#(wowee)

FRIENDS? OR…

modern au phainon x fem!reader (sfw)

summary: you and phainon seem to have something going on but neither of you want to admit it. It’s just a matter of time before you realise you’ve both fallen. hard.

warnings/tags: not proofread, just fluff lol, college au, reader is a dancer, phai is the fencing captain

part 2 (coming soon)

wc: 2.3k

Phainon is a great guy. He’s funny, charismatic, caring, and he also happens to be your best friend. You met him last year when you both entered college, during the first history lecture of the new term. A little bit of small talk and some friendly banter was all it took for the two of you to click, and since then he’s remained one of your closest companions in school. Of course, you both were busy and didn't have opportunities to meet often, given that he’s captain of the fencing team and secretary of the student council while you battled tons of commitments as a member of the college dance ensemble. The only time you usually get to see him in person is during history and philosophy. Yet, amidst tight schedules and chaotic 12- hour school days, the two of you still managed to make time for each other every week.

‘Who’s that? Lemme guess, your favourite fencing captain again.’ Hyacine teases, looking over your shoulder as the phone screen illuminates your dim surrounding. ‘Hi Phainon!’ your pink- haired roomie waves, before jumping off your bed and shuffling back to finish her biomed paper. It’s 10:18pm on a Friday night and you’re having a weekly debrief with Phainon, who happens to be walking back to his dorm after 5 hours of training. You had no idea how this guy kept up with all these crazily demanding extracurriculars while still performing decently in every other class. 

‘So anyways,’ he continues, ‘the council cancelled tomorrow’s meeting so I’m free in the evening. I was wondering if you wanna grab dinner with me? If you’re up to it, of course.’

‘Sure, I end practice at 6pm though.’ There’s a regional competition coming up and the coaches have been slipping in extra training days, which you unfortunately cannot afford to skip. 

‘That’s alright, I can meet you at the studio once you’re done?’ A gust of wind blows in his face as he finishes his sentence and he makes a strangled noise as his white hair whips against his features. Cute.

You confirm tomorrow’s outing and end the call, flopping back against your pillow as you open your laptop to make a to-do list for the weekend. 

‘Oo la la, I hear snowy’s picking you up tomorrow?’ Hyacine giggles, side eyeing you as she packs up her file. She’s always had a thing for teasing you two although you constantly insist that he’s just a friend. 

‘No, he’s just meeting me after practice, that’s all.’ Right?

‘He could just meet you at the mall and save the trouble of walking all the way to block F first, think about it.’

You pause and take a second to digest her words. She has a point, you realise. But then again… You shake your head and go back to typing your list, confident that he was just being courteous by making things convenient for you– which was typical of his nature.

 Little did you know, Phainon indeed had a hidden agenda up his sleeve.

For the past eight months or so, Phainon’s had a thing for you. 

It all started when you began talking to him more frequently, back in the middle of last year. Short conversations over text evolved into longer exchanges which resulted in study sessions, quick dinner runs and facetime calls late at night. Sure, you’re just being friendly, and he’s well aware of it. Still, you never failed to amuse him and leave him smiling to himself every time you parted ways. The turning point was your dance team’s showcase at the beginning of this year, when the college had its annual open house. After hearing that you were to perform a solo, he’d managed to sneak out of council duty, swapping the names in the duty roster so he could slip into the performing arts centre to watch you. As if he wasn’t already falling hard enough, seeing you on stage in that beautiful gold and green costume made his jaw drop and his entire face heat up. 

And that’s when he confirmed that his feelings for you were more than just something platonic. 

‘So when are you gonna suck it up and tell her how you feel?’ Mydei’s fingers drum against the cup of matcha he’s been sipping on, an eyebrow raised as he stares at poor Phainon, who’d had yet another crash out over his feelings for you. It’s Sunday morning and they’re at a cafe down the road, giving each other love life updates. It started with Mydei rambling about his study date with Hyacine on Thursday, followed by Phainon’s recount of your little dinner escapade last night. 

‘I can’t just go up to her one day and be like, hey, I like you, cuz what if she–’

‘I didn’t ask you to do that, silly.’ Mydei swirls his cup and rolls his eyes. ‘What I’m saying is, I can guarantee you a hundred percent that she has a crush on you, and it physically pains me every time I see you worry about her rejecting you. Calm that big head of yours and trust me, the girl’s smitten. Even Hyacine told me.’

There’s a thoughtful look in his cyan eyes as he stares down at his lukewarm coffee. Perhaps Mydei was right. He’d been overthinking this whole situation long enough. 

‘What should I do then?’

Mydei leans forward in his seat and sets his now empty cup on the table, a hint of something gleaming in his eyes.

‘Hear me out, buddy.’ 

A week later, you’re at practice again. The coach gives you a ten minute water break so you settle down to check your messages. A particular notification catches your attention, and the wave of exhaustion from the past 3 hours instantly dissipates when you see the familiar name.

Phai: hungry?

You: starving

You: I got 2 more hours

You: whats up

Phai: fencing room’s under renovation so we’re going to block F to train

Phai: I can get u smth and drop by later if yw

You: yes pls :)

An hour later during your second break, the sound of cracking fills the room as your dance mate Hysilens begins breaking her new pointe shoes. 

‘Is that the fencing captain?’ She asks as she smacks and bends a shoe against the floor again. You look out the glass door and see Phainon leaning against the wall outside the studio in his fencing attire, paper bag in hand as he stares at his phone. You get up and run to the door, rushing out to greet him. You can’t help but admire the vaguely defined muscles hidden under the plastron and breeches he’s wearing, and the way his hair is tousled as if he’d rushed here. Seeing him again was comforting, and the fact that he looked a little too good right now made things even better.

‘Hey,’ 

‘Hey.’ He hands you the bag with a burrito in it. ‘Got you the usual; my treat.’ He gives you an innocent, boyish smile and your chest instantly warms up. You thank him and he announces that he has to leave soon, reaching his hand to your head to smooth down a bump at the side of your slicked back hair. He reminds you to take it easy before hurrying off to training, and when you join your friend again, Hysilens gives you a look. 

‘Yall look hella cute together, y’know.’ she elbows you and winks. ‘You like him or something?’

‘...Maybe.’ 

As the weeks go by and competition season draws nearer, you start getting tied up with everything, having to juggle extra training hours, midterms and endless assignments– because clearly the professors here have no mercy. Amidst a rough schedule and concerning levels of sleep deprivation, you start to sacrifice your social life, and, as a result, reduce the frequency of your regular facetime calls with Phainon. He’s busy too, with exams coming up and an inter- college friendly match to prepare for, so he understands your predicament and is more than willing to give you space. Still, sometimes he can’t help but feel bad for taking several hours to reply you or completely missing your texts altogether. 

Fortunately, two weeks later, his friendly fencing match is over and he finally has a little more time to spare. Hearing from Hyacine about how busy you were, he decides to surprise you after dance one friday evening, a week before the regional competitions start. 

You’re having an intense one on one training session this time for a lyrical solo when he drops by after his council meet- up to pick you up and accompany you home. Sure, it’s a little out of his way, but he knew a bit of company wouldn’t hurt and it was the least he could do to cheer you up a little. Besides, it was dark outside and he didn’t really like the idea of you heading home alone at 9:30pm, especially when your muscles are all sore and your legs are wobbly. Deep down, however, he was just finding excuses to spend time with you alone because truth betold, he missed you. A lot. 

When you walk out of the studio you do a double take. 

‘Phai?’

‘It’s been a while,’ he smiles and reaches out a hand, offering to carry your heavy duffel bag. You instinctively hand it to him and heave a sigh of relief when the weight lifts off your aching shoulder. ‘How was today?’

‘The usual.’ You give him a weak smile, pushing back the damp strands of hair tickling your flushed face. Phainon can’t help but notice the way you carried yourself now; It was clear how physically and mentally drained you were from everything going on. He rests a hand on the small of your back as you enter the lift.

‘Why’re you here anyways?’

‘I had nothing on today so I thought why not take a walk, y’know, like a mental detox. Reconnecting with nature.’

‘I see.’

‘I can walk you home, if you don’t mind?’

‘Isn’t your dorm like, a twenty minute walk away from mine? 

‘Uh huh. It’s fine though. Needa clock the extra steps, I’m almost at 10k right now.’ He waves the wrist with an apple watch on it. You hum in agreement and head in the direction of your dorm building.

Your steps fall into a steady rhythm with his, the cool night breeze caressing your cheeks as you walk close enough for your hand to brush against his every now and then. It’s always easy and peaceful with him; no pressure, no expectations; just the two of you enjoying each others’ presence and talking about anything and everything that crosses your minds. It’s as if you’re in a little protective bubble every time you spend time alone with him, shielded from the harshness of the outside world and enshrouded in his warmth and affection. That’s what you love about Phainon– he never judges, just listens attentively and makes you feel understood, maybe even loved. By the time you reach the path to the building’s lobby, your mind is at ease and you feel less beaten up than you did half an hour ago. 

Just as you’re about to part ways, your phone rings and you see an incoming call from Hyacine. 

‘Bro, I know it’s hella late but– NO WAY! MYDEI SAID THAT??’ The sounds of screaming emerge from the speaker and you back away from your phone. A few seconds later the mic crackles . ‘Sorry, I’m back. Okay anyways, I’m at Cassie’s room right now with Cyrene and It’s so late I think I might as well stay the night. You alright if I do?’

You glance up at Phainon.

‘Yeah sure, I’m just gonna finish up some work and conk out. You guys have fun.’

‘Alright, nighty night, don’t let the bed bugs bite!’

The call ends and you slip your phone into your back pocket, wincing as you stretch your arm behind just the slightest bit. A reminder that you’d forgotten to stretch and cool down again. Damn it.

‘Huh. I forgot it’s friday and there’s no school tomorrow.’ 

‘Yeah..’

‘Honestly, I was thinking of watching the first few episodes of this new series I found on netflix. Dunno if you’re interested, but if you want….you can join me.’ You’re not sure why you added that last line– probably because you’re tired and not thinking straight right now. You had a tendency to let whatever’s at the top of your head fly out without a second thought in times like these.

‘Oh, I- I mean if you don’t mind, sure. I think I have a spare change of clothes in my bag from training yesterday.’

‘Hmm.. great.’ 

You’re sitting cross legged on your bed, fingers glossing over the trackpad of your laptop as you scroll through your netflix profile. The gentle hum of the tap echoes from the bathroom as Phainon washes up with your facewash and the spare toothbrush you always kept in the cabinet. (Just in case). 

Suddenly it hits you that your (very attractive) guy best friend is staying the night. Watching shows with you. In your dorm. Alone. The whiplash makes you pause for a moment as you let it sink in, and then you realise you forgot to update Hyacine about your.. Slight turn of events. 

You: are u alive

Hyacine: Yes why

Hyacine: Don’t tell me u invited mr fencing over 

You: ….

You: How did you know..

Hyacine: HUH

Hyacine: WAIT

Hyacine: DEADASS

You: Yeah 🤑

You: hehe

Hyacine: oh my 

Hyacine: I feel like a mom watching her baby birds fly for the first time

Hyacine: anyways have fun ;) 

Hyacine: proud of u rizzly bear

As you put your phone face down on the bedside table, Phainon emerges from the bathroom in one of his college shirts and black sweats. You look up from your laptop and smile.

‘You done? I found the show.’

Doodled this a couple of days ago and forgot to share it but here he is 👹✨✨

Gundham the goat you are

GRIBEANS AU MADE BY THE ONE AND ONLY @ludolka <3333 GO SHOW EM LOTS OF LOVE