NIGHTS LIKE THIS;mrk
MAEDA RIKU X READER
Where Riku just want to spend time with her after practice...
Warnings: none.
Riku walks into the small practice room studio a little after 9 PM, the door clicking softly behind him. His hair is still a bit messy from the long day of schedules, dyed a soft light brown that catches the warm overhead lights.
He’s wearing a loose oversized hoodie and comfortable sweatpants, the kind he always changes into when he wants to feel normal again. In his hands he carries two convenience store bags, the plastic rustling quietly as he steps closer to where you’re sitting on the couch near the mirrored wall.
You look up from your phone, surprised but smiling. You work part-time helping with NCT WISH’s fan cafe coordination and sometimes stay late to organize small gifts or messages for the members. Tonight you stayed because Riku texted earlier saying he might drop by after practice if you were still around.
“Hey,” he says, voice gentle and a little shy. His Japanese accent wraps softly around the word. He lifts the bags a bit. “I brought snacks. Strawberry milk for you… and some onigiri and those chocolate cookies you liked last time.”
Your heart does a small flip at how thoughtful he is. “You didn’t have to, Riku. You must be tired after today.”
He shakes his head, sitting down beside you on the couch. The cushion dips under his weight and his shoulder brushes yours lightly. “I wanted to. Today was long but… thinking about seeing you made it easier.”
He says it simply, no big dramatic flair, just honest. His cheeks have a faint pink tint under the studio lights. You take the strawberry milk he offers, your fingers touching his for a second longer than necessary. The cold can feels nice against your warm skin.
For a while you both just sit together, eating quietly. The studio is empty except for the two of you. Soft background music plays from a small speaker he turned on. Riku keeps glancing at you between bites, his eyes soft.
“You worked late again,” he says after finishing one onigiri. He reaches over and gently brushes a small crumb from the corner of your mouth with his thumb. The touch is feather-light and makes your face warm. “Thank you for always helping with the fan cafe stuff. I know it’s extra work.”
“It’s fun,” you reply. “Especially when I get to see you guys happy with the messages.”
Riku smiles, the kind of smile that makes his eyes crinkle at the corners. He shifts closer until your thighs are touching. Then, a little hesitantly, he rests his head on your shoulder. His hair tickles your neck, and he smells like shampoo mixed with a faint sweat scent.
“Can I stay like this for a bit?” he asks quietly. “Just… us.”
You nod and lean your head against his. “Of course.”
His hand finds yours on the couch, fingers slowly interlacing. His palm is warm, a little calloused from dance practice, but the way he holds your hand is so careful and gentle. He squeezes once, then rubs his thumb in small circles over your skin. The simple touch sends soft butterflies through your chest.
After a few minutes he lifts his head, turning to look at you. His face is close now. You can see the tiny freckles across his nose and the way his lashes are long and dark. “You’re really pretty tonight,” he murmurs. Then he catches himself and laughs softly, embarrassed. “I mean… you always are. But especially right now.”
You smile and squeeze his hand back. Riku leans in slowly, giving you time to pull away if you want. You don’t. His lips meet yours in a soft, sweet kiss. It’s gentle, almost careful, like he’s still a little nervous even after a few weeks of these secret moments. His lips are warm and taste faintly of the chocolate from the cookies.
He pulls back just a little, forehead resting against yours. “Um… was that okay?” he whispers.
“More than okay,” you answer.
That seems to give him confidence. He kisses you again, still soft but lingering longer this time. One of his hands comes up to cup your cheek, thumb stroking gently along your skin. The kiss stays cute and tender, no rush, just the warm press of lips and the occasional shy tilt of heads. When he pulls away, he’s smiling that bright, boyish smile that makes your stomach flutter.
Riku shifts so he can pull you closer, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. You settle against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart through the hoodie. His free hand plays with your fingers, tracing small patterns.
“Today during practice I kept messing up one part of the choreography,” he confesses quietly, voice rumbling under your ear. “Because I was thinking about how I wanted to see you after. Sion kept teasing me.”
You laugh lightly. “Poor Sion. You should focus more.”
“But I like thinking about you,” he says, completely sincere. He kisses the top of your head. “It makes me feel happy even when I’m tired.”
You tilt your head up to look at him. His eyes are warm, full of that gentle affection he always shows when it’s just the two of you. You reach up and brush his hair back from his forehead. He leans into your touch like a cat wanting more pets, eyes half-closing in contentment.
For a long while you stay cuddled together on the couch. Riku tells you small things about his day, how the new song is coming along, how excited he is for the next fan meeting, how much he misses simple days like this. You share your own stories, and he listens carefully, nodding along and humming softly in agreement.
At one point he sits up a little and pulls something from one of the bags, a small plush keychain of a tiny cartoon bear. “I saw this earlier and thought it looked like you,” he says, cheeks pink again. “Soft and cute. So… I got it for you.”
You take the keychain, heart melting at how shy he looks presenting it. “Riku… thank you. It's so cute”. You attach it immediately to your bag so he can see.
He beams, clearly happy you like it. Then he leans in and gives you another kiss, this one a little deeper but still sweet. His lips move gently against yours, one hand resting on your waist while the other stays holding your hand. When he pulls back, he nuzzles his nose against yours in a cute eskimo kiss that makes you both giggle.
“You make me feel normal,” he whispers. “Not like an idol… just Riku.”
You cup his face with both hands and kiss his cheek, then the corner of his mouth. “You are just Riku to me. And I really like him.”
His arms wrap around you fully then, pulling you into a warm hug. You bury your face in his hoodie, breathing in his scent. He rubs your back in slow, soothing strokes. The music from the speaker switches to an even softer melody, filling the studio with gentle notes.
Riku starts humming along quietly, his voice smooth and comforting right next to your ear. After a minute he sings the words very softly, just for you. His Japanese and English mix in that charming way he has, and the sound vibrates through his chest into yours. You feel completely safe and cared for in his arms.
Time passes slowly like that. Soft kisses exchanged every few minutes, on lips, cheeks, forehead. Gentle touches: his fingers in your hair, your hand on his chest feeling his heartbeat, his palm resting on your lower back. Nothing rushed. Just warm, cute affection filling the quiet studio.
Eventually he checks his phone and sighs. “I should probably get back soon. Managers will wonder where I am if I stay too late.”
You nod, understanding. He helps you stand up, then pulls you into one last long hug. His chin rests on top of your head for a moment.
“Text me when you get home safe?” he asks.
“I will. And you rest well, okay? No more thinking about choreography mistakes.”
He laughs softly. “Promise. Only thinking about you now.”
Before leaving, he kisses you one more time at the studio door. This kiss is a little longer, full of that sweet passion he keeps gentle just for you. His hands hold your waist, yours rest on his shoulders. When he pulls away, his eyes are sparkling.
“Goodnight,” he says, voice warm.
“Goodnight, Riku.”
He waits until you gather your things, then walks you to the elevator even though it’s only a short distance. One final quick kiss on your forehead before the doors close.
On the way home you keep touching the little bear keychain, smiling to yourself. Your phone lights up with a message from him already: “I’m smiling the whole way back because of you. See you soon ♡”
The night feels softer and warmer knowing Riku is thinking of you too.













