â ⢠CSC .á Knockout Hearts
âş pairingâboxer seungcheol x reader âş genreâfluff romance â word-count .á 3k â summaryâSeungcheol's cute goth girlfriend is getting all his attention and showing off a whole new side of him to the world.
â author's noteâdug that fic from the grave, hope you enjoy it nonetheless - kinda thinking of making a pt2 with more... mature content ?
Choi Seungcheol is a renowned boxer. Due to his career choice, he spends most of his time training at the gym. While his intimidating presence usually scares people away, he has a soft spot for his girlfriend, an adorable, goth songwriter who often drops by to visit him as he trains.
He is considered one of the best fighters of his generation, if not the best â an achievement heâs worked incredibly hard for. He built himself a strong and ruthless reputation; everyone respected him. Although he is tough to the rest of the world, behind closed doors, he is the clingiest, cutest, and most affectionate teddy bear with his partner â something that would shock the other members of the gym.
Youâre the perfect polar opposite of Seungcheol; sweet, timid, and a little childish at times. Above all, you're terrified of fighting and roughhousing, preferring quiet afternoons writing poetry, playing your guitar, and watching Ghibli movies.
Seungcheol fell hard for you the very first time he saw you walking down the street, holding a bouquet of flowers in your arms. It was practically love at first sight. Since that day, he made it his mission to win you over â and he succeeded, landing the sweetest and most supportive girlfriend he could ever ask for.
The tough guy is very protective and careful with you, often worrying that you are too gentle and precious for this world. But minor worries aside, he absolutely loves his personal sunshine cheerleader. Naturally, your soft charm won the hearts of all Seungcheol's friends and training partners, leaving more than a few people looking on with envy.
Seungcheol cherishes every moment spent with you. From the quiet times you wrap bandages around his blistered knuckles with your pretty, black-manicured hands, to lazy days spent cuddling in bed. Whether youâre watching a movie, softly singing a song, or simply enjoying the presence of the other, one thing is certain: the love between you is undeniable.
The gym smelled like sweat, iron, and determination.
Choi Seungcheol, also known as âS.Coups,â stood in the center of the ring, muscles coiled like springs, sweat glistening across his sculpted frame. His fists were a blur, slicing through the air with rhythmic precision, the sound of gloves hitting the bag echoing through the cavernous space. Every man and woman in the gym either admired him or feared him â often both. There was no denying he was a beast: a born fighter, the best of his generation.
But at exactly 3:00 p.m., the entire atmosphere of the gym shifted.
âYo, itâs cutie girl oâclock,â Mingyu muttered with a grin, nudging Joshua, whoâd already perked up.
The heavy metal playlist cut through the air as the front door creaked open. You walked in â a vision in black lace high socks and platform boots, a delicate bouquet of daisies in your arms, although you always said you disliked how delicate things contrasted with your style. Your nails were painted black, as always, and your soft eyes scanned the gym until they landed on him.
And Seungcheol â the man who hadnât smiled once during his long training session?
He lit up like the sun.
âBaby!â he called out, hopping down from the ring with the agility of a cat. His voice, usually a low, sharp command, turned warm and honeyed just for you. âCâmere, I missed you.â
The reactions were immediate. Someone dropped a dumbbell, almost crushing their toes. Jeonghan blinked like heâd seen a ghost, while Jihoon actually choked on his protein shake.
You giggled shyly and made your way to him, cheeks a little pink. âYou saw me last night.â
âDoesnât mean I didnât miss you,â he replied, already wrapping his strong arms gently around your waist, careful not to get you dirty with sweat. He looked at you like you were made of glass â scratch that â glass would be too harsh a comparison. You were made of starlight and silk, and in his eyes, you didnât belong anywhere near this harsh world of bruises and blood. But he was selfish, and he needed you close.
âI brought flowers,â you said sweetly, and held them up. âAnd some lyrics. Thought you might want to read them later.â
âOnly if you sing them to me tonight.â
Head low, you nodded shyly, fiddling with the hem of your sleeves. âOkay. But only if you cuddle me properly this time. Properly. No, âmy shoulder hurts, so I can only use one armâ excuses.â
âIâll use both arms,â he promised, pressing a kiss to the top of your head, uncaring of the eyes on him. âIâll even be the little spoon if you want.â
âNo oneâs gonna believe this,â Seokmin whispered from behind a locker door.
You sat on a bench while Seungcheol went back to finish a few sets, your sketchbook open across your lap, scribbling lines of verse as you watched him move. He was beautiful, in that brutal, untamed way â all power and control. And yet, he looked back at you every chance he got, blowing kisses like a teenage boy trying to impress his crush.
Later, when the gym cleared out and the evening light slanted through the high windows, you were bandaging his knuckles.
Your fingers moved gently, the black polish on your nails a striking contrast to his blistered hands. You hummed softly, a lullaby you'd written just last week. Seungcheol didnât say a word â just watched you, his eyes impossibly soft.
âYouâre too good to me,â he said eventually, voice low.
You looked up, confused. âWhy?â
âBecause youâre the only person who sees me like this. Everyone else sees fists and scars. You see... me. The real me.â
You paused, laying a hand gently over his chest. âI see your heart, Cheol. Itâs a very good one.â
The gym was quieter now, the kind of quiet that only came after hours of sweat and strain. The remaining lights cast long shadows across the worn floor, and a soft hum of music played faintly in the background. Seungcheol had finished his last set for the day, but you were still here â a habit of yours. Youâd taken up residence on the small bench by the ring, one of your favorite spots.
Glancing up from the lyrics scribbled in your notebook, you caught him wiping his brow with the back of his taped hand. His body was still tense from the workout, but the moment his gaze met yours, all that hardness seemed to melt right away.
"I think itâs time for your reward, isnât it?" you teased, tapping the spot next to you on the bench.
Seungcheol smirked, the cocky fighterâs grin curling at the corners of his lips. But it didnât take more than a second for him to wipe it away and move toward you with the grace of a panther.
âYou always know what I want,â he murmured, settling down beside you. He draped his arm around your shoulders, his muscles still warm from the workout. Leaning into him, you pressed your cheek against the soft cotton of his shirt, taking in the familiar scent of his sweat and mint that always made you feel safe.
"Is this really a reward?" you teased, your voice muffled by his shoulder. "Youâve been so clingy lately. Donât you need to train more? Youâre starting to lose your âtoughâ reputation."
Seungcheol chuckled, shaking his head. "Who cares about my reputation when I'm with you? You know Iâm only tough because I have to be. I don't need to prove myself when Iâm with you; you're my peace."
You raised your head to look at him, a soft smile tugging at the corners of your lips. You'd never get used to how differently he spoke to you. To the world, he was a ruthless machine, a force that was always ready to take any challenge, but to you? He was the biggest softie youâd ever met.
"And youâre mine," you said, the words slipping out so naturally that it made your heart flutter.
Seungcheol looked at you for a moment, his expression unreadable, before his lips parted into a rare smile, soft and full of affection. He leaned in, brushing a kiss against your forehead.
âStop saying stuff like that,â he murmured, his voice gruff but fond. âYouâre gonna make me fall even harder for you.â
You laughed quietly, leaning into his touch, basking in the comfort of his arms around you. âI think itâs already too late for you.â
He didnât deny it. He never did.
For a long while, the two of you just sat there in silence, the kind of silence that only came when two people were completely at ease with one another. You were watching the fading light from the windows, the golden hue spilling across the ring and casting a warm glow over everything.
"Do you ever think about retiring?" you asked suddenly, feeling the weight of your question in the air between you.
Seungcheol was quiet for a moment, as though he hadn't expected that question. But then he shrugged slightly, as if it didnât matter.
"Sometimes,â he admitted. âBut boxing is all I know. I have no idea what I'd do if I stopped. Besides," he added, glancing at you with a playful glint in his eyes, "I think Iâd get bored. I wouldnât be able to keep up with you if I didnât have all this energy to burn."
You smiled, leaning your head against his shoulder again. "Well, Iâd still love you, even if you did retire. But if you ever do... maybe we can spend more time in the garden. And you can read poetry with me."
âDeal,â he said with a nod, squeezing your shoulder. "But only if you promise to sing the poems you write. I need a soundtrack to my life."
Before you could respond, the door to the gym opened again, and the voices of Seungcheolâs gym buddies floated through. You couldnât help but smile when you heard the familiar banter of Mingyu and Jeonghan.
"Little one!" Mingyu's booming voice called, already halfway across the gym. "Youâre still here? I swear youâre always hanging out with this guy. Donât you have a life?"
You rolled your eyes, but you couldnât help but laugh as Mingyu flopped down beside you, putting his arm around your shoulders like heâd done a hundred times before.
"Donât listen to him," Seungcheol growled in mock annoyance, pulling you closer to him. "Iâm the only one who gets to steal your attention."
"I get plenty of attention from you," you teased, poking Seungcheolâs side. "Just look at you, always hovering over me. I swear, Iâm the one whoâs gonna get suffocated."
Seungcheol shot you a sideways glance, a playful scowl on his face. âIâm just making sure no one else gets any funny ideas.â
Mingyu grinned, nudging you with his elbow. âSee, I told you. The Reaper has a soft spot for you.â
You stuck out your tongue, but before you could respond, someone from across the room caught your attention.
There, standing by the door, was a woman youâd never seen before â tall, striking, with fiery red hair and an air of confidence. She was watching Seungcheol with a kind of intense admiration. You couldnât help but notice the way she lingered, her eyes tracing the muscles in his arms as he jokingly argued with Mingyu.
The room felt suddenly smaller.
Seungcheol, on the other hand, was oblivious, too caught up in his conversation with Mingyu to notice the womanâs gaze. You werenât usually one to get jealous, but something about the way this stranger looked at your boyfriend made an uncomfortable knot tighten in your stomach.
Mingyu seemed to notice the shift in the air. His usual playful grin faltered, and he glanced over at you, his expression shifting to one of concern.
âHey, little one,â Mingyu said in a quieter tone, âdonât worry about her. Seungcheolâs... well, you know heâs always been your guy, right?â
You nodded, forcing a smile. But you couldnât shake the feeling in your chest.
Seungcheol finally turned, catching sight of the woman by the door. He froze, his eyes narrowing just slightly.
But before you could worry any more, Seungcheol was already walking over to her, his usual intimidating aura returning in full force.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice suddenly all business.
The woman blinked, clearly taken aback for a moment, before flashing him a charming smile, right hand starting to swirl her hair around. âI was just admiring you, the great Choi Seungcheol,â she said smoothly. âSuch a skilled fighter. Youâre quite the legend around here.â
Seungcheolâs expression softened, but only marginally. He had no interest in the flirty stranger, but there was a part of you â deep down â that wanted him to come back to you, to remind everyone who he belonged to.
Without hesitation, Seungcheol shot a glance at you. His eyes softened immediately when he saw you sitting there with puppy eyes, but the slight tension in your shoulders gave away how much that womanâs presence bothered you.
âIâve got a girlfriend, actually,â Seungcheol said, his tone leaving no room for interpretation. âAnd sheâs waiting for me. So, no offense, but Iâve got to go.â
You couldnât help but smile at the way he handled it. His protective side was always there, lurking beneath the surface, ready to fight for you â not just in the ring, but in life, too.
As Seungcheol returned to your side, he leaned down and whispered in your ear, âYou okay?â
You nodded, still a little shaken but mostly relieved. âYeah. Just⌠felt weird.â
âIâm all yours,â he said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to your temple. âAnd youâre mine. Donât forget it.â
You smiled up at him, your heart swelling with affection for the man who was everything you never expected, and exactly what you needed.
The gym had quieted down again, but now, it felt like it was just the two of you â your world, your love, your safe space. And well⌠Mingyu.
The following days felt like a gentle rhythm, like the soft strum of your guitar mixed with the hum of Seungcheolâs training. Youâd drop by the gym most afternoons, bringing lunch or sometimes just staying to watch him train. The men at the gym had gotten used to you by now â your soft, quiet presence was a stark contrast to the sweat and grunting that usually filled the air. They all adored you, seeing the way Seungcheolâs hard edges melted when you were around.
But no one knew just how much of a soft spot Seungcheol had for you. It wasnât just about being protective â he was a different person when you were close. He would bring you coffee in the mornings, would ask you to pick out his outfits even though you always gravitated toward black hoodies and baggy pants. He liked that you saw beyond his fists, beyond the public figure heâd built himself to be.
And he, in turn, adored everything about you â the way you scribbled lyrics on napkins when you were deep in thought, the way your laughter could light up a room, the way your fingers gently strummed chords on the guitar as you hummed songs in the quiet of the night.
One evening, after a long day at the gym, Seungcheol invited you over to his apartment for your favorite routine: movie night. Heâd recently bought a projector to set up in the living room, and tonight, he had picked a Studio Ghibli film, knowing you could never get enough of them.
âTonightâs movie is Spirited Away,â Seungcheol announced, flopping onto the couch next to you, his head resting on the backrest, his hands softly moving your legs onto his lap. You settled against his warm body with your favorite blanket draped over you.
âPerfect,â you murmured, leaning your head against his shoulder. âIâm so glad I can always count on you for a Ghibli night.â
Seungcheol chuckled, reaching for the remote to start the movie. âIâll never pass up an opportunity to watch Chihiro and Haku. But only because I know how much you love it.â
The movie began, and you both fell into the familiar routine of watching in comfortable silence, except for the occasional whisper of dialogue or your soft giggles during certain scenes. Seungcheolâs hand moved to yours, interlocking your fingers with his. His thumb brushed over the back of your hand, a simple gesture, but it sent warmth through your entire body. It was those small moments of tenderness that you lived for.
âŚ
As the credits rolled and the last notes of the soundtrack faded, you were still resting on him, eyes half-lidded.
Seungcheol turned to you, his expression serious for a moment. âDo you ever feel like⌠weâre too different? Like youâre too soft for this world? For me?â
You blinked, looking up at him with confusion. âWhat do you mean? Youâre the strongest person I know. You fight for everything you want.â
He shook his head, the faintest shadow crossing his face. âNo, love. I mean, the world I live in⌠itâs rough. Iâm rough. Iâm not used to this. Youâre⌠delicate. You live in a world of softness, creativity, and beauty. And Iâm just trying to protect that. Sometimes I wonder if Iâm enough.â
You squeezed his hand gently and switched to sit on his lap so you could look him in the eyes. âYouâre more than enough, Seungcheol. Youâve been more than enough for me since the day we met. I love you because of the way you are â strong, determined, protective. I never expected someone like you, but Iâm so glad itâs you. You donât have to change a single thing.â
Seungcheolâs lips quirked up at the corners, and for a moment, he looked like he was going to say something else â something deeper, something more vulnerable â but instead, he simply nodded. His arm draped over your shoulders again, and he pulled you in closer, resting his chin on the top of your head.
âIâm glad itâs you, too,â he whispered. âI donât deserve you, but Iâll never let you go.â
Weeks went by, and life returned to its easy rhythm. You continued to write your songs, most of which were inspired by moments you shared with Seungcheol. And Seungcheol continued to train â no less dedicated to his craft than ever before. But something had changed. He was softer now, less likely to hide his emotions behind that stoic mask. Whenever you were near, his eyes softened, and his hands were always reaching out for yours. It wasnât just about love anymore; it was about companionship, about being two halves of a whole.
But, as with all good things, the calm couldnât last forever.
It happened during a major fight, one that everyone knew would cement Seungcheol as the undisputed champion of his generation. It was a dangerous match â a title defense that had everyone on edge. Seungcheol was facing an opponent who was known for being as ruthless as he was quick. It was the kind of fight that could make or break a career, and the pressure weighed heavily on Seungcheolâs shoulders.
You were there, of course. Youâd never miss one of his matches. You sat at the edge of your seat, his friends by your side, all watching him in the ring with bated breath. Every punch Seungcheol threw had your heart pounding in your chest, but you knew he could do this. He was Seungcheol. He was the Reaper.
But then, it happened.
A right hook. A punch that landed just wrong. You saw the way his opponentâs fist connected with Seungcheolâs jaw, and for a split second, you thought you saw his eyes lose focus. His body staggered, and thenâ crack. The sound of his head hitting the canvas was sickening.
âCheol!â you screamed, jumping to your feet. The crowd around you seemed to freeze as Seungcheol lay there, his body unmoving for just a moment too long.
The referee was already counting. âOne... two... three...â
Seungcheol groaned, his hand lifting off the mat, and the room exhaled in relief. You were still standing, your hands clutching the edge of the railing, eyes wide, heart in your throat.
It was hard to describe the raw panic that overtook you when you saw him struggle to regain his footing. He looked up at you, and there was that familiar spark in his eyes â even now, even after being knocked to the ground.
And then, just as the ref was about to count to ten, Seungcheol pushed himself up from the floor with a roar. His opponent barely had time to react before Seungcheol landed a devastating uppercut, knocking him out cold.
The bell rang.
Seungcheol had won.
But the celebration was muted. You rushed to the ring, pushing past every spectator and security, ignoring the chaos around you. You just needed to get to him.
Seungcheol was already sitting on the stool, his coach dabbing at his face with a towel. When he saw you, though, his whole face lit up. "My darling," he murmured, a small, tired smile tugging at his bruised lips.
Without a second thought, you rushed over to him, cupping his bruised face in your hands, inspecting the cuts along his jaw.
âYouâre okay, right? Please, tell me youâre fine,â you asked, voice trembling as your fingers brushed over his cheek.
Seungcheol chuckled softly, his hand reaching up to rest on yours. âIâm fine, baby. Just a little beaten up, but Iâll be okay. You worry too much.â
âI just.. I donât know what Iâd do if something happened to you,â you admitted, your voice barely a whisper.
He looked at you with such warmth, such tenderness, that for a moment, it was just the two of you in the chaos of the arena.
âYouâll never have to worry about that,â he promised. âIâll always come back to you, love. Always.â
...
The ride home from the match was quiet. You were both exhausted, but the adrenaline still buzzed in your veins. Seungcheol kept glancing at you, his gaze soft, even as he was lost in thought.
When you finally arrived at his apartment, he pulled you into his arms, hugging you tightly. âIâm sorry,â he murmured. âI didnât mean to scare you. Iâll try not to get hit so hard next time.â
You laughed softly, your heart still racing. âJust promise me youâll be careful, Cheol. You canât keep pushing yourself this hard. I need you, okay?â
âI promise,â he whispered back, his lips brushing your forehead. âAnd I need you more than anything.â
The world outside might have been harsh, unpredictable, and dangerous, but in that moment, everything felt like it had fallen into place.
â§ feedback & reblog are highly appreciated! âş anonymous review form & join my taglist
â author's noteâi dug that fic from the grave, hope you enjoy it nonetheless - kinda thinking of making a pt2 with more... mature content ?
@ creditsâhuge thank you @kyeomofhearts for beta reading the hell outta this fic, it was A WHOLE LOT â彥 @ dividersâby @coldxperience
â§â áľáľ "CHERRY.zip" â .*







