettled in his chest.
He looks away, focuses instead on the table beside him. Cheeses laid out in careful rows, shapes and textures he has never seen before. He takes another sip of wine, pretending to study them, pretending he does not feel out of place. Mingyu knows that he shouldn't be feeling all this, he shouldn't be here at the first place, he shouldn'tâŠlike you.
A hand lands on his shoulder. He turns startled.
You are there, smiling up at him, close enough that he can smell your perfume.
âHappy birthday,â he starts to say.
You do not let him finish.
You take his hand, and without a word, you pull him gently toward the stairs, away from the noise, away from the watching eyes, leaving the party humming behind you as you lead him upstairs.
As you both reach the terrace you turn to face him, hands still warm from his. You tilt your head, eyes bright with expectation. âSo?â you ask.
He blinks. âSoâŠ?â
You tut playfully, lips forming a small pout. âYou know,â you say, dragging it out. âYouâre the only one who hasnât given me a gift.â
His eyes widen just a fraction. âIââ He hesitates, then exhales. âI was going toââ
You chuckle watching him stutter as if caught doing something wrong. "It's okay, I was just joking."
Mingyu's hand reaches to his pocket, feeling the box inside. He hesitates for a bit before taking it out and handing it to you.
âItâs not that good,â he rushes out. âI couldnât think of anything and I didnât know what youâd like and Iâm terrible at this, I swearââ Mingyu keeps on blabbering which stops when he hears you gasp.
A locket with your name engraved on it.
Before he can react you step forward and wrap your arms around him, burying your face against his chest. He freezes for half a secondâthen his arms come around you, tentative, like heâs afraid of doing it wrong.
âI love this,â you murmur, voice thick. âA lot.â
He lets out a shaky laugh. âYouâre crying.â
âI am not,â you sniff, pulling back just enough to look at him. Your eyes are glossy, smile soft. âOkay, maybe a little.â
You glance back down at the locket, fingers tracing the engraving. âHelp me put it on?â
His hands brush your neck as he fastens the chain, careful, reverent. When heâs done, his fingers linger for half a second too long.
Mingyuâs hands drop back to his sides, but you can still feel the ghost of his touch at your neck. He clears his throat. âIt looks⊠nice on you.â
You turn to look at him properly, "thank you, for this." you motion to the locket which rests beautifully on your neck now. "And for coming today. I would've have been really lonely today."
"Anything for you." Mingyu whispers.
What began as chance meetings quietly turned into something deliberate. You started sneaking out at late hours, excuses ready on your tongue, just to steal a few moments with him over shared snacks and hushed laughter.
The salesroom became familiar, almost comforting, its corners holding pieces of your routine now. You knew the creak of the floorboards, the hum of machines, the names and habits of the people who worked there. Jeonghan, who always seemed to be around, took an immediate liking to you, greeting you with exaggerated bows and relentless teasing, much to Mingyuâs embarrassment.
Bookstores became another refuge, aisles and back corners offering privacy. You were rarely together in open spaces, a rule Mingyu insisted on, always careful, always wary of being seen. You thought it unnecessary, even foolish, argued with him more than once, but he never budged, his concern quiet and unyielding.
When the walls of public places felt too thin, you found yourselves retreating to his house insteadâtalking, reading, doing your own things in the same room.
The more time you spent at the salesroom, the more curious you became about the machines themselves. You asked questions endlessly, about gears and levers and sounds, watching the way Mingyuâs hands moved as he worked.
You knew you distracted him, could see it in the way he paused mid task to answer you, so one evening you asked properly, if he would teach you how one of them worked, a phonograph sitting proudly near the front. He had smiled then, surprised but pleased, and agreed.
Now it is past ten, the city outside long settled into sleep. Jeonghan has already gone, leaving the closing to Mingyu as promised.
The salesroom looks different at night. When Mingyu switches on the small table lamp, only one corner of the room is washed in warm yellow light, the rest sinking into shadows. The phonograph sits between you. Mingyu rolls up his sleeves and begins to explain, careful and patient, pointing out each part, his voice softer than usual in the quiet. You nod along, eyes following his hands more than the machine itself.
âNow you try,â he says, stepping back to give you space.
You do exactly as he showed you. Or at least, you try. The needle slips, the sound comes out wrong, and the machine gives a weak, pitiful noise. You freeze, then burst into laughter.
âGently,â he says, guiding your hand. âYou rush things.â
âI am being gentle,â you protest, concentrating far too hard.
You try again but the needle slips.
"Wow. So impressive." Mingyu says flatly.
You swat his arm. âYouâre a terrible teacher.â
âI showed you exactly what to do.â
âAnd I did exactly that,â you insist, fiddling with the machine again, tongue peeking out in focus.
He stops correcting you. Just watches. The way you lean closer, the way your brows knit together in concentration, the way you smile to yourself when the sound almost comes out right. Thereâs something soft in his gaze now, something unguarded, like heâs already lost a battle he never meant to fight.
âCareful,â he murmurs, quieter. âYouâll break it.â
âThen youâll just have to fix it,â you say lightly, not looking at him.
You both might have been a bit too loud, because you hear footsteps echoing outside the door.
Mingyu stiffens. âOh shit.â
In one quick motion, he switches off the phonograph, plunges the room into darkness, and tugs you down with him beneath the table. You let out a small, breathless giggle before you can stop yourself, the thrill of it all bubbling up. His hand comes up instinctively, covering your mouth as he leans close.
âShh,â he whispers.
You nod, eyes wide, laughter trapped behind his palm. You donât struggle. You just look at him, close enough now to make out the shape of his face in the dark.
The footsteps pause. Mingyu holds still, barely breathing, eyes scanning the sliver of light beyond the tablecloth. Seconds stretch. Then the steps move on, fading into nothing.
Slowly, his attention comes back to you.
He lowers his hand, careful, hesitant. âYou alright?â he whispers.
You nod again. He breathes out, relief softening him, and then he notices the way youâre still looking at him. He says your name, barely more than a breath.
He leans in too, instinct overtaking sense, and then the reminder settles heavy in his chestâthis is wrong, you are engaged. He pulls back abruptly and tries to stand, forgetting entirely where he is.
Thump. Mingyu's head hits the table. âFuck,â he mutters, rubbing his head.
You reach for him immediately. âAre you alright?â
He lets out a short laugh. âYeah. Iâm fine,â he says, then straightens, suddenly all nerves. âI think the guardâs gone. We should leave. Before we get caught for real this time.â
You nod, even as disappointment settles quietly in your chest. You follow him out of the darkened salesroom, heart still racing.
On your way back, you don't talk as much as you do usually. He drops you off a little distance away, careful as always. You slip back into the house quietly, shoes in hand, heart still racing but unworried. Pa and Ma would be fast asleep by now. You climb the stairs on light steps, already picturing your bed, when a voice stops you cold.
âYou shouldnât be out at this time.â
You nearly jump out of your skin. âMartha,â you whisper, clutching your chest, âyou scared me.â
âAnd you doing this scares me,â she replies, unimpressed.
You resume walking, Martha following close behind. âDoing what?â you ask, though you already know.
âSpending time with a joe,â she says, lowering her voice, âand that too this late.â
You sigh. âMartha, not you too.â
Inside your room now, you slip off the coat and place it carefully on the chair. You sit at your dressing table, fingers moving automatically as you unclasp your jewellery, the quiet ticking of the clock suddenly too loud. Martha stands behind you, arms folded.
She calls your name softly. âIt was fine till the birthday party. But I fear this is escalating into something that will put you in a difficult position.â
You turn your head slowly. âWhat do you mean?â
She hesitates, then says it anyway, voice dropping at the end. âI've been noticing how you've changed since you've met him. You can't do things like thisâlike sneaking out of the house late at night, like lying to your parents, like⊠like falling in love.â
Your eyes widen as if she has uttered something forbidden. âMartha!â
She exhales, tired. âLove can be fickle, dear. Mingyu is a nice person, no doubt. But you are engaged. And if anyone even gets a whiff of what youâre doing, it would do great harm. To Charles. To your family. To himâ Her voice softens. âI care for you, honey. Iâm worried about your future.â
You say nothing. Just look at her through the mirror.
Martha sighs again, defeated. âYou should sleep. You have breakfast with Charles tomorrow.â
She leaves, closing the door gently behind her.
You turn back to the mirror. The girl staring back at you looks unfamiliar, cheeks still warm, eyes too bright. Your gaze drifts to the coat resting nearby, still carrying his scent, faint and unmistakable.
He pulls out your chair for you, smiling. âYou look well this morning,â he says, warm, familiar. âDid you sleep alright?â
âYes,â you reply, managing a smile of your own. âThank you for asking.â
You talk easily at first, about small things, about the weather, about the wedding preparations that seem to follow you everywhere. Charles asks your opinion on flowers, on the guest list, on trivial details, listening attentively, nodding as if each answer matters. A server approaches, a young man fumbling slightly as he pours water, spilling a few drops onto the tablecloth.
Charlesâ expression hardens instantly.
âDo be careful,â he snaps, sharp and cutting. âThis isnât a roadside stall.â
The server stammers an apology, face flushing as he hurriedly wipes the table. Charles waves him off with an impatient gesture, already turning back to you.
âHonestly,â he says lightly, as if nothing has happened. âStandards seem to slip more every day.â
Your chest tightens. You glance at the server retreating, shoulders hunched, and something twists painfully inside you. You think of Mingyu, of his patience, his quiet respect, the way he spoke to everyone as if they mattered. The contrast is jarring.
Charles fixes his sleeve, turning to you with a tight smile, and continues to talk. His voice is steady and composed, but the words drift past you without settling. Your mind keeps wandering back to Mingyu, to the warmth of his laugh, the way he looked at you like you were something rare. Marthaâs words from the night before echo again, heavier now, harder to ignore.
ââand the guest list should be finalized by next week,â Charles says.
You donât respond.
âDarling?â he tries again.
Nothing.
He says your name once more, firmer this time. âAre you listening?â
You blink, startled, pulled back into the present. âIâm sorry, what?â
He studies you for a moment, concern flickering across his face. âI was saying we need to decide on the venue for the rehearsal dinner. Mother prefers something formal. I thought perhaps the Whitmore estate would be suitable.â
âSounds good,â you say automatically.
He continues, warming to the subject. âWeâll need to schedule fittings, and thereâs the matter of the invitations. I want everything to be impeccable. People remember these things.â He smiles at you, reaching for your hand. âI want our life to begin properly.â
You nod, but the thought makes your chest feel hollow. You try to imagine it, standing beside him, building a life that looks perfect from the outside. But you canât picture your heart racing the way it does with Mingyu, canât imagine laughing without restraint, or feeling seen in the quiet moments.
Charles squeezes your hand gently. âYouâll be happy,â he says, certain. âWeâll be very good together.â
But inside, you know it isnât the same. He doesnât make your pulse quicken. He doesnât linger in your thoughts when he leaves the room. Your heart doesn't beat for him the same way it does for Mingyu.
And that realization settles in your chest, heavy and undeniable.
You push your chair back suddenly, the sound scraping a little too loud against the floor.
âI need to go,â you say.
Charles looks up at you, startled. âGo? Now?â He sets his cutlery down, confusion clear on his face. âWhere do you need to be? I can have the driver take us.â
âItâs something I just remembered,â you reply quickly, already reaching for your bag. âYou donât need to trouble yourself.â
He studies you, concern creeping in. âAre you unwell?â
âNo,â you say, softening your voice. âIâm fine. Truly.â You manage a small smile. âThank you for breakfast, Charles.â
You donât trust yourself to say anything more. You turn and leave before he can ask another question.
The car ride is quiet. Your hands twist in your lap, thoughts racing, heart pounding with a strange urgency you donât fully understand. When the driver slows near the salesroom, you step out almost before the car comes to a full stop.
You take a few hurried steps forward.
Then you stop.
Not far from the entrance, Mingyu stands with a woman you donât recognize. Sheâs close to him, closer than youâve ever been in public. She reaches up, brushes his hair aside with easy familiarity, laughing at something he says. He bends slightly toward her, smiling, relaxed in a way that makes your chest ache.
You donât like the way it looks.
You donât like how quickly your throat tightens.
You donât like how small you suddenly feel.
Without thinking, you turn back.
You open the car door and slide in, avoiding the window. âTake me home,â you say quietly.
With only a month left to the wedding, everything around you moves at a relentless pace. There are fittings and meetings and lists that never seem to end. And yet, in the quiet moments between it all, your thoughts betray you. They drift to Mingyu. To that night at the salesroom. To the way you stopped going there after seeing him with that woman. You have not spoken since.
âI like this one. What about you, honey?â your motherâs voice pulls you back.
You lift your eyes to the mirror. The gown youâre wearing is white and luminous, silk falling softly against your figure, delicate embroidery catching the light with every small movement. It is beautiful. Effortlessly so. Anyone would look at you and see a bride ready for her future. You look at your motherâs reflection and nod, smiling.
âYes,â you say. âItâs lovely.â
She smiles back, pleased, adjusting the veil with gentle hands. âYou look radiant,â she says, proud.
The drive home is quiet, the gown carefully packed away, your mind still elsewhere. When you step inside the house, setting your things down, a familiar voice carries from the sitting room.
You stop short.
You freeze for half a second before your heart leaps. âJoshua?â you call out, disbelief turning into joy as you rush forward.
He barely has time to brace himself before you throw your arms around him. He laughs, arms wrapping around you just as tightly. âMissed me that much, huh?â
You pull back just enough to look at him, smiling so wide it almost hurts. âYou have no idea,â you say, hugging him again, holding on like youâre afraid he might disappear.
Joshua pulls back just enough to look at you properly, his eyes narrowing in that familiar, annoying way that means heâs knows everything.
âWell,â he says slowly, lips twitching, âIâve been told youâve been acting⊠strange.â
You frown. âStrange how?â
He hums, pretending to think. âQuiet. Distant. Smiling at walls. Very unlike my little sister.â He leans closer, mock-serious. âSomeone even said you look like youâre about to bolt at any given moment.â
You scoff and jab him lightly in the stomach. âStop listening to gossip.â
He laughs, catching your wrist easily. âI knew it. Hit a nerve.â His voice softens as he lets go. âBig wedding coming up. Guess thatâll do that to a person.â
You shrug, suddenly finding the carpet very interesting. âItâs just⊠a lot.â
Joshua studies you for a moment, the teasing fading into something gentler. âYeah,â he says quietly. âI can see that.â
Joshua spots your mom hovering near the doorway and immediately lights up.
"Ma," he says fondly, stepping past you. He bends down and presses a quick kiss to her cheek. âYou look as beautiful as ever.â
She laughs, swatting lightly at his arm. âFlatterer. When did you get so smooth?â
âBorn this way,â he grins, then glances back at you, eyes sparkling. âClearly the good genes skipped someone, though.â
âJOSHUA,â you protest, shoving him again.
Joshua laughs, pinching your cheeks, muttering how cute you are.
You both settle at the long dining table, the chandelier above casting a warm, honeyed glow over polished wood and porcelain. Joshua leans back in his chair, watching you with that familiar, knowing grin.
âSo,â he says lightly, reaching for a napkin, âmy little bookwormâfound any new treasures lately?â His eyes flick past you, toward the doorway. âMartha tells me youâve been frequenting the bookstore more than usual these days.â
Martha appears right on cue, placing a small plate between youâwarm buttered scones dusted lightly with sugar, still smelling faintly of the oven. You shoot her a look sharp enough to cut glass. Traitor. Martha, unfazed, merely smooths her apron and disappears back into the kitchen as if she hasnât just exposed you.
Joshua is already helping himself, breaking a scone in half and popping a piece into his mouth. âMm,â he hums. âStill undefeated.â
âJust trying to give myself a break from all the wedding preparations,â you reply, reaching for one yourself. The scone flakes softly between your fingers, crumbs scattering onto the plate.
He turns toward you then, expression softening. âThat makes sense,â he says gently. âDonât push yourself too hard, yeah?â He dusts his hands together, clapping off the sugar and crumbs before resting them on the table.
Joshua stands, nudging your shoulder with his hip as he passes. âGo rest for now. You look exhausted.â He smiles, warm and teasing. âYou can play tour guide laterâI expect a full tour. Itâs been far too long since Iâve been home.â
Two weeks slipped by. The city moved on, the house filled with florists and seamstresses and quiet congratulations, and suddenly the wedding was no longer an idea but a date looming only two weeks away.
Your father insisted on hosting a party in your name, something grand and respectable, something that would assure everyone that everything was exactly as it should be. You smiled when required, stood where you were placed, listened when spoken to. And all the while, missing Mingyu felt like a clean cut under silk.
If anything, the nearness of the wedding had only made it worse. The farther you forced yourself from him, the more he occupied you. Every time you thought of going to the salesroom, of finally speaking, of ending this ache properly, something tightened inside youâfear, duty, cowardice, you didnât knowâand you would turn back before you ever reached the door.
Now you sat before the dressing table as Martha did the work for the evening, brushing your hair, pinning them with floral hair pins.
The party echoes faintly downstairsâlaughter, music, glasses clinking but it felt miles away. You already know how it is going to beâ greeting people with a put on smile, mingling in small talk with people you've never even met, searching every face without meaning too for a particular someoneâsomeone who won't even be here.
"I miss him."
The words slipped out before you could stop them.
You lift your eyes to the mirror to look at Martha behind you. Your reflection wavers, lips parting as if the truth has been pressing against them for days, waiting.
"I miss him," you breathe. "I miss Mingyu."
Her hands still. Just for a second. When she meets your gaze in the mirror, thereâs no surprise thereâonly a tired sort of pity that says I knew this moment would come. She exhales softly and resumes tying your hair, gentler now, as though you might shatter.
You donât wait for her to speak.
âItâs everywhere,â you say, words tumbling out. âWhen I wake up, when I try to read, when someone laughs and it isnât him. I keep telling myself it will passâthat it has toâbut it hasnât, Martha. Itâs only gotten worse.â Your fingers curl into the edge of the dressing table. âI havenât even seen him and still heâs⊠still there. Like heâs carved himself into me.â
She swallows, her eyes lowering for a moment before lifting again. âOh, my dear,â she murmurs, barely audible.
âI try,â you continue, voice trembling now. âI truly try to think of Charles, of my family, of whatâs expected. I try to be grateful. But when I imagine the rest of my lifeâŠâ You trail off, shaking your head. âHe doesnât disappear from it. Mingyu doesnât disappear. And that scares me.â
Marthaâs hands come to rest on your shoulders, warm and grounding. âI was afraid of this,â she admits quietly. âNot because youâre wrong to feel itâbut because love like that⊠it doesnât listen to reason.â
Your eyes sting. âAm I terrible for this?â
She leans down, resting her forehead briefly against your hair. âNo,â she says firmly. âYouâre human. And youâre in love.â
"You're in love?" Your head snaps to the door.
Joshua stands there, one hand still on the knob. Heâs dressed sharplyâas alwaysâin a dark three-piece suit, waistcoat snug, his hair is neatly combed back, but his expression is anything but composed.
He steps into the room slowly, eyes moving from your face to Martha, then back to you.
âWho are you in love with?â he asks, voice deceptively calm. âItâs not Charles, is it?â A short, humorless laugh escapes him. âThe way youâve been acting this past monthâI doubt itâs Charles. So then who is it?â
You say nothing. Your gaze slips away.
Joshuaâs jaw tightens. He studies you for a moment, something clicking into place. âIs this the person that caused your frequent visits to the bookstore??â he asks quietly.
Silence.
His voice rises. âIâm asking you something!â
The dam breaks. You fold in on yourself, sobs tearing out of your chest as apologies spill from your lipsâsoft, broken sorrys that donât even make sense anymore.
Joshua says immediately, crossing the room. He grips your shoulders, firm but careful, forcing you to look at him. His eyes soften, then harden again with disbelief. âThe wedding is in two weeks,â he says, slower now. âAnd youâreââ He exhales sharply. âIn love?â
He scoffs, dragging a hand down his face. âDoes he love you too?â
âIââ Your voice cracks. You shake your head. âI donât know.â
Joshua stiffens. âYou donâtâ you donât know?â His grip loosens. âDoes he even know you love him?â
Another shake of your head.
His hands drop completely. He turns away, pacing the room like a caged animal, running a hand through his hair. For a moment, he says nothing. Then he stops in front of you.
âGo tell him.â
You look up, stunned. âWhat?â
âGo tell him,â Joshua repeats, voice firm, resolved. âTell him you love him.â He meets your eyes fully now. âWhatever happens after thatâweâll deal with it after. But you donât get to suffocate like this in silence.â
Your breath catches. âBut the partyââ
âIâll take care of it,â he cuts in without hesitation. âIâll make excuses. Iâll lie if I have to.â His expression softens, just a little. âYouâre my sister. I wonât watch you marry someone while loving another.â
The room feels suddenly too small. Your heart pounds so loud youâre sure they can hear it.
Joshua steps aside, gesturing toward the door.
âGo,â he says quietly. âBefore you convince yourself not to.â
The music from downstairs still hums faintly through the walls as you slip out of the house, shoes in your hands, heart racing louder than the party ever could. You move down the back steps, past the hedges, into the waiting car Joshua arranged without questions.
Your chest aches the whole way. Fear, hope, guilt, reliefâeverything tangles together until you can hardly breathe. You think of his laugh, the way he looks at you when he thinks you arenât watching, the restraint that always sat heavy on his shoulders. You think of the woman you saw him with and how it twisted something ugly and unfamiliar inside you. You donât even recognize myself anymore, you think. But you know thisâyou canât lose him without trying.
When you reach his building, you barely wait to steady yourself. You knock one too many times to be polite. The door finally opens.
Mingyu stands there, hair slightly mussed, sleeves rolled up, confusion flashing into shock the second he sees you. Your name slips out of his mouth.
âI love you.â
The words tumble out before you can lose your nerve. âI love you, and I have for some time now. I tried to stop it. I swear I did. I tried to be sensible, to be good, but every time I stayed away it hurt worse.â Your voice shakes, but you keep going. âI hated seeing you with someone who wasnât me. I hated the person I became because of itâjealous, restless, recklessâbut I hated even more the thought of never telling you.â
He just stares, stunned, whispering your name like itâs something fragile.
âI donât care if itâs inconvenient or foolish,â you press on, tears burning your eyes. âI donât care if it ruins everything Iâm supposed to want. I only know that Iââ
âI love you too.â
The words cut clean through you. You freeze, just for a heartbeat, as if your mind canât quite catch up. Your gaze drops to his mouth.
You finally kiss him with all the weeks you lost, all the words you swallowed, all the wanting that never had anywhere to go.
He exhales against your lips, hands finding your waist as if heâs afraid youâll disappear. The door shuts behind you without either of you noticing.You cling to him, fingers fisting in his shirt, heart pounding wildly as if it finally knows where it belongs.
Kissing him is nothing like you rehearsed in your head on all those sleepless nights. In your imagination it had been softer. This isnât. This is messy and immediate and a little desperate, like both of you have been standing on opposite sides of a locked door and someone finally turned the key.
You pull back only long enough to breathe, but he follows you instinctively, forehead brushing yours, his nose grazing your cheek as if distance, even an inch of it, is suddenly unacceptable.
"Need you." you whimper around his lips.
His eyes search yours for a second, just making sureâand whatever he finds there breaks the last bit of restraint he had left.
He kisses you again, deeper this time. One hand slides from your waist to your back, flattening against your spine, pulling you flush against him. The heat of him startles you. You can feel his heartbeat, fast and uneven, matching the chaos in your own chest. Your fingers slide up into his hair, and he makes a quiet sound against your mouth.
He pulls away just barely, his thumb brushing your cheek, slower than any movement so far, as if heâs reminding both of you to breathe. Your chest rises and falls unevenly anyway. You donât realize how tightly youâre holding his shirt until his other hand gently covers yours where itâs fisted in the fabric.
âYouâre okay?â he asks softly.
You nod, but the word doesnât come out. You can barely think past how close he isâhow every place heâs touching you feels suddenly more sensitive than it has any right to. He kisses you again. Your shoulders relax under his hands, and you lean into him without realizing, trusting the steadiness of his grip.
His mouth leaves yours and for a second you think you did something wrong. Then his lips brush the corner of your jaw.
You inhale sharply. His hand slides slowly down your arm. Your fingers curl into his shoulder to steady yourself as his mouth traces lower.
He pulls your skirt up, revealing your wet undergarment. He pulls your panty down.
"Oh baby." He sighs as if he's seen the gates of heaven.
His face moves closer to your heat. He licks you slowly from hole to clit, humming pleasantly at the taste, making you clasp a hand over your mouth.
He slowly drags his tongue, circling your clit, before sucking it hard, making you arch your back.
His fingers and tongue work in harmonyâcurling inside you, as he ruins your pussy.
The stimulation causes you to clamp your thighs around his face. Mingyu's fingers dig on your hips, as he pulls away from you, gasping. "You good, love?"
You sigh out loud. Unable to form any words, you just nod. Giving you a small smile he dives back, tongue fucking you. His index finger moves tauntingly inside you, his thumb never leaving your clit.
Mingyu whispers soft endearments, each one followed by another long lick that makes your hips buck against his face.
"Mingyuâ" you gasp as his tongue explores your insides. Your body starts throbbing profusely as heat builds up in your cunt, his digits going knuckle deep before pulling out again, just to thrust all the way in, hitting every single nerve that leaves you cumming in no time, letting out a soft, choked moan as your entire being spasms and trembles with exertion.
Mingyu laughs as he pulls his tongue out of you, his face still pressed on you. He gives your clit one final kiss before getting up to kiss your mouth.
His lips linger against yours, as though savoring the simple fact of being allowed to be this close to you. He kisses you like he has all the time in the world, like there is nowhere else he needs to be but here, with you.
When he pulls back, his forehead rests against yours, breaths mingling, his smile barely there but unmistakably tender. His hand slides from yours to your waist.
He exhales a quiet, almost disbelieving laugh. âThank you,â he murmurs, voice thick with feeling. âFor choosing usâfor choosing me.â
He leans in, presses a gentle kiss to your forehead, then pulls you into his arms, holding you like heâs afraid the moment might slip away if he doesnât.
Morning comes softly in his house.
Light slips in through thin curtains, settling over the familiar walls and the quiet hum of a city just waking up.
You turn your head to see Mingyu still asleep beside you, one arm flung loosely above his head, hair falling into his eyes in a way that makes him look younger.
The sight of him sends a strange, tender ache through your chest. Last night feels almost unreal now, like something you mightâve imagined if the warmth of him werenât still right here.
As you sit up slowly, you feel the mattress beside you shift.
âYouâre awake,â he murmurs, voice rough with sleep.
You turn back to him, smiling before you can stop yourself. âGood morning.â
He blinks at you for a second, then smiles tooâslow, disbelieving, like heâs still making sure you didnât vanish with the night. He reaches out, fingers brushing your wrist, grounding himself. âYouâre still here.â
âI am,â you say quietly. âI donât plan on going anywhere.â
That does something to him. You can see it in the way his shoulders relax, the way he exhales. He sits up beside you, close but not crowding, as if heâs relearning how to be with you without restraint.
Neither of you talks about what comes next. Not the wedding. Not the fallout.
For now, thereâs just the morning light, the shared silence, and the simple, terrifying truth that you chose each otherâand for the first time in weeks, the weight in your chest eases.
Mingyu presses his forehead to yours, gentle this time, reverent.
âWeâll figure it out,â he says.
You believe him. It's going to be alright. You just need to talk to your father andâit will be fine, you tell yourself.
By the time you reach your house, the weight of reality settles in. You pause at the door longer than necessary, fingers resting on the handle. You draw in a breath, square your shoulders, and step inside, already wondering how to begin saying what can no longer be unsaid.
When you step into the sitting room, it feels like walking into the quiet before a storm.
Your father is seated on the sofa, spine straight, hands resting on his knees as if he has been waiting for this moment. Your mother sits beside him, her shoulders drawn in, fingers twisting nervously in her lap. Joshua stands near the wall, leaning against it, arms crossed tight across his chest. His jaw is clenched, eyes fixed on the floor like he already knows what is coming.
âWhere were you?â He asks too calmly, his voice stripped of warmth.
Your mouth opens, then closes again. You donât trust your voice.
He takes a step forward. âWhere were you?â he repeats, deeper now, heavier.
When you still don't answer, his control fractures. âYou spent a night in another manâs house,â he says, his voice rising, anger breaking through at last. âAnd that too a regular fella. Did you forget that you are engaged.â
Your mother gasps, "darlingâ"
"He's not just anybody, I love him." You finally find your voice.
He lets out a sharp, humorless huff. âLove.â He paces once, agitated. âYou embarrassed me in front of everyone for this childish love. I don't care, you can show all the love you want after youâre married to Charles.â
Your eyes sting. âI canât marry someone I donât love.â
âDo you hear yourself?â he huffs. âAfter everything that has been arranged. The invitations. The guests. The name attached to ours.â
"I hear myself very well," your voice becomes bold. "This is the first time I ever decided something for myself,and you cannot tell me to change it."
âI donât want to see you anymore,â he says at last, voice cold and final. âIf you insist on shaming this family, then stay out of my sight.â
Joshua straightens slightly. âPaââ Your father lifts a hand without looking at him.
Your mother reaches for his sleeve, shaking her head gently. Tears brim in her eyes, but she keeps her voice steady.
âPlease,â she says. âThis is still our daughter.â
Your father pulls his hand from your mother's grip and looks away from you, as though the sight of you pains him. "Stay out of my sight."
You turn to leave.
In your room, you sit heavily on the edge of the bed before letting yourself fall back against the mattress, still in yesterdays dress. You stare up at the ceiling, tracing the familiar cracks and shadows, feeling hollowed out and sore in places you didnât know could ache but no tears come. Your heart is filled with satisfaction. After all for the first time in your life, you chose yourself, and the weight of that choice presses gently, relentlessly, against your chest.
A knock comes not long after.
You sit up.
Your mother enters first, her eyes glassy, lashes wet. Joshua follows her in, closing the door quietly behind them, as though sound itself might shatter you.
Your mother crosses the room in two quick steps and pulls you into her arms. You fold into her instinctively, breathing her in, the familiar warmth of her holding you together.
âOh, my darling,â she whispers, her voice breaking despite herself.
Joshua lingers near the foot of the bed, hands shoved into his pockets, shoulders tense. âYou did nothing wrong,â he says firmly, as if daring the world to argue.
âI didnât want it to happen like this,â you murmur into your motherâs shoulder. âI didnât want to hurt him.â
âI know,â she says softly, brushing your hair back with trembling fingers. âBut I would rather you be brave than obedient. I would not want my daughter to be stuck in a loveless marriage.â
Joshua exhales. âDonât carry all of it tonight,â he says. âPa is⊠Pa. Heâll come around. Maybe not soon. But someday.â
You look between them, heart aching but full. âI hope so.â
Joshua hesitates, then moves to sit beside you, the mattress dipping under his weight. A crooked smile tugs at his lips. âSeeing you spend the night outside, I'm taking everything went well."
A small laugh escapes you before you can stop it. You glance at him, nodding, a shy smile curving your mouth.
Joshua lets out a satisfied hum. âWell,â he says, leaning back on his hands, âIâd really like to meet the beeâs knees who managed to make my sister fall head over heels.â
Your smile softens, something warm blooming behind your ribs. You donât answerâdonât need to. The way your eyes drift, the quiet in your breathing, says enough.
Your mother watches the exchange, her expression easing. She reaches out, fingers brushing your cheek, slow and tender. Then she cups your face fully, studying you the way she did when you were small, pressing a kiss on your forehead.
âRest now,â she whispers. âYouâve been strong enough for one day.â
You lie back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling again as they leave. Your chest still aches, the future still uncertain, but beneath it all is a steady warmth. Because now, you have Mingyu with you now.
Things do not fix themselves overnight. You learn that slowly.
Your father still does not acknowledge Mingyuâs. Mingyu, to his credit, never pushes.
Joshua, on the other hand, is a lost cause.
They take to each other like they have been separated at birth and only just reunited. Inside jokes form within days. They argue over food, over music, over which one of them would survive longer in the wild.
Sometimes you sit between them, listening to them bicker, both talking over each other, and you realize you're playing gooseberry in your own relationship.
But you don't mind.
Your mother warms to Mingyu quietly, the way she warms to all things she trusts. She notices the way he listens when you speak, the way he reaches for your hand without thinking, the way his voice softens around you. She asks him if heâs eaten, if heâs tired, if heâs happy. She presses an extra helping of food onto his plate and says, âYouâre too thin.â
You see the way his eyes shine at that.
Life is calmer nowânot easier or perfect, but you're happier now. You and Mingyu build something slow and sturdy. Morning routines. Shared silences. Arguments that end in laughter or apologies murmured into skin. Love that does not demand you shrink or bend.
Some nights, when the house is quiet and the world feels far away, you lie beside him and think of the girl you used to beâthe one who thought love was something that happened to you, not something you chose.
You chose this.
You chose him.
And when Mingyu turns to you in the dark, half-asleep, arm pulling you closer like itâs the most natural thing in the world, you knowâwith a certainty that settles deep in your bonesâthat whatever matters remain unfinished, whatever bridges yet await their crossing, you are, in that moment, precisely where you are meant to be.
I need him so bad I need him so bad I need him Im Chill Im Chill I DONT CAREEEEEEE ITS FINE it doesnt matter. Its all good im literally fine but unrelated i need him so bad and miss him as well lol. And on a completely different note i need him
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đ 2025 Holiday Fic Exchange
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ă pairing: seungcheol x fem!reader
ă plot: you decide to reward your boyfriend for christmas
ă wc: 1k (and some change hehe)
ă genre(s): established couple, smut, non-idol!AU
ă content: slight nsfw at the end, cheol is a very generous bf duhhh, they are FREAKS, a little dash of banter... i think that's it for now...
[RATING: M (18+) MDNI!!!]
[á°.á] this fic was written as a gift for @haoboutyou ! surprise! i'm your secret santa hehe \(^-^)/ this fic is also a part of the holiday fic exchange for @studiosvt so be sure to check the others out too!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Seungcheolâs car is already pulled up when you step out of your nail techâs house, engine idling like he has all the time in the world.
You barely manage a small âheyâ before youâre sliding into the passenger seat, hands instantly raised to his face.
âLook,â you breathe out, holding them up between you like theyâre priceless. Which they kind of areâŠ
His gaze drops to your hands, eyes taking in every detail of your new set. Slow and appreciativeâlike heâs committing them to memory. The corner of his mouth lifts, satisfied.
He hums. âYou like them?â
âI love them,â you grin, rotating your wrists so the light catches every glossy detail. âAnd thank you, again. You really didnât have to, you know. You already spoiled me so much for Christmas.â
Seungcheol reaches over, fingers brushing your knuckles, casual but unmistakably pleased. âMm⊠but I wanted to.â
He doesnât say anything else, but the way his thumb lingers gives him away.
He then reaches over, tugs your seatbelt into place for you like itâs second nature. Princess treatment like always, no questions asked.
As he pulls away from the curb, youâre already snapping picturesâtoo many at this point. You move your hands, adjust the lighting, hold your hands dramatically like they deserve their own spotlight.
âYouâre gonna run out of storage,â he comments, amused as ever. He glances over at you before returning his attention to the road.
The rest of the drive passes comfortably, filled with your quiet excitement and the soft hum of the car.
By the time you get home, youâre still buzzing. Shoes are kicked off, coats discarded, and the two of you are finally able to settle onto the couch.
You curl in beside him, still turning your hands this way and that, admiring them like you havenât already spent the entire drive doing exactly that. Seungcheol watches for a moment, expression unreadable, before reaching out.
He takes your handâpulling it close to his face again. He turns your wrist slowly, inspecting your new set like itâs fine art.
His thumb drags over the edge of your nail, slow enough to make your stomach flutter. Heâs enjoying this far too much.
âI like being able to spoil you,â he continues. âAnd I like when you look like this. All happy and cute.â
You take that as an invitation.
Another beat passes before you lean closer, hands resting against his firm chest. âSo⊠you admit it.â
He arches a brow. âAdmit what?â
âThat you have a thing for my hands.â
He scoffs but doesnât deny it. Instead, his mouth curves into a knowing smile, already used to your antics. âI have a thing for you. Your hands just happen to be part of the package.â
You hum, pleased, letting your hands trail down his shirtânails grazing deliberately, just enough to test him. âHow convenient.â
He catches your wrist gently. âYouâre poking.â
âBut, you like when I poke,â you reply sweetly, shifting closer to him, your knee brushing his thigh. Your other hand settles there, casual but intentional.
He exhales through his nose, amused.
He watches you for a second longer than necessary. âYou done?â
You glance down at your hands like youâre considering it seriously. Then you look up at him, lips curving up slow and sweet.
âMaybe for now,â you say. âI donât think I got enough pictures though.â
He snorts. âDidnât you already take like fifty?â
âItâs not enough,â you groan. âI need different settings, different moods!â
You shift even closer, deliberately resting your hands on his thigh this time. Your nails catch just enough to make his attention sharpen, his posture subtly changing beneath you.
âI was thinking,â you add, voice light, âthey might look even better if they were⊠occupied.â
His eyes lift from your hands to your face. âOccupied with what exactly?â
You blink at him, all innocent. âI donât know. Holding something, maybe? Something you seem very attached to.â
Thereâs a beat. Then he laughsâlow, disbelieving. âYouâre out of your mind.â
âAm I?â You tilt your head. âYou already paid for the nails. It feels wasteful not to use them properly.â
He studies you for a moment, then shakes his head with a quiet laugh.
You smile, already standing and reaching for his hand. âCome on.â
âAnd just where are we going?â he asks, even as he lets you pull him up.
As if he doesnât know the answer to that questionâŠ
You tug him toward the hallway, excitement barely contained. âSomewhere with better lighting.â
The bedroom door clicks shut behind you, soft and final.
You go straight to the drawer, no hesitation.
Seungcheol sits on the edge of your shared bed, watching you the entire time. His posture is relaxed, arms folding loosely as he watches you pull the camera out, handling it with care like itâs something precious. Because to him, it is.
You turn around and hold it out to him.
He takes it from you without a word, fingers brushing yours for just a second longer than necessary. The look he gives you is sharp, entertainedâlike he already knows how everything is going to turn out.
He turns the camera on, lifting it easily, gaze meeting yours through the viewfinder.
âYou ready?â he asks.
You nod, already stepping closer towards him. You slowly drop to your knees as the camera follows your every move. Your nails skim over the buckle of his belt, slow and intentional, just to feel the way his patience falters.
âYou like when I do this,â you murmur.
He scoffs softly.
You unbuckle his belt, unhurried, eyes never leaving his. The sound is quiet but unmistakable. Familiar. Your hands dip lower, grazing the zipper of his jeans.
Seungcheol exhales, head tipping back a fraction. One hand comes to your wristânot to stop you, just to steady you. Guide you if anything.
âCamera,â he reminds you, voice low.
You smile, sweet and satisfied, and glance at it once before looking back at him. âRight. I wouldn't want to forget.â
He raises it, already lining the shot up the way he likes, eyes flicking between the viewfinder and you.
Slipping your hands into his boxers, you gradually slip his leaky cock out of its confines. He was already hard from your touch. How pretty.
You wrap your hand around the baseâyour grip small, nails neat and delicate where they have no business being.
âThatâs it,â he groans out. âHold it⊠right there.â
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fluff, slightly suggestive? they're both just clingy | 815 words | domestic day after đ
đfor @studiosvt holiday exchange collab
@kkaetnipjeon merry christmas! hope you like this little fic đ„ł happy holidays! đ„°
Wonwoo wakes to an unfamiliar quiet. No soft breathing beside him, no warmth curled up against his side. Just empty sheets and pale winter light filtering through the curtains. For a brief, disorienting moment, he wonders if heâd imagined everythingâ if the night before had been nothing more than a particularly vivid dream.
Then, he notices the bedroom door is open.
The scent of coffee drifts in from the hallway. Wonwoo pads out of the room, hair still messy from sleep, glasses nowhere to be found. He stops short at the sight waiting for him in the kitchen.
Youâre sitting on the counter, legs swinging lazily, bare thighs wrapped in the hem of his shirt. Sleeves too long, collar slipping off one shoulder. You cradle a mug in your hand while scrolling through your phone, like you belong there all along.
âMorning, sleepyhead,â you glance up with a grin upon sensing his presence in the kitchen.
Wonwoo stares. Of all the nights youâve spent, this is a welcome new development.
Youâre still here, in his house. Wearing his clothes. Drinking his coffee.
It feels unrealâ like an angel wandering into his kitchen and deciding to stay.
Slowly, as if afraid the moment would vanish if he moves too fast, he crosses the room. You watch him approach like a slinking cat, a light smirk gracing your face as youâre clearly entertained by his stunned silence.
He stops between your knees, arms coming up to rest on either side of you, caging you in gently against the counter. You donât shift away. If anything, you lean back just enough to give him space to step closer.
Wonwoo doesnât think. He merely leans in, lips finding home in the crook of your neck, ghosting along your clavicle. His touch is soft, instinctiveâ like fitting a puzzle piece into its slot.
âWouldâve been a better morning,â he murmurs, voice low and still rough with sleep, âif you were next to me.â
Your laughter slips out warm and unguarded, rumbling softly beneath his lips. The sound settles deep in his chest, comfortable and dangerous all at once.
Wonwooâs arms slide around your waist, pulling you closer. His mouth traced slow, unhurried kisses along your jawline, lingering like he has nowhere else to be.
âWhyâd you leave me?â he mumbles against your skin.
âMade coffee,â you reply lightly, tilting your head toward the coffee maker. You finally set your phone down beside you and reach up, fingers threading lightly through his hair. Itâs impossibly soft this morning, fluffy and warm under your touch. âDidnât want you waking up without it.â
He hummed quietly, leaning into your hand. âYouâre too considerate.â
âSomeone has to be,â you tease. âMissed me?â
Wonwoo lifts his head just enough to look at you, eyes honest and clear. âSo much.â
That earns him a smileâ soft, fond, the kind that made his chest tighten. He presses a quick kiss to your temple before reluctantly stepping back.
âIâm making breakfast,â he said. âSit tight.â
You watch him move around the kitchen. He pours himself a coffee, adding too much sugar without thinking, then pauses.
âYou take milk, right?â he asks over his shoulder.
You blink. âHow did youâŠâ
âYou mentioned it once,â he says simply.
Your smile returns, quieter this time.
He handed you a fresh mug, fingers brushing briefly. The contact lingers longer than necessary. Neither of you comment on it.
You eat together at the small table by the windowâtoast, eggs, whatever he could pull together quickly. Snow continues to fall outside; the world moves slowly and gently.
âThis feels very⊠domestic,â You break the silence after a while, swinging your foot lightly against his ankle.
Wonwoo glances at you, adjusting his glassesâ they were found on top of the shirt you discarded last night. âIs that a bad thing?â
âNo,â you reply immediately. âJust unexpected.â
He considers it, then reaches out, thumb brushing absently against her wrist. âI donât mind it.â
You donât pull away.
After breakfast, you wander back into the kitchen, rinsing your mug at the sink. Wonwoo watches her quietly, leaning against the counter.
âYou donât have to clean,â he speaks up.
âI want to,â you reply, glancing over your shoulder. âFeels⊠nice.â
Something warm settles in his chest.
When you finish, you turnâ and find him standing closer than before. He reaches out, straightening the collar of his shirt where it slipped off your shoulder.
âLooks better on you,â he admits softly.
You smile up at him. âYou say that like I can keep it.â
ââŠYou can,â his nose scrunches in reply, soft crinkles by the corners of his eyes.
Snow piles higher against the window as they stand there, wrapped in quiet and shared warmth.
For the first time in a long while, Wonwoo didnât feel rushed.
Maybe thereâs more to this than just friends with benefits after all.
and thatâs how you find yourself perched on the little sofa outside the changing rooms, scrolling idly through your phone as minghao goes back and forth trying on jackets, ties, and trousers. every time he emerges, he gives a playful spin or a dramatic model pose, making you laugh.
blue blazer. decent.
grey one. meh.
dark green with a cream shirt - good, but maybe too festive.
itâs unfair how good he looks in everything (duh, of course he does), but nothingâs clicking.
until he walks out in that suit.
subtle embroidery along the lapels, crisp white shirt underneath. perfectly tailored, softly elegant - the kind of suit that looks expensive without trying too hard.
you blink.
and blink again.
because, wow.
he looks like someone out of a dream - no, out of your wedding pinterest board. the one you set up when you were twelve and naive, with that overly romantic aesthetic you were obsessed with at the time.
suddenly, your brain short-circuits.
the fitting room blurs, replaced by that exact image: hao waiting for you at the altar, golden light behind him like a halo. his smile warm, patient. yours shaky, teary, and in love.
your vision blurs-
-and then you feel something warm trickle from your nose.
âitâs fine- no wait, donât touch me! youâll get blood on the suit!â
too late. heâs already rushing over, grabbing tissues from the counter while the poor store assistant scrambles to find more.
âhere, tilt your head down, donât- ah, not up, down,â minghao says quickly, his voice full of worry. âwhat even happened? did you suddenly hit something?â
you manage a muffled, âi- um⊠just- â
âyou what?â he asks, pressing tissues gently to your face.
ââŠgot a nosebleed imagining the start of a future with you.â
he freezes. blinks. then sighs, the long-suffering kind that somehow still sounds fond.
âyouâre telling me,â he says slowly, âyou got a nosebleed⊠because you imagined our wedding?â
you sniffle. âit was a really nice vision, okay?â
he groans softly, but thereâs a smile tugging at his lips as he rests a hand on your head, thumb stroking gently over your hair while you rest your forehead against his tummy; nose still bleeding, face turning bright red in embarrassment.
âi canât believe iâm engaged to someone who bleeds out from excitement,â he mutters. âyouâre unbelievable.â
âyou love it,â you mumble into his shirt.
âunfortunately,â he says, brushing your hair back, âi do.â
when your nose finally stops bleeding (and the store assistant has mercifully stopped panicking), minghao ends up buying a different suit- something safer, something less likely to induce another crisis.
unbeknownst to you, he quietly goes back a week later to order that same embroidered suit.
