#twilight!au

The weather is shit on Wednesday, so you offer to drive the girls again because your car is most suited for the onslaught of water. 

Victoria sits in the passenger seat, scrolling on her phone absentmindedly. Naomi sits behind you, eyes on her notes and brows scrunched as Rachel drones on and on about the “dude in art” who’d taken Victoria’s place as her partner. 

“For the millionth time, his name’s Jason,” Victoria sighs, clicking her phone screen off and rolling her eyes. 

“Doesn’t matter,” Rachel hums, “at least Jason had the stones to be my partner.” 

“You weren’t taking the assignment seriously at all, Rachel.” 

“Professor Modez told us to let our hands work faster than our brains.” 

Victoria snaps her mouth shut, and you work hard not to laugh at the possible comebacks she had in her arsenal.

“So,” you start, “Jason… are you like, into him?” 

Rachel scoffs loudly, shaking her head rapidly, “God no. I just appreciated that he was willing to partner up.” 

Victoria shoots you a look of exhaustion before facing out the passenger window, her expression changing from annoyance to bewilderment. “Jesus, how rich are they?” 

You crane your neck to see who, or what, she’s looking at as you pull into the campus parking lot. 

“Sheesh, that must be a new one,” Rachel whispers. “A Royce? Really?” 

It’s a nice car. Expensive. You can tell just from your quick glance-over. 

You pull into a spot diagonally where the “fucking Rolls-Royce Wraith,” as Rachel so adequately put it, is parked, and watch as Namjoon steps out of the driver’s seat. Yoongi (you think) exits the passenger side as a BMW pulls up next to them, and the rest of the Kims, minus Taehyung, step out of the vehicle as Seokjin shuts off the engine.

“Wow,” Rachel sighs. “Must be nice.” 

You shake your head and shut your engine off, decidedly not gawking at the cars, and Kims, parked across from you. “Let’s just get to class.” 

“Sure thing,” Victoria answers, following after you with Naomi and Rachel close behind.

“A fucking Wraith, Vic,” Rachel whispers, and you huff out a breath.

With Wednesday mirroring your Monday schedule, you start the day with intro. to drama once more.

You run a few minutes late, having been caught up in conversation with Victoria, so by the time the bell rings to signal the beginning of the day, you’re stuck in the closest empty seat to the door- on the side of Jungkook that Seokjin isn’t occupying. Your only other immediate option? The empty seat on the other side of Kim Seokjin. Did no one sit next to these guys ever? Really? 

The differences between the two Kims are there, but it’s the similarities that captivate you during the beginning of class. Their movements are completed before you have time to register they’re happening, precise-  like Jimin’s had been with the charcoal the day prior- and too smooth for how cramped the desks are. There’s a beauty to the way they move, an inhuman beauty. 

“Taehyung will be upset he missed this,” Jungkook says under his breath, clearly directing the comment to Seokjin as Professor Phillips speaks about Shakespeare between the rows of desks. 

“He’s probably watching French Films at home while he… gets better,” Seokjin replies quietly. 

The pause was pointed, but you try your best to seem unfazed, schooling your features into those of someone paying their utmost attention to their professor, yet you can still feel the drop of the side of your mouth at the comment. 

“Today, my star pupils, we’ll be running through some lines from Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.” The class is a mix of groans and excited chatter, “Listen up, listen up… you’ll be working in groups of three. Run through the lines on the papers in front of you a few times, get comfortable with them, and pick your favorite. We’ll do some quick demonstrations before class is out,” he waits for the groans to die down this time, “and then I’ll clue you all in on your major assignment for this semester.” 

You pick up the papers in front of you, moving to stand, when Jungkook clears his throat from next to you. 

“You could work with us,” he offers. 

Your eyes land on his, wide and confused, “What about your brother?” 

“My brother?” Jungkook responds, equally confused, before realization dawns. “Oh, Taehyung?” 

You nod, catching Seokjin’s head shaking out of the corner of your eyes. “Yeah. Him.”

“He’s sick. We can always partner up with him later,” Jungkook smiles. “You can at least work with us today… only if you want to, of course.” 

The way he says it feels almost like a challenge, and your heart stammers when you lift your eyes to meet Jungkook’s, finding that Seokjin is already staring you down from his side. Like he knows your answer.

“Fine.” 

“Alright then.” Jungkook smirks. 

Seokjin laughs lightly, the sound musical and bright, and taps the ends of his bunched papers against the desk to straighten them. 

It was awkward at first, what with the brief glances you thought you caught Jungkook shooting towards the vacant seat opposite Seokjin (he’d always had his eyes right back on you or Jin the moment you’d thought you finally caught him) and the feeling of Kim Seokjin monitoring you for the entirety of the exercise.

And it’s not that that made you feel small, or lesser, or childish in any sense. You just felt more aware somehow. Of yourself and of the short distance between you and the youngest and oldest Kim. Aware of how the space curls tighter than it may be around the three of you. Aware of their stillness when they’re not running the lines prompted, or adjusting their posture after you’ve already done so twice.

You’re aware that you sit straighter. That your mind liquifies the few odd times that Jungkook decides to offer you a knowing smile and flip his stupid fucking lip ring he loves so much with his tongue when he catches you looking. And Seokjin-- yeah, he watches you. Says his lines with such carefree perfection that you find yourself hoping to see him fuck up, if only once.

An hour (and some odd Hamlet scenes) later, you start at the slight tap to your shoe, stifling your yip of surprise as you meet Jungkook’s crooked smirk. “Your turn,” he whispers. 

You offer a weak smile in apology, nodding your head as you shift into your Ophelia voice, 

“Good my lord, 

How does your Honor for this many a day?” 

Jungkook’s answering line is rehearsed with precision and the sort of emotion some professional actors can only dream of one day displaying. 

“Doesn’t excelling at everything get boring?” you ask him after settling back in your seats. Thankfully, your group had not been among the three chosen to demonstrate before the class.

“Jealous?” He asks, eyebrow raised.

“Of acting? No. Never been my forte. The drawing, maybe,” you nod, referencing the shared art class from the previous day. “But not acting… I just- I can’t imagine it’s very thrilling to not have goals to work to because you’re already so perfect at everything.” You explain. 

Jungkook offers a small shrug, “Maybe sometimes. I’ve also had time to practice.” 

“Right,” you laugh dryly. “Because I’m supposed to believe you’re not just gifted?” 

His eyebrow raises again, and he motions for you to continue. 

“You don’t act like you’ve had to work for it. The talent. It’s like you just have it. Naturally, or whatever.” 

Jungkook shakes his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, “or whatever,” he whispers to himself. 

“So you’re not an artist?” Seokjin asks from Jungkook’s opposite side. 

You sputter a laugh, “uh, no. Not exactly.” You jam a thumb Jungkook’s way, “he can attest to that.” 

“It wasn’t awful,” he tries to reason.

“Don’t gas me up. It was atrocious,” you shake your head, meeting Seokjin’s eyes, “I drew Jimin completely wrong. He looked like he was going through anaphylaxis on my paper.”

“Some might call that an improvement where Jimin’s concerned,” Seokjin smiles.

“Yeah?” 

Jungkook shifts into your space slowly, the smell of him- cherries and frosted pine- hits you like a train. “Jin and Jimin bicker a lot,” he explains.

“We do not,” Jin snaps quickly and quietly, folding his papers neatly into his notebook as Professor Phillips winds down the class. The major assessment, you learn, is getting in groups of four and performing an entire act from a play of your choosing. 

“They’re bickering currently. He’s touchy on it, clearly,” Jungkook smirks, leaning over to press a reassuring hand against Jin’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Jin. Namjoon will mediate later, like always, and I’m sure Jimin will give your earbuds back to you.” 

Jin narrows his eyes at Jungkook, but whispers in a tone that borders on concerned, “I don’t even know why he takes them. It’s gross. He has his own.”

“Simple. Yours are more expensive,” Jungkook smirks, turning to Professor Phillips before he nears your table. 

Noting the way that Jungkook and Jin busy themselves with checking their phones and chatting quietly amongst each other, you turn to your professor. 

“We didn’t have time to catch up yesterday after class,” Professor Phillips smiles, nodding his head in acknowledgment at Jungkook when he looks between the two of you. “On how the class went,” Phillips explains at your confused stare.

“Oh,” your brows furrow, “I didn’t know I was supposed to get with you on that.” 

“You weren’t,” he replies swiftly, “Not supposed to, at least. I just wanted to check in on you, since I know your dad.”

You tense a little at that bit of information being tossed out without warning. It’s not that it’s incriminating for your professor to know your father, because it’s not, but maybe there’s a kernel of you that didn’t want your classmates knowing you had, albeit loose, ties to a member of staff. Jungkook clears his throat softly to the side of you, and you’re unsure of whether it was an attempt to end the conversation or to just let you know he was still there. Regardless, Phillips pays him no mind, instead keeping his attention on you. 

Thankfully, no other students are concerned about your encounter. Most had filed out, and the few stragglers were either striking up conversations with each other to avoid heading to their next class or playing on their phones like Jin and Jungkook appeared to still be doing. 

“Yesterday went fine,” you tell Professor Phillips tightly, plastering a nice smile on your face. “Today went fine, too.” 

“And this class?” 

“It’s been good so far,” you tell him, trying to ignore the mental preening your words seem to do to his ego. Men.

“Glad to hear it,” he smiles, “if you need anything at all, you can always stop by and ask. I’d love to help in whatever ways I can.” 

Gross.

“Thanks, Professor Phillips,” you say, emphasizing the title. He offers you another smile before heading back towards his desk. 

Your nails bite into your palms as you stand up, bookbag slung over your shoulder. 

“Thanks for letting me partner with you guys today,” you tell the two Kims before stalking out of the room. You choose to ignore the look Jin shot your way, the way he seemed almost apologetic.

10:05 do u think i’ll get suspended or kicked out if i drink on campus

The near-instant bubbles that pop up on the text thread between you and Victoria reveal that she’d gotten your message right away. Your shoulders relax a bit as you stalk towards the breezeways that will lead you to your astronomy class. 

10:06 serious question? prob kicked out. idk that they do the whole fool me once fool me twice fool me three times bullshit here. too small for ppl to be acting like delinquents 

You react to her text with a crying emoji before opening the door to your next class. 

It’s almost full due to your late departure from drama. You sigh as you settle into a chair close to the exit, pulling out your notebook and trying to ignore the look of concern on Namjoon’s face from across the room as you recalibrate. He frowns, small but there, before pulling out his phone. 

Whatever. 

Professor Jones doesn’t encroach on your personal space. Doesn’t ask you how your previous day went, or hint that she knows any of your family members (because she doesn’t) in the presence of your classmates. She just does her job. Like an instructor should, a small part of you echoes.

You find that you genuinely enjoy the time spent in her classroom. And even though Namjoon was nice enough the day prior, you also find yourself appreciating the space between the two of you. You liked learning, and you could admit that doing so had been proven perhaps a tad difficult when the Kims were surrounding you. 

Professor Jones ends the lecture with questions you clearly cannot answer here and now. Spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies, and irregular galaxies all seem the same to you. The sun will eventually die. Andromeda will merge with the Milky Way. The cosmos is a wondrous, vast thing. And you were just a blip in its existence. Small. Inconsequential. Not an insult, just fact. 

You peer down at your phone as people start filtering out of the room, replying to the group text between you and the three others to reassure them that yes, you would still be driving everyone home. 

“You all good?” 

You don’t have to look up to know it’s Namjoon asking you the question. Partially because his voice stands out, but also partially due to the simple fact that you’d spoken with none of the other students in the class. 

“Don’t you have a squabble to be refereeing?” 

“What?” 

The tone of his voice has you looking up at him. He’d put on a pair of glasses at some point during the lecture, and you’re stunned by them because they look good. Namjoon stiffens slightly, almost as if he’d caught on to your wandering thoughts, so you shove them away with fervor before meeting his eyes again. 

“Jimin stole Jin’s earbuds or something.” 

“Again?” 

You laugh, “supposedly so.” 

“He has his own,” Namjoon says with a shake of his head. 

“They’re not expensive enough,” you offer Jungkook’s earlier reasoning, and Namjoon suppresses a wide smile with a small one. You’d be lying if you claimed not to be disappointed in his doing so. 

“Thanks for the heads up,” he says softly. “But seriously, you good?” 

“I’m good,” you nod, adding after a moment, “it’s just been a long morning.” 

Namjoon accepts your answer with a nod of his own, but doesn’t press the matter.

“My friends were fawning over your car this morning,” you tell him when he lingers near your desk. He steps gracefully out of your way as you stand up and gather your things. 

“I’ve had it for a bit,” Namjoon says with what sounds like embarrassment. “I only drove it this morning because the others wouldn’t stop arguing about who was driving.” 

“Ah,” you tip your head. “Egos.” 

“Something like that,” he chuckles. The sound is low, and bordering on pretty. “Jungkook just got his car, so he jumps at the opportunity whenever it’s offered. I think the others end up wanting to drive theirs just to annoy him… or to avoid his speeding.” 

“Even Taehyung?” 

Namjoon tenses at the mention of Taehyung, but recovers so quickly you wonder if you’d seen it. “Even Tae.” He’s silent for a moment before continuing, “I heard about your run-in with him yesterday. I’m sorry about that.” 

“No need,” you wave off his apology. 

“Taehyung isn’t usually so…” he trails off. 

“Dickish?” You offer the word from Victoria’s dictionary.

He laughs fully as you guys exit the classroom, “Sure, dickish. But really, he’s a good guy. He’s just going through some stuff at the moment.” 

“Mmm,” you nod. “I didn’t think it was something I did, for what it’s worth,” a lie, but there was truth behind it. You hadn’t done anything wrong. You just ran into the guy accidentally. From the display at the assembly and drama afterwards, you’d assumed Taehyung’s distaste for you ran deeper than your stumble. 

“Good. It wasn’t.”

“Jin said Taehyung’s getting better?”

“Yeah, he’s got the stomach flu.” 

“That sucks. I didn’t know that was getting passed around right now. I hope I don’t get it.” You shiver, remembering the short physical contact you shared with Taehyung.

“Vaccinated?”

“Duh.” 

“That helps,” Namjoon smirks.

“Doesn’t mean I want to spend the next two days on the bathroom floor,” you grimace.

“That does sound pretty miserable.” He replies as you near the parking lot. “Your roommates will take care of you if you get sick, right?” 

“At least two of them.” 

“The other?” 

“Not so much,” you sigh.

You try to avoid the three sets of eyes that burn holes into your head from your car as you descend the steps to the lot… and the additional five sets that come from the two luxury cars across the way. From the way Namjoon shifts his balance (gracefully, mind you) from one foot to the other, you can tell he’s doing the same. 

“Well, if you get sick, I’m sorry.” Namjoon offers kindly, “But I have a feeling you won’t.” 

“I admire the optimism,” you exhale. “Thanks for checking on me,” you add awkwardly, “I don’t really know people here.” 

“It’s no problem, really.” He reassures you. “See you in class?” 

“Yeah,” you nod, “see you.” 

“Kim fucking Namjoon, Victoria!” 

“I heard you the first ten times, Rachel.” Victoria groans. 

“I’m right here,” you whisper, signaling to turn out of the parking lot. “Like, literally right here. Am I invisible? A ghost?” 

Naomi shakes her head from the passenger seat, offering you a weak smile and a mouthed sorry.

“I just don’t get it.” Rachel sighs. 

“Anyways,” Victoria drawls, eyes locking onto yours in the rearview as she ends the conversation with Rachel. “I need to go to the bookstore before it closes tonight. You wanna go?” 

“Absolutely,” you nod. 

“Oooh, can I tag along? I’ve been meaning to get the new ACOTAR book.” Naomi perks up. 

“Sure thing, we can take my car now that the weather is behaving.” Victoria smiles. 

“What about me?” Rachel asks. 

“You want to go to the bookstore?” Victoria gapes.

“Well, yeah? I do read, you know.”

“Yeah?” 

“Listen, I get that I’m a bitch, but I can enjoy reading, too. The two things aren’t mutually exclusive. A bitch can read.” 

Despite your feelings regarding Rachel, you laugh. And the others do, too. 

“The new ACOTAR is good, by the way,” Rachel tells Naomi before popping her earbuds in and leaning back in her seat. 

“Today’s weird.” Naomi’s words settle into the space of the car, and you can only offer her a nod before you turn on the radio and axe any possibility of the girls furthering in their questioning on Namjoon Kim.

The bookstore is quiet and warm, the shelves line the walls to the ceiling, and are stocked full of books, both new and used. 

Your eye catches on a few, and you do a quick check of your bank account before allowing yourself to grab three of the five that caught your fancy, one of which you’ve read before but have yet to own. Naomi and Rachel are both standing near the Sarah J Maas corner, eyeing Throne of Glass novels with intense interest, whilst you and Victoria stand near the coffee and hot chocolate maker that’s neighboring the register counter. 

“It’s free, right?” You ask as Vic pours some of the hot chocolate mix into her hot water. 

“Yep,” she nods. “It’s a huge selling point here.” 

You chew on your bottom lip before pouring your own cup. Stirring the mix in with one of the little plastic stirrers, you turn to your friend, almost dropping your cup when you notice Jimin standing near the historical section of the shop with Jin. Neither of them appears wounded, so you assume Namjoon had done his job of mediator well enough.

Jimin catches your eye just before you turn away and smiles at you, waving his acknowledgment and pointing you out to Jin. Jin, bless him, nods once before refocusing on the books in front of him.

“They’re everywhere lately,” Vic whispers, sipping at her flimsy cup. “It’s like you summon them.” 

“That’d be a fucking pointless power,” you shake your head, and Vic laughs. “They’re probably just looking for a book for a class or something.” 

“Mhm,” she nods, but seems unconvinced. “Any of them catch your fancy yet?” 

“Are you joking?” You scoff at her, but even to you the sound seems flat and weightless. 

“It’s just a question,” she smirks, and you catch Jimin looking your way again. 

“I’m not justifying it with an answer.” 

“Listen, all I’m saying is… I haven’t seen a single Kim look at anyone on campus or back in high school the way they look at you.” 

“We’ve been in class for a few days, dude.” 

“I’m not claiming it makes sense,” Vic shrugs. “Just want to be transparent with you. I mean, I guess I have only seen you around Jungkook and Jimin. But even Namjoon today? He looked like he was interested with the way he escorted you to your car.” 

“Okay, technically, he only walked with me to the lot, and it’s not like that. With any of them.” 

“You sure?” 

“One hundred percent.” 

“So… is that why Jimin’s walking over to us now?” She asks with a quirked brow and a sneaky smirk.

You snap your mouth shut and pause stirring your hot chocolate to smile at Jimin as he walks up. He’s completely relaxed, hands in his jacket pockets, none the wiser to your conversation with Victoria moments prior, but there’s an aura to him that seems almost cocky when he smiles back at you… like he’s caught you in a trap. Up close, he smells faintly clean, something soft and floral that cuts through the aroma of hot chocolate wafting up from your cup. 

“Hey,” he says, voice light, like he’s not interrupting anything at all. His eyes flick briefly to Vic before they settle again on you. “Sorry--do you mind if I ask you something?” 

Victoria’s elbow nudges into your side, subtle but intentional. The witch. 

“Depends,” you reply, brow lifted. “Is it weird?” 

Jimin’s lips curve, just slightly, and his eyes crinkle into those half moons that have you wanting to swoon. “I don’t think so.” 

“That’s what people who ask weird stuff usually say,” you mutter, but there’s no bite to your words.

“I’m looking for something new to read,” he continues, like you hadn’t said anything at all. “You seemed… decisive earlier.” His gaze drops to the books tucked against your side before running the length of your torso and neck back to your face. “Figured I’d ask.” 

There’s something about the way he says it, earlier, that makes your stomach twist faintly.

Victoria hums beside you, far too pleased with herself. You side-eye her, hoping it stings, but not really. 

“Well,” you start, shifting your weight, “depends on what you’re into. Fantasy? Romance? Something that’ll emotionally devastate you for no reason?” 

“Dealer’s choice,” jimin says easily. “What would you recommend?” 

You narrow your eyes at him slightly, like you’re trying to figure out if this is a trick question. “That sounds like a setup.” 

“It’s not,” he assures you, tone softening just a fraction. “I just want your opinion.” 

Your grip tightens slightly around the cup in your hand. There’s the feeling again, like he’s not just asking about the damn books in the shop. 

Victoria clears her throat lightly. “She’s got good taste,” she offers, casual, like she didn’t enjoy every second of this torture. “Even if she won’t admit it.” 

You shoot her another withering glare, and she just smiles in response.

“Do you?” Jimin asks, attention never leaving you. 

“I mean,” you shrug, trying to play it off and end this conversation before it really builds, “I don’t pick terrible ones. Not particularly fantastic ones, either.” 

“That’s not what I asked,” he smirks. 

There’s a beat. A small one. But it stretches somehow. 

You swallow, then glance down at the books between your arm and side, using them as an anchor. “This one’s good,” you say, setting your cup on the counter to hold your previous read up slightly. “It’s more character-driven, kinda slow at first, but it picks up. And this--” you tilt another towards him, “this one’s supposed to be pure chaos. In a good way,” you amend. “I haven’t actually read it yet.” 

Jimin leans in to look, closer than necessary, his shoulder almost brushing yours. “Chaos,” he repeats, thoughtful. “I can work with that.” 

Your breath catches, not noticeably, you hope, but enough that you shift back half a step without meaning to.

He notices. Of course he does.

But he doesn’t comment. 

Instead, he straightens, eyes flicking once more over your face before he smiles again, softer this time. “Thanks. I’ll trust your judgment.”

“Bold move,” you mutter. 

Victoria snorts quietly into her cup. 

Jimin’s gaze lingers a second longer than it should. “Not really,” he says. “You don’t seem like someone who recommends things lightly.” 

The feeling is there again, like this conversation is about more than simply just books.

“Guess you’ll find out,” you reply, forcing a small smile. 

“I think I will,” he nods, a slight dip of his head, and steps back, the space between you easing in a way that feels almost immediate. Like you hadn’t realized how close he was until he wasn’t anymore. 

“I’ll let you get back to it,” he adds, glancing back at Victoria briefly. “Nice seeing you again.” 

Victoria perks up just enough to smile back. “You too.” 

Jimin turns, heading back toward the shelves where Jin still stands, flipping a page he doesn’t seem to be reading. And just before Jimin fully disappears down the aisle he’d been standing close to originally with Jin, he glances back. Not at Victoria. At you. 

Victoria exhales next to you, low and impressed. “Yeah,” she murmurs. “That was totally about books.” 

You collect your hot chocolate from the counter and stare down at it in your hands, watching the surface ripple slightly. 

“Shut up.” 

But your voice lacks conviction. Victoria says something back, something quick, teasing, but it blurs before it fully lands. The words slide past you like water over glass, distorted and distant. 

Your fingers tighten again over the paper cup in your hand. The bookstore feels too warm, suddenly. Or maybe you’re just aware of it now. The heat from the cup bleeding into your palm, the faint hum of the overhead lights, the soft shuffle of pages turning somewhere deeper in the aisles. It all presses in at once, like your senses have decided to wake up all at the same time. 

Your heart stutters. Not fast, not slow… just off, a bit. 

You swallow, but your throat feels dry, which doesn’t make sense because you just took a sip. The taste of chocolate lingers, too sweet now, sitting heavy on your tongue. And for a second, just one second, you can still feel it. The space where Jimin had been standing. So close. So aware. 

You blink, once, twice, forcing your gaze to refocus on the swirling liquid in the cup.

“Hey,” Victoria’s voice cuts in clearer this time, closer. 

You inhale, slow and deliberate, like you’re reminding your body how to do it properly. The noise of the bookstore filters back in, piece by piece, Naomi’s voice somewhere nearby, Rachel laughing at something, the soft beep of the register. Normal.

“Earth to YN,” Vic murmurs, bumping her shoulder lightly against yours. “You good?” 

“Peachy,” you say with a shake of your head, taking another careful sip of your hot chocolate like it might ground you back into your body. It doesn’t. At least not fully.

“Mm,” she hums, unconvinced. 

Before she can say anything else, Naomi and Rachel reappear from around the corner of the aisle, both of them clutching books to their chests like they’d just robbed the place blind. 

“Got ‘em,” Naomi beams, holding up her copy. “They had, like, three different editions, and I almost lost my mind trying to pick one.” 

“Same,” Rachel adds, though her attention is already drifting, eyes narrowing slightly as they flick between you and Victoria. “What’d we miss?” 

“Nothing,” you answer immediately.

“Everything,” Vic says at the same exact time.

Rachel’s head tilts, interest piqued instantly. “Oh, now I know that’s a lie,” she smiles at you, sickly sweet. 

Naomi’s gaze lingers on you a second longer than necessary, something softer there, curious but not pushy. “Was that Jimin?” She asks gently. 

You sigh, tossing your hot chocolate into the trash bin next to the aisle. “Can we not do this here?” 

Victoria snorts again into her cup. 

“I’m just asking,” Naomi says, though she’s clearly already piecing it together. “He came over, right?” 

Rachel perks up like she’s just been handed a live wire. “Wait-- he came over? To you?” 

“It was nothing,” you insist, starting towards the register before they can circle you any further. “He asked for a book recommendation. That’s it.” 

“That’s it,” Victoria echoes under her breath, far too amused. 

Rachel hurries to keep up with you, nearly bumping into your shoulder. “And you just… gave one to him? Like a normal person?” 

“What was I supposed to do, Rachel? Gatekeep literature?” you shoot back, exasperation finally bleeding through your tone. 

“I don’t know,” she shrugs, unfazed. “Be interesting about it.” 

Naomi laughs softly behind you, stepping up beside the two of you as the line for the register comes into view. “Pretty sure being approached in a bookstore is already interesting enough.” 

“Thank you,” you mutter, shooting her a grateful look. 

Rachel crosses her arms, still eyeing you like you’re withholding classified information. “Did he flirt with you?” 

“No.” 

Victoria makes a small noise. 

You cut her a look. 

“What?” she shrugs innocently. “I’m just breathing.” 

“You’re not subtle,” you hiss. 

“Wasn’t trying to be.”

The line moves quicker than expected, and before Rachel can dig her claws in any deeper, you’re setting your books down on the counter, Vic getting in line behind you. The cashier smiles politely as she scans them, Naomi and Rachel stepping up beside you to do the same, both still buzzing over their ACOTAR finds. You swipe your friends’ books from their grasp with ease, motioning for the cashier to scan them as well.

“That’ll be--” the cashier starts, and you tap your card against the reader before she can finish.

Naomi gasps softly. “You didn’t have to do that.” 

“I wanted to,” you shrug. “Consider it a ‘thanks for not interrogating me like a suspect’ bonus.” 

Rachel scoffs. “I haven’t even started yet.” 

“I know,” you sigh. “Yours was a bribe.” 

Victoria laughs outright at that, grabbing her book and tucking it against her side. “Smart. Preemptive damage control.” 

You collect your books, tucking them securely under your arm as you push the door open with a shoulder. The bell above jingles softly, the warm air of the shop giving way to the cool evening outside.

Naomi and Rachel trail behind you, already slipping back into conversation about plotlines and characters, their voices easy and familiar. Victoria nudges your arm again as you step off the curb.

“You’re not beating the allegations, by the way,” she whispers. 

“I’m not entertaining them,” you shoot back.

“Too late for that.” 

You roll your eyes, tightening your grip on your books as you head toward the car. For a moment, everything feels normal again, just a late evening, a bookstore run, your friends’ voices filling the space around you. But as you reach for the car door, something pulls at your attention. A feeling more than anything. 

You glance back. 

Through the bookstore window, between the tall shelves and soft lighting, you catch a glimpse of him. 

Jimin. 

Standing exactly where he'd left you. Already looking at you.

“YN?” Naomi calls, hand halfway to the rear passenger door. 

“Yeah,” you answer quickly, tearing your gaze from the bookstore window and sliding into the passenger seat. “Coming.” 

The door shuts, sealing you inside the quiet hum of the car as Victoria starts the engine. 

Warm air, familiar voices. Normal. 

Your eyes fix straight ahead as Victoria peels out of the parking lot. And pointedly do not look back again.

The apartment greets you with warmth the second you step inside. 

It’s immediate, like crossing some invisible threshold. The soft hum of the heater, the faint scent of something Victoria must have sprayed earlier, the low glow of the lamp in the living room casting everything in a golden haze. It feels smaller than it did this morning. Safer.

“Shoes,” Naomi reminds gently, toeing hers off by the door.

“Right,” you nod, kicking yours off and nudging them into place with your heel. 

Rachel disappears into the kitchen almost immediately, already rummaging through cabinets. Victoria follows, calling out something about snacks, and Naomi lingers just long enough to brush your arm lightly as she passes. 

“You okay?” she asks, soft enough that it doesn’t carry over to eager ears. 

You nod. “Just tired.” 

She studies you for a half second longer, then smiles. “We’ll keep it lowkey tonight.” 

“Please.”

The kitchen quickly fills with a clink of glasses and the rustle of packaging. By the time you drop your bag in your room and come back out, Rachel is already pouring wine into mismatched cups, her earlier edge softened. 

“Study night,” she announces, like she’s hosting something official. “With benefits.” 

“Benefits being?” Vic asks, grabbing a cup and raising a pointed brow. 

“Alcohol,” Rachel smirks, sliding a cup your way from across the counter. 

“Ah,” you hum, taking it. “Academic excellence.” 

Naomi laughs, settling onto the couch with her books spread neatly in front of her. “If we fail, we can at least say we tried.” 

“Speak for yourselves,” Rachel says, flopping onto the armchair. “I plan on passing and thriving.” 

“You plan on gossiping,” Victoria corrects, dropping beside Naomi and cracking open her notebook. 

“Multitasking,” Rachel shoots back.

You settle onto the floor with your back against the couch, your books fanned out in front of you, wine balanced carefully in your hand. The quiet that follows isn’t uncomfortable. It’s easy. Pages flipping, pens scratching, the occasional sigh or muttered complaint filling the space between sips. 

For a while, it almost feels like nothing happened. Like the day didn’t stretch and twist in all the ways it had. 

Naomi leans over at one point, pointing at something in your notes. “You missed this part,” she murmurs. 

“Did I?” you frown, scooting closer. 

“Yeah-- here,” she taps the page you’d been dead-eyeing in your textbook. “It connects to the next section you started on.” 

“God, I’m blind,” you mutter, scribbling it down. “Thanks.” 

“You’re distracted,” Vic says lightly, not even looking up from her own work. 

“I’m not distracted,” you argue automatically.

Rachel snorts. You ignore her. Another stretch of quiet passes. Comfortable until it isn’t.

“So,” Rachel starts, far too casually.

You don’t look up. “No.” 

“I didn’t even say anything yet.” 

“You were going to,” you reply, flipping a page a little harder than necessary.

“I was just going to ask a question.” 

“No.” 

Victoria huffs out a laugh, shaking her head. 

Naomi nudges Rachel lightly with her foot. “Maybe give it a rest?” 

“I’m just curious,” Rachel insists, sitting forward. “You cannot expect me not to be when--” 

“When what?” you snap, the words sharper than you meant for them to be. 

The room stills. 

Rachel blinks at you, clearly caught off guard. 

You exhale through your nose, dragging a hand through your hair. “It’s nothing, Rachel. They’re just people. I had a couple of conversations today. That’s it.” 

“That’s not how it looks,” she says, quieter now, but still pushing. “They don’t talk to anyone. Ever. And suddenly--” 

“And suddenly what?” you cut in, heat rising in your chest before you can stop it. “They talk to me and it’s some big conspiracy? Maybe they’re just being nice. Maybe I’m just there.” 

“That’s not what I--” 

“I don’t know them,” you continue, the words coming faster now. “I don’t care if they’re hot or rich or whatever else you’re fixating on. It’s not a thing. There is no ‘thing.’ Can we please just drop it?” 

Silence that weighs heavily this time consumes the small space in the living room. 

Rachel’s mouth presses into a thin line. For a second, it looks like she might argue, push harder, dig deeper. She doesn’t.

“Fine,” she says instead, standing abruptly and grabbing her cup along with her notebook. “Didn’t realize it was that serious.” 

Guilt flickers through you, quick and unwelcome. 

“Rachel--” 

“I’m going to bed,” she cuts you off, not unkindly, but not warmly either. “I’ve got an early morning.” 

She disappears down the hall, her door clicking shut a moment later. The quiet that follows is different. Not comfortable. You stare down your notes, the words blurring slightly as your eyes sting. 

“Hey,” Naomi says gently. 

You swallow. “I didn’t mean to…” you trail off. 

“She’ll be fine,” Victoria offers, softer than her usual tone. “You didn’t say anything wrong.” 

“I kind of did,” you mutter. 

“You kind of snapped,” Naomi corrects you. “There’s a difference.” 

You huff out a breath, setting your pen down. “I just… don’t get why it matters so much.” 

Victoria shrugs. “Because it’s weird. And people latch onto weird.” 

Naomi tilts her head. “But that doesn’t mean you have to.” 

You nod, even if the knot in your chest doesn’t fully loosen. 

Victoria taps your shoulder. “You’re still coming Friday, right?” 

“The party?” you groan.

“Yes, the party,” she grins. “Small house, college guys, questionable music choices. It’ll be fun.” 

Naomi nods eagerly. “We’ll stick together the whole time. Promise.” 

You hesitate for a second. Then sigh. 

“Yeah, I’ll go.” 

“Good,” Vic beams.

You glance between them, then add, “The Kims won’t be there, right?” 

Vic laughs immediately. “God, no.” 

Naomi shakes her head. “They don’t go to parties. Like, ever.” 

“Seriously,” Vic adds. “I’ve never seen them at one. Not once.” 

Something in your chest settles at that. 

“Okay,” you murmur, “good.” 

“Good?” Vic echoes, amused. 

“Shut up,” you groan, but there’s no heat behind it this time.

Naomi smiles, gathering her things. “We should probably call it soon anyway. Early morning tomorrow for all of us.” 

“Ugh,” Vic grumbles, finishing off her wine.

You clean up slowly, stacking your books, rinsing out your cup, moving through the motions on autopilot. The apartment quiets again as lights flick off one by one.

By the time you make it to your room, the world feels smaller again.

You change, plug your phone in, and slide beneath the covers after shelving your new books, the familiar weight of your blankets ground you. 

The events of the day flicker behind your eyes… glances, voices, the feeling of being watched, of being known just a little too quickly. 

You turn onto your side, pulling the blanket higher.

And eventually, with the soft hum of the apartment around you, sleep comes.

🪸” 深海 FILES —

less-active realities ;

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄𝐑 .. looking for a faceless, horror/indie youtuber and streamer? subscribe to walkingdeath and she might face reveal at 100k ;)) i won’t.

𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐒 .. decide to stay low in jump city? seems like the word gets around. and before 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐘 knew it, one of batman’s disciples was at her doorstep.

𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐘 .. thinking of owning a small bakery in the outskirts of kyoto, 2003? you might just attract a certain detective with a sweet-tooth…

𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐂𝐄 .. you’d think if your father was an emperor of the sea, he wouldn’t let you out of his line of sight… but how come 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐘 started her own pirate crew consisting of two losers and he still can’t find her!

🍾” 丢失的 BOTTLES —

incomplete/inactive realities ;

𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀 ..

𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 ..

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇 ..

𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 ..

𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 ..

𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 ..

𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄 ..

𝐌𝐎𝐁 𝐏𝐒𝐘𝐂𝐇𝐎 𝟏𝟎𝟎 ..

𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋 𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 ..

𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐍 ..

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 ..

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 ..

𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 ..

𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐎 ..

𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐁 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 ..

𝐌𝐌𝐀/𝐔𝐅𝐂 ..

feel free to ask questions, separate masterlists for each/most realities will be opened later on. © sunnatmf 2025.

Coach Esme Platt

Her family wanted her to marry right out of high school. She protested at first, but was worn down. She proceeded into the marriage unaware, but soon found her husband was an abusive man. She was too afraid of disappointing her family and of him following her or hurting her little brother to leave. Then he got her pregnant. Her child was her only motivator to stay alive. When he died days after birth, she attempted suicide.

She was saved by the same doctor who had patched her up years ago. As she recovered in his care, she fell in love and was very sad when he left again to find work elsewhere. She found Exy at her small women’s university. 

The team was more of a way to connect than to play a sport, and with her many injuries (both from childhood stunts, her husband’s abuse and her suicide attempt) she knew she’d never play seriously but she fell in love with the sport as something that was hers alone and played all through college and began to coach right after.

She was recruited by Olympic University, a very progressive school that was willing to take the heat that would surely accompany the first female Exy Coach, a few years later.

Her players (whom she calls cubs for the school's mascot, the Mountain Lion) are like her children. She is known for recruiting “broken” players. Some call her coaching style soft, but her results are undeniable.

Team Medic Carlisle Cullen

Carlisle was never very big into sports. Coming from an extremely religious home, his parents encouraged him to become a clergyman like his father and felt betrayed when he admitted his dream was to practise medicine. He was too ashamed of disappointing his parents to stay in England, so he left home at age 16.

Thankfully, a distant cousin of his, Eleazar, agreed to let him stay with his wife Carmen and their three foster daughters in Alaska. In America, Carlisle began volunteer work at clinics and youth internships (and during one of the internships, he aided in patching up Esme’s broken leg) and eventually received a scholarship to university and then medical school. Eleazar and Carmen are very proud of him. 

He was one of the doctors who performed the life-saving surgeries when Esme was brought to the hospital after her suicide attempt. He recognised her and worked with her through her physical therapy, but had to leave after his rotation in that department ended. He had grown quite fond of her and hoped to see her again, but felt any advances highly inappropriate as she was his patient and also due to the way he was raised to devote himself only to God and good works. He worried that it wouldn’t be okay for him to have romance as well as his work.

He joined the Mountain Lions as part of his devotion to good works, not knowing Esme was the coach. He was very surprised to see her there and felt guilty for his feelings. Because he was no longer working at a hospital and wasn’t an educator, there were problems with his Visa, and still having feelings for him, Esme proposed they marry for his citizenship. After much convincing (he worried about the ethicality of “cheating” the system and that he was taking advantage of her) agreed. Now they’re dancing round each other. Pretty much everyone knows they’re in love but them.

(A/N: IDK anything about medicine or immigration, it’s for the PLOT) 

As further proof of the legitimacy of their marriage, Carlisle and Esme adopted teenage Edward. The three live together in a house not far from Olympic’s main campus.

Edward Masen-Platt-Cullen

Edward’s parents died when he was young. His mother passed of cancer when he was 10, and his father’s mental health declined sharply afterwards. He was never violent, but just withered away. He committed suicide shortly before Edward’s 15th birthday. His mother was Esme’s older sister, so he went to live with Esme.

While in their care he picked up Exy as a way to connect with and prove himself to Cralisle and Esme eventhough he didn’t need to. He still isn’t a big sports person, but Olympic’s pre-medical and music programme and Esme and Carlisle’s positions there were big draws for him. He joined the Exy team as a temporary sub when they didn’t have enough players to be official and he fully intented to leave when a replacement was found, but he ended up staying. He now plays as a striker

Tanya, Irina, & Kate Denali

Having lost their mother and younger brother at a very young age, they were put into foster care where they bounced around until Carmen and Eleazar found them and took them in. When they came of age for university, Olympic was an obvious choice. They’d played Exy in foster care, having been taught it as a way to blow off steam.

Many critics were against the idea of such a female heavy team, and even thoes who claimed support made a joke of them calling them the beauty Queens of Exy. Even still, they’re ferocious on the court.

Tanya: Backliner

Irina: Defensive Dealer

Kate: Backliner

Rosalie Hale

Rosalie was raised to be the perfect prim and proper girly-girl after being sexually assualted and having all her pain and trauma ignored she became rebellious in an effort to get her parents to notice her. But they excused everything she did, burying it with their wealth. So she decided to give up on huge dramatic displays and take up the most violent sport she could find to defy her family’s expectations. Naturally, having played Lacrosse casually, she chose Exy. 

She ended up getting a scholarship for Exy and was the fourth girl on Olypic’s Exy team. It was a struggle at first because she and Edward fought constantly. The teams entire dynamic was messed up until Emmett McCarty joined and acted as a mediator. Rosalie is also in pre-med and shares many classes with Edward much to her dismay though they do get along better now. Rosalie is a dealer and specialises in offense but can go where needed.

Emmett McCarty

Emmett has always dreamed of going pro in Exy. He loves the sport and also wants to improve his family’s financial situation. He almost died in a bear attack and the doctor’s thought he’d never play again, but after relaring to play with a prothetic leg he’s a beast on Olympic’s court. His personality makes him the perfect team mediator and his size makes him an amazing goalkeeper.

Alice Whitlock

Alice was a runaway who showed up on Carlisle and Esme’s doorstep with no memory of her past and owning nothing besided the name “Alice”. They took her in and had Edward teach her Exy so he would be a bit more social. With no papers, they couldn’t adopt her but she and Edward became like brother and sister and the two started university together. She signed with the team as a dealer but often acts as an extra striker or striker sub because of the way she can so accurately predict people’s next moves and adjust accordingly on the fly. She is a fashion major. When she signed her last name was put in as Doe, but shortly after she signed Jasper Whitlock joined the team as a striker and the two became very close so he volunteered to give her his surname to help her find her identity. It caused a lot of gossip, but the two remained mostly oblivious. The two began dating a year later.

Jasper Whitlock

No one (except Alice) knows much about Jasper’s past but he’s covered head to toe in human bite marks and various other scars which was enough for him to fit Esme’s requirement for the team. In truth, until he ran away, he was forced to be apart of his father’s white supremacist cult who were convinced among other things that they were vampires and ate, or rather, drank accordingly.

Jasper is known for his impeccable instrints and speed as well as his overall frightening appearence but is actually a very calm person. He’s extremely introverted and rarely gets angry or ruffled at all unless it involves Alice being harmed in some way. He struggles with Depression, PTSD and OCD. He often feels tired or has a foggy head partially because of all his medication and playing Exy is one of the few times he feels completely alert which is why he loves it. Jasper is a Philosophy and History double major with a minor in Economics and plans to go to law school. Aside from his 5 year contract (as opposed to the normal 4 years) he takes classes at night and during the summer. He likes that school and Exy take up all his time because then he can’t dwell in his thoughts.

Bella Swan

Bella came from a home where she suffered benign neglect by a scatterbrained mother and because of her financial situation she knew she has to get scholarship to college. She never would have thought sports would be her thing, but in a desperate attempt to pick one in highschool she got dumped with her school’s struggling Exy team merley because they neeed the numbers to qualify to play. She learnt it out of willpower, spite and desperation.

She geta along well with most of the team, including Jasper strangely. Though the two aren’t close he appriacxtes her calm aura. Bella is the only one who can get Edward out his room when he’s depressed and moping. She brought out his funny charming social side. Bella is an English major and hopes to become a teacher.

Garrett

Distantly you register Beomgyu calling after you wondering what happened but you don’t care. Making it to the car you get in rounding the turns towards the sound of Kai’s voice. The closer you get the more you hear the thoughts of the disgusting and clearly drunk men who wont leave him alone. You hit the steering wheel in frustration willing the car to go faster.

You pull in to the empty and poorly lit parking lot, tires screeching. You flash your lights at the men, bringing your car dangerously close to where they stood. They stumble back pathetically but make no moves to get away from Kai.

Growling in anger you make your way out of the car. You register Kai staring at you in confusion and awe and allow yourself to check that he is unharmed. To your relief he is but he is also definitely rattled by what has happened. This renews your anger and you turn to the men utilizing the best of your vampire abilities to intimidate them.

Clearly startled by your sudden appearance and hostility they finally begin to back off stumbling back to the safety of the bar. Once you were satisfied they were gone for good you turn back to Kai worried for his safety.

“Are you alright? Did they do anything to you? Why were you here all alone? Do you need anything?” you ramble off unable to stop the flood of questions and concern. You don’t really give him a chance to answer, grabbing his arm and ushering him to the safety of your car, still murmuring questions and cursing out the men under your breath. He easily stumbles along with you, slipping into the passenger seat without complaint.

You get back in the car and ask him if there’s anywhere he needs you to take him to. He finally speaks after minutes of silence and as always he hits you with the most unpredictable response.

“Why are your hands so … cold?” he gets out, turning his puzzled gaze to your face. You immediately tense, uneasy with the line of unexpected questioning and brush him off by asking again if he’s alright. As though asking one question gave him back his courage to speak, Kai was now the one pelting you with questions you found difficult to answer.

“How did you find me? How did you know i was in danger? What did you say to those men to make them run like that?” he pushes, getting more and more agitated with each question you left unanswered.

Finally, you hear Beomgyus thoughts registering in your mind, indicating that he’s close by enough to hear you and to piece together what happened. Hoping Beomgyu gets the hint you finally answer Kai.

“I was dropping Beomgyu off at a store nearby and I saw what was happening from my car. I rushed over as soon as I could,” you attempt to placate him with your answer.

He gives you a look that lets you know he doesn’t 100% believe you but you’ll take what you can get. You settle into the drivers seat making your way over to the only nearby store hoping Beomgyu heard and is waiting for you. You assume this would be the end of his questioning but as always Kai manages to shock you.

“Why?” he asks, voice cracking a bit on his emotions. You brake a little harshly, stunned at his response.

“Why?” you begin, with a humorless laugh, “Kai, you were clearly in trouble. I wasn’t going to leave you to get attacked or worse. I know I can be standoffish and rude but i’m not that much of a monster,” you finish, a little upset at any of the implications of his question.

“Thats not what i meant…” he mumbles back, avoiding eye contact. You so desperately want to push the subject, find out what he really means but he closes off and you decide to respect his boundaries. Soon, you are pulling in to the local hardware store close to the parking lot Kai was in. Luckily for you Beomgyu was standing right out front, acting confused as to why he was left behind. You had to applaud him for his dedication to the role, you owed him big time.

Kai seemed to perk up at the sight of Beomgyu, seeming a lot calmer now that your reasoning had been proven true. As Beomgyu got in the car you quickly explained what happened to which Kai became a little flustered by and began insisting he was okay.

Beomgyu, genuinely concerned for him, offered apologies for what had happened and the option to talk to him about it if Kai ever felt he wanted to. You smiled at Beomgyu through the rear view mirror, filled with joy at how he treated Kai. It made you happy to see your family care for him given the events of the last few weeks.

“So, did you want us to drop you off anywhere? We could just take you home also, whatever works best for you,” you asked Kai, lowkey not wanting to be apart from him right now but knowing he was likely exhausted from what he experienced.

“Um… I was here with some friends before I wandered off to the bookstore. They were going to eat at the diner, I guess you could leave me there,” he responded, giving you a small smile. You nodded, changing lanes to head to the local diner.

You pull into the parking lot, turning to say bye to Kai and offer similar reassurances to what Beomgyu had told him when he cuts you off. “Sorry,” he starts, looking up from his phone, “It looks like they left already,” he finishes, shrugging sheepishly and waving his phone around to convey that they had just messaged him. Some friends.

“You should still eat, it’s been a long day for you. We can wait for you here or pick up something for you on the way to your house,” you offer, unsure of what to do in this situation. Yeonjun and Soobin would be screaming at you right about now.

“Actually… do you think, I mean, would you be able to maybe have dinner with me? If that’s possible I don’t know how busy you guys are I don’t want to keep you waiting,” he hesitantly asks, avoiding eye contact.

Your immediate reaction is a resounding yes (yes a million times yes), but you hesitate, glancing briefly over to Beomgyu. You cant just leave him behind you guys did come to hunt together. You definitely can’t have Beomgyu eat with you guys either he would expose your (totally not real) feelings so fast.

Beomgyu, ever the opportunist, picks up on your hesitation and makes the decision for you. “Well, I was still uh…shopping, I could take the car and go finish that up while you guys eat and come back to pick you up,” he offers, stumbling to cover up hunting with the shopping lie you had forwarded earlier. You send him a grateful smile, easily agreeing and reassuring Kai that it would be no problem. You hoped.

You made your way into the restaurant with Kai, waving bye to Beomgyu who shot you a wink and very loudly thought “you’re welcome !! just go for it and be yourself !!!” You shook your head, laughing slightly and continued following Kai inside.

The diner was basically empty save for a few families and teenagers. The waitress guided you guys to a booth near the back and you pushed Kai to order already, insisting that the sooner he eats the better he will feel. He smiles at you again before quickly placing his order. You willed yourself not to get giddy at the sight of his smile. You were failing miserably.

“So, you saved my life, again. Thank you by the way. I hope you know this just confirms my superhero theory,” Kai begins talking as soon as the waitress leaves. You let out a loud laugh, startled but amused by his sudden claims.

“Still definitely not a superhero,” you answer shyly. Your family would be making sooo much fun of you right now.

“If you insist, but you are special, in your own way,” he continues, kind smile still on his face but a hint of red making it’s way to the tips of his ears. How cute.

You don’t know if it’s the compliments, or his sincerity, or just the shock of the last hour but you find yourself overwhelmed with wanting to tell him about yourself. To tell him the truth. You give him as close to it as you can.

Sending a mental apology to your family you hesitantly begin, “Well, not a superhero but um you aren’t entirely wrong about being ‘special’ in a way.” You look at him nervously trying to gauge his response to that. He meets your gaze head on, offering a reassuring nod and indicating you elaborate.

Sighing deeply you continue, “Okay, don’t laugh but I can I mean I do have an ability that’s not totally normal. I can read minds.” You grip the table tightly, ready to act like you’re joking if he takes this badly.

“Oh no. You could read my mind this whole time ? Oh my god i’m so sorry,” he exclaims, giving you an incredibly embarrassed look. You stare in shock.

“I tell you that I can read minds, and your first reaction is to apologize for your thoughts. You never fail to amaze me,” you respond, once again left stunned by Kai.

“Don’t worry though. Funny enough, you actually happen to be the one exception to my power,” you quickly reassure, noting the rabbit hole he was going down.

“Wait so is there something wrong with my thoughts? Or with your power somehow? You can hear everyone else?” he immediately questions, unfazed by the news of your mind reading abilities but concerned on their logistics. He was going to be the death of you… well second death.

As much as you wish you could tell him, you hold off on mentioning anything that could imply the whole you being a vampire thing. Lucky for you he seems very content with the information you gave about mind reading. You find he is way more open and excited as he talks to you after the reveal. He trusts you again.

His food arrives and he digs in starting to look better and better as he eats. You continue to watch him fondly engaging in small talk. You even indulge him when he starts asking you what random people in the diner are thinking of. It’s worth it to see his expressive reactions to everyone’s thoughts. The time goes by too quickly and soon he is finished with his meal and insisting you call Beomgyu as he feels bad to keep him waiting so long.

You smile fondly at the sentiment but ultimately agree and send Beomgyu a text to let him know you were ready to go. Heading out to the car you walk side by side, occasionally bumping hands and then shying away from each others touch. You cant believe this is what you’ve been reduced to a blushing, giggly, love sick fool.

Beomgyu has a shit eating grin on his face as he gets out of the car to let you drive. You do a great job at pretending you can’t see it. As you all get in the car you realize you forgot to tell Kai to keep what you said a secret from everyone, something you are painfully aware of as he begins to speak.

“So Beomgyu, I figure you don’t have mind reading abilities also… unless you do? I don’t really know how that works honestly but um what’s your power then?” he finishes, a little flustered but eager to hear the answer. You roughly brake the car yet again turning wide eyes to Kai and then to Beomgyus shocked face.

“YOU TOLD HIM?! THAT IS SO NOT WHAT I MEANT BY GO FOR IT !!” Beomgyu exclaims, thoughts going a million miles an hour. You hiss out at him to shut up and rush to explain yourself.

“Yes! I told Kai how I can mind read. How that’s the major secret i’ve been hiding. Guess I forgot to mention that i’m the only one in my family with a power,” you finish, gritting your teeth and hoping Beomgyu gets the hint again. His mouth flounders around as he fails to find a reasonable response and just settles for a very weak “oh okay, yeah…” Way to be convincing.

Kai, ever observant, sends a suspicious glance over to both you and Beomgyu but doesn’t push the matter, simply nodding in response. The rest of the ride back to Kai’s house is a little tense with stilted attempts at small talk being made by each of you. You cant help but feel a little bit of relief to finally pull into his driveway.

“Well, thanks again guys really. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up. Um, also thank you for trusting me it means a lot.” Kai shyly addresses you and Beomgyu to which you rush to offer reassurances and wishes for him to have a good night.

“Also, I won’t tell anyone I swear so uh don’t worry about that! It’s all good! We’re good!,” he rushes out mainly to you, prompting the biggest smile to take over your face. Damn your feelings. Damn his cuteness. Beomgyu audibly coos causing Kai to blush harder as he bids a final farewell to the two of you and makes his way to his house.

You wave back when you suddenly notice that Kai is holding something in one of his hands. In the mess that was this evening you hadn’t noticed that he was carrying something with him. You figure it must be the book he ended up risking his life to go buy earlier.

Curious to see what he was so determined to get you peek at the cover sticking out over his arm. If it was possible your blood would’ve ran cold. Staring back at you in bold letters was the title “Myths and Folklore of the Forks Region.” Accompanying the incriminating titles was drawings of various “mythological” creatures.

Front and center was a stereotypical depiction of a vampire.

Shit.

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