#1verse fluff

Having your boyfriend at your disposal to practice different nail designs on was both a blessing and a curse. He sat relatively still and was a decent pretend client— plus you had 2 free hands to do whatever you wanted with whenever you wanted. It was all extremely convenient. The only catch was he insisted on pretending to be a different insufferable type of client so you could “practice customer service”. Half the time it ended in you slapping him, and the other half of the time you had to feed him snacks to shut up.

He was always extremely indecisive about the length and shape of the nails, despite knowing whatever set you gave him would only last a couple of days. He absolutely despised cuticle care, and always got nervous whenever you got out your trimmers and pushers. You were always gentle with him, perhaps even more gentle than you would be with your actual clients just because he did hate it, but it didn’t stop him from letting his complaints be known as loudly as possible.

You had told him on more than one occasion that his questionable shrieking during nail care would absolutely guarantee a refusal of service at any other salon but your own, but he paid almost no mind to your warnings. 

You still wouldn’t trade him for almost any other client. He did pay extremely well in both boba dates and free kisses, so you had little grounds to complain. And you owed your mastery of nail art to his willing cooperation as well. You would still be struggling with fruits and flowers if you hadn’t done at least twenty sets on Kenny first. He was your little test subject, and he didn’t mind that your weekly dates were slowly turning into five hours getting his nails done every Tuesday.

It was, like you always said, how you balanced each other out. It was in your precise concentration while he talked your ear off, or your steady hands holding the file while he struggled to choose what colour polish he wanted that day. And his stupidly cheeky smile when he made a bad joke while you tried to hide how your lips were twitching upwards— all of it made up the most defining moments of your relationship.   

...!

The park was loud with laughter, winter chill, boots crunching through thick snow as children ran around without a care in the world.

Your little cousin was no different. He had spent the last hour dragging you from one side of the park to the other, nearly tackling himself into snowbanks while you followed behind, exhausted but unable to say no to him.

You really should've stayed home.

But seeing his bright smile beneath his scarf made it worth it.

At least until he suddenly bent down, scooped up snow, and threw it directly at you.

You gasped. “Hey!”

His laughter rang through the cold air as the snow burst against your coat.

You narrowed your eyes, pretending to look offended while he already backed away cautiously, knowing exactly what was coming next.

“Oh, you’re done for,” you warned dramatically, crouching down to gather snow into your hands. “Come here…- I’ll get you!”

He squealed, running backward through the snow while you threw the snowball after him.

Only for him to duck at the very last second.

Your eyes widened.

The snowball flew right past him.

And straight into someone else’s face.

Right…into their mouth.

The poor stranger coughed immediately, as he spat snow out onto the ground, pushing his laptop away. He looked ready to complain too, brows furrowing as he wiped at his face…

Until he looked up at you.

“Oh my god,” you gasped, rushing toward him instantly while your cousin hid behind you in horror. “Are you okay?!”

The stranger blinked at you slowly, almost dazed.

You hurriedly pulled tissues from your pocket, holding them out apologetically. “I’m so sorry…- he dodged it, I didn’t mean to hit you…-”

He stared at you another second too long before finally taking the tissue.

Nathan had only come to the park for some peace and quiet, maybe sit around for a while and work on something without being disturbed.

Instead, he was fed a handful of snow.

And somehow… he couldn't even be mad about it.

Because you were standing in front of him looking genuinely panicked, cheeks pink from the cold, snowflakes caught in your hair while apologizing like you’d committed a crime.

Pretty wasn’t enough of a word.

He wiped at his mouth belatedly, suddenly aware of how ridiculous he probably looked.

You couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped you.

“What?” he asked, slightly embarrassed.

“You’re cute,” you muttered absentmindedly, amused by his flustered expression.

And then immediately froze.

Nathan froze too.

The two of you stared at each other as realization slowly settled in, warmth rising to both your faces despite the freezing weather.

You looked away first, mortified. “I mean...- not that…- I mean obviously you are but that’s not…-” You covered your face for a second before sighing.

“Did it hurt? I’m really sorry.”

Nathan looked at you for a moment before quietly shaking his head.

“It’s just snow,” he said easily before pausing.

“A little, maybe.”

“Really?” you asked, trying not to smile.

“A little….,” he nodded, rubbing his jaw, trying to remain composed. “I might need compensation.”

You laughed softly then, the sound making his chest tighten unexpectedly.

Right. Compensation.

“Well…” Nathan rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly awkward. “Maybe you could take me out for coffee or something.”

You blinked.

The tips of his ears turned red almost immediately after he said it.

“I mean…- so I can recover,” he added quickly. “From the snow attack.”

You stared at him for a second before smiling despite yourself. Cute. Very cute.

“And if I…,” you said, trailing off before asking. “… what’s your name?”

His smile came slowly, warm despite the cold around you. “Nathan.”

“Nathan, and what if I agree?” you teased lightly.

Nathan looked away for a brief moment, before meeting your eyes again, shy but hopeful.

“Then I’d probably ask for your number too.”

You chuckled again, softer this time, your own cheeks redder.

“Deal. I should compensate you after all.”

...!

Hyuk was sprawled out on the couch, his head resting against your chest as you both lounged after a long day. His fingers idly traced patterns on your arm, the touch light and comforting, like a silent promise of contentment. The faint scent of his cologne—something woody and fresh—mingled with the aroma of the takeout you'd shared earlier, creating a cozy bubble around you.

You shifted slightly, pulling him closer, your hand settling on his back. The muscles there relaxed under your palm, and he let out a contented sigh, nuzzling into your side. “You know,” he murmured, his voice muffled against your shirt, “days like this make everything else worth it.” His words carried a quiet sincerity that always made your chest tighten in the best way.

A smile tugged at your lips as you pressed a kiss to the top of his head, feeling the soft strands of his hair brush against your lips. “Yeah? Even after I beat you at that game earlier?” you teased, your tone playful, the rumble of your voice vibrating through both of you.

Hyuk lifted his head, pretending to glare at you, but his eyes sparkled with amusement, crinkling at the corners. “Hey, that was a fluke. Rematch tomorrow.” He poked your chest gently with one finger, the gesture affectionate rather than accusatory, before settling back down. His body molded perfectly against yours, as if you'd been carved from the same piece of the world.

The two of you stayed like that for a while, the only sounds the distant hum of the city outside and the steady rhythm of your breathing syncing up. You could feel his heartbeat against your side, slow and even, matching the lazy pace of the afternoon. Occasionally, he'd tilt his head to glance up at you, his gaze lingering with a warmth that spoke volumes without needing words.

Eventually, Hyuk reached for the remote on the coffee table, his arm stretching just enough to grab it without fully disentangling from you. He flicked on a movie neither of you would really watch—just an excuse to stay wrapped up in each other. The screen lit up with some rom-com you'd both seen a dozen times, the familiar dialogue filling the room like background music to your quiet intimacy.

As the opening scenes played, Hyuk's hand wandered to yours, his fingers slipping between yours in a loose hold that gradually tightened. “Remember the first time we watched this?” he asked softly, his thumb stroking the back of your hand in slow circles.

You chuckled, the sound low and fond. “How could I forget? You laughed so hard at that one scene you nearly spilled your drink all over the couch.” The memory brought a grin to your face, and you squeezed his hand in response.

He laughed now, the sound bright and genuine, echoing lightly in the room. “Guilty. But hey, it was really funny.” He shifted to prop himself up on one elbow, looking down at you with that playful glint in his eyes. “You're lucky I didn't make you clean it up.”

“Oh, please,” you shot back, reaching up to ruffle his hair. “You would have done it yourself just to keep the peace.” Your fingers lingered, combing through the tousled locks, and he leaned into the touch like a cat seeking more.

Hyuk's expression softened, and he captured your hand, pressing a quick kiss to your knuckles before guiding it back to his cheek. “Maybe. But only because I like seeing you relaxed like this.” He settled back down, this time draping one leg over yours, anchoring himself closer.

The movie droned on, but your attention was on the small things: the way his breath hitched slightly when you scratched lightly at his scalp, the contented hum he made when you adjusted the blanket over both of you, the subtle shift of his body as he sought out more points of contact. Time stretched out, unhurried, each moment building on the last like layers of a well-worn comfort.

Halfway through, Hyuk paused the film, sitting up with a stretch that made his shirt ride up just enough to reveal a sliver of his toned midriff. “Hungry for something sweet?” he asked, already eyeing the kitchen. “I think we have those cookies left from yesterday.”

You nodded, watching as he padded over to the counter, his movements casual and at ease in the space you both called home. He returned with a plate of chocolate chip cookies, still warm from whenever he'd baked them—Hyuk had a habit of surprising you with little baking sessions after tough days. He plopped back down beside you, offering you the first one with a grin.

“Thanks,” you said, taking a bite and savoring the gooey chocolate. Crumbs dusted your lap, and Hyuk leaned in to brush them away, his touch lingering on your thigh.

“No problem.” He took a cookie for himself, munching thoughtfully before adding, “You know, I was thinking... we should plan a weekend away soon. Just drive somewhere quiet, no schedules, no distractions.” His eyes met yours, hopeful and bright.

The idea sparked something warm in you. “Sounds perfect. Mountains? Or maybe the coast?”

“Coast,” he decided quickly, leaning against you again. “We can walk on the beach at sunset, like in those cheesy movies.” He waved a hand toward the paused screen, laughing at himself.

You pulled him in for a side hug, your arm wrapping around his shoulders. “As long as it's with you, I'm in.” The words were simple, but they carried the weight of everything unspoken between you—the years of building this life, the quiet understandings, the unwavering support.

As the credits rolled hours later, long after the cookies were gone and the movie forgotten, Hyuk turned to you, his expression soft and unguarded. “I love this. Just us.” His hand found yours once more, fingers intertwining firmly, his grip steady and reassuring.

You squeezed his hand, heart swelling with the simple joy of the moment. “Me too, Hyuk. Always.” The sun had dipped below the horizon by then, leaving the room bathed in the soft light of a lamp, but the warmth between you lingered, as endless as the night ahead.

Relationships are still new to him. Even the idea of friendships that aren't contractual or conditional feel almost too good to be true. Throw romance in the mix and Hyuk is drowning in new experiences he never thought he would have the opportunity to live out. Sometimes he feels like he has no sense for relationships and it's only a matter of time before he makes mistakes that he can never recover from. He doesn't let it show, but deep down, there's a fear that the people surrounding him will leave one day because of something he did.

It's hard for people to digest his past when he tells them about it. Common interests are severed the moment he even brings up North Korea. It's always felt hopeless to him. He has Seok at least, even if his childhood was still vastly different. When he first met you, he was too caught up in the new and exciting feels of love and attraction to properly address his biggest fear. He should have known it would come back to bite him at some point.

Hyuk has always felt like he needs to be enough—to do enough—to seem worth it. Whether that meant making money, taking on adult responsibilities as a child, or working twice as hard just to be given a chance; he always feels like life is harder on him. Normal? What did that word even mean? He barely has a reference for what is and isn't normal until someone explains it to him. Maybe he lost that part of his brain as a child, or maybe he just never had it to begin with. Either way, something has always been wrong with him. He's convinced of it.

"Date? Last Saturday?" Hyuk asks, gulping down any hint of fear in his voice. He sounds happy like normal, but in reality, the fear is petrifying him.

You nod, "Yeah. I wanted to go to the farmer's market with you—support the local businesses, you know? Plus I'm sure you would've loved it."

You don't sound mad, but there's a disappointment in your voice that Hyuk can't miss. The guilt nearly triples.

"I-I'm sorry, I don't know why I didn't remember—I'm so stupid. I'll understand if you don't want to be with me anymore," Hyuk is tripping over his words and his hands are balled up in tight fists.

"'Don't want to be with me anymore'? Baby? What do you mean—where did you even get that impression?" you question, utterly bewildered. The assumption feels like it came out of nowhere.

Hyuk stares at you. You swear his eyes look glassier than usual.

"I forgot about the plans we made—I messed up. Obviously you wouldn't want to be with someone that dumb…" he whispers, looking down at the floor. Your face falls. You're not sure where your boyfriend got the idea that he's dumb, but you're filled with rage at whoever convinced him of it. You grab his hands, unfurling his fists and making sure his fingers were laced with yours. He doesn't move.

"You're not dumb for forgetting one date. You've been busy. Everyone forgets things when they're stressed. I would never break up with you over something like that. Plus, the farmer's market will be open again next week. It's just a date—no big deal. You're far more important than a date."

Your words are overwhelming and they hit Hyuk right where it hurts. It's a reassurance that he didn't know he needed this badly. There's a wound deep down that he's neglected and let fester. With a few simple words, you've brought it to the surface, somewhere visible where Hyuk has no choice but to address it head on. It's uncomfortable and the urge to shrink away grows stronger, but he feels like he might have enough strength to get past this.

"I… I've always felt like I'm not good enough," Hyuk admits. The tears are slipping now—warm and salty, the kind that make him feel small and useless. "I'm always too much or not enough. I can never find a balance. I know I'm hard to be around."

He shatters your heart with those few words. Your Hyuk—your sweet Hyuk—who is so imperfectly perfect, even if he doesn't know it.

"You know I love you, right?" you ask, thumb brushing away the tears on his left cheek. "And you know that there's nothing you need to do to be worthy of that love. You deserve it just as much as anyone."

He nods. You can tell he's just doing it to appease you; that you'll have to work a bit harder to really make him believe it. But you don't mind the hard work. Hyuk has never been a bother to you. He's never felt like hard work or someone you wanted a break from, and he's always been worth the effort. You knew what you were getting into when you chose him.

You pull your boyfriend closer, press a kiss to his forehead, and pull back to see the start of a smile form on his face. And for now, that's all you need.

© slytherinshua ── do not repost translate or copy　⸝⸝⸝　join my taglist!

@kstrucknet

But you had so desperately wanted to see Aito. Call it cheesy, but you thought six months together deserved at least some amount of celebration, even if it was only a small cake you had baked last minute and a new set of earrings for him. His presents were a lot more thought out. A few sketchbook pages full of you, a plushie of your favourite animal and a new game you had been wanting for months that he promised to play with you. It was hard to top your boyfriend when it came to gifts. He always knew what to get you. You wrote it off as growing up in a household of sisters.

You hadn’t planned on it. Something like this was rarely planned. But the mood had shifted and one small kiss turned into something a bit more desperate— a bit touchier. You couldn’t keep your hands off of Aito, even though you were the one holding back as much as possible. He was a million times worse. It felt as if something switched inside him, like someone had pressed a button to make his brain completely focused on only you. He had never kissed you so earnestly before, as if even a second detached from your lips would kill him. 

You were both so lost in the moment, it wasn’t until you heard Hyuk shriek in near girlish excitement and shock that you realized you were no longer alone. Two people caught in a very obvious act should naturally jump apart, to at least try to buy some deniability in the case. But instead, you just froze while Aito’s eyes went wide and his grip on your waist only tightened like he needed something to ground him. 

He knew as soon as he saw Kenny that he would never be able to live it down. Operation keep his relationship private had officially failed.

He’d been wanting this for so long— to be accepted as a trainee, a real shot at pursuing his dream. But after so many failed auditions, you had started to expect the results before they even came in. You had gotten too secure that no one would actually take him away from you, and maybe you even secretly selfishly wished he wouldn’t go even if he was accepted. Maybe if you begged him enough, he would stay, just for you. 

But it was a stupid thought, and you knew it would never work. You’d feel awful for even asking or voicing how it all made you feel. Truth was, it wasn’t about you. This was his dream, and finally, he had a real shot at making it come true. You had been suppressing all the emotions for the past week when he first told you, but now that it was your last few hours in the same country as him, you couldn’t bottle it down any more. 

You leaned on his shoulder, burying your face into his hoodie. It worked well to conceal the tears on your face, but you knew Nathan was aware of them anyway. You heard him let out a sigh it felt like he had been holding for ages, and slowly his arms came around yours to hold you back. It was quiet. Somehow, it was comforting. 

Even with the looming reality that he’d been gone all too soon, for that moment, Nathan was yours, and it gave you some solace. He didn’t say much the rest of the night; just wiped your tears, kissed your forehead, promised to call every day he could, and stared at you a bit too intimately for just friends. 

Both of you knew that wasn’t what you were anymore. That line had been crossed long ago, though it was never admitted out loud. And now, you weren’t sure if it would ever lead to anything. 

Tomorrow, he’d be an ocean away, and for the first time in your life, your Nathan wouldn’t be yours anymore.