#corny as hell

꒦꒷꒦꒷︶꒦꒷︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦꒷꒦

vergil x angel!reader drabble

warnings!! smut no plot, if you hate it pls don't read (；ＴДＴ), riding, missionary, overstim, mentions of blood, mentions of cum, unprotected sex, rough sex, implied hate sex if you squint, minors dni.

word count: 457 (very short)

author’s note: sry for any bad grammar/missed warnings/etc., this is my first writing so please forgive me if its not that good ✧ദ്ദി( ˶^ᗜ^˶ )

Then he watches Remus carefully bandaging a scrape on Peter’s arm, or helping a first-year find their classroom, gentle and patient.

Sirius feels this fierce, possessive urge rise up in him, but it’s not the black family madness. It’s protection.

He watches Remus reading by the fire and thinks: If I had to sign a contract for him, I’d sign it in blood. I’d burn the world down just to keep him.

wc: 8.4k

fwb!Takuma Ino x f!reader

s: Ino breaks rule one in the unofficial rule book of being friends with benefits.

Slightly suggestive + Not proof read + written at 4am when i was deliorious pls dont hate crime ty

To be “casual” with someone meant doing things that barely mattered with another. It all depends on who you ask for the exact definition of what it means to be casual with another person. But, whatever you and Ino had was not fucking casual.

Ino Takuma, the, “go with the flow let the flow take me” kinda guy. Chestnut brown hair, sickeningly sweet honey brown eyes, that stupid smile of his that shows all his teeth. Ino wasn’t popular, per se, because the concept of being “popular” was a joke, but yeah he was pretty known. It’s not hard when you’re in a frat known for the biggest parties on campus. He’s carefree in that way that he was easy to be around, but he isn’t stupid. He’s the kind of guy to only drink often when he had nothing coming up, so he never passed on the opportunity to party. Ino thrived in the type of crowd that parties brought. People letting loose, dancing joyfully, letting their inner self shine with just a few sips of that liquid courage.

Even if he wasn’t drinking at a party, he still enjoyed chatting and observing. Not even needing alcohol to be the light of the room, Ino bounced from person to person, making mindless conversation. Sometimes you wonder to yourself how a guy like him would even think about someone like you.

Those thoughts disappear whenever you’re together. Ino is sweet. He’s helpful. He’s caring. A funny, energetic, all rounder of a guy. And god was he good in bed. Strong arms and lingering stamina did wonders for a nasty activity. You had come to know this very well in the past few, around 5, months.

It all started early into your sophomore year of college, a little over a year ago. Ino was a constant in one of your classes. Having been late on the first day and having no other choice but to pick the seat beside you for the year, you two had chatted a lot. A friendship quickly grew from just seat mates to hanging out multiple days a week on and off campus. Now, Ino knew you weren’t really the party-goer type. He knew you were more of the by the book, A’s and B’s in every course, reserved type. Did that stop him from dragging you to frat houses with him? Nope.

At one of these parties he ended up dragging you to, unwilling from your side, Ino had handed you a drink.

“You’ll like it, trust me. If ya’ don’t: I’ll let you hit me all you want.”

Was all he said, followed by that stupid smile that for some reason made your stomach twist, before you started to down it. You may regret that action for the rest of your life. Each drink lessened your nerves and made you lose sight of your typical activity. Ino, being one who took a bit to get drunk, made sure you didn’t do anything to embarrass yourself or get into danger whilst you slipped further. One hand staying on or by you the whole time.

Eventually, a group of people, most you knew, were sat in a room and playing those stupid party games you thought only happened in American Highschool movies like truth or dare, spin the bottle, and seven minutes in heaven. Seven minutes in heaven was really the only game you still have an inkling of memory from that night. Why? Because that’s what started this whole “fuck in our free time” relationship you and Ino share.

Whether it was because of the liquor in your system clouding your brain, or the fact he looked so great with flushed cheeks, messy hair, and hazy eyes— you’re not sure. But, it was like something took control of your body the second Ino spun the empty beer bottle and it landed on you. Pressed into the closet where no one should even be stepping into, you couldn’t control yourself.

The memory of that moment is pretty hazy. All that lingers is the feel of his lips on yours, the warmth of his hands, the shaky breaths and whispered curses between each exchange, the press of his body against yours—

and the fact you woke up in his bed the next morning. Bare and covered in marks.

No sane person would call that casual. But Ino made you dumb sometimes, so you brushed it off and just let it go. Until it happened again. And again. And then it became like a routine to let off steam. When he had a stressful day, you offered to come over— and it would always lead to the two of you entangled in bed. Whenever you broke down over classes and grades, Ino would come over to comfort— which, again, would lead to you two under the sheets.

————————————————————

You stretch your arms over your head, taking a break. You’d been studying at your desk, hunched over textbooks, for hours. With some type of physic knowledge, Ino Takuma himself just struts into your apartment like he owns the place, pushing open the door to your bedroom with no regard or second thought.

“Yo.”

As casually as he would sound just passing by. He drops a bag onto the cleared space of your dresser, pulling out a bag of chips and snacking mindlessly.

“What’ca up to? Busy?”

You blink, head turned over your shoulder to stare at him. You’ll never get used to him doing this.

“Yeah, kinda. My professor is giving us a quiz next week that I’m not ready for. Thought I could get ahead by studying before the weekend.”

“Booooo. Who studies on a Friday?”

He saunters over, propping his hip against the edge of your desk, peering down at your work.

“Wanna go out with me tonight? There’s a new bar opening downtown!”

That smile. That stupid, stupid smile. Tear bared to you, lips curved up, joy radiating from the brunette man. His eyes catch on yours, waiting. You really should stay and study, you’re not gaining anything by getting shit faced and probably ended up back at his place. But, it’s not like a few hours less is really gonna set you back? Right? Why is he so hard to say no to?

“You really just jump at any opportunity to drink?”

A sigh slips from your lips, heading turning back to your work in contemplation, then back to his warm brown eyes.

“Fine.”

It seems almost impossible for his smile to get any bigger than it was when he was asking, but now he’s just beaming. He laughs, crunching on the chips in hand.

“I’ll treat ya’ then. A reward for working hard, I suppose.”

Hours had easily passed like seconds. You and Ino spent the remaining time until you decided to leave laughing over stupid things and helping you pick out something to wear while he stayed in the black crew and black sweats he had on. You felt compelled to dress cute, unsure of why.

The two of you step into the bar together. It’s alright pretty packed, seeing as it only just opened two hours ago. Ino ran over to the bar when he noticed two seats open up, dragging you with. He orders for himself, watching you when you order after him and he opens a tab. Conversation flows easily between you two, sips and shared words. He tries your drink, comments on how it’s too sweet, laughs when your face scrunches up at the taste of his beer.

Ino watches as you stand from the stool after a while, but what seemed like a few moments.

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick. Watch my drink.”

His eyes follow you like a magnet. He can’t tear his eyes away from the back of your head. His heart beats weirdly quick, a shaky breath slipping from his tongue unwilling. Ino purses his lips, forcing his eyes closed and downing the rest of the drink in his grip. He doesn’t understand why he’s experiencing this. Why did you have such a weird pull on the boy? Yes, he originally got close with you because he thought you were really sweet and pretty, and he was ecstatic when you agreed to keep using each other for pleasure, but he just thought he was being a stupid, horny college boy. Why is he genuinely missing you when you walk away from him for even just a moment. He’s so distracted with his thoughts that he only remembers where he is when a random girl walks over.

“Sorry, someone is sitting there—“

“You’re cute, I wanna buy you a drink.”

Huh?

The girl sitting in front of him— plopped in your seat— leans forward. Her eyes narrow, a playful smile on her glossy lips. Ino doesn’t know how to respond, normally he would just let it happen or quickly but kindly shoot them down if he didn’t feel like drinking, and still talk to them. Yet, all he wanted was for this girl to go away.

“Sorry, not interested.”

You walk back out of the bathroom, maneuvering over floor and squeezing by people to return to the boy who had been laughing with you all night. Your body felt warm, easy. And when you can see him from behind someone— oh?

There’s a girl in your seat, leaning towards him.

Why does your mood suddenly flip? Why do your fists clench and jaw go tight? Why do you want to either walk over and cut in or just walk out of the bar all together? You stare from what seems like forever, less than a minute, before she walks away. And, he pays and stands from the stool. Looking around, he spots you with a tight lipped smile. He walks to the door, saying nothing from across the room. You walk after him, stepping out into the cold air of night with him.

“Who was that?”

Shit. He didn’t realize you saw that.

Why does he care so much?

“Random girl. Wanted to buy me a drink, I guess?”

“Oh.”

You two walk side by side, a little distance between. Your heels click against the concrete, filling the awkward air. Ino can’t take it.

He spins towards you, hands reaching up to your face. He presses his lips to yours and kisses like he’s desperate, backing you up against the wall behind you. A surprised squeak leaves your lips at his suddenness. He slots his knee between your legs, pressing you into the concrete and slipping his hands down to your hips. You melt into him, arms wrapped around his neck. As you lean in to deepen the kiss— something feels wrong.

You pull away, he chases your lips before realizing. His eyes open, blinking at you and panting lightly.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that so quickly— that was stupid.”

You clench your jaw, hands falling from him.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just… not up for it tonight, I guess.”

“Let’s just get you back to your apartment.”

The train ride home is riddled with quick questions and one word answers, scrolling through phones, and pointing out how much longer there is left. When you two depart and you head inside, he finds himself starting again. What the hell is up with him?

————————————————————

“Where’s your little girlfriend?”

Who else would ask that question but Satoru Gojo, the Greek house’s president himself.

Ino is sprawled over one of the couches in the house, some random sports game playing on the TV. His head is cocked back over the armrest, uncaring of how disgusting that couch may be. Ino’s eyes are screwed shut, not sleeping just thinking. Of you.

The senior looms over him, all silky white hair and annoyingly pretty blue eyes. He holds that cocky smirk like he knows his words are a constant reminder of his teasing nature. Ino’s eyes flutter open, peering up at Gojo. He grits his teeth.

“Girlfriend? You mean y/n? It’s not like that, man.”

It pains even him to say the words, and the way Gojo raises his eyebrows like he’s both surprised and disappointed at the same time just pisses him off.

“Sure, it ain’t. Then why are you suddenly miserable? I haven’t seen her in a few days.”

Takuma rolls his eyes, watch Gojo circle around to the front of the couch. Ino moves, sitting up now so Gojo can plop down at the other end. Ino sits back against the cushions, spreading his thighs and running his hands down his face.

“I don’t know. She’s been busy.”

You’re ignoring him. He knows you are because he’s doing the same. Not a single word or text or call has been heard between you two since that night.

“Aw, lovers quarrel? How adorable.”

“I said it wasn’t like that.”

Gojo laughs at Ino’s sudden sharpness. He doesn’t believe him for a minute.

“My bad.”

Silence settles between them. An old hockey game plays over the screen of the TV they’ve had to replace multiple times. The silence isn’t awkward— it’s just too quiet. Ino’s mind is spinning. He can’t stop thinking about your face that night. Why did you look.. scared? Or was it hesitant? You’ve never been hesitant before? Maybe you have been when thinking about plans or drinking, but never about something like the shared intimate experiences? Should he ask for advice?

“Dumb question. Hypothetical. If I— or someone— were to upset another person, but they weren’t aware of what they did. One, how would this person, hypothetically, find out and apologize? And two, get the person they upset to stop ignoring them.”

Gojo turns his head to the brunette, giving him a slight “are you serious” look. The albino man sighs, leaning his head on the back of the couch.

“You messed up with her, huh? Not good, Takuma. Happy wife means happy life.”

Ino decides not to comment or even react to anything Gojo says. Which, prompts a sigh from the blue eyed freak.

“Reach out. Go see her if she’s ignoring you for a reason you’re not sure of. Either you made her mad, or she’s just not feeling the greatest. Either way, do it soon. You being all down freaks me the hell out— straight up chills, dude.”

“Haha, very funny.”

…

“You really think I should go see her?”

Gojo smirks.

“Would I ever give bad advice?”

The brunette stands from the couch, a little too quick for someone who has barely moved all day. He makes a beeline for the door and slips his shoes on carelessly. He leave the house without another word and opens his phone, checking your location.

You’re at a cafe. Not just any cafe, your favorite. The one with the really good matcha and the hot chocolate that tastes like water and pure coco powder. He catches the bus and heads straight there, sorting his emotions out on the ride.

Takuma Ino has feelings for you. It took him just six days away from you to realize this. He’s pathetically, stupidly, sweetly head over heels in love with you. How did he not see it sooner?

When the bus stops he practically sprints to the cafe. He keeps looking at his phone to make sure you haven’t moved and he can still catch you. He needs to sit with you, ask what he did wrong, apologize even if it wasn’t his fault in the matter, kiss you stupid again, actually mean it this time, and confess how badly he has fallen.

So, when he reaches the cafe, his heart sinks. And he turns around.

You’re sitting at a table by the window with a guy he recognizes from one of your Tuesday lectures. You’re sitting side by side at a booth. Your finger is tracing his palm, why are you touching him?

Takuma doesn’t get jealous. He’s only had two real relationships before, and he hasn’t been in one since the beginning of freshman year for college, before he even knew you. He never got jealous, not once. Not even when he saw his, now ex-girlfriend, making out with what he thought was his best friend. In Ino’s car, mind you. The only person who knows this about his life are his brother Nanami, and you. So here he stands, seething with a quiet rage.

You look content, and as much as it angers him… you look so pretty. Ino turns on his heel and walks away, slowly. His world feels like it’s crashing down on him, like 80% of humanity had just been wiped out. He walks back into the frat house, now empty, and goes to his room. His roommates are out. Takuma Ino, a grown man, starts to cry.

He collapses onto his bed, rolling onto his back, and pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes. Fat tears slip from the corners of his eyes, rolling down the sides of his face. His lips twist into a frown, embarrassed at himself for being this pathetic. He cries and cries, and eventually falls asleep.

No texts, no calls, not even a single word. You’ve been ignoring the man that you’ve unconsciously been spending every day with for months. It feels weird being around him. Like it’s so right and so sick at the same time. Your stomach flutters and your head spins and your heart races. You know how Ino’s last relationships had ended, none of them being peaceful resolutions. You’d listened to him talk about these girls who did him terribly like it was just another Wednesday. You knew how he tried to steer clear of any girl interested in him, so, thats why you felt so sick and guilty when these thoughts started popping into your brain. You two have seen the most vulnerable sides of each other— physically and mentally. Sharing deep thoughts and emotions to seeing each other bare and intimate. It’s a large scale.

You don’t want to ruin what little relationship you have with each other because of your own selfish desires, so you distance yourself from him. And, he doesn’t bother to reach out.

You continue going to classes like normal, but you don’t see him waiting at the door anymore. You continue studying, but he doesn’t barge into your apartment with snacks. With his absence comes an increase in free time. It’s driving you crazy after only two days, so at five, you decide to make plans, and at six, you proceed with them.

Meeting up with the boy you were assigned partners with on your Tuesday lectures, you relax a bit. He’s fun, easy to talk to, calm in that way that doesn’t make you think he’s judging but he’s just low maintenance. Fuck. He’s just like you.

A few more days pass. Days where you’ve cried yourself to sleep for a reason you can’t name but you have an idea of. Why do you have to be so selfish?

————————————————————

It’s 2:54 am on a Friday night when you wake up. Your eyes are puffy from earlier sobbing, limbs heavy. You’re starving.

Ending up at a nearby convenience store, you fill your arms with food and whatever your sleep-ridden mind decides is delicious in the middle of the night. The walk back to your apartments feels like it drags on forever, and even longer— almost like time starting moving in slow-mo— when you realize he is walking down the street towards you. Frozen, you can’t move. He looks so broken, like a beautiful crown that had been dropped and chipped.

He looks up from his phone when he feels eyes on him, eyes meeting yours. His go wide, blown open like the world had just cracked beneath his feet. His lips part and close a few times like he’s trying to speak but can’t get it out, and then it starts. Tears slip down his face quicker than he can react. You saw them, he knows you saw them. His hands fly to his face, and you run over to him.

“Takuma.. why are you— are you okay?”

You reach forward yet hesitant, fingers twitching to hold.

“Shit— don’t…”

He trails off when a sob gets caught in his throat, crouching with his head in his hands on the sidewalk. You panic. It’s just the two of you around under the stars. No cars, no people. Just you and the mess of the boy you’d come to know and fall in love with.

“Woah, hey. I’m sorry, did I do something..?”

You kneel down beside him, trying to look at his face. You suck it up and wrap one hand around a wrist of his, gently tugging. Ino Takuma was easygoing, energetic, humorous. The life of the party. He was not a crier.

“No, fuck, you never did anything. It’s just… you left. I didn’t know how to process you not being there, god I felt crazy.”

His voice is broken. He’s so embarrassed. Despite this, he moves his hands and lets you see his glossy eyes and tear stricken face.

“And then I saw you with a guy and I just. I shut down. I don’t know what came over me, but I felt like I was going to implode.”

You can do nothing but kneel there and listen, eyes wide and bag forgotten on the concrete.

“I didn’t know how to act knowing you were upset with me. And then I realized something I wish I hadn’t now.”

Ino rambles, swiping at his eyes, but the tears don’t stop.

“I wasn’t.. upset with you? Maybe I was a little, but that was my own stupid reason. You didn’t do anything. Please stop crying, this is so unlike you.”

Ino grabs your wrist as you reach for him again, looking straight at you. His teary, honey brown eyes, sparkling in the street lights, meet your own, lips parted.

“I love you.”

..huh?!

You blink, and blink again, trying to process. Warmth creeps up your neck, painting the tips of your ears.

“You what?”

“I love you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you for months. You take up my thoughts. I can’t focus in class knowing I’ll see you later in the day, I see you in my dreams, when I’m working out, drinking, partying- fuck even Gojo has noticed.”

He hiccups, a weak sob slipping from his throat.

“I’m sorry, I know you don’t like me like that. I just needed to—“

Just like that, your lips are on his. Warm and familiar. Yet, it feels different this time. It’s not quick and heated. It’s not a clash of teeth and tongue. It’s slow and meaningful, the spill of emotion. He lets his eyes flutter closed, a tear sliding down and mixing where your lips are met. You pull back, watching him.

“Why would you think I wouldn’t like you? You have literally seen me with unshaven legs, are you kidding?”

Ino’s mind is racing.

“Well.. I saw you with a guy at your cafe the other day. So, I thought…”

A laugh falls from my lips, hearty and real.

“Oh, oh my god, no. He’s a random guy from my class, we got paired up. He likes men. We bonded over those palm readings and I was trying to do one.”

And here’s where the embarrassment comes back at Ino in full force, because here he is crying at 3 am in the middle of the sidewalk over an issue that would’ve been solved had he just texted.

“So.. you like me?”

The blush that creeps on your face is down-right addicting. Ino has seen you desperate, he’s seen you bare and vulnerable, he’s seen you cry of pleasure and sometimes of pain over something old. But, he’s never seen you blush like this.

“I do.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Like really-“

“For the love of god, yes. I like you, Ino.”

He shuts up, a smile raising on his lips.

“And you’re not turned off by the fact I’m crying?”

“Nah, you’re hot when you look pathetic.”

Welp okay then. Ino wipes his eyes and stands back up, sniffling. His eyes are now red and glossy, a bit puffy from breaking down. You follow him up, watching for a moment. When he moves his hands away to watch you, he smiles this time.

The smile that makes you crazy— full teeth and radiating joy.

“Can I kiss you again?”

Ino’s voice is quiet now, a whisper, like anything louder will break the gentle atmosphere between you two and the newly shared confessions of shared love.

“I don’t know, will you start crying again?”

“…no.”

“Will you take me out and confess to me properly?”

“Yes.”

A final smile spreads over your lips as you step forward, slipping your arms around his neck. It’s not perfect. This whole relationship leading to now. The internal back and forth of “what are we” and “is there more to this relationship then just fuck-buddies”. But, you knew going into anything with Ino Takuma that it would be messy, difficult, but so much fun. And now, you get to explore even more with each other. This time as something serious, because fuck being “casual”. Casual isn’t something Ino does.

“Then, yes. You can kiss me.”

synopsis; you worked a part-time job in retail. It wasn’t the most enjoyable job, but it was manageable—at least until a new hire showed up and threw your routine into a huge mess.

008. KEYCHAIN

boofest was one of the biggest festivals in your small town, filled with all sorts of foods, tiny shops, rides, and games. it was the one night of the year where all the young people came together to just enjoy being outside. even though it got crowded, you didn’t mind; it was a chance to escape from stress, even if just for a few hours.

“oh my god, where’s my brush?” wonhee’s voice echoed through your apartment as she dug frantically through her makeup bag.

“i think it’s in your hand,” iroha said, pointing casually while handing you a can of soda. you took it with a small, tired smile. “thanks,” you muttered.

“so, yn… what happened last night?” iroha asked, smirking knowingly. wonhee peeked at you through the mirror, her grin spreading.

you sipped your soda, avoiding both their gazes. “what are you talking about?”

“oh, come on,” wonhee said, leaning on the vanity, her eyes sparkling. “you went out with keonho last night and nothing happened?”

you almost choked on your drink. “nothing happened! we literally just went out so i could get a costume. that’s it!”

iroha tilted her head, smirk still in place. “uh-huh. and yet, here you are… dressed as a ladybug,” she said, nodding at your outfit. you glanced down, confused.

“you refused to wear a ladybug costume last year because it was ‘corny,’” she added, taking a slow sip of her drink.

“well… people change their minds,” you said quickly, flustered, twisting the soda can in your hands.

wonhee grinned wider. “so… did you guys… kiss?”

you nearly spat out your soda. “what?! no! we’re just friends!”

iroha laughed, brushing her hair with exaggerated calm. “yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say.”

“please tell me you at least held hands,” wonhee added, her tone teasing but slightly hopeful.

“no!” you said, waving your hands. “we didn’t hold hands either. seriously, i don’t know why you guys are making such a big deal out of this.”

“because he’s keonho,” iroha said, rolling her eyes. “it’s impossible not to overthink every little thing he does around you.”

wonhee nodded vigorously. “exactly! like, did you notice how he kept looking at you at work? or how he almost tripped over his own feet when you laughed?”

“he’s just attentive, okay?” you said, flustered, trying to hide a smile.

“oh, sure, sure,” iroha said, clearly unimpressed, smirking. “you’re just ‘friends’ who happen to be blushing like idiots when you see eachother.”

“i don’t blush,” you mumbled but they both ignored it.

wonhee leaned closer, whispering dramatically. “i’m just saying… if he doesn’t at least make a move soon, i might have to intervene.”

“how?” you repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“oh, you’ll know,” she said, winking.

you groaned, sipping your soda again, but you couldn’t help laughing. despite their teasing, it was nice to feel the warm, chaotic energy in your apartment. keonho was probably oblivious to all of this, but the thought of seeing him later at boofest made your heart beat a little faster, whether you wanted to admit it or not.

-

you had arrived earlier than the time you and keonho had planned on meeting up. it was 10:20, and the festival had officially started at 8:00. with nothing better to do, you and the girls waited in front of the entrance, the smell of pumpkin spice and the glow of festival lights already filling the air.

wonhee crouched slightly, fussing with the string of tiny lights on her witch costume. “are you sure these things won’t explode?” iroha asked from behind her, trying to adjust the lights that kept slipping. she was decked out as the girl from subway surfers, complete with neon accents and a backwards cap.

“if they exploded, i’d probably take half the festival with me,” wonhee joked, earning a sharp nudge from iroha, who looked entirely unimpressed. “anyways, when are they coming, yn? they’re already five minutes late.” she tapped wonhee’s shoulder for emphasis, then shot you a glance.

you checked your phone and shrugged. “i don’t know. if they don’t show up in the next five minutes, we’ll just head inside,” you said, and the girls nodded, still adjusting and laughing at each other’s costumes.

it didn’t take long for the arrival of keonho and his group to become obvious, you could hear the chaos from across the street before you even saw them.

“i told you not to take the detour!” martin’s voice screeched.

“maybe if you gave me directions instead of singing every lyric of no pole in my ear i wouldn’t have gotten lost!” james yelled back.

and there was keonho, standing slightly apart from the chaos, scanning the crowd. you waved, and his eyes immediately found you. he jogged over, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket, his cheeks and nose faintly pink from the cool night air.

it was kind of cute.

“hey… you came,” he said softly, taking in your costume.

“of course,” you replied, smiling. there was something about the way he looked at you that made your heart skip a little.

he shifted awkwardly, glancing down at your outfit. “you… look good. i mean, your outfit looks good,” he stammered, pointing at your costume.

you laughed softly. “thank you. almost like you picked it out,” you teased, nudging him playfully. keonho let out a small, nervous laugh.

you scanned him from head to toe. “where’s yours?”

he rubbed the back of his neck. “i picked the wrong size. it was way too small,” he admitted, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips.

just then, martin shoved the back of keonho’s shoulder and leaned on him like it was nothing. “hi guys!” he said, grinning widely at you and your friends.

you laughed, stepping back to introduce yourself and your friends. “this is iroha, and this is wonhee,” you said, gesturing to them.

the introductions continued, the group chatting and laughing like old friends even though some of you were meeting for the first time. the energy was nice and warm.

finally, you all started moving toward the entrance, keonho falling into step beside you. he kept glancing at you, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the words. you bumped his shoulder lightly, and he blinked, looking more flustered than usual.

“ready to lose all the games?” you asked with a grin.

he nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “don’t get to ahead of yourself.”

as the group disappeared past the glowing entrance, the mix of laughter, shouting, and the smell of food made your chest feel warm.

it didn’t take long for your group to get comfortable with keonho’s friends. wonhee was already arguing with martin over how cotton candy flavors definitely tasted different. “pink is sweeter, i swear,” she insisted, and martin looked genuinely offended. “dude your crazy!” he shot back.

you and keonho walked a few steps behind the group, the festival lights reflecting off his jacket. he leaned slightly closer, his shoulder brushing yours as he murmured, “i didn’t think there’d be this many people.”

you nodded quietly, eyes scanning the glowing booths ahead. “it’s one of the biggest festivals of the year,” you said. “i’m not too surprised.”

he hummed softly, eyes following a group of kids running past in matching ghost hats. “still feels like… a lot,” he said, smiling faintly.

you laughed, and the two of you drifted into easy conversation — talking about the vintage clothes they sold here and how it was lowkey better than the thrift stores back home. “at least these don’t have weird mystery stains,” you joked, and he chuckled quietly, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

after a while, the group decided to grab something to eat, ending up in front of a food truck glowing with purple fairy lights. the sign read haunted pizzeria in bold orange letters, and even though it looked questionable, you ordered some of it anyway, hoping it tasted as good as it looked.

keonho joined you at one of the tall tables while the others waited for their food. he crossed his arms, giving you a pointed look. “i told you i’d buy you food,” he scolded lightly.

you shrugged, trying not to grin. “well, then i wouldn’t be able to use my free food pass after.”

his brows furrowed, genuinely confused. “what do you mean?”

you tilted your head at him, feigning disbelief. “from the time you soaked me, remember? i still haven’t used my free coupon.”

keonho froze before groaning, hiding his face in his hands. “oh my god… i completely forgot about that,” he mumbled, voice muffled behind his palms.

you laughed, leaning on the table. “what part? the one where you basically waterboarded me or the free food?”

he peeked through his fingers, his ears turning pink. “the one where i waterboarded you! i’m still embarrassed,” he whined before covering his face again.

you reached up and gently pried his fingers away, grinning. “i think it was kinda cute when you freaked out,” you blurted out without thinking.

the words hung in the air for a second too long. keonho froze. his eyes widened slightly as he stared at you, the lights from the food truck flickering across his face.

“what?” he mumbled softly, almost in disbelief.

your stomach dropped. great. perfect. why would you say that out loud?

you let out a nervous laugh, waving your hand like you could erase what just happened. “you know, like—the way you freaked out? it was just… funny,” you said quickly, your voice almost tripping over itself.

he was still staring, and you couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed or something else entirely. the lighting didn’t help, it cast his expression half in shadow, half in gold. all you knew was that your face was burning.

and just when the silence started to feel unbearable—

“what do we have going on here?” seonghyeon suddenly appeared, draping an arm over keonho’s shoulders.

“we were just talking about how we met,” keonho said quickly, straightening up.

you chewed your lip, wishing your heart would stop racing.

“how you waterboarded her?” iroha asked as she set her soda on the table, her tone far too casual.

the others gathered around, already laughing as keonho groaned. “i didn’t mean to! it was an accident!” he exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly.

you smiled, finally relaxing as the group’s laughter filled the air. keonho shot you an embarrassed glance, and you bit back another laugh

-

“we should go on the ferris wheel!” iroha said, pointing toward it. the big metal circle glowed against the sky, every cart lit up with bright lights.

“no way,” martin said immediately. “that line is insane, let’s go play some games instead.”

“you just don’t want to go because you’re scared of heights,” wonhee teased, and martin gave her a look that only confirmed it.

soon enough, everyone started splitting into smaller groups, iroha and wonhee heading toward the ferris wheel, martin dragging juhoon to the game booths, and seonghyeon claiming he and james were just gonna check out how good the food was.

you looked around and realized that, somehow, you and keonho were the only ones left standing there.

“guess everyone ditched us,” you said, smiling faintly.

keonho glanced around too, hands buried in his pockets. “yeah,” he said quietly. “maybe we’re the boring ones.”

you raised an eyebrow at him. “or maybe i was right when i said you stink,” you joked, referring to that stupid argument you had during class about where that weird smell was coming from.

that made him laugh softly, and it sent a little warmth through your chest.

“it was definitely coming from you,” he said, and you frowned dramatically.

“you can’t prove that,” you argued, crossing your arms.

he suddenly leaned down, brushing your hair from your shoulder before sniffing you. you froze, feeling how close he was, your breath catching for a split second until he took a huge step back and pinched his nose.

“dude, you reek!” he yelled, way too loud.

you laughed, shoving him lightly. “stop lying.”

“no, i’m being honest! it’s like…cat shit”

“you’re so annoying,” you said, rolling your eyes but smiling anyway.

you both started walking, with no real destination in mind. the air was cool against your skin, the faint smell of caramel and candy drifting through the air. strings of bright lights hung overhead, flickering slightly as the wind passed through.

“so,” you said, tugging at the hem of your shirt, “what do you wanna do now?”

he thought for a second, scanning the rows of glowing stalls and the rides spinning in the distance. “hmm… something not too crazy right now,” he said.

you smirked, nudging him with your elbow. “so definitely nothing scary?”

he gave you a small grin and nodded. “definitely nothing scary,” he said firmly, but the tiny smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.

“come on, don’t be boring!” you whined, grabbing his arm and shaking it lightly. he stumbled a little, laughing.

“you can’t convince me,” he said, giving you a deadpan look.

“okay, okay,” you said, letting go of his arm, still smiling. “let’s start with something small, like one of the games and then we’ll try the haunted mazes.” you dropped your voice into a low, fake-spooky tone that made him snort.

the two of you wandered deeper into the festival, the noise of the crowd melting into the hum of music and laughter. the path was lined with neon lights and every few feet someone called out, trying to get people into their booth. the air was chilly, and you kind of regretted not bringing a sweater.

you spotted a ring toss booth and smacked keonho’s arm lightly. “let’s do that!” you said, pointing toward it.

he followed your gaze and nodded. “don’t cry when you lose,” he said as you dragged him closer.

you rolled your eyes. “this is coming from the guy who dies in every obby.”

keonho gasped dramatically. “i do not die! you just pick the worst ones!”

“liar,” you said, clutching your chest in fake shock.

the stand owner handed you both a few plastic rings, and you went first. your throw barely missed, bouncing off the top of a bottle.

“ooh, so close,” keonho said, trying not to laugh.

“let’s see you try,” you muttered, handing him a ring.

he threw his first one and somehow managed to hit nothing. it flew straight over the bottles, landing on the ground behind the counter.

you bit your lip to hold back a laugh, but a snort slipped out anyway. “oh my gosh, you’re terrible!”

he looked at you with mock offense. “i was warming up my wrist!”

his second one almost hit the poor guy behind the counter, and keonho immediately apologized, hiding his face with both hands. you couldn’t stop laughing, leaning against the counter for support.

“okay, okay, one more try,” he said, determined. he took a step forward, furrowed his brows, and tossed. this time, the ring landed perfectly clinking around the top of a bottle.

his eyes widened. “wait—i just did that?”

“you actually did it!” you said and, before thinking, threw your arms around him. he hugged you back, firm and warm against the cool air. you didn’t even realize what you’d done until the booth owner coughed awkwardly behind you.

you quickly stepped back, laughing nervously. keonho scratched the back of his neck, looking anywhere but at you until the man pointed toward a shelf of small prizes.

keonho scanned the options; keychains, mini plushies, fake skeleton hands. his eyes landed on a tiny pumpkin keychain with a crooked smile. he picked it up and turned to you.

“here,” he said a little shyly, holding it out.

you blinked. “what? you won it. keep it.”

he shook his head, pressing it into your hand anyway. “nah. i wouldn’t have made that shot without your hate-fueled motivation.”

you laughed at that. “what’s that supposed to mean?”

“kill hate with kindness,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets, trying to hide a grin.

you lightly punched his arm. “you’re so dumb,” you said softly, but smiled down at the keychain. “thanks. he’s kinda ugly, though.”

“hey,” keonho said, “i picked him because he looks like you.”

you gasped and elbowed him, and he laughed quietly.

you kept walking together, your shoulders brushing every so often. it was easy between you, the kind of easy that made you forget about the crowd, or the noise, or even the chill in the air. for a moment, it almost felt like the festival had shrunk down to just the two of you.

you played a couple more games before heading back to regroup with the rest. everyone had agreed to meet up for the maze before leaving. you spotted wonhee jumping up and down as soon as she saw you. you waved back eagerly.

“okay, i got the tickets!” james announced, holding up eight small slips of paper like they were golden. he handed one to everyone.

“if i get puked on like last time, i’m really making it scary,” martin warned, narrowing his eyes at seonghyeon.

“it wasn’t my fault! we just got off a ride!” seonghyeon exclaimed, throwing his hands up.

“his puke lowkey looked designer though,” juhoon added, and you couldn’t stop the laugh that burst out of you.

the group made their way toward the maze entrance, where a massive wooden arch covered in fake cobwebs loomed overhead. red lights flickered from inside, and faint screams echoed every few seconds. even from where you stood, you could smell the fog machine chemicals.

“nope. absolutely not.”

you turned to see keonho frozen a few steps behind, his eyes wide as he stared into the maze.

“come on,” you said, laughing. “you said you wanted something not too crazy—this isn’t even that crazy!”

“yeah, because it’s actual psychological torture,” he muttered under his breath.

“don’t worry, we’ll protect you, keonho,” iroha teased, patting his shoulder as she passed by.

“you mean we’ll protect each other,” wonhee corrected, already clinging to iroha’s arm.

the staff at the entrance waved your group forward. “groups of two or three at a time!” she called out.

and that’s when chaos broke out.

“dibs on iroha!” wonhee shouted immediately.

“no way, you scream too loud!” iroha protested.

“you’re both loud,” martin cut in. “i’m going with juhoon.”

“what about me?” seonghyeon asked, looking mildly betrayed.

“definitely not in my group!” martin said.

“you can come with me,” james offered, and the two dapped each other up like they just sealed a secret deal.

soon enough, everyone had paired off—leaving just you and keonho standing there. again.

you turned to him, smiling. “guess it’s just us again.”

he sighed dramatically, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him. “of course it is.”

“last group to leave has to pay for desserts!” james yelled as he disappeared into the maze.

you grinned. “ready?”

“hell no,” keonho said flatly, staring into the glowing red fog. “that thing looks i’ll get murdered.”

you reached for his sleeve, tugging him gently. “you’ll be fine. i promise. i’ll even let you hold onto me if you get scared.”

his eyes flicked to you, unimpressed. “how generous.”

the staff waved you forward. before he could change his mind, you pulled him toward the entrance. the moment you stepped inside, the world shifted. the sounds from outside disappeared, replaced by low music and creaking floorboards. the air smelled faintly like wet dirt and plastic, mist rolled around your ankles.

“this isn’t so bad,” you whispered, glancing around.

something metallic clanged behind you, and keonho flinched so hard that you almost lost it laughing.

“relax,” you said, grinning. “it’s probably just—”

a hand shot out from the wall, brushing against his shoulder.

keonho screamed.

you doubled over laughing, barely able to breathe.

“you— you said this wasn’t bad!” he hissed, his voice cracking halfway through.

“come on! how’d you get scared at that?” you teased, wiping tears from your eyes.

a second later, a face popped out from a painting on the wall. keonho screamed again, this time grabbing your hand and squeezing it tight.

you didn’t comment on it. you had told him he could hold onto you. still, your heart skipped a beat.

then it was your turn to jump—when a zombie lunged from behind a curtain. you squealed, crashing right into keonho’s side.

“who’s scared now?” he laughed, still holding your hand.

“shut up,” you muttered, trying to sound annoyed even though you were still clinging to him.

the rest of the maze was a blur of shrieks and laughter and pretending you weren’t both totally freaked out. by the time you stumbled out the other side, you were breathless and grinning like an idiot.

“see?” you said, catching your breath. “that wasn’t so bad.”

“you literally tackled me when that zombie showed up,” he said, shaking his head.

“you screamed first,” you shot back.

“yeah, but you screamed louder,” he said with a huge grin.

“whatever, scaredy-cat,” you teased, bumping your shoulder into his.

he looked at you then, the teasing softening into something else—something warm. before he could say anything, iroha’s voice cut through the air.

“took you long enough! you two were in there forever! come on, you owe us desserts!”

-

the group hung around the exit of the maze for a while, everyone talking over each other—half laughing, half trying to prove who got scared the most. iroha insisted she hadn’t screamed once (a lie), juhoon accused martin of hiding behind him (definitely true), seonghyeon was busy eating his donut, wonhee was defending herself for hitting one of the scare actors, and james was too busy recording everyone to contribute.

you stood off to the side, still trying to catch your breath from laughing so much. the night air had turned colder now that the festival lights were dimming and most of the crowd was starting to thin out. your costume, which had felt fine before, suddenly felt too thin against the chill.

“cold?” a voice said beside you.

you turned to see keonho, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket. he was smiling a little, but you could tell he’d noticed the way you rubbed your arms.

“i’m fine,” you said quickly, though a small shiver slipped out at the end.

“yeah, that didn’t sound convincing,” he said softly, already unzipping his jacket.

“wait—” you started, but before you could protest, he slipped it off and draped it over your shoulders. it was still warm from him, soft and slightly oversized. it smelled faintly like his cologne—like the ocean—and maybe a little like the food you’d eaten earlier.

“keonho, i’m literally fine,” you said again, quieter this time.

“and i’m literally not letting you freeze,” he said, grinning as he tugged the collar gently to make sure it sat right. he zipped it up for you.

you looked up at him, ready to tease him about being dramatic, but the words got stuck. his hair was a little messy from the maze, his cheeks pink from the cold, and for a second, the chatter of the group behind you faded.

“thanks,” you said finally, voice soft.

he shrugged, pretending to look casual but failing miserably. “don’t mention it. besides, now i get to look tough standing here in just a t-shirt.”

you laughed, shaking your head. “you look cold, not tough.”

“yeah, well,” he said, his eyes meeting yours, “if it makes you warm, i don’t mind.”

your heart did a little flip.

“that was corny,” you said, trying to hide your smile.

“it sounded cool, no?” he teased, bumping your shoulder lightly. you shook your head.

wonhee called your name frantically—everyone was leaving already. you started to move, but keonho caught your sleeve gently.

“hey,” he said quietly.

you looked back at him, titling your head in confusion. “don’t lose the keychain, okay?”

you smiled, fingers brushing over the small pumpkin charm hanging in your pocket. “i won’t.”

he smiled back, a little shy this time. “good.”

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an: this literally took forever to write, i was genuinely having a melt down 💔 anyways i hope you enjoyed, lmk fr chat 🫩