#jpop fluff

it all starts out with you and euijoo – who you became friends with since you attend the same college and happen to be busmates – talking about crushes. he tells you he's really been into this one girl in his class and how he's been working up the courage to ask her out.

“you should totally go for it! what's not to like about you?” you smile encouragingly.

“so what about you?” he asks after a while, trying to come off as casual and not like he just concocted this whole thing solely for the sake of his best friend who has been bugging him nonstop to introduce him to you (euijoo has gotten tired of trying to make nicholas see how ridiculous it would be to introduce him to his own classmate: ‘i don't mean the typical introduction juju, of course i know they know me as their classmate!! i just mean it would really help if you could help me break the ice since you'll be our mutual friend. please please please you know i'll keep bugging you so you might as well just give in please juju pleeaase?’)

“you got your eyes on anyone at the moment?”

you shrug. “not really,”

euijoo already knew that, of course. “okay, then what's your type?”

you roll your eyes. “why don't you take a guess and i’ll tell you if you're right,”

he lists a couple of names he knows you'll say no to, and then pretends to think for a while. “okay, what about someone like nicholas?” he asks, trying not to seem too eager about your answer.

there is a flicker of hesitation in your eyes. euijoo takes this as a good sign – you didn't hesitate with the others. “i mean he's attractive and all but i don't like cocky guys – no offense though, i know you guys are close and i'm sure your friend in particular is probably not that bad,”

euijoo blinks. “what makes you think he's cocky?” while you aren't exactly wrong, euijoo is surprised because he knows you two have almost never interacted despite being in the same class, and he's sure that his usually suave best friend would've been nothing but a blushing mess in the rare event that you had.

you shrug. “i mean, guys with a face card like that usually are,”

euijoo gasps, feigning offense. “are you saying that us non-cocky guys are not attractive?”

“no no, come on! you know that's not what i meant! i just like a bit of loserism in the guys i date is all. cocky is boring,”

“ohhh,” euijoo can't help but smile to himself. if only you knew what nicholas is actually like underneath that tough exterior. true, nicholas is cocky – but just not in the way you think. he isn't cocky because he is excessively proud of his good looks or something like that. he's cocky in the way cats are cocky – it's just their nature to be a menace. but how does he explain that to you? you would probably think he's just sticking up for his friend. it would be best to just let you see for yourself how goofy and silly and how much of a endearing loser he could be. and that's how he comes up with project loser.

everything went according to plan initially – i.e., inviting you and nicholas to maki’s (another mutual friend of yours) party and getting you both acquainted enough to execute the next stage of his plan. unfortunately, euijoo happens to get held up for longer than he anticipated at his part-time job on d-day (today), which is a bummer because he was really excited for this. nevertheless, he decides the show must go on and calls up maki and entrusts his responsibility to him.

you're suspicious of this whole thing. it's so random and oddly specific. when you were playing truth or dare at maki’s party, euijoo had the smuggest look on his face when you chose dare and he asked to take a raincheck on it that you were sure he was going to give you something ridiculous. but a rollercoaster ride? it wasn't even like you were scared of rollercoasters and euijoo knew that. and why with nicholas of all people? as you sit waiting for the ride to start, you turn to nicholas to see if he has any idea what this is about. gosh, he's so much more annoyingly attractive up close. what, he isn't even going to look at me when we're right next to each other? jeez, how cocky can this guy– and then you notice his hands tightly clutching the lap bars, his knuckles white. wait, is he actually scared? him? nicholas? the guy with the resting ‘i’ll end you’ face?

˚⟡˖ ࣪

nicholas’ face is tomato-red when he steps off the ride. his gait is stiff and his hands are balled up into fists at his side. he keeps his eyes on the floor. you trail behind him, your eyes twinkling with delight, your smile jubilant. you look like you've had the time of your life.

“you okay dude?” maki asks him, already stifling a laugh.

nicholas half-collapses to the floor dramatically as you pull maki aside to tell him something. his head feels hot from the acute mortification he feels. he can still hear the sound of your pealing laughter echo in his ears. under different circumstances, it would've warmed his heart. but not this time, not with the knowledge that you had been laughing at him.

while nicholas can't really hear what you say to maki, he only needs to hear the sound of the two of you chuckling to yourselves to confirm his fears – of course you told maki everything. he wishes the ground would swallow him whole. how is he ever going to face you again?

“what did they say?” nicholas groans after you leave, his voice muffled by his hands covering his face. he already knows the answer of course, so he doesn't know why he's even asking and making this worse for himself.

“um . . . that you screamed bloody murder and held on to their arm for dear life the entire time,” maki snickers.

nicholas grumbles something that sounds like i'm gonna somersault off a cliff.

“and that you looked like the terrified hamster meme,”

nicholas slumps lower, hands still covering his face.

“and that you cussed in like four languages,”

he groans and buries his face in his knees. what did he ever do to euijoo to deserve this? why had he betrayed him like this?

“and that they think they just fell in love with you a little bit,”

“i am going to find euijoo and kill him and then myse– wait what?” his head snaps up. he can't have heard that right.

maki shrugs, trying to seem nonchalant although he's having a hard time keeping a straight face. “they said, and i quote, that you're so ‘adorkable’ and ‘just their type’ and that it's so ‘insanely attractive’ that you can speak four languages and they wanted to know if you were single.”

nicholas just stares up at him in disbelief for a few seconds. this has to be a prank. “you're serious.”

“yep. and i'm honestly judging them a little, not gonna lie,”

“they didn't mention anything else?”

“nope.”

no. there's no way you told maki all that but left out the worst part – yes, he had actually done something much worse, and that's really saying something – right before the big drop, he had grabbed your hand and screamed something along the lines of “OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD I'M GOING TO FUCKING DIE BEFORE I GET TO TELL YOU I LIKE YOU THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING FUCKKKK YN YOU SHOULD KNOW I LIKE YOU!!” and then upon realising what he had just done he dropped your hand and went speechless (and thank goodness he did, because who knows what else he would've spouted otherwise). so not only did you not tell maki about that and saved his face, (well. saved whatever little face there was left to save) but you also told him you were actually interested in him after all that? no, that's not possible. maki has to be fucking with him. along with euijoo. they're messing with him knowing full well how much he likes you and it's a cruel–

“hey, nicholas!” you call from a few feet away, snatching his attention. “i'm going to get something to eat. you hungry?”

oh my god, he thinks, his mouth agape as he stares at you. you actually meant all of it?

you flash him a grin as if in answer to his question. then you take out your phone to text euijoo as you wait for nicholas to get to his senses and join you so you can go get lunch together. now that you know the truth, everything starts making sense – no wonder nicholas would always immediately avert his gaze every time you two accidentally made eye contact in class. you thought him arrogant but evidently not. you can't help smiling to yourself.

nicholas’ phone pings, and he finally tears his eyes away from you. he looks at the screenshot euijoo sent him, then back at you, and then at maki as though he can't believe anything any one of them has just said. he does this a few more times and maki cannot believe he gets to witness all this for free; it's hilarious. then nicholas gets up and dusts himself off. “i mean. i guess a win is a win,” he says to no one in particular before running to catch up with you.

IT WAS A WARM SUMMERY AFTERNOON and you were waiting for your ride to pick you up from work. Damn you for not getting your license when you turned sixteen. You sat in the break room and scrolled through your phone until a presence joined you as well, taking the seat next to you. 

 ⠀⠀ “Are you on your break?” The automatic question came out of your mouth whenever you would see someone in the break room, or enter it. 

 ⠀⠀ “Yeah, I’m on my ten. Aren’t you already off?” Maki looked at you and it caused the both of you to make eye contact.

You hummed as a yes and looked back at your phone, scrolling mindlessly before he interrupted your doom scrolling of IG Reels. 

 ⠀⠀ “You play Roblox?”

 ⠀⠀ “Huh..? Oh yeah, I do.”

 ⠀⠀ “Bet. Let me add you. What’s your user?”

A small panic ran through you as you extended your hand. “Let me put in the user.”

He laughed as he looked at you, “I bet it’s something embarrassing, right?”

 ⠀⠀ “It’s not! I just don’t like saying it out loud…”

He handed you his phone and watched you put in your user. Clicking the Add Friend button, you focused back on your phone and accepted the request. Handing back his phone, he smiled and clicked on a game. 

 ⠀⠀ “Join me, while I still have time on my ten.”

As much as you tried to deny what you were hearing, you nodded and clicked his profile to join the game. It was a good two minutes of playtime before Nicholas walked into the break room and dabbed up Maki. You tried your best to ignore Nicholas and focused your attention on the game, not realizing Maki had left it as soon as Nicholas entered. You heard them talk about their college classes and before you knew it, Maki and Nicholas were walking back to clock in. 

You didn’t feel bad because for the first time, you felt seen by a guy. Yet those feelings had to be shaken; you didn’t want to be involved with another guy again, especially a pretty one at that.

YOU HAD A FEW SHIFTS together but it wasn’t anything where you two could talk. He would be clocking in, and you would be clocking out or vice versa. Okay maybe you two didn’t have shifts together but it was still something! Yet as each shift you two managed to have together, the closer you two became. There wasn’t a doubt that there were a bit of unspoken feelings between the two of you, but you were okay with how things were going. Bonding over the latest brain rot video, sharing horrid Reels to each other, and always laughing while at work. You would leave work with slightly warm cheeks contrasting with the cold breeze from outside.

Maybe, just maybe, you could get used to this pretty boy and his humor.

Grabbing the heavy items for you, leaning in to hear what you're saying, standing too close for you to smell his cologne, the lingering gazes on each other, suggestive comments, or even his winking towards you.… these were signs that were driving you crazy. You clearly flirted with him and he did too. This Japanese-German boy was hinting at something, something more for the two of you. Nevertheless, that would come and go as your friendship was built on spilling secrets and sending each other TikToks and Reels. It was just a small little crush you developed on him, so why did it hurt when he casually mentioned he had a date set for tonight?

His voice became static as he spoke, “See, I would stay longer and help you guys out, but I have a date tonight.”

The manager cooed at the young boy and decided to not push further, yet you wish he would’ve. Like a radio without a signal, you went silent upon hearing that. You hope he didn’t notice your sudden shift in demeanor and if he did, he didn’t say anything. In spite of feelings being everywhere, you had to pull through and help the next customer.

 ⠀⠀ “Oh hey Yuma! It’s odd seeing you this early in the day. Did you still want your usual?”

Yuma, your regular in the evening, kept in a laugh. “It is a bit early, isn’t it Y/N? And yes, I’ll be having my usual. Oh! Did I tell you about how I finally got…”

Yuma went on and on about his new collectible he managed to finally pull in a blind box, and it brightened your face a lot, which was quickly noted by Maki. Yuma’s drink was quickly called and he excused himself before grabbing it. Waving you goodbye, you smiled back at him and told him to have a good day.

 ⠀⠀ “Someone’s quite popular,” Maki spoke behind you, “I would start to think you’re interested in him.”

 ⠀⠀ “Who? Oh, you mean Yuma? He’s sweet but he’s not really…” You glanced at Maki, “my type of guy.” 

 ⠀⠀ Maki gave you his signature smile before turning on his heel to begin brewing the next batch of coffee, “We’ll see about that, Y/N.”

Maki wasn’t yours to begin with, even with that date he has. Your eye follows his every move as you stand still, taking in all of him. Maki’s red cheeks match with yours, and you found yourself getting warmer whenever you two talk. Too many girls think he’s pretty, that just goes with his charm. Your eyes linger on Maki too much, you might start to think you’re being obvious, but not obvious enough for him.

But you’ll like him anyway.

Ayane paused, then frowned slightly as she counted in her head. “Oh.”

Then she nodded. “Yeah. Exactly two years.”

They went quiet again, the kind of silence that only existed between people who had grown used to each other’s presence. Not awkward. Not tense. Just… normal.

Two years ago, Ayane would have laughed if someone told her she’d end up sharing an apartment with a vampire.

Werewolf–vampire conflicts still existed even now, despite modernization, shared universities, and polite interspecies laws. Old grudges didn’t vanish just because society learned how to coexist on paper. Ayane had grown up hearing pack stories and half-whispered warnings.

Vampires were dangerous.

Vampires were manipulative.

Vampires were not people you trusted.

And yet Yuma—friendly, gentle, almost painfully earnest—had become her best friend anyway.

They’d been seatmates at university, bonded over shared notes and mutual confusion, and somewhere along the way he’d slipped into her life without triggering a single alarm bell. Late-night study sessions turned into grocery runs. Grocery runs turned into inside jokes. Inside jokes turned into something she never questioned.

So when Yuma had asked her two years ago—quietly, almost apologetically—if he could move in with her, she had agreed without hesitation.

The reason had been simple.

Yuma had been living in a vampire-majority neighborhood, and inflation had hit it brutally. Rent prices were ridiculous. Offensive. Completely out of his budget. He’d shown her listings with numbers so absurd she’d thought he was exaggerating.

He hadn’t been.

Ayane’s neighborhood, on the other hand, was cheaper—but came with its own problem.

It was werewolf-majority.

Not officially restricted, not exclusive, but everyone knew what it meant. A vampire living openly there with a werewolf would draw attention. Suspicion. Trouble. A vampire and a werewolf as roommates was considered reckless at best and unacceptable at worst.

Luckily, no one knew Yuma was a vampire.

Except his family.

And Ayane.

So Yuma had done the only thing that made sense at the time.

He pretended to be a werewolf.

He learned the habits, copied the mannerisms, complained about full-moon exhaustion he never experienced, and quietly followed Ayane’s lead whenever he was unsure. Ayane’s apartment was owned by a werewolf and lived in almost entirely by werewolves, but Yuma blended in with surprising ease.

It helped that fate had already given him a convincing excuse.

Back in first year, Yuma had broken one of his vampire fangs. The details were never discussed. The tooth had been shaved flat until it looked completely normal. His remaining fang stuck out just slightly—more like a harmless snaggle tooth than anything sharp.

So he got braces.

To “fix his bite.”

Between the flat tooth, the snaggle fang, and the metal wires, no one questioned it. People simply nodded and said things like, “Werewolf teeth are weird,” and moved on.

Ayane set her phone down and looked at him over the table.

“You’re zoning out,” she said.

Yuma blinked, then smiled faintly. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

He glanced around their small kitchen—the mismatched chairs, the stack of clean dishes, the quiet morning they shared.

“About how it’s already been two years,” he said.

Ayane huffed softly. “Don’t get sentimental before coffee.”

But she slid her mug toward him anyway.

Two years.

And somehow, neither of them had gotten caught.

Yuma sighed and stretched, arms lifting over his head as he leaned back in his chair. The morning quiet settled again, comfortable but fragile.

“…I still don’t feel comfortable within the four walls of this house,” he muttered.

Ayane looked up from her mug. “What? Why?”

He hesitated, then answered plainly.

“K and Fuma.”

She let out a long, tired sigh.

Even though everyone else in the neighborhood believed Yuma without question, there were still two people who hadn’t fully bought it. Two people who watched him a little too closely, asked a few too many questions, and never seemed satisfied with his answers.

K and Fuma.

Their seniors.

And worse—people Ayane knew well.

K was her cousin.

Both of them were strong werewolves, sharp-eyed, overly observant, and way too invested in things that weren’t their business.

Yuma visibly shivered.

“I feel scared and violated whenever they’re near,” he said seriously. “Like they’ll just—” he made a dramatic sniffing motion, “—sniff the vampire in me.”

Ayane snorted.

“Don’t laugh!” he protested immediately. “You know how crazy they are too!!”

She did, unfortunately, agree with that.

Her laughter faded into another sigh.

“I’m sorry, Yuma, but…” she paused, bracing herself, “they’re coming over later.”

His eyes widened.

“…What?”

She nodded slowly. “They are.”

He gasped like she’d just announced his execution.

“WHY?!” he cried.

She gave him a look. “You forgot? The whole gang decided it’s our turn this week for movie night.”

His soul left his body.

Movie night.

Multiple werewolves.

Confined space.

Snacks.

Judgment.

Yuma clutched the back of his chair in horror—then froze.

Ayane was pulling her sleeves up.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

“What… what are you doing?” he asked, voice thin.

She rolled her shoulders once, like she was preparing for a workout.

“Everyone’s coming over later,” she said calmly. “And today is number two out of your three monthly blood intakes.”

He stared at her.

“They’re going to smell it,” she continued. “So it’s better to take it now instead of later. Less risky.”

The chair scraped loudly as Yuma shot to his feet.

“No. No. Ayane. NO.” He backed away. “You KNOW I HATE blood.”

She took one step forward.

“And YOU know how sick and weak you get if you don’t consume blood at least three times a month.”

He bolted for the hallway.

“NO IT TASTES DISGUSTING!!” he yelled, nearly tripping over the rug. “I’D RATHER DIE—”

She grabbed his arm.

“YOU’RE IMMORTAL!!” She said and yanked him back toward the kitchen with terrifying ease.

“Exactly.”

He struggled, flailing dramatically.

“This is abuse!”

“This is healthcare.”

“This is a hate crime against vampires!”

“Sit. Down.”

“No!”

“Yuma.”

He froze at the tone of her voice.

She looked at him—not angry, not amused. Just firm. Concerned.

“You’re already nervous about tonight,” she said more quietly. “If you get weak, it’ll be worse. You know that.”

He swallowed, shoulders sagging despite himself.

“…You’re evil,” he muttered.

She snorted. “Drink first. Then you can complain.”

She pushed him back into his chair.

Somewhere in the apartment, the clock ticked on.

And movie night was getting closer.

They were still in the kitchen when Yuma crossed his arms and planted his feet like a man prepared to meet his tragic end.

“Nope. Not doing it,” he declared. “Leave me to die, Ayane. I am NOT drinking THAT.”

Ayane rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle she didn’t sprain something.

“Fine,” she said simply, reaching for the cupboard.

Yuma blinked. “…Fine? Like—actually fine?” he asked, suspicious now. “You’re just… letting me go?”

She didn’t answer.

She turned back around with the blood shot already in her hand.

“You leave me no choice,” she said calmly. “I’m going to have to feed it to you like a cat.”

His eyes widened.

“What—wait—Ayane—”

Before he could process what was happening, she grabbed his jaw with one hand, tilted his head back with frightening precision, and poured the shot down his throat.

Yuma choked immediately.

“—HK—COUGH—”

He slammed his hands on the counter, coughing violently as Ayane held his chin up until she was satisfied he’d swallowed it.

“Oh no,” he croaked, face scrunched in pure misery. “Oh no, this is activating my gag reflex.”

She leaned in close, deadly calm.

“Throw up,” she warned, “and I’m giving you extra.”

He froze.

Slowly.

Horrified.

“…That’s evil.”

“Swallow.”

He did.

Shuddered.

She finally released him and immediately shoved a cup of apple juice into his hands.

“Clean your palate.”

Yuma gulped it down like his life depended on it, still grimacing.

“That was vile,” he said hoarsely. “I hope you know you’ve permanently damaged our friendship.”

She snorted. “You’ll thank me in an hour.”

“I will not.”

“You always do.”

Once the crisis was over, Ayane moved fast.

Windows: open.

Air freshener: sprayed aggressively.

Not just any air freshener—that one.

The one that made K and Fuma’s noses burn.

She spritzed the curtains.

The couch.

The hallway.

Yuma watched, impressed.

“…You’re committing biological warfare.”

“Strategic defense,” she corrected.

He inhaled carefully, then nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, that should mask it.”

She capped the spray and tossed it back under the sink.

“Sit,” she told him again. “You’ll feel better soon.”

Yuma slumped into the chair, exhausted, traumatized, and smelling aggressively like citrus and pine.

“…If I survive movie night,” he muttered, “I’m asking you to feed me with a straw next time.”

Ayane smirked.

“Don’t push your luck, Snaggletooth.”

He groaned, but smiled anyway.

Outside, the morning was peaceful.

Inside, a vampire was recovering from forced medical care.

And somewhere in the distance, K and Fuma were unknowingly preparing to walk straight into chemical warfare.

Like clockwork, K and Fuma arrived first.

The door had barely closed behind them when both of their noses twitched.

K took one step inside, inhaled—and then dramatically shrieked, clapping a hand over his nose.

“I told you to freaking change that air freshener!” he snapped, voice echoing through the apartment.

Ayane didn’t even blink.

“It’s our house,” she said calmly. “What air freshener we use is none of your concern.”

Fuma winced too, rubbing his nose as if it physically hurt. “It burns,” he muttered, already heading to the window and shoving it open.

K followed, grumbling. “This thing is a hate crime.”

Yuma stood awkwardly near the counter, shoulders stiff, posture just a little too alert.

K turned slowly.

“…What’s up with you?” he asked. “You always act suspicious whenever we’re here. What are you trying to hide?”

Yuma flinched, eyes widening. “I—I don’t know! If you look at me like that all the time, then obviously I’ll be like this!”

Ayane stepped in immediately, positioning herself beside him.

“Stop cornering him!” she snapped. “He didn’t even do anything!”

Fuma crossed his arms, gaze sharp. “It’s not that we’re cornering him. It’s just that he’s… weird. Very peculiar.”

Yuma swallowed.

Fuma continued, unbothered. “His skin is paler than usual. And sometimes he reeks of blood. His teeth are oddly shaped too—”

That was enough.

Ayane stepped fully in front of Yuma, blocking him without hesitation.

“Colorist much?!” she shot back. “Just because he has pale skin doesn’t mean he’s weird!”

K blinked.

“And besides,” she continued sharply, “everyone reeks of blood—especially you two! It’s disgusting!”

K and Fuma froze.

Slowly, both of them sniffed their own breath.

“…Do I?” K muttered.

Fuma frowned, turning his head slightly. “I don’t think—”

Ayane pointed at Fuma.

“And your teeth are way more odd. They’re totally irregular. Get braces.”

Fuma recoiled like he’d been struck.

“Hey! They’re not that misaligned—”

She gestured vaguely at his mouth. “They are.”

K snorted. Fuma looked personally victimized.

Ayane exhaled and waved a hand. “Come on. Let’s not be mean. We’re all different. Let’s just accept everyone as they are.”

There was a pause.

“…Fair,” K muttered.

“Yeah,” Fuma agreed reluctantly.

Ayane clapped once. “Great. Now go get snacks. I just realized we don’t have enough.”

K narrowed his eyes. “You’re just kicking us out.”

“Yes.”

They grumbled but headed out anyway.

The door closed.

Silence.

Yuma sagged instantly, then stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Ayane from behind, burying his face against her shoulder.

“God,” he murmured, “I love you.”

She stiffened slightly when he pressed a soft kiss against her neck.

“Yuma,” she said, flustered, “what is wrong with you?”

“I get so much more attracted to you every time you stand up for me,” he mumbled against her skin.

She chuckled despite herself. “Is that so?”

He hummed in approval.

Ayane turned in his arms and kissed his forehead gently.

“You make it really hard for me to pretend I don’t like you,” she admitted quietly.

He pouted, leaning forward until their foreheads touched.

“Who said you have to?” he asked softly.

She slid her arms around his neck, heart thudding just a little too fast.

“Being brave, aren’t we?” she murmured.

Yuma smiled.

“Only with you.”

Ayane chuckled softly as they remained close, the moment lingering longer than it probably should have. Yuma shifted, leaning down just a little, eyes warm and clingy in that way that always undid her.

“Mhm,” he murmured. “Kiss me.”

She laughed under her breath. “You’re ridiculous.”

They leaned in—

“Hey, are we feeling cheese or spicy—”

The door swung open.

K stepped inside.

And froze.

“—Should we get ice cream too—”

Fuma walked in right behind him.

And froze as well.

Yuma and Ayane sprang apart instantly, putting a very obvious and very suspicious amount of distance between themselves.

Silence.

Thick. Deafening. Judgmental.

K’s eyes flicked between them.

Once.

Twice.

Then—

“WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!”

Fuma gasped dramatically. “Oh my god.”

Ayane opened her mouth. Closed it again.

K pointed at Yuma like he’d just solved a murder case.

“NO WONDER YOU ALWAYS ACT WEIRD WHEN WE’RE AROUND!”

Yuma stiffened. “I—what?”

“IT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE A THING!” K yelled, turning to Ayane. “A SECRET THING!”

“A thing??” Yuma repeated weakly.

Fuma squinted, arms crossed. “That explains… a lot.”

“Explains what?” Ayane snapped.

“You’re always hovering around him,” Fuma said. “You cover for him. He gets nervous when we ask questions. And now this?”

K groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “We thought you had better taste.”

Ayane bristled. “Excuse me?”

Fuma agreed with K as he nods.

"Yeah, he's like a weird werewolf/ werecat pet." Fuma says like its a fact.

"I AM NOT A PET!!" Yuma protested.

K waved vaguely between them. “A werewolf getting involved with another werewolf from a different pack is already messy. But this guy—” he pointed at Yuma again, “—is suspicious.”

Yuma looked personally attacked. “I’m right here.”

Fuma nodded thoughtfully. “He’s quiet. Polite. Doesn’t act like a normal werewolf.”

“That’s just his personality!” Ayane snapped.

K scoffed. “Nobody’s personality is that polite.”

Yuma bowed slightly out of reflex. “Sorry.”

K screamed into his hands.

“This is unbelievable.”

Fuma sighed. “So what? Are you two dating?”

“No,” Ayane said instantly.

“Yes?” Yuma said at the same time.

They both froze.

Slowly, they turned to look at each other.

“…We’re not labeling it,” Ayane muttered.

K looked like he was reconsidering every life choice he’d ever made.

“I leave for ten minutes.”

Fuma shook his head. “We should’ve gotten ice cream.”

Ayane crossed her arms. “You’re not allowed to interrogate him.”

“We’re not interrogating,” K said defensively. “We’re judging.”

“That’s worse.”

K narrowed his eyes. “You’re hiding something.”

Ayane smiled. Sweet. Sharp.

“No, we’re not.”

The smile made him uneasy.

“…Let’s go,” Fuma muttered, already dragging K back toward the door. “Before this gets weirder.”

As the door shut behind them, Yuma sagged like he’d just survived an assassination attempt.

“…That was terrifying.”

Ayane glanced at him.

He smiled softly, stepping closer again like he hadn’t just almost exposed them.

“So,” he said quietly, “about that kiss—”

She shoved him back toward the counter, cheeks warm.

“Sit down,” she warned. “Before you actually get us caught.”

Yuma laughed, hands up in surrender.

Still undercover.

Still alive.

And now… very clearly not just roommates anymore.

Yuma slumped back against the counter, pouting openly now that the danger had passed.

“…Can’t we just label what we are?” he whined.

Ayane crossed her arms, eyebrow arching. “Label what, exactly?”

She gestured vaguely between the two of them. The kitchen. The air. The mess they’d just made of everything.

“This,” she said. “What would we even label this?”

Yuma straightened immediately, like he’d been waiting his whole life for this question.

“Uh,” he said, thinking very hard for about half a second, “maybe something that includes me being your man and you being the love of my life?”

She stared at him.

He smiled. Bright. Earnest. Completely serious.

“…You say things like that so casually,” she muttered, cheeks warming despite herself.

He tilted his head. “Is it casual if I mean it?”

“That’s worse.”

He shuffled closer, careful this time, hands tucked behind his back like he was trying not to push his luck.

“I’m just saying,” he continued softly, “we already live together. You defend me like you’re ready to fight your own cousin. You feed me like I’m a feral creature—”

“I do not feed you—”

“And I’ve been in love with you for, like,” he paused, counting silently on his fingers, “a very long time.”

She opened her mouth.

Closed it.

“…You’re impossible,” she said finally.

He grinned. “But I’m yours.”

That did it.

She reached out and grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him just close enough for him to stop breathing—out of shock, not necessity.

“You’re really brave all of a sudden,” she murmured.

He swallowed. “I feel safe.”

Her expression softened for just a moment.

“…Don’t make me regret that,” she warned.

“I won’t,” he said immediately. “I swear. Cross my—uh—immortal heart.”

She laughed quietly, shaking her head.

“We’ll… talk about labels later,” she said. “After movie night. After K stops spiraling. After I make sure you’re not about to faint.”

Yuma pouted again. “That’s not a no.”

She looked up at him, eyes warm, resigned, fond.

“No,” she agreed softly. “It’s not.”

Somewhere outside, footsteps approached.

Yuma leaned in just enough to whisper, “So… future me?”

She smacked his chest lightly. “Sit. Down.”

He obeyed—smiling like he’d already won.

Movie night finally began, and somehow the apartment was already full.

K, Fuma, EJ, Nicholas, Jo, Taki, Harua, and Maki were scattered across the living room—some on the couch, some on the floor, some half-hanging off armrests. Snacks were everywhere. Someone had already spilled popcorn. The movie was loud enough to drown out most conversations.

And, of course, Yuma was right next to Ayane.

Like always.

At first he behaved. Mostly.

But every few minutes, his hand would find her waist. Or his fingers would slip into hers. Or he’d absentmindedly trace circles on the back of her hand while pretending to watch the screen.

She pretended not to notice.

She noticed everything.

By the time they were halfway through their third movie, Yuma was visibly restless. Shifting. Sighing. Leaning closer than necessary. His knee bounced like he was fighting a personal war.

Ayane finally stood up. “I’m making more popcorn.”

Before anyone could respond—

Yuma was on his feet.

Immediately.

Like a ghost summoned by his name.

“—I’ll help,” he said way too fast.

K squinted. “You didn’t even eat the first—”

They were already gone.

The kitchen was dimmer, quieter, far enough from the living room that the movie noise blurred into background sound. Ayane hadn’t even reached the counter properly before Yuma stepped in close.

Then closer.

Then—

She gasped softly as he pinned her back against the counter, arms wrapping around her fully, burying his face against her shoulder like he’d been holding it in all night.

“Yuma—” she whispered, half-laughing.

“Tell them to leave or something,” he mumbled into her shoulder. “I can’t wait anymore.”

She chuckled, hands instinctively coming up to his back. “Wait for what?”

He pulled back just enough to look at her, eyes soft but desperate in the most annoying, affectionate way.

“I just wanna hear you say it,” he admitted. “That you love me too.”

Her breath hitched—just slightly.

“And,” he added quietly, “I wanna kiss.”

She stared at him for a moment.

Then smiled.

“You’re really bad at patience,” she murmured.

“I’ve been patient for two years,” he argued immediately. “That’s legendary restraint.”

She laughed under her breath, forehead resting against his.

“You know they’ll notice if we disappear too long.”

“I don’t care,” he said simply. “I only care about you.”

Her heart betrayed her instantly.

She sighed, fingers tightening slightly in his shirt. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

His lips brushed her temple, gentle, restrained—waiting.

“…Is that a yes?” he whispered.

She hesitated only a second.

“After this,” she said softly. “After movie night. I promise.”

His shoulders relaxed like he’d just been handed oxygen.

“…Okay,” he agreed, smiling. “I’ll behave.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Will you?”

“No,” he admitted. “But I’ll try.”

She laughed again, pushing him back just enough to grab the popcorn bowl.

“Go sit down,” she said. “Before they start suspecting things again.”

He leaned in once more, whispering against her ear—

“I love you.”

Then he walked back to the living room like nothing had happened.

Ayane stood there for a second longer than necessary, heart racing, before exhaling and smiling to herself.

Movie night continued.

But nothing felt the same anymore.

Movie night finally came to an end.

One by one, everyone trickled out—sleepy, full, arguing about which movie had been the worst. The apartment slowly emptied until only the echo of laughter and the lingering smell of popcorn remained.

Maki and Taki were the last to leave.

Ayane closed the door behind them and let out a tired breath—

Then turned around.

Yuma was standing right there.

Still. Quiet. Watching her like he’d been holding his breath this entire time.

She chuckled softly.

“Did you teleport?” she asked.

He didn’t answer.

She stepped closer, reached up, and cupped his cheeks gently, thumbs brushing against skin that was warm despite everything she knew about him. Then she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

“You’re so impatient,” she murmured, smiling, “but somehow also so patient.”

His lips curved into a small smile.

“I must admit,” she continued, voice quieter now, “you’re really lovable.”

“Of course I am,” he said immediately, confidence returning just enough to mask the nerves.

She laughed under her breath—but then she noticed his eyes.

Hopeful.

Careful.

Just a little afraid.

Her expression softened.

She leaned in until their foreheads touched, breathing him in, letting the moment settle fully this time.

“I love you, Yuma,” she said gently.

For a second, he froze.

Then his ears turned bright red.

So red it was impossible to miss.

“I love you too, Ayane,” he said quickly, words tumbling over each other, “now kiss me before I explode.”

She burst out laughing, forehead still pressed to his.

“You’re unbelievable.”

He smiled, relief and happiness mixing into something almost dizzying.

She sighed softly—content, fond, certain—

And finally leaned in.

This time, she kissed him.

Not rushed.

Not stolen.

Just right.

Yuma let out a happy sound he didn’t even try to hide, arms wrapping around her like he’d finally found where he belonged.

Outside, the night was quiet.

Inside, the pretending was over.

And for the first time in two years—

They didn’t have to wait anymore.

Ayane chuckled softly, still close to him, thumb brushing his cheek as the moment lingered.

Then she pulled back just enough to look at him properly.

“Although,” she said casually, “you have to drink the blood again.”

Yuma froze.

Slowly.

“…What are you talking about?” he asked, voice going a little too high.

She smiled. Sweet. Knowing. Dangerous.

“You think I didn’t notice you faking swallowing it?” she said. “I know you spat it out in the washroom.”

His eyes widened.

“…You—”

Realization hit him like a truck.

He gasped.

“Oh no.”

Before she could even take a step—

Yuma turned and bolted.

“HEY—” Ayane shouted.

He sprinted down the hallway like his life depended on it.

“GET BACK HERE!” she yelled, chasing after him. “NO WONDER YOU WERE SO DAZED AND CLINGY!”

“I LOVE YOU, AYANE!” he screamed over his shoulder, skidding around the corner, “NOT BLOOD!!! I WOULD RATHER DIE!!”

“You’re IMMORTAL!” she shouted back.

“That doesn’t mean I have TASTELESSNESS IMMUNITY!”

He nearly slipped on a sock, caught himself, and slammed the bathroom door shut.

Ayane banged on it immediately.

“Open the door.”

“No!”

“Yuma.”

“I WILL THROW UP ON PURPOSE!”

“I WILL DOUBLE THE DOSE.”

Thats it for this one!

I hope y'all liked it 🥹 🙏

It's not as long as i thought it was 😭 As I was typing it i thought to myself that it was coming out really long but it wasn't!

most of the time you drag him to the games, trying to challenge him on who can win something first; be it a small plush or a keychain. (spoiler: you win but he tries to claim that he let you)

everywhere you walk, your arm are intertwined snugly, the both of you practically racing to sightsee everything

there are also many photos you snap of yonasho off guard — to which he complains about but you keep them cause your boyfriend looks good whenever and wherever…

afterwards you agree on separately buying one another a special gift. you decide on getting him a special mug for the coffee he loves so much, and sho surprises you with a decorative candle in the shape of a snowman, a short length of ribbon tied around its neck

and it’s safe to say you both enjoyed it very much

kawashiri ren and crafting

ren proposed something entirely new for the holidays; crafting.

so you both gather as much materials as you can from the local store and sit together on the floor of your living room.

using the coloured paper and ribbons, you make festive hand-made posters to hang in your house.

the man also bought some clear baubles to fill with glitter and small bits of festive items such as miniature figurines to make ornaments.

but the downside is when your boyfriend scolds you for adding too much glitter or when you somehow get it all over the carpet.

it doesn’t take long before you finish and make your way over to the christmas tree.

ren chooses to pin the posters on the wall while you hang the ornaments on the tree, but not until the man interrupts, pleading to be the one placing the star on top.

when you take a step back to appreciate the work you peck his cheek quickly, smiling when a small tint of red coats ren’s face because he’s still somehow shy after being a couple for so long

shiroiwa ruki and ice skating

we all know this man is a huge klutz…

the second you step onto the ice, ruki nearly slips, gripping onto your jacket with such fervour he nearly pulls you down too

and it’s not like you’re not better than him either, the both of you holding hands and trying to move but failing miserably

“that’s definitely embarrassing,” he pauses. “but at least we’re in this together.” while his reassurance grounds you, in turn making your heart beat out your chest.

ruki always seems to know how to make you feel better

he holds out a hand after getting up, pulling you up with that signature and kind smile playing on his lips.

throughout your time on the rink, you did get used to the slippery ice, unlike your boyfriend, constantly wobbling and waddling, whining at every giggle that left your mouth.

you only stayed for an hour before deciding to get going and walk along the nearest river-bank, hand in hand and admiring the snow-painted ground and twinkling stars

kono junki and watching cozy holiday films + building a gingerbread house

you were actually the one who brought the idea up and junki of course relented cause who doesn’t like a good movie binging???

you make two cups of hot cocoa as junki sets up the couch, bringing plenty of soft blankets and pillows, putting the movie on standby

when on the couch, you feel your boyfriend snuggle up to you, which in turn makes your chest swell in adoration.

the whole two hours did not pass quietly though, with junki talking you ear off about his favourite scenes, or laughing loudly whilst slapping his knee (yes he does do that unironically)

soon after the movie ends, you guys try to build your own miniature gingerbread houses, with the both of you challenging to see who could finish the first

at first, you were in the lead, before junki went so far to as steal some of your pieces, munching on the hard sugar window panes

“stop eating mine!” he mumbles, mouth full whilst playfully glaring at you reciprocating his actions, taking a large bite out of one of his ‘very delicious’ walls

sato keigo and baking

as much as this man looks good at baking, he is not.

and you regret letting him ever entering the kitchen even though keigo was the one to beg to try baking at first

and it’s not like you’re the best baker — you aren’t — but keigo is just very… chaotic

but still, your boyfriend tries his best to help you, handing you the ingredients, listening (very diligently) to instructions, taking over in whisking if your arms get tired (under strict supervision) and so on

so his hard work (well, mostly yours) seemed to be paying off as the first batch of gingerbread cookies went quite well

“let me have a turn now, i won’t mess it up!” he says while smiling innocently at you

but then proceeds to over-mix the dough and somehow add too much milk, causing it to be way more runny than intended

if that wasn’t the worst part, he started tickling you randomly, making you back into the counter and spill the contents all over the floor and some over yourself

the mess took you very long to clean but at least the first batch of cookies were still good.. (you guys also bought some more from the store after)

The air wasn't chilly, especially under the light sweatshirt you had on, because it was late spring. You didn't really know what time it was, or how long you'd been stargazing but, it didn't matter. You'd cancel every plan you had to stay out here a little bit longer. 

Mostly because you were spending quality time with a good friend of yours, Jo, who had invited you to this occasion earlier in the day. 

The man was lying by your side, not close enough to touch but, enough to feel the warmth radiating off him. He laid with his arms under his head for better support, staring up at the sky wordlessly. And even though it was silent, you didn't feel uncomfortable—not even with the thought that passing strangers would think you two were on a date, or the thumping in your chest every time he'd re-adjust ever so slightly, which made him ultimately approach you.

You could tell that, even through the darkness, your cheeks had a light pink to them. 

Truthfully, you were so keen to accept the offer Jo extended to you, simply because it was him. You've always felt blissful with him by your side; and he's been by it through thick and thin. If you didn't know any better, the little things he always did for you must have been hints—but that was just you mindlessly wishing upon a shooting star.

Shifting caught your attention, and you tried desperately to not make it seem like you had noticed. You didn't want him to catch on to the fact that he kept getting closer to your side, only centimeters apart now. Even if it was only subconsciously, he would eventually inch until he couldn't anymore, and then you'd have every excuse in the book…to do? Well, you weren’t exactly sure.

However, you couldn't help thinking that maybe he wouldn't feel the same. Maybe, just maybe, he was contempt just being friends with you. And, that thought alone is what always held you back.

It's the little things that kept you grasping at straws, and it was the even smaller thoughts that would totally blow them away.

Were friends truly better off staying friends?

Your thoughts were speeding miles an hour, even when you fronted admiring the glistening night sky, you couldn't help think of Jo; the peacefulness he brought to you, the gentle caress to the heart. It was his soft voice that kept saying your name…until you finally realized that it wasn't in your head.

"y/n?"

He had turned to you, head resting against a folded arm. Your face flushed under his gaze, and you couldn't physically get yourself to turn to him—afraid you'd be too close that he could see right through your facade. So, you opted to stay looking at the sky instead.

It didn’t seem to bother him, and you let him notice the imperfections on your skin that made him shy away from you momentarily—or maybe it was because of something else, you had no idea. You found his stare too intoxicating to ignore, to not feel physically burning you, blooming butterflies, shooting stars…

"Jo," You whispered against the air, "Can you stop staring at me, it's—"

"Making you uncomfortable?"

You gulped, a slight fear casting down on you, "No! Not ex-exactly. It's, I don't know, intimidating?" You could partially see the eyebrow raise from your peripherals, and you don't know what took over you. "Do you like me or something?"

"Yeah," Your head turned at neck-breaking speed and, just as you had calculated earlier, your faces are centimeters apart. You desperately tried to avoid eye-contact but, it didn't really matter with him glancing down at your lips. Your nerves were doing leaps along with your stomach, awaiting anything. "I do like you."

You couldn't help leaning in slightly, brushing featherlight lips. Your eyes closed and you heard a small chuckle before finally feeling Jo close the distance completely.

It could've been a dream but, if it was, consider yourself never waking up ever again.

© loserlvrss 2024 / 25. 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱.

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one.

he remembers you asked him to wake you up early. you've just slept together for the first time – as in literally just slept next to each other, nothing more.

“y/n?” he calls so softly, voice laced with sleep and love and a little awe at the fact that he actually gets to wake up next to you. you hear him and pretend you don't just to hear him say it again.

two.

you're just about to head to bed, it's almost midnight when he calls.

“y/n,” he sighs, drawling out your name.

“hi, baby. how was practice? you sound tired,”

“i am,” his voice is a little muffled.

you chuckle softly. “go to bed then, silly,”

“i am,” he says again, too exhausted to even say anything more.

you can picture him in bed with his eyes closed, face half-buried in his pillow. “i see. wanted to check in with me before bed then, i presume?”

“mmhm,”

you smile. “alright then. good night, baby.”

“love you,”

three.

when you press answer on the video call request, the screen shows you your boyfriend with his mouth stuffed like a chipmunk.

“y/n!” he exclaims, barely intelligible. “this burrito is the best thing i’ve ever tasted,”

“you called me at work to tell me this?” you laugh.

he holds up a hand while he chews before answering. “well, yeah. but also to tell you that this is what we're ordering for dinner tonight because you need to taste this roll of heaven. okay bye now, i'm gonna focus on savouring every bite,”

four.

you're standing outside his apartment building waiting for him when he sneaks up behind you.

“hi y/n,” he breathes right behind your ear, sending shivers up your spine.

“oh my…”

“i know, i'm very handsome,” he brags, brushing his hair back and snaking his arms around your waist.

“no, i mean… um, can you do that again?”

“what?”

“whisper my name the way you did just now?”

a teasing smile spreads across his face as he leans in close. “ooh, we like that, do we?”

five.

“and…you know what maki…said then?” you manage to get out between fits of laughter as your audience of friends wait impatiently.

“oh my god y/n please don't tell them,” maki pleads, but he can't help laughing too.

“oh come on just spill it already!” taki cries.

you happen to lock eyes with maki then, causing the both you to erupt into laughter again.

six.

“y-y/n…wow, hi.”

you chuckle nervously, your flushed cheeks mirroring his. “what's with that reaction? didn't expect me to make it?”

“n-no, it's not that, i just uh…wow. you look… wow. i don't even know what to say. um, hi,”

you laugh again, albeit without the nerves this time. “yes you said that already, genius. but hi,”

seven.

five urgent knocks. when you open the door, you find him with tears streaming down his face.

“y/n,” he chokes out, and it sounds like help me.

you pull him into your arms, and shut the rest of the world out behind you.