#jungwon fluff

he takes your hand and spins you around once, admiring the way your dress twirls. “perfect. now we can take a thousand pictures and make everyone who sees us gag or die of cuteness.”

after packing the basket he prepared the night before, you head out together on his bicycle. you sit on the back seat, arms wrapped around his waist, cheek resting against his back as he pedals through the sunny streets. the wind feels refreshing, and jungwon keeps glancing back at you with bright eyes, making sure you’re comfortable.

the park is beautiful this time of year — wide green lawns, blooming cherry trees, and a small lake sparkling under the sun. jungwon finds the perfect spot under a big shady tree with a view of the water. he spreads out a checkered blanket while you unpack the food: strawberry sandwiches, kimbap rolls, fresh fruit salad, chocolate cookies, and two bottles of iced peach tea.

“i made everything myself,” he says proudly, puffing his chest a little. “well… except the kimbap. my mom helped with that one. but i did the rest!”

you laugh and lean over to kiss him. “it all looks amazing, baby. thank you.”

you spend the first hour eating and talking. jungwon feeds you bites of fruit, blushing when you return the favor and wipe a bit of chocolate from the corner of his lip. you take lots of pictures — selfies of you two making peace signs, candid shots of him laughing with his eyes crinkled, and one where he’s resting his head on your shoulder while you feed him a strawberry.

after eating, jungwon pulls out a small bluetooth speaker and plays your shared playlist. soft, upbeat songs fill the air as you both lie on the blanket, fingers intertwined. the sun filters through the leaves above, painting pretty patterns on your matching clothes.

“wanna play?” he asks, eyes sparkling with mischief. he brought a frisbee, a small kite, and a deck of cards.

you start with the frisbee. jungwon is surprisingly competitive, running around the grass with his shirt sleeves rolled up, laughing every time you miss and have to chase after it. when you finally catch one mid-air, he cheers loudly and runs over to spin you around in his arms.

“my girlfriend is so talented!” he declares dramatically, making you giggle.

next comes the kite. it takes a few tries and a lot of tangled string, but eventually it soars high in the blue sky. you both hold the string together, jungwon standing behind you with his chin on your shoulder, arms around your waist. the gentle breeze makes the kite dance above the lake.

“this is perfect,” he murmurs softly against your ear. “i could stay here with you all day.”

you turn your head and kiss his cheek. “me too.”

when the kite flying makes you both tired, you return to the blanket for card games. jungwon teaches you a new game he learned from his friends, but he keeps losing on purpose just to see you celebrate. every time you win a round, he dramatically falls back onto the blanket, clutching his heart.

“how are you so good at this? i think you’re cheating with your cuteness,” he teases, pulling you down on top of him.

you lie on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat while the sun warms your backs. his fingers play with the yellow ribbon in your hair, occasionally tracing gentle circles on your back. you talk about everything and nothing — your classes, his part-time job at the café, dreams for the future, and silly stories from when you first met.

“remember when i spilled coffee all over your notes on our second date?” he asks, laughing at the memory. “i thought you’d never want to see me again.”

“i knew then you were special,” you reply, smiling. “only someone as sweet as you would offer to rewrite all my notes by hand.”

as the afternoon stretches, you feed the ducks by the lake with some leftover bread. jungwon takes videos of you surrounded by the fluffy birds, captioning one “my girlfriend is a disney princess” before showing it to you. you splash water at him playfully and he chases you across the grass until you both collapse back on the blanket, breathless and happy.

later, you pull out a small sketchbook you brought. while jungwon rests his head in your lap, you draw silly doodles of him with cat ears and his yellow ribbon. he watches you with soft, loving eyes, occasionally reaching up to boop your nose or tuck a strand of hair behind your ear.

“i love days like this,” he says quietly, voice full of warmth. “just you and me, no stress, matching clothes, good food, and lots of laughter. i wish every day could be a picnic date with you.”

you lean down and kiss him softly, tasting the sweetness of peach tea on his lips. “we’ll make more days like this. i promise.”

as the sun begins to dip lower, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks, jungwon packs everything up carefully. he insists on carrying the basket and the blanket while you hold his hand on the walk back to the bike. before leaving the park, he pulls you close for one more photo — both of you smiling brightly in your matching outfits, the golden hour light making everything look magical.

on the bike ride home, you wrap your arms tighter around him and rest your head against his back again. the streets are quieter now, and jungwon hums along to the songs still playing faintly from his pocket speaker.

when you reach his apartment, he doesn’t let you leave right away. instead, he tugs you inside, orders your favorite takeout for dinner, and pulls you onto the couch for cuddles. you’re both a little sun-kissed and tired, still wearing your matching outfits as you snuggle under a blanket.

“best date ever,” he whispers, pressing gentle kisses to your forehead, your nose, and finally your lips. “i love you so much.”

you smile against his chest, heart full. “i love you too, my cute matching boyfriend.”

jungwon giggles softly and holds you closer, already planning your next adventure together. for now, though, this moment — warm, safe, and overflowing with quiet joy — is more than enough.

© jongst4r, 2026

Around you is a blur of muted colours and somewhat familiar faces, the other students wearing thick coats and wool scarves and yet, amongst them all, you’re always able to pick out your favourite. It’s simple– a black bomber– but it’s never the jacket that catches your eye, not necessarily; it’s the person wearing it. 

You’ve known Yang Jungwon since the first semester of your first year at university.

Back then, a boy named Jake was nothing more than your assigned partner for a chemistry lab, but slowly, he became one of your closest friends. And unlike most other first-years, he’d opted out of rooming in the university residence, choosing instead to rent a small three-bedroom apartment just off campus with two guys he’d known since high school. When he’d invited you over, it was to study for a midterm together, so that’s what you were expecting.

What you had absolutely no idea would happen, however, was that you’d end up meeting the person who would completely occupy your every thought for the next three years. 

Your phone buzzes in your lap. 

jungwon: where are you??? i saved you a seat

you: look behind you silly

You watch as Jungwon tilts his head back, eyes sweeping across the lecture hall for a few seconds before finally landing on you. The second he sees you, a smirk pulls at his lips, and he nods toward the empty seat to his side.

It’s almost embarrassing, you think, the way your body moves on its own, already gathering your lecture notebooks and shoving your pens back into your bag. Making your way down the steps, you try to reel in the eager expression on your face before dropping down next to him, but to no avail.

“Finally,” he whispers, nudging his knee against yours softly. “I thought you abandoned me.”

There’s a teasing glint in your eyes as you glance over at him. “I was thinking about it.”

He lets out a chuckle, shaking his head as he focuses back to the front of the room, where the professor is getting ready to start the lesson. “Liar,” he mumbles under his breath.

You grin, and even though you should turn to the front too, you let your gaze linger on his features for a moment longer. The curve of his nose, the sparkle in his eyes, the small birthmark at the bottom of his jaw... You’ve memorized these details, traced them so many times in your mind that they feel permanently etched there. 

But if you were smarter, you’d realize that just because you can predict the way his smile will form before it reaches his lips, it doesn’t guarantee that he can do the same for you. 

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a/n: this will be posted as soon as i finish!! i'm really excited to share this, i'm lowkey pouring my heart into it ✊ for plot purposes, it might end up being split into two parts but idk yet!

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a/n: based on a true story (i'm ovulating). if u saw my first post no u didnt

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a/n: :( typical man behaviour

Generally speaking, you're a good employee.

Reliable, organised, passionate…. Those are just a few of the words that have followed your name around Hybe Hotels for the better part of five years, voiced in performance reviews and passed between departments whenever somebody asks who should cover an extra shift or when inevitably, there’s been some sort of problem and you need to sort it out. Hospitality is hardly an industry where compliments are handed out for free, and you've worked enough to know that doing your job well often goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, the reward for competence doesn’t come in the form of praise, but rather more work. 

Thankfully, you happen to enjoy what you do. There is something satisfying about making sure  the guest experience reaches its maximum potential, and seeing their reactions make it all the more worthwhile. Of course, there are guests who are less than pleasant, but for the most part, things tend to run smoothly.

You applied for a room attendant position during the summer between university semesters because you needed a job that paid more than minimum wage and preferably didn't involve smelling like fryer oil at the end of every shift. It was never supposed to become part of the long-term plan, but here you were. 

Jungwon had also started around the same time, being another university student looking for some extra spending money, and having someone your own age around immediately made the place feel more welcoming. Most of the housekeeping department had years, sometimes decades, of experience behind them, and many didn’t care for small talk, or getting to know the hundredth summer student to cross their paths. 

Hence the two of you becoming friends right away, the long shifts passing by quicker when you had someone beside you to complain with. It probably didn’t hurt that you found him to be extremely attractive, a fact that would only become distracting on the slower days. After all, with emptied out lobbies and rooms tidied, there wasn’t much else to occupy your attention besides fantasizing about your coworker. 

Once classes started up again, you were offered a weekend contract, and the following summer, you moved behind the front desk. Then, being a front desk agent turned into becoming the shift supervisor, and finally, assistant manager. And while there were many times in which you considered leaving and trying out other professions, the attachment you had built to the hospitality industry conquered any doubt you felt, and you’d never end up going through with it. 

Luckily for you, Jungwon appeared to be living through the exact same career trajectory. Sometimes you wondered whether management simply refused to separate you. Every time your title changed, his did too, not that you were complaining. Somewhere along the line, the two of you stopped being colleagues who worked well together and became a package deal. People rarely mentioned one of you without the other following shortly after. And to absolutely nobody’s surprise, you developed a massive crush on him.

The summons to the executive boardroom had arrived in the morning morning with very little explanation beyond mandatory attendance and while slightly ominous, it wasn’t unusual. What was unusual, however, is the lack of Jungwon’s presence. 

“Thank you for joining us,” Mr. Bang says, gesturing to the chair seated across from him.

You offer a quiet thank you before sitting down, wiping your embarrassingly sweaty hands on your trousers and hoping, no– praying– that it doesn’t leave behind a visible stain. Around the table, eight other pairs of eyes settle on you: he Board of Directors. You note that there should be a ninth pair, but perhaps that director was occupied. 

“We have a few important matters to discuss.”

“Of course,” you hesitate for a moment before speaking up again. “May I ask where Jungwon is? I assumed he’d be joining us.”

One of the directors seated to your right responds. “He is not involved in today’s discussion.”

Now that doesn’t sound good, you think to yourself. In all your years with this company, there has never been a meeting that involved one of you but not the other. Talent acquisition, departmental restructures, performance reviews, you name it. Especially now, as assistant managers, if management wanted your opinion, they usually wanted Jungwon's too. You don't particularly like discovering you've become an exception. It has you thinking that perhaps your time at Hybe Hotels has come to an end. Still, there isn't much you can do about it now, and you’ll probably tell him everything that goes down in this meeting afterwards anyways, as humiliating as getting fired is.

Leaning forward an inch, Mr. Bang folds his hands on the table. “We have spent the last several months reviewing our operational structure across all Hybe Hotels locations, and have found that certain departments are not meeting expectations.”

You nod. 

“We have also been assessing all internal employees, taking into account their contributions to our workplace. Some replacements will need to be in order.”

You nod again. 

"We believe you've consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, strong operational judgement, and an ability to manage both staff and guest relations under pressure." 

Suddenly, staying silent seems to be a good choice, because you are starting to get the sneaking suspicion that this conversation is taking a completely different turn from what you thought it would be.

"So with that in mind, we'd like to offer you the position of Director of Operations and Management." 

When you unlock the door, you’re immediately greeted with Jungwon’s face. He's standing so close that you almost jump, your hand still wrapped around the handle as he says your name, and without waiting for an invitation, he slips past you into the break room, quietly pushing the door shut behind him.

“Is it true?” He asks, panicked, and confuses you. Your first thought is that someone has somehow found out about the promotion already, but that seems impossible. The meeting ended less than fifteen minutes ago, and every person in that room had struck you as extremely private. Then again, much like any place of work, news travels through the building at an alarming speed. “Are you actually leaving?”

"I..." you begin, but the words stall somewhere between your brain and your mouth. Jungwon mistakes your hesitation for confirmation, beginning to pace. 

"You've only just come back onto the same rotation as me. We’ve barely been seeing each other because they keep fucking up our schedule, and now we're finally on a cycle together again and..." He breaks off in tangent, exhaling sharply. "Seriously?" 

"You can't go," he says, stopping his steps directly in front of you. "I don’t think I can work here without you. I’ll go crazy.”

You should be touched, really, but no, you’re still puzzled. What is he going on about?

"Let’s see if I can talk to them." His mind clearly seems to be jumping several steps ahead. "If they're letting you go because of budgets or restructuring or whatever excuse they're pulling out of their asses, then I'll go upstairs myself. They have to know how much you do around here. Everyone knows.”

It’s at this point that you realize he has got it completely wrong. Jungwon thinks you’re being fired. 

“Hey, stop,” you interrupt gently, placing your hand on his forearm. “I’m not getting let go, or fired, or anything like that.”

“.... You’re not?”

“Nope.”

"Then..." He blinks at you. "Why were you called into a meeting?"

"Because," You can't help smile a little now, the edges of your mouth lifting despite yourself. It still doesn't feel entirely real when you say it aloud. "They want me to become the new Director of Operations and Management.”

The tension drains from him so suddenly that it's almost visible. His shoulders finally drop, his brows smooth out, and the relief that washes over his face leaves you feeling oddly guilty for letting him believe the worst, even though you didn’t actually do anything.

"...Are you serious?"

"I know, I had the same reaction."

"No," he says, shaking his head with a disbelieving laugh. "No, I mean..." Trailing off, Jungwon looks at you again, a slow smile spreading across his face. It starts at the corners of his mouth before reaching his eyes. "Wow."

He runs a hand through his hair. “That’s amazing. You really deserve it.”

It’s a cute moment; it really is, and you just want to savour it. Considering how long it’s been since you and Jungwon have even had a one-on-one interaction, you’re tempted to keep your mouth shut and wait for another time to deliver the bad news. Still, the thought settles heavily in your chest, dulling some of the excitement that had been bubbling there only moments ago. He deserves to know. More than anyone else, he deserves to know. If the roles were reversed and he had accepted a position on the other side of the country without saying anything until the last possible second, you don't think you'd ever let him hear the end of it, or you’d be so heartbroken you’d simply refuse to talk to him.

In any case, if this really was the beginning of something new, you don't want your last few weeks here to be overshadowed by a secret you deliberately kept from him. 

"Thank you," you breathe out. "But, actually, the thing is, if I accept it, then I'm going to–" 

"There you are!" Ryujin practically stumbles inside, slamming the door open and bracing one hand against the doorframe while she tries to catch her breath. “You didn’t respond to my messages, and mind you, there are multiple break rooms here, so I’ve been checking them all!"

She finally stops to look at you properly. “Holy– I am so out of shape– Oh.”

Upon seeing the two of you, she doesn’t even need to say anything. You can already sense her thoughts, and judging by the goofy smirk she’s serving, Jungwon probably can too. 

“Well well well,” your friend begins, beginning to back away slowly, sending you finger guns, “looks like everything is good here. I’ll just leave y'all to it.” 

Then she leaves.

Silence settles over the room, though you wouldn't describe it as awkward. It never is with him. With your hand that isn’t on his forearm, you bring it up to the back of your neck, rubbing it sheepishly. The moment you'd been trying to hold onto is gone now, broken beyond repair by Ryujin's spectacularly bad timing, and there doesn't seem to be any way back to the conversation you'd almost had.

Letting out a quiet sigh, glancing towards the clock mounted above the vending machine. "I guess we should probably get back to work."

“Yeah,” he agrees. “We can’t have both of the assistant managers gone.”

You turn towards the entrance, but barely make it a step before Jungwon's hand finds your waist, his arm slipping comfortably around you with a familiarity the two of you had settled into years ago. He gives you a gentle squeeze, drawing you briefly against his side.

"Congratulations," he starts, “Seriously. You've worked really hard for this, so don't let yourself forget that, okay?" His hand lingers for just a moment longer before dropping back to his side. "I'll text you later. Once we're both off the clock."

He reaches past you to hold the break room door open, waiting for you to step through before following you into the corridor, matching your pace as the two of you head back towards reception.

…Right. So later tonight you need to break the news to Jungwon that the promotion comes with a mandatory relocation, and maybe Karina was right (though you’ll never admit that to her), maybe you really should have said something to him a long time ago.

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a/n: hope you enjoy! i like writing and a part of me thinks i should have just made this a full length written fic but oh well :')

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When he had tried to flatten it out with meditation, it led to that one conversation where Sunghoon’s icy stare stabbed the memory.

“… focus on the relationship you do have…”

The more he thought of it, the more he felt offended at Sunghoon’s audacity and his own cowardice. He was focusing on his relationship with Leerae. Why did Sunghoon say that? Why couldn’t Jungwon forget it?

He was trying, so he didn’t need to let Sunghoon feed the doubt. But, he did anyway. Sunghoon, for some reason, saw right through him.

Jungwon snapped back to reality when Sunoo joined his side against the railing. Sunoo was in all black. From the pants to the blazers, and on the lapel of said blazer, a snowflake brooch pinched into the shiny fabric. Jungwon, on the other hand, had a white shirt and black tie tucked beneath a charcoal blazer that fitted perfectly across his broad shoulders.

“Did you try to do your hair, or were you confused?” Sunoo raised a brow at Jungwon.

Absentmindedly, Jungwon flicked a loose strand away, sulking. “I did. Who gave you that dumbass brooch thing?” He remarked pettily.

“Sunghoon hyung,” Sunoo said incredulously, eyes narrowed.

Jungwon rolled his eyes, now staring at the lanterns mirroring the planets and stars of the night sky. “Of course he did.”

Sunoo internally snapped and faced Jungwon directly. “Okay, what the hell happened? You still haven’t told me what you and Sunghoon Hyung talked about. And now, you’re being a pissy child about it.”

Jungwon acknowledged that a fracture of it was true. A huge portion of it, actually. However, the humiliation of that moment and his inability to sort his emotions out like a near-adult made it hard to confess what gears were turning in his head. It was stupid to even ask for advice on his own relationship. Or to ask whether he looked like he was as dismissive as Sunghoon said.

So, instead of being a mature teen, he scoffed, eyes avoidant, and said, “he was being an asshole.”

Sunoo blinked like he couldn’t believe it before sighing. “That’s vague, but okay.” Sunoo scanned his friend, lips frowning with doubts he wanted answers to, but then, Jay and Riki arrived in their own respective suits.

Jay wore a cream shirt, two buttons scandalously undone over white trousers. Riki wore a matching set to Jungwon: a white shirt and a black, unbuttoned blazer.

“Guess what?” Riki asked Jungwon and Sunoo, unable to catch the hint of tension. Jay rolled his eyes. “Hyung lost his blazer.”

Sunoo remained silent, and that was when Riki felt the strain pulling taut over them. He stopped and glanced at Jungwon, who was beginning to frown with defensively crossed arms.

“So, about you and Sunghoon Hyung the other day…” Riki began conversationally.

Jungwon grimaced in one big, offended gesture to the three, eyes wildly impatient. “It was nothing! Why do you guys want to know so bad?”

Riki and Jay flinched back a little, but Sunoo was over it as he checked his cuticles. Jungwon, to the boys, looked crazy. Clearing his throat, Riki thinned his lips. “Because Hyung won’t tell us either.”

“Good.” Jungwon nodded.

Jay spared a questioning glance at the younger ones, who both made a gesture of their hands, slicing the air by their neck. Cut it out.

Jungwon obviously felt bad for snapping at his friends, but even he couldn’t contain the storm of his own conflict into digestible words. That he wanted a break from Leerae? That deep inside, he knew exactly where the discourse was rotting from. It wasn’t enough. The guilt brusquely stopped him from exploring.

Jungwon sighed, scanning the Palace where several men and women sauntered across the upper floors. Leerae would be here soon. He crossed his arms tighter, forcing his eyes from the railings to the glass doors when he stopped dead in his tracks.

You were there.

You were wearing a sweet, pink dress where embellishments glittered at the cloudy ruffles, and reflected off the lanterns. Your hair fell in a way that complemented your face, gliding over skin like honey. Diamonds dangled off your ears, and your bare collarbone shimmered with one dainty gem.

Jungwon’s heart stopped, feeling the urge to explore the hills of said collarbones and the smooth sea of skin. Heck, he held his breath so he could commit all his energy into imprinting your figure into memory. His breath hitched before he forced himself to blink, holding his arms tighter. He couldn’t go there.

You were standing, looking around for something. Your hands were fiddling with another chain on your wrist. Jungwon squinted and smiled ever so slightly when he saw it was the sun bracelet he had gifted you.

Flutters swallowed his stomach. It was incredibly unnerving.

Before Jungwon could decide whether or not to greet you, Sunghoon, in his royal navy suit, approached from behind with a glittering crown that demanded respect.

Sunghoon tapped your shoulder, startling you to turn around, but Jungwon could tell you were smiling. His heart sank as Sunghoon’s hand slithered to your mid back, walking you into the Palace where chandeliers marked the ceilings like stars, and where more royals were gathered.

He almost followed, magnetised, but then, a voice called out.

“Won!” said the voice behind him. The figure strolled into his side with a hug. From the height and giggle, it was Leerae. The other three boys awkwardly floated away, giving them space.

Jungwon buried the discourse before it could sting. He needed a whole business day to map his feelings.

“Hey,” he said quietly, a hesitant hand landing on her upper back. She stiffened, retracting a little while clinging to his arm.

“You okay?” She asked curiously. He nodded; the flutters from before went dormant.

“You look good,” he said after a while. And at least that was true. She wore a white and emerald gown that cascaded to her ankles.

Nudging a proud elbow into him, she grinned, fully linking arms. “It’s custom. Sent by my mother in Tir Na Nog!”

He nodded without an ounce of intrigue, eyes wandering dangerously to the garden doors. She furrowed her brows, a hand on his other arm as she came before him. That got his attention.

“You seem distracted. Did something happen?” She asked, cautious.

“I’m fine,” he affirmed. At that, she melted and leaned in for a routine kiss, but Jungwon’s adrenaline broke through, and he dodged it gracefully.

Leerae pulled back with brittle bewilderment.

“I’m thirsty. Do you want anything to drink? I’ll go get it.” Jungwon stepped back.

She blinked, taken aback. “Sure. Some water would help.”

Jungwon flew up those steps.

—

YOU FELT OUT OF PLACE.

Not because of your attire, but because when you stood beside Sunghoon and his outrageously sparkly crown, it was bound to attract other eyes. But these people probably had no clue who you were. Maybe they did from the raging tabloids, but it didn’t matter. It was going to be negative either way.

An unknown girl smothered by the Prince Park Sunghoon while ladies lined up for him. Your mother, actually, had given such a delighted smile from across the room that you felt obligated to stay in place beside him as if you were his trophy.

That discomfort bubbled down below as you fiddled with the Sun bracelet. Honestly, you didn’t know why you wore it. It had peeked out from your jewellery stand, and without thinking, you had marked your wrist with it.

It seemed silly now. But it provided a soothing balm when you fiddled with it.

The girls weren’t here yet, so as you stood with him, you sought out your friends.

Sunghoon straightened, sparing a sneaky glance over your shiny eyes and cheeks before spotting your fingers and the new, pink set. “The nails look really good, by the way.” He subtly smirked.

You smiled a little. “Only because you chose this set,” you mumbled back quietly. “Thank you, by the way.”

“No problem.” He replied softly, meeting your gaze with duty. When you returned it, his admiration flashed brighter than the chandeliers. It was too much.

He didn’t hide it. And you didn’t know what to do with that information, and glanced away. Very quickly, you became distracted as Jungwon came into sight and strummed your heartstrings.

He was looking for something, lips pursed as he scoured the table of glass drinks with utmost concentration. A glass was already in his hands, so it meant that Leerae was here. Right.

She was a Princess. Someone well respected and well-versed in everything that came to magic. Leerae was a decisive force while your own thoughts argued over one decision.

For example, how she ditched you so easily over the potion project, and didn’t hesitate to leave you in loneliness.

You blinked at Jungwon, not knowing what you wanted. But then, he froze like he felt something brush over him, and gazed up, locking eyes. That alone was enough to suck you into the stars that made his mind. If you could explore just a little bit of that galaxy, maybe you wouldn’t be so disorganised in life.

His eyes twinkled just a little brighter when you held the gaze, heart thrumming louder in your chest, as if urging you to talk to him. But you couldn’t. So, you settled for staying there, magnetised without closing the distance.

Sunghoon glanced at your distracted gaze, following the steady path to see Jungwon standing with equal stability. Quiet fury flickered in chest. Sunghoon wasn’t stupid enough to be blind to Jungwon’s own actions, but he was going to stop it.

Swiftly hooking a hand around your arm, he tugged you back towards the garden door. Your fiddling abruptly stopped, and you snapped out of it.

“I want to show you our maze. Different flowers grow there,” Sunghoon said, ushering you forward.

“A maze?” you echoed, voice still struggling to keep up as you spared one last glance at Jungwon. He didn’t take his eyes off, however. His gaze treaded pleasantly at your back, but you ignored it.

“Yeah. My sister and I always got lost in there. We always played hide-and-seek,” he explained. Through the various colours of ballgowns and suits, you were outside again in the darker night, descending the steps to Sunghoon’s request.

On your left was the infamous maze, but on your right, your friends were already in a small circle and instantly spotted you. Hanni gawked while Minji waved exaggeratedly with a grin. You didn’t get to wave because Sunghoon’s hand slithered down your bare arm to engulf your hand with guidance.

He swallowed your fingers with his, leaving no room for movement. After passing through whispers of people, one of whom was Leerae, you walked faster until the entrance of the maze stood high with glittering lights.

Sunghoon led you into the path of hedges and petals, gradually eroding the anxiety sitting like a rock in your chest. And he was still holding your hand with certainty. No one had held your hand for so long and with such determination. The attention, however, blossomed pink petals to cluster about the crown of your head before you could even stop the guilty pleasure from reaching your brain.

Sunghoon slowed once the murmur of the crowd faded into clouds. “So, up to standard?” he asked, letting go of your hand to lean back on a hedge. Said hedge had patterns of pink, white, and gold roses.

“They’re beautiful,” you agreed, nodding. “And maintained.”

He grinned, eyes twinkling with that triumphant shimmer rather than the calm ones that belonged to Jungwon.

“You can tell?” He gazed with heavy interest, almost bruising into your side profile.

“I can. They smell sweet,” you said, ignoring the force of his attention, and cupping the soft petals in your palm. Your thumb brushed the green, rigid stem. “Strong as well. No drooping.”

“You’re good at this,” he murmured beneath a knowing, slow smile.

“I’m a nature fairy, Sunghoon,” you said, chuckling. Flirting like this was still a new territory to explore. Though Sunghoon’s blatant, resilient stare, the tender smile, and how his chest nearly brushed your shoulder were enough to tell you he was making the advances.

“Not what I meant.” He tucked a strand behind your ear, lingering with hope, and then brushed your jaw like a hidden letter.

He didn’t stop at your inquisitive gaze, reaching the pink clusters above your ears. They bled a deeper pink, making him slowly tilt his head. “You’re good at pulling me in.”

Inching closer, you backed up into the hedges until it looked as if you were in a bed of roses. Sunghoon found you pretty like this, and inched closer with intent, hovering over you with all smiles and a gentle voice.

“You’re resilient, and beautiful, and so…” he scanned your bewildered eyes, even pretty then. “… so kind.”

Flustered, you looked down, looking to fiddle with the bracelet, but instead of cold beads, you felt nothing. Panic briefly arose like thorns, eyes darting from one wrist to another, but Sunghoon, in all obliviousness, tipped your chin up to lock gazes. That fractured your breath.

Soon enough, his hand joined your cheek in union, the hope in his eyes flourishing at a speed you couldn’t keep up with. A thumb rubbed in a discernible shape, but under the sparks of your cheek, you couldn’t decide what you wanted right now.

Sunghoon was glorious. His features were arranged in harmony, like a Prince should have. Over the past few days, he was excessively generous without debt. But this was the biggest one. He was leading it up to this moment.

You should have been flattered, but all you found was a confusing puzzle you couldn’t piece. Just as he leaned in, eyes clouded, your shoulders locked up, and that initial appreciation hit your limbs with adrenaline.

Like a coward, you ran from his side, cheeks warm, hair blossoming with purple petals. Sunghoon stumbled, kissing a flower instead. Retreating, he wiped his lips with the back of a hand, disappointed. But, he didn’t give chase.

When you made it out after a few stressful turns, you bumped into Minji, and she turned with the other girls. You melted in relief.

“Where were you?” She asked, holding you firmly by the shoulders.

You tensed. Haerin spotted the violet in your hair. “Did something happen?”

The girls turned, expectant and silent. With no choice, you met their gazes.

“I think Sunghoon tried to kiss me.”

Hanni nearly fainted, but Dani held her arm without breaking her own shock. All the girls had their jaws dropped. Even Haerin.

—

Jungwon, to his dismay, was looking for you.

Well, it sounded weird, but it wasn’t. In his hand was the sun bracelet that you had lost at some point. Seeing it abandoned, Jungwon was determined to return it to you.

The only problem was that he couldn’t find you because Sunghoon had taken you somewhere. And he couldn’t find him either.

Around him, the boys talked and entertained themselves where the crowd was beginning to gather. The urgency to return it prickled him before it got too squished. His thumb relayed over the bead’s surface, as if he could corrode and find some balance of peace to take himself.

Leerae was somewhere with her friends, and he didn’t even care. That was the worst part. He didn’t care. How was he supposed to move past that conclusion? What was he supposed to do with that conclusion? A relationship couldn’t be built like that.

“Anyone know where Sunghoon is?” Jake asked, pushing his glasses up.

“Speeches, remember? Thousandth year of Eraklyon, so royal shit, I guess,” said Heeseung, fixing his black bowtie. Then, he diligently stole Jay’s drink right out of his hand. Jay’s smile vanished.

“That was mine—”

“Tradition this, tradition that. Why don’t we just wing it?” Riki crossed his arms with a grumble.

Sunoo scowled. “Why don’t you ask him?”

“I would if I could, but he’s gone,” Riki returned, dangerously nearing a quarrel.

Jay huffed, giving up as Heeseung hoarded his drink, and crossed his arms. “It’s not just tradition, Riki. It’s legacy. I read that this was the day the first-ever King courted his wife.”

“Yeah, I’m not that old,” Riki remarked with a raised brow. Jay rubbed the bridge of his nose, giving up with the younger one.

“Whatever.”

Jungwon heard it all before it went out of the other ear. Soon enough, he couldn’t hear them at all. Eager to find you, his eyes wandered intrusively over clusters of people before he found you and the pale petals blossomed in your hair.

Jungwon looked back at his friends and, when he found them busy, he floated away and through the crowd. The bracelet was cradled in his palm, close to his torso, as if glass.

He saw you more clearly now after excusing himself. Your back was to him, displaying those shoulder blades that corrupted every pillar of calm, and you were deep in conversation with your friends. Though he couldn’t even tell what colour they wore. He only saw your sweet, pink gown rippling off your body.

Bracelet. That was the goal.

Exhaling for a few seconds, Jungwon had only taken two strides before the garden lanterns dimmed, and spotlights hit the upper floors of the Palace. People quietened instantly, facing forward. Jungwon had no choice and followed.

The garden doors opened to reveal King and Queen Park, Princess Yerin, who was Sunghoon’s younger sister, and Sunghoon himself, descending the steps with a silent demand of respect.

Out of the corner of his eye, you were closer than he thought. Gripping the bracelet, he decided the bracelet could be returned after the speech. After all, it couldn’t take that long. Jungwon forced himself to face the royal family, even if Sunghoon’s presence set a fuse off.

King Park smiled at the crowd, his voice reaching miles beyond. “Welcome, everyone, and thank you for coming. Today marks the thousandth year of Eraklyon becoming an established Kingdom. Along with today, Eraklyon has proudly helped our neighbouring Kingdom, Karunda.”

Jungwon stared at Sunghoon. It felt petty to ignore him. What if what he had said was true? Sighing, Jungwon broke out of it as the King droned on about scholarships, rebuilding the country, and the truce with Melody. But Jungwon followed the path of Sunghoon’s own focus.

It led to you. You stood there with shoulders strung together with untold tension, eyes hesitant as it flickered by the family, and your one hand engulfing your empty wrist. It only made Jungwon’s heart ache as he yearned to give back the bracelet. Not yet.

“And now, my Son has a very important announcement to make,” the King said heartily. Sunghoon stepped forward as the crowd murmured in interest. It pulled Jungwon’s attention, too.

“Thank you, Father. Tonight, I want to carry on a legacy,” said Sunghoon, making Jungwon’s mind flash white with alarm. Legacy? The boys had been talking about it before, and Jay had said the King courted the person he liked.

Tonight, when thinking of Sunghoon, he had been magnetised to your hip half the time. Jungwon’s stomach twisted with erratic discomfort as his breath hitched.

The crowd burst into small conversations again.

Sunghoon smiled, eyes darting to yours again with such blistering resolution that your shoulders tightened into a painful knot. Your fingers tightened over your wrist.

“Thankfully, I know a very beautiful girl has come here tonight,” he said softly.

The crowd was beginning to grow louder, half excitement and half suspicion. Jungwon’s guts didn’t feel so good, and his fingers tightened over the sun bracelet.

Sunghoon took it as a sign and began to descend the stairs. Once reaching the ground, people parted automatically, hushed conversations following as Sunghoon made his way to you. Jungwon’s heart stopped as you stepped back once, intimidated, trying to disappear.

“And I wish for one thing, if she would give it to me,” Sunghoon continued, stopping right before you, eyes glittering with expectation.

You glanced at the crowd once, bewilderment gripping your chest. “Sunghoon—” you tried to whisper.

That went over his head because he wasn’t done. He got onto one knee, still smiling. The whole audience gasped audibly. You nearly jumped back in surprise, becoming ice, trying to piece something so obvious together.

Your friends nearly screamed. Jungwon nearly screamed, but he refrained from shouting in confusion.

Despite your clear alarm, Sunghoon held out a hand.

“I want to court you, Jeon Y/n. Would you accept?”

This was crazy. One part of yourself told you it was a simulation, and you were about to get slapped into reality. But then, you heard Riki over the commotion, saying, “Did I hear that right?”, and you knew it was absolutely real.

He was waiting. So many questions stormed through your head. Several scenarios of how this could end terribly made chaos among your thoughts. If you rejected Sunghoon, you would embarrass yourself and him. But how could you accept?

Sure, Sunghoon had been nothing but nice, offering parts of his charm to you in different hangouts, but this?

Courting? You? A non-princess? The girl from the tabloids?

Still having remnants of shock in the system, you looked around for a trusted adult. When you found your mother, she had the most beaming face ever. Everything opposite to your inner turmoil.

You looked elsewhere, but the unfamiliar faces closed in, and the pressure on your shoulders felt aggravating until each stare weighed a thousand boulders. You caved.

Your hand crept out, hesitantly landing atop his palm, and as soon as it did, Sunghoon stood with triumph sparkling through his smile. Applause and more murmurs among the crowd exploded throughout the royal yard, freezing you to the spot even more.

Sunghoon, in all his audacity, kissed your knuckles, head bent and everything. Despite all that, your whole body stayed frozen. None of his kisses melted you to react or to speak. You couldn’t. Because this was too surreal and too quick. The ground beneath you felt like it was gone within a second.

You had no idea if anyone saw it at all.

But Jungwon did.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱‧₊˚━━━━━━━━━━━━━

ִֶָ࣪☾. << M.LIST >> ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐

۶ৎ───[NOTES] : Okay so. I had the fattest writers block that I had to constantly proof-read it so that I could be satisfied. But, yeah. How did you guys find this chapter? Oh, I am so excited to write the future chapters and thank you for reading!!

🎀 REBLOGS, LIKES +COMMENTS are appreciated <3

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