wherein; music speaks louder than words, most of the time.
(863 words)
pairing: bassist!jo x f!reader
genre: headcanons, fluff, strangers-to-lovers
warnings: none!! all fluff, kissing but like super brief, not quite proofread pls excuse any mistakes!
a/n: ive been wanting to write this for SOOO long and i woke up this morning and wrote the whole thing in one sitting... bass player jojo oh i love you so much i hope we get to hear him play one day! ive also been streaming buzz love so hard lately EVERYONE STREAM BUZZ LOVE NOW!! and also enjoy the hcs hehe ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-
bassist!jo who was never good with words. they always came out a little too late, a little too wrong.
bassist!jo who found it far easier to keep his mouth shut, let music speak for him instead.
bassist!jo who you’d, ironically, heard before you saw.
bassist!jo who had caught your attention through low bass vibrations streaming through an empty classroom.
bassist!jo who you peeked at through the small window in the door, catching a glimpse of him.
his hair fell softly over his face, head bopping along to the music that played through the headphones planted on his ears.
bassist!jo whose fingers moved faster than you could keep track of, his eyes closed as he played a bass line that had you tapping your foot without realizing.
bassist!jo who never quite left your mind after that day, your small crush on him fueled by split seconds of eye contact in the halls.
bassist!jo who absentmindedly tapped bass rhythms against his desk during class, pencil drumming against the wood whenever he got lost in thought.
bassist!jo who you suddenly got paired up with for a group project, flashing a shy smile when your names had been called out.
bassist!jo who barely spoke a word as you discussed the project—preferring gentle nods and quiet mhm’s—yet still listened to every instruction you gave him.
bassist!jo who you caught staring once or twice while you spoke, ears burning a bright pink the second your eyes met.
bassist!jo who you’d agreed to meet up with after school to work on the project.
bassist!jo who—with flushed cheeks—meekly offered to share his earphones with you when you’d groaned about leaving yours at home.
bassist!jo who you noticed always wore a different pair of headphones. when you’d asked why, you could’ve sworn you’d seen his eyes light up.
bassist!jo who admitted one pair made the vocals sound warmer, another brought out the bass, another made every little instrument easier to hear—as if every song held tiny secrets waiting to be discovered.
bassist!jo who apologized when he realized he’d been talking for too long, completely unaware you could’ve listened to him for hours.
bassist!jo whose hands met yours when you both reached for the same sheet of paper. you couldn’t help but notice they were rough and calloused, worn down from years of practice.
bassist!jo who you learned more about through whispered conversations in class and study sessions that stretched late into the night.
bassist!jo who couldn’t listen to a song anymore without wondering if you’d like it too.
bassist!jo who disappeared into his room for hours after you’d casually mentioned your favorite band.
bassist!jo who acted strangely nervous whenever one of your favorite songs came on.
bassist!jo who eventually admitted he’d learned every bass line from your playlist, scratching the back of his neck as if it weren’t a big deal.
bassist!jo who’d started offering you an earbud without you having to ask, playing songs he said reminded him of you but could never really explain why.
bassist!jo who you’d, one day, asked to teach you how to play.
bassist!jo who patiently guided your fingers along the strings, gently repositioning your hand whenever it slipped.
bassist!jo who couldn’t help but laugh when your fingers buzzed against the frets, quickly apologizing the second he saw your mock glare.
bassist!jo who secretly thought you looked adorable trying.
bassist!jo whose ears burned pink all over again when your fingers brushed against his.
bassist!jo who nervously invited you to watch his band perform, eyes fixed firmly on the floor until you said yes.
bassist!jo who treasured the friendship bracelet you’d given him as a good luck charm, tying it around the headstock of his bass before every performance.
bassist!jo who transformed the moment he stepped onto the stage.
nowhere to be found was the boy who stumbled over his words. in his place stood someone confident, someone who let the music do all the talking.
bassist!jo who broke character the second he spotted you in the crowd.
bassist!jo who smiled so brightly at you he nearly forgot where he was.
bassist!jo who fumbled a single note when your gazes met—not loud enough for anyone but you to notice, though his ears still flushed bright pink.
bassist!jo who couldn’t quite meet your eyes once the performance ended, convinced he’d ruined the entire set over one tiny mistake.
bassist!jo who looked up in surprise when you came running toward him the moment he stepped offstage.
bassist!jo who you kissed before you’d even realized what you were doing.
bassist!jo who stumbled back half a step, heart hammering so loudly he swore you could hear it over the crowd.
bassist!jo who let the adrenaline guide him as he cupped your face, carefully angling your head to meet his. his other hand rested against your waist, grip just firm enough to keep himself grounded.
bassist!jo who, after years of letting music speak for him, was grateful you heard his voice, too.
tag list: @nichozzystuffs, @sofisbelle, @jothehirono (ask/comment/dm to be added or removed!)
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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wherein; people are hard, but feelings are harder.
(1714 words)
pairing: non-idol!jo x f!reader
genre: fluff, strangers-to-lovers
warnings: none really--just lots of fluff!!, kissing, jo is painfully awkward
a/n: this is fic did NOT go how i planned whatsoever but i still kinda like it! 𐔌ˊᵕˋ𐦯 also turned out quite a little longer than expected!! i love jo so much with my whole entire heart im gonna cry... i hope you guys enjoy this! sorry i've been sooo slow lately! ( ˶ •ᴖ•) !!
asakura jo has always been easy to fluster.
his ears turning pink at the slightest tease. a nervous chuckle when someone gets too close. burying his face in his hands when he stumbles over his words.
jo, however, is not easy to fall.
he preferred his own company over anyone else’s. the peace of solitude tasting like a breath of fresh air amidst loud chatter and busy crowds.
people had never been jo’s thing anyway. forming connections found difficult when his words wouldn’t form fast enough. thoughts lingering on his tongue just a bit too long to join a conversation.
but he didn’t mind blending into the background.
that is, until he met you.
his spot in the library was tucked away into a corner, quiet and farther from everyone else. the desk in front of him was cluttered with papers, his mind messier with endless terms and definitions.
the sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. looking up, he found you standing beside his table.
“oh.” your eyes widened slightly. “sorry, i didn’t realize someone was sitting here.”
“its okay.”
you paused for a moment, “mind if i sit here?”
jo scanned the rest of the room to see many other empty tables. yet for some reason he said, “no, not at all.”
you muttered a thanks as you dropped into the chair across from him.
not another word was uttered as you propped your laptop open. not when you got to typing and jo continued writing.
but somehow, jo found himself glancing up at you anyway.
your presence wasn’t loud, quite the opposite actually. it was calm and quiet and almost familiar.
the two of you barely exchanged a handful of words, yet jo was strangely aware of you. the way you absentmindedly tapped your pen against the desk when thinking. the way your brows furrowed whenever you reread a difficult paragraph.
the silence between you lingered. but not in the awkward, painful way jo had always hated when he had nothing to say. it was the kind of silence that asked nothing from him.
a quiet sigh pulled his attention away from his notes. he looked up to see you packing up your things and an almost bitter feeling settled inside him. one he couldn’t quite name.
“i always loved this spot,” you said suddenly. “it’s quiet. feels like no one even knows its here.”
“yeah,” he said softly. “i like that too.”
“thanks for letting me study with you.”
he opened his mouth to say something but it was too late, you were already walking away.
he watched until you disappeared between the shelves. he doesn’t remember for how long he was frozen until a horrible realization struck him.
he never got your name.
he thought about you longer than he’d like to admit. it was embarrassing, really, how such a small interaction stuck in his brain like an old sticker that refused to peel off.
and maybe fate was on his side because you both kept coming back to that spot in the library.
whether it was for the silence or each other, jo couldn’t really tell.
and eventually, you stopped asking if the seat next to him was taken.
you just sat down.
jo couldn’t remember when conversations about assignments turned into conversations about you.
neither could he recall when recurring study sessions turned into walks home together and chats over coffee. small talk turned into conversations that were just as sacred as the silence he valued so.
somewhere along the way, he learned your name at last. he found it playing in his head far more often than necessary.
he also learned your favorite color. he knew the foods you hated, the shows you loved. he learned the things you didn’t even have to say. like how your eyes crinkle at the edges when you smile or how you crack your knuckles when you’re feeling impatient.
and for the first time, jo found himself wanting to be noticed too. wanting to be known.
not by everyone, just you.
he wanted to be the person you looked for when you entered the library. the first name that came to mind when you found something funny. the shoulder you leaned against after a long day.
he wanted, selfishly, to be someone important to you.
— ♡
jo had reread over the same passage in his textbook nearly a hundred times now. but if someone had asked him what it said, he’d be none the wiser.
because, if there was one thing jo struggled with more than people, it was feelings.
the feeling of your body next to his, of your foot nudging his under the table. the warm feeling that fluttered in his stomach when he’d see you. or the buzz under his skin that’d crawl up to his cheeks when he’d made you laugh.
it was all too much for him.
you were too much for him. yet jo couldn’t quite seem to get enough of you.
he’d never had the words to tell you, though. and he’d put it off for far too long. but with the library closing for the summer, dorms emptying and this last final he couldn’t focus on, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer.
in the midst of his thoughts, the flick of lights in the distance brought jo’s attention back to the real world, the library getting darker.
you looked up from your laptop, your gaze scanning the room before it met jo’s. “i think they’re gonna close soon. let’s get going?”
“yeah,” he nodded.
as you packed your things, your hands brushed for the briefest moment. it was an accident, nothing but fingertips grazing as you both reached for your bags. but it was enough to send a familiar warmth blooming beneath jo's skin.
that warmth was quickly replaced, however, with the bite of cool air as you both slipped out the exit. the sky above you was scattered with stars, moon hanging high and full.
“i can’t believe it’s gonna be our last study session for a while.” you smile, adjusting the strap of your bag.
last. the word echoed in jo’s head over and over like an alarm. like a reminder.
just say it, jo.
despite the chill, he felt a warmth creep up his neck, hands clammy. his mind raced with every time he’d imagined this very moment. every time he’d rehearsed in the mirror exactly how he’d confess to you. every possible scenario as to how you’d react. the ones where you’d tell him you were better off as friends. the ones where you sprinted in the other direction. the ones where you laughed in his face. even the ones where you’d look at him so softly he thought he’d melt. maybe you’d say you felt the same, you’d pull him closer and–
“jojo?” jo hadn’t realized he’d been staring until you waved your hand in front of his face. your eyebrows knit together as you laughed, “you okay?”
“i like you.”
out of all the scenarios jo had imagined, this was not one he accounted for. he wouldn’t have believed he said it if not for the shocked look on your face and the dreadful silence that followed. he could’ve sworn his heart stopped in that very moment. he almost wishes it did. it was instead beating much faster than he knew it should’ve been, pounding in his ears.
but if his heart were to stop and jo were to die in this very moment—which he’s pretty sure he will—he figures he might as well die honestly.
so, he exhales. he gives up on fighting himself and keeps going anyway.
“i can’t believe im saying this right now, but you’re the only person who’s made me feel this much. i don’t think i’ve laughed or missed or lost sleep over someone as much as i have with you.” his voice comes out faster now, words tripping over each other like they’re trying to escape. “and… i want to feel all those things with you.”
jo thinks this is the longest sentence he’s ever heard himself say. it’s messy and unorganized and so grammatically incorrect. it’s not at all how he planned but his thoughts run out of his mouth faster than he can catch them.
you open your mouth like you might interrupt him, like you might save him from himself.
but jo, somehow, keeps going.
“i know that probably sounds insane because i don't even talk that much but i think about you all the time.” his breath shakes on the exhale. “and, to be honest, i'd save every seat beside me. i'd spend the rest of my life pretending i needed help studying just so you'd stay a little longer. i’d build a thousand libraries just to meet you again and i know i’ve been talking for too long but all i really mean to say is–”
before he can finish, you pull him by his collar and close the distance between you.
jo’s eyes widen as your lips meet and before he can ever process what’s happening, he’s kissing you back. it’s clumsy at first, desperate. but it’s better than any scenario he could ever imagine.
it’s real. it’s you. and that, he can’t believe.
for a moment, everything feels suspended—like the world forgot to keep moving. jo can feel your hands against him, the soft shift of your breath, the way the silence between your words finally turns into something else entirely. something louder than anything he’s ever heard.
he takes your face in his hand, angling his head to deepen the kiss. slowly, you melt into him. or maybe it’s the other way around. jo’s not sure anymore, and honestly, he doesn’t care enough to figure it out.
“thank god,” you murmur against his mouth before finally pulling away.
your chest rises and falls beneath heavy breaths, your hair tousled as though you've just climbed out of bed. jo doesn't think he's ever seen anything more beautiful.
he blinks through glassy eyes, lips pink and swollen from where yours had been. he almost looks hurt, like he wasn't quite ready for it to end.
you can't help but laugh as you tease, “i was worried i had to confess first.”
tag list: @nichozzystuffs, @sofisbelle (ask/comment/dm to be added or removed!)
✴️: angst, fluff, mentions of job, uni student reader&jo, reassuring, emotionally intelligent bf!jo, unemployment, hurt/comfort, financial distress, smoking. wc 668
The semester was finally over, your stress over academic duties have finally been lifted however it doesn’t change the fact that you’re not stressed about life— especially about getting a job.
You tried to apply for various jobs to sustain your financial needs as a uni student who’s broke and can’t afford a lot in this economy. Yet you’ve been rejected the same amount of times you’ve applied.
It hurts you badly, you feel like you’re losing in life, that you’re not catching up to people. Individuals your age, even younger, are out there striving, they have a clear path in life and are very passionate about what they do, they already achieved success in your age.
While you’re there. Just there. Staring outside the window looking at the midnight sky and the few vehicles passing by with a cigarette in hand.
Every puff was meant to ease your mind, about how you’ll be able to live and survive in this life knowing you’re not as wealthy as those kids who have trust funds, those uni students who lavishly spend their time partying at clubs, traveling to different counties, flooding your instagram feed with their loud and exciting lifestyles.
Those kinds of people you feel small to knowing your efforts in academics won’t compare to the success you’ll gain once you graduate because at the end of the day, it’s those rich people you’ll be working for as their employer even though they don’t touch academic workloads during their time of studying.
You can’t do anything in your situation as of the moment but smoke it all out— life is too much for you right now that even the fact of your lungs being damaged due to smoking doesn’t matter.
You deeply craved to become wealthy, but wasn’t lucky enough to be born into it.
“I told you to stop smoking” Your boyfriend, Jo, leaned forward with his arm around your waist and hand caressing your arm to grab the cigarette and throw it out the window.
“Sweetheart, have you forgotten our goal on you being tobacco free?” He asks you with a deep sigh.
His voice hoarse as he had been waken from the strong scent of the cigarette. Jo leans his head down to rest his face on the curve of your shoulders, smothering your scent with his that smells of clean, fresh, soft, laundry detergent.
“No.. I just thought I needed it at this moment” You sighed and grabbed both his arms that latched on your waist as if you’d move away from him.
“Is it about your future?” Jo’s voice was muffled on the crook of your neck, you shake your head slight as a reply. He then raised his head, his lips just aligned with the side of your eyebrows.
“You know I’m not a fortune teller who can tell what will happen to me in five years…” You tell him softly while you stare at the sky, your eyes looking at the stars, finding a reason not to shed a tear.
“But if I can’t find any job to sustain myself, what will happen to me? I might perish faster”
“You’re thinking negatively again” Jo softly caresses your forearms with his thumb as you leaned back on his chest. “As long as i’m alive, I won’t allow myself to see you starve”
“But Jo, we’re not teens anymore. I desperately need a job though I despise working, because I’m broke and I can’t keep on relying on you for basic necessities I can barely afford.”
“Hey, look at me” He tells, you turn around to face him, looking up with your eyes glossy but his was calm. “Just because I can afford to spoil everything you doesn’t immediately mean you’re relying on me for basic necessities”
“But Jo… that’s such nonsense for you to say when we both know i’m broke…. and i’m running out of money” You lowered the volume of your voice, it was already a whisper that you doubt he could’ve heard.
Jo moved his hands to cup both of your cheeks. “Sweetheart, you’re being too hard on yourself again” Looking at your face, he could already read your expression.
You were tired, very tired, and too restless that even if you wanted to rest, your mind was still racing to think about your future, the future that you could barely see.
“I’m scared of the future. Too scared that if I don’t start juggling work and studies I might lose every opportunity there is” Your voice was already vulnerable enough that it had you leaning on his shoulder out of embarrassment.
“Oh my sweetheart, my dear angel” Tears fall from your eyes and it made his shoulder blade damp. Jo pulls you in for a tighter hug and cooes. “We are not able to predict the future, but you’re already working hard for it that you forget to rest your mind and think about what’s present.”
“You’re alive and well, you’re a hardworking student and you’re working well to build a future that’s successful” Jo leans down to place a kiss on your ears. “Being rejected over a job application does not guarantee that you won’t get to work in the future. You’ll find a job that’ll make you happy and rich”
One thing about your boyfriend is that no matter the situation either it be stressful or not, he knows how to handle you in all ways. He’s calm and down to earth, that everything he says or does are all acts of kindness and deep sincerity.
“The best thing you can do for yourself whenever you think negatively and start to spiral, is to not believe every negative thing your mind thinks about”
“Really?” You wiped your tears to look at him who had a soft smile on his face, his expression nuanced and honest.
“Yes” Jo cups your face once again, leaning forward to kiss your temple, he continues to kiss end of your eyes that had you to flutter it shut for him to kiss your wet lashes, the traces of tears on your flushed cheeks, to the red tip of your nose, then to your lips that trembled slightly.
“Now go to bed with me, I still want to cuddle with you in bed but you suddenly disappeared beside me” He gently pleaded.
Jo gently wipes your tears with his thumb before grabbing your hand, fingers intertwined. He softly strides guiding you both back to the bed where he tucks you in, and gave you his extra pillow just in case you needed it before laying beside you, comfortably spooning you as you faced each other.
“Promise me something, sweetheart” His arms snake towards your head, brushing a few strands of your hair, tucking it behind your ear.
“Yes, Darling?”
“Promise me that you’ll be transparent with me about your problems, a cigarette won’t ease your pain, nor will fix it” His gentle reminder made you melt. It was true, it barely made any difference other than it can cause you a shorter lifespan.
“I love you so much, that if I had to file for a lawsuit and bankruptcy to every job you applied to without having to deal with any legal consequences I would”
“Why would you file for a bankruptcy?” You immediately burst out a laugh and lightly pat on his chest.
“Because they’re evil for not accepting my girlfriend’s job application” Jo grabs your hand, kissing every knuckle. “But seriously though, promise me that you will quit smoking, be open to me about your problems because i’ll find a way to help you solve them, and don’t be too hard on yourself”
“Pinky promise” You interlaced your pinky with his, kissing his lips right after.
“You really know how to manage me” You tell him as you let your fingers get lost in his hair. “Goodnight, Jojo. I love you”
“Mhm, Goodnight, Sweetheart. I love you more” Jo gives you one last kiss for the night before your eyes flutter shut, the two of you drifting to sleep close together.
wherein; a photo booth strip is the perfect thing to remember your first date by.
(756 words)
pairing: non-idol!jo x f!reader
genre: fluff, first date, mutual pining
warnings: like.. none just lots of fluff!!, kissing
a/n: this is so short but i had fun writing this!! ( ⸝⸝´ ᵕ `⸝⸝) first time writing jo so i am still getting the hang of it... idk how to feel abt this one but i hope ygs enjoy! <3
your first date with jo is softer than you imagined.
it’s made up of small things–shy brushes of hands, jo carrying your bag before you can protest, shortening his strides just enough to walk beside you instead of ahead.
and every time you catch him staring, he looks away so quickly it almost makes you laugh.
it’s everything you’ve ever wanted.
he’s everything you’ve ever wanted.
and as much as you wish you could bottle this moment up and keep it forever, you suppose a photo strip will suffice.
you take his hand, dragging him toward the photo booth tucked in the corner of the arcade. jo nearly stumbles after you with a startled laugh, ducking his head as you both squeeze inside.
there’s barely enough room for him. his long legs are awkwardly crammed up toward his waist, shoulders brushing against yours every time either of you move.
as you slip the bill into the machine and scroll through the photo frames, warmth radiates from jo beside you. his hands rest stiffly in his lap, like he doesn’t quite know what to do with them.
you glance over.
“you nervous?”
jo’s ears turn pink almost immediately. “a little.”
you let out a short giggle, finally selecting a frame. a robotic voice begins to count down and you rest your head on jo’s shoulder, a soft smile playing at your lips.
3… 2… 1… click!
the camera flashes and jo chuckles at the photo. “i look so awkward,” a pink flush creeping up his cheeks.
“i think you look cute,” you argue as you grab his face, pressing a kiss onto his cheek as the camera snaps another photo. his face heats up underneath your touch as you let go.
he turns to look at you with parted lips, eyes wide. his breath hitches as his gaze drops to your lips, licking his own.
you feel your own cheeks warm at the eagerness in his eyes, like he’s trying not to look too hopeful. but you remember the way he looked at you earlier that day, the way his body mirrored yours without thinking, his gaze fixed on you like you were the most captivating thing in the room.
like he’s liked you for far longer than he knows what to do with.
he tucks your hair behind your ear, his knuckles brushing your cheek. “can i kiss you?“ barely above a whisper, he asks, ignoring the click of another photo.
his words are bold but you don’t miss how his tips of his ears have turned a bright pink, or the shaking of his leg as his foot bounces on the ground.
it’s cute.
it almost makes you want him more.
you nod, “please do.”
3… 2… 1…
the camera flashes just as he presses his lips to yours, slow yet certain, like this is all he’s ever wanted. like he’s imagined it hundreds of times before.
maybe you have too.
he cups your face in his hand, angling his head so that your faces slot perfectly together. firm, yet almost shy. you taste the sweetness of your own lip gloss along with the delicate bitterness of the matcha you shared just minutes before.
your hands find his way into his hair, ruffling it up ever so slightly. jo lets out the quietest breath against your lips–surprised, almost–before kissing you once more, softer this time. lingering.
not rushed.
like he wants to remember every second of it.
the faint whirr of your photos being printed brings you back to reality. back to the noisy arcade outside the booth, to flashing lights and distant game machines and the rest of the world that suddenly feels unimportant compared to this.
when you pull away, jo’s breath is heavy. his hair is messy where your fingers ran through it, lips slightly swollen. his face beet red as he brings his hand to his lips, the ghost of yours still lingering.
you reach over to grab the photo strip as it slides out of the machine.
your eyes catch on the last photo. your eyes closed, fingers tangled in his hair, jo smiling into the kiss so softly it makes your chest ache.
for a moment, you think maybe this is what happiness looks like.
a tiny moment captured on glossy film. small enough to fit between your fingers, yet meaningful enough to stay with you forever.
pulling you from your thoughts, still slightly breathless, jo glances at the strip before looking back at you.
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Summary: Jo spots you stranded in a heavy downpour and he shares his umbrella
☾ 18+ mdni ☽
☾ masterlist ☽
⋆ ˚ 。⋆ ˚ 。⋆ ˚ 。⋆ ˚ 。⋆ ˚ 。
The weather app on your phone had lied to you. It promised clear skies and a gentle spring breeze, but as you stood beneath the flimsy canvas awning of a closed bookstore, the sky above Seoul was a bruised, heavy grey, pouring down a torrential sheet of rain that showed absolutely no signs of stopping. You were drenched from the knees down, clutching a damp canvas tote bag to your chest, shivering slightly as the wind whipped through the street.
You were exactly three blocks away from your apartment, but looking at the mini-rivers forming along the curbs, it might as well have been a mile. You sighed, tucking a wet strand of hair behind your ear, preparing yourself to just make a desperate, freezing sprint for it.
"Um, excuse me..."
A voice, soft and slightly hesitant, cut through the heavy thrum of the downpour.
You blinked, turning your head toward the sound. Stepping out from the small café right next to the bookstore was an incredibly tall boy. He was wearing an oversized, cozy cream-colored knit sweater that made his broad shoulders look soft, and his dark, wavy hair was just slightly damp at the ends. He had wide, doe-like eyes that held a gentle, almost timid warmth, and in his hands, he was carefully balancing two large paper cups, steam billowing softly from the lids.
"You look really cold," he said, taking a small, cautious step closer to you, as if he didn't want to startle you. He extended one of the cups toward you, a faint, shy smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I was sitting by the window inside and saw you standing out here. It's hot chocolate. With extra marshmallows. I thought... well, you looked like you could use it."
You stared at the cup, then up at his face. He was strikingly handsome, the kind of gentle beauty that made your heart skip a beat entirely on instinct. "Oh, I couldn't—"
"Please," he interrupted softly, nudging the cup forward just an inch. "I already bought it. If you don't take it, it's just going to go to waste. And it's really pouring out there."
The sheer sincerity radiating off him completely melted your hesitation. You reached out, your fingers brushing against his warm knuckles as you took the cup. The heat of the cardboard instantly seeped into your frozen palms, sending a wave of relief straight up your arms. "Thank you so much. I'm completely saved."
"I'm Jo," he said, the shyness in his voice giving way to a genuine, sweet crinkle around his eyes.
"I'm [Y/N]," you replied, taking a small sip. It was perfect—thick, sweet, and scalding hot. You let out a quiet, contented hum, causing Jo’s smile to widen.
"Are you walking far?" Jo asked, tilting his head slightly, his long fringe falling over his eyes.
"Just three blocks, but I didn't bring an umbrella," you admitted, gesturing to your completely unprotected tote bag.
Jo shifted his own drink to one hand and reached behind his back, pulling a large, transparent umbrella from where it had been resting against the café wall. "Well, I'm heading in that direction too. If you don't mind the company, we could share."
That was how it started. A rainy afternoon, a hot cup of chocolate, and a walk under a shared umbrella with a boy who was too tall for his own good, constantly tilting the plastic canopy over your head to make sure not a single drop of rain touched your shoulders, even if it meant his own left sleeve got entirely soaked.
Over the next few weeks, the ordinary routine of your life began to shift around the quiet presence of Jo. You discovered that he worked at a small, independent plant shop just a few streets away from your university campus—a place filled with trailing ivy, blooming ferns, and the earthy, fresh scent of rich soil.
The second time you saw him, you hadn't planned it. You were just walking past the shop window, your arms full of heavy textbooks, when you spotted a massive green leaf suddenly move. Behind it was Jo, wearing a faded denim apron over a grey hoodie, carefully misting a row of small succulents with a plastic spray bottle. He caught your eye through the glass, his face instantly lighting up with that familiar, bright crinkle.
He had rushed out the front door so fast he nearly tripped over a terracotta pot on the porch.
"You're back," he had breathed, his cheeks dusted with a faint pink as he wiped his damp hands on his apron. "I mean, you're walking past. Hi."
"Hi, Jo," you laughed softly, the stress of your morning classes instantly evaporating at the sight of him. "Do you work here?"
"Yeah. My uncle owns it, but I mostly manage the daily stuff," he explained, rubbing the back of his neck shyly. He glanced down at the heavy books in your arms and immediately reached out, his large hands easily taking the weight from you. "These look heavy. Come inside for a minute. I just brewed some barley tea."
From that day on, the plant shop became your sanctuary. You found yourself drifting there after your last lectures, ostensibly to "study" at the small wooden table Jo had set up in the back corner, surrounded by the quiet rustle of green leaves. But more often than not, your eyes would wander away from your notes to watch him work.
Jo was incredibly gentle with everything he touched. You watched him pot fragile seedlings, his long, elegant fingers moving with a precise, loving care that made something warm flutter deep inside your chest. He was a quiet boy, prone to long silences where he just hummed under his breath, but whenever he looked over at your table and caught you staring, he wouldn't look away. He would just offer you that soft, unhurried smile, his ears turning a bright, endearing crimson.
He started leaving small things on your table while you read. A perfectly ripe strawberry. A tiny, hand-painted ceramic pot containing a single, thriving clover. A sticky note with a clumsy, hand-drawn cat on it that said, *'Good luck with studying today, [Y/N].'*
One rainy afternoon in May, the shop was entirely empty save for the two of you. The sound of the rain against the glass roof of the greenhouse section was a cozy, rhythmic lullaby. You had abandoned your laptop entirely, sitting cross-legged on the floor next to Jo as he carefully trimmed the dead leaves off a massive Monstera plant.
"Why plants?" you asked quietly, leaning your chin on your knees as you watched him work.
Jo paused, his shears hovering over a stem. He looked down at you, his doe-eyes soft and reflective in the dim afternoon light. "Plants don't rush," he murmured, his voice incredibly gentle. "In the city, everything moves so fast. Everyone expects you to have everything figured out right now. But plants just take their time. They grow a little bit every day, quietly, whenever they are ready. I like that. It feels safe."
He turned his body fully toward you, dropping his tools onto the tarp. He reached out, his hand hesitating in the air for a fraction of a second before his long fingers gently brushed against the side of your face, tucking a stray lock of hair behind your ear—exactly like he had done the day you first met. His touch was warm, slightly rough from the soil, but so incredibly tender it made your breath catch.
"I used to think this shop was the only place that felt like that," Jo whispered, his gaze dropping to your lips before rising back to your eyes, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. "But lately... whenever you're sitting in the corner, the whole world feels like it slows down. I think I like being around you more than the plants."
Your heart hammered against your ribs, a sweet, dizzying rush of affection flooding your veins. You didn't say anything. Instead, you tilted your head up, your hand reaching out to gently grip the soft fabric of his knit sweater, pulling him down just enough to bridge the distance.
The kiss was sweet, slow, and tasted faintly of the barley tea you had been sharing. Jo let out a soft, shaky breath against your lips, his large arms immediately wrapping around your waist to pull you flush against his chest, lifting you slightly off the floor as if you were the most precious, fragile thing he had ever held. He kissed you with a quiet, deep devotion that felt like spring after a long, freezing winter, his lips soft and hesitant at first, before deepening the pressure with a needy, sweet hunger that left you completely breathless.
When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against yours, his breathing shallow and quick. He didn't let go of your waist, his thumbs tracing slow, small circles through the fabric of your shirt. His cheeks were flushed a brilliant, beautiful pink, and he let out a tiny, soft laugh that sounded completely dazed.
"I've been wanting to do that since the rainy day at the bookstore," he whispered, his eyes looking down at your lips again before he hid his face in the crook of your neck, his long arms locking you in a tight, protective hug that smelled faintly of soil, rain, and fresh leaves. "Please don't go home yet."
You wrapped your arms securely around his broad shoulders, burying your face in his soft hair, a bright, helpless smile completely taking over your face. "I'm staying right here, Jo."
