#jiahao

It had been months since you and Jiahao officially started dating, finally putting an end to the confusing push-and-pull that had lingered between you for so long. Jiahao turned out to be disarmingly sweet and genuinely romantic— far more tender than the polished characters you had spent your teenage years watching in K-dramas.

Not a single day went by without him insisting on driving you to and from work, even when it meant taking the longer route that pulled him in the opposite direction of his own office. Despite being the head of innovation at Guangzheng Group, a family-run company weighed down by generations of tradition, Jiahao never once allowed his packed schedule to become an excuse for neglect. He always carved out time for you, even if it was only a fleeting moment in the middle of his day.

That Tuesday felt ordinary at first, until the evening crept in and the city sky began to melt into shades of muted gold and dusky blue. As the sun dipped lower, Jiahao finally allowed himself a breath of relief, his body and mind both carrying the weight of exhaustion.

He leaned back into the leather chair, letting it spin slightly as one hand slipped through his neatly kept hair, the other massaging the stiffness along his neck. His eyes, heavy with fatigue, flickered towards the clock on his desk— well past his usual dinner time, he noted with a faint sigh.

On most evenings, he would already be on the road, eager to collect you from your office. But tonight was different. You had gently refused, mentioning a celebratory dinner with your colleagues after the project’s successful approval by the client.

Moments like this made Jiahao realise just how hopelessly in love he was with you. A low sound rumbled in his throat, his Adam’s apple shifting as he exhaled and pressed the back of his head against the chair.

The office felt far too empty without you. Every passing second seemed to sharpen his longing.

Oh, how badly he wanted to see you.

To hold you close in his arms, to feel your face tucked against his chest, to brush soft kisses along your temple— those were the moments he craved most. And yes, to touch you in ways that drew breathless little sounds from your lips… that longing burned quietly inside him.

It had to be said: his desire for you was insatiable. Yet Jiahao never once pushed you beyond your comfort. His touch was always gentle, his patience endless, though the way his fingertips lingered on your skin often left you aching for more.

Your very first night together remained etched in your memory. He had been careful, almost reverent, with every kiss and every caress. When you insisted on switching off the lights, too shy to meet his eyes in such vulnerability, he had only smiled and pulled the curtains wider, letting the glow of the city spill into the room. Even then, you knew he longed to see you fully, yet his restraint and tenderness made the moment unforgettable.

The brief flashes of those memories only worsened the ache of his longing. Still, Jiahao reminded himself he was not an impatient man. No matter how much he sulked earlier when you told him about dinner with your colleagues, he respected your choice. He would never ask you to give up your own moments of joy just for him— though, quietly, he wished you were here with him instead.

The sudden knocks on his office door echoed through the quiet space, pulling Jiahao abruptly back into reality. He straightened slightly in his chair, though his body still sagged with exhaustion.

“Come in,” he muttered, his voice edged with fatigue, not bothering to glance up from the scattered notes on his desk.

The door opened, and Huixin stepped inside— the young intern placed under his supervision. Dressed immaculately, she carried herself with a certain composure that belied her inexperience.

“These are the files Mr. Zhang asked you to review,” she said, her tone polite yet efficient. The sharp rhythm of her heels clicked against the marble floor as she crossed the room with practised grace. Reaching his desk, she laid the stack of documents carefully in front of him, aligning the corners with neat precision before stepping back.

With the company preparing to have its proposal for renewable energy innovation presented at the upcoming global competition, it was no surprise the staff worked tirelessly, ensuring no detail slipped through the cracks.

Jiahao finally opened his eyes, the weight of fatigue still pressing at his temples, swivelled his chair just enough to face the growing mountain of papers spread across his desk. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he recalled that morning’s meeting— his father had pressed him with relentless questions, each one sharper than the last. Ostensibly, it was to prepare Jiahao for the judges he would soon face, but he knew well enough it was also his father’s way of testing his only son’s resolve.

He gave a small nod, voice low and roughened with weariness. “Thanks,” he said, taking the documents and sliding them onto the already haphazard pile in the corner of his desk.

The upcoming competition was one of the biggest projects Jiahao had been preparing for over the past few months. The strain of it all was beginning to show, carved into the dark circles beneath his eyes— the very ones you loved to tease and kiss each night before falling asleep.

He was exhausted. God, he was so very tired.

If not for you, Jiahao doubted he would have endured this long. It was your constant presence, your quiet reassurances, and the comfort of your embrace that eased the weight pressing on his shoulders.

And all of it, every sleepless night and every ounce of effort, was for one simple reason: to see that proud smile curve across your lips when the competition was finally over.

Meanwhile, Huixin’s sharp eyes caught the little details others might overlook. The faint creases wrinkling Jiahao’s usually immaculate shirt, the slight disarray in his perfectly styled hair, likely mussed from frustration, and the loosened knot of his tie that betrayed the weight of a long yet draining day.

“Would you like some tea to help you unwind, Mr. Zhang?” Her tone was soft, but any woman would have recognised the serpentine edge beneath it— the kind designed to ensnare, a quiet strategy for survival in a workplace where charm could be as sharp as ambition.

On another day, Jiahao might have noticed. He might have caught the way she lingered just a second too long by his desk, or how she stood closer than necessary. But tonight, weariness dulled his senses. His thoughts were tangled elsewhere, with you, with deadlines, with the endless weight of expectation pressing down on him.

He only nodded faintly at her offer, dragging a weary hand down his face. “Yeah. Thanks,” he muttered, eyes fixed on the computer screen that had flickered back to life after its idle shutdown. “That’d be great.”

“Of course.” Huixin’s lips curved into a wicked smile if one cared enough to look closely.

The sharp click of her heels echoed once more as she exited the office, off to prepare the tea she had so eagerly volunteered to make... When, in reality, it was nothing more than a three-in-one packet. Yet in her mind, it became an offering. 

A small step in her quiet determination to win the favour of her supervisor. If she could catch Jiahao’s attention, perhaps she could climb higher in the hierarchy, even as a mere intern who had only been there for two months.

Jiahao, on the other hand, remained oblivious. His world had narrowed to the stack of documents in front of him, each page demanding examination. His tired eyes traced line after line, scanning for flaws or oversights until the words blurred into an indistinct haze— like a dictionary he had stared at for far too long.

“Here you go, Mr. Zhang—” Huixin reappeared after a while, a tray balanced in her hands. She nudged the door open with her arm, stepping inside as she extended the cup toward him.

But her fingers shifted, subtly yet deliberately, just enough for the liquid to slosh over the rim. A small splash landed on his shirt, warm but nowhere near scalding, exactly as she had intended.

The sudden heat made Jiahao’s head snap up, his eyes widening. “Ah, damn it—” he hissed, rising abruptly from his chair as he snatched for the tissues on his desk.

“Careful!” The word escaped sharper than he meant, but his patience was already threadbare after hours of unrelenting work. He dabbed at the spreading stain with a scowl, irritation flickering across his features.

The last thing he needed right now was a tea-stained shirt, one more reminder of how frayed and exhausted he already felt.

“I’m so sorry!” Huixin gasped, bowing low like a child caught in mischief. She leaned in quickly, snatching a few tissues from the desk with exaggerated urgency.

As she dabbed at the damp fabric, her fingers lingered just a moment too long— brushing against his skin in a way that was fleeting yet deliberate, hidden beneath the guise of clumsy helpfulness.

Jiahao’s patience thinned with every accidental touch. His jaw tightened, eyes narrowing in clear irritation. He reminded himself that she had a reputation for being careless, her so-called clumsiness making her oddly popular in the department. 

Perhaps this was just another one of those mistakes.

“It’s fine,” he bit out, brushing her hand away as he took the tissues from her. “I can handle it.”

He focused on blotting the stain, though his frayed temper and sheer exhaustion made even that small task feel heavy. And then there was Huixin, hovering too close, using every slip as an excuse to reach for him.

It was irritating. She was irritating.

“Oh?”

You stood frozen in the doorway of Jiahao’s office, your right hand gripping a small cake box. The surprise you had brought for your boyfriend.

Only now, you were the one caught off guard.

Your eyes locked on the scene before you: another woman leaning in far too close, her slender fingers dabbing at the damp fabric of Jiahao’s shirt. Her touch lingered just above his stomach, tracing the faint outline of his abs in a way that made your chest tighten.

The sound of your voice made Jiahao’s head snap up. His body tensed, heart skipping a beat the moment he saw you. The one person he loved most, standing in the doorway with a cake box trembling slightly in your hand.

He had been excited to see you, after all the longing that gnawed at him even when you were apart for only a few hours. But now… now he knew how impractical the situation was. How utterly doomed he looked.

Huixin leaning too close, her hands brushing over his shirt. This wasn’t how he wanted you to find him. He opened his mouth to explain, to say something— anything, but the words betrayed him. Nothing came out. Only silence, and the guilt written plain across his face.

Huixin followed his gaze toward the doorway. Recognition flickered in her eyes instantly. She knew who you were.

Jiahao’s girlfriend. The only partner he had ever loved. The only woman he intended to love until his last breath.

Almost everyone in the company knew how hopelessly devoted Jiahao was to you. How the usually composed and cold head of innovation turned soft and lovestruck whenever you appeared during his lunch breaks.

Huixin stiffened, then bent into a deep bow before slipping quickly toward the door, her heels clicking a retreat.

“Wait, miss.”

Your tone was light, almost gentle, but the edge beneath it stopped Huixin mid-step. She turned back with a brittle and practised smile. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Would you mind making two cups of black coffee?” you asked, your own smile poised and flawless— polished enough to pass for sweet, but sharp enough to sting. You lifted the cake box slightly, your words airy yet deliberate. “My boyfriend prefers his coffee black when I bring him his favourite cake.”

Huixin faltered, her smile wavering. “S-Sure,” she stammered, caught off guard. For the first time, she realised you weren’t like the others. Those fragile girls she’d easily outshone and stolen boyfriends from.

With no choice but to bow her head, Huixin quietly slipped out of the office, closing the door behind her.

Across the office, Jiahao almost gaped at your casual command, surprise and admiration flickering in his eyes. He knew this side of you well. The polished and calculated armour you wore in public when you needed to stand your ground.

But when silence settled again, he shifted uneasily. His shirt was still damp and wrinkled from the tea spill, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like a boy caught misbehaving.

“Y/N…” he began, his voice hesitant, almost unsure.

Your gaze, which had lingered on the door after it clicked shut, slowly turned to him. There he stood by his desk, stiff and guilty, as if waiting for judgement.

“What?” Your reply was curt, your chin tilting upward as you strode closer. The warm smile you had carried into the office earlier was gone— replaced with a cool yet composed expression that made Jiahao’s stomach twist.

You set the cake box on his desk with a quiet thud, the sound sharper than necessary. “How naive are you…” you said evenly, your words like silk-wrapped steel, “…to fall for such a petty trick?”

There was a bite in your tone, but beneath it lingered something softer: an unspoken affection threading through the reprimand. You weren’t truly angry. He hadn’t entirely been at fault.

Still, Jiahao felt a pang of guilt, sharp and sudden, at the disappointment in your eyes. You were right; he should have seen through Huixin’s schemes.

But he had been exhausted, stressed beyond measure, and focused only on finishing his work. He had been caught off guard. 

And, for once, it had cost him.

He raked a hand through his hair, letting out a heavy sigh. “Babe, I—” he began, only to cut himself off with another frustrated exhale. “Damn it, I was just… distracted. It was a mistake.”

“How distracted are you, Mr. Zhang?” Your voice remained calm. You tilted your head slightly, arms crossed over your chest as your sharp gaze pinned on him.

Jiahao opened his mouth, then shut it again, fumbling for words that refused to come. His usual confidence had deserted him, leaving only a sheepish smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His shoulders slumped slightly as he lifted his eyes to meet yours, after briefly dropping them to the floor.

He felt like a fool.

“Too distracted,” Jiahao admitted quietly. “Too damn distracted.”

Yet your expression remained perfectly neutral, your gaze cool and unreadable as it settled on him. Without softening your tone, you tilted your chin slightly toward his office chair.

“Sit.”

The single word left no room for argument— quiet, measured, yet heavy with expectation. Jiahao blinked, and something flickered deep in his chest.

Not defiance. Not resistance.

Arousal.

He lowered himself slowly into the chair, the leather creaking under his weight. Leaning back, he let his eyes darken as he watched you. “Yes… Mrs. Zhang?”

It was a nickname Jiahao liked to use to tease you— part of him delighted in seeing how quickly you’d fluster at the thought of a surname that could one day be yours. Another part of him cherished the idea of living until the day you officially became his, letting him call you Mrs. Zhang in every sense of the word. Those moments always earned your soft and flustered laughter, your cheeks coloring as you hid the thought of being his wife.

But this time was different.

“Who says I’m Mrs. Zhang?” you scoffed, the edge in your voice teasing and sharp as you watched him settle into the chair, moving with the careful caution of someone trying to behave. His wide and boba-like eyes never left yours, silently pleading for a hint of forgiveness.

You leaned forward, your palm pressing firmly on the arm of the spinning chair, closing the space between you despite his taller frame. Jiahao inhaled sharply, following your every movement with intent. The subtle dominance in your posture made the air between you thrum with tension, leaving him caught somewhere between awe and longing.

“I’m still a Y/L/N,” you reminded him softly, tilting your head as you lifted your right hand. The bare finger caught the light— no ring, no promises sealed… not yet.

He watched you, a trace of surrender in his eyes. Your teasing tone made his lips tug into a small, almost helpless smile. Leaning his head back, he stared at you from below, his gaze fixated upside-down. “Right,” he murmured. “You’re still a Y/L/N.”

His eyes drifted to your finger, lingering on the bare skin where a ring might one day sit.

This.  This was everything he wanted.

You. This future.

Standing in his office, standing over him, taking control with no hint of hesitation in your eyes.

God, he was hopelessly in love with you.

Jiahao reached up, gripping your wrist gently, his thumb brushing over your pulse. He could feel your heartbeat quicken beneath his touch. And then, unable to hold back any longer, he gave your wrist a firm tug, pulling you onto his lap with effortless ease.

The sudden movement drew a startled yelp from you— you hadn’t expected the balance of control to flip so swiftly.

In an instant, your composed and cool facade crumbled, replaced by a pouty and puppy-like expression. Your brows knitted together in mock frustration, lips curving downward as if he’d just stolen a hard-won victory from you.

“I was supposed to be the one with the upper hand… scolding you,” you whined, your voice a mix of irritation and reluctant amusement.

Jiahao chuckled, his arms wrapping around your waist and pulling you closer. He could practically hear your pout, the fake frustration woven through your tone.

It was… adorable.

“Is that right?” he murmured, eyes sparkling with mischief as he held you snugly. “You were supposed to be scolding me? Well… I guess I got impatient.”

“H-Hah…” Your lashes fluttered shut as his warm breath grazed your skin, betraying your attempt to resist. He nuzzled the curve of your neck, lips brushing against your pulse point in a deliberate yet feather-light kiss that sent a shiver straight down your spine.

“U… Unfair,” you gasped, voice catching as you tried to steady your breath. Your hands pressed weakly against his chest in a half-hearted attempt to push him away, though your fingers lingered, betraying your resolve.

“Unfair?” Jiahao murmured, his voice low and warm against your neck, the vibration making you shiver again. “You came in here all cool and sharp, like you own the place— which, well… you kinda do. And then you gave me that look… like I was the one in trouble.”

He pulled back just enough to meet your eyes, hands still firm on your waist. A slow and dangerous smirk tugged at his lips. “Who's really being unfair here?”

Despite the haze clouding your mind that was thick with longing, you gathered the scraps of your composure. Your legs bracketed his, your weight settling just enough to remind him of the closeness… And probably the control you still held.

“You,” you murmured in a bratty tone, leaning in until the tip of your nose nearly brushed his. Then, with a mischievous glint in your eyes, you nipped lightly at the end of his nose— a playful bite, more mischief than malice.

While dating you and learning the full scope of your personality, Jiahao realised you were just spinning nonsense, acting bratty to wriggle out of the moment. But it was endearing. There was something irresistible about watching you fumble with your own logic, as long as it was cute enough to make him smile.

The nip drew a startled, amused noise from him. Your defiant mixed with bratty energy only made him want you more, the spark of rebellion and sass igniting a fire within him.

He tightened his grip on your hips, pulling you flush against him. His voice dropped into a low, husky growl.

“You’re in no position to be making accusations, princess,” he murmured. “Especially sitting in my lap like the very picture of temptation.”

“Not my fault your intern was practically drooling over you, like you’re some bachelor up for grabs.” You rolled your eyes, shifting slightly on his clothed crotch, just enough movement against him to make Jiahao flinch.

A low groan escaped him, the friction sending a spark of heat through him.

“She was undressing you with her eyes,” you muttered under your breath, jaw tightening as the memory of Huixin’s bold stare replayed in your mind.

Jiahao fought to keep his composure, struggling to maintain some semblance of calm with you perched on him, looking both infuriated and impossibly enticing.

“So what if she was looking?” he countered, voice slightly strained. “I sure as hell don’t care about her… or what she thinks.” He leaned in, lips hovering just millimeters from yours. “I only have eyes for one woman.”

Your lower lip jutted out in a pout as you glared down at your dangerously handsome boyfriend. Your palms cupped his cheeks, pressing just enough to make his lips pucker into a ridiculous duck-face. You studied every line of his face with exaggerated scrutiny, as if examining a priceless work of art.

“Why are you so handsome?” you grumbled through clenched teeth, brows knitting tightly. “Your face shouldn’t just be out there for anyone to see. You should be charging admission.”

Jiahao’s lips curved into a fond and amused smile as you inspected him, your grumpy expression both comical and undeniably adorable.

He reached up, gently taking hold of one of your wrists, eyes twinkling. “You know,” he murmured, voice low and teasing, “You could’ve just said ‘I’m jealous.’”

Your eyes went wide at his bold claim, a flustered laugh escaped your lips. “To hell I’m jealous,” you scoffed, rolling your eyes— though the faint pink on your cheeks threatened to betray your act.

Jiahao’s smile widened as he watched you. He knew he was right. You were totally jealous. The way your cheeks tinted, the subtle pout, the eye-rolls as if trying to dismiss it— It was obvious, almost laughable.

He chuckled, gently squeezing your hips. “Deny it all you want,” he teased. “You’re still sitting in my lap, pouting like a jealous little princess.”

“But, on the other hand, do enlighten me, my jealous little princess,” Jiahao leaned back in his chair, his gaze locked on you. “What made you come here? I thought you had dinner with your officemates.” His free hand reached up, brushing a loose strand of your hair behind your ear with a careful, intimate touch.

“I skipped,” you huffed. “It was boring, and I saw a bakery near the restaurant. Then I saw your favourite cake, so I decided to surprise you with it…”

“... Not knowing I was the one who’d be surprised,” you added with a shrug, nonchalant but cheeky, earning a low string of chuckles from Jiahao.

He watched you, his gaze lingering longer than he intended. If he had told the eight-year-old version of himself that one day he’d be dating the girl who had once protected him from bullies— the quiet, shy little boy would’ve laughed in disbelief.

Now, here you were, right in front of him, surprising him with his favourite cake and making his heart race just by being yourself.

Before he could move his lips to say anything, the friction of your hips against him made his brows furrow and his grip on your waist tighten. A low groan escaped him as he was about to ask what you were doing— only for you to shift again, moving deliberately.

Then came the faint click of the office door.

That was when he realised exactly what you were up to.

On impulse, you arched your back just enough, bouncing subtly yet deliberately on Jiahao’s lap, timed perfectly for the intern to walk in. And just like that, the door opened— Huixin’s faint gasp somehow louder than the teasing little sounds you were letting slip.

You wrapped your arms around Jiahao’s neck, tugging him close until his face rested against your shoulder, your warmth grounding him amidst the playful chaos.

“P-Please… just set them on the desk— ah!” You let out a teasing gasp, exaggerating every sound to make the moment seem far more intimate than it really was.

The flustered intern quickly set the tray down on the desk, hands trembling slightly, before retreating from the office without another word.

On the other side, Jiahao’s body responded almost involuntarily to your movements, playing along with your little act. He pressed his face to your shoulder, pretending to nuzzle and kiss you as if you were in the middle of a passionate moment, letting his low but playful grunts carry just enough to reach the unfortunate intern.

You let out another dramatic cry, voice trembling on cue. Fingers tangled in Jiahao’s hair, you tugged lightly, pressing your cheek to his temple, the teasing intimacy between you two unmissable.

The second the door clicked shut behind a flustered Huixin, you collapsed against his shoulder, muffling a snort-laugh into his shirt.

“Did you see her face?” you whispered between giggles.

Jiahao let out a breathy laugh through his nose, still holding you close, shaking his head in amused disbelief.

“You’re terrible,” he murmured into your skin— but there was no real reprimand in his tone. Only heat. Awe. Adoration. 

Then he leaned back just enough to look up at you, eyes dark and sparkling with mischief. “…But I don’t think I felt that little bounce,” he said lowly. “You owe me for that later.”

That was when it hit you— you fucked up.

Your body pressed firmly against the mattress, the one that had borne witness to every moment between you and Jiahao. 

Kisses, cuddles, laughter, tears, arguments… and the kind of intimacy that left both of you breathless.

Now, it was just the two of you, tangled together. Your hair spilled across the sheets, and your shirt and bottoms long gone, leaving only the red lace underwear he had bought you last Friday. The sight of it made his lips part slightly, a low and appreciative murmur escaping him.

“You look so fucking beautiful, honey…” Jiahao whispered, leaning in to press another soft kiss against your neck. You instinctively arched toward him, craving more of his warmth and attention, your skin tingling at the gentle brush of his lips.

Every touch, every whisper between you was electric, sending shivers down your spine, making your heartbeat flutter with a mixture of desire, comfort, and trust.

His lips traced deliberate and soft kisses along the curve of your neck, lingering just enough to make your skin tingle, before slowly moving down toward your collarbone. His hands were gentle yet commanding, cupping you in a way that made your breath hitch.

“F-Fuck,” you murmured, eyes closing as you savoured the sensations. He moved down to your cleavage, every brush of his lips and hands sending shivers down your spine. Jiahao paid careful attention to your reactions, learning and remembering the places that made your body respond, his touch both attentive and teasing.

His lips pressed gentle kisses all over the alleyway of your cleavage while his right hand slipped under your bra, the thumb ghostly brushed against your bud. 

“Nngh..,” You whimpered, your body melted under his touch, eyes shutting tight at the pleasure being given to your body. Jiahao never forgot the sweet spots he studied on his own when he explored your body. 

Your pleasure was mirrored in his warmth and devotion, every caress and kiss a silent promise: that he was wholly attentive to you, to your desires, to the way your body and mind responded to him.

With a practised ease, his other unoccupied hand slid behind you, fingers working with instinctive precision until the clasp of your bra came undone. The garment slipped away, leaving you bare before his hungry gaze. His eyes darkened, lingering reverently on the sight of you before lowering himself to press his lips on your left bud. 

“Aaahh..!”

Your bitten lip muffled the sound, but your body betrayed you, back arching as if desperate for more. His mouth closed around your left nipple, lips warm and teasing, while his hand caressed the other with equal care— pinching, rolling, keeping every sensation balanced. The contrast made your toes curl, your arm flung across your eyes to hide the expression you couldn’t contain.

Nestled between your thighs, Jiahao moved with deliberate patience, alternating between gentle kisses and slow circles of his tongue. His fingers mirrored the rhythm, his devotion measured in the way he ensured not a single part of you felt neglected. Every jolt of your body, every trembling gasp, was carefully coaxed out by him— an orchestra he knew how to play by heart.

“Mmm…” The muffled sound vibrated against your lips as your teeth sank into them, trying to contain yourself when his teeth gently grazed your sensitive bud before leaving a soft, claiming bite. The sting melted quickly into pleasure, marking you in the way only he could.

Your hips lifted on instinct, chasing after him, betraying just how badly you wanted more. The subtle motion was all the confirmation Jiahao needed— your body was pleading louder than words ever could.

His gaze drifted downward, catching the dampness darkening the delicate red lace between your thighs. The sight made his throat tighten, desire flaring hot. Slowly, his hand trailed lower, knuckles brushing against your stomach before slipping beneath the lace without a word of warning.

His warm palm cupped your pussy in full, fingers spreading just enough to make you gasp.

“Nngh..!” The sound escaped before you could trap it, your body jolting as if lit by a sudden spark.

Jiahao’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile against your skin. “So ready for me already,” he murmured, voice low and molten, vibrating against your ear as his fingers pressed deeper into the heat he’d uncovered.

Your body jolted in frustration, hips shifting abruptly as you tried to push against his hand. He was deliberately dragging this out— his palm moving in lazy circles, rubbing your folds with slow, maddening precision.

“P-Please!” Both your hands clutched at his wrist, desperate to halt the torture. Your voice cracked with need. “J-Just do it..!”

Jiahao arched a brow, utterly unbothered by your plea, his smirk deepening as he watched you writhe. To him, you looked like someone brand new to this— raw, desperate, undone by the simplest touch.

He dipped his head close, his lips grazing your ear as he whispered, velvety and cruel, “No… not yet, sweetheart.”

Before you could form another protest, his longest finger trailed down with agonising patience, teasing the outer folds, playing with the slick heat there before finally slipping inside. The effortless glide was a testament to how ready you were for him.

“A-Ah…!” The cry ripped out of you, your back arching at the sudden invasion.

Every nerve lit up, torn between begging for more and drowning in the slow torment he was crafting. A war inside you— half of you desperate for release, the other half unwilling to let go of the exquisite ache that came with his control.

Jiahao’s gaze stayed locked on your face, drinking in the way you crumbled, savouring every shiver, every gasp. For him, the wait wasn’t just about teasing— it was about watching you fall apart piece by piece, until you belonged wholly to his touch.

His middle finger plunged deep, dragging along your walls in a deliberate rhythm, every thrust making your body jolt. Each time his fingertip curled to grind against that spot inside, your breath shattered— eyes rolling back, lips parting on a desperate cry.

Your small hands clung to his biceps for balance, nails pressing into his skin as his veins flexed under your grip. You looked wrecked already— mascara threatening to smear, chest heaving, your thighs trembling around his arm.

When he slid a second finger inside, your walls stretched around him greedily, a cracked moan tearing free of your throat. “Hngh—!”

“My love, oh, my love,” Jiahao whispered against your cheek, planting tender kisses over the tears welling in your lashes. His arm flexed with every thrust, muscles tensing as he pumped into you faster, harder, his thumb grinding cruelly against your clit.

Your hips bucked helplessly, chasing every curl of his fingers as wet sounds filled the room, your body betraying how close you were to breaking.

“C-Close… ’m so close—” your shaky voice cracked, his name spilling from your lips over and over like a desperate chant. “Jiahao… I’m cl-close..!”

“Go on, sweetheart,” his voice rumbled low and steady, his hand brushing your damp fringe away so he could watch every twitch of your expression. “Be my good girl… Let go for me, princess.”

His words guided you straight into bliss, each thrust of his fingers hitting deep, curling just right inside your soaked walls. Everything outside the room— your endless workload, the firm’s constant pressure, the frustration from colleagues— vanished, burned away by the intoxicating rhythm of Jiahao’s touch.

“Jia… Jiahao—!” your cry broke as your body arched, trembling, before release ripped through you. Heat burst low in your belly as you coated his fingers with your sticky release.

“Atta girl,” Jiahao murmured, his tone full of pride as he slowed his pace, easing you gently down from your high before finally slipping his fingers free.

But he wasn’t done. Not even close.

His hands clamped firmly around your thighs, forcing them open wider as he shoved your soaked underwear aside. The cool air barely hit your swollen folds before his hot tongue flattened against your cunt.

“Ahh—!” You cried out, voice breaking as his tongue licked a long, greedy stripe from your dripping entrance up to your clit. He hummed low against you, the vibration sending another wave of sparks through your already overstimulated core.

Every lap was deliberate, messy, his tongue circling and flicking your folds while his nose brushed against your mound. He devoured you like a man starved, groaning into your wetness as if your taste was the only thing that could quench him.

Your hands flew into his hair, gripping the strands tight, but all it did was spur him on. His tongue plunged inside you, curling, twisting, drinking down every drop of your release before darting back up to tease your clit mercilessly.

Your body arched off the mattress, another cry spilling out, louder and rawer this time. “Jiahao—! N-No more, I— nghhh!”

But Jiahao didn’t stop. He wanted to drown in you.

It didn’t take long for Jiahao to clean up the mess he’d drawn from you, making sure not a single drop of your release went to waste. By the time he finally pulled back, you were sprawled naked across his bed, looking like a vision only he was allowed to see.

Sliding up across you, he lifted his hand, fingers glistening with your wetness. He pressed them against your lips, and without hesitation, you opened, your tongue curling around his digits eagerly.

A muffled moan vibrated in your throat as you sucked him in deeper, your tongue swirling around the pads of his fingers, savoring the taste of yourself. Jiahao’s body burned hotter with every messy lick, every obscene sound your mouth made as you took his fingers in and out, treating them like something far filthier.

When he finally withdrew, a sticky strand of saliva stretched from your swollen lips to his fingers. The lewd sight made his lips curl into a smirk as he brought his thumb to brush over your damp lower lip.

“Good girl,” he murmured, his voice thick with pride and desire.

Your soft laugh, still breathless, filled the space between you, sinful and sweet all at once.

His free hand slid to the drawer, pulling it open without so much as a glance. He didn’t need to look. He already knew what waited for him there: lube, condoms, and a handful of toys the two of you had tested in countless sinful nights.

But tonight, it wasn’t about the toys. Tonight, it was about you.

Because your pleasure was his. Always.

His fingers curled around the familiar bottle, pulling it out in one smooth motion. With a low exhale, he squeezed the slick gel onto his palm, spreading it down the full length of his cock. The sight alone was obscene— his thick length finally freed from restraint, pulsing with need as his hand worked the lube over every ridge and vein, the head glistening under the dim light.

You couldn’t look away. Kneeling between your thighs, Jiahao looked devastating. His slacks tossed aside, abs flexing with every shift, his work shirt hanging open to reveal the heat of his body. His head tilted forward, eyes heavy with desire as his hand glided up and down, coating himself in a slow, deliberate stroke.

Every movement was for you, and he wanted you to see it.

Your hand trailed over the hard planes of his abs, fingertips gliding down past his pelvis until they reached the heat of his cock. You brushed against the flushed and swollen tip that was already slick and aching, rawing a sharp gasp from Jiahao’s lips.

“Hah…,” his breath hitched, chest rising unsteadily as your fingers toyed with him. His hand faltered and fell from his length, surrendering control to you.

Your thumb pressed against the slit, smearing the wetness that pooled there, while your other fingers curled delicately around the sensitive crown. Instead of helping him spread the lube down his shaft, you focused only on teasing, coaxing every drop of arousal out of him with your touch.

“F–fuck…” Jiahao’s voice broke as his hand shot out, gripping your wrist in a desperate attempt to stop you before he lost control. But he was already too late. His cock twitched violently in your grasp, spilling hot and white streaks across your hand as his precum finally overflowed.

Your eyes sparkled with triumph, savouring the sight of Jiahao’s composure unraveling under nothing but your touch. Pride swelled in your chest. Your fingers alone had the man who always dominated you trembling and whimpering. With deliberate teasing, you smeared his precum over the flushed head, then slid your hand down his length and back up, stroking him with a slow yet taunting rhythm.

A guttural groan tore from his throat. It was raw, unrestrained— Despite his best effort to suppress it. He didn’t want to give you the satisfaction, but the haze of pleasure clouding his mind betrayed him. His cock pulsed hard against your palm, each stroke driving him closer, the control he prided himself on slipping away.

“O.. Okay— no,” Jiahao finally gritted out, snapping himself out of the haze. His grip clamped around your wrist, firm and commanding, pulling your hand away from his throbbing length before you could push him over the edge.

“Why?” You purred, voice dripping with mock-innocence, your sultry tone daring him as though the roles had suddenly reversed. Just minutes ago you were falling apart beneath him, but now you were the one smiling, testing his restraint.

He didn’t bother with an answer. Instead, his left hand shot up, pinning both of your wrists against the pillow above your head. With his right hand, he gripped the base of his trembling cock, guiding it down until the flushed tip nudged at your slick folds. A sharp inhale rattled through him as he pushed forward, sliding into your soaked heat, every inch stretching you open until a broken cry spilled from your lips.

“Aahh…!”

Your raw moan cracked as the ache of his slow entry gave way to the shuddering pleasure of being filled. Your fingers twitched helplessly, trapped above your head, aching to clutch at him for support but denied the chance.

“Haa…” Jiahao’s grunt was low, strained, his hips driving forward again. Your walls clenched tight around him, the heat and pressure dragging another ragged groan from his chest. The resistance only spurred him, determination flashing in his eyes as he forced himself deeper, chasing that spot inside you. 

The one that would make you unravel, the one that would paint stars across your vision.

His right hand slipped lower, thumb and index finger prying your folds apart so he could watch every obscene detail— how your soaked walls stretched and pulsed, greedily swallowing his thick cock inch by inch as if your body couldn’t get enough of him.

“Nngh…” the sound tore out of you, somewhere between a gasp and a cry, when his length pushed deeper, the stretch overwhelming yet addictive. The sheer fullness left your legs trembling, toes curling against the sheets.

“H.. Hao—” your voice cracked, a broken whimper slipping past your bitten lip as the familiar knot twisted tight in your belly. Your wrists strained against his grip, desperate to reach for him, to anchor yourself, but he only pressed harder into the mattress, keeping you trapped.

Jiahao’s eyes dragged up from the filthy sight of your pussy swallowing him whole to your flushed, tear-streaked face. His chest heaved, his voice rough. “Hngh— Mhm?”

Your head tipped back, the words spilling raw and helpless. “‘m close—”

He loved you most like this, all helpless and undone beneath him. Jiahao’s lips curled into a dark yet satisfied smile, his voice rumbling low against your ear. “That’s it,” he urged, breath hot against your neck. “Let go for me… haa— F-fall apart. I’ve got you.”

Releasing your wrists, both of his strong hands travelled to your waist, thumbs digging into the soft flesh as he guided your hips to meet his every thrust. Each collision of your bodies sent a sharp slap echoing through the room, his cock driving deeper, rougher, as though determined to wring every last ounce of control from you.

“Come on, princess…” his words were a husky growl, lips grazing your ear as his pace grew relentless. “I want to feel you break apart around me.”

“C.. close—” you sobbed, muffled moans spilling into his neck as tears clung to your lashes. Your arms wrapped tight around his broad shoulders, nails dragging across his back with every wave of pleasure. Your thighs quivered, spreading wider, surrendering to him fully— giving him space to drive harder, deeper, until there was nothing left but the promise of your release.

His hips snapped forward, driving you into the mattress as your body rocked with every brutal thrust, hair spilling wild across the pillow, your mascara-streaked face a portrait of ruined beauty.

“I-I’m c… close, H-Hao—” you cried, voice breaking.

“Let go,” Jiahao rasped, his words thick and frayed with hunger. His grip on your waist tightened, thumbs digging hard into your skin as he yanked you down onto him, forcing your body to meet the rhythm of his hips. Each thrust sank deeper, harder, every drag of his cock inside you fueled by the raw ache of hours spent longing for this moment.

“Come for me, princess…” he growled low in your ear, breath hot and ragged.

Your breath hitched, every nerve strung tight as your body trembled against him. Heat, friction, and the sacred sound of his name falling from your lips.

Jiahao’s restraint finally snapped.

“Fuck—” he groaned, his hips faltering for a moment under the sheer force of watching you unravel beneath him. “Y/N… I’m right here, baby. Right here… Hngh— right here with you.”

“C-Clo—” the word broke on your tongue, your voice dissolving into a sob of pleasure.

“Feels so good, Hao,” you whimpered, your back arching off the sheets, body twitching helplessly. “I feel so… good— hah…”

“I know, princess. I know how good it feels,” he rasped, each thrust rougher, deeper, snapping into you with desperate precision. His lips crashed into yours, swallowing your cries as your walls clenched hard around him, milking his cock like you were begging him to stay buried inside.

“Let go,” he urged against your mouth, his tone both a plea and a command. His thrusts never slowed, hips grinding deep as he broke apart every last bit of your control. “Come for me. Fall apart on my cock— Give me everything.”

That was when your body finally broke. Your pussy clenched hard, trembling as hot, white streaks coated his cock with every pulse of your release.

“Jiahao..! Hhhnghh—!” your cry spilled out, raw and unrestrained, eyes squeezed shut as your nails raked down his back. Angry red scratches bloomed across his skin, pulling a guttural grunt straight from his chest.

“There you go…” Jiahao rasped, his voice rough and deep, vibrating against your hair. “That’s it, princess— I’ve got you.”

His thrusts slowed, drawing out every last wave crashing through you. But his own body was already at its edge. His hips jerked once, twice— then he pulled out with a desperate groan, fisting himself fast and rough until hot spurts of his cum spilled over your folds.

“F… Fuckkkk—” his voice cracked into a guttural moan, chest heaving as he rode out his high, pumping every last drop across your trembling pussy. His lashes pressed shut, his jaw tight, every muscle in his body shuddering with release.

For a moment, neither of you moved. The room was thick with the sound of your uneven breaths, the hammering of two hearts still chasing the aftershocks of what you’d just shared.

“You okay?” Jiahao murmured at last, his voice low and rough yet softened with the worry he only ever reserved for you.

His gaze swept over you slowly, drinking in every detail— the flushed heat in your cheeks, your lips parted as you tried to catch your breath, the strands of hair clinging messily to your damp skin.

Your heavy-lidded eyes fluttered open, and instead of words, you let out a faint, breathless chuckle. Shaking your head weakly, you whispered, “No… but you made me feel so good.” You leaned up just enough to press a feather-light kiss to the corner of his lips. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Jiahao’s chest eased at your words, the tension melting into a fond smile. He leaned down, brushing his lips against yours in a lingering kiss that carried both promise and tenderness.

“I love you, Y/N,” he murmured against your mouth.

when meixing squinted her eyes open the following morning, pale sunlight was already filtering through the curtains and spilling across the floor in soft golden streaks. 

jiahao was nowhere to be seen. his side of the room was perfectly tidy; his bed made and clothes neatly arranged in his closet. it was as if he’d never been there at all.

meixing frowned as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. the hope of being able to speak to him before practice died in her chest, leaving behind a dull ache of disappointment. however, the small spark of sadness faded when she turned her head and saw a blueberry muffin and glass of apple juice on her side of the bedside table.

even with last night's almost kiss hanging above their heads, he still thought about her. he still cared, and he didn’t want things to be weird between them.

a soft smile grew on meixing’s face as she took the breakfast he left for her into her hands. warmth spread through her chest despite the coldness of the dorm. she gently set the napkin resting underneath the muffin onto her lap and her eyes caught on a small heart on the corner. it was a little shiny against the white of the napkin, signaling to her that jiahao had drawn it on with one of the glitter gel pens she left lying around.

the sight of it made her smile widen. something so small shouldn't have affected her this much, yet she found herself staring at it for several seconds, imagining him standing there that morning carefully drawing it before leaving.

she ate quickly, occasionally brushing her thumb over the ink on the napkin, her heart stuttering in her chest the more she looked at it. the muffin tasted sweeter than it probably was, and every glance at the tiny heart made warmth bloom through her all over again.

when she was done, she couldn’t bear to throw the napkin away, so she put it back on the nightstand where she could see it, it still being in pristine condition since she didn’t need to use it.

after casting one last glance at it, she got up and gathered her clothes to get ready for the days practice. her black all star shirt sat heavily in her hands as she moved into the bathroom; the last training shirt she’d wear during the competition. the realization settled over her shoulders, bringing with it a bittersweet feeling she couldn't quite shake.

she brushed her teeth, showered, got dressed, and did her skincare routine fairly quickly, opting to not wear any makeup.

she let her hair air dry to it's wavy state and she carefully braided a couple pieces around her face, adding in some silver hair clips to make it a little more fun. by the time she was done, the waves framed her face softly, the clips catching the light whenever she moved.

when meixing exited the bathroom, her pajamas in hand, she was too busy adjusting her shirt to notice the figure standing by his closet fixing his own shirt on his shoulders. the room was quiet except for the faint rustling of fabric and the distant sounds of people moving through the hallway.

meixing carelessly threw her clothes onto the floor on her side of the room to be washed later. midthrow, she looked up and her eyes caught on jiahao, causing her to momentarily freeze.

for a second, neither of them moved.

“hey.” meixing spoke first, her eyes subconsciously scanning him.

jiahao’s eyes were doing the same thing, lingering for a moment before only her voice could snap him out of it. “hey.” he said back, somewhat shy.

an awkward silence settled between them, neither uncomfortable nor easy. it simply existed, lingering in the space left behind by everything that had almost happened the night before.

meixing fidgeted with the rings on her fingers, twisting one absentmindedly around and around. “thanks for the…” she trailed off, gesturing towards where he’d left the food for her.

“no problem.” he said quickly, his cheeks warming almost instantly.

when he came back into the room earlier and saw that she’d eaten what he got for her but kept the napkin he’d drawn on, he couldn’t stop the smile from growing. the sight of it sitting carefully on her nightstand made something flutter in his chest, and he'd spent an embarrassing amount of time thinking about it afterward.

jiahao bit his lip, looking like he was contemplating saying something else to her. his fingers twitched at his sides and his gaze briefly flickered away before returning to her face, but he didn’t get the chance to speak because a loud knock sounded on their door.

“mei-jie! hao-ge! let’s go!” xinlong’s voice could be heard on the other side, followed by his retreating footsteps echoing down the hallway.

meixing gave jiahao one last glance before she bent down to slip her shoes on, her face hidden from his view. a few loose strands of hair fell forward as she focused intently on tying them.

“at least he knows how to knock.” jiahao mumbled to himself as he put his own shoes on, not expecting meixing to hear him.

however, she did and she stole a look up at him, a small smirk playing on her lips at his words.

“i know, right?” she couldn’t help but tease as she stood up, jiahao following right after with a quickening heart. “you ready?”

she received a nod from him in response, so she moved to the door only to pause when a hand touched her shoulder as she gripped the door handle.

“mei, wait.” jiahao said softly, making meixing turn and look up at him in slight wonder.

whatever he was going to say refused to come out as she looked at him with her big eyes, almost expectant. his heart stumbled over itself. for a brief second, the rest of the world seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of them standing in the quiet room. he pushed the thought down, too nervous, thinking it wasn’t the right time.

instead, he pointed to her hair. “cute.” he said simply and reached around her to open the door for her with a cheeky grin.

meixing raised an eyebrow but couldn’t fight back a bashful laugh. warmth crept onto her face as she instinctively reached up to touch one of the hair clips.

“you’re a dork.” she murmured, lightly pushing his shoulder and exiting their room, him following right on her heels.

the two of them made their way to their new practice room, eventually meeting up with the rest of their team so they’d enter all together like the producers wanted them to. the closer they got, the louder the sounds of the other contestants became, excited chatter and laughter filling the hallways as everyone prepared for training.

“our last studio…” junseo trailed off as he entered first, his eyes scanning over the bright room. the large boys2planet logo on the wall reflected back in the mirror across from them, making the space feel smaller than it actually was.

meixing crossed her arms as she entered behind liyu, a sense of sadness washing over her that in only two weeks, this will all be over. some of them would be moving on together, while the rest would go their separate ways. the thought settled heavily in her chest as she looked around the room they would spend their final days practicing in.

“what’s this?” sanghyeon said, grabbing meixing’s attention as he pointed at a red doll peeking over the top of the brat attitude sign.

“is this our team’s mascot?” junseo asked lightly.

meixing looked closer at the doll and noticed the small tooth it had sticking out from its mouth.

“it looks like anxinie.” she grinned.

behind her, she could hear jiahao, xinlong, and kaiwen snickering at her statement, all of them silently agreeing. xinlong's laugh was especially loud before he quickly tried to hide it behind his hand.

“should we give it a cute name?” junseo asked, looking at the seven of them.

he received hums of agreement and they all stood around, trying to come up with a name for the doll. suggestions were thrown around halfheartedly, most of them earning groans or laughter. meixing thought it over, her eyes catching on the sign it was resting on before speaking.

“since we’re brat attitude…atti?” she suggested, pointing towards the sign.

in response, they all nodded, repeating the name after her and deeming it a good fit for their little mascot.

“let’s go with atti.” donggyu said, reaching over to gently pat the doll on the head before turning around to sit on the ground in front of the cameras in the room.

they all followed after him, meixing settling down on his right while kaiwen quickly slid in next to her, unknowingly beating jiahao for the spot, earning himself a small glare at the back of his head that nobody caught.

jiahao stared at him for a moment before reluctantly taking the empty spot on his other side, trying to convince himself that it wasn't a big deal.

“should we elect a leader?” donggyu asked once everyone was sitting.

junseo was the only one to respond. “sounds good.”

everyone looked around awkwardly, waiting for someone to volunteer. the room that had been full of chatter only moments ago suddenly fell quiet.

meixing’s mind screamed at her to speak up and volunteer. even though she hadn’t wanted to be the leader during the last mission, she found that she actually enjoyed doing it, and was somewhat good at it as well.

still, doubt lingered in the back of her mind. her fingers fiddled with one of the rings on her hand as she glanced around at her teammates. this was the final mission. the last chance to prove themselves before everything changed. the weight of that reality sat heavily on her shoulders as she debated whether or not to raise her hand.

just before meixing was able to raise her hand, xinlong spoke up, beating her to it.

“i nominate myself.” he said, shyly gesturing to himself. despite the confidence in his words, his ears had already begun turning pink. “we’re at the finale now. if there’s something i’ve yet to do, it’s being a leader.”

meixing nodded along to his words, internally feeling bad for knowing she’d challenge him for the position. she genuinely understood where he was coming from. after spending weeks competing alongside one another, everyone still had things they wanted to accomplish before the show ended.

“this time, i really want to make good memories and give a good performance with my teammates.” xinlong finished, earning hums of understanding from the room.

silence fell over them once more, everyone waiting to see if someone else would speak up. a few people glanced around uncertainly, while others stared down at the floor. after a brief moment of contemplation, meixing found her voice.

“i can lead the team performance-wise, since i have experience.” she said, drawing all eyes to her. “i will take care of you all with a sense of responsibility.”

“and i’m older than him.” she finished, gesturing towards xinlong, making his jaw drop.

“hey!” xinlong gasped over the sound of their teammates laughing. “only a year.”

meixing carelessly shrugged. “a year wiser.” she lightly teased.

the room erupted into another round of laughter, even xinlong eventually shaking his head with a grin.

“if the teammates aren’t practicing, how will the leaders handle it?” sanghyeon said once the room quieted. his eyes bounced between the two candidates. “let’s do a role play.”

meixing briefly shut her eyes and let out a sigh at his suggestion, already feeling embarrassed. she could practically feel the cameras zooming in on her reaction.

“hyung, i’m really struggling. i don’t wanna do it.” sanghyeon said, dramatically lying down on the ground to really sell it.

a few of their teammates immediately started laughing at how committed he was to the bit.

everyone turned their heads to xinlong, waiting for his response.

“i wouldn’t just let that be.” he began. “i would bring a pillow and a blanket right away.” he laughed lightly as he spoke.

the image alone was enough to earn several amused smiles.

“this is the last performance, so you need to take care of yourself.” he added on loudly. “i would give you massages. i would say in a warm voice, ‘let’s go practice in five minutes,’ then go.”

everyone let out sounds of understanding, feeling swayed by his words.

“i will be a warm leader.” he finished.

“okay,” junseo grinned, shifting his eyes to meixing. “meimei, your turn.”

just as junseo finished speaking, sanghyeon grabbed liyu next to him by the collar of his shirt and started to push him, mimicking a fight.

“wanna take this outside?” sanghyeon said to liyu.

meixing laughed softly under her breath at his words and stood up, moving to settle between the two of them, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. she had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling too much at how seriously sanghyeon was committing to the role play.

“guys, what’s wrong?” she asked, playing along.

“he’s being weird.” sanghyeon said, pointing at liyu, causing a smile to threaten to form on meixing’s lips.

“he just doesn’t like me.” liyu retaliated. “i didn’t do anything, and he just hit me.”

a chorus of amused noises came from the rest of the team as they watched the ridiculous argument unfold.

“if you’re having a hard time…” meixing trailed off, racking her brain for her next words. she could feel everyone's eyes on her, waiting to see how she'd solve the conflict. “i’ll give you snacks.”

that seemed to be the right answer because sanghyeon immediately started smiling, clearly pleased.

“let’s take thirty minutes to learn it, then go home.” she said, her hands absentmindedly rubbing both of their shoulders. “let’s be efficient in practice and i’ll be your couples therapist at home.” she joked.

“what?!” sanghyeon yelled, pulling away from her as he cackled along with the rest of their team.

the room exploded into laughter. even the staff members behind the cameras seemed amused by the comment.

on her other side, liyu laughed beneath his hands, not able to look at her. his shoulders shook as he ducked his head, trying and failing to hide his reaction.

meixing smiled proudly to herself as she moved away from them and settled back in her spot. judging by everyone's reactions, she'd clearly handled the scenario well enough.

she and xinlong then put their heads down so their team could vote for the leader. the room gradually quieted, though occasional whispers and muffled laughter could still be heard as the members made their decisions.

meixing stared at the floor between her crossed legs while she waited. despite acting confident earlier, a small knot of nervousness had formed in her stomach. a few feet away, xinlong sat just as quietly.

after a few moments, the decision was made.

“announcing the leader of brat attitude…” junseo said once the two of them picked their heads back up.

“xu meixing.”

meixing’s eyes widened a fraction for being chosen over xinlong, but she gracefully accepted the position, taking the leader sticker from a staff member as her team lightly applauded.

xinlong watched her stick the purple sticker to her shirt, a little disappointed but nonetheless happy for her. if he couldn’t be the leader, he was more than okay with it being meixing. she’d proven time and time again that she could handle the responsibility.

“all we have left is the killing part.” donggyu said just as meixing reached forward to take a tablet from the staff so they could watch the choreography video for the killing part.

they all gathered around her to watch the clip, all of their eyes glued to the screen as they huddled in close. shoulders bumped together as they crowded around the small device, none of them wanting to miss a detail.

around her, her team commented on the intensity of the choreography and how powerful the killing part had to be.

as she watched, meixing could perfectly see jiahao in the killing part position and she found herself silently hoping that he’d be the one to take it. the movements suited him. the sharpness, the confidence, the stage presence. she could already picture him performing it in front of a crowd.

after the video ended, they all settled back down and looked closely at their lyric sheets, fully dissecting their parts before they started practicing.

the room became noticeably quieter as everyone focused. pages rustled, pens tapped against paper, and occasional murmurs could be heard as teammates compared lines.

meixing was studying her main vocal part when xinlong suddenly gasped loudly next to her.

“why is my part thirteen seconds?” he laughed, though it was clear he was a little disappointed.

without looking up, meixing reached over and rubbed his back in comfort.

“all that pushing for thirteen seconds is crazy.” she shook her head, her cheek pressed into her knee from how she was sitting.

xinlong lightly shoved her shoulder. “you’re bullying me today.” he jokingly sulked.

“i’m sorry.” meixing finally looked up from her lyric sheet, a pout playing on her lips. “you want a kiss or something to make up for it?” she asked bluntly, messing with him.

“uhhhh.” xinlong froze up, his eyes glancing over at jiahao next to him who was unmoving. “no, that’s okay.” he jumped up from his spot.

“longlong, i was joking!” meixing laughed, watching his retreating figure as he quickly escaped the conversation before looking over at jiahao. “i was.”

“i know.” jiahao said, his eyes immediately softening. “he got scared.”

“of me?” meixing asked cluelessly, pointing towards herself.

jiahao couldn’t help but chuckle. “definitely not. don’t worry about it.”

he stood up to begin to learn the killing part, hiding his smile behind the tablet he had in his hands. 

xinlong wasn’t scared of meixing, never. he was scared of jiahao potentially getting mad at him for the girl he knew jiahao liked suggesting something like that. only, jiahao wasn’t angry, he trusted his friends. however, it was funny to watch xinlong panic the way that he did.

from across the room, xinlong caught jiahao’s eye for a brief second and immediately pointed at meixing as if to say she started it. jiahao had to look away to hide his amusement.

meixing shrugged the whole thing off after a moment and stood up with jiahao, learning the choreography with him.

they both picked up on it rather quickly, throwing tips at each other whenever one of them got stuck on a specific part. every so often, one of them would stop to demonstrate a movement, the other immediately understanding after seeing it once. after some time, they both had it almost completely down.

their teamwork was effortless, something that’d become more and more apparent throughout the competition.

“ugh, why are you so good?” meixing said, looking at him in the mirror after another run through. a light sheen of sweat had formed on both of them from practicing. 

his dancing was truly addicting to watch, to her, at least.

“because i have a good partner.” jiahao grinned, rolling his short sleeves up to his shoulders.

“oh, is that it?” meixing raised an eyebrow, her hands on her hips.

“mhm.” jiahao hummed, looking down at her. “a pretty one too.”

meixing shook her head, a shy smile forming at his flirting. her stomach fluttered, suddenly very aware of all the cameras in the room and the staff members scattered around the edges of it.

“stop it.” she bashfully laughed, though she didn’t actually want him to. however, they had to be more mindful of where they were.

“sorry.” jiahao grinned, not at all sorry.

if anything, he looked pleased with himself.

meixing put her hand on his bicep to move around him. “i should go help everyone else.” she said, giving his arm a light squeeze before letting go and moving towards junseo.

jiahao watched her go, his gaze on her only being broken by kaiwen appearing in his vision, needing help with the choreography.

“hao-ge.” kaiwen said, raising an eyebrow.

jiahao blinked and turned his attention back to reality.

“right, sorry.” he laughed.

meixing made her rounds around the practice room, offering help to her teammates that needed it. as the leader, she felt responsible for making sure everyone felt confident and ready for the killing part evaluation before they had to leave. 

she eventually ended up standing with liyu and sanghyeon, the latter having called her over after struggling to get the moves exactly right.

she patiently broke the choreography down piece by piece, demonstrating it several times before having them try it themselves.

as meixing helped the two of them, jiahao continued practicing on the other side of the room, his eyes casting over to the three of them every so often.

that nasty feeling he hated so much returned when he saw her lean in close to liyu while correcting the angle of his arm, but he tried to push it down. he knew she was only helping. he knew she would’ve done the exact same thing for anyone else on the team.

if last night was any indication of what was going on between them, he had nothing to worry about.

still, when liyu made her laugh and she lightly shoved his shoulder in response, jiahao found himself turning back toward the mirror with a sigh.

eventually, their time to rehearse the killing part ended and they were all moved into a new practice room for the self evaluations to determine the candidates.

the atmosphere immediately felt different from before. gone was the relaxed energy of learning choreography together. now, a nervous tension lingered in the air as everyone prepared to perform in front of one another.

when meixing entered, the never been 2 heaven team was already sitting down waiting for them. anxin immediately looked up and locked eyes with her, gesturing for her to sit down next to him on the floor in the front.

with a bright grin, meixing took his offer and sat down crisscrossed beside him, the boy instantly wrapping his arms around her right arm as she settled.

“did you do it after i left last night?” anxin asked lowly, briefly turning to look at someone behind him.

meixing raised an eyebrow, confused, before it donned on her what he was asking. 

had she kissed and/or talked to jiahao.

“no,” meixing said, matching his tone. “and keep your voice down.” she scolded.

“what? why not?” anxin pestered, ignoring her reprimand.

“because…” she trailed off, aware of all the cameras and also not really having an answer as to why. “i don’t know, just shush.”

anxin stared at her suspiciously for a second before dramatically zipping his lips shut.

their conversation was abruptly cut off by the presence of a staff member. he handed both meixing and anxin small clip boards with the self evaluation sheets on them along with black pens.

anxin tapped meixing on the arm to say something, clearly not finished with the conversation, but he was interrupted by a producer announcing that they’d begin the evaluations, and brat attitude would be going first, starting with liyu.

the boy got up, anxiously adjusting his shirt as he stood in front of his peers. despite trying to hide it, the nerves were written all over his face.

“hello, i’m liyu from brat attitude. i’ve never done this kind of genre before, but i’ll do my best.” he said softly.

a few encouraging nods met his introduction.

he performed the part and meixing couldn’t help but smile gently through the whole thing, finding him and his mannerisms cute. even when he looked nervous, there was something endearing about the way he carried himself.

when he finished, applause filled the room and liyu quickly returned to his seat, his ears slightly red from all the attention.

xinlong went after him and did well, even though he forgot some of the choreography and had to freestyle towards the end.

the second he sat back down on the floor, he put his hands in his hair, disappointed with himself, resulting in the brat attitude team trying to comfort him.

wordlessly, meixing turned slightly and reached back to rub his knee, a quiet gesture of reassurance that told him it was okay and he’d still done a good job.

sanghyeon, junseo, kaiwen, and donggyu all took their turns afterward, each bringing their own charm and personality to the dance. donggyu, in particular, stood out. his energy filled the room from the moment the music started, his confidence and enthusiasm earning impressed reactions from everyone seated on the floor.

as she watched them perform, meixing mentally took notes, her eyes catching small details others might’ve missed. every slight hesitation, awkward transition, or place where their expressions fell flat was quietly stored away in the back of her mind for later practice.

before long, her own name was called, signaling it was her turn to try the killing part.

anxin quickly leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek before she pushed herself to her feet, absentmindedly fiddling with the bracelets around her wrists as she walked to the center of the floor.

she stood there for a moment, waiting silently for the music to start, when leo’s voice suddenly cut through the quiet.

“what’s your name?” he asked, referring to how some of the others had introduced themselves while she hadn’t.

“boy, you know my name.” meixing replied bluntly, immediately drawing snickers from around the room.

“oh yeah, sorry.” leo said, bowing his head dramatically, only making the laughter grow louder.

a smile tugged at meixing’s lips before the music started a second later, forcing her attention forward. admittedly, she was a little nervous dancing in front of everyone, but she focused on anxin sitting in the front instead. the bright grin he gave her was enough to settle her nerves.

“yeah, jiejie!” he shouted when she hit one of the sharper moves perfectly, making her laugh lightly before continuing through the choreography.

she finished strong, moving confidently through every count without forgetting a step or stumbling over a transition. when the music ended, polite applause filled the room as she returned to her spot beside anxin.

jiahao was called up after her, making him the last member of their team to perform.

he looked slightly nervous before the music started, his shoulders tense as he glanced toward meixing. she immediately offered him a soft, encouraging smile, and some of that tension visibly melted away.

resting her cheek against her palm, meixing watched him dance carefully, her eyes following each movement. honestly, she thought he fit the song better than anyone else on their team. the concept seemed to come naturally to him, and as she watched, she found herself hoping once again that he would finally manage to secure the killing part.

when he finished, earning applause from the room, meixing quietly cleared her throat and forced her gaze away from him before anyone could notice how intently she’d been watching.

instead, she lowered her eyes to the evaluation sheet they’d been instructed to fill out and focused on writing down her choices.

after little to no contemplation, meixing wrote jiahao’s name into the “candidate one” spot on her paper. her pen barely hesitated before the letters were already there. choosing her second candidate took more thought, her gaze drifting around the room as she replayed the performances in her head, but she eventually settled on donggyu, believing he could pull off the part well too.

a few minutes passed before everyone finished writing down their brat attitude killing part candidates, papers being collected as conversations quietly filled the room. then, it was never been 2 heaven’s turn.

leejeong and woojin went first, the latter stumbling over parts of the choreography and a few lyrics along the way. each mistake seemed to chip away at his confidence, and meixing could practically see his frustration building.

“it’s okay.” she called out gently, her voice carrying across the room in encouragement.

woojin finished with a disappointed shake of his head before returning to his seat beside anxin, dropping down with a sigh as junmin stood to take his place.

junmin’s performance earned a satisfied nod from meixing as she watched. cute concepts clearly weren't his natural territory, but she respected the risk he took stepping so far outside of his comfort zone. he committed to it fully, and that alone was admirable.

when leo went after him, meixing couldn't stop herself from laughing. she ended up leaning against anxin as he leaned into her, both of them struggling to stay upright from amusement alone.

leo attacked the refreshing concept with so much intensity that it became unintentionally hilarious. the room erupted with laughter and cheers as he powered through the choreography like he was performing the most serious song of his life.

when he finished, he sat back down looking thoroughly pleased with himself, mentally patting himself on the back. even if he wasn't likely to get the killing part, at least he'd been entertaining.

sangwon sprang to his feet immediately after, nerves practically radiating from him as he stepped into the center of the room. like leo and junmin, refreshing concepts weren't exactly his strongest area.

“sangwonie, don't forget to smile.” meixing lightly teased.

sangwon immediately lowered his head, already embarrassed before he'd even started, earning chuckles from everyone around them.

when the music began, he plastered the brightest smile imaginable onto his face and danced with exaggerated enthusiasm, very clearly taking meixing's advice to heart.

meixing ended up laughing into her hand as she watched. her cheeks were beginning to ache from smiling by the time he accidentally messed up part of the choreography, only to recover flawlessly by freestyling to the beat as though he'd planned it all along.

kangmin and geonwoo followed after sangwon.

kangmin thoroughly impressed meixing, his confidence making the performance feel effortless. meanwhile, geonwoo did well too, carrying the concept naturally despite stumbling over a small section of the choreography.

anxin let out a small sigh as geonwoo sat back down. he was the last person to go and before he stood, meixing kissed his cheek just as he did hers before her own turn.

he stood in front of them all with a little more confidence than he usually carried during evaluations like this, his posture steadier, his movements more assured as the music started.

as he danced, meixing’s eyes stayed locked on him, bright with pride. there was something satisfying about watching his growth, like every practice and performance they’d pushed through was finally showing itself in moments like this. he’d come so far in such a short time, and the thought made her chest feel full.

she was reaching for her evaluation sheet before anxin fully sat back down next to her, already writing his name down and putting kangmin’s down right below it in “candidate two.”

once everyone finished their self evaluations, the teams were told to return to their respective practice rooms to review the results.

after saying goodbye to never been 2 heaven and peeling herself away from a very clingy anxin, meixing headed back into their practice room. she followed in behind sanghyeon and took her seat beside him, settling in as the atmosphere slowly shifted back into focus.

xinlong was the first to speak, still frustrated with himself.

“it was the same last time too.” he pouted, running a hand through his hair. “my memory is… my brain is like an elderly person.”

his tone wasn’t meant to be funny, but the comparison made a few of them let out quiet laughs anyway.

“everyone learns at a different pace.” meixing said gently through her chuckles. “it’s okay.”

xinlong nodded slightly at that, though his eyes stayed lowered as a staff member behind the cameras stepped forward with a clipboard.

“we’ll announce the self evaluation results now.” he said, holding it out toward meixing.

she took it carefully with both hands, adjusting her grip as her eyes scanned the top sheet. the handwriting was messy enough that she had to lean a little closer to read it. she was silently grateful that sanghyeon was sitting right beside her in case she needed help deciphering anything.

“okay,” she began, drawing everyone’s attention. “killing part candidate one, xu meixing.”

a small, almost amused smile formed on her lips as she read it aloud.

“the reason is that her dance is the most stable.”

her eyes moved further down the page, and without realizing it, her expression softened into something more delighted, her smile widening just slightly.

“killing part candidate two, zhang jiahao.” she said, glancing up at him as his eyebrows lifted in clear surprise. “reason is because he has a nice vibe.”

everyone hummed, nodding in understanding of the anonymous comments towards their two teammates.

“okay, moving on.” meixing said, flipping the paper over to read the next one. the sound of the page turning echoed faintly in the quiet room. 

“killing part candidate one, zhang jiahao. killing part candidate two, xu meixing.”

meixing continued to read the evaluation results, jiahao and herself coming up numerous times. donggyu’s name also started to become quite apparent, making it clear that the three of them were the ones with the most votes. each mention felt heavier than the last, like the room itself was waiting to see what would happen.

every time meixing read jiahao’s name she’d look over at him, her heart warming at not only his reaction at being chosen, but the fact he was being recognized for once after trying time and time again. there was a quiet pride in the way he sat, even if he tried to hide it, and it made something soft settle in her chest.

after reading all the results, meixing independently tallied up the votes, hiding her face behind the clipboard as she finalized the candidates. her fingers moved carefully along the paper as she double checked everything, her breath held slightly without her realizing. she put on her best poker face after she finished, but a grin threatened to slip out, her excitement creeping up on her.

“the two killing part candidates for brat attitude are…” she said, letting the silence stretch. the pause was deliberate, drawing out the anticipation in the room. “xu meixing…”

a few gasps and murmurs followed immediately, and meixing didn’t wait long before turning her head to the right.

“and zhang jiahao.”

noises of approval sounded from their team as they all clapped for them, satisfied with their killing part candidates. jiahao was trying to hide how truly happy he was with the results, but meixing could easily see right through him, making her heart soften. his eyes lingered on the floor for a moment before he finally let a small smile slip through.

the two of them stood up and received the killing part stickers from the staff before turning to one another and sticking them to each other’s shirts.

meixing stuck the purple sticker to jiahao’s black shirt, her fingertips brushing lightly against the fabric as she smoothed it down. she looked up at him through her lashes as he looked down at her before quickly looking away, his ears faintly red. 

he put her sticker on gently like he was afraid of touching her in front of everyone before stepping away, careful and almost hesitant. like he didn’t quite want to move away but knew he had to.

later that night, after filming for the day wrapped up, meixing sat alone in her and jiahao’s room reading on her bed, thumbing through the pages. the room was dim, lit only by her small reading light and the overhead light from the bathroom she tended to keep on instead of the main lights.

she, xinlong, and kaiwen had gotten dinner together down in the cafeteria earlier. they’d invited jiahao and anxin to go with them, but anxin had quickly declined for them both, pulling jiahao away before the boy could even speak. this caused the trio to look at one another in suspicion, but they ultimately brushed it off, used to anxin’s odd behaviors. still, meixing had lingered on it for a moment longer than she meant to.

meixing’s attention shifted from her book as she heard fast footsteps suddenly approaching her door. the sound grew louder in the hallway, hurried and uneven like someone had been rushing. 

she couldn’t see from where she was sitting but the door then opened, the light from the hallway spilling sharply into the room, before the door closed and the lock clicking into place could be heard.

“mei, i…” jiahao appeared in her vision, trailing off his sentence when he got a look at her.

he’d just had a very long discussion with anxin about his feelings, the younger boy pestering him about not doing anything last night when the opportunity was right in his hands. anxin hadn’t been subtle, talking over him, grabbing his sleeve, and insisting that if he waited any longer he was going to lose his chance entirely.

talking to anxin gave jiahao the final push he needed to finally tell meixing how he felt, and he quickly left his friend behind in his dorm to come find her. only now with her sitting in front of him, the warm light in the room wrapping elegantly around her, his words died in his throat. the sight of her so calm and ordinary, yet somehow still completely overwhelming, made him forget every sentence he’d rehearsed.

she looked so beautiful to him, and it made his heart race in his chest, loud enough that he swore she might hear it if the room stayed quiet enough.

“what’s wrong?” meixing asked, slowly lowering her book into her lap. 

her voice was gentle, more curious than worried, her eyes adjusting to him standing there so suddenly.

“nothing.” jiahao said weakly, running his hand through his hair. his fingers lingered there a moment longer than usual, like he was trying to steady himself.

without realizing it, jiahao began to pace lightly in front of her, not noticing the questioning expression on the girl’s face. his steps were small and uneven, portraying how restless he felt, like staying still would make everything come out wrong.

“jiahao.” she said, making him stop and look at her.

“i’m sorry,” he said softly. “just thinking.” his voice cracked slightly at the end, and he cleared his throat as if that would fix it.

“please sit down.” meixing said gently, patting the space on her mattress next to her. “you’re making me nervous.”

after a brief moment of contemplation, jiahao internally debating if he was actually ready to do this, he moved forward and sat down beside her, avoiding her eyes. his shoulders were tense, and his hands rested awkwardly in his lap like he didn’t know what to do with them.

meixing set her book aside and scooted forward, getting a little closer to him as she patiently waited for him to start talking. the small shift made the space between them feel even smaller, charged with something neither of them were saying out loud.

jiahao anxiously fidgeted with the jade ring on his finger, thinking over his words, before finally looking at the girl next to him. his gaze flickered over her face like he was trying to memorize the way she was looking at him.

“i had this whole thing planned out in my head, but now i don’t know how to say it without sounding stupid.” he said quietly, his shyness peeking out despite how hard he tried to hide it.

“just try.” meixing said, matching his tone in the quiet of the room. “nothing you say can be stupid.”

jiahao looked into her eyes and saw nothing but kindness and understanding, relaxing his nerves before he began to speak. the tightness in his shoulders loosened just slightly, like her gaze alone was enough to steady him.

“i just…” he trailed off before lightly shaking his head, the words just spilling out. “i can’t stop thinking about you. you’re always on my mind and it makes it so hard to focus sometimes. when i’m on stage or practicing or trying to sleep, you’re always there. i look for you in every room before i even realize i’m doing it.”

meixing’s breath hitched at his words, butterflies swarming in her stomach as it donned on her what he was saying. her fingers instinctively curled slightly in her lap, like she was trying to hold herself together.

“i thought it was nothing at first, but when i first saw you dancing with sangwon i knew whatever i was feeling went beyond surface level admiration.” jiahao confessed, turning his body to look at meixing more clearly. his voice softened as he spoke, but there was no hesitation left in it now. “i wanted it to be me in his place, and then it was and i fell for you even more.”

a small smile grew on jiahao’s face as he spoke, spilling his feelings to the girl he unexpectedly found himself falling for. it was faint, almost disbelieving, like he couldn’t quite believe he was finally saying it out loud.

“and then today, watching you with liyu and sanghyeon… it felt like someone was stabbing me in the chest because i got jealous again. which is ridiculous because you weren’t doing anything wrong, you were just helping them because that’s who you are. but still, i wanted you next to me instead.” his grip on his own words tightened as he spoke, like he was frustrated with himself for feeling it so strongly.

meixing was speechless. she spent the days from the last elimination to now thinking that maybe he didn’t like her the way she liked him, but here he was, telling her that she consumed his mind. the realization settled over her slowly, warm and overwhelming, but she welcomed it.

wordlessly, she reached over and held his hand in hers, sensing that he wasn’t done talking. her thumb brushed lightly over his knuckles, steadying him without a word.

“every time you smile at me, or sit close to me, or look at me when i’m dancing, i feel like my heart’s gonna burst out of my chest.” jiahao trailed off softly, his unoccupied hand touching the left side of his chest as he spoke. 

his voice came quieter now, more fragile, like saying it all out loud had stripped him bare.

he looked at her as he finished talking. the fact she wasn’t saying anything was tearing him apart so badly that he didn’t notice the way she was softly smiling at him, her eyes basically shining with something he hadn’t seen clearly before.

“i understand if you don’t feel the same.” jiahao said sadly, shifting to stand up, already bracing himself for the loss of something he was afraid to lose.

meixing’s eyes widened in panic. she quickly tightened her grip on his hand and tugged him back down to her, making him look at her in surprise as he stopped halfway up, only to be pulled gently back into place beside her.

she didn’t say anything yet. she only traced her eyes over both of his and his lips before she let go of his hand and moved it to grab him by the collar of his shirt, tugging him toward her and finally kissing him.

the motion was sudden, but not uncertain. it was like something inside her had finally stopped holding back.

jiahao kissed her back immediately, the two of them basically melting into each other. the tension that’d been hanging between them all day finally broke, replaced by something softer and more overwhelming at the same time.

it was soft and tender, light, like they were afraid of the other slipping away. jiahao’s hand moved to meixing’s waist, pulling her a hair closer as her cherry chapstick invaded his senses. his grip tightened slightly, like he was trying to convince himself she was really there.

after a few seconds, jiahao pulled away, resting his forehead against hers as her hand moved from his shirt collar to the back of his neck. both of them were breathing unevenly, the closeness making it harder to think clearly.

“i’m sorry about last night.” jiahao said, his lips ghosting over meixing’s as he spoke, not quite ready to pull away completely. “i shouldn’t have left you alone like that.”

“it’s okay, you’re here now.” meixing said softly, her nails gently caressing the nape of his neck. her voice was quiet, steady, like she was trying to anchor both of them in the moment.

unable to resist, jiahao leaned forward and kissed her again, tilting his head to deepen it. all the feelings he’d been harboring for her pouring out of him as his lips moved against hers, no longer restrained or careful.

meixing moved with him, getting lost in him as all the words she hadn’t been able to say seeped into how she was kissing him. she didn’t need to say them yet, he could tell. he could feel it in the way she held him, in the way she didn’t pull away.

her hand trailed down from his neck to rest on his chest, feeling his heart pounding under her hand, as his own moved up to her face, cupping her cheek gently like she might disappear if he let go.

his thumb traced over the apple of her cheek like he was trying to memorize the shape of her face and how she felt against his palm.

the feeling made her smile into the kiss, small and breathless, making jiahao start to smile as well, both of them completely lost in each other.

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masterlist

"you forgot, didn't you?" junseo's face shows a split second of confusion and turns into and oh. he knits his eyebrows together and mutters, "why today out of all days?" followed by a sigh. maybe it wasn't meant for you to hear those words or maybe he said it loud enough so you could hear it on purpose.

"do you even care, jun?" he doesn't answer. the silence was deafening. you patiently waited to hear his voice. more than two minutes passed in absolute hush. he couldn't see your face but the light on one side of the room illuminated half of your face, enough to see a tear run down your cheek. you let out a quiet sigh, picked up your things and walked away. and the worst part was he didn't even follow.

⟡

JIAHAO walks next to you, his body rather stiff and unusual. your hand is linked with his as you both pass through strangers among a huge crowd at his company's event. he keeps fidgeting, looking around and stealing glances at you.

just when you have a seat for dinner, he clears his throat. "uh y/n?" your eyes darted to him. "when are you gonna move out? i mean have you found a place to stay yet?" you have been staying at jiahao's place for time being, as you simultaneously looked for a place to stay after your graduation. the landlord didn't know you were there without rent and it was a shared space between two people, so it was a secret from him.

you raise an eyebrow at him. "i mean- my new flat mate is gonna move in soon and she needs the place empty by next week. she wouldn't like you there." she? "do you know her, hao?" his face drops hue as he says, "uh no not really, but i think her name is jiah?"

the name was oddly familiar. you told him that you would soon move out, but you kept rummaging through your memories to recall where you heard that name. the dinner was silent and as you took the last bite of your food, it struck you. "bro why is jiah back in your dms damn! does she perhaps want you back?" leo's voice rings through your ears.

"oh."

all you did was smile through the night, his hand resting on yours but every subtle touch felt like a thorn knowing he wasn't yours anymore.

⟡

LEO was acting quite out of character for almost two weeks. staying at sangwon's place most of the time. 'work' was his excuse, but it seemed too off to be just work. you might be an overthinker but this time the gut feeling was too strong and loud.

So one day you were just on a date, which he seemed to be quite uninterested in. you both were taking a walk at the park, staring at the greens and barely talking. hands were held but he let go after a kid ran through between you both and you extended your arm. it went unnoticed and he didn't make an effort to hold it again.

A huge sigh left his lips.

"y/n, i can't go on like this."

"what's wrong?' your heart pounded against your chest so loud.

"i don't feel the same towards you anymore. it's so suffocating to be with you. it's not like i dislike you but... i just am not able to do this anymore. I tried i really did."

you were prepared for the worst but you didn't know the worst would hurt this bad. it felt like you lost everything that was at hand. everything that you loved. you had to say something but words wouldn't come out so you just stared at him.

He could sense that you were broken. he leaned forward, pressed a soft kiss on your forehead, muttered "im sorry" and all you could see was the love of your life walking away from you, disappearing into the grey path which you didn't seem to know the end of.

⟡

GEONWOO sat on the couch which was sitting right at the middle of the frat house, laughing and drinking along with his friends. he has been avoiding your calls and texts and it's been more than three days that you've seen each other. you missed him a lot and it was rare that you guys went three whole days without talking.

seeing him laughing and smiling softened your heart despite the hurt that creeped at the edges of your chest, when you learnt that he's been partying and avoiding you. you walk to the front of the couch awaiting his reaction to see you there.

instead, his lively gaze snapped to annoyance. the change of demeanor was quite evident and it stung. he grabbed your arm and guided you outside, his grip quite harsh on your skin.

"why are you here?"

"what do you mean sweets we haven't even talked in a while and i miss-"

"oh that again. you're so fucking clingy and im tired of you." tears came rushing from the back of your head to the brim of your eyes. you saw annoyance written on his face and you could hear your heart break little by little. you were sure he heard it too.

no other words were uttered. your tears that dripped down your face made his eyes roll with displeasure and he walked away from you, leaving you all alone with a broken heart and the saddest story.

⟡

SANGWON stood in front of you drenched in midnight rain, panting and tired. it looked like he had something to say. something unpleasant. it was around 2 am and you were a little shocked to see him in such a state at your front door, and the absence of words from him made you anxious.

you whispered to him that you'd get him a towel for him to dry himself, but he held you back by his palm on your wrist, shaking his head no. you raised an eyebrow in question and that's when he sighed.

"y/n i need to tell you something, it's really important and... heavy." you nod as your stomach churns because of the anxiety.

"we need to break up." need? his voice started to break as he spoke. "my mom is sick, right? we need to go to new york for her treatment. my brother has called and all the arrangements have been made. including college."

"i get it. i understand. it's fine you know i can wait for you how much ever long. all i have to do is wait right, we can do long dista-"

"y/n im not coming back." huh? "we're moving away to live with my brother. im not coming back." this wasn't even remotely close to what you wanted to hear on a friday midnight. you couldn't utter a word. sangwon murmured something which you didn't even take notice of. he stepped back, and out of your main door, shutting it gently so as not to startle you.

even in times like this he is gentle. you knew he didn't mean for this to happen, but sometimes slow poison hurts worse than a blow on the head.

⟡

XINLONG stands still while you let out a puff of your 4th blunt for the evening. situations made you an addict and despite all that he loved you. well, he thought he could fix you. fill your voids with his love and corner you away from all the bad things that made you the way that you are. he knew you weren't a bad person, but little did he know that you were stubborn as hell.

"i can't be with you." your hand pauses as you are about to near the blunt to your lips. "what?" "i cannot be with someone who isn't willing to become a better person. being with you makes me anxious because you're never safe, getting high and into trouble. there is absolutely no change in anything you do. i understand you need time but i think we've had ample of time for almost a year. i don't expect you to flip around completely but you're getting worse. you're ruining yourself, along with my efforts to be there for you and also my will to be there for you. you're ruining us." what he said was true, but hurtful. it was true but you had no strength to revive yourself. wounds too deep, mind too messed to even try.

and so you let go. "fine. im sorry. i understand where you're coming from and i wouldn't want to hold you back. hope you live a better life, genuinely." you turn away, trying to light another blunt but the fucking lighter won't work.

snap. snap. snap.

it finally lights up. you hear footsteps getting farther and your mouth parts with a sigh. the blunt falls to the floor and it feels like your chest is being ripped apart. the guilt and the helplessness make you feel like trash, but you decide to live with it, because how does it matter when you've managed to lose the only person that ever cared about you.

⟡

ANXIN barges into your room, tears filled in his eyes and his face red. you wonder how he even reached up here. your mom might've let him in but you get diverted as he holds out a photograph in front of you.

"is this real?" it's you and another guy from class 1c, holding hands. how did he even get hold of it? you don't answer and just sigh.

"how did you get that?" he looks baffled by your words. "is this real?" his voice shows urgency laced with hurt and anxiety. you brush your hair back with your left hand. you start to panic.

"who gave it to you, zhou anxin? and who is this person who's taking pictures of me-"

"really? THAT is your concern?" he sounds betrayed and extremely in despair. tears start pooling in his eyes and drop down like in a race.

you stay silent, eyes never meeting his. you had no explanation and the message got across to him. he let's out a wavering sigh, dropping the photograph on your bed, walks out of your room while wiping the tears on his cheek with the sleeve of his sweatshirt.

all anxin felt was sorrow and he didn't even know if he could handle it. his chest ached so bad as he kneeled in front of your main door, immediately after shutting it and let out a wail. never has he ever cried so bad. afterall, he loved you the most.

⟡

SANGHYEON didn't know how to explain it to you. not that he was guilty. it was just a game with his boys. the school rooftop air was chiller than expected and it wasn't helping at all.

"so this was all a bet?" you choke out, the lump in your throat hurt enough for it to be shown in your words.

sanghyeon just nodded, straightening his body while slipping his hands into his pocket. no remorse to be found on his features.

"do you understand how hurt i am?"

"hurt? y/n it hasn't even been than long since we've been in the so called 'relationship'. what's there to get so hurt over?"

"sanghyeon, i liked you. for real." he looks uninterested and quite done with you.

"take a damn joke y/n. it was a game with the boys. aaaand i won the bet. if you like me so damn much, be happy that i didn't lose to them."

"so fucking mature of you chung sanghyeon. you're an asshole." all you could do was walk away. hurt and anger weighed heavy in your chest but what can you even say to an imbecile.